The Sun.
London, England, 1827-03-20 00:00:00

prise. I knew that my case had not ceased to be fro frau
danger ; I have always been told so, but I did not suspect • _
diate danger, and, had I been a timid or a nervous man, theef-
feet might have been trying. I trust I have received thin com-
munication with becoming resolution." I observed that:l hdd
not for many days seen his Royal Highness more free from 'ner-
vous agitation, and that I had not been disappointed in my
ei-
pectation *i'at he would bear this communication as he did' that
which I had been called upon to make to him at Brighton. He
desired me to 'feel his pulse, which was low, but even and steady.
He then put various questions to me, with a view to auicertsin
the causes of what he considered so sudden a change in his state.
I accounted for it by what I had learnt from the Physicians, and
ended by repeating that I had felt it my duty, however painful,
to speak out. He thanked me, gave me his hand, and said I had
acted as I ought, and as he expected, but he pressed me again to
state " what was the extent of the danger, and whether-imme-
diate ?" I repeated, that I bad been assured it was ant itanakliate
" whether his case was without hope of recovery ?" I gave no
decided answer, but said, that I could not extract from the phy-
sicians any positive opinion, but that their language was not au-
.couraging. He said, " I understand you ; 1 m_y go on for a
short time, but may end rapidly ; God's will be done, lam re-
signed." signed." He then called for his official papers, and transacted
his business with composure and his usual attention. H 6 dug'
wards resumed the previous painful subject. I spoke to him
about- his private papers, and he confirmed some of the directions
previously given to me upon that subject. He then. spoke most
kindly, took me again by the hand, and said, " thank you, God
bless you." I had hitherto succeeded in controlling my feelings,
but I could do so no longer, and I left the room.
I learnt from his servant, Batchelor, that after I left his ROrd
Highness, he had desired him to collect and pay same small bills,
that he began to write some memoranda, and appeared 'very seri-
ous, but quite free from agitation. His Royal Highness after-
wards had some serious conversation with Sir Henry Halford,
,who did not disguise from him the uneasiness he felt, but did not
admit that his case had become hopeless. He had found him per-
fectly calm and composed.
His Royal Highness sent for me again, and repeated to me very
correctly what Sir H. Halford had said to him; he afterwards
saw Col. Stephenson, who told, me that he had conversed with
him very quietly upon indifferent subjects, and that, from his
manner, he could not have suspected that any thing could have
occurred to disturb him.
He passed a good night, and appeared better on the fallowing
day. He saw the Adjutant-General and Quarter-master-Get:oral
early, and gave his directions to them with his usual accarasiy. iC
saw him soon after, and,he told me that be had. passed a toad
night, had rather more appetite, and was more free from pain ;
that this was satisfactory for the moment, but whether of any
al4-
mate avail, a higher power would decide.
The physicians told me there was no improvement his
situation.
In the course of the day, I submitted to him the official paPerih
and took his pleasure upon some general military arrangetnente,
into which he entered with interest, but in the afternoon hi be-
came very languid and nervous, though he rallied again teWstde
the evening.
On the, following day, 24th December, he appeared better, and
in good spirits, though incapable of much exertion.
On the 25th, he was weaker, having had a very indifferent
night. He saw the Duke of Wellington early in the day. The
physicians told me, that His Royal Highness's state wet booming
daily more critical, and that it was desirable that I should avail
myself of any opportunity which might offer, of drawing his Royal
Highness's attention to the necessity of settling his affairs. I em-
braced it that very day, and proposed to him to send for his soli-
citor, Mr. Parkinson, to which he agreed, and I appointed him at
10 o'clock on the following day; he afterwards went through his
official business very quietly.
His Royal Highness saw Air. Parkinson on the 26th, and sign-
ed his will, after which he shook hands with him, as if taking
final have of him. He afterwards saw the Bishop of London,
who had at all times free admission to his Royal Highness, and
had had frequent conversations with him in the course of his ill-
ness, and the result of this interview was, that his Royal Highness
should tate the sacrament on the 28th, which his Royal Highness
mentioned to me afterwards, adding, that he meant to ask the
Princess Sophia to take it with him. saw him again in the
evening, and he appeared very cheerful. On the 27th he appear-
ed better early in the day, but became more weak and Lingua
afterwards. He saw Mr. Peel, who told him he had been mach
shocked by his Royal Highness's altered
#pearance. The,Duke.
however, spoke to me of himself in a more sanguine lone
than usual. • '
His Majesty came to la Royal Highness' in the afternoon, and
found him very weak and lgnguid, but he tallied 'in the-evening,
and looked over his official papers.

