l
l:
PROM nr.Acxwooo’s MAGAZINE.
THE LAMENT OF ELLA. -
Oh ! would my love would list my voice,
, Thus lone and desolate;
I hear the little birds rejoice,
And weep beside the gate.—'-
I love the lofty chesnnt’s shade,
_ In evening’s ruddy glow,
Beside the spot I've often stray’d
, With Henry long ago !
These days are pasr—'no more to be,
These happy eves are o’er;
My love is off and-oler the sea,
I ne’er shall see him more !
Oh! Father, that thy cruel scorn
Mitre ardor could withstand ;
And cause my hero, all forlorn,
To leave his native land ;
Grace never sate on nobler brow,
Nor fame on. loftier crest,
Nor courage war in a heart more true,
Than throbs within his breast:
But these, alas! were nought to thee,
And he, wliotn I deplore,
My love is off, and o’er the sea,
I ne’er shall see him more!
Spread down, fair maids, a couch for me,
I iie’er shall rise again ;
Since Henry I iro more. shall see,
My heartintist burst in twain :
Oh ! paths, where we so oft have stray'd,
Beside the waters soft ; . _
Oh ! woods, whose gentle twilight shade
Hath slrelter’d us so oft;
Adieu! your sweets no more I’ll see,
MThe strifefiszliallj sopn qie o’er ;
love is u an 0 er t e sea,
I ne’-er shall see him more !
(Build up a little tnontiment
Ofmarble, cold and white,
And let the rose’s balmy scent
Tire passer by invite,
To read the fatal mime of one,
IVho pin’d and died for love;
And thank’d the hand ofdeatlr alone,
That sent her soul above ;
For oh ! to think is misery,
On him wlroni I adore ;
My love is off and olcr the sea,
I ne’er shall see him more!
Let maidens bear me to my tomb,
This simple boon I crave,
That flowers of sweet and early bloom
Be strew’d upon my grave; '
And let, within the house of prayer,
Above my seat be plac’d
My gloves, aridigarland for my hair,
Of lily ribbons chaste;
For life is but a blank to me,
And earth a floirerlcss shore ;
My love is off, and o'er the sea,
I ne’er shall see him more!
A week has scarcely pass’d, since I
IVas gayest of the gay,
And roarn’d with Henry, when the sky
\‘r'as red with parting day;
Now darkness veils nry weary path,
And gloom o’ersliades my soul,
The thunder clottds ofgrief and wrath,
_Aronnd me fiercely roll :
But soon a change will come to me,
M (la 5 will soon be o’er;
My Ibveis oil‘, and o’er the sea,
I ue’er shall see him nrore 3
74
FROM nwiGrt'r’s TRAVELS.
.Manufacture and Pcddfing of Tin.
The inhabitaiits ofthis village, (Vr’orthing-
ton, Con.) make great qrrantities oftin-ware,
or utensils, formed oftiiined plates. As this
species of inairufacttrre, on the western side of
the Atlantic, probably coniiirenced here, I
will give you on account of the tnaniier in
which it was lDI|‘Ot'ItlCt.‘fI.
About the year f?-LO, VVilliam Pattison, a
native of Ireland, cause to this country and
settled in this town. his trade was that ofa
tinizerz and soon after his arrival, he coin-
menced iiiantrfactrii‘ing tin ware, and contin-
tied in that business iiirtil the revolutiorrary
war. He wastlren under the necessity ofsus-
pendiug it,as the raw material could not be
obtained. After the war, this nianufacture
was carried on at Berlin, by those young men
who had,l,earned the trade from Mr. Pattison;
and these persons have since extended the hu-
siness over a nuriiber ofthe neighboring towns.
For many years after tinned plates were
manufactured in this place into culinary ves-
sels, the only nrethod used by the _pedlars for
conveying them to distant towns for sale, was
by means ofa horse, and two baskets, balan-
ced on his back. After the war, carts and
waggons were used for this purpose, aird have
fiorn that time to the present, been the only
means of conveyance which have been adopt-
ed. The manner in which this ware is dispos-
ed of, puts to flight all calculation. A young
man is furnislied by the proprietor with zi
horse, and a cart covered with a box contain-
ing as iriaiiy tin vessels as the horse can coir-
veniently draw. This vehicle witliiu a few
years has, indeed, been frequently exclianged
for a waggoir ; and then the load is dotibled.
