Genre:

Letter, Spoof

Subjects:

Mental Illness, Hospitals, Amusement, Human Development, Music

    Discusses a report in The Times of the Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum Christmas party, at which approximately 600 inmates showed great delight in 'Nigger Minstrels' and a 'troupe of Chinese jugglers'. Does not think that it is surprising that the Chinese performers should delight the 'demented and insane', but is puzzled by the fact that the inmates also enjoyed quadrille bands. Concludes by asking, 'What philosopher will dare to propose a solution of this apparent fact in psychology?'.