Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/53

 stocks, which bore four per cent. fell down to thirty-five. In this critical moment all eyes were turned on the King, as the only pilot in so terrible a storm: it was impossible to be guided by a better; and had not Britain possessed a Sovereign of such singular intrepidity and prudence, she would have seen her last days. His Majesty, when he found the turn affairs were like to take, prudently ventured to send an order to the Bank to stop payment till the kingdom was more secure, and, at the same time, issued out a proclamation, assuring his subjects that this was but a temporary measure, till the affairs of the nation would permit of more regularity. He immediately assembled the parliament by proclamation, and went himself to the Admiralty, where he sat three hours dictating orders; dispatches were sent to every port in England, to hasten the equipment of a new fleet; troops were marching from all parts to the capital; in