sent Bill, they must make 560 visits, he died. It directed every injury and act travel 16,500 miles, hold 40 boards, of violence happening to a patient to be make 500 reports, and about 900 entries. recorded, and required a "case book" to But this would not be enough, and unless be kept; thereby affording additional the Commission was able to devote itself security against mismanagement, and to these duties, and multiply both the showing how far the patients had the boards and visitations, no effectual good benefit of medical treatment. It provided could be done. If the House thought against the liberation of dangerous pathose duties were to be performed-the tients. It authorized the visitors to envisitation of all the workhouses, containing force a proper supply of food (in licensed 8,000 pauper lunatics-all the patients in houses) to pauper patients, who were at single houses-and, as the hon. Member present fed at the discretion of the profor Finsbury said, a board should be held prietor. It enabled the visitors to order every day if the House thought all this duty the admission of a patient's friends to visit was to be performed, his (Lord Ashley's) him. At present they were admitted or belief was that, in a very short time, the excluded at the caprice of the person who expense of the present Commission would signed the order for the patient's confinereach 25,000l. a year. A clause was in- ment. It enabled the visitors to sanction serted in the Bill which would give a most the temporary removal of a patient (in ill stringent hold over the proper discharge health) to the seaside or elsewhere. It of the duties of the Commissioners. At enforced an immediate private return of all the end of every six months they would single patients (received for profit) and auhave to make a return to the Lord Chan- thorized the members of a small private cellor of the number of visits which they committee to visit them if necessary. These had made, the patients whom they had returns were almost universally evaded at seen, and the miles which they had tra-present, the law rendering it unnecessary to velled. Now, he would just point out to make any return unless the patient had been the House some of the provisions of the confined for twelve months. It enabled new Bill, to show how vast an im- the Chancellor to protect the property of provement it would be on the existing lunatics against whom a Commission had law. It began by establishing a per-not issued, by a summary and inexpensive. manent Commission, and thereby se- process; and finally, it subjected all cured the entire services of competent workhouses, in which any lunatic was persons, and fixed the limits of expense kept, to regular visitation. Now, he now regularly increasing. It placed hos- would just show the House of what this pitals (or subscription asylums) under last duty consisted. By the last returns proper regulations, by requiring them to to August, 1844, just presented by the have the same orders and certificates as Poor Law Commissioners, there were necessary in licensed houses, and by 17,355 pauper lunatics and idiots chargesubjecting them to the same visitation as able in the country. Of these, there county aslyums. It prevented persons of were in county asylums 4,224, leaving weak mind from being received in asylums 13,131 unprovided for in any public in the character of boarders, in which case asylum. Of these last, there were in they had not the benefit of any visitation, licensed houses 2,942, leaving in no and were sometimes induced to execute asylum and under no supervision or care deeds affecting their property. It pro- whatever, nearly 10,000. That was the vided an additional security against the existing state of things; and surely it improper detention of pauper patients, by proved the necessity of immediate interrequiring that the person signing the order ference. The treatment which the paufor their confinement should see and per- per lunatics often received was shocking sonally examine them beforehand; and to contemplate. He knew the case of a that the medical officer who certified as wretched woman who had been rather to their insanity should see them within violent, and with regard to whom the seven days previous to their confinement. matron, taking upon herself to incarceNeither of these safeguards existed at rate the poor creature when and in what present. It compelled every person re- manner she pleased, bound her with ropes, ceiving a patient to state his condition and leaving her in that state, in a short (mental as well as bodily) when first adtime the rope had eaten to the very bone; in mitted, and the cause of his death when consequence of which her arm was soon after

were

amputated. In all such places there would , of this measure, and had suspended their be a tendency to restrain and incarcerate operations. He would instance Derby, frequently. It was easy to put such poor Warwick, Worcester, Nottingham, and creatures in a strait waistcoat and get Staffor d In Sussex, the magistrates were rid of them. That case occurred five preparing to fit up an old gaol as a lunatic years ago; but three days ago he received asylum, and would no doubt do so if this a letter from a visiting magistrate, who Bill were delayed until next Session. St. said, he was happy to find ihat the Bill Peter's, at Bristol, Haverfordwest, and had been introduced, as many of these several other wretched asylums, still rewretched creatures were farmed out by ceived patients. Besides, in many places the workhouses, and kept by their rela- there was very little visitation, and in some tions. He said, that he had been a visit- actually none. If these places were visited

and subjected to efficient regulations, a great ing magistrate forty years, and a

many parties would, no doubt, be cured when “ circumstance came under my observation of a female, who, during her pregnancy, became wise become incurable lunatics. By delay,

placed under proper care, who might otherinsane; and the person under whose care the parish officers had placed hier had fastened the and want of curative process, out of 700 Ligatures so tight round her ancles (the blood curable lunatics in a year, barely one-tenth being in a sluggish state) that they mortified; would be recovered ; and he would ask the and, upon my second visit, I found that her House to estimate the misery and expense feet bad dropped off.”

