LUNATIC ASYLUM, NEAR STONE. SPRING VALE, of which the above is a faithful representation, is a private asylum for lunatics. It stands nearly two hundred yards on the western side of the great road leading from London to Liverpool, about two miles and three quarters from Stone, and something more than six miles from Newcastle. This building was erected by its present possessor, Mr. T. Bakewell, purposely for the accommodation of a small number of persons afflicted with nervous or mental complaints. The house is delightfully situated, both for health and beauty; and those who have perused with proper attention the letters with which Mr. Bakewell has furnished our Magazine, will not think that he has undertaken the management of a malady with which he is unacquainted. EDITOR. REMARKS ON MENTAL AFFECTIONS. (Continued from col. 750.) Not only are many, while under the visitation of insanity, able, upon various occasions, to exercise their mental attainments with the usual correctness and ability, but this disease is found actually to operate as a great improvement to their intellectual attainments. A surgeon upon active duty in the country, some years ago, became inNo. 45.-Vol. IV. sane; yet he did his duty as well as before, so that no complaint was made, nor was he superseded; and, in conversation with the gentleman who was my informant, he said, "I don't know how it is, but lately I have received such an accession to my mental powers as quite astonishes me:-I have generally had a great number of patients on hand, say from fifty to a hundred, and it was my usual practice to make a memorandum of every new patient, what questions I put, with his answers,-what I then thought of the case, and what medicines I ordered for him;-and upon his subsequent visits, on his giving his name, I turned to the memorandum, and by this means saved the trouble of a fresh examination. But now all this is useless, for the moment a man enters the room, who has ever been before, I recollect his name, and all relating to his case; and I can do my duty much more correctly than formerly, and in half the time.' My friend told me that this was found strictly true. Many years ago I had a patient put under my care, of whose recovery I could entertain very little hopes, his mental derangement being so inveterate, it having been so long in the habit, and he had been so improperly treated; in fact, after a very fair trial he was removed as incurable, and he remains insane to this day; and yet, 30 while under my care, he made very | tolerable verses upon various subjects, and wrote very good sense, as I thought, in prose, upon natural history, a thing he could by no means have done before he was insane. I once taught a patient to play at chess, which is well known to be purely an intellectual exercise. While his insanity continued, he beat me nine games out of ten; and when he had recovered, we played upon pretty equal terms. I was once set fast with some diffi eult accounts. I knew I had a good accountant in the house, but at that time he was under a paroxysm of raving. I however called him; by which he was roused, and he set the account right in a surprising shortness of time, and in much less time, I am persuaded, than he could have done before he was deranged, and then returned to his raving. It is well known that insanity is an intermittent disease; and during the lucid intervals it does not shew itself at all; so that occasional visitors to mad houses frequently go away with the impression, that some of the inmates are improperly detained, when that is not by any means the case; and those who take upon them to speak in the negative upon a question of insanity, by what they can discover in occasional interviews, prove that they do not understand the nature of the complaint. The looks are the surest criterion; but even these do not always give certain information, for at times there will be a total absence of all the symptoms in those who are incurably insane. In some cases of insanity, the disorder only acts upon one train of ideas, while upon all the others the patients are perfectly correct; and even upon what is termed the hallucination, they will converse dispassionately, and reason correctly, though from erroneous premises; so that those unacquainted with their secret history cannot make any discovery of a mental disease. Upon a visit of my magistrates, one of them entered into a long conversation with one of the patients, and then came to me, and said, "I don't perceive any mental complaint whatever in the person I have been talking with; he not only appears free from insanity, but he seems a very intelligent well-informed | man." In answer, I said, “I beg. Sir, to assure you, that there is not a more complete lunatic at Spring Vale than that man is, or one less it for liberty. Did he say nothing to you about the army, or of being a colonel?"