THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND AND THEIR TIMES. FROM MATILDA, QUEEN OF WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR, TO ADELAIDE, QUEEN OF WILLIAM THE FOURTH. BY FRANCIS LANCELOTT, ESQ. AUTHOR OF " AUSTRALIA AS IT IS,"' THE PILGRIM FATHERS," &C. &C. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. NEW YORK: D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, 346 & 348 BROADWAY. M DCCC LVIII. THE ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. CHAPTER I. Elizabeth's birth-Parentage-Christening-Infancy-Early misfortunes- Letter from her governess-attends the christening of Edward the Sixth-Resides with him-Precociousness-Friendship with Anne of (leves; with Kathoine Howard; with Katherine Parr-Restored to her right of succession-futile overtures for her marriage with Philip of Spain. HE illustrious Eliza- they found assembled lords, knights, and beth, daughter of gentlemen, in great numbers. The walls King Henry the between Greenwich Palace and the ConEighth by the beau- vent of the Grey Friars were hung with tiful and unfortunate tapestry, and the way strewn with green And,2 ^ Queen Anne Boleyn, rushes; the Friars' church, of which not was born on Sunday, a vestige now remains, was also hung the seventh of Sep- with rich tapestry. The fount was of tember, 1533, between three and four n silver; it was placed in the middle of the afternoon, at the royal palace of the church, raised three steps high, the Greenwich. Although the King had steps being covered with fine cloth, surearnestly hoped that the babe would mounted by a square canopy of crimson prove a son, he stifled his disappoint- satin, fringed with gold, enclosed by a ment. Te Deum was sung, and bonfires rail covered with red ray, and guarded blazed, in honour of her birth; and pre- by several gentlemen with aprons and parations were made for her christening, towels about their necks. Between the which, on the tenth of September, was quire and body of the church a closet celebrated with extraordinary pomp and was erected, with a pan of fire in it, that splendour. On that day, the lord mayor, the child might be dismantled for the with the aldermen and council of the city ceremony without taking cold. When of London, in their robes and chains, all these things were ready, the child took to their barges at one in the after- was brought into the hall of the palace, noon, and rowed to Greenwich, where and the procession proceeded to the VOL. II, L. L * 622 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. Grey Friars' church. The citizens led been served in abundance, the procestho way, two and two; then followed sion returned to the palace, in the same gentlemen esquires, chaplains. After order as it had set out, excepting that the them the aldermen, then the mayor by Earl of Worcester, Lord Thomas Howhimself, then the privy council in robes, ard, the Lord Fitzwalter, and Sir John then the gentlemen of the King's chapel Dudley, preceded by trumpeters, carried in copes, then barons, bishops, earls, the gifts of the sponsors before the then the Earl of Essex, bearing the gilt Princess. Five hundred staff torches, covered basin; after him the Marquis of carried by the yeomen of the guard and Exeter, with a taper of virgin wax, fol- the King's servants, lit up the way homelowed by the Earl of Dorset, bearing the ward; and twenty gentlemen, bearing salt, and the Lady Mary of Norfolk, bear- large wax flambeaux, walked on each ing the chrism, which was very rich with side of the Princess, who was carried to pearls and precious stones; lastly, came the Queen's chamber door, when a flouthe Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, bear- rish of trumpets sounded, and the proing in her arms the roval infant, wrap- cession dispersed. ped in a mantle of purple velvet, having Elizabeth passed the first six weeks of a long train furred with ermine, which her existence at Greenwich; the Lady was borne by the Countess of Kent, as- Margaret Bryan was appointed goversisted by the Earls of Wiltshire and ness to her; in December she was reDerby. The Duchess was supported on moved to Hatfield, where she resided till the right side by the Duke of Norfolk, the subsequent April, when she was conwith his marshal's rod, and on the left veyed to the Bishop of Winchester's by the Duke of Suffolk-the only dukes palace at Chelsea. She was created then existing in the peerage of England Princess of Wales when three months -and a rich canopy was borne over the old, and weaned in her thirteenth month babe by the Lords Rochford, Hussey, with extraordinary ceremony. About and William and Thomas Howard. At this time a futile attempt was made to the church [oor the child was received betroth her to the Duke D'Angoulime, by the Bishop of London, who performed the third son of Francis the First of the ceremony, and a grand cavalcade of France. In compliance with the act bishops and mitred abbots. The sponsors of Parliament, passed in March, 1534, were Archbishop Cranmer, the Dowager which pronounced the marriage between Duchess of Norfolk, and the Marchioness Henry the Eighth and Katherine of of Dorset. The future Queen was car- Arragon unlawful and null, and that ried to the fount, and, with the ceremony between him and Anne Boleyn lawful of the Catholic church, christened Eliza- and valid, Elizabeth was honoured as beth, after her grandmother, Elizabeth heiress presumptive, and the Princess of York; and that done, Garter King- Mary forced to yield precedence to her, at-Arms cried aloud, "God, of his infinite and to dwell under the same roof with her, goodness, send prosperous life, and long, more like a bondmaid than a sister and a to the high and mighty Princess of Eng- princess. But this unjust elevation was land, Elizabeth 1" then the trumpets of short continuance. The divorce and sounded, the Princess was carried up to tragic death of Anne Boleyn rendered the altar, the Gospel read over her, and Elizabeth motherless in her third year, she was confirmed by Archbishop Cran- and placed her in a situation at once mer, and presented with the following precarious and embarrassing. On the gifts:-A standing cup of gold by Cran- day immediately succeeding the Queen's mer; a similar cup, fretted with pearls, death, the King, with the most unblushby the Duchess of Norfolk; three gilt ing effrontery, was publicly married to bowls, pounced, with covers, by the Jane Seymour; and shortly afterwards Marchioness of Dorset; and three stan- an act of Parliament was passed, illegidard bowls, graven and gilt, with covers, timatizing Elizabeth, and settling the by the Marchioness of Exeter. Then, succession to the throne on the offspring after wafers, comfits, and ipocras had of Henry VIII. by his present Queen. ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 623 The following interesting letter from it hath been aforetime; and, if it please the governess of Elizabeth, Lady Bryan, you, that I may know what your order to Mr. Secretary Cromwell, will afford is, and if it be not performed, I shall an idea of the neglect and contempt to certify to your Lordship of it, for I fear which she was for a period exposed:- me it will be hardly now performed; for if the head of.... knew what ho" M LORD, nour meaneth, it would be the better or"When your Lordship was dered, if not, it will be hard to bring it last here, it pleased you to say that I to pass. My Lord, Master Shelton should not mistrust the King's Grace would have the Lady Elizabeth to dine nor your Lordship, which word was more and sup every day at the board of estate. comfort to me than I can write, as God Alas! my Lord, it is not meet for.a knoweth. And now it boldeth me to child of her age to keep such a rule yet. shew you my poor mind. MyLord, when I promise you, my Lord, I dare not the Lady Mary's Grace was born, it take it upon me to keep her Grace in pleased the King's Grace to appoint me health if she keep that rule, for there lady mistress, and make me a Baroness; she shall see divers meat, and fruits, and and so I have been, and am so still, to wine, which would be hard for me to the children his Grace have had since. refrain her Grace from it. Ye know, my Now it is so, my Lady Elizabeth is put Lord, there is no place of correction from that degree she was before, and there, and she is yet too young to corwhat degree she is at now I know not, rect greatly. I know well, if she be but by hearsay; therefore, I know not there, I shall not bring her up to the how to order her, nor myself, nor none King's Grace's honour, nor hers, nor of hers that I have the rule of, that is, to her health, nor my poor honesty; her woman and her groomes: beseeching wherefore, I shew your lordship this you to be good Lord to my Lady, and my discharge, beseeching you, my Lord, to all hers, and that she may have some that my Lady may have a mess of meat raiment, for she hath neither gown, nor to her own longing, with a good dish or kirtel, nor petticoat, nor no manner of two that is meet for her Grace to eat of, linen for smocks, nor kerchiefs, nor and the reversion of the mess shall satisfy sleeves, nor rails, nor body-stitchet, nor all her women, a gentleman usher, and handkerchiefs, nor mufferlers, nor big- a groom, which being eleven persons on gens. All this her Grace must take, I her side, sure I am it will be (into right have driven off as long as I can, that, by little) as great profit to the King's Grace my troth, I cannot drive it no longer; this way as the other way, for if all this beseeching you, my Lord, that ye will should be set abroad, they must have see that her Grace may have that is three or four messes of meat, where this needful for her, as my trust is ye will one mess shall suffice them all, with do; beseeching you, my own good Lord, bread and drink. According as my that I may know from your writing how Lady Mary's Grace had before, and to I shall order myself, and what is the be ordered in all things as her Grace King's Grace's pleasure and yours that I was before; God knoweth my Lady shall do, in everything and whatsoever hath great pain with her great teeth, it shall please the King's Grace or your and they come very slowly forth, and Lordship to command me at all times, I causeth me to suffer her Grace to have shall fulfill it to the best of my power. her will more than I would, I trust to " My Lord, Mr. Shelton sayes, he is God her teeth were well grafte to have master of this house; what fashion that her Grace after anotherfashion than she is shall be, I cannot tell, for I have not yet, so as, I trust, the King's Grace shall seen it before. My Lord, ye be so ho- have great comfort in her Grace, for she nourable yourself, and every man re- is as toward a child, and as gentle of porteth your Lordship loveth honour, conditions as ever I knew one in my life, that I trust your Lordship will see this Jesu preserve her Grace. And as for house honourably ordered, howsomever a day or two at a time, or whensoever it 524 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. shall please the King's Grace to have her Queen, Jane Seymour, she carried the set abroad, I trust so to endeavour me chrism for her new-born half-brother, that she shall so do as shall be to the and on returning, walked with infant King's honour and hers, and then after dignity in the procession, the Princess to take her ease again. Mary leading her by the hand, and the "I think Master Shelton will not be Lady Herbert bearing her train. For content with this; he may not know it is some time after Prince Edward's birth, my desire, but that it is the King's plea- Elizabeth was permitted to reside under sure and yours it should be so. Good, the same roof with him. Between the my Lord, have my Lady's Grace and us, brother and sister a sincere affection her poor servants, in yourremembrance, sprang up, and the day Edward was and your Lordship shall have our hearty two years old the Princess made him prayers by the grace of Jesu. 0, ever a birth-day present of "a shyrte of preserve your Lordship with long life, cam'yke of her owne woorkynge." Shehad and as much honour as your noble heart then just entered the seventh year of her can desire! From Hunsdon, with the age, and was remarkably attractive and evil hand of her that is your daily bed- precocious. Wriothesley says, " when woman, MARGET BRYAN." he visited her in December, 1539, she enquired after the King's welfare with as " I beseech you, my own good Lord, great gravity as if she had been forty be not miscontent that I am so bold to years old;" and he adds, "if she be write thus to your Lordship; but, I take no worse educated than she then apGod to my judge, I do it of true heart, peared to me, she will prove an honour and for my discharge; beseeching you ac- and a blessing to her father, whom the cept my good mind." Lord long preserve." To the right noble and my singular With Henry the Eighth's fourth good Lord, my Lord Privy Seal, wife, Anne of Cleves, Elizabeth formed be this delivered." an ardent friendship. The first letter, said to have been written by the PrinThis letter, an evidence of the minute cess, was a compliment to that august details on which the first minister of the lady on her marriage. The original is state was expected in those days to lost, but the following is a copy, moderbestow his attention, rendered it ap- nized in phraseology as well as orthoparent that the Lady Bryan and Mr. graphy:Shelton, the chief officers at Hunsdon, where Elizabeth then resided, each "MADAM, desired to bring up the Princess after " I am anxiously desirous to see their own notion. However, we may your Majesty, but as the King, my presume that the reasonable request of father, has commanded me not to leave Lady Bryan was granted, for we hear my house for the present, I cannot as no more of the vexatious dispute, and yet gratify my wish. In the meantime are assured that much of the greatness I beg of youi Grace to accept this my of Elizabeth, as a Queen, was due to written devotion and respects to you as Lady Bryan's judicious training and my Queen and my mother. My youth education, combined with the adversity prevents me from doing more than which at once bastardized her, and de- heartily felicitating you on your marprived her of the injurious magnificence riage, and sincerely wishing that your and adulation which, ere she could lisp, good will for me equals my zeal for your had been showered upon her as the service." heiress to the throne. The first public ceremony in which By one of the terms of her divorce, Elizabeth took part, was the christening Anne of Cleves was granted permission of Edward the Sixth. She was just to see Elizabeth as often as she wished, four years old when, borne in the arms of provided that the Princess did not adthe Earl of Hertford, brother to the dress her asQueen. Katherine Howard, ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 525 who was sincerely attached to the deprived me for a whole year of your youthful Elizabeth, anxiously desired most illustrious presence; and not thus to remove from her the brand of il- content, has yetrobbed me of the same legitimacy. After that unhappy Queen good, which thing would be intolerable had suffered on the block, Elizabeth to me, did I not hope to enjoy it very resided for some time with her sister soon. And in this my will, I well Mary at Havering Bower. Soon after know that the clemency of your Highthe birth of the unfortunate Mary, ness has had as much care and solicitude Queen of Scots, Henry formed the for my health as the King's Majesty project of uniting the whole island himself, by which thing I am not under one crown, by the marriage of only turned to serve you, but also that infant Queen with his son Prince to revere you with filial love; since I Edward. As a further means of secur- understand that your most illustrious ing this important object, he, in the Highness has not forgotten me every autumn of 1543, offered the hand of time you have written to the King's Elizabeth to the Earl of Arran, who Majesty, which, indeed, it was my duty then laid claim to the regency of Scot- to have requested from you; for, heretoland. Thus early were blended the fore, I have not dared to write to him. interests and happiness of two princesses, Wherefore, I now humbly pray your whose celebrated rivalry and illustrious excellent Highness, that when.you write character were destined to endure, until to his Majesty, you will condescend to the life of one was sacrificed to the recommend me to him, praying ever for jealousy and hatred of the other. The his sweet benediction, and similarly Kings of France and England eagerly entreating our Lord God to send him contended for the hand of the youthful best success, and the obtaining victory Mary: while that of Elizabeth was of- over his enemies; so that your Highness fered to a Scottish Earl, of equivocal and I may, as soon as possible, rejoice in birth and indifferent reputation. Yet his happy return. No less, I pray God so little was the Scottish Earl flattered that he will preserve your most illustriby the offer, that he actually declined ous Highness, to whose Grace, humbly the honour, and the future Queen of kissing your hands, I offer and recomEngland remained unbetrothed! mend me, Katherine Parr, the last and one of " Your most obedient daughter, the best of Henry the Eighth's wives, And most faithful servant, was a great admirer of Elizabeth. She " ELIZABETH." caused her to be present at her royal "From St. James's, this thirty-first marriage, and when the Princess, in her of July." twelfth year, deeply offended her father by committing an offence, the nature of This year, 1544, Henry the Eighth which has not been handed down to us, restored Elizabeth to her right of sucshe interceded in her behalf with the cession; and, although the act which royal tyrant; an act of motherly kind- pronounced her illegitimate remained ness, which evidently provedsucccessful,* for ever unrepealed, she was, neverand which Elizabeth acknowledged in the theless, universally recognised as a Prinsubjoined epistle. cess Royal of England; and so completely was the divorce forgotten, that in "Inimical fortune, envious of all good 1546, when France, Spain, and England, and ever revolving human affairs, has had concluded a treaty of peace, propo* Henry the Eighth, in his letter to sals were made for the marriage of Katherine of September the eighth, says: Elizabeth with Philip, Prince of Spain, "We pray you to give in our name, one that same Philip, afterwards her brotherhearty blessing to all our children." Eliza- in-law, her friend and protector in ads beth, we therefore may presume, was forgiven then a second by her father before he went to France. See versity; then asecond time her suitor memoirs of Katherine Parr, page 445. and afterwards her bitterest enemy. 526 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. CHAPTER II. Death of Henry the Eighth-Lord Seymour marries the Queen Dowager —His improprieties with Elizabeth —e ofers her marriage on the death of the Queen Dowager-lie is arrested-Elizabeth is placed under restraint-Their conduct investigated-Confession of Mrs. Ashley and Parry-Elizabeth's behaviour-Her letter to the Protector, asserting her innocence-Seymour attainted-Elizabeth appeals in behalf of Mrs. Ashley and Parry-Seymour beheaded — arriington's sonnet to his memory-Elizabeth's learning-Correspondence with Edward the Sixth-Restored to royal favour-Futile efforts to marry her to the Prince of Denmark-Quarrels with Northumberland-King Edward wills the Crown to Jane Gray-Extracts from Elizabeth's Household Book. HE demise of Henry lover of the Queen Dowager Katherine; ( the Eighth, which and a few weeks afterwards, their marhappened on the riage was privately solemnized. The twenty-eighth of impropriety and haste of this marriage January 1547, ma- so offended the Princess Mary, that she terially affected the wrote to Elizabeth, requesting her to situation and pros- leave the home of Katherine Parr, where pects of Elizabeth. she at that time abode, and come and By the testament of Henry, the houses dwell with her; but Elizabeth being of Parliament were empowered to regu- too wise to put a public affront on the late the government of the country King's adored uncle, who was then during the minority of his son, now intriguing to supersede the Protector Edward the Sixth, and to arrange the Somerset, declined to accept Mary's inorder of succession to the crown. The vitation, on the plea that she could not Act of Parliament was confirmed, by withdraw herself from the Queen, who which his two daughters, Mary and had shown her so much kindness, withElizabeth, were restored to their rights. out appearing ungrateful. In his will, Henry bequeathed to each The youthful Elizabeth had been, of them a pension of three thousand previous to the death of her father, pounds, with a marriage portion of ten entrusted to the care and protection of thousand pounds, on condition of their the Queen Dowager, with whom she not marrying without the consent of resided, either at Chelsea, or the more such of his executors as should then be sylvan retreat of Hanworth. It thus alive. Sixteen persons were appointed, happened, that after the Queen's marwho were to exercise, in common, the riage with Seymour, the Princess found royal functions, until the young King herself domesticated under the roof of should reach the age of eighteen. The the Lord High Admiral, and conserEarl of Hertford, the brother of Lady quently she soon became an object of his Jane Seymour, who now assumed the marked attention. Neither respect for title of Duke of Somerset, was declared her exalted rank, nor a sense of the Protector of the realm, and Governor of deep responsibility attached to the office the King's person. His brother, Lord of guardian, with which the circumstance Seymour, of Sudeley, was created Lord of his marriage with the Queen DowaHigh Admiral. Immediately after the ger invested him, were sufficient to redeath of Henry, the Admiral proffered strain him from a certain freedom of Elizabeth his hand in marriage. By behaviour towards Elizabeth, which no the advice of Katherine Parr, the limits of propriety could justify. On Princess, then in her fourteenth year, some occasions the Princess endeavoured declined the offer. But, to her an- to repel his rudeness by such expedients noyance, only five days after this re- as her youthful inexperience suggested; fusal, Lord Seymour was the accepted but her governess and attendants, gained ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 527 over and intimidated, were guilty of a documents have been fortunately pretreacherous neglect of their duty, and served, and furnish some very singular even the Queen Dowager herself was traits of the early character of their royal deficient in delicacy atd due caution, mistress. They cast upon Mrs. Ashley until the improprieties detailed in the the double imputation, of having permemoirs of Katherine Parr excited her mitted such behaviour to pass before jealousy, when a quarrel ensued between her eyes as she certainly ought not to the royal step-mother and step-daughter; have endured for a moment, and of havwhich, although it did not destroy the ing disclosed particulars to Parry, which friendship subsisting between them, ter- reflected the utmost disgrace on herself, minated in their immediate and final the Lord High Admiral, and the Prinseparation. cess Elizabeth. And so far was the About a week before Whitsuntide, in Princess from resenting anything that 1548, Elizabeth removed with her go- Mrs. Ashley had either done or confessed, verness, Mrs. Katherine Ashley, who that she continued to patronize her in was related by marriage to Anne Boleyn, the highest degree, and after' her accesand with the rest of her ladies and sion to the throne promoted her husband officers of state, from the home and to a high and lucrative office:-a cirguardianship'of Katherine Parr to cumstance which certainly affords strong Cheston, and subsequently to Hatfield suspicion, that there were some importand Ashridge. In September the Queen ant secrets in her possession, respecting Dowager died in child-bed, and very later transactions between the Princess soon afterwards the Lord Admiral as- and Seymour, which she had but too pired to the hand of Elizabeth herself, faithfully kept. It may, however, be who, after the death of her step- urged, in palliation of the liberties which mother, was left, at the critical age of she accused the Admiral of taking, and fifteen, without a paternal adviser to the Princess of tolerating, that Elizabeth follow the dictates of her own maidenly had barely completed her fourteenth will, and the pernicious counsels of her year, at the period when this intercourse wily governess and of her intriguing took place. Experience, nevertheless, cofferer, Thomas Parry, in both of whom proves, that, even at that early age, her confidence was unlimited. Seymour young ladies, educated in all the learning having gained over these notable agents, and accomplishments of the great, are and through them opened a direct not to be trusted with impunity in the correspondence with Elizabeth, his ini- society of the vicious and profligate. quitous designs prospered for some time Elizabeth refused the Lord High Adaccording to his desires. Although he miral permission to visit her after he was twenty years her senior, Elizabeth became a widower, on account of the loved him; and, as she afterwards ac- general belief that she was likely to beknowledged, would have married him, come his wife; and no trace was at this if the consent of the royal executors, period fcund of any correspondence berequired by law, could be obtained. But tween them; yet Harrington afterwards this being impossible whilst Somerset suffered an imprisonment, for having was at the head of affairs, he plotted delivered to her a letter from Seymour. against the government, and on the The partiality of the Princess betrayed sixteenth of January was arrested and itself, by many involuntary tokens, in committed to the Tower on a charge of presence of her attendants, who were high treason, and a few days afterwards thus encouraged to entertain her with Elizabeth was placed under restraint. accounts of the attachment of the Lord The confessions of Mrs. Ashley and of High Admiral, and to enquire whether, the man Parry before the Privy Council, if the consent of the council could be contain all that is known of the conduct obtained, she would consent to admit his of the Lord High Admiral towards the addresses. The Admiral proceeded with Princess Elizabeth, during the life-time caution equal to that of Elizabeth. of the Queen Dowager. These authentic The Protector, with the hope of cri 628 ELIZABETH, BECOND QUEEN REGNANT. minating his brother, rather than of terwards states to the Duke his opinion clearing the Princess, sent Sir Robert that there had been some secret promise Tyrwhitt to her residence at Hatfield, between the Princess, Mrs. Ashley, and empowered to examine her on the whole the cofferer, never to confess till death; matter; and his papers inform us of " and if this be so," he remarks, "it will some interesting facts. When, by means never be got out of her but either by the of a spurious letter, he had led her to King's Majesty or else by your Grace." believe that both Mrs. Ashley and her On another occasion, Sir Robert tried cofferer, Parry, were committed to the her with feigned intelligence of Parry's tower, "her Grace was," he says, "mar- having confessed; on which she called vellously abashed, and did weep very him " False wretch," and said " it was a tenderly a long time, demanding whe- serious matter for him to make such a ther they had confessed any thing or promise and to break it." Sir Robert, not." Sending for Sir Robert soon after, with all his pains, was unable to elicit thePrincess related severalcircumstances a single fact of decisive importance, as which she had forgotten to mention, to the alleged illicit intercourse of Lord when the master of the household and Seymour with the Princess Elizabeth; master Denny came from the Protector but that there was in the connection beto examine her. "After all this," con- tween them a great deal more than met tinues Sir Robert, " I did require of the the public eye, there can be no question. Lady Elizabeth to consider her honour, In a letter from Elizabeth herself to the and the peril that-might ensue, for she Duke of Somerset, she admits "that she was as yet but a subject; and I farther did indeed send her cofferer to speak declared what a woman Mrs. Ashley with the Lord High Admiral, but on no was, with a strong assurance, that if she other business than to recommend to him would open or reveal every thing her- one of her chaplains, and to request him self, all the evil and shame should be to use his interest that she might have ascribed to her and her associates, and Durham Palace for her London house; her youth considered, both with the that Parry, on his return, informed her, King's Majesty, your Grace's, and the that the Admiral said she could not have whole council. But in no way would Durham Palace, which was wanted for she, by Mrs. Ashley, or the cofferer, a mint, but offered her his own house confess any practice concerning my Lord for the time of her being in London; Admiral; and yet I do see in her face and that Parry then inquired of her, that she is guilty, and plainly perceive whether, if the council would consent to that she will yet abide more storms ere her marrying the Admiral, she would she accuse Mrs. Ashley. Upon sudden herself be willing? That she refused to news, that the master of the household answer this question, demanding, who and Master Denny were arrived at the bade him ask it? He said, no one; but gate, the cofferer went hastily to his from the Admiral's inquiries, as to what chamber, and said to his wife-' I she spent in her house, and whether she would I had never been born, for I am had got her patents for certain lands undone,' and wrung his hands, and cast signed, and other questions of a like naaway his chain from his neck, and his ture, he thought he was rather given rings from his fingers. This is confessed that way than otherwise." She denies by his own servant, and there are divers that her governess ever advised her to witnesses of the same." marry the Admiral without the consent Again, on the following day, Sir Ro- of the council; but relates the hints bert Tyrwhitt writes to the Duke of So- which Mrs. Ashley had thrown out, of merset, that all he has yet gotten from his attachment to her, and the artful atthe Princess was by gentle persuasion, tempts made by her to discover how she whereby he began to grow with her in stood affected towards such a connection credit; "for I do assure your Grace she with that personage. In conclusion, hath a good wit, and nothing is obtained Elizabeth remarks, with great spiritfrom her but by great policy." He af- " Master Tyrwhitt and others have told ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 529 me, that there goeth rumours abroad ceeded in her place. On this occasion, which greatly affect both my honour and the behaviour of Elizabeth is thus de, honesty (which above all things I es- scribed in a letter from Sir Robert Tyrteem); amongst these, that I am in the whitt to the Protector:Tower, and with child by my Lord Ad- " Pleaseth your Grace to be informed, miral. My Lord, these are shameful that after my wife's repair hither, she slanders, for which, besides the desire I declared to the Lady Elizabeth, that she have to see the King's Majesty, I shall was called before your Grace and the most humbly desire your Lordship, that council, and had a rebuke; that she had I may come to the court after your first not taken upon herself the office to see determination, that I may shew myself her well governed, in the lieu of Mrs.,there as I am." Ashley. The answer of the Lady ElizaIn Parry's confession, he relates what beth was, that Mrs. Ashley was her mispassed between himself and the Lord tress, and that she had not so demeaned High Admiral, when he waited upon herself, that the council should now need him by command of the Princess, and to put any other mistress in her place. alludes to the earnest manner in which Whereunto my wife replied, seeing she the Admiral had urged " her endeavour- did allow Mrs. Ashley to be her mistress, ing to procure, by way of exchange, cer- she need not be ashamed to have any tain crown lands which had been the honest woman in her stead. She took Queen's, and which were adjacent to his the matter so heavily to heart, that she own; from which he inferred, that he wept all that night, and sighed all the wanted to have both them and the Prin- next day, till she received your letter; cess for himself. That the Admiral said and then she sent for me, and asked me he wished the Princess to go to the Du- whether it was best for her to write to chess of Somerset, and by her means you again or not: I said, if she would make suit to the Protector for the lands, make answer that she would follow the and for a town house, and to entertain advice of your letter, I thought she had her Grace for the furtherance thereof, better write; but in the end I perceived That when he repeated this to the Prin- that she was very loth to have a govercess, she would not at first believe that ness; and to avoid the same, she said, he had ever uttered such words, or could the world would note her to be a great wish her so to do; but on his declaring offender, having so hastily a governess that it was true, she seemed to be angry appointed her. And after all, she fully that she should be driven to make such hopes to recover her old mistress again. suits, and said,'In faith I will not go The love she yet beareth her is greatly there, nor begin to flatter now.' " That to be wondered at. I told her, if she Parry had repeated his visits to the Lord would but consider her honour, and the High Admiral oftener than was at first sequel thereof, she would, considering acknowledged, either by Elizabeth or her years, make suit to your Grace to himself, is clearly indicated by a confes- have one sent, rather than delay being sion afterwards addressed to the Protector without one for an hour. She cannot by the Princess; but even with this con- digest such advice in any way; but if I fession, Sir Robert Tyrwhitt declares should speak my mind, it were more himself unsatisfied as to the real nature meet she should have two than one. She of this mysterious connection. Parry would in any wise write to your Grace, was afterwards rewarded for his fidelity wherein I offered her my advice, which to Elizabeth, who made him comptroller she would in no wise follow, but write of the royal household, an office which her own will and pleasure. She beginhe held till his death. neth now a little to droop, by reason she Mrs. Ashley, in consequence of the heareth that my Lord Admiral's houses part she played in this affair of the Ad- are all dispersed. And my wife telleth miral, was removed from her situation me that she cannot hear him discomof governess to the Princess, and Lady mended, but she is ready to make answer Tyrwhitt, the wife of Sir Robert, suc- therein; and so she hath not been acM M 630 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN hEGNANT. customed to do, unless Mrs. Ashley were bring forth any that had reported it, touched, whereunto she was very ready you and the council would see it fedrest, to make answer vehemently." which thing, though I can easily do it, Instead of addressing to Somerset the I would be loath to do it, for because it sentiments desired by the crafty Tyr- is my own cause, and again that should whitt, Elizabeth, in the subjoined cau- be but a abridging of an evil name of tious epistle, urged the Protector and me, that am glad to ponesse [punish] the council to endeavour to stop the them, and so get the evil will of the scandalous reports in circulation against people, which thing I would be loath to her. have; but if it must seem good unto your Lordship, and the rest of the coun-, MY LORD, cil, to send forth a proclamation into the "Having received your Lord- countries, that they refrain their tounges, ship's letters, I perceive in them your declaring how the tales be but lies, it good will towards me, because you de- should make both the people think that dare to me plainly your mind in this you and the council have great regard thing, and again, for that you would not that no such rumours should be spread wish that I should do anything that of any of the King's majesty's sisters as should not seem good unto the council, I am, though unworthy; and also I for which thing I give you most hearty should think myself to receive such thanks. And whereas, I do understand friendship at your hands as you have that you do take in evil part the letters promised me, although your Lordship that I did write unto your Lordship, I hath shewed me great already; howbeit am very sorry that you should take them I am ashamed to ask it any more, beso, for my mind was to declare unto you cause I see you are not so well-minded plainly as I thought in that thing, which thereunto. And as concerning that you I did also the more willingly, because say, that I give folks occasion to think, (as I write to you) you desired me to be in refusing the good to uphold the evil, plain with you in all things; and as I am not of so simple understanding, concerning that point that you write, nor would I that your Grace should that I seem to stand in my own wit, in have so evil opinion of me, that I have being so well assured of my own self, I so little respect to my own honesty that did assure me of myself no more than I I would maintain it if I had sufficient trust the truth shall try; and to say that promise of the same, and so your Grace which I knew of myself, I did not think shall prove me when it comes to the should have displeased the council or point; and thus I bid you farewell, deyour Grace. And surely, the cause why siring God always to assist you in all that I was sorry that there should be your affaires. any such about me, was because that I "Written in haste from Hatfeild, this thought the people will say that I de- 21st February. served throughout my lewd demeanour ss i to have such a one, and not that I mis- en, t m e like anything that your Lordship or the power, council shall think good, for I knowIZABET that you and the council are charged "To my very good Lord, my Lord with me; or that I take upon me to rule Protector." myself, for I know they are most deceived that trusteth most in themselves, The bill of attainder against Lord wherefore I trust you shall never find Seymour, of Sudeley, passed the Lords on that fault in me, to the which thing I the 4th of March, 1549: the clandestine do not see that your Grace has made any oourtship of Elizabeth formed one of the direct answer at this time, and seeing articles against him; and as the Princess they make so evil reports already, shall feared that the imprisoned governess, be but a increasing of their evil tounges. Mrs. Ashley, and her husband, would be Howbeit you did write, that if I would involved in his fall, she addressed the ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REUNANT. 531 subjoined appeal to Somerset in their because of my youth, because that she I behalf. loved so well is in such a place, thus hope prevailing more with me than fear. "MY LORD, hath won the battel, and I have at this "I have a request to make unto your time gone forth with it, which I pray Grace, which fear has made me omit till God be taken no other ways than it is this time for two causes, the one because meant. I saw that my request for the rumours "Written in haste from Hatfield, this which were spread abroad of me took so 7th day of March. Also, if I may be little place, which thing when I con- so bold, not offending, I beseech your sidered I thought I should little profit Grace and the rest of the council, to be in any other suit; howbeit now I under- good to Master Ashley, her husband, stand that there is a proclamation for which because he is my kinsman I would them, (for the which I give your Grace be glad he should do well. and the rest of the council most humble " Your assured Friend, to my thanks) I am bolder to speake for another "little power, thing, and the other was because perad- " ELIZABETH. venture your Lordship and the rest of "To my very good Lord, my Lord the council will think that I favour her Protector." evil doings for whom I shall speake for, which is Katharine Ashley, that it would When Elizabeth was informed by one please your Grace and the rest of the of Somerset's creatures of the decapitacouncil to be good unto her, which thing tion of Seymour, which took place on I do not to favour her in any evil, (for the twentieth of March, she had the prethat I would be sorry to do), but for this sence of mind to conceal her emotion, consideration which follow, the which and with apparent sang froid remarked, hope doth teach me in saying that I "this day died a man with much wit and ought not to doubt but that your Grace little judgment." This was the first of and the rest of the council will think those fortunate escapes with which the that I do it for the other considerations. singular and eventful life of Elizabeth so First, because she hath been with me a remarkably abounds. Her attachment long time and many years, and hath to Seymour was the earliest and strongtaken great labour and pain in bringing est impression of a tender nature which me up in learning and honest, and there- her heart was destined to receive, and fore I ought of very duty speak for her, although her characteristic caution would for Saint Gregory sayeth that we are doubtless have restrained her from formmore bound to them that bringeth us up ing an irrevocable engagement, it might well than to our parents, for our parents not have been in her power much longer do that which is natural for them, that to recede with honour, or even with is, bringing us into this world, but our safety, had the designs of Seymour proved bringers-up is to cause us to live well in successful. it; the second is, because I think that Another faithful adherent of the youthwhatsoever she hath done in my Lord ful Elizabeth, at this period, was a genAdmiral's matter, as concerning the mar- tleman in the service of the Lord Adriage of me, she did it because knowing miral, of the name of Harrington. He him to be one of the council, she thought was repeatedly examined by the council he would not go about any such thing respecting his master's intercourse with without he had the council's consent the Princess; but he revealed no sethereunto, for I have heard her many cret of importance. He was subsctimes say that she would not have me quently taken by Elizabeth into her own marry in any place without your Grace's household, and treated with distinguished and the council's consent: the third cause favour. Indeed, so convinced was this is because that it shall and doth make gentleman, who was a man of talents, of men thinke that I am not clear of the her tenderness for the memory of a lover, deed myself, but that it is pardoned in me that several years after her accession to MM2 532 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. the throne, he ventured to present his qualities, I am less perplexed to find royal mistress with a portrait of the Ad- matter for the highest panegyric, than miral, under which was inscribed the fol- to circumscribe that panegyric within lowing sonnet to his memory: just bounds. Yet I shall mention noOf person rare, strong limb, and manly thing respecting her but what has come shape, under my own observation. By nature framed to serve on sea or land; " For two years she pursued the study In friendship firm, in good state or ill hap, of Greek and Latin under my tuition In peace head-wise, in war-skill great, bold but the foundations of her knowledge in but the foundations of her knowledge in hand On horse or foot, in peril or in play, both languages were laid by the diligent None could excel, though many did essay. instructions of William Grindal, my late A subject true to King, a servant great, beloved friend, and seven years my pupil Fr i t; -in classical learning at Cambridge. After Sumptuous abroad, for honour of the land, some years, when through her native Temp'rate at home, yet kept great state with genius, aided by the efforts of so excelstay, lent a master, she had made a great proAnd noble house, that fed more mouths with hadmadea great promeat. gress in learning, and Grindal, by his Then soon advanced on higher steps to stand, merit and the favour of his mistress, Yet against nature, reason, and just laws, might have aspired to high dignities, he His blood was spilt, guiltless, without justay by a sudden illness, cause." was snatched away by a sudden illness, leaving a greater blank of himself in the The unhappy fate of the Lord High court than I remember any other to Admiral Seymour, and the disgrace and have done these many years.-I was apdanger in which Elizabeth had herself pointed to succeed him in his office, and been involved, in consequence of her in- the work which he had so happily begun, tercourse with that nobleman, afforded without my assistance indeed, but not the young Princess a severe but useful without some counsels of mine, I dililesson; and during the remainder of her gently laboured to complete. Now, brother's reign, she conducted herself however, released from the throng of a with that extreme caution becoming her court, and restored to the felicity of my exalted station. Her time was now more former learned leisure, I enjoy, through agreeably spent in prosecuting her youth- the bounty of the King, an honourable ful studies, under the able superintend- appointment in this university. ence of her learned preceptor, the cele- " The lady Elizabeth hath accombrated Roger Ascham. The letters of plished her sixteenth year; and so much this distinguished scholar, addressed to solidity of understanding, such courtesy the rector of the University of Stras- united with dignity, have never been obburgh, in 1550, abound with anecdotes served at so early an age. She has the of his royal pupil, of whose proficiency most ardent love of true religion, and of he was justly proud. We select the fol- the best kind of literature. The constilowing interesting passages:- tution of her mind is exempt from f{"Never was the nobility of England male weakness, and she is endued with more learned than at present. Our il- a masculine power of application. No lustrious King Edward, in talent, indus- apprehension can be quicker than herstry, perseverance and erudition, surpasses no memory more retentive. French and both his own years and the belief of Italian she speaks like English; Latin men. Numberless honourable ladies of with fluency, propriety, and judgment; the present time surpass the daughters she also spoke Greek with me, frequently, of Sir Thomas More in every kind of willingly, and moderately well. Nothing learning. But amongst them all, my can be more elegant than her handillustrious mistress, the lady Elizabeth, writing, whether in the Greek or Roshines like a star, excelling them more man character. In music she is very by the splendour of her virtues and her skilful, but does not greatly delight. learning, than by the glory of her birth. With respect to personal decoration, she In the variety of her commendable greatly prefers a simple elegance to show ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 533 and splendour, so despising the outward though held in thrall by the Protector, adorning of plaiting the hair, and of longed to behold his offending sister' wearing of gold, that in the whole man- and Elizabeth, aware of the tact, adner of her life she rather resembles Hip- dressed to him the following interesting polita than Phoedra. letter, preserved in the royal archives:" She read with me almost the whole of Cicero, and a great part of Livy: "Like as a shipman in stormy weafrom these two authors, indeed, her ther plucks down the sails, tarrying for knowledge of the Latin language has better wind, so did I, most noble King, been almost exclusively derived. The in my unfortunate chance, on Thursday, beginning of the day was always de- pluck down the high sails of my joy and voted by her to the New Testament, in comfort, and do trust one day that, as Greek, after which, she read select por- troublesome waves have repulsed me tions of Isocrates, and the tragedies of backward, so a gentle wind will bring Sophocles, which I judged best adapted me forward to my haven. Two chief to supply her tongue with the purest occasions moved me much, and grieved diction, her mind with the most excel- me greatly; the one, for that I doubted lent precepts, and her exalted station your Majesty's health; the others, bewith a defence against the utmost power cause, for all my long tarrying, I went of fortune. For her religious instruc- without that I came for. Of the first, I tion, she drew first from the fountains of am relieved in part, both that I underScripture, and afterwards from St. Cy- stood of your health, and also that your prian, the'Common Places' of M:elanc- Majesty's lodging is far from my Lord then, and similar works, which convey Marquis's chamber. Of my other grief pure doctrine in elegant language. In I am not eased; but the best is, that every kind of writing, she easily detected whatsoever other folks will suspect, I any ill-adapted or far-fetched expression. intend not to fear your Grace's goodShe could not bear those feeble imita- will, which, as I know that I never detors of Erasmus, who bind the Latin served to forfeit, so I trust it will stick language in the fetters of miserable pro- by me; for if your Grace's advice that I verbs; on the other hand, she approved should return, whose will is a commanda style chaste in its propriety, and beau- ment, had not been, I would not have tiful by perspicuity; and she greatly made the half of my way the end of my admired metaphors, when not too vio- journey. And thus, as one desirous to lent, and antitheses, when just and hap- hear of your Majesty's health, though pily opposed. By a diligent attention unfortunate to see it, I shall pray God to these particulars, her ears became so for ever to preserve you. From Hatpractised and so nice, that there was no- field, this present Saturday. thing in Greek, Latin, or English, prose "Your Majesty's humble sister to or verse, which, according to its merits command, or defects, she did not either reject with " ELIZABETH." disgust, or receive with the highest de- "To the King's most excellent Majesty." light." Fox says, "that one of her school- In reply, Edward sent to Elizabeth masters informed a friend of his, that he for her portrait, which she forwarded learned every day more of her than she him, with the following pedantic epistle: of him.'I teach her words,' quoth he,'and she me things. I think she is "Like as the rich man that daily gathe best-disposed lady in all Europe: thereth riches to riches, and to one bag she has a singular wit, and a marvellous of money layeth a great store till it come meek stomach.' " to infinite; so methinks your Majesty, Elizabeth, on account of her impro- not being sufficed with so many benefits prieties with the Admiral, had fallen into and gentleness shewed to me afore this disgrace, and was not permitted to enter time, doth now increase them, in asking the royal presence; but Edward, al- and desiring, where you may bid and 634 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. command: requiring a thing not worthy striking instance of the high considerathe desiring for itself, but made worthy tion which she enjoyed at the court of for your Highness's request-my pic- her brother, as well as the state which ture, I mean; in which, if the inward she at this period assumed in her appeargood mind towards your Grace might as ance before the public:well be declared as the outward face and M 1 countenance shall be seen, I would not The Lady Elizabeth, the King's have tarried the commandment, but pre- sister, rode this day through London vented it; nor have been the last to unto St. James's, the King's palace, grant, but the first to offer it. For the with a great company of lords, knights face, I grant, I might well blush to and gentlemen; and after her, a great offer, but the mind I shall never be company of ladies and gentlemen on ashamed to present. But though from horseback-about two hundred. On the the grace of the picture, the colours may nineteenth, she came from St. James's, fade by time, may give by weather, may through the park to the court; the way be spotted by chance; yet the other, nor from the park-gate unto the court sprea time with her swift wings shall over- with fine sand. She was attended with take, nor the misty clouds with their a very honourable confluence of noble lowering may darken, nor chance with and worshipful persons of both sexes, her slippery foot may overthrow. and received with much ceremony at the "Of this also-yet the proof could court gate." not be great, because the occasions have been so small; notwithstanding, as a The talents of the young Princess, her dog hath its day, so may I perchance vivacity, her proficiency in all these have time to declare it in deeds, which classical attainments to which the young now I do write them but in words. And King was himself devoted, endeared her further, I shall humbly beseech your exceedingly to her brother, who was Majesty, that when you shall look on wont to call her-in allusion to the somy picture, you will vouchsafe to think, briety of dress and manners by which that as you have but the outward sha- she was then distinguished-his " Sweet dow of the body before you, so my in- sister Temperance." On the part of Eliward mind wisheth that the body itself zabeth, his affection was responded to were oftener in your presence. Howbeit, by every mark of sisterly affection, joined because both my so being, I think, could to those delicate attentions, and that do your Majesty little pleasure, though respectful demeanour, which his rank enmyself great good; and again, because titled him to receive. I see not as yet the time agreeing there- With respect to her learning, after unto, I shall learn to follow this saying she ascended the throne, Roger Ascham of Horace- roundly asserts that there were not four,men in England, distinguished either in Ferns non culpes, quod vi non potest.' the church or the state, who understood And thus I will (troubling your Majesty more Greek than her Majesty. And, as I fear) end, with my most humble an instance of her proficiency in other thanks, beseeching God long to preserve tongues, he mentions that he was once you to his honour, to your comfort, to present at court when she gave answers, the realm's profit, and to my joy. at the same interview, to three ambassa"Your Majesty's most humble sister dors-the imperial German, the French, and servant, and the Swedish-in Italian, in French, "ELIZABETH." and in Latin —and all this fluently, " From Hatfield, this fifteenth day of without confusion, and to the purpose. May." It was now deemed expedient For the King to seek an alliance with the King Elizabeth was evidently not long in of Denmark, Christian the Third-an regaining her influence with the King; able and enlightened prince, who had for we find, in Strype's Memorials, a recently acquired the respect of the ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 535 whole Protestant body, by establishing from his sisters; and he succeeded in the Reformation in his dominions. An completely excluding Elizabeth from the agent was accordingly dispatched to the presence of the dying King. Latimer court of Copenhagen, to solicit a mar- and Ridley furthered his dangerous proriage between the Prince Royal of Den- ject by preaching in favour of passing mark and the Princess Elizabeth. But over the daughters of Henry the Eighth, this negotiation proved fruitless, in con- on the ground that they might endanger sequence of the reluctance to the con- the Protestant institutions of the realm, nection manifested by Elizabeth herself. by marrying Popish princes, although it The Princess never could be prevailed was well known that Elizabeth, who was upon to give the slightest encouragement sincerely attached to the reformed relito the addresses of any foreign prince, gion, had rejected a foreign alliance. whilst she herself was still in the light But at this momentous period the voice of a subject: she was too well convinced of Elizabeth's friends at court was sithat, to accept such an alliance, would lenced, and, indeed, if the assertions of be the means of sending her out of the some writers are to be believed, she had kingdom, and thus hazard the right of but one sincere friend there, and that her succession to the throne of England. was the crafty Cecil. Edward the Sixth, thus disappointed in Elizabeth resided at Hatfield during his views, lost no time in offering his the last month of Edward the Sixth's own hand in marriage to the infant reign. Her household book for the first daughter of Henry the Second of France of October, of the fifth of Edward the — a contract, however, which he did not Sixth, to the last of September, in the live to carry into effect. sixth year of that Monarch, is still exElizabeth was too discreet to take part tant, inthe possession of Lord Strangford. in the struggle between the Somerset "It is entitled," says Mr. Ellis,* "The and Warwick factions; and when So- Accompte of Thomas Parry, esquyer, merset, a condemned prisoner in the Conferor, [cofferer] to the righte excelTower, supplicated her to urge the King lent Princesse, the Ladie Elizabeth, her to spare his life, she, in answer, coolly Grace, the King's Majestie's most honassured him that she had no power to do orable Sister." Every page is signed at anything in his behalf, as the ruling fac- the bottom in the Princess's own hand. tion prevented her from entering the The sum total of receipts, including royal presence. Yet her credit with the "remayne of the preceding year," Edward must then have been consider- amounts to five thousand seven hundred able, since she openly asserted her claims and ninety one pounds one shilling and to Durham House, which Somerset had three-pence farthing, with the third unjustly deprived her of, and which part of a farthing. The payments are Warwick, who had just been created entered under the heads of "Bakehouse Duke of Northumberland, had the pre- and Pantry, Butrey and Cellar, Spicery sumption to retain. She even appealed and Chaundrey, Kitchen and Larder, to the Lord Chancellor-a step she was the Acatryes, Pultry, Squillerie, Sawtoo politic to take, without being first cerye, Wood-yard, Stable, Wages, Lyassured of the friendship of her royal veries and Almes, Chamber and Robes, brother, and Reparacions." The total of payImmediately, Northumberland, to bol- ments within the time of the account, ster up his own power, conceived the amounted to three thousand six hundred traitorous design of causing the claims and twenty-nine pounds eighteen shilof the Princess Mary and Elizabeth to be hings and eight-pence three farthings; set aside in favour of his daughter-in- leaving for the wants of the next year, law, the unfortunate Lady ane Gray, one thousand five hundred and seven who had been married to his son, Lord pounds, one half-penny, a half-farthing, Guildford Dudley. He endeavoured to and a third part of a farthing; which estrange, by every means, the love of sum is stated to have been "delivered the death-sick young Edward the Sixth * Royal Letters, vol. ii. p. 210. 536 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. into her Grace's hands, upon the deter- lings and four-pencc. Paid to Edmund mination of this account. The expenses Allin for a bible, twenty shillings. Paid of the house amounted to three thousand the third of November, to the keeper of nine hundred and thirty-eight pounds Hertford jail, for fees of John Wingfield, eighteen shillings and seven-pence. But being in ward, thirteen shillings and deductions for the " hides, felles, and in- fourpence. Paid the fourteenth of Detrails of the cattle supplied, two hundred cember to Blanch Parry, for her half and seven pounds three shillings and year's annuity, one hundred shillings; eight-pence half-penny." The entries in and to Blanche Courtnaye for the like, the Bakehouse and Pantry are chiefly sixty-six shillings and eight-pence. Paid for wheat. Under the Butrey and Cel- the fourteenth of December, at the lar great quantities of beer are entered, christening of Mistress Pendred's child, with " swete wine, Raynish wine, and as by warrant doth appear, one shilling. Gascoigne wine." In the Spicery and Paid in rewards unto sundry persons at Chaundery, nothing occurs worthy of St. James, her Grace then being there, note. In the Kitchen and Larder, viz., the King's footman, forty shillings; fresh-water fish are frequently entered. the under-keeper of St. James's ten Board wages for servants are conti- shillings, the gardener five shillings; to nually mentioned. Lamprey-pies are one Russell, groom of the King's great once entered as a present. John chamber, ten shillings; John Forman, Taylor was paid for making the ten shillings; to the wardrobe, forty " Torne-broches' [turnspits] coats, nine shillings; the violins, forty shillings; a shillings and two-pence." In the Frenchman, that gave a book to her Wood-yard rushes occur, in the Stable Grace, ten shillings; the keeper of the "horsbrede." The wages of house- park gate of St. James's, ten shillings; hold servants for a quarter of a year Mr. Standford's servant, twenty shilamounted to eighty-two pounds seven- lings; the Lord Russell's minstrels, ten teen shillings ahd eight-pence. The shillings. In the whole, as by warrant liveries of velvet coats for thirteen, appeareth, nine pounds fifteen shillings. gentlemen, at forty shillings the coat Paid in rewards, to sundry persons, the amounted to twenty-six pounds. The tenth of August, viz., to Farmor, that liveries of the yeomen to seventy-eight played on the lute, thirty shillings; to pounds eighteen shillings; given in alms, Mr. Ashfeild's servant, with two prize seven pounds fifteen shillings and eight- oxen, and ten muttons, twenty shillings; pence at "sondrie times to poore men More, the harper, thirty shillings; to and womene." Amongst the entries of him that made her Grace a table oL the chamber and robes, are the follow- walnut tree, forty-four shillings and nine ing. " Paid to John Spithonius, the pence; and to Mrs. Cock's servant, who seventeenth of May, for books, and to brought her Grace a sturgeon, six and Mr. Allin for a bible, twenty-seven shil- eight-pence." ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 537 CHAPTER III. Death of Edward the Sixth-Lady Jane Grey —ccession of Mary-Elizabeth's hypocritical profession of the Popish Faith- Takes part in Mary's CoronationIs set up as a rival to the Crown —Breach between her and Mary, widened by the rivalfactions-Refuses to marry the Prince of Piedmont-Implicated in the Wyatt Rebellion-Sent for to Court-Imprisoned in the Tower-Severely treated -Gardiner's attempt to take her life-Removed to Richmond —The Duke of Savoy offered her in marriage-Removed to Toodstock-Still treated with rigourSent for to Court-Is forgiven, and restored to Royal favour-Philip's efforts to marry her to the Duke of Savoy-Spends Christmas at Court-Proceeds to Hatfield-Renewed offer of marriagel-Magnzifcent entertainments -Proposals of Eric of Sweden —er dislike of marriage-Mary bequeaths the Crown to herHier dying request to her-She vows that she is a Catholic-effects surprise when informed of Mary's demise. HE long-anticipated and firmly replied, that her eldest sister, (l death of Edward the Mary, was the first to be treated with, Sixth took place at during whose lifetime she, for her part, Greenwich, on the had no right or title to renounce. Whilst sixth of July, 1553. Mary asserted her rights by an appeal to It was hastened by arms, Elizabeth, confined to her house the unskilful treat- by a sickness, most probably feigned, ment of a female merely avoided taking part in the strugempiric, to whose care the royal pa- gle for the crown. She did not, as tient had been improperly confided; some historians state, raise troops in aid and coming, as it did, upon Northum- of Mary. But although, during this berland somewhat by surprise, compelled eventful crisis, she no more supported him to act with a degree of precipita- Mary than Lady Jane, the moment tion, injurious to his crafty designs. the contest was at an end, and the news Several preparatory measures were yet of her sister's victory had reached her, to be adopted, particularly the important she forgother indisposition, and hastened one of securing the persons of the two in state, to meet and court the favour of princesses, Mary and Elizabeth. Ac- the conqueror. At the head of one cordingly he ordered the death of the thousand persons, on horseback, many King to be carefully concealed, whilst of whom were ladies, she met her sister he wrote letters in the name of Edward Mary at Wanstead, where she first paid the Sixth, requiring the immediate at- homage to her as Queen. When Mary tendance of his sisters at court. How far made her triumphal entry into London, the stratagem succeeded with Mary, and she rode by her side. In personal apher subsequent proceedings, have already pearance and manners, she had the been detailed. The more wary Elizabeth, advantage of Mary. She was but twenty, informed, it is supposed by Cecil, of the about half the age of the Queen, and treachery hatching at court, remained without pretensions to extraordinary tranquil ather residence in Hertfordshire. beauty, she could boast of a tall, portly, The Duke of Northumberland soon graceful figure, evenly chiselled features, after despatched messengers to Elizabeth, large blue eyes, a fine but rather sallow apprizing her of the accession of Lady complexion, and delicate hands, the Jane Grey to the throne, and proposing elegant symmetry of which she was proud to her the alternative of resigning her to display on every possible occasion. own title, in consideration of a sum of She alsocondescended to courtpopularity money and certain lands to be assigned by all those arts of which her after-confor her benefit. Elizabeth prudently duct proved her to be a perfect mistress. 538 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. But a few weeks after Mary had been royal carriage, sumptuously covered proclaimed Queen, the partizans of the with cloth of tissue, and drawn'by six opposing religions succeeded in exciting horses with similar trappings, was imher jealous ill-will against her sister mediately followed by another, likewise Elizabeth. When Mary made known drawn by six horses, and covered with her intention of restoring the mass and cloth of silver, in which sat the Princess other Catholic rituals, the Protestants Elizabeth and the Lady Anne of Cleves, took the alarm; fixed their hopes on the former of whom assisted in this cerethe constancy of Elizabeth, who had al- mony as the Queen's sister, and the latter ready won for herself the good will of not as the widow, but as the adopted the people generally, and openly de- sister of Henry the Eighth. dared that she might be placed upon At the coronation banquet, Elizabeth the throne with as little difficulty as dined at the same table with the Queen Mary had been. On this account Mary -an honour conferred on none else but was advised to place her sister under Anne of Cleves. She was prayed for by arrest. But this unjust, unpopular Dr. Harpfield, as the Queen's sister, and measure, she refused to consent to; and to generally recognized as heiress presumpat once gratify her own religious preju- tive to the throne. She, however, endices, and weaken the power of the joyed this state of felicity for littlemore reformers, she endeavoured, by entrea- than a month. The act passed by Mary's ties, promises, threats, to withdraw her first Parliament, legitimizing the Queen, royal sister from the Protestant to the in effect, though not in words, bastarCatholic Church. Elizabeth firmly re- dized Elizabeth, and so wounded her sisted every attempt, till she found that pride, that she requested permission to her repugnance was attributed not to remove from court-a request which was motives of conscience, but to the per- refused, and followed by a temporary suasions of factions; when, demanding estrangement between the royal sisters. an audience with the Queen, she, on Intrigue was now rife at court, independher knees, and with tearful eyes, ex- ent of the religious partizans. The King cused her past obstinacy, on the plea of France, in the hope of obtaining the that she had never practised, nor been whole sovereignty of the Britannic isles taught, any other than the reformed reli- for his daughter-in-law, Mary Queen of gion, and employed Mary to furnish her Scots, resolved to ruin Queen Mary by with proper books and instructors, that setting up Elizabeth as her rival, and she might learn her error, and embrace afterwards to destroy the Princess herthe religion of her fathers. In a week self. With this view, the unprincipled her defection from the Protestant Church French ambassador, Noailles, devised, was effected; policy induced her to and supported with supplies of arms and make a hypocritical profession of the money, an attempt to depose Mary in Catholic faith, and, as a show of sin- favour of Elizabeth, who was to be marcerity, to attend mass on the eighth of ried to Courtney, Earl of Devonshire. September, and to shortly afterwards Whilst this conspiracy was hatching, write to the Emperor, for permission to Elizabeth, who, in all probability, tacitly purchase in Flanders a chalice, cross, countenanced it, again requested permisand other ecclesiastical ornaments for a sion to retire to one of her seats in the Catholic chapel, she was about to open country. Leave was granted, and the in her own house. By this and other day fixed for her departure, when the dissimulation, Elizabeth succeeded for a representations of Renaud, the Spanish time in retaining her influence at court. ambassador, that -she was deeply impliMary, evidently believing in her since- cated in the plots against the governrity, treated her, in public and private, ment, so incensed the Queen and the with extraordinary kindness. In the privy council against her, that she was splendid procession of her Majesty from ordered not to leave the palace, and, in the Tower to Whitehall, previously to the end, confined to her own chamber, her coronation, in October, 1553, the and surrounded by spies, who reported ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 639 her every movement to the privy coun- that she was too ill to travel, and immecil. The peril of her position daily in- diately afterwards fortified and garricreased. Mary deeply mortified her by soned her house. This illness, whether permitting the Countess of Lennox and real or feigned, in all probability saved the Duchess of Suffolk, the representa- her from a violent death. Mary altives of her aunts, the Scottish and lowed her a fortnight's respite, and durFrench Queens, to take precedence of ing this eventful fortnight, Wyatt, at her; and, at length, Renaud openly the head of a formidable army of insurcharged Noailles with paying her noc- gents, had unsuccessfully attacked the turnal visits, with treasonable designs; Queen in her palace at Westminster, and but, fortunately for Elizabeth, she ex- been conveyed, with the other leading plained away the charges against her, rebels, to captivity in the Tower, when and Mary, despite the opposition of Re- he and his fellow-rebels, to screen themnaud and others, forgave her, granted selves, named Elizabeth and Courtney her permission to depart, and, on the as the instigators of the uprising. sixth of December, dismissed her with Mary, whose throne had been made to tokens of affection, and a present of a totter, signed the death-warrant of the double set of large and valuable pearls. unfortunate Lady Jane Grey and her She retired to her mansion at Ashridge, husband, and as she now more than ever in Bucks, where she had scarcely arrived distrusted the lovalty of Elizabeth, she when she was annoyed by an offer of the sent that Princess's maternal kinsman, hand of the Prince of Piedmont in mar- Lord William Howard, together with riage, and a renewal of the matrimonial Sir Edward Hastings and Sir Thomas proposals in favour of the King of Den- Cornwallis, to bring her to the court at mark's son; both of these offers she London. When they arrived, the Queen's promptly negatived; and she also refused physicians, Dr. Wendy and Dr. OwenNoailles' request, that she would unite whom, it appears, by an original letter herself openly with the conspirators, in Tytler's "Edward and Mary," which whose plot aas scarcely arranged, when we have not space to insert, the Queen the fears or simplicity of Courtney in- had kindly sent to tend her, and see that duced him to impart the whole secret to she was sufficiently recovered to bear the Gardiner, whilst the privy council inter- removal-decided that she might at once cepted letters to Elizabeth, in ciphers; commence the journey without endanfrom the French King, offering her gering her life. But, her object being money, and urging her to seek an asylum to gain time, she refused to see the three in France; from the French ambassador, commissioners; and when, after waiting advising her to throw off the mask, and half the day, they, at the late hour of openly espouse their cause, and from ten at night, entered her chamber, she Wyatt, Sir James Crofts, and other of had retired to rest, and with affected the conspirators, informing her that they amazement, exclaimed, "Is the haste had been betrayed by Courtney, and ex- such hat it might not have pleased you horting her to retire from Ashridge, to coTne to-morrow in the morning?" which, being near the metropolis and They made answer that they were unfortified, left her at the mercy of the right sorry to see her in such a case. Queen and the council, to the strong " And I," quoth she, "am not glad castle of Donnington, which was near to see you here at this time of night." to the head-quarters of the rebels. Her Grace was then informed that The day after the breaking-out of the the Queen had sent her own litter for Wyatt rebellion was known to the coun- her accommodation, and that the next cil, Mary sent a letter to Elizabeth, en- morning she would be removed. Her joining her to return immediately to departure, which took place at about court, and assuring her that she should eleven in the morning, on Monday, the be heartily welcomed; but as Elizabeth twelfth of February, excited the tears put no faith in these assurances, she and lamentations of her afflicted housetook to her bed, sent word to the Queen hold, who naturally gave way to the 510 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. most painful forebodings. She reached first to be permitted to write to the Redburn, in a very feeble condition, the Queen, and the Earl of Sussex assenting, first night; on the second, she rested at in spite of the opposition of another Sir Ralph Rowlet's house, at St. Alban's; lord, and undertaking himself to be the on the third, at Mr. Dod's, at Mimmes; on bearer of her letter, she took the opporthefourth, at IIighgate, where she stayed tunity of repeating her protestations of at Mr. Cholmeley's house for a night and a innocence and loyalty, adding with much day, till her drooping spirits had revived, vehemence of manner:-" As for that and her health somewhat recovered. traitor, Wyatt, he might peradventure At Ilighgate, a number of gentlemen write me a letter; but, on my faith, I rode out to meet her, in testimony of never received any from him. And as their sympathy and attachment; and as for the copy of my letter to the French she proceeded, the general feeling was King, which is laid to my charge, I pray further displayed, by crowds of people to God confound me eternally, if ever I lining the pathways, who flocked anxi- sent him word, message, token, or letter, ously around her litter, weeping and be- by any means." wailing her unhappy fate. Her passage Her letter failed to procure an interthrough Smithfield and Fleet Street, in view with the Queen; and the next day, a litter open at both sides, was followed being Palm Sunday, strict orders were by a hundred men, attired in coats of issued for all the people to attend the velvet, and a hundred others succeeded, churches, and carry their palms, whilst, in coats of fine red, trimmed with velvet; in the meantime, Elizabeth was privately with this imposing train did Elizabeth removed to the Tower, attended by the pass through the Queen's garden to the Earl of Sussex, the Lord Treasurer, three court of the palace. This open support of her own ladies, three of the Queen's of the Princess by a formidable party in attendants, and some of her officers. On the capital, greatly disconcerted the plans reaching the place of her destination, of her enemies. They contented them- she for a long time refused to land at selves, for the present, with detaining Traitor's Gate; and when one of the her in a kind of honourable custody at lords declared " that she should not Whitehall. She demanded an inter- choose," and, at the same time, offered view with the Queen, but Mary refused her his cloak to protect her from the to see her; and when the privy council rain, she retained enough of her high examined her, she protested her inno- spirit to throw it from her with a good cence, and ignorance of the treasonable dash; and as she set her foot on the illdesigns of Wyatt and his confederates. omened stairs, she exclaimed: " Here Lords Arundel and Paget, and the Em- landeth as true a subject, being a priperor's ambassador, Renaud, urged that soner, as ever landed at these stairs; and she should be immediately brought to before thee, 0 God! I speak it, having the block as a traitress; but Mary ab- no other friend but thee alone." horred the idea of shedding her blood; On seeing a number of warders and and at last, when all the lords of the other attendants drawn out in order, she council had individually refused to take asked, " What meaneth this?" Some charge of her, the Queen, for the secu- one answered, that it was customary on rity of her own person, resolved to send receiving a state prisoner. her to the Tower. This determination "If it be," said Elizabeth, "I beesech was announced to her by the Earl of you that, for my cause, they may be dis. Sussex, on the sixteenth of March. missed." Bishop Gardiner and two others came Immediately the poor men kneeled soon afterwards, and, dismissing her at- down and prayed God to preserve her; tendants, supplied their place with some for which action they all were severely of the Queen's servants, and set a guard reprimanded the next day. Going a round the palace for that night. In the little further, she sat down on a stone to morning, a barge was in readiness to rest herself; the lieutenant urged her to convey her to the Tower: she entreated rise and come in out of the cold and wet, ELIZAhITII, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 541 but she answered, " Better sitting here but that I may go to mine own houses than in a worse place; for God knoweth at all times?" Then the Earl ofArundel, whither you bring me." kneeling down, said, "Your Grace On hearing these words, her gentle- sayeth true, and certainly we are very man-usher wept, for which she reproved sorry that we have troubled you about him, saying, "You ought rather to be so vain a matter. Elizabeth replied, my comforter, especially since I know " My Lords, you do sift me very narmy own truth to be such, that no man rowly; but I am well assured you will shall have cause to weep for me." Then not do more to me than God hath aprising, she entered the prison, and its pointed; and so God forgive you all." gloomy doors were locked and bolted on Wyatt was at length, on the eleventh of her. Shocked and dismayed, she col- April, condemned to death; when he conlected her servants around her, called for founded all the hopes and expectations her prayer-book, and devoutly prayed of the enemies of Elizabeth, by strenuthat she might " build her house upon ously and publicly declaring her entire the rock." Her conductors then re- innocence of any participation in the tired; and her firm friend, the Earl of treasonable designs. Sussex, took the opportunity of remind- One only resource now remained to ing all whom it might concern, that the the Court, in their endeavours to ruin Princess was to be treated in no other Elizabeth. They thought, that a longmanner than they might be able to jus- continued absence, whilst it might gratify, whatever should happen hereafter; dually weaken the affections of the peoand that they were to take heed to do pie, would afford them many opportunothing but what their commission would nities for injuring or supplanting her, bear out. To this the attendants cordially and it was therefore resolved to provide assented; and, having performed their for her a kind of honourable banishoffice, the two lords took their departure. ment. Her confinement had been renA few days after her committal, dered as uncomfortable as it could well Gardiner, and other privy councillors, be. After a month's close imprisonment came to examine her, respecting the in the Tower, by which the health of the conversation she had held with Sir Princess had severely suffered, she obJames Croft on her removal to Don- tained, with great difficulty, permission nington Castle. Elizabeth said, after to walk in the state apartments, under some recollection, that she had in truth the close superintendence of the consuch a place, but that she had never oc- stable of the Tower and the Lord cupied it in her life, and she did not Chamberlain, with the attendance of remember that any one had moved her three of the Queen's servants; the winso to do. Then, to enforce the matter, dows being shut, and the Princess not they brought forth Sir James Croft; and allowed to look out. Afterwards she Gardiner demanded what she had to say had the liberty of walking in a small to that man. She answered, that she garden, the gates and doors being carehad little to say to him, or to the rest fully closed; and the prisoners, whose that were in the Tower. "But, my rooms looked into the garden, being at Lords," said the Princess, " you do ex- such times closely watched, to prevent amine every mean prisoner respecting the interchange of any word or sign. me, wherein you do me great injury. If Even a little child of five years of age, they have done evil and offended the who was wont to cheer her by his daily Queen's Majesty, let them answer for it visits, and to bring her flowers, was accordingly. I beseech you, my Lords, suspected of being employed as a mesjoin not me in this sort with any of these senger between the Princess and the offenders; and, concerning my going to Earl of Devonshire,* and in spite of Donnington Castle, I do remember that Master Hobby, and my officers, and you, * Courtney, Earl of Devonshire, was then Sir James Croft, had such talk But a prisoner in the Tower; he had been appreSir James Cro, su. hended on the twelfth of the preceding Fewhat is that to the purpose, my Lords, bruary, at the house of the Earl of Sussex. 542 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. the innocent simplicity of his answers, benefit from this approaching change, he was ordered to visit her no more! as she still remained a closely guarded The next day, the poor child peeped in prisoner. through a hole in the door, as she walked Sir Henry Bedingfield entered the in the garden, and cried out-" Madam, Tower, at the head of a hundred of his I can bring you no more flowers! "-for men; and Elizabeth, struck with dismay which innocent remark, his father, one at the unexpected sight, demanded of the inferior officers of the Tower, whether the scaffold which had served was severely lectured, and ordered to for the execution of Lady Jane Grey, keep his boy entirely away from the hadbeenremoved? On being informed Princess. that it was, she was somewhat comFrom the commencement of her in- forted; but soon a frightful rumour carceration in the Tower, orders had reached her, that she was about to be been given by the Queen and her Court carried away by Sir Henry and his that mass should be regularly performed soldiers, no one knew where. She imbefore the Princess and her attendants, mediately sent for Lord Chandos, conin her apartment. Elizabeth did not stable of the Tower, whose humanity feel any great repugnance to this rite- and courtesy had induced him to soften, and thus deprived the council of all pre- as much as possible, the hardships of text for persecuting her on the score of her lot, and closely questioning him, he religion; but some of her attendants at length plainly told her, that there were not so submissive, and she had the was no help for it; orders had been pain of seeing Mrs. Sands, one of her given, and she must be consigned to the ladies, forcibly carried away, under a care of Bedingfield, to be conveyed to charge of heresy, and her place supplied Woodstock. Anxious and alarmed at by another, whose religious sentiments this intelligence, she inquired of her were more in unison with the court. attendants, what kind of man this BedAll these severities, however, failed in ingfield was; and whether, in the event their intended purpose; neither suffer- of her murder being determined on, his ings nor menaces could induce the conscience would allow him to see it Princess to acknowledge herself guilty perpetrated? None of her attendents of any offence against her sister. Queen could satisfy her on this point; all they Mary, about this time, was attacked with could do was, to implore her to put her a severe indisposition, and Gardiner trust in God, as her only refuge in the taking advantage, it is supposed, of the hour of danger. circumstance, sent a privy council After suffering a close imprisonment warrant to Bridges, the Lieutenant of of three months, in the Tower, she was the Tower, for the instant decapitation at length, on the nineteenth of May, of Elizabeth. Bridges, perceiving that escorted out of that gloomy fortress; the Queen's signature was not attached and, under the charge of Bedingfield to the warrant, made a personal applica- and his troop of a hundred horsemen, tion on the subject to Mary, who, on conducted to Richmond palace, where hearing of the murderous plot, and pro- the court was then held. She was still vidential escape of the Princess, again treated as a captive. The manners of called her sister; and to preserve her Bedingfield she deemed severe; and from the future machinations of her such terror did she conceive from the enemies, ordered Sir Henry Bedingfield, appearances around her, that, sending a Norfolk knight, on whose courage for her gentleman usher, she desired and honour she could rely, to convey her him, and the rest of her officers, to pray to Woodstock, and there strictly guard for her: "For this night," added the her from the base designs of her foes, unhappy Princess, " I think to die!" and from joining in the intrigues of The gentleman, greatly affected, enher disaffected friends. Elizabeth, couraged her as well as he was able; however, derived but little momentary then going to Lord Williams, who wa, ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 543 walking with Bedingfield, he called him prisoner and in disgrace; and Bedingaside, and implored him to tell him, field ordered the unhappy ringers to be sincerely, whether any michief were put in the stocks, as a reward for their designed against his mistress that night labours! On the third evening, the or no; adding, "That I and my men Princess arrived at Ricot, the seat of might take such part as God shall please Lord Williams, where its owner intro. to appoint. For, certainly, we will duced her to a large circle of nobility rather die than she should secretly and and gentry, whom he had invited to innocently suffer." To which Lord welcome her. The suspicious mind of Williams replied, " God forbid that any Bedingfield was aroused at the sight of such wicked purpose should be wrought; such an assembly: the. soldiers were and rather than it should be so, I also ordered to keep strict watch; he insisted am ready to die at the feet of the Prin- that none of the guests should be percess." mitted to pass the night in the house, Amidst these gloomy apprehensions, and demanded of Lord Williams, if he Elizabeth was surprised by a message were aware of the consequences ef thus from the Queen, offering her immediate entertaining the Queen's prisoner? To liberty, on condition of her accepting which the noble host replied, " I know the hand of the reigning Duke of well enough what I am about, and am Savoy in marriage. But the firm mind resolved that her Grace may, and shall, of Elizabeth was not thus to be shaken, be merry in my house this night." In nor her penetration deceived. She be- the morning she departed for Woodlieved that it was banishment which stock, where, under the severe inspection was intended in the guise of marriage; of Bedingfield, she found herself once that she was required to exchange the more a prisoner. No visitor was allowed succession to an independent English to approach her dwelling: the doors crown, for the matrimonial alliance of were closed upon her; and a military a foreign prince; and she had the mag- guard kept watch, day and night, nanimity to firmly negative the offer, around the walls of her prison. Indeed, which was no sooner declared, than or- her residence at Woodstock, though less ders were issued for her immediate re- painful than her imprisonment in the moval to Woodstock, in Oxfordshire. Tower, was yet a state of rigorous conWhile crossing the river, at Richmond, finement, in which she was haunted on this melancholy journey, Elizabeth with cares and anxieties, which deprived perceived, on the opposite side, "certain her youth of all its bloom and vivacity, of her poor servants," who had been and seriously affected her constitution. prevented giving their attendance during On the eighth of June her health was her imprisonment in the Tower, and so much impaired, that two physicians who were now anxiously waiting to see were sent from the Court to attend upon her again. "Go to them," said she to her. On returning to the Queen, they one of her men, " and say these words made a favourable report of her behafrom me:' I am driven like a sheep to viour, and of the dutiful humility she the slaughter.' "-Travelling leisurely evinced towards her Majesty. She was on horseback, the journey occupied four soon after advised to make all due subdays; and the slowness of her progress mission to the Queen, but, with her afforded an opportunity for some strik- wonted constancy, she declined; though ing marks of popular feeling. Various this was the only condition in which little gifts were presented by the people she could hope for deliverance. Her on the way-side; for which Bedingfield situation, therefore, was painful in the was enraged, calling them traitors and extreme. Hearing, one day, out of her rebels. As she passed through the vil- garden at Woodstock, the voice of a lages, the bells of the churches were milk-maid, singing joyously, she exrung in token of joy for her supposed claimed, with emotion: " 0 that 1 too liberation; but the populace were soon were a milk-maid! for her situation is undeceived, and informed she was still a happier and far merrier than mine! " 544 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. Sir Henry Bedingfield continued his creased Elizabeth's fears, that her prusevere vigilance over the Princess: his dence prompted her to frcquefttly hear task was a difficult and ungracious one. mass and attend the confessional. It was On one occasion, observing him lock the at this trying period that, when asked gate of the garden while she was walking by Gardiner what it was she conceived in it, Elizabeth reproached him, and she received in the blessed sacrament, called him her gaoler; when he, on his she made the celebrated responseknees, entreated her Grace not to give "Christ was the word that spake it; him that ugly name in future, for he was He blessed the bread and brake it. appointed to be one of her officers and And what the word did make it, protectors. Her correspondence was That I revere and take it." watchtflly restricted. When, after ur- About the close of this year, Sir Nigent application to the council, she was cholas Throgmorton, Dudley, and all the at length permitted to write to the other prisoners, who participated in the Queen, Bedingfield looked over her usurpation of Lady Jane Grey, or the shoulder as she wrote, took the paper rebellion of Wyatt, were liberated from into his own keeping when she laid it the Tower, at the intercession, it is said, down to rest herself, and again brought of King Philip, who soon afterwards, it back to her, when she resumed her and, according to the assertions of some pen. With his utmost precaution, how- historians, with a view to exclude Mary, ever, he was unable entirely to cut off Queen of Scots, from the throne of Engall communications with her friends. land, in the event of the Queen dying Through the agency of a visitor to one without issue, employed his good offices of her ladies, Elizabeth received the in the cause of the Princess and the Earl satisfactory assurance, that none of the of Devonshire —two personages still prisoners in the rebellion of Wyatt had more interesting to the feelings of the been induced to utter any thing against people.* her. In allusion to this intelligence, It is well known, however, that Elizashe wrote with a diamond, on a window beth's enemies were still powerful. Lord in her apartment, this homely, but ex- Paget, notwithstanding his having waited pressive distich:- on the Princess at table, was heard to "Much suspected, of me declare, "that the Queen would never Nothing proved can be, have peace in the country till her Quoth Elizabeth prisoner." head was smitten off;" and the Bishop "The plots," says Sir John Harrington, of Winchester never ceased regarding "laid to entrap the Lady Elizabeth by her with an evil eye. Lord Williams Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, and his begged that he might be permitted to terrible hard usage of all her followers, take her from Woodstock to his own I cannot scarce think of with charity, house, offering large bail for her safe nor write of with patience. My father, keeping, but this indulgence was refused. for only carrying a letter to the Lady Philip was now more than ever bent on Elizabeth, and professing to wish her her deliverance. The moment was fawell, he sent to the Tower for twelve vourable for his purpose. Mary, happy months, and caused him to expend a in her hope of giving an heir to the thousand pounds, ere he could be free of crown, no longer opposed the wishes of that trouble. My mother, who then her husband; and the privy council, beserved the Lady Elizabeth, he caused lieving the Queen pregnant, viewed the to be removed from her, as a heretic, in- Princess with less bitterness. Accordsomuch that her own father durst not ingly, in December, 1554, Elizabeth took take her into his house. So I may in her final departure from Woodstock, and some sort say, this Bishop persecuted proceeded, under the escort of Bedingme before I was born." field and his men, to Hampton Court. The marriage of Mary to Philip of She was met at Colnebrook by her own Spain, the arrival of Cardinal Pole, and the re-establishment of Popedom, so in- * See Memoir ofMary. ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 545 gentlemen and yeomen, to the number Grace hath the'vantage of me and the of sixty: "much to all their comforts," other councillors, for your long and says Fox, in his Martyrology, " notwith- wrong imprisonments." standing they were immediately cor- "I take God to witness," rejoined manded, in the Queen's name, to depart Elizabeth, "that I seek no'vantage to town, and she was not even suffered against them for their so dealing with once to speak to them." me." On the following day she reached Gardiner and the rest then kneeled, Hampton Court; but the doors were and took their departure-the Princess closed upon her, and she was guarded, being again locked up. as at Woodstock, for a whole fortnight, A week after this interview, Elizawithout any one having access to her, beth received an unexpected summons save her own immediate attendants. At from the Queen, when she was conthe end of this period, she was visited ducted by torch-light to the royal apartby Lord William Howard, son of the ments. Mary received her in her chamDuke of Norfolk, "who very honour- her, to which she now secluded herself, ably used her," and through whom she in expectation of that joyful event, which requested to speak to some of the privy was destined never to take place. The council. In consequence, several mem- Princess, on entering, knelt down, " as hers, headed by the Bishop of Winches- became a true and loyal subject;" addter, waited upon her, and "humbled ing, "I do not doubt your Majesty will themselves before her with all humility." one day find me to be such, whatever Nevertheless, they seized the opportu- reports may have stated to the contrary." nity, to urge her once more to make sub- The Queen expressed at first some dismission to the Queen, as a necessary satisfaction at her still persisting so preliminaryto obtaining the royal favour. strongly in her assertions of innocence; But Elizabeth, with. marked firmness, but on Elizabeth's replying, in a subdeclared, that rather than do so, she missive tone, that it was her business to would lie in prison all the days of her endure what her Majesty was pleased to life; adding, that she begged no mercy inflict, and that she should make no at her Majesty's hand, but rather the complaints; Mary, somewhat appeased, law, if ever she had offended her in put a ring on her finger, of the value of thought, word, or deed. "And besides seven hundred crowns, and dismissed her this," added the Princess, "in yielding, with kindness. Sir Thomas Pope was I should speak against myself, and con- again appointed to reside with her, with fess myself an offender, by occasion of the hope of adding to her comforts. which the King and Queen might ever Philip still persisted in his intention after conceive of me an ill opinion; and of marrying Elizabeth to the Duke of it were better for me to lie in prison for Savoy; but as severity had already been the truth, than to be abroad and sus- resorted to in vain, to induce the Prinpected." cess to comply with his wishes, he now The councillors then departed, pro- resolved to try more lenient measures. mising to deliver her message to the The Duke, who had attended Philip to Queen. The following day, the Bishop England, was still in town; and as he of Winchester again waited upon her, was a Prince of merit and talents, and and told her, that "her Majesty mar- in the prime of life, it was thought that veiled she should so stoutly carry herself, a personal interview might incline Elizadenying to have offended; so that it beth to lend a more favourable ear to should seem the Queen had wrongfully his proposal. She was accordingly inimprisoned her; and that she must tell vited to share at the ensuing Christmas another tale ere she recovered her liber- festivities, celebrated by Philip and Mary, ty." To which Elizabeth replied, "I at Hampton Court. On the eve of that will stand to my former resolution; for festival, the great hall of the palace I will never belie myself." being illuminated with a thousand lamps, "Then," said the Bishop, "y'our the King and Queen supped therein, N N f46 EILZABETHI SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. the Princess being seated at the same next heir to the crown, that she felt pe'table, next to the cloth of state. After fectly secure against any attempt to desupper, Lord Paget served her with a grade her from her royal station; and perfumed napkin, and a plateof preserved her reconciliation with the Queen profruits; but she retired to her ladies cured for her frequent admission to court. before the revels and masquerades began. In Strype's Memorials, it is stated, On St. Stephen's day, she heard matins that "a few days after the King's dein the Queen's closet, adjoining the parture, the Queen, the Lady Elizabeth, chapel, when she was attired in a robe and all the court did fast from flesh, to of white satin, strung all over with qualify them to take the Pope's jubilee large pearls; and, on the twenty-ninth and pardon, granted to all, out of his of December, she accompanied their Ma- abundant clemency." A few weeks subjesties and the nobility to witness a sequently, the death of Elizabeth's enegrand tournament, at which two hundred my, the Bishop of Winchester, restored spears were broken by the combatants. her to a degree of happiness and comfort, That she was treated at this period of which she had long been estranged, with the greatest respect by the highest Nevertheless, as she deemed it wise to nobles in the realm, is fully corroborated retire from the public gaze, she again by the following anecdote, related by turned her attention to the peaceful purHolinshed:-" A servant of the Princess suits of literature; and, under the able had summoned a person before the ma- tutorship of the celebrated Roger Ascham, gistrates for having ascribed to Eliza- resumed the study of the Greek and beth the opprobrious epithet of jilt, and Latin classics. for having made use of other disparaging The disappointment of the Queen in language respecting his royal mistress. her hope of giving an heir to the throne, Was it to be endured,' asked the prose. her subsequent ill state of health, and cutor,'that a low fellow, like this, the refusal of the Parliament to allow should speak of her Highness [Eliza- the coronation of her husband, conferred beth] thus insolently, when the highest a growing importance on Elizabeth. In personages of the land treated her with November, 1556, she came in state to every mark of respect? I saw yester- Somerset Place, to take up her abode for day,' added he,' at court, that my Lord the winter, when a court was immediCardinal Pole, meeting her in the pre- ately formed around her. She was insence-chamber, knelt before her. and vited to London, for the purpose of rekissed her hand; whilst King Philip ceiving a second, and more formal offer, made such obeisance to her, that his of the hand of the Duke of Savoy, whose knee touched the ground.'" suit was enforced by the King with the After the reconciliation with her sister, whole weight of his influence. This al Elizabeth removed to one of the royal liance had been the subject of earnest residences in the vicinity of the metro- correspondence between Philip and the polis, and subsequently established her- council of Mary; the imperial ambassaself permanently at the palace of Hat- dors were waiting in England for her field, in Hertfordshire. In the begin- answer; and the disappointment of the ning of September, 1555, King Philip, hopes of the royal party, when Elizabeth the husband of Mary, mortified by the reiterated a decided refusal of the profParliament refusing him the ceremonial fered marriage, terminated by her quitof a coronation, disappointed in the hopes ting London in the month of December, of an heir, and disgusted by the over- somewhat in disgrace. Indignant at the fondness of a wife destitute of every resistance so repeatedly offered by the personal attraction, quitted England Princess to his views on this subject, for the continent, and did not revisit Philip urged the Queen to interpose in it for a year and a half. However such a manner as to compel obedience; Elizabeth might regrec his absence, as but Mary took part with her sister, and depriving her of a powerful protector, having resolved to protect her from the she was now so firmly established as violence of the King, wrote to him, that ELIZA3BETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 547 i untless the Parliament first gave its temper of the age. She was invited by consent, the accomplishment of the mar- Sir Thomas Pope to repair to Enfield riage would fail to procure the advan- Chase, to enjoy the favourite diversion tages he anticipated from the union; of hunting the hart. Twelve ladies, atbut that, however this might be, her con- tired in white satin, attended her on science would not allow lher to press the their " ambling palfreys," together with matter further." Philip, nevertheless, twenty yeomen, clad in green. At the was so far from giving up his favourite entrance of the forest she was met by topic, that he soon afterwards sent to fifty archers, in scarlet boots and yellow England the Duchesses of Parma and caps, armed with gilded bows; one of Lorraine, for the purpose of conducting whom presented to her a silver-headed the Princess Elizabeth into Flanders: arrow, winged with peacocks' feathers. but again he was frustrated in his ob- At the conclusion of this fdte, the Prinject, Mary would not permit these ladies cess was presented by theprincipal sportsto pay the Princess a single visit at Hat- man, agreeably to the established laws of field; and her reception of them was the chase, with a knife, and, as first lady such, that they speedily returned to their on the field, she cut the buck's throat own country. with her own fair and royal hand. A cordiality of feeling, and frequency In the course of the following sumof intercourse, now took place between mer, the Queen invited her sister to a Mary and Elizabeth, which even the grand entertainment at Richmond. The insurrection attempted in the spring and Princess was brought from Somerset summer of 1556, in the Princess's name, Place in the Queen's barge, which was had in nowise interrupted. In February, richly hung with garlands of artificial 1557, the Princess arrived at Somerset flowers, and covered with a canopy of Place, attended by a numerous retinue, green sarcenet, wrought with branches whence she waited on the Queen at of eglantine in embroidery, and sprinkled Whitehall; and in the ensuing spring, with blossoms of gold. In the royal her Majesty honoured her by returning barge she was accompanied by Sir Thoher visit at Hatfield. The royal guest mas Pope, and four ladies of her chamwas entertained with every species of her. Six boats followed, filled with her courtly splendour. On the morning after retinue, habited in russet damask and her arrival, the Queen and the Princess, blue embroidered satin, tasselled and after attending mass, assisted at a grand spangled with silver; their bonnets of exhibition of bear-baiting, * "with which cloth of silver, adorned with green featheir Highnesses were right well con- thers. The Queen received her in a tent." In those days, this barbarous sumptuous pavilion in the labyrinths of species of combat was accounted genteel the garden. This pavilion was of cloth " sport for ladies!" of gold and purple velvet, made in the In the evening, the rooms were adorned form of a castle; its sides were divided with a splendid suit of tapestry, repre- into compartments, bearing alternately senting " the hangings at Antioch." thefleur-de-lis in silver and the pomeAfter supper, a play was got up by the granate, the bearing of Granada, in gold. choristers of St. Paul's, then the most A sumptuous banquet was here served renowned actors in London; and after up to the royal ladies, inwhich there was it was over, the Princess performed on introduced a pomegranate tree, in confecthe virginals, accompanied by the voice tionery work, bearing the arms of Spain. of one of the choristers. There was no masking or dancing, but Elizabeth was afterwards gratified by numerous minstrels performed. The another entertainment, suited to the same evening, the Princess returned to Somerset Place, and the following day * The exhibition of bear-baiting always de- o Hatfield. lighted Elizabeth. Mary, it is believed, never o a i el but on this occasion, witnessed this cruel, A new suitor now entered the field, sport. as a candidate for the hand of Elizabeth. NN2 548 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. This was Prince Eric, the eldest son of mendatlon, with such speed to command the King of Sweden. The affair was you to signify the same unto me: who entrusted to the Swedish ambassador, before remained wonderfully perplexed, who, by the direction of his sovereign, fearing that her Majesty might mistake made his application to the Princess the same: for which goodness I acherself, without previously consulting knowledge myself bound to honour, the Queen and her council. Elizabeth serve, love, and obey her Highness dumade this circumstance a pretext for re- ring my life. Requiring you also to jecting a proposal which she felt no in- say unto her Majesty, that in the King clination to encourage, and she declared my brother's time there was offered me that she could never listen to any over- a very honourable marriage, or two; tures of this nature, without receiving and ambassadors sent to treat with me the previous sanction of her Majesty. touching the same; whereupon I made The ambassador pleaded in answer, that my humble suit unto his Majesty, as his master, in the character of a lover, some yet living can testify, that he had judged it becoming that his first would give me leave, with his grace's application should be made to herself; favour, to remain in that estate I was, but that, should he obtain her consent, which of all others best agreed with me, he would then make his demand in form or pleased me most. And in good faith, to the Queen. The Princess replied, I pray you say unto her Majesty, I am "If it were to depend on myself, a even at this present moment of the same single life would ever be my choice;" mind, and so intend, to continue, with and then finally dismissed the ambas- her Majesty's favuur: assuring her Masador. jesty I so well like this estate, as I perHaving learned from Sir Thomas suade myself there is not any kind of Pope all the particulars of this affair, life comparable to it. And as concernthe Queen directed him to express to ing my liking the said motion made by her sister her high approbation of her the said messenger, I beseech you say dutiful conduct on this occasion; and unto her Majesty, that in my rememshe also desired him to ascertain the brance I never heard of his master sentiments of Elizabeth on the subject before this time; and that I so well like of matrimony. This he did, and com- both the message and the messenger, as municated the same to his sovereign in I shall most humbly pray God on my the following letter:- knees, that from henceforth I never hear of the one nor the other. I assure you, "Hatfield, April 26th, 1558. that if he should afterwards repair unto " SIR THOMAS POPE TO QUEEN MARY. me, I would forbear to speak to him. " First after I had declared to And were there nothing else to move me her Grace, how well your Majesty liked to dislike the motion, other than that her prudent and honourable answer to his master would attempt the same the King of Sweden's messenger, I then without makingher Majesty privy thereopened to her the purport of the said to, it were cause sufficient.' messenger's mission; which, after her "And when her Grace had thus Grace had heard, I said your Majesty ended, I was so bold as of myself to say had sent me, not only to declare the unto her Grace, her pardon first required, same, but also to understand how her that I thought few or none would beGrace liked the said motion. Where- lieve, but that her Grace could be right unto, after a little pause, she answered; well content to marry; so that there -' Master Pope, I require you, after were some honourable marriage offered my most humble commendations to her her by your Majesty, or by your MaMajesty, to render unto the same like jesty's consent. Whereunto her Grace thanks, that it pleased her Majesty of answered:-' What I shall do hereafter her own goodness, to conceive so well I know not; but I assure you, upon my of my answer to the said messenger; truth and fidelity, and as God is merciand here withal, of her princely con- ful unto me, I am not at this time other ELIZABETI, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 549 wise minded than I have declared unto the people generally. The Queen, a you; no, though I were offered the few days before her demise, which took greatest prince in all Europe."' Sir place on the seventeenth of November, Thomas Pope then slyly remarks: "And 1558, sent the Countess of Feria to deyet perchance your Majesty may con- liver to Elizabeth the custody of the ceive this rather to proceed fromn a crown jewels. To these, Philip, to maidenly shamefacedness, than upon claim to himself the merit of sending any such certain determination." them, caused to be added a present of his own, a valuable casket of gems which At the period when Mary lay on her he had left at Whitehall, and which he death-bed, Elizabeth was on friendly knew Elizabeth greatly admired. In terms both with her and with Philip. compliance with Mary's request, ElizaThe Spanish King (then on the conti- beth swore to continue the church of nent), on hearing of Mary's dangerous Rome. "She prayed God," says the situation, sent Count Feria with a letter Countess of Feria, " that the earth might to her, urging her to name Elizabeth as open and swallow her alive if she were her successor. This Mary had already not a true Roman Catholic;" doubtless, done; but Feria waited on the Princess a most awful perjury, Elizabeth, acon the tenth of November, and proffered cording to all evidences, being at the her the good-will of his master, with time a Protestant at heart. During whom he artfully assured her that the the last week of Mary's life the timedeclaration of the Queen in her favour serving courtiers flocked to Hatfield to had originated. She gave the ambassa- pay their adulations to Elizabeth, who, dor a cordial reception, received Philip's when informed by a deputation of the proffer of friendship with courtesy, but council, that Mary had expired, although firmly protested that it was neither to fully prepared for the announcement, him, to her sister Mary, or to the coun- affected greatamazement, deeply sighed, cil that she was indebted for her position and sinking on her knees, exclaimed in the succession, but to her own birth, with a solemn voice:-" It is the Lord's and, above all, to the hearty good-will of doings! it is marvellous in our eyes!" CHAPTER IV Accession of Elizabeth —Her Privy Council-Entry into London-Pr.eparations for her coronation-Splendid costume-Procession from 7Westminster to the TowerHcr passage through the City-Pageants-Re-establishes the Protestant Church of England-Her reply to. the Speaker's address exhorting her to marry-Proposals of marriage from Philip of Spain-Thte Arch-Duke Charles-The Kings of Sweden and Denmark-Popularity of Elizabeth-Her residence at GreenwichHer band of gentlemen pensioners-Her royal progresses-The Duchess of Suffolk -Royal proclamation against luxury in dress-Alct of Parliament against witchcraft. IE death of Mary shouts of "God save Queen Elizabeth! was announced to long and happily may she reign!" The both houses of Par- new sovereign was immediately afterliament then sitting, wards proclaimed before the palace in Ia u P i by the Lord Chan- Westminster, and also at the Cross in cellor Heath. After Cheapside. The bells of the churches a short pause, the were set ringing; bonfires were kindled, members gave vent tables were spread in the streets agreeto their feelings of royalty, by joyful ably to the hospitality of the times, and 660 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. there was "plentiful eating, drinking, the Charter House were'laid with fine and making merry," On the following gravel; musicians and singers were Sunday, Te Deum was sung in the stationed by the way: and a vast aschurches, and the general joy among all semblage of people freely tendered their classes was unbounded. joyful and admiring acclamations. The Elizabeth held her first privy council Queen passed along, splendidly attired at Hatfield. Sir Thomas Parry was in purple robes, and mounted on her declared Comptroller of her Household; palfrey, richly caparisoned. She was Sir Edward Rogers, Captain of the preceded by her heralds and great offiGuard; and Sir WilliamCecil, Principal cers of state, and returned the saluSecretary of State. The first of these tations of her loving subjects with the personages had filled, for many years, most graceful affability. the office of cofferer to the Princess, and Immediately on entering the royal was completely in the secret of her con- apartments in the Tower, she, on her fidential intercourse with Lord Seymour, knees, returned humble and fervent the Lord High Admiral, and whose fide- thanks to that Providence which had lity in that delicate affair had withstood hitherto protected her. How different all the threats and artifices of the Pro- must have been her sensations now from tector. Cecil was already known to the what they were when she had been led public, and his nomination to such an a prisoner under these walls! She had important office was a happy omen for formerly entered that fortress by the the Protestant cause, of which he was traitors' gate, as a terrified and defencethe adherent. He maintained a secret less Princess, without hope of deliverand intimate correspondence with Eli- ance, and apprehensive of a violent zabeth during the whole period of her death. She now returned to take legal adversity, and assisted her on many possession of it, surrounded in all the trying occasions with his salutary ad- pomp of royalty, by her ministers of vice. On appointing him a member of state, and welcomed by the applause of her privy council, Elizabeth addressed the people. She was attended on her him in the following terms:-" I give visit to the Tower by Lord Robert. you this charge, that you shall be of my Dudley, one who, like herself, had been secret council, and content yourself to a prisoner there. He was now appointed take pains for me and my realm. This Master of the Ordnance, and was reopinion I have of you, that you will garded by his royal mistress with pecunot be corrupted with any gift; and liar favour. His personal graces and that you will be faithful to the state; elegant accomplishmentswere sufficiently that without respect to my private will, striking to dazzle the eyes and charm you will give me that counsel that you the heart of a youthful Queen, possessed think best, and that if you shall know of a lively fancy, and now absolute misany thing necessary to be declared to tress of her own actions. The circumme of secrecy, you will show it to my- stance of his being already married, self only; and be assured I will not blinded her, no doubt, as to the real fail to keep taciturnity therein." nature of her sentiments towards him; On the twenty-third of November, or it was regarded by her as a sufficient the Queen repaired to her capital, at- sanction, in the eyes of the nation, for tended by a train of a thousand nobles, all those marks of favour and esteem knights, gentlemen and ladies; and with which she was pleased to honour took up her temporary residence at the him. monastery of Chartreux, or Charter The illustrious family of the Howards House, then the abode of Lord North. came in for a large share of the Queen's It was a splendid building, and afforded bounty; the Duke of Norfolk, her so. ample accommodation for a royal retinue. cond cousin, was invested with the Her next removal, agreeably to ancient order of the Garter. Her great uncle, custom, was to the Tower, and on this Lord William Howard, created Baron interesting occasion, all the streets from of Effingham by Mary, was continued ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 551 by Elizabeth in the high office of Lord The Queen's attachment to her relations Chamberlain. Lord Thomas Howard, was so remarkable, that even Leicester, who had treated her with distinguished in the height of his favour, felt that he respect on her arrival at Woodstock from must hold sacred their claims to her reHampton Court, now received the title gard. Accordingly he used to remark, of Viscount Bindon, and continued much in allusion to Sackville and Hunsdonin favour to the end of his life. Sir " Those were of the tribe of Dan, and Francis Knolles, whose wife was one were Noli mne tangeresl" (Touch me of Elizabeth's nearest kinswomen, was nots.) sworn in a member of the privy council, After spending a few days in the together with Sir Richard Sackville. Tower, Elizabeth passed by water to But of all her relations, Henry Carey, Somerset Place, whence she removed to son of Mary Boleyn, the Queen's aunt, the palace of Westminster, where she was the most deserving of her gratitude. kept her Christmas. Great preparations He had expended thousands of his patri- were now making for her coronation at mony in her service, during the period Westminster Abbey. The people were of her imprisonment, and she liberally resolved, on that festive occasion, to larequited his friendship, by conferring vish, in honour of their new sovereign, on him the title of Baron Hunsdon; every demonstration of loyalty and affectogetherwith the royal residence of that tion. The costume of that age was name, its surrounding park, and several magnificent. Gowns of velvet or satin, beneficial leases of crown lands. Lord richly trimmed with silk, furs, or gold Hunsdon, however, was as little skilled lace; costly gold chains; and caps or in that sentimental gallantry which Eli- hoods of rich materials, adorned with zabeth required from her courtiers, as feathers, decorated on all occasions of in the circumspect and tortuous policy ceremony the persons, not only of nobles which she approved in her statesmen. and courtiers, but of their retainers, and " As he lived in a ruffling time," says even of the substantial citizens. The Naunton, " so he loved sword and buck- attire of the ladies was proportionally ler men; and such as our fathers were splendid. Hangings of cloth, of silk, wont to call men of their hands; of and of velvet, cloth of gold and cloth of which sort he had many brave gentle- silver, or "needieworksublime," adorned, men that followed him; yet he was not on days of family festivity, the principal taken for a popular or dangerous per- chamber of every house of respectable son." It was said of him, that " his appearance; and these on public festiLatin and his dissimulation were both vals were suspended from the balconies, alike, and his custom in swearing and and combined with the banners and penobscenity in speech, made him appear a nons floating overhead, gave to the worse Christian than he really was." streets an appearance resembling a suite The following characteristic anecdote of long and gaily dressed saloons. Every of this worthy is related by Fuller;- circumstance tended to render the pub" On one occasion, his neighbour, Mr. lie entry of Queen Elizabeth the most Colt, chanced to meet him coming from gorgeous, and at the same time the most Hunsdon to London, in the equipage of imposing, spectacle ever exhibited in the a nobleman of those days. The baron, capital of Britain. on calling to mind some former grudge, On the twelfth of January, 1559, her gave him a sound box on the ear; Colt Majesty was conducted from her palace immediately returned the principal with in Westminster to the royal apartments interest; and thereupon his servants, in the Tower; and a splendid water drawing their swords, swarmed around procession was appointed for the purhim.' You rogues!' said my lord,' may pose. At this period, the streets of Lonnot I and my neighbour exchange a blow don were narrow and ill-paved, the roads but you must interfere?' His servants bad, and the luxury of a carriage unwithdrew, and thus the quarrel was be- known. The Thames, therefore, was gun and ended in the same minute." the great thoroughfare of the metropolis. 552 ELIZAtBETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. The old palace of Westminster, as well in each, who explained to the Queen, in as the palaces of Richmond and Green- English verse, the meaning of the whole. wich, the favourite summer residences The first consisted of three stories, reof the royal family, stood on its banks: presented by living figures: Henry the th3 court, therefore, passed from one Seventh and his royal spouse, Elizabeth palace to the other in their state barges. of York, from whom her Majesty derived lhe nobility were beginning to occupy, her name-Henry the Eighth and Anne with their mansions and gardens, the Boleyn, and lastly, her Majesty in perspace between the Strand and the river; son, all attired in royal robes.'he and it had become a prevailing fashion verses described the felicity of that union among them, to vie with each other in of the houses to which she owed her exthe splendour of their barges and the istence. The second pageant was styled richness of the liveries of the rowers, "the seat of worthy governance;" on who were all distinguished by the crests its summit sat another representative of or badges of their noble owners. The the Queen; underneath were the cardicorporation and trading companies of nal virtues, trampling under their feet the City of London possessed, as at pre- the opposite vices. The third exhibited sent, their state barges, enriched with the eight Beatitudes, all ascribed, with carved and gilded figures, and decked much ingenuity of application, to Her and trimmed with targets and banners. Majesty. The fourth represented, in These were all drawn out in grand ar- lively contrast, the images of a decayed ray; and to enliven the pomp, " the and flourishing commonwealth; and bachelors' barge of the Lord Mayor's from a cave below, issued Time, leading company, viz. the Mercers', was attended forth his daughter Truth, who held in by a foist with artillery aboard, shoot- her hand an English Bible, which she ing off lustily as they went, with great offered for the Queen's acceptance. Eliand pleasant melody of instruments, zabeth received the volume, and revewhich played in a most sweet and hea- rently pressing it with both hands to venly manner." In this state they her heart and her lips, declared aloud, rowed up to Westminster, and attended amidst the tears and grateful benedicher Majesty with the royal barges back tions of her people, that she thanked the to the Tower. city more for that gift than for all the The passage through the city took costly magnificence they had bestowed place two days afterwards. Her Ma- upon her; and that she would often jesty issued forth, drawn in a superb read over that blessed book. The last chariot, preceded by trumpeters and he- pageant exhibited' a seemly and mete raids in their coat-armour; and "most personage, richly apparelled in parliahonourably accompanied by gentlemen, mentary robes, with a sceptre in her Barons, and the higher nobility of the hand, over whose head was written:realm; as also by a notable train of' Deborah, the judge and restorer of the ladies. The ladies were on horseback, house of Israel!"' The Recorder of and both they and their lords were ha- London then approached her Majesty's bited in crimson velvet, with which chariot, near the further end of Cheaptheir horses were also caparisoned. side-where ended the long array of This retinue of fair equestrians, con- the city companies, which had lined the stantly attendant on the person of the streets all the way from Fenchurch maiden queen in all her public appear- Street-and presented her with a splenances, produced a striking effect. As did purse, containing one thousand they approached, the air was rent by the marks in gold. To crown the whole, acclamations of the citizens, who had those two celebrated personages, Gog and erected across the principal streets a se- Magog, deserted on this memorable day ries of solemn pageants, in the manner their accustomed stations in the Guildof triumphant arches. On these were hall, and reared up their stately dimeninscribed illustrative sentences in En- sions on each side of Temple Bar; with glish and Latin: a child was stationed joined hands they supported above the ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 553 gate a copy of Latin verses, in which tion service; but at length, Ogelthorp, they obligingly expounded to her Ma- Bishop of Carlisle, was gained over by jesty the sense of all the pageants which the court, and the rite was duly celehad been presented to her view; con- brated. This refusal of the bishops was eluding with compliments and felicita- wisely overlooked by the government; tions suitable to the happy occasion. but it no doubt proceeded partly from The Queen, in a few cordial words, a conviction that the marriage of Henry thanked the citizens for all their cost the Eighth with Catherine of Arragon and pains, assured them that she would having been declared lawful and valid, " stand their good queen;" and passed Elizabeth, as the child of Anne Boleyn, the gate amidst thunders of applause. must be regarded as illegitimate, and inThe following traits of Elizabeth'sbe- capable of succeeding to the throne; haviour on this auspicious day, are re- and partly through a suspicious fear of corded, with affectionate delight, by the Roman religion, conceived because Holinshed, our early English chronicler: her Majesty had been brought up from -"'Yonder is an ancient citizen,' said the cradle in the ProtestaAt faith. It one of the knights attending on her per- appears also, that Elizabeth had a little son,' who weepeth, and turneth his face before forbidden a bishop, at divine serbackward: How may it be interpreted? vice, from lifting up and adoring the That he doth so for sorrow or for glad- host; she likewise permitted the litany, ness?' With a just and pleasing confi- epistles, and the gospels to be transdence, the Queen replied,'I warrant lated into English, which they held as you it is for gladness.' How many nose- execrable. "Yet Queen Elizabeth," gays." proceeds the same chronicler, says an early and accurate historian, did her Grace receive at poor women's " was truly godly, pious, and zealously hands on that joyful day? How many devoted; for her Majesty was no sooner times staid she her chariot when she out of her bed, than she fell upon her saw any simple body offer to speak to knees in her private closet, and prayed her Grace? A branch of rosemary given to God devoutly. Certain hours were her Grace with a supplication by a poor by her Majesty reserved, and devoted to woman about Fleet Bridge, was seen in the Lord. Moreover, her Majesty never her chariot till her Grace came to West- failed every Lord's day and holy day to minster." frequent, the chapel; neither was any " Her Majesty was twenty-five years prince ever more conversant in divine of age at this auspicious period. She was service, or conducted himself with more a lady of passing beauty, of majestic de- devotion than her Majesty. She zeaportment, and so rarely qualified by ad- lously heard all the sermons in Lent, versity, and so well accomplished by being attired in black, and very diliexperience (which are most effectual gently gave attention thereto, according tutors), that she had purchased pru- to the ancient use and custom; although dence and judgment far above the she said, and oft-times repeated, that capacity of her age. She was pos- which she had read of Henry the Third, sessed of pregnant wit and wisdom, her predecessor, that her Majesty had and virtues which gained for her the rather in her prayers speak to God dename and fame of a gracious and popu- voutly, than hear others speak of H1im lar princess." eloquently. And concerning the cross, The ceremonies of the coronation took our Blessed Lady and the saints, she place on the following day; regulated in never conceived irreverently of them, everything by ancient custom, they neither spake herself, nor suffered any afforded little scope for that display of others to speak of them, without a cerpopular sentiments, which had given so tain kind of reverence." intense an interest to the procession of In all probability, had she found herthe previous day. Great perplexity was self free to follow entirely the dictates occasioned by the refusal of the whole of her own inclinations, Elizabeth would bench of bishops to perform the corona- have established in the church a kind of 554.ELIZABETI, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. medium. like that devised by her father, clesiastical supremacy, with the first for whose authority she had the highest fruits and tenths; maintained seven saveneration. To the end of her reign craments, with obits and mass for the she never could be reconciled to married quick and the dead. King Edward bishops; and with respect to the clergy abolished the mass, authorised one book generally, she preferred the single man of common prayer in English, with halbefore the married one. Lord Bacon lowing the dead, and wine, &c., and esrelates the following anecdote: — tablished only two sacraments. Queen " queen Elizabeth, on the morrow of her Mary restored all things according to coronation (it being the custom to re- the Church of Rome, re-established the lease prisoners at the inauguration of a papal supremacy, and, in fact, permitted prince), went to the chapel; and in the nothing within her dominion that was great chamber, one of her courtiers, who was repugnant to the Roman Catholic was well known to her, either out of his Church; but the death of Mary was the own motion, or by the instigation of a ruin of all Abbots, Priors and Prioresses, wiser man, presented her with a peti- Monks and Nuns. Elizabeth, on her tion; and before a great number of cour- accession, commanded that no one should tiers, besought her with a loud voice, that preach without a special license, that now this good time there might be four such rites and ceremonies should be used or five more principal prisoners released; in all churches as had been used in her these were the four evangelists, and the Highness's chapel, and that the epistle apostle St. Paul, who had long been and gospel should be read in the Enshut, in an unknown tongue, as it were, glish tongue; and in her first parliain prison, so as they could not converse ment, held at Westminster, in January, with the common people. The Queen 1569, she expelled the papal supremacy, answered very gravely, that it was best resumed the first fruits and tenths, refirst to inquire of themselves whether pressed the mass, re-introduced the Pook they would be released or not." of Common Prayer and the Sacraments Immediately on her accession, Eliza- in the English tongue, and finally and beth resolved to abolish the Catholic firmly re-established the Protestant religion as speedily as prudence would Church of England." Whilst these permit. According to Stowe, the mo- matters were pending, Elizabeth, to ment she had called together her first prevent the Londoners from hearing privy council, she began to put into prac- political sermons, locked up the pulpit tice that oath of supremacy which her of St. Paul's Cross, and herself, as father, Henry the Eighth, first ordained. an act of expediency, attended mass in Amongst the many who refused that her own chapel, and outwardly conoath, was the Lord Chancellor, Dr. formed to the ceremonies of the Catholic Heath. Yet the Queen, having a good Church. respect for him, would not deprive him In the same parliament that had reof his title, but committed the custody established the Protestant Church of of the great seal to Sir Nicholas Bacon, England, two questions were agitated, who from that time was called Lord personally interesting to the Queen, her Keeper, and by the authority of parlia- title to the crown, and her marriage. ment exercised the power and preroga- By the counsels of the keeper of the tive of the Lord Chancellor, Dr. Heath seals, Sir Nicholas Bacon, she refrained only retaining the empty title. "At from requiring of parliament the repeal this same time," proceeds the faithful of those acts of her father's reign which chronicler, " the English nation was had declared his marriage with Anne wonderfully divided in opinion, as well Boleyn, her mother, null and void, and in matters of ecclesiastical government, herself illegitimate. Reposing in the as in divers points of religion, by reason well-known maxim of law, that the of three important theological changes crown once worn takes away all defects within the brief period of twelve years. in blood, she contented herself with an King Henry the Eighth retained the ec- act declaratory in general terms of her ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 5J5 right of succession to the throne, and no cause to doubt of a successor, who thus she tacitly admitted Anne Boleyn's may be more profitable for the commonguilt. wealth than he who may proceed from In reply to the address of the Parlia- me, since the posterity of good princes ment, requesting her to enter the mar- doth oft-times degenerate. Lastly, this ried state, she said:-" In a thing which may be sufficient, both for my memory, is not very pleasing to me, the infallible and for the honour of my name, that when testimony of your good will, and all the I have expired my last breath, these lines rest of my people, is most acceptable. may be inscribed on my tomb:As concerning your eager persuasion of HERE LIES INTERR'D ELIZABETH, me to marriage, I must tell you, I have A VlRGIN PURE UNTIL HER DEATH.' been ever persuaded, that I was ordained When Elizabeth conveyed to Philip of by God to consider, and, above all, to do Spain the formal announcement of the those things which appertain to his glory, death of his late wife, Queen Mary, she And therefore it is, that I have made added her own anxiety to preserve his choice of this kind of life, which is friendship. To this letter Philip, who most free, and agreeable for such hu- had long felt an attachment to Elizaman affairs as may tend to his service beth, and wished, by a union with Engalone; from which, if either the mar- land, to counterbalance the united powers riages which have been offered to me by of France and Scotland, replied by an divers powerful princes, or the danger of offer of his hand! He undertook toproattempts made against my life, could no cure from the Pope the necessary dispenwise divert me, it is long since I had any sation for the marriage, which he seemed joy in the honour of a husband; and this confident would be granted with alais what I thought, when I was a private crity; and ere Elizabeth's answer could person; but when the public charge of reach him, he dispatched envoys to Rome governing the kingdom came upon me, for this purpose. A princess of a chait seemed to me an inconsiderate folly, racter less firm and sagacious than the to draw upon myself the cares of mar- Queen, might have found in the splenriage. To conclude, I am already bound dour of Philip's rank and power temptaunto a husband, which is the kingdom tions not to be resisted. But Elizabeth of England, and let that suffice you:" well knew how odious Philip's marriage then, stretching out her hand, and shew- with her sister had been to the nation. ing the ring with which she was given in She believed, if she gave him her hand, marriage, and inaugurated to her king- the legality of the marriage would be donm, she said, "1Reproach me no more questioned. She sympathized in the that I have no children; for every one religious sentiments of her Protestant of you, and as many as are English, are subjects; she felt, too, all the pride of my children and kinsfolks, of whom, so being independent, and looking round long as I am not deprived (and God will with cheerful confidence on a people who preserve me), you cannot charge me, almost adored her, she formed the pawithout offence, to be destitute. But in triotic resolution to wear her English this I must commend you, that you have diadem by the suffrage of the English not appointed me a husband: for that nation alone, exempt from the participawere unworthy the majesty of an absolute tion of one who ranked among the first princess, and the discretion of you who monarchs of Europe. The Spanish are born my subjects. Nevertheless, if ambassador represented to the Queen, God hath ordained me to another course that a negative could not be given to of life, I promise to do nothing to the the offer of Philip, without deeply prejudice of the commonwealth; but, as wounding his pride and his feelings. far as possible, to marry a husband as However, the King of Spain soon conshall be careful for the common good. soled himself for this disappointment, And if I persist in remaining single, I by marrying the daughter of the King feel assured that God will so direct my of France. counsels and yours, that you shall have Proposals for the hand of Elizabeth 556 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. now poured in from almost every court of mail, corselets, and morice pikes; bein Europe. The Archduke Charles, son sIdes ten great pieces carried through of the Emperor Ferdinand of Austria, the city unto the court, with drums and was the next suitor; but his overtures trumpets sounding, and two morice were also declined without hesitation, dancings; and in the cart two white although afterwards renewed with some bears." prospect of success. Eric, who had now Again, having honoured the Earl of ascended the throne of Sweden, sent over Pembroke with her company to a splenhis brother, the Duke of Finland, to did supper atBaynard's Castle, in Thames plead once more with Elizabeth for the Street, she afterwards took boat and was honour of her hand; and the King of rowed up and down the river; hunDenmark, being determined that his dreds of barges rowing alongside of neihbour should not bear off so glori- her, and thousands of people throngous a prize without a contest, lost no ing at the water-sideto gaze upon her time in dispatching his nephew, the Majesty, rejoicing to see her, and to Duke of Holstein, on the same distin- partake of the music and sights upon guished errand. The Duke of Finland the river. was received with high honours. Lord The peer thus honoured was the broRobert Dudley and the Earl of Oxford thler-in-law of Catherine Parr; Eliza. set out for Colchester to meet him, and beth entertained great respect for his conduct him to London. He was re- experience and capacity, admitted him ceived at the corner of Gracechurch to her privy council, and named him, Street by Lord Ambrose Dudley and the with the Marquis of Northampton, the Marquis of Northampton, attended by Earl of Bedford, and Lord John Greymany gentlemen and ladies; thence, fol- all leading men of the Protestant party lowed by a great troop of yeomen of the -to assist at the meetings of divines guard and gentlemen, wearing gold and men of learning, by whom the relichains, he proceeded to the palace of gious establishment of the country was the Bishop of Winchester, in South- settled. wark, which was hung with rich cloth The arrival of ambassadors of high of arras, wrought with gold and silver, rank from the King of France, on the and silk. The Duke of Holstein on his occasion of a peace recently concluded arrival was lodged at Somerset Place, with that country, afforded the Queen the use of which the Queen had granted another opportunity of displaying all to Lord Hunsdon. This Duke had san- the magnificence of her court. The guine expectations of success in his suit; Duke de Montmorenci, the chief of the but the royal and fickle fair one deemed embassy, was lodged at the Bishop of it enough to acknowledge his pains, by London's Palace; and the houses of the granting him an honourable reception, dean and canons of St. Paul were filled the order of the Garter, and a yearly with his numerous retinue. The gorgepension! ousness of the ambassadors' dress was the Elizabeth now frequently appeared in theme of admiration. The day after public, and neglected no opportunity of their arrival they were conducted in state increasing her popularity with the na- to the court, where they supped with tion. On one occeoion she visited the the Queen, and afterwards partook of a royal mint, to insc ot a new coinage goodly banquet, with all manner of enabout to be issued, which she had the tertainment, until the hour of midnight. merit of restoring to its proper standard. The next day her Majesty gave them a She also went over the Priory of St. sumptuous dinner, followed by a baiting Mary Spittle, in Bishopsgate Street, of bulls and bears! "The Queen hernoted for its famous pulpit cross; where, self stood with them in a gallery, enjoyon particular days, the Lord Mayor and ing the pastime, till six o'clock; when Aldermen attended to hear sermons. She they returned by water, to sup with the was attended, as Stowe informs us, " by Bishop of London. On the following a thousand men in harness, with shirts day, they visited the Paris Garden, then ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 557 a favourite place of amusement, on the [one of less wealth and distinguished Surrey side of the Thames, and were birth] in the whole band than himself; there entertained with another exhibi- yet he was then inheriting an estate of tion of bull and bear baiting." They four thousand a year. "It was the condeparted in two days afterwards, stant custom of the Queen," says ( ollins, "taking their barge towards Graves- " to call out of all counties in the kingend," highly delighted with their hos- dom, the gentlemen of the greatest hopes pitable reception, and carrying with and of the best fortunes and families, and them a number of mastiffs, given them with them to fill the more honourable to hunt the wolves in the forests of places of the household servants; by France. which she honoured them, obliged their The Queen, at this period, took up kindred and alliance, and fortified herher residence in her favourite summer self." palace at Greenwich, and the London On the seventeenth of July, 1559, Elizacompanies were ordered to muster their beth set out on the first of those royal men-at-arms in the adjoining park. Of progresses, which form so striking a feathe fourteen hundred men assembled on ture in her domestic history. " In these this occasion, eight hundred were armed journeys," says Bohun, "she was most in fine corselets, bearing the long Moorish easy to be approached; private persons pike; two hundred were halberdiers, and magistrates, men and women, counwearing another species of armour, called try-people and children, came joyfully Almain or German rivets; and the gun- and without fear to wait upon her. Her ners or musketeers were equipped in ears were then open to the complaints coats of mail, with morions or steel caps. of the afflicted, and of those that had Her Majesty, surrounded by a splendid been in any way injured. She would court, beheld their evolutions from a not suffer the meanest of her people to gallery over the park-gate. A few days be shut out from the place where she reafterwards, the Queen's pensioners were sided; but the greatest, as well as the appointed to "run with the spear"-a least, were then in a manner levelled. chivalrous exhibition, which delighted She took with her own hand, and read the warlike imagination of Elizabeth, with the greatest kindness, the petitions In the park of Greenwich, a banquet- of the poorest rustics. And she would ing-house was erected for her Majesty, frequently assure them, that she would "made with fir poles, decked with take particular care of their affairs; and branches of birch, and all manner of she would ever be as good as her word. field and garden flowers." Tents were She was never seen angry with the most also erected for her household, and a unseasonable of uncourtly approach; she place prepared for th# tilters. After the was never offended with the most impuexercises were over, the Queen gave a dent or importunate petitioner. Nor supper in the banqueting-house, which was there any thing in the whole was succeeded by a masque, and a splen- course of her reign that more won did banquet. " And then followed great the hearts of the people, than this her casting of fire-works and shooting of wonderful facility and condescension, guns till midnight." The band of gentle- and the sweetness and pleasantness men pensioners, the boast and orna- with which she entertained all who ment of Elizabeth's court, was the most came to her." splendid establishment of the kind in The first stage of the Queen's proEurope. It was composed of the flower gress was to Iartford, in Kent, whence of the English nobility; and to be ad- she proceeded to Cobham Hall, where mitted to serve in its ranks, was regarded she was sumptuously entertained by as a distinction worthy the ambition of Lord Cobham, a nobleman who enyoung men of the highest families. It joyed a large share of her royal favour, was a saying of the Earl of Clare, that Eltharn was her next stage; and she while he was a pensioner of Queen Eli- next visited the Earl of Arundel, at zabeth, he did not know a worse man the magnificent palace of Nonsuch. 558 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. The Earl received her with the utmost jealousies to her best friends and wisest magnificence. On Sunday night, a counsellors. banquet, a mask, and a concert were the A royal proclamation was this year entertainments. The next day she wit- issued, to check the prevailing luxury in nessed a hunt, from a standing erected dress, which at that period was inveighed for her in the park, and the children of against by Bishop Pilkington, who, in St. Paul's performed a play; after which, his sermons, cautions the people against a costly banquet was served up in gilt wearing "fine-fingered ruffiers, with dishes. On her departure, she was pre- sables about their necks, corked slippers, sented with a cupboard of plate by the trimmed buskins, and warm mittens. noble host, who, on this occasion, looked These tender Parnels," says the homely to a high and splendid recompense-not bishop, " must have one gown for theday, less than the fair hand of the illustrious another for the night; one long, another Queen herself; but, like other and more short, one for winter, another for sumillustrious suitors, he was doomed to mer. One furred through, another but disappointment. faced; one for the work-day, another During the summer of this year, a for the holy-day. One of this colour, pompous funeral ceremony took place in another of that. One of cloth, another St. Paul's Cathedral, in memory of Henry of silk or damask. Change of apparel; the Second, of France. A hearse, mag- one afore dinner, another after; one of nificently adorned with the banners and Spanish fashion, another of Turkey. escutcheons of the deceased, was placed And, to be brief, never content with in the church; a numerous train of enough, but always devising new and lords and gentlemen attended as mourn- strange fashions. Yea, a ruffian will ers; and all the ceremonies of a real have more in his ruff and his hose, than funeral were duly performed. This was he should spend in a year: he who a customary tribute, at that period, ought to go in a russet coat, spends as among the Princes of Europe to the much on apparel for himself and his memory of each other. In the month wife, as his father would have kept a of December following, the Duchess good house with." The affectation of Dowager of Suffolk was interred, with wearing by turns the costume of all namuch pomp, in Westminster Abbey. tions of Europe, with which the Queen She was the grand-daughter of Henry herself was not a little accustomed, may the Seventh. After the tragical end of be partly traced to the habit of importher misguided husband, and of Lady ing articles of dress from abroad, and Jane Grey, her eldest daughter, the partly to the taste for travelling, which, Duchess was permitted to remain in un- since the revival of learning, had been molested privacy; and she had subse- laudably prevalent among the nobility quently rendered herself utterly insigni- and gentry. ficant, by an obscure marriage with An act of Parliament was also passed one Stoke, a young man who was her in this year, which is illustrative of the master of the horse. When the news fanaticism of the early Protestant diof this connection reached the ears of vines. The Catholics were accused of Elizabeth, she exclaimed, with surprise employing enchantment and witchcraft and indignation —"What! has the in their religious services, and it was Duchess married her horse-keeper?" feared "by many good and sober men" To which Cecil replied, with unpardon- that these dealers in the black art might able freedom, "Yes, Madam, and she even bewitch the Queen herself. It was says your Majesty would like to do so thought necessary, therefore, by the too " We need hardly remark, that enlightened Parliament of Elizabeth, to her favourite, Lord Robert Dudley, at forbid, under the penalty of death, the that time filled the office of Master of use of these mysterious practices. The the Horse to the Queen. His long inti- learned Bishop Jewel led the way in inmacy with the Queen was apparent to spiring these superstitious terrors. In all observers, and occasioned fears and a discourse delivered before the Queen EIIZABETH, SECOND, QUEEN REGNANT. 