ASYLUM

The case to which the present item refers is the subject of Chapter 16 of Nicola Sly's 'Herefordshire Murders' (2010). The trial of Charles Sanders for the wilful murder of the thirty-two month-old Walter Steers, before Mr Justice Day, opened at the Herefordshire Winter Assizes on 3 December 1891. He was found guilty and hanged at the end of the month. The present item is from the papers of Sanders defence barrister, Richard Harington (the future 12th Baronet, of Ridlington), whose 'impassioned speech in favour of his client' was not enough to save him from the gallows.

The Duke was the head of the Committee in charge of the Royal Naval Asylum, which had been founded as the British National Endeavour in 1798, for the orphans of military and naval personnel killed in action. It had moved from Paddington to the Queen's House, Greenwich, in October 1807, having received a large amount of public support (including that of Lord Nelson), and was responsible for upwards of 1000 boys and girls. 3pp., 4to. Bifolium. On aged paper, with damp damage resulting in some loss (including a little text). Repaired with archival tape.

Seventeen uncommon items, all but the last in 8vo, and all bound into a sturdy modern black cloth binding. Typed list of contents laid down on front pastedown. In good condition, on lightly aged and worn paper, with occasional damage to wraps. Shelfmarks, labels and stamp of the Science and Art Department Educational Library and Board of Education Reference Library, London. Most in their original printed coloured wraps.

366pp., narrow folio (16 x 40 cm). 43 lines to the page. In original vellum binding, with covers ruled in blue. On front cover printed label of 'PERKS & LLEWELLYN, | Dispensing & Family Chemist, | HIGH STREET, HITCHIN.' Marbled edges and endpapers. First leaf with 5 cm closed tear. Written out in black ink, in two or three different hands, with the granting of credit recorded in red. Containing a mass of information about local history, product and price. Early entries are stamped with date, later entries have date written out.

11pp., 12mo. Stitched. With stamp, shelfmarks and labels of the Board of Education Reference Library. Scarce: no copy in the British Library, and the only copy on COPAC in the library of the Royal College of Surgeons.

These volumes bear tragic testimony to a diseased mind. A native of Argentina, Hume saw service in the First World War with the 1st County of London Yeomanry at Gallipoli, before transferring to the Royal Flying Corps (66 Squadron, RFC and RAF). In May 1917, while on his second patrol, he was shot down over France. It was while incarcerated in several POW camps (he escaped from one) that Hume's mental illness appears to have begun to manifest itself, and he was exchanged for German prisoners in August 1918.

1p., 12mo. Good, on aged paper. The letter reads: 'The Dowr. Lady Sligo presents her Compliments to Mr. Shewell, & begs earnestly to solicit his Votes for Henry Jennings at the Election for the Idiot Asylum in April, 1854 - | Lady Sligo can recommend Henry Jennings as a member of a very poor & industrious family -'.

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. In very good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Docketed on reverse of second leaf 'Memo[i]r for the Lord Provost as to the Magdalene Assylum [sic]'. Lothian begins by explaining that he was informed a year before by 'one of the female Managers of the Assylum' that the Lord Provost 'wished to have from him an Account of the then state of that House'. He would have 'cheerfully furnished' him with one had he not been under the misapprehension that the treasurer Mr Waugh was going to do so.

366pp., narrow folio (16 x 40 cm). 43 lines to the page. In original vellum binding, with covers ruled in blue. On front cover printed label of 'PERKS & LLEWELLYN, | Dispensing & Family Chemist, | HIGH STREET, HITCHIN.' Marbled edges and endpapers. First leaf with 5 cm closed tear. Written out in black ink, in two or three different hands, with the granting of credit recorded in red. Containing a mass of information about local history, product and price. Early entries are stamped with date, later entries have date written out.

Folio, 4 pp. Bifolium. On laid paper. The drophead title (of which the start is quoted above) runs to 14 lines. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Printed in double column. Yeoman signs in type at the end of the document, which contains three reports, each signed in type by the chairman of the committee which produced it: Mauleverer for the Visiting Justices; Lockwood for the Finance Committee; and Johnstone for the Committee of Visitors of the Noth and East-Ridings' Lunatic Asylum.

4to, 2 pp. 23 lines. Text clear and complete. Very good on lightly-aged paper. Reporting the 'record character' of the 'financial result of the recent Anniversary Festival', and thanking Harmsworth for his 'great personal interest in the Festival which has led to the Funds of the Institution being so considerably increased' and 'splendid service', and requesting permission for his 'name to be thus permanently connected wtih the Charitable Work which your kind efforts have so very materially advanced'.

Handbill, 20 x 25cm, laid down on another piece of paper, glue showing through in patches, mainly good. The first resolution commences That this Meeting has learned with surprise and regret of the violent expulsion of Victor Hugo and his fellow exiles from Jersey, without charge, without proof, and without trial . . . contrary to the spirit of the Constitution . . . right of asylum . . . trial by jury . . . anti-English . . . despotic ruler of a neighbouring country . . . The second resolution is similar (crime in high places . . .

Printed text: 8vo, 2 pp. Engraving: 8vo, with dimensions of image roughly 7 x 12 cm. Disbound. Text and engraving good, on aged paper. Printed text: 42 lines on first page; second page with printers slug at foot, beneath which has been subsequently printed a four-line footnbote in copperplate. On the recto Hare boasts that 'the most strict Attention is paid to the Medical, as well as Moral Treatment of the Individuals who are committed to his Care'.

Unbound and stapled. Sixty-four pages. Dimensions of leaf roughly thirteen inches by eight wide. Lithographed facsimile handwriting throughout. Aged and with some wear to extremities, but text clear and entire. 'Clerk of Writ Copy' in red ink manuscript at head of first page. An interesting and informative document, compiled on behalf of the Metropolitan Asylums Board, giving in detail the specifications for builders tendering for the contract for the erection of the new hospital.

12mo: 1 p. On lightly spotted and creased paper. Quintessential doctor's handwriting. He is sorry he cannot be present 'to hear Dr 's paper', and that he cannot find time to write a paper himself. 'The subject is an interesting & important one, & is part of a still larger one <...?> physiologically considered'.

8vo: 47 pp. Disbound. A tight copy, with the text clear and complete, on aged paper with light waterstaining throughout. The title continues: 'To which are added, a sketch of her benevolent exertions in favour of the widow and the orphan. - Comprising the history of the Widows' Society, and the Orphan Asylum; together with the last scenes of her pious life.' WorldCat reveals eighteen copies in American libraries, but scarce in Europe: no copy on COPAC (microfiche at University of Scotland).

Both items clear and entire: good on lightly aged paper. Both addressed, with postmarks, to 'Mrs. Admiral Paterson, East Cosham Cottage, near Portsmouth.' Letter One, to 'My dear Ellen' (4to, 8 pp). Long letter, leaving his sister 'to judge as a reasonable Being whether I do not do every thing that can possibly be expected from me'. He is at present in debt to the tune of £460. Letter Two, to 'My dear Sister' (4to, 4 pp). Another letter dealing with the financial matters of the family. Docketed 'Dr. Yeats most strongly desiring his Sister Mrs.