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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 immediate ?" I repeated, that I had been assured it was not immediate ; "whether his case was without hope of recovery ?" I gave no decided answer, but said, that I could not extract from the physicians any positive opinion, but that their language was not encouraging. He said, "I understand you; I may go on for a short time, but may end rapidly; God's will be done, I am resigned.' He then called for his official papers, and transacted his business with composure and his usual attention. He afterwards 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 Royal Highness, he had desired him to collect and pay some small bills, that he began to write some memoranda, and appeared very serious, but quite free from agitation. His Royal Highness afterwards 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 perfectly 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 anything could have occurred to disturb him.

He passed a good night, and appeared better on the following day. He saw the adjutant-general and quarter-master-general early, and gave his directions to them with his usual accuracy. I saw him soon after, and he told me that he had passed a good night, had rather more appetite, and was more free from pain; that this was satisfactory for the moment, but whether of any ultimate avail, a higher power would decide.

The physicians told me there was no improveinent in his situation.

In the course of the day, I submitted to him the official papers, and took his pleasure upon some general military arrangements, into which he entered with interest, but in the afternoon he became very languid and nervous, though he rallied again towards 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 was becoming 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 embraced it that very day, and proposed to him to send for his solicitor, Mr. Parkinson, to which he agreed, and I appointed him at tea o'clock on the following day; he afterwards went through his official business very quietly.

His Royal Highness saw Mr. Parkinson on the 26th, and signed his will, after which he shook hands with him, as if taking final leave 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 illness; and the result of this interview was, that his Royal Highness should take 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. I saw him again in the evening, and he appeared very cheerful. On the 27th he appeared better early in the day, but became more weak and languid afterwards. He saw Mr. Peel, who told him he had been much shocked by his Royal Highness's altered appearance. The Duke, however, spoke to me of himself in a more sanguine tone than usual.

His Majesty came to his Royal Highness in the afternoon, and found him very weak and languid; but he rallied in the evening, and looked over his official papers.

On the morning of the 28th, his Royal Highness appeared very weak, and had some attacks of nervous faintness, which, together with other unfavourable symptoms, satisfied the physicians that the danger was becoming more imminent. The Bishop of London 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 sick were read, but the service was, at the suggestion of Sir H. Halford, 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 the 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 mc, thanking us, and as if taking leave of all. His Royal Highness sent for me again in the afternoon, and went through some official business, to which he appeared quite equal. He expressed great satisfaction 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 considered his situation as having become more doubtful than it had been, but that 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, or to 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 business 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 cheerful.

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 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 a few days, unless an attack of nervous faintness should carry him off suddenly.

On the following day, the 29th, his Royal Highness, after passing a tolerable night, appeared better. He had taken some nourishment, and his pulse was

steady, he sent for me soon after ten and spoke very seriously of his situation, but without alarm or agitation. He appeared very desirous of extracting very direct and unreserved answers; often fixed his eye upon me, as if to search my thoughts, and made me change my position that he might see me better. I appeared not to notice this, but kept up the conversation for an hour and a half, on various subjects of business, &c. This succeeded, and he gradually became more at his ease. He was quite equal to any exertion of mind. When 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 dressed 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. general and quarter-master-general, and transacted business with them as usual.

His

His Majesty came at two, and staid an hour with his Royal Highness. Majesty thought him looking better and stronger than on the 27th, but this was the last time he saw him, his Majesty's own indisposition having disappointed his anxious wish to have come again to him.

His Royal Highness sent for me at five, and went through his usual official business with me, after which he appeared tired and exhausted, and indeed he had previously retired to his bed-room.

He afterwards saw Colonel Stephenson, who found him in the same weak and exhausted state.

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Towards nine he sent for me again, and I found him much oppressed, and breathing short, and in general unable to rouse himself. He dismissed me after a short time, wishing me good night, but between ten and eleven he sent for me again; found him dozing, and when he roused himself he complained of inward pain, asked me how late I should stay in the house (he was not aware that I had slept in it for several nights,) and again wished me good night.

