Columbia (Bntoergftp mtijeCitpofJtogork THE LIBRARIES GEORGE THE THIRD, HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. LONDON . PRINTED BY S. & R. BENTLEY, DORSET-STREET, SALISBURY-SQUARE. hi.-. . ia.i h.vrr (i E DEGE III- I.okX MA3 2*, L738. OS. _I»IED JAM. 29. L620. GEORGE THE THIRD HIS COURT AND FAMILY. " HIS LIFE A LESSON TO THE LAND HE SWAYED." A NEW EDITION. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON : HENRY COLBURN AND CO. PUBLIC LIBRARY, CONDUIT STREET, HANOVER SQUARE. 1,821. / PREFACE. To record the Important National Events, fo- reign and domestic, of the long and varied Reign of George the Third, must remain a task for the pen of History, when passion and prejudice shall be, in some measure, extinct, and when Truth shall alone he sought for and investigated, in the public and private documents of Britain, and of her potent rivals. But the pen of Biography, independent of the impulse of general curiosity which calls it in- stantly into exercise, must seek and arrange its materials upon the spur of the moment, whilst minor and more minute events are floating on the stream of living recollection, ere they pass into the ocean of forgetfulness. It is to Biography that History owes those ac- cessories which not only unite, but often illustrate, the greater events which she finds, though accu- rately recorded, yet imperfectly connected with the individuals who have been the most powerful, V1 PREFACE. though not apparently the most active agents in their developement. In this point of view, Truth must be the first object of the Biographer, and has been so through- out the preparation of the following Work, dur- ing a course of many years' close observation and sedulous research antecedent to the lamented event which has permitted its presentation to public notice. To invest with chronological precision accu- racy of statement, an annual division has been resorted to in connexion with that of Sections. Every possible source of information, verbal or written, has been consulted ; and it has been preferred in several instances, rather to insert observations and reflections entire, than to incur the charge of plagiarism by a mere change of Ian guage. In fact, whoever undertakes a work of this nature, and wishes to preserve the spirit of the era which he describes, must feel rather as the Editor than the Author, whilst availing himself of that information which lies scattered before him in his varied research. In the following pages, those national events in which our revered Sovereign was personally, PREFACE. Vll or rather individually, engaged, have been prin- cipally regarded ; but political discussions have been generally avoided, except where particu- larly and personally called for — and even there, Impartiality and Candour, it is hoped, will be found to have guided the pen; though it must be acknowledgd there are points on which im- partiality would almost cease to be a virtue — or at least where silence would have implied a dereliction of duty. Finally — if in future times the question shall be asked " How did Britain preserve her moral, as well as her political, empire, amidst the wreck of nations ? " it is hoped the present work will be found to have contributed somewhat towards fur- nishing a reply, by its illustration of the Private Life and Domestic Virtues of GEORGE THE THIRD. Erratum. In page 328, vol. I. for 24-th, line 3, read 29th of September. CONTENTS. VOL. I. SECTION I. Introduction. Anecdotes of the Brunswick Family and ac- cession. Advantages thence resulting. Line of family descent. Anecdotes of George I. Of George II. Of Fre- derick Prince of Wales, &c. &c. &c. Demise and Cha- racter of Queen Caroline. Birth of Prince George. 1738 _/ Page 1—73. SECTION II. / Royal baptism. Public address. Domestic anecdotes. Anec- dotes of infancy. Royal reconciliation. Political arrange- ments. Downfal of Walpole. Further anecdotes of George II. Early genius of the Prince. Commencement of edu- cation. Religious and constitutional principles. Curious anecdotes of the Pretender. Patriotic conduct of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Anecdotes of education. Dramatic representations. Entrance into public life. Courtly patron- age of literature. Character and anecdotes of the Prince of Wales. His death. Its consequences. Prince George created Prince of Wales, as heir-apparent. Anecdotes of the Princess Dowager. Political education. Lord Bute. x CONTENTS. Domestic anecdotes. Mr. Pitt. Prince comes of age. En- couragement of native manufactures by the court at Lei- cester House. Anecdotes of Walpole. Anecdotes of Handel. Sailing-matches patronized. Royal visits to the principal manufactories in Spitalfields, &c. Anecdotes of Glover and Bp. Newton. British Fishery Company patronized. Death and character of George II. Accession of George III— 1700 Page 74— 197. SECTION III. Measures of the new King. Appropriate conduct in council and at court. Patriotic declarations. Proclamation and addresses. Domestic arrangements. Parliamentary anec- dotes. Theatrical and courtly anecdotes. Matrimonial arrangements. Popular feelings. Lord Bute. Royal ora- tory. Quin. Constitutional conduct. Judges. Literary and political anecdotes. Matrimonial treaty. Anecdotes and character of the Princess of Mecklenburgh Strelitz. Royal marriage. Anecdotes. Coronation. Visit of the Pretender. Pitt resigns. Royal visit to the City on Lord Mayor's-day. Domestic arrangements. Encouragement of learning, and of nautical discovery. Birth of the Prince of Wales. General peace. Public discontent, and state of parties. Wilkes. Courtly reforms. American question, and royal opinions. Anecdotes of benevolence. Whimsi- cal petitions. Alarming indisposition. Princess Dowager. Princess Caroline, Queen of Denmark. Rousseau. John- son. Warburton. Court mournings shortened, and encou- ragement of British manufactures. American war. En- couragement of art and science. Party politics. Lord North. Civic anecdotes. Quarrel and convention with Spain. Close of 1770 Page 198—377. SECTION IV. Education of royal offspring. Change of preceptors. Courtly and political anecdotes. Voyages of discovery. Cook CONTENTS. xi and Banks. Revolution in Denmark. Death of Princess Dowager of Wales. Anecdotes and character. Royal Marriage Bill. Royal attention to public decorum. Do- mestic anecdotes and arrangements. Expedition to North Pole. Royal visit to dock-yards. Literary condescension and encouragement. Dr. Beattie. Sir Joshua Reynolds. • Foundation of Royal Academy. Style of royal life in the country. Favourite royal studies. Mental improvement of the royal progeny. Royal anecdotes. Disputes with the Corporation of London. Conspiracy against the King. North-west passage, and proposed voyage. Change of princely preceptors. Proposed literary order of knight- hood. Arrangement and increase of civil list. Assault of a maniac. Parliamentary provision for the younger branches. Naval reviews at Chatham, Portsmouth, &c. Domestic anecdotes. Military reviews. Anecdotes of Garrick, &c. Charitable exertions. Curious political anecdotes of Pitt and Bute. Royal feelings towards Ire- land. Conduct towards Reynolds. Theatrical anecdotes. Ditto of Howard. Ditto of the Sovereign. Riots of 1780. Anecdotes of Sir George Saville. Meritorious and spi- rited conduct of the King. Sunday-schools. Anecdotes of the Queen. Close of 1780 Page 378— 477. VOL. II. SECTION V. First appearance of Pitt and Sheridan. Political firmness of the King. Royal attention to military services. Strict re- gard to promises. Episcopal anecdote. Naval visit to the Nore. Foreign education of the younger branches. Ex- traordinary activity and temperance of the King. Resig- nation of Lord North. Royal feelings at the conduct of xii CONTENTS. new ministry, and at Burke's Bill. Encouragement of science. Anecdotes of Herschel. General peace. Anec- dote of royal forbearance. Franklin. Adams. Coalition of North and Fox. Coalition anecdotes. Short ministry of twenty-four hours. Prince's debts. Mental effects of po- litical squabbles. Royal sufferings from the coalition. India Bill. Royal anecdotes of ditto. Anecdotes of Fox. Pitt comes into power. Parliamentary Anecdotes. Great Seal stolen. Commemoration of Handel. Civil list arrears, Restoration of forfeited estates. Improvements at Rich- mond and Windsor. Familiar visit to Egham races, Anec- dotes. Royal visit to Oxford. Inclement winter, and royal charities, interesting anecdote of benevolence. Courtly anecdotes. Royal patronage of Mrs. Siddons and Mrs. Bil- lington. Courtly baptism. Embarrassments and manly conduct of heir-apparent. Affair of Hastings. Diamond anecdote. Attempted assassination. Margaret Nicholson. Royal fortitude and mercy. Parallel case of Queen Elizabeth. Second visit to Oxford. Archduke and Duchess of Austria visit Windsor. Peter Pindar. Royal attention to West India colonies. Bread fruit-tree trans- planted. Royal letters on agriculture. Visit to Whit- bread's brewery. Proclamation against immorality. Dangerous accident. Anecdotes of Bishop Hurd, Lord Eldon, &c. Dr. Maclaine. Curious literary anecdote. Visit to Cheltenham. Visit to Worcester. Triennial meeting of the choirs. Anecdotes. Royal illness. Poli- tical anecdotes. Royal recovery. Royal devotions. Ge- neral thanksgiving. Fete at Windsor. Public demon- strations of joyful loyalty. Procession to St. Paul's. Celebration of recovery in Germany. Royal birth-day. Courtly Anecdotes.' Judge Hardinge. Visit to Wey- mouth. Anecdotes of tour. Anecdotes of residence. Royal familiarity and condescension. Rural excursions. Naval and military reviews. Nautical anecdotes of royal family. Yankee impertinence rebuked. Visit to CONTENTS. xiii Plymouth. Travelling anecdotes. Threatening letters, and royal fortitude. Assault in proceeding to Parlia- ment. First mail-coach procession. Royal attention to arts and literature. Sir Joshua Reynolds. Mr. West. General view of royal domestic, and political character. Illustrative anecdotes. General conduct of the Queen. Effects of royal conduct on general society. Anecdotes, courtly, literary, scientific, domestic, and political. Ditto of Lord Liverpool; Bishop Watson; royal dedications; presents to public societies; agriculture, botany, &c. &c. &c— Close of 1790 Page 1—213. SECTION VI. Repeated assaults of maniacs. Visit to Weymouth. Royal importation of Merinos. Nuptials of the Duke of York. Courtly etiquette observed in family visits. French revo- lution. Death of Pretender. Royal liberality. Chinese embassy. Royal intentions respecting ditto. Anecdotes of royal benevolence. Handsome conduct towards the Guards. Embarkation of troops for continental service. Royal visit to Greenwich. Botanical anecdotes. Mr. Aiton. War with France. Elected King of Corsica on 1st June. Visit to Spithead. Naval anecdotes. Lord Howe. Treasonable conspiracies. Nuptials of Prince of Wales. Royal charities. Assault whilst proceeding to Parlia- ment. Affair of Kyd Wake. Royal fortitude. Charac- teristic anecdotes. Anecdote of clerical addresses. Fur- ther insults and assaults. Eton montem. Libels. King's consistent and spirited conduct respecting negotiations for peace. South Sea presents. Anecdotes of art. Sir Wil- liam Beechey. London addresses and disputes respecting petitioning. Nuptials of Princess Royal. Political anec- dotes. Secession of the Whigs from Parliament. Volun- teer reviews. Visit to North Sea fleet. Naval mutiny. Thanksgiving for victories. Procession to St. Paul's. Irish rebellion. Seditious meetings. Fox struck off the XIV CONTENTS. list of privy councillors. Orange family. Anecdotes. Volunteer review in Hyde Park. Circuit of military re- view round the metropolis. Volunteer reviews at Wim- bledon and Maidstone. Lord Romney. Excursion to Weymouth. Naval anecdotes of royalty. Military re- views. Domestic habits of royalty at Weymouth. Re- view in Hyde Park. Alarming accident. Visit to theatre. Hadfield fires at the King. Royal fortitude, and judi- cious conduct. Public feelings. Birth-day and grand volunteer review. Union of the empire. Epistle from Buonaparte as First Consul. Visit to Weymouth in 1S0O. Royal anecdotes, Curious anecdote of an Ame- rican quaker. King's fondness for Princess Charlotte. Military and naval reviews. Catholic emancipation, and royal sentiments. Violent illness. Close of 1800 .Page 214—315. SECTION VII. Royal recovery and birth-day. Visit to Weymouth in 1801. Domestic anecdotes. Peace of Amiens. Royal anec- dotes respecting it. Courtly baptism. Maltese anecdote. Clerical anecdotes. Dean Vincent. Residence at Wind- sor. Private life of the King. Gothic improvements in Windsor Castle. Improvements at Kew and Richmond, War with France. British patriotism. National exer- tions. Grand volunteer reviews in 1803. Interferes with Royal Academic disputes. Royal correspondence respect- ing Prince of Wales's military service. Illness. Anec- dotes of mercy. Royal tour to Weymouth. Various il- lustrative royal anecdotes. Attention to the comforts and discipline of the army. Imperial letter of Buonaparte. Fete at Windsor Castle. Installation of the Garter. Characteristic anecdotes. Princess of Wales at Windsor. Visit to Chelsea. Trip to Weymouth, with numerous characteristic anecdotes. Death of the Duke of Glou- cester. Death of Pitt and Fox. Domestic life at Wind- CONTENTS. xv sor Castle. Catholic question. Royal resolution and con- sistency. Ministerial changes. Extinction of the royal line of Stuart. War with America. Kindness to exiled family of France. Spanish revolution. Present of me- rinos from the Junta. Affair of delicate investigation. Charges against the Duke of York. Demi-centenary ju- bilee of royal reign. Civic disputes respecting addresses. Royal residence and anecdotes at Windsor. Death of Princess Amelia. Parental conduct of his Majesty, Final illness. Contest of parties. Regency established. Close of 1810 Page 316—396. SECTION VUI. Ceremonial of Regency. Progress of royal disorder. Political arrangements. Magnanimous conduct of the Prince Re- gent. Hopes of recovery. Medical and political anec- dotes. Hopes of recovery relinquished. Personal anec- dotes. Mental and bodily state of royal sufferer. Death of the Queen. Royal demise Page 397.— 444. INDEX, Page 445. PLATES. VOL. I. King George the Third Tofuce the Title King George the Fourth p. 288 Duke of Clarence 319 Duke ofKent 341 Princess Augusta Sophia 347 Duchess of Hesse Homberg 374 Duke of Cumberland 384 Duke of Cambridge 424 Duchess of Gloucester 440 Princess Sophia « 449 c VOL. II. Queen Charlotte To face the Title Prince Alfred 13 Prince Octavius 30 Duke of York 216 Duke of Sussex 237 Queen of Wirtemburgh 271 Princess Amelia 388 Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold 416 GEORGE THE THIRD. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY, SECTION I. Introductory Remarks — Anecdotes of Brunswick Family, and Accession — Advantages thence resulting — - Line of Family Descent — Anecdotes of George I. — George II. — of Frederick, Prince of Wales, fyc. §c. fyc. — Demise, Anecdotes, and Character of Queen Caroline — Birth of Prince George — 1738. Britain, once more in tears, has now to lament the most venerable and venerated Monarch that ever sat upon her throne, either in her former divided, or her more recent united, state. Scarce an eye now weeps for him, that did not first open to the blaze of day amidst the splendour of his reign — not a heart throbs with regret for his loss, that has not to attribute the gratification and security of its best affections, to the pater- nal care, and patriotic resolution, of that Monarch, VOL. I. b Z GEORGE THE THIRD, in his spirited and persevering opposition to the introduction of principles subversive of all domestic happiness and tranquillity. Through a life extended to the age of eighty -two, and a reign of sixty years, he gave a glorious example of public worth and of private virtue. His whole time, from the age of twenty-two, down to the la- mented period when seclusion became imperative, was spent either in the severe and exemplary discharge of his public duties of every description, or in the bosom of his family amidst domestic sources of enjoyment. To this, it is added by the pen of one, not an inaccurate observer of the events " of his own time," that in his agricultural occupations, or when engaged in the diversions of the field, he was seen often by the few who, from their official situations or dignity, had access to his person ; but he was rarely found in splendid assemblies, or at festive entertainments, where beauty, rank, and pleasure, might have familiarized him more with the world, and, equallizing him in some measure with his guests, have presented him to their view divested of the forms and reserve of royalty. Even when a young man, he never fre- quented masquerades, then so much in fashion ; nor ever engaged in play ; and, in fact, never manifest- ed any wish to spend his evenings in such society as, on a cursory view, might have appeared best calculated to unbend his mind, either from the HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. d fatigues of business, the forms of state, or the more annoying vexations of party. To him, indeed, ceremony seems to have been always unpleasant; so that all the common splendour of a court was totally laid aside, with the exception of a few hours' exhibition on the birth-days, or particular levees. Public amusements, the theatre excepted, had for him no charms. Temperance always pre- sided at his table ; and therefore he very seldom, either at home or abroad, sat down with his mi- nisters or nobles ; latterly, indeed, he even dined alone, though he always joined his family at their repast : but though he thus lived in private, he did not live, as has been said, in Asiatic seclusion; the simple, unguarded Lodge, at Windsor, was long his residence, and the Terrace his evening levee. Previous to his unhappy malady, a reign of twenty-eight years, marked by the most engaging condescension, and by the easy familiarity of the gentleman, had rendered the royal character inti- mate to every order of his subjects ; and although the earlier parts of his reign, in some respects, may have proved inauspicious to the empire, yet the events that rendered them so were never im- puted either to want of ability, or of virtue, in the Sovereign himself. If we examine his career, independent of foreign or of party politics, we may observe that fortitude, b2 4 GEORGE THE THIRD, equanimity, lenity, benignity, and all the virtues that adorn the humble walks of private life, may be traced in the family annals of George the Third, accompanying him through every period of his sovereignty. Let us recollect, that it is to his patriotism we are indebted for the independence of the Judges, and for much of that equal ad- ministration of justice which flows, in a pure un- tainted stream, through every part of our extended empire. Let us recollect, that whatever might be the charges that were brought against him on one occasion, of want of liberality, and of religious obstinacy, yet it is to him it may be imputed, that bigotry and superstition have fled before the spirit of toleration. Of the more useful and scientific pursuits, let it be remembered, that even from the commence- ment of his youthful reign, geography has been enlarged, beyond all former boundaries, through the medium of his patronage. If, in the elegan- cies of art, or in the developement of science, he has not personally rivalled the house of Medici, we ought to bear in mind that such personal ex- ertions were from him less necessary ; as the moral feelings, the improved taste, the mental energies, and the accumulating capital of his sub- jects, always went hand in hand with the general patronage and attention which he paid to the arts and sciences ; perhaps thus affording more real HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 5 stimulus to exertion, than if the surplus arising from his domestic economy had been expended upon the efforts of a few. Kings are seldom personally loved by those who surround them. Their foibles are too often magni- fied into faults, and the necessary rejection of many favours asked from them, is too often a drawback upon that affection which they might otherwise inspire. From kings too much is always expected. Our lamented Monarch possessed an understanding which, if not of a brilliant, lively, or imposing de- scription, was yet solid and sedate, and fitted him admirably for the extensive duties of his high rank. Unfortunately, to this useful, and even favourable turn of mind, his manners did great in- justice. Bred up singly and solely, without an equal amongst his companions, and flattered by his attendants, the heir apparent to a throne has no opportunity of acquiring that manliness of de- portment which other boys are forced to assume, in order to be the preservers of their own con- sequence at a public school, and in their subse- quent intercourse with the world, where, however high their rank, they meet innumerable rivals, both amongst the nobility and gentry. It is not sur- prising, therefore, that a prince, who may be said to find his dignity waiting for him, should fail to acquire a proper confidence of manner, and that he should be in some measure destitute of orna- / GEORGE THE THIRD, mental and adventitious endowments. Hence we ma^ easily account in our late Monarch, for the oscillations of his body upon state occasions, the occasional inelegance of his movements, the hurried articulation to which he was generally subject, and most particularly the style of his con- versation, consisting principally of rapid questions, which seldom waited for an answer : in fact, the style in which a prince is educated, and the reserve to which he is accustomed, on the part of others, in conversation, oblige him not only to use that mode of address, on subjects where he wishes for information, but even to think in the same style, from habit, and to adopt it when he wishes to express sentiments already formed. If these peculiarities ever led casual observers to doubt the soundness of his late Majesty's judg- ment, or the strength of his faculties, such was not the case with those who came in closer con- tact with him ; to which many ministers, especi- ally Mr. Fox, bore ample testimony. With respect to the acquirements of education, we may briefly state that he was well acquainted with modern history, especially that of England, France, and Germany. Classical literature was perhaps less an object of attention to him; but in modern languages he was well versed, and spoke French, German, and Italian, with facility. In writing, his style was easy, and remarkable for HIS COU&T, AND FAMILY. 7 brevity and perspicuity, displaying good sense, firmness, principle, consistency, and self-posses- sion. Of art and science he possessed a general knowledge, but he displayed a taste in mechanics of a very superior order. In music, he was al- most an enthusiast; and his skill in painting and architecture prompted him to patronage much beyond what the world is in general acquainted with. If to these we add a relish for hunting, acquired towards middle life, together with his farming and agricultural pursuits, it is evident that the listlessness of royalty or high rank could never attack him, whilst his mind was in its natural state of quiescence and freedom from morbid irri- tability. To his fondness for agriculture, indeed, much of our present prosperity may be attributed ; for he brought it into fashion : and to his praise- worthy example we are in a great measure in- debted for the exertions of our most celebrated agriculturists, and for the widely-diffused benefits both of their theories and practice. No trait more strongly marks the reign of our deceased Monarch than the universal and enthu- siastic loyalty which has always, upon great oc- casions, been felt, and often ardently manifest- ed, by the people of the British empire towards their Sovereign. It is certainly true that the defalcation of the American colonies forms one 8 GEORGE THE THIRD, strong exception ; and that at every period of his long reign there have been individuals found who could so far forget truth and decorum, as to point both the pen and the pencil against his per- son and character— nay, some few to offer him personal insult, and even to attempt his life. But notwithstanding these exceptions, the general position will not be denied ; and it has been well observed, that as versatility of temper forms too large a part of the character of the nation, the monarch who permanently fixes their affections, certainly ought to have credit for the possession of many virtues. " Of our revered Sovereign, even while living, we were, from the melancholy circumstances attending his seclusion, enabled to speak in terms of the lofti- est panegyric, without being suspected of design- ing to win his personal regard, or to promote our individual interests: and we may now be permitted still more explicitly to say, that probably no na- tion ever owed more to the personal virtues of a monarch, than we are indebted to those of him who is the theme of this memoir. Very few sove- reigns have more assiduously thrown the splen- dour of the throne around the institutions of re- ligion. He was one of the few monarchs of his time who never missed family devotions. And the influence of this example, we may venture to add, has been such as, under the blessing of Di- HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. b) vine Providence, we had a right to anticipate. Perhaps no reign in the annals of our history has been marked by a more rapid progress in piety and morals. Benevolent and religious institutions have multiplied with incredible rapidity. As ma- ny Bibles and Prayer-books are now distributed in this kingdom in a single year, as were before circulated in ten times that period. Nor are our exertions confined to these realms. The national piety and benevolence have, as it were, spurned the national confines, and, overleaping seas and mountains, have made all nations participators in our spiritual and temporal blessings." During this period too, arts and sciences have prospered in pro- portion ; and the civil and religious liberties of the people have been preserved and enlarged. The Brunswick family have always been firm sup- porters of the Christian religion, and the staunch friends of protestantism. Their reign has been signalized by a strict adherence to the principles of the constitution, and attempts at arbitrary power have never been witnessed. They must therefore be highly respected by all who wish well to the country, for the unparalleled bless- ings which, under their government, the Al- mighty has conferred on these realms : and it was justly observed, upon a former melancholy occa- sion, by a pious preacher, that " To the present Royal Family, we owe, under Providence, the 10 GEORGE THE THIRD, safety with which we worship and the facilities of extending the everlasting gospel ; and that I am correct in ascribing much of these blessings to their mild auspices, will be felt at once if we only imagine what must have ensued had the Stuarts been in power, or France furnished us with a king. Who can be insensible to the salutary influence of his present Majesty's private character on public manners and morals ? Who ever had to quote his authority for the neglect of public worship, or the violation of the sabbath ? Who has been em- boldened in extravagance by his example ? None." — But the social virtues, the charities of life, the charms of domestic retirement, the beauty 'of holi- ness, have never wanted a royal plea in their behalf in the habits and decorum of our venerable Sovereign. The sober and regular had always the first authority in the empire to appeal to as their example whilst the King was himself; and even when he was, like a silent oracle, lonely and sad, he was still sacred, and his former maxims quoted with increasing delight: his " gray hairs were a crown of glory " which needed not a regal diadem to endear or dignify it. Sad, indeed, would be our sorrow for his loss, had we to lament him as the last of his line ; but happily we have now every prospect under Pro- vidence, that our highly-favoured and united kingdom shall never want a prince to sit on the HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 11 throne, to reign in righteousness, and be the pro- tector of our liberties and rights, both civil and religious. Still, however, it is our duty to pray, not only that the sceptre may descend in peace, from generation to generation, to the next in suc- cession, but that our sovereigns may continue, as those of the present Royal Family have always been, the enemies of arbitrary power and oppression, the warm friends of the Christian religion, and the firm supporters of protestantism. The kingdom of Great Britain has long been the chief pillar of the protestant religion ; — may it ever remain its glory ! Nor can we despair ; we have yet Princes, who have come graciously forward as the de- cided patrons of every cause of religion and bene- volence. We have a reigning Family, attached to the civil and religious liberties of the subject. We have surviving branches of this illustrious house, numerous enough to remove our apprehen- sions relative to the protestant succession. We have a government, mild in its administration, and regulated by the constitution. We have a con- stitution, the envy and admiration of the world. We have the Bible in our own tongue, and a church distinguished for its liberality and purity. We are at peace with the world, and among our- selves. These are the blessings remaining to us ; let us not, therefore, in the depth of our affliction, ungratefully overlook or undervalue them. 12 GEORGE THE THIRD, It is a remarkable circumstance, and worthy of being generally known, that the Royal Family of England have possessed the throne for consider- ably more than a thousand years. Our late ve- nerable Monarch was descended, in the female line, from Cerdic, founder of the kingdom of Wes- sex. Cerdic landed in England in the year 495, and having founded a kingdom, left it to his de- scendants, who, in succeeding generations, reduced all the other kingdoms of the Heptarchy under their own power, and became sole monarchs of England. There have, indeed, been periods in which several kings, not of this line, have in suc- cession sat on the throne; but in the course of time, the crown has always reverted to the same dynasty again. It has not, however, always de- scended to the next in succession ; but still has been continued in the same Family. A race of monarchs so prolonged, must be endeared to the hearts of Englishmen; and the circumstance, that the same Royal Family has been preserved more than thirteen hundred years, and generally pos- sessed the throne, and that one of its descendants now fills it, ought to be contemplated as an evi- dence of a Divine Providence by all sects and parties in the nation, to whom we may exclaim, in the words of a pious and liberal dissenter, " Let us lift up our weeping eyes from the sepul- chres of Brunswick, and survey the monuments HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 13 which it has left in Britain : — see the Act of Tole- ration smiling over the Act of Uniformity — the Bible Society on the ruins of the Star Chamber — the African Institution on the ruins of the Slave Trade — the British and Foreign School Society with Ignorance under her feet — and a host of Mis- sions circling the world. These monuments are as indestructible as they are distinguished, and when the rising pillar of Waterloo and the Jubilee columns, like an Egyptian obelisk, have lost their inscription, these will remain " Rocks amidst the flood of time." The great principle of civil and religious liberty which these inculcate is purely that of the Reforma- tion. It is the principle which called the present Family to the throne of these realms, and which gives to our kings the title of sovereigns of a free people — a title far more glorious than any emperor. The constitutional principles which seated them on the throne, ought to be had in everlasting remembrance. Hence our ancestors, suffering in the sacred cause of civil and religious libertv, hailed the accession of the race of Brims- wick as an event of no ordinary magnitude. In- deed the demise of the last reigning member of the Stuart dynasty was the prevention of an act of tyranny meditated against the liberties of the country. By the death of Queen Anne, and 14 GEORGE THE THIRD, the introduction of the house of Brunswick, all protestant dissenters were rescued from an im- pending evil, whilst the whole nation was eman- cipated from the yoke of slavery. This is a consideration which interests all classes of Christians in this united empire, even the catholics, who now enjoy a free toleration of their own religion, together with the advantages resulting from the freedom consequent upon a protestant establishment. Happy is it for us then that God in his providence defeated the designs of the enemies to the Hanover succession, and that at the death of Queen Anne in 1714, just at the time when they had brought out the instrument for the work of persecuting dissenters, the son of the Electress of Hanover, George I. was placed upon the British throne : " because he was of a protestant house, and, by his principles, and the constitutional laws which he would swear to preserve, would discourage all persecution for conscience sake :" and after the lapse of a century, though there may have always been a party in the country who have disliked the dissenters, and have wished the bulwark of their liberties, the Act of Toleration, to be razed and removed, it is due to this Royal House to say, that the oath of its Monarchs taken at their coronation, " I will preserve the Toleration Act inviolable,' 1 has never been violated. Hence all classes of dissenters have gained privileges which MIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 15 their fathers, at the commencement of the Bruns- wick government, did not enjoy, and constitutional rights which they did not possess. Each one of the English Monarchs of the royal House of Brunswick (and no one more fully than our late venerable and afflicted King) has thus fully imbibed the principle, and consistently acted upon it, which Burnet attributes to William III. " that conscience is God's province, and ought not to be imposed upon." It is fortunate for this country that our earliest monarchs found it necessary to oppose the principles of the Salique law in France, and to maintain the right of female succession to the throne. That the principle is an ancient British one, is evident from the historical facts respecting Boa- dicea; and although we had not any female monarchs under the Saxon governments, either before or after the wise union of the Heptarchy by Egbert, in the year 819, yet it is well known to have been a Saxon principle, insomuch that Wil- liam, Duke of Normandy, founded his claim in preference to Harold, on his descent from Matilda of Brunswick, who was descended from Elfrida, wife of Baldwin II. Count of Flanders, and daugh- ter of Alfred the Great, grandson of Egbert, the first Saxon monarch of the whole kingdom of England. 