[169] Hansard, vol. lxxvi. p. 1274.
[170] These were to be visited by a small private Committee named by the Lord Chancellor.
[171] 8 and 9 Vict., c. 100 and c. 126 (see [Appendix E].)
[172] For more particular provisions in these Acts and that of 1855 (18 and 19 Vict., c. 105), containing some further amendments, see [Appendix F].
[173] See [Appendix G].
[174] In the following year another statute (26 and 27 Vict., c. 110), entitled "An Act to amend the Lunacy Acts," was passed, but only consisted of three sections referring to one or two doubtful points in the previous Act, which do not require notice. How many Acts of Parliament are necessitated by the blundering obscurity of the person who, as draughtsman, escapes criticism?
[175] For an analysis of the evidence, and considerations thereupon, the writer may refer to an article in the Contemporary Review, October, 1877, entitled "Lunacy Legislation."
[176] "Parliamentary Debates," 3rd Series, vol. 261, p. 1278.
[177] Mr. Gordon died in 1864. In their Report of that year, the Commissioners "deplore the death of their colleague, Mr. Robert Gordon, whose name has been prominent, during the greater part of the last half century, in connection with efforts to ameliorate the condition of the insane," and add, "Down to the present time, Mr. Gordon has given to our labours, constant and valuable personal aid; and his unwearied and disinterested service, closed only by death, we must remember always with respect and gratitude." It may be mentioned here that Mr. Wynn, to whose exertions the Act of 1808 ([p. 128]) was due, lived to witness Lord Ashley's Act of 1846 passed, and was present in the House during the debate.