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"Wednesday.

"MY DEAREST DICK ;-I am full of anxiety and fright about you; I cannot but think your letters are very alarming. Deuce take the corporation! is it impossible to make them resign their pretensions, and make peace with the Burgesses? I have sent Thomas after Mr. Cocker. I suppose you have sent for the outvotes; but, if they are not good, what a terrible expense will that be-however, they are ready. I saw Mr. Cocker yesterday-he collected them together last night, and gave them a treat-so they are in high good humour. I inclose you a letter which B. left here last night-I could not resist opening it. Every thing seems going wrong, I think. I thought he was not to do any thing in your absence. It strikes me the bad business he mentions was entirely owing to his own stupidity, and want of a little patience-is it of much consequence? I don't hear that the report is true of Basilico's arrival; a messenger came to the Spanish embassy, which gave rise to this tale, I believe.

66

If you were not so worried, I should scold you for the conclusion of your letter to-day. Might not I as well accuse you of coldness for not filling your letter with professions, at a time when your head must be full of business? I think of nothing all day long, but how to do good, some how or other, for you. I have given you a regular journal of my time, and all to please you so don't, dear Dick, lay so much stress on words. I should use them oftener, perhaps, but I feel as if it would look like deceit. You know me well enough, to be sure that I can never do

what I'm bid, Sir; but, pray, don't think I meant to send you a cold letter, for indeed nothing was ever farther from my heart.

"You will see Mr. Horne Tooke's advertisement to-day in the papers-what do you think of that to complete the thing? Bishop Dixon has just called from the hustings: he says, the late recorder, Adair, proposed Charles with a good speech, and great applause-captain Berkeley, lord Hood with a bad speech, not much applauded; and then Horne Tooke came forward, and, in the most impudent speech that ever was heard, proposed himself— abused both the candidates, and said he should have been ashamed to have sat and heard such ill-deserved praises given him. But he told the crowd that, since so many of these fine virtues and qualifications had never yet done them the least good, they might as well now choose a candidate without them. He said, however, that if they were sincere in their professions of standing alone, he was sure of coming in, for they must all give him their second votes. There was an amazing deal of laughing and noise in the course of his speech. Charles Fox attempted to answer him, and so did lord Hood-but they would hear neither, and they are now polling away.

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Do, my dearest love, if you have possibly time, write me a few more particulars, for your letters are very unsatisfactory, and I am full of anxiety. Make Richardson write-what has he better to do? God bless thee, my dear, dear, Dick-would it were over and all well! I am afraid, at any rate, it will be ruinous work. Ever your true and affectionate

"E. S."

"Near five. I have just come from the hustings:-the state of the poll when I left it was, Fox, 260; Hood, 75; Horne Tooke, 17! But he still persists in his determination of polling a man an hour for the whole time. I saw Mr. Wilkes go up to vote for Tooke and Hood, amidst the hisses and groans of a multitude." Friday.

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My poor Dick, how you are worried! This is the day-you will easily guess how anxious I shall be; but you seem pretty sanguine yourself, which is my only comfort, for Richardson's letter is rather croaking. You have never said a word of little Monkton: has he any chance, or none? I ask questions without considering that, before you receive this, every thing will be decided — I hope triumphantly for you. What a sad set of venal rascals your favourites the Blacks must be, to turn so suddenly from their professions and promises! I am half sorry you have any thing more to do with them, and more than ever regret you did not stand for Westminster with Charles instead of lord John; in that case you would have come in now, and we should not have been persecuted by this Horne Tooke. However, it is the dullest contested election that ever was seen-no canvassing, no houses open, no cockades. But I heard that a report prevails now, that Horne Tooke polling so few the two or three first days, is an artful trick to put the others off their guard, and that he means to pour

in his votes on the last days, when it will be too late for them to repair their neglect. But I don't think it possible, either, for such a fellow to beat Charles in Westminster.