He called for Sir H. Halford, Mr. Macgregor, and Mr. Simpson, repeatedly in the same manner, and when he dismissed them, bade them good night. Some time after, he again sent for Mr. Macgregor, who found him in one of his attacks of nervous faintness. Mr. Macgregor gave him some laudanum, and after some time he became more composed, and fell asleep.

I learnt early in the morning of the 30th, from Mr. Macgregor, that his Royal Highness had had some sleep at intervals, but that he appeared much weaker, and that there were other indica

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tions of increasing danger. His Royal Highness had determined not to quit his bed-room.

He sent for me at half-past ten, and I remained with him for more than an hour, antil Sir H. Halford came. I was extremely shocked at the extraordinary change which had taken place in one night, or rather since the preceding morning at the same hour. He appeared extremely feeble and under great uneasiness from pain, but otherwise composed, and although suffering so much he uttered no complaint. He asked me when I had come, and I told him I had slept in the house. He did not seem surprised, or displeased, but said he concluded he was considered much worse, for Mr. Macgregor had been three times to see him in the night; but that he felt quite equal to business. I therefore brought forward a few subjects, and received his very clear instructions, though his voice had become so feeble that I could with difficulty hear him.

His Royal Highness saw the Dukes of Clarence and Sussex, and Sir W. Knighton, who was going to Windsor, and through whom he sent an affectionate Inessage to the King. To the Dukes of Clarence and Sussex he spoke cheerfully on the state of Portugal and other matters of public interest. The Princess Sophia was also with him for a considerable time. Between 9 and 10 he expressed a wish to see Colonel Stephenson and me, and we went to him, but he said little, and wished us good night.

seven desired Sir A. Cooper, who was going to Windsor, to give his affectionate duty to the King, and to tell him he was very comfortable.

On the 1st of January, I learnt that his Royal Highness had passed a very quiet night, with four hours' good sleep, and that no material change had taken place in his state; that he continued perfectly sensible, took sufficient nourishment, and spoke whenever roused; nor were the legs in a worse state; on the contrary, their appearance had become more favourable.

Upon the whole, the physicians thought he might linger on longer than they had expected, such was the extraordinary resistance which his constitution opposed to the progress of the disease. The Dukes of Clarence and Sussex again saw him, and he received them affectionately, but did not speak, and they left him immediately. The Princess Sophia then went to him; he kissed her, and said—" God bless you, my dear love-to-n:orrow, tomorrow," and she left him. He continued in the same quiet and composed state throughout the day, and occasionally told his medical attendants that he felt no pain, and was very comfortable. I did not see him.

The report on the following morning, the 2nd of January, was, that the night had been quiet, and that he continued free from pain, and perfectly sensible, though he seldom spoke. Soon after nine he had a shivering attack, which was very alarming, and his pulse was hardly perceptible, but he rallied. He had been moved nearer to the window, was quite himself and asked whether the day was not a frost, which was the case. He became slightly delirious at 20 minutes past one, and other symptoms had become more alarming. Still he was quite sensible at intervals. The Princess Sophia was with him for some time, and he knew her.

He passed a restless night, and appeared much weaker on the following morning (the 31st Dec.) but continued perfectly sensible, took nourishment when offered to him, but showed no inclination to speak, unless spoken to. His medical attendants apprehended from the increased weakness, the rapid approach of dissolution. I went to him by desire of the physicians between one and two. He took my hand and received me most kindly. He said, "here I am, I feel weaker but not worse, and I do not suffer pain." He moved his lips occasionally but I could not distinguish what he said, he appeared quite sensible, very composed, and twice looked at me, the first time seriously, the second time with a placid, almost a cheerful smile, and I came away perfectly satisfied that his mind was free from anxiety and uneasiness. The Princess Sophia came in, and the manner in which he roused himself when she was announced was very striking. Her Royal Highness stayed with him about 20 minutes. He continued very quiet through- I learnt at six on the following mornout the rest of the day, and at half-pasting (the 3rd,) from Mr. Macgregor, that

The Dukes of Clarence and Sussex, who came in the afternoon, did not see him. His Royal Highness continued nearly in the same state, except that his pulse had been gradually lowering, and his breathing becoming very short, and his situation appeared so critical, that I and other attendants in the house determined not to take off our clothes.

