Sminaire franco-britannique dhistoire 10 dcembre 2015 Such
cheerful scenes : loisirs et festivits lAsile de Hanwell, ou le
divertissement au cur du dispositif de soins ( ) Laurence Dubois
Paris Ouest Nanterre la Dfense/ Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris 3 Portrait
du Dr John Conolly ( ) dans les annes 1840 Archives de Hanwell,
London Metropolitan Archives Vue gnrale de l'Asile de Hanwell The
Illustrated London News, 1843 rational recreation One went to the
seaside to swim for reasons of health, not to enjoy the exercise.
[] Cricket should be played to develop ones moral character, not to
delight in physical play and competition. Nancy Fix Anderson, The
Sporting Life: Victorian Sports and Games, Westport, Connecticut:
Praeger Publishers Inc., 2010, p. XVIII. a large and happy band of
volunteer artists busily exerted themselves to prepare and adorn
the scene of the coming festivity; the Shrubberies were laid
largely under contribution [] the hollies yielded their scarlet and
golden honors; and the laurel her branches of shining green;
well-hoarded flowers [] were collected, and all were arranged with
taste and ingenuity; an extra and brilliant supply of gas was put
on, and at half-past four the Hall presented a most gratifying
aspect. A temporary orchestra was placed at the upper end, where a
good band, with only one hired musician, took their places. Rows of
seats [] were ranged round three sides of the Hall, and on these
upwards of three hundred patients seated themselves with
countenances sparkling with pleasurable enjoyment, and dressed in
their best and newest attire. When coffee and cake were discussed,
the younger parties prepared to dance, and the central space was
soon occupied by happy and picturesque groups. During the intervals
between the dances pieces of music were played [] and a solo on the
trombone was listened to with breathless attention by many, and in
the deepest silence by all. At 7 oclock fruit was handed round, and
the patients were surprised and delighted by the entrance of a band
of Ethiopian Serenaders, who sang several songs, and accompanied
themselves on the banjo, &c. A few more dances brought 9
oclock, when warm spiced beer and sweet cake were served to the
party. After this refreshment had received ample justice, the Rev.
Mr May repeated the words of the Evening Hymn, which was sung by
the whole assemblage Matrons Report, December 31 st, 1852, in
Reports of the Committee of Visitors , Archives de Hanwell, LMA,
H11/HLL/A/05/003/A, pp Until this year, the Male patients had not
been indulged with any similar entertainments ; but in January
last, rather more than 200 of them [] had coffee and cake in the
evening, then amused themselves by singing, dancing and music []
until eight oclock, when they had an excellent hot supper (roast
beef and apple pies), with one pint of beer, some tobacco, and a
new pipe for each patient desirous of smoking. The scene presented
by them was one of the utmost cheerfulness and good humour. All
behaved well; thus showing that the male patients are no less
capable than the female patients [] of partaking of moderate gaiety
without any neglect of decorum. John Adams, The Sixty-second Report
of the Visiting Justices of the County Lunatic Asylum at Hanwell,
1842, Archives de Hanwell, LMA, H1/HLL/A/ 05/002, p. 27. Twelfth
Night at the Hanwell Asylum, The Illustrated London News, 15
janvier 1848 At 4 oclock, 400 of the male patients assembled in the
front grounds of the asylum, where for some time they were engaged
in amusing themselves by joining in the games of bowls, quoits []
and in music and dancing.[] Unfortunately between 6 and 7 oclock a
heavy rain came on, and the patients were compelled to retire to
their wards, which had been previously decorated with laurel and
evergreens and flowers in ornamental devices. Tables were then soon
arranged in the centre, and supper served, each patient being
allowed half-a-pint of beer. At its conclusion, music again was
resumed The Times, mardi 30 aot 1842; The Bristol Mercury, samedi 3
septembre 1842. The Bosjemen [were] the most attractive of all [];
although even they appeared to be merely looked at as zoological
curiosities, a little higher than the animals in the Gardens, but
beings in the lowest scale of mankind. Their quick observation,
their swift comprehension, their impressionable character, were as
little appreciated by the exhibitor as by the crowd of daily and
hourly spectators. [] it is pitiable to see human beings stared at
as mere objects of temporary amusement, to whose subsequent
condition all are indifferent. John Conolly, The ethnological
exhibitions of London, Londres: John Churchill, 1855, pp. 8 et 30.
the convalescence of several of these [patients] [is] dated from
their engagement in active preparations for the sale. Some have
been discharged from the Asylum perfectly restored, and several yet
remain whose cure is nearly confirmed. Matrons Report, 31 dcembre
1852. the matron has received a box of toys from London purchased,
she believes, by Mr Pownall, Esqu. a most acceptable boon to the
Female Wards- the articles consist of accordions, battledores,
boxes of dominoes, Noahs Ark full of figures, some boxes of
animals; and several other interesting objects of study and
amusement. Matrons Report Book, op. cit., 21 dcembre 1843. among
other efforts which those gentlemen have made for the improvement
of the means of occupation for the patients has been the
introduction of a printing press [], in consequence of several of
the unfortunate men who are under their care having been printers.
[] whilst [] it has afforded a pleasant employment to the inmates,
[] another beneficial effect which the printing materials has led
to is the fact of their having stimulated the dormant intellectual
energies of some of the other patients, by whom several specimens
of poetic writing of a high character have been produced, all of
which have subsequently been printed by the Hanwell Press. [] Mr
Tulk [] read a beautiful song, which had been written by one of the
lunatics during his moments of insanity The Times, vendredi 17
octobre 1845. I can by no means persuade myself that it is good for
them to take parts in theatrical representations. The constant aim
should be to occupy and amuse, and gently to draw away the mind
from its besetting infirmity; but never to produce violent
impressions or hurtful excitement. John Conolly, The Croonian
Lectures (1849), Archives de Hanwell, LMA, H11/HLL/Y/02/009, p. 13.
In devising out-of-door recreation, it is necessary to avoid such
as would endanger heedless patients, or be capable of being turned
to mischievous purposes. Swings, see-saws, roundabouts, and various
diversions popular at fairs, are on these accounts scarcely to be
recommended. The large rocking- horses to be seen in all our
airing-courts at Hanwell are free from all objection. Five or six
patients can safely ride upon them at once, or one patient can be
amused by them; the free exercise they afford relieves the excited,
and the gentle motion [] often soothes them to sleep. Means of
amusement out of doors are useful to the attendants as well as to
the patients; they contribute to relieve the irksomeness of their
duties, and act as inducements to their taking the patients out as
often as they can. John Conolly, On the Construction and Government
of Lunatic Asylums and Hospitals for the Insane, op.cit., p. 54.
Portrait de Sir William Ellis dans les annes 1840 Archives de
Hanwell, London Metropolitan Archives Entre principale du West
London Mental Health NHS Trust, ancien Asile de Hanwell, juillet
2010 (Photographie: Laurence Dubois)
