Aged fifty-five, admitted 25th of April 1822. This man came from
Hornchurch, in Essex. He was a labourer, and had been confined here a
patient six years ago. Want of employment, and consequent distress, are
assigned as the causes of his derangement. But, whatever might have
been his disposition in a state of sanity, nothing can be of worse
character than his manners, disrobed of all influence of morality or
discretion; and which, but for the plea of his disorder, would entitle
him to no reception elsewhere, save in Bridewell or the Hulks. He is,
in fact, a compound of bad qualities; savage, ignorant, unfeeling,
selfish, full of low cunning, an inveterate pilferer, so that no
trifle, however small, can escape his fingers. He is destitute of all
natural feeling or regard for his wife and five children, who never
seem to cost him a thought, still less a sigh. He has no more notion
of religion of any kind than a horse: he has, in fact, no concern
for any person beyond himself. Eating and drinking are his favourite
amusements, which he enjoys like a hog; and tobacco the sole idol of
his worship, and of which he uses an incredible quantity, by night and
day, in the most filthy manner. He is quite insensible to reprimand
or reproach: he cares not what any one says of him. His thieving
propensities extend to every thing he can lay hands on: provisions,
thread, old rags, spoons, knives, forks, skewers, &c.; and his pockets,
hat, bosom, and every part of his clothing which he can convert to a
receptacle, are continually filled with trash of all descriptions.
Added to these accomplishments, every sentence he utters is accompanied
by an oath, or an imprecation, or some blasphemous expression: in fact,
he is a most profane and profligate wretch, and very little removed
from a brute.
Perhaps it may be thought illiberal, to arraign those vices in a
wretched man deprived of his reason; but they are by no means the
growth of temporary insanity, and must have had their origin in his
disposition and conduct long before insanity commenced.
Previously to his last commitment hither, he attempted, in a fit of
treacherous fury, to murder his wife and children; and would, most
likely, have succeeded in this sanguinary and atrocious purpose, but
for the timely interference of a neighbour.
He obtained a month’s leave of absence, on the 26th of last September,
but has not since returned.