Lord Londonderry's colleagues entertained a similar opinion:--"Our own country and Europe," writes one of the most sagacious of them, "have suffered a loss, in my opinion irreparable. I had a great affection for him, and he deserved it from me, for to me he showed an uniform kindness, of which no other colleague's conduct furnished an example."[90] [90] Twiss's "Life of Lord Eldon," vol. ii. p. 73. The King had proceeded a few days before, on a visit to his Scottish dominions, and the startling news reached him soon after the _Royal George_ had dropped her anchor at the termination of the voyage. His Majesty, fully impressed with the irreparable nature of his loss, hastily wrote to the most influential members of the Cabinet, to deprecate any hasty arrangement. We quote the following:-- THE KING TO LORD ELDON. Royal George Yacht, Leith Roads, Aug. 15th, half-past eight P.M., 1822. MY DEAR FRIEND, I have this moment heard from Liverpool of the melancholy death of his and my dear friend, poor Londonderry. On Friday was the last time I saw him; my own mind was then filled with apprehensions respecting him, and they have, alas! been but too painfully verified. My great object, my good friend, in writing to you to-night, is to tell you that I have written to Liverpool, and I do implore you not _to lend yourself_ to any arrangement _whatever_, until my return to town. This, indeed, is Lord Liverpool's own proposal, and as you may suppose, I have joined _most cordially_ in the proposition. It will require the _most prudent foresight_ on my part, relative to the new arrangements that must now necessarily take place. You may easily judge of the state of my mind. Ever, believe me, Your sincere Friend, G. R.