[Johann Georg Zimmermann, Swiss philosopher, naturalist and physician to Frederick the Great .] Autograph Letter Signed ('Zimmerman.' [sic]), in French, to 'Monsieur le General Grenville', suggesting treatment for his 'melancolie'.

3pp, 4to. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged. With thin strip of paper attached to reverse of second leaf, which is addressed, with seal in red wax, to 'Monsieur le General Grenville.' He begins by reassuring him, and condoling with him over his excessive sufferings ('vous en souffrés excessivement'), and continues: 'Votre oppressions paroit etre nerveuse, et elle dévient [sic] plus considerables a mésure que vous vous en saupés dâvantage. Si vous pouviés jetter cette idée comme je puis jetter ma Perruque, vous series content et tranquille.' He suggests 'Le guajac […] melé avec la crème de Tartre' and 'La Podre de James'. He ends by warning: 'Votre melancolie sera dissipée des que vous serés à quelque miles d'ici. Mais si vous ne la combattés pas vigoureusement, elle se mettra à cheval avec vous dès que vous ne seres pas saupe fortement'. 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'.