Thus prepared he sets out on an expedition
for the winter. A multitude of these yottrig
men direct theuiselres to the Southern States;
and in their excursions travel’ wherever they
can find settlernetrts. Each of tlieui walks,
and rides, alternately through this vast dis-
tance, till he reaches Richmond, Newborn,
. FCharleston, or Savanrtalr; and usually car-
U fries with him to the place of his destination,
no small part of the gain which he has ac-
quired upon the road. Here he finds one or
more workmen, who have been sent forward
to co.-operate with him, furnishcd'with antif-
frcient quantity oftinned plates to supply him
.with all the ware which he can sell during
the season.-
Vfith this he wanders into the interior coun-
try ; calls at every door on his way ; and with
an address and pertinacity not easily resisted,
compels no small number of the inhabitants
to buy. At the couim:-ncsiiient of the stim-
mer, they return to New-York; and thence
to New-Haven, by water; after selling their
‘vehicles and their horses. The original load
ofa single horse, as I am told, is rarely worth
more than three hundred dollars ; or ofa wag-
gon more tthan six hundred. Yet this busi-
ness is said to yield both the owner and his a-
ent valuable returns; and the profit to be
greater than that which is made by the sale
of airy other mercliandise of equal value.-
Even those, who carry out a single load, and
dispose ofit in the neiglihoring country, find
their employment profitable. In this manner
considerable wealth has been accuintilated in
’l’-Vortliiugton, and its vicinity.
.1
4. an
'n_..
.ited by these men.
‘ their way to -Detroit, four hu‘ndred nriles far-
’ take not, to
' bartering of small wares, are incident to this,
. general nature.
. ceived into bottles, and sirbjectcd to every
jug some quantity ofwater in them, as wood
Every ir'rhabited'pa‘r't of the U. States is vis-
I have seen them on the
peninsula of Cape Cod, and in the neighbor-
hood of Lake "Erie; distant from each other
more than six‘ hundred miles. They rna-ke
ther ; to Cauatla , to Kentucky ; and ifl ‘mis-
Neiv-Orleans and St. Louis.
All the evils, "which are attendant on the
and every other mode of trafiic ‘of the "same
Many of the young men,
employed in this business, part, an ' an ’ear"ly
period, with both modesty and, principle.-
Their sobriety ,is exchanged for cunning ;
their honesty for imposition, and their decent‘
behaviour for coarse itripudence. Mere wan-
derers, accustomed to no order, control, or
worship ; and directed solely to the acquisi-
tion of petty gain ;they soon fasten tipon this
object ; and forget every other, of a superior
nature. r.I‘Il,_.‘,£)5lly.\S,Otl_l‘/C_BROI‘ their pleasure,
or their reptitatiorr, is Ltgaih ; and that, bowe-
ver small, and however acquired, secures both.
No course oflife tends more rapidly or more
effectually to eradicate every moral ferzlinrr.
ON LIGHTNING.
Experiments made in electricity first gave
philosophers a suspicion that the matter of
liglrtiiing was the same with electric matter.
Experiments afterwards made on lightning,
obtained froiu the clouds by pointed rods, re-
trial, have since proved this suspicion to be
perfectly well fouuded__; and whatever pro-
perties we find in electricity are also the pro-
perties oflightninrr.
This matter ofliglrtriiirg, or ofelectricity, is
an extreme subtle fluid, penetrating other bo-
dies and subsisting in them equally diffuser].
Wlren, by an operation of art or nature,
there happens to be a greater proportion of
this fluid in one body than in ariotlier, the ho-
dy which has most ‘will coiiinitinicate to that
which has least, till the proportion becomes
equal, provided the distance between them
be not too great; or, if it is too great, till
there be proper conductors to convey it from
one to the other.
If the communication be through the air,
without any conductor, a bright light is seen
between the two bodies, and a sotind is heard.
In otrr suiall experiments, we call this light
and sound, the electric spark and snap; but
in the great operations of nature, the light is
what we call lig.’rf7li-rig, and the sound (produ-
ced at the same time, though generally arriv-
ing later at otrr ears than light does to our
eyes) is, with its eclroes, called thumler.
Ifthe communication of this fluid is by a
coirductor, it may be without light or sound,
the subtle fluid passing in the substrance of
the conductor.
Ifthe conductor'be good and of suflicient
bigness, the fluid passes thro’ it without hurt-
ing it. Ifotherwise, itis damaged or destroyed.
