Chapter L: J. Simond

_6th June 1821._

* * * * *

Having visited this establishment, we are desirous of expressing the entire satisfaction which we received from observing the good order, cleanliness, and arrangement, which appears to subsist in the whole establishment.

CARLISLE,
THOS. GRENVILLE.

_20th June 1821._

* * * * *

Having been this day favoured with a complete investigation of the interior of this hospital, I have great pleasure in recording the gratification I experienced, in observing the extreme neatness and order of the whole establishment. I cannot help expressing my surprise at the total absence of those disagreeable instances of coercion, to which I looked forward with no little impression of fear on my entrance.

R. L. GWATKIN.

_28th June 1821._

* * * * *

Having visited and inspected this establishment, we feel the utmost satisfaction in seeing the order, cleanliness, and comfort of the patients, which appears impossible to be exceeded.

HANS SLOAN,
WM. SLOAN,
CHAS. FREEMAN.

_5th July 1821._

* * * * *

We are particularly struck with the cleanliness of all the rooms, the excellent food for the unfortunate individuals, and the kindness shewn to them.

VICOUNTESS MIDDLETON,
MARIA MIDDLETON.

_20th July 1821._

* * * * *

I have this day passed through the different apartments of this excellent and magnificent establishment, and am exceedingly pleased with the entire management. To me it appears to do equal honour to the public and private munificence of the nation, and to the talents and industry of those who administer it.

CHAS. CALDWELL,
United States.

_27th July 1821._

* * * * *

It is impossible to express too strongly the favourable impression which has been made upon us by the view of this establishment.

J. CALCRAFT,
G. H. CALCRAFT.

_1st August 1821._

* * * * *

His Serene Highness the reigning Duke of Saxe Meiningen visited, on the 2d August 1821, and expressed himself highly pleased with the establishment.

EDWARD HALL.

* * * * *

It appears to me that nothing is wanting in the hospital I have just inspected that would be likely to contribute to the comfort of the unfortunate persons who have been placed within it, either in the hope of cure, or for the purpose of keeping them from injuring others or themselves.

WM. NECK.

_23d August 1821._

* * * * *

I have visited several hospitals for the same malady, in France and Italy, and have never seen any that equalled this, in perfect cleanliness and arrangement, or came near it in the curative system adopted.

A. W. BERRY.

_14th Sept. 1821._

* * * * *

It was with extreme satisfaction that I visited the hospital this day, and found many essential improvements since I was last here, well calculated towards assisting the comforts of its unfortunate inhabitants.

AUGUSTUS FREDERICK, Duke of Sussex.

_28th Sept. 1821._

* * * * *

I have been most highly gratified in visiting this hospital, in which every possible attention is paid to the comfort, security, and the recovery of the patients.

J. BLISS, M.D.

_3d Oct. 1821._

* * * * *

“If ye do not believe, come and see.”

GEORGE LING.

* * * * *

No institution of this kind can be better conducted than this, nor can greater attention be paid to the comforts and cleanliness of the unhappy patients.

T. I. WATERWORTH, Surgeon.

_4th Oct. 1821._

* * * * *

I have just been over this excellently conducted building, and only say, that every thing I have beheld is calculated to delight the beholder, and to impress him with the idea, that those who are living here, must be as happy and comfortable as their misfortunes will allow.

G. N. MACKMURDO.

_11th Oct. 1821._

* * * * *

It is impossible to pass too high an encomium upon the exemplary and admirable conduct of the governors and officers of this important and highly valuable institution; and, to a feeling mind, it is delightful to see the comfort and consolation which is administered to the patients. In the names of those who have accompanied me, I beg to subscribe our particular approbation and admiration of every regulation in the establishment, offering our best wishes for the success of its intentions.

T. R. DIXON.

_18th Oct. 1821._

* * * * *

I have been much pleased at seeing the mild treatment in this institution, and the regulations as well as the liberal allowance of food for the patients.

GEO. AINSLIE.

_18th Oct. 1821._

* * * * *

I cannot express in adequate terms my admiration of the manner in which this institution is conducted, and never could have conceived it possible to have managed the subjects of so dreadful a malady with so little restraint.

