Chapter II: The First Years of a Reign

Death of George I.--Adroitness of Sir Robert Walpole--The
first royal reception--Unceremonious treatment of the
late King’s will--The coronation--Magnificent dress of
Queen Caroline--Mrs. Oldfield, as Anne Boleyn, in ‘Henry
VIII.’--The King’s revenue and the Queen’s jointure, the
result of Walpole’s exertions--His success--Management
of the King by Queen Caroline--Unseemly dialogue between
Walpole and Lord Townshend--Gay’s ‘Beggars’ Opera,’ and
satire on Walpole--Origin of the opera--Its great success
--Gay’s cause espoused by the Duchess of Queensberry--Her
smart reply to a royal message--The tragedy of ‘Frederick,
Duke of Brunswick’--The Queen appointed Regent--Prince
Frederick becomes chief of the opposition--His silly
reflections on the King--Agitation about the repeal of the
Corporation and Test Acts--The Queen’s ineffectual efforts
to gain over Bishop Hoadly--Sir Robert extricates himself
--The Church made the scapegoat--Queen Caroline earnest
about trifles--Etiquette of the toilette--_Fracas_ between
Mr. Howard and the Queen--Modest request of Mrs. Howard--
Lord Chesterfield’s description of her 177