which characterize our sometimes palatial institutions. But, though cheerless in other respects, there were cheap harmonicums even in the most disturbed wards; and, although they were little better than our street hand-organs, it seemed to me that they served a far better purpose than the solitary grand piano which is only seen in the convalescent wards of our State institutions. There were signs of activity everywhere, and a gratifying absence of that gloomy monotony which is so apt to pervade asylum life. The other Irish asylums which I visited were in marked contrast to this; and there was nothing, so far as I could observe, to account for the superiority of the latter, save the school system so energetically pursued.
In proof of the old adage that history repeats itself, the experiment that was tried in the Utica Asylum nearly half a century ago was again taken up some three years since. A similar revival of interest in this subject also took place in two or three other American asylums. In Utica, a small class for the men, with a recovered patient as teacher, was first organized, two hours in the morning being devoted to the teaching of the simpler branches. Such was its success that another class was soon formed for the instruction of the women. The next winter the school was again opened, and it is now in its third year of successful working; and the interest maintained is so great that it is at times difficult to find places in the school-room for all who wish to attend.
The female department of the school (the one to which I shall confine my description) is in charge of an experienced teacher, who is assisted by three patients. Two are melancholiacs who have delusions of a depressing character, and one frequently makes the ward doleful with her moans. The third has the delusion that she is the wife of a prominent physician in a distant part of the State, and insists upon being called by his name. All three, however, manage to keep their delusions in abeyance, and appear to quite forget them while engaged in their work. The population of the women's wards is a little above three hundred, and of this number about seventy are enrolled as members of the school. The average attendance is about fifty. This number could be greatly increased; but, as the school-room is small, only selected cases, and those who are particularly anxious to become pupils, are allowed to attend. The session is held between the hours of ten and twelve in the morning. The teacher first reads a chapter from the Bible, the question of the Bible in the school not being a disputed one in this particular instance; the pupils then repeat the Lord's prayer in unison, and afterward unite in singing one of the gospel songs. The books are not taken from the school-room; the lessons are given out, and about a quarter of an hour is allowed for their preparation.