All metals, and water, are good conductors.
Other bodies may become conductors by hav-
and other materials used in building, but not
having much water in them, they are not
good conductors, and therefore are often dani-
aged in the operation. ,_
Glass, wax, silk, wool, hair, feathers, and
even wool perfectly dry, are non—nonductors;
that is, they resist, instead of facilitating the
passage of this subtle fluid.
IVhcn the fluid has an opportunity of pass-
ing through two conductors, one good and
sufficient, as of metal, the other not so good,
it passes in the best, and will follow it in any
direction.
The distance at which a body charged with
this fluid will discharge itself suddenly, strik-
ing through the air into another body that is
not charged, or not so highly charged, is dif-
ferent according to the quantity of the fluid,
the ditnens'rons and forms of the bodies them-
selves, aud the. state of the air between them.
This distance, wlratever it happens to be, be
tween the two bodies, is called their striking
distance, as, till they come withinthat distance
ofeach other, no stroke will be made.
The clouds have often more oftliis fluid in
proportion than the earth ; in which case as
soon as they come near enough (that is, with-
in the striking distanco) or meet with a con-
doctor, the fluid quits them and strikes into
the earth. A cloud ftilly cliarged with this
fluid, if so high as to be beyond the striking
distance of the earth, passes quietly without
making noise or giving light, unless it meets
with other clouds which have less.
'.l‘all tress, and lofty buildings, as the tow-
ers and spires of churches become sometimes
conductors between the clouds and the earth ;
but not being good ones,that is, not conveying
the fluid freely, they are often danraged.
Buildings that have their roofs covered with
lead,or other metal, continued from the earth
intotlie ground to carry off the water, are ne-
ver liurt by lightning, as, whenever it falls on
such a building, it passes in the metals and
not in the walls.
VVhen other buildings happen to be within
the striking distance from sticli clouds, the flir-
id passes in the walls, whether of wood, bricl-i,
or stone, quitting the walls only when it can
find better conductors near them, as metal
rods, bolts and hinges of windows or doors,
gilding or wainscots, or frames ofpictures,
the silvering on the backs of looking-glasses,
the wire for bells and the bodies of animals,
as containing watery fluids. And in passing
through the house, it follows the direction of
these condtictors, taking as many in its way
as can assist it in its passage, .Whether in a
straight or crooked line, leaping from one to
the other, if not far distant from each other,
only rending the wall in the spaces where
these partially good conductors are too dis-
tant from each other.
An iron rod being placed on the outside of
a building, from the highest part continued
dowir into the moist earth, in any direction,
strait or crooked, following the form of the
roof or other parts of the building, will re-
ceive the lightning at its upper end, attract-
ing it. so as to prevent its striking any other
part ofthe building. .
The rod may be fastened to thewall, chim-°
ney, 8z.c. with staples of iron. The lightning
will not leave the rod (a good condtrctor) to
pass into the wall (a bad conductor) thro’ the
staples. It would rather, if any were in the
wall, pass out of it into the rod to get nrore
readily by that conductor into the earth.
If the building be very large and extensive,
two or more rods may be placed at different
parts, for greater security.
Small ragged parts of clouds, suspended in
the air between the great body of clouds, and
the earth (like loaf gold in electrical experi-
\
ments)oftei' serve as partial conductors for
the lightning, which proceeds from one of
them to another,»and by-their help comes '
within the striking distance to the earth or a
building. It therefore strikes through those
conductors to a building that would otherwise
be out of the striking distance.
Long sharp points communicating with the
earth, and presented to such parts of the
clouds, drawing silently from them the fluid
they are charged with,they are then attracted
to the cloud, and may leave the distance so
great as to be beyond the reach of striking.
It is therefore that we elevate the upper
end of the rod six or eight feet above the
highest part ofthe building, tapering it grad-
ually to a sharp point, which is gilt to prevent
its rustiuv.
Thus the pointed rod either prevents a
stroke from the clottds, or if the stroke is
made, conducts it to the ground in safety to
the buildinrr.
The lower end of the rod should enter the
earth so deep as to come at the moist part,
perhaps two or three feet ; and ifbent when
under the stirface so as to go in a horizoiital
linesix or eight feet from the wall, and their
bout again downwards three or four feet-, it
will prevent damage to any of the stones of
the foundation.
