Library Collections: Document: Full Text

Both of the plans I offer, are based on this outline, and are intended to have two stories only, except at the centre house, and at the enlarged extremities, which are carried up another story to constitute large and airy "associated dormitories." In each, the accommodations for the worst class of patients are in the rear of the return wings, separated by doors and a gallery, from the others, but not detached from them. -- The expediency of having this class of inmates thus provided for, or placed in buildings entirely detached, has been a point much discussed by practical men. The better opinion appears to me to be, that in a small institution, the occasional disturbance to others from this class properly separated in the building is a less evil than their removal from the immediate observation of the head of an institution, as they beyond any other class require the most direct surveillance.

In both these plans, I have calculated for about one hundred and thirty patients, equally of both sexes; about one sixth are intended to be provided with apartments larger and more elegant than are required for those who do not pay a remunerating price.

When the institution is filled, about one half would be lodged in the "associated dormitories," which with the galleries are to be inspected from the attendants' rooms. There are to be six classes of each sex; a first and second class of high paying patients, divided according to the manifestations of disease; two galleries of common quiet cases, with associated dormitories attached for a part; a gallery for troublesome and demented, the latter having an associated dormitory, and one for the vociferous and furious. An entire separation in going out and coming in and at all times, is provided for these respective divisions by separate stair eases. No. I of these designs will be found to be compounded essentially of the plans of the Northampton and Maidstone Asylums.

No. II is the ground floor of an edifice, the elevation of which is intended to be in the Elizabethian or Tudor Gothic style of architecture. The general idea of the exterior is taken from one of the buildings of the Royal Glasgow Lunatic Asylum, a tracing from the architect's plan of which will be found amongst the papers in your possession. It is a very favorite taste in England during the last few years, and there arc many reasons for its peculiar adaptation to hospitals for the insane and analogous purposes. it is not a classical order, and has no proportions or decorations which can not be made to meet the purposes and funds of the institution. its general character and contour can be produced with comparatively little expensive work. It admits of a union of stone and brick work with neither anachronism nor incompatibility. At the Surrey Asylum, the buildings are of brick with Portland stone facings, at Liverpool, Belfast and other places red sandstone was used for this purpose. The extent of stone necessary to produce a proper effect in this style is not great; the bands between the stories, the recessed door, the labels above the windows and perhaps a shield or two appear to be all. The ornamental chimnies, the bevelled sides to the windows, the embattled parapet, except the coping course to the latter, are all formed of brick moulded to that end.

Among the reasons which have induced mc to think this style would be admirably suited to your construction, arc the following. Its absolute or intrinsic beauty; its adaptedness to the beautiful site you have secured, as it would harmonize so happily with the forest, headland and water view of your location, while no other buildings would be in sight to break the unity of the scene; the two other public buildings between it and the city, the Dexter Asylum and Friends' College being constructed with a centre and wings in a plain style, it is peculiarly undesirable to add to the monotony by a third building in the same taste.

But its peculiar advantages are its fitness as regards internal structure and convenience. The windows will admit of being made of such sizes and at such intervals as interternal -sic- arrangements may require. The sizes of the lights, whether rectangular or not, can be of the small size essential, without the prison-like aspect which small panes in large sashes usually produce. The roof, ordinarily so prominent a deformity, is concealed by the parapet. Neither dome, portico or cupola will be required to give a public character to the edifice. Its aspect will be that of a villa of ancient date. This style admits of projections for stairs or other purposes which convenience may require which add to its character, instead of detracting from it as in ordinary modes.

The parapet walls around the centre house and the enlarged ends, will permit different sections to be guarded from probability of destruction by fire, better than any other mode.

By a reference to the ground plan, it will be perceived that the chimney of the kitchen, laundry and other offices is situated towards the centre of the whole establishment. It is intended that this should he the point from which all the heating and ventilating operations should be carried on. Directly beneath the drying closet and kitchen, in the cellar, are the oven for baking and the steam boiler, having their flues entering the central massive chimney. The steam is conveyed by pipes to a small engine to pump water, to cook, to heat water for washing and by a pipe in a covered drain to the return and rear wings, where it is to be transmitted into cast iron pipes, running within a long flue in which the external air is admitted, heated, and discharged into the rooms. The foul air descends by flues in the walls from all parts, passes through the covered drain and under the boiler furnace into the chimney. The same arrangement through the cellar, instead of a covered drain, is applied to the house and wings.