THE ROMANCE PRINCESS AMELIA ri.ss j]/?v5'0 6 Rook ■ H'RC f- PRESKNTi:!) BY THE ROMANCE OF PRINCESS AMELIA DAUGHTER OF GEORGE III (1783-1810) INCLUDING EXTRACTS FROM PRIVATE AND UNPUBLISHED PAPERS BY WILLIAM S. CHILDE-PEMBERTON AUTHOK OF "the BAEONESS DE bode" and "the life of lord NORTON" NEW YORK JOHN LANE COMPANY MCMXI ^ v^ cm Publisher MAR a \m PREFACE While a study, drawn from original sources, representing the character, habits and surroundings of an English Princess who died a hundred years ago, may fairly be considered as a contribution to domestic history, it seems peculiarly appropriate on the centenary of the death of the amiable Princess Amelia to tell the true story of her life, and of her attachment to General Charles FitzRoy, if only to clear away misconceptions which have gathered around her memory, and to rebut certain slanders which recently have been revived. The love-affair of this Princess was concealed by her family, as far as possible, from the world at the time of her death. She herself appears to have gloried in her innocent attachment, and certainly by the terms of her will desired to make her betrothal a matter of public knowledge. The suppression of her testamentary wishes by her family at the time of her death was, to say the least, ill-judged. Gossip and scandal were not the less busy with her name. Even to this day some, apparently, confound her Preface story with that of less innocent members of her family ; others have actually gone so far as to assert that they knew her " descendants." Extracts from letters of Princess Amelia's intimate friend the Honourable Mrs. George Villiers, mother of the fourth Earl of Clarendon (published for the first time in this volume), completely refute the calumnies to which we allude; while the original letters of Princess Amelia herself to General Fitz- Roy (also published for the first time) are the out- pourings from the heart of a romantic girl whom fate has cruelly withheld from her lover — the chivalrous lover who she fondly hopes will some day become her acknowledged husband. Moreover, with these letters, certain papers expressing the dying wishes of the Princess indisputably assert the innocence of her attachment. All these last-mentioned letters and papers, written during the first decade of the nine- teenth century, and treasured by General FitzRoy, were, on his decease, preserved by the lady whom he married some years after the death of the Princess. Mrs. FitzRoy bequeathed them to her sister the late Lady Wensleydale; and on the death of the latter they passed to her daughter the late Honour- able Mrs. William Lowther. Mrs. Lowther wished the story of Princess Amelia to be published, and asked the author of this memoir to write it. It may be added that without her vi Preface encouragement throughout, the work would never have been accomplished. He desires to express his gratitude to the memory of Mrs. Lowther; also to the memory of Lady Leigh (born Lady Caroline Amelia Grosvenor), who contributed, during the progress of the book, valuable information and sug- gestions. His thanks are especially due to Mrs. Ernest Farquhar for supplying extracts from the papers of her father the late Sir T. Villiers Lister (notably a letter from Mrs. Farquhar's great - grandmother the above - mentioned Mrs. Villiers, addressed to her daughter Lady Theresa Lewis); also to the Honourable Mrs. R. C. Boyle (known in art and literature as " E. V. B."), whose grandmother Lady Albinia Cumberland was a lady-in-waiting to the Princesses daughters of George HL Several letters written to or by Lady Albinia Cumberland, together with a remarkable contemporary diary giving an account of the death of Princess Amelia and the circumstances which accompanied it, are from Mrs. Boyle's papers. Vll CONTENTS CHAPTER I PAGB Two Amelias contrasted — Sensitive character of our heroine — Her pure romance — Unromantic surround- ings — Her elder sisters — Mr. Wilkins's character of Queen Charlotte — George HI compared with Charle- magne — The Princess Royal's unromantic courtship — Late marriages of the Princesses Elizabeth and Mary — Allusions to Princess Augusta and Princess Sophia ......... 17 CHAPTER H I 783-1 797 Birth of Princess Amelia — A bright glimpse of childhood — The King's first mental illness in 1788 — A melan- choly incident at Kew — Conduct of the Prince of Wales — King's recovery — Public rejoicings — Little Amelia and dear papa — The governesses — Princess Royal's superintendence ...... 28 CHAPTER HI 1797-1798 Amelia's early development — Personal appearance — Her physician — Sir Lucas Pepys — ^Cuppings and bleedings — Visit to Worthing — Amelia's letters to Lady Albinia Cumberland — This lady confounded with Lady Almeria Carpenter — Richard Cumberland the dramatist — His verses — A visit to Juniper Hill — Fanny Burney's description — Amelia's Confirmation — Her love for her father ..... 36 viii Contents CHAPTER IV 1801 PAGE Royal troubles — Visit to Weymouth — In charge of Miss Gomme — General FitzRoy in attendance — His birth and appearance — ** Prince Charles " — His early years — Frederick the Great's attentions — His note to FitzRoy — The Duchess of Brunswick's allusions to FitzRoy — 'His good heart — Rides with Princess Amelia — Their attachment . . . . • 5^ CHAPTER V 1802-1803 Miss Gomme 's confidences — Miss Golds worthy — Deaf as a post — Princess Mary — Ameha's distress — Writes to her mother — Queen Charlotte's letters to Amelia — ^Amelia's letter to her mother— To Princess Mary 57 CHAPTER VI The Queen's attitude — Aware of the attachment — Takes no heed — Rigid etiquette ...... 68 CHAPTER VII A tender letter — Attitude of the brothers and sisters . "jz CHAPTER VIII 1803 (continwed)- 1 804 Amelia's illness — Princess Augusta's commiseration — Amelia's directions to FitzRoy in case of death — Recovery — Gratitude for kindness — Harcourt Papers quoted ......... 7^ ix Contents CHAPTER IX 1804 PAGE The King's temporary return of insanity — Jesse's Memoirs quoted — Mrs. George Villiers — Her letter to Lady Theresa Lewis — Vilhers-Lister Papers — Mrs. Villiers 's intimacy with the Royal Family — A melancholy time — The King's outbursts of fatuity — Drives and rides at Kew — The King harangues Harrow boys — Devotion of the Princesses to their father — Princess Sophia's confidences — Princess Amelia and FitzRoy — The King's attitude . . 82 CHAPTER X 1804 (continued) Weymouth — Disunion in the Royal Family — The visit to Cufifnells — Princess Amelia's fall — The King's behaviour — The return to Windsor — Lord Auck- land's correspondence quoted . . . . .90 CHAPTER XI 1805 A Court concert in London — " Improvements " at Wind- sor Castle — Court festivities — Letter of Princess Mary to Lady Albinia Cumberland — The King's fondness for children — Princess Amelia's age — The Royal Marriage Act — Anticipations of marriage — "A. F. R."— FitzRoy 's conduct honourable . . 96 CHAPTER XII I 805- I 806 Inmates of Windsor Castle — News of Trafalgar — Cur- rent affairs — Amelia's letters to Mrs. Villiers — Illness of Pitt, January 1806 — Doctors "all mad" — Dr. Farquhar stops Pitt's wine — Pitt's death — "The Dear" oppressed but calm — Routine at Windsor 103 Contents CHAPTER XIII STOKE BRUERNE PAGE Amelia's visit to Stoke Bruerne — The home of the Went- worth-Vernons— Destruction in 1886— Some inter- esting relics — Princess Amelia the First — Her char- acter contrasted — Her liaison — Her Woman of the Chamber — Sixty years later — The younger Amelia — Curious tradition respecting her — Her miniature at Stoke Bruerne 1^4 CHAPTER XIV 1807 Snuff-taking— Two love-letters — From A. F. R. to C. F. R. — Lord Bagot's marriage— A watch and chain to be mended— A " repeater "—" My side of the carriage "—The Queen's tool— *' The Dear " too kingly to pity— A boring party — ''I really must marry you" .....••• 121 CHAPTER XV 1807 (continued) Family intrigues— The Duke of Sussex's affectionate letter— Prudence to be the watchword — Cheltenham Waters — Mysterious allusions — Mary Anne Gaskoin — ^Mrs. Villiers's letter again quoted — The other Princesses' attitude — Mrs. Villiers declines to inter- fere 127 CHAPTER XVI 1807 (continued) Queen Charlotte's description—" La bande contente "— Miss Gomme's bomb— The Queen "outrageous"— Amelia's agitation— Her letter to FitzRoy— Enters the Duke of York— Elizabeth's part— The Queen's position — Defence of Amelia i33 CHAPTER XVII 1807 (continued) Queen Charlotte's letter to Amelia— Counsels of perfec- tion—The governesses again— Amelia's despera- xi Contents PAGE tion — Mrs. Villiers's advice — Amelia's devotion to her father — Her sacrifice 144 CHAPTER XVni 1807 (continued) Amelia appeals to FitzRoy — A letter of the Duke of York — Lady Georgiana Buckley's threats — Her revengeful disposition— Lady Matilda Wynyard — Her "truthful integrity" — Princess Mary — Pre- parations for Holy Communion — Amelia's forgive- ness ......... 150 CHAPTER XIX Amelia's benevolence — Protection of orphans — Hone's Every Day Book quoted— Amelia's letter to an orphan— Her interest in other children— A letter to Lady Harcourt quoted — Augusta d'Este — Letter from the Duke of Clarence — George FitzClarence — Amelia's expenses — Borrows from FitzRoy — Mrs. Villiers's counsels . . . . . . -159 CHAPTER XX 1808 Was the King "got at "?— Amelia's "late father"— The King's condition — The Prince of Wales her only hope — His professions of sympathy — Amelia's gradual decline — Her touching legacy of wishes — Mrs. Villiers's letter to her brother — "Le medecin touchant " — Allusions to " Jodeley " — A copy of the Royal Marriage Act — Amelia writes to the Prince of Wales and the Lord Chancellor — Reasons for wait- ing — The "sacred vow of marriage" . . .170 CHAPTER XXI 1809 The affair of the Duke of York and Mrs. Clarke — Unhappiness of the Royal Family . . . .185 Contents CHAPTER XXII 1809 (continued) PAGE A change of physicians — Dr. Pope — The Queen's obstruction — The Prince of Wales insists — The Queen stops Mrs. VilHers's visits — Mrs. Villiers wins the day — AmeHa's alarming state — "The Queen's stupid birthday " 189 CHAPTER XXIII 1809 {continued)-i8io A temporary rally — Disappointed hopes— More "last wishes " sealed— A last visit to Weymouth — Return to Windsor — The Queen's harshness — Princess Mary's kindness — Prince of Wales's effusive letter — Duke of York's letter— The King's letters— The Princess of Wales's gossip I97 CHAPTER XXIV 1 810 [continued) Mistaken supposition of Princess Amelia's marriage — Mrs. VilHers's important statement— Contradiction of reports — Character of Amelia vindicated — Her own significant words— Dying letter to FitzRoy — Statement as to will 210 CHAPTER XXV 1810 (continued) The King's absorbing anxiety — His interviews with his daughter — His religious conversation— FitzRoy secretly admitted to the dying Princess— Princess Augusta's connivance — Mary Anne Gaskoin's letter 218 CHAPTER XXVI 1810 (October and November) Miss Cornelia Knight quoted— Princess Augusta's gift- Amelia presents her father with a ring — " Remember xiii Contents me " — Effect on the King — Amelia's death — Princess Mary's note to FitzRoy — AmeHa's last words — Miss Cumberland's memoranda — Details of death — Con- duct of the family — Funeral arrangements — Dr. Meadows non-existent — Amelia's consideration of others — Her touching prayer — Verses supposed to be by Princess Amelia ...... 224 CHAPTER XXVH 1810 (continued) The King's condition — Selects the Anthem — Funeral by torchlight — Account of the ceremony — Feeling throughout the country — Elegies on the Princess — Death of Mary Anne Gaskoin — Her epitaph . .238 CHAPTER XXVni 1810 (continued) The will — ^How to evade it — FitzRoy to resign — A flat- tering interview — " A fraternal hug " — Insincere promises — FitzRoy consents — Mrs. Villiers's account —FitzRoy "pillaged" 250 CHAPTER XXIX 1810-1811 Suspicions confirmed — Promises unkept — The snuff-box and picture — Disposal of the diamonds — A list of them — Debt to FitzRoy unpaid — He receives nothing of value — Counsel's opinion ..... 262 CHAPTER XXX CONCLUSION A tactful physician — " A Lady of Quality " quoted^ — Pub- lished notices of the will — The Prince Regent's tears — Lady Albinia Cumberland's account of the King's madness in 181 1 — A touching memento of the King — Sir Herbert Taylor's letter to FitzRoy — FitzRoy marries — His widow's bequests — Mrs, W. Lowther's relics of Princess Amelia — Concluding remarks . 276 xiv Contents APPENDIX I PAGE LADY ALBINIA CUMBERLAND'S CORRESPONDENCE 1. On the appointment of Lady Albinia as a Lady-in- Waiting to the Princesses— The Lady Jane Dundas to the Lady Albinia Cumberland . . • .286 2. The wedding of the Princess Royal with the Prince of Wiirtemberg— H.R.H. Princess Sophia to the Lady Albinia Cumberland 288 3. The same occasion— H.R.H. Princess Mary to the Lady Albinia Cumberland 288 4. A party of the Duke of York— H.R.H. Princess Eliza- beth to the Lady Albinia Cumberland . • .289 5. Allusions to H.R.H. Princess Charlotte— The Lady Albinia Cumberland to her daughter Albinia, Mrs. Alexander Gordon of Ellon 291 6. A letter already quoted 293 7 On the death of Miss Harriet Cumberland— Extract of letter from H.R.H. Princess Mary to the Lady Albinia Cumberland 294 8 The reduction of the salaries of the Ladies-in-Waiting —Extract of letter from H.R.H. Princess Mary to the Lady Albinia Cumberland 294 Q. The wedding of Princess Mary and the Duke of Gloucester— The Lady Albinia Cumberland to her daughter Albinia ....••• 296 APPENDIX II The Royal Marriage Act 299 APPENDIX III A list of the different articles allotted to the different individuals by the executors of the late Prmcess Amelia 3^2 APPENDIX IV Counsel's opinion of General FitzRoy's case . . .305 Index 3°^ XV LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS To face page GENERAL THE HONOURABLE CHARLES FITZROY Frontispiece {From a Miniature in the possession of the late Honourable Mrs. William Lowther) H.R.H. PRINCESS AMELIA AS A CHILD .... 34 (From a Painting at Windsor) I H.R.H. PRINCESS AUGUSTA 78 {From a Painting by Sir William Beechey) H.R.H. PRINCESS SOPHIA 88 H.R.H. PRINCESS AMELIA I18 {From a Miniature at Stoke Bruerne in the possession of B. Wentworth- Vernon, Esquire) , H.R.H. PRINCESS ELIZABETH 1 36 {From a Painting by Sir William Beechey) H.R.H. PRINCESS MARY 1 56 {From a Painting by Sir William Beechey) H.R.H. PRINCESS AMELIA 2IO {From a Painting by Andrew Robertson) XVI THE ROMANCE OF PRINCESS AMELIA CHAPTER I TWO AMELIAS CONTRASTED — SENSITIVE CHARACTER OF OUR HEROINE HER PURE ROMANCE UNROMANTIC SURROUND- INGS—HER ELDER SISTERS— MR. WILKINS's CHARACTER OF QUEEN CHARLOTTE GEORGE HI COMPARED WITH CHARLE- MAGNE—THE PRINCESS royal's UNROMANTIC COURTSHIP- LATE MARRIAGES OF THE PRINCESSES ELIZABETH AND MARY —ALLUSIONS TO PRINCESS AUGUSTA AND PRINCESS SOPHIA. **With all the virtues blest and every grace, To charm the world and dignify her race." -—Peter Pindar: "Elegy on Princess Amelia," Gentleman's Magazine, 1810. It might seem unnecessary to point out that the heroine of this memoir, Princess AmeHa, the sixth daughter of King George III and Queen Charlotte, should not be confounded with her strong-minded great-aunt and godmother Princess Amelia, daughter of George II. Yet a portrait of the elder Princess has lately been reproduced as a portrait of the younger. They were as dissimilar ^ in their 1 The one feature which their histories have in common— their respective lovers were of the same name and family- will be noticed in due course. 17 The Romance of Princess Amelia persons as in their natures. The elder Ameha, who died in 1786 when her great-niece was a child of three, was noted for good sense of a robust and somewhat coarse quality, whereas "sensibility" rather than "sense" was perhaps the chief characteristic of the Amelia of our romance. She was, however, of a resolute disposition, and although frail health had been her portion from childhood, it did not break her high spirit and gay humour, and she bore suffering with remarkable cheerfulness and fortitude. But she was of a very sensitive nature, extremely grateful for kindness and sympathy; and was endowed with that pure quality of love which draws affection to itself and gives itself unselfishly in return. Of all her sisters, among whom we look in vain for a touch of pure romance, she alone seems to have had her young life gilded by its light, illumining the shadows of an otherwise sad and suffering lot. It may be contended — continuing the metaphor — that it was rather a flame which finally consumed her life. Be it so. But we believe, as we trace this love-story through its years of un- satisfied passion, that both Amelia and her chivalrous lover were persons of finer feeling and higher ideals than those by whom they were surrounded. Save in this flower of the flock, never a trace of idealism is discernible among the bevy of royal 18 The Romance of Princess Amelia brothers and sisters. Their honoured parents were indeed in their domestic aspect chiefly remarkable for a commonplace and bourgeois worthiness. All romance had died early in the King's life with his attachment to the fascinating Lady Sarah Lennox — perhaps we ought also to mention Hannah Light- foot. Charlotte of Mecklenburg was assuredly not one to inspire romance. Mrs. Delany and Fanny Burney have left us charming pictures of the domestic habits of the King and Queen, but their somewhat unattractive virtues do not seem to have widely influenced the tone of fashionable society, from which they lived much aloof. With all their merits, alloyed as these were with certain unworthy qualities, they did not, as did their illustrious grand- daughter Victoria the Great, impress the stamp of high ideals on their generation. Society retained its looseness with little of the modern veneer of decency, and saw nothing in the virtues of the King and Queen but matter for ridicule or contempt. Religion among the aristocracy was as yet confined to a few families, and pious persons were looked upon as bores or hypocrites, and dubbed oppro- briously if vaguely " methodists." " She has turned methodist," was the usual comment on some lady who adopted a higher standard than the rest. Thus when the elder royal children came to years of dis- cretion — or indiscretion — they found a world awaiting B 2 19 The Romance of Princess Amelia them only too eager to initiate them into a pleasanter and laxer view of things. The sons, g^rown to adolescence, were naturally eager to break loose from the monotonous boundaries of a strict and narrow home circle where, according to a reliable tradition, they were still constrained to do worsted- work, and, once free, were bent on indulging every selfish fancy without restraint. As for the daughters : it is true that in regard to their persons and manners the five elder Princesses were all remarkably comely, fine young women, ex- tremely pleasant and familiar with their inferiors in ordinary life, reserving grand airs for grand occa- sions (when, by the way, they could be extremely dignified); and their lively letters to Countess Har- court (published among the Harcourt Papers) show them to have been in their early youth instinct with a fresh and healthy enjoyment of things.^ But 1 All the Princesses were excellent and even brilliant letter writers. The following extract from a letter of Princess Elizabeth to Lady Harcourt (Harcourt Papers^ Vol. VI.) shows an amusing aspect of the habits and tone of the fashionable world. "I enclose you," she writes, "a new vocabulary which has just come out " : Vernacular terms Fashionable sense Age . An infirmity nobody knows. Conscience . Something to swear by. Country A place for pigs and poultry Day . . Night. Night . Day. Debt . A necessary evil. 20 The Romance of Princess Amelia bored to death with their dull and restricted sur- roundings, and living in their separate lodgings at Windsor, cut off from the main building of the Castle (tradition records that they had to put on thick boots to cross the sloppy courts and alleys each time they were summoned to join their royal parents), some at least of the more lively of these Princesses contrived to elude the watchfulness of "mama." Certainly, as time went on, this was not difficult, for the Queen's thoughts became wholly engrossed by the King's health, and by the private anxieties and the political intrigues and squabbles which revolved around it. Indeed, poor Queen Charlotte seems to have wished to ignore anything of an unde- sirable nature lest it should cross her own sancti- monious path. Vernacular terms. Fashionable sense. Dining Keeping up appearances. Dinner Supper. Dressed . Half naked. London The most delightful place. Lounging Daily occupation. Modest Sheepish. New Delightful. Pay . Only applied to visits. Prayers The cant of silly people. Christianity Having a pew in church. Time . Only applied to music. Protection Keeping a mistress. Vice . Only applied to horses. Undress Complete clothing. Scandal Amusing conversation. Work . A vulgarism." 21 The Romance of Princess Amelia The writer possesses a letter written to him by the late Mr. W. H. Wilkins, the historian of eigh- teenth-century Courts, in which he says : " It seems to me that from the time the King first lost his reason in 1788 and regained it in 1789 the one object of Queen Charlotte was to keep all agitating things from the King's knowledge. Self-interest dictated this as much as concern for the King's health. She and Pitt frequently concealed his real state of health from his sons; there is little doubt that he was frequently insane for short periods between 1789 and the final breakdown after Princess Amelia's death [in 18 10]. I doubt if she had any real love for any of her children, except perhaps her eldest son (and she quarrelled violently with him). She was quite indifferent about their happi- ness. In her life I find little trace of real reli- gion, though texts were always on her lips. It is no merit that she was virtuous . . . for she could never have known temptation, and she was quite ready to wink at vice when it suited her purpose — her patronage of the notorious Lady Jersey for instance." ^ 1 The letter is dated September 21, 1904. Mr. Wilkins was then engaged in writing a life of Queen Charlotte to follow the other books he had written on the House of Hanover, but unfortunately he had not completed it at the time of his lamented death, though he lived to publish George IV and Mrs. Fitzherbert. 22 The Romance of Princess Amelia The Princesses early acquired their notions of moraUty less from their virtuous parents, or from the worthiest of the many governesses who had been provided to superintend their education, than from certain matrons or maids-of -honour — or dishonour — with whom they came in contact, or from such glimpses of the outside world as they derived from their brothers. Our remarks apply to Amelia's sisters, the eldest of whom, the Princess Royal, was seventeen years old at the time of Amelia's birth; while the others were her seniors in varying degrees, Augusta by fifteen years, Elizabeth by thirteen, Mary by seven, and Sophia by five. The elder Princesses, when they grew up, were most anxious that husbands should be found for them. But the attitude of the King was not encouraging. A reliable tradition records that the King positively "howled" whenever the subject of his daughters marrying was broached. A strange historical parallel may be found be- tween George III and Charlemagne in their domestic aspects ; indeed, Eginhard's account of the great German conqueror's family life may be quoted as an almost exact description of that of the English sovereign a thousand years later — in regard to the latter we speak, of course, of that period of his life which preceded the breakdown of his mental powers. " He was so careful in the bringing up of his sons 23 The Romance of Princess Amelia and daughters," says the historian of Charlemagne/ "that when at home he never dined without them, and they always accompanied him on his journeys, his sons riding by his side and his daughters follow- ing close behind, attended by a train of servants appointed for that purpose. His daughters were very fair, and he loved them passionately. Strange to say, he would never consent to give them in mar- riage [George III gave only one of his daughters in marriage, and her very unwillingly] either to any of his own nation or to foreigners; but he kept them all at home and near his person at all times until his death, for he used to say that he could not deprive himself of their society. On account of this, although happy in all else, he here experi- enced the malignity of fortune ; but he concealed his vexation, and conducted himself as if they had never given rise to injurious suspicions, and as if no reports had ever gone abroad concerning them." ^ 1 Eginhard's Life of Karl the Great, translated by W. Glaister, p. 70. 2 The above parallel was pointed out to the author by the late Lady Leigh (born Lady Caroline Amelia Grosvenor), who remembered hearing many interesting traditions about the Royal Family from her father Lord Westminster, whose grandfather the then Lord Wilton was intimate with George IIL "King George," wrote Lady Leigh, "used to spend his time in playing on the violoncello with Sir Thomas Egerton, Lord Wilton, my great-grandfather, my grandmother [Lady Grosvenor] 's father." — Lady Leigh to W. Childe-Pemberton, September 6, 1904. 24 The Romance of Princess Amelia The appropriateness of the last sentence in illus- trating the attitude of King George with regard to his daughters will be the more appreciated as we observe the disastrous results of this prohibition of matrimony. Perhaps the unsettled state of Germany at the time of the French Revolution, and after it, made the selection of Protestant husbands difficult. How- ever that may be, the early youth of the Princesses passed and they remained unwedded. After many years of waiting the Princess Royal determined to arrange a marriage for herself. The Prince of Wiirtemberg was a widower and a Pro- testant, and therefore eligible. King George, it is said, secretly believing that the Prince would be unable to clear himself from certain suspicions con- nected with the death of his first wife, consented that, if he could do so, he should be allowed to become a suitor for the hand of the Princess Royal. The Prince completely succeeded in refuting the calumnies of his enemies, and the King, too honour- able to break his word, raised no further objections and gave his consent. The Prince accordingly arrived in England. But what a suitor was this bulkiest prince in Europe, of whom Napoleon said when he made him a king that the King of Wiirtemberg seemed created to show to what an extent the human skin could be 25 The Romance of Princess Amelia stretched without bursting. No wonder the Princess Royal, during her first interview with her future husband, was unable to utter a word. But if this courtship was unromantic she was none the less grateful to her corpulent spouse, quitted her native land with joy, and lived happy ever after. It was not till many years had elapsed — and mean- while King George had long ceased to rule — that the Princess Elizabeth, at the ripe age of forty-nine,^ gladly married the Landgraf of Hessen-Homburg. He is described by a contemporary as having a face like a snout. "You never saw such a disgusting object," wrote another.^ The amiable Princess Mary tardily found a mate in her cousin the Duke of Gloucester, whose intel- lect was somewhat weak. Her father had been many years in seclusion when the marriage took place. Truly matrimony did not present itself in an ideal light to the three married Princesses. 1 This Princess in early youth had made a secret marriage with a Mr. Ramus, by whom she had children. But the circumstances were unromantic. 2 It should be added that Homburg does not, because this union was unromantic, any the less cherish the memory of the ten beneficent years it lasted, during which the Eng- lish Princess endeared herself to her husband's subjects by her charity and good works. 26 The Romance of Princess Amelia Of the unmarried daughters : Princess Augusta ^ was highly accompHshed and artistic; while the ill- starred Princess Sophia is said to have been the cleverest of the family. Never a ray of romance gilded her appalling story. ^ Princess Augusta was much attached to her physician Dr. Vaughan, better known as Sir Henry Halford. Many of her letters to him of an intimate character were preserved at Wistow, the Halfords' place in Leicestershire, until they were sent to Queen Victoria by the last Baronet. 27 CHAPTER II 1 783-1 797 BIRTH OF PRINCESS AMELIA — A BRIGHT GLIMPSE OF CHILDHOOD THE king's first MENTAL ILLNESS IN I788 A MELAN- CHOLY INCIDENT AT KEW CONDUCT OF THE PRINCE OF WALES king's RECOVERY PUBLIC REJOICINGS — LITTLE AMELIA AND DEAR PAPA — THE GOVERNESSES — PRINCESS royal's SUPERINTENDENCE. The fifteenth child of her parents, her Royal High- ness Princess Amelia was born at Queen's House ^ on August 7, 1783, and baptized at St. James's in September. The successor of two little delicate brothers who died shortly before her birth, she was the object of most careful and affectionate concern to all around her.^ One of the earliest, as also the brightest, glimpses we have of the subject of these pages is on her third birthday, the cynosure of all beholders, on the terrace at Windsor, where of a summer's evening the King delighted to promenade, accompanied by his fine 1 Queen's House, originally Buckingham House, bought in 1 76 1 from Sir Charles Sheffield by George HI. All the King's children were born there except George IV. It was completely renovated by George IV in 1825 — the present Buckingham Palace. 2 Dictionary of National Biography. 28 The Romance of Princess Amelia family, and surrounded by a crowd of courtiers. This became such a popular diversion that numbers of persons came from London to get a peep at the King and Queen. " It was really a mighty pretty procession," writes Miss Fanny Burney on this par- ticular occasion; "the little Princess, just turned three years old, in a robe-coat covered with fine muslin, a dressed close cap, white gloves and a fan, walked on alone and first, highly delighted in the parade, and turning from side to side to see every- body as she passed; for all the terracers stand up against the walls to make a clear passage for the Royal Family the moment they come in sight. Then followed the King and Queen, no less delighted themselves with the joy of their little darling. On sight of Mrs. Delany," proceeds Miss Burney, " the King instantly stopped to speak to her. The Queen, of course, and the little Princess and all the rest stood still in their ranks. ... The little Princess went up to Mrs. Delany, of whom she is very fond, and behaved like a little angel to her." [" How do you do, Duchess of Portland's friend ! " she said to Mrs. Delany, the latter tells us in her own record of the scene.] " She then," continues Miss Burney, "with a look of inquiry and recollection, slowly of her own accord, came behind Mrs. Delany to look at me. ' I'm afraid,' said I, ' your Royal Highness does not remember me.' What think you was her answer? 29 The Romance of Princess Amelia An arch Httle smile and nearer approach with her lips pouted out to kiss me. I could not resist so innocent an invitation, but the moment I had accepted, I was half afraid it might seem in so public a place an improper liberty. However, there was no help for it. She then took my fan, and, having looked at it on both sides gravely, returned it to me, saying, ' Oh ! a brown fan ! ' The King and Queen then bid her curtsey to Mrs. Delany, which she did most gracefully, and they all moved on." The child is said to have well understood the dignity of her position at this early age. " Her Royal Highness," reports the same chronicler during the same year, " does the honours of her rank with a seriousness extremely entertaining. She commands the company to sit down, holds out her little fat hand to be kissed, and makes a distant curtsey with an air of complacency and encouragement that might suit any princess of five times her age." Again : " She is a most lovely little thing just three years old, and full of sense and spirit and playful pretti- ness, yet decorous and dignified when called upon to appear en pincesse to any strangers; as if con- scious of her high rank and of the importance of condescendingly sustaining it. 'Tis amazing what education can do in the earliest years to those of quick understanding. The little Princess thus in infancy, by practice and example taught her own 30 The Romance of Princess Amelia consequence, conducts herself upon all proper occa- sions with an air of dignity which is quite astonish- ing." After this one is glad to hear that she was sufficiently childlike to play at phaeton-driving with all the fun of a frisky horse, and to refuse to go to bed unless Miss Burney undressed her. Her nurse, Mrs. Cheveley, was not merely "rather handsome and of showy appearance," but was well suited to her post by her " exceeding good sense " ; while " her admirable management of the young Princess secured her affection without spoiling her." Mrs. Cheveley " always treats her with respect even when reproving her," adds Miss Burney, "yet gives way to none of her humours when it is better they should be conquered. Fewer humours, indeed, I never in any child saw, and I give the greatest credit to Mrs. Cheveley for forbearing to indulge them." The King idolized his youngest child, and delighted in contributing to her innocent pleasures, while she equally reciprocated his affection. The earliest event which cast a shadow on her happiness was in October 1788, when she was five years old, her father being attacked by a bilious fever — so it was called — under the effects of which his mind became completely unhinged. The first symptoms of this temporary aberration are said to have been shown by his embracing his family in church; and at the levee the strangeness of his behaviour 31 The Romance of Princess Amelia attracted general notice. In the month of Novem- ber the King's malady was at its height, the madness continuing for many weeks, with occa- sional returns to reason. While the King and the Royal Family were residing at Kew, during a lucid interval in December Dr. Willis,^ the King's mental superintendent, desired that Princess Amelia should be brought to her father, and she was accordingly taken to him. The sight of his darling daughter excited the King so violently that he swore that henceforth no one should separate them. It was not till the Queen arrived on the scene that the child could be got away from him. The terrible illness of her dear father, the distress of her mother and sisters, and the anxious demeanour of the attendants threw a heavy gloom over the life of the little girl at this time, and the melancholy visit to Kew did not tend to dispel it. The palace, with its low ceilings and dark passages, impressed the imagina- tion of a child of five, and the surroundings of Kew were far less attractive than they are now. 1 The Rev. Francis Willis (born in 171 7) gave up his duties as a clergyman to practise medicine, and founded an estab- lishment where he received insane persons of the highest rank. He exercised an extraordinary domination over his patients by the power of his look, which cowed them. After the complete (though temporary) recovery of George III, Dr. Willis attended the mad Queen of Portugal. He died in 1807, aged 90. 32 The Romance of Princess Amelia The Royal Family was rendered the more un- happy by the conduct of the Prince of Wales, who, supported by the Opposition, eagerly hoped to be appointed Regent, if indeed he should not immedi- ately succeed to the throne on the death of the King, which was believed to be imminent. To the unspeak- able joy of the Queen, however, and the triumph of the Government under Pitt, the King completely recovered his reason early in the following year, 1789. Illuminations far and wide marked the joyful event, and the Queen and all but the youngest of the Princesses went to London from Kew to see the sight. The little Amelia was left behind with her father. Before leaving, the Queen gave private orders for a splendid illumination at home of the palace and courtyard, as a surprise for the King. When the transparencies were prepared and lighted the little Amelia led her papa to the front window, having first presented him with a copy of verses written by Miss Burney at the Queen's desire, which concluded with a postscript — "The little bearer begs a kiss From dear papa, for bringing this." " I need not tell you," comments the composer of the verses, " the little bearer begged not in vain." The Thanksgiving Service for the King's recovery which took place in St. Paul's Cathedral on April 23, ^ 33 The Romance of Princess Amelia 1789, was the first public event in which Princess Amelia took part, when she followed in the proces- sion with the rest of the younger Princesses attended by Miss Gomme. Reference to Miss Gomme will be found later in these pages, where she figures years hence in the correspondence relating to the love-episode of her charge. She was one of the governesses to the Prin- cesses; Miss Goldsworthy (sister of Colonel Golds- worthy, one of the King's equerries), the beloved "Gooley" of the elder Princesses, being another; and both these- ladies remained in attendance at Court during the whole of Princess Amelia's life. The aged Lady Charlotte Finch, daughter of the Earl of Pomfret, and widow of the Right Honour- able William Finch ^ (brother of the Earl of Win- chelsea and Nottingham), held the post of Head Governess, her daughter Mrs. Feilding (afterwards Lady Sophia Feilding), being one of the Women of the Bedchamber. Lady Charlotte Finch had been brought up at Florence, had perfect manners, and a clear judgment which eminently fitted her for her position. Her royal pupils were all warmly attached to her, and the Queen consulted her in all matters concerning them. Miss Goldsworthy and Miss 1 Privy Councillor, and sometime Envoy-Extraordinary to the Court of Sweden. 34 The Romance of Princess Amelia Gomme were under her, and perhaps somewhat less tactful in their management. During her early childhood the little Amelia is said to have been much under the superintendence of her mother, but as time went on the Queen saw less of her. The King's health, though greatly improved, gave occasional cause for anxiety, and the Queen, when advised by the King's doctors to devote more of her time to him, remarked, " Then I pity my three youngest daughters, whose education I can no longer attend to." The Princess Royal thereupon undertook to look after Amelia, until her marriage to the Prince of Wlirtemberg in 1797 caused her to leave England when her youngest sister was barely fourteen. ^^ 35 CHAPTER III 1797-1798 AMELIA'S EARLY DEVELOPMENT — PERSONAL APPEARANCE — HER PHYSICIAN SIR LUCAS PEPYS — CUPPINGS AND BLEEDINGS VISIT TO WORTHING AMELIA'S LETTERS TO LADY ALBINIA CUMBERLAND THIS LADY CONFOUNDED WITH LADY ALMERIA CARPENTER RICHARD CUMBERLAND THE DRAMATIST HIS VERSES A VISIT TO JUNIPER HILL FANNY BURNEY'S DESCRIPTION — AMELIA'S CONFIRMATION — HER LOVE FOR HER FATHER. Amelia was now growing in beauty and intelli- gence, but her delicate health rendered much study undesirable for her, and she was in consequence kept less at her lessons than her elder sisters had been. It is perhaps for this reason that her letters in after years are often expressed without regard to grammar. Her sentences have not the literary pre- cision and polish which some of her sisters' letters certainly show. Nor is her spelling always faultless. But at fifteen she wrote graceful and natural letters in a formed, flowing handwriting indicative of usage du monde — remarkable in so young a girl. She early showed considerable skill in music and painting, and the cultivation of these arts became her principal occupations. She loved to sing and to dance, and was full of fun and high spirits. 36 The Romance of Princess Amelia Of her personal appearance in 1798 Madame d'Arblay gives us a description : " Full as tall as Princess Royal and as much formed, she looks seventeen though only fourteen [she was fifteen on August 7], but has an innocence, an Hebe blush, an air of modest candour, and a gentleness so caressingly inviting of voice and manner that I have seldom seen a more captivating young creature." It is clear that this early development had over- taxed her constitution, and that she had outgrown her strength. Her physician, Sir Lucas Pepys, advised her to be much in the open air, and to ride. She is described later as " a great horsewoman." He also recommended her to go often to the seaside for hot sea baths. During the summer of 1798 she suffered from a weakness in her knee, for which she was attended by Doctor Keate, and was ill for a long time — in spite of, or possibly in consequence of, fre- quent cupping and leeching prescribed by that gentle- man according to the habitual practice of the day. The following undated letter addressed to Lady Albinia Cumberland ^ (a lady-in-waiting to the Prin- cesses) and now in the possession of that lady's granddaughter, the Honourable Mrs. R. C. Boyle, 1 Wife of Richard Cumberland, eldest son of the dramatic author and diplomatist, and daughter of George third Earl of Buckinghamshire by his wife Albinia the Countess of Buckinghamshire, who was notorious as one of "Faro's daughters." 37 The Romance of Princess Amelia was written by Princess Amelia during this illness and while she was sojourning at Worthing. " My dear Lady Albinia, " I cannot resist troubling you with one of my stupid scrawls to return you many thanks for your kind inquiries after me. Indeed, everybody is so good I know not what to say. Mr. Keate assures me I am a little better, &c., therefore I am certain that I am so; but I still continue to feel a good deal of pain. I am not as yet allowed to get off my couch. Since I saw you I have been cup'd. Yesterday I had on Leeches, &c., this evening I got into a Hot Sea Bath. I trust I shall find Great Benefit from this discipline soon. I must say I never saw anything so attentive as Mr. Keate. He as well as everybody else is so good to me that I am sure I shall never be able to thank them enough. How sorry I was to find by your letter to Gooly ^ yesterday that your dear Albinia had again been ill ! I hope she is now quite well. Pray give her my kind love as well as to all the rest of your children. I hope they are all well. I am glad Lady Charlotte^ has got another little girl. 1 Miss Goldsworthy, the worthy governess who so offended Princess Amelia in later years. 2 Lady Charlotte Disbrowe, nee Hobart, daughter of the third Earl of Buckinghamshire, sister of Lady Albinia Cumberland and wife of Colonel Disbrowe, died after the birth of this little girl. 38 The Romance of Princess Amelia Have you seen or heard anything of Mr. Disburough [Disbrowe] or rather St. Fetev^ for you know they are reckoned alike? I must tell you that when I sent this morning to the Bishop of Salisbury for a frank for you they brought me one to Lady Almeria Carpenter.2 i ^as obliged to explain how shocked 1 Colonel Disbrowe of Walton Hall, Derbyshire, M.P. for Windsor, Vice-Chamberlain to Queen Charlotte. Princess Sophia called him *'the Father Confessor of the unfortunate sisterhood "—hence doubtless his nickname of St. Peter. "He occupied," says his granddaughter Miss Disbrowe, ♦'a highly responsible position at Court, the more so because the Queen was compelled to take a leading part in State affairs owing to the prolonged illness of King George HI. I used to hear how when at Windsor he (the King) would arrive quite early in the morning at the house of my grandfather, who was also his equerry, to make the latter walk with him, and how finding him in bed, would tell his three sons to fetch a jug of water and give him a ' cold pig.' I have a great number of letters written in an absolutely friendly style by Queen Charlotte to my grandfather as well as from the Princesses."— 0/rf Days in Diplomacy, by the eldest daughter of the late Sir Edward Cromwell Disbrowe, G.C.B., Ex.-H.M.-Plen., pp. 3i> 32- , ,. ^ u. 2 Lady Almeria Carpenter, unmarried and eldest daughter of Carpenter first Earl of Tyrconnel, by the only daughter and heiress of Sir Robert CHfton of Clifton, Notts. Horace Walpole describes Lady Almeria as "Lady of the Bed- chamber to the Duchess of Gloucester, and Mistress to the Duke" (the Duke brother of George HI; the Duchess widow of Earl Waldegrave and natural daughter of Sir Edward Walpole). Oddly enough this was not the only time we find the name of the highly respected Lady Albinia Cumberland confounded with that of Lady Almeria Carpen- ter, the chere amie of the Duke of Gloucester. The whole 39 The Romance of Princess Amelia I was that he should think I had such a corre- spondent. *'As I write to you to-day, Gooly [Miss Golds- worthy] will not trouble you till next week. Mama and my Sisters are gone a farty of pleasure in the heat of the sun to dine with the Duke of York at his Office and see Papa go to the House. They hope to return between six and seven. Those two par- ticular Dear Creatures Miny and Sophy [Princesses Mary and Sophia] were both anxious to remain with me — the former would not name the intention of going for fear she should be of the party and pre- vented staying. However, she is gone. She is more story is given by Lady Louisa Stuart in her letters to her friend Miss L. Clinton (second series, pp. 278-281). " In one of RadicaVs letters to the Times^ Lady Albinia Cumberland was set down as having a pension for her former services to certain of the Princes ! Richard Cumberland wrote to [Colonel] J. Jones to demand a contradiction and apology for this scandalous attack on his mother's character, or else satis- faction. Jones refused both. Richard C. posted him as a coward, and then some others of the family taking it up Radical avowed he had been misinformed and was sorry. And what do you think was meant? Why, the old story (too old for you to have heard) of the late Duke of Glou- cester and Lady Almeria Carpenter, who had no more to do with Lady A. Cumberland than with . . . and like several other people whose pensions Radical complains of has been dead and buried many years ! But it is all one to poor Lady Albinia, whom two-thirds of the kingdom will believe to have been some Prince's mistress in her youth, instead of the careworn wife, widow and' mother we have known her from first to last." 40 The Romance of Princess Amelia amiable if possible than ever, and I am sure dear Papa and Mama and my sisters are all goodness. Thank God Dear Dear Sophy is well. She had last week another cramp. It annoyed me much as my leg prevented my seeing her. Don't shew my letter. I hope you will see a good deal of Mr. and Mrs. Peachey.^ Have you heard fromXy- Warren?^ She is still at Plymouth? We have had good accounts of Royal. ^ She talks of her happiness as much as ever. Dear Ly. Cha* is here as well as Ly. C. Waldegrave^ — the latter leaves us on Monday. I like Ly. Ely^ very much. She is all . . ." [Rest of letter missing.] The next letter addressed by Princess Amelia to 1 The Hon. John Peachey succeeded his father as Lord Selsey in 1808. 2 General FitzRoy's mother was a daughter of Sir Peter Warren. 3 Princess Royal, married to the Prince of Wiirtemberg in the previous year, was expecting her confinement. 4 Lady Charlotte Finch. 5 Lady Caroline Waldegrave, daughter of John third Earl Waldegrave, and niece of Maria Duchess of Gloucester (formerly Countess Waldegrave). 