Dundas, David, Sir, Bart (1749-1826) to James Dundas
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02549.44 Author/Creator: Dundas, David, Sir, Bart (1749-1826) Place Written: Richmond (London), England Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 January 1789 Pagination: 4 p. ; 23.5 x 18.5 cm. Order a Copy
Of his schedule, he writes that for a time he was "going every other days to Windsor, sitting up all Night, hurrying home the next, & struggling to keep my usual business." He does not state exactly what he was doing, but does remark that "I fancy it a dream a delusion. it is so unnatural to see that Person who I was accustomed to approach with awe respect & deference in the situation He [is] now in." The dates, place, references, and letter content suggest that Dundas was caring for King George III during his outbreak of "madness" (since concluded to be the disease porphyria) from November 1788 to February 1789. The King's own recollection of Dundas's care seems to confirm it (see GLC02549.50). His rhetorical question, "How soon it will terminate God knows," and other references are filled with pathos. Worries about being indemnified and makes reference to "the strange political turn," possibly a reference to the regency crisis that accompanied George III's incapacitation. Discusses his father's health and his desire to see James soon. Notes his wife, Isabella, is pregnant again.
Sir David Dundas, 1st Bart of Richmond, was a doctor who was appointed Sargent Surgeon to King George III in 1791.
James Dundas was a lawyer in Edinburgh, Scotland, and David's younger brother.
Richmond in Surry 24th Jany 1789
Dear James
After a silence of so many months & at a time when you probably had a greater desire to hear from me than usual, I have no doubt but You are not a little displeased with my Silence, but besides that from the beginning of my attendance at Windsor I thought it would be improper in me to give any information even to You. I have really in consequence of that attendance been so extraordinarily hurried that for these 3 months I have not had one moment of leisure to bestow upon my common & necessary concerns. You who know the usual hurry of my life may easily conceive how it was increased by my going every other days to Windsor, sitting up all Night, hurrying home the next, & struggling to keep my usual business at home as much together as [2] possible - this was to great a fatigue to be continued long, it was soon divided among four of us who took it in Succession - & upon the arrival of the family at Kew the attendance has been continued every fourth day from 2 o Clock of one day till the same hour the next, but with the difference of having a Bed to sleep in When I look back upon the last 3 months I can scarcely bring myself to believe that it is real - I fancy it a dream a delusion. it is so unnatural to see that Person who I was accustomed to approach with awe respect & deference in the situation He now is - that I sometimes question whither I am in my senses, & if it is not a Vanum insomnium-
How soon it will terminate God knows -. we do not despair, & sometimes flatter ourselves that the change is at hand - but these hopes have seldom been of long duration
[3] I have of course been under the necessity of sacrificing a part of my usual Business - & whither the Medical People in general will receive indemnification equivalent to what they have given up - time will show - some of them from the strange political turn that things have taken can never be recompensed for the abuse they have sustained-. it has been a very difficult situation to act in, & altho I have endeavoured to steer as clear as possible - I doubt if I have succeeded it is possible "incidere in Scyllum cupius vitav Charibdem"-
I refer you to the Report of the Comittee for examining the Physicians for Particulars -.
I hope the sever weather has not affected my Father, pray let me know when you have time, how He does - My Son Wm has been for some time in good health - I hope restored - I think when I wrote you last I was very uneasy about him - & I believe [4] I may without the imputation of partiality say that I have reason to be anxious after his wellfare for he as yet is any thing I would wish him - how long that may continue is very precarious - I think myself much indebted to ? Cullen for His kindness to him, in reading Latin with him every day for some weeks when He was not well enough to be treated & should [illegible] that owing to His kindness his absence from school was rather an advantage to him
I long for Your return to London. time passes away, & we are far advanced on our road -. & if we go on much further sans encoutre, and shall become like strangers with only a common interest when do meet -. The old people are upon the whole very well. Mr. Robn has been a little indisposed, Mr R: stouter than when you saw him - Bell grows very fat again about the Waist -. The Yourkers all well - & I ever am Your faithfully
David Dundas
Remember me kindly to all at home
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