A person apprehensive of danger from
lightning, happening during time of thunder
to be in a house not so secured, will do well to
avoid sitting near the chiruncy, irear a look-
ing glass, or any guilt picture or wainscot;
the safest place is the middle of the room (so
it be not under a mental lustre suspended by
a chain) sitting in one chair, and laying the
feet up in another. It is still saferto bring
two or three matrasscs or beds imo the mid-
dlc ofthe room, and, folding them tip dotrble,
place the chair upon them ; for they notbeiug
so good conductors as the walls, the lightning
will not choose an interrupted course ihrouglr
the air ofthe room and the bedding, when it
can go through a continued better conductor,
the wall.
FREEZlNG.—Il. is owing to the ercprznsiort
of water in freezing, that rocks and trees are
often split during intense frosts. According
to the calculations of the I=‘lorerrtiirc academi-
cians, a sphcrule, or little globe of water, on-
ly one inch in diameter, expands in freezing
with a force superior to the resistance of 13 1-2
tons weiglit. Major Vvilliatrrs also attempted
to preveiit this expansion; but during the op-
eration, the iron plug which stopped tho ori-
fice ofthe botnb shell containing the freezing
water, and which was more than two pounds
weight, was projected several hundred feet
with great velocity; and in another experi-
iiient Ihe shell burst. The imbecility of man
never appears so coirspicuotrs, as when he at-
tempts to counteract the operation of laws
which were designed by infinite bcireficence
for his preservation and conrfort. The law
in question is eminently important, and na-
ture has made it unalterable.
This property of water is tiiken advantage
ofiu splitting slats. At Colley Western the
slate is dug from the quarries in large blocks;
these are placed in an opposite direction to
what they had in the quarry, and the rain is
allowed to fall upon them : it penetrates their
fissures, and the first sharp frost freezes the
water, which, expanding with its usual force,
splits the slate into thin layers.
The following narration will show the so-
lidity that water is capable of acquiring when
divested of a large portion of its calorick.——_
During the severe winter of 17-10, a palzice of
ice, fifty-two feet long, sixteen feet Wl(lC, and
twenty feet high, was built at Petersburga 110'
cording to the most elegant rules of art. The
river Neva afforded the ice, wlticll “'83 fwm
two to three feet thick, blocks of which were
cut, and embellished with various ornaments-
W heir btrilt up, the different parts were color-
ed by sprinkling them over with water of va-
rious tints. Six cannoirs, niadc ofand inottn-
ted with ice, with wheels oftliesaineuiatter,
were placed before the palace; and a hr=,nip-
en bullet was driven by one of these canuotr,
‘in the presence oftho whole court, tlrrough a
board two lllCllt:5 thick, ut,the distance of six-
ty paces.
Dirrlrrgue Iactwem two neighbors.
A.--How does it happen, neiglihor B. that
your children have irrade so innt-lr grcaterpro-
gross in their lBill'lllll_1{ and knowledge of the
world than mine ? They all atteird the same
school, and enjoy equal advantages.
B.-Do you frzlre the 7tcwspaper's,ner'gltbor./1?
A.——‘\.To sir, I do not take them myself; but
I now and then borrow one just to read. Pray
sir, what have the newspapers to do with the
education of children ?
B.~—‘v'v'liy, sir, they have a vast deal to do
with it, I assure you. I should as soon think
of keeping; them from school. as to withhold
from tliertr the newspapers. Indeed a news-
paper is a little school itself. Being new ev-
ery week, itiattracts their attention, and they
are sure to peruse it. Thus, while they are
storing their irrinds with useful knowledge,
they are at the same time acquiring the art of
reading, 820. I have often been surprised
that men of understanding should overlook
the importance ofa newspaper in a family.
A.—ln troth, neighbor B. I frequently think
I should like to take them ; but I cannot well
afford the expense.
B.—Can’t afford the expense !—-what, let
me ask, is the value ofthrce or four dollars a
year in comparison with the pleasure and ad-
vantages to be derived from a well conducted
riewspttrrer‘? As poor as I am I would not, for
fifty dollars a year, deprive inyselfoftlre hap-
pinessl enjoy in reading, and hearing my
children read, and talk about what they have
read in the papers. And then the reflection,
that they are growing tip intelligent and use-
ful members ofsociety—O, don’t mention the
expcusel—pay it in advance every year,,and
you will think no more ofit.
