76 OBSERVATIONS ON INSANITY 



the discrimination of the patients to whom religious instruction is 

 adapted, that the whole question of its utility rests. 



Having exhibited in full detail, the entire economy of a Lunatic 

 Asylum " as it ought to be," and having proved, by numerous ex- 

 tremely interesting facts and reasons fairly based on them, that his 

 principles are sound and his conclusions practicable, Mr. Browne 

 completes the lecture with a representation of an establishment which 

 presents a very decided resemblance to the institution that prospers 

 vigorously under his own superintendence. 



" In place of multiplying individual examples of excellence," he 

 says, " let me conclude by describing the aspect of an Asylum as it 

 ought to be. Conceive a spacious building resembling the palace of 

 a peer, airv, and elevated, and elegant, surrounded by extensive and 

 swelling grounds and gardens. The interior is fitted up with galle- 

 ries and work-shops and music-rooms. The sun and the air are 

 allowed to enter at every window ; the view of the shrubberies, and 

 fields, and of the groups of labourers, is unobstructed by shutters 

 and bars ; all is clean, quiet, and attractive. All the inmates seem 

 to be actuated by the common impulses of enjoyment ; all are busy, 

 and delighted in being so engaged. The house and all around it 

 appear as a hive of industry. When you pass the lodge, it is as if 

 you entered the precincts of some vast emporium of manufacture ; 

 labour is divided, so that it may be easy and well performed ; and so 

 apportioned that it may suit the taste and powers of each labourer. 

 You meet the gardener, the common agriculturist, the mower, the 

 weeder, all intent on their several occupations, and loud in their mer- 

 riment. The flowers are tended and trained and watered by one, 

 the humbler task of preparing the vegetables for the table is commit- 

 ted to another. Some act as domestic servants, some as artizans ; 

 some rise to the rank of overseers. The bakehouse, the laundry, 

 the kitchen, are all well supplied with indefatigable workers. In one 

 part of the edifice are companies of straw-plaiters, basket-makers, 

 knitters, spinners, among the women; in another, among the men, 

 are weavers, tailors, a. id shoemakers. For those who are ignorant of 

 these gentle crafts, but are strong and steady, there are loads to car- 

 ry, water to draw, wood to cut ; and, for those who are both ignorant 

 and weakly, there is oakum to tease and yarn to wind. The curious 

 thing is, that all are anxious to be engaged, toil incessantly, and in 

 general without any other recompense than being kept from disagree- 

 able thoughts and the pains of illness. They actually work in order 

 to please themselves, and having once experienced the possibility of 



