George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820; Great Britain -- History -- George III, 1760-1820
"The public bulletins which have been issued for some months past, have
all stated that his Majesty's disorder remains undiminished; and we
understand that it is the opinion of the medical gentlemen attending him
that nothing far short of a miracle can bring about a recovery from his
afflicting malady, "so runs a contemporary account. "At times, we are
happy to learn, he is tolerably composed. The number of persons
specially appointed by the doctors is reduced from six to two, and his
principal pages are admitted, and have been for some time, to attend
upon him, as when he enjoyed good health. His Majesty dines at half past
one o'clock, and, in general, orders his dinners: he invariably has
roast beef upon the tables on Sundays. He dresses for dinner, wears his
orders, etc.
"He occupies a suite of thirteen rooms (at least, he and his attendants)
which are situated on the North side of Windsor Castle, under the State
rooms. Five of the thirteen rooms are wholly devoted to the personal use
of the King. Dr. John Willis sleeps in the sixth room, adjoining, to be
in readiness to attend his Majesty. Dr. John attends the Queen every
morning after breakfast, and about half-past ten o'clock, and reports to
her the state of the afflicted monarch; the Doctor, afterwards, proceeds
to the Princesses, and other branches of the Royal family, who may
happen to be at Windsor, and makes a similar report to them. In general
the Queen returns with Dr. Willis, through the state rooms, down a
private staircase, leading into the King's suite of rooms, appropriated
to this special purpose. Sometimes she converses with her Royal husband.
The Queen is the only person who is admitted to this peculiar privilege,
except the medical gentleman, and his Majesty's personal attendants. In
the case of Dr. John Willis's absence, Dr. Robert Willis, his brother,
takes his place. The other medical gentlemen take it in rotation to be
in close attendance upon the King.
"The suite of rooms which his Majesty and his attendants occupy, have
the advantage of very pure and excellent air, being on the North side of
the terrace round the Castle; and he used to occasionally walk on the
terrace; but, we understand, he now declines, owing to the bad state of
his eyes, not being able to enjoy the view. The Lords and Grooms of the
King's Bedchamber, his Equerries and other attendants are occasionally
in attendance at Windsor Castle, the same as if the King enjoyed good
health. Two King's Messengers go from the Secretary of State's offices
daily to Windsor, and return to London, as they have been accustomed to
do for a number of years past. The messenger who arrives at noon brings
a daily account of the King's health to the Prince Regent, and the
Members of the Queen's Council. His Majesty has never been left since
his afflicting malady, without one of the Royal Family being in the
Castle, and a member of the Queen's council, appointed under the Regency
Act."[330]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account