A.—I believe you are right. I now begin
to see my folly. I will go lrorrie and order
the printer to send me his paperimmediately.
(Boston Galaxy.
SrNarNo—-JV'cwSiylc.--Considering myself
as having a tolerable voice, and something of
a knack of singing, you nitrst not be surprised
that I should most religiously believe thatl
can spend my Sunday: to no better advan-
tage than attending meeting and nssistitrgin
the psaliirody. But I would be glad to drop
a word to you on my troubles. The young
blades ofour society have grown so much wis-
er and more learned than their fathers, that
they clean out‘-run me. They have learned
what they call their new city mode ofsoloiug,
t
trilling,fudget’ng and quaverirrg, tlia-t when I
attempt to siug,l ain quiteiat-odds with them.
Tlirs they call the new fashions; and our
rmnister_says he cannot preach against it for
fear ofgiving offence. They must be indulg-
ed because they have learned it from their
new city. masters. After all, Mr. Printer, I
really think, that when my wife and I, and
Deacon Snigger’s daughter Patience do not
help them, especially on rainy days, their
singing, as aunt Lucyxsays, ‘is sadly out at ~
elbows.’ I innst‘ tell you how we got served
the other Sunday. Our good minister chanced
to read one ofotrr favorite psalinsdregitrniirg,
“ With revervence let the saints appear,
“ find bow before the Lord,” -
when instead of singing the good old tune of
Mcar, and giving it the truly sonornus twang
0fNeW England, with which we used to sing
at Tan-t<m,our young blades galloped offin a
new City time, slurring away in a most delect-
able quuver,
“ With rczrerrence let the sa---a---irrfs appear,
‘find bow---wow---wow---wow bqforethe Lord.”
This was an unlucky sltrrring ; for our tirin-
istcr’s little whiffet pug happening to catch
the note, sung out of his treble pipes, started,
the ’squre’s old towisei"s full base, and in an
instant the whole posse ofdogs set up such a
chorus, that our meeting would have been
deafened by the generalyell, had not our wor-
thy sexton, by his cane changed’ their_ notes
to another key, and sent their quavering out
at the door. Deacon Goodspeed, who hap-
pened at that time to be comfortably dozing
in his seat, rolled tip the peeled onions ofhis
eyes, and our good minister was obliged to
hide his head and smother a smile.
[Oxford Gazette.
To illustrate the futility of the theories of
SpUl'Zll€llI't and otlrcr's,on the subject ofplrys-
iognomy, crauiologys &c.= the facetioirs edi-
tor ofthe Nantucket Inquirer gives the follow-
ing anecdote :
Not long since two eminent theologians of
different persuasions were travelling in a stage
coach in company with several other passen-
gers, among whom was an elderly gentleman
ofa most sedate, intelligent, and inagisterial
countenance, and withal so reserved and
thoughtful as to be taken for a Judge of the
Superior Court, mentally unravelling some
abstruse law question, or‘ preparing his charge
to the Jury in a most knotty and tinwedgeable
case of homicide. Adisputation soon coin-
rnenced betweenthe ttvodi'vines,whicliled into
some very profound metaphysical inquiries.
So great a veneration had they imbibed for
their sage and silent fellow traveller, thattliey
seemed wholly anxious to obtain his approba-
tion in the issue of their dispute—and as eith-
er party in his own estimation predonrinated
in his argument, a sort of instinctive refer-
ence was made to the portly and powdered
occupant of the back seat—wlio by means of
sundry occasional nods, and other significant
tokens of wisdom, stimulated the learned
combatants in their disputation,_,Jwlricli was
thus protracted to a most inordinate length.
At last the controversy ceased, and a direct
appeal was made to their sapient iiinpire,wlio
proved to be a stupid old Dutchman, and an-
swcrcd, “Vy, vat in do tivel’s name, are you
all dis time peen clrawing about!”
Political .f1nccdotc.—As our State election
is rapidly approaching, the political papers
are beginning to prepare for the campaign.
The Palladium, a democratic paper published
at Geneva, adinonishes the people to be up
and doing. The editor advises them not to
-" send men to the Capital, merely because
they are recommended by other men united
together by the tics of sclf—interest, and who
mutually aid and support each other-—talting
(urns, as they dc-nominate it, in going to the
legislature, and with whom the interest ofthe
country is but a secondary and unimportant
consideration.” And by way of showing the
manner in which these things have been done
in old Ontario, (and we dare say in inairy otli-
cr places,) the following fact is stated :—A
short time previous to the last election, a great
calf of a fellow was seen running about the
streets of a neiglrboring village,with his thumb
in his rnotitlr, hrawling out, “I will go to the
legislature. It is my turn to go, and I will go.