J. T. GIRAUD, Surgeon, Feversham, Kent.
T. GREENAWAY, Jun.

_1st Nov. 1821._

* * * * *

The extreme order, cleanliness, comfort, and humanity which are evident in every part of this excellent institution, redound very highly to the credit of those who have the management of the patients.

J. C. BADELAY, M.B.,
Caius College, Cambridge.

_9th Nov. 1821._

* * * * *

Having viewed the hospital with attention this day, I offer my humble testimony to the accuracy with which every part of the establishment is conducted, and profess my highest respect for those who give it their care and time.

HENRY HALFORD, M.D.

_19th Nov. 1821._

* * * * *

We, the undersigned, have great pleasure in adding our testimony of approbation, as to the cleanliness and humane treatment, and great regularity which are so evident through every part of this hospital.

ENGLISH DOLBEN, Baronet of England.
JOHN SMALE, M.D.
A. ROGGE,
SAM. BARR, &c. &c.

_6th Dec. 1821._

* * * * *

We cannot sufficiently testify the gratification we feel at the comfortable situation in which every person is here placed, and the kindness and attention that are shewn to them. The cleanliness of the whole house, the excellence of their provisions, cannot be too highly approved of.

FRED. W. CAMPBELL,
ARTHUR C. ONSLOW.

* * * * *

I have had the pleasure of seeing over this excellent establishment, and it would not be just if I did not record this as a testimony, that it is conducted with the greatest degree of humanity and care, and highly to be praised for the cleanliness of every department of it.

JONATHAN JACKSON, Retreat, York.

_26th Jan. 1822._

* * * * *

The institution is in such order as to induce expressions of satisfaction from all those who visit.

T. W. GOODWYN.

_9th Feb. 1822._

* * * * *

The undersigned this day visited Bethlem Hospital, and not only felt highly gratified at the state in which he found every thing connected therewith, but perfectly astonished at the extraordinary degree of cleanliness which prevails throughout.

THOS. C. WARNER.

_26th Feb. 1822._

* * * * *

Every thing appears to us conducted in the best manner, in cleanliness and in every other respect, and we see nothing on which to suggest an improvement.

H. NEALE,
G. T. STAUNTON.[14]

_18th March 1822._

* * * * *

I have felt the greatest satisfaction in being permitted to visit this institution, which appears most admirably regulated, and in all its detail quite perfect.

JOHN TUCKER, Lieut.-Col.

_23d March 1822._

* * * * *

I have experienced the greatest satisfaction in my visit through the different wards of this hospital, and am very much gratified by the cleanliness so universally observed.

JOHN A. PARIS, M.D.

_20th April 1822._

* * * * *

I have visited this establishment, and have been struck with the extreme cleanliness, comfort, and attention which pervades the whole, and have in no part of the world ever seen any hospital or establishment which can compare with it in any way.

ALVANLEY.

_20th April 1822._

* * * * *

We have had great satisfaction in witnessing the high degree of order, cleanliness, and attention that prevails in every department of the establishment of this hospital.

RALPH WOODFORD,
STEPHEN WOOLRICHE.

_17th May 1822._

* * * * *

I have been highly pleased with the cleanliness, attention, and treatment, and with pleasure add my testimony to that effect.

JAS. ADAMS, Surgeon.

_23d May 1822._

* * * * *

We, the undersigned, do fully approve of the arrangements of this house, and the treatment of the different patients, thinking the whole arrangement superior to any other establishment we have seen.

BEN. RIDGE, Surgeon.
C. G. STEWART MONTEATH,
W. F. BALLY,
L. H. LEE MICHELL.

_30th May 1822._

* * * * *

We have closely inspected every part of Bethlem Hospital on this day, and are quite satisfied with all we have seen and heard.

SEYMOUR,
R. POLE CAREW.

_30th May 1822._

* * * * *

We, the undersigned, have this day visited this Lunatic Asylum, and have been very much gratified indeed, from the high order in which every thing appeared, the general good conduct and cheerful appearance of the patients, and the excellent quality of the provisions, of which we have partaken.

THOS. BEATTY, M.D.
E. SAUNDERS,
B. SAUNDERS.

_4th June 1822._

* * * * *

I have had the pleasure to accompany His Royal Highness Prince Christian of Denmark over the different wards of this establishment, with which His Royal Highness, as well as myself, have been highly gratified.

