feet, penetrated with the excess of his Majesty's goodness towards him. He is overwhelmed with affliction still to find that the continuance in extreme weakness of nerves renders it impossible for him to flatter himself with being able soon to present himself before his Majesty. He is as yet utterly incapable of the smallest effort, and can only most humbly implore the indulgence of the most gracious of sovereigns. THE KING TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM. LORD CHATHAM, Richmond Lodge, June 15, 1767, 5 m. past 8, a. m. I AM Sorry you continue giving so unfavourable an account of your health. I therefore take up my pen most earnestly to recommend your sending for Sir Clifton Wintringham('), whose great perspicuity I have experienced, and I make no doubt you will (1) This eminent medical writer, the son of a physician of the same name, was appointed, in 1749, chief physician to the Duke of Cumberland, and in 1749, physician to the king. His character is thus drawn in Nichols's Literary Anecdotes, vol. ii. p. 34.:-"In Sir Clifton were united all those amiable virtues which adorn and dignify human nature. By a liberal education, and an intimate acquaintance with the most admired classic writers, he had acquired an elegant taste, and by a long and successful practice as a physician, great skill and judgment in his profession. In domestic life he was good-natured, affable, and endearing; in conversation polite, lively, and entertaining; in his friendships steady and affectionate." He died in 1794, at the age of eighty-four. very shortly find the good effects of his coming to Dr. Addington's assistance. I know also the very high opinion Sir Edward Wilmot has of Sir Clifton; which will undoubtedly have no small weight with you. I have long wished to give you this advice, but now think I owe it to the good of my service, nay even to the public, not to withhold it any longer. GEORGE R. THE EARL OF CHATHAM TO THE KING. [In the hand-writing of Lady Chatham.] June 15, 1767. LORD CHATHAM most humbly begs leave to lay himself with all duty and submission at the King's feet, utterly unable to express what he feels from the most condescending and most gracious mark of his Majesty's infinite goodness, in deigning to bestow a thought upon the health of a devoted servant. Sunk as that health still remains, may he be permitted to submit to his Majesty, that his entire confidence is placed in Dr. Addington, who gives him the strongest assurances of recovery, with proper time. He therefore ventures most humbly to implore that he may be allowed still to pursue his directions, without the intervention of another physician. Under the deepest sense of the grace and consolation extended to him by his most gracious royal master, he prostrates himself before his Majesty's goodness, with some hope of pardon for presuming to offer most humbly at his Majesty's feet such a petition. THE KING TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM. LORD CHATHAM, Richmond Lodge, June 20, 1767, 34 m. past 3, p. m. ICANNOT refrain congratulating you on the amendment I heard yesterday appeared in your health; which no one takes a greater share in than myself. The very favourable appearance in the House of Lords (1) must also be of great advantage to your spirits; as it plainly demonstrates, that when you are able to come out, all the difficulties that have been encountered will cease. The Duke of Grafton conducts himself with great resolution as well as ability, and showed great pleasure on hearing your health improves. GEORGE R. (1) The following is from the Hardwicke MSS.: "List of the speakers in the House of Lords, June 17, on a motion for a conference with the House of Commons on the bill relating to the East India Company's dividend. For: Duke of Richmond, Lord Mansfield, Lord Lyttelton, Duke of Newcastle, Lord Weymouth, Lord Temple, Duke of Bedford, Lord Suffolk. Against: Lord Marchmont, Duke of Grafton, Lord Sandys, Lord Chancellor, Lord Stewart, Lord Wycombe (Shelburne), Lord Harwich. Not contents, 73. Contents, 52. Majority, 21. With the proxies, not contents, 98. Contents, 57. Majority, 41." THE EARL OF CHATHAM TO THE KING. [From an imperfect draught, partly in his own hand-writing and partly in that of the Countess.] June 20, 1767. LORD CHATHAM begs to be permitted to lay himself with all duty and submission at the King's feet, and to offer the tribute of a grateful heart, wholly unable to give expression to the feelings of veneration and devotion with which it is penetrated, by his Majesty's infinite goodness. Amendment of health would be of tenfold value to him, from his Majesty's infinite condescension in deigning to think of it; the report of which amendment is yet unfortunately not founded. Nothing on earth can so much contribute to it as the excess of his Majesty's goodness. He presumes to offer all congratulation on the favourable appearance in the House of Lords, and has the truest joy in the great ability shown by the Duke of Grafton. THE KING TO THE EARL OF CHATHAM. LORD CHATHAM, Richmond Lodge, June 25, 1767, 20 m. past 6, p. m. LIEUTENANT-GENERAL CONWAY has declared his intention of resigning as soon as the parliament is prorogued. The Lord President's health declines so visibly, that he cannot any longer go through the functions of his employment ('); Mr. Townshend says he is willing to remain, provided stability can be obtained, but not if the administration is patched, as he terms it. The Duke of Grafton, though full of zeal for my service, is unwilling to trace a plan for my approbation. I therefore once more call upon you for that purpose, and with the more earnestness, as I look upon the success as certain, if you take a part; the majority in both houses being now very handsome. I am thoroughly resolved to encounter any difficulties rather than yield to faction. This is so congenial with your ideas, that I am thoroughly persuaded your feelings will force you to take an active part at this hour ; which will not only give lustre and ease to the subsequent years of my reign, but will raise the reputation of your political life in times of inward faction, even above it in the late memorable war. (1) In a letter of the 2d of July, Lord Chesterfield says, "Ministerial affairs are still in the same ridiculous and doubtful situation as when I wrote to you last. Your provincial secretary, Conway, quits this week, and returns to the army, for which he languished. Two lords are talked of to succeed him -Lord Egmont and Lord Hillsborough. Lord Northington quits this week; but nobody guesses who is to succeed him as president. A thousand other changes are talked of, which I neither believe nor reject." And again, on the 9th of the same month, "Contrary to the expectations of all mankind here, every thing still continues in statu quo. General Conway has been desired by the King to keep the seals till he has found a successor for him, and the lord president the same. Lord Chatham is relapsed, and worse than ever: he sees nobody, and nobody sees him." |