THE KING'S RECOVERY
When it could no longer be doubted that George was incapable of
transacting business, ministers were confronted with the very difficult
problem: how was the King's Government to be carried on? and their
trouble was the greater because it could not be said with any certainty
whether the disorder was temporary or whether it was likely to be
permanent. If there was the chance of a speedy cure, then, of course,
nothing need be done; but if, on the other hand, recovery was
impossible, or, at best, a matter of many months, then some step must be
taken, and that that step must be a regency and that in the first
instance the office must be proffered to the Prince of Wales was patent
to all. This was very distasteful to Pitt and his colleagues for they
saw clearly that the passing of a Regency Bill would in all probability
be the signal for their dismissal, since the Prince was an ally of the
Whigs and the bosom friend of Fox and Sheridan, and they saw it was
their interest to delay as long as possible the introduction of such a
measure.
[Illustration: _From an engraving by W. Tomkins_
GEORGE III
_To face p. 222, Vol II_]
In July, Parliament had been prorogued to November 20, and when it
met on that day, Pitt, after explaining the situation, secured an
adjournment to December 4, in order that an examination of the
physicians might be made by Privy Council. In the interval Dr. Warren
told him that "the physicians could now have no hesitation in
pronouncing that the actual disorder was that of lunacy; that no man
could pretend to say that this was or was not curable, that he saw no
immediate symptoms of recovery; that the King might never recover; and,
on the other hand, that he might recover at any one moment." After this
official pronouncement delay was no longer possible, and when the House
reassembled on December 4, Pitt stated he had taken steps to ascertain
the exact condition of the King, moved for the report of the examination
of the physicians, which had been held before the Privy Council on the
previous day, and proposed that it should be taken into consideration on
the following Monday.
To each physician the same questions had been put: Do you think his
Majesty's present disorder incapacitates him for public business? Do you
think his Majesty's disorder a curable or incurable malady? Can you take
upon you to say in what time the malady may be removed? Each physician
replied that the King was quite incapable of transacting business, and
that, although the malady was curable, it was impossible to say when the
disorder might be removed.
On the Monday when the report was to be taken into consideration,
however, the general sense of the House seemed to be that in a matter of
such magnitude it was advisable that the House itself should examine the
physicians, and this was thought the more desirable because since the
examination of the Privy Council Dr. Willis and Dr. Gisborne had been
called in. A committee of twenty-one members was appointed on December 8
to hear the doctors' opinions, which were naturally identical with their
previous pronouncements, with which Willis agreed, except that he was
emphatic in his conviction of the speedy recovery of the King; and two
days later the Committee made its report to the House. It is not
necessary to go into the details of the struggle between the Government
and the Opposition: how Pitt proposed a committee to report on
precedents of measures to carry on the government when the personal
exercise of the royal authority had been prevented by infancy, sickness,
infirmity, or other causes: and how Fox interrupted the harmony of the
proceedings by asserting the _right_ of the Prince of Wales to the
regency. It may be pointed out that there was something behind this
bold assertion, for, since the heir-apparent was the natural selection
for the office, Fox would scarcely otherwise have raised the point. It
was indeed a foregone conclusion that the Prince would be regent, but
the point at issue was whether the regency should be restricted or
unrestricted. Pitt, left to himself, would undoubtedly impose
conditions, but if Fox could impress the House with the belief that the
Prince had the right to the office, then the regency would doubtless be
unfettered. It has usually been assumed when Fox put forward his view he
made a blunder--and if we regard it as a blunder, it was a very bad one;
but is it not more likely that the _right_ was claimed, merely as a
tactical move in the parliamentary warfare? It had the great advantage
that the party advancing the theory could lose nothing by it, for the
Prince must be offered the regency, while if the bluff were successful,
the regency would be unrestricted.
