The Tewksbury affair of 1883, stands a disgrace to the New England States, who had so long prided themselves on their many public charitable institutions, and which have, without question, been an honor to her people.

I am sorry to say they are not all perfect, as I learned from the lips of a young man in this hotel, who looked as if he were going home to die.  He had been waiting some weeks in the Boston City Hospital, until the warm weather should make his journey less dangerous in his weak state.  “If I should live a hundred years, I should never get that hospital off my mind,” were his words, as he lay back in his chair looking so sad; “a disagreeable, unkind nurse, a cold ward, and miserable food.”  His words touched a responsive chord in my heart, for my experiences had been similar to his; I can never forget them.

Let me here entreat the ladies, wherever this book may be read, that they take this work upon themselves.  Rise up in your own strength, and solicit the Governor to appoint you as Commissioners, as you are over your Old Ladies’ Homes.  If the Governor has the authority or power to appoint those who now form the Board of Commissioners of the Provincial Lunatic Asylum, he can surely invest you with the same title, and you will not any longer allow your fellow-sisters to be neglected by those who cannot understand the weakness or the misfortunes that have brought them under the necessity of being protected by the public.

Before leaving Fredericton, I called at the Government House to lay my case before His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, hoping to awaken his sympathy in our cause, and urge him to call an early meeting of the Board.  I was so anxious to return to the care of those poor feeble women I had left in the Asylum; so anxious to right their wrongs, I could not be restrained by friend or foe from finishing this work so near my heart.  Some of my friends really believe me insane on the subject.  There are those who can apply this to themselves, and others whose kindness and hospitality I shall ever remember with grateful pleasure.  They will none of them doubt the truth of this statement.

Governor Wilmot did not doubt me.  He received me very kindly, as did also his good lady.  After conversing with him on the subject until I felt I ought not trespass any longer on his time, I rose to leave, and at the door expressed a wish for a bunch of lilacs that grew in great abundance on large bushes interspersed with trees, and which made the grounds look very beautiful.  He gathered me a bunch with his own hand, for which I felt thankful and highly honored; as we walked together I told him my father’s name.  “Lewis Huestis,” said he, “I knew him well.”  I had not known that, but I did know that Wilmot had always been an honored name in my father’s house.  When bidding him good-bye, I again referred to the old subject, by saying, “I have lost my home and business by the fire; my sons are scattered abroad in the world