6 Anne, daughter of Hugh Bonfoy, Esq., and widow of the Earl of Ely, who had died in 1783, is thus described by Lady Louisa Stuart in her MS. "Notes to Lady Francis Scott's Journal": "Lady Ely a particular friend of my sister Caroline (Countess of Portarlington). Her mother, Mrs. Bonfoy, who always lived with her, aimed at bel esprit, and was sometimes a little affected, but Lady Ely 41 The Romance of Princess Amelia " The Lady Albinia Cumberland," and endorsed by the latter "1798," was written at Worthing during the Princess's illness. News had been received from Germany of the accouchement of the Princess Royal, Princess of Wiirtemberg. *' My dear Lady Albinia, " I am very anxious to know how you are to-day as well as Albinia. I flatter myself you will send me a good account and that your own face is either well or that Mr Spence will make it so by Drawing the tooth — We have no account of the Birth of the little S fronting Branch of the Wiirtem- berg family.^ My kind love and a kiss to your children. Dear Miny [Princess Mary] and Gooly join in all I have said concerning your health, and beg their love, and Pray, my dear Ly. Albinia, " Believe me ever "Your affectionate Friend, " Amelia. ''Monday. — I am sure you will be glad to hear totally the reverse." (Mrs. Bonfoy was whole sister to Mr. Eliot, made Lord Eliot by Mr. Pitt, and half-sister to Lord Abercorn, they having the same mother — a daughter of Secretary Craggs. The son of this Earl of Ely's sister was created Earl and Marquis of Ely). — See Gleanings from an old Portfolio, by Mrs. Clark of Talygarn. 1 The only offspring of the marriage died soon after his birth. 42 The Romance of Princess Amelia Charlotte ^ has had a good night and the symptoms continue to be favorable." In November 1798 the Princess was still at Worthing for her health. Lady Albinia Cumberland was now in waiting. Her husband's brother as com- mander of a sloop of war kept guard at sea, and was in readiness to accompany her Royal Highness with his boats or vessels in any excursion on the water which she might be advised to take. His father Richard Cumberland the dramatist, paying a visit to his son at this time, thus alludes to the Princess in his Memoirs — " I came to Worthing whilst he (my son) was there upon duty, and was permitted to pay my homage to the Princess. It was impossible to contemplate youth and beauty suffering tortures with such exemplary patience, and not experience the sensa- tion of respect and pity which such a contemplation naturally must inspire. When my daughter-in-law Lady Albinia Cumberland took her turn of duty as lady of the bedchamber I took the liberty through her hands to offer the few stanzas which are here inserted." We spare our reader the insertion here of the 1 The Princess Royal, Princess of Wiirtemberg. 43 The Romance of Princess Amelia whole of the poet's fourteen stanzas, but extract the two following verses to show the warmth of sym- pathy which this amiable Princess inspired — "How long, just heav'n, shall Britain's royal maid, With meek submission these sad hours sustain ? How long shall innocence invoke thine aid, And youth and beauty press the couch of pain? Was ever suffering purity more meek? Was ever virgin martyr more resigned? Mark how the smile, yet gleaming on her cheek, Bespeaks her gentlest, best of human kind."i A letter supposed to be written in Lady Albinia Cumberland's name to her little girl (Harriet), but in reality written in fun by Princess Amelia in print- ing characters easy for a child to read, bears this endorsement in Lady Albinia's handwriting — "Nov. the 7th, 1798. " Printed and worded for me by my dear Princess Amelia. I was at the time holding her leg. A. C." The letter runs — *' My dear Love, " I hope you are good and behave well and that Mrs. Gombe ^ is pleased with you. I love you 1 Memoirs of Richard Cumberland, Vol. H. pp. 295-7- 2 "Mrs. Gombe" is probably the Princess's governess at 44 The Romance of Princess Amelia very much and long to see your dear little face- Give my kind compts. to Mrs. Gombe. Adieu, my dear child, "From your affec^e " Mother and Friend, *'A. Cumberland. " Worthing^ « Nov. %th, '98.'' A letter addressed to "Miss Cumberland," the elder daughter of Lady Albinia, although evidently written at a later date may be inserted here. " My dear Albinia, " I send you the Black Velvet, and I only wish it may give you half as much pleasure to wear it as I feel in giving it to you. I am glad about your Cousin's marriage and I know you rejoice, but to hear of another Albinia's settling would give me more pleasure. I hope my little friend Harriet is Windsor, Miss Gomme, of whom more anon. Durmg Lady Albinia's ''waitings " she left her daughters in lodgings at Windsor. She was afterwards granted apartments at Hampton Court Palace. She died in 1851, aged 91- Her elder daughter Albinia married Alexander Gordon of Ellon Castle and was mother of the Honourable Mrs. R. C. Boyle, who kindly allows the publication of her grandmother s letters. The younger daughter, the above-mentioned Harriet, grew to be greatly admired for her beauty, but died unmarried at an early age in 181 1. See Appendix I, p. 294. 45 The Romance of Princess Amelia well. Give her my best love — and to dear Ly. Albinia also. I am sorry to say I think Mr. Dis- browe very unwell and if he don't take care, he will be ill. He settles in town next week. " Ever yours very sincerely, " Amelia. " Windsor Castle, " Friday morning." On the conclusion of her sojourn at Worthing Princess Amelia proceeded to visit Sir Lucas Pepys and his wife Lady Rothes^ at Juniper Hill, near Juniper Hall, the residence of the French emigres with which Madame dArblay has made her readers familiar. This lady, who as Miss Fanny Burney had retired from Court some years earlier and had since married, hearing that the young Princess was staying in the neighbourhood, went over one morn- ing to pay her respects to her Royal Highness, having first written to obtain permission from the Queen to do so. Madame dArblay found Lady Albinia Cumberland, Miss Planta, Miss Golds- worthy, Mrs. Cheveley, and Mr. Keate the surgeon all staying at Juniper Hill in attendance on the Princess. She thus describes her visit — ^ Jane Elizabeth, Countess of Rothes in her own right, married 1772 as her second husband Sir Lucas Pepys. M.D., who vyas created a baronet in 1784. 46 The Romance of Princess Amelia " The Princess was seated on a sofa, in a French grey riding dress with pink lapels, her beautiful and richly flowing and shining fair locks unorna- mented. Her breakfast was still before her and Mrs. Cheveley in waiting. Lady Albinia announced me, and she (the Princess) received me with the brightest smile, calling me up to her and stopping my profound reverence by pouting out her sweet ruby lips for me to kiss. She desired me to come and isit by her ; but ashamed of so much indulgence, I seemed not to hear her, and drew a chair at a little distance. ' No, no ! ' she cried, nodding, * come here ; come and sit by me here, my dear Madame d'Arblay.' I then . . . seated myself on her sofa. Lady Albinia, whom she motioned to sit, took an opposite chair, and Mrs. Cheveley, after we had spoken a few words together, retired. Her attention was now bestowed upon my Alex, who required not so much solicitation to take his part on the sofa. He came jumping and skipping up to her Royal Highness, with such gay and merry antics that it was impossible not to be diverted with so sudden a change from his composed and quiet behaviour in the other room. He seemed enchanted to see her again, and I was only alarmed lest he should skip upon her poor knee in his caressing agility. I bid him, in vain, however, repeat Ariel's 47 The Romance of Princess Amelia ' Come unto these yellow sands/ which he can say very prettily ; he began, and the Princess, who knew it, prompted him to go on. . . . Lady Albinia soon after left the room, and the Princess then turning hastily and eagerly to me said, ' Now we are alone, do let me ask you one question, Madame d'Arblay. Are you — are you (looking with strong expression to discover her answer) writing anything ? ' I could not help laughing, but replied in the negative. ' Upon your honour? ' she cried earnestly, and look- ing disappointed. This was too hard an interro- gatory for evasion, and I was forced to say — the truth — that I was about nothing I had yet fixed, if or not I should ever finish, but that I was rarely without some project. This seemed to satisfy and please her. I told her of my having seen the Duke of Clarence at Leatherhead fair. ' What, William ? ' she cried, surprised. This unaffected, natural way of naming her brothers and sisters is infinitely pleasing. . . . She took a miniature from her pocket and said, ' I must show you Meney's picture,' meaning Prin- cess Mary whom she still calls * Meney,' because it was the name she gave herwhen unable to pronounce Mary — a time she knew I well remember. It was a very sweet miniature and extremely like. * Ah, what happiness,' I cried, ' your Royal Highness will feel and give upon returning to their Majesties and their Royal Highnesses after such an absence and such 48 The Romance of Princess Amelia suffering ! ' ' Oh ! Yes, I shall be so glad,' . . . and then Lady Albinia came in and whispered it was time to admit Lady Rothes, who then entered with Lady Harriet^ and the Miss Leslies. When she (the Princess) was removing, painfully lifted from her seat between Sir Lucas and Mr. Keate, she stopped to pay her compliments to Lady Rothes with a dignity and self-command extremely striking." We hear again of serious illness in the following year, but in January 1800 the King writes to Bishop Hurd of Worcester ^ the good news that " Even dear Amelia is with gigantic steps, by the mercy of Divine Providence, arriving at perfect health." The King continues, " She was on the 24th of last month confirmed at her own request by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who seemed much pleased in the pre- paratory conversation he had with her at her being well grounded in our holy religion and [sic'] the serious task she has taken upon herself." Princess Amelia was now seventeen and grown to the full perfection of womanhood. She was "tall and slender, and her air was most graceful and 1 Lady Harriet, daughter of Sir Lucas Pepys and the Countess of Rothes, married the fourth Earl of Devon. 2 Letter copied from Jesse's Memoirs of the Life and Reign of George III, Vol. II L p. 229. D 49 The Romance of Princess Amelia prepossessing." Although "dignified" and some- what " languid " in appearance she was bright and lively in manner and so gentle and sympathetic as to win every heart. Her love for her father was revealed in all her actions, and this indeed is said to have been the case to the end of her life. 50 CHAPTER IV 1801 ROYAL TROUBLES — VISIT TO WEYMOUTH — IN CHARGE OF MISS GOMME — GENERAL FITZROY IN ATTENDANCE HIS BIRTH AND APPEARANCE— "PRINCE CHARLES" — HIS EARLY YEARS — FREDERICK THE GREAT'S ATTENTIONS — HIS NOTE TO FITZ- ROY — THE DUCHESS QF BRUNSWICK'S ALLUSIONS TO FITZROY — HIS GOOD HEART RIDES WITH PRINCESS AMELIA — THEIR ATTACHMENT. The year 1801 was one which brought various and heavy troubles to the Royal Family. The most harassing of these was a " delicate domestic trouble," to quote the discreet words of Jesse, the historian, "on which there is no occasion to dwell." The King in this year suffered more than one relapse into his old illness of twelve years earlier, with similar attacks of mental aberration, which, however, did not last long. In the summer he was sufficiently well to pay his usual visit to Weymouth accompanied by his family. On his way he stayed at Cuffnells, the seat of the Right Honourable George Rose, which he visited again a few years later. The health of Princess Amelia caused some un- easiness during this autumn, and it was thought D 2 51 The Romance of Princess Amelia desirable that, ijistead of returning to Windsor with the King and the rest of the Royal Family on the conclusion of their visit to Weymouth, she should remain on there in charge of Miss Gomme. Miss Gomme had lived at Court for nearly twenty years, and before that had passed the greater part of her life in Prussia. She is described by Miss Burney in 1786 (that is, fifteen years before the Hate at which our chronicle has arrived) as " very sensible, and, I fancy, well informed; but her manner not pleasing to strangers, and her conversation, perhaps from great inequality of spirits, has no flow — nothing gliding — it is either a torrent or it is lost and stagnant, like the poor little round old- fashioned garden pond." ^ But Miss Gomme was not the young Princess's only companion at Weymouth. There was another far more fascinating, and of the other sex. General FitzRoy, one of the King's equerries, appointed by the King to attend the Princess on her daily rides. General the Honourable Charles FitzRoy,^ second son of the first Lord Southampton and nephew of the third Duke of Grafton, was bom in 1762. He was therefore twenty years older than Princess Amelia, and about thirty-eight years 6i 1 Diary of Madame d'Arblay, Vol. II. p. 240. 2 Colonel of the 25th Regiment, the King's Own Bor- derers, and Deputy Ranger of the royal forest of Whittle- bury. 52 The Romance of Princess Amelia age at the time when their attachment began. He may on that account have been supposed to be a safe and suitable escort for a young girl. But extremely handsome, with the charm of manner characteristic of the FitzRoys, and appearing much under his age, while he was at the same time in advance of the younger men in experience and savoir faire, he is said to have been among the most admired in the royal entourage. The King himself liked him to be constantly about his person, even putting him, whenever possible, before his own sons; for which reason the courtiers nicknamed FitzRoy " Prince Charles." He does not seem, however, to have taken undue advantage of his prominent position, but to have been of a modest and unassuming dis- position. Although of royal origin, through his paternal descent from Charles H, this being on the left side he could unfortunately never aspire to marriage on equal terms with the King's daughter; though she could romantically count him as the off- spring of kings and claim him as her own kinsm9,n. They had, in fact, a common ancestor in James I. FitzRoy had been early associated with Courts. We have glimpses of him at the age of twenty-three travelling in Germany in the military service of the King of England. At Berhn he attracted the notice of Frederick the Great. It is said that the atten- tions of the veteran monarch to the handsome youth 53 The Romance of Princess Amelia were especially marked. A quaintly-worded note in King Frederick's diminutive handwriting giving FitzRoy permission to attend the manoeuvres at Magdeburg is still preserved.^ It runs — "M. FiTZROY. — II dependra entierement de vous d'assister aux manoeuvres de Magdeburg. Je vous le permets sur ce Dieu qu'il vous ait, M. Fitzroy, en sa sainte et digne garde. Potsdam, 3 Octobre 1785. "Au Capitaine Fitzroy au service de S.M.B. a Berlin." A few months later we find him at Brunswick in high favour with the good-humoured Duchess of Brunswick, sister of George III and mother of the Princess Caroline who afterwards became Princess of iWales. The Duchess of Brunswick wrote to her friend'the Duchess of Argyll in a letter recently published ^ — " I wish you would tell Lord and Lady Southamp- ton that Mr. Fitzroye behaves quite well now, that he was, for the Queen's birthday, at Hanover with General Rudesl where he never left the General 1 In Mrs. Lowther's autograph book at Campsea Ashe. 2 Letter of Augustus Duchess of Brunswick to Elizabeth Duchess of Hamilton and Argyll, dated "Brunswic 31 Janv- 1786." — Intimate Letters of the Eighteenth Century y VoL I. p. 256. Edited by the Duke of Argyll. 1910. 54 The Romance of Princess Amelia a moment, except at the Court ball which lasted till three o'clock in the morning. Tell him [Lord Southampton] we all love his son for his good affectionate heart, and his attachment to his parents." His " good affectionate heart," which the Duchess of Brunswick thus discerningly notes, was indeed characteristic of Charles FitzRoy throughout his career in every relation of life, and conspicuously so in his association with the young Princess who fell in love with him. It may be added that his nature was unselfish, generous, faithful. But while emphasizing the good qualities of his heart, we do not feel equally confident as to the qualities of his head. Mrs. Villiers certainly gives the impression later on that it could be turned by the flatteries of the Prince of tWales. We have left him in attendance on Princess Amelia at Weymouth. As riding was especially ordered for the Princess's health, she had daily opportunity of being in General FitzRoy's com- pany. Thus an ardent attachment sprang up between them, if indeed it had not existed long before. From a statement of the Princess years hence it would even appear that she had loved Charles FitzRoy since she was sixteen. 55 The Romance of Princess Amelia Poor child ! Imbued with the romantic notions of her friend Miss Burney's heroines, how delight- ful was it for her — King's daughter though she was — to have a devoted lover like any Evelina or Cecilia ! Little did she dream in those early happy days of the years of bitter disappointment and suffering ahead. 56 CHAPTER V 1802--1803 MISS GOMME's confidence — MISS GOLDSWORTHY — DEAF AS A POST— PRINCESS MARY AMELIA'S DISTRESS^— WRITES TO HER MOTHER QUEEN CHARLOTTE'S LETTERS TO AMELIA AMELIA'S LETTER TO HER MOTHER — TO PRINCESS MARY. After the return to Windsor from Weymouth the keen eye of Miss Gomme could not but observe that her charge and the equerry were on terms of in- timacy. Matters went on as usual. Fit^Roy, in attendance on the King, rode daily with the royal party. It was remarked that Princess Amelia in riding would drop behind nearer to the equerry than to the King. In the evening at cards he was always Princess Amelia's partner. Months passed — a year — and Miss Gomme could no longer keep things to herself. It may have been that all this time from depression of spirits she had remained in the phase of "stagnation" to which Miss Burney has alluded. At all events the governess's " torrent," so long pent up — to continue Miss Burney's meta- phor — now burst forth, not only in warnings to Princess Amelia, but also in confidences to Princess Mary. Princess Mary confided in Miss Golds- 57 The Romance of Princess Amelia worthy, and to confide in Miss Goldsworthy was to tell all the world, for Miss Goldsworthy was as deaf as a post. *' There is no talking with her," said Miss Burney a few years earlier, " but by talk- ing for a whole house to hear every word.'* Thus, although it was agreed that the other Princesses should not be made parties to the gossip, they already knew everything. Recriminations followed on the part of poor Amelia towards Miss Gomme, who finally in May 1803 determined to call the Queen's attention to the affair. Amelia, discover- ing this, wrote in her agitation to her mother com- plaining that she had been unfairly treated not only by Miss Gomme, but also by her sister Mary and Miss Goldsworthy.. The Queen, who could not endure that the apparent serenity of the domestic surroundings should be disturbed, seems to have behaved with discreet impartiality towards all con- cerned. While upholding the governess's attitude, she did not blame Amelia; and evidently had in- tended to let the matter drop altogether without mentioning it to Amelia, had not Amelia's writing to her rendered a reply necessary. She accordingly wrote to her daughter the following letter,^ inculcat- ing prudence and charity, and calculated to cast oil on troubled waters all around. 1 In the possession of the late Honourable Mrs. W. Lowther. 58 The Romance of Princess Amelia It is endorsed in the handwriting of Princess AmeHa, "From Mama Sunday May ist 1803. Windsor." It will be understood that mother and daughter, though living under the same roof, did not allude to the subject of their correspondence when they met during the day. "My dearest Amelia, "I have received Your long letter and put off answering it till the Morning, least you should suspect that in my differing with You upon Some of the Subjects you mention, that it was disappro- bation and not mature reflection which makes me do so— To come to the Point directly I will begin with Miss Gum's [Gomme] and Your Sister Mary's conduct. The first being put about all of You as a Trusty Person to direct and instruct you, is by Her Situation bound in Honour to put you upon your Guard, if she knows of anything that could be likely to injure you, and as she has seen much of the World knows by experience that the Higher the Rank in Life, the more will the world expose them, because the World expects more circumspec- tion in their Conduct. She spoke to you only and there left it. Perhaps Her truely affectionate Heart towards You might make Her see it in a stronger lieht than You are aware of, but the motif did Her 59 The Romance of Princess Amelia Honour, as it was meant to make You sensible of the Necessity to watch every step in Your Conduct. When she spoke to me she made no complaints against You, but mentioned it as a thing that had passed, and that She, in Her Situation about you, and Her Duty towards me, thought right for me to know. I thanked Her for it, and asked if anybody else knew about it and she said Mary. I went to your Sister who told me that She Herself had named it to you long before Miss Gumm had named it to Her; and when that happened she did not deny to Her having talked it over with Her, She also informed me of Miss Goldsworthy's knowing it, and that she was determined not to talk to you upon the Subject, which was also a proof of Her delicacy towards You, as it is clear that she was persuaded Your good Sense would not require more than one Person to represent to you what was right or wrong. The delicacy Your Sister Mary showed upon this occasion was so very Amiable that I concluded it would have gained your Con- fidence, for she assured me that not one of Your other Sisters knew of it and that nothing upon Earth should make Her name it. Moreover when You were Confined with those Boils, and could not go to Windsor, She offered of Her own account to stay with you, as she was sure You would feel uneasy to be left alone with those Ladies, That 60 The Romance of Princess Amelia Circumstance is sufficient to show that she con- sidered your Situation, and [was] more ready to conciliate things than to make them of worth, by repeating backwards and forwards what passed — of which I know her to be incapable; for Her Religious and mild disposition makes Her see everything with a most enviable Calmness. You will my dear Amelia be sensible that neither by words or by looks did I through the whole Winter shew You any disapprobation. In the beginning of Our Settling in Town I was ignorant of what had passed; and when I knew it I took no Notice of it, being sure that Miss Gum's advice being well considered must upon any Person which professes Religious Principles have taken every Necessary effect, particularly as You want neither Sense nor Penetration, and consequently must feel that She was a Friend to You — You were struck with what I said about your riding near the King, and not to keep behind. This, my dear Am.elia might with reason strike you, having this affair in your Head, but you are wrong in your supposition, — I had my- self made this observation several times last year when I went out with You and the King, and named it to those ladies who were in the Carriage with me with disapprobation, and should have named it to Lady Matilda [Wynyard] -^ had she been your 1 See page 91. 61 The Romance of Princess Amelia lady. You see by that how dangerous it is to suspect. " Now for the request you make about not having any more to do with those Ladies [Gomme and Goldsworthy]. I am sure my dear Amelia You wrote this in a hurry, for you must upon recollection be sensible that two People so long attached to Our Families, and who to my Knowledge, as well as to that of the World, have done their Duty to the utmost to all of you, demand not only Yours but my gratitude, and that by my granting this request / must disgrace myself, and expose Your Character, for, tell me, is that any reason that you are offended because the one spoke to You to be Prudent and the others knew [sic'] of it. Consider this well, and I am convinced You will see that such a request would be wrong to Yourself. I am sorry that the request about not riding must also meet with a refusal. That must be done for your Health, and as there can be no enjoyment without Health, it is our Duty to God to do all in our Power to obtain it. As to say anything upon that subject to the King would expose you more than anything, — Make Him (/ mea^z the King) unhappy, and make Our Home very unhappy, and as there is sufficient distress to be found out of doors there can be no good reason to be given why it should be unneces- sarily increased within doors. As to what relates 62 The Romance of Princess Amelia lo Your Friendship with Lady Dungannon [She was General FitzRoy's sister] I cannot see why that acquaintance should be broke off. It is at best but an acquaintance, and there is a great difference between real Friendship and a common acquaint- ance. "^^ "You say You have spoken to Your Sisters upon the subject. I am so far sorry for it, particularly so as Your sister Mary and I settled it that neither of us would mention it to them, and I know she has kept Her word, but what is done is done, and it is better to forget it. "And now my dear Amelia I think I have an- swered every part of Your Letter. There remains only to assure You that I am not angry with You, nor was so when you suspected it. You were offended with Miss Gumm. That led you to sus- pect. You distrust Mary because she lives well with those ladies, and You make Yourself Miserable and hurt Your Health. In a Moral as well as a Religious light that is wrong. Scripture, says 'A Wise Man hears with a FooV and a Good Man bears up under Distress, nay, even bears injury with Patience; and I pray to God that you may become both wise and good. I beseech you let no offence whatever lead you to Judge hastily of a Fellow Creature; be always watchfull of yourself in every Step you take; beware of Flatterers — choice of your 63 The Romance of Princess Amelia Friends, and do not destroy your Health and Happiness by fancying things worse than they are, and by your following this advice You not only prove Your affection to me, but insure to you the warmest Love from "Your affectionate Mother and Friend, " Charlotte." Queen Charlotte's characteristic caution is shown by her writing the following letter on the next day — "My dearest Amelia, " I leave these few lines for you to desire you will promise me upon your Honour neither directly or indirectly to name a word of this unpleas- ant business to your Brothers, 7iay not even to the Duke of 'Kent, nor to any of those ladies you are intimate with, nor indeed to any soul living. I give you this Precaution for your own Peace of Mind. Let it from this moment be eternally buried in oblivion, and be assured that not those even who love you can so effectually restore you calmness of spirit and body as you can yourself. Neither myself no \_sic\ Minny [Princess Mary] will ever mention it again, and I am almost sure that neither Miss Gumm [Gomme] nor Gooly [Goldsworthy] will ever any more hint at it, if you will but be civil 64 The Romance of Princess Amelia to them when you meet. That is due from one to another. There is no necessity to make Professions of Love and Friendship where it is not felt, but the rules of society demand civility as every uncivil behaviour unprovoked injures not those it is meant for, but falls back upon ourselves. Having said this I beseech you by all that is sacred to endeavour as much as possible, to divest yourself of all anger and suspicion as it is injurious to your Health. You owe it to yourself and to your family. And lastly of all it is a Religious Duty to take care of one's Health and to overcome Evil with Good. You will have time now to think this over, and I hope at my return to find you in better Health and Spirits which will prove a real comfort to your affectionate Mother and Friend. " Charlotte. "g.Z. Windsor, "•Uhe 2nd May 1803." Amelia's reply to her mother's letters, albeit dutiful and affectionate in expression, is of the briefest — least said is soonest mended. But it is evident that she was not dissatisfied with the tone of her mother's letter, in which there was no allusion to General FitzRoy. She made the following copy of her answer to her mother and sent it to General FitzRoy with her mother's letters — 65 The Romance of Princess Amelia "My dear Mama, "Allow me to express my grateful! thanks for your letter, and to assure you my Study and Wish, is ever to be deserving of Your Approbation and Affection. " I am my dear Mama, " Your dutiful and affectionate Daughter, "A. ^^ May 3r<^i8o3, " Windsor:' She wrote at the same time to her sister Mary — "Copy of answer to Minny. May 3rd 1803. "My dear Minny, " I cannot for a moment delay answering the letter I received from you through Chi Chi. The affectionate impressions it contains I beg you to be convinced are most acceptable to me for you know how much I have ever loved you dear Minny. I own I have of late suffered more than words can express, and that you may never experience the same is my most ardent wish. I never can alter my opinion of both Gooly's [Goldsworthy] and Miss Gomms conduct on this subject, though I will hope they meant for the best, but I cannot but say / am no longer a child and though ready to take advice yet I cannot put up with underhand treatment and submit to Government at my age, for with an 66 The Romance of Princess Amelia appearance of affection, had not Mama been the kindest of Mothers, they might have ruined me for ever with her. But so far I have to thank them, as Mama's conduct has been such as to endear her more to me than ever, and my whole study will be not to forfeit her goodness. I shall ever pray for your health and happiness, my dear Sister, and I rejoice to think you live comfortably with those ladies, as by experience I know how unpleasant it is to be otherwise. I shall ever be civil to them and never do anything I hope which I can blame myself for afterwards, but I am sure you cannot wonder at my saying after this I can feel no pleasure in their Society or ever trust them again. After all you say I cannot suppose you capable of having repeated to them, but it was natural for me to think it ; as both of them gave me to understand that you knew everything they did, and thought the same as they did. " I shall write to you again to-morrow, and trust my accounts will be good of Sophia. Battiscomb finds her pulse mended since morning. " Believe me ever dearest Minny, " Your affectionate friend, "Amelia." £ 2 CHAPTER VI THE queen's attitude AWARE OF THE ATTACHMENT TAKES NO HEED RIGID ETIQUETTE. If we examine these letters of the Queen by the light of her future attitude with regard to Amelia's love episode, we shall find underlying the kindly and religious tone of them, extreme caution — caution somewhat of a crafty, temporizing, and certainly not of a very far-seeing kind. Completely passing over her daughter's attach- ment to the King's equerry, the Queen's chief care is, by conciliating the governesses and making peace between the sisters, to avoid an esclandre and keep all knowledge of the matter from the King. On no account is Amelia to confide her grievances to her father; papa's darling had evidently threatened to tell papa. Her rides with the King, attended by General FitzRoy, are by all means to be con- tinued, lest the King's suspicions should be aroused. And he is not to be worried. He had enough troubles "out of doors" — the intrigues of his sons and the plots to overthrow the Government, the insolence of Napoleon to the English Ambassador at Paris, and the imminent prospect of renewed war, 68 The Romance of Princess Amelia the preparations for the expected invasion of Eng- land, Hanover lost, and Ireland in a state of rebel- lion — these were some of the distresses "out of doors" in the spring and summer of 1803. And indoors there were skeletons in the cupboards to be hidden as much as possible from the King's know- ledge, while the Queen's one thought was to preserve him from anything calculated to excite his brain. George III with all his solid and very consider- able abilities was not gifted with keen observation in domestic matters. Even before his physical blindness came upon him, things could go on under his eyes Vv^ithout his perceiving them. It is true that when matters of a painful nature came to his know- ledge, he could conduct himself (as we have already indicated when comparing him in this respect to Charlemagne), not only with reserve, but with remarkable dignity of mind, completely ignoring before the world what he must have been secretly aware that it knew. Still as his mental balance became unhinged and his sense of perspective dis- ordered, he gave undue prominence to trifles while real evils assumed an aspect of less importance, and it was thus impossible to predict how, so to speak, he might "take things." Hence the Queen's anxiety to keep him in ignorance of much that went on. For on the King's well-being, physical and mental, depended everything that she valued most. 65 The Romance of Princess Amelia As to the Queen's own attitude with regard to Amelia's love affair, it may be observed that in the case of the youngest member of a large family the most strict parents will relax the iron rules which they have for years enforced in the case of their elder children — it may be from sheer weariness, or it may be that they have learnt from bitter experi- ence the futility of coercion. Be this as it may, it is clear from the Queen's letters — and this should be borne in mind in regard to the future conduct of Amelia as evidence in her favour — that the Queen's eyes had thus early been fully opened to the mutual attraction which existed between her youngest daughter and General Fitz- Roy. Yet a little mild advice, a few platitudes and a text or two from Scripture — this is all that the reprimand amounts to — all the notice that is taken ; and the state of things is henceforth allowed to continue without further protest from the Queen. The constant opportunities for meeting, the daily rides, the private correspondence, the loving glances in church, the games of cards in the evenings — we shall see that General FitzRoy was frequently, and indeed with intention, the Princess Amelia's partner at the card games which were part of every evening's routine in the royal circle — all is tacitly permitted. And this " day out, day in " and year after year ! Surely the Queen was well aware of the innocent 7« The Romance of Princess Amelia attachment, and either pitied it and, as time went on, even thought that some day however distant a marriage might be possible, or else was indifferent — and, we may add, heartlessly indifferent. However, at this stage of affairs the Queen's attitude was, in Amelia's eyes, that of the "kindest of mothers " ; but that any real intimacy of thought or feeling should exist between mother and daughter was perhaps not to be expected in an atmosphere of such rigid etiquette that, as Miss Burney asserts, even the princesses could not speak to the Queen without being first addressed by her. Doubtless at a tete-a-tete the rule would be set aside; neverthe- less this state of things could not have conduced to an easy and open approach of child to parent, while the golden virtue of silence would flourish in this august family to the extinction of candour and trustfulness. Thus a secret understanding sprang up between the lovers, and by the autumn of this year, if not long before, they had sworn eternal devotion to each other. 71 CHAPTER VII A TENDER LETTER — ATTITUDE OF THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS. Since the first fatal letter had passed between the lovers— by the connivance, as will appear, of the Princess Elizabeth — innumerable billets doux, long destroyed, had perhaps been exchanged before the following was written. But of the letters of Princess Amelia to General FitzRoy preserved among his papers we may place it first on the list. It does not appear to belong to the later years — "My own dear Angel, " I don't know why, but I felt so full that I was quite distressed at speaking to you in the . . . [illegible]. How cruel we did not play together [at cards]. I always tell you honestly my opinion; therefore don't be angry, but tell me the truth. I thought your manner to me still as if you had doubts about me. That dear smile to-day gave me such pleasure, but I think something I did annoyed you to-night. As I always tell you the truth, I own I was vexed and hurt at your manner when Mary came up, and I found you were out, whether from 72 The Romance of Princess Amelia annoyance I don't know; and by coming up again I thought I was de trof, I tell you honestly how jealous I am you don't know! and I dread your hating me. I hope I shall He able to give you this, walking to-day at Frogmore. My own dear love I am sure you love me as well as ever. If you can give me a kind look or word to-night pray do, and look for me to-morrow morning riding, don't leave me, do let us be, if we can, in comfort, but tell me your mind, and the truth. Don't send anything over to me till this evening, you dear Angel. I go to chapel to-morrow — now do sit where I may see you, not as you did last Sunday morning. ' Good God, what I then suffered.' Do have your dear hair cut and keep it for me. Promise, after you go to town for the Meeting of Parliament, you will sit for me for I long for my picture. I want to talk to you, for you are not well. I see you change colour very often. Don't trifle with my happiness, which you do by not attending to your health, as all my happiness and comfort depends on my own dear darling. Did not you think it cruel not playing with me last night ? I hope that dread- ful man was not with you, for I am sure he gefte you. Did you tell P.W. [Prince of Wales] how wretched we both are? I hoped yesterday, at latest last night, I should have heard from you. I dare say you had not time, and, as you wrote that 73 The Romance of Princess Amelia precious note before you went, I ought to have been satisfied, but that I never am, separate from you, dear Angel. " I have had a very satisfactory letter this morn- ing [from the Prince of Wales]. He saw Edward [the Duke of Kent], had a long conversation with him, and told him strongly how necessary it is to sooth both you and the Q. [Queen] — All which E. agreed to; and only conceive! — after all he has said — that he related the conversation he had had with the Q. about the riding ! ^ and blamed her in the warmest terms for objecting to it! He [the Prince of Wales] says he will certainly come on Thursday and will talk it all out with the Q. and E. [Queen and Edward] and make them sensible of all you wish : — that to-morrow you shall hear from him. Now, God bless you ! and do try and sleep and remember you have friends who will support you to their utmost — " Out of this large and not very united family of brothers and sisters, the Prince of Wales seems to have been a special favourite with his youngest sister — indeed all his female relatives appear to have entertained an admiration for this dashing 1 She means about her own riding- with General FitzRoy. 74 The Romance of Princess Amelia and dissipated personage, whom, in fact, they did not very often see. On his part he wrote to Amelia in the most gush- ingly affectionate style, and he appears to have shown her sympathy and kindness — kindness of a superficial character, in accordance with his selfish disposition; and how little his affection was really worth we may gather from his conduct after his sister's death. Frederick, the Duke of York, was, as we shall see, another favourite and confidant, and this genial and easy-going elder brother seems to have patron- ized her and taken her part. Her brothers William and Augustus, the Dukes of Clarence and Sussex, were both devotedly at- tached to their youngest sister; but in the earlier years of our history they were much absent from the family circle. Their own respective love-affairs and connections had not a little to do with their absence. Later we find the most affectionate and confiding terms existing between Augustus and Amelia. The attitude of Edward, the Duke of Kent, in regard to his sister's love-affair is obscure, but it seems to have been uncertain and contra- dictory. Ernest, the Duke of Cumberland, habitually 75 The Romance of Princess Amelia coarse, was disagreeable to his sister Amelia, as indeed he was in general to most people.^ The name of the youngest brother, Adolphus, the Duke of Cambridge, does not figure in his sister Amelia's affairs until the' close of her life. Of the sisters, the eldest at home, Augusta, lively and sympathetic as to affairs of the heart, was always a cordial friend to her "little sister" fifteen years younger than herself. Not so Elizabeth, who, however (certainly in the first instance), actively encouraged her sister's in- timacy with FitzRoy; but she was rough and bad- tempered, though not ill-natured, and her unrefined taunts and jokes caused her sensitive sister acute distress. In the family squabbles she sided with Ernest, her favourite brother. As to Mary,^ the harmless nature of Amelia's pre- tended jealousy of her, expressed in the above letter, is obvious; but allusions to her elsewhere in the letters do not suggest any strong partiality towards 1 It should be added that the later life of the Duke ot Cumberland as King of Hanover, where he was greatly admired by his subjects, presented a happy contrast to his youthful career in England. 2 In our Appendix I (p. 296) a graphic account of the wedding of Princess Mary with her cousin the Duke of Gloucester (which took place many years after the death of Princess Amelia) is to be found in an interesting contem- porary letter written by Lady Albinia Cumberland, who was one of the guests on the occasion. 76 The Romance of Princess Amelia her on the part of Amelia — such indeed as the pubHc, after AmeUa's death, was led to suppose had existed. " Mama's tool," Amelia calls her, and by her obedience and discretion she was well-suited to the part. Mary was the most circumspect of all the sisters. If not dull, she was certainly the least quick-witted of the female portion of the family. She was of a religious disposition, and possessed a senitive conscience. She always wished to be kind, and in later years she nursed Amelia with untiring devotion when she became an invalid, and was her constant attendant in her final illness. T7 CHAPTER VIII 1803 {continued) — 1804 Amelia's illness — princess Augusta's commiseration — Amelia's directions to fitzroy in case of death — recovery — gratitude for kindness — harcourt papers QUOTED. During the summer and autumn of 1803 Amelia was seriously ill. Pining and worry were sapping her strength. The Queen had truly said, " Fancy- ing things are worse than they are, destroys health and happiness." But things at best were not hope- ful. In November Princess Augusta wrote to Lady Harcourt (in a letter published among the Harcourt Papers) : "I assure you I am under the greatest anxiety about poor dear Amelia, who has had a long and dreadful illness. She is a sweet, amiable, pious, good little Soul, patient beyond all descrip- tion, and has the greatest resolution and fortitude. She is a perfect example. I really am benefited by her goodness. I never saw so good a disposition, so thoughtful and considerate to those about her, so afraid to fatigue them by their sitting up with her. I never saw anybody more careful to disguise her sufferings for fear of vexing others, and truly it is most vexing to see her so long in such a sad state of health." 78 .^M.J^^ .^. ^ The Romance of Princess Amelia Naturally of a lively and buoyant disposition, she nevertheless turned her thoughts to serious things. The prospect of death was constantly before her, and she wished to make preparations for it. It was during this illness which she thought might terminate fatally, that she wrote the following hastily expressed memorandum addressed to her affianced husband, who, it will be understood, having been appointed by the King to attend the Princess, was in a position to superintend her affairs and to carry out her orders. It is the first of a series of similar directions, preserved among his papers,^ which were written by the Princess at intervals during many years — " It is my last dying and only wish that to you, my beloved Charles Fitzroy, my best friend and everything, and who nothing but my unfortunate situation parts me from — as I feel assuredly I am the chosen of your heart as you are of mine — I leave you everything I have, and request you to look over everything, and that all these treasures I wear, and you know how valuable they are to me . . . \_illegible\ should be buried with me. Lose no time in execut- ing these my wishes. " Amelia. " Queen!s House^ " 1803." 1 The late Honourable Mrs. W. Lowther's Papers. 79 The Romance of Princess Amelia By the end of the year she was on the way to recovery from this illness, as we learn from a letter she wrote to Lady Harcourt on New Year's Day 1804. It is here copied from the Harcourt Pafers ^ as showing her desire to express gratitude and affection towards her relations for their kind- ness to her during her recent illness. Their conduct at this time contrasts favourably with that of at least some of them in later years, who did not always behave with the most tender and sympathetic con- sideration to this sensitive plant. " Queeiis House^ " Windsor, " 1st January, 1804. " My dear Lady Harcourt, "You will rejoice to hear Papa and Mamma are well. As to myself I certainly proceed towards my recovery slowly and surely; which is I hope more likely to be lasting than if it took place rapidly. The kindness I experience is very great — deeply felt but not easily expressed. Indeed, my dear Lady Harcourt, volumes would not contain all I feel; and when I had used all the words that the English language contains to express gratitude and affection, it would neither do justice to my feelings nor satisfy them. God knows my heart is gratefully devoted to my family, I possess the greatest of 1 Vol. VI. p. 286. 80 The Romance of Princess Amelia blessings kind parents and sisters. But where one feels most it makes one silent and the generality of mankind will think me a hrute I know. Allow me to wish you and Lord Harcourt the usual compli- ments of the season — a happy return of the New Year, and I must add I hope this time next year we shall find this Country has happily weathered the storm which threatens it. " I am a little superstitious. The sun shone this morning — a good omen; and particularly as it now seldom happens. Our dear King who is our Sheet Anchor, and whom we look up to next to Heaven is well. If he is preserved to us I think we must do well. Providence has never forsaken him, and I hope I don't presume too much in putting my firm trust in Him and relying on Him not to with- draw in the hour of apparent need, that protection our dear good father has so wonderfully experienced on many occasions. Adieu, Believe me my dear Lady Harcourt with kind remembrances to Lord H , "Yours very sincerely, "Amelia." 