DR. WILLIS
This Morning Doctor Warren brought Doctor Willis to Kew— He had been sent for to attend on The King, & He now arrived from Lincolnshire. His arrival I believe was mentioned to The King previously to his seeing Him.
Soon after his arrival Dr. Willis went into The King's Apartment without any of the Physicians & attended by Mr. Charles Hawkins one of H.Mys. Attendant Surgeons. The Pages were at this time with The King.
His Majesty received Dr. Willis with composure & began immediately to talk to Him & seem'd very anxious to state to Him that He had been very ill, but that He was now quite well again— He expiated on his usual complaints against his Physicians, & dwelt much on the loss of his Keys— He told Dr. Willis that He knew where He lived, and He asked Him how many patients He then had with Him under
his Care— He then thus address'd Dr. " Sir Your "dress and appearance bespeaks You of the:Church, do You ." belong to it " Doctor Willis replied I did formerly, but lately I have attended chiefly to physicks— " I am sorry " for it" answered the King with Emotion & Agitation, "You " have quitted a profession I have always loved, & You have "Embraced one I most heartily detest— Alter Your line of "Life, ask what preferment You wish & make Me your Friend "—I recommend You Worcester." Thus began the first acquaintance.
In the Evening Dr. Willis made the King another Visit.
The King was at this time in the long room— Dr. Willis enter'd alone— Two Pages were at this time with The King. Upon seeing Dr. Willis H.My. rose, & corning up to Him begun a conversation with Him, but marked by inconsistency & too much Eagerness— He again launched out in strong invec- tive against His Physicians, & abused the profession. Doctor Willis with calmness told the King that He trusted in the End He would receive benefit from it—that He stood in need of it, that his ideas were now deranged, & that He required attention & Management— The King replied with agitation & with sharpness-7pr.
Willis in reply with steady tone of Voice, told Him that his Endeavors to assist & be useful to Him, were due from Him to a Nation for a King they adored ; that He must & that He would Exert Himself to restore Him to Them, they had called upon Him & He would not deceive them— On this The King became much more agitated, & impatient & He loudly answered. Dr. Willis, then raising his Voice to a higher pitch told Him that He must, & should be mini— That He would enforce his directions & command all those Attendants in his room to assist & obey also— The King became _violently Enraged rushed in great agitation agst. Dr. Willis with both hands, intending to push Him away, but not to strike Hhn.
Doctor Willis remained firm, & reproved Him in nervous & determined language, telling Him He must controul Himself otherwise He_ would put Him in a strait Waiscoat. On thiS
hint Dr. Willis went out of the room & returned directly with one in his hand from the next room. It was in a paper & He now held it under his Arm. The King Eyed it attentively and alarmed at The Doctor's firmness of Voice & procedures began to submit. - He promised to go to bed S; with difficulty went to the next apartment & undressed. On this Dr. Willis wishing Him a good Night. & recommending composure to Him & moderation, He retired,
I was much struck with the proper manner & the imposing
stile of the Authoritative Language which Dr. Willis held on this occasion. It was immediately necessary to have this struggle. He seized the opportunity with Judgement & con- ducted Himself throughout this Interview with wonderful Management & force. He felt his ground with attention, He parried & attacked as circumstances required with great dis- cernment & Energy. As the Kings Voice rose, attempting Mastery Willis raised his, and its tone was strong & decided As the King soften'd his, that of Doctor Willis dropped to softening Unison, but the King still attempted to overpower in Voice, but found stronger powers in that of Doctor Willis & which on Every trial rose superior. Awed at last by the firmness of his Manner, & baffled in Every attempt to resist it, The King gave way & now returned to somewhat of com- posure, Dr. Willis retired.
After He was gone H.My. continued to abuse the rest of Physicians, & now principally as He said for not having dealt fairly with Him & by having concealed from Him his real situation— After this, the Poor Dear King overcome by his feelings, burst into a flood of Tears & wept bitterly.
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