Chapter IV (3)

He is certainly very unwell, with a great degree of gout. He was in
his bed on the day he dined with the Duke of Devonshire till he got
up for the dinner, and went away at twelve. He sat nearly the whole
evening on a couch with Lady C----, and the night before at Carlton
House he did the same with her, attending very little to the
children, and then dismissed his company at about eleven o'clock,
to have a private supper with her. I cannot find that he spoke to
Lord Grey on either of the evenings. Adieu.

Ever truly yours,

W. H. FREMANTLE.

MR. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Stanhope Street, June 18, 1821.

MY DEAR LORD,

I can have no idea that the Duke of Wellington speaks alone from
his wishes, when he expressly told me that the _chiefs_ of the
Cabinet thought exactly as he did on the subject, and meant to act
upon it. If the Chancellor, Lord Melville, and others, have
counteracted this intention by stopping the arrangement with
Canning, I cannot but think it must end in their quarrelling, for I
am sure Lord Londonderry wishes for further strength in the House
of Commons, and he will not be deterred in procuring it by the
Chancellor's meddling, who does not suffer from this part of the
Government weakness. However, a short time must disclose it. Lady
Liverpool's body leaves town to-morrow to be buried at Hawkesbury;
Lord Liverpool attends it, and sleeps on Wednesday night at
Badminton (Duke of Beaufort's), very near the place; when he
returns, which he does to Combe, on Thursday or Friday, he will of
course resume business and communication with his colleagues. Lord
Londonderry is better; possibly may come to the House of Commons
to-day. There has been the _devil to do_ with the Duke of
Devonshire's dinner. The Spencers, indignant at not being asked,
refused to go in the evening; she saying that she did presume to
think that she was as much entitled to a _family_ association as
Mr. and Mrs. G. Lambe or Captain Clifford, and one must say with no
_little_ reason. He also wrote to Lady Jersey to beg her to _send
him an excuse_, as he had reason to think her presence would be
objectionable (this at the time he had invited Lady Tavistock, and
who was actually there, having been with the Queen the night
before); Lady Jersey is outrageous, but has written a most violent
letter to the Duke; but is crying to everybody, saying she is
abandoned by her friends and everybody; she was at Lady
Londonderry's on Saturday, sobbing and bewailing to every soul,
literally crying. Lady Conyngham carries it with the very highest
hand. She met R. Smith (Lord Carrington's son) on the Friday
morning, asked him if he was to be at the ball at Carlton House
that evening. He answered, "No; he had not been honoured by an
invitation;" to which she replied, "Oh, I'll take care of that;"
and he received a card a few hours afterwards.

Lady Londonderry sent her an invitation for one of her evening
parties; she sent word that Lady Londonderry not having invited her
to one party last winter, as she was not fit company in the year
1820, she could not be better or more worthy in the year 1821. Lady
Gwydyr is the great friend. I don't find the King spoke to one of
the Opposition _men_ either at Carlton House or at Devonshire
House; at the latter, a great mass of them, Tierney, Lord Grey,
Mackintosh, &c. &c., were collected in the outer room to make their
bow as he went out, but either by design or accident he came out by
another room, and the thing missed fire.

I perfectly agree with you in thinking the King's conduct towards
them is more with a view to destroy a Queen's party, but at the
same time it weakens most terribly his own. Canning looks like the
D----; I never saw a man so cast down or so miserable. His late
gasconade has done him great mischief; it is said that Charles
Ellis disapproved it strongly before he wrote the letter. I shall
keep this open till I go to the House. The King goes to-day to the
Cottage for the week--Lady Conyngham, Esterhazys, &c. &c. The
Agricultural Horse Tax is given up; it was surrendered in the
Committee this morning. I met Lord L---- this moment, who told me
he had just parted with Lord Sidmouth, who had seen Lord Liverpool
this morning. He (Lord L----) asked Lord Sidmouth whether there was
any disposition or feeling on the part of Lord Liverpool to resign;
he answered him in the clearest negative, saying he had no such
idea whatever; that he found him greatly subdued this morning, but
that after a little conversation he recovered and began upon
business. Adieu.