8i CHAPTER IX 1804 THE KING'S TEMPORARY RETURN OF INSANITY JESSE's MEMOIRS QUOTED MRS. GEORGE VILLIERS — HER LETTER TO LADY THERESA LEWIS — VILLIERS-LISTER PAPERS MRS. VIL- LIERS 'S INTIMACY WITH THE ROYAL FAMILY A MELAN- CHOLY TIME THE king's OUTBURSTS OF FATUITY DRIVES AND RIDES AT KEW THE KING HARANGUES HARROW BOYS DEVOTION OF THE PRINCESSES TO THEIR FATHER — PRINCESS SOPHIA'S CONFIDENCES PRINCESS AMELIA AND FITZROY THE king's ATTITUDE. The health of the King had shown no signs of fail- ing since 1801, but early in 1804 — barely a fortnight after Amelia's good report — he was again seized with illness and a temporary return of his mental malady. Meanwhile there was the same flutter among the adherents of the Prince of Wales as on former occasions, but their hopes were again dashed by the King's recovering his reason sufficiently to be able to transact business. Exaggerated reports of his condition were circulated by persons occupy- ing houses in Grosvenor Place overlooking the Gardens of Buckingham House, who professed to have spied the King walking in the Gardens in a state of uncontrolled frenzy. Still the King's 82 The Romance of Princess Amelia mental state was far from satisfactory during the ensuing months, and about this time a change came over his temper, which had hitherto been remark- able for its amiabld and benign disposition. "It was remarked," says J. H. Jesse,^ "as a peculiar feature of the King's disorder [at this time] that though his language was often incoherent, and though he frequently showed himself harsh and suspicious in the presence of those who were domesticated with him, yet when conversing with persons whom he had reason to regard with defer- ence or respect, he rarely if ever betrayed any sign of mental derangement. For instance at a Privy Council, over which he presided on May 24, his manner and language would seem to have been all propriety and composure; and yet at this very time his intellects were evidently in a very disordered state." "Lady Uxbridge," wrote Lord Malmes- bury^ two days afterwards, "said his family were quite unhappy; that his temper was altered. He had just dismissed his faithful and favourite page, Braun, who had served him during his illness with the greatest attention. Quiet and repose were the only chance. . ." "The King," said Mrs. Har- court, "had made capricious changes everywhere, 1 Memoirs of George III, Vol. III. p. 375. 2 Malmesbury's Diaries, Vol. IV. p. 318. r2 83 The Romance of Princess Amelia from the Lord Chamberlain to the grooms and footmen. He turned away the Queen's favourite coachman, made footmen grooms, and vice versa; and what was still worse, because more notorious, had removed lords of the bedchamber without a shadow of reason. That all this afflicted the Royal Family beyond measure. The Queen was ill and cross; the Princesses low, depressed, and quite sink- ing under it ; and that unless means could be formed to place some very strong-minded and temperate person about the King he would either commit some extravagance or he would, by violent exercise and carelessness, injure his health and bring on a deadly illness."^ It was at this juncture that there came upon the scene a lady who was soon intimately associated with Princess Amelia, and who, a few years later, was to become her most close and trusted confidante. Mrs. George Villiers, sister of Lord Boringdon (afterwards first Earl of Morley^) and wife of the Honourable George Villiers, third son of the first 1 Malmeshury's Diaries, Vol. IV. p. 319. Rose Diaries, Vol. II. p. 148. 2 Mrs. Villiers corresponded with her brother almost every day and he kept every one of his sister's letters, now in the possession of the Lister family — the representatives of Mrs. ViUiers's daughter Lady Theresa, who married first Thomas Henry Lister, Esq., of Armitage Park, Staffordshire, and secondly the Right Hon. Sir George Cornewall Lewis, Bart. 84 The Romance of Princess Amelia Earl of Clarendon, had at this time close relations with the Court. "My acquaintance with the Princess Amelia/' writes this lady to her daughter, Lady Theresa Lewis/ "was begun in June 1804, when George III was recovering from one of his attacks of insanity ^nd was residing at Kew as a quieter and healthier place than London. Your father and I were ordered by Queen Charlotte (through the Princess Elizabeth) to come to reside at Kew also, that your father might be always at hand to attend upon the King, and an offer was made at the same time to lodge me and my children there in a small house, belonging to the Duke of Cumberland, that he might have no reason for going away. Accordingly we went there for many weeks, and passed a very melancholy time seeing the King constantly on the verge of relapsing into insanity, frequently showing signs of fatuity by playing with his trinkets and jewellery, sometimes talking from excitement till 1 Letter dated Grove Hill House, April 8, 1847. The letter begins : '* My dearest Theresa. You have often asked me to write down from memory all that I could recall to it respecting the attachment which subsisted for many years between my poor friend the Princess Amelia and General Charles FitzRoy. I always intended to comply with your request, but I wished to refer to many letters now in my possession." — Letter among the papers of the late Sir Villiers Lister. 8s The Romance of Princess Amelia he foamed at the mouth, particularly one evening when he talked to me a whole hour of his plan for going to Saltram ^ by sea, and having the Corona- tion anthem played all the time he was on board. Your father had more power over the King than any one else (the consequence of his constantly treating him with firmness and respect), and was never allowed to be absent. He dined with the equerries and the Household ; I dined every day with the Queen and Princesses, and drove out afterwards with them when the weather was fine. The King (with Dr. Symons at his side) used to ride out at the same time with a great cortege of Princesses and their ladies, equerries, attendants, and frequently some of the Royal Dukes. The drives were gener- ally in the neighbourhood of Richmond, Hampton Court, etc., but occasionally we went to Harrow, where the King would harangue the boys'; but as he always ended by requesting a holiday for them his visits were sure to be welcome. . . . All this, however, has been a digression from what I pro- posed to narrate, though not one that is altogether useless, as it leads to your seeing the cause and origin of my intimacy with the Royal Family. A long residence with them under such painful cir- 1 Her brother Lord Boringdon's place in Devonshire — near Plympton (by the way, the early home of Sir Joshua Reynolds, Lord Boringdon being his principal patron). 86 The Romance of Princess Amelia cumstances could not fail to produce much con- fidential intercourse, and brought me en relation with the Princesses in a manner that could not have taken place under any other circumstances, and I mus^. in justice to them say that I never saw any daughters — be they who they may — show such assiduous and affectionate devotion to their father as they all did, but perhaps none so much as the Princesses Sophia and Amelia. They both ap- peared to become much attached to me, and over- whelmed me with kindness and affection, which I most sincerely returned. At first my intimacy was chiefly with the Princess Sophia, who seemed to place the most unbounded confidence in me and excited my sympathy and compassion to an un- bounded degree in return, as I thought her more sinned against than sinning. My general impres- sion of her character was much changed afterwards, as you know.^ With the Princess Amelia, on the 1 The shocking story of Princess Sophia has of late years been revived and made public in the Letters of Princess Lieven and the Creevey Papers respectively. Of Princess Sophia we will only say that her retribution was so terrible that it should silence the condemnation of all charitable persons. Of whatever indiscretions she may have heen guilty, she was believed to have been brutally deceived by her own brother ; while her son, grown to manhood, behaved with unparalleled callousness and meanness, demanding money for silence * and boasting that he was the only com- * 7?" WW article March 14(1829). Morning Chronicle, Mnixch 14, 16, 18,24 (1829). 87 The Romance of Princess Amelia contrary, the friendship increased daily, and she evinced the most perfect confidence in me on all subjects but one, viz. the attachment that existed between her and General Charles FitzRoy, second son of Lord Southampton. From the year 1S04, when our intercourse began, till the year 1808, she never once alluded to it. I heard of it from most moner whose parents were both of royal birth. He passed by the name of Garth, that of his reputed father, General Garth, one of the King's equerries, who went through the form of marriage with Princess Sophia at Ilsington * near Dorchester, he being older than she by thirty-tivo years. Shortly before his death, at an advanced age, General Garth disclosed to the young man his true parentage. As she advanced in life Princess Sophia was stricken with total blind- ness. She resided in a house in Kensington, where she was visited by such friends as valued her merits and admired her ability. She had been a connoisseur and collector of curios, and when unable to see her treasures she could describe them from memory. An old female servant, known to the writer, lived when young in the service of Princess Sophia, then advanced in years. She spoke gratefully of her royal mistress, never alluding to any scandals which she may have heard. One curious fact, however, she often mentioned. At certain times all the servants had strict orders not to enter the Prin- cess's apartments. Her Royal Highness was to be left for a day or two totally unattended. No questions were asked and no reasons were vouchsafed. ... It was then that the uphappy mother received visits from her son. Princess Sophia died in 1848. Her remains were not honoured by royal sepulture, but lie where the one name "Sophia," marks her solitary grave in Kensal Green, with the text, pathetically appropriate, "Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden." * Ilsington rented by General Garth from the Earl of Orford. 88 The Romance of Princess Amelia of the other members of the family — indeed it was sufficiently visible to every one ; and, what was very remarkable, the King, though perfectly unconscious of the attachment, never missed an opportunity of placing Princess Amelia under the care of General FitzRoy, whether in dancing, riding or on any other occasion." Further extracts from this letter of Mrs. Villiers will be given when our chronicle has reached a date at which Princess Amelia confided unreservedly in this lady. 89 CHAPTER X 1804 (continued) WEYMOUTH DISUNION IN THE ROYAL FAMILY THE VISIT TO CUFFNELLS PRINCESS AMELIA'S FALL THE KING'S BEHAVIOUR THE RETURN TO WINDSOR LORD AUCKLAND'S CORRESPONDENCE QUOTED. After the conclusion of the sojourn of the Royal Family at Kew in the summer of 1 804 (Mrs. Villiers's account of which we have quoted), the King, to out- ward appearances restored to his usual health, was able to make his accustomed move to Weymouth in August, accompanied by his family — the two younger Princesses Sophia and Amelia tarrying to rest at Andover on the way. The Royal Family do not appear to have been happy on this occasion at Weymouth. Lord Liver- pool told Lord Henley, who wrote the news to his brother Lord Auckland (September 11, 1804), that the King *' marks unequivocally and by many facts that he is dissatisfied with [the Queen]. . . . Her temper is represented as fractious in the extreme . . . within the family there are strange schisms and cabals and divisions among the sons and daughters. One of the two youngest of the latter [Sophia and Amelia] dines alternately with the 90 The Romance of Princess Amelia Patron [the King] and nobody else." The King at this time even talked of making a separate provision for his daughters. Lord Hobart writing to his father-in-law Lord Auckland [September 19, 1804] remarks, " It is a melancholy circumstance to see a family that had lived together for such a number of years completely broken up." ^ From Weymouth at the end of October the King and Queen, together with all the Princesses and the Dukes of Cumberland and Cambridge, proceeded for a few days to Cuifnells, which the King borrowed from Mr. Rose, the latter remaining in his own house as the King's guest. Four ladies were in attendance on the Queen and the Princesses, namely Lady Ilchester, Lady Isabella Thynne, Lady Georgiana Buckley, and her sister Lady Matilda Wynyard. We shall meet with these two last- mentioned ladies ^ later on, playing very dissimilar parts in the royal surroundings. "After breakfast," notes Mr. Rose in his diary, " we rode to Cadlands with the Dukes of Cumber- land and Cambridge and the Princesses Amelia and Sophia, with their attendants, in a storm of wind and heavy rain, which came on before we got a mile from Lyndhurst." 1 Correspondence of William first Lord Auckland, Vol IV. pp. 212, 213, 214. 2 Daughters of John second Earl De La Warr. 91 The Romance of Princess Amelia On another occasion, while the whole royal party with Mr. Rose was riding one morning after break- fast towards Southampton — General FitzRoy, it may be noted, being in attendance — Princess Amelia had a fall from her horse. Mr. Rose, who was riding in front with the King at the moment of the acci- dent, thus records the incident — "Of Lord North his Majesty was beginning to speak in very favourable terms, when we were inter- rupted by the Princess Amelia (who with the other Princesses were riding behind us) getting a most unfortunate fall. The horse, on cantering down an inconsiderable hill, came on his head and threw her Royal Highness flat on her face. She rose without any appearance of being at all hurt, but evidently a good deal shaken; and notwithstanding an earnest wish to avoid occasioning the slightest alarm, was herself not desirous of getting on horseback again; but the King insisted that she should, if at all hurt, get into one of the carriages and return to Cuffnells to be bled, or otherwise mount another horse to ride on. She chose the latter, and rode to Southampton, where she lost some blood, unknown to the King. I hazarded an advice, that no one else would do, for her Royal Highness' return, which was certainly not well received, and provoked a quickness from his Majesty that I experienced in no other instance. 92 The Romance of Princess Amelia He observed that he could not bear that any of his family should want courage. To which I replied I hoped his Majesty would excuse me if I said I thought a proper attention to prevent the ill effects of an accident which had happened was no symptom of a want of courage. He then said to me, with some warmth : ' Perhaps it may be so ; but I thank God there is but one of my children who wants courage, and I will not name HIM, because he is to succeed me! I own I was deeply pained at the observation, and dropped behind to speak to General Fitzroy, which gave a turn to the conversation." ^ On the day following, November 2, the royal party left Cuffnells, and after stopping to dine with the Bishop of Winchester at Farnham Castle, arrived the same evening at Windsor. * On the conclusion of the royal visit to Cuffnells Mr. Rose makes the following somewhat obscure entry in his diary — "During the time their Majesties were at Cuff- nells I could not perceive anything that could lead to the remotest suspicion of what I had before heard from the most positive and unquestionable authority, and of the absolute certainty of which I am as entirely convinced as if I had been present when 1 Rose Diaries, Vol. II. p. 176. 93 The Romance of Princess Amelia the occurrence happened. While in this house there was every appearance of perfect cordiality, and I had good opportunities of watching for symptoms, as I was constantly at table with the Royal Family when they dined here, as well as every night at supper and every evening at cards." ^ It is evident that every member of the Royal Family had the good taste to exercise a proper restraint in the presence of the owner of Cuffnells and while residing under his roof. But affairs were not any better on the return to .Windsor. The Prince of Wales, who visited his father at the end of November, brought back but a gloomy report of the state of his mind. " He had found things at Windsor," wrote Lord Grenville, "as bad as they had been represented, the King indeed having a power of restraining himself and talking naturally for some time on some points, but no day passing without much of a different description. The King at such times said the most improper things in the presence of his daughters." Lord Colchester ^ Rose Diaries, Vol. II. p. 198. Mr. Rose's next sentence is as follows : " It may be hoped from hence that the advice which has been recently given to her Royal Highness has produced some effect, for a time at least." This probably alludes to Princess Sophia, although it might be supposed to allude to the unguarded conduct of the Princess of Wales. 94 The Romance of Princess Amelia writes, "The King is harassed by family disputes; the Queen insists on Hving entirely separate." Lord Malmesbury gives a glimpse of the Queen's char- acteristic behaviour, marked as usual by her extreme caution in a crisis. Her great dread was lest the King should at any moment be seized with mania, while the King, on his part, suspected her of sym- pathy with the Prince of Wales. "The Queen," says Lord Malmesbury, "will never receive the King without one of the Princesses being present — never says in reply a word — piques herself on this discreet silence, and when in London locks the door of her white room — her boudoir — against him." Lord Buckinghamshire (Hobart), writing from Roehampton towards the end of the year, reports to Lord Auckland : " By the little news I have been able to pick up in the course of the morning, I should imagine that nothing could be more deplorable than the interior of a certain great house in Windsor — the whole family divided into parties and everything going on as ill as possible."^ It was in the midst of these unhappy surround- ings that Princess Amelia turned more and more to General FitzRoy as the " best friend " she could rely on — to whom, in fact, she had long confided her whole heart. 1 Auckland Correspondence, Vol. IV. p. 220. 95 CHAPTER XI 1805 A COURT CONCERT IN LONDON — '* IMPROVEMENTS " AT WINDSOR CASTLE COURT FESTIVITIES LETTER OF PRINCESS MARY TO LADY ALBINIA CUMBERLAND THE KING'S FONDNESS FOR CHILDREN PRINCESS AMELIA'S AGE THE ROYAL MARRIAGE ACT — ANTICIPATIONS OF MARRIAGE " A. F. R." FITZROY'S CONDUCT HONOURABLE. Among General FitzRoy's papers is a manuscript programme of a concert at the "Queen's Palace," which had evidently some happy associations for Amelia and himself. Both were extremely fond of music. MUSIC AT THE QUEEN'S PALACE, JANUARY iS, i8os PART I Overture " Occasional Oratorio " Handel R'citative •• I was at the royal feast " \ ^j^^ Vaughan Air and Chorus " Happy pair J {^Alexander's Feast) Recitative " The praise of Bacchus " \ y^^ Bartleman Air " Bacchus, ever fair and young J Chorus " Bacchus' blessings are a treasure " Concerto Oboe Trio " The flocks shall leave the Mountains " {Acis and Galatea) Air " Falsa imagina " (fltho) Mrs. Bianchi Chorus " Happy we " 96 The Romance of Princess Amelia PART II " First Concerto Organo " Handel Recitative " Hark ! the horrid sound " {Alexander's Feast) Air '' Revenge ! Timotheus cries " | ^^ bartleman Air " Behold a ghastly band j Chorus " Let old Timotheus " Concerto Violino "Geminiani" Mr. Leveque Air ' ' O beauteous quire " {Esther) ^mV«//z;. "The mighty master" ,A Mrs, Vaughan Atr " Softly sweet to Lydian Measures J {Alexander's Feast) Chorus " The many rend the skies " The year 1805 opened with a brighter state of things for the Royal Family. The poor King was restored to apparent health of body and mind. He was extremely pleased with his new arrangements and " improvements " (so called) at Windsor Castle, though it is said the " Princesses did not like them at all." "The apartments," says a chronicler^ of Court matters, "were fitted up in all the conveni- ence of a modern style of magnificence; and, with a view to exhibiting the new improvements, a most splendid fete was given at Windsor Castle on February 26." A ball and concert took place, and Handel's oratorio Esther was given at the King's particular desire. Many of the Eton boys supped in the Presence-Chamber, the King having personally invited them, to the intense annoyance of the masters who were not included in the invitations. 1 Quoted by Huish, George III. G 97 The Romance of Princess Amelia *'One of the most splendid pageants," records the same enthusiastic writer, "was the magnificent installation of the Order of the Garter which took place at Windsor Chapel on St. George's Day, April 23, 1805." The King took great interest and pleasure in the whole ceremony, but distressed every one by wearing a huge and most eccentric wig on the occasion, in spite of the Queen having gone down on her knees to beg him not to wear it. The Prince of Wales was extremely sulky at this installation, sneering at what he called his father's show. But the Princesses, to whom any festivities were welcome, thoroughly enjoyed the week's bustle and excitement, and even Princess Amelia could not have failed to share in the general gaiety. A letter from Princess Mary to Lady Albinia Cumberland, from the original ^ of which we have permission to quote, has such an air of life and stir that an extract from it will not be inappropriate here. After telling Lady Albinia she will be expected to come to Windsor before the installation and " remain on till we go to town, Sunday April 30th," Princess Mary proceeds — "As to dress you are to be much dressed as if at a drawing-room, having the hoop. You may if 1 In the possession of the Honourable Mrs. R. C. Boyle. 98 The Romance of Princess Amelia you like it wear the same gown in the evening you appear in in the morning, though the K. and Q. have a drawing-room in the evening — which I beg you will say to who ever asks you. As to Albinia [Miss Cumberland] you will of course not wish to deprive her of a sight she may never see again, therefore I write to say that I have in consequence got her a ticket, and of course she will be in your room with you [in the Castle], as she has a -perfect right to come to the Drawing-room in the evening. The public dinner only takes in rank, therefore you must take care that your daughter gets something in her room. Albinia will be asked to Frogmore for my birthday,^ for which fete I send her a muslin gown which I hope she will like. Therefore you will keep her at Windsor till the 26th, when the whole party breaks up, leaving those that remain with us till we go to town. I cannot promise that Albinia will be asked up to our parties on Monday evening and Wednesday, as our party is already so large that it will be impossible to take in every lady that is lodged. I hope I have made myself perfectly clear, and put you au fait of everything. " Your affectionate " Mary." 1 April 25, when Princess Mary was 29. G2 99 The Romance of PrincSss Amelia The King had for some time been most anxious to obtain the guardianship of his Httle grand- daughter, the Princess Charlotte, who was now nine years old. Not only was he desirous of rescuing her from the surroundings of her father at Carlton House, and from the dreaded Roman Catholic influence of Mrs. FitzHerbert — which amiable lady, by the way, loved children as much as did the King — but he heartily longed to welcome a child into his family. "The King delighted in children," remarks J. H. Jesse, "and accordingly it was un- fortunate for his happiness that of his own offspring even the youngest and best beloved, the Princess Amelia, had sprung up to womanhood." Amelia was in fact twenty-one years old in the previous August. Her age, however, had not brought her a woman's independence. She had still five long years before her ere she could, in any event, be free to marry the man of her choice. The Royal Marriage Act, which her own father had framed before she was born, was the insuper- able obstacle to the realization of her desires. The Act had been passed in 1772 in consequence of the marriages of the King's brothers the Dukes of Gloucester and Cumberland with ladies of non- royal birth, to render illegal similar alliances in future, unless contracted with the consent of the Crown and the Privy Council. In the Act, however, 100 The Romance of Princess Amelia is a clause ^ of which the Princess secretly hoped to avail herself some day. In accordance with its pro- visions she could give notice to the Privy Council of her intended marriage when she should be twenty-five, and, if Parliament did not forbid the intended marriage before the expiration of a year from the giving notice, she would be free to marry, and her marriage would be valid. Poor Princess ! While she danced and sang and painted, she was all the time longing for the years to roll by. And as year by year her birthday was celebrated with due festivity — it was kept at Wey- mouth in 1805, when the King invited a "brilliant company" to a grand banquet in her honour at the principal hotel at Weymouth, and to a ball after- wards at which he himself was present — we may imagine how she only rejoiced to have reached another year nearer to the time when she should be free to take the law into her own hands. In the meantime should all the princes in Europe be at her feet, she would reject them every one. None but her betrothed husband should ever win her hand and heart. And as a solemn pledge of fidelity, and as an earnest of the time when she would be his wedded wife, she would sign her letters to him by his own dear name — thus signify- ing that in marrying him she would renounce her 1 See Appendix II. lOI The Romance of Princess Amelia royal privileges. With what a thrill of romance did she trace her new initials "A. F. R." ! And was he not, equally with herself, sprung of the race of kings? It was fortunate for her that she had fallen into honourable hands. Her assurances to FitzRoy in later years when she was dying sufficiently attest his good conduct in regard to her; while his own touching words written after her death, " I owe every surface value I can ever possess *' to the memory of "her transcendent purity of affection," are surely a testimony to their heroic virtue. 1 02 CHAPTER XII I 805-1 806 INMATES OF WINDSOR CASTLE — NEWS OF TRAFALGAR — CURRENT AFFAIRS AMELIA'S LETTERS TO MRS. VILLIERS ILLNESS OF PITT, JANUARY 1806 DOCTORS *'aLL MAD " — DR. FARQUHAR STOPS PITT's WINE PITT's DEATH "THE DEAR " OPPRESSED BUT CALM — ROUTINE AT WINDSOR. To resume our chronology : The news of Trafalgar brought universal joy, and distraction from private gloom, to the inmates of Windsor Castle in Novem- ber 1805. Lady Ilchester wrote thence at that date : ^ "What glorious news is just arrived! I quite envy Lord Nelson's death.^ We are all spirits now, and the dear King since yesterday is much revived." Next month Princess Amelia, in a letter dated "Windsor Castle, DeC* 4, 1805," addressed to her friend Mrs. Villiers,^ gives some insight into current news, public and private — " According to Promise, my dearest Mrs. Villiers, 1 Mary Countess of Ilchester to Lady Harriet Frampton : Journal of Mary Frampton, p. 137. 2 Nelson's death, October 21, 1805. 3 From the papers of her grandson the late Sir Villiers Lister. Letter written two days after the battle of Austerlitz, 103 The Romance of Princess Amelia I take up my pen to let you know how we all go on here. Two mails came in yesterday and another to-day. They seem to think the news of the Peace stock-jobbing ^ and will not do. Arch Duke Charles is not dead. The English landed the 17th and are at Bremen. The Swedish troops had marched but were suddenly stopped, and the accounts from Berlin cannot be made out but they appear there very wavering. The Emperor of Russia had joined the troops and there is good news from them, as you will hear before you get this. What I have said, don't quote 7ne, The dear King appears worried with business. All I hope is they will wait for a certainty about the Peace before they send more troops, and I own, if it is to end so, I can't see how to prevent more of our good countrymen being sacrificed. I hear the expedition now, if any goes, will be chiefly Cavalry and commanded by Lord Cathcart.2 The D. of York will certainly not go till the Spring, but they all seem to be at sixes and sevens, and not knowing what is to be done. The King rode yesterday and was remarkably ^ " Stock-jobbing " : some prominently placed persons for stock-jobbing purposes did not disdain to cry " Peace " when there was no peace, and thus quickly secured large profits before the subsequent depression had set in. 2 William tenth Lord Cathcart, afterwards first Earl — ^a very distinguished general; commander-in-chief of the expedition to Copenhagen in 1807. 104 The Romance of Princess Amelia well all day. He feared the damp to-day and would not go out. He said Phipps did not mind cold, only damp and wind. I am sorry he [the King] did not ride this fine day. He complained of having bad rheumatism in the night in his face, but I believe it owing to a tooth, and he dreads a dentist. He is poking at it to draw it out himself. Frederick [Duke of York] was to have come to-day, but sent word he had so much business he could not, but he should come to-morrow. Lord Har- rington ^ set off last night. Lord Macclesfield ^ comes to-day. The accounts of Lady C. Finch ^ are better. Parliament must, on account of money meet the 7th January, and therefore the dear King goes up Friday for a Council. Certainly, by what I hear, he has not given up the idea of plays and the annual Concert, and intends returning at night to Kew — at least so he told General Gwynne when here. After we came home yesterday with the King, Mama made us ride to St. Leonard's. Oh ! how bored I was ! and such a party of Pophams [bores]! Oh! Mercy! — That little Rams-bottom is a very odd child — all affectation and to show 1 Charles third Earl of Harrington, Governor and Con- stable of Windsor Castle, born 1753, died 1829. 2 George fourth Earl of Macclesfield, born 1755, died 1842. 3 Lady Charlotte Finch, formerly Head-Governess to the Princesses,, daughter of the Earl of Pomfret. 105 The Romance of Princess Amelia off. I think she will in time be very disagreeable and give Mrs. H 1 [Harcourt] more pain than pleasure if she goes on as she does now. "It is said Edmund Phipps ^ is to marry Miss Martin — I suppose Mrs. Robinson's friend. I hope your dear Jack is well.^ Give my love to your hubby, who I hope is well, if not do insist on his seeing Vaughan.^ God bless you, and believe me your ever very affectionate and obliged friend "Amelia." The opening of the year 1806 brought news of the serious illness of Mr. Pitt. The anticipation of its fatal termination, followed by the calamity of his death, wrought up the feelings of the Royal Family at Windsor to a pitch of distress and con- sternation difficult in our own days to conceive. It was believed that the throne unsupported by Pitt would totter to its fall, and that thus would collapse the whole fabric of England's glory. Amelia caught the general infection, and her love 1 General the Honourable Edmund Phipps, third son of first Lord Mulgrave, born 1760, died unmarried 1837. 2 Mrs. Villier's brother John, second Lord Boringdon, afterwards first Earl of Morley. 3 The doctor who later took the name of Halford and was the celebrated Sir Henry Halford. 106 The Romance of Princess Amelia for her father made her secretly dread lest the shock of Pitt's death should induce a renewal of his old malady. The King himself was oppressed by a feeling that his mental powers would give way. The fear, however, at this time proved groundless. It may be said that possibly Amelia believed her father's fondness for Pitt to be greater than it was. Certainly Pitt had not always been a particular favourite of the King. We find Princess Amelia writing to her friend Mrs. Villiers on the eve of Pitt's death in January 1806— "My dearest Mrs. Villiers, " I really am miserable the accounts of Mr. Pitt are so very bad this morning. The dear Angel [the King] heard there was no hope. Colonel Taylor^ went over to Putney where he found the bad accounts quite confirmed. The Physicians said his pulse was high and low all in a minute, and the complaint gained ground, that he was aware of his situation, and had prayed for an hour with the Bishop of London and said he died in Peace with all the world. He wished to make his will but was too weak, so the Bishop wrote it and Mr. P. signed 1 The King's devoted secretary, afterwards Sir Herbert Taylor. 107 The Romance of Princess Amelia it. Taylor saw nobody but Lord Hawkesbury,^ who could not keep up at all. The dear King behaves like an Angel. I own I am in agonies; I do not fear the present moment so much as the future, for you know with him [the King] dis- tress blazes out long after the blow. There were appearances of thrush^ last night, so to-night they put on a blister. The Dear"^ goes to town to- morrow. Unless a fortunate change takes place in this poor man's state, what a loss ! How irrepar- able ! How I wish I could change situations with him, for though the Dear might regret me, yet among such a tribe of children he could easily get over it. But Mr. Pitt is irref arable! I hope if the worst comes dear Mr. Villiers* will come. I am so grieved he is not here now. For God's sake write to me. Lady Sidney ^ is come — how odd ! 1 Afterwards second Earl of Liverpool (of the Jenkinson family) and First Lord of the Treasury 1812 to 1827. 2 This evidently refers to Mr. Pitt's condition. 3 The King. * The Honourable George Villiers, who had had great influence over the King when he was ill the year before. 5 Query Viscountess Sydney, mother of Lady Chatham? Queen Charlotte, writing to Lady Harcourt says : " Lady Sidney as usual came to Windsor, but is always confined when she is wanted — the Finger, the Bowels, the Head, the Stomach are warring against one another, and make her as useless as if she was not here." — Harcourt Papers ^ Vol. VL p. 86. 108 .'" The Romance of Princess Amelia she was at Lord Chatham's last night, who said he [Mr. Pitt] was mending, and that they were in high spirits ! Was there ever anything so dreadful as this happening now? Tell me what you hear and think. Your letters are destroyed the moment they are read. Who will come in? I have a horror upon me I cannot describe. Think ! how vexatious Farquhar ^ must have been here and let Vaughan ^ come in. They were all mad together — ' Farquhar made Mr. Pitt leave entirely off his wine after all the quantity he used to drink ! God bless you. If you can write do and if sent to the Queen's House by four I shall have your letter by the chaise. " Ever your very affec^^ " Amelia. " Wednesday nightP Pitt died the next day, January 23 (1806), and Princess Amelia again takes up her pen to pour forth to her confidante the state of affairs at Windsor on the receipt of the fatal news — "The accounts of Mr. Pitt's death reached the Dear [the King] after chaple \_sic\ this morning, just as he was going to town. Taylor told it him im- m^ediately. He was quite prepared. He is most 1 The doctors. Sir Walter Farquhar had been created a baronet in 1796. 109 The Romance of Princess Amelia deeply hurt and affected^ but shines, if possible, in this trying moment more than ever. He has deter- mined on going to town and even sleeping there, till things are settled. He will hear to-morrow whether he must go up on Saturday or not. He dreads having one of his illnesses, and I own I feel miserable. What will they do? What do you hear? Af[ama] is very kind, [Later] "He [the King] returned this evening about seven just as well I believe as when he went. " Pray come over Saturday if we are here. I long to see dear ' Tant Mieux! ^ . . . " I find Mr. Pitt rambled at times, but if spoke to was always sensible. He didn't see Lord Chat- ham^ for the last ten days. F k [Duke of York] comes to-morrow evening; I own I am sorry as I think he always does harm.^ " I will add in how the dear Angel is to-morrow evening. — The sort of fright and horror I have upon me I really cannot describe. — Taylor is against the King going to town. I own I think it 1 Nickname for Mrs. Villiers, as she frequently made use of the expression. 2 Mr. Pitt's elder brother John, the second Earl of Chatham, K.G. 3 The King was much attached to the Duke of York; but his visits perhaps were considered to excite the King too much. no Tlie Romance of Princess Amelia will save him above everything in the eyes of the world [if he goes] and put a stop to all the injurious reports." Friday. "Thank you for your letter. I am grieved about dear George ^ [Villiers]. At all events I hope to see Mr. Villiers to-morrow whether the Dear rides or not, and send me a few lines by him to say how you all do. The Dear is much oppressed and low but calm. He told me he would not ride. F k has been with him all the morn- ing, and stays till eight this evening. The wish is Lord G[renville] and Lord S[idmouth] should come in. I fear that won't do. He dreads the office. I am frightened out of my wits. It is said here if Fox comes in he won't stand. What will become of us? " Ever y' affectionate and grateful "A." About this time a contemporary writer reports that "Our Sovereign's sight is so much improved since last spring that he can now clearly distinguish objects twenty yards." [Oddly enough Mrs, Har- court ^ attributes his blindness to his wearing a peculiar kind of cocked-hat which projected over his eyes.] 1 Afterwards fourth Earl of Clarendon. 2 Har court Papers. Ill The Romance of Princess Amelia The same writer ^ gives the following account of the domestic habits of the King and the Royal Family in this year — "When the King rises, which is generally about half-past seven o'clock, he proceeds immediately to the Queen's saloon, where his Majesty is met by one of the Princesses, generally either Augusta, Sophia, or Amelia, for each in turn attend their revered parent. From thence the sovereign and his daughter, attended by the lady-in-waiting, proceed to the chapel in the castle, wherein divine service is performed by the dean or sub-dean; the cere- mony occupies about an hour. Thus the time passes until nine o'clock, when the King, instead of proceeding to his own apartment and breakfasting alone, now takes that meal with the Queen and the five Princesses. Table is always set out in the Queen's noble breakfast-room, which has been recently decorated with very elegant modern hang- ings, and since the late improvements of Mr. Wyatt, commands a most delightful and extensive prospect of the Little Park. The breakfast does not occupy half-an-hour; the King and Queen at the head of the table and the Princesses according to seniority; etiquette in every other respect is strictly adhered to. On entering the room the usual forms are 1 Quoted by Huish, George 111, p. 606. 112 The Romance of Princess Amelia observed, agreeable to rank. After breakfast the King generally rides, attended by his equerries; three of the Princesses, namely Augusta, Sophia, and Amelia are usually of the party. Instead of only walking his horse, his Majesty now proceeds at a good round trot. When the weather is un- favourable the King retires to his favourite sitting- room and sends for Generals FitzRoy or Manners to play chess with him. His Majesty, who knows the game well, is highly pleased when he beats the former, that gentleman being an excellent player. The King dines regularly at two o'clock, the Queen and Princesses at four. His Majesty visits and takes a glass of wine and water with them at five. After this period public business is frequently transacted by the King in his own study, wherein he is attended by his private secretary, Colonel Taylor. The evening is as usual passed at cards in the Queen's drawing-room, where three tables are set out. To these parties many of the principal nobility, etc., residing in the neighbourhood are invited. When the Castle clock strikes ten the visitors retire. The supper is set out, but that is merely a matter of form and of which [sic] none of the family partake. These illustrious personages retire at eleven o'clock to rest for the night. The journal of one day is the history of a whole year." 113 CHAPTER XIII STOKE BRUERNE Amelia's visit to stoke bruerne — ^the home of the went- worth-vernons — destruction in 1 886 some interest- ing relics princess amelia the first her character contrasted — her liaison — her woman of the bed- chamber — sixty years later — the younger amelia curious tradition respecting her — her miniature at stoke bruerne. The tradition of Princess Amelia having stayed at Stoke Bruerne Park, the Northamptonshire home of the Wentworth-Vernons, is enveloped in obscurity. That she did stay there, in a quiet way, at some period after her attachment to General FitzRoy began, there seems no doubt; while a tradition handed down to this day by the old people in the neighbouring parish of Alderton that Princess Amelia spent her days at Stoke Bruerne " in weep- ing and lamentation," is only too characteristic of the poor girl, in certain unhappy phases, not to be true. Unfortunately such proofs of her visit as might have been forthcoming from family letters or papers are wanting; and the total destruction by fire, in 1886, of the central block of the mansion,^ with 1 Built by Inigo Jones. 114 The Romance of Princess Amelia everything it contained, has obHterated any traces that may have existed up to that date. Strangely enough, some antique chairs bearing the initial "A" and the royal crown, said to have been "done by Princess Amelia herself," together with thirty-six silver plates with the same cypher and "left by Princess Amelia," qscaped the conflagra- tion, the chairs being at the time set aside for repairs in one of the wings which were not attacked by the flames, while the silver plates were safe at the bank. That none of these interesting relics belonged to the Princess Amelia of our romance is one of those puzzling facts the unravelling of which adds so great an interest to the researches of domestic history. By a curious coincidence the elder Princess Amelia, daughter of George II, the masculine great- aunt and godmother alluded to in our opening page, had had a much longer connection with Stoke Bruerne, some fifty years earlier, than that of the younger Princess. The chairs and the plate undoubtedly belonged to the former. In the reign of George II, and in the early years of the reign of George III, the owner of Stoke Bruerne was Lady Henrietta Vernon, a daughter of Thomas Went- worth. Earl of Strafford, and wife of Mr. Vernon of Hilton Park, Staffordshire. Lady Henrietta was Woman of the Bedchamber to Princess Amelia (the first). Some letters from this Princess addressed to 115 H 2 The Romance of Princess Amelia her " Good Lady Henrietta " in a somewhat imperi- ous style ^ are among Mr. Bertie Wentworth- Vernon's few remaining papers at Stoke Bruerne. A further complication exists in the singular fact that for both the Princesses Amelia — so dissimilar in character and circumstances, so widely separated by epoch and generation — Stoke Bruerne possessed the same identical attraction, namely, that it was in the FitzRoy country. The first Amelia was notoriously enamoured of Charles FitzRoy, second Duke of Grafton ^ — great- 1 It was in allusion to the royal importance of this august relative that her niece the Duchess of Brunswick racily remarked ^ propos of her own brothers' (Gloucester and Cum- berland) respective marriages with the non-royal widows (Waldegrave and Horton), " I long to know where these Dainty Widows are to be Buried; if it's by Princess Amelia she will make a great noise at the raising of the dead." (Letter of Augusta Duchess of Brunswick to Elizabeth Duchess of Hamilton and Argyll. Intimate Society Letters of the Eighteenth Century. Duke of Argyll. 191 o.) 2 Since a proposed alliance for the Princess with Frederick of Prussia had come to nothing, she declined all offers of marriage from various inferior princehngs, and preferred her freedom. Queen Caroline opposed her daughter's flirtation with the Duke of Grafton, but Princess Amelia was free after her mother's death. The Duke was very many years older than she, but he had, says Mr. W. H. Wilkins, "the per- sonal beauty and charm of manner characteristic of the FitzRoys." With regard to the Princess the same authority says : " Of a masculine turn of mind, her happiest hours were spent in the hunting-field, in the stables and in the kennels. Far from indifferent to admiration, she had a liking for men's society. She had flirtations with the Duke 116 The Romance of Princess Amelia grandfather of Charles FitzRoy, the hero of our romance. At Stoke Bruerne she had constant opportunities of meeting her lover. In like manner, sixty years later, the second Amelia doubtless found a special charm in Stoke Bruerne, that it was only five miles distant from Sholebrook, the house of General Charles FitzRoy. Here indeed she could ride with him in the royal forest of Whittlebury, which was under his official superintendence as Deputy Ranger. But Amelia the first was of very different metal from the refined and delicate Amelia the second. We cannot for a moment imagine the former passing her time in " weeping and lamentation." Robust, coarse, free, untrammelled alike by stand- ards of morality or fears of scandal, Amelia the first did not "do things by halves." Lady Henrietta Vernon was accommodating and made matters comfortable for her royal mistress. The Princess took up her abode at Stoke Bruerne for several years, and brought her furniture and plate, her horses and dogs — probably the Duke of Graf- ton's horses and hounds — while her ducal lover lived with her the greater part of the time.^ In recog- of Newcastle and the Duke of Grafton. That with the latter was serious. It went on for a long time, and the Princess seems really to have been attached to him." {Caroline the Illustrious, p. 94 et seq.) 1 The late Mr. Frederick William Vernon-Wentworth of 117 The Romance of Princess Amelia nition of Lady Henrietta's faithful service and friendship, the royal lady eventually left her the plate and furniture. Lady Henrietta died in the same year as the Princess, in 1786. Her second son, Leveson Wentworth-Vernon of Aldborough, Suffolk, an eccentric bachelor, succeeded to the Northamp- tonshire property, and he was the owner of it at the time when Princess AmeHa the second visited Stoke Bruerne in the early years of the nineteenth century. Probably he was not then residing there. His two sisters had been celebrated beauties in their youth; the elder, Harriet, or Henrietta, was the Lady Gros- venor, who had figured in a notorious lawsuit which brought her name too prominently before the world in association with one of the King's brothers; the younger. Miss Caroline Vernon, never married. Formerly, as a lovely and extremely lively young woman she had been a Maid-of-Honour to Queen Charlotte. (Certain love passages had then passed between her and the young Prince of Wales — and others.) It may have been this connection with the Court that led to Stoke Bruerne being chosen for the young Amelia's sojourn when change of air and quiet surroundings were needed for her health, after one of her many attacks of illness. Certainly no more charming or secluded retreat could have Wentworth Castle (a grandson of Lady Henrietta Vernon) so stated. He died in 1885, aged 90. 118 The Romance of Princess Amelia been found, while, as we have said, its being within easy reach of Sholebrook, was, we may be sure, sufficient to recommend it to Amelia herself as a delightful place — in anticipation at least, for in reality she does not seem to have passed a wholly happy time there. Whatever may have been the cause, it came about that the young Amelia visited the very scenes once so familiar to the great-aunt and godmother who had lain in her grave for many a long year ; slept, it may be, in the same bed ; doubtless sat on the chairs and ate from the silver plates bearing the cypher which both Amelias had each in common with the other. We have alluded to a tradition handed down by the old folk at Alderton. .They were of advanced age when they used often to talk of Princess Amelia to a former rector of Whittlebury. They well re- membered hearing of her staying at Stoke Bruerne. " She would remain indoors all day," they said, " passing her time in weeping and lamentation. But at night when the laundress brought the clothes to the house, she would be let down in the clothes- basket from her window, and wander in the park till early morning when she was dragged up again. At night too she would sometimes get into a chaise and be driven over to Sholebrook,^ returning to 1 Sholebrook House was formerly a part of Lord South- ampton's Whittlebury property. 