‘In the spring of the year 1792, William Tuke made the
memorable proposition to a meeting of the Society of
Friends held in York, that it should have an institution under
its own control, for the care and proper treatment of those
who ‘laboured under that most afflictive dispensation – the
loss of reason’. But the proposition was far from meeting, in the first instance, with a cordial response. Some of
the speakers denied the want of any such institution; others
maintained that it was entirely out of the province of such
an assembly to enter into a consideration of the subject; and
the greater part manifested (what might naturally have been
expected) little acquaintance either with the extent to which
insanity existed, or with the actual condition of the insane.
A small number, however, including his eldest son, and the
well-known grammarian, Lindley Murray, warmly seconded the
proposal. At the subsequent conferences on the subject much
fresh evidence, which had been collected, was earnestly put
forward, and at length the non-contents were satisfied, and
allowed the following resolution to be carried: ‘That in case
proper encouragement be given, ground be purchased, and a
building be erected sufficient to accommodate thirty patients,
in an airy situation, and at as short a distance from York as
may be, so as to have the privilege of retirement; and that
there be a few acres for keeping cows, and for garden ground
for the family, which will afford scope for the patients to
take exercise when that may be prudent and suitable’ – a
resolution which indicates, very clearly, the enlightened benevolence of its authors. This was also evinced by the name proposed for the establishment – “The Retreat” – by which it
was “intended to convey the idea of what such an institution should be, namely a place in which the unhappy might
obtain a refuge; a quiet haven in which the shattered bark
might find the means of reparation, or of safety’’.’
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