eriment, to give the King medicines to remove his fever, in
order to observe whether this produced any effect on the state
of his mind, and to draw an inference from that whether the
disorder on his brain was connected with the fever. They
accordingly gave him two doses of James's powder in the course
of the day, but without any other effect than lowering his
pulse; and this morning we have the severe mortification of
hearing that a third dose has operated by a profuse
perspiration, so as almost entirely to remove the fever, but
that the state of his mind continues unaltered. The physicians,
however, all agree that it must still be at least a fortnight
before they can venture even to pronounce that it is a disorder
of the brain. That even in that case they can give no further
opinion; that disorders of that sort are of all others those
that are least understood; and that this may continue for many
years, or may suddenly leave him, or as suddenly kill him.

I need not tell you the effect which this dreadful calamity
produces. Pitt had yesterday a long conference with the Prince;
but it turned chiefly on the situation of the King, and the
state and progress of his disorder. Nothing passed from which
any conclusion can be drawn with respect to future measures. He
treated him with civility, but nothing more.

The general idea is that _they_ mean to try a negotiation. But
whether the Prince means that, and whether Pitt ought in any
case to listen to it at all, or in what degree, are questions
which it is difficult indeed to decide. There could never be a
more favourable moment for Pitt's leaving the Government, with a
view to his own credit and character. But then, on the other
hand, his own personal situation must be so embarrassed: there
is so much danger of an imputation of pride, and a factious
desire of keeping alive differences, that my opinions fluctuate
almost from hour to hour. I am still, however, inclined to
believe that they will not make the experiment, though the
conversation upon it, and the general persuasion of its being
intended, make it more difficult for them to avoid doing
something of that sort.

The present idea is, to let Parliament meet on the 23rd,
because, indeed, no one has authority to prorogue it further.
That then it should be stated to them