[229] Galt: George III, his Court and Family.
[230] On March 23, 1784, the Great Seal of England was stolen from the Lord Chancellor's house in Great Ormond Street. It was taken from a drawer of a writing table, in which nothing else was disturbed. Much discussion arose, consequently, and there was a suspicion that the theft might have been inspired by political reasons, since there was a doubt whether Parliament could be dissolved except under the Great Seal.
[231] Wraxall: Historical Memoirs of His Own Times.
[232] Ibid.
When Mrs. Delany praised George III for his moderation, "No, no, it is no virtue," replied the monarch, "I only prefer eating plain and little, to growing diseased and infirm."—Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay.
[233] Reminiscences of the fifth Earl of Carlisle.
[234] Papendiek: Court and Private Life.
[235] Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay.
[236] Grenville Papers.
[237] "On the day previous to the celebration of the Queen's birthday in 1782 [the Queen's birthday was officially recognized in the middle of January], the King was extremely indisposed, and was twice let blood. At the Drawing-room next day his Majesty was seized with a bleeding at the nose, and was obliged to retire very soon after three o'clock; and his Majesty continued so much indisposed that he did not appear in the ball-room in the evening. In a few days his Majesty was so much recovered as to be deemed entirely out of danger."—Southy: Authentic Memoirs of George the Third.