Star.
London, England, 1827-03-21 00:00:00

s

received with a warnkespressidn of
tstmate pressure of the hand.
This was repeated in allusion to whm.had
a later period of the day, when he got Into his
to go to Bromption, and he that' told that I-
lieved from grd it uneasiness by she pit
him.
His Royal Highness removed to'
of August, for the benefit of fait .nange s.,
and 1 learnt from Mr. Macgregor, on the 17th of us.
month, that a change had taken place in his general
state, and that symptoms had appeared which rendered
his situation one of danger.
This distressing information was confirmed to as,
from other qiiaiters, and I determined immediately tp
go to Brighton, and to dischaige my duty, but to be
guided in the character and extent of the disclosure by
such further communication as might be made to me,
by his Royal Highness's medical attendants of the
nature and pressure of the danger. I pleaded business
rendering personal communication necessary for my visit,
to his Royal Highness, and I went to Brighton on the 19th
of Aug. Upon my arrival I learnt from Mr. Macgregor
that a favourable change had taken place, that hisßoyal
Highness had gained strength, that the most alarmnsgl
symptoms had in a great measure subsided,that hisßoxrd
Highness's situation might therefore be considered far
more encouraging than when he wrote to me, but that
it was impossible to consider it free from danger, al-
though that danger had ceased to be immediate, and
although there was reason to hope that the cause of
',alarm might be ientoved. He added that, frorn obser-
vations which his Royal Highness had made to himself,
he was convinced I would find him prepared for any
communication I might feel it my duty to make to him,
and that tinder all circumstances, I must exercise my
discretion.

I then saw the Duke of York, who entered fully into
his situation. and told me that although much better
then, and he believed, going on well, he had reason to
think, from the meaner and looks of his mediCal at-
tendants, that they had been alarmed, and felt much
greater uneasiness than they had expressed, or migt.t
feel at liberty to express, and he wished to know what
I had learnt.
I did not disguise from him that, bearing in mind the
engagement I had contracted, I had determined to go
to Brighton in consequence of the accounts I bad re-
' ceived on the 17th, which had alarmed me ; but that I
was happy to find, On my arrival, that hiateyal High-
ness s•state badaince been improving, and that much of,
the uneasiness which then prevailed had been removed ;
at the same time, it was my duty 'to• confirm the im-
pressign which be appeared himself to have received,
that his complaint bad assumed a more serious charac-
ter, although great confidence appeared to be felt that
the extraordinary resources of his constitution, and the
strength he had gained since his removal to Brighton,
would enable him to struggle succeufully with the dis-
order. 4, Then (said he), I was not mistaken in my
suspicions, and my case is not wholly free from danger;
but I depend upon your honour, and you tell me there
is more to hope than to fear." I assured him that such
was decidedly the impression I had received, from *hat
Mr. Macgregor'had said to me. He thanked me, and
proceedeato look over' and give directions up'on some
official papers with his usual attention sad. accuracy.
He saw Mr. Macgregor the same evening, and ques-
tioned him; and he told me on the following day that
Mr. Macgregor had answered him very fairly, and bad
confirmed.stfbat Thad said to him, as did Sir Matthew
Tierney latterin he day. Oa the same day he told me
that he felt grosser—that hie; mind' was relieved 'by
what had passed, as ha knew be should not be de-
ceived, or left to form his own conjectures, and thaw
his own conclusions, from the looks and manner of his
medical attendants and others about him ; and that be
had not, fog• months, slept so well as the preceding
night.
I repeated to him, that I had come to Brighton under
considerable alarm, and thAt I should leave it very much
relieved. 'His Royal Highness was cheerful, and I
heard. from Mr. Macgregor and ethers that he coati-
nued so during the following days. Indeed he wrote',
to me himself in very good spirits, and assured me ot '
the comfort and relief be bad derived from .the proof
afforded to him that he should be fairly dealt With.
His Royal Highness returned from Brighton on the
afternoon of the 26th August, to the Duke of Rutland's
house, in Arlibgton-street, having come in five and a
half hours: .He did not seem much fatigued, looked
well in the 'counienance, and conversed cheerfully with
Sir Henry Tortens'and me, who were in waiting to re-
ceive him.

