Chapter VII: Part 7

This suggestion of the cowardly duke produced the opposite effect to that which was intended; the princess declared that the mean sentiments of the queen had also found way into the minds of her sons, and instead of proving their royal descent by greatness of mind and action, they condescended to suggest self-preservation and self-enjoyments in preference to an open avowal of truth, and an honourable meeting with an enemy. "And," hastily said her royal highness, "is this, Sir, a specimen of the character of the English royal family? What would my ever dear and lamented father have thought of such principles and opinions? Doubtless, he would rather have followed his daughter to the tomb, and have seen her remains deposited with his ancestors, than have had her associated with persons who could sacrifice HONOUR for mean and paltry conveniences. Your royal highness must be well assured, that I am not a stranger to the unfounded and most abominable assertions or suggestions issued against my child's legitimacy; certainly, if I am only the Princess of Wales _nominally_, then my daughter bears a surreptitious title, and if either of us is considered as an obstacle to the interests of the nation, why are not the assertions upon that point made in an honourable and open manner. You well know, Sir, that I would sacrifice any thing and every thing for the happiness and future prosperity of my child; but I must be fully convinced, that _my_ destruction of rights or enjoyments of privileges would not produce the entire annihilation of _her's_ also. I must be made to understand that the mother and child have separate interests, and that insults received by one are not dishonourable to the other. I have also another powerful objection to keep silence upon these heart-rending and distracting subjects, which is, Charlotte's deep-rooted aversion to those persons who have insulted me most. This feeling assures my mind that I ought not to shrink from any avowal of truth which I may in justice to this generous nation be called upon to make, and nothing less than my child's safety shall keep me from making a disclosure of the unmerited and most incomparable wicked conduct manifested towards me. If I find that likely to operate against my daughter's happiness, I will forbear; but not upon any other ground."

The determined manner of her royal highness fully satisfied the abashed duke that the sentiments thus boldly expressed were the unalterable principles entertained by the princess, and would only gather energy and force by opposition and remonstrance; he therefore very soon afterwards took his leave, and gave the outline of the conversation to his _august_ mother, BY WHOSE EXPRESS WISH THE INTERVIEW HAD TAKEN PLACE.

The queen was posed by the firmness her royal highness had displayed; and, in reply to the communication, said, "I will not be disappointed by this seeming boldness; the princess shall _feel my_ POWER. She shall see Charlotte still less; the restrictions shall be enforced with greater severity, and she shall repent of her stupidity. Does the Princess of Wales imagine that I am to submit to _her_ opinions upon my conduct, or to _her_ abuse of any of my family? _My only fear is that the daughter will prove_ AS UNBENDING AND AS DETERMINATELY RESOLUTE _as the mother is_, and I am therefore resolved to separate them as much as possible."

The result proved the queen's indignation and resentful disposition; as, immediately, a council was held upon the subject, and her majesty was positive in her instructions, that the restrictions between the Princess of Wales and her daughter should be more rigidly enforced.

At the commencement of the year

1813,

the princess found her situation more irksome than ever; and she resolved, therefore, to inform the prince regent of the hardships of her case, soliciting his royal highness to inform himself of all or any part of her behaviour or demeanour, to which the queen had made such heavy objections. The following is an exact copy of the letter of her royal highness to the prince:

_27th Jan., 1813._

"SIR,

"On the 14th of this month, I transmitted to the hand of your royal highness a letter relative to the cruelty and injustice of my situation, in reference to my beloved child's separation from me, the most heart-rending point upon which you could so severely afflict me. Why does your royal highness refuse to answer my simple, but honest and honourable inquiry? What have I not endured since the moment I became your princess and wife? Heaven only knows, and heaven only can avenge my wrongs. It is now more than seventeen years since I gave birth to your lovely daughter, Princess Charlotte of Wales, at which time I did most certainly hope and also believe, that her royal father's affectionate recollections of her mother would not only revive, but be exemplified. Yet to this time, your royal highness has not evinced one spark of regard to the consort you vowed 'to love and cherish.'

"More than this, my lord and husband, you permit her majesty to usurp such extreme authority over me, and insult me in every possible way. Why, my lord, I ask, do you allow these indignities to be imposed upon your cousin and wife, (so called) the mother of the heiress to the throne of these united kingdoms? If I had deserved such treatment, I should most naturally have avoided all scrutiny; but, that I have endeavoured to obtain all possible investigation into my conduct, I need only refer to my several correspondencies with your august father, your brother of York, privy council, &c. &c.

"I cannot conclude without saying, if you refuse me justice, I will leave indisputable proofs to this insulted nation that its generosity has been abused, though, at the same time, I would save _you yourself_ from IGNOMINY at the hazard of my liberty. To the queen, I never will bow. Her majesty WAS, IS, and EVER WILL BE, A TYRANT to those she may imagine obstacles in her path. Perhaps her majesty presumes I am not an object of material consequence; but time will develop all these things. If this letter meet not with your royal approbation, I can only regret it, and waiting your reply,

"I am, ever,
"Your faithful and devoted
"CAROLINE."

"P.S. I entreat your royal highness to inform yourself of every part of my conduct which may at any time have been esteemed derogatory; and, while I beg this favour, I trust your royal highness will never again submit to the unprincipled, slanderous, and abominable aspersions cast upon my character. Let me suggest, my lord, that TRUTH MUST PREVAIL, SOONER OR LATER. After the most deliberate, careful, and scrutinizing investigations, I only beg to be punished with the most extreme rigour, if I am found GUILTY; but if free from guilt, I ought to say, I have an indisputable right to be ACKNOWLEDGED SO!"