16 GEORGE THE THIRD, On the same principle William married his son Henry, afterwards Henry I. to Maud, daughter of Malcolm III. King of Scotland, by Margaret, sister of Edgar Atheling, the last of the Saxon line of princes, and the undoubted heiress of the British crown. From Henry's daughter Maud, married first to Henry V. Emperor of Germany, and afterwards to Geoffrey Plantagenet, by whom she had Henry II. this latter monarch claimed a right to the throne in preference to Stephen, whose claim was also a female one ; and it may be remarked that the English monarchs of the Norman line, not only founded their own claims upon the female right of inheritance, but even engrafted it on, or at least supported it in, the general system of military feudality. Again, in the 15th century, Henry VII. found- ed his claim on his descent from his mother Margaret, Countess of Richmond, heiress of the Beauforts, and great grand-daughter of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, fourth son of Ed- ward III. ; yet even he thought his claim strength- ened by his union with the heiress of the hostile House of York. The claim of James I. was also a female one in right of his mother Mary, not only to the crown of England, but also to that of Scotland, where the same principle of descent prevailed, most fortu- HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 17 nately for the peace and welfare of both king- doms. On the abdication of James II. the crown was offered to Mary, daughter of James, and to her husband William Prince of Orange, son of Mary, eldest daughter of Charles I. both female claims; and on William's death, it fell by regular descent to Anne, heiress in right of her progenitors, in ad- dition to the protestant laws of descent founded on the Revolution. It is unnecessary to enter into the earlier history of the House of Brunswick, one of the oldest in Germany, and descended from the House of Este, in Italy, supposed in a right line from Caius iEtius, a noble Roman senator; it is sufficient to mark its early connexion with the throne of Eng- land by the marriage of Matilda, daughter of Henry II. to Henry the Lion, duke of Brunswick, from whom Ernest Augustus, first Elector of Han- over, father of George I. was lineally descended, and who, in 1658, married Sophia, grand-daughter of James I. also descended from Henry I. by his daughter Maud, and from the Saxon line, by the marriage of Margaret, sister and heiress of Edgar Atheling, with Malcolm Canmore, King of Scotland. We shall, therefore, only briefly notice one or two of the generations prior to the regal succes- sion, from the sixteenth century : c 18 GEORGE THE THIRD, William, Duke of Brunswick Lunenburg, fourth son of Ernest, called the Confessor on account of his having introduced the Augsburg Confession into his dominions, had fifteen children, seven of whom were sons, and were rendered more remarkable in history by their amity, than they could well have been by an extended and splendid lineage. These princes, whose names were Ernest, Christian, Augustus, Frederick, Magnus, George, and John, being resolved, on the death of their father, in 1593, to keep up the dignity of their house, came to an agreement among themselves not to divide their paternal inheritance. Accordingly they de- termined that only one of the number should marry, and that the elder brother should have the sole regency over the Lunenburg estates, and be suc- ceeded by the eldest survivor. They kept to this brotherly compact with great exactness ; and this circumstance appeared so extraordinary, that when the Grand Signior Achmet the First was made acquainted with it, he expressed great surprise, and said, " It was worth a man's while to under- take a journey on purpose to be an eye-witness of such wonderful unanimity." The seven brothers, according to the treaty, drew lots who should marry, and the fortunate chance fell upon George, the sixth brother, who, in consequence, formed a union with Anne Eleanora, daughter of Lewis, Landgrave of Hesse Darmstadt, by whom he had HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 19 five children. Thus George secured the govern- ment to his family, but he died in • 642; without enjoying the regency himself. His marriage produced four sons, the younger of whom, Ernest Augustus, born in 1 029, became the sole heir in 1680, after distinguishing himself much, as bishop of Osnaburg, in favour of the protestant religion. He was the first Duke of Hanover, and was made an Elector of the empire, along with the imperial offices of standard-bearer, and arch-treasurer. In 1658 he married the Princess Sophia of Bohemia, grand-daughter of James I. of England ; by which union the whole royal line of British blood became united with the Brunswick pedigree ; including the ancient dy- nasty of Cadwallader, the Saxon, the Norman, the Plantagenet, the Tudor, and the Stuart ; embracing also the whole Scottish line from Fergus, and the royal line of Ireland from Cathal O'Connor Crowdearg, or Cathal with the red hand, whose heiress married Hubert de Burgo, Earl of Ulster, leaving a daughter and heiress, who be- came the wife of Lionel, Duke of Clarence, third son of Edward III. and a direct ancestor in line. George Lewis (afterwards George I. of England) was eldest son of the elector Ernest, and was married in 1 682 to Sophia Dorothy, heiress of his oldest uncle, the Duke of Zell, who' was mother of George II. ; but in her latter years she suffered c2 20 GKOKGE THE THMtD, close confinement, by order of her husband, on account of circumstances that have never been fully explained. Such was the state of the electoral family at the period of the Revolution, when their eventual suc- cession to the throne of these realms was actually in contemplation ; for Bishop Burnet expressly says, " The Duke of Hanover was at that time in some engagements with the court of France, but since he had married the Princess Sophia of the Palatine house, I ventured to send a message to her by one of their court, who was then at the Hague : he was a French refugee, named M.Bon- cour. It was to acquaint her with our design with relation to England, and to let her know, that, if we succeed, certainly a perpetual exclusion of all papists from the succession to the crown would be enacted ; and since she was the next protestant heir after the two princesses and the Prince of Orange, of whom at that time there was no issue alive, I was very confident that if* the Duke of Hanover could be disengaged from the interests of France, so that he came into our interests, the succession to the crown would be lodged in her person, and in her posterity : though on the other hand, if he continued as he stood then engaged with France, I could not answer for this. The gentleman carried the message, and delivered it. The duchess entertained it with much warmth, HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 21 and brought him to the duke to repeat it to him ; but at that time this made no great impression on him, for he looked on it as a remote and a doubtful project : yet when he saw our success in England, he had other thoughts of it. Some days after this Frenchman was gone, I told the prince what I had done ; he approved of it heartily, but was parti- cularly glad that I had done it as of myself, with- out communicating it to him, or any way engaging him in it ; for he said, if it should happen to be known that the proposition was made by him, it might do us hurt in England — as if he had already reckoned himself so far master, as to be forming projects concerning the succession to the crown.'' This was certainly an admirable foresight ; for it was still possible that William and Mary might have issue ; besides the Princess Anne, afterwards queen, was then married, and very prolific. Of the latter royal personage, some observations of an amiable authoress, in reference to the Hanover succession, deserve a place here : — " It would almost seem that the issue of this princess was deemed by providence too central a branch of the Stuart family, to be entrusted with the newly-renovated constitution. A more distant connexion had already been specially trained for this most important trust, though with little ap- parent probability of being called to exercise it, the Princess Anne havinsr been no less than seven- 22 GEORGE THE THIRD, teen times pregnant. The death of the Duke of Gloucester, the last of her fa mill/, at length turned the eyes of the English public toward the Prin- cess Sophia; and from henceforth she and her issue were recognized as presumptive heirs to the crown. Many of the events which occurred during the last years of Queen Anne's reign, served not a little to enhance to all who were cor- dially attached to the English constitution, the providential blessing of so suitable a succession. " A more remarkable event is scarcely to be found in the annals of the world. Nothing could be more essential to the interests of British liberty, than that they, who were concerned for its main- tenance, should be possessed of the promptest and most unexceptionable means of filling the vacant throne. No prince was fitted to their pur- pose, who was not zealously attached to the pro- testant religion; and it was desirable that he should, at the same time, possess such a title, on ground of consanguinity, as that the principle of hereditary monarchy might be as little departed from as the exigencies of the case would admit. For the securing of both these radical objects, what an adequate provision was made in the Prin- cess Sophia and her illustrious offspring! The connexion thus near, was made interesting by every circumstance which could engage the hearts of English protestants. The Princess Sophia was HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 2^ the only remaining child of that only remaining daughter of James I., who, being married to one of the most zealous protestant princes of the em- pire, became his partner in a series of personal and domestic distresses, in which his committing himself, on the cause of the protestants of Bo- hemia, involved him and his family for near half a century. In her, all the rights of her mother, as well as of her father, were vested ; and while by the electoral dignity (of which her father had been deprived,) being restored to her husband, the Duke of Hanover, she seemed, in part, compen- sated for the afflictions of her earlier life, — her personal character, in which distinguished wit and talents were united with wisdom and piety, both these latter probably taught her in the school of adversity, procured for her the admiration of all who knew her, as well as the veneration of those whose religious sentiments were congenial with her own." It was in 1701, that the act passed, by which it was settled, that after the death of King William and the Princess Anne, without heirs, the succes- sion to the crown of these kingdoms should de- volve upon the Princess Sophia, Duchess Dowager of Hanover, and the heirs of her body, being pro- testants. Upon this the Earl of Macclesfield was despatched by the King, in the character of ambas- sador extraordinary, to Hanover. At his arrival 24 GEORGE THE THIRD, there, he had a house and all kinds of provisions freely and liberally appointed for himself and his retinue. But, says an historian of those times, among the great company there, some were so re- probate, that the Archbishop of Canterbury in- treated the Princess Sophia to dismiss them from her court, lest their presence and society might prove prejudicial to her dignity. Others were hangers-on there, in expectation of employments ; who, afterwards, when factions arose at the court of Hanover, through their imprudence forfeited the favour both of the elector and of their own party. For the elector himself abhorred all fac- tion and emulation ; and his temperance, and the quiet life he had hitherto led, filled many people with hopes of a modest mind, and a moderate man. Soon after, in 1705, the Princess Sophia sent the following letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury. " My Lord, " I received your grace's letter: *** You have no reason to make any excuse that you have not writ to me before : for I do not judge of people's friendship for me, by the good words they give me, but I depend upon your integrity, and what you tell me in general of the honest men of England. " I desire no further assurance of their good will and affection to me, unless they think it HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 25 necessary for the good of the protestant reli- gion, the public liberties of Europe, and the people of England. " I thank God, I am in good health, and live in quiet and with content here ; therefore I have no reason to desire to change my way of living, on the account of any personal satisfaction that I can propose to myself. " However I am ready and willing to comply with whatever can be desired of me, by my friends, in case that the parliament think that it is for the good of the kingdom, to invite me into England. " But I suppose they will do this in such a manner as will make my coming agreeable to the Queen, whom I shall ever honour, and endeavour to deserve her favours ; of which she hath given me many public demonstrations, by what she hath done for me in England and Scotland, which you may judge of more particularly ; and I most remember that she ordered me to be prayed for in the churches. " I doubt not her Majesty is as much inclined at present to establish the safety of the three kingdoms upon such a foot that they may be exposed to the least hazard that is possible, and that she will begin with England. " Mr. How has acquainted me with her Majesty's good inclinations for my family ; which makes me 26 GEORGE THE THIRD, think that, perhaps, her Majesty sees this is a proper time for her to express herself in our favour. But whether I am right in that point or not, my friends in England can best judge. " It is but reasonable that I should submit my- self to their opinions and advice; and I depend most, upon what your Grace shall advise, which will ever have the greatest weight with me. " Therefore I write the more plainly to you, and tell you my thoughts, that you may communicate them to all you think fit. For they will then see that I have great zeal for the good of England, and a most sincere respect for the Queen. "This is the best proof that I can give, at pre- sent, of my esteem for your Grace ; but I shall be glad of further opportunities to assure you I am, and ever shall be, most sincerely, " My Lord, " Votre tres affectionnee, " a vous servir, " Sophie Electrice." "Hannover, Nov. 3d, 1705." This letter is the best eulogium on her virtues. Such was the mother of George the First ! She lived, enjoying her bright faculties to a very ad- vanced age, to see a throne prepared for her son, far more glorious than that from which her father had been driven; or, which to her excellent mind HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 27 was still more gratifying, she saw herself pre- served, after the extinction of all the other branches of her paternal house, to furnish, in the most honourable instance possible, an invaluable stay and prop for that cause, on account of which her parents and their children seemed, for a time, to have " suffered the loss of all things." Indeed she only failed, herself, of sitting on the throne of England, by dying about seven weeks before Queen Anne, who expired on the 1st of August, 1714; when George, Elector of Hanover, was proclaimed King of England. It is a curious fact, connected with the Bruns- wick accession, that at the time of the Gun- powder Plot, it was intended to extirpate the whole royal family, except the Princess Eliza- beth, daughter of James I. and afterwards Elec- tress Palatine and Queen of Bohemia, who was to have been educated as a catholic for the main- tenance of that religion. Yet from the issue of that very lady was the Brunswick family se- lected as the bulwark of the Christian religion ; to the exclusion of the issue of her brother, finally represented by the Pretender, and by the female line in the various families of France, Spain, and Sardinia. It has also been asserted that the sus- picions of an intended invasion by the Pretender, previous to the death of Queen Anne, were so general at that time, and were so much confirmed 28 GEORGE THE THIRD, by the papers and letters of information trans- mitted by order of the Electoral Family of Hanover, that the Whigs were determined to be beforehand with the Tories in this business ; and, if the Queen had not died so suddenly, the former would have taken up arms in defence of their religion and liberties. General Stanhope (the ancestor of the present Earl Stanhope) was to have commanded the army, and Lord Cadogan to have seized the Tower. All the officers on half-pay, as a writer of that pe- riod maintains, had signed the association. The place of rendezvous was appointed behind Mon- tague-house. The officers kept their arms in readiness in their bed-chambers, and were pre- pared to obey the summons at a minute's warning. The Queen, however, dying before this plot was ripe enough for execution, and the unanimous resolution of the council (principally effected by the exertions of the Dukes of Argyle and So- merset) taking cautious measures for the better security of the Hanover succession, every thing succeeded so much to the satisfaction of the Whigs, as to render all ideas of insurrection un- necessary. In the Memoirs of Lord Chesterfield by Dr. Maty, we are told that Lord Bolingbroke never heard of this design till his return to England in 1722; and he further adds, "that Lord Boling- HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 29 broke assured Lord Chesterfield, that he never had any fixed scheme in relation to the Pretender, and that he had always avoided speaking of him to the Queen, who, he said, did not like to hear any thing of a successor. He likewise added, that the Pretender never ivas in England during the Tory administration . ' ' What credit may be due to Lord Bolingbroke's assertion on this head, may be gathered from the veracity of the last paragraph, as it is well known the Pretender was in this country some months before the Queen's death, and had apartments at Somerset-house incog;, and that he left London only for the purpose of making preparation for a descent on this kingdom. But perhaps Lord Bolingbroke might think, as a statesman, that it was too near the scene to tell the fact upon this occasion, which would then too much involve private interests and connexions. One of the most active in favour of the Hano- verian succession was the great Lord Halifax, who displayed much patriotism in a private con- versation with his secretary the amiable Addison, previous to their setting out to meet the new Monarch, on his expected landing at Greenwich. Halifax told Addison that he expected to have the white staff, and that he had for some time past been considering what he should do in that case, to which he had finally made up his mind ; 30 GEORGE THE TnillD, addiiig, that he had been in his time a good deal in hot water, and as deeply engaged in party as most men, confessing that, to say the truth, he had done many things in the spirit of party which, on serious reflection, he was thoroughly ashamed of. He assured Addison, however, that he had now resolved, by the help of God, to make King- George, not the head of a party, but the king of a glorious nation — that, to be sure, a great many people must be removed from their posts, that the Tories themselves could not expect it to be other- wise, and it would be the highest ingratitude not to reward several gentlemen who had borne the heat of the day, and run all hazards for the house of Hanover ; yet, at the same time, if the King would take his advice, there should be no cruel- ties, no barbarities committed, nor should every worthless fellow that called himself a Whig, got drunk, and bawled at an election, displace a man of ten times his own merit, only because that man was a reputed Tory ! Halifax further said that he knew the Tory party well ; and though he was aware that some of them did mean to elevate the Pretender, yet there were others amongst them, as worthy men as ever lived. He thought it time the nation should be united, when we should indeed be a formidable people ; and he hoped the work was reserved by providence for the new dynasty. In HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 31 the expectation of receiving the white staff, he added, that it was his design to live in such a manner as would be no disgrace to his master, and that he would, if possible, put an end to the scandalous practice of buying places, being re- solved to recommend none that were not competent to their situations. But Halifax was disappointed. It was said that the new monarch made no great haste ; for, as if he had thought all things were governed by fate or fortune, he staid a long time to settle his own affairs at home. After this he declared who should accompany him in his jour- ney ; and having obtained the emperor s leave to depart, set out at last for England. When he ar- rived at the Hague, he received the congratulations of the States, whom he assured of his friendship, and his fixed purpose to observe ancient alliances with the republic. He then went on ship-board, with the Prince of Wales ; and a south wind carried him to England, where he landed at Greenwich. A vast train of nobility, of all deno- minations, received him on shore, and attended his Majesty to the royal palace. The coronation which took place in Westminster Abbey, October 14, 1714, was attended by a pro- digious crowd of joyful spectators ; and the King observed to Lady Cowper, in whose conversation he took great pleasure, that the sight and the place forcibly brought to his thoughts the day of 32 GEORGE THE THIRD, judgment. " Well it might/' replied her lady- ship, " for it was truly the resurrection of Eng- land, and of all faithful subjects." It is not our intention to give even a sketch of this reign ; but a few anecdotes, gleaned from authentic sources, cannot fail to be interesting and illustrative At the first masquerade the King attended, there happened an incident that did great honour to his good-nature. A lady masked, whose name was not known, followed his majesty as if she had taken him for a stranger, and invited him to drink a glass of wine at one of the beaufets, with which he readily complied ; and the lady filling a bum- per, said, " Here, mask, the Pretender's health." Then filling another glass, she presented it to the King, who received it with a smile, and replied, " I drink, with all my heart, to the health of all unfortunate princes.'' His Majesty also shewed equal good-nature on another occasion ; for, being on a journey, the coach broke down, and he was obliged to stop for some time at the house of a country gentleman, who was zealously attached to the exiled family. The King was shewn into the best room, where, in a conspicuous situation, appeared the portrait of the Pretender. The owner of the mansion was in great confusion when he perceived the attention of his royal guest fixed upon the picture ; but the HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 33 latter relieved him from his embarrassment by saying, M Upon my word it is a striking likeness, and very much resembles the family/' There was a gentleman who lived in the city in the beginning of the reign of this Monarch, and was so shrewdly suspected of Jacobitism, that he was taken up two or three times before the Coun- cil, but yet defended himself so dextrously that they could fasten nothing on him. On the break- ing out of the rebellion in 1715, this person, who mixed some humour with his politics, wrote to the Secretary of State, that, as he took it for granted that at a time like the present he should be taken up, as usual, for a Jacobite, he had only one favour to beg, that if the administration meant any such thing, they would do it in the course of the next week ; for the week after he was going down to Devonshire upon his own business, which, without this explanation, no doubt, would be construed as transacting the business of the Pretender. Lord Townshend, who was Secretary of State at that time, in one of his convivial moments with the King, shewed him this letter, and asked him what his Majesty would direct to be done with such a fellow? "Poh! poh!" says the King, " there can be little harm in a man who writes so pleasantly." VOL. I. D 34 GEORGE THE THIRD, Nothing seems to have hurt this Monarch more than the frequent oppositions he met with on ac- count of subsidies. Bred up in principles different from those of the country which he was called to govern, he could not avoid complaining to his most intimate friends, " that he was come over to England to be a begging king" He added, " he thought his fate very hard to be continually op- posed in his application for supplies, which he only asked that he might employ them for the ad- vantage of the nation." It must be acknowledged, however, that it was solely his unacquaintance with the laws of Eng- land which could make him feel so established an article in its government, that of not granting mo- ney but by the consent of parliament, as any hard- ship ; but that it was his principle only to employ that money for the good of the nation is evident, as he was not fond of appearing in the full splen- dour of majesty, was remarkably averse to any act of oppression, and cultivated the happiness and esteem of his subjects throughout the whole course of his reign. That the King's own intentions were just and patriotic is certain ; for in an answer to a petition of the City of London in November 1718, his Majesty said, with great earnestness, " I shall be glad, not only for your sakes, but my own, if any defects which may touch the rights of my good HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 35 subjects are discovered in my time, since that will furnish me with the means of giving you and all my people an indisputable proof of my tenderness of their privileges !" An extraordinary fact is said to have taken place in the year 1725, in proposals for marriage between the French king, Louis XV. and the eldest daughter of the Prince of Wales, afterwards George II. This proposal was made by the Duke of Bourbon, the Regent of France, he having re- cently broken off the match between. Louis and his cousin, a princess of Spain. But the necessity of her abjuring the protestant faith, was one very powerful and indeed paramount objection to the acceptance of this offer on the part of the Princess Anne, afterwards Princess of Orange. Besides, George I., however he might have been nattered by the idea of his own descendants sitting on the throne of France, was perfectly aware that the measure itself, even though apparently possessing many political advantages, would Jiave been not only disgusting, but also irritating, to all the friends of the Hanoverian succession; and it was declined accordingly. The King's fondness for visiting his German /* dominions was not always approved of; and amongst the satirists on these occasions was Samuel Wesley, brother of the famous John, who wrote a little poem called " The Regency," d 2 36 GEORGE THE THIKD, laughing at the persons entrusted with the govern- ment during the Monarch's absence. Part of this poem is preserved in Nichols's Literary Anec- dotes, beginning " As soon as the wind it came fairly about, That kept the king in, and his enemies out, He determin'd no longer confinement to bear, And thus to the duchess* his mind did declare. " Quoth he, my dear Kenny, I've been tir'd a long while, With living obscure in this poor little Isle; And now Spain and Pretender have no more mines to spring, I'm resolv'd to go home and live like a king." The Duchess approves of this, describes and laughs at all the proposed regency, and concludes with, — " On the whole, I'll be hang'd if all over the realm, There are thirteen such fools to be put to the helm; So for this time be easy, nor have jealous thought, They han't sense to sell you, nor are worth being bought." «« 'Tis for that (quoth the king, in very bad French,) I chose them for my regents, and you for my wench; And neither, I'm sure, will my trust e'er betray, For the devil won't take you if I turn you away.'' These various effusions of wit were said to have afforded the King much amusement ; and he shewed upon several occasions, that he not only * Duchess of Kendal. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 37 could enjoy English humour, but even laugh at it when sometimes employed against himself. When Dr. Younger was abroad upon his travels, he passed some time at the court of Hanover, where he was well received and esteemed by the Princess Sophia and her family before ever they came into England. When George I. succeeded to the throne, Dr. Younger was dean of Salisbury, residentiary of St. Paul's, and deputy clerk of the closet, in which station he had served under Queen Anne, and was continued under his suc- cessor. The King was very glad to renew his acquaintance with him, and in the closet, as he stood waiting behind his chair, turned often and talked with him, and the more, as Dr, Younger did what few could do, converse with the King in high Dutch. The King used to call him his Little Dean, and was so condescending and gracious to him, that he was looked upon, in some measure, as a favourite, and likely to rise to higher prefer- ment. This was by no means agreeable to the ministers ; for Dr. Younger was reputed to be what they called a Tory ; and a letter of office was sent to dismiss him, the King having no further occasion for his service. It was not long before the King missed him, and asked what was become of his little Dean, that now he never saw him. It was answered that he was dead. " Dead !" said the King, " I'm sorry for it; for I meant to have 38 GEORGE THE THIRD, done something for him." This the ministers un- derstood well enough, and therefore had removed him out of the way. Such an imposition, one would think, could hardly have been put upon any prince. It was a bold stroke, even when the King was a stranger to our people, and a stranger to our language ; but even then it did not escape detection : for some time after, the King went a progress into the west of England, and among other places was at Salisbury, and in the cathedral there seeing the dean, he called him eagerly up to him, and said, " My little Dean, I am glad to see you alive ; they told me you were dead ; but where have you been all this while, and what has prevented my seeing you as usual?" He mentioned the letter of dismission which he had received, and said he thought it would ill become him after that to give his Majesty any farther trouble. " Oh!" said the King warmly, " I per- ceive how this matter is ; but," with an oath, " you shall be the first bishop that I will make." It happened, however, that Dr. Younger being- advanced in years, died before any bishop ; so that he never obtained the good effect of the King's gracious intentions. Though the Augustan age of literature, yet the arts were but in their infancy in England at the accession of the House of Brunswick ; and it was not to be expected that a patron for them could HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 39 be found in a Monarch educated at a little northern German court. Nevertheless, it is but justice to George I. to say that he displayed a love of learning and science beyond what could have been hoped for. On his accession he took particular notice of Vertue, who engraved an admirable likeness of him from a portrait by Kneller, of which many thousands were sold. The engraving- was shewn at court, where it was highly patron- ized, especial orders being given for similar portraits of all the branches of the Royal Family then in England. The Laureatship was vacant at the accession, which his Majesty graciously be- stowed upon Nicholas Rowe, who also received grants of other lucrative places. He encouraged Dr. Desaguliers also, who had then made some advance in rendering philosophy popular, under the patronage of the munificent Duke of Chandos. In 1717 Desaguliers went through a course of lectures before the King at Hampton Court, with which his Majesty was so well pleased, that he resolved to reward him with the very valuable living of Much-Munden in Hertfordshire ; but in this act of generosity he was thwarted by minis- terial influence, which gave to politics what was due to science. The jarring of the ministerial with the royal influence is happily illustrated by the following anecdote respecting Dr. Lockyer, who in the former part of his life was chaplain to the 40 GEORGE THE THIRD, factory at Hamburgh, whence he went every year to visit the court of Hanover ; whereby he became very well known to the King, who knew how to temper the cares of royalty with the pleasures of private life, and commonly invited six or eight of his friends to pass the evening with him. His Majesty seeing Dr. Lockyer one day at court, spoke to the Duchess of Ancaster, who was al- most always of the party, that she should ask Dr. Lockyer to come that evening. When the company met in the evening, Dr. Lockyer was not there ; and the King asked the Duchess if she had spoken to him as he desired. " Yes," she said, " but the doctor presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and hopes your Majesty will have the goodness to excuse him at present; for he is soliciting some preferment from your ministers, and he fears it might be some obstacle to him if it should be known that he had the ho- nour of keeping such good company." The King laughed very heartily, and said he believed he was in the right. Not many weeks afterwards Dr. Lockyer kissed the King's hand for the deanery of Peterborough ; and as he was raising himself from kneeling, the King inclined forwards, and with great good humour whispered in his ear, " Well, now doctor you will not be afraid to come in an evening : I would have you come this evening." HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 41 Indeed this Monarch seems to have encouraged even the witty effusions of those around him ; an anecdote of which has been preserved : — Dr. Savage, who died in 1747, travelled in his younger days with the Earl of Salisbury, to whom he was indebted for a considerable living in Hert- fordshire. One day at the levee, the King asked him how long he had resided at Rome with Lord Salisbury. Upon his answering him how long, " Why," said the King, " you staid there long enough ; how is it that you did not convert the pope?" — " Because, sir," replied the doctor, " I had nothing better to offer him." It may be recorded here, that the first instance of newspapers giving prints, was in 1723, when portraits of " The glorious royal guard of the protestant religion, King George I. George Prince of Wales, and Prince Frederic," were presented to the public in the first number of the Protestant Intelligencer. A short time before his demise, George I. founded the Royal Institution for the study of History at Cambridge. He also purchased for the use of that University, at a price of six thou- sand guineas, the extremely curious library of Dr. Moore, Bishop of Ely, consisting of thirty thousand volumes, and which had been much en- riched with literary curiosities by John Bagford, the most skilful antiquary of that day. 42 GEORGE THE THIRD, He had three maxims which he professed to make the rule of his life : — never to forsake a friend — to endeavour to do justice to every per- son — and not to fear any one. His frugality and economy, when only Elector, were so remarkable, that Toland declared, in a pamphlet published in 1705, " I need give no more particular proof of his frugality in laying out the public money, than that all the expenses of his court (as to eating, drinking, fire and candles, and the like,) are duly paid every Saturday night. The officers of his army receive their pay every month ; and all the civil list are cleared every half year." A German nobleman was one day congratula- ting this monarch on his being sovereign of Great Britain and Hanover: " Rather," said the King, " congratulate me on having such a subject in one as Newton ; and such a subject in the other as Leibnitz !'' George II., when he came to the crown in 1727, was a great favourite with the people of England, notwithstanding his foreign birth, and the stiffness of manner which he had acquired by a constant residence at the electoral capital, until a few years previous to his succeeding to the throne. Some people, indeed, endeavoured to excite calumny against him, by an accusation of having burnt his father's will, an account of which may be HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 43 seen in Walpole's Reminiscences, where it is stated that the Archbishop of Canterbury pro- duced the will at the council -table, when the King took it up, and walked out of the room without speaking, not an individual present ven- turing to require the registering of that document. But Mr. Nichols sets the matter at rest, in his interesting " Recollections," as he shews that by the common law of England, a King of England cannot dispose of property by will, he only hold- ing that property in his corporate capacity; all his personal property, de facto, devolving to his successor. He had early distinguished himself in the field, having served as a volunteer in the army com- manded by the immortal Marlborough ; and at the battle of Oudenarde, (fought July 11,1 708,) his Highness, putting himself at the head of a squadron of Hanoverian dragoons, charged the enemy sword in hand with the greatest intrepi- dity. His horse was killed under him, and colonel Luschky, who commanded the squadron, was slain by his side. On this occasion Lord Halifax wrote to the Princess Sophia a congratulatory letter, in which he says, " Lord Stair, who brought the news, is very full of the praises of the electoral Prince, and the bravery he shewed at the head of the Elector's troops. It is with the utmost joy and satisfaction 44 GEORGE THE THIRD, that we talk of this here, and make a comparison between the behaviour of his Highness and the Prince of France and the Pretender, who, as we hear, never came into danger, but were spectators of their own disgrace at a distance." Towards the end of Queen Anne's reign, the friends of the Brunswick family were desirous that the Prince should be invited over publicly to the English court : while it is said that Bolino-broke and his party were insidiously labouring for the adoption of the son of James II. On this, the wri- ter before quoted says, " that the Queen, equally afraid of the arrival of the Pretender, and that of the Prince of Hanover, in order to prevent this, and all similar attempts, sent the Earl of Cla- rendon ambassador to Hanover, to persuade the Elector not to permit his son to come over. The Elector thought fit to obey the Queen's pleasure, though greatly against the will of his mother, the Princess Sophia, which that princess, wins was a high-spirited woman, laid so heavily to heart, that she fell sick and died in a few davs after." That the Princess Sophia died of chagrin on such a subject is not very probable ; but it was perhaps in some degree fortunate for the quiet settling of the Hanover dynasty that the Prince did not proceed to London, as faction was at that period so violent, that there were many indi- viduals who would have exerted themselves to HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 45 produce a personal breach between the Queen and her eventual successor, which might have led to very unpleasant consequences as opposition then stood. That family differences would have been hailed as a triumph for party is evident, from the fact that, soon after the Hanover accession, the Whigs divided themselves into two sections, under different leaders, who were Sunderland, Stan- hope, and Cadogan, on the one side, and Towns- hend, Walpole, Devonshire, with the chancellor, on the other. The former were victorious, and the disappointed party, out of resentment, paid their court at Leicester-house, with a view to some future advantage over their adversaries. Not long afterwards the active mind of Walpole conceived a scheme for the triumph of his political friends, and the mortification of their opponents; but when he communicated the particulars to his most intimate associates, he objected to the pro- posal of laying the design before the Prince, saying at the same time, in his coarse manner, that " the fat b — , his wife," meaning the Princess Caroline, " would betray the secret, and spoil the project." Some how or other the language of Walpole was made known to her royal highness, who very naturally looked upon him with disgust ; and as she had a complete influence over her husband, it was generally believed that her dislike to the person who had treated her so rudely, would pro- / 46 GEORGE THE THIRD, duce a total change in the administration when he came to the throne. This, indeed, would have been the case, had not Sir Robert availed himself of the opportunity of letting the new Queen know privately, that if he was kept in his post, he would secure to her a settlement of 100,000/. a-year, in the event of the King's demise, though Sir Spen- cer Compton had openly proposed no more than 60,000/. This decided the matter at once ; for the Queen sent back word, " Tell Sir Robert that the fat b — has forgiven him ; " and the ministry remained without any alteration.