RADCLIFFE. 139 rewards or favours should be wanting, could he but remove the convulsions she was troubled with, in the cure of those which her dearly beloved hus- band bore." But Radclifte, continues his biogra- pher, " who was unused to flatter, instantly gave the queen to understand, that nothing but death could release his Royal Highness from the pangs he was afflicted with ; tha-t tho' it might be a rule amongst surgeons to apply causticks to such as were burned or scalded^ it was very irregular among physicians to drive and expel watery humours from the body by draughts of the same element ; and that the prince had been so tampered with, that nothing in the art of physic could keep him alive more than six days." — A prediction which was verified. In 1710, RadclifFe himself was attacked by ill- ness, and on his recovery had thoughts of retiring into the country, as the hurry of business had now become burthensome to him ; this intention, how- ever, he was induced to relinquish, at the persua- sion of Dr. Sharp, the archbishop of York ; and it so happened, that this worthy prelate was the first patient of distinction who profited by the doctor's advice on his resuming the practice of his profes- sion, as will appear from the following letter : — " Good Doctor, — I must own, and I do it with great pleasure, that next to the providence of the great God, my recovery is owing to you. But the diligence and concern you have shewn in your attendance upon me, is of far less moment than your regard for the preservation of a gentleman *
- Dr. Sacheverel, at that time impeached.
