From Shrewsbury, admitted April 4th, 1822. This imaginary great man was
no other, as he firmly believed, than his Grace the Duke of Shrewsbury.
He had been an upholsterer, but failed in business, and this misfortune
is thought to have caused his derangement. The poor fellow had been
in a private mad-house in the country, where he seemed to have been
treated with great violence, for his body was covered with bruises, and
his ancles and the small parts of his legs severely cut with cords and
manacles.
He maintained for a long time his ducal dignity by a very pompous
deportment; and when his keepers would greet him with “how does your
Grace, this morning?” he would turn about with a highly consequential
air, and answer with dignified condescension and coolness, “passing
well.” He was extremely filthy in his person, and for a long time
highly deranged: but he at length changed his attachment to nobility,
abandoned his dukedom, and became “plain John Dicken,” as he would say.
He was for ever talking of the Hon. Grey Bennett, as his most intimate
friend and companion; and though he had relinquished his nobility,
he assumed to the last great consequence. He seemed to have a large
share of natural front, considered himself of high importance, was
continually writing letters, whenever he could procure paper, and no
man could be less susceptible of his state of mental disorder, from its
commencement.
The following is a specimen of his epistolary style, dated 7th July
1822.
“My dear loving Wife:
“This comes with my best duty, love, and affection, for your dear
children and mine, and to assure you of my perfect recovery from
the dangerous malady that affected me; and to tell you that the
Almighty restored me to reason immediately after you left me, as if
your presence had charms. I was much vext at your not saying you
were going home, and your leaving me so abruptly. My prayers is
continually about you, night and morning, on my pillow: and I am also
broken hearted about you and my dearest children.
“Pack up all your goods and send them to the house in But’s Row, if
not taken by any one else. Get Mr. Robert O. K. Y. to take D.’s house
in the Market-place, late C----ks, and get a lease of it. I should
like that house much, as I could open a grocer’s and tea-dealer’s
shop, with millinery and confectionary. Pack up all my papers, and
buy a trunk, in which, with my linen and clothes, send to Mr. Thos.
L--w--e; and purchase me a new suit of blue and black, with blue
pantaloons and black silk waistcoat. Let these be forwarded by you
immediately, and I shall send you some money to bring you and all
your family to London in a few days. My children must all come: I
long to see them, and be sure to be punctual in all things I have
said.
“Your loving and affectionate, &c.”
The next is addressed to his brother-in-law.
“Dear Brother-in-law:
“I am happy, and restored to reason. Call upon Mr. O----,
tobacconist, in Fleet Market: tell him to send me some best tobacco,
snuff, and segars, with two boxes; and tell him I should be happy to
see him, on Monday morning, from ten to twelve, with you; and bring
me also a few buns and cakes, paper a quire, pens and inkhorn, also
a writing portable desk; and some stockings and a new hat is also
wanted, a few shillings for pocket-money: about twenty shillings to
get tea and sugar, &c. Pray be punctual: bring your wife, and desire
Mr. H--g--t, Hemmings Row, St. Martin’s Lane, to call on me.
“Your Friend and Brother-in-law,
“I.T.L.”
“N.B. I will write you a check on Monday, to get money sufficient for
all you want.”
This patient was discharged cured, on the 25th July 1822.