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96

Anecdote of Hogarth-Hospital of the Insane ut Aversa.

From the Literary Gazette.

[VOL.4

Singular Description of the Hospital for the Insane at Aversa, in the Kingdom of Naples :

Extracted from the unpublished Journal of a Tour

merely a fancy of the Prince, who When he entered the Mansion-house, kept a great number of these caps in his the weather was fine; but being detainapartment, one of which he always put ed some time, it rained heavy when he upon the head of the person who had came out; and leaving the house by a been with him. Lord Ligonier then different door to which he entered, he inquired, whether it were likely such a quite forgot his carriage, and immedifavour would be conferred on him; ately began to call for a hackney coach, because," added he, "the King, my but finding none on the neighbouring master, whom I represent, would be far stands, he sallied forth to brave the storm, from pleased, were I to submit to and actually reached Leicester Fields such an indignity!" Upon this, the without bestowing a thought on the Spanish minister promised that he comforts of having a vehicle of his own, would endeavour to obviate this part of until Mrs. Hogarth, surprised to see the ceremony of introduction; and him so wet and splashed, asked him accordingly went in to consult the where he had left it.-Ibid. Prince on the subject, but returned with the answer that Lord Ligonier must submit to be crowned, like the other visitors of his Royal Highness. "Then," said Lord L. "I present my respects to H.R. H. and wish him a good morning." Nay, nay,' replied the Spaniard, stay a little, and I will step in again to the Prince.' He did so, and Aversa was built by the valiant Noragain returning, assured Lord L. that mans, and cannot boast any honhe might now venture into the presence ours derived from antiquity. It may chamber, without any apprehension of be considered as new on this classic the compliment being paid him. Lord ground, where you find at every step L. went in accordingly, and was re- Phenician, Greek, or Roman monuceived most graciously by the Prince, ments; and where every corner of who conversed with him, for a long ground, every stone, attests to the fortime, with the greatest affability. It did eign visitor the ancient glories of Italy. not escape Lord L.'s observation, how- Formerly the curious traveller could ever, that the Prince stood with his see every thing worth seeing by casting back to the fire-place, having one hand a look on the country round Aversa, behind him; and he therefore conceiv- which nature has loaded with her gifts; ed that it was not impossible a trick but now, this place induces him to turn might be played him at last. He con- aside from the road which leads him sequently kept a sharp look-out, and towards the majestic ruins of Capua, watched every motion of H. R. High- to contemplate the progress of philosophy and humanity, in a place where he would not suspect the smallest trace of them to exist: I allude to the Royal Hospital for the Insane.

ness.

The suspicion was not without foundation. Approaching to take his leave, he made a very low bow, keep ing his eye still upon the Prince's hand; and at the very moment when he was again raising his head, saw his H.R.H. produce the fool's cap, and lift it up for the purpose of covering him. Being, however, prepared for such a manœuvre, he struck the paper compliment out of the Prince's hand to the other end of the room, made another low bow, and retired.-Lit. Gaz, June,

made in the year 1817.

I had heard this establishment spoken of with praise; but being accustomed to meet with exaggeration in the good as well as in the evil, which travellers relate of the countries they have visited, I resolved to see the place myself. At eight o'clock in the morning I went to Aversa. After having traversed a short path, we discovered this modest edifice in the midst of the most smiling country. Soon after the celebrated Hogarth The bell called the people of the neighset up a carriage, he had occasion to bourhood to mass, which is daily atvisit the Lord Mayor (Mr. Beckford.) tended by the unhappy patients in the

HOGARTH.

VOL. 4.]

Hospital of the Ins.ne at Aversa.

peace

97

and conHis words were like a talis

were cultivating flowers; there, others stood immoveable, and so plunged in deep reflection, that it seemed as if the fall of the edifice would not have roused them from it.

