Nine years later he goes to Cheltenham with the threatenings of his first attack of mental affliction upon him. He writes thus banteringly to his daughter the Princess Sophia, who lived down to our own time, and whom my mother remembered seeing in a sedan chair in Bond Street:—
Cheltenham Aug 4 1788
My dearest Sophia,—The account this day of Mary is so charming that it has quite put me into spirits, and prepared me for going tomorrow after dinner to Worcester where I shall remain till Friday evening that I may attend the three Mornings at the Cathedral the Musick of my admiration Handel.
Yesterday evening Lady Reed with all her curtsies left this place, but not without inviting your Gentleman to come as a connoisseur to assist her Mackaws, Parrots and Paroqueets. Tell Gooly that she is not forgot for Sestini's songs are play'd in honour of her on the walks and dear Mr. Hunt enquir'd very kindly of the Colonel after her, I ever remain
My dearest Sophia
Your most affectionate Father,
George R.
PS.—It is not right to tell stories out of school or I could mention that the Gentleman is the admiration of all the Ladies and that on the Walks he is ever talking to some Lady or other not known by those who have been here some time, indeed, I believe the knowledge of his coming has brought them from all parts of the Island.
Lady Reed was one of those persons who followed the Court everywhere—a peculiarity not wholly extinct. There is a curious caricature of her making her bow to Royalty on the Weymouth Esplanade, surrounded by a bevy of spaniels, the companions of the "Mackaws, Parrots and Paroqueets" mentioned by the King, who evidently understood her. In the late autumn the King's affliction declared itself, but in the following April he became convalescent, and the following is one of the first letters he wrote on his recovery:—
George III to Lord Sydney.
Though heartily tired of receiving addresses, as I am on Saturday to receive through the hands of the Lord Mayor of London and the Sheriffs one from the livery of London, I do not object to the Laity of the Protestant Dissenters sending a Deputation with an Address on the same day. Lord Sydney may therefore authorize Mr. Nepean to give a favourable answer to the Application of Mr. Boyle French.