119 The Romance of Princess Amelia Stoke at early dawn." In these stories we recognize the impulsiveness of the young Amelia and the reck- less imprudence born of guileless innocence to which we shall find Mrs. Villiers more than once refers.^ Among the relics at Stoke Bruerne the only por- trait of any member of the Royal Family is a minia- ture (said to be by Cosway) of the younger Amelia. It is a duplicate of the one at Windsor, and closely resembles the miniature among General FitzRoy's treasures in the possession of the late Mrs. W. Lowther.^ All three represent the young Princess in the quaint cap and old-fashioned dress which she seems to have affected — making her appear much older than she was. Thus while the furniture at Stoke Bruerne is the furniture of Princess Amelia the first, the portrait is the portrait of Amelia the second. Each are mementos of their respective connections with the place. 1 Although these proceedings on the part of a princess were sufficiently remarkable for the rustics to hand down from generation to generation, yet, at the time when they occurred, they were considered the less extraordinary at Stoke Bruerne that its then owner, Mr. Leveson Vernon, was in the habit of turning night into day. Rising with the bats and owls when others retired to rest, this eccentric bachelor spent the night in active occupations, whether in the house or out of doors, and at cockcrow was wont to visit his tenants and cottagers, who were often aroused from their beds by the squire's rap at their doors. 2 Another facsimile of this miniature is in the collection of the King of Wiirtemberg at Stuttgart. I20 CHAPTER XIV 1807 SNUFF-TAKING TWO LOVE-LETTERS FROM A. F. R. TO C. F. R. —LORD BAGOt's marriage— a WATCH AND CHAIN TO BE MENDED— A *' REPEATER "— " MY SIDE OF THE CARRIAGE "— THE queen's tool— "the DEAR '' TOO KINGLY TO PITY— A BORING PARTY "l REALLY MUST MARRY YOU." The following letter of Princess Amelia, signed "A. F. R." [Amelia FitzRoy], is undated, but we know from the allusion in it to Lord Bagot's mar- riage that it was written on February 7, 1807. On this day Lord Bagot was married to his second wife, his first having been a sister of General FitzRoy. The taking of snuff, herein mentioned as a requisite of a young lady, may strike the fair ones of the present day as an extraordinary if not a repulsive habit. But it should be remembered that a hundred years ago the idea of a lady's smoking would have been viewed with amazement and horror when even a man's smoking was looked upon as the height of vulgarity, or at best as the barbarous custom of a bygone generation. It was humorously remarked with regard to the comparative merits of snuff and tobacco, that the precept was literally acted upon that 121 The Romance of Princess Amelia not that which goeth into a man defileth, but that which Cometh out. The " elegant " Miss Burney, whose dehcate feeHngs revolted against being told to ring the bell, was an adept at mixing the Queen's snuff. The King complimented Miss Burney on the way she " cooked snufl." Princess Augusta begged for a pinch. Princess Elizabeth, on the other hand, thought snuff the nastiest thing in the world, and wondered people should like it. Princess Amelia evidently liked snuff — at least when General FitzRoy cooked it for her. [Letter labelled " Princess Amelia to General FitzRoy, Queen's Lodge, Windsor."] " My ever beloved Angel, " I do hope I shall see you. How I long for it ! This is a fine day for Ld. B's ^ marriage, which I hope is a good omen for him, but to me is melan- choly, for I envy those who can marry. I shall send you some commissions to execute for me — that is to get a watch mended, my curb chain . . . &c., and to get me my snuff. That . . . [illegible'] repeater you have somewhere I wish you would let me take, as I have no clock at Weymouth. I told you, my Angel . . . [illegible] thought they might have made some remark about Frederick [Duke of York] going to Oatlands [his country house]. If I should meet 1 Bagot. 1-22 The Romance of Princess Amelia you out, will you, my dear love, come up to me. Remember you must come my side of the carriage, and I sit on the right side. I am quite sure the Q. rejoices at my going — to get rid of me is her object on every account, but she hates Mary's going. She is a . . . and her tool, as it suits her. The King said yesterday ' Govt, will begin ' and I then expect the others to settle and go. Oh, if an opportunity occurs for you to come don't let it pass, pray ! You will take care of all my things and all my concerns. I wish they may all go out to-morrow, for I wish to be alone for some hours. " My dear Angel, know how I love you and what you are to me. Ever your own very own "A. F. R. " I suppose you did not go to the party last night? "1 When this letter was written Princess Amelia was, as we have seen, on the eve of departure for a sojourn at Weymouth with her sister Mary. The Government alluded to was that of the Grenville Administration, known more famiharly as "All the Talents," and it terminated its brief existence on March i8, 1807, the King and his Ministers having split on the rock of Roman Catholic Emancipation. ^ The late Honourable Mrs. W. Lowther's Papers. 123 The Romance of Princess Amelia The King did not go to Weymouth this year, and AmeHa returned to Windsor to spend the summer with her family there. Meanwhile the lovers corresponded as ardently as ever. " Monday nighty Windsor!^ [Princess Amelia to General FitzRoy.] " I don't know why, but I feel so miserable and yet so happy with your kindness, I cannot go to bed. I must tell my own dear Charles all my ideas. How very well you know me. You said I look tired. I felt unwell and was taken so at cards. Marry you my own dear Angel I really must and will; for though, thank God, I feel easy, yet your dear sus- picions always are in my mind; then many things here worry me from the fear of reviving them, though I long to tell you everything that happens to me, even at the risk of this; but confidence and openness and honesty in this and in all situations, only make us happier. As to what my sisters said about the Dear,^ though I told it you, I own I don't mind it, for I am not ashamed. I glory in our attachment, only I think the Dear ^ too Royal and Kingly, if he knew it, to pity. I think you would have approved of my conduct at cards. I sat by old preachy, but never could see you, which I hated. 1 The King. 2 She means the King would never give his consent. 124 The Romance of Princess Amelia I thought you rather cold to-night, and that vexed me, and I longed before I went to have talked to you. O, Good God, why not be together? I pine after my dear Charles more and more every instant. As I have not that blessing, I must have recourse to my pen. By my own folly of wishing to see the dwarf, I am banished into a visit to the B. . . . to-morrow, which annoys me— you may guess how much. It is fortunately to be a general thing. My sisters go and Miss T . . . d [Townshend] and Mrs. E ... n are asked, and Taylor &c. The T. C. wished me to beg . . . [illegible] [ames?] to come. I thought you would not object, and I don't know how he is in regard to me, and I (now don't laugh) thought him so creditable that you would like him to come, as you cannot be there. Tell me all you think upon the subject. You cannot think how grieved I am at this visit. Would to God they were gone I Your dear letter !— O, what a treasure 1 I shall keep it, and read it over and over every day. I do esteem you and love you the better. If we go to town you shall hear to-night, but I hope not. I long for a comfortable ride. Don't leave me an instant of the ride. Pray don't alter in your manner to me in any thing, you dear Angel. I really must marry you, though inwardly united, and in reality that is much more than the ceremony, yet that ceremony would be a protection. O my precious darling, how often do 125 The Romance of Princess Amelia I say — would to God my own husband and best friend and guardian was here to protect me and assist me, as I am sure was destined in Heaven, I should have nothing to fear. Let me hear again before you go to Southampton. If you can stay for the ride, Thursday, pray do. God bless you. To- morrow I shall sleep in comfort . . . [illegible'] after the party to-night, and be assured of the unalterable attachment of your own for ever, your affectionate and devoted "Wife and darling." 1 1 The late Honourable Mrs. W. Lowther's Papers. 126 CHAPTER XV 1807 (contimied) FAMILY INTRIGUES — THE DUKE OF SUSSEX'S AFFECTIONATE LETTER PRUDENCE TO BE THE WATCHWORD — CHELTENHAM WATERS MYSTERIOUS ALLUSIONS MARY ANNE GASKOIN MRS. VILLIERS'S LETTER AGAIN QUOTED — THE OTHER PRINCESSES* ATTITUDE — MRS. VILLIERS DECLINES TO INTERFERE. Although the routine at Windsor was at all times exceedingly dull, a constant, if unhealthy, excite- ment was provided to the various members of the Royal Family by the little private intrigues and tracasseries in their domestic surroundings. The waters which appeared so calm on the surface were troubled in their depths by hidden currents and counter-currents. The whole family seem to have constantly lived in an atmosphere of mystery and concealment, and though a brother would select a sister (or vice versa) as an ally and confidant, there were " things not to be told every one," and secrecy was especially enjoined. Among some letters of the Duke of Sussex to his sister Amelia which found their way into General FitzRoy's keeping, is one written while he was on a visit to Lord and Lady Hertford at Ragley in 127 The Romance of Princess Amelia September of this year, 1807. It breathes an air of mystery and caution not only as to Amelia's affairs, but also as to certain other family matters in which he was himself playing a secret part. The letter which we here publish shows him in the light of a warm-hearted and most affectionate brother entirely in the confidence of Amelia, and himself confiding in this favourite sister who was his junior by ten years. The Duke, it may be mentioned, was at this time on unhappy terms with the lady he had clandestinely married,^ and he eventually separated from her. ^ " My dearest Amelia, " By this time you will have received my second letter, and this therefore is my third to you since I left Windsor, so that you see, I have not deceived you, my own sweet love. Yet I only had one letter, which appeared dated Thursday last, but I trust in the course of a day or two to receive another, which you were very right in saying would make me extremely happy, for you know how very sincerely I love you, more indeed than I can say, but which I am sure my actions will prove, for I would do anything in the world to make you happy. I have some reason to think our tour will at best last but 1 See Appendix II. 2 The late Honourable Mrs. W. Lowther's Papers. 128 The Romance of Princess Amelia three weeks, and you had better not let G.^ leave Windsor till I come back, when I will make every- thing convenient and safe, provided you are prudent, but if that is not the Watchword of the day, you put it out of my power for to save you. It is allowed to a Friend to give advice and therefore I hope you will not think me wrong for preaching a little now and then. If I did not love you and wish you well I should not do it, and when it proceeds from a view of seeing you happy, and to make you an Econo- mist of your own Liberty I am sure the Intent is good, as for my own— that is long gone, but one may derive some consolation from seeing others enjoy that which we cannot ourselves obtain. To me that is an infinite source of satisfaction, and if I could know you happy, my Angelic Amelia, it would be to me certainly an additional source of happiness. Pray write to me often, although I have left Windsor for some weeks. Its dear inhabitants are almost constantly present to my imagination, and among the foremost my little vain Amelia will guess who that is ! One cannot be too cautious in writing. All I venture to shew is that I am glad to have come down, but you must not expect the Cheltenham Waters to have produced any change for the better, for I am truly sorry— very sorry— to state that object has not been attained. This is all that I may 1 Probably Gaskoin the faithful maid. ^29 The Romance of Princess Amelia say, and as I know it will interest you I am not wrong in writing it ; but pray be cautious. There are things not to be told every one. God bless you my own sweet Amelia. Pray think of me sometimes when you have a moment to spare, and when you are doing that, be assured that you are not only repaying a little " Your truly affectionate "A. F." [Augustus Frederick ] " Ragley, Sept. 6, 1807. "P.S. — I have not written you a description of this place which we reached yesterday afternoon, for I have seen nothing of it yet; and to tell the truth in my hurry of yesterday I enclosed, I believe, your letter to Minny [Princess Mary] instead of to Miss Gascoigne." This was Mary Anne Gaskoin, the faithful servant and trusted confidante of Amelia ; and it might have been the more unfortunate to make this mistake that she was far more in the secrets of her mistress than was Princess Mary. It must be confessed that her brother Augustus's good advice was not heeded by his sister Amelia, and Prudence was not " the watchword of the day." " Conscious innocence," says Mrs. Villiers, (and no ^30 The Romance of Princess Amelia one knew better than she), "made the Princess not pause to consider the opinion of the World, and she gloried in her attachment to so honourable and upright a person as was Charles FitzRoy." Her sisters — some at least of whom had good reason to evade the censure of the world — begged Mrs. Villiers to caution Amelia, while they attached far more importance to les convenances than to actual misbehaviour, as to which indeed they were charitably lenient or indifferent. " I was often requested by the other Princesses," says Mrs. Villiers in a letter from which we have already quoted,^ " to speak to Princess Ameha on the subject and to advise her to be more prudent. That was all they wished. They never pretended to object to the attachment (indeed, as all had been at some period of their lives in the same category, it would have been difficult for them to have done so), and I also heard from many members of the family, what was afterwards told me by the Princess Amelia her- self, that the first letter that was passed between her and General FitzRoy was conveyed by the Princess Elizabeth. So often as I was desired to interfere, so often did I say with truth, that the Princess Amelia herself never having alluded to the 1 To her daughter Lady Theresa Lewis. The late Sir Villiers Lister's Papers. 12 131 The Romance of Princess Amelia subject with me, it would be quite impossible for me to begin it with her, so I positively declined doing so." It will be seen that Princess Amelia's attitude of reserve with Mrs. Villiers on the subject next her heart was shortly to be exchanged for one of com- plete confidence in the autumn of this year, 1807. 132 CHAPTER XVI 1807 {continued) QUEEN charlotte's DESCRIPTION " LA BANDE CONTENTE " — MISS GOMME's bomb — THE QUEEN *' OUTRAGEOUS " — Amelia's agitation — her letter to fitzroy — enters the duke of york — elizabeth's part — the queen 's position — defence of amelia. A MONTH after the Duke of Sussex's somewhat mysterious letter to AmeHa, the Queen, writing to her old friend Lord Harcourt a letter dated Oct. 5, 1807 (published in the Harcourt Papers),'^ describes the state of positively bucolic contentment of the royal party at Windsor. We suspect that the Queen wished to depict a scene more peaceful than the reality warranted. She prefaces this descrip- tion by some sprightly remarks — she was ever a more lively letter writer than conversationalist — to the effect that she is philosophically resigned to *' Yes and No " being the answers she " experiences daily," but we doubt if she had ever made an effort to establish an intimacy with her children. She says, " You may apply our stile {sic) of life thus : 1 Vol. VI. p. 89. 133 The Romance of Princess Amelia * They eat, they drank, they slept, what then ? They slept, they eat, they drank again.' Yet after I have said this, though we are not la bande joyeuse we are la bands contente, et c'est beaucozip dire en feu de mots'' " C'est beaucoup dire!" But with due deference to her Majesty, "c'est trop dire." The members of her family were far from forming a contented whole. And certainly there was one passionate young creature in this august family who yearned for a different lot. Only a few weeks after the Queen's description of this placid contentment supposed to be reigning in the palace, a violent domestic disturbance broke out among its inmates. It was now over four years since the first com- motion in May 1803, caused by Miss Gomme's com- munication to the Queen respecting Princess Amelia and General FitzRoy. That was as nothing to the bomb now hurled from the same quarter in October 1807, and exploding amid general consternation. " Outrageous ! " is the epithet freely applied to all concerned. Miss Gomme and Miss Goldsworthy had been rendered "outrageous" by anonymous letters accusing them of winking at the intimacy of Princess Amelia with General FitzRoy. They thereupon made reckless statements accusing the 134 The Romance of Princess Amelia Queen of connivance, even declaring that she had sanctioned the promise of marriage ''the moment the King was dead^ These impudent accusations, together with the presumption of the governesses, rendered her Majesty equally "outrageous," — the more so, per- haps, as there may have been considerable truth in them. So far the Queen's anger was in Amelia's favour, the Queen, in consequence of her indigna- tion with these ladies, inclining to support her daughter warmly, although she did not dare to do so openly. In what agitation and distress of mind did Amelia write the following to her *'own true love "— " God only knows, my ever blessed and beloved Angel, if I have power to write for I am exhausted, and my soul harrowed up with the feelings I have had roused this day. I had just sealed my letter to you when F. [the Duke of York] entered, who I had seen half-an-hour ago before in the passage, saying he was coming to me. I thought he had come to talk of my affairs, when he shut the door and said, * I have something to say. All is well now, but there has been a sad row about you and F. R., owing to a d d Miss Gomm; and the Q has behaved most nobly, for — as hurt and outrageous 135 The Romance of Princess Amelia as yourself — she has sent me to the Tower Lodge to speak to her, and to represent the improper con- duct she has shewn/ I then urged to know all particulars — as follows : — Saturday Miss G. wrote to beg to see Eliza [Princess Elizabeth] and she [Miss G.] came [to Princess E.] to say that it was time still to save Princess A. [Amelia] who was all but ruined — that all the world talked of General F.R. and Princess Amelia's behaviour — the Queen connived at it, and had sanctioned the promise of a marriage the moment the K. was dead — that the Q. was equally ruined and that General F.R. was always with me in my room, and that I took that room, she was sure, to have him, for he was seen always coming up and going out at particular hours. Elizabeth refused taking the message, say- ing she would consider of it, that she pitied me, and that, as for our meeting, that was false, as my rooms, and where they are, were the most difficult to get at, there being no outlet — that she hated be- traying confidence, but mischief had been made some time ago and that I had spoken to F. [Frederick] and therefore whatever was to be said should be told to him. That she refused, saying if E. refused to speak to the Q. that the K. and Her [the Q.] both should be got at. Having re- called to Miss Gomm the Q.'s words four years ago 136 The Romance of Princess Amelia — when she lamented it had been named to her and forbid Miss Gomm ever naming it again — she [Miss G.] still persisted; and last night Eliza carried the message to the Q. saying (as I hear she said) that she [herself] acted dishonourably in doing it unknown to me, but she could not help it. Upon which the Q. was outrageous and said she should speak to Fk. [Frederick] but that she thought it the height of infamy her being accused of deceiving the K. and ruining her child she could not forgive. Fk. then saw her and she said she had no fault to find with either of us [Amelia and FitzRoy] since she first spoke to him, except our always playing together. Fk. told her I was wretched — that kind- ness might save me, but harshness would lead me to some sad step ; but that my attachment was fixed and never could change, and, if we acted as we lately had, no one had a right to find fault. The Q. said ' I will support her and her family must.' He said both Miss G. and Gooly [Goldsworthy] were outrageous with him and told him every one spoke of it, and they had letters on the subject. F. advised my writing to the Q. which I did, send- ing you the copy of all I hope you will approve. I said [to Frederick] I considered myself married to you, and the answer he made was . . . [illegible'] ' a time will come when you may do as you please 137 The Romance of Princess Amelia and the Q. will be your friend, but don't say so to her, as this has offended her so much, her being said to have deceived the K.' *' You may imagine all I have suffered. My sisters appear to feel for me and are very angry. Mary kisses them [Gomme and Goldsworthy] yet pities them, and says as my sister she must support me, but she loves them and never is ill with them. If they take you to any other table [to play cards] either go away or be very silent and say as you once said you told Moggy [Mary] how you feel not being with me. I love you much much more dearly than ever. It has occurred to me whether it would not be a good plan for you to name it in the greatest confidence to * Tant mieux,' [Mrs. Villiers] saying I was ignorant of it, for you know, though I lived near, I never talked about the subject to her — but to shew her how I have been loved. This may be foolish in me, but do you think it over. I longed to explain myself to-night — seeing you in that way was more cruel than ever — only increases the villany of Miss G. and G. I could not have supposed it possible. If the Q. had been harsh I should have quitted this house before night, not even should you have known where I was, much as I wished for you, that I might not draw you in. My mind is on the rack. You must always suppose you are to 138 The Romance of Princess Amelia play with me. Your dear letter was indeed a com- fort to me. How dear and kind is all you say ! About my money matters : — you are quite right — that Mrs. Doyley is Mrs. Williams's sister,^ the children at Kew are some orphans.^ I took one of a labourer, another a poor soldiers child, and a little girl of an old nursery maid we had. " I find the Q. did not speak to Gooly to-night. I shall never now conceal my misery from her [the Queen], and when you are absent more than ever. My dear Angel, I am so full of you. I shall go mad if I don't see you before you go ! Pray God we may ride Wednesday ! I have so much to say to you. Never check yourself now with me. We are married.^ Every thought and sorrow we must impart to each other. It is our only consolation. Tell Ld. Euston * all this. Pray God we may ride to-morrow, for I have not [owned] and shall not own you know it yet, as they added they hoped I should be prudent as to Tuesday afternoon, for fear of 1 Mrs. Williams was her nurse. 2 See page 159. ^ She means in spirit. 4 General FitzRoy's cousin; son of his uncle the Duke of Grafton, married to Lady Charlotte Maria Waldegrave daughter of H.R.H. the Duchess of Gloucester by her first husband Earl Waldegrave. Lord Euston succeeded in 181 1 as fourth Duke of Grafton. 139 The Romance of Princess Amelia accidents, I don't know whether to beg you not to move to-night [at cards] as if you are ordered to EHza's table, you could say you had the headache and begged to be excused — for fear of its being supposed you knew it, as my Sisters expect me to tell it [you]." It was at this crisis that the barrier of Princess Amelia's reserve broke down, and she confided for the first time in her friend "Theresa" Villiers, "Tant mieux," whom she had already suggested General FitzRoy should make his confidante. " One day," relates Mrs. Villiers in her letter ^ to her daughter, " on entering Princess Amelia's room I found her drowned in tears and apparently in a state of great agony of mind. Considering the terms of affection on which we were living, it was impossible for me not to ask most anxiously for the cause. She threw herself into my arms saying she could no longer bear to be silent with me on the subject nearest to her heart, that I had probably long been aware of the attachment subsisting between her and General FitzRoy, though she herself had forborne to name it to me from the fear of placing me in an awkward situation with the rest of the family, but that now she could keep silence no 1 The late Sir Villiers Lister's Papers. 140 The Romance of Princess Amelia longer, for she had been tormented and insulted that morning past all human endurance on that sub- ject by those two old women, Miss Goldsworthy and Miss Gomme (ci-devant Sub-Governesses to the Princesses); that they had threatened to expose her to the Queen, &c., &c. (These old women had known for years all that was going on, but never tried to stop it as they might have done at first— but having just then heard remarks made on this intimacy by others they became alarmed lest they should themselves be in disgrace with the Queen.) The poor Princess said she felt as if her heart would break if she did not open it to me. She then told me all the rise and progress and unchangeableness of this attachment. I stayed with her for hours, and of course did all I could to soothe and quiet her, and make her less violent against those old women— I acknowledged to her in reply to her questions that I had very frequently been spoken to on the subject by most of her brothers and sisters, that I had very often been urged to recommend prudence to her when riding, walking, dancing or anywhere that the intimacy could be remarked upon. She was the most open, guileless creature that ever lived, quite unfit for a Princess, as she often felt, and in reply to this advice of her sisters, only laughed at the idea of Prudence. She said General ^ 141 The Romance of Princess Amelia FitzRoy was the most noble and honourable of men, that she gloried in her attachment to him, was proud of him, and that as she never did anything to be ashamed of she would practise no deceit; that she had long been engaged to marry him, and was determined to fulfil that engagement whenever the King died. That they had agreed never to declare this during the King's lifetime lest it should vex him, though she often doubted if he would be annoyed when she saw how invariably he put her under General FitzRoy's care. Before I left her I told her that I had repeatedly assured all her sisters that she had never named the subject to me, and that I had on those grounds declined all they had wished me to do, that I now thought her best policy would be to allow me to tell them that she had broached the subject to me and what had been the cause of it, that I felt I could render her more service by doing this myself than by letting them find it out in other ways which they would be quite sure to do — as even walls had ears in that Palace. She objected to this at first, but afterwards admitted the expediency of it, being well assured that I would never betray anything that she wished to conceal. Accordingly I went the next day again to the Castle and I told the Princesses Elizabeth, Mary, and Sophia of the conversation that had passed between the Princess 142 The Romance of Princess Amelia Amelia and me, and I took the opportunity of urging them to speak to Miss Goldsworthy and Miss Gomme to prevent their being again so insolently and so uselessly tormenting to the Princess Amelia about an attachment which they perfectly well knew had then existed nine years, having begun before she was 1 8 years old." 143 CHAPTER XVII 1807 {continued) QUEEN charlotte's LETTER TO AMELIA — COUNSELS OF PER- FECTION — THE GOVERNESSES AGAIN — AMELIA'S DESPERATION — MRS. VILLIERS'S ADVICE — AMELIA's DEVOTION TO HER FATHER HER SACRIFICE. In spite of the Queen's being "outrageous," her caution prevailed over her wrath. She feared making enemies of persons so long and so intimately acquainted with Court secrets, as were the Misses Gomme and Goldsworthy, and there were others in the background who had insti- gated the governesses' conduct. One Court lady in particular was a snake in the grass, as we shall see by the Duke of York's letter, and the Queen no doubt feared her as such. Above all, the Queen dreaded the King being " got at," for if he should now discover that things had been long kept from his knowledge, it would not only "render him miserable, but would cause a breach in the whole family'^ Never should it be said that she had connived at her daughter's marriage, however much (as the Duke of York implied) she might secretly tolerate the lovers. She accordingly 144 The Romance of Princess Amelia wrote to Amelia the following letter of mild advice, administered with the usual platitudes and appeals to Providence — ^"My dearest Amelia, " I have just read your letter which the Duke of York gave me yesterday, and I am glad to find that you are satisfied with the manner in which he has transacte-d that affair about Miss Gomm's ill- judged conduct. I do not justify the manner in which she has persisted in this business, but I am convinced that when she originally spoke she meant it as a kindness towards you, considering your ignorance of the World, and also as a proof of her duty towards me never to know of anything which might be detrimental to the character of any of my Daughters without informing me of it, as She was put about them as a trusty person. This last appears officiousness, as she is so little in the way of seeing what passes, and certainly could not arise from her own observations. Therefore she must have been instigated by others, and in choosing your Sisters to be the bearer of such message was I am sorry to say not corresponding with her usual prudence. And now I have said this I must 1 The late Honourable Mrs. W. Lowther's Papers. K 145 s. The Romance of Princess Amelia beseech you to subdue your anger about her and not allow yourself to speak against her. You better endeavour to forget her entirely than to say that against her which may upon reflection render your- self unhappy. "As to yourself, my dear Amelia, a moment's reflexion will show you how easy it is to incur the censure of th^ world, and how necessary it is to watch our conduct every hour of our life. Nay even those of our sex who have been fortunate enough to be set up as great examples for female Conduct must struggle hard to keep it up, as the smallest deficiency will give scope to severe Criti- cism, and the higher it has pleased Providence to place us in this World the more is required of us, as we are to serve as an example to many. " In you my dear Amelia I have allowed much for your youth, ignorance of the World, and a con- sideration for the indulgence you have met with during a long series of ill-health, which both affection and humanity led myself and those about you to yield to at that time, and which none of your sisters were ever allowed to enjoy. You are now begin- ning to enter into years of discretion and will I do not doubt see how necessary it is to subdue at once every Passion in the beginning, and to con- sider the impropriety of indulging any impression 146 The Romance of Princess Amelia which must make you miserable, and be a disgrace to yourself and a misery to all who love you. Add to this the melancholy situation of the King at this present moment, who could he be acquainted of what has passed would be rendered miserable for all his life, and I fear it would create a breach in the whole family. You seem by your letter so much inclined to get the better of this unfortunate indulgence that I am truly inclined to believe you sincere and shall not cease to offer my sincere prayers to the Almighty of giving you strength of mind to overcome it. But remember my dearest Amelia that not your wishing alone, but your willing it must do much for you, for Providence is always ready to assist those who im- plore His mercy, but He gave us Reason to choose the Good and the Bad. That you may always make choice of the former is and will be the constant prayer of " Your ever affectionate Mother and friend, " Charlotte. " The iind X^- 1807." A somewhat curious letter under all the circum- stances; for, admitting the plausibility of these counsels of perfection, it was surely rather late in the day for the Queen to advise her daughter to subdue passion in the beginnings or to check an K 2 147 The Romance of Princess Amelia ''impression'' which the Queen well knew had existed for years ! "Whether," says Mrs. Villiers/ continuing her narration of these incidents, "the Princesses did ever take any steps to prevent a recurrence " [i.e, of Miss Gomme and Miss Goldsworthy's interference] I never knew. Certain it is that they [these ladies] did not desist; that they did actually go and com- plain to the Queen of what they called Princess Amelia's misconduct, and did convey the most angry and unkind messages from the Queen to the Princess Amelia, whose health was already visibly and fear- fully declining. She was in the daily habit of con- fiding her sorrows to me, though we did not then live under the same roof, I being then at Cranbourne Lodge. I found her one day perfectly overwhelmed with annoyance after a visit from those old women. She told me she felt poussee a bout and was making up her mind to leave the Castle with General Fitz- Roy, marry him directly and take her chance of forgiveness. She was of a very resolute disposition, and I greatly feared she would act up to what she said. I reasoned with her for a long while but should probably not have succeeded if I had not put before her what would be her feelings of remorse, 1 Letter to Lady Theresa Lewis. The late Sir Villiers Lister's Papers. 148 The Romance of Princess Amelia if, as more than probable, such a shock as this would be to the King produced a return of insanity. She was the most devoted and affectionate of daughters to him, and this touched her. She embraced me tenderly, told me I had conquered, and that she would not take this step, though she thought her life would be the sacrifice — as indeed it proved to be." 149 CHAPTER XVIII 1807 {continued) AMELIA APPEALS TO FITZROY A LETTER OF THE DUKE OF YORK LADY GEORGIANA BUCKLEY's THREATS HER REVENGEFUL DISPOSITION ^LADY MATILDA WYNYARD — HER "TRUTHFUL INTEGRITY " PRINCESS MARY PREPARATIONS FOR HOLY COMMUNION — Amelia's forgiveness. But Amelia was determined not to let the matter drop without protest, nor to allow scandal to make free with her good name. What hurt her most of all was that her sisters made light of the injurious reports, although, at the same time, they appeared to suppose her guilty. In her indignation she wrote to her beloved Charles, entreating him for God's sake to write her some strong refutation, some vindication of her character that she could show to her brother Frederick, "who must respect you for it, and, seeing it, will consider it real and not merely say as he says to me 'Why Charles knows how sincere you are to him, and it is only extremely fussy.' Let me have it in the course of to-morrow. I wish to speak to him Saturday upon the subject, and don't be angry at my asking this favour of you." ^ 1 The late Honourable Mrs. W. Lowther's Papers. The Romance of Princess Amelia She directs him to write something in the follow- ing strain, and adds " Make it as strong as you can"— " Painful as it is to me my ever dearest Amelia, to address a letter to you on such a subject, I feel it my duty from these ties that have so long existed between us and which you have given me a right to, and which nothing can alter but our death. Dear as you are to me you cannot wonder, after the confidence you have reposed in me, my feeling every circumstance that regards you more than that that regards me, and I firmly believe we both feel this mutually. Judge then how anything injurious to you and above all to your blessed virtue and character is galling to myself. I have swallowed as you know many a bitter pill, I have concealed nothing from you, and your confidence in me never will be betrayed, as it has given me additional con- fidence in you. But conceive what my feelings are at seeing those persons that are injurious to you courted and allowed to be in a House where they have done everything that is injurious — your family knew it. They may think they screen it by their actions, but the world is not to be duped, and agoniz- ing as it is to me, I think it is just to warn you and tell you not only anonymous letters, as you know, have I had, but it has even been hinted to 15^ The Romance of Princess Amelia me — and not long ago. I feel for you as everything most sacred and dear, but let me implore you to consider well what I say, and to shew you feel your character is injured. How can a Sister who knows it ever either name or allow such a scandal ! Is it not the greatest injury that can be done you? I know your heart and your principles.'' Albeit gentlemanlike and chivalrous in the highest degree as was General FitzRoy, we shall find on a future occasion, when his own interests were con- cerned, that he was not of a nature sufficiently enter- prising to take the initiative in matters requiring prompt action, but in the present instance we may be certain that he did not hesitate to write as his Amelia desired and " made it as strong as he could." From a letter of the Duke of York^ written a little later it is clear that Lady Georgiana Buckley had been the instigator of Miss Gomme; more- over, that she had actually attempted an interview with the King of whom she was a favourite god-daughter; but her intention had been frus- trated, doubtless by the vigilance of the Queen. It would appear also that she was the authoress of the anonymous letters which had been going about. ^ The late Honourable Mrs, W. Lowther's Papers, ^5« The Romance of Princess Amelia "Dearest Amelia, " Your very kind letter did not reach me yesterday till the very moment that I was under the necessity of setting off to join the party at Kew. It was therefore out of my power to acknowledge it immediately or to assure you how sensible I am of your confidence and how fully I enter into all your feelings. That Lady Georgiana continuing in the family must be unpleasant to you, in one sense, I can easily conceive; on the other hand if I can believe what both Augusta and Ernest apprise me, that her staying is at her own particular desire, and that she has not been pressed either directly or indirectly to beg to make her resignation, I con- fess that I am inclined to think that perhaps it is as well as it is; particularly as I am convinced she will not stay long in the family; as God knows to what extremity her violence and revengeful dis- position would not have induced her to go; and though she said that had she seen the King she never intended to have done more than thank him generally for his graciousness and kindness towards her, yet after the number of falsehoods which she has told in this unpleasant business, who could depend upon her ! What has passed must have hurt her pride not a little, and having begged to stay, after all she has said, must very much diminish — if not totally take away — any belief in what she 153 The Romance of Princess Amelia may hereafter choose to give out, should she, as I have no doubt that she will, retire from the Family. I am very sorry for the violence of Ernest's [Duke of Cumberland] conduct which you mention, and think it highly unfair and improper. I should, however, recommend to you to cut him very short, if he began to speak to you upon any subject belonging to this; and I can have no objec- tion to your telling him fairly that you will tell it to me, as you are sure that I will not let you be worried or ill-treated. "We will talk all this over next Thursday when I come to Windsor, but pray let not all this prey upon your mind, but be convinced that you have friends who will do everything in their power to assist you. God bless you, and believe me ever, '' Dearest Amelia, " Your affectionate, " Frederick." Lady Georgiana Buckley and her sister Lady Matilda Wynyard were ladies-in-waiting on the Princesses. They were daughters of John, second Earl De La Warr by his marriage with Mary daughter of General John Wynyard. With regard to the elder of the two sisters. Lady Georgiana, we may say here that when she eventually retired from Court she gave out that "Queen Charlotte 154 The Romance of Princess Amelia never forgave her for conniving at the marriage of Princess AmeHa and General FitzRoy." ^ This is the tradition handed down to her descendants, and it would thus appear that she was a lady of strong imagination and of varying moods. Cer- tainly at one time or another she was on friendly terms with Princess Amelia, for she possessed a miniature of the Princess with a plait of her hair, and it is now in the possession of her great grandson. The younger sister. Lady Matilda, who had married her cousin General WilHam Wynyard, an equerry to the Duke of Cumberland, was a devoted and unvarying friend of Princess AmeHa and a lady of "a peculiarly truthful integrity of character." ^ A most affectionate letter from Lady Matilda to Princess Amelia is among General Fitz- Roy's papers. In it she speaks in warmest terms of the kindness she has received from the Princess, and alludes to the "jealousy" of her sister Lady Georgiana. It was clearly jealousy which was at the bottom of Lady Georgiana's unwarranted be- haviour in all this " unpleasant business." 1 Information kindly supplied by Major Buckley of New Hall. 2 Quotation from a MS. autograph letter of Princess Sophia Matilda of Gloucester written to Miss Sophy Wynyard, February 5, 1843, on the death of Lady Matilda Wynyard, which letter is now in the possession of Colonel Darner Wynyard. 155 The Romance of Princess Amelia Although Princess Elizabeth had been, as we have seen, the most prominent among the sisters throughout an episode so painful to the sensitive Amelia, we gather from a letter — written by Prin- cess Mary to her sister Amelia a few days before Christmas in this year (1807) — that Amelia, hurt, or at least dissatisfied, with the part Mary had played towards her, was not on the old terms of intimacy and affection with this sister. It was the custom of the Royal Family, according to the requirements of the Church of England, to partake of the Holy Communion at Christmas, and due preparation was made for this by the more con- scientious members. As Christmas approached Princess Mary, fearing that she and Amelia were not living in that complete Christian charity requisite for the right participation in the Sacred Ordinance, wrote ^ on December 21 — " I cannot see Christmas Day approach, and the awful ceremony we are all to partake of without troubling my dearest Amelia with a few lines to represent to her my feelings upon this occasion, and as this is dictated by a heart seriously interested in whatever concerns her real welfare I hope and indeed believe she will take it as it is meant; for it is perfectly out of my power to approach the 1 The late Honourable Mrs. W. Lowther's Papers. ^ The Romance of Princess Amelia Communion table till I have represented how deeply, how keenly, I have felt the very great alteration in your manner towards me for some time. I cannot suppose anyone could have been so much my Enemy as to injure me in your eyes nor am I inclined to believe it as I do not feel after the number of years we have loved each other you could be so easily blinded or led away. The more I think of it the more it hurts me, but be assured if you will but tell me your reasons, and I find I have in the smallest thing acted unfairly by you, and as a Sister and Friend ought not to do, I shall be but too ready to acknowledge I am in the wrong as no one will feel more mortified to hurt you than I should. I have little to add as I would not take up more of your time than necessary particularly as this week every spare moment will of course be dedicated to more important use. "May Heaven protect you, dearest Amelia, and far and near, and in every situation in life remember you will ever find me your most attached sister and " Affectionate, " Mary. " Thursday morning the 21 st of December t 1807." We may here appropriately append a letter of Princess Amelia (or rather a duplicate of one) which she addressed a few months later to Miss Golds- 157 The Romance of Princess Amelia worthy, the beloved " Gooly " of Princess Mary. This duplicate was forwarded to General FitzRoy, and remained among his papers. The tone of it is characteristic of the sincerity as well as the right feeling of the writer. Too sincere to pretend that she could forget what she considered an injury, she was ever ready to forgive one. "Dear Miss Goldsworthy,^ " You must allow me to return you my thanks for your enquiries after me during my illness, and hearing you have requested to resign, I avail myself of this opportunity of wishing you may enjoy health and happiness, for notwithstanding all I have suffered from the past within the last few months, I still ever retain a proper sense of your care and kindness in former times and my good wishes will ever attend you, and " I remain, " Your sincere friend, "Amelia. "Aprils, 1808." 1 The late Honourable Mrs. W. Lowther's Papers. 158 CHAPTER XIX Amelia's benevolence — protection of orphans — hone's '' every day book '* quoted amelia's letter to an orphan her interest in other children a letter to LADY HARCOURT QUOTED AUGUSTA d'eSTE — LETTER FROM THE DUKE OF CLARENCE GEORGE FITZCLARENCE AMELIA'S EXPENSES — BORROWS FROM FITZROY MRS. VILLIERS's COUNSELS. It should not be supposed that Princess Amelia's thoughts were so wholly engrossed by her romantic attachment as to exclude all mental occupations or interest in her fellow creatures. Painting and music continued to be occupations congenial to her taste, and she attained considerable proficiency in both. She is said to have had a " classical taste " in paint- ing and to have had " few rivals on the pianoforte." Volumes of her music passed into the hands of General FitzRoy and were inherited with his papers by their present owner. But her keenest interests were bestowed on philan- thropic objects, and few young ladies of her genera- tion were more "indefatigable in performing the duties of humanity and benevolence" — to use the language of a contemporary — "and the sympathy with which her acts of this nature were performed 159 The Romance of Princess Amelia was not less soothing and gratifying than the actual tribute of her kindness." It will be remembered that she alluded to orphans whom she fostered at her own expense. " She caused them to be educated," says Mr. Hone in his Every Day Book^ "and placed them out to business, by learning which they might acquire the means of gaining their subsistence in comfort and respectability. They occasionally visited her, and to one of them she was peculiarly attached. Her Royal Highness placed her with Mrs. Bingley her dressmaker in Piccadilly. In this situation — *. . . she flourished, Grew sweet to sense and lovely to the eye ; Until at length the cruel spoiler came, Pluck 'd this fair flower and rifled all its sweetness, Then flung it like a loathsome weed away. ' " " The seduction of this young female," continues Mr. Hone, "deeply afflicted the Princess, and she addressed a letter to her, written throughout by her own hand, which marks her reverence for virtue and her pity for one who diverged from its prescriptions. It is in the possession of the Editor" [W. Hone, 1838] . . . "who publishes it as a public memorial of her worth ... of her high principles and affec- tionate disposition." The letter is here transcribed — 1 Vol. I. p. 1072. 