However this may have been, Fox's attempt raised a tremendous outcry,
and the Prince (among whose qualities loyalty was not included)
instructed the Duke of York to say in the House of Lords that, "His
Royal Highness understands too well the sacred principles which seated
the House of Brunswick on the throne of Great Britain, ever to assume or
exercise any power, _be his claim what it may_, not derived from _the
will of the people_, expressed by their representatives and your
lordships in Parliament assembled."
Pitt now introduced resolutions for a restricted regency, and these, in
spite of violent protests in both chambers,[259] were finally agreed to
on December 30, when they were submitted to the Prince of Wales. The
Prince had repeatedly stated he would under no circumstances accept the
office if the exercise of power was hampered with restrictions. Such
conditions, which were only to endure for a limited time, were, however,
regarded as essential in the interest of the King should he recover, and
ministers would not give way. Indeed, the Prince's threats were
regarded, we have been told by a contemporary, "as nothing more than a
bully intended to influence votes in the House of Commons. If, however,
he should be so desperate, I should hope that there would be every
reason to believe the Queen would be induced to take the regency in
order to prevent the King's hands being fettered for the remainder of
his life."[260] In the end, as every one expected, the Prince yielded
under protest, whereupon Pitt at once introduced a Regency Bill, which,
after a most acrimonious struggle, passed the Commons on February 12,
and was carried to the House of Lords.
[259] "Edmund Burke arose a little after four and is speaking yet. He
has been wilder than ever, and laid himself and party open more than
ever speaker did. He is folly personified, but shaking his cap and bells
under the laurel of genius.... He finished his wild speech in a manner
next to madness," so Sir W. Young wrote to Lord Buckingham; and, indeed,
throughout the debates Burke, as Pitt put it scathingly, "displayed a
warmth that seemed to have arisen from his entertaining wishes different
from the rest of the House."
[260] Duke of Buckingham: _Courts and Cabinets of George III_.
In the meantime the King's condition had been gradually improving. At a
further examination of the physicians on January 7, although Dr. Warren
and Sir George Baker were far from confident, Willis considered recovery
certain. "A little more time is all I ask," said the latter. "Even as
days go on I do not despair."[261] Willis stated that whereas a
fortnight earlier, his Majesty would take up books but could not read a
line of them, now he could peruse several pages and make sensible
remarks upon the subject, that he was less excited and less frequently
required restraint, and "in the main his Majesty does everything in a
more rational way than he did, and some things extremely rational."[262]
[261] Papendiek: _Court and Private Life_.
[262] Ray: _The Insanity of King George III_.
George's senses were certainly returning to him. One day he desired to
have L400 from his Privy Purse, and this he divided into different sums,
and wrapped them up in separate papers upon which he wrote the names of
persons to whom he was accustomed to make monthly payments. He then
wrote down the different sums, and the names, added them up, as had been
his custom, and ordered the money to be paid immediately as it was then
due.[263] Another incident that occurred at this time was subsequently
related by the Princess Royal. Dr. Willis had refused to let George read
"King Lear," but the patient outwitted the doctor by asking for Colman's
works, in which he knew he would find the play as altered by Colman for
the stage. When the three elder Princesses went in to the King, he told
them what he had been reading. He said, "It is very beautiful, very
affecting, and very awful," adding, "I am like poor Lear, but thank God,
I have no Regan, no Goneril, but three Cordelias."[264]
[263] _Georgiana._
[264] _Diaries of a Lady of Quality._ Edited by Abraham Hayward.
