[Marion, Lady Bell, wife of Sir Charles Bell, Scottish physiologist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Marion Bell') to her husband's 'old Pupil and Friend' Henry Davey of Yarmouth, discussing the publication of his letters to his brother.

Marion Shaw, daughter of Charles Shaw of Ayr, married Charles Bell in 1811. Following the death of her husband in 1842, she lived with her brother the surgeon Alexander Shaw (1804-1890), and their house became a centre of artistic and literary society. The recipient is a former pupil of Bell's at the Hunterian School of Medicine in Great Windmill Street, London, the surgeon Henry William Robert Davey (1798-1870), son of surgeon Henry Sallows Davey (1781-1855) of Beccles. The letter is written on the publication of 'The Letters of Sir Charles Bell, K.H., F.R.S.L. & E.: Selected from His Correspondence with his Brother George Joseph Bell' (1870). 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip from mount adhering to reverse of second leaf. The letter begins: 'Dear Henry Davey – | When I thought of those, to whom these Memorials would be acceptable –, I was not mistaken in clasing Yourself – the old Pupil and friend of my dear Husband among the first. - I thank you sincerely for your kind note. - I have grieved for you and your wife, in the great sorrow that I saw had befallen you.' She continues by observing that in her 'long life' she has 'written few letters, - but of sympathy and bereavements!' Her only hope is that the Daveys 'can both accept gratefully the mercies' that are still around them, including their son. She is sorry to see from Davey's writing that he is 'a sufferer [from arthritis]'. Concerning the book she states that the letters belong to George Joseph Bell, and that '[f]rom many circumstances' connected with his family 'they have been late in appearing; | The Mass of correspondence was so large, that the selection was difficult: to refrain, or to venture, equally so.' Nevertheless she hopes that there is 'enough to show Sir Charles Bell as he was, & which I believe will be precious to The Profession.' The selection of the letters was 'by the surviving daughter of Geo Jos Bell', 'which of course – I superintended, as far as possible. I have not yet recovered the task'. She concludes by stating that she is 'pretty well' in health, 'considering my more than 80 years. I go out seldom. My sister Mrs Haughton lives with me'. From the distinguished autograph collection of the psychiatrist Richard Alfred Hunter (1923-1981), whose collection of 7000 works relating to psychiatry is now in Cambridge University Library. Hunter and his mother Ida Macalpine had a particular interest in the illness of King George III, and their book 'George III and the Mad Business' (1969) suggested the diagnosis of porphyria popularised by Alan Bennett in his play 'The Madness of George III'.