559 and her court, he says, "Witches and the laws touching such malefactors may sorcerers within the last few years have be put in due execution. For the shoal marvellously increased within your Ma- of them is great, their doings horrible, jesty's dominions. These eyes have seen their malice intolerable, the examples most evident and manifest marks of their most miserable. And I pray God they wickedness. Your Majesty's subjects may never practise further than upon pine away even unto death; their colour your Majesty's subjects."-Verily, we fadeth; their flesh rolleth; their speech are much indebted to the Parliament of is benumbed; their senses are bereft. Queen Elizabeth, for so effectually putWherefore your poor subjects most tiny down the odious practices of these humble petition to your Majesty, that dealers in the black art! CHAPTER V. Sir Thomas Chaloner-Mysterious death of Lady Dudley — urious particulars respecting Dudley and Elizabeth-Mary, Queen of Scots-The Queen and the Dean of Christchurch-Description of St. Paul's in the time of ElizabethSplendid present from Eric, King of Sweden, and preparations for his visitElizabeth's cruel treatment of the Earl and Countess of Hertford-False likenesses of the Queen-Royal visit to Cambridge. T the close of the the Queen's extraordinary behaviour to year 1559, Sir Tho- Dudley, exactly coincided with those of mas Chaloner,-the his friend Chaloner; and fears for the first ambassador reputation of Elizabeth gave additional i "^P, named by Elizabeth, urgency, at this period, to those plead-in a postscript to ings in favour of matrimony, which her one of his official council felt compelled to press upon her letters to Secretary attention so often and so much in vain. Cecil, thus states his opinion on a point Alas! for the honour of the maiden of great delicacy in the personal conduct Queen-her constant and invariable reof her Majesty: — fusals of all matrimonial offers are easily "I assure you, Sir, these folks are accounted for-she loved, and was bebroad-mouthed, where I spoke of one loved in return, by a man already yoked too much in favour, as they esteem. I to a helpmate-a pampered minion!think ye guess whom they named; if ye and a circumstance soon after occurred, do not, I will in my next letters write which rendered her anticipated choice further. To tell you what I conceive- of a husband an object no longer of hopg a young Princess cannot be too wary and joy, but one of general dissatisfacwhat countenance or familiar demon- tion and alarm. stration she maketh to one more than At the moment when the whispered another. This delay of ripe time for scandal of the court had apprised Lord marriage, ministreth matter to lewd Dudley how obvious to all observers tongues to descant upon, and breedeth the partiality of his Sovereign had becontempt. I would I had but one hour's come;-at the moment when her rejectalk with you. If I trusted not your tion of the proposals of so many foreign good nature, I would not write thus Princes had confirmed the suspicion, much; which, nevertheless, I humbly that her heart and affections were pray you to receive as written to your- placed on one of her own subjects: —at self." such a moment, when, in short, every The sentiments of Cecil, respecting I thing conspired to sanction hopes in the 560 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. breast of Dudley, which, under any enough to conceal his atrocity under a other circumstances, would have ap- cloak of artifice and hypocrisy, ijnpenepeared visionary and presumptuous;- trable to the too partial eyes of the creat the very juncture most favourable to dulous Elizabeth, though obvious to all his ambition, but most perilous to his the world beside. This idea of his chareputation, Lord Robert Dudley lost his racter caused him afterwards to be wife-by a sudden and mysterious fate. accused of attempting the lives of several This unfortunate lady had been sent by other persons, who opportunely perished her husband, under the protection of to facilitate his guilty purposes. Sir Richard Verney, one of his retainers, The statements in the Burleigh Papers, to Cumnor House, in Berkshire; a soli- that Elizabeth, upon returning one dark tary mansion, inhabited by Anthony night from an evening entertainment at Foster, also a dependant of Dudley, and Lord Dudley's, fell into conversation bound to him by particular obligations. with his torch-bearers, and told them Here she soon after met with an un- that she would make Dudley the best timely death; and Verney and Foster, man that ever bare his name-meaning, who appear to have been alone in the that she would marry him-is too absurd house with her, gave out that it hap- to be accredited. When Elizabeth pened by an accidental fall down stairs. travelled on these occasions, she was But this story gained so little credit in always attended by courtiers, and surthe neighbourhood, that reports of the rounded by her guards: besides, she was most dreadful import were quickly pro- not the Princess to make confidants of pagated. These rumours soon reached such mean-born persons as torch-bearers. the ears of the conscientious Thomas In 1560, Francis the Second died, Lewer, Prebendary of Coventry, who when his beautiful widow, the unfortuimmediately addressed to the Secretaries nate Mary, Queen of Scots, at the earnof State an earnest remonstrance, still est entreaty of her Scottish subjects, extant, beseeching them to cause strict resolved to return to the kingdom of her inquiry to be made into the affair; as it ancestors; and, with this view, she sent was the universal belief that the lady had to request a safe conduct from the hands been murdered. No steps were taken in of Elizabeth, who replied, that Mary consequence of this application; it was had only to ratify the treaty of Edinof too dreadful a nature, and involved burgh (by one article of which Mary consequences which might well make was never to resume the arms of Engsycophants shudder. It is, however, a land), and instructed Throgmorton, the fact, that not only the popular voice, English ambassador at the court of which was ever hostile to Dudley, con- France, strongly to urge her immediate tinned to accuse him as the perpetrator compliance with this demand. The or contriver of her fate, but Cecil him- Queen of Scots, however, as the nearest self, in a memorandum drawn up some heir to the English crown, persisted in years after, of "reasons against the her resolution to maintain her lawful Queen's making Dudley her husband;" rights, and assured Throgmorton, that'mentions, among other objections, "that she was vexed at having exposed herhe was rendered infamous by the death self needlessly to such a refusal; and of his wife." It is also certain that the that doubtless she would be enabled to Queen took no cognizance of this affair, return to her own country without the beyond declaring " that Dudley was then permission of Elizabeth: she then in the court, and none of his at the at- abruptly put an end to the interview, tempt at his wife's house, and that it and reached Scotland in safety. The fell out as should neither touch his enmity between these illustrions kinshonesty nor honour." In the opinion women henceforth became irreparable. of the whole country, however, this A personal conference between the two miserable favourite ever after passed for Queens was proposed to be held at a dark and dangerous intriguer, capable York, but Elizabeth ultimately declined of perpetrating any villany, and skilful the interview, being unwilling to afford ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 661 her beautiful and captivating rival an services which were wont to be per. opportunity of winning upon the affec- formed in the church, whilst the Protions of the English people. testants regarded it as a judgment for The zeal against popery now shewed the abuses by which the church had itself by many acts of the Queen and formerly been polluted, under the sway her government. All the altars in of the papists. In a pamphlet pubWestminster Abbey were ordered to be lished at the time, the Bishop of Durpulled down, and, about the same time, ham says:-" No place had been more a remarkable scene occurred between abused than St. Paul's-it was no wonElizabeth and the dean of Christchurch, der, therefore, that God had overthrown Dr. Sampson. On new year's day, 1661, it now. From the top of the spire, at her Majesty went in state to St. Paul's, coronations or other solemn triumphs, when a sermon was preached by the some for vain glory had used to throw dean. Thinking to gratify her, on that themselves down by a rope, and so killed day, with an elegant and appropriate themselves, vainly to please other men's present, the worthy doctor had procured eyes. At the battlements of the steeple, some illuminated prints, illustrative of their popish anthems were sometimes the acts of the saints and martyrs, which used to call upon their gods, with torch he caused to be inserted in a richly- and taper in the evenings. In the top bound prayer-book, and laid on the of one of the pinnacles was Lollard's Queen's cushion for her use. Her Ma- tower, where many an innocent soul had jesty opened the volume, but on behold- been by them cruelly tormented and ing the prints she changed colour, murdered. In the middlemost alley frowned, and called to the verger to was their long censer, reaching from the bring her the book she was accustomed roof to the ground; as though the Holy to have. The service ended, she went Ghost came down in their censing, in into the vestry, and inquired of the the likeness of a dove. In the arches, dean who had brought that book? and men commonly complained of wrong when he explained that he had intended and delayed judgments in ecclesiastical it as a present for her Majesty, she causes: and divers persons had been lectured him severely; inquired if he condemned there, by Annas and Caiawas ignorant of her proclamation against phas, for Christ's cause. Their images images, pictures, and Romish reliques hung on every wall, pillar, and door, in the churches, and of her aversion to with their pilgrimages and worshipping; all idolatry; and strictly ordered that passing over their massing and many no similar mistake should occur in fu- altars, and the rest of their popish serture. It is singular, that, at this very vice. The south alley was for usury time, Elizabeth kept a crucifix in her and popery; the north for simony; and own private chapel, and that the dean the horse-fair in the midst for all kind of Christchurch was so far from being of bargains, meetings, brawlings, murpopishly inclined, that he had, only the ders, conspiracies. The font for ordiyear before, refused the bishopric of nary payments of money, was as well Norwich on account of the habits and known to all men as the beggar knows ceremonies attending the office. But his dish. So that without and within. Elizabeth was fond of showing her zeal above the ground and under, over the on all public occasions against the Pa- roof and beneath, from the top of the pists, on whose downfall her existence steeple and spire down to the low floor, as a Queen depended. not one spot was free from wickedness." This year the steeple of St. Paul's Eric, now King of Sweden, whose Cathedral, the loftiest in the kingdor, hopes of ultimate success in his matriwas struck by lightning, and utterly de- monial addresses to Elizabeth were constroyed, together with the bells and the tinned, in spite of the repeated denials roof. The papists represented the ac- of the Queen, had sent to her Majesty cident as a judgment of heaven for the a royal present, and declared his intendiscontinuance of the matins and other tion of following in person. The preo o 562 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. sent, which consisted of eighteen large cent present of the disappointed Eric; piebald horses, and two ship loads of the but we suppose that would have been most precious articles, the produce of contrary to the royal etiquette, or, at his country, was well received; but as least, that the maiden Queen whose acElizabeth was determined not to relent quisitiveness was remarkable, so reprein favour of her royal lover, she wrote sented it. to him, expressing her anxious hope Whilst the Queen was at Ipswich, in that he would spare himself the fatigue the autumn of 1561, the court was of a fruitless voyage. Fearing, how- startled by the discovery that the Lady ever, that he might be already on his Catherine Grey-the heiress of the house journey, she made preparations for re- of Suffolk, who was formerly united to ceiving him with hospitality and splen- Lord Herbert, son of the Earl of Pemdour. Amongst the state papers of the broke, (on the same day that her eldest time, we find a letter from the Lords of sister, the unfortunate Lady Jane Grey, the Council to the Lord Mayor, setting married Guildford Dudley), but whose forth: "That whereas certain book- union with that nobleman had been disbinders and stationers did utter certain solved, at the instance of the Earl of papers, wherein were printed the face Pembroke-had stolen a match with the of her Majesty and the King of Sweden; Earl of Hertford, son of the Protector although her Majesty was not displeased Somerset, and was on the point of bethat either her own face, or that of this coming a mother. On being questioned, King, should be pourtrayed, yet to be the lady admitted the fact, confessed joined in the same paper with him, or her pregnancy, and declared herself to any other Prince who was known to be the lawful wife of the Earl. Her have proposed marriage to her, was degree of relationship to the Queen was what she could not allow. Accordingly, not so near as to render her marriage it was her pleasure, that the Lord Mayor without the royal consent illegal; yet, should seize all such papers, and pack by an arbitrary and cruel stretch of authem up, so that none of them should thority, Lady Catherine was immediately get abroad, otherwise she might seem sent prisoner to the Tower. The Earl to authorize this joining of herself in of Hertford, her husband, was also commarriage to him, which might affect her mitted to the same place, on the charge honour." Next we have a letter to the of having seduced a royal maiden.Duke of Norfolk, directing the manner The unfortunate lady, and those who in which he should meet the King, if had been in her confidence, were treated he landed in Norfolk or Suffolk, which with harshness and indignity. From thus concludes:-" Because the Queen's the Queen's warrant to Mr. Warner, Majesty is a maid, in this case would Lieutenant of the Tower, we learn the many things be omitted in honour and cruel advantage taken of her situation: courtesy, which otherwise were meet to -" Our pleasure is, that ye shall, by be showed to him, as in like cases hath our command, examine the Lady Cabeen of Kings of this land to others; therine very strictly; how many hath and therefore it shall be necessary, that been privy to the love between her and the gravest of her council do, as of the Earl of Hertford from the begintheir own judgment, excuse the lack ning, and let her certainly understand, thereof to the King; and yet, on their that she shall have no manner of favour, own parts, offer the King all the sup- except she will show the truth, not only plemental honours in their power, with what ladies or gentlewomen of this all due reverence." court were privy thereto. but also what Notwithstanding these preparations, lords and gentlemen. We earnestly the King of Sweden never made his ap- require you to use your diligence in this pearance, he having received the answer matter. Ye shall also send to Alderman of Elizabeth at the moment of embark- Lodge, secretly, for St. Low, and shall ing for England. Elizabeth ought cer- put her in awe of divers matters, as if tainly not to have accepted the magnifi- confessed by the Lady Catherine, and ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 563 so also deal with her, that she may con- sympathy of the people only stimulated fess to you all her knowledge touching the Monarch to greater cruelty. It was this affair. It is certain that there hath necessary to intimidate the people by been great practices and purposes; and strong measures! To the eternal dissince the death of Lady Jane Grey she grace of Elizabeth's character and gohath been most privy thereto. And as vernment, she barbarously and illegally ye shall see occasion, so ye may keep detained her ill-fated kinswoman, first St. Low two or three nights, more or in the Tower, and afterwards in private less, and let her be returned to Lodge's, custody, till the day of her death in or kept still with you, as ye shall think January, 1567;* and her husband mneet." having already added to the original ofThe Countess of Hertford gave birth fence of marrying a princess, the further to a male child soon after her imprison- crime of begetting legitimate children, ment, which was regarded as illegiti- was sentenced, in addition to his heavy mate, and the unfortunate parent was fine, to a long imprisonment of nine doomed to a further imprisonment, at years! So much for the jealous spleen the arbitrary pleasure of the maiden of the maiden Queen! It is, however, Queen! The birth of a second male some satisfaction to find, that by a prochild,* the fruit of stolen meetings be- cess in the ecclesiastical court, with tween the captive pair, aggravated, in which the Queen could not interfere, the jealous eyes of the match-marring the Earl of HIertford finally succeeded sovereign, their common guilt! It was a in establishing the legitimacy of his glorious opportunity for Elizabeth to children. vomit forth her spleen, on account of The royal virgin being now in heb her own intrigues, when Princess. with THIRTIETH YEAR, was so annoyed on the late Lord Admiral Seymour having account of certain ill-favoured likenesses been detected and exposed. Warner, of her gracious countenance, which had the Lieutenant of the Tower, was dis- obtained general circulation, that her missed, for permitting or conniving at minister Cecil drew up and published a what the Queen was pleased to term proclamation, stating that none of her' their illicit intercourse;" and the portraits hitherto published came up to Earl of Hertford was sentenced, in the the original; that she had resolved, by iniquitous Star Chamber, to a fine of the advice of her council, to procure an fifteen thousand pounds (an immense exact likeness from the pencil of some sum in those days), for the double offence "cunning painter," and therefore she of corrupting a female of the royal strictly forbade any one to publish new blood, and of breaking his prison to portraits of her "'person or visage'" repeat the offence! without license, or to sell or exhibit the It was some consolation to this per- old ones until they had been remodelled secuted pair, to learn, that, under all according to the correct likeness to be their accumulated sufferings, the public forthwith published by authority. voice was unanimous in their favour. This was a strange topic for the deliNo one for a moment doubted but that beration of the wise Elizabeth and her they were lawfully married;-a fact enlightened ministers! But it appears, afterwards fully established, and it was the perpetual subject of marriage was naturally asked " by what right, or on again agitated by her Parliament and by what principle, her Majesty presumed foreign Princes. According to Strype, to keep asunder those whom God had "The Duke of Wirtemburg, a German joined together in wedlock?" But this Protestant Prince, had lately, in the * Sir Egerton Brydgpgs, in Collins's Peerage, * Perhaps Katherine Grey's real crime in says that she had three children; Edward, the eyes of Elizabeth was her being the who died young; Edward, Lord Beauchamp, sister of Lady Jane Grey, and the heir of and Thomas, who married Isabella, daughter the house of Suffolk, upon which it was geof Edward Onley, of C(atelby, in North- nerally considered that the right to the crown s.mpton, had devolved, 654 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. most friendly manner, offered his ser- forth into passion in these words: — vices to the Queen, in case she were'It is not true-it is not true.' " On his minded to marry. To which she gave him praising her virginity, however, she said this courteous and Princely answer:- to the orator;'God's blessing on thy heart! there continue.' After that, he "London. January 27th, 1563. described the joy of the university at "That although I never yet was her presence. weary of single and maiden life, yet in- "When he had finished, the Queen deed I was the last issue of my father commended him, saying she would left, and the only one of his house; the answer him again in Latin, but for fear care of my kingdom and the love of pos- she should speak false Latin; and then teritv did counsel me to alter this course they would only laugh at her!" She of life. But, in consideration of the then went in state to the chapel, where leave that my subjects have given me, iTe Deum was sung, and the evening serin ampler manner to make my choice vice performed with all imaginable than they ever did to any Prince before, pomp. The next morning, being Sunday, I am even in courtesy bound to make she went thither again to hear a Latin that choice which should be for the best sermon, and in the evening the body of for my subjects and the state. And for this solemn edifice was converted into a that you have therein offered your as- temporary tAeatre, where she was gratisistance, I do hereby graciously acknow- fled with the representation of a tragedy ledge the same, promising to deserve it of Plautus. The performance of plays hereafter." on Sundays was not at this period forIt does not appear that the Duke ten- bidden; but certainly the converting of dered his own hand to Elizabeth for her a sacred edifice, in a royal university, acceptance after this gracious message! into a theatre, was a breach of decorum In the summer of 1564, her Majesty's in the enlightened age of Elizabeth. intention of honouring the University The third day of the royal visit was ocof Cambridge with her royal presence cupied by a public disputation in the was announced to the Secretary of State, morning, and a Latin play on the story who was Chancellor of the roval founda- of Dido, in the evening. On the fourth tion. The heads of the University, day, an English play, entitled Ezekias, therefore, sent a respectful letter to was performed before her Majesty and Dudley, who was the high steward, en- suite. The next morning she visited treating him to commend to her Ma- the different colleges; at each of which jesty their royal services. Cecil arrived a Latin oration was delivered before at Cambridge the day before the Queen, her, and she was presented with a partto get all in readiness for her reception. ing present of gloves and confectionHe received the customary offering of ary, together with a volume, richly two pair of gloves, two sugar-loaves, bound, containing the verses in English, and a march-pane. Lord Dudley and Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and Chaldee, the Duke of Norfolk were complimented composed by the members of each colin a similar manner; and gloves of a lege in honour of the occasion. finer fabric, and confectionary of a more She afterwards repaired to the church sumptuous description were presented to of St. Mary, where a long and learned Elizabeth in person. On her reaching disputation, by doctors in divinity, was the door of King's College Chapel, the prepared for her edification. When it chancellor knelt down and welcomed was ended, "the lords, and especially her; and the orator, kneeling on the the Duke of Norfolk and Lord Robert church steps, harangued her for nearly Dudley, kneeling down, humbly desired half an hour. First, he praised and her Majesty to speak something to the commended many and singular virtues university in Latin. The Queen at first planted and set in her Majesty; which, refused, saying,'If I might speak my not approving of, she shook her head, mind in English, I would not stick at bit her lips and fingers, and anon broke the matter.' But understanding, by Mr. ELIZABETI, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 666 Secretary Ceeil, that nothing might be I have been able to perform this my said openly to the university in English, promise, I will not fail to leave some she required him the rather to speak for great work to be executed after my her; because he was Chancellor, and the decease, by which my memory may be Chancellor is the Queen's mouth. Where- rendered famous, others excited by my unto he answered, that hewas Chancellor example, and all of you animated to of the University, and not her Majesty's greater ardour in your classical studies."' Chancellor. Then the Bishop of Ely, Alas! for royal promises! the pledge, kneeling, said that three words from her thus solemnly and publicly given, was royal mouth would suffice. By entreaties never carried into effect. An annuity so urgent, the Queen suffered herself to be of twenty pounds, with the title of prevailed upon to deliver a royal speech, "Queen Elizabeth's scholar," was bewhich had no doubt been prepared for stowed on a youth, of the name of Presthe occasion, and in which she set forth ton, whose masculine beauty and graceful her attachment to learning, promised to action in the play of Dido had particuconfer some substantial benefit on the larly caught the royal fancy. This was University, and, in conclusion, said, the only solid benefit bestowed by her'should I be overtaken by death, before Majesty! CHAPTER VI. Hlonours showered on Dudley-His interviews with the Queen-One mistress and no master-Spirited conduct of Elizabeth-Enimity between Sussex and LeicesterMarriage of Lady Mary Grey-Autograph Letter of Elizabeth on the State of Ireland-Birth of James the Sixth-Elizabeth's affected joy on the occasionDiscord between the Queen and her Parliament-Royal visit to Oxford-The mnurder of Darnley and liberation of the Countess his mother. [,i,z' __ LIZABETH, after him? I answered, that as he was a her returnfromCam- worthy servant, so he was happy in bridge, resolved to having a Princess who could discern and gratify her feelings, reward good service.' Yet,' she replied, by conferring on' you like better yonder tall lad,' point. her beloved Dudley ing towards my Lord Darnley, who, as some signal marks nearest Prince of the blood, bore the of her royal esteem. sword of honour that day before her. She, accordingly, created him Baron She took me to her bed-chamber, and Denbigh and Earl of Leicester, accom- opened a little cabinet, wherein were panied by the munificent gift of Kenil- divers little pictures, wrapped in paper, worth Castle, park, and manor. Sir with their names written on them in James Melville, the envoy of Mary, her own hand. On the first that she Queen of Scots, in his intertaining Me- took up was written,' my lord's picture.' moirs, gives the following interesting I held the candle; and when at length she description of the ceremonial of this permitted me to see it, I found it to be creation:-" It was performed at West- the Earl of Leicester's picture! I desired minster, with great solemnity, the Queen that I might have it to carry home to herself helping to put on his mantle, lie my Queen (Mary, of Scotland), which sitting upon his knees before her, with she refused, alleging that she had but great gravity. But she could not re- that one picture of his. I said,'Your frain from putting her hand in his neck, Majesty hath here the original,' for'I smilingly tickling him; the French am- perceived hinm at the furthest part of the bassador and I standing by. Then she chamber, speaking with Secretary Cecil. turned round, and asked me how I liked She showed me also a fair ruby, as great 3606 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. as a tennis-ball; I desired that she family. On his arrival in London, ta would send either it or my Lord of Lei- 1564, he immediately repaired todIampcester's picture, as a token to my Queen. ton Court, and, delivering his credenShe said, that if the Queen would follow tials, was forthwith admitted into the her counsel, she would, in process of presence of her Majesty. After some time, get all that she had; that, in the discourse with the Queen, on some mimeantime, she was resolved to send with nor subjects, Sir James took the opporme, as a token, a fair diamond. I was tunity of breaking forth into earnest conveyed by Leicester in his barge from commendation of the elector, "whose Hampton Court to London. By the service, nothing," said he, " but my way, he inquired of me, what the Queen duty to my own sovereign could have of Scots thought of him, and of the induced me to quit." Adding-" For marriage proposed by Randolph, on the the remembrance of so good a master, I part of Elizabeth? Whereupon I an- desired to carry home with me the porswered very coldly, as I had been com- traits of himself, his sons and daughters." manded by my mistress. Then he began " So soon as she heard me mention the to purge himself of so proud a pretence pictures," continues Sir James, " she as to marry so great a Queen, declaring inquired if I had the picture of Duke that he did not esteem himself worthy to Casimir, desiring to see it. And when wipe her shoes; and that the proposition I alleged that I had left them in Lonof the marriage proceeded from Cecil, don, and that I was ready to go forward his secret enemy:' For if,' added he,' I on my journey, she said I should not should have appeared desirous of that depart till she had seen the pictures. marriage, I should have offended both So the next day I delivered them all to the Queens, and thus lost their favour.'" her Majesty, and she desired to keep There can be no doubt that Elizabeth them all night; she then called on my devised this matrimonial project of Lord Dudley to be judge of Duke Casiuniting Leicester with the beautiful mir's picture, and appointed me to meet Mary, Queen of Scots, purely as a ro- her the next morning in her garden, mantic trial of his attachment to her- where she caused them all to be deliself, and pleased her fancy with the idea vered to me, giving me thanks for the of his rejecting for her own sweet self, sight of them. I then offered to her a younger and a fairer queen! thinking Majesty all the pictures, so she would it would give him consequence, in the permit me to retain the Elector's and event of making him her own husband. his lady's, but she would have none of Certain it is, that when the Queen of them. I had also sure information, Scots appeared to incline to a speedy that first and last she heartily despised conclusion of the business, and prayed the said Duke Casimir." Elizabeth to know on what conditions Elizabeth now told Sir James, that she would give her approbation to the she intended soon to propose, as fit union, the earnestness in the cause, matches for his Queen, two noblemen, which she had hitherto displayed, im- one or other of whom she hoped to see mediately ceased! her accept for a husband. These two The Memoirs of Sir James Melville were Dudley, and Lord Darnley, eldest describe some highly entertaining scenes, son of the Earl of Lennox, by the Lady of which he was an eye-witness, in the Margaret Douglas. court of Elizabeth. A few weeks after Melville had reThe son of the Elector Palatine, Duke turned to Scotland, Mary thought good Casimir, having made an offer of his to despatch him again to London, "to hand to Queen Elizabeth, requested deal with the Queen of England, with Melville, in passing through England, the Spanish Ambassador, with my Lady on his way to his own country, to con- Margaret Douglas, and with sundry vey his picture to her Majesty. The friends she had in England." envoy was also furnished with portraits "Having arrived in London," says of the other branches of the electoral Sir James, " I lodged near the court, at ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 567 Westminster. My host immediately her good sister, that she expressed a gave notice of my coming; and that great desire to see her. Then she took same night, her Majesty sent Mr. Hat- out of a little cabinet the Queen's pieton to welcome, and to inform me, that ture, and kissed it, and I ventured to the next morning she would give me kiss her hand, for the great love eviaudience in her garden at eight o'clock. denced therein to my mistress. She inAccordingly, Mr. Hatton, and Mr. Ran- quired of me many things relating to dolph, late agent for the Queen of Eng- the kingdom of Scotland, and other land in Scotland, came to my lodging, countries wherein I had travelled. She to convey me to her Majesty, who was, caused me to dine with her dame of hoas they said, already in the garden. nour, my Lady Strafford, (an honourWith them came a servant of my Lord able and goodly lady, who had been haRobert's, with a horse and foot mantle nished to Geneva during the reign of of velvet, laced with gold, for me to her predecessor), that I might be always ride upon, which servant, with the said near her, so that she might confer with horse, waited upon me all the time that me. I remained there. "' At divers meetings we had conver"At another interview, Elizabeth in- sations on different subjects. The Queen, quired if the Queen had sent any answer my mistress, had instructed me to leave to the proposition of marriage made to matters of gravity sometimes, and cast her through M;. Randolph. I answered, in merry purposes, lest otherwise she as I had been instructed, that my mis- should be wearied; she beings well.intress thought little or nothing thereof. formed of her natural temper. ThereAdding, that the Queen, my mistress, fore, in declaring my observations of the is minded to send on her part, my Lord customs of Holland, Poland, and Italy, the Murray, and the Secretary, Lidingtoun, buskins of the women were not forget; and expects your Majesty will send my and what country weed I thought best Lord of Bedford, and my Lord Robert becoming gentlewomen. The Queen Dudley. She answered,-That it ap- said she had clothes of every sort, which peared I made but small account of my every day thereafter, so long as I was Lord Robert, seeing that I named the there, she changed. One day she had Earl of Bedford before him; but that the English weed, another day the ere long she would make him a far French, another the Italian, and so on. greater earl, and that I should see it She asked me which of them became her done before my return home, for she es- best? I answered, in my judgment the teemed him as her brother and best Italian dress; which answer I found friend, whom she would have herself pleased her well, for she delighted to married, had she ever minded to have show her golden-coloured hair, wearing taken a husband. But being deter- a caul and bonnet, as they do in Italy. mined to live single, she wished the Queen, Her hair was rather reddish than yelher sister, might marry him, as meetest low, curled in appearance naturally. of all others with whom she could find She desired to know what colour of in her heart to propose. For, being hair was reputed best; and whether my matched with him, it would remove out Queen's hair or her's was best; and of her mind all fears and suspicions, of which of them was fairest? I answered, being offended by any usurpation before the fairest of them both was not their her death. Being assured that he was worst faults. But she was earnest with so loving and trusty, that he would never me to declare which of them I judged suffer any such thing to be attempted fairest. I said she was the fairest queen during her time; and that the Queen, in England, and mine in Scotland; yet my mistress, might have the higher es- still she appeared earnest. I then told teem of him, I had been required to stay her, they were both the fairest ladies in till I should see him made Earl of Lei- their respective countries; that her Macester and Baron of Denbigh. She ap- jesty was whiter, but my Queen was peared to be so affectionate to the Queen, very lovely. She inquired, which of 568 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. them was highest in stature? I said, if I could speak Italian, which she spoka -my Queen. Then, said she, she is too reasonably well. I told her Majesty I high, for I myself am neither too high had no time to learn that language, not not too low. Then she asked, what ex- having been above two months in Italy. ercises she used? I replied, that when Then she spoke to me in Dutch, which I received my despatch, the Queen was was not good; and would know what lately come from the Highland hunting. kind of books I most delighted in, wheThat when her more serious affairs per- ther theology, history, or love matters! mitted, she was taken up with reading I said I liked well of all the sorts. of histories; that sometimes she recre- "I now took occasion to press earated herself in playing upon the lute nestly my despatch: she said I was and virginals. She inquired if she sooner weary of her company than she played well? I said, reasonably for a was of mine. I told her Majesty, that queen. though I had no reason to be weary, I "That same day, after dinner, my Lord knew my mistress's affairs called me of Hunsdon drew me up to a quiet gal- home. Yet I was detained two days lery, that I might hear some music- longer, that I might see her danc3, as I but he said he durst not avow it-where was afterwards informed. Which being I might hear the Queen play upon the over, she inquired of me whether she or virginals. After I had hearkened a my Queen danced best? I answered while, I stood by the tapestry that hung the Queen danced not so high, nor so before the door of the chamber, and disposedly as she did. Then again she seeing her back was towards the door, I wished that she might see the Queen at ventured within the chamber, and stood some convenient place of meeting. I at a pretty space, hearing her play ex- offered to convey her secretly to Scotcellently well; but she left off imme- land, by post horses, clothed like a page; diately, as soon as she turned about and that under this disguise she might see saw me. She appeared surprised, and the Queen; as James the Fifth had came forward, seeming to strike me gone in disguise with his own ambassawith her hand; alleging that she used dor, to see the Duke of Vendome's sis not to play before men, but when she ter, who should have been his wife. was solitary, to shun melancholy. She Telling her that her chamber might be asked how I came there? I answered, kept in her absence as though she were as I was walking with my Lord of sick, that none need be privy thereto, Hunsdon, we passed by the chamber except Lady Strafford, and one of the door-I heard such melody as ravished grooms of her chamber. She appeared me, whereby I was drawn in ere I knew to like that kind of language, but only how; excusing my fault of homeliness, answered it with a sigh, saying,'Alas! as being brought up in the court of if I might do it thus' I then withFrance, where such freedom was allowed; drew." declaring myself willing to endure what- " About this period," says Naunton, ever punishment her Majesty should be in his Fragmenta Regalia, " Bowyer, a pleased to inflict upon me, for so great gentleman of the black rod, being an offence. Then she sat down low charged by the Queen's express comupon a cushion, and I upon my knees mand to look precisely into all admisby her, but with her own hand she gave sions into the privy chamber, one day me a cushion to place under my knee; stopped a very gay captain, a follower of which at first I refused, but she com- Leicester's, from entrance, for that he pelled me to take it. She then called was neither well known, nor a sworn for my Lady Strafford out of the next servant to the Queen: at which repulse, chamber, for the Queen was alone. She the gentleman, bearing high on my lord's inquired whether my Queen or she favour, told him, he might perchance piayed best? In that I found myself procure him his discharge. Leicester obliged to give her the praise. She said coming in at this moment, said prblbily my French was very' good; and asked (which was none of his wont), that ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT 569 Bowyer was a knave, and should not ried, that for some time neither of them continue long in his office; and so turn- would stir abroad without a numerous ing about to go into the Queen's cham- armed train. The Queen herself had ber; but Bowyer, boldly stepping before much difficulty in restraining these nohim, and falling at the Queen's feet, re- blemen from breaking out into actual lated the story, and humbly asked violence: at length, however, she sumwhether Leicester was King, or her Ma- moned them both into her presence, and jesty Queen? Whereunto she said, with forced them to a temporary reconciliaher wonted oath,'God's death! my tion. lord, I have wished you well, but my The storm, under which the favourite favour is not so locked up for you, that had yielded for a time, quickly passed others shall not partake thereof; for I over, and he once more resumed his have many servants, to whom I shall, at haughty demeanour. To revenge himmy pleasure, bestow my favour, and like- self on Sussex was, however, beyond his wise resume the same: and if you think power. The well-grounded confidence to rule here, I will take a course to see of Elizabeth in his abilities and his atyou forthcoming; I will have here but tachment to her person, he found to be one mistress and no master! and look immoveable; but he so far succeeded as to that no ill happen to him, lest it be re- induce Elizabeth to send his adversary quired at your hands!' which words so to an honourable exile, in the shape of an quelled my Lord of Leicester, that his embassy to the Imperial court. When feigned humility was long after one of Sussex returned from this mission, the his best virtues!" Queen named him Lord President of the That sincere, upright, courageous North-an office which equally removed nobleman, the Earl of Sussex, and Lord him from court intrigue. Not long Chamberlain, was endowed with suffi- after, the hand of death terminated his cient penetration to detect, beneath the honourable career and the implacable veil of artifice and hypocrisy under which enmity of Leicester. As he lay on his they were concealed, the monstrous death-bed, Sussex thus addressed his surviews of the Queen's favourite, Leicester; rounding friends:-" I am now passing and he could not, without disgust and into another world, and must leave you indignation, behold a Princess, whose to your fortunes, and to the Queen's blood he shared, and in whose service grace and goodness: but beware of the he had entered with devotion, the dupe gipsy Leicester, for he will be too hard of so despicable and pernicious a syco- for you all; you know not the beast so phant. That influence which he saw well as I do!" Leicester abuse, to the dishonour of the About this period [1566] the beautiQueen and the detriment of the coun- ful Lady Mary Grey, sister to the celetry, he undertook to overthrow, by fair brated Lady Jane and Lady Catherine and public means; and without motives Grey, of royal lineage, married Martin of personal interest or ambition. There Kays, of Kent, esquire, a judge at court. mingled also in the breast of the high- "Mary Grey," says Fuller, "frighted born Sussex, a thorough disdain of the with the infelicity of her two eldest sisorigin of Dudley, with a just abhorrence ters, Jane and Catherine, forgot her hoof his character and conduct. He was nour to remember her safety; and marwont to say of him, that two ancestors ried one whom she could love and none were all that he could remember-his need fear, Martin Kays, of Kent, who father and grandfather-both traitors to was a judge at court-(but only of doubttheir country. His sarcasms roused in ful casts at dice, being sergeant porter) Leicester the most deadly animosity. -and died without issue." Elizabeth, With the exception of Cecil and his according to her usual practice in simifriends, who remained neuter. the whole lar cases, when the blood royal was decourt divided into factions upon the filed, sent both husband and wife topriquarrel of these two powerful peers: son. The unfortunate lady did not, it and to such extremity were matters car- would appear, sufficiently " remember 570 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. her safety" in forming this connection, to harm is perilous in the hand of an obscure and humble as it was; for all ambitious head. Where might is mixed matrimony had now become offensive to with wit, there is too good an accord in the match-marring Queen. After the a government. Essays be oft dangerous; death of her husband, Lady Mary Grey especially when the cup-bearer hath rewas consigned to the care of Sir Thomas ceived such a preservative as, what Gresham, the eminent merchant, where might soever betide the drinker's draught, she remained for three years, and was the carrier takes no bane thereby. then liberated, through the kind inter- "Believe not, though they swear, that cession of Sir Thomas, who wrote to they can be full sound whose parents Lord Burleigh on her behalf. sought the rule that they full fain would Elizabeth was remarkably fond of have. I warrant you they will never be proverbs and quaint aphorisms; and accused of bastardy; you were to blame although throughout her epistolary cor- to lay it to their charge; they will trace respondence this marked trait in her the steps that others have passed before. character is evident, it is nowhere so If I had not espied, though very late, fully displayed as in the subjoined pe- legerdemain used in these cases, I had dantic letter, in which she prescribes to never played my part. No, if I did not Sir Henry Sidney, the Governor of Ire- see the balances held awry, I had never land, the part he is to take on the occa- myself come into the weigh-house. I sion of the fierce feud between the Irish hope I shall have so good a customer in Earls of Desmond and Ormond:- vou, that all other officers shall do their duty among you. If aught have been "HARRY, amiss at home, I will patch, though I " If our partial slender ma- cannot whole it. Let us not, nor no naging of the contentious quarrel be- more do you, consult so long as till adtween the two Irish Earls did not make vice come too late to the givers; where the way to cause these lines to pass my then shall we wish the deeds while all hand, this gibberish should hardly have was spent in words? A fool too late cumbered your eyes; but warned by bewares when all the peril is passed. If my former fault, and dreading worser we still advise, we shall never do; thus hap to come, I rede you take good heed are we still knitting a knot never tied; that the good subjects lost state be so yea, and if our loom be framed with rotrevenged, that I hear not the rest be ten hurdles, when our web is well nigh won to a right byoway to breed more done, our work is to begin anew. God traitor's stocks, and so the goal is gone. send the weaver true'prentices again, Make some difference between tried, and let them be denizens, I pray you, if just, and false friends. Let the good they be not citizens; and such, too, as service of well-deservers be never re- your ancientest aldermen, that now dwell warded with loss. Let their thanks be in your official place, have had best cause such as may encourage more strivers to commend their good behaviour. for the like. Suffer not that Desmond's "Let this memorial be only comdenying deeds far wide from promised mitted to Vulcan's base keeping, withworks. make you trust to other pledge out any longer abode than the reading than either himself or John for gage: thereof; yea, and with no mention made he hath so well performed his English thereof to any other wight. I charge vows, that I warn you to trust him no you as I may command you. Seem not longer that you see one of them. Pro- to have had but the secretary's letter metheus let me be; Epimetheus hath from me. been mine too long. I pray God your "Your loving Mistress, old strange sheep, late (as you say) re- "ELIZABETH, R." turned into the fold, wore not her woolly garment upon her wolvy back. You In June, 1566, Mary, Queen of Scots, know a kingdom knows no kindred; si was safely delivered of a son. Sir James violandum jus regnandicausa. A strength Melville was immediately dispatched ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANf. 671 with the news to Elizabeth; and, in thousand pounds; in return for which, his " Memoirs," we have the following rings, rich chains of diamond and pearl, graphic sketch of his mission:-" By and other preciousjewels,were bountifully twelve of the clock I took horse, and bestowed on the proxies of Elizabeth. was that night at Berwick. The The delicate subject of a successor to fourth day after, I was at London, and the throne was again revived in the did first meet with my brother Robert House of Commons, in defiance of the (then ambassador to England), who that opposition of the court party, who reisame night sent and informed Secretary terated "that the Queen was moved to Cecil of my arrival, and of the birth of marriage, and inclined to prosecute the the Prince, desiring him to keep it quiet same." A motion was carried, and a till my coming to court to announce it committee appointed to confer with the myself unto her Majesty, who was resid- lords on the subject. The Queen then ing for the time at Greenwich, where required a deputation from both houses she was in great mirth, dancing after to wait upon her, which having been supper. But so soon as the Secretary agreed to, the lord keeper explained Cecil whispered in her ear the news of their sentiments, in a long speech, to the Prince's birth, all her mirth was laid which her Majesty was pleased, in her aside for that night; all present mar- usual indirect way, to reply: "As to velling whence proceeded such a change, my marriage, a silent thought might for the Queen did sit down, putting her serve. I thought it had been so desired hand under her cheek, and bursting out that no other tree's blossom should have to some of her ladies, that the Queen of been minded, or ever any hope of fruit Scots was mother of a fair son, while she had been denied them. But if any was but a barren stock! doubted that I am by word or determi" The next morning was appointed for nation never bent to tread in that kind me to get audience; at which time my of life, I desire them to put aside that brother and I went by water to Green- sort of heresy; for their belief is indeed wich, and were met by some friends, mistaken. And although I might who told us how sorrowful her Majesty think it best for a private woman, yet I was at my news; but that she had been strive with myself to think it not meet advised to show a glad and cheerful for a Princess. As to the succession, I countenance: which she did in her best desire them not to think that they had apparel, saying that the joyful news of needed this desire, if I had seen a time the Queen, her sister's delivery of a fair so fit, and it was so ripe as to be deson, which I had sent her by Secretary clared. That for their comfort, I had Cecil, had recovered her out of a heavy good record in that place that other sickness, which she had lain under for means than they mentioned had been fifteen days. Therefore, she welcomed thought of for their good, as much as for me with a merry face, and thanked me my own surety; which, if they could for hastening to give her that welcome have been conveniently executed, it had intelligence. The next day, she sent not been now deferred or over-slipped. me her letter, with the present of a rich That I hope to die in quiet, with Nunc chain.".Dimittis, which could not be without I Elizabeth accepted, with a good grace, see some glimpse of their following the office of sponsor to the young Prince surety after my graved bones." of Scotland; sending thither, as her These vague and unmeaning sentences proxies, the Earl of Bedford, a son of tended little to the satisfaction of the Lord Hunsdon, and several knights and House of Commons; and a motion was gentlemen. These met with a cordial made and carried, to persevere in the reception from Mary, who was now at remonstrance against the Queen's deopen variance with her husband. The laying her marriage any longer. At present sent by Elizabeth, as the royal this bold step her Majesty was so engodmother, consisted of a rich font of raged, that she communicated, through pure gold, of the value of upwards of one Sir Francis Knolles, her positive coin 572 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. mand to the house, to proceed no further the heads of the University, not in in this business, satisfying themselves Latin, but in Greek! In Warton's Hiswith the promise of marriage which she tory of English Poetry, we find the folhad made on the solemn word of a queen. lowing particulars of this celebrated visit. But Paul Wentworth, a sturdy, inde- "In the magnificent hall of Christpendent member of the Commons, would church, the Queen was entertained with not tamely submit to this prohibition; a Latin comedy, entitled Marcus Gemiand he again moved the house on the nus, the Latin tragedy of Progne, and question, whether the late command of an English comedy on the story of her Majesty was not a breach of its Palamon and Arcite; all acted by stuprivileges? The Queen hereupon issued dents of the University. When the last an injunction, that there should be no play was over, the Queen summoned debates on this point; but the tone of into her presence the poet (Richard resistance was so loud in the Commons Edwards), whom she loaded with thanks against this her arbitrary interference, and compliments; and at the same time that she found it expedient, a few days turning to her lords, she remarked, that after, to rescind both orders, insisting, Palamon was so justly drawn as a lover, however, on the condition, that the deli- that the author must have been in love cate subject should not at this time be himself; that Arcite was a right martial further debated. knight, having a swart and manly On proroguing Parliament, Elizabeth countenance, yet with the aspect of a acquainted both houses with her extreme Venus clad in armour; that the lovely displeasure at their interference regard- Emilia was a virgin of uncorrupted ing a successor; a subject which she purity and unblemished simplicity; and always chose to regard as belonging ex- that though she sung so sweetly, and elusively to her prerogative, and that gathered flowers alone in the garden, though they might, perhaps, have after her deportment was chaste and maidenly. her one more learned or wiser, yet, she The part of Emilia, the only female part assured them, none could be more care- in the play, was acted by a boy of fourful over them. And, therefore, she teen, whose performance so captivated bade them henceforth beware how they her Majesty, that she made him a present proved the patience of their Prince, as of a purse of gold. During the performthey had now done that of their Queen. ance, a cry of hounds, belonging to Notwithstanding, she did not mean to Theseus, was counterfeited without, in make a Lent at Christmas, the most part the great square of the college. The of them, therefore, might assure them- young students not in the secret, thought selves, that they departed high in her it a real chase, and were seized with a grace and favour. The Commons had sudden transport to join the hunters; at offered her an extraordinary subsidy, on which the Queen cried out from her box, condition of her naming her successor,'Oh, excellent! these boys, in very which she refused. Even of the ordinary troth, are ready to leap out of the winsupplies she remitted one fourth, smil- dows to follow the hounds!"' ingly remarking, "It is as well for me The Vice-Chancellor was Dr. Lawto have money in the coffers of my sub- rence Humphreys. He had lately been jects, as in my own!" It was in this distinguished for his strenuous opposiway she trifled with the feelings of the tion to the Queen's injunctions, respectnation! ing the habits and ceremonies of the In the Autumn of 1566, the Queen University. When he came forth in consented to honour with her presence procession to meet her Majesty, on this the University of Oxford, of which her auspicious visit, the Queen could not favourite, Dudley, now Earl of Leicester,.refrain saying, with a gracious smile, as was elected chancellor. She was received she extended to him her hand to kisswith the same ceremonies as at Cam* " That loose gown, doctor, becomes you bridge. Learned addresses and exhibl- mighty well; I wonder your notions of tions awaited her, and she harangued things should be so narrow!" ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 573 The husband of the unfortunate Mary, the following allusion is made to this Queen of Scots, perished by a violent subject:death, on the ninth of February, 1567.' I have stayed your son from Elizabeth displayed on this tragical oc- going hence now these two days, upon casion the utmost moderation and kind- the Queen's command, for that she ness. She announced to the Countess of would have him to know as much of the Lennox, the mother of Darnley, whom truth of the circumstances of the murder she had arbitrarily imprisoned in the of the King of Scots as might be; and Tower, the frightful catastrophe which hitherto the same is hard to come by, had closed the history of her ill-fated otherwise than general rumours. The son. The liberation of the Countess Queen's Majesty sent yesterday my Lady immediately followed; and the Earl, Howard and my wife to the Lady Lenher husband, soon after gratified Eliza- nox, in the Tower, to open this matter beth in her desire of interfering with her unto her; she could not, by any means, advice and assistance, by procuring her be kept from such passions of mind as aid to obtain an extension of the time the horribleness of the fact did inspire. allowed him to bring forward his proofs And this last night were with the said against Bothwell, whom he had publicly lady, the Dean of Westminster and Dr. accused of the assassination of her son. Huick; and I hope her Majesty will In the Burleigh Papers there is a curious show some compassion for the said lady, letter from Secretary Cecil to Sir Henry whom any humane nature must needs Norris, ambassador in France, in which pity." CHAPTER VII. Interesting letters from the Earl of Sussex to Elizabeth-Mary, Queen of Scots, escapes from Lochleven Castle into England-Elizabeth detains her in captivity, andfrustrates her proposed marriage with Norfolk-Papal Bull against Elizabeth-The Queen's visit to the Royal Exchange —Death of Throgmorton-Trial and execution of Norfolk-Sonnet by Elizabeth-Leicester's connection with Lady Sheifeld-Another royal favourite-Lord Burleigh-Elizabeth and Lady Shrewsbury-Death of the Marshal of Ireland-Remarkable letter of Elizabeth respecting Leicester-The Duke of Anjou's proposal of marriage-Leicester's marriage -Rage of Elizabeth-Quarrel between Leicester and the French Envoy-A shot fired at the Queen. k -: ~f~ HE murder of Darn- with the Queen. The following intemley had procured resting letters were the result of his t —= H ~i - Elizabeth some re- mission:spite from the im- "Vienna, October, 1567. 1" bLl"li' L S portunities of Par- "His Highness is in person taller \1^1 -13 ^^~ liament, relative to surely a good deal than my lord marthe succession; but quis; his hair and beard of a light it was necessary to auburn; his face well proportioned, take some active steps to redeem her amiable, and of a good complexion; promise respecting her marriage. Ac- without show of redness or over-palecordingly, the Earl of Sussex was ness; his countenance and speech cheerdespatched to Vienna, to congratulate ful, very courteous, and not without the Emperor Maximilian on his coro- some state; hisbody well shaped, without nation, and at the same time to treat deformity of blemish; his hands very with his brother, the Archduke Charles, good and fair; his legs clean, well respecting his long-agitated marriage proportioned, and of sufficient bigness 574 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. for his stature; his feet as good as to go to the latter; meaning to sound may be. him to the bottom in all causes,'and to " So, as upon my duty to your Ma- find whether such matter as he had utjesty, I find not one deformity, mis- tered to me before, proceeded from him, shape, nor any thing to be noted worthy bond fide, or were but words of form. disliking in his whole person; but con- " His Highness answered:-' Count, trariwise, I find his whole shape to be I have heard by the Emperor of the good, worthy commendation and liking order of your dealing with him, and I in all respects, and such as is rarely to be have had dealings with you myself; found in such a Prince. His Highness, wherewith he and I rest very well conbesides his natural language of Dutch, tented: but truly, I never rested more speaketh very well Spanish and Italian, contented of any thing than I do of this and, as I hear, Latin. His dealings dealing, wherein, besides your duty to withme are verywise; his conversations her that bath trusted you, you show such as much contenteth me; and none what you are yourself, for the which I returneth discontented from his corn- honour you as you are worthy.'-Pardon pany. He is greatly beloved here of all me, I beseech your Majesty, in writing men; the chiefest gallants of these parts the words he spake of himself, for they. are his men, and.follow his court; the serve to indicate his natural disposition most of them have travelled other coun- and inclination:-' And although I have tries, speak many languages, and behave always had a good hope of the Queen's themselves properly; and truly we can- honourable dealing in this manner, yet not be so glad to have him come to us, I have heard so much of her not meanas they will be sad to have him go from ing to marry, as might give me cause to them. He is reported to be wise, liberal, suspect the worst; but understanding valiant, and of great courage; which, in by the Emperor your manner of dealing the last wars, he well shewed in defend- with him-perceiving as I do presently ing his country from the Turks with his by your words, I think myself bound own force alone, and giving them divers ( herewith he doffed his cap) to honour, overthrows when they attempted any love, and serve her Majesty while I thing against his rules; and he is uni- live; and will firmly credit what you versally (which I most weigh) noted to on her Majesty's behalf have said; and, be of such virtue as he was never spotted therefore, so I might hope her Majesty or touched with any noteable vice or would bear with me for my conscience.* crime, which is much in a Prince of his I know not that thing in the world that years, endowed with such qualities. He I would refuse to do at her command. delighteth much in hunting, riding, And surely I have from the beginning hawking, exercise of feats of arms, and of this matter settled my heart upon hearing of music, whereof he hath good her, and never thought of any other practice. He hath some understanding wife, if she would think me worthy to in astronomy and cosmography, and be her husband; and therefore be bold taketh pleasure in clocks that set forth to inform her Majesty truly herein, for the course of the planets. I will not fail in my part of anything, "He hath for his portion the countries as I trust sufficient appeareth to you by of Styria, Carinthia, Friola, Trieste, what I have heretofore said.' and Istria: and hath the government of "In such like talk, to this effect," what is left in Crotia; wherein he may proceeds Sussex, " his Highness spent ride without entering into any other almost two hours with me, which I have man's territories, near three hundred thought my duty to acquaint your Mamiles. jesty; and hereupon I gather, that reOn the twenty-sixth of October, he putation ruleth him much for the preagain writes to her Majesty:- sent in this case of religion; and that "Since the despatch of my other if God couple you together in liking, letters, upon the resolutionof the Em- you shall have of him a true husband, peror and the Archduke, I took occasion * The Archduke Charles was a Catholic. ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 575 a loving companion, a wise counsellor, void; and the Queen herself, being preand a faithful servant; and we shall sent, took a solemn oath that it was exhave as virtuous a prince as ever ruled: torted and forced from her. In two days God grant (though you are worthy a such multitudes repaired to her from all great deal better than he, if he were to parts, that she raised an army of six be found) that our wickedness be not thousand men, and forthwith attacked such as we should be unworthy of him, the rebel army, headed by the Regent or of such as he is."* Murray. The result of the battle was Every reader must regret, who peruses disastrous to Mary, who betook herself these interesting letters, that the nego- to flight, and rode the same day a distiation should, like all others that had tance of sixty miles; when coming by preceded it, have failed of the desired night to Maxweltown, the seat of Lord success. Religion, it would appear, Herries, she preferred exposing herself furnished the only objection which could to the mercy of the sea, and relying be urged against the marriage; and the upon Elizabeth's protection, than upon Archduke merely stipulated for the per- the fidelity of her faithless subjects. But formance of Catholic worship in a pri- before embarking, she sent to her a spevate room of the palace, at which none cial messenger, with a valuable diamond but himself and his attendants should that Elizabeth had formerly given her be present. He consented to accom- for a pledge of their mutual love and pany the Queen regularly to the services friendship, to acquaint her that she meant of the Church of England; and for a to come to England, and demand suctime to suspend the exercise of his own cour from her, if her own subjects any religion, should any disputes arise. In longer pursued her by civil war. Elizashort, he asked no greater indulgence beth promised her all the kindness and on this point, than what was enjoyed love of a royal sister; Mary, however, by all the ambassadors of Catholic did not wait the return of the messenger, princes. But even this, it was affirmed, but committed herself to the master of a was more than the Queen could grant small vessel, against the advice and with safety. The majority of the people, counsel of her friends, and on the sevenhowever, believed that Leicester, the teenth of May, with Lords Herries and Queen's favourite, was at the bottom of Fleming, and some few others, arrived all-that he it was who thwarted the at Warrington, in Cumberland. The negotiations, by means of one of his same day, she wrote to Elizabeth a letown creatures, for whom he had pro- ter in French, detailing the wrongs she cured the second rank in the embassy of had suffered, her present misfortunes, the Earl of Sussex. He also laboured and imploring to be admitted to a pernight and day in prejudicing the mind sonal conference with her. of Elizabeth against the proposed union, Elizabeth pretended to be moved by which would have put a finishing stroke this affecting epistle, and in letters, and to his favouritism. by the mouth of Sir Francis Knowles On the second of May, 1568, Mary, and others, she promised her assistance, Queen of Scots, who had for some time according to the equity of her cause; been confined a prisoner in Lochleven but, nevertheless, she refused her access castle, by her rebellious subjects, escaped to her person, and commanded that she from thence by means of a youth named should be conveyed to Carlisle, where George Douglas, to whose brother she she might remain in security; and if her had been committed in charge, and re- adversaries attempted any thing against paired to Hamilton castle, where, with her, the governor of the place and the the unanimous consent of all the nobles, gentlemen of the county would protect who flocked thither in great numbers, a her. Having received this answer and definite decree was issued, declaring that refusal, Mary again wrote to Elizabeth, the act of resignation, extorted by fear by the hands of Lord Herries, beseechfrom the prisoner Queen, was null and ing more earnestly than heretofore to be * Lodge's Illustrations. permitted to enter Elizabeth's presence, 676 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. or else to be allowed to depart to rested himself on a cushion, should take France. heed, and look to himself." At the same These letters, and the communications time, the Queen took the Duke aside of Lord Herries, seemed to move Eliza- into a gallery, where she rebuked him beth to compassion for a Princess, her sharply for having sought the Queen of near kinswoman, and one who, in deep Scots in marriage without her leave and distress, had thrown herself upon the permission, commanding him at his peril protection of the English Queen, with to prosecute the matter. The Duke the sure hope of finding aid and succour; promised to comply, but discerning that but this compassion, if sincere, speedily her Majesty was irritated against him, gave way to feelings of revenge, and a and perceiving, also, that many noblecruel, selfishpolicy,which led Elizabeth to men withdrew themselves by decrees violate all principles of right or justice, by from his familiarity, departed for Tondetaining the royal fugitive, whom, in don, without leave, and, upon the way, the end, she basely brought to the scaf- took up his abode at the mansion of the fold. Earl of Pembroke-a nobleman who soNo greater proof can be given of the laced and consoled him in his affliction. innocence of the unfortunate Mary, That very day, Elizabeth, moved with Queen of Scots, than the offer of mar- anger, refused to set at liberty the prisoner riage made her by the Duke of Norfolk, Queen; and to the Scottish ambassador, the highest nobleman at the court of who implored it of her Majesty, she comElizabeth; and nothing can more fully manded that she should behave herself prove the secret rancour, malignity, and peaceably, or else she should see shortly, jealousy of Elizabeth, than her success- those upon whom she most relied, cut off ful endeavours to prevent the match tak- and beheaded! The Duke of Norfolk was ing place. The first rumours of this afterwards sent to the Tower. intended marriage reached the ears of "Finally," says the early historian Elizabeth by some of those crafty and from whom we extract these interesting curious courtezans, who are always ready particulars, " the Earl of Leicester, being to pry into and find out the secrets of at Tichfield, anddreading the anger of Elilovers. On learning how matters stood, zabeth, from the part which he had acted the Duke of Norfolk laboured with his in this affair, feigned himself suddenly ill, utmost power to make a proposition for and being immediately visited and grathis marriage with Mary to the Queen ciously comforted by the Queen, he was of England. For this end he consulted seized with such fear, that her Majesty the Earls of Leicester and Pembroke, could easily discern it, beholding his blood and Sir Nicholas Throgmorton, but and vital senses to shrink in himsef, that finally kept putting it off, and deferring he declared unto her all the business it from day to day, expecting a fitter from the beginning, imploring her partime and opportunity. Cecil, seeing the don with such sighs and tears, that the Duke perplexed in his mind, and know- Queen could not refrain from embracing ing also the cause, advised him to de- her favourite." dare the matter at once to the Queen, On the fifth of March, 1569, Pope in order that all obstacles to the match Pius the Fifth fulminated a papal bull might the sooner be taken away. But against Elizabeth, pronouncing her, the the Earl of Leicester was averse to that pretended Queen of England, an usurper proceeding, and promised to propound of the sovereignty of the Church in the same to her Majesty, when she England, a heretic, and a favourer of should walk abroad in the fields. But heretics, and excommunicating her, and whilst he, by great courtesy, thus de- absolving her subjects from their oaths ferred the matter, Elizabeth, being at of duty, fidelity, and obedience to her. Farnham, caused the Duke of Norfolk This sentence greatly discomposed to approach near unto her table, and Elizabeth, who was not prepared for with a most grave and serious smile, such a mark of the Pope's displeasure. warned him, " That he who reposed, and As a proof of the annoyance it caused ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 577 her court, one Felton, who had fixed the Gresham, as an encouragement to the bull upon the gate of the Bishop of Lon- citizens, offered to let the shops rent-free don's Palace, was immediately taken, for one year, to all such as would furtried, found guilty, and hanged, close by nish them with wares, and wax-lights in the palace where he had stuck up the honour of the Queen's visit; accordobnoxious instrument. He died, glory- ingly, a most gorgeous display was made, ing in that he had suffered as a martyr to to captivate her Majesty, of the richest the Church of Rome. For the rest, the commodities and the most exquisite mabull fell harmless on the head of Eliza- nufactures, from all quarters of the beth. The principles of the Reforma- globe. The result satisfied the santion had already made too much pro- guine expectations of Sir Thomas, gress to be affected by the Pope's angry and ever afterwards the shops of the efforts, and the Catholic powers took no Royal Exchange became the favourite notice of the circumstance, but renewed resort of the fashionable and mercantile their intercourse with the court of Eli- world. The building was destroyed by zabeth. the great fire of London. It was speedily In January, 1571, the Queen, at- rebuilt on a much more magnificent tended by a splendid train, entered the scale, adorned in the centre of the square, city of London, and, after dining with in niches in the walls, with stone statues -Sir Thomas Gresham, the founder of the of all the Kings and Queens of England. Royal txchatthge, repaired to the Bourse, This last became a prey to destruction and minutely visited every part of it. on the tenth of January, 1838. The The merchants of London had hitherto new Royal Exchange, commenced in been unprovided with any building in 1840, under the direction of the skilful the nature of a Bourse or Exchange, architect, Mr. Tite, was opened by the such as were established in the great Queen in state, accompanied by her micommercial cities of Flanders. This de- nisters and a grand civic procession, on sideratum Sir Thomas munificently of- the twenty-eighth of October, 1844. fered to supply, if the City would give About the year 1571, died Sir Nicholas him a piece of ground for the purpose, Throgmorton, the esteemed ambassador and to build them one at his own ex- of Elizabeth-a man ofexperience, judgpense. Accordingly, the edifice was be- ment, and energy. Being at supper at gun in 1567, and finished within three the house of the Earl of Leicester, while years. It was a quadrangle of brick, in the act of eating a salad, he was sudwith walks on the ground floor for the denly taken ill, and soon after expired. merchants (who now ceased transacting There were not wanting those who astheir business in the middle aisle of St. serted that he had been poisoned by LeiPaul's Cathedral), with vaults for ware- cester, whom he had deeply offended by houses beneath, and a range of shops quitting his party, to reconcile himself above, from the rent of which the pro- with Cecil, who had recently been inprietor sought some remuneration for vested with the dignity of Baron of his heavy outlay. The shops, however, Burleigh, in reward for his long and let but slowly, and it was partly with faithful services. The hostility of Leithe view of bringing them into vogue, cester extended to other branches of the that the Queen promised her counte- family of Throgmorton. On some slight nance to the undertaking. pretext, he procured from his royal misThe spacious mansion of Sir Thomas tress the dismissal of Sir John ThrogGresham, which Queen Elizabeth ho- morton, the brother of Sir Nicholas, noured with her presence, is situated in from his office of Chief Justice of ChesBishopsgate Street, and is still extant. ter-an unmerited disgrace, which Sir On the occasion of this memorable visit, John did not long survive. The proud the Queen caused proclamation to be and haughty Elizabeth, and her favourite, made by sound of trumpet, that hence- Leicester, never forgot the manly bearforward Sir Thomas Gresham's Bourse ing of Sir Nicholas, when he boldly should be called "the Royal Exchange." gave the lie, by the production of his P P 678 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. own diplomatic instructions, to the crafty before the tribunal of the House of declarations of his own Queen, when he Lords, and having confessed his guilt, of found that she was bent on the ruin of intending to marry the Scottish Queen, the innocent Mary of Scotland. he being a subject of the Queen of EngAfter suffering a long imprisonment, land, he was found guilty, and the Earl the unfortunate Duke of Norfolk, the of Shrewsbury, as Lord High Steward, last of the Howards, was brought to with tears in his eyes, pronounced sentrial, for the alleged offence of sending tence against him. The Queen hesiproposals of marriage to the unfortunate tated for some time in signing his death. Queen Mary, while she was in the hands warrant, but at length the fatal order of her bitter enemy, Queen Elizabeth. was issued, and this high-minded nobleThat the Queen of England had the man was beheaded on Tower Hill, amid smallest right to interdict this marriage, the lamentations of the multitude. His is denied by the highest legal authori- last words were, "I die innocent, but ties. It was an act of cruel perfidy, and God will not let my death be unreadds another deed to the catalogue of venged!" Then he whispered someher numerous crimes. Norfolk had, in thing to the Dean of St. Paul's, who, his first alarm at having been questioned turning to the people, said:' The Duke on the subject by Elizabeth, in an un- entreateth you all to pray with him, that guarded moment, been induced to pro- God would be merciful to him; and that mise his Sovereign to abstain from pro- you would be silent, that his spirit be not secuting his suit with the Scottish disturbed!" He forgave his executioner, Queen; but on recovering from his sur- and refused to put the handkerchief over prise, and recollecting the previous in- his face, which he offered him, saying, terchange between himself and Mary of "I fear not death!" Then, kneeling the most solemn promises of marriage, down, his heart lifted up to God on high, he felt he was under obligations of too he prostrated himself on the scaffold, the sacred a nature to be dissolved by any Dean praying intently with him; then verbal promise subsequently made to laying his neck over the block, at one Elizabeth, As a chivalrous knight and stroke his head was cut off, which the a gentleman, the Duke was bound in executioner held up!-a lamentable sight honour, not only to endeavour to pro- to the people, who sobbed aloud.-" It cure the release of the captive Princess, is almost incredible," says an early hisby every lawful means in his power, but torian, who was present at the spectacle, also to claim, at all hazards, the fair "how dearly the people loved him, and hand which had been plighted to him, how, by his natural benignity and courin full reliance upon his honour and teous actions, he had gained the hearts fidelity. Impressed with these senti- of the multitude. He was so nobly ments, the Duke, in return to a letter of born, so gentle by nature, so comely of eloquent remonstrance from Mary, which person, of so manly an aspect, so perfect she found means to convey to him, sent in every respect! He was, in a word, her an answer, replete with the most so- the greatest honour and ornament of his lemn assurances of his inviolable con- country!" stancy. This letter was intercepted by In Puttenham's "Arte of English the emissaries of Elizabeth, and the Poesie," we find the following sonnet Duke was forthwith put on his trial, on written by the Queen, soon after the the ridiculous pretence of an attempt to execution of Norfolk. Its authenticity dethrone Elizabeth, by uniting with is unquestioned, and its principal merit Mary for that ostensible purpose. The consists in its being a royal effusion! Parliament, which was again assembled and, so far, it is a curiosity worthy our after an interval of five years, passed transcribing:some new laws for the protection of the Queen's person from the imminent pe- " The doubt of future foes exiles my present rils by which they saw her environed. And wit me warns to hun such snare as The illustrious Duke was now brought threaten mine annoy; ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. h579 For falsehood now doth flow, and subjects' from fear of giving offence to the Queen, faith doth ebb,many asserted that a private Which would not be if Reason ruled, or a rivate Wisdom weaved the web. marriage had taken place. Afterwards, But clouds of toys untried do cloak aspir- Leicester forsook the mother of his child ing minds, to marry the Countess of Essex, and the Which turn to rain of late repent by cau deserted dybecame the wife of anoof changed winds. deserted lady became the wife of anoThe top of hope supposed the root of truth ther." Many years after the death of will be! Leicester, this son, who was styled Sir And fruitless all their grafted guiles, as Robert Dudley, and to whom his father shortly ye shall see. Those dazzled eyes with pride, with great had left a great part of his fortune, laid ambition blinds, claim to the family honours; bringing Shall be unveiled by worthy wights, whose several witnesses to prove his mother several witnesses to prove his mother's foresight falsehood finds. marriae, and, among others, the lady The daughter of Debate, that eke discord marriage, and, among others, the lady doth sow. herself. The latter declared, on oath, Shall reap no gain where former rule hath that Leicester, in order to compel her taught still peace to grow. to form that subsequent marriage in his No foreign banish'd wight shall anchor in this port, life-time, which had deprived her of Our realm it brooks no strangers' force, let the power of reclaiming him as her them elsewhere resort. husband, had employed the most violent Our rusty sword with rest shall first his edge employ, menaces; and had even attempted her To pull their tops that seek such change, life by a poisonous potion, which had and gape for joy." thrown her into a fit of alarming illness, In Lodge's Illustrations are given se- and caused the hair of her head and her veral letters from Lord Talbot to his nails to drop off! After this extraorfather, the Earl of Shrewsbury, which dinary evidence, the heirs of Leicester disclose some curious details of the endeavoured to stay proceedings; but Queen's favourite, Leicester, and serve Sir Robert Dudley died before the matto more fully depict the recklessness of ter was adjusted. In the following his character. In May, 1573, Lord reign the evidence was again renewed, Talbot thus writes:-" The Earl of Lei- and the title of Duchess of Dudley was cester is much with her Majesty; he is conferred on the widow of Sir Robert; more than ever solicitous to please her, the patent setting forth, that the marand is as high in her favour as at any riage of the Earl of Leicester with Lady period of his intercourse with the Queen; Sheffield had been satisfactorily proved'! but there are two sisters, Lady Sheffield -Such were the villanies of this celeand Lady Frances Howard, who are brated favourite, and what must be the also deeply in love with him, and conse- character of the maiden Queen in the eyes quently at variance with each other. of posterity, when facts like these are On this account the Queen is very angry proved! with them, and, of course, notwell pleased Christopher Hatton was a new comwith Leicester; and has set spies to petitor for the smiles of royalty; and watch his motions. To such open de- bright was the dawn of fortune and famonstrations of feminine jealousy does vour which at this period awaited him. this great Queen condescend to have re- He was of a decayed family of Norcourse! It appears, that a criminal in- thamptonshire, and had recently comtimacy was known to subsist between menced the study of the law at one of Leicester and Lady Sheffield, even be- the inns of court, when hope or curifore the death of her husband; in con- osity prompted him to gain admittance sequence of which, this event was ge- at some court festival, where he had an nerally attributed to the Italian arts of opportunity of dancing before Elizabeth Leicester, Lord Sheffield's death being in a mask. His personal figure and sudden, and preceded by violent synip- graceful attitudes so captivated the fancy toms. In the commencement of this of the amorous Queen, that she immediyear, Lady Sheffield bore him a son, ately bestowed upon him such flattering whose birth was carefully concealed, marks of attention as could not be mis 580 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. understood, which at once decided the the part of Elizabeth, permission to rehappy student to quit the dry profession pair to the baths of Buckstone (Buxton of the law, for the more congenial pur- Wells) for the recovery of her health; suits of court favouritism. The hand- and a similar motive led thither the some appearance and gay accomplish- Lord Treasurer Burleigh. Elizabeth ments of Christopher Hatton were remarked the coincidence, and when, a unexpectedly found to be combined with year afterwards, it again occurred, her an amiable heart and a solid understand- displeasure broke forth into sudden vioing. He possessed a prudent, cautious lence. She openly accused her minister temperameht, with the most enlightened of entering into intelligence with Mary, views of human nature; and, after ma by means of the Earl of Shrewsbury and ture deliberation, Elizabeth, with that his lady, under whose charge she repenetrating judgment of men and mea- mained at Buxton. It was with much sures which always distinguished her difficulty that he succeeded in appeasing conduct, and in defiance of ridicule, and the Queen. The following extract from the opinions of the court, gradually pro a letter, written by Burleigh himself to moted her new favourite, till at length the Earl of Shrewsbury, will illustrate she elevated him to the dignity of Lord this striking fact:Chancellor. He discharged the arduous duties of his high office with prudence " My lord, it is over true, and over and ability, and speedily became a gene- much against reason, that upon my beral favourite. He was the only one of ing at Buckstone last year, advantage Elizabeth's ministers who lived and was sought by some that loved me not, died a bachelor; consequently he was to confirm in her Majesty a formal conexempt from all those jealousies and ceit which some had laboured to put vexations which awaited those of the into her head; that I was of late time royal favourites who dared to enter the become friendly to the Queen of Scots, married state. Lord Talbot mentions, and that I had no disposition to thwart that at this period Hatton was ill and her practices; and now, at my being at confined to his bed, and that the Queen Pluckstone, her Majesty did directly conwent daily to visit him; but that a party ceive that my being there was, by means with whom Leicester was leagued, were of your lordship and my lady, to enter doing all in their power to bring for- into intelligence with the Queen of ward another royal favourite to supplant Scots; and hereof at my return to her him. This gentleman's name was Ed- Majesty's presence, I had very sharp reward Dyer: he had been for two years proofs for my going to Buckstone, with in disgrace; and as he was during all plain charging of me for favouring the that time suffering under a bad state of Queen of Scots; and that in so earnest health, Elizabeth was made to believe, a sort as I never looked for, knowing that the continuance of her displeasure my integrity to her Majesty; but, espewas the sole cause of his malady, and cially, knowing how contrariously the that his recovery was considered hope- Queen of Scots conceived of me for many less, unless he received her royal par- things past. And yet, true it is, I never don. The Queen immediately, on hear- indeed gave just cause, by any private ing this, despatched to the sick favour- affection of my own, or for myself, to ite a comfortable message, on receipt of offend the Queen of Scots, but whatever which, the poor, silly, weak gentleman I did was for the service of mine own was restored to health! Lord Talbot lady and queen, which, if it were yet adds, "to the honour of Lord Burleigh, again to be done, I would do. And he concerned himself, as usual, only though I know myself subject to conin state affairs, and suffered all these love trary workings of displeasure, yet I will matters and petty court intrigues to not, for remedy of any of them, decline pass over without notice." from the duty I owe to God and my Mary, Queen of Scots, in the year sovereign queen. For I know and do 1574, obtained, not without difficulty on understand, that I am in this contrary ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 581 sort maliciously aspersed, and yet in se- was the result of some private intrigue cret sort; on the one part, and that of between Lady Shrewsbury and the caplong time, that I am the most dangerous tive Queen. In consequence, Elizabeth, enemy and evil willer to the Queen of with her usual cruelty in all cases of Scots; on the other side, that I am also this description, committed to prison, a secret well-wilier to her and her title; not only the mother of the bride, but and that I have made nmy party good also the unfortunate Countess of Lenwith her. Now, my lord, no man can nox, who was destined to undergo such make both these true together, but it an accumulation of sufferings for having sufficeth for such as like not me in do- been the innocent cause of inducing her ing my duty, to deprive me; and yet son Darnley to marry the Queen of such sort is done in darkness as I can- Scots, thereby giving an heir to the Brinot get opportunity to convince them in tish throne! It was by such cruel acts the light. In all these crossings, my of oppression and illegal violence that good lord, I appeal to God, who know- the fame of Elizabeth was tarnished, eth, yea, I thank Him infinitely who and her name handed down with infamy directeth, my thoughts, to intend prin- to posterity. cipally the service and honour of God; In the autumn of 1576, the death of and jointly with that, the surety and Walter Devereux, Earl of Essex and greatness of my sovereign lady, the Marshal of Ireland, took place in DubQueen's Majesty: and for any other re- lin. No domestic event had for a long spect but what may tend to these two, I time occasioned so strong a sensation appeal to God to punish me, if I have at the court of Elizabeth. His unany. As for the Queen of Scots, truly timely end was deeply deplored. He I have no spot of evil meaning to her; was learned, talented, and of illustrious neither do I mean to deal with any titles descent, deriving part of his hereditary to the crown. If she shall intend any honours from the noble family of Bourevil to the Queen's Majesty, my sove- chier, through a daughter of Thomas of reign, for her sake I must and will im- Woodstock, youngest son of Edward the peach; and therein I may be unfriendly Third. In his nineteenth year he sucto her or worse.... ceeded his grandfather, as Viscount "' My lord, I pray you bear my scrib- Hereford, and, coming to court, attracted bling, which I think your lordship will the merited commendations of Elizabeth, hardly be able to read; and yet I would and the jealousy of Leicester. During not use any man's hand in such a matter a short period, he was joined in comas this is. mission with the Earls of Huntingdon " Your lordship's most assured at and Shrewsbury, for the safe keeping of command, Mary, the Scottish Queen. In the "W. BURLEIGH. troubles of Scotland, he joined the "From Hampton Court, 25th December, royal army with all the forces he could 1575." muster, and in reward for his services, Elizabeth conferred on him the order of The Countess of Shrewsbury, a wo- the garter, and subsequently invested man remarkable for a violent, restless, him with the dignity of Earl of Essex. and intriguing spirit, concluded, in 1574, By these marks of royal favour, the jeaa marriage between Elizabeth Caven- lousy of Leicester was strongly excited. dish, her daughter by a former husband, In 1575, he was, through the agency of and Charles Stuart, brother of Lord Leicester, for his own vile purposes, sent Darnley, and next to the King of Scots to Ireland, with the title of Marshal of in the order of succession to the crowns, that country. His efforts to restore orboth of England and Scotland. The der in that distracted portion of the rooted enmity between Mary, Queen of Queen's dominions, were unsuccessful. Scots, and the house of Lennox was well His court enemies, among whom Leiknown, notwithstanding which, Eliza- cester was conspicuous, contrived to dibeth at once suspected, that this union vert most of the succours designed him 582 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. by him by his sovereign; and the bodily assure yourselves, that we taking up fatigue endured in his arduous duties, on us the debt, not as his, but our own, joined to the anguish of a wounded spi- will take accordingly, to discharge the rit, impaired his constitution, and, after same in such honourable sort, as so repeated attacks, he at last fell a victim well deserving creditors, that ye shall to dysentery. The symptoms of his never have cause to think ye have met disease were also ascribed to poison; with ungrateful debtors, &c., &c. and one of his attendants, who had a EIZ E "E ELIZABETH." knowledge of medicine, seeing him in great agony, suddenly exclaimed:-" By In August, 1578, the Earl of Sussex heavens, my lord, you are poisoned!" wrote an eloquent letter to the Queen. The report spread like wild-fire, and urging her marriage with the Duke of Leicester, known to behisbitterestenemy, Anjou. But, what was of more avail. was immediately pointed at as the con- the French Prince sent over to England, triver of his death. Leicester, who was to plead his cause, an agent named universally believed to be capable of any Simier, a person of sparkling wit, brilenormity, hadlong carried on an intrigue liant conversational powers, and who with the Countess of Essex, and his was an adept at the art of ingratiating subsequent marriage with that lady himself with royalty, by a thousand served as a strong corroboration of the amusing and pleasing attentions; and charge. This union, however, was not by that inordinate flattery-the characpublicly declared till two years after- teristic feature of his nation-which is wards, although a criminal connection rarely thrown away, even upon the between the parties was stated to have gravest of mankind. A suit thus so existed during the life-time of the Earl, agreeably urged, Elizabeth had not forand a private marriage was huddled up titude to dismiss abruptly: "Her Mawith indecent precipitation on his de- jesty," says Lord Talbot, "continueth cease. her very good usage of Monsieur Simier, Notwithstanding the dark suspicion and all his suite; and he hath conferto which the death of Essex had given ence with her three or four times a birth, nothing could injure Leicester in week; and the Queen is always best the favour of his royalmistress. He, above disposed and pleasantest when she talk all others, was emphatically the man eth with him, (as by her gesture appearaccording to her own heart. This is eth) that is possible. The opinion of strikingly exemplified in the following the Duke's coming over still holdeth." authentic epistle addressed by Elizabeth, The influence of Simier over the Queen with unblushing effrontery, to the Earl became at length so powerful, that Leiand Countess of Shrewsbury, in the cester, and his infamous adherents, remonth of June, 1577: ported that he had employed philtres, and other unlawful means, to inspire the " OUR VERY GOOD COUSINS:- Queen with love for his master! On " Being given to understand, his part, Simier amply retaliated these from our cousin of Leicester, how ho- hostilities, by carrying to her Majesty nourably he was not only lately received the first tidings of the secret marriage of by you our cousin, the Countess, at her favourite with the Countess of EsChatsworth; and his diet by you both sex; a fact which Leicester had studidischarged at Buxtone; but also pre- ously concealed from his royal mistress, sented with a very rare present; we and which none of her courtiers, who should do him great wrong (holdinglhim were aware of the circumstance, had the in that place of favour we do) in case we courage to communicate. It was by should not let you understand, in how this time, however, widely known, as the thankful a sort we accept the same at Countess's father, Sir Francis Knolles, both your hands, not as done unto him, had insisted, for the sake of his daughbut to our own self, reputing him as ter's reputation, which had been sullied ainother self; and, therefore, ye may by a previous illicit connection with ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 583 Leicester, that the celebration of the to the favourite, giving weight to his nuptials should be as public as possible. remonstrance, when advocating a mild The rage, vexation, and disappoint- treatment, Elizabeth prudently curbed ment of the Queen, on hearing the her anger,and shortly afterwards restored Frenchman's disclosure of the marriage the Earl, not to favour, but, what was of her favourite, Leicester, exceeded all then more prized by him, to liberty. bounds of decency and decorum. That After a time, he was again admitted to Leicester, the dearest of her favourites, her presence, but he never afterwards should form such a connection, such an regained her affections; and his unfortuindissoluble tie, and that too with her nate Countess remained ever after the own near relation, without even consult- object of her utter aversion, antipathy, ing her, imploring her sanction, or sup- and hatred. plicating her forgiveness-and that, The quarrel between Leicester and after having formed it, he should have Simier, in consequence of the French concealed the horrid fact from her, when envoy disclosing the marriage of Leiknown to her whole court;-appeared, to cester to the Queen, proceeded to such her jaundiced eyes, the very acme of in- an extremity, that Simier believed his gratitude, perfidy, baseness, and insult! life to be in imminent danger from the Like a weak, disappointed, and jealous attempts of his adversary. One of the woman, she felt the injury inflicted on Queen' s guard, it is said, had actually her happiness, and like an arbitrary, been hired by Leicester to assassinate tyrannical Queen, she resented the in- the envoy, and the plan was only frusdignity offered to her person! trated by accident. Her Majesty even She instantly ordered Leicester to be found it necessary, by a royal proclamaimprisoned in a small fort, then stand- tion, to take Simier under her special ing in Greenwich park; and she threw protection. It was during the turmoil out the menace, and actually entertained occasioned by these disgraceful proceedthe design, of sending him to the Tower. ings, that, as the Queen was taking her But the honourable and lofty mind of accustomed recreation on the Thames, the Earl of Sussex, her royal kinsman, attended by this Frenchman, and several revolted against proceedings so violent, of her courtiers, a shot was fired into so lawless, and so utterly disgraceful in the royal barge, which narrowly escaped every point of view. He plainly, but taking effect on the person of her Mafirmly, represented to her the danger of jesty, but severely wounded one of the the course she was about to pursue- royal boatmen. The shot was, doubtless, that it was contrary to all right and aimed at Simier, and when one of the justice, that any man, no matter his sta- lords expressed an opinion that it was tion, or under whatever circumstances he pointed at her Majesty, the Queen might be placed by any previous con- promptly silenced him, declaring " that nection, should be punished for lawful she would believe nothing of her subjects matrimony; a state which was held in that parents would not believe of their honour by all; and his known hostility children." 584 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. CHAPTER VIII. Arrival of the Duke of Anjou-The Queen at length anxious to marry-Stubbs' book against the match-His cruel punishment-.Death of Bacon-Arrival of Drake-The Queen's marriage revived-Splendid reception of the French Embassy-The Duke of Anjoz's second visit to Elizabeth-Personal anecdotes of the Queen. FTER this attempted On the whole, those who pronounced in __,,,.. assassination, Lei- favour of the marriage, did so almost cester found himself avowedly in compliance with the wishes Il;lffil'^'!fso coldly treated by of the Queen, whose inclination to the;, l _ -' E hlizabeth, that, in alliance had become very ardent, since a letter to Lord the visit of her youthful suitor; whilst Purleigh, he threat- such as opposed it were moved by strong ened to banish him- and earnest convictions of the gross self; well knowing, perhaps, that, for impropriety and thorough unsuitableness fear of the consequences of such a of the match with respect to Elizabeth step to the fame of his royal mistress, herself, and of the evils which, on acthe threat would not be tolerated; whilst count of the difference of religion, it was the French Prince adroitly seized the likely to entail on the nation. moment of the Earl's disgrace, to try the " Instead of immediately obeying her effect of personal solicitations on the Majesty's command, that they should heart of Elizabeth. He arrived, unex- come to a formal decision on the quespectedly, and almost without attendants, tion, they hesitated, temporized, exat the gate of her palace at Greenwich, pressed their readiness to be entirely was graciously received by her Majesty, guided, in a matter so personal to herand, after several long conferences in self, by her feelings and wishes; and private, took his leave and returned inquired whether, under all the circumhome, leaving his cause to the skilful stances, she was desirous of their coming management of his own agent, and the to a full determination. This message ambassadors of his brother, the King of was reported to her Majesty in the France. At this period, the privy-coun- forenoon (October seventh, 1579), and cil, by command of her Majesty, held she allowed herself to be well pleased long and frequent meetings, for the dis- with the dutiful offer of their services. cussion of her proposed marriage with Nevertheless, she uttered many speeches, the Duke of Anjou. From the Burleigh and regretted, not without shedding Papers, where the discussions are given tears, that she should find in her counin detail, we extract the subjoined cillors, by their long disputations, any interesting particulars. disposition to make it doubtful, whether "The Earl of Sussex was still strongly there could be any more surety for her in favour of the match. Lord Hunsdon and her realm, than to have her marry followed on the same side, as did also and have a child of her own body to the Earl of Lincoln, the Lord Admiral. inherit, and so continue the line of Burleigh laboured to support the mea- Henry the Eighth; and she condemned sure, but evidently against his judgment, herself for simplicity, in committing and in order to please the Queen. Lei- this matter to be argued by them; for cester openly professed to have changed that she thought to have rather had an his opinion,' for her majesty,' said he, universal request made to her to proceed' was to be followed.' Sir Walter Mild- in this marriage, than to have made may, Sir Ralph Sadler, and Sir Henry doubt of it; and being much troubled Sidney, strongly opposed the measure. herewith, she requested the bearers of ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 586 this message to forbear her till the after- for me, now my calamity is near at noon. hand." And with these words it was "On their return, she repeated her smitten off, whereof he fainted away! displeasure; then endeavoured, at some Stubbs was further punished, by an length, to refute the objections brought imprisonment of several months in the against the match; and finally, her Tower; but under all these inflictions, great misliking of all opposition, and his courage and cheerfulness were supher earnest desire for the marriage, ported by a firm persuasion of the goodbeing reported to her faithful council, ness of the cause for which he suffered. they agreed, after long consultations, to While in prison, he wrote many letters offer their services in furtherance of the to his friends with his left hand, signmarriage, should such really be her ing them Secrevola; a name which he pleasure." adopted in memory of his punishment. Matters were in this state, when the Such was the high opinion entertained unfortunate Stubbs, a gentleman of Lin- by Burleigh of his theological learning, coin's Inn, wrote and published a book, and the soundness of his principles, that entitled, " The Discovery of a gaping he afterwards engaged him to answer a Gull, wherein England is like to be violent work of Cardinal Allen, entitled, swallowed by another French marriage,' The English Justice,' a task which he if the Lord forbid not the bans, by let- performed with distinguished ability. ting her see the sin and punishment The learned Sir Nicholas Bacon, who, thereof." The author was known as a under the title of Lord Keeper, had exzealous puritan, and had given his sister ercised, from the beginning of Elizain marriage to the celebrated Edmund beth's reign, the office of Lord High Cartwright, the leader of the sect. A Chancellor, died in 1579, generally refurious proclamation was issued against gretted. He filled this important post the book, by order of Elizabeth; all with superior assiduity, uprightness, and the copies were ordered to be seized and ability; and several pleasing traits are burned; and the author and publisher related of his polite and amiable disbeing proceeded against, in virtue of a position. On the occasion of a visit severe statute of Philip and Mary, they from Elizabeth, she graciously remarked, were found guilty, and condemned to that his house was too little for him; the barbarous punishment of amputation "No, madam," replied the Chancellor, of the right hand. "but you have made me too little for On being brought to the scaffold to my house!" By his second wife, one of undergo this sentence, Stubbs addressed the learned daughters of Sir Anthony the multitude to the following effect:- Cook, a woman of a keen and pene" I am come hither to receive my pu- trating intellect, he became the father nishment, according to the law. I am of two sons, Antony and the renowned sorry for the loss of my hand, and more Francis Bacon, the splendid dawn of sorry to lose it by judgment; but most whose unrivalled genius his father was of all with her Majesty's indignation fortunate to behold. and evil opinion. For my hand, I es- Elizabeth frequently visited Sir Niteem it not so much; for I think I cholas Bacon, conversed with him famicould have saved it, and might do yet; liarly; took pleasure in the flashes of but I will not have a guilty heart and an wit, which often relieved the seriousness infamous hand. I pray you all to pray of his wisdom; and flattered with kind with me, that God will strengthen me condescension his parental feelings, by to endure and abide the pain that I am the extraordinary notice which she beto suffer, and grant me this grace, that stowed on his son Francis, whose brightthe loss of my hand do not withdraw ness and solidity of parts early maniany part of my duty and affection toward fested themselves to her discerning eye; her Majesty." When the hand was and caused her to predict, that her ready on the block to be struck off, he "little Lord Keeper would one day prove said repeatedly to the people; "Pray an eminent man." 686 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. In November, 1580, Admiral Drake, extravagant style. Branches of fruits after being absent about three years, of various kinds were hung from fesduring which time he sailed round the toons of ivy, bay, rosemary, and differworld, reached Plymouth harbour in entflowers; the wholeprofuselysprinkled safety. He was the first Englishman with gold spangles: the ceiling was by whom this great and novel enterprise, painted of a sky colour, with stars, sunof sailing round the globe, had been beams, and clouds, intermixed with successfully achieved; and both himself scutcheons of the royal arms; and a and his ship became the objects of public profusion of glass lustres illuminated curiosity and wonder. His courage, the place. In this gorgeous palace the skill, and perseverance were extolled in French ambassadors were entertained by the highest degree; the wealth which Elizabeth, at several splendid banquets, he had brought homefrom the plunder while her ministers were engaged, at of the Spanish settlements aroused the her command, in drawing up the mardaring spirit of adventure peculiar to riage articles! In the meanwhile, several Englishmen, and half the youth of the of her youthful courtiers prepared for country were eager to embark on voyages the occasion, what they termed a triof discovery. Elizabeth was lost in ad- umph. The young Earl of Arundel, miration at the conduct of the valiant Lord Windsor, Sir Philip Sydney, and Drake, and during the spring of 1581, Faulke Greville, the four challengers, she accepted the honour of a banquet, styled themselves the foster-children of on board the Admiral's ship, off Dept- Desire; and to that end of the tilt-yard ford: and conferred on him the order where her Majesty was seated, they of knighthood, with many substantial gave the name of the Castle of Perfect marks of royal favour. Beauty. This castle the Queen was Amongst the numerous verses affixed summoned to surrender, in a very to the ship on this occasion, were the courtly message, delivered by a boy following, written by a Winchester dressed in red and white, the colours of scholar:- Desire. On her refusal, a mount, placed on wheels, was rolled into the tilt-yard; "D or, on te wrterculean us te and the four cavaliers rode in, superbly Thou further went'st than any mortal armed and accoutred, each at the head wight: of a splendid troop; and when they had Though Hercules for travel did excel, passed in military order before the Queen, From him and others thou didst bear the the boy who had delivered the former hell." ^the boy who had delivered the former message, again addressed her in the folThe French envoy, Simier, who still lowing terms:remained in London, continued to keep "' If the message lately delivered unto alive the tender impressions excited in you had been believed and followed, 0 the heart of Elizabeth, by the personal Queen! in whom the whole story of attentions of the Duke of Anjou; and virtue is written, with the language of the King of France, now finding more beauty; nothing should this violence leisure to attend to the subject of his have needed in your inviolate presence. brother's marriage with the Queen of Your eyes, which till now have been England, sent over, in 1581, a splendid wont to discern only the bowed knees of embassy, headed by a Prince of the kneeling hearts, and inwardly turned, blood, to arrange the terms of this found always the heavenly peace of a august alliance. A magnificent reception sweet mind, should not now have their was prepared by Elizabeth for these fair beams reflected with the shining of distinguished visitors. "She caused," armour, should not now be driven to see says Holinshed, " to be erected on the the firy of desire, nor the fiery force of south side of her palace of Whitehall, fury! But since so it is (alas! that it is a vast banquetting house, built with so!), that in the defence of obstinate timber, and covered with painted can- refusal there never groweth victory but vas, and decorated inside in the most by compulsion, they are come:-what ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 687 need I say more? You see them, ready nued till the defenders came in. These in heart, as you know, and able with knights were above twenty in number, hands, as they hope, not only to assail, each accompanied by his servants, pages, but to prevail. Perchance you despise and trumpeters. Speeches were then the smallness of number. I sav unto delivered to the Queen: several of the you, the force of desire goeth not by knights appearing in some assumed chafulness of company. Nay, rather view racter. Sir Thomas Perrott and Anwith what irresistible determination they thony Cook personated Adam and Eve; approach; and how, not only the the latter having hair hung all down heavens send their invisible instruments his helmet. The messenger sent on the to aid them [music is heard within the part of Thomas Rateliff, described his mount], but also the very earth, the master as a forlorn knight, whose dedullest of all the elements, which, with spair of achieving the favour of his natural heavings, still strives to the peerless and sunlike mistress, had driven sleepy centre; yet, for advancing this him out of the haunts of men into a enterprise, is content actively (as you cave of the desert, where moss was his shall see) to move itself upon itself, to couch, and moss moistened with tears rise up in height, that it may the better his only food. Even here, however, the command the high-minded fortresses report of this assault upon the Castle of [here the mount rose up in height]. PerfectBeauty had reached his ears, and Many words, when deeds are in the roused him from his slumber of despondfield, are tedious both unto speaker and ency; and, in token of his devoted loyhearer. You see their forces, but know alty and inviolable fidelity to his divine not their fortunes; if you be resolved, it mistress, he sent his shield, which he boots not; and threats dread not. I entreated her to accept, as the ensign have discharged my duty; which was, of her fame, and the instrument of his even when all things were ready for the glory: prostrating himself at her feet, assault, thus to offer parley; a thing not as one ready to undertake any advenso much used as gracious in besiegers. tures in hope of her gracious favour. You shall now be summoned to yield; "Mercury appeared on the part of which if it be rejected, then look for the four sons of Sir Francis Knolles, and the affectionate alarm to be followed described them as legitimate sons of Dewith desirous assault. The time ap- spair, brethren to hard Mishap; suckled proacheth, but no time shall stay me with sighs and swathed up in sorrow; from wishing, that however this succeed, weaned in woe and dry-nursed by Dethe world may long enjoy its chiefest sire; long time fostered with favourable ornament, which decks it with herself- countenance, and wed with sweet fanwith the love of goodness!' cies, but now, alas! of late, wholly given " The rolling mount was now moved over to grief, and disgraced by disdain. close to her Majesty, the music began The speeches being ended, the tilting to play, and one of the boys, accompa- commenced, and lasted till night. It nied with cornets, sung a fresh sum- was resumed the next day with fresh mons to the fortress to surrender. Ano- magnificence, and a few more speeches. ther boy then, turning to the chal- At length the challengers presented to lengers and their retinue, sounded an the Queen an olive bough, in token of alarm, the two cannons were fired, the their humble submission, and both parone with sweet powder, and the other ties were dismissed with thanks and with sweet water, very odoriferous and commendations." pleasant; and the noise of the shooting The articles of the marriage treaty was excellent melody within the mount. were at length completed between Eli. After that, there were a great store of zabeth and the Duke of Anjou; and it pretty scaling ladders, and the footmen was stipulated, that the nuptials should threw flowers and such fancies against take place six weeks after the ratificathe walls, with all such devices as might tion: but Elizabeth, whose vagaries seem fit shot for Desire, allwhich conti- were not yet at an end, had insisted on 588 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. a separate article, purporting that she for Anjou, and held with him a very should not be obliged to complete the long private conversation; after which marriage until further matters, not spe- he returned to his chamber, and hastily cified, should have been settled between throwing from him the ring which she herself and the Duke of Anjou. She had given him, uttered many reproaches sent Walsingham to open new negotia- against the levity and fickleness of Entions at Paris; but no sooner were these glishwomen. satisfactorily terminated, than fresh dif- The French Prince was soon after ficulties were started. Walsingham, called away to the Netherlands; and puzzled and perplexed by such capricious Elizabeth, with evident reluctance to conduct, remained uncertain how to act; part from him, went with him as far as and at length, all the politicians, En- Canterbury. She then dismissed him glish as well as French, were equally with a large supply of money, and a disconcerted, and came to the unanimous splendid retinue of English lords and opinion, that this strange fickleness gentlemen. The parting was mournful could only be put an end to by Elizabeth in the extreme: Elizabeth loth to let herself. Nothing, therefore, remained him go, and the Prince as loth to defor them, but to await, in anxious si- part. Nevertheless, this favourite son lence, her Majesty's pleasure. Not so, of Catherine de Medici was a sufficient however, the royal lover, who conjec- adept in the dissimulation of courts to turing that a tete-a-tete with the object assume with ease all those marks of of his ambition would be more effectual complacency that the case required. than a thousand negotiators, brought to Nor was Elizabeth less accustomed to a speedy conclusion his campaign in the the arts of feigning; she was careful, by Netherlands, which a liberal supply of every manifestation of friendship and money from Elizabeth had rendered esteem, to smooth over the affront which uniformly successful; and putting his she had put upon the brother of the army into winter quarters, hastened reigning monarch of France. The Duke to throw himself at the feet of his of Anjou soon afterwards lost his life in royal mistress. He was welcomed the Netherlands, and thus finally termiwith all the demonstrations of satisfac- nated all hopes of the marriage of Elition which could revive the hopes of a zabeth. suitor: every mark of honour, every The pernicious effects of the flattery pledge of affection, were publicly be- daily and hourly administered to Elizastowed upon the Duke; and Elizabeth, beth, was, about this time, remarked by at the conclusion of a splendid festival one of her domestic chaplains, who, in a on the anniversary of her coronation, sermon preached before the Queen, in even went so far as to take a ring from her chapel royal, had the boldness to her own fair hand and place it on the tell her, that "she who had been once finger of her intended husband. This meek as a lamb, was now become an unpassed in sight of the whole court, who tamable heifer!" for which reproof he, naturally regarded the action as a com- on descending from the pulpit, was plete betrothment; and the long sus- sharply reprimanded by her Majesty, pense being apparently now satisfactorily as "an over-confident and presumptuous terminated, the feelings of each party parson, who insulted and dishonoured broke forth in a variety of ways. Some his sovereign." rejoiced; others grieved and wondered; The decay of her beauty was also an Leicester, Hatton, and Walsingham unwelcome truth, which all the artifices loudly exclaimed that ruin impended of adulation and flattery were unable to over the church, the country, and the conceal from her inward conviction. Queen. The ladies of the court alarmed During the latter years of her life, she and agitated their mistress by tears and could never behold her face in a mirror, lamentations. Her Majesty passed a without rage and disappointment. This sleepless night amid her disconsolate circumstance in no small degree contrihandmaids. The next morning she sent buted to sour her temper, while, at the ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 689 same time, it rendered the young, the Scotland, aggravated the harshness of lively, and the lovely of her court, the her natural disposition. Plans of insurobjects of her hatred and malignity. Sir rection were frequently agitated by conJohn Harrington relates a striking anec- spirators, but as often baffled by the exdote of Elizabeth on this point:-" The traordinary vigilance and sagacity of her Queen would often ask the ladies around ministers, while the courage displayed her chamber, if they loved to think of by Elizabeth herself on these occasions marriage? And the wise ones did con- was truly admirable. It is related by ceal well their liking thereto, as know- Lord Chancellor Bacon, that the council ing the Queen's judgment in this mat- once represented to her the danger in ter. The fair cousin of Sir Matthew which she stood by the continual conArundel, not knowing so deeply as her spiracies against her life; and accompanions the sentiments of her Ma- quainted her that a man was lately jesty, was one day asked the same ques- taken into custody, who stood ready, in tion, when she said, with great simpli- a very determined and suspicious mancity, she had thought much about mar- ner, to do the deed: and they shewed riage, if her father would but consent to her the weapon by which he intended to the man she loved!'You seem honest, destroy her. They, therefore, advised i'faith!' said the Queen;'I will sue for her Majesty, that she should go less you to your father!' The damsel was abroad to take the air, thinly attended, not displeased at this, and when Sir Ro- as was her wont on private occasions. bert, her father, came to court, the But the Queen answered firmly-"' I had Queen asked him respecting his daugh- rather be dead than placed in custody!" ter's sweetheart, and pressed his consent- Sir Walter Raleigh was deservedly a ing to the marriage, if the match was a great favourite with Elizabeth; his discreet one. Sir Robert, much asto- comely person, fine address, and great nished at this news, said he never heard experience in the arts of a courtier, raised that his daughter had a liking for any him to such a height of royal admiraman; and wished to know who was the tion, as to excite the jealousy even of objectof heraffection-adding, he would him who had long occupied the first give free consent to what was most plea- place in the affections of her Majesty. sing to her Majesty's will and advice. During the early days of Raleigh's at-'Then I will do the rest,' saith the tendance, when a few handsome suits of Queen. The young lady was called in; clothes formed almost the whole of his and the Queen told her that her father worldly wealth, he was on one occasion had given his free consent.'Then,' re- accompanying the Queen in one of her plied the young lady, delighted,'I shall daily walks, which she was fond of takbe most happy, and please your Majesty.' ing, in the hope of improving her com-'So thou shalt,' retorted Elizabeth, with plexion, when, on reaching a miry spot a malignant sneer,' but not to be a fool which she could not conveniently pass and marry;-I have your father's con- over, he, with an adroitness characterissent given to me, and I vow thou shalt tic of the finished courtier, pulled off never get it into thy possession. So go his rich plush cloak and threw it on the to thy business; I see thou art a bold mud, to serve her for a foot-cloth. The one, to own thy foolish propensities so Queen graciously accepted his obliging readily!'" assistance, and it was afterwards quaintly The dangers which surrounded the remarked, "the spoiling of Raleigh's Queen, since her cruel and unauthorized cloak hath gained him many handsome detention of the unfortunate Mary of suits." 590 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. CHAPTER IX. Leicester sent to Holland-Elizabeth's letter to him —~3ablington's conspiracy-His associates-Infamous conduct of Talsingham to entrap the Queen of Scots-Defeat of the conspirators-Their trial and execution-Mary removed to Fotheringay Castle-Her address to the Commissioners-Her trial and condemnationConfirmed by the Parliament-Elizabeth's answer to the Parliament-Mary's dying request to Elizabeth-Her treatment of Mary. ce~:O(A OWARD the close of sure. We had not thought, that you,. the year 1585, the a man we have raised from the dust, and Earlof Leicester was favoured above all others, would have sent to the Nether- violated, in so great a matter, our comN I: -l i] lands, invested by mand with so great contempt, even in a Fl'' FZ Elizabeth with the matter which so much and nearly contitle of "General of cerneth us and our honour. But though her Majesty's Auxi- against your duty, you have made so liary Troops" in that country. He had little respect of our honour, yet think also the command of the royal navy. He not that we are so graciously negligent was accompanied by the young Earl of in the repairing thereof, that we can pass Essex, Lords Audley and North, Sir over so great an injury with silence and William Russell, and many other knights, oblivion. Therefore, we command you, and attended by a chosen company of that you, setting apart all excuses, infive hundred gentlemen. The Queen, continently, according to the faith and on his departure, forbade him to enter- duty wherein you are bound to us, pertain a thought of anything which would form all whatsoever Heneage, our underbe unworthy either of her or of the of- chamberlain, shall in our name declare fice which he held. Having landed at unto you, except you will draw upon Flushing, he was first met by his ne- your head a greater danger." phew, Sir Philip Sidney, governor of This letter effectually put a stop to that city, and afterwards by all the Leicester's ambitious prospects in the towns of Holland and Zealand, with all Netherlands. With feigned remorse, sorts of honours, acclamations, triumphs, which he so well knew how to assume, devoted panegyrics, banquetings, and he supplicated the forgiveness of Elizathe like. And in the month of July beth, and the affair was soon after amifollowing he proceeded to the Hague, cably adjusted. where the court of Holland, by means In July 1586, soon after the conof the States General, by letters patent, elusion of the treaty of friendship begave to him the sovereign command and tween Elizabeth and James the Sixth of absolute authority over the United Pro- Scotland, the celebrated Babington convinces, under the title of " Governor and spiracy was discovered, which ended in Captain General of Zealand, and the the trial, sentence, and execution of the United and Confederate Provinces;" unfortunate Mary, Queen of Scots-a which so excited his pride and vanity, fatal drama, which has marked on the that he assumed the state and dignity of character of Elizabeth a deep spot of majesty itself, and thereby so highly of- infamy, and which we detail from the fended the Queen, that she addressed to most authentic sources. Three indivihim the following severe reprimand:- duals-Giffard, doctor in divinity, Gil"You shall understand by this mes- bert Giffard, his brother, and Hodgson, senger, whom we have expressly sent priests of the English seminary at over to you, with what contempt you Rheims-believing that the famous bull have behaved yourself against our plea- of Pius the Fifth, against Queen Eliza ELIZABETH, SECOND QU'EEN REGNANT. 591 beth, was dictated to him by the Holy fringe his vow. Babington, therefore, Ghost, so far persuaded one John Savage, contrived a new plan for the invasion of that it was meritorious to murder such England by the foreign powers at enmity as were excommunicated-that it was with the Queen-at what port they martyrdom to die in such a cause- should land-what assistance should be that he, after awhile, freely andvolunta- given them; how the Queen of Scots rily avowed his determination to ac- should be set at liberty; and, lastly, for complish the deed. During the Easter committing the tragical murder, as he holydays of that year, John Ballard, called it, of the Queen of England. priest of the same seminary, after visiting Whilst Babington was intent on these many Papists in England and Scotland, matters, he received letters, by a boy and sounding their minds, returned to unknown, from the Queen of Scots (stated France, accompanied by Maude, a spy of by Mary on her trial to be forgeries), Walsingham-a most crafty dissembler, written in a familiar character betwixt who had seduced his easy nature, and them: wherein she gently blamed him treated with Bernardino Mendoza, then for his long silence, and commanded in the service of the King of Spain in him with all speed to send the packet of France, and Charles Paget, who was letters sent from Morgan, and delivered wholly devoted to the Queen of Scots, to him by the secretary of the French respecting the means of invading Eng- ambassador, which he did, and by the land. But Paget clearly demonstrated, same messenger sent her a letter, by that it would be in vain to invade which "He excused himself for his siEngland so long as the Queen was lence, because he was destitute of opporliving. Ballard, nevertheless, was sent tunity to send to her, since she had been back, and at Whitsuntide arrived in given into the custody of Sir Amias London, attired in silks, under the dis- Poulet, that puritan, wholly devoted to guise of a soldier, and calling himself Leicester, and a cruel and bitter enemy Captain Foscue. He consulted with to the Catholic faith. He mentioned Anthony Babington of Dethick, in Der- the conference he had with Ballard. He byshire, a young man of good family, of informed her, that six gentlemen were a haughty spirit, surpassing learning, chosen to commit a tragical murder, and and zealous in the cause of his religion; that he, with a hundred others, was he had before been in France, where he ready to deliver her. And he desired became familiar with Thomas Morgan, her to propound rewards to the heroic a servant of the Queen of Scots, and the actor of this tragedy, or to their posterity, Bishop of Glasgow, her ambassador, if they died in the attempt." On the who continually sounded in the ears of twenty-seventh, Mary was alleged to this ambitious youth, the heroic virtues have replied to these letters, in the folof the great Queen of Scots, in whose lowing manner:-" She praised his sinservice he might obtain the means to rise gular affection to the Catholic religion, to great honours. Whereupon the young and to herself; but she admonished him man conceived a certain hope, and to be considerate in this enterprise, and Morgan, without his knowledge, com- that he should form an association mended him in letters to the Queen. On amongst the authors and actors in the consulting with Babington, Ballard gave same, for fear of the Puritans; not to him to understand that the Queen of attempt any thing before he was sure of England had not long to live,as Savage, the foreign succours, to stir up some who had vowed her death, was then in commotions in Ireland, whilst the blow London. Babington was of a different was to be given here; to secure the Earl opinion, and thought it not fit that of Arundel and his brothers in the enaffairs of such magnitude should be terprise, with the Earl of Northumbercommitted to him alone, lest he should land, and secretly to recal into the fail in the attempt, but to six valiant kingdom the Earl of Westmoreland, men, of whom he would have Savage to Paget, and others." As to the means be one, to the end that he might not in- for her deliverance, she prescribeth as 592 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. follows: -"Either by overturning a and Savage, yielded their ready consent, cart in the gate-way, or setting fire to swearing to perpetrate the,murder. the stables, or by intercepting her when Salisbury they could not possibly induce she should be riding to take the air, or to be a regicide, nor listen to any thing recreate herself between Chartley and more than to use his best endeavours Stafford. Finally, she requested Babing- for the deliverance of the Queen of ton to promise rewards to the six gen- Scotland. Babington chose Tichnor to tlemen, and to all the rest!" be the odd man, over and above the Babington now associated with him number of those who were to do the several persons of rank and fortune, who deed, of whose secrecy, trust, and resowere anxious to reestablish the Catholic lution he had no doubt; but he was then religion, amongst whom were Edward abroad. Babington ordered, that before Windsor, brother of Lord Windsor; taking the oath, they should not impart Thomas Salisbury, of Denbighshire; the affair to any living being. They Tilney, of a noble family: with one afterwards met in St. Giles' Fields, to of the gentlemen pensioners of the confer further; also at St. Paul's, and in Queen, whom Ballard had reconciled to taverns, where they often feasted, puffed the Catholic faith; Chidiock Tichbourne, up with vain hopes of preferment to of Hampshire, and Edward Abingdon, great honours and dignities, whereupon whose father was under-treasurer to the they would often commend the noble Queen's household-two brave youths; courage of those valiant Scots, who had Robert Gedge of Surrey; John Travers; lately seized on the King's royal person John Charnock of Lancashire; J. Jones, at Stirling; and Girard, the Bourgonian, whose father was keeper of the wardrobe who slew the Prince of Orange at Delft. to Queen Mary; Savage, of whom we Indeed, they arrived at such a height of have spoken; Barnwell, of a noble vanity, that they must needs have the house in Ireland; and Henry Dunn, pictures of the conspirators drawn on a clerk of the office of first fruits'and tithes. table, and Babington in the midst, with Into this company one Polley insinuated this inscription:-" Such be my comhimself, a man well instructed in the af- panions, who dare to encounter dangers." fairs of the Queen of Scots, expert in dis- This table was once privately shown to sembling, and who from day to day laid Elizabeth, who could not discern or reopen all their counsels to Walsingham, collect any other man by his portrait, and by the mischievous advice which he with the exception of Barnwell, who suggested to these conspirators, being of had at various times received access to themselves inclined to evil,he precipitated her Majesty through the Earl of Kildare, theminto far worse matters, notwithstand- in whose service he was; but, being ing Naw, the Queen of Scots' secretary, pressed on the matter, she recollected had warned them against trusting him. him to be the same man that had once To these Babington communicated before attempted her life. One day, his plans, but not to every one wholly. while walking abroad, she perceived Hie showed to Ballard, Tichbourne, and Barnwell, whom she regarded with a Dunn, his own letters, and letters of the fixed and undaunted countenance; then, Queen of Scots. He then solicited turning suddenly towards Sir Christopher Tiiney and Tichbourne to do the deed. Hatton, captain of her guard, and others, At first they refused to stain their hands she exclaimed, " Am not I fairly guarded in their Princess's blood. But Ballard now, having not one man of all my foland Babington laboured hard to convince lowers who is provided with a sword?" them how just and lawful it was to kill This Barnwell reported to the rest of Kings or Princes who had been excom- his companions, telling them how easily municated, and that if right were to be it might then have been done, had he violated, it must needs be for the Catho- had his confederates with him; and lie religion; yet, notwithstanding, they Savage said the same thing. were with great difficulty persuaded to After this, Babington's sole care was, consent. Abingdon, Barnwell, Charnock, how he might bring in the foreign aid. ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 503 To make sure, he resolved to pass into Queen of Scots, entreating him to give France, and to send Ballard before him this Giffard leave to entice some of his on the same errand, for whom he had servants. But the governor, unwilling procured a licence to travel. And the that any servant of his should, by di-sibetter to avoid suspicion, he insinuated mulation or otherwise, be brought to himself with Sir Francis Walsingham, turn traitor, seemed displeased with the bv means of Polley already spoken of, notion. Nevertheless, he suffered him whom he earnestly entreated to procure to practise his infamous arts until he had him a passport from the Queen to go corrupted a brewer and a dealer in oatinto France, promising him he would meal, his near neighbours. These he use his zealous efforts to discover all the made sure of: with a few crowns he hidden plots the English fugitives had easily induced the brewer to bore artificiin hand relative to the Queen of Scots. ally a hole in the wall, wherein a stone Walsingham commended his purpose, could be easily put in and out. Through promising him not only his passport, but this hole he both delivered and received greater matters. Nevertheless, he put letters, which, by carriers'appointed for off from time to time both the one and the purpose, came to the hands of Walthe other, having, in the mean-time, singham, who opened them, took copies served his turn by his own agents, who of them, read the cyphers by the skill had acquainted him before-hand with of Thomas Philips, and by the device all the designs and doings of the con- of Arthur Gregory, so closed them up spirators, who thought themselves as again, that it could not be perceived they secure as the sun. The person who dis- had been unsealed, and then forwarded covered most of these matters to Wal- them to whom they were directed. In singham, was one Gilbert Giffard, de- this way were the first two letters inscended from the noble family of the tercepted, which the Queen of Scots was Chillingtons, in Staffordshire, near alleged to have written to Babington, and Chartley, where the Queen of Scots had his answers to her, wherein was added a resided. He was sent by the foreign postscript in the same characters, in conspirators into England, under the which were the names of six noblemen, as name of Luson, to remind Savage of the also other letters, all written in one day vow he had made to act as their agent, to the Spanish Ambassador, to Lord and to keep himself close, and the letters Paget, Charles Paget, the Archbishop of of the Queen of Scots safe, until they Glasgow, and Sir Francis Inglefield, all could be sent over. which were first transcribed, and then The foreigners, in order to try whether resealed and sent off to their respective they might safely receive letters from destinations. England, sent several blank sheets of As soon as Elizabeth understood, by paper folded up in packets like letters, these letters, what a storm was about to when, perceiving by the answers returned, burst over her head, as well from abroad that they had been delivered, they wrote as at home, she immediately gave orders in earnest, but in characters. Giffard, for the apprehension of Ballard, who, being either troubled in conscience, or ere he could depart for France, was uncorrupted with money, went secretly to expectedly taken at Babington's house. Walsingham, to whom he discovered This step alarmed Babington, and he himself, stated for what purpose he was immediately went to consult Tichbourne, employed in England, offered him his whose counsel was, for every man to services for the lovehe bore his Princess save himself by flight. But Babington and country, and.promised to make him had a great mind to send forth Savage acquainted with whatever letters came and Charnock to assassinate the Queen into his hands from the foreign agents or without delay, and first, the better to the Queen of Scots. Walsingham, em- ensure his access to the court, to have bracing his offer, entertained him kindly, him richly clothed: to effect this, he held and sent him into Staffordshire, to visit a conference with the rest of the conSir Amias Poulet, the keeper of Mary spirators that day in St. Paul's. But Q Q 594 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. changing his mind, and being greatly the-Hill, a family zealously affected to perplexed how to act, he at length im- the Roman religion, who hid them in portunedWalsingham by lettersand per- barns, clothed them in rustic apparel, sonal entreaties, being then at court, and relieved them with meat. But forthwith to let him have his passport for being discovered ten days after, they France, and as he had especial use for were conveyed prisoners to London, and Ballard's services, he prayed that he the citizens, to express their joy on the might be set at liberty. Walsingham occasion, set the bells ringing, made put him off with fair promises, and en- bonfires, and sung psalms: all which trusted the capture of Ballard to Young, the Queen greatly commended, and exthe cunning entrapper of the Papists, pressed her thanks to the City authorities. and his assistants, advising him, as it In a short time, Abington, Salisbury, were in kindness, to keep him out of the and the rest of the conspirators, were claws of such men; this he easily per- taken; and, when examined, by their suaded him tgbeing a young man), and own confessions proved their guilty deto take lodgings in London for a while, signs. till the Queen had signed his passport, Meanwhile, the Queen of Scots and and till he returned to London himself, her servants were kept in close custody, that they might confer the more pri- that she might not hear of that conspivately together on such great matters: racy which was known throughout the otherwise, by his going so often up and land. But as soon as the conspirators down, which he must needs do if he were taken, Sir Thomas Gorge was sent lodged anywhere else, the foreign agents to inform her briefly thereof. He found could not fail to grow suspicious of him that the unhappy Queen, not dreaming on his going to France. of any such matter, had obtained perIn the meanwhile Scudamore, a ser- mission for a day's hunting, and was now vant of Sir Francis Walsingham, was mounted on horseback; but, on learndirected to have an eye upon him, to ing the tidings, she expressed a wish to accompany him everywhere, giving him dismount and return to her chamber. to understand that this was done to save This, however, was not permitted, and, him from the officers of justice. This under various pretexts, she was conweb Walsingham had closely woven ducted up and down the country, from without the knowledge of the Queen's one nobleman's house to another, and council, and thought to lengthen it a not suffered to return home. In the little more. But Elizabeth was impa- meantime, Sir John Manners and tient, and could not listen to any further three others, in compliance with a delay, lest in not seeking to save herself commission from Elizabeth, proceeded when she might, she would seem to the apartments of Queen Mary, separather to be tempting God than trust- rately confined Naw and Curll-kept the ing in him. Accordingly, a letter was rest of the servants from communisent from Walsingham at court to his eating with their royal mistress, or she agent in London, to look a little more with them;-and, breaking open the narrowly to Babington than he had doors of her cabinet, they seized all her hitherto done. This letter was delivered writing-desks and boxes, wherein were to him unsealed, while sitting at table any letters under her own hand and next to Babington, who having read it seal. Then Sir Amias Poulet, as he was with him, suspected that all was disco- commanded, seized upon all her money, vered, and speedily absconded, under the that she might have no means of brib. cover of night, with Gage, Charnock. ing any one, promising to restore it Barnwell, and Dunn, to a place of con- to her again. The desks being opened cealment in St. John's Wood. Imme- before Queen Elizabeth, divers letters diately it became known that they had were found written to her by strangers, fled, they were proclaimed traitors. copies of such as she had written to vaHunger forced them to retire to the rious individuals, notes, memorials, and -houses of the Bellamys, near Harrow-on- secret characters, with several amorous ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 595 letters, and letters of condolence on her bowelled alive. Barnwell excused his infanous captivity from some great men crime out of a pretext of conscience and of England. Elizabeth, notwithstand- religion. Tichbourne most penitently ing, passed them all over in silence, confessed his offence, and was much using her old device, Video Taceoq.;- pitied by the beholders: so also was "I see, and say nothing." Tilney. Abingdon, being of a furious The infamous Giffard, who had played and turbulent spirit, threatened that in so conspicuous a part in this tragedy, a short time there would be no little was sent to France, as if he had been bloodshed in England. The next day, banished; but, before leaving, he left the other seven being drawn to the same with the Ambassador of France an in- place, suffered the same punishment, but dented paper, requesting him not to de- with less severity, by order of the Queen, liver the Queen of Scots her letters, nor who was alarmed by the first day's those of the foreign agents, to any but cruelty after she heard of it: for they him who should produce a paper corre- hung till they were dead, and then were spending with that which he had se- cut down, embowelled, and quartered. cretly left with Walsingham. A few After this execution, Naw, a Frenchmonths afterwards, he was committed to man, and Curll, both secretaries to the prison for some gross misconduct, and Queen of Scots, being questioned as to ended his days miserably, confessing that the letters, notes, and characters found the most of what he said was true, as in the Queen's closet, confessed and atwas apparent by that which was found tested that they were their own handin his desk. writing, dictated by her to them in On the thirteenth of September, seven French, taken by Naw, and translated of the conspirators were arraigned, and by Curll into English, and written out condemned as traitors, and, two days in secret characters. Neither denied afterwards, the other seven were called they that they had received letters from to the bar, found guilty, and condemned; Babington, and that they, at her bidding, one only, Polley, though he was equally had written back to him again. It, guilty with all, saying that he had some- however, appears, almost beyond a thing to speak to Sir Francis Walsing- doubt, especially as Walsingham reham, which was not brought forth. On proved Curll, as unmindful of the grathe twentieth of the same month, the cious favours he had received, for saying first seven were hanged on a gibbet-a that he had confessed nothing but what scaffold having been erected for that his companion Naw urged him to do, purpose in St. Giles' Fields, where they and which he could not deny, that this were wont to meet. They were no confession was false; and extorted by sooner hanged, than, whilst yet alive bribery. and conscious, they were cut down, and, Presently after, Sir Edward Wotton with barbarous cruelty, embowelled and was sent into France, to inform the King quartered. The first who was thus hor- of this conspiracy, and to show the ribly butchered was Ballard, the arch copies of those letters of the Queen of traitor, after he had asked forgiveness of Scots, and of others of the nobility of God and the Queen, if ever he had of- England, to testify the truth of the fended her. Then Babington, who re- charges, that the King might perceive mained undismayed (whilst the others, in what peril the Queen was by the proturning aside, prayed on their knees), ceedings of Morgan, Charles Paget, and confessed his faults ingenuously; and, others then resident in France. The being cut down from the gallows, and council could not for some time deterlaying upon the block to be quartered, mine what was best to be done regardcried loud, in Latin, Parce mnihi, Domine ing the Queen of Scots. Some advised Jesu. Savage, the rope having given that she should be closely imprisoned for way. fell from the gibbet; but, being life; others were of opinion that she promptly snatched up by the gentlemen, should be put to death, in due course of had his members cut off, and was em- law, for fear of endangering religion a 2 596 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. But the Earl of Leicester thought it and as such, she would rather perish, better to despatch her with poison! and than answer as a subject or a malesent a divine (!) to Sir Francis Wal- factor." singham, to tell him that he thought it At last, however, Sir Christopher might lawfully be done! Walsingham, Hatton, vice-chamberlain, thus addressed however, was so far from consenting to her: -"You are accused of a conspiracy have any violence offered to her, that he against our sovereign lady the Queen, had prevented Morton's purpose, which but not condemned. You say you are a was to have had her sent to Scotland, Queen; admitted: yet are you not exand assassinated on the borders! It was empt from answering in such a case. If ultimately determined to issue out a you are innocent, you dishonour your commission to forty noblemen and privy reputation by refusing to come to judgcouncillors, empowering them "to try ment. You protest yourself to be so, and pass sentence upon Mary, daughter but the Queen thinks otherwise; and and heir to James the Fifth, late King hath appointed persons honourable, wise, of Scotland and Dowager of France, and upright, to examine your innocency: pretending a title tothe English crown," they must hear you with equity and for having participated in the late favour, and will be very joyful if you wicked conspiracy. can clear yourself of these crimes. BeThe majority of these commissioners lieve me, the Queen herself will greatly met on the eleventh of October, at rejoice: for she assured me at my deFotheringham, in the county of North- parture,'that no greater grief had ever ampton, whither the Queen of Scots befallen her, than this of your accusahad been removed. The following day, tion; wherefore, setting aside this vain they sent to her Mildmay, Sir Amias conceit of sovereignty, which at this Poulet, and Barker, notary public, who time standeth you in no stead, shew delivered to her the Queen's letters pa- yourself blameless; attract no more sustent, authorizing the commission; which, picion to yourself by subterfuge, but when she had perused, with a bold spirit rather wipe away the spot which else and majestic countenance, she answered, will stick perpetually to your reputa" I am sorry to be charged, by my sis- tion." ter the Queen, with that of which I am These remarks of Hatton's caused innocent; but let it be remembered Mary to waver, and a harsh note, rethat I am also a Queen, and not amen- ceived the following morning from Elizaable to any foreign jurisdiction." beth,-who, after the charge of plotting The next morning, Sir Amias Poulet against her life, says, " I order, charge, and Parker, two of the commissioners, and command you to answer to the norepaired to her, and shewed her her an- bles and peers of my kingdom, as you swer in writing, demanding whether would to myself, if I were present;" she would persist therein; when, after and proceeds: "I have heard of your having it read distinctly, she said she arrogance; but act candidly, and you would persist, with this addition, " that may meetwith more favour,"-turned the the Queen wrote to me that I was sub- balance; and, on the subsequent mornject to the laws of England, and to be ing, the fourteenth of October, the Queen judged by them, because I lived under of Scots sent for the commissioners, and their protection. To which I answer, declared to them that, being persuaded' That 1 came into England for aid; but by Hatton's reasons, after maturely conhaving ever since been detained a pri- sidering them, she desired to purge hersoner, I could never enjoy the benefit of self of the imputed crime; and, accordthe laws, nor had I till this moment any ingly, on the same morning, her trial one to instruct me therein."' After- commenced. The upper half of the great wards, she was several times waited upon hall of Fotheringay Castle was railed off, by the commissioners, with their coun- and at the higher end was placed a chair cil, but to their entreaty she replied that of state, under a canopy, for the Queen' she was herself an innocent Queen, of England. Upon both sides of the ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 597 room benches were arranged in order, tions, her eye radiant once more with where sat the Lord Chancellor Bromley, the brilliancy of earlier years, and the the Lord Treasurer Burleigh, fourteen placid benignity of a serene conscience earls, thirteen barons, and knights and lending to her countenance an undying members of the privy council. In the grace. centre was a table, at which the Lord Elizabeth's Attorney-General opened Chief Justice, several doctors of the civil the pleadings. He began by referring law, Popham, the Queen's attorney, her to the act of parliament, in which it was solicitors, serjeants, and notaries, took made a capital offence to be the person their places. At the foot of this table, by whom any design was undertaken and immediately opposite Elizabeth's against the life of the Queen of England. chair of state, a chair, without any ca- He then described the late conspiracy, nopy, was placed for the Queen of Scots. and attempted to establish Mary's conBehind was the rail which ran across the nection with it, by producing copies of hall, the lower part of which was fitted letters which he alleged she had written up for the accommodation of persons to Babington himself, and several of who were not in the commission. his accomplices. To these, having added There was never, throughout the whole Babington's letters to her, and the deof Mary's eventful life, an occasion on clarations and confessions which had which she appeared to greater advantage been extorted from her secretaries, he than this. In the presence of all the maintained that the case was made out, pomp, learning, and talent of England, and wound up his speech with a lashe stood alone and undaunted, evincing, boured display of legal knowledge and in the modest dignity of her bearing, a forensic oratory. mind conscious of its own integrity, and She was now called upon for her de superior to the malice of fortune. Eliza- fence; and she entered upon it with beth's ablest statesmen and lawyers were dignity and composure. She denied all assembled to probe her to the quick; to connection with Babington's conspiracy, press home every argument against her in so far as he entertained any designs which ingenuity could devise and elo- injurious to Elizabeth's safety or the quence embellish; to dazzle her with a welfare of her kingdom. She allowed blaze of erudition, or involve her in a that the letters which he had addressed maze of technical perplexities. Mary to her might be genuine, but there was had no counsellor, no adviser, no friend, no proof that she ever received them. HIer very papers, to which she might She maintained that her own letters have wished to refer, had been taken were all garbled or fabricated; that, as from her; and there was none to plead to the confessions of her secretaries, they her cause, or to defend her innocence. had been extorted by fear, and were, Yet was she not dismayed. She knew therefore, not to be relied on; but that, that she had a higher judge than Eliza- if they were in any particulars true, beth; and that, great as was the array they must have been disclosed at the exof lords and barons who appeared against pense of the oath of fidelity they had her, posterity was greater than they, and come under to her when they entered that to its decision all things would be her service; and that men who would finally referred. Her bodily infirmities perjure themselves in one instance, were imparted only a greater lustre to her not to be trusted in any. She objected, mental pre-eminence; and not in all the besides, that they had not been confascinating splendour of her youth and fronted with her, according to an express beauty-not on the morning of her first law of the thirteenth of Elizabeth, "that bridal-day, when all Paris shouted with no one should be arraigned for intendacclamations in her praise-was Mary ing the destruction of the Prince's life, Stuart so much to be admired, as when, but by the testimony and oath of two weak and worn out, she stood calmly lawful witnesses, to be produced face to before the myrmidons of a rival queen, face before him:" she maintained that, to hear and refute their unjust accusa- even supposing she were to allow the 698 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. authenticity of many of the papers ad- to Babington's conspiracy, and had com. duced against her, they would not prove passed and imagined divers matters her guilty of any crime; for she was within the realm of England, tending to surely doing no wrong if, after a cala- the hurt, death, and destruction of the mitous captivity of nineteen years, in royal person of Elizabeth, in opposition which she had lost for ever her youth, to the statute framed for her protection," her health, and her happiness, she made The same day, the lords commissioners, one last effort to regain the liberty of and judges of the realm, declared:which she had been so unfairly robbed; "That this sentence did derogate nobut that, as to scheming against the life thing from the right or honour of James, of the Queen, her sister, it was an in- King of Scotland; but that he remained, famy she abhorred: " I would disdain," and was in the same rank, estate, and she said, " to purchase all that is most right as if it had never been." A few valuable on earth by the assassination of days afterwards, the Parliament apthe meanest of the human race; and, proved and confirmed the sentence proworn out as I now am with cares and nounced against the Queen of Scotland: suffering, the prospect of a crown is not all with one accord (by the Lord Chanso inviting that I should ruin my soul in cellor) presented a petition to the Queen, order to obtain it. Neither am I a wherein they desired, that, for the prestranger to the feelings of humanity, nor servation of the true religion of Christ, unacquainted with the duties of religion, the tranquillity of the land, the security and it is my nature to be more inclined of her person, the good of them all and to the devotion of Esther than to the their posterity, the sentence against sword of Judith. If ever I have given Mary, Queen of Scots, might be publicly consent by my words, or even by my pronounced, according to the tenor of thoughts, to any attempt against the life the law; alleging reasons drawn from of the Queen of England, far from de- the dangers stirred and practised against dining the judgment of men, I shall religion, her own person, and the realm, not even pray for the mercy of God." by her who was a mother-nurse of the Elizabeth's advocates were not alittle Roman religion, and had sworn an insurprised at the eloquent and able man- violable accord to extirpate the religion ner in which Mary conducted her de- now established, and had long since laid fence. They had expected to have every claim to the crown, Queen Elizabeth thing their own way, and to gain an yet living; esteeming that (seeing she easy victory over one unacquaintedwith was excommunicated) it was lawful to the forms of legal procedure, and unable conspire against her, and meritorious to to cope with their own professional ta- take away her life. She had ruined lents. But they were disappointed and some noble houses of the land, and had baffled; and, in order to maintain their kindled the fire of rebellion in England. ground even plausibly, they were obliged That to pardon her were to destroy the to protract the proceedings for two people, who much repined at her impuwhole days. Nor, after all, did the nity; and that she could not be freed commissioners venture to pronounce from the oath of conspiracy, otherwise judgment, but adjourned the court to than by punishment. And, lastly, they the Star-Chamber at Westminster, where recited the example of the awful venthey knew that Mary would not be pre- geance of God against King Saul, for sent, and where, consequently, they not putting Agag and Benadad to would have no opposition to fear. On death." the twenty-fifth of October, they assem- In reply to this address, Elizabeth bled there, and having again examined said -" Now my life hath been atthe secretaries Nawe and Curll, and who tempted to be taken away, it grieveth confirmed their former declarations, a me most, that it was by such a person unanimous judgment was delivered, that as was of mine own sex, estate, and " Mary, commonly called Queen of Scots, rank; to whom I was so far from bearand Dowager of France, was accessory ing ill-will, that, on the contrary, after ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 599 she had plotted divers matters against that I must once resolve upon. I wiLl me, I wrote to her in private, that if in pray to God Almighty, that he will illuany writing secretly she would acknow- minate my heart, to foresee what is ledge them, I would bury them all in commodious for the church, the commonoblivion. Neither would I have done wealth, and your safeties. Notwiththis to entrap her; for I knew already standing, lest delay should bring danger, all she could confess: and, although the you shall (as the opportunity of time matter was at that pass, yet if she had will serve) understand my purpose. In but shewed herself truly penitent, none the meantime, I would you should exwould have taken her cause against me pect all the goodness from me, which in hand. Nevertheless, if only it had good subjects may look for from a good concerned mine own life, and not the Princess." safe-guard of my people (without osten- Twelve days afterwards, she sent the tation be it spoken), I would willingly Lord Chancellor to the House of Lords, have pardoned her. If England by and Pickering to the Commons, entreatmy death might flourish the more, or ing them to more seriously consider the gain a better prince, I could be well matter, and to devise some more wholecontent to lay down my life; for I de- some remedy, that the Queen of Scotsire to live solely for your good and that land's life might be preserved and of my people. As touching these late secured. After they had deliberated a treasons, I will not so much prejudice long time, and considered that the good either myself, or the ancient laws of my or ill of Princes concerneth their subcountry, in such fashion, as not to think jects, they, with one according voice, all this arch treason to be subject thereto, adopted the same resolution which they although this new law had never been had done before, grounded upon these made; the which (although some fa- reasons:-'"That so long as the Queen vourers of her have suspected so) was of Scotland lived, Queen Elizabeth not made against her, but was so far could not be secure, unless she would from entangling her, that it was rather become penitent, and acknowledge her a pre-admonition to her not to come crimes; and that she should be kept within the danger of it; nevertheless, more straitly, and bound by oath and you have, by this new law, brought me writing; or that she should deliver hosinto such a narrow strait, that I am to tages; or that she should depart the determine upon the punishment of a kingdom. Of her repentance they had Princess, my next kinswoman; whose no hope, for she had been ungrateful to practices have afflicted me with so great Queen Elizabeth, who had saved her a grief, that, not to augment my sor- life, and would not so much as acknow. rows in hearing it spoken of, I did ledge her faults; as for a straiter guard, willingly absent myself from this Par- her hand-writing, oath, or hostages, they liament, and not (as some think) for fear would be all as nothing; for that when of treachery. Notwithstanding, I will Queen Elizabeth died, all these would not leave (although I use few words of vanish away instantly. As for departing it) to put this secret out of my heart, the land (if she were out of it), they which I have seen with mine eyes, and feared she would raise arms against it." read the oath, by which some have bound The Lord Chancellor and the Speaker themselves to dispatch me within one of the Commons declared this resolution month. From hence I foresee your of the parliament to Elizabeth; impordanger in my person, and certainly I tuning her earnestly, that the sentence shall be careful and diligent to repel it. should be put into execution: shewing But forasmuch as the matter now in her, "That if it were injustice to deny hand is an example as important as rare, the execution of the law to the meanest I deem you expect not that I should subject, much greater would it be to reresolve anything for the present: for my fuse to grant it to the whole body of the manner is, even in things of less conse- people, who with one voice and will quence, to be long in deliberating about demanded it. " To which she reolied: C00 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. " 0 how wearisome is that way where religion in England could not stand. we find nothing but irksomeness whilst She replied, that "the judgment was we are going in it; and when'tis past, unjust;" refused the Protestant bishop inquietudes! I am troubled this day and the dean whom they recommended (if ever the like) whether to speak or to to her, and desired a Catholic priest hold my tongue; if I should speak, and to direct her conscience, and to adnot complain, I dissemble; if I hold minister the sacraments; she also my tongue, the pains you have taken greatly blamed the English nation, sayare in vain; if I complain, it will seem ing often:-" The English have many strange; notwithstanding, I confess times murdered their kings; and it is that my first request was both for your no strange thing if they do the like to security, and mine own. Some other me, who am derived of their royal means should have been found out than blood." The sentence was proclaimed what you now propound; insomuch, in the month of December, with the that I cannot but complain to you, sound of a trumpet, through the City of though not of you; for that I learn by London, in presence of the Lord Mayor, your demands, that my safety dependeth the Sheriffs, and the Aldermen. Elizaupon another's ruin. If any think that beth protested that she had been drawn I have purposely prolonged the time, to into it by necessity, and the earnest purchase a counterfeit praise of cle- request of parliament. On the awful mency, undoubtedly they wrong me tidings reaching the ears of Mary, she, unworthily; and greater wrong they do by permission of her keeper, Sir Amias me if they think that the commissioners Poulct, wrote the following affecting durst pronounce no other sentence for epistle to Elizabeth:fear of displeasing me, or seeming to'"I put off all malice of heart towards neglect my safety. However, because it you; giving thanks to God for this connow clearly appeareth, that I cannot be demnation, seeing it was his good pleasafe unless she die, I am touched with a sure to terminate the irksome pilgrimdeep dolour. As concerning your de- age which I have had in this life; and mand, I entreat and charge you, to be I desire, for I can expect no good from content with this my answer. I com- hot-headed innovators, who hold the mend your judgment, and apprehend chiefest rank in England, that I may be the reasons thereof. But excuse me, I beholden to you alone, and no other, for pray, for that doubtful perplexity of the benefits following: - First, that thought, which troubleth me. If I say when my adversaries are glutted with I will not comply with your demand, by my innocent blood, my body may be my faith! I shall say unto you more, carried from thence, by my own servants, perhaps, than I mean. If I should say to some sacred and hallowed ground, that I mean to grant it, I should tell there to be buried; and above all, into you more than is fit for you to know; France, where my mother lyeth in rest; thus I must deliver to you an answer, seeing that, ki Scotland, they had offered answerless." After this, the parliament violence to the dead bodies of my anceswas prorogued. tors, profaned or despoiled the churches; On the twenty-second of November and in England, I can hope for no burial, Lord Buckhurst and Beale were des- according to the Catholic solemnities, patched to announce to Mary, thatjudg- amongst the ancient kings my ancestors; ment was given against her; that it and so my body, that never had rest so was confirmed by authority of parlia- long as it was joined to my soul, may ment, and its execution demanded for have some at last, after it has parted the sake of justice, security, and neces- from it. sity. They, therefore, exhorted her, " Secondly, fearing the close tyranny that after she had acknowledged her of some, I desire that I may not suffer offences to God and Queen Elizabeth, my punishment unknown to the Queen to satisfy herself by repentance before of England, in some secret place, but in she died; for, if she lived, the reformed the sight of my servants, and other peo ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN REGNANT. 601 pie, that they may truly bear witness of could only be considered as a prisoner of my faith in Christ, of my obedience to war; and to such it was lawful to practhe church, and of the end of my life, tise any means to effect her liberty and against the false testimony which my freedom. That she could not commit adversaries may declare abroad. - treason, because she was no subject; and Thirdly, I desire that my servants may that none hath power over an equal. be suffered peaceably to depart whither That this circumstance had caused to be they will, and to enjoy the legacies I disannulled the sentence of the Emperor have bequeathed them by my will. I of Austria against Robert, King of Sibeseech you, in the name of Jesus cily, because he was not subject to his Christ, to grant me these things, by empire. That if ambassadors, who are virtue of our alliance in blood, by the but the servants of princes, shall consacred memory of Henry the Seventh, spire against those to whom they are our common progenitor, and by the employed in embassy, they are not culpprincely honour which sometimes you able of treason, much less the princes display. I have great cause of com- themselves; and that the will ought not plaint, that all my princely robes were to be punished, unless it take effect. taken away, by command of the coun- That it was a thing unheard of, for a cillors. I fear their malice will extend queen to pass under the hands of a comto worse things. If they had but shewn mon executioner. That she was conme, without fraud or falsehood, the pa- demned contrary to the law of God, the pers which they took from me, it would Roman civil law, and the English; yea, clearly have appeared by them, that even against the statute of the thirteenth nothing would have caused my untimely of Elizabeth, whereby it was ordained, death, but the doubtful care which some " That no person should be called into had of your Majesty's safety. Finally, I judgment for having attempted the ruin entreat you to return me an answer under of the prince, but upon the testimony your own hand, touching these things." and oath of two lawful witnesses, who But, alas! no answer was returned by should be brought face to face before her unfeeling kinswoman. the accused;" whilst no witness was proIn calmly weighing the conduct of duced against her on her trial, but she Elizabeth and her Parliament, the intel- was condemned from the testimony of ligent part of the community considered two absent secretaries. Others loudly that the unfortunate Mary was being complained, that spies had been suborned, cruelly dealt with. They reasoned that who, by forgery, false letters, and deshe was an absolute and free Princess, ceitful practices, had deluded the Prinover whom God alone had the command; cess, and exposed her to machinations, that she was very nearly allied to Queen of which she would not even have Elizabeth; and that, being driven out of dreamt, had she been left to that quiet Scotland by her rebellious subjects, she and repose which was requisite in her had no sooner arrived in England, than situation. That, in short, a cruel, base, Queen Elizabeth promised her, upon her and unmanly advantage was taken of an princely word, by Henry Mildmore, to unfortunate captive Princess, utterly show her all courtesy, and to welcome powerless, and unable to contend against her with all hospitality. Yet, contrary the malignity of a jealous Queen, and to this promise, she imprisoned her, and an enslaved, fawning, and persecuting violated those sacred rights. That she Parliament. 602 ELIZABETH, SECOND QUEEN IEGNANT. CHAPTER X. James the Sixth intercedes with Elizabeth for his mother — The King of France endeavours to save her-Elizabeth's reply to the King of France-Conspiracy of the French Ambassador-Elizabeth terrified byfalse reports-She at length signs the warrant for Mary's execution-Mary prepares for death-Her heroic behaviour and execution. N the meantime, because it is now come to that issue, James the Sixth, the that there is no hope left for the one, if ( l _ gWW ~ William bade adieu success of her absent lord's arms against to Mary, and set out King James in Ireland, from being said I i /^ for Ireland, attended in the chapel belonging to Katherine of H11 \ l ^ by Prince George of Braganza's dower palace of Somerset _. a IDelnmark, the Duke House, l arv proceeds-" I wasextremelv of Ormond, the Earls angry, which the privv council saw. t of Oxford, of Scar- told them I thought there was no more borough, of Manchester, and many measures to be kept with the Queen otherpersons of distinction. He landed Dowager herself, after this, that is, if it at Belfast on the fourteenth, and were her orders, which no doubt it is. during the period that he was success- When Lord Feversham heard from Lord fully battling against James and the Nottinglham how annoyed I was at his Jacobites in Ireland, Mary detailed to conduct, he came to my bed-chamber at him the more important of her sayings the hour when there was a great deal of and doings in a series of letters, which company-1 mean just before dinner; were found in his strong box at Ken- he looked as pale as death, and spoke in sington Palace, after his death. Wil- great disorder. tie said he must own liam's letters in reply, have never come it a great fault, since I took it so, but to hand, and it is supposed that Mary he begged me to believe that it was done, destroyed them a short while before her not out of ill-intention, nor by agreedecease. ment with any one. He assured me the On the nineteenth of June, Mary, Queen Dowager knew nothing of it; and on hearing that her royal husband had after declaring that it was a fault, a safely arrived in Ireland, wrote him- folly, an indiscretion, or anything I "You will be weary of seeing every day would call it, said, God pardoned sina letter from me, it may be; yet being ners when they repented, and so he apt to flatter myself, I will hope that hoped I would. I told him God saw you will be as willing to read as I to hearts, and whether their repentance write. And, indeed, it is the only com- was sincere; which since I could not fort I have in this world, besides that of do, he must not deem it strange if I trust in God. I cannot thank God trusted only to actions; and so I left him. enough for your being well past through I pity the poor man for being obliged the dangers of the sea. I beseech him, in thus to take the Queen Dowager's faults his mercy, still to preserve you so, and upon him, yet I could not bring myself send us once more a happy meeting upon to forgive him. The Queen Dowager earth."* will come here to-day, to see me, but In her next, after detailing how desired an hour when there was least Lord Feversham, chamberlain to the company; so I imagine she will speak Queen Dowager, Katherine of Braganza, something of herself." Katherine of had prevented the prayer ordered to Braganza attended the levee, but instead * Our limits preclude us from giving these of speaking something of herself, she, interesting letters in full. They are pub- to the mortification of Mary, acted as if lished verbatim in Dalrymple's Appendix. 3 G 2 820 MARY THE SECOND, profoundedly ignorant of the offence. believed it as necessary that he [Lord "The Queen Dowager has been," Mary Clarendon] should be clapt up as any, I remarked before sealing her letter, " bul. thought myself obliged to say so. By did not stay a moment, or speak two a letter from Lord Torrington [who then words. I have still the same complaint was comm;.ndilng the fleet off Beachy to make, that I have not time to cry. Head], dated yesterday, I see he thought which would a little ease my heart, hut this day was likely to decide a great deal I hope in God I shall have such news there. I cannot but be in pain, it may from you, as will give me no reason, yet be I do not reason justly on the matter, your absence is enough; but since it but I fear, besides disheartening many pleases God, I must have patience. Do people, the loss of a battle would be such but continue to love me, and I can bear an encouragement to the disaffected ones, all things with ease." that might put things here into disorder, On the French fleet, which had long which, in your absence, would be a terbeen expected to invade England, being rible thing; but I thank God, I trust seen in the channel, Mary wrote, "'The in him, and that is really the only connews which is come to-night [June solation I have. I was last night in twenty-second] of the French fleet being Hyg' Park, for the first time since you upon the coast, makes it necessary to went; it swarmed with those who are write to you. I think Lord Torrington now ordered to be clapt up. Since I [Admiral of the English fleet in the have writ this, I was called out to Lord channel] has made no haste, and I can- Nottingham, who brought me your dear not tell whether his being sick and stay- letter, which is so welcome, that I caning for Lord Pembroke's regiment will not express it; especially because you be a sufficient excuse; but I will not pity me, which I like and desire from take up your time with my reasonings. you, and you only. God be praised that I shall only tell you I am so little afraid, you are so well; I hope in his mercy he that I begin to fear that I have not sense will continue it. I have been obliged enough to apprehend the danger. Just to write this evening to Schulemberg, to as I was going to bed, Lord Nottingham desire him to advance money for the six brought me a letter, of which he is going regiments to march, which they say is to give you an account; for my own absolutely necessary for your service, as part, I shall say nothing to it, but that I well as honour. The Lords of the Treatrust God will preserve us-you where sury have made me pawn my word for you are, and poor I here." it, and to-morrow ~20,000 will be paid At this crisis Mary acted with marked to him." energy and decision. She in person The difficulties which beset her Mareviewed the London militia, caused jesty at this period, are rendered painnumbers of the discontented nobles and fully apparent in the subjoined epistle, gentry to be arrested, and banished every which she addressed from Whitehall, to Catholic from London and its neigh- her absent husband, on the twenty-sixth bourhood. On this subject, she, in a of June, 1690:letter to King William, dated June the "By this express I shall write freely, twenty-fourth, remarks, " Since I writ and tell you what great suspicions into you about the coming of the French crease continually of Major Wildman. fleet upon the coast, the Lords have been It would be too long to tell you all the very busy. I shall not give you an reasons of suspicion, but this one I will account of all things, but only tell you give, that since your going from hence, some particular passages One happened there is not one word come from Scotland, to-day at the privy council, where I was, neither from Lord Melville nor Colonel by their advice. When they had resolved Mackey to Lord Marlborough, which to seize on suspected persons, in naming methinks is unaccountable. Lord Notthem, Sir H. Capel would have said tingham desired I would sign letters to something for Lord Clarendon, but as It he governors of Berwick and Carlisle, THIRD QUEEN REGNANT. 821 not to let any persons go by who had not his offer. I added, that I could not a pass; and that they should stop the think it proper that he, being one of the mails and send word how many were nine vou had named [as my council] come from thence in this time. This I should be sent away. Upon which he have done, and the express is to be (Nottingham) laughed and said, that it immediately sent away. I ever fear was the greatest compliment I could not doing well, and trust to what no- make him (Lord Monmouth) to say I body says but you, therefore I hope it could not make use of his arm, having will have your approbation. Lord Bath needof his counsel. I suppose they are is very backward in going down to as- not good friends, but I said it as I meant, sume his command, but with much ado and bt sides, to hinder propositions of this lie sends his son who only says he stays kind for Mr. Russell (Admiral Russell); for a letter of mine, which is signed tlis for I see Lord Carmarthen has, upon morning, to empower him to command several occasions, to me alone, mentioned at Plymouth in his father's absence, sending Mr. Russell; and I believe it which he tells me you promised before was only to be rid of him; for my part, you went; and it is upon your leave after what you have told me of all the Lord Bath pretends to stay here; but I nine, I should be very sorry to have him told him I suppose you had not foreseen from hence. And now I have named the French being so near. The Duke Mr. Russell, I must tell you, that at of Bolton also told me last night, you your first going, he did not come to me, had given him leave to raise some horse nor, I believe, to this hour would have volunteers, for which he should have had spoken with me, had not I told Lady a commission, but that you went away, Russell one day I desired it. When he and therefore he would have me give it; came, I told him freely that I desired to but I put it off, and Lord Marlborough see him sometimes, for being a stranger to advises me not to give it. Lord President business, I was afraid of being too much [formerly Lord Danby, now Marquis of led or persuaded by one party. I hope Carmarthen] some time since, told me I did not do amiss in this, and, indeed, the same thing, but I will not give any I saw at that time no body but Lord positive answer till you send me your President Carmarthen, and I was afraid directions. I must also inform you of of myself. Lord Carmarthen is upon all what Lord Nottingham told me yester- occasions afraid of giving me too much day: he says Lord Steward [Devonshire] trouble, and thinks, by little and little, was very angry at Lord Torrington's to do all. Every one sees how little I deferring the fight, and proposed that know of business, and therefore, I besomebody should be joined in com- lieve, will be apt to do as much as they mission with him. But that the other can. Lord Marlborough advised me to lords said could not be done, so Lord resolve to be present as often as possible, Monmouth offered to take one whose out of what intention I cannot judge; name I have forgot, he is newly made, but I find that they meet often at the I think, commissioner of the navy; and secretary's office, and do not take much as Lord Nottingham tells me, you had pains to give me an account: this I thoughts of having him command the thought fit to tell you. Pray be so kind fleet, if Lord Torrington had not this to answer me as particularly as you can." man, Lord Monmouth proposed to take Suspicions, doubts, and jealousies, and go together on board Lord Torring- still tormented the Queen and her cabiton's ship as volunteers, but with a net. Fearing to risk an engagement commission about them, to command with the French, on account of the in case he [Torrington] should be killed. lamentable state of the fleet under his I told Lord Nottingham I was not wil- command, Torrington wrote Mary, that ling to grant any commission of that na- he deemed it advisable to attempt noture, not knowing whether you had ever thing beyond defending the coasts from had any thoughts of that kind, so that I invasion. This conduct many of the thought he was only to be thanked for council attributed to disloyalty, and in 822 MARY THE SECOND, trignes and stormy debates ensued, the Indeed, I had a thought which I would particulars of which Mary forwarded not own, though 1 found some (f the to her wedded partner, in a letter dated lords had the same, about the'lemon June twenty-eighth, and from which we letters,'* which I suppose you have make the subjoined extracts. heard of, which come so constantly, and " As for Lord Torrington's letter, you are so very exact; the last of which told will have an account of that, and the an- even the debates of the committee, as swer from Lord Nottingham. I shall tell well as if one of the lords themselves you, as far as I can judge, what the others had written them. This looks odd, and I did. Lord Carmarthen was with me when believe makes many forward for this exLord Nottingham brought the letter; pedition; and, for my own part, I believe he was mighty hot upon sending Mr. Lord Monmouth may be best spared of Russell down to the fleet; but believing the company. that Russell and Torrington were not "Ten at night. Since writing this, friends, that Torrington ought not to be there has come much news. As I was provoked, and that Carmarthen's object going to the cabinet council in the mornwas to get rid of Russell, I said what I ing, Sir William Lockhart came with a couli against it, and found most of the letter from the committee there. Lord lords of my mind when they met, but Monmouth was there; he made great proMonmouth was not with them. Mr. fessions at parting, and desired me to beRussell drew up a sharp letter for us lieve there are some great designs." to sign, but it was softened down, and The Queen's next letter was written wrote in such terms as you will see; to immediately after the disastrous defeat which all agreed but Lord Devonshire, of the combined English and Dutch who said that he believed it very dan- fleets by the French, off Beachy HIead. gerous to trust Lord Torrington with She remarks, "As to the ill success at the fate of three kingdoms, and that he sea, I am more concerned for the honour was absolutely of opinion that some of the nation, than for anything else; other should be joined in the commission but I think it has pleased God to punish with him. To which Mr. Russell an- them justly, for they really talkt as if swered,'You must send for him pri- defeat were impossible, which looks too soner, then;' and all the rest concluded much like trusting in the arm of flesh. it would create too much disturbance in I pray God we may no more deserve the the sight of the enemy, and would be of punishment, and trust he will do more dangerous consequence. So the letter was than we deserve. What Lord Torringsigned,andLordNottinghamwritanother ton can say for himself, I know not, letter, in which he told him our other but I believe he will never be forgiven accounts we have received of the fleets here: the letters from the fleet before from the Isle of Wight. After I had and since the engagement, show sufgone, Lord Monmouth came to the other ficiently he was the only man there who lords who were still sitting, and offered, had no mind to fight, and his not doing if the Admiralty would give him the it, was attributed to orders from the commission of a captain, to hasten to council. Those which were sent and Portsmouth, fit out the best ship there, obeyed, have had but very ill success, and with it join Lord Torrington. the news of which has come this mornBeing in a great passion, he swore he ing. Lord Monmouth, I am sorry to would never come back again if they did say, has come back, and in compliance not fight. By his desire, and the appro- with your orders, Mr. Russell, who had bation of the lords, Lord Nottingham * Letters written in lemon juice, which decame to ask my consent. I asked who tailed the proceedings of William and Mary was there, and" fidin that two-thirds and their cabinet, and were directed to M. Wvas there, and finding tlat two-thrds Courtenay, Amsterdam. These letters Monof the committee were present, so that mouth brought every post-day to the Queen, if put to the vote it would have been under pretence that his intriguing friend, carried, and seeing they were as earnest Major Wildman, had intercepted them. It as he for it, nI thought I might consent. is generally believed that h e himself wrote as he foibr it, I thought Imight cnsent. them, to further his own ambitious projects. THIRD QUEEN REGNANT. 823 been sent away against my wish, has re- gives me pain, is fear that all that is done turned, so that now the nine are together may not please you. I am sure my great again." desire is to act as your second self, but On the third of July, Mary, still ad- you know I must do what the others dressing her husband on the same sub- think fit. I long to hear from you, for ject, wrote —" I and the nine have been I love you more than my life, and desire troubled to select suitable persons to take only to please you." charge of the shattered fleet, for it has On the sixth of July, Mary, on learnbeen resolved that Lord Torrington* ing that her husband had been wounded shall be disgraced and tried. The post in Ireland, wrote to him, "I can never was declined by Lord Monmouth and give God thanks enough, as long as I Mr. Russell, and when I offered it to live, for your preservation. I hope in his my Lord Chamberlain and Lord Marl- mercy that this is a sign he preserves you borough, they both assured me they to finish the work he has begun by you; would be laughed at if they interfered but I hope it may be a warning to you in sea matters. I therefore conferred it to let you see you are exposed to as on my Lords Devonshire and Pembroke, many accidents as others; and though which so annoyed my Lord President, it has pleased God to keep you once in who wished to undertake the commission so visible a manner, yet you must forhimself, that I found it expedient to give me if I tell you, that I shall think privately assure him that you could not it a tempting God to venture again withspare him from his post; but he answered out a great necessity. For God's sake, let he did not look upon himself as so tied. me beg of you to take more care for the IHe is also vexed at another affair, which time to come; consider what depends is, that neither Mr. Hampden nor Mr. upon your safety; there are so many Pelham will sign the docket for Lady Ply- more important things than myself, that mouth's ~8000. He complained to me, I think I am not worthy naming I promised to ask them about it, which among them; but it may be, the worst I have done; and both of them asunder, will be over before this time, so that I have told me the sum was too great to will say no more." be spared at present, when money was The news of William's victory over so much wanted; and in truth, I think James II., at the signal battle of the them in the right. I hope you will let Boyne, fought July the first, 1690, filled me know your mind upon it. They say Mary with ecstasies. In a letter dated Sir Stephen Fox signed it by surprise, Whitehall, July the seventh, she thus and is of their mind. The only thing I addressed her husband-" HIow to begin could say to this was, that you had this letter I do not know, or however, signed the warrant before you went, to render God thanks enough for his which I thought was enough. I must mercies; indeed, they are too great, if also tell you that Lord Shrewsbury we look on our deserts; but, as you say, [Mary's reputed lover] was at my dinner: it is his own cause, and since it is for I cordially welcomed him. He did not the glory of his great name, we have no stay long, but was here again at my reason to fear but he will perfect what supper; and, as I thought, took great he has begun. I am sorry the fleet has pains to talk, which I did to him as for- done no better, but it is God's provimerly, by your directions." She then con- dence, and we must not murmur, but eludes-" I am fully persuaded that God wait with patience to see the event. I will do some great thing or other, and was yesterday out of my senses with it may be when human means fail he will trouble; I am now almost so with joy. show his power. This gives me courage I hope in God, by the afternoon, to be to wait patiently for theresult. But what in a condition of sense enough to say much more, but for the present I am * He was tried and acquitted. The king, nut." however, dismissed him from his service, In thee r and would never again admit him into his afternoon she resumes'G I am presence. still in such a confusion of thoughts, that 824 MARY THE SECOND, I scarcely know what to say; but I hope kindness, and for my sake, let people in God you will now readily consent to know you would have no hurt come to what Lord President wrote last night, his person. Forgive me this." for methinks there is nothing more for Inconclusion. Maryremarks-"I1 long you to do. I must put you in mind of tohearwhatyouwilisayto the proposition one thing, which is, that you will take [that the King would immediately return care of the Church in Ireland. Every- to England] which will be sent to you body agrees that it is the worst in Chris- to-night by the Lords; and I flatter mytendom. There are now bishoprics and self mightily, with the hopes to see you, other places vacant, and I trust you will for which 1 am more impatient than can fill them with suitable persons. I am be expressed, loving you with a passion very uneasy in one thing, which is, want which cannot but end with my life." of somebody to speak my mind freely to: The Earl of Halifax, in a poem on it is a great constraint to think and be the battle of the Boyne, draws the subsilent; and there is so much matter, that joined not unfaithful sketch of Mary's I am one of Solomon's fools, who am conduct at this eventful epoch:ready to burst. I believe Lord Presi- "Who can forget the Queen's auspicious dent and Lord Nottingham agree very smile? well, and Lord Marlborough is always The pride of the fair sex, the goddess of our with them. As yet, they (I mean the Isle; Who can forget what all admired of late? whole nine) have differed so little, that, Her fears for him, her prudence for the to my surprise, it has never come to put state. anything to the vote. This I attribute Dissembling cares, she smoothed her looks r' J ----— b with grace, to the great danger all have apprehended, Doubts in her heart, and pleasure in her face which has made them of a mind." As danger did approach, her courage rose, Trle fact was, they had allplayed traitor And putting on the King, dismayed his to King James: his return would have foes. proved their ruin, hence their unanimity. To return to the Queen's corresponAfterdetailing Lord Monmouth'sfutile dence with her husband: she wrote on efforts to prejudice her against her friend the eighth of July, "At last I have obLord Nottingham, her Majesty proceeds tained what I long wished for in vain, a -" Lord Penibrook I never see but in sight of Lord Lincoln [a nobleman, we council. Slrewsbury comes as little as may remark parenthetically, who was he can, and never to the cabinet council. incited by the cabinet council to harass Devonshire will be a courtier among the council of nine, by whom her Mathe ladies; but Lord Nottingham seems jesty was solely guided]. I met him as to be hearty and sincere in all affairs, I came from prayers, with a hundred although lie does not take much pains to people at least after him. I cannot repersuade me of it, as others do, for he present to you my surprise at so unexnever spoke but once of himself, yet I pected, so strange an object, and his confess I have a good opinion of him. words were, if possible, more strange He brought me your letter yesterday, than his acts. He called Lord Presiand I could not hold; so he saw me cry, dent by name, and all in general who which I have hindered myself before are in trust,'rogues,' and told me, I everybody till then, that it was impos- must go back with him to the privy sible. And this morning, when I heard council to hear his complaint, which I the joyful news, I was in pain to think was against Lord Torrington; he know what was become of the late King talked so like a madman, that I an[James II., her father], and durst not swered him as calmly as I could, looking ask till Lord Nottingham came, when I on him as such, and so with much ado did venture to do it, and had the satis- got from him. I shall say no more now, faction to know lie was safe. I know I but that I shall live and die entirely need not beg you to let him be taken yours." care of, for I am confident you will for Two days afterwards, her Majesty your own sake; yet add, that to all your narrated to the King the troubles in THIRD QUEEN REGNANT. 825 which she was involved by the oppo- appease the discontents of that body, sition of the privy council tothe council Mary was compelled to call them toof nine. The Queen, by the King's gether, and preside over their delibeorders, but rarely attended the privy rations in person] where I was; but I council, which so enraged that body, must observe, that he came with his that they declared their functions were answer ready wrote, and pulled out his superseded by the council of nine, and paper and read it. Upon which many of broke out into a state bordering on those who came with him, looked upon rebellion. After mentioning that Mr. one another as amazed; and the more Russell had been sent down to the fleet, because the Lord President did not Mary proceeds —" The day I received desire it till Friday" This is one of yours by Mr. Gray, the privy council was the first instances of a public functioncalled extraordinarily, it being thought fit ary bringing his speech in his pocket, to formally acquaint them with the news ready written; and the novel circumof the victory at the Boyne. Seeing you stance so alarmed the Queen, that she had left me to the advice of the committee attributed it to treachery on the part [council] of nine when to attend the of the mal-content privy council, whom privy council, I asked them in the she suspected of plotting to overturn morning if I should go on this occasion, the government. as for my part I thought not. It was At this period a formidable Jacobite decided in the negative; but in the after- plot was hatching in Scotland; but benoon, when the privy council met, all fore it came to maturity, the leaders, began to ask if I came. The Lord Pre- Lords Annandale and Breadalbane, consident said, No; upon which there was fessed the whole to their majesties and great grumbling. Sir R. Howard said betrayed their colleagues; one of whom, he thought it not reasonable that I did Lord Ross, several of the Privy Council not come to privy council. He was desired to protect. The Queen thus menseconded by the Duke of Bolton; and tions the circumstance*-"Another thing Lords Monmouth and Devonshire came happened that I must tell your Majesty: to me in my closet, and requested me to Lord Nottingham had secured Lord go with them to privy council, to ap- Rosse, and now desired the Privy Council pease the storm. I will not trouble you that he might be sent to the Tower, as with what they said, but they were very well as many other Jacobites. All conpressing. I was surprised, and an- sented. Duke of Bolton asked why? swered them at first civilly, but being Lord Nottingham replied,'there were much pressed, I grew peevish, and told informations against him, and more, his them I thought it a proud fancy of some own letters to Sir J. Cochrane;' upon of the privy council, which I did not which all said a warrant should be feel myself bound to humour. I had drawn. But when it came to be signed, declared in the morning that I would Duke of Bolton would not; and hindered not come, and if I complied now, I Lord Devon by a whisper, and his son should in the end be sent for whenever by a nod. Lord Montague would not anybody had a mind to it. But all I sign it either; if this be usual, I cannot could say would not satisfy them, and tell, but methinks it ought not to be so." had not Lord Nottingham come in, I In the subsequent week, Mary wrote believe they would not have left me her husband:-"You will excuse me so soon This was the same day Lord from answering yourletter I received yesLincoln was here, as I wrote you on * On the fourteenth of July Queen Mary the eighth; and he sat in the gallery, issued proclamations for the apprehension of crying aloud' that five or six lords shut the Earls of Lichfield, Aylesbury, and Castlemain; the Lords Montgomery, Preston, and me up, and would let nobody else come Bellasis; Sir Edward Hales, Sir Robert Hanear me,' yet never asked it all the milton and several others mostly officers. time. Lord Nottinoham will give you Pepys, the author of the "Diary," had been o e n ouLord Maor s be arrested on the twenty-fifth of June, upon a an account of the Lord Mayor's being an accont do the r y n charge of giving information to the French called next day to the privy council, [to of the state of the English navy. 8s6 MARY THE SECOND, terday morning, when you know I have consider whether you will not keep been this morning to Hampton Court, some for public schools to instruct the where I must tell you all things are poor I risk. For my part, I must need going on very slowly for want of money* say, that I think you would do very and Portland stone. Sir Charles Little- well, if you would consider what care ton has offered to resign his commission. can be taken of the poor souls there; and, I have accepted it, and am glad of it, for indeed, if you would give me leave, I reasons too long to tell now. Pray send must tell you I think this wonderful deword who shall have the appointment, liverance and success you have had, for it is judged necessary to be filled up should oblige you to think upon doing as soon as may be." In another letter what you can for the advancement of the Queen says, "All my fear is, the true religion and promoting the gospel. French ships which are going to St. On Monday next I go to Hyde Park to George's Channel, and are already at review the militia-you may be sure I go Kinsale; but I hope the express, which against my will. I will say no more at goes this evening to Sir Cloudesley present, but that the Bishop of Salisbury Shovel, will reach him time enough to [Burnet the historian] made a long thunprevent any surprise. I am the most im- dering sermon [on the Boyne victory] patient creature in the world for an this morning, which he has brought me, answer about your coming, which I hope and requested me to print; which I could may be a good one." I have been also not refuse, although I should not have desired to beg you not to be too quick in ordered it, for reasons which I told him. parting with the confiscated estates I am extremely anxious to hear from [they were the private inheritance of her you, but above all, I hope I shall not father, and William III. bestowed them meet with a disappointment of your on his mistress, Elizabeth Villiers], but coming, for in that case I don't know * The Queen had used her utmost endea- what I should do; my desire of seeing vours to supply William with money while in you is equal to my love, which cannot Ireland, even to pawning many of her jewels. end but with my life." CHAPTER V. Cabinet factions —Mary quarrels with the Admniralty-Appointment of Russell and others as Adm'irals of the fleet-Kensington Palace-Passage qf the ShannonMary intercedes for Mr. Hamilton-Examines Jacobite traitors-Her Dutch bias-Deplores the loss of her husband's cannon-Dialogue with Raussell-Family gossip-Tender affection for her husband —Dreads his going to Flanders-He returns to England~-Embarks for the Hague-Proceedings of the JacobitesNevill Payne put to the torture. ^. ( S the battle of the July, " but shall stay till I see you, to tell Boyne had annihi- you my mind upon it. Lord Lincoln was Al l i: l I atcd the proba- with me for more than an hour, reformilit^y of James the ing, the fleet, correcting abuses, and not Second's restoration, shy of naming persons; he talked so Mary's councillors, much like a madman, and made me the A no longer united by extravagantest compliments in the world. a fear of her father's He used an expression I have heard return, broke out into a state of fierce often within these few days, which is. party strife, which drove her Majesty al- that I have the power in my hand, and most beside herself. " I have at last seen they wonder I do not make use of it, the Council in a great heat," she writes and why should I stay for your return, her husband on the twenty-eighth of and whether it is well for me to lose THIRD QUEEN REGNANT. 827 time by writing you word is doubted,' No, no more he can't.' 1 was ready to that is, when they must stay till an an- say,' Then the King should give the swer can come. I shall tell you more of commission to such as would not dispute this when I see you, or can write you a with him;' but I did not, though I was longer letter, for I have taken the vapours heartily angry with him. Lord Presiand dare not to-night." It certainly dent, after more discourse, desired them does honour to Mary as a consort, that to retire. They next resolutely refused she turned a deaf ear to the entreaties of to sign the commission. I asked Lord the powerful party who urged her to President'what answer was to be sent?' acts of independent sovereignty. Strange he was very angry, and talked at a great it is, that a base, heartless daughter, rate; but I stopped him, and told him, should prove a gentle, loving, obedient' I was angry enough, and desired him wife, yet such is the case with Mary the not to be too much so, for I did not Second; a Queen who, to her father, was believe it a proper time.' He said, one of the worst of offsprings, to herhus-' The best answer that he could give band the best of wives. from me was, that they, (the comAt the commencement of August, the missioners of the Admiralty,) would Councils were at issue respecting the do well to consider it.' I desired he appointment of an admiral to command would add:' That I could not change the fleet; the King, and, of course, also my mind,' if it was proper to say so the Queen, wished to confer the honour much. He said,' it was rather too little.' upon Mr. Russell, but on account of the I saw Mr. Russell this morning, and late naval defeats, he refused to accept it, found him much out of humour; lie exunless two others shared the responsi- cused the conduct of Sir Thomas Lee, bility with him; the one Lord Shrews- and, endeavouring to talk it over, said: bury, the other an experienced naval'That Haddock was not acceptable to officer. Their Majesties raised no pow- them, because they believed Lord Noterful objection to Lord Shrewsbury, but tingham had recommended him, and they insisted on Sir Richard Haddock, a they did not like that.' I saw he shifted gentleman hated by Russell, being the off signing the commission; and as there third admiral. Russell resisted, and the was company by, I had no opportunity feuds which thereby ensued, Mary thus of saying more to him, only he pressed describes to her absent lord:-"The naming Shrewsbury for the third admiral commissioners of the Admiralty were of the fleet, as the best means to allay sent for, and Lord President Carmar- these disagreements. This afternoon Lord then told them, that Russell and Had- Marlborough came to nle about the same dock, in conjunction with a nobleman, thing. and I told him why I should be should have the command of the fleet, unwillingto name Shrewsbury myself, for Sir Thomas Lee grew pale as death, and I thought it would not be proper for me told me that the custom was for they, by any means to name a person who had the commissioners of the Admiralty, to quitted office just upon your going away, recommend, and to answer for the per- though 1 was persuaded you would trust sons, since they were to give them the him; yet, for me to take upon myself so commissions, and might be called to ac- to name him, without being assured of count in Parliament. I shall not repeat your approbation, I thought not proper. all that was said. Lord President argued I pray God send you here quickly, for I with them. At last Sir Thomas Lee said see all breaking out into flames. Devonplainly,' Haddock they did not like.' shire was with me this afternoon from He added,' I might give a commission, Sir Thomas Lee, to excuse himself to but they could not.' When I saw he me. He said, the reason was, because insisted on their privilege, I said,'I he saw Haddock's appointment was a perceive then, that the King hath given business between two or three, a conaway his own power, and could not certed thing, and that made him he make an admiral which the Admiralty could not consent. I told Devonshire, did not like.' Sir Thomas Lee replied: he hinmsclf could have assured Sir 828 MARY THE SECOND, Thomas Lee, it was your own orders for the public; do a little, also, for my in your letter to me. At which he private satisfaction, who loves you much shaked his head. I asked'if he, or more than my own life." Sir Thomas Lee, did not believe me?' In an epistle dated August nine, Mary, He said,'Sir Thomas Lee thought that resuming her narrative of incidents, Haddock was imposed on the King.''I writes her husband:' You will not said I did not believe that was so easy.' wonder that I did not write last night,'I mean,' said Devonshire,'recom- when you know that at noon I received mended by persons they don't much yours by Mr. Butler, whose face I shall like.''Indeed, my lord, if they only dis- love to see ever hereafter, since he like Haddock because he is recommended has come twice with such good news. I by such as they don't approve, it will have now another- a very strong only confirm me in the belief that he is reason to be glad of your coming. and a fit man, since they can make no other that is the divisions which, to my thinkobjection against him.''I confess,' said ing, increase here daily. The business I,'my lord, I was very angry at what Sir of the commission is again put off by Thomas Lee said yesterday, but this is to Mr. Russell, who persists in excusing make me more so; since I see it is not Sir T. Lee; how the matter will end, reason, but passion makes Sir Thomas God knows. I went last night to KenLee speak thus.' Upon which, I and sington, and will go again by and by. Devonshire fell into discourse of the They promise me all shall be ready by feuds in Council, which we both la- Tuesday next, that is the night of Mr. mented; and I think we were both Butler's reckoning, that with a fair angry, though with one another. He wind you may be here; though I think complained that people were too much by your dear letter it is possible you believed that ought not to be so, and may come a day sooner. At most, if we could not agree. If I have been too you lie at Whitehall two nights, the angry, I am sorry for it. I fancy I am third you may, if it please God, be at not easily provoked, but I think I had Kensington. I will do my endeavour, reason, if I may say so. I think people that it may be sooner, but one night, I should not be humoured to this degree." reckon, you will be content to lie at "One thing more," proceeds the Whitehall. I wrote to you in my last, Queen, "I much desire to know posi- how I thought you might shift at Kentively, which is about Kensington; sington without my chamber, but I have whether you will go there, though my thought since to set up a bed-which is chamber is not ready. Your own already ordered-in the Council Chamnapartment, Lord Portland's, Mr. Over- ber, and that I can dress me in Lord kirk's, and Lady Darby's, are done, Portland's, and use his closet. M. Neinbut mine impossible to be used, and burg is gone to get ready other rooms for nobody else's lodgings ready. The air him; thus I think we may shift for a there is now fr frfom smoke, but your fortnight, in which time I hope my own closet.w yet smells of paint, for which I chamber will be ready, they promise it will ask pardon when I see you. This sooner. This letter, I hope will meet is the true state of your house at Ken- you at Chester, and I have one thing to sington; but if you will sleep only there, beg, which is that, if it be possible, I for I suppose business will keep you at may come and meet you on the road, for Whitehall during the day, pray let me I do so long to see you, that I am sure know. You may be sure I shall be wil- had you as much mind to see your poor ling to suffer any inconvenience for the wife again, you would propose it; but sake of your dear company. I hope this do as you please, I will say no more, but long letter will meet you so near, that that I love you so much, it cannot inyou may bring your answer; if not, if crease, else I am sure it would." you love me, either write me a particular Mary evidently penned the above answer yourself, or let Lord Portland do letter in the hope of beholding her ab. it for you. You see the necessity of it, sent husband before the lapse of another TII1RD QUEEN REGNANT. 829 week. This hope was, however, disap- is a great ease to me, and I hope may pointed. In Ireland, success had turned make things go on the better, if it be posm favour of the Catholic party. The Ja- sible, though there are great pains taken cobite Colonel Sarsfield obstinately and to hinder the persons named from serving successfully defended Limerick. William at all, or from agreeing, but I hope to was forced to raise the siege; and when, little purpose. Lord Nottingham will at length, he resolved to return to give you an account of all things, and England, the victorious fleets of France of some letters which, by great luck, are rode triumphantly in the English and fallen into our hands. 1 have been to in St. George's Channels, and compel- Kensington: it is ready; had you come led him to defer it from week to week, to-night, as I flattered myself you would greatly to the disappointment of her have done, you could have lain there, Majesty, who, in her next epistle, that is to say in the Council Chamber, dated August the second, remarks, and there I fear you must lie when you " Unless I could express the joy I do come, which God grant may be soon. had at the thoughts of your coming, it I must needs tell you upon the subject, will be vain to undertake telling you of that when it first became known you the disappointment it is to me, your not intended to come back, it was said: coming so soon. I am grieved to think' What! leave Ireland unconquered-the that your dear person may be exposed at work unfinished?' Now, upon your not the passage of the Shannon, as it was at coming, it is wondered whose counsel that of the Boyne: this is what goes to this is, and why you leave us to ourmy heart; but yet I see the reasons for selves in danger. Thus people are neyer it so good, that I will not murmur, for satisfied; but I must not begin upon the certainly your glory would be the greater subject, which would fill volumes, and as to terminate the war this summer, and the much as I was prepared, surprises me people here will be much better pleased beyond expression. I am very impatient to than if they must furnish next year for hear again if you are over the Shannon; the same thing again. Since it has that passage frightens me. I pray God pleased God so wonderfully to preserve in his mercy keep you, and send us a you all your life, and so miraculously, happy meeting here on earth, before we now I need not doubt but he will still meet in heaven." preserve you; yet, let me beg of you not In her letter of August the ninth, to expose yourself unnecessarily; that Mary remarks: —"This passage of the will be too much tempting that Provi- Shannon runs much on my mind, and dence which I hope will still watch over gives me no quiet night nor day. I have you. Mr. Russell is gone down to the a million of fears, which are caused by fleet last Thursday, to hasten as much that which you cannot be angry at; and if as may be all thinos there, and will be I were less sensible I should hate myself, back on Monday, when there is a great though I wish I were not so fear full, council appointed. I doubt not but this and yet one can hardly go without the commission will find many obstacles; and other, but it is not reasonable I should this naming Killigrew, among such as torment you with any of this. The Earl of do not like him, will be called in ques- Devonshire desires me to let you know he tion, as well as the naming of Ashby and has had a letter from Madame de GramHaddock, and I shall hear again that it is mont, about her brother, Mr. Hamilton; a thing agreed on amongst two or three." they earnestly desire he may be exKing William took the same view changed for Lord Mountjoy.* I told that Mary had done of the insolent conduct of Sir Thomas Lee. His Ma- * iss Hamilton was the wife of that Count de Grammont, whose scandalous mejesty justified her displeasure, and she moirs of the Court of Charles II. add more in reply wrote him on the fifth of Au- notoriety than lustre to his name. Mr. gust:-" Last night I received yours of Hamilton was her brother; he fought for the third of July, and with great satis- King ame atndh batdbeenf te Boyne. Lord faction. Your approving of my anger Mountjoy was considered the head of the 830 MARY THE SECOND, Devonshire that I knew nothing of with the reward they received for their Hamilton's faults, which 1 perceive he services, they joined the plot against the apprehends the Parliament will take government of William and Mary; this into consideration, if Hamilton be not plot had been disorganised in tile preout of their power, hut that upon his vious year by the death of Dundee, and (Devonshire's) earnest desire, I would let now, to save their heads, these unprinyou know it. I would have had Devon- cipled nobles turned informers against shire write it you himself, but he begs me their associates, with the understanding todo it. As for Lord Mountjoy, Ihope that they were to confess everything, you will consider if anything can be done receive a free pardon, and not be confor him. I can never forget that I fronted with their victims. promised his son's wife to speak to you, In an epistle addressed to her husand she really died of grief, which makes band, on the thirteenth of August, Mary me pity her case; his family is in a mise- proceeds: -" The commissioners of the rable way, and I am daily solicited from Admiralty have resolved to come to me his eldest daughter about him. If you to-morrow with some names for flags. would let Lord Portland give me some Mr. Russell recommends Churchill and answer to this I should be glad, for I Ellmore, because he says nothing has cannot wonder at people desiring an been done for them, though they were answer, though I am tormented my- both trusted when you came over, and self."* have been ever very true to your inteIn her next letter, Mary remarked:- rest. But I think, if it be possible, to let "Lord Steward [Devonshire] was with them alone till you come, though Mr. me this afternoon, and I had a long con- Russell seems to think it cannot be deversation with him, which it will be layed. I shall hear (if it must be so) worth your while knowing when you what the other commissioners think, and come, but he has made me promise to do as well as 1 can." write you word some part of it, which is, Three days afterwards, her Majesty, that he begs you to consider if you will resuming her narrative of incidents, not have a new Parliament, for this he says:-"I think I writ you [King is sure will do no good; this, he says, is William] word, or should have done, his opinion. I see it isa thing they are that he (Lord Annandale) sent by- his mightily set upon. Lord President, wife to Sir William, that he would surmethinks, has very good arguments to render himself, if he might be sure not try the present Parliament first, but of to be made an evidence of; upon which all this you will judge best when you Sir William drew up conditions that he come. I have had this evening Lord should tell all, and then should be made Annandale, who is to tell all, and then no evidence, and has my word to get I am to procure a pardon from you; but your pardon. I think I writ you this I think I shall not be so easily deceived before, but to be short, he is come in, by him, as I fear Lord Melville has been and I have spoke twice with him. Lord by Sir James Montgomery; but these are Annandale told me, that after the time things to talk of when you come back, the papers were burnt (wherewith this which I pray God may be very soon." ends) Sir James Montgomery proposed The Lords Annnadale, Breadalbane, sending a second message by the same Ross, and others, had originally espoused Simson, but he (Annandale) rejected it the Orange cause, but being dissatisfied as much as he durst, but was afraid to say plainly he would not. So, having a Protestant party in Ireland; and whilst in mind to get out of this, he (Annandale) France, endeavouring to dissuade James II. pended business at his own house in from opposing William and Mary in Ireland, i i Louis XIV. caused him to be seized and the country; but his coolness made Sir shut up in the Bastile. James Montgomery the warmer in it, Tvhis petition. acked by the entreaty of and he assured him that he would spend Devonshire and the fair Grammont, had the his life and fortune in Grammont, had the desired effect, and shortly afterwards Mr. une in that inerestte Hamiltbn was exchanged for Lord Mountjoy. interest of Mary's father, Juaes II.]. THIRD QUEEN REGNANT. 831 In continuation of her narrative, Mary [ IHarbord wrote to Sir R. Southwell; but says: "Lord Breadalbine came to see he has a great deal to say; he pleased nl Annandale on his way to Chester, where extremely to hear how much people love he went to meet you. He told him that me there. When I think of that, and Sir J. Montgomery had sent another see what folk do here, it grieves me too message to St. Germalin's [James lI.], much, for Holland has really spoiled me but he, Breadalbine. was not engaged in in being so kind to me-that they are so it, and he believed nobody was but to you, it is no wonder. I wish to God it Lord Arran, though he could not be was the same here: hut I ask your positive if Lord Ross were not likewise pardon for this; if I once begin upon in. This he told me last night, and de- this subject, I can never have done." sires to be asked more questions, that he Mary next reverts to the solicitations may,if possible,remember more. Thus he of Marlborough, that his brother, Capseems sincere, but, in truth, one scarcely tain Churchill, who had been expelled knows in what to believe; but this much from parliament on account of his whole. is certain, that Lord Ross has not kept sale peculations, should be pushed ovet his word with me, much less has Sir J. the head of a brave old naval officer, into Montgomery with Lord Melville: for he the important post of Admiral. She has been in town a week, and I have heard herself leant to the appointment, and nothing of him, which is a plain breach proceeds:-" "Marlborough says, that of the conditions. D'Alonne [Mary's Lord President may write to you about French secretary] is to send Lord Port- one Carter. Probably he will, for he land, by this post, a copy of a letter tells me he [Carter] is a much older from Mr. Priestman, in which you will officer, and will quit if others come over see what need you have of that Divine his head, and says, all goes by partiprotection which has hitherto so watched ality and faction, as, indeed, I think it over you, and which only can make me is but too plain in other things; how it easy for your dear sake. The same God is in this, you.will be best able to judge. who has hitherto so preserved you, will, I could not refuse my Lord Marlborough, I hope, continue, and grant us a happy nor, indeed, myself the writing you the meeting here and a blessed one hereafter." matter as it is, though he expects I On the nineteenth of August, the should write in hisfavour, which, though Queen again writes:" Last night I re- I would not promise, yet I did make him ceived yours, after I was in bed. I was ex- a sort of compliment after my fashion." tremely glad to find by it you had passed The Queen commences her epistle of the Shannon, but cannot be without the twenty-second of August with an fears, since the foe has still an army allusion to Colonal Sarsfield's successful together, which, though it has once more attack on William's cannon and ammurun away from you, may yet grow des- nition before Limerick. A few days perate for aught I know, and fight at last. previously, a messenger had arrived with These are the things I cannot help fear- the ill tidings, and she now wrote-" I ing, and as long as I have these fears, you received yours to-day, and am sorry to may believe I cannot be easy; yet I must see the messenger's news confirmed; but look over them, if possible, or presently it has pleased God to bless you with everybody will think all lost. This is no such a continued success all this while, small part of my penance; but all must that it may be necessary to have some be endured as long as please God, and I little cross. I hope in God this will have still abundant cause to praise him not prove a great one to the main who has given you this new advantage." business [the siege of Limerick], though How completely Dutch Mary had it is a terrible thought to me that your become since her marriage, is corrobo- coming is put off again. However, rated by the subjoined. "When I writ I will say nothing of what my poor last," she continues, "I was so full of heart suffers, but must tell you that my Scotch business that I forgot Mr. I am now in great pain about the HIarbord; so I must now tell you that naming of the flags. Mr. Russell came 832 MARY THE SECOND, to me last night, and said it would now sport ships, arid do what they will. You be absolutely necessary. I insisted upon will have an account from Lord Notstaying till I heard from you. lie de- tingham of what has been done this day sired to know if I had any particular and yesterday. I know you will pity reason. I told him, plainly, that since me, and I hope will believe, that had I could not pretend to know myself who your letter been less kind, I don't know were the fittest, it troubled me to see all what had become of me. I hear you were not of a mind; that I was told by daily expose yourself to great dangers, several persons that there were ancient which puts me in continual pain. A officers in the fleet [Carter and Davis] battle, I fancy, is soon over, but the perwho had behaved themselves very well, petual shooting you are now in, is an who would quit if these were preferred; intolerable thing to me. For God's so I desired in this difficulty to stay for sake, take care of yourself; you owe it to your answer. To this, Russell answered your own country, to this country, and with more passion than I ever saw him, to all in general. I must not name my-'That Carter and Davis, which he knew self, where Church and State are equally Lord President and Lord Nottingham concerned, yet I must need say you owe had spoken for, were two pitiful fellows a little care for my sake, who, I am sure, and very mean seamen, and that next love you more than you can do me; summer he would not command the and the little care you take of your dear fleet if they had flags.' After a long person I take to be a sign of it; but I dispute I have put him off till the last must still love you more than life." moment comes, when they are to sail. On the 26th of August, she wrote to He says, he must mention it to the her husband-" I have just written to commissioners, and hear who will speak your aunt, the Princess of Nassau, in against it, by which I may judge. I answer to one which she wrote to let see Marlborough is much set on this me know of her daughter being about matter, as well as Russell. On the other to marry the Prince of Saxenschnach. side, Lord Presidentsays-'If Churchill I believe you will be glad, for your have a flag, he will be called the flag by cousin's sake, that she will be disposed favour, as Marlborough is called the of before her mother dies; and I even general of favour.' LordPresident also heard at the Hague, that this young says,' If Churchill have a flag, Carter man was good-natured, which will make will quit;' he commends him highly; but him use her well, though she is so much I must also tell you, that he (Lord older than he is. I cannot help laughPresident) is mightily dissatisfied with ing at this wedding, though my poor the business of Kinsale." heart is ready to break every time I Kinsale and Cork still held out for think in what perpetual danger you are. James II., and William accepted Marl- I am in great fear, count the hours and borough's offer to reduce, with a re-in- the moments, and have only reason forcement of five thousand men, those enough to think, so long as I have no two places before winter; and the letter, all is well. I believe by what Dutch King himself prepared to sail to you write, you got your cannon on England, the moment the victorious Friday, and then Saturday I suppose French fleet left the passage sufficiently you began to use them. Judge then, free. what cruel thoughts they are to me, to " He does not," proceeds her Majesty, think what you may be exposed to all "oppose it, for he says it is your order this while. I never do anything withand must be obeyed; but among other out thinking now, it may be, you are in things, he endeavours to frighten me by the greatest danger: and yet I must see the danger there is of being so exposed, company upon my set days: I must when the fleet and five thousand men play twice a-week, nay, must laugh and are gone, which he reckons all the force, talk, though never so much against my and tells me how easily it will be then will. I believe I dissemble very ill to for the French to come with only tran- those who know me, at least it is a TIIRD QUEEN REGNANT. 833 great constraint to myself, yet I must as I have to care for his wife, yet I endure it. All my motions are so must pity her condition, having lain in watched, and all I do is so observed, but eight days; and I have great comthat if I eat less, or speak less, or look passion for wives when their husbands more grave, all is lost in the opinion of do go to fight." This expression of the world. So that I have this misery sympathy for one whose pen forgot not added to that of your absence, and my to slander her, does honour to Mary, fears for your dear person, that I must who proceeds-" I hope the business will grin when my heart is ready to break, succeed; though I find if it do not, those and talk when it is so oppressed I can who advised it will have an ill time, all, scarce breathe. I don't know what I except Lord Nottingham, being very should do, were it not for the grace of much against it; Lord President only God, which supports me. I am sure I complying because it is your order, have great reason to praise the Lord but not liking it, and wondering Engwhile I live, for his great mercy that I land should be left so exposed, thinking don't sink under this affliction; nay, that it too great a hazard. There would be I keep my health; for I can neither eat no end, should I tell you all I hear upon nor sleep. I go to Kensington as often this subject; but I thank God I am not as I can for air, but then I never can be afraid, nor do I doubt of the thing, since quite alone, neither can I complain- it is by your order. that would be some ease; but I have "I have always forgot to tell you, nobody whose humour and circumstances that in the Utrecht Courant they have agree with mine enough to speak my printed a letter of yours to the States of mind freely to. Besides, I must hear of Holland, in which you promise soon to business, which being a thing I am so be with them. I cannot tell you how new in, and so unfit for, does but break many ill hours I have had about that, my brains the more, and not case my in the midst of my joy, when I thought heart. It is some ease to me to write you were coming home, for it troubled my pain, some satisfaction to believe me to think you would go over and fight you will pity me; it will be yet more again there. Nowmy letteris alreadyso when I hear it from yourself in a letter, long, but it is as if I were bewitched toas I am sure you must, if it be but out night; I cannot end for my life, but will of common good-nature, how much more force myself now, beseeching God to bless then out of kindness; if you love me as you, and keep you from all dangers you make me believe, and as I endeavour whatsoever; and send us a happy meetto deserve a little by that sincere and ing again here upon earth, and at last lasting kindness I have for you. a joyful and blessed one in heaven, "But by making excuses, I do but in his good time. Farewell, do but take up your time, and therefore must continue to love me, and forgive this tell you, that this morning Lord Marl- which did not exceed thirty-seven days. Iie borough* went away; as little reason reduced Cork and Kinsale, straitened the communications of the insurgents with France, * Marlborough landed near Cork, on the and confined them to the province of Ulster, twenty-first of September, and united with where they could not subsist without the the German and Danish troops, whom King utmost difficulty. William had left under the command of the After this short, but brilliant expedition, Duke of Wirtemberg. At this moment he Marlborough returned with his prisoners to experienced those vexatious squabbles which England, in the latter end of October. He often arise when high birth and military ta- was welcomed with the most flattering receplents are brought into competition. But by tion by the King, who said of him-" I know the interposition of Brigadier La Mellonerie, of no man who has served so few campaigns, a French refugee, a compromise was effected, equally fit for command." The Lnglish naand the two generals agreed to exercise the tion also, long accustomed to see the execution command alternately. The first day Marl- of the most important enterprises confided to borough gave Wirtemberg as the word, and foreigners, exulted to find that a native officer the compliment was returned by his colleague. had gained more advantages in a single The vigour and enterprising spirit of the month, than many of the foreign generals in British general excited equal surprise and several campaigns.- Coxe's Life of Marlsatisfaction during his short stay in Ireland, borough. 3 H 834 MARY THE SECOND, taking up so much of your time by your embarked for the Hague, and again left poor wife, who deserves more pity than Mary to govern, by the assistance of the ever any creature did, and who loves same council of regency-called by the you a great deal too much for her own disaffected, the nine Kings-that had ease, though it can't be more than you supported her sceptre during William's deserve." absence in Ireland. The King did not On the fifth of September, 1690, permit his consort to assist at the solemn William embarked at Duncannon fort, opening of parliament, in the autumn with his brother-in-law, Prince George of 1690; and the Jacobites celebrated of Denmark, and other persons of dis- his departure to the Hague, by singingtinction. The voyage was so prosperous, "His father he beat at the Boyne; that the next day he arrived in King's Let all who can, sing for joy. Road, near Bristol. Two days after- He mawled Irish Turk, wards, the Queen received intelligence With Ginkell and Kirk. of his.a nd. an ii:me Rare old Willie, cheating Willie, of his landing, and immediately dis- Willie, the Orange boy! patched to him the subjoined epistle:- But now e to Hollnd is gone, Let all who can, sing for joy; " Whitehall, September 8th, 1690. He's not left us alone, Lord WTinchester wishes to go and For his Queen guards the throne. -"Lord Winchester wishesoOh, this rare old Willie, cheating Willie, meet you; whether I ought to send him Willie, the Orange boy!"* out of form sake, I cannot tell; but it The King embarked for Holland in may pass for what it ought to the world, very day of his deand to your dear self at least, I suppose es.4 wz^ n y^ 5 * ^^ ^ ^ parture, Lord Preston and Mr. Ashton it is indifferent. Nothing can express parture, Lord Prston and. hton it i indifferent Nothing can express *were tried for conspiring the restoration the impatience I have to see you, nor of James. Ashtonwas condemned my joy to think it is so near. I have ee ston was oned and executed, but Preston was pardoned; not slept all this night for it, though I, -.. w n ut slept th night bfor i, toh not, however, at the entreaty of his little had but ve hour sleep the night before, aughter, who, it has been asserted, for a reason I shall tell you. I am now melted the heart of Mary, by observing, going to Kensington, to put things in whilst gazing on the portrait of James order there, and intend to dine there to- hilst gaing on the ortrt o morrow, and expect to hear when I shall II., in the St. George's Gallery, "Oh, morrow, and expect to er when I sha ll ho hard it is, your Majesty, that my set out to m eet you. I had a ompli- father must die for loving your father; ment last night from the Queen Dowmet last nht from the ueganza], whDo ame- but that others implicated in the plot ager atheneofBraganza], whocm might be betrayed by his evidence. to town on Friday. She sent it, I be- Several too, were betrayed and cruelly lieve, with a better heart because Lime- tortured. As an instance of the cruelty rick is not taken; for my part, I don't resorted to by the executive at this think of that, nor anything else but you. period, we mention the following:-In God send you a good Journey home, and the summer of 1690, one Nevill Payne, make me thankful, as I ought, for all his a plebeian Jacobite, hadbeen arrested in mercies."a n hi ~mercies."~ ~ ~Scotland, by the Queen's orders. Now Thus s this r e c- the Queen and her council judged him Thus concludes this remarkable or- to be one of the conspirators, and as respondence, a correspondence which bribes and entreaties failed, they resolved proves the Queen, with all her faults, to to force him to turn informer, against have possessed greater literary and reg-his associates., The barbarous means nal abilities than is generally supposed. resorted to for this purpose, are thus On the ninth of September, Mary, detailed in an epistle, sent by the Earl with infinite joy, met her husband at of Crafurd, from Edinburgh, to Lord Windsor, whence they proceeded to Melville, at the court inLondon. "YesHampton Court, and two days afterwards to Kensington Palace, which they made * Almost the same sentiments as are emtheir principl residence till the sixth of bodied in this lyric, occur in another Jacobteir pricipal resience tite song of the same period, commencing, the subsequent January, when William "He at the Boyne his father beat." THIRD QUEEN REGNANT. 836 terday, Nevill Payne was questioned me and others that flesh and blood could, upon some matters of no great moment, without fainting, endure the heavy peand had but gentle torture given him. nance he was in for two hours. Being This evening, about six o'clock, we re- witness to an act so cross to my natural peated it. We inflicted on both his temper, put my stomach out of tune; thumbs and one of his legs, with all the but the dangers from such conspirators severity that was consistent with humanity, to the person of our incomparable King, even to that pitch that we could not have have prevailed over me, in the council's preserved life andgone further; but with- name, to have been the prompter of the out the least success, for his answers to all executioner to increase the torture to so his interrogations were negatives. Yea, high a pitch."* he was so manly and resolute under his * According to Burnet, he was afterwards sufferings, that such of the council who brought up to be examined before Parliament; were not acquainted with all the evi- but, in consequence of a threat he sent to dence confounded with amazement, some of the lords, especially the Duke of dence, were confounded with amazement, Hamilton, that "he could discover enough to and began to give him charity that he deserve his pardon," which "struck terror might be innocent. It was surprising to into many of them," the enquiry was stifled. CHAPTER VI. Mary's proceedings with the Church-Preston conspiracy-King returns from the Hague-Fire at Whitehall-Mary insulted- William embarks for FlandersFire at Kensington-Mary beset with dificulties- William returns-Final rupture between Mary and Anne-Disgrace of the Marlboroughs-Glencoe massacreWilliam again proceeds to Holland-The reins of government consigned to Mary — Her administration beset with diffiulties-Naval victory of La Hogue-Admi. ral Russel refuses a title-William and Archbishop Tillotson never baptized. OR more than a year beth before the expiration of ten days. Mary hesitated to He disobeyed this mandate, was thrust take any decisive out of his palace on the twenty-third of measures against the June, and afterwards retired to a small K;llt~ l ( nonjuring clergy, in estate he possessed in Suffolk-it brought the hope that expe- him but fifty pounds a-year-and there - _ > Mdiency would ulti- he ended his days. The ignorant, warmately induce them rior-spirited Dr. Compton, Bishop of to compromise their principles by taking London, sued the King and Queen to the oath of allegiance. But, finding her appoint him to the vacant archbishopric; expectation vain, she, on the first of Feb- but Dr. Tillotson, who by pecuniary ruary, formally deprived Sancroft, Arch- assistance had completed the success of bishop of Canterbury, Ken,Bishopof Bath William's previously mentioned experiand Wells, andfive other prelates, and four ment in popularity at Canterbury, was hundred-some estimated seven hundred marked by His Majesty for high episco-divines. Ken, after vainly protesting pal promotion, and on the thirty-first of and then publicly declaring against the May, 1691, Mary nominated him to the legality of the Queen's proceedings, re- primacy. To fill the Deanery of Cantertired from his bishopric, to the home of bury, vacated by the elevation of Dr. his hospitable nephew, Isaac Walton, in Tillotson, William, usurping the funcSalisbury close; but Sancroft declared tion of the Chapters in convocation, sent he had done nothing to merit such treat- his consort from Holland three names, ment, and if her majesty wished for his from which to appoint the one most palace at Lambeth, she must force him agreeable to herself. On the list was out. Accordingly, at the close of May, her faithful old almoner Dr. Hooper, the Queen sent him notice to quit Lam- and on him she immediately conferred 3 2 836 MARY THE SECOND, the appointment. The Orange King, Early in May, William having ob. on hearing how Mary had acted, was tained a large supply of money and extremely enraged. His hatred to Dr. troops, embarked for Holland, to proseHooper was, he knew, patent to his con- cute the war with all possible vigour. sort, and he evidently had only placed On the thirteenth of October, he returned the name of that divine on the list, to again to England, and had scarcely taken mortify him by her rejection. up his residence with Mary, at KensingMeanwhile the Preston conspiracy, or ton Palace, when an alarming fire burst plots more or less connected with it, oc- forth there (November the tenth, 1691), cupied the attention of the Queen and which fortunately was extinguished beher council. She issued a proclamation fore reaching the royal apartments. for the discovery and apprehension of William, on his return, severely reproachDr. Turner, the late Bishop of Ely; ed Mary for appointing Dr. Hooper to William Penn, the renowned Quaker; the deanery of Canterbury; nor did he Mr. James Graham, and Lord Dart- afford her a word of condolence for the mouth, as persons implicated in these troubles, anxieties, and difficulties, she Jacobite designs. Turner, Penn, and had endured in his absence, although Graham absconded, but Dartmouth was she had braved them all with the forticommitted to the Tower, on the third tude, tact, and experience, of a successful of April, 1691, where soon afterwards ruler. Hercorrespondence with William he died. At this period Lord Clarendon, this summer we cannot obtain, but cerwho the reader will remember had been tain it is, that corn was at famine prices. " clapt up in the Tower" by the Queen, The country was weighed down by taxhis niece, during William's absence in ation; from causes which it belongs to Ireland, endeavoured to obtain some re- history to explain, victory had neither laxation of his hard confinement. His favoured the British army or navy. The more complying brother, Laurence Hyde, Jacobites were busy plotting the restoraand his relative, Lady Katherine Rane- tion of the deposed Stuart sovereign. lagh, became suitors in his behalf, and Marlborough, disgusted that his military about July, 1691, he was liberated from achievements in Ireland had not been rethe Tower, but bound to confine himself warded with the Order of the Garter, and to his house in the country. from other motives, opened a secret correThe King returned to England on spondencewith hislatemaster, James II., the third of April, to obtain a further to whom "' he testified in the most unqualisupply of money and troops; and four fied terms, his contrition for his past days before his arrival, the principal part conduct, and anxiety to make amends of Whitehall was consumed by fire. The for his defection," offering, at the same conflagration, occasioned through the time, to bring the Princess Anne back negligence of a female servant, burst to her filial duty; whilst Maryherself was forth at eight at night, in the Duchess of on terms of ill will with her sister Anne, Portsmouth's apartments, and burned and without a single friend or object furiously till four the next morning, con- of affection, saving her husband, whose suming all the stone gallery and build- absence and exposure to the toils and ings behind it as far as the Thames. The dangers of war she hourly mourned. In flames reached the Queen's chamber, a letter to Lady Russell, dated July, 1691, after her Majesty, unconscious of the she remarks-"You are indeed right in danger, had retired to rest; and half supposing that the life I at present lead asleep and in her night dress, she was is not so fine a thing as many suppose. draggedforthinto St James'spark, where The continual pain I am in for the King, the Jacobites Colonel Oglethorpe and destroys my happiness; but I perceive Sir John lenwick encountered her, and one is not ever to live for one's self. I with jeers and taunts told her that she have had many years of ease and conwas a base, heartless daughter, and that tent, and was scarcely sensible of my her present distress was but a foretaste own happiness; but 1 must be content of the punishment so justly due to her with what pleases God, and this year I filial sins. have good reasons to praise him for the THIRD QUEEN REGNANT. 837 successes in Ireland, which have followed that it was on its way thither. They so quick one upon another, that I fear also knew that Marlborough had taken some ill from other places. But I pray a similar step; and whether for this or God, my fears will not be realized, any other more venial sin, the accomthough, by appearances, we must expect plished general. after fulfilling his usual but little good either from Flanders or duties as lord of the bed-chamber, on sea." Her Majesty judged aright. In the tenth of January, 1692. received an Flanders, thousands of brave soldiers order from the King, through Lord were sacrificed without a single victory Nottingham, secretary of state, announof importance being obtained, and only cing his dismission from all his offices disaster and disgrace attended the navy. both civil and military, and prohibiting On the twenty-second of October, his appearance atcourt.* Anneexpressed 1691, the King opened parliament in deep sorrow and mortification at the person; and although Mary had for disgrace of her favourite's husband. nearly two years swayed the troublous She and the Duchess of Marlborough regnal sceptre in his absence, without vituperated the King and Queen with once meeting the assembled legislature of unmeasured abuse; by the agency of the kingdom, he again prevented her from Lady Fitzharding, who was the spy of accompanying him on his solemn mis- Elizabeth Villiers in Anne's household, sion; and in his speeches from the the King was made acquainted with throne, in which he alludes to the sue- their proceedings a few hours afterwards. cesses in Ireland, he never once men- Violent altercations ensued between her tioned her name: an omission, which, Majesty and the Princess her sister. whether intentional or accidental, the Mary threatened to deprive Anne of parliament immediately repaired by pre- half her income. Anne knew the threat senting addresses to the Queen, acknow- to be vain, the parliament having secured ledging "her prudent care in the ad- it to her; and what further irritated ministration of the government during the Queen, the princess, on receiving her tile King's absence." The address of the last payment, settled an annuity of ~1000 Lords ran as follows:- on the Marlboroughs, and on the subse quent reception day at Kensington, "We, your Majesty's most dutiful took Lady Marlborough with her to and loyal subjects, the Lords spiritual court: a procedure which drew the and temporal, in parliament assembled, subjoined epistle from Queen Mary to from a true sense of the quiet and hap- her sister Anne of Denmark:piness the nation hath enjoyed in your ensington, Friday, th of February. Majesty's administration of government t in the King's absence, do hold ourselves "Haig something to say to you obliged to present ou most humble ac- which I know will not be very pleasing, knowledgments to your Majesty, for I choose rather to write it first, being prudent conduct therein, to the universal unwilling to surprise you, though I satisfaction, as well as the security of think what I am going to tell you the kingdom." should not, if you give yourself time to think; that never anybody was suffered A few weeks after receiving the above to live at court in my Lord Marlcongratulatory address, Mary was an- borough's circumstances. I need not noyed by the unavoidable widening of repeat the cause he has given the King the breach between herself and her sister to do what he has done, nor his [the Anne. On the first of December, 1691, Kings] unwillingness at all times to the Princess Anne, influenced by the come to such extremities, though people Duke and by her favourite, the Duchess do deserve it. of Marlborough, addressed a submissive, * Evelyn says Lord Marlborough was dispenitential letter to her father, James missedfrom allhisemployments, militaryand II. Long before the letter reached St. bribes, covetousness, and extortion on aking oo Germains, their Majesties were apprised casions, from his inferior officers. 838 MARY THE SECOND, "I hope you do me the justice to rally, and since by that I see how little believe it is as much against my will you seem to consider, what even in that I now tell you, that, after this, it is common civility you owe us; I have very unfit Lady Marlborough should told it you plainly, but withal assure stay with you, since that gives her hus- you, that let me have never so much band so just a pretence of being where reason to take anything ill of you, my he ought not. kindness is so great, that I can pass over " I think I might have expected you most things, and live with you as beshould have spoken to me of it, and the comes me: and I desire to do so, merely King and I, both believing it, made us from that motive, for I do love you as a stay so long; but seeing you was so far sister, and nothing can make me do from it, that you brought Lady Marl- otherwise, and that is the reason I choose borough hither last night, makes us re- to write this rather than tell it you, that solve to put it off no longer, but tell you you may overcome your first thoughts. she must not stay, and that I have all And when you have well considered, the reason imaginable to look upon you will find that though the thing be your bringing her as the strangest thing hard (which I again assure you I am that ever was done. Nor could all my sorry for), yet it is not unreasonable, but kindness for you (which is ever ready to what has ever been practised, and what turn all you do the best way at any other you yourself would do were you in my time), have hindered shewing you that place. moment; but I considered your con- "I will end this, with once more dedition [Anne was within a few weeks of siring you to consider the matter imher confinement], and that made me partially, and take time for it. I do not master myself so far as not to take notice desire an answer presently, because I of it then. would not have you give a rash one. I " But now I must tell you it was very shall come to your drawing-room tounkind in a sister, would have been very morrow before you play, because you uncivil in an equal, and I need not say know why I cannot make one. At I have more to claim, which though some other time we shall reason the my kindness would make me exact, yet business calmly, which I will willingly when I see the use you make of it, I do, or anything else that may shew it must tell you, I know what is due to shall not be my fault if we do not live me, and expect to have it from you. kindly together. Nor will I ever be'Tis upon that account, I tell you plainly other by choice, but your truly loving Lady Marlborough must not continue and affectionate sister, M. R." with you, in the circumstances her Lord is. The next day Anne wrote the Queen "I know this will be uneasy to you, -" You must needs be sensible enough and am sorry for it; and it is very much of the kindness I have for my Lady Marlso to me to say all this to you, for I have borough, to know that a command from all the real kindness imaginable for you you to part with her, must be the as I ever had, so will always do my part greatest mortification in the world to to live with you as sister ought: that is me. * * * And I must as freely not only like so near relations, but like own, that as I think this proceeding friends, and as such, I did think to write can be for no other intent than to give to you. For I would have made myself me a very sensible mortification, so believe your kindness for her [Lady there is no misery that I cannot readily Marlborough], made you at first forget resolve to suffer, rather than the thoughts what you should have for the King and of parting with her." me, and resolved to put you in mind of Mary returned no answer to this letter, it myself, neither of us being willing to and an official order was transmitted by come to harsher ways. the Lord Chamberlain, enjoining the "But the sight of Lady Marlborough Duke and the Duchess of Marlborough having changed my thoughts, does natu- to remove from the Palace of Whitehall. THIRD QUEEN REGNANT. 839 This order was the prelude to an utter of Glencoe, if they can well be disbreach. Anne, disdaining to remain in tinguished from the rest of the Higha place from whence her favourite was landers, it will be proper, for the vindiexcluded, quitted her own apartments- cation of public justice, to extirpate that that portion of Whitehall then known as set of thieves. W. R." the Cock-pit-and after a temporary stay at Sion House, theseat of the proud Duke A few hours before the massacre, of Somerset, established her residence at Campbell, of Glenlyon, received the fol Berkeley House. She took Lady Marl- lowig order for the cold-blooded murder borough with her, and showered on her o all conceivable marks of esteem and "For their Majesties' service. affection. Her husband, Prince George "To Captain Campbell. of Denmark, accompanied her, and "Bailderesis, February 12, 1692. William, annoyed at their conduct, took "Sir,-You are hereby ordered to their guards from them, and deprived fall upon the rebels, the Macdonalds, of them of the honours they had been ac- Glencoe, and put all to the sword under customed to receive at court; and the seventy. You are to have a special care distance between the royal sisters became that the old fox and his sons do, upon such, that the visiting the Princess was no account, escape your hands. You deemed a neglect of the Queen's dis- are to secure all the avenues, that no pleasure. man escape. This you are to put in Affairs in Scotland were not progress- execution at five of the clock, precisely; ing very favourably. The Highlanders and by that time, or very shortly after had taken up arms in favour of King it, I'll strive to be at you with a stronger James, and William had issued a procla- party. If I do not come to you at five, mation, offering them an indemnification you are not to tarry for me, but to fall upon their coming on a stated day, and on. This is by the King's command, taking the oaths. The Macdonalds of for the good and safety of the country, Glencoe had been among the most clam- that these miscreants be cut off root and orous and obstinate. Their chief, how- branch. See these be put to execution ever, according to Burnet, "went to the without fear or favour, else you may governor of Fort William on the last day expect to be dealt with as one not true of December and offered to take the to King or government, nor a man fit to oaths; but he being only a military carry commission in the King's service. man, could not tender them to him: the Expecting you will not fail in the fulsnows were then fallen; so four or five filling hereof, as you love yourself, I subdays passed before he could come to a scribe this with my hand, magistrate: he took the oaths in his pre- "ROBERT DUNCANSON." sence, on the fourth or fifth of January, when, by the strictness of law, he could These barbarous orders were more claim no benefit by it; the matter was than executed. The defenceless clan signified to the council, and the person were unexpectedly attacked before the received a reprimand for giving him the peep of day. Glencoe, the chief, was oaths when the day was passed. This shot dead, as he rose from his bed; his was kept up from the King." At the wife was stripped and ravished by the instigation of the Earl of Breadalbane, soldiers, and expired next morning of who strove to render the King odious to horror and grief. In other parts of the the Highlanders, the Secretary of State, vale, men, women, and children, were Lord Stair, prevailed upon William to shot dead, or put to the sword; all who sign the subjoined order for the massacre could, escaped to the hills, and were preof the whole clan, which was carried served from destruction by a tempest into effect in February, 1692; though that added to the horrors of the night; not by the Queen's sanction, as some au- and when Colonel Hamilton, with four t.hors assert. hundred men, entered the glen at noon "William R.-As for the M'Donalds Ito complete the massacre, a childish old 840 DMARY THE SECOND, man of eighty was the only victim that against, according to law: this was carremained. But rapine and desolation ried by a great majority." succeeded the carnage. The houses Onthefifth of Marclh,1692, theKingemwere burnt to the ground, the cattle barked for Flanders, to prosecute the war were destroyed or driven off, and the there, and again left the Queen to reign women were violated, and, together alone, in times troublous as formerly The with the children, stripped naked and Princess Anne had written to her father, left to seek the shelter of some far-off James II., that she would fly to him the friendly habitation, or perish of cold and moment he effected a landing in any hunger. part of Great Britain. The fleets of "In 1695, a parliament was held in France swept thenarrow seas in triumph. Scotland," says Burnet. " The massacre The leading naval and military comin Glencoe made still a great noise, and manders were either the known or susthe King seemed too remiss in inquiring pected partizans of the ex-King; the into it; but when it was represented majority of the courtiers were prepared to him, that a session of parliament to instantly turn with the tide, shouldit could not be managed without high no- ebb in favour of James II.; and, in tions and complaints of so crying a mat- fact, the Jacobites, and the nation geneter, and that his ministers could not rally, fully anticipated the deposition of oppose these, without seeming to bring Mary and her husband, and the restorathe guilt of that blood, that was so per- tion of her ill-used father. These alarmfidiously shed, both on the King and on ing dangers and difficulties, enough to themselves: to prevent that, he ordered appal an ordinary mind, were by the a commission to be passed under the politic, energetic Queen, boldly encoungreat seal for a precognition in that tered and successfully overcome. She matter. This was looked on as an arti- reviewed in Hyde Park the ten thoufice, to cover that transaction by a pri- sand strong trained bands of London and vate inquiry; yet when it was corn- Westminster, destined to defend the plained of in parliament, not without metropolis in case of a French invasion. reflections on the slackness in examining She caused Marlborough to be arrested into it, the King's commissioner assured on the fifth of May; warrants also to them, that by the King's order, the be issued against the Earls of HIuntingmatter was then ander examination, and don and Scarsdale, and Dr. Spratt, that it should be reported to the parlia- Bishop of Rochester, and likewise orment: the inquiry went on. dered several other persons into custody, "The report of the massacre was particularly the Lords Middleton, Griffin, made in full parliament: by that it ap- and Dunmore, Sir John Fenwick and peared, that a black design was laid, not Colonels Slingsby and Sackville, all of only to cut off the men of Glencoe, but whom were known partizans of James II. a great many more clans, reckoned to be The Jacobite admiral, Russell, her in all above six thousand persons: the Majesty despatched to sea. He was whole was pursued in many letters that joined on the eleventh of May by the were writ with great earnestness, and squadron under Delaval and Carter, and though the King's orders carried nothing being reinforced by the Dutch fleet, in them that was in any sort blanable; sailed for tile French coast on the yet the Secretary of State s letters went eighteenth of May, and the next day much farther. So the parliament justi- gained the famous naval victory of La fled the King's instructions, but voted Hogue, over the French; a victory obthe execution in Glencoe to have been a'tained by the valour of the British seabarbarous nassacre, and that it was men almost against the will of their pushed on by the Secretary of State's commanders. letters, beyond the King's orders: upon Russell signified to Tourville, the adthat, they voted an address to be made miral of the French fleet, that if he to the King, thathe and others con- would slip out under the cover of a cerned in that matter might be proceeded dark night, and with King James on THIRD QUEEN REGNANT. 841 board, he should pass unmolested; but cession of Archbishop Tillotson, who if he defied him in open day, he should answered: be compelled to give him battle in "On Sunday morning, August 1, 1692, earnest. I gave yours to the Queen, telling her James II. thought the proposition that I was afraid it came too late. She reasonable, but Tourville declared, as the said, perhaps not. Yesterday, meeting navy of France had triumphed over that the Queen at a christening, she gave me of England, ever since the accession of the enclosed to send to your ladyship, William III., it would doubtless do so and if you will wink at my vanity, I will now. He dared the English to fight, tell you how this happened. My lady, and the result was the almost utter de- Marchioness of Winchester, being lately struction of the fleet under his command. delivered of a son, spake to the Queen The victory of La Hogue completely to stand godmother; and the Queen annihilated the hopes of the Jacobites, asking, who she thought of for godand so delighted Mary, that inmediately father, she said,' Only the Earl of lHath the English fleet reached Spithead, she and whatever others her Majesty might ordered gold medals to be presented to please to name.' They agreed on me, the officers, and thirty thousand pounds which I doubt not was a gracious conto be distributed amongst the common trivance of her Majesty to let the world sailors. She wished to invest Admiral know that I have her countenance and Russell with a title, but the bluff naval support. I pray God preserve my good commander refused the proffered honour. master,William the Third, and grant him On this subject her Majesty wrote: — children, that I, who am said not to be " have seen Mr. Russell this day, and baptized myself, may have the honour to find he is resolved to be Mr. Russell baptize a Prince of Wales." still. I could not press him further on The report that neither the King nor a thing he seemed so little to care for, Tillotson had ever been baptized, gave so there is an end of that matter. rise to the following bitter but truthful Whether the King will think I have epigram:done wellin this I cannot tell, but it is not " Here lies the widowed Anglican church, my nature to compliment, which always Half buried, half dead, and left in the lurch. makes me take people at their word." Oh! sick and sorrowful English church, You weep and wail and sadly search Shortly afterwards, the admiral's re- To hide from the mocking enemy lative, Rachel, Lady Russell, applied to The utter shame of your misery. Mary for a place at Court for one of her Let not Rome know friends. The ueen, not daringto gra The depths of your woe, friends. The Queen, not daring to gra- By fanatics bit from the land of fogs, tify her wish without William's consent, Defiled and choaked by a plague of frogs. referred her to the King; but as his Oh sorrowing, wretched Anglican church, EMajesty generally sold the Court places, Speak not of your head or archbishop, FMajesty generally sold the Court places, or that schism.ticprimate and HioUandcr King Lady Rachel had recourse to the inter- Are still in want of christening." CHAPTER VII. Blood-money-Distillation of spirits —utiny act —eturn of TWilliam to EnglandCorruption and immorality overspread the kingdom-The King embarks for Ireland — ary again left to reign solus — William's passion for war-Military and naval disasters-Change of Ministry-Mary scandalized- William resumes the campaign in Flanders-Mary founds Greenwich Hospital-Plots to seize her and restore James II.-Thie King returns-Opens Parliament-Carmarthen and others impeached for corruption-Death of Sancroft, and of Tillotson — ary taken ill-She destroys her papers-Her malady proves to be the small-pox —Anne's efbrts to become reconciled to her-Her life despaired of-Erysipelas covers her face-She receives the sacrament- Wanders in mind —Dies-Embalmed-Buried 842 MARY THE SECOND, -Wax effigy-Reproving letter she left for the King-James II. informed of her death-His conduct and remarks on it-Sermons, elegies, and epigrams on her departure. N the thirteenth of dermen, with whom he and the Queen September, 1692, dined in public on the tenth of NovemMary, by royal pro- her. The Parliament met six days preclamation, offered viously. The House of Lords was forty pounds per deeply infected with discontent, which, in head for the appre- some measure, proceeded from the dishension and convic- sensions between the Queen and her tion of highwaymen sister Anne. Anne still persisted in and burglars. This, her greatest error retaining her favourite, the Lady Marlof legislation, \ s productive of woful borough, and for her obstinacy underresults to the p pie; the reward spee- went every mortification that the Court dily obtained the appellation of " blood- could inflict. Not only was she deprived money," and stimulated gangs of human of her guards, but all honours which had monsters, known as "thief takers," and been paid to her rank by the magistrates even the gaolers themselves, to make a of Bath, where she sometimes resided, trade of swearing away the lives of, in and even by the ministers of the church too many cases, perfectly innocent people, where she attended divine service, were for the sake of the spoil, which, when ordered to be discontinued, by the express obtained, they divided amongst them- command of their Majesties. Her cause selves at carousals, significantly known was naturally espoused by those nobleas " blood feasts." The writings of Gay, men who had adhered to her in her forSwift, and Fielding, caused a check to mer contest with the King about an be put to the horrid traffic. But the independent settlement, and these were abominable reward-conviction system now reinforced by all the friends of the was not completely swept away till 1816. Duke of Marlborough, who united by Nor was this crime-engendering act of* a double tie, resented the disgrace Mary's more injurious than some of and confinement of that lord; (he had the measures which emanated from her lately been released,) and thought it husband. To William the people of a duty to support the Princess Anne England are indebted for the Mutiny under a persecution, incurred by an Bill, with its accompanying anti-national attachment to his wife. As to the cruelty of the use of the lash in the people, they were divided into three army, and also for the early encourage- parties; Williamites, Jacobites, and the ment which he strenuously recommended discontented Revolutionists: these facParliament to afford to the distillation tions took all opportunities to thwart, to of that mother of sin and woe, ardent expose, and to ridicule the measures and spirits, principles of each other, so that patriotWilliam, after losing a sharply-con- ism was laughed out of doors as an hytested battle in Flanders, now returned pocritical pretence; public virtue was to England. He landed at Yar- become the object of ridicule, and the mouth, on the eighteenth of October, whole kingdom was overspread with and on the twentieth was met by the immorality and corruption. This conQueen at Newhall; and passing with tention established a belief that every her through the City of London, amidst man consulted his own private interest the acclamations of the citizens, the at the expense of the public; a belief that blaze of bonfires and illuminations, the soon grew into a maxim, universally booming of cannon and other demon- adopted. The practice of bribing a strations of joy at his return, reached majority in Parliament had a pernicious Kensington. At eight o'clock the same influence upon the morals of all ranks evening, he received a congratulatory of people, from the candidate to the address from the Lord Mayor and Al- lowest borough elector. The expedient THIRD QUEEN REGNANT. 843 for establishing funds of credit for rais- an unfortunate expedition in tie West ing supplies to defray the enormous Indies. When the King opened parliaexpenses of Government, threw large ment on the seventh of November, he premiums and sums of money into the expressed his resentment against the hands of low, sordid usurers, brokers authors of the naval disasters, attributed and jobbers, who distinguished them- the loss of his own battle to insufficient selves by the name of " the monied in- supplies of money, represented the neterest." Intoxicated by this flow of cessity of increasing the army and the wealth, they affected to rival the luxury navy, and demanded a suitable supply and magnificence of their superiors; for these purposes. The people, already but being destitute of refined sentiment groaning under a heavy load of taxation, and taste, they ran into the most absurd and appalled at the prospects of an inand illiberal extravagances. They laid crease of the crushing burden, clamoured aside all decorum; became licentious, louder and louder against the ministers insolent, intemperate, and riotous. Their and the court. The Commons made example was caught by the more vulgar. searching inquiry into the cause of the All principle, and even decency, was late naval defeats; and the King, unable gradually banished; talent lay unculti- to check the mutinous clamour of the vated, and the land was deluged with a factious malcontents, threatened to abtide of ignorance and profligacy. dicate in favour of Mary, but in the end William having obtained another large satisfied himself by changing the admisupply of men, money, and war weapons, nistration. The Earl of Shrewsbury again embarked for Holland, in March, was made prime minister, Sunderland 1693. The administration was left in was brought into the ministry, Nottingthe hands of the Queen till the 13th of ham was dismissed, all the high offices October, when his Majesty arrived at of state were filled by Whig noblemen; Kensington. The maintaining a large and the city of London lieutenancy, and army in Flanders, where he yearly lost all other commissions over England, a bloody battle, was the ruling passion were altered in favour of the Whig inteof the Orange King. This year he lost rest. Mary, it appears, expressed apthe hard-fought battle of Landen;* and proval of the new ministry, to please under Mary's guidance, the naval war her husband-personally she was averse proved truly calamitous. Tourville took to the change; and the rumour that she revenge for the defeat he had sustained entertaineda tender penchant for Shrewsat La Hogue, by destroying twelve En- bury, is a groundless scandal, first cirglish and Dutch men-of-war, and plun- culated by her dismissed chamberlain, dering the rich merchant fleet which Jack Howe: who also, about the year they were convoying home from the 1694, spread abroad the idle tale, that if Mediterranean.t Admiral Benbowmade left a widow by the death of William, an unsuccessful attack on the town of she would assuredly become the Countess St. Malo; and to add to the troubles, of Shrewsbury. Sir Francis Wheeler returned to Eng. During her husband's absence in the land, with his shattered squadron, from summer of 1694, Mary had to mourn the * Sir Charles Sedley, in the following witty complete defeat of the expedition against epigram, celebrated the disasters of William's Brest: a defeat in which General Tolletwo previous campaigns:- mache and one thousand six hundred "The author sure, must take great pains, English and Dutch soldiers were killed; Who pretends to write his story; and which was occasioned by the treaIn which of these two last campaigns, He acquired the greatest glory. chery of Marlborough, who sent intelliFor while that he marched on to fight, gence to France of the proposed attack. Like hero, nothing fearing; This year her Majesty completed her Namrnas withakin his hearing, worthy project, of founding the Royal And Mons within his hearing." /ospital at Greenwich, as a national t Twenty-nine merchant vessels were taken, ospital at Greenwich, as a national and about fifty destroyed. The loss on this asylum for seamen disabled by age, or occasion was valued at a million sterling. maimed in the service of their country. 844 MARY THE SECOND, Mary resolved that Greenwich palace, his acquaintance, Sir John Friend, who which Charles II. had begun to rebuild, plotted to seize the Queen and her busand finished one wing, should be converted band, and con vey them across the channel to this use; and to his honour, the great to James II.; a scheme which, two years architect, Sir Christopher Wren, super- afterwards, they matured into a conspiintended the new buildings for many racy to assassinate William II., then a years without emolunent or reward. widower, as he returned from hunting The letters patent for this grant bear at Richmond. date October the twenty-fifth, 1694. William having concluded this year's In the following year, William confirmed campaign in Flanders, landed at Marthem, and endowed the hospital with gate on the ninth of November, slept ~8,000; a sum, be it observed, not the same night at Canterbury, and the taken out of his private purse, but out next day was met by the Queen at of the civil list. An equal amount was Rochester, and with her proceeded to at the same time raised by private sub- Kensington. He opened parliament on scription, and Mary, it appears, although the twelfth. The parliament voted willing and anxious to become a great thanks to Mary for her wise, energetic foundress, had appropriated all her pri- administration; brought in the famous vate income to the maintenance of her act for triennial parliaments: and prohusband's warfare in Flanders, and had ceeded to impeach the Marquis of Carnot a penny to bestow on this great marthen, now Dule of Leeds, Sir John charity. Greenwich Hospital consists Trevor, Speaker of the Commons, and of four distinct piles of buildings, which others, for gross corruption, and receivare named Charles, William, Mary, and ing and distributing bribes. The enAnne, in honour of their Majesties quiries into these gross mal-practices, Charles II., William III., Mary Il., and compromised the character of several her sister Anne. The royal hospital of the Queen's household; but death was first opened in January, 1705, when snatched Mary away before these enforty-two seamen were admitted; the quiries were terminated, and spared her number has since been increased to about the pain of witnessing the disgrace of three thousand, and the out-pensioners her corrupt ministers. are more numerous. A charter was On the twenty-third of November, granted to the hospital in 1775; six- 1693, the worthy William Sancroft, late pence per month was first contributed Archbishop of Canterbury, had calmly by every seaman for its support, and the closed his eyes in death, at his humble payment was advanced to one shilling, residence in Suffolk, and his successor, from June 1795: it now possesses a ro- Archbishop Tillotson, survived him little venue exceeding ~70,000 per annum. more than a year. Whilst her Majesty This summer her Majesty's adminis- was at Whitehall chapel, on the twentytration was disturbed by the practices, fourth of November, 1694,'illotson, or pretended practices, of the Jacobites. who officiated, was struck with paralysis, Several gentlemen of Lancashire and and expireda few days afterwards. Their Cheshire were prosecuted for taking Majesties were greatly affected by the part in the conspiracy, formed in favour event; and, although they immediately of James II.'s projected invasion from elevated Dr. Tennison to the primateship, France. Colonel Parker, and one Cros- thesuddenunexpected endoftheirfavourby, were imprisoned, and bills of treason ite divine, Tillotson, filled them with awe. found against them; but Parker escaped Indeed, Mary could not mention the from the'rower, and was never retaken, event without weeping; and her health though a reward of ~400 was set upon visibly declined. and her spirits sunk. his head. Mary was also in some danger At length, whilst at Kensington, on the of being seized, and dragged into the nineteenth of December, she fell ill; on resence of her father, at St. Germains, the twentieth she became worse, and a by the device of Sir George Barkly, the presentiment that death was at hand, Lieutenant-General of her guards, and and the compunctions of a guilty con THIRD QUEEN REGNANT. 845 science, induced her to sit up the whole not meet; it was thought that might night, and burn and destroy all her throw the Queen into too great comnopapers of an important portentous na- tion, so it was put off till it was too late." ture. She ended her solitary vigils on The Queen's face was covered with erythat anxious night, by addressing to her sipelas on the Friday preceding her death. husband a letter, respecting his amours The physicians pronounced her case with Elizabeth Villiers, which she super- hopeless, and Archbishop Tennison. by scribed, "not to be delivered till after consent of the sorrowingKing, acquainted my death," and locked up in her private her with her danger. She received the cabinet. Next day she grew worse. Dr. archbishop's communication with calmItatcliff and Dr. Millington, the most ness, and "told him," says Burnet, "to skilful physicians of their day, attended look carefully for a small scrutoire that she her; but whilst the former erroneously made use of, and deliver it to the King [in declared that she was sickening for the it was the letter of reproof she had written measles, the latter rightly pronounced to his Majesty on the night she destroyed her malady to be the small-pox. On her papers]. Having despatched thi!.t Christmas day, unmistakeable symptoms care," proceeds Burnet, "she avoided of small-pox presented themselves; and giving herself or her husband the tenderthe Princess Anne, who herself was suf- ness which a final parting might have fering from dropsy, on hearing of the raised in them both. She was almost dangerous condition of the Queen, her perpetually in prayer. The day before sister, sent a message-she was not per- she died, she received the sacrament, all mitted to appear at court —requesting the bishops, who were attending, being Mary to allow her to wait on her; but admitted to receive it with her. She orher Majesty returned a formal court an- dered the archbishop to be reading such swer, desiring her to defer the visit. passages ot Scripture as might fix her "The day after," writes Burnet, "the attention, and raise her devotion. She King called me into his closet, and gave then composed herself solemnly to die. a free vent to a most tender passion; he She slumbered some time, but said she burst out into tears; and cried out, that was not refreshed by it. Once or twice there was no hope of the Queen; and she tried to say something to the King, that from being the happiest, he was but was unable to go through with it; going to be the miserablest creature up- several cordials were given to her, but on earth. He, said,'during the whole all was ineffectual: she lay silent for course of their marriage he had never some hours, and then her mind wanknown one single fault in her; there dered, and her thoughts began to break." was a worth in her that nobody knew In this state she lay till about an hour besides himself."' Onthe twenty-sixth, past the midnight of Sunday, December Anne, if possible to become recon- the twenty-eighth, when she breathed oiled to her dying sister, dispatched her last, in the thirty-third year of her the Lady Fitzharding to Kensington; age, and the sixth of her reign. this lady broke into the Queen's pre- The King, when informed on the Sunsence, and in a pathetic appeal, assured day evening that his consort could not her of her sister's deep concern for her live the night through, fainted and fell condition; but the only reply she could to the ground; thrice that day he had obtain from her dying Majesty, was the swooned, and he became so sad and ill, cool monosyllable " Thlanks!" In fact, if that it was feared he would not long the Duchess of Marlborough is to be survive. accredited, Mary was inimical to her The body of the departed Queen sister to the last, and died without seeing was embalmed, and on the fifth of her, or even sending a message to her. March interred, with royal obsequies, Burnet, however, states that the Queen in Westminster Abbey. The members " sent a reconciling message to the Prin- of the House of Commons attended the cess; and so that breach was made up. funeral as mourners. A wax effigy of It is true," he adds, "that the sisters did her Majesty was carried over the coffin 846 MARY THE SECOND. in the procession, and, after the inter- Secure and undisturbed, the scene ment, deposited in Westminster Abbey. Of Albion seemed, and like her eyes serene. In 1702, the effigy of William III., eraps the most fulsome rhyming after being similarly carried at his une- the memory of Queen Mary, effusion to the mem.ory ot Queen Mary, ral, was placed by the side of that of his following by Bishop Burnet; consort. They left no issue, and no t f b B B consort. They left no issue, and no whose funeral sermon on the same submonument was raised to their memories. e ane at one On the day of the Queen's burial, theet pass by as a panegyri at once.absurdly partial, weak, worthless, and parish bells throughout England tolled, a y c tpti le:and a funeral sermon was preached in temptible every parish church, but not universally To the state a prudent rer, in her praise, for one Jacobite clergyman To the Church a nursing mother, took for his text, " Go now, see this To the King a constant lover, accursed woman, and bury her, for she To the people the best example. is a King's daughter " Orthodox in religion, Moderate in opinion, Tennison delivered Mary's posthumous Sincere in profession, letter to the King, and at the same time Constant in devotion, sharply reproved him on the subject of Ardent inaffection, his amours with Elizabeth Villiers. A pelverer from Poery, A deliverer from Popery, When her father heard that Mary had A preserver from tyranny, died without repenting of her unfilial A preventer of slavery, conduct, he was horrified to find" a child A promoter of piety, A suppressor of immorality, he loved so tenderly, persevere even to A pattern of industry, death, in a state of signal disiedience High in the world, and disloyalty, and to find ner crimes Low esteem of the world, extolled for virtues by the flatterers Sure fof eternity Sure of eternity. around her." lHe shut himself up, and What was great, good in a Queen, mourned her loss in private, but would In her late Majesty was to be seen. not go into black for her; and by his Thoughts to onceive it cannot be exrequest, Louis XIV. ordered the court What was contained in her royal breast. of France not to assume mourning: an order which gave umbrage to several of Numerous other elegies in memory of the French nobility, who claimed kin- Mary II. were circulated by the Orange dred with the house of Orange. partizans; and her foes, the Jacobites, Of the odes and elegies written in corm- handed about in the coffee-houses many mendation of Mary II., the best is by sarcastic and malicious epigrams, with the Duke of Devonshire, in which these two of which we close this memoir. lines occur"Long our divided state ON THE DEATH OF MARY iI. Hung in the balance of a doubtful fate; When one bright nymph the gathering "The Queen deceased, the King so grieved, clouds dispelled, As if the hero died, the woman lived I And all the griefs of Albion healed. Alas! we erred i' the choice of our comHer the united land obeyed, manders She knew her task, and nicely understood lie should have knotted, and she gone to To what intention kings were made, Flanders." Not for their own, but for their people's good. On THE DEATH OF MARY TI. AND MAIRSHAL'Twas that prevailing argument alone, LUXEMBOURG. Determined her to fill the vacant throne. * * * * * * * * "Behold, Dutch Prince, here lies the unconWhen waiting only for a wind, quered pair, Against our isle the power of France Who knew your strength in love, your was armed; strength in war. Her ruling arts intheir true lustre shined, Unequal match, for both no conquest gains, And winds themselves were by her No trophy of your love or war remains." influence charmed. . ANNE, CHAPTER I. Anne's parentage-Birth-Christening-Education-Early Intimacy with Sarah Jennings-Fondnessfor card-playing-Introduced to Court-AttendsLord Mayor's feast-Suffers from small-pox — er favourite married to Churchill, afterwards Lord Marlborough-She is confirmed- Visits her sister Mary, and her father in exile- Unsuccessfully wooed by Prince George of Hanover-Personal charmsVisits her exiledfather in Scotland-Clandestinely courted by Sheffield-Married to Prince George of Denmark-Sarah Churchill becomes one of her ladies-Her affection for Sarah, and for her father, who kindly augments her income-Misfortunes as a mother-Extravagance-Birth of her half brother, known as the Pretender-She pronounces him a supposititious child —Conspires with her sister MAary against her father, James the Second-Deserts with her husband to the Prince of Orange, afterwards William the Third. NNE of YORK, the her sister, the Lady Mary of York, afters a last Sovereign of the wards Queen Mary II. of Great Britain. l 1i, 11 Royal House of Asmentioned in the preceding met ( SXE 8 Stuart, and a Prin- noirs, the sisters, Anne and Mary, ec hei' ben ad Ch cess whose reign was passed their early youth together. A cs rn. brilliant, but whose propensity to gluttony, which her too/ l Jl, ~ goodness of heart fond mother indulged, laid the royal ~^"*'^"^S"~ and Christian excel- child, Anne, on the bed of sickness; by lences have been overrated by general the advice of the Duke's physicians. she, history, was the second daughter and in 1669, was sent to France; and such fourth child of James, Duke of York, was the effect of change of air and scene, afterwards James II., by his first wife, that, after an absence of eight months, Anne Hyde, daughter ofLord Chancellor she returned in excellent health and Clarendon. She was born at St. James's spirits. The death of her mother in Palace on the sixth of February, 1665, March, 1674; the little regard paid to and a few days afterwards was christened her education, the early intimacy which according to the rites of the Church of she formed with Sarah Jennings, afterEngland, in the chapel at St. James's: wards Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlher godfather was Sheldon, Archbishop borough, and her father's conversion to of Canterbury; her godmothers were her the Catholic faith, and marriage to cousin, the Duchess of Monmouth, and I Maria d'Este, have all been duly men 848 ANNE, tioned in the first pages of the memoir ridge, near St. Alban's, confessed to the of Queen Mary II., and therefore need Duchess of York, that she had formed a not be repeated in this place. stolen match with the handsomeColonel Like her sister Mary, the Lady Anne Churchill, afterwards Duke of Marlbecame early in life such an inveterate borough. The Duchess reconciled card-player, that she played even on the Churchill and Sarah to their offended Sabbath. She was first introduced to relatives; and shortly afterwards, Sarah, court in December, 1674, when she per- who, although young in years, was wise formed in the ballet of " Calista, or the in world-craft, caused Mrs. Cornwallis, Chaste Nymph;" and in the subsequent Anne's best-beloved friend, to be driven year, she accompanied her father and the from St. James's, as a denounced papist, King and Queen to the Lord Mayor's and at once set about obtaining for herfeast at Guildhall, where, to the delight self that remarkable ascendancy over the of the good citizens, she indulged her mind of the Lady Anne, which she inordinate love of eating, with the zest maintained for so many years, and exof a London alderman. On the 29th of ercised to so little good purpose. October, 1677, she witnessed the civic On Easter Sunday, 1678, Anne having procession got up by the citizens of previously been confirmed at Whitehall London, in honour of the approaching Chapel, by her preceptor, Henry Compmarriage of Mary of York tw William, ton, Bishop of London, received the Prince of Orange; but she was prevented sacrament at the chapel of St: James's. from being present at the nuptials, and The Bishop of Exeter officiated on the from bidding her sister adieu, when that occasion, and the Princess so far forgot sister embarked with her husband for herself, as to partake three times of the the Hague, by an alarming attack of the wine; conduct highly censurable, and small-pox, which seized her on the thirty- which astonished and disgusted all who first of October, and confined her to her witnessed it. chamber at St. James's till the first In October, 1678, Anne and her stepweek of December, when, as the danger mother, Maria Beatrix, paid a short, had passed, and she had already began to but affectionate visit to her sister Mary, recover, the Duke, her father, informed the Princess of Orange, at the Hague, her of the departure and the safe arrival the particulars of which have already in Holland of her beloved sister Mary. been detailed in the two preceding It is supposed that Anne caught the in- memoirs. The Duke of York had been fection when visiting the City; but, how- driven to exile in Brussels but a short ever this may have been, a few days after while, when, by permission of his brother, she was attacked, the small-pox burst Charles the Second, his daughter Anne, forth at St. James's as virulent as a and his young half-sister, Isabella, were plague; and on the day on which thanks sent to him in the summer of 1679. In were returned to God for her recovery, the subsequent September, Anne acher governess, Lady Frances Villiers, companied her exiled father and stepdied of the fatal contagion. On the mother on a visit to the Princess of sixteenth of December, four days after Orange and at this period the affection the death of that infant brother, whose subsisting between the Duke of York short existence had, for a brief period, and his daughters, Anne and Mary, clouded the regnal prospects of the heir- seemed to be sincere, deep rooted, and esses of York, Anne, being quite con- indissoluble. valescent, attended divine worship at' During her residence at Brussels," St. James's Chapel; and about the same remarks Harrison, "the Princess Anne time the King appointed Lady Clarendon had her own Protestant chaplains alto succeed Frances Villiers as her go- lowed her, and a place assigned for the verness. exercise of her devotions, according to In the winter of 1677, Anne'sfavour- the Church of England. Nor was she ite playmate, Sarah Jennings, the beau- at all importuned to go, or ever went to tiful daughter of Mr. Jennings of Sand- mass with her father, as I have been FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 849 assured by her Protestant servants, who Sophia had violated her marriage vow, attended her there. But the family Prince George treated her with brutal lived in perfect harmony, as if there had severity. He caused her to be divorced been no religious differences between from him in December, 1694, and from them; which appears very strange, if that period to the day of her death, His Royal Highness was that zealous, November the thirteenth, 1726, confined bigotted Prince he is represented to hei as a state prisoner in the Castle of have been. For when could he have Ahlden, on the south bank of the Aller. had greater opportunities of urging his As she never once came to England, and daughter Anne to embrace the Popish was neither acknowledged by George religion, than in a country where that the First, nor by the nation, as Queen religion was established?" Consort of England; her memoirs will When James was recalled to England, not appear in this work. Anne accompanied him; but she re- The Lady Anne, although not a peermained in the land of her birth, and less beauty, possessed considerable perresided chiefly at St. James's, whilst sonalattractions. Shewasofmiddlesize, her father was forced to take his first but not so majestic as her sister Mary; journey to Scotland. It was at this and her hair a deep chestnut brown, period, and whilst the Duke of York her complexion sanguine and ruddy. was holding his court at Holyrood, that Her face was round, but rather comely Prince George Lewis of Hanover, after- than handsome; her features were strong wards George the First, made his ap- and regular, the only blemish in her face pearance at the Court of St. James's, as a was that of a defluxion, which had afsuitor for the hand of the Lady Anne. fected her eyes when young, and left a Charles the Second cordially welcomed contraction in her upper lids, and given him, presented him to the Queen, a cloudiness to her countenance. Her Katherine of Braganza, and permitted bones were small, her hands beautiful. him to kiss the lips of his desired bride. She had an excellent ear for music, was Nevertheless, the suit failed; and, pro- a good performer on the guitar; and her voking though it be, the cause of the voice being strong, clear, flexible, and failure remains, to this day, involved in melodious, she took pleasure in the mystery. By some accounts, the royal practice of vocal harmony. adventurer was disgusted with th. per- Anne's visit to her father in Scotland, son and deportment of Anne; and the has already been noticed in the memoirs Prince of Orange, who, as the match of Maria Beatrix. She returned with might possibly shut him out from the him in the summer of 1682, and again succession to the throne of Great Britain, took up her residence at St. James's took infinite pains to prevent it, caused Palace. A few months afterwards, she the unpleasant intelligence to be im- fell in love with the accomplished and parted to Anne, through the medium of handsome Sheffield, then Earl of Multhe Villiers' sisterhood; whilst, accord- grave, one of the lords of the bedchaming to others, equally creditable autho- ber to Charles the Second. and afterrities, Anne was so displeased with the wards Duke of Buckingham. This ordinary person, and the rude, awkward nobleman commemorated her beauty in manners of the German wooer, that she flowing numbers, and on winning her refused him with disdain. But, doubt- heart, secretly corresponded with her by ful as these statements may be, it is letter, and made her an offerof marriage. certain that Prince George was suddenly Sarah Churchill, however, resolved to recalled by his father to pay court to prevent the match. She purloined two his fair cousin, Sophia Dorothea, tender epistles, the one from Anne to heiress of Zelle. This lady he espoused the Earl, the other from the Earl to on the first of November, 1682. The Anne, which she placed in the hands of match proved a truly unhappy one. Charles the Second; and the result was, Under a real or pretended belief that that the Earl was forthwith dispatched 3 850 ANNE, on an expedition to Tangiers, in a rotten, Before whose arms, when great Gustatus leaky vessel, with the view, it has been led, most absurdly asserted, of disposing of The frighted Roman eagles fled." him in the vasty deep; and King It has been suggested that the father Charles and his cabinet provided what of Anne was against this match; and they deemed a more suitable suitor for yet those who put forth this suggestion, the Lady Anne, in the person of Prince at the same time assure us that the King George of Denmark. The Prince was was under the influence of the Duke, his poor, possessed neither extensive infiu- brother. Assertions which contradict each ence nor great abilities, but he was a other, without we suppose that the Duke Protestant, and that alone was deemed influenced the King in trifles only, and merit sufficient. He reached London on submitted to his will in matters of imthe nineteenth of July, 1683. Evelyn, portauce. But, whatever might have who saw him immediately afterwards, been the Duke's private sentiments in noted that he had a blonde Danish regard to the match, the protracted excountenance, in his manners was heavy amination of that monster bugbear, the and reserved, and spoke French with a Popish Plot, had at this period thrown bad accent, but was reported to be va- the nation into such a state of religious liant. Prince George was received with excitement, that, to all appearances, nogreat courtesy by the King, Queen, and thing, saving himself embracing the the Duke and Duchess of York. He Church of England creed, which his dined with them in public on the day of conscience would not permit, could so his arrival in England, and nine days firmly secure to him his right of succesafterwards, it being St. Anne's day, July sion to the crown of Great Britain, as the twenty-eighth, 1683, was married the marriage of his daughters Mary and with royal pomp to the Lady Anne, in Anne to Protestant husbands. Therethe Chapel Royal, at St. James's, by the fore, it is only reasonable to suppose, Bishop of London, at the unusually late that the Duke of York made no powerhour of ten at night. The bride was ful opposition to the match; especially given away by her merry uncle, Charles as he never once urged his Protestant the Second, who delighted in being daughter, Anne, to forsake the Church present at marriages and christenings. of England for that of Rome. The chapel was brilliantly lit up; and as It was arranged that Prince George the King, the Queen, the Duke and the of Denmark, who was about fifteen years Duchess of York, and the leading no- his bride's senior, should remain in Engbility then in London, were present, land; and, that Anne and her husband the scene was magnificent, dazzling, might be enabled to maintain the state and joyous. The citizens of London and dignity becoming their exalted also took their part in the nocturnal station, Charles II. settled on her, by festivity. Throughout the metropolis Act of Parliament, ~20,000 per year, the bells rang all night, bright bonfires and himself purchased, and gave to her blazed at every door, the conduits ran for a residence, the Cockpit, a capacious with wine, and showers of fireworks and building, which had formerly been the other popular sports and pastimes were theatre of Whitehall Palace. Immeprovided for the amusement of the peo- diately the marriage festivities were ple. Charles Montague, afterwards Earl terminated, Anne's establishment was of Halifax, celebrated the marriage of appointed by her uncle, King Charles, Anne in a trashy ode. In allusion to and Sarah Churchill requested and obthe Prince and Princess, he remarks:- tained permission to become one of her "See, see, how decently the bashful bride ladies. Anne, who made the request to Does bear her conquests; with how little her father, thus announces the circumpride stances to her favourite and confidant, She views that Prince, the captive of her Mrs. Churchill-" The Duke of York charms, came in just as you were gonend made Who made the north with fear to quake, came in t as you were gone, and made And did that powerful empire shake. no difficulties, but has promised me that FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 861 I shall have you, which I assure you is any person ever before arrived at, with a great joy to me. I should say a great queen or princess; and if from hence I deal for your kindness in offering it, but may draw any glory, it is that I both I am not good at compliments. I will obtained and held this place without the only say, I do take it extreme kindly, assistance of flattery, a charm which in and shall be ready at any time to do you truth her inclination for me, together all the service that is in my power." with my unwearied application to serve The manner in which Mrs. Churchill and amuse her, rendered useless, but contrived to obtain and to retain her which, had it been otherwise, my terninfluence over the Princess Anne of per and turn of mind would never have Denmark, she herself relates, with con- suffered me to employ. summate egotism, in the following " Young as I was when I first became words: this high favourite, I laid it down for a "The beginning of the Princess's maxim that flattery was falsehood to kindness for me, had a much earlier date my trust, and ingratitude to my greatest than my entrance into her service. My friend, and that I did not deserve so promotion to this honour was wholly much favour if I could not venture the owing to impressions she had before re- loss of it by speaking the truth, and by ceived to my advantage; we had used preferring the real interest of my misto play together when she was a child, tress, before the pleasing her fancy in and she even then expressed a particular the sacrifice to her passion. From this fondness for me. This inclination in- rule I never swerved; and though my creased with our years. I was often at temper and my notions in most things court, and the Princess always distin- were widely different from those of the guished me by the pleasure she took to Princess, yet, during a long course of honour me preferably to others with her years, she was so far from being disconversation and confidence. In all her pleased with me for openly speaking my parties for amusement I was sure by her sentiments, that she sometimes preferred choice to be one; and so desirous she be- a desire, and even added her command, came of having me always near her, that that it should be always continued, proupon her marriage with the Prince of mising never to be offended at it, but Denmark, it was at her own earnest re- to love me the better for my frankness. quest to her father, I was made one of Favour with a princess upon these terms the ladies of her bedchamber. What engaged me to her in the manner that conduced to render me the more agree- it ought-I mean by a sentiment which able to her in this station, was doubt- I choose to call honour rather than graless the dislike she had conceived to most titude or duty; because whilst it implies of the other persons about her, and par- all the justice and affection of these, it ticularly to her first lady of the bed- seems to express a more disinterested chamber, the Countess of Clarendon, a principle of action. For I can truly lady whose discourse and manner- affirm that I never considered myself though the princess thought they agreed on any occasion, where her interest or very well together-could not possibly glory was concerned, nor had I any idea recommend her to so young a mistress, of a misery which I would not have for she looked like a mad woman, and sooner incurred than the inward shame talked like a scholar. Indeed, her high- of being conscious of a failure in this ness's court was throughout so oddly respect. The facts themselves which I composed, that I think it wouldbemaking am going to relate will, in a great demyself no great compliment if I should gree, evince the truth of what I say; and say her choosing to spend more of her that the princess was perfectly persuaded time with me than with any of her other of it, is I think sufficiently manifest servants did no discredit to her taste. both from her letters to me, and from Be that as it will, it is certain she at that unreserved intimacy of friendship length distinguished me by as high, or in which we for many years lived toperhaps a higher place in her favour than gether. 