Hospital. The holy ceremonies were the dreams, the follies of each, and rejust beginning as we entered. A part plied to all by words of of the church was filled with people solation. from the town and neighbourhood. In man, which calmed their agitation, the choir and the side seats were men dispelled melancholy chagrin, and spread of all ages and conditions, almost all serenity and smiles on the most thoughtdressed in a uniform manner; in the ful and perturbed countenances. This middle were some young grenadiers; kind of review being terminated, most and in the front a numerous military or- of them went into the garden contiguchestra made the sacred roof re-echo ous to the court. There several games with the most melodious sounds. Every were arranged, judiciously contrived to thing inspired meditation and devotion. afford them a gentle and agreeable My guide said to me, "Those whom Gymnastic exercise, and to dissipate the you see silent and devout at the foot of gloomy thoughts in which they are habthe altar, those who are in military uni- itually plunged. form, and who pay homage with their While contemplating this kind of arms to the God of armies, those who contest, I perceived that the presence make the temple resound with their of the spectators, and the natural desire harmonious concert, are so many vic- of receiving the prize given to the victor, tims to that dreadful malady which de- excited in their hearts a noble emulation. prives man of the use of his reason: While many of the patients thus ineven he whom you see penetrated with dulged in the pleasure of this wholesome respect and fear, assisting the priest in recreation, others walked about in the expiatory sacrifice, is himself one of silence and avoided company; others those unfortunate beings." It is not declaimed aloud: here several of them easy to express the surprise I felt, and the emotion excited in my mind by this terrible and delicious contrast of the wretchedness and the grandeur of the human mind. Divine service was over, but the agitation of my mind still conI had spent an hour in this manner, tinued. My guide perceived it, took and was absorbed in the ideas which me by the hand, and conducted me into the sight inspired, when my guide ina passage which leads from the church vited my companion and myself to go to the interior of the house. It is here, to a high story. We ascended a magsaid he, that the inhabitants of the place nificent staircase; at the top of which, repair to their usual occupations. an elegant vase, filled with fine perfume, At a certain signal they all assemble diffused an agreeable odour through the at a place destined for the muster of the whole building. On the right, two of morning. My surprise was increased our grenadiers stood sentinel before an on beholding, that as they arrived in arsenal of simulated arms. From curithe middle of a spacious court, they all osity, I put several questions to them, ranged themselves in a line in the peris- but could not obtain any answer, tile which runs round it. A profound cause they would have imagined they silence prevailed when the Director of committed a great breach of discipline this establishment appeared. On seeing if they had broken silence. him, I observed the most melancholy We were then led into a large saloon rejoice, and yield to the sweetest emo- neatly decorated, where we found sevtions of the heart. I fancied myself in eral of the insane, who, like people in the bosom of a numerous family, as- full possession of their reason, were sembled in the morning round a tender passing their time agreeably in converfather who loves his children. The sation, or in playing on the harpsicord Director, passing through the ranks which and other instruments, singing pleasing they formed, listened to the recital of songs, and hymns of gratitude in hontheir sufferings, the wants, the grievances, our of the king, whose bust is set up

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ATHENEUM. Vol. 4.

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98

Singular Account of the Insane at Aversa.

[VOL. 4 between the statues of Piety, and Wis- nesses to these experiments, we had dom, who place on his brow a crown an opportunity, says the author, of oboffered him by the love of his subjects. serving the effect which the Galvanic In the adjoining apartments, some young electricity produced on several individ men of distinguished birth, quietly uals, a statement of which will throw amused themselves in playing billiards. the greatest light on the obscure art of Astonished at the urbanity,the deco- treating the infinite variety of mental rum, the tranquillity and the politeness, aberrations.] of this unfortunate family, a stranger It struck twelve, and the experiments could not help saying to my guide, ceased, it being the hour of dinner. As "Where then are the insane ?" Wher- we proceeded to the Refectory, the ever you turn your eyes,' answered he. Chevalier Linguiti, the other physician, The peace, the regularity, the good pointed out the dark chamber, the floor temper, which you witness here, are and walls of which are covered with the fruit of vigilance, of order, of a mattresses to confine the maniacs when skilful combination of the different the fit of phrenzy is on them; and the methods of promoting health, and of beds, on which the patients are placed happy application of the means pointed in such a manner, that (the circulation out by medicine, moral philosophy, not being impeded) it is impossible for and a profound knowledge of the hu- them to injure themselves or others. man mind. He likewise shewed us the strait waistIn more than one kind of mental de- coats, which permit the insane to walk rangement, the difficult art of adminis- about at their ease, without being able tering medicines, and, above all, that to commit any excess; the apartment of prescribing the use of them, must destined for the surprise bath; the occupy the first rank. Hospitals for the insane governed like places of confinement, or, like prisons, destined to secure dangerous patients who must be sequestered from society, are calculated but to multiply the kinds of victims whom they contain.

theatre, where these unfortunate persons recreate themselves in representing musical pieces; and lastly, that of the puppets, where their minds are frequently diverted in a very beneficial manner.