160 The Romance of Princess Amelia "The accounts I have received of you, my poor Mary, from Mrs. Bingley have given me the greatest concern, and have surprised me as well as hurt me ; as I had hoped you were worthy of the kindness you experienced from Mrs. Bingley, and were not undeserving of all that has been done for you. Much as you have erred, I am willing to hope, my poor girl, that those religious principles you possessed are still firm, and that they will, with the goodness of God, show you your faults, and make you to repent and return to what I hoped you were — a good and virtuous girl. You may depend on my never for- saking you, as long as I can be your friend. Nothing but your conduct not being what it ought to be can make me give you up. Forget you I never could. Believe me, aothing shall be wanting on my part to restore you to what you were, but you must be honest open and true. Make Mrs. K. who is so sincerely your well-wisher, your friend. Conceal nothing from her, and, believe me, much as it may cost you, at the moment, to speak out, you will find relief after- wards, and I trust it may enable us to make you end your days happily. " To Mrs. Bingley and all with her, you never can sufficiently feel grateful. Her conduct has been that of the kindest mother and friend, and, I trust, such friends you will try to preserve; for, if with pro- priety they can continue their kindness to you, it will L i6i The Romance of Princess Amelia be an everlasting blessing for you : but after all that has happened, my dear Mary, I cannot consent to leaving you there. Though, I trust from all I hear, your conduct now is proper, and will continue so, yet, for the sake of the other young people, it must be wrong; and if you possess that feeling and repent, as I hope you do, you cannot but think I am right. I trust you feel all your errors, and with the assist- ance of God you will live to make amends ; yet your conduct must be made an example of. The misfor- tune of turning out of the right path cannot be too strongly impressed on the minds of all young people. Alas ! you now know it by experience. All I say I feel doubly from wishing you well. Be open and true, and whatever can be done to make you happy will. Truth is one of the most necessary virtues, and whoever deviates from that runs from one error into another — not to say Vice. I have heard you accused Mrs. Bingley of harshness that I conceive to be utterly impossible; but I attribute your saying so to a mind in the greatest affliction, and not know- ing what you are about. I pity you from my heart, but you have brought this on yourself and you must now pray to God, for his assistance to enable you to return to the right path. Why should you fear me ? I do not deserve it, and your feeling the force of your own faults can only occasion it; for I feel I am, and wish to be, a friend to three young people I 162 The Romance of Princess Amelia have charge of and to make them fit to gain their own bread, and assist their families. For you I have felt particularly, being an orphan, and I hafi never had cause to regret the charge I had. Your poor parents have been saved a heavy blow. Conceive what their affliction must have been had they lived to know of your conduct. I trust my poor Mary may yet live to renew all our feelings of regard for her, and that I shall have the comfort to hear many good accounts of your conduct and health. Unless your mind is at ease you cannot enjoy health. " Be assured I shall be happy to find I have reason, always, to subscribe myself, '* Your friend, "Amelia." It is impossible to read this beautiful letter with- out being convinced of the sincerity and the purity of its author ; while throughout the whole of it are discernible a delicacy and tenderness of feeling sprung, it may well be, from the writer's own wounds and afflictions. Always fond of children. Princess Amelia showed a special interest in Augusta d'Este, the little daughter of her brother Augustus Duke of Sussex. The Duke's marriage with Lady Augusta Murray,^ 1 See Appendix IL L2 163 The Romance of Princess Amelia daughter of the Earl of Dunmore, was not legal according to the Royal Marriage Act, and his chil- dren in consequence were considered illegitimate. A letter of Princess Amelia, pubHshed among the Har court Papers, must have been written in 1808 when Augusta d'Este^ was seven years old. She was at that age taken away from her mother — the Duke of Sussex (who had formerly striven to have his marriage declared legal and his children legiti- mate) now, inconsistently enough, making it a matter of complaint that his children were brought up by their mother like a prince and princess. Amelia writes to Lady Harcourt ^ — that honoured confidante of the whole family — " My dear Lady Harcourt, " You and I have had so many conversations upon the subject of a little girl that I should feel myself to blame did I not communicate to you the enclosed letter [to her brother Augustus] which will explain better than I can all I had to say upon the subject. You must not own to Augustus [that] I now write, or that you have received this letter ; but I thought it would prepare you for what you are to expect. 1 Born in iSoi, the second and last child of her parents, eventually married to Lord Chancellor Truro. 2 Harcourt Papers, Vol. VI. p. 288. 164 The Romance of Princess Amelia '' I have written to Augustus to advise his now writing to you. The idea he had concerning Mrs. Walker will not do in any way; as besides living here, her health would not admit of her paying that attention to the child she must require. If you propose Mrs. Williams^ don't you think for two years she had better keep the child with her entirely away from all her connections; and when Masters are required, if the allowance is sufficient, she might bring them up and have a lodging with them in Kensington ? I shall inform Mama I have done this; but you will have the goodness to take no notice of it. Since writing the above I have seen the Queen who approves of what I have done. I have desired Augustus to write to you himself and to inform you of his plans and ideas; as everything in such a case must be thoroughly settled that nothing unpleasant may occur. Whoever has the child must be thoroughly au fait of every circum- stance ; and payment &c. must be regular. The boy ^ will be sent elsewhere. " God bless you my dear Lady Harcourt. " Ever your affectionate friend, "Amelia." '' Szmday. — The little lady was only seven years 1 Formerly nurse to Princess Amelia. 2 Afterwards Sir Augustus d'Este. The Romance of Princess Amelia old yesterday, therefore Masters are not necessary yet. You may be sure she has been educated with very high ideas [of her own importance]." She also took an affectionate interest in the children of her brother William Duke of Clarence, though she probably had little or no opportunity of seeing them. A letter from the Duke shows that he would confide to his youngest sister the pride he felt in his gallant young son George FitzClarence — in a way that he would not do to some other members of his family. All mention, indeed, of the offspring of Mrs. Jordan was treated with marked coldness by the King and Queen, who disliked their son's connection with the beautiful actress. The letter found its way into General FitzRoy's papers,^ having probably been forwarded to him by Princess Amelia herself — *' Bus hey House, " Sunday. " Dear Amelia, " Having had an appointment yesterday with Lord Castlereagh, I did not receive your truly kind and affectionate letter till my arrival this instant here. I return you my most sincere thanks, and am happy to inform you that George arrived last night ^ The late Honourable Mrs. W. Lowther's Papers., 1 66 The Romance of Princess Amelia in high health and spirits. He has returned, I may say with truth, after having established a perfect character with all ranks in our army. General Stewart, who on occasion certainly saved his life, speaks of my son in such terms of commendation, that unless writing to you I would not mention the circumstance. Indeed, in the event of the General going again, he told me he would rather have George ^ than any other for his Aid de Camp. " My love and best wishes attend all at Windsor who I mean to visit shortly, but at present I am prevented by this weather. " God bless you and beheve me, Dearest AmeHa, " Your most affectionate Brother, "William/' It will be understood that such acts of benevo- lence on the part of Princess Amelia as we have mentioned, namely her supporting and educating poor orphans, could not be performed without con- siderable expense, more especially as she would not be likely to carry out these philanthropic schemes with economy, and besides would be liable to fall a prey to a multitude of parasites. Moreover the 1 Afterwards first Earl of Munster. Born in 1794, he was very young to be an aide-de-camp in 1808 or 1809. 167 The Romance of Princess Amelia Princess, who spent Httle on herself, was lavish in her gifts not only to the poor but also to various god- daughters and to innumerable friends. It will not be a matter of wonder, then, that at an early age the inexperienced girl had become involved in money difficulties, or that, on her confiding them to General FitzRoy, he had lent her money which she had the less scruple in accepting because everything was some day to be in common between them, betrothed as they were to each other, while they were already one in heart. " I have an entire conviction," relates Mrs. Villiers,^ "that she never concealed from me any- thing that passed between her and General FitzRoy. She told me that he had some years before lent her £5,000; for both she and her sisters had been horribly cheated when they first had their allowances from the country, and she had incurred great debts. General FitzRoy repeatedly urged her not to con- sider this loan from him as a debt, and never to repay him, as he had reckoned on everything being in common with them in future years. I nevertheless did everything in my power to induce her to repay 1 To her daughter Lady Theresa Lewis : the late Sir Villiers Lister's Papers. 168 The Romance of Princess Amelia it, and told her that if her right hand had borrowed from her left she ought to repay it. She agreed to do so by instalments of £500 per quarter. These payments passed through my hands for the few remaining quarters of her life." 169 CHAPTER XX 1808 WAS THE KING "GOT AT " ? — AMELIA'S " LATE FATHER" — THE king's condition — THE PRINCE OF WALES HER ONLY HOPE HIS PROFESSIONS OF SYMPATHY AMELIA'S GRADUAL DECLINE HER TOUCHING LEGACY OF WISHES MRS. VILLIERS'S LETTER TO HER BROTHER '' LE MEDECIN TOUCHANT " — ALLUSIONS TO " JODELEY " — A COPY OF THE ROYAL MARRIAGE ACT AMELIA WRITES TO THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE LORD CHANCELLOR REASONS FOR WAITING THE " SACRED VOW OF MARRIAGE." It was hardly to be expected in a Court where there were so many cabals and counter-cabals, but that sooner or later the King would be "got at," despite all the precautions of the Queen. Amelia's sisters probably had foreseen this when they had advised her to confide in '' Dear " [the King] herself. Not only were there gossips disposed to make mischief, — perhaps for the sheer love of it, — but there were false and intriguing persons, like the lady mentioned by the Duke of York, ready to gratify their spite under the pretence of dutifully opening his Majesty's eyes. Poor King ! He was physically blind now. Moreover, there were intrigues which centred in the King's health, and there were many persons in the Opposition who wished nothing 170 The Romance of Princess Amelia better than that it would break down altogether. What then more calculated to excite and upset the King's brain than an agitating and harassing scene with his beloved youngest child ! Even in the Royal Family itself there was the Duke of Cumberland, who was never so pleased as when stirring up ill feeling everywhere, while the Prince of Wales — horrid fact — at times actually connived at anything likely to bring on a paroxysm which might render his father incapable of governing the kingdom.^ We say "at times," for this Prince, uncertain and unstable as a weathercock, was incapable of pur- suing a settled plan or policy for long together. That some interview of a painful nature between the father and daughter, followed by a temporary breach, took place in the spring of 1808 appears certain. We may suppose how uncontrolled had been the distracted father's behaviour towards his crushed and injured daughter, when we find her writing of him as her " late father." Albeit there is no record of a breakdown of the King's mental powers until the final collapse at the time of his daughter's last days, it is clear that his immediate family were, even in 1808, constantly witnesses of unrestrained behaviour on his part which made them realize his insanity; and, to those who experienced such ebullitions, the prospect of a regency must 1 See FitzGerald's Lf/e 0/ George IV. 171 The Romance of Princess Amelia have appeared imminent, ahhough the outside world had no knowledge of the real state of things, the King being perfectly able to control himself in the presence of his ministers and other official person- ages. The Queen and Amelia's brothers and sisters — even those who had hitherto stood by her — appear at this crisis in her troubles to have left her in the lurch, while Ernest and Eliza were always disagree- able to her. Thus we find her bitterly alluding to the unkindness of her family. There was one exception. She thenceforth looked upon the Prince of Wales as her only hope— this eldest brother whom she idealized the more that she seldom saw him — and she determined to apply to him for his assistance (when the time should come), believing that she had in him not only a brother but also a " father and a friend." And this is not to be wondered at, for no one could be more tenderly affectionate in words and manner than the Prince of Wales, — no one more irresistibly captivating and endearing. At the same time the sympathy which this double-faced and fascinating personage showed to Amelia was doubtless secretly associated with a feeling of satisfaction at running counter to the wishes of his father, while it flattered his vanity to patronize a " little sister " devotedly attached to himself. 17a The Romance of Princess Amelia Meanwhile this strain on the Princess's fragile health had been too great. She showed symptoms of consumption, and had to pass most of her hours amidst all the restraints of an invalid. During the intervals of convalescence she would find consola- tion in committing her loving thoughts and wishes to paper to be read by FitzRoy in the event of her death. On "April 13, 1808," she wrote (at Windsor) i— " I cannot resist trying to express, and to leave you, my ever dear and beloved Charles, the expres- sions of the fondest love and gratitude for all your goodness and kindness to me ever since we owned to each other how we loved. You will receive this when I am dead, if you outlive me, and I feel some grati- fication in leaving you this, though, my beloved, it will fall far short of all I feel or wish in every way. My memory is my only joy. No two ever loved or were so tried as we, and instead of separating us — which in all others it would [have done] — it has bound us tighter and more sacredly together. I own I can never help praying and hoping a time yet may come when the Almighty may bless and join us in persons,^ as we are in hearts, ever inseparable. 1 The late Honourable Mrs. W. Lowther's Papers. 2 This is surely very significant. 173 The Romance of Princess Amelia Accept, my beloved, the thanks of your own darling wife, who died as she lived blessing you. "You have given me every moment of comfort and happiness or ease of mind I ever enjoyed. You have saved me in every sense. You have proved your- self my guide, protector, friend, husband, lover, father, brother, best of friends. My husband ! though, Alas ! the rights, from situation, I have not enjoyed, and though I have not been able to make you as happy as I wished, loving me as I know you do and knowing all you do of me, as I thank God I never deceived you in one instance, you must feel great satisfaction and comfort. I have been so ill that I was determined to write this as soon as I was equal to it. There are many scraps of paper all addressed to you, which I have written at different times, I dare- say I may add many more, but with this is my seal, and in my red box is an inventory of all the things in my room which are my own and therefore yours. I am sure you will never forget me. I feel our wishes are known and sanctioned in heaven; and there we shall meet to part no more. I solemnly declare the truth that you are the only person that ever suited me, or for whom I ever could find the same confidence and affection. I never could conceal a thought from you. I have run every risk to disgust you. O God ! how differently has it acted ! 174 The Romance of Princess Amelia "All my own things I always used, keep with you — my all is yours except a few articles I have; and give what you think right as trifling remem- brances to my Sisters and friends. " Let Charlotte/ our dear sister, keep me in her recollection. The Villiers ^ who have been so very kind ever continue as intimate with us here. You know those I liked and who have been friends. These never forsake. Leave Court as soon as you can, I only am to blame in your being here, and, my Charles, you are too good ever to be happy here, and you know how little reason I had to love my family, or esteem them, and though I never hurt any one of them, they, God knows, have me — in many ways various and cruel. Yet beware of them. Think what a grievous thing for a child or sister to say, but I do say [it] to my Charles who is my more than self. Take care of your dear self, and remember me. Gone, I shall ever watch over you, and I shall hope to meet your dear father ! If he knew me and my feelings for his beloved Charles, he would protect me. I have had many faults, but none to- wards you. O God, how I do love you ! I have liked you from the first I sought you, and Blessed be God — I gained you. Each day and hour has endeared you to me ; accept the gratitude and affection of her 1 His sister Viscountess Dungannon. 2 xhe Hon. George Villiers and his wife. 175 The Romance of Princess Amelia who owes you everything — for ever your most affec- tionate friend and wife. " I have loved you, prized and esteemed you more every instant. God bless you, my own dearest and most beloved Angel. Ever on Earth or in Heaven equally your attached Wife and darling. "A. F. R." Again she wrote at this time — " You will, my own dear Charles, receive this when your torment is gone for ever — remember, my own darling, since I first knew you I have never experienced but kindness, and be assured my affec- tion and esteem has only increased with my knowing you better. You have saved me, and so my beloved C. F. R. I owe you all my happiness and comfort. Situation has prevented my wishes being realized which inwardly they have long been, and I consider myself as your own lawful wife. May God bless you and make you happy. Don't forget me, and think of her who died blessing and loving you, and who lived only for you. I enclose a locket. You will wear the motto which I am vain enough to think will be true; and this paper send to Eliza or Augusta. I have left word you are to have what I say. God bless you and be assured of the gratitude and affec- tion of her who owes you everything." 176 The Romance of Princess Amelia No wonder that FitzRoy treasured these letters to the day of his death. A letter of Mrs. George Villiers to her brother Lord Boringdon ^ throws a sidelight on the medical surroundings of the poor Princess at this stage. Sir Francis Milman, the Court physician, who, having long been in attendance on all the Princesses, knew many family secrets, and who was especially in the confidence of the Queen, is the medecin touchant here aimed at by Mrs. Villiers's barbed arrows. " I must tell you a good trait of the medecin touchant! Very early in his attendance on poor Princess A. he obtained her confidence on the prin- cipal subject of her unhappiness by saying he feared something on her mind occasioned her sufferings, and that he only wished to be physician to her mind as well as body, and all that sort of palaver, and she opened her heart to him very much hoping he might be giving Jodeley [the King's nickname] to under- stand that her mind was more diseased than her body, or by remonstrance with her sisters or by some other means, be of use to her. He has certainly always shrunk from burning his fingers whenever she suggested anything, but the other day when she told him about me, &c., he played the perfect 1 The late Sir Villiers Lister's Papers. M 177 The Romance of Princess Amelia Courtier, tryed to convince her Jodeley was right, and ended by saying for Jodeley's sake and her own situation as Princess she must sacrifice herself and patiently bear the hardships that were imposed upon her ! ! ! She has written him a tickler for this though in the civiliest terms, only reminding him of what he had said, and that her opinions had not changed. I wonder whether in any Parliamentary records at Saltram, you have the Royal Marriage Act. We don't know where to get at it. It was made about the year 1771 or 2 or thereabouts. It is short, and if you could find it I think you would perhaps be so very good as to copy it for me without telling anybody." Princess Amelia, being twenty-five years old on August 7, 1808, had reached the age which entitled her to write to the Privy Council to announce her intention of marrying General FitzRoy, when another year should have elapsed from the time of her announcement, provided that Parliament did not express its disapprobation during that period. It was doubtless after duly conning over the precise terms of the Royal Marriage Act,^ with the assistance of Mr. and Mrs. George Villiers (Lord Boringdon having supplied a copy of it as requested) that Princess Amelia decided to write to the Lord Chancellor desiring him to acquaint the Privy 1 See Appendix II. 178 The Romance of Princess Amelia Council of her intentions ; and she also wrote to the Prince of Wales telling him privately what steps she had taken and imploring his influence and support. The following copy of her letter to the Prince of Wales she sent to General FitzRoy ^ — " My dearest Brother. "The affectionate kindness I have ever received from you encourages me in the Hope that you will not forsake me at this moment, and I feel emboldened in addressing you as my friend and brother on a subject I have never out of delicacy named to you, but which I now feel it my duty, as much as my heart dictates to me as just, to explain to you. " You cannot be ignorant, I allude to the attach- ment that has for so many years existed between General FitzRoy and me, and to the trials I have gone through on account of not offending my late father, which cause has so long made me submit to them. I determined long ago to act as I now do, and, as soon as I could, to apply to you and inform you I am determined to marry him; and according to the Act made by my late Father, I find I must inform you and the Privy Council through the Lord Chan- 1 The late Honourable Mrs. W. Lowther's Papers. M 2 179 The Romance of Princess Amelia cellor to whom I have written to inform you of it; and I hope, as my whole comfort depends on this event, that you will not be my enemy. I have long considered myself as to what I now wish you to sanction, and I own I can never be happy or easj till I obtain it. I hope I am not too vain in saying I believe our feelings are mutual. It is not a hasty determination of mine — it is well weighed in every respect, and the honourable part and unvarying con- duct of General FitzRoy to me, proves him worthy of me, and I am willing to give up family and every- thing to devote my life to that object of my affection, and for whom only I value my existence. You must know how cruel our situation has been long, and I may say how unjust, and I think all who know me must have pitied us and rejoice in an event on which my happiness depends, and which unites me to so worthy a character as his. I hope you will not delay giving me an answer, and I pray God you may be my friend, and not forsake your sister here — For any way how desirable a thing it is being united to a man of character and family ! My being the youngest of so large a family takes off many objections. In the state the continent is in, no settlement could happen there; besides I never would marry where I could not give my affections, and General FitzRoy possesses all my affection, and nothing can ever alter that; and for years have 1 80 The Romance of Princess Amelia I considered myself his lawful wife, though suffer- ing all the trials of that, without ever enjoying my rights. As to what I owe him in every way, though I full well know and feel the extent, no human being can ever know it, but believe me I have weighed every circumstance, and it has been one unceasing thought and object for years, and neither comfort, happiness, nor health, but by marrying him can I obtain. This letter, as I have already informed you, is written to my dear Friend and Brother, to implore your assistance ; and your heart and feeling are such that I feel and hope, which I consider as just, that you will attend to my wishes, knowing the fate of her whom you have so long called so dear to you is now dependent on you. Deceive you I never will, and I think it best to tell you I have delayed taking any step with him from his peculiar position about my Father, and not to hurt my Father. That being removed I feel it owing to myself to act decidedly, and never can I alter in any one idea I have determined on. There- fore that is useless, and we should be trifling with each other were I to let you suppose that was possible. God bless you and grant you may attend to, and assist me in my wishes, and grant me your protection. " Ever your affectionate, "A." i8i The Romance of Princess Amelia We have aheady suggested a reason why she should speak of the King as her " late father." We may be sure, however, that any estrangement between the King and his best-beloved child did not last long. The King in all probability had never realized the extent of his ebullition or the effect it produced on his sensitive daughter; while she, who "never hurt" anybody, and who dearly loved her father, would readily forgive, although perhaps she could not forget. One thing indeed she could not be expected to forget — that it was her father who had instigated the very law which blighted her whole life. It may be wondered why these devoted lovers did not take the law into their own hands and get married in defiance of it without further delay, con- tenting themselves as many another couple similarly situated, by being married in the eye of God if not in that of the law. It may be said, for one thing, that Charles FitzRoy as a younger son had but a slender fortune of his own, insufficient to support a portionless and disinherited Princess, while on forfeiting his stipend as an official at Court, he would be still less in a position to marry. Nor should it be forgotten that those officiating at, and all witnesses of, a marriage in defiance of the Royal Marriage Act were guilty of felony. But the chief reason why no marriage took place was that this 182 The Romance of Princess Amelia high-souled daughter sacrificed herself on the altar of filial devotion, lest her own happiness should bring misery to her father by totally deranging his already partially unhinged mind. Time and patience could alone remove the cruel obstacles which barred the way to the attainment of her hopes and desires. Meanwhile Amelia's thoughts did not cease to dwell on a legal marriage as the ultimate goal to be obtained. An extract from a dissertation on the marriage state which she wrote at this time may be inserted here.^ "Marriage, that dear blessed and sacred Vow, makes it our duty to endeavour to correct each other's faults and to render the road to virtue more smooth and easy to each other; and this is another source of comfort which it opens to us— Of what efficacy ought not the example, the advice, the exhortations and prayers to be between persons so closely united and filled with esteem and love for each other. We should act as guides and supports to each other, in overcoming temptations; and to encourage each other in a course of piety and virtue. May my blessed Charles and I never forget it was to Thee, O God, and through Thee we first promised to be kind, constant, and true ; that these 1 The late Honourable Mrs. W. Lowther's Papers. 1B3 The Romance of Princess Amelia blessed vows and feelings are not to be sported with, nor their obligations profanely cast away. A persuasion of this is the firmest bulwark of virtue, and the surest foundation of mutual happiness and comfort. May we C. F. R. and A. F. R. never neglect to pray for Thy blessing on our mutual connection; may we united together in mutual affec- tion pour out our prayer as the offering of one heart to Thee (who art Love itself, and the rewarder of those that love Thee) as the highest satisfaction which we can fancy or realize, and where life in other circumstances would be a burden, it will not be felt as such, divided between us, and we shall pass this life blessing and blest to meet again in another world never to separate any more." 184 CHAPTER XXI 1809 THE AFFAIR OF THE DUKE OF YORK AND MRS. CLARKE UNHAPPINESS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY. We may now refer briefly to an unhappy transaction which cast a deep shadow over the whole family towards the beginning of the new year. In January 1809 they were harassed by an affair which, involv- ing as it did the misconduct of one of the King's sons and the honour of the Royal Family, occasioned them the keenest distress. As Amelia no doubt felt it all the more bitterly that she loved her brother Frederick dearly, a digression may not be out of place to explain the circumstances. On January 27 — four days after the arrival of the calamitous news of the disaster of Corunna and the death of Sir John Moore — the well-known charges against the Duke of York of corrupt practices in the administration of his power and patronage as Commander-in-Chief of the Army, were brought forward in the House of Commons.^ 1 Our account of the scandal is abridged from Jesse's Memoirs of the Life and Rei^n of George III, Vol. III. PP- 522-532. 185 The Romance of Princess Amelia He was not only charged with having allowed his mistress Mrs. Clarke to sell military commissions for her own advantage, but he was also alleged to have participated in the proceeds of her infamous traffic. So completely were the charges discredited not only by the King and his ministers, that the latter most unwisely insisted, in the interests of the Duke himself, that the inquiry should be conducted in the most open and public way possible. " It was obvious," Sir Samuel Romilly points out, " that such a proceeding must be most mischievous to the Duke. Though no violation of the law might be established against him, yet the mere exposing to the public that he who was mistakenly supposed by most persons to be leading a moral, decent and domestic life, was entertaining at great expense a courtesan, the wife, too, of another man, and a woman who had risen from a very low situation in life, could not fail to do him irreparable mischief in the public estima- tion." During nearly two months that the Parlia- mentary inquiry lasted the House of Commons, day after day, presented a discreditable scene. The spectacle of a fashionably dressed courtesan con- stantly presenting herself at the Bar of Parliament for the purpose of implicating the second Prince of the Blood, the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, and entertaining the House of Commons with her profligate confessions and repartees, was i86 The Romance of Princess Amelia without parallel. In the meantime, the state of the Royal Family was greatly to be pitied. " I hear," writes Lord Bulkeley to the Marquis of Bucking- ham,^ "the Royal Family, excepting the King, is overwhelmed with despair at the Duke of York's business. The Queen very ill and two of the Princesses dying;— the Duke of York, I am told by those who have seen him since, is quite sunk under it." The King, stoical as he appeared to be, evi- dently suffered no less than the other members of his family. The circumstance of his eldest son standing aloof at a time when so threatening a cloud was hanging over his family, seems to have especi- ally affected him. The Prince had at first sup- ported the Duke of York, but no sooner had public opinion turned against the latter than, greatly alarmed less the share of the odium might fall upon himself, he disparaged his brother in the most open way, and declared his intentions to stand aloof. The King "in great agony of mind" sent to urge him to reconsider his determination. The Queen also wrote to the Prince to the same effect. The honour of the Royal Family, she said, as well as the health and perhaps the life of the King, were in his hand. The Prince, however, was not to be diverted from the resolution he had formed. 1 Buckingham Papers, Vol. IV. p. 317- 187 The Romance of Princess Amelia "That the Duke of York," concludes J. H. Jesse, "had allowed his mistress to interfere in the award of military promotions and exchanges — that he had granted commissions on her recommendations, and that he was cognizant of her having received money from those whom she had so recommended — was placed beyond all question. But whether, on the other hand, he had been guilty, to use his own words in his letter to the Speaker, of ' a corrupt participa- tion in any of the infamous transactions ' which had been brought to light, or even whether he had been aware at the time, as asserted by Mrs. Clarke in her evidence, that the profits of her nefarious brokerage went towards the support of the establishment which he had provided for her — are points on which the Duke certainly deserves the benefit of a doubt. At all events, the House of Commons adopted a charit- able view of the question, and exonerated him from the charge of personal corruption by a majority of eighty-two votes. The same day (March 17, 1809) the Duke resigned his appointment as Commander- in-Chief." i38 CHAPTER XXII 1809 {continued) A CHANGE OF PHYSICIANS DR. POPE THE QUEEN 's OBSTRUC- TION — THE PRINCE OF WALES INSISTS THE QUEEN STOPS MRS. VILLIERS'S VISITS MRS. VILLIERS WINS THE DAY AMELIA'S ALARMING STATE **THE QUEEN 's STUPID BIRTH- DAY." Of the two Princesses said at this time to be dying, the Princess Sophia (who was frequently ailing) recovered, but the other. Princess Amelia, was suffer- ing from a mortal though lingering malady. Her family did not, or would not, realize her state, and Sir F. Milman's prescriptions did her no good. Cupping and blistering were his principal resources. The Queen, who hated every change, was espe- cially unwilling to make any changes of doctors or medicines, lest the King should be alarmed. Be- sides, she had no real feeling for her daughter's illness, regarding it merely as an aggravated form of love-sickness. Her Majesty moreover secretly feared offending Sir Francis Milman, for it would be dangerous to offend any one who knew so much about the family secrets as did this family doctor. 189 The Romance of Princess Amelia At the urgent instigation, however, of Mrs. Villiers the Princess asked permission to consult Dr. Pope, a Quaker physician of repute from Staines ("dear old Pope," as the Prince of Wales called him later), and Sir Henry Halford from London. "A hun- dred different contrivances," says Mrs. Villiers, "were resorted to to overcome the objections of the Queen. At last the Prince of Wales' influence was brought to bear on her, in a manner calculated to succeed in the end. . . ." The following extracts from letters of Mrs. Villiers to Lord Boringdon ^ speak for themselves. '•''Monday^ March ^rd 1809. " I found Princess Amelia on Saturday evening pretty much the same having again been bled and blistered, the Prince not having been down at all, the senior female part of the family outrageous at the idea of further advice. The King had for the first time been to see her, and was surprised to find she did cough a good deal, but he has not been since, and the Queen not at all. I have just been with Princess Amelia now, and I think, if anything she is a little better, at least I do not think the cough quite so bad, but the fever returns as usual. The Prince comes to-morrow, and means to tell the Queen that he hears her so dreadfully abused by 1 The late Sir Villiers Lister's Papers. iqo The Romance of Princess Amelia everybody in London, for not calling in more assist- ance that he thought it right to come down and tell her, as he could not bear such a universal outcry against her, and thus to produce from fear what ought to arise out of common humanity." " Wednesday y April 5M 1809. " Having received a longish letter from you this morning I must write, though I am at this moment so annoyed I believe it would be kinder to you not to plague you. " You know it was a very great satisfaction to me to go to poor Princess Amelia every day, not only because from the real affection I have for her, I was naturally anxious to see how she was, but because I was happy to have it in my power to shew her any attention or afford her any comfort in return for the numberless kindnesses I have re- ceived from her, and therefore, however inconveni- ent to myself, I have gone every day. Would you believe it, on my road there to-day, I was met by a note from Lady Isabella Thynne ^ written by her Majesty's command desiring me to discontinue my visits as it was thought necessary by the Doctors to keep Princess Amelia quiet, and that she should see nobody but her family — good people for quiet 1 Fourth daughter of Thomas first Marquis of Bath, K.G., a Lady of the Bedchamber. 191 The Romance of Princess Amelia to be sure ! I really am amazingly vexed at this on her account still more than my own as I know how much it will fret her, and how bad that will be for her. The fact is Milman probably saw I thought him an idiot, and his faction at the Castle knowing I wished Princes Amelia might be allowed the common advantages of good medical assistance, thought it well to get me out of the way, as I am perfectly convinced that most of the female part of the family heartily wish her not to recover. I have not heard a word from her poor soul since, but I suppose I shall to-night." " Cranbourne^ Thnrsdav^ A6ril 6tk 1809. " As I expected they have made Princess Amelia as much more ill as it was possible to do. I had two letters from her yesterday written with a degree of hurry and agitation that was shocking to think of, considering her state, and both Princess Mary and Princess Sophia have written me word that she had such an increase of cough and fever last night, and was so dreadfully agitated they were under the greatest alarm for the consequences. However she will pay them a trick, for the object in getting rid of me was to prevent my defeating Milman's sure method of killing her, and now she is going to write to the Queen to request further advice, saying she now finds how seriously ill she must be, as it is 192 The Romance of Princess Amelia necessary to forbid her seeing the only friend she cares for, and she therefore wishes to consult some other Physician. The Prince is not come. It is a want of feeling perfectly disgusting. She says her- self, poor thing, that she must die from the ill- treatment she experiences ! It really makes me boil with rage. And then one hears of the King and Queen being patterns of conjugal fidelity and parental affection. I am sure the Queen never had one grain of the latter quality in her composition — the former I daresay she may boast of for I don't believe there is one person in the kingdom ever would have had bad taste enough to propose to her to be otherwise." ^^ Cranbourne, April Tth 1809. "My dearest Brother, " Princess Amelia had rather a better night. She had written to the Queen to ask to see Pope. The Queen sent her word she would consider of it but has not yet sent her the result of her considera- tions. I retract what I said yesterday for I believe the Queen must have been guilty of indiscretion which put her in Milman's power, for else she would not be so afraid of him. Poor Princess Amelia's letters are enough to break one's heart. The Prince says he has spasms at his heart, and can't come, so his sister may die for what he cares. I can't N 193 The Romance of Princess Amelia understand that sort of fraternal affection, for, thank God, / never experienced it ! I have seen Pope. He advises a warm bath (92) every other night, a few (only 5) drops of antimonial wine twice a day, some elm-bark tea, a sweetener of the blood, and a little powder at night — the object is to produce insensible perspiration, for he considers it merely belonging to the skin, and of no consequence/' Mrs. Villiers evidently won the day, and received permission from the Queen to renew her visits to the Princess — " Cranbourne, Friday. " I am going to see poor dear Princess Amelia which, much as I wish, I own I dread amazingly. I will finish this when I return. The inflammation in her side was so great yesterday that leeches were applied to it but though it bled profusely she does not appear to have been relieved. The King is very kind to her. Adieu till I return. — 6 o'clock. After all I have not seen Princess Amelia. When I got there, besides having had Pope, the Queen had been with her for an hour and a half, then Princess Mary, then Princess Sophia, and lastly Princess Elizabeth. The natural consequence of all this was fainting, and they were obliged to recover her with salvolatile that she might make 194 The Romance of Princess Amelia haste to eat her dinner and enable her to receive the King ! If Pope does not stop this peremptorily she cannot last a week. I am to go to her early to-morrow." After this one is not surprised to find that the Princess was evidently worse, and by the middle of May Mrs. Villiers considered her to he in imminent danger. " Saturday. " This fete of the Queen's ^ when Princess Amelia is really I fear dying, is to me quite disgusting, and she feels the unfeelingness of it herself so much it quite goes to my heart. She is certainly worse, and I think Pope will find that his eternal delays about nothing will prove fatal. I do think she would have recovered if she had not gone to Weymouth^ and now I think it impossible. She has so little chance of happiness in this world, that I believe it is selfish to wish her to live, and with such a mind as hers she must be pretty certain of happiness in the next. The longer her illness lasts the more perfect she appears. I never in my life met with such sweetness of temper and resignation 1 The Queen's birthday was on May 19. 2 She appears to have gone to Weymouth some time between April 7 and May 18. N 2 195 The Romance of Princess Amelia as hers, and such wonderful consideration for all those who she thinks love her." " Sunday Night. "Dr. Pope has just been here and though he says Princess Amelia is certainly no worse, he by no means allows me to be as sanguine as I was dis- posed to feel from the accounts of to-day. He can by no means allow that she is out of danger, for she can take very little nourishment indeed. Only con- ceive the Queen inviting all the neighbours last night to her party, because it was her own stupid birthday." 196 CHAPTER XXIII 1809 {continued) — 18 10 A TEMPORARY RALLY — DISAPPOINTED HOPES — MORE "LAST WISHES " SEALED A LAST VISIT TO WEYMOUTH RETURN TO WINDSOR THE QUEEN's HARSHNESS PRINCESS MARY's KINDNESS PRINCE OF WALES'S EFFUSIVE LETTER DUKE OF York's letter — the king's letters — the princess OF WALES's gossip. The Princess rallied remarkably in the ensuing summer, and on warm days was able to walk in the garden. She was at times buoyed up with the hope that the day was now approaching when the cere- mony could be legally performed which should unite her to the man she so devotedly loved. Time went on. No answer had been received from the Privy Council. So far so good. But had the proper steps ever been taken? Had the Privy Council been rightly informed? Had the notice been duly entered in their books, and could Parlia- ment be said to approve without the King being cognizant? These might be legal nuts for lawyers to crack, but what could a poor love-sick girl know of Privy Councils and Royal Marriage Acts? Meanwhile, hopeful though she might at times 197 The Romance of Princess Amelia be, the possibility of never recovering, and the prospect of dying, were constantly present to her mind, and she strongly desired that in the event of her death her wishes should be strictly carried out. It is evident that she had no confidence that her family could be trusted in a matter of honour. While making preparations before leaving Wind- sor for her journey to Weymouth, she wrote the following statement, dated August 17, 1809, and sealed it, to be opened only on her death. ^ " I hope I shall be attended to in this my last Request and Wish, that everything belonging to me may be instantly delivered up or sealed up till the arrival of the Honble. Charles FitzRoy son to the late Lord Southampton and brother to the present, and Equerry to my father the King. To whom I leave everything I have. Furniture, Money, Jewels, Trinkets, books. The jewels I beg he will sell to liquidate the debts if any remain. To him I depend for looking over all my things to examine all my papers and no one else but him to do it as he is in full possession and the only person existing who has my whole confidence on every subject. He is at liberty to give any trifles away he thinks he ought, to my Sisters as a little remembrance of 1 The late Hon. Mrs. W. Lowther's Papers. 