divided against itself, and was, therefore,
incapable of either disturbing the peace of her neighbours, or of
rendering them any assistance in case of attack from any other quarter.
But out of the weakness of France arose the necessity of opposing a
barrier against the dangerous alliance which had been formed between the
two imperial courts; for it was imagined, that if successful in their
war with the sultan, they would afterwards direct their hostile and
ambitious views to other parts of Europe.

DERANGEMENT OF HIS MAJESTY: DEBATES ON THE REGENCY.

When the king prorogued parliament he appeared to be in his usual good
state of health, but shortly after he became indisposed, and was advised
by his physicians to try the mineral waters of Cheltenham. During his
residence at Cheltenham his health greatly improved, but in the month
of August, when he returned to Windsor, his disorder took an unfortunate
turn, for symptoms of mental derangement appeared, which gradually
increased, till he was no longer capable of attending to public
business. His madness was also accompanied by a bilious fever, from
which, for several days, his life was despaired of, as well as his
reason. This event affected all classes, and caused great consternation
at court and in the cabinet; it also gave rise to intrigue and strife
among contending parties.

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

Parliament stood prorogued to the 20th of November, and six days before,
circular letters were issued, requesting the attendance of members on
that day. The peers and members being assembled, the state of the king's
health was formally notified to them, in the upper house by the lord
chancellor, and in the commons by Pitt. In both houses a motion of
adjournment to the 4th of December was made, in order to see whether his
majesty's disorder was likely to be of long continuance, which motion
was carried _nem. con._

In the mean time the leaders of both parties busied themselves in
intrigue and deliberation. Neither party, however, were yet clear as to
the steps they should pursue, for the varying opinions of the physicians
were calculated to perplex their minds, rather than to serve as a guide
to their conduct. It was necessary that some decisive information should
be obtained before the meeting of parliament, and therefore, on the 3rd
of December, a privy-council was held at Whitehall, for the purpose of
examining the physicians. The result of the opinion of