Perhaps one of the queerest collections which have ever been exhibited was shown a few days Jago at the Eastern States Exposiin Boston illustrating the artistic mental processes of mentally deranged, and assembled from various insane asylums, Most of the work was fantastical and incredible, although many showed an underlying intelligence and an. extraordinary conception of beauty. Even the most ultra of the ultra modernists were frankly put to share by some of the insane "artists." Among the collection ther was a dolls-house uniquely, propped up on carved wooden legs which were complete with five toes each, toe-nails, ankle bones, calves, and dimples in the knees. 'A jewel box was displayed which "had several American flags, stripes obviously the inspiration of a ruler, and forty-eight stars on each one, carved upon its A crucifix and rosary were made of string with strange knots for beads, which, according to the artist, are secrets which only he and' God understand, One patient submitted a steam engine and flywheel which actually work, another allowed his figure of a woman, to which from time to time he adds small cement balls, to be displayed. Three exquisitely made dolls were the inspiration of a woman who insists that they are persecuting her. The dolls are carefully polished every day with a tooth brush. In contrast to the many fantastic creations were several deautifally made rugs, block weave ing, wall-hangings, basket work, and poster work. One wall hanging, made from black stockings and strips of petticoats, represents a colonial lady making a deep cur tery. toa bewigged gentleman who holds a fan, Scraps from the sewing room were used by one Patient to make unusual circular pillows which resemble giant zinnias, The object of the display was to iludrate how individual and class training may draw out underlying intelligence and serve. to keep the patient from brooding' about his delusions.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.