-" Why, is he not a colonel!""No, he is nothing but a grocer, nor was he ever any thing else."-" I ask your pardon, Sir; I'm perfectly satisfied." Sometimes the mention of a particular subject will elicit the disease, where before it was latent. A gentleman visiting the Institution at Saragossa, in Spain, was accosted by one of the patients, who, with a request that he would be his friend, and procure his liberty, said, that he was a person of considerable property, and for the sake of that property his reiations kept him there, though he did not doubt that he should be able to convince him, or any one else, of his being quite free from any mental disease whatever. The gentleman said he should be happy to be his advocate, but added,-"Upon a former visit to this place, I was addressed in nearly similar language by one of the inmates, and I took some pains; and got myself laughed at, for the man after all fancied himself Jesus Christ." O, (said the patient,) but he was an impostor; had he been Jesus Christ, I must have known it, for I am God the Father. (To be continued.) in his preface, was, to present a work "prepared with a view to a numerous and respectable class of public teachers, who have not had the advantage of an academical education, and have neither time nor ability to prepare any thing like a regular composition for the pulpit; but who possess, notwithstanding, sufficient capacity to relish and to communicate what might be profitable to their hearers." We furthermore learn, that these two volumes are to be succeeded by others, making, in the whole, six or eight. Prefixed to the first volume is an essay on the composition of a sermon, by the late Mr. Fuller, whose name is a sufficient recommendation of whatever comes from his pen. the Saviour met with. One from the world in received him not.' And another from the "The first of these may be descriptive of such as did not hear the gospel, but merely abused the light of nature: this therefore cannot apply to us.- -We are all in the situation of the second or third class; for though Christ is not personally come to us, yet having sent us the word of salvation, it amounts to the same thing: we either receive him, or we receive him not. in receiving' Christ. "In general, it is the same for substance as In these skeletons or outlines of sermons, blank spaces are left at the conclusion of such sentences or paragraphs, as admit of and require en-ceiving, supposes him to be the free gift of largement. In this respect, the method God, presented for our acceptance. recommended by the late Mr. Robinson, in his plan for lectures on nonconformity, seems to be adopted or imitated; and that teacher must be very deficient indeed, in taste and "1. To receive Christ, implies a sense of judgment, who cannot take the hint, our need of him.-The want of this is the reaand make the necessary improve-son why so many receive him not. ments. It will readily be perceived, that these sketches are exceedingly short, but they discover a comprehensive mind, and connect together a vast fund of leading ideas. The authors seem invariably to take their stand on the frontiers of their subjects, and having taken a walk round their various circumferences, leave the reader or pupil to explore the internal parts, according to his own views. From among these sketches, we select the following as a specimen, which we conceive will place the work in a favourable light. "Evidences of Adoption. John i. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' But all comes to the same thing: he that believes the testimony, trusts the promises; and he that trusts in him, in so doing, receives Christ as the unspeakable gift of God. "More particularly, Why do unbelievers reject the gospel; and nominal Christians impugn its leading doeThey see no such evil in sin as to need a Satrines? Because those doctrines are holy. viour: or if they feel the need of a Saviour, it is only of such a one as can teach them the right way. They feel no need of grace, no need of an atonement, no need of a new Others who think a little about doctrines, yet creation, and being born again. make light of religion, in favour of the world. "No man ever yet embraced the Saviour, till he perceived his need of him. How can we receive a free salvation, till convinced of our own utter unworthiness? How can we feel our need of help, till helpless in ourselves? How can we flee for refuge, to lay hold on the hope that is set before us, till we are aware of our danger, and find ourselves hopeless? Consider whether the want of this conviction be not at the bottom of your case, while living without Christ in the world? "2. Receiving him, includes the renuncia"Since God has sent his Son into the world tion of every thing that stands in competition as the Saviour of the lost, the great concern of with Christ. We cannot receive this guest, sinners is