INTERESTING A.L.S. OF LOUIS XVI. TO THE CHEMIST LAVOISIER ON THE SUBJECT OF THE DISCOVERY OF INFLAMMABLE GAS, VERSAILLES, MARCH 15, 1789.
Few Royal letters interest me more than those of George III., upon whose worth of character, in my opinion, they throw a strong light. Five years ago they were comparatively rare, although Farmer George was his own Secretary, and appears to have been at his desk at all hours of the day and night from 1760 until his Jubilee in 1809, when blindness fell upon him, and his signature became an undecipherable scrawl. His writing was peculiarly neat and legible. Only when under the influence of illness or strong emotion did he omit to add the hour and minutes to the day of the week and month. Here is an early letter written to the future Lord Hood, when the future King William IV. went to sea as a boy of twelve.[30]
George III. to Sir Samuel Hood,
June 13th, 1779.
Sir Samuel Hood,—This will be delivered to you by Major General de Budé, whom I have directed to stay a few days at Portsmouth that he may be able to bring me some accounts how far the Midshipman takes to his situation, besides I think it may be of use to Rear Admiral Digby to be thoroughly apprised with many particulars concerning my Boy that will enable him to fix the better his mode of treating him. If the fleet sails in the course of the Week I hope you will find some means of letting him attend it to St. Hellens; as it will be a very additional pleasure if he can bring me the news that this noble Fleet is under way.
George R.
A.L.S. OF KING GEORGE III. TO SIR SAMUEL HOOD (AFTERWARDS LORD HOOD), JUNE 13, 1779.