198 The Romance of Princess Amelia a lost sister. To Lady Grosvenor's^ daughter AmeHa my godchild I leave Lady Grosvenor's 1 Countess Grosvenor, Eleanor daughter of Sir Thomas Egerton, first Earl of Wilton (who was, as we have said, an intimate friend of George III). She married, in 1794, Robert second Earl Grosvenor, afterwards first Marquis of West- minster. Their eldest son was second Marquis, and their second son succeeded to the Egerton estates as second Earl of Wilton. Their third son was the late Lord Ebury. Their only daughter, Lady (Mary) Amelia, the Princess's god- daughter, a most charming and promising child, died in 181 4. A workbox with fittings given to her by Princess Amelia was in the possession of her niece Lady Leigh {nee Lady Caroline Amelia Grosvenor). The following letter from Lord Grosvenor to his mother (the Dowager Countess Grosvenor, nee Hen- rietta Vernon, daughter of Mr. and Lady Henrietta Vernon, and sister of Mr. Leveson Vernon of Stoke Bruerne), written on the death of the little Amelia, is now in the possession of Mr. B. Wentworth-Vernon of Stoke Bruerne— ''Heaton House, April 6, 1814. " Madam, "I have to regret that in the midst of our distress I should have omitted to desire you might be informed of our loss, before it could have appeared in the public papers, and I lose no time in thanking you for your obliging letter, and for the manner in which you express your sentiments with regard to Lady Grosvenor and myself in our late heavy affliction. None but those who were in constant intercourse with our beloved daughter could have known the extent of our deprivation. She gave great promise of every excellence, and her intelligent mind could only be exceeded by the sweet- ness of her disposition and early piety, which never deserted her through the severe sufferings of her last illness. Lady Grosvenor's health I am sorry to say has been but indifferent. With every sincere wish for your welfare and happiness. " I remain, Madam, affectionately yours, "Grosvenor." [The tone of this letter, remarkably formal even in a formal 199 The Romance of Princess Amelia picture, and the same to Mrs. Robert Moore's^ daughter Amelia the miniature of Mrs. Moore, and to General Wynyard the picture of Lady Matilda Wynyard. To Charles FitzRoy I otherwise leave everything and at his disposal all my money, jewels, plate, books, furniture, trinkets, and every- thing. " My attachment to my beloved Charles has existed for ten years unceasing, as I knew his worth and possessed his affection. He has been my guardian and best friend, and in possessing his un- divided regard and esteem and confidence, as he has mine, has been the comfort and support of my life, and nothing but the cruel situation I am placed in of being daughter to the King and the laws made by the King respecting the marriages of the Royal Family prevents my being married to him, which I consider I am in my heart and which vow — and sole object has been my comfort and guide these last ten years and can end but with my life. " The King's lockets, &c., I have on I wish to be age, may be accounted for by the fact that this Lord Grosvenor had never been associated with his mother since her early separation from his father; indeed his own prin- ciples were too strict to admit of intimacy with a mother of laxer views.] 1 Daughter-in-law of John Moore, Archbishop of Canter- bury. " Mrs. Moore " was his widow. 200 The Romance of Princess Amelia buried with me as also his picture, unless Charles FitzRoy wishes any taken off to wear himself or either of the pictures to be given to his beloved sister and my dearest friend Charlotte Viscountess Dungannon.-^ To my maid whose attachment he must well know I leave all my clothes and depend on her and her niece Mary Ann Gaskoin being well provided for. " My family cannot plead ignorance of the attach- ment of my heart for my beloved Charles FitzRoy and this last request I die hoping it will he fulfilled as is my solemn wish and desire. "Amelia. '■'August lyth 1809." It was shortly after writing the above that she went to Weymouth for the last time, her physicians hoping that her health might be benefited by a change which had often in former years proved efficacious. " Princess Amelia," writes Mrs. Harcourt on August 31, 1809, "though fatigued got pretty well to Andover, and would be at Weymouth last night." 2 1 Died 1828, mother of the last Viscount Dungannon, on whose death the late Lord Trevor became the heir to the estate of Brynkinalt. 2 The Harcourt Papers y published by E. W. H., Vol. VI. 201 The Romance of Princess Amelia But her malady was now too far advanced for cure, and the true cause of it, as her sisters well knew, was a breaking heart. She returned to Windsor in the autumn, never again to leave it. " Such was the harshness and unkindness she experienced from the Queen during all her suffer- ings," says Princess Amelia's most intimate friend,^ "that it became necessary for the doctors and her sisters to arrange under pretence of greater quiet to have her removed from the Castle to a house close by [called ' Augusta Lodge '], belonging to the King, where she was only subject once a day to visits from her mother. The Princess Mary . . . lived there with her. Still the daily visit from the Queen, unaccompanied as it was by any feeling of kindness or even compassion, did her so much harm" that finally "the doctors were obliged [we are antici- pating here] to interdict the Queen's coming at all." Unfortunately Princess Amelia's devoted friend Mrs. Villiers was unable to be much with her now, but their friendship remained unchanged, and no day passed without her writing to Mrs. Villiers. The letter is addressed to the Countess Harcourt, the intim- ate friend and correspondent of the Royal Family. 1 Hon. Mrs. George Villiers to Lady Theresa Lewis. 202 The Romance of Princess Amelia The Princess corresponded at this time with the Prince of Wales, writing him frequent bulletins of her health. A letter from the Prince in reply to some of these is among General FitzRoy's Papers.^ It is dated Carlton House, October 7th 1809." " A thousand, thousand, thousand thanks my be- loved Child, for your kind letters and which would be most delightful, if they happily contained better accounts of your dear self and if I could persuade myself that the writing so frequently to me was not attended by exertion and inconvenience to you, which I cannot endure the thoughts of, as there is not the smallest necessity for your troubling your- self so much, for I do assure you that dearest Minny's [Princess Mary's] letters are really quite sufficient, and a line only now and then from your- self, more than enough. I have not as yet seen our excellent friend G. V.^ since he has been in Town, but as he has not called I shall send and desire him to make me a little visit. To-morrow morning, when in all probability we shall compare notes together, and I should fancy that your ears would then not burn a little. You cannot imagine how delighted I am that you are pleased with the Pelisses, for I do 1 The late Hon. Mrs. W. Lowther's Papers. 2 The Hon. George Villiers. 203 The Romance of Princess Amelia assure you that if unfortunately there has been any- thing not quite right in them, it would not have been from neglect, or want of pains that it could have arisen, for the very utmost attention was bestowed upon them. Your orders are also obey'd by this day's Coach, as a small Parcel will go down by it, containing a yard of silk of each of the Pelisses; and now if there is or would be anything more which you would wish to have pray charge me with it, and it shall be most faithfully dispatch'd, for I ever feel most happy, my beloved Amelia, when I can do anything that can afford you either pleasure or com- fort. I am quite happy upon your account, as I know how much easier it makes your mind at think- ing you have dear old Pope with you at the very moment in all probability that I am writing to you, pray remember me kindly to Him, and desire Him not to forget either to write to me or to call upon me when He leaves you, and at any rate to tell me all he thinks about you, and what he further intends to do. I have neither public nor domestick news to tell you, therefore I ^hall bring this stupid letter to a speedy conclusion, desiring you to say every- thing for me that is most affectionate to dearest Minny and Adolphus, and to believe me, my beloved Amelia, " Ever your most affectionate Brother, " George P." 204 The Romance of Princess Amelia The Duke of York was also assiduous in attend- ing to the requests of his invalid sister. ^^ November 19, 1809.* " Dearest Amelia, "A thousand thanks for your kind note. You may depend on my endeavouring to see Dr. Saunders the first moment I can after I get to Eton to-morrow afternoon. " I will also take care to put the Advertisement which you wish in the Morning Post^ and shall be curious to learn if the person writes to you again. " God bless you, dearest Amelia. Heaven grant that I may receive a good account of you, and believe me, " Your most affectionate, " Frederick." Among General FitzRoy's papers the first of several touching letters from the King to his beloved daughter during her long illness — written in the handwriting of his Secretary Colonel Taylor, with the blind King's scrawled signature appended — bears date " The Queen's Palace, January 4th 1810.'^ 1 The late Hon. Mrs. W. Lowther's Papers. 2 This probably had reference to one of Princess Amelia's many objects of charity. 205 The Romance of Princess Amelia " My dearest Amelia, "Sir Henry Halford ^ has just brought me your truly kind and affectionate letter for which I cannot thank you in terms which can express all I feel. I have ever been convinced of your warm affection for me, I have derived the greatest com- fort from the continued proofs received of it, and there is no object nearer my heart, no blessing for which I pray more fervently than that you may be restored to me, and to your family in the full enjoy- ment of your health. Dear Mary's attentions to you have indeed been most kind and exemplary, and they have, if possible, endeared her yet more to me. Of Sir Henry Halford's attentions I am very 1 Towards the end of 1809 Sir Henry was sent for in conjunction with Dr. Baillie to attend the Princess Amelia, the youngest and favourite daughter of George III. The Princess resided with her sister the Princess Mary in a house at Windsor — Augusta Lodge — in proximity to the Castle. She had been ill for some time and attended by Sir Francis Milman, Dr. Saunders, Dr. Heberden and a local practitioner 'named Pope. Her complaint was consumption of the lungs, which medicine then could affect but little, and in the symp- toms of which the Princess herself perceived but little amendment. . . . Sir Henry and Dr. Baillie were entirely agreed in their view of the case and drew up two joint reports — one, containing a full and most candid statement to be submitted to the King ; the other, which the Princess herself was to be allowed to see, mollified in such manner as to avoid any ill consequences to her feelings, and maintain that hope in her mind, without which such chance as there might be of recovery would be extinguished. — Munk's Life of Sir Henry Halford, p. 138. 206 The Romance of Princess Amelia sensible and I thank God that he has brought me such an account of you as I may consider upon the whole satisfactory. Ernest's escape ^ has been truly providential and I have just received a very favourable report of him from Mr. Frome. " God bless you my dearest Amelia, and believe me, " Ever your most affectionate Father, (sgd) '' George R." In a letter quoted by Mr. Percy FitzGerald in his Life of George IV ^ Princess Mary writing to Lady Anne Smith from Augusta Lodge on January 9, 1810, says — " I wish it were in my power to send you as good an account of dear Amelia as all those who love her must pray for. I think I may venture to say that she certainly is not worse since Sir H. Halford and Baillie have been called in; and as they are gone I 1 The King alludes to the affair of the Duke of Cumberland and his valet Sellis, an ugly incident which made great stir at the time. See Examiner for 1829 (p. 165), in which year this scandal was revived. 2 Vol. I. p. 13. Mr. FitzGerald calls this lady Mrs. Anne Smith. She was Lady Anne Smith, nee Wellesley, daughter of the first Earl of Mornington and sister of the great Duke of Wellington, and had married firstly the Hon. Henry FitzRoy, a brother of our hero, and secondly Charles Culling Smith, Esq. She had two daughters (one by each husband), Miss FitzRoy and Miss Smith, who were both successively the wives of Henry seventh Duke of Beaufort. 207 The Romance of Princess Amelia trust I may add the new plan does not disagree; but until the constant pain in the side is removed I never can feel happy about her. She has very un- fortunately got cold this last week which Sir H. Halford still hopes to keep off her lung. Amelia desires her most affectionate love, and begs me to say how much she is obliged to you for all the kind enquiries you have made at different times after her, and how happy she shall be to see you whenever she is well enough but now she is unequal to seeing anybody but her own family and . . . [who?] both Sir H. Halford and Baillie declared much depended on it." Another letter from the King ^ to his invalid daughter continues the chronicle in the following month — " QueerCs Palace, '' February Zth iZ\o. " My dearest Amelia, "I am truly sensible of your affectionate attention in writing to me and not less pleased to have received both from yourself and dear Mary a more comfortable account of you. I also rejoyce that the last change of diet has answered my hopes that it would not disagree with you as did the solid meat, but I shall be impatient to receive a further confirmation to-morrow of what is so necessary to my comfort. 1 The late Hon. Mrs. W. Lowther's Papers. 208 The Romance of Princess Amelia " The Queen has desired me to say that she has not time to thank you for your letter before she goes to St. James's, but that she will call upon you to- morrow on her return to Windsor. " Believe me ever, " My dearest Amelia, " Your most affectionate Father, (signed) " George R." If we can believe the reports of Caroline Princess of Wales, Princess Elizabeth did not behave kindly to her sister Amelia during her illness. The follow- ing account in a letter of the Princess of Wales given by Mr. Percy FitzGerald^ certainly tallies with the statement of Amelia herself — " I heard the other day, from a lady who lives a good deal at Court and with Courtiers, that a most erroneous opinion is formed in general of the Princess E. The good humour for which she has credit is only an outward show, and this is exempli- fied in her conduct to the poor Princess A[melia] who is dying — quite given over though her decay may be slow and tedious. The Princess A[ugusta] and S[ophia] are devoted to her; but Princess E. treats her with most cruel unkindness and ill-temper. So much for Court gossip. Thank God, I do not live with them ! " 1 Life of George IV, Vol. II. p. 14. ^ 209 CHAPTER XXIV 1810 {continued) MISTAKEN SUPPOSITION OF PRINCESS AMELIA'S MARRIAGE MRS. VILLIERS'S IMPORTANT STATEMENT CONTRADICTION OF REPORTS CHARACTER OF AMELIA VINDICATED HER OWN SIGNIFICANT WORDS DYING LETTER TO FITZROY STATE- MENT AS TO WILL. The Princess of Wales further reports — " Every one believes Princess Amelia is married to Mr. FitzRoy, and they say she has confessed her marriage to the King, who is miserable at his ex- pected loss of his daughter who is his favourite, and I do not wonder, for she always appeared to me the most amiable of the whole set." ^ The assertion that Princess Amelia was married to General FitzRoy has been so often repeated, that it will come as a surprise to many that we have good reason for stating that no marriage ever took place. There is, nevertheless, a higher authority 1 The letter continues : " So she is destined to be taken away. Well perhaps it is as happy for her, poor thing, that she should, for there is not much felicity I believe amidst dem all. When I left the Royal presence I thought to myself you shall not catch me here again in a hurry ! ! " — Life of George IV, Vol. II. rTL^yt.cTl'. ^M^6^c^?^^^'P9^^/^.ay J^^^f??. a. /fcu/n^i/f2^ !^na'4.eM* ^4^^{fJ''J^fn^ The Romance of Princess Amelia than the Princess of Wales's gossip for a belief in a marriage. The lady who in after years married General FitzRoy at one time believed that her husband had been secretly married to the Princess. That Mrs. FitzRoy should have so believed was only natural considering the number of letters which Princess Amelia ^ signed "A. F. R." and "wife/' The evidence of these signatures, however, may be discarded as worthless from the fact that in these very letters the Princess wrote "we really must marry," and as late as August 1809 she said she was still not married except ''in heart'' In the last year of her life, 1809-18 10, she has ceased to sign herself "wife" and still alludes significantly to the separation of their "persons." It has been said that quite towards the end of her life a ceremony was gone through, that it had been arranged so as to give happiness to the last moments of the dying Princess, and that Mrs. Villiers had actually been a witness of it. We have Mrs. Villiers's absolute denial of this. Let us now quote this lady's own words. Writing to her daughter Lady Theresa Lewis ^ in 1847 she says — 1 The whole of the correspondence of Princess Amelia passed into this lady's possession by the will of her husband, General FitzRoy, on his death in 1831, and she survived him for seven years. 2 The late Sir Villiers Lister's Papers. o 2 211 The Romance of Princess Amelia "Many people believed that the Princess had been privately married to General FitzRoy — indeed your father [the writer's husband the Hon. George Villiers] was one day assured from what his informant [Mrs. Beadon] called undoubted authority that I had assisted at the marriage; and when your Father positively denied it, she still per- sisted in her belief, and only supposed I had done so unknown to him. Others have asserted that she had children of whom I had the charge, but my firm conviction is, amounting as near to certainty as any one person can feel certain about another, that she never was married, or ever had a child, and that as she has often told me herself, it was con- scious innocence that made her, what her sisters called imprudent. I am persuaded that all these stories were as utterly void of foundation ^ as that of your being her child." Lovers of scandal may be disappointed at this 1 Among the stories utterly devoid of foundation was one that professed to give the true reason why the Royal Family objected to a marriage between Princess Amelia and General FitzRoy — namely his being a natural son of George III, and therefore a half-brother of Princess Amelia; and that the King's final insanity was caused by his discovery that a marriage between his children had taken place. The tradition of this fable still survives, but it will surely not be credited by any one who has carefully followed the true incidents revealed in these pages. 212 The Romance of Princess Amelia refutation, but readers who have followed the Princess's letters and dying wishes, will not hesitate to endorse Mrs. Villiers's explanation.^ It has been suggested that something of vanity mingled with the^hivalrous devotion which Fitz- Roy bore towards his Princess j and that he was of a less passionajte temperament than she was, as he was also her inferior in strength of character and mental calibre. It may well have been that pity was blended with his love — pity for this tender flower blossoming amid unworthy surroundings. But as we read Princess Amelia's final paper (dated "Windsor July 28th 18 10," that is nearly a year since her last and three months before her end) we see no reason to minimize the merits of General FitzRoy's conduct throughout. An allusion obscurely expressed in it, the full significance of which the lovers could alone appre- ciate, is certainly remarkable^ — 1 Even Hulsh, the author of the Chronique Scandaleuse of George IV ^ says, "The character of Princess Amelia shines amidst the vices of Royalty " ; and again (George Illy p. 606), "a purer and more virtuous being never graced this sphere." 2 The reproduction in full in these pages of all Princess Amelia's Memoranda of Last Wishes, written at intervals during so many years, although it involves much repetition of her feelings, has seemed the more necessary that here and there are to be found passages significant of the situation existing between these hapless lovers. 213 The Romance of Princess Amelia "My ever most beloved chosen and VALUED Charles, " This you will open when I am no longer an inhabitant of this world, but I die as I have lived blessing you, and my only comfort is the hope I may now watch over you in spirit, and hereafter we may be joined to part no more. " I have left two wills, the original in Charles Bicknell's care, of Spring Gardens Terrace, and the duplicate equally witnessed and signed by Battiscombe ^ in my red box, where this letter is, to be opened only by the Prince, or the Duke of Cam- bridge, who are my joint executors. The former has ever been a father, brother, and friend to me, and him only do I trust in my family, and only on his following my desires and wishes relative to my property. " I have now only to tell you my beloved Charles I die as I have lived blessing you for your affec- tion and kindness to me, and assuring you my affection and gratitude has increased with my years, and will to the last moment of my life, and should my cruel situation continue to separate our persons ^ be assured my heart is and long has been joined and 1 The Windsor doctor who had attended the Royal Family for many years. 2 These words are surely significant. 214 The Romance of Princess Amelia united with yours. I Hve but for you. I love you with the purest affection, the greatest gratitude; I owe you everything. All my happiness and com- fort I derive is through you. My only guide and wish is to be worthy to be your own and the chosen darhng of your heart, and though separation is the greatest misery yet my only happiness is being dear to you. How virtuous, how disinterested and honourable has been your conduct! I have ven- tured to express it to my family, and though in general I have been cruelly used by them, yet I felt it a duty and respect to you to name your noble conduct. " In my will I have named what legacies I wish given to my family. The rest I leave wholly to you, and your knowing who I loved most of those who value me, any token you give I shall know is right. I leave some papers written prior to this, with a copy of this letter, in your possession, in which you will see what I have wished ; but the pre- sent Wills [duplicates], signed by Battiscombe, are what are the real ones. However any wish I have you are in possession of, or should anything occur to me, I will add it, as I know you will follow it if you can. Pray give something of mine to the dear Villiers's who have been the best and sincerest friends / and you ever possessed, and whose kind- ness deserves every mark of my gratitude; as also 215 The Romance of Princess Amelia the Neales/ with them and Mrs. Moore pray keep up an intimacy to talk of me. Then let me entreat that in your Memory I may ever live. I bless God what I am I owe to you, and I feel since I knew you and had the blessing of your friendship and advice, / have no reason to dread your remembering the different feelings to what you ought to have for one you call your tout. " The conduct of my family I forgive, though I have keenly felt it, and above all their conduct to you which to me is worse than anything done to myself. To the Prince you must ever feel grateful for his kindness to me, and he is the only one I particularly wish you to shew attention to. My servant Gaskoin and Mary Anne who have been more friends than servants, I am sure you will not let them go unrewarded. My clothes will be divided with them, and I should like some mark of favour either by annuity or remembrance. " In regard to my property dispose of jewels &c. as suits you and your wishes. Dear Mr. George Villiers I wished to have made my executor, but all that has occurred to him lately, and cruel as it has been, it has been more delicate not to do it. Re- 1 Sir Harry and Lady Neale. Admiral Sir H. Neale, Bart., G.C.B.A., a distinguished Naval Officer, and for some time a Lord of the Admiralty, died February 1840. 216 The Romance of Princess Amelia member Theresa ^ is my adopted child. God bless you. I feel happier now I have written this. Keep up your place and try to be happy. Your own con- science must be a happy one, feeling how nobly you have ever acted towards me. Pray remember dear Mrs. Williams [h'er nurse]. All my papers you will examine yourself. Now God bless you, and [may He] allow me to assist in watching and guarding thy life, prays your dying, as did your living, " Affectionate, " Amelia. " Windsor, July 28, 18 10. « The Honble. C. FitzRoy." 1 Daughter of the Honourable George and Mrs. Villiers. When her brother succeeded to the Earldom of Clarendon she was raised to the rank of an earl's daughter. Married first to Mr. T. H. Lister of Armitage, and secondly to the Right Honourable Sir George Cornewall Lewis, Bart., by her first marrige she left issue the late Sir T. Villiers Lister, K.C.M.G., and two daughters : Maria Theresa, the first wife of the late Right Honourable Sir William Vernon-Harcourt, and Alice Beatrice, the late Lady Glenesk. 3x7 CHAPTER XXV 1810 {continued) THE king's absorbing ANXIETY HIS INTERVIEWS WITH HIS DAUGHTER HIS RELIGIOUS CONVERSATION — FITZROY SECRETLY ADMITTED TO THE DYING PRINCESS PRINCESS AUGUSTA'S CONNIVANCE — MARY ANNE GASKOIN's LETTER. In August 1 8 10 the Princess's sufferings became more acute, and in October she was attacked by " St. Anthony's fire," which precluded all hope of her recovery.^ She was now reduced to a state of extreme weakness, but she never murmured nor ceased to show the noblest Christian fortitude and faith. The belief reported by the Princess of Wales to have been entertained by persons at Court, that Princess Amelia had "confessed her marriage to the King," although unwarranted, may have arisen from her having in all probability on her deathbed confessed to her father her secret betrothal.^ The 1 Lady Ailesbury, writing to Lady Louisa Stuart in August 1810, says that "every one in Bath had bought their mourning,*' beUeving that Princess Amelia could not recover. — Lady Louisa Stuart's Correspondence y edited by Mrs. Clark of Talygarn. 2 Mr. Munk in his Life of Sir Henry Halford^ p. 139, 218 The Romance of Princess Amelia agitation occasioned to the King by some disclosure of this nature, together with the remorse which he felt too late, may have prepared, and probably did prepare, the way for the complete breakdown of his mind. It is true that the rest of the Royal Family were not aware of any such confession having been made, for the Prince of Wales, after Princess Amelia's death, actually declared his belief that the King was completely ignorant of the attachment, and he used this as an argument that the King should not be told the contents of her Will. But from what we have gathered of Princess Amelia's habitual reticence with certain members of her family, we may be sure that if she did inform the King she would at the same time have made him promise not to divulge that she had told him. We may be sure also, in that case, that the King would have kept his word, and that the Queen and Amelia's brothers and sisters would be the last alludes to the "secret marriage she [Princess Amelia] had contracted with General FitzRoy," and implies that she asked Sir Henry to ** become the medium of communication between herself and the King " on this subject. It may well have been that the Princess consulted Sir Henry towards the end of her life as to the propriety of telling the King of her betrothal. Sir Henry seems to have declined to be in any way an intermediary in the matter on account of the King's state of mind, Princess Mary earnestly deprecating any such step; and thus Sir Henry "was compelled in the best way he could to decline compliance " with Princess Amelia's request. 219 The Romance of Princess Amelia persons likely to know anything of what passed between her and her father. There was certainly every opportunity for this confidence to have been imparted by the daughter to the father during her last illness, for he visited her every afternoon. During her final illness "it seemed," says a writer of the Court Annals,^ speaking of the King, "that his whole soul became absorbed in the fate of his daughter^:; he dwelt on it with harassing and weakening grief and despair. On some occasions he kept the physicians, when they made their report, two or three hours in minute inquiries, indeed so restless was his anxiety that he was accustomed to receive a report every morning at seven o'clock and afterwards every two hours of the day. At three o'clock every day he went to her lodge to visit her, and the effect of these visits upon his heart was visible in his tears." "The best picture we can give of the venerable monarch at that moment," says the same writer, " was drawn by a worthy divine, after having asked a gentleman, who was in the habit of close and official attendance on the Princess Amelia, during her whole protracted illness, of what nature were the interviews and conversations held between her and his Majesty, and who replied, ' They are of the 1 George III, his Court and Family, 220 The Romance of Princess Amelia most interesting kind/ The divine inquired, *Are they of a religious character ? ' ' Yes/ said the gentleman, ' decidedly so ; and the religion is exactly of that sort which you, as a serious Christian, would approve of. His Majesty speaks to his daughter of the only hope of a sinner being in the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ. He examines her as to the integrity and strength of that hope, in her own soul. The Princess listens with calmness and delight to the conversation of her venerable parent, and replies to his questions in a very affectionate and serious manner. Nothing,' added he, 'can be more striking than the sight of the King, aged and nearly blind, bending over the couch on which' the Princess lies, and speaking to her about salvation through Christ as a matter far more interesting to them both than the highest privileges, and most magnificent pomps of royalty.' " It is probable that in the course of these intimate and earnest talks the dying girl confessed her secret to her father; while we may assume that the gentleman alluded to above, was no other than Charles FitzRoy, the Princess's faithful servant, friend, lover, and betrothed. If Charles FitzRoy, as equerry in attendance on his Majesty, was allowed to be a witness of inter- views between the King and his daughter — and it must be remembered that the King himself had 221 The Romance of Princess Amelia appointed his favourite FitzRoy as her attendant — such formal meetings were not sufficient to satisfy the lovers. That clandestine visits from the faith- ful FitzRoy to the suffering invalid were arranged with the secret connivance of Princess Augusta and Princess Mary, and with the assistance of the devoted servant Mary Anne Gaskoin, is shown by a letter of the latter among General FitzRoy's Papers. Additional mystery was employed in order to pro- tect the latter from possible suspicion in the future, and even Princess Augusta was not to know that she was in the secret. "M. A. G." writes after one of these visits (Princess Amelia herself is now too ill even to write): "The Princess Amelia has desired MA. to tell General F.R. how very happy his visit of this evening has made her, so much so that all words must fail in the description, H.R.H. wished me to say how much she had to say but that it was im- possible for her being so short a time with you. Princess Amelia would wish you by no means to name having seen her to any one excepting Princess Augusta. To her, H.R.H. would wish you to name it whilst riding to-morrow, and particularly to ex- press in the strongest terms how much both the Princess Amelia and yourself felt the very great kindness H.R.H. [Princess Augusta] had shown 222 The Romance of Princess Amelia concerning this visit; but to be sure and avoid naming to Princess Augusta my knowing of it, as Princess Amelia to them refused my being told, thinking that, should it at any time be possible to come privately, it might be the means of quieting their suspicions with regard to me. Princess Mary sent me to open the gate but told me it was in case any of the Dukes should come. Princess A. [Amelia] wishes much to hear from you. Sir Henry Halford is come and finds the pulse considerably reduced since he was here. I will write again if possible in the morning. "M. A. G."i 1 The late Honourable Mrs. W. Lowther's Papers. Mary Anne Gaskoin was associated with her aunt Miss Gaskoin as a maid to Princess Amelia. a23 CHAPTER XXVI 1810 (October and November) MISS KNIGHT QUOTED — PRINCESS AUGUSTA 's GIFT — AMELIA PRE- SENTS HER FATHER WITH A RING ** REMEMBER ME " EFFECT ON THE KING AMELIA'S DEATH — PRINCESS MARY's NOTE TO FITZROY AMELIA 'S LAST WORDS MISS CUMBER- LAND'S MEMORANDA DETAILS OF DEATH — CONDUCT OF THE FAMILY FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS — DR. MEADOWS NON- EXISTENT — AMELIA'S CONSIDERATION OF OTHERS — HER TOUCHING PRAYER — VERSES SUPPOSED TO BE BY PRINCESS AMELIA. " Day by day," writes Miss Knight, who visited the Princess in her sick-chamber, "she sank more and more under her great sufferings. Though pale and emaciated she still retained her beauty. She wished to live, but was thoroughly resigned when she found there was no hope of her remaining long upon earth. Her sentiments of piety were pure, enlightened and fervent. I saw her a few days before her death, when, taking off her glove, she shewed me her hand — it was perfectly transparent. She was particu- larly fond of music, but latterly could not bear the sound of a pianoforte, even in another room. The Princess Augusta thereupon gave her a bird which sang very sweetly, and with a very soft note, and she took pleasure in listening to it." ^ 1 Miss KnighVs Autobiography, Vol. I. pp. 173, 174. 224 The Romance of Princess Amelia The pathetic incident of the dying Princess pre- senting a ring to her father is well known. She had given orders to the jeweller to prepare a ring for his Majesty which she wished to have immediately, as she now became sensible that her end was near. The jewellers worked with all pos- sible speed and brought the ring to the Princess's apartments just in time before the King's visit to his daughter at three o'clock.^ The blind King, on approaching the bed of the Princess, put out his hand to take hold of hers as was his daily custom. The Princess then placed the ring on his finger without saying anything. The King was greatly agitated. It contained a small lock of her hair enclosed under a crystal tablet set round with a few sparks of diamonds. The inscrip- tion bore the name *' Amelia" and the words " Remember me." ^ The Princess said, " Pray wear this for my sake, and I hope you will not forget me." The King answered, " That I can never do, you are engraven on my heart," and burst into tears.^ Then, as the father bent for the last time over his dying child, her parting words were, 1 Royal Dukes and Princesses, by Percy FitzGerald, Vol. I. p. 224. 2 See Annual RegisteVy Vol. LXII. pp. 708, 709; George III, his Court and Family; Royal Dukes and Princesses. 3 This is from Miss Cumberland's account which we publish pp. 228-235. P 225 The Romance of Princess Amelia " Remember me, but do not grieve for me."^ (The effect of this present on the afflicted King, after his long anxiety and grief during the progress of her illness — grief to which remorse may have added bitterness — proved too great a strain for his reason.- From that time the powers of his under- standing completely gave way and he fell a prey to the mental disorder under which he continued to labour until his death. Peter Pindar — a poet whom we should not expect to write in praise of Royalty — composed some verses at the time on this theme, entitled "THE LAST TOKEN, OR REMEMBER ME " With all the virtues blest and every grace To charm the world and dignify her race, 1 Miss Knight's Aiitohiography, \^ol I. p. 174. 2 This was first noticeable on October 24, nine days before his daughter's death, and he never saw her during that interval. Munk says in his Life of Sir H. Halford (p. 140), "One of the King's latest hours of rational life was employed in dictating a letter to the Princess Amelia, which he directed in Sir Henry Halford 's presence, and com- mitted to his charge, to express his satisfaction that she had received the Holy Sacrament that morning, and had sought for comfort under her sufferings where only it could be found — in religion. The Princess died two days afterwards." 226 The Romance of Princess Amelia Life's taper losing fast its feeble fire, The fair Amelia thus bespoke her sire : * Faint on the bed of sickness lying, My spirit from its mansion flying. Not long the light these languid eyes will see, My friend, my father and my king. Oh ! wear a daughter's mournful ring ! Receive the token and remember me.' " ^ Princess Amelia was released from her sufferings on All Souls Day, November 2, 18 10, in the twenty- eighth year of her age. She died as one dropping gently to sleep. A letter^ from Princess Mary to FitzRoy, preserved among his papers, speaks for itself— "My dear FitzRoy, " Our beloved Amelia is no more but her last words to me were, ' Tell Charles I die blessing him.' Before I leave the house I obey her last wishes. " Far or near "Your affectionate friend "Mary." The following contemporaneous account of inci- dents which immediately preceded and followed the 1 Huish, George III, p. 667. 2 The late Hon. Mrs. W. Lowther's Papers. p 2 227 The Romance of Princess Amelia death of Princess Amelia, is here published for the first time by the permission of the Hon. Mrs. R. C. Boyle. It is copied from a little memorandum-book which belonged to that lady's grandmother Lady Albinia Cumberland, and in which Mrs. Boyle's mother, then Miss Albinia Cumberland^ (daughter of Lady Albinia), wrote a diary of these in- cidents which she either witnessed or heard reported at the time. The greater part of this precious little book was torn out afterwards, probably because it was thought to contain matter best for- gotten. *'i8io Friday November 2nd Princess Amelia died at Windsor in Augusta Lodge where she had been ill above a year. Princess Amelia expired at I o'clock in the afternoon. For some days she had appeared stupified, and suffered no pain, and her head had wandered. Mr. Digby read the service for the sick to her. She was very bad at first, but grew better towards the end, and when he omitted the Confession, she reminded him of it and answered every question perfectly clear. Princess Mary was in the room when she expired. Sir H. H. [Henry Halford] felt her pulse and said ' Your Royal Highness had better retire.' Princess 1 Married in 1811 to Alexander Gordon, Esq,., of Ellon Castle. 22^ The Romance of Princess Amelia Mary answered she was determined to stay till the last; then Sir H. H. asked for a candle, and putting it near her mouth he said it was over. " Princess Mary kissed her and then went up- stairs. When H.R.H. left the house she was at- tended by the Physicians to the Castle, as the King had ordered that no attendant should leave the house after the melancholy event took place. The Queen was in Augusta Lodge at the time, who of course went to the Castle, and as the King wished her to go to Frogmore as usual, the whole family put on black (not the mourning) [and went] except Princess Mary who could not bring herself to do so.^ At least this was the ostensible reason, but respect and feeling for the Princess Amelia was of course the real one. " Lady Cranley ^ and Miss Onslow were in the house at the time, so there they will remain. A lady sits up with the body every night. All the shutters are shut of the houses adjoining the Castle. Lady A.C. [the writer's mother, Lady Albinia Cum- berland] saw all the Princesses and the Duke of C ce [Clarence] who was much affected. He 1 i. e. to go to Frogmore. 2 Charlotte daughter of William Hale, Esq. (widow of Thomas Duncombe, Esq., of Duncombe) married secondly, as his second wife, Thomas Viscount Cranley (afterwards second Earl of Onslow), eldest son of George first Earl of Onslow. 229 The Romance of Princess Amelia had seen the body. Her going to Windsor was taken as a mark of great attention. Princess Mary embraced her, and cried a great deal, as she said, for the first time. Princess S. could not shed a tear. Princess E. said 'If our own family would behave as well as every one else we should do very well.' Did not this relate to the Prince [of Wales] ^ who has been there continually. We met him going to London. " When Princess Amelia gave the King the ring, it certainly was in great measure the occasion of his present state of mind. When told of this death [the King] said ' I know very well she can be brought to life again.' ^ "Lady A.C. received a letter to-day, November 4th, from Col. Disbrowe ^ saying she is probably to sit up with the body on Tuesday night, and to attend the funeral on Monday the 12th. Princess Amelia will be interred in the Cathedral. Lord Dartmouth ^ is dead. 1 The Duke of Cumberland behaved at this time "with a coarseness which would have disgraced his own grooms." — Diary of Colonel Henry Norton Willis, quoted by Jesse, George III, Vol. III. p. 556. 2 It was one of the unfortunate King's delusions that he had the power of raising the dead, the Almighty having bestowed it on him in a personal interview. 3 Colonel Disbrowe, Vice-Chamberlain to Queen Char- lotte. See ante, page 39. 4 George third Earl of Dartmouth, K.G., Lord Chamber- 230 The Romance of Princess Amelia "The body of Lady E. Woodville wife of Edward IV was found in the Tomb house at Windsor.^ . . . "The K still very ill. Dr, Meadows'^ is at Windsor. " Princess Mary said, * If ever any one died of a broken heart, it was this unhappy sufferer/ General F. is very ill with a bilious fever. "7//^ November 18 10. "Tuesday evening Mama [Lady A. Cumberland] and I went to Windsor to Mr. Disbrowe's where I slept. Lady A. went on to Lady Ely's ^ to learn her orders for the night. At lo she supped with Lady Cranley at Augusta Lodge, at ii she com- lain. " In consequence of a delay in sending an official notice of her Royal Highness 's death to the Dean of St. Paul's, caused by the death of the Lord Chamberlain Lord Dart- mouth, the custom of tolling the great bell at St. Paul's did not take place till Sunday afternoon, November 4, imme- diately after a grand funeral anthem had been sung." — Gentleman's Magazine for November 1810. From November 5 orders were issued for a general mourning, and theatres and all other places of public amusement were closed till after the funeral (the 14th). 1 When making preparations for the funeral of Princess Amelia. 2 Dr. Meadows was a "specialist" for madness. His attendance on the King at this time was kept a profound secret. 3 Widow of Henry Earl of Ely. See ante p. 41. 231 The Romance of Princess Amelia menced her melancholy duty. Mad"' Montmolin and her sat up in the next room.^ When first they went in, the men were soudering and nailing down the leaden coffin, and certainly Lady A. heard the small knocking of the nails, but Mrs. FitzGerald says there never is any, and that the nails are all screws.^ No proper state was kept up — only i pair of candles — two sofas made up as beds — no refresh- nients prepared. Two maids sat up with the body — No pages or men-servants sat up, — only women about the house. The duty was over at 8, and we left Windsor at half-past nine. The funeral is on Tuesday next. Lady A. C. as senior lady is to walk alone. All the ladies in long white crape veils and gloves. The men in dress coats. There is no such a -person as Dr. 'Meadows. '' Princess A. gave a ring to Mad"' M[ont- molin] two days before her death. [The King] had been much distressed she gave nothing to the Q. It really made him miserable. When 1 Miss Knight In her Autobiography says, "Two ladies sat up with the corpse every night until the time of the funeral. I was directed to perform this duty with Lady George Murray. We were in a room adjoining that in which was the coffin with the doors open. On the table was a book which had been a favourite with Princess Amelia. It was Tilikeper's Thoughts on Religious Subjects y and many of them had a pencil mark." 2 An extraordinary number of ornamental nails were put on the coffin of Princess Amelia. 232 The Romance of Princess Amelia at last she did give the Q. a locket with her hair, on hearing it his joy was so great, they say it was that principally caused his illness. No entreaty was spared to induce Princess AmeUa not to give the ring [to the King]. Princess M. went on her knees before her, but nothing could prevent her. [The King] arrived, Princess M. met him and said ' A. has something to give.' [The King] took her hand, and Princess A. said ' Pray wear this for my sake and I hope you will not forget me.' ^ 'That, I can never do, you are engraven on my heart ' — and then burst into tears. "A number of Physicians were in the room" [that is on some occasion shortly after the above incident and when the King's mind had become affected] " when as was dressing, said he would go upstairs that evening. Some said ' No, do not let , that must not be. Sir H. H[arford] said ' Only be quiet, you will see will do no such thing.' And so it proved, for putting his hand to his head, he said ' It would not do.' " gave the strictest orders that no one person should see the body, not even the brothers, and endeavoured to make the Duke of C. promise he would not, but to no purpose, as they were deter- mined. The P*^^ [of Wales] went first and said : 1 A stroke of the pen cautiously represents the King's name each time it occurs. 233 The Romance of Princess Amelia * My brothers are all coming to see poor A. and I shall be the last.' ' Your Royal Highness knows my orders ' [this was Mrs. Adams]. P^^ : 'I do/ and then they all came. " Nothing but her own women touched the Body, measured it, put on the same night clothes she always wore, and laid her in the coffin in which there was a white satin shroud. The leaden coffin is now put in a red velvet one. Mrs. Adams managed all this. "When Lady Cranley left her room after Pss. A. expired she found the poor Q[ueen] in the pas- sage, with Lady Ilchester, looking half distracted. She took her hand and led her up to Miss Dis- browe's room — her own was full of smoke — and there Lady Cranley made her curtsey and left her. The Q. has had many trials to go through and is now surely more afflicted than ever. " has always expressed the greatest dislike to having Dr. Willis,^ and made the Queen promise he should never attend him again, and now, though her M. has used every argument and spared no entreaties, he is sent for, and signs his name to the Bulletins, which I believe was not done in the last 1 Dr. John Willis, or his brother Dr. Robert Willis, sons of Dr. Francis Willis who attended George III in his first attack of madness in 1788, and who died in 1807. 234 The Romance of Princess Amelia illness. Pss. E[lizabeth] told Lady A[lbinia] she had not yet been able to shed a tear." [Here a great many pages are torn and cut away, and when the diary recommences it has no connec- tion with the previous subject.]^ Miss Knight 2 records an instance characteristic of the Princess's consideration for the feelings of others even when she was dying. She narrates that two days after the death of the Princess she was sitting with Princess Augusta when one of her dressers entered the room with tears in her eyes, bringing a bird-cage in her hand and the bird which Princess Augusta had given to her sister. " Princess Amelia," she said, "gave orders before her death that this bird should be returned to your Royal Highness, but not on the day she died, nor the day after, that it might not afflict you too much in the first hours of your grief; but she wished you to know how much she was obliged to you for giving it to her, and what a comfort its sweet voice had been." The following touching prayer was copied from a "blank leaf in the Princess's Prayer Book" by Mr. Charles Knight, who had the task of making a 1 At one end of this little memorandum book is written in Lady Albinia Cumberland's handwriting: "George ye 2nd was robbed in Kensington Gardens as he was walkmg early in the morning." See Greville Memoirs, Dec. 7, 1843. 