halls-the greater grief more often shown by the visitor than by the visited. The prediction of the superintendent respecting this young man's case has proven to be correct. I saw him a short time since. He was then sinking into helpless, hopeless imbecility. Verily "God moves in a mysterious way!" Another case was that of a lady, the wife of a physician of merit and standing, and the mother of several children,-fair and accomplished, and still young,-whose mind was disordered only enough to justify her banishment from home, for treatment in that infirmary. She brought into the asylum all the nice proprieties of life which had characterized her in her home society--the same dignified demeanor, the same regard for neatness and becomingness of dress, and an attention to those courtesies and kindnesses which make the company of some so peculiarly pleasant. When my own mind was becoming intact again, I accompanied one of the officers in his rounds throughout the institution. We found this lady in that department of the house where the lady patients who were least affected made their home. It was finely, almost elegantly furnished. She was dressed in a neat white wrapper, that served to set off her graceful person to the best advantage; and the few ornaments she wore were in keeping with the modest neatness of her attire. An open piano stood in the room, with a music-book supported by its rack, as if some one had just been playing upon it. I had heard that she was a musician, and I desired her to favor me with a tune and a song. Without the hesitation of affected modesty she returned to the instrument, and asked me what was my favorite piece. I declined to make a choice, and requested her to play and sing that which pleased herself. She struck the keys and commenced at once to warble the simple words:

"Do they miss me at home?"

The place, the words, the singer, and my own condition, all together, combined to make the performance so intensely affecting that when the singing ceased, with moistened eyes, but without trusting my voice to speak, I bowed my thanks and good-bye to the sweet musician.

When I had been for several months a patient in the asylum, my state had not apparently improved. But I was changed somewhat. Heretofore my vagaries had reference to myself alone. My mind looked inward, and it was. upon myself I sat in

judgment; and as I looked unceasingly upon a mind diseased, and upon nothing else, I soon began to loathe the sight. The direction of my look at length was changed, and the asylum did me no greater good than by changing the object that I looked upon. How this was brought about I scarcely know myself, but believe the superintendent was the efficient cause. If this be true, it shows at once the extent of his resources and his wisdom in their application.

Having ascertained, as I believe, the inefficiency of all ordinary means to remedy my disease, he devised a bold and apparently harsh, but really benevolent means to effect the restoration of my health. This was by giving to my mind a shock so violent and rude as to throw it from the position it had occupied so long, and force it to assume another one; and by giving me a different stand-point of observation, and presenting another class of objects to my view, cause my estimate of myself and others to be changed. It mattered little what effect the new direction of my look would have upon myself. The old associations would be broken up, and my mind would then gradually return to its normal state. Physicians sometimes create a powerful impression on a portion of the body not essential to its life, that by revulsive action they may save a vital organ. When the essential part is cured, the injury induced is left to nature's powers to remedy.

Applying this principle of revulsion to my case, the physician purposed to create within my mind another feeling, if possible more painful than the original one, and thus remove that which for so long a time had made my life a burden; and then, by showing that the one induced had no true foundation to rest upon, to work a full and perfect cure.

Hints of the treachery and enmity of family and friends were whispered in my hearinghints such as could not be understood by those who made them; but were evident to me. Of course the superintendent took no open part in making these most painful innuendoes. His was the hand which moved the springs, but hand and springs were both most carefully hidden. He had his agents, and he manipulated them at will, but they were ignorant that they were only puppets in his hand. The old man whose picture I have sketched was the most active instrument used by the Doctor. And he was a willing worker. But if he had any it was but a dim perception of the scheme in which he was engaged. engaged. The scheme worked well.

I be

gan to be less concerned about those things which were the sources of my trouble at the first. Another feeling took its place, but one no less difficult to bear. Rage, hatred, jealousy then filled my heart against those treacherous friends for whom one day I would have freely sacrificed my life. My sole desire was that I might visit on these vile destroyers of my peace the justice which was due to them. But I was powerless. Shut up where my complaints of wrong would be treated as further evidences of insanity; even if I were free I thought the home conspiracy had grown so strong as not to be overcome,-and farther still, that the conspiracy had spread so widely as to embrace those within the asylum's walls, and also those without who overlooked its interests;;--a formidable conspiracy! -a great confederate force arrayed against one poor stricken wretch, and he so stripped and desolate as to be dependent on his spoilers for his daily food!

And now the work was done. I had become as much as at any time before, though from a different cause, a being hopeless and forlorn-no home, no friend. The irritant which had been applied to counteract the ailment that would yield to no other mode of cure, was quite as hard to bear as was the malady itself. Still the remedy was a potent, though a painful one, and it was not long before its effects were seen.

