last spring, that he can now clearly distinguish objects at the extent of twenty yards. The King, in consequence of this favourable change, has discontinued the use of the large flapped hat which he usually wore, and likewise the silk shade.

"His Majesty's mode of living is now not quite so abstemious. He now sleeps on the north side of the castle, next the terrace, in a roomy apartment, not carpeted, on the ground floor. The room is neatly furnished, partly in a modern style, under the tasteful direction of the Princess Elizabeth. The King's private dining-room, and the apartments en suite, appropriated to His Majesty's use, are all on the same side of the castle.

"The Queen and the princesses occupy the eastern wing. When the King rises, which is generally about half-past seven o'clock, he proceeds immediately to the Queen's saloon, where His Majesty is met by one of the princesses; generally either Augusta, Sophia, or Amelia; for each, in turn, attend their revered parent. From thence the sovereign and his daughter, attended by the lady in waiting, proceed to the chapel in the castle, wherein divine service is performed by the dean, or subdean: the ceremony occupies about an hour. Thus the time passes until nine o'clock; when the King, instead of proceeding to his own apartment, and breakfasting alone, now takes that meal with the Queen and the five princesses. The table is always

set out in the Queen's noble breakfasting-room, which has been recently decorated with very elegant modern hangings; and, since the late improvements by Mr. Wyatt, commands a most delightful and extensive prospect of the Little Park. The breakfast does not occupy half an hour. The King and Queen sit at the head of the table, and the princesses according to seniority. Etiquette in every other respect is strictly adhered to. On entering the room the usual forms are observed, agreeably to rank.

"After breakfast, the King generally rides out on horseback, attended by his equeries: three of the princesses, namely, Augusta, Sophia, and Amelia, are usually of the party. Instead of only walking his horse, His Majesty now proceeds at a good round trot. When the weather is unfavourable, the King retires to his favourite sitting-room, and sends for Generals Fitzroy or Manners to play at chess with him. His Majesty, who knows the game well, is highly pleased when he beats the former, that gentleman being an excellent player.

"The King dines regularly at two o'clock; the Queen and princesses at four. His Majesty visits, and takes a glass of wine and water with them, at five. After this period, public business is frequently transacted by the King in his own study, wherein he is attended by his private secretary, Colonel Taylor.

"The evening is, as usual, passed at cards, in the Queen's drawing-room, where three tables are set out. To these parties many of the principal nobility, &c. residing in the neighbourhood, are invited. When the castle clock strikes ten, the visitors retire. The supper is set out, but that is merely a matter of form, and of which none of the family partake. These illustrious personages retire at eleven o'clock, to rest for the night. The journal of one day is the history of a whole year."

We may here add an anecdote, which states that about this period, when His Majesty was first visited with the distressing calamity of blindness, some of his attendants were conducting him along one of the passages in the castle, when he heard a person moving at one side to stand up out of the way. The King immediately inquired who was there, and was answered by the person. He instantly recognized the voice; and calling the individual by name, said, "I am quite blind." The person could not refrain from tears, and replied, "I am exceedingly sorry, please your Majesty." "But," rejoined the pious monarch, "I am quite resigned; for what have we to do in this world but to suffer, and to perform the will of the Almighty."

1807.

The year 1807 opened with some extraordinary proceedings respecting the Catholic question. To detail its various bearings is unnecessary, but to record the sentiments of the venerable Protestant monarch, upon that question, it is sufficient to insert his reply to the first lord of the treasury, when pressed to consent to bringing in the proposed bill-memorable words! that should be engraven, and, as far as known, will be, in the heart of every loyal Protestant subject.

"My lord, I am one of those that respect an oath. I have firmness sufficient to quit my throne and retire to a cottage, or place my neck on a block or a scaffold, if my people require it; but I have not resolution to break that oath which I took in the most solemn manner at my coronation."

On the twenty-fourth of March, Lord Grenville received a letter from His Majesty, stating that he would be ready to receive his and his colleagues' resignation the following day at noon, when the resignation took place at the Queen's Palace; and at three His Majesty held a private levee, when the new ministers kissed hands on their appoint

ment.

On the twenty-fifth of April, the parliament was most unexpectedly prorogued, by a speech from the

lords commissioners, previous to an intended dissolution, wherein they expressed His Majesty's great anxiety to recur to the sense of his people, whilst the events which had recently taken place were yet fresh in their recollection.

Another female maniac, said to have been a facsimile of Margaret Nicholson, in every thing but the attempt with a murderous weapon, was very troublesome to His Majesty on the twenty-seventh of May, having been waiting about the Queen's Palace for some time on that day; and about five o'clock in the evening, when the King's travelling carriage entered by the iron gate before the palace to wait for His Majesty, she rushed in after it unperceived by the sentries, but, being stopped by the gentleman porter, was prevented from any attempt at outrage. The poor creature had a letter, directed "To the King and Queen."

The last legitimate descendant of the unhappy house of Stuart, in the person of the Cardinal York, or Henry the Ninth, as sometimes called, having made a will previous to his decease, bequeathed to the Prince of Wales two objects on which he had always set a very high value. These were the insignia of the Garter which had been worn by Charles the First, and a valuable ring of very high antiquity, which had been always worn by the kings of Scotland on the days of their coronation. His Majesty no sooner heard of his demise, than,