matter before the King, when his Majesty readily consented to give her a small house in Windsor Park; and, on its being represented by Lady Harcourt, that something more was requisite to enable the old gentlewoman to pass the evening of her days in comfort, not only furnished the house with every necessary article, but after taking the trouble to inspect the premises, that nothing might be wanting, settled upon her a handsome pension.

In the year 1780, a poor man, of the name of Pitfield, was a nominal plaintiff in a case which was tried at Dorchester, and given against him with costs, amounting to 2001., for which he was thrown into prison, and continued there more than twelve years before the case reached the King's ear. His Majesty, with the Queen and Princesses visited the prison, and made a personal inquiry into the circumstances and character of the man, which proving satisfactory, the King paid both debt and costs, and restored the poor man to society, and to his family*.

"The King was once walking within about a mile and half from Windsor, when a poor child

Dr. Rudge's Sermon. Mem. of Royal Worth. p. 17.

came running to him, and crying, muttered out his tale of grief, till he actually got hold of the flap of his Majesty's coat, when all his cry was, "Come to my mammy-come to my mammy." The attendants were for putting the child aside; but the King himself was differently minded, and turning his walk as the pull of the child inclined, he was conducted to a miserable cottage, where he found the mother in a state of great affliction, totally helpless, with her babe lying dead at her breast! Suffice it to say, that an appeal far less touching was never made to the King in vain*."

Many anecdotes of a similar nature are recorded; but his Majesty's character for humanity and kindness is too well established to need accumulated proofs.

"O! bright occasions of dispensing good,
How seldom used, how little understood!
To pour in Virtue's lap her just reward;
Keep vice restrain'd behind a double guard;
To quell the faction that affronts the throne,
By silent magnanimity alone;

* Churchill's Sermon. p. 19.

To give Religion her unbridled scope,
Nor judge by statute a believer's hope;
To nurse with tender care the thriving arts,
Watch ev'ry beam philosophy imparts;
With close fidelity and love unfeign'd,
To keep the matrimonial bond unstain'd:
Covetous only of a virtuous praise,
His life a lesson to the land he sways:
To touch the sword with conscientious awe,
Nor draw it, but when duty bids him draw;
To sheath it in the peace-restoring close
With joy beyond what victory bestows;
Blest country, where these kingly glories shine!
Blest England, if this happiness be thine !"

Cowper.

CHAPTER IV.

THE King's recovery from his fatal relapse was in a great measure sudden and unexpected. When first permitted to have an interview with her Majesty, it was but for a quarter of an hour. The scene, as may well be supposed, was extremely affecting. The Queen bore it with uncommon firmness; but his Majesty felt every visible mark of perturbation. When the stipulated period had expired, Dr. Willis put his Majesty in mind of his royal promise; but to very little purpose, till he added, "That as the room was rather cold, a longer continuance might injure her Majesty's health." This instantly produced the intended effect, and he took his leave in the most affectionate manner.

February 23d, 1789, the Prince of Wales and Duke of York, on an invitation from the Queen, had an interview with his Majesty at Kew, in the presence of her Majesty and Col. Digby. The

conversation was confined to general and indifferent topics, and was chiefly directed to the Duke of York, on the concerns of the army. The King appeared perfectly rational and com

sed. On the same day, Mr. Pitt and Lord Melville were dining with Lord Chesterfield, when a letter was brought to the former, which he read, and, sitting next to Lord Melville, gave it to him under the table, and whispered, that when he had looked at it, it would be better for them to talk it over in Lord Chesterfield's dressing-room. This proved to be a letter in the King's own hand, announcing his recovery to Mr. Pitt, in terms to the following effect:

"The King renews with great satisfaction his communication with Mr. Pitt, after the long suspension of their intercourse, owing to his very tedious and painful illness. He is fearful that, during this interval, the public interests have suffered great inconvenience and difficulty.

"It is most desirable that immediate measures should be taken for restoring the functions of his government, and Mr. Pitt will consult with the Lord Chancellor to-morrow morning, upon the most expedient means for that purpose. And the