AUGUSTUS FREDERICK, Duke of Sussex.
CHRISTIAN FREDERIC, Prince of Denmark.

_10th June 1822._

* * * * *

It is impossible that any institution can be better arranged and conducted, in all its parts, than this that we have just had the satisfaction of seeing, and we conceive that every one must be highly gratified with the appearance of comfort conveyed to the unhappy inmates.

GEORGE TALBOT,
CHARLES TALBOT,
J. BARON, M.D.

_13th June 1822._

* * * * *

Nothing could have been more gratifying to us than our visit to this excellent establishment.

JAMES EWING,
ROBERT DALGLISH,
JAMES DENNISTOUN.

_29th June 1822._

* * * * *

It is with great pleasure we add our opinion of the admirable system adopted in this institution, which appears to be conducted in a manner most conducive to the restoration, ease, and comfort of the unhappy objects who are placed here.

J. H. DULLES,
Philadelphia, U. S.

GEORGE DILLWYN.

_10th July 1822._

* * * * *

Having visited very many of the lunatic establishments, and particularly well remembering the old Bethlem, which has been so happily superseded by the present hospital, I with the greatest pleasure take this opportunity of expressing the satisfaction which my visit hither has now afforded me, from witnessing the excellent state of every part, both of the building and the management of the patients.

WM. SMITH, M.P.

_17th July 1822._

* * * * *

Having visited most of the establishments in Europe, as well as in this country, which are intended for the recovery or confinement of lunatics, I feel the greatest pleasure in stating, that I consider this hospital as one of the very first class, and as combining all the essential requisites for such unfortunate people.

ALEX. CRICHTON.

_22d July 1822._

* * * * *

If you would see true Christian benevolence, actively and nobly exerted in the cause of suffering humanity here it is seen in perfection. I never saw any thing more gratifying to the feelings than this admirably conducted charity presents to view.

W. G. HUET.

_17th August 1822._

* * * * *

With great satisfaction I visited this asylum, and consider it conducted with the greatest degree of humanity, and cleanliness, and the patients appear as happy as they can well be, under the peculiarity of their situation.

CHARLES WHITE.

_17th August 1822._

* * * * *

This is an object of admiration throughout all its parts.

CHARLES BAUDEN.

_August 1822._

* * * * *

I find the establishment in the same excellent order as last year.

J. CALCRAFT, M.P.

_23d August 1822._

* * * * *

We, whose names are herewith signed, beg to express the high satisfaction with which we have witnessed every thing connected with the economy and management of Bethlem Hospital.

T. WYNNE,
JOHN RYLEY,
DAVID UR.

_10th Oct. 1822._

* * * * *

Should I ever be so unfortunate, as to render it necessary to be placed under restraint, I hope and trust my friends would select this place.

J. S. PEYTON, Capt. R. N.
JOHN BRAMSTON.

_17th Oct. 1822._

* * * * *

Having viewed the various departments of this hospital, we do consider it far surpassing all expectations, in cleanliness, order, and decency; and it would be exhibiting an attempt at ignorance to find the least fault.

JOHN LEACH,
JOHN FREEMAN,
&c. &c. &c.

_7th Nov. 1822._

* * * * *

We, the undersigned, this day visited this hospital, through the various wards, and found every department conducted in cleanliness, &c. &c. far beyond our most sanguine expectations.

JAMES DEAN,
JOHN EDEN, &c. &c.

_19th Nov. 1822._

* * * * *

I have visited hospitals on the Continent, and none meets my approbation so much as Bethlem in all its forms.

THOMAS GREENING.

_5th Dec. 1822._

I fully concur with the above statement.

WM. WORDFORD.

_5th Dec. 1822._

* * * * *

I have been struck with the highest admiration on viewing this establishment, as being more perfect than I could have considered possible.

GEORGE MEAD.

_2d Jan. 1823._

* * * * *

Having visited the greater part of the public establishments upon the Continent of Europe, as well as in our own country, I hope it will not be thought presumptuous to declare my opinion of the excellence of this, and to assert, that none other can be placed in competition with it, for its admirable and extensive distribution, as well as for the abolition of such dreadfully coercive measures as are constantly and generally adopted in other lunatic asylums, its cleanliness, airiness, &c. &c.

JULIUS GRIFFITH.
&c. &c. &c.

