and awfully critical everything seemed. "He should now soon," he
said, "quit the tragic scene, and go to relax and recruit, with
his children, in the country. He regarded his service here as
nearly over, since an entirely new regulation was planning, in
which the poor king was no longer to be allowed the sight of any
of his gentlemen. His continual long conversations with them
were judged utterly improper, and
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he was only to be attended by the medical people and his pages."
He then gave into my hands the office of hinting to the queen his
intention, if he could be dispensed with by her majesty, to go
into the Country on the 12th of next month (December), with his
boy Charles, who then left Eton for the Christmas holidays. I
knew this would be unwelcome intelligence, but I wished to
forward his departure, and would not refuse the commission. When
this was settled he said he would go and take a circuit, and see
how matters stood; and then, if he could get away after showing
himself, return--if I would give him leave to drink his tea with
me.
He had not been gone ten minutes before Lady Charlotte came in
search of him. She had been told, she said, that he was with me.
I laughed, but could not forbear asking if I passed for his
keeper, since whenever he was missing I was always called to
account for him. Again, however, he came and drank his tea, and
stayed an hour, in most confidential discourse.
When the new regulation is established, only one gentleman is to
remain--which will be the equerry in waiting. This is now
Colonel Goldsworthy. The rest will disperse.
REMOVAL OF THE KING To KEW DETERMINED UPON.
Nov. 26.-I found we were all speedily to remove to Kew. This was
to be kept profoundly secret till almost the moment of departure.
The king will never consent to quit Windsor and to allure him
away by some stratagem occupies all the physicians, who have
proposed and enforced this measure. Mr. Fairly is averse to it:
the king's repugnance he thinks insurmountable, and that it ought
not to be opposed. But the princes take part with the
physicians.
He left me to ride out, but more cordial and with greater
simplicity of kindness than ever, he smilingly said in going,
"Well, good bye, and God bless you."
"Amen," quoth I, after he had shut the door.
Nov. 27.-This morning and whole day were dreadful My early
account was given me by Mr. Charles Hawkins, and with such
determined decision of incurability, that I left him quite in
horror. All that I dared, I softened to my poor queen, who was
now harassed to death with state affairs, and impending storms of
state dissensions, I would have given
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the world to have spent the whole day by her side, and poured in
what balm of hope I could, since it appeared but too Visibly she
scarce received a ray from any other.
Universal despondence now pervaded the whole house. Sir Lucas,
indeed, sustained his original good opinion, but he was nearly
overpowered by standing alone, and was forced to let the stream
take its course with but little opposition. Even poor Mr. de Luc
was silenced ; Miss Planta easily yields to fear; and Mrs.
Schwellenberg--who thinks it treason to say the king is ever at
all indisposed--not being able to say all was quite well, forbade
a single word being uttered upon the subject
The dinners, therefore, became a time of extremest pain; all was
ignorance, mystery, and trembling expectation of evil.
In the evening, thank heaven! came again my sole relief, Mr.
Fairly. He brought his son. and they entered with such serene
aspects, that I soon shook off a little of my gloom; and I heard
there was no new cause, for though all was bad, nothing was
worse. We talked over everything; and that always opens the
mind, and softens the bitterness of sorrow.
The prospect before us, with respect to Kew, is indeed terrible.
There is to be a total seclusion from all but those within the
walls, and those are to be contracted to merely necessary
attendants. Mr. Fairly disapproved the scheme, though a gainer
by it of leisure and liberty. Only the equerry in waiting Is to
have a room in the house; the rest of the gentlemen are to take
their leave. He meant, therefore, himself, to go into the
country with all speed.
Nov. 28.-How woful-how bitter a day, in every part, was this!
My early account was from the king's page, Mr. Stillingfleet, and
the night had been extremely bad. I dared not sink the truth to
my poor queen, though I mixed in it whatever I Could devise of
cheer and hope; and she bore it with the most wonderful calmness.
Dr. Addington was now called in: a very old physician, but
peculiarly experienced in disorders such as afflicted our poor
king, though not professedly a practitioner in them.
Sir Lucas made me a visit, and informed me of all the medical
proceedings; and told me, in confidence, we were to go to Kew
to-morrow, though the queen herself had not yet concurred in the
measure; but the physicians joined to desire
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it, and they were supported by the princes. The difficulty how
to get the king away from his favourite abode was all that
rested. If they even attempted force, they had not a doubt but
his smallest resistance would call up the whole country to his
fancied rescue! Yet how, at such a time, prevail by persuasion?
He moved me even to tears,
by telling me that none of their own lives would be safe if the
king did not recover so Prodigiously high ran the tide of
affection and loyalty. All the physicians received threatening
letters daily to answer for the safety of their monarch with
their lives! Sir George Baker had already been Stopped in his
carriage by the mob to give an account of the king; and when he
said it Was a bad one, they had furiously exclaimed, "The more
shame for you!"
A PRIVY COUNCIL HELD.
After he left me, a privy council was held at the Castle, with
the Prince of Wales; the chancellor,(300) Mr. Pitt, and all the
officers of state were summoned, to sign a Permission for the
king's removal. The poor queen gave an audience to the
chancellor--it was necessary to sanctify their proceedings. The
princess royal and Lady Courtown attended her. It was a tragedy
the most dismal!
The queen's knowledge of the king's aversion to Kew made her
consent to this measure with the extremest reluctance yet it was
not to be opposed: It Was stated as much the best for him, on
account of the garden: as here there is none but what Is Public
to spectators from the terrace or tops of houses. I believe they
were perfectly right though the removal was so tremendous. The
physicians were summoned to the privy Council, to give their
Opinions, upon oath, that this step was necessary.
Inexpressible was the alarm of everyone, lest the king, if he
recovered, should bear a lasting resentment against the authors
and promoters of this Journey. To give it, therefore, every
possible sanction it was decreed that he should be seen, both by
the chancellor and Mr. Pitt.
The chancellor went in to his presence with a tremor such as,
before, he had been only accustomed to inspire; and when he came
out, he was so extremely affected by the state in which he
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saw his royal master and patron that the tears ran down his
cheeks, and his feet had difficulty to support him. Mr. Pitt was
more composed, but expressed his grief with so much respect and
attachment, that it added new weight to the universal admiration
with which he is here beheld.
All these circumstances, with various others, of equal sadness
which I must not relate, came to my knowledge from Sir Lucas, Mr.
de Luc, and my noon attendance upon her majesty, who was
compelled to dress for her audience of the chancellor. And,
altogether, with the horror of the next day's removal, an([ the
gloom of the ensuing Kew residence, I was so powerfully
depressed, that when Mr. Fairly came in the evening, not all my
earnestness to support my firmness could re-animate me, and I
gave him a most solemn reception, and made the tea directly, and
almost in silence.
He endeavoured, at first, to revive me by enlivening discourse,
but finding that fail, he had recourse to more serious means. He
began his former favourite topic-the miseries of life-the
inherent miseries, he thinks them, to which we are so universally
born and bred, that it was as much consonant with our reason to
expect as with our duty to support them.
I heard him with that respect his subject and his character alike
merited; but I could not answer--my heart was sunk--my spirits
were all exhausted: I knew not what to expect next, nor how I
might be enabled to wade through the dreadful winter. . . .
He had not, I saw, one ray of hope to offer me of better times,
yet he recommended me to cheer myself; but not by more sanguine
expectations--simply and solely by religion. To submit, he said,
to pray and to submit, were all we had to do. . . .
The voice of the Prince of Wales, in the passage, carried him
away. They remained together, in deep conference, all the rest
of the evening, consulting upon measures for facilitating the
king's removal, and obtaining his consent.
I went very late to the queen, and found her in deep sorrow but
nothing confidential passed: I found her not alone, nor alone did
I leave her. But I knew what was passing in her mind--the
removing the king!-Its difficulty and danger at present, and the
dread of his permanent indignation hereafter.
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THE REMOVAL To KEW.
Nov. 29.-Shall I ever forget the varied emotions of this dreadful
day! I rose with the heaviest of hearts, and found my poor royal
mistress in the deepest dejection: she told me now of our
intended expedition to Kew. Lady Elizabeth hastened away to
dress, and I was alone with her for some time. Her mind, she
said, quite misgave her about Kew: the king's dislike was
terrible to think of, and she could not foresee in what it might
end. She would have resisted the measure herself, hut that she
had determined not to have upon her own mind any opposition to
the opinion of the physicians.
The account of the night was still more and more discouraging: it
was related to me by one of the pages, Mr. Brawan; and though a
little I softened or omitted particulars, I yet most sorrowfully
conveyed it to the queen.
Terrible was the morning!--uninterruptedly terrible! all spent in
hasty packing up, preparing for we knew not what, nor for how
long, nor with what circumstances, nor scarcely with what view!
We seemed preparing for captivity, without having committed any
offence; and for banishment, without the least conjecture when we
might be recalled from it.
The poor queen was to get off in private: the plan settled,
between the princes and the physicians, was, that her majesty and
the princesses should go away quietly, and then that the king
should be told that they were gone, which was the sole method
they could devise to prevail with him to follow. He was then to
be allured by a promise of seeing them at Kew again, as they knew
he would doubt their assertion, he was to go through the rooms
and examine the house himself.
I believe it was about ten o'clock when her majesty departed
drowned in tears, she glided along the passage, and got softly
into her carriage, with two weeping princesses, and Lady
Courtown, who was to be her lady-in-waiting during this dreadful
residence. Then followed the third princess, With Lady Charlotte
Finch. They went off without any state or parade, and a more
melancholy Scene cannot be imagined. There was not a dry eye in
the house. The footmen, the house-maids, the porter, the
sentinels--all cried even bitterly as they looked on.
