as to beat about, and feel the pulse of the House
with respect to further examination. I do not think he received
much encouragement; but they are so anxious to mend this part of
their case by cross-examining the physicians, that I am inclined to
think they will try it. This opinion of Willis's is some temptation
to us to allow it; but, on the whole, I think it better resisted.
I should be quite clear about it, if it was not from a fear that
some individuals may be caught by the notion of parliamentary
dignity, and that our first division may thereby be less favourable
than if it was taken on any direct question of party.

I send you a note which Wilberforce put into my hands. If the thing
cannot be done, pray send a separate and very civil letter about
it; because this Sir J. Coghill is one of his chief friends in
Yorkshire, and he particularly desires to be able to send him a
civil answer.

Ever most affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

The next day, immediately after this favourable report from a physician
whose experience in this particular branch of practice gave great weight
to his opinions, Thurlow began to veer round again to the Ministry.
"Whatever object he might at one time have had in view," says Mr.
Grenville, "he has now taken his determination of abiding by the present
Government." Thurlow, in short, was exactly the man the King believed
him to be, and always kept in the sun.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, Dec. 7th, 1788.
MY DEAR BROTHER,

There is nothing particularly worth mentioning to you with respect
to Willis, more than what I told you in my last letter. He
expressed himself very strongly to Pitt as to his hopes of the
King's recovery, and said that there was no symptom which he saw in
him, or could learn from the other physicians, which he had not
seen much stronger in other people who have recovered. He has, I
understand, already acquired a complete ascendancy over him, which
is the point for which he is particularly famous. He had the
boldness yesterday to suffer the King to shave himself in his
presence. The King was much more composed than he has ever been,
slept uncommonly well the night before last; said in the morning
that he found himself much better, for that Dr. Willis had settled
his mind; and was r