CHAPTER XVI. The Lunatic Asylum. "There's rue for you, and here's some for me." As the morning steals upon the night "The praise of those who sleep in earth, Who shall with soothing words accost The strength of your despair?"-Bryant. "One sees more devils than all hell can hold, "Prithee, nuncle, tell me, whether a madman be a gentleman or yeoman."-Shakspeare. THE attachment felt by the two individuals who had been thrown together by what is called chance, at Cato's, was increased during their walk home, and each felt the desire to know more of the other. They were drawn to this first meeting by an inscrutable succession of links, (a chain unknown to themselves,) and although in most respects dissimilar, there was one point which, after being brought in contact united them; and caused a determination in both, although separated by diverse occupations and the numerous bars that society places. between the rich and poor, to seek each other; and to commune freely on that subject which occupied their secret thoughts. A subject on which they could not-would notspeak to the crowds with whom they mingled in common worldly intercourse. Spiffard had his feelings strongly interested in all that concerned Mr. Littlejohn; but particularly in the fate of his son. The father was habitually a visiter to the asylum. He had treasures on the sea and on the land; on every sea and every shore; but, where his greatest treasure was, there was his heart also; and that was in a small room surrounded by keepers, and bolts, locks and bars, the maniac's shriek, the idiot's laugh, and the unmeaning gabble of unfortunate creatures, once rational. It was not difficult for Mr. Littlejohn to induce Spiffard, who cultivated the intimacy so strangely commenced, to accompany him on a visit to the place where the (not yet hopeless) wreck of his hopes-the ruins not irretrievable, as he thought, of his beloved son, were deposited. They met the amiable physician of the institution at the door. "How is he to-day ?" "Perfectly composed." They found the unfortunate man reading his bible. He appeared between thirty and forty years of age. He looked up, but scarce noticed their presence, resuming his studies as if no one had entered the apartment. His fine features were colourless. His black, strait, thin hair, was smoothed on his forehead, and he repeatedly passed his hand over it, from the crown of the head nearly to the eyes, seemingly unconscious of the action. His left hand supported his head, or occasionally turned a leaf, as he appeared to seek a text. His tall and finely formed frame was clothed in sables. His bright, jet-black eyes had rested a moment on his father, and then glanced vacantly at Spiffard. No other motion indicated his knowledge of their presence. They unasked, took chairs; and had been seated several minutes, (the father's eye fixed on the son, and Spiffard earnestly observing both) when Mr. Littlejohn drew his chair nearer to the student—but the approach was not heeded. "My son,—” "I do not wish to be interrupted, sir." "Is that all you have to say to your father?" 46 now. By no means, all. But I do not wish to discuss the subject I have been earnestly engaged for some time past in this particular study; and have been examining many texts. But although I do not feel that I owe any thing to you as a father, I owe to myself, to you, and to society, the attentions due from one gentleman to another." So saying he paused and shut the book. He then fixed his penetrating eyes on the eyes of Spiffard for a moment; after which they wandered restlessly, and he burst forth wildly"You have brought a stranger with you to witness the havoc that you and I have made upon one of God's creatures. Why is it? You have caged me here like a wild-beast, and now bring the idle or curious to see the monster. Fine sport! Fine sport!" "This gentleman, my son "I want no apologies sir. He is excusable-let him go home and triumph in his own superior intellect-let him thank Heaven that he is not like others.-I am aware of the cause which did render it expedient to restrain me by bolts, and bars, and keepers-did? Perhaps does. But I am, as I think, capable of judging for myself, and have determined how long that restraint shall last. You have exerted an authority founded upon the supposed rights of a father: I have been inquiring into those rights and find them null, and the authority an usurpation. I owe you no obedience. I renounce what is miscalled filial duty. You are the cause of my existing in this world of folly and misery—I do not thank you for it." This was said with more calm bitterness than might have been expected from his state, or than the words indicate. He had ceased the action of his right hand at the time that with his left, he closed the book; and clasping both, he now rested them on the Bible, and looked full in his father's face. "The book on which you lean, bodily, and I hope mentally, bids you honour your father and your mother." "That my days may be long in the land.' True. The promised reward is earthly. All the promises to the Jews were so. Warburton is right in that. That my days may be long. Is that a blessing ?—or a curse?" "That depends upon ourselves," said Spiffard, seeing that the afflicted father remained silent. "No sir! it is the cause my soul—it is the cause'—it is the hidden cause that controls all. I sought not this existence-I sought not any existence-here, I am-and-miserable!" "My son, the book on which you rest, and on which our hopes rest, has not inspired thoughts like these. They are suggested by that which would lead to thanklessness towards your God, as well as undutiful thoughts of father and your mother." "My poor mother!" 