852 ANNE, "Kings and Princes for the most part and her step-mother. When James II. imagine they have a dignity peculiar to ascended the throne, he publicly paid to their birth and station, which ought to the Princess of Denmark the most raise them above all connexions of friend- marked attention. At his coronation, ship with an inferior. Their passion is although her promising condition preto be admired and feared; to have sub- eluded her fiom taking part in the cerejects awfully obedient, and servants mony, she witnessed it from an elegant blindly obsequious to their pleasure. curtained enclosure which was fitted up Friendship is an offensive word; it im- for her in Westminster Abbey; and her ports a kind of equality between the newly-crowned stepmother, Queen Maria parties, it suggests nothing to the mind Beatrix, before returning in procession of crowns and thrones, high titles, or to Westminster Hall, crossed over to her, immense revenues, fountains of honour and spent some time in familiar converor fountains of riches, prerogatives sation with her. She also accompanied which the possessors would have always her step-mother, the Queen, to witness uppermost in the thoughts of those who the ceremony, when her father, King are permitted to approach them. The James II., opened his first parliament. Princess Anne had a different taste. A Indeed, James II., who beheld in her friend is what she had most coveted, and the ultimate heiress to his throne, had for the sake of friendship, (a relation the paternal weakness to permit her to which she did not disdain to have with assume nearly all the external state and me), she was fond even of that equality homage of a reigning sovereign; a diswhich she thought belonged to it. She tinction which she afterwards felt no ingrew uneasy to be treated by me with clination to resign at the birth of her the form and ceremony due to her rank, half-brother, the Pretender. Nor was nor could she hear from me the fond this, the permission to assume the digwords which implied in them distance nity of a queen, the only indulgence that and superiority. It was this turn of the fond King granted to his youngest mind which made her one day propose daughter. He augmented her and her to me, that whenever I should happen husband's income to the enormous sum to be absent from her, we might in all of ~32,000 per year (about ~65,000 our letters write to ourselves by feigned present money). "And yet withal," names, such as would import nothing of remarks a cotemporary, " such was the distinction of rank between us. Mor- extravagance, such the mismanagement ley and Freeman were the names her of the household of the Princess Anne, fancy hit upon, and she left me to choose that this sum did not suffice, and the by which of these I would be called. King had more than once to clear off My frank, open temper naturally led her debts." me to pitch upon Freeman, and so the Anne as a mother was truly unfortuPrincess took the other; and from this nate; for years after her marriage she time Mrs. Morley and Mrs. Freeman experienced hopes of maternity every began to converse as equals, made so by twelvemonth; yet, to the deep sorrow of affection and friendship." herself and her husband, many of her This Mrs. Churchill's account of her confinements were premature and aborown open, candid disposition, and her tive, and not one of her offsprings lived high sense of honour and sincere, dis- to maturity. On the twelfth of May, interested affection and friendship for 1684, she brought into the world a stillthe Princess Anne, must be received with born daughter; but her next infant, a caution; indeed, it will hereafter be ren- daughter, born on the second of June, dered apparent, that Anne possessed no 1685, promised to live, and was chrismore selfish, intriguing, unprincipled tened Mary, after the Princess of Orange, friend than the wife of the great Duke with becoming solemnity, in the chapel of Marlborough. at Whitehall. The third daughter of At this period, the greatest affection Anne of Denmark first saw the light at subsisted between Anne and her father Windsor, on the twelfth of May, 1686, FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 853 proved a fine healthy babe, and was bap- to the Churchills, was henceforth forced tized Anna Sophia. The hopes that the to live within her income, and on this little Princesses, Mary and Anne Sophia, account she and her favourite ever aftergave of reaching maturity speedily van- wards detested and dreaded the remonished. The Princess of Denmark ex- strances of the treasurer of James II. perienced a miscarriage on the twenty- When it became probable that the first of January, 1687, and from its Queen, Maria Beatrix, would give birth effects she had scarcely recovered, when to an heir to the throne, Anne, in confirst the little Lady Anne Sophia, and junction with her sister Mary, took then her sister, th6 Lady Mary, expired. alarm, and resolved to go to any length On the second of February, remarks the rather than relinquish the prospect of Ellis correspondent, "died (of hydro- one day wearing the crown of Great cephalus it is supposed) the Lady. Anne Britain, and transmitting it to her deSophia, youngest daughter of the Prin- scendants. Anne's correspondence on cess of Denmark, to the great grief of this subject with Mary of Orange, has us all. Four days afterwards, the little already appeared in the Memoirs of that Lady Mary, who had for weeks been in Princess, and therefore need not be rea consumption, breathed her last, and peated in this place. A short extract greatly increased the affliction of Anne." from one of these letters will suffice, to Her husband, Prince George, was at this show Anne's selfish, unfilial intentions: very time dangerously ill of a fever: "It "If this expected infant," said she, was a sad sight," writes a contemporary, "should prove a son, I for one will 4 to see the Prince and the Princess of believe it to be no other than a supposiDenmark together, hand in hand, the day titious child." In another letter she after the death of their eldest daughter, remarks: " One thing I must say of the sometimes weeping, sometimes moaning Queen (Maria Beatrix), which is, that their bereavement in words; he in bed, she is the most hated in the world of all she nursing him, as carefully as can be sorts of people; for every body believes imagined. As soon as he was able, they that she presses the King to be more went to the palace at Richmond, and violent than he would be of himself, their two little children were interred in which is not unlikely, for she is a very St. George's Chapel, at Windsor." great bigot in her way. She pretends At the subsequent Christmas, it was to have a great deal of kindness for me; found that Anne's debts exceeded her but I doubt its reality, for I never see income by ~7000. Her uncle, Lawrence proofs of it, but rather the contrary." Hyde, who was then lord-treasurer, sus- Not satisfied with thus grossly vilifypected that her funds were being unjustly ing the Queen, Anne, in another letter adappropriated by greedy favourites: King dressed at this period to the Princess of James entertained the same suspicion, and Orange, insinuates that the King, her hastening into her presence, gently repri- father, is capable of murdering his own manded her, adding, "I will once more re- children As already shown in the two lieve you, butrememberin future you must preceding memoirs, James II. was a be more exact in your accounts." Anne most kind and indulgent parent; and only answered with tears; but the mo- yet, such was the ingratitude, such the ment the King was gone, Sarah Churchill, base-heartedness of his fondly-humoured who, hid in a closet, had listened to all youngest daughter, that she thus adthat passed between James and his pro- dressed her sister at the Hague: " If digal daughter, came forth with a bounce King James should desire you and the of the foot, and exclaimed, "Ah, Madam, Prince of Orange to come over to make you may thank your rascally old uncle, a visit, I think it will be better to excuse Lawrence Hyde, for all this!" But, de- yourselves; for although the King prospite the malice of Anne's favourite bably has no thought against eitherofyou, Lord-Treasurer Hyde was a wise and yet, since people can say one thing and do honest financier. However, Anne, who another, one cannot help being afraid. had gambled or given away large sums Really, if you or the Prince should come, 854 ANNE, I should be frightened out of my wits, these depositions;" yet at this very time for fear any harm should happen to she was in the daily habit of making the either of you." birth of her brother the subject of doubt To avoid being present at the Queen's and sarcasm. accouchement, Anne retired to Bath, un- On the third of November, Anne was der pretence that she was herself enceinte, informed by her father, that the Dutch and required to partake of the waters. armament had been seen off Dover. On The unwelcomed brother entered the the fifth William landed, and in a few wcrld on the tenth of June, 1688, and days noble after noble went over to his on the eighteenth she, with her charac- standard. On the twelfth, Lord Cornteristic duplicity, wrote to the Princess of burn, son of the Earl of Clarendon, deOrange-" My dear sister cannot ima- serted from James' army, with three gine the concern and vexation I have regiments of cavalry, and six days afterbeen in, that I should be so unfortunate wards Anne wrote to her brother-in-law, to be out of town when the Queen was William of Orange, " I hope my busbrought to bed, for I shall never now be band, the Prince of Denmark, will soon satisfied whether the child be true or be with you, to let you see his readiness false. It may be it is our brother, but to join with you, who I am sure will do where one believes it, a thousand do not; you all the service that lies in his power. for my part, except they give me very He went yesterday with the King to. plain demonstrations (which is almost wards Salisbury, intending to go from impossible now), I shall ever be of the thence to you, as soon as his friends number of unbelievers. I don't find thought it proper. I am not certain if people are at all disheartened, but seem I shall continue here, or remove into the all of a mind, which is a very comfortable city; that shall depend upon the advice thing at such a time as this." my friends will give me; but wherever In another letter, dated July ninth, I am, I shall be ready to show you how Anne writes-" The Prince of Wales has much I am your humble servant." been ill these three or four (ays; and if In accordance with this advice, Prince he has been so bad as some people say, George of Denmark went over to the I believe it will not be long before he is enemy on the twenty-fourth, the day an angel in heaven." At length, after after the desertion of Churchill and Anne had answered a string of technical Grafton, and addressed an apology to questions on the subject from Mary, the King, in which he declares, " Nothese two very dutiful and affectionate thing but the cause of religion is able to daughters came to the understanding, tear me from you, whilst the same affecthat whatever might be done or said in tionate desire to serve you continues in the matter, they would on no account me. Could I secure your person, at the own the infant as their brother. hazard of my life, I should think it could In September, all London was agi- not be better employed." tated with reports of the projected inva- Anne, on learning that her husband, sion by the Prince of Orange; and James' with Churchill and others, had successfather-in-law, Lord Clarendon, made fully left the camp of her father, sent many, but useless attempts, to awaken for the Bishop of London, and arranged Anne's filial feelings. She evaded him with him a plan for her own escape as frequently as possible, and when from the Cockpit, at Whitehall. At one forced to give him audience, made no o'clock, when all the household were answer to his intreaties. Anne, under wrapped in sleep, she stole from her the pretended fear of a miscarriage, re- chamber with Lady Churchill and Mrs. fused to be present when evidence was Berkely, descended a back staircase formally taken of the Queen's delivery, which had been recently put up for that and to the council who waited upon her very purpose, and found, as had been with a copy of the depositions, she re- arranged, waiting near the gate, a hackplied, " My Lords, this is not necessary, ney-coach, in which were the Bishop the King's word is more to me than all and the Earl of Dorset. She entered FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 85-5 the coach, and the whole party drove to either against the Prince or myself; and the prelate's house in Aldersgate Street, I stay at so great a distance, as not to whence, before the dawn of day, they return before I hear the happy news of hastened to Copt Hall, the Earl of Dor- a reconcilement. And as I am confident set's seat, in Waltham Forest, and after the Prince did not leave the King with partaking of refreshment there, pro- any other design than to use all possible ceeded to a meeting of the Orange parti- means for his preservation, so I hope zans at Northampton. From Northamp- you will do me the justice to believe, that ton, the Princess was escorted through I am not capable of following him for Leicester and Coventry to Warwick; and any other end. it was during this journey that, accord- " Never was any one in such an uning to Lord Chesterfield, she urged her happy condition, so divided between friends to have an association entered duty and affection, to a father and a husinto to massacre all the papists in Eng- band; and therefore I know not what to land, should the Prince of Orange be do, but to follow one to preserve the killed or murdered by any of them. other. I see the general falling-off of Whether she considered that her father, the nobility and gentry, who avow to as the head of the English catholics, have no end than to prevail with the would be the first to fall under the venge- King to secure their religion; which they ance of this extermination association saw so much in danger by the violent cannot be stated for certainty; but if councils of the priests, who, to promote she did not, her stupidity must at this their own religion, did not care to what time have been greater than appears danger they exposed the King. I am probable; however, we trust, for her fully persuaded that the Prince of Orange soul's sake, the decapitation of her in- designs the King's safety and preservadulgent parent was not her object in tion, and hope all things may be comnbeing enrolled as the chief of this hor- posed without more bloodshed, by the rible confederacy. At the Cockpit, calling of a parliament. God grant a Anne's disappearance was not noticed, happy end to these troubles, that the probably not meant to be noticed, till King's reign may be prosperous, and the morning had far advanced, when that I may shortly meet you in peace her bed-chamber door was burst open, and safety;'till when, let me beg of you and her domestics, with real or affected to continue the same favourable opinion despair, hastened to the Queen's apart- that you have hitherto had, of your ments and rudely demanded their mis- "Most obedient daughter and servant, tress, whilst a riotous mob assembled "ANNE." outside the palace, vociferating that she had been assassinated or kidnapped by When we remind the reader, that the the papists. However, in a short time dutiful, veracious Anne had eight days the tumult was subdued, by the dis- previously pledged her word to the Prince covery of the subjoined letter, which lay of Orange for the defection of her busopen on the Princess's toilet - band, whose desertion she herself had planned and instigated, and that of late " THE PRINCESS ANNE TO QUEEN she never mentioned her father without MARIA BEATRIX. slandering him, or magnifying his faults,' MADAM, it will at once appear that the above " I beg pardon if I am so letter is one tissue of hypocritical pretendeeply affected with the surprising news sions and gross falsehoods, and withal of the Prince [George of Denmark] be- an evidence of the unrighteous disposiing gone, as not to be able to see you, tion of its author. but to leave this paper to express my James II., on hearing of Anne's flight humble duty to the King and yourself, from Whitehall, burst into tears, and exand to let you know that I am gone to claimed, " God help me! my very chilabsent myself to avoid the King's dis- dren have forsaken me in my distress." pleasure, which I am not able to bear, A few days afterwards, Clarendon met 856 ANNE, William at Salisbury, in the vain hope excuse of pregnancy was a falsehood; an of effecting an amicable arrangement assertion which so startled the Earl, that between King James and the Orange he exclaimed,'Good God, bless us! Prince. lie there saw Prince George of nothing but lying and dissimulation in Denmark, who told him that Anne's the world." CHAPTER II. Anne unconcernedfor her father's misfortunes-Dissatisfied with the settlement of the succession-Gives birth to Prince William, Duke of Gloucester-Contentions with her sister, Queen Mary-Settlement of her income- Writes a penitential letter to her father-Openly quarrels with William and Mary-Refuses to dismiss Lady Marlborough-Retires from court-Receives a harsh visit from Queen Mary-Breach widened-Her duplicity-Failure of her efforts to become reconciled to her dying sister Mary-Hollow reconciliation with her departed sister's consort, William III. -Her fortune exalted by the death of her sister Mary-Treated by William with marked disrespect-He is forced to recognize her as heir-apparent, and form a separate establishment for her son, the Duke of Gloucester-Precocity and death of Gloucester —William III.'s efforts to exclude her from the succession-She moans the demise of her father-Death of William III.-General mourning-Preparation for war with France and Spain. -~ A s —'. NNE, when informed Mary was present the whole time, about i of the final flight of three hours, and the King, with most of her father, expressed the persons of quality about the court, not the least concern, came into her royal highness's bedbut " called for cards, chamber before she was delivered." On and was as merry as the twenty-seventh, the infant was bapshe used to be." For tized William Henry. The sponsors this unnatural con- were the King and Queen, the Marchioduct, Clarendon took her to task; " But," ness of Halifax, and the King of Denhe writes, " she was not one jot moved mark; and the same day their Majesties thereby." When the convention de- caused him to be proclaimed Duke of dared tha ththe deserted crown of Eng- Gloucester. land should be decreed to the Prince and Since the accession of William and Princess of Orange, and in the event of Mary, petty bickerings had arisen beMary dying first, without issue, should tween Anne and the Queen, respecting be retained by William, during his life, the Princess's residences. At this period Anne repented of the course she had occurred a more serious difference. "The pursued, and being forced to acquiesce in Princess,' remarks Cox, "having anthe arrangement, exclaimed, "Oh! fool nounced her acquiescence in the new that I was, to desert a good father in order of succession, expected that a perfavour of a selfish Prince, who puts by manent and independent revenue would my right with impunity." On the have been secured to her for life, as the twelfth of February, 1689, Anne and her King had been allowed no less a sum than husband welcomed Mary to England as ~600,000 a year for the civil list. Intheir Queen, and they were present at stead, however, of gratifying her expecthe coronation of William and Mary in tations, he even showed some reluctance the subsequent April. to continue the allowance of ~30,000 a On the twenty-fourth of July, about year, which she had enjoyed under her four in the morning, Anne, to the great father. She was highly incensed at this joy and satisfaction of their Majesties, disappointment, and testified her resoluand the Orange partisans, gave birth to tion to appeal to parliament; while the a son at Hampton Court. "Queen King and Queen were no less offended FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 857 by her wish to acquire an independent proposal from motives of delicacy, but establishment. The subject occasioned her scruples were overruled by the reprethe most indecorous altercations between sentations of Lord Godolphin." the royal sisters, and became the source In October, 1690, Anne of Denmark of the subsequent quarrel which divided gave birth to a daughter, who was christhe royal family. Irritated by these tened Mary. and died a few hours afterdisputes, Anne pursued her purpose with wards. Every year the differences beredoubled zeal, and her cause was ear- tween Anne and her sister Mary became nestly promoted by the Earl and Countess more public, more numerous. Amongst of Marlborough. Her pretensions were other causes of disaffection, Anne was warmly supported by the Tories and offended at the rejection of an offer made disaffected, while the King would rely by the Prince, her husband, in May, 1691, only on his own personal friends and to serve on board the fleet, and still more the zealous Whigs. A considerable ma- by the mode in which it was conveyed; jority of the parliament was therefore she seldom visited the Queen, and when, enlisted on the side of the Princess, and at the instigation of her favourite, she on her claims became generally popular the second of August, 1691, earnestly among the great body of the nation. requested the King to confer the order "In this state of the public mind, her of the garter on Marlborough, although friends in the House of Commons pro- the request was seconded by that of her posed to grant her an independent reve- husband, Prince George of Denmark, nue of ~70,000 a year. To prevent the their entreaties met with a contemptuous decision of the question, the King ad- refusal; which so exasperated Marljourned the parliament. But the Prin- borough, that he wrote to the exiled cess was of too tenacious a character to James II. at St. Germains, offering him relinquish her object, particularly as her his services, and to bring the Princess party was increased by many who were Anne back to her filial duty. The expa. alienated by the reserve of the King. In triated monarch placed no confidence in this crisis lures and threats were alter- these professions; but withal, Anne, on nately held forth to the Countess of the first of December, 1691, wrote a peniMarlborough, with the hope of inducing tential letter to her father, in which she the Princess to desist through her influ- begged of him to accept her proffered ence. The Countess continued firm, and duty and submission, assured him she was the question was revived in the House equally concerned for his misfortunes, of Commons soon after the commence- and sensible of her own unhappiness; ment of the session. The court now declared she confessed her error, and found that opposition was fruitless. if wishes could recall the past, had long With the consent of both parties, the since redeemed the fault; and in concludebate was adjourned; and, in the in- sion, expressed a hope, that as she made terval, a compromise was effected, by this open confession, he would receive her which an annual allowance of ~50,000 humble submission, grant her pardon, and was settled in parliament as the civil list make her compliments to his consort, of the princess. Maria Beatrix. Long before this letter " The success of this measure being reached St. Germains. William and Mary principally ascribed by Anne to the ex- learned that such an epistle was on its ertions of the Earl and Countess of road. " Such mutual irritation," remarks Marlborough, contributed still more to Cox, " could not long continue without endear them to her, while it rendered producing an open rupture; accordingly, them in an equal degree obnoxious to on the evening of January the ninth, the King and Queen. Anne was not 1692, an indecorous altercation tookpIlace tardy in testifying her gratitude for so between the two royal sisters, and the acceptable a service; and, in an affec- Queen did not hesitate to threaten the tionate letter, offered her favourite an Princess with a reduction of her revenue additional salary of ~1000 a year. The to one half of the actual amount. WheCountess at first declined the generous ther Marlborough and his lady were im 858 ANNE, plicated in this uncourtly scene, is uncer- February. Such an imprudent step, tain; but he felt the first public effect of which was far from being prompted by the royal displeasure. On the ensuing motives of respect, was considered as a morning, aftel filfilling his usual duties premeditated insult. On the ensuing as lord of the bed-chamber, he received morning a harsh letter was conveyed an order from the King, through Lord from the Queen, commanding the PrinNottingham, secretary of state, announc- cess to dismiss Lady Marlborough withing his dismission from all his offices, out delay.* Instead, however, of comboth civil and military, and prohibiting plying, she still farther provoked the his appearance at court. Queen by a justification of her favourite. "This affront towards a faithful ser- and an order was transmitted by the lord vant rankled in the mind of the Princess, chamberlain, enjoining the Countess to and a gloomy reserve prevailed in the remove from the palace of Whitehall. royal family, which portended a new The order was the prelude to an utter commotion. At this moment, also, the breach. Anne, disdaining to remain in enemies whom Marlborough had pro- a place from whence her friend and convoked by his remonstrances and sarcasms, fidant was excluded, quitted her own omitted no effort to widen the breach. A apartments, and after a temporary stay powerful cabal was formed by the Earl at Sion Hill, the seat of the Duke of of Portland and the family of Villiers, Somerset, established her residence at whose intrigues were rendered more dan- Berkley House. The King, as a mark gerous by their intimate access to the of ill-will, deprived her and her husband King. To this cabal belonged Lady Fitz- of their guards; and the result was, her harding, a sister of the Countess of Port- carriage was stopped, and she was robbed land, who availed herself of her situation between Brentford and Sion House, in in the household of the Princess, and the March, 1692. confidence of Lady Marlborough, to act "Common resentment and common as a spy on the conduct of the Princess mortification gave new strength to the and her favourite; and to report, in ag- romantic affection which subsisted begravated terms, the indecorous and in- tween the Princess and her favourite. suiting language which they habitually To an offer made by the Countess of used in speaking of the King. withdrawing from her service, Anne re" Early in January an anonymous letter plied with the most tender expostulawas conveyed to the Princess, indicating tions, asseverating that she was not the this cabal, and announcing, that the dis- cause of the rupture which had occurred. grace of Marlborough would not termi- In one of her notes she observes,'1 nate with his dismission; but that, on really long to know how my dear Mrs. the prorogation of Parliament, he would Freeman got home; and now I have be imprisoned. This correspondent also this opportunity of writing, she must stated that the tears which she had been give me leave to tell her, if she should seen to shed since the disgrace of Marl- ever be so cruel to leave her faithborough, had provoked the King and ful Mrs. Morley, she will rob her of Queen, and that the meeting which he the joy of her life; for if that day held with Godolphin and Russel on the should come, I should never enjoy anoevening of his dismission, had excited ther happy minute; and I swear to you great jealousy at court. It concluded I would shut myself up and never see a with apprising the Princess that she creature.'" would be compelled to dismiss Lady Whilst commenting on these royal Marlborough. quarrels, Burnet remarks, "Upon Marl" This informant was not widely mis- borough's disgrace, his lady was forbid taken. The Countess, who had absented the court; the Princess would not subherself from Court since the disgrace of mit to this; she thought she ought to be her lord, was at length persuaded by her allowed to keep what persons she pleased friends to attend the Princess at the about herself; and when the Queen inlevee of the Queen, on the fourth of * See page 837. FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 859 sisted on the thing, she retired from the I hear Lord Marlborough is sent to court. There was, no doubt, ill offices the Tower; and though I am certain done on all hands, as there were some they have nothing against him, and exthat pressed the Princess to submit to pected by your letter it would be so, yet the Queen, as well as others who pressed I was struck when I was told it; for the Queen to pass it over, but without methinks it is a dismal thing to have effect; both had engaged themselves be- one's friends sent to that place. I have fore they had well reflected on the con- a thousand melancholy thoughts, and sequences of such a breach. Now the cannot help fearing they should hinder matter went so far, that the Queen or- you from coming to me; though how dered, that no public honours should be they can do that without making you a showed the Princess, besides many other prisoner, I cannot imagine. I am just lesser matters, which I unwillingly re- told by pretty good hands, that as soon fleet upon, because I was much troubled as the wind turns westerly, there will be to see the Queen carry such a matter so a guard set upon the Prince and me. If far, and the breach continued to the end you hear there is any such thing designed, of her life. The enemies of the govern- and that'tis easy to you, pray let me ment tried what could be made of this, see you before the wind changes; for to create distractions among us; but the afterwards one does not know whether Princess gave no encouragement to them. they will let one have opportunities of So that this misunderstanding had no speaking to one another. But let them other effect, but thatit gave enemies much do what they please, nothing shall ever ill-natured joy, and a secret, spiteful di- vex me, so I can have the satisfaction of version." seeing dear Mrs. Freeman; and I swear On the seventeenth of April, 1692, I would live on bread and water, beAnne, afteraprotracted, dangerouslabour, tween four walls, with her without rewas delivered of a son, who was hastily pining; foras longas you continue kind, baptized George, and expired shortly nothing can ever be a real mortification afterwards. She dispatched her Dutch to your faithful Mrs. Morley,* who maid of honour, Charlotte Beveraart, to wishes she may never enjoy a moment's impart the sad tidings to the Queen, and happiness, in this world or the next, if Mary visited her; but, instead of offering ever she proves false to you." condolence, rushed into her presence, exclaiming, "As I have condescended to "Whether the hint which the Princess come to you, I expect you will now obey conveys, of a design to place her and her me, and at once dismiss Lady Marl- consort under restraint, was an effect of borough." Anne burst into tears, and mere rumour; or whether William was declared, "That in aught else she would unwilling to hazard so decisive a meaobey her Majesty, but her favourite she sure, we cannot ascertain. But the could not part with." "Ah," sharply Princess suffered no other mortification retorted the Queen, "I thought as than the imprisonment of her zealous much;" and with an air of supreme con- adherent, and the loss of the honour attempt, she instantly rose up and de- tached to her high station." parted, without saying another word. On the twentieth of May Anne wrote This interview agitated Anne, and threw to Mary that she had recovered, and was her into a dangerous fever, from which going abroad, but although her duty and she had nothing like recovered, when inclination urged her to pay an early visit the arrest of Marlborough filledherwith to her Majesty, she feared hard confresh terrors, which were augmented by structions would be put upon her resreports, that she herself would shortly pectful intentions, which would be a be arrested. On this subject she wrote great affliction to her, although whatever the following letter to Lady Marl- reason she had in her own mind to comborough, who had left Anne, to afford plain of harsh treatment, she would strive her husband, the Duke, all possible as- * The origin of these nomenclatures has sistance. already been explained at page 852. 860 ANNE, to hide it as much as possible. This letter him and his haughty Countess from the the Bishop of Worcester conveyed to the presence of the heiress-presumptive of Queen, and in a written reply, Mary the crown, they signally failed, and Lady remarked, " It is not my fault that we Marlborough, who during her husband's live at this distance; I have shown my incarceration had prudently retired from willingness to do otherwise and will do Berkley House, continued to reside with no more; you know what I require of Anne, asheretofore. When King William you; I cannot change my mind, but ex- returned in September, from the campect to be complied with; if you don't paign in Flanders, Prince George of do this, I can neither show you kindness, Denmark sent him a compliment, as it nor put any other construction upon your was called, setting forth " that he and actions than what all the world must do his wife having received many marks of that sees them." the Queen's displeasure, he scarcely Anne's deceitful policy in writing the knew whether he should give offence by above billet to the Queen, she herself un- waiting on his Majesty, as usual." Their veils in the letter she wrote to her con- Majesties sent no reply to this unsavoury fidant, Lady Marlborough, two days compliment, but the next day they disafterwards, in which the following pas- patched a verbal command forbidding the sages occur: "Being now at liberty to text to be placed in Anne's pew in church, go where I please, by the Quen's refusing as usual; however, Dr. Birch, the clergyto see me, a m mightily inclined to go to- man, refused to comply, without a writmorrow after dinner to the Cock-pit, and ten mandate: this was not sent, and the from thence, privately in a chair, to see Princess, greatly to the exultation of you. The Bishop of Worcester brought herself and her haughty favourite, reme the Queen's letter early this morning, tained possession of her text, at the and by that letter he said,' he did not newly-built church of St. James's. seem so well satisfied with her as he From this period, a settled enmity was yesterday.' le has promised to subsisted between the royal sisters: bear me witness, that I have made all Mary, it is true, took great notice of her the advances that were reasonable, and nephew, the young Duke of Gloucester, I confess, I think, the more it is told but every kindness showered on the'about, that I would have waited on the youthful Duke was accompanied by some Queen, but that she refused me, it is the signal insult to his mother. In Decembetter, and therefore I will not scruple ber, 1694, when Queen Mary was on her saying it to anybody, when it comes in death-bed, Anne made strenuous, but my way. Dear Mrs. Freeman, I hope futile efforts to become reconciled to her. in Christ you will never think more of The Princess, who at the time was herleaving me, for I would be sacrificed to self suffering from dropsical maladies, do you the least service, and nothing but which confined her to the house, sent a death can ever make me part with you." kind message, imploring her Majesty's Such was the disgraceful duplicity permission to wait upon her. This was practised by Anne in the spring of 1692; only answered by the following formal andas the summer advanced,Marymnorti- note from Lady Derby, her Majesty's fied her byannouncing that henceforward first lady, to the lady of Anne. thoselords andladies who persisted invisitingthe Princess of Denmark would not be " "MADAM, received at Court; and when she went to "I am commanded by the King Bath, for the benefit of her health, she and Queen to tell you, they desire you commanded the mayor and aldermen of would let the Princess know, they both that city to pay her neither respect nor thank her for sending and desiring to ceremony. In revenge, Anne took Marl- come, but it being thought so necessary to borough into her household immediately keep the Queen as quiet as possible, hope he was released from imprisonment; and she will defer it. although, at the instigation of her Ma- "I am, madam, your Ladyship's most jesty, fresh efforts were made to remove humble servant, i. DERBY." FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 861 "PS. Pray, madam, present my hum- the King sitting at the end of his closet, ble duty to the Princess." in an agony of grief, more acute than seemed consonant to his phlegmatic "Hitherto," says the Countess of temper. Absorbed in reflection, William Marlborough, "Lady Derby had be- took no notice of the intrusion till haved with marked insolence to Anne, Somers himself broke silence, by propotherefore, the politeness of this postcript sing to terminate the unhappy difference made us conclude, more than if the with the Princess. The King replied, whole College of Physicians had pro-'My lord, do what you will; I can nounced it, that the Queen's disease was think of no business!' To a repetition mortal. We could gain no certain intel- of the proposal the same answer was religence, as there was no regular commu- turned. By the agency of Somers an nication between Kensington Palace and interview was accordingly arranged, in Berkley House, which kept us in horrible which the King received the Princess snspense." However, two days after- with cordiality, and informed her that wards, Anne dispatched Lady Fitz- the palace of St. James's should harding, who entered Kensington Palace, be appropriated for her future rebroke into the presence of the dying sidence."* Mary, and in a pathetic speech, assured The demise of Queen Mary greatly her that the Princess, her sister, was exalted the fortunes of Anne. The Duke much concerned for her illness, and if of Shrewsbury, in a letter to Admiral allowed the happiness of waiting on her, Russell, remarks, " Since the death of would, notwithstanding the condition Queen Mary, and the reconciliation beshe was in, run any risk for her Ma- tween the Princess Anne and King Wiljesty's satisfaction. To this appeal the liam, the Court of the Princess is as queen coolly answered, "Thanks;" and much crowded as it was before deserted: two days afterwards she died, without she has omitted no opportunity to show seeing, or even expressing a wish to see her zeal for his Majesty and his governher sister Anne, who on receiving the ment, and our friend Marlborough, who mournful tidings, cried like a child. has no small credit with her, seems very " The death of the Queen placed Wii- resolved to contribute to the continuance liam in a new and critical situation. of this union." Many had begun to suggest doubts of Another noble correspondent remarks, her right to the crown, and some even in February, 1695, " Her Royal Highargued, that as the Parliament had been ness the Princess of Denmark, and also summoned in the joint names of the her husband the Prince, have received King and Queen, it was dissolved by the visits of condolence for the death of death of either. Had the Princess Queen Mary, from all the foreign ambasabetted these objections, she might sadors and envoys in London." But doubtless have created much confusion withal, Anne continued to carry on a in the state, and formed a party danger- deceptive correspondence with her exiled ous to the authority of the King. But father, at St. Germains, who fathomed instead of testifying the slightest wish her duplicity, and in his journal reto question his right, she made an affec- marked, "The Princess Anne, notwithtionate appeal to lis feelings, in a letter standing her professions, and late reof condolence, expressing extreme con- pentance, appears now to be more satiscern at having incurred the displeasure fled that the Prince of Orange (King of the deceased Queen, and declaring her William) should remain, though he had readiness to wait on him, and give used her ill, and usurped on her rights, proofs of respect for his person, and zeal than that her father, who had always for his interest, cherished her beyond expression, should "At the moment when this sponta- be restored: but his own children have neous overture had produced its effect, lost all bowels of compassion and duty Lord Somers, who had long regretted for him." the feuds in the royal family, repaired In the autumn of 1695, William, on to the palace of Kensington. He found * Coxe. 862 ANNE, returning from Holland,where he usually' As it was now deemed proper to form passed the summer months, insulted aseparate establishment for the young Anne by neglecting to answer her con- Duke of Gloucester, presumptive heir to gratulatory address on his military sue- the throne, the Princess, his mother was cesses inFlanders; (he had taken Namur, anxious that the charge of his person and performed other martial exploits;) should be confided to a nobleman so and treating her with marked disrespect, high in her esteem, and so accomplished, when she attended his drawing-rooms; as the Earl of Marlborough. Her incliconduct which may be accounted for by nations were perfectly in unison with the the fact that the Commons, instigated by public voice. But the King was at first the Princess, had forced his Majesty to averse to the appointment, and at one revoke the unconstitutional grant of the time proposed to fill the offices in the principality of Wales, which he had just new establishment without consulting previously made to his Dutch favourite her wishes. With a view of excluding Bentinck, and to which Anne believed Marlborough, he offered the post of goher beloved son, the Duke of Gloucester, vernor to the Duke of Shrewsbury, who, was alone entitled. His Majesty's from ill health, was then soliciting permarked insolence to the apparent sue- mission to relinquish the fatiguing cessor to his crown, excited against him office of Secretary of State. The Duke such audible murmurs from the people,the declining the appointment, William renobles, and even his own English atten- mained in suspense, from dislike of dants at Court, that he soon found it ex- Marlborough, and the difficulty of selectpedient to desist from such unpopular ing a person who, with equal merit, proceedings. Accordingly, at the com- was less obnoxious. At length his remencement of 1695, he caused all proper pugnance was overcome by the represenrespect and ceremony to be paid to the tations of Lord Sunderland, the suggesexalted birth and rank of his English tions of the new favourite, Lord Albesister-in-law, gave her possession of St. marle, who had recently supplanted James's Palace as a town residence, and Portland, the recommendation of the Windsor Castle for a summer retreat, Tories, who were rising in influence, and and conferred the Order of the Garter the dread of being obliged to consign on her son, the Duke of Gloucester. Be- the Prince to a nobleman of so froward sides making these concessions, the a temper as Lord Rochester, whose Orange King conciliated the whole of cause was espoused by the violent memher party, and conferred marks of royal hers of his party. Having taken his refavour on its chief, the Duke of Ormond, solution, he conferred the office on Marland even on several others, who had, he borough in the most gracious manner; was aware, lately sent proffers of loyalty and delivered the young Prince into his to James II. " Indeed," remarks Cox, care with a compliment of unusual " William seems to have discovered that warmth:' Teach him,' he said,' to be the extensive correspondence, which in like yourself, and he will not want acthe preceding period of his reign had complishments.' been maintained with the exiled family, " The coadjutor of Marlborough in the arose, in most instances, rather from fear, office of preceptor was the celebrated Dr. selfishness, or ingratitude, than from dis- Burnet, Bishop of Salisbury, who [alaffection; and in proportion as his throne though scarcely fitted for the post] was became more stable, his subjects appeared [for the part he had taken in the Revoless hesitating in their allegiance. Hence lution] entitled to the confidence of the at different times he employed many of King. The governor and preceptor inthose whom he knew to have been im- deed differed widely in political principlicated in such an intercourse, and found ples, for the Bishop was distinguished no cause to repent of his confidence. It by his attachment to the Whig cause; was probably from the same motive that but this diversity of sentiment created no he at length consigned to Marlborough discordance in the fulfilment of their iman employment of the highest trust. portant duties. [They made an outward FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 863 profession of mutual] esteem and respect, who expired on the thirtieth of July, and their public connexion became the 1700, aged eleven years and five days." foundation of a friendship [at least of The unfortunate young Prince had interests] which lasted through life. been delicate from his birth, and suffered " After making so great a sacrifice in from water on the brain. He was an the choice of a governor, William became exceedingly precocious child: when seven less scrupulous in inferior regulations. years old he understood the terms of Except the nomination of Burnet, as fortification and navigation, and could the preceptor, against the wish of the marshal a company of boys, who had Princess, who disliked his political prin- voluntarily enlisted themselves to attend ciples, the King seems to have left to her, him. The following is Bishop Kennet's or rather to Marlborough, the selection of account of his mortal illness:the different attendants who were placed " The death of the Duke of Gloucesabout the person of his nephew. ter was in a great measure occasioned "The very evening of his appoint- by the over-heating of himself in the ment, Marlborough was restored to his solemn observance of his birth-day, place in the privy council, and to his Wednesday, the twenty-fourth of July, military rank and employments. In the 1700. After the ceremony was over, course of the two succeeding years he his highness found himself fatigued and was also named one of the lords justices, indisposed. The next day he comwho were intrusted with the government plained of his throat, and of a sickness during the absence of the King. in his stomach. All Friday he was hot " The appointment of Bishop Burnet and feverish. On Saturday morning, gave great offence to the violent Tories, after being bled, he thought himself a and they were little more satisfied with little better; but in the evening, his that of Marlborough, in whose post they fever appearing more violent, a blister were anxious to place the Earl of Roches- was applied to him, and other remedies ter, uncle to the young Prince. But their administered. The same day a rash motion, made in parliament, for an ad- appeared in his skin, which increasing, dress to remove Bishop Burnet, in con- on Sunday more blisters were laid on; sequence of the censure passed by the in the afternoon, the fever growing House of Commons on his Country and stronger, his highness went into a dePastoral Letter, which had been ordered lirium, which lasted with his life. He to be burnt by the common executioner, passed the night as he did the pre. was repelled by a great majority, ceding, in short, broken sleep and inco"Trained up under a governor so ac- herent talk. On Monday the blisters complished, and under so learned and having taken effect, and the pulse mendskilful a preceptor, the young Prince ing, the physicians that attended him rapidly improved in personal and mental thought it probable his highness might acquirements; and gave the most pro- recover; but about eleven at night, he mising indications of virtues and quali- was on the sudden seized with a difficult ties which were likely to adorn a crown. breathing, and could swallow nothing But like the Marcellus of Rome, he was down, insomuch that he expired before shown to an anxious country, only to be midnight." admiied and regretted. In the dawn of The body of the young Prince was youth, amidst the vows and prayers of solemnly interred on the ninth of August, his destined subjects, he was hurried to in Westminster Abbey. The Princess a premature grave. Anne, who a few months previously had " Lord and Lady Marlborough were brought into the world an infant, that at Althorpe when he was first seized; had died shortly after its birth, was now but the progress of the fatal disorder was childless; her bereavement she attriso rapid, that the afflicted governor ar- buted to Providence, as a judgment fot rived at Windsor only in time to receive her unfilial conduct, and she so wrote to the dying breath of his royal charge, her father, in a sorrowful, penitential 864 ANNE, letter, detailing the mournful event, when news of the death of her ill-used Secretly as Anne dispatched this letter, father* reached England. Instantly its arrival at St. Germain's became she and her husband resumed their known to William, who was then in sables; William, also, went into black Holland, and so exasperated him against for his departed uncle; the Queen Dowher, that he did not choose to reply to ager did so likewise; and, in fact, the letter which Marlborough dispatched strange as it may seem, the mourning to him, announcing the death of the for the exiled James II. became general young Prince, till October, when, with- throughout England. Whether Anne out a single expression of condolence answered the letter from Maria Beatrix, or sympathy to the sorrowing parents, imparting to her her father's forgivehe wrote to Marlborough:-" Loo, Oc- ness, blessing, and dying charge, enjointober the fourth, 1700. I do not think ing her to cease injuring her brotherit necessary to employ many words in him known in general history as the expressing my surprise and grief at the Pretender-cannot be stated for cerdeath of the Duke of Gloucester. It is tainty; although hitherto research has so great a loss to me, as well as to all failed to discover any such document. England, that it pierces my heart with The next event of importance to affliction." Anne was the death of William III. King William returned to England From the day when he heard of the on the eighteenth of October, and the death of James II., William's health visits he exchanged with the Prince and rapidly declined. His infirmities were Princess of Denmark, in the winter of so much increased by anxiety of mind, 1700-1, were more formal than friendly, and embarrassments abroad, that during He detested Anne and her husband, and the summer of 1701 he had repeatedly a desire to exclude her from the sue- prognosticated to his friends his apcession, induced him at this period to proaching dissolution. His death was renew the offer made at the peace of accelerated by an accidental fall from Ryswick, of adopting James II.'s son, his horse, Sorrel, at Hampton Court. afterwards known as the "Pretender," "Supported by the energy of his mind, as his successor. An offer which was his constitution struggled for several firmly rejected, but which at the time weeks against the progress of decay, became public, caused great excitement and his dissolution was suspended by amongst the people, and was significantly Providence, till he had caused the Paralluded to in the subjoined Whig effu- liament to pass an Act of Attainder sion, by the venal Tom D'Urfey:- against the pretended Prince of Wales: "Strange news! strange news I the Jacks* of followed by another for the abjuration the city of the pretended Prince, for the secuHave got," cried Joan, " but we mind not tales; * In a letter detailing the death of James, That our good King, through wonderful pity, and addressed by * * * to the Rev. Francis Will leave his crown to the Prince of Roper, occur the following remarks:-' When Wales, he (James I1.) was sure and sensible of his That peace may be the stronger still, condition, he desired and did receive the And that they no longer may rebel." sacrament. As a preparatory to it, he " Pish!'tis a jest!" cried Gillian of Croydon, asked pardon of all whom he might have in Gillian, fair Gillian, bright Gillian of Croy- any way injured; at the same time he for " Here's a health to our master's will." had designedly contrived and contributed to his harms and misfortunes. You see, Sir, Anne had laid aside her mourning he dyes with the same resignation and tranfor her only child but a short time, uillity that he lived. Yet when one looks backe on the misfortunes of this afflicted * Jacobites. The above trashy lay was Prince, his life, and the piety of his death sung to the popular old English tune of " Gil- he can hardly forbeare to thinke that he delian of Croydon." This G(illian, it is sup- served a more favourable fortune, or refuse posed, was a beautiful hostess of Croydon, in him a compassion which may not be safe to the time of Henry VIII. expresse here." FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 866 rity of his Majesty's person, and the Mourn on, yefoolish, fashionable things, person of the Princess of Denmark, and Mourn for your own misfortunes-not the the succession to the crown in the Pro- Mourn f^King's; the succession to the crown in the Pro- Mourn for the mighty mass of coin misspent, testant line. When the bill of abjura- Most prodigally given, and idly spent; tion was presented to William for sig- Mourn for your tapestry, and your statues too, nature, his hand was too feeble to Our Windsor gutted to adorn his Loo; Mourn for the mitre, long from Scotland gone, perform its office, and he stamped his And much more mourn your union coming on; name to it a few hours before he Mourn for the ten years' war and dismal breathed his last." The day before he weather, dieOd salt, malt, paper, cyder, lights, and died, Anne sent a polite message, ear- n taxes strung papere cyder, lights and nestly entreating to see him; but he leather; sternly answered-" No." And to the Much for the civil list need not be said, Price of Denmark, who made many hey truly mourn who are fifteen months Prince of Denmark, who made many unpaid. attempts to enter his presence, he sent Well, then, my friends, since things you see the same rude reply. are so, He expired in the arms of his page, Let's e'en mourn on;'twould lessen much our Sewel, at eight o'clock on the morning of H woe,:Sewel, at eight'clock on the morning of Had Sorrel stumbled thirteen years ago; Sunday, the eighth of March, 1702, in the Your sea has oft run purple to the shore, fifty-second year of his age, and the four- And Flanders been manured with English teenth of his reign. At midnight, on Sun gore!" day, the twelfth of April, his remains were At the time of William's death, the interred with regal, but not imposing nation was making preparation for war obsequies, by the side of his consort, with France and Spain, a state of things Mary II., in Westminster Abbey. which was thus brought about. On the At this period the Jacobites and the death of James II., his son's pretensions discontented revolutionists were in to the crown of England were supported mourning for James the Second, and by Louis XIV., which so exasperated the Whigs, in compliance with the Lord William, that he entered into an alliChamberlain's proclamation, went into ance with Holland and the Emperor, to deep black for William III., which so cripple the power of France, and to enraged a rhyming Jacobite, that he seize upon Spain, and partition it bewrote- tween them; an unjust measure, which " In sable weeds your beaux and belles p was strongly opposed by the parliament of pear, England, and which formed the precedent And cloud the evening beauties of the year. for the partition of unhappy Poland. CHAPTER III. Anne's accession and coronation-She confers favours and high honours on the Marlboroughs and their friends-Declares war against France and SpainAbolishes the selling of places in the royal household-Establishes " Queen Anne's Bounty"-Makes a progress to Bath-Disguises her revulsion of sentiment towards Lady Marlborough-Confers a dukedom on Marlborough-Secures a permanent revenue on her husband, Prince George of Denmark-Consoles the Duchess of Mlarlborough on the death of her son-Siege of Bons-The great storm-Bishop Ken —The Archduke Charles visits Anne-She touches for the King's-evilBirth-day solemnization- Convocation-Occasional conformity bill-Anne enslaved by the Marlboroughs-Returns thanks at St. Paul's for the victory of BlenheimThe Tories offend her by inviting the Electress Sophia to England-She gives her confidence to the Marlborough party and the Whigs. 3 866 ANNE,'~,1.:. HROUGHOUT the remarks Coxe, " the doubts she had for-.s -..l,. last night of Wil- merly entertained were suppressed by - liam's existence, the the change of circumstances, or (what Princess Anne and is most in accordance with facts brought her favourite, Lady to light by modern research) the brilMarlborough, anxi- liant prospect which opened to her view. ously awaited at the The recent death of her father relieved palace of St. James's her from the scruples which (latterly) the news of the event, which would she had felt at his seclusion; and the render the former a queen, and the disputed legitimacy of her brother, inlatter an imperious dictator of Eng- duced her to acquiesce in the arrangeland's majesty. Bishop Burnet was the ments of the legislature; for even if he first to bring Anne the news of King was not supposititious, she persuaded William's death; yet, for his officious herself that he was disqualified by his efforts to gain the advantage over the religious principles, and that her assumpEarl of Essex, then lord of the bed- tion of the crown was necessary to sechamber in waiting, whose proper office cure the existence of the Established it was to communicate the event, "he Church." "When I saw she had such a was turned out of his lodgings at court, partiality to those that I knew to be Jaand met with several affronts." cobites," observes the Countess of MarlOn the morning of her accession to borough, " I asked her whether she had the throne, and a bright summer morn- a mind to give up her crown? for if it ing it was, Anne held a private levee at had been her conscience not to wear it, St. James's; to this levee the leading I do solemnly protest I would not have courtiers and politicians hastened in disturbed her, or struggled as I did. crowds; amongst them was Anne's uncle, But she told me she was not sure that the unflinching Earl of Clarendon, who, the Prince of Wales was her brother, as he refused to swear allegiance to her and that it was not practicable for him as his sovereign, and declared that he to come here without ruin to the religion had only come to talk to her-in fact, and country." to remind her of the promise that she Her Majesty opened parliament in made to her father after the death of her state on the eleventh of March, and in son, that if ever she came to the crown, a speech delivered with a graceful, winshe would only accept it in trust for her ning expression, peculiar to herself, brother, whose restoration she would observed, " As I know my own heart to endeavour by all the means in her be entirely English, I can very sincerely power to effect-he was refused admit- assure you, there is not anything you tance to her presence. can expect or desire from me, which Although the day of her Majesty's I shall not be ready to do for the hapaccession was Sunday, on that day the piness and prosperity of England; and privy council formally hailed her as you shall always find me a strict and their Sovereign; and both houses of religious observer of my word." parliament met, and after displaying Scotland still being adistinct kingdom, their loyalty in lengthy speeches, they Anne was not proclaimed Queen there in the evening, and in two separate till the thirteenth of March. She first bodies, presented the Queen with con- exercised her regnal authority by nomigratulatory addresses. She answered nating her husband, Prince George of them with remarkable dignity and Denmark, generalissimo of the army and grace, and about three in the afternoon lord high admiral. Being regarded of this eventful Sunday, was proclaimed only as a subject, the Prince continued Queen of England, Ireland, and France, to occupy a seat in the House of Lords, in the cities of London and Westmin- with precedence before all other peers, ster, amidst the loud acclamations of the in the quality of Duke of Cumberland, excited populace. a honour and title conferred on him at "At the ime of the Queen's accession thcoronation of William and Mary. FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 867 "Three days after her accession, her west door. "The Queen," says Boyer, Majesty nominated the Duke of Marl- " was carried in an open chair by the borough knight of the garter; and on Broad Sanctuary, the houses on both the ensuing day he was appointed gene- sides being crowded with spectators, ral of the British forces at home and who made the welkin ring with shouts abroad; and shortly afterwards, master of joy, as her Majesty passed by." Her of the horse. His countess was also train was borne by the Duchess of made groom of the stole, mistress of the Somerset, Lady Elizabeth Seymour, robes, and keeper of the privy purse." Lady Mary Hyde, and Lady Mary The Commons settled upon Anne, for Pierrepoint, afterwards the distinguished life, the like sum which they had granted authoress, Lady Mary Wortley Montato his late Majesty,William III.; and on gue. The ceremonial of the coronation the thirtieth of March she went in state did not materially differ from the preto parliament, to give her assent to this cedents previously detailed in this work, bill, and in a speech from the throne and therefore need not be repeated in declared, "That she would straiten her- this place. The primate performed the self in her own expenses, rather than recognition, by presenting the Queen to not contribute all she could to her sub- the brilliant assembly, and loudly exjects' ease and relief; and as the revenue claiming, "Sirs, I here present unto would probably fall short of what it you Queen Anne, undoubted Queen of formerly produced, she would give di- this realm. Whereas, all you that are rections that ~100,000 be applied to the come this day to do your homage and public service, in the present year, out service, are you willing to do the same?" of the revenue they had so unanimously "God save Queen Anne!" shouted the given her." An act of politic genero- noble assembly again and again, in sity, which gave universal satisfaction to reply; and then the trumpets sounded, the parliament and the nation at large. and the choir chaunted the anthem, In the months of March and April, commencing, "The Queen shall rejoice Anne received visits of condolence on in thy strength, O Lord!" the death of William III., and congra- After the sermon, which was preached tulations on her own accession, from all by the Archbishop of York, Tenniscn, the ambassadors and envoys in England; Archbishop of Canterbury, read the foland the bishops, the clergy, the city of lowing declaration, which Anne at the London, and all the counties, cities, and same time repeated, and afterwards subcorporate bodies, presented her ad- scribed: "I, Anne, by the grace of God, dresses on the same subject. The Queen of England, Scotland, France, and twenty-third of April (being St. George's Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c.; do Day), 1702, was appointed for her Ma- solemnly, in the presence of God, profess, jesty's coronation. At eleven in the testify, and declare, that I do believe, morning of that day, Anne, who at the that in the sacrament of the Lord's time was disabled from walking, by an Supper there is not any transubstantiattack of gout, went privately in a ation of the elements of bread and wine sedan-chair from St. James's Palace to into the body and blood of Christ, at or the Court of Wards, where she remained after the consecration thereof, by any till the nobles, who took part in the person whatsoever.-Secondly. That the imposing ceremonials, were duly mar- invocation or adoration of the Virgin shalled, when she proceeded in proces- Mary, or any other saint, and the sacrision to Westminster Hall; and after be- flee of the mass, as they are now used in ing robed, took her seat under the cano- the church of Rome, are superstitious py, by the side of the table on which the and idolatrous.-Thirdly. And I do regalia were placed. Immediately these solemnly, in the presence of God, prowere duly distributed to their appointed fess, testify, and declare, that I do make bearers, the procession moved forward, this declaration, and every part thereof, through lalace Yard, along by the Broad in the plain and ordinary sense of the Sanctuary, and so into the Abbey by the words read to me, as they are commonly 868 ANNE, understood by English Protestants, with- you: the Lord protect you in all your out any evasion, equivocation, or mental ways, and preserve you from every evil reservation whatsoever, and without any thing: the Lord prosper the works of dispensation already granted me for this your own hands upon you. the Lord purpose by the Pope, or any other au- prosper your handy work." thority or person, or without any hope "Amen!" loudly responded the assemof such dispensations from any person or bled peers and prelates. authority whatever, or without thinking "May all the blessings of heaven and I am or can be acquitted before God or earth plenteously descend upon you: the man, or absolved of this declaration or of Lord give you of the dew of heaven and any part thereof, although the Pope, or the fatness of the earth, a fruitful counany other person or power whatsoever, try and healthful seasons, a faithful should dispense with or annul the same, senate, and a quiet empire, wise counor declare that it was null and void from sellers, and victorious armies; a loyal the beginning." nobility, a dutiful gentry, and an honest, When her Majesty had signed this peaceable, and obedient commonalty." declaration, Tennison, in a loud, clear To which the assembly responded, voice, demanded, "Is your Majesty "Amen!" willing to take the coronation oath?" "The Lord preserve your life, and "I am willing," responded the Queen. establish your throne, that your reign "Will you solemnly promise and may be prosperous and your days many; swear to govern the people of this king- that you may live long in this world, dom, and the dominions thereto belong- obeyed and honoured and beloved by ing, according to the statutes of parlia- your people, ever increasing in favour ment agreed on, and the laws and cus- both with God and man, and leave a toms of the same?" numerous posterity to rule these king" I solemnly promise so to do." doms after you, by succession, in all " Will you, to your power, cause law ages." and justice in mercy to be executed in "Amen!" was again uttered by the all your judgments?" assembled peers and prelates, who then " I will." offered their homage, by "seemingly" "Will you, to the utmost of your kissing her Majesty's left cheek, and power, maintain the laws of God, the touching her crown; and as a conclusion true profession of the Gospel, and the to the coronation ceremonies, the final Protestant reformed religion, established anthem was chaunted, the royal pardon by law; and will you preserve unto the read, the coronation medals distributed, bishops and clergy of this realm, and to and lastly, the trumpets sounded, and the churches committed to their charge, the people, with long and repeated shouts, all such rights and privileges as by law do that made the roof of the Abbey quiver, or shall appertain to them any of them?" cried, " Long live Queen Anne! God "All this I promise to do." bless her Majesty!" The Queen then went to the altar, After the Queen had been formally knelt on the steps, and with her right divested of her consecrated regalia, and hand upon the great Bible, said, " The had offered them at the shrine of St. things which Ihave here before promised, Edward, she assumed her state crown I will perform and keep, so help me God." and purple robes, and passing in procesHaving kissed the book, her Majesty sion to Westminster Hall, partook of returned to her seat, the choir sung " Veni the coronation banquet, which proceeded Creator," and the Archbishop solemnly according to established custom, and was anointed and crowned her; which cere- unmarked by any blunder, accident, or monies completed, the Archbishop bless- misfortune. At half-past eight the baned her, in these words:- quet terminated; and Anne, exhausted "The Lord bless and keep you; the with the duties of the day, privately reLord make the light of his countenance turned, in a close sedan chair, to St. to shine upon you, and be gracious to James's Palace where, immediately she FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. G69 could prevail on her husband, Prince the title and privileges of lord high George, to put an end to the carouse in treasurer. The principles of Marlbowhich he and his private friends were in- roughand Godolphin indirectly influenced dulging, she retired to rest. The corona- the character of the administration tion gave great satisfactionto the people, formed under their auspices. As they who testified their joy by illuminations, were both moderate Tories, and as the ringing of bells, loyal feasts, and drink- Whig partialities of the Countess were ing bouts, and other entertainments usual either not yet developed, or not allowed on such occasions. to operate, the Queen was left to consult The Countess of Marlborough now her own private inclinations and private ruled as supremely over the Queen as antipathies in the choice of a ministry, her Majesty did over the people. from which the Whigs were mostly Amongst other proofs of regard, Anne, excluded. Even the Privy Council was recollecting that in their excursions purged of the obnoxious party; for the through Windsor Park the Countess names of the distinguished Whig leaders, had repeatedly admired the situation of Halifax, Somers, and Orford, found no the great lodge, seized the earliest op- place in the list announced by the new portunity of offering her the rangership. Sovereign. Not satisfied with monopoto which that lodge was attached. In lising the higher posts of the state one of her familiar notes, after alluding and the law, the Tories were anxious to to Lord Portland, who had been ranger exclude their political antagonists even under the late King, and detested the from the subordinate office of justice of Countess, she added, " Mentioning this the peace. In this view, however, they worthy person puts me in mind to ask were thwarted by the moderate counsels dear Mrs. Freeman a question which I of Marlborough and Godolphin, who would have done some time ago; and would not suffer them to indulge their that is, if you would have the lodge for party antipathies to the full extent. your life, because the warrant must be "As Anne was deeply imbued with the made out accordingly; and anything prejudices of the Tories against foreign that is so much satisfaction as this poor connexions, and as the natural timidity place seems to be to you, I would give of her sex inclined her to peace, nothing dear Mrs. Freeman for all her days, but the dangers which encompassed her which I pray God may be as many and throne could have urged her to adopt as truly happy as this world can make the same vigorous policy and the same you." The Countess gratefullyaccepted hostility against France which had this offer, embellished the lodge at a marked the reign of her predecessor. great expense, and it became her fa- Indeed, her situation admitted of neither vourite residence. deliberation nor delay. The power of " Similar proofs of favour flowed on Louis, which had been rapidly augthose who were connected with Marl- mented by a long and successful career of borough and his lady by blood or violence and craft, had now attained its friendship. Lady Harriet Godolphin utmost height. The occupation of the and Lady Spencer, their two daughters, towns and countries on the Upper Rhine were nominated ladies of the bed- opened the way for the invasion of chamber. The Sunderland family also Southern Germany; while the vast prefelt the beneficial effects of their power- ponderance which he had acquired by ful interest. At the particular inter- placing his grandson on the Spanish cession of the Countess, Robert, Earl of throne, with the possession of the NeSunderland, obtained the renewal of the therlands, the Milanese, and other depenannual pension of ~2,000, which had dencies, rendered him the arbiter of been granted him by the late King, Europe. With such a formidable power together with the payment of the arrears to contend against, the Dutch, who since its suspension. The exertion of yet trembled at the recollection of the the same interest, together with Marl- recent invasion, and who had purchased borough's, obtained for Lord Godolphin the liberation of their captive troops by 870 ANNE, acknowledging Philip, had no hope of to accompany him on a progress to Bath. preserving their independence but by the The Queen and Prince set out from succour and support of England. The Windsor on the twenty-fifth of August; Emperor, notwithstanding the tempo- the same evening they reached Oxford, rary success of his arms in Italy, was where, after Prince George had been embarrassed by the rising rebellion in entertained at a sumptuous supper in Hungary; and found himself engaged Christ Church, they rested for the night. in a contest manifestly unequal, and The day following, her Majesty visited apparently hopeless, unless he was aided the University, where she listened with by the maritime powers. The Duke of evident satisfaction to a loyal oration Savoy, hemmed in by the territories of delivered by the University orator; was the Bourbon Princes, was reduced to a entertained by a concert of music; parstate of vassalage under France, and took of the banquet pro-ided for the could entertain no hope of deliverance, occasion; and graciously accepted the unless Austria was enabled to extend usual presents of a Bible and Prayerits acquisitions in Italy. book, and a pair of Woodstock gloves. " Such being the circumstancesof those From Oxford the Queen and Prince took powers, whose position or military force coach to Cirencester, passed the night might enable them to make head against there, and the next day reached Bath. the aggressions of France, there seemed The road they journeyed along was little prospect that the states of the Con- crowded by spectators, who greeted tinent would succeed in repelling the them with deafening shouts of loyalty, common danger. It was obvious that and on nearing Bath, two hundred if Louis could even for a short period maidens, attired as Amazons, and armed attach the Dutch to his interest, or with bows and arrows, welcomed he render them passive, and paralyse Majesty, and escorted her into the city. Austria, he would profit by his vast re- The royal party visited Bristol, and sources and commanding attitude, to after a progress in which her Majesty restore the dependent family of Stuart was everywhere received with enthuto the British throne, and thus secure siastic loyalty, returned to Windsor, and the only country which could resist his thence, on the fifteenth of October, the career of ambition. Therefore, on the Queen and her husband proceeded to fourth of May, in conformity with the London, and took up their abode at the promise to the States and Austria, a de- palace of St James's. claration of hostilities was issued against "Although the Queen had hitherto France and Spain; and the oath of ab- concealed the fact, upon her first coming juration was taken by the members of to the throne," remarks Swift, " Lady both Houses, and the name of the Prin- Marlborough had lost all favour with cess Sophia was introduced in the public her." This revulsion in Anne's sentiprayers for the royal family, as next in ments towards her "dear Mrs.Freeman," succession to the crown." although unknown to Swift, took place Two of Anne's acts on her accession about eighteen months before her acare highly praiseworthy. She, by order cession, and was thus occasioned. One in council, abolished the corrupt prac- day Anne remarked that she had no tice of selling places in the royal house- gloves on, and sent her maid, Mrs. Hill, hold, and by remitting the first-fruits to fetch them from the table in an and tenths of the Church, which she adjoining room, where she remembered might lawfully have appropriated, esta- she had left them. Mrs. Hill obeyed, blished the fund known as " Queen and on entering the room, found Lady Anne's Bounty," for the augmentation Marlborough there with the very gloves, of the livings of the poorer clergy. which she had evidently placed by misThis summer Prince George suffered take on her own hands. When apseverely from asthma, and by the advice prised of the fact, the haughty countess of his physicians, her Majesty resolved turned up her nose, and with an air of * Coxe. supreme disdain, exclaimed loud enough FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 871 for Anne to distinctly hear every word, him to decline this accession of honour; " What, havelthatodiouswoman'sgloves but he answered by requesting her to on!" Then hastily pulling them off, and express his heartfelt gratitude to the dashing them on the floor, proceeded, Queen for her extraordinary kindness to' Take them away, take them away! for I him. detest anything that has even touched that On Lord Mayor's day, her Majesty and disagreeable woman." A gross personal the Prince attended the civic banquet, insult, which Anne kept a profound and five days previously Anne wrote to secret, but never forgot nor forgave. Lady Marlborough: " Since you have Lady Marlborough, not supposing that staid so long at Windsor, I wish now, her too-indulgent mistress had overheard for your own sake, that you will stay till her needlessly-uttered cruel words, was after Lord Mayor's day, for if.you are in blind to the fact, that her Majesty began town, you cannot avoid going to the her reign with changed feelings towards show; and being in the country, is a her. Anne, with a duplicity for which just excuse, and I think one would be she was remarkable, disguised her sen- glad of any, to avoid so troublesome a timents, that, out of gratitude to the business. I am at this time in great Earl of Marlborough, she might gratify haste, and therefore can say no more his greedy appetite for wealth and titles. to my dear, dear Mrs. Freeman, but that With this view, she, on ascending the I am most passionately hers." throne, paid to her supposed favourites This was, doubtless, a diplomatic greater attentions, and lavished on them manceuvre of the Queen's, to encourage more endearing expressions than hereto- her own Tory partizans, by the absence on fore; but that her purport was to ulti- this occasion of her potent Whig famately put them away, cannot for a vourite, Lady Marlborough, who had momentbe doubted. already entered the arena of political When the Queen came to St. James's, intrigue, and when her Majesty resolved on the fifteenth of October, she left her to create four new peers, all Tories, haughty favourite at Windsor, and on actually succeeded in procuring the the twenty-second of October, two days elevation of a fifth, the Whig Mr. Herafter opening parliament in person, she vey, against the will of the Tories, who wrote to the countess: "It is very uneasy at first declined their titles, if a Whig to your pcor unfortunate faithful Morley were to be their companion in honour. [Queen Anne], to think that she has so Lord Marlborough returned from Holvery little in her power to show you land in November; and the solicitations how sensible I am of all Lord Marl- of the Queen, and the importunities of borough's kindness, especially when he Lord Godolphin, having vanquished the deserves all that a rich crown could reluctance of his haughty countess, he give; but since there is nothing else at was created Marquis of Blandford and this time, I hope you will give me leave, Duke of Marlborough, by letters patent, as soon as he comes, to make him a dated the fourteenth of December, 1702. duke. I know that my dear Mrs. Free- The Queen, fully sensible that his proman [Lady Marlborough] does not care perty was insufficient to maintain so for anything of that kind, nor am I high a dignity, sent a message to the satisfied with it, because it does not House of Commons, stating that she enough express the value I have for -had created him a duke, and conferred Mrs. Freeman, nor ever can, how pas- on him ~5000 per annum out of the sionately I am yours, my dear Mrs. post-office for her own life. She conFreeman." eluded with requesting the house to As in this letter no mention is made devise a proper mode for settling this of an adequate grant to support so high grant on himself and his successors to a dignity (an important omission, which the title. Contrary to her expectation, it will be seen her Majesty immediately the proposal occasioned violent debates; afterwards supplied), the countess wrote and invidious insinuations were thrown in earnest terms to her husband, urging out that Marlborough was endeavouring 872 ANNE, to monopolise the royal favour. Sir tershire, a zealous Tory, moved, on the Christopher Musgrave, in particular, twenty-first of November, for a grant of said, he did not wish to detract from the ~100,000 yearly As the Tories, who duke's eminent services, but he must formed the majority, were decidedly insist that they had been well rewarded, favourable to this measure, no opposiHe concluded with expatiating on the tion was made to the grant itself; but profitable employments which he and objections were urged against a clause his family enjoyed. In consequence of annexed to the bill, intended to continue the spirit manifested by the Commons, to the Prince the offices already conthe duke solicited the Queen to recall ferred on him during the life of the her message, lest he should be the cause Queen, by exempting him from the of obstruction to the public service. effect of that clause in the act of settleShe accordingly communicated his re- ment, by which foreigners were forquest to the house, and withdrew her bidden to hold offices of state, on the application; but the predominant party accession of the Hanover line. did not omit to make a strong remon- After a trifling debate, the bill passed strance against the proposed grant, the Commons, but in the Lords encounfraught with the most acrimonious re- tered the most violent opposition. The flections on the memory of King Wil- friends of the Queen strenuously exerted liam, and on his profusion towards his themselves, though they did not prevail foreign favourites. This disappoint- without extreme difficulty, and by a ment only rendered the Queen more majority of only one voice. The graanxious to display her gratitude and titude of the Queen for the exertions of esteem. The very day on which the Marlborough, appears in one of her remonstrance of the Commons was pre- letters to the Duchess. " I am sure the sented, she imparted to the duchess her Prince's bill passing, after so much design of adding ~2000 a year out of struggle, is wholly owing to the pains the privy purse, to the grant of the you and Mrs. Freeman have taken, and ~5000 already made during her own I ought to say a great deal to both of life, from the revenue of the Post-office. you, in return; but neither words nor Notwithstanding the earnest solicita- actions can ever express the true sense tions of the Queen, this liberal offer Mr. Morley [Prince George of Denwas respectfully but firmly declined. A mark] and I have for your kindness on disinterestedness which would be en- this and all other occasions, and theretitled to high applause, if the duchess fore I will not say any more on this had consistently maintained the same subject, but that, to my last moment, spirit; but in a subsequent part of these your dear, unfortunate, faithful Morley, memoirs, we shall find that on her dis- will be most passionately and tenderly grace she claimed, and received,the whole yours."* pension for the preceding nine years. When death snatched away the Duchess From gratitude for the kindness of the of Marlborough's only son, Lord BlandQueen, Marlborough and his friends zea- ford,t the Queen, with a shudder of lously exerted themselves in parliament horror, remarked to Mrs. Hill, " that to promote a measure in which she was the bereavement of the duchess is a just personally interested. The first wish of punishment, for the part she took with Anne on her accession was, to associate me in branding my brother, the Chevaher husband in the regal dignity; but lier de St. George, as an impostor; for her design being overruled, as uncon- this I lost my promising heir, the Duke stitutional, she became more anxious to of Gloucester; and for this, heaven has secure to him a permanent revenue. deprived her of hers." Indeed, so fully The proposal was communicated to par- was Anne impressed with this crimeliament by a message, requesting the settlement of a farther provision on the Cox, "Life of Marlborough." Prince of Denmark, in case of his sur- ft ie diedof small-pox, on the twentieth of February, 1703, in the seventeenth year vival. Mr. Howe, member for Glouces- of hs age. FOURTII QUEEN REGNANT. 873 accusing conviction, that in a letter of rain: the mighty wind stalked like a condolence to the sorrowing mother, she giant of destruction over the land, darkly hints at the subject. These are marking its track with death and devasher words:- tation; its power was such, that whole groves of trees were uprooted and torn "THE QUEEN TO THE DUCHESS OF limb from limb, hundreds of houses and MARLBOROUGH. churches were unroofed, in some in"St. James's.-It would have been a stances whole families being crushed to great satisfaction to your poor unfortu- death beneath the ruins of their own nate, faithful Morley, if you would have dwellings; chimneys and church-steegiven me leave to come to St. Alban's, ples were levelled with the dust; the for the unfortunate ought to come to the leads of many of the sacred edifices in unfortunate. But since you will not London were rolled up like scrolls; and have me, I must content myself as well at London Bridge the Thames was as I can, till I have the happiness of choked up with the wrecks of boats and seeing you here. I know nothing worth barges. The devastation on land was writing; but if I did, I should not immense; the damage in London alone trouble you with it, being sure no sort was estimated at ~2,000,000 sterling; of news can be agreeable to your dear, hundreds of persons were killed, thouheavy heart. God Almighty bless and sands injured, and the loss in cattle was comfort my dear Mrs. Freeman, and be incalculable; in one level alone 15,000 assured, I will live and die sincerely sheep were drowned. But withal in the yours." harbours and at sea, round the south and west coasts, the loss in shipping and Throughout the year 1703, the Queen lives was still greater. The hEddystone was compelled to occupy much of her light-house was destroyed; 8000 persons valuable time in slavish efforts to satisfy are supposed to have been drowned in the arrogance and soothe the petu- the floods of the Thames and the Severn, lance of the overbearing Duchess. and in ships blown from their anchors, Gladly would England's Queen Regnant and never heard of more; and sixteen have ridded herself of her domestic men-of-war, with 2,000 men, perished tyrant, but she now dared not, for the within sight of shore; it was on this hurDuchess was the leader of the Whigs; ricane-night of the sixteenth of Novemand the Duke, her husband, was carrying ber,-a night on the war on the Continent with a su- " Wherein the cub-drawn bear would couch; cess that put to shame the previous The lion, and the belly-pinched wolf campaigns of King William III. Keep their fr dry, After Marlborough's successful siege rather than endure its horrors; —that of Bon, in May, 1703, her Majesty Dr. Kidder, Bishop of Bath and Wells, wrote to the Duchess-" It is now so and his lady were killed in bed by the late, that I can only thank you for your falling of a stack of chimneys at the episletter, and congratulate the Duke of copal palace. Mary II. had introduced Marlborough's being well after the siege the dissenter Kidder into this bishopric, of Bon, which is more pleasing news to immediately after ejecting from it the me than all the conquests he can shake. venerable Bishop Ken; Ken was a nonMay God Almighty, that has preserved juror, so conscientious that at the Revohim hitherto through many dangers, lution he preferred renouncing the continue to do so, and send him safe wealth and pcmp of the world, to taking home to his and my dear, dear, adored the new oath, and, laying down his Mrs. Freeman." crosier, retired to poverty, but not On the sixteenth and seventeenth of idleness, for he continued to perform all November, England was ravaged by that the spiritual duties of his diocese; and terrible tempest, known in history as the the people of the west almost adored "Great Storm," accompaniedby booming him, because of his noble and couthunder, vivid lightning, and floods of rageous resistance of the slaughters of 874 ANNE, the monster Kirke, in the Monmouth re- The twenty-ninth, about seven o'clock bellion, when he saved the lives of hun- in the evening, the King of Spain ardreds. Anne, on her accession, from a rived at Windsor; the Duke of Northdesire to be consecrated by Ken, who umberland, constable of Windsor Castle, was deemed the head of the Reformed the Duke of St. Albans, captain of the Church of England, urged him to resume band of Pensioners, and the Marquis his pastoral staff and revenues; but of Hartington, captain of the Yeomen he refused to take the oath abjuring of the Guards, received him at his her brother, known as the Pretender; alighting out of the coach, and the Earl and now she offered to restore him to of Jersey, lord chamberlain of her Mahis see, without oath being taken, or jesty's household, lighted him to the question asked. This offer infirmity stair-head, where the Queen received and old age induced him to decline; and him; and after he had made his compliat his request, Dr. Hooper, Dean of Can- ments to her Majesty, acknowledging his terbury, was inducted into the Arch- great obligations to her, for her generous bishopric of Bath and Wells. After suf- protection and assistance, he led her fering from a torturing malady, the Majesty into her bed-chamber; and after gifted, christian-hearted Bishop Ken a short stay there, his Royal Highness expired at Longbeat, the rural seat of [George of Denmark] conducted his CaLord Weymouth, on the nineteenth of tholic Majesty to the apartment prepared March, 1711. He was buried at day- for him. He supped that night with break; and at the close of his obsequies the Queen, who gave his Majesty the the sun rose in golden glory, and that right hand at the table (which he with household morning hymn, "Awake my great difficulty admitted), the Prince soul, and with the sun," written by [George of Denmark] sitting at the end Ken, was sweetly carolled by a chorus of of the table, on the Queen's side. The children from the village-school, who next day, his Majesty having noticed that had followed him to the grave, the Queen was coming to make him a Scarcely had the consternation occa- visit, he met her at her drawing-roomsioned by the "Great Storm" subsided, door, endeavouring to have prevented when the Archduke Charles, who on the her; but her Majesty went on to his twelfth of September, 1703, had been apartments, from whence he led her Madeclared King of Spain by his father the jesty to dinner. This afternoon was Emperor, and by the King of the Romans, spent in entertainments of music, and and whose pretensions Anne supported, other diversions. After supper, he would whilst on his way to take possession of not be satisfied till, after great complihis kingdom, paid a visit to her Majesty, ments, he had prevailed with the Duchess which is thus chronicled in the London of Marlborough to give him the napkin, Gazette:- which he held to her Majesty, when she washed. Supper being over, he led her "St. James's, December 31st, 1703. Majesty to her bed-chamber, where, after "The King of Spain arrived at some stay, he took his leave of her, pithead on the twenty-sixth instant, in resolving to depart next morning, which the afternoon, and had all possible ho- he did accordingly, and his Royal Ilighnours paid to him from the fleet and the ness [George of Denmark] attended lim town. The next day, the Duke of So- to the coach-side, the King not suffering merset, master of the horse, waited on his him to go any farther, by reason of his Majesty on shipboard, with a letter and indisposition. His Majesty went to Peta compliment from the Queen, acquaint- worth this evening, designing to be on ing him that she was come to Windsor shipboard at Spithead to-morrow, to in order to receive the visit that his which place the Duke of Somerset was Majesty had desired to make to her. The commanded by her Majesty to attend next night he lay at Petworth, whi- him." ther his Royal Highness [Prince George of Denmark] was come to meet him. King Charles sailed for Portugal on FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 876 the fifth of Jannary, but contrary winds laying her hands upon the sick, who drove him back, and prevented him from were presented to her one by one, the reaching Lisbon before the twenty-se- officiating chaplain turned towards her venth of February.* On the twenty-first Majesty, and said,' God give a blessing of January, Anne made his visit the sub- to this work, and grant, that those sick ject of an express speech to Parliament, persons on whom the Queen lays her and the next day she addressed the fol- hands, may recover, through Jesus lowing letter to her Admiral, Sir George Christ, our Lord.' At the conclusion, Rook:- the chaplain, standing with his face towards those that came to be healed, said, "St. James's, January 22nd, 1704.' I The Almighty God, who is a most "Your having represented that the strong tower to all them that put their King of Spain seemed desirous upon trust in him, to whom all things in heathe first turn of the wind to make the ven, in earth, and under the earth, do best of his way to Lisbon, with such bow and obey, be now and evermore clean ships as shall be in readiness for your defence, and make you know and that service, and this matter requiring feel that there is no other name under the greatest secrecy, I think it proper heaven given to man, in whom, and to give you orders in my own hand, through whom, you may receive health to pay the same obedience to the King and salvation, but only the name of our of Spain, as to the time and manner of Lord Jesus Christ-Amen. his setting sail, and as to the number of "' The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the ships which shall be in readiness to and the love of God, and the fellowship attend him, as you would do to myself, of the Holy Ghost, be with us all ever"I am your very affectionate friend, more.-Amen.'" To Sir George Rook. ANNE R." Her Majesty's birthday, February the sixth, in 1704 fell on Sunday, and was Early in her reign, Anne, to, if possible, kept on the Monday following, with unincrease the importance and sacredness of usual solemnity and magnificence. On her royal person, as the anointed Sove- that day, she, by royal message, formally reign of England, and heir of the sainted announced to the Commons, her gift of Edward the Confessor, revived the royal the first fruits and tenths, for the benefit gift of healing by touching for the of the poor clergy; and in the evening "King's evil." That this touching for she held a brilliant Court, when the evil might be performed with due Dryden's play, "All for Love," was persolemnity, a service was inserted in the formed at St. James's by " the actors, Liturgy, to be used on the occasion; and her Majesty's servants, from the two whenever her Majesty "touched," she great theatres." was attended by her great officers, and Queen Anne permitted the sittings of her chaplains officiated. In the news- the convocation, or spiritual parliament, papers of the day, occur such entries as which William and Mary had so arbitrathe following: "Yesterday the Queen rilyinterrupted. Themajorityintheupper was graciously pleased to touch for the house of convocation were Whig, or Low King's evil, some particular persons in Church, and recommended moderation private." Again, December the nine- towards the Dissenters; whilst those in teenth: "Yesterday, about twelve at the lower house were Tory, or High noon, her Majesty was pleased to touch, at Church, and attached the highest inSt. James's, about twenty persons afflict- portance to episcopacy. Between these ed with the King's evil. The healing parties, the Queen aimed to maintain a service was imposing; it commenced with moderating power; but the violence and a collect, and whilst the Queen was virulence of their strife gave her great * The reader may consult our historians for trouble and anxiety, and increased the an account of the struggles for the crown of excitement occasioned by the repeated Spain,which followed. Philip finally remained erts to pass the bill ainst occasional upon his throne, and Charles III. of Spain te ll against nal became Charles VII. of Germany. conformity; efforts which repeatedly 876 ANNE, succeeded in the House of Commons, but her with her own party and creatures. as often failed in the Lords. The Queen, The Marlboroughs hated that great although affecting indifference, was an- leader of the Tories, Anne's uncle, the xious that the bill for preventing occa- Earl of Rochester; and to procure his sional conformity should become law. dismissal, the duchess heaped on him a Prince George of Denmark, himself an series of insults, and tormented the occasional conformist to the Church of Queen into ordering him to repair to England, voted for it in the first attempt Ireland, of which country he was lordto pass it through the Lords; but lieutenant. This plan succeeded to adthat he afterwards remained neuter, is miration; at first Rochester boldly proved by the following letter from refused to quit the political theatre of the Queen to the Duchess of Marl- London, where he was so prominent a borough:- figure; and the order being peremptorily "I give my dear Mrs. Freeman [the repeated, he resigned in disgust, and Duchess] many thanks for her long from this moment became the leader of letter, and am truly sensible of the sin- the discontented Tories, and the princere kindness you expressed in it; and in cipal mover of opposition. return, to ease your mind, I must tell you, Notwithstanding the disgrace of Rothat Mr. Bromley will be disappointed if chester, a similar spirit was manifested the Prince George of Denmark does not by the Earl of Nottingham, secretary of intend to go to the House, when the bill state; the Duke of Bluckingham, and of [against] occasional conformity is the Earl of Jersey, who, supported by a brought in. I think him very much in strong phalanx in the House of Comthe right, not to vote for it. I shall not mons, strenuously opposed Marlborough's have the worse opinion of any of the foreign policy, and vehemently prolords that are for it; for though I nounced against all the principal offices should have been glad if it had not been of state being filled by the Marlbobrought into the House of Commons, roughs, their relations, and nominees. because I would not have had any pre- A schism was thus formed in the admitence for quarrelling, I can't help think- nistration-clashing interests and dising, now it is as good as passed there, cordant views embarrassed the measures it will be better for the service to have of government,* and the intriguing it pass the House of Lords too. I must duchess "availed herself of the peevish aver to you, that I never cared to men- complaints which her husband, who was tion anything on this subject to you, at the head of the army abroad, inces. because I knew you would not be of my santly made against the Tories, and remind; but since you have given me vived the unpleasant discussion which this occasion, I can't forbear saying that had already arisen on this subject with I see nothing like persecution in this bill. the Queen, by communicating extracts of You may think it is a notion Lord Not- his letters, accompanied with remarks of tingham has put into my head, but upon the most acrimonious kind. One letter my word, it is my own thought * * * * in particular, in which he had announced Nothing shall ever alter your poor un- his wish to resign,was made the subject of fortunate, faithful Morley, who will live such a commentary, and accompanied and die with all truth and tenderness with the hint of a similar resolution by yours." Lord Godolphin and herself. The effect It will be observed, that in this letter which these appeals produced on the her Majesty designates herself "your poor unfortunate, faithful Morley;" and * In the early part of 1704, the Earl of Notunfortunate she indeed was, in having tingham, after having ineffectually pressed, the Queen to discard the Dmkesof Somerset placed herself in the power of the am- and Devonshire, resigned the seals. The bitious, selfish, intriguing duchess. Sa- Earl of Jersey and Sir Edward Seymour were rah, that she might the more effectually dismissed; the Earl of Kent, a moderate domineer over her mistress and sove- Whig, was appointed chamberlain; Mr. Harin ove m tel s ey speaker of the Commons, secretary of reign, resolved to completely surround state; and Henry St. John, secretary of war. FOURTH QUEEN REMNANT. 877 Queen appears from one of her answers day or two by another more at large. — to the duchess. MA.LBOROUGH." " Windsor, Saturday.-The thoughts The duchess, on receiving the note, that both my dear Mrs. Freeman and forwarded it to the Queen, who, in reply, Mr. Freeman seem to have of retiring, wrote: give me no small uneasiness, and there- " Windsor, August 21.-Since I sent fore I must say something on that sub- my letter away by the messenger, I have ject. It is no wonder at all that people had the happiness of receiving my dear in your posts should be weary of the Mrs. Freeman's, by Colonel Parke, with world, who are so continually troubled the good news of this glorious victory, with all the hurry and impertinences of which, next to God Almighty, is wholly it; but give me leave to say, that you owing to dear Mr. Freeman, on whose should consider a little your faithful safety I congratulate you with all my friends and poor country, which must be soul. May the same Providence that ruined if ever you put your melancholy has hitherto preserved, still watch over thoughts in execution. As for your and send him well home to you. We poor unfortunate, faithful Morley, she can never thank God Almighty enough could not bear it; for if ever you should for these great blessings, but must make forsake me, I would have nothing more it our endeavour to deserve them; and I to do with the world, but make another hope hewillcontinue his goodness to us, in abdication; for what is a crown when delivering us from the attempts of all our the support of it is gone? I never will other enemies. I have nothing to add forsake your dear self, Mr. Freeman, at present, but my being sincerely," &c. nor Mr. Montgomery [Godolphin], but The first news of the glorious victory always be your constant and faithful of Blenheim produced an indescribable friend; and we four must never part burst of exultation throughout the whole till Death mows us down with his im- width and breadth of the British empire. partial hand." The Queen, accompanied by her husThis letter induced the duchess to band, Prince George, went in procession believe that but little further exertion to the unfinished cathedral of St. Paul's, was required to gain a complete victory to offer up a solemn thanksgiving for over the political prejudices of her royal the success of her arms; and every class mistress. She, therefore, unceasingly of her Majesty's subjects seemed to vie tormented her Majesty with eulogies of with each other in expressions of hothe Whigs and censures of the Tories mage to Almighty God, and gratitude (the latter of whom she involved in one to the commander who had been the common accusation of Jacobitism), till instrument of the divine favour." the signal victory of Blenheim turned It was in the autumn of this year the balance completely in her favour, that Anne, exasperated on ascertaining and reduced Anne to the pitiable posi- that Lord Nottingham and his Tory tion of a crowned slave, friends had invited the Electress Sophia The moment the victory of Blenheim to visit England, with her grandson, was won, Marlborough wrote to his threw herself into the arms of the Marlduchess the subjoined note, and dis- borough party, who negatived the invipatched his aide-de-camp, ColonelParke, tation. In the following note to the with it by express:- duchess she announced her intentions: " August 13, 1704.-I have not time " I believe dear Mrs. Freeman and I to say more, but to beg you will give shall not disagree, as we have formerly my duty to the Queen, and let her know done, for I am sensible of the service her army has had a glorious victory. those people [the Whigs] have done me M. Tallard and two other generals are that you have a good opinion of, and will in my coach, and I am following the countenance them, and am thoroughly rest. The bearer, my aide-de-camp, convinced of the malice and insolence of Colonel Parke, will give her an account those [the Tories] that you have been of what has passed. I shall do it in a always speaking against." 878 ANNE, CHAPTER IV. Anne rewards larlborough for his military services-Knights the g'fted mathemia tician, Isaac Newton-Her speech to parliament-The Whig junta contemplate altering the Liturgy-They endeavour to assume the disposal of the benefices appertaining to the crown-Anne successfully resists their efforts-Goes in mourning for Katharine of Braganza-Returns thanks at St. Paul's for the victory of Ramilies-Promotes Sunderland to the secretaryship of state-Inductsother of Marlborough's relations and party into office-Marlborough rewarded for his suecesses —Union of England and Scotland-Continued arrogance of the Duchess Sarah-Rising influence of Mrs. Abigail Hill-Intrigues of Harley-Contention between Anne and the duchess, respecting the influence and marriage of Mrs. Hill to Mr. Mlasham-Anne opens the first parliament of Great Britain- Grants to the Duchess Sarah the land on which Marlborough House stands-Political strugglesTriumphs of the Whigs- Vain efforts of the Duchess of Marlborough to effect the dismissal of Mrs. Masham-Attenmpted invasion of Scotland by the Pretender. N the fourteenth of fied to the Commons, that she was December, Marlbo- inclined to grant to the Duke and his rough, in company heirs the honour and manor of Woodwith Marshal Tal- stock, with the hundred of Wootton,!. /'-^ lard and other pri- and requested supplies for clearing off soners of distinction, the incumbrances on that domain. Aclanded in England, cordingly a bill for the purpose passed bringing with him both Houses, and received the royal the standards and other trophies of his sanction on the fourteenth of March. victory. The same morning, the Queen Not satisfied, however, that the nation cordially welcomed him at St. James's, alone should testify its gratitude, Anne and the next day he took his seat in the accompanied the grant with an order to House of Peers, and was honoured with the Board of Works, to erect in Woodthe congratulatory eulogiums of the stock Park, and at the royal expense, a Lords and the Commons; in fact, on palace in memory of the victory; and him was lavished every honour and re- forthwith the ancient towers and bowers ward that could be conferred on a sub- of Woodstock were defaced and deject. stroyed, and in their stead the Dutch On the third of January, 1705, the architect, Vanbrugh, reared that huge, trophies of the victories of Blenheim unsightly building known as the Castle were removed in grand procession from of Blenheim, or Blenheim House. The the Tower, where they were first depo- Queen at the same time presented the sited, to Westminster Hall, amidst the Duchess of Marlborough with an exquithunders of artillery, and the shouts of site miniature of the duke, mounted in an exulting multitude-the names of gold, set with diamonds and precious Anne and Marlborough being mingled stones, and valued at ~8000. with the deafening acclamations which In the spring of 1705, the Queen, burst from all ranks and orders. Anne accompanied by her husband, the Prince was now granted permission to heap of Denmark, made a progress to Newthose riches on the successful comman- market, and afterwards dined by invitader which a few months before had been tion with the University of Cambridge, withheld by the parliament. The Com- when she conferred the honour of knightmons, urged by the national voice, re- hood on Dr. Ellis, the vice-chancellor; quested her to consider of proper means on James Montague, counsel for the for perpetuating the memory of the great university; and on the celebrated maservices performed by the Duke of Marl- thematical professor, Dr. Isaac Newton. borough. The Queen, in answer, signi- Although general political history is FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 879 foreign to our purpose, it is impossible vouring to distract us with unreasonable to illustrate the personal life of Queen and groundless distrusts and jealousies. Anne, without occasional allusions to I must be so plain as to tell you, the Jacobite Tories, the Hanoverian the best proofswe can all give at preTories, the extreme and the moderate sent, of our zeal for the preservation of Whigs, and other of the parties, whose the Church, will be to join heartily in unprincipled intrigues and cabals form a prosecuting the war against an enemy, prominent feature in English history at who is certainly engaged to extirpate the period of which we are writing, our religion, as well as to reduce this Urged, nay almost forced, by the in- kingdom to slavery." treaties and threats of the Marlboroughs This speech was the composition of and their friends, Anne, on the eleventh the deistic-minded Lord-Keeper Cowof October, transferred the great seal per, and utterly at variance with the from Sir Nathan Wright to that un- Queen's sentiments. Anne, in common principled partizan, Sir William Cow- with her subjects, the commonalty of per, and also consented to form her England, truly believed, and with good agents of government solely from the reason, that at this period the Church ranks of the Whigs and their friends, the of England really was in danger. The dissenters. When her Majesty opened Whig junta, Lords Somers, Wharton, her new parliament, in October, she, in Halifax, Orford, and Sunderland, all a speech from the throne, after mention- low churchmen-some, by their own proing the war, and the projected union fessions, not even Christians-actually with Scotland, remarked- contemplated altering the English Li" There is another union I think turgy to suit their views. For this myself obliged to recommend to you, in purpose, the Lord-Keeper, Cowper, held the most earnest and affectionate manner; several conferences with Archbishop I mean an union of minds and affections Tennison, and that professed enemy of amongst ourselves: it is that which the Church, the Duchess of Marlbowould, above all things, disappoint and rough. Fortunately, the measure dropdefeat the hopes and designs of our ped through a failure, which may proenemies. bably be attributed to the known senti" I cannot but with grief observe, ments of the people at large, and to there are some amongst us who endea- the opposition of Anne, who, whatever vour to foment animosities; but, I per- her failings, was, from the period of her suade myself, they will be found to be accession, a true friend to the Church of very few, when you appear to assist me England. In refutation of the assertion in discountenancing and defeating such of some writers, that neither the Whig practices. junta, nor Tennison, ever contemplated I mention this with a little more altering the English Liturgy, we may warmth, because there have not been observe that Anne wrote to the Archwanting some so very malicious, as even bishop a letter, desiring him to let her in print to suggest the Church of Eng- see the alterations proposed to be made land, as by law established, to be in in the Common Prayer, previous to his danger at this time. laying them before the Privy Council, "I am willing to hope, not one of and that this letter still exists in the my subjects can really entertain a doubt Lambeth Palace Library. of my affection to the Church, or so At this period, the Duchess of Marlmuch as to suspect that it will not be borough and the state ministers made my chief care to support it, and leave it strenuous efforts to wrest out of the secure after me; and therefore we may hands of her Majesty the important be certain, that they who go about to privilege of disposing of such of the insinuate things of this nature, must be Church dignities and benefices as apmine and the kingdom's enemies; and pertained to the crown. Anne firmly can only mean to cover designs which resisted their importunities; and, in they dare not publicly own, by endea- retaliation, they propagated a report, 880 ANNE, "that the Queen, in bestowing the her to accept the services of others, their crown-patronage of the Church, was relations or friends. At length, at the solely influenced by the importunities close of the year, and after many shameof the women and the hangers-on at ful threats and upbraidings from the court." In refutation of this scandalous arrogant Duchess, Sarah, her Majesty, to and false charge, Anne wrote to the avoid further torments, promoted MarlDuchess of Marlborough that, although borough's son-in-law, the Earl of Sunthe crown-patronage of the Church was derland, to the Secretaryship of State; a prerogative which she, and she also a step immediately followed by the creahoped her successors, would ever main- tion of several Whig peers; by Sir James tain, she never had been, nor ever would Montague, brother of Lord Halifax, be, improperly influenced by any one in being appointed Solicitor-General; by the disposal of Church livings. She the Lords Stamford and Herbert of consulted those in office whose counsel Cherbury, with Mr. Pulteney, being conought to be taken, and then acted as she stituted Commissioners of Trade; by the thought best; and if she did not always chief of the Tories being removed from select the fittest person, the error re- the Privy Council, and by the adminissuited, not from favouritism, but from tration being formed so completely of the qualifications of the candidates being Whigs, that only two Tories of note, misrepresented to her, or from some other Harley and St. John, were permitted to similar c ause over which she had no remain in office. control. At this crisis the Queen suffered in. "This letter," remarks the Duchess, tense agony of mind; the Whig junta, "was in answer to one I had writ to with the highly victorious Duke, and the tell her not to be so long before she dis- arrogant, tyrannic Duchess of Marlposed of the livings to the clergy, add- borough at their head, firmly grasped ing, how safely she might put power the reins of government, exercised over iuto the hands of such a man as my her an imperious dictatorship, and forced Lord Cowper." her to acquiesce in all their measures. In February, 1706, the court went "I am a crowned slave," she one day into mourning for the Queen-dowager, remarked, "and only supported in my Katharine of Braganza, consort of adversity by the hope that I may Charles II., who had expired in the sub- shortly be enabled to free myself from sequent December, at Lisbon. This event the galling thraldom." was followed by the news of the victory On Marlborough's return, after the of Ramilies, won by Marlborough on battle of Ramilies, the parliament, in the twenty-third of May, 1706; news compliance with the royal will, rewhich at once dispelled from the court warded his services, by enacting, that every semblance of sable or gloom, and his titles and honours should be conexcited in England the greatest enthu- tinued in his posterity, and by settling siasm. Queen Anne wrote to her sue- ~5,000 per annum on him and his cessful general, "I want words to ex- heirs, for the more honourable support press my true sense of the great service of their dignities. you have done to your country, and I "Among the papers of the Duchess," hope it will be a means to confirm all remarks Coxe, " we find her thanks to good and honest men in their principles, the Queen, written in a cold and formal and frighten others from being trouble- style, which shows, that either the irrisome." tation of their recent dispute was not Addresses poured in from all quarters, calmed by this act of munificence, or that and on the twenty-ninth of June, the Duchess did not deem herself so Queen Anne repaired, in solemn pro- much indebted to the friendship of the cession, to a public thanksgiving in Sovereign, as to the intercession of her the cathedral of St. Paul's. But amidst husband. all this rejoicing, the Queen was sad at heart. The Marlboroughs still harassed " Whether I have or have not the FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 881 honour to see your Majesty, I find must it understood, is the encomiast as well as always be something which obliges me to historian of the Marlboroughs. return you my humble thanks. The con- "From the account of the domestic cern I have in the settlement made to transactions in the preceding year, it Lord Marlborough's family by the act appears that the great credit which the of parliament, makes a necessity of my Duchess of Marlborough had at first atgiving you the trouble of them upon this tained with the Queen, had continued to occasion; and though it is not natural decline. The external appearances of to me to make you so many fine speeches friendship and confidence were still preand compliments as some others can do, served; because the Queen was a peryet nobody has a heart fuller of the sin- feet mistress of dissimulation, and becerest wishes for your constant happi- cause the spirit of the Duchess was too ness and prosperity than your poor for- lofty, even to suspect that the empire saken Freeman. which she possessed over her royal misndorsed by the Dutress could be undermined. In this she [Indorsed by the Duchess.] resembled most favourites, who neglect "'This letter to the Queen shows that to maintain their power by the means I did not omit taking any reasonable employed to acquire it, and overlook apoccasion to please her, even when I saw pearances, which seem trifling only to she was changed to me; for it is certain themselves. Nothing, in fact, could that she never took any care of me in perhaps have shaken her interest, but an the settlement; and if I am ever the inferior agent, in whom she placed the better for it, it is not owing to her friend- most implicit confidence, and on whose ship. But whatever the world said of situation and abilities she looked down my behaviour to her, I never failed in with indifference, if not contempt. performing all manner of decencies and "Averse to the restraint of constant faithful services to her, while it was pos- attendance, the Duchess had endeasible for me to do it.'" voured to lighten the fatigues of her envied situation, by placing about the Although the crowns of England and person of her royal mistress, as one of Scotland were united by the accession the bed-chamber women, Mrs. Abigail of James VI. of Scotland, as James I. Hill,* an humble relation, whom she of England, in March, 1603; every effort to unite the legislatures of the two * This Mrs., or, in modern parlance, Miss countries had signally failed, tl h Hill t H has already been several times mentioned countries had signally failed, ti toe inthesememoirs. The Duchess thus details in these memoirs. The Duchess thus details reign of Anne; when, after considerable the relationship in which she stood to her; opposition, the important measure was and the manner in which she became acpassed, and on the first of May, 1707, the quaintedwiththedestituteconditionofher and union of England and Scotland became her immediate kindred:-" Our grandfather, __. o E nglaw n sni Sth at ificai o Sir John Jenyns, had two-and-twenty children, a law. When signing the ratification, bywhich means the estate ofthe family,which Anne remarked, "this is the glory of was reputed to be about ~4000 a year, came to my reign." She then dissolved the be divided into small parcels. Mrs. Hill had Commons, and summoned the first united only ~500 to her fortune. Ier husband lived Commons, and summoned the first united very well for many years, as I have been told, parliament of Great Britain to meet in until, turning projector, he brought ruin upon the subsequent October, and caused the himself and family. But as this was long beunion to be celebrated, by ordering fore I was born, I never knew there were such > X. unionocetoeg people in the world till after the Princess the first of May to be kept as a day of Anne was married, and when she lived at the public festivity and thanksgiving. Cockpit; at which time she came to me, and It was at this period that a private said,she believed'thatIdidnotknowthat had. was fm g I te r h l irelations in want,' and she gave me an account cabal was forming in the royal house- of them. When she had finished her story, hold, which widened the breach between I answered,' that indeed I had never heard Anne and the Duchess Sarah. The before of any such relations,' and immediately particulars of this quarrel we give in gave her out of my purse ten guineas for their particulars ofthi quare present relief. Afterwards 1 sent Mrs. Hill the words of Archdeacon Coxe, who, be more money, and saw her. She told me that 3L 882 ANNE, had rescued from penury, and whose principles of Mrs. Hill were in unison family she had maintained and patron- with those of the Queen. She was ised. Considering this dependant as too deeply imbued with the maxims of the lowly in situation, and too confined in high church party, and was classed abilities * to create jealousy, she little among those who were averse to the imagined that a person [whom she had house of Hanover, if not to the partizans snatched from the jaws of poverty,] and of the Stuarts. Such a congeniality of who was bound to her by the ties both character and sentiment, joined to the of gratitude and affinity, would attempt most flattering humility of demeanour, to form an interest against her benerac- and a watchful observance of her royal tress. For a time, her cousin answered mistress's wishes, made a rapid progress all her expectations, and seemed a faith- in the affections of Anne, whose chaful and vigilant observer of the transac- racter was turned to the familiar and tions at Court, and the feelings and con- romantic friendship which her station duct of the Queen. The Duchess, forbade, and who at this period pecutherefore, relaxed still more in her at- liarly felt the want of an adviser and tendance; and, proud of her husband's confidant. splendid services, she gradually became "The bed-chamber woman found a more presumptuous and domineering, skilful counsellor and abettor in Secre"Mrs. Iill had not, however, long tary Harley, to whom she was related filled her confidential office, before she in the same degree by her father as to the likewise aspired to a higher degree of Duchess by her mother; and by whom consideration; and the state of the ca- she and her family had been likewise binet and parties offered a temptation assisted. Their relationship produced inwhich overcame her sense of gratitude. timacy; and in the secret intrigues which The violent bickerings which conti- Harley was equally meditating against nually arose between the Queen and the his patrons, he naturally courted the aid Duchess did not escape the vigilant eye of so useful an auxiliary. Mrs. Hill, of a daily attendant. By the confidential therefore, was easily estranged from her complaints which frequently burst from benefactress, and became the channel of the Queen, Mrs. Hill found herself a constant communication between the growing into consequence; and her Queen and the Secretary, more dangerrising influence was perceived by the ous, as it was less suspected. candidates for court favour, almost be- " Harley was, perhaps, of all men, the fore it was known to herself. best calculated to win his way through Besides that suppleness of temper the crooked paths of political intrigue. natural to dependants rising into favour, He had hitherto figured as a Whig or which formed so advantageous a con- Tory, as it suited his interests, and trast with the overbearing and provoking under the guise of moderation, had conduct of her patroness, the political gradually acquired a considerable body of adherents, to whom his parliamcntary her husband was the same relation to Mr. of adherents, to whom his parliamentary Harley as she was to me, but that he had talents gave strength and consistency. never done anything for her. I think Mrs. "Knowing the Tory partialities of his Masham's father and mother did not live long royal mistress, her growing aversion to after this. They left four children, two sons th Duchess, and hr aniety for peace, and two daughters. The elder daughter( af- theDcess, and her anxiety for peace, terwards Mrs. Masham) was a grown woman. to free herself from the power of the I took her to St. Alban's, where she lived Whigs, Harley skilfully formed his atwith me and my children, and I treated her tacks against the chiefs of the ministry. with as great kindness as if she had been my By the intercourse with the Queen, sister. When an opportunity presented itself, int ercourse it te een, I procured for her, her first appointment, as bed-chamber woman to the Princess Anne." t The degree of the relationship between * Mrs. Hill was a more clever, and a far Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Harley is involved in better woman, in heart and mind, than the mystery: this statement by Coxe differs from Duchess, she, however, being ordinary in per- that of Lady Marlborough in the preceding son and delicate in constitution. note. FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 883 which he enjoyed, in virtue of his office, rious; and that Marlborough, to whom and still more through the channel of the secrets of all the courts in Europe Mrs. Hill, he found means to inflame were known, should have been ignorant her indignation against the Duchess, to of a cabal in his own, in which he was work on that high sense of prerogative, so deeply interested. It is still more which she had imbibed from her father, extraordinary, that after he was acand to represent the Treasurer and General quainted with the influence of the rising as favouring the efforts of the Whigs favourite, he should think so lightly of for engrossing all the offices of State, its consequences, as to suppose that it and reducing her to a degree of depend- might be checked by a mere remonence unworthy of a Sovereign.* These strance. In reply to the first communiinsinuations were too much in unisonwith cation from the Duchess, he says,'I her feelings to fail of the desired effect; should think you might speak to her and the secret cabals of Harley in the with some caution, which might do good; preceding year, had encouraged her to for she certainly is grateful, and will resist the attempts of that party for the mind what you say.'* appointment of Sunderland. At the "In conformity with this advice, the same time, the artful Secretary fomented Duchess not only remonstrated with the discontent of the Whigs against Mrs. Hill, but assailed the Queen with Marlborough and Godolphin, by insinu- reproaches, and accused her of suffering ating that the two ministers were luke- her political antipathies to be inflamed warm in their cause, and the only ob- by the insinuations of a dependant, who stacles to their admission into power. conversed only with Jacobites and dis"The confidential friends of the affected Tories. To these accusations, Duchess, among whom was Mr. Mayn- which were urged both in conversation waring, had made repeated representa- and writing, the Queen replied in a style tions on the rising influence and secret of affected humility, and real sarcasm, views of Mrs. Hill. But for a consider- denying with the utmost solemnity the able time, they remonstrated without charge advanced against Mrs. Hill. effect; for the Duchess was rejoiced at "'Friday, Five o'clock, July 18.the relief which she had gained from I give my dear Mrs. Freeman many restraint, and could not be convinced of thanks for her letter, which I received the danger aising from the machinations this morning, as I must always do, for of her own dependant. At length, the every thing that comes from her, not conduct of the Queen, combined with doubting but what you say is sincerely the evident favour of Harley and Mrs. meant in kindness to me. But I have so Hill, dissipated the cloud which had often been unfortunate in what I have hitherto obscured her judgment, and she said to you, that I think the less I say communicated her apprehensions to Go- to your last letter the better; therefore, dolphin and the Duke. I shall only, in the first place, beg your It is, indeed, singular, that the in- pardon once more, for what I said the trigue had escaped the matured sagacity other day, which I find you take ill, and of Godolphin, until it was become noto- say something in answer to your explanation of the suspicions you seemed to * These facts are usually considered as de- the suspicions you seemed to pending on the authority of the Duchess have, concerning your cousin Hill, who alone, and, therefore, have been often ques- is very far from being an occasion of tioned; but we find them also stated in a feeding Mrs. Morley in her passion, as letter from Mr. Vernon to the Duke of Shrews- you are pleased to call it; she never bury, dated the tenth of February, 1708, and meddling eased to ca it; she never even avowed and justified by the Tory advo-meddling with any thing. cates of Harley. Hia insinuations and charges "' I believe others that have been in against the Marlborough family, and the her station in former times have been measure which he adopted to promote a ne- tattling and very impertinent, but she is gotiation for peace, are stated no less strongly impertinent, but she by the author of "The othei Side of the not at all of that temper; and as for the Question," than by the Duchess herself, p. 324. Meldert June 2, 1707. 3L 2 884 ANNE, company she keeps, it is with her as plies of the Queen, who warmly vindiwith most other people-I fancy that cated the silence of her favourite, by their lot in the world makes them move imputing it to fear of offending, rather with some, out of civility rather than inflamed than soothed her resentment; choice; and I really believe, for one and from this period, their corresponthat is so much in the way of company, dence exhibits a tone of dissembled hushe has less acquaintance than any mility, on the one hand, and on the one upon earth. I hope, since in some other a tone of acrimonious reproach. part of your letter you seem to give By the interposition of Godolphin, howcredit to a thing because I said it was ever, Mrs. Masham was induced at so, you will be as just in what I have length to make an overture of reconsaid now about Hill; for I would not ciliation; though the interview which have any one hardly thought of, by my ensued showed that the breach was dear Mrs. Freeman, for your poor unfor- irreparable." tunate, but ever faithful Morley's no- Despite the intreaties and threats of tions or actions.' the arrogant duchess, Anne took Mr. "The concealed sarcasm conveyed in and Mrs. Masham with her to the this epistle wounded the feelings of the Newmarket October Meeting, and there Duchess. She applied to herself the re- tarried a month. From Newmarket flection on those who, in a similar situ- the royal party progressed to London, ation,'had been guilty of tattling and and on the sixth of November, 1707, her impertinence,' and gave utterance to Majesty, in her speech to the first parher resentment in a style still more acri- liament of Great Britain, observed, " I monious than before. cannot conclude without recommending " he doubts of all parties were, how- to you to confirm and improve the adever, soon turned into certainty, by the vantages of our happyunion, not doubtdiscovery that Mrs. Hill had secretly ing but at the same time you will have contracted a marriage with Mr. Masham, due regard to what shall be found neceswhom the Duchess had likewise pro- sary for the public peace throughout the tected and placed in the royal household. whole island of Great Britain." Little This match, concluded without her pri- regard, however, was paid to this exvity, and, as she soon afterwards disco- hortation. The people of Scotland, now vered, solemnised in the presence of the burdened with salt, malt, and other Queen and Dr. Arbuthnott, was a thun- excise duties, beheld the extinction of derstroke of evidence. It proved, not their parliament with feelings of regret only that Mrs. Masham had forgotten and alarm. They showed unmistakable her obligations, but that she possessed symptoms of rebellion; invited the Prethe highest degree of confidence. At tender to their shores; loudly petitioned the moment when this fact transpired, for an immediate repeal of the union; Godolphin also obtained unequivocal and sung their sorrows in the following proof of Harley's machinations with and other political ballads:both Whigs and Tories, and of his pri- t a o S vate intercourse with Mrs. Masham. Fareweel our ancient glory, " In this crisis, the Duchess, instead Fareweel e'en to our Scottish name, of attempting to conciliate her royal Sae famed in martial story. mistress, and to regain her favour by re- "Now Sark rins o'er the Solway sands, newing her former attentions, assailed And Tweed rins to the ocean, her with bitter reproaches, which were To mark where England's province stands, sic a parcel of rogues in a nation." the more provoking, because partly just. ic a parcel of rogues n a nation." On the first intelligence of the marriage, At the same time the English evinced she burst into the royal presence, and jealousy at the Scotch being admitted expostulated with the Queen, for con- into their parliament, and for a period, cealing a secret which nearly regarded a serious rupture between the united her, as a relation. The mortifying re- nations appeared inevitable. FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 885 In the autumn of 1707, the Queen, to the indignation of the mighty duchess, after repeated importunities, granted for Sarah, refused so to do. fifty years that portion of the domain of Just previous to this very psoper reSt. James's on which Marlborough fusal of the Commons, the duchess Iouse now stands, to the Duchess Sarah resolved, as her husband's threat to and her heirs. The duchess says, " I relinquish the command of the army, had obtained the promise of the Queen, had been followed by the resignation of before the death of the Queen-dowager Harley, by similar means to endeavour Katharine of Braganza, of the site in to effect the dismissal of her rival in the St. James's Park upon which my house royal favour. Waiting on her royal now stands; the grant was at first but mistress, she, after a tirade of reproach for fifty years, and the building cost and remonstrance, added, "As Lord between ~40,000 and ~50,000, of which Marlborough is now about to he forced Queen Anne paid not one shilling, from your Majesty's service, I cannot, although many angry people believed in honour, remain any longer at court." otherwise." She then expatiated, as usual, on her The people, however, were on this own services, and on the friendship occasion enraged, not at the supposed which the Queen had condescended to expenditure of public money in favour entertain for her; and as a recompense, of the duchess, but because the oak tree concluded with requesting permission to which had sprung from an acorn that resign her offices in favour of her two Charles II. had plucked from the famous eldest daughters, who from their rank, oak which had securely sheltered him alliance, and character, were well calat Boscobel, and planted with his own culated to merit such a favour. hands, was uprooted, to make room for After listening with seeming embarthe foundation of Marlborough House. rassment to this long appeal, the Queen On the thirtieth of December, Wil- evaded compliance, by affecting much liam Gregg, secretary to Mr. Harley, kindness, and repeating, "You and I was arrested on a charge of carrying on must never part." The duchess, howa treasonable intercourse with the go- ever, was not diverted from her purpose, vernment of France. Gregg was tried and renewed her solicitations, that if at the Old Bailey, and convicted on his circumstances should render her retreat own confession. The Whigs strenuously necessary, her Majesty would comply endeavoured to implicate Mr. Harley with this request. The Queen, pressed in the charge against Gregg, and failing by her importunities, and intimidated this, Marlborough and Godolphin at- by the presence of a person whom she tempted to procure his dismissal, which equally feared and disliked, renewed the so enraged the Queen, that she resolved declaration, "that they should never to free herself from the bonds of the part." But added, should that even be Marlborough familyjunta. Herstrength, the case, she would transfer the offices however, proved unequal to her reso- t two of her daughters; and did not lution. Marlborough and Godolphin, hesitate to bind that promise by a soafter threatening to resign all their lemn asseveration. The duchess took appointments, raised a storm, which her leave, kissing the Queen's hand; forced her Majesty to succumb, and and afterwards Anne yielded to her Mr. Harley to retire for awhile from applications, by confirming in writing her service. Harley retired on the the promise which had been verbally eleventh of February, 1708, and shortly given. Still, however, the duchess had afterwards St. John, Mansell Harcourt, reason to feel that her attendance was and several others, tendered their resig- unwelcome; and on the departure of her nation. The leaders of this triumphant husband to the continent, she wrote a faction next urged the Commons to pe- letter to Anne, expressing her resolution tition the Queen to dismiss her new not to incommode her majesty by her favourite, Mrs. Maslam; but the House, presence, and artfully recalling to recol 886 ANNE, lection the promise which she had before The Queen and the duchess never met extorted from her. without sullen silence or bitter reproaches; and never wrote without' March 31. ironical apologies or contemptuous "MADAM, - Upon Lord Marlbo- taunts. The effects of these female rough's going into Holland, I believe jars, arising from offended dignity on your Majesty will neither be surprised the one hand, and disappointed ambinor displeased to hear I am gone into the tion on the other, may be traced throughcountry, since by your very hard and out the series of correspondence, and uncommon usage of me, you have con- produced the most sinister effects on the vinced all sorts of people, as well as administration of public affairs, by the myself, that nothing would be so uneasy perplexities into which they perpetually to you as my near attendance. Upon threw both the treasurer and genethis account, I thought it might not be ral." * improper, at my going into the country, to acquaint your Majesty, that even Since her accession, Anne had secretly while Lord Marlborough continues in cherished feelings of regard towards her your service, as well as when he finds half-brother, the Chevalierde St. George; himself obliged to leave it, if your but his attempted invasion of Scotland, Majesty thinks fit to dispose of my in March, 1708, alarmed her, and proemployments, according to the solemn duced another revulsion in her feelings. assurances you have been pleased to She, in her speech to parliament, for the give me, you shall meet with all the first time, branded him as the "Presubmission and acknowledgments ima- tender," and also uttered sentiments ginable." favourable to the "Revolution," although in her previous addresses from the "It is needless to expatiate on the throne, she had carefully avoided the disgust which this ill-timed application use of the word " Revolution." and imprudent importunity produced. * Coxe's Marlborough. CHAPTER V. Further arrogance of the Duchess of Afarlborough-She publicly insults the Queen in St. Paul's-Anne openly quarrels with her —Death of Prince George of Denmark -Temporary reconciliation between the Queen and the Duchess-Artful conduct of the Duchess-Burial of the Queen's Consort-Coalition between the ultra-republican Whigs and the Marlborough faction-Anne long and deeply bewails her husband's death-Attends a thanksgiving at St. Paul's for the victory of Malplaquet-Refuses to constitute Marlborough captain-general Jfr life-Further harassed by the insolence of the Duchess Sarah-Quarrels with Marlborough-Hollow reconciliation-Takes part with Dr. Sacheverell-Attends his trial-Increasing discords between her and the Duchess-Stormy scene between her and the Duchess at their last personal interview. N the spring of 1708, sington Palace. He grew worse, and Prince George of on the approach of summer her Majesty Denmark suffered removed with him to Windsor, and took - intensely from gout up her residence, not at the castle, the and asthma, and in high-up air there being too bleak for the hope of allevia- his cough, but at the villa she had ting his sufferings, bought for her own residence, at the the Queen resided period when her sister, the late Queen with him on the ground-floor at Ken- Mary II., excluded her from court. FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT 887 The heartless Duchess of Marlborough brother the duke;* and then invei ghed accuses her of retiring from the bustle of with still greater bitterness against Mrs. the metropolis, not to nurse and watch Masham. These violent proceedings over her suffering husband, which, in- of the duchess further irritated the deed, was her sole object, but to in- wounded feelings of the Queen, and trigue with the leader of the Tory shortly after the victory of Oudenard, faction. These are the words of the their interminable altercations produced duchess: "Through the whole summer, an open quarrel. after Mr. Harley's dismission, the Queen " The duchess," remarks Coxe, " as continued to have secret correspondence mistress of the robes, had arranged the with him; and that this might be the jewels to be worn by the Queen at the better managed, she staid all the sultry solemn Te Deum celebrated on that season, even when the Prince was pant- occasion. The Queen refused to adopt ing for breath, in that small house she the arrangement; the duchess ascribed had formerly purchased at Windsor, her objection to the ill-offices of Mrs. which, though as hot as an oven, was Masham, and reproached her, by letter, then said to be cool; because from the for such a proof of unkindness and park, such persons as Mrs. Masham had contempt. She also taunted her royal a mind to bring to her Majesty, could mistress in the coach, as they passed to be let in privately by the garden." the church (St. Paul's Cathedral), and That the Queen did secretly corre- during the service itself, reverting to the spond with Mr. Harley, appears proba- subject, she coupled her indiscreet reble; for the spring and summer through monstrance with a complaint in the she was constantly at variance with the name of the duke, that he no longer wealth-and-title-grasping Marlborough enjoyed to the full the royal confidence family junta. She complained that Sun- and favour. As the Queen prepared derland repeatedly offered her personal to reply, the duchess interrupted her, insults, and for a period she was at open by abruptly bidding her to hold her war with Halifax, and with her prime tongue." minister, Godolphin. The duchess, how- Soon after the ceremony, she sent the ever, told her to her head, that it was Queen a complaining letter from the neither wise nor grateful of her to re- duke, dated the twenty-third of July, fuse her confidence to the Whigs, or to She pointedy alluded to the quarel cdeny to her highly-successful general, casioned by the imprudent loquacity of Admiand whoever he might select as his col- ral Churchill, who, she declared, with a view leagues, the uncontrolled possession of to mortify the Whigs, had circulated a report the reins of government. The letter that the duke had given a regiment to a the reins of government. The letter Colonel Jones, at the secret instigation of which Marlborough had addressed to Harley. "He assigned, as his authority, his duchess from the battle-field, on the the avowal of Mr. Robert Walpole, then twelfth of July, announcing his victory secretary at war, and the confidential agent July, announcing his icto of the duke in all military affairs. The reof Oudenard, and which concluded —" I port, which was communicated to the Queen do, and you must, give thanks to God and Prince by the admiral himself, created for his goodness, in protecting and the greatest irritation on all sides, and was h i ns.tr of so. proved to be false. Mr. Walpole justified making me the instrument of so much himself to his patron, in a letter, printed in happiness to the Queen and nation, if the Memoirs of his Life and Administration, she will please to make use of it," was ol. xi. p. 9; and in a second letter, dated June 29 (still preserved in the Marlborough no sooner received by the haughty Juners) th duke not only conde mned t he h Sarah, than she communicated it to the conduct of his brother, but endeavoured to Queen, accompanied with " the severest soothe the wounded feelings of Walpole, as reflections on the ungrateful return well as to exonerate himself from the censure which the report was calculated to excite among which her Majesty had made to the in- the Whigs. The extreme dissatisfaction of strument of such success." She even all parties is proved by the sensation which accused Admiral Churchill of exerting an incident so comparatively trifling prois influence with Pince George of duced, and evinces the embarrassment which his influence with Prince George of d,Marlborough encountered from the impruDenmark, and others, against his own dence of his brother."