BETHLEM

Anthony Mckenrot's attempt to serve a writ on the captive Napoleon Bonaparte is well-described by Colin Fox ('Napoleon Bonaparte: POW'), in The Journal of the Friends of St Helena, 2016. Mckenrot (also MacKenrot or Mackenroth) who was of German extraction, was a lawyer, merchant and prize agent on the Caribbean island of Tortola, who criticised Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane (1758-1832) for failing to act against a French squadron off the island in 1806. His obsession grew with the years, and his claims of Cochrane's cowardice and financial impropriety became increasingly extravagant.

The subject of the letter is the surgeon Henry William Robert Davey (1798-1870), son of surgeon Henry Sallows Davey (1781-1855) of Beccles, who had studied under Sir Charles Bell at the Hunterian School of Medicine in Great Windmill Street, London. 2pp, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip from mount adhering to the blank reverse of the second leaf. Folded twice. Written in a neat hand. Headed 'To The Governors of The Yarmouth Dispensary'. Reads: 'Gentn. | Having learned that Mr.

1p., 4to. On bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to revese of second leaf, which is endorsed '5. April 1796 | Duke of Leeds.' Folded twice. Reads 'Dear Sir. | The Duke of Rutland & some of his friends being desirous of seeing Bethlem Hospital, I shall be much obliged to you for an order of admittance for His Grace & his Company. | Believe me Dear Sir | very sincerely yours | Leeds.' Richard Clark (1739-1831) was Treasurer of the Royal Hospitals of Bethlem and Bridewell.

Pamphlet: 19pp., small 4to. Stapled pamphlet in cream wraps, with the Hospital's arms printed in gold on front cover. On shiny art paper, with full-page frontispiece, seven illustrations in text, and two maps at rear. Internally in fair condition, lighty-aged; in worn wraps with slight discolouration to the back. Uncommon. No copy at the British Library; four copies on COPAC, all at London libraries (Guildhall; King's College; Bishopsgate; Wellcome); and only one more copy (Yale) on OCLC WorldCat. Programme: 2pp., 4to, on a single leaf. In fair condition, aged and worn, neatly folded.