2 Miss Knight's Autobiography, Vol. I. p. 176- ^ 235 The Romance of Princess Amelia catalogue of her *'well selected library" after her death. It is with reverence that we transcribe the communings of this stricken soul with its God ^ — *' Gracious God, support thy unworthy servant in this time of trial. Let not the least murmur escape my lips, nor any sentiment but of the deepest resignation enter my heart; let me make the use Thou intendest of that affliction Thou hast laid upon me. It has convinced me of the vanity and emptiness of all things here ; let it draw me to Thee as my support, and fill my heart with pious trust in Thee, and in the blessing of a redeeming Saviour, as the only consolation of a state of trial. Amen." Some lines found among the Princess's papers were long supposed to have been composed by her.^ The truth seems to be that they were the composi- tion of another lady and copied by the Princess. They have nevertheless a pathetic association with her name. She admired them, fancying perhaps that they were appropriate to her own case — 1 From P. FitzGerald's Royal Dukes and Princesses, Vol. I. p. 225. 2 These verses were published in 182 1 as the Princess Amelia's composition. The Rev. James Weller states (1904) that the verses were sent by the Princess with the signature " Amelia " to his great-aunt Miss Weller of Amersham, "with her Royal Highness 's best remembrance." 236 The Romance of Princess Amelia Unthinking, idle, wild and young, I laughed and danced and talked and sung; And, proud of health, of freedom vain, Dreamed not of sorrow, care or pain; Concluding in those hours of glee That all the world was made for me. But when the hour of trial came. When sickness shook the trembling frame, When folly's gay pursuits were o'er. And I could dance and sing no more, — It then occurred How sad 'twould be Were this world, only, made for me ! " m CHAPTER XXVII 1810 {continued) THE king's condition — SELECTS THE ANTHEM — FUNERAL BY TORCHLIGHT — ACCOUNT OF THE CEREMONY FEELING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY — ELEGIES ON THE PRINCESS — DEATH OF MARY ANNE GASKOIN — HER EPITAPH. It was remarked by the King's physicians that when he had become a prey to insanity the name of his daughter Amelia ceased to pass his lips. At first, however, he occasionally had fleeting intervals of comparative calm and reason. Four days before her death he was overheard holding a conversation with himself, the subject being the several causes of each of the mental illnesses from which he had suffered in past years. " This,'' he said, speaking of his present malady, "was occasioned by poor Amelia." ^ His condition at the time of his daughter's death 1 Princess Elizabeth wrote to Lady Harcourt (Harcourt PaperSy Vol. VI.) on November 1810 : "Aggravating sub- jects have been the causes of his former illnesses, and this one is due to the overflowing of his heart for his youngest and dearest child — a child who had never caused him a pang, and whom he literally doted on." 238 The Romance of Princess Amelia Miss Cumberland has recorded in her diary, which we have quoted. We learn from other sources ^ that on November 1 1 — that is nine days after the death — the King inquired how long he had been ill. He then asked whether the funeral had taken place. On being told that it had not, he referred to certain instructions which in an earlier stage he had given on the subject, desiring that, unless the Princess had left contrary directions in her will, they should be strictly carried into execution. The King selected for her burial anthem the concluding verse of the sixteenth Psalm, which he and his daughter had often sung together. " Thou shalt shew me the path of life. In Thy presence is the fulness of joy, and in Thy right hand is pleasure for evermore." The funeral took place by torchlight on the night of the 13th— twelve days after the death of the Princess. It must have been a weird and dismal scene when the cortege moved from Augusta Lodge to St. George's Chapel at 8 o'clock on that dark and drear November evening. The hearse, preceded by the trumpets of the Royal Horse Guards, by the pages and grooms of the household in livery, was drawn by "the King's set of eight English black horses fully caparisoned." On either side the hearse, the 1 Jesse's George III; The Rose Diaries; Miss Knight's Autobiography. 239 The Romance of Princess Amelia Royal Horse Guards flashed in the lurid light of the torches borne aloft by the Staffordshire Militia who lined the whole of the route. Next to the hearse followed the carriage con- veying their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge the executors of her late Royal Highness — an escort of the Royal Horse Guards on either side. Then came two carriages conveying the attendants of the late Prin- cess. In the first were Lady Albinia Cumberland, Miss Goldsworthy, Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Adams; in the second were Miss Byerly, Miss Gaskoin, Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Davenport. At the entrance of the Chapel the Dean and Pre- bendaries attended by the choir, received the body, and the remainder of the procession having previ- ously been formed, the whole proceeded down the south aisle, and up the nave into the choir, being flanked by the Royal Horse Guards, every fourth man bearing a flambeau. All the royal brothers were in the procession, the Duke of Cambridge walking with the Prince of Wales and, as co-executor, taking precedence of the rest of his elder brothers. It was not the custom of the day for female relatives to take part in funeral processions, and neither the Queen nor the Princesses were present, 240 The Romance of Princess Amelia but the part of chief mourner was played by the "Countess of Chesterfield veiled, her train borne by a baronet's wife, Lady Halford, veiled." The chief mourner was "supported" on either side by the Countess of Macclesfield and the Countess of Ilchester, and during the service sat at the head of the coffin. But with all the pomp and paraphernalia of mourning the real chief -mourner was absent. There was no rightful place for the man who loved the dead Princess, who was betrothed to her, and whose bereavement far exceeded that of any of those who were bidden to make a show of grief. General FitzRoy is reported to have been ill, and it may well have been that he was so. He bore his sorrow in silence and alone, while the doleful pageant was being enacted in which he had no part. An account of the ceremony, issued from the Lord Chamberlain's Office, November 14, 1810, is here reproduced from the European Magazine for that year.^ " Down the south aisle, and up the nave into the choir, in the following order (the Procession being flanked by the Royal Horse Guards, Blue, every fourth man bearing a flambeau) — 1 Vol. LVIII. pp. 392, 393- The Romance of Princess Amelia Poor Knights of Windsor Pages of the Royal Family Pages of their Majesties Solicitor to her late Royal Highness : Charles Bicknell, Esq. Apothecary : Surgeon : Robert Battiscombe, Esq. David Dundas, Esq. Curate and Rector of the Parish of Windsor : Rev. Mr. Gosset Rev. Mr. Plymley Physicians who attended her late Royal Highness : Dr. Baillie Dr. Sir Henry Halford, Bart. Equerries of the Royal Family Equerries of their Majesties Grooms of the Bedcha7nber to the King: Hon. General Finch General Campbell Hon. R. F. Greville Charles Herbert, Esq. The Queen^s Vice- Chamberlain : Lieutenant-Colonel Disbrowe Comptroller of His Majesty's Household: Lord George Thynne Treasurer of His Majesty's Household : Earl of Courtown The Queen^s Master of the Horse : Earl Harcourt Lords of His Majesty s Bedchamber : Right Hon. Lord Arden Right Hon. Lord St. Helens Right Hon. Lord Rivers Right Hon. Lord Boston Captain of the Yeoman of the Guard: Earl of Macclesfield Choir of Windsor Prebendaries Dean 242 The Romance of Princess Amelia The Vice-Chamberlain of His Majesty's Household, acting as Lord Chamberlain, Lord John Thynne The Lord Steward of His Majesty's Household, Earl of Aylesford Gentleman Usher of His Majesty, bearing the Coronet of her late Royal Highness upon a black cushion Vere Warner, Esq. Supporters of the Pall : Lady Eliz. [Isabella?] Thynne Lady George Murray Supporter to the Chief Mourner, veiled, Countess of Ilchester THE BODY in a coffin covered with Crimson Velvet, and a Black Velvet Pall adorned with eight Escutcheons of Her Royal High- ness's Arms, the Coffin being car- ried by eight Yeoman of the Guard Chief Mourner Countess of Chester- field, veiled, her train borne by a Baronet's wife. Lady Halford, veiled Supporters of the Pall . Viscountess Cranley Countess of Ely Supporter to the Chief Mourner, veiled. Countess of Macclesfield His Royal Highness the Duke His Royal Highness the Prince of Cambridge, in a long black cloak, the train borne by one of His Royal Highness's Gentlemen of Wales, in a long black cloak, the train borne by two of His Royal Highness's Gentlemen Q 2 243 The Romance of Princess Amelia His Royal Highness the Duke His Royal Highness the Duke ofYork, in a long black cloak, of Clarence, in a long black the train borne by one of cloak, the train borne by one His Royal Highness's Gentle- of His Royal Highness's men Gentlemen His Royal Highness the Duke His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, in a long black cloak, of Cumberland, in a long his train borne by one of black cloak, the train borne His Royal Highness's Gen- by one of His Royal High- tlemen ness's Gentlemen His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, in a long black cloak, the train borne by one of His Royal Highness's Gentlemen Marquis Cornwallis Marquis of Abercorn, K.G. Marquis Wellesley, K.G. Earl of Chestert; 4d, K.G. Earl of Westmoreland, K.G. Earl Camden, E 1. Earl Bathurst Earl of Wilton Earl of Liverpool Earl of Harrowby Lord Bishop of Salisbury, C.G. Right Hon. Lord Mulgrave Right Hon. Lord Walsingham Right Hon. Lord Eldon Right Hon. Charles York Right Hon. Spencer Perceval Right Hon. Robert Dundas Right Hon. Richard Ryder Right Hon. Sir David Dundas, K.B. Lieutenant-General Calvert Count Munster Major Price Colonel Taylor Ladies Attendants on Her Majesty and the Princesses, viz. Lady Albinia Cumberland Miss Gc'dsworthy Mrs. Williams Hon. Mrs. Egerton Hon. Md abiding ^jJA Hon. Miss Townshend 244 The Romance of Princess Amelia Mademoiselle Beckendorff Madame Beckendorff Miss Knight Mrs. Adams Miss Planter [Planta] Miss Montmollin [Montmoulin] Miss Byerly Miss Gaskin [Gaskoin] Mrs. Robinson Mrs. Davenport The Queen's and Princess's Dressers. " Upon entering the choir, the body was placed on tressels, the head towards the Altar; and the coronet and cushion were laid on the coffin. The chief mourner sat at the head of the corpse; her supporters on either side ; and the supporters of the pall in their places near the body. " During the service, which was read by the Honourable and Rev. the Dean of Windsor, his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and his Royal Brothers, as well as the Knights of the Garter present, occupied their respective stalls. The Nobility, Privy Councillors, and officers of the household, as well as others who had followed the body, were placed in the vacant and intermediate stalls. The ladies' attendants were in the seat below the stalls, on the north side nearest the Altar ; the Grooms of the Bedchamber, Physicians, Rector and Curate of Windsor, Surgeon, Apothecary and Solicitor of her late Royal Highness, in the seat below the stalls on the south side, nearest the Altar; the Equerries and the Queen's and Princess's other jndants, ' .he front seats on either side; the Pages were arranged below the Altar. 24s The Romance of Princess Amelia " The part of the service before the interment, and the anthem being performed, the procession moved out of the choir in the order in which it had entered, and proceeded up the North aisle of the choir, flanked by the Royal Horse Guards, Blue, to the place of burial, behind the Altar. " The body being deposited in the vault, and the service concluded. Sir Isaac Heard, Garter, after a short pause, pronounced near the grave, the style of her late Royal Highness, as follows — " ' Thus it hath pleased Almighty God to take out of this transitory life, unto His Divine Mercy, the late most illustrious Princess Amelia, 6th and youngest Daughter of his Most Excellent Majesty, George the Third, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King,^ Defender of the Faith ; whom God bless and preserve with long life, health and honour, and all worldly happiness/ "After which the Royal Princes, the Nobility and others, who had composed the procession, returned having witnessed that every part of this mournful and afflicting ceremony had been con- 1 The title of King of France was discontinued in 1801. The arms of France, having been retained in the royal arms and borne by the Princess Amelia up to that date, have been included in her Royal Highness 's armorial bearings on our book. They are taken from an engraving of a date previous to 1801. 246 The Romance of Princess Amelia ducted with great regularity, decorum, and solemnity." Princess Amelia's death was sincerely mourned throughout the country, or at least it was the occa- sion of a widespread expression of appreciation of a character which had made itself respected and loved in a way no other member of the German line had hitherto done. Since the Hanoverian suc- cession there had been few deaths and none cal- culated to awake the loyal sympathy of the nation. Poets were everywhere moved to write verses in her honour, though it must be confessed that the merits of these effusions were not equal to the zeal of their authors. Some lines may be cited — " From every bosom heartfelt sighs arise. Responsive echo bears their mournful cries. Resounding Thames repeats from shore to shore : ' Amelia ! loved Amelia is no more ! ' " ^ The heart of the nation moreover was touched by the melancholy effect which this sorrow had produced on the royal father, whose serious con- dition could no longer be kept from the knowledge of the country, although it was still confidently hoped by those about him that the King would 1 European Magazine for 1810, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 324. 247 The Romance of Princess Amelia ultimately recover, as he had done on former occasions. The day after the Princess's funeral the King, during a lucid interval, though still in a high fever, insisted upon entering into a painful investigation of the services and claims of her attendants. According to his orders a drawer in his private cabinet was opened in which were certain packages that he had prepared, containing such donations as he desired those persons to accept. On each package was duly registered the name of the person for whom it was intended. "In going through the details of each person's case," writes Lord Colchester in his diaries, "he had shewn surprising accuracy, but towards the end puzzled himself and left off by his own choice."^ Among the Princess's most attached servants there was one who was not long to be separated from her young mistress. A memoir of Princess Amelia would be incom- plete without an allusion to the death, under pathetic circumstances, of Mary Anne Gaskoin, the trusted and affectionate servant who had watched over her with touching devotion during her last illness. She is said to have so deeply taken to heart the sufferings and death of her beloved Princess, 1 Lord Colchester's Diaries, Vol. II. p. 294. 248 The Romance of Princess Amelia that she shortly afterwards followed her to the grave. Not the least pathetic circumstance associated with Mary Anne Gaskoin is that it was by the King's command that she was laid to rest as near as possible to the royal vault in which lay the remains of his lamented daughter, while the afflicted monarch him- self, during his almost last interval of sanity, wrote the inscription for her monument. On a mural tablet which he caused to be erected in the cloisters opposite to the royal tombs, may be read — King George III caused to be interred near this place The Body of Mary ^ Gaskoin Servant to the late Princess Amelia ; And this tablet To be erected in Testimony of his grateful sense Of the faithful service and attachment Of an amiable young woman to his beloved Daughter Whom she survived only three months She died the i8th of February, 1811 Aged 31 years. Jesse, in his life of George III, considers this simple tablet as perhaps the most touching among the memorials at Windsor. 1 Mary Anne is clearly intended. The aunt Miss Gaskoin vvas much older. 249 CHAPTER XXVIII 1810 {continued) THE WILL HOW TO EVADE IT FITZROY TO RESIGN A FLAT- TERING INTERVIEW — "a FRATERNAL HUG " INSINCERE PROMISES — FITZROY CONSENTS — MRS. VILLIERS's ACCOUNT FITZROY "pillaged." It will hardly be believed that, in spite of the poor Princess's numerous written expressions of her wishes, and in spite of the extreme anxiety which she had shown that they should be strictly carried out, her executors not only completely set them aside, but actually contrived to over-ride and contra- dict the explicit intentions of her will. The will of her late Royal Highness was opened by her executors the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge (her eldest and her youngest brothers) on the day after her death. The contents of it, by which she left whatever she had, with trifling excep- tions, to General the Honourable Charles FitzRoy, though not likely to give satisfaction to her family, could not have surprised them. " Her Royal Highness " (we quote General Fitz- Roy), " left to the Prince of Wales a Sardonix snuff box with a picture of King Charles the First; to 250 The Romance of Princess Amelia the Duke of Cambridge some pictures of the Princess Mary; to the Princess Mary some tur- quoises and garnets and a garnet watch, — and every- thing else without reserve, jewels, plate, furniture, books, papers, clocks, trinkets, whatever money she might possess at her decease, except what was neces- sary to pay her quarterly bills, she leaves entirely to Lieutenant-General Charles Fitzroy. She requests the King to pay her two sisters the Princesses Mary and Sophia the remainder of the debt she owes them, if it should not be liquidated before her death. She further requests that her brothers and sisters will be assured of her affection, and not take amiss her not naming any legacies for them. This is the purport of the Will." ^ It should be stated here that the trifling debts to her two sisters alluded to had already been paid off during the Princess's lifetime, that the "quarterly bills" proved to be of small amount, but that the greater part of the £5,000 which General FitzRoy had lent to Princess Amelia remained unrepaid. The King was, of course, too deranged to be informed of the contents of his daughter's will; although, as we shall see on a later occasion, a garbled version of it and the transactions of her 1 Statement in General FitzRoy 's handwriting among- his papers (the late Honourable Mrs. W. Lowther's). 251 The Romance of Princess Amelia executors was tactfully presented to him Hy his principal physician. As to Queen Charlotte, we may be sure that her first thought on being informed of the will was to hush up everything and to keep the public in ignorance of the real state of things. There was but one way of doing this, and General FitzRoy's loyalty could always be counted on. He could be induced to resign his rights as residuary legatee, and to appoint the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge as residuary legatees in his stead, thus giving them, as combined executors and residuary legatees, uncontrolled disposal of their sister's effects. By this plan nobody need know that Amelia had left everything to FitzRoy. The Prince of Wales, for his part, was well satisfied at the prospect of playing a part which flattered his vanity by giving him a little patronage ; and we shall see that he contrived, by throwing dust in the eyes of the public, to pose before it as the generous arbiter in family affairs. We confess, as we follow the whole transaction and the correspondence which took place between FitzRoy and the lawyers who acted for the Prince, that we are inclined to charge the Prince with still more unworthy motives. He certainly appears very badly in the whole business. To the Duke of Cambridge, the other executor, no dishonourable 252 The Romance of Princess Amelia motive attaches. He, not unnaturally, submitted to be guided by his eldest brother, now shortly to become Regent, at whose special request his sister had appointed him her second executor. In fact he was at this time the only one of the Prince's brothers who was on cordial terms with the Prince, and had doubtless been selected for that reason. FitzRoy was accordingly sent for in all haste to Windsor, and an interview took place between him and the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge on November 4, the day after the will had been opened. Here is FitzRoy's statement of what then occurred. "The Prince and Duke of Cambridge received General FitzRoy in the most kind affectionate and gracious manner, read to him the will of the Princess Amelia and then stated to him the difficulty under which they laboured from the contents of the will, as it would probably be very displeasing to the King, if it came to his knowledge, and would be very awkward for the family in general if the attachment which had subsisted between General FitzRoy and the Princess Amelia became public by means of this will being proved at Doctor's Commons, and more- over that secrecy might be more respectful to her memory; and as a further inducement impressively adding that General FitzRoy would be among the 253 The Romance of Princess Amelia first on his part to study any circumstance that might remove any chance of blame attaching to that respect due to Princess AmeHa's revered memory. General FitzRoy replied that he only wished to act in the manner most agreeable to the Prince of Wales, and that if he would only point out what way would be the best for him to act he was ready to do it. To this the Prince said that if he would sign a paper purporting that he gave up the residuary legatee- ship to the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge who were executors to the will, it would save appearances to the world, and he might rely on it that it would be only a nominal resignation of the residuary legateeship, for that in point of fact, he, General FitzRoy should possess everything agree- able to the directions of the Princess Amelia. Upon this General FitzRoy wrote a paper relinquishing the acting as Residuary Legatee for the distribution of the property. But which their Royal Highnesses not thinking sufficiently strong they desired him to write another, which he instantly did to this effect : ' I request their Royal Highnesses George Prince of Wales and Adolphus Frederick Duke of Cam- bridge to accept the office of Residuary Legatee, to the Princess Amelia's Will instead of me Charles FitzRoy.' The Duke of Cambridge was then desired by the Prince of Wales to shew this paper to their Solicitor Mr. Bicknell (in an adjoining room) 254 The Romance of Princess Amelia to know if it was valid; he gave it as his opinion that it was sufficient, General FitzRoy then shewed to the Prince of Wales in confideiice a private letter from the Princess Amelia to himself dated the same day as the will (28th of July 1810) which had been transmitted by the Prince through Dr. Pope to General FitzRoy and of which he had previously received a sealed duplicate from the Princess Amelia herself. This letter (No. i) contained her direc- tions to General FitzRoy as to the more detailed disposal of her property. He then produced a sealed paper (No. 2) sent to him in confidence by the Princess Amelia dated on the outside July 28th, 1 8 10, and not to be opened till after her death but which had long been in General FitzRoy's posses- sion, and when opened proved to be several pages of injunctions and former wills of a prior date, one made in 1803, one in 1807, and one in 1809. All these General FitzRoy also shewed to the Prince keeping back one secret and confidential letter only. Upon which the Prince observed that as there were some specific wishes mentioned in these old wills, it would be a sort of guide to their actions, and as General FitzRoy was desired by the Princess in her private letter to select such people as he knew she loved, and who loved her, as fit persons to receive tokens of her benevolence, the Prince conferred as to who he (General FitzRoy) thought should come 255 The Romance of Princess Amelia under that description, and some few names were put down upon a piece of paper." We learn further from another of FitzRoy's papers that on this occasion he delivered up to the Prince a paper of Princess Amelia's contain- ing "particular directions that some parts of the residue [of her property] should not come to the hands of particular persons'' and that FitzRoy signed his resignation on the complete understand- ing " that no part of such residue should be disposed of without first consulting him," their Royal High- nesses " having given him the fullest assurance and pledged their honour that they would fulfil the wishes of the Testator in the disposal thereof as exactly as possible. The Prince then asked General FitzRoy," continues the latter, "where he was going to, and on hearing he was only to go to Cranbourne [the George Villiers's], expressed his satisfaction at it, as its being so near Windsor he should be able to consult General FitzRoy con- stantly as to what should be done; for he again assured him that the Princess Amelia's wishes should be scrupulously adhered to, and nothing done with- out his (General FitzRoy' s) perfect concurrence. "Very kind and affectionate expressions were made use of by the Prince in this conversation to- 256 The Romance of Princess Amelia wards General FitzRoy, and joined in by the Duke of Cambridge, such as their considering him in esteem as a Brother, and offering their future support and protection, and they also both requested General FitzRoy not to give up his situation about the King, not only to avoid the eclat of a Resignation, but that it would vex the King to whom General FitzRoy had always been of real use." In what way the Prince proved his gratitude to FitzRoy in return for these long services of "real use" to the King, and how his Royal Highness had tricked this gentleman into unwarily trusting to his protestations, we shall see. .That General FitzRoy rendered himself liable to be accused of culpable weakness in thus yielding up the responsi- bilities which his betrothed had laid upon him we are ready to admit. Highbred in the best sense, he was himself too noble to suspect treachery in others ; and brave as he may have been in the battle-field, it is nevertheless evident that he was not a strong man in the ordinary business-affairs of everyday life. But it must be remembered in his excuse that the Princess Amelia had in the strongest terms her- self desired him to put every confidence in the Prince of Wales, and that the Prince was the one and only member of her family in whom she charged him to trust. R 257 The Romance of Princess Amelia Before continuing FitzRoy's statement of what took place later, we will here turn to Mrs. Villiers's account of what occurred immediately after the interview. " Your father and I/' she narrates to her daughter Lady Theresa Lewis/ "were in London at the time of the Princess's death and therefore did not see General FitzRoy immediately ; but we returned the next evening^ to Cranbourne Lodge, and on my arrival I found a letter from the Prince of Wales telling me that he had had a most satisfactory inter- view with poor FitzRoy for whom he felt all the affection of a brother, that his conduct had been noble, and that he (the Prince) had enjoined him to go directly to us at Cranbourne where he trusted that my excellent Husband as well as myself would do everything in our power to soothe and comfort him in his distress. The moment that your father read the letter he said to me that he was sure the Prince had cheated him in some way and so it proved. Within an hour from that time General FitzRoy came to us, perfectly blinded by the flattery and caresses of the Prince and Duke of Cambridge, and gave us the following account of what had passed. The Prince and Duke of Cambridge had sent for him. They had embraced him with a 1 The late Sir Villiers Lister's Papers. 2 It was the evening of the 4th November. 258 The Romance of Princess Amelia fraternal hug. The Prince had told him he loved him as a brother, that he should always consider him as such, that he had never loved any of his sisters as he had loved his dear Amelia, that he looked upon him as her husband, and had no other wish but to fulfil every request of hers, that he (General FitzRoy) was probably aware that every- thing of hers was left by her to him, and that of course he should have everything, but that at this moment there were again alarms for the sanity of the King, and that as all the family believed that he had never even suspected any attachment be- tween his daughter and General FitzRoy ^ it would simplify matters and make everything easy if he would nominally assign everything to them (the Prince and Duke) in order that it might appear to the King that all had been left by her to them, and that then General FitzRoy's name should not affear at all, although her wishes would most strictly be acted up to. Poor General FitzRoy believed it all, and instantly assented ! ^ The Prince had taken 1 It does not follow, because all the family assumed this, that Amelia had not on her deathbed secretly informed her father of her betrothal. 2 It was immediately after the conclusion of his inter- view with the Princes, when, overcome with emotion and, as Mrs. Villiers says, blinded by the flatteries of the Prince of Wales, that the following rough copy of a letter to the Prince was indited by FitzRoy — "Filled as my heart is with sensations it is unequal to R 2 259 The Romance of Princess Amelia the precaution of having his SoHcitor (Mr. Bicknell) in the adjoining room ready to draw up a legal instrument by which General FitzRoy renounced all claim to all and everything that the Princess Amelia had bequeathed to him — General FitzRoy hardly even read it over but signed it immediately — upon which he received many more affectionate assur- ances, and was advised to go and pass a few days with the Villiers at Cranbourne Lodge, to which place the Prince said he would send to him as he express by the flattering reflections of the most gracious and too gratifying kindness your Royal Highness has shown me I should feel myself . . . not acting up to myself, and still more to such never-to-be-forgotten marks of invaluable affection, if I did not venture to ease a grateful though distracted mind in thus pouring forth its inward vows of the most unfeigned veneration for that consolatory favour you have shown me, and engraven for ever on my heart as the comfort I am to look up to through life. To the memory and transcendant purity of affection of the adored and de- parted angel I owe every self -value I can ever possess ; and for her revered sake I wish to guide my actions as she could wish, as my every thought is centred in that sole object. And having been honoured by the professions of affectionate protection your Royal Highness has in so superlatively generous a manner expressed, has given that sort of value to my affliction which I feel sensible makes me consider myself more worthy of acting up to that Respect my beloved Amelia would have most wished I should have made choice of, by assuring your Royal Highness of that preference in her love [for yourself] which your kindness to her and us (I trust I may presume now to say) ever claimed and which has long been jointly imparted to each other." (The late Honourable Mrs. W. Lowther's Papers.) 360 The Romance of Princess Amelia should wish constantly to confer with him ! ! ! So completely was he blinded by their flattery (though to do the Duke of Cambridge Justice he seemed to have taken very little part in the transactions beyond silently assenting to this robbery) that he was more than half angry at our telling him that he had been robbed and pillaged of everything. He did wait at Cranbourne for many days, he did expect that summons or that communication from the Prince which he was so frequently to send, but no messenger came — no letter — no notice whatever.'* 361 CHAPTER XXIX 1810-1811 SUSPICIONS CONFIRMED PROMISES UNKEPT — THE SNUFF-BOX AND PICTURE — DISPOSAL OF THE DIAMONDS ^A LIST OF THEM — DEBT TO FITZROY UNPAID HE RECEIVES NOTHING OF VALUE — counsel's OPINION. iWe now return to FitzRoy's statement. To quote further from it : "General FitzRoy waited at Cran- Hourne from the 4th to the 12th November with- out receiving any communication from the Prince, when he went to London with Mr. and Mrs. George Villiers; and on the evening of the 12th received a packet from the Duke of Cambridge [No. 3] to which he returned an answer [No. 4] and on Thursday the 15th he had by order of their Royal Highness an interview with Mr. Bicknell (the solicitor of their Royal Highnesses), who brought a letter from the Duke of Cambridge [No. 5].^ Mr. 1 This letter is signed by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge — " Windsor y November i^fk 1810. "My dear FitzRoy, "We have thought it more advisable and more con- venient to all parties to send Mr. Bicknell to you, who you 262 The Romance of Princess Amelia Bicknell declined on their part giving General Fitz- Roy a copy of the Princess Amelia's will to avoid publicity, and also declined giving him any list of the Things on the plea of their being too numerous, but assured him that any suggestion he might have to make would be readily attended to by the executors. General FitzRoy then gave Mr Bicknell a paper [No. 6] stating his wishes — had he had the means of making them more explicit to the executors. Mr. Bicknell alluded to the Prince of Wales' intentions of having the Diamonds valued to pay any debts. To this General FitzRoy said he hoped this would not He done hastily or without consulting him. Nothing further passed till the 22nd of November, when Mr. Bicknell desired again to see General FitzRoy and shewed him a list of things which hacl already been given to different people without know was solicitor to poor dear Amelia [he was suggested to the Princess by the Prince], and for that reason approved by us. He has been with us everywhere, and therefore will be able to give you any information you may wish to have, as he is perfectly informed of all our sentiments, for you well know that we never can have but one object — the seeing her wishes strictly adhered to and executed to the best of our intentions and powers. "We remain, yours very sincerely, "George P. "Adolphus Frederick." (Original among General FitzRoy 's papers In the late Honourable Mrs. W. Lowther's possession.) 263 The Romance of Princess Amelia any previous consultation with General FitzRoy — many names added since he had seen the list, and many that General FitzRoy felt would have been very unpleasant to The Princess Amelia.^ Mr. Bicknell also informed him that the Prince had caused the diamonds to be valued, that they were valued at i8oo;£ and that he should pay the debts with the amount. To this General FitzRoy objected, saying the Jewels were intended by the Princess for him and his disposal and that he must beg to have them, otherwise he should not consider he fulfilled Princess Amelia's wishes. Mr. Bicknell alluded to the Paper General FitzRoy had signed the 4th November by which he gave up his Power of Claim. The Prince also wished (Mr. Bicknell said) to retain the music-books belonging to the Princess Amelia, and with respect to the Plate it was to be sent to him [General FitzRoy] but the Cypher and Crown previously effaced. This General FitzRoy strongly objected to as the most painful insult to his feelings. On General FitzRoy's return to his House (previous to his setting out to return immediately to Cranbourne), he thought it better to put his senti- ments in writing, and therefore desired Mr. Bicknell 1 A list of the different articles allotted to the different individuals by the executors of the late Princess Amelia is among General FitzRoy's papers (Mrs. Lowther's), and is given in our Appendix III. 26^ The Romance of Princess Amelia by letter to represent to their Royal Highnesses most respectfully, but decidedly, his objection to the jewels or any other things being exchanged for money, also to the selection of some names as well as Donations, and requested an answer from Mr. Bicknell. He receives no answer from him, but on the 25th November the Prince of Wales had a con- versation with Mr. George Villiers ^ on the subject in which H.R.H. said that General FitzRoy had given up his right to everything, that the Princess Amelia had in a former Will expressed her desire the jewels should be sold to pay her Debts, that he had given the full value for them and already presented the Jewels to Princess Mary meaning to take the Debts on himself, of which however General Fitzroy has reason to believe none existed except a few Quarterly Bills to Tradespeople which there was money enough to cover. H.R.H. expressed great displeasure and was very intem- perate in his manner, at any difficulty ensuing to the arrangements he had made, and desired Mr. Villiers to talk the matter over with General FitzRoy and 1 Mrs. Villiers, alluding to this interview, says that her husband "ventured to remind the Prince of the actual debt in money due to General FitzRoy from the Princess Amelia — a debt of which he (the Prince) had been apprised by me during the Princess's life at her request, and he replied, * Of course I shall take that upon myself. I shall pay it. ' " — Letter of Mrs. Villiers to Lady Theresa Lewis. 265 The Romance of Princess Amelia report to him the result. H.R.H. also desired Mr. Villiers would inform him of the result of his con- versation with General FitzRoy in which he wished Mr. Villiers to recommend to him to make an apology to the Prince and Duke of Cambridge. On the 27th Mr. Villiers wrote to the Prince saying he had reported to General FitzRoy the substance of what H.R.H. entrusted to him, but had not been able to do away in him an ardent desire to hear from Mr. Bicknell and to confer with Lord Euston ^ conceiving he [himself] had not been made suffi- ciently a Party to the fulfilment of the Will. On the 30th November General FitzRoy received from Mr. Bicknell the letters [No. 7] accompanied by the Snuff-Box and Picture left to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales by the Princess Amelia in her will, to which he (General FitzRoy) returned an answer with the snuff-box and picture." The Prince's sending to FitzRoy the snuff-box and picture which the Princess had expressly be- queathed to the Prince was a gratuitous imperti- nence on the part of his Royal Highness, not only to FitzRoy, but also to the memory of his dead sister. This no doubt FitzRoy keenly felt when he returned these articles to the Prince. His eyes were now opened to the shifty proceedings of the Prince, 1 Eldest son of Duke of Grafton, who was uncle to General FitzRoy. 266 The Romance of Princess Amelia to the indifference displayed by him as to his sister's last wishes, and to the way in which he himself had been entrapped by solemn assurance never intended to be kept. He thereupon drew up the statement which we have just read. To dispose of the diamonds without FitzRoy's leave was inconsistent with the Prince's pledged word. It was, besides, insulting to the feelings of FitzRoy, and still more so to the wishes of the dead Princess. It may be contended that the Princess Mary was a suitable person to have her sister's diamonds. Be it so-but Princess Amelia had willed otherwise. Let us now again refer to Mrs. ViUiers,^ to whom Princess Amelia had confided all her wishes as well as the contents of her last will. "Having made this will," says this lady, she gave a paper to General FitzRoy telling him exactly what her wishes were as to the disposal of her property. The first wish she had was that he should repay himself the remainder of the debt due to him, whatever it might be at the time of her death, by the sale of her jewels. So anxious was she on this point that many months before her death she had requested me to have her jewels valued. Of course I did so, and as the diamonds alone were valued at 1 Letter to her daughter Lady Theresa Lewis.-The late Sir Villiers Lister's Papers. The Romance of Princess Amelia above £3,000^ she was quite easy on the subject. She then expressed a wish that he should retain her plate, furniture, books, and whatever else he pleased, but wished him to select from her jewellery remembrances for certain persons whose names she gave him and to whom she was much attached, and desired that he would say to each that it was by her desire they were so appropriated. She named some particular things that she wished me to have, and added : when all this is done if there are any things you do not want, or if all the diamonds are not sold, always remember that little Theresa Villiers is my adopted child." ^ Among FitzRoy's papers is a valuation ^ of the 1 It will be seen that ;£3,ooo was the highest figure given by Messrs. Flower and Manning for all the jewels. 2 Afterwards Lady Theresa Lister (Lewis). 3 List of Princess Amelia's jewels, June 1808 — A pair of diamond earrings. A diamond tiara ; a diamond feather ; a diamond cross ; a diamond padlock ; a diamond comb with coloured stones ; a diamond butterfly ; a diamond belt ; two diamond sleeve brooches ; a hair-brooch with diamonds ; a sapphire ring set with diamonds; an emerald ring set with diamonds; an enamelled watch set with diamonds, and chain to match; an enamelled locket set with diamonds hung to a watch- chain to match. A pair of pearl earrings ; two rows of pearl for the neck ; a pearl chain; a large pearl locket; a ditto small; a pearl brooch with hair; a pair of pearl bracelets; a pearl feather; a pearl comb; a pearl crescent; a pearl tiara on black velvet; two pearl brooches for sleeves. 368 The Romance of Princess Amelia Princess Amelia's jewels taken during her lifetime, in which they are valued at "between £2,500 and £3 000," signed by Messrs. Flower and Mannmg the 17th June, 1808. To this paper there is an endorsement, in a different handwriting and of a date some years later, to which is added this comment "whereas the Prince of Wales offered £1,800, which was refused by the Honourable Charles FitzRoy, on which the Prince appropriated them to himselt. In regard to the Prince having, as alleged, pre- sented the diamonds to Princess Mary (afterwards A pair of turquoise earrir>gs, r^ecklace bracelets and brooch -.t:t X" eWnS^ SS wttb arop, a. bandeau -iTrrerrJe::^ an arrow and a topaz in centre; a topaz cross set w.t diamonds. . nf^rh:\cice with cross ; June 14, 1808. The value of the above articles we suppose to be from ;£2,5oo to ;£3,ooo- Flower & Manning, June 17, 1^0^- ^ 269 The Romance of Princess Amelia Duchess of Gloucester) it seems probable that, at the request of the Prince, she had from the first taken charge of the diamonds after her sister's death, but that in the end she did not feel justified in retaining them. It appears certain that she did not accept them. FitzRoy was now thoroughly ill. He writes in reply to the Prince's inquiries, " Your Royal High- ness is very gracious in enquiring after me, but indeed it is impossible for anything ever to restore my happiness or peace of mind, and comfort is a sensation I can never again expect to experience," — and he alludes to " the important point of adhering to the wishes of one whose commands can never be effaced from my mind." On December 2, 18 10 he wrote to Mr. Bicknell a letter of which the following is his duplicate — " General FitzRoy though very unwell thinks Mr. Bicknell may perhaps be waiting some reply to the letter he left from the executors of Princess Amelia, and though he must ever more and more lament that there should exist the smallest difference as to carrying into effect the revered wishes left in charge to them, as it is not from any self-assumption or opinion of his own that General FitzRoy can ever withhold his approbation, but in compliance to the most strong and valued injunctions to him from 270 The Romance of Princess Amelia Princess Amelia herself, which he feels he has no right to deviate from; and all he struggles to repre- sent is that their Royal Highnesses should conde- scend to pay that attention to their own natural feelings, and spontaneous Pledge of carrying her Royal Highness The Princess Amelia's will strictly, scrupulously and conscientiously into execution. That done General FitzRoy cannot but feel that respect and deference which he wishes to show (exclusive of the dictates which his situation must point out) and which the Executors would ever have a right to claim from him. General FitzRoy under the circumstances requests Mr. Bicknell will have the goodness to send to himself any further com- munication in writing, and begs leave to suggest his wish to be allowed to send a confidential person to confer with Mr. Bicknell should it become necessary." Some weeks later there arrived at Sholebrook Lodge, FitzRoy's residence in Northamptonshire, without any previous notice, a load containing some empty book-shelves, a few books, the music-books, a very small quantity of plate from which the Prin- cess's cypher and coronet had been clumsily effaced, and certain other articles, in what condition, and how carelessly packed, the following letter (labelled No. 12) describes; and this was all that General 271 The Romance of Princess Amelia FitzRoy ever received — whether of money, jewels or any other valuables.^ " General FitzRoy's compliments to Mr Bicknell. He thinks it right to inform him the Packages No. ^^, 34, 35, S7, containing an Inkstand, a clock, a Red Box, and a Mahogany Dressing-Box brought separate from the other Packages loaded in the Waggons, on being examined, the Mahogany Box was sent open and empty and without any key; and the Red Box apparently containing something, like- wise without a key ; and as it is naturally impossible that General Fitzroy can proceed with any Regu- larity on the fulfilment of Princess Amelia's wishes without the Instruments so essential to do so, he cannot refrain from repeating his former request to Mr. Bicknell, and urging for a Copy of the Will and Codicil, and a list of the things of which Princess Amelia mentions in her private letters of Instruction to General FitzRoy having deposited an Inventory for his Guidance in some Red Box, and this circumstance, most respectfully represented. General Fitzroy cannot conceive can be considered by the executors as any impropriety on his part, are so necessary for the fulfilment of Her Royal High- nesses wishes, as well as appertaining to those 1 From Mrs. Villiers's account and General FitzRoy's notes combined. 