In the ordinary experience of psychological physicians, whose sphere of observation is largely in private practice and within the walls of an asylum for the middle and higher classes of society, many circumstances arise which do not present themselves, at least with the same distinctness and prominence, to those whose experience may be upon a much more extensive scale, yet almost exclusively among the artisan and pauper classes of the community, in large public institutions. The reports and the disquisitions with which the medical superintendents of these latter establishments enrich, from time to time, the records of psychological medicine need no commendation from individuals; the profession have fixed their value; and it is universally conceded, indeed, that from psychologists and philanthropists alike they justly claim the very highest measure of approval.

Passing from the consideration of the several so-called monomanias, or diseased manifestations of somewhat isolated propensities, we may next consider a more general affection, viz.

In a former number I was led to draw attention to the distinctive meaning of illusions, hallucinations, and delusions, in consequence of the confusion manifested in the medical evidence given at a late celebrated trial, and from observing a like confusion in most of our works on mental medicine. And without entering into the physiological or psychological nature of these phenomena, I endeavoured to point out the plain, simple, and efficient characteristic, that illusions and hallucinations were the morbid phenomena of perception, the former occurring with, the latter without any external or objective cause; and that delusion was the result of morbid conception. In the following remarks, I wish to point out the distinctive features of those faculties whose morbid phenomena are designated by the above three terms, particularly the distinction between sensation and perception; for the confusion existing relative to the phenomena, healthy or morbid of any faculty does and must result from that faculty in its nature and limits being badly and confusedly apprehended, and therefore requiring a further analysis and more decided definition; a confusion which, relative to our subject, has led some in the present day to locate the faculty of perception, independent of sensation, in the nerves and organs of special sense; (see the Annales Psychulogiques.)

On few occasions has the great heart of the public been more deeply moved than by the recent revelations of the Scotch Lunacy Report. The report itself is a document remarkable not only for the information it contains, but for the soundness of opinions which it expresses, and for its general good sense, moderation, and justice. It is excellent, both in matter and manner, and is highly creditable not only to the whole of the Commissioners, whose industry in their vocation it illustrates, and whose opinions it enunciates, but it is so in the highest degree to the particular Commissioner to whom was entrusted the task of drawing it up, and whose enlightened views and wide knowledge on the subject of insanity, our associates will have no difficulty in recognising.

The whole proceedings in this painful case have now been laid before the public, in the form of a Parliamentary return. Little new light, however, is thrown upon the controversy. In an able and severe letter the Visitors of the Surrey Asylum object to the manner and to the private character of the examination instituted by the Commissioners, on the receipt of the anonymous letter. They say it was uncourteous to themselves, and unjust to Mr. Snape; “that it was done extensively by leading questions, a mode of proceeding not admissible in any criminal case, and which the law prohibits as leading to error, rather than truth.’ The Visitors, considering the question to be “essentially of a medical character,” finally decided it for themselves, upon the following evidence, which they invoked for their guidance.