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The most numerous by far of all cases of conscience brought constantly into the casu-istical court are those which relate to the duties of Truth. "Are we bound to speak the truth at all times?" Who has not, at some periods of his experience, been per-plexed with this question, and longed to know in what way to resolve it. We have reference here, of course, to the sincerely conscientious, for with such persons alone is it a matter of consequence to determine a point like the one before us.

Now, we venture to say, there is no one case of conscience more commonly deemed easy of solution, than that which has regard to the duty of truthfulness with the sick and insane. We put both of these classes of persons together, because, for our purpose, the question is substantially the same with respect to both. An insane man is a man under the influence, commonly, of some bodily weakness or disease, and it is a very common effect of bodily sickness to produce, in a greater or less degree, mental derange-ment.

We say, there is no case of conscience more easily solved, according to the popular estimation, than this one with reference to truth-telling towards the sick and insane. In fact, it has become hardly a question at all, with the great majority. Leaving the insane out of the question, who does not know how common is the practice of equivocation and deceit towards the sick? Who does not know how often physicians lead the way in this sort of dealing? It is not an un-frequent thing -- we speak from our own observation that physicians conduct themselves in this particular, as if they were absolved from all obligation to the rules of veracity by virtue of their profession. How often does it occur that they flatter their patients with speedy, or, at least, ultimate recovery, where they have already judged the case to be hopeless, and the sufferer is already lying upon the verge of the grave. We have known the sick, and the family that watched around the bed-side, kept in utter ignorance of the true state of the progress of the disease, at the same time that the patient was rapidly sinking into the arms of death, and the physician who had spoken only words of assurance and hope in his ear, was telling to all without the household that recovery was impossible. We trust that such a course is not characteristic of the profession in general. We are glad to know that by the best medical authorities, and by our most scientific and distinguished practitioners, it is entirely disapproved. We hesitate not, to brand such conduct on the part of the appointed guardians of the sick-bed, to be as uncalled for and cruel as it is treacherous and wicked.

There are many who will assent to the justness of the views stated above, who will very likely dissent from us when we come to speak of the expediency and duty of truthfulness towards the insane. There are multitudes who, doubtless, consider it neither expedient nor a duty to observe strict veracity with this unfortunate class of persons. It is, we believe, a general impression that those who have to do with the insane in our Asylums are governed by no rules upon the subject, unless it be the rule of employing both truth and falsehood, according as one or the other shall be best suited to the particular exigency. This, in fact, was our own impression, until our residence and entrance as a patient within the walls of the N. Y. State Asylum gave us an opportunity to ascertain the policy actually adopted.

In this Institution, and we believe in others of the same character in our country generally, there is but one rule upon the subject, viz. That of invariable truthfulness in the treatment of the insane. "Speak every man truth with his neighbor;" that is the good and gospel principle under which we are governed. It will, perhaps, be presuming too much, but we will venture one or two suggestions upon this subject. They may be none the less valuable for being due, in part, to our own painful experience since becoming an inmate of this Institution.

First then, Insanity is but another word for delusion, the delusion of falsehood, and falsehood manifestly, therefore, is not the proper cure for a disease of which it is, in itself, the essence. The thing which needs to be expelled from the mind of an insane person, before it can be recovered to soundness, is the falsehood under which it labors, and how this can be best done by injecting new falsehood into the mind, we may well be at a loss to know. If a child has been fed upon sweetmeats until it has become pale and thin like a skeleton, is it best, in order to its recovery, to continue the sweet-meats or to endeavor to neutralize and overcome their already hurtful effect by a new and nourishing diet? There is but one answer to this question, an answer suggested by the very nature of the case, as we should say. Now as with the emaciated body, so with the deranged mind. No mind can be in a healthy condition that feeds upon falsehood. It must, of course, be diseased and hastening to decay. What it needs is something different and opposite to that which it has fed upon, and that something is TRUTH.

It is certain, furthermore, that the insane are more or less susceptible to all influences exerted in consistency with the requirements of veracity. It is no uncommon thing in the experience of those who have charge of institutions for the insane to find the delusion of their patients giving way before a continual representation of the truth. Nor is it unfrequent that the recovered patient is able to call to mind, how the truthful declarations of his physician first broke in upon his delusions with persuasive power, and how from this source the first ray of light shone upon the brooding darkness. We can speak from experience, how much it contributed to the rest of a mind tossed upon the billows of phrenzy and despair, when we had gained the conviction that those who were placed in charge of us were men in whose slightest utterances we could have confidence; men who made it a sacred principle not to deceive their patients in any particular. There is a certain point of recovery when the disordered mind seeks to discriminate between that which is true and that which is false in its condition. It has delusions which it would gladly rid itself of, if it might dare to do so; but it has others, equally hurtful, to which it would as gladly hold fast. Then also, there are certain facts, with reference to his state, some of which are pleasant, and others, it may be, disagreeable to contemplate; but now, as he finds his delusions beginning to dissipate, what shall he do with these? Ought he to retain his confidence in them while he dismisses it in the others? In such circumstances what can be more grateful to the tempest-tost soul than to have at hand a faithful counsellor, whose every word is 'truth, and who may be relied on to guide his trembling steps through the maze he is treading.

Let no one say that confidence on the part of the insane in the word of others, is not to be expected, as a general thing. Opposed to such an opinion is the striking fact, that there is scarcely a class of patients in a well-managed institution that does not exercise this confidence to a greater or less degree. Go to the worst ward in this Asylum, and you will find a company of men walking at liberty, and, for the most part, peaceful and manageable, who, but for the faith they have in the word of their attendants, would be furious as the beasts of the forest. They have been made to understand, that so long as they maintain good behavior they shall enjoy certain privileges; they have learned by experience that this condition will be strictly fulfilled on the part of their attendants, and it is their confidence in the assurance given them, that secures, to a most remarkable degree, the desired end, and renders unnecessary, in a great measure, the whole restraining apparatus, -- muffs, mittens, and solitary confinement. Indeed, what could such an Institution as this do, but for this principle of confidence, and what would become of all confidence here, but for the strict observance of veracity between man and man!

But we will not, at this time, prolong our remarks further. We are satisfied that the whole system of deceit and falsehood practised towards the insane can safely be dispensed with. In all conscience then, it surely should be. It is not necessary to use the language of constant and irritating contradiction. Kindness joined with firmness; gentleness with honesty; truth spoken in love, -- these are the best of all human restoratives for the malady of a diseased and disordered mind.