"_To his Royal Highness,
the Prince Regent._"

This letter was not noticed when the commissioners sat on the 23rd of February; and Lord Liverpool never even mentioned it when communicating with the princess, or when he had the private interview with her royal highness, by the regent's request.

We should not act with justice or honour if we neglected to state this _omission_; because the letter reflected much credit upon the princess, and ought to have been the first read when the council assembled. The result of this new inquiry, however, was what the vindictive queen intended it should be; for the almost-distracted Princess of Wales was refused the natural privilege of intercourse with her only daughter!

In the mean time, every opportunity was gladly embraced to detract the character of the princess. Base inuendos and malicious remarks were incessantly poured forth against her, until her life became one continued scene of sorrow and abuse, caused by those from whom she ought to have experienced protection. Under these imputations, the princess again appealed, by an address to the Speaker of the House of Commons; and, after many inquiries and replies, the subject was dismissed with an acknowledgment, that "_Her royal highness is declared free from all imputation._"

We must not here forget to mention, that Mr. C. Johnstone submitted a motion, on the 5th of March, "to request the prince regent will permit the copy of a certain report, made in 1806, to be laid before the House;" but Lord Castlereagh opposed it, as being _unnecessary_, and the document was consequently refused.

Notwithstanding the disgust manifested by every honest Englishman at the base conduct of Sir John and Lady Douglas, when they preferred their abominable charge against the character of the Princess of Wales in the year 1806, they had the hardihood to present a petition to the House this year _to re-swear to the truth of their former depositions concerning the conduct of the Princess of Wales_! No proceedings, of course, took place in consequence of this attempt still to propagate their calumnies; but a motion was made by Mr. C. Johnstone, a few days afterwards in the House of Commons, "That the petition of Sir John and Lady Douglas ought to be regarded as an audacious attempt to give a colour of truth, in the eyes of the nation, to evidence which they had delivered touching the conduct of her royal highness the Princess of Wales, and which evidence was a foul and detestable endeavour to bring the life and honour of her royal highness into danger and suspicion." This resolution, however, could not be passed, in consequence of the House _not being in possession of the evidence_, which was refused, as we have just stated, by Lord Castlereagh; but many members expressed their agreement with the _sentiments_ of the resolution.

What was the _real_ reason for not _prosecuting_ Sir John and Lady Douglas, after the House had rejected their petition with such indignation, on the motion of Mr. Johnstone, it is not very easy to divine; that alleged by Lord Castlereagh is most certainly not a _satisfactory_ one. It has been often insinuated, that if the conspiracy against the life and honour of the Princess of Wales did not originate with her royal relatives, it was certainly fostered and brought to maturity by persons connected with the queen and the prince regent; and the evidence of Bidgood and Cole very much favours that opinion. If the Douglases, and Bidgood and Cole, were the "suborned traducers," to which her royal highness alluded in one of her letters to the prince about this time, the impunity with which the knight and his lady were suffered to continue at large cannot excite surprise. This impunity, the report that Bidgood had received a pension of one hundred and fifty pounds a year, and the direct interference of the Prince of Wales in promoting the inquiry, and in entering his caveat to prevent the princess being received at court, have thrown a suspicious veil around this part of the proceedings, which will not be very soon removed.

On the 23rd of March, the Princess of Wales had to bear another severe stroke of fortune, in the death of her mother, the Duchess of Brunswick, who was interred with much funeral pomp, at Windsor, on the 31st. This melancholy event, following so closely after her late persecutions, was as much as the princess could endure; and had it not been for the sympathetic attentions of one confidant, her royal highness would, no doubt, have sunk under her immense load of sorrow.

In July and August, the princess devoted the greater portion of her time to correspondence with the prince, her husband. Very many of the letters could not, we think, have met the eye of the regent, or answers must have been sent, if only in common courtesy, as the prince knew _his_ honour, and also that of his family, were at stake. We have _transcripts of all these letters_; but shall content ourselves with only introducing _the last she wrote to his royal highness previous to her going abroad_. The following is a literal copy of it:

"_23rd of Aug., 1813._

"SIR,

"I have waited, with most anxious feelings, to receive an acknowledgment of the safe receipt of several important communications which I addressed to you as 'private and confidential.' To this hour I have not received a reply, and I therefore take up my pen for the last time upon this most disagreeable business. To you it is well known, that the good king, your father, has invariably treated me with the most profound respect, and proper attention; and his majesty would have done me more essential service long since, had it not been for the oath he gave to Lord Chatham, to preserve from all _public_ investigation the connexion formed in 1759 with the Quakeress.

"I am aware, Sir, that you may say I intrude myself upon your royal notice very frequently; but I think and feel it to be my indispensable duty and privilege. I have lately had an interview with Lord Liverpool; but his lordship cannot serve your royal highness and the persecuted Princess of Wales. I, therefore, shall not submit myself to any further interviews with his lordship, by my own request. As I intend this letter as a _final appeal_ and _explanation_ to your royal highness, I beg to ask your forbearance and lenity on account of its length and detail.

"Your royal highness has not forgotten how strangely I was allured from my father's court to receive your hand in marriage (the letters of 1794 bear me witness). You cannot have forgotten the kind reception of the king, your father, on my arrival in the metropolis of this empire, and the sarcastic manners of the queen. Two days had scarcely passed after our marriage, when you commanded me to receive Lady Jