"COMMITTEE OF VISITORS.-Benjamin Rotch, Esq., chairman; Lord Robert Grosvenor, M.P.; James Bentley, Esq.; J. H. Bluck, Esq.; C. S. Butler, Esq.; E. H. Chapman, Esq.; C. H. Cottrell, Esq.; J. W. Freshfield, Esq.; John Garford, Esq.; T. B. Herring, Esq.; M. H. Kempshead, Esq.; Henry Pownall, Esq.; Hector Rose, Esq.; John Simpson, Esq.; Arthur Smith, Esq.; Edward Stock, Esq.; C. B. Stutfield, Esq.; J. B. Walesby, Esq.; Henry Warner, Esq.; John Wilks, Esq.; and Joseph Wilson, Esq.

"J. S. Scaife, clerk to committee; S. W. Daukes, Esq., architect; Mr. George Myers, builder; C. J. Shoppee, clerk of the works."

The usual preliminaries having been settled

Mr. B. ROTCH addressed his Royal Highness in the following terms :-As chairman of the justices entrusted by the court of quarter sessions with the erection of this asylum, your Royal Highness will perhaps allow me to say a few words, and to draw your Royal Highness's attention to the vast extent of foundations, comprising the officers' residences, the airing courts, the workshops, and the chapel, now lying maplike before us. When completed, it will be the largest lunatic asylum in the United Kingdom, and will be capable of accommodating upwards of a thousand patients. It must not be supposed that the necessity for this additional asylum has arisen from any increase in the malady itself, disproportioned to the increasing population of Middlesex; far from it. It has only become necessary in order to relieve the rate-payers of the county from the heavy burden imposed upon them by the extra expense they are now put to by being compelled to keep more than 1000 pauper lunatics in private asylums, at a cost so greatly exceeding what they would be kept for in a county asylum, that when the thirty years over which the cost of this building will be divided, have expired, the saving will have exceeded the expenditure by several thousand pounds, and every year afterwards will secure a very large annual saving to the rate-payers of the county. It will be gratifying to your Royal Highness to hear that what were formerly the horrors of lunatic asylums will be totally unknown here. None but moral restraints will here be imposed; the ray of reason's light, however small, which it ever pleases the Almighty to leave to these poor sufferers, even in the worst phases of their malady, will here be tenderly cherished, and made sufficient to guide them in peace and gentleness in their path, however darkly shadowed by the clouds of their erring intellect, while that system, first carried out in its fullest extent at Hanwell, (the non-restraint system,) at once the pride and boast of our metropolitan county, will have facilities afforded to it here, from the experience of the committee, the talent of the architect, and the extent of the grounds, which, we trust, will enable us still further to develop its efficiency and its humanity; to draw the veil of oblivion over the melancholy times that are passed, to avail ourselves of all the real improvements of the present day, and to look forward, under Divine blessing, to secure happier results in times to come. Such will be the institution raised in a few short months (owing to the activity and energy of our contractor) of which your Royal Highness is now about to lay a foundation-stone; but before doing so, I am charged to convey to your Royal Highness (and I can only regret my inability to do it in adequate terms) the humble and grateful thanks of the committee of visitors, whom I have the honour to represent this day as their chairman, and also of my brother justices of the county of Middlesex generally, for your Royal Highness's gracious condescension in thus giving the high sanction of your countenance to our labours, by aiding us with your own hands to raise up this mighty building-a monument for future ages of the philan

throphy of the age we live in, and of your Royal Highness's great condescension-a building which will, when completed, be entirely devoted to the great cause of Christian charity and humanity.

His Royal Highness PRINCE ALBERT replied (addressing Mr. Rotch) in the following terms: I thank you, sir. I trust you will find that the excellent system you are about to adopt may prove successful. The greatest credit is due to you and the other magistrates for your noble

exertions.

