1802. 
fhort vifit to that interefting place, had I 
not been deterred till now, by the hope of 
feeing an account furnifhed by fome per- 
fon pofleffing better information on the 
fubject than myfelf. As the hope remains 
yet unaccomplifhed, I fend you the ‘fol- 
lowing particulars, which are at your 
fervice, if youthink that they will fatisfy 
the curiofity of your readers, or afford 
any entertainment to the public. 
Iam, Sir, yours, &c. 
J. Wa, 
Norwich, OG.20, 1802. 
During the dark ages which preced- 
ed the Reformation, Cloflerhayn was a 
celebrated monaftery, the inhabitants of 
which were not lefs feparated from the 
world by their fituation than by their 
vows. The fpot chofen for its ereétion 
was one of the moft retired and moft ro- 
mantic. In the mid@t of a large foreft, 
that covers an extenfive tract of country, 
is a fmall valley, furrounded on all fides 
by lofty mountains, which a fine variety 
of trees clothes with the moit delightful 
verdure. On one fide a fmall lake re- 
ceives the different {prings that iffue from 
the mountains, and, on the other, a few 
well-cultivated fields reward the hufband- 
man’s toil with abundant crops, the pro- 
duce of which fupports the inhabitants af 
the valley. Jn the midft of this {pot was 
the monaftery of Clofterhayn founded : 
during feveral ages it enjoyed the import- 
ance ufually annexed at that time to fuch 
inftitutions ; but, after the Reformation, 
the building and the revenues were de- 
voted to the more noble purpofe of reftor- 
ing reafon to thofe unhappy beings, whofe 
lot it has been to be bereft of that attri- 
bute of man. Clofterhayn is the Bedlam 
of all that part of Germany ; and nearly 
five hundred perfons are there conftantly 
fupported, and, if poffible, enabled to 
refume their ftations in that fociety where 
they could no longer remain without en- 
dangering the lives or happinefs of their 
fellow-men, ‘The Governor of the infti- 
tution, Von Stamford, is a man who is 
reprefented as perfectly fitted for the ar- 
duous tefk he has undertaken, and all his 
arrangements and regulations befpeak a 
heart that pants for general happinefs, as 
well as a mind far elevated above the 
range of mediocrity. I once met him as 
I was walking among the improvements 
he has made in the neighbourhood of his 
refidence; and, if we may judge by his 
phyfiognomy, he refembles him whofe 
name no philanthropift can hear without 
revering—Mr, Howard, What I faw of 
Lunatic Afjlum at Clofterhayz. 401 
his plans, and heard of his chara&ter, in- 
duce me to think that the care of fuch an 
inftitution could not have been entrufted 
to a man who:would have alleviated more 
the diftrefles of thofe who are fubmitted 
to his dire&tion, and that few would have 
difcharged fo well duties fo extenfive and 
important. The unhappy objeéts of his 
attention feemed to be divided into three 
clafles. “The firfi confifts of thofe who are 
net deprived of. their reafon to any dan- 
gerous degree. Thefe can enjoy liberty 
without difturbing the tranquillity of the 
town. Such are under no re(trictions at 
all. Thote whom age or infirmities have 
debilitated, content themfelves with wan- 
dering in the place, or in the neighbour- 
hood, while others perform different little 
offices for the inhabitants, and render 
themfelves in fome degree. ufeful. If they 
ever abufe the favours granted them, they 
are punifhed by a {mali ftone being ful- 
pended to their arm, or, if they are guilty 
of any greater offence, which indicates 
that their infanity may be prejudicial to 
their companions, a larger ftone is fixed 
to their ancle, which ferves asa badge of 
difhonour, and prevents exertions, the 
effects of which might be pernicious, At 
morning, noon, and night, they affemble 
ina large apartment to partake of their 
meals : the chaplain then reads prayers, 
to which moft of them are very attentive. 
Many take their provifions to their homes, 
or enjoy them feated on branches before 
the different doors of the building. The 
next clafs confilts of perfons of an higher 
fituation in life. -Apartments, upon the 
whole neat and pleafant, are provided for 
them, where they enjoy every pleafure 
which perfons in their diftreffed fituations 
can expect, or are capable of fharing.—~ 
I vifited feveral, and faw their employ- 
ments. At different intervals they are 
enabled to carry on fome trade in articles 
ufeful to the place, which they render 
profitable to themfelves and their friends, 
The third clafs is compofed of perfons 
with whom confinement has béen the ne- 
ceflary refult of the laft ftage of infanity. 
They are excluded from fociety, to pre- 
vent the numerous ills that might ori- 
ginate from their prefence. ‘Their difor- 
dered looks, haggard air, diforted eyes, 
and inconfiftent actions, render their ap- 
pearance terrible: fome I faw continually 
weeping ; others realifing the picture 
drawn by Gray, of 
éé Moody madnefs laughing wild 
s¢ Amid fevereft woe.” 
Some were inceflantly raving, while 
,E2 Oticre | 