The King's recovery was proceeding apace, but when Dr. Willis was
inclined to believe the disorder had all but passed, a new obsession
arose. George had long been attracted by the stately beauty of Lady
Pembroke,[265] and now he fancied himself divorced from the Queen, whom
he called the Queen Dowager, and the other Queen Elizabeth, and said
between them he was pulled to pieces, and then what was to become of
poor Pill Garlick.[266] "His Majesty could not be prevailed upon, indeed
he absolutely refused, to see the Queen!" Mrs. Papendiek noted. "He said
that he had always respected her and had paid her every attention, but
when she should have screened his malady from the public she had
deserted him to the care of those who had used him ill, insomuch as they
had forgotten him to be their sovereign; that he had always felt a great
partiality for Queen Elizabeth, and with her, upon a proper agreement,
he would end his days."[267] However, this delusion began to give way,
and soon he consented to receive the Queen daily, "if she has no
objection to see me in the abject state in which I must appear before
her," he said pathetically; but he was not yet cured, and still rambled
and had a slight return of fever. Gradually, however, his strength
returned, and by slow degrees he was led to resume his former habits. On
February 14 Miss Burney stated triumphantly, "The King is infinitely
better," and four days later she gave vent to a paean of joy: "This was a
sweet, and will prove a memorable day: the Regency was put off in the
House of Lords, by a motion from the Chancellor. Huzza! Huzza! And this
evening, for the first time, the King came upstairs, to drink tea with
the Queen and Princesses in the drawing-room! My heart was so full of
joy and thankfulness, I could hardly breathe! Heaven--Heaven be praised!
What a different house is this house become!--sadness and terror, that
wholly occupied it so lately, are now flown away, or rather are now
driven out; and though anxiety still forcibly prevails, 'tis in so small
a proportion to joy and thankfulness, that it is borne as if scarce an
ill!"[268]
[265] Elizabeth, Countess of Pembroke, daughter of Charles, second Duke
of Marlborough.
[266] _Reminiscences of the fifth Earl of Carlisle._
[267] _Court and Private Life._
[268] _Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay._
There was, indeed, no doubt that George was nearly well. On February 14,
Henry Addington wrote to his father that "Dr. Warren particularly
observes that the appearance of the King's eyes is vastly improved; and
his pulse is certainly reduced from 100 to 62 in a minute. The last is
the rate of it when in health. It is now generally believed that no
change of Government will take place at present;"[269] and three days
later Dr. Willis told the Lord Chancellor that the Regency bill ought
not to be proceeded with as the King's disorder was practically removed.
This Lord Thurlow declined at first to believe, but when the doctor
threatened that if his statement was disregarded, he would publish the
news of the King's recovery, Thurlow consented to visit the King and
judge for himself. "No politics," said the King, when he consented to
receive the minister; "my head is not strong enough for that
subject."[270] The interview convinced Lord Thurlow that Willis was
right, and two days later he rose in the House of Lords to announce a
great improvement in the monarch's condition, and adjourned the debate
for a week, when the consideration of the bill was not resumed.
[269] Pellew: _Life of Lord Sidmouth_.
[270] _Auckland Correspondence._
On the 20th Lord Thurlow again visited the King, and this time gave him
an outline of events that had transpired during his illness. "I never
saw at any period, the King more composed, collected, or distinct," the
Chancellor told Pitt, "and there was not the slightest trace or
appearance of disorder." Three days later the King received the Prince
of Wales and the Duke of York, who had repeatedly demanded an interview.
"The Queen," Sir Gilbert Elliot has related, "was present, and walking
to and fro in the room with a countenance and manner of great
dissatisfaction; and the King every now and then went to her in a
submissive manner and spoke in a soothing sort of tone, for she has
acquired the same sort of drilling over him that Willis and his men
have--and the King's mind is totally subdued and in a state of the
greatest weakness and subjection. It is given out even by the King's
friends that they observed nothing _wrong_ or irrational in this visit,
and it is material that they should not be thought to publish the
contrary. It is not entirely true, however, as the King made several
slips, one of which was that he told them he was the Chancellor. This
circumstance is not to be mentioned for the reasons just given."[271]
After seeing his sons the King wrote to the Prime Minister for the first
time since he had been taken ill.
[271] Lady Minto: _Life of Sir Gilbert Elliot_.
"It is with infinite satisfaction that I renew my correspondence with
Mr. Pitt by acquainting him with my having seen the Prince of Wales and
my second son. Care was taken that the conversation should be general
and cordial. They seemed perfectly satisfied. I chose the meeting should
be in the Queen's apartment, that all parties might have that caution,
which, at the present hour could but be judicious.