Ever truly yours,

W. H. F.

MR. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Stanhope Street, July 2, 1821.

MY DEAR LORD,

I am quite persuaded there is no person more anxious on the subject
than C---- W----; and however sulky he may have been, he was not
the less delighted at the steps you took, by which the prospect
appeared to be so much opened.

I am quite at a loss now to account for the _non_-communication.
Your conjecture is, most probably, that the party who do not feel
the weight of the Government are too strong at present to enable
the efficient members to accomplish their object: at the same time,
it is quite clear something _must_ be done. If they get both
Canning and Peel, they may do; but I don't look to this. The former
claims too much, and there is a great portion of the Cabinet who
hate him. He certainly was walking with Lord Lichfield for an hour
previous to his making his speech; but his friends (I mean Lord
Binning, who told me so) say it was to dissuade him from making it.
He paired off himself on the question, which is a clear
demonstration of his ill-humour. I will endeavour to throw myself
in the Duke of Wellington's way, but I should think it unwise to
call upon him; and, if I have an opportunity, will open the
subject. After his declarations, if the business is off, he will
and must feel very awkward; but at the same time, I think he must
also feel called upon to give you some explanation. The truth is,
that the Government is so extremely weak, and so dis-united in
itself, and upon such terms with the King, that they don't know
from day to day, or from hour to hour, what will be their next
proceedings. I understood last night, the Council were to hear an
argument on the claim set up by the Queen to be crowned. The
Chancellor was to see the King upon it yesterday. This will add
disgust and ill-will from the King, who cannot listen to common
forms on her subject. Nobody can account for the Peerages not
having appeared, as also the Brevet in Army and Navy. Lord Talbot
was to return this week.

Whenever I hear anything, or can procure information, you shall
know immediately. I leave town on Saturday.

Ever most truly yours,

W. H. FREMANTLE.

MR. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Stanhope Street, July 4, 1821.

MY DEAR LORD,

You will receive with this another letter which I have written to
you, but which I told the Duke of W---- I would not send without
his first seeing, being upon a matter so important, and conveying
his message. Nothing can be so thoroughly weak as the proceedings
of the Government on this question: it is, as usual, holding off
and endeavouring to tide on, trusting to accident, but knowing
themselves to be incapable of continuing in their present form for
another session.

I had a conversation with the Duke, in which he evidently felt
embarrassed, because he admitted the folly of suspending any
measures, but was forced to admit, at the same time, he was
compelled to it. He talked over and admitted the inefficiency of
many members of the Cabinet, but then said there were reasons which
made it difficult to remove them, particularly when adverting to
Lord Sidmouth--said he knew how "silly a fellow he was," but that a
great following of the country attended him, and he would bring
more "_public_ opinion" to the Cabinet than any other member. It
was to his change, however, they looked. That it was impossible the
House of Commons could go on as it was; and the difficulty was, how
best to strengthen it, when there was in all parts of the House
_such a parity_ of abilities. I admitted this, but said the
disparity was only displayed in the Government benches; that B.
Bathurst, Vansittart, and others (I did not name Pole) were perfect
cyphers. It is clear that the efficient members--viz., Liverpool,
Londonderry, and the Duke of Wellington--have been thwarted in
their endeavours by the minor members of the Cabinet, and this
arising from the want of energy in Lord Liverpool. I said, "Do you
think the present supporters of Government, and the members of the
Cabinet whom you may remove, would or could oppose the new
Cabinet?" "Certainly not," he answered; "but though they would
support, yet it would be an unwilling and cold support, such as
could not be relied on." I made him feel as much as I could the
awkward situation in which he himself was placed, with the opinions
he entertained of the weakness of Government; and he really had
nothing to say to this, except that it could not last, but that a
strengthening of the Cabinet _must_ take place before the opening.
One thing, however, has [been] elicited--namely, that neither
Canning nor Peel are thought of as in distinction to a more
enlarged opening.

