assistance from him in the Anecdotes of the Life of Earl Chatham, first published in 1791 or 1792: see Mr. Taylor, p. 139. It is also a satisfactory proof that Mr. Almon, himself a man of much talent, of various knowledge, of large information, of literary reputation, and of political connexions, had formed no such estimate of the abilities, and the attainments of Sir Philip as to suppose him equal to the composition of the Letters, or else he would not have advocated the claims of Boyd. These remarks are not unimportant, when it is confidently stated or broadly insinuated that, because Almon was a friend of Junius, between 1767 and 1773. and because Sir Philip Francis in 1791 or 1792. made communications to Almon for his Anecdotes of the Life of Earl Chatham, therefore Junius and Sir Philip were one and the same person. Mr. Taylor says in p. 148:-"So that it appears not only that Junius had a regard for Woodfall, in which he resembled Sir Philip Francis, but that the next printer, to whom the former had recourse, was equally distinguished by the favours of the latter." But Junius unquestionably had in view chiefly his own political objects. He preferred Woodfall's Paper, not because Woodfall was his school-fellow and his friend, but because his Paper was on many accounts the fittest receptacle for his Articles,--because he could rely on the moral integrity and the personal courage and the political consistency of Woodfall. He gave the second preference to Almon for similar reasons, and not from any particular friendship for him. The sort of friendship, which he felt for Almon, is manifest from the very little effort, which was made by any party to re-imburse Mr. Almon for the expenses attending the prosecution for a libel in publishing Junius's Letter to the King: from the Memoirs of a late Eminent Bookseller, p. 76. it appears that the sum of 1007. collected by Sir John Aubrey, "was all the compensation Mr. Almon received for the loss, vexation, trouble, etc. of this prosecution."

With great respect and esteem I remain, dear Sir,

GENERAL SIR HERBERT TAYLOR'S

MEMORANDUM

OF THE ILLNESS AND DECEASE

OF THE

DUKE OF YORK.

LONDON:-1827.

THE interest excited by the situation of the late Duke of York, and by every circumstance connected with his long, painful, and lingering illness, from its commencement until the fatal hour which closed his valuable existence, has been so great, and the general feeling which it produced has caused so many particulars to be circulated and received by the public as authentic, for which there either was no foundation, or at least very imperfect foundation, that I have, on due consideration, been induced to draw up from minutes taken during this distressing and trying period of my attendance on his Royal Highness, a statement, not of the progress of the disease, or of the treatment pursued, but of such circumstances and facts as will show the condition of his Royal Highness's mind under this awful visitation of Providence, will do justice to the exemplary resolution and pious resignation with which he met and submitted to it, and will satisfy his attached friends that his Royal Highness was, in every point of view, deserving of the respect and affection which have so strongly marked their sentiments towards him, and of the deep grief and regret which his death has occasioned in their minds, and in those of the respectable and well-thinking individuals of every class in this country.

The state of his Royal Highness's health had, for some time, appeared far from satisfactory, and had occasioned more or less uneasiness to those about him, but the first indications of serious indisposition, such as to produce alarm, were on his Royal Highness's return from Ascot to his residence in Audley-square,

on the 9th of June 1826, and Mr. Macgregor, who then saw him, urged him immediately to send for Sir Henry Halford.

From that period, his Royal Highness continued more or less an invalid, and was occasionally confined to his house.

On the 24th of June, his Royal Highness removed for change of air to Brompton Park, the residence of Mr. Greenwood, who kindly lent it to him, and on that day he sent for me, and told me that he had been unwell for some weeks, and that he did not think that he gained ground: that he did not feel alarmed, and that he had perfect confidence in the attention given to his case, and the skill of his medical advisers; but that he knew that they might entertain apprehensions, which they would consider it their professional duty not to communicate to their patients, and he might therefore remain ignorant of that which ought not to be concealed from him, and which he trusted he should learn without apprehension, although he did not deny that he should learn it with regret. That there were duties to be performed, and arrangements to be made, which ought not to be deferred to the last moment, and he felt that it was due to his character and station, to his comfort, and even to his feelings on this subject, that he should not be taken by surprise on so serious an occasion. He 'considered it probable that the physicians would be less reserved with me than with him, and he charged me if I should learn from them directly, or should have reason to draw such inference from any expressions that might drop from them, that his situation had become one of danger, not to withhold such knowlege from him. He appealed to me on this occasion for an act of friendship, he would add, for the discharge of a duty, which he claimed from the person who had been with him and enjoyed his confidence during so many years; he called on me to promise that I would perform it whenever the period should arrive to which he alluded, and he desired that I would bear in mind that he wished me to deal by him as he was certain I should desire, under similar circumstances, to be dealt with.

