76 KEW GARDENS 



believe the report that half the taverns of 

 England at one time took Wilkes's head for their 

 sign, as to which evidence of popularity he him- 

 self used to tell how he overheard a loyal old 

 lady's remark, " Ah 1 he swings everywhere but 

 where he ought." 



The second avowed derangement lasted, by 

 fits and starts, till the summer of 1801. A 

 course of sea-bathing at Weymouth again com- 

 pleted the patient's recovery ; but the dread of 

 fresh attacks remained. The next one came in 

 1804, when his repugnance to the Willises was 

 so marked that the doctor of Bedlam was em- 

 ployed. It is, of course, a common symptom of 

 insanity, the turning against its best friends. 

 And now poor George showed intermittent 

 symptoms of dislike to the Queen herself, so that 

 they began to occupy separate apartments, and 

 are found not even dining together. The old 

 domestic happiness was gone, along with the 

 uncomfortable Kew House, that had so often 

 been its scene. Yet, had the King kept his 

 health, there seems reason to believe that Kew 

 might have become more of a home to him than 

 ever. 



George III., returning to the plan set on foot 



