It is to such cases, in their incipient stage, that I have hitherto devoted myself, and which I have had for the last fourteen years constantly about me. In devoting ourselves to such cases, we are doing no more than we conceive to be our duty, nor do I conceive this explanation makes, in all cases, our own house superior to others. In some cases, the reverse is the fact. This explanation is intended to show the necessity of classification, and division of labour. In many cases, so far from giving a preference to ourselves, I would give a preference to the surgeon, matron, and attendants at the other houses. In many cases, they become attached to them, and prefer remaining with them. Besides, a mere change is sometimes useful, and often operates as a powerful check;—they are in their favourite house,—they behave ill, and a threat of removal restrains them. All this requires attention, and is assisted by the arrangements described. To show this is no new and fallacious view, manufactured and brought forward for the mere purpose of my own defence, I beg leave to quote from an explanation of the drawings and plans of the houses and grounds, which were, according to the Act of Parliament, sent to the Quarter Sessions at Chelmsford, now many years ago.—Speaking of Leopard’s Hill establishment, I said— “At present there are no very violent cases, and some that were so are convalescent, and when patients become convalescent, they are often removed to my own house at Fair Mead, in order to relieve them from painful associations; by contributing in every way to their comfort and their happiness, and by devoting ourselves more particularly to them, we secure and expedite their cure; this removal is often most expedient and useful, but it sometimes happens, {27} that they prefer remaining amongst those to whom they have become attached; and they are then removed out of the galleries, and have apartments in the front and family part of the house.” “Fair Mead House, I wish it to be distinctly understood, is an additional house in the same grounds, but at a sufficient distance to serve the purpose I have just stated,—the purpose of humane classification, according to their state. In fact, agreeable to these views, it may be considered as a necessary appendage to the others. It enables us the better to discharge a most important and delicate duty, that of more closely watching, and more directly and personally attending to patients during the incipient and critical stage of convalescence; a period when, wanting such attention, they are driven by a revulsion of feeling into their old state, or sink from exhaustion, and die.”