§ Sir John Newportrose to submit to the house the motion of which he had some time since given notice, for leave to bring in a bill to regulate the practice in Ireland with regard to the confinement of lunatics and idiots. By the 27th of his present majesty, the poor and the lunatics of Ireland were confined in the I same houses, a practice from which the most distressing inconveniencies had frequently resulted. He wished the appointment of distinct asylums for lunatics and idiots. The existing method of confinement Was only calculated for malefactors, but not for lunatics. Proper care cannot be taken of lunatics without separate institutions. He had therefore to propose a bill for establishing an asylum for each of the four provinces to contain 250 patients. These asylums to be in the central towns of the principal counties. The provinces to bear the expence, which is to be imposed by assessment; and a report to be made, from time to time, to the judges of assize, of the management, funds, and whole concerns and situation of the four asylums. He had bestowed much attention, for many years, on this subject, and was persuaded that the measure he was about to propose, was one which the situation of the public institutions in Ireland loudly demanded. Accordingly, he concluded by moving for leave to bring in a Bill for establishing Provincial Asylums for Lunatics and Idiots in Ireland.
§ Colonel Bagwell ,in seconding the mo- 67 tion, thanked the hon. baronet for the pains he had taken to examine into the subject in question. There was a necessity for the asylums. He went once to the gaol o Clonmell, to enquire respecting this subject; from the bellowing and hideous noise of the lunatics there, the ordinary sick were prevented from taking their natural rest.—After a short conversation, in explanation o the mode of raising the funds for the Asylums, between Mr. Rose, Sir J. Newport Mr. Corry, and Mr. Foster, leave was giver to bring in the bill.