letter 326 To The Miss Berrys.  Berkeley Square, March 20, 1789. (page 413)

Mrs. Damer had lent her Madame de la Motte,(628) and I have but this moment recovered it; so, you see, I had not forgotten it any more than my engagements to you:  nay, were it not ridiculous at my age to use a term so almost run out as never, I would add, that you may find I never can forget you.  I hope you are not engaged this day sevennight, but will allow me to wait on you to Lady Ailesbury, which I will settle with her when I have your answer.  I did mention it to her in general, but have no day free before Friday next, except Thursday; when, if there is another illumination, as is threatened, we should neither get thither nor thence; especially not the latter, if the former is impracticable.

“Quicquid delirant Reges, plectuntur Achivi."(629)

P. S. I have got a few hairs of Edward the Fourth’s head, not beard; they are of a darkish brown, not auburn.

(628) The M`emoire Justificatif of Madame de la Motte, relative to her conduct in the far-famed affair of the necklace.-E.

(629) Alluding to the public rejoicings on the recovery of George the Third from his first illness in 1788.  In a letter to her sister of the 9th of March, Miss More relates the following particulars:—­“A day or two ago I dined at the Bishop of London’s, with Dr. Willis.  As we had nobody else at dinner but the Master of the Rolls, I was indulged in asking the doctor all manner of impertinent questions.  He never saw, he said, so much natural sweetness and goodness of mind, united to so much piety, as in the King.  During his illness, he many time shed tears for Lord North’s blindness.  The Bishop had been to him that morning:  he told him that he wished to return his thanks to Almighty God in the most public manner, and hoped the Bishop would not refuse him a sermon.  He proposed going to St. Paul’s to do it.  He himself has named one of the Psalms for the thanksgiving-day, and the twelfth of Isaiah for the lesson.”

On the 17th, she again writes—­“The Queen and Princesses came to see the illuminations, and did not get back to Kew till after one O’clock.  When the coach stopped, the Queen took notice of a fine gentleman who came to the coach-door without his hat.  This was the King, who came to hand her out.  She scolded him for being up and out so late; but he gallantly replied, ’he could not Possibly go to bed and sleep till he knew she was safe.’  There never was so joyous, so innocent, and so orderly a mob.”  Memoirs, vol. ii.  Pp. 144- 155-E.

Letter 327 To Miss Hannah More.  Berkeley Square, April 22, 1789. (page 414)