pressed every document that has directly borne upon the secret, personal, and political intrigues that must have been disclosed to her husband, in the course of an era when these arts were understood to be particularly rife. Any person, however, who carefully reads the great mass of letters here published, these coming as they do from all classes of persons, and very many of them from individuals who have been much before the public, can experience no difficulty in detecting a number of most significant and instructive particulars; and in this way the work throws valuable light not only upon human nature, but upon an important period in our national history. The lessons, too, which Sir William's own life affords, have an individual distinctness and force that every reflecting mind will feel to be suggestive and important to the greatest and the humblest in the land.

But though the publication may be thus generally estimated, we must object to it in a certain degree, on account of this very questionable fact and practice, viz., that the majority of these letters were confidential communications, many of the writers being still alive, while the relatives and families of all of them may have reason to feel that they in some measure have been compromised for the sake of one man's fame, the widow of that one man having it in her power to suppress or to circulate exactly so much as suited her natural partialities. Having said this much as becomes us as journalists, bound to guard our literature against every base infusion, since the tendencies both of those who possess secret correspondence and of the scandal-loving multitude are in favour of every breach of confidence of the kind mentioned-although in the present instance affection for the departed, instead of any grosser selfish purpose prompted the publication-we proceed to give some account of the work, extract some of its contents, and to blend these with such observations as may be suggested.

In two points of view these volumes may be advantageously and usefully studied; first, as they exhibit the character and history of Sir William Knighton himself, and, secondly, as they picture the higher classes of mankind, even royalty itself, especially George the Fourth, in his private and confidential moments: and the result of the whole, both as respects the Keeper of the Privy Purse and the monarch whom he served, is engaging and complimentary.

Every young man may profitably read these Memoirs, because they offer a striking instance of what perseverance, zeal, and probity may accomplish, though unaided by great wealth, high birth, or political interest. Every head of a family also may here gather valuable lessons, because while we see a man whom one of the most lavish and haughty kings that ever reigned delighted to honour,a man who was that king's irresponsible adviser and to a great extent de facto king himself, it is in his social circles, and especially at his domestic hearth, that his chief delight was experienced. Every

courtier, too, should be instructed by the purity and honesty of him who was the mediator between the sovereign and all others who sought the sovereign's smiles.

William Knighton first saw the light in the year 1776; and although his family was respectable, a father's irregularities had so reduced the condition of those who immediately depended upon him, that our hero and an infant sister had nigh been committed to the care of the parish. We here quote a letter which, while honourable to the writer, throws considerable light upon his early condition.

"To the question of your friend relating to me, 'Do you know his history ? I answer, Few do, I believe, and scarcely he himself. He is indebted to Providence for what he possesses, and to industry and application for what he may else have obtained. At one time he was in a measure deserted by the world, and a consultation was held whether he and his infant sister should be committed to the care of the parish. Before the sun had shone two years on one, and one year on the other, they were left orphans; and the father that was thus deprived of life had spent in irregularity and intemperance a comfortable independence, and died at the age of twentynine. Reflection was the inheritance of those he left behind,-probably of more value than gold. My grandfather, whose death immediately followed my father's, died, possessed of much wealth, but in misery, because his fancy suggested that he had done nothing for us orphans: but it proved otherwise. To him I am indebted for the fortune I possess, which educated me, and brought me to that which I now attempt to profess. A part of this fortune was attempted to be kept from me by my father's younger brother; but it has been happily recovered since I have been in this place.

"The stories that have been told of me have been beyond everything wonderful. 'Tis but of little consequence. The mother of Euripides sold greens for her livelihood, and the father of Demosthenes sold knives for the same purpose; but does it lessen the worth of the men? Yet, as Johnson observes, there is no pleasure in relating stories of poverty; and when I tell them that my father was an old bookseller, let them be content without further inquiry.' What man, now he is dead, did not rejoice at the honour of his acquaintance? Many would be as proud to handle the pencil of Titian as the sceptre of the emperor he painted. And now, perhaps you will say, what necessity was there for all this? To which I reply, Not to satisfy public curiosity, nor to be told again; but you will perceive that as I write you creep into my confidence, and that when I converse or write to you, I appear to be prating about myself. It will be the better way, when you have read this letter, to burn and forget it, with this reflection on me, - that I from my childhood have been obliged to think."

