A plain narrative of facts relating to the reception and treatment of Jane Horsman, at the establishment at Clifton, of which Dr. Belcombe and Mr. Mather, are proprietors ; with a few preliminary observations on insanity in general : and some remarks on ... the late trial, Horsman against Bulmer and others / By Alexander Mather.

Mather, Alexander.

Date:: 1819

Credit: A plain narrative of facts relating to the reception and treatment of Jane Horsman, at the establishment at Clifton, of which Dr. Belcombe and Mr. Mather, are proprietors ; with a few preliminary observations on insanity in general : and some remarks on ... the late trial, Horsman against Bulmer and others / By Alexander Mather. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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V Thursday and Friday, Mrs. Faber began to be very pressing; and Mr. Edwin Smith, of Leeds, called twice, as a friend of Mrs. Faber’s, to know if I would proceed or not; and Mrs.. Faber intimated to nie, that if I would not go on, the business must go into his hands. I conceived this would only precipitate measures contrary to what I wished. At length, on Saturday, about two o’clock, 1 mentioned the matter to Dickens, which Mr. Nicoll, in conversation, had suggested might b adviseable —he had still not given his opinion. In mentioning it to Mr. Dickens, could I possibly conceive or suppose, knowing the particular intimacy between him and Dr. Belcombe; and that he was even surety for the house—that he would have acted as he did?- If you reply in the affirmative, then I admit that I am greatly to blame ; but I assure you, that I was still endeavouring (without compromising Mrs. Faber’s object) to effect it with as little unpleasantness as possible to Dr. Belcombe and to you. “ When I found Mr. Dickens’s determination to be what it was, I immediately went to Belcombe, and acquainted him. This was on Saturday, at five. I told Dr. Belcombe distinctly that Mr. Dickens would have her away by force; anti he said, he should go immediately to Sinclair, to consult him. Mr. Dickens then appointed Mrs. Mick]ethwaite to apply at the house at Clifton, for leave to see Miss Horsman. This was done, and refused; and what followed you are doubtless acquainted with. Mr. Nicoll’s opinion I only received to-day; and it was my intention to have shewn it to Dr. Belcombe. Now, I can assure you, my dear Sir, that I do not enter into this explanation from any apprehension of the legal conse¬ quences to result; or any wish to prevent you and Dr. Belcombe from proceeding against either myself, or such of the parties as you may think fit; nor do I call on you to acquit my conduct in the transaction of such blame as may seem to you to attach to it, being myself doubtful whether I had not better have kept out of the affair or not: but all that I am anxious is, that you should not consider this unfortunate occurrence, after your cool de iberation, of such a nature, as for ever to break a friendship which remains on my part, and will

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