The three younger princesses were to wait till the event was
known. Lady Elizabeth Waldegrave and Miss Goldsworthy had their
royal highnesses in charge,
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It was settled the king was to be attended by three of his
gentlemen, in the carriage, and to be followed by the physicians,
and preceded by his pages. But all were to depart on his arrival
at Kew, except his own equerry-in-waiting. It Was not very
pleasant to these gentlemen to attend his majesty at such a time,
and upon such a plan, so adverse to his inclination, without any
power of assistance : however, they would rather have died than
refused, and it was certain the king would no other way travel
but by compulsion, which no human being dared even mention.
Miss Planta and I were to go as soon as the packages could be
ready, with some of the queen's things. Mrs. Schwellenberg was
to remain behind, for one day, in order to make arrangements
about the jewels.
In what a confusion was the house! Princes, equerries,
physicians, pages--all conferring, whispering, plotting, and
caballing, how to induce the king to set off!
At length we found an opportunity to glide through the passage to
the coach; Miss Planta and myself, with her maid and Goter. But
the heaviness of heart with which we began this journey, and the
dreadful prognostics of the duration of misery to which it led
us--who can tell?
We were almost wholly silent all the way. When we arrived at
Kew, we found the suspense with which the king was awaited truly
terrible. Her majesty had determined to return to Windsor at
night, if he came not. We were all to forbear unpacking in the
mean while.
The house was all now regulated by express order of the Prince of
Wales, who rode over first, and arranged all the apartments, and
writ, with chalk, the names of the destined inhabitants on each
door. My own room he had given to Lady Courtown ; and for me, he
had fixed on one immediately adjoining to Mrs. Schwellenberg's; a
very pleasant room, looking into the garden, but by everybody
avoided, because the partition is so thin of the next apartment,
that not a word can be spoken in either that is not heard in
both.
A MYSTERIOUS VISITOR.
While I was surveying this new habitation, the princess royal
came into it, and, with a cheered countenance, told me that the
queen had just received intelligence that the king was rather
better, and would come directly, and therefore I was
Page 267,
commissioned to issue orders to Columb to keep out of sight, and
to see that none of the servants were in the way when the king
passed.
Eagerly, and enlivened, downstairs I hastened, to speak to
Columb. I flew to the parlour to ring the bell for him, as In my
new room I had no bell for either man or maid; but judge my
surprise, when, upon opening the door, and almost rushing in, I
perceived a Windsor uniform! I was retreating with equal haste,
when the figure before me started, in so theatric an attitude of
astonishment, that it forced me to look again. The arms were
then wide opened, while the figure fell back, in tragic paces.
Much at a loss, and unable to distinguish the face, I was again
retiring, when the figure advanced, but in such measured steps as
might have suited a march upon a stage. I now suspected it was
Mr. Fairly; yet so unlikely I thought it, I could not believe it
without speech. "Surely," I cried, " it is not--it is not--" I
stopped, afraid to make a mistake.
With arms yet more sublimed, he only advanced, in silence and
dumb heroics. I now ventured to look more steadily at the face,
and then to exclaim-" "Is it Mr. Fairly?"
The laugh now betrayed him: he could hardly believe I had really
not known him. I explained that my very little expectation of
seeing him at Kew had assisted my near-sightedness to perplex me.
But I was glad to see him so sportive, which I found was Owing to
the good spirits of bringing good news; he had mounted his horse
as soon as he had heard the king had consented to the journey,
and he had galloped to Kew, to acquaint her majesty with the
welcome tidings.
I rang and gave my orders to Columb and he then begged me not to
hurry away, and to give him leave to wait, in this parlour, the
king's arrival. He then explained to me the whole of the
intended proceedings and arrangements, with details innumerable
and most interesting.
He meant to go almost immediately into the country--all was
settled with the queen. I told him I was most cordially glad his
recruit was so near at hand.
"I shall, however," he said, "be in town a few days longer, and
come hither constantly to pay you all a little visit."
Miss Planta then appeared. A more general conversation now took
place, though in its course Mr. Fairly had the malice to give me
a start I little expected from him. We were talk-
Page 268
ing of our poor king, and wondering at the delay of his arrival,
when Mr. Fairly said, "The king now, Miss Planta, mentions
everybody and everything that he knows or has heard mentioned in
his whole life. Pray does he know any Of your secrets? he'll
surely tell them if he does!"
"So I hear," cried she, "but I'm sure he can't tell anything of
Me! But I wonder what he says of everybody?"
"Why, everything," cried he. "Have you not heard of yourself?"
"Dear, no! Dear me, Mr. Fairly!"
"And, dear Miss Planta! why should not you have your share? Have
you not heard he spares nobody?"
"Yes, I have; but I can't think what he says of them!"
Fearful of anything more, I arose and looked at the Window to see
if any sign of approach appeared, but he dropped the subject
without coming any nearer, and Miss Planta dropped it too.
I believe he wished to discover if she had heard of his learned
ladies!
THE KING's ARRIVAL.
Dinner went on, and still no king. We now began to grow very
anxious, when Miss Planta exclaimed that she thought she heard a
carriage. We all listened. "I hope!" I cried. "I see you do!"
cried he, "you have a very face of hope at this moment!"--and it
was not disappointed. The sound came nearer, and presently a
carriage drove into the front court. I could see nothing, it was
so dark; but I presently heard the much-respected voice of the
dear unhappy king, speaking rapidly to the porter, as he alighted
from the coach. Mr. Fairly flew instantly upstairs, to acquaint
the queen with the welcome tidings.
The poor king had been prevailed upon to quit Windsor with the
utmost difficulty: he was accompanied by General Harcourt, his
aide-de-camp, and Colonels Goldsworthy and Wellbred--no one else!
He had passed all the rest with apparent composure, to come to
his carriage, for they lined the passage, eager to see him once
more! and almost all Windsor was collected round the rails, etc.
to witness the mournful spectacle of his departure, which left
them in the deepest despondence, with scarce a ray of hope ever
to see him again.
Page 269
The bribery, however, which brought, was denied him!--he was by
no means to see the queen
When I went to her at night, she was all graciousness, and kept
me till very late. I had not seen her alone so long, except for
a few minutes in the morning, that I had a thousand things I
wished to say to her. You may be sure they were all, as far as
they went, consolatory.
Princess Augusta had a small tent-bed put up in the queen's
bed-chamber: I called her royal highness when the queen dismissed
me. She undressed in an adjoining apartment.
THE ARRANGEMENTS AT KEW PALACE.
I must now tell you how the house is disposed. The whole of the
ground-floor that looks towards the 'garden is appropriated to
the king, though he is not indulged with its range. In the side
wing is a room for the physicians, destined to their
consultations; adjoining to that is the equerry's dining-room.
Mrs. Schwellenberg's parlours, which are in the front of the
house, one for dining, the other for coffee and tea, are still
allowed us. The other front rooms below are for the pages to
dine, and the rest of the more detached buildings are for the
servants of various sorts.
All the rooms immediately over those which are actually occupied
by the king are locked up; her majesty relinquishes them, that he
may never be tantalized by footsteps overhead. She has retained
only the bed-room, the drawing-room, which joins to it, and the
gallery, in which she eats. Beyond this gallery are the
apartments of the three elder princesses, in one .of which rooms
Miss Planta sleeps. There is nothing more on the first floor.
On the second a very large room for Mrs. Schwellenberg, and a
very pleasant one for myself, are over the queen's rooms.
Farther on are three bed-rooms, one for the surgeon or apothecary
in waiting, the next for the equerry, and the third, lately mine,
for the queen's lady--all written thus with chalk by the prince.
Then follows a very long dark passage, with little bed-rooms on
each side, for the maids, and one of the pages. These look like
so many little cells of a convent.
Mrs. Sandys has a room nearer the queen's, and Goter has one
nearer to mine. At the end of this passage there is a larger
room, formerly appropriated to Mr. de Luc, but now
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chalked "The physicians'." One physician, one equerry, and one
surgeon or apothecary, are regularly to sleep in the house. This
is the general arrangement.
The prince very properly has also ordered that one of his
majesty's grooms of' the bedchamber should be in constant
waiting; he is to reside in the prince's house, over the way,
which is also fitting up for some others. This gentleman is to
receive all inquiries about the king's health. The same
regulation had taken place at Windsor, in the Castle, where the
gentlemen waited in turn. Though, as the physicians send their
account to St. James's, this is now become an almost useless
ceremony, for everybody goes thither to read the bulletin.
The three young princesses are to be in a house belonging to the
king on Kew green, commonly called Princess Elizabeth's, as her
royal highness has long inhabited it in her illness. There will
lodge Miss Goldsworthy, Mlle. Montmoulin, and Miss Gomme. Lady
Charlotte Finch is to be at the Prince of Wales's.
I could not sleep all night----I thought I heard the poor king.
He was under the same range of apartments, though far distant,
but his indignant disappointment haunted me. The queen, too, was
very angry at having promises made in her
name which could not be kept. What a day altogether was this!
A REGENCY HINTED AT.
Sunday, Nov. 30.-Here, in all its dread colours, dark as its
darkest prognostics, began the Kew campaign. I went to my poor
queen at seven o'clock: the Princess Augusta arose and went away
to dress, and I received her majesty's commands to go down for
inquiries. She had herself passed a wretched night, and already
lamented leaving Windsor.
