On the morning of 13 September two bulletins appeared at the same time in the _Moniteur_, signed by the doctors and by the First Gentleman of the Chamber. They announced the illness of the king, and made it very evident that his disease was incurable. At the end of the second bulletin came the command which Louis XVIII. had greatly dreaded, ordering the Bourse and theatres to be closed. These were the first bulletins France had read for half a century--that is to say, since the death of Louis XV.--and they were to be the last they were to read. _First Bulletin of the King's health_ "THE TUILERIES, 12 _September_, 6 _a.m._ "The King's chronic and long-seated infirmities have become sensibly worse for some time past, his health has been very considerably impaired and his condition necessitates more frequent consultations. "His Majesty's constitution and the care he has taken of himself had caused hope to be felt for some time that he might be restored to his usual state of health; but the fact cannot now be disguised that his strength has declined considerably and that the hopes entertained are less likely to be realised. _(Signed)_ PORTAL, ALIBERT, MONTAIGU, DISTEL, DUPUYTREU, THÉVENOT First Gentleman of the King's Chamber COMTE DE DAMAS" _Second Bulletin_ "9 _p.m._ "The fever has increased during the day. The lower limbs have become extremely cold: weakness and lethargy have also increased, and the pulse has been very weak and irregular. _(Signed)_ PORTAL, ALIBERT, MONTAIGU, DISTEL, DUPUYTREU, THÉVENOT First Gentleman of the King's Chamber COMTE DE DAMAS "In consideration of the King's state of health, all theatres and places of public amusement, as well as the Bourse, will be closed until further orders, and public prayers will be offered in every parish." On the 16th, at four o'clock in the morning, Louis XVIII. breathed his last breath. He had blessed the two royal children of France the previous, evening. Then, turning to his brother, the Comte d'Artois, who was about to change his title for that of Charles X., and pointing to the Duc de Bordeaux, he said, "Brother, look well after the crown for that child."