The street was crowded with people throughout the day, not apparently assembled from curiosity, but from anxiety, extremely quiet, and hardly speaking, except to inquire, in a subdued voice, what was the state of his Royal Highness.

notwithstanding a restless and uncomfortable night his Royal Highness had rallied, and appeared then stronger, more inclined to talk, and to take nourishment, than he had been on the preceding day, and that it was impossible to calculate when the crisis would arrive. His pulse had also become more steady. The other medical attendants confirmed this at a later hour, and observed that his Royal Highness's extraordinary powers of constitution and tenacity of life, defied all calculation.

The Princess Sophia, being unwell, could not come this day; the Dukes of Clarence and Sussex came at twelve, and staid until six, but did not see their brother.

Sir William Knighton having come from Windsor, and being named to his Royal Highness, he desired to see him, that he might inquire after the King, and requested him to assure his Majesty of his affectionate duty.

Towards the evening his Royal Highness showed symptoms of returning strength, and the physicians reported to his Majesty that he continued in the same state, without appearance of immediate dissolution, but without hope. Between 10 and 12 he was very quiet, and inclined to sleep.

The assemblage of people in Arlington-street was the same as on the preceding day; there was the same propriety of conduct, the same manifestation of affectionate interest, free from curiosity.

His Royal Highness passed a very restless night, with occasional attacks of faintness and spasm. His breathing had become more difficult, his pulse more feeble and irregular, but yet there were no symptoms of rapidly approaching dissolution. Sir Astley Cooper had sat up with him, to relieve Mr. Macgregor; and when the latter went to his Royal Highness, he desired him to thank him, and say he was very kind.

Shortly after he saw some one near him, and Mr. Macgregor told him it was Mr. Simpson; and his Royal Highness said, "Mr. Simpson is a good man." He took some slight nourishment occasionally, and towards ten o'clock he had a serious attack of faintness, during which his pulse was hardly perceptible, but he rallied again. Sir William Knighton saw his Royal Highness, but he did not speak to him.

Between one and two, Mr. Macgregor came to tell me that his Royal Highness had named me frequently, and at last made them understand that he wished to see me. I immediately went to him. I found him dreadfully changed, very feeble,

much oppressed, and evidently unable to distinguish objects clearly. Batchelor named me to him, and I sat down close by his right side. He looked at me with a kind smile, took me by the hand, and I told him I had not left the house since I had last seen him. He asked me with difficulty, and in a faint, though steady voice, whether Colonel Stephenson was in the house. I said he was, and asked whether he wished to see him; he nodded assent, and I immediately sent for him. Colonel Stepher.son went to his left side; but as his Royal Highness could not see him, I beckoned to him to come to the right side, and I moved back, so as to enable him to come close up, while I supported his Royal Highness, by placing my hand against the pillow behind his back. He then gave his hand to Colonel Stephenson. After some interval, during which his Royal Highness breathed with great difficulty, and was very faint, and during which Batchelor bathed his temples with Cologne water, he collected his strength, and said in a steady, firm tone of voice, but so low as to be hardly audible to Colonel Stephenson, whose head was further removed than mine, "I am now dying." After this he dropped his head, and his lips moved for about a minute, as if in prayer. He then looked at us again, and appeared to wish to speak, but an at tack of faintness came on, and his respiration was so difficult, and he seemed so weak and exhausted, that I thought he was dying, and expressed that apprehension to Colonel Stephenson, who partook of it. Batchelor bathed his temples again, and he rallied; after which he again took Colonel Stephenson's hand, and nodded to Batchelor, who told us he meant we should leave him.

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The scene was most affecting and trying, but yet in some respects satisfactory, as it shewed that he was perfectly aware of his situation, and we concluded that he had seen us together, as being his executors, and meant to take leave of us. heard afterwards that he had appeared much exhausted by the effort, but subsequently took some chicken broth and became composed, without having any return of faintness. Towards the evening, he rallied again, and had some sound and comfortable sleep, and his attendants separated under the impression that his Royal Highness's life would be prolonged at least another night.