I waited very long in the cold dark passages below, before I
could find any one of whom to ask intelligence. The parlours
were without fires, and washing. I gave directions afterwards,
to have a fire in one of them by seven o'clock every morning.
At length I procured the speech of one of the pages, and heard
that the night had been the most violently bad of any yet
passed!--and no wonder!
I hardly knew how to creep upstairs, frozen both within and
without, to tell such news; but it was not received as if
unexpected, and I omitted whatever was not essential to be known.
Page 271
Afterwards arrived Mrs: Schwellenberg, so oppressed
between her spasms and the house's horrors, that the oppression
she inflicted ought perhaps to be pardoned. It was, however,
difficult enough to bear! Harshness, tyranny, dissension, and
even insult, seemed personified. I cut short details upon this
subject-they would but make you sick. . . .
My dear Miss Cambridge sent to me immediately. I saw
she had a secret hope she might come and sit with me now and then
in this confinement. It would have been my greatest possible
solace in this dreary abode: but I hastened to acquaint her of
the absolute seclusion, and even to beg she would not send her
servant to the house - for I found it was much desired to keep
off all who might carry away any intelligence.
She is ever most reasonable, and never thenceforward hinted upon
the subject. But she wrote continually long letters, and filled
with news and anecdotes of much interest, relating to anything
she could gather of "out-house proceedings," which now became
very important--the length of the malady threatening a regency!--
a Word which I have not yet been able to articulate.
MR. FAIRLY'S KIND OFFICES.
Kew, Monday, Dec. 1.-Mournful was the opening of the month! My
account of the night from Gezewell, the page, was very alarming,
and my poor royal mistress began to sink more than I had ever yet
seen. No wonder; the length of the malady so uncertain,
the steps which seemed now requisite so shocking: for new advice,
and such as suited only disorders that physicians in general
relinquish, was now proposed, and compliance or refusal were
almost equally tremendous.
In sadness I returned from her, and, moping and unoccupied, I was
walking up and down my room, when Columb came to say Mr. Fairly
desired to know if I could see him.
Certainly, I said, I would come to him in the parlour. He
was not at all well, nor did he seem at all comfortable. He
had undertaken, by his own desire, to purchase small carpets for
the princesses, for the house is in a state of cold and
discomfort past all imagination. It has never been a winter
residence, and there was nothing prepared for its becoming one.
He could not, he told me, look at the rooms of their royal
highnesses without shuddering for them; and he longed, he said,
to cover all the naked, cold boards, to render them
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more habitable. He had obtained permission to execute this as a
commission: for so miserable is the house at present that no
general orders to the proper people are either given Or thought
about; and every one is so absorbed in the general calamity, that
they would individually sooner perish than offer up complaint or
petition. I Should never end were I to explain the reasons there
are for both.
What he must next, he said, effect, was supplying them with
sand-bags for windows and doors, which he intended to fill and to
place himself. The wind which blew in upon those lovely
princesses, he declared, was enough to destroy them.
When he had informed me of these kind offices, he began an
inquiry into how I was lodged. Well enough, I said; but he would
not accept so general an answer. He insisted upon knowing what
was my furniture, and in particular if I had any carpet; and when
I owned I had none, he smiled, and said he would bring six,
though his commission only extended to three.
He did not at all like the parlour, which, indeed, is wretchedly
cold and miserable: he wished to bring it a carpet, and
new fit it up with warm winter accommodations. He reminded me of
my dearest Fredy, when she brought me a decanter of barley-water
and a bright tin saucepan, under her hoop. I Could not tell him
that history in detail, but I rewarded his good-nature by hinting
at the resemblance it bore, in its active zeal, to my sweet Mrs.
Locke. . . .
The queen afterwards presented me with a very pretty little new
carpet; only a bed-side slip, but very warm. She knew not how
much I was acquainted with its history, but I found she had
settled for them all six. She gave another to Mrs.
Schwellenberg.
MRS. SCHWELLENBERG'S PARLOUR.
Dec. 3.-Worse again to-day was the poor king: the little fair
gleam, how soon did it pass away!
I was beginning to grow ill myself, from the added fatigue of
disturbance in the night, unavoidably occasioned by the
neighbourhood to an invalid who summoned her maids at all hours;
and my royal mistress issued orders for a removal to take place.
My new apartment is at the end of the long dark passage
mentioned, with bed-room cells on each side it. It is a
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very comfortable room, carpeted all over, with one window
looking- to the front of the house and two into a court-yard. It
is the most distant from the queen, but in all other respects is
very desirable.
I must now relate briefly a new piece of cruelty. I happened to
mention to la première présidente my waiting for a page to bring
the morning accounts.
"And where do you wait?"
"In the parlour, ma'am."
"In my parlour? Oh, ver well! I will see to that!"
"There is no other place, ma'am, but the cold passages, which, at
that time in the morning, are commonly wet as well as dark."
"O, ver well! When everybody goes to my room I might keep an
inn--what you call hotel."
All good humour now again vanished; and this morning, when I made
my seven o'clock inquiry, I found the parlour doors both locked!
I returned so shivering to my queen, that she demanded the cause,
which I simply related; foreseeing inevitable destruction from
continuing to run such a hazard. She instantly protested there
should be a new arrangement.
Dec. 4.-No opportunity offered yesterday for my better security,
and therefore I was again exposed this morning to the cold dark
damp of the miserable passage. The account was tolerable, but a
threat of sore-throat accelerated the reform.
It was now settled that the dining-parlour should be made over
for the officers of state who came upon business to the house,
and who hitherto had waited in the hall; and the room which was
next to Mrs. Schwellenberg's, and which had first been mine, was
now made our salle à manger. By this means, the parlour being
taken away for other people, and by command relinquished, I
obtained once again the freedom of entering it, to 'gather my
account for her majesty. But the excess of ill-will awakened by
my obtaining this little privilege, which was actually necessary
to my very life, was so great, that more of personal offence and
harshness could not have been shown to the most guilty of
culprits.
One of the pages acquainted me his majesty was not worse, and the
night had been as usual. As usual, too, was my day sad and
solitary all the morning--not solitary but worse during dinner
and coffee.
just after it, however, came the good and sweet Mr. Smelt.
Page 274
The Prince of Wales sent for him, and condescended to apologise
for the Windsor transaction, and to order he might regain
admission.
How this was brought about I am not clear: I only know it is
agreed by all parties that the prince has the faculty of making
his peace, where he wishes it, with the most captivating grace In
the world.
A NEW PHYSICIAN SUMMONED.
Mr. Fairly told me this evening that Dr. Willis, a physician of
Lincoln, of peculiar skill and practice in intellectual maladies,
had been sent for by express. The poor queen had most painfully
concurred in a measure which seemed to fix the nature of the
king's attack in the face of the world; but the necessity and
strong advice had prevailed over her repugnance.
Dec. 6.-Mr. Fairly came to me, to borrow pen and ink for a few
memorandums. Notwithstanding much haste. he could not, he said,
go till he had acquainted me with the opening of Dr. Willis with
his royal patient. I told him there was nothing I more anxiously
wished to hear.
He then gave me the full narration, interesting, curious,
extraordinary; full of promise and hope. He is extremely pleased
both with the doctor and his son, Dr. John, he says they are
fine, lively, natural, independent characters.
Sunday, Dec. 7.-Very bad Was this morning's account. Lady
Charlotte Finch read prayers to the queen and princess, and Lady
Courtown, and the rest for themselves. M r. Fairly wishes her
majesty would summon a chaplain, and let the house join in
congregation. I think he is right, as far as the house extends
to those who are still admitted into her majesty's presence.
Dec. 8.-The accounts began mending considerably, and hope broke
in upon all.
Dec. 9.---All gets now into a better channel, and the dear royal
invalid gives every symptom of amendment. God be praised!
Dec. 11.-To-day We have had the fairest hopes: the king took his
first walk in Kew garden! There have been impediments to this
trial hitherto, that have been thought insurmountable, though, in
fact, they were most frivolous. The walk seemed to do him good,
and we are all in better
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spirits about him than for this many and many a long day past.
MRS. SCHWELLENBERG'S OPINION OF MR. FAIRLY.
Dec. 12.-This day passed in much the same manner. Late in the
evening, after Mr. Smelt was gone, Mrs. Schwellenberg began
talking about Mr. Fairly, and giving free vent to all her strong
innate aversion to him. She went back to the old history of the
"newseepaper," and gave to his naming it every unheard motive of
spite, disloyalty, and calumny! three qualities which I believe
equally and utterly unknown to him. He was also, she said, "very
onfeeling, for she had heard him laugh prodigious with the Lady
Waldegraves, Perticleer with lady Carlisle, what you call Lady
Elizabeth her sister, and this in the king's illness." And, in
fine, she could not bear him.
Such gross injustice I could not hear quietly. I began a warm
defence, protesting I knew no one whose heart was more feelingly
devoted to the royal family, except, perhaps, Mr. Smelt; and that
as to his laughing, it must have been at something of passing and
accidental amusement, since he was grave even to melancholy,
except when he exerted his spirits for the relief or
entertainment of others.
Equally amazed and provoked, she disdainfully asked me what I
knew of him?
I made no answer. I was not quite prepared for the
interrogatory, and feared she might next inquire when and where I
had seen him?
My silence was regarded as self-conviction of error, and she
added, "I know you can't not know him; I know he had never seen
you two year and half ago; when you came here he had not heard
your name."
"Two years and a half," I answered coolly, "I did not regard as a
short time for forming a judgment of any one's character."
"When you don't not see them ? You have never seen him, I am
sure, but once, or what you call twice."
I did not dare let this pass, it was so very wide from the truth;
but calmly said I had seen him much oftener than once or twice.