66 your Happily she has been spared-" The father checked himself, and the son proceeded. "I did love her. Surely not because she was my mother. That was no more her choice than mine. I loved her because she was good, kind, affectionate—as I ought to love all my fellow-creatures-all-all-all-God's creatures placed here by his will, not their own: enjoying and suffering-all-all filled with life, and doomed to death by an unavoidable sentence, passed upon them before birth. A death they must as certainly undergo as though they had been arraigned before an earthly judge, convicted of the most deadly crimes, and assigned to the tender mercies of the jailer and the hangman. They are reprieved from day to day, only to be told by-and-by, 'to night you must surely die.' " His father interrupted him. "After the free gift of life, health, enjoyment—” The insane man continued—“ All! yes, all! before the mo ment in which they breathe, are doomed to sickness, sorrow, death, the 6 and the worm; to lie in cold obstruction and to rot.'" grave "And rise to light and life and immortality!" "The death is certain; but—” "Hold! I command you. Your father commands you to forbear such language, and dismiss such thoughts." Here there was a long pause. The agitated father sat erect, and with a flushed countenance, darted a look of authority upon his son, who momentarily quailed under it. He lifted his arms from the bible on which he had been leaning, and, as if surprised, threw himself back in his chair, opening his large and brilliant eyes with a confused expression; but another train of thought and feeling soon came over his mind, and his face assumed an expression of irony, bordering on contempt. "Command! That's well enough said. Command! As if one man could control the thoughts of another. Thought, that is set in motion by circumstances unforseen and uncontrollable. Words may be commanded; that it is which makes hypocrisy so easy-damnable hypocrisy! Words ought to be controlled, so as not to injure the hearer. I will be silent if my words offend you, but for my thoughts they are uncontrollable. You have come hither unbidden by me; contrary to my wish or will have you come hither and broken in upon my studies, as, without wish or will of mine, you were an agent in bringing me into existence; for both, or either, I owe you neither thanks nor ill-will. My good will towards you is founded on my knowledge that you are a creature like myself, with like passions, like sufferings, and doomed to a like end." “And is that all, my son?" 66 "No, no, not all. We have been thrown together so intimately, that the joys and sorrows of life have appeared to flow from one to the other, sometimes; and sometimes to both from the same source. Remembrance of the past, gives more power to your will, than to the wishes of another-so far, so far, and no farther, no farther. I can see no farther, no farther--so— you have confused me, sir. I wish you would depart." He arose to his utmost height, and frowned. "God bless you, my son. I will see you soon again." "Well, well, well; good by! Come alone. Good by!" He looked scowlingly on Spiffard; and as his visiters withdrew, resumed his seat. His eyes were fixed upon the door, until it closed after them. Mr. Littlejohn was sometime silent as they descended the stairs, and his companion felt no disposition to intrude upon his thoughts. At length the afflicted father exclaimed—“ İt is awful to witness the aberration of intellect; but cheering to see that reason is making advances to her throne." "It is a blessed hope. You see amendment, sir?" "I do." The worthy physician of the institution now met them, and confirmed the father's hopes. It happened that the committee of directors who, in turn, visited the institution, to see that the benevolent intentions of the founders were duly carried into effect, at this moment arrived; and the physician politely invited Mr. Littlejohn and his companion, to join them in their progress through the various departments. The merchant was but too well acquainted with every thing relative to the place; but to Spiffard all was new, and intensely interesting. Their first visit was paid to that part of the building which is assigned to the most outrageous, or the most hopeless cases of insanity. Spiffard here found a few whose deranged intellects and enfeebled bodies were the consequences of intemperance; and these were of course the most attractive subjects of his curiosity. The physician told him that in the apartments appropriated to convalescents, more of this class were to be found; for generally, when debarred this fatal indulgence, (the unnatural cause of their malady,) health and reason were restored. How interesting! how humiliating! is the spectacle which a mad-house presents. Our fellow-creatures, in form like ourselves, deprived of the portion of man which distinguishes him from the brute creation. The senses, those inlets of ideas to the mind, so diseased or perverted as to give false impressions; or the mental faculty itself so disordered, as to combine all impressions and recollections erroneously. The varied forms and degrees of the malady; its suspended operation and renewed action; its various causes, and the varied effect of those causes; what constitution of body, what mode of life, most tends to produce mental alienation: what subjects are these for inquiry! All these and their remedies were familiar to the urbane physician who accompanied the visiters, and who was accosted by |