considered as owing in part to this circumspect behaviour of the physicians, which did not even at the last entirely banish the ray of hope, or preclude the idea that the sovereign might be brought forward. Sir Henry thus shewed himself not less adroit as a courtier than eminent as a physician; and now stands at the acmé of royal favour, as in public estimation."

1812-1820.

The year 1812 opened with very little hopes of the King's resumption of his royal functions; as the report, on the eighth of January, acknowledged the positive continuation of the mental disorder to its former extent; and, though certainly not in a worse state absolutely, yet that all the physicians in attendance then agreed in stating that they considered a final and complete recovery improbable, but under certain modifications of hope or despair as to the possibility of that event.

Still must it be remembered, that at intervals His Majesty was capable, of attending to general politics, and even of giving very just opinions on the probable success of the operations in Spain. Indeed, the physicians agreed that there was no fatuity in His Majesty's case, though his blindness certainly was unfavourable to recovery, because it was thence more difficult to manage him.

At the period in question, also, the consciousness of regal state gave a peculiarity to his complaint, which increased the medical difficulties; yet, upon the whole, his perception was good, though accompanied by a multitude of erroneous floating ideas. His memory too was firm and tenacious: he detailed anecdotes accurately, but could not exercise judgment; his powers of conversation were still strong, but frequently manifested the deep effect which the suppression of royal authority had made upon his mind.

Such was his state when the new arrangements took place; which were, that the household at Windsor should be constituted out of those who had attended His Majesty previous to his illness, with the groom of the stole at the head of the establishment; the vice-chamberlain to act as deputy; four lords and four grooms of the bed-chamber; a master of the robes; and seven equerries; in all twenty-eight. The care of His Majesty, with the superintendence of the household, was left completely to the Queen, to whom was also given ten thousand pounds for extra expenses; whilst the King's household was estimated at one hundred thousand pounds.

In 1813, the fortunate results of the continental warfare once more restored Hanover to the House of Brunswick; but in 1814 it was erected into a kingdom, in order to preserve the balance of diplo

macy with the other German states at the General Diet and soon after the imperial and royal visit to this country took place, an occurrence which would have afforded to the secluded monarch the highest satisfaction, had he been permitted by Providence to enjoy it.

It was said indeed at the time that he was aware of the circumstance, and wished much to see the two royal personages; but his situation would not admit of it, as it was upwards of two years since His Majesty had been shaved. His beard was very long. His usual dress was a silk nightgown, in which, from his age and physical infirmities, he reminded the spectator of the person and appearance of King Lear.

Her Majesty visited him once a-week; but the princesses had not seen him for a considerable time. During the progress of the war the news of the day was read to him, but latterly his want of sight had been further aggravated by total deafness. His small stock of intellectual enjoyment had been thus greatly reduced, as he could no longer hear any news, nor amuse himself with the harpsicord, of which he was very fond, and on which he played with taste. As might be naturally expected, the recovery of Hanover gave him peculiar pleasure. After the battle of Albuera, and before the lancers were introduced into our army, he repeatedly recommended them, and stated, that, in that improvement, the British army would be

complete. His Majesty's memory still continued unimpaired.

It has been mentioned also, that the venerable monarch was once seen administering the sacrament to himself, saying, "This is the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for me, to preserve my body and soul unto everlasting life. I take this, and eat it, in remembrance that Christ died for me, and feed on him with my heart by faith, with thanksgiving." In the same manner he took the wine, saying, "The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for me, and I am thankful;" and concluded with a short prayer During this interesting scene, the gentleman whose turn it was to attend the royal personage was deeply affected with this solemn sight, and by some means made a little noise. The King called out in his usual quick way, "Who is there, who is there?" The person said, "It is I," (mentioning his name) at which the King seemed glad that no other person was present.

In the summer he had some lucid intervals. The Queen desired to be informed when that was the case she was so; and on entering the room, she found him singing a hymn, and accompanying it on the harpsicord. When he had finished it, he knelt down and prayed aloud for Her Majesty, then for his family, and then for the nation, concluding with a prayer for himself, that it might please God to

avert his heavy calamity from him, but give him resignation to submit to it. burst into tears, and his reason again fled.

if not, to

He then

One morning when the passing-bell tolled at Windsor, His Majesty inquired who was dead. His attendants at first did not answer him, but on his repeating the question, they said, "Please your Majesty, Mrs. S―."—" Mrs. S!" rejoined the King: "she was a linen-draper, and lived at the corner ofstreet (naming the street): aye, she was a good woman, and brought up her family in the fear of God-she is gone to Heaven-I hope I shall soon follow her."

We have also seen it stated, that about this time the Princess Elizabeth wrote a letter to a lady in Suffolk, who had formerly been her governess, in which the following sentiments were expressed : "If any thing can make us more easy under the calamity which it has pleased Heaven to inflict on us, it is the apparent happiness that my revered father seems to feel. He considers himself no longer an inhabitant of this world; and often, when he has played one of his favourite tunes, observes that he was very fond of it when he was in the world. He speaks of the Queen and all his family, and hopes they are doing well now, for he loved them very much when he was with them."

On the royal birth-day, in 1815, the statue of His Majesty, which was voted by the corporation