"I have just had a note from Reid he is at Canterbury: the state of the poll there, on Thursday night, was as follows: Gipps, 220; lord * *, 211; sir T. Honeywood, 216; Mr. Warton, 163. We have got two members for Wendover, and two at Aylesbury. Mr. Barham is beat at Stockbridge. Mr. Tierney says he shall be beat, owing to Bate Dudley's manoeuvres, and the Dissenters having all forsaken him—a set of ungrateful wretches. Fawkener has just sent me a state of the poll at Northampton, as it stood yesterday, when they adjourned to dinner:-lord Compton, 160; Bouverie, 98; colonel Manners, 72. They are in hopes Mr. Manners will give up. This is all my news, Sir.

E.

"We had a very pleasant musical party last night, at lord Erskine's, where I supped. I am asked todine to-day with lady Palmerston, at Sheen; but I can't go, unless Mrs. Crewe will carry me, as the coach is gone to have its new lining. I have sent to ask her, for 'tis a fine day, and I should like it very well. God thee bless, my dear Dick. Your's ever, true and affectionate, "E. S."

"Duke of Portland has just left me: he is full of anxiety about you: this is the second time le has called to inquire."

ANECDOTES and CORRESPONDENCE relative to the POLITICAL INTRIGUES during the ILLNESS of the KING in 1788.

[From Moore's Life of Sheridan.]

On the first meeting of Parliament, after the illness of his majesty in 1788 was known, it was resolved, from considerations of delicacy, that the house should adjourn for a fortnight; at the end of which period it was expected that another short adjournment would be proposed by the minister. In this interval, the following judicious letter was addressed to the prince of Wales by Mr. Sheri

dan:

"Sir; From the intelligence of to-day we are led to think that Pitt will make something more of a speech in moving to adjourn on Thursday, than was at first imagined. In this case we presume your royal highness will be of opinion that we must not be wholly silent. I possessed Payne yesterday with my sentiments on the line of conduct which appeared to me best to be adopted on this occasion, that they might be submitted to your royal highness's consideration; and I take the liberty of repeating my firm conviction, that it will greatly advance your royal highness's credit, and, in case of events, lay the strongest grounds to baffle every attempt at opposition to your royal highness's just claims and right, that the language of those who may be, in any sort, suspected of knowing your royal highness's wishes and feelings, should be that of great moderation in disclaiming all party views, and avowing the utmost readiness to acquiesce in any reasonable delay. At the same time, I am perfectly aware of the arts which will be practised, and the advantages which some people will

attempt to gain by time: but I am equally convinced that we should advance their evil views by showing the least impatience or suspicion at present; and I am also convinced that a third party will soon appear, whose efforts may, in the most decisive manner prevent this sort of situation and proceeding from continuing long. Payne will probably have submitted to your royal highness more fully my idea on this subject, towards which I have already taken. some successful steps.* Your royal highness will, I am sure, have the goodness to pardon the freedom with which I give my opinion-after which I have only to add, that whatever your royal highness's judgment decides, shall be the pride of my conduct, and will undoubtedly be so to others."

Captain (afterwards Admiral) Payne, of whom mention is made in this letter, held the situation of Comptroller of the household of the prince of Wales, and was in attendance upon his royal highness, during the early part of the king's illness, at Windsor. The following letters, addressed by him to Mr. Sheridan at this period, contain some curious particulars, both with respect to the royal patient himself, and the feelings of those about him, which, however secret and confidential they were at the time, may now, without scruple, be made matters of history :

"Half past ten at night. "MY DEAR SHERIDAN ;-I ar

• This must allude to the negotiation with lord Thurlow,

*

rived here about three quarters of an hour after Pitt had left it. I enclose you the copy of a letter the prince has just written to the Chancellor, and sent by express, which will give you the outline of the conversation with the prince, as well as the situation of the king's health. I think it an advisable measure as it is a sword that cuts both ways, without being unfit to be shown to whom he pleases but which he will, I think, understand best himself. Pitt desired the longest delay that could be granted with propriety, previous to the declaration of the present calamity. The duke of York, who is looking over me, and is just come out of the king's room, bids me add that his majesty's situation is every moment becoming worse. His pulse is weaker and weaker; and the doctors say it is impossible to survive it long, if his situation does not take some extraordinary change in a few hours.