-Coe,. 888 AINE, accompanied with an epistle in a more myself that I have said several things to aggravated style of invective than she you that are unanswerable, and I hope, had hitherto ventured to employ. some time or other, you will find leisure "I cannot help sending your Majesty to reflect upon them, and will convince this letter, to show how exactly Lord Lord Marlborough, that he is mistaken Marlborough agrees with me in my in thinking that he has no credit with opinion, that he has now no interest you, by hearkening sometimes to his with you: though when I said so in advice; and then, I hope, you will never the church on Thursday (nineteenth of more be troubled with disagreeable letAugust, 1708), you were pleased to say ters from me; for I should be much it was untrue. And yet I think he will better pleased to say and do everything be surprised to hear, that when I had you like. But I should think myself taken so much pains to put your jewels wanting in my duty to you, if I saw you in away that I thought you would like, so much in the wrong, as without preMrs. Masham could make you refuse to judice or passion, I really think you are, wear them in so unkind a manner; be- in several particulars I have mentioned, cause that was a power she had not and did not tell you of it; and the thought fit to exercise before. I will rather, because nobody cares to speak make no reflections upon it; only that out upon so ungrateful a subject. The I must needs observe, that your Ma- word'command,' which you use at the jesty chose a very wrong day to mortify beginning of your letter, is very unfitly me, when you were just going to return supposed to come from me. For though thanks for a victory obtained by Lord I have always writ to you as a friend, Marlborough!" and lived with you as such for so many In answer to this acrimonious effusion, years, with all the truth, and honesty, the Queen replied:- and zeal for your service that was pos" Sunday.-After the commands you sible; yet I shall never forget that I am gave me on the Thanksgiving-day of not your subject, nor cease to be a faithful answering you, I should not have trou- one." bled you with these lines, but to return This epistolary wrangle was not long the Duke of Marlborough's letter safe afterwards followed by an interview, in into your hands, and for the same reason which the duchess set the seal to her do not say anything to that, nor to indiscretion, by renewing her expostulayours, which enclosed it." tions on the countenance manifested toThe dignity and brevity of this note wards Mr. Harley and Mrs. Masham. alarmed the duchess, and drew from her The minute of this conversation, of a letter, which, although full of re- which no trace appears in the "Conduct," proaches, concluded with protestations is preserved in her hand.writing, and of humility and submission:- was evidently suppressed on mature re"I should not trouble your Majesty flection. We give this characteristic with any answer to your last short letter, document without abridgment or alterabut to explain what you seem to mis- tion. take in what I said at church. I desired you not to answer me there, for Ieads of the conversation with IMrs. fear of being overheard. And this you Morley, September 9-20, 1708. interpret, as if I had desired you not to " Nobody trusted or countenanced by answer me at all, which was far front her, but who is in some way or other my intention. For the whole end of influenced by Mr. Harley. my writing to you so often, was to get " Mr. Harley never had a good repuyour answer to several things, in which tation in the world, but is much worse we differed; that, if I was in the wrong, tholught of since lie is out of her seryou might convince me of it, and I vice, where people were content to suffer should very readily have owned my mis- him, because he was thought to depend takes. But, since you have not been upon Lord Marlborough and lord-treapleased to show them to me, I flatter surer. But since he was tempted by FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 889 the favour of Abigail to set up for him- Whigs began to anticipate this disgrace self, and to betray and ruin those that of their zealous patroness, and treated had brolughlt him into her service, and her with marked coolness and reserve; her service itself also, nobody alive can whilst the Earl of Kent, on being be more odious than he is, or more con- blamed by Mr. Maynwaring for his attemptible to all parties. tentions to Mrs. Masham, answered with " Why will she not consider fairly an air of pride, " I must behave civilly and coolly the distinction she makes to all the Queen's servants." between some of the Whigs, who did Meanwhile, the health of Prince her such real and acceptable service, in George of Denmark daily and rapidly the union with Scotland, and in the declined: towards the close of August, matter of the invitation, and my Lord her Majesty accompanied him to Bath, Ilaversham, who, upon both these ac- and after ashort sojourn there, the royal tions, and many others, talked so inso- pair returned, and took up their resilently and scandalously of her adminis- dence at Kensington. On their return, tration, in her own hearing? and yet the Prince exhibited symptoms of contllht man was admitted to her presence valescence; but these proving fallacious, with the air of a friend, though he is he breathed his last, at ten o'clock on plainly in another interest, and can the morning of the twenty-eighth of Ocnever serve her; and the others are kept tober, 1708, in the fifty-fifth year of his at the greatest distance, contrary to the age, and the twenty-sixth year of his advice and opinion of all her servants, marriage to Queen Anne.'this sorrowwhom she has most reason to trust, ful event led to a temporary renewal of though they have shown themselves, in the intercourse between the Queen and her presence also, both able and willing the Duchess. As the dissolution of to serve her, and desirous to make her the Prince approached, the self-imgreat and happy. portant Duchess addressed to her afflict-' Even in this last session of parlia- ed mistress, the subjoined offensive ment, theTories joined to a man against epistle. the coulncil of Scotland, and Mr. Harley " Windsor Lodge, Oct. 26.-Though himself, underhand; when after all that the last time I had the honour to wait was over, upon occasion of the late upon your Majesty, your usage of me invasion, these men did expose the To- was such as was scarce possible for me ries to all the world, by showing their to imagine, or for any body to believe, zeal for her and her government, by yet I cannot hear of so great a misforstrenthening it every way in their power tune and affliction to you, as the condiat that time of danger." tion in which the Prince is, without In the course of this interview the coming to pay my duty, in inquiring altercation became so violent, that the after your health; and to see, if in any high-toned voice of the duchess was particular whatsoever my service can heard in the ante-chamber; and when either be agreeable or useful to you; for she came out, her eyes were suffused which satisfaction, Iwould do more than with tears. The Queen was found in a I will trouble your Majesty to read at similar state of agitation, by those who this time." first entered the apartment; and we Scarcely was the letter received by her learn from a subsequent letter of the Majesty, when the bold Duchess, in duchess, that she was dismissed with virtue of her office as mistress of the every proof of contempt and indigna- robes, entered her presence; but the tion. Queen, as might be expected, under the These fatal contentions could not long circumstances, received her very coolly, be kept a secret from the royal attend- and like a stranger. "Notling discouants, and the reports which were indus- raged by the repulse, on the ensuingmorntriously circulated on the occasion, pro- ing, she again waited on the sorrowing duced the usual effect attending the Anne, and was present when the Prince decline of court favour. Several of the expired; with seeming affection, she re 890 ANNE, moved her weeping mistress from this James's, and induced her to take some sad spectacle, and when the other at- refreshment, the Duchess retired, and tendants had withdrawn, knelt down the lord treasurer was admitted. But and endeavoured to console her.- She the Queen soon followed her to her then, after many urgent, and at first fruit- apartment, and not finding her there, less importunities, obtained her consent sent a note, which marks her minute to remove her to St. James's. The attention to all the details of the interQueen delivering her watch to the ment. Duchess, told her to retire till the hands "' I scratched twice at dear Mrs. pointed to a certain time, and commanded Freeman's door, as soon as lord treasurer her to send for Mrs. Masham. Annoyed went from me, in hopes to have spoke at this mark of preference, the Duchess one more word to him before he was withdrew, and being too haughty to gone; but nobody hearing me, I wrote publish her own decline of influence to this, not caring to send what I had to the crowd collected in the anti-chamber, say by word of mouth; which was, to neglected to summon the favourite. desire him, that when he sends his Having prepared her own coach for the orders to Kensington, he would give diQueen's reception, and desired Mrs. rections there may be a great many yeoLowman to make the company fall back men of the guards to carry the Prince's whilst the Queen passed, she returned dear body, that it may not be let fall, at the appointed hour, announced to the the great stairs being very steep and weeping Queen that the carriage was slippery.' ready, and excused herself for not send- In the evening, the Duchess found ing for Mrs. Masham, on the plea " that the Queen at table, and attended by it might make a disagreable noise when Mrs. Masham, who instantly retired; there were bishops and ladies of the bed- but she carefully avoided any allusion to chamber waiting without, that her Ma- the new favourite, and the Queen treated jesty did not want to see:" adding, her with marks of renewed regard and "your Majesty may send for her at St. familiarity. This was, however, a mere James's, when and how you please." momentary change; for the Duchess The grief-absorbed Queen acquiesced; observes, that in her subsequent visits, but, to the annoyance of the Duchess, she either found Mrs. Masham with the Mrs. Hill, the sister of Mrs. Masham, Queen, or retiring on her entrance, and, whilst putting on her Majesty's hood, indeed, reaped nothing from this sacrireceived from her some commission in a fice of her pride, except the mortification whisper; and as Anne passed through of observing the superior favour of her the gallery leaning on the arm of the rival, and the decline of her own influDuchess, who wished it to be supposed ence."* that her Majesty had ridden off with On the eleventh of November, the her, without so much as thinking of body of the Queen's consort was removed Harley or his relatives, Mrs. Masham from Kensington to the Painted Chamherself appeared, accompanied by Dr. her, Westminster, where, having rested Arbuthnot, one of the royal physicians. in state till the thirteenth, it was on that The Queen spake not, but stepping to- night buried in the abbey, by torch-light, wards her favourite, "bent down like with imposing funeral rites. Shortly a sail," and cast on her an earnest look afterwards, the new parliament was of affection. Imnlediately after entering opened by commission, and the ultrathe carriage, she requested the Duchess republican Whigs, having formed a coto order the lord treasurer, Godolphin, to alition with the Marlborough faction, examine whether there was room in one were now admitted to office; Lord Pemof the royal vaults at Westminster to broke succeeded Prince George of Denbury the Prince, and leave room for her mark as lord high admiral; the vicetoo' and if not, to select some other, too; and if not, to select some * From a narrative of the events which place of burial. took place on the death of the Prince of Den" Having escorted her Majesty to St. mark, by the Duchess. FOURTH QUIEEN REGNANT. 891 royship of Ireland was transferred to claiming a former promise. The Queen, Lord Wharton; the long-contestedpost who seemed to have reserved these of president of the council was conferred lodgings for the use of Mrs. Masham's on Lord Somers; and to save Godolphin sister, was much embarrassed at this from the consequences of his crime in unexpected request, and solemnly denied having corresponded with the court at that she had ever made such a promise. St. Germains, a general pardon to all An altercation ensued, in which the such delinquents was published by the Duchess repeated her assertion, and the Queen, and confirmed by parliament. Queen as positively contradicted it, Queen Anne, like her sister, although a adding,'I do not remember that I was heartless daughter, was a truly affection- ever spoken to for them.'' But suppoate wife. During the illness of her con- sing,' replied the Duchess,'that I am sort, she sedulously tended him, and did mistaken, surely my request cannot be all in her power to alleviate his suffer- deemed unreasonable.' The Queen reings; and after his demise, she long and joining,' I have a great many servants deeply bewailed her bereavement. On of my own, and some of them I must the twenty-first of May, 1709, she was remove;' the Duchess smiled and said, too depressed in spirits to prorogue'Your Majesty then does not reckon parliament in person; and whilst yet Lord Marlborough or me among your wearing the weeds of widowhood, she servants?' On this the Queen was again was compelled in procession to attend a embarrassed, and murmuring some uninthanksgiving at St. Paul's, for Marl- telligible words, the Duchess observed, borough's bloody victory of Malplaquet,' Some of my friends have pressed me to the last of the great battles fought in the wait oftener upon your Majesty: I have War of the Succession, and in which, to been compelled, in vindication of my the.deep sorrow of the Queen, 20,000 of conduct, to relate the usage which I have her brave subjects were slaughtered. received from your Majesty; and for this Over-rode, however, as Anne was by the reason I have been under the necessity of Marlboroughs, she had the courage to repeating, and asserting the truth of refuse acquiescence to the unconstitu- what I said, before they couldbe induced tional demand which the victorious to believe it; and 1 believe it would be Duke made on his return from Malpla- thought still more strange, were I to quet, that she would by letters patent repeat this conversation, and inform constitute him captain-general for life; them, that after all Lord Marlborough's a refusal in which she was firmly se- services, your Majesty refused to give conded by Lord Chancellor Cowper, and him a miserable hole, to make a clear several other noblemen, who previously entry to his lodgings; I beg, therefore, had never dared to thwart the will of to know, whethe. I am atliberty to repeat the great general. Piqued at this re- this to any of my fiiends.' After some fusal, the Duke had the audacity and hesitation, and much disorder in her imprudence to write a querulous letter looks, the Queen replied in the affirmato her Majesty, accusing her of ungrate- tive. The Duchess, on retiring, added, ful disregard of his services, complaining'I hope your Majesty will reflect upon with unmeasured bitterness of the trans- all that has passed;' and, as no reply fer of her affections from the Duchess to was given, she abruptly quitted the Mrs. Masham, and announcing his deter- apartment.* mination to retire at the end of the war. "Soon after this interview, the The bellicose Duchess also continued to Duchess again obtruded herself on the carry on an exasperating written and Queen, and solicited her Majesty to inwordy warfare with the harassed form her what crime she had committed, Queen. About this time, she requested * This narrative is taken from an account her Majesty to grant some lodgings re- in the handwriting of the Duchess, and encently vacated in the palace of St. James, dorsed by her, An account of a conversation for the puipose of forming a more com- with the Queen, when she refused to give me for the purpose of forming a more cor- an inconsiderable lodging to make a clear modious entry to her own apartments, way to mine." 892 ANNE, which had produced so great an alter- me in order to receive the communion, ation in her behaviour. This question she looked with much good-nature. and drew from her royal mistress a letter, in very graciously smiled on me. But the which she charged her with inveteracy to smlile and pleasant look, I had reason Mrs. Masham, and with having nothing afterwards to think, were given to so much at heart as the ruin of her cousin. Bishop Taylor and the Common PrayerAfter exculpating her from any fault, and book, and not to me.'* imputing their misunderstanding to a dis- This unfortunate breach was speedily cordance in political opinions, she added, followed by the most fatal consequences;'I do not think it a crime in any one for the indignation of the Queen was still not to be of my mind, or blamable, be- further inflamed by the intemperate zeal cause you cannot see with my eyes, or with which the duchess advocated the hear with my ears.' She concluded, ~ It cause of the Whigs, and which increased is impossible for you to recover my her natural antipathy to a party which former kindness, but I shall behave my- she equally feared and detested. Acself to you as the Duke of Marlborough's tuated by these feelings, Anne turned wife, and as my groom of the stole.'* with additional confidence to her new "Stung with these unkind expressions, favourite, in whom she found a conand this proof of further alienation, the geniality of political principles, and a discarded favourite had the bold inso- suppleness of manners, which formed a lence to draw up and send to her royal striking contrast with the overlearing mistress a copious narrative of the com- temper of the duchess. In this state of mencement and progress of their con- mind, she listened more and more to the nexion, accompanied with extracts from suggestions of Harley, whose intrigues'The Whole Duty of Man,' on the began to acquire consistency, and who article of Friendship, and from the di- had obtained increasing influence by his rections in the liturgy, prefixed to the private cabals." communion service, that none could con- At this period it became evident to scientiously partake of the Lord's the more discerning, that a political crisis Supper, unless they were at peace and was approaching. Marlborough's efforts in charity with all mankind. To this to place himself in command for life, was added, a passage from Bishop Tay- impressed the Queen with a belief lor's works on the same subject. In that he aspired to her throne, and transnitting this insulting paper, sle strengthened her resolution to break observed,'If your Majesty will read the chains which bound her to the this narrative of twenty-six years' faith- Marlborough faction. With this view ful services, and write only in a few she secretly continued to correspond words that you had read them, together with Harley, and courted and won the with the extracts, and were still of the support of all the nobles who were same opinion as you were when you sent inimical to the Whig faction. She also me a very harsh letter, which was the bestowed the lieutenancy of the Tower, occasion of my troubling you with this vacated by the death of Lord Essex, on narrative, I assure you that I will never Earl Rivers, without previously controuble you more upon any subject but sulting the great duke, who she at the the business of my office.' same time ordered to confer Lord "To this long memorial the Queen Essex's regiment on Mrs. Masham's briefly replied, that when she had leisure brother, Jack Hill. As both these apto read all the papers, she would send pointments were usually made at the a answer to them. But she never sent recommendation of the commander-inany other answer; and the Duchess, in chief, he, instead of complying with the concluding her relation, observes,'nor Queen's request, retired in disgust to had my papers any apparent effect on his lodge at Windsor, on the fifteenth of her Majesty, except that after my January, the very day on which a cabicoming to town, as she was passing by Conduct of the Duchess of Marlborough ~ Conduct, p. 267. p. 270. FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 893 net council was to be held. The Queen on the fifth of November, on the text, attended the council; but, to the annoy- "Perils among false brethren," he reanceofthedukeandhisimmediatefriends, vived the obsolete doctrine of passive she took no notice of his absence, and the obedience, reprobated the principlesof the assembly deliberated, transacted the cus- revolution, depicted the dangers to which tomary business, and separated, as usual, the church was exposed in the strongest without one of the members venturing colours, loaded the ministers in general to mention the noteworthy fact of the with reproach, and especially pointed general not being present. out Lord Godolphin to public indignaViolent agitation and busy intrigues tion, by the invidious name of Valpone. ensued; the Whigs and the Marlbo- This sermon lasted three hours, enraprough faction generally were not una- tured the audience, was printed with nimous in their opinion. Marlborough the secret connivance of the Lord Mayor, resolved not to continue in the com- and gave such umbrage to Godolphin mand unless Mrs. Masham was dis- and several of his coadjutors, that it missed. a resolution strongly reprobated was brought before the cognizance of by several of his friends. However, the legislature, and an impeachmnent inafter an anxious suspense of five days, stituted against the preacher. The trial, Anne, whose fears had been greatly which commenced on the twenty-seventh excited by the representations of Godol- of February, 1710, took place in Westphin, Somers, and other lords, suc- minster Hall. The hall was fitted up cumbed to the storm, and relinquished for the occasion, with a box for the her intention of disposing of the regi- Queen, near the throne; seats for the ment to Jack lill. Marlborough did peers; places for the members of the not enforce his purpose of requiring the commons; galleries for ladies and the removal of Mrs. Masham; and coming populace; bar and benches for the prito town, was admitted to an audience soner and his counsel; and other conwith the Queen, who, anxious to soothe veniences. As the time approached for his resentment, received him with every the trial to commence, the greatest exoutward demonstration of kindness and citement prevailed; the Queen, no lonfavour. This compromise, however, was ger holding the balance between the productive of no permanent advantage great opposing factions, openly took to the Marlboroughs, for the Queen part with Sacheverell, high church and was, in reality, as deeply offended as if Tory; and although the Whigs were the disgrace of her favourite had been straining every nerve to secure the enforced, and became more firmly re- condemnation of the bold, eloquent solved to free herself from the thraldom preacher, the people clamoured aloud of the existing ministry the moment an against the whole ministry, declared opportunity offered of striking a deci- their Queen was reduced to bondage by sive blow. a single family, and almost worshipped Matters were in this state, when the Sacheverell as a god. In the course of trial of the eloquent high-church orator, the trial, vast crowds of the people, as Dr. Sacheverell, took place. Sacheverell well as of the nobility and gentry, athas been represented in general history tended him daily to Westminster Hall, as a person possessed of little virtue, striving to kiss his hand, and praying learning, or good sense; his powers as for his deliverance; and these same an author were certainly inconsiderable, crowds surrounded the Quleen, as she but his sermons and speeches were was carried each day in her sedan to delivered with overpowering eloquence; witness the trial, and made the welkin in fact, he possessed that rare and com- ring with their reiterated cries of " God manding gift of rivetting the attention bless your Majesty and tile Church! we of his hearers, and playing with their hope that your Majesty is for God and passions, as a boy would with a foot- Dr. Sacheverell!" Everydaythedoctor's ball, when and how he chose. In a popularity increased, tle great majority of sermon which he delivered at St. Paul's, the nation espoused his cause, the clergy 894 ANNE, from their pulpits pronounced him the on the Queen the first time she went champion of the Church of England, to Dr. Sacheverell's trial, and having the Queen's chaplains surrounded him stood above two hours, said to the viceat the trial, all London vehemently chamberlain, that when the Queen went espoused his cause, and at the highest to any place incognito (as she went to of the enthusiasm, it was dangerous to the trial, and only looked from behind a go abroad witlout the oak-leaf, which curtain), it was always the custom of was considered as the badge of heredi- the ladies to sit down before her; but tary right, and the metropolis was agi- her Majesty had forgot to speak to us tated by riots so fierce and alarming, now, and that since the trial was like to that order could not be restored with- continue very long every day, I wished out the aid of the military, who actually he would put the Queen in mind of it; captured several of the Queen's guards to which he replied, very naturally, and watermen in the riotous act of lead-'Why, madam, should you not speak ing on the mob to burn and destroy the to the Queen yourself, who are always meeting-houses and residences of the in waiting?' dissenters and others, against whom " This, I knew, was right, and there. they levelled their malice. After the fore I went up to the Queen, and, stooptrial had lasted three weeks, Sacleverell ing down to her, as she was sitting, to was found guilty, but received a sen- whisper to her, said,'I believed her tence so mild, that the people and the Majesty had forgot to order us to sit, Tories triumphed as if he had been ac- as was customary in such cases.' Upon quitted, and the ministry was compelled this, she looked, indeed, as if she had to own a defeat. " Our sentence forgot, and was sorry for it, and anagainst Dr. Sacheverell," remarks the swered, in a very kind, easy way,' By treasurer, in a letter dated the twenty- all means, pray sit;' and before I could first of March, " is at last dwindled to go a step from her chair, she called to a suspending him for three years from Mr. Mordaunt, the page of honour, to preaching, which question we carried bring stools, and desire the ladies to sit but by six; and the second, which was down, which, accordingly, we did-Lady for incapacitating him during that time Scarborough, Lady Burlington, and myto take any dignity or preferment in the self. But as I was to sit nearest to church, was lost by one; the numbers the Queen, I took care to place myself a were sixty to fifty-nine. So all this good distance from her; though it was bustle and fatigue ends in no more but usual, in such cases, to sit close to her, a suspension of three years from the and sometimes at the basset-table, when pulpit, and burning his sermon at the she does not appear incognito; but in a Old Exchange. The conjunction of the place of ceremony, the company has sat Duke of Somerset and Lord Rivers with so near her as scarcely to leave her the Duke of Argyle, and his brother, room to put her hand to her pocket. the Earl of Ilay, has been the great Besides this, I used a further caution, occasion of this disappointment."* of showing her all the respect I could Whilst the trial was proceeding in in this matter, by drawing a curtain Westminster Hall, a scene equally in- behind me in such a manner, betwixt teresting as that in the open court was her and me, as to appear to be, as it being performed, in the curtained box were, in a different room from her Mafrom which the Queen and her attend- jesty. But my Lady Hyde, who stood ants witnessed the exciting proceedings. behind the Queen when I went to speak This scene is thus described by the to her (and who, I observed, with an Duchess of Marlboiough: " I waited air of boldness more than good breeding, came up then nearer, to hear what * The Duk of Argyle and the Earl of llay I said), continued to stand still in the pronounced Sacheverell guilty, but voted same manner, and never cane to sit againtt the ministry on the subsequent motions, relative to his suspension and dis- with us the rest of that day, which I qualification. then took for nothing more than making FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 895 a show of more than ordinary favour her Majesty was pleased to order it, with the Queen. and that it was nothing more than was "The next day the Duchess of So- agreeable to the constant practice of the merset came to the trial, and before I court in all such cases;but, however, sat down I-turned to her, having always if it would in any respect be more used to show her a great deal of respect, pleasing to her Majesty that we should and asked her if her grace would not be stand for the future, I begged she would pleased to sit; at which she gave a sort let me know her mind about it, because of start back, with the appearance of I should be very sorry to do any thing being surprised, as if she thought I had that could give her the least dissatisfacasked a very strange thing, and refused tion. To this she answered, with more sitting. Upon this, I observed that it peevishness than was natural to her, in was always the custom to sit before the these words:'If I had not liked you Queen in such cases, and that her Ma- should sit, why should I have ordered jesty had ordered us to do so the day it?' before; but that her refusing it now, " This plainly showed that the cabal looked as if she thought that we had had been blowing her up, but that she done something that was not proper. could not have us contradict her own To which she answered, that she did orders. What she had now said was not care to sit, and then went and stood a still further confirmation of it, and behind the Queen, as Lady Hyde had made it more difficult for the cabal to done the day before, which I took no proceed any further in this matter; and, notice of then, but sat down with Lady therefore, the next day the Duchess of Burlington, as we had done before. Ormond and Lady Fretcheville came to But when I came to reflect upon what the trial, and, to my great surprise, sat these two ladies had done, I plainly down amongst the rest of us. And perceived that, in the Duchess of Somer- thus this matter ended; only that the set, especially, this conduct could not Duchess of Somerset used some little be thought to be the effect of humility; arts afterwards, which are not worth but that it must be a stratagem that mentioning, to sweeten me again, and they had formed in their cabal to flatter cover her design, which I supposed now the Queen, by paying her more respect, she was ashamed of." and to make some public noise of this The issue of this trial convinced the matter that might be to my disadvan- Queen that the nation was anxious for tage, or disagreeable to me. And this her to free herself from the bondage in I was still the more confirmed in, be- which she was held by the Marlbocause it had been known before that rough family junta and the Whigs; and the Duchess of Somerset, who was then she and her secret advisers resolved to with her lord, did act a cunning part take instant measures for effecting the between the Duke and Duchessof Marl- greatly-desired change. Meanwhile, borough. The Whigs and Tories did another stormy interview took place benot intend to come to the trial. As, tween the Queen and her haughty distherefore, it was my business to keep carded favourite, which we give in the all things as quiet as possible till the words of Coxe, the historian of Marlcampaign was over, and preserve my- borough. self in the meanwhile, if I could, from " We have already alluded," observes any possible affront, I resolved to do our author, "to the promise which the what I could to disappoint these ladies duchess extorted from the Queen, for in their little design; and in order to the transfer of her offices to the daughthis, I waited upon the Queen the next ters, and her suspicions that it would morning before she went to the trial, not be fulfilled. Influenced by repeated and told her that I had observed the importunities, her husband was relucday before that the Duchess of Somer- tantly persuaded to solicit the Queen set had refused to sit at the trial, which on this delicate subject, and in the last I did not know the meaning of, since audience before his departure (to open 896 ANNE, the campaign of 1710), he made two sake of vindicating her own character, requests to her Majesty: the first, that or, at least, of proving to the public, she would kindly permit the duchess to that her interest was not absolutely remain in the country as much as her lost. offices in the household would allow; " On the third of April she waited on and the second, that she would accept the Queen, and solicited a private auher resignation in favour of their daugh- dience, for the purpose of making some ters, at the conclusion of peace, when it important communications before her was his own intention to retire. To Majestyquitted London for the summer. the first request the Queen acceded; The request was, however, received and to the second, replied, that she with the most repulsive coldness. She could not think of parting with the named, in vain, three several hours, in duchess, but spoke of the reversion in which she knew the Queen was accusso favourable a manner, as led him to tomed to be alone, and, at length, was suppose that it met with her approba- told to present herself at six the ensution. ing evening, the time which was usually " Soon after his departure, however, set apart for the royal devotions. the duchess found that he had mistaken' Unwilling, however, to be importhe Queen's answer; for, on returning tuned with so disagreeable a visitor, the her thanks for these kind assurances, Queen retracted, and not only ordered her Majesty preserved an obstinate si- the duchess to make her communication lence, and when pressed to declare whe- in writing, but hinted that she might ther the duke had rightly understood immediately gratify the inclination she her meaning, peremptorily replied,' I had expressed, of returning into the desire that I may never be troubled any country. Notwithstanding this ungramore on this subject.' cious repulse, the duchess renewed her " These repeated intrusions no less solicitations, and declined imparting the perplexed than offended the Queen; and subject of her application by letter. as she was determined to find a pretext The queen, therefore, was obliged to for evading this extorted promise, she appoint a new time; but before it was doubly anxious to liberate herself arrived, again deferred the interview, from so importunate a visitor. Unfor- under the plea of dining at Kensington, tunately, the indiscretion of the duchess and repeated her desire for a written soon afforded such an opportunity. communication. On this second refusal, "While the affairs of the cabinet were the duchess wrote a letter, requesting involved in mystery, and while rumours permission to repair to Kensington, and of changes in the administration were declaring that the information which daily circulated, the fiiends of the she was about to afford, related solely duchess urged her to appear in court, to her own vindication, and would neiand endeavour to counteract these ca- ther give rise to any misunderstanding, bals, by her influence, or, at least, to nor oblige the Queen to make an anshow by her presence, that her party swer, or admit her oftener than was was not declining in favour. She, how- agreeable. ever, was too well apprised of the "On the same day, she went to KenQueen's sentiments, to imagine that her sington, without waiting for a reply. appearance would not be unwelcome, The Queen had just dined, and no one and might expose her to new mortifica- being in waiting to announce her, she tions. She, therefore, persevered in her asked the page of the back-stairs, if he resolution to remain in the country, did not occasionally make a signal at until reports of her indiscretion in the Queen's door, to apprise her when speaking disrespectfully of her royal any person was to be introduced. The mistress. were industriously circulated. page replying in the affirmative, she Her indignation being awakened by requested him to make the usual sign, these imputations, she hastily took the and sat down in the window, as she resolution of returning to court, for the says,'like a Scotch lady with a peti FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 897 tion, expecting an answer.' After a sullenly for some minutes, and then relong interval, which she conjectures was joined,' I shall make no answer to employed in consulting Mrs. Masham, anything you say.' Notwithstanding she was admitted. this repulse. the duchess asked,'Will "On her entrance, the Queen evinced your Majesty then make me some ansome embarrassment, and said to her, swer at any other time?' She received'I was just going to write to you;' only the same reply, and in the agony and as the duchess was preparing to of indignation, after a second flood of speak, interrupted her, by observing, tears, more violent than the former, she'Whatever you have to say, you may said,'You know, madam, how much I put it in writing.' The duchess, how- despised my interest, in comparison with ever, remonstrated against such cruel your service, and you may be assured treatment, and urged the justice of that I would never deny anything which hearing her reply to the calumnies with I was aware was true, conscious as I am which she had been assailed. She that I have done nothing to displease added,'There are those about your you.' She could, however, only extort Majesty, who have charged me with the former reply,' You desired no ansaying things of which I am no more swer, and you shall have none.' Percapable than I am of killing my own ceiving it fruitless to persist, she made children; for I seldom mention your her obeisance, and exclaimed with a Majesty in company, and then always degree of violence, which she herself with due respect.' During this ad- does not attempt to justify,' I am condress, the Queen contemptuously turned fident you will suffer in this world or aside, and replied briefly,' There are the next, for so much inhumanity.' many lies told.' The duchess request- The Queen was roused to indignation ing to know the particulars with which by this unpremeditated insult, and reshe was charged, the Queen alluded to plying,' That is my business,' withthe expression in her letter, that she drew to the closet. did not wish for a reply, and several "After quitting the royal presence, the times interrupted her with the excla- duchess sat down in a long gallery to mation,'I will give you no answer.' wipe away her tears, and compose her Notwithstanding farther solicitations, agitation. She then returned to the she still continued to repeat the same closet, and scratched at the door; and words, adding, at last,'You desired when the Queen opened it, said,'As I no answer, and you shall have none.' sat in the gallery, I thought your MaThe duchess proceeding,' I am con- jesty would not be easy to see me, when fident your Majesty would not treat me you come to the castle at Windsor, whiwith such harshness, if you could be- ther I understand you are shortly to lieve that my only wish is, to do myself remove. Should that be the case, I justice, and not to ask a favour;' the will refrain from going to the Lodge, Queen moved towards the door, impati- that I may not be charged with a want ently exclaiming,' I will quit the room.' of respect, for omitting to pay my duty "The duchess followed, and burst into to your Majesty when so near.' To a flood of tears. The Queen appeared this the Queen quickly replied, as if to be affected, and the duchess, after a anxious to be freed from her visitor, pause, to recover from her emotion,' You may, if you please, come to me proceeded to recapitulate the reports at the castle: it will give me no unspread to her disadvantage, and im- easiness."'* plored her Majesty to state the particulars, without naming the authors. The * "' This account is drawn from a dialogue rs, w t n g te a rs. which seems to have been written by the Queen replied as before,' You said you duchess soon after the event, endorsed,' Acdesired no answer, and I shall give you count of the Conversation with the Queen, none.' The duchess, however, conti- Good Friday, 1710:' also from her letter to Mr. Hutchinson. There is a detailed acnued her vindication with great warmth count of this interview in the Conduct, ap. and volubility. The Queen heard her 279-287." 3 M 898 ANN,, Tllus ended this memorable conver- lie merely exhorts her to refrain from sation, and fiom this moment all per- courting similar mortifications. sonal intercourse was broken off be ay.-I have this morning retween the Queen and her discarded ceived yours of the seventeenth of April, favourite. The duchess, indeed, made O.S., from the Lodge, as also the acan attempt to renew the discussion the count of what passed between you and following day, by taking an opportunity the Queen, which is so harsh, that I of forwarding a letter to the Queen think you should be persuaded not to from the duke, relative to a supposed exposeyourself any more in speaking to plot for assassinating her Majesty. In any more in speaking to this she renewed her justification, and r complained of the strange usage she had From this time, the duchess became received on the preceding day; but the as great an object of disgust and averattempt did not succeed to her wish, sion, as she had formerly been of favour for the Queen returned the letter with a and affection; and the anxiety of the line simply acknowleding its reception. Queen to remove from her household so The account of this interview was for- obnoxious an attendant, was one, among warded to the duke, and reached him many causes, which induced her to acwhile he was encamped before Douay; celerate the execution of those medibut it was too late to remedy the effects tated changes which had been recomof her indiscretion, and, in his reply, mended by her secret advisers. CHAPTER VI. Annle'sfirst successful eforts to free herself from the M~arlboroughs and the WhigsRemoves Sunderland from ofice —The Duchess insolently remonstrates thereonHer reply-The Duchess expostulates-All direct communication between them terminates-The Queen dismisses Godolphin and his Whig coadjutors-Forms a Tory administration-Corresponds with the Duchess through the agency qf her physician, Hamilton-Alarmed at the Duchess's threats to publish her lettersDeclares cheating is not one of the Duchess's faults-Dismisses the Duchess from her appointments in the royal household-Disposes of her offces to the Duchess of Somerset and Mrs. Masham-Disgraceful conduct of the Duchess-Anne's uncle, Rochester, dies-She corresponds with the Pretender-Break in her constitutionLove of hunting —Takes measures for establishing peace- Violent party feudsCreates twelve new peers-Dismissal and disgrace of Marlborough —Prince Eugene's visit-Birthday commemoration-Death of Louise Stuart-Anne's declining health -Aznnounces from the throne peace with Spain-Letters to the Princess Sophia and Prince George-Desires the Pretender for her successor-Last speech to parliament-Death of the Electress Sophia — nne's antipathy to Oxford-She dismisses him~-Storms in her council —Carried ill to bed-Her dangerous conditionSuffers mental agonies-Death-George I. proclaimed-Burial- Will-Character. VAILING herself of i thirteenth, caused her lord chamberlain, the prorogation of the Marquis of Kent, for. the proffered -, parliament, which reward of a dukedom, instantly to ret' —I' _took place on the linquish his staff of office, which she fifth of April, of the forthwith conferred on the Tory Duke absence of Maribo- of Shrewsbury, and before intelligence rough, and of a tern- of the change could reach her ministers. porary retirement of She next coerced the Duke of MarlboGodolphin to Newmarket, Anne, on the rough into making Mr. Masham and Mr. FOURTH O.UEEN REGNANT. 899 111n generals, and took steps for the re- jesty, either by person or letter, seized moval of her detested Secretary of State, the opportunity of addressing to Anne a Lord Sunderland, from office. Sunder- long and severeremonstrance; in which land being son-in-law to Marlborough, she deprecated the removal of Sunevery conceivable obstacle was thrust in derland, expatiated on the services of the way of his removal —but to no pur- her husband and herself, and to remind pose. In reply to the entreaties of his her Majesty of her former kindness, and friends on his behalf, Anne said, " I show the change which had taken place, have received so many provocations from enclosed several of the Queen's affechim, that nothing shall divert me from tionate letters to her. She censured my purpose of dismissing him." The the Duke and Duchess of Somerset treasurer, as a last effort, hinted to her as the persons causing these changes, Majesty, that if she persisted in her pur- and enclosed a confidential letter pose, he feared Marlborough would re- which the duke a time back had adsign his command, and then he himself dressed to herself, and in which the must follow his example. This threat, Queen was mentioned with but little however, fell short of its purpose; the ceremony. These, and other reproaches, Queen, by letter, on the fourteenth of were expressed with a degree of conJune, appealed to the patriotism of Go- tempt, that even to an equal would have dolphin, and announced to him that she been insulting. But the most biting had sent for the seals from Lord Sun- and offensive portion of the letter was derland. levelled against Mrs. Masham. To this lady she attributed all the mischief which QUEEN ANNE TO THE EARL OF had happened, or was likely to happen; GODOLPHIN. and had the impudence to declare. that " Wednesday morning, nine o'clock. a dread of losing this favourite was the "I received your letter last night, motive which had impelled the Queen just as I was going to bed, to which I into the "ungrateful and impolitic" can say no more than what I did on the conduct she had manifested towards her subject, in my last, continuing of the zealous and faithful servants. She same opinion, only that I have no affected to treat with indifference the thoughts of taking the Duke of Marlbo- transfer of the royal favour to such a rough from the head of the army, nor, I person; and after declaring with scorn dare say, any body else. If he and you that she would never wish for any adshould do so wron at any time dress a thin at rs. Masam, for time,he sake as to desert my service, what confusion of regaining her own influence, she held might happen might lie at your door, forth an indirect threat, that the conduct and you alone would be answerable, and the Queen was pursuing, might produce nobody else. But I hope you will both this very measure, which would not fail consider better of it. Yesterday, in the to gratify all who loved their country afternoon, Mr. Secietary Boyle came to She concluded by desiring the Queen to me, and I then ordered him to go this return the letter of the Duke of Somermorning to Lord Sunderland for the set, which, for nonsense, ingratitude, and seals, which I think proper to acquaint good spelling, she considered as worthy you with, before you hear it from other of preservation, as a great curiosity, and hands, and to let you know Lord Dart- as being the production of so eminent a mouth is the person I intend to give politician. them to, whom I hope you will approve "The Queen made no reply to thiseffuof." sion till the twelfth of June, the very day preceding the removal of Lord SunThe removal of Marlborough's son-in- derland. She then reproached the law, Sunderland, again excited the ire duchess, by letter, for breaking the soof the fiery duchess, Sarah, who, disre- lemn promise made by herself and the garding the prudent advice of her bus- duke, that she would never speak of band to avoid intrusion upon her Ma- politics, or even again mention the name 900 ANNE, of Mrs. Masham, and concluded by ob- written by the Duke of Somerset, and serving,' But I shall trouble you with declared, that though it had made no a very short answer, looking upon it to impression on her Majesty, she could be a continuation of the ill usage I have make other people ashamed for him, by so often met with, which shows me very showing it. To prove that she was not plainly what I am to expect for the fu- herself singular in her opinion of this ture.' nobleman, she enclosed several letters, " Shocked at the breach of trust which in which, we may suppose, his character the duchess had committed, in commu- was not treated with great respect, parnicating the confidential letter of the ticularly one from Lord Rochester, who, Duke of Somerset, and still more morti- she said, could not, in this case, be susfied to find that the effusions of her former pected of partiality. She added,' My tenderness had been treasured up by so concern for Lord Marlborough's honour irritable a woman, Anne added, in a and reputation in the world, and the postscript,'I do not return the letters, great trouble he expresses on this occaknowing they can be of no use to you, sion, brings me to beg of your Majesty, but must desire all my strange scrawls upon my knees, that you would only demay be sent back to me, it being impos- fer this thing till there is peace, or an sible they can now be agreeable to you.' end of the campaign; and, after such " Farther reports of her son-in-law's an expression, your Majesty can have no approaching disgrace, joined to the tone doubt of my ever entering into any thing of the Queen's letter, drew from the that can displease you.' duchess another expostulation in a no "To this letter the Queen did not conless acrimonious style. She testified her descend to reply; and with this altercasurprise at the Queen's short, harsh, and tion terminated all direct correspondence undeserved answer. She justified her between them."* own breach of promise in writing on Her Majesty next resolved to dismiss politics and Mrs. Masham, by reminding her treasurer, Godolphin. He guessed the Queen, that her Majesty herself had her purpose, and after endeavouring to not fulfilled her own promise of reading dissuade her from turning her back upon the narrative which was presented in the the Whigs and her present ministers, preceding October, and giving a precise demanded, "Is it the will of your Maanswer. She vindicated her present in- jesty that I should go on?" [continue in terference, on the plea that it was her office as Lord Treasurer.] duty to make every effort to prevent the The Queen replied' Yes;" she looked extremities to which her Majesty was gloomy, and seemed embarrassed; but driving the Duke of Marlborough, at Godolphin supposed she meant to abide the very moment when he was hourly by that reply; and when the next mornventuring his life for the service. She ing a servant in royal livery left the subcontended, also, that it was justice to joined note with his porter, he was herself to vindicate her own character struck dumb with astonishment. from the aspersions with which she had been loaded, particularly of attemptingKensinton,Augus7. to procure the removal of Mrs. Ma- "The uneasiness which you have ham; but she again held forth an in- showed for some time has given me very direct threat of the dreadful account much trouble, though I have borne it; which the favourite might be required and had your behaviour continued tho to render for her advice, to ruin a man same it was for a few years after my who had won six pitched battles and ten coming to the crown, I could have no sieges. dispute with myself what to do. But "With regard to the Queen's letters, tie many unkind returns I have received she stated, that the refusal to return them sice especially what you said to me perwould induce her to take a little better care sonally before the lords, makes it imposof the rest. Sheexpressed, also, surprise sible for me to continue you any longer that the Queen should retain the letter * Coxe. FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 901 in my service; but I will give you a pen- cited, and the Queen three times comsion of four thousand a year, and I de- manded Lord Chancellor Cowper to resire that, instead of bringing the staff tain the seals, he resigned, and Sir Thoto me, you will break it, which, I be- mas Trevor and the Barons Tracy and lieve, will be easier to us both." Scroop were appointed commissioners of the great seal about the same time-Sir "On the ensuing morning the Queen Simon Harcourt was made Attorneybriefly announced to the Duke of Marl- General, Lord Keeper, and, finally, borough the removal of his friend. Chancellor; and to the annoyance of of Marlborough, her Majesty dismissed "Kensington, August 8. Cardonel from the office of Secretary-at"My lord treasurer having for War, and in his room appointed Mr. some time showed a great deal of un- Granville, afterwards Lord Lansdowne. easiness in my service, and his behaviour "Since the accession of William III.." not being the same to me as it was for- remarks Coxe, " no change of ministry merly, made it impossible for me to let had ever been carried to such an extent; him keep the white staff any longer; for before the close of the year, not a and, therefore, I ordered him this morn- single Whig, with the exception of the ing to break it, which I acquaint you Dukes of Newcastle and Somerset, rewith now, that you may receive this news tained any office of importance." The first from me; and I do assure you I parliament was dissolved, and, on the will take care that the army shall want fifteenth of November, the new House of for nothing." Commons met, and chose for their Speaker the Tory, William Bromley, To those who expressed concern at one of the representatives of the UniGodolphin's dismissal, the Queen an- versity of Oxford. swered, " I am sorry for it, but I can't Meanwhile the Queen, although she help it." The removal of the treasurer had broken -the chains which bound her was speedily followed by the dismission to the Marlborough family junta and the of his son, Lord Rialton, from the office Whigs, was still harassed by the threats of cofferer of the household, and the and importunities of the arrogant Duchtreasury was put in commission, at the ess Sarah, who now carried on a regular head of which was Mr. Harley, who, but indirect correspondence with her the next day supplanted Mr. Smith in through the agency of Sir David Hathe Chancellorship of the Exchequer, and milton. By the hands of Hamilton, the subsequently was made Lord Treasurer, duchess sent the Queen long narratives and created Earl of Oxford and Mortimer. of their past transactions, and, in the The Queen next resolved to dissolve par- vain hope of frightening her into conliament; and at the instigation of Harley senting to a reconciliation, repeatedly reand Shrewsbury, she, in August, with- ferred to lhe ill treatment which she condrew her confidence from the great Whig sidered she had undergone through the leader Lord Somers, President of the influence of Mr. Masham, and threatened Council, who, with his colleagues and to expose to the public eye the tender adherents, forthwith retired from office. epistles which her Majesty had addressed On the nineteenth of August, Somers, to her in the height of affection. SeDevonshire, and Mr. Boyle, resigned, cretary St. John, in a letter to Mr. and their respective appointments were Drummond, dated November twenty. filled by the Earl of Rochester, the Duke eight, remarks, " I had almost forgot to of Buckingham, and Mr. St. John. tell you an instance of the admirable The governorship of Ireland was trans- temper in which the great man [Marlferred from Lord Wharton to the Duke borough] is likely on his return to find of Ormond. Lord Orford resigned his his wife. Among other extravagancies, commission of the Admiralty, and the she now declares she will print the presidency of the board was vested in Queen's letters; letters writ whilst her Sir John Leak. Although Harley soli- Majesty had a good opinion of her, 002 ANNE, which her violent behaviour since that the duchess in accusations which affected time has absolutely eradicated." her integrity. In one of the Examiners, "In this predicament the Queen was written by Swift, November the twentyreduced alternately to soothe and threaten third, 1710, after a variety of insinuations her former favourite, and resorted to the against the peculation and avarice of the intervention of the physician, as well as duke, a comparison was introduced beof other persons, whom she considered tween the rewards lavished on him, and as likely to obtain the suppression of the recompense conferred on a Roman these documents. The duchess, however, general, in which the duke's emoluments continued firm, and the fear of driving were estimated in the aggregate at the her to extremities suspended her removal. vast amount of ~500,000, and those of " As a last resource, the Duke of a Roman warrior reduced to ~994 11s. Shrewsbury was employed to discover At the end of the same paper an inuendo her real intentions, and, if possible, to was introduced, by way of comparison, prevent the threatened publication. He that the duchess, in the execution of her applied to Mr. Maynwaring, and used office during eight years, as mistress of such arguments and insinuations as his the robes, had also purloined no less experience in courts suggested. His than ~22,000 a year. efforts were not more successful than "This slander, though couched in those before made, for the duchess de- ambiguous terms, was too pointed in its dined parting with the letters; and, application to be mistaken, either by the though she professed her aversion to pub- public or the party interested. The lish such a correspondence, she adroitly duchess, therefore, drew up an animated threw out hints, that she might be con- vindication of the duke and of herself, in pelled to recur to unpleasant measures, a private letter to Sir David Hamilton, in her own justification, if the ministerial and sent it with the scurrilous number, writers were suffered to continue their to be submitted to her Majesty. The accusations against her, for peculation Queen read it over, and, at the concluand corrupt sale of offices. sion, acknowledged the justice of the " In this struggle between pride, in- vindication by the brief remark,'Every terest, and fear, with the hopes of proving one knows that cheating is not the Duchto the public that she was not wholly in ess of Mariborough's fault.'" disgrace, she wrote a letter to Sir David Such was the critical situation of the Hamilton, to be submitted to the Queen, duchess, when her husband, returning offering to renew her attendance, by as- from his campaign in Holland, reached sisting in trying on the robes which her London, on the twenty-eighth of DecemMajesty had ordered for some public ce- her, and immediately had several private remony. The letter being read to the interviews with her Majesty, in the hope Queen by her agent, she charged him to of prevailing on her to permit his fiery prevent the duchess from coming, though wife to retain the golden keys as groom not to say that she refused to permit her of the stole, mistress of the robes, and attendance. privy purse. Anne, however, was too "Hitherto the duchess had acted with firmly resolved to be moved by his enno less indiscretion than disrespect, by treaties, and, on the seventeenth of Janshocking the political prejudices, insult- uary, 1711, at the last of these interviews, ing the dignity, and wounding the feel- she peremptorily insisted that the golden ings of the Queen. But at the present keys should be delivered to her within period she made a new and stronger three days; and when he on his knees appeal, which, though objectionable in entreated for an interval of a fortnight, the mode, was justifiable in the prinei- she replied by limiting the term to the ple. The libellous and scurrilous pro- shorter space of two days, and abruptly ductions which daily issued from the terminated the audience. press under the auspices of the ministry, When Marlborough informed his inhaving exhausted their satire and spleen dignant wife of the Queen's commands, on the Duke of Marlborough, involved she declared she would never comply FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 903 He then commanded her to give him the well examined by Abigail and Mr. Harkeys, as he was resolved to return them ley; but there was no fault which they that very evening. She at first refused; could pretend to find with them, and they high words ensued, and, in the end, she were sent back to me without tile leastobpitched them at his head, exclaiming, jection being made against them, signed "There, take them, you ass! take theml by the Queen's own hand, who had writ to the odious creature!" He eagerly under them, that she allowed of them, seized them, and hurrying to St. James's, and was satisfied that they were right. presented them to her Majesty, who re- So that the new ministers had nothing ceived them with infinite joy, but was so left them in this matter but to whisp r confused, probably at his unexpected ap- about tie town some scandalous stories pearance, that to his question of what of it, and to employ such of their agents offences had the duchess been guilty, as the Examiner in propagating them." she only faltered out an unintelligible Anne, without delay, disposed of the incoherent reply. offices held by the Duchess of MarlSarah of Marlborough next resolved borough, by making the Duchess of to claim the ~2000 a year which, nine Somerset groom of the stole and misyears back, the Queen had offered her, tress of the robes, and transferring the and to carry the whole amount of arrears confidential situation of keeper of the to her credit. We give the particulars privy purse to Mrs. Masham. of these proceedings in the words of the On her removal from the royal houseduchess, who, after stating that some of hold, the Duchess of Marlborough relinher friends persuaded her to make the quished her apartments at St. James's, demand, proceeds:-" Accordingly, I when, to her own disgrace, and to the consented that a copy of one of her [the indignation of the Queen, she ordered Queen's] own letters, in which she that part of the palace which she had pressed me so much to take that money occupied to be ransacked of all the out of the privy purse, should be shown brass locks, the looking-glasses and picto her, and that the person that carried tures fixed in the panels of the wainsit should tell her that I desired to know, coting, and the marble chimney-pieces before I made up my accounts, whether and slabs:-in fact, by her command, she still was willing that I should take the apartments were literally gutted. the money out of the privy purse, as she The establishment of peace now behad desired me in that letter. When came the earnest desire of the Queen this was proposed to her, she blushed and and her ministers, who, as a prelimiappearedto be very uneasy; but consented nary to that important measure, used that I should do it. Then I sent in my all possible means to gradually, but accounts, with that yearly sum charged surely, mortify and degrade the latelyin them from the time that she had idolized Duke of Marlborough. It was offered it to me. But I still used believed that the war with France would this further caution of writing at the long since have been brought to an bottom of the accounts, before I charged honourable termination, but for the the last sum, a copy of the letter I men- avarice and ambition of the great comtioned before, that, when she signed mander; and to convince him that his them, she might at the same time attest power and popularity was gone, the her own letter, and the offer she had House of Commons, influenced by the made me of her own accord, and pressed Queen and her Tory ministry, refused me to take in this manner:-' Pray make to thank him for his services in Flanno more words about it, and either own ders, although he was still permitted to or conceal it, as you like best, since retain his command. I think the richest crown could never On the second of May, 1711, the repay the services I have received from Queen's uncle, the Earl of Rochester, you.' After this, the Queen kept my died suddenly of apoplexy, and was accounts almost a fortnight by her, in succeeded as president of the council which time I don't doubt but they were by the Duke of Buckingham. Roches 904 ANNE, ter believed Anne had no right to the in favour of the Chevalier de St. George, throne, and he joined her ministry in whom he called her brother; that her the hope of inducing her to secure the Majesty seemed not displeased with the succession to her disinherited brother, discourse; and that before he left Engthe Pretender, with whom she cor- land, he obtained, by means of Mrs. menced a correspondence, under his Masham, a verbal promise, that private auspices. After the demise of Roches- instructions should be sent to the British ter, Buckingham assisted Anne to carry plenipotentiaries, not to insist on the on this correspondence; but as the Pre- French king's giving up the interest of tender firmly refused to renounce the the chevalier entirely. Moreover, a church of Rome for that of England, letter from a good hand in Paris, dated his exclusion from the throne of Great the nineteenth of November (N. S.), im. Britain was inevitable. It was in the ported,'That upon Mesnager's return summer of this year that the visible thither, he was very sanguine, and break in the constitution of the Queen affected publicly to affirm, that the commenced. A fear lest the Marlbo- peace was as good as concluded; and rough faction should obtain the majo- that, in particular, he laid great emrity in parliament, depressed her spirits, phasis on the advantages granted in and produced hysterical fits; to rally favour of the Prince of Wales; which to her health, she, about the commence- some people appeared very unlikely, espement of July, took up her abode at cially when they compared the weight Windsor, and, although sufficiently re- of such an affair with the abilities of stored by the bracing air to frequently Monsieur Mesnager, whe was never acenjoy the pleasures of the chase, in the counted a great genius.'" meridian heat of summer,-albeit she The peace proposals greatly agitated hunted in a one-horse chaise, which she the opposing factions. The violent Todrove herself, "furious as Jehu, e- re-ries and Jacobites rose in formidable marks Swift, "and gaily as the mighty opposition to Harley and his partizans. blunter Nimrod "-about the middle of Her Majesty, in alarm, invited Lord August she was laid up with the gout, Somers to confidential audiences, which which confined her to her bed-chamber frightened her ministry into a belief, for a month, that the Whigs were winning back the Meanwhile, the Queen's first efforts royal confidence, through the agency of to establish peace were revealed sooner the Duchess of Somerset. To preserve than her Majesty or her ministers de- their popularity, at the expense of their sired. Prior, the poet, who had been opponents, the struggling faction filled secretly dispatched to France to pro- the newspapers and periodicals with pose a pacification, was, on his return, political squibs and lampoons; and the seized by the Whig spy Mackey, who excitement was greatly increased, by the held an appointment in the customs, on caption of the effigies of the devil, the a frivolous charge, and detained pri- pope, the pretender, and several carsoner till his mission became public. dinals, jesuits, and friars, which had Prior's return was speedily followed by been prepared by the Whigs, to be conthe arrival of M. Mesnager and the signed to the flames, with due solemAbbe Dubois, as secret envoys from the nity, by the London rabble, on the sevencourt of France, and on the twenty- teenth of November, the anniversary of seventh of September (O.S.), Anne Queen Elizabeth's inauguration. consented to enter into preliminaries of On the seventh of December Anne peace with France. Mesnager was re- opened parliament in person, and in ceived with distinguished honour by her speech remarked, "I can now tell the Queen, who was then at Windsor; you, that notwithstanding the arts of he held several strictly private confer- those who delight in war, both place ences with her, and, says Boyer, " it and time are appointed for opening the was confidently reported, that, encou- treaty of a general peace. My chief raged by Mr. St. John, he spoke to her concern is that the Protestant reli. FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 905 gion, and the laws and liberties of the moval of the Duchess of Somerset from kingdom may be continued to you, by the royal household, Anne succumbed securing the accession to the crown, as it to the wish of her cabinet, and on the is limited by parliament, to the house of twenty-eighth of December, 1711, twelve Hanover." This royal orationoccasioned new Tory peers were created (three much warm discussion. The people, peers' sons, and nine commoners), one heartily tired of the war, were anxious of whom, Mr. Masham, the husband of for peace, so also were the Commons; the Queen's favourite, was on this ocbut a majority of the Lords were against casion raised to the peerage, by the it, which so alarmed the ministry, that desire of the ministry, and in opposition to turn the balance in their favour, to the will of Anne. they proposed the creation of twelve Meanwhile, the Queen and her minisnew peers, a measure at first so strenu- ters resolved on the dismission of Marlously opposed by the Queen and the borough. The great warrior returned Duchess of Somerset, that a cry ran from his annual campaign in November, through the Harley faction that her and after futile efforts to win back the Majesty was playing false to them. esteem and confidence of his sovereign This, however, was an error; Anne's and his countrymen, was formally dlsvery natural purport being simply to missed by the Queen from all his apendeavour, by entreaty and persuasion, pointments, on the last day of the year to procure the desired majority, before 1711, and, at the same time, charged by adopting the sweeping proposal of at the commissioners of public accounts one stroke elevating twelve commoners with unjustly appropriating large sums to the peerage. of money by selling commissions in the "Among others," says Bishop Bur- army, and by extorting vast bribes and net, "the Queen spoke to myself; she fees from the contractors for the food said, she hoped bishops would not be and clothing of his soldiers. Swift, against peace; I said, a good peace was in a lampoon published at this pewhat we prayed daily for, but the pre- riod, thus addressed the fallen comliminaries offered by France gave no mander: hopes of such an one; and the trusting o i, to the King of France's faith, after all So rich thy breach of trust is, that had passed, would seem a strange That longer with thee to dispense, thing. She said, we were not to re- Were want of power, or want of sense. gard the preliminaries; we should have Here, owze-do him justice." a peace upon such a bottom, that we The dismissal of Marlborough was should not at all rely on the King of followed by many other changes. His France's word; but we ought to sus- two daughters, the Countess of Sunderpend our opinions, till she acquainted land and the Lady Raitton, relinquished us with the whole matter. I asked their appointments in the royal bedleave to speak my mind plainly; which chamber; the Duke of Ormond was apshe granted: I said, any treaty, by pointed to his office of commander of which Spain and the West Indies were the forces, and commissioned only to left to King Philip, must in a little preserve an armed neutrality, till the while deliver up all Europe into the peace negotiations were settled; Earl hands of France; and, if any such peace Rivers was made master of the ordnance; should be made, she was betrayed, and the Dukes of Northumberland and Beauwe were all ruined; in less than three fort were respectively appointed to the years' time she would be murdered, and captainships of the royal regiments of the fires would be again raised in Smith- horse-guards and of the band of penfield; I pursued this long, till I saw she sioners; the lieutenancy of the Tower grew uneasy; so I withdrew." was transferred from Geneial Cadogan After many private audiences with her to Brigadier Hill; the Duke of Somernobles, and much wrangling with her set was deprived of his appointment of ministry, who vainly desired the re- master of the horse; and, in fact, the 906 ANNE, remnant of the Marlborough ministry and cruelties of these Mohocks, to burn was finally dismissed. the capital, to seize the person of the Whilst these changes were in pro- Queen, to murder Oxford and his asso. gress, the Queen was compelled to give ciates, and to place the Elector of Haaudience to an unwelcomed visitor. On nover on the throne. Coxe pronounces the sixth of January, 1712, Prince this not a real, but a supposed conEugene arrived in London, charged spiracy, invented by the Jesuit and with proposals from the new emperor, Jacobite spy Plunket; but however this Charles VI., to Anne, which were cal- may be, the startling tale certainly culated to disconcert the schemes of the alarmed the Queen, aggravated her disministry, and turn the tide of public pleasure against Marlborough, and inopinion in favour of the Marlboroughs, creased her anxiety for the departure of the Whigs, and the war. On the even- Eugene, and the conclusion of peace. ing of the following day, her Majesty, On the seventeenth of March, Eugene, greatly against her will, admitted Eu- after having a farewell audience of her gene to an audience, and after slightly Majesty, quitted England and returned glancing over his papers, remarked, " I to Holland, to deplore the failure of his am sorry that the state of my health does efforts to incite the British Queen and not permit me to speak with your high- her people to again place their conness as often as I wish; but," she fidence in the Marlboroughs, the Whigs, added (pointing to the treasurer, Har- and the war party. ley, and secretary, St. John, who alone The death of Anne's half-sister, the were present), " I have ordered these Princess Louisa Stuart, at St. Gertwo gentlemen to receive your proposals mains, in April, made a deep and whenever you think proper." mournful impression on her Majesty, Shortly afterwards, her Majesty was and on the nation at large. Had the laid up, with what was said to be a Pretender died, and the Princess been political fit of the gout; she, however, spared, it was remarked, an end might recovered in time to keep the anniver- have been put to all disputes concerning sary of her birth-day (sixth of February) the succession, by the Queen marrying with extraordinary pomp and splendour; her to a Prince of Hanover. It was and although the Marlborough and also about this time that the following Whig ladies did their best to mar the facetious incident occurred. An Irish pleasurcs of the day, by absenting them- priest refused to take the oath of abjuselves from the dazzling scene, and ration, and when summoned before the seating themselves in their morning magistrates for non-compliance, asked, wrappers at a window in St. James's "Would it not be better to settle all palace, within sight of the whole court; this hubbub, by marrying our gracious their malice failed of its purpose, and Queen to the Pretender?" " Why, the ardour and brilliancy of the scene man," exclaimed the bench, with conwas equally remarkable and satisfactory sternation, " he is her brother!" " Then to all present. Prince Eugene, in a if so, your worships, why the divil am "fine suit made up for the occasion," I to be sworn to abjure him?" dewas present at this remarkable birth- manded the priest, with a grin of triday drawing-room, and the Queen pre- umph. The magistrates answered not; sented him with a sword richly set with and the priest on finding that he could diamonds, to the value of ~4500. gain nothing by farther opposition, upAccording to some authorities, Eu- braided the bench, for not admitting gene, when he found that the Queen the justness of his reasoning, and with and her ministers turned their back on an air of supreme contempt took the his project for continuing the war, ad- required oath. vised Marlborough to suborn the mis- The Duchess of Marlborough, ever creants denominated Mohocks to scour since her final dismission from the royal the streets at night, and in the midst household, had ceaselessly tormented the of the terrors incited by the excesses Queen with threats of publishing the POURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 907 whole of her letters to her. Harley, now were to be well accoutred in horses and Lord Oxford, at length, hit upon a arms, and offer themselvesas guard to his plan which effectually checked the arro- person, by which precautions, and the gance of the overbearing, discarded conjunction of their friends in London, favourite. Hie procured from Mary they intended that the Prince should Beatrice the treasonable letters which pay his respects to the Queen with no Marlborough had written to James II., less than forty or fifty thousand armed at St. Germains, in 1694, betraying to men, the consequence whereof it was the French the armament dispatched to very easy to imagine." The cause of invest Brest. These letters he privately the Jacobites, however, received a fatal showed to Marlborough, who, to secure blow, when, on Sunday, the fifteenth of his head, quitted England without de- November, 1712, their powerful partilay. Just previously, Marlborough's zan, the Duke of Hamilton, was unfriend, Godolphin, died, and the dis- fairly slain in a duel with the profligate graced warrior paraded this gloomy Lord Mohun. At this very time, Haevent, coupled with what lie pleased to milton was deeply engaged with the designate the ingratitude of his country, Queen in a scheme for the restoration of as the ostensible cause of his departure. the Pretender; and when Anne heard of Her Majesty, when informed that he his death, or, as some writers have it, lad embarked, remarked, " he had murder, she, with tears of sorrow, told acted wisely in going abroad." Shortly Mrs. Masham, " that now there was no afterwards, the Duchess of Marlborough, hope of her brother succeeding to her whlo had tarried in England to arrange crown, for she could not trust the delisome private matters, and, if possi- cate arragement to any other nobleman, ble, further to aggravate the Queen, pro- for fear of treachery." ceeded to ler husband. But Anne, At the commencement of 1713, Anne although free from her presence, con- beheld with infinite satisfaction the tinned to be annoyed by her threats to establishment of the long-desired peace, publish their correspondence, threats on what she believed to be an equitable which she dared not, because she could and firm basis. The treaty of Utrecht not perform, at least, whilst the Queen was signed by the plenipotentiaries on lived, without compromising herself and the thirtieth of March, 1713. On the the Whigs, who were the only friends third of April it was brought to Whiteshe could depend upon in England. hall, was ratified four days afterwards, At this period several of Anne's minis- and on the ninth her Majesty opened ters, and many of her household and parliament, and in her speech announced of her friends, were anxious that she the important fact to the assembled should make her brother, " the Preten- Lords and Commons. By the treaty of der," her successor; she herself secretly Utrecht, Louis XIV. recognised for entertained the same wish, and a revival himself and his successors, the Protesof the proposition, that Prince George tant line of Hanover, and engaged that of Hanover should settle in England, the Pretender should no longer remain increased her abhorrence of the Crown in France; but what was to be done Prince, a circumstance by no means with Anne's unfortunate brother was a surprising. "For," remarks Lockhart, difficulty equally perplexing to the " when it was first proposed to bring English and the French sovereigns, who, the Elector of Hanover to England, the after much negotiation, arranged that Whigs dispatched numbers of their for the present he should reside within emissaries to engage all their friends in the dominions of the Duke of Lorraine. the neighbouring counties to be in rea- At this peace France ceded Newfounddiness to show their respect to the first land to England; and it is worthy of Prince of the royal blood, when he remark, that of all the European conarrived in Britain, by meeting and at- quests in the reign of Anne, England tending him to London; and they retains at the present day but Gibralsecured a number of reduced officers, who tar, which was taken from Spain by Sir 908 ANNE, George Rooke, in July, 1704, and is now removal of the Pretender from Lorraine. deemed impregnable. Her Majesty answered: In the spring of this year, her Majesty "I take kindly your address, and conferred the deanery of St. Patrick's, your thanks for what I have done to Dublin, on Dr. Swift. This celebrated establish the Protestant succession. I wit first earned eminence as a political shall repeat my instances to have that writer, by extolling the Whigs; but as person removed; and I promise myself they neglected him, he turned from you will concur with me, that if we them in disgust. In 1710, he was com- could cure our animosities and divimissioned by the primate of Ireland, to sions at home, it would be the most solicit the Queen to exonerate the clergy effectual method to secure the Protesof Ireland from paying the twentieth tant succession." parts and first-fruits, which occasioned Dissatisfied with this reply, the Lords his introduction to Mr. Harley and the voted a second address, in which, "a:fTories, who received him with open ter returning thanks for the reply of the arms, and to whom he, from that time, Queen to the preceding address, they became a fast friend and steady adhe- expressed their surprise that her inrent. He contributed by his pen, in a stances had not been effectual, and congreat degree, to the downfall of the eluded with assurances of supporting Whig ninistry, and supported in the her Majesty in a demand so necessary same manner the measures of the four for her own honour and safety, and for last years of Queen Anne. In 1712, the the present and future peace and quiet ministry endeavoured to procure his of her people. elevation to the see of Hereford; but " The Queen, giving no answer to the deistical tendency of his polemic this second address, on the first of July, writings, and the lack of truth and General Stanhope made a similar momoral principle in his political and mis- tion in the House of Commons, in still cellaneous works, so horrified the Queen, stronger terms, designating the Pretenthat she refused to make him a bishop; der as the person who, in defiance of and yet, singular to relate, a brief while her Majesty's most undoubted title to afterwards she willingly inducted him the crown, and the settlement to the into the deanery of St. Patrick. illustrious house of Hanover, had asMeanwhile, the Queen's health gra- sumed the title of King of these realms. dually declined, she grew every day To this address the Queen briefly remore unwieldy, " and," remarks Swift, plied, that she thanked them for it, and "the gout and other disorders so in- would give directions according as they creased on her, that those at court might desired. have fixed the period of her life, with- "On the seventh of July, the public out pretending to prophecy." She took thanksgiving for the peace was celeno exercise, ate and drank to excess, brated at St. Paul's, attended with the was harassed in mind by the political usual state, except the presence of her feuds in her cabinet and household, and, Majesty, who, from indisposition, could what further hastened her demise, was not assist at the solemnity. On the sixone day prompted by her conscience to teenth of July, the Queen prorogued name the Pretender her successor, and the parliament in person, to the eighth the next day driven by her fears to of August, and it was on that day disproscribe him for the heir of Hanover. solved. n fact, on this point she remained from On the twenty-third of December her the period of which we are writing, till Majestygaveorders tlat the dower, which her dissolution, in a state of agonising during her reign had been withheld from indecision. In June, the House of ler step-mother, the Queen-dowager, Lords suspecting the Queen's partiality Maria Beatrix, should forthwith be paid; to her unfortunate brother, voted an and immediately after doing this tardy act address, requesting her to procure the of justice to the widow of James II., she FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 909 was seized with an inflammatory fever hours' continuance, there was a perfect which threatened to put a period to her remission, but no intermission, I made existence. The particulars of this illness a prognostic, that, unless the feverish are fully detailed by Dr. Shadwell, one matter were separated and thrown off of the Queen's physicians, in a letter to into a smart fit of the gout, a worse the Duke of Shrewsbury: symptom might happen; as its falling "On Wednesday, the twenty-third of into the leg, and fixing into an erysipDecember, her Majesty was very uneasy elous tumour. This opinion was justiall night with the gout in her foot. The fied by a severe fit of the gout that came next morning it went entirely off, and upon her Majesty a few days after, carshe said she was well. But, about one ried off the great danger, and gave some o'clock that day, she complained of a hopes of her entire recovery." pain in the upper part of her leg, and Whilst Anne lay in this alarming was seized with a violent shivering, condition, it was reported, and very gewhich lasted above twohours. Extreme nerally believed, that she was dead; heat followed, with intense thirst, great and both the Jacobites and the Whigs anxiety, restlessness, and inquietude. had the imprudence to express unThe pulse was full, hard, and quick; bounded joy at the event; the one in which continuing, the next day I very the hope of the restoration of the Premuch pressed bleeding, urging, it would tender, the other in anticipation of the probably carry off a good part of the accession of the house of Hanover; confever, and bring a fit of the gout; but duct which filled the Queen with alarm, it was not agreed to; and these symp- and impressed her with a belief, that, in toms continuing till Saturday morning, the event of either her brother or the when her Majesty fell asleep, waked re- Hanoverian heir landing in England, freshed, and on Sunday morning there her deposition, and perhaps decapitation, was a perfect intermission of the symp- would take place. toms; but the pulse, in my opinion, On the sixteenth of February, 1714, was not quiet. The next night, about the Queen being sufficiently recovered, twelve, she was attacked with an ex- returned from Windsor to Hampton acerbation of the fever, which lasted all Court, and the next day to St. James's; the Monday till midnight. Most of the but, on account of her indisposition, the Queen's physicians, judging her distem- new parliament was opened by commisper to be an ague, proposed and pressed sion on the eighteenth of February. On the giving her the Jesuits' bark; but the second of March, her Majesty was though I warmly opposed this, yet the carried in a sedan to the House of Peers, physician who watched that night gave and announced to the assembled Lords it, saying,'he found the pulse calm.' and Commons, that the treaty of peace No exacerbation appeared after this: between Great Britain and Spain had but, nevertheless, I declared I did not been ratified. She also observed, that like the pulse. That there was no per- designing men had maliciously insinuated feet intermission of the fever; but that that the Protestant succession in the the pulse was at work, to separate the HIouse of Hanover was in danger under morbific matter into the gout, or some her government; but that those who worse shape. The pains of the leg in- endeavoured to distract the minds of creasing, till three or four doses of the men with imaginary dangers, can only bark were given, I laid a stress upon mean to disturb the public tranquillity having that part examined; but the for no other purpose but that of bringing other physicians called it a fit of the real mischief upon us. She said, after gout. I answered, it could not properly all she had done to secure the religion be called so in the muscles; and being and liberties of the people, she could not of opinion that this was an inflammatory mention such proceedings without some fever from the translation of the gout, degree of warmth, and she hoped her and not a common ague, or intermitting parliament would agree with her, that fever; and finding that, after thirty-nine attempts to weaken her authority, or to 0 910 ANNE, render the possession of the crown un- should be done that may disturb the re. easy to her, could never be proper means pose of me or my subjects. to strengthen the Protestant succession. " Open yourself to me with the same Affectionate addresses of thanks were freedom I do to you, and propose whatvoted without opposition by the Lords ever you think may contribute to the and the Commons; but as both the houses security of the succession; I will come were divided into numerous opposing into it with zeal, provided that it do not factions, who each voted as suited their derogate from my dignity, which I am own particular interest or view, their resolved to maintain. t am, with a proceedings were singularly clashing and great deal of affection, &c." contradictory. At one time they voted the Protestant succession not to be in The Queen, at the same time, wrote danger; at another its perilous state as follows to the grandson of the elecwas proved by the repeated motions for tress, the Duke of Cambridge, afterthe removal of the Pretender from Lor- wards George II. raine. This proceeding, and a renewal of the proposition for the residence of "St. James's, May 19, 1714. the Electoral Prince in England, terri- " COUSIN, fied the Queen into addressing the sub- "An accident, which has happened joined remonstrance to her aged kins- in my Lord Paget's family, having binwoman, the Princess Sophia, Dowager dered him from setting forward so soon Electress of Brunswick. as he thought to have done, I cannot deter any longer letting you know my "St. James's, May 19,1714. thoughts with respect to the design you " MADAM, SISTER, AUNT, have of coming into my kingdoms. As "Since the right of succession to the opening of this matter ought to my kingdom has been declared to belong have been first to me, so I expected you to you and your family, there have al- would not have given ear to it without ways been disaffected persons, who, by knowing my thoughts about it. Howparticular views of their own interest, ever, this is what I owe to my own dighave entered into measures to fix a nity, the friendship I have for you and prince of your blood in my dominions, the electoral house to which you belong, even whilst I am yet living. I never and the true desire I have that it may thought, till now, that this project succeed to my kingdoms. And this rewould have gone so far, as to have made quires of me, that I should tell you, the least impression on your mind. But, that nothing can be more dangerous to as I have lately perceived by public ru- the tranquillity of my dominions, and mours, which are industriously spread, the right of succession in your line, and that your electoral highness is come into consequently more disagreeable to me, this sentiment, it is of importance, with than such a proceeding at this juncture. respect to the succession of your family, " I am, that I should tell you such a proceeding "With a great deal of friendship, will infallibly draw along with it some " Your very affectionate cousin, consequences that will be dangerous to "ANNE RI." that succession itself, which is not secure any other ways, than as the prince, A few weeks after dispatching these who actuallywears the crown, maintains remonstrances to her kindred of Hanoher authority and prerogative. There ver, Anne startled her ministers, and are here (such is our misfortune) a disappointed the hopes of the Jacobites, great many people seditiously disposed. by, of her own self, and without preSo I leave you to judge what tumults viously consulting a soul, commanding they may be able to raise, if they should a proclamation to be issued, offering a have a pretext to begin a commotion. reward of ~.5000 for the apprehension I persuade myself, therefore, you will of the Pretender, dead or alive, should never consent that the least thing he land in Great Britain or Ireland. FOURTI QUEEN REGNANT. 911 This proclamation was issued on the disappointment of the honest people twenty-third of June, and the Commons [the Jacobites] concerning the words voted a further reward of ~100,000 for changed in the address for the proclathe same important service. The pro- mation, if the Prince of Wales landed; scription of the exiled Stuart, by the and, by a letter I had lately, I am yet evident desire of his own sister, over- more confirmed that I was in the right. joyed the Hanoverian partizans; but For it appears to me, that the great their triumph was cut short by another struggle the ministers made to have that amazing change in the conduct of the matter left to her Majesty's own time, Queen. That staunch and powerful and then the Queen answering that she Jacobite, the Earl of Marr, was, on his did not think it necessary, must needs marriage, presented to Anne, and she help to convince men, that can yet be not only received him graciously, but in doubt of the mysterious designs, which afterwards made him one of her min- is certainly the chief thing; for when isters. Thus it was, that the hopes and the prince does really land, whatever the fears of the great opposing parties, the proclamations are of either side, those Hanoverians and the Jacobites, were that conquer will do as they please; and, alternately raised and depressed by the therefore, I think the first thing is, to vacillations of her Majesty, whose real make people see their danger all the purpose was to preventither the Crown ways that can be imagined." Prince or the Pretender from visiting Meanwhile, the Queen's health reEngland during her life-time, and, mained precarious; she was continually if possible, to leave her crown to her ex- being confined to her bed-chamber with iled brother. How powerful the Ja- the gout and other maladies; and so cobites were at this period, and what a completely had she relinquished all exprobability there was of their cause ercise or bodily exertion, that to save succeeding, may be gleaned from the the trouble of walking up and down subjoined words, addressed at the time stairs, she was raised and lowered in a of which we are writing, by their chair, by means of ropes and pulleys, avowed enemy, the Duchess of Marlbo- after the fashion adopted by her bloated rough, to Mrs. Clayton. predecessor, Henry VIII., in his de"I have it from too good hands, that clining days. Nevertheless, she conas soon as the emperor can be forced tinned to frequently witness, from her into a peace, the Prince of Wales is to private box, the discussions in parliacome into England; and'tis said in ment. This she did, with a view to France that the Queen will consent to preserve something like order amongst it. Perhaps she is not yet acquainted her combative senators, who this session with that part of it. But, however, terrified her by railing for and against when the things are prepared for it, the Hanoverian and the Stuart saccesthere can be no great difficulty in that, sion, with all the extreme malice of ennor no great matter whether the Queen venomed party hatred. likes it or not. Perhaps the King of On the seventh of July, and in the France may be strong enough to place midst of these political feuds, her Mahim upon the throne without the consent jesty went in state to the House of of England; but if they take another Lords, and prorogued parliament to the way to do it, by parliament, to be sure tenth of August. In her speech-the there will be acts passed to quiet people, last she ever made to parliament-she, and to assure them that all things shall after the usual thanks for the supplies, remain as they are; and is it more ridi- concluded, in a tone which betrayed her culous to believe we shall be safe under deep displeasure at the intended resithe power of the King of France, and a dence of the electoral prince in England, Roman Catholic prince to govern under "My chief concern is, to preserve to him, than what the majority of England you and to your posterity our holy relihave already done? gion, and the liberty of my subjects, and to " I was never much concerned for the secure the present and future tranquillity 912 ANNE, of my kingdoms. But I must tell you evening, when I came to court, she was plainly, that these desirable ends can at cards, but was so full of these letters, never be obtained, unless you bring the that she got up and ordered me to folsame dispositions on your parts; unless low herinto the garden, where she gave all groundless jealousies, which create them to me to read, and walked, and and foment divisions amongst you, be spoke a great deal in relation to them. laid aside; and unless you show the I believe she walked three hours that same regard for my prerogative, and for night. The next morning she was out the honour of my government, as I have of order; but, in the morning of Frialways expressed for the rights of my day, she told me she was very well, but people." seemed very chagrined. She was dressed, At this period, Baron Bothmar, envoy and dined with the elector as usual. extraordinary from the Elector of Han- About four she sent me to town, for over, arrived in England with the sad some letters, and then she was still pernews of the sudden death of the Elec- fectly well. She worked and talked tress Sophia. The intelligence created very heartily in the Orangerie. After a great sensation, and Anne and her that, and about six, she went out to court assumed the garb of mourning, walk in the gardens, and was still very and the name of the Elector was sub- well. A shower of rain came, and as stituted for that of his mother, Sophia, she was walking pretty fast, to get to in the liturgy of the church of England, shelter, they told her she walked a little as heir to the throne. The circumstances too fast. She answered,'I believe I of Sophia's death are thus detailed in a do,' and dropped down in saying those letter from Mr. Molyneux to the Duke words, which were her last. They raised of Marlborough: her up, chafed her with spirits, tried to bleed her; but it was all in vain, and " Hanover, June, 1714. when I came up to her, she was as dead "Not an hour after post, I went to as if she had been four days so. No Hernhausen, the country-house of the princess ever died more regretted, and court, and there the first thing I heard I infinitely pity those servants who have was, that the good old electress was just known her a long time, when I, that dying in one of the public walks. I ran have had the honour to be known to her up there, and found her just expiring in but a month, can scarce refrain from the arms of the poor electoral princess, tears in relating this." and amidst the tears of a great many of her servants, who endeavoured in vain Shortly after the rising of parliament, to help her. I can give you no account of the ministerial discord burst into an her illness, but that I believe the chagrin open rupture. The lord-treasurer, Harof those villanous letters * I sent you last ley, Earl of Oxford, who corresponded post, has been in a great measure the at the same time with the dethroned cause of it. The Rheingravine, who family and with the house of Hanover, has been with her these fifteen years, had offended the Queen and Mrs. Mahas told me she never knew any thing sham, by clandestinely thwarting their make so deep an impression on her as efforts for the restoration of the Prethe affair of the prince's journey, which tender. Oxford was considered as the I am sure she had to the last degree at prime minister, and enjoying the sole heart; and she has done me the lionour confidence of the Queen; but the secreto tell me so twenty times. In the tary of state, St. John, Lord Bolingmidst of this concern, those letters ar- broke, by superior tact and address, and rived, and those I verily believe have by a steady adherence to the Jacobite broke her heart, and brought her with cause, speedily won from him the royal sorrow to the grave. The letters were confidence, and a violent party feud endelivered on Wednedlay at noon. That sued between Oxford and Bolingbroke, * Anne's previously quoted letters, dated and their adherents. Early in July, May nineteenth, 1714. Mrs. Masham told Oxford that her Ma FOURTH QUEEIN G I.NANT. 913 cesty wished him to resign; but, as lie carried to her bed, more dead than aliverefused to do so, the Queen, after corn- The physicians pronounced that the plaining to the council that he often agitation of her mind had suddenly entered her presence drunk, and other- checked the imposthume on her leg, and wise misbehaved himself, told them, caused her constitutional gout to fly to "she was resolved to take the white staff her brain; and believing she suffered out of his hands." Accordingly, on the from apoplexy, they immediately bled morning of the twenty-seventh of July, her. This restored her to consciousness; she, by letter, requested his resignation; but about nine in the evening she sunk he had an interview with her the same into a lethargy, and for more than an morning; in the afternoon made his hour continued speechless and motionarrangements, and in the evening, after, less. It was judged that she was dying, in her presence, violently quarrelling and about two in the morning of the with Bolingbroke and Mrs. Masham, 30th of July she was cupped, which and telling them that they had rogued somewhat relieved her; still she enjoyed him, but he would be revenged, and no sound sleep, and continuously murleave some people as low as he found mured, " Oh, my brother! my poor them, formally surrendered the white brother! Alas, alas! I have wronged staff into her hands. The same even- him! Oh! what will become of my ing a cabinet council was held, when it poor brother?" was agreed that the treasury should be At half-past eight she suffered a severe put in commission, at the head of which relapse, combined with unllistakeable was to be placed Sir William Wyndham, symptoms of indigestion, when it was who had just been made chancellor of deemed advisable to make her danger the exchequer; but on account of the public, and her physicians, Drs. Arbuthviolent dissensions between the Jacobite not, Hamilton, Shadwell, Mead, Hans members of the council and those who Sloane, and Lawrence, advised that she took part with Oxford, the other four should lose ten ounces of blood from members of the commission could not be the arm; which proving but a transient determined on, and at two in the morn- relief, she at ten the same morning was ing the stormy scene was brought to an seized with excruciating pains in the abrupt termination, by her Majesty head, which deprived her of reason, and sinking to the floor in a swoon. She induced her attendants to again believe was immediately carried to bed, where that she was dying; indeed, Dr. Mead, the night through she did nothing but who, be it observed, was a staunch Whig, weep and bewail the feuds in her coun- predicted that she "could not last more cil, which she said had so upset her than another hour." The Duchess of that she should never survive it. The Ormond, one of the ladies of the bedcouncil again met the next day (Wed- chamber then in waiting, instantly disnesday), and was again abruptly termi- patched this intelligence to her husband, nated by the serious illness of the Queen. who was then with the council, assembled Anne again passed a restless night, and at the Cockpit. the next day Mrs. Danvers, on entering The news was swiftly spread abroad. her chamber, was surprised to find her- The privy council immediately repaired instead of, as she had expected, in bed- to Kensington, and there resumed their standing before the clock, intently gazing sitting. In dle midst of their discusat it. sions, the Whig Dukes of Argyle and "Does your Majesty see anything Somerset suddenly entered the councilextraordinary in the clock?" demanded chamber, and declared they had come to the lady of the bed-chamber. offer their assistance in the present The Queen made no reply, but turn- crisis. In the pause of surprise that ing her head, cast her eyes on the at- ensued, the Duke of Shrewsbury rose and tendant with an horrific, death-like stare. thanked them for their kind offer. SoLady Danvers' shrieks of alarm brought mers and other Whig lords repaired to instant assistance, and her Majesty was Kensington the same afternoon; Boling. 3N 014 ANN, A broke and his partizans were terrified than I believed to be in York, vast ace into silence; and from that moment the clamations, and the appearance of a Whigs carried all their own way. general satisfaction; the Pretender afterWhen a deputation of the council wards dragged about the streets, and waited upon her Majesty, and recom- burned; ringing of bells, bonfires, and mended the Duke of Shrewsbury to fill illuminations, the mob crying,' Liberty the post of lord-treasurer, she, with a and property!' and'Long live King faint, faltering voice, answered, "I ap- George!'" prove of the choice;" and placing the The remains of Queen Anne laid in white staff in the Duke's hands, bade state at Kensington Palace till the him use it for the good of her people. twenty-first of August, when they were Shortly afterwards, she relapsed into removed to the Prince's-chamber, and on a delirious agony, in which she con- the night of Tuesday, the twenty-fourth, tinuously cried out, " Oh! my brother, interred by torch-light in Westminster my poor brother; oh! save my bro- Abbey, with great solemnity. "There ther;" in fact, the wrongs she had done had been a new vault made on the south her brotherweighed heavy on her heart, side, and towards the east end of Henry and added the pangs of agonizing com- the Seventh's chapel," observes a conpunction to the anguish of death. "Oh! temporary, "in which lie the bodies of my poor brother-save my brother!" she Charles the Second, of William the unceasingly reiterated, till every sense Third, of Mary and Prince George of failed, and her pulse ceased to beat; then Denmark; and here, also, were depoit was that her physicians unanimously sited the remains of the good Queen pronounced.her case hopeless, and those Anne, the last of the Stuart sovereigns; of the council who were in her bed- and there being no more room left, the chamber withdrew, and left Robinson, vault was closed up with brick-work." Bishop of London, to pray by her side. No monument nor tablet marks the But, alas! the precious moments had burial-place of Queen Anne; but her been allowed to slip by; the slowly-dying wax effigy, carried at her funeral, is still Queen had lost all consciousness, and preserved in Westminster Abbey; and the loud, long, and earnest prayers of her statue, sculptured by Bird, and the bishop, fell dead upon her ever-pal- erected in the west area of St. Paul's sied ears. Cathedral, facing Ludgate Hill, in the At one in the noon, and six in the autumn of 1708, is still in good preevening of Saturday, she slightly ral- servation. lied, but each time only for a short Queen Anne made a will, but death while; and after lingering the night seized her before she signed it, "which," through in a death-like lethargy, she remarks Swift, "was a matter of little ceased to breathe at seven in the morn- moment, as the time had long gone by ing of Sunday, the first of August, 1714, for particular regard to be paid to the in the fiftieth year of her age, and the wills of sovereigns." Partial party histhirteenth of her reign. torians have painted the character of Meanwhile, the council had taken all Queen Anne in very opposite colours. the needful measures to secure the Ha- Some of the Tory writers have lauded noverian succession, and the death of her as the best, the most virtuous of Queen Anne was followed by the imme- women, and the greatest of England's diate proclamation of the Elector of sovereigns; whilst those who devoted Hanover, by the title of George the their pen'to the Whig and the HanoveFirst. Lady Mary Wortley Montague rian cause, have, with equal injustice, atthus describes this ceremony, as it was tributed to her almost every conceivable performed at York: "I went this day vice, and scarcely allowed to her a reto see the King proclaimed, which done, deeming virtue. The truth is, her conthe archbishop walking next the lord- duct, whilst Princess, towards her father, mayor, and all the country gentlemen her step-mother, and her brother, was following, with greater crowds of people base in the extreme; but as a wife, she FOURTH QUEEN REGNANT. 91. was all that could be desired. Her regnal facetiously styled, "the national poorcareer was decidedly successful; and with box;" and so laudable, that whether advancing years her affections warmed, under the influence of Whig or Tory, and she became upright in intention, she could boast of a boundless and irresincere in friendship, so mild and mer- sistible popularity; in fact, the people ciful, that throughout her reign, no sincerely loved her, and never spoke of subject's blood was shed for treason, her but as THE GOOD QUEEN ANNE, and, through her intercession, many un- an epithet by which they fondly rememfortunates were saved from the scaffold; bered her throughout the two subsequent so charitable, that her privy purse was reigns. CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG ANSPACH, d rtU uf erurgr tite truii. CHAPTER I. Caroline's birth-Parentage-Education-Talents and accomplishments-Marriage to George Augustus, afterwards King of England-Birth of her son, _Frederick, and of the Princesses, Anne, Amelia, and Caroline-Her father-in-law ascends the throne of Great Britain as George 1.-George Augustus created Prince of WalesCaroline comes to England-The coronation —The City of London entertainment Party contention-Birth of a dead son-Birth and death of Prince GeorgeQuarrel between the Prince and the King-Caroline and her husband retire from St. James's-Their court at Richmond-Thtey and their friends are forbidden the court —Mrs. Clayton and Mrs. Howard-Caroline's ifluence over her husbandBirth of the Dutke of Cumberland-Inoculation of the Princesses Amelia and Caroline-Birth of the Princesses lMary and Louisa. AROLINE WIL- contemporary, after observing that the HELMINA DO- young Caroline was carefully educated ROTH EA, of under the immediate superintendence Brandenburg Ans- of the judicious, well-disposed Sophia pach, the first of Charlotte, consort of Frederick I. of those German prin- Prussia, observes, She grew up a princesses who, for more cess of extraordinary parts and accomthan a century, plishments; she had a ready and quick shared the throne of England with apprehension; a livelyandstrongimagithe illustrious House of Hanover,,was nation, with a large compass of thought. born on the twenty-third of September, She excelled in conversational powers; 1683. When but a young child, she was by nature vivacious, mirthful, and had the misfortune to lose her father, humourous; and beingskilled in several John Frederick, Margrave of Branden- languages, invariably expressed her burg Anspach; and shortly afterwards, ideas in words and sentences the most on the marriage of her mother, Eleanor apt, forcible, graceful, and elegant. She Erdnuth Louisa, daughter of John loved a repartee, was happy in making George, Duke of Sax-Eisenach, she one herself, and hearing it from others; left the court of her step-father for that and, as the talent was rendered inoffenof her guardian, that Elector of Prus- sive by an amiable, cheerful disposition, sia, who, in 1701, raised the duchy, over which may not inaptly be styled one of which he bore sway, to a kingdom, and the ornaments of virtue, she was (withaasumed the crown as Frederick I. A out respect to the dignity of her rank) CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG ANSPACII. 917 the life of every company-the delight which we have seen, in the previous meof every person who had the honour to moir, snatched from her vision by the approach, or be approached by her. hand of death], nor of the stern conHer memory was excellent; her dis- tempt with whiich his father regarded cernment of personal character and the established forms of princely interability, remarkable; and her historical course. On the contrary, he seized and genealogical learning, considerable. every occasion to manifest his respect to She was an excellent judge of books; Queen Anne, and his regard to the nawell skilled in politics and polemics; tion over whom he was destined to reign and although more partial to philosophy as George II.; but he was too confined, and philosophers than to any other pur- both in means and influence, to be an suit or persons, was neither pedantic, object of attention to any of the parties grave, nor vain of her superior gifts and who then were striving to ingratiate acquirements." themselves with the future sovereign." Such was Caroline of Anspach, when, Whilst in Hanover, Caroline of Ansin the bloom of youthful womanhood, pach became the mother of three prinshe, after refusing, on the score of reli- cesses: Anne, Princess of Orange, born gion, the hand of the popish king, October the twenty-second, 1709; AmeCharles II. of Spain, accepted the suit lia Sophia, born May the thirtieth, of, and was married to, the protestant 1711; and Caroline Elizabeth, born George Augustus, Electoral Prince of May the thirty-first, 1713. We have Hanover, and son of George Louis, the seen, in the preceding memoir, that first English sovereign of that august Queen Anne, in her declining days, enhouse. The marriage was celebrated tertained a marked aversion to the elecwith becoming pomp, on the twenty- toral family, which was increased by the second of August, 1704, at Hanover; summon of the electoral prince, as apeer where, on the twentieth of January, of the British realm, to his seat in tho 1706, Caroline gave birth to Prince House of Lords. This summons, how Frederick Louis, afterwards Prince of ever, had scarcely reached 11anover, Wales, and father of George III. Anne when Queen Anne breathed her last, and of York, then Queen of England, by a the elector succeeded to the throne of special ambassador, formally compli- Great Britain and Ireland, by the title mented the electoral prince and princess of George I. The new King, of course, on the birth of their heir, and shortly came to England with all convenient afterwards she invested the former with speed; his son, the electoral prince, acthe order of the garter, and raised him companied him, and a few weeks after to the English peerage, under the title their arrival at Greenwich (August the of Duke of Cambridge. These, and seventeenth), was formally created other marks of distinction, conferred by Prince of Wales. The Princess of the Queen of England upon the illus- Wales-as, from this time, to the accestrious House of Hanover, were re- sion of her husband, Caroline of Anspach ceived by the elector [afterwards George was called-remained at Hanover, till I.] with a coolness bordering on aver- news arrived of the landing in England sion; but the proud old dowager Elec- of her husband and his father. " When," tress Sophia was so charmed by them, remarks Tindal, " on the ninth of Octoand so ambitious to grasp at the honours ber (N. S.), her two eldest daughters, in store for herself or her heirs, that Anne and Amelia, (the youngest, Caroshe declared, if she could only live to line, being left at Hanover on account of have inscribed on her tomb, Sophia, indisposition), were sent forward to jourQueen of Great Britain and Ireland, ney by easy stages to the Hague. Three she would willingly die the moment days afterwards she herself set out, and, afterwards. "But," remarks Coxe, attended by the Countess of Pickenburg, " the electoral prince partook neither of aarived at the Hague on the seventeenth, the eagerness of his grandmother to an- with the two eldest princesses, her ticipate her expected honours [honours daughters. The following morning she 918 CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG ANSPACH, received the compliments of the States throughout most parts of the kingdom General; in the afternoon she and her murmurs of discontent, which were folsuite took a drive in the Voorhout, and lowed by riots, and, in the end, by a in the evening she held a drawing-room, formidable Jacobite rebellion, in which which was thronged by persons of dis- blood was spilt on both sides; the gotinction. The next day she received vernment, however, came off victor, and visits from the French ambassador and after crushing the rebellion, punished other foreign ministers; and, on the the rebels with unsparing severity and twentieth, the Earl of Berkeley, who, cruelty. But with these matters we with Sir John Walter of the green cloth, have not to do, saving so far as they had left the squadron of men-of-war at affected the subject of this memoir, her Helvoet Sluys, with orders for the yachts husband, or progeny. Oxford took part to sail up to Rotterdam, having informed in the Jacobite rising, and the univerher that the wind was favourable, she, sity, in revenge for the impeachment of with her daughters, went on board a the Duke of Ormond, which deprived Dutch yacht, accompanied by the Earls him of his chancellorship, and in defiance of Albemarle and Strafford, the Count of the King, who had put the Prince of and Countess of Harran, the Princes of Wales in nomination for the office, chose Anhault and Hesse, and other persons Ormond's brother, Lord Arran, as their of distinction. At Rotterdam, mother future chancellor. But, as if to counand daughters embarked on board the terbalance this galling rejection from English yacht, Mary, and after a plea- Oxford, "the university of Dublin unansant voyage, they and their suite landed imously elected his Highness, the at Margate, on the eleventh of October Prince, for their chancellor." (O. S.), and the next day proceeded to On the sixteenth of February, 1715, Rochester, where they were met by the the Prince also acted as Regent, by the Prince of Wales, accompanied by the title of Guardian of the Kingdom, and Dukes of Somerset and Argyle; the his Majesty's Lieutenant, during the Earl of Bridgewater, lord chamberlain King's first visit to Hanover, from July, to their royal highnesses; and the 1716, to the subsequent January; and Countesses of Dorset and Berkeley, who Walpole assures us, that in the performhad been named two of the ladies of the ance of those regnal duties, he displayed bed-chamber." On the thirteenth, their a fondness for playing king, which so highnesses, in a coach and six, followed excited the anger and jealousy of his by another coach, in which were their sire, that he was never again entrusted daughters, passed through the city of with the high office. It was during London to St. James's, where they took this visit to Hanover, that the King inup their abode. Caroline and her bus- vested the Prince of Wales's son, band were present at the coronation, Prince Frederick, with the order of the which was solemnized with the usual garter. pomp and ceremony at Westminster, on In the autumn of 1716, the life of the twentieth of October; three days after- Caroline was endangered by a protracted wards, they, with their royal father, the and mis-managed labour, followed by King, were sumptuously entertained in the birth of a dead son. " The good the Guildhall by the Lord Mayor and cor- Princess," writes Bishop Kenneth to poration of London, and, on the twenty- Mr. Blackwell, "had the symptoms of sixth of May, 1715, their beloved little labour on Sunday evening, and it is daughter, Caroline, arrived in London, thought might have been safely delivered and took up her residence with them at of a living son that night, or any time St. James's. before Tuesday morning, if Sir David The pertinacious partiality of the Hamilton or Dr. Chamberlayne, who King for the Whigs, and the greediness attended without, might have been adand censurable harshness of that party mitted to her; but the Hanover mid. now that they commanded a not very wife kept up the aversion of the pringreat majority in parliament, raised cess to have any man about her, and so QUEEN OF GEORGE THE SECOND. 919 notwithstanding the importunity of he the bye Archbishop of Canterbury, and English ladies, and the declared advice he died on the subsequent February, of the lords of the council, she continued and was privately buried in Westminster in pains till between one and two on Abbey. This christeningled to the outthe morning of Friday, November the break of a quarrel, which had long been ninth, 1716, when, the midwife alone brewing, between the father and granddelivered her of a dead male child, father. wounded in the head. She has since " The Prince of Wales," observes been extremely weak, and subject to Walpole, " had intended his uncle, the continual faintings, and'tis said all Duke of York, to be co-godfather with things are not after the manner of the King; but, to his indignation, the women in that condition; but the last King named that, to him, hateful noble, account is more comfortable.'Tis said the Duke of Newcastle, for the second her Royal Highness is somewhat better, sponsor, and would hear of no other. and if this night pass well over, there The christening took place, as usual, in will be great hopes of her doing well."* the Prince's chamber; but no sooner Caroline, although greatly weakened, had the archbishop closed the ceremony, speedily recovered, and on the twenty- than the Prince, crossing the foot of the fourth of November, the bishop again bed, stepped up to the Duke of Newcaswrote to Mr. Blackwell: " The Prin- tie, and holding up his hand and forecess is in a very safe condition; the finger, in a menacing attitude, said, long-depending labour, and the loss of'You are a rascal! but I shall find a fine prince upon it, made a great ruffle you;' meaning, in broken English,' I at court. The persisting of the midwife shall find a time to be revenged.' The that she wanted no other help, has put King was so provoked at this outrage in the English ladies out of all good opi- his presence, that he pretended to unnion of her; and the unwillingness of Sir derstand it as a challenge, and the Prince David Hamilton to interpose without was actually put under arrest! The express command, brought on him se- arrest was soon taken off; but at night vere expostulations and rebukes from the the Prince and Princess were ordered to women, and particularly from good Mrs. quit St. James's Palace;" and, leavingbeWake. He is most concerned, that the hind them three daughters,whocontinued archbishop, in tenderness to the Princess, to reside with the King till his death, should tell him that he neglected his they retired to the house of the Prince's duty to the public." t chamberlain, the Earl of Grantham; and The next accouchement proved more at the commencement of 1717, the Prince favourable. "Your physician, Sir purchased Leicester House, where they David Hamilton," observes the above immediately established their London quoted contemporary to his friend, Mr. court, whilst at Richmond Lodge they Blackwell, "has very much improved enjoyed all the sweets and beauties of his interest at court, upon the occasion the country. "At this period," reof the good Princess's delivery of a son marks the Right Honourable John Wil[on the third of November, 1717]; for son Croker, " Pope and his literary though he did not assist in the immedi- friends were in great favour at this ate moments, yet, by the ignorance or young court, of which, in addition to humour of the same midwife, her Royal the handsome and clever Princess herHighness was so slow and so far gone self, Mrs. Howard, Mrs. Selwyn, Miss into convulsive faintings, that there was How, Miss Bellenden, and Miss Lapell, great danger of her life and the child, with Lords Chesterfield, Bathurst, Scarif Sir David had not prescribed some borough, and Hervey, were the chief medicines that brought on a speedy, ornaments. Above all, for beauty and safe delivery." The prince was christ- wit, were Miss Bellenden and Miss Leened George William, at St. James's, pell, who seem to have treated Pope, * M.S. Lansd. 1013, fol. 202. and been in return treated by him, with t Ibid, 1011, fol. 208. a familiarity that appsxars strange in our 920 CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG ANSPACII, more decorous days. These young Ia- tiers generally, and rather considered dies, probably, considered him as no who wanted her, than whom 8she wantmore than what Aaron Hill described ed." * him:- Walpole describes her as " an absurd,' Tuneful Alexis on the Thames' fair side, pompous simpleton;" and, as evidence The ladies'plaything, and the Muses' pride.'" that she was shamefully corrupt and brazen-faced, observes, " she had reThe court of the Prince and Prin- ceived a pair of diamond earrings as a cess of Wales was more gay and bril- bribe, for procuring a considerable post liant, and although far from moral, in in Caroline's household; and, decked the present acceptation of the word, not with these jewels, paid a visit to old near so licentious as that at St. James's, Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, who, where tlh King, who had divorced as soon as she was gone, said,' What and imprisoned his unfortunate wife, an impudent creature, to come here with Sophia Dorothea, in the castle of Ahl- a bribe in her ears!'' Madam,' replied den, in the German dukedom of Zell, Lady Mary Wortley Montague, who was maintained some half-dozen German present,' how should people know and English mistresses. Perhaps his where wine is sold, unless a bush is Majesty was annoyed at his son out- hung out? " If this anecdote be true, living him; but, whatever might have Lord Hervey's portraiture of Mrs. Claybeen the cause, he precluded from his ton is certainly oveldrawn. court all peers, peeresses, and persons of Mrs. Howard we may pity, but not distinction, whovisited' the monster and praise; she had the misfortune to marry, his she-devil,' as he very kindly desig- whenveryyoung, Mr.Howard," awrongnated his son and daughter-in-law, and headed, ill-tempered, obstinate, drunken, he never again became reconciled to extravagant, brutal, younger brother of them. the Earl of Suffolk's family." She was This ill-will, however, detracted married in Queen Anne's time; and pobut little from their enjoyments. The verty, or perhaps ambition, drove her Prince from inclination, the Princess and her husband to seek their fortunes from policy, presided over an almost at the rising court at Hanover. She daily round of pleasures during the life- there fascinated Prince George Alugustus, time of George I. They held drawing- and when George I. ascended the throne rooms every morning, gave a ball and of England, she was appointed bedevening party twice a week, and were chamber woman to the Princess Carofrequent visitors to the play, the opera. line; she next separated from her proand other public entertainments. But fligate husband, and became the acknowwithal, it was said, that Caroline was ledged leman of the Prince of Wales; under the influence of Mrs. Clayton, and but over him she, nor any other woman, that George Augustus was completely saving his consort, ever obtained any swayed by his mistress, Mrs. Iloward, very considerable influence. Between two ladies who were bed-chamber wo- her and Mrs. Clayton there always exmen to the Princess, but whose influ- isted a bitter enmity, the result of the ence was less than it was supposed one being attached to the Prince, the to be. other to the Princess; "each was jeaThe character of Mrs. Clayton has lous of the other's interest, and each been variously drawn; Lord IHervey, over.rated it;" but the last fact was not who knew her intimately, says, " she proved till the accession of George II., had really a warm, honest, noble, gene- when it became apparent that the nmisrous, friendly heart; she took pleasure tress of the Prince had as little influence in doing good, and frequently used her over the King, as the favourite of the influence at court in favour of those who had never solicited it, and could * Lord Hervey's Memoirs, a work to which never repay her; in fact, in these lat- we refer the reader for more ample details of never rpay hno,'i n the court and cabinet of George II. and his ters, she reversed the maxims of cour- consort. QUEEN OF GEORGE THE SECOND. 921 Princess had over the Queen. The truth by the Earl of Grantham, the Duchess was, that George Augustus thought it of Dorset, and Lord Lumley. great and grand to keep a mistress, and At this period, Lady Mary Wortappear not to be led by his wife; whilst ley Montague introduced inoculation to the, perhaps, more ambitious than affec- England from Turkey, and Dr. Mead, tionate Caroline, who completely ruled by command of Prince George Augustus, him in everything, to retain her political tested its efficacy upon several conand domestic sway, artfully winked at demnedcriminals. The experiment suchis connubial infidelity, retained Mrs. ceeded to admiration, and the doctor Howard in her service without a mur- was permitted in the subsequent April mur, and, that she might herself have to inoculate the Prince's two daughters, leisure to attend to subjects of superior Amelia and Caroline, whose speedy reimport and questions of state policy, covery was followed by the inoculation permitted Mrs. Clayton to act as her of several of the young nobility; but representative in matters of minor sig- withal, public prejudice for years afternificance. wards denounced the practice as dangerOn the fifteenth of April, 1721, the ous, and even sinful. Dr. Mead was Princess Caroline was safely delivered, ultimately appointed physician in ordiat Leicester House, of a son, who, in nary to the Prince of Wales. after years, as Duke of Cumberland, On the twenty-second of February, mercilessly slaughtered the Scots Jaco- 1723, the family of George Augustus bites at Culloden. This royal infant and Caroline was increased by the birth was on the second of May christened of the Princess Mary; and on the seWilliam Augustus, the sponsors being vTeth of December, 1724, their last-born the King and Queen of Prussia, and the child, the Princess Louisa, first saw the Duke of York, respectively represented light at Leicester House. CHAPTER II. Accession of George II. and Caroline —The Walpole ministry retained-Thle King and Queen's revenues-George II. destroys his father's will-Coronation-The Queen and tFalpole rule the nation-Prince Frederick created Prince of WalesHis parents hate him-Caroline and theDissenters-She takes Lord Stair to taskThe Excise bill-Marriage of the Princess Royal to the Prince of Orange-Retirement from court of the Lady Suffolk. N the eleventh of Sir Spencer Compton, who was at the ij ",R, JJune, 1727, George time speaker of the House of Commons, the First, whilst on treasurer to the Prince, and paymaster l B - h- j his road to Hano- to the army. Sir Robert was neither I ~'l'[! / ver, suddenlyexpired surprised nor disconcerted by this cool at Osnaburg. The reception; he knew that the King hated 31 "-^. premier, Sir Robert him, and the Queen despised him, beWalpole, was the cause, in his coarse way, he had called first to carry this by no means dis- her a "fat bitch," when she was Prinagreeable tidings to the Prince, now cess of Wales; but, like ministers in George II., and his consort; the former more modern times, he clung tenaciously of whom willingly accepted his homage; to office, and when the thick-headed but in reply to his question as to who Sir Spencer proposed that her Majesty's should compose his Majesty's speech, jointure should be ~60,000 per year, gave him to understand that his services he instantly offered to increase it to as prime minister would no longer be ~100,000, together with Somerset House required, by politely referring him to and Richmond Lodge; and, further 922 CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG ANSPACH, more, undertook to procure for her a the robes, the day after the King's accespresent income of ~50,000 per year, sion, and Sir William Young, " Think. being just ~10,000 more than Sir Spen- ing Young," as the King used to decer had proposed. This significant bribe signate him, who was turned out of the won for the briber the good-will of the treasury; but even these statesmen, to Queen, and, through her, that of her use Lord Hervey's sentiment, " only consort. Compton was made a peer, dived to come up again fresh as ever." and shelved; and Sir Robert, now pre- Our first two Hanoverian Kings paid mier, not only prevailed upon the but little - regard to the testamentary willing Commons to make the above- documents of their departed relatives. mentioned grants to the Queen, but also The last will of the unfortunate Sophia persuaded that honourable assembly to Dorothea, and that of her aged father, vote the King the whole produce of the the Duke of Zell, were both destroyed civil list, about ~830,000 a year, whilst by George I.; and when, at the councilthe income of his father, George I., board, Dr. Wark, Archbishop of Canteramounted to only ~700,000. The Queen bury, and one of the executors of the did not wait for these measures being late King, placed that monarch's will in carried out, to publicly evince the favour the hands of George II., the new King, in which she held Sir Robert and his instead of gratifying the expectant counfamily. The first few days of her ac- cil by unsealing it and reading it aloud, cession as Queen Consort, she was occu- very coolly put it into his pocket, and pied with her husband in receiving walked out of the chamber. It was compliments and condolences from the immediately afterwards rumoured, and prelates, lords, ambassadors, and other generally'believed, that George II. had functionaries; " and on this occasion," burned his father's will; and as that says Horace Walpole, " my mother (Sir will has never since been heard of, it is Spencer's designation, and not its eva- but natural to conclude that the rumour poration, being known) could not make was not groundless. The two duplicates h.r way between the scornful backs and of this will, which George I. had placed elbows of her late devotees, nor coul4 in the hands of two German princes, approash nearer to the Queen than the were, for certain fees and rewards, also third or fourth row; but no sooner was given up and destroyed, and, in the she descried by her Majesty, than the end, the matter was compromised, by Queen cried aloud,'There, I am sure the payment of various sums to the I see a friend!' The torrent divided, King of Prussia, the Duchess of Kenand shrunk to either side;'and as I dal, and some other of the reported came away,' said my mother,' I might legatees, who threatened actions at law. have walked over their heads if I had In October, the royal coronation was pleased.'" solemnized at Westminster Abbey, with The King, as well as his consort, was extraordinary pomp, and the usual ceso charmed by Walpole's having pro- remonies. On this occasion of gay, gorcured him an unexpectedly large reve- geous display, the King was attired in nue, that, although in his father's reign every conceivable " badge and trapping lie had called that minister " rogue of royalty," and the dress of the Queen and rascal!" and his brother Horace was equally magnificent. She wore a " scoundrel and fool!" he already gave rich pearl necklace, the only one of him his confidence, and the whole of Queen Anne's jewels which George I. the Walpole ministry, including those had not distributed amongst his German nobles the Duke of Newcastle and Lord favourites; and, remarks Lord Hervey, Townsend, whom the King, as Prince, "besides her own jewels, which were had heartily hated anddespised,were,with numerous and valuable, she had on her only two exceptions, retained in office. head and shoulders all the pearls she'hese exceptions were, Sir Robert's son- could borrow of the ladies of quality at in-law, Lord Malpas, who was uncere- one end of the town, and on her petmoniously ejected from the mastership of ticoat all the diamonds she could hire of QUEEN OF GlORGe TIlE SECOND. 923 the Jews and jewellers at the other; so the meeting between the Prirce and his that the appearance and the truth of her parents produced no happy result. The finery were a mixture of magnificence sire refused to pay the debts which the and manners not unlike the eclat of son had contracted during his residence royalty in many other particulars, when abroad; and the son retaliated by throwit comes to be nicely examined, and its ing himself into the arms of the opposisources traced to what money hires, or tion, and it soon became apparent, that flattery lends." Prince Frederick was the most malicious That the Queen, whilst affecting to and hated personal and political enemy be led by the will of her husband, really of George II., his consort, and the court. ruled him, and that Walpole ruled the When Gay's Beggar's Opera was found nation through the Queen, now became to annoy their Majesties and the minisevident to every one save the King him- ters, the Prince secretly encouiaged its self, who, poor silly mortal as he must performance, and he even privately have been, so little dreamed that his countenanced the Duchess of Queensclever consort seriously interfered with bury in her patronage of Gay. and in public matters, or influenced him by her her insulting efforts at court to procure counsel, that to those about him he subscribers for the publication of that perpetually repeated, " she never med- author's harmless, but prohibited opera dies with business;" and to show how of Polly. This unfilial conduct further independent he believed himself to be, aggravated George and Caroline against he " one day," says Lord Hervey, "re- their heir; and when the King proceeded marked, Charles I. was governed by his on his visit to Hanover, on the sevenwife, Charles II. by his mistress, King teenth of May, 1729, he, to the deep James by his priests, King William by mortification of the Prince, named the his men, Queen Anne by her favourite Queen sole regent during his absence. woman, his father by anybody who In the summer of 1730, occurred one could get at him;" and then, with an of the many instances of Caroline's poliair of triumph, he exclaimed, "and who tical influence. The dissenters, espedo they say governs now?" The cour- cially the Presbyterians, took advantage tiers present replied, as all good courtiers of the approaching dissolution of parwould have done, with a compliment; liament, to demand the repeal of the but shortly afterwards, a wit, with more Corporation and Test Acts. The gorudeness, but greater truth, wrote- vernment could not afford to lose the UYou may strut, dapper George, but'twill all votes of these dissenters at the forthbe in vain, coming general election; but to grant You know'tis Queen Caroline, not you, that their request, reasonable as ministers reign; admitted it to be, was to give mortal You govern no more than Don Philip of Spain. itted it to be, was to ge mortal Then if you would have us fall down and offence to the churchmen, whose votes adore you, the crown was equally anxious to reLock up yourfatspouse, asyourdaddidbe- tain. Under these circumstances, Sir ~~fore you.~ Robert Walpole resolved, if possible, to For their son, Prince Frederick, nei- prevail upon the dissenters to defer their ther George nor Caroline had much request to a more convenient opportuaffection. They, not without some rea- nity, and fixed upon Hoadly, Bishop of son, pronounced him selfish, wayward, Salisbury, to carry out his project; but, and vicious; and, to avoid the annoyance as he himself had ill-used the bishop in of his presence, they forced him to reside matters of preferment, and felt ashamed at Hanover, till the parliament and the to ask a favour of him, the Queen sent people began to murmur at his absence; for Hoadly to Kensington, and by flatwhen, with an ill grace, the King called tering compliments and skilful reasonhim to England. He arrived on the ing, cajoled him, not out of his opinions, fourth of December, 1728, and shortly for he honestly told Caroline that lwhen. afterwards was created Prince of Wales, ever the repeal was brought forward he and sworn of the privy council. But should support it with all his interest; 924 CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG ANSPACIT, but into consenting to urge the dissenters, After this meeting, flie hypocritical for the present, to withhold their peti- committeeterminated the farce bycoming tion. Immediately after this interview, to a resolution, " That if a petition was it was rumoured abroad that the Queen to be preferred to parliament in their had bribed the prelate to desert the favour, that there was no prospect of cause of the dissenters. IIoadly, in success." This result well pleased the alarm for his reputation, called upon Queen and her minister, but many of the Walpole, and endeavoured to draw from dissenters believed that their cause had him a promise, that if the claims of the been betrayed by their delegates, and dissenters were deferred till the meeting poor Bishop Hoadly had the misfortune of the new parliament, the court would to offend both parties; the dissenters then support them; but Sir Robert, thought he had supported their cause whilst admitting the reasonableness of too little, the court thought he had supthe demand, adroitly avoided making ported it too much. such a promise, and subsequently Hoadly The year 1733 affords a farther illushad several conferences with the Queen tration of the power and political influon the subject, with no better satisfac- ence of Queen Caroline. When the extion to either party. citement occasioned by Sir Robert WalThe question now began to wear a pole's excise scheme was at its height, serious aspect. The dissenters or- those peers who took advantage of ganized an agitation throughout the the circumstance to further their own country, with a central committee in personal interests, delegated Lord Stair London; and their efforts would doubt- to wait on the Queen at Kensington, less have been crowned with success, and remonstrate with her on the subbut for the venality of some of their ject; but the Scottish laird proved no leaders, and the tact of the premier. match for her Majesty, and forgetting " The honest gentlemen who composed alike himself and his subject, he launched this London committee of dissenters," out a tirade of personal invectives against says Lord IHervey, "were all monied Walpole, whom he denounced as an illmen of the city, and scriveners, who doing tyrant, who was alike hated and were absolutely dependent on Sir Ro- dreaded by the nobles, the clergy, the bert, and choson by his contrivance, and city of London, and many of his own acted only as he guided." followers, and who disposed of offices to This committee, for appearance sake, the Campbells, which in justice sholld transacted all their business with the have been given to him, Stair. The utmost gravity and seeming formality. Queen listened to him with paticnce, They had a solemn meeting with the and then, with mingled sarcasm, irolny, administration, at which Sir Robert and cutting contempt, told him in reply, Walpole repeated " most of the things that in supporting the peerage bill ile he had before said to the Bishop of had betrayed the interests of his conSalisbury." The speaker was " explicit stituents, and turned traitor to his counoii the inexpediency of bringing tie try. "Talk not therefore to me of papetition before parliament." " My triotism," she proceeded, "nor of your Iord president looked wise, was dull, conscience, or I shall faint. Who took snuff, and said nothing. Lord taught you to play this part I know not, Harrington took the same silent, passive but your politics are those of the part; and the Lord Chancellor and the' Craftsman,' and your sentiments, or Duke of Newcastle had done better had rather professions, you get from my they followed that example too; but Lord Bolingbroke and my Lord Carteboth spoke very plentifully, and were ret, whom you may tell if you think fit, both equally unintelligible; the one from that I have long known to be two as having lost his understanding, and the worthless men of parts as any in this other from never having had any." * country, and whom I have not only bc n * Lord IIervey. often told are two of the greatest liars QUEI'N OF GEORGE THE SECOND. 925 and knaves in any country, but whom to accept his resignation; and she premy own observation and experience vailed on the King to express himself have found so." * on the subject in similar words to the The chap-fallen Scottish laird ad- premier." mitted his defeat, by requesting her A few days afterwards, the Queen, Majesty to keep "the particulars of this when informed that Sir Robert was conference secret, which she promised in a majority of seventeen only, burst to do on her part, so long as he did so into tears, and exclaimed, "It is over, on his." But he immediately afterwards we must give way." The King, if less bragged to Lord Carteret, " that he had depressed, was equally disappointed and staggered her;" and Carteret, in a annoyed at the failure; and when Lord speech in the Lords, on the army sup- Hervey repeated to him the names of plies, observed, when Cardinal Mazarin some of those who had swelled the opwas ruling and oppressing France, one position, he thus commented on each of the greatest men of the time sought name. Lord James Cavendish —" a an audience of the Queen, and in that fool." Lord Charles Cavendish-" he interview told her to her face, "that is half mad." Sir William Lowthershe was maintaining a man at the helm " a whimsical fellow." Sir Thomas of affairs, who should be rowing in the Prendergast - "an Irish blockhead." galleys." This speech, reported by Lord Tyrconnel-" a puppy that never Lord Hervey to the Queen, convinced votes twice together on the same side." her that Lord Stair had revealed what The London populace also made their he had requested her to keep secret, and angry comments on the proceedings at therefore she "out with it all" to Lord court. Besides burning the effigy of Hervey, from whose Memoirs those Sir Robert Walpole, with that of a fat particulars are gleaned. woman, meant for the Queen, they conPerhaps no stronger proof exists that ducted themselves in a riotous manner, Sir Robert Walpole really was the and assailed the members of parliament Queen's minister, than the following, who voted for the bill, with groans, When the clamour against the excise hisses, and cries of "No slavery! no bill, both in the parliament and through- excise! no wooden shoes!" It was geout the country, had risen to a danger- nerally imagined that if Walpole fell, ous height, Sir Robert told not the the Queen's power would then cease; King, but the Queen, that to appease but this was an erroneous supposition. the nation, either the bill must be " The future ministry," says Lord HIerdropped, or its projector must quit vey, "would certainly have been of her office. " For himself," he observed nomination in case of a change, as [we quote verbatim from Lord Hervey], much as the present, and if they had *'he was so far from desiring to be in subsisted as much at her devotion; for her Majesty's service, if she thought it had she found them less so, their reign was not for her service, that he should would not have been long." However, lay down and retire with all the satis- her Majesty resolved that the ministry faction in the world; and if her Majesty should not be changed; and as a last thought it for the advantage of the resource, in the present case, to save King's affairs, or that it would facilitate them,'if possible, from being defeated, in any manner the King's business in she "closeted and schooled" the Bishop parliament, that he was ready that very of Salisbury. Hoadly promised all that night to quit, and should never impute he could, consistentlywith his principles: his disgrace to her Majesty's want of but it was now too late for him to act; kindness towards him, but merely to victory declared in favour of the oppohis own ill fortune. The Queen, in re. sition, and the unwilling Walpole was ply, told him, that she would not be so forced to withdraw his favourite excise mean, so cowardly, and so ungrateful as bill. * Hervey's Memoirs, where the interview In the meantime, the long-desired is more fully detailed, marriage of the Princess Royal engaged 926 CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG ANSPACII, the serious thoughts of their Majesties. 