of 630 lunatics being added yearly to the She died afterwards, her reason having

list of incurables. It was well known that been restored; she made no coinplaint, order for twelve months, it rarely happened

when persons had laboured under the disbut these thiogs would never have hap- that more than one-sixth could be cured. pened had she been sent to a proper The postponing of the measure until ano. asylum.” He added

ther Session would involve at least a delay “On my visit to another asylum, I found of six months, during which time, he would twenty-five lunatics crowded together in a ask the hon. Member for Finsbury to recola small yard, with only a boy, under twenty lect the number of lunatics who would be years of age, to take care of them. They were left altogether without superintending care. all bound in waistcoats or handcuffs."

He would also ask the House to consider He (Lord Ashley) had seen no less than the difficulties by which the Commissioners eighty lunatics in one yard, under the were surrounded. They were compelled, charge of a single person, in one of the in the Bill before the House, to take a midprivate asylums in London for the recep- dle course; they were bound to consider tion of pauper lunatics. He hoped, how the patient, but they were also bound to

wever, that the Bill which was now about to regard the public. The hon. Member for pass for the erection of county lunatic asy- Finsbury, with great propriety, took up lums, would gradually be the means of the cause of the patient, and called upon diminishing these enormities. It was pleas- them to take care that he was not confined ing to contrast with such places the Han- a moment longer than was absolutely neceswell and Surrey asylums. In the former sary. Other persons, however, held opinhe had seen forty-eight patients together, ions contrary to those of the hon. Gentleengaged in horticulture, and using sharp man, and called on him to make the law and dangerous instruments; and in the far less stringent; and, as he had before Surrey asylum he had seen lunatics brought said, it was necessary to take a middle to use sharp weapons, such as axes, hatch-course. He begged to thank the House ets, &c. He wanted to approximale to for the great kindness with which they had that state of things as much as he could listened to him. He could only say, that before these asylums were built, and there- he took the deepest interest in the fate of fore he wished all lunatics to be brought this unhappy class of persons. He had under immediate visitation. But if they been engaged for sixteen years in this matimposed all these necessary duties, they ter, and thought the House would do him must have a permanent Commission, and the justice to say that he was not actuated employ men who were well qualified, and by any personal motive; all he asked was, willing to give their undivided attention that some little consideration might be to this difficult work. It was very well to given to the opinions of those who, without talk of postponement; but many counties fee or reward, and whose only motive was at this moment were waiting for the passing to ameliorate the condition of the unfor•

a

tunate lunatic-he only asked that some and prayed the House not to legislate little consideration might be given to the blindfolded. He (Mr. Duncombe) thought opinion of such persons. It was very well it was better that nineteen insane persons for those Gentlemen to talk of delay who should go free, than that one rational knew nothing, by experience, of the hor- ' being should be shut up under the plea of rors that were hourly perpetrated ; it was insanity. He had made inquiries, and very well for persons to talk of delay who believed every word in the petition of had never seen the miseries which were Mr. Phillips to be correct. The petitioner constantly brought under his notice, and wished to be called to the barwho did not know how painful it was to administer an imperfect law. The Com- practices and workings of divers individuals

“For the purpose of explaining the malmissioners knew the law to be imperfect- desirous of placing Her Majesty's subjects in they saw the remedy—and they knew that such places of confinement, without the proper a large proportion of the evils could be and necessary steps which a British subject removed if only some little consideration ought to be entitled to, and receive protection were given to their opinions. They now from a law to guard against any innovation, applied to the House, from their own ex

or tend in any measure to deprive the subject perience, for a remedy which was within of the freedom he should properly enjoy." the reach of the Legislature. If he was He proceeded to saydefeated in his etfort to obtain the sanction of law for the Bill before the House, with

“ That he was a partner in a large firm as a out any further delay, it would be to him St. James's, in the month of March, 1838,

glass and lamp manufacturer, in Regent-street, a source of inexpressible regret; and he with his brothers, who were carrying on a implored the House, by all the statements

prosperous business. That on the 16th day of which had been laid before them, by all March, 1838, your petitioner was on his usual that they must know of their own know- rounds to the nobility, customers of the firm. ledge, to lose no time in carrying into That one of the said customers required your execution those means within their reach, petitioner to call at Her Majesty's Palace that of removing the great evils of the present morning at eleven o'clock. That your petisystem, which were not only the source of tioner did call, and the pretext thus arose for intolerable suffering to the unhappy beings lum. That withou: further entering into de

incarcerating your petitioner in a lunatic asyin whose defence he was pleading, but tails, your petitioner was, in consequence of which were a standing disgrace to this representations by his partners of his insanity enlightened kingdom and this Christian to the magistrate, Mr. White, of Queen-square land.