Mr. H. POWNALL, (the Chairman of the Sessions,) in presenting to his Royal Highness the current coins of the present reign, which were closed in a glass receptacle hermetically sealed, said: May it please your Royal Highness, we hail your Royal Highness on this most auspicious occasion with every feeling of respect and affection, not only in consideration of the exalted rank enjoyed by your Royal Highness as consort of our beloved Sovereign, but also as desiring to evince our sincere admiration of the great liberality and untiring zeal displayed by your Royal Highness in promoting and encouraging all those institutions and undertakings which have for their object, the moral, social, and religious elevation of this great empire. To the county of Middlesex belongs the honour of having already provided an asylum for 1000 of the afflicted lunatic poor, and we are met to-day, under the encouraging circumstance of your Royal Highness's presence, further to carry into effect a wise and enlightened enactment of the imperial legislature, which has enacted that every county in England and Wales shall provide an asylum for their lunatic poor. This law, so wisely framed and so benevolently intended, has not been carried into effect with that zeal and alacrity which the urgency of the occasion seemed to demand. The magistrates of the metropolitan county rejoice this day to see your Royal Highness aiding them in this work of mercy, and cheering them onward in the path of benevolence. They rejoice not only in the encouragement afforded by your presence here this day to themselves, but for the zeal which it is likely to diffuse through the magistracy of other counties who have not yet provided an asylum for their afflicted poor. We have reason to rejoice in the zeal manifested by your Royal Highness for the advancement of science and learning in our country, for the interest you take in all that concerns our commercial greatness, and for the efforts made in behalf of those institutions whose object is to mitigate the sufferings of the poor. We have rejoiced in similar benevolent and enlightened efforts made by princes of the royal house on former occasions, but it remained for your Royal Highness to stretch the cords of Christian sympathy from the palace to the abode of the afflicted labourer, and prove, by a generous and personal service, that there is no class of her Majesty's subjects who do not share your regard and derive benefit from your enlightened and well-directed efforts. The magistrates of this county have for years conducted the largest lunatic asylum for paupers in the country, and, with the assistance of able and willing officers, have introduced a system of management which has called forth the approbation of some of the most eminent medical men in Europe, and which has divested this afflicting malady of the mind of all those cruel and brutal usages which formerly characterized the treatment of the insane. No longer coerced with leg-locks and chains, the patient becomes calm, and if not restored to perfect tranquillity, is left free from mechanical restraint. May the conductors of this asylum far surpass the happiest results which have followed the labours of their brethren at Hanwell, and so long as this building shall last, may this act of your Royal Highness be remembered with gratitude, and when time shall have closed upon us and your Royal Highness, may your robes be as white, and

your palm as verdant, and your crown as radiant as those who are now enjoying their eternal felicity above. (Loud cheers.)

Prince ALBERT (taking Mr. Pownall by the hand): Mr. Pownall, I am much obliged to you for your excellent address. I hope the institution may prosper, and that the admirable system of which you have spoken may work in your new institution to your perfect satisfaction. (Loud cheers.)

His Royal Highness then deposited the coins which Mr. Pownall had handed to him; and immediately afterwards some specimens of standard weights and measures were handed to him by Mr. Cottrell.

The Rev. G. H. THOMPSON, M.A., Rector of Friern Barnet, having invoked a blessing on the work,

His Royal Highness laid the stone, with the usual formalities.

The Marquis of SALISBURY, Lord-Lieutenant of the County, said he had received her Majesty's commands to announce that her Majesty felt the greatest interest in the success of the institution, and the fullest confidence that the results would be of a most important and beneficial character. (Cheers.) Her Majesty had also commanded him to say, that she would commence a fund for the relief of those who were discharged from that institution cured. (Renewed applause). He was sure the magistrates present knew how much benefit had been derived from such institutions in different parts of the country; and one of the principal features in such asylums was a fund such as that her Majesty had expressed her intention of setting on foot. Her Majesty the Queen Dowager commenced a similar fund at Hanwell, and her Majesty Queen Victoria munificently contributed to it. They would now have a fund in their new institution, and he had no doubt it would be a useful one, to be called, "The Victoria Fund."

It is calculated that by the erection of this asylum, the county will save at least 7000l. per annum in its provisions for pauper lunatics.

The police arrangements, under the direction of Mr. Inspector Beckerson, were perfect. During the whole of the proceedings, although so many thousands of persons were present, there was not the slightest sign of confusion.

Thus terminated the proceedings of a day which we hope will be not less memorable in the history of the county in which it took place than in the history of the science, which such an institution is, we trust, destined to advance.

THE STUDY OF MENTAL DISEASES.