_2d Jan. 1823._

THE END.

LONDON: PRINTED BY COX AND BAYLIS, GREAT QUEEN STREET.

FOOTNOTES:

[13] These sinks have been long altered, and no bad smells issue from them now.

[14] The East-India Company’s translator of Oriental languages.

_Just Published, Price 1s. 6d._

KEY

TO

SCRIPTURE

CHRONOLOGY,

MADE BY

COMPARING SACRED HISTORY WITH PROPHECY,

AND RENDERING

THE BIBLE

CONSISTENT WITH ITSELF;

ILLUSTRATED WITH

NEW TABLES OF CHRONOLOGY,

AND VARIOUS NOTES.

BY

_JAMES ANDREW_, L. L. D. F. R. S.

London

PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, PUBLISHED BY F. C. AND J. RIVINGTON; SHERWOOD, NEELY AND JONES; OGLE AND CO.; AND KINGSBURY AND CO.

1822.

PROSPECTUS

Although the Title Page of every Work is designed to shew, in few words, its nature and tendency, yet the limits do not afford room to explain the circumstances under which the attention of mankind is invited or solicited to every new publication.

Soon after the final destruction of the City and Temple of Jerusalem by the Romans, it would appear that the most valuable records of antiquity were diligently sought for and destroyed, and that new and false records were substituted for them, both by Jews and Christians,--certainly of a degenerate cast. The former wished it to be believed that the promised Messiah was not yet come; the latter, that the end of the world was near at hand, and the _millennium_ about to commence. The former contracted the age of the world, to suit their worldly pride and expectations; the latter extended it, to serve their vast desire of wealth, which flowed in largely upon them, through the boundless benefactions of devotees, who were persuaded that the day of judgment was just approaching. And as our Saviour was crucified between two Thieves, so the true Chronology of the Bible has been lost between the rival pretensions of opposite and contending factions. But since the æra of the Reformation of Religion, a more enlightened and liberal spirit of enquiry has prevailed, and much has been done towards the recovery of those Chronological Truths which had long been buried in darkness. The names of Scaliger and Petavius in France, of Strauchius in Germany, and of Marsham, Usher, Prideaux and Blair in England, have been deservedly celebrated for the progress they have made, steering, according to the Scripture Chart, a middle course between the errors of the Apostate Jews and those of degenerate and rapacious Ecclesiastics of the Primitive Christian Church; and the success of their undertakings to explore and bring regularly to view occurrences of ancient date, ought to stimulate our zeal, to perfect what they have begun and nearly finished.

Whether we receive the Holy Scriptures as the Oracles of God, as all true Believers do; or whether we receive them traditionally as simple records of past transactions, according to the opinions of Sceptics and other Unbelievers; in either case, their testimony is in the highest degree interesting and valuable. No written monument of equal antiquity has come down to us: no view, real or fabulous, of original society and manners is to be found so complete and satisfactory; no ancient or modern system of laws and religion devised by man can be compared in purity, perfection, sublimity, or beneficence, with the genuine doctrine of Moses and the Prophets, of Christ and his holy Apostles. Scripture Chronology must be deemed, by all Christians, essential to the illustration of Scripture History, and of the fulfilment of Prophecy: and Historians of all classes and denominations must prefer truth to error, an exact to an incorrect view of Chronology, according to the real intent and meaning of the several Authors they refer to. Every becoming effort to clear up, and firmly settle Scripture Chronology, is not only lawful but commendable. The Dates in the present larger Editions of the English Bible are of no value or importance, except in so far as they are conformable to the tenour and language of Scripture. Attempts to rectify Chronological blunders are not to be considered as imprudent, nor denounced as an attack on settled doctrines; because every endeavour to rectify error and to explain truth is ornamental to human nature and agreeable to the word of God. True religion loves and challenges light and enquiry.

The Holy Scriptures supply the world with an extensive Chain, in many pieces, of Chronological Dates from the Creation of the World to the Overthrow of the Babylonian Empire by Cyrus the Great; and thence, to the death of Christ. The links are of unequal lengths, and of various matter or substance. Some are supplied by Scripture History, some by Prophecy, and some both ways. It is left for human ingenuity and experience to put the pieces of the chain and the links rightly together, and to try whether the length measures the just extent to any and every assigned period. And here it may be remarked that there does not appear the least ground or reason to believe that the account of dates or years given in the Hebrew Bible has been at all altered or corrupted, from first to last; on the contrary they appear to have been providentially kept inviolable through so many ages by the wonderful imbecility of the human mind for many years, and by the supineness or indifference to Chronological Enquiries which prevailed from the age of Constantine until the Reformation.

