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XX time has not arrived which calls for the United means of the People to aid in the relief or abatement of personal suffering, caused by the loss or defect of the natural senses, or by mental derangement.

  Provision has already been made by former Legislatures to ameliorate to condition of the Deaf and Dumb. And I now submit to your consideration the inquiry, whether the more numerous cases of Lunacy are not equally entitled to your sympathies and favorable regard, The safety of the People, and of our Towns and Villages, in very many instances, requires the confinement of the Individual, and humanity loudly calls for such appropriate means of relieving and restoring to enjoyment and usefulness, those unfortunate Beings who are bereaved of reason, which means are now not only beyond the reach of the poor and friendless, but can not be commanded by the ordinary ability of our Citizens or Towns, on whom the duty of providing for their support may fall.
  The common Prisons now assigned by Law as the places of restraining the furious Lunatic, are poorly adapted for the purpose, and afford no proper means for that restoration or relief, which the improved skill of the faculty of Medicine, has taught us to consider as efficacious or highly beneficial in numerous cases of this disorder.
  The Parent State, pom which we have separated, has not been unmindful of providing, in connection with the munificence of the Philanthropist, and Institution for the most efficient relief of humanity, suffering under mental derangement and bodily disease.
  It can not escape the most cursory observation, that the largest portion of the present industry of Maine is directed to Agricultural pursuits; and as our timber is distained to be diminished sooner or later to a cosmetic supply, it may be good policy, so far as may be within the means and ability of the State, to encourage the formation of Agricultural Societies
 We can hardly expect that individual efforts alone are