In the course of the night he had so serious an attack of faintness, that Mr. Macgregor thought he would not have recovered from it; but he rallied again towards the morning of the 5th, and had taken some nourishment. The breathing

had, however, become extremely difficult. About 11, Mr. Simpson came to me to say that the symptoms of approaching death had come on, and that the medical attendants wished me to be in the room adjoining to that in which his Royal Highness lay. I brought in the Dukes of Clarence and Sussex, and Colonel Stephenson, and we continued in the room, expecting every moment to be called in by the medical attendants (who were all with his Royal Highness) to witness his death. Sir Henry Halford came to us occasionally, and stated that his Royal Highness's pulse was hardly perceptible, nis extremities were cold, he was speechless, and had with difficulty swallowed a little milk and rum, but nevertheless appeared to retain his senses. Of this, indeed, he gave proof at 12, for Mr. Macgregor came in to say, that his Royal Highness had insisted on having his legs dressed, (which they naturally wished to avoid at such a period,) for he had looked at him several times, had pointed at the clock, then at his legs, and had pushed off the covering, thus showing his determination to go through all that was required to the last moment. When he found that he was understood, and that Mr. Macgregor was preparing for the dressing, he signified his thanks to him with a kind smile, threw back his head, and hardly noticed any thing afterwards. The pulse became more feeble, the attacks of faintness more frequent, but his Royal Highness struggled on, and between 8 and 9 this state appeared so likely to last for some hours, that the Duke of Clarence was persuaded to go home, and I returned to my room to answer some inquiries. At 20 minutes past 9, Colonel Stephenson called me out, and told me that he was in the last agonies. I hastened down, but my dear master had expired before I could reach his room, and I had the comfort of learning that he had expired without any struggle or apparent pain. His countenance indeed confirmed this; it was as calm as possible, and quite free from any distortion; indeed it almost looked as if he had died with a smile upon it.

The medical attendants, the Duke of Sussex, Batchelor, and another servant, were in the room, looking at him in silence, and with countenances strongly expressive of their feelings.

Such was the end of this amiable, kind, and excellent man, after a long and pairful struggle, borne with exemplary resolution and resignation; and I am confident, that the details into which I have entered of the last circumstances of that struggle will not prove uninteresting to

those who were sincerely attached to him.

I feel that I owe it to his Royal Highness's character, to add some general observations, which may serve to place it in its true light, and to confirm the opinion of those who view his loss as a national calamity.

It may be necessary to premise, that from the moment that I had received the alarming report from Brighton, I ceased to entertain any sanguine hopes of his Royal Highness's recovery; and that my expectation of it became gradually more faint, although they varied occasionally, as the symptoms of the disorder fluctuated.

This impression led to my keeping the minutes from which I have extracted the foregoing statement, my object in so doing being, that I might be better able, from such accurate source, to do justice to his Royal Highness's character and sentiments.

The 30th of December was the last day on which I submitted my papers, and he was then quite equal to any business; for although his state varied in the course of the day, yet there were hours when physical causes, or the effect of medicine, did not interfere with the clear application of the powers of the mind.

It has been already shown by the details 1 have produced, that almost to the latest hour his Royal Highness was anxious to discharge his official duties, and the interest he took in them was at no time weakened by the pressure of bodily disease or pain. In further proof of this, I may state, that on Saturday, the 9th of December, I received from Lord Bathurst, at his office, secret instructions respecting the force to be prepared for embarkation for Portugal, and that I communicated them in the same evening to his Royal Highness. He was then in great pain, but he became indifferent to bodily sufferings, and immediately drew up the heads of the military arrangement (which paper, in his own hand-writing, I now possess) from which were framed detailed instructions approved by him on the following day, and issued on Monday, the 11th of December.

This measure naturally produced the necessity of other arrangements connected with home service, and the adjutantgeneral and quarter-master-general will bear me out in the assertion that these were entered into and directed by him, with the same intelligence and attention which he had manifested on previous occasions, when we are bound to state that

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