* * In a periodical work of extensive circulation, (New Monthly Magazine for April 1820,) we have seen another ver- sion of this anecdote. " The wisdom of Wal pole's first admi- nistration was attested by an approving king and a contented people: the former was satisfied with the supplies; the latter could not complain of the pressure of taxation. The power of that pacific minister appeared to rest on the most secure foun- dation. But Walpole had yet to learn that in the respective governments of modern Europe, the sex forms a third estate, which if dissatisfied, in vain will the minister have conciliated the other two. The ruling passion of Queen Caroline was am- bition. She guarded her influence with jealous vigilance ; she considered no measure too vigorous to vindicate it from dispute, and no sacrifice too great to secure it from danger. A woman, a queen of such a character would seldom neglect an occasion of exercising her authority. Walpole's spleen was frequently provoked, by what he considered her untimely interference or impolitic councils. On one occasion, when he had delivered his opinion to the privy council respecting a public question, and stated the reasons which induced him to adopt it, a brief HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 47 Whilst Prince of Wales, he had attracted public attention, by the encouragement which he gave to many measures really patriotic ; and in none more usefully than in the encouragement, indeed we may say the introduction, of inoculation for the small pox ; the idea of which the Princess is thought first to have derived from the information of lady Mary Wortley Montague, on her return from the Turkish embassy. This was as early as 1721, in which year the Prince directed Dr. Mead to assist at the experimental inoculation of some condemned criminals, which succeeded ; and im- reply was made by one of the members, "that those councils could not be followed — they would displease the Queen, tvho recommended other measures." The minister expressed his impatience of contradiction, with a coarse allusion to her Ma- jesty's embonpoint: "That fat is constantly inter- meddling with public business. Why does she not attend to her proper duties, and take care of her family l" It is now matter of little moment what opinion was adopted. Walpole speedily forgot the dispute and its circumstances. Indeed, to his mind it could present no singular recollections : that style of language had become quite familiar by habit. His conster- nation in a few days can with difficulty be conceived, when he was officially informed of his dismissal from office, and from the privy council. The deep politicians of the day attributed his fall to rival intrigue, supported by aristocratic influence. Walpole himself could ascribe it to no other cause. After the lapse of a few years, the alarm created by the King's illness forced upon the attention of Parliament, among other measures, that of assigning a suitable provision to his surviving consort. The sum specified by ministers was considered by the Queen 48 GEORGE THE THIRD, mediately afterwards he caused two of his own daughters to undergo the apparently hazardous operation, thus setting a praiseworthy example to the people whom he was soon to govern. The princesses had the disorder most favourably ; and a result so fortunate soon spread the practice throughout the kingdom, but not without great exertions on the part of its friends, in all of which the Prince and Princess warmly participated, par- ticularly when Mr. Neale, an eminent divine of the Independent persuasion in London, published a book entitled, " A Narrative of the method and success of Inoculating the Small Pox in New England, by Mr. Benjamin Coleman ; with a Reply to the Objections made against it from scruples of conscience, in a Letter from a minister at Boston : to which is now prefixed an historical inadequate to the proper maintenance of her state and dignity. The minister firmly refused an augmentation. At this favour- able contingency, Walpole sent, with his respectful homages, an assurance to her Majesty, that if he were restored to office, he would carry through both Houses a vote to the amount she had specified. The Queen's answer was emphatically perspi- cuous. "Give him my compliments, and tell him that, on the condition he proposes, the fat forgives, and will reinstate him." Sir Robert Walpole for the first time, beheld the rock on which all his honours had been wrecked. The wisdom of the British monarch, like that of his majesty of ancient Rome, was traced to the furtive wooings of an Egeria, and the minister resolved to be more discreet in the application of coarse invective." HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 49 Introduction." On the appearance of this book, her royal highness Caroline Princess of Wales sent to Mr. Neale, to desire him to wait upon her, that she might receive from him further satisfaction concerning the practice of inoculation. He was accordingly introduced by a physician of the royal family, and was received by the Princess in her closet, where he found her reading Fox's Marty- rology. Her royal highness did him the honour of entering into a free conversation with him for near an hour, on the subject of inoculation, and afterwards on other points, particularly the state of the dissenting interest in England, and that of religion in the colonies. After some time the Prince of Wales came into the room, and conde- scended to take part in the conversation for about a quarter of an hour. The manners of the court and of the people of high fashion, at the accession of George II. are well exemplified by an anecdote of Gay, the author of the Beggars Opera, whose comic opera of "Polly" gave such extraordinary offence to Queen Caroline, that the Duke and Duchess of Queensberry became voluntary exiles from the court in consequence of their friendship for the author. — There is a remarkable account of this affair in a letter from Gay to Dean Swift, dated March 18, 1728-9. The original is in the British Museum. VOL. I. e / 50 GEORCxE THE THIRD, " You must undoubtedly have heard that the Duchess took up my defence with the King and Queen in the cause of my play : and that she hath been forbid the court for interesting herself to increase my fortune, by the publication of it without being acted. The Duke too hath given up his employments, which he would have done if the Duchess had not met with this treatment, upon account of ill-usage from the ministers : but this hastened him in what he had determined. " The Duchess of Queensberry's answer to the King and Queen, upon her being forbid the court, which was delivered by the vice-chamberlain in writing, upon his scrupling to carry it by word of mouth : ' The Duchess of Queensberry is surprised and well pleased that the King has given her so agreeable a command, as forbidding her the court, where she never came for diversion, but to bestow a very great civility upon the King and Queen. She hopes, that by so unprecedented an order as this, the King will see as few as she wishes at his court, particularly such as dare think or speak truth. I dare not do otherwise, nor ought not : nor could I have imagined, but that it would have been the highest compliment I could possibly pay the King and Queen, to support truth and in- nocence in their house. C. Queensberry.' HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 51 " P. S. Particularly when the King and Queen told me they had not read Mr. Gay's plays. I have certainly done right then to justify my own behaviour, rather than act like his grace of Graf- ton, who has neither made use of truth, honour, nor judgment, in this whole affair, either for him- self or his friends." Prince Frederick, the King's eldest son, born in 1706, had hitherto resided in Hanover; but some doubts having been expressed, whether the heir apparent ought not to reside in Great Britain, it was at length determined in 1728 that he should come over : his arrival took place on the 4th of December, and in a few weeks he was intro- duced into the Privy Council, and created Prince of Wales. Shortly afterwards, his royal father, wishing to extend the alliance already subsisting between his house and that of Prussia, by a double marriage with their respective children, sent over Sir Charles Hotham, about the year 1729, as minister plenipotentiary to the King of Prussia, to propose a marriage between the Prince of Wales and the eldest Princess of Prussia : and another between the Prince Royal of Prussia, and the King of England's second daughter. His Prussian Majesty's answer was, "that he would consent to the marriage of his Prince Royal with our Princess, if our King did not insist upon a double marriage on the terms proposed ; but that e 2 52 GEORGE THE THIRD, if he did, he would not consent to either of them ; for he thought he had as much right to expect our Princess Royal for his eldest son, as our King had to expect his Princess Royal for his Prince of Wales." The two Kings persisting in their reso- lutions, there was ah end of the negotiation, but not of the difference. About the same time, a dispute respecting Mecklenburg contributed, with this family quarrel, to irritate the two Monarchs more bitterly against each other. Emissaries were employed to inveigle many of the King's Hanoverian subjects into the Prussian service, which produced ineffectual remonstrances, and measures of retaliation. The two Sovereigns corresponded with each other in terms very little becoming their quality ; and having exhausted the vocabulary of virulent epi- thets, they came, at last, to the determination of settling their grounds of difference in a personal interview. Bielfeld, in his letters, says, that King George made choice of Brigadier-general Sutton for his second, as Frederick did of colonel Derscheim. The territory of Hildesheim was pitched upon for the place of meeting; his Britannic Majesty being then at Hanover, and the King of Prussia at Saltzdahl, near Brunswick. Borck, the Prussian minister at the court of London, having been dis- missed from thence in a very abrupt manner, re- HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 53 paired to his master at the last-mentioned place, and finding him in a violent passion, did not think proper to attempt dissuading him from his purpose. On the contrary, he affected to approve of the measure, and even offered to carry a challenge ; but about an hour afterwards, coming into the King's apartment, he took the liberty of saying, " Sire, I allow that your Majesty's quarrel is not to be terminated in any other way than by a duel ; but as you are just recovered from a dangerous illness, and your health being still very precarious, should you be taken with a relapse the day before the interview, or perhaps at the very time when it is to take place, what would the world say, and how would the King of England boast ! How many scandalous constructions would be put on this accident ! What an odious suspicion might it not bring on your Majesty's courage ! These things considered, do not you think, Sire, it would be better to delay the affair for a fortnight ?" The King yielded reluctantly to the force of these reasons, and the challenge was not sent ; the ministers on both sides gained time, the choler of the royal disputants abated, and the following year the quarrel was made up. The Prince remained a bachelor for some years afterwards, living a quiet English life, though not unobservant of the politics of the day. Walpole, indeed, states that the Prince had some thoughts / 54 GEORGE THE THIRD, of marrying Lady Diana Spencer, grand -daughter of the great Duke of Marlborough ; her grand- mother, Sarah, engaging to give her a fortune of 100,000/. He adds, that it would have taken place, but for Sir Robert's opposition. His Majesty and Queen Caroline generally passed the summer months at Richmond ; and the Prince, admiring the scenery in that vicinity, in the year 1730 first took a long lease of Kew House from the Capel family, the fee of which was many years afterwards purchased from the Countess Dowager of Essex by George III. Here the Prince began those pleasure-grounds, which were not quite completed until after his demise by the Princess Dowager, and since increased in size by their union with Richmond Gardens. That the Prince, even in youth, was by no means inattentive to public affairs, is proved by an anecdote, which states, that from various causes, at the beginning of his fathers reign, the money appropriated for the payment of the royal household expenses and servants' wages was made use of for other purposes, till by degrees, instead of being paid punctually every quarter, they at last became above two years in arrear, the consequences of which were, that many per- sons being obliged to borrow at very large pre- miums, were entirely ruined ; others were in con- tinual danger of being thrown into prison ; while HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 55 the Kinsf himself was served with the worst of every thing ! One day at dinner, the King actually com- plained to the Prince of the badness of the provi- sions ; on which his Royal Highness caught at the opportunity, and acquainted the Monarch with the distressed situation of his tradesmen and do- mestics ; adding, that if his Majesty should die, they would certainly lose all that was due to them. The King was astonished, and expressed equal concern and surprise ; and instantly spoke to Sir Robert Walpole, then prime minister, on the sub- ject, insisting on some speedy method being taken to clear off the whole of the arrears. In conse- quence of this, Walpole had a bill brought into parliament for making good the deficiencies of the civil list ; soon after which all arrears were paid, and a system adopted by means of which regular payments ever after took place at the close of each quarter, so that on the royal demise the current debts were merely of a trifling amount during the broken quarter Even at this early period, the Prince was looked up to as a patron of literature; and in 1732, Tindal having dedicated to him his edition of Rapin, his Royal Highness sent that gentleman a gold medal, worth forty guineas, as a mark of distinction and of future favour. / T t has been said of the great Duke of Marlbu- 5G GEORGE THE THIRD, rough, that, so engaging were his manners and deportment, he made as many friends by refusing favours as by granting them : how far this was applicable to the parent of our revered Monarch, may be drawn from the following anecdote. A clause in the Tithing Bill, relative to the Quakers, being in agitation in the House of Com- mons, in the } r ear 1735, a deputation from the Friends waited on his Royal Highness to solicit his interest in favour of that clause. His answer was every way worthy of his high character : " That, as a friend to liberty in general, and tole- ration in particular, he wished that they might meet with all proper favour ; but, for himself, he never gave his vote in parliament, and it did not become his station to influence his friends, or di- rect his servants : to leave them entirely to their own conscience and understanding, was a rule he had hitherto prescribed to himself, and purposed through his whole life to observe. " The reply from Andrew Pitt, the person who spoke in the name of the body, was not less re- markable : " May it please the Prince of Wales, I am greatly affected with thy excellent notions of liberty ; and am more pleased with thy answer, than if thou hadst granted to us our request." It has been thought that the Prince, about this period, did not disdain to be an author ; and it is even asserted by Seward in his Anecdotes, that HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 57 he was a great reader of French memoirs, and actually wrote the " History of Prince Titi," in imitation of them. Not trusting to his own criti- cal knowledge of the English language, he gave it to Ralph, the historian, for his correction; but that gentleman died before the completion of his task, and the book was found amongst his papers by one of his executors, and was printed in 1736, a copy appearing in Paris the same year ; some, however, think that the French really was the original. The Prince's union with the Princess Augusta of Saxe Gotha, born in 1719, took place in 1736; the particulars of which may serve as an illustra- tion of the times. Her Highness arrived in the William and Mary yacht at Greenwich, on Sunday, April 25, 1736, and landing at the hospital, was conducted in one of his Majesty's coaches, by Lord Delawar, to the Queen's House in the Park, amidst the acclama- tions of thousands of spectators. Her Highness seemed highly delighted with the joy the people expressed at her arrival, and had the goodness to shew herself for above half an hour from the gal- lery towards the Park. The Prince of Wales came to pay her a visit; and their Majesties, the Duke, and Princesses, sent their compliments. Monday, 26th. The Prince of Wales dined with her Highness at Greenwich, in one of the rooms towards the Park, the windows being thrown open, 58 GKOIUiE THE THIRD, to oblige the curiosity of the people. His Royal Highness afterwards gave her the diversion of passing on the water, as far as the Tower and back again, in his barge, finely adorned, and pre- ceded by a concert of music. The ships saluted their Highnesses all the way they passed, and hung out their streamers and colours, and the river was covered with boats. Their Highnesses afterwards supped in public. Tuesday, 27th. Her Highness came in his Ma- jesty's coach from Greenwich to Lambeth, crossed the water at Lambeth, and was brought in the Queen's chair, from Whitehall to St. James's, where was a numerous and splendid court beyond expression. The Prince of Wales received her at the garden-door; and upon her sinking on her knee to kiss his hand, he affectionately raised her up, and twice saluted her. His Royal Highness led her up stairs to their Majesties' apartments, where, presenting her to the King, her Highness fell on her knee to kiss his hand, but was gently taken up and saluted by him. Her Highness was then presented to the Queen in like manner, and afterwards to the Duke and Princesses, who con- gratulated her on her arrival. Her Highness dined with the Prince of Wales and the Princesses. At eight the procession began to the chapel, and the joining of hands was proclaimed to the people by firing guns. Her Highness was in her hair, wear- HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 59 ing a crown with one bar as Princess of Wales, and set all over with diamonds. Her robe like- wise, as Princess of Wales, being of crimson vel- vet, turned back with several rows of ermine, and having her train supported by Lady Caroline Lenox, daughter to his grace the Duke of Rich- mond; Lady Caroline Fitzroy, daughter to his grace the Duke of Grafton; Lady Caroline Caven- dish, daughter to his grace the Duke of Devon- shire ; and Lady Sophia Fermor, daughter to the Earl of Pomfret : all of whom were in virgin habits of silver like the Princess, and adorned with diamonds not less in value than from 20 to 30,000/. each. Her Highness was led by his royal highness the Duke, and conducted by his grace the Duke of Grafton, lord chamberlain of the household, and the Lord Hervey, vice chamber- lain ; and attended by the Countess of Effingham, and the other ladies of the household. The mar- riage service was read by the Lord Bishop of London, dean of the chapel ; and after the same was over, a fine anthem was performed by a great number of voices and instruments. When the procession returned, his Royal Highness led his bri« ie ; and coming into the drawing-room, their Royal Highnesses kneeled down and received their Majesties' blessing. At half an hour after ten, their Majesties sat down to supper in ambigu, the Prince and Duke being on the King's right hand, 60 GEORGE THE THIHD, and the Princess of Wales and the four Princesses on the Queens left. Their Majesties retiring to the apartments of the Prince of Wales, the bride was conducted to her bed-chamber, and the bride- groom to his dressing-room, where the Duke un- dressed him, and his Majesty did his Royal High- ness the honour to put on his shirt. The bride was undressed by the Princesses, and being in bed in a rich undress, his Majesty came into the room and the Prince following soon after in a night- gown of silver stuff, and cap of the finest lace ; the quality were admitted to see the bride and bridegroom sitting up in the bed, surrounded by the Royal Family. His Majesty was dressed in a gold brocade turned up with silk, embroidered with large flowers in silver and colours, as was the waistcoat : the buttons and star were diamonds. Her Majesty was in a plain yellow silk, robed and faced with pearl, diamonds, and other jewels of immense value. The Dukes of Grafton, New- castle, and St. Alban's, the Earl of Albemarle, Lord Hervey, col. Pelham, and many other no- blemen, were in gold brocades of 3 to 500/. a suit. The Duke of Marlborough was in a white velvet and gold brocade, upon which was an exceedingly rich point d'Espagne ; the Earl of Euston and many others were in clothes flowered or sprigged with gold ; the Duke of Montagu in a gold bro- caded tissue. The waistcoats were universally HIS COURT, AMD FAMILY. Gl brocades, with large flowers. It was observed, most of the rich clothes were the manufacture of England ; and in honour of our own artists, the few which wore French did not come up to these in richness, goodness, or fancy, as was seen by the clothes worn by the Royal Family, which were all of the British manufacture. The cuffs of the sleeves were universally deep and open, the waists long, and the plaits more sticking out than ever. The ladies were principally in brocades of gold and silver, and wore their sleeves much lower than had been done for some time." Walpole in one of his letters to a friend, speak- ing of this marriage, says, " I believe the Princess will have more beauties bestowed on her by the occasional poets, than even a painter would afford her. They will cook up a new Pandora, and in the bottom of the box inclose Hope, that all they have said is true." In another letter he says, that Lord Baltimore made a whimsical mistake in speaking to the Prince on his marriage, " Sir, your Royal Highness's marriage will form a new area in the history of England." It is also worth recording, that the first speech ever made in parliament by the illustrious Pitt, the first Earl of Chatham, was to second an ad- dress moved by Lord, then Mr. Lyttelton, con- gratulatory on the marriage of the Prince of Wales. 62 GEORGE THE THIRD, Amongst the numerous epithalamia on this in- teresting occasion, the following lines from the pen of Whitehead, the Laureat, deserve insertion, as containing a wish which succeeding events fully gratified. " Such was the age, so calm the earth's repose, When Maro sung, and anew Pollio rose. Oh ! from such omens may again succeed Some glorious youth to grace the nuptial bed ; Some future Scipio, good as well as great; Some young Marcel lus with a better fate; Some infant Frederick, or some George to grace The rising records of the Brunswick Race." It was in the month of August that the unhappy fracas took place between the King and the Prince of Wales, the former having for some time looked coldly on his son, in consequence of a parliamen- tary motion by Mr. Pulteney during the preceding session, for increasing the heir-apparent's income to 100,000/.; his Majesty suspecting that the Prince favoured the Opposition, and was forming connexions unfavourable to the existing ministry. It is said that the Princess of Wales, then in parturition with the Princess Augusta, had ad- vanced to the last month of her pregnancy before the King or Queen were made acquainted with it ; and that at the very moment when her labour- pains were coining on, the Prince had hurried her from Hampton Court to St. James's Palace, still HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 63 keeping her state unknown to the King. About two hours after her arrival she was delivered ; and when the King was acquainted with the event, he sent a message to the Prince, signifying his displeasure at conduct which he considered as an indignity both to himself and the Queen. The Prince, in several submissive letters, endeavoured to deprecate his Majesty's anger ; the Princess joined her entreaties ; they implored Queen Caro- line's mediation ; but all their supplications had no effect : the King's anger increased ; but it is said that he was imposed on by some who found their interest in fomenting this difference. In a little time he sent another message to the Prince, importing that his conduct had for some time been void of all real duty ; that until he withdrew from his confidence some persons by whose advice he was directed, he should not reside in the palace ; and that, as soon as it could be done without pre- judice to the Princess, he should remove from it with all his family. " In obedience to this man- date, the Prince retired to Kew, and afterwards lived i t Cliefden and Norfolk House, like a private gentleman ; cultivating the polite arts with un- common assiduity; beloved, revered, and respect- ed by the whole nation ; virtuous, religious, and beneficent ; an affectionate husband, a true friend, and a kind master: he possessed an enlivening genius, that like the beam of glory added new 04 GEORGE THE THIRD, lustre, and kindled fresh warmth, by its appear- ance ; his countenance was cheerful, his person graceful, and all his manners affable and engaging; none ever went from his presence dissatisfied, and all ranks met him with pleasure and affection : he was the minion of a free people, and the com- panion of the wise and honest, by whom he was incessantly courted ; he distinguished himself, without offering the least indecency as a son or subject to his royal parents, with many noble and worthy patriots, by opposing the oppressive and rapacious designs of the minister." Such was the character given in a political pamphlet published in 1762 ; and we may further add that it was at this period he was persuaded by Lyttelton more particularly to patronize literature and literary men, beginning with Mallet and Thomson, and soon filling up an extensive circle. Connected with this, we may record that although the London Theatres had been long subject to re- gulations by patent, yet dramatic exhibition had been, in some measure, free ; but in this year a new era took place, viz. the establishment of a dramatic censor, in the person of the Lord Cham- berlain, without whose licence no new pieces were to be performed. This arose from the re- presentation of some dramatic jeux d'esprit in which Walpole had been severely satirized, and ludicrously ridiculed; and accordingly he had a HIS C0U11T, AND FAMILY. G5 bill brought in for limiting the number of play- houses, and establishing a licence. The witty- Lord Chesterfield, in the Peers, opposed this bill as infringing the liberty of the press : but the bill was carried through by ministerial majorities. From the time of the quarrel, no personal inter- views took place between the Prince and his parents until the month of November, when Queen Caroline was taken ill, languished a few days, and expired of a mortification in her bowels on the 20th of November, in her 55th year, univer- sally regretted. It was much lamented at the time, that the Prince could not be admitted into her presence during her last moments, to receive her forgiveness and blessing ; and this the more, because she enjoyed the esteem of the people at large, though split by party ; but in that they were unanimous, from her sagacity, mildness, and numerous virtues, shewing herself at all times as an amiable pattern of conjugal fidelity and affection, notwithstanding the infidelities of her ro^ i\ partner. The circumstances of her departure, as stated by an eye-witness, are highly deserving of re- cord. A little before she expired, she said to a physician, " How long can this last?" and on his saying, " Your Majesty will soon be eased of your pains," her reply was, " The sooner the better:" after which she repeated a prayer of her own VOI . I. F 66 GEORGE THE THIRD, composing, in which there was such a flow of natural eloquence as amazed the bystanders, and demonstrated the power and vigour of a great and good mind. When her speech began to falter, and she was thought expiring, she summoned all her strength, and all the power of her departing spirit, to assist her for one glorious moment, that she might make her end to her immortal honour, in a manner worthy of a good Christian, and worthy of herself. For this purpose she desired to be raised up in her bed, and fearing that nature would not hold out long enough without artificial support, she called to have water thrown on her, and a little after desired that it might be repeated ; by which means having gathered up some strength, she, with the greatest composure and presence of mind, requested her weeping royal relations to kneel down and pray for her, which they immedi- ately did. Whilst they were reciting their prayers, as well as circumstances of such unutterable dis- tress would admit, she said, " Pray aloud, that I may hear;" and after the Lord's Prayer was con- cluded, in which she joined as well as she could, she said, " So !" and then waving her hand, with the utmost tranquillity lay down, and uttered her last sigh ! proving her frequent declaration that " she had made it the business of her life to MIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 67 discharge her duty to God and man in the best manner she was able." Through life she had been the patroness of literature ; and amongst the numerous pensioners of her Majesty's bounty, may be classed the ce- lebrated Whiston, who was often admitted, not only to private parties, but also to more familiar interviews, when she always paid him his salary, in the most delicate manner, by her own hands. The Queen observed to him one day, that she understood he was a free speaker, and in the habit of telling people honestly their faults ; add- ing, that as no one was without faults, she wished to be informed of her own. After due reserve on the part of Whiston, and even intreaties on the part of her Majesty, the philosopher at length re- plied, " Well, since your Majesty insists upon it, I must obey you. There are abundance of people who come out of the country every spring to London upon business, and they all naturally de- sire t > see the King and Queen, and have no op- portunity of seeing your Majesties so conveniently as at the Chapel Royal ; but these country folks, who are not used to such things, when they see your Majesty talking with the King almost all the time of divine service, are perfectly astonished, and depart with strange impressions into their respective counties, where they make their re- f 2 68 GEORGE THE THIRD, ports not at all to your Majesty's honour." — " I am sorry for it," replied the Queen ; " I believe there is some truth in what you say, and will amend it." Some weeks afterwards the Queen renewed the subject, and asked Whiston for another fault ; but he replied most pointedly and laconically, " Ex- cuse me, Madam, I never mention a second fault until I see that the first has been remedied!" Queen Caroline had a fine taste as well as con- siderable literary talents ; and the late Daines Barrington, in his very ingenious paper on the progress of gardening, gives this account of her designs and improvements : — " It is believed," says he, " that George I. rather improved the gardens at Herenhausen than those of any of his English palaces. In the suc- ceeding reign, Queen Caroline threw a string of ponds in Hyde Park into one, so as to form what is called the Serpentine River, from its being not exactly straight, as all ponds and canals were before. She is likewise well known to have planted and laid out the gardens both of Richmond and Kensington, upon a larger scale, and in better taste, than Ave have any instances before that period. She seems also to have been the first introducer of expensive buildings in gardens, if one at Lord Barrington's is excepted." This taste for improvement, however, had HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 69 nearly led her into impropriety; for it is recorded that she had formed a plan to have St. James's Park inclosed, and shut up from the public. This plan she had so far matured, as seriously to ask a nobleman at court, how much he thought it would cost? who replied, " A mere trifle, madam! not more than Jif teen shillings /" The Queen started; but recollecting that fifteen shillings amounted to three crowns, she felt the force of his reply, and gave up her intentions. We have already noticed her dutiful conduct towards her royal partner ; and we may add, that she made it a constant rule to be with him as much as possible, always' accompanying him even in his morning and evening garden walks, and that, too, at times when her own precarious health required the utmost care of her own person. Her character may be summed up with this observation, that although she had such an ascen- dan"*y over the mind of her husband, she never abused it either by encouraging political in- trigue, or advancing any particular favourites. Yet it must not be omitted that Lord Chesterfield spoke differently of her; for he says, " she was a woman of lively, pretty parts. Her death was regretted by none but the King. She died medi- tating projects, which must have ended either in her own ruin, or in that of the country." Her greatest ambition was to cultivate the esteem of 70 GEORGE THE THIRD, men of learning, as her chief pleasure consisted in promoting the cause of virtue, in relieving the afflicted, and assisting modest merit. She cor- responded with Leibnitz on the most friendly terms, but she encouraged Dr. Clarke in his con- troversy with that lively, yet superficial metaphy- sician; and the Doctor used to say, " that she understood what answers were to be given to Leibnitz's arguments, before he drew up his reply to them, as well as he himself did." Her tenderness for the feelings of others was always superior to court etiquette. Of this she gave a proof in the well-authenticated anecdote, that one day observing that one of the princesses had made one of her ladies stand a long time whilst she was talking to her on some trifling subject, the Queen determined to take an early opportunity of giving to her daughter a practical reprimand for her conduct, which should carry more weight with it than a mere precept could convey. For this purpose, when her Royal Highness came as usual to read to her in the evening, and was drawing a chair to sit down, the Queen motioned to her to stand, and thus to commence the amusement of the hour ; and for an hour she kept her standing, until seeing her almost ex- hausted, her Majesty observed, " Now, my dear you may sit down ; you will thus be able to judge HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 71 of the impropriety of subjecting others to eti- quette unnecessarily." The Queen has been accused of rather affecting a fondness for learning than possessing any real taste for it. Perhaps this may have partly arisen from her telling Sale, the orientalist, that she read Bishop Butler's abstruse book on the Analogy of Religion to Human Nature, as the companion of her breakfast-table ; and this too, a work which the learned Hoadly, bishop of Winchester, com- plained of as making his head ache if he only looked into it. It was hoped by the nation that this melancholy event would have produced a reconciliation be- tween its Monarch and heir apparent ; but this not taking place, seems to give some countenance to the assertion that something: more than a mere political quarrel had taken place, and that an additional reason was, some harsh language used to the Princess, which her husband resented in such a manner as to produce an order for the in- stant removal of himself and family. Thus stood affairs in the beginning of 1738. On the 23d of May, old style, the Princess of Wales so little expected a premature labour, that in the evening she amused herself in walking with the Prince in St. James's Park : but was taken ill during the night, and between six and seven in the morning, after her return to Norfolk house, 72 GEORGE THE THIRD, was delivered of His late Majesty, by Mrs. Cannon of Jermyn Street, the Archbishop of Canterbury being the only great officer of state then present. As early as five, Lord Baltimore had been sent to Kensington to acquaint the King with the commencing labour of her Royal High- ness, and at eight the Marquis of Caernarvon announced the happy birth of an heir presumptive, who was, however, only a seven months' child. In the course of the day, the 24th of May, which the subsequent alteration of style changed to the 4th of June in the year 1752, the young Prince was so extremely ill that fears were enter- tained for his life : and at eleven at night he was privately baptized by the-Bishop of Oxford, by the name of George. The next day brought better health, and the royal mother was also announced to be in a fair way. The poetical effusion of the Poet Laureat on this happy event merits insertion, as a beautiful prophetic compliment to the future Monarch. "Thanks, Nature! thanks! the finish'd piece we own, And worthy Frederick's love, and Britain's throne. Th' impatient Goddess first had sketch'd the plan, Yet ere she durst complete the wond'rous man. To try her power, a gentler task design'd, And form'd a pattern of the softer kind.* But now, bright boy, thy more exalted ray Streams o'er the dawn, and pours a fuller day ; * The Princess Augusta, late Duchess of Brunswick. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 7'> Nor shall, displeased, to thee her realms resign, The earlier promise of the rising line. And see ! what signs his future worth proclaim, See ! our Ascanius boast a noble flame ! On the fair form let vulgar fancies trace, Some fond presage in ev'ry dawning grace; More unconfin'd, poetic transport roves, Sees all the soul, and all the soul approves: Sees regal pride but reach the exterior part, And big with virtues beat the little heart ; Whilst from his eyes soft beams of mercy flow, And liberty supreme smiles on his infant brow. Now, in herself secure, shall Albion rise, And the vain frowns of future fate despise ; See willing worlds beneath her sceptre bend, And to the verge of Time, her fame extend!" SECTION II. 1738—1760. Royal Baptism and Infanci/ — Anecdotes of Education — Prince of Wales, anecdotes, character, and demise — Death and Character of George II. — Accession of George III. fyc. ' K-SS E DWARD, I) V KK ok K E NT. i 1766-7. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 341 to the support of the civil list. The result was, therefore, that the four and half per cent, duty on exports from the West Indies, was from that period payable to the King upon the throne, over and above the revenue settled upon him by Par- liament, for the support of the civil list as at present established. The 16th of September, 1767, was remarkable as the first day of Lord North coming into office as chancellor of the exchequer, but not as first lord of the treasury till 1770; and on the ensuing day his Majesty lost his favourite brother, the Duke of York, at the age of twenty-nine, who expired at Monaco in Piedmont, where he was attacked by a fever, on his way to the various Italian courts. On the 2d of November the Duke of Kent was born ; and shortly afterwards a ge- neral mourning was ordered for his Royal High- ness the Duke of York. The shortening of court and general mourn- ings, on account of home- trade, is not a novelty ; for we find that on this occasion, his Majesty, in compassion to such manufacturers and people in trade, as by the usual length of court mournings would be, in that period of general scarcity and dearness of provisions, deprived in a great degree of the means of getting bread, of his own free act and judgment declared his intention that all mourning should be curtailed, and directed the 342 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1768. lord chamberlain to take the proper steps for that purpose. This was done some short time afterwards, when a great number of Spitalfields weavers, both mas- ters and journeymen, went in grand procession through the metropolis to St. James's Palace, in order to return their thanks to his Majesty. This expression of public feeling and gratitude was most graciously received, and afforded the King great satisfaction. 