In previous numbers of our Journal, allusions were made to recent improvements at Bethlem Hospital, towards facilitating the acquirement of practical knowledge respecting the nature and treatment of insanity. When adverting to this important department of medical science, we stated that the authorities of the above-named noble charity had resolved to render the ample means at their command of more use to the profession than hitherto, by admitting medical students to attend the physicians' practice, when visiting the insane patients, on the payment of a moderate fee, which was also to include clinical lectures. Respecting the working of the new measures now in operation, it may be interesting to transcribe from the Physicians' Report for 1848, recently printed, and circulated among the governors, the following paragraph relating to the medical pupils admitted last year at Bethlem Hospital:

"There has been a considerable increase of attendance and much intelligence displayed on the part of the pupils. The proposed formation of a more regular school at Bethlem will accomplish all that can reasonably be expected; and it is distinctly understood that the physicians will deliver a course of lectures during the spring season of each year, commencing as shall be most agreeable to the wish of the governors; and they will have great pleasure in exerting their best endeavours to render the lectures effective."

During the current season, we understand the attendance of pupils has been more numerous than previously; that Sir A. Morison has delivered several interesting clinical lectures; and further, that Mr. Lawrence will also aid this movement for the promotion of so useful a branch of medical education, by giving three lectures on the pathology of mental diseases, illustrated by dissections made at the hospital, which cannot but prove most valuable, seeing that eminent surgeon is both an accomplished physiologist and an excellent anatomist. Next year, we trust Dr. Monro, the senior physician, who has had great experience on the subject of mania, will also give clinical lectures, in the same manner as his colleagues have done recently; in which case, the profession cannot then say the medical officers of Bethlem Hospital have not fulfilled their promise, or that students do not possess ample opportunities of now obtaining information and experience respecting dis ases of the mind; more especially, as not only that institution, but likewise St. Luke's Hospital, are open to pupils, where Dr. Sutherland is most zealous in imparting information to the gentlemen in attendance.

Besides the above means now available for studying insanity, Dr. Conolly, both at Hanwell and at the College of Physicians, has, by his admirable lectures, materially contributed towards the same desirable object; and if the examining medical corporations of Great Britain would require all applicants for their diplomas to possess a competent knowledge of diseases of the mind, as they do at present in regard to those affecting the body, great progress would be then made, by all ranks of the profession, in the study of medical psychology. If this were the case, no practitioner need ever be unwilling to undertake the treatment of insane patients, still less should he feel the least difficulty when called before a jury, empanelled by a writ" de lunatico inquirendo," there to be severely cross-examined by an astute member of the long robe, or even badgered by a counsel experienced in such matters. This occasionally happens; and it is well known that legal gentlemen are often delighted if they can puzzle a medical witness; nay, they consider it quite fair, if made to give contradictory evidence regarding the afflicted subject of inquiry. When medical practitioners have, however, practically studied mental diseases, such exhibitions will seldom or ever occur; at the same time, whilst psychological science is thus promoted, philanthropy will be extended, and a very unfortunate class of the community must thereby be materially benefited.

Notice to Correspondents.

We have received numerous Reports of county asylums, pamphlets, and books, all of which will be noticed in our next number. We have unavoidably been obliged to postpone our usual Notice to Correspondents, owing to a sudden press of matter.

Parties wishing to dispose of copies of No. II. of the Journal, or to exchange them for recent numbers, are requested to intimate their wish to the publisher.

THE JOURNAL

OF

PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE

AND

MENTAL PATHOLOGY.

OCTOBER 1, 1849.

Analytical Reviews.

ART. I.-The Unpublished MSS. of the late Alfred Wigan, M.D., Author of the "Duality of the Mind," &c.

Ir is difficult to form anything approaching to an accurate estimate of the loss which has been sustained by the somewhat premature death of the late Dr. Wigan. How is it possible to calculate, within our own time, the importance of the great psychological truths which he enunciated? Generations may roll away ere a just appreciation will be made of the suggestions contained in his celebrated treatise on the "Duality of the Mind." England is not so rich in medical psychologists that such a man can pass from among us without giving rise to serious and painful reflections. Without desiring for a moment to exaggerate the mental calibre of Dr. Wigan, or to form an extravagant idea of the extent of his erudition, we feel that we are only echoing the sentiments of the profession, and particularly of those who had the high privilege and honour of his personal friendship, when we observe that this physician possessed a mind of no ordinary standard. No person could be long in his society without being impressed with the conviction that he was gifted with no inconsiderable powers of thought, reflection, and observation. He had not passed through the world, but had lived in it. He not only saw but observed. He occupied during the earlier part of his life the agreeable position of a "travelling physician," and he had thus afforded to him ample opportunities of becoming a citizen of the world, and of thoroughly acquainting himself with men and things.