"And where? when have you seen him?"
"Many times; and at Cheltenham constantly; but never to observe
in him anything but honour and goodness."
"O ver well! you don't not know him like me, you can't
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not know him; he is not from your acquaintance--I know that ver
well!"
She presently went on by herself. "You could not know such a
person--he told me the same himself: he told me he had not never
seen you when you first came. You might see him at Cheltenham,
that is true; but nothing others, I am
sure. At Windsor there was no tea, not wonce, so you can't not
have seen him, only at Cheltenham."
I hardly knew whether to laugh or be frightened at this width of
error; nor, indeed, whether it was not all some artifice to draw
me out, from pique, into some recital: at all events I thought it
best to say nothing, for she was too affronting to deserve to be
set right.
She went on to the same purpose some time, more than insinuating
that a person such as Mr. Fairly could never let him self down to
be acquainted with me; till finding me too much offended to think
her assertions worth answering, she started, at last, another
subject. I then forced myself to talk much as usual. But how
did I rejoice when the clock struck ten--how wish it had been
twelve!
THE KING'S VARYING CONDITION.
Dec. 15.-This whole day was passed in great internal agitation
throughout the house, as the great and important business of the
Regency was to be discussed to-morrow in Parliament. All is now
too painful and intricate for writing a word. I begin to confine
my memorandums almost wholly to my own personal proceedings.
Dec. 16.-Whatsoever might pass in the House on this momentous
subject, it sat so late that no news could arrive. Sweeter and
better news, however, was immediately at hand than any the whole
senate could transmit; the account from the pages was truly
cheering. With what joy did I hasten with it to the queen, who
immediately ordered me to be its welcome messenger to the three
princesses. And when Mr. Smelt came to my breakfast, with what
rapture did he receive it! seizing and kissing my hand, while his
eyes ran over, and joy seemed quite to bewitch him. He flew away
in a very few minutes, to share his happiness with his faithful
partner.
After breakfast I had a long conference in the parlour with Sir
Lucas Pepys, who justly gloried in the advancement of his
original prediction; but there had been much dissension
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amongst the physicians, concerning the bulletin to go to St.
James's, no two agreeing in the degree of better to be announced
to the world.
Dr. Willis came in while we were conversing, but instantly
retreated, to leave us undisturbed. He looks a very fine old
man. I wish to be introduced to him. Mr. Smelt and Mr. Fairly
are both quite enchanted with all the family; for another son
now, a clergyman, Mr. Thomas Willis, has joined their forces.
Dec. 17.-MY account this morning was most afflictive once more:
it was given by Mr. Hawkins, and was cruelly subversive of all
our rising hopes. I carried it to the queen in trembling but she
bore it most mildly. What resignation is hers!
Dec. 22.-With what joy did I carry, this morning, an exceeding
good account of the king to my royal mistress! It was trebly
welcome., as much might depend upon it in the resolutions of the
House concerning the Regency, which was of to-day's discussion.
Mr. Fairly took leave, for a week, he said, wishing me my health,
while I expressed my own wishes for his good journey But, in
looking forward to a friendship the most permanent, saw the
eligibility of rendering it the most open. I therefore went back
to Mrs. Schwellenberg; and the moment I received a reproach for
staying so long, I calmly answered, "Mr. Fairly had made me a
visit, to take leave before he went into the country."
Amazement was perhaps never more indignant. Mr. Fairly to take
leave of me! while not once he even called upon her! This offence
swallowed up all other comments upon the communication. I seemed
not to understand it; but we had a terrible two hours and a-half.
Yet to such, now, I may look forward without any mixture, any
alleviation, for evening after evening in this sad abode.
N.B. My own separate adventures for this month, and year,
concluded upon this day.
The king went on now better, now worse, in a most fearful manner;
but Sir Lucas Pepys never lost sight of hope, and the management
of Dr. Willis and his two sons was most wonderfully acute and
successful. Yet so much were they perplexed and tormented by the
interruptions given to their plans and methods, that they were
frequently almost tempted to resign the undertaking from anger
and confusion.
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DR. WILLIS AND His SON.
Kew Palace, Thursday, Jan. 1, 1789.-The year opened with an
account the most promising of our beloved king. I saw Dr,
Willis, and he told me the night had been very tranquil and he
sent for his son, Dr. John Willis, to give me a history of the
morning. Dr. John's narration was in many parts very affecting:
the dear and excellent king had been praying for his own
restoration! Both the doctors told me that such strong symptoms
of true piety had scarce ever been discernible through so
dreadful a malady.
How I hastened to my queen!--and with what alacrity I besought
permission to run next to the princesses! It was so sweet, so
soothing, to open a new year with the solace of anticipated good!
Jan. 3.-I have the great pleasure, now, of a change in my
morning's historiographers; I have made acquaintance with Dr.
Willis and his son, and they have desired me to summon one of
them constantly for my information. I am extremely struck with
both these physicians. Dr. Willis is a man of ten thousand;
open, holiest, dauntless, lighthearted, innocent, and high
minded: I see him impressed with the most animated reverence and
affection for his royal patient; but it is wholly for his
character,--not a whit for his rank.
Dr. John, his eldest son, is extremely handsome, and inherits, in
a milder degree, all the qualities of his father; but living
more in the general world, and having his fame and fortune still
to settle, he has not yet acquired the same courage, nor is he,
by nature, quite so sanguine in his opinions. The manners of
both are extremely pleasing, and they both proceed completely
their own way, not merely unacquainted with court etiquette, but
wholly, and most artlessly, unambitious to form any such
acquaintance.
Jan. 11.-This morning Dr. John gave me but a bad account of the
poor king. His amendment is not progressive; it fails, and goes
back, and disappoints most grievously; yet it would be nothing
were the case and its circumstances less discussed,
and were expectation more reasonable.
Jan. 12.-A melancholy day: news bad both at home and abroad. At
home the dear unhappy king still worse--abroad new examinations
voted of the physicians! Good heaven! what an insult does this
seem from parliamentary power, to investigate and bring forth to
the world every circumstance Of
Page 279
such a malady as is ever held sacred to secrecy in the most
private families! How indignant we all feel here no words can
say.
LEARNING IN WOMEN.
Jan. 13.-The two younger Willises, Dr. John and Mr. Thomas, came
upstairs in the afternoon, to make a visit to Mrs. Schwellenberg.
I took the opportunity to decamp to my own room, where I found
Mr. Fairly in waiting.
In the course of conversation that followed, Mrs. Carter was
named: Mr. Smelt is seriously of opinion her ode is the best in
our language.(301) I spoke of her very highly, for indeed I
reverence her.
Learning in women was then Our theme. I rather wished to hear
than to declaim upon this subject, yet I never seek to disguise
that I think it has no recommendation of sufficient value to
compensate its evil excitement of envy and satire.
He spoke with very uncommon liberality on the female powers and
intellects, and protested he had never, in his commerce with the
world, been able to discern any other inferiority in their parts
than what resulted from their Pursuits -and yet, with all this,
he doubted much whether he had ever seen any woman who might not
have been rather better without than with the learned languages,
one only excepted.
He was some time silent, and I could not but suppose he meant his
correspondent, Miss Fuzilier; but, with a very tender sigh, he
said, "And she was my mother,--who neglected nothing else, while
she cultivated Latin, and who knew it very well, and would have
known it very superiorly, but that her brother disliked her
studying, and one day burnt all her books!"
This anecdote led to one in return, from myself. I told him,
briefly the history of Dr. Johnson's most kind condescension, in
desiring to make me his pupil, and beginning to give me regular
lessons of the Latin language, and i proceeded to the speedy
conclusion--my great apprehension,-- conviction rather,--that
what I learnt of so great a man could never be private, and that
he himself would contemn concealment, if any
Page 280
progress should be made; which to Me was sufficient motive for
relinquishing the scheme, and declining the honour, highly as I
valued it, of obtaining Such a master--"and this," I added,
"though difficult to be done without offending,
was yet the better effected, as my father himself likes and
approves all accomplishments for women better than the dead
languages."
THE QUEEN AND MR. FAIRLY'S VISITS.
Jan. 14.-I must now mention a rather singular conversation. I
had no opportunity last night to name, as usual, my visitor; but
I have done it so often, so constantly indeed, that I was not
uneasy In the omission.
But this morning, while her hair was dressing, my royal Mistress
suddenly said, "Did you see any body yesterday?" I could not but
be sure of her meaning, and though vexed to be anticipated in my
avowal, which had but waited the departure of the wardrobe-woman,
Sandys, I instantly answered, "Yes, ma'am; Mr, Smelt in the
morning and Mr. Fairly in the evening."
"O! Mr. Fairly was here, then?"
I was now doubly sorry she should know this only from me! He had
Mentioned being just come from town, but I had concluded Lady
Charlotte Finch, as usual, knew of his arrival, and had made it
known to her Majesty. A little while after,--"Did he go away
from you early?" she said.
"No, ma'am," I Immediately answered, "not early: he drank tea
with Me, as he generally does, I believe, when he is here for the
night."
"Perhaps," cried she after a pause, "the gentlemen below do not
drink tea."
"I cannot tell, ma'am, I never heard him say; I only know he
asked me if I would give him some, and I told him yes, with great
pleasure."
Never did I feel so happy in unblushing consciousness of internal
liberty as in this little catechism! However, I soon found I had
Mistaken the Motive of the catechism: it was not on account of
Mr. Fairly and his visit; it was all for Mrs. Schwellenberg and
her no visits; for she soon dropped something of "poor Mrs.
