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COURT LIFE BELOW STAIRS.

CHAPTER I.

News of the King's Madness - Public Anxiety—The Prince's Conduct-What Captain Jack Payne wrote to Sheridan-Removal of His Majesty to Kew-Cruel Treatment of the King-A German Page―The Prince of Wales and Duke of York-Political FactionsThe Plan of Regency-Dr. Willis and the King— Miss Burney Pursued by His Majesty—What Willis Said to the Chancellor-Recovery and RejoicingsThanksgiving at St. Paul's--The Bishop of Llandaff and the Queen-The Duke of York's Duel—The Queen smiles upon Colonel Lennox.

EANWHILE, the news of the king's mad

MEAN

ness spread throughout the kingdom, and the consternation and excitement which followed was intense. Vague reports, not only of the violence and hopelessness of his malady, but of his death, were whispered daily, and added to the agitation which possessed all

VOL. IV.

B

classes alike. The stocks fell two per cent. ; petitions for His Majesty's restoration were offered up by all religious sects, and in the Jewish synagogues, before the Privy Council had framed a form of prayer to be used in the Church of England; and men of all shades of political opinions hurried to town, anxious, and embarrassed that both Houses of Parliament stood prorogued to November 20, beyond which date no power existing in the State could postpone the meeting. Beyond all, a strong feeling pervaded the public mind that the king's death could bode no good to the country.

His Majesty's most bitter affliction seemed indeed to suddenly stir a sense of loyalty in the hearts of the people. Sir Lucas Pepys, one of the royal physicians, told Miss Burney that none of his colleagues lives would be safe, if the king did not recover, and that they all received threatening letters daily. Sir George Baker, another of the medical attendants, had his carriage stopped by the mob, who asked him how the king did, and, on his replying that his case was a bad one, they shouted out, The more shame for you.'

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