"So far had I got when your servant came, meaning to send this by the express that carried the Chancellor's letter; in addition to which, the prince has desired doctor Warren to write an account to him, which he is now doing. His letter says, if an amendment does not take place in twenty-four hours, it is impossible for the king to support it: he adds to me, he will answer for his never living to be declared a lunatic. I say all this to you in confidence (though I will not answer for being intelligible) as it goes by your own servant; but I need not add, your own discretion will remind you how necessary it is that neither

my name nor those I use should be quoted even to many of our best friends, whose repetition, without any ill intention, might frustrate views they do not see.

"With respect to the papers, the prince thinks you had better leave them to themselves, as we cannot authorise any report, nor can he contradict the worst-a few hours must, every individual says, terminate our suspense, and therefore, all precaution must be needless:-however, do what you think best. His royal highness would write to you himself;-the agitation he is in will not permit it. Since this letter was begun, all articulation even seems to be at an end with the poor king; but for the two hours preceding, he was in a most determined frenzy. In short, I am myself in so violent a state of agitation, from participating in the feelings of those about me, that if I am intelligible to you, 'tis more than I am to myself. Cataplasms are on his majesty's feet, and strong fomentations have been used without effect: but let me quit so painful a subject. The prince was much pleased with my conversation with lord Loughborough, to whom I do not write, as I conceive 'tis the same, writing to you.

"The archbishop has written a very handsome letter, expressive of his duty and offer of service; but he is not required to come down, it being thought too late.

"Good night.-I will write upon every occasion that information may be useful.

"Ever yours, most sincerely, "J. W. PAYNE. "I have been much pleased with the Duke's zeal since my return, Meaning, the communication to the especially in this communication

Chancellor.

to you."

"Twelve o'clock, noon. "DEAR SHERIDAN, The king last night about twelve o'clock, being then in a situation he could not long have survived, by the effect of James's powder, had a profuse stool, after which a strong perspiration appeared, and he fell into a profound sleep. We were in hopes this was the crisis of his disorder, although the doctors were fearful it was so only with respect to one part of his disorder. How ever, these hopes continued not above an hour, when he awoke, with a well-conditioned skin, no extraordinary degree of fever, but with the exact state he was in before, with all the gestures and ravings of the most confirmed maniac, and a new noise, in imitation of the howling of a dog; in this situation he was this morning at one o'clock when we came to bed. The duke of York, who has been twice in my room in the course of the night, immediately from the king's apartment, says there has not been one moment of lucid interval during the whole nightwhich, I must observe to you, is the concurring, as well as fatal testimony of all about him, from the first moment of his majesty's confinement. The doctors have since had their consultation, and find his majesty calmer, and his pulse tolerably good and much reduced, but the most decided symptoms of insanity. His theme has been all this day on the subject of religion, and of his being inspired, from which his physicians draw the worst consequences, as to any hopes of amendment. In this situation his majesty remains at the present moment, which I give you at length, to prevent your giving credit to the thousand ridiculous reports that we hear, even upon

the spot. Truth is not easily got at in palaces, and so I find here; and time only slowly brings it to one's knowledge. One hears a little bit every day from somebody, that has been reserved with great costiveness, or purposely forgotten; and by all such accounts I find that the present distemper has been very palpable for some time past, previous to any confinement from sickness; and so apprehensive have the people about him been of giving offence by interruption, that the two days (viz. yesterday sen'night and the Monday following) that he was five hours each on horseback, he was in a confirmed frenzy. On the Monday at his return he burst out into tears to the duke of York, and said, 'He wished to God he might die, for he was going to be mad;' and the Queen, who sent to Dr. Warren, on his arrival, privately communicated her knowledge of his situation for some time past, and the melancholy event as it stood exposed. I am prolix upon all these different reports, that you may be completely master of the subject as it stands, and which I shall continue to advertise you of in all its variations. Warren, who is the living princi-. ple in this business (for poor Baker is half crazed himself,) and who I see every half hour, is extremely attentive to the king's disorder. The various fluctuations of his ravings, as well as general situation of his health, are accurately written down throughout the day, and this we have got signed by the physicians every day, and all proper inquiry invited; for I think it necessary to do every thing that may prevent their making use hereafter of any thing like jealousy, suspicion, or mystery, to create public distrust; and, there

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