Schwellenberg" and her Miserable state, that opened her whole
meaning.
Page 281
A MELANCHOLY BIRTHDAY.
Sunday, Jan. 18.-The public birthday of my poor royal mistress.
How sadly did she pass it; and how was I filled With sorrow for
her reflections upon this its first anniversary for these last
twenty-eight years in which the king and the nation have not
united in its celebration! All now was passed over in silence
and obscurity; all observance of the day was prohibited, both
abroad and at home.
The poor king whose attention to times and dates is unremittingly
exact, knew the day, and insisted upon seeing the queen and three
of the princesses; but--it was not a good day.
MR. FAIRLY ON FANS.
Jan. 21.-I came to my room; and there, in my own corner, sat poor
Mr. Fairly, looking a little forlorn, and telling me he had been
there near an hour. I made every apology that could mark in the
strongest manner how little I thought his patience worth such
exertion. . . .
He was going to spend the next day at St. Leonard's, where he was
to meet his son; and he portrayed to me the character of Mrs.
Harcourt so fairly and favourably, that her flightiness sunk away
on the rise of her good qualities. He spoke of his chapel of St.
Catherine's, its emoluments, chaplain, brothers, sisters, and
full establishment.
Finding I entered into nothing, he took up a fan which lay on my
table, and began playing off various imitative airs with it,
exclaiming, "How thoroughly useless a toy!"
"No," I said; "on the contrary, taken as an ornament, it was the
most useful ornament of any belonging to full dress, occupying
the hands, giving the eyes something to look at, and taking away
stiffness and formality from the figure and deportment."
"Men have no fans," cried he, "and how do they do?"
"Worse," quoth I, plumply.
He laughed quite out, saying, "That's ingenuous, however; and,
indeed, I must confess they are reduced, from time to time, to
shift their hands from one pocket to another."
"Not, to speak of lounging about in their chairs from one side to
another."
"But the real use of a fan," cried he, "if there is any, is it
not--to hide a particular blush that ought not to appear?"
Page 282
"O, no; it Would rather make it the sooner noticed."
"Not at all; it may be done under pretence of absence--rubbing
the cheek, or nose--putting it up accidentally to the eye--in a
thousand ways."
He went through all these evolutions comically enough, and then,
putting aside his toy, came back to graver matters.
MR. FAIRLY CONTINUES HIS VISITS:
THE QUEEN AGAIN REMARKS UPON THEM.
Jan. 26.-In the evening Mr. Fairly came to tea. He was grave,
and my reception did not make him gayer. General discourse took
place till Mrs. Dickenson happened to be named. He knew her very
well as Miss Hamilton. Her conjugal conduct, in displaying her
Superior power over her husband, was our particular theme, till
in the midst of it he exclaimed, "How well you will be trained in
by Mrs. Schwellenberg--if you come to trial!"
Ah! thought I, the more I suffer through her, the less and less
do I feel disposed to run any new and more lasting risk, But I
said not this. I only protested I was much less her humble
servant than might be supposed.
"How can that be," cried he, "when you never contest any one
point with her?"
Not, I said, in positive wrangling, which could never answer its
horrible pain; but still I refused undue obedience when exacted
with indignity, and always hastened to retire when offended and
affronted.
He took up Mrs. Smith's "Emmeline,"(302) which is just lent me by
the queen; but he found it not piquant and putting it down,
begged me to choose him a Rambler." I had a good deal of
difficulty In my decision, as he had already seen almost all I
could particularly wish to recommend; and, when he saw me turn
over leaf after leaf with some hesitation, he began a serious
reproach to me of inflexible reserve. And then away he went.
I hastened immediately to Mrs. Schwellenberg; and found all in a
tumult. She had been, she said, alone all the evening, and was
going to have sent for me, but found I had my company. She sent
for Mlle. Montmoulin but she had a cold; for Miss Gomme, but she
could not come because of the snow;
Page 283
for Miss Planta but she was ill with a fever, "what you call
head-ache:" she had then "sent to princess royal, who had been to
her, and pitied her ver moch, for princess royal was really
sensible."
And all this was communicated with a look of accusation, and a
tone of menace, that might have suited an attack upon some
hardened felon. . . .
I made no sort of apology nor any other answer than that I had
had the honour of Mr. Fairly's company to tea, which was always a
pleasure to me.
I believe something like consciousness whispered her here, that
it might really be possible his society was as pleasant as I had
found hers, for she then dropped her lamentation, and said she
thanked God she wanted nobody, not one; she could always amuse
herself, and was glad enough to be alone.
Were it but true!
I offered cards: she refused, because it was too late, though we
yet remained together near two hours.
If this a little disordered me, You will not think what followed
was matter of composure. While the queen's hair was rolling up,
by the wardrobe woman, at night, Mrs. Schwellenberg happened to
leave the room, and almost instantly her majesty, in a rather
abrupt manner, said "Is Mr. Fairly here to-night?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"When did he come back?"
I could not recollect.
"I did not know he was here."
This thunderstruck me; that he should come again, or stay, at
least, without apprising his royal mistress, startled me
inwardly, and distressed me outwardly.
"I knew, indeed," she then added, "he was here in the morning,
but I understood he went away afterwards."
The idea of connivance now struck me with a real disdain, that
brought back my courage and recollection in full force, and I
answered, "I remember, ma'am, he told me he had rode over to
Richmond park at noon, and returned here to dinner with Colonel
Wellbred, and in the evening he drank tea with me, and said he
should sup with General Harcourt."
All this, spoken with an openness that rather invited than
shunned further investigation, seemed to give an immediate
satisfaction ; the tone of voice_ changed to its usual com-
Page 284
placency, and she inquired various things concerning the Stuart
family, and then spoke upon more common topics.
I concluded it now all over; but soon after Mrs. Sandys went
away, and then, very unexpectedly, the queen renewed the subject.
"The reason," she said, "that I asked about Mr. Fairly was that
the Schwellenberg sent to ask Miss Planta to come to her, because
Mr. Fairly was--no, not with her--he never goes to her."
She stopped; but I was wholly silent. I felt instantly with how
little propriety I could undertake either to defend or to excuse
Mr. Fairly, whom I determined to consider as a visitor,, over
whom, having no particular influence, I could be charged with no
particular responsibility.
After waiting a few minutes,-"With you," she said, "Mr. Fairly
was and the Schwellenberg was alone."
My spirits quite panted at this moment to make a full Confession
of the usage I had endured from the person thus compassionated;
but I had so frequently resolved, in moments Of cool
deliberation, not even to risk doing mischief to a favourite old
servant, that I withstood the impulse ; but the inward conflict
silenced me from saying anything else.
I believe she was surprised but she added, after a long pause, "I
believe--he comes to you every evening when here."
"I do not know, ma'am, always, when he is here or away; but I am
always very glad to see him, for indeed his visits make all the
little variety that--"
I hastily stopped, lest she should think me discontented with
this strict confinement during this dreadful season ; and that I
can never be, when it is not accompanied by tyranny and
injustice.
She immediately took up the word, but without the slightest
displeasure. "Why here there might be more variety than
anywhere, from the nearness to town, except for--"
" The present situation of things." I eagerly interrupted her to
say, and went on: "Indeed, ma'am, I have scarce a wish to break
into the present arrangement, by seeing anybody while the house
is in this state; nor have I, from last October, seen one human
being that does not live here, except Mr. Smelt, Mr. Fairly, and
Sir Lucas Pepys; and they all come upon their own calls, and not
for me."
"The only objection," she gently answered, "to seeing anybody, is
that every one who comes carries some sort of information away
with them."
Page 285
I assured her I was perfectly content to wait for better
times, Here the matter dropped ; she appeared satisfied with what
I said, and became soft and serene as before the little attack.
Jan. 27.-The intelligence this morning was not very pleasant. I
had a conference afterwards with Sir Lucas Pepys, who keeps up
undiminished hope. We held our council in the physicians' room,
which chanced to be empty; but before it broke up Colonel
Wellbred entered. It was a pleasure to me to see him, though
somewhat an embarrassment to hear him immediately lament that we
never met, and add that he knew not in what manner to procure
himself that pleasure. I joined in the lamentation, and its
cause, which confined us all to our cells. Sir Lucas declared my
confinement menaced my health, and charged me to walk out, and
take air and exercise very sedulously, if I would avoid an
illness.
Colonel Wellbred instantly offered me a key of Richmond gardens,
which opened into them by a nearer door than what was used in
common. I accepted his kindness, and took an hour's walk,-for
the first time since last October; ten minutes in Kew gardens are
all I have spent without doors since the middle of that month.
THE SEARCH FOR MR. FAIRLY.
Jan. 30.-To-day my poor royal mistress received the address of
the Lords and Commons, of condolence, etc., upon his majesty's
illness. What a painful, but necessary ceremony! It was most
properly presented by but few members, and those almost all
chosen from the household: a great propriety.
Not long after came Mr. Fairly, looking harassed. "May I," he
cried, "come in?--and-for an hour? Can you allow me entrance and
room for that time?"
Much Surprised, for already it was three o'clock, I assented: he
then told me he had something to copy for her majesty, which was
of the highest importance, and said he could find no quiet room
in the house but mine for such a business. I gave him every
accommodation in my power. When he had written a few lines, he
asked if I was very busy, or could help him ? Most readily I
offered my services, and then I read to him the original,
sentence by sentence, to facilitate his copying; receiving his
assurances of my "great assistance" every two lines. In the
midst of this occupation,
Page 286
a tap at my door made me precipitately put down the paper to
receive-lady Charlotte Finch!
