[Sir Thomas Lauder Brunton, Scottish physician.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Lauder Brunton') to 'Dr Peirce', i.e. Bedford Peirce, congratulating him on his appointment [as medical superintendent at the Retreat, York].

2pp, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with ink quite faded, and thin strip of paper from mount adhering to the blank second leaf of the bifolium. Folded twice. He begins by expressing pleasure at Peirce's 'appointment' (as medical superintendent at the Retreat, York), also congratulating 'those with whom your duties will bring you in contact'. He thinks he is 'wise to take 6 months in Bethlem'. He asks him to 'look up my old friend Dr Ramsay' when he goes to York. Ramsay is 'a very fine fellow indeed' and Peirce will 'find it a pleasure to know him'. He will send him a card of introduction when his stack is replenished. The letter ends with discussion of the weather. 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'.