| Description Of Item | Illustration from the collection of Alexander Morison. Plate 67 of Morison’s 'The Physiognomy of Mental Diseases' (1840). Unsigned [Alexander Johnston]. Sitter Jonathan Martin.
Portrait of J. M., aged 52.
'This man was tried and found guilty of arson and felony, but acquitted on the ground of insanity. He had been an excellent workman as a tanner, and had conducted himself to the satisfaction of his employers; he had also been at sea; he was considered sober, honest, and industrious; conversed with propriety on most subjects with the exception of religion; when this subject was introduced he became excited, and said that an angel, sent from the Almighty, had ordered him to set fire to the cathedral, in order to cause the clergymen to think of their ways, which he condemned, adding, that he would do it again if he had his liberty; this delusion continued till his death, which took place in May, 1838.
He died of bronchial inflammation; his brain exhibited marks of determination of blood, with slight effusion of serum.' |