Law and Lawyers - A Sketch Book of Legal Biography, Gossip, and Anecdote #225457

We have the following anecdote from a source to be relied on. George III. Was one day standing between Lord Eldon and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Sutton. After a moment's pause in the conversation, the king said, gravely, I am now in a position which, probably, no European king ever occupied before. Lord Eldon begged his Majesty to explain himself. I am standing, said the king, in the same grave tone, between the head of the Church, and the head of the Law in my kingdom — men who ought to be the patterns of morality, but who have both been guilty of the greatest immorality. The two lords Reverend and Learned looked shocked and astonished. Lord Eldon respectfully begged to know to what his Majesty alluded. Why, my lords, exclaimed the king, in a tone of banter Tell me, did you not both run away.