Encouraged by the success of the system, commenced in the year 1850, of associating at the dinner meal the male pauper patients of the Cornwall Lunatic Asylum, then under my superintendence, I ventured soon after my appointment at Colney Hatch, in September, 1852, to recommend here a far more extended association of the patients of both sexes in the hall hitherto used for occasional recreation, and which, from its dimensions and contiguity with the kitchen, appeared to offer especial advantages for carrying out such an experiment upon a large scale. After consultation with my colleagues upon the subject, I urged upon the Visiting Justices the following arguments in favour of the measure:—

1. 1. The moral, social, and curative results likely to accrue.

2. 2. Relief to the patients from the usual monotony and routine of the establishment.

3. 3. Increased facilities afforded both to magistrates and officers for inspecting the patients.

4. 4. Improved ventilation in the wards, especially in hot weather.

5. 5. Removal of the knives, &c., from the store-rooms and sculleries of the wards.

6. 6. The more rapid conveyance of the provisions, whilst hot; and the better working of the establishment generally.