Aged sixty, admitted 21st November 1822. This poor old man is married,
has one daughter, is from Greenwich, and was a labourer in Deptford
Victualling yard for twenty-nine years; but, in the late economical
arrangements in many departments of the country’s expenditure, he was
lopped off; and not meeting with employment of any kind, he became low
and desponding, tormented by night, unhappy and restless by day: he
attempted at last to beat his head to pieces against the wall, but was
prevented and sent to this hospital. He imagines that he is charged
with stealing government stores, and that he has been sent here for
a temporary purpose; but expects every hour to be carried to prison,
and condemned for an offence, of which he most solemnly protests his
innocence. He is continually under the most painful apprehensions,
and every new face he sees, he supposes “that person is come to fetch
him away to Maidstone goal.” Soothing advice is completely lost upon
him; for although he appears satisfied of his erroneous opinion for
the moment, it returns again with increased conviction, five minutes
afterwards. He bears an excellent character for sobriety and honesty,
civil, harmless, and peacable--a good husband, an affectionate father,
and is much to be pitied.