"Can you," she cried, "have the goodness to tell me any thing of
Mr. Fairly?"
The screen had hidden him; but, gently,--though, I believe ill
enough pleased,--he called out himself, "Here is Mr. Fairly."
She flew up to him, crying, "O, Mr. Fairly, what a search has
there been for you, by the queen's orders ! She has wanted you
extremely, and no one knew where to find you. They have been to
the waiting-room, to the equerries', all over the garden, to the
prince's house, in your own room, and could find you nowhere, and
at last they thought you were gone back to town."
He calmly answered, while he still wrote on, he was sorry they
had had so much trouble, for he had only been executing her
majesty's commands.
She then hesitated a little, almost to stammering, in adding
"So--at last--I said--that perhaps--you might be here!"
He now raised his head from the paper, and bowing it towards me,
"Yes," he cried, "Miss Burney is so good as to give me leave, and
there is no other room in the house in Which I can be at rest."
"So I told her majesty," answered Lady Charlotte, "though she
said she was sure you could not be here ; but I said there was
really no room of quiet here for any business, and so then I came
to see."
"Miss Burney," he rejoined, "has the goodness also to help me--
she has taken the trouble to read as I go on, which forwards me
very much."
Lady Charlotte stared, and I felt sorry at this confession of a
confidence she could not but think too much, and I believe he
half repented it, for he added, "This, however, you need not
perhaps mention, though I know where I trust!"
He proceeded again with his writing, and she then recollected her
errand. She told him that what he was copying was to be carried
to town by Lord Aylesbury, but the queen desired to see it first.
She then returned to her majesty.
She soon, however, returned again. She brought the queen's seal,
and leave that he might make up the packet, and give it to Lord
Aylesbury, without showing it first to her majesty, who was just
gone to dinner. With her customary good-humour
Page 287
and good-breeding, she then chatted with me some time, and again
departed.
We then went to work with all our might, reading and copying.
The original was extremely curious--I am sorry I must make it
equally secret.
Miss BURNEY's ALARM ON BEING CHASED BY THE KING.
Kew Palace, Monday, Feb. 2.-What an adventure had I this morning!
one that has occasioned me the severest personal terror I ever
experienced in my life.
Sir Lucas Pepys still persisting that exercise and air were
absolutely necessary to save me from illness, I have continued my
walks, varying my gardens from Richmond to Kew, according to the
accounts I received of the movements of the king. For this I had
her majesty's permission, on the representation of Sir Lucas.
This morning, when I received my intelligence of the king from
Dr. John Willis, I begged to know where I might walk in safety?
"In Kew gardens," he said, "as the king would be in Richmond."
"Should any unfortunate circumstance," I cried, "at any time,
occasion my being seen by his majesty, do not mention my name,
but let me run off without call or notice." This he promised.
Everybody, indeed, is ordered to keep out of sight. Taking,
therefore, the time I had most at command, I strolled into the
gardens. I had proceeded, in my quick way, nearly half the
round, when I suddenly perceived, through some trees, two or
three figures. Relying on the instructions of Dr. John, I
concluded them to be workmen and gardeners; yet tried to look
sharp, and in so doing, as they were less shaded, I thought I saw
the person of his majesty!
Alarmed past all possible expression, I waited not to know more,
but turning back, ran off with all my might. But what was my
terror to hear myself pursued!--to hear the voice of the king
himself loudly and hoarsely calling after me, "MISS Burney! Miss
Burney!
I protest I was ready to die. I knew not in what state he might
be at the time; I only knew the orders to keep out of his way
were universal; that the queen would highly disapprove any
unauthorized meeting, and that the very action of my running away
might deeply, in his present irritable state,
offend him. Nevertheless, on I ran, too terrified to stop, and
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In search Of some short passage, for the g)arden is full of
labyrinths, by which I might escape.
The steps still pursued me, and Still the poor hoarse and altered
voice rang in my ears:--more and more footsteps sounded
frightfully behind me,--the attendants all running to catch their
eager master, and the voices of the two Doctor Willises loudly
exhorting him not to heat himself so unmercifully.
Heavens, how I ran! I do not think I should have felt the hot
lava from Vesuvius--at least not the hot cinders--hadd I so run
during its eruption. My feet were not sensible that they even
touched the ground.
Soon after, I heard other voices, shriller, though less nervous,
call out "Stop! stop! stop!"
I could by no means consent: I knew not what was purposed, but I
recollected fully my agreement with Dr. John that very morning,
that I should decamp if Surprised, and not b named. My own fears
and repugnance, also, after a flight and disobedience like this,
were doubled in the thought of not
escaping; I knew not to what I might be exposed, should the
malady be then high, and take the turn of resentment. Still,
therefore, on I flew; and such was my speed, so almost incredible
to relate or recollect, that I fairly believe no one of the whole
party could have overtaken me, if these words, from one of the
attendants, had not reached me, "Doctor Willis begs you to stop!"
"I cannot! I cannot!" I answered, still flying on, when he called
out, "You must, ma'am; it hurts the king to run."
Then, indeed, I stopped--in a state of fear really amounting to
agony. I turned round, I saw the two doctors had got the king
between them, and three attendants of Dr. Willis's were hovering
about. They all slackened their pace, as they saw me stand
still; but such was the excess of my alarm, that I was wholly
insensible to the effects of a race which, at any other time,
would have required an hour's recruit.
As they approached, some little presence of mind happily came to
my command it occurred to me that, to appease the wrath of my
flight, I must now show some confidence: I therefore faced them
as undauntedly as I was able, only charging the nearest of the
attendants to stand by my side.
When they were within a few yards of me, the king called out,
"Why did you run away?"
Shocked at a question impossible to answer, yet a little
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assured by the mild tone of his voice, I instantly forced myself
forward, to meet him, though the internal sensation which
satisfied me this was a step the most proper, to appease his
suspicions and displeasure, was so violently combated by the
tremor of my nerves, that I fairly think I may reckon it the
greatest effort of personal courage-I have ever made.
A ROYAL SALUTE AND ROYAL CONFIDENCES.
The effort answered : I looked up, and met all his wonted
benignity of countenance, though something still of wildness in
his eyes. Think, however, of my surprise, to feel him put both
his hands round my two shoulders, and then kiss my cheek ! * I
wonder I did not really sink, so exquisite was my affright when I
saw him spread out his arms! Involuntarily, I concluded he meant
to crush me: but the Willises, who have never seen him till this
fatal illness, not knowing how very extraordinary an action this
was from him, simply smiled and looked pleased, supposing,
perhaps, it was his customary salutation!
I believe, however, it was but the joy of a heart unbridled, now,
by the forms and proprieties of established custom and sober
reason. To see any of his household thus by accident, seemed
such a near approach to liberty and recovery, that who can wonder
it should serve rather to elate than lessen what yet remains of
his disorder!
He now spoke in such terms of his pleasure in seeing me, that I
soon lost the whole of my terror; astonishment to find him so
nearly well, and gratification to see him so pleased, removed
every uneasy feeling, and the joy that succeeded, in my
conviction of his recovery, made me ready to throw myself at his
feet to express it.
What conversation followed! When he saw me fearless, he grew more
and more alive, and made me walk close by his side, away from the
attendants, and even the Willises themselves, who, to indulge
him, retreated. I own myself not completely composed, but alarm
I could entertain no more.
Everything that came uppermost in his mind he mentioned; he
seemed to have just such remains of his flightiness as heated his
imagination without deranging his reason, and robbed him of all
control over his speech, though nearly in his perfect state Of
mind as to his opinions. What did he not say !--He opened
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his whole heart to me,--expounded all his sentiments, and
acquainted me with all his intentions.
The heads of his discourse I must give you briefly, as I am sure
you will be highly curious to hear them, and as no accident can
render of much consequence what a man says in such a state of
physical intoxication. He assured me he was quite well--as well
as he had ever been in his life ; and then inquired how I did,
and how I went on? and whether I was more comfortable? If these
questions, in their implications, surprised me, imagine how that
surprise must increase when he proceeded to explain them! He
asked after the coadjutrix, laughing, and saying "Never mind
her!--don't be oppressed--I am your friend! don't let her cast
you down!--I know you have a hard time of it--but don't mind
her!"
Almost thunderstruck with astonishment, I merely curtsied to his
kind "I am your friend," and said nothing. Then presently he
added, "Stick to your father--stick to your own family--let them
be your objects."
How readily I assented!
Again he repeated all I have just written, nearly in the same
words, but ended it more seriously: He suddenly stopped, and held
me to stop too, and putting his hand on his breast. in the most
solemn manner, he gravely and slowly said, "I will protect you!--
I promise you that--and therefore depend upon me!"
I thanked him ; and the Willises, thinking him rather too
elevated, came to propose my walking on. "No, no, no!" he cried,
a hundred times in a breath and their good humour prevailed, and
they let him again walk on with his new Companion.
He then gave me a history of his pages, animating almost into a
rage, as he related his subjects of displeasure with them,
particularly with Mr. Ernst, who he told me had been brought up
by himself. I hope his ideas upon these men are the result of
the mistakes of his malady.
Then he asked me some questions that very greatly &stressed me,
relating to information given him in his illness, from various
motives, but which he suspected to be false, and which I knew he
had reason to suspect: yet was It most dangerous to set anything
right, as I was not aware what might be the views of their having
been stated wrong. I was as discreet as I knew how to be, and I
hope I did no mischief; but this was the worst part of the
dialogue.
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He next talked to me a great deal of my dear father, and
made a thousand inquiries concerning his "History of Music."
