REIGN OF ALFRED.
After 1862 I roomed in the east middle room, roomed nights, for a number of years with patients from England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany and America, black and white, of many professions and different beliefs, and truly it was a high school to an observing mind.
Be it known to the reader it was not a very desirable lodging room, now and then awoke in dead of night by the groans of the dying in an adjoining bed.
In this room were from four to five single beds of straw, some two feet apart. At one time for many weeks lay a negro, Wm. Lawrence, bound to his bed and handcuffed, singing and whistling, although he was bound with an asylum harness such as I am exhibiting around the country in public. I was afraid of my life; he was a wicked, self-abused young man.
Oh! what a set of school mates, thought I. But to these I made no conversation. I have often seen Wm. Lawrence compelled to wash dishes with hands bound; one morning Haly told me to hold up the darkey's dirty pants so he could step into them. Attendant's word was law. I raised them front side toward the darkey in presence of attendant. "Go away," says he, supposing me to be green. I willingly left and had no more darkeys to wait upon.
SCOTT.
After Lawrence left this bed, Scott was placed in it. Although I had never spoken to Scott he had once kicked me severely when walking upon the hall peaceably and quiet.
Again, one night, soon after we were all locked up in this room Scott arose from his bed, placed his feet upon the floor, grabbed me by the whiskers with both hands, throwing himself backward upon his bed, held me fast. And I can truly say he is the first person I ever struck, and I could not strike him very hard though in self-defense, for I was very weak, and my antagonist was a strong young madman.
At this critical moment the door unlocked and in came Alfred, the attendant, saying, "what is the matter?" though I did not practice talking I told the truth.