SCENE IN A LUNATIC ASYLUM.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 101, 29 March 1876, Page 3

SCENE IN A LUNATIC ASYLUM.

An amusing circumstance, says the Glasgow Weekly Mail, took place a few clays ago at a private lunatic asylum near Warrington. On the morning of the clay upon which the occurrence took place this asylum was thrown open to visitors. Amongst the visitors was one who could not be said to have been impelled on his journey cither by pity or curiosity, for he was none other than John Black, a carter, and o gentleman perfectly unknown to fame, who had boon deputed by his employers to supply the asylum with a load of coal. John delivered his load of coal honourably at the side door of the establishment, and, of course, presented his “ weight note,” For the consummation of the usual formality, John was desired to wait, and of course, being left to himself, the afbtosaid philosophic mind began to ruminate about “ them poor chaps inside/’ tilt John came to the firm conclusion that he could never rest satisfied till he had seen something at least of the goings on in the interior, and seen for himself how a lunatic looked chained nj} in his cell. Black, seeing no one near to oppose his entrance, slipped through the door, up a little flight of stairs, along a lobby, and hearing some one coming, popped slyly into a little chamber with bars across the windovy, which , fortunately opened as soon as ho touched tin? handle; Jbhn waited; and as soon as he thought all was safe, moved to go out; when,.strange to say, and terrible to behold, John found it tv as easier to go in than out, the plaice 6f his, incarceration being in reality a lunatic coll, which opens on the outside; but is by no means so obliging to the queer people oti the inside; John pulled and trigged at the door till he began to perspire; arid; we feat, swear dreadfully ; then he took off his coat, set to Work at the door again, but alas! only ended iri perspiring and sweating in a manner more dreadful. What was to be done ? John had evidently seen quite Sufficient 6f the establishment, and his btilj thoughts now yfere’ how to free himself; . Just as he - w#s debating whether t6’ iicka hrifl'd-’

ing with his cries', at the risk of being complained of amt probably dismissed by his employers, a philanthropic-ally disposed Indy and gentleman, who had called to inspect, the lunatics that morning, came slowly and sorrowfully upon the scene. They looked in through the bars. John scrutinised them with a rueful countenance, “ This, 1 suppose,” remarked the gentleman, continuing his observations to his fair companion, who was evidently much impressed with the scene—* This, 1 suppose, is a patient suffering from melancholia—very sad indeed.” “ Wumd yer ’avo the kindness to open ns the door, sir,” broke in John with as bland a smile as possible under the circumstances. The lady shrank back with a slight cry of terror ; hut her companion immediately reassured her with a “ Don’t he at all frightened, my dear. You see it’s absolutely impossible for them to get out in consequence of the admirable arrangement whieh.”— “ Open us the door, sir, will yer? I’m in a hurry,” appeals John, trying to keep good-tempered, and fearing that every noise lie heard was the, warder’s footstep. “ All, poor fellow,” ejaculated the gentleman, “ you see at this moment lie appears perfectly sane and quiet—tomorrow, alas ! he may he raving.” ‘•'.Raving he—’roared the carter, now out of all patience. “ I’m not mad—l’m the man that brought the coals.” ‘• Yon hoar him ? Coals. It is evident the poor wretch lias occasional gleams of remembrance, which, doubtless, soothe him in his affliction. I suppose now lie sold coals sometimes and ” —“ Are you going to let me out?” shrieked John, now raving like a veritable maniac, and tearing fiercely at the bar—“ I tell you I brought the coals this morning.”“ He’s getting violent, you see already. As the poet says, ‘ sad remembrance floating o’er the—” “If you don’t helh re me, yon fouls go ami see the horses outsiclo j£o and sec tbe horses V J yelled the afflicted prisoner, pointing wildly down the passage. “ Dear me, what a dreadful sight. He’s tearing his hair. Unhappy creature. But come along, my dear, I fear our presence only makes him worse,” and notwithstanding John’s entreaties to he let out in the world once more, they left perfectly convinced that they had seen a most interesting specimen, Ten minutes afterwards a warder was attracted by a noise, and on repairing to the place, found our friend John clinging to the bars and bellowing, amidst groans and tears, “ I’m the man that brought the coals.”