I made the promise without hesitation, and it was received with a warm expression of thanks, and an affectionate pressure of the hand.

This was repeated, in allusion to what had passed at a later period of the day, when he got into his carriage to go to Brompton, and he then said that he felt relieved from great uneasiness by the promise I had given him.

His Royal Highness removed to Brighton on the 14th of August, for the benefit of further change of air, and I learnt from Mr. Macgregor, on the 17th of that month, that a change had

taken place in his general state, and that symptoms had appeared which rendered his situation one of danger.

This distressing information was confirmed to me from other quarters, and I determined immediately to go to Brighton, and to discharge my duty, but to be guided in the character and extent of the disclosure by such further communication as might be made to me by his Royal Highness's medical attendants of the nature and pressure of the danger. I pleaded business rendering personal communication necessary for my visit to his Royal Highness, and I went to Brighton on the 19th of August. On my arrival I learnt from Mr. Macgregor that a favorable change had taken place, that his Royal Highness had gained strength, and the most alarming symptoms had in great measure subsided; that his Royal Highness's situation might, therefore, be considered far more encouraging than when he wrote to me, but that it was impossible to consider it free from danger, although that danger had ceased to be immediate, and although there was reason to hope that the cause of alarm might be removed. He added, that from observations which his Royal Highness had made to himself, he was convinced I should find him prepared for any communication I might feel it my duty to make to him, and that, under all circumstances, I must exercise my discretion.

I then saw the Duke of York, who entered fully into his situation, and told me that although much better then, and he believed going on well, he had reason to think from the manner and looks of his medical attendants, that they had been alarmed, and felt much greater uneasiness than they had expressed, or might feel at liberty to express, and he wished to know what I had learnt.

I did not disguise from him that, bearing in mind the engagement I had contracted, I had determined to go to Brighton in consequence of the accounts I had received on the 17th which had alarmed me, but that I was happy to find on my arrival, that his Royal Highness's state had since been improving, and that much of the uneasiness which then prevailed had been removed; at the same time it was my duty to confirm the impression which he appeared himself to have received, that his complaint had assumed a more serious character, although great confidence appeared to be felt that the extraordinary resources of his constitution, and the strength he had gained since his removal to Brighton, would enable him to struggle successfully with his disorder. "Then," said he, "I was not mistaken in my suspicions, and my case is not wholly free from danger; but I depend on your honour, and you tell me there is more to hope than to fear."

I assured him that that was decidedly the impression I had received from what Mr. Macgregor had said to me. He thanked VOL. XXVII. NO. LIV.

Pam.

2 E

me, and proceeded to look over and give directions on some official papers with his usual attention and accuracy.

- He saw Mr. Macgregor the same evening, and questioned him ; and he told me on the following day that Mr. Macgregor had answered very fairly, and had confirmed what I had said to him, as did Sir Matthew Tierney later in the day. On that same day he told me that he felt stronger, and that his mind was relieved by what had passed, as he knew he should not be deceived, or left to form his own conjectures, and draw his own conclusions, from the looks and manner of his medical attendants and others about him; and that he had not for months slept so well as the preceding night.

I repeated to him, that I had come to Brighton under considerable alarm, and that I should leave it very much relieved. His Royal Highness was cheerful; and I heard from Mr. Macgregor and others that he continued so during the following days. Indeed, he wrote to me himself in very good spirits, and assured me of the comfort and relief he had derived from the proof afforded to him that he would be fairly dealt with.

His Royal Highness returned from Brighton on the afternoon of the 26th of August to the Duke of Rutland's house in Arlingtonstreet, having come in five and a half hours. He did not seem much fatigued, looked well in countenance, and conversed cheerfully with Sir Henry Torrens and me, who were in waiting to receive him.

He afterwards told me that his strength, sleep, and appetite had improved, but that the medicines he had taken had ceased to have the desired effect in checking the progress of the main disorder, and that he had therefore returned to town earlier than had been intended, in order, as he understood, to try some change of treatment, which he apprehended might be tapping. This was an unpleasant hearing, though it did not alarm him. He was determined to keep up his spirits; he knew his situation was a serious one, but he had no doubt, please God, he should recover, though he feared his recovery would be a work of time.

In the course of conversation, I told him that I understood Sir Henry Halford would be in town on the following day, and did not mean to return to the country. He observed it was very kind of him, but immediately added, "By the bye, not a very good sign either."

He proceeded very quietly to official business; but Mr. Macgregor coming in, he, in the most calm and collected manner, questioned him before me very closely as to his state, beginning by these words: "Tell me honestly, do you consider me in danger?" "Not in immediate danger," was the answer. "But," said his