It is so far satisfactory to find that the common Chronology inserted in our English Bibles agrees well with the perfect reckonings of the Scriptures for 2108 years, from the Creation of the World to the birth of Isaac, or the Institution of Circumcision; and again for 809 years, from the commencement of the reign of Azariah, or Uzziah, king of Judah until the birth of Christ. But the accumulated errors of computation in the long intervening period of 1298 years, amount to 211 years short of the truth. Now, it is the object of this short Essay to explain the whole Chronology of the Bible, and to rectify what has been computed amiss.

That Prince of Philosophers, Sir Isaac Newton, attempted in his declining years to render the Chronology of Prophane History more conformable to Sir John Marsham’s view of the Chronology of the Bible, by cutting down the antiquities of the Greeks, and other Eastern Nations, about 500 years. This gave rise to a learned controversy, in which it has been proved that our illustrious Philosopher had erred 300 years. There still remained, however, and do remain, about 200 years concerning which nothing has been said or done. If, instead of contracting the age of the world 211 years, according to the erroneous reckoning which is now followed, we extend it to its just length according to the true Scripture reckoning which ought to be followed, we immediately bring Prophane History to agree much better of its own accord with Sacred History than has hitherto been the case. By this means we reduce the ancient affairs of Babylon, of Egypt, and of Greece, to a more convenient distance in time from the general Deluge than before, and surmount other difficulties that occurred in the Patriarchal, Judicial, and Regal Periods of the History of the Jews.

The generally grave and judicious Prideaux has inadvertently done a great disservice to Hebrew Chronology by the negligent, contemptuous, and sneering manner in which he has spoken of the order of the Sabbatical years and Jubilees amongst the Jews, at the commencement of his learned _Connexions of the Old and New Testament_, as if it were a subject that no wise man ever did or would trouble his head about. The contempt is heightened by the context; for he immediately proceeds to give at full length the light and rather nauseous story of Darius’s Groom and Horse, originally told by Herodotus, with all the circumstances, that served to place Darius on the throne of Persia: as if it were better to lose sight of the Jubilees altogether than of one particle of a Stable-keeper’s tale of jockeyship. It can scarcely be doubted that this bad taste and unseasonable mirth, much to be regretted in so great a man, and in a work of such high and deserved repute, has prevented many from enquiring fully and fairly into all the particulars relative to the Institution of Sabbatical years amongst the Jews, appointed by God himself, and on the due observance of which both the Law and the Prophets laid continually so much stress. An attentive consideration of this subject has enabled the Author of this brief Essay to find his way clearly through the chronological labyrinths of the Jewish Regal Period, which are otherwise inexplicable: and to read the Old Testament Prophets with fresh advantage and delight. The course or tenour of Scripture Prophecy bears directly and strongly on the Epoch of our Lord’s Death and Resurrection; less so on that of his Nativity; and the years of Jubilee, amongst other uses, served to mark the fulness of time, when our Lord should be betrayed and delivered into the hands of Sinners, which was at the commencement of a Jubilee.

Our Saviour’s Genealogy, according to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, which has been thought difficult to explain, as it really is, on the loose and incoherent Systems of Chronology hitherto propounded, admits of an easy solution on being referred to the correct reckoning of the years of the Old Testament, now proposed. And the number 666, given to the mystical _beast_ and _false prophet_ in the Apocalypse, is found to be applicable to chronological periods of idolatry and corruption in the Jewish and Christian Church, already passed as to power, but not, perhaps, as to influence.

It may also be satisfactory to notice that the chronological year of the Hebrews, that is, of the Holy Scriptures, from beginning to end, is the true solar year of all ages and nations, comprehending that time which elapses between two successive returns of the vernal equinox: and that its commencement is always at the vernal equinox.

To the Chronology is annexed a very brief Account of the Weights and Measures of antiquity; from which it may safely be inferred that even the Antideluvians had made themselves acquainted with the Figure and Dimensions of the Earth, and that they used the Earth’s Circumference as the Original Standard of Measure.

