THE acquisition of enormous sums of money is no guarantee against ill health and certainly does not bring tranquillity of mind. Ask Alan Bond, the vastly wealthy but failed Australian tycoon, this week sentenced to three years due to what his lawyer described as "a passion for art". You may ask Mr Bond but he might well be unable to give a coherent answer. Bond's lawyers, who will appeal the verdict, told the court that their client's heart problem and high blood pressure had affected his brain chemistry. His IQ has apparently slipped from 150 to 90, making it difficult for him to recall details of his labyrinthine business transactions.

Sceptics will recall the somewhat similar illness of former Guinness head Ernest Saunders, jailed for his role in a share rigging operation, and his remarkable restoration to full health on release.

The court found that Bond abused his position - as director of Bond Corporation, enabling a private company to buy the Manet impressionist - painting, La Promenade, for £5 million less than market value. The painting was later sold for £8 million. But have some sympathy. After all he was only in it for the Manet!