His father having died, and his grandfather having left five hundred pounds to forward and support the boy's education, he was at length apprenticed to a surgeon apothecary at Tavistock. Here he steadily and industriously conducted himself; and, indeed, as was the case throughout the whole of his history, displayed an amiability of temper and an anxiety to distinguish himself that ought to be a model for every youth; though at no period and under no cir

cumstances do we discover evidences in him of superior intellectual powers. Common sense not genius was his guardian.

Having served his time as an apprentice, he repaired to London to attend lectures and hospitals in the ordinary fashion. He afterwards commenced practice in Devonport, having obtained a doctor's degree from Aberdeen. He seems to have been prosperous in business while in the country, and to have there found his ambition for a higher sphere of action fostered; for in 1803 he settled in London. But here the College of Physicians would not honour his Aberdeen degree. In entire good keeping, however, with the whole of his life, he was not to be beaten even by that exclusive and powerful body; for, though he had been in respectable practice, earning an enviable income, and was now a married man, he determined to equip himself with whatever the strictest formality demanded. Accordingly he repaired to Edinburgh where he studied for three years, after which he returned to the metropolis, duly qualified.

It is needless to trace his future career very closely. Suffice it to say that he accompanied the Marquess of Wellesley to Spain, during his mission in 1809, and that some time after his return, he was introduced to the Prince Regent, who declared that "he was the best-mannered medical man" he had ever met. It would seem, therefore, that elegant insinuating manners, not altogether separated from the sweet incense of a flattering tongue, we suspect, went a great way in favour of the speedy elevation of our physician. At any rate he became one of the Regent's physicians; a few years later he was made Auditor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and at last Keeper of the Privy Purse.

But it was not without exciting the jealousy of the faculty that the Regent was known to have declared Knighton the best mannered medical man he had ever seen; and indeed the misrepresentations that reached the royal ear, threatened to have for ever marred the fortunes of our hero. Unwearied perseverance, probity, and prudence, however, were an over-match for professional enmity, which we believe is in no other liberal calling so bitter and prevalent as in that to which reference is made. We shall afterwards see how complete was his triumph over all obstacles, and how entirely George the Fourth trusted and even loved him,-relying constantly upon him for advice and comfort, and plainly showing that among all the worshippers of royalty, no one had ever so completely won the confidence of the singularly fastidious personage alluded to. In fact Sir William became not only Keeper of the King's Privy Purse but of his conscience.

We have said that these Memoirs lend much and favourable light as regards the private feelings of George the Fourth. They at the same time afford such an insight into human nature, into the hollowness and unsatisfying qualities of mere worldly pomp and greatness, as is exceedingly instructive. The monarch's life of which we speak,

it is universally known, was not one even of domestic quiet, or at any time of enviable pleasure. The embarrassment of his pecuniary affairs, which is frequently exhibited in a striking manner in these Memoirs, of itself was sufficient to embitter life; nor can one fail to remark how wonderfully powerless the monarch was to do that which he pleased with his own. The sovereign of England, after all, is the greatest slave in the empire. It will be easy to give proofs of the several points above mentioned, and of others not less important.

The extravagance of George the Fourth was not the only source of his embarrassment. He seems until the appointment of Sir William to the keepership to have been most painfully at the mercy of others whose follies were perhaps greater, but whose irresponsibility shielded them from exposure, the whole disgrace of their conduct falling upon their unfortunate master. There is no slight degree of significance in the following letter, written by Sir William, not long after his accession to his principal office.

