52 BE COEDS AND BEMINISCENCES OF GOOD WOOD 



there being no road leading to it, it was arranged 

 tliat the party should proceed on foot. All the 

 authorities, civil and military, were invited to dine 

 under canvas with the Duke, and a very merry party 

 left Kingston for the purpose. 



The Duke appeared unusually well ; he walked the 

 greater part of the distance, and sat down to dinner 

 in high spirits. 



After a very convivial evening the party broke 

 up ; and the only alloy to the general pleasure was 

 a remark the Duke accidentally let fall while sipping 

 his claret. He said to Colonel Cockburn, "I don't 

 know how it is, Cockburn, but I cannot relish my 

 wine to-night, as usual ; and I feel that if I were 

 a dog I should be shot as a mad one." 



Both Colonel Cockburn and Major Bowles were 

 alarmed at this remark ; and that alarm was height- 

 ened the next morning when they found their chief 

 feverish and unwell. Towards evening he grew so 

 much worse that Major Bowles despatched a messenger 

 to Montreal to announce to the Duke's daughters and 

 sons their father's sudden and alarming illness. 



In the evening the Duke rallied a little, and 

 ordered his valet to prepare him some port-wine 

 negus and dry toast ; but on putting it to his lips he 

 shuddered and exclaimed, " I cannot drink it ! " The 

 next morning the Duke was determined to reach 

 Montreal at all risks, and procure medical attendance ; 



