ENTERTAINMENT AT THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 101, 1 May 1871, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENT AT THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.

o On Friday evening last the Artizans' Association gave an entertainment at the Asylum, which appeared to afford a considerable amount of amusement to 'the patients. The long room in the female ward had been decorated for the occasion and a small stage fitted up at one end. About 100 visitors were present, including the Bishop of Nelson and Mrs. Suter, Mr. Hunter Brown, Captain Rough, aud several other gentlemen who take an interest in the institution. The programme consisted of songs, readings, and, which was not its least attractive feature, a dance by one of the patients who delights in styling himself the Prince of Wales, and who went through all the intricate mysteries of the double, shuffle, Highland fling, hornpipe, and such like saltatory feats wiih an amount of precision and regard to time that called forth loud and repeated applause from the lookers on. The readings did not seem to possess many charms for the group of patients who, to the number of about a score, were seated by themselves in a corner of the room, but the same cannot be said of the music, and it was highly interesting, although at times almost painful, to watch the effects produced by it, varied as they were in accordance with the peculiar temperaments of those in whom they wero to be observed. The women were much more excitable than the men, au'djji some of the more catching and inspiriting of the songs, such as "Ring the Bell, Watchman," it was almost ludicrous to observe the energy displayed by them in beating time both with hands and fee A - There was one face we could not help watching most attentively during the singing of the more plaintive chorus "Music in the Air." It was that of a woman whose mind appeared for the time to be roused from its lethargic state and to be striving to lay hold of, and retain, some pleasant memories that, were dimly recalled by the music. Such an expression we never remember to have seen before. Her gaze was fixed intently ou the performers, but lier thoughts were evidently far away, and she appeared to be j ust on the point of grasping some recollection for which she was earnestly yearning when the music ceased, and then a saddened look came over her countenance which once more assumed its former hopeless, meaningless appearance. At the 1 conclusion of the programme, Mr. Hunter Brown tendered the thanks of the Committee to the Artizans for their valuable services, and expressed a hope that such entertainments might be repeated more frequently. The room was then cleared, aud a dance commenced in which some of the patients joined with great gusto. Every credit is due to Mr. Oakey who presided at the piano, aod to those ivho with him provided so pleasant au evening for the unfortunate inmates of the Asylum, nor must we omit to bestow a word of praise upon,, Mr. Butler, the warden, and Mrs. JBoddilgton the matron, for the excellence of Mheir' 'arrangements. We have been asked to publish the following prologue, which was composed by a member of the Artizans' Society, and read by Mr; James Graham, the president 1 : — ' Dear Fbiends, — We've come to-night' to try our • • ' best " •'■■• •■ '' -•>• '■'.■' To cheer, and hope also to interest ; . ; : You all;—^Andif.iin this -we'should succeed But ere so slightly, 'twould be jpy [indeed. , To think, that we had been the cause of joy, — And had, in some .degree, help'd to .destroy „, Sad recollections.-j— which are^ best r forgpti. ; .'' : Therefore;' to'-night let's 1 all ne'er care a jot' ' For ought beyond our present purpose here : — With joyousness there's nought should interfere. Pray who is there that cannot get along— . Ww a ' work-^-or i play^mucti J better;\Kith\& song? 'There'ls uo' oae-?«-we -think you'll all agree : '" ;j To-night then let; yourrhearts be;h'ghj; and free. , o To>tfoM.' ; who:yif|\ti here to-night, we say-* !

We'll still keep in our humble way, That is, if at the end it's thought by you, The thing we've done, is what we ought to do. Our sole endeavor has been how to learn The way their wand'ring thoughts we could bes£ „turn, \ i "'•' ,!;:.' That long they may such gatherings as this, liemember, as a joy-inspiring oasis : . And if we can their desert path assuage, Or cheer their sad life's pilgrimage, Indeed we're not the men that have the heart To fail, when call'd upon to do our part : Will you assist, for there is none but can ; Who'll have the post of honor ? — who'll lead the van ? — . In giving that which we can ill afford — 'Hie means — this claim has been too long ignor'd. — You see our object ! you see our aim ! Your sympathy on their behalf we claim.