533 



Sea voyages not affording the relief expected, and medicine 

 having but little effect on the governor's indisposition, he deter- 

 mined to try the waters at the hot-wells of Dazagon, formerly de- 

 scribed. For this purpose, in February 1771, he sailed to Fort 

 Victoria, with a confidential physician and a few friends, carryino- 

 with him a moveable house, tents, and equipage, for a long conti- 

 nuance at the wells. He landed at Fort Victoria rather benefited 

 by the voyage, and his convalescence increased by the pure west- 

 ern breezes on the lofty hills at that settlement, where he purposed 

 to remain until the accommodations were ready at Dazagon. On 

 the 22d of that month, when the sun declined, he ordered his 

 palankeen to be prepared as usual, that he might take the air on 

 the sea-side. Suddenly changing his mind, he said to his physician, 

 and a friend of mine then in company, " I shall not go out this 

 evening ; it will be a critical night with me." To which, seeing 

 him in his customary state of health, they paid no particular atten- 

 tion. An aged Indian woman, who had lived with his deceased 

 Avife, and nursed their only child, then attended him. He had 

 been many years a widower, and his son was then in England for 

 education. Retiring to his chamber he went to bed, and gave 

 strict orders to this servant to let no person disturb him. As 

 governor, and an invalid, he had been accustomed to many atten- 

 tions ; the gentlemen of his family were anxious to know if he 

 wanted any thing, and the physician Avished to see him. The 

 trusty female obeyed his orders, and for some hours suffered none 

 to approach him. A]\ being quiet, and the nurse asleep, after mid- 

 night one gentleman opened the muslin curtain at the foot of the 

 bed, and seeing the governor in a meditating attitude, with his eyes 



