Folio(s) 445-446. Letter from [Richard Ford] at Weymouth [Dorset] enclosing an examination...

Folio(s) 445-446. Letter from [Richard Ford] at Weymouth [Dorset] enclosing an examination [not present] of a 'lunatic' [Urban Metcalf] who had rushed towards the King in his box at the theatre. The man had been knocked down and secured by a constable.

At first Ford had thought that the man had feigned insanity but he now thought differently. He recommended enquiry at Miles's Mad House at Hoxton [Middlesex]. Miles was known to [John Nares], [magistrate], and [Charles Lush], clerk of the Worship Street Office. Revett would be able to enquire at the man's lodgings at Mayfair [Westminster]. If the Home Secretary approves, the man should be brought to London by Revett and a Messenger and committed to Bedlam [Bethlem Hospital] with the usual letter.

Ford states that, as the Queen has been badly affected by the event, the King will probably want him to remain in Weymouth. He proposes to come to London for a few days to see [John King] and others before returning there. He reports that the man had no knife or weapon when detained and that none was found during a search of the premises. [William Windham], who had been present during the examination, had written to Sir George Cornewall to ascertain whether the man had a sister in his family.