The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7206 pp53-57
13 July 2002

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Letters to the Editor

Jacob Bell

Electoral bribery rife in Bell's time

From Dr J. G. L. Burnby, FRPharmS

As a member of the British Society for the History of Pharmacy I found Robert Blyth's article on Jacob Bell of considerable interest (PJ, 29 June, p919). I have in my possession a letter of Jacob Bell which was given to me by Sir Hugh Linstead. It reads:

15 Langham Place April 16, 1851 Sir, Having been suffering under the persecution of a vindictive Alderman my attention has been distracted from answering letters except those of immediate urgency. The conspiracy against me having failed in its object I take the earliest leisure opportunity of informing you that what you ask me to send you would be of no value. Nevertheless, courtesy demands that I should acknowledge the receipt of your letter Anil [sic] 12. I am yours obedtly [sic] Jacob Bell I J Lamb Esq.

Sir Hugh believed that Mr Lamb was an autograph hunter but I am doubtful of this explanation. He also added that the "vindictive Alderman" must have been Sir Robert Carden, his opponent in the 1850 by-election in St Albans. Electoral bribery was rife in the first half of the 19th century and occurred in many places, for example, in Derby.

Juanita Burnby
Matlock, Derbyshire

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