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ART. IV.-LEAVES FROM THE DIARY OF A PATIENT, CONFINED IN HANWELL ASYLUM.

[THE following diary has been placed in our hands by the writer, who was confined in the Middlesex County Lunatic Asylum for six months. During a portion of that period he kept a daily record of the treatment to which he was subjected. The writer speaks well of the Asylum and of those officially connected with it, although he feels that he was unjustly sent and detained there. As giving some idea of the internal economy of this national establishment, the following extracts may prove of interest to our readers.]

Monday, 12th January, 185--Brought in a cab here (Hanwell Lunatic Asylum); stripped of my clothes, and enforced to take a warm bath. Examination of my person, to see, I presume, what marks, if any, I had about me, so that my body might be sworn to, in case I drowned, or hung myself-no great improbability of either event taking place, considering what I had latterly been subjected to.

After my bath, I was allowed a rather wide run over the building a wonderful one, truly. Having arrived here about half-past twelve o'clock a.m., and the dinner hour in this vast establishment being one p.m., I had not been an inmate long before dinner was discussed. It comprised soup, meat, and vegetables, with about one-third of a pint of-not over-strong, but, what to me is more desirable-genuine table ale. After dinner I was taken before Dr. B., the resident physician, who listened, apparently with considerable interest, to a somewhat lengthy epitome of my checkered history during the last ten years. I was then conveyed to my future "ward," that is, the particular room or apartment where lunatics of my presumed class were confined, or rather where we took our meals together, and familiarised. And here I must say that I was much surprised to find men who, to me, for the first few hours of our associating together, appeared in every respect to be in full possession of all their rational faculties. My thoughts thereupon were akin to these-If these men be really mad, why, then I do not wonder at others deeming me so, and while that supposition exists, here, doubtless, I am likely to remain. This was not a pleasing idea by any means, but "nil desperandum!" At five ininutes before five p.m., the bell tolled for chapel. It was perfectly optional on a patient's part whether he chose to attend the service or no. Indeed, I may say here that the system of "non-restraint," under which this vast asylum is conducted, is

most consistently carried out. I attended the evening service, which commenced with singing a short hymn; then the minister read two or three prayers from the Church of England Common Prayer Book, and then was read a chapter in the New Testament; the service occupying about twenty minutes. On my return to my "ward," tea was served: each patient was supplied with about two-thirds of a pint, very little milk, less sugar, no bread or butter; in fact, this is not looked on as a meal at all, but is altogether supplementary to the asylum dietary, and considered a luxury and an indulgence. At seven o'clock, however, "supper" was served; this was a tolerably substantial meal. It consisted of nearly half-a-pint of the before-mentioned table ale, a thick slice of very excellent bread-yesterday's-and about an ounce and a half of tolerably good cheese. This being disposed of, I was conducted to bed. Bed! imagine, seven o'clock p.m. Considering, however, that I should gain nothing to my advantage by any expression of dissent, I philosophically bottled my indignation, and unhesitatingly suffered myself to be conducted to my "dormitory." But I cannot help here frankly confessing that my pent-up feelings approximated their explosive point when I found that four other-to use a mild term, say eccentric, gentlemen-were to sleep in the same apartment with me. The "attendants" (there are no keepers here, they having all disappeared about the same period when the whip, irons, strait waistcoats, and other comforts of the like nature, thank God, ceased to be !)—the attendants kindly informing me that the reason we were to sleep in company, arose from the fact that one or two of my "friends" had a foolish penchant for hammering their heads against the walls, and that it was found that "company" restrained that exceedingly low and silly behaviour. This communication, I need scarcely say, was not likely to render me more inclined to sleep than I already was, although the attendant, doubtless, imagined the contrary. I was ordered to tie up my clothes in a bundle, and place them outside my door, along with the respective suits of my sleeping companions, and we were then locked in. I do not think I have before said, that after I had taken my bath, when I first entered here, my own clothes were taken from me, and an old suit of "grey" given me in their stead; this being one of the "rules" of this establishment. But to proceed. The attendant, after locking us in, bade us good night through an eyelet hole in the door, and we were left for sleep, but this balmy comforter was a long, long time before he visited me; and I laid on my little bed-we each had a separate one-tossing restlessly about, and not altogether free from imagining that probably some one of my eccentric "friends" might feel inclined to lay-in the penny-a-liner's

language "violent hands" on me. I also sighed, and could not help thinking of the train of singular circumstances which had -O, how unjustly! consigned me here as a madman; and then I thought of my home, from which I had been pitilessly torn, of my dear wife, to whom I have been so few years-not three -married, and of my child! Sleep, at length, happily, overtook me, and without dreaming (I have never been a dreamer), after a refreshing night's rest I was awoke the next morning at six o'clock. This is the hour when the attendants of each "ward" are ordered to unlock the doors of their respective patients. Having dressed and washed, I amused myself with a book till the morning chapel bell rang, about "eight;" and with perhaps a hundred, or a hundred and fifty others, I attended the service.

