Page:Life of the Right Honourable Sir Robert Peel.pdf/14

14 Peel from the ground, requested Sir James to accompany them to Whitehall, which he at once consented to do. On being lifted out of the carriage at Whitehall Gardens, Sir Robert was able, with assistance, to walk into the house, where Lady Peel, and the other members of the family awaited his arrival with the greatest anxiety. Lady Peel was overwhelmed with emotion, and the effect of the meeting on Sir Robert was so painful, that he swooned in the arms of Dr. Foucart, and was placed on a sofa in the dining room, from which apartment he was never removed. Immediately after the accident, Prince Albert, accompanied by the Prince of Prussia and Prince George, arrived at Sir Robert's residence, to make inquiries. The Duke of Wellington also called. Lord Palmerston was one of the first of the nobility who sent to ask for Sir Robert.

Till a late hour on Saturday evening, the calls of the nobility and gentry were incessant, and during the whole of the following day, the large space of Whitehall Gardens, was filled by a vast multitude of people, anxious to ascertain the condition of the Right Honourable Baronet. Several favourable bulletins were issued, and, up to Tuesday morning, hopes were entertained of his recovery; but during the day, the symptoms became more alarming, and all the members of his family were introduced to take a last farewell. Shortly after 10 o'clock, it was announced that Sir Robert Peel was getting rapidly worse, and at nine minutes after 11, the distinguished statesman expired. Intelligence of the melancholy event was immediately forwarded to Buckingham Palace, and to such of the family connexions as resided in the country. On the 9th of July, the mortal remains of Sir Robert Peel were interred in the vault of the Parish Church at Drayton Bassett; and, according to his own express desire, the funeral took place without ostentation or parade of any kind.