1734, the marriage was solemnized with The Princess was in her twenty-fourth great pomp in the French chapel adjoinyear, and still a sighing maiden. She ing St. James's. A sumptuous supper was ambitious to be a queen; mad to followed; and some time after the midbe a wife. Louis XV. had refused to night hour had chimed, the illustrious share his crown with her, on the score pair were put to bed, when the whole of religion, he being catholic, she pro- court were, according to custom, adtestant; and as no better offer presented mitted to see them in their night itself, she resolved to marry the dwarfish, dresses. As soon afterwards as circumdeformed Prince of Orange, who in age stances admitted, the Prince of Orange was her junior by about two years. For was naturalized by act of parliament, this purpose a treaty was forthwith en- and ~5000 a year was settled on his tered into, and the parliament voted the bride. Those matters arranged, they, Princess a dower of ~80,000. The towards the close of April, "embarked Prince arrived on the seventh of No- at Greenwich for Holland." The partvember, and took up his residence at ing, as such partings generally are, Somerset House. Neither the King nor was sorrowful. All her Highness's the Queen paid him much honour-in brothers and sisters, saving the Prince fact, they were not sanguine for the of Wales, who was not present, were match. Caroline called him the " hide- bathed in tears. "Her father wept ous animal;" and when, on the day of piteously, gave her a thousand kisses, his arrival, Lord Hervey told her " he but not the worth of a guinea; her mo. fancied the Princess must be in a good ther never ceased crying for three whole deal of anxiety, the Queen told him he days; and yet, three weeks afterwards, was extremely mistaken, that she was in her Highness was as much forgotten as her own apartment at her harpsichord, if she had been buried as many years."* with some of the opera people, and that She, however, had not forgotten her she had been as easy all that afternoon as English home; and in the following he had ever seen her in her life.' For July, she, to the surprise and indignamy part,'" continued her Majesty, "'I tion of the King, and to the no very never said the least word to encourage great joy of the Queen, found her way her to this marriage, or to dissuade her back to St. James's, in the hope of lyfrom it; the King left her, too, abso- ing-in there; and it was not till the sublutely at liberty to accept or reject it; sequent November, and after "much but as she thought the King looked ado," that she could be prevailed upon upon it as a proper match, and one to relinquish her purpose, and retrace which, if she could bear his person, her steps to the IIague. he should not dislike, she said she was Both Caroline and George were glad to resolved, if it were a monkey, she would get her gone, for just then the King had marry him."* quarrelled with his favourite, Lady To this last remark, a modern author, Suffolk, formerly Mrs. Howard; and by a stretch of imagination, has made this event, and the conduct of Prince the King's answer what he probably Frederick, engrossed all the attention thought-" Then have your way; you they could give to domestic matters. will find monkey enough, I promise Lady Suffolk had long endured many you." She did have her way, but not petty annoyances from the Queen; she so soon as had been expected. was fast losing her beauty, her hearing, On the day previous to that appointed and her sweetness, or rather easy plifor the marriage, the Prince fell sick of ancy of temper; the King had grown fever, and neither physic, physicians, tired of her, he ceased to visit her in skill, nor the invigorating waters of the evening as was his wont, and she, Bath could fully re-establish his health perceiving that the "spell was broken" till the subsequent spring, when, in the -her influence gone-threw up her evening of the fourteenth of March, appointment as mistress of the robes, to * Lord lervey's Memoirs. * Lord Hervey. QUEEN OF GEORGE THE SECOND. 927 which the more virtuous Countess of dience, complained aglain of her unkind Tankerville succeeded, and retiring from treatment from the King, was very civil court, married the Honourable George to the Queen, and went that night to her Berkeley, a personal and political friend brother's house in St. James's Square."t of Mr. Pulteney. Her retirement is On her departure, the Princess Royal thus mentioned by the Duke of New- remarked to Lord Hervey, " I wish castle in a letter to Mr. Walpole, who at with all my heart the King would take that time was in the country. somebody else, that mamma might be a "November 13, 1734.-You will see little relieved from the ennui of seeing by the newspapers that Lady Suffolk him for ever in her room!" An extraorhas left the court. The particulars that dinary sentiment for a newly-married I had from the Queen are, that last royal daughter to utter in reference to week she acquainted the Queen with her parents; and as that daughter was her design, putting it upon the King's considered an unquestionably virtuous unkind usage of her.* The Queen or- Princess, an uncontrovertible evidence dered her to stay a week, which she of the immorality of the times. did; but last Monday had another auCHAPTER III. Malicious conduct of the King and Queen towards their heir-Count de Roncey and his sister-Caroline's love of power and politics-Scotch election petition-The King and his new mistress, Madam lWalnoden-Caroline encourages her husband's amours —The King's opinion of England and the English-His ill-humourHome-scene at the royal palace-Marriage of the Prince of Wales-The Mortmain and Quaker relief bills-King again with Madam Walmoden at HanoverTumults and riots-Caroline's extraordinary correspondence with the King-The King's return delayed-LEffects of the delay-Storms-Alarms for his safetyHis arrival-Caroline's secret malady-Increase of the Prince of Wales's income moved in Parliament-Porteus' rioters punished-Caroline's coarse remarks on Horace Wlalpole. ROM the middle of deed a harsh mother. She advised the October to the close King not to allow him a permanent in$ of November, the come. "lie costs the King ~50,000 a Queen was confined year, which, till he is married, I am sure 2 2 l"j 1~^ to her chamber with is allowance sufficient for him," said the J1 illness, which was more politic than affectionate Queen. f probably aggravated The Prince at this time was in debt; by the unfilial con- and when, at an audience which the duct of the Prince of Wales, who, bad King granted him, he requested peras he was, was certainly to be pitied, mission to serve a campaign on the for his p)arents hated him, his sisters Rhine, and asked for an augmentation betrayed him, his brother was exalted of his income; the King made no anabove him, and his friends made a party-I swer to the first request, and only gave tool of him. To him, Caroline was in- hopes that the second might be granted, if he behaved better to the Queen in * This statement seems strange, and mightt t t t be questioned, was it not verified by Lord t h as te l IHervey, who says, Lady Suffolk, on this oc- do, whilst such scenes as the following casion, expressed herself to the Queen in, were enacted. When Lord Hervey, something like the following words: " Ma- after paving a farewell visit to the dam, your husband being weary of me, rnc f rn on th rnin h cannot possibly stay in your house or your nces o range on te morning s service any longer." t Coxe. 928 CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG ANSPACH, set out for the Hague, returned to the light of court-drudges, but they cerpalace at Kensington, he found the tainly led a more easy and independent Queen and the Princess Caroline toge- life than the Queen, who, says Lord ther, drinking chocolate, weeping and Hervey, "was at least seven or eight sobbing aloud, at the departure of the hours tete-a-tete with the King every Princess Anne; and scarcely had he day, generally saying what she did not succeeded in turning the current of their think, assenting to what she did not thoughts into a less melancholy channel, believe, praising what she did not apwhen the gallery-door opened, and the prove, and forced, like a spider, to spin. Queen exclaimed, "What! the King here out of her own bowels all the conversaalready?" When, however, it proved tion with which the fly was taken." to be the Prince of Wales, she, "de- But to this, and to much more, the testing the exchange of the son for the proud Queen willingly submitted, for daughter, burst out anew into tears, and the sake of exercising uncontrolled pocried out,' Oh! my God, this is too litical power, and of having it said that much.*'" Fortunately for her over- she completely ruled her obstinately strained nerves, the King did arrive firm husband, and that the country was very soon afterwards, and seeing, with- governed not by him, but by her. To out seeming to see, the Prince of Wales, this love of power Caroline was a willwalked up to the Queen, and led her ing slave; but, spite the assertions of out to walk. "Whenever," observes her detractors to the contrary, her regLord Hervey, " the Prince [of Wales] nal talents were considerable, and her was in a room with the King, it put application to political matters was unone in mind of the stories one has tiring. Thus, when at the commenceheard of ghosts that appear to part of ment of 1735, on the morning before the company, and are invisible to the the Scotch Election petition-a measure rest; and in this manner, wherever the brought forward by the opposition, Prince stood, though the King passed with prospects of success, but which was him ever so often, or ever so near, it decided in favour of ministers-was to always seemed as if the King thought be presented to parliament, "the Queen the place the Prince filled a void." was so anxious to know what was said, The Prince conducted himself with as thought, done, or expected on this ocgreat, or even greater impropriety to- casion, that she sent for Lord Hervey, wards his parents, and thus a recon- whilst she was in bed; and because it ciliation was rendered morally impos- was contrary to the queenly etiquette sible. to admit a man to her bedside, whilst At this period Count de Roncy, created she was in it, she kept him talking on Earl of Lifford, in Ireland, and his one side of the door which opened just sister Charlotte, governess of their Ma- upon her bed, whilst she conversed with jesties' younger children, two French him on the other, for two hours togeProtestant refugees, who had no source ther, and then sent him to the King's of subsistence saving the scanty charity side [of the palace, where his Majesty's of the court, nightly in the country, and separate apartments were], to repeat to thrice a week in town, "were alone,"' his Majesty all he had repeated to says Lord Hervey, " with the King and her.t" Queen for an hour or two before they Again, on the fifth of June, 1735, the went to bed, during which time the King set out on a visit to Hanover, and King walked about, and talked to the whilst he was there, basking in the debrother of armies, or to the sister of ceptive sunshine of pleasure and illicit genealogies, whilst the Queen knitted love, the Queen, as Regent, in conjuncand yawned, till from yawning she tion with Sir Robert Walpole, the precame to nodding, and from nodding to mier, ruled the nation with laudable snoring." ability and success. Caroline viewed This ill-paid pair were viewed in the her husband's departure with pleasure, * Hervey's Memoirs. t Lord Hervey. QUEEN OF GEORGE TIIE SECOND. 929 for it freed her during his absence from as long letters, and approved even of the trouble of ruling through him, and his amours, not scrupling to say that from the annoyance of his almost un- she was but one woman, and an old bearable petulancv. But her pride was woman, and that he might love more wounded by intelligence which he for- and younger women * * *, by which warded to her shortly after his arrival, perfect subserviency to his will, she and from which she learned that he had effected whatever she desired, without found a new mistress in Madame Wal- which it was impossible to keep him moden, a young married German lady, within bounds."* who deserted her husband for the King, This new amour caused the King to and, after the Queen's death, was created leave his beloved Hanover with feelings Countess of Yarmouth. Lord Hervey, of more than ordinary regret; and when after asserting that the pride of the he reached Kensington, on Sunday, the Queen was much more hurt than her twenty-sixth of October, he was in a affections on this occasion, proceeds- most abominable temper, which was ag" It is certain, too, that from the very gravated by an attack of a painful disbeginning of this new engagement, the ease,t brought on by hasty travelling. King acquainted the Queen, by letter, of As he alighted from his coach, he perevery step he took in it, of the growth mitted the Queen to "glue her lips to of his passion, the progress of his appli- his hands"-a honour lie only granted cations, and their success-of every word when she had been acting as Regentas well as every action that passed; so but at the presentation which took place minute a description of her person, that immediately afterwards, " he had only had the Queen been a painter, she might ill-words for the company, and black have drawn her rival's picture at six looks and frowns for the Queen." Nohundred miles' distance; he added, too, thing, he declared, ever was, would, or the account of his buying her, and what could be done as it should be by the he gave her, which, considering the English; in fact, England was a panrank of the purchaser, and the merits of demonium, Hanover a paradise. Just the purchase, as he set them forth, I after giving utterance to these unpathink he had no great reason to brag of, triotic sentiments, and, indeed, by uncewhen the first price, according to his remoniously cursing the islands over report, was only 1000 ducats, a much which he reigned, and the Queen to greater proof of his economy than his boot, he noticed, that in his absence, the passion." To these, and other equally- Queen had had several worthless paintindelicate epistles from her profligate ings removed from the drawing-rooms husband, Caroline returned equally in- at Kensington, and replaced by masterdelicate answers, actually encouraging pieces of art, when, pointing to the him in his amours. That such extra- latter, he exclaimed, "I will have these ordinary confidences could have been, silly daubs removed, and my old picseems strange, yet so it was; and the tures restored." Lord Hervey begged fact has been put beyond doubt, by the that the two Vandykes, which had been concurrent testimony of Lord Hervey, substituted for the two sign-posts done Horace Walpole, and Lord Chancellor by nobody knows who, might remain. King, the latter of whom observes, "As you please about that," answered "that Sir Robert Walpole assured him the King; "but for the picture with that the King [during this visit to Ha- the dirty frame over the door, and the nover] constantly wrote to her [Ma- three nasty little children, I will have jesty] long letters of two or three sheets, them taken away, and the old ones rebeing generally of all his actions, what stored." "And would your Majesty he did every day, even to minute things, have the gigantic fat Venus restored and particularly of his amours, what too?" observed Lord Hervey, from whoso women he admired * * * * and that 4 Lord Campbell's Lives of the Chanced~ the Queen, to continue him in a dis- ors, vol. iv. p. 633. position to do what she desired, returned t The piles. 3 0 930 CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG ANSPACH, Memoirs this dialogue is extracted. retired, which was generally at eleven. "Yes, my lord," rejoined the King, One evening, among the rest, as soon " I am not so nice as your lordship; I as Lord Hervey came into the roomlike my fat Venus better than anything the Queen was knitting-the King walkyou have given me instead of her." ing backwards and forwards, jocosely Lord Hervey thought, though he did not attacked him upon an answer just pubdare to say, that if his Majesty had liked lished to a book of his friend, Bishop his fat Venus as well as he used to do, IIoadley,' On the Sacrament.' The there would have been none of these King grew warm, and spoke sharply disputations. The King's ill-humour against the bishop, whom he designated continued, and the next morning, at'a canting hypocritical knave, to be breakfast time, " He snubbed the Queen, crying, The kingdom of Christ is not of who was drinking chocolate, for being this world, at the same time, that he always stuffing; the Princess Amelia [the bishop], as Christ's ambassador, for not hearing him; the Princess Caro- was in the receipt of ~6000 or ~7000 line for being grown fat; the Duke of a year.' Lord Hervey, in order to turn Cumberland for standing awkwardly; the'conversation [which we have not Lord Hervey for not knowing what re- the space to detail], told the King that lation the Prince of Stultzbach was to he had that very day been with Wilthe Elector Palatine; and then carried cocks, Bishop of Rochester, a prelate, the Queen to walk, to be re-snubbed in who, he felt assured, would never disthe garden."* Sir Robert Walpole told turb his Majesty's government with the Queen, that he believed her hus- writing, and who had that day showed band's ill-humour proceeded from weari- him the restored old bronze gates to ness of her person; he assured her she Henry VII.'s chapel. Whilst Lord was no longer young enough to hold Hervey was minutely describing and him by the charms of her fading beauty, praising these gates to the Queen, who and that, if she would retain her influ- was pleased with the description, the ence, she must herself select for him King abruptly stopped the conversation, such favourites as were too weak, or too by sharply remarking,' My lord, you well-intentioned, to deprive her of her are always putting some of these fine power-a most ingracious piece of ad- things into the Queen's head, and then vice, but to which, it is said that Caro- I am to be plagued with a thousand line listened with great good humour. plans and workmen.' Then, turning to As evidence that Walpole had good the Queen, he said,' I suppose I shall reason for supposing that the King had see a pair of these gates to Merlin's left his heart with Madame Walmoden Cave,* to complete your nonsense there.' at Hanover, we cite the subjoined inte- The Queen answered, with a smile, resting home scenes, condensed from'Merlin's Cave is complete already, and Lord Hervev's Memoirs, a work to which I hear the Craftsman has abused it.' we refer the reader for more ample de- "' I am very glad of it,' interrupted tails. the King;'you deserve to be abused for About nine o'clock every night the such childish, silly stuff, and it is the King used to return to the Queen's first time I ever knew the scoundrel in apartments from that of his daughter, the right.' where, from the time of Lady Suffolk's "The Queen bit her lips, and, to disgrace, he used to pass those evenings change the topic of conversation, exhe did not go to the opera or play at pressed disapprobation at the expensive quadrille; constrainlg, then tiring him- custom of giving money to the servants self, and talking a little indecently to of the house in the country at which Lady Deloraine, who was always ot the one pays a visit; and observed, that she party. At his return to the Queen's had found it a pretty considerable exside, the Queen used often to send for Lord Her~vey to entertain thein tll the~Y + The Qneen's grotto in Richmond gardens, Lord Hervey to entertain ther m t;Al e and so caled fron a statue of Merlin erected * Heriey's Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 35, t4tereorn. QUEEN OF GEORGE THI SECOND. 931 pense this summer to visit her friends by her Majesty in her palace, I should even in town. think the Queen's seeing them at their "'That is your fault,' angrily re- own houses no additional scandal.' marked the Kiln;'for my father, when The King perceiving this answer to be hle went to people's houses in town, unanswerable, turned to the Queen, and never was fool enough to give away his vehemently poured out an unintellimoney.' gible torrent of abuse in German, to "'I have only done what Lord which the Queen made no reply, but Grantham assured me was customary,' knotted on till she tangled her thread, pleaded the Queen, who began to per- then snuffed the candles that stood on ceive that her efforts to lull her hus- the table before her, and snuffed one of band's churlish anger had failed, them out, upon which, the King in En"' And a pretty director Lord Gran- glish began a new dissertation upon her tham is,' growled out the King;'but Majesty, and took her awkwardness for then, you are always asking some fool his text." or other what you are to do; and only Lady Suffolk observes, that " scenes a fool would ask another fool's advice.' such as the above were of frequent oc" Here Lord HIervey observed,'that currence; and that the Queen, at such liberality would always be expected from times, keenly as she felt the sting, alher Majesty when she honoured any of ways endeavoured- generally successher subjects by visiting them at their fully-to assume an appearance of ease houses.' and indifference; and when, occasion"' Then,' said the King,' she may ally, the tears could no longer be constay at home as I do. You do not see strained, she, to hide them, would preme running into every puppy's house to tend to smile, and then burst out into a see his new chairs and stools, nor is it for fit of laughter, but which was more hysyou,' said he, addressing the Queen,' to terical than joyous."* be running your nose everywhere, and The marriage of the Prince of Wales trotting about the town to every fellow was a subject which Caroline had for that will give you some bread and butter, some time contemplated. The Prince like an old goat that loves to go abroad, had scandalized the name of royalty by no matter where, or whether it be proper improper intimacies with Miss Vane,t or no.' The Queen coloured, and knot- Lady Archibald Hamilton, and other ted a good deal faster during this noble born, but bad women; and when, speech than she did before, whilst the in 1735, he threatened his parents with tears came into her eyes, but she said not a parliamentary address to the throne on one word. the subject of his " marriage and settle" Lord Hervey perceiving her embar- ment, the Queen, after much coaxing, rassment, and with the view of diverting prevailed on the King, through her, by the King's wrath from her, chimed in, a formal message, to inform the heir-ap-'that the Queen loved pictures, and the parent, that'he intended to marry him only way to see private collections was to forthwith to any lady he chose to select visit people's houses.' for his bride.' But Prince Frederick was "' And what matter whether she sees prevented, by the artifice of Sir Robert a collection or not?' said the King; Walpole, from making the proposed'besides, if she does thus satisfy her choice; and the King having failed in a curiosity, the obligation is equal, for she * Inedited letter of Lady Suffolk to Mr. obliges the people whose houses she ho- Berkeley. nours with her presence; and further- t Miss Vane was maid of honour to the more, suppose she had a curiosity to Queen. In 1732, she gave birth to an illegitimate son, christened Fitz-Frederick Vane, see a tavern, would it be fit for her to and although this infant, doubtless, owed its satisfy it?-and yet the innkeeper would existence to the Prince of Wales, the Prince, be very glad to see her.' Lord Hervey, and the first Lord arrington, If the innkeepers,' replied Lord have each been pointed to as its father; and, "If the oinnkeepers, replied Lord according to Horace Walpole, they each lHervey,' were used to be well received claimed the child as their own. 932 CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG ANSPACH, negotiation for his alliance with a Princess Acts. This, the Commons, to the graof Prussia, next proposed, by the Queen's tification of the court and church, neadvice, to marry him to Augusta, Princess gatived; but a bill to amend the Mortof Saxe Gotha. Neither the Prince nor main acts, and another to render more the Princess's parents objected to the easy the payment of tithes by quakers, match; the preliminaries were arranged they sent to the Lords, who, to the without difficulty; the bride arrived at disappointment of the Queen and the Greenwich on Sunday, the twenty-fifth court, only passed the former; the of April, and, on the subsequent Tuesday, quakers' bill, as it was called, being lost she proceeded to St. James's, where, in by a majority of two, through the bishops the evening, the marriage was solemnized and the lawyers, whose pecuniary inin the chapel by the Bishop of London, terests it threatened, combining against the joining of hands being announced it. This conduct of the bishops so inby the firing of the park and the tower censed the King, that he called them " a guns. At the supper, which was served parcel of black, canting rascals." The up a little after ten, the bride wore robes Queen also vented her wrath against the of "silver stuff with a coronet on her offending diocesans, by telling them to head, and a train supported by four their heads that they were " all a set of dukes' daughters and two earls." She fools." She, however, had the wisdom sat on the left of the Queen, and the to avoid giving them mortal offence, and Princesses Amelia and Caroline sat on to advise the King not to drive them to the left of her; Prince Frederick sat on desperation. But, to this prudent counthe King's right, and the Duke, his bro- sel, George, it is said, made answer, " I ther, sat next to him. About twelve am sick to death of all this foolish stuff, followed a ceremony which has very pro- and wish, with all my heart, that the perly gone into disuse. Immediately devil may take all the bishops, and the after the bride had retired to her bed- devil take your minister, and the devil chamber, the bridegroom proceeded to take the parliament, and the devil take his dressing-room, "where the duke un- the whole island, provided I can get dressed him, and the King did him the out of it and go to Hanover."* honour to put on his shirt. The bride The fact was, that when last in HIanwas undresssed by the princesses, and over, he had promised Madame Walmobeing in bed, in a rich undress, his den to again see her in May, 1736; and Majesty came into the room, and the true to his word, he named the Queen Prince following soon after in a night- regent in his absence, and, on the twengown made of silver stuff and cap of ty-second of that month, the day after the finest lace; the quality were admitted the prorogation of parliament, set out for to see the bride and bridegroom sitting the electorate. The day before his deup in bed, surrounded by all the royal parture, he sent a message to the Prince, family" * that " wherever the Queen-regent reOn this occasion, numerous congra- sided, there would be apartments for him tulatory addresses and poems were pre- and his princess." This measure Fredsented to their Majesties and the newly- erick very justly complained against, as married pair; and Mr. Pitt, in a speech being adopted with a view to make in the Commons, spoke so favourably of prisoners of him and his bride during the Prince, that ever afterwards the the King's absence, and to deprive them King hated and the Queen despised him. of the power of holding a separate court. Meanwhile, the measures brought be- He resolved to disobey the arbitrary fore parliament, were a source of anx- mandate; and when the Queen removed iety to her Majesty. The dissenters to Richmond, his Princess feigned illness, brought in their long-threatened bill for and this illness he pleaded as an excuse the repeal of the Corporation and Test for not following her. He was also an* Extract quoted from the "Gentleman's noyed beyond measure at the Queen Magazine" for April, 1736, by the editor of being regent; and when Caroline opened Lord Hervey's Memoirs. * Lord Hervey's Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 100. QUEEN OF GEORGE THE SECOND. 933 her commission, which she made a rule behave themselves; but the laws there of doing immediately she heard that the are so loose, that the rogues look at the King had reached Hanover, he contrived gallows and laugh at it."* As heretoto arrive at Kensington just after the fore, Caroline maintained a continuous council had terminated its sitting. correspondence with the truant King; During the absence of his Majesty in and even to her the task of daily writing 1736, the whole kingdom was disturbed long, affectionate letters to a husband by tumults and riots. There were corn who, by his own confession, had crossed riots in the west, to oppose the export- the sea to, at least for a season, bestow ation of corn; riots in Spitalfields, his love on another, must have been against the employment of Irishmen bitter and galling. She, however, exas weavers; anti-turnpike riots in the hibited neither jealousy nor displeasure country; gin riots in the metropolis, be- till the King's return was protracted cause the people resolved, spite of the beyond the usual period, and then Sir Act just previously passed to the con- Robert Walpole found it advisable to trary, to get intoxicated on "the moun- give her, what he most inappropriately tain dew," where, when, and how they designated "a little wholesome advice," chose; and the whole coast was infested which was neither more nor less than to with daring bands of smugglers, whom write to the royal profligate, intreating the people, in defiance of the authorities, him to bring Madame Walmoden to encouraged in their lawless traffic, and England with him, and promising to bold, and too frequently murderous, treat the mistress with all conceivable encounters with the revenue officers. As kindness. The thoughts of penning this may be supposed, sedition also stalked extraordinary epistle made her weep; abroad, and the rioters, whatever their but she wrote it, and, to the minister's prime object, generally concluded by surprise, sent it too. George, in reply, " cursing the Germans, reviling the King thanked Caroline for her kindness; and and Queen, and huzzaing for James after, in language more elegant than III."* The most dreadful of these truthful, expressing an earnest desire to riots took place at Edinburgh, and was imitate the goodness and virtue he so occasioned by the people's sympathy for admired in her, desired that the lodgings a desperate, but heroic, smuggler, who formerly occupied by Lady Suffolk might was hanged for his crimes. At tle exe- be prepared for Madame Walmoden. cution the mob pelted the soldiers, who, The Queen wrote that the lodgings by command of their officer, Captain should be prepared; but about this time Porteus, fired, and killed several inno- the King was annoyed by a supposed cent persons. For this, Porteus was intrigue between Madame Walmoden tried and convicted of murder; but the and Monsieur Schulemberg. The garQueen reprieved him, which so exas- dener one night found a ladder placed perated the populace, that they rose in suspiciously against Madame's bedct:amriot, set fire to the prison, and taking her window, and on searching the garden Porteus out, hanged him, and heartily discovered Monsieur behind some bushes. cursed the Queen, who was so enraged The affair created considerable exciteby the intelligence, that she declared ment; and the King, who was very General Moyle, who commanded the anxious to acquit his mistress of the troops in Scotland, deserved to be shot charge, wrote the particulars to the Queen, by order of the court-martial, for not en- " asking her as he would have done a deavouring tosuppress the riot, and that man friend, what she thought of the every one of the rioters deserved to be business; saying, perhaps his passion hang-ed. hane. * This exclamation I am indebted for to the When the Queen wrote to her husband kindness of the late learned Dr. Lingard. the particulars of these riots, he ob- The Doctor's authority I have forgotten; but, served:' Ah, if half the English were as Lord Hervey attributes almost the same hanged, the other half would learn to disgraceful sentiments to George II. (Mehalged, the other half would learn to moirs, vol. ii. p. 144), its authenticity need not * Lord Hervey. be doubted. 934 CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG ANSPACII, for Madame Walmoden might make more uneasiness than they felt inclined him see it in a partial light for her, and to express, as, to their perhaps jaundiced desiring the Queen, before sending her eyes, Prince Frederick already had began answer, to consult Sir Robert Walpole, to assume the airs of kingship, and to in the matter, who understood such af- court popularity. This latter fact, if fact fairs better than she did."* it be, so irritated the Queen, that she reIn the meantime the Prince and marked to Lord Hervey: "My God! Princess of Wales inflicted a multitude popularity always makes me sick; but of petty annoyances on the Queen; and Fritz's popularity makes me vomit * * Caroline lost no opportunity of return- Did you observe the air with which he ing the compliment. The people paid came into my drawing-room in the little regard to these royal peccadilloes, morning? I swear, his behaviour shocked but they loudly murmured at the King's me so prodigiously, that I could hardly protracted absence, and satirized his bring myself to speak to him when he fondness for Hanover and Hanoverian was with me; afterwards, I felt somemistresses. On the gate of St. James's thing here in my throat that swelled Palace a pasquinade to this effect was and half choked me."* But amidst posted: "Lost or strayed out of this these alarms, forebodings, and expecthouse a man who has left a wife and ations, in which the people joined-some six children on the parish; whoever will hoping for the best, and many heartily give any tidings of him to the church- wishing the King and all regality at the wardens of St. James's parish, so as he bottom of the sea-a courier, who had may be got again, shall receive four successfully braved the tempest, arrived shillings and sixpence reward. N.B. at St. James's with a letter from his MaThis reward will not be increased, no- jesty to the Queen, informing her that body judging him to deserve a crown." he neither had embarked, nor would atBut what produced the greatest sport tempt it till a fair wind set in. A gleam was an old hack, lame, lean, and blind, of fine weather followed, just sufficient with a worn-out saddle and pillion on to excite a belief that the King had his back, which some wag had turned sailed, when again the wind veered round loose in the city, with an inscription on and a tempest burst forth and raged with his forehead, which stated that no one indescribable fury. Many that had prewas to stop him, as he was the King of viously hoped, now gave up the King for Hanover's equipage, going to fetch his lost; and the alarm which the Queen Majesty and his * * * * * to could no longer conceal, was increased England."* by several of the ships which had left At length the King announced his re- Helvoetsluys finding their way into vaturn from Hanover, and vessels were rious harbours in a dreadfully wrecked sent to escort him to England. Hle left condition, and bringing only the miserhis beloved mistress and electorate with able tidings that his Majesty had emregret, and on the eleventh of December, barked, but the storm had shattered the 1736, reached Helvoetsluys. But the fleet, and possibly the royal yacht had wind, which had been calm and favour- returned to Helvoetsluys. The King able, suddenly veered round, and a violent had so returned in safety; and as his storm arose, and prevented him from em- own impatience had induced him to inbarking. Day followed day, and still sist on Sir Charles Wager, who comthe hurricane raged. In England all manded the fleet, putting to sea against was excitement and anxiety; no tidings his will, he now, that he had experienced arrived of the royal voyager; and something of the horrors and dangers at length a report prevailed that the of a tempest, waited till Sir Charles whole fleet had sunk in the stormy pronounced the weather sufficiently fhwaters - and the Queen, Sir Robert Wal- vourable, when he again embarked, and pole, and the court party began to feel after a rough passage landed at Lowe- Lord Hervey, vol. ii. p. 127. stoff, and arrived at St. James's on the t Ibid. vol. ii. p. 191. * Lord Hervey, vol. ii. p. 210. QUEEN OF GEORGE THE SECOND. 935 fifteenth of January, 1737, in excellent Royal Highness desired the lords to lay spirits and pleasant mood, but suffering him at his Majesty's feet, and to assure from a bad cold. To the Queen he was his Majesty that he had, and ever should all affability, smiles, and affection; he retain, the utmost duty for his royal told Sir Robert Walpole that she was person; that his Royal Highness was the best, most affectionate of wives, and very thankful for any instance of his he seemed to have already forgotten Majesty's goodness to him or the PrinMadameWalmoden; but his cold grow- cess, and particularly for his Majesty's ing worse, he was prevented from open- intention of settling a jointure upon his ing the parliament in person. Walpole Royal Highness; and that as to the thought his condition dangerous; but message, the affair was now out of his this was not the case, and he slowly re- hands, and therefore he could give no covered, answer to it." After which his Royal At this same period the Queen was Highness used many dutiful expressions also unwell; she was suffering from a towards his Majesty, and then added, malady with which she had been afflicted "Indeed, my lords, it is in other hands; ever since 1724, and which she kept so I am sorry for it," or to that effect. secret, that it was only known to the This reply irritated the King, and exKing, her German nurse, and one other asperated the Queen beyond measure; person, and rightly guessed at by Sir Ro- she sharply rated Walpole for having bert Walpole. She was ruptured; but counselled the making an offer which her illness did not prevent her from, so she had foretold would be scornfully refar as circumstances permitted, transact- jected; and whilst the question was ing the business and performing the being warmly discussed in the Compublic ceremonials of the sovereign. The mons, she repeatedly called the Prince a first annoyance she experienced after her "bullying fool," and " the most hardened husband's return was from the Princess of all liars;" and when the motion for of Wales, who requested permission to the address was lost by a majority of make Mrs. Townshend her bed-chamber thirty, she was overjoyed, and told Lord woman, a request previously refused by Hervey that the victory had cost the the King. This annoyance was followed King but ~900, ~500 to one man and by a more serious one: Prince Frede- ~400 to another.* Caroline thought rick had long been dissatisfied, because that this defeat would dishearten the out of a Civil List of ~800,000 he had Prince and his party, and prevent the received but ~50,000, whilst his father, same motion from being mooted in the when Prince of Wales, had ~100,000 Lords: but she was mistaken; the moout of a Civil List of ~700,000. To tion was made in the Upper House, but this circumstance he permitted his friends on a division, it was lost by a majority of to call the attention of parliament, in 103 to 40. the hope of obtaining an increase of in- This session the attention of parliacome. Before the motion was made in ment was directed to two other measures, the Commons, Sir Robert Walpole, if in which the Queen took great interest possible, to avert the storm, entreated -the Porteus riots and Sir J. Bernard's their Majesties to send a message to the proposition for the reduction of the inPrince in the King's name, informing terest on the national debt from four to him that his sire intended to settle on three per cent. On the first of these him the ~50,000 a year, which he now subjects Caroline expressed a belief that received at the King's pleasure, and also Porteus had been murdered, and a wish to settle a jointure on the Princess. To that only those should be punished who this measure George and Caroline re- had taken part in the crime. She was luctantly assented, and the lords of the annoyed at the Scotch judges being comcouncil made the proposal in form to the pelled to come to London to appear at Prince, who returned a verbal answer, the bar of the House of Lords; and which the lords thus rendered in writing, after they had returned to Scotland, she and delivered to the King: " That his * Hervey's Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 280. ID6 CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG ANSPACH, told Lord Hervey she should be glad to the interest on the national debt was know the truth, but believed she could thrown out by the Commons. To this bill never come at it, whether the Scotch the Queen was heartily opposed; and Hojudges had been really to blame or not race Walpole, the brother of the premier, in the trial of Captain Porteuls; "for be- by frequently speaking in favour of it, so tween you and the Bishop of Salisbury," offended her, that she called him " an opisaid she, " who each of you convince me nionative fool," and expressed a personal by turns, I am as much in the dark as if repugnance to him in language the lowest I knew nothing at all in the matter; he and coarsest. "She used," says Lord Hercomes and tells me they are all black as vey, " to complain of his silly laugh hurtdevils, you, that they are white as snow, ing her ears, and his dirty, sweaty body and whoever speaks last I believe. * * * offending her nose, as if she had never Therefore, since the more I hear the more had the two senses of hearing and smellI am puzzled, I am resolved I will ing, in all her acquaintance with poor hear no more about it; but let them be Horace, till he had talked of three per in the right or the wrong, I own to you cent. Sometimes she used to cough and I am glad they are gone." pretend to retch, as if she was ready to The bill for the punishment of the vomit with talking of his dirt, and would magistrates and city of Edinburgh, on often bid Lord Hervey open the window account of the murder of Captain Por- to purify the room of the stink Horace teus, in its progress through parliament, had left behind him, and call the pages was shorn of its most vengeful features; to burn sweets to get it out of the hangand when at length it passed and re- ings; she told Lord Hervey, too, she beceived the royal assent, it consisted of lieved Horace had a hand in the'Craftsbut two articles, the one imposing a fine man;' for that once, wearied in disputing of ~2000 sterling on the city of Edin- on this three per cent. affair, he had more burgh, the other depriving the city pro- than hinted to her that he guessed her vost, Alexander Wilson, of his office, and reason for being so zealous against this incapacitating him from ever again hold- scheme, was her having money herself in ing a government appointment. "The thestocks."* fine," says Lord Hervey, " was to give The above is but one of the many inthe cook-maid, widow of Captain Por- stances on record of the coarseness in teus, and make her, with most uncon- which the refined Queen too often injugal joy, bless the hour in which her dulged. The picture is grimy, but truthhusband was hanged."* ful; and from it it is our painful duty to It was through the exertions of Sir R. turn to one which presents her Majesty Walpole that the bill for the reduction of in the still more unfavourable light of a * Lord Hervey's Memoirs, where the matter hateful, revengeful mother. is more fully and graphically detailed. * Lord Hervey's Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 838. QUEEN OF GEORGE THE SECOND. 937 CHAPTER IV. xztraordinary conduct of the Royal Family-The Prince of Wales keeps secret the pregnancy of his Princess-Hurries her from Hampton Court to St. James's, where she is taken in labour-She gives birth to a Princess-Indignity of the King and Queen-Night visit of Caroline to St. James's —ing's angry message to the Prince-The Prince's reply —Their Majesties refuse to grant him an interview-He further irritates them-His daughter christened-He and his Princess are turned out of St. James's-Further and more angry correspondence on the subject —The Prince, Princess, and their friends forbidden the court. RINCE FREDE- mother-in-law - questioned the wellRICK'S efforts to schooled Princess on the subject, from obtain through par- whom she could elicit no other reply to liament that revenue her many queries than "I don't know." to which he very The court was then sojourningat Hamp/ll^ f i inaturally considered ton Court, and the Queen, who believed himself justly enti- her hated Fritz capable of attempting to tled, infuriated his palm upon his family and the nation a mother and his sister Caroline against supposititious child, wished that a comhim. "A hundred times a day," ob- mand should be sent for the expected serves Lord Hervey, " they wished he birth to take place at Hampton Court, might drop down dead of an apoplexy. that she might be present; but, through The Queen cursed the hour of his birth, the negligence of Sir Robert Walpole, and the Princess Caroline declared she this order was never sent. These susbegrudged him every hour he continued picions, which were made no secret of. to breathe, called him' the greatest liar doubly annoyed the Prince. Twice when that ever spoke,' and declared that'he the Princess was attacked with indispowas a nauseous beast, who loved nothing sition he removed her to St. James's, and but money and his own nauseous self,' each time returned with her in disapand who would not hesitate' to put one pointment to Hampton Court. This was arm about anybody's neck to kiss them, kept secret from the Queen; and on the and then stab them with another.' The evening of Sunday, the thirty-first of King treated him with silent contempt, July, the Princess, after having dined in and called him'a silly, insolent, un- public with their Majesties, was taken dutiful puppy and rascal.' "* This vin- seriously ill. Instantly a coach was predictive spite in due time produced its pared, and into it the suffering Princess, fruits; it irritated the Prince, and in- spite her tears and entreaties to be perduced him to pursue a similar but less mitted to remain in quiet where she was, ferocious line of conduct towards his was "lugged" by Dunoyer, the dancingparents. His princess was enceinte; the master, and Bloodworth, the equerry. Queen anxiously wished to be present at The Prince, after enjoining such of his the birth, and he resolved to disappoint household as remained at Hampton her. He did not make the expected event Court to strict silence, himself got into known to their Majesties till within a the coach, and was followed by Lady month of its anticipated occurrence, Archibald Hamilton and two of the when, in a letter dated July the fifth, Princess's dressers; whilst Vreid, who, 1737, he officially announced it to the besides valet-de-chambre, was surgeon Queen, on the authority of Dr. Hollings and man-midwife, mounted the box, and and Mrs. Cannon, a midwife. Caroline Bloodworth and two or three others got disbelieved the announcement, and at up behind. They drove furiously to St. once closely-too closely, even, for a James's, the Princess all the time suf* Lord Hervey's Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 255. fering intense agony. At the palace no 938 CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG ANSPACH, thing was prepared for them; even for Lord Hervey invited the Queen to take sheets, tablecloths had to besubstituted: refreshments with him in his aparthowever, after a great deal of bustle and ments she consented, and, with a wink, confusion, matters were arranged in whispered, "you need not fear my tastsomething like order, and at a quarter ing anything on this side of the house." to eleven, and in the presence of Lord As she approached the Prince's apartPresident Wilmington and Lord Privy ments he met her, and after saluting her Seal Godolphin-tlbe other lords of the in the German fashion, detailed to her council could not, or would not, attend- the particulars of the flight and birth; the Princess gave birth to a daughter, to him she was cold and haughty, but described by Lord Hlervev as "a little to the Princess she spoke and behaved rat of a girl, about the size of a large with the greatest affection and tendertooth-pick case," but who grew up a ness; and taking the child in her arms, handsome woman, and became the mo- she kissed it, and exclaimed: " May ther of that unfortunate Queen, Caroline the good God bless you, poor little crea. of Brunswick, consort of George IV. ture! you have arrived in a disagreeable At Hampton Court, their Majesties, world." expecting nothing unusual, retired to After scolding Lady Hamilton for rest at eleven. At half-past one Mrs. assisting the "young fools" in their Tichburne entered the Queen's bed- peril-fraught flight, she told the Prince, chamber, when Caroline waking up, ex- whose gossip annoyed her-he forged claimed: "Is the house on fire?" lies faster than smiths forged nails, she "No," replied the bed-chamber wo- afterwards observed-to go to bed; and man; " but a courier has just brought having made assurances of her affectionintelligence that the Princess of Wales ate regard to the Princess, descended the is about to become a mother." stairs, and crossed the court to Lord "Good heavens!" cried the Queen, Hervey's lodgings; where, whilst sip"my night-gown; I'll go to her this ping chocolate, she called her son Fritz moment." an insolent, impertinent fool, for receiv" Your night-gown! madam," replied ing them all as if nothing had happened, Mrs. Tichburne; " aye, and your and they were the best friends in the coaches too; the Princess is at St. world; and expressed a firm conviction James's." that the "poor, little she-mouse" of a This announcement doubly astonished child really was the Princess's; although the Queen; and when it was imparted to had it been a "brave, fat, jolly boy, the King, he flew into a rage, and angrily she should not have been cured of observed to the Queen, "You see now, her suspicions." Nay, she observed with all your wisdom, how they have with warmth, "I should have gone outwitted you. This is all your fault. about the Prince's apartment like a mad There is a false child will be put upon woman, played the devil, and insisted you; and how will you answer it to all on knowing what chairman's brat he your children? This has been fine care had bought." Sir Robert Walpole now and fine management; for your son arrived; and after the chocolate drinkWilliam, he is mightily obliged to you; ing party had alternately laughed and and for Anne, I hope she will come over railed at the folly and imprudent conand scold you herself; I am sure you duct of the Prince and the to-be-pitied deserve anything she can say to you." Princess of Wales, the Queen remarked The Queen made no reply; but send- with an air of self-consolation, " Well, ing for the Duke of Grafton and Lord though one does not care a farthing for Hervey to accompany her, immediately them, the giving oneself all this trouble set out from the palace, accompanied by is a good grimace for the public; and the two princesses her daughters, two the more impertinences they do, and the ladies, and three noblemen. They more civilities we show, the more we reached St. James's at four in the morn- shall be thought in the right, and they ing, and as they proceeded up-stairs, in the wrong, when we bring it to an QUEEN OF GEORGE THE SECOND. 939 open quarrel."* The royal party left coming to town with the Princess has St. James's shortly after day-break, and had the misfortune to displease your at eight in the morning the Queen Majesty. Permit me, sir, to represent reached Hampton Court. She found to you, that in the pressing situation I the King in anxious suspense, and on her was in on Sunday, without a midwife or relating to him all that had passed in any assistance, it was impossible for me this romance of real life, he fell into a to delay one moment, otherwise I should fury of paternal rage. and with his not have failed to have come myself to usual vehemence heartily execrated his acquaint your Majesty with it; besides hated son. The rage subsided, he held which, the greatest expedition in the a conference with the Queen and Sir world could never have brought Mrs. Robert Walpole on the subject; and the Cannon in less than two or three hours result was, Lord Essex was despatched after the birth of the child. As the with the following message from his Princess had had the cholic for some Majesty to the Prince on the third of days, Mrs. Cannon, Dr. Hollings, and August. Dr. Broxholme, who were often con"The LKin has commanded ne to suited, all assured me she was not yet "The King has commanded me to acq~uaint your Royal Hi(ghness that his so near her time, of which opinion these aintyour l Highness that two physicians still were on Sunday at Majesty most heartily rejoices at the safe tw h s w o S at Majesty most heartily rejoices at the sfe noon; but in case she had pains differdelivery of the Princess; but that your ent from the cholic that a cordial should carrying away her Royal Highness from be given her, and that she should be Hampton Court, the then residence of be given her, and that she should be the King, the Queen, and the royal brought to town as soon as possible. the KingDI the Queen, and the royal This advice I followed in every point: family, under the pains and certain n- and am very much concerned that a case dication of immediate labour, to the im- sd am very mch conc erned t a s minent daer and hazard both of the should happen in which my tenderness minent danger and hazard both of the P Princess and her child; and after suffi- for the Princess might seem one moPrincess and her chment to remove what is otherwise first cient warnings for a week before to have in my thouhts-the desire of shewing made the necessary preparations for this M Bese happy event without acquainting his my devotion to your Majesty. Besides appy oeveent without acquainting his this, if I may take the liberty to say so, Majesty or the Queen with the circum- the Princess desired m so earnestly at the Princess desired me so earnestly at stances the Princess was in, or giving that time to carry her to London, where them the least notice of your departure, all assistance was nearer at hand, that is looked upon by the King to be such a I could not resist it; for I could never is could not resist it; for I could never deliberate indignity offered to himself have forgiven myself if, in consequence and to the Qteen, that he as coml of my refusal, any accident had happened manded me to acquaint your Royal to her. I hope all this will move your Highness that he resents it to the high- Majesty; and that you will give me est degree leave to lay myself at your feet to-morThis message surprised the Prince; row at your levee, which I should not who, in reply, expressed astonishment have failed to have done last Monday, if at the anger of his sire, and sorrow for the Queen had not ordered me to defer having giving him offence; and in the it till this day; the only thing that has evening sent the subjoined epistles to hindered me to-day, is the fear I have his royal parents by Lord Jersey, his had, since I have seen my Lord Essex, lord-in-waiting. of displeasing your Majesty in case I St. James's,August3,1737. should come into your presence before St Jamess, s 3, 1. I took the liberty to explain to you, with "It is with all the mortification all submission, the true and only motive imaginable that I see by the message the step with which you seem ofmy Lord Essex has brought me, that my I am, with the greatest respect ia* The above scenes are chiefly compiled ginable, sir, your ajesty's most humble and closely condensed from Lord liervey's an ost obeient son, servant, anl interesting Memoirs, to which the reader is and most obedent son, servant, an referred for more ample details, subject, IREDERICK." 940 CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG ANSPACH, "St. James's, August 3,1737. conjure your Majesty to restore me to MADAM, your favour. and to permit me to make "You cannot imagine how much my court to you to morrow, at your the message my Lord Essex brought me levee, till which time I cannot be easy. has afflicted me. I flattered myself, " I am, with all the respect ilnathat the reasons I took to give your ginable, sir, your Majesty's most hurnMajesty, when you had the goodness to ble and most obedient son, servant, and come and see the Princess, would have subject, FEDERICK." justified my departure from Hampton Court to the King. I have taken the After reading this letter, the King liberty to recapitulate those reasons in dispatched Lord Essex to inform Lord the letter I have done myself the honour Carnarvon, the bearer, that as its purto write to him upon the subject; flatter- port was the same as that of the night ing myself your Majesty will be so good previously, the answer would also be the to lend them your assistance. same; namely, that his Majesty would "I am, with great respect, madam, not see the Prince. But presently Lord your most humble and most obedient Essex returned, and stated that Lord son and servant, Carnarvon wished to have the reply in " FREDERICK." writing; and placing the pen and ink beThe self-defending, excusing, instead fore his Majesty, asked if he should call of crime-acknowledging, pardon-beg- one of the ministers? when the Queen, ging tone of these letters, further a w was present, immediately exgravated their Majesties against their claimed, " For what! to give an answer hated: instead of a to Fritz? Does the King want a miated son: instead of a written answer, the Kin sent by Lord Jersey a verbanister to tell him what answer he likes the King sent by Lord Jersey a verbal reply, that he could not see the Prince, o give to his son, or to call a council and the Queen also, by a verbal mes- such a letter, like an affair detat " sage, expressed sorrow that the And then, addressing the King, she proPrince, by his own misconduct, had de- ceeded, t I s ose, sir, yowi not prived her of the power of effectually write to your son; and I have already told interceding for him with the King. Lord Essex that I believe he would trouble interceding for him with the King. Next day the Prince again wrote to you upos this subject to very little purthe King only, as follows:P - pose." "Accordingly," observes Lord Hervey, from whose Memoirs the above " SIR, is extracted, "theKingbeingthoroughly, " Will you permit me to lay at your by this hint, apprised of what he was to feet my grief for the refusal I received have a mind to, told Lord Essex he last night, to make my court to you to- should give no other answer than what day? I cannot express how much I suffer he had given already, and in no other from being deprived of that honour, and manner." seeing myself out of your Majesty's fa- This family feud now became, if posvour; if anything would comfort me in sible, more fierce and undignified than that misfortune, it would be the inno- heretofore. The Queen declared, that cence of my intentions, which I beg "it was high time his Royal Highness your Majesty to believe can never be to was well lashed;" and his sister Caroline offend you. I do not take the liberty to sent to him the very acceptable message recapitulate the reasons which induced that, "in her opinion, he and all those me to leave Hampton Court so suddenly; about him, saving the Princess, his but I flatter myself that your Majesty wife, deserved to be hanged." will more easily grant me that pardon Meanwhile, the Prince, although keepwhich I ask, when you reflect on the ing a cooler temper than his parents, condition in which I found myself with conducted himself in a manner by no the poor Princess, at a time when it was means agreeable to them. He endeanot fit for me to delay a moment. I voured to win popularity at the expense take the liberty then, most earnestly to of his royal father. The Queen he al QUEEN OF GEORGE THE SECOND. 941 ways spoke of, and wrote to, simply as the orders myLord Dunmore has brought " madam" and " you," but never as shall be punctually executed. I should "your Majesty;" and when Caroline, thing myself very happy, if, upon that with her two eldest daughters, visited occasion, I might take the liberty to the Princess of Wales, the ninth day after come and throw myself at your feet; noheraccouchement,he wentnofurtherthan thing could prevent me but the prohithe Princess's bed-chamber door to re- bition I have received from your Maceive her, and never once spoke to her jesty; to be deprived of your favour, is during her stay; but when she departed, the thing in the world the most mortihe gracefully led her to the coach door, fying to me, who not only respect you, and " to make the mob believe he was but, if I may make use of that expresnever wanting in any respect, he kneeled siort, most tenderly love you; will you down in the dirty street and kissed her permit me once again, humbly to behand. As soon as this operation was over, seech you to pardon a fault in which, at he put her Majesty into the coach, and least, the intention had no share, and then returned to the steps of his own to permit me again to make my court to door, leaving his sisters to get through you at your levees? I take the liberty the dirt and the mob by themselves as to conjure you to grant this request, as they could; nor did there come to the a thing that will restore my quiet. Queen any messages, either from the "I am, with all possible submission, Prince or Princess, to thank her after- sir, your Majesty's most humble and wards for the trouble she had taken, or most obedient son, subject, and servant, for the honour she had done them on "' REDERICK." ^"A^^""*this visit. ~ -L "St. James's, August 20, 1737, On the twentieth of August, the King, " MADAM at Hampton Court, sent the subjoined "Permit me to thank you most message to the Prince at St. James's, humbly for the honour you think fit to by Lord Dunmore, his Majesty's lord in do the Princess and me in being godwaiting. mother to our daughter. I have taken It being now near three weeks the liberty to return the King my thanks since the Princess was brought to bed, in writing. I have added. likewise, the his Majesty hopes there can be no in- grief for the situation I am in. I beconvenience to the Princess, if Monday, seech you, once again, madam, to assist the twenty-ninth instant, be appointed me with your good offices, which can for baptizing the Princess, his grand- never be employed for your son in a daughter; and having determined that more essential point than in restoring his Majesty, the Queen, and the Duch- him to his father's favour. ess-dowager of Sax-Gotha shall be god- " I am, with all possible respect, father and godmothers, he will send his madam, your most humble and most lord chamberlain to represent himself, obedient son and servant, and the Queen's lady of the bed-cham- "FRIEDERICK." her to stand for the Duchess-dowager of Sax-Gotha, and the King will send to On the twenty-ninth of August, the the Archbishop of Canterbury to attend Prince of Wales's daughter was chrisand to perform the ceremony." tened uglsta; the Luke of Grafton the Archbishop of Canterbury to attend tened Augusta; the Duke of Grafton and the Ladies Burlington and TorringTo this message, the Prince, in reply, ton standing proxies for the King, sent the two following letters by Lord Queen, and the Duchess-dowager of Carnarvon the same evening. Sax Gotha: immediately afterwards, the " St. James's, August 20, 1737. Prince, merely for annoyance sake, de" SIR, clared that she should be called not the " The Princess and I take the li- Princess, but the lady Augusta, accordberty to thank your Majesty most hum- ing to the old English fashion, and bly for the honour you intend to do our styled her Royal Highness, although daughter in standing god-father to her; his sisters were not so styled till after * Lord HIervey, vol. ii. p. 409. the accession of their father. 942 CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG ANSPACII, The day after the christening, the was prepared, and on Saturday, the tenth Prince sent Lord North to Hampton of September, conveyed from Hampton Court with the subjoined letters to their Court by the Dukes of Grafton and Majesties:- Richmond and Lord Pembroke to the Prince at St. James's:~ "' St. James's, August 30, 1737 Prince at St. ames " S n, " GEORGE R. "It is with all possible respect,. that I take the liberty to thank your "The professions you have lately Majesty once more for the honour you maein your letters of your peculiar have thought fit to do the Princess and regard to me, are so contradictory to all me, in being godfather to our daughter; tions, that cannot suffer yI cannot let this opportunity pass, with-elf to be imposed on by them. out repeating my petition for that par. ive the intimtion to me or to the don which 1 have so often asked. I e the ini i to me or to the should be glad to find words that could Queen that the Princesswas with child, soften the paternalheart of your Majesty; or beeding, until within less than a if there were any that could stronger month of the birth of the yn Prin cess. You removed the Princess twie in mark my grief and my respect, I assure the You removediately precedincess twie dain your Majesty I would make use of them; ietly p the ay there remains, then, nothing more for of her delivery from the place of my me to say, but to conjure you once residence, in expectation, as you have again to re-establish me in your favour,voluntaly declared, of her labour; and and to assure you that nothing in the d c e fo t knowand to assure you that nothing in the both times, upon your return, you inworld shall change the tender respect dustriously concealed from the knowI owe you, being, with great submis- ledge of me and the Queen every circumsion, stance relating to this important affair: "Sir, your Majesty's most humble nd you at last, without giving any noand most obedient son, subject, and ticeto me or to the Qeen, precipitately servant, FREDERICK." hurried the Princess from Hampton Court, in a condition not to be nanmed. "St. James's, August 30, 1737. After having thus, in execution of your "MADAM, determined measures, exposed both the " I think it my duty to thank you Princess and her child to the greatest once more, most humbly, for the honour perils, you now plead surprise and tenyou have done the Princess and me, in derness for the Princess, as the only being godmother to our daughter. I am motives that occasioned these repeated extremely mortified that the King's indignities offered to me, and to the prohibition hinders me from doing it by Queen, your mother. word of mouth. Nothing else should "This extravagant and undutiful bestop me. I flatter myself, that the con- haviour, in so essential a point as the tinuation of your good offices, joined to birth of an heir to my crown, is such an the letter I have done myself the honour evidence of your premeditated defiance to write to the King on that subject, of me, and such a contempt of my auwill procure me that permission, and thority, and of the natural right bethat I shall soon have the satisfaction to longing to your parents, as cannot be appear before you again. excused, by the pretended innocence of "I am, with all imaginable respect, your intentions, nor palliated or disMadam, your most humble and most guised by specious words only; but the obedient son and servant, whole tenor of your conduct, for a con" FRPDERICK." siderable time, is so entirely void of real duty to me, that I have long had reason With the tone of these letters their to be highly offended with you, and Majesties were so little satisfied, that until you withdraw your regard and they resolved to turn the Prince out of confidence from those by whose instigaSt. James's, without further delay. Ac- tion and advice you are directed and cordingly, the tollowing official micssagl encouraged in your unwarrantable be QUEEN OF GEORGE THE SECOND. 913 haviour to me and to the Queen, and unprincipled fellow; and young Lumuntil you return to your duty, you shall ley a strutting pnppy. not reside in my palace, which I will not On the twelfth of September, the suffer to be made the resort of them, Prince and Princess, together with their who, under the appearance of an attach- daughter and their whole household, rement to you, foment the division which moved from St James's to Kew; they you have made in my family, and thereby were not allowed to take a particle of the weaken the common interest of the furniture with them; and when it was whole in this situation. I will receive suggested that they should be permitted no reply but when your actions manifest to take the chests and other articles of nea just sense of your duty and submis- cessity, as they could not carry away sion, that may induce me to pardon their clothes like dirty linen in a baswhat at present I must justly resent. ket, the King sharply answered, " Why "In the meantime, it is my pleasure not? a basket is quite good enough for that you leave St. James's with all your them." The Queen pretended to family when it can be done without pre- wish that this permission should be judice or inconvenience to the Princess. granted to them; " but," observes Lord I shall leave to the Princess the care of Hervey, " the King's perseverance in my granddaughter until a proper time being against it, is a full proof that she calls upon me to consider of her educa- was against it too." On reaching Kew, tion. the Prince sent for Lord Carteret, Sir " (Signed) G. R." William Windham, and Mr. Poulteney; and the King, when informed of this Whilst this humiliating message was fact, observed to Lord Hervey, " Ah! being read to him, the Prince became they will soon be tired of the puppy; agitated and distressed, and before dis- for, besides a scoundrel, he is such a missing the bearers thereof, he begged fool, that he will talk more fiddle-faddle them " to present his duty to the King, to them in a day than any old woman and say he was very sorry for what had talks in a week." happened."* The next morning, at The Prince, at this period, wished to breakfast, the Queen wished to God that address another letter to the Queen, she might never see him again. And she but as correspondence with his parents had her wish: the last meeting on earth was interdicted, he caused Lord Baltiof the estranged royal mother and son, more to write as follows to Lord Granwas on the previous ninth of August, tham: when the Prince, by kneeling down in the dirt, and kissing her Majesty's hand, " Ldon, Sept. 13, 1737. in the presence of the assembled popu- " MY LORD, lace at the gate of St. James's, as he led " I have in my hands a letter from her to her coach, caused her indignation his Royal Highness to the Queen, which to shrink into supreme contempt. The I am commanded to give or transmit to King spoke with equal harshness against your Lordship; and as I am afraid it his "puppy of a son." "He has too might be improper for me to wait on little sense," remarked the royal, but you at Hampton Court, I beg you will stern, unforgiving parent, "to feel his be so good as to let me know how and present degradation, and, as he only in what manner I may deliver or send it listens to boobies, fools, and madmen, to you. If I may presume to judge of those about him are not likely to lay his my royal master's sentiments, he does case before his eyes in its true colours." not conceive himself precluded by the His Majesty then described the Prince's King's messages from taking this the household in anything but flattering only means of endeavouring, as far as he terms: Lord Carnarvon he designated a is able, to remove his Majesty's displeahalf-witted coxcomb; Lord Townshend sure. a wrong-headed booby; Lord North a " I am your Lordship's very humble poor creature; Lord Baltimore a m.al, servant, * Lord Hcrvev. " JBALTIMORLE.' 944 CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG ANSPACII, To the above Lord Grantham replied assure you that as it is to you I owe all by the following letter, drawn up by my happiness, so to you I flattermyself, Sir Robert Walpole, at the Queen's cor- that I shall likewise soon owe the quiet mand. of my life. "Hamrpton Court, Sept. 15, 1737. "I am, with all the respect imagi"Hampton Court, Sept. 15, 1737. ) ^ ^,^ ^ "'MY LORD, nable, sir, your Majesty's most humble " I have laid your lordship's letter and most obedient daughter, before the Queen, who has commanded AUGUSTA. me to return your lordship the following This letter his Majesty, by the adanswer: vice of Sir Robert Walpole, thus an"'The Queen is very sorry that the swered on the eighteenth of September: Prince's behaviour has given the King am sorry, m m tht ntin such just cause of offence, but thinks "I am sorry, madam, that anything herself const rained, o ee bKing last h should happen to give you the least unherself constrained, by the King's last easiness; it is a misfortune to you, but message to the Prince, from receiving not owing to me, that you are involved any application from the Prince uponotin the consequences othatyou are involved that subject. in the consequences of your husband's "I am, y lord your lordship', &c, inexcusable conduct. I pity you to see ",, GR THAM." YOU first exposed to the utmost danger in the execution of his designs, and then Before this answer reached Kew, the made the plea for a series of repeated inPrincess's vice-chamberlain, Sir Wil- dignities offered to me. I wishsomeinliatm Irby, brought the followin sinun ations in your letter had been omitdated letter from the Princess to the ted, which, however, I do not iput to King to Lord Pembroke, who delivered ou, as I am convinced it is not from it to his Majesty on the morning of the you they proceed. fifteenth of September.. R." " SIR, On the morning of Sunday, September " It is with all possible respect that eighteen, and whilst the above was on I take the liberty to thank your Majesty its road to Kew, Sir William Irby armost humbly for the honour you were rived at Hampton Court with the subpleased to do me in being godfather to joined letter from the Princess to the my daughter. I should not have failed to Queen. come myself and pay my duty to you at "Kew, Sept. 17, 1733. Hampton Court, to thank you by word "MADAM, of mouth: but as I have at present the " I take the liberty most humbly to misfortune to be debarred that honour, thank your Majesty for the honour yol did I hope your Majesty will not be dis- me in coming twice to see me, and also pleased that I take the liberty of doing for having been pleased to be godmother it in writing. It is a great aggravation to my daughter. I am extremely morof my sorrow upon this occasion, to find tified that I could not do it in person, that by the Prince's tenderness for me I as I certainly should have done if the am the innocent cause of his disgrace; King's orders had not put it out of my and I flatter myself if I had had leave power. I am extremely concerned at to throw myself at your Majesty's feet, I the manner in which the conduct of the could have explained the Prince's con- Prince has been represented to your duct in a manner that would have soft- Majesty, and especially in the article reened your Majesty's resentment. How lating to our two journeys from Hampmuch am I to be pitied, sir, that an in. ton Court to London the week before cident so grateful to me and at the same I was brought to bed. I can venture to time so agreeable to the public, should assure your Majesty that the physicians unfortunately become the unhappy cause and the midwife were then of opinion of a division in the family. I shall that I should not lie-in before the month trouble your Majesty no further than to of September, and that the pain I com QUEEN OF GEORGE THE SECOND. 945 plained of was only the cholic; and in- question had been denounced as " a most deed, Madam, is it credible that if I had abominable piece of impudence," and the gone twice to London with the design Queen had declared it impossible to have and expectation of being brought to bed, the lie given one without returning it, I should have returned to IHampten even though the Prince was the real ofCourt? I flatter myself that time and fender, ald " the Princess only the inyour Majesty's good offices will procure voluntary vehicle," the subjoined reply a happy change to the present situation was concocted and written and sent by of affairs, which must affect me so much the Queen to the Princess: more sensibly, as I look upon myself to be the innocent cause of it. Hampn, Sept. 20, 17 " I am, with all imaginable respect, "I am very glad, my dear Princess Madam, your most humble and most to hear you are perfectly recovreed of obedient daughter and servant, your lying-in. You may assure your"AUGUSTA" self, as you have never offended either the King or me, I shall never fail to give This epistle gave more offence to their you every mark of my regard and affecMajesties than any of the Princess's pre-tion. I think it would be unbecoming vious correspondence; and when shown either of us to enter into a discussion of to Sir Robert Walpole, he declared that the unhappy division between the King he detected " You lie! you lie! you lie! and my son; and when you are truly infrom one end of it to the other." The formed of the several declarations that Queen's anger was heightened by it have been made relating to your journey having been reported to her that the from Hampton Court, by whom and to Prince had just previously boasted that whom they were made, you will be conwhen he became King, and his mother vinced that the conduct of your husband Queen Dowager (an event which it ap- has no way been misrepresented. Ihope pears he made certain of), he would timeand due consideration will bring my fleece, flay, and mince her; his sister son to ajust sense of his duty to his father, Emily he would imprison; and he would which will be the only means of procurleave the Princess Caroline to starve. ing that happy change which you can"His two youngest sisters," observed the not more sincerely wish than I do. enraged Queen, "he did not deign toAROLINE. mention; but of his brother, the Duke The Prince being denied the court, of Cumberland, he spoke with great now made Carlton House, in Pall Mall, affectation of kindness, and offered to his London residence; and when he was relinquish his right to the succession of turned out of St. James's, their MajesHanover in his favour for ~50,000 a ties caused an order to be issued, prohiyear; an offer," said Caroline, "which biting persons of rank and birth from does not astonish me, for I always be. paying their court to him or his to-believed that the poor-spirited, avaricious itied Pincess; but as this order was monster would sell not only his reversion daily iringed, the lord chamberlain, by in the electorate, but even in this king- their Majestics' commands, issued the dom, if the Pretender would give him subjoinedfive or six hundred thousand pounds in present; but, thank God! he has neither "His Majesty having be-s inright nor power to sell his family, though formed that due regard has not een his folly and knavery may sometimes paid to his order of the eleventh of Sepdistress them." * tember, 1737, has thought fit to declare The merits, or rather demerits, of the that no person whatsoever who shall go last-quoted offending missive from the to pay their court to their Royal HighPrincess were warmly discussed by the nesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, King, Queen, Lord Hervey, and Sir shall be admitted into his Majesty's preRobert Walpole; and after the letter in sence at any of his royal palaces. * Lords Hervey, Chesterfield, and others. (Signed) " GRAFTON." 3 946 CAROLINE 01 BRANDENBURG ANSPACH, CIAPTER V. Caroline declares that she will never cease to hate her son Frederick —She becomes seriously ill-Desires not to see the Prince-Her secret malady too late discovered to her medical attendants-Parting interviews-She rallies-The Archbishop of Canterbury attends her without administering the sacrament-Bright picture of her character-The King's brutality and tenderness to her-The closing sceneHer death-The King's affection for her —Burial-Epitaph —The King remains a widower-Birth of George III.-Reconciliation between the King and the Prince-The feud again ragesfiercely-Death. and burial of the Prince-Jacobite epitaph-Regency bill-George II's death~-Bequeathments-Burial. UEEN CAROLINE drawing-room but a short while, when persevered equally Lord Hervey advised her to retire. with her consort, the She told him she really was too fatigued King, in punishing to entertain the company; and as soon and execrating her as the King, who then was discussing despised son. At the merits of the Dragon of Wantley, a this period, when new operatic extravaganza, written by the Prince had been Carey, and cleverly set to music by made to suffer for his rash disobedience, Lampe, was at leisure, he was apand when her Majesty might, with good prised of her condition, and withdrew; grace and credit to her maternal feelings, "telling her." says Lord Hervey,'" as he have extended to him the hand of recon- went by, that she had overlooked the ciliation, she remarked to Lord Iervey — Duchess of Norfolk. The Queen apolowe quote verbatim from his lordship's in- gised to the duchess, who was the last teresting diary-" My dear lord, I will person she spoke to in public, and then give it you, under my hand, if you are retired and went immediately to bed, in any fear of my relapsing, that my where she grew worse every moment." dear first-born is the greatest ass, and In the evening, cordials were admithe greatest liar, and the greatest ca- nistered, but without producing the denaille, and the greatest beast in the sired effect; and the night through, whole world, and that I most heartily "the King, greatly to the inconvenience wish he was out of it." of himself and the Queen, lay on his This most unnatural wish Caroline consort's bed in his night-gown." Early did not live to see fulfilled. Her own the next morning her Majesty was end was fast approaching. She had bled, by order of Dr. Broxholm; but long been in a declining state of health, as no symptoms of amendment were and twice during the summer had suf- visible, the aid of Sir Hans Sloane and fered from unusually severe attacks of Dr. Hulse were called in, and by their her secret malady; but she was not advice blisters were applied to the legs, seized with her mortal illness till Wed- a remedy for which both the King and nesday, the ninth of November, on Queen entertained great aversion. which day a powerful dose of Daffy's On the eleventh Lord North arrived elixir, administered by Dr. Tessier, at St. James's, with a message from the failed to remove the distressing symp- Prince of Wales, expressive of filial aftoms under which she laboured, and be- fection, and requesting permission to fore noon she took to her bed. But see his sorely-sick mother. The King, her resolution to avoid an appearance of on receiving this message, with demobeing ill being great, she rose in the niac rage, flung at his hypocritical son afternoon to preside at the Wednesday every curse, denunciation, and evil wish drawing-room. She had been in the that his imagination couldinvent, or his QUEEN OF GEORGE THE SECOND. 947 foul tongue utter; and then calming and swear to follow my directions, and down, he ordered Lord Hervey to write, would laugh at me the moment he was and, in the presence of witnesses, read out of the room, and do just the contrary the following answer to the Prince's of what I bade him the moment I was messenger:- dead. And therefore, if I should grow "I have acquainted the Kin with worse, and be weak enough to talk of t he message sent toLaeein him, I beg you, sir, to conclude ^the m~essagge sent to Lady Per roke, ^that I doat or rave." and his Majesty has ordered me to say, the twelfth (aturday), the King that in the present situation and circum- ered to the Queen, thheintende stances, his Majesty does not think fit whipere to her medil thetendants tee that the Prince should see the Queen, to name to her medical attendants the and therefore expects he should nothe ueen, malady from which she was suffering. and St. Jamherees hou."l e She entreated him, in the name of heaven, not to do so; but when next a "In the afternoon," observes Lord violent paroxysm of pain came on, Hervey, "the Queen said to the King, Ranby, the surgeon, by his Majesty's'she wondered the Griff (the nick-name orders, approached her, and although of the Prince) had not sent to ask to she directed his attention to her chest see her, yet it would be so like one of as the source of suffering, he skilfully his paroitres; but (she proceeded), slipped his hand to the affected part, sooner or later, I am sure we shall be kept it there till he had satisfied himplagued with some message of that sort, self, and walking up to the King, by the because he will think it will have a good fire-place, spoke to him in a whisper. air in the world to ask to see me, and Starting suddenly up in bed, Caroline perhaps hopes I shall be fool enough to fixed her eyes upon Ranby with a glassy let him come and give him the pleasure stare, and vehemently exclaimed, "You of seeing ory last breath go out of my blockhead! you are telling the King I body, by which means he would have have a rupture;" and on the surgeon the joy of knowing I was dead five asuring her that such was the case, and minutes sooner than he could know it in not a moment's time was to be lost, the Pall Mall.'" discovery caused her to weep, the only The King then bade her not be under tears she was known to shed during her any apprehensions of a trouble of this trying illness. The eminent surgeons, kind, for that he had already taken care Shipton and Bussier, were now called to prevent it; and then related to her in, and an operation with the knife was every circumstance of the message he proposed, but ultimately it was agreed had received, and the answer he had to endeavour to reduce the tumour by returned by Lord Hervey. The King means less violent. The treatment was told the Queen, too, that if she had the painful, but the Queen bore it with forleast mind to see her son, he had no titude. Her daughter, Caroline, who objection to it, and begged her to do just had affectionately and assiduously what she liked. watched and nursed her, became, this' I am so far,' said the Queen, same Saturday afternoon, herself so un-'from desiring to see him, that nothing well, that Ranby bled her. She was but your absolute commands shall make advised to retire to her apartments, but me consent to it. For what should I refused so to do, and at night she slept see him? for him to tell me a hundred on a couch in a chamber adjoining that lies, and to give myself, at this time, a in which her mortally-ill mother lay. great deal of trouble to no purpose. If Lord Hervey also, worn out with watchanything I could say to him would ing, lay on a mattrass on the floor, at alter his behaviour, I would see him the foot of her couch; the King went with all my heart, but I know that is to bed, and the Princess Emily sat up impossible. Whatever advice I gave with the Queen. him, he would thank me for, blubber On Sunday, the surgeons pronounced like a calf all the while I was speaking, that the wound which caused the Queen's 3r 2 948 CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG ANSPACH, sufferings had begun to mortify, and, as the Wednesday."* " She was born," she a consequence, death must speedily en- said, "on a Wednesday, married on a sue.'" This terrible and dreaded intelli- Wednesday, gave birth to her first child gence" was imparted to all, and the on a Wednesday, heard the first intelliQueen herself was the least disconcerted gence of the late King's death on a or distressed by it. She took leave of Wednesday, was crowned on a Wednesthe King and her children —the de- day, and she believed that she should tested Fritz and the Princess of Orange die on a Wednesday." Caroline had excepted-with solemn resignation. To expressed indifference as to holding a her favourite son, the Duke of Cumber- parting interview with Sir Robert Walland, she gave wholesome advice. pole; but when the great man was After recommending him to be as a prop ushered into her presence, she addressed tohis father in his old age, she enjoined him in these words-"My good Sir him not to mortify his brother, the Robert, you see me in a very indifferent Prince, but simply to endeavour to out- situation. I have nothing to say to you shine him by superior merit. To the but to recommend the King, my children, Princess Caroline, she consigned the and the kingdom to your care." This care of the younger Princesses, Louisa recommendation alarmed the minister, and Mary. She had little to say to the who feared it would bring down the Princess Amelia; and she expressed a King's envy and ill-will upon him. desire not to see her daughter Anne, These fears, however, proved groundPrincess of Orange, who accordingly less; and after the Queen's death, the was excluded from her presence. Her King's regard for Sir Robert increased, parting interview with the King was as it seemed, for her sake. When the serious, but singular. Taking a ruby surgeons again dressed her Majesty's ring off her finger, and placing it on the wounds on Sunday, they declared that finger of the King, "she said," observes the mortification had not spread, and Lord Hervey, "' This is the last thing I gave faint hopes of her recovery. The have to give you; naked I came to you, truth was, they had mistaken inflammaand naked I go from you. I had every- tion for mortification; and now, in their thing I ever possessed from you, and eagerness to repair their error, they held to you whatever I have I return. My out hopes of recovery, which proved will you will find a short one; I give transitory. Caroline continued to grow all I have to you.'" She then enjoined worse, but she submitted to painful opethe King to marry again after her death; rations with extraordinary fortitude and upon which, he burst into a flood of resignation; and when the tortures of tears, and sobbing aloud between each the knife or the probe did occasionally word, stammered out, " No, I will then extort from her an involuntary groan, have mistresses." she invariably apologized to the sur"Ah, mon Dieu!" replied the Queen, geons, and bade them to do their duty " the one need not prevent the other." without heeding her silly complaints. " I know," observes Lord Hervey, On Wednesday a murmur ran through "this episode will hardly be credited, the city and the court that the dying but it is literally true."* Queen had not yet made her peace with This strange scene concluded, Caroline God. And Sir Robert Walpole, rather fell into a profound sleep; and the King, than offend popular prejudice, recombelieving she was dying, remained by mended that Dr. Potter, Archbishop of her side, and repeatedly kissed her, and Canterbury, should be sent for. "This muttered: "'It is over, she will suffer farce must be played, Madam," he obno more.' But, to his agreeable astonish- served to the Princess Amelia, " and the ment, she awoke again greatly refreshed, archbishop will act it very well. You and after declaring that her nasty heart may bid him be as short as you will. would not break yet, she expressed a It will do the Queen no hurt, no more conviction that she should linger on till than any good; and it will satisfy all * Lord Hervey, vol. ii. p. 516. * Lord Hervey, vol. ii. p. 516. QUEEN OF GEORGE TIIE SECOND. 949 the wise and good fools who will call us she was extremely pious, and partial to all atheists if we don't pretend to be as the study of divinity; but this belief great fools as they are."* Accordingly, was occasioned by a partiality which she Dr. Potter was commanded to attend evinced through life for theological conher Majesty mornings and evenings. troversy, and by her having, sinoe 1736, She received the primate with pleasure, occasionally amused herself, during although she liked him not, and paid breakfast, by reading " Butler's Analogy devout attention to his prayers and ex- of Religion to Human Nature," a book hortations, but refused to receive the of which Hoadly, Bishop of Winchester, sacrament. This refusal, it is supposed, remarked, that to only look at it gave was occasioned by her firm determina- him the head-ache. tion not to become reconciled to her The King now began to exhibit a hated son Fritz, who, it must be ob- most unseemly mixture of brutality and served, in palliation of this unmaternal tenderness towards his dying consort. conduct of the dying Queen, she herself To his children and his friends he lauded knew was at this very time anxiously her as being "the best wife, the best watching to exult over her death, mother, the best companion, the best and who, in his impatience to receive friend, and the best woman that ever the awful tidings, was heard to exclaim: was born."* Her head, heart, temper, "Well, we shall have good news soon; were also of the best, he said; and in she can't hold out much longer." What her was blended all the softness and dea fearful, unchristian, family picture is licacy of woman, with the courage and this; and yet the Queen is said to have intellectual powers of man, whilst, exdied "in a manner worthy of a christian." traordinary as it may appear, he with And furthermore, the author of an essay the same breath, and with all seeming on her character, published in ]738, sincerity and seriousness, declared, that asserts, that when the hopes and fears "if she had not been his wife, he would of this world were at an end, she fre- rather have had her for his mistress than quently declared "That she had made any other woman upon earth." Such it the business of her life to discharge was the theme which now. it appeared, her duty to God and man in the best wholly absorbed the thoughts of the manner she was able; that, as she had King, and on which he was almost unno heavy burden upon her conscience, ceasingly expatiating at great length; she hoped God would pardon her in- and yet so inconstant was his temper, firmities and accept of the sincerity of so habitually brutal his manners, that at her endeavours, which were always in- this same period he scarcely once entered tended to promote the king's honour the presence of his beloved Carolineand the prosperity of the kingdom; that he doubtless loved her as well as such a she was a hearty well-wisher to the husband could love a wife —without liberties of the nation; that if she had snapping and growling as though he been mistaken in any part of her con- hated her. When pain had rendered duct, it was from an error of her judg- her restless, and she desired to sleep, he ment, not her will; that she could not peevishly remarked, "How the devil charge herself with a thought of having should you sleep, when you will never unjustly given an hour's pain to any lie still a moment! You are always one person in the world; and that she moving about-nobody can sleep in that had studied all the means that were in manner; and that is always your way; her power of contributing to the happi- you never take the proper method to get ness of the royal family, and strength- what you want, and then you wonder ening the common interest of all who youhave it not."t Another time, when wished well to the King's govern- he noticed that she was vacantly gazing ment." l It was generally believed that with glassy eyes at the window, he Lord Hervey, vol. ii. p. 527. snappishly remarked to her, "What t An Essay towards the Character of her * Hervey's Memoirs. late Majesty, Caroline, &c., p. 34. t Hervey's Memoirs. 960 CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG ANSPACH, the deuce are you staring at now? Why immediately ceased to weep. The King do you fix your eyes in that fashion? repeatedly kissed the face and hands of Why, you look like a calf with his the lifeless clay, and then retired to throat cut." These, and many other rest; but a superstitious dread of appaequally uncouth remarks, the petulant ritions, ghosts, and witches prevented King meant for tokens of affection, and him from sleeping alone; as on that in most instances they were received as night, and every succeeding night for such by the mortally-sick Queen. several weeks afterwards, he caused one Thus matters proceeded; the King of his pages to sleep in the same room alternately snubbing and eulogizing his with him. death-stricken consort, and the Prin- The King felt deeply the loss of his cess Amelia, annoyed at her father consort. During her illness, harsh as mingling, as he did, much of self-laud- his conduct had been, he had assiduously ation with his praise of her mother, watched by her bed-side, and taken but calling him a tiresome fool, liar, and little food or rest. He incessantly wept coward, whose stories made her sick. for several days after her death, and The Queen still grew worse and worse, when the first overpowering emotions of and on_ Sunday, the twentieth, she felt grief had passed away, he took to rethat her end was drawing nigh, and counting her history, mingled with that demanded of Tessier, her physician, of his own, from the hour he was first "How long can this last?" " Your acquainted with her to the day of her Majesty will soon be eased of your death. Whilst the big tears rolled pain," was the reply. " The sooner the down his cheeks, he would again and better," she remarked; and then prayed again enumerate her virtues and charms, aloud extemporaneously, and with a flow and attribute to her person all that was of eloquence which fully demonstrated beautiful and captivating, and to her the power and vigour of her mind, and mind and heart all that was excellent, astonished all present. But the last pe- great, good, and holy; but his grief, riod of this melancholy scene was yet like his general conduct, was singular, to come; about ten in the evening, when and Lord Hervey assures us that "any her speech began to falter, and she was unexpected event, if in the least degree thought to be expiring, she summoned ludicrous, would be sure to cause him, all her strength, all the powers of her in the midst of his tears, to burst into a departing spirit, to assist her for one roar of loud laughter." Nevertheless, glorious moment, that she might die in few royal widowers have felt the loss of a manner becoming a great Queen. She a wife more keenly than did George II.; requested to be raised up in bed, and as with a flood of tears he told Walpole she grew faint, by her own desire was that Caroline had been more than his twice sprinkled with water. She desired right hand to him; and now that she all present to kneel and pray for her; was gone, he knew not what to do, or and whilst prayers were being read, she which way to turn himself. Some time murmured, "Louder yet, louder, that afterwards, early one morning, before I may hear." And after the Lord's rising, he remarked to Baron Brinkman, Prayer was concluded, in which she one of his German attendants, " I hear joined as well as her failing strength you have a portrait of my wife, which permitted, she, with eyes fixed and dim, she gave you, and which is a better likeand with a voice more sepulchral than ness than any in my possession; bring earthly, uttered a protracted so-o-o! it to me." It was brought; the King calmly waved her hand in token of gazed at it, seemed greatly affected, and farewell to those around her, and tran- after a brief pause said, "It is very like quilly laying down, expired just as the her; put it upon the chair at the foot of clock struck eleven. The Princess Ca- my bed, and leave it till I ring." Two roline held a looking-glass to her lips, hours afterwards, the baron was sumand finding it not the least sullied by moned; and the King, with eyes swollen breath, exclaimed, "'Tis over," and with weeping, looked at him, and point QUEEN OF KIORGE THE SECOND. 961 ing to the portrait, exclaimed, "Take Thus state and majesty are lost, it away, take it away; I never yet saw And death recruits its empty urns; the woman worthy to buckle her shoe." Thus the vain pomp, the mighty boast, the woman worthy to buckle her shoe." To silence and the shade retunas." The remains of Queen Caroline were interred, with imposing obsequies, on Afte the death of Queen Caroline, the the seventeenth of December, in a new didnot again maryut he acted vault in Henry the Eighth's chapel, in as he had said he would-he kept misWestminster Abbey, where the King, tresses in a manner more openly than by his own orders, was afterwards buried heretofore. The feud continued to rage by her side. The procession set out between the monarch and his heir, Prince from the Prince's chamber adjoining the Frederick; and when, on the fourth of House of Lords. The coffin was richly June, 1738, the latter became the father ornamented, and the pall was supported of son, who was christened George, by the Dukes of Richmond, Montague, and ultimately ascended the thone of Argyle, Buccleugh, St. Alban's, and Bitin, by the title of George III., the Kent, six in all. The Princess Amelia, former, so far as circumstances permitted, and not the Kiing, was chief mourner, avoided all notice or mention of the fact. She was supported by two dukes; two The Prince, however, by a coalition of duchesses, assisted by Lord Robert Mon- his own partisans and the country party, tague. bore her train, and six duchesses became the leader of a powerful opposiand ten countesses acted as her assist- tion, who, at the commencement of 1742, ants. The Rev. Dr. Wilcox, Bishop of succeeded in driving from office Queen iRochester and Dean of Westminster, Caroline's minister, Sir Robert Walpole, real the burial service. The choir, to a measure followed by the accomplishthe number of one hundred and forty ment of what at the time was called a performers, chaunted " the ways of Zion reconciliation between the King and the do mourn," an anthem set to music by Prince. On Thursday night," writes the great composer Handel for the oc- Horace Walpole, in a letter dated Fecasion, and Garter King-at-Arms pro- bruary the eighteenth, 1742, "Mr. Pultclaimed her Majesty's style and titles ney went to the Prince, and without the as follows: "Thus it has pleased Al- knowledgeofArgyle, etcetera,prevailed mighty God to take out of this transitory on him to write to the King. He was life, to his divine mercy, the late most so long determining, that it was eleven high, most mighty, and most excellent at night before the King received his Princess Caroline, by the grace of God, letter. Yesterday moing the Price Queen Consort of the most high, most attended by two of his lords, two grooms mighty, and most excellent monarch of the bedchmber, and Lord ScarboGeorge II., by the grace of God, King rough, his treasurer, went to the King's of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, levee. The King said,'How does the defender of the faith, whom God bless Princess do I hope she is well.' Te and preserve with long life, health, and Prince kissed his hand, and this was all. honour, and all worldly hapiness." He returned to Carlton House, whither Many epitphs and political eulogies crowds went to him. He spoke to tile were written to the memory of the con- DukeofNewcaste and Mr. Pelham, but sort of George II. Of these we select wuldnottothethree dukes,Richmond, the subjoined stanzas, which possess the Grafton, andMarlborough. At night double merit of elegance and brevity: the royal family were all at the Duchess of Norfolk's, and the streets were illumi"How soon frail royalty is o'er, nated and bonfired." This reconciliation That fame deluded monarchs trust; brought to the Prince an addition to his To-day their greatness we adore, income of ~50,000 a year, the restoration of his guards, and other important fallow near oblivion to renown, vours. But withal, it proved, as Walpole The end of glory to its blookn; now Earl of Oxford, prophecied, "a mere The altar where she took her crown, e Close to the spot that boasts her tomb. sham, of short duration." Towards the 952 CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG ANSPACH, Prince the King gradually became more got to the head of the bed he was dead. and more cool and insolent, the Prince Lord North was immediately sent to the conducted himself with equal impro- King, who was looking over the table priety towards the King, and in 1747, where the Princess Emily, the Duchess he and his party joined the opposition, of Dorset, and the Duke of Grafton were with a firm determination not to again playing. He was extremely surprised, desert them. and said,' Why, they told me he was The feud between the two first per- better.' He bade Lord North tell the sonages in the realm now became a Princess he would do everything she matter of party strife, and continued could desire, and has this morning sent to grow fiercer and fiercer till death her a very kind message. He is exsnatched the Prince from the scene of tremely shocked, but no pity is too much contention. This event took place on for the Princess; she has eight children, the twentieth of March, 1751, and is and is seven months gone with another. thus mentioned by Horace Walpole: She bears her affliction with great cou" The Prince died last night, between rage and sense. They asked her if the nine and ten. * * * He had a pleurisy, body was to be opened; she replied, and was recovering. Last Thursday was' What the King pleased.'" senate; he went to attend-the King's On the thirteenth of April the Prince passing some bills in the House of Lords, was buried in Henry the Seventh's chaand from thence to Carlton House, very pel, Westminster Abbey, with becoming hot when he unrobed, put on a light un- ceremony, but with only a small show of aired frock and waistcoat, went to Kew, respect from the court and leading nowalked for several hours in the gardens bility. there, though it was a bitter day, came " The most extraordinary of the rehome tired, and lay down for three hours flections on his death," says Horace Walupon a couch in a very cold room in Carl- pole, " were set forth in a sermon at ton House, that opens into the garden. Mayfair Chapel.'He had no great Lord Egmont told him how dangerous parts,' observed the preacher,'but he it was, but the Prince did not mind had great virtues; indeed, they degehim. My father once said to this King nerated into vices. He was very gene(George 1I.) when he was ill and roy- rous, but I hear his generosity has ruined ally untractable,' Sir, do you know what a great many people; and then his conyour father died of? Of thinking he could descension was such, that he kept very not die.' In short, the Prince relapsed bad company." But great as his failthat night; he has had three physi- ings or his vices may have been, in one cians ever since, and has never been sup- respect he outshone his boorish, illiterate posed out of danger till yesterday. A father; he was a most distinguished pathrush had appeared, and for the two or tron of authors, artists, philosophers, and three last evenings he had dangerous statesmen. Of the verses poured out suppressions of breath. However, his upon his death, the following Jacobite family thought him so well yesterday, epitaph became the most popular: that there were cards in his outward room. Between nine and ten he was Who was alive and is dead. seized with a violent fit of coughing. Had it been his father, * * Hawking, the surgeon who at- I had mnch rather. tended him, had occasion to go out of Had it been his brother, the room, and said,'There is something I Had it been his sister, don't like.' The cough continued; the No one would have missed her. Prince laid his hand upon his stomach, Had it been the whole generation, and s,'Oh ths is dath' Te Still better for the nation; and said, I Oh, this is death!' The But since'tis only Fred, person who held him up felt him shiver, Who was alive and is dead, and cried out,'The Prince is gone!' There is no more to be said." The Princess, who was at the foot of the Prince George, afterwards George III., bed, snatched up a candle, but before she when informed of his father's death, QUEEN OF GEORGE THE SECOND. 953 "turned pale, and laid his hand on his Wales, at Kew. The surgeons and phybreast." Upon which Ayscough, his sicians instantly arrived, and endeavoured tutor, remarked, "I am afraid, sir, you to bleed the body, but without effect; are not well." the right ventricle of the heart was rup-' I feel something here," replied the tured, and George II. had died, like his young Prince, pressing his hand to his bitterly-hated son, Prince Frederick, breast more firmly; "I feel something without priestly aid or religious consbhere, just as I did when I saw the two lation. workmen fall off the scaffold at Kew." Horace Walpole thus alludes to the The fact was, he felt distressing grief, death and bequeathments of George II. but was at a loss for words to describe the "I am not gone to Houghton, you choking, depressing sensation. A fewdays see; my Lord Oxford is come to town, after the burial of his father, he was form- and I have persuaded him to stay and ally created Prince of Wales-the orderof perform decencies. King George II. is the Garter had been previously conferred dead, richer than Sir Robert Brown, on him-and before the summer had though perhaps not so rich as my Lord passed away, an act was passed, settling Hardwicke. He has left ~50,000 bethe regency of the kingdom on the Prin- tween the Duke, Emily, and Mary: the cess, his mother, in case the crown de- Duke has given up his share. To Lady volved to him before he was of age. Yarmouth, a cabinet with the contents; This bill was, however, rendered need- they call it ~11,000. By a German less by the King, gouty and infirm as he deed he gives the Duke to the value of was, living on till the year 1760, when, ~180,000, placed on mortgages not imon the twenty-fifth of October, he was, in mediately recoverable. He had once a manner, suddenly and unexpectedly given him twice as much more, then reseized with the agonies of death. He had voked it, and at last excused the revocarisen as usual, drank his chocolate, called tion on pretence of the expenses of the his page, and inquired about the wind, as war, but owns he was the best son that if anxious for the arrival of the foreign ever lived, and had never offended him mails. He then said he would take a -a pretty strong comment on the affair walk in the garden, and the page left of Closterseven. He gives him, besides, the room, but immediately afterwards all his jewels in England, but had reheard the sound of a heavy fall,'and moved all his best to Hanover, which he hastily returning, found the King lying makes crown jewels; and his successor on the floor with a deep gash on his residuary legatee. The Duke, too, has right temple and cheek, cut, it was sup- some uncounted cabinets. My Lady posed, by the edge of a bureau, against Suffolk has given me a particular of his which he fell. The death-stricken mo- jewels, which plainly amount to~150,000. narch looked up into the face of the It happened oddly to my Lady Suffolk, page, gasped out, "Call Amelia!" and two days before he died she went to then, with a rattling gurgle in the throat, make a visit at Kensington: not knowexpired. The attendants placed the body ing of the review, she found herself upon the bed, and the moment after- hemmed in by coaches, and was close to wards the Princess, who had been sent him whom she had not seen for so many for hurriedly, entered the apartment, years, and to my Lady Yarmouth, but rushed to the bed-side, and being pur- they did not know her; it struck her, blind and hard of hearing, leaned over and made her very sensible to his death." it in the belief that her father was speak- The remains of George II., who exing to her in a low voice. When she pircd at the age of seventy-seven, were found that he was to all appearances interred in Henry VII.'s Chapel, Westdead, the colour left her cheeks, her lips minster Abbey, by the side of his conquivered, and tears gushed from her sort, Queen Caroline, on the eleventh of eyes. But with great presence of mind November, 1760. The funeral is thus she despatched one messenger for medi- graphically described by Horace Walcal aid, and another to the Prince of pole: 954 CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG ANSPACH. " Do you know I had the curiosity to have served as well for a nuptial. The go to the burying t'other night? I had real serious part was the figure of the never seen a royal funeral; nay, I Duke of Cumberland, heightened by a walked as a rag of quality, which I fan- thousand melancholy circumstances; he cied would be, and so it was, the easiest had a dark-brown Adonis and a cloak of way of seeing it. It is absolutely a black cloth, with a train of five yards. noble sight; the Prince's chamber hung Attending the funeral could not be pleawith purple and a quantity of silver sant; his leg extremely bad, yet forced lamps, the coffin under a canopy of to stand upon it near two hours, his face purple velvet, and six vast chandeliers bloated and distorted with his late paof silver on high stands, had a very ralytic stroke, which has affected, too, good effect. The ambassador from one of his eyes, and placed over the Tripoli and his son were carried to see mouth of the vault into which, in all thatchamber. The procession through a probability, he must so soon descendline of foot guards, every seventh man think how unpleasant a situation!-he bearing a torch, the horse guards lining bore it all with a firm and unaffected the outsides, their officers with drawn countenance. This grave scene was sabres and crape sashes, on horseback, fully contrasted by the burlesque Duke the drums muffled, the fifes, bells toll- of Newcastle; he fell into a fit of crying, and minute-guns —all this was ing the moment he came into the chapel, very solemn; but the charm was the en- and flung himself back into a stall, the trance of the abbey, where we were re- archbishop hovering over him with a ceived by the dean and chapter in rich smelling-bottle; but in two minutes his robes, the choir and alms-men bearing curiosity got the better of his hypocrisy, torches, the whole abbey so illuminated, and he ran about the chapel with his that one saw it to better advantage than glass to spy who was or was not there, by day, the tombs, long aisles, and. fret- spying with one hand and mopping his ted roof, all appearing distinctly and eyes with the other; then returned the with the happiest ciiaro-scuro; there fear of catching cold, and the Duke of wanted nothing but incense, and little Cumberland, who was sinkinfgwith heat, chapels here and there, with priests say- felt himself weighed down, ad turning ing mass for the repose of the defunct; round, found it was the Duke of Newyet one could not complain of its not castle standing upon his train, to avoid being catholic enough. I had been in the chill of the marble. It was very dread of being coupled with some boy theatric to look down into the vault of ten years old; but the heralds were where the coffins lay, attended by not very accurate, and I walked with mourners with lights. Clavering, the George Grenville, taller and older, to groom of the bedchamber, refused to sit keep me in countenance. When we up with the body, and was dismissed by came to the Chapel of Henry VII., all the King's order." solemnity and decorum ceased, no order Such was the funeral of George II., a was observed, people sat or stood where King whose abilities were scarcely above they could or would, the yeomen of the mediocrity, whose reign was decidedly guard were crying out for help, op- prosperous, and whose death, observes pressed by the immense weight of the Walpole, " was most felicitous to himcoffin. The bishop read sadly, and blun- self, being without a pang, without tasting dered in the prayers; the fine chapter a reverse, and when his sight and hear-.-' Man that is born of woman,' was ing were so nearly extinguished, that any chaunted, not read, and the anthem, be- prolongation could but have swelled to sides being immeasurably tedious, would calamities." .. ~~....:.....-^''??^?!'~... CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ, a(ttrn uf iE rgr tjie 4irv. HAPTER I. Sophia Clharlotte-Parentage-Birth —Education-Infancy and girlhood-Incidents which led to her marriage-Marriage treaty concluded-Journey to EnglandArrival at St. James's-~larriage to George III.-Singular address-Visit to Drury Lane Theatr.e-Her personal appearance and manners-Household established -Coronation —Visit to Covent Garden Theatre, and to the City of London on Lord Mayor's Day-Parliamentary settlement of her dower-Buckingham House purchased for her-Birth-day commemoration. OP I A CHAR- her father died, when the family removed LOTTE - or Char- from Mirow to Strelitz, and the poetess,' )~.-:lotte, as she wasmore Madame de Grabow was appointed commonly designat- to assist in th e education of the two ed —consortofGeorge princesses. Shortly afterwards, these inIII., was the fifth structresses were succeeded in their ofchild and youngest fice by Dr. Gentzner, under whose able daughter of Charles tuition the Princess Charlotte successLewis Frederick, Duke of Mirow, and fully studied the languages and literahis Duchess, Albertina Elizabeth, daugh- ture of Germany, France, and Italy; ter of Ernest Frederick, Duke of Saxe- but, unfortunately, as neither the goHildburghausen. Her father was the vernesses nor the tutor had the slightest second son of the Duke of Mecklen- knowledge of English, the pupil was not burg-Strelitz, a dukedom to which her taught the tongue of that nation over eldest brother ultimately succeeded. She which she was destined, in womanhood, first saw the light at the ducal palace of to bear sway as the Queen-consort of Mirow, on the sixteenth of May, 1744, George IIl. The Princess was also and was christened with the rites of the well grounded in history, geography, Lutheran church. Her amiable and natural and revealed religion, and the accomplished mother paid great atten- general principles of the arts and sciences, tion to her education, and appointed as whilst, as accomplishments, she successgoverness to her and to her sister, Chris- fully practised drawing, vocal and intina Sophia Albertina, who was born on strumental music, dancing, needle-work, the sixth of December, 1735, Mademoi- lace-making, and embroidery. selle Seltzer, a lady noble born, highly If Fenelon, an eye-witness, is to be accomplished, erudite, and endowed with accredited, the court at Strelitz, at this superior educational talents. In 1761, period, was a matchless model of social 956 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ, contentment, unity, felicity, and mora- the King of Prussia's victory over the lity. He says- Austrians at Torgau, on the eleventh of "They have no ambition here but November, 1760, she addressed the folthat of serving their prince and country; lowing impressive appeal to the Prussian they idle not away their time, but act monarch:with the utmost diligence in their respective departments; they behave with " May it please your Majesty, a just dignity and decorum, avoiding the " I scarcely know whether I extremes of meanness and pride; they should congratulate or condole with you are content with their paternal fortunes, on your late victory, since that same which set them above the inordinate de- success which has crowned you with lausire of riches; they are open and sin- rels has overspread Mecklenburg with cere, which renders them lovers of truth; desolation. I am aware, sir, that in they have no occasion to cringe to a this age of vicious refinement it is prince whose aversion is flattery; they deemed scarcely becoming of my sex to have the highest ideas of honour, and, feel for one's bleeding country, to laconsequently, are true to their engage- ment the horrors of war, or to pray for ments; they have an inviolable regard the return of peace. I know you may for all civil duties; they have a love for deem it more properly my province to their prince, on account of his virtues, study domestic matters and the arts of and esteem him for his capacity. To pleasing; but, unbecoming in me though conclude, it may be truly said, that in- it may be, I cannot resist the desire of stead of encouraging the ridicule of interceding for this unhappy people. virtue, this court is a pattern of mora- " But a short while ago this territory lity and religion, a school of probity and wore the most promising aspect: the honour, a seminary of politeness, and, land was tilled, the peasants happy, the in fine, the seat of every social virtue. towns rich and prosperous; but now, This is no exaggeration, but a fair por- alas, how changed the picture! I am trait. The court of Strelitz, indeed, is not apt at description, nor can my fancy not very numerous, but it is one of the heighten the horrors of the scene around most regular and most agreeable of any me-a scene at which conquerors themin the whole empire. No private family selves would surely weep. The whole is governed with more order, and, per- country —my dear country —lies one haps, no prince is served by abler offi- frightful waste. The husbandmen and cers, and with greater diligence and shepherds, unable to longer continue affection." their employments, have turned soldiers "Well it would have been," remarks themselves, and help to ravage the soil a learned author, "if this state of things they formerly tilled - to destroy the had been permanent;" but, unfortu- flocks and herds they formerly tended. nately, the peaceful little court at Stre- The towns are deserted by all, saving a litz was doomed to learn, by bitter ex- few old men, women, children, and perience, how short-lived human felicity maimed and invalided warriors. The usually is. The disastrous "Seveni alternate insolence of each of the opposYears' War," which broke out in 1756, ing armies, as they happen to advance and spread desolation over Germany, or retreat, is intolerable. No pen can was felt with peculiar severity through- express the confusion which even those out the duchy of Mecklenburg. The calling themselves our friends excite; whole territory was taken possession of and as to redress, those from whom we as a military station by Frederick the might reasonably expect it, almost daily Great, King of Prussia, whose troops oppress us with new calamities. Therecommitted atrocities disgraceful to civi- fore, sir, it is from your justice that we lized soldiers. The Princess Charlotte hope for relief; to you whose humanity felt deeply for the sufferings of the stoops to the meanest petition, whose people amongst whom she was born; power is capable of repressing the greatand amidst the exultation produced by est injustice, the famishing women and QUEEN OF GEORGE THE THIRD. 967 children of Mecklenburg appeal for suc- Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburgcour and redress." Strelitz, a princess distinguished by every eminent virtue and amiable endowment, On the twenty-fifth of October, 1760, whose illustrious line has constantly the Prince of Wales, who was yet un- shown the firmest zeal for the Protestmarried, and had but just completed his ant religion, and a particular attachtwenty.second year, succeeded to the ment to my family. I have judgedprothrone of his grandfather, by the title of per to communicate to you these my inGeorge III., King of Great Britain and tentions, in order that you may be fully Ireland, &c.; and shortly afterwards, a apprised of a matter so highly important copy of the above letter falling into his to me and to my kingdoms, and which I hands, he exclaimed to Lord Hertford, persuade myself will be most acceptable " This is the lady whom I shall select to all my loving subjects." for my consort: here are lasting beau- Although the council was taken by ties, on which the man who has any mind surprise, this declaration was published may feast and not be satisfied. If the in the Gazette the same evening, accomdisposition of the Princess but equals panied by an order for the coronation to her refined sense, I shall be the happiest be solemnized on the twenty-second of man, as I hope, with my people's con- September. The Earl of Harcourt, as currence, to be the greatest monarch in ambassador extraordinary, accompanied Europe." by General Graeme, as the confidential Not a moment was to be lost, and Ge- agent, sailed from Harwich on the neral Graeme, a Scotchman, who previ- eighth of August, arrived at Strelitz on ously had been dispatched with the ut- the fourteenth, and the next morning most secresy to the courts of Germany to formally demanded the Princess Chardiscover a suitable consort for his Ma- lotte in marriage for the King, his masjesty, and had made choice of Charlotte, ter. The same day, the marriage-treaty was employed to pay another secret visit was signed, and her Royal Highness, to the court at Strelitz. He met with after receiving the compliments of the a favourable reception; and on his return states of the duchy, partook of a sumptuto England, and whilst the court and the ous banquet, given in honour of the ocnation were being amused with the ru- casion. At this banquet she sat at a mours that ththe King was about to form separate table, with her sister, Christina, a matrimonial alliance either with a and her grand-aunt, the Princess of princess of the House of Brandenburgh), Schwartzburg. The Earl of Harcourt, with one of his own subjects-either and several nobles and ladies of his suite, Lady Sarah Lennox, or Hannah Light- dined with the Duke of Mecklenburg in foot, to the latter of whom a report pre- the grand saloon, and in two other vailed that he had been married a few apartments four tables were served, with years previously-or with some other upwards of one hundred and sixty choice royal or noble-born damsel, his Majesty, and delicate dishes. During the banin an extraordinary council, convened on quet the guns fired, in the evening the the eighth of July, 1761, made the fol- castle and the town were illuminated, lowing declaration:- and the next day was devoted to festi-'' Having nothing so much at heart as vity and rejoicing. to procure the welfare and happiness of Sorrow and joy, however, are common my people, and to render the same stable companions, and the bride elect parted and permanent to posterity, I have ever in tears from ler relations and friends. since my accession to the throne turned She commenced herjourney on the sevenmy thoughts towards the choice of a teenth of August, and the honours paid princess for my consort; and I now, to her on this occasion by the inhabitwith great satisfaction, acquaint you ants of the old town of Strelitz, are thus that, after the fullest information and mentioned by M. Tangatz, who himself mature deliberation, I am come to a re- witnessed the pleasing scene. solution to demand in marriage the' On a plain, at no considerable dis 958 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ tance from the ducal palace, was erected the twenty-second; and the same evena superb triumphal arch, decorated with ing entered Strade in public procession, natural foliage and festoons, and sur- amidst the booming of cannon, the ringmounted with two globes, exhibiting the ing of bells, and the blaze of a general conquests of England, and over which illumination. The streets through which were the arms of Great Britain and Meck- she passed were lined with the burgesses lenburg united; close to the arch, on a under arms, and adorned with triumphal platform, were drawn up the town mi- arches, and congratulatory verses were litia under arms. On either side of the presented to her by the principal ladies front of the arch were bowers and tents, of the town. The next day, Sunday, she where the numerous spectators might ob- passed at Buxtelhude, where, having tain refreshments. On each side, within courteously received an address from the the arch, stood six young maidens, clothed members of the Hamburg Company, she, in white, and each bearing a wreath on the following morning, embarked on of myrtle in her hand. The procession, board the yacht Charlotte, amidst the conducted by a captain of Mecklenburg acclamations of the assembled populace; horse, was headed by Marshal Zester- and accompanied by her brother, Prince flesh, with two running footmen; then Charles, by the Duchesses of Ancaster came in coaches and six, his Highness, and Hamilton, and by the Earl of Harthe Duke, with his brother, Prince court and Lord Anson. Immediately the Charles, attended by running footmen Princess embarked, the whole squadron and horse-guards; and as they passed destined to escort her to England, fired through the arch, the burghers saluted a salute; but adverse winds prevented them with their arms, colours, and music. the yacht from weighing anchor till the After the march of the horse, came, in a nextday, the twenty-fifth, when the Royal coach of state and six, the bride elect, Charlotte got under sail, put Prince with her sister, and the Countess of Coc- Charles on shore the next morning at ceius. Beneath the arch her Highness Cuxhaven; and on the twenty-eighth, paused, whilst the burgomaster, Tangatz, although the weather was wild and addressed her in the name of the corpora- stormy, the whole squadron put to sea. tion and citizens, and each of the maidens As the King was anxious that the cererecited to her congratulatory verses, mony of the nuptials should precede that and flung myrtle-wreaths into her coach, of the coronation, there was not a moThese addresses concluded, she expressed ment to lose, and Lord Anson made her satisfaction in the most gracious every exertion to speedily reach the terms; and proceeding onward, was fol- Nore; but the wind blew against him lowed by twelve horse-guards, an empty with such violence, that it was only after coach, and then, in a coach and six, the a ten days' voyage, and twice sighting Earl of Harcourt, who paused to view Falmouth Head, and each time being the arch, and presented each of the driven to sea again with considerable maidens with a ducat. After the Earl, damage and danger, that he at last enthe rear of the procession was brought tered the road of Ilarwich, on the evenup by Councillor HIardenburg, from ing of Sunday, September the sixth. Hanover, followed by about thirty Her Highness, storm-tossed as she had coaches." been, had enjoyed excellent health and In this order the royal train pro- spirits throughout the voyage; and, as ceeded to Mirow, where Charlotte bade no preparations had been made at Haran affecting farewell to her sister, and, wich for her arrival, she remained on with a heart more sad than joyous, board the yacht till three P.M. the next hastened on her journey. Proceeding day. In the interval, her route was through Perleburgh and Letzen, she, on settled, and instructions received as to the twentieth, reached Ghorde; and the manner of her ploceeding to St. having twice dined there in public, James's. On landing, she was received crossed a branch of the Elbe, and dined by the mayor and aldermen of Harwich, in a grand tent on the river's bank on in their usual formalities. The same QUEEN OF GEORGE TIHE THIRD. 909 afternoon, she entered Colchester, and remony,the King and Queen occupied after partaking of tea at the house of on one side of the altar, two tate chairss, Mr. Enew, and receiving a box of eringo under a canopy: the Princess-dowager root-a presentation always made to of Wales sat facing them, in a similar any of the royal family who honoured chair of state on the opposite side; the Colchester with a visit-proceeded to other branches of the royal family ocLord Abercorn's, at Witham, where she cupied stools, and for the peers, peerarrived at a quarter-past seven, and esses, bishops, and foreign ministers, passed the night. A little after twelve, were provided benches. Dr. Boyce's the next morning, the King's servants anthem, "'The King shall rejoice in thy met her at Romford, at the house of Mr. strength, ohi Lord!" was sung by the Dalton, a wine merchant, where they choir; after which, the procession reserved her with coffee; after which, the turned to St. James's, and there was a young Queen, as the bride-elect was public drawing-room, but no persons now considered, attired entirely in the were presented. At the conclusion of English fashion, entered the King's the ceremony, the Park and the Tower coach, accompanied by the Duchesses of guns were fired; the bells were rung; Ancaster and Hamilton. The attend- all London was brilliantly illuminated, ants of her Majesty were in three other and the inhabitants devoted the night to coaches. They proceeded at a rather festivity and rejoicing. slow pace, that the populace, who had On the following day, Wednesday, assembled to obtain a glimpse of their the ninth, a grand levee and drawingnew queen, might gratify their curiosity. room was held at St. James's, " when," Passing through Stratford-le-Bow, Mile says Horace Walpole, " everybody was End, and Hackney, they wended their way presented to the royal bride, [and all up Old Street to the City Road, across Is- the ladies of the court kissed her hand]; lington, along the New Road, into Hyde but she spoke to nobody, as she could Park, down Constitution Hill, into St. not know a soul. She was very civil, James's Park, and thence to the garden and not disconcerted. Her French is gate of the palace, where her Highness tolerable; she exchanged much, both of was handed out of her carriage by the that and German, with the King, the Duke of Devonshire, as lord chamber- Duke, and the Duke of York. The lain, and received by the Duke of York. King looked very handsome, and talked His Majesty met her in the garden, and to her continually, and with great good as she was about to drop on her knees, humour. It does not promise as if and pay him obeisance, affectionately they two would be the two most unhappy raised her up, saluted her, and then led persons in England from this event." her into the palace, and introduced her At this levee her Majesty's ten bride'sto the Princess-dowager of Wales, and maids appeared, in white lustring dresses, a select assembly of the royal family and ornamented with silver trimmings and the nobility. After dinner, the bride's- costly jewels, and the same night there maids and court were introduced to her, was a grand ball, which was opened by and she gratified the assembled popu- the Duke of York and the Princess lace by making her appearance in the Augusta. Levees were also held at gallery, and at the windows of the court on the subsequent Thursday, Fripalace. day, and Sunday; and on the Saturday, About eight in the evening, first the the King gratified her Majesty by taking Princess, and then his Majesty, pro- her to Richmond Palace to dine. ceeded, in grand procession, to the cha- On Monday, September the fourpel-royai, where they were united in holy teenth, the lord mayor, aldermen, and matrimony by Dr. Seeker, Archbishop of common council of London, presented Canterbury. The Duke of Cumberland addresses of congratulation to their Magave away the bride; and immediately jestics, on the subject of their marriage; their Majesties joined hands, the Park and shortly afterwards, the universities, aud Tower guns were fired. After the ce- and most of the towns, counties, and cor 960 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ, porate bodies followed the loyal ex- cere and ardent wishes of your Majesty's ample of London. most dutiful and devoted subjects, But the most singular and amusing "THE LADIES OF ST. ALBANAS." of these addresses, was the subjoined:On the fourteenth of September their e sTo the Queen's most excellent Ma- Majesties went in the evening to Drury Jesty, Lane Theatre, to witness the " Rehear"The humble address of the ladies sal." The Queen, who had never before of the borough of St. Albans, in the beheld a dramatic entertainment, was county of Hertford. highly delighted with the performance; but, unfortunately, the crowd at the " MAY IT PLEASE YOUR. MAJESTY, doors of the theatre was such, that many "We, your Majesty's most dutiful persons were injured, and a girl was and affectionate subjects, being by cus- trampled to death. tomr precluded from being named in the So soon as the marriage was solemaddress of the mayor and corporation of nized, the King, by an order in counthis place, beg leave to approach your cil, commanded, that in the prayers for Majesty with the warmest congratula- the royal family, his consort's name, tions of your happy nuptials. as Queen of England, should be placed "Formed by nature [?], and im- immediately after his own, and beproved by the completest education, you fore that of his mother, the Princesswere selected by the best of kings, to dowager of Wales; an order which the add the only happiness that was want- clergy cheerfully and promptly obeyed. ing to his Majesty in the world. The rejoicings occasioned by the royal "As subjects are greatly influenced marriage were not confined to the meby the example of their sovereign, we tropolis; throughout the whole British have the greatest reason to hope that empire, even to the remotest villages, a the matrimonial state will be duly ho- similar spirit of gladness and loyalty noured by your Majesty's dutiful sub- was manifested, and many trashy poems jects cheerfully following the royal were written, commemorative of the ausexample-an example too much wanted picious event. Of these vapid, but loyal in this degenerate age-wherein that and patriotic lyrics, the subjoined, by happy state is made the object of ridi- the Hlonourable John Gray, from the cule instead of respect, by too many of Cambridge Collection, may perhaps be vain, giddy, and dissipated minds. If considered the best: — the riches of a nation consists in its populousness, this happy country will, "While o'er Germania's ravaged plains in that respect, too soon become poor, Stern Desolationrutles reins; While as she darts her redd'ning eye, whilst the lawful means to continue pos- Death gives his keenest shafts to fly, terity are either shackled by the restraint The gift of plenty and repose, of mistaken laws, or despised by those Safe on her cliffs, Britannia knows; who regard none. Her valleys spread their verdant vest, who regard none. Her fields in richest robes are drest. " But as every virtuous and corn- No hostile hoof her laurel'd walks invades, mendable action is encouraged by your Or frights their sisters from their peaceful royal consort's and your own noble sen- shades. timents and conduct, we hope this ex- "I see the god whom Venus bore ample will be duly followed by your To Bacchus, on Illissus' shore. Majesty's loyal subjects. In yellow folds his mantle plays, "That yHu may long remain a pat- is torch sends forth a brighter blaze. "hat you may long rmain a p- He waves his hand: I feel, he cries, tern of conjugal fidelity and happiness, Such transport in my bosom rise, and see a numerous offspring grow up As when I wreathed the myrtle twine, as tender plants under your maternal To bind the brows of Caroline, Or when the Clifden's bowers to Fxederic's influence, to be a blessing to their royal arms, parents and to this nation, are the sin- I give the treasure of Augusta's charms. QUEEN OF GEORGE THE THIRD. 961:'Ye nymphs who arts of conquest try, posed in the Court of Wards, and the ho bend the neck, who roll the eye, Queen in the Black Rod's chamber, till See Charlotte win that grace and ease, And please without a wish to please, the processional was arranged. The Quleen Ye purple tyrants, slaves to love, then took her seat in the Hall, under From fair to fair, who sated rove, a canopy on the left of the King, whilst What is the boast of beauty, say? That spark Time's wing soon wafts away. the regalia were ceremonously delivered Go, from a British monarch learn to place to the nobles appointed to carry them; Your bliss on virtue's adamantine base. after which the royal pair proceeded, in " Hail! happy union, the presage grd procesion, to estminster Abbey. Of glories down from age to age; The way, which was boarded and coYes, as through time I dart my sight, vered with blue cloth, was strewn with Successive Georges spring to light, flowers.; and, to enliven the scene, drums Patriots, by lessons and by laws, beat, trumpets sounded, and loyal anTo aid expiring freedom's cause;souned, and loyal an Warriors, by many a daring blow, thems were chaunted by a choir of voTo check each vain, presumptuous foe; calists, who marched in the procession. Till vaunting Gaul a mighty power shall As they entered the Abbey by the west own, door the choir claunted theanthem from And Spain's proud genius bow to Brunswick's door, the choir aunted the anthem from throne." the 122nd psalm, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the Her Majesty, who at this period had house of the Lord." The recognition, just entered her eighteenth year, al- anointing, crowning, enthroning, and though not an absolute beauty, was de- homage were performed according to cidedly prepossessing in appearance, and established usage, and therefore need engaging in manners. In figure she not be detailed in this place. Dr. was rather small, but proportionate; Drummond, Bishop of Salisbury, with a round, fair face; soft, blue, ex- preached the sermon from the 1st of pressive eyes; a diminutive and curled- Kings, chap. x. ver. 9:-" Blessed be up nose; a rather large mouth; rosy the Lord thy God, which delighteth in lips; white, regular teeth; auburn hair; thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: small, delicate hands; a fair and sweetly because the Lord loved Israel for ever, chiseled neck; and in port graceful and therefore made he thee king, to do judgqueenly. Her household was established ment and justice." A text which was a with every regard to liberality and splen- sermon in itself. This pulpit oration dour; all her German attendants were was eloquent, and to the purpose, but dismissed except Madame Schwellenburg, short; and after the King had been and one or two other less significant anointed and crowned, the like services persons; and it is worthy of remark, were performed to the Queen, by the that between the Queen and her attend- Archbishop of Canterbury. Between ants there speedily sprang up an attach- the performance of the ceremonies the ment so sincere and lasting, that, of choir sung "Veni Creator," the anthems those who entered her establishment, " The king shall rejoice in thy strength, few retired from it but at the bidding 0 Lord," and "The fool hath said in of death; and although, during the long his heart, there is no God;" and the reign of George III., the kingdom was " Te Deum." After the crowning, their occasionally agitated by the rage of Majesties received the sacrament, when faction, neither party strife nor politi- the King took off his crown, and, alcal animosity ever disturbed the do- though no precedent existed of this act mestic tranquillity of the Queen and her of humility at a coronation, insisted on household. laying it aside. During the adminisThe twenty-second of September was tration, the Queen also wished to lay appointed for the royal coronation. At her crown aside, but as it was so fastened, nine in the morning on that eventful to keep it from falling, that it could not day, their Majesties went in their chairs be removed without the assistance of from St. James's, through the park, to her dressers, this was dispensed with, Westminster Hall when the King re- and the Queen wore her crown, not, she 3 Q 962 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STIELITZ, observed, as a symbol of royalty, but tumbled their head-dresses; and thou. simply as part of her dress. Their sands of the spectators took their places Majesties next retired to St. Edward's at midnight. It was indeed a brave chapel, and after changing their crowns sight. The multitudes, balconies, guards, and robes, returned in grand procession and processions, made Palace-yard the to Westminster Hall, where they par- liveliest spectacle in the world. The took of a sumptuous banquet. The Hall, when once illuminated, was noble, ceremonies at this banquet were regu- but they suffered the whole parade to lated in everything by ancient custom. return into it in the dark, that his MaAt ten at night the entertainment con- jesty might be surprised with the quickeluded; their Majesties and their noble ness with which the sconces catched company retired, and immediately after- fire. The champion acted well; the wards the populace were permitted to other paladins had neither the grace nor rush into the Hall and carry away every alertness of Rinaldo. Lord Effingham article that was moveable. and the Duke of Bedford were but unOf the remarkable incidents which toward knights-errant; and Lord Taloccurred at this coronation, Horace Wal- bot had not much more dignity than the pole has left the subjoined particulars. figure of General Monk, in the Abbey To the Honourable Henry Seymour The habit of peers is unbecoming in the Conway he writes: —"The coronation last degree; but the peeresses made is over;'tis even a more gorgeous sight amends for all defects. * * * Lady than I imagine. I saw the procession Harrington was noble at a distance, and in the Hall, but the return was in the so covered with diamonds, that you dark. In the morning they had forgot would have thought she had hid somethe sword of state, the chairs for the body or the other, like Falstaff,'rob King and Queen, and their canopies. me the exchequer.' Lady Spencer and They used the Lord Mayor's sword Lady Bolingbroke were not the worst for the first, and made the last in the figures there. The Duchess of Ancaster Hall, so they did not set forth till marched alone after the Queen with noon; and then, by a childish com- much majesty; and there were two more pliment to the King, reserved the il- Scotch peeresses that pleased everybody lumination of the Hall till his entry, by -Lady Sunderland and Lady Dunmore. which means they arrived like a funeral, Per contra were Lady P., who had put nothing being discernable but the plumes a wig on; and old E., who had scratched of the knights of the Bath, which seemed hers off. Well, it was all delightful, but the hearse. Of all the incidents of the not half so charming as its being over. day, the most diverting was what hap- The gabble one heard about it for six pened to the Queen. She had a re- weeks before, and the fatigue of the tiring chamber, with all conveniences, day, could not well be compensated by prepared behind the altar. She went a mere puppet-show; for puppet-show thither; and in the most convenient what it was, though it cost a million." found she but the Duke of Newcastle." Another eye-witness, after describing In another letter he observes: "The the gorgeousness of the scene, the solemEarl [of Talbot, who brought up the first nity of the ceremonies, the sumptuousness course at the banquet] piqued himself of the banquet, observes, "During the on backing his horse down the Hall, and dinner it was pleasant to see the stratanot turning its rump towards the King; gems made use of by the company in but he had taken such pains to dress the galleries to come in for a snack ot it to that duty, that it entered backwards, the good things below. The ladies and at his retreat the spectators clapped clubbed their handkerchiefs to be tied -a terrible indecorum, but suitable to together to draw up a chicken, or bottle such Bartholomew-fair doings'.' In other of wine. Some had been so provident letters he remarks-" Some of the peer- as to bring baskets with them, which esses were dressed over-night, slept in were let down like the prisoners' boxes arm-chairs, and were waked if they at Ludgate, on the gate-house, with a QUEEN OF GEORGE TIIE THIRD. 963 Pray remember the poor. I must also spectacle approached that of the corotell you that in returning to Westminster nation; the whole line from St. James's Hall the great diamond fell out of the to Guildhall was thronged with specKing's crown, but was immediately tators. About twelve at noon their found, and restored; and that several Majesties, with the royal family, and coronation medals in silver were thrown their suites, proceeded from St. James's, among the populace at the return of the not to Guildhall, but to a house opposite procession; and also some of gold were Bow church, in Cheapside, then the rethrown amongst the peeresses in the sidence of Mr. Barclay, a silk mercer, Abbey, just after the King was crowned; and quaker, and the ancestor to the but they thought it below their dignity head of the firm of Barclay and Perkins, to pick them up." the brewers; where they tarried to see The coronation, which was not damped the civic procession, which was as gorDy a single accident that it was possible geous as money and tinselled pageantry for human forethought to prevent, was could make it. The procession passed, celebrated all over tie kingdom by the the royal party proceeded to Guildhall, firing of cannon, ringing of bells, illu- where, after they had partaken of the minations, and the most extravagant costly feast, and the usual loyal and demonstrations of joy. One black spot patriotic toasts had been drank, a grand upon this otherwise sunny picture must, ball was opened, with a minuet by the however, for truth's sake, be recorded. Duke of York and the lady mayoress. Whilst the crowns were being placed on During the ball the King and Queen the heads of the sovereigns, a press- remained seated under a canopy of state; gang, too powerful to be resisted, was and the entertainment (with which their let loose upon the multitude, and after Majesties expressed themselves highly murderous encounters, captured some gratified) did not terminate till an hour fifty loyal subjects, who were imme- after midnight. A fortnight after this diately packed off like condemned cut- entertainment, their Majesties, in comprits to serve on board the royal navy, pliance with the request of the lord whilst in their absence their wives and mayor and corporation of London, orchildren were left to starve, or to dered their portraits to be taken, and steal, and be hanged; such was the placed in the Guildhall. state of society, such the law of the About the middle of November, a good old days of George III.