1768. In the early part of this year his Majesty made some changes in the ministry, General Conway resigning the secretaryship of state in favour of Lord Weymouth ; and a new secretaryship was also created for the Colonies, the affairs of North America apparently coming now to a crisis. To this office the Earl of Hilsborough was appointed ; and he soon had full employment in its duties, as it was in February of this year that the legislature of Massachusetts declared taxation by the British parliament to be unconstitutional, and started the first idea of a general congress amongst the states. To enter into all the proceedings of this period is beyond our plan ; but we may observe, that much of the personal odium thrown upon the King, in consequence of the language used in 17C8. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 343 the state papers of that day, was very unjustly applied. That his Majesty was anxious to preserve his own dominion over the Colonies cannot surely be matter of just reproach : nor can we blame him for wishing to preserve, in a national point of view, those lands for which Britain, during the last twenty years particularly, had shed so much blood, and expended so much treasure. Had the King, indeed, been possessed of the gift of pro- phecy, he might perhaps at once, on his own part, have conceded independence to those Colonies, and left them to defend themselves against the attacks of France, whose armies, acting as ene- mies, would have carried on a more decisive war- fare than was either possible or politic for British troops to do, even at the very height of the revo- lutionary war ; but would the nation, at home, have consented to such a dereliction of power, and to such a total change of policy ? — To that ques- tion we may safely answer, No ! In such a case there was no middle course to steer. There exists sufficient proof to shew that the Americans would not tax themselves for the British treasury, though they expected the mother country still to protect them, even with- out allowing her to remunerate herself by the ex- clusive commerce of her own Colonies. Now the individual wishes of the King were bu- 344 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1768. those of a majority of the nation ; . but then all the harsh threats held out being in his name, the Americans, not aware of the customary forms of government papers, considered him individually as their personal enemy, an idea caught at and fostered by their friends, and by the friends of riot at home, who at length succeeded in con- vincing a great part of the nation that the contest was between the King and Colonies solely, and was unconnected with the general rights of the nation. This opinion had already spread considerably, and tended much to foment those riots connected with the return of Wilkes from his outlawry, who had previously applied to the Duke of Grafton to solicit a pardon from the King. This application being treated with the contempt it deserved, Wilkes, expecting a dissolution of Parliament, actually came over, and had the insolence to ad- dress a letter to the King, which he sent to him by a common footman. The affair is well de- tailed in Almon's publication, where also may be seen full details of the unhappy disturbances in St. George's fields. Though Wilkes's outlawry, through some formal technicality, was declared illegal by the Court of King's Bench, he did not escape due punishment for his two libels, his fines amounting to 1000/. and his imprisonments to two and twenty months. 1768. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 345 The month of May exhibited one of the shortest sessions of parliament which this country has wit- nessed; its meeting taking place on the 10th, when an act was passed against the exportation of corn, and loyal addresses presented with assurances of parliamentary support to his Majesty, followed by a prorogation on the 21st of the same month. The King about this period lost his second sister, the Princess Louisa ; and during the summer the King of Denmark paid a visit to this country, in which he displayed much folly, but met with "very little personal approval from his royal brother- in-law, though treated with all the splendour of regal magnificence. His table alone was served, exclusive of wines, at the rate of 84/. per day ; and the City corporation, and other public bodies, gave him numerous fetes. The King of Denmark's visit to England, in- deed, placed his Majesty, personally, in a very awkward situation, but in which he conducted himself with much good sense and delicacy. It cannot be doubted but that he was fully apprised of the unpleasant circumstances of his sister Caro- line Matilda at the Danish Court, from the machi- nations of an ambitious stepmother, and also of the King her husband's culpable neglect and for- bearance. This, in fact, was the true and just motive of the cold reception which the Danish 346 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1768. King met with at St. James's, and of his Majesty's procrastination in receiving at his palace of Rich- mond the first visit of this royal guest. The late Princess Dowager of Wales was also equally well informed and displeased on account of the illiberal and unmerited slights her daughter had so often met with from the Queen Dowager and her son Prince Frederick, and she despised that King for his tame submission and pusillanimity. Notwith- standing all this, his Majesty, willing to shew to royalty the exterior marks of distinction which sovereigns mutually expect from each other, inti- mated to the Royal Family, to his ministers, and the great officers of state, that he should consider as a respectful attention paid to himself, the emu- lation of the nobility in procuring the King of Denmark whatever was conducive to his amuse- ment and information in this kingdom. Indeed, that young Monarch received the most distin- guished honours from an hospitable and magnifi- cent court, in a continued succession of the most brilliant feasts, and the most sumptuous entertain ments. His Majesty himself concluded all these festivities in a princely manner, by giving to the Danish Monarch a grand ball and supper at the Queen's palace : but though the King, out of com- pliment to him, went to his superb masqued ball at the Opera-house, yet he did not mix in the I ! E K R OVA L Mil. IIESS ]'l;l >" (' l-,sS,s Arc, [TSTA SOIPJBI 1768. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 347 motley throng, but merely sat for some time in a private and secluded box, where he could quietly view the folly and bustle of the scene. In all this dignified reserve, his Majesty was fully justified by the previous conduct of his brother-in-law ; and even more so by his beha- viour at the British capital, which can best be described in a letter from the Danish Queen to one of her sisters, — " I wish the King's travels had the same laudable objects as those of Cyrus ; but I find that the chief visitors of his Majesty are musicians, fiddlers, and other persons designed for employments still more inglorious!" The Princess Augusta's birth, on the 8th of No- vember, gave the corporation of London another opportunity of approaching his Majesty, which they did with a better grace than on some pre- ceding occasions, steering clear of political ani- madversion, and confining themselves to the gra- tulations on the happy event, mingled with be- coming loyalty ; a circumstance which afforded the King great satisfaction, as was evidently marked by the manner in which he received and answered their address at the levee. Connected with this event, amidst the usual re- ception of the public to royal cake and caudle, on Sunday the 13th November, a curious incident occurred at the palace. Two young ladies having drank plentifully of caudle, were detected in car- 348 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1768. rying off a large quantity of cake, and some of the cups in which the caudle had been served up. They were allowed however to escape with a se- vere reprimand, after begging pardon on their knees for so disgraceful an act. In his attention to literature, the King did not neglect the practices of the Universities ; and this year it was fully understood to be his determina- tion that the Professorship of History at Oxford should be no longer a sinecure. Warton was a candidate; but Vivian secured it, notwithstanding Bishop Warburton's solicitation to the Duke of Grafton, the chancellor. Some years afterwards, however, the King recompensed Warton for his disappointment, expressly desiring that the poet- laureatship should be given to him. But that his Majesty's judgment of him was correct, is evident fromWarton's conduct when afterwards appointed Camden Professor, for which he delivered an ex- cellent inaugural lecture, but " suffered," says his biographer, " the rostrum to grow cold whilst it was in his possession." About this period, his Majesty understanding from Dr. Kennicott that there was in London a Hebrew MS. of the Old Testament, which four centuries previous belonged to a synagogue at Jerusalem, the King felt extremely desirous of possessing such a curiosity, and of having in his library things which might be useful to the country ; 17G8. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 349 and he accordingly bought and sent it to Oxford, for the information and examination of the learned at that University. Mr. Townshend died this year ; and the King- felt his loss so sincerely when he heard it, that he exclaimed, he had lost one of the ablest and best men in his dominions *. Amidst all the bustle of politics, the King still found time to attend to the arts and sciences ; and * Charles Townshend was reckoned to possess the finest ta- lents in the House of Commons: his only fault in speaking, per- haps, was, looking out for words and antitheses to ornament his discourse, which sometimes led him into embarrassments. His conversation, however, was of the most excellent kind, partak- ing of almost every thing which could adorn it. Some people used to think he at times took too great a lead ; but he talked so much from the fulness of his mind, his humour so prevailing, and his wit so sudden and brilliant, that most people gave way to him, well pleased to let him take their turn. He was, besides all this, a fine mimic : and, though a very handsome man, he had that power of face, that he could in a moment transform it into every kind of deformity. It was from these talents, that, after the death of his father, he became the patron of his whole family. It was through his in- terest that^his brother Lord Townshend was appointed lord lieu- tenant of Ireland; and though Mr. Townshend died before the appointment was made out, yet the King, knowing it was in train, punctually performed his promise ; and his lordship soon after set out for Ireland, where he continued eight years with so much credit to himself, and advantage to the country, that the anniversary of his birth is still, we believe, celebrated there by some of the most respectable societies in that kingdom. 350 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1768. this year he employed Sir William Chambers in building the observatory at Richmond, of which Dr. Stephen Demainbray was the first astronomer, that edifice being fitted up with the very best in- struments, in a moveable dome, consisting of an eight-feet transit instrument, a twelve-feet zenith sector, an equatorial instrument of most superb construction, an eight-feet mural arch, and a ten- feet reflector; besides a very handsome collection of natural history, many fine ores, especially from the Hartz forest in Germany, and a complete col- lection of philosophical experimental apparatus. The Royal Academy was also established at this period under the King's immediate patronage, of which Sir Joshua Reynolds was elected the first president ; in whose Memoirs by Northcote much literary anecdote of this era may be found, illustrative of British improvement in matters of taste and fancy. Without entering into any very special details upon this subject, it must still be interesting to view the original design, and to compare it with the present state of the Royal Academy; and it ap- pears, that on its first formation it was announced to the world that his Majesty, ever ready to en- courage useful improvements, and always intent upon promoting every branch of polite knowledge, had been graciously pleased to institute a Royal Academy of Arts, to be under his Majesty's own 1768. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 351 immediate patronage, and under the direction of forty artists of the first rank in their several pro- fessions. The principal object of this Institution was stated to be the establishment of well regulated schools of design, where students in the arts might find that instruction which had so Ions* been wanted, and so long wished for in this country. That, therefore, there was intended to be a winter academy of living models of dif- ferent characters to draw after, and a summer academy of living models of different characters to paint after. There were also to be Laymen with all sorts of draperies, both ancient and modern, and choice casts of all the celebrated antique statues, groupes, and basso-relievos. Nine of the ablest academicians, elected an- nually from amongst the forty, were to superin- tend these schools by rotation, to set the figures, to examine the performances of the students, to advise and instruct them, and to turn their atten- tion towards that branch of the arts in regard to which they might severally appear to have the aptest disposition. In order also to instruct the students in the principles and laws of composition, to strengthen their judgment, to form their taste for design and colouring, to point out to them the beauties and imperfections of celebrated performances, and the 352 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1768. particular excellencies and defects of great mas- ters, to fit them for the unprejudiced study of books, and to lead them into the readiest and most efficacious paths of study, it was appointed that there should be a Professor of Painting, a Profes- sor of Architecture, of Anatomy, and of Perspec- tive, who should annually read a certain number of public lectures to the students in the schools, for the general purposes recorded. It was also a part of the original plan, that there should be an extensive library, containing books of architec- ture, sculpture, painting, and of all the sciences connected with those subjects; also books of prints, of bas-reliefs, vases, trophies, ornaments, ancient and modern dresses, customs and cere- monies, instruments of war and arts, utensils of sacrifice, and all other things useful to the stu- dents in general. The admission to these establishments was to be free to all students properly qualified to reap advantage from such studies as were there to be cultivated. The professors and academicians, who were to instruct in the schools, were to have proper salaries annexed to their offices ; as were also the treasurer, the keeper of the academy, the secretary, and all other persons employed in the management of the institution ; his Majesty, for the commencement, allotting a 1768. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 353 large house in Pall-Mali for the purposes of the schools, &c. It was also stated that, to render the effects of this truly royal institution conspicuous to the world, there should be an annual exhibition of paintings, sculptures, and designs, open to all artists of distinguished merit, where they might offer their performances to public view, and acquire that degree of fame and encouragement which they might be deemed to deserve. It was also said then to be a primary object of the establishment, that as all men who enter the career of the arts are not equally successful, and as some, unhappily, never acquire either fame or encouragement, but after many years of painful study, at a time of life when it is too late to think of other pursuits, find themselves desti- tute of every means of subsistence ; and as others are, by various infirmities incident to man, ren- dered incapable of exerting their talents, whilst some are cut off in the bloom of life before it could be possible to provide for their families, so was it his Majesty's gracious intention, as a part of that generosity and benevolence which overflowed every action of his life, to allot a considerable sum, annually to be distributed for the relief of indigent artists and their distressed families. Such being the plan, it was not too much to VOL. I. A A 354 GEORGE THE TH1UD, 1768. say, that even this slight sketch of the institution was sufficient to convince the world that no country could boast of a more useful establish- ment, nor of one formed upon more noble prin- ciples. Indeed the present flourishing state of art in this country,, arising from his Majesty's gracious patronage, must afford abundant matter for plea- surable contemplation to all Englishmen of taste ; especially to such as remember the ridiculous opi- nions and sarcasms thrown out and disseminated, not long since, by those shallow continental critics, Abbes Winkleman, Du Bos, and others, who have idly busied themselves in calculating the effects of climate on the human imagination ; endeavoured to measure the degrees of genius of the inhabitants, by the degrees of latitude in which a country happens to be situated ; and have ignorantly and impudently decided, that England is placed too far north to expect any of those warm and vigorous exertions of fancy, experienced in the more south- ern, and consequently happier, regions of Italy, and other countries on the continent. The futility of these suppositions has been ably exposed by an eminent artist of this age, in an " Enquiry into the Causes of the slow Progress of the Arts in England;" where he has sufficiently proved, what, indeed, no Englishman, or foreigner acquainted with the works of Englishmen, could 1768. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 355 require proof of, " that the course of art has been impeded, not by frigidity of climate or imagina- tion, but by various politico-religious causes, commencing with the Reformation ; and much more effectually destructive to the growth of re- finement and taste, and, consequently, to the pro- gress of the fine arts, than any combination of frost, fog, wind, rain, and sunshine, incidental to this, or perhaps any other country, Nova Zembla and Siberia not excepted. " The strength, originality, and variety, cer- tainly possessed by the English school, consistent with the national character, and its having made of late a greater improvement, in less time, than has been made perhaps by any other since the revival of the arts, might very rationally excite a hope to see it rival, if not excel, the happiest productions of the most celebrated schools of Italy, if properly seconded by taste and liberality in the public ; which qualities are to an artist of genius, what a good soil is to a plant or tree, and neither the one nor the other can be expected to flourish, or bear fruit of the highest flavour, if the ground be uncongenial, barren, or overgrown with weeds." Mr. Northcote relates that the President, who was knighted in honour of his appointment, had a villa at Richmond, of which Sir William Cham- bers was the architect. During summer it was a a 2 356 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1768. his frequent custom to dine at this place with select parties of his friends : and it happened some little time before he was to be elected mayor of Plympton, that one day, after dining at the house, he and his party took an evening walk in Richmond gardens, when very unexpect- edly, at a turning of one of the avenues, they suddenly met the King, accompanied by a part of the Royal Family ; and as his Majesty saw him, it was impossible for him to withdraw with- out being noticed. The King called to Reynolds, immediately entered into conversation, and told him that he had been informed of the office that he was soon to be invested with, that of being made the mayor of his native town. Sir Joshua was astonished that a circumstance so minute and inconsiderable, which indeed was of importance only to himself, should have come so quickly to the ears of his Majesty ; but he assured him respectfully of its truth, saying, that it was an honour which gave him more pleasure than any he had ever received during his life ; but then fortunately recollecting himself, he added, " ex- cept that which your Majesty was graciously pleased to confer upon me." We avail ourselves of an esteemed periodical work, to add some particulars respecting Sir Joshua's successor, the late venerable president, whose first interview with the King took place in 1768. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 357 February 1768, before the exhibition of the Agrip- pina in Spring-gardens, that year ; and it not only decided the future fortune of Mr. West, but had an important influence on the fine arts in this country. In 1767, Mr. West exhibited five historical paintings : of those, Pyrrhus when a child brought to Glaucus, King of Illyria, for protection, was particularly applauded, and added largely to his reputation. Dr. Drummond, then Bishop of York, had seen the picture of the young Pyrrhus at Spring-gardens, and was so struck with its merits, that he called on the painter at his house, took him home in his carriage to dine with him, and, after dinner, gave him a commission to paint the Landing of Agrippina with the ashes of Ger- manicus at Brundusium. This, according to notes taken from Mr. West's recollections, was the first commission for an historical picture that he received in England. When this painting was finished, that prelate was so pleased with its classical feeling and grandeur, that he mentioned it in terms of j ust praise to the King, who ex- pressed a wish to see it and the painter. This was an important crisis to Mr. West. His Ma- jesty, on the day of introduction, was surprised at the historical dignity of the composition, and pleased with the modest manner of the artist. A venerable contemporary, who knew him well 358 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1768. at the time, has enabled us to describe West at that period. His open forehead, mild intelligent eye, and clear healthy complexion, with the gravity of his dress, and that primitive tranquil- lity of expression, which his education among the Quakers had given him, formed altogether a com- bination not very usual in a courtly circle. He was rather below the middle size, but a light strongly-knit figure, well formed for active exer- cises. His Majesty conversed with him affably, and asked some questions relative to his birth- place in America ; the Queen joined in commend- ing the Agrippina, and the King gave him a com- mission to paint the subject of Regulus departing from Rome for Carthage. Elated with this un- expected piece of good fortune, West speedily executed a design for the picture, which he sub- mitted to the inspection of his royal patron, who was pleased with it, remarked upon its details, requested him to favour him with a view of the painting in its progress, and expressed an inten- tion of employing him to paint his portrait, and that of his consort. 1769. It is no part of our plan to enter upon all the politics of this period as connected with the affair of Wilkes, and the circumstances of the riots dur- ing the Brentford election, already mentioned ; 1769. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 359 but we may record the firmness which his Majesty- displayed when insulted and menaced with attack from a furious mob, that rushed into the court- yard of St. James's, following a hearse decorated with insignia of the most shameful description, with a person seated on it in the habit of an ex- ecutioner, holding an axe in his hand and his face covered with crape — said to have been actually an Irish Viscount, then indeed a very young man, descended from one of the oldest families in that kingdom, and who had succeeded to his title about three years previously. Amidst these disgraceful proceedings the King's firmness and presence of mind never deserted him a moment; but he remained in the drawing-room, displaying the utmost coolness, whilst the palace and the surrounding streets resounded with the clamour of an infuriated mob, and issuing the ne- cessary orders, which his ministers seemed inca- pable of giving. Though it is not our intention to enter into all the party politics of the period, or to recapitulate all the grievances complained of in the petitions and remonstrances from all parts of the empire against the men in power ; yet we may record the whimsical statement of a humorous foreigner, who observed that " In England the people are taxed in the morning for the soap that washes their hands ; at nine for the coffee, the tea, and 360 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1769. the sugar they use for breakfast; at noon for starch to powder their hair; at dinner for the salt to savour their meat ; in the evening for por- ter to cheer their spirits ; all day long for the light that enters the windows, and at night for the candles to light them to bed." All this is cer- tainly very true ; yet the people of England were not the less flourishing, nor have they sunk under a taxation tenfold in degree. Taxation is not al- ways an absolute deprivation of wealth : but is rather a temporary loan from the individual to the public purse, for which he is repaid by protection, security, extended employment, and an increased stimulus to general industry.* • Whilst on this subject, and in those days of discontent, we trust that we shall not overstep our plan by inserting the following remarks from an esteemed periodical publication, the New Monthly Magazine, for April 1820. " Here we shall be reminded of the immense amount of the national debt, with the insupportable burdens it has brought on the country, and the wonderful increase of pauperism in consequence. We are not enamoured with the national debt : all debts are evils, in proportion to their magnitude ; and a great national debt is a great national evil. But, if any one were to take the debtor side only from a merchant's books, he would infallibly prove that merchant to be in a state of bankruptcy, while all the world would exclaim against the injustice of the statement ; so is it with our national debt. It is necessary, be- fore we can draw towards a just determination of the account, to know for what it was contracted ? — to whom ? — under what circumstances ? and whether any counterbalance of credits, of 1769. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 361 The first hostile embarkation of troops for America took place this summer, where they landed on Michaelmas-day; on which day the first congress, or convention, broke up its deli- berations at Boston, perhaps a little hurried by the arrival of the troops in that harbour. The parliamentary session of 1769 was opened by a royal speech, which dwelt principally upon the rebellious principles and practices of the North American colonies, which were most probably the cause of that deficiency in the civil list which obliged his Majesty in February to inform the two Houses that he had been forced to incur a debt of half a million, and that he relied on their effects and of consequences, can be brought to account per con- tra. For, we are old enough to have enjoyed the conversation of those who were in the confidence of Sir Robert Walpole ; of those who thought it possible that the national debt 7iiight be in- creased to a hundred millions ; but a hundred millions was the ne plus ultra of the national debt; there it must stop ; and that was the point of national bankruptcy. Our readers, who are living witnesses of the magnitude of this incumbrance, at the present moment, will scarcely credit what we have asserted; or they will take the other alternative, and smile at the predic- tions which time has so completely falsified. They will have observed, too, in the present paper, evidences that this " dead weight," a j many call it, has not produced those destructive effects on the kingdom, nor on the principal branches (and causes) of its prosperity, which were confidently expected. Has our agriculture ceased ? Have our arable lands been returned to common wastes ? Do we really grow less corn per acre ? Is 362 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1769. zeal and affection to enable him to discharge it. Malice indeed asserted that the deficiency arose from improper appropriations to the King's private treasures ; but it is more probable that ministers the quality deteriorated ? Does the bushel contain more chaff and less meal ? It is presumed, that the quality, taking the aver- age of Britain, never was finer. It is presumed, that the pro- duce, per acre, never was greater ; and it is presumed, also, that the spread of corn sown and reaped never was more ex- tensive. We ask again, whether the poorer portion of our population are reduced from the coarse fare of their ancestors to stillcoarser? Is there less animal food consumed by those in the humbler walks of life than was consumed by their forefathers? Have they abandoned the barley-bread formerly in vogue, — the oaten cake, — the plank-bread, — the thick pottage, for inferior nourishment, — for " husks which the swine did eat," to use a language strongly expressive of the miseries of famine? No such thing: the proportion of barley and oats used as sustenance for man is very much diminished; the proportion of wheat con- sumed by the indigent is incalculably increased; the use of animal food never was so general; and, what excites the asto- nishment of strangers, the prevalence of foreign luxuries, es- pecially of that fascinating beverage tea, if not to be enume- rated among our national sins, is certainly to be considered as a symptom of willing change, a substitution supposed, at least, to possess the character of superiority. If, then, our arts have received life and energy, if our ma- nufactures employ a greater number of hands, if our commerce engages a greater number of vessels, if our ports demand ex- tended accommodations, if our agriculture is improved, if our population is increased, if our military and naval strength is augmented ; if general knowledge and literature are all but 1769. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 363 had applied the money to purposes connected with the intestine and colonial commotions of the time. It was in the autumn of this year that the universal among us, and if rational and constitutional liberty- still prevails, whence are all the terrors attributed to the na- tional debt? Has it ruined us as yet ? But, "we are heavily taxed." Let us state the question fairly, tea is heavily taxed: but, unless we must drink tea, how are we taxed ? Sugar is heavily taxed : but we are not taxed : although it may be, and is, true enough, that we tax ourselves by using it. Wine is taxed, rum is taxed, and so on : but only those who drink wine and rum are really taxed, and they no farther than they think proper, or find convenient to indulge in the use of those liquors ; for the use of those liquors is an indulgence ; and if people will have their indulgencies, let them pay for them. When we have deducted from the list of supposed personal burdens that great portion of taxation which attaches to foreign luxuries, we shall do well to enquire what proportion of inter- nal taxes actually falls on those unable to bear them. To the eye of contemplative reason it is not easy to see how the duties levied on horses, carriages, hunting dogs, livery servants, nu- merous windows, &c. — the unenviable establishments of no- bility — can affect the poor: and, say certain argujiers, "the bulk of the nation is poor ;" why, then, the bulk of the nation is not affected by these taxes. But, they are by others; and it would be an imputation on the governing powers if they were not: " England expects every man to do his duty ;" and a part of his duty is, to bear his share of the public incumbrances. It will be recollected, that of these only we are treating, and as connected with the national debt: not of anv local, or dis- trict assessments, or of any charge that does not come into the national accounts. 364 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1769. famous redress of grievances was presented by the city ; soon after which Wilkes obtained a verdict of 4000/. damages against Lord Halifax for the seizure of his papers. It was generally understood, that the King had declared that he would cover all the expenses of his servants in The national debt originated in the days of King William, and at the accession of Queen Anne amounted to upwards of sixteen millions. Each succeeding war increased this incum- brance, till, in the year 1760, or rather at the conclusion of the war in 1763, the amount exceeded one hundred and forty-six millions. The war of the American revolution augmented it to two hundred and fifty-seven millions, to the great joy of the fo- reign enemies and rivals of Britain ; to the great alarm of foreigners who had property (and dealings) with Britain, who thought, surely the ruin of the country was at hand : and to the no small discomfort and gloom of the whole kingdom. In fact, here we rest our argument : we were then told, that all was lost; and this was so generally re-echoed, that the individual who did not believe it, and acknowledge that belief, was be- held with symptoms of pity, or astonishment. The years 1785, 86, and 87, were passed in much anxiety by every well-wisher to his country. But, ere long, a different scene presented itself; the nation began to breathe freely; trade revived, commerce acquired an activity never before experienced, and the antagonists of this country (we speak from our own knowledge, and from their publications) were more than astonished ; and mortified, too, when they felt the consequences of their political immo- rality and misconduct, while we stood on " vantage ground/* and sympathized with their approaching sufferings. " 17C9. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 365 this affair ; a circumstance which, it has been said, induced the jury not to grant larger damages ! His Majesty indeed, though accused of obsti- nacy by his enemies, gained much applause from his friends for the resolution with which he sup- ported his ministers on all points which he ap- proved of. During the extreme unpopularity of the Duke of Grafton, the King never deserted him. The country also owed much to him, when his ministers were almost afraid to put the laws in force ; and it was to him personally that the civil power was obliged to look for authority at the execution of the Spitalfields rioters at Bethnal Green, a change of place the legality of which had been previously referred to the twelve Judges. Though thwarted in almost every public mea- sure, his Majesty was not tired of doing good, especially in the encouragement of the Magdalen Hospital, a charity of some standing, and of which the Queen was patroness, but first incorporated in 1769. Nor did he neglect his own private avocations, especially in the repair and adornment of Wind- sor Castle, on which he was now actively en- gaged, and which was long his favourite resi- dence; and an act of parliament having passed for the paving and lighting of that town, his 3GG GEORGE THE THIRD, 1770. Majesty generously bestowed 1000/. towards the same. The close of the year was distinguished by the well known letter of Junius to his Majesty, which appeared in the Public Advertiser of the 19th December ; a most virulent personal attack upon the Monarch, accusing him of being the author of all those measures which the writer chose to stigmatize as crimes, and describing the ministry as objects both of abhorrence and contempt. 1770. The style of that most extraordinary address seems to have paralyzed the minds of the cabinet, as it was on the opening of the next session of par- liament, 9th January, 1770, that they got up that royal speech which occasioned so much animad- version for its allusions to the distemper amongst the horned cattle, without noticing the political distempers then raging throughout the kingdom, excited by the clamour about the Brentford elec- tion, in the affair of Wilkes and Luttrell. It was indeed wittily said, in the style of Con- greve and our old comedy-writers, that as the citi- zens had taken the most prominent part in those discontents, so the notice of the horned cattle might have been a political allegory; but wit could not save the ministers, the greatest part of whom instantly resigned, and on the 28th of the 1770. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 367 month, Lord North* assumed the office of first lord of the treasury, in addition to the chancellor- ship of the exchequer, the Duke of Grafton giving up all ostensible connection with the government. * This very amiable (though politically unfortunate) noble- man went into business very early in life, and attached himself to the duties of his office with unremitting care and assiduity. To an excellent classical education, and many social qualities, he joined a knowledge of the German, French, and Italian languages, with a temper of that naturally conciliating dispo- sition, that the severest of his parliamentary opponents were no longer such out of the sphere of politics. When he was young in office, as one of the lords of the trea- sury under the old Duke of Nevvcasle, he was met one morning by the late George Grenville, and another gentleman, walking in the Park, and muttering something to himself, seemingly as if rehearsing an oration. "Here comes blubbering North," says the latter to Mr. Grenville ; " I wonder what he is getting bv heart, for I 'm sure it can be nothing of his own." " You're mistaken," says the other; "North is a young man of great promise and high qualifications, and if he does not relax in his political pursuits, is very likely to be the prime minister of this country." This prediction was fulfilled twelve years af- terwards. Of his wit and good-humour we have too many instances to doubt. He never strained for either. Like the great Earl of Bath, he had them always at command; nor had he the sordid vices of avarice and ambition to balance those pleasing quali- ties. Mr. Burke paid a just tribute to the former one day com- ing out of the House of Commons, after his lordship had kept them in a roar of laughter for some minutes before. "Well, there's no denying it, this man has more wit than all of us (meaning the Opposition) put together.'' 