These events form a most important feature in the history of Britain; but to general history we must leave them, as the recovery of the King early in the ensuing year rendered it unnecessary then to put into practice those constitutional principles which have since been acted upon, in spite of the clamours of faction, and to an extent which has strengthened the constitution itself, without derogating from the sovereign authority, or giving an undue weight to the influence of the people.

We may just observe, however, that the leaders of the two great parties saw the prospect of the royal recovery through two very different mediums. Those who imagined the disorder incurable were sustained in this opinion by Dr. Sir George Warren; whilst the adherents of Pitt were confirmed in opposite sentiments by Dr. Willis: two physicians, in whose contradictory prognostics and apprehensions each party implicitly relied.

Public report did not scruple, though unjustly, to accuse the former of leaning too much towards party; but the latter, brought from a distant county to attend his sovereign under his severe disorder, and having been peculiarly conversant in that species of disease, boldly and early asserted, that he entertained scarcely any doubts of His Majesty's perfect re-establishment at no remote period: and the event fully justified his assertion.

1789.

A

very short period, probably not exceeding three days, must have completed the bill then before parliament, which was to declare the incapacity of the sovereign to conduct the national affairs, and to transfer the sceptre, though with diminished influence, to his son. The members of administration were on the point of resigning their charges, and a new ministry, already settled, were prepared to enter on office; whilst the British nation, fondly attached by every sense of loyalty and affection to their monarch, as well as from gratitude and esteem for the prime minister, looked on in dejection and silence, and certainly with very little satisfaction, at seeing the government transferred to men, who, whatever abilities or talents they might collectively or individually possess, neither merited nor enjoyed the general approbation and confidence, though such was loudly and imprudently asserted by a portion of the public press.

But a change took place: the disorder under which the King had suffered during three months, its violence appearing hitherto to baffle all medical skill and exertion, now gradually but permanently subsided.*

One instance of this was, that one day His Majesty desired to have £400. from his privy purse. He divided it into different

It is recorded, that on the twenty-second of February, 1789, Mr. Pitt and Lord Melville were dining with Lord Chesterfield, when a letter was brought to the former, which he read; and, sitting next to Lord Melville, gave it to him under the table, and whispered, that when he had looked at it, it would be better for them to talk it over in Lord Chesterfield's dressing-room. This proved to be a letter in the King's own hand, announcing his recovery to Mr. Pitt in terms somewhat as follow:

"The King renews with great satisfaction his communication with Mr. Pitt, after the long suspension of their intercourse, owing to his very tedious and painful illness. He is fearful that during this interval the public interests have suffered great inconvenience and difficulty.

"It is most desirable that immediate measures should be taken for restoring the functions of his government; and Mr. Pitt will consult with the lord chancellor to-morrow morning upon the most expedient means for that purpose; and the King will receive Mr. Pitt at Kew afterwards, about one o'clock,"

sums, wrapping them up in separate papers, upon which he wrote the names of persons to whom he had been accustomed to make monthly payments, with perfect accuracy and precision. His Majesty then wrote down the different sums, with the names annexed, cast up the whole, as he formerly used to do, and ordered the money to be paid immediately, it being then due.

There could be no hesitation on the part of Mr. Pitt; but holding first the necessary conference with the chancellor, he waited upon the King at the appointed time, and found him perfectly of sound mind, and in every respect as before his illness, competent to all the affairs of his public station. This was the first notice in any way which Mr. Pitt received of this most important event. The reports of the physicians had indeed been of late more favourable; but Lord Melville verily believed there was not a man, except Dr. Willis, who entertained the smallest hope of the restoration of the King's mind. Mr. Pitt continually declared this opinion to Lord Melville, and they had both determined to return to the bar, as the dissolution of ministry was then on the point of taking place.

The letter in question Lord Melville took from Mr. Pitt, saying he had a trick of losing papers, and furnished him only with a copy, the original remaining in his lordship's possession. The King wrote the letter at a little table of the Queen's, which stood in his apartment, without the knowledge of any person; and having finished, rang his bell, and gave it to his valet de chambre, directing it to be carried immediately to Mr. Pitt.

But His Majesty had given proofs of approaching sanity previous to this in conversations with his attendants. In one of these, a Captain Manners was mentioned. His Majesty said, "Let him come

in; he is not only Manners, but good Manners." A looking-glass, in a pier, between two windows, had been covered with green cloth to prevent the King's seeing how greatly he. was emaciated. The King asked the reason of the green cloth being put there. The answer was, "To prevent the reflection of too much light." His Majesty said, "How can that be, when it is from the light?”

Sanity of mind and reason thus resumed their seat, and left no trace of their temporary subversion. Time confirmed the cure, and restored to his subjects a prince rendered supremely and peculiarly dear to them by the recent prospect and apprehension of his loss.

The demonstrations of national joy now far exceeded any recorded in the British annals, and were probably more real and unfeigned than ever were offered on similar occasions. No efforts of despotism or mandates of absolute power could have produced the illuminations and other demonstrations of loyalty which the whole nation displayed. Proofs of attachment were renewed, and even augmented in the capital, when His Majesty and the royal family went in solemn procession to St. Paul's, to return thanks for his recovery.

In recording a few anecdotes connected with this unhappy illness, we must not forget that of Lord Thurlow, then lord chancellor, who, when pressed to consent to the claims made for a hasty regency,