ROYAL LETTER.
“The King desires Sir Henry Halford, as President of the Royal College of Physicians, to announce to the College assembled, that it is the King’s pleasure in future, that the President for the time being, should always hold the office of Physician in Ordinary to His Majesty. The King has great pleasure in making this communication during Sir Henry’s Presidency, from the sincere regard He entertains for him, and the very high estimation in which He holds his character and abilities.
“Signed. G. R.
“Carlton House,
Jan. 18th, 1822.”
To which the College voted the following Address.
‘TO THE KING’S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.
‘Sire,
‘We, the President, Elects, and Fellows of the Royal College of Physicians, humbly approach your Majesty with our most grateful acknowledgments for the mark of Royal favour with which your Majesty has been pleased to distinguish us by an order written and signed by your Royal hand, addressed to Sir Henry Halford, Bart. our President, commanding him to declare to the College assembled your Majesty’s Royal will and pleasure that every future President of the College of Physicians, for the time being, shall hold the office of one of your Majesty’s Physicians in Ordinary.
‘We associate, Sire, with this mark of your Royal kindness the pleasing remembrance of the circumstances of our original foundation by your Majesty’s illustrious predecessor King Henry the VIII, and dare to presume from so gracious a proof of your confidence in us, that your Majesty entertains a favourable opinion of our institutions and discipline, as calculated to make our profession respected in this country, above what it is in any other part of Europe, and most capable of forming a Physician worthy to be placed near the sacred person of the King.