368 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1770. American affairs were now coming to a crisis. In March, riots took place at Boston, in which the soldiery were forced to fire in their own One day when Alderman Sawbridge was haranguing on his annual motion in favour of annual parliaments, looking over to the treasury bench (the day being extremely hot) he observed Lord North with his head reclining on his left shoulder, seem- ingly asleep ; upon which he stopped short, and cried out, " But what signifies my endeavours to come at the root of this political evil, when the noble lord in the blue ribband is so little attentive to me that he has fallen into a profound sleep ?" This raised a laugh with the alderman's party ; which his lordship immediately turned against them by observing, loud enough to be heard, " No, I was not asleep ; but ] wish to God I had been." Coming up to the door of the House of Commons one evening rather late, Pearson, the door-keeper, stopped him, and, in his laconic free manner of speaking, said, " No, my lord, you can't come in here." " Why so ?" said his lordship, somewhat surprised. " Because they are now bal lotting for an election committee, and the doors of course are locked." " Aye," says his lordship with a smile; " and yet this is rather hard, consi>* dering some people call this my House of Commons." Having had some prescience of a fit of the gout coming on him, he desired his man to get him his large gouty shoes. The man looked for them for some time, but not finding them in the usual places where he generally put them, concluded they were stolen, and began cursing the thief. " Poh," says his lordship, seemingly very gravely, though at the same time agitated with some pain, " how can you be so ill-natured, John? Now all the harm I wish the poor vogue is, that my shoes may Jit him." Lord Norih being one of the governors of the Charter-house, 1770. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 369 defence, and several lives were lost. This was the first blood shed in that unhappy civil war- fare. a formal complaint was made to him by one of the pensioners of that hospital, that the victuals were not so good as they should be, particularly the beef, which at times was not eat- able. This complaint being renewed, his lordship went pri- vately one morning to the Charter-house, and asking the house steward whether he had any cold beef in the house (such as the pensioners usually eat), desired he would bring it up. The beef was accordingly introduced, the look of which so pleased his lordship that he immediately asked him if be could provide him with mustard, bread, and small beer^ which being likewise brought, his lordship took a chair, and eat a very hearty luncheon: after this he ordered the complainant to be brought up, and then asked him whether that was the same kind of beef usually served ? The man said, " Yes/' " And the same small beer, bread, mustard, &c. ? '' " Yes," says the man, " I be- lieve pretty much the same." " Why then," says his lordship, " all I have to say is this: if you have any complaint in future to make about such provisions, you must apply to another go- vernor, and, as there is no disputing tastes, he might perhaps redress you ; but as for my part, as you may see, my friend, (pointing to his plate) I have decidedly given it against you." When his brother, afterwards bishop of Winchester, was mar- ried to his amiable, lady, who was a Miss Bannister, a confiden- tial friend was asking his lordship, what could be his brother's motive for the match ? " She is no professed beauty, no great fortune, and no great family." " Why, in respect to her beauty and fortune I have not much to say of either, but I must beg your pardon in respect to blood, as I hear she is very nearly related to the Stairs." Towards the close of the American war, a noble lord in the VOL. I. B B 370 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1770. The interference of the City of London this year in general politics produced some remark- able events connected with the inscription on the other House having, in the warmth of debate, called Lord North " this thing of a minister," some injudicious friends exagge- rated the matter to him, wanting to make it a personal quarrel, and said they thought his lordship should resent it. " And so I will," says his lordship very coolly, " by continuing in office, as I know his lordship has no other resentment against me than wishing to be the thing I am." On the evening of that day when he moved an adjournment of the House for a few days for the purpose of resigning his office, coming through the lobby of the House arm in arm with one of his friends, he asked him to go home and dine with him : the other told him he would with pleasure, but was partly en- gaged. " Come, come," says his lordship, " put off your en- gagement, and have the virtue to say, you dined with a fallen minister on the very day of his dismissal." The friend assented, and went home with him. Upon his retirement from office, he went down to Bath for the recovery of his health, and particularly for his sight, which was nearly lost. The conversation turning one day after dinner on the perishable condition of party zeal and political enmity, his lordship thoroughly agreed in the principle; " and as a proof of it," says he, " there is Colonel Barre (who by the bye was as blind as his lordship) ; no man has opposed me more in the House of Commons than he has, and I, of course, him; and yet I can fairly answer for myself, and I dare say I may equally do so for him, we should be both very glad to see one another at this moment." The cause of Lord North's blindness, it is said, originated from the frequency of sanding his dispatches. He was naturally very near-sighted, and carried up every paper he looked at im- 1770. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 371 statue of Beckford in the Guildhall ; when a few days after the rising- of parliament, an address was presented, expressing the deep concern which mediately under his eye ; the papers which were fresh written he sanded in this position, which being so frequently repeated, the dust settled in his eyes, and ultimately produced a total blindness. The natural civility and good-humour of this nobleman left him no enemies out of the House of Commons. Even the prin- cipals of Opposition knew these qualities to be so predominant in his lordship, that they frequently petitioned him, as first lord of the treasury, for little favours and indulgences for their friends and constituents, which he as readily granted when he could do it with propriety, and this they frequently acknowledged. To the brother of one of his principal opponents in the House of Commons he continued a very valuable Collection in the Co- lonies almost during the whole of his administration. He was often spoke to about displacing him, and he as constantly an- swered, " Why should I visit the sins of the brother upon a man who does his duty, and has given me no particular offence ? " In short, like his predecessor Sir Robert Walpole, though very much baited during his administration, he had no enemies as a man; he lived long enough out of office to be reconciled to all his political opposers, who, when the cause of contention ceased, had candour enough to acknowledge his private, worth and integrity. He met his blindness and increasing infirmities with great firmness in the bosom of his family, and even with a good humour, and flashes of wit and merriment, that made his table one of the most desirable places to be a guest at. In his last moments he only regretted not having it in his power to meet his favourite and youngest son, who the morning B B 2 372 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1770. the city felt at the awful sentence of censure passed upon it in a previous answer from the throne to an address for dissolution of parliament and re- moval of ministers.* In reply, his Majesty ob- served, that he should have been wanting to the public as well as to himself, if he had not ex- pressed his dissatisfaction at their former address; after which the Lord Mayor requested leave to of his father's death landed at Dover from his travels, but could not be in town time enough to receive the blessing of an affec- tionate and indulgent parent. The son above alluded to was the honourable Frederick North, afterwards secretary of state under his excellency Sir Gilbert Elliot, viceroy of Corsica. Lord North's first introduction into office has been said to be the result of back-stairs influence, but most probably rather proceeded from early friendship. * We have seen it stated, on the occasion of the former political changes, that a conference of one of the political parties took place at the Marquis of Rockingham's in Grosve- nor-square, at which it was arranged, should the then Oppo- sition succeed, that Lord Chatham, Lord Temple, and the Marquis, should be created dukes, and hold each a cabinet office ; that Mr. George Grenville, under the control of the three new dukes, should appear as ostensible minister at the head of the treasury; and to render such administration per- manent, that all those who called thenselves the King's friends, in both Houses, should be turned, and for ever kept, out of office. The result of this procedure was soon made known to the King, who is said to have declared with a dignified resentment, that, as he was not consulted in the arrangement, he was deter- 1770. HIS- COURT, AND FAMILY. 373 reply, which being granted, his lordship made an extempore address, which has been represented as differing considerably from that engraved upon the pedestal in the civic hall.* No answer being returned to this verbal oration, the Corporation withdrew ; and the birth of a Princess having occasioned the City of London to present a con- gratulatory address about a week afterwards, the Lord Chamberlain acquainted the Lord Mayor mined to prevent it taking place; and that the insolence of their deliberations in private had fixed him in the resolution of never employing them in the public councils of the nation. It is impossible absolutely to avouch the truth of this statement; but it was also reported that, in manifesting his indignation, the King's express words were, " Have they then resolved to invade my rights, and to abuse those of my people! I am unhappy at their folly — it has for ever excluded them from my favour, as it shall from the service of a country which they would sacrifice to their ambition. While I will have my PEOPLE FKEE, I WILL BE FREE MYSELF \" * We have heard it stated, that on the return to Guildhall, Beckford and the Corporation entered the council-chamber, in great alarm and most evident trepidation, when a gentleman, high in the confidence of the Lord Mayor, earnestly asked him what he did say ? — to which Beckford confusedly replied, ** that he did not well know," but repeated something as well as he could recollect. His friend then drew up the classic re- monstrance now engraven on the pedestal, and which was most assiduously echoed and re-echoed in all the journals and public prints, apparently rather in the hope of softening down demo- cratic rudeness, than of establishing an historical document, which it has now become. 374 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1770. that as his lordship had thought fit to speak to his Majesty after his answer to the late remon- strance, he was directed to inform him, as it was unusual, his Majesty desired that nothing of that kind might happen for the future. There are some curious anecdotes about this affair, which state that on the 30th of May the Lord Mayor and Corporation set out for St. James's with a com- plimentary address on the Queen's safe delivery of the Princess Elizabeth ; and only the chief magistrate and three of the aldermen had passed through Temple-bar, when the mob shut the gates against Mr. Alderman Harley, whom they not only pelted with stones and dirt, but actually pulled him out of his carriage, and it was with difficulty that he saved his life by escaping into the Sun Tavern. The Lord Mayor rinding his train thus unex- pectedly shortened, and having ascertained the cause, sent back the city marshal to open the gate, when the remainder of the procession passed through, and shortly after arrived at the Palace. After waiting a considerable time in the anti- chamber, the Lord Chamberlain came out and read a paper to the following purport : "As your lordship thought fit to speak to his Majesty after his answer to the late remonstrance, I am to ac- quaint your lordship, as it was unusual, his Ma- jesty desires that nothing of this kind may happen for the future." HER ROYAL Hl&MI.s.s EM35ABETH , 1 ) V ( ' H E § § of HE § §E H D M I i E K B soiot mat 22.1; 1770. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 375 The Lord Mayor then desired that the paper might be handed to him ; but the Lord Chamber- lain refused, saying that he acted officially, and had it not in orders to deliver the paper. The Lord Mayor then desired a copy, to which the Chamberlain answered, that he would acquaint his Majesty, and take his directions, but did not return until the order was brought for the whole court to attend with the address. In the interim, whilst waiting for the introduc- tion, a curious scene ensued. The father of the city, Sir Robert Ladbroke, complained to the Mayor that stones had been thrown at his coach. Beckford called up Gates, the city marshal, face to face with the venerable alderman, and asked him if it was so. The marshal denied the fact, when Ladbroke said, that, if not stones, certainly dirt had been thrown ;• but this Beckford rebutted, with the assertion that there was no dirt in the street (happy days for the City of London) : when Sir Robert qualified his complaint by observing, that the mob spit in the windows of his carriage. On arriving in the presence-chamber, Mr. Rig- by attacked the Lord Mayor, telling him, that al- though he had promised to be answerable for the peace of the city, yet he had been informed by Sir Robert Ladbroke that there had been a great riot in the city, which he, Beckford, had taken no pains to quell ; eto which the Mayor replied 376 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1770. that he should be ready to answer for his conduct at all times, in all places, and on every proper occasion. After some further altercation, Rigby again said that the city magistrates had been mobbed ; to which Mr. Sheriff Townshend replied, that taking the whole together, in his opinion, the people had been mobbed by the magistrates, and not the magistrates by the people. His Majesty soon after entered, and the address was presented agreeable to the usual form ; his Majesty saying in his answer : " The City of London entertaining these loyal sentiments, may be always assured of my protection." Public clamour was still further excited by the trial of Woodfall, the printer of Junius's letter, and his acquittal in the month of June ; about which time also a Spanish squadron took forcible pos- session of our settlement at the Falkland Islands. It has repeatedly been said that the dispute which took place this year between England and Spain respecting this affair, and on which subject Dr. Johnson was soon after employed by ministers to write a political pamphlet, was most shamefully settled by concessions on our part which ought never to have been acceded to. There is one fact, however, connected with that affair not generally known ; and which, as has been surmised, if it had been then known, might have rendered Johnson less 1770. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 377 ready to take up the pen in defence of the peace- makers, considering the strong attachment which he was reported to have felt for the exiled House of Stuart. It is, that the French ministry actually at that period meditated another attempt at revo- lution in this country in favour of the Pretender. To the accuracy of that surmise, however, we cannot subscribe; as Johnson's sound sense, whatever were his prejudices from early educa- tion, must always have formed a safeguard for his practical loyalty. Soon after, the pacification with Spain left the French cabinet without hope of success. SECTION IV. 1771—1780. Education of Royal Offspring — Courtly Anecdotes — Death of Princess Dowager — American War — Do- mestic Arrangements — Geography, Literature, Fine Arts, fyc. SjC. S)T. The strict domestic attention, which the Royal pair displayed in the education of their offspring, was highly deserving the imitation of every class of their subjects. It was customary to allow them a stated sum as a kind of privy purse, given with- out any express directions for its expenditure, but subject to the Queen's inquiries respecting its dis- posal, when a due rebuke was given if the case demanded, or praise judiciously bestowed upon the more deserving appropriations, so as to ope- rate as a future lesson. On one occasion at break- fast, whilst the King was reading the newspaper to his family, one of the youngest branches said, " Mamma, I can't think what a prison is." Upon its being explained, and understanding that the pri- 1771. HIS COURT AND FAMILY. 379 soners were then often half-starved for want, the child replied, " That is very cruel, for the prison is bad enough without starving; but I will give all my allowance to buy bread for the poor prisoners !" Due praise was given for this benevolent inten- tion, which was directed to be put in force, to- gether with an addition from the royal parents ; and many a heart was relieved that knew not its bene- factors. The Earl of Holdernesse about this period was preceptor to the Prince of Wales; his sub-precep- tor, principally, in personal charge being Mon- sieur de Salzes, the intimate friend of Dr. Mac- laine, chaplain to the British embassy at the Hague, and the admired translator of Mosheim's Ecclesiastical History, but more particularly no- ticed at that period, as being uncle to the noted Maclaine, the, fashionable highwayman, the Mac- heath of the day, whose exit at Tyburn was re- ported to have filled the breasts of some, even of the most dashing, belles with sorrow and despair. Lord Holdernesse and De Salzes retired from office together; and Dr. Markham, already on the establishment, became preceptor. Those changes which now took place in the edu- cation of the Prince of Wales, with respect to his governors and preceptors, have been said first to have originated with the Earl of Holdernesse, a nobleman of great digi ity of deportment, who, 380 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1771. in a similar manner as stated in regard to the education of the Prince's venerated parent, observed with pain that a secret influence existed which he considered dangerous because dark, and injurious to himself as invested with the authority of governor. What this secret influence was, or whence, we know not : but it has been added that certain books had been recommended to the perusal of his Royal Highness, of which Lord Holdernesse complained, conceiving that they inculcated prin- ciples unfit for the mind of a British prince; and also feeling his interest diminished, he requested leave to resign, which was accepted ; Doctor Markham, afterwards advanced to the see of York, remaining in office, and the sub-governor, Mr. Smelt, retiring on a pension.* Lord Bruce was appointed governor ; but his * Of this gentleman, the venerable Mrs. Delany says in a letter, (1786.) " Their Majesties were so gracious as to hint a wish of my spending some days atKew, when they were there, and to make it completely agreeable and commodious, engaged Mr. and Mrs. Smelt, who live there, to invite me to their house, a pleasure of itself, that would have given me wings for the undertaking. — I think you can hardly be a stranger to the cha- racter of Mr. Smelt, a man that has the honour of being a friend to the King, and testified to the world by his disinterested and steady behaviour, how worthy he is of such a distinction. His character is that of the most noble and delicate kind, and deserves the pen of a Clarendon to do justice to it." 1771. HIS COURT, AND FAMILV. 381 pupil, even then, surpassing him in classical ac- quirements, especially in Greek, the story of some puzzle upon that subject got wind, and became so much the butt of courtly satire, that his lordship willingly resigned, and received the earldom of Aylesbury as a compliment. The Duke of Mon- tague next succeeded to the superintendence of the Royal education, as shall be hereafter noticed. His Majesty had now two great objects in view ; to act right himself, and to shew a praiseworthy example to all his subjects: and in regard to the latter point, he set himself assiduously to work in the adoption of an improved system of agriculture, which was now commenced at Richmoond under his own personal auspices, by turning part of the old park into a dairy and grazing farm, whilst a portion was set apart for arable purposes. In those occupations he took great delight, and spent many quiet hours, whilst a set of clamorous politicians, or rather partizans, were loading him with charges of tyranny, and holding him up to public detestation as a Nero! But he calmly heard their rancour, and smiled at his new appel- lation of " Farmer George/' disdaining not to act the real farmer, and to send the produce of his grounds to market as the best criterion of his system : a system which was soon followed up by the Duke of Bedford, Mr. Coke, and other dis- tinguished agriculturists. 382 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1771. The delicacy shewn by His Majesty in making improvements, in regard not only to the rights, but even to the comfort of others, was strongly evinced in 1771, in his conduct towards a poor old servant of the royal household, a Mr. Drury, keeper of the duck pond in St. James's park, who was very uneasy from the apprehension of his house being to be pulled down in consequence of the altera- tions and improvements then taking place. But His Majesty no sooner heard of this, than he issued immediate orders, that the poor old mans house should remain as an asylum for him during life. The King was so satisfied with the conduct of Dr. Markham, that in February 1771 he presented the preceptor with the bishopric of Chester, but still retained him in his office, assisted by Dr. CyrilJackson as sub-preceptor. The Royal choice could not indeed have fallen upon a fitter person than Dr. Markham, as he was remarkable for mildness of temper, and excelled in his mode of conveying knowledge and of exciting youth to laudable pursuits. While storing the young mind with good principles and eradicating bad ones, his system was to point out the happiness of virtue and expose the misery of vice, and this he never lost sight of even in the closest applica- tion to the classics. In short, his knowledge in Greek and Roman literature was universal, and his taste pure ; added to which it was a most im- 1771. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 383 portant feature in his character that he had never permitted classical studies, as is too often the case, to interfere unnecessarily with the acquisition of general information : and in topographical accu- racy he was unrivalled. With all the confidence which the King placed in this amiable man, he did not neglect the personal superintendence of his boys, even in the existing warfare of political party, now at such a height that when he went to meet the Parliament on the 30th of March, to give the Royal assent to numerous bills, it was expected that some popular commotion would take place ; and accordingly the high constable of Westminster with several peace officers kept close to the state carriage. There was an immense con- course assembled, who made the most horrid noise, and threw out many insulting expressions, so that not only were the horse guards obliged to cover the coach, but the constables were also forced to use their staves to keep off the infuri- ated mob. In the midst of this confusion his Ma- jesty sat calm and dignified, and merely expressed his sorrow for the misguided people. In the course of the spring the King so far broke in upon his regular plan of immediate personal superintendence over the Prince of Wales, who was then nine years of age, that he established a separate household for him at the Queen's Palace, 384 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1771. where a Royal Chaplain was appointed to reside for the purpose of reading prayers every day. For an office so desirable there were several candidates, amongst whom was the unfortunate Dr. Dodd ; but though backed by the warmest influence of Lord Chesterfield, he was unsuccess- ful, principally, as is believed, through the positive disapprobation of the King himself, arising from his private judgment of Dodd's character. Several whimsical things are recorded of the birth-day this year, which was stated to be the most numerous and brilliant, that had taken place for many years. Amongst the ladies present was the venerable Duchess of Queensberry, the patro- ness of the celebrated Gay. It was observed that Lord North, though prime minister, was the best dressed gentleman present ; and it was thought not a little remarkable, that Mr. Fox, though the fashion had been exploded for half a century, ap- peared with red heels to his shoes. On the 5th of June the present Duke of Cum- berland was born, about which period the late Duke of that title was married, very much to the King's displeasure. In fact the marriages of the two royal brothers, which had taken place during the summer of 1771, induced his Majesty soon after to send messages to both Houses of Parlia- ment, in which he observed, " that being desir- ous, from paternal affection to his own family, and His Royal Highness [nest Augustus I >UKE of (' D M B E i' !,.\N h Born Ifb 6 : 77 I . 1771. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 385 anxious concern for the future welfare of his peo- ple, and the honour and dignity of his crown, that the right of approving- all marriages in the Royal Family might be made effectual," he recommend- ed to the legislature to supply the defects of the then existing laws ; and a bill was brought in, such as is now on the statute-books, and finally passed, after considerable opposition : as shall be more fully explained in the ensuing year. An installation of the Garter having taken place at Windsor on the 25th of July, a whimsical cir- cumstance occurred, which excited considerable surprise : this was the appearance of Wilkes and his daughter, seated in the castle-yard, for which purpose they had obtained tickets from Lord Tan- kerville*. It was supposed to have some reference * To the general character of our late Sovereign, the love of his people best will speak; and few monarchs have more pos- sessed the personal affection of their subjects. Against Mr. Wilkes, however, considerable displeasure is said to have been entertained even at this period. So ungrateful was the sound of " Wilkes and No. 45" (the famous number of the " North Bri- ton/') deemed to be to the high personage who is now spoken of, that about 1772, a Prince of the blood (George IV.) then a mere boy, having been chid for some boyish fault, and wishing to take his boyish revenge, is related to have done so by steal- ing to the King's apartment, and shouting at the door, "Wilkes and No. 45 for ever ! " and speedily running away. It is hardly necessary to add, (for who knows not the domestic amiableness of George III. ?) that his Majesty laughed at the trick with his accustomed good humour. — (Life of Wilkes.) VOL. I. C C 38G GEORGE THE THIRD, 1771. to politics ; but probably arose solely from curio- sity. The late Duke of Gloucester during this year went to the Mediterranean, on board the Venus frigate, for his health : and, whilst at Genoa, chance placed him at an hotel directly opposite to the apartments occupied by the Pretender, who always moved his hat whenever he passed his royal cousin. This compliment was always returned by the duke, but, as was said, rather coolly, evidently from prudential and political motives ; but his Royal Highness expressed much concern for the unhappy situation of that unfortu- nate personage, who was then in extreme poverty, walking without attendants, very shabby in ap- pearance, always dressed in an old threadbare frock, and wearing in his countenance evident marks of personal distress. At that period the Pope had withdrawn from him the scanty pittance formerly allowed ; and the whole affair had such an effect upon the duke, that he publicly declared how much he pitied him, forgetting his attempts to dethrone the Brunswick family; and indeed expressed himself so much in his favour, and in pity of his forlorn situation, that there is reason to believe his representations to the King himself were soon followed by liberal but secret acts of generous munificence. Johnson, as already noticed, having published 1771. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 387 his tract on Falkland's Islands, it has been stated on good authority that Lord North personally waited on him with a message for his Majesty, to know what compliment he should pay him. The doctor paused for some time, and at length re- plied, " I am too old and lazy for office, my lord." — " It is your convenience, doctor," re- turned his lordship, " that we would consult." — " Then make my three hundred a-year five, and you may keep the keys of the treasury." The Scots Magazine of that year asserts that he had his wish, and that the appointment was made out in the following week ; but this is not in unison with his established biography. In the autumn of this year Captain Cook re- turned from his first voyage round the world ; and on the 23d of October, Sir Joseph (then Mr.) Banks, accompanied by Dr. Solander, had the honour of an interview with his Majesty at Rich- mond, to present a " coronet of gold," set round with feathers, which had been received, as the public prints stated, from some chief at one of the new discovered islands. In this, however, there must have been some mistake, at least as far as regards the metal of which the coronet was made, no gold having been met with in the course of that voyage. It was in this year that the right of courtesy, if so it may be called, for printing the parliamen- c c 2 388 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1771. tary debates was first established by a kind of tacit permission, arising from the well-known contest of the House of Commons with the Lord Mayor, and Aldermen Wilkes and Oliver. The recommendation of the Committee of Privileges to the House, to take Miller the printer of the London Evening Post into custody, not being acted upon, the speeches and names, instead of the spurious mode formerly adopted, were after- wards given, without any interference on the part of either house of parliament, except in very par- ticular instances, when the question of privilege is re-asserted and enforced, leaving it rather as a common usage than as a common right. This year the King made some considerable al- terations respecting the Poor Knights of Windsor, who, for some years previous, had been in the practice of living at their own houses, or where- ever it suited their convenience, but in direct op- position to the statutes of the foundation. This his Majesty thought expedient to regulate; and, accordingly,directions were issued that they should all occupy the apartments appropriated to them in Windsor Castle, and should also go to church twice a day in their military cloaks, in obedience to the statute of the founder Ed- ward III. 1772. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 389 1772. It was on the 17th January, 1772, that the wicked revolution took place in Denmark, by which the King became the prisoner of his step- mother, and the unhappy Queen Caroline Matilda was accused of the most flagitious crimes and im- mured in a dungeon, until the remonstrances of the British ambassador, Sir Robert Keith, pro- cured her better treatment. To detail all those events is far beyond our limits — it is sufficient to record, that when her extraordinary trial took place, all the evidence against her Majesty, all her supposed crimes against the state and the King, notwithstanding the vile assertions of suborned witnesses, were found to be destitute of judicial proofs, solely and perfidiously intended to deprive her of her titles and the prerogatives of her rank, and to bastardize, if possible, her issue, for the sake of placing Prince Frederick upon the throne of Denmark. In fact, her trial was a tis- sue of contradictions ; she was declared at once innocent and guilty. The King, who was chiefly interested in this iniquitous prosecution, so far from accusing her of infidelity and other crimes still more atrocious, declared more than once, that she was worthy of a husband more disposed than himself to do justice to her charms and her vir- tues. Soon after this, Sir Robert Keith received his letters of recall ; and the remonstrances of 390 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1772. England, which became serious, as appeared by a naval armament, constrained the regency of Denmark to consent to deliver up the young queen to this minister, who was appointed to ac- company her into the electorate of Hanover, as the castle of Zell had been allotted by her royal brother for her residence. The demise of the Princess Dowager of Wales took place between five and six on the morning of the 8th of February. On the preceding night the physician felt her pulse, and told her it was more regular than it had been for some time ; to which she replied, " Yes ; and I think I shall have a good night's rest !" His Majesty was then in attendance, when his affectionate mother embraced him, but, as he observed on leaving her, with greater warmth and affection than usual. On his noticing this to the physician, that gentleman ventured to inform him, that his parent, notwithstanding her own hopes, was then so far gone that he could not expect her to live beyond the morning. The King then de- termined to remain, and wait the event ; but did not see her again until after her death, for she lay very quiet during the night until a few minutes before she departed, when she laid her hand upon her heart, and went off without a groan. This affectionate son was no sooner informed of the event, than he rushed into the apartment of 1772. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 391 death, caught the cold hand, kissed it, and burst into tears. He soon after retired to St. James's, but, did not quit Carlton-house without comforting all her attendants with the assurance, that their usual salaries should be paid until he could find other means of providing for them in the royal house- hold. Much as calumny detracted from the character of this Princess, we cannot refuse our belief of a description sketched by one who had long been intimate with her Royal Highness, and who has never yet been accused of flattery. Bishop Newton long filled the office of her chaplain, and even after his promotion she some- times honoured him with private audiences at Carlton-house ; indeed after she had declined see- ing company on her birth-day, she still admitted that worthy prelate to pay his duty to her, upon which occasions the discourse was always far from being stiff or formal, the Princess con- versing with him in the most easy and condescend- ing manner. The good bishop therefore says that he could not help grieving for his own personal as well as the national loss ; for a national loss it surely was, notwithstanding all that party rage or malice could suggest to the contrary. He adds, that she was, indeed, a remarkable instance of the flue- 392 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1772. tuation and uncertainty of popular favour ; for from her first coming over to this country, her behaviour was so discreet and prudent, so cour- teous and affable, that she gained the love and esteem of the whole nation, and no Princess was ever more admired and applauded than she was until some time after the death of the Prince of Wales. But the conduct of George II. to her upon that occasion was such, that she could not with decency support and encourage the faction that was formed against the court ; and hence it proceeded that the tide of popularity which rose so strong and so high in her favour, first began to turn against her. Upon her son's accession to the throne, when her influence was believed to be greater, the clamours of faction increased in proportion ; espe- cially as Wilkes laid to her charge, in the North Briton, things of which she was entirely inno- cent ; and one day being asked how he could as- sert such a particular which he knew was not true, " No matter for that," replied he, " it will do very well for a North Briton ; the people will swallow any thing." She would often ask in the morning, " Well, what have the papers said of me?" and would read them and laugh over them. For never was more vile abuse with less foundation ; and it is to be hoped she regarded it as little as she deserved 1772. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 393 it. Her good deeds were more silent and unknown, for never was any one actuated with a truer spirit of benevolence and charity. The sums which she gave away in private benefactions and pensions, amounted to no less than 10,000/. a year ; and the merit of her charities was greatly enhanced by their secrecy. Several families who were relieved by her did not so much as know who was their benefactor till her death, when the current of bounty ceased to flow. Amongst other benevo- lent acts of the Princess Dowager, we must not omit that in 1771 she took a house on Kew Green for the sole use of her old and infirm servants, where they were supported comfortably on her bounty. The calmness and composure of her death were farther proofs and attestations of the goodness of her life ; and she died, as she had lived, beloved and honoured most by those who knew her best. Even when the malignity of faction and party presumed most violently to attack the character of this Princess, on one occasion, in the midst of its loudest clamours, and whilst popular outrage threatened the palace and the person of her Royal Highness, she coolly examined the specimens of some curious Birmingham ware, exhibited to her by an eminent manufacturer of that place : and even when the horrid yells in the court-yard of Carlton-house nearly prevented her voice being 394 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1772. heard, she merely said, " How I pity these poor deluded people. I hope they will know better by and by." The learned and amiable Smalridge, who died Bishop of Bristol and Dean of Christchurch, left his family in very embarrassed circumstances ; on hearing which, the Princess of Wales, of her own accord, solicited and obtained a pension of 300/. a-year for the widow ; and afterwards procured a prebend of Worcester for the eldest son. In con- sideration of this munificence, the bishop's ser- mons were inscribed to her Royal Highness, with a very grateful acknowledgment of the many and great obligations which the author's family had received from her goodness. On the 20th of Feb. the message was presented, as already noticed, to both Houses, respecting the Royal marriage bill, stating that his Majesty being desirous, from paternal affection to his own family, and anxious concern for the future welfare of his people, and the honour and dignity of his crown, that the right of approving all marriages in the Royal Family, which ever had belonged to the kings of this realm as a matter of public con- cern, might be made effectual, he recommended to the legislature to take into serious considera- tion, whether it might not be wise and expedient to supply the defects of the laws then in being, and by some new provision more effectually to 1772. HIS CpURT, AND FAMILY. 