"MY DEAR CROFT,
"I am commanded by his royal highness to convey to you his solicitude
for your health and happiness; and I am to inform you, that the aid of
so faithful a friend as yourself is indispensable. _It is by her
majesty's command I write this to you._
"We have intelligence by the 20th ult. that the Princess of Wales is to
take a road favourable to the accomplishment of our long-desired wishes;
that we may keep pace with her, there is no one upon whose fidelity we
can more fully rely than you yourself.
"A few months relaxation from the duties of your profession will banish
all gloomy ideas, and secure the favour of her majesty.
"Come, my boy, throw physic to the dogs, and be the bearer of the happy
intelligence of a divorce, to render ourselves still more deserving the
confidence of our beloved master, whose peace and happiness we are bound
in duty to secure by every means in our power.
"Remember this: the road to fortune is short; and let me see you to-day
at three o'clock, without fail, in my bureau.
"Yours faithfully,"
**********.
"Carlton House,
"Monday, 9th November, 1817."