478 
Thewhele is in the owner’s hands, and 
possesses, besides the line of buildings be- 
fore-mentioned, an elegant ornamented 
cottage, near the gate 5 and a saug retired 
funmebouse; where Swen y accommodation 
ean be procured for a person of fortune, 
so as to calm the suspicion of a slightly 
wounded understanding, aste the opinion 
of the world; which often, we see, dis- 
turbs such objects at intervals, otherwise 
of composure, with the idea that they are 
“eonsidered as madmen, by all who see 
them under the same roof with lu- 
natics, 
The construction of these buildings, is 
as interesting as the plan is judicious; be- 
ing all flat-roofed, and covered witha 
species of chunam, of the owner's inven- 
tion, that hitherto has resisted rain, as 
weil as lead could do: the whole of the 
joists, beams, and staircase, being com- 
posed of cast-iron, and the gutters and 
pipes, of stone-ware, by which means all 
fear of canflagration is completely done 
away ; there is indeed scarcely any wood 
employed m the building, except in 
flooring; and each fir e-place i is so secured, 
that no ‘patient can set himself on fire ; 
yet all enjoy the sight of one.—The bed- 
steads are also of | ire, and screwed in 
their places, and ail articles of furniture 
so adjusted, that it is unpossible to injure 
themselves, or others, with it, during the 
night or day; fora principal thing to be 
guarded against in apurtments for the 
Insane, 1s “the frequent desire they all 
have, at times, to commit suicide: but to 
proceed with, regularity in this picture, 
Jet me commience, as I did when first I 
obtained a view of it, by the principal 
“mansion, 
This consists of a very handsome mo- 
dern house, the lower part of which is 
destined to the reception of the Doctor’s 
numerous family ; and so contrived, that 
the principal patients, who occupy the 
upper part, cannot, except by permission, 
have any communication whatever with 
the domestic establishment, being se- 
parated by two light doors of iron, 
painted to look lke ‘wood, one of which 
conducts to the females’ Shame: the 
other to the apartments of the male 
patients. 
Beneath is the kitchen, and other off- 
‘ees, fitted up with steam-apparatus for 
cooking several dinners at one time; a 
forge, brewhouse, &e. and all inacces- 
sible to any one unconnected with its 
operations, by means of doors that open 
by secret springs, only known to the 
ersons whose duty leads them there. 
* This house has its back court for ex- 
Account of Dr. Fox's Asylum for Lunatics, 
[Dee. 1, 
ercise, walled safely in, with a mound in 
the centre of it, that just rises high 
enough to admit of the eyes of the pa- 
tients viewing the surrounding hills and 
country, without being themselves seen. 
There are seven of these roomy enclo- 
sures, each accessible to the different 
classes of patients, in their several se- 
parate houses, the outermost of which is 
allotted to the Jowest class of men, mostly 
parish- Panpats ant ho are taken every care | 
_of, om very moderate . pensions; and who, 
as well as ie rest, enjoy the freedom of 
access to the open air, with the constant 
attendance of a separate keeper, at all 
hours of night or day, when it is deemed 
salutary. In these houses, there is a 
general sitting-room, and common table; 
and in each the same mount and gre avel- 
walk, and rabbits have the general range 
of them all by passages, as they are 
found to afford considerable amusement 
to the confined, while they themselves 
encrease in perfect security. 
Fo, prevent disorder or negleet, the 
whole of the left-hand houses are allotted 
to males, ana no keeper can, on any 
pretence, quit the house tu whieh he is 
stationed, without ringing a bell for the 
porter, who has the master-key ofall the 
sections; and can, in case the keepers 
needs any article, or any assistance, be 
immediately apprised by touching the 
outermost deor-bell; the spring of which 
is only known to the guardian of that 
ward, ' 
-Fo the right-hand, the first small 
building contains an elegant bathing- 
room, with a niche, for giving a bath by 
surprise, from a strong jet d'eau, to 
such as refuse the dip, and which has 
conveniencies for both hot, cold, or 
vapour-bathing ; this building has also its 
apartments for patients, 1s near the in- 
firmary, and overlooks the lawn, being 
above the surrounding wall which cir- 
cumvallates the whole range of buildings, 
Next to it stands also a separate struc- 
ture, containing private rooms, and a 
very capacious laundry, drying yard, &e. 
These are connected with a kitchen, and 
extensive fruit-garden, of about “our 
acres, surrounded by a lofty wall, one 
side of which consists of a very long 
range of low buildings, that serves as a 
boundary to the couris of exercise, and 
is entirely warmed by flues: in this long 
building, are the cells for maniacs, that 
are violently disordered; and who, by 
being thus placed, are "kept safe and 
guiet, while at the same time they are 
prevented from disturbing others. 
Thus the whole is by difierent arrange- 
ments, 