He afterwards told me that his strength, sleep, and
appetite had improved ; but that the medicines he had
taken had ceased to have the desired effect in checking
the progress of the main disorder, and that he had there-
fore returned to town earlier than had been intended,
in order, as he understood, to try some change of treat-
ment, which he apprehended might be tapping. This
was an unpleasant hearing, dump it did not alarm him.
He was determined to keep up his spirits; he knew his
situation was a serious one, but he had no doubt, please
GOD, he should recover, though he feared his recovery
would be a work of time.
In the course of conversation I told him that I under-
stood that Sir Henry Raiford would be in town on the
following day,.and did not mean to return to the coup
-
try. He observid it was very kind of him, but imme-
diately added," by the by, not a very good iign either.'
He then proceeded very quietly to official business,
but 'Mr. Macgregor coming in, he, in the most calm.
and collected manner., questioned him before me, very
closely, as to his state, beginning by these words,
"Tell me honestly, du you consider me in danger r
"Not in immediate danger," was the answer. • " But,"
said his Royal Highness, " you do consideerny situation
to be one not free from danger?" Mr. Macgregor
admitted it to be by no means free from danger,. but
proceeded to state the grounds which justified his me-
dical attendants in indulging hopes that his It iyal:
Highness Might look forward to a favourable issue.

Mr. Macgregor's answer produced further questions,
all put with a view to obtain positive and accurate in-
formation as to the extent of danger, and he concluded
by thanking Mr. Macgregor for the fair manner in
which he had met them, and by saying, "I now know
what I wished to know, and I shall be able to govern
'myself by that knowledge." During the whole of this
[conversation, which was of sane length, his manner
`was.firen and collected, though very serious, his voice
free from agitation, his questions were put quietly at
intervals, as if well considered by a man who was di-
termintd to ascertain his own situation, and his words
were measured.

'He afterwards desired me to repeat what Mr; Mac-
gregor had said, as I understood it, that be might be
, satisfied be had not mistaken him. I did soi and he

bat th is

, hopsiesa
an ear eat
not rue.
ot'i►he passed
- anxious hi•
dark, bow

existence of
dangers and above all. to chew that he was early ap-
prised of kis tritical state, hors the contemplation of
which he at no time 'shrunk. although he was at all
times anxious to conceal from the generality of those I
who approached *tin that he did not look forward with'
undiminished confidence to a favourable issue.
Oh the following day, Sunday, the 17th of August,
his Royal Highness again spoke to me very quietly, in
regard to his situation, and told me that although' not
alarmed, and although he had heard nothing that
shake bis hopes of ultimate recovery, he could not cow•
teal from himself that his situation called for
contemplation. Whatever might be the result, there
would be time for certain arrangements, and theist-
tlement of his affair:, but there was oae duty be did
not wish to defer; he felt, indeed, that it ought not robe
deferred until it should seem to be imposed by a coos
viction of immediate danger, and resorted to wises bops
had ceased to exist. He had, therefore, determined be-
take the Sacrament upon an early day, and to request
his friend, the . Bishop of London, to administer it to
him ; but he was anxious that this should not be knows,
as thwalarin would be sounded; and various integre"
tations would be put upon an act, which wits ass of
duty, resorted to bn principle. and not from apprebas.
sion or affectation; he, therefore, directed me to sew
the Bishop of London. and to request him to come to
him on the following Tuesday, at twelve. He desired
that I would explain to him his desire that the attend-
ance should be quiet, and pot excite observation ; that
he wished the service to be simply that of the Commw
nion, as he did not now apply to him for his attendance
as upon a sick person. He also desired me to be pre-
I sear, and to take the Sacrament with him.
He told me that he had well considered of this act.
lie was sure that, under any circumstances, it would
tend to his satisfaction, comfort, and relief, and that he
ought not to postpone it.
I went td the Bishop of London (at Fulham), who re-
leived the communication with great emotion, and

