I entirely concur with Dr. Putnam in the utter unfitness of the Winthrop Farm as a situation for an insane asylum. (Signed) CHAS. E. WARE. I fully concur in the views expressed by Drs. Putnam, Reynolds, Storer and Ware as to the location of the new lunatic asylum. (Signed) GEO. HAYWARD. I believe that the Codman Estate is much better adapted in all respects for the location of the City Lunatic Hospital than either the Winthrop Farm or Breed's Island. (Signed) FRANCIS MINOT. If a new insane asylum be deemed to be actually necessary, I have no hesitation in expressing my opinion that the Codman Estate, so-called, in Dorchester, is in many important respects preferable as a site for the treatment and comfort of the patients to the proposed location at Winthrop. (Signed) GEO. H. LYMAN. Winthrop seems to me a very bleak and inappropriate place for a hospital or asylum. I see no objection to the Codman Estate. I have no hesitation in saying that Winthrop Farm is in every respect unsuitable as a residence for the insane, and Breed's Island equally so, and therefore fully concur in the opinion expressed by Dr. C. G. Putmam and others. (Signed) EDW. H. CLARKE. There is, in my opinion, no question that the Codman Estate is the best place yet named for the location of an insane asylum, if Boston is to be called upon to provide one. Nov. 22, 1869. (Signed) B. E. COTTING. Nov. 22, 1869. The Codman Estate seems to me admirably adapted in all respects as a site for a lunatic hospital. The Winthrop Farms are in my opinion entirely unsuited to such a purpose, and I fully agree with the gentlemen whose opinions precede this note. (Signed) R. W. HODGES. Nov. 20, 1869. The Codman Estate in Dorchester appears to me to offer an admirable site for an insane hospital, and to be preferable in all respects to the others mentioned. (Signed) C. ELLIS, M. D. BOSTON, Nov. 21, 1869. The Codman Estate seems to me admirably adapted as a site for an insane asylum. The Winthrop Farm is far too bleak and difficult of access from the city. (Signed) C. D. HOMANS. BOSTON, Nov. 21, 1869. I am of opinion that the Winthrop Farm is an unfit site for a lunatic hospital. (Signed) GEORGE DERBY. BOSTON, Nov. 21, 1869. In my opinion the three worst places that could be selected for a lunatic asylum building would be, Winthrop, Breed's Island and Minot's Ledge. (Signed) CHARLES E. BUCKINGHAM. In response to an inquiry addressed to Dr. I. T. Talbot, I received the following note: SAMUEL C. COBB, Esq. No. 31 MT. VERNON STREET, DEAR SIR,In reply to your request for my opinion as to which of the three localities, Winthrop Farm, Breed's Island, or the Codman Estate, is best suited for an insane asylum, I would say, that I am familiar with each of the three places, especially with Winthrop Farms, and the Codman Estate. Between these, I should not think any one could hesitate. The former is a barren, desolate place, unsuitable for the proposed asylum. It is entirely destitute of trees and shrubbery, and owing to direct exposure to the ocean gales, no amount of expenditure could make them flourish. If a costly structure should be erected there, it is very doubtful if it could be occupied except in the warm season, and would soon become a monument of the stupendous folly of its originators. The Codman Place is, on the contrary, one of the finest sites in the vicinity of Boston. The air of that locality has long been noted for its salubrity, both in summer and winter; the views are extensive and varied; the grounds, already adorned with fine trees, may, with small expense, be made very attractive. There are many pleasant walks and drives in the immediate neighborhood, and altogether this location presents rare and unusual advantages for such an institution. I am, very sincerely, (Signed) I. T. TALBOT. |