^∗ This question of English patients in foreign asylums was thus referred to by Lord Shaftesbury in his examination before the Parliamentary Committee of 1869:Google Scholar “12. Mr. Coningham. Are not a great many patients taken abroad ?—Yes; I understand that of late a certain number have been taken abroad, both single patients and others who would have been in the licensed houses; it has not been to any great extent, but still to a greater extent than I should desire to see.Google Scholar “13. You have no check over that?—We have no check over that, although the law of the country to which they may go is sometimes very stringent.Google Scholar “14. Have you any reason to suppose that there is that kind of superintendence over the patients who are taken abroad, which you say is requisite?—Yes; there is very considerable nominal inspection and authority exercised over them. All those things appear upon paper, and if you read the accounts of the system under which lunacy is governed in France, you would think that nothing could be more perfect; but when one comes to examine into the matter, I think it is very doubtful whether it is so. I had heard a great deal about foreign asylums, hut when I examined into them, I thought them wonderfully inferior to our own, and very deficient ill things that we in this country consider to be absolutely necessary.”Google Scholar