Sir,-I yesterday received from Lord F. C. a message that it was your majesty's desire to see me at the Lodge this morning. My first duty and impression was, of course, to obey your majesty's most gracious commands; but circumstances have arisen, connected with your majesty's interests, which oblige me to remain in town, and to forego that pleasure which is always so acceptable to my feelings, namely, that of throwing myself at your majesty's feet. I am so surrounded with cares on your majesty's account, so separated from every kind of support but what I derive from my own intellectual efforts, that, when I say happiness and myself are strangers, I do not mention it in the language of complaint, but only to hope that when I venture to oppose any of your majesty's commands, your majesty will believe it always arises from those feelings of devotion and honesty which are the true characteristics of my nature towards your majesty. I am aware it often happens, humble as I am, that it alone falls on me to raise the voice of opposition towards some of your majesty's schemes. This, I fear, must gradually tend to separate your majesty's mind, as far as agreeableness of feeling is concerned, from me: nevertheless, I do hope that your majesty will believe I am on every occasion influenced with the purest affection and most unsullied attachment towards your majesty's person.I have the honour to be, sir, your majesty's most dutiful subject and attached servant, W. K.

"10th June, 1822.'"

It would appear that there were occasions when Sir William in spite of his vigilance and economy was taken all-a-back by some sudden announcement of new difficulties for which he was not prepared. Mr. Dickie, a clerk in Coutts's bank declares, that the keeper has more than once," in my presence, most respectfully but firmly remonstrated with his Majesty upon the impossibility of managing his affairs with any satisfaction, or indeed propriety of conduct, if such unforeseen expenditure occurred." And it would seem also that this freedom and firmness sometimes excited tempo

rally the royal displeasure. We quote a letter from the King, which refers to some such slight and transient frowns.

"You may easily imagine, warm and sincere as my affections are towards you, I have had but little rest since we separated last night. The feeling that I may possibly and unfortunately, in a hurried moment, when my mind and my heart were torn in fifty different ways from fifty different causes, have let an unjust or a hasty expression escape me to any one, but most especially to you, whom I so truly love, and who are so invaluable to me as my friend, is to me a sensation much too painful to be endured: therefore let me implore you to come to me, be it but for a moment, the very first thing you do this morning; for I shall hate myself until I have the opportunity of expressing personally to you those pure and genuine feelings of affection which will never cease to live in my heart so long as that heart itself continues to beat. I am much too unhappy to say more, but that I am ever your affectionate friend,

G. R.'"

George the Fourth has not generally obtained much credit for possessing a forgiving nature; yet the last quoted letter evinces a placable as well as a tender spirit. There is also reason to believe that Sir William gradually ascended in the royal confidence and friendship; and, indeed, the keeper had not long held the privy purse without overcoming the King's irritability. His Majesty was a sensible as well as a proud man, and finding his servant faithful and trustworthy beyond most or all of those who had enjoyed access to the back-stairs, a singular and peremptory resolution was at length, carried into force, as our next extract testifies, which among other things evinces a full sense of that trustworthiness. The document is dated Royal Lodge, October 26th, 1822.

"I hereby authorise and direct Sir William Knighton, bart., keeper of my privy purse, to give notice to our several tradesmen, that they are not to receive orders, or to furnish any articles of furniture, &c. &c. &c., or to incur any expense whatsoever from their different trades, where such expense is to be provided for by my said privy purse, without receiving a specific order, in writing, for that purpose, from the said Sir William Knighton, bart.; and I do also give my authority to the said Sir William Knighton, bart., and order and direct him, during our will and pleasure, to undertake the entire management of my private affairs, with a view to the observance of the most strict and rigid economy, that we may have the opportunity of relieving ourselves from certain embarrassments, which it is not necessary to mention further in detail. We do, therefore, rely with confidence on the said Sir William Knighton for the strict performance and fulfilment of all our wishes on this head.

"GEORGE R.".

The Civil List of George the Fourth amounted, if we recollect aright, to the enormous sum of 385.000l. per annum; and yet so numerous were the demands upon this income, and so difficult was retrenchment in the great offices of the household, not to speak of his