272 The Romance of Princess Amelia revered Injunctions bequeathed to him, which gives him the only Claim he assumes to every object he solicits." Still no copy of the Will was granted to him whom the Princess had constituted her heir, while his sister Lady Dungannon, the Princess's " dearest friend and sister Charlotte," was to be denied the "remembrance" which had been bequeathed to her. A letter from FitzRoy's confidential friend Mr. William Baldwin concludes the records of this correspondence so discreditable to the Prince of Wales. Letter endorsed "No. 15 Baldwin's note to me and my answer to Bicknell i8th December 1810." (The answer to Bicknell was not preserved.) ''Brook street. Deer, i%th i8io. " My dear Sir, "I received yours enclosing Mr. Bicknell's letter of yesterday and I am sorry to say that I can perceive too much of a settled plan to disgust and offend. I mean particularly by the offer of the effects such as they are, from Kew and Weymouth, to be sent if you wish them. I would recommend it to you to answer the Letter to the effect following, if you approve of it :— That in compliance with s 273 The Romance of Princess Amelia their Royal Highness' wishes you will present no picture to Lady Dungannon/ although it would have been much more satisfactory to you if you could have been entrusted with a copy of the will of the Princess Amelia in order that you might, from that, have assured Lady Dungannon of the kind remembrance of Her Royal Highness in her last Act. "That you begged to decline any answer to the other part of his letter as well as all further corre- spondence upon a subject which only tended to increase your afflictions — for which reason you will entreat some friend to act for you whenever it may be necessary. " I think you had better send me a Copy of your Statement of the Proceedings, and I will thank you for a Copy of my Letter to you of yesterday morning as I still fear that the business of the Diamonds cannot be adjusted as you would wish it. " I am, my dear Sir, ** Your most faithful friend, "W. Baldwin." A statement of FitzRoy's case as submitted to counsel is given in our appendix together with Mr. Park's opinion of it, dated December 27, 18 10. 1 His sister. 274 The Romance of Princess Amelia " I think it more than possible," concludes Mr. Park.i " that if the fact of the condition which accom- panied the renunciation [of the residuary legatee- ship] can be established, and the non-compliance with, or rather the direct contravention of that con- dition can be proved, a Court of Equity, where alone such a matter is cognizable, will interpose to restore such a legatee to his original rights which he had thus unwarily relinquished. But I am of opinion the residuary devisee cannot do this by any act of his own; nor can he by his own authority resume the power he has thus improvidently aban- doned." FitzRoy took no further steps to retrieve his lost rights. 1 See Appendix IV. ^75 CHAPTER XXX CONCLUSION A TACTFUL PHYSICIAN — "a LADY OF QUALITY" QUOTED — PUB- LISHED NOTICES OF THE WILL — THE PRINCE REGENT 's TEARS LADY ALBINIA CUMBERLAND'S ACCOUNT OF THE king's MADNESS IN 181I A TOUCHING MEMENTO OF THE KING SIR HERBERT TAYLOR 's LETTER TO FITZROY FITZROY MARRIES — HIS WIDOW 's BEQUESTS — MRS. LOWTHER's RELICS OF PRINCESS AMELIA — CONCLUDING REMARKS. Meanwhile the deranged King in one of his calmer moments was tactfully informed by his doctor, Sir Henry Halford, of so much of the executors' pro- ceedings as was considered desirable for him to know, and his approval, such as it was worth, artfully obtained. Indeed nothing was more calculated to silence FitzRoy by appealing to his loyalty, than the King's approval of the course which had been adopted. " Sir Henry," says Miss Frances Williams Wynn ^ in her Diary of a Lady of Quality, " describes him- self as having had a very awkward subject to discuss 1 P. 213. 276 The Romance of Princess Amelia with the King. The death of Princess Amelia was known to him. Every day the attendants expected and dreaded questions as to her property, her will, &c., the bequest of everything to General FitzRoy was a subject so very delicate to touch upon. The Queen dared not,— Percival and the Chancellor successively undertook the disclosure and shrunk from it, imposing it on Sir Henry. Never he says can he forget the feeling with which having requested some private conversation with the King after the other physicians were gone, he was called into a window with the light falling so full on his countenance that even the poor blind King could see it. He asked whether it would be agreeable to hear now how Princess AmeUa had disposed her little property. * Certainly, certainly, I want to l^now '—with great eagerness. Sir Henry reminded him that at the beginning of his illness he had appointed FitzRoy to ride with her; how he had left him with her at Weymouth, how it was natural and proper that she should leave him some token for these services ; that excepting jewels she had nothing to leave, and had bequeathed them all to him, that the Prince of Wales thinking jewels a very inappro- priate bequest for a man had given FitzRoy a pecuniary compensation for them, his family by the bye (adds Miss Wynn) always said it was very 277 The Romance of Princess Amelia inadequate ^ and had distributed slight tokens to all the attendants and friends of the Princess, giving the bulk of the jewels to Princess Mary, her most constant and kindest of nurses. Upon this the poor King exclaimed, 'Quite right, just like the Prince of Wales,' and no more was said." Nothing in truth could be more judicious and proper under the circumstances than the way in which the doctor thus approached his insane patient in this delicate matter. Admitting with Miss Williams Wynn that Sir Henry's stories were apt to redound to his own credit, one can nevertheless appreciate from this incident how deserved was the success of this distinguished physician whose invalu- able qualities as a courtier made him equally a persona grata with the Prince Regent, the King and the whole Royal Family. Indeed, as one reads the statement of Sir Henry Halford, nothing would appear more convincing than the version presented to the King, nothing more praiseworthy than the proceedings of the Prince throughout the whole affair. But as we turn to the obituary notices of poor Princess Amelia which appeared in the contempo- rary magazines, it is with a feeling of disgust that 1 Miss Williams Wynn was misinformed. General FitzRoy accepted no pecuniary compensation of any kind, 278 The Romance of Princess Amelia we read the Court-inspired accounts of her will. It will suffice to quote one of these from the Gentle- man's Magazine for 1810. "The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cam- bridge are the Executors of her will which was opened on the 4th instant. The Prince, the residuary Legatee, has very handsomely presented her jewels, &c., to the Princess Mary her favourite sister.^ She had directed them to be sold to defray her debts; but the Prince has taken these wholly on himself." s We remember to have heard of a distinguished lady who had the good fortune to survive and to read with pleasure obituary notices of herself which appeared in the papers on the premature announce- ment of her death. But with what feelings of astonishment and indignation would Princess Amelia have read the announcement which we have quoted above ! Poor Princess ! She had prayed that her 1 Equally misleading are some lines of poetry which appear in the same magazine. " On two fond breasts my fleeting soul relies Oh ! my loved Mary — name for ever dear." GentlemarCs Magazine^ Vol. LXXX. p. 646. The two alluded to are the King and Princess Mary. No one knew better than this excellent elder sister that her dead sister's last sighs were for another than herself. "Tell him I die blessing him " had been Amelia's last words. 279 The Romance of Princess Amelia spirit might ever watch over her beloved. Let us trust that her spirit had passed to where the things of earth cannot enter to disturb or distress. To return to the Prince of Wales. General FitzRoy attended the levee in order to pay his homage to the Regent as representing the Crown. Will it be believed? The Prince Regent turned his back on him — on the very man whom when he last saw him he had addressed as a *' brother." This was truly, " Just like the Prince of Wales ! '* One more allusion before we have done with the Prince Regent. Three years after the death of Princess Amelia "we find," says the historian Jesse, "the Prince of Wales deeply affected by the mere mention of hiS) sister's name. ' He burst into tears,' writes Miss Knight, 'when I mentioned Princess AmeHa and regretted he could not more fully comply with her last wishes — seemed embarrassed and exceed- ingly overcome.' " Jesse commenting on this incident attnbutes the Prince's emotion to affection for an idolized sister. We would hope that his tears were those of remorse and shame — if indeed so shallow a nature could be capable of any depth of generous feeling. As time went on, all expectation that the King would recover was unhappily doomed to disappoint- ment, and for the remaining ten years of his life he 280 The Romance of Princess Amelia lived in a world of his own, peopled by the creations of his disordered imagination. *'When he was at length led to speak of his beloved daughter," says Jesse, ^ "it was under the happy delusion that she was in Hanover not only alive and well, but endowed with the gifts of perpetual youth and health." A glimpse of the hapless Monarch in the summer after his daughter's death is afforded by a letter of Lady Albinia Cumberland to her daughter,^ dated Windsor, July 31, 181 1 (Lady Albinia was in attendance on the Princesses at the time). " The K — g remains in the same state, he has been worse but is now rather better again as to bodily health. The mind is the same — constant talking, laughing, sometimes singing. His conver- sation for now a fortnight was with imaginary Beings or rather those that are dead — particularly Prince Octavius ^ a Prince who died at 5 years of age and whom he doated on. He formed a plan of his marriage supposing him 17. . . . He fancied he had the power of raising persons that are dead, and making them 17, and that his having had an 1 GeoYge III, Vol. III. p. 553. 2 Mrs. Alexander Gordon of Ellon, whose daughter the Hon. Mrs. Boyle possesses the letter. 3 Prince Octavius, the eighth son of George III, born February 23, 1779, died May 3, 1783, buried in Westminster Abbey and thence transferred to Windsor. — Burke's Peerage. 28J The Romance of Princess Amelia interview with the Almighty caused this power. He could only be persuaded to dress in white, which was by wearing a towel, bed-gown and drawers — no stockings and only gaiters. All his ideas were on Purity. He would only drink water or milk and would not eat. Sometimes he thought himself in Heaven and that it was the day of Judgment, and spoke for all the wicked. . . . Poor man ! He appears always happy, except when it is necessary to oppose him in his wishes — then his rage is excessive. " I am very comfortable here and they are all very kind to me. The Queen most particularly so. I have been taking a very long walk with the Prin- cesses and am quite fatigued, and the only one of the party who is so. . . . Poor things ! how I do pity them ! But no one so much as Princess Sophia. She is quite broken-hearted ! " A touching memento of the poor King was treasured by General FitzRoy and still exists — a tiny packet of hair with the accompanying letter ^ from Colonel Sir Herbert Taylor, dated " Windsor, August 1 6, 1816." " My dear Fitzroy, " I send you some of our dear King's hair as I promised when we met at Manners'.^ It was 1 The late Honourable Mrs. W. Lowther's Papers. 2 General Manners the equerry who ten years before used to play chess with the King alternately with FitzRoy. 282 The Romance of Princess Amelia longer when he was last shaved, but I have not any of that. He continues very quiet and in good bodily health. " Believe me ever " Yours very truly, " C. H. Taylor." In the following month, September 1816, General FitzRoy married Eliza daughter of Samuel Francis Barlow, Esq. and widow of Clavering Savage, Esq. The Royal Family, who, with the exception of the Prince Regent, had continued to show regard and friendship for General FitzRoy, remained to the end on terms of intimacy with him and with his wife. General and Mrs. FitzRoy were frequently the guests of the Duke of Sussex.^ The hero of the romance of Princess Amelia died October 18, 183 1, in his seventieth year. His widow survived him till 1838. She bequeathed her husband's papers and effects to her sister, wife of the eminent Judge Sir James Parke, Lord Wensleydale. The youngest and last surviving daughter of Lord and Lady Wensley- dale the late Hon. Mrs. William Lowther suc- 1 The late Mrs. Lowther remembered frequently driving as a child with her aunt Mrs. FitzRoy to the blind Prmcess Sophia's house in Kensington, and waiting m the charrot while her aunt paid visits to the Prmcess. 203 The Romance of Princess Amelia ceeded to the possession of General FitzRoy's papers. Mrs. Lowther also inherited, besides the books and music which had belonged to Princess Amelia, and which the Prince Regent had so grudg- ingly sent to General FitzRoy, the following things given by Princess Amelia during her lifetime to her betrothed husband — A miniature of Princess Amelia, one of Princess Sophia, and one of George III. A purse made by Princess Amelia. A mother-of-pearl and gold cork-screw in shape of hammer. A bloodstone needle-case. A mother-of-pearl note-book moulded in gold. A gold fish with ruby eyes. A dressing-box with silver fittings and initial These were the treasured mementos of the ROMANCE OF PRINCESS AMELIA. Amid the melancholy spectacle of the Royal Family a hundred years ago the figure of the gentle 1 Some sapphire brooches which had belonged to Princess Amelia were stolen in 1880 by thieves who broke into Ampthill Park, then the residence of the Honourable William and Mrs. Lowther. 284 The Romance of Princess Amelia Amelia stands forth unsullied. But, while we review the early decades of the nineteenth century, another, a grander and a more illustrious figure emerges before our imagination, standing out all the more vividly by contrast with its gloomy and ignoble back- ground. Then do we realize the greatness and dignity of character of Queen Victoria, which could build up the loyalty of the nation towards the throne — a loyalty which had been so sorely tested by her predecessors, but which, reconstructed by her on the firm basis of respect and love, all her children and her successors have done so much to strengthen and to cement. 285 APPENDIX I LADY ALBINIA CUMBERLAND'S CORRESPONDENCE The following letters, or extracts from letters, although they have no direct connection with Prin- cess Amelia, are not without interest in greater or less degree. The originals are either addressed to or written by Lady Albinia Cumberland, the Lady- in- Waiting who figures in this memoir. Parts of this lady's correspondence have already been given in the body of the book. The whole is in the posses- sion of her granddaughter the Honourable Mrs. R. Boyle at Huntercombe Manor, and she kindly allows the following to be published. ON THE APPOINTMENT OF LADY ALBINIA CUMBERLAND AS A LADY-IN-WAITING TO THE PRINCESSES, DAUGHTERS OF GEORGE III, 1797. The Lady Jane Dundas ^ to the Lady Albinia Cumberland. 1 Daughter of John second Earl of Hopetown, and wife of Henry Dundas, the statesman, afterwards first Viscount Melville. She married secondly Lord Wallace. 286 Appendix I ''2\stjuly{i79l\ " Wimbledon. " Dear Lady Albinia, " I have just received a letter from the Queen [Charlotte] in which she says ' I look upon Lady Albinia's letter as accepting the place, and must beg you to acquaint her how happy I shall be to see her in that situation, and as I find by her letter that she is in our neighbourhood, it might perhaps be more convenient and less expensive to her to come over to Windsor to be presented in private, where she would make acquaintance with the Princesses. Will you be so good as to mention this to her, and then to let me know when I may send for her. A muslin dress is everything required at this place, and if she pleases a hat.' I have copied this part of the Queen's letter as I thought your ladyship might wish to know exactly what she said, and I am so con- vinced that you will find the Princesses all kindness and good-humour that you will find it most agreeable to yourself to pay them a visit at Windsor (as the Queen proposes) that I shall hope to hear by the bearer of this what you wish me to write to her in answer, and I fancy there is no time to lose, as they go so soon to Weymouth. I ought to ask your forgiveness for taking up so much of your time, but I am convinced you will forgive it in favour of my motive for being so particular, which is to save you 287 The Romance of Princess Amelia as much trouble as I can, and I hope you will believe me "Dear Lady Albinia "Your Ladyship's humble and obedient servant "J. DUNDAS/' [Endorsed 1797] II THE WEDDING OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL AND THE PRINCE OF W^URTEMBERG, 1797. H.R.H. Princess Sophia to the Lady Albinia Cumberland [Extract]. ..." I have received the Queen's commands to acquaint you that she wishes you would be in readi- ness to come to-morrow when the Prince of Wirtem- berg is expected. All the household is to attend, and every lady in Mantuas. . . . Your affecte Friend, " Sophia." Ill THE SAME OCCASION. H.R.H. Princess Mary to the Lady Albinia Cum- berland [1797]. " My dear Lady Albinia, *' I am desired by P'' Royal to return you many thanks for ,the very 'beautiful present you 288 Appendix I have been so good as to send her by ' Gooley.' She really is quite delighted with it as well as Mama who has taken this marke of your affection and respect to my Sister most kindly. P^^ Royal had intended writing herself, but she is so very hurried at this moment that I assured her you would not take it ill her begging me to write this note for her. Though I shall have the pleasure of seeing you this evening as we go to the concert, yet notwithstanding that, it may be convenient my letting you know this morning that we go to the drawing to-morrow, that you may not be so hurried as usual. "I remain, dear Lady Albinia, " Your affec^^ " Mary. " Wednesday morning.^* IV A PARTY OF THE DUKE OF YORK'S, MAY 1799. H.R.H. Princess Elizabeth to the Lady Albinia Cumberland. " My DEAR Lady Albinia, "Before I give you a message from my brother Frederick [Duke of York] let me return you my thanks for your kind congratulations on my birthday, which though I ever should have felt erateful for, I felt doubly so the day when you was The Romance of Princess Amelia in the midst of all your trouble about your Father,^ who I most sincerely hope is getting better. I shall be very happy to hear so from yourself, and hope you will favour me with a few lines. Now for Frederick's commission, he hopes to have the pleasure of seeing you at Oatlands on Thursday next by half after one o'clock, but as he sends no cards [of invitation] on account of not being able to have half the numbers he wished, fearing it should hurt the Duchess [his wife] he has ordered me to invite, in a very private and quiet way, those he terms our friends, which rather puts poor me in a fuss, but that is quite between friends. He desires me to tell you he wishes you would in the same manner, name his instructions to your brother Lord Hobart, Lord and Lady Auckland and the Miss Edens.^ If your brother is married before, our good wishes for his happiness will follow him; but then do not forget L"^ and L^ A. and their three daughters. In case you should wish to know about the dress, the ladies wore muslin and hats, and the gentlemen the Windsor dressed uniform (those who have it) with swords, and those who have it not, their frock uniforms. My sisters desire me to tell you you must arrange about going down [to Oatlands] for 1 The Earl of Buckinghamshire. 2 Lord Auckland's daughters, with one of whom Pitt was in love. 290 Appendix I the ladies take care of themselves, at least, as yet, Mama has said nothing, except that Augusta and me go with the King and Her, so there is but one Coach beside. If you wish to hear any more, or have anything to ask I shall be very happy to assist you in anything. If you are asked about your invitation, you can always get off by saying you have had no card. "Your affectionate " Eliza. " I write in great haste and nearly asleep as I am just going to bed. So good night." " Q' L. [Queen's Lodge\ ^■^ May 24th 1799." V ALLUSIONS TO PRINCESS CHARLOTTE, ONLY CHILD OF THE PRINCE REGENT. Extracts from a letter from the Lady Albinia Cumberland to her daughter Albinia, Mrs. Alexander Gordon (of Ellon). ''Windsor [18 11 — The summer after Princess Amelia's death]. " I am very comfortable here. They are all very kind to me. The Queen particularly so. I am much alone, but that you know I have no objection to. . . . I have been four hours in the Phaeton, and when I came in — Miss Townshend, so you may guess how I T 2 291 The Romance of Princess Amelia feel ! and then it was time to dress. Princess Char- lotte is here. She is grown and improved in looks, but I do not think her manner dignified, as a Prin- cess' ought to be, or indeed as I should wish a daughter of mine to behave. She hates her ' Granny ' as she calls her [Queen Charlotte] — loves nobody here except Princess Mary and Sophia, goes swag- gering about, and she twangs hands with all the men, is in awe of no one, and glories in her inde- pendent way of thinking. Her passion is Horses — that and mathematics are the only amusements she has. Her riding is beautiful — no fear of course — gallops and leaps over every ditch like a schoolboy — gave her groom a cut with her whip about the back to-day and told him he was always in the way. This was in good humour though, but it is not acting en Pnncesse. Frederick FitzClarence ^ is on a visit to Mrs. [Feilding?] She [Princess Charlotte] is very fond of him, and makes him ride with her every day, to the great annoyance of her Aunts as if the Granny knew it she would be much displeased, and I believe that is her chief reason for wishing it. Her Governess Lady de Clifford,^ she has not the 1 Son of William IV and Mrs. Jordan. 2 Sophia widow of Edward Southwell, 20th Baron de Clifford. Her grandson George 6th Earl of Albemarle gives some amusing anecdotes of Princess Charlotte and Lady de Clifford in his Fijiy Years of my Life, Vol. I. p. 339, 340. 292 Appendix I smallest degree of respect for. I think her clever and she has a great deal of royal wit. ''Private. The poor K — g remains in the same state. He is now entirely under the care of Willis and his people, and none of his own servants go nearer than the next room. There was no truth in the report I told you of dropsy, or any illness but this most melancholy mental one. They are all much more cheerful than I expected to find them, and very kind to me. My apartment is very com- fortable. I have nothing to plague me — no footman to scold for being out of the way, and no more bills to fret about. Harriet I am sure is better at B [?] than with me, and I hope is happy. You my dearest Albinia happily married; I hope to arrange my Waiting to be with you next spring. . . ." [Allusions to the heat of the dog days and the impending marriage of Lord Plymouth with Lady Mary Sackville daughter of the late Duke of Dorset.] VI [A letter from the Lady Albinia Cumberland to her daughter Albinia giving an account of the King's mental state, dated July 27 [181 1] has been already quoted in the text (page 281).] 293 The Romance of Princess Amelia VII ON THE DEATH OF MISS HARRIET CUMBERLAND. Extract of letter from H.R.H. Princess Mary to the Lady Albinia Cumberland. ^^Juny. 26, 181 2. '' I loved your sweet Harriet and knew all her merits, and always thought her a lovely creature, and one who had she lived would have been a great and bright ornament to society, as she had every quality to be both loved and liked, and a warm and most excellent heart, and for those she loved she would do anything." VIII THE REDUCTION OF THE SALARIES OF THE LADIES-IN-WAITING H.R.H. Princess Mary to the Lady Albinia Cumberland [Extract]. ^^ March 27, 181 2. " By the papers you will have seen what has passed in Parliament on our account, and this decided measure of course obliges us to make many changes which are extremely painful to our feelings, but are however absolutely necessary. Our first object I trust you will believe, my dearest Lady 294 Appendix I Albinia is to consider as far as we can the feelings of those who have faithfully served us for many years. Need I say you mark the first on the list as 17 years of experienced duty attachment and affec- tion we have received from you can never be effaced from our memory, (I write in the name of Sophia as well as my own). Liberal as is the allowance Par- liament has made for us, you must be sensible, as it is never to increase, that our plans must be formed on a prudent basis. Therefore it is not in our power to have more than one lady belonging to each of us ; in consequence it must make the duty extremely arduous, as, take it on an average six months will be the least attendance required of each lady, besides being forthcoming at other times should attendance be required in town or elsewhere. This at once must put an end to any lady asking for a long leave of absence as our wish is to confine the waiting to alternate months, or at utmost never to exceed two. It will likewise not be possible for us to give the same salary the Queen's kindness used to allow the ladies to enjoy as long as they have been selected and appointed by her. Therefore you cannot be surprised to hear the salaries will not be in future more than 300 a year . . ." &c. [If the offer is not accepted the Princesses offer in confidence a pension of a i; 100 a year. Princess Sophia writes very affectionately a few days later 295 The Romance of Princess Amelia to the same effect. Lady Albinia declined con- tinuing in waiting.] IX THE WEDDING OF PRINCESS MARY AND THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, July 22, 1816. The Lady Albinia Cumberland to her daughter Albinia. " Tuesday [18 16]. " My dearest Albinia, " Well the wedding is over ! Dear P'' Mary looked most lovely and Angelic — really. Her dress a rich silver tissue of dead silver (no shine) — no trimming upon it : — lace round the neck only. Diamond necklace. The Hair dressed rather high — The Diamonds put round the Head, some- thing in the form of a diadem. When everybody was assembled in the Saloon, the Dukes of Cam- bridge and Clarence handed Her in. She looked very modest & was quite overcome. The P. Regent stood at the other end to the Duke of Gloucester. She stood alone to the former, quite leaning against Him. Indeed she needed support, I thought she would faint. I pitied the Duke of G[loucester] for he stood a long time at the Altar waiting till she came into the room giving cakes, carrying wine &c. After the ceremony the Regent & Duke of C. saluted 296 Appendix I her, & I don't think the Duke of Gloucester did. She then went to the Queen & Sisters and was quite overcome, was obliged to sit down, & nearly fainted but soon recovered, & exerted herself to the utmost, went round to all Her Friends shook hands with them but did not speak. I took great pains to stand as near as I could with propriety and I thought had got a very good place for seeing Her, and was close to the Altar, but the Princes all came in, and the Duke of Kent stood exactly before me. So I only got a peep with great difficulty. The heat of the rooms, the number of coaches, and the heat of the night was awful ! It has made me quite unwell, but I must proceed to tell you that the Duke of Gloucester kissed Miss Dee, Lady Isabella [Thynne], and Lady Matilda Wynyard, and many more — but I did not see him go to His new sisters, I suppose He did — think of going 26 miles late at night, after all the agitation she has undergone ! They remain there a week alone, & next Tuesday all the Royalties go to dine at Bagshot. " I spoke to very few people. Lady Castlereagh, Lady Cholmondeley, my grand relations, I shook hands with. I sat some time by Lady Melville.^ She said Ldy Aberdeen ^ is near her time, does not 1 Formerly Lady Jane Dundas. 2 Mother of the fifth Earl of Aberdeen. By her first hus- band she was mother of the first Duke of Abercorn. 297 The Romance of Princess Amelia go to Scotland this year. She said something of Lady Olivia wishing to see you again and that she had enquired much after you — The Duke of Gloucester kissed the Regent, & the Duke of Cambridge. I am glad it is all over, for I thought it very disagreeable and a very long ceremony — so many people I did not know, and all the old women so dressed out, myself amongst them. 4 Feathers, and silver Janbon sleeves trimmed as full as pos- sible, all silver, upon blond. One entire peticoat of portugal[?] net, worked with silver spots [illustra- tion] all over rich bandeaus of blond around, the same as the pattern I send — worked silver — all this given by the Queen — the gown and train and cap I bought. I looked as big as a House, though I allow the dress was handsome. I go to Roehampton ^ on Monday and take Sophy. " God bless you, " Yr Affecte. "A. cr 1 Lord Buckinghamshire's house. 298 APPENDIX II EXTRACT FROM THE ROYAL MARRIAGE ACT The act of 1772, 12 Geo. Ill c. XI, for the better "Regulating the future Marriages of the Royal Family," provided that no descendant of George II, male or female (other than the issue of princesses who had married, or might marry, into foreign families), should be capable of contracting matri- mony without the previous consent of the Sovereign, signified under the Great Seal, and declared in Council (which consent was to be set out in the Licence and Register of Marriage, and to be entered in the books of the Privy Council); every marriage of any such descendant without such consent made null and void. " Provided always— by Section 2 of the Act- that in case any such descendant, being above the age of 25 years, should persist in his or her resolu- tion to contract a marriage disapproved of or dis- sented from by the Sovereign ; then such descendant, upon giving notice to the King's Privy Council, which notice was to be entered in the books thereof, might, at any time from the expiration of 12 calendar 299 The Romance of Princess Amelia months after such notice given, contract such mar- riage ; and his or her marriage with the person before proposed and rejected, might be duly solemnized, without the previous consent of the Sovereign, and such marriage should be good, unless both Houses of Parliament should, before the expiration of the said 12 months, expressly declare their disappro- bation of such intended marriage." [The Duke of Sussex having, in defiance of the Royal Marriage Act, married Lady Augusta Murray, daughter of the Earl of Dunmore (firstly at Rome on the 4th of April 1793, and secondly in St. George's, Hanover Square, on Dec. 5th of the same year), the marriage was declared null and void, and dissolved in the following August. During the inquiry it transpired that the parties had been dis- guised at the ceremony, and the parson seems not to have known them. So improbable, however, did it appear that all those who were present should have been ignorant of the truth, that, when the affair came to be investigated by the Privy Council, Lord Thurlow denounced their conduct in most violent language. " Sir," he said angrily to Lord Eldon, "why have you not prosecuted under the Act of Parliament all the parties concerned in this abominable marriage?" Happily the Attorney- General (Lord Eldon) was ready with a reply. " I 300 Appendix II answered," he writes, "that it was a very difRcult business to prosecute; that the Act, it was under- stood, had been drawn by Lord Mansfield, Mr. Attorney -General Thurlow, and Mr. Solicitor- General Wedderburn, who unluckily had made all parties present at the ceremony guilty of felony, and as nobody could prove the marriage except persons who had been present at it, there could be no pro- secution, because nobody present could be compelled to be a witness/' This put an end to the matter. — Twiss, Life of Eldon^ Vol. I. p. 235.] 301 APPENDIX III *'a list of the different articles allotted to the different individuals by the execu- tors of the late princess amelia" [General FitzRoy's Papers (the late Honourable Mrs. W. Lowther's)] Remembrances to the Royal Family. 1. The King A gold watch-chain with seal. 2. The Queen An ivory souvenir. 3. The Prince of Wales . The sardonyx snuff-box. 4. The Duchess of Wur- a gold pin bodkin and gold temberg chain. 5. Princess Augusta . . . 6. [Omitted. Princess Elizabeth] 7. Pss. Mary 8. Pss. Sophia 9. Princess Charlotte . . 10. The Duchess of York . 11. Princess Sophia Matilda 1 2. The Duke of Cambridge. A small pearl necklace. A set of turquoise and gar- nets. A small pearl necklace and a gold watch given by the King to the Princess Amelia. A set of small pink topazes. Set of antiques in gold. Gold bandeau, bracelets and comb. Princess Mary's pictures and an inkstand. 302 Appendix III I. Mrs. George Villiers 2. Miss Theresa Villiers . 3. Mr. George Villiers . . 4. Lady Dungannon . . 5. Lady Grosvenor . . . 6. Lady Amelia Grosvenor 7. Gen. Wynyard . . . 8. Lady Matilda Wynyard Mrs. Robert daughter Moore's 10. Dowager Mrs. Moore 11. Lady Neale . . . . 12. Mrs. Gwynn . . . 13. Mrs. Drax 14. Mrs. Orm . . 15. Baroness Howe 16. Dowager Lady Harcourt 17. Lady Ailesbury . . . 18. Mrs. Jervis Holmes [Pss. Amelia's foster- sister] The cornelian with small diamonds given by the Prince to the Pss. Amelia. The yellow topazes. A gold pencil. The aqua marinas. A small cornelian set. Lady Grosvenor's picture. Lady Matilda's picture and a necklace of her. Small pearl comb, chain and crescent. Dowager Mrs. Moore's pic- ture. Archbishop Moore's picture. Pearl bandeau and feather in black velvet. A pair of bracelets with mosaics ; Mrs. Bunbury and the Duss. of York's picture. A ring with an antique and a brooch. An upright pianoforte. A pearl locket and golden chain, with Lady Mary Howe's pictures. A coral necklace, with brace- lets. Light coral set. The gilt porrenger used by Pss. Am. when a child. 303 The Romance of Princess Amelia 19. Mrs. Captain Robert Williams, Mill Hill 20. Mrs. Robert Williams of Bedford Square 21. Lady Cardigan . . . 22. Lady Caroline Walde- grave 23. Lady Pitt 24. Miss Knight ... 25. [Mile] Mountmollin . 26. Miss Planta .... 27. Lady Isabella Thynne 28. Mrs. Adams . . . 29. Mrs. Fielding . . . 30. Miss Finch .... 31. Miss Mat Fielding . 32. Miss Augusta Fielding 33. Mrs. Norman . . . 34. Miss Cheveley . . 35. Miss M. Cheveley . 36. Mrs. Davenport . . 37. Mrs. Robinson . . 38. Mrs. Brochels . . . , 39. Miss Byerly 40. Mrs. Howe . 304 Amethyst girdle and brooch. A gold net and butterfly. A brooch cameo. A pair blue enamel and steel bracelets. Two brooches with the King and Queen's heads. A set of light cornelian. A necklace of small coral beads. A golden brooch. An ivory fan. A box with the King's cypher enamelled on it. An ivory fan. A fan. A ring with Lady C. Finch's hair [her grandmother's hair]. A pair of pearl buckles. A fan. A fan. A fan. A plain common clock in a black wooden case. Two pairs of plated candle- sticks. An old-fashioned gold watch left by the late Mrs. Clarke to the Pss. Amelia, and a gold chain and seal. Various small trinkets. A small gold watch. APPENDIX IV counsel's opinion of general fitzroy's case A. B. by Will gives certain specific Legacies to C. D. and all the Rest and Residue of his effects he leaves to E. F. as Residuary Legatee and constitutes R. S. and T. W. his Executors. It may not be improper to suggest that A. B. in his Life Time had expressed his wishes to the said E. F. the Residuary Legatee as to the disposal of some parts of such Residue and a particular direction that some other parts thereof should not come to the hands of par- ticular persons. The Executors have not yet proved the Will, but soon after the death of A. B. desired an interview with E. F. the Residuary Legatee and at that Meet- ing E. F. at the desire of the Executors signed a Paper in the following words, " I request R. S. and T. W. to have the goodness to accept the office of Residuary Legatee to A. B.'s Will instead of me E. F." This was signed by him after acquainting the Executors that he was possessed of such Instruc- tions from the Testator aforesaid and presuming that no part of such Residue would be disposed of by u 305 The Romance of Princess Amelia the Executors without first consulting him, they having given him the fullest Assurance and pledged their honour that they would fulfil the wishes of the Testator in the disposal thereof as exactly as possible. Since the signing of the said conditional Docu- ment the Executors have disposed of Part of these effects without consulting the said E. F. and in direct contradiction to the wishes and Injunctions of the Testator. For this reason E. F. is most anxious to set aside the same and that the wishes of the Testator which he had been so entrusted as aforesaid may be carried in to execution. Your opinion is therefore desired : How far the document so signed by him as aforesaid may be deemed binding in Law, and by what legal means if any he can resume that Power which will enable him to carry out the wishes of the Testator where with he had been entrusted as aforesaid into Execution. That being his great and only object. [Opinion] The Paper signed by E. F. is one of the most serious nature and will be extremely difficult to be got rid of. At the same time as it is stated to have been accompanied by a condition which has not been performed on the part of the Executors, I am not without hopes that this may be accomplished. This is quite evident, however, 306 Appendix IV that this cannot be the business of a Court of Law. Even a legacy cannot be there enforced. Much less can the renunciation of a legacy or residuary devise be there overset. But I think it more than possible that if the fact of the condition, which accompanied the renunciation, can be established and the non-compliance with or rather the direct contravention of that condition can be proved, a Court of Equity, where alone such a matter is cognizable, will interpose to restore such a legatee to his original rights, which he had thus unwarily relinquished. But I am of opinion the residuary devisee cannot do this by any act of his own, nor can he by his own authority resume the power he has thus imprudently abandoned. J. A. Park.i Line. Inn Fields^ Deer. 2yth 1810. 1 Afterwards Sir James Allan Park, Attorney-General of Lancaster in 181 1; not to be confounded with Sir James Parke, Lord Wensleydale. 307 PEDIGREE OF GEN. THE HON. CHARLES FITZROY Charlu FitzRoy and Duke of Grafton, K.G.; died 1757. George — Dorothy EarlofEustoii, daughter of bom 1715: died the Earl of j.>. 1747. Burlington. i FitzRoy, Elizabeth daughter of Col. Wm. Cosby, Barbara Villieis, Duchess of Cleveland. Lady Isabella Bennet, daughter and heir of Henry Earl of Arl- ington. She married secondly Sir Thomas Lady Henrietta Somerset, daughter of Charles Marquis of Worcester, eldest son of Henry Duke of Beaufort. Charles, born 1718 ; died 1739. Caroline, married W.lliam jnd Earl of Bar- rington. Is.-jbella, Harriet, niarried Francis unmarried, ist Marquis of Hertford. .\ugustus. :^. ^rd Duke of Grafton, and son ; created K.G., married twice. Baron South- Ancestor of the ampton 1780 ; present Duke of died 1797. Grafton. Charles FitzRoy, ^ Anne, daughter George Ferdinand, and Lord Southampton, born 1761. By his and wife, Frances Isabella daughter of Lord Robert Seymour, he was ancestor of the CHARLES FITZROY, = (Sept. a General Officer, born Barlo' Sept 5, 1762; died Oct. r8, 1831,^./. 816) Eliza Afidow of Clavering Savage, Esq. She died 1818. Her niece the Hon. Alice Parke married the Hon. William Lowther. born 1765; married Lady Anne Wellesley: ^»«d I7Q4. leaving two daughters. His widow married C. C. Smith, Esi]. William. Robert, Edward, Susar,nai Maria, Charlotte, Lotlisa, died../. died i./>. unmarried. married married ffis^s Sf a^d Viscount William James Allen, Lord Bagot : had issue ; 2nd, his cousin Lady Eliza- died .si. beth FitzRoy. _ Georgiana, married Gen. the Hon. Sir William Ponsonby, who was killed at Waterloo. She died ■835. THE FAMILY OF GEORGE HI Charlotte of Mecklcnburg- Strelitz ; born 1744; married 1761 ; died 1818. George IV, born 1763 ; died 1830. Regent 1810; King 183c. Frederick Duke of York, born 1763 ; died .837 J.>- William IV, Duke of Clarence, born 1765 ; died 1837. Charlotte, Princess Royal, Queen of Wurt- emberg ; born 1766; married 1797; died 1B28. Edward Duke of Kent, born 1767 ; died born 1768 ; died 1840. I Elizabeth, born 1770; married, 1818, Landgraf of Hesse - Homburg ; died 1840. Duke of Cumber- land ; born 1771 ; King of Hanover 1837 ; died 1851. Adolphus Frederick Duke of Cambridge, born 1774 ; died 1850. Mary, Sophia, Octavius, Alfred, Amelia, born .776 ; born^777; born 1779; born .780; born 1783 died ,8.0. married, 1816, died 1848. died 1783. died .783. the Duke of Gloucester ; died .8S7. INDEX Adams, Mrs., 234 Alderton, 114-119 Amelia, Princess, her ancestors and parentage, 17-27 ; birth and childhood, 28-35 5 personal appearance and attainments, 36 ; delicate constitution, 37 ; letters to Lady Albinia Cum- berland, 37-42 ; confirmation, 49 ; life at Weymouth, 52 ; first association with FitzRoy, 52- 56 ; returns to Windsor, 57 ; quarrels with Miss Gomme, 57 ; correspondence with her mother, 59 et seg., and with Princess Mary, 66 ; illness, 78 ; testa- mentary instructions to Fitz- Roy ; letters to Lady Harcourt, 79-81 ; becomes acquainted with Mrs. VilHers, 85 ; visits Weymouth and Cuffnells, 90- 91 ; riding accident, 92 ; re- turn to Windsor, 93 ; position in regard to Royal Marriage Act, 100 ; letters to Mrs. Vil- liers, 103-111 ; visits Stoke Bruerne, 114; miniatures of, 120 ; letters to FitzRoy, 122, 124, 135, 151 ; letter to Miss Goldsworthy, 158 ; her benevo- lence, 1 59 et seq. ; letter to Lady Harcourt, 164 ; borrows money from FitzRoy, 168 ; confidence in the Prince of Wales, 172 ; letters to FitzRoy, 173 el seq. ; applies to Privy Council for licence to marry FitzRoy, 179 ; letter to Prince of Wales on this subject, I7()etseq. ; her remarks on marriage, 183 ; nature of her illness and her physicians, 189; critical state, 194; rally and hope of marriage, 197 ; her will, 198 ; false rumours of marriage, 210 et seq. ; final letter to FitzRoy, 214 ; final stage of illness, 218 et seq. ; clandestine meetings with Fitz- Roy, 221 ; last gift to her father, 225 ; death, 227 ; her will and how carried out, 250 et seq. ; valuation of her effects, 269 Amelia, Princess (daughter of George II), 17, 18, 115 et seq. Andover, 90, 201 Auckland, Lord, 90, 91 Augusta, Princess, 23, 26, 76, 78, 222, 224 Augusta d'Este, 163, 164 B Bagot, Lord, 121, 122 Baillie, Dr., 216-17 Baldwin, William, letter from, 273 Beadon, Mrs., 212 Bicknell, Mr., 254, 263 et seq.., 270, 272 Boringdon, Lord, 177 Bremen, 104 Buckingham, Marquis of, 1 87 Buckingham Palace, note on, 28 Buckley, Lady Georgiana, 91, 152, 153, 154 Bulkeley, Lord, quoted, 187 Burney, Fanny (Mme. d'Arblay), quoted, 19, 29, 31, 36 ; visits Princess Amelia at Juniper Hill, 46 ; quoted 52, 57, 7 1) 122 309 Index Cadlands, 91 Cambridge, Adolphus Duke of, 76, 240, 250, 254 Carpenter, Lady Almeria, 39 Castlereagh, Lord, 186 Cathcart, Lord, 104 Charlemagne, compared with George III, 23 Charles, Archduke, 104 Charlotte, Queen, 17, 19, 21 ; her love for the king, 22 ; corre- spondence withPrincessAmelia, 58 et seq. ; attitude towards FitzRoy, 68 et seq. ; behaviour to the king, 95 ; her description of the Royal Family, 133; letters to Princess Amelia, 144 et seq.^ 252 Charlotte, Princess, 100, 292 Chatham, Lord, 109, no Chesterfield, Countess of, 241 Cheveley, Mrs., 31, 46, 47 Clarence, William Duke of, 48, 75, 176 Clarke, Mrs., 185 et seq. Cranboume Lodge, 148 Cranley, Lady, 229 Cuffnells, King George III at, 51,61 Cumberland, Lady Albinia, 37, 42, 43, 46 ; her daughter's account of Princess Amelia's death, 228 Cumberland, Richard (dramatist), 43 Ernest, Duke of, 75, 100, 154 D Delany, Mrs., quoted, 19, 29 Disbrowe, Lady Charlotte, 38 Colonel, 39, 46, 230 Miss, 234 Doyley, Mrs., 139 Dundas, Lady Jane, 286 Dungannon, Lady, 63 Elizabeth, Princess, 23 ; marriage, 26, 72, 76, 156; behaviour to 310 Princess Amelia during her ill- ness, 209 Ely, Lady, 41 Euston, Lord, 139 Famham Castle, 93 Farquhar, Sir Walter, 109 Feilding, Lady Sophia, 34 Finch, Lady Charlotte, 34, 105 FitzGerald, Percy, quoted, 207, 209 FitzHerbert, Mrs., 100 FitzRoy,Generalthe Hon.Charles, at Weymouth, 52 ; origin and early life, 53 first association with Princess Amelia, 53 ; in Germany, 54 ; characteristics, 55 ; letter to Princess Amelia, 72, 79,92, 113, 150; lends her money, 168 ; rumours of his marriage with her, 210; secret meetings with her, 221, 251 ; connection with the proving of Princess Amelia's will, 253 ; his marriage and death, 283 FitzRoy, Charles, second Duke of Grafton, 116 Fox, Charles James, no Gaskoin, Mary Anne, 129, 130, 201, 248 George III, treatment of his daughters, 23 ; compared with Charlemagne, 23 ; first illness, 31 ; recovery, 33 ; relapse, 51 ; position among his family, 69 ; return of illness, 82 ; visit to Weymouth, 90 ; temporary re- storation to health, 97; relations with Pitt, 107 ; domestic habits, n2 ; letters to Princess Amelia, 207-8 ; anxiety for his daugh- ter's health, 218 ; arranges for her funeral, 238 et seq. ; his in- sanity, 181 George, Prince of Wales, 33, 82, 94, n8, 171, 213, 250, 252, 254 Gloucester, William Henry, Duke Index of (brother of George III), 39 {note)^ 100 Gloucester, William Frederick, 2nd Duke of (son of preceding) marries Princess Mary, 26 ; ac- count of wedding. Appendix i, 296 Goldsworthy, Miss, 34, 57, I34, Gomme, Miss, 34 ; aescribed, 52, 57,134,137,145,152 . "Grenville Administration,' the, 123 Lord, 94, III Grosvenor, Harriet, Countess, 1 18 Earl, 199 Gwynne, General, 105 Mrs., 303 H Halford, Sir Henry, 27, 106, 190, 206, 228, 226, 233 Lady, 241 Harcourt, Countess, 20, 78, 164 Mrs,, 83 ; her account of the King and the Royal Family, \\i et seq. Harrington, Lord, 105 Harrow, George H I at, 86 Hawkesbury, Lord, 108 Heard, Sir Isaac, 246 Henley, Lord, 90 Hertford, Lord, 127 Hessen-Homburg, Landgraf of, 26 Hobart, Lord, 91, 94 Hone, Mr., quoted, 160 Howe, Baroness, 303 Hurd, Bishop, 49 Ilchester, Lady, 91, 103, 234, 241 J Jesse, J. H., quoted, 83, 100, 249, 280 Jordan, Mrs., 166 K Keate, Dr., 37, 38 Kent, Duke of, 64, 74 Kew, Court life at, 32 Knight, Charles, 235 Miss, quoted, 224, 235, 280 Leigh, Lady, letter from, 24 {note) Lennox, Lady Sarah, 19 Lewis, Lady Theresa, 85 Liverpool, Lord, 90 Lyndhurst, 91 M Macclesfield, Lord George, 105 Countess of, 241 Malmesbury, Lord, 83, 95 Manners, General, 113 Mary, Princess, 23 ; marriage, 26, 40, 48 ; correspondence with Princess Amelia ; 66, 76 ; letter from, 98, 227, 228 Milman, Sir Francis, 117, 189, 192 Montmolin, Mile., 232 Moore, Sir John, 185 N Neale, Lady, 303 North, Lord, 92 Park, Sir James Allan, Counsel's opinion of General FitzRoy's case. Appendix iv, 305 Parke, Sir James, Lord Wensley- dale, 283 Peachey, Hon. James, 41 Pepys, Sir Lucas, 37, 46 Phipps, General, 105, 106 " Pindar, Peter," 226 Pitt, William, 22, 23 ; illness of, 106 ; death, 109 Pope, Dr., 190, 194, 196, 255 Princess Royal, 23 ; marriage, 25»35 311 Index Ragley, 127 Romilly, Sir S., 186 Rose, Rt. Hon. G., 51, 91, 93 Rothes, Lady, 46, 49 Rudesl, General, 55 Saltram, 86, 178 Sholebrook, 117, 119, 271 Sidmouth, Lord, no Sidney, Lady, 108 Smith, Lady Anne, 207 "Snuff-taking," 121 et seq. Sophia, Princess, 23, 27, 40 ; her story, 87, 189 Stoke Bruerne, 114^/ seq. Sussex, Augustus Duke of, 75 ; letter to Princess Amelia, 127, 163, 300 Taylor, Sir Herbert, 107, 109, 113, 205, 282 Thynne, Lady Isabella, 91, 191 U Uxbridge, Lady, 83 Vaughan, Dr., vide Halford Vernon, Lady Henrietta, 115, 117 Vernon, Miss Caroline, 118 Victoria, Queen, 19 Villiers, Hon. Mrs. George, 55, 84 ; attachment to Princess Amelia, 85-89, 103, 131, 140, 190 et seq.\ her denial of report of Princess Amelia's marriage, 211 et seq. Villiers, Hon. George, 84, 108, III, 216, 262 W Walker, Mrs., 165 Walpole, Horace, quoted, 39 Warren, Lady, 41 Wilkins, W. H., quoted, 22 Williams, Mrs., 139, 165, 217 Willis, Dr. Francis, 32 ; his son, 234 Windsor, life of Royal Family at, 21, 28, 93 ; concert and ball at, 97 ; Garter ceremony at, 98, 103 ; Court intrigues at, 127 Wiirtemberg, Prince of, 25 Wynne, Miss Frances Williams, quoted, 276 Wynyard, Lady Matilda, 61, 91, 1 54 et seq. THE END Richard Clay &* Sons, Limited, London and Bung-ay. !AR 8 1911 d.