669-670 MEMOIR OF HIS LATE MAJESTY GEORGE IV. (With a Portrait.) THE melancholy event for some time painfully anticipated, has at length taken place. His Most Gracious Majesty George the Fourth, submitting to the stroke of death, has just resigned his earthly diadem, leaving a national family to express their lamentations in sighs of unavailing sorrow, and to seek relief in tears. Not many years have elapsed since the same loyal people were called on to mourn the departure of His late Majesty's venerable and august father; and another gloomy opportunity is now afforded them to reflect, that death knows no distinction between the palace and the cottage, and that the monarch and the peasant are alike exposed to his resistless shafts. His His late Majesty George IV. was born on the twelfth of August 1762, and immediately created Prince of Wales. early education was domestic, conducted under the immediate inspection of his Royal Parents. The Earl of Holdernesse was his first tutor, and his classical studies were superintended by the Rev. Dr. Markham. After a short season, during which Lord Bruce filled the important station of instructor to the heir apparent, the Duke of Montague was nominated to the arduous office, but at the particular request of his Majesty George III. the preceptorship was undertaken by Dr. Hurd. On coming of age, the annual allowance for the establishment of His Royal Highness was fifty thousand pounds, with sixty thousand for outfit. In the year 1788 the suspension of the Royal functions induced some of His Royal Highnesses, confidential advisers, to urge his right to assume the reins of governmen. This ill-advised measure, for some time created an unpleasant alarm, but his Majesty recovering, tranquillity was immediately restored. In 1795 the marriage of His Royal Highness with Caroline Amelia Elizabeth, second daughter of the Duke of Brunswick, was celebrated in the Chapel Royal at St. James's, and on the year following the Princess Charlotte was born. But the circumstances connected with this unhappy union, have been too frequently before the public, to require any repetition in this place. In 1810 His Royal Highness was appointed Regent, under certain restrictions, which were not removed until the year 1812. | During a period of twenty-five years, Great Britain had been involved in an eventful war, but peace at length revisiting the hostile nations, a general rejoicing was the result. Scarcely had this subsided, before England had to mourn in sackcloth, the death of the much-lamented Princess Charlotte; who, in the month of November, 1817, after giving birth to a still-born son, accompanied him to the house appointed for all living. This awful calamity was speedily followed by others in rapid succession. The venerable Queen Charlotte, the Duke of Kent, in the meridian of life, and the aged monarch, at the extreme verge of mortality, were all conveyed to the sepulchre in the short space of two years. In January 1827, death again knocked at the palace of royalty, and summoned the Duke of York to a world of spirits; and now the nation has to mourn, in the departure of a beloved King, the eldest branch of this illustrious family. On the demise of George III. in January, 1820, his late Majesty George IV. succeeded to the throne; but his coronation did not take place until July, 1821. This event was celebrated with the utmost splendour; but, alas! so short has been the time between his royal pomp and funeral obsequies, that the circumstances attendant on his earthly grandeur, need only to be mentioned to be recollected. On that memorable occasion his Majesty wore a black velvet hat, with a large plume of white feathers flowing out of the top, from the centre of which appeared a heron's feather. His hair was dressed in several curls. His garment was white and silver, with silk stockings, and white shoes with tassels. In these coronation robes he is now represented in the portrait which accompanies this article. Over these robes he wore a large mantle of crimson velvet, covered with stars of gold, and the train was supported by six pages. But we must now turn from this earthly apotheosis, to a scene more solemn, and more deeply interesting. During the period which elapsed from his late Majesty's accession to the throne, until the moment of his death, the nation has enjoyed uninterrupted repose; it has neither been disturbed by foreign hostilities, nor harassed by civil commotions. The Catholic relief bill will render his reign memorable in the eyes of posterity; and the repeal of the corporation and test act 671 Memoir of His late Majesty George IV. will immortalize his name with all the friends of civil and religious liberty. Among the labouring classes of society, distress, arising from the want of employment, which has been felt with peculiar severity, is perhaps the greatest calamity with which the nation has been afflicted during his auspicious reign. With a constitution naturally vigorous, although his late Majesty, on ascending the throne, had passed the meridian of life, hopes were entertained that it might be protracted to an extent corresponding with that of his august parent. Many circumstances, however, soon indicated, that such an event was rather to be desired than expected. Of late years his health was frequently thought to be precarious, and cases have occurred in which his life has appeared in imminent danger. Returning strength, however, repeatedly defeating the apprehensions of solicitude, his occasional attacks after some time created only a tran sient alarm. It is stated on good authority, that his Majesty's medical advisers were probably aware of the disorder which has proved fatal, so early as January last, and their treatment of the royal patient confirms the supposition. The following particulars respecting the progress, ascendency, and final triumph of the disease over all human efforts, are condensed from extended statements published in the Globe, Weekly Dispatch, Atlas, and Times newspapers. In the beginning of March, it was stated that His Majesty took exercise for three hours every day in the Great Park, Wind sor, by driving himself in his pony-phaeton to inspect the Royal Lodge improvements, in which it was his intention to take up his abode on the 1st of June; but on the 1st of June he was on his death-bed. Towards the end of March His Majesty discontinued his excursions, and it was announced that he had caught a slight cold, which was probably only a symptom of a disease which continues long in the constitution, and is sometimes imperceptible even to the most acute physician. His Majesty at this time was confined for a short period to his bedchamber; but he was soon able again to honour his distinguished visiters with his presence at dinner. About this period also he lost one of the oldest and most attached of his attendants, Sir Edmund Nagle,-a loss which, added to the increase of his infirmities, His Ma jesty severely felt. On the last few days of March the airings in the park were resumed, and it was 672 announced that