New York, 11th month, 3d, 1820. RESPECTED FRIEND,

I am extremely desirous of obtaining some inform-
ation of an establishment at Aversa

, near Naples,
which, I am told, is solely for the accommodation of
Lunatics. As I have no acquaintance with any per-
son residing at Naples, from whom I could procure
the information wanted, I applied to my friend,
Stephen Grellet, who immediately mentioned to me
thy name, and stated, from his personal acquaint-
ance, he was well assured of thy benevolence and
kindness, and that I might take the liberty of address-
ing a letter to thee on the subject of my inquiry. This,
I hope, will be kindly received, as an apology for my
taking this freedom.

It is said, that the mode of treatment towards the
patients at Aversa

, is replete with tender and affec-
tionate care and attention, in place of the harsh, cruel,
and rigorous treatment, that has heretofore been
administered towards Lunatic patients. This mode,
called moral treatment, has been pursued with great
success, at an Asylum called the Retreat, near York,
(England,) under the care of the society of Friends,
for the accommodation of the members of their own
society. Near this city we have just completed a
large handsome building, exclusively for Lunatics,
which will accommodate more than 200 patients;
attached to it is about eighty acres of land, orna-
mented with extensive gravel walks, shrubberies,
gardens, green-house, &c. Here it is intended to
employ the patients in Horticulture and Agriculture,
also to afford them every rational amusement. I
have been one of the governors of the New York
Hospital for many years; and about four years ago,
introduced to them, a proposition to establish an
Asylum about six miles from the city, solely for
Lunatic Patients, on the plan of moral treatment,
as pursued at the Retreat near York.