Friday, 16th January.—Being by this time looked upon by the authorities here as possessing at least some of my faculties, I was inducted to an assistantship in "the store" here, where my duties comprised the weighing out of tea, sugar, tobacco, snuff, &c. This was to me a desirable occupation, for I have always liked to be employed; and thankful I was for so soon experiencing one of the rules of the excellent system under which this Asylum is conducted; that is, the employing as much as possible its unfortunate inmates, in doing something useful to the institution itself; and thus, not only amusing some of my "friends" and myself, but saving a trifle to the county. The superintendent of "the store," Mr. C., treats me with really considerable kindness and attention, and what is more congenial to my feelings still, consoles me by intimating that in all probability my detention here will be but exceedingly limited. He requests me also to take whatever tobacco, snuff, or other little luxury I may fancy, and I had an excellent lunch this morning -to be continued, of course, on good behaviour-of superior bread-and-cheese, washed down with that very scarce beverage in the "metropolis"-unadulterated porter! In the afternoon of to-day, I was visited by my dear wife, and allowed to walk with her, unaccompanied by attendants, for two or three hours, on the very pretty greensward which charmingly ornaments the somewhat extensive front of this Asylum.

Saturday, 17th January.-A most beautiful and inviting morning: such a one when we envy the freedom of the happy birds, and should we unhappily be prisoners, long to burst our prison-bars and revel in the luxury of liberty. About eleven o'clock, having previously obtained leave of absence from my master pro tem., Mr. C., I was allowed to take rather a wide promenade round the extensive grounds which surround this noble building, and which grounds are cultivated by efficient "hands,"

together with the not incontemptible assistance of such of the patients who are sufficiently capable, and are so desirous of helping in rearing the vegetables requisite for the uses of this vast establishment. I was with a "company" or "gang" of about twenty, and one attendant, as a sort of overlooker, who, besides looking after the safety of his pupils, gave them instructions what work to go about, whether "hoeing," "weeding," or whatever the particular labour required. Quickly noticing that we were now in a field only separated from the public road by a hedge, which I felt a very little exertion on my part would carry me over, I artfully and gradually drew myself from my fellowprisoners, and pretending to be examining the different vegetables that surrounded me, managed, after a few minutes, to escape the eyesight of the attendant, who had no suspicion of my intention, and quickly leaping the not very high or difficult. hedge, found myself in the London road. Free! A cart coming along the road from the direction of the last-named place, I soon persuaded the lad driver to let me accompany him away from Hanwell, asking him at the same time if he thought me mad! He unreservedly answered, No! and effected my escape from the vicinity of the Asylum by concealing me under some horsecloths or things of the kind at the bottom of the cart, and we soon jogged along, thank God, happily enough. I did not attempt to show myself, as I had the Asylum dress on, and was, of course, afraid of being recognised by some one, and sent back to my old quarters. After a ride of, I presume, some three or four miles, the lad acquainted me with the fact of his nearing his destination. Leaping, cheerfully, therefore, from the cart, and much thanking him-in words, "for silver and gold had I none"-for his kindness in conveying me away safely so far, I bade him adieu, and at once proceeded to complete my escape; for I was still within what I thought much too easy a distance from Hanwell to consider myself free from the danger of being re-taken. Walking and running on, therefore, I at length came to a canal, along whose towing-path I at once made up my mind to proceed, imagining that by a circuitous direction it made its way into London. And this, I have subsequently ascertained. from the attendants here, is the fact, it being a part of the wellknown "Regent's Canal," which runs through this part of the country on its way to the metropolis.

At length, thinking myself somewhat safe, I less cautiously began to look around me, when all at once, O horror! my eyes were completely fascinated-I don't think I could pick out a word more expressive at the abrupt appearance of one of the attendants of the Asylum, in his blue frock-coat and brass buttons, running in a parallel direction, and within a stone's throw of me.

Noways intimidated, however, and thinking I could perhaps outrun him, I accordingly "picked myself up," as sporting men say, and ran with all my speed. Ahead of me, unluckily, and standing on the very towing-path on which I was running, were six or seven ill-looking, skulking fellows, and to whom, immediately he saw them, my pursuer vehemently shouted to stop me. There were only now, then, two alternatives,—either to deliver myself quietly into the hands of the attendant, or to "take the water." Had the chace have happened on a warm day in summer, I believe I should have chosen the latter impulse (for I can swim), but as it was a bitter day in January, I surrendered at discretion. Within an hour subsequently I was once again lodged in safety in my "ward."

Sunday, 18th January.-About ten o'clock this morning, by direction of Dr. B., I was "transplanted," if I may be permitted to use such a word under present circumstances, from "Ward No. Eleven" to "Ward No. Six"—a "Refractory" one. This, it seems, is a punishment for my daring attempt at escape. I am glad to find, however, that although the patients are much more boisterous, and, possibly, more dangerous, than my first fellow-prisoners, the "attendants"—and a great deal rests with them are more quiet and gentlemanly than those in my previous "ward;" and I am made by them as comfortable as their duties, and the circumstances under which I am detained here, admit of.

Thursday, 29th January.-To-day I have been examined by the visiting justices, magistrates who periodically visit and form a "board" here, to see and discharge, if convalescent, the patients who are sufficiently well to appear before them. The chairman of the board to day, Mr. W., addressed me in an exceedingly kind manner; and further said, that he hoped and believed I should very soon appear before them again to ask for my discharge. The clouds are now, I think, beginning to break, and I am almost tempted to believe that the day of my freedom from detention in this asylum, as a madman, is not far distant. O may my presentiment be realized!

Saturday, 31st January.-This morning I was supplied with a new suit of really very decent looking grey clothing. On putting them on, I found there was plenty of room left me to grow stouter in; and which, if I prove no exception to the general rule of all those who become inmates here, in the course of a very few weeks I shall. Such seems to be really the case, according to all accounts here, a very short space of time being sufficient to considerably increase the bulk of the inmates of this asylum. In the afternoon of to day I was removed from "Ward No. Six" to "Ward No. Four," where I now write this. This