Library Collections: Document: Full Text

In Ohio Dr. Awl, a veteran superintendent of the asylum for the insane, was, perhaps, the first in the country to call attention to the sad condition of the idiots of that State, and to propose measures for their relief. At a later day, after relinquishing the active duties of his specialty, he was quite unwearied in his interest in the preliminary means that ultimated in the establishment of the Ohio Asylum for Idiots. Dr. Patterson, with a similar professional experience, took the charge of the new institution, thus contributing greatly to its first success.

So in Kentucky, Mr. Jacobs, who had had the charge of the institution for deaf-mutes for many years, was the leader in the public movement which ended in the establishment of the State Asylum for Idiots at Frankfurt.

In Illinois Mr. Gillett, of the deaf and dumb asylum, not only interested himself in securing the passage of the law for the establishment of an institution for idiots, but consented to act temporarily as superintendent of the same till a suitable person could be found to take the charge of it.

In Wisconsin Mr. Little, the superintendent of the blind asylum, has been laboring for several years to the same end with a zeal and energy most commendable. At this very time, in other States, many others with similar experience are doing the preliminary work looking to the same end.

It would be unjust not to mention another incident in the history of this movement in this country.

Almost coincident with its start here, Dr. Edward Leguin, whose labors in the same direction, in France, had been so early and so conspicuous, that he is spoken of in Europe everywhere as its originator, came to this country a self-exiled republican. While various circumstances have prevented his very active or long-continued participation in the direct management of such institutions in this country, yet he has helped to mould them in various ways. For myself, personally, I should be very ungrateful did I fail to express on every proper occasion, the obligation due from a pupil to the master.

While upon this topic of the growth of institutions of the kind in this country, I may mention what I have had an opportunity of learning during the past summer of the development of similar institutions in England. The reports of what had been done in France, especially the results of Dr. Leguin's labors at the Bicetre Hospital in Paris and elsewhere, reached England and this country quite simultaneously, through the medical journals. The efforts in the same direction in both countries were quite coincident.

A Mrs. Plumbe, of London, to whom this knowledge had come, and whose attention had also been called to the special needs of the class was the first to move in the matter there. Consulting first with Dr. Conolly, of the Hanwell Lunatic Asylum, and then with the pastor, the Rev. Dr. Andrew Reed, a school was promptly started for the education of imbeciles. The management of this fell into admirable hands. It enlisted, at once, the sympathies and the earnest cooperation of some of the leading philanthropists of the nation. In short, it may be said that the history of benevolent efforts, generally can hardly parallel the success of the new charity. Buildings temporarily occupied at Highgate and Colchester were successively outgrown. An establishment was then erected for the purpose. During the last summer I had the opportunity of visiting the Royal Asylum for idiots at Earlswood. It is located near Red Hill, Surrey, about twenty miles from London, and quite accessible by rail. In the midst of an estate of some 250 acres it stands, an institution of which any nation might be proud. With its present capacity, it accommodates 470 inmates. Additions to the buildings, now nearly completed, will enable the management to care for a total of 800. Everything about it is substantial and well ordered. The buildings are admirably adapted to the purpose for which they were designed. The provision for the welfare, comfort and pleasure of the inmates was all that could be desired.

But all this completeness of accommodation and appliance, backed by noble patrons and zealous advocates would not suffice alone. In the services of its immediate officers it has been equally fortunate.

For a long time the direct management was in the hands of Dr. Downs, a London physician, eminent not only in his profession, but for scientific attainments generally. He has a worthy successor in the present superintendent, Dr. Grabham.

With the peculiar organization of the institution, it is no injustice to others connected with it, to remark, that the chief engineer of the whole movement, so far as its relations to the public are concerned, from a very early period, has been the secretary of the asylum, Mr. Nicholas. In view of his discretion, activity and zeal, it may be said, that if any unfortunate imbecile or idiot in England still languishes uncared for or miserable, it is no fault of his.

Two other institutions of a like character exist in England, and a third, the Royal Albert Asylum at Lancaster, is now just beginning to receive pupils. This last, built on the plan of Earlswood, is designed to accommodate 500 inmates.