THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1882. OUR VISITORS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2535, 24 May 1882, Page 2

THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1882. OUR VISITORS.

It was a happy thought on the part of the Resident Medical Superintendent of Sunnyside Asylum to invite the exhibitors to inspect the institution yesterday. Not alone did it afford them the opportunity of seeing an admirably conducted establishment, hut it also must have shown the i epresentatives of other countries that we are not unmindful of our duties towards the less fortunate portion of our community. The advance of a people is marked In the truest sense of the word as much by the evidences of its philanthropy as by its material prosperity; and.

judged by this standard, we think we are fairly entitled to claim a high position for Canterbury. The gathering of yesterday, apart altogether from the Mayor and Corporation, was essentially representative. There were gathered together not mere tyros in the world’s experience—not men for the first time sojourning in a strange land, but those who had travelled far and wide in all climes and had seen much. To find men of such calibre as this expressing straightforwardly and honestly, and without any mere far-seeing, their astonishment that in so yonng a country as this such progress should have been made in the curative science as applied to one of the direst afflictions with which man is visited, and in the appliances whereby cure may be effected is, we think, a great thing. Nearly every visitor from other parts of the world who spoke -at that very interesting gathering yesterday, was acquainted in their own country with the working of asylums, and they one and all spoke in the highest terms of commendation of what they had seen. The visit will do more to show the outside world that whilst we have not neglected to make the most of the opportunities Providence has placed within our reach, wo also recognise the great duty of comforting and succouring the afflicted. It is with peculiar pleasure that we notice the recognition of the unobtrusive but unwearying efforts of two gentlemen whoso names have been identified with the Asylum for years past. We allude to Archdeacon Wilson and Mr. Seager. The former has (labored for a long period amongst the inmates in a manner which has won for him the love and esteem of every one there, whilst the latter has struggled through many difficulties and trials till he has had the pleasure of seeing the fruits of his labours in the large buildings which are fast superseding the old structure. The gathering of yesterday would have failed in half its purpose had the recognition of the two gentlemen referred to been omitted. Again, it was a very happy thought on the part of Mr. Wamsley to enlist the sympathies not alone of his brother exhibitors, but also of the public, on behalf of the unfortunate inmates. The exhibitors particularly have many odds and ends in connection with their exhibits, which, though trifling perhaps in themselves, would yet help to cheer many weary hours. Besides, it would bo an interesting souvenir of the proceedings of yesterday, which should not go unmarked. We trust Mr. Wamsley’s suggestion will be taken up in a liberal spirit both by the exhibitors and the public. The latter as well as the former can in this respect do a great deal, and we feel sure it only needs attention drawn to it to secure a hearty response. It was, as wittily said by M. Jonbert, somewhat strange that the first public gathering of the exhibitors as such should be in a lunatic asylum; but still there was this about it, that they were witnessing what had been done by a people for the amelioration of suffering, and we take it that the gentlemen who, from the sentiments expressed by them, felt a deep interest in the work, no more pleasing sight could bo afforded