Up to this period my mind had been like one of our Western rivers during its "freshet" swell-the stream rising higher and higher; its current widening, and deepening, and moving resistlessly along; and its waters, filled with mire and dirt, foaming and boiling as though a furnace of fire flamed beneath them all along their course. But, like the same stream when the cause of its swell is gone, it first "comes to a stand," then slowly begins to recede, and ebbs more and more, until at length, confined within its banks, it flows calmly and placidly along toward its ocean home-so my mind, turned from the view of what had jaundiced it so long, began to be at peace. Light came, but it was feeble and uncertain for a time, and shone through a hazy medium. 1 was like the man in Bible times, who, when the hand of the Blessed One was laid upon his eyes, at first saw "men as trees walking;" and though I had such imperfect vision then, yet with it came a hope within my heart-a hope so small, so weak, that I was hardly conscious it was there at all. I know not when I felt it first. It was not until long after its birth was known to those

who had my case in charge. When these joyfully assured me that I should go out into the world once more, they only seemed as those who mocked. The difference in my mental state was great; but even now I cannot comprehend the modus operandi of the change. One thing, and but one thing, I know: that "whereas I was blind, now I see." That is all; and with that knowledge I must rest content. I was the passive recipient of potent influences, the effects of which circumstances from time to time revealed to my knowledge. A few of these circumstances I will now narrate.

Upon one occasion I went to the asylum library, as much to take refuge in that place from the annoying presence of some of my fellow-patients, as for anything I thought to find that would interest me there. While listlessly casting my eye over the array of books upon its shelves, my attention was fixed and my heart was thrilled by the title printed upon the cover of one of the most modest looking books of the collection. It was an epitome of that truth which my spirit needed at the time. One of the striking aphorisms of the royal preacher reads, "As a draught of water is to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." The truth contained upon the cover of the unpretending volume was to my thirsty, dried-up soul this refreshing bev

erage.

The library afterward became my favorite resort. There I could, for the moment, lose myself and forget the things which were going on around me. One day I took up a volume which contained that strange poem of Coleridge, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." I had never read the piece before, and was but little taken by its title, but the jingle of the first few lines sounded pleasantly, and I still read on. As I progressed my interest increased, and I forgot myself and where I was. The Mariner's case I fancied paralleled my own, and I thought its sequel, whatever that might prove to be, would prophesy my fate. Then I became the mariner himself, sailing, with aimless purpose, upon a boundless sea. was the slayer of the blessed bird, and I felt in consequence the ban upon my soul. I sailed on and on, and then slowly began the voyage back again. And I was wretched still.

I

But when, at last, the curse was taken from my soul, and I believed that blessings might be mine again, it was an hour so filled with heartfelt pleasure that, like the waters from the smitten rock, following the hosts of Israel through their deşert journeyings, its

blessed influences have cheered me still during all the wanderings of my after life.

About this time the old man whom I have so fully introduced to the reader, during one of his seasons of darkest moodiness, quoted, as applicable to his own condition, one of those passages of holy writ, which, read as understood by some, has proved a chain to hold in thraldom many a wretched soul; but when interpreted as intended to be by Him who wrote it, becomes the instrument of the soul's enfranchisement. I called in question the correctness of his interpretation of the words. He replied with warmth. Fearful that his awful exegesis of the text would blight my new-born hopes, I argued at length its true interpretation. The discussion became so warm that many of our fellow-patients crowded around us, and I believe that light was then received by at least one wretched mind darkened as my own had been, and which, I trust, will shine on, brighter and brighter still, even unto the perfect day. This discussion was a help to me. It was a mental stimulus which strengthened me healthily. I thought that I had been victor in the intellectual contest, and this confirmed me in my views and hopes.

The following means of cure and test of the extent of my convalescence was resorted to by the superintendent. He told me that, during the winter which was then approaching, he designed to write a treatise upon the subject of the hereditary transmission of insanity, especially bearing upon the question whether the disease followed in the line of sex: that is, whether the insanity of the father usually descended to the son or the daughter, or indiscriminately to either one, and so of the mother. He desired me to search the great library of the institution for published cases or opinions bearing upon these points, and to write out abstracts of the cases. This was an exercise to me of absorbing interest. in requisition all my powers, and it was efficient for the purpose for which it was devised. I finished my work with mind and spirits consciously improved.

It put

As I became better, more liberty was granted me. I was at first permitted to wander apparently alone over a limited portion of the asylum grounds, but attended by a sure though secret surveillance. Then the freedom of the whole estate was given; and at length all restriction was removed, and it was alone required that I should appear at meals and be within my room at night.

Steadily, but slowly, my mental vision became less oblique; and as my soul was strengthened to endure the light, yet more and more was given. In the exact proportion as I had a clearer view of truth, my moodiness decreased and cheerfulness returned; and, so far as regarded my original affection, I might have been granted the enjoyments of home again, and have profitably engaged in the pursuits of active life. But the newlyinduced condition still continued, and, as already stated, it was as painful to endure as was the one it was intended to remove. There was, however, this difference between the original and induced affections, that the one required unusual measures to relieve, while the other could be removed by evidence that the belief had really no foundation in truth. The proof came at length, and it was clear and convincing; and though of vital consequence to myself, its detail would be of little interest to others, for my second error was of a common kind, and yielded readily to the force of truth.

