We have adorned the pages of our month- [ cells. Towards the end of the year 1792 ly with a portrait of this distinguished phi- uowever, Pine, after having urged the gov lanthropist, from the hand of our artist, ernment to allow him to unchain the manW. H. Green, Esq. Our readers may be iacs at the Bicetre, but in vain, went himfamiliar with the name and history of this self to the authorities, and, with much earremarkable man. To no other is the pre-nestness and warmth, advocated the remosent humane policy of our institutions in-val of this moustrous abuse. Couthon, a debted. It was his honour, to be instru- member of the Commune, gave way to mental, near the close of the last century, Pinel's arguments, and agreed to meet him in promoting the great change which then at the Bicetre. Couthon then interrogated began to take place, from the barbarous sys those who were chained, but the abuse he tem common throughout Europe, to that received, and the confused sound of cries, humane policy which now prevails so exten vociferations, and the clanking of chains in sively both in the old world and in the new. the filthy and damp cells, made him recoil Our readers will be interested in the follow- from Pinel's proposition. You may do ing extracts relating to this great man, taken what you will with them,' said he, but I from an interesting volume, published in fear you will become their victim.' Pinel London in 1850, and entitled Familiar instantly commenced his undertaking. There views of Lunacy and Lunatic Life." were about fifty whom he considered might, without danger to the others, be unchained, and he began by releasing twelve, with the sole precaution of having previously prepared the same number of strong waistcoats, with long sleeves, which could be tied behind the back if necessary. The first man on whom 'In the frightful prison of the Bicetre, the universal practice was to load the lunatic patients with heavy chains, which remained on for the remainder of their lives, and to im mure them in dark, unwarmed, unventiluted no one.' the experiment was to be tried was an English captain, whose history no one knew, as he had been in chains forty years. He was thought to be one of the most furious among them; his keepers approached him with caution, as he had in a fit of fury killed one of them on the spot, with a blow from his manacles. He was chained more rigorously than any of the others. Pinel entered his cell unattended, and calmy said to him- Captain, I will order your chains to be taken off, and give you liberty to walk in the court, if you will promise me to behave well, and injure Yes, I promise you,' said the maniac; but you are laughing at me.' I have six men,' answered Pinel, ready to enforce my commands, if neccessary. Believe me, then, on my word, I will give you your liberty, if you will put on this waistcoat.' He submitted to this willingly, without a word: his chains were removed, and the keepers retired, leaving the door of the cell open. He raised himself many times from the seat, but fell again on it, for he had been in a sitting posture so long, that he had lost the use of his legs; in a quarter of an hour he succeeded in maintaining his balance, and, with tottering steps, came to the door of his dark cell. His first look was at the sky, and he cried out, enthusiastically, How beautiful.' During the rest of the day he was constantly in motion, walking up and down the staircases, and uttering exclamations of delight. In the evening he retired, of his own accord, into his cell, where a better bed than he had been accustomed to had been prepared, and he slept tranquilly. During the two succeeding years, which he spent in the Bicetre, he had no return of his previous paroxysms, but even rendered himself useful, by exercising a kind of authority over the insane patients, whom he ruled in his own fashion. self a general, and fought those who would After a furious not acknowledge his rank. struggle of this sort he was brought to the Bicetre in a state of the greatest excitement. He had now been chained for ten years, and and with greater care than the others, from his having broken his chains with his hands only. Once, when he broke loose he defied all his keepers to enter his cell, until they had each passed under his legs, and he compelled eight men to obey this strange mandate. Pinel, in his previous visits to him regarded him as a man of original good nature, but under excitement, incessantly kept up by cruel treatment, and he had promised speedily to ameliorate his condition, which promise had alone made him more calm. Now he announced to him that he should be chained no longer; and, to prove that he had confidence in him, and believed him to be a man capable of better things. he called upon him to assist in releasing those others who had not reason like himself, and promised, if he conducted himself well, to take him into his own service. The change was sudden and complete. No sooner was he liberated, than he became obliging and attentive, follow ing with his eye every motion of Pinel, and executing his orders with as much address as promptness: he spoke kindly and reasonably to the other patients, and during the remainder of his life, was entirely devoted to his deliverer. 6 And I can never hear without emotion (says Pinel's son) the name of this man, who, some years after this occurrence, shared with me the games of my childhood, and to whom I shall feel always attached.' 