to be interested in him. What we and yet retain our old ones. We must refuse think of him, and how we stand affected to-the world for our portion, before we can emwards him, is the great turning point of salva-brace the Saviour as our all in all. Heb. xi. If we believe in him, our sins are forgiven us for his name sake: but if not, the wrath of God abideth on us. tion. "The principal design of the apostles was to exhibit Christ, and it is evident that their hearts were full of him. "In this connection the sacred writer mentions three different kinds of treatment which 24-26. All your vain notions, vain hopes, and self-righteous dependence, must be given up: what you have accounted gain must become as loss. Phil. iii. 8. You must no longer go about to establish your own righteousness, but cordially submit to the righteousness of God. Rom. ix. 27. Are none of these obstructions in the way of your receiving Christ, and believing on his name? 3. A reception of Christ includes a dependence upon him in all his offices, and for all the purposes for which he is given to us of God. His office as a Priest is to take away sin and do we come to him for that purpose? As a King he is given to reign over us and do we willingly take his yoke upon us?' As a Prophet, he teaches as the good and the right way, not only by precept, but example: and do we learn of him?" Are there any who have not found rest to their souls? Come to Jesus; receive him into your hearts, and all will be well. come the sons of God.' wants much improvement, and the volumes before us furnish their quota of the assistance required. REVIEW.-The Christian Youth's Instructor, or Bible Class Book, &c. Designed for the Use of Schools and Families. By the Rev. A. E. Ferrar, 12mo. pp. 167. Longman and Co. 1821. THIS work, being entirely composed of select parts of the sacred scrip "II. The privilege connected with a reception of Christ: To them gave be power to be-tures, leaves no room for animadversion on its contents. Reduced thus to survey mere classification and arrangement, our remarks cannot be extended beyond a few paragraphs, and these must be circumscribed in their application. "As creatures, we are all the children of God: but by sin we are become aliens. His love to us as the Creator is as it were extinguished; so that he cannot consistently treat us as children. Instead of this, he threatens As as enemies with utter destruction. Gen. vi. 7. Isai. xxvii. 11. This "If the Lord now treats us as children, it must be by adoption and grace. is a new relation, not in common with the world, but as distinguished from the world. 2 Cor. vi. 17, 18.-A relation in which the love of God is wonderfully displayed. 1 John iii. 1. Jer. iii. 19. "But wherein consists its advantages? "1. Power to become the sons of God, gives us liberty of access to him as our Father. Ephes. ii. 17, 18. 2. The privilege of fraternal intercourse with the members of his family. Heb. xii. 22, 23. 3. An eternal inheritance with the saints in light. Acts xxvi. 18." It too frequently happens, that in modern discourses, the viitated taste of a degenerate age is taken as the standard to which the writers appeal, and the plain and unvarnished truths of the gospel are thrown on the back ground, lest they should "Shock the ears of auditors polite." No charge of this kind can, however, be urged against the writers or the compilers of the volumes before us. They know no other standard than that which Jesus Christ and his Apostles erected; hence they censure with boldness, those who want a gospel of accommodation. That these sketches might be rendered exceedingly serviceable to many young preachers, we have the fullest conviction: not to furnish them with details, to be committed to memory, but by exhibiting models, and developing principles, which they might copy, and adopt with much advantage. In this respect the present age The whole volume is divided into four parts. The first of these asserts, in the lofty language of inspiration, the Being and Attributes of God. Ou these sublime subjects selections are made from various portions of the sacred volume, references being given in the margin to the chapters and verses in which the passages may be found. The second part treats of mankind, beginning with the creation, introducing the fall of man, human depravity, and the deluge, and proceeding with personal histories from Cain and Abel down to Daniel. The third part refers exclusively to the redemption of mankind by Jesus Christ, including his life, character, miracles, and death, and exhibiting those passages which most conspicuously unfold the momentous doctrines of the gospel. The fourth part comprehends the various branches of human duty, and points out our obligations both to God and man. Taken as a whole, this volume may be considered as presenting to us the Bible in miniature, omitting nothing that can be deemed essential to the salvation of mankind. REVIEW.