George III took himself with the greatest seriousness, not only in matters of importance, but also in the most trivial details of ceremony, and when any change in etiquette was mooted, met the suggestion with the stereotyped reply, "I will have no innovations in my time." He could not bring himself ever to unbend even with ministers who were brought into daily contact with him, and during the interview, however long it might be, he would stand, and so prevent the minister from taking a seat. Indeed, on one occasion when Pitt was suffering from gout, George kept him standing for two hours, though well aware of the statesman's infirmity, for two days later he said to him he hoped he had not suffered by standing so long on Monday. And Pitt was overcome by this gracious inquiry and told his friends, "His Majesty is the greatest courtier in the country".[198] [198] The humble manner and language that Lord Chatham always adopted in the closet formed a fertile source of ridicule to his contemporaries. Chase Price said, "that at the _levée_ he used to bow so low, you could see the tip of his hooked nose between his legs."--Albemarle: _Memoirs of Rockingham_. It was not only ministers, however, who suffered in this way, for on one occasion Mrs. Siddons, who was summoned to read a play before their Majesties, was kept on her feet until she nearly fell from fatigue. "Ready to drop to earth, she must have sunk, But for a child that at the hardship shrunk-- A little _prince_, who marked her situation, Thus, pitying, pour'd a tender exclamation: 'La! Mrs. Siddons is quite faint indeed, How pale! I'm sure she cannot read: She somewhat wants, her spirits to repair, And would, I'm sure, be happy in a _chair_.' What follow'd? Why, the r-y-l pair arose Surly enough, one fairly may suppose! And to a room adjoining made retreat, To let her, for one moment, _steal_ a seat."[199] [199] Peter Pindar: "_Ode upon Ode; or, A Peep at St. James's_."