The ailing Duke of Portland headed the British government in 1807

In 1807 the Duke of Portland was appointed First Lord of the Treasury for the second time, thereby becoming, to all intents and purposes, head of the British government. The 69-year-old premier was, by all accounts, an exceedingly worthy man and a model aristocrat. But he was also very ill and almost infirm. He could usually be found lying in the back rooms of his sumptuous house in Piccadilly, dosed with laudanum and dozing. As you will appreciate, he was of no use in governing the country. Nor was he likely to be able to give advice to any of his ministers. The Cabinet, however, treated him with great deference and attention, and met regularly at Portland's residence while its host slept. True, for the most part these meetings consisted of the ministers sampling wines from the famous cellars of Burlington House, taking advantage of the servants' unfailing obligingness. A splendid government. We should be so lucky!