-The Letters of Julius, vel. II. 12mo. pp. 177. London: Sams, St. James's-street, 1822. THE former of these volumes has not reached our eye; and from the contents of this before us we can bear the dis appointment without regret. This remark, however, we wish to confine rather to the political complexion which it bears, than to the manner in which it is executed. Hitherto, we have steered clear of party politics; and it is not our intention at present to enter the boundless field. These letters, which are twenty in number, chiefly relate to questions closely connected with the late Queen; but their intrinsic merits can only be known to those who have watched the whole proceedings, and even peeped behind that curtain, which conceals reasons of state from vulgar eyes. Hence, nearly all the publications which have issued from the press on this disastrous affair, have either been founded upon partial views, or dictated by the strong feelings of a partyspirit. On this account, conclusions, that seem to have been legitimately drawn under given circumstances, frequently prove to be erroneous, when new principles are developed. In these letters, which are written in a pointed, clear, and nervous style, the author arraigns her late Majesty before his tribunal, with all the authority of a judge, and all the partiality of a special pleader, if not with all the wisdom of the bar. Throughout the whole, he displays a bold and daring spirit; and that opponent must have a large share of presumption, who will charge him with a want of confidence in his own assertions. His views are local and confined, and it will be a task as hopeless to expect impartiality in his pages, as to search for truth in the stories of Jack the Giant Killer, or Tom Thumb. REVIEW.-The Triple Aim, or the Improvement of Leisure, Friendship, and Intellect, attempted in Epistolary Correspondence. 8vo, pp. 445. London: Gardiner and Son. 1821. WHEN a new book is presented to the world, the reader, having made himself somewhat acquainted with the subjects of which it treats, naturally inquires, "By whom was it written?" and it not unfrequently happens, that upon an answer to this question, depends the fate of the composition. The character and celebrity of a writer are not without their influence on the public mind, nor are the numbers diminutive of those, who - judge an author's name, not works, and then, Nor praise nor blame the writings, but the men;" thus furnishing an asylum for a defective judgment, and securing a retreat from the shafts of ridicule, when its decisions are unfortunate. The author, however, who conceals his name, deprives his readers of this subterfuge; and instances have occurred, when obvious reasons develop bis prudence in thus keeping himself within the empire of obscurity. In cases like these, the severities of criticism fall upon the productions of his pen, and he hears the blustering of the storm, without feeling its fatal influence. But although the author of this volume has withholden his name, we do not mean to insinuate that his literary offspring is unworthy of acknowledgment. His letters, which are sixty in number, contain much important matter, incorporating most of the leading truths of the gospel, inculcating a system of morals founded upon evangelical principles, and leading to results which eternity only can fully unfold. On the great Christian duty of self-denial, the author thus speaks : "There is a great difference between selfimposed privation, and self-denial. The latand that we deny ourselves purely from a ter supposes a desire after the indulgence; sense of duty, arising from the divine interdiction. The former, on the contrary, does not go against desire, but rather with it; that is, with an unnatural and unsanctioned desire. It is really, I grant, though erroneously, considered an indulgence. Neither has it any respect whatever to duty; for if it were duty, it could not be self-imposed. It springs, then, not from conscience, but from caprice; from a perverted taste, and a misguided, ill-judging self-love. Self denial, in a fallen creature, is, in a vast variety of instances, essential to virtue. It is to go against some vicious inclination, to renounce some perverse principle, to resist some constitutional temptation, and to avoid some most easily besetting sin. Perhaps we know less of self-denial than into the very nature of the Christian conflict. we ought to do, seeing it is that which enters It is the first, the last, the constant duty, of a good man, to exercise self-denial. Wherever, and whenever, inclination goes against duty, then there is an imperious call for the exercise It is the first sentence in the first lesson which of self-denial. Christianity begins with this. is read to the young disciple- Deny thyself take up thy cross-and follow me.' The man |