mane treatment of insane
persons, which allows them to follow their ordinary callings and
pursuits, that nearly all the in-door work of many lunatic asylums is
now performed by the patients.

Thus at Hanwell there are lunatic gardeners who keep their parterres and
greenhouses in a most rational state of order and neatness, and we have
not heard that the cracked violinist, to whose music his poor companions
are allowed to dance, is in the habit of mixing up "Pop goes the Weasel"
with the Dead March in Saul, or committing any similar instrumental
vagary, as many might expect. Encouraged by the success of the
gardening, washing, ironing, tailoring, and other experiments, the
Directors of this noble establishment have recently attempted to extend
this employment of the insane to the higher branches of household
economy--including the great mystery of the kitchen.

But insane cookery, to judge of the specimens of the Hanwell _cuisine_
which are now before us, does not seem likely to turn out so well as the
simpler arts to which the presence of the wits does not appear
absolutely indispensable. It is to be feared that the digestions of the
inmates of the asylum might be seriously impaired by such dishes as the
following:--

_Soufflet a la Bombardino._

Take three-quarters of a pound of Dorking lime, two ounces of the best
saltpetre, and a coffee-cup full of tin tacks. Beat well together with a
whisk, bake for seven minutes and a quarter; add a few horse-chestnuts,
a handful of cow's hair, and a gill of lemon juice. If the cook be a
dissenter, or have secretly married the butler, the lemon juice may be
omitted.

_Apoplectic Jelly._

Take four hundred kangaroo's eggs, and when the water is hot simmer
gently, stirring in dandelion leaves one by one: strain all through a
thin deal board, and set it by in a pint basin to cool. This will keep
for any length of time (if DR. CONOLLY is not allowed to look at it),
and will serve as a vegetable for sick people or young children. If not
sweet enough, add some indigo and a pound of steel-filings.

_Oltenitza Pudding._

Take some old Russia duck and shred it in a stew-pan with as much water
as you can pour in without putting the fire out. When the feathers are
loose pluck them out carefully, and mince with forced meat for garnish.
Put in half a tablespoonful of salt, a bunch of chopped straw, and a
little grated pumice-stone, then add the rice. Sweeten to your taste,
dress with