Page images
PDF
EPUB
[graphic]
[graphic]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

THE

[graphic]

MONTHLY MAGAZINE.

[blocks in formation]

When the Monthly Magazine was first planned, two leading ideas occupied the minds of those who undertook to conduct it. The first was, that of laying before the Public various objects of information and discussion, both amusing and instructive; the second was that of lending aid to the propagation of those liberal principles respecting some of the most important concerns of mankind, which have been either deserted or virulently opposed by other Periodical Miscellanies; but upon the manly and rational support of which the Fame and Fate of the age must ultimately depend.--PREFACE TO MONTHLY MAG. VOL. I.

As long as those who write are ambitious of making Converts, and of giving their Opinions a Maximum of Influence and Celebrity, the most extensively circulated Miscellany will repay, with the greatest Effect, the Curiosity of those who read, whether it be for Amuse. ment or for Instruction.-JOHNSON.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine.

SIR,

I WAS glad to observe that the interesting subject of the proper management of our insane fellow-creatures, is discussed through the medium of a work so widely circulated as the Monthly Magazine.

It is melancholy to think in how great a degree the sufferers under this disease have been the prey of mercenary speculators, or the victims of neglect and brutality. During the last century, in which science made so many advances, and Christianity exhibited herself as the parent of so much active benevolence, the state of the insane appears to have been, in great measure, overlooked, and to have derived little mitigation from the increase of knowledge, or the more general diffusion of benevolent feelings. Of this inattention, the recent, and, it is to be feared, the present, state of pauper lunatics affords too ample proof, and can only be accounted for by the dread which this disorder inspires, and the ignorance which has so generally prevailed in regard to its true character.

P277-11

cases, been two-fold :-First, To provide the means of cure and relief for those whose cases admit of it; and secondly, suitable accommodation for confirmed cases of lunacy.

Whether these two objects can be properly pursued in the same establishment, is a question of some importance to those who are about to supply the wants of their respective districts.

[graphic]

Three letters have lately appeared in the Monthly Magazine, under the signature of Thomas Bakewell, upon this subject, in which it is asserted, that the separation of curable and incurable lunatics is almost essential to recovery. In support of his views, the writer makes a comparison of the proportion of cures in several public establishments with those occurring in his own private asylum at Spring Vale. Among others, he mentions the Retreat, in which there is always a large proportion of the incurable class, as affording, by the comparatively small number of its recoveries in recent cases, a striking confirmation of his sentiments. He says, if a different system had obtained there, instead of fifty-six cures in sixteen Happily, however, ignorance and in- years, there might have been five hundifference on this subject have ceased; dred and sixty. This, to be sure, is rathe current of public commisseration has, ther a serious charge, and might well at length, fairly set in the direction of this have claimed the attention of the manacalamity; and has exhibited itself, among gers of the Retreat, if it had not happenother ways, by the reformation of seve- ed that this institution is confined solely ral old asylums, a parliamentary inqui- to deranged persons of the Society of ry into the state of these establishments, Friends; and that during the sixteen --and the erection, under the authority years of which he speaks there were but of parliament, of several extensive hous one. hundred and forty-nine cases under es for the proper accommodation of cure. pauper lunatics. The object of these The question, however, is not whether new establishments has, believe, in all the treatment at Spring Vale, or any other

Mox, MAG. No. 285.

« PreviousContinue »