On this occasion the King stepped up to the Queen, and inquired about her health.

The circumstance occasioned, among the company present, and all over Town as the news spread, great wonder and sympathy (VERWUNDERUNG UND THEILNAHME).

This is probably the last time he ever spoke to her." [Preuss, iv.

187.] THE TWO GRAND-NEPHEWS.--"The King was fond of children; liked to have his Grand-Nephews about him.

One day, while the King sat at work in his Cabinet, the younger of the two, a boy of eight or nine [who died soon after twenty], was playing ball about the room; and knocked it once and again into the King's writing operation; who twice or oftener flung it back to him, but next time put it in his pocket, and went on.