395 guard the descendants of George II. (other than the issue of princesses who had married or might hereafter marry into foreign families) from marry- ing without the approbation of his Majesty, his heirs and successors. Inconsequence a bill was brought in and passed, after the most unprecedented opposition in every stage, which declared all such marriages, without the Royal consent under the great seal, to be null and void ; but allowing the Royal issue, after 25 years of age, to give notice to privy council of their intention of marrying, after which, if within the space of twelve months no declaration of par- liamentary disapprobation should take place, such persons should then be at liberty to enter into matrimonial engagements, even without the Royal consent. To enumerate all the grounds of opposition to this bill is needless ; suffice it to say that its ten- dency, to prevent the different branches of the Royal Family from intermarrying with subjects, was expedient for the prevention either of family feuds or of the questions of contested succession which had once deluged this fair country with its noblest blood. In reference to this it may be recorded that it was expressly stated in the month of April that a celebrated club, " not an hundred miles from Pall Mall/' who on the close of the rebellion supplied 396 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1772. the Young Pretender, for some years, with an annuity of 5000/. but who afterwards stopped it on account of his dissipated course of life, ac- tually renewed that grant on being informed by him of his intended marriage, and his resolution to practise a more becoming economy. He soon afterwards married the Princess of Stolberg. It is also a curious coincidence that a young gentleman at this period lived in Hereford, so extremely like the King, that an officer of the guards who happened to see him, could scarcely believe him to be any other than his Majesty in disguise. On the 25th of May the Duke of Gloucester arrived from Italy, where he had been treated with great attention by the Pope, who presented him with several capital paintings, curious en- gravings, and some very fine specimens of sculp- ture ; with which the King was so much gratified, that he sent a special charge to Prince Paul Borg- hese to repair to the audience of his Holiness and thank him, in his name, for his politeness and civility. — A whimsical circumstance took place during the Duke's stay in Rome — his carriage having entered by accident at the end of one of the principal streets at the moment when the Pope was entering at the other. The winter in Italy, like that in many of the warmer countries, though short, is often damp and disagreeable, and 1772. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 397 it happened that this day was very much like one of our English November, which, added to the filth of that capital, made the streets overflow with mud, whilst some hundreds of the popu- lace had already fallen on their knees to receive the benediction of their papal sovereign. When the carriages approached where there was some difficulty for two to pass, there was a sudden pause ; and neither the Pope nor the Duke would avail themselves first of the precedence. Many ceremonious messages now took place, whilst the expectant populace silently waited for the blessing, but each party was firm in polite- ness, until the holy father thought of the expe- dient of sending a message to say, that if his Royal Highness did not take the lead, he would be forced to return home. The royal carriage then moved on, and the blessing was given to all — his Royal Highness perhaps excepted. His Majesty's extreme regard for public and private decorum was exemplified at this period, by a letter handed about in MS. in August, and said to have actually been addressed to a hioh ecclesiastical character. It was to the followino- purport. — " My good Lord P e. " I could not delay giving you the notification of the grief and concern with which my breast 398 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1772. was affected, at receiving an authentic informa- tion that routs have made their way into your pa- lace. At the same time I must signify to you my sentiments on this subject, which hold these levi- ties and vain dissipations as utterly inexpedient, if not unlawful, to pass in a residence for many centuries devoted to divine studies, religious re- tirement, and the extensive exercise of charity and benevolence — I add, in a place where so many of your predecessors have led their lives in such sanctity, as has thrown lustre upon the pure religion they professed and adorned. " From the dissatisfaction with which you must perceive I behold these improprieties, not to speak in harsher terms, and still more pious principles, I trust you will suppress them immediately ; so that I may not have occasion to shew any further marks of my displeasure, or to interpose in a dif- ferent manner. May God take your Grace into his almighty protection ! " I remain, my Lord P e, " Your gracious friend, " G. R." His Majesty's domestic conduct at this period was a salutary example to his court, and indeed to all his subjects. He took even laborious pains with the cultivation of the minds of his children, always expressing his conviction of the necessity 1772. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 399 of bending the twig whilst young; and all the leisure, which he could spare from affairs of state and necessary exercise, was occupied in giving such instructions to his progeny as their infant minds were capable of receiving, often observing to those in his confidence, " That it is chiefly owing to the parents, if the children are devoid of proper principles." The King's affection for his children was pecu- liarly tender, and was strikingly exemplified in the anxious solicitude of his enquiries after them when indisposed. It is well known, that he would go to the lower lodge himself, at the early hour of five in the morning, and, gently tapping at the door of their apartments, would enquire how they had passed the night. His own course of life was carried to the utmost precision of regularity, rising usually between six and seven, and retiring to his devotions in a private apartment, where he passed an hour previous to breakfast. He then dressed, and attended to whatever public business might be before him ; after which his children were brought to him for examination and instruction, when he dismissed them to the guidance of the Queen, who always passed her forenoons in the society of her little ones, and whilst they prosecuted their several tasks, she amused herself with drawing, or else in the most curious needle-work, in which she was a 400 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1772. great proficient. The remainder of the time up to dinner the King passed in his study, when not on horseback, where he was generally occupied in the prosecution or examination of some useful dis- covery, or in conversing with men of literature and science. At table he was extremely temperate, seldom indulging in more than four glasses of wine; after which, if no affairs of state engaged his attention, he passed the afternoon in reading some favourite author to her Majesty, who even then had dis- played a critical knowledge of the English lan- guage, by the great attachment which she had formed for the best plays of the Poet of the Avon. It is well known that the King at that time, however hurried his colloquial accent, read ex- tremely well, not only in private, but also in the delivery of his public speeches. At supper he never went beyond a glass of wine and water : after which meal the happy pair joined in private devotion and gratitude to God for their mutual blessings, sometimes reading a portion of some well-written religious tract, and retiring at an early hour, even whilst fashion- able dissipation had scarcely begun her noctur- nal orgies. The day thus spent in social comforts, each rising morn presented them with the high-fla- voured joys of heart-felt delight, enjoying in them- 1772. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 401 selves all the happiness of wedded and parental love, and exhibiting its superiority over more "worldly pleasures. It had long been a question which had engaged the attention, not only of learned men, but of most of the maritime powers of Europe, whether the unexplored part of the southern hemisphere were only an immense mass of water, or contained another continent, as was suggested to be not only possible but probable, by all the specula- tive geographers of the time. To put an end to the difference of opinion upon this very important subject, had long been a point of ardent desire in the breast of the King, as well as with the Royal Society ; and accordingly, at his Majesty's express recommendation, a voyage was undertaken for the final investigation of the subject. Very soon after the return of the enter- prising Cook from his first voyage in the Endea- vour, it was determined to equip two ships, in order to complete the discoveries then so happily begun in the southern hemisphere ; and Cook, now raised to the rank of master and commander, was appointed the senior officer of the expedi- tion. How well he performed the duty entrusted to him, is too well known to require illustration here. VOL. I. D D 402 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1773. 1773. It has been confidently stated, that it was the King's intention at this period to institute a new order of knighthood, to be called the Order of Minerva, for the encouragement of literature, the fine arts, and learned professions. The order was intended to consist of twenty-four knights and the Sovereign, and to be next in dignity to the military order of the Bath. The knights were to wear a silver star of nine points, and a straw-co- loured ribbon from the right shoulder to the left. A figure of Minerva was to have been embroi- dered in the centre of the star, with the motto, " Omnia posthabita Scient'ice." So certain were the literati of the measure being adopted, that some altercation actually took place amongst the self-elected candidates for the new honours ; and it is extremely probable that the only cause of its failure was the King's appre- hension that the numerous jealousies which would arise, even from the fairest selection of talent and ability, would render its institution an evil rather than a benefit, especially at a moment when party measures ran so very high upon political subjects. A circumstance took place early this year which deserves notice, as strongly marking the spirit of the times. The Lord Mayor gave notice to his household, that he should not go to St. Paul's cathedral on the day of the martyrdom of King 1773. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 403 Charles I. and therefore their attendance would not be necessary. This, however, did not escape unnoticed. The public prints took it up, and some very severe strictures were passed upon his conduct. On the 27th of January the Duke of Sussex was born. Notwithstanding the political bustle of those times, yet the loyalty and patriotism of the City of London often manifested themselves in a manner which we should be happy to find imi- tated at the present day. Indeed the address of the corporation on this particular occasion offers so pointed an example to this great metropolis, that we feel called on to insert it, as combining the undaunted expression of the truest freedom, with all that spirit even of courtly loyalty, which every true friend to his King and country ought always to exhibit. " Most Gracious Sovereign, " Your Majesty's loyal subsects, the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common-council assembled, approach your Ma- jesty with their congratulations, on the happy deli- very of their most amiable Queen, and the birth of another Prince. " Your faithful citizens of London, ever zealous for your Majesty's happiness, and the true honour and prosperity of your reign, will continue to re- d d 2 404 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1773. joice in every event which adds to your Majesty's domestic felicity; and they hope, that every branch of the august House of Brunswick will add further security to those sacred laws and li- berties, which their ancestors would not suffer to be violated with impunity ; and which, in conse- quence of the glorious and necessary revolution, that illustrious house was called upon to protect and defend." In ordinary times such an address was cer- tainly such an one as free men ought to present, and a constitutional monarch might fitly receive ; yet there were some who pointedly thought that the turn of particular expressions savoured more of admonition and even of threat, than of compli- ment. His Majesty, however, whatever he might have suspected of the leaven of sedition mingled with the expression of loyalty, displayed his wonted good sense and good humour, in consider- ing it as meaning no more than it actually and literally expressed ; and he therefore replied : — " I thank you for this dutiful address, and your congratulations on the happy delivery of the Queen, and the birth of another Prince. The re- ligion, laws, and liberties of my people have always been, and ever shall be, the constant ob- ject of my care and attention." This was indeed most true, as his long life manifested ; and it is probable that the conscious- 1773. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 405 ness of real constitutional feelings in his Majesty's heart really precluded him from even suspecting that any sinister ideas could be couched under such loyal expressions. He, therefore, marked his approval by conferring knighthood on Alder- men Halifax and Watkin Lewes, and also on one of the sheriffs. On the 3d of February the sale of the jewels, trinkets, plate, gold medals, china, &c. belonging to the late Princess Dowager, was completed, when a curious French collection of silver medals of Louis XIV. and XV. were sold for only eight pounds ; and a German prayer-book, with various devices, in gold enamelled, and embellished with diamonds and miniature paintings, &c. fetched twenty-six guineas. The rooms were crowded with fashion ; yet so scarce was money in the fashionable world, that the whole collection sold very cheap, and the greatest part of the property was purchased by two jewellers. His Majesty warmly patronized the expedition to the North Pole, under Lord Mulgrave ; and in June he set out on a tour to Portsmouth, where he paid great attention to every thing connected with the sea service, examining many ships of war personally, and investigating every thing both in the dock-yard and ordnance wharf with the greatest precision. He generally dined on board some of the ships, 406 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1773. where he held levees, at which he displayed the utmost affability, receiving all officers to the rank of lieutenants inclusive. The loyalty displayed by the immense crowds that every where surrounded him, formed a strik- ing contrast to the misled London mobs : and on one occasion, when he set off before five o'clock in the morning to view the ramparts and land forti- fications, the guard not being mounted at such an early and unexpected hour, the soldiers followed him with great confusion, accompanied by an im- mense crowd ; and when General Harvey apolo- gized for the non-attendance of the guard, his Majesty, turning round, answered with great plea- santry and politeness, " Poh ! poh ! what need have I of further guard ? my person cannot be better protected than by those handsome females that surround me." All the various circumstances of naval and mi- litary splendour were combined during this visit to do honour to the Sovereign ; who marked his sense of it by various promotions, as well as by handsome gratuities to the workmen in the dock- yards and ordnance, to the seamen of the flag- ship and yacht, and those more immediately about his person, together with 250/. to the poor of the three towns which form that naval depdt. After the delivery of the Duchess of Gloucester of the present Princess Sophia, a court of common- 1773. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 407 council was held in the City on the 9th of June, at which it was proposed by Wilkes that an address of congratulation should be presented to the King. The motion was seconded by Sir Watkin Lewes ; but considerable opposition took place, particu- larly on the part of Alderman Trecothick, who objected to it as an affront to his Majesty, who, up to that period, had not acknowledged the Duchess as his sister. The reply was, that the marriage was notorious ; and that the Dukes of Richmond and Dorset, the Bishop of Exeter, Lady Albemarle, and other personages of the first quality, had been present at the delivery. It was, however, passed over in the negative, upon the more delicate plea, that it was not usual for the City to address, except for the issue of the immediate heir to the crown. The Royal baptism took place a few days after- wards, when the Princess Amelia, and the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland, were the sponsors; so that it may be supposed his Majesty's displea- sure at that period, was more a matter of strict etiquette than of family disagreement. On the 6th of July his Majesty continued the proposed inspection of the dock-yards, by visiting Woolwich, where he was received with all due honours, and particularly examined the new foun- dery for cannon, established by Mr. Van Bruggen, in all its various details. 408 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1773. A newly-invented light piece of artillery was exhibited to him, constructed by General Pat- tison on a most convenient plan, so that both the gun and the carriage might be transported on men's shoulders to places impracticable to the usual modes of draught. He then inspected the artillery corps, and, after the usual collation, re- turned to town. This year the King took Monsieur de Luc under his immediate patronage. That philosopher, on being first presented to their Majesties, met with a very gracious reception, and was permitted to exhibit some experiments with his new-invented barometer, expressly constructed for measuring heights ; and for this purpose he took the height of a lofty tower, which being afterwards measured with a line, his calculations were said to approach the truth within a few inches. This, however, is a degree of accuracy scarcely to be expected from any instrument dependant upon the action of a variable atmosphere ; but it was sufficient to convince the King of its general utility, and he instantly gave leave to De Luc, to place his barometer in the Royal Observatory at Richmond ; the Queen also accepted from him a hygrometer upon an improved construction, ap- plicable to the management of the moisture and temperature of the hot and green houses of the botanical establishment at Kew. 1773. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 409 It was delightful to see the Sovereigns of a great and powerful nation, thus filling up the intervals of royalty ; indeed they both seemed anxious to avoid the parade of state, as well as the irregula- rities of a town life. They seldom slept at the Queen's Palace, but returned to Kew in the evenings after levees and drawing-rooms, except in the very depth of winter, devoting all their leisure time to general literature and to rural ex- ercise. Perhaps the best picture of their mode of life is to be found in a diary of Dr. Beattie, relating his introduction at their country residence, and which is too descriptive not to be given in his own words. The doctor says, — " Tuesday, 24th August, 1773, set out for Dr. Majendie's, at Kew Green. The doctor told me, that he had not seen the King yesterday, but had left a note in writing, to intimate that I was to be at his house to-day ; and that one of the King's pages had come to him this morning to say, ' that his Majesty would see me a little after twelve.' At twelve the doctor and I went to the King's house at Kew. We had been only a few minutes in the hall when the King and Queen came in from an airing ; and as they passed through the hall, the King called me by name, and asked how long it was since I came from town. I answered him, About an hour. ' I shall see you,' says he, 410 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1773. ' in a little while.' The doctor and I waited a considerable time, for the King was busy ; and then we were called into a large room, furnished as a library, where the King was walking about, and the Queen sitting in a chair. We were re- ceived in the most gracious manner possible by both their Majesties. I had the honour of a con- versation with them, nobody else being present but Dr. Majendie, for upwards of an hour, on a great variety of topics, in which both the King and Queen joined, with a degree of cheerfulness, af- fability, and ease, that was to me surprising, and soon dissipated the embarrassment which I felt at the beginning of the conference. They both complimented me in the highest terms on my Essay, which they said was a book they always kept by them : and the King said he had one copy of it at Kew, and another in town, and im- mediately went and took it down from a shelf. I found it was the second edition, ' I never stole a book but once,' said his Majesty, ' and that was yours,' (speaking to me) : ' I stole it from the Queen, to give it to Lord Hertford to read.' He had heard that the sale of Hume's Essays had failed since my book was published ; and I told him what Mr. Strahan had told me in regard to that matter. He had even heard of my being at Edinburgh last summer, and how Mr. Hume was offended on the score of my book. He asked 1773. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 411 many questions about the second part of the Essay, and when it would be ready for the press. I gave him, in a short speech, an account of the plan of it ; and said, my health was so precarious, I could not tell when it might be ready, as I had many books to consult before I could finish it ; but that, if my health was good, I thought I might bring it to a conclusion in two or three years. He asked how long I had been in composing my Essay ; praised the caution with which it was written ; and said that he did not wonder that it had employed me five or six years. He asked about my Poems. I said there was only one poem of my own, on which I set any value (meaning the Minstrel), and that it was first published about the same time as the Essay. My other poems, I said, were incorrect, being but juvenile pieces, and of little consequence even in my own opinion. We had much conversation on moral subjects ; from which both their Majesties let it appear that they were warm friends to Christianity ; and so little inclined to infidelity, that they could hardly believe that any thinking man could really be an atheist, unless he could bring himself to believe that he had made himself: — a thought which pleased the King exceedingly, and he repeated it several times to the Queen. He asked whether any thing had been written against me. 1 spoke of the late pamphlet, of which I gave an account ; telling- 412 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1773. him that I had never met with any man that had read it, except one quaker. This brought on some discourse about the quakers, whose moderation and mild behaviour the King and Queen commended. I was asked many questions about the Scots uni- versities, the revenues of the Scots clergy, their mode of praying and preaching, the medical col- lege of Edinburgh, Dr. Gregory, and Dr. Cullen ; the length of our vacation at Aberdeen, and the closeness of our attendance during the winter; the number of students that attend my lectures, my mode of lecturing, whether from notes or com- pletely written lectures ; about Mr. Hume, and Dr. Robertson, and Lord Kinnoul, and the Archbishop of York, &c. — His Majesty asked, what I thought of my new acquaintance Lord Dartmouth? I said there was something in his air and manner, which I thought not only agreeable, but enchant- ing, and that he seemed to me to be one of the best of men; a sentiment in which both their Majesties heartily joined. ' They say that Lord Dartmouth is an enthusiast,' said the King ; ' but surely he says nothing on the subject of reli- gion, but what every Christian may and ought to say.' " He asked whether I did not think the English language on the decline at present ? I answered in the affirmative; and the King agreed, and named the Spectator as one of the best standards 1773. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 413 of the Language. When I told him that the Scots clergy sometimes prayed a quarter, or even half an hour at a time, he asked, whether that did not lead them into repetitions ? I said it often did. ' That,' said he, ' I don't like in prayers ; and excellent as our liturgy is, I think it somewhat faulty in that respect.' ' Your Majesty knows/ said I, ' that three services are joined in one, in the ordinary church service, which is one cause of these repetitions.' ' True,' he replied ; * and that circumstance also makes the service too long.' From this he took occasion to speak of the composition of the church liturgy ; on which he very justly bestowed the highest commenda- tion. ' Observe,' his Majesty said, ' how flat those occasional prayers are, that are now com- posed, in comparison with the old ones.' When I mentioned the smallness of the church livings in Scotland, he said, ' He wondered how men of liberal education would choose to become clergymen there :' and asked, ' whether, in the remote parts of the country, the clergy in general were not very ignorant?' 1 answered, ' No: for that education was cheap in Scotland, and that the clergy in general were men of good sense and competent learning.' He asked whether we had any good preachers in Aberdeen ? I said, Yes ; and named Campbell and Gerard ; with whose names, however, I did not find that he was ac- 414 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1773. quainted. Dr. Majendie mentioned Dr. Oswald's Appeal with commendation ; I praised it too ; and the Queen took down the name with a view to send for it. I was asked whether I knew Dr. Oswald ? I answered, I did not ; and said, that my book was published before I read his ; that Dr. Oswald was well known to Lord Kinnoul, who had often proposed to make us acquainted. — We dis- cussed a great many other topics ; for the con- versation lasted upwards of an hour. The Queen bore a large share in it. Both the King and her Majesty shewed a great deal of good sense, acute- ness, and knowledge, as well as of good-nature and affability. At last the King took out his watch, (for it was now almost three o'clock, his hour of dinner,) which Dr. Majendie and I took as a signal to withdraw : we accordingly bowed to their Majesties, and I addressed the King in these words : ' I hope, Sir, your Majesty will pardon me, if I take this opportunity to return you my humble and most grateful acknowledge- ments for the honour you have been pleased to confer upon me. ' He immediately answered, ' I think I could do no less for a man who has done so much service for the cause of Christianity : I shall always be glad of an opportunity to shew the good opinion I have of you.' " The Queen sat all the while, and the King stood, sometimes walking about a little. Her 1773. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 415 Majesty speaks the English language with sur- prising elegance, and little or nothing of a foreign manner ; so that if she were only of the rank of a private gentlewoman, one could not help taking notice of her as one of the most agreeable women in the world. Her face is much more pleasing than any of her pictures ; and in the expression of her eyes, and in her smile, there is something peculiarly engaging." This interview was followed up by something more solid than praise, on the 4th of September, when an order was made out for a pension of 200/. per annum to the doctor, " on account of his lite- rary merit." This, we believe, was spontaneous on the part of the King, similar to the Queen's generous pen- sion to Dr. Blair, on account of the pleasure which she had derived from reading his sermons. It is a curious fact that none of the patronage which the King bestowed upon literature and the fine arts, seems to have been extended towards Sir Joshua Reynolds, with the exception of the knight- hood conferred upon him at his election to the chair of President of the Royal Academy. It has been surmised indeed, that the royal founder felt some chagrin in consequence of the late vene- rable President not having been elected to that office : but his knowledge of Mr. West was then too recent to warrant that supposition. However 416 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1773. this may have been, it must be acknowledged that Reynolds had not the good fortune to become a favourite at court, although Cotes and Ramsay, two inferior artists, but who shared with him, in some degree, the fashion of the day, had several royal orders to execute. The only, and indeed two exquisite, portraits of the Royal Family which Reynolds painted, are those of the King and Queen in the council chamber at Somerset-house ; and these were executed, not by royal command, but at the President's own desire, as a kind of duty attached to his office. If it is true that the King felt disappointed at the election, his feelings did not, however, prevent him from giving the most solid proofs of his attach- ment to the art itself; for, as the proceeds of the exhibitions in early years were not sufficient to meet the expenses, his Majesty most graciously promised all necessary extra aid from his own privy purse ; a promise which he strictly fulfilled by annual disbursements for some years, to the aggregate amount of at least 5000/. It was in this year that a circumstance favour- able to the arts was about to take place, upon which indeed his Majesty did not publicly express any opinion, though we may perhaps, from the result, draw the conclusion that he was not per- sonally anxious for it. The ingenious biographer of Reynolds says, that the chapel of old Somerset- 1773. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 417 house, which had been given by the King to the Royal Academy, was mentioned at one of their meetings as a place which offered a good oppor- tunity of convincing the public at large of the advantage that would arise from ornamenting cathedrals and churches with the productions of the pencil ; productions which might be useful in their effect, and not likely to give offence in a protestant country. The idea was therefore started, that if the members should ornament this chapel, the example might thus afford an opening for the introduction of the art into other places of a similar nature, and which, as it was then stated, would not only present a new and noble scene of action, that might be highly orna- mental to the kingdom, but would be, in some measure, absolutely necessary for the future la- bours of the numerous students educated under the auspices of the Royal Academy. All the mem- bers, continues Mr. Northcote, were struck with the propriety, and even with the probability of success which attended the scheme ; but Reynolds having taken it up on a bolder plan, and offering an amendment, that instead of the chapel they should fly at once at higher game, and undertake St. Paul's cathedral, the grandeur of the idea in- stantly struck all present; the proposal was re- ceived unanimously, and Reynolds empowered to make the offer to the dean and chapter, who in- VOL. I. E E 418 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1773. stantly acceded ; but the design was finally drop- ped on the opposition of the Archbishop of Can- terbury and the Bishop of London. It is certainly probable that the same conscien- tious feeling with regard to popery, which had actuated his Majesty in other circumstances, be- yond the granting free liberty of conscience, may have induced him to offer hints to the archbishop; yet it is not the less true that paintings do actually exist in the church, in the interior of the dome painted by Thornhill. His Majesty made a second visit to Woolwich in the autumn, to see the effect of some curious smoke balls, invented by General Desaguliers, the intention of which, as exemplified in a mock engagement, was to cover an assailing body when repulsed from a strong position, and thus prevent the enemy from availing themselves of the conse- quent confusion. Some specimens of quick firing were also exhi- bited, when thirteen rounds of case shot were fired from a long three-pounder, within the space of twenty-six seconds, sending 579 shot through the first target, representing a brigade in the first line of battle, at the distance of 400 yards, and a greater number through the second target, at a distance of 200 yards in rear of the first ; a performance which drew great praises from his Majesty. 1773. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 419 In October this year the statue of his Majesty in Berkeley-square was first opened to public view ; and it was about this date that the late venerable president of the Royal Academy was appointed historical painter to the King. Soon after this Mr. West executed the paintings from the wars of Edward III. in St. George's Hall at Windsor; but it was not until 1790 that he was appointed surveyor of the Royal pictures. 1774. In this year the King declared himself patron of the Royal Humane Society ; * and about this * This patronage was afterwards justly noted at a public meeting, immediately after the royal demise; when, speaking of the Institution, it was said — " For nearly forty years it con- tinued to receive the benefit of his patronage; a patronage never lightly bestowed, and which was the more distinguished and effective, because wisely and judiciously reserved for in- stitutions which he deemed of pre-eminent benefit to his country. " In expressing their profound sense of the loss which the society has sustained, the directors and governors now present would gratefully record — that if the Institution were originally founded on the most enlightened views of science, and the purest principles of benevolence; if it have since become the means of methodizing and perfecting, to a considerable extent, the processes of resuscitative art, and of extending those processes, within a period of forty years, to the restoration of several thousands of lives; if, in addition to this, it have given birth to many similar associations, both in various parts of our E E 2 420 geor(;e the third,. 1774. time also his Majesty displayed his fine taste for the arts, by discovering the abilities of Gainsbo- rough, who, though much admired during his re- sidence at Ipswich by his friends, found himself but unprofitably situated when he attempted to practise in the metropolis. But the King, who was always inquiring after talent, having heard some mention of him, engaged the neglected painter to execute that full-length of himself which has long been so much admired at Buckingham- house ; soon after which he had the honour to paint the whole Royal Family. His picture of the " Woodman in the Storm" drew great praise from the King, as well as much public admiration. So little was the American contest expected to assume a serious form in the be^innino- of 1774, that when on the 13th of January, the King opened the Session of Parliament with a speech from the throne, his Majesty observed that the state of foreign affairs then afforded full leisure for the legislature to attend to the improvement of our country and in foreign nations — to the late revered and la- mented King belongs the glory of having taken it by the hand when but an infant institution, and of having led it through the dangers and difficulties of its first establishment and inci- pient efforts. " Thus, in becoming the Patron of the Humane Society, his Majesty distinctively and prominently recommended it to public notice and encouragement; to him, therefore, is to be justly ascribed a hirge measure both of its success and glory." 1774. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 421 internal and domestic situation, and to the prose- cution of such measures as more immediately re- spected the preservation and advancement of the revenue and commerce of the empire. But these happy prospects were speedily terminated by in- formation of the Boston riots, when a message was delivered to the Houses of Parliament on that subject, accompanied by numerous explana- tory state documents, and followed up by a series of strong restrictive measures, which met with a strong- opposition, but were finally carried not- withstanding the almost prophetic warning of Mr. Rose Fuller on the last reading of the billi To expatiate on the political question is no part of our present personal biography; but without tak- ing any decided part on the point of political right, we may be permitted to express two opinions on the point of political expediency. The first of these is, that Britain has derived more commercial profit from America, since her independence, than she probably would have done in the same pre- cise years, had the United States still been sub- ject to our controul ; and the second is, that it would have been a blessing to both nations if that independence could at once have been granted without a contest. Considering the nature of man, indeed, and his political prejudices, such a measure was not to be expected ; but after-ases may learn a lesson from it, when other colonies, 422 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1774. confident in their own strength, shall become anxious for their own independence. Let the politicians of that future day calmly inquire whe- ther dominion can be effectually preserved. If not, then acquiescence will be the wisest plan. To colonize is generally advantageous, sometimes necessary ; but the time must at length arrive, when, able to protect themselves, a desire of independence will arise in the breasts of those who inhabit large colonies ; the best wisdom will then be, to yield gracefully to existing circum- stances, instead of commencing a scene of blood- shed and increased expenditure. Nor can such calculations be very difficult, if plain facts are adverted to. At the very period of which we are now speaking, Dr. Franklin, in writing to a friend, says — " Britain, at the expense of three millions, has killed a hundred and fifty Yankees this campaign, which is 20,000/. a head; and at Bunkers-hill she gained a mile of ground, half of which she lost again by our taking post on Ploughed-hill. During the same time, sixty thou- sand children have been born in America : from these data may easily be calculated the time and expense' necessary to kill us all, and conquer the whole territory." About the same time also Dr. Price published his well-known Treatise ; and the late Duke of Cumberland, seeing him in an antichamber of the 1774. