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the preceding night might be gratified as soon as possible, the archbishop entered the King's room, and was received, as at all times, with the significant tokens of joy and thankfulness, which his grace's presence never failed to call forth.

On this occasion the archbishop read the service for the Visitation of the Sick. The King was seated as usual, in his easy chair; the Queen affectionately kneeling by his side, making the responses, and assisting him to turn over the leaves of the large Prayer Book which was placed before him. His Majesty's demeanour was characterised by the most genuine spirit of devotion. Though unable to join audibly in the responses which occur in the services, yet when the archbishop had rehearsed the articles of our creed, his Majesty, in the fullness of his faith, and labouring to collect all the energies of sinking nature, enunciated with distinct and solemn emphasis the words, "All this I steadfastly believe."

During the whole service his Majesty retained hold of the Queen's hand, and in the absence of physical strength to give utterance to his feelings, signified by the fervent pressure of it, not only his humble acquiescence in the doctrines of our holy faith, but his grateful acknowledgment of those promises of grace and succour which so many passages of this affecting portion of the Liturgy hold out to the dying Christian, and the belief of which his Majesty so thankfully appreciated in this his hour of need.

With the other hand his Majesty frequently covered his eyes and pressed his brow, as if to concentrate all his power of devotion, and to restrain the warmed emotions of his heart, which were so painfully excited by the destress of those who surrounded him. His Majesty did not allow the archbishop to withdraw without the usual significant expression of his gratitude, "A thousand, thousand thanks."

It was then when the archbishop pronounced the solemn and truly affecting form of blessing contained in the "Service for the Visitation of the Sick," that the Queen for the first time in his Majesty's apartment was overpowered by the weight o her affliction.

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The King observed her emotion, and said, in a tone of kind encouragement, "Bear up, bear up.".

At the conclusion of the prayers his Majesty saw all his children; and as they successively knelt to kiss the hand, gave thera his blessing in the most affectionate terms, suitable to the character and circumstances of each. They had all manifested the most truly filial affection to his Majesty during his illness; but on Lady Mary Fox, the eldest of his Majesty's surviving daughters, had chiefly devolved the painful, yet consolatary duty, of assisting the Queen in her attendance on the King.

The extreme caution of his Majesty, and his anxiety to avoid causing any pain or alarm to the Queen, was very remarkable. He never alluded in distinct terms to death in

her Majesty's presence. It was about this period of the day that he tenderly besought her Majesty not to make herself uneasy about him; but that he was already anticipating his speedy dissolution was evident from his expressions to several of his relatives. Even at this advanced stage of his disease, and under circumstances of the most distressing debility, the King had never wholly intermitted his attention to public business. In accordance with his usual habits, he had this morning frequently desired to be told when the clock struck half-past ten, about which time his Majesty uniformly gave audience to Sir Herbert Taylor. At eleven, when Sir Herbert was summoned, the King said, "Give me your hand." Now get the things ready." On Sir Herbert saying that he had no papers to-day, his Majesty, appeared surprised, till Sir Herbert added, "It is Monday, Sire; there is no post, and no boxes are come;" when he replied, "Ah, true I had forgot." The Queen then named Sir Henry Wheatly, who had entered the apartment. The King regarded him with a gracious look, and extended his hand to him, as he did also to Dr. Davis, evidently influenced by the same motive which had prompted a similar action to Sir Herbert Taylor-a last acknowledgement of their faithful

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services. His Majesty then passed several hours in a state of not uneasy slumber: the Queen almost uninterruptedly kneeling by his side, and gently chafing his hand, from which assurance of her presence his Majesty derived the greatest comfort.

During this afternoon, to such an extremity of weakness was the King reduced, that he scarcely opened his eyes, save to raise them in prayer to heaven, with a look expressive of the most perfect resignation. Once or twice indeed this feeling found expression in the words "Thy will be done!" and on one occasion he was heard to utter the words, "the Church -the Church !" and the name of the archbishop.

It was about nine o'clock in the evening of this day that the archbishop visited the King for the last time.

His Majesty's state altogether incapacitated him from joining in any act or exercise of devotion; but, as at each preceding interview, his grace's presence proved a source of joy and consolation to the dying Monarch, who strove in vain to convey any audible acknowledgements of the blessings which he sensibly enjoyed; but when, on leaving the room, the archbishop said, "My best prayers are offered up for your Majesty," the King replied, with slow and feeble yet distinct utterance, "Believe me, I am a religious man."

After this exertion his Majesty gently moved his hand in token of his last farewell, and the archbishop withdrew.

As the night advanced, a more rapid diminution of his Majesty's vital powers was perceptible.

His weakness now rendered it impracticable to remove him into his usual bed-room, and a bed was accordingly prepared in the royal closet, which communicates with the apartment in which his Majesty had passed the last ten days of his life. At half-past ten the King was seized with a fainting fit, the

effects of which were mistaken by many for the stroke of

death. However, his Majesty gradually though imperfectly, revived, and was then removed into his bed.

From this time his voice was not heard, except to pronounce

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