'In the next cell were three Prussian soldiers, who had been in chains for many years, but on what account no one knew. They were, in general, calm and inoffensive, becoming animated only when conversing The next unfortunate being whom Pinel together in their own language, which was visited was a soldier of the French Guards, unintelligible to others. They were allowed, whose only fault was drunkenness. He be- the only consolation of which they appeared came quarrelsome and violent, and the more sensible,-to live together. The preparadangerous from his great bodily strength. tions taken to release them alarmed them, From his frequent excesses he had been dis- as they imagined that the keepers were charged from the corps, and he had speedily come to inflict new severities, and they dissipated his scanty means. Disgrace and posed them violently when removing their misery so depressed him that he became irons. When released, they were not wilinsane: in his paroxysms he believed him-ling to leave their prison, and remained in their habitual posture. Either grief or loss | ry, wipes away the tear from the brow; and of intellect had rendered them indifferent to through the mists of degradation, and acliberty. Near to them was seen an old priest, companiments of death-shrieks, presents to who was possessed with the idea that he the beholder the radiance of her countewas Christ. On his being once taunted nance-arainbow of immortal beauty gatherwith the question that 'if he was Christ, he ing on her brows; a token that the storms could break his chains,' he solemnly replied of adversity had ceased, that the floods — Frustra tentaris Dominum tuum.' He should not overwhelm our race, but that had been taken by the police before the Hope had awakened a smile on the wan Archbishop of Paris, by whose orders he countenance of years, and brought her was confined in the Bicetre, as either im- friends substantial aid, in prompt relief and pious or insane. His hands and feet, during enduring ease. twelve years had been loaded with heavy chains. Pinel did not attempt to reason with him, but ordered him to be unchained in silence, and directed at the same time, that every one should imitate the old man's reserve, and never speak to him. He was considered to be well enough to be at large before the expiration of twelve months, and dismissed from the Bicetre accordingly. In the course of a few days Pinel released fifty-three of these maniacs from their chains; among them were men of all conditions,-workmen, merchants, soldiers, lawyers, &c. The result was beyond his hopes. Tranquillity and harmony succeeded to tumult and disorder, and the whole discipline was marked with a regularity and kindness which had a most favourable effect throughout the entire establishment.? Like Knowledge, Philanthropy dives into the volcanoes of distracted passion and bewildered thought, perforates the adamantine heart, embarks on the ocean of human ailments, and in her varied and extensive range embraces the miseries of Hades and the glories of Heaven. Among the most assiduous of her devotees and almoners are the members of the medical profession. In this profession, where a knowledge of human existence constitutes its incentive to action, and acquaintance with its continuities, forms the object of its research ;--where the materials of the universe are the themes of study, and the application of their affinities, its duty and glory, it possesses an extensive range for the exercises of kind offices, nucleus around which concentrates the interests of men. So varied are its pursuits, so exalted its objects, so arduous its attainment, so numerous the avenues of its march, that well and truly may the physician exclaim, as he pursues the lonely, responsible, and essentially important duties of his station, and casts an eye towards an honorable fame "Oh! who can tell how hard it is to climb, "The steep where fame's proud temple shines afar, a Philanthropy presents her claims for public consideration through the achievements of her votaries. She has no royal march nor pomp of circumstance, save the accumulation of human woes that cluster near her path. Her approach is silent; her influence gradual, permanent, efficient. Her trophies, the sighs and sufferings of afficted humanity. In her advance through her varied and labyrinthine walks, she bears no torchlight but the reflected mirrors of her loveliness. She wears no diadem, but the gems of grief and agony clustering on her brow, that shine for her and him who is the inspiration of alleviations for earth's sorrow-hath made them 'bright and shining lights,' ed and wounded. Penetrating the recesses amid the benightedness of darkened pathof mans adventure, Philanthropy raises the ways, or the associations of unlettered, unredrooping head of affliction and sorrow; as- fined, presumptuous vanity and arrogance ? suages the heart-wounds of disappointment; Inestimable and valuable beyond compare is and with angel hand and sweetness, bends such a sphere of life's duty! Precious beover the deserted couch of disease and penu-yond human computation or conception, the "And wage with sorrows an eternal war." Who can estimate the ordinary value of such a profession, or those whose high career 18 services of those whose errands of love are, too often, unrequited, and their importance unjustly estimated! Toulouse, to pursue the study of Divinity. Pursuing philosophy and mathematics, he became skillful and profound under the direcA spark of intelligence hath been en- tion of able teachers. By reason of the nukindled within the soul of man, the proper merous parental claims, he relinquished his destiny of which is to increase in brightness, study of Theology; quitting the University and glow with unfading lustre while immor- by his father's advice, he gave lessons in the tality endures. But, alas! dimmed, ob-highest grade of Science, and thus like many scured by the contaminations of unhealth- an American Youth, soon freed himself from fulness, its beauty fades, - its dazzling domestic dependence, and acquired a firmceases,—its glorious progress is obstructed, ness of purpose, a stedfastness and prompt- › ness in execution, an undauntedness amid - its honourable destiny arrested. scenes and circumstances, from which the morbid delicacy of fastidiousness shrinks with horrific frenzy. He was an honourable, diligent, and sensible student-he bore away the palm at the floral games, was an adjunct Professor, and by self exertion and support, passed through the varied and superior exaOrminations, and was admitted to the honourable and by him most highly honoured title of Doctor of Medicine when he was twentyeight years old, (and on the anniversary of the Landing of New England pilgrims) upon the 22 Day of December 1773. 