GEORGE III (1738-1820). King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
Fine Autograph Letter Signed ('George R') to Mrs Howe, 1½ pages 4to with integral blank, Weymouth, 2 September 1799. A deeply sympathetic letter of condolence on the death of Lord Howe (1726-1799), written either to an unmarried sister of the admiral or to one of his sisters-in-law, evidently a close friend of the king.
The letter shows the king in a higly sympathetic light, combining genuine and finely-expressed condolences for the family and grief for the loss of an someone whom he greatly admired, as well as a well-phrased eulogy of the admiral's achievements. The letter ends on a more playful note, not untypical of the king, in which he describes the effects of the sea air on his own constitution and regrets the fact that Mrs Howe does not get out more often.

'I trust Mrs Howe knows me better than to suppose my long silence, on the great loss the Public has sustained, as well as her Family, by the unexpected death of her excellent Brother, has been occasioned by any other motive than the desire not to intrude while she was so fully employed in acts of attentive kindness to her Relations, who must have found much comfort from such attention. I trust the Example he has set to the Navy will long continue to stimulate, not only the matchless bravery of the officers, but convince them ofthe Necessity to view the Profession, in a scientific Light, by which alone those improvements are to be acquired which will retain that Superiority over other Nations which every Englishman must desire.
 His exemplary Conduct in private Life must on the present occasion, be the only true comfort to those who loved him, as it gives that hope of his having quitted this transient World for Eternal Happiness through the mediation of the blessed Redeemer. If I did not feel the propriety of not adding more on so glorious a theme my Pen would but too willingly continue.
 The Family I find are removed to Porter's Lodge, the first moments there were of fresh sorrow, but I trust that the quietness of the place and the good air will be of use. I fear Mrs Howe does not now render that justice to air she formerly did, but if she was here and saw how well it agrees with her little Friend and how much he hops about. I think she could not deny it has some efficacy.'

[No: 22614]