I have seen Charles Wynn since, and showed him the letter I was to
show the Duke, and which is here sent. Our conversation was short.
His impression is in favour of your joining the Whigs; but this
would be madness. First, that they would repel you; and next, it
would not a bit lessen the power of the present Government; or
could it lead, under any circumstances, to the formation of a
stronger or more efficient Government; it would and must lead you
into the stream of the Radicals, who completely govern the Whigs.
My opinion is, that you should now hold yourself liberated from all
connexion with the Government, and that whether they do or do not
communicate with you, is now a matter not worth your notice; but
that you shall give your support and influence to the formation of
any Government that can rescue us from the danger of revolution,
which is fast approaching, and which daily threatens us more and
more, from the weakness and want of energy of the present members
of the Cabinet. I will add a word or two to this after I have seen
the Duke.

You will see by the papers the death of Buonaparte. I met Lord
Sidmouth, who told me the accounts had arrived. He died of a
stomach attack of a cancerous nature, on the 5th April.

Four o'clock.

I am just come from the Duke, and I send you the letter as he has
altered it.

MR. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Stanhope Street, July 4, 1821.

MY DEAR LORD,

I have seen the Duke of Wellington this morning, who sent to me to
communicate the last decision of the Cabinet with regard to change.
He desired me to tell you it was found impossible, for reasons into
which he could not enter, to make the arrangements which had been
in contemplation, and that it was thought best not to come to you
with an offer in an arrangement which was not complete, and
therefore to delay to communicate with you till the complete
arrangement could be made. This must be made between this and the
next session of Parliament; and the Duke told me that nothing of
the kind could be done without communication with you; that if the
arrangement in contemplation could have been made at present, an
offer would have been made to you which the Duke thinks would have
been agreeable to you; and he was quite certain nothing of the kind
would be done in future without something of the same kind. I
begged to understand from the Duke whether any partial change--such
as the introduction of Mr. Canning or Mr. Peel--would be considered
change? His answer was, that no change whatever would take place
without your being consulted and a party to it; and that he made
this communication to you with the knowledge and concurrence of
Lord Liverpool.

Believe me ever, my dear Lord,

Most sincerely yours,

W. H. FREMANTLE.

MR. CHARLES W. WYNN TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, July 5, 1821.

MY DEAR B----,

I yesterday met Fremantle, who told me of his conversation with the
Duke of W----, which terminates that business just as I expected.
The moment that the pressure of immediate difficulty is removed by
the prorogation, they are content to go to sleep, just as they did
in autumn, and depend upon what good fortune, chance, or the
chapter of accidents may send them before next session, which will
find them just as unfit, unprepared, and incapable as the present
has left them. They all say that Lord Liverpool is in a state of
such nervous irritation, from mental distress and the accumulation
of business which has taken place in his absence, that it is
impossible to get an answer from him upon anything. I spoke the
other day to Lord Londonderry about Henry, and he held just the
same language as before--hope of making an early communication, but
had not yet been able to speak to Lord Liverpool.

Report states the intended reduction to be four regiments of
dragoons, three of infantry, and ten men per troop and company on
the remainder. I doubt the dragoons, since that would be lower than
the establishment of 1792.

The Ordnance is also to be well pared.

Ever yours,

C. W. W.

MR. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Stanhope Street, July 7, 1821.

MY DEAR LORD,

I am just come from the Duke of W----, who had shown your letter to
Lord Liverpool. Of course he said little upon it, more than
admitting the general terms and the necessity of forming a strong
Government.

I found him, however, I think, a great deal more irritable on the
subject of the King, full of anger, and vexation, and complaint of
the difficulties in which the Cabinet was placed; every hour
increasing those difficulties from the conduct _he_ was pursuing,
not only by his _flirtation_ with the Opposition, but by his
strange whims and orders respecting the Coronation, and the
impatience he already shows at any reductions, particularly when
they touch the military. However, these are things that must be
fought, and as I again repeated, the sooner the better. I found,
however, from the Duke, that the great resistance was made to the
re-introduction of Canning (and this is, I think, material for you
to know). _He_ cannot forgive him, and the particular offence is
the letter he wrote to B----, explaining the grounds of his conduct
regarding the Queen, and in which he stated he "was no party to
laying the green bag on the table of the House of Commons," which
is a direct falsehood. By this you will observe where the _hitch_
rests; and it is likewise gratifying, with your views of the
subject, to feel that the Cabinet consider a strong Government can
only be constituted by the admission of Canning; indeed, the Duke
entered into this part with a great deal of reasoning on the state
of the House of Commons.