spoke in the highest terms of the exemplary feeling
which had dictated his Royal Highness's wish, asd
that he would come quietly to Arling OS
Tuesday, at twelve, without robes (as apes sedliary
occasions), and without notice to any one, and I eat•
gaged to have all prepared.
1 returned to Arlington-street to inform his Rnyal
Highness, and it was agreed that his servant, Batchelers
should alone be apprised of the intention, and that I
should take care to keep others out of the way. His
Royal Highness again said that he should derive comfort
from thus early discharging his duty. He also gave we
instructions to clear his drawers in Audley.square efT
papers, and to bring them away, and to seal up thole
of a private nature. He said be should by degrees
look them over and attend to other matters, but re-
peatedly assured me that all this was done and thought
of without any apprehension of a fatal issue of his dim..
der, and that he was confident he should recover. •
The Princess Sophia (who usually came every day
at two o'clock) bad been with him, and I asked him
whether she was aware of his situation? He' said he
believed not. at least he had said nothing to alarm her;
possibly, however, she might be to a certain extent, and ,
be had therefore said nothing to undeceive her.
*ben I saw Batchelor, I learned from him (what
had never previously known) that his Royal Highnesss
when he did not go to chards, never missed devoting
some time to his prayers, which be read to himself, a.
general early, that he might not be disturbed, but if
disturbed in the morning, in the afternoon, or evening;
and that when travelling on Sunday. he always took a
Bible and Prayer Book in the carriage, and was very
particular as to their being placed within his immedi-
ate teach ; and that although he did not object to a
travelling companion on other days, nothing annoyed
him more than any one proposing to be has companion
on a Sunday.
His Royal Highness saw Sir Henry Halford on that
day, and qnestio ed him very closely as to his situati n.
Sir Henry told me that he had answered his questions
fairly, and that he had found his Royal Highness in an
excellent state of mind, and that he could not suffi-
ciently admire the resolution and composure with which
hd sought for information. and dwelt open the question
of danger. He observed that there was no difficulty in
dealing with such a patient.
H.s Royal Highness toll me afterwards that Sir H.
Halford's cnnvrrsatiou had confirmed the impression
he bad received from what Mr. Macgfegor had said, and
be expressed• himself perfectly satisfied with it.
His Royal *Highness continued in good spirits, and in
the same composed state of mind the 28th and 29th. •
On the latter day the Bishop of LondOn came at a
little before twelve, and his Royal Highness was alone
with 'him for a short time, after which I was called in,
and his Lordship administered the Sacrament to us.
The Doke's deportment was serious as became the
occasion, but firm, and quite free from agitation. He
did Clot appear nervous or affected, although he must
have Perceived that neither the Bishop nor I were free
from Alter feeling.
The 131shosi of London told me afterwards, that
nothing could be more correct or satisfactory than all
his Royal Highness had said to him when they west
alone, and that his state of mind was thatin which to
would wish, under such circumstances, to find that of
any person in whose welfare he felt interested.
When I returned to the Duke of York, he appeared
more affected, and he assured me that he felt a comfort
and relief which he could not describe, and that, what-
ever might be the issue of his illness, he had done what
he ought to do. That he could now attend to other
'matters with increased composure.
Its the afternoon, when I saw him again, he expressed
to me bow much he had been pleased vial the Bishop
of London's mild and encouraging discourse.
That he had slated to his Lordship unreservedly that
he knew his situation to be a very serious, though he
trusted not a hopeless one; but that he did not choose
to postpone a duty. which he colts-rived ought to be
performed while he was in full possession of his facul-
ties, which might yield to disease sooner than he was
aware of. That he had, in the course of his life faced
death in various shapes, and was now doomed to view
its approach in a slow and lingering form. That he
did inn deny that he should resign his
.existence with
regret. though he felt no alarm ; be admitted that his
tits bad toot been puts—that there had-beep math in
his man. be wished std, Wee otherwise, He had not

thamktoull as eilec.. observed ;het hi also had sn undriestoodliim..
he*ukstot soggy from it the' jtja. use was
wh.at had passed at osap-ession 1 centime& Than;pressed al
• •
gal ante his cat liege hope that the syesptetios of his dies/ides were t
said that he felt rally /pais os talked of.
promise I h4cl given I bays been thus particular In the am °tint
• upon these lime oeca,inns, to show how an
B;lgbton bh the 14th Royal Highness was not to be kept in the d
idles change of air ; feat lessly he met the communication of the ex