Gheel, A Colony of the Insane [pp. 824-837]

G8crd.
ence to absolute authority, and ceases
to effect energetic revulsion from
the bewilderment of the mind. So
needlework affords to women a kind
of instinctive or mechanical activity
of the fingers, which leaves the imagination vagabond. Such labors, prolonged for many hours, are so much
the more objectionable from their
sedentary nature, which rather favors
than averts glandular obstructions
and correlative disturbance in the
circulatory and nervous systems.
The mode of life of the small farmer, considered as a whole, conmbines natural interests with varied
occupations and movements requiring skill and strength in moderate
degree, observation and attention.
Above all, man feels himself here a
direct coagent with the elemental
forces, a shareholder in the commonwealth of the universe, alternately
obeying and commanding, utilizing
and enjoying the play of solar and
planetary forces. It is true that all
have not equally the intellectual consciousness of their participation in
this great drama, nor the intimate
satisfaction and dignity that accrue
fromn it; yet none can be alien to its
penetrating virtues, they sustain the
meanest hind and the most oppressed slave; much more, the free, the
voluntary, and amateur collaborator.
The aspects of nature wahr the color
of the spirit; they are sanative in
proportion as man becomes the mirror, the guide, and the instrument of
her powers. In the prisoner, at
best their suggestions cherish painful
aspirations. For the free laborer
alone are they pregnant with infinite
sweetness.
The arts, and especially music, contribute to the social life of Gheel,
and repeat for many a tormented spirit the experience of David with
Saul.* A lunatic, surnamed Colbert
*X Kings xvi. 23
the Great, a skilful violinist, founded
the harmony or choral society, and
his name is still honored in the memory of all the Gheelois. His portrait
adorns the hall where the society
holds its meetings, and this homage attests the cordial fraternity,
devoid of prejudices and of false
shame, which characterizes the Gheel
folk. In their concerts, at patriotic
or religious festivals, the parts are
distributed to the musicians according to the irrespective talents; if they
play or sing well, nothing more is
required. To improve natural gifts,
there is a singing-school for the insane. Muiller, a distinguished German composer'and chief of the harmony club, is the director designated by the public voice, who solicits
the honor of forming, among the insane, pupils who shall assist him in
his concerts.
Several of the insane are members of the choir of Saint Dymphna.
Many of them piously mingle in the
processions. They are often seen in
this church imploring on their knees
the grace of heaven. Only those
whose illusion it is to believe themselves gods or kings, do not kneel,
but otherwise behave themselves
with decency and respect. Here,
as elsewhere, individuals subject to
aberrations of reason, still undergo
the influence of the prevailing tone
and manner of deportment, and give
in their turn good examples. They
are generally much attached to the
faith of their childhood. In health
or in sickness, and at the approach
of death, they are admitted to the
sacraments of the church whenever
their condition is not such as to exclude moral conscience. These acts
raise the poor lunatic in his self-respect, and in the eyes of the population they are a medicine of the soul.
Toward the close of the eighteenth
century, when the rigors previously
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