The more I hear and see of the matter, the more convinced I am that
the whole thing hangs on a thread; that if the King dared turn them
out he would, that is, he would submit to the influence of Lady
C---- in so doing, but I don't know that if it were not but for
this influence he would be so disposed. That the Cabinet knowing
this are cautious not to give him any good ground, and not to
exasperate him at the present moment. You cannot imagine the state
of irritation in which the Duke was this morning, and I think not a
little of it arose from the result of an interview which Lord
Anglesea had with the King yesterday, for he said to me among other
things--"You have no idea the mischief that is done to us by
persons who have an opportunity of seeing and conversing with the
King. Lord Anglesea saw him yesterday, and this has interfered
already in our proposed military reductions." Afterwards he
said--"There are not less than five Pagets named for situations at
the Coronation." I give you all this to show the tone and temper.

I told him when he was talking over the state of the House of
Commons, that I thought if he could in the arrangement secure the
most efficient of the present members of Government, together with
your squadron, Canning, and Peel, such a Government might defy not
only the Opposition, but all the folly, or indiscretion, or passion
of the King; to which he said, "It is the only Government that
ought to be formed." Nothing could exceed his indignation and
abuse of Lady C----. He said the situation in which she was now
placed, was one she had been seeking for twenty years; that her
whole object was patronage and patronage alone; that she mingled in
everything she could, and it was entirely owing to the necessary
interference of the Government on one or two points, and the
offence given by Lady Castlereagh in not inviting her, that her
present animosity to the Government proceeded, and the consequent
difficulties with the King.

I have run on till the bell-man is actually passing; probably you
will be in town before Sunday, when I shall see you, but I am
compelled by business to go on that day. Adieu.

Ever most truly yours,

W. H. FREMANTLE.

P.S.--The Peerages are expected out to-night, nobody knows why Lord
Rous is made an Earl.

MR. C. W. WYNN TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY DEAR B----,

Many thanks to you for your two letters. The account which
Fremantle yesterday gave me of his second conversation with the
Duke of W---- certainly bore a more decisive character than
anything which had previously passed; still, even that is
symptomatic of the general weakness and procrastination which marks
the Administration in general and Lord Liverpool in particular. In
general I concur most fully in the sentiments which you have
expressed in your letter to Fremantle. Perhaps I do not so much
wish as you do for Lord Liverpool's continuance in his present
department; as, notwithstanding the weight which attaches to his
character, I believe that the peculiar peril of the present day
might be encountered with greater probability of success if Lord
Londonderry were to unite that office with the lead of the House of
Commons.

I do not yet know exactly whether I can be with you on Wednesday or
Thursday, but on one of them I certainly will. I find that there is
a probability of the Oxford election being deferred till the 23rd,
or possibly the 24th. I think Heber has a fair probability of
success, if his friends exert themselves; but his committee wants
very much the order and method of your arrangements in St. James's
Square. I fear that of the new Peers there will be a considerable
majority against the Catholics. I can only find William Pole, Lord
Ormond, and perhaps Liddell, among the favourable, and all the
remainder who had not previous votes as representative peers,
hostile.

Ever affectionately yours,

C. W. W.

RIGHT HON. THOMAS GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Dropmore, July 10, 1821.

MY DEAR LORD B----,

I think I shall determine to return to town on the 17th or 18th,
because I do not see how the bustle of the coronation can reach me
in Cleveland Square, if I carefully avoid all nearer approach to
it; so that, according to my present projects, I think I shall
certainly see you in London. My expectation is that, more or less
immediately, the influence of the lady will effect the change that
she is supposed to be working for, more especially as I believe her
lover's vanity would rather be flattered by the ostentation of
displaying her power and influence on this subject, in spite of the
manifest impropriety of her appearing in public affairs, and the
hazard which might attend such a manifestation in times like the
present and with the jealousy which the public mind has already
shown upon these topics.

I perfectly agree with you also in the apprehensions which you
express, of the weakness of the present ministers inviting and
acquiescing in the transfer of the executive government from
official responsibility to votes and resolutions and debates.

