(Most Private.) Whitehall, Nov. 7th, 1788.
My dear Lord,
It is with the utmost concern and mortification that I am under
the necessity of acquainting your Excellency of the dangerous
state in which His Majesty's health has been for these last two
days. Notwithstanding the various reports which you may have
seen, real symptoms of danger did not appear till yesterday. The
disorder, about the middle of yesterday, attacked His Majesty's
head, and he has had a very indifferent night, and, I am afraid,
is not much better to-day.
The Queen supports herself with her usual good sense and
fortitude, but is still much affected both in health and
spirits, though tolerably composed.
His Majesty, during his whole illness, has had the consolation
of receiving the unremitted attention of the whole Royal Family,
of the value of which he has shown himself affectingly sensible.
In short, my dear Lord, the case may not be desperate; but it is
full of extreme danger. God send us a happy issue of it.
My best respects to Lady Buckingham and Lord Temple. I write, as
you may imagine, in great confusion and anxiety.
I am, with great esteem and regard, Your Excellency's most
obedient, humble servant.