To conclude. This short Essay contains a great many well established facts, regularly digested, in the shortest and cheapest form, and fitted for the use and instruction of Christians of all denominations. The Tables of Scripture Chronology here exhibited were originally sent forth as an Appendix to a short and comprehensive Treatise on English Grammar by the same Author, published in London, 1817; and they are now given as an Appendix to a new Hebrew and English Dictionary and Grammar, by the Same, with such Explanations and Illustrations as are proper to evince their correctness. This separate publication of the Chronology is designed more especially for the use of such enquiring and attentive Christians as do not read Hebrew, and who may not have an opportunity to consult the Appendix to the Author’s English Grammar, or Hebrew Dictionary. If the modern Jews would study the Chronology of the Hebrew Bible, instead of the Traditions of Men, they would soon come to know the cause of their long continued distress, and the signs of its termination.

_On the 1st of_ JUNE _will be published_, _Price_ 6_s._

KNIGHT’S

QUARTERLY MAGAZINE,

No. I.

LONDON:--PRINTED FOR CHARLES KNIGHT, 7, PALL-MALL EAST.

SOLD BY DEIGHTON AND SON, CAMBRIDGE;--R. BLISS, OXFORD;--KNIGHT AND
DREDGE, WINDSOR;--E. WILLIAMS, AND T. INGALTON, ETON;--AND BY ALL
BOOKSELLERS.

The objects of this work may be better gathered from the following extract of the Introductory Dedication, than from a formal Prospectus:--

“To the Lady Mary Vernon, the Mistress of all Harmony, the Queen of
all Wits, the Brightest of all Belles, we, the undersigned, send
greeting:

“We, the undersigned, are a knot of young men, of various forms
and features,--of more various talents and inclinations; agreeing
in nothing, save only two essential points--a warm liking for one
another, and a very profound devotion for your Ladyship.

“Some of us have no occupation.

“Some of us have no money.

“Some of us are desperately in love.

“Some of us are desperately in debt.

“Many of us are very clever, and wish to convince the Public of the
fact.

“Several of us have never written a line.

“Several of us have written a great many, and wish to write more.

“For all these reasons, we intend to write a book.

“We will not compile a lumbering quarto of Travels, to be bound in
Russia, and skimmed in the Quarterly, and bought by the country
book-clubs;--nor a biting Political Pamphlet, to be praised by
everybody on one side, and abused by everybody on the other, and
read by nobody at all;--nor a Philosophical Essay, to be marvelled
at by the few, and shuddered at by the many, and prosecuted by his
Majesty’s Attorney-General;--nor a little Epic Poem in twenty-four
books, to be loved by the milliners, and lauded in the Literary
Gazette, and burnt by your Ladyship.

“But a Book of some sort we are resolved to write. We will go forth
to the world once a quarter, in high spirits and handsome type, and a
modest dress of drab, with verse and prose, criticism and witticism,
fond love, and loud laughter. Every thing that is light, and warm,
and fantastic, and beautiful, shall be the offering we will bear;
while we will leave the nation to the care of the Parliament, and the
church to the Bishop of Peterborough. And to this end we will give up
to colder lips and duller souls their gross and terrestrial food: we
will not interfere with the saddle or the sirloin, the brandy-bottle
or the punch-bowl;--our food shall be of the spicy curry, and the
glistening Champagne;--our inspiration shall be the thanks of
pleasant voices, and the smiles of sparkling eyes. We grasp at no
renown--we pray for no immortality; but we trust that in the voyage
it shall be our destiny to run, we shall waken many glowing feelings,
and revive many agreeable recollections; we shall make many jokes,
and many friends; we shall enliven ourselves and the public together;
and when we meet round some merry hearth, to discuss the past and the
future, our projects and our success, we shall give a zest to our
bottle and our debate, by drinking a health to all who read us, and
three healths to all who praise.