If the Opposition shall succeed to office, I shall certainly think
their success not a whit more creditable to them on this occasion,
than was their disgraceful failure last year; but whenever that
happens, a new state of things will arise, which will create
perhaps a difficult question, and certainly a most important one,
as to the more or less support which the public interests might
demand for them. If they take the government diffident of their own
strength, they may court popularity among the lower ranks by
measures, under the specious name of reform, which might
irrecoverably ruin the constitution of the country, before they
could be displaced; if, on the other hand, they could promise
themselves a fair and extensive parliamentary support in
endeavouring to bring back to government its proper dignity,
authority, and responsibility, that would be so great a public good
that all possible means should be taken to support it, however
objectionable their conduct out of office had been: the difficulty
would be to decide that important question; we shall have time
enough to think and talk it over.

MR. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

White's, July 14, 1821.

It is impossible to describe to you half the lies or inventions
that daily take place. To-day it is said, and confidently, that the
King has nominated four extra Knights of the Thistle--Lauderdale,
Cassilis, Melville, and Aboyne. The preparations for the Coronation
are going on with infinite energy, but I should think with equal
confusion. A grand quarrel between the Lord Great Chamberlain and
the Earl Marshal, the latter engrossing all the Abbey, and the
other all the Hall, and not allowing the smallest interference or
even suggestion from each other. The King perfectly absorbed in all
these petty arrangements of dress, seats, &c. A private box
prepared in the Hall for the Great Chamberlain, in which Lady
Conyngham is accommodated. Lord Conyngham said to-day, at White's,
that he and family were to depart for Ireland immediately after the
levee; not to wait for the ball which is to be given on Friday,
27th, at Carlton House. It is generally believed that Lord Sidmouth
forgot to sign his name to the letter to the Queen; but the
extraordinary part is, that yesterday it was generally understood,
even by the Government, that the Queen was to have a place at the
Abbey, and this I fully believe; but that the King said he had a
full and complete control over the Hall, and _there_ she should not
come; and I believe this is the cause of the rejection altogether.

You can have no idea what an impression it makes in the public, the
conduct of the King towards his Government. The flirtation he holds
with the Opposition, and his general estrangement from them; the
appointments he makes, without the least communication with them. I
dined yesterday at the Duchess of Rutland's, where there was a
large party of Government people, and where nothing else was talked
of. The arrangement for reduction is this at present--ten men
reduced from every troop in every cavalry regiment, and twenty-five
per cent. from all official situations, high and low; this is what
I heard to-day.

I go out of town early to-morrow. You will no doubt have much
communication with the Duke of Wellington when you come, and, if he
is as full as when I last saw him, you will hear much to astonish,
and, I think, to alarm you.

Lord Lansdowne's appointment is confirmed.

Ever yours,

W. H. FREMANTLE.

MR. W. H. FREMANTLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Stanhope Street, July 11, 1821.

MY DEAR LORD,

I waited till the last moment to see if I could pick up anything
for you. Hume was cut off in the middle of his speech. The Queen
certainly means to come to the Royal box at the Coronation, and it
is now said the Cabinet have decided on providing her a seat.
Whether this is true or not I cannot say; but they are mad if they
leave her to fight the battle in the street, which she will
certainly do. The peerages are delayed on account of the question
of titles. Forester can't be Lord Forester or Wenlock, the latter
claimed by Lawleys, the former possessed at present by Lord
Verulam. Forester out of town, and expresses going to settle this.
The list of Peers has given great offence to the friends of
Government; and, to be sure, if England had been looked through for
pretensions, there could hardly [have] been found a set of men who
had so little claim. Lord Donoughmore (the Opposition say) is to
take the title of Alexandria in honour of his brother, who was made
a Peer for his conquests there. Old Foster is to be one of the new
Peers; he was not before named. I do not hear any confirmation of
Lord Lansdowne's appointment as High Constable of Ireland, and I
therefore doubt it. Lady Conyngham dined a few days ago at Lord
Gwydyr's; among the party was Brougham, who had pleaded in the
morning before the Privy Council for the Queen. The report of the
Queen's attending the Coronation has given such an impression of
riot, that the seats have fallen to nothing, and, though they are
preparing accommodation for thousands and thousands, the sale of
tickets is very heavy indeed. I am frightened for the yeomanry, and
hope Lord Temple will be able to get them well back without a row.
I am sorry I shall not see you, for I must go on Saturday, and have
a long appointment for Monday on public business in the country.
You have no idea of the million of reports which are hourly
propagating here on the subject of the Government and Lady
Conyngham, and the Coronation, &c. &c. The town is absolutely in a
ferment. You shall hear to-morrow from me.

