Dance at the Insane Asylum - November 1862

WILTSE, PATTERSON

Posted By: Pat Ryan White (email)
Date: 12/2/2011 at 18:23:30

ASYLUM -- While Mr. Wiltse was on his way to this place, he stopped temporarily at Mount Pleasant. While there he visited the Asylum for the Insane. After having gratified his curiosity by a visit to the different departments of the institution, he was about to return to town, when the excellent Superintendent, Dr. Patterson, invited him to remain, and attend a select party which would come off during the afternoon. Mr. W. consented. The time arrived; and on being ushered into the room, Mr. W. was astonished to see some 60 or 70 of the insane inmates of the hospital, of both sexes, engaged in the exercise of a well ordered cotillion. The music was discoursed finely by one of the lunatics. There was nothing in their appearance to indicate any derangement of mind. They were joyous and happy. They thoroughly comprehended the mazes of the dance, and were observant of all the rules of etiquette, usual on such occasions. They had been skillfully disciplined by the Superintendent, who, perhaps, has no superior in America in the management of the insane. - [State Register.]

[‘Burlington Daily Hawk-Eye”, Thursday, 6 November 1862, page 3]