He (meaiiing his political opponent) has used
inc like a rascal. The undcrstanzling between
us was, that I should give him the support of
my town last year, and this year he promised
to stay to hunt, and get his lawn to vote for
ine——and so take turns, and now he wou’t do
it, gaul darn him. Its a plaguy shame, and
l’ll be darn’d ifI don’t go, for its my turn--so
now then.”——- ‘om. ./Jalvertiser.
RETREAT FOR THE INSANE.
The Proclamation of his Excellency‘ the
Governor is followed by an Address from the
very respectable Coinmittee to whom this bit-
siness was referred, that must be interesting
to all our readers. Vie will not insult thetir
lry coldly requesting them to road it——We Wish
they would think ofit. A disease which va-
ries not with the climate or the season, which
can no more be checked by parental watchful-
ness,tlian it can be by quarantine laws, which
comes without warr'iing,and goes not off when
the causes to which it may have been ascribed
have ceased, has found its most successful cure
in establishments of this kind, and all are, or
should he,interested in thuir pr'osperity.Mirror.
PROCLAl\.'I.~\'l.‘ION.
“'liereas, the General Assembly of this
State, at their session begun and held at New-
Haveu, on the first Wednesday of May, in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
anti twenty-two, passed air Act or Resolution,
constituting certain persons, citizens of this
State, a corporation, by the name of “ The
President and Directors of the Retreat for the
Insane,” whereiir the Governor of this State
was authorised and requested to grant a Brief,
annttally, for five year's,soliciting contributions
for the benefit ofsaid Institution, and to issue
Proclamation accordingly:
Ido therefore, in pursuance ofthe provis-
ions of said Act or Resolution, issue this my
Proclamation, giving notice, that on any
Lord’s day in the month of September next,
contributions may be received for the above
purpose, in the several religious societies and
congregations in this State; and that those
who are disposcdto promote the object of the
said Act or Resolution, will then be favoured
with air opportunity of carrying into effectthe
benevolent intentions ofthe General Asserti-
bly. And the ministers and clerks ofsucli so-
cieties and congregations, are requested to de-
posit strclr contributions in any ofthe incorpo-
rated Banks in this State, to the credit ofDa-
vitl W-ailtinsori,' Esquire, ofthe town:of Hart‘-».
ford, Treasurer of said Iirstitution, or:to. pay 0-:
ver the same to him personally, as, may be
most convenient,»to be by him appropriated to
the objects specified in said Act or. Resolution.
Given under my hand at Litchfield,vtlrisl"fir._st
day of August, A. D. 1323,» and ofthe In-
dependence oftheUnited Sta.tesofAnierica,
the forty-eighth. Omvrzrz WDLGOTT. ‘
By his Excellency’: cotnnrand, ' ‘
Tnosus D41‘, Secretary.
_".' I
The subscribers, having been appointed,.by
the Board of Directors of the Retreat for the‘
Insane, to address their fellow-citizenls, ‘on the
subject inentioired in the Proclamation of his
Excellency the Governor, respectfully solicit
the attention of the benevolent people of the
state to the following statements and remarks.
The design of establishing an Institution,
for the relief of this afflicted portion of the
conrintrnrty originatetl with the Medical Sr-.
'crety of the State. Medical men have ascer-
tained, long since, that private practice can
do but little to remedy mental disease :—
while public Institutions, in which moral and
medical treatment can be united with the
benefits of experience and external accom-
modation, have been found eminently suc-
cessful. ' ‘V
The f0ll0\VlI1g things seem to be in'dispen- I
sable, in the successful treatment of the In-
sane. That they be placed under the care of
persons towards wliotn they have no aversion;
that they have as nruclr liberty as can be con-
sistent with the safety of themselves and oth-
ers; that they have souie suitable employ-
uient ; that they be removed, as far as tnav be,
from gloomy and offensive objects, particu-
larly from those by which thcir minds have
been oppressed. In a well regulated Institu-
tion, those advantages are fully provided, and
they have been found, on experiment, to pro-
duce the iriost salutary effects. Under a judi-‘
cious rcginion, in favorable circumstances, the
wildness oflunacy becomes no less curable‘
than ordinary diseases.