I saw this whole family again assembled at table. Unhappily it was still In this Hospital the ancient rigorous too numerous, notwithstanding the treatment of the patients has been hap- frequent and daily cures which annually pily replaced by tender and affectionate restore a great number of its members cares, by the admirable art of gaining to the state, to their relations, to the the mind, and by a mild and pliant arts, the sciences, and humanity. The firmness. Experience has soon de- bread, the wine, the meat, the soup, all monstrated the advantages of this system, the aliments, were wholesome, of good and every body acknowledges that it quality, well prepared, and well served was inspired, not by the blind empiric- up: tranquillity, order, silence, were ism of ill judged pity, but by profound every where observed; but it was then knowledge and enlightened reflections that I first became sensible in what kind on the cause of madness and the means of curing it.

of a place I was. The continual agitation of the insane, the motion of their [The writer here gives an account of muscles, which is not interrupted in two eminent physicians, who came to their moments of rage, the animal heat begin a series of Galvanic experiments, which in many of them is much increasapplied to certain species of madness ed, the extraordinary energy of their very frequent in hospitals for the insane. strength, sometimes excite in them an After having chosen the patients, M. extraordinary voracity; and it was Ronchi, one of them, explained in an such, in some of these unfortunate pereloquent and concise manner the reasons sons, that they devoured their food like which convinced him that the remedy ferocious beasts, appearing insatiable, seemed efficacious, and the hopes which whatever quantity the kind Director set might be conceived of it. Being wit- before them. Their physiognomy,

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VOL. 4.]

Original Anecdotes of the Buonapartes.

99

their gestures, their secret murmurs, a moment without exciting the most which would cause them to be taken sorrowful reflections on the dreadful less for men than for brutes, evidently evils which assail humanity. proved that in these moments they were Full of these gloomy reflections, I deprived of reason, and governed by left Aversa to be in the evening at Nainstinct alone. A melancholy and ples, intending to visit the next day the painful sight, which cannot be beheld Royal Establishment for the Poor.

From the Literary Gazette, June, 1818.

ANECDOTES OF THE BUONAPARTES.

Concluded from p. 75.

JAPOLEON, on his side, appear- quently to land on the coast of Provence,

ed closely to adhere to all that his brother recommended; but, true to his natural character, he commenced by completely deceiving the senator; endeavouring to persuade the latter, that a sense of her own interests would induce Austria to second the enterprise; and that, moreover, he had already received an assurance, that both his wife and child would be sent to Paris in the event of its success. In threatening that power with a general rising of the Italians, headed by Murat, said Napoleon, Austria, rather than run the risk of losing her possessions there, would consent to withdraw from the coalition, if ever so well inclined to oppose his re-establishment. As the execution of this calamitous plan seemed practicable in Lucien's eyes, he left the success of it to the fortunes of his brother: so that, apparent ly, he had merely a secondary part to play in the grand political drama, which was about to throw the cause of European liberty back for so many years. It was Joseph who assumed the most active agency in maturing the plot. This crowned adventurer, tho' destitute alike of talents or vigour of character, contrived, in the rage of disappointed vanity, and stimulated by his love of gold, to lay the first part of the train which produced the final explosion in France. Having previously fixed his residence at the castle of Prangrin, in Switzerland, that place became the head quar ters for those conspirators who were employed to conduct the correspondence thro' the south of France, particularly Lyons, Grenoble, Dijon, and even on to the capital. Agents from Elba, despatched by Napoleon himself, used fre

and proceed to Paris, without any molestation. The plot was, in fact, civil and military; as persons who had formerly filled the situation of ministers, old counsellors of state, commissaries, clerks, and women of abandoned character, composed the pivot on which the infernal machine was known to move, and constituted its principal support. ***** It was not till the end of December that the generals, who had been initiated into the approaching catastrophe, began to hold their first meetings at Paris.