Ever truly yours,

W. H. F.

The day appointed for the imposing pageant, the Coronation, came at last. The Queen had made several vain efforts to obtain a recognition of her right to be crowned at the same time as the King; but the Privy Council decided against her on the 10th of July. Nothing daunted, the day following she wrote to Lord Sidmouth to inform his Lordship of her intention to be present, and a few days later published a protest against the decision of the Privy Council. On the 16th, Lord Hood, at her desire, wrote to the Earl Marshal, informing the Duke (of Norfolk) of her Majesty's intention to be present at the approaching ceremony on the 19th, and desiring that persons should be in attendance to conduct her to her seat on her arrival at the Abbey. The day arrived, and so did the Queen; but though she tried, with Lord Hood's assistance, to gain admission at more than one door, her entrance was opposed. She was not only obliged to endure this repulse, but sounds assailed her ears as soon as she was recognised by the spectators in the galleries, that declared how completely she had fallen in public estimation. Mortified and humiliated, she at last returned to her residence; and, though a mob of disorderly boys broke the windows of mansions belonging to noblemen known to be opposed to her, the intelligence failed to afford her sufficient solace. Lord Eldon thus describes her Majesty's final exhibition of spirit: "It is all over, quite safe and well. The Queen's attempt to make mischief, failed. She sent a message to say that she would be at the Abbey by eight o'clock. To take the persons there by surprise, she came between six and seven. After trying every door of the Abbey in vain, she came to the Hall; there she was also denied entrance. A few of the mob called 'Queen for ever!' I am informed that, on the other hand, there was great hissing, cries of 'Shame, shame! go to Bergamo!' and a gentleman in the Hall told us that when her Majesty got into the carriage again, she wept."[66]

[66] Twiss's "Life of Lord Eldon," vol. ii. p. 48.

She felt the crushing nature of this disappointment, and though she made an effort--a vain one, of course--to induce the Archbishop of Canterbury to crown her a day or two later, she was so thoroughly overwhelmed by this complete downfall of her hopes, that she became seriously ill, and died on the 7th of August--a week after the King had left Carlton House for Ireland. The suddenness of her death created to some extent a reaction of public opinion in her favour, particularly among the lower orders, and riots of a serious nature attended the passage of her remains through the metropolis, on their way to Brunswick; but the nine days' wonder had scarcely lived out its brief reign, when the town was entertaining itself with accounts of the King's amazing popularity in Ireland, in a manner that betrayed its eagerness to get rid, as soon as possible, of a disagreeable subject. Thus passed away Caroline of Brunswick--a character variously represented by that very unsatisfactory photograph, Party; but, though the likeness has often been idealized by those whose credit was likely to suffer by too natural a resemblance, sufficient physiognomical likeness has remained to show that she was far from being the sort of woman a sensible man would court for a wife, or the kind of Princess that would confer any distinction on the nation that would accept her as a Queen.

CHAPTER V.

[1821.]

EFFECT OF QUEEN CAROLINE'S ILLNESS AND DEATH ON THE KING. HIS NARROW ESCAPE IN THE ROYAL YACHT. HIS VISIT TO IRELAND. ENTRY INTO DUBLIN. POSITION OF THE KING'S MINISTERS. GEORGE IV. ON THE FIELD OF WATERLOO. THE KING'S VISIT TO HIS HANOVERIAN DOMINIONS. COALITIONS AND DOUBLE NEGOTIATION. POLITICAL GOSSIP. A NEW CLUB. DISMISSAL OF SIR ROBERT WILSON FROM THE ARMY. PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION FOR HIM.