"I desire Mr. Pitt will confer with the Lord Chancellor, that any steps
which may be necessary for raising the annual supplies or any measures
that the interests of the nation may require, should not be
unnecessarily delayed, for I feel the warmest gratitude for the support
and anxiety shown by the nation at large during my tedious illness,
which I should ill requite if I did not wish to prevent any further
delay in those public measures which it may be necessary to bring
forward this year; though I must decline entering into a pressure of
business, and, indeed, for the rest of my life, shall expect others to
fulfil the duties of their employments, and only keep that
superintending eye which can be effected without labour or fatigue."
The last bulletin, signed by Dr. Willis, Sir George Baker, and Sir Lucas
Pepys, and announcing "the entire cessation of his Majesty's illness"
appeared on February 26; and on March 2 an order was issued by the Privy
Council to discontinue the form of prayer for the recovery of his
Majesty's health, and substitute a prayer of thanksgiving. On March 7
the Speaker of the House of Commons and several members of the
Administration saw the King when "it was observed by all that his
Majesty never appeared more healthy, easy, and cheerful, within their
recollection[272];" and on the 10th the Speech from the Throne,
delivered by commission, stated that the King had resumed his authority,
and that day was given up to rejoicing. "London displayed a blaze of
light from one extremity to the other; the illuminations extending,
without any metaphor, from Hampstead and Highgate to Clapham, and even
as far as Tooting; while the vast distance between Greenwich and
Kensington presented the same dazzling appearance. The poorest mechanics
contributed their proportion, and instances were exhibited of cobblers'
stalls decorated with one or two farthing candles."[273]
[272] Pellew: _Life of Lord Sidmouth_.
[273] Wraxall: _Posthumous Memoirs of His Own Times_.
"Our prayers are heard, and Providence restores
A Patriot King to bless Britannia's shores!
Nor yet to Britain is this bliss confined,
All Europe hails the friend of human kind.
If, such the general joys, what words can show
The change to transport from the depths of woe
In those permitted to embrace again.
The best of Fathers, Husbands, and of men."[274]
[274] Papendiek: _Court and Private Life_.
On March 11 George received an Address of the Lords and Commons on his
recovery, on the 13th the congratulations of the _corps diplomatique_,
and on the next day went to Windsor, when "All Windsor came out to meet
the King. It was a joy amounting to ecstasy. I could not keep my eyes
dry all day long. A scene so reversed--sadness so sweetly exchanged for
thankfulness and delight!"[275] Everywhere there was rejoicing,
Ambassadors and Ministers gave banquets to celebrate the occasion, and
there were fetes at Court and balls at the clubs.[276] The dislike of
the populace to the King had disappeared entirely, and their hearts had
gone out to him in his time of trouble. Sir Lucas Pepys told Miss Burney
that if George died the lives of himself and his colleagues would be in
danger, for they received threatening letters daily. Sir George Baker
was stopped by the mob, and when in reply to an inquiry he answered,
"The case is a bad one," "The more shame for you," came angry cries from
all sides. But the greatest outburst of enthusiasm was on St. George's
Day (April 23), when the King went in state to St. Paul's "to return
thanks to God for His mercy in giving the King his health and reason
once more." The physicians and others, fearful of the possible effects
of the excitement, endeavoured to dissuade the King from participating
in this public ceremony, but in vain, "My Lord," said George to the
Archbishop of Canterbury, "I have twice read over the evidence of the
physicians on my case, and if I can stand that, I can stand anything."
[275] _Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay._
[276] "The ladies at White's Club are to be dressed in white and gold.
On the front of their caps they are to have a motto 'God save the King'
in gold letters. The Prince and Duke of York were offered tickets, which
they refused, but desired to subscribe. This was agreed to, but
they are not to come. The Opposition ladies follow the example,
but decline coming to the ball, but there will probably be some
exceptions."--_Cornwallis Papers._
[Illustration: _From an old print_
THE ROYAL FAMILY OF ENGLAND IN 1787
_To face p. 237, Vol. II_]