Memorial to the late Earl of Lonsdale - Cumberland and Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions

Memorial to the late Earl of Lonsdale

MEMORIAL TO THE LATE EARL OF LONSDALE
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[from the Westmorland Gazette].

Our readers are of course aware that the erection of a testimonial to the
memory of this venerated nobleman has been for some time past mooted among
the magistrates and leading gentlemen of the neighbouring county, and that a
subscription for this purpose has been set on foot, and already amounts to a
considerable sum. A difficulty has, however, existed with regard to the
style and character of the intended memorial. Many persons who would yield
to none in respect and attachment to the memory of the late Earl of
Lonsdale, would yet hesitate to record their admiration and gratitude in the
customary form of monumental brass or marble, or any other shape which,
however noble as a work of art, would not, in keeping with the character of
the deceased nobleman, combine practical utility with magnificence. Pillar,
or pyramid, or mausoleum, might arrest the attention and admiration of the
passing traveller, but the benevolent utilitarian [it is no fault of ours if
spurious and cold-hearted philosophy has made the word nauseous] must give
the preference over them to any memorial which shall perpetuate the
philanthropy of a great and good man in the expression of admiration for it.
It is also a very obvious suggestion that the memory of the late Earl has
equal claims upon the frank and manly people of both counties; and it is
with unfeigned pleasure that we announce the suggestion and progress of a
plan which will unite the inhabitants of Cumberland and Westmorland in the
construction of a work of the greatest general utility, and which shall at
the same time make the virtues of the dead.

"Smell sweet, and blossom in the dust."

At a meeting of the magistrates of this county, on Saturday last, the
subject of the erection of a suitable memorial to the late Earl of Lonsdale
was introduced by Mr. Wilson of Casterton Hall. In an address characterised
by deep feeling and impressiveness, the venerable speaker advocated the
establishment of an institution -- the want of which has long been felt in
the two counties == an institution for the benefit of the most unfortunate
of all sufferers, the subjects of the most awful calamity that can befall
humanity -- the loss of reason. A singular fact was stated on this
occasion, and it is a mystery which there appears to be no means of
unravelling - at least we never heard any attempt at its solution - that
there is a larger proportion of sufferers from this calamity in the couties
of Cumberland and Westmorland than in any other part of the kingdom.

Be that as it may, the district has long wanted a lunatic asylum, and great
inconvenience has been felt from the necessity of transferring insane
patients from all parts of the two counties to the distant asylums of
Dumfries, Newcastle, or Lancaster, and much additional expense has been
incurred, to say nothing of the injury or inconvenience to the unhappy
sufferers themselves.

The erection of an asylum within the two counties, it was stated by Mr.
Wilson, had been the wish of the late Earl of Lonsdale, and there could be
no doubt that if the noble lord could have been present on that occasion,
this benevolent and useful object would have had his warm concurrence and
support.

The subject, therefore, has long been a matter of consideration at different
intervals, and this desirable object would have been accomplished ere now if
some combining feeling could have been found which would subdue the master
difficulty - the enormous expense. This occasion seems now to have
arisen, and we have no doubt that, with the cordial co-operation of the
leading men of both counties, an institution will arise which will at the
same time be a worthy tribute to the public and private virtues of the late
Earl of Lonsdale, and a noble monument of the public spirit of the sister
counties.

We are glad to announce that an example of distinguished munificence has
already been set by two gentlemen in this immediate neighbourhood, JAMES
GANDY, Esq. of Heaves Lodge, and JOHN WAKEFIELD, Esq., of Sedgwick, who, at
the meeting last Saturday, each declared his intention to give the sum of
£500 in aid of this valuable undertaking. A lady, whose name does not at
present appear, has also announced a contribution of £190 towards the same
object.

The subject is to be further considered at the Christmas Sessions both of
Cumberland and Westmorland.
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