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 423 House of Lords, expressed his approbation of it ; adding, that he had sat up so late the night be- fore to read it, that it almost blinded him. Mr. Dunning, afterwards Lord Ashburton, who hap- pened to be present, observed he was sorry his Royal Highness should be affected in such a man- ner by a work which had opened the eyes of the greatest part of the nation! By this digression it is not intended to deny that those who claim protection owe allegiance; that the mother country must always have the right of judgment as well as the colony ; nor that the principles of common sense and self-preserva- tion justify the mother country in using force, when a permitted independence on the part of the colony would throw the latter at the mercy of an enemy : it is only hinted at, to shew that circumstances may exist to justify consent to se- paration without any impeachment of national honour, when conciliation may preserve friend- ship, though coercion cannot maintain dominion. To England, America then owed every thing; but had she then been subjected, her subjugation could only have been of short continuance ; there- fore, without disputing our right, we may lament our policy. The King at this period was remarkable for his early hours, always rising at six o'clock, and form- ing his arrangements so as to call the two succeed- 424 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1774. ing hours his own. Whilst residing at Kew, the custom was always at eight o'clock to assemble all the elder children at Kew-house to breakfast, to which meal one hour was allotted ; when, at nine, the younger issue were brought in to lisp their good-morrows. The elder then were set seriously to their tasks, whilst the others were dismissed with their nurses to ramble through the gardens. The children all dined together at an early hour*, and that meal was always a matter of amusement to their Majesties, who often took a ramble after- wards in the gardens, until their own dinner-hour, accompanied by all the royal progeny in pairs. After dinner the Queen took up some piece of elegant work, and the King, if not engaged in business, cheered the afternoon hours by some amusing or instructive reading ; and it was well observed, that whatever charms ambition or folly might conceive as attendant upon so exalted a * The children's fare was always homely and free from luxury. In a recent obituary, noticing the death of Mr. Gas- koin, a Lincolnshire farmer, we find it stated that it was from his wife, when on a visit to the Queen many years ago, that the Gaskoin caps received their name. She was also employed while on this visit, in making for the King rye bread, which homelv fare was so much approved of by his Majesty, that the old lady, during her life, made a rule of sending his Majesty a treat of this sort annually ; and the practice was continued by Mrs. G.'s daughter. [§ ROYAL, HIGHNESS ADOLPHUS FEE BE MIC IK Duke or Cambridge Born Feb? 24: lj]4>. 1774. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 425 situation, it was neither on the throne, nor in the drawing-room, nor in the splendour of the toys of sovereignty, that the royal couple placed their felicity; hut, next to the fulfilling the duties of their station, it was in social and domestic gratifi- cations, in breathing the free air, admiring the works of nature, tasting and encouraging the ele- gancies of art ; and, above all, in living to their own hearts. In the evening it was customary for all the children again to pay their duty at Kew-house, before they retired to rest ; and the same order was observed through each succeeding day. But this strict attention to domestic duties and plea- sures did not prevent his Majesty from a due observance of all those claims which his exalted situation had upon him. He attended sedulously to state affairs, yet still appeared the father of his family, redressing every grievance that came to his ear, encouraging merit and ingenuity of every kind, wherever discovered, and following with ease, yet with precision, a line of conduct as ex- emplary as it was amiable. In his public capacity he always shewed him- self a lover of peace, though a sense of public duty induced him to join in the adoption of forcible measures to put down the rebellion of the Colo- nies ; but though a lover of peace, he did not shut his eyes to the pomp and circumstance of military 426 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1774. affairs. To him it was always a source of plea- sure to exercise the troops ; and in this he dis- played a degree of technical knowledge and pre- cision equal to that of the most affected martinet. In his more retired studies, topography, of all kinds, was a most favourite pursuit. He even went so far as to make copies of the best charts, and models of all the principal fortifications of Europe ; and it was a well-known fact that he was even well conversant with the soundings of the most important ports, and also with the strong and weak sides of the best fortifications throughout the world. He likewise knew the names, numbers, uniforms, &c. of every regiment, their officers ge- nerally, their past deeds, and present points of service ; to which we must add a correct know- ledge of the names and force of every ship in the navy, with their commanders, and in short much of the tact and tactics of both services. In educating his children his object was to teach them the same species of useful knowledge, in addition to classical acquirements, in which even at that early period they were acknowledged to surpass their contemporaries as much as in ab- solute rank. For the elder boys, eight hours' close application to the languages, and the liberal sciences, were strictly enjoined ; and this was fol- lowed up by the most unremitted industry. The younger branches were not so closely confined to 1774. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 427 study ; but there was no favouritism : all submitted to the same regulations in general. Exercise, air, and light diet, were the grand fundamentals in the King's ideas of health and sprightliness. He him- self then fed chiefly on vegetables, and drank but little wine ; and the same system was pursued with the children. In the household, regularity was indeed said to amount to abstemiousness ; but on this subject a thousand stories were circulated, though all really unfounded. The only real subject of complaint was on the part of the maids of honour, who re- monstrated against the disuse of suppers ; and though the King would not break through his previous arrangements, yet he settled the business at once, by ordering an addition to their allow- ances in lieu. The malevolence of party, at this moment, did great injustice to the King's character, both public and private. Many of the leading demagogues were men of most immoral conduct, and were either blind to, or felt themselves shamed by, the domestic virtues of their Monarch, who, in spite of unmerited calumny, still shewed himself ani- mated by the noblest intentions, and % by the warmest affection for his people. But it was then the fashion of the day to represent him as despo- tic, inflexible, vindictive, and anxious to domi- neer both at home and in the colonies, by mea- 428 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1774. sures the most tyrannical and unconstitutional. His love of retirement was called Asiatic seclusion ; his pleasures were misrepresented; his taste sati- rized ; and his most harmless recreations held up to public ridicule ; his economy designated ava- rice ; and even his religious principles exposed to derision. His fondness for gardening was seized upon by our English garden poet, Mason, as the text for a satire upon Chambers's Oriental Gar- dening ; and, perhaps against the poet's wish, the ridicule intended for Chambers was thrown upon the King. His Majesty at this period had an idea of crea- ting a new order amongst the baronets, to include all of one century's standing. The insignia of the order to be worn on the left breast, consisting of a small globe, embroidered with the device, " Che- valier de Cent ans." 1775. The botanical garden at Kew received in the course of this year a most valuable supply of exo- tics, by the return of Mr. Mason from the Cape of Good Hope, whom his Majesty had sent thither about three years before, to collect seeds and plants. The acquisitions made by Mr. Mason were both new and valuable ; that able practical botanist having travelled near 900 miles to the north of the Cape, and seen more of the interior 1775. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 429 of Africa than had previously been visited by Europeans. Much praise is due to the King for his personal patronage of the intrepid Cook, who from the able manner in which he performed his voyage for the investigation of the southern hemisphere, had in- deed justly and powerfully recommended himself to the protection and encouragement of all those who had patronized that undertaking. Lord Sand- wich in particular took the first opportunity of re- presenting his merits to his Majesty, who instantly and warmly expressed his anxiety to confer every professional favour upon a man who had so emi- nently fulfilled his royal and munificent inten- tions ; and accordingly the able navigator was raised to the rank of post-captain, and three days afterwards, at the King's express desire, appoint- ed to the honourable and comfortable retreat of a captain of Greenwich Hospital, as a pleasing and appropriate reward for his illustrious labours and services. Dr. Askew's library was sold this year, a col- lection, in regard to Greek and Roman literature, unique in its day, and sought after by almost every man then eminent for bibliographical re- search. His Majesty displayed his good taste by laying out upwards of 300/. in purchases. During this and the preceding year, a long cor- 430 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1775. respondeiice was carried on between the King, and the unhappy Queen of Denmark, then at Zell, which is said by a well-known biogra- phical baronet, to have been of a most interest- ing nature, and in which he was confidentially employed. This, however, was a business totally distinct from national state affairs, and its reward came within the scope of his Majesty's private munificence, which he manifested by a very gra- cious and very liberal present of one thousand guineas, paid through the medium of Lord North, and accompanied with assurances of future em- ployment for the negotiator. It was now the fashion of the day for the Lon- don patriots to object to the American war ; and on the 10th of April, the Lord Mayor, some of the Aldermen, the Sheriffs, and a Committee of the Livery, waited on his Majesty with an address, remonstrance, and petition, against the American war generally, but also stating other grounds of complaint. The King answered, that it was with the ut- most astonishment that he found any of his sub- jects capable of encouraging the rebellious dis- position which unhappily existed in some of the North American Colonies ; but, having entire con- fidence in the wisdom of Parliament, he was de- termined to pursue the measures which they had 1775. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 431 recommended for the support of the constitutional rights of Great Britain, and the protection of the commercial interests of his kingdoms. It was on the next day that a letter was sent to the Lord Mayor by the Lord Chamberlain, said to be to the following purport : — " My Lord, I am ordered by his Majesty to acquaint your lordship, as chief magistrate of the City of London, that his Majesty will not receive, on the throne, any address, remonstrance, or peti- tion, of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, but in their corporate capacity." This was evidently done for the purpose of pre- venting insulting addresses being read to the King : for though, at that moment, the City pa- triots had the command of the Common Hall, yet the Corporation, as such, was still free from their grasp. The 28th of June was remarkable for bringing to issue the dispute between his Majesty and the City of London, respecting the mode and manner of presenting addresses. The Sheriffs attended at court at St. James's, in obedience to the King's appointment as notified to them atKew; and Mr. Sheriff Plomer addressing the King said — " May it please your Majesty, we are ordered by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery of the City of London, in Common-hall assembled, to wait upon your Majesty, humbly to know your Majes- 432 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1775. ty's Royal will and pleasure, when your Majesty will be pleased to receive upon the throne their humble address, remonstrance, and petition." To this the King replied, " You will please to take notice that I will receive their address, re- monstrance, and petition, on Friday next at the levee." Mr. Sheriff Plomer then said, " Your Majesty will permit us to inform you that the livery in Common-hall assembled have resolved not to present their address, remonstrance, and petition, unless your Majesty shall be pleased to receive it sitting on the throne." The King answered mildly, but with dignity, to this reply : " I am ever ready to receive addresses and petitions: but I am the judge where." On the 4th of July the Common-hall met at Guildhall, when the Lord Mayor read the report of the Sheriffs, and added, as his Majesty did not think fit to receive the address on the throne, he (the Mayor) thought it his duty not to go up with it ; and humbly submitted the further proceedings to the consideration of the livery ; when a mem- ber expatiated on the unanimity, spirit, and perse- verance, which " at that critical time" ought to influence the livery, as the most effectual mode of obtaining what they called redress. This person then read some resolutions, which were approved, and ordered to be presented to the King ; in the mean time the Common-hall, or somebody for 1775. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 433 them, caused the withdrawn address to be printed, in which were loud denunciations against the American war, strong accusations of despotism, some most extraordinary reasoning about arbitrary power, the unalterable rights of human nature, in- vasion of American rights, justification of Ameri- can resistance, and threats against ministers. To enumerate all the charges against that cabinet, would exceed our plan ; but it is deserving of record that one of them was the having " given their sanction to popery." On the 5th the Sheriffs again went to St. James's, when Mr. Sheriff Plomer again informed his Ma- jesty that they were ordered to present him with some resolutions entered into by the Common- hall, in which, after claiming the right of pre- senting petitions to the King on his throne, (not as a matter of grace and favour,) the Livery very roundly asserted that the King's previous answer was a direct denial in toto of the right of the court to have their petitions heard. In all this there seemed to be a juggle, which perhaps few of the supporters of these measures fully understood. That the subjects have a right to petition is a clear constitutional axiom ; but the citizens of London say, " That the King is bound to hear the petitions of his people.' 1 Now if by the word " hear" is generally meant that the people have the right to petition, it matters little VOL. I. F F 434 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1775. whether the petition is spoken to the King, or presented to him in writing ; but the Common- hall claimed a right of having their petitions read to the King upon the throne, whereas at the levee they would only be presented, as is the case with all other petitions generally speaking; from whence it follows, that if the London resolution is literally correct, every other body, even though not a cor- poration, has the right of reading their petitions to the King, or else the Common-hall claimed a right beyond the general rights of the constitu- tion. That the custom had been and still is for the Corporation to present petitions to the throne is true ; but that custom is only a local right, and therefore the resolution ought to have ex- pressed it : but here the general right of petition- ing was so ingeniously entwined with the local right or custom of the Corporation of London, mixing up with it the claim of the Livery, that thousands and tens of thousands actually believed that the offer of his Majesty to receive the peti- tion at the levee fully justified the resolution that the answer was a denial, and " that such denial renders the right of petitioning the throne, recog- nized and established by the Revolution, of no effect. " Whether the Common-hall have or have not a right to read their petitions to the King, is fair matter of debate ; but surely there never was a 1775. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 435 more erroneous conclusion than that the offer to receive their petition at the levee, as is done with all, or almost all, other petitions, was a denial of the subjects' right generally. To these resolutions the King returned no answer ; but a few days af- terwards, to an address from the Common-coun- cil, he answered that he was always ready to listen to the dutiful petitions of his subjects, and ever happy to comply with their reasonable requests ; but while the constitutional authority of Britain was openly resisted by a part of his American sub- jects, he owed it to the rest of his people, of whose zeal and fidelity he had such constant proofs, to continue and enforce the policy then pursued. On the 7th the Corporation of London, seem- ingly as if the quarrel with the American Colonies arose from aggression on the part of the mother country, thought proper to present an address to the King, praying that he would be pleased to cause hostilities to cease between Great Britain and America, and to adopt such measures as would restore union, confidence, and peace over the British empire. Some considerable debate arose before this measure was carried, but at. length it was very respectfully presented, gra- ciously received, and answered, but certainly with a degree of forcible reasoning which ought to have been a complete reply to all the public clamour of the time. F f2 430 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1775 His Majesty, with a steady dignity, read his reply, which was justly a simple confession of his faith upon this subject ; and shewed most mani- festly that the country was placed in a dilemma, and must either prosecute the hostile measures adopted, or at once throw up all claims of sove- reignty over the Colonies, a measure which must have been instantly followed by the loss of the West Indies, and indeed of all footing on the American continent. " I am always,' 1 said the Royal answer, " ready to listen to the dutiful petitions of my subjects, and ever happy to comply with their reasonable requests: but while the constitutional authority of this kingdom is openly resisted by a part of my American subjects, I owe it to the rest of my people, of whose zeal and fidelity I have had such constant proofs, to continue and enforce those measures, by which alone their rights and inte- rests can be asserted and maintained." The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge ap- pear to have thought very differently from the citizens of London upon this subject; for they addressed the King to continue the war: but it was now out of his power to do otherwise ; for hostilities had commenced, and the Congress of all the States had assembled, and although they assumed an appearance of a wish for conciliation, 1775. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 437 by voting an address to the King-, or rather a pe- tition, which was presented by Mr. Penn, pro- prietary governor of Pennsylvania, yet it has been well ascertained that a separation from the mother country was the secret resolution of a few of the leaders ; and this it was which offended the King- so much, that he returned no answer to the peti- tion, evidently considering it as a mere ruse de guerre on the part of the rebels to throw the blame upon the British Government, in the eyes of the prejudiced and miscalculating in England. An extraordinary circumstance happened about this period, which some of the historians of the time seem to consider as a mere absurdity; but when we consider how high party spirit ran at the period, when we reflect on the very inefficient state of the police, and more particularly on the fact of the person accused being an American by birth, though a banker in London, we are the more disposed to give credit to the report of a conspiracy being then on foot to seize the person of the King, and to convey him out of the king- dom. The banker was arrested by a warrant from Lord Rochford, secretary of state, but was ad- mitted to bail before Lord Mansfield ; and on his recognizance being afterwards discharged, he got a verdict of 1 000/. damages for false imprisonment, The charge was first made by Adjutant Richard- 438 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1776. son, of the Guards ; perhaps prematurely, before legal proofs could be collected. If so, the dis- covery put a stop to all further machinations. 1776. It was in this year that the Congress threw off their absolute allegiance ; as they then issued a declaration, in which they assigned reasons for withdrawing that allegiance from the King of Great Britain. In this paper they discarded that constitutional language in which alone complaints should ever be expressed by loyal British sub- jects; and directed all their charges in unqualified terms against the throne itself. They no longer complained of a British Parliament, or a British Ministry, but of a British King. This might be agreeable to the mere form of a declaration of independence ; but in point of fact, was very in- correct ; for though many persons at home had been and were even then advocates for concilia- tion, yet certainly the popular feeling was not in favour of an unlimited grant of independence. Nay, had the King himself even expressed a wish to save bloodshed by an absolute grant to the Americans of their full and entire claims, those who remember that period must be well aware that such a wish would have been as unpopular as unavailing. At this moment, a number of foreign troops were engaged in our service ; and 177G. HIS COU11T, AND FAMILY. 439 on the 4th of March the House of Commons addressed the King relative to clothing all the troops, in British pay, with British manufactures. To this his Majesty most graciously replied, that being always desirous to give every encourage- ment in his power to the manufactures of Great Britain, he would use his endeavours, as recom- mended by their address.* His Majesty's feelings and intentions with re- spect to the revolted colonies, cannot be better explained than in his answer on the 23d of March to the Address and Petition of the Corporation of London, on the subject of that contest; when the royal answer was — " I deplore, with the deepest concern, the miseries which a great part of my subjects in America have brought upon them- selves by an unjustifiable resistance to the con- * Beaumarchais, better known as a literary than as a poli- tical character, may be considered as one of the chief promoters of the cause of American independence. He had purchased in Holland not fewer than 60,000 muskets, at a very low price, and sold them again upon credit to American agents. The sly author of Figaro was aware that if the Americans should fail in their attempt, it would be all over with his demand, as well as with their liberty. He therefore endeavoured, by all possible means, to prevail upon the minister Count Maurepas, to whom he had previously gained access, and whom he amused with his witty sallies, to take part in the war; and it was he chiefly who decided that statesman to commence hostilities with Great Britain. 440 GEORGE THE THIRD, 177C. stitutional authority of this kingdom ; and 1 shall be ready and happy to alleviate those miseries by acts of mercy and clemency, whenever that au- thority shall be established, and the now existing rebellion at an end : to obtain these salutary purposes, I will invariably pursue the most proper and effectual means." The Queen was delivered of the present Duchess of Gloucester on the 25th of April : and as the City of London addressed his Majesty on this occasion in a different style from their usual addresses, some notice of that style will not be out of place. After offering the usual congratulations, they begged leave to assure him that there were not, in all his dominions, any subjects more faithful, or more ready to maintain the true honour and dignity of the crown. To this they added, that they would continue to rejoice in every event which might add to his Majesty's domestic felicity ; expressing at the same time a hope that every branch of the august house of Brunswick would add further security to those sacred laws and liberties, which their an- cestors would not suffer to be violated with im- punity; and which, in consequence of the glo- rious and necessary Revolution, that House was called on to defend. To this address his Majesty answered, that he thanked them for their expression of duty ; add- HER ROYA L I :i tGJ 'I N ESS M A R Y , ' Duchess of Gloucester, Born April 25 :1J 70 177G. HIS COURT, AND . •AMILY. 441 ing — " the security of the laws and liberties of my people has always been, and ever shall be, the chief object of my care and attention." A new expedition was set on foot this year for exploring the possibility of a north-west passage ; not on the plan of former voyages, but from the Pacific Ocean into the North Sea. On this sub- ject the King felt a very warm interest ; yet such was his delicacy in regard to the veteran Cook, now considered as resting from his labours, that he would not permit the admiralty to ask him to take the command, but merely to take his opinion as to who was the fittest person to superintend this important research. This was no sooner done, than Captain Cook instantly offered to execute his Majesty's wishes, and his offer was most graciously accepted ; the King at the same time not only giving orders that every comfort should be supplied to the daring navigators themselves, but that all species of use- ful cattle, poultry, plants, seeds, and utensils, should be provided for the benefit of the various lands already discovered, and which might now either be discovered or revisited. The issue of this is well known. Cook fell a sacrifice to the fury of the Sandwich Islanders, in the execution of what he conceived both duty and policy: and his Majesty did all that was de- sired to alleviate the sorrows of his widow and 442 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1776. the promotion of his sons, not one of whom, nor a single descendant from Cook, is now in ex- istence. It was in June this year that the complete change already alluded to took place in the Prince's household, by Lord Bruce retiring from the office of Governor, in which he was succeeded by the Duke of Montague ; soon after which Dr. Markham, promoted to the archbishoprick of York, gave up the office of Preceptor to Dr. Iiurd; Dr. Cyril Jackson also being suc- ceeded by Mr. Arnald,* tutor of St. John's, Cambridge. It has been said that this change was occasioned by the King's displeasure at Dr. Markham ; but this is not very probable, when we consider the high promotion given to him immediately after- wards. Indeed, his interest with the King must * Mr. Arnald, the sub-preceptor, was a person of most pro- mising genius, and was rewarded with a canonry at Wind-or; but his mind was too delicate for the close study to which he addicted himself, and he died insane in 1802. During the progress of this .unhappy malady, he received great attention and kindness from the King, who, no doubt, fel 1 much sympathy for this amiable man. Of the Duke of Montague an anecdote is related, that having attended the levee for the first time after a visit to his daughter's family at Dalkeith-house, his Majesty, on making the usual com- pliments, inquired of the Duke about the health of his grand- children. His grace, thanking his Majesty, told them they were all well, and making a meal of oatmeal pottage every day. 1776. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 443 have been very strong ; for when Mr. Pitt pro- mised the first vacancy in the deanery of that see to Dr. Clarke, his Majesty told him it could not be, as he himself intended it for the eldest son of Dr. Markham, who received it some time after- wards in opposition to the Premier's interest. Nor can we doubt the archbishop's preceptorial abilities, he having been head-master of West- minster-School for upwards of fourteen years, the duties of which he discharged with great re- putation. The King this year manifested his high feeling of clerical merit, by the unsolicited patronage bestowed upon the venerable Dr. Porteus. That respectable clergyman had held the office of royal chaplain since the year 1769, and now on the 20th of December he kissed his Majesty's hand, on his promotion to the bench of bishops, with His Majesty asked if they got good oatmeal. The Duke told him they had it excellent from Mr. James Mutter, of Middle Mills, near Laswade ; upon which his Majesty desired the Duke to commission some for him : and from that time the Roval Family were supplied with the same article from the same mills. This fully marks the extreme simplicity with which the Royal offspring were brought up at a period when luxury seems to have pervaded all ranks of society, from infancy to old age. It also forms some answer to those who would prove the distress of the country by the Poor being forced to eat oatmeal instead of the best flour!. 444 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1776. the see of Chester ; a preferment, says his bio- grapher, on his part perfectly unsolicited, and so entirely unlooked for, that, till a short time before it happened, he had not the smallest expectation of it. Indeed it is said that he was indebted for it to the Queen's application. The Royal Family now became more frequent residents at Windsor, where they were on the 12th of August, when the Prince of Wales's birth-day was observed with more than usual solemnity. The morning having commenced with firing of guns, ringing of bells, &c. the royal party set out at ten o'clock in procession from the castle to the cathedral, the Princesses following their royal parents, and after them the Princes, two and two. At the door of St. George's chapel they were re- ceived by the canons, poor knights, &c. when service was performed to a most courtly assem- blage, after which the whole royal family mixed familiarly with crowds of happy faces upon the terrace, and were received with three volleys from the 25th regiment, drawn up in the park, amidst the loudest acclamations of joy. Through life the King had always an ardent cu- riosity to see every thing remarkable for novelty, and to converse with those who were noted even for their peculiarities. The extreme difference be- tween his own rank and that of those whom he sometimes patronized, was often the subject of 1770. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY". 445 illiberal and ill-mannered ridicule ; but the follow- 'mgjeud 1 esprit, which appeared in the St. James's Chronicle on the 17th of December, 177G, and which Mr. Nichols attributes to the witty George Steevens, deserves to be recorded : — " Q 's Palace. " Sir, " Politicians from this place inform us that a new favourite has lately engrossed the K — -'s at- tention, who bids fair to supplant the celebrated Pinchy and the facetious Grimaldi in the royal favours. It is no less a person than the old deaf Moravian, James Hutton, who was formerly a bookseller, and lived near Temple-bar, famous for his refusing to sell Tom Browne's Works, and Clarke on the Trinity. A certain lady who called at his shop for this last book, was induced by curiosity to know the bookseller's reasons for his refusal ; but whether he made a convert of the lady, or the lady of him, history is silent. Since that time he has travelled all over Germany and Swit- zerland, to spread the Moravian doctrine, and make proselvtes to Count Zinzendorf's creed. Whether his Majesty intends to raise Moravian regiments by Hutton's means among the faithful, to propagate the ministerial doctrine of unconditional submis- sion in America, I know not ; but this T am sure of, that a conversation between the King and 44G GEORGE THE THIRD, 177G. Hutton must be exceedingly entertaining: Hntton is so deaf that a speaking-trumpet will scarce make him hear ; and the King talks so fast that an ordinary converser cannot possibly keep pace with him. Hutton's asthma makes him subject to frequent pauses and interruptions ; so that two interpreters will be necessary to explain matters between the King and his new favourite. I hope Hutton and the Scotch junto are upon good terms, else he will soon be obliged to discontinue his vi- sits at Buckingham-house. After all, Hutton is an honest, humane, and sensible man, and worthy a king's regard; and however bigotted he was formerly, and averse to selling the works of Samuel Clarke, I am told one of his favourite authors at present is honest Lawrence Sterne, author of Tris- tram Shandy. " Current Report." 1 1777. We have seen it recorded that the King at this period, notwithstanding his political anxieties, was peculiarly desirous of patronizing literature, and indeed had several conversations with the late Lord Liverpool on this subject, respecting the best method of encouraging literary merit, and the most liberal but economic mode of executing the plan which had been laid before him for establishing an academy in imitation of that at 1777. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 447 Paris, but uniting- in itself the various objects em- braced in France by the Academy of Sciences, and also that of Belles Lettres. Lord North, who was then understood to be very desirous of seconding his Majesty's wishes, to render his reign illustrious by patronizing the agreeable as well as the useful arts, proposed that the literary order of merit, without salaries, should forthwith be adopted : but the King is said to have been more partial to the plan of salaries, as necessary to many men whose ingenuity would entitle them to a place, but whose circumstances would demand a pecuniary reward. It was proposed to have three classes, each of ten members, with salaries of 2, 3, and 400/. a year, adding 300/. more to the president of each class ; but the increasing national expenses in the prosecution of the war seem to have stifled the plan in its very infancy. The idea of honours without salary was well exemplified by Gold- smith, who, on writing to a friend an account of his appointment as Professor of History to the Royal Academy, compared it to " granting ruffles without a shirt!" On the 8th of May, 1777, the King gave the royal assent to a bill granting him 100,000/. per annum over and above the sum of 800,000/. which had been t ettled at his accession as the amount of the civil list. This arrangement met with con- 448 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1777. siderable opposition in both houses ; and in the Peers fourteen members signed a protest, in which they recorded their dissent, not solely from motives of economy, but from a dread also of the effect of such an augmentation on the honour and integrity of Parliament, by vesting such large sums without account in the hands of ministers. They further asserted that an opinion was known to prevail, and which they had no means of contradicting, that the civil list revenues were employed in creating an undue influence in Par- liament ; and as it would therefore be unbecoming in them to vote the additional sum under such circumstances, they begged leave to represent to his Majesty, that the proposed increase of the overgrown influence of the Crown would be a treacherous gift from Parliament even to the Crown itself, as it would enable ministers to carry on what the protestors considered as delusive schemes, ■ and which would infallibly tend to the destruction of the empire. On the 25th of June, whilst the King was going to the theatre in the Haymarket, an alarm was excited by a mad woman, who broke the glass of his chair, and was about to proceed to other acts of violence, when she was seized by the attend- ants, and placed under the controul of the peace officers. &HH ESS |-\K [NCESS SOPHIA, 1 I I : ..(,,'■•«' 1777. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 449 It was on the 27th of June that Dodd met his untimely fate. The Queen's feelings were on this occasion greatly interested; but the King was in- exorable — or rather " conscientious," observing, that " the crime which he had committed was greater in a clergyman than in any other person." We have seen it stated on good authority, that Dodd himself observed to the late excellent Mr. Latrobe, on the night preceding his execution, that "the King was humane; but justice and love to the nation prevented his extending mercy to him." He begged, therefore, " that the King and his counsellors might not be charged with cruelty," and prayed most fervently on their behalf. The doctor acknowledged that " the love of this world" had led him astray, and appeared to die sincerely penitent." Dr. Dodd, when chaplain in ordinary to his Ma- jesty, had fallen under his displeasure in conse- quence of having made an indecorous venal offer to a lady of distinction, for high preferment in the church ; in consequence of which the King erased his name from the list of his chaplains. The Princess Sophia was born on the 3d of November. 1778. His Majesty now seems to have been occupied in making arrangements for the future settlement of his numerous family : and on the 8th of April, VOL. I. g G 450 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1778. 