“We have built up our temple, and installed the priests, and made
ready the offerings, and we are looking for the goddess of the
shrine. The President of our Club, and the Editor of our writings,
shall be no compiler of essays--no eater of oysters; no bald
and bearded gentleman, with a cold judgment and a flippant pen,
dreaming of pounds, shillings, and pence, and annihilating the young
hopes of an author in all the anonymous authority of the plural
number. We must have for our tutelar divinity a more amiable and
more interesting being, to whose authority we may pay a voluntary
submission, to whose eyes we may breathe our vows and scribble our
sonnets, beneath whose influence we may forget the tedium and the
toil of book-making, and scatter over our revel and our press the
magic charm of gallantry and romance.

“We kneel before your Ladyship’s ottoman.

“You are beautiful and very kind; a widow and very witty; with a
complexion a little flushed, and a nose a little aquiline, and all
necessary dignity in your clear high forehead, and all conceivable
merriment in your deep blue eye; and you wear white shoes and
diamond necklaces, and dress your long dark hair _à la Grecque_;
and you have a light step and a quick speech, and just sufficient
_embonpoint_ to recall our young sonnetteers from their dreams of
Dryads and of Naiads, and to compel them to muse for a few minutes
on something more lovely and less divine; and you paint flowers, and
draw caricatures; and you play the harp and _l’écarté_, and sing
delightfully; and you love Handel, and doat upon Shakspeare; and you
are twenty-five, and--‘Mary.’

“By all these signs you are manifestly pointed out as the idol before
whom we are to prostrate our hearts and our papers. You will not
refuse the homage we proffer. Among our gay and buoyant souls the
day of chivalry and of enthusiasm shall have another morning; you
shall be to us the queen of the joust; in your sight the bold and
adventurous are to break their first lance. Your smile is to be the
excitement;--your hand is to bestow the reward; a thousand poets
shall be your slaves;--a thousand quills shall leap from their desks
to avenge the look that threatens you with insult. Your image shall
animate, and your name shall protect us; censure shall kneel before
you, and criticism shall be dumb in your presence.

“We are your Ladyship’s very humble servants,

MARMADUKE VILLARS,
DAVENANT CECIL,
TRISTRAM MERTON,
IRVINE MONTAGU,
GERARD MONTGOMERY,
HENRY BALDWIN,
JOSEPH HALLER,
PETER ELLIS,
PATERSON AYMER,
EUSTACE HERON,
EDWARD HASELFOOT,
WILLIAM PAYNE,
ARCHIBALD FRAZER,
HAMILTON MURRAY,
CHARLES PENDRAGON,
LEWIS WILLOUGHBY,
JOHN TELL,
EDMUND BRUCE,
REGINALD HOLYOAKE,
RICHARD MILLS,
OLIVER MEDLEY,
PEREGRINE COURTENAY,
VYVYAN JOYEUSE,
MARTIN DANVERS HEAVISIDE,
&c. &c. &c.”

* * * * *

Transcriber’s note

Minor punctuation errors have been changed without notice. Hyphenation and accent marks were standardized. Deliberate spaces have been replaced with hyphens/dashes.

Spelling of Bethlem and style were standardized. Otherwise, spelling was retained as in the original except for the following:

Page xxii: “irritiation of patients” “irritation of patients”
Page 15: “Shorly after her Majesty” “Shortly after her Majesty”
Page 22: “prophane and anti-christian” “prophane and anti-Christian”
Page 53: “apprehension and tertor” “apprehension and terror”
Page 75: “from personal retraint” “from personal restraint”
Page 91: “From Guilford, Surry” “From Guilford, Surrey”
Page 124: “cookery and cuckledom” “cookery and cuckoldom”
Page 126: “exception of a a little” “exception of a little”
Page 145: “secretary. Alltransactions” “secretary. All transactions”
Page 148: “here for re admission; but” “here for re-admission; but”
Page 179: “and, at the instance” “and, at the insistence”
Page 188: “ill fortune: andthe” “ill fortune: and the”
Page 202: “or mental deragement” “or mental derangement”
Page 230: “became “plain John Dickens” “became “plain John Dicken”
Page 245: “next or succeding night” “next or succeeding night”
Page 297: “the buildinng attached” “the building attached”
Page 298: “8th June 1120.” “8th June 1820.”
Page 301: “20thJ une 1821.” “20th June 1821.”

Footnote [13]: “from them them now.” “from them now.”

Ads:

“by Jews and Chritians” “by Jews and Christians”
“antiquities of tht Greeks” “antiquities of the Greeks”
“signs of its temination” “signs of its termination”