gnity of England."[89]

[89] Alison's "History of Europe," vol. ii. p. 526.

Lord Londonderry's colleagues entertained a similar opinion:--"Our own
country and Europe," writes one of the most sagacious of them, "have
suffered a loss, in my opinion irreparable. I had a great affection for
him, and he deserved it from me, for to me he showed an uniform
kindness, of which no other colleague's conduct furnished an
example."[90]

[90] Twiss's "Life of Lord Eldon," vol. ii. p. 73.

The King had proceeded a few days before, on a visit to his Scottish
dominions, and the startling news reached him soon after the _Royal
George_ had dropped her anchor at the termination of the voyage. His
Majesty, fully impressed with the irreparable nature of his loss,
hastily wrote to the most influential members of the Cabinet, to
deprecate any hasty arrangement. We quote the following:--

THE KING TO LORD ELDON.

Royal George Yacht, Leith Roads,
Aug. 15th, half-past eight P.M., 1822.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

I have this moment heard from Liverpool of the melancholy death of
his and my dear friend, poor Londonderry. On Friday was the last
time I saw him; my own mind was then filled with apprehensions
respecting him, and they have, alas! been but too painfully
verified. My great object, my good friend, in writing to you
to-night, is to tell you that I have written to Liverpool, and I do
implore you not _to lend yourself_ to any arrangement _whatever_,
until my return to town. This, indeed, is Lord Liverpool's own
proposal, and as you may suppose, I have joined _most cordially_ in
the proposition. It will require the _most prudent foresight_ on my
part, relative to the new arrangements that must now necessarily
take place. You may easily judge of the state of my mind.

Ever, believe me,

Your sincere Friend,

G. R.

The King's intention to visit the northern portion of his kingdom, made
there as great a stir as had been created by his previous one to
Ireland. Sir Walter Scott was at the time in Edinburgh, and took a
prominent part in the preparations that were making in the Scottish
capital to receive its Sovereign, and on the royal yacht coming to
anchor in Leith Roads, he was the first Scotsman to venture on board,
on a very rainy day (August 15th), to present his Majesty with a St.
Andrew's Cross in silver, from the ladies of "Auld Reekie." The