**

The plot was divided into two parts, that of Buonaparte's debarkation, and the insurrection of several garrisons in the northern departments, which were to march on the capital, and possess ́ themselves of the royal family: this was to be effected by the aid of perfidy and treason, prepared with a degree of infamy altogether unworthy of the. French character. The public is fully aware how amazingly the developement of this scheme was favoured by the blind confidence of the court, criminal neglect of an infatuated ministry, and above all, by the public opinion of nearly all France.

In the course now pursued by Buonaparte, of which there appears to be some new and important parts here developed, Lucien took an earnest concern,

"Lucien had scarcely heard of the landing, when he suddenly threw off the mask, which had hitherto made his sentiments appear somewhat doubtful, and even indifferent with regard to Napoleon.

"On perceiving the Pope's alarm at the idea of that man's return, who had

op

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Original Anecdotes of the Buonapartes.

[VOL. 4

pressed him for so many years, the prince was no longer any chance of dissolving of Canino persuaded his soverign, that the coalition, it was high time to think he could always control the policy of of opening the campaign."

general applause in all the circles of the resuscitated court, as well as amongst the public functionaries: nor was adulation spared on this occasion; and a hireling newspaper, the Journal de Paris, which had but a few months before most severely criticised the poem of Charlemagne, now sang a tulsome palinode, containing an unbounded panegyric on the same composition!"

Buonaparte, and preserve his holiness Of the performances of Lucien durfrom any future aggression. The pontiff ing this short revolutionay struggle, we had already availed himself of Lucien's think the following character bears the mediation, when Murat was marching evident marks of truth; and were we to a body of troops towards Rome, and adopt the affected phraseology of the thought he should now confide the in- times, we would say, it belongs to histerest of his states, as well as those of tory.' religion, to the same hands. It was by "Installed in his new habitation, Luthis artifice that the senator obtained cien sought for celebrity in three distinct passports to traverse Italy. On procur- capacities, that of prince, minister of ing these, he entered France through state, and poet: all the public authoriSwitzerland, and arrived at Paris late ties hastened to compliment his highness, in April here he continued in the ut- who studied to receive them with dignimost secrecy, having also preserved the fied politeness. In this respect the senstrictest incognito on his Journey from ator had a manifest advantage over his Rome. Although not one of his most brother: no one could have a greater intimate friends knew of Lucien's being talent for blending ease and affability in in the capital for some time, he was his official communications than Lucien ; nevertheless frequently at the Tuileries, so that he soon became the object of and had many long conferences with Napoleon, by whom he was charged to conduct a negotiation of great moment with the British goverment: this failed even before the necessary passports were signed. The senator went down to the coast to wait for them, but not being allowed to cross the channel,he returned to Paris with the same secresy he had left it." "The journey into Switzerland was concerted with Napoleon; for although the reconciliation was complete and sin cere, it became necessary for Lucien to conceal it for the present, lest some obstacle should be thrown in the way of the members of the goverment, also his family's leaving Rome. On the other hand, it was of the utmost consequence that his return to power should be so managed, as not to give umbrage to those persons who had seized the reins of administration for the time being, and under whom Napoleon himself had been obliged to serve a species of tutelage, having found it impossible to regain all his power at once. From Lucien's position in Switzerland, the emperor hoped the senator would be able to open the secret negociations with Austria, and have greater facilities in stimulating the exertions of Murat.

"But as events soon began to accumulate, and become daily more pressing, particularly when every hope of continving at peace bad vanished, and there

"The fact is, that the senator's credit was no less real than his influence was active. He was present at all the privy councils and other conferences held by

whenever the leaders of the two chambers met. To him Napoleon left the difficult task of preparing the public mind, and surmounting difficulties: in a word, Lucien had undertaken the very troublesome and thankless office of a conciliator, between the parties of every cast, which,having at first united to support Napoleon, seemed now desirous of contending the prize of power with him, and at all events of obliging the new government to compromise with themselves. The Prince of Canino fully succeeded in gaining over Carnot, who, of all the ministers, seemed to shew the senator most deference: these grand props of the restored dynasty were frequently together, and used to have very long interviews."

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