The design of the Medical Society to es-
tablish a Retreat for the Insane, has met with
the cordial approbation ofall classes ofpeople.
When laid before the General Assembly, it
obtaitred a prompt attention and ready patro-
nage. It being apparent that considerable
expense must be incurred in the establislrment
and early support of the Institution, beyond
the liberal means obtained by subscription, it
was proposed that an annual a ipropriation be
made from the Treasury of tfre State, for a.
number of ye:trs,’as had been done fora simi-'
lar purpose in other states. But, under a per-
suasion that the object would be highly popu-
lar with the people ofthe state, that no public
charity could be more so, it was concluded to
be safe and most expedieirt to appeal to the
liberality ofthe people. A grant of five tliou-
sand dollars was made from the Treasury,“-ith
apermission to receive public contributions,
under1?roclamatioiioftlie Governor, for five
successive years.
The subscriptions which havebeen made by
individuals, a considerable part of which is
paid, amount,to somethinvlmore than nineteen
thousand dollars. The Directors have made
a very favorable purchase ofa site for the Re-
treat, containing seventeen acres of excellent
land, with a good dwelling house and out
houses,for tweirty-seven hundred and seventy-
five dollars. It was thouglit expedient to pro-
cure such a tract of land, that, in addition to
proper places for exercise, the patients might
attend to gardening and ordinary husbandry,
ifdisposed, which may be salutary to them- -
selves, and beneficial to the Institution. A.
large stone building is erected, and is expected
to be finished by the close ofthe present year.
The building is plain, all unnecessary expence
is studionsly avoided, the sole object being the
comfort and relief ofthe Insane.
The Directors flatter tlreinselves that the a-
vails of their surplus funds and the annual
contributions will more than meet the current
expences of the. Iirstitutioii. They hope to
be able, front these sources, to support some
indigent patients gratiiitortsly, and others at a
small charge. Lunatics, that are town pati-
pei's,can probably be supported at the Retreat,
at the same cxpence as in tlioir respective
towns, or less, with a prospect in most cases,
of a restoratioir to comfort and ttsefuliiess.
The Dii'ectoi's entertain a confident hope,‘
that, under the blessing of'Divine Providence,
and by the lrbcrality of the"good people ofthe
state, they may be enabled to provide for this
most afllictcd class of our fellow-men, a lie-
tr_eat, from the distressing agitations axrdfears
with which they are oppressed, from the im-
proper treatineut they too often receive, from
irinttnrerable temptations and dangers, to a
mansion ofpaterual care,qnietncss and peace.
The Directors assure their fellowucitizens,
that the early success of this important Insti-
tution is eminently dcpendant on their libe-
rality, in the proposed contributions.- Should
a successful experimentoffive years convince
the public of the utility of the object, other
sources of incomeinay be expected. At pre-
sent, they must rely, in a great measure, on
the one now in view. _
_ As an evidence ofthe utility of this Institu-
tion, we may nrention the uiranitnous senti-
ment of Physicians. More competent to form
an opinion, from daily observation as well as
their profession, than any other class of men,
no other portion of our citizens evince air is-
qual sense ofits importance, or so great con,-
fidcnce in its success. And though the con-
templated Retreat must, in sortie degree, di-
minish their practice, yet, knowingtlie ineffi-
oacy of ordinary applications, and the mise-
ries to which deranged persons are subject,
they are promoting the establisbinentwitti act
tivilty and great liberality.
’ o-their respected and beloved brethren in
the Ministry, the subscribers present their ear-
nest request, that they would take into serious-
cousideration, the subject of the present ad-
.t.lress. That, while various objects ofimpor-
taut charity call foretheir atteution,the~y would
look at the condition ofthe distressed Luna-
tic, shut out, during the contintiance of his
malady, from all gospel privileges, from all
christian comfort and hope. And while they
reflect that no class ofthe afliicted were ever
more sure to gain the notice of the conrp_as-
siouate Saviour, than those deprived oftheir
reason, it would seem that they can hardly
serve hirri more acceptably, than by encour-
aging and recomiriendiug air object which af-
fords to such, the best prospect of relief.
N. S. \-Vrrexrozr,
TIIOMAS Rosettes,
Eeisir.-t C_t:s2t.ir-.-i:r_.
Hartford, August‘ I5, I823.
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Norwalk Chronicler