Whitehall, Nov. 20th, 1788.
MY DEAR BROTHER,
The accounts which Pitt received last night are more favourable
than any which have yet been sent. They stated particularly, that
during the whole course of yesterday the King was more composed,
and with less incoherency in his conversation, than he has been at
any period during the last fortnight. The opinion which I mentioned
to you yesterday prevents my being very sanguine with respect to
the _uniform_ continuance of these symptoms; but it is certainly no
light confirmation of that opinion to observe this sort of
fluctuation; and it is a pleasant circumstance to find that this
abatement of his disorder has followed so immediately on the
application of fomentations to the legs.
Since I wrote the above, the accounts of this morning have been
received. I enclose the public note, which admits that there is
some remission of the fever, by which word they describe the
delirium. The letter sent to Pitt only states that the King is less
well than he was during most part of yesterday. I do not learn that
there is yet any appearance of swelling or eruption on the legs. On
the whole, though the account of this morning is certainly less
encouraging, I think the two taken together by no means diminish
the hopes which I trust there is reason to entertain.
It is become very difficult to get at the real truth; for since
there has been an appearance of amendment, Opposition have been
taking inconceivable pains to spread the idea that his disorder is
incurable. Nothing can exceed Warren's indiscretion on this
subject.
You will probably have heard from other quarters how favourable the
appearance of yesterday, and the reception of Pitt's speech, were.
There seems to be just such a spirit and zeal gone forth among his
friends as one would most desire; and whatever is now the event of
this anxious moment, I am persuaded you will see him increase from
it in point of character, and lose little in point of strength.
What passed yesterday, and the tone of our friends, are much beyond
the expectations which I had formed.
Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.