Sunday, Nov. 9th, 1788.
My dear Brother,
There was no truth in any of the reports which I mentioned to
you in my letter by the post yesterday. Pitt came back to town
last night about nine, and afterwards called here. He had seen
all the physicians, and had much conversation with them. They
seemed still unwilling, or unable, to decide as to the nature of
his disorder; but Warren appeared to incline to the opinion of
an ossification. They told him that they had determined, as an
experiment, to give the King medicines to remove his fever, in
order to observe whether this produced any effect on the state
of his mind, and to draw an inference from that whether the
disorder on his brain was connected with the fever. They
accordingly gave him two doses of James's powder in the course
of the day, but without any other effect than lowering his
pulse; and this morning we have the severe mortification of
hearing that a third dose has operated by a profuse
perspiration, so as almost entirely to remove the fever, but
that the state of his mind continues unaltered. The physicians,
however, all agree that it must still be at least a fortnight
before they can venture even to pronounce that it is a disorder
of the brain. That even in that case they can give no further
opinion; that disorders of that sort are of all others those
that are least understood; and that this may continue for many
years, or may suddenly leave him, or as suddenly kill him.
I need not tell you the effect which this dreadful calamity
produces. Pitt had yesterday a long conference with the Prince;
but it turned chiefly on the situation of the King, and the
state and progress of his disorder. Nothing passed from which
any conclusion can be drawn with respect to future measures. He
treated him with civility, but nothing more.
The general idea is that _they_ mean to try a negotiation. But
whether the Prince means that, and whether Pitt ought in any
case to listen to it at all, or in what degree, are questions
which it is difficult indeed to decide. There could never be a
more favourable moment for Pitt's leaving the Government, with a
view to his own credit and character. But then, on the other
hand, his own personal situation must be so embarrassed: there
is so much danger of an imputation of pride, and a factious
desire of keeping alive differences, that my opinions fluctuate
almost from hour to hour. I am still, however, inclined to
believe that they will not make the experiment, though the
conversation upon it, and the general persuasion of its being
intended, make it more difficult for them to avoid doing
something of that sort.
The present idea is, to let Parliament meet on the 23rd,
because, indeed, no one has authority to prorogue it further.
That then it should be stated to them--supposing things to
continue in their present unhappy state--that the King's health
has not admitted either of his proroguing them, or of his
signing a Commission to open the session, and, therefore, to
propose that they should adjourn. As soon as the physicians feel
themselves able to pronounce it a disorder seated on the brain,
they must be examined before the Council, and the circumstance
stated to Parliament, and a Bill brought in to enable the Prince
of Wales to act as Regent. It seems a great doubt whether any,
and what limitations ought to be proposed. Those under which the
King was authorized to appoint a Regent, in case of minority,
appear too great; nor, indeed, would it as I conceive be
possible, in the present state of things, to carry on such a
Government. The great object to be looked to, seems to be the
keeping the Government in such a state as that if the King's
health should be restored he might be, as far as possible,
enabled to resume it, and to conduct it in such a manner as he
might judge best.
I suppose there never was a situation in which any set of men
ever had, at once, so many points to decide, so essentially
affecting their own honour, character, and future situation,
their duty to their country in a most critical situation, and
their duty to their unhappy master, to whom they are
unquestionably bound by ties of gratitude and honour,
independent of considerations of public duty towards him. I hope
God, who has been pleased to afflict us with this severe and
heavy trial, will enable us to go through it honestly,
conscientiously, and in a manner not dishonourable to our
characters.
God bless you, my dear brother. Nothing would be such a
satisfaction to me as to be able to talk all this over with you,
instead of this slow and imperfect communication.
I found that Bernard was still in town, and have therefore
desired him to stay, because I thought he could be of little use
to me, and that all this may take a sudden turn which may make
his being on the spot very important.
I send you a letter which I had begun in cypher, that you may
see how far you can make it out. In going it over, which you
will observe I was doing, I observe a few mistakes, but not, I
think, such as would materially embarrass you.
Ever yours,
W. W. G.