Police Court, given over to their care and Mr. T. Duncombe said, the Bill would custody. That your petitioner conferred with not give that guarantee and securi

to the several friends and ihe police, who advised public which the noble Lord imagined. your petitioner to bring actions against all He did not underrate the great import the Saturday, the 17th of March, 1838, for the

parties; on his again going to the Palace on ance of the measure; but at this advanced purpose of finding out the names of the parties period of the Session, and when there was who aided and abetted in his capture, he was no absolute necessity for it that he could seized at Pimlico by Leadbeater, without any understand, he thought that the Bill should cause, and neither did he intrude, or had any be postponed until the next Session of Par- intention of intruding upon any part of the liament, in order that an investigation Palace; then conveyed to Bow-street stationmight take place, not only as to the con- house, locked up all night, and at six o'clock duct of the Commissioners, but also with Sunday evening your petitioner was informed

that he was liberated, and taken to receive reference to the operation of the existing

some refreshment, by Leadbeater and an atlaws, under which great abuses did exist, torney; that without any further investigation, and would continue to exist, in spite of on the said Sunday evening your petitioner the provisions of the Bill. The noble Lord was removed in a hackney coach, closely could not tell him how any persons who guarded, to Dr. Warburton's lunatic asylum, had been unjustly confined could obtain Bethnal-green. That your petitioner was kept relief by the Bill before the House; the in close confinement until Sunday, the 9th of same medical certificates were to be given, September, 1838, a period of six months, for, and interested parties would still have the

as his partners ridiculously stated, attempting

to see ihe Queen. That during your petitionpower of imprisoning their victims under

er's incarceration all sorts of practices were the plea of lunacy. He would call the used in order to entrap your petitioner to make attention of the House to the petition of some confession to justify their conduct in Mr. Lewis Phillips, who asked for time, accusing your petitioner of insanity. That

a

some strange female was introduced to your petitioner, in the lunatic asylum, dressed (on the Coronation-day, June 28, 1838, of Iler Majesty) in paltry imitation of our Sovereign, to induce your petitioner to believe that it was Her most Gracious Majesty."

Any one might say all this was a delusion, but he was prepared to prove it. The petitioner proceeded to say

"That the officers, both medical and otherwise, assisted in this nefarious scheme. That your petitioner has suffered the torture of mind and body through other acts and filthy observations and questions too disgusting to be mentioned, from the officers, medical and otherwise. That your petitioner has prayed to, and humbly requested those officers to desist from their torments. That your petitioner has been chained down and been brutally assaulted by the keepers of the lunatic asylum for having ventured to expostulate upon such ridiculous and wicked conduct. That on Tuesday, the 4th of September, 1838, one of the partners waited upon your petitioner, and with the resident doctor of the establishment, concocted an agreement for your petitioner to sign, requiring him to leave this country for Antwerp, and to be allowed 37. per week, to be paid to him as necessity might require, through a man who was to follow your petitioner in the double capacity of keeper and servant, until your petitioner's partner should think proper to withdraw him. That your petitioner, on Sunday, the 9th of September, 1838, was again visited by his two partners, accompanied by the resident medical officer, and again urged to sign a dissolution of partnership, which your petitioner, after six months' horrid incarceration and torture, was induced to sign the following agreements for the dissolution of the co-partnership:

"September 8, 1838.
"In consideration of Mr. Lewis Phillips
retiring from business on the 11th of Septem-
ber, Messrs. Ralph and Samuel Phillips un-
dertake to satisfy Mr. Lewis Phillips for his
share of the property left in the business, by
paying him a weekly sum for his maintenance.

(Signed) "RALPH PHILLIPS,
SAM. PHILLIPS.

"Witness, James Phillips (resident doc

tor).'

"We hereby agree that the partnership which has existed between us be dissolved, and publicly announced in the Gazette of Tuesday next, the 11th of September, to the following effect, that Mr. Lewis Phillips is retiring, and that the business is to be hereafter carried on in the joint names of Ralph

and Samuel Phillips.