The emerging of a mind, affected as mine. had been, from darkness into light-its habits all changed, and unbroken melancholy giving place to constant cheerfulness-was necessarily a gradual work. But it was a finished one. And now, the mind joying in God and confiding fully in those whose love is necessary to my happiness on earth, the way is bright before me. Life is a blessing. Its cares, its labors, disappointments, fears, these are but disciplinary means to fit it for the exercise of greater virtues, and prepare it for enjoyments higher and holier than earth can give, and more than the capacity of man can hold.

So far, so far gone out of sight,
My strained eyes follow thee no more ;
Thou to the left, I to the right,
Never to meet as heretofore.

Yet though the distance grows so wide, We tread Love's circle year by year; We're nearer on the other side

The farther we are sundered here.

have they proved? Simply that New York is and intends to be a pure and well-governed city. We doubt whether there is a city in the world besides New York that could have done what she has done in two years to relieve herself from the rule of rogues, and that peaceably and under the forms of law. Rome, for a long time, has been endeavoring to get revenue from its tobacco-monopoly without avail, owing to the hopeless complicity of the police with the smuggling fraternity. The government did not and could not reform this abuse, and at last farmed out the collection of this revenue to a company, and found that this was the only way by which it could get anything. There were not honest men enough in the city to do the government work in this single branch of service. Certainly New York has not descended to any such depth of corruption as this.

The grand evils which menace the people of America now are not to be found in the corruptions of municipal or national rule. The reign of the rings is broken, or tottering to its fall, and vile men are hastening to relieve themselves of the odium which attaches to it. Even those who seek to form new combinations for personal power and profit find it upbill work, and fail to make their intrigues fruitful. The wrongs which now front us, and wait with desperation or trembling to be righted, are connected with the great railroad corporations and their combinations and monopolies. The people by whose con sent, and for whose benefit, these railroads were builtrailroads to which have been devoted enormous areas of public land and stupendous prerogatives and privileges are determined to have something to say about their management, and determined that their power shall be curtailed. The corporations which have built them and are administering their affairs are manipulating or controlling legislatures, and superfluously enriching all connected with them, while the farmer cannot get a paying return for his wheat at his door, and the consumer buys his bread at an exorbitant price. The fight of the people with these monstrous powers is begun, and is to be the great fight of the next twenty years. The issue is not doubtful, though it may be long delayed. Little Vermont finds to her surprise that she has been imposed upon, and hastens to do her people justice; and it is safe to predict that in five years the railway kings, and the overbearing monopolies, and the corporations which run railroads for the benefit of their managers, will be so thoroughly "investigated" that they will find it for their interest to conduct their operations with a degree of deferential reference to the interests of the people whom they have cheated and oppressed.

It seems to us that, there is at this time a very healthy public sentiment. No public iniquity lives without protest. No wrong-doer sits easy and unconcerned in his place. The old apathy under wrong and misrule is passed away. The good elements in society and politics are full of hope and courage; and we believe it to be susceptible of proof that no

European country is less dominated by corrupt men than ours, or more willing and efficient in the demolition of all forms of wrong. If there is an apparent difference against us, it is simply because we advertise our sins more widely than our sister nations, in order that the people may take intelligent action against them.

Skilled Domestic Service.

THERE is no department of American life so cursed with ignorance and lack of skill as that of domestic service. There are thousands of families in this city --and the same fact obtains in other cities-who have no satisfactory service from year's end to year's end. The servants come and go, and lie and waste, and spoil and quarrel and steal. They have no loyalty, no faithfulness, no carefulness, no skill to do the duties which they undertake and which they loudly and confidently profess to understand. Their ignorance is only matched by their insolence. They have no disposition to learn, no ambition to become excellent, no desire to please, and no wish to remain for any considerable length of time in one place. The sailors' boarding-houses, from which the men are dragged and shipped for every brief voyage, do not seem to be more demoralized and hopeless places than many of those holes so strangely misnamed "intelligence offices," from which scores of girls are sent into families every day girls who are known to be inefficient, and who are expected back in search of another place be fore the first month is out. The waste of fuel in rich men's kitchens would keep all the poor people warm. The food thrown away, or ruined by recklessness and ignorance, would feed tens of thousands. Foreigners wonder that the American family takes to the boarding-house and the hotel, but the secret of this strange liking for hotel life is in the wretched service of domestic life. Women get tired and discouraged with housekeeping, and give it up.

If we could see any tendency to improvement in domestic service, we should not trouble ourselves to write this article; but there is no such tendency apparent. We are every year more thoroughly satisfied that there must be some concert of action among the ladies of the city, on various points, before there can be any improvement. These points are, first, that no lady shall give a servant a certificate of character or skill that overstates the facts in the slightest degree; second, that no servant shall be engaged who cannot bring a satisfactory certificate from her last place, or give competent references; third, that when a mistress finds herself imposed upon by false representations, she immediately dismiss her servant, so that, at last, all incompetent servants be driven into places where their wages shall bear some proper relation to the value of their work.

So long as poor and dishonest servants are tolerated, and find no motive to make themselves better, they will not become better. The experience of our