Queen Victoria's journal:
“Found my poor dear Albert wide awake when I went to bed last night at 12, & I found him moaning & very wretched. We sent for Sir James who gave him some ether & Hoffenson’s Drops & returned in a little while. From that time till past 4, dear Albert slept soundly, & then again after a while till 8. He then went into his room, where he took some tea. Found him looking dreadfully wretched & woebegone, when I returned to him after having my breakfast. Was quite overcome & alarmed by his appearance. Saw Sir Games, who had spent the night here, & Sir C. Phipps who makes himself so useful. — Drove in the afternoon with Alice & the Dss of Atholl. — Read to dear Albert. — Poor Sir James in great trouble about Lady Clark. — Dear Albert very restless, haggard & suffering, though at times he seemed better. It is terrible these ups & downs of hope & fear! The Doctors do not seem alarmed, but D’ Jenner said he must eat, & that he was going to tell him so, that completely starving himself, as he had been doing, could not go on. — Dreadfully shocked to hear by telegraph of the death of poor L Canning, on the 18th at Calcutta. How very awful! She was just going to return. Dreadful for her husband old mother, & sister. — After dining with Alice went to my beloved Albert. He had taken some broth, but complained sadly of discomfort.”
© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2012
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