[John Manning, Norwich physician.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J Manning') to Philip Bowes Broke of Broke Hall, regarding an 'interval of Sanity' in the 'state of mind' of James Bobbet, with reference to 'Dr: Venn'.

See Manning's entry in Munk's Roll. The recipient was father of 'Broke of the Shannon', the naval hero Admiral Sir Philip Bowes Vere Broke (1776-1841). 1p, foolscap 8vo. On aged and worn paper, with tide staining at one edge, which is repaired with archival tape, and thin strip of paper from mount on the blank reverse. Addressed at foot to 'Ph: B: Broke Esqr: | Broke's Hall | Near Ipswich'. The letter reads: 'Sir | after three examinations of James Bobbet it appears that he is in a much more composed state of mind at Present then when he was at Ipswich, inshort so much so, that we apprehend this to be an interval of Sanity; for this reason the Governors of Bethel would be very glad to know his state when Dr: Venn attended him and have therefore desired me to entreat of you Sir, that you would Procure for them this information from the Doctor | I am Sir your most obedient | Servant J Manning'. 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'.