His Majesty would leave the Castle for London on the 21st or 22d of April, to reside for five weeks in St James's. Sir H. Halford's visits to the Castle were generally noticed; but as they were not of such frequency or haste as to cause any suspicion of immediate danger, the public forgot that there are some maladies which, though slow in their operation, are far more dangerous than the most acute diseases. In well-informed quarters the nature of the disease had been understood before; though a certain delicacy towards His Majesty prevented the announcement of it in the papers; but receipts for the cure of asthma and dropsy became very numerous in the public prints even at an earlier period. The first severe attack of His Majesty appears to have been a spasmodic affection of the bowels, attended with a slight hiccup. The proper medicines were administered. Preparations were made to hold a levee and birth-day court at St. James's, and His Majesty held a Court, April 7, at Windsor. On April the 8th, in company with the Lord Steward, he rode out in his ponyphaeton, with several of his attendants in another phaeton. He visited the Homepark and private drives by Frogmore. lodge, and the improvements at the plantations to the Royal-lodge. He then proceeded to Virginia - water and Belvedere, and returned to the Castle, where he honoured the company with his presence at dinner. Lord and Lady Strathaven, and the Bishop of Chichester, visited His Majesty, with whom they continued to reside for some time. On April the 12th, the King, accompanied by the Lord Steward, and Lord and Lady Strathaven, and the household, attended divine service in the grand music room, the Bishop of Chichester officiating. On Monday, the 12th of April, his Majesty again rode out, but in the night His Majesty's illness increased, and Sir Henry Halford, according to his usual practice in such cases, slept at the Castle. He left in the morning, but again returned on Tuesday evening. He again went to town on Wednesday morning, but returned to Windsor, and as the King's illness still increased, he sent for Sir Matthew Tierney at an early hour on Thursday morning. They imme diately held a consultation, and issued the first bulletin, a few minutes before one, on Thursday, April the 15th. This bulletin was as follows: "Windsor-castle, April 15. "We regret to state that the King has 673 Memoir of His late Majesty George IV. had a bilious attack, accompanied by an embarrassment in breathing. His Majesty, although free from fever, is languid and weak." This bulletin was addressed partly to the King himself, and partly to the public. It gave the latter to understand that their sovereign was in danger, while it did not inform His Majesty of what none of his subjects could have desired him to be informed of-that his doom was sealed, and that a few months must terminate his career on earth. Sir Henry Halford set out from the Castle soon after issuing the bulletin, leaving Sir M. Tierney in attendance, who remained all night. It had now apparently been settled that the physicians should relieve each other-an arrangement which implied no immediate danger, as one physician could not take upon him to issue a bulletin. Accordingly no bulletin was issued on Friday, April 16th; and it was merely announced in the Court Circular, that the symptoms of His Majesty's disease were rather more favourable. His Majesty also passed a more comfortable night than be had before been able to do, the nature of his disease, which is seldom attended with fever, or any thing but debility and unfitness for exercise, rendering sleep almost impracticable, and in fact dangerous, unless with his head in an extremely elevated position. But flattering hopes were at this time entained by His Majesty of a return of strength; and to indulge these hopes, the physicians both left Windsor on Saturday by his desire, but Sir H. Halford returned in the evening. The treatment of the phy. sicians was what is usual on such occasions -promoting the liquid evacuations; but at the same time avoiding to debilitate too much his systen, and endeavouring to restore its tone by the various resources which their skill supplied. On Sunday night it was thought necessary that both physicians should remain in attendance on His Majesty, principally for the purpose of issuing a joint bulletin on Monday morning. This second bulletin was as follows: "Windsor Castle, April 19. "His Majesty continues to suffer occasionally from attacks of embarrassment of his breathing." The physicians had contented themselves with endeavouring to mitigate symptoms, and their treatment produced an apparent improvement; but they could not venture to make themselves responsible for a total concealment of his danger. The Duke of Cumberland called that day. Both Sir H. Halford and Sir Matthew 139.-VOL. XII. 674 Tierney returned to town on Monday, but the former was at Windsor again in the evening; and on his return next morning he had an interview with the Duke of Wellington, in which certain explanations were given. The Duchess of Gloucester saw His Majesty the same day (Tuesday, the 20th), by invitation. It was now pretty generally understood that His Majesty's complaint was dropsical. No physician was in attendance during the day. The symptoms were mitigated, and the King himself caused, on Thursday morning, a bulletin to be issued, signed by Sir H. Halford alone, in the following laconic terms:"Windsor Castle, April 22. "The King is better." "H. HALFORD." His Majesty was able to sign several documents that day. On Friday the same favourable appearances continued, and the Duke of Clarence visited His Majesty. The next bulletin was as follows:"Windsor Castle, April 24.-The King has passed two good nights, and continues better. " "H. HALFORD." It had been found necessary to have recourse to scarification for the removal of the fluid for the moment, and this operation was performed by Mr. O'Reilly. The well-informed were not deceived by flattering accounts. Sir H. Halford became uneasy about the responsibility which he took upon himself in signing the bulletins alone, and on Monday morning the two physicians to His Majesty held a consultation, at which it was determined to issue the following bulletin: "Windsor Castle, April 26.-The state of the King's health continues much the His Majesty has passed a good H. HALFORD, M. TIERNEY. same. night. The symptoms were now again becoming unfavourable, and it was determined to issue daily bulletins, signed by both phy sicians. The On the 29th of April, the Lord Chamberlain issued an order deferring the levee and drawing-room, which were to be held on the 5th and 7th of May, in celebration of His Majesty's birth-day. Occasional gleams of relief occurred in the beginning of May, but of very partial consequences. physicians had now found it necessary to discontinue the more active medicines, and to lay more stress on gentler remedies and diet. The Duke of Sussex, early in May, sent His Majesty a chair of a peculiar construction, adapted to the circumstances of 2 U |