On the morning of the 28th, his Royal Highness appeared very
weak, and bad ....sr.s attacks of nervous faintness, which together
with other unr,. otirable syiriPtoms, satisfied the physicians that
the danger was becoming more imminent. The Bishop of Lon-
don came at twelve, and desired that three persons should assist
at the holy ceremony, and proposed that Sir ,Henry Halford and
I, should be added to the Princess Sophia, which was mentioned
to his Royal Highness, who readily agreed. Upon this occasion
he came publicly, and put ' on his robes, his Royal Highness was
quite composed,, and nothing could exceed his pious attention, and
calm devotion throughout the solemn ceremony.. He repeated the
prayers, and made the responses in a firm voice. Part of the prayers
for the rick were read, but the service was, at the suggestion of
Sir H. 11-afford, the short service. The Bishop was 'very much
affected, particularly 'when pronouncing the concluding blessing.
The Princess Sophia supported herself wonderfully throughout the
trying- scene, and tht Duke was quite free from agitation.- After
the service was over, he kissed his sister, and shook hands most
affectionately with the Bishop, Sir H. Halford, and me, thanking
us, and as if taking leave of all. His Royal Highness sent for
me again in the afternoon, and went through soma official busi-
ness, to which he appeared quite equal. He expressed great sa-
tisfaction at having taken the sacrament, and told me that the
Princess Sophia had staid with him, and borne up to the last
moment. He " then asked me whether his Physicians thought
much worse of him, he really felt better. I replied they consi-
dered his situation as having become more doubtful than it had
been, but Aid they had 'not at any time authorized me to say his
case was hopeless. He observed that he thought it was wrong to
abandon hope, onto despair, but, setting aside that feeling, he
was resigned to God's will. He asked whether I had any more
papers requiring consideration, as he felt quite as equal to busi-
ness as he had been for two or three months past, and he wished
none to be interrupted or suspended.
He afterwards saw Mr. Greville, who found him very cheat"l.
He sent for me again between eight and nine, and I staid with
him until ten. He appeared- weak and uncomfortable, though
not positively in pain. At ten, he said he should like to go to
bed, but the usual hour had not arrived, and he would wait for
Sir H. Halford. I persuaded him to-go to bed at once. This
was the first night that he had anticipated the usual hour, and
the medical attendants ascribed it to increasing weakness, against
which he had hitherto contended. All agreed that he might
linger on ' few days, unless an attack of nervous faintness should
carry him off suddenly.
Royal Hilftwe'l, after
On the following day, the 29th, his
~ had salon
so
passing a tolerable night,
me
1 He sent for me soon.
i.surishtnent, and bis pulse Wit
sotfeahi-s-. situation, but without
after ten, and spoke very seriouslyd , desirous of extracting very
alarm or agitation. He appear
ft 3. _ _
his
eye
upon
me,
as
direct and unreserved instVers ; o en fixed
me change my position, that
if to search my thoughts, and made .
this, b
appeared not to notice s
appeared better.d He
but kept
he might gee me better. I
up the sraduall became more at
business, &c. This succeeded, and he „ Y
his . He was quite equal to any exertion of mind. When
conversation for an hour and a half, on variou subjects of
business with
Sir H. Halford came, he announced to his Royal Highness the
King's intention to pay him a visit on that day, and his Royal
Highness dressetl and shaved himself, which he had not been able
to do on the preceding day.
The physicians told me that the state of the legs had become
more unfavourable. His Royal Highness saw the Adjutant-Ge‘
Csoenlotnfeolrmeat
Stevenson, five, w
•
two, and staid an hour • •
His Majesty;c3me at lit-him lo • with his Royal
Highness. Hu, majesty thoug looking better and stronger
s the last '
than on the 27th; but this Iv.* time he
saw him,
his
mar
asandusQualua.rter..Mastev.General, and transacted
: • dispesition having disappointed hit anxious
12. i
____.t.
• jesty's own in out anxious with to
) have come again to him.
usual official business with me, after which he appeared tired and
exhausted, and indeed he had previously retired to his bed-rcom
i same weak and exhausted state.
Towards nine he sent for me again, and I found him muck
t,
HeHis afterwards saw lisnatte".
oppressed, and breathing short, in allhod wenfountdthhimMigillin shbois
rouse
and general unable to
• himself. He dismissed me after a short time,- wishing me good
night, but between ten and eleven I,e sent for me again •
, I found
him dosing, -
and when he roused himself he complainedi
of
n-
t ward pain, asked me how late I should stay in the house (he
f was not aware that I had slept in it for several nights), and again.
) wished use good night. • . fr. Sim
He called for Sir H. Halford, Mr. Macgregor, and 11 . p.,
and after wishing theme
son, repeatedly in the same manner, '
lgood night. Some time after, be agaisssent for Mr. Macgregor,
faintness. Als
- who found him in one of his attacks of nervous .