, he determined
on returning, to convert his beautiful villa near Palermo into a Lunatic
Asylum, which received the name of the _Casa dei Matti_; and withdrawing
to a more humble place of abode, he devoted his fortune and energies to
the purpose of carrying out his philanthropic scheme.

Count Pisani himself offered to conduct me over the establishment. After
a short walk we arrived in front of a spacious mansion, the exterior
aspect of which presented nothing differing from that of a handsome
private residence. The windows, it is true, were grated; but the
gratings were so ingeniously contrived that had not my attention been
particularly directed to them, I should not have discovered their
existence. Some represented vine leaves, tendrils, or bunches of grapes;
others were fashioned like the long leaves and blue flowers of the
convolvulus. Foliage, fruit, and flowers were all painted in natural
colors, and it was only from a very near point of view that the artifice
could be detected.

The gate was opened by a man, who, instead of carrying a huge stick or a
bunch of keys (the usual insignia of the porter of a mad house), had a
fine nosegay stuck in the breast of his coat, and in one hand he held a
flute, on which he had apparently been playing when interrupted by our
summons at the gate.

We entered the building, and were proceeding along the corridor on the
ground-floor, when we met a man whom I took to be a servant or messenger
of the establishment, as he was carrying some bundles of fire-wood. On
perceiving us, he laid down his burden, and advancing to Count Pisani,
respectfully kissed his hand. The count inquired why he was not in the
garden enjoying the fresh air and amusing himself with his companions.
"Because," replied the man, "winter is fast coming, and I have no time
to lose. I shall have enough to do to bring down all the wood from the
loft, and stow it away in the cellar." The count commended his
forethought, and the man, taking up his fagots, bowed, and went his way.

This man, the count informed me, was the owner of large estates in
Castelveleruno; but owing to a natural inactivity of mind, and the
absence of any exciting or useful occupation, he sank into a state of
mental torpor, which terminated in insanity. When he was brought to the
_Casa dei Matti_, Count Pisani drew him aside, under the pretense of
having a most important communication to make to him. The count informed
him that he had been ch