1778, he sent a message to Parliament, calling on the two houses to enable him to make suitable provisions for his younger children, out of the hereditary revenues of the crown, which could not be done without an act of parliament for that purpose. This proposal went to the settling an annuity of 60,000/. on the six younger princes ; of 50,000/. on the five princesses, and of 12,000/. on the pre- sent Duke and Princess Sophia of Gloucester ; but these annuities were only to take effect, in the first instance, on the demise of his Majesty ; and secondly, on the demise of the then Duke of Gloucester. The message was received with good will by Parliament ; and a bill passed, to which the royal assent was soon afterwards given. The King was much occupied this year with military and naval reviews; and his first visit was to Chatham on the 24th of April, whither he went accompanied by the Earl of Sandwich, then first lord of the admiralty. He chose to proceed by water, embarking at Greenwich on board the Augusta yacht, in which he went clown the river, and up the Medway, arriving at the dock-yard the next day, where he was received amidst a full chorus of shipwrights, singing " God save the King." His Majesty then landed, and made a par- tial survey of the works, but did not take up his 1778. his court, Axn family". 451 residence on shore. After dining on board the yacht, he again proceeded in his examination, going over every thing with the closest inspection until dark. On the 26th, he gave up some time to ceremonials ; and, after reviewing the first Royals, held a public levee at the house of the commissioner, where he received the various offi- cers, and numbers of the gentry in the vicinage, together with the Mayor and Corporation of Ro- chester, who made their compliments, and were most graciously received. The remainder of the day was spent in a minute examination of the Victory ; on board of which ship he the next day held a naval levee, attended by all the captains and officers of the ships then fitting out at Sheerness and lying at the Nore. After the levee his Majesty went down the Med- way in his barge to Sheerness, where he landed in the dock-yard, which he attentively examined, visiting the docks, the batteries, the naval and ordnance storehouses, &c. ; and at noon pulled up the river in his barge to Blackstakes, where the yacht had arrived, and going on board of her pro- ceeded to the Nore, and from thence to Greenwich, -where he landed at midnight on his way to town. His second naval excursion this year was to Portsmouth ; setting off, accompanied by the Queen, on the 2d of May. On their arrival at the dock-yard, they were received with all due G G 2 452 GEORGE. THE THIRD, 1778. formalities, passing through the whole body of the workmen, who saluted them with the heartiest cheers. On the next day, Sunday, their Majesties at- tended divine service at the garrison chapel, which was followed by a public levee, at which the Queen was present, though none but gentle- men were introduced. On Monday, whilst the Queen paid a visit to the fleet at Spithead, the King remained for some time occupied in inspecting the ordnance depart- ments, which he did in a most careful and official manner. He afterwards proceeded to Spithead, and was rowed in his barge all through the fleet, whilst the Queen was cruizing in one of the royal yachts; and having then gone on board the Prince George, he saw the ship cleared for action, and the exercise of the guns performed, after which a naval levee was held in due form. The Queen's yacht passing whilst he was on board the Prince George, she was received by a royal salute from all the ships in the fleet; soon after which the King went on board the yacht to dinner, inviting the flag and general officers, &c. to dine with him. When the Queen's health was- drunk, a general salute was fired from all the ships ; and the same took place when the King drank to the prosperity of the navy, and to all his good subjects by sea and land. 1778. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 453 During the whole of this superb exhibition, the day was remarkably fine, and an incredible num- ber of vessels, pleasure yachts, and boats, at- tended their Majesties. On their return in the evening, all the houses in the three towns were most brilliantly illuminated, a compliment at which the royal tourists expressed great satisfac- tion. The two succeeding days were spent in a most minute examination of the fortifications, the rope and store-houses, the naval academy, and every thing connected with the victualling depart- ment, even to the brewery at Weevil. On the 7th the King paid a visit to Stanstead, the seat of Lord Halifax, and afterwards inspected several ships in various states of building and repair ; and the ensuing day having been spent in a cruize on board the Princess Augusta to St. Helen's, the Mother Bank, and through the numerous mer- chantmen lying in Stoke's Bay, the royal pair passed once more through the fleet at Spithead in the evening, where they received a parting salute from every ship, and also from all the batteries around ; they then landed at the dock-yard, re- ceiving a parting cheer from all the assembled workmen, and returned to the Queen's house much pleased with their excursion. His Majesty still continued his personal atten- tions to the school at Eton; and on the 27th of July he went thither accompanied by the Queen, 454 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1778. several of the princes, and a long train of nobility, in order to hear the speeches of the young gentle- men educated there. On this occasion the pre- sent Marquis Wellesley particularly distinguished himself by the delivery of Lord Strafford's speech before execution ; and literally drew tears from the whole audience. * As the style of royal living was of the most domesticated kind, so were the King's manners and appearance equally unostentatious. It was now his frequent practice to wander about the en- virons of Windsor, totally unattended and accom- panied only by the Prince ; and on one of those occasions he happened to meet a farmer's carter passing on towards Windsor with a load of hay, when by some accident the cart was caught in a deep rut, and the rustic was totally unable to move it. The royal ramblers, regardless of eti- quette, instantly rushed forward to assist him ; and having succeeded in extricating the cart, though with considerable difficulty, honest John, with a heart overflowing with gratitude, express- ed his thanks, and hoped they would take a daught of ale with him at the next house, offer- ing them at the same time a seat upon his cart. * On the Prince's birth-day the Royal Family paid a visit to the Duchess of Portland, at Bulstrode — for a long and very in-? teresting account of which we must refer to the Letters of Mrs, Delany. 1778. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 455 This civil offer was declined ; but the King slip- ped a guinea into his hand, which sum was doubled by the generous warmth of youth on the part of the Prince, and the rustic jogged on with a suf- ficient portion of wonder to induce him to men- tion his good luck at the public house, when he learnt that his benefactors were the first two in the nation. To convince him of this was however rather difficult ; as he could not understand how the Prince should give him two guineas, whilst the royal bounty was confined to one : but the story got vent, and soon reached the ears of his Majesty, who was highly amused by it. It hap- pened however that in the following week the King met the same man again upon the road, and stopping him said, " Well, my friend, I find you were dissatisfied with the smallness of my pre- sent, and thought the son more munificent than the father— but remember that I must be just be- fore I am generous. My son has only himself to think about, whilst I have not only to take care of my own family, but to have regard to the wel- fare of millions, who look to me for that protec- tion which your own children at home expect and demand from you; go home, and be con- tent." The autumn was dedicated to military reviews, the first of which took place at Winchester, whi- ther the royal party set off on the 28th of Sep- 456 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1778 tember, from Windsor Castle. During their stay at Winchester, the King and Queen held regular levees, mixing much with the public, and dining in the field on the days of the reviews. After visiting every thing curious, and being received at the College by a Latin speech from a Mr. Chamberlayne, and an English one from the young Earl of Shaftesbury, they set off for Salis- bury, but previously left a very handsome dona- tion for the poor, for the debtors in the prisons, and for other charitable purposes. A whimsical circumstance happened to Gar- rick (as stated by Mr. Northcote), who being then at Winchester, and anxious to shew himself in the royal cortege, had stationed himself on horseback near to his Majesty. Having occa- sion to dismount, his horse escaped from his hold, and ran off, when, throwing himself immediately into his professional attitude, he cried out with much humour, as if in Bosworth-field, " A horse! a horse ! my kingdom for a horse ! " This royal exclamation did not escape the royal ear, whilst it excited great amazement amongst the surround- ing spectators, who knew not the quality of the actor; when the King exclaimed, " These must be the tones of Garrick ! See if he is not on the ground." The theatrical and dismounted monarch was immediately brought to his Majesty, who not only condoled with him most good-humouredly, 1778. HIS COUKT, AND FAMILY. 457 but also most flatteringly added, that his delivery of Shakespeare could never pass undiscovered. At Salisbury they were received with all clerical honours ; they afterwards visited Lord Pembroke's elegant mansion at Wilton, the Duke of Queens- berry's at Amesbury, and the venerable mass of Stonehenge, which they examined very at- tentively, seeming to feel and to enjoy all the interest which such a scene can excite in the breast of the philosophical inquirer. Soon after their return from the Wiltshire excur- sion, the King and Queen set off for an examina- tion of the camp at Warley in Essex, fixing their head-quarters at Lord Petre's at Thornden Place. To detail all the particulars of this scene is needless ; but the magnificence with which the noble peer received his royal guests, may be in- ferred from the expenses of three days, which ac- tually amounted to 12,000/. On the22d of November their Majesties set off for a military excursion in Kent, taking up their abode at Lord Amherst's seat, Montreal, on their way to Coxheath, where the King reviewed the troops encamped, and then proceeded to Leeds Castle, near Maidstone, where he dined and re- ceived an address from the corporation of that ancient town. . But the King's attention in these military excur- 458 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1778. sions was not confined to that object solely; for he made it a constant rule to inquire into the state of pauperism in almost every parish through which he passed, both he and the Queen leaving sums of money for relief; and at Maidstone, in particular, he directed a return and statement of all the persons confined for debt in the prisons, in order that such of them as might appear real ob- jects of royal bounty should be enlarged, from his privy purse. These facts soon became generally known ; and the enthusiasm with which the royal pair were every where received was most gratifying. In short, they returned to the Queen's house, fol- lowed by the prayers and good wishes of the whole county. The earnestness with which his Majesty entered into all these military and naval details, was per- fectly in unison with, and indeed seemed to arise from, his determination as expressed in the mes- sage to Parliament a few months before, when he notified his orders to the British ambassador to quit the court of France ; a message which he con- cluded with assuring them, that relying with the firmest confidence in the zealous and affectionate support of his faithful people, he was determined to be prepared to exert, if it should become neces- sary, all the force and resources of his kingdoms ; 1778. HIS COUIIT, AND FAMILY. 459 which he trusted would be found adequate to repel every insult and attack, and to maintain and uphold the power and reputation of this country. Much was said during this period about back- stairs influence; and, though the Princess Dow- ager was dead, it was loudly asserted, and believed by many, that Lord Bute still guided the King's mind in regard to the line of politics now pursued, so that the ostensible ministers were merely the puppets of a hidden favourite : but a transaction which took place in the month of January this year, in regard to a change of ministry, wherein it was intended to offer place and power to his lordship, proves to a demon- stration that these suspicions of private influence were unfounded. Sir James Wright was a great admirer of Lord Bute, and was supposed generally to be on terms of intimate friendship with him ; and being so ill as to require medical aid, was attended by Dr. Addington, the father of the present Lord Sid- mouth, equally an admirer of Lord Chatham both as a man and a minister. Dr. Addington con- ceived that Lord Chatham was the only man qualified to extricate the nation from its existing difficulties, but also felt that the only probable means of bringing him into power must be by forming a coalition between the two ex-ministers. In the course of his visits he took several oppor- 460 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1778. tunities of expressing his sentiments on the sub- ject ; and it is positively asserted by a confidential friend of Lord Bute's, that both the physician and his patient regretting that their patrons could not unite for the good of the nation, Dr. Addington actually spoke on the subject to Lord Chatham, who repeated the expressions of the particular value he had for Lord Bute, and his desire to do all in his power to save the nation from the immi- nent danger in which it was placed. The worthy doctor took the earliest opportunity of relating this conversation to his patient, who acquainted Lord Bute, and his lordship replied that Lord Chatham would always find him dis- posed to concur with him in the efforts which he might make to serve the King and the nation ; and that if he knew Lord North, he would advise him to prevail on his Majesty to avail himself of the services of Lord Chatham, and to give him a share of his confidence. Lord Chatham, being informed of this, is said to have understood by the phrase, " concur with him," that Lord Bute still preserved some of his influence with the King ; and he was therefore eager to have him informed that it was necessary, without delay, to form a new ministry, for quiet- ing the Americans as well as the British nation ; and he talked of nothing less than a total change of administration. 1778. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 4G1 Dr. Addington had also persuaded Lord Chatham to propose to Lord Bute an interview, in order to concert measures ; and he was the bearer of this proposal through the channel of Sir James : but Lord Bute, greatly surprised that matters had gone so far, and that the general terms he had made use of in speaking of the disastrous state of affairs, had been so misunderstood, lost no time in dictating to Sir James Wright such a letter as might be shewn to Lord Chatham, the substance of which was, that he had entirely lost sight of public affairs, and that he had for ever given up all thoughts of taking any part in them. He added that several years had passed since he had seen the King ; that consequently he could not be of any use to Lord Chatham ; and he concluded by declining the proposed interview. Such is declared to be the true state of an affair of which numerous versions were given — that there was a contradiction between the letter and the message — that Lord Bute accepted the offered assistance to overturn the ministry; but held back on finding that Lord Chatham intended to exclude him from office — in short, a thousand contradictory reports were spread, which we must now leave to oblivion. It is a most curious fact that in the account drawn up under the sanction of Dr. Addington, it is stated that Sir James Wright actually asserted 462 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1778. that the Lords Bute and Chatham were the two men whom the King hated most ! It is proper to remark also, that Sir James Wright published a counter-statement, in which he denied Dr. Addington's account almost in toto ; but as this does not relate personally to the King himself, we must refer the curious reader to the " Gentleman's Magazine" for 1778, p. 445 et seq: also id. 516. The King was personally friendly to the mea- sures taken at this period for the amelioration of the Commerce of Ireland, by the grant of a " Free Trade," as it was called ; a grant indeed which was claimed by the Irish in a manner too strong to be resisted in the then circumstances of the empire. Yet such were the strong prejudices existing in England against it, that no minister, under other circumstances than those connected with the state of Ireland, would have ventured to propose such a concession. Subsequent events have indeed proved the real wisdom of the measure on its own intrinsic merits ; independent of the political prudence which thus avoided a breach between the two countries, in which both must have suffered, and Ireland, at least, been totally ruined. Without entering into the debates of the period, we cannot help recording one whimsical circum- stance that occurred in regard to a bill brought 1778. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 4G3 i into the House of Commons to permit the impor- tation of sail-cloth from the sister island. On this occasion a most extravagant clamour was excited ; petitions poured in from all quarters until the table of the house was covered, stating that it must be ruinous in the extreme to England; yet, strange as it may appear, it was at length found out that such importation was already esta- blished by a law of long standing, and the politi- cal bugbear vanished in fumo. The Catholic demands about this period began to shew themselves ; and to that we must refer the extraordinary circumstance, on the King's birth-day, of a form of prayer for the Sovereign and his family being read in all the Roman Catholic chapels throughout the kingdom. Sir Joshua Reynolds, having this year published his Seven Discourses as President of the Royal Academy, dedicated them with great propriety to his Majesty, and that in a style so judicious that it was aptly said to be a model to dedica- tors, and a hint both to writers and painters, that a portrait may be well drawn without being- varnished, and highly coloured without being daubed. In this dedication it was justly observed, that although his predecessors had established marts for manufactures, and colleges for science, yet for the arts of elegance, those arts by which manufac- 4G4 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1778-9. tures are improved and science refined, to found an academy was reserved for his Majesty. Notwithstanding the King's apparent neglect of Reynolds as an artist, yet he never failed in paying him that marked graciousness which the world naturally expected, whenever any personal intercourse took place ; as was manifested most particularly at the King's visit to the encampment at Winchester, Sir Joshua at that time being on a visit to Dr. Warton at Winchester College. In his ardour to encourage every branch of science, his Majesty this year had a most mag- nificent collection of fossils purchased for him in Italy. 1779. The Royal Family met with an addition this year, on the 28th of February, in the birth of Prince Octavius ; which was followed by the cus- tomary addresses, and well-timed declarations of loyalty. The situation of this country in the year 1779, was certainly very critical. At home much dis- content prevailed : the navy was torn by political parties, and the combined fleets were almost tri- umphant ; our armies were wasting in inactivity upon the American Continent ; our colonies were captured or menaced by the enemy; commerce was perishing or intercepted ; and ministers seemed to have lost the confidence both of Par- 1779. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 405 liament and of the people ! Yet his Majesty was undaunted and resolute. Many called him obsti- nate ; but he knew that he was struggling for the rights of his people, for the power of parliament, and for the prerogatives of the British Crown. He felt both as a man and a monarch ; and, if he was in error respecting the commencement of the war, it was an error in which he had been supported by the opinions of the majority of his subjects at home, but who now changed their opinions in consequence of sinister events : but here let us remark, that the general despondency might thus have sealed the downfall of the empire, had it not been for the unshaken demeanour of the King himself. He shrunk from all negotiation in the moment of national dismay ; and boldly resolved to stem the torrent, and resolutely to call forth the strength of the nation, and to fight for honourable, if not for advantageous terms. In doing this, he must have been well aware of the farther shock that would be given to his own popularity ; but no private feeling could weigh with him, when put in competition with his people's welfare ; and he resolutely fought on in hopes of better times : in despite even of the Spanish war, that nation being then added to our enemies. At this period the King, always fond of music, was a constant attendant at the oratorios at Drury Lane theatre, where, during this season, "Alex- VOL. I. H H 4f)G Gl.OkGE THE THIRD, 1779 ander's Feast" had been repeated every night, much to his Majesty's satisfaction as an admirer of Handel, and then a subject particularly appli- cable to, and replete with enjoyment to royal feelings. On one of these occasions, whilst the glowing and animating air — " The Princes applaud with a furious joy, And the King seized a flambeau with zeal to destroy" — was performing, his Majesty, as if suddenly struck with the coincidence of some ideas con- nected with the American war, and with the mili- tary aid which he was then expecting from Germany, rolled up his book of the oratorio into a truncheon, starting up at the same time, and flourishing it over his head, whilst he loudly cried out, "Bravo! bravo! encore! encore!" to the great surprise of the audience, before whom it had always been his habit to repress his feelings with a dignified composure. Here, however, the feel- ings of the man overcame the punctilio of regal etiquette. Amidst all the bustle of warfare and of political contention, his Majesty was by no means inatten- tive to the amelioration of many errors in our domestic arrangements, particularly with regard to prisons and the state of public morals, then brought into more public notice by the exertions of the philanthropic Howard. That gentleman was no candidate for court 1779. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 467 favours ; but the King was not the less sensible of his merit; and, when the act passed for establish- ing penitentiary houses, on which much labour and thought had been bestowed by men of great ability in 1779, he, with the general approbation of the kingdom, turned his eyes upon Mr. Howard as the first person whose services should be en- gaged as one of the three supervisors appointed to carry that act into execution. Howard's modesty and extreme delicacy with regard to any thing like private emolument from public services, a moderate salary being annexed to the office, rendered him unwilling to undertake the appointment; but the King, it is said, inte- rested himself so much upon the subject, that the late Sir William Blackstone was induced, at his Majesty's particular request, to represent to him the propriety of his acceptance of the situation, along with such confidential friends as he himself should nominate. He consented to undertake the duty, his Majesty instantly approving of his choice of Dr. Fothergill, and Mr. Whately, treasurer of the Foundling Hospital. But the death of Fother- gill, in 1780, induced Howard to resign, to the great regret of the King, who had, throughout, been the active patron of that very important measure. A whimsical and well-authenticated anecdote is told of the King this year, something similar to h h 2 468 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1779. one which happened to his great predecessor Alfred. Riding one day in the vicinity of Wind- sor, he was overtaken by a violent storm of rain ; and being then separated from his attendants, as returning from a hunt, he made towards a farm- house, or rather a cottage, belonging to a peasant named Stiles, near to Stoke. There he dismounted, and going into the house, found a girl turning a goose, which hung before the fire by a string. His Majesty desired the girl to put his horse under the shed, which she consented to, but at the same time requested him to mind the goose. This he did ; and whilst the girl was out, the farmer returned, and felt much astonished to see his Sovereign, whom he knew by sight, thus do- mestically employed. He, however, had presence of mind to relieve the King without appearing em- barrassed, or seeming to recognize him ; and on the return of his daughter, he went to rub down the horse, while his Majesty remained in the house awaiting the cessation of the shower, conversing with his usual good-nature on this mode of cook- ery and the advantages of a jack ; soon after which, the weather clearing up, he mounted and rode away. When he was gone, the farmer perceived a paper on the shelf, and having opened it, found in it five guineas, with these words written in pencil, " To buy a jack." 1780. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 469 1780. During the early part of the riots, Lord North was advised by Sir John Macpherson to endea- vour to effect a junction, or to open some com- munication, with the heads of Opposition, for the purpose of stemming the torrent ; but his lordship declared that he thought such a measure imprac- ticable.* A temporary coalition did however take * It is unnecessary to enter into all the particulars of these events, or to notice their causes further than to say they arose from objections to the toleration and relief from penalties then granted to the Roman Catholics. We certainly cannot agree with modern demands arising out of those grants; but we feel that no real objection ought to be made to what was then given; and we allow all due praise to Sir George Saville, whose last public service in Parliament was his procuring an act in favour of the Roman Catholics of this kingdom, entitled " An Act for relieving his Majesty's subjects professing the Popish religion from certain penalties and disa- bilities imposed on them by an Act made in the eleventh and twelfth years of the reign of William the Third." The nature of this last act, which Sir George's humanity has happily obliterated from our statute-books, punished the cele- bration of the mass with perpetual imprisonment : the keeping a Catholic school was subject to the same punishment; whilst every Roman Catholic was, under the same act, to forfeit his estate to his nearest Protestant relation. Yet such was the bigotry and superstition of a number of misguided people out of doors, called " The Associated Protestants," that they re- sented this act of humanity by the most daring acts of barbarity and devastation. 470 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1780. place between him and Mr. Fox, a day or two afterwards, the interview being held in the fore- noon, behind the scenes of the Opera-house. The result of that conversation is not generally known ; but the other members of Opposition, particularly the Marquis of Rockingham, displayed some anxi- ety to take an active part; and on the 7th of June, In the scene of riot and confusion which the passing this bill created, it was not to be expected that the mover and framer of it could pass unnoticed. Sir George Saville's house was accordingly one of the first marked out for devastation, which the mob in a great measure effected by breaking several of the windows, and by frequent attempts to set it on fire, which they would have accomplished but for the interference of his nume- rous friends, who rallied round him in this hour of difficulty and danger. The coolness of his temper was truly exemplary amidst all this tumult; no unmanly complaints against the ingratitude of the public, no self-condemnation for his original interference in the business. The consciousness of having done his duty was indeed his murus aheneus, and with this defence he composed himself with all the philosophy of a Christian, and with all the becoming prudence of self-preservation. The following little circumstance will help to elucidate this last observation. On that night when the mob was most riotous, a number of Sir George's friends insisted on sitting up with him, for the bet- ter protection of his person and family ; it was likewise agreed amongst them, that parties should sally out from time to time, to make such reports as circumstances would present. On the giving in of those reports, it was observable that scarcely two accounts agreed, one making the danger less, another greater, and so on ; upon which Sir George, with great composure, made the following observation : " Here, gentlemen," says he, " is 1780. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 471 when the King in person presided at a privy council, to which all who had a right to sit were summoned, that nobleman is stated to have made his appearance in great agitation, his hair in dis- order, and his whole person in complete disha- bille. Taking his seat at the council-table, he in- stantly began to accuse ministers of negligence in a fine lesson for an historian: we have a fact of the day before us, reported by men of integrity and abilities, anxious to search for truth, and willing to record it with as much circumstance and minuteness as possible ; yet such is the nature of the human mind, that with all its inclinations to do right, it is under that operation which in some degree prevents it." Every body present submitted to the justness of this remark, and, though some of them consisted of men of the first rank for learning and abilities, they seemed to feel the force of this ob- servation in a light which nothing but the recent cause of it could so powerfully impress. Indeed it may be said that Sir George Saville understood the character of his contemporaries with great skill, and at times described them with a briefness and perspicuity which made every body subscribe to their cha- racteristical fidelity. Of Charles Fox, when he was a young man, he predicted the rising greatness, as well as where the git of his talents rested ; he praised him " for his readiness at finding out blots, his cele- rity in hitting the bird's eye of an argument," and his general talents for opposition. Hence he said, others may have more stock, but Fox had more ready money about him than any of his party. Of Burke he said, he was a man to draw admiration on whatever side he arranged, or almost on whatever topic he discussed. • 472 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1780. suffering the first meeting in St. George's Fields to pass unnoticed, which, he contended, gave en- couragement to the factious and unprincipled to proceed with their revolutionary plans. The King listened coolly to this tirade, and also to the debate which divided the council, on the point whether it was or was not lawful for soldiers to fire on actual rioters previous to the reading of the Riot Act ; but when, although the opinion seemed to be carried in the affirmative, none of the ministers seemed willing to sign an order for the direction of the military officers, his Majesty desired that the attorney-general, Mr. Wedderburne, should be called in to give his opi- nion, which he did in the affirmative, adding, in answer to a question from the King, that it was his decided official opinion. His Majesty then with cool firmness directed that an order to that effect should be drawn up for the guidance of Lord Amherst, commander-in-chief, to which he instantly affixed the sign manual ; and under that order, that very evening, was resistance first of- fered to the plundering and devastation of the mob ; indeed, it just arrived in time to save the Bank and Lombard-street from plunder ; and to the King's firmness alone was the City of London indebted for its preservation from destruction. It was said that Lord Bathurst, president of the council, and Sir Fletcher Norton, speaker of the 1780. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 473 House of Commons, who were both present, on being appealed to for their .: opinions, declared that " a soldier was not less a citizen because he was a soldier; and consequently that he might repel force by force." But no minister would sign the order for the purpose. It has been stated to us as a truth, upon which we can rely, that the very early and decided part which the King took on this remarkable occasion arose out of a con- versation with the late Mr. De Luc, a gentleman of whose sensible suggestions the King often availed himself. Amongst other anecdotes related of his Ma- jesty's personal conduct upon this occasion, it is a fact, that during the two severest nights of the riots, he sat up with several general officers in the Queen's riding-house, from whence messen- gers were constantly dispatched to observe the motions of the mob. In a short period, between three and four thousand troops were collected in the Queen's Gardens and the Park ; but, during the first night, the alarm was so sudden that no straw could be collected for the troops to rest on, and no sooner was this made known to the King, than he went through the ranks, accompanied by one or two officers, telling the poor fellows that his crown could not purchase straw that night, but they might depend that a sufficient quantity should be collected in the morning ; in the mean 474 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1780. time his servants should try to make them amends with an allowance of wine, spirits, and beer, to render them as comfortable as possible ; adding, that he himself would keep them company until the morning. The anxious Monarch kept his word, either walking amongst the troops, or sit- ting in the riding-house, which was considered as head quarters, with the exception of short visits to the Queen and family, in order to keep up their spirits. So determined was this bene- volent Prince to guard against the effusion of blood, that when he was informed the mob were attempting to get into St. James's Palace and into the Park, he strictly forbade the soldiers to fire, directing them only to keep the crowd off with their bayonets. So well did the troops un- derstand and obey this order, that when the mob became so daring as to take hold of the bayonets and shake them, defying the soldiers to fire or to hurt them, not a drop of blood was spilt ; and it is extremely probable that this forbearance tend- ed much to prevent the mob from proceeding to extremities, as, after a few hours' noise and riot- ing, they drew off to another quarter, without doing any damage, and certainly with an increased loyalty to their merciful Sovereign, even in the hour of riot and confusion. A circumstance which happened at this period marks most strongly the difference of conduct in 1780. HIS COURT, AND FAMILY. 475 a party man, when acting as a plain Englishman, or as a politician. During the riots, for three nights, Mr. Fox was one of the party that sat up armed, at the Marquis of Rockingham's ; nay he even interfered personally and collared one of the rioters, whom he carried prisoner to Grosvenor- square ; yet, when the business was under the consideration of parliament, he appeared to take no active part, even when pressed to lend some support to the administration, and to co-operate with them for the extrication of the capital from the danger which threatened it. On account of this, he certainly encountered much obloquy from the opposite party ; but, to judge liberally, we may suppose that as long as Mr. Fox considered the means adopted by ministers fully sufficient for security, so long he judged it proper to keep aloof from any personal connexion with them, though he would not have shrunk even from co-operation with his political opponents, had such a tempo- rary coalition been necessary for the good of the country. Had Mr. Fox been in power when these riots, and even more important subsequent events, took place, it may be a question whether he would not have been as constitutional a mini- ster, and as much of a Pittite or a Tory, as any who ever held the helm of state. The people of Southwark had the good sense and gratitude to appreciate the King's spirited 476 GEORGE THE THIRD, 1780. interference on this occasion ; and presented an address on the 13th of June, thanking him for his seasonable interposition by sending a military- force to their relief; but Judge Gould appears to have viewed the affair in a very different light ; for when his Majesty sent a message, during the height of the riots, to each of the twelve judges, offering them the protection of the military, that learned gentleman returned for answer, that he had grown old under the protection of the English laws ; that he was persuaded, however some per- sons might be misled, the people in general loved and respected the laws ; and so great was his at- tachment to them, that he would rather die under those, than live under the protection of any other laws. On the 23d of September, the anniversary of the coronation, the Queen was safely delivered of a prince, at Windsor, who was baptised "Al- fred," on the 2nd of November, at St. James's ; the two eldest Princes and the Princess Royal performing the part of sponsors to the young Christian. The royal attention now was much engaged by the first developement of the plan for Sunday- schools ; and when Mr. Raikes of Gloucester was shortly afterwards at Windsor, where some of his relatives resided, his arrival was no sooner known than the Queen sent for him to the Lodge, and 1780. MIS COURT, AND FAMILT. 477 expressed a strong desire to know by what accident a plan, which promised so much benefit to the lower orders, was first suggested to his mind. Mr. Raikes instantly proceeded to ex- plain his whole system, and was honoured with an audience an hour long, after which the Queen most graciously observed, that she envied those who had the power of doing good by thus personally promoting the welfare of so- ciety, in giving instruction and morality to the general mass of the common people ; a pleasure from which, by her station, she was debarred. Let those who, to gratify ignorance or spleen, have often spoke ill of this amiable woman, reflect on this ; and let them recollect, that the conduct of a queen, even when thoroughly known in all its bearings, is not to be tried and con- demned by the laws which are permitted to regu- late village gossip, and to sacrifice the reputations of the good and the virtuous in the humbler though still highly respectable classes of general society. 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