-But to patent passed the privy seal, approprireturn to the Queen. T'he third even ating ~40,000 a year for the civil list, ing after the coronation, their Majesties for the support of the Queen's houseand the royal families visited Covent hold; and, in compliance with the royal Garden Theatre. On this occasion two will, an Act of Parliament was passed, magnificent boxes were fitted up-the settling on her Majesty a dowry, the one for the King and Queen, and the same as that of the late Queen Caroline, other for the Princess-dowager of Wales namely, ~100,000 a year, with Somerset -at a cost of ~700. The piece chosen House, and the old park and lodge at for representation was " the Beggar's Richmond, annexed. This Act received Opera;" and the performance so pleased the royal assent on the second of Dethe Queen, that she signified her in- cember, and a fortnight afterwards the tention of visiting Covent Garden once King purchased Buckingham House, a week, and the other houses as often as the domestic residence of his beloved as circumstances permitted; which, of consort, to whom he presented itcourse, rendered the drama and opera whence it was called the Queen's House more fashionable than ever, and filled -and upon whom, fourteen years afterthe theatres to overflowing. wards, the parliament settled it, in exIn compliance with established custom, change for her right to Somerset House, the King, Queen, and royal family, were which was forthwith converted into invited to the civic feast on the ninth of public offices. As the birthdays of the November, 1762. In magnificence the sovereign and his consort came within 3 Q 2 964 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ, a few weeks of each other-the former disappointed with the new court; plea on the fourth of June, the latter on sure and gaiety, which they had fondly the sixteenth of May-it was announced, hoped would alone reign there, were by royal command. that, for the benefit scarcely admitted within the royal paof trade and manufactures, that of the laces. Their Majesties gave supperless Queen would always be celebrated on parties. were parsimonious to a fault, and the eighteenth of January. Accord- observed a routine so strict, regular, ingly her Majesty's first birthday cele- moral, and devoid of excitement, disbration in England took place on the play, or extravagance, that the votaries eighteenth of January, 1762, with all of fashion gave the name of Holyrood befitting state and splendour. It, how- House to the Queen's residence, and ever, was not numerously attended; in murmured aloud against the pride and fact, the young nobility were miserably poverty of German connexions. CHAPTER II. 2Birth and christening of the Prince of Wales-Institution of Knighlts of the Garter -Royal visit to Eton College-Peace concluded-Miss Chudleigh's fete-King's birthday celebration —Birth of the Duke of York-Marriage of the King's sister Augusta to the Prince of Brunswick-Queen patronisss her foreign relationsHler benevolence to unfortunate Germans-Patronage of various laudable institutions-King's illness-Recovery-Regency Bill-Birthday celebrated-Birth of the Duke of Clarence-Disloyal address-Death of the King's brothers, the Duke of Cumberland and Prince Frederick-Marriage of the King's sister Matilda to the King of Denmark-Birth of the Princess Royal —Death of the King's brother the Duke of York-Birth of the Duke of Kent-Order on Court mourningsDeath of the King's sister Louisa-The King of Denmark's visit-Birth of the Princess Augusta Sophia-Royal juvenile drawing-rooms —l'he Queen's political influence —Birth of the Princess Elizabeth- Visit of the King's mother to Germany-Governors and tutors of the princes. HE Queen, shortly not officiate; and at twenty-four mii"~' - after her marriage, nutes past seven, Mrs. Draper safely deproved enceinte; and livered her Majesty of a Prince. Inat length, about two telligence of this happy event was immer inthemorningonthe diately dispatched to the King, who retwelfth of August, warded the messenger with ~500, and 1762, and whilst at hastening to his consort, tenderly saluted St. James's Palace, her, and fondly kissed and caressed their where she had resolved to lay in, she infant heir. The glad tidings was made became unwell. Immediately the Prin- public by the firing of the Tower guns, cess Dowager of Wales was fetched, and and the ringing of the church bells. at five, orders were dispatched command- Just after this important accession to ing the instant attendance of the ladies the royal family was announced, the of the bed-chamber, the maids of honour, treasures-estimated at a million ster. and the great officers of state. All the ling-of the ship Hermione, a Spanish lords and state officers, except the Arch- prize captured by two English frigates bishop of Canterbury, who alone was near Cape St. Vincent, passed St. James's admitted into the lying-in-chamber, re- in a long train of waggons, when his mained in an adjoining room. Dr. Wil- Majesty and the nobility present apliam Hunter was in waiting, but he did peared at the palace windows, and joined QUEEN OF GEORGE THE THIID. 965 heartily in the acclamations of the po- shire, and the Princess Dowager of pulace In a letter, dated August the Wales. This solemnity was celebrated twentieth, 1762, Mr. Symmers writes to with but little pomp, and without the Andrew Mitchell, Esq.:- presence of her Maj'esty. Before the " As I presumed the notification of so Prince was twelve days old, it was angreat and joyful an event for Great lBri- nounced that, for the gratification of the tain as that of the birth of a Prince of public, his Royal Highness was to be Wales would of course immediately be seen at St. James's, between the hours made to all our foreign ministers, I have of one and three, on drawing-room not till now taken occasion to wish you days; and such was the number of ladies joy on the happy occasion. He is a admitted to behold the royal babe and charming little creature. Mrs. Symmers taste the Queen's cake and caudle, that and I, along with some other company, the daily expense for cake alone was had the honour and pleasure of seeing estimated at forty pounds. him to-day. Sure, if ever the birth of a On the thirteenth of September her Prince was ushered in with favourable Majesty was churched with the usual omens, his is. He is born at a time ceremonies in the Chapel Royal; and when the glory of the British arms is at eight days afterwards she accompanied a higher pitch than ever it was known the King to Windsor, to be present at to be before. He had not been come into the grand installation of Prince William the world above an hour, when near a and the Earl of Bute, as Knights of the million of treasure, taken from the enemy, Garter. The spectacle was highly impassed in a procession of twenty loaded posing. The great hall, in which their waggons before his windows; and be- Majesties, the royal family, and the fore he was six days old, an account knights partook of a sumptuous dinner, comes of one of the most important vie- presented a magnificent appearance; and tories that has been obtained during the the display of splendour, elegance, and war-that of the Havannah." * beauty at the ball in the evening was at The royal babe was born Electoral once dazzling and enchanting. The Prince of Brunswick Lunenburg, Duke dress worn by the Queen on this occaof Cornwall and Rothsay, Earl of Car- sion was of surpassing richness: the rick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the stomacher alone was studded with Isles, and Great Steward of Scotland. ~50,000 worth of jewels, and a single On the seventeenth he was formally one of these diamonds was valued at created Prince of Wales and Earl of ~10,000. Their Majesties returned to Chester, and in 1820 he succeeded to St. James's on the twenty-fifth, and on the crown of his father by the title of their way they paid a visit to Eton George IV. By an order of council the College. The birth of the heir-appaArchbishop of Canterbury prepared a rent greatly increased their popularity, thanksgiving for her Majesty's safe de- and congratulatory addresses were prelivery, which was offered up in every sented to them by the bishops, by the church throughout the British dominions City of London, the two Universities, and the name of the Prince of Wales and other corporate and influential was inserted in the prayers for the royal bodies, whilst in the newspapers and family in the Book of Common Prayer. magazines appeared trashy odes and sonOn the eighth of September, the anni- nets, addressed to the King and Queen versary of the royal marriage, the Prince and infant heir. The bathos in the conwas christened George Augustus Frede- clusion of one of these ludicrous effurick, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, sions is remarkablein the great Council Chamber. The and " Back from their spheres the planets have sponsors were the Duke of Cumberland, been hurled, the reigning Duke of Mecklenburg-Stre- To mark Prince George's entrance on a wonlitz, represented by the Duke of Devon- dering world; Descending gods were happy when he smiled, And thronged with pride to sugar-sop the * Ellis's Royal Letters, child." 966 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ, The seven years' destructive war, in resided at Buckingham House, pro which the half of Europe had been in ceeded to St. James's on the fourth of arms against England and Prussia, was, June, where the Queen, by tender stratto the extreme gratification of the Queen, agems, detained her consort whilst the brought to a termination in February, needful preparations for the entertainment 1763; when, on the tenth, peace was were made with all haste and secrecy. concluded at Versailles between Great The King returned to Buckingham House Britain, France, and Spain, and, five at ten in the evening on the sixth, when, days afterwards, at Hubertsberg, between on the Queen leading him to the window Austria and Prussia. In England the that lookedinto the grounds, tohissurprise peace was extremely unpopular; but the and joy, he beheld a superb temple and Queen, as an expression of thankfulness bridge, with a painting of himself, giving for the delivery of the land of her birth peace to the world, the whole being brilfrom oppression and misery, presented a liantly illuminated, and with an orchestra handsome donation to the Asylum for of fifty eminent musical performers Female Orphans, and afterwards esta- ranged along the front of the temple. blished an institution in Bedfordshire, in This magical scene formed part of a fte, which, at her own sole cost, fifty girls, to which were invited most of the royal the daughters of naval officers, and ano- family, and a select party of the nobility. ther fifty, the daughters of military This year, August again proved propiofficers, who had fallen in the late war, tious to their Majesties, by the birth of were liberallyprovided for, and instruct- another Prince (afterwards Duke of ed in every necessary art and polite ac- York). On the sixteenth, about ten in complishment. the morning, the Queen was safely deliAs before remarked, the Queen's real vered at Buckingham House, the Princess birthday was not kept in England; but Dowager of Wales being present, and this year Miss Chudleigh, maid of honour several lords of the council in waiting. to the Princess Dowager, complimented On the fourteenth of September the inher Majesty, on her natal day, by giving fant was christened Frederick, with much a grand fte in celebration of the peace. ceremony, by the Archbishop of CanterAfter the magnificent ball and a grand bury, in the great Council Chamber at display of fireworks, "a large scene," St. James's, and in the presence of their observes Horace Walpole, was lighted Majesties, the royal family, and a brilin the court, representing their Majesties, liant assemblage of the nobility. Two on each side of which were six obelisks days afterwards, the Queen returned with painted with emblems (for the royal her children to Buckingham I louse, tamily) and illuminated. * * * The which now became the London residence lady of the house made many apologies of their Majesties, St. James's Palace for the poorness of tle performance; but being only used for public occasions. it really was fine and pretty. Behind On the twelfth of January, 1764, the the house was a cenotaph for the Prin- hereditary Prince of Brunswick landed cess Elizabeth, a kind of illuminated in England, and four days afterwards, he candle, the motto,' All honours the dead was married to the King's sister, the can receive.' This burying ground was Princess Augusta, by the Archbishop of a strange codicil to a festival, and, what Canterbury. This marriage gave extrawas still more strange, about one in the ordinary brilliancy to the celebration of morning this sarcophagus burst out into her Majesty's birthday, and for more crackers and guns." than a week the court did nothing but At this period the disposition of the dance at balls, attend fetes, and pay people to rush into civil war, on account visits to the theatres and the opera.'The of tle peace, greatly depressed the spirits Prince and Princess of Brunswick set of the King, and, to alleviate his cares, out for the continent on the twentythe Queen surprised him with an unex- sixth; and shortly afterwards, the Queen, pected entertainment in celebration of who, under the able tuition of Dr. Mahis birthday. Their Majesties, who then jendie, assisted by the readings of the QUEEN OF GEORGE THE THIRD. 967 King, became a tolerable mistress of the shores of England, and then deserted English language, presented his Majesty them. Shortly afterwards, the Queen, with the subjoined verses, which have to alleviate the distresses of the weavers been attributed to her own royal pen, in in Spitalfields, laid aside all foreign silks, an elegant embroidered valentine, worked and wore only those of British manufacby her own hands: ture; a laudable example, which all the loyal ladies of Great Britain immedi"Gentle is my Damon, engaging his air, ely followed. This same principle of His face, like the morn, is both ruddy and fair-; benevolence induced her Majesty to exSoft love sits enthroned in the beam of his tend her patronage to the Lying-in IIoseyes, pital, to the Magdalen charity, to Sunday He's manly, yet tender-he's fond, and yet wise. school and other laudable instittions, He's ever good-humoured, he's generous and and also to encourage to the utmost of gay, her ability the arts and manufactures of His presence can always drive sorrow away; te kino-rn No vanity sways him, no folly is seen, tin0 om. But open his temper, and noble his mien. In the spring of 1765, an affection of the brain confined the King to his chamBy virtue illumined his actions appear, he for about a mouth. Throughout His passions are calm and his reason is clear; this trying period her.Mjestv lthough An affable sweetness attends on his speech; ths trin period her Majest, althou He'swillingto learn, though he's able to teach. far advanced in pregnancy, affectionately tended and nursed her afflicted husband; He has promised to love me, his word I'll tended and nursed her afflicted husband; believe, and to keep the matter secret, and to For his heart is too honest to let him deceive; avoid alarming the already greatly-exThen blame me, ye fairones, if justly you can, cited ation she caused assurances of Since the picture I've drawn is exactly the his speedy recovery to he published in man." nhis speedy recovery to be published in the newspapers, and held drawing rooms, Expedient as her Majesty found it to and went in state to the Chapel Royal refrain from patronizing foreigners, this as usual. At length, his Majesty was year, through her influence, the order of pronounced convalescent, and on the the Garter was conferred on her bro- twenty-second of April he proceeded in ther, the reigning Duke of Mecklen- procession to the House of Lords, where, burg-Strelitz; the governorship of Zell in a speech from the throne, after alwas bestowed on her brother, Prince luding to his regard for the welfare of Charles; and a commission in the Hano- the kingdom, his late indisposition, and verian service was given to her younger the tender age of his offspring, he conbrother, Prince George, whilst she her- eluded, "I take the earliest opportunity self made costly presents to several of her of meeting you here, and of recommend. German relations and friends. This sum- ing to your most serious deliberation the mer the two Princes caught the hooping- making such provision as would be necough; the symptoms at first were severe, cessary, in case any of my children should but afterwards they progressed favour- succeed to the throne before they shall ably, and were sufficiently recovered by respectively attain the age of eighteen the twelfth of August to give a grand years. To this end, I propose to your juvenile ball to the youthful nobility at consideration whether, under the cirRichmond Lodge. cumstances, it will not be expedient to Towards the close of 1764, her Ma- vest in me the power of appointing, from jesty made benevolent exertion on be- time to time, by instruments in writing half of six hundred poor Germans, natives under my sign manual, either the Queen of Bavaria and Wurtzburg, who had or any other person of my royal family left their homes under a pledge of being usually residing in Great Britain, to be the conveyed to St. John's Island, near the guardian of the person of such successor, mouth of the St. Lawrence, in North and the regent of these kingdoms, until America, at the expense of a speculator, such successor shall attain the age of who, being unable to complete his en- eighteen years; subject to the like regagement, had brought them to the strictions and regulations as are specified 968 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ, and contained in an act passed upon a twenty-first, at four in the morning, her similar occasion in the twenty-fourth Majesty was safely delivered of a Prince year of the reign of the late King, my at Buckingham House-an event made royal grandfather: the regent so ap- public by the firing of the Tower guns, pointed to b.e assisted by a council corn- and illuminations at night. On the posed of the several persons who, by eighteenth of September, the royal inreason of their dignities and offices, are fant was christened William Henry, by constituted members of the council esta- the Archbishop of Canterbury, at St. blished by that act, together with those James's, in the presence of their Majeswhom you may think proper to leave to ties, the royal family, and a brilliant asmy nomination." sembly of the nobility and foreign mi-'his speech was immediately answered nisters. The sponsors were the Duke by a joint address from both houses; but of Gloucester, Prince Henry Frederick, such was the spirit of opposition and fac- and the Princess of Brunswick. The tion on this occasion, that the bill met Prince was afterwards created Duke of with strenuous opposition in the Cor- Clarence, and ultimately succeeded to the mons. and at last was passed in aform throne as William IV. approved by the ministry, but repugnant At this period the proceedings against to the feelings of the King. During the Mr. Wilkes, the unpopularity of Lord debate, many personal reflections were Bute, the weight of taxation, and the made upon the Princess I)owager, whom stagnation of trade and commerce, had public scandal accused of granting im- so fully destroyed the popularity of the proper liberties to Lord Bute; but ministers, that the city of London, in an against the Queen, who wisely stood aloof address to the King, after congratulating from all political intrigue, not a word him on the increase of the royal family, was said by either party. The bill re- had the boldness to assure his Majesty ceived the royal assent on the fifteenth that, " from' zealous attachment to his of May, and was followed by a corn- royal house, and the true honour and plete change in the ministry. dignity of his crown, whenever a happy This year the King's birth-day was establishment of public neasures should kept with extraordinary splendour; the present a favourable occasion, they would court was attended by a numerous and be ready to exert their utmost abilities brilliant assemblage, who, in compliance in support of such wise measures as apwith royal orders, appeared in dresses parently tended to render his Majesty's entirely of British manufacture. One reign happy and glorious." This adof the ladies, the Countess of Northum- dress was, of course, received with great berland, wore jewels valued at ~150,000; coolness, and it rather injured than beanother, a peerless beauty, in an elegant nefited the cause it was meant to serve. painted silk dress, attracted such gene- The Queen, shortly after recovering ral admiration, that theQueen, itis said, from her lying-in, had to mourn the composed and addressed to her the sub- death of two of the royal family: the joined lines:- Duke of Curberland, the last-born son of King George II., and the hero of the "Stella's gay robe with so much art was atd oe cxframed, successes and excesses at Cullden, exThat Flora the invention might have pired suddenly on the thirty-first of Occlaimed. tober; and on the twenty-ninth of the So fair was Stella's face, so bright her eyes, subsequent December, the King's young. She seemed that goddess in a sweet dis- est bother, Prince Frederick illiam, guise." est brother, Prince Frederick William, breathed his last, in the sixteenth year The birth-day of Prince Frederick of his age, after a severe lingering illwas also, this year, kept with extraordi- ness. The remains of this short-lived nary splendour, in commemoration of prince and his uncle were solemnly in. his having just previously been elected terred in the royal vault in IHenry VII.'s to the episcopal principality of Osna- Chapel, in Westminster Abbey. Their burg; and six days afterwards, August Majesties deeply mourned these melan0 0YL V~U~*1IC-I - QUEEN OF GEORGE THE THIRD. 969 choly events, " the court put on its sa- received the mournful intelligence, when bles," and the celebration of the Queen's the Queen was again brought to bed. birth-day was postponed to the twentieth The infant entered the world at noon, of February, 1766. on the second of November, at Bucking. At this period the Prince of Wales ham House, proved a healthy boy, and, and the Bishop of Osnaburg were ino- on the thirteenth, was ceremoniously culated, by Pennel Hawkins, surgeon christened Edward; the sponsors being extraordinary to the King, in the pre- the Prince of Brunswick, Prince Charles sence of their Majesties, at Buckingham of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. and the LandHouse; an example which, although it gravine of Hesse Cassel, respectively failedtoentirelydispeltheprejudicestlen represented by the Earls of Hertfora generallyentertaine against inoculation, and Huntingdon, and the Duchess of was, nevertheless, a commendable effort Hamilton. The Prince was afterwards to lead the way to the only true mode of created Duke of Kent, and ultimately exterminating that fearful scourge, the became the father of our present sovesmall-pox. reign, Queen Victoria, whom God preIt was in the autumn of this year serve. The remains of the Duke of that the King's unfortunate sister, Ca- York were brought to England, and, on roline Matilda, was married at St. the third of November, solemnly interred James's; the Duke of York, her bro- in the Chapel of Henry VII., in Westther, stood proxy for the Danish King, minster Abbey. Seven days afterwards, Christian VII., her husband, and the the city of London sent up to the throne next morning she proceeded on her jour- a most respectful and loyal address, on ney to Denmark. Shortly after her the recent birth and death in the royal arrival there, the court at Copenhagen family; which his Majesty graciously was disturbed by an event which to this received, and, in reply, after thankdav remains involved in mystery. Count ing them for their expressions of loyalty Struenzee, a German physician, who had and condolence, observed-" The relibeen raised to the highest offices in the gion and liberties of my people have state, having rendered himself obnoxious always been, and ever shall be, the by his extensive plans of reform, was constant objects of my care and attenaccused of intriguing with the young tion, and I shall esteem it one of my Queen Matilda. His enemies, aided by first duties to instil the same principles the powerful influence of the Queen- into those who may succeed me." dowager of Denmark, and her son, The court went into deep mourning Prince Frederick, procured his immedi- for the Duke of York; but, on the ate execution; and the Queen herself twelfth of January, the King, in cornwould have shared the like fate, but for pliance with the wish expressed in adthe British minister, through whose in- dresses presented to the throne by the terposition she was permitted to retire manufacturers and traders of London, to Zell, where she died of a broken the weavers of Spitalfields, and others, heart, on the tenth of May, 1775, in the commanded that in future the period for twenty-fourth year of her age. the ceremonial of court mourning should On the twenty-ninth of September the be reduced to one half what it had preQueen gave birth to a daughter, who, a viously been-a measure so gratifying month afterwards, was christened Char- to the manufacturing and trading comlotte Augusta Matilda, by the Arch- munities, and to the weavers of Spitalbishop of Canterbury, the sponsors being fields especially, that the latter went in the King and Queen of Denmark, by procession to St. James's, and presented proxy, and the Princess Louisa Anne, in a loyal address of thanks to the King, person. In September, 1767, their Ma- Queen, and royal family, for their geJesties experienced a domestic affliction nerous patronage and encouragement of in the death of the King's brother, the the wrought silks of British manufacDuke of York; he died of a malignant ture. fever at Monaco; and scarcely had they In the spring of 1768, death again 970 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STRELrTZ, visited the royal family. The King's still it cannot, for a moment, be supsister, Louisa Anne, fell into a rapid posed that either the Queen, King, or consumption, which, to the deep sorrow court ever expected to overcome these of the whole family, carried her off in serious political evils by infantile drawthe twentieth year of her age. She ing-rooms, which the great mass of the expired on the thirteenth of May, and, people either passed over with indifferon the twenty-second, was privately in- ence, or held up to scorn. But whatterred in the royal vault in Westminster ever her Majesty's motives might have Abbey. been, at the first of these drawing-rooms Three months afterwards, the King the Prince of Wales appeared dressed in of Denmark paid a rather protracted scarlet and gold, with the insignia of the visit to England. " He arrived on Thurs- order of the Garter; the Bishop of Osday" [August the eighth], says Horace naburg wore blue and gold, with the Walpole, "and supped and lay at St. insignia of the order of the Thistle; James's yesterday evening (the twelfth); Prince William was attired in a Roman he was at the Queen's and Carlton toga; and the Princess Royal presented House, and, at night, at Lady Hert- herself in a rich muslin frock. With ford's assembly. lHe is small, pale, and the appearance and behaviour of the delicate, in features resembles George royal children, the noble company preII., acts the king exceedingly, struts in sent (especially the ladies) expressed the circle like a cock sparrow, and does themselves highly delighted: but, shortly the honours of himself very civilly." afterwards, when the Prince of Wales During his sojourn in England he gave a ball and supper at Buckingham visited Cambridge, Oxford, York, and House, the populace broke into the other places, dined in public with the court-yard, and so alarmed the company lord mayor and aldermen of London, by their riotous threats and acts, that a was entertained by their Majesties with stop was put to these expensive displays a grand ball and supper at Bluckingham of Juvenile royalty. House, and himself gave a magnificent Some writers have asserted that the masked ball at the Opera House, which Queen's political influence was consider. was attended by the nobility and the able; but that this was not the case, at royal family, but to which the King went least up to this period, we have the evionly privately, and sat in an enclosed dence of Lord Chesterfield, who, in one box, where he could see and not be seen, of his letters, remarks-" Her Majesty and from which the Queen, who disap- is a good woman, a good wife, a tender proved of such entertainments, entirely mother, and an unmeddlingQueen. The absented herself. His Danish Majesty King loves her as a woman, but I verily embarked for Calais on the thirteenth of believe has not spoken one word to her October; and, on the eighth of Novem- about politics." her, the royal family was increased by the On the twenty-second of May, 1770, birth of a princess, who, a month after- the Queen gave birth to the Princess wards, was christened Augusta Sophia. Elizabeth; and being, on this account, The twenty-fifth of October, 1769, was unable to take part in the subsequent remarkable for an infantile drawing- public celebration of her consort's birthroom, which, it has been asserted, the day, she on that day, June the fourth, Queen caused the Prince of Wales and presented to him the subjoined stanzas, the Princess Royal to hold, with no other which were partly, some say wholly, view than that of turning the current of composed by herself. public opinion into the peaceful channel, When monarchs give a grace to fate, from which it had been diverted by fac- And rise as princes should; tonl. Certainly, at this period, the ty- Less highly born than trly great, rannic, unconstitutional roceedings of Le dignified than good; ministers had aroused the indignation of " What joy the natal day can bring, From whence our hopes began; the people to the highest degree, and Which gave the nation such a king, endangered the safety of the throne; And being such a man. QUEEN OF GEORGE THIE THIRD. 971 * The sacred source of endless power, England on the twenty-seventh of OcDelighted sees him born; tober And kindly marks the circling hour t ir to That spoke him into morn. Their Majesties directed much of their attention to the education of their "Beholds him with the kindest eye children; who, on being emancipated Which goodness can bestow; from the nursery and superintendence of And shows a brighter crown on high nurser and superintendence of Than e'er he wore below." Lady Charlotte Finch, were placed under the care of Dr. Majendie, till the On the eighth of June, the Princess- spring of 1771, when a separate estabdowager of Wales, goaded by insult and lishment was formed for the Prince of terrified by tie dismal aspect of the Wales at BuckinghamHouse, and about times, embarked with a princely reti- the same time the royal children were nue for Germany, with the intention of placed under the governorship and tuiending her days at Zell; but for some tion of the Earl of Holderness, Lord reason, nowhere clearly explained, she Bruce, Mr. de Salzes, a native of Switzeraltered her mind, and returned to land, and Mr. Markham. CHAPTER III. Birth of the Duke of Cumberland-Roya? Marriage.Act-Death of the King's mother —Birth of the Duke of Sussex — Dr. Beattie's interview with their.lajesties-Privute life of the royalfamily at Iew-Births of the Duke of Cambridge and the Princess Mary-Change in the Prince of Wales's householdThe Perreaus and Dr. Dodd-Birth of the Princess Sophia — The war-Royal progress-Parliamentary grants to the royalfamily-Royal visit to the Bishop of Winchester-Birth of Prince Octavius-Prince William sent to sea-Queen's benevolence- Visit to tle Duchess-dowager of Portland-Poetical eulogium. N the fifth of June five, nor at and after that age, without - the Queen gave the consent of either the sovereign or the * birth to a prince, parliament. This act has certainly christened Ernest proved highly injurious to the august ^i. X St*/l Augustus,who after- line which it was intended by its oriwards was created ginator to preserve; nor did it pass Duke of Cumber- without a violent opposition in both land, and, in 1837, houses. " The descendants of George succeeded to the kingdom of Hanover. II." observed the opposing peers, "may, The recent marriages of the then in time, comprehend a very numerous Duke of Cumberland with Mrs. Horton, description of people, and it would be and of the Duke of Gloucester to the an intolerable grievance, that the marCountess of Waldegrave, both scandal- riages of so many subjects, dispersed ized and exasperated their Majesties to amongst the various ranks of civil life, that degree, that the King, in order should be subject to the restraints of to prevent such unions in future, this act. It seems indecent to the royal caused to be passed, in the first session family, to suppose that they arrive later of parliament, in 1772, that impolitic, at the age of discretion than others, arbitrary measure, known as the Royal and absurd to allow them to be capable Marriage Act; in consequence of which, of governing a kingdom at an age when none of the descendants of George II. they are not to be trusted in the choice can lawfully marry, without the consent of a wife. It seems to be a mere act of of thesovereion, before th cage oftwenty- power, having neither the force nor 972 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ, obligation of law, and contrary to the sions amounted to ~10,000 a year, and inherent rights of human nature, to dis- the merits of her charities were greatly able a nan from contracting a marriage, enhanced by their secrecy. Several perhaps for life; and it is pregnant families who were relieved by her, did with civil discord and confusion, as not so much as know who was their having a natural tendency, at some benefactor till her death, when the curfuture period, to produce a disputed rent of her bounty ceased to flow. The title to the crown-and all this, for calmness and composure of her death, ends wholly disproportionate to such ex- were further proofs and attestations of traordinary efforts; as the main pur- the goodness of her life. She died as poses of the bill might have been an- she had lived, beloved and honoured swered without creating that perpetuity most by those who knew her:" and of restraint, which we think ourselves we may add, that after her husband's in conscience bound to oppose." In the death, she paid off his debts out of her Commons it was urged, that such a mea- jointure-an act, considering the cirsure would hurry the bachelor princes cumstances and the times, for which of the royal family into libertinism alone the nation should reverence her and other vices, and thus increase the memory. evil it was intended to remedy. But On the twenty-seventh of January, this, and other equally sound argu- 1773, her Majesty was delivered at ments, proved futile; the act was car- Buckingham House of a prince, who, ried by a majority of fifty votes, and on the twenty-fifth of the subsequent immediately afterwards passed into a month, was christened Augustus Fredlaw. erick, at St. James's, and afterwards On the eighth of February, 1772, his created Duke of Sussex. It was at this Majesty's mother, the Princess-dowager period that their Majesties, in order to of Wales, after a lingering illness, ex- lead a life as retired and tranquil as pired, in the fifty-fourth year of her possible, resolved upon making the age, at Carlton House, in Pall Mall. palace at Kew their principal residence, When she lay on the bed of death, both and about the same time Carlton House the King and Queen visited her daily, was fitted up for the chief abode of their and by every attainable means endea- elder sons. voured to alleviate her sufferings; her Some idea of their sentiments on loss they deeply deplored, and by their religion and morality may be gleaned express command her remains were in- from the following account of the interred by the side of her beloved bus- terview they granted Dr. Beattie, on band in Westminster Abbey, with great the twenty-fourth of August, 1773:funeral pomp, on the eighteenth of "At twelve," observes Dr. Beattie, in February. In early life the Princess his diary, "I and Dr. Majendie went was esteemed by the British public, but by appointment to the King's house at after the accession of George III., the Kew. We were received in the most influence which she possessed, and as it gracious manner by both their Majeswas supposed, exercised over the mind of ties. I had the honour of a conversathe King, her son, to the injury of the tion with them, nobody else being prenation, calsed her to be held up to public sent but Dr. Majendie, for upwards of scorn and persecution. But reprehensi- an hour, on a great variety of topics, in ble in this respect as probably was her which both the King and Queen joined, conduct-for she had been educated in with a degree of cheerfulness, affability, the despotic courts of Germany, and be- and ease that was to me surprising, and lieved in the infallibility of royalty- soon dissipated the embarrassment they who bestknew her have pronounced which I felt at the beginning of the her to be highly virtuous and well-in- conference." After detailing the royal tentioned Bishop Newton, her chap- encomiums on his writings, particularly lain, observes, "'The sums which she his "Essay on Truth," the doctor proexpended in private charity and pen- ceeds: "We had much conversation on QUEEN OF GEORGE THE THIRD. 973 moral subjects, from which both their accent. There is somethingwonderfully Majesties let it appear, that they were captivating in her manner; so that if she warm friends to Christianity, and so were only of the rank of a private genlittle inclined to infidelity, that they tlewoman, one could not help taking nocould hardly believe that any right- tice of her as one of the most agreeable thinking man could really be an athe- women in the world. Her face is much ist, unless he could bring himself to be- more pleasing than any of her pictures, lieve that he had made himself. Both and in the expression of her eyes, and the King and Queen highly commended in her smile, there is something pecuthe quakers; after which, I was asked liarly engaging." many questions about the Scots univer- That tie private life of George and sity, the revenues of the Scots clergy, Charlotte was remarkably simple, retheir mode of praying and preaching, gular, and methodic, we have the evithe length of our vacation at Aberdeen, dence of an eye-witness, who, writing and the closeness of our attendance about this time, observes:during winter; the number of students " At six in the morning their Majesthat attended my lectures; my mode of ties rise, and the two succeeding hours lecturing, whether from notes or com- they enjoy wholly as their own. At pletely written lectures; about Mr. eight the Prince of Wales, the Bishop Hume, and Dr. Robertson, and Lord of Osnaburg [Duke of York], the PrinKinnoul, and the Archbishop of York, cess Royal, and the Princes William &c. His Majesty, after asking what I and Edward are brought to breakfast thought of Lord Dartmouth, observed, with their royal parents. At nine the'They say that he is an enthusiast, but younger children attend to lisp or smile surely he says nothing on the subject of their good morrows; and whilst the religion, but what every Christian may, elder Princes are away at mental tasks and ought to say.' He asked whether or bodily exercises, the little ones and I did not think the English language their nurses pass the morning in the now on the decline. I answered in the garden. The King and Queen freaffirmative; and the King agreed, and quently amuse themselves with sitting named the Spectator as one of the in the room whilst the children dine; best standards of the language. Dr. and once a week the whole family make Majendie mentioned Dr. Oswald's a holiday at Richmond Gardens, where,'Appeal to Common Sense on behalf in the cottage there erected from her of Religion,' with commendation. I own design, the Queen busily plies her praised it too, and the Queen took down needle, whilst the King reads aloud to the same, with a view to send for it. her, from Shakspeare or some other We discussed many other topics, for the favourite author; and whatever charms conversation lasted upwards of an hour. ambition or folly may conceive to avail The Queen bore a large share in it. so exalted a station,'it is neither on the Both the King and her Majesty showed throne nor in the drawing-room, in the a great deal of good sense, acuteness, splendour or the toys of sovereignty, and knowledge, as well as of good na- that they place their felicity. It is in ture and affability. At last the King social and domestic gratification, in took out his watch, which Dr. Majendie breathing the free air, admiring the and I took as a signal to withdraw, works of nature, tasting and encouragwhich we accordingly did immediately. ing the elegancies of art, and in living At parting, the King assured me that without dissipation. In the evening, he should always be glad of an oppor- all the children pay their duty at Kew tunity to show the good opinion he had House before they retire to bed; after of me. The Queen sat all the while, which, the King reads to her Majesty, and the King stood, sometimes walking and having closed the day witha joint about a little. Her Majesty speaks the act of devotion,- they retire to rest. English language with surprising ele- This is the order of each revolving day, gance, and little or nothing of a foreign with such exceptions as are unavoidable 974 CIARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ, in their high station. The sovereign is ceptor, by Dr. Ilurd; and that neither the father of his f;mily; not a grievance Lord Bruce nor Dr. Markham might reaches his knowledge that remains un- take offence at the change, the former redressed, nor a character of merit or was elevated to the earldom of Aylesingenuity disregarded; his private con- bury, and the latter to the see of York. duct, therefore, is as exemplary as it is When this last promotion was made, amiable." the pious Dr. Porteus, who enjoyed the Another sketch, by Mr. Young, repre- Queen's confidence and patronage, was sents the Prince of Wales, when about at her Majesty's particular recommentwelve years old, and his brother Fred- dation elevated to the see of Chester. erick, occupied harmlessly and health- At the commencement of this year, the fully it is true, but in a manner more wife of Robert Perreau, in person, petibefitting young husbandmen than the tioned the Queen to intercede in behalf scions of the royal house of Hanover. of her husband, who, together with his "A spot of ground," says Mr. Young, brother, Daniel Perreau, had been found " in the garden at Kew, was dug by his guilty of forgery, a crime then punished Royal HIighness the Prince of Wales, with death. Her Majesty gave the peand his brother the Duke of York, who tition to the King; but as one of the sowed it with wheat, attended the growth Perreaus could not be pardoned without of their little crop, weeded, reaped, the other, whose guilt had been renand harvested it solely by themselves. dered manifest to the council, the King They thrashed out the corn and sepa- signed the death warrants, and the unrated it from the chaff, and at this fortunate brothers were executed at Typeriod of their labour were brought to burn. In the subsequent summer, reflect, from their own experience, on Queen Charlotte was again deeply disthe various labours and attention of the tressed by a similar application from the husbandman and farmer. The Princes wife of a more exalted, more unfortunot only raised their own crop, but nate culprit, the ill-starred Dr. Dodd. they also ground it, and having parted The reverend Doctor had been found the bran from the meal, attended to the guilty of forging a bond in the name of whole process of making it into bread, Lord Chesterfield for ~ 4200. The sinwhich it may well be imagined was gularity of his case excited the sympathy eaten with no singular relish. The of all classes, and strenuous exertions King and Queen ate of this philoso- were made to procure his pardon. phical repast, and beheld with pleasure Amongst the many petitions'imploring the very amusements of their children that, at least, his life might be spared, rendered the source of useful know- was one to the throne by the City of ledge." London, followed by another signed by From this period till the summer of 20,000 of the inhabitants of Westnlin1776, we have nothing of importance to ster, and one to the Queen by the Magchronicle, saving the birth of two royal dalen Society. The Queen supported children, Prince Adolplus Frederick, the prayer of these petitions with all afterwards Duke of Cambridge, who her influence; but when the case was first saw the light at the Queen's house, brought before the council, Lord Manson the twenty-fourth of February, 1774, field remarked to the King, "If your and tle Princess Mary, now Duchess of Majesty pardon Dr. Dodd, you will Gloucester, and sole survivor of the fa- have murdered the Perreaus;" and acmily, who entered the world, at the same cordingly the reverend culprit was royal palace, on the twenty-fifth of April, hanged, on the twenty-seventh of June, 1776. Shortly after this last event, an 1777. important change was made in the On the fourth of November, 1777, household of the Prince of Wales. their Majesties' fifth daughter, the PrinLord Bruce was succeeded as governor cess Sophia, was born; and shortly by the Duke of Montague; and Dr. afterwards, the contest which had been Markham, Bishop of Chester as pre-,raging for three years between Great QUEEN OF GEORGIr THE THIRD. 975 Britain and her revolting colonies in he would be eighty-two next Monday, America was brought nearer home, by' Then,' said the King,' I will go and what might be called the suicidal con- wish him joy.''And I,' said the Queen, duct of the court of Versailles. On the' will go too.' Mr. Buller then dropt a sixth of February, 1778, France ac- a hint of the additional pleasure it would knowledged the independence of the give the bishop if he could see the United States of America; and imme- Princes.'That,' said the King,'rediately afterwards England declared war quires contrivance; but if I can manage against France. The Queen, deeply as it, we will all go.'" On the Monday she deplored the necessity for war, de- following, the royal party, consisting of nounced the American republicans as their Majesties, the Prince of Wales, rebels and atheists, and declared that, Duke of York, Duke of Clarence, the by supporting their cause, the King of Princess Royal, and Princess Augusta, France and his ministers had committed visited the bishop. " The King," cona grand blunder. On the third of May tinues Mrs. Chapone, "sent the Princes she accompanied his Majesty to review to pay their compliments to Mrs. Chathe fleet at Portsmouth, where they pone; himself, he said, w;s an old acwere received by all ranks with enthu- quaintance. Whilst the Princes were siastic demonstrations of loyalty and speaking to me, Mr. Arnold, the subioy; and with him she made two more preceptor, said,' These gentlemen are progresses in the autumn: one, at the well acquainted with a certain ode preclose of September to inspect the camp fixed to Mrs. Carter's Epictetus, if you in the neighbourhood of Winchester; know anything of it.' Afterwards, the the other for the King to review the King came and spoke to us, and the troops at Coxheath. in Kent. Through- Queen led the Princess Royal to me, out these progresses her Majesty let no saying,' This is a young lady, who, I opportunity of doing good slip by; by hope, has much profited by your inher kindness and courtesy, she endeared structions. She has read your Letters herself to the gentry, citizens, and yeo- on the Improvement of the Mind more men, and by leaving munificent sums as than once, and will read them often; alms for the poor in the parishes through and the Princess assented to the praise which she passed, won for herself the which followed, with a very modest air. affection of the peasants and labourers. I was pleased with all the Princes, but In April, 1778, the parliament, in particularly with Prince William, who compliance with the royal will, passed is little of his age, but so sensible and an act, enabling the King to settle an engaging, that he won the bishop's annuity of ~60,000 on the six younger heart, to whom he particularly attached Princes; ~50,000 on the five Prin- himself, and would stay with him while cesses; and ~12,000 on the son and all the rest ran about the house. His daughter of the Duke of Gloucester; conversation was surprisingly manly and but the former of these annuities were clever for his age; yet, with the young not to take effect till the demise of the Bullers, he was quite a boy, and said to King, nor the latter till the death of the John Buller, by way of encouraging Duke of Gloucester. him to talk,'Come, we are both boys, It was this year that their Majesties, you know.' All of them showed affecwith several of their children, honoured tionate respect to the bishop; the Prince Dr. Thomas, Bishop of Winchester of Wales pressed his hand so hard that formerly preceptor to the King, with he hurt it." the visit mentioned in the subjoined On the twenty-third of February, letter from the bishop's niece, Mrs. 1779, her Majesty gave birth to another Chapone, to Mr. Burrows, dated the Prince, who, being the eighth son, was, twentieth of August, 1778:- on the twenty-third of, the following "Mr. Buller went to Windsor on month, christened Octavius. Shortly Saturday; saw the King, who inquired after this event, the King resolved that much about the bishop, and hearing that Prince William, afterwards King Wil 976 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBULRG-STKRELITZ, liam IV., should become a sailor. The prevent the tongue of slander from acQueen remonstrated against exposing cusing her Majesty of excessive penuriher youthful son to the perils of the ousness and uncharitableness; an accudeep, and the hardships and dangers of sation which, did the assigned limits of war. The Prince himself felt no in- this memoir permit, might be fully disclination to descend from the dazzling proved, by adducing the many authentiheight of royalty, to fill a subordinate cally-recorded instances of her sympathy post in the navy, at a time, too, when for the distressed and unfortunate, her England was engaged in a fierce strug- alms to the poor and afflicted. It was gle with two powerful foes. But the these acts of munificence, her many virremonstrance and entreaty of the mo- tues, and the encouragement she afforded ther and son made no impression on the to all that tended to the religious, moobstinately firm monarch, and, on the ral, social, and commercial advancement eighteenth of June, 1779, Prince Wil- of the nation at large, that won for her liam was rated as a midshipman on the esteem of every one who really knew board the Prince George, of ninety-four her. In works of benevolence she exguns. That he might not play, but act pended about ~5000 a year; and althe sailor, his court dresses were laid though she made no pretensions to exaside for the equipments of an ordinary traordinary literary attainments, she did midshipman; and, on the evening before not overlook the merits of Madame d'Argoing on board, the King presented him blay, Mrs. Hannah More, Mrs. Trimwith a Bible, and in a sensible address, mer, Charlotte Smith, and other fair litetoo lengthy for these pages, exhorted rary stars of her era. One of these him to fill his new peril-fraught office ladies, the accomplished Mrs. Delany, with diligence, bravery, generosity, kind who was honoured with especial marks forbearance, and, above all, obedience to of her royal favour, at this period his superiors. His mother parted from resided on terms of intimate friendship him in tears, and his first conduct as a with the Duchess-dowager of Portland, sailor, proved that he had not forgotten at Bulstrode; and in an interesting lethis father's counsels. When introduced ter to the Honourable Mr. Hamilton, into the midshipman's cabin, his com- dated January twenty-eighth, 1779, she panions were puzzled how to address thus details a visit which the royal family him; they knew he was the King's son, paid to her friend, the duchess: * but as a brother middy they deemed him " What a task you have set me, my their equal, and one of them boldly asked dear friend! I can no more tell the parhim by what name he was rated in the ticulars of all the honours I received ship's books.'I am entered as Prince last autumn from the King and Queen William Henry,' he replied, with un- and eight of their royal progeny, than I affected affability;' but my father's name can remember last year's clouds - a is Guelph, and as I am only a sailor simile, by-the-bye, ill adapted to the amongst you, I will thank you to call grace and benignity of their manners, me simply William Guelph.'" that gave a lustre even to Bulstrode, This year the destruction of the Quebec superior as it is to most places. I had frigate, Captain Farmer, which was formed to myself a very different idea of blown up in the bravely-contested action such visitors, and wished the day over; off Brest, when all on board, save seven- but their affability and good humour teen persons, perished, so deeply affected left me no room for anything but admithe Queen, that she procured a pension ration and respect; for, with the most of ~800 a year for the captain's widow obliging condescension, there was no and family; obtained a lieutenant's com- want of proper dignity to keep the bamission for Mr. Moor, the master's mate, lance even. They were delighted with who, although wounded, was picked up the place, but, above all, with the misalive; and otherwise provided for the rest tress of it, whose sweetness of manners of the survivors. But these and other * Correspondence ofMrs. Delany with Mr. laudable acts of benevolence, did not Francis Hamilton. QUEEN OF GEORGE THE THIRD. 977 and knowledge of propriety engage all through the great apartments, and atranks. To give you a just notion of tentively observed everything, the pic, the entertainments, you should have a tures in particular. I kept back in the plan of the house, that I might lead drawing-room, and took that opportuyou through the apartments; but ima- nity of sitting down, when the Princess gine everything that is elegant and de- Royal returned to me, and said the Queen lightful, and you will do more justice to missed me in the train. I immediately the place and entertainments than I can obeyed the summons with my best alaby my description. crity. Her Majesty met me half-way, "The royal family, ten in all, came and seeing me hasten my steps, called at twelve o'clock. The King drove the out to me,'Though I desired you to Queen in an open chaise, with a pair of come, I did not desire you to run and white horses. The Prince of Wales and fatigue yourself.' Prince Frederick rode on horseback, all " They all returned to the great drawwith proper attendants, but no guards; ing-room, where there were only two Princess Royal and Lady Weymouth in a arm chairs placed in the middle of the post-chaise; Princess Augusta, Princess room for the King and Queen. The Elizabeth, Prince Adolphus, and Lady King placed the Duchess-dowager of Charlotte Finch, in a coach; Prince Wil- Portland in his chair, and walked about liam, Prince Edward, Duke of Montague, admiring the beauties of the place. and Bishop of Litchfield, in a coach; ano- Breakfast was offered all, prepared in ther coach full of attendant gentlemen, the long gallery. The King and all his amongst the number Mr. Smelt, whose royal children and the rest of the train character sets him above most men, and chose to go to the gallery, where the does great honour to the King, who calls well-furnished tables were set: one with him his friend, and has drawn him out tea, coffee, and chocolate; another, with of his solitude (the life he had chosen) other proper accommodation of eatables, to enjoy his conversation every leisure rolls, cakes, &c.; another table with moment. These, with all their attend- fruits and ices, in the utmost perfection, ants in rank and file, made a splendid which, with a magical touch, had suefigure as they drove through the park ceeded a cold repast. The Queen reand round the court up to the house. mained in the drawing-room, and the The day was as brilliant as could be Duchess-dowager brought her a dish of wished-the twelfth of August, the Prince tea on a waiter, which was what she of Wales's birthday. The Queen was in chose. After she had drank her tea, she a hat and in an Italian nightgown of would not return the cup to the Duchess, purple lustring, trimmed with silver but got up and would carry it into the gauze. She is graceful and genteel; the gallery herself, and was much pleased to dignity and sweetness of her manner, see with what elegance every thing was the perfect propriety of everything she prepared. The delightful appearance says or does, satisfies everybody she they all made, and the satisfaction all honours with her distinction so much, expressed, rewarded the attention and that beauty is by no means wanting to politeness of the Duchess of Portland, make her perfectly agreeable; and who is never so happy as when she grathough age and long retirement from tifies those she esteems worthy of the court made me feel timid in my being favour. The young Royals seemed quite called to make my appearance, I soon at home, from the eldest to the youngest, found myself perfectly at ease, for the and to inherit the gracious manners of King's condescension and good humour their parents. The King desired me to took off all awe but what one must have show the Queen one of my books of for so respectable a character, severely plants; she seated herself in the gallery tried by his enemies at home as well as at a table, and the books laid before her. abroad. The three Princesses were all in I kept my distance till she called me to frocks, the King and all the men were in ask some question about the mosaic paperan uniform, blue and gold. They walked work; and as I stood before her Majesty, 3 R 978 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBU1G-STRELITZ, the King set a chair behind me. I ther, that he would not continue their turned with some confusion and hesita- dancing, but that the Queen and the tion on receiving so great an honour, rest of the company were going to the vwhen the Queen said,' Mrs. Delany, sit Queen's house, where they should redown, sit down; it is not every lady slme their dancing, and have proper that h}as a chair brought her by a king;' music." so I obeyed. Amongst many genuine In 1779, appeared a rhyming diathinrgs, the Queen asked me,' Why I was logue, in the form of a burlesque satire not with the Duchess when she came, on the Queen, and which, in reality, is for I might be sure she would ask for a skilfully-sketched portraiture of the me?' I felt flatteled, acknowledged the pleasing side of her Majesty's character. distinction, and said I was particularly The bard, after eulogizing the King, happy at that time to pay my duty to makes his querist observeher Majesty, as it gave me an opportu- I own your satire just d keen, nity of seeing so many of the royal lroceed and satirise the Queen." family.' 0, but,' says her Majesty,' you have not seen all my children yet;' To which the poet replies — upon which the King came up, and obunhhhKga uno "With all my heart. The Queen, they say served to the Queen,'You may put Mrs. Attends her nursery every day, Delany in the way of doing that, by And like a common mother shares naming a day for her to drink tea at In all her infants' little caresWindsor Castle.' The Duchesss of Port What vulgar, unassuming scene For George's wife and Britain's Queen. land was consulted, and the next day Tis whispered also at the Palace, fixed upon, as the Duchess had appointed (I hope'tis but the voice of malice) the end of the week for going to Wey- That (tell it not in foreign lands) mouth. She works with her own royal hands, "m ewnou th t. tJ ora- And that our Sovereign's sometimes seen'"We went at seven, the hour ap- In vest embroidered by his Queen. pointed; were ushered into a long room This might a courtly fashion be, with great bay windows, where were all In days of old Adromac wordse, But modern ladies, trust my words, the Princesses and younger Princes, with Seldom sew tunics for their lords. their attendants, and passed on to the What secret next, must I unfold?bed-chamber, where the Queen stood in She hates, I'm confidently toldthe middle of the roon with Lady Vey- She hates the manners of the times, the middle of the room with Lady Wey- And all our fashionable crimes, mouth and Lady Charlotte Finch; the And fondly wishes to restore King and the elder Princes had walked The golden age and days of yore, out. When the Queen took her seat When sillysimple womenthought A breach of chastity a faultand the ladies their places, she ordered a Esteemed those modest things, divorces, chair to be set for me, opposite to where The very worst of human curses, she sat. At eight the King, &c. came And deemed assemblies, cards, and dice, into the room. It was the hour the King, Tomahticg notfn all sortofvice. Queen, and eleven of the Princes and At such absurdities must stare, Princesses walked on the terrace; they And, spite of all her pains, will still apologized, but said the crowd expected Love routs, adultery, and quadrille." them. When they returned, we were "Well! is that all you find to blame, summoned into the next room to tea, Sir critic, in the royal dame?" and the royals began a ball, and danced two country dances, to the music of French eA could find to blamJe No, truly horns, bassoons, and hautboys, which Would fail me ere I could express were the same that played on the ter- The half of Charlotte's blemishes. race whilst their Majesties walked there. Those foolish and old-fashion ways Of keeping holy sabbath daysBut the hall was terminated abruptly by That affectation to appear the King, who said to the Prince of At church, the word of God to hearWales, he was sure, when he considered Thatpoor-likeplainnessinherdress, So void of noble tawdrinesshow great an effort it must be to play That affability and ease, that kind of music so long a time toge- Which can her menial servants please, QUEEN OF GFORGE THE THIRD. 979 But which incredibly demean Are you content?" The state and grandeur of a queen. These and a thousand things beside " Nt quite, unless I coulM discover and deride; You put your satire to the pret s; But here's enough -another day For sure a satire in this mode I may perhaps renew my lay. Is equal to a birthday ode." CHAPTER IV. London riots-Birth and death of Prince Alfred-Peace-Loss of America-Death of Prince Octavius-Birth of the Princess Amelia-Comnmemoration of HandelA royal concert-Death of Prince George of Mecklenburg-Strelitz-Private life of the Royal.amily-Installation of Knights of the Garter-King's BirthdayDisgraceful conduct of the elder Princes-The King stabbed at by Margaret Nicholson-Royal visit to Nuneham, Oxford, and Blenheimn-Visit to Whiitbread's Brewery-The Prince of Wales' debts anddifficulties-Progress to Cheltenham and its neighbourhood-The King's mental illness-Parliamentary discussions on the Reaency-Sorrow, care, andfortitude of the Queen-The King's recovery- Unfilzai conduct of the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York-Queen's drawingroom —Visit to Covent Garden Theatre-Public thanksgiving for his Majesty's recovery~-Queen's birthday-Progress tot Weymouth-Marriage of the Duke of York- Calamitous visit to the Haynarket Theatre- Unceremonious gala- WarRoyal progress-.Deaths of the Queen's brother Frederick, and of her sister Christina of _Mecklenburg-Marriages of the Duke of Sussex, and of the Prince of YVales -Attempts on the King's life-Birth of the Princess Chariotte. r T this period the King and proceeded with to America, where "]'/,i} and Queen passed he passed the winter of 1781-2. This much of their time same month, Prince Frederick departed at Windsor, where a for Germany, where he remained for residence near tothe several years, to complete his military Castle wallwas built studies; and on the first of January, at the express desire 1781, the Prince of Wales was declared of her Majesty, and to be of age, and received the congratucalled "the Queen's Lodge at Windsor." lations of the court on the occasion. But it so happened that their Majesties From this period we have no remarkable were at Buckingham House when those event to record in the personal history fearful riots burst forth, which in June, of Queen Charlotte, saving the celebra1780, threatened London with destruc- tion, this year, of her own and her eldest tion; and although several of the nobles son's birth-days, with extraordinary and ladies of the court were terrified into splendour, and the death of her sister hurrying into the country with their Sophia, in the summer of the subsejewels and other valuables, neither the quent year, till 1783, when, on the twenKing nor the Queen-and her Majesty tieth of January, preliminaries of peace was enceinte-would stir from the me- were signed between Great Britain, tropolis till order was restored, when France, and Spain-a truce, which afterthey proceeded to Windsor Lodge, where, wards terminated by a treaty of peace, on the twenty-second of September, the was entered into with Holland-and the Queen was delivered of her last-born son, independence of America was acknowAlfred, who, eighteen months afterwards, ledged. The loss of America-an event expired, and was privately interred in the deeply deplored by the King, and, as royal vault in Westminster Abbey. such, a source'of pain to his affectionate In December, Prince William re- consort —was shortly afterwards folturned in safety from the fleet, which, lowed by a demise in the royal family, however, he shortly afterwards joined, which overwhelmed their Majesties with 3 Rt2 980 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ, sorrow. Prince Octavius fell ill of the gaining some instruction, he never sernsmall-pox; the malady proved mortal; pled to go over a passage two or three he died at Kew, on the third of May, times, or to take any liberties, or to and, a week afterwards, was buried by make any blunders that seemed good to the side of his brother Alfred, in WTest- him, without consulting, or in any way minster Abbey. This catastrophe laid warning the rest of the orchestra; it the Queen on the bed of sickness; and was, therefore, necessary for every memscarcely was she restored to convales- ber of it, whilst giving his eyes to his cence, when her last-born child, the own music, to give his ears to the King's, Princess Amelia, first saw the light, on and as rapidly as possible to follow the the eighth of August, 1783, at Bucking- direction and eccentricities of the royal ham House. performer. On the present occasion it In the spring of the subsequent became evident, however, that this conyear, the first grand festival in corn- cert was going wrong; but the most acute memoration of Handel took place in of these select amateurs could not imaWestminster Abbey, under the especial gine where they were in error. The patronage of their Majesties, who, ac- royal bass-viol was proceeding on its companied by Prince Edward, the Prin- course as sedately as the march of an cess Royal, and the Princesses Augusta, elephant; the violin looked in vain, Elizabeth, and Sophia, attended the per- backwards and forwards, for several formance, which, as a spectacle, was bars, to see where he could glide in, but magnificent-as a concert, sublime be- could discover nothing resembling what yond description. The next day the he heard; the tenor, knowing there was performance was resumed at the Pan- a difficult passage just passed over, and theon, and a week afterwards, that chef- being well aware of the royal practice d'ceuvre of the great composer, Handel, with regard to such, boldly went back "The Messiah," was performed before and repeated it; the harpsichord, betheir Majesties in Westminster Abbey. lieving the time had been altered from Both the King and the Queen took fast to slow, slackened its pace; and the great interestin this musical commemo- flute, entertaining a different opinion, ration, and on it they lavished the high- went away at double speed. Such a est encomiums; nor is this surprising, strange medley was never heard before: as the performance was surpassingly nevertheless, the King was seen leaning grand. The Queen had a taste for ora- forward, with his eyes fixed on the torios, and the King professed to be a music, working away with the royal musical connoisseur, played the bass-viol, elbow, evidently too absorbed in his and, with that instrument, frequently own performance to heed the confusion took part in the performance of sympho- that distracted the audience, and made nies and other instrumental part music. the other musicians feel extremely unAn amusing anecdote of one of these comfortable. It was not etiquette to royal concerts went the round of the notice the King's mistakes, or the youthpapers of the day. The party composed ful maids of honour would have laughed a quintett under the direction of the outright. The Duke of Newcastle, a King himself, who, whilst he sawed studious courtier, knew not what to do: away at the bass-viol, had no idea that he played a few notes here and there, it was possible to surpass him or the whispered to the Duke of Devonshire, sounds he produced. The Princess of nudged Philip Dormer, whose blowing Wales presided at the harpsichord, the had become desperate, he glanced at the Duke of Newcastle played the first violin, look of the Princess without obtaining the Duke of Devonshire, the tenor, and any clue to the cause of the inextricable the facetious Philip Dormer, the flute. disorder; but still he plied on, knowing It so happened that the King had his that matters could not be worse than own notions of time and tune; and as his they were. The King at last brought Majesty performed for his own amuse- up the party "all standing," as the ment only, and possibly with the idea of sailors say, by coming suddenly and un QUEEN OF GEORGE THE THIRD. 981 expectedly to the end of his symphony. lodge, with no other company but their The Princess, who alone dared to speak, Majesties' own most lovely family. They discovered that his Majesty had turned sit round a large table, on which are over two leaves at once; the monarch, books, work, pencils, and paper. The with the utmost composure, turned back Queen has the goodness to make me sit to the part which had not been played, down next to her, and delights me with and, without uttering a syllable, set to her conversation, which is informing, work, rasping away, followed by the elegant, and pleasing beyond descripother musicians, who this time were in tion; whilst the younger part of the at the death, with tolerable exactitude. family are drawing, working, etcetera, On the sixth of November, 1785, the the beautiful babe, Princess Amelia, Quecn's brother, Prince George of Meck- bearing her part in the entertainment, lenburg, died; and, in consequence, sometimes in one of her sister's laps, the British court went into mourning, sometimes playing with the King on the and the commemoration of her Majesty's carpet, which altogether exhibits such a natal day was put off to the ninth of delightful scene as would require an AdFebruary, when it was celebrated with dison's pen or a Vandyke's pencil to do unusual splendour. The interestinglet- justice to it. In the next room is the ters of Mrs. Delany, written solely for band of music, who play from eight to private information, and intended by the ten. The King generally directs them authoress to be impartial and truthful what pieces of music to play-chiefly sketches, besides other valuable informa- Handel's." tion, afford the subjoined pleasing de- On the twenty-seventh of April, 1786, tails of the domestic life of the Queen their Majesties stood sponsors to Lord and her beloved spouse at this period:- Salisbury's daughter, Georgiana Char"On Thursday, the ninth of May, I lotta, to whom they presented a superb received a note from Lady Weymouth, salver, weighing one hundred and twenty to tell me the Queen invited me to her ounces. In June, another grand musiMajesty's house to hear Mrs. Siddons cal festival, in commemoration of Hanread'ThleProvoked Iusband.' You may del, was held at Westminster Abbey, believe I obeyed the summons, and was which they honoured with their premuch entertained. Itwas verydesirableto sence; and, on the third of the same me, as I lad no other opportunity of mouth, their royal sons, the Princes hearing or seeing Mrs. Siddons; and she Edwvard, Ernest Augustus, Augustus fully answered my expectations-her per- Frederick, and Adolphus Frederick, son and manners perfectly agreed. I were, together with the Landgrave of was received in tile great drawing-room HIesse Cassel and several nobles, instaiby the King and Queen, their daugliters, led Knights of the Garter. On the anand Prince Edward. Besides the royal niversary of the King's birth-day, which f.alily, there were only the Duchess- this year was kept with great splendour, dowager of Portland and her dalughter, the Queen wore a royal purple robe, Lady Weymouth, and her beautiful covered over with rich Brussels lace, granddaughter, Lady Aylesford, Lord and the magnificence of her appearance and Lady larcourt, Lady Charlotte was heightened by a bouquet composed Finch, Duike of Montague. and the solely of the valuable diamonds which gentlemen attendant on the King. Mrs. the King had just previously received Siddons read standing, and behaved with as a present from the Nizam of the great propriety. After she was dis- Deccan in India. missed, their Majesties detained the The intemperance, immorality, excomlpany some time, to talk over what travagance, and gambling propensities had passed, whiich was not the least of the elder Princes had long been a agreeable part of the entertainment." source of affliction to their royal paIn another letter, the same accom- rents; and at this period the Prince of plished correspondent observes:-" I Wales found himself overwhelmed with have been several evenings at the Queen's pecuniary difficulties. His debts, in 982 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STREIITZ, eluding ~24,000 for completing Carlton in the eighty-fifth year of her age. House, amounted to ~250,(C00; and as Her remains were interred, with private his mother fiowncd upon his profligate- obsequies, in Henry VII.'s Chapel, in ness and prodigality, and his father Westminster Abbey, on the evening of would neither countenance nor assist the eleventh of November. him, he resorted to the expedient of re- On the twenty-sixth of May, 1787, ducing his household from ~25,000 to their Majesties, and three of the Prin~5000 a-year; but with what good effect cesses, and their suite, visited Messrs. will hereafter be shown. Whitbread's extensive brewery, in ChisOn the second of August, Margaret well Street. They were ceremoniously Nicholson made an unsuccessful attempt received by the proprietor and his to stab the King, as he was stepping out daughter; and after examining the of his chariot at the garden-entrance to steam-engine and the store, the Queen St. James's. On this occasion the Queen and the Princesses amused themselves by was saved all unnecessary emotion by going into the great vat or store cistern, the judicious forethought of the Spanish which, when full, contained four thouAmbassador, who, the moment the as- sand barrels of beer. They next prosassin was seized, posted to Windsor, ceeded to the cooperage, where Mr. and 4)y keeping her Majesty in deep con- Whitbread was assailed with so many versation, prevented ler from bearing questions from the King, that, remarks the alarming report till the King ar- Peter Pindar in his satirical account of rived, and told it her with his own lips. this visit" The knife," said the fortunate monarch, "The brewer exclaimed, May I be cursed! " slightly cut my waistcoat, and luckily, If I know which to answer first." very luckily it was that it went no far- The royal party, after carefully viewther, for there was nothing beneath but ing the whole of the premises, and para little linen and a great deal of fat." taking of a cold collation in the dwellThe Queen's consternation was great, ing-house, expressed themselves highly and for a long time afterwards she felt gratified, and departed. uneasy whenever her husband was pre- The situation of the Prince of Wales sent in London. was, at this period, highly singular and On the sixteenth of the same month, critical. The prejudice which the nahis Majesty, the Queen, and several of tion generally entertained against him the Princesses, paid a friendly visit to on account of his licentiousness and protheHarcourtfamily, atNunelam, whence digality, was increased by a reportthey proceeded to Oxford, where they which, indeed, was true-that he had viewed the colleges and hialls, and the contracted a secret marriage with Mrs. King received two addresses-one from Fitzherbert, a lady beautiful and acthe University, and the other from the complished, but of the Roman Catholic Corporation. From Oxford the royal religion. These unfavourable circumparty returned to Nunehlam, and the stances alarmed many of his creditors; following morning they honoured the n thir prtin la and their persecuting clamours, and t Duke of Marlborough with a visit, at impossibility of satisfying their claims Blenheim, where, after surveying the pa- with his present limited income, induced lace, they drove round its demesne, for- the Prince, in the spring of this year, merly the royal park of Woodstock. to consent to a proposal for laying the In the autumn of this year, tile royal state of his- affairs before parliament. family experienced a domestic affliction Accordingly his friends brought the matin the death of the Princess Amelia, the ter before tile Commons, when a warm last surviving issue ot George II. and debate ensued; but before the House his Queen, Caroline. Tile Princess had could come to a vote on the subject, lived a life of celibacy, and for years had Mr. Pitt, by desire of the King, met retired from the bustle of the court. the Prince, and informed him, that if After a protracted illness, she breathed the intended motion were withdrawn, her last on the twenty-sixth of October, everything might be settled to his Royal QUEEN OF GEORGE TILE THIRD. 983 Highness's satisfaction; this being ac- took no guards with him; and he and the ceded to, the King directed ~10,000 Queen frequently walked about Chela year to be added to the allowance of tenham and its neighbourhood, accomthe Prince of Wales, out of the Civil panied by only two or three of their List; and the Commons, in compliance suite, and attended by crowds of people. with a royal message, voted an address, On the fifteenth of August, the royal requesting his Majesty to direct the sum party returned to Windsor. The King of ~162,000 to be paid out of the Civil was in excellent spirits. His health List, for the discharge of the Prince's appeared established; but shortly afterdebts; and the further sum of ~20,000 wards he was attacked with bilious to complete the repairs of Carlton House. fever, and other maladies, and by the At the same time the King sent for the end of October it could no longer be Prince. granted him forgiveness, and in- concealed that a mental derangement troduced him to his royal mother and had taken place, which rendered him sisters. The Prince immediately after- quite incapable of attending to public wards increased his household to its business. The advice of the most skilformer magnificence, and by again pur- ful physicians was taken, and they gave suing a heedless, profligate course, in it as their opinion, that his Majesty, which the elder of his brothers shared although at present decidedly insane, largely, again became overwhelmed would recover at some future period. with pecuniary difficulties; and to in- Under these circumstances, both the crease his income, and discharge his ministers and the parliament turned debts, he resorted to means the most their attention to the establishment of dishonourable and the most criminal a regent. Mr. Pitt urged that the suthat can well be imagined. preme power should be vested in the In the summer of 1788, the King Queen, whilst Mr. Fox declared, that it experienced symptoms of indisposition, belonged, of right, to the Prince of for which his physicians recommended Wales: every possible stratagem was a course of the mineral waters at Chel- resorted to, to induce her Majesty to tenham; accordingly Bayshill Lodge, take part in this party agitation-for Cheltenham, was taken for their Ma- such it really was; but the sorrowing jesties, who, with the three eldest Queen, who, at this time, was wholly Princessea, proceeded thither on the occupied in endeavours to restore her twelfth of July. During their sojourn beloved consort to reason and health, at this favourite resort of fashionable for a time resisted every attempt to eninvalids and idlers, the royal party gage her in political contests; and deamused themselves, and gratified the clared, that for herself, she only required inhabitants of the ncighbourhood, by permission to watch over her afflicted making excursions to the most note- husband. However, in a short while, worthy places in the vicinity. They the unfilial conduct of her two eldest conferred the honour of a royal visit sons became unbearable, and she ceased on Tewkesbury, Cirencester, the cities to remain neutral, gave her sanction and of Gloucester and Worcester, Hartle- support to the proceedings of the mibury Castle the episcopal palace of Bi. nisters; and wrote a letter to the Prince shop Hurd, Pauswick, Stroud, and other of Wales, charging him with " designs palaces and places of historic interest. At to take advantage of the weak state of Worcester, they paid a formal visit to the the King to get possession of his treacorporationat the town hall, and attended sures, and to change the whole face of the performances of the three choirs of things." Matters were in this state Iereford, Gloucester, and Worcester. when the parliament resolved that, duThroughout these excursions, they were ring the mental illness of the King, the everywhere received with fervent de- royal power should be invested in the monstrations of loyalty; and their con- Prince of Wales, as regent; and that the descension and affability were praise- care of his Majesty should be committed worthy and remarkable. The King to the Queen, who should nominate all 984 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ, persons to the offices in the household. fects to see that his brother's style is too A Bill to this effect passed the Corn- bad."* mons on the twelfth of February; but The first interview these filial sons, whilst it was under discussion in the the Prince of Wales, and his brother of Lords, the King was declared to be York, had with their sire after his reconvalescent; for nearly three weeks covery, is thus described by Lord Grenafterwards all parliamentary business ville:-" The two Princes were at Kew was suspended; and on the twenty- yesterday, and saw the King in the seventh, the further progress of the Blli Queen's apartment; she was present the was stopped by an announcement of the whole time, a precaution for which, perfect recovery of his Majesty. An God knows, there was but too much announcement hailed with enthusiastic reason. They kept him waiting a conjoy by the nation; and followed, on the siderable time before they arrived; and second of March, by an order for the dis- after they left him, drove immediately continuance of the prayer for the King's to Mrs. Arntstead s, in Park Street, in recovery, and for the offering up of a hopes of finding Mr. Fox there, to give thanksgiving for his restoration to health, himt an account of what had passed. in all churches and chapels. He not being in town, they amused The King, on his recovery, attended themselves yesterday evening with divine service at Kew, and with the spreading about a report, that the King Queen, and the three elder Princesses, was still out of his mind; and with received the sacrament. The happy quoting phrases of his, to which they event was celebrated in London, Edin- gave that turn. It is certainly a decent burgh, and other places, with illumina- and becoming thing, that when all the tiols, ringing of bells, and the usual de- King's physicians, all his attendants, monstrations of loyal joy; and the par- and his two principal ministers, agree liament, the city of London, and the in pronouncing him well, his two sons corporate bodies generally, presented con- should deny it. And the reflection, that gratulatory addresses to both their Majes- the Prince of Wales was to have had ties, which, of course, were received very the government, and the Duke of York graciously. But whilst the people re- the command of the army, during his joiced at the recovery of the sovereign, illness, makes this representation of his his nearest heirs were loth to acknow- actual state, when coming from them, ledge the fact. The Duke of York had more peculiarly proper and edifying. strenuously supported the Prince of I bless God that it is some time betore Wales in his endeavours to seize the these matured and ripened virtues will legal power from the hand of the inva- be visited upon us in the form of a golided King; and indeed, in his conduct vernment."t at this period, he proved himself of the On the twenty-sixth of March, the two, perhaps, the worst son. Here is Queen held a brilliant drawing-room, Lord Bulkeley's picture of him just on which occasion she treated with previous to this illness of his father:- marked coolness several of the time"The Duke of York talks both ways, serving courtiers who, during the King's and I think will end in opposition. Ils indisposition, had advocated vesting the conduct is as bad as possible; he plays whole regal power, without restrictions very deep, and loses; and his conpany of any kind, in the Prince of Walets, as is thought mauvais ton. I am told, that regent. A week afterwards, shle gave a the King and Queen begin now to feel grand concert and supper to a select how much sharper than a serpent's tooth company of niobles and ladies, known as it is to have an ingiate child. When thle King's friends; and on the fifteenth the Duke of York is completely' done of Aptil, her Majesty, with the Prinup' in the public opinion, I should not cesses Augusta and Elizabeth, visited be surprised if the Prince of Wales as- Memoirs f the Court and Cabinet of sumed a different style of behaviour. George IiI., by the Duke of Buckingham. Indeed, I am told that he already af- t lid. QUEEN OF GEORGE THE THIRD. 985 Covent Garden Theatre for the first to repeat the sentiment of Lord Bulkeley, time since the recovery of her consort, the King's mind was torn to pieces by when such was the enthusiastic loyalty the disgraceful conduct of his sons; the displayed by the audience, who, up- breach between his Majesty and the standing, and uncovered, sang, "God Prince of Wales was too wide to be filled save the King I" no less than six times up, and, under the mask of attention to in the course of the evening; that at their royal parents, they outraged and the commencement of the perfornance insulted them in every way they could her Majesty, and, indeed, the whole devise. house, even to the performers, were This same day, her Majesty caused much affected, and burst into tears. The eighty of the Sunday School children at King's religious feelings prevented him Windsor to be completely clothed, and from being present on this occasion-he the mayor and corporation proceeded with had resolved that his first public appear- them in procession to divine service. Nuance after his recovery should be to merous other entertainments were also offer up a solemn thanksgiving; accord- given, in celebration of the King's reingly, on the twenty-third of April, covery, throughoutthe British dominions, about ten in the morning, his Majesty, and even in Germany. Of these, the three accompanied by the Queen and royal most splended were a fete given by the family, and attended by both houses of Queen and the Princess Royal, on the parliament, the great officers of state, first of May; a grand entertainment given the judges, and other officers, proceeded by the French ambassador to the royal in grand procession to St. Paul's Cathe- family and nobility, at his house in Portdral. At Temple Bar, the corporation man Square; and a galastill moremagjoined the cavalcade, which was closed nificent and brilliant, given by the Spanby a troop of horse-guards. In the ish ambassador to the Queen and about Cathedral the scene was splendid, the two thousand royal and noble personmusic sublime, the service deeply im- ages, at Ranelagh. This year, his Mapressive. Psalms, and choruses to an- jesty's birth-day was kept at St. James's, thems, were chaunted by six thousand with regal magnificence, when the drawcharity children; and the sermon, ing-room was thronged with visitors; which was neither an eulogy in praise but on account of the shock occasioned of royalty, nor a political or party ora- by the duel just previously fought betion, was preached by the Bishop of tween the Duke of York and Colonel London, from Psalm xxvii. 16-" Oh, Lennox, the King himself was absent, tarry thou the Lord's leisure; be strong, and the whole burden of the ceremoand he shall comfort thine heart; and nials was borne by the Queen. put thou thy trust in the Lord." After'o invigorate his Majesty's constituthe sermon, an anthem was sung; and tion after the severe blow it had susas their Majesties were about to depart, tained, change of air and a course of the charity children sung the 104th sea-bathing were recommended. WeyPsalm, with impressive effect. The mouth was chosen for this purpose, and royal party returned with the same state thither their Majesties, with the three to Buckingham House, where they ar- elder Princesses and their suite, prorived at about half-past three. The ceeded, and, on the thirtieth of June, route they took was lined with thousands took up their abode at the Duke of Glouof spectators, who, as they passed and cester's lodge. The royal party, during repassed, greeted them with deafening their residence at Weymouth, chiefly acclamations of loyalty. occupied themselves by making short The conduct of the three elder Princes, aquatic trips, paying visits to the reon this solemn occasion, was highly dis- markable places in the neighbourhood, graceful. In the Cathedral they talked occasionally going to the theatre, giving aloud during the service, and, out of audience to the neighbouring nobility doors, took means to raise a riot in fa- and gentry, and walking on the esplavour of the Prince of Wales. In fact, nade or the sands, with only a f6w at 986 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ, tendants, and followed by crowds of re- virtuous, gentle, and accomplished prin. spectful. loyal subjects. On this occasion cess. their Majesties honoured with their pre- On the fourth of January, 1792, their sence Exeter, Plymouth, Mount Edge- Majesties, with the Duke and Duchess combe, Milton Abbey; Mariston, the of York, Prince William (who, on the seat of Mr. Heywood; Sherborne Castle, nineteenth of May, 1789, had been crethe seat of Lord Digby; Shltrum, the ated Duke of Clarence), and six of the seat of Lord Barrington; Lulworth Princesses, visited the HaymarketTheaCastle, the seat of Mr. Weld, brother to tre, to witness the fourth performance of Mrs. Fitzherbert, and a Roman Catho- the ballad opera of "Cymon," when, sad lie, and other note-worthy places, but to relate, the rush at the pit door was which the assigned limits of this me- so violent, that one person was trampled moir prevents us from even mentioning. to death, and several others were inThe royal party left Weymouth on jured. the fourteenth of September, the same Two years afterwards, there ocevening reached Longleat, the seat of curred, at this same theatre, another the Marquis of Bath, and after spend- accident, occasioned by similar circuming a day there, proceeded onward to stances, and which was so appalling, that Tottenham Park, the seat of Lord Ayles- their Majesties resolved never again to bury,wheretheyrestedtillthe eighteenth, visit that place of amusement. This on which day they again set forth, and catastrophe happened on the third of Fethe same afternoon reached the Queen's bruary, 1794, when a visit from the Lodge at Windsor, in excellent health royal family drew such crowds to the and spirits. house, that in their endeavours to enter This trip so charmed the King and the pit, the foremost in the crowd fell Queen, that, in the subsequent year, they down, and others, driven forward by the again proceeded toWeynouth, and passed resistless press from behind, were forced a week there, from the third to the either to trample over them, or themtenth of September. Shortly after their selves fall and be trampled over. A return, the Duke of York married the dreadful scene of death, terror, and conPrincess Frederica Ulrica Catherine, fusion ensued; and, when something like eldest daughter of Frederick the Great, order was restored, it was found that King of Prussia. After the marriage fifteen persons had been crushed to death, had been solemnized with becoming and twenty others injured so severely, magnificence, at Berlin, on the first of that several of them survived only a few October, the royal pair set out for Eng- hours. land, and owing to the delays and in- As the formal court balls and galas suits they were forced to endure from fatigued the king, without affording him the partizans of the French revolution pleasure, the Queen gave, at Windsor, in their progress from Brussels to Calais, on the tenth of January, a grand ball they did not reach Dover till the twenty- and supper, such as she knew would first. They landed the same day, reached afford real gratification to her beloved York House on the twenty-second, and, spouse. This unceremonious gala was on the evening of the twenty-third, were heartily enjoyed by the King, and formed married according to the rites of the a striking contrast to the formal cereChurch of England, by the Archbishop monious celebration of her Majesty's of Canterbury, assisted by the Bishop of birth-day, which took place a few days London, at the Queen's house, and in afterwards, and was the most full, brilthe presence of their Majesties, tle royal liant, and splendid court since the family, and the lord chancellor, who Queen's coronation. signed the marriage certificate. On ac- At this period a dread that the recount of this marriage, the Duke's in- publicanism of France would sweep come was raised to ~35,000 a-year, and monarchy from the face of Europe, ima dowry of ~30,000 per annum was pelled the ministry into a war in desettled on the Duchess, who was a really fence of ancient institutions. Already QUEEN OF GEORGE TIIE THIRD 987 were the moral as well as the political ray, first at Rome and then in Englnnd, effects of the Gaulish struggle for free- was a source of sorrow and annoyance dom, and that alluring impossibility, to her Majesty. This marriage had been equality, being felt to an alarming de- solemnized without the King's consent, gree throughout the British empire; and and in open violation of the Royal Marbut for the fortitude of the sovereign and riage Act. On the third of August, the energy and decision of ministers, 1794, it was pronounced invalid by the the French reign of terror might have Ecclesiastical Court, and Lady Augusta crossed the Channel, and marked its immediately separated from her hushorrors in the annals of Britain in letters band. Of the two children, the fruit of of blood, this union, the daughter still survives, On the first of February, 1793, the the wife of the late Lord Truro, formerly French convention declared war against Mr. Serjeant Wylde. After the death of England; and, twenty-five days after- Lady Augusta, the Duke of Sussex marwards, three battalions of guards, des- ried Lady Cecilia Letitia Underwood, tined for foreign service, commenced who now survives him as Duchess of their march from St. James's Park, and, Inverness. at their departure, were reviewed before At this period the armies of the the King, Queen, and royal family, who French republicwere everywhere successtook leave of them with the kindest ful. Holland was conquered under faexpressions of regard and encourage- vour of the patriotic party, and, in conment. sequence, the Stadtholder sought an In the subsequent June, when Lord asylum in England. On the twentyHowe arrived at Spithead, with the sixth of January, 1795, he arrived in ships he had captured at the defeat of London, with his family and suite. the French fleet off Ushant, their Ma- Their Majesties cordially welcomed him, jesties, with other branches of the royal ordered Hampton Court to be fitted up family, to invigorate the patriotism and for his residence, and, on the nineteenth loyalty of the nation, paid a formal visit of May, the Queen did him the honour to the fleet, at Portsmouth; when they to have a fair held in the Dutch style, went on board the Queen Charlotte, and, at Frogmore, to which his llighness and as a mark of royal approbation, the his family, together with many of the King, with his own hands, presented a nobility, were invited. superb diamond-hilted sword to Lord Her Majesty was present at the unHowe, and made honorary presents to fortunate marriage of the Prince of several other of the naval officers. Wales to the Princess Caroline of On Friday, the King held a grand Brunswick; and shortly afterwards, the levee, at which all ranks of officers were bold ultra-democratic expressions which admitted. On Saturday, the royal party the parliamentary debates on the debts witnessed the launching of the Prince of the heir-apparent, combined with the of Wales, a finewar-ship of ninety-eight success of the Frenoh revolution, emguns, and afterwards sailed up the har- boldened the press and the republican hour and inspected the fleet and the party to indulge in, caused the Queen naval trophies of Lord Howe's victory. serious alarm. The King endeavoured On Monday, they sailed for Southamp- to dispel her fears, and, at the close of ton, where they landed in the afternoon, the summer, conducted her to Weyand, entering their carriages, proceeded mouth; but in October, the threatening direct to Windsor. The.re the Queen aspect of public affairs drew their Mareceivedthe mournful intelligence of the jesties to the metropolis, that the pardeath of her brother, Adolphus Frede- liament might assemble at an unusually rick, Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and early period; and as the King was shortly afterwards news arrived of the proceeding to open the session, an imdemise of her sister, Christina. mense throng surrounded his carriage, This year, too, the marriage of the clamorously vociferating, " Peace Duke of Sussex to Lady Augusta Mur- "Bread!" "No King!" whilst stones 988 CHARLOTTI OF MECKLENfBURG-STRELITZ, were thrown at the coach; and, on pass- Yet, withal, the rebellious spirits abroad ing through Palace Yard, a bullet, tired, daily grew in force and daring, and it was supposed, from an air gan, broke again royalty w;s outraged on the first one of the coach windows. On his Ma- of February, 1796. On that day, as jesty's return to St. James's, these out- the royal family were returning from rages were repeated; and as lie pro- Drury Lane Theatre, a stone was flung ceeded from thence to Buckingham into the carriage, which struck the House, the royal carriage was again Queen on the cheek, and then fell into surrounded, stones thrown at it, and at Lady Harrington's lap. In this case, one time several persons made a rush, as in that of the previous insults offered exclaiming, "Down with the King!" to his Majesty, the offenders were never "Drag him out!" However, at this brought to justice, although ~1000 perilous moment, the loyal Mr. Bedigi- were offered for their detection. field flew to the assistance of his Ma- On the seventh of January,, 1796, a jesty, and after knocking down several daughter was born to the heir-apparent. of the assailants, drew a pistol from his Her Majesty was not present at the pocket, and thus kept back the riotous accoucheinent, but at the christening she mob. stood as one of the sponsors, and gave Throughout these trying scenes the the name of Charlotte Augusta to the grossly-insulted monarch preserved royal infant. This event was followed great coolness. But the news so terri- by the separation of the parents, who fied the Queen and the Princesses, that had been linked together by worldly it was with difficulty he could prevail policy, and whose repugnance to each upon them to accompany him on the other eventually settled down into imfollowing evening to Covent Garden placable hatred. This separation of the Theatre, where, to their infinite satis- Prince and Princess of Wales was a faction, they were received by a crowded cause of sorrow and domestic trouble to house with enthusiastic demonstrations their Majesties. The King, it is said, of loyalty, " God save the King!" took a favourable, the Queen an unfabeing thrice sung with encores during vourable view of the Princess's chlathe evening. Both houses of parlia- racter and conduct; more than once ment expressed great indignation at the words ran high between them on this late outrages, and numerous loyal ad- subject, and her Majesty's maternal dresses on the subject were presented to feelings blinded her to the fact, that she his Majesty by the City of London and overlooked the failings of her son, the other corporate bodies, whilst a bill was Prince of Wales, and was strongly prepassed for the more effectually prevent- judiced against his consort, the Princess ing seditious meetings and assemblies. Caroline. CHAPTER V. Gloomy aspect of the tines-Deathl of _iadamne Schwellenburgen —Marriage of the Princess Rloyal-Mutiny at Portsmouth and the Nore-Naval victories-Fete by the Queen at Frogmore-Volunteers-Attempt at the theatre to assassinate the.King-Entertainment at Frog2nore-Progress to Weymouth-Christmas festivity — tUnion with Ireland-Catholic question —Resignation of Pitt-The King again suffers from a maniac malady-ltecovers-Peace followed by a renewal of warLos-s of Hanover-.Review of Volunteers-Presentation of colours-Their.Majesties' birth-days-Aquatic fete at Weymouth-Ilr. Pitt again minister-Royal entertainment at Windsor - Installation of knights of the garter - German operetta- Visit to Chelsea Hospital-Death of the Duk/e of Gloucester, brother to the King-IThe naval victory of Trafalgar —Ithe Queen's conduct to the Princess of QUEEN OF GEORGE THE THIRD. 989 Wales —Home scenes at Windsor-The -Duke of York and Colonel Wardle — Jubilee on the King's entering the fftieth year of his reign. HE year 1797 open- threw the whole nation into a fervour ed to her Majesty of enthusiastic loyalty and patriotism. with a gloomy as- The guns fired; the bells rang; LonS' 1 1' pect; her faithful don and all the chief towns throughout JW; GlA servant, Madame the kingdom were illuminated; aliberal Schwellenburgen, subscription was made for the brave mistress of the robes, fellows who fell in the action; Admiral died suddenly on the Nelson was created a baron, with a penseventh of March, and on the eighteenth sion of ~2,000 a year, and the twentyof May, the Princess Royal was, to the eighth of September was observed as sorrow of her mother, the Queen, a day of solemn thanksgiving. united in marriage to Frederick Wil- On the eighth of March, 1799, her liam, hereditary prince of Wirtemburg Majesty gave an entertainment at her Stutgardt, who was a widower, and now favourite residence, Frogmore, to whose former wife, it was said, had, by commemorate the recovery of the Prinhis sanction, been confined in a prison cess Amelia, who for some time had in Russia, and there murdered, As to been seriously indisposed. To this gala public affairs, they, at the commence- only those known as the King's friends ment of the year, presented a prospect were invited: the supper was superb; truly alarming. The war was proving the ball select, but brilliant; the scene ruinous and unfortunate; national imposing, gladsome, and exhilarating. credit seemed to be destroyed, and Ire- The Queen gave this fete with a willing land was ripe for rebellion. Disaffec- and a joyous heart; but her next entertion was on the increase in England, tainment, the ball and supper, on the and whilst a foreign invasion impended, sixteenth of May, to which, besides a serious mutiny broke out in the chan- about two hundred of the leading nonel fleet, which was followed by one bility, the Princess of Wales was instill more alarming at the Nore. But, vited, and which was intended as a prewithal, the year closed more brilliantly lude to the recall of that Princess to than might have been expected. The court, was given against her inclinamutiny of the seamen was suppressed; tion, and with no other view than to the alarm occasioned by the stoppage gratify the desire of her beloved consort. of cash payments at the Bank had This year his Majesty paid remarkspeedily subsided; public confidence was able attention to the associations of restored; the Lords St. Vincent and volunteers in the metropolis and the adDuncan had respectively defeated the jacent counties. On his birth-day he Spanish and the Dutch fleets; and, on reviewed upwards of eight thousand of the nineteenth of December, a proclama- these loyal troops in Hyde Park, and in tion was issued for a public thanksgiving the presence of all the beauty and fashfor our great naval victories, which was ion of London, who greeted him on his celebrated with the usual solemnities- arrival and departure with deafening exthe King, Queen, and royal family re- clamations of loyalty. Tile Queen and pairing to St. Paul's Cathedral in the the Princesses, accompanied by the same state, and amidst the same accla- Countess of Harrington and Lad' Mary mations, as upon similar occasions. Stanhope, witnessed the imposing scene In the following autumn, whilst their from the house of Lady Holdernesse, MIajesties and the Princesses were on and from that of Lord Cathcart; and their annual visit to their favourite water- when the vast assemblage made the ing-place, Weymouth, intelligence ar- welkin ring with loyal shouts, tears rived of Admiral Nelson's naval victory of gratitude moistened the cheeks of over the French at the Nile: a victory their Majesties and their beloved so splendid and decisive, that the news daughters. On the twenty-first of this 990 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ, month, between eight and nine in the from every part of the theatre. The morning, his Majesty, mounted on a King, apparently not the least disconwhite charger, set out from Bucking- certed, came nearly to the front of the ham House, to visit and inspect the box; at that moment the Queen entered, different volunteer corps of the metro- and inquired the cause of the confusion. polis at their several stations. After The King waved his hand for her to passing over Westminster Bridge by the keep back, and replied, " Only a squib, obelisk to Blackfriars, and thence to the a squib; they are firing squibs for diArtillery Ground, he proceeded to the version." After the assassin had been residence of the Lord Chancellor in seized, the Queen came forward, and in Guildford Street, where, with the Queen great agitation, curtsied. The Prinand the Princess, who had awaited his cesses, on learning what had happened, arrival, he partook of a cold collation. fainted away; and on recovering, they Immediately afterwards, he mounted his and the Queen urged his Majesty to charger, and proceeding to the Found- return home; but he answered, "No, ling Hospital, reviewed the several corps no, be calm; we will sit the performance collected there; and then, with the out, for the danger is now over." Queen and the royal family, entered the They did so, greatly to the gratification chapel, where the children entertained of the audience; and at the end of the them by singing a hymn, and " God farce, "God save the King!" was sung, save the King!"-Two more of these with the following additionalverse, which note-worthy military spectacles occurred had been written impromptu, and which this summer. On the fourth of July, was heartily encored by the whole house. his Majesty, in the presence of the " From every latent foe, Queen, reviewed the Surrey volunteers From the assassin's blow, on Wimbledon Common; and on the God save the King! first of August, the volunteer associations O'er him thine arm extend, For Britain's sake defend of Kent passed under his inspection in Our father, prince, and friend, the Moat Park, the seat of the Earl of God save the King! Romney, nearMaidstone. At this latter Tlhe unhappy offender proved to be spectacle, the Queen and the Princesses James Hatfield, an old soldier, who lad were present; and after the review, the served under the Duke of York on the royal family and the nobility partook of continent, and had since become a lunaa sumptuous banquet in marquees tic. He was confined during the reerected on the lawn; whilst at tables, mainder of his life in Bethlehem tIosall of which were in view of the royal pital. tent, upwards of six thousand volunteers On returning to the palace, the King, sat down to a dinner consisting of every after bidding the Queen good night, obdelicacy of the season. served, " I believe I shall sleep soundly; The fifteenth of May, 1800, proved a and my prayer is, that the poor prisoner most eventful day in the life of George who committed the rash assault upon me, III. In the morning, whilst his Ma- may rest as calmly as I shall this night." jesty was inspecting the grenadiers' bat- The next morning, the royal Dukes talion of the guards in Hyde Park, and and the Prince of Wales, with an affectaduring the firing from centre to flank, tion of gratitude for their sire's presera shot, from an undiscovered hand, was vation, which, -at least, some of them fired, which wounded a spectator, who scarcely could have felt, hastened to stood only a few yards from the King. Buckingham House and took breakfast The same evening, the royal family with the King, Queen, and the Prinvisited Drury Lane Theatre, and as his cesses; after which a levee was held, Majesty entered the box, and was in the which was crowded by a brilliant assemact of bowing to the audience, a pistol blage, who congratulated their Majesties was fired at him by a person in the pit: on the King's escape. the house was immediately in an up- The Queen was present when the roar, and cries of "Seize him!" burst King reviewed the Hertford Volunteers QUEEN OF GEORGE THE THIRD. 991 mn the Marquis of Salisbury's demesne, Weymouth, proceeded thither with the at Hatfield, on the twelfth of June; and Queen at the close of June. This season two days afterwards, she gave, il Frog- their Majesties returned from Weymore Gardens, a grand open-air enter- mouth early in October, when the Queen tainment, which, in its general features, took up her residence at Frogmore, bore a striking resemblance to the po- where, at the close of the year, she enpular Tivoli or Cremorne galas of the tertained a select circle of friends with a present day.-This summer their Ma- grand gala. jesties and the royal family made their With the spring of 1802, came the accustomed annual progress to Wey- blessings of peace. The treaty of Amiens mouth, and after passing the time there, was signed on the twenty-fifth of as usual, in bathing and excursions, re- March, but as it did not eradicate disturned, in October, to Windsor, where, trust, the elements of new strife speedily on Christmas-day, the Queen provided a received ample support; and before dinner for sixty of the poor, and an even- the palm of peace had been planted inlg entertainment for tile children of a twelvemonth, it was torn up by a new tile inhabitants of the neiglibourhood. war, which proved lasting and devasThe legislative union with Ireland, a tating, and at the very onset of which measure lauded by the Queen as tlhe the French made themselves masters of glory of her husband's reign, took effect Hanover, and collected an immense floon the first of January, 1801, when a tilla at Boulogne, for the purpose of inroyal proclamation announced the regal vading England. The loss of Hanover style and title as' George III., by the greatly mortified the King and teQueen; grace of God, of the United Kingdom of but the threatened invasion gave such a Great Britain and Ireland, King, De- vigorous impetus to patriotism, as to fender of the Faith." The King ap- materially strengthen the hands of the proved of the union, but resolutely re- government, and to afford their Majesties jected Mr. Pitt's propositions relative to some consolation for the loss of the GerCatholic emancipation; and in conse- main electorate. The volunteers again quence, that gifted statesman, after being flew to arms; and on the twenty-sixth miinister for more than seventeen years, of October the King reviewed upwards resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. of 12,000 of these patriotic and loyal Addington, who had won the gratitude citizens, in the presence of the Queen, of her Majesty in the followingsingular the royal family, tile exiled princes of manner: In February, the King, France, with their train, a brilliant aswlose mind had been greatly excited by semblage of the nobility, and about the agitation in favour of Catholic eman- 200,000 of the people. This grand cipation and by the resignation of Mr. military spectacle took place in llyde Pitt, was attacked with an illness resem- Park, and, two days afterwards, was sucbling his former maniac malady, and ceeded by the review of the Westminwhich rendered him restless to that de. ster, Lambeth, and Surrey volunteers, gree, that the medicines administered another and an equally interesting distailed to produce repose. In this emer- play of citizen soldiership, patriotism, gency, the anxious Queen, at the recom- and loyalty. nlendation of Mr. Addington, caused a On the fourth of January, 1804, a supillow of hops, in the stead of down, to perb regimental standard, the work ofthe be placed under the head of her suffer- hands of her Majesty and the Princesses, ing husband; who, to her infinite joy, was presented by Lady Harrington, on from that moment began to recover, and behalf of her Majesty, to the Queen's on the twelfth of March was declared Royal Volunteers at Ranelagh, with convalescent. From this circumstance great pomp and ceremony. The Queen's Mr. Addington's political opponents sar- birthday was this year kept with becastically named him Dr. Addington. coming magnificence, but the King was The King, having purchased the former prevented from being present by an atresidence of the Duke of Gloucester at tack of indisposition which, by the mid 992 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG.STRELITZ, die of the subsequent month, assumed an 1 cards and suppe", and was succeeded on aspect so alarming, that public prayers the subsequent day, the twenty-sixth of were offered up in all churches and cha- February, by a grand public breakfast, pels throughout the kingdom for his re- given by the Queen at Frogmore. As covery. By the end of the month, how- the spring advanced, the gaiety of the ever, the progressive amendment of the court was enhanced by one of those splenroyal sufferer was reported; and, to the did festivals, a grand installltion of the joy of his anxious consort and to all loyal Knights of the Garter, which took place subjects, he was pronounced convalescent at Windsor Castle on the twenty-third of at the close of March; and on the ninth, April, in the presence of the Queen, the tenth, and eleventh of May, he rode Princesses, and a select company of the with the Queen and Princesses through nobility. The summer, too, brought with several of the streets of London. it a series of royal entertainments; but At the close of August their Majesties their Majesties' domestic felicity was emwent to Weymouth, where, on the bittered with unfortunate differences twenty-ninth of September, in honour which existed between the Prince and of the birthday of the Duchess of Wir- Princess of Wales, and the very serious temberg, a grand aquatic fete was given charges brought against the latter. to them on board the royAl yachts. To This year, the Queen's real birthday, this entertainment about two hundred the ninth of May, was kept at Windsor and sixty of the nobility were invited. Castle with great splendour; and on the A Dutch fair was held after dinner, and eleventh her Majesty gave a comic Gerthe whole concluded with an interlude man operatic entertainment in the outplayed by the principal performers from building called the Barn, in her dethe London theatres. mesne at Frogmore, the characters being On the second of November their Ma- sustained by two German boys and two jesties returned to Windsor; and on the German girls, whose facetious acting detwelfth the King and the Prince of lighted their Majesties, and produced Wales, between whom the breach had roars of laughter from the noble spectabeen further widened by the royal sire tors. On the twentieth of June, the refusing to appoint his heir-apparent to Queen accompanied her beloved consort a post of active service in the army, had and the Princes and Princesses on a visit an interview at Kew, which, although to Chelsea Hospital; and the royal party, friendly, disappointed the hopes of the after going over every part of that noble Queen and the nation, by proving but a institution, were conducted by the Duke hollow reconciliation. of York to view the Military Asylum, of The year 1805 brought with it no which his Royal Highness was the cessation of arms. The ambitious Na- founder and patron. poleon, who in the previous December'lhe annual royal visit to Weymouth had bi(en crowned Emperor of France, took place this year; but the pleasure of aimed at nothing short of universal mo- the trip was diminished by the death of narchy; and England, to oppose his de- his Majesty's brother, the Duke of Glousigns, for a second time committed the cester, who expired on the twenty-fifth of heln of state to the vigorous guidance of August, in the sixty-second year of his MIr. Pitt. But although the land bris- age, and was interred with great funeral tied with arms, and all other sounds were pomp in St. George's Chapel, Windsor. stifled or swallowed up by the hoarse Scarcely had the royal family renote of war, the national spirit was not turned from Weymouth, when news of damped; and a brilliancy was imparted the important naval victory of Trafalgar to the court at the commencement of the arrived; and their Majesties, in common year, by a nmagnificent entertainment with their subjects, whilst exulting over given by their Majesties at Windsor the signal triumph, deeply bemoaned the Castle, to upwards; of four hundred of death of the hero Nelson, who in the the nobility and wo,:ld of fashion, and early part of the action received a wound which consisted of a grand ball, music, of which he expired about an hour after QUEEN OF GEORGE THE THIRD. 993 wards.* Nelson's last signal, on going Queen, and the royal family, with beinto the engagement was, "England ex- coming kindness and respect. pects every man to do his duty;" and At this period their Majesties resided we may, spite of alarmists and panic. principally at Windsor, in comparative mongers, confidently rely, that this sig- retirement; the infirmities of age prenal, flying from the mast-heads of the vented them from taking any very proEnglish battle line in any future con- minent part in public matters; but that test, will be followed by a hurricane of senility had neither rendered them infire that shall wither up the mightiest active, petulant, nor misanthropic, is force which the banded despots of evident from the subjoined trustworthy the world could hope to array against sketch of the private life of the royal the last bulwark of the liberties of family at Windsor at this period:Europe. "The King's mode of living is not In the summer of 1806, the King's quite so abstemious. He sleeps on eve-sight, which had been slowly, but the north side of the castle, next the gradually failing, became dim, almost to terrace, in a roomy apartment, not carblindness; and, in consequence, he could peted, on the ground floor. The room no longer attend the levees, and the is neatly furnished, partly in a modern fatigue of the drawing-room on his style, under the tasteful direction of the birth-day devolved wholly upon the Princess Elizabeth. The king's private Queen. dining-room, and the apartments en Thle investigation of the moral conduct suite, appropriated to his Majesty's use, of the Princess of Wales by an appointed are all on the same side of tile castle. committee, and her exclusion from court "The Queen and the Princesses ocat this period, was a cause of intense cupy the eastern wing. When the public excitement. The Queen was ac- King rises, which is generally about cused of taking part in the persecution halt-past seven, he proceeds immedliately of the Princess; and although this to tlhe Queen's saloon, where his Majesty charge was groundless, her Majesty cer- is met by one of the Princesses, genetainly took umbrage at the conduct of rally either Augusta, Sophia, or Amelia; her unhappy daughter-in-law; and in for each in turn attend their revered consenting to her re-admission to court, parent. Irom thence, the sovereign sacrificed her own inclination to the and his daughter, attended by the lady laudable desire of keeping the King'sin waiting proceed to the chapel in mind in a tranquil state. the castle, wlerein divine service is perAt the close of this year her Majesty's formed either by the dean or sub-dean; troubles were increased, by her native the ceremony occupies about an hour. country, the Duchy of Mecklenburg, fall- Thus the tine passes till abolt nine, ing a prey to the victorious French ho the Ki, instead of proceeding hen to he Kigr iensteand ofbroeakfing committed dreadful ravages throughout to h own apartment, and brealfasting the whole dichy, and would not permit alone, now takes that -neal with the her to relieve the distresses of the un- Queen and the five Princesses. The fortunate inhabitants. table is always set out in the Queen's In July, 1807, the agred Duchess of noble breakfastinlg-room. which has been recently decorated with very eleg'ant Brunswick-sister to George III., and ecently decorated with very eleant mother of the Princess of Wales- modern hangings; and since the late whose family had been ruined by the improvements y Ir.Wyatt comninds successes of the French in Gernianv, a most delightful and extensive prospect arrived in lEngland, a widowed exile, of tie little park. Tile breakfast dof and was received by the King, the not occ half an hour. The Kig and Queen sit at the head of the table, * Neither the King nor the Queen greatly and the Princesses according to seniority. respected Nelson, but they knew his worth as Etiquette in every other respect is a naval warrior; and it was not the death of the man, but the loss of the hero, that they strictly adhered to. moaned. After breakfast the, King generally 3s 994 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STREKLITZ, rides out on horseback, attended by his of the Commons; but so fully accredited equerries. Three of the Princesses, by the people, that in the end, the Duke, namely, Augusta, Sophia, and Amelia, as an act of expediency, resigned his are usually of the party. When the appointment as commander-in-chief, and weather is unfavourable, the King re- was succeeded in that office by General tires to his favourite sitting-room, and Sir David Dundas. sends for Generals Fitzroy or Manners, This is not the only instance of the to play at chess with him. His Ma- people making their voice heard in the jesty, who knows the game well, is present reign; but, although they ochighly pleased when he beats the for- casionally opposed the measures of gomer, that gentleman being an excellent vernment, or even clamoured aloud player. against the King, the Queen, or their " Tie King dines regularly at two, the family, a new opportunity of testing the Queen and Princesses at four. His nation's loyalty invariably united all Majesty visits and takes a glass of wine ranks and parties on the side of the sowith them at five. After this period vereign and the constitution; and never, public business is frequently transacted perhaps, was loyalty less equivocally by the King in his own study, wherein manifested throughout the kingdom than he is attended by his private secretary, on the twenty-fifth of October, 1S09, Colonel Taylor. The evening is as usual when his Majesty entered the fiftieth passed at cards in the Queen's drawing- year of his reign; and which was celeroom, where three tables are set out. brated as a national jubilee and thanksTo these parties many of the principal giving. On this auspicious day, the nobility, and others residing in the performance of divine service in the neighbourhood, are invited. When the churches was succeeded by extraordinary castle clock strikes ten, the visitors re- festivities and illuminations; all busitire, The supper is set out; but that is ness was laid aside; the whole nation a mere matter of form, and of which dedicated the day to rejoicing, and the none of the family partake. These il- Queen gave a grand entertainment at lustrious personages retire at eleven, to Frogmore. What, however, is more rest for the night. The journal of one worthy of record, throughout the emday is the history of a whole year." pire the hungry were fed, the naked In the spring of 1809 their Majesties were clothed, schools and hospitals were learned with sorrow, that charges of a endowed and founded; and the King, serious nature had been brought against as an act of grace, pardoned all detlhe Duke of York, by one Colonel serters, both military and naval; disWardle, in the House of Commons. charged all debtors confined for debts These chlarges, whether well or ill due to the crown, and granted an amfounded, were negatived by a majority nesty to all military delinquents. CHAPTER, VI. Death of the Princess Amlelia-Permanent insanity of the King-Queen appointed guardian of the King's person-Prince of IVales appointed Regent —ssassination of Mr. Perceval- Progress of the King's malady-Temporary overthrow of Napoleon -Peace- Visit from royal and noble foreigners-Princess of YWales excluded from the Queen's drawing-rooms-She departs the kingdom-~Anecdote of the King-Nactional jubilee —Ieturn, and final fall of Napoleon-Peace firmly established —Marriage of the Duke of Clonberland and of the Princess CharlotteQueen attends Ascot races — arriage of her daughter Mary-Death of her QUkEEN OF GEORGE THE THIRD. 996 brother, the.Duke of Mecklenbury-She suffers from a spactic affection-Visits BathA-Death of the Princess Charlotte-Marriage of the Princess ElizabethParliamentary grant to the royal dukes-Queen's last drawing-room; last appearance in public; last illness —ie witnesses the marriages of the Dukes of Cambridge, Kent, and Clarence-Grows worse, and dies-Her conduct as a mother canvassed —Burial- lill-Death and burial of George III.-I'inal remnarks. ITH the year 18101 of November, in St. George's Chapel, ^ came to the King, Windsor, by torch-light. The Prince ~ —l Ai'd Queen, and their of Wales, and the Dukes of York and ^ i court, prospects of Clarence, attended the funeral, and were tflicity, which speed- deeply affected during the performance ily proved fallacious; of the last sad rites of humanity. the Queen's birth- In the commencement of October, his day was kept with Majesty's health and spirits had been great splendour, but their Majesties' visibiy on the decline; and the perplexed youngest daughter, the Princess Amelia, state of public affairs, followed by the who was naturally delicate, and had afflicting scene of the ring, a scene for long suffered from a painful malady, was which he had received no previous preattacked with symptoms of an alarming paration, overpowered him with grief, nature at the commencement of the and completing the work which disease year; grew worse as the sunmer ad- had began, brought on a permanent vanced; and after much suffering, return of that mental malady, with breathed her last, about noon, on the which he had formerly been only temsecond of November, in the twenty- porarily afflicted. He was incapable of eighth year of her age. The King se- uisiness early in November; grew worse dulously attended his dying and, per- in December; and in consequence, the haps, best-beloved daughter; whose last ministers in parliament proposed to apact of filial tenderness, was to place on point the Prince of Wales, under certain his finger a ring containing a lock of restrictions, Regent; and to commit the her own hair; and whilst looking into I guardianship of the King's person, and his afflicted countenance, to articulate, control of the household, to the Queen with nmoving emphasis, " Dear father, and a council appointed for that purpose. remember me!" To this measure, with some slight modiPeter Pindar, the bitter satirist of fications, both houses, after violent opGeorge III. and his court, commemo- i position, agreed; and to their address, rated this touching scene in the sub- requesting her to undertake the duties joined lines, which, spite the paradox, assigned to her in the Regency Bill, her bear witness to the at least seeming I Majesty answered:loyalty, and to the tender, pathetici powers of this gifted, but too exclusively " MY Lotns AND GENTLErMEN, wealth-seeking poet: — "That sense of duty and grati"With all the virtues blest, and every grace tude to the King, and of obligation to To charm the world and dignify her race; this country, which induced me, in 1789, Life's taper losing fast its feeble fire, Ireadily to promise my most earnest atT'he fair Amelia thus bespoke her sire:- tentioi to the anxious and momentous tention to the anxious and momentous M"'Faint on the bed of sickness lying, trust at that time intended to be reposed My spirit from its mansion flying; Not long tile light these languid eyes will in by parliament, is strentlened, if see: possible, by the uninterrupted enjoyment MIy friend, my father, and my king, of those blessings which I have conOh! wear a daughter's mournful ring. to ex e u r te Receive the token, and remember me i' ltinlned to experience under the protection R e te t, ad of his Majesty since that period; and I The remains of her Royal Ilighness, should be wanting in all my duties if I who was beloved by all who knew her, hesitated to accept the sacred trust were privately interred on the fourteenth which is now offered to me. The as3s 2 996 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STRELIT'Z, sistance, in point of council and advice, Meanwhile, the King became totally which the wisdom of parliament pro- blind, extremely deaf, and, towards the poses to provide for me, will make me close of the year, suffered from frequent undertake the charge with greater hopes and violent paroxysms of delirium. that I may be able satisfactorily to fulfil But his system withstood the shock, and, the important duties which it must im- the next year, he settled down into a pose upon me. Of the nature and im- state of gentle, harmless insanity. His portance of that charge, I cannot but general health continued good; but such be duly sensible, involving, as it does, was the deranged state of his mental everything that is valuable to myself, as faculties, that, to his attendants, it is well as the highest interests of a people said, he several times observed, "I must endeared to me by so many ties and con- have a new suit of clothes; and I will siderations; but by nothing so strongly have them black, in memory of George as by their steady and affectionate at- III." tachment to the best of kings." Whilst thus overwhelmed with domestic affliction, the Queen had the graThe Prince of Wales was sworn in tification to find that the heroic efforts before the privy council as Regent of the of the nation,. and its allies, to free kingdom, on the fifth of February, 1811. Europe from the grasp of the too-aspirShortly afterwards, the King, who was ing Napoleon, were being crowned with confined in Windsor Castle, became success. The allied Sovereigns entered more tranquil and collected; his physi- i Paris on the thirty-first of March, 1814. cians entertained hopes of his recovery; Napoleon was deposed, and embarked and by the middle of May he was so for Elba on the twenty-eight of April. far restored to the possession cf his Louis XVIII. quitted his asylum in faculties, that he inquired into the state England, and, entering Paris on the of public affairs; on the nineteenth, third of May, took possession of the proceeded to the Queen's apartments, throne of his ancestors; and, on the and congratulated her on the return of thirtieth of May, peace was signed bcher birthday; and the next day, at- tween England and France. This sudtended by two equerries, and accom- den and unlooked-for overthrow of the panied by the Princesses Augusta and colossal power that recently had hurled Soplia, took a short ride out on horse- defiance at the whole civilized world, back; but, to tile deep sorrow of the was hailed with extravagant denmonstraQiieen, and. in fact, of the whole nation, tions of joy, in which the Queen heartily about six weeks afterwards, he suffered joined. a severe relapse; and his mind became The Emperor of Russia, the King a dead baink, never again to be rein- of Prussia, and other royal and noble stated in its functions. foreigners, paid a visit to the English At the commencement of 1812, the court, and were entertained with regal parliament, after a vigorous resistance maignificence. Tile Queen honoured from the opposition, voted an addition of these alugllst visitors by holding two ~10,000 a-year to her Majesty's income, grand drawing-rooms during their stay; to meet her extraordinary expenses; and but from these drawing-rooms she, in shortly afterwards, the untimely death compliance with tile expressed will of of Mr. Perceval, by assassination, in the the Regent, excluded the Princess of lobby of the House of Commons, drew Wales-an unpleasant proceeding, which forth a strong expression of sympathy was followed by an equally unpleasant from both the Queen and the Regent. correspondence, that was laid before the In the changes of administration which House of Commons, who, after a warm followed this calamitous event, Lord Sid- discussion, voted her Highness an anmouth was appointed secretary of state, nlity of ~50,000; but she refused to the Earl of llarrowby, lord president of accept more than ~35,000, and shortly the council; and Mr. Vansittart, chan- afterwards withdrew in disgust to the oellor of the exchequer, continent. QUEEN OF GEORGE TIlE THIRD. 997 Although a confirmed lunatic, the ties on the subject, declared that "she King had occasional lucid intervals, but could not think of taking advantage of of only short duration. One day, dur- the King's unconscious state to do that ing the visit of the illustrious foreign- which she would not venture to do in ers, a deceptive promise of amelioration opposition to his will and judgment." in his gloomy condition manifested it- At the commencement of 1816, the self, and the Queen visited him. She Queen, with the Princesses her daughfound him seated at a harpsichord, sing- ters, and her granddaughter, the Prining a hymn; lie noticed her not, and, cess Charlotte, paid a short visit to the on concluding the solemn strain, he fell Regent, at his marine palace, the Pavion his knees, and prayed aloud for his lion, at Brighton. Her Majesty had for consort, his children, his people, and, years taken great interest in the Princess finally, that the Almighty would either Charlotte; for her better education, she restore him to reason, or give him resig- prevailed upon Mrs. Hannah More to nation to patiently bear the heavy afflic- produce that excellent work, entitled tion under which he laboured. This act " Hints towards forming the Character of devotion concluded, he rose up, burst of a Young Princess;" and when Prince into tears, and the next minute was a Leopold of Saxe-Coburg arrived in Engraving maniac. land, in February, 1816, she expressed On the first of August, the day of the to him her approbation of his intended national jubilee festival in commemora- union with her royal granddaughter, tion of the peace, and of the centenary entertained him at a grand fete, at Frogof the accession of the House of Ilano- more, on the twenty-sixth of April; and ver, her Majesty gave a splendid dinner was present when the Princess Charlotte to the Regent and two hundred and was married to him, with regal pomp, fifty distinguished personages. The by the Archbishop of Canterbury, at success of the Allies, and the restoration Carlton House, on the second of May. of peace, was to the Queen and to the A fortnight afterwards, her Majesty nation a source of extreme gratification. held, at Buckingham House, a grand But whilst the powers of Europe were drawing-room, which, on account of the devising measures to render the peace presence of the newly-wedded royal pair, permanent, Napoleon again returned to was crowded to suffocation; and, as if France, the flame of war again blazed to defy the infirmities of age, or, as some out, and a fearful struggle ensued, writers have it, that she might not be which, however, after a short space, ter- accused of neglecting to patronize a pominated in the final fall of the heroic pular amusement, the Queen, this season, man of fate, after the memorable battle accompanied by the Princesses, publicly of Waterloo, and the establishment of a attended the races at Ascot. The speclasting peace, for which a solemn thanks- tacle entertained her: but she experigiving was offered up, on the cighteenth enced far greater pleasure on the twentyof January, 1816. second of the following month, when, Meanwhile the Duke of Cumberland in the presence of herself and a numerwas married to the Princess of Solms- ous assemblage of the royal family and Braunfels, daughter of the reigning the nobility, the Princess Mary was Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, in the married to the Duke of Gloucester, in church of Strelitz, on the twenty-ninth the grand saloon at Buckingham House. of May, 1815, and at Carlton House, in The melancholy tidings of the sudden conformity to the Royal Marriage Act, death of the Queen's brother, the Grand on the twenty-ninth of August. As the Duke Charles of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen opposed this match, on account on the sixth of November, followed by of the King having previously disap- the outrage offered to the Regent, in his proved of it, she refused either to re- return from opening the parliament, on ceive the Duchess at Court, or to honour the twenty-eighth of January, 1817, dethe nuptials with her presence; and, in pressed her Majesty's spirits, visibly af. reply to remonstrances and importuni- fected her health, and hastened the ap 998 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STREL1TZ, pearance of a spastic affection, which, on under the circumstances, no radical be. the night of the twenty-second of April, nefit from the mineral waters could attacked her with such violence, that her have been expected, she returned to physicians deemed it expedient to pub- Windsor, apparently recruited in lish the subjoined bulletin:-" The strength, and, on the twenty-sixth of Queen has had a cold, attended by some February, 1818, held a drawing-room at fever and pain in the side. Hler Ma- Buckingham House, where, shortly afterjesty found the pain severe in the night, wards (on the seventh of April), the but it is much abated this morning." Princess Elizabeth was married to the The Queen rapidly improved, and on Prince of Hesse Homburg, in the prethe twenty-sixth, her convalescence was sence of her Majesty and a numerous officially announced. But, withal, her assemblage of the royal family, and varihealth continued indifferent; although ous persons of distinction-a match present with the Princesses and the evidently most desirable for the German Regent at a most brilliant Montem, or potentate, whose whole revenue, it was Etonian procession, on the twenty- said, did not exceed ~3000. seventh of May. On the third of No- At this period. the three royal Dukes vember, however, accompanied by the of Clarence, Kent, and Cambridge, were Duke of Clarence and the Princess about to enter into the holy estate of Elizabeth, she visited Bath, in the hope, matrimony; a circumstance which inif not of recovery of health-at least, duced the Regent to take necessary steps of an alleviation of pain. for the augmentation of the incomes of On the Thursday, a loyal address was each of his royal brothers, except the presented to her by the Corporation, and, Duke of Sussex. Lord Castlereagh proabout four o'clock, arrived a dispatch posed that a bonus of one year's income from Lord Sidliouth, announcing that should be given to each of the Princes, the Princess Charlotte had been de- and that their incomes should be raised livered of a still-born male child, "but -the Duke of Clarence's by ~22,000 a that her Royal Highness was doing ex- year, and the Dukes of Kent, Cumbertremely well." The news was afflicting, land, and Cambridge, by ~12,000 a year but, at six, tle Queen sat down to each. This proposition, however, met dinner with her usual company of four- with such strenuous opposition in the teen persons. During the dinner, she Commons, that the minister found it exwas surprised at General Taylor being pedient to reduce the grants to ~10,000 privately called out of the room; but to the Duke of Clarence, and ~6,000 a she expressed no concern till the Coun- year to the three junior dukes. The tess of Ilchester withdrew from the sum named for the junior dukes was table in the same abrupt manner, when carried by a small majority; but on a the truth flashed across her mind, and division of 193 to 184, the grant prosuddenly exclaiming, " I know what it posed for the Duke of Clarence was reis!" she fell to the ground in a fit. On duced to ~6,000, the same as that of his recovering, she was informed that the brothers, and the allowance to the Duke Princess, after a protracted and painful of Cumberland was negatived by a malabour, had expired at Claremont, on jority of 143 to 136. The resistance ot the sixth of November. Her distress the Commons deeply irritated the Recould only be equalled by that of the gent, and so chagrined the Queen, that Prince Regent, and of the nation at to Lord Castlereagh she observed, large. She returned, on Saturday, to " Really, the house ought to be repriWindsor Castle, and there, with the manded, and that, too, from the throne, Princesses, remained in seclusion and for its disloyalty and meanness." sorrow till the funeral, which was solem- Her Majesty's life was now fast drawnized on the eighteenth, with great ing to a close; her last drawing-room pomp, at St. George's Chapel, Windsor. she held on the twenty-third of April, Her Majesty again proceeded to Bath, and her last appearance in public was at the end of November; and although, made about a week afterwards, when, QUEEN OF GEORGE THE THIRD. 999 in what is termed "half state," she Adelaide of SaxeMeiningen, in the drawproceeded to the Mansion House, to ing room at Kew, according to the rites afford her patronage to the national of the Church of England, and in conschools of the metropolis. In this formity with the "Royal Marriage Act." transit through the City, the mob, im- From this period to the nineteenth of pressed with the conviction that the October, her Majesty suffered from freQueen hated their too-fondly idolized quent paroxysms —spastic and anasarfavourite, the Princessof Wales, greeted cous. Only during the first fortnights her with such an alarming and contin- in August and in October, did the uous volley of disloyal hissings, hoot- malady sufficiently subside to permit of ings, and groanings, that she became her being occasionally wheeled in an unwell, and afterwards, whilst dining at easy chair from out the bed-chamber the Duke of York's, suffered a sudden into an adjoining room; and on the and violent spastic attack, in consequence night of Monday, the nineteenth of of which she was confined to her cham- October, she suffered a severe relapse, her till the close of May, when she re- attended with fever, violent spastic covered sufficiently to witness the re- pangs, a hectic cough, and a restlessmarriage of the Duke of Cambridge to ness which exhausted her strength, dethe Princess of Hesse Cassel-a solem- stroyed her appetite, and deprived her nity performed according to the rites of of sleep. The virulence of these sympthe Church of England at Buckingham toms continued, with only slight alterHouse, on the first of June. nations, till the Thursday noon, when Spite a naturally sound and vigorous the paroxysms abated, and were succonstitution, and the skilful efforts of ceeded by a lethargic repose, from her medical attendants, the disorder which her Majesty awoke only to enunder which her Majesty laboured, dure, if possible, more excruciating reslowly but visibly increased-the ana- petitions of the previous life-wearying sarcous symptoms which had long been pangs. In this state of extreme suffervisible, became so unequivocally marked, ing, her Majesty lay till the last flickeras to afford no hope of recovery. To, ing spark of life was extinguished. The if possible, reduce the virulence of the trial was severe, but she bore it without malady by change of air, and with a complaining murmur. On the fourthe view of at least spending her last teenth, by scarification at both ancles, moments under the same roof with her a considerable quantity of water was afflicted husband, who, although blind, discharged, which afforded her some redeaf, and insane, continued to enjoy lief, but mortification ensued; and after good health; she resolved to proceed to completing her will, she, at twenty Klew, and thence to Windsor. The minutes past one, on the afternoon of ourney from Buckingham House to the seventeenth, calmly expired in the Kew was accomplished with great suffer- arms of the Regent, and the presence of ing, and the progress to Windsor was the Duke of York, the Duchess of Gloudelayed, till it was found to be quite im- cester, and the Princess Augusta, at her possible to remove the royal sufferer, favourite palace at Kew. The absence whose anxiety to again behold her be- of the other Princes and Princesses loved consort beguiled her into enter- from the death-bed of their mother, taining fallacious hopes of at least a gave rise to a belief-we think unpartial recovery. founded-that as a parent, the Queen On the seventh of July, an attempt had neither acted wisely, well, nor to take carriage airing brought on a affectionately. violent relapse; but her Majesty so far Upon this subject, a contemporary,* recovered by the thirteenth, as to be after observing that the Duke of Cumber. able, on that day, to witness the nup. land was out of the question, says, "' The tials of the Dukes of Kent and Clarence, inflexible, but well-meant determination who were respectively married to the of the Queen, to stigmatize her niece Princesses Victoria of Saxe Coburg, and * The Times newspaper. 