From Leigh, near Tunbridge, Kent, aged sixty-seven, admitted 4th March
1822. The previous character and conduct of this poor old man greatly
enhances one’s sympathy for his melancholy state of derangement. He
had only filled the situation of a common labourer, and had from his
earliest days maintained his character for honesty, industry, and good
conduct. He had brought up a numerous family, and procured them a plain
and suitable education, to fit them for honest exertions; and all with
the praiseworthy spirit of declining parish assistance.
The death of his worthy and faithful wife, who had for upwards of forty
years shared his labours and affection, was a misfortune too heavy for
his fortitude to bear, and he almost sunk into despondency with grief.
By some carelessness, a load of stones, to repair the road, was
deposited near his dwelling; and a gentleman driving that way was upset
and thrown from his chaise by means of those stones, and received
much personal injury. He in consequence brought an action against the
trustees for compensation, and, by some errors in the proceedings, much
delay, expense, and trouble accrued to the parish.
The original cause of the accident was erroneously imputed to poor
Pinion’s negligence; and the vexation of this circumstance, added to
his previous affliction, so preyed on his spirits, that, in a fit of
insanity, he cut his throat in a shocking way; but the wound was not
mortal. He was afterwards taken to a private mad-house, and ultimately
conveyed to Bethlem.
He was perfectly harmless, but the constant victim of melancholy,
dejection, and despair. He appeared sensible that, at some time or
other, he should be discharged from Bethlem: but then he should have
lost his parish, and driven from his native place and his children,
and must become a miserable wanderer, turned out naked for the boys to
mock and laugh at; that no one would give him a day’s work, and that he
must pine and starve to death. He always appeared extremely grateful
for any little kindness shewn him, which, he would say, he did not
deserve. Nothing could persuade him that he was not naked; and he would
sometimes address the keepers in a humble and piteous tone: “If you
please, Sir, when I am turned out of this good house, will you have the
kindness to let me have my breeches on; I don’t so much mind the rest
of my clothes, but I have never been used to go without my breeches.
Pray let me have them, for decency sake, and God will bless you.”
For many months he continued under these delusions, from which nothing
could dissuade him. At length, however, he became a little more
cheerful; and, at the earnest request of his son, he was enlarged on a
month’s leave of absence, on the 26th September, which leave has been
since extended. But still he could not be induced to believe he had not
lost his parish, to which it is more than probable, he has been ere
this restored.
In addition to the long proved honesty, industry, and good conduct of
this poor fellow, it should be mentioned that, besides what his humble
earnings and economy enabled him to do for his family, by his thrift
he had saved £40, which he had out at interest when he was sixty-eight
years old, had his cottage decently and comfortably furnished, and owed
no debts.