The Times gives the most distinct account which has yet
appeared of
the Queen Dowager's condition ; with a pleasing anecdote of the. sick chamber—
" The private accounts which have reached town wherein reference is made to the painful, and, we fear, hopeless condition of this most excellent lady, speak in the highest terms of the patient and resigned manner in which her Majesty bears up against the distressing and irritating disease with which she is afflicted. The present attack, we have reason to believe, is chiefly seated on the bronchial tubes; a visitation to which her Majesty, as is well known, has of late years been subject, but in a very much milder form. In any stage this disease is one of an extremely painful character, and in its effects tends not only to excite very considerable irritation, but in its progress leads gradually to a diminution and ultimate annihilation of strength in the patient. Such has been the case with her Majesty, and to so great an extent has debility and ex- cessive feebleness resulted from the present attack, that all power of speech for many days has left her. Of course, where this disease, coupled with other symptoms, has assumed the appearance which we lament to say it is to be feared it has in the instance of the Queen Dowager, it would be folly to enter- tain other than the most serious apprehensions as to its consequences. So long, however, as sufficient vigour remains in the system to relieve the chest and throat of the vast quantities of mucus which the disease generates, the Royal sufferer may continue to exist ; but so soon as that power of expectoration shall have ceased, suffocation of necessity must ensue. " The arrival of the messenger conveying the intelligence of the birth of the young Prince, and that the Royal Mother as well as the infant Prince were doing well, it is stated, elicited lively demonstrations, feeble as she is, of joy in the Queen Dowager; who indicated herpleasure that a present of 1001. should be handed to the party bringing the information. It has also been said that her Majesty was propped up in bed, and that she then wrote with a pencil two short notes of congratulation upon the happy event, the one to Prince Albert, the other to the Dutchess of Kent."
The Standard of last night says that private letters received yester- day morning gave a more favourable report of the Queen's health. So does the bulletin received at the same time- " The Queen Dowager has had some sleep during the night, and has coughed less.
" Her Majesty has no fever. " W. F. CHAMBERS, M.D.
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