He said he was not appalled by the operation, and during its progress he did not lay aside his usual good-humoured pleasantry.

He was soon out again, but only for a few days, and a fortnight after another tapping was necessary.

Again he went out to dinners and parties, which must have been most imprudent at his age and in his state.

But he does not seem to have acted contrary to medical advice.

He was very anxious to meet the prime minister, William Pitt, with whom he was not acquainted, though he must have seen him in old days in the House.