'Poor Mrs. Kennedy Erskine[*] was there. She lived in her own apartments. Mrs. Fox,[**] her sister, and Miss Wilson took it by turns to dine with her. She was only married four years, was doatingly fond of her husband, and is left with three children.[***] The King went every evening when he came from the dinner-room and sat half an hour with her. On his return to the drawing-room the Queen had taken her work and Jane Clitherow into the music-room, while I remained at her table with the Princess Augusta. The King came up. "Ah, my two Princesses Augusta, this is very comfortable; now to business.' She had the official boxes, pen and ink all ready. He unlocked a box and set to work signing, the Princess rubbing them on the blotting-book and returning them into their cases. He signed seventy. Three times he was obliged to stop and put his hand in hot water, he had the cramp so severe in his fingers. When he signed the last he exclaimed, "Thank God, 'tis done!" He looked at me and said: "My dear madame, when I began signing I had 48,000 signatures my poor brother should have signed. I did them all, but I made a determination never to lay my head on my pillow till I had signed everything I ought on the day, cost me what it might. It is cruel suffering, but, thank God! 'tis only cramp; my health never was better." The Queen was all attention, came and stood by him, but neither she nor the Princess said anything. When he is in pain he likes perfect quiet and to be left alone. [*] The King's fourth daughter, Augusta, born 1803, married, first, 1827, Hon. John Kennedy Erskine--he died 1831; secondly, 1836, Lord Frederick Gordon. [**] The King's second daughter, Mary; born 1798, married, 1824, Colonel C. R. Fox, A.D.C. to the Queen. [***] As her four children are subsequently mentioned, it may be noted that a posthumous child was born two or three months after this letter was written. 'On Monday morning all left the Castle, and the great square full of carriages being packed was most amusing. The Queen stood at the Window with us. There were three fours of the King's, and nineteen pair of post-horses, besides the out-riders, guard of honour, etc., etc. 'My paper makes me end, or I could go on till to-morrow. Adieu, my good friend! If I have amused you for a few minutes I am well repaid. 'My best remembrances to your trio. 'Yours truly, 'M. C.' IV CHOLERA AT BRENTFORD--FALSE RUMOURS ABOUT THE QUEEN--DISMISSAL OF EARL HOWE--DEATH OF THE PRINCESS LOUISE--AT WINDSOR AGAIN--AN AFTERNOON ON VIRGINIA WATER