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Much depends on classification, and hence arises one great advantage of an asylum on a large scale like that so skilfully managed by Dr. Down, who makes it a point of the greatest care. Even the amusements of the pupils are thus regulated, as it would be obviously absurd to let any one of them belong to a group with powers he did not possess. Hence all the play-rooms and games are arranged to meet the requirements of the inmates of different degrees. Cricket requires considerable bodily activity and a quick eye, yet here are a few who play very neatly, and in Essex they were sometimes invited to carry on the game in the grounds of neighbouring gentlemen, who kindly fêted the players and made them very happy by such an indulgence. Croquet is also a favourite game, but every one must be led to these exercises for pleasure, according to the grade of the class to which each belongs. There are abundance of cheerful methods also of entertaining the pupils both male and female gathered together; as Punch and Judy, the magic lantern, the oxy-calcium microscope, and the band, of which the attendants are the chief musicians, while one of the pupils plays the big drum, and another the triangle, keeping good time, which is the great difficulty. Idiots easily learn tunes, but few however can master notes and time. Many concerts take place at Earlswood in the winter season, and parties are invited to them. They add much to the life of the place, and are extremely prized by the pupils. At Christmas they have a regular performance of a charade or some kindred spectacle, in which the attendants are the actors, accompanied by some forty of their charge. The dialogues are all written by Dr. Down, and Mrs. Down arranges the scenery and dresses, all of which are executed in the house. One performance last year was attended by more than three hundred inmates, and a good many of the neighboring gentry who came as visitors expressed the greatest wonder and satisfaction at the intense enjoyment and behaviour of the uncommon audience. The best of the pupils profit much by excursions to the sea-side or to the Crystal Palace; and indeed by any well-selected change that tends to awaken their faculties, and to excite them in a right direction.

From the statements which have been cursorily made, it will be evident that those who peruse the books in our list will find them to contain no common matter for reflection; but we propose still further to elucidate the subject by allusion to special examples, contrasting their present with their former condition. In no other way can the work be appreciated, nor the transforming efficacy of the appliances made use of comprehended. The promoters of the Philadelphia Institution or Training School considered that much service would accrue to the cause of the idiot by publishing a brief history of twenty-two imbecile children, and the volume came out with the title of "The Mind Unveiled." To make it as attractive as possible it was embellished by photographs of some of the most peculiar examples, and the descriptions of each are written in an agreeable style. One of them is designated "A boy that we are proud of," and in his appearance as seen in the photograph, though the expression of the countenance may seem singular when viewed closely, there is nothing to indicate his condition. Yet he was an idiot of the most depraved class of "a moral idiot," with no fear of the consequences of doing wrong, and very dishonest; with "a good share of secretiveness, so that the most disguised cross-questioning rarely discovered the truth. His honest face covered the most mature dishonesty." A more cunning thief could not be conceived, and on coming to the asylum he soon ran away; and he was, besides, deplorably ignorant and indifferent. He was subject to chorea, could scarcely speak, and was as obstinate as a mule. Judicious treatment soon began to alter his conduct, and it was found that his great delight was to hear some narrative well told; and by taking advantage of this propensity he soon became an attentive listener to beneficial lessons, and he was found to have a susceptible heart, as easily led into right as it had been darkened and misled by wrong. He gave evidence in time of strong religious feeling, and became so honest that he was trusted with money, while in the schoolroom his progress was surprising. The chorea ceased to affect his gait as before, and instead of thieving he gave a poor woman in poverty and rags a large portion of his Christmas savings, describing himself when asked how he felt after his charity, as "feeling big in here," laying his hand on his heart with great pathos. Interesting as his case is, the account of several of the girls are equally worthy of attention, especially a group called "Our Sewing Girls." But it is desirable to show an alteration in one of the very lowest cases, and we have not room for more. This example goes by the name of "Our Southern Boy." He is photographed exercising the dumb bells with his teacher; he appears to be well formed, but his countenance is of a low type of expression. His condition was so unpromising that he "employed no articulate speech either by persuasion or imitation, and expressed no natural wants, even by signs." "We considered him," the account says, "one of our lowest cases of idiotcy. No dawn of cheering intelligence beamed from those leaden eyes; no smile of pleasure played over those marred features; the semblance of man only was seen -- impassive, unobserving, and intellectually dead. He would lounge by the hour basking himself in the warm sun; no question could arouse him, no want compel him to change his favourite place." Every conceivable attempt was for a long time made in vain to stimulate him to some exertion; efforts were directed to make him use his limbs in walking, aided by support, but he resisted violently, making horrible grimaces. Nothing was ever apparently noticed by him till he saw a coloured man, such as he used to see in the South, whence he came; and he seemed to recognize him with pleasure, exclaiming "Oh you!" as if in dim remembrance of his former home. All attempts to make him move frightened him, and when tempted by the odour of dinner, which alone could rouse him, it was amusing to see him crawl down stairs feet foremost. Swings, rocking boats, ladder, wheelbarrows, all seemed to terrify him; and though liking music, when drawn to it he resisted, crying, "Oh! my sakes! I's scared; car' me out." At last he was pushed towards the black board, kicking and screaming, with a bit of chalk in his hand, with which he was made to mark the board, and this pleased him so that he soon took to making random markings. Still there was no other sign of the least independent action till he was observed playing with a straw, which he discontinued as soon as perceived, being at the time a bit of an impostor. His teacher, however, made this trifle an interesting point in his development; it was one of those first and in the series of voluntary actions which those engaged in the training of idiots so well know how to turn to good account. One day he was suddenly made to take a walk, and became roused by a series of incidents. At length he became imitative, called a puppy "pretty little dog," after pretending to be terrified at it, took an interest in pictures, and seeing one of a fox, said, "Stinky," the Southern name for the animal. In time his indolence was overcome, and he became fond of the exercises he so vehemently resisted; was the first to run when the call was given, "Ladder-boys, form line," and took to dancing after genuine plantation fashion to the music of the violin, as well as to joining occasionally in the school choruses. In other respects also he made gradual advances, the first indication of his case becoming at all practicable being the circumstance of his playing of his own account with a straw, which showed to the skilled observer that there were in him both will and power if they could be elicited.