1000 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ, by shutting the doors of the royal palace glittering pomp, gaudy and gorgeous, against her, may excuse strong feelings yet fluttering decoration; reckless, caof estrangement or resentment on the pricious, yet never-ending profusion; part of the Duchess and her kindred; all the apparatus of common place magbut that the Dukes of Clarence, Kent, nificence were introduced with the Reand Cambridge, at the same time, should gency, and countenanced, or apparently have quitted, as if by signal, their pa- not discountenanced, by the Queen." rent's death-bed, is a circumstance which The journalist, in this paragraph, in lower life would have at least asto- draws a wrong inference. That with the nished the community. The departure Regencywas introduced at court a change of the Princess Elizabeth, the Queen's from sober gravity to gaudy gaiety and favourite daughter, who married and glittering pomp, is an undisputed fact; took leave of her in the midst of that but that the Queen did not discounteillness which was pronounced must nance the change, is as great an error as shortly bring her to the grave, may, ever newspaper editor committed. A perhaps, have been owing to the express noble lord, now living, whose statement injunctions of her Majesty [there had may be relied on, but whose name we been a difference between the royal have not the authority to mention, has mother and daughter, but they became assured us, that, on this occasion, her reconciled before the latter left the Majesty did send for the Regent, and kingdom]. The Duke of Gloucester sharplyreproved him for not walking in stands in a more remote degree of rela- the footsteps of his father; but that, tionship-Prince Leopold more distant after listening to his mother's lecture still-but they all quitted the scene of with evident impatience, this very dutiful suffering, at a period when its fatal ter- son, with an angry air and tone which mination could not be doubted; and as almost terrified the old Queen into hysthese have departed, it is no less appa- terics, answered, " How dare you to rent to common observers, that the question my conduct? I am as good as Queen of Wirtemburg [Charlotte Au- king, and, by G-d! if you again attempt gusta, eldest daughter of George and to oppose my will, you will draw down Charlotte] might have approached the upon you the wrath of him who is, in bed of a dying mother, from whom, by everything but name, your sovereign." the usual lot of princes, she has been so long separated, as that her royal parent Queen Charlotte died in the seventyhas not accepted from her the perform- fifth year of her age, and the fiftyanee of that painful duty." eighth year of her marriage. Her Tihe same journal further remarks, remains lay in state at Kew with but "T'hatberMajesty'svoluntarytasteswere little pomp, and for only six hours, on not exactly those which had been inferred the first of December, and the next day from the habits of her matrimonial life, they were interred in the royal nausomay be conjectured from the revolution leum constructed by order of George which they seemed to undergo soon III., beneath St. George's chapel, at after the period when her royal husband Windsor. The funeral was public and ceased to exercise the supreme authority pompous, but the attendance of peers in this realm. At that period a transi- and peeresses was remarkably thin, tion was observed from grave to gay. and the procession was too military in The sober dignity, the chastened gran- its character to be deemed appropriate. deur, the national character of the The following is a copy of her MaEnglish court seemed to vanish with the jesty's will. afflicted sovereign. A new species of "This is the last will and testament grandeur now succeeded, in which there of me, Charlotte, Queen of the United was more of the exterior of royalty, and Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. less of its becoming spirit. A long ".I direct all my debts, the probate of series of what was meant to be festivities, my will, and testamentary legacies, to crowded balls, and elaborate suppers, be paid out of my personal property, or QUEEN OF GEORGE THIE T-HIRD. 1001 out of the value arising from the sale of jewels to my four younger daughtcrs the personals, if there should not, at the aforesaid, or, in the event of either or period of my death, be a sufficient sum any of them dying before me, to the surin my treasury to provide for such lega- vivors, to be divided in equal shares becies and annuities. tween them, according to a valuation to " My property consists of a real estate be made under the direction of my exin New Windsor, called the Lower ecutors, to be hereafter named. Lodge, and of personals of various de- "The house and garden at Frogmore, scriptions, those of chief value being and the Shawe estate, having been the jewels in the care and custody of granted by act of Parliament of 1807 to ( ), or deposited ( ). my executors, administrators, and as" These jewels are classed as follows: signs for the term of ninety-nine years, "First, Those which the King bought if I and my four daughters residing in for ~50,000, and gave to me. England should so long live, I conceive "Secondly, Those presented to me by that these estates being so vested in me, the Nabob of Arcot. I may dispose of them by will or by any'^ Thirdly, Those purchased by myself other deed in writing, and in any manat various periods, or being presents ner I may think proper; I therefore made to me on birthdays and other oc- give and bequeath my right and property casions. in the lease and grant of the aforesaid " In the event of the King, my hus- estates of Frogmore and Shawe, with band, surviving me, and if it shall please the several buildings thereon, to my the Almighty to relieve him from the eldest unmarried daughter, Augusta dreadful malady with which he is at Sophia; but as the expense of keeping present afflicted; I give and bequeath it up may prove too considerable for her to him the jewels which his Majesty pur- means, it is my earnest desire and wish, chased for the sum of ~50,000, and gave and my will and pleasure, that the posto me as beforesaid; but if the King session of the said house and buildings should not survive me, or if he should and estate should in that case revert to unfortunately not, previouslyto his death, the crown, and that a due and sufficient be restored to a sound state of mind, compensation should be made to my said then, and in that case only, I give and daughter Augusta Sophia, for, the value bequeath the said jewels to the House of of the lease and of the right and proHanover, to be settled upon it, and con- perty arising from the parliamentary sidered as an heirloom in the direct line grant and from this my disposal of this of succession of that House, as esta- property. It is also my earnest desire blished by the laws and constitution of and hope, that in the valuation of such the House of Hanover. right and property, due attention may "My eldest daughter, the Queen- be paid to the improved state of the Dowager of Wirtemburg, having been house and grounds and of the estates, so long established in Germany, and be- and to their value as now established. ing amply provided for in all respects, I In this expression of my wish and degive and bequeath the jewels received sire as to the disposal of the house and from the Nabob of Arcot to my four re- grounds at Frogmore, and of the Shawe maining daughters, or to the survivors estate, I am anxious that it should be or survivor, in case either, or any of clearly understood that my object is, that them, should die before me; and I direct my daughter Augusta should receive in that these jewels shall be sold, and that money the full value of that property, the produce, subject to the charge and estimated according to my lease of it and exceptions provided for in the first item the parliamentary grant, and with a due in this my last will and testament, shall consideration to the improvements made, be divided among them my said four whether it shall please my beloved son remaining daughters, share and share the Prince Regent to reserve the possesalike. sion of the said house and grounds and " I give and bequeath my remaining estate as an appendage to Windsor Cas 1002 CHARLOTTE OF MECKLENBURG-STRELITZ, tle, or to authorize any other disposal of left to them, independent of any husthem; and provided also, that the ar- hand they have or may have, for their rangement by which the payment of the sole benefit and use, and for which their amount of such valuation is secured to receipt shall be a full discharge to the my said daughter Augusta Sophia, shall said trustees. preclude any appropriation of the said "I nominate and appoint Charles house and grounds and estate, which George Lord Arden and M. Gen. 1ershall be directed or authorized towards bert Taylor to be executors to this my giving due and sufficient effect to this will, and I do hereby declare this to be my last will in respect to the same. my last will and testament. "I further give and bequeath the fix- "In witness thereof, I, the said Chartures, the articles of common household lotte, Queen of the United Kingdoms of furniture, and the live and dead stock Great Britain and Ireland, have to this within the said house at Frogmore, or on my last will and testament set my hand the "aid estates, to my said daughter and seal this sixteenth day of November, Augusta Sophia. in the year of our Lord 1818. " I give and bequeath my real estate " Signed, CHARLOTTE R. (seal). in New Windsor, purchased of the late "Sealed, published, and declared by Duke of St. Alban's, as specified in the the said Charlotte, Queen of the United abstract of deeds annexed to this my Kingdoms of Great Britain and Irelast will and testament, now commonly land, as and for her last will and tescalled the Lower Lodge, and its append- tament, in the presence of us, who in ages and appurtenances, to my youngest her presence and at her desire, and in daughter, Sophia. the presence of each other, have here" I give and bequeath my books, plate, unto subscribed our names; as witness house linen, china, pictures, drawings, hereof, prints, all articles of ornamental furni- "H. TAYLOR, ture, and all other valuables and per- "F F. MILMAN, sonals, to be divided in equal shares "HENRY HALFORD." according to a distribution and valuation to be made under the direction of The blanks in the will were, it is said, my executors, among my four younger occasioned by her Majesty being unable daughters aforesaid, saving and except- at the time to recollect where or in whose ing such articles as shall be specified hands the property referred to was hereinafter, or in a codicil to this my placed; and it was ascertained that neilast will and testament, or in a list an- ther the list of property stated to be annexed to it. nexed to the will under the mark No. I., "Having brought from Mecklenberg nor the list of bequests marked No. II. various property as specified in the list were so annexed; and the executors, after No. I. annexed to this my last will and a diligent but unsuccessful search for such testament, it is my last will and pleasure lists, took oath at Doctors' Commons, that such property should revert to the that they believed her Majesty had never House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and I prepared any, although she had signified direct that it shall be sent back to the to Herbert Taylor her intention so to senior branch of that house. do. The personal property was sworn " I give and bequeath, as specified in to as being under ~140,000. In comthe list No. II., annexed to this my last pliance with the Queen's verbally-exwill and testament, to be paid out of the pressed intentions, a superb set of garvalue of my personal property within six nets were presented as a legacy to the months after my death. Queen of Wirtemburg, and the whole of " I nominate and appoint Charles her Majesty's highly valuable wardrobe George Lord Arden and M. Gen. Her- was given to her chief dresser, Madame bert Taylor to be trustees of the property Beckendorff. herein bequeathed to my daughters Eliza- On the demise of the Queen, the Duke beta and Mary, which property is hereby of York accepted the office of custos of QUEEN OF GEORGE THE THIRD. 1003 his insane father's person. The people Of the numerous family of George and did not object to the appointment; but Charlotte, four became sovereigns: when it was found that for performing George and William, successive Kings of this little more than act of filial duty the England; Ernest, King of Hanover; and Duke was to receive ~10,000 a year, they Charlotte, Queen of Wirtemburg. The expressed astonishment and bitter indlg- married daughters died childless. Of nation. The services of the well-paid the married sons, only three left left leroyal guardian were, however, needed but gitimate issue. The King of Hanover, a for a comparatively brief period. The son, who succeeded him in 1851; the poor decrepid old king, now dead to all Duke of Kent, a daughter, our present around him, and unconscious to all affairs sovereign, whom God preserve; and the of state, unable even to comprehend that Duke of Cambridge, a son, the present his consort had been borne to the tomb, Duke of Cambridge, and two daughters, and existing only in a world of his own- Augusta, Grand Duchess of Mecklena world of gentle, of loving spirits and burg-Strelitz, and the Princess Mary of imaginary angels, with whom alone he Cambridge, not yet married. Thus the conversed-gradually became helpless as numerous children of Queen Charlotte, an infant, and at length, on the twenty- all of whom, saving the fourth daughter, ninth of January, 1820, just a week after the venerable Duchess of Gloucester, the death of his son, the Duke of Kent, have followed their parents to the tomb, he sunk calmly and unconsciously into have left behind them but five reprethe arms of death, in the eighty-second sentatives. The third generation, howyear of his age and the sixtieth of his ever, promises to be much more moral, reign. His remains were interred with intellectual, and liberal-minded than the great funeral pomp by the side of his first, and far more numerous than the Queen in St. George's Chapel, Windsor, second generation. on the seventeenth of February. CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK, furrn nf (nurgr tr nuurti. CHAPTER I. Caroline's parentage-Birth-Education-Girlhood-Offers of marriage declined-. Pecuniary embarrassment of George, Prince of Wales, afterwards George IV.To procure a parliamentary settlement of his debts, he resolves to marry CarolineThe marriage agreed upon-Caroline's journey to England-Disappointing interview with the Prince-Marriage-Bride and bridegroom's quarrel-Settlement of the Prince's debts- The Princess's name inserted in the Liturgy - Caroline neglected by her husband-Treated with coolness by Queen Charlotte-Gives birth to the Princess Charlotte-Is separated from her husband-Retires to Montague House, Blackheath-Her revenue-Engaging manners of her daughter. HE unfortunate Ca- froward, self-sufficient to a fault, and, -ffl -froline Amelia Eli- unfortunately, almost a stranger to the zabeth, daughter of true principles of religion and morality. Charles William Whilst but yet on the threshold of woFerdinand, Duke of manhood, she received and promptly deBrunswick Wolfen- dined offers of marriage from Prince buttle, and his con- George of Darmstadt, from the Prince of sort, the Princess Orange, and other distinguished suitors; Augusta, of England, was born on the and then she had the misfortune to fix seventeenth of May, 1768. She was her affections on a handsome young the second child of a family of six; her German prince, whom she could not only sister, Charlotte, entered the world marry: but about this period she was in December, 1764; and her brothers, invited by the Court of Britain to enCharles, George, William, and Leopold, ter into the estate of matrimony with were respectively born in 1767-9, 1771 the heir-apparent, George, Prince of and 1772. But little attention was paid Wales-a tempting invitation, which to her education, and she grew up a for- her father prompted-by some accounts, ward, sharp-witted, warm-hearted, hasty, forced-her to accept. self-willed, indiscreet maiden. She was All that is known of the circumstances a clever pianist, an excellent vocalist, which led to the marriage of the Prinan expert manufacturer of toys and cess Caroline, may be thus briefly nartrinkets; a fearless, giddy romp; a bril- rated:-The Prince of Wales had for liant conversationalist; and a sayer of years been running a round of profligacy dashing repartees and witticisms: but and crime; the Royal Marriage Act many of her remarks were censurably prevented him from lawfully marrying free and unbecoming; she was pert, whom he chose; and this fact he made CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK. 100b an excuse for forming immoral connex- performed by proxy on the eighth of ions with Perdita Robinson, Mrs. Fitz- December; and after the event had been herbert, whom he illegally married, the celebrated with all imaginary festivity Countess of Jersey, Mrs. Crouch, and and hilarity, he, on the twenty-ninth of many other frail ladies. He was the same month, set out with his prealso a great gambler and spendthrift. cious charge en route for England. The parliament paid his debts without From kindred and associates Caroline much ado in 1787; but seven years parted as royal young ladies always do afterwards, when overwhelming pecu- part from their parents and friends, niary embarrassments compelled him to when about proceeding to the home of again apply to his father for assistance, a husband whom they neither love nor that assistance was only promised on know-with an abundance of tears, recondition of his marrying according to grets, fears, and hopes. She set out on the will of his royal parent. To this her journey, attended by her mother condition the Prince agreed; and the and a splendid retinue; and she treated King immediately fixed upon Caroline with the most marked respect and veof Brunswick, as a suitable partner for neration Lord Malmesbury, who, as well his profligate heir. Into making this as proxy-lover, played mentor to her; unfortunate choice, George III., it is and took every opportunity to store her said, was deceived by the couleur de rose mind with wise counsel, by which she report of the Duke of York, who, just promised to profit, but which she forgot previously, had passed some time at the immediately on landing in England. ducal court of Brunswick, in the society The journey was tedious and perilof the talented and well-meaning, but fraughT. England and Holland were highly indiscreet Caroline; and of whose at war with France; and the various character he had formed a most flatter- features which this war assuned, at one ing, but, in many respects, erroneous time impelled the royal travellers onopinion. ward, and at another forced them to In November, 1794, Lord Malmes- hastily retrace their path to the town bury was dispatched to the court of they had last left, and change their Brunswick, to settle the marriage pre- route; whilst their discomfiture was inliminaries, marry the Princess by proxy, creased by the weather being bitterly and bring her to England. On his ar- cold. After an unavoidable detention rival, he was heartily welcomed by Ca- at Osnaburg, which they had reached roline, her parents, and their court. lie with difficulty, they again set forth, and found the Princess to be prepossessing in on the twenty-fourth of January, 1795, appearance, but dirty in habits; and in entered Hanover, where they tarried till manners and morals exceedingly defici- the twenty-fourth of March. During ent. lie also found that her father openly this sojourn, Lord Malmesbury had two kept a mistress; that her mother was long and serious conversations with the wanting in mind and principle; and Princess Caroline-one on the toilette that one-half of the court drank, and and cleanliness; the other on delicacy that they and the other half were neither of speaking. His remark made a temcleanly in habits, elegant in manners, porary impression. "But," he writes, nor chaste in conversation. He foresaw "on these, as on all other subjects, I that the marriage would be likely to had too many opportunities to observe bring misery to the bride and bride- that her heart is very, very light, ungroom; but as his instructions were susceptible of strong or lasting feeling."* imperative, and as Major IHislop, who At Hanover the mother parted from arrived on the third of December, with the bride, who, with Mrs. Harcourt, Mrs. a portrait of the Prince-in return for Aston, Mrs. St. Leger, Lord Malmesthat of the Princess, which had pre- bury, and her suite, arrived at Stade, viously been sent to England-brought a on the twenty-seventh of March, emdispatch, commanding him to hasten his barked the next day on board the Jupiter, return to England with the much-wished- a fifty-gun ship, and, guarded by a for bride; he caused the marriage to be * Lord Malmesbury's Diary. 1006 CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK, British fleet, put to sea. After a tole- in French,'My God! is that the Prince? rably fair voyage, the Jupiter reached He is large, coarse, and by no means so the Nore, on the evening of Friday, the fine as his portrait.'" In fact, bride third of April, and the next day anchored and bridegroom were both disappointed off Gravesend, whence, on the following with each other's manners and appearmorning, the Princess went on board ance; and before many days had elapsed, one of the royal yachts, and ascended this disappointment was succeeded by the Thames to Greenwich Hospital, a fixed disgust, at least, on the part of where she landed at mid-day, amidst the latter, who, to drown his trouble, the deafening huzzas of thousands of had recourse to the bottle. spectators. On the evening of the eighth of The governor of the hospital received April, the unfortunate marriage was her with all possible respect; to hercha- celebrated with great pomp and splengrin, however, the carriages from court dour in the chapel-royal of St. James's, did not arrive till an hour afterwards, by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The and then not the bridegroom, but Lady procession proceeded from the state Jersey, one of his mistresses, came, with drawing-rooms to the chapel, with a a retinue of nobles and ladies, to wel- sombre solemnity more befitting a funeral come her to London. After Lady Jersey than a wedding. The King, who, tohad sneered at her dress, and robed her gether with the Queen, took part in the in elegant white satin, with a superb tur- ceremony, gave the bride away with a ban cap, also of satin, ornamented with heartiness which cheered her drooping a plume of white feathers, in imitation spirits, and shed a gleam of sunshine of the Prince of Wales' crest, and stud- over the otherwise gloomy scene. The ded with diamonds-a present from the bridegroom was too inebriated to stand, Prince-she again proceeded forward, and whilst kneeling at the altar, during escorted by the Prince's regiment of the progress of the solemn service, glared Light Dragoons; and, a little before wildly around him, and rose up, with three in the afternoon, alighted at St. the seeming intention of rushing from James's, and was introduced into the his compulsory fate. The archbishop apartments prepared for her reception, paused; when the King, with becoming looking into Cleveland Row. Imme- presence of mind, stepped forward, and diately her arrival was formally an- with a whisper, prevailed upon the nounced, the Prince of Wales paid her Prince to again kneel till the service, a visit, which Lord Malmesbury thus which linked together in matrimony details in his Diary:- two unloving hearts, was brought to a "I, according to the established eti- not very happy conclusion. After the quette, introduced (no one else being in procession had returned to the palace, the room) the Princess Caroline to him. the King and Queen held a brilliant She very properly, in consequence of drawing-room, which was followed by my saying to her it was the right mode a sumptuous supper in the Queen's of proceeding, attempted to kneel to palace, whence, at midnight, the bridehim. He raised her (gracefully enough), groom and bride retired to Carlton and embraced her, said barely one House, snapping and snarling at each word, turned round, retired to a distant other by the way like two angry dogs. part of the apartment, and calling me "Judge," observed Caroline to one of to him, said,'Harris, I am not well; her attendants some time afterwards, pray get me a glass of brandy.' I said, " what it is to have a drunken husband' Sir, had you not better have a glass of on one's wedding day; and one who water' Upon which he, much out of passes the greater part of his bridal humour, said, with an oath,'No, I will night under the fire-grate where he fell, go directly to the Queen.' And away and where I left him. If any one say he went. The Princess, left during this to me at dis moment, Will you pass your short noment alone, was in a state of as- life over again or be killed? I would tonishment; and on my joining her, said choose death; for you know, sooner or QUEEN OF GEORGE THE FOURTH. 1007 later, we must all die, but to live a life were alike vain; the Queen, and nearly of wretchedness twice over, oh! mine the whole of the royal family, saving G-d! no, never."* Such was the un- the King, treated her with marked coolhappy marriage of George and Caroline; ness; and her ill-doing husband shut a marriage celebrated by booming of her up in the Pavilion, at Brighton, guls, illuminations, and ringing of bells, whilst he, in London, was enjoying the and hailed by all ranks and orders of society of Mrs. Fitzherbert, to whom, British subjects with unbounded en- some time previously, he had been prithusiasm. vately married-a secret which at this The Prince and Princess were felici- period Caroline had the extreme morti. tated on their union by addresses from fication to discover. However, the the city of London and other places; Princess, as before stated, was herself but to these the Prince, at least, paid far from faultless. A packet of letters but little regard. His debts amounted in which she had unwisely spoken ill of to the enormous sum of ~619,570, and the Queen, and which the Rev. Dr. their liquidation was the almost sole ob- Randolph was to have delivered to her ject of his attention. Mr. Pitt brought relations and friends in Brunswick, never this subject before parliament; and the reached their destination; and by some Commons and Lords, after much warm mysterious means they fell into the discussion, agreed to settle upon the hands of the Queen, who opened them, Prince ~125,000 per annum, together read them-an unwarrantable liberty, with the revenue of the Duchy of Corn- by the by-and ever afterwards treated wall, estimated at ~13,000; and granted her indiscreet daughter-in-law with the Princess a jointure of ~80,000 a coldness and contempt. year,; but out of the Prince's revenue, Thus stood matters when Caroline the annual sum of ~73,000 was to be gave birth to the Princess Charlotte. appropaiated for the settlement of his This event took place between nine and debts within the period of nine years, ten o'clock in the morning of the seventh under the direction of parliamentary of January, 1796, in the presence of the commissioners; a measure which, as Duke of Gloucester, (brother to the George had married for the sole purpose King,) the Archbishop of Canterbury, the of having his debts cleared off at once, Lord Chancellor, the Lord President of was declared, both by him and his bro- the Council, the Lord Chamberlain, the thers, to be a gross violation of com- ladies of her Highness's bedchamber, and pact; and, moreover, was followed by other lords and ladies. The addresses disgraceful parliamentary debates, which of congratulation to the Prince and his more fully proved to the unfortunate parents were numerous; but the Prince Princess the real purpose for which she refused to receive that of the City of had been made a wife. London in public, under a plea that the Meanwhile the newly-married pair, inadequacy of his establishment, which accompanied by all the royal family, the necessity of paying off his debts visited Covent Garden Theatre; and had impelled him to reduce, prevented the name of the Princess was introduced him from giving a formal recepin the prayer for the royal family in the tion with the dignity befitting his exliturgy of the Church of England. But alted station: a plea which so offended the Prince made evident the line of the members of the Corporation, that conduct he intended to pursue as a hus- they refused to depart from the customband, by taking the Princess on a visit ary form, and the address was never to the King and Queen at Windsor, and presented. also taking with him his mistress, Lady The Prince, indeed, was neither a Jersey. Galled by this mark of con- "happy father" nor a "loving husband," jugal contempt, the ill-fated bride wept and he had no wish to be congratulated as and stormed, but entreaties and threats such, at the period when he was seriously Diary, illustrative of the Court, &c. contemplating a separation from his soof George IV. called "beloved consort." lie deputed 1008 CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK, Lady Cholmondeley to inform the Prin- "I should have returned no answer cess that he desired to be separated from to your letter, if it had not been conner; Caroline requested his desire in ceived in terms to make it doubtful writing, and also wished it to be under- whether this arrangement proceeds from stood that, if the proposed separation you or from me; and you are aware that was effected, the former intimacy should the credit of it belongs to you alone. not, under any circumstances, be re- The letter which you announce to me newed. Immediately afterwards, Caro- as the last, obliges me to communicate line received the subjoined letter:- to the King, as to my sovereign and my father, both your avowal and my an"MADAM, swer. You will find enclosed the copy "As Lord Cholmondeley informs of my letter to the King: I apprize me that you wish I would define in you of it, that I may not incur the writing the terms upon which we are to slightest reproach of duplicity from you. live, I shall endeavour to explain my- As I have at this moment no protector self upon that head, with as much clear- but his Majesty, I refer myself solely ness, and with as much propriety, as the to him upon this subject; and if my nature of the subject will admit. Our conduct meet his approbation, I shall be inclinations are not in our power, nor in some degree consoled. I retain should either of us be held answerable to every sentiment of gratitude for the the other, because nature has not made situation in which I find myself, as us suitable to each other. Tranquil and Princess of Wales, enabled by your comfortable society is, however, in our means to indulge in the free exercise of power; let our intercourse, therefore. be a virtue dear to my heart-I mean restricted to that, and I will distinctly charity. It will be my duty likewise to subscribe to the conditions which you act upon another motive-that of givrequired through Lady Cholmondeley, ing an example of patience and resignathat even in the event of any accident tion under every trial. Do me the jushappening to my daughter-which I tice to believe that I shall never cease trust Providence in its mercy will avert to pray for your happiness, and to be -I shall not infringe the terms of the "Your much devoted restriction by proposing at any period a " CAROLINE," connection of a more particular nature. I shall now finally close this disagree- Shortly after the receipt of the previable correspondence, trusting that, as ously-quoted letter from the Prince, we have completely explained ourselves Caroline was finally, but not formally, to each other, the rest of our lives will separated from her persecuting husband. be passed in uninterrupted tranquillity. She retired to Charlton, near Woolwich, "I am, Madam, but shortly afterwards was appointed " With great truth, Ranger of Greenwich Park, and took up "Very sincerely yours, her abode at Montague House, Black"GEORGE, P." heath, where, without a court, and with t a eis Croin rei but few attendants, she passed a life of To the above epistle, Caroline replied mingled m;rth and sadness. After a by a letter in French, of which the sub- p eriod, her reene a s settled at at joined is a translation period her revenue was settled at about ~20,000 per annum, towards which the "The avowal of your conversation Prince contributed ~12,000. Upon this with Lord Cholmondeley neither sur- income she lived in comparative conprises nor offends me; it merely con- tent, and directed her attention to garfirms what you have tacitly intimated dening, the education of poor children, for this twelvemonth; but, after this, and other laudable objects; but, being it would be awant of delicacy, orrather naturally indiscreet, she unwisely inan unworthy meanness, in me, were I to dulged in the games of blind-man's-buff, complain of those conditions which you hunt the slipper, and other romping impose upon yourself, sports and pastimes. QUEEN OF GEORGE THE FOURTH. 1009 Caroline had resided at Blackheath the interview in his diary:-" She [the but a short while, when her daughter Princess] is a most captivating and enCharlotte was removed to Shrewsbury gaging child.... She repeated to me House, near Shooter's Hill, and per- several hymns with great correctness and mitted an interview with her but once propriety; and on being told, when she a-week. went to Southend, in Essex (as she afterIn August, 1801, Dr. Porteus, Bi- wards did, for the benefit of sea-bathing), shop of London, paid the young Princess she would then be in my diocese, she Charlotte a visit, and was so charmed fell down on her knees and asked my' by her manners, that he thus mentioned blessing." CHAPTER II. Caroline becomes intimate with Sir John and Lady Douglas-Adopts the infant boy Austin — Breaks off her intimacy with the Douglases-Serious charges brought against her by Lady Douglas-The Delicate Investigation-She refutes the charges of her calumniators-Is acquitted of gross wrong, but reprimanded for levity — Her husbandprevails on the King to put of her reception at court-Publication of " THE BooK"'-Caroline at length received at court —Her last personal interview with her husband-Her widowed mother flies to England-Pecuniary embarrassment — ormal separation from her husband.!%yE? I F N November, 1801, ary); to my astonishment she returned /Ml _.. tCaroline had the my curtsey by a familiar nod, and misfortune to form stopped. Old Lady Stuart, a West Indian [ts"-g -ll-g J) a very intimate lady who lived in my immediate neigh-: acquaintance with bourhood, and who was in the habit of h er neighbours, Sir coming in to see me, was in the room, John and Lady Dou- and said,'You should go out; her glas, by the latter of Royal Highness wants to come in out whom the singular commencement of of the snow.' this acquaintance is thus mentioned: — "Upon this I went out, and she " In the month of November, when came immediately to me and said, I the ground was covered with snow, as I believe you are Lady Douglas, and you was sitting in my parlour, which com- have a beautiful child; I should like to manded a view of the heath, I saw, to see it.' I answered her that I was my surprise, the Princess of Wales, ele- Lady Douglas. Her Royal Highness gantly dressed in a lilac satin pelisse, then said,' I should like of all things primrose-coloured half-boots, and a small to see your child.' I answered, I was lilac satin travelling-cap, faced with very sorry I could not have the honour sable, and a lady pacing up and down of presenting my little girl to her, as I before the house, and sometimes stop- and my family were spending the cold ping, as if desirous of opening the gate weather in town, and I was only come in the iron.railing to come in. At first to pass an hour or two upon the Heath. I had no conception that her Royal I held open the gate, and the Princess Highness really wished to come in, but of Wales and her lady, Miss Heyman must have mistaken the house for an- (I believe), walked in and sat down, and other person's, for I had never been stayed about an hour, laughing very made known to her, and I did not know much at Lady Stuart, who, being a sinthat she knew where I lived. I stood gular character, talked all kind of nonat the window, looking at her, and as sense." she looked very much, from respect When the intimacy, thus commenced curtsied (as I understood was custom- between Caroline and Lady Douglas, had 3T 1010 CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK, ripened into familiar friendship, the nessed himself, he said, between Caro. former, for some strange, unaccountable line and " Sir Thomas Lawrence the reason, took under her own especial painter."-Robert Bidgood, who had charge and keeping a young infant, who been twenty-three years in the service was proved to have been born of Mrs. of the Prince, and seven years in that of Austin, the wife of a poor dockyard the Princess, gave evidence against his labourer, in Brownlow Street Hospital, royal mistress which will not bear to be on the eleventh of July, 1802. Some repeated. It was him who swore, that time afterwards, the Princess, on being one day he saw, by the reflection of a cautioned that Lady Douglas was a mirror, "Captain Manby kiss the lips "dangerous character," broke off the of the Princess, who shed tears when intimacy, and declined to explain her the captain left her." Several of Careasons for so doing. The Douglases, roline's female servants went even furannoyed at this treatment, and at having ther than Bidgood in their evidence received anonymous letters, Wd a dis- against her, and the consequence was, gusting drawing, of which they ex- that on the twenty-ninth of May, 1806, pressed a belief that Caroline was the the King issued his warrant, directing authoress, so contrived, that these Lords Erskine, Spencer, Granville, and and other matters were brought to the Ellenborough, to examine into the truth knowledge of the Dukes of Kent and of these startling assertions, and report Sussex, the latter of whom carried the the result to his Majesty. The witinformation to the Prince of Wales, at nesses underwent a searching examinawhose request Lady Douglas made a tion upon oath before these commissionlong and most indelicate statement, to ers, and their statements frequently the effect that Caroline was low, coarse, differed from their previous depositions. and immoral in language, manners, and However, after a lengthened investigaconduct; that she had indulged in illicit tion, the commissioners brought their by amours; that she was the mother of the no means agreeable labours to a close, child, Austin; and that she had endea- and drew up the subjoined report:voured to corrupt the morality of Lady Douglas, and otherwise conducted her- " MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY; self in a manner most unbecoming and "Your Majisty having been wicked. The formal attestation of this graciously pleased by an instrument startling statement was followed by the under your Majesty's royal sign manual, examination of witnesses before a com- a copy of which is annexed to this remission. port, to authorise, empower, and direct On the eleventh of January, 1806, us to inquire into the truth of certain William Cole, formerly page to the written declarations touching the conPrincess, asserted that some years pre- duct of her Royal Highness the Prinviously "he had seen Mr. Canning se- cess of Wales, an abstract of which had veral times alone with her Royal Uligh- been laid before your Majesty; and to ness for an hour together," and that he examine upon oath such persons as we was dismissed from Montague House, should see fit, touching and concerning because, in 1802, the conduct between the same, and to report to your Maher Royal Highness and Sir Sidney jesty the result of such examinations: Smith had one day startled him into we have, in dutiful obedience to your giving a' significant look at the gen- Majesty's commands, proceeded to extleman." He added, that since his dis- amine the several witnesses, the copies mission, Fanny Lloyd had assured him, of whose depositions we have hereunto there were " delightful things amongst annexed; and in further execution of them," and that her Royal Highness the said commands, we now most rewas guilty of gross improprieties with spectfully submit to your Majesty the Captain Manby. report of the examinations as it has apIn conclusion, he detailed conduct peared to us. But we beg leave at the equally disgraceful which he had wit- same time humbly to refer your Ma QUEEN OF GEORGE THE FOURTH. 1011 jesty for more complete information to larly belonged the cognizance of a matthe examinations themselves, in order to ter of state, so nearly touching the hocorrect any error of judgment in which nour of your Majesty's royal family, we may have unintentionally fallen, and by possibility affecting the succession with respect to any part of this business. of your lM(ijsty's crown. Youri Majesty On a reference to the above-mentioned had been pleased on your part to view declarations, as the necessary foundation the subject in the same light. Colsiof all our proceedings, we found that dering it as a matter which in every they consisted in certain statements respect demanded the most immediate which had been laid before his Royal investigation, your Majesty had thought Highness the Prince of Wales, respect- fit to commit into our hands the ditty of ing the conduct of her Royal Highness ascertaining, in the first instance, what the Princess of Wales; that these state- degree of credit was due to the informents not only imputed to her Royal mations, and thereby enabling your Highness great impropriety and inde- Majesty to decide what further conduct cency of behaviour, but expressly as- to adopt concerning them. On this serted, partly on the ground of certain review, therefore, of the matters thus alleged declarations from tile Princess's alleged, and of the course hitherto purown mouth, and partly on the personal sued upon them, we deemed it proper, in observations of the informants, the fol- the first place, to examine those persons lowing most important facts, viz.-That in whose declarations the occasion for this her Royal Highness had been pregnant inquiry had originated; because if they, in the year 1802, in consequence of an on being examined on oath, had reillicit intercourse, and that she had in tracted or varied their assertions, all the same year been secretly delivered of necessity of further investigation mnight a male child, which child had ever since possibly have been precluded. We acthat period been brought up by her cordingly first examined on oath the Royal Highness in her own house, and principal informants, Sir John Douglas under her immediate inspection. and Charlotte his wife, who both posi"These allegations thus made, had, tively swore, the former to his having as we found, been followed by declara- observed the fact of the pregnancy of tions from other persons, who had not her Royal Highness, and the latter to indeed spoken to the important facts of all the important particulars contained the pregnancy or delivery of her Royal in her former declarations, and above Highness, but had stated other parti- referred to. Their examinations are culars in themselves extremely suspi- annexed to this report, and are circumcious, and still moie so when connected stantial and positive. The most matewith the assertions already mentioned. rial of those allegations, into the tiuth In the very painful situation in which of which we have been directed to inhis Royal Highness was placed by the quire, being thus far supported by the communications, we learnt that his oath of the parties from whom they had Royal Highness had adopted the only proceeded, we then felt it to be our duty course which could, in our judgment, to follow up the inquiry, by the examwith proprietybe followed: when infor- ination of such other persons as we mations such as these had been confi- judged the best able to afford us infordently alleged, and particularly detailed, mation as to the facts in question. We and had been in some degree supported thought it beyond all doubt, that, in the by collateral evidence, applying to other course of inquiry, many particulars points of the same nature, (though going must be learnt which would be necesto far less extent), one line could only sarily conclusive on the truth or falsebe pursued. Every sentiment of duty hood of these declarations, so maly to your Majesty, and of concern for the persons must have been witnesses to public welfare, required that these par- the appearance of an actual existing ticulars should not be withheld from pregnancy, also many circunlstances your Majesty, to whom more particu-' must have been attendant upon a real 3 T 2 1012 CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK, delivery, and difficulties so numerous should wish it, to close our report here. and insurmountable must have been in- Besides the allegation of the pregnancy volved in any attempt to account for and delivery of the Princess, those dethe infant in question, as the child of clarations, on the whole of which your another woman, if it had been in fact Majesty has been pleased to command us the child of the Princess, that we en- to inquire and report, contain, as we tertained a full and confident expecta- have already remarked, other particulars tion of arriving at complete proof, either respecting her Royal Highness, such as in the affirmative or negative, on this must, especially considering her exalted part of the subject. rank and station, necessarily give occa"This expectation was not disap- sion to very unfavourable interpretations. pointed. We are happy to declare our From the various depositions and proofs perfect conviction that there is no foun- annexed to this Report, particularly from dation whatever for believing that the the examinations of Robert Bidgood, child now with the Princess of Wales is William Cole, Francis Lloyd, and Mrs. the child of her Royal Highness, or that Lisle, your Majesty will perceive that she was delivered of any child in the several strong circumstances of this deyear 1802; nor has anything appeared scription have been positively sworn to to us which would warrant the belief by witnesses, who cannot, in our judgthat she was pregnant in that year, or ment, be suspected of any unfavourable at any period within the compass of our bias, and whose veracity in this respect inquiries. The identity of the child now we have seen no ground to question. with the Princess, its parents, age, the "On the precise bearing and effects place of its birth, the time and circum- of the facts thus appearing, it is not for stances of its being taken under her us to decide; these we submit to your Royal Highness's protection, are all es- Majesty's wisdom; but we conceive it to tablished by such a concurrence both of be our duty to report on this part of the positive and circumstantial evidence, as inquiry, as distinctly as or the former can in our judgment leave no question facts, that, as on the one hand, the facts on this part of the subject. That child of pregnancy and delivery are to our was beyond all doubt born in Brownlow minds satisfactorily disproved; so, on Street Hospital, on the eleventh day of the other hand, we think that the cirJuly, 1802, of the body of Sophia Aus- cumstances to which we now refer, partin, and was first brought to the Prin- ticularly those stated to have passed becess's house in the month of November tween her Royal Highness and Captain following. Neither should we be more Manby, must be credited until they shall warranted in expressing any doubt re- receive some decisive contradiction; and, specting the alleged pregnancy of the if true, are justly entitled to the most Princess, as stated in the original decla- serious consideration. We cannot close ration, a fact so fully contradicted, and this Report without humbly assuring by so many witnesses, to whom, if true, your Majesty, that it was on every acit must, in various ways be known, that count our anxious wish to have executed we cannot think it entitled to the small- this delicate trust with as little publicity est credit. The testimonies on these two as the nature of the case would possiblyv points are contained in the annexed de- allow; and we entreat your Majestyes positions and letters. We have not par- permission to express our full persuasion, tially abstracted them in this report, lest that, if this wish has been disappointed, by any unintentional omission we might the failure is not imputable to anything weaken their effect; but we humbly unnecessarily said or done by us; all offer to your Majesty this our clear and which is most humbly submitted to your unanimous judgment upon them, formed Majesty. upon full deliberation, and pronounced "ERSKINE. without hesitation, on the result of the "SPENCER. whole inquiry. We do not, however, " GRENVILLE. feel ourselves at liberty, much as we * "ELLENBOIOUGH." QUEEN OF GEORGE THE FOURTH. 1013 This Report, dated the fourteenth of Sir John and Lady Douglas, in my neigh. July, 1806, and accompanied by the se- bourhood on Blackheath, gave the opveral depositions, was immediately pre- portunity of increasing his acquaintance sented to his Majesty; but nearly a with me. * * *As for the circummonth elapsed before Caroline received stance of my permitting him to be in the a copy of it, and then the depositions room alone with me-if suffering a man and other important matter were kept to be so alone is evidence of guilt from from her till the commencement of Sep- whence the commissioners can draw any tember; in fact, she was not permitted unfavourable inference-I must leave to meet her accusers face to face, nor them to draw it; for I cannot deny that even made acquainted with the nature of it has happened, and happened fretheir evidence against her till some time quently, not only with Sir Sidney Smith, afterwards. During this painful period, but with many other gentlemen who although acquitted of the grossercharge, have visited me; tradesmen who have she was held to have been guilty of immo- come to receive my orders, masters whom rality, both by the report of the com- I have had to instruct me in painting, in missioners and by the declared conviction music, in English, &c., that I have reof her husband, his friends, and party. ceived them without any one being by; She was commanded not to enter the in short, I trust I am not confessing a royal presence until she had proved her- crime, for unquestionably it is a truth self, in legal language, not guilty; and that I never had any idea that there being thus excluded from court on ac- was anything wrong or objectionable in count of alleged crimes, to disprove thus seeing men in the morning; and I which no opportunity hlad been permitted confidently believe your Majesty will see her, Mr. Perceval (one of her many nothing in it from which any guilt can talented friends), in a most able appeal to be inferred; I feel certain that there is the King in her behalf, denied the nothing wrong in the thing itself. * * charges brought against her, pointed out * * But whatever character may bediscrepancies in the evidence of the wit- long to this practice, it is not a practice nesses, proved her to be a most hardly- which commenced after my leaving Carlused Princess, and implored for her the ton House. While there, and from my favour and protection of his Majesty. first arrival in this country, I was acIn this memorial, which is far too customed, with the knowledge of his lengthy to be inserted in these pages, Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Caroline observes, "With respect to the and without his ever having hinted to fact of Sir Sidney Smith visiting fre- me the slightest disapprobation, to requently at Montague House, both with ceive lessons from various masters for my Sir John and Lady Douglas and without amusement and improvement..1 was them; with respect to his being fre- attended by them frequently from twelve quently there at luncheon, dinner, and to five in the afternoon-Mr. Attwood for supper, and staying with the rest of the music, Mr. Geffadiere for English, Mr. company till twelve o'clock, or even Turnerelli for painting, Mr. Tutvye for sometimes later; if these are some of the imitating marble, Mr. Elwes for the facts' which must give occasion to un- harp. 1 saw them all alone, and, indeed, favourable ftterpretations, and must be if I were to see them at all, I could do credited till contradicted,' they are facts no otherwise than see them alone. * * which I never can contradict, for they * * However, if in the opinions and are perfectly true. And I trust it will fashions of this country there should be imply the confession of no guilt to admit more impropriety ascribed to this practhat Sir Sidney Smith's conversation, tice than it ever entered into my mind his account of the various and extraor- to conceive, I hope your Majesty and dinary events and heroic achievements every candid mind will make some allowin which he has been concerned, amused ance for the different notions which my and interested me, and the circumstance foreign education and habits may have of his living so much with his friends, given me." 1014 CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK, This memorial was accompanied by cepting a letter from the lord chamberthe duly-attested depositions of several lain, stating that his Majesty had read respectable witnesses, who bore evidence the memorial and depositions, and orto the innocence of the Princess. The dered them to be laid before the coingifted artist, Sir Thomas Lawrence, in missioners. In a letter addressed to refutation of Cole's allegation, that whilst the King, on the eighth of December, painting the portrait of the Princess, he she very naturally complained of the was often alone with her late at night, prejudice to her honour occasioned by under circumstances extremely suspi- this delay. The world, in total ignocious; solemnly swore that he was never rance of the real state of the facts, alone with her but once for a short time, began to infer her guilt from it. She to answer an insignificant question when felt herself sinking in the estimation he was about to retire with the rest of the both of the English nation and of what company, and that nothing ever passed remained to her of her own family, into between her Royal Highness and him- a state in which her honour appeared self which he could have the least ob- equivocal, and her virtue was suspected; jection for all the world to have seen and a state intolerable to a mind conscious heard. Captain Manby, in answer to of its purity and innocence. From this the assertion by Bidgood, that he had unhappy condition she humbly entreated seen him kiss the Princess from the re- his Majesty to perceive that she could flection of a mirror, deposed, " I do so- have no hope of being restored until the lemnly and upon oath declare, that it is King's favourable opinion should be noa vile and wicked invention, wholly and tified to the world, by his receiving her absolutely false; that it is impossible he again into the royal presence, or until the ever could have seen in the reflection full disclosure of the facts shall expose of any glass any such thing, as I never, the malice of her accusers, and do away upon any occasion or in any situation, every possible ground for unfavourable ever had the presumption to salute her inference and conjecture. Caroline then Royal Highness in any such manner, or proceeded to remind the King, that the to take any such liberties, or offer any anniversary of his consort's birth-day such insult to her person." To Bid- was drawing near, when an occasion good's assertion, "that he and other of would be offered for assembling the the servants suspected that the captain royal family; and that should his Maslept in the house," Captain Manby re- jesty's answer be delayed beyond that plied —" I solemnly swear that such sus- period, the world would infallibly conpicion is wholly unfounded, and that I elude, that the answer to the report of never did sleep in any house occupied the Commissioners had proved altoby or belonging to the Princess of Wales, gether unsatisfactory, and that she had and that nothing ever passed between been deemed guilty of the really inmyself and the Princess of Wales that I famous charges brought against her. " I, should have been in any degree unwil- therefore," she remarks in conclusion, ling that all the world should have seen." "take this liberty of throwing myselt Much other evidence was also adduced again at your Majesty's feet, and entreatin refutation of the accusatory deposi- ing and imploring your Majesty's goodtions of Caroline's female servants, and ness and justice and pity forky miseries, in fact the innocence of the persecuted which this delay so severely aggravates; Princess was as fully proved as it was and in justice to my innocence and chapossible to prove the innocence of a wo- racter, to urge the commissioners to an man unjustly accused of crimes under early communication of their advice." such extraordinary circumstances. To the above letter Caroline received The above memorial and depositions no reply till the last week in January, were addressed to the King, on the 1807, when, through the lord chancellor, second of October, 1806; and nine she was officially informed, that his weeks elapsed without Caroline receiving Majesty deemed her innocent of the any communication on the subject, ex- infamous charges of adultery and treason QUEEN OF GEORGE THE FOURTH. 1015 brought against her by the perjured the whole particulars of the "delicate Lady Douglas; but that there appeared investigation;" and she continued to many circumstances of conduct which address pathetic appeals to the old, encould not be regarded by him without feebled King, who now was too blind serious concern; and which suggested to read them, and almost too decayed the expression of a desire and expect- in intellect to understand them. Howation, that such a line of conduct might, ever, in March, the Grenville adminisin future, be observed by her Royal tration was succeeded by that of the Highness as would fully justify those Portland; and the new ministry, of marks of paternal regard and affection which Mr. Perceval was the recognized which his Majesty had always wished leader, being the Princess's friends, they, to show to every member of the royal on the twenty-second of April, advised family. It must be admitted, that there his Majesty " that the two rmain charges wars much necessity for this reproof; alleged against her Royal Highness the Caroline was coarse and vulgar in con- Princess of Wales are completely disversation and manners, indiscreet in the proved... and that all other parchoice of friends, and unwisely dis- ticulars of conduct brought in accusaobedient, provoking, and defiant as a tion against her Royal Highness, to wife; but if she was weak and faulty, which the character of criminality can the Prince of Wales was all this, and be ascribed, are satisfactorily contramuch more to boot. In fact, "the first dieted; or rest upon evidence of such a gentleman in Europe" was a licentious nature, and which was given under such lewdster, a notorious adulterer, and a circumstances as render it, in the judgselfish, heartless, persecuting husband. mnent of your Majesty's confidential serHe resolved that the persecution of the vants, undeserving of credit.. grossly injured Princess should not ter- Therefore, " that it is essentially necesminate with the "delicate investiga- sary, in justice to her Royal Highness, tion," as the above proceedings were de- and fol the lhonour and interest of your signated; and on learning that the King Majesty's illustrious family, that her had made known to the suppliant Caro- Royal Highness the Princess of Wales line his intention to fix an early day for should be admitted with as little delay receiving her at Court, he declared that as possible into your Majesty's royal lie intended to institute further proceed- presence, and that she should be reings against her; and, in consequence, ceived in a manner due to her rank and she received a note, dated Wednesday, station in your Majesty's court and February the 10th, informing her, that family." the King "considered it incumbent Accordingly, apartments in Kensingupon him to defer naming a day to the ton palace were assigned to Caroline, Princess of Wales until the further re- who, in May, was presented at a drawsult of the Prince's intentions should ing-room, held by the Queen, the King have been made known to him." being too imbecile to attend. The welDriven to desperation by a prospect come she received from her Majesty and of the further continuance of this heart- the royal family was, as had been anless persecution, the unhappy Princess ticipated, cold and formal. On the consented with reluctance to the pub- King's birth-day, in the following lication of THIE BOOK,* as it was en- month, she again attended the drawing. titled, in which was detailed at length room, was received by the Queen as before; and for the last time encountered, * THE BOOK was prepared for publication and for a few brief moments conversed by Caroline's political friend, Mr. Perceval, with, the Prince, her husband. who, to the surprise of the public, after it t n had been printed, and a few copies got abroad,'lle battle of Jena, in which Carosuppressed it, was made Chancellor of the line's sincerely beloved father fell, morExchequer, and turning his back upon the tally wounded by a bullet, was followed Princess, became a warm partizan of the the immediate occupation of BrunsPrince of Wales, and so continued to the day by the of his death, wick by the French, and by the flight 1016 CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK, of her widowed. mother to England, in'ment; her debts amounted to about the summer of 1807. For a period, the ~50,000, and ultimately the Prince lonely mother and the deserted daugter consented to himself clear them off, to occupied the same hearth, and mutually the amount of ~19,000; her income conmmiserated each other's helpless con- was settled at ~22,000; a controlling dition. In 1809, pecuniary embarrass- treasurer was appointed to prevent the ment compelled the Princess to apply i recurrence of similar difficulties; and to the government for assistance; the the ill-matched royal husband and wife subject was warmly discussed in parlia- signed a formal deed of separation. CHAPTER III. Caroline's husband created Regent —- flurther obstructs her communlication with her daughter-iler domestic life, follies, and frivolities-Report of fur'ther unpleasant proceedings against her-She writes to the Regent on the subject-lHe refuses to reply-She publishes the letter-Tlhe Privy Council justify the conduct of the Regent-She addresses the House of Commons on the sulject-They debate thereon —Motion in her favour lost-Sie meets her deaughter in the highwaysDeath of her mother- Visit of the great Continental Sovereigns -She is precluded from Court —Angry correspondence on the subject-Her revenue increased. r>Aw-m raw N 1810, the King herself. iHer grandest parties she gave M la m becanie permanently on Sundays; and round her dinner L insane; and at the table might frequently be seen a motley commencement of group of lords, ladies, authors, artists, l1 vjl t the following year, poets, players, politicians, fiddlers, danp:j\ lill the Prince of Wales cing-masters, and even roues, and other pi —issl ~Qs was created Regent. worse characters. "~-_SxS The elevation of her Thus Caroline lived on; indulging, husband was, however, productive of no to use expressions of the mildest, in pleasant results to Caroline; who, from follies and frivolities, which, for a this time forward, found that every woman in her peculiar situation, were imaginable obstruction was thrown in highly unbecoming. Her friends in the the way of her holding personal, or House of Commons continued to exert even written, communications with her themselves in her behalf, They again daughter, the Princess Charlotte. Ne- drew from their opponents an admission vertheless, life still passed on with her that she was not guilty of the more as merrily, if not as happily, as with serious charges brought against her by mankind in general. Shocked by the Lady Douglas. Others of her so-called eccentricity of her conduct, the number friends kept her in a state of exciteof her noble friends gradually dimi- ment, by publishing statements which, nisled; and with her usual lack of however well they migllt serve the cause juldgment, she filled their places in her of party faction, sometimes did injury social circle by meanly-born persons; to that of Caroline. They very justly and what was infinitely worse, some- denounced the needlessly stringent retimes by low-minded, ill-doing profil- strictions which kept the Princess and gates. She delighted to take part in her daughter apart, as arbitrary and romantic adventures and exciting scenes; unjust; and on account of these restricdisguised as a citizen's wife, she would tions, and a report that further unpleamingle with the people in the parks, sant proceedings were about to be inor other public places, and learn what stituted against her, Caroline addressed the popular sentiment was in regard to a sealed letter to the Prince Regent, QUEEN OF GEORGE THE FOURTH. 1017 and transmitted it by Lady Charlotte by holding such conduct towards her as Campbell, through the Earl of Liver- countenances all the suspicions that pool and Lord Chancellor Eldon. It malice can suggest. If these ought to was returned next day unopened. be the feelings of every woman in LEngThree days afterwards, it was again en- land, who is conscious that she deserves closed to their lordships, and again re- no reproach, your Royal Ilighness has turned as before. The Princess, irri- too sound a judgment, and too nice a tated, but not cowed, for a third time sense of honour, not to perceive how dispatched it, with a request that their much more justly they belong to the lordships would make known its con- mother of your daughter-the mother tents to his Royal ILighness; and at of her who is destined, I trust, at a very length an answer arrived, that the distant period, to reign over the British Prince Regent had read the letter, but empire. declined replying to it. "It may be known to your Royal Stung by this contemptuous treat- Highness, that, during the continuance ment, Caroline, without regard to the of the restrictions upon your royal auadvisability of the course, immediately thority, I purposely refrained from published the letter, of which the sub- making any representations which might joined is a copy, in the Morning Chron- then augment the painful difficulties of icle newspaper. your exalted station. At the expiration of the restrictions, I still was inclined to "SIR, delay taking this step, in the hope that "It is with great reluctance I might owe the redress I sought to that I presume to obtrude myself upon your gracious and unsolicited condesyour Royal Highness, and to solicit your cension. I have waited in the fond inattention to matters which may, at first, dulgence of this expectation, until, to appear rather of a personal than a pub- my inexpressible mortification, I find lie nature. If I could think them so- that my unwillingness to complain has if they related merely to myself-I only produced fresh grounds of comshould abstain from a proceeding which plaint; and I am at length compelled might give uneasiness, or interrupt the either to abandon all regard for the more weighty occupations of your Royal two dearests objects which I possess on Highness's time; I should continue, in earth-mine own honour, and my besilence and retirement, to lead the life loved child-or to throw myself at the which has been prescribed to me, and feet of your Royal Highness, the natural console myself for the loss of that so- protector of both. ciety, and those domestic comforts to " I presume, sir, to represent to your which I have so long been a stranger, Royal Highness, that the separation, by the reflection that it has been deemed which every succeeding month is making proper I should be afflicted without any wider, of the mother and daughter, is fault of my own-and that your Royal equally injurious to my character and Highness knows it. to her education: I say nothing of the "But, sir, there are considerations of deep wounds which so cruel an arrangea higher nature than any regard to my ment inflicts upon my feelings, although o(wn happiness, which render this ad- I would fain hope that few persons dress a duty both to myself and my will be found of a disposition to think daughter. May I venture to say-a duty lightly of these. To see myself cut off also to my husband and the people com- from one of the very few domestic enmitted to his care? There is a point joyments left me-certainly the only one beyond which a guiltless woman cannot upon which I set any value-the sowith safety carry her forbearance. If ciety of my child, involves me in such her honour is invaded, the defence of misery, as I well know your Royal her reputation is no longer a matter of Highness could never inflict upon me, choice; and it signifies not whether the if you were aware of its bitterness. attack be made openly, manfully, and Our intercourse has been gradually dimidirectly-or by secret insinuation; and nished. A single interview weekly 1018 CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK, seemed sufficiently hard allowance for a ings of my own could accomplish; and mother's affection; that, however, was if, for her sake, I presume to call away reduced to our meeting once a fort- your Royal Highness's attention from night; and.1 now learn that even this the other cares of your exalted station, most rigorous interdiction is to he still I feel confident I am not claiming it for more rigidly enforced. a matter of inferior importance either " But while I do not venture to in- to yourself or your people. trude my feelings as a mother upon your " The powers with which the constiRoyal Highness's notice, I must be tution of these realms vests your Royal allowed to say, that in the eyes of an Highness, in the regulation of the observing and jealous world, this sepa- royal family, I know, because I am so ration of a daughter from her mother advised, are ample and unquestionable. will only admit of one construction-a My appeal, sir, is made to your excelconstruction fatal to a mother's reputa- lent sense and liberality of mind in the tion. Your Royal Highness will also exercise of those powers; and I willingly pardon me for adding, that there is no hope that your own paternal feelings less inconsistency than injustice in this will lead you to excuse the anxiety of treatment. He who dares advise your mine, for impelling me to represent the Royal Highness to overlook the evi- unhappy consequences which the predence of my innocence, and disregard sent system must entail upon our bethe sentence of complete acquittal which loved child. it produced -or is wicked and false "Is it possible, sir, that any one can enough still to whisper suspicions in have attempted to persuade your Royal your ear, betrays his duty to you, sir, Highness, that her character will not be to your daughter, and to your people, if injured by the perpetual violence offered he counsels you to permit a day to pass to her strongest affections-the studied without a farther investigation of my care taken to estrange her from my conduct. I know that no such calum- society, and even to interrupt all comniator will venture to recommend a munication between us? That her love measure which must speedily end in his for me, with whom, by his Majesty's utter confusion. Then let me implore wise and gracious arrangements, she you to reflect on the situation in which passed the years of her childhood, never i am placed; without the shadow of a can be extinguished, I well know; and charge against me -without even an the knowledge of it forms the greates accuser-after an inquiry that led to blessing of my existence. Blat-itme my ample vindication-yet treated as if implore your Royal Highness to reflect I were still more culpable than the per- how inevitably all attempts to abate juries of my suborned traducers repre- this attachment, by forcibly separating sented me, and held up to the world as us, if they succeed, must injure my a mother who may not enjoy the society child's principles - if they fail, must of her only child. destroy her happiness. "The feelings, sir, which are natural " The plan of excluding my daughter to my unexampled situation, might jus- from all intercourse with the world, aptify me in the gracious judgment of your pears to my humble judgment peculiRoyal Highness, had I no other mo- arly unfortunate. She, who is destined tives for addressing you but such as to be the sovereign of this great counrelate to myself. But I will not dis- try, enjoys none of those advantages of guise from your Royal Highness what I society which are deemed necessary for cannot for a moment conceal from my- imparting a knowledge of mankind to self, that the serious, and it soon may persons who have infinitely less occasion be, the irreparable injury which my to learn that important lesson; and it daughter sustains from the plan at pre- may so happen, by a chance, which, I sent pursued, has done more in over- trust, is very remote, that she should be coming my reluctance to intrude upon called upon to exercise the powers of the your Royal Highness than any suffer- crown, with an experience of the world QUEEN OF GEORGE THE FOURTI. 1019 more confined than that of the most pri- foction of a free and generous people vate individual. To the extraordinary to a virtuous and constitutional motalents with which she is blessed, and narch. which accompany a disposition as singu- "I am, sir, with profound respect, larly amiable, frank, and decided, I and an attachment which nothing can willingly trust much; but beyond a cer- alter, tain point the greatest natural endow- " Your Royal Highness's ments cannot struggle against the dis- "Most devoted and most affectionate advantages of circumstances and situa- " Consort, cousin, and subject, tion. It is my earnest prayer, for her own " CAROLINE LOUISA." sake as well as her country's, that your "Mo ntague House, 14th Jan. 1813." Royal Highness may be induced to pause before this point be reached. The appearance of the above letter in "Those who have advised you, sir, the public papers astounded the governto delay so long the period of my daugh- ment. The privy council were immeter's commencing her intercourse with diately assembled; and they reported to the world, and for that purpose to make the Regent, that, having read the letter Windsor her residence, appear not to lately published by the Princess of have regarded the interruptions to her Wales, and examined all the documents education which this arrangement occa- relative to the inquiry instituted into sions; both by the impossibility of ob- her conduct in 1806, they were of opi. taining the attendance of proper teach- nion that the intercourse between the ers, and the time unavoidably consumed Princess of Wales and the Princess in the frequent journeys to town, which Charlotte should continue to be subject she must make, unless she is to be se- to regulation and restraint; and they eluded from all intercourse, even with further felt it their duty to declare that, your Royal Highness and the rest of the as the words suborned traducers, in Caroyal family. To the same unfortunate roline's letter, might, by misconstruccounsels I ascribe a circumstance, in tion, be supposed to have reference to every way so distressing both to my the conduct of his Royal Highness, that parental and religious feelings, that my the documents laid before them afforded daughter has never yet enjoyed the be- ample proof that there was not the slightnefit of confirmation, although above a est foundation for such an asnersion. year older than the age at which all the This report Caroline received as a other branches of the royal family have further attack upon her character; and, partaken of that solemnity. May I with the determination to resent the earnestly conjure you, sir, to hear my insult by an appeal to the Parliament, entreaties upon this serious matter, even she addressed a letter to the Lord Chanif you should listen to other advisers cellor, and another to the Speaker of on things of less near concernment to the Commons. The former letter was the welfare of our child? withheld from the House of Peers, but "Tlhe pain with which I have at the latter, of which the subjoined is a length formed the resolution of address- ccpy, was read by the Speaker to the ing myself to your Royal Highness is assembled Commons, on the second of such as I should in vain attempt to ex- March. press. If I could adequately describe it, you might be enabled, sir, to estimate "Montague House, March 1. the strength of the motives which have' The Princess of Wales informs Mr. made me submit to it. They are the Speaker that she has received from Lord most powerful feelings of affection, and Viscount Sidmouth a copy of a report, the deepest impressions of duty towards made to his Royal Highness the Prince your Royal Iighness, my beloved child, Regent by certain members of his Maand the country, which I devoutly hope jesty's Privy Council, to whom it apshe may be preserved to govern, and to pears that his Royal Highness was adshow, by a new example, the liberal af- vised to refer certain documents and evi 1020 CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK dence, regarding the character and con- that a desire to avoid bringing matters duct of the Princess of Wales. This of such delicacy before the world had report is of such a nature that her Royal prevented ministers from proceeding Highness is persuaded that no person against the base Sir John and Lady can read it without considering it to Douglas. Meanwhile, Caroline was contain aspersions on her character, somewhat damaged in reputation by the though its vagueness renders it impos- publication of the " Spirit of the Book," sible to be precisely understood, or to and further annoyed by being forbidden know exactly with what she is charged. to call at Warwick louse, to see her "Tile Princess of Wales feels consci- daughter. She, however, spirited woous of her innocence; and considers it man as she was, declared that no one due to herself, to the two illustrious could prevent her from meeting the houses with which she is connected by Princess Charlotte on the highway; and blood and marriage, and to the people so the mother and daughter frequently of this country, in which she holds such met, to the annoyance of Queen Chara distinguished rank, not to acquiesce lotte and the extreme mortification of for a moment in the reflections which the Regent. have been cast upon her honour. The The remainder of 1813, and more than Princess of Wales has not been per- half of the subsequent year, Caroline mitted to know on wLa;t evidence this passed in comparative retirement. On report has been founded, nor has she the death of her aged mother, the had any opportunity of being heard in Duchess of Brunswick, in March, 1813, her own defence. What she knew on she was gratified by the Regent perthe subject was only from common ru- mitting the Princess Charlotte to pay mour, until she received the report; nor her a visit of condolence. But, when does she know whether it proceeded the great potentates of Europe visited from persons acting together as a body, London, in the summer of 1814, Caroto whom she could make her appeal, or line suffered further indignities. The only as individuals. IIer Royal Higl- Prince Regent notified that he had deness throws herself upon the wisdom and termined never again to meet her, either justice of parliament, and desires tle in private or public, and, in consefullest investigation of her conduct dur- quence, she was excluded from the two ing the time that she has resided in this drawing-rooms which the Queen held in country. She fears no scrutiny, pro- honour of the foreign sovereigns, and vided she be tried by impartial Judges, neither invited to the civic feast nor to in a fair and open manner, consistent the other banquets and courtly scenes with the laws of the land. Her Royal at which these monarchs and their Highness wishes to be treated as inno. princely suites were entertained; in fact, cent, or to be proved guilty. She de- she was shut out from the court; and, sires Mr. Speaker to communicate this to please her persecuting husband, the letter to the honourable the House of foreign sovereigns passed her dwelling Commons." without even condescending to pay her a visit of courtesy. Caroline did not The reading of this letter was followed brook these insults in silence: she apby a warm debate, on a motion for the pealed, by letter, to the Quecn and to production of all the papers relative to the Regent, and unable thus to obtain the differences between the Regent and her end, she sent to the House of Comthe Princess, including the documents mons copies of this correspondenceof the "delicate investigation." The from which the subjoined letters are exmotion was lost, but Mr. Whitbread tracted-with expressions of her belief drew from Lord Castlereagh an admis- that the Prince Rlegent's determination sion that Caroline was innocent of the never more to meet her, was fraught with more serious of the charges brought danger to the security of the succession, against her; and also an assertion, and to the domestic peace of the king. which was a disgrace to the government, dom. QUEEN OF GEORGE THE FOURTH. 1021 " Windsor Custle, May 23,1814. pear at any public drawing-room, to be "The Queen considers it to be her held by your Majesty. duty to lose no time in acquainting "That I may not, however, add to the Princess of Wales, that she has re- the difficulty and uneasiness of your ceived a communication from her son, Majesty's situation, I yield, in the prethe Prince Regent. in which lie states sent instance, to the will of his Royal that her Majesty's intention of holding Highness the Prince Regent, announced two drawing-rooms in the ensuing month to me by your Majesty, and shall not having been notified to the public, he present myself at the drawing-rooms of must declare, that he considers that his next month. own presence at her court cannot be "It would be presumptuous in me to dispensed with; and that he desires it attempt to inquire of your Majesty, the to be understood, for reasons of which reasons of his Royal Highness the he alone can be the judge, to be his Prince Regent for this harsh proceeding, fixed and unalterable determination, not of which his Royal Highness can alone to meet the Princess of Wales upon any be the judge. I am unconscious of occasion, either in public or private. offence; and in that reflection, I must "The Queen is thus placed under the endeavour to find consolation for all the painful necessity of intimating to the mortifications I experience; even for Princess of Wales, the impossibility of this, the last, the most unexpected, and her Majesty's receiving her Royal High- the most severe;-the prohibition given ness at the drawing-rooms. to me alone to appear before your Ma" CHAILOTTE R." jesty, to offer my congratulations upon The answer: the happy termination of those calami" Connaught House, May 24, 1814. ties with which Europe has been so long "MADAM, afflicted, in the presence of the illus" I have received the letter which trious personages, who will, in all proyour Majesty has done me the honour to babiiity, be assembled at your Majesty's address to me, prohibiting my appear. court, with whom I am so closely conance at the public drawing-rooms, which nected by birth and marriage. will be held by your Majesty in the "I beseech your Majesty to do me ensuing month, with great surprise and an act of justice, to which, in the preregret. sent circumstances, your Majesty is the " I will not presume to discuss with only person competent,-by acquainting your Majesty, topics which must be as those illustrious strangers with the mopainful to your Majesty as to myself. tives of personal consideration towards "Your Maiesty is well acquainted your Majesty, which alone induce me to with the affectionate regard with which abstain from the exercise of my right the King was so kind as to honour me to appear before your Majesty: and that up to the period of his Majesty's indis- I do now, as I have done at all times, position; which no one of his Majesty's defy the malice of my enemies to fix subjects has so much cause to lament as upon me the shadow of any one immyself;-and that his Majesty was putation, which could render me ungraciously pleased to bestow upon me worthy of their society and regard. the most unequivocal and gratifying "Your Majesty will, I am sure, not proof of his attachment and approbation, be displeased that I should relieve myself by his public reception of me at his from a suspicion of disrespect towards court, at a season of severe and unme- your Majesty, by making public the rited affliction, when his protection was cause of my absence from court, at a most necessary to me. There I have time when the duties of my station since, uninterruptedly, paid my respects would otherwise peculiarly demand my to your Majesty. I am now without attendance. appeal, or protector; but I cannot so " I have the honour to be your Mafar forget my duty to the King, and to jesty's most obedient daughter-in-law myself, as to surrender my right to ap- and servant, CAROLINE P." 1022 CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK, The Queen in return: of Wales's note of yesterday, although "Windsor Castle, May 25, 1814. it does not appear to her Majesty to reThe Queen has received, this after- quire any other reply than that conveyed noon, the Princess of Wales's letter to her Royal Highness's preceding letter. of yesterday, in reply to the communi- CHARLOTTE R. cation which she was desired by the This correspondence led to the folPrince Regent to make to her; and she lowing letter to the Prince: is sensible of the disposition expressed by " Connaught-House, May 26, 1814. her Royal Highness, not to discuss with "SIR, her topics which must be painful to both. "I am once more reluctantly "The Queen considers it incumbent compelled to address your Royal Highupon her to send a copy of the Princess ness; and I enclose, for your inspection, of Wales's letter to the Prince Regent; copies of a note which I have had the and her Majesty could have felt no he- honour to receive from the Queen, and of sitation in communicating to the illus- the answer which I have thought it my rioust strangers, who may possibly be duty to return to her Majesty. It would present at her court, the circumstances be in vain for me to inquire into the which will prevent the Princess of reasons of the alarming declaration made Wales from appearing there, if her Royal by your Royal Highness, that you have Highness had not rendered a compliance taken the fixed and unalterable deterwith her wish, to this effect, unnecessary, mination never to meet me upon any by intimating her intention of making occasion, either in public or private. public the cause of her absence. Of these your Royal Highness is pleased " CHARLOTTE R." to state yourself to be the only judge. The Princess of Wales returned: You will pelceive, by my answer to her Majesty, that I have only been restrained h' Connaught Polace, hMa s the4 by motives of personal consideration to"The Princess of Wales has the wards her Majesty, from exercising my honour to acknowledge the receipt of a right of appearing before her Majesty note from the Queen, dated yesterday; at the public drawing-rooms, to be held and begs permission to return her best in the ensuing month. thanks to her Majesty, for her gracious " But, sir, lest it should be, by poscondescension, in the willingness ex- sibility, supposed that the words of your pressed by her Majesty, to have com- Royal Highness can convey any insinmunicated to the illustrious strangers, nation from which I shrink, I am bound who will, in all probability, be present to demand of your Royal Highness, at her Majesty's court, the reasons which what circumstances can justify the prohave induced her Royal Highness not ceedings you have thus thought fit to to be present. adopt. " Such communication, as it appears "I owe it to myself, to my daughter, to her Royal Highness, cannot be less and to the nation, to which I am deeply necessary, on account of any publicity indebted for thevindicationofmyhonour, which it may be in the power of ler to remind your Royal Highness, of what Royal Highness to give to her motives; you know,-that, after open persecution, and the Princess of Wales, therefore, and mysterious inquiries upon undefined entreats the active good offices of her charges, the malice of my enemies fell Majesty, upon an occasion which the entirely upon themselves; and that I Princess of Wales feels it so essential to was restored by the King, with the adher, that she should not be misunder- vice of his ministers, to the full enjoystood. CAROLINE P." ment of my rank in his court, upon my complete acquittal. Since his Majesty's The Queen's answer: lamented illness, I have demanded, in " Windsor Castle, May 27,1814. the face of parliament and the country, " The Queen cannot omit to. ac- to be proved guilty, or to be treated as knowledge the receipt of the Princess innocent. I have been declared inno QUEEN OF GEORGE THE FOURTH. 1023 cent. I will not submit to be treated as and publicity becoming the approaching guilty. nuptials of the presumptive heiress of " Sir, your Royal Highness may pos- this empire. This season your Royal sibly refuse to read this letter; but the Highness has chosen for treating me world must know that I have written it, with fresh and unprovoked indignity and they will see my real motives for and, of all his Majesty's subjects, I alone foregoing, in this instance, the rights of am prevented by your Royal Highness my rank. Occasions however, may, from appearing in my place to partake arise (one, I trust, is far distant), when of the general joy; and am deprived of I must appear in public, and your Royal the indulgence in those feelings of pride Highness must be present also. Can and affection, permitted to every mother your Royal Highness have contemplated but me. the full extent of your declaration? Has "I am, Sir, your Royal Highness forgotten the ap- "Your Royal Highness's faithful wife, preaching marriage of your daughter, "CAROLINE P." and the possibility of our coronation? I waive my rights in a case where I am The communication of these letters not absolutely bound to assert them, in brought on an animated debate in the order to relieve the Queen, as far as I Commons, and as Caroline was again can, from the painful situation in which suffering from pecuniary embarrassmlent, she is placed by your Royal High:ness, Lord Castlereagh endeavoured to bribe not from any consciousness of blame, her into silence by proposing to increase not from any doubt of the existence of her income to ~50,000 a year; but, with those rights, or of my own worthiness to laudable self-denial, she, in consideration enjoy them. of the heavy burdens that pressed on the " Sir, the time you have selected for nation, relinquished ~15,000 of the sum, this proceeding is calculated to make it and the Commons fixed her annual repeculiarly galling. Many illustrious venue at ~35,000. At the same time strangers are already arrived in Eng- Mr. Whitbread observed in the Comland; amongst whom, as I am informed, mons, "The Princess, I know, will the illustrious heir of the house of scorn to barter her rights or silence for Orange, who has announced himself to money. However, if the House will make me as my future son-in-law; from their her Royal Highness an adequate provisociety I am unjustly excluded. Others sion, I shall rejoice in it as a testimony are expected, of equal rank to your own, of its approbation; but the grant shall to rejoice with your Royal Highness on not silence me, if, upon any future occathe peace of Europe. My daughterwill, sion, I shall think the Princess agfor the first time, appear in the splendour grieved." 1024 CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK, CHAPTER IV. Proposed marriage of the Prinecess Charlotte to the Prince of Orange broken offUnsuccessful flight of the Princess Charlotte to the home of her mother-Caroline resolves to go abroad-Her letters on the subject —Journey to Brunswick-SuiteSojourn at Geneva —Unbecoming conduct-Takes Bergami into her serviceTravels in Italy- Further improprieties- Purchases the Villa d'Este - Constitutes Bergami her chief chamberlain-Her English friends desert her-She surrounds herself with Italians — er proceedings secretly watched and reported to her husband by the " Milan Commission"-~Her extraordinary conduct-Travels in the East. T the close of 1813, her new suite to Carlton House, and tr the Prince of Orange thence to Cranbourne Lodge. She ex-' came to England pressed surprise; but a promise of willing with the intention compliance obtained for her a quarter of of marrying the an hour's respite, to make ready for the Princess Charlotte. unexpected change. The Regent, not The Prince Regent suspecting his daughter's intentions, reand the Queen were tired; and the next moment the advenfavourable to the match; and as the spring ture-loving Charlotte slipped out at a advanced, the speedy solemnization of the back door, and hastening down Cockspur marriage was fully anticipated by the pub- Street into the Haymarket, entered a lie. But in this they were disappointed- hackney coach there, and was driven to the lady objected to the wooer; it was Connaught House, the residence of her with marked reluctance that she, to please mother, who was then on her way from her sire, granted him several interviews, Blackheath to London, and who, on reand permitted him to hand her from her ceiving intelligence of her daughter's carriage; and when he, in unmistakable flight, very wisely hastened to both language, assured her that if united to houses of parliament in search of Mr. him she must reside in Holland, and not Whitbread and Earl Grey, neither of think of receiving the visits of the Prin- whom, as it happened, were in attendcess of Wales at his palace, she with in- ance. Caroline, on reaching Connaught dignity declared, that "she would on no House, found Miss Elphinston, Mr. account abandon her persecuted mother," Brougham, and other of her and her and immediately broke off the match. daughter's friends already arrived there. The Regent had set his heart on this Mr. Brougham, as law adviser to the union; and its failure, combined with a Princess of Wales, explained that the knowledge that the Princess Charlotte " King or the Regent had the absolute had latterly contrived to maintain an power to dispose of the persons of all the epistolary correspondence with her mo- royal family during their minority, and trier, irritated him into a resolution of therefore advised that the Princess Charchanging her residence, and surrounding lotte should immediately return to the her with a new suite of attendants and home provided for her by her sire." Caroservants. Without previous intimation, line, pleased as she was by this display he secured Cranbourne Lodge as her of her daughter's filial affection, also prunew abode; and on the morning of the dently urged her to bow to the harsh twelfth of July, 1814, accompanied by will of the Regent; and as Lord Chanher new household, proceeded to her cellor Eldon and her uncles, the Dukes then residence, Warwick House, and of York and Sussex, the former of whom after telling her that her establishment had in the meantime arrived with a mesin that residence was dismissed, com- sage to her from her father, and the lords manded her to immediately depart with of the council likewise joined in this ad QUEEN OF GEORGE TIIE FOURTH. 1025 vice, and promised that she should not undertaken her projected tour long bebe harshly treated on her return, she fore, if she had not been prevented by reluctantly submitted, and about four in the breaking off in the projected marthe morning returned widl the Duke of riage of the Princess Charlotte with the York to Warwick Iouse, whence a few Prince of Orange. She could not redays afterwards, she was removed to solve to leave her daughter witloutproCranbourne Lodge, where she was forced tection, at a period so critical. The to live a secluded life, and debarred of Prince Regent having planned to settle even the hope of again corresponding the new-married couple at the Hague, with her mother. the Princess Charlotte on that account Before the public excitement occa- principally declined the match. Unsioned by the unsuccessful flight of tle willing to prove any obstacle to future royal heiress of England had subsided, arrangements favourable to the happiCaroline, whlose cause the nation at large ness of her daughter, the Princess of fervently espoused, astonished all classes Wales has at length resolved to return and parties, by avowing her intention to to Brunswick, her native country. She immediately depart the kingdom. The may afterwards travel into Italy and reasons assigned for this unwise resolu- Greece, where she may probably be able tion are thus stated in the subjoined to select an agreeable abode, and live in letter from the Princess of Wales to it for some years. The Princess flatters Lord Liverpool:- herself that the Prince Regent will have no objection to this design. "Connaught House, July 25th, 1814. "The Princess of Wales requests "The Princess of Wales requests Lord Lord Liverpool to represent to the Liverpool to lay before the Prince Re- Prince Regent that she resigns Montagent the contents of this letter. gue House, and the title of Ranger of "Actuated by the most urgent motive, Greenwich Park, in favour of her that of restoring tranquillity to the Prince daughter, as also the house bequeathed Regent, as well as to secure the peace of to the Princess of Wales by her mother. mind of which she has been for so many The Princess of Wales hopes the Prince years deprived, the Princess of Wales, after Regent will comply with these requests, mature reflection, has resolved to return the last that her Royal Highness intends to the continent. This resolution ought to offer. not to surprise the ministers of the " The Princess embraces this opporPrince Regent, considering the trouble tunity to explain the motives which and disagreeable experience of the Prin- have induced her to decline the grant cess for so long a time; and still more, of ~50,000 a year, voted to her by the after the indignity and mortification to nation in parliament. She expresses which she has been exposed, by being her lively acknowledgment to this great withheld from receiving her nearest re- people for the readiness to make her so lations, and the most intimate friends of liberal a pension during her life; but the late Duke of Brunswick, her illus- she has only taken ~35,000. because, as trious father. the gift was intended to support her in " The Princess is extremely anxious her proper rank, and to enable her to that the Prince Regent should be in- hold a court as became the wife of the formed of the motives, and clearly com- Prince Regent, the receipt of it would prehend the tenor of her past conduct as interfere with her views of travelling, politically exhibited. In exacting ajus. and her purpose to quit England for a tification from this noble nation —her season. Such is the substance of her sole protection since the unfortunate in- present communication to Lord Liverdisposition of the King-she is to be un- pool, which the Princess would have derstood as solicitous only to maintain made before, but for the fear of producher rights and her honour, which are ing new debates in parliament. She dearer to her than life itself. has, therefore, awaited the rising of that i' The Princess of Wales would have august body, and is now about to depart 3 1026 CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK, for Worthing, to embark, not intending has inserted in her letter concerning the to return previously to London. rupture of the marriage of the Princess " The Princess of Wales is happy to Charlotte with the Hereditary Prince of assure Lord Liverpool, that she will Orange, as well as to the reasons for ever be ardently solicitous for the pro- which the allied sovereigns did not, presperity and glory of this generous na- viously to their departure from England, tion. pay their visits to her Royal Highness, that, as to the first article, Lord Liver. The Prince Regent was not displeased pool is commanded by the Prince Rewith this communication; and, three gent to inform her Royal Highness, that days afterwards, Lord Liverpool ad- the Prince Regent is not persuaded that dressed to Caroline the following fa- the private considerations of the circumvourable reply:- stances in which the Princess of Wales is placed, can have been an obstruction " July 28th, 1814. to the marriage of the Princess Char"Lord Liverpool has had the honour lotte. As to the second article, Lord to receive the letter of her Royal High- Liverpool is also enjoined, on the part of ness. Having acquainted the Prince the Prince Regent, to inform her Royal Regent with its contents, he has ordered Highness that the Prince Regent never him to state that his Royal Highness opposed himself to the allied sovereigns can have no objection to the design making a visit to the Princess of Wales she has intimated, of returning to her during their stay in England. native country, to visit her brother the "Lord Liverpool has the honour to Duke of Brunswick, assuring her that be, with profound esteem and considerathe Prince Regent will never throw any tion, respondent to her Royal Highness. obstacle in the way of the present or "P.S. The Prince Regent can make future intentions of her Royal Highness no difficulties on the subject of the dias to the place where she may wish to rections which the Princess has the inreside. tention of giving as to the house at "'The Prince Regent leaves it en- Blackheath; neither will the Prince tirely to the liberty of her Royal High- Regent oppose her Royal Highness reness to exercise her own discretion as to taining the rooms in Kensington Palace, her abode in this country or on the in the same manner as she possessed continent, as it may be convenient to them while in London, for the conveniher. ence of herself and her suite." "Lord Liverpool is also commanded, on the part of the Prince Regent, to On the twenty-fifth of July, Caroline inform her Royal Iighness, that he also addressed the subjoined epistle to will not throw any obstacles in the way Mr. Whitbread, the leader of her party of the arrangements of her Royal High- in the House of Commons, to Mr. ness, whatever they may be, respecting Brougham, her legal adviser, and to the rest of the private property of her her other political and partizan friends: Royal Highness. But that, for reasons " The Princess of Wales has the plearather too long to explain, the Prince sure to inform, and frankly to avow to Regent will not permit the Princess Mr. Whitbread, that she is about to take Charlotte to be Ranger of Greenwich the most important step in her life. Park, nor occupy any of the houses at She has embraced the resolution of quitBlackheath, which the Princess of Wales ting this country for a time; and has has hitherto occupied. written to Lord Liverpool to inform the "LordLiverpool has alsobeen enjoined, Prince Regent immediately with her in. on the part of the Prince Regent, be- tention. The Princess encloses a copy fore he closes the letter which he has of this letter to Mr. Whitbread, to make the honour to send to her Royal High- him and his friends understand the plan ness, to inform her, in relation to the of conduct which she has adopted. two articles which her Royal Highness "The Princess is so fully persuaded QUEEN OF GEORGE TIIE FOURTII. 1027 of the well-known integrity of Mr. and in her afflicting condition, so wiiWhitbread and Mr. Brougham, that lingly affords to her the means of living she cannot doubt but they would have peaceably in future. She hopes that proposed such a step, if motives of de- her gratitude, which will only cease licacy had not prevented them. The with her existence, will be one day rePrincess is deeply penetrated with gra- newed in the Princess Charlotte, and titude for the attentions which they have that her daughter will give proofs of it shown her, at all times and on all occa- by her zeal for the glory and happiness sions. This kindness on their part has of this kingdom; by defending tile withheld her from asking their advice rights of her people; and proving by on the present occasion; in every other her conduct, that great and powerful instance, she assures them, she has al- as she may be, she will not tyrannise ways followed the suggestions of her over any one, merely because they have advisers and friends, and conformed to not the good fortune to please her. their superior intelligence. " The Princess of Wales would pro"Her conscience tells her, that her bably not have departed so soon, had conduct is worthy of her character and not the marriage of the Princess Charof her sentiments, and will always re- lotte with the Prince of Orange been main so. She has had sufficient leisure broken off at her own instance. to reflect maturely before she adopted Dear as her daughter is to her, she her present resolution. People who could not resolve to leave her withknow not the character of the Princess, out protection in a situation so critical. may be disposed to believe that she has The Princess, aware that the match was been induced to adopt this measure in ardently desired by the people, wished a moment of ill-humour; but she takes neither to impede the happiness of the the Almighty to witness, that she has nation, nor that of her daughter. On been intending to travel ever since 1806, this account she is solicitous to depart although reasons too long for explana- at once, for it is pitiable to see a child tion have prevented her. No person rendered on all occasionsa sourceof dispossessed of pride and feeling, could en- pute between her parents, dure to be degraded below her rank in "'The Princess of Wales is assured this kingdom, as Princess of Wales, or that in future the Princess Charlotte even as a simple individual, bear to be will be more happy and tranquil; and so hated by its ruler, as to be debarred she is led to make this sacrifice, that if from his presence both public and pri- she remains some time longer unmarvate. The Princess of Wales knows not ried, there may be fewer obstacles to her how to support so much debasement and appearance in public. Her father, the mortification. She cannot allow her- Prince Regent, may thus choose the self to be treated as a culprit by the most suitable of her nearest relations to Prince and his family, while her inno- introduce her into society, that she may cence has been acknowledged by minis- enjoy the pleasures congenial to her age, ters and by parliament, after an inves- and become acquainted with the chatigation which has done away the accu- racter of the most distinguished persons sations of traitors and enemies. in the nation, of which knowledge she " The Princess having obtained this has hitherto been deprived. public satisfaction, cannot in conscience " The Princess Charlotte will the less remain a burden to her friends any feel the privation of her mother's solonger. Events are continually occur- ciety, as she has not had it for the two ring, which oblige her zealous andge- last years. During that time, five or nerous advocates to step forward in her six months in succession have passed defence. away without the mother being allowed "The Princess of Wales is deeply to see her daughter. She has even been penetrated with the generosity of this refused the consolation of receiving any brave nation, which, after having taken of her letters, and thus her regret at so lively an interest in her misfortunes, leaving her is lessened; for although, 3 u 2 1028 CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK, living in the same capital, they were not that all the Princess's letters which wo allowed to speak, even when they met have quoted relative to her conduct and in their airings. Her daughter's coach- to the ill treatment she was forced to man was forbidden to stop, and directed endure as a wife, were written with the to act as if he knew not the carriage of expressed intention of being published, the Princess of Wales. Thus to quit and not by herself, but usually by her her will be but the grief of a day, political friends or legal advisers. whilst to remain were only to continue After taking, by permission of the the sorrows of both mother and child. Regent, a hasty farewell of her daughThe Princess cannot rest in a situation ter, Caroline proceeded to Worthing, so unfortunate for herself, and so un- with the intention of there embarking. easy to others, and is sure that Mr. She took the boy Austin with her; had Whitbread and his friends will be affected conspicuously placed amongst her lugby these considerations; that their senti- gage a large tin case, on which was ments will accord with her own, and that painted in white letters, on a black they will approve of her resolution. ground, " Her Royal Highness the "The Princess, before she ends this Princess of Wales, to be always with long letter, is solicitous to explain to her her;" and for several days lingered on advisers the most urgent reason for her the shore bewailing her misfortunes; quitting England, and to show them but after having, by these and other that delicacy has obliged her to put her- means, excited public sympathy and cuself under the protection of this great riosity to the highest pitch, she preand generous nation, having no other tended that it would be dangerous to refuge since the indisposition of the pass through the crowd then collecting, King. How much it has cost her to and privately proceeding to South Lanmake public this declaration-that is to cing, about two miles distance, was say, that his Royal Highness has been there driven to the beach in a " small strangely biassed and imposed upon by pony cart," and entering a barge, was false accusers and enemies to her honour, thence conveyed on board the Janson " That which renders her situation frigate, Captain King, on the ninth of still more embarrassing, is, that this ge- August. Whilst proceeding in the nerous nation has shown more devotion barge to the frigate, she continually towards herself than to its ruler, who kissed her hand in token of farewell to ought to be the blessing and glory of the crowd collected on the beach, who his people. The Princess hopes, that returned the compliment; the men by when she has quitted England, the uncovering their heads, the ladies by Prince Regent will make public his waving their handkerchiefs. conviction, that her conduct and cha- On quitting the shore of England, racter have not merited reproach; and she wept till she fainted; but her spirits thereby regain that popularity which is speedilyrecovered theirwontedbuoyancy. due to him, and to which his many ex- On the twelfth of August, the Regent's cellent qualities entitle him in other birth-day, the Janson, whilst passing the respects. Texel, fired a salute, by her desire, it is " The Princess of Wales most devoutly said, in honour of the anniversary; and assures Mr. Whitbread and his friends after dinner she drank health, prosof the immutable sentiments of lively perity, and glory to his Royal Highgratitude and perfect esteem towards ness the Regent, with a heartiness that them, which shall have the same end- might have deceived the most increduing with her existence only." lous into a belief that she was of wives the most loving and beloved. After a The publication of the above cor- favourable voyage, Caroline left the respondence excited for Caroline a fresh Janson, and assuming the appellaoutbreak of public sympathy -greater tion of Countess of Wolffenbuttel, passed perhaps than would have happened through Hamburgh to Brunswick, where had the fact been generally known, she was cordially welcomed both by her QUEEN OF GEORGE THE FOURTH. 1029 brother, the unfortunate Duke of Bruns- gami, she, sustained several characters wick, who fell at Quatre Bras in 1815, including those of a Turkish peasant and and by the people. the Genius of History, in a manner, it is At this period, the Ladies Charlotte said, neither becoming a princess nor a Lindsey and Elizabeth Forbes were her mother. Her life at this period was a maids of honour; Mr. St. Leger, Sir giddy round of pleasure and gaiety. She William Gell, and the Hon. Keppel almost daily took part in a ball, masCraven, were her chamberlains; Dr. querade, festival, or fete. The English Holland was her physician, and Captain suite counselled her to pursue a course Hesse was her equerry; but before she of life more quiet and unexceptionable; left Brunswick, where she tarried but a but their advice was not followed, and few weeks, Mr. St. Leger resigned his they one by one all relinquished their office, and not many days afterwards posts, some to afterwards rejoin her, Lady Charlotte Lindsey followed his others to never more see her face. example. From Brunswick Caroline At this period she purchased the pretty travelled, under the assumed title of Villa d' Este on the lake of Como, and Countess of Cornwall, through Germany with her usual indiscretion-to use a to Switzerland. She made a short so- mild expression-elevated Bergami to journ at Geneva, and there passed much the dignity of her chief chamberlain, of her time in the company and corn- permitted him to a seat at her own table, panionship of Louisa Maria, consort of and conferred on him favours which, by Napoleon, the ex-emperor of France, the aid of a little exaggeration on the whose sense of propriety she shocked by part of her enemies were made to grime appearing before her one night at a dress her character with infamly. On finding ball, in an unbecoming costume, under that her English court were fast desertthe assumed character of Venus. ing her, and that all application to friends On the eighth of October, 1814, Ca- in England to fill the places of these deroline entered the city of Milan. Her serters were met by refusals, she apappearance there excited great curiosity pointed Italians to the vacant posts, till and interest, but her conduct failed to at length her whole suite became Italian, win for her the respect of those whose and few English ladies or nobles paid esteem a discreet princess would have her even the trifling honour of a commost prized. Here it was that the as- plimentary visit. pect of her household began to change Meanwhile, her hating husband in from English to foreign, and that she England was informed of the ill character appointed as one of her couriers the she left behind her in her wanderings; celebrated Italian, Bartholomew Ber- and although his own moral conduct gami, a pale-visaged, long-whiskered, was of the grossest kind, he resolved that but, withal, a fine handsome personage, at least his wife should not be permitted who, although poor, bore the imposing to infringe the laws of propriety and detitle of baron; was said to be a knight corum with impunity. The Duke of of Malta; had served in the etat-major Cumberland reported to him that, when of the troops commanded by Lieutenant- in Brussels, he had heard through White, General Count Pino, and ultimately the servant of Mr. Burrell, who had acbecame the most esteemed and favoured comnpanied the Princess in several of heiof Caroline's suite. Italian excursions, that her conduct at From Milan the giddy Countess of Milan had been infamous; and upon this Cornwall, as Caroline persisted in styling report the famous "Milan Commission" herself, proceeded forward, throughI ome was established, with all possible seto Naples, where she paid an ostenta- crecy, to watch and investigate her contious visit to the then Neapolitan King, duct. Caroline heard of their doings, Joachim Murat, who received her with denounced them, and justly so, as a set equal ostentation, and whose bust she of spies; but instead of being more cirafterwards crowned with laurel at a cumspect in her behaviour, foolishly acted masked ball, where, accompanied by Ber- as though she wished to court infamy, de 1030 CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK, dlaring that notling pleased her so well there instituting the chivalric order of St. as to perplex and mortify her annoying Caroline-a saint not to be found in the husband. calendar, but that to her was of no conOf Caroline's further wanderings but sequence —and of this new order creating' little need be said. In 1816she went to Bartholomew Bergami grand master, Jericho, both in fact and in the popular and her protege, young Austin, a knight, sense of the expression.. She set out she and her suite, seated on asses, set off in January: spent a month at Tunis; at to Jericho. But scarcely had they Athens generously liberated three hun- reached there, when the fierceness of the dred imprisoned debtors; was at Con- heat drove them back to Jaffa, where stantinople in June; a month after- they embarked and proceeded by sea to wards pitched her tent amidst the ruins Syracuse, whence they sailed to Rome, of Ephesus; thence wandered on to Acre, and after a brief stay in the "Eternal passed through Jaffa to Jerusalem, when City," returned in safety to the Princess's she visited the "Holy Places," and after Italian home on the Lake of Como. CHAPTER V. Caroline visits Vienna-Sojourns at Trieste —Watched closely by spies-Marriage and death of her daughter-Death of George II. —Accession of her husband by the title of George IV.-She is Queen Consort-The name omitted in the Liturgy -She resolves to come to England —7Te King offers her a princely revenue to reside on the Continent, and relinquish her queenly rights and title-She rejects the offer, and comes to England —The King institutes proceedings against her- Vain efforts to effect an amicable arrangement-The Reports of the Milan Commission examined by a secret committee of the Peers-Bill of Pains and Penalties brought into the House of Peers against Caroline-Thle House consents to hear her counsel -Her letter to the King on the subject-Trial-She attends the House whilst the bill is in progress-Overcome by the appearance of Majocchi-Evidence of witnesses -The defence-The bill relinquished by the government-Joy of the nation, sorrow of Caroline-She goes in state to St. Paul's-Numerous addresses presented to her -Claims a right to be crowned with the King -The right negatived-She protests against the decision-Is refused admittance to the coronation-The refusal breaks her heart —Visits Drury Lane Theatre-Death-Riots at her funeral procession -Body conveyed to Brunswick, and buried in the cathedral of St. Blaize. N 1819, Caroline paid character. During her wanderings, her a visittoVienna, but daughter had, in compliance with her meeting with only will, which in this instance did not run \l> SI X 1cool, contemptuous counter to that of her husband's, married; i1^1^^ itreatment in the Prince Leopold, and the news of the i Austrian capital, she marriage gave her joy; but when, seven hastily withdrew to months afterwards, the Princess Charlotte Trieste, and there died in giving birth to a still-born insojourned long enough to win for herself fant, the mournful intelligence overan ill name. Throughout her wander- whelmed her with sorrow. In 1820, the ings she was closely watched and dodged tidings of the death of George III., an by spies employed by the agents sent out event which made her Queen Consort of from England for that purpose; and she Great Britain, similarly affected her: she herself, weak Princess as she was, knew declared that in him she had lost more this to be the case, and yet gave them than a father; and as her name was inample occasion to report, as they did, tentionally omitted in the new prayer most unfavourably of her conduct and for the royal family in the Liturgy, and QU'EEN OF GEORGE TIHE FOURTHT. 1031 as further charges of misconduct were coming throngs that lined the road whiwhispered against her, she resolutely re- ther she went, pressed forward to Lonsolved immediately to return to England, don, where she arrived in the afternoon and throw herself on the generosity of of June the sixth; and as Lord Liverthat nation over whom she fondly hoped to pool had not even answered her letter bear sway as the consort of George IV. requesting that the government would This resolution equally surprised her provide a suitable habitation for her, she British friends and foes, as it was under- took up her residence at the house of stood that in the year previously an Alderman Wood, in South Audley Street. arrangement had been effected by which The same day, Lord Liverpool apshe had agreed that in the event of the peared in the House of Peers, and Lord Regent becoming King, she would re- Castlereagh in that of the Commons, main abroad and relinquish her title as each with a green bag, containing, it Queen, so long as the income settled was supposed, reports upon her Majesty's upon her by parliament was regularly conduct. During her absence from Engtransmitted to her. land, each delivered a message from the After travelling through part of Italy King to the assembled Houses, to the and France with tedious slowness and effect that the Queen, having returned difficulty, the result of the French mo- to England, his Majesty deemed it nenarch having commanded that no official cessary to communicate to them certain attention was to be paid her, the Queen- papers relative to her conduct, and whicl for such we must now designate Caroline he recommended to their immediate se-arrived at St. Omer's onthefirstof June, rious attention. The ministers made and there met Mr. Brougham, one of her this communication to parliament with legal advisers, and Lord Hutchinson, evident reluctance. They declared that the latter of whom submitted to her from " the King felt a most anxious desire to the ministry a proposal-at first verbal, avert, by all the means in his power, a nebut as she refused to so receive it, after- cessity as painful to the people as to his wards in writing-to the purport that his own feelings." Caroline's parliamentary Majesty would settle upon her ~50,000 friends, dreading lest some of the charges a year, on condition that she should re- against her might be substantiated, main abroad and never again visit any evinced a desire to avoid the opening of part of the British dominions, and that " that fatal green bag," as it was desigshe should relinquish the title of Queen nated by Mr. Wilberforce; whilst the of England, and use no other title be- highly moral and decorous, afraid of longing to the royal family of Britain; disclosures on both sides, were anxious but that if this proposal was not ac- that almost any course should be adopted cepted, all compromise would be re- rather than such a banquet of scandal fused, and immediately she landed in should be served up to the nation. HowEngland proceedings would be instituted ever, on the first of June, Mr. Brougham against her. These terms she rejected acquainted the Commons with her Mawith indignation, and immediately pro- jesty's reasons for returning to Engceeding with Alderman Wood, Lady land, and her willingness to meet her Anne Hamilton, and one or two other accusers, and submit her conduct to the attendants to Calais, there discharged most searching investigation. In the her Italian household, and embarked House of Peers Lord Liverpool moved with her little suite on board the Prince for the appointment of a secret committee Leopold sailing packet, which, with the to examine the reports relative to the royal standard floating in mid-air, the malpractices of the Queen whilst abroad, only regal honour paid to her, voyaged referred to in the King's message, and in safety across the channel to Dover, Lord Castlereagh made a similar motion where her Majesty was received with all in the Commons; but the appointment conceivable demonstrations of sympathy of the committee was adjourned, in the and loyalty. Caroline made no stay at hope that an amicable arrangement Dover, but hurrying through the wel. would be effected. 1032 CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK, Pending this adjournment, the Duke crown, and the reputation of her Maof Wellington and Lord Castlereagh, oni jesty; and, therefore, they recommended the part of the ministry, and Mr. that these charges should be made the Brougham and Mr. Denman, on the subject of a solemn legislative inquiry. part of the Queen, met; but after much Next day, Lord Darce presented a petidiscussion, failed to effect an adjustment. tion from the Queen to the assembled In fact, the proposition of the Duke peers, praying that her counsel might and Lord Castlereagh was preposterous; be forthwitl heard at the bar of tile they offered to her Majesty a revenue Iouse. The prayer of this petition of ~50,000 a year, in the hope that this was rejected; and immediately Lord princely bribe would induce her to re- Liverpool brought in his Bill of Pains linquishi her title, rights, and privilege and Penaltics, charging the Queen with as Queen, and reside abroad, with tile "an adulterous connection with Barthobrand of infamy upon her character; lomew Bergami, whom she had originterms which were a disgrace to the mi- ally enigaged in her service in a rmenial nistry, and which both the Queen and capacity, and with afterwards procuring her legal advisers rejected with scorn. for, and conferring upon, the said BerCaroline did not object to reside abroad, gami, orders of knighthood and titles of but she insisted on being acknowledged honour; and with conducting herself as Queen of lBritain, by her name ap- towards tle said Berzami witll indecent pearing in the liturgy, or by an equi. and offensive familiarity and freedom: valent, whllich would have the effect of and, therefore, praying the House to protecting her against the unfavourable enact that she should be deprived of tile inference to which she might be liable, rank and title of Queen, and that tle in leaving the country under the peculiar marriage between her and the King circumstance in whlicll she was placed; should be dissolved."'The day followand tile great majority of the people ing, another petition was presented from supported her against tile ministers in tie Queen, again desiring that her counthis demand. All efforts to accomplish sel might be heard, and this prayer was a private arrlangement hlaving failed, granted; but as it was generally underMr. Wilberforce was made tile agent of stood, that the Bill of Pains and Pethe strongest party in the Commons, and nalties was meant to intimidate tile he moved an address of tile House, pray- Queen into consenting to a compliance; ing the Queen to succumb; but the ma- to allow time for this object, it was aijority in fiavour of the motion was small, ranged that the next stage of the bill one hundred and twenty-four voted should not be taken till tie seventeenth against it; and when tile address was of August. Meanwhile, a copy of the presented to her Majesty, she replied, Bill was presented to her Majesty, by that " slie could not consent to the sa- Sir Thomias Tyrwhitt; and Lord lEskine crifice of any essential privilege, nor moved that tile House of Peers should withdraw her appeal to those principles forward to tile Queen a list of tile of public justice, which are alike tile witnesses against her. This motion safeguard of the highest and humblest being negatived, he, on tile twentyin the realm." fourth, presented a petition from CaroAll hlope of an amicable adjustment line, requestilng a specification of tile being thus crusiled, tlie secret committee time aind places, when and where, slhe of the House of Peers proceeded to in- liad commlitted the gross acts inputed spect tile documents contained in the to her. T'lis request was also refused; greatly-dreaded "green bag" on the and on tile seventh of August, Caroline twenty-eighth of June; and six days addressed a long letter to tle King. afterwards, they reported that the docu- From tilis letter, which was written esments laid before them, charged the pecially for the public eye, and not by, Queen with a continued series of unbe- but for, tile 2Queen, we make the subcoming and disgraceful acts, which deeply joined forcible extracts: affected the honour and dignity of the "As long as the protecting hand of QUEEN OF GEORGE THE FOURTH. 1033 your late ever-beloved, ever-lamented, inquisitors, spies, and informers, to disfather, was held over me, I was safe; cover, collect, and arrange matters of but the melancholy event which deprived accusation against your wife, without the nation of the active exertions of its any complaint having been conimunivirtuous King, bereft me of friend and cated to her. Let the world judge of protector, and of all hope of future the employment of ambassadors in such tranquillity and safety. To calumniate a business, and of the enlisting of foreign your innocent wife was now the shortest courts in the enterprise; but on the mea-, road to royal favour; and to betray her, sures which have been adopted to give was to lay the sure foundation of bound- final effect to those preliminary proceedless riches and titles of honour.....ings, it is for me to speak, it is for me Your court became much less a scene of to remonstrate with your Majesty, it polished manners and refined intercourse is for me to protest, it is for me to ap. than of low intrigue and scurrility. prize you of my determination to deSpies, bacchanalians, tale-bearers, and mand not to be subjected to sentence foul conspirators, swarmed in these pa- by the parliament passed in the shape of laces, which had before been the resort a law, but to a trial in a court where of sobriety, virtue, and honour. To the jurors are taken impartially from enumerate all the various privations and amongst the people, and where the promortifications which I had to endure, ceedings are open and fair. Such a all the insults which were wantonly trial I court; and to no other will I heaped upon me from the day of your willingly submit. If your Majesty elevation to the Regency to that of persevere in the present proceeding, I my departure for the Continent, would shall, even in the Houses of Parliament, be to describe every species of personal face my accusers; but I shall regard offence that can be offered to, and every any division they may make against me pain, short of bodily violence, that can as not in the smallest degree reflecting be inflicted on, any human being. Be- on my honour; and I will not, except reft of parent, brother, and father-in- compelled by actual force, submit to law, and having my husband for my any sentence which shall not be prodeadliest foe-seeing those who have nounced by a court of justice." promised me support bought by rewards This too truthful, but too maliciousto be amongst my enemies-restrained toned epistle, thus concludes: "Having from accusing my foes in the face of the left me nothing but my innocence, you world, out of regard to the character would now, by a mockery of justice, of the father of my child, and from a deprive me even of the reputation of desire to prevent her happiness from possessing that. The poisoned bowl being disturbed-shunned from motives and the poniard are means more manly of selfishness by those who were my than perjured witnesses and partial trinatural associates-living in obscurity bunals; and they are less cruel, inaswhilst I ought to have been the centre much as life is less valuable than honour. of all that was splendid; thus humbled, If my life would have satisfied your I had one consolation left, the love of Majesty, you should have had it on the my dear and only child. But, more condition of giving me a place in the inhuman than the slave-dealer, your same tomb with my child; but since Majesty tore my child from me, deprived you would send me dishonoured to the me of the power of being at hand to grave, I will resist the attempt with all succour her, took from me the possibility the means that it shall please God to of hearing her last prayers for her mo- give me." ther; and when you saw me bereft. The publication of this irritating forlorn, broken-hearted, chose that mo- letter proved of no service to the Queen, ment of woe for redoubling your perse- beyond that of keeping alive the popular cutions. Let the world pass its judg- ferment in her favour. In the language nient on the constituting of a commis- of the law, she "took nothing by her sion in a foreign country, consisting of motion;" but though, on the seventeenth 1034 CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK, of August, the "Queen's trial"-as the remember) Theodore Majocchi; and tho future proceedings in the House of moment he entered, the Queen, overPeers against Caroline was designated- come by the appearance against her of commenced, the Ministry allowed the one who owed her a deep debt of gratiQueen every facility of legal talents and tude, passionately exclaimed, "Oh, trapecuniary aid for her defence. Lord, ditoro!" (oh, traitor!)-and hurrying then plain Mr., Brougham was her out of the House, returned to her honme Attorney-General, Mr. Denman was her in a state of intense mental agitation. Solicitor-General, and the other counsel According to what was considered the were Dr. Lushington, Mr. Williams, most reliable portion of Majocchi's eviThomas Wild, and N. C. Tindal, all dence, Bergami attended Caroline in the eminent members of the legal profession. bath (but she wore a bathing-dress at At this period, Lord Liverpool privately these times), and, in the hot climate of expressed a hope that the Queen would the east, he slept under the same tent give way-but he was mistaken. Caro- in which she slept, on board of one of line's popularity at this period was the vessels in which they sailed; butthe great; numerous popular addresses were tent, on these occasions, was always presented to her, riots occurred in her partially open. The other portions of favour, and the Italian witnesses against Majocchi's evidence produced but little her, on landing at Dover, were roughly impression. He appeared to " speak by handled by a mob of her partizans, rote," and not from recollection. "Becomposed chiefly of women. She, rely- sides," remarks the writer of a letter ing on this popularity, stood firm to her in the Diary illustrative of the Court, purpose, and daily appeared, throughout &c., of George IV., "besides, I do the period of her trial, in the House of think he was a knowing rogue, who Peers, where accommodation befitting a forgot to remember many things which, Queen-consort was provided her. perhaps, might have changed the hue of At this period, her Majesty resided at his insinuations. I do not say that Brandenburgh House, Hammersmith, what he did say was not sufficient to and at a mansion in St. James's Square, induce a strong suspicion of guilt itself next door to the residence of her per- in the members of an English society, secutor in the Commons, Lord Castle- but this is the very thing complained of. reagh; and her progresses from, some- The Queen was in foreign society, in times one, sometimes both of these peculiar circumstances, and yet our state mansions, to the House, were witnessed Solomons judge of her conduct as if she by immense crowds of democrats or had been among the English." radicals-as they were then designated The other witnesses against Caroline -who vociferously shouted, " The -captains, boatmen, tradesmen, meQueen! The Queen! God save the chanics, labourers, chambermaids, and Queen!" and insulted every passer-by, others, many with long aliases to their who would not join in their cry. names-all swore to her having acted Although the "Queen's trial" com- with impropriety, at inns, on board ship, menced on the seventeenth of August, and in other places; and if the evidence on which day Caroline, for the first time, of some of them is to be accredited, she attended the House, and was treated by was really guilty of the crimes imputed the Peers as the Queen-consort of the to her by the crown. realm, nothing of im-ortance was done On the seventh of September, the till two days afterwards, when the at- case against the Queen closed on the torney-general opened the case for the part of the attorney-general, and the crown. The examination of witnesses further proceedings were adjourned till commenced on the twenty-first, but as the third of October, on which day Mr. much of their evidence was of a peculiar Brougham opened the defence of the nature, it, for decency's sake, will be Queen, in an eloquent and powerful passed over. The first witness called speech. Mr. Williams next commented was the notorious Non mni ricordo (I don't with great force and boldness on the QUEEN OF GEORGE THE FOURTH. 1035 evidence of her Majesty's accusers, and timent in the House so nearly balanced, numerous witnesses were called in the he felt it to be the duty of himself and Queen's behalf, whose sworn testimony, his colleagues not to proceed further in some instances, was in complete con- with the bill; he moved, therefore, that tradiction to that of the crown witnesses the question,'that the bill do pass,' -in fact, gross perjury there must have should not be put till that day six been on one side or the other, or, per. months." haps, on both. The evidence for the This abandonment of the Bill of Queen, however, proved of a character Pains and Penalties was received with so favourable, that ministers seriously considerable cheering by the House, contemplated relinquishing the bill. and celebrated in the metropolis and On the twenty-tlird of October, the other places by the ringing of bells, witnesses on her Majesty's behalf having illuminations, and other tokens of puball been examined, Mr. Denman sum- lie joy. med up for the defence in a long, lumi- But whilst the people rejoiced at the nous, energetic speech, and, on the fol- victory they had achieved, Caroline was lowing day, Dr. Lushington closed the suffering unspeakable anguish. She felt defence with an able address, embracing that the verdict of the peers, although a variety of topics but slightly noticed carried by only a small majority, had by the preceding advocates. The attor- condemned her, and, whether guilty or ney and the solicitor-general closed the not, branded on her character the indccase byskilful replies, and the debates lible mark of infamy. In the height of on the evidence commenced on the se- her grief, she exclaimed, with bitterness, cond of November and continued till the "The victory is not for me, but for the sixth, when the second reading of the nation. Oh, mine God! the ministry, bill was carried by 123 to 95. although forced to withdraw the dreadThe next day Caroline signed a pro- ful bill against me, first triumphed by test against this decision of the assem- carrying it. They say I am guilty, but bled peers, and whilst doing so, ex- they let me off to please the sovereign claimed aloud, "There, Caroline is Queen people. Oh, d-n! d-n!" She, howin spite of you!" The smallness of the ever, speedily rallied from this mood of majority in favour of the second reading gloom and grief, and boldly demanded of the bill, twenty-eight, further alarmed of the premier a residence befitting her ministers; but, after consultation, they rank and dignity. This demand was again resolved not to abandon the bill, politely refused, and immediately she and the House went into committee on again claimed to have her name inserted the divorce clause. Several of the bi- in the liturgy, and to receive the reshops and temporal peers had expressed venue of a queen consort. Next she retheir determination of voting against solved to publicly return thanks at St. the bill if this clause was not cut out of Paul's for the failure of the ministerial it; and, in consequence, Caroline's sup- efforts to crush her. She appointed the porters, to increase the number of their twenty-ninth of November for this obvotes at the third reading, now voted ject, due notice of which was given to for this clause, and caused its retention the proper officials of St. Paul's; but to be carried by a large majority. The the holy men of that cathedral, influmanceuvre, for such it really was, sue- enced by authority of the highest, receeded admirably. Upon tire division solved to make no change in the ordion the third reading of the bill, which nary service; and, but for the efforts of took place on the tenth of November, the Corporation of London, not the there appeared 108 for it and 99 against smallest preparations would have been it, being only a majority of nine-ex- made for her reception. At the apactly the number of cabinet peers-and, pointed time, Caroline set out, with her in consequence, Lord Liverpool re- very slender suite, from Brandenburgh marked, "that, in the present feeling of House, and, on the route to the cathe country, and with a division of sen- thcdral, her procession was gradually 1036 CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK, swollen by the addition of numbers of should be solemnized during the parher parliamentary and public friends liamentary recess; and immediately this and supporters. All London was abroad; determination became known to the the "City companies" were marshalled Queen, she further exasperated her husout to do her honour, and, contrary to band against her by claimiig a right to the expressed opinion of the cathedral be crowned with him as Queen Consort. functionaries, the multitude, wlho wel- Lord Liverpool wrote her that his Micomed her with hearty shouts and jesty had resolved that she should take huzzas, conducted themselves in a man- no part in the coronation ceremonial; ner becoming tie solemn occasion. Thus but sire persevered in her efforts to obtriumphantly Caroline proceeded to St. tain what she knew would never le Paul's, where the ordinary service was granted; and on the fourth of July the performed in her presence. But the privy council sat at the Cockpit, Whiteofficiating clergy neither offered up any hall, to hear counsel in support of her especial thanksgiving in her name, nor claim. Messrs. Brougham and Denman even in the general thanksgiving prayer spoke in her behalf at great length. read the paragraph —"particularly to They exerted their utmost to persuade those who desire now to offer up their their hearers that Caroline, as Queen praises and thanksgiving for thy late Consort, could demand to be crowned mercies vouchsafed unto them." In with her husband; but both the attorney fact, they showed by their conduct that and the solicitor-general fully demonthey wished it to be understood that the strated the fallacy of their arguments; Queen had no business to make a public and the lords of the council, after long offering of gratitude to God for her and solemn deliberation, decided that narrow escape from the snares laid for "the Queens Consort of this realm are her by her enemies. not entitled of right to be crowned at In this and the subsequent month, any time;" a decision which the King Caroline was literally inundated with was pleased to approve, and which congratulatory addresses, for the most was formally communicated to the part presented by bodies of artizans in Queen. procession; and the revolutionary tone Although foiled, Caroline was not siof some of'these addresses rather in- lenced; she demanded of Lord Sidmouth jured than benefitted the cause they were that suitable accommodation might be meant to serve. provided for her at the forthcoming coAs the annual income voted by the ronation, as she had resolved to be preparliament to Caroline, as Princess of sent at that ceremony. In a letter inWales, ceased on the death of George suiting to her dignity, Lord Sidmnouth III., the King, when he opened the replied, that the King had resolved that parliamentary sessions, in January, 1821, her request should not be granted. Sihe recommended to the House of Con. thlen wrote to the same purport to the mons that a revenue, as a separate Dukeof Norfolk, as Earl Marshal of Engmaintenance, should be settled upon her land, and he forwarded her letter to Lord Majesty. The proud Queen at first re- Howard of Effingham, the appointed fused to accept of any pecuniary allow- " acting Earl Marshal" at the coronaance until her name was inserted in the tion, who, with expressions of regret, liturgy; but as on this point the go- assured her Majesty that " under existvernment made a firm stand, and ob- ing circumstances it was impossible for tained a vote against her in both houses him to have the honour of obeying her of parliament, whilst she herself was commands." That no stone nlight be fast sinking into the depth of poverty, left unturned, the foolishly-persevering she, to the disappointment of many of Queen next caused it to be notified to her friends, gave way, and an annuity the Archbishop of Canterbury that she of ~50,000 a year was settled upon her. desired to be crowned at Westminster at The royal inauguration next became an early day after the inauguration of the all-absorbing topic. In May, it was the King, and before the fittings and apdetermined that the King's coronation pointments for that ceremonial had been QUEEN OF GEORGE THE FOURTH. 1037 taken down. The primate replied, that clared that his instructions were to adbeing the King's servant, it was his duty mit no one without a peer's ticket. to only obey the commands of his royal' Did you ever hear of a Queen being master on tile subject in question; and asked for a ticket before?" demanded immediately afterwards the Queen pub- Lord Hood. " This is your Queen." lished a long and spirited protest against "My orders," replied the door-keeper, the decision of the privy council. This " are general, and without any excepprotest, which was addressed to the King, tions; I have never been in a similar and was too crowded with harsh threats, situation before, and can say nothing as remonstrances, and revilings to serve any to the propriety or impropriety of repurpose beyond that of further protract- fusing her Majesty admission." ing the public excitement, was drawn up " I present to you your Queen," reby Caroline's legal adviser, who hoped joined Lord Hood, with warmth; " do that as her dignity had now been suffi- you refuse her admission?" ciently vindicated, she would not hazard "Yes, I an your Queen, and wish to any further steps in the matter. In fact, be admitted," joined in the degraded this, it is said, was Mr. Brougham's ad- Caroline. vice to her; but to such advice she turned " My orders are imperative," repeated a deaf ear. the door-keeper, "and therefore, however The coronation, one of the most splen- willing to oblige her Majesty, I dare not did on record, was to be solemnized on the suffer her to pass without a ticket." nineteenth of July; and about half-past At this moment Lord Iood exclaimed, five on the morning of that day, her "I have a ticket!" and on producing Majesty, accompanied by Lord and Lady it, the door-keeper observed that it would Hood and Lady Anne HIamilton, pro- admit but one individual. Caroline felt ceeded in her state carriage, dra;wn by half inclined to enter alone, but as the six horses, through St. Janes's Park to door-keeper declared that no prel)araWestminster. On her way she was loudly tions had been made for her reception, greeted with the cry of "The Queen! she, half laughinlg, half crying, with the Queen for ever!" mingled, however, mortification, resolved to return to her with occasional hisses. At Westminster carriage. At this moment some one in Hall gate her Majesty alighted, and, ac- the door-way burst into a loud derisive companied by Ladies Hood and Ilamil- laugh, which drew from Lord Hood the ton, and leaning on the arm of Lord observation, that in such a place lie exHood, proceeded to the door leading to pected to meet with decorous conduct, and the Speaker's house, when the mistake not insult toward a sovereign. Caroline being discovered, she turned round, and had not proceeded many paces, when she followed by a multitude of people, who passed through a bevy of noble ladies, were anxious to witness the result, who were going to the Abbey with ascended to the platform, along which tickets, but who took not the slightest persons with peers' tickets passed into notice of her. She was followed from the abbey. Here their tickets were de- the platform by a crowd, of whom some mnanded by an officer in command of the praised and others blamed her conduct. soldiery drawn across the platform; but On entering her carriage, she was greeted Lord Iood declared that lie had authority from the windows and balconies by hisses to be there, and presenting a paper to the and cries of "Shame! shame! off! off!"' officer, satisfied him, and the Queen and but, as before, the excited mob cheered her attendants were suffered to pass on. her with unbounded enthusiasm. After more blundering, the way being On returning home, Caroline, with a led by a posse of constables and the mob flood of tears, bitterly bewailed this the to the passage leading to the kitchen, greatest ot her humiliations. She felt Caroline and her suite at last reached that her degradation was now sealed,. the Abbey entrance at Poet's Corner, and the mortification killed her. Her where Lord Hood demanded admission health, which for some time had been de. for the Queen. The door-keeper de- dining, from this hour rapidly gave way. 1038 CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK, Eleven days after admittance to the through the city; but to all inquiries and coronation had been rudely refused her, entreaties on the subject, the governshe visited Drury Lane Theatre, but ment returned one stereotyped replywas too ill to sit out the performance. their arrangements had been made in This was her last appearance in public: compliance with the King's wish, and on the second of August a bulletin, issued were irrevocable. by her medical attendant, announced Accordingly, on the fourteenth of that she was suffering from a dangerous August, her Majesty's remains were coninternal malady; other bulletins pro- veyed, with but little funeral pomp, and claimed the fact that she grew worse a military escort, from Brandenburgh and worse, and it soon became evident House, Ilammersmith, where had been that her dissolution was at hand. She held the ceremony of lying in state, with herself from the first pronounced her the intention of proceeding by Baysillness mortal. She repeatedly expressed water, the New Road, and Islington, to a wish to die; and having signed her Romford, and thence by the direct road will, ordered her diary to be burned, and to larwich, the port of embarkation. spoken kindly and charitably of every But the people declared that they, and one, she calmly expired at half-past ten not the King (as had been announced), in the morning, on the seventh of Au- would have to pay the funeral charges; gust, surrounded by Lord and Lady and with a determination that their exHood and Lady Anne Hamilton, whilst pressed will for the procession to pass near at hand were her legal advisers and through the city should be complied medical attendants, with Alderman Wood with, they collected in vast crowds.'he and one of his sons. She died in the morning was murky and stormy; rain fifty-fourth year of her age, a martyr to poured down in torrents, and inundated her own folly and to the harsh persecu- the streets with mud; but, spite rain, tions of her unprincipled husband, who, mud, and military escort, the multitude, because he hated her, strained every with wild hurrahs, demonstrated their nerve to punish her presumed violation gigantic power by constructing a barriof the marriage vow, whilst he claimed cade at Church Street, Kensington, imputation for being himself a most un- which forced the procession to proceed clean, vicious adulterer. in the direct route to the city. The Life Caroline bequeathed nearly the whole Guards and Sir R. Baker, the chief poof her property to her protege, William lice magistrate at iBow Street, speedily Austin, who survived her but a short arrived, with the intention of dispersing while; and she also willed that, three the determinedmob —but this they found days after her death, her body, which to be impossible; and when, in compliwas not to be opened, was to be con- ance with orders in the meantime reveyed to Brunswick, and there buried; ceived from the government, they endeaand that on her coffin was to be in- voured to conduct the procession through scribed, "To the memory of Caroline the Kensington gate of Hyde Park into of Brunswick, the injured Queen of the Edgeware Road, the people took England." Her executors were Dr. forcible possession of the gate, closed Lushington and Mr. Wilde; and the and barricaded it, and with tumultuous government offended both them and the shouts of victory, again forced the authopublic by undertaking the funeral ar- rities to proceed with the coffin in the rangements, and resolving that the pro- required direction. But again ministers cession should not pass through the city. despatched an imperative order to Sir A harsh correspondence took place R. Baker to conduct the procession between the ministers and the Queen's through the Park by some one of the friends as to when and how the royal roads into the Edgeware Road. Strenucorpse should be conveyed to Brunswick. ous efforts were made to carry out this The lord mayor and corporation of order. At first every avenue was London expressed an earnest wish to effectually blocked up by the people, join the funeral cortege in its passage who loudly shouted, "The city! the QUEEN OF GEORGE THE FOURTH. 1039 city!" Speedily the struggle became conductors, along Tottenham Court Road fiercer; stones and sticks were resorted and down Drury Lane into the Strand. to, the line of procession was broken, The people now felt that victory was and whilst the combatants were fighting theirs; and when at length the royal for the mastery at Park Lane, Mr. Bailey, remains were carried under Temple Bar, the undertaker, seized a favourable mo- they rent the air with loud, long, and ment to rush with the coffin through deafening shouts of triumph. At Temthe gate into the Park. The military pie Bar the lord mayor and aldermen followed, and the authorities conducted joined the procession, and they proceeded the procession across the Park to Cum- with it to Whitechapel, the eastern limit berland Gate; but here, again, the ex- of the city. Thus the people, although cited multitude had collected in a dense repeatedly beaten back, and once remass. They held the gate, and hooted pulsed with loss of life, finally triumphed. and pelted at the military, till at last the The authorities, at the risk of inciting a irritated Life Guards fired and killed revolution, held out to the last; they two men and wounded several others. yielded only to sheer force; and yet a The people, after flinging a shower of month afterwards Sir R. Baker was destones thick as hail at the soldiery, now prived of his office, and Major-General gave way, and the procession pushed Sir Robert Wilson was dismissed his hurriedly forward past the wounded in Majesty's service. triumph, and shaped their course into From Whitechapel, London, the and along the New Road. But the mourners, Mr. Austin, Lord and Lady multitude, now joined by several of the Hood, Lady Anne Hamilton, Count Vasmourners, who had left the procession to sali, and Dr. and Mrs. Lushington, foltake part in the perilous contest, sud- lowed the royal remains to Harwich. denly rushed forward, and at Tottenham From this port the Pioneer schooner Court Road tore up the stones, and proceeded with the corpse of the lamented effectually blocked up every street saving Caroline of Brunswick to Cuxhaven, those which led to the city; and towards whence it was conveyed up the Elbe and the city the procession was forced to the Schwinde to Stade, from which place proceed, amidst deafening shouts of po- it was carried with due respect to Brunspular triumph and execration. To turn wick, and there, on the twenty-fourth of in any other direction was found to be August, interred, with solemn funeral impossible; every street and alley lead- rites, in the cathedral of St. Blaize, in the ing into the suburbs was effectually bar- vaultwhere rest the remains of her heroic ricaded; and thus the procession was father and brother, the former of whom driven forward, spite the efforts of its fell at Jena, the latter at Quatre Bras. ADELAIDE OF SAXE-MEININGEN, autrI nUf Wiltlialt tlr furts CHAPTER I Parentage-Birth —Disposition-Father dies-Arrival in England-Marriage to the Duke of Clarence-Journey to Hanover-Daughter born prematurely-The infant dies- Tour to Saxe-~leiningen-Journey to England- Miscarriage-.Residence at JMalmer Castle, at St. James's, and at Bushy-Daughter Elizabeth born -Dies-Indisposition occasioned by the bereavement-More tours on the Continent -Residence at Bush!y-Domestic life-Income increased on the death of the Duke of York-Accession of her husband-Career as Queen of Britain commencesCoronation-First introduction in public as Queena-Popularity —ppointment to the rangership of Bushy Park-Kindness to the natural children of the King her husband —Character assailed-Popularity declines-Regency Act-Conduct to the Princess Victoria-Mother dies —Husband, William IV., becomes unwellDies. 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