SIXTY YEARS IN AN ASYLUM

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13662, 2 September 1916, Page 2

SIXTY YEARS IN AN ASYLUM

STRANGE CAREER. ;.REMAEKABLE IDIOT-GENIUS.' The genius of the Royal Earlswood Institution, James Henry Pullen, has just died. "He has beeii an inmate of tie asylum for over sixty, years, His has been a remarkable case,

•"W,hen admitted he' was only, able to write and -spell the' names' of domestic' objects... He coukl draw,, had a good memory, was; intelligent and anxious to learn,-but'his speech, was very imperfect, and remained so all his life. Tho boy made ■: rapid progress in drawing/learnt carpentry, and became a capable mechanic and draughtsman, developing considerable artistic and scientific ability. ..'-.■

He made models of ships, houses, and many original arid ingenious contrivances, demonstrating such' extraordinary abilities that he wa3 allowed the privilege of a private workshop and a special 'room,in which his pro.ductions were exhibited. .- '■ : His" great achievement was' his model of the .Great Eastern, steamship, which was exhibited at the Fisheries Exhibition, in 1883, and for. which he was awarded a speciat certificate. It is built-up of many thousand parts, all made: by his own hands,, and took a. great part of seven years of his life. Apart: from ita interest as a model, it is a wonderful illustration of patience and perseverance, an unusual characteristic in the mentally defective. King Edward's Interest.

• His, Majesty King Edward;, when Prince of Wales, took great interest in I him, and graciously sent him tusks of ivory to encourage him in producing' his beautiful carvings. He was proud to show, these gifts, and although imperfect speech limited his expression to.'"Present, friend Wales," it was evident .he was conscious of the condescension of his august patron, He was wonderfully' ingenious and skilful in the execution of his various conceptions, so much so as to cause many to doubt that witji such ability he could justly bo .considered to be mentally defective, 'except in his inability to manage his own affairs apart from the fostering care and protection of the institution staff.

.Tie made many of his tools, specially designed for particular .'work, and ac: cumulated a large and valuable collection, including scientific appliances such as condensing and refracting lenses, to aid him-in his work.

Like many mental defectives, he was iuurdiiialcly vain, and to visitors inspecting his works he would assert, with perfect assurance, "Wonderful, 'very clever," at tho same-time eagerly expecting the appreciation and astonishment invariably accorded. , Keen to be conspicuous, life was much gratified to be provided with a seminaval uniform as a reward for his many achievements, and it. was ■'adopted as his usual attire. It harmonised ,with numerous' models of ships, as well as' other 'nautical inclinations,

On occasions,,his love of.show prompted him to..''wear four or five pins and brooches (his own beautiful carvings) in his necktie, which .would.'be fantastically arranged 1 .