66 "A beam etherial, sullied and absorpt, Though sullied and dishonoured, is still divine." It is the province of the profession of medicine to guard this spark, as the Vestal Virgins did their fire; to watch its progress, —its flickerings, and to fan it to a flame. more especially, it is the peculiar and high prerogative of a select and accomplished few in the Old World to "Minister to minds diseased "And pluck from memory its rooted sorrow, "To rase out the hidden troubles of the mind." And whose counterpart, if not co-equals, -a are found on the Western Continent,Good, whose varied and extensive classification exhibits the phenomena of intellectual states in a most interesting view,-whose science and talents have placed him far and high above the usual ken, a beacon for the wanderer, and a guide to the reckless and wayward. The name of Pinel, whose portrait heads this article, is recorded in the hearts of thousands, across the water, whose palpitations of grief and sorrow were guided and governed by his scientific hand. He was born within the department of Tarn, near the city of Castres, at the village of St. Paul. on the 11th of April, 1745. The honourable though, too often, unrequited engagements of instruction, did not increase his store of worldly claims, in equal ratio with his necessary demands, and losing (what to a young physician is an irreparable loss) a much loved Father and Counsellor, with a heavy heart he looked "forward to the future." He sought the company and friendship of the distinguished sons of science then residing at Montpelier, to divert his mind from grief's inroads upon his health, to perfect his acquaintance with his studies, and find new and agreeable sympathizers— where polished friends might mingle in pursuits which would annihilate oppressiveness, and the scintillations of genius sparkle in every ratiocination of rational, scientific intercourse. That school was surrounded by the most renowned of the sons of France-Chaptel, whose name and fame extends far and wide His father was a surgeon and physician; in the chemical world,-Vigorouse and Fohis mother was what Napoleon said France quet, whose brilliancy reflected itself supeneeded,― A pious woman, a model of ex-rior to the then schools of the civilized cellence,- -a mother.' A serious bias having world. He went to Montpelier in 1775, been naturally derived. he was sent for his and resumed his resort of instruction, and education to the College of Lavan, and sub- was received into the circle of M. Benezach, sequently he was removed to the schools of where he had a pupil who has since become PINEL. one of the most distinguished engineers in | Abridgement given to the world, of all the France. His leisure hours he devoted to Transactions of the learned bodies of Euimprovement in medical knowledge, in che- rope, were translated from English to French mistry, natural history, in the Greek and by Pinel. English languages, and in composing Latin theses for young students in medicine. His compositions were elegant specimens of his skill in the art, and were proud proofs of his industry, his independence and intellectual triumph. Among such multifarious pursuits, the present equalled his hopes, and that luring future seemed merged in his engagements. Although he was in the hospital range he did not prescribe, and it was not till 1785 that the foundation of his future fame ori ginated, in the death of a young man whom he loved, who had become insane by excessive temperance and rigorous study, and having escaped from his father's house in a To the general cast of Pinel's character is the humane world mainly indebted, but to his particular attention to the study of natural history, and his analogical habits, as derived from its pursuit, are mankind particu-paroxysm, was devoured by wolves. It was larly and essentially indebted for the direction of his attention to a subject, of all others, the most deeply important to the student of Nature-The movements executed by man -whose principles he acquired by the profound study of Borelli and other naturalists, where genius hath opened a way, amid the mazes of physiological researches. Pinel's researches were of the profoundest character, and their result was divided into two parts: one of which was addressed to the Royal Society of Montpelier; the other was unfinished for many years, and reserved for the Academy of Sciences at Paris. this event probably, (says the distinguished Secretary of the Royal Academy at Paris, to whom I am mainly indebted for this biographical sketch,) it was this circumstance that directed his superior skill and science to the establishment of an Asylum for the Insane,' whose first patient was placed there by Pinel, and there was the first experiment made of those innovations on the old system of treatment of the insane, which hath rendered his name dear to posterity, and has caused thousands to rise up and call him 'blessed.' In order properly to appreciate the value of this illustrious man, it may be necessary to inquire what was the condition of the insane previous to Pinel's system? What his system was? What have been its effects, and what influence it is exerting, and destined to exert on the happiness of that class of beings? Previously to the organization of this system, the insane were treated most rudely, ruthlessly, inhumanly, as if the age was destitute of the kindness which prompts, at least, physical care and protection. Their mental condition was entirely neglected. Ig In his intellectual associations and conflicts he discovered himself to be equal, if not superior, to the glory of Montpelier, and with a consciousness of his native strength, altho' remarkably modest and unassuming, (a sure evidence of his wisdom) he sought a wider theatre for the action of his attainments That 'field of fame' was the capital of France, where the varied ills that flesh is heir to,' its miseries and glories, are more fully exhibited than elsewhere. Here was Pinel in 1778; here was his resource in the immortal Boerhave, and geometry. He met his necessities with the reward of his in-norant of physiology and philosophical construction, and here too, his leisure hours were devoted to valuable objects. As the scenes of his life varied, numerous instances occurred for the exercise of his increased intellectual resources. As an author, he communicated to the Journal de Paris articles upon varied subjects—Medicine, Natural Science, Moral Philosophy, and Economy. Three volumes complete, and a part of the fourth, out of fourteen volumes of an nections, man (and woman) was the subject of treatment that would disgrace the most barbarous period. The ordinary attendants on the insane would inflict stripes (that Mercy even weeps when she sees inflicted on a beast) on their prisoners, (patients they could not be called) and goad them on to madness with chains, whose clanking was dread music; whose solitariness and coarseness of associates and |