The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-01-23

gold was heaped in mountains. Even then
The Kino had complained that he did not
feel quite well. He had no appetite Tor ms
SIMMER: his rest that night was broken but
on The following morning he rose, as usual
early. >.
To that morning the contending factions
in his country had, during some days, looked
forward with some anxiety. The struggle
between Halifax and Rochester seemed TO
be approaching a decisive crisis. HALIFAX,
not content with having already driven his
rival from the board of Treasury, had under
taken 10 prove him guilty OF sucE dishone'-
~ or neglect in the conduct of the finances as
ought 10 be punished by dsmission from The
public service. II was even whispered that
The ord President would probably be semi
TO The Tower before night. The King had
nrom;sed 10 INQUIRE into the matter. The
second o( February had been fixed Tor the
investigation. and several officers of the rev.
enne had been ordered 10 attend with their
books on that day. But d great turn Vi loi-
tune was at hand.
Scarcely had Charles risen from his bed,
when his attendants perceived that his utter
auce was indistinct, and that his thoughts
seemed TO be wandering. Several men oil
rank had, as usual, assembled 10 see their
sovereign shaved and dressed. lie made an
effort 10 converse with them IN his usual gay
style F.; but his ghasty look surprised and a.
harmed them. Soon his lace grew black !
his ewes turned IN his head he uttered
cry, staggered, and fell into the arms oil
Thomas LORD Bruce, eldest son OF the Earl
of AyIesbury. A physician who had charge
of The royal retorls and cruclbles happened
10 be present. He had no lancet; but he
opeued vein with penknlie. The blood
flowed freely but The King was still insen-
sible.
He was laid on his bed, where, during a
short time, the Duchess of Portsmouth hung
over him with the familiarity OF wife. But
The alarm had been given. The Queen and
The Duchess of York were fastening TO The
room. The fayorite concubne was forced 10
retire 10 her own apartments. Those apart
men,s had been thrice pulled Gownand thrice
rebuilt by her lover TO CRAFTY her caprice.
The very furniture of the chimney was mas
sy silver. Several fine paintings, which
properIy belong e6 to the Queen, had been
transferred to the dwelling of the mistress.
The sideboards were piled with richly
wrought plate. Ia the inches stood cabi-
nets. the masterpieces of Japanese art. On
the hanqings, fresh fiom the looms of Paris.
were denoted, in iints which no English Tap
estry could rival, birds Of gorgeous plumage,
landscapes, hunting matches, the lordly ter
race of St. Germain's, the statues and foun-
tains of Versailles. In the midst Of this
splendor, purchased by guilt and shame, the
unhappy woman gave herself up TO agony
of grief. which, to do her justice, was not
wholly selfish.
And now the gates Of Whitehall, which
ordinarily stood open TO all corners, were
closed. But persons whose faces were
known were still permitted 10 enter. The
antechambers and galleries were soon filled
10 OVERLOOKING and even the sick room was
crowded with peers, prIvy councillors, and
foreign ministers. All the medical men Of
uote in London were summoned. So high
did poltical animosiies run that the pres
ence Of some Wing physicians was regard
ed as an extraordinary circumstance. One
Roman Catholic, whose skill was then wide
ly renowned, DR.. Thomas Short, was IN at
tendance. Several of the prescriptions have
been preserved. One Of them is signed by
fourteen doctors. The patient was bled
largely. A Ioathsome volatile salt, extract
ed from human skulls, was forced into his
mouth. He recovered his senses buf he
was evidently in situation of extreme dan
ger.
The Queen was for time assiduous in
her attendance. The Duke of York scarce
" lett his brothet's bedside. The primate
and four other bishops were then in London.
They remained at Whitehall all day, and
took it by turns 10 sit up all night in the
Kings room. The news Of his illness filled
The capital with sorrow and dlsmay. For
his easy temper and atfable manners had
won the affection OF a large part CT the ma
ton; and those who most disliked him pre-
ferrcd his unprincipled levity TO The stern
and earnest bigotry Of his brother.
On the morning OF Thursday, the fifth oil
February, the London Gazette announced
that his majesty was going on well, and was
thought by the physicians &c be out OF dan
ger. The bells OF the churches rang mer-
Ty and preparations for bonfires were made
in the street. But 10 the evening it was
known that relapse had taken place, and
that the medical attendants had given up all
hope. The public mind was greatly dstufb-
ed; bu, there was no disposition 10 Iumult'
The Duke Of Y ork, who had already taken
on himself 10 give orders, ascertalned that
the city was perfectly quiet, and that he
might, Without difficulty, be proclaimed as
sooa as his brother should expire.
The King was in great pain, and complain
ed that he felt as if a fire was burning within
him. Yet he bore up against his sutierings
with fortiiude which did not seem TO be-
long TO his soft and luxurious nature. The
sigh, of his misery affected his wife so much
that SIZE tainted, and was carried senseess IL
her chamber The prelates who were ii
waiting from The first exhorted him 10 pre-
pare for his end. They now thought ii ihei
duty ,o address him in still more urgen
manner. William Sancroft, Archbishop o
Canterbury, an honest and pious. though
narrow-minded man, used great freedom
at is time" he said. ''to speak out for, s,r
you are about TO appear before Judge VIII
is no respecier Of persons" The king an
swered not word.
Thomas Ken, Bishop Of Bath and Wells
then tried his powers Of persuasion H
was man of parts and learning, of quic
sensibiity and stainless virtue. His elabO
rate works have long been forgotten bu
his morning and evening hymns are still re
peated daily in thousands Of dwellings
; Though, like most of his order, Jealous 70