Excerpt from Speech of Mr. Rayner, of Hertford, on the Bill to Provide for the Establishment of a State Hospital for the Insane North Carolina: Delivered in the House of Commons, December 21st., 1848

The system now generally pursued for the treatment of the insane, in nearly all the States of this Union, as Well as in all civilized countries, belongs to the discove ry of modern science and to the progress of modern im provement. Until within the period of the existence of our own government, young as it is, the old plan of the dark ages-which grew out of the idea. That those bereft of reason were the victims ot'god's especial displeasure, and therefore had no claims on man's sympathy - of treating the insane as outcasts, was the only one known. The dark and noisome cell, the chain and the hand cull; the bar and the bolt, lash and the torture, the scanty meal and the time worn vesture, were. For ages, the por tion of these ictims ot misfortune. This cruel system, and the false idea upon which it rested, are now, and it is hoped, forever rejected, as unwise, unfeeling, unchris tian. New light upon this, as upon nearly every other branch oi knowledge, has dawned upon the world. The discovery of the philanthropic Pine], during the excesses ofthe French Revolution, whose horrors were so natu rally productive of insanity - that kindness and firm were were the great agents in relieving and alleviating the miseries of derangement - first gave the impetus to that benevolent system, which has dried up so many tears, healed so many wounded hearts, and soothed so many pangs of suil'cring. With rapid strides, this humane and wise system has marched ever the Christian world. France, unrivaled as she ever 13 in science; Eng ]an'd, foremost as she always is in deeds of greatness and glory, and the States of this Union, the wonders and ad miration of the world, as they ara, iin adventure, enters prise, and improvement, have reared this benevolent structure upon sure foundations, and in cementing it with the tears of sympathy, have provided tor the wants and sufferings of millions yet unborn.

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