[231] "The Commission was entirely due to Miss Dix's exertion. After visiting the lunatic asylums of E----, she proceeded to Scotland, where her suspicions were aroused by the great difficulty she experienced in penetrating into the lunatic asylums of S----; but when she did gain access, she found that the unfortunate inmates were in a most miserable condition. She came to London and placed herself in communication with the Secretary of State for the Home Department, and with the Duke of Argyll; and at her instance, and without any public movement on the subject, a Royal Commission was appointed to inquire into the state of the lunatic asylums of Scotland. No one, we are sure, could read the Report of the Commission without feeling grateful to that lady for having been instrumental in exposing proceedings which were disgraceful to this or to any civilized country."--Mr. Ellice, M.P., "Parliamentary Debates," vol. cxlv. p. 1025. [232] "Parliamentary Debates," 3rd Series, vol. cxlv. p. 1020. [233] Page 1025. [234] Page 1027. [235] Page 1035. [236] See p. 338. [237] Page 1042. [238] Page 1043. [239] Page 1044. [240] Page 1468. [241] "Parliamentary Debates," 3rd Series, vol. cxlvi. p. 1169. [242] Page 1185. [243] They were Melgund, chairman; G. Young, George Moir, James Cox, and W. A. F. Browne. [244] If certain other figures be added, this total is 5823. See table on a subsequent page. [245] This sum now amounts to nearly half a million. [246] Twenty-third Report of the Commissioners, 1881. [247] See passage quoted in the last chapter of this book. [248] The succeeding quotation constitutes the analysis given of this Report in the _Journal of Mental Science_ for January, 1882. [249] _Journal of Mental Science_, January, 1870. [250] Dr. Fraser observes (Report, p. 124): "Dr. Arthur Mitchell, in his work on the insane in private dwellings, shows that this method of providing for the chronic insane is--1st, the best thing for the patient; and, 2nd, the best thing for the country; and in that opinion I heartily concur." CHAPTER X. IRELAND.