(Signed) "RALPH PHILLIPS.
LEWIS PHILLIPS.
SAMUEL PHILLIPS.'

veyed in a cab with the keeper to Saint Katherine's Docks, and there placed on board the Antwerpen, bound for Antwerp, at which place your petitioner remained about a fortnight. That in consequence of the keeper not being able to read a letter addressed to him, your petitioner was enabled to peruse it, and discovered that another scheme was again concocted to bring your petitioner back to his late place of torture. And your petitioner, in consequence, made his escape, and returned to his mother in England, who with your petitioner's partners assisted to recapture your petitioner in the following manner:-His mother invited him to her house, at 28, Oxfordterrace, Edgware-road, to arrange amicably with his partners, but in lieu of which other parties came, and attempted to seize your petitioner. That your petitioner having endured so much misery, was fully prepared for any design which might show itself; and seeing the manoeuvres, immediately forced his way out of the house, crying Murder,' the keepers hallooing out Stop thief. That your petitioner did since commence proceedings against all parties; but, on obtaining the advice of Mr. Chitty, special pleader, on the statement of facts, your petitioner found himself without remedy, as care had been taken to keep your petitioner in confinement and without money until the time, as expressed in the Act of Parliament of the 48th and 49th Section of the 41st chapter of 9th George IV., viz., which prescribes and directs that such actions must be brought within six calendar months next after the fact committed.' That your petitioner has been obliged to suffer great privations, and has since that time been deprived of all benefit in his business, and that his partners, previous to your petitioner's giving notice of trial, became bankrupts. That your petitioner has been obliged to gain his living in attorneys' offices, and is at present employed in the capacity of clerk to a solicitor. That your petitioner is able to detail further facts relative to other individuals confined in lunatic asylums, and fully to give such information most important to this honourable flouse in framing a Bill to meet fully the cir cumstances of any case, not only as to pauper lunatics, but as to the treatment of parties supposed to be insane or otherwise. 16 And ever pray.

your petitioner will, as in duty bound, "LEWIS PHILLIPS." Mr. Phillips brought an action against Dr. Warburton, but was advised by Mr. Chitty that, on account of some delay, he could not succeed, and he then indicted all the parties for a conspiracy, when his solicitor was paid 170l. to compromise the matter rather than it should come before the public. All this had taken place under the

"September 8, 1838. existing Commission. Mr. Proctor, one

"That your petitioner was immediately, of the Commissioners, saw him in the asythe same hour that he signed the deed, consum, but said that he could do nothing for

him, as he must be visited three times be- and his request to see his solicitor, Mr. Pemfore he could be released. He did not berton, was refused him, and he was kept in mean to attach any blame to Mr. Proctor, confinement during the space of sixteen weeks but such was the state of the law. It ap- humbly prays that, previous to any further

and two days. Your petitioner, therefore, peared, also, that a poor woman who was legislation on the subject of lunacy, a Comconfined in Dr. Warburton's asylum, com

mittee may be appointed to investigate the plained to Vir. Proctor, upon the occasion operation of the present laws, and the conduct of one of his visits, that she had been ill of the Metropolitan Commissioners in Lunacy, treated; but as soon as he had turned his with the view of ensuring that no Englishman back, one of the female attendants told her be deprived of his liberty without full and husband that the poor woman had been sufficient cause." making complaints to the Commissioner, Dr. Conolly, of Hanwell, who had seen when he took her to an upper part of the Captain Digby, was of opinion that he was house, and beat her most cruelly, Mr. not insane ; and perhaps the best proof of Phillips being able to hear her screams. his sanity was the fact that he had been On his return the man said he thought he induced to sign a cheque just before he had cured her of complaining to the Com- left the asylum, which immediately on missioner. Such cases, however, were of his release he stopped the payment of. constant occurrence. No inquiry had been Those cases frequently occurring at police institiled since 1836, and it was time that offices would show the nefarious attempts the House of Commons should cause in that were often made to imprison some quiry into the subject to be again made, people upon the ground of insanity. The with a view to better legislation. Why, following occurred in September, last year, then, were they pressing on this Bill at so at the Worship-street office :late a period of the Session ? Some portions “ Police sergeant, James Finn, 37, attended of it he had before said were good, parti- before Mr. Broughtou, by direction of Supercularly that clause which enabled a Com- intendent Johnson, to show cause why he had missioner to visit a single patient : but he immured his wife, Ellen Finn, in a lunatic was not prepared to give such unconstitu- asylum, she being at the time in a state of tional power to individuals as the Bill perfect sanity. The case was first brought

pro

under the notice of the magistrate about a posed; neither would he consent to make a

week ago, when the sister of the alleged luna. Commission permanent, until he was satis-tic appeared before him, and stated that her fied that it had done its duty during the sister was married to the sergeant in Ireland last twelve or fourteen years that it had about eighteen years ago, and that they had been established. There was also a peti- contrived, by their mutual industry, to accumution from William Bailey, who had been late a sum amounting to nearly 2001., which confined for five years, and who he believed had been deposited in the husband's name in to have been perfectly sane.

He would the savings' bank. That they had lived very not trouble the House by reading his peti- happily together until about twelve months tion; but there was the petition of Cap- ago, when repeated ruptures took place be