SUFFERINGS OF MECHEUM THE BOY. PROVERBS.
My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee, that they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
Unto you, O men! I call, and my voice is to the sons of man.
Oh, ye simple, understand wisdom, and ye foolish, be ye of an understanding heart.
Mecheum came to the asylum after I entered it, roomed with me, was showered in cold water till he became like a skeleton, sat beside me at the table, sometimes refused to eat; attendant pulled his hair at the table to make him eat, and caused a running sore; saw his wound dressed.
If Mecheum, Bacon, Scott and other young persons whom I have seen in lunatic asylums, had shunned their seducers, they might have been rejoicing in health, and shunned the fires of an asylum hell.
My opportunity to know the secret workings of this institution was limited, only four months stay; not being changed from house to house and room to room as in the Troy asylum. I know we had small potatoes and cheap food. Asylums are asylums.
THE YOUNG MR. REED.
Roomed on another hall; knew but little of his treatment, but I know he was showered as severely as Mecheum; became pale and poor; could barely walk to his room after pouring four pails of cold water on his head, no alternative, the rattan lay above his head, and he in the hands of his attendant and J. White.