The earl of Albemarle arriving from Holland, conferred with him in private on the posture of affairs abroad; but he received his informations with great coldness, and said, "_Je tire vers ma fin_--I approach the end of my life." In the evening he thanked Dr.Bidloo for his care and tenderness, saying, "I know that you and the other learned physicians have done all that your art can do for my relief; but, finding all means ineffectual, I submit." He received spiritual consolation from archbishop Tennison, and Burnet bishop of Salisbury; on Sunday morning the sacrament was administered to him.

The lords of the privy-council and divers noblemen attended in the adjoining apartments, and to some of them who were admitted he spoke a little.

He thanked lord Auverquerque for his long and faithful services; he delivered to lord Albemarle the keys of his closet and scrutoire, telling him he knew what to do with them.

He inquired for the earl of Portland; but being speechless before that nobleman arrived, he grasped his hand and laid it to his heart, with marks of the most tender affection.

On the eighth day of March he expired, in the fifty-second year of his age, after having reigned thirteen years.