This brought him to his favourite theme, Handel; and he told me
innumerable anecdotes of him, and particularly that celebrated
tale of Handel's saying of himself, when a boy, "While that boy
lives, my music will never want a protector." And this, he said,
I might relate to my father. Then he ran over
most of his oratorios, attempting to sing the subjects of several
airs and choruses, but so dreadfully hoarse that the sound was
terrible.
Dr. Willis, quite alarmed at this exertion, feared he would do
himself harm, and again proposed a separation. " "No! no! no!"
he exclaimed, "not yet; I have something I must just mention
first."
Dr. Willis, delighted to comply, even when uneasy at compliance,
again gave way. The good king then greatly affected me. He
began upon my revered old friend, Mrs. Delany and he spoke of her
with such warmth--such kindness! "She was my friend!" he cried,
"and I loved her as a friend! I have made a memorandum when I
lost her--I will show it YOU."
He pulled out a pocket-book, and rummaged some time, but to no
purpose. The tears stood in his eyes--he wiped them, and Dr.
Willis again became very anxious. "Come, sir," he cried, "now do
you come in and let the lady go on her walk,-come, now you have
talked a long while,-so we'll go in,--if your majesty pleases."
"No, no!" he cried, "I want to ask her a few questions ; --I have
lived so long out of the world, I know nothing!"
This touched me to the heart. We walked on together, and he
inquired after various persons, particularly Mrs. Boscawen,
because she was Mrs. Delany's friend! Then, for the same reason,
after Mr. Frederick Montagu,(303) of whom he kindly said, "I
know he has a great regard for me, for all he joined the
opposition." Lord Grey de Wilton, Sir Watkin Wynn, the Duke of
Beaufort, and various others, followed. He then told me he was
very much dissatisfied with several of his state officers, and
meant to form an entire new establishment. He took a paper out
of his pocket-book, and showed me his new list.
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This was the wildest thing that passed ; and Dr. John Willis now
seriously urged our separating; but he would not consent he had
only three more words to say, he declared, and again he
conquered.
He now spoke of my father, with still more kindness, and told me
he ought to have had the post of master of the band, and not that
little poor musician Parsons, who was not fit for it: "But Lord
Salisbury," he cried, "used your father vary ill in that
business, and so he did me! However, I have dashed out his name,
and I shall put your father's in,--as soon as I
get loose again!"
This again--how affecting was this!
"And what," cried he,"has your father got, at last? nothing but
that poor thing at Chelsea?(304) O fie! fie! fie! But never mind!
I will take care of him. I will do it myself!" Then presently
he added, "As to Lord Salisbury, he is out already, as this
memorandum will Show you, and so are many more. I shall be much
better served and when once I get away, I shall rule with a rod
of iron!"
This was very unlike himself, and startled the two good doctors,
who could not bear to cross him, and were exulting at seeing his
great amendment, but yet grew quite uneasy at his earnestness and
volubility. Finding we now must part, he stopped to take leave,
and renewed again his charges about the coadjutrix. "Never mind
her!" he cried, "depend upon me! I will be your friend as long as
I live--I here pledge myself to be your friend!" And then he
saluted me again just as at the meeting, and suffered me to go
on.
What a scene! how variously was I affected by it! but, upon the
whole, how inexpressibly thankful to see him so nearly himself--
so little removed from recovery!
CURIOSITY REGARDING Miss BURNEY'S MEETING WITH THE KING.
I went very soon after to the queen to whom I was most eager to
avow the meeting, and how little I could help it. Her
astonishment, and her earnestness to hear every particular, were
very great. I told her almost all. Some few things relating to
the distressing questions I could not repeat nor
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many things said of Mrs. Schwellenberg, which would much, very
needlessly, have hurt her.
This interview, and the circumstances belonging to it, excited
general curiosity, and all the house watched for opportunities to
beg a relation of it. How delighted was I to tell them all my
happy prognostics!
But the first to hasten to hear of it was Mr. Smelt; eager and
enchanted was the countenance and attention of that truly loyal
and most affectionate adherent to his old master. He wished me
to see Lady Harcourt and the general, and to make them a brief
relation of this extraordinary rencounter but for that I had not
effort enough left.
I did what I Could, however, to gratify the curiosity of Colonel
Wellbred, which I never saw equally excited. I was passing him
on the stairs, and he followed me, to say he had heard what had
happened--I imagine from the Willises. I told him, with the
highest satisfaction, the general effect produced upon my mind by
the accident, that the king seemed so nearly, himself, that
patience itself could have but little longer trial. He wanted to
hear more particulars: I fancy the Willises had vaguely related
some: "Did he not," he cried, "promise to do something for you?"
I only laughed, and answered, "O yes! if you want any thing,
apply to me;--now is my time!"
Feb. 3.--I had the great happiness to be assured this morning, by
both the Dr. Willises, that his majesty was by no means the worse
for our long conference. Those good men are inexpressibly happy
themselves in the delightful conviction given me, and by me
spread about, of the near recovery of their royal patient.
While I was dressing came Mr. Fairly: I could not admit him, but
he said he would try again in the evening. I heard by the tone
of his voice a peculiar eagerness, and doubted not he was
apprized of my adventure.
He came early, before I could leave my fair companion, and sent
on Goter. I found him reading a new pamphlet of Horne Tooke:
"How long," he cried, "it is since I have been here!"
I was not flippantly disposed, or I would have said I had thought
the time he spent away always short, by his avowed eagerness to
decamp.
He made so many inquiries of how I had gone on and what I had
done since I saw him, that I was soon satisfied he was
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not uninformed of yesterday's transaction. I told him so; he
could not deny it, but wished to hear the whole from myself.
I most readily complied. He listened with the most eager, nay,
anxious attention, scarce breathing: he repeatedly ex_ claimed,
when I had finished, "How I wish I had been there! how I should
have liked to have seen you!"
I assured him he would not wish that, if he knew the terror I had
suffered. He was quite elated with the charges against Cerberic
tyranny, and expressed himself gratified by the promises of
favour and protection.
THE REGENCY BILL.
Feb. 6.-These last three days have been spent very unpleasantly
indeed: all goes hardly and difficultly with my poor royal
mistress.
Yet his majesty is now, thank heaven, so much better, that he
generally sees his gentlemen in some part of the evening; and Mr.
Fairly, having no particular taste for being kept in waiting
whole hours for this satisfaction of a few minutes, yet finding
himself, if in the house, indispensably required to attend with
the rest, has changed his Kew visits from nights to mornings.
He brought me the "Regency Bill!"--I shuddered to hear it named.
It was just printed, and he read it to me, with comments and
explanations, which took up all our time, and in a manner, at
present, the most deeply interesting in which it could be
occupied.
'Tis indeed a dread event!--and how it may terminate who can say?
My poor royal mistress is much disturbed. Her daughters behave
like angels - they seem content to reside in this gloomy solitude
for ever, if it prove of comfort to their mother, or mark their
duteous affection for their father.
INFINITELY LICENTIOUS!
Feb. 9.-I now walk on the road-side, along the park-wall, every
fair morning, as I shall venture no more into either of the
gardens. In returning this morning, I was overtaken by Mr.
Fairly, who rode up to me, and, dismounting, gave his horse to
his groom, to walk on with me.
About two hours after I was, however, surprised by a visit from
him in my own room, He came, he said, only to ask
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me a second time how I did, as he should be here now less and
less, the king's amendment rendering his services of smaller and
smaller importance.
He brought me a new political parody of Pope's "Eloisa to
Abelard," from Mr. Eden to Lord Hawkesbury. It is a most daring,
though very clever imitation. It introduces many of the present
household. Mrs. Schwellenberg is now in eternal abuse from all
these scribblers; Lady Harcourt, and many others, less notorious
to their attacks, are here brought forward. How infinitely
licentious!
MISS BURNEY IS TAXED WITH VISITING GENTLEMEN.
Feb. 10.-The amendment of the king is progressive, and without
any reasonable fear, though not without some few drawbacks. The
Willis family were surely sent by heaven to restore peace, and
health, and prosperity to this miserable house
Lady Charlotte Finch called upon me two days ago, almost
purposely, to inquire concerning the report of my young friend's
marriage; and she made me promise to acquaint her when I received
any further news: at noon, therefore, I went to her apartment at
the Prince of Wales's, with this information. Mr. Fairly, I
knew, was with the equerries in our lodge. Lady Charlotte had
the Duchess of Beaufort and all the Fieldings with her, and
therefore I only left a message, by no means, feeling spirits for
encountering any stranger.
At noon, when I attended her majesty, she inquired if I had
walked?--Yes.--Where?--In Richmond gardens.--And nowhere else?--
No. She looked thoughtful,--and presently I recollected my
intended visit to Lady Charlotte, and mentioned it. She cleared
up, and said, "O!--you. went to Lady Charlotte?"
"Yes, ma'am," I answered, thinking her very absent,--which I
thought with sorrow, as that is so small a part of her character,
that I know not I ever saw any symptom of it before. Nor, in
fact, as I found afterwards, did I see it now. It was soon
explained. Miss Gomme, Mlle. Montmoulin, and Miss Planta, all
dined with Mrs. Schwellenberg to-day. The moment I joined them,
Mrs. Schwellenberg called out,--"Pray,
Miss Berner, for what visit you the gentlemen?"
"Me?"
"Yes, you,--and for what, I say?"
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Amazed, I declared I did not know what she meant.
"O," cried she, scoffingly, "that won't not do!--we all saw
you,--princess royal the same,--so don't not say that."
I stared,-and Miss Gomme burst out in laughter, and then Mrs.
