TEN DAYS IN A MAD-HOUSE.
CHAPTER I.
A DELICATE MISSION.
On the 22d of September I was asked
by the World if I could have myself
committed to one of the asylums for
the insane in New York, with a view
to writing a plain and unvarnished
narrative of the treatment of the patients
therein and the methods of
management, etc. Did I think I
had the courage to go through such
an ordeal as the mission would demand?
Could I assume the characteristics
of insanity to such a degree that I could pass
the doctors, live for a week among the insane without
the authorities there finding out that I was only a “chiel
amang ’em takin’ notes?” I said I believed I could. I
had some faith in my own ability as an actress and
thought I could assume insanity long enough to accomplish
any mission intrusted to me. Could I pass a week
in the insane ward at Blackwell’s Island? I said I could
and I would. And I did.
My instructions were simply to go on with my work as soon as I felt that I was ready. I was to chronicle faithfully the experiences I underwent, and when once within the walls of the asylum to find out and describe its inside