Schwellenberg added,--"For what go you over to the Prince of
Wales his house?--nobody lives there but the gentlemen,--nobody
others."
I laughed too, now, and told her the fact.
"O," cried she, "Lady Charlotte!--ver true. I had forgot Lady
Charlotte!"
"O, very well, imagine," cried I,--"so only the gentlemen were
remembered!"
I then found this had been related to the queen; and Mlle.
Montmoulin said she supposed the visit had been to General
Gordon!--He is the groom now in waiting.
Then followed an open raillery from Mlle. Montmoulin of Mr.
Fairly's visits; but I stood it very well, assuring her I should
never seek to get rid of my two prison-visitors, Mr. Smelt and
Mr. Fairly, till I Could replace them by better, or go abroad for
others
IMPROVEMENT IN THE KING'S, HEALTH.
Feb. 14.-The king is infinitely better. O that there were
patience in the land ! and this Regency Bill postponed Two of the
princesses regularly, and in turn, attend their royal mother in
her evening visits to the king. Some of those who stay behind
now and then spend the time in Mrs. Schwellenberg's room. They
all long for their turn of going to the king, and count the hours
till it returns. Their dutiful affection is truly beautiful to
behold.
This evening the Princesses Elizabeth and Mary came into Mrs.
Schwellenberg's room while I was yet there. They sang songs in
two parts all the evening, and vary prettily in point of voice.
Their good humour, however, and inherent condescension and
sweetness of manners, would make a much worse performance
pleasing.
Feb. 16-All well, and the king is preparing for an interview with
the chancellor Dr. Willis now confides in me all his schemes and
notions; we are growing the best of friends and his son Dr. John
is nearly as trusty. Excellent people! how I love and honour
them all!
I had a visit at noon from Mr. Fairly. He hastened to tell
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me the joyful news that the king and queen were just gone out, to
walk in Richmond gardens, arm in arm.--what a delight to all the
house!
When I came to tea, I found Mr. Fairly waiting in my room. He
had left Kew for Richmond park, but only dined there. We had
much discussion of state business. The king is SO much himself,
that he is soon to be informed of the general situation of the
kingdom. O what an information!--how we all tremble in looking
forward to it., Mr. Fairly thinks Mr. Smelt the fittest man for
this office; Mr. Smelt thinks the same of Mr. Fairly: both have
told me this.
MR. FAIRLY AND MR. WINDHAM.
Mr. Fairly began soon to look at his watch, complaining very much
of the new ceremony imposed, of this attendance of handing the
Queen, which, he said, broke into his whole evening. Yet he does
as little as possible. "The rest of them," he said, " think it
necessary to wait in an adjoining apartment during the whole
interview, to be ready to show themselves when it is over!
He now sat with his watch in his hand, dreading to pass his time,
but determined not to anticipate its occupation, till half past
nine o'clock, when he drew on his white gloves, ready for action.
But then, stopping short, he desired me to guess whom, amongst my
acquaintance, he had met in London this last time of his going
thither. I could not guess whom he meant--but I saw it was no
common person, by his manner. He then continued--"A tall, thin,
meagre, sallow, black-eyed, penetrating, keen-looking figure."
I could still not guess,-and he named Mr. Windham.
"Mr. Windham!" I exclaimed, "no, indeed,--you do not describe him
fairly,-he merits better colouring."
He accuses me of being very partial to him: however, I am angry
enough with him just now, though firmly persuaded still, that
whatever has fallen from him, that is wrong and unfeeling on the
subject of the Regency, has been the effect of his
enthusiastic friendship for Mr. Burke: for he has never risen, on
this cruel business, but in Support of that most misguided of
Vehement and wild orators. This I have observed in the debates,
and felt that Mr. Burke was not more run away with by violence of
temper, and passion, than Mr. Windham by excess of friendship and
admiration.
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Mr. Fairly has, I fancy, been very intimate with him, for he told
me he observed he was passing him, in Queen Anne Street, and
stopped his horse, to call out, "O ho, Windham! so I see you will
not know me with this servant!" He was on business of the
queen's, and had one of the royal grooms with him.
Mr. Windham laughed, and said he was very glad to see who it was,
for, on looking at the royal servant, he had just been going to
make his lowest bow.
"O, I thank you!" returned Mr. Fairly, "you took me, then, for
the Duke of Cumberland,"
THE KING CONTINUES TO IMPROVE.
Feb. 17.-The times are now most interesting and critical. Dr.
Willis confided to me this morning that to-day the king is to see
the chancellor. How important will be the result of his
appearance!--the whole national fate depends upon it!
Feb. 18.-I had this morning the highest gratification, the purest
feelings of delight, I have been regaled with for many months: I
saw, from the road, the king and queen, accompanied by Dr.
Willis, walking in Richmond gardens, near the farm, arm in arm!--
It was a pleasure that quite melted me, after a separation so
bitter, scenes so distressful-to witness such harmony and
security! Heaven bless and preserve them was all I could
incessantly say while I kept in their sight. I was in the
carriage with Mrs. Schwellenberg at the time. They saw us also,
as I heard afterwards from the queen.
In the evening Mrs. Arline, Mrs. Schwellenberg's maid, came into
Mrs. Schwellenberg's room, after coffee, and said to me, "If you
please, ma'am, somebody wants you." I concluded this somebody my
shoemaker, or the like; but in my room I saw Mr. Fairly. He was
in high spirits. He had seen his majesty; Dr. Willis had carried
him in. He was received with open arms, and embraced; he found
nothing now remaining of the disorder, but too in much hurry of
spirits. When he had related the particulars of the interview,
he suddenly exclaimed, "How amazingly well you have borne all
this!"
I made some short answers, and would have taken-refuge in some
other topic: but he seemed bent upon pursuing his own, and
started various questions and surmises, to draw me on, In vain,
however; I gave but general, or evasive answers,
Page 299
THE KING'S HEALTH IS COMPLETELY RESTORED.
This was a sweet, and will prove a most memorable day:
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!
Feb. 23.-This morning opened wofully to me, though gaily to the
house; for as my news of his majesty was perfectly comfortable, I
ventured, in direct words, to ask leave to receive my dear
friends Mr. and Mrs. Locke, who were now in town:--in understood
sentences, and open looks, I had already failed again and again.
My answer was-" I have no particular objection, only you'll keep
them to your room." Heavens!--did they ever, unsummoned, quit it?
or have they any wish to enlarge their range of visit? I was
silent, and then heard a history of some imprudence in Lady
Effingham, who had received some of her friends. My resolution,
upon this, I need not mention: I preferred the most lengthened
absence to such a permission. But I felt it acutely! and
I hoped, at least, that by taking no steps, something more
favourable might soon pass. . . .
The king I have seen again in the queen's dressing-room. On
opening the door, there he stood! He smiled at my start,
and saying he had waited on purpose to see me, added, "I am quite
well now,--I was nearly so when I saw you before, but I could
overtake you better now." And then he left the room. I
was quite melted with joy and thankfulness at this so entire
restoration.
End of February, 1789. Dieu merci!
(294) Physician-in-ordinary to the king-ED.
(295) Her tragedy of "Edwy and Elgiva," which was produced at
Drury Lane in 1795. See note ante, vol. i., p. xlv.--ED.
(296) The "Douglas cause" was one of the causes celebres of its
tine. Its history is briefly as follows. In 1746 Lady Jane
Douglas married Sir John Stewart. At Paris, in July, 1748, she
gave birth to twins, Archibald and Sholto, of whom the latter
died an infant. Lady Jane herself died in 1753. The surviving
child, Archibald, was always recognized as their son by Lady Jane
and Sir John. In 1760 the Duke of Douglas, the brother of Lady
Jane, being childless, recognised his sister's son as his heir,
and bequeathed to him by will the whole of the Douglas estates,
revoking, for that purpose, a previous testament which he had
made in favour of the Hamilton family. The Duke died in 1761,
and Archibald, who had assumed his mother's, name of Douglas,
duly succeeded to the estates. His right, however, Was disputed
at law by the Duke of Hamilton, on the pretence, which he sought
to establish, that Archibald Douglas was not in fact the son of
his reputed mother. The Lords of Session in Scotland decided in
favour of the Duke of Hamilton, whereupon Mr. Douglas appealed to
the House of Lords, which reversed the decision of the Scottish
court (February 2-, 1769), 1, "thereby confirming to Mr. Douglas
his Filiation and his Fortune."-ED.
(297) "Miss Fuzilier," the Diary-name for Miss Gunning, whom
Colonel Digby did subsequently marry. "Sir R- F-" is her father,
Sir Robert Gunning.-ED,
(298) One of the apothecaries to the royal household.-ED.
(299) Dr. Richard Warren, one of the physicians in ordinary to
the king and the Prince of Wales.-ED.
(300) The Lord chancellor Thurlow.-ED.
(301) Mrs. Elizabeth Carter's "Ode to Wisdom," printed in
"Clarissa Harlowe" (vol. ii., letter x.), with a musical setting,
given as the composition of Clarisa herself. The Ode is by no
means without merit of a modest kind, but can scarcely be ranked
the production of a genuine poet.-ED.
(302) "Emmeline, the Orphan of the Castle," a novel in four
volumes, by Charlotte Smith. Published 1788.-ED.
(303) Mr. Frederick Montagu was not only a member of the
opposition but One of the managers of the impeachment of Warren
Hastings.-ED.
(304) Burke's last act before quitting office at the close of
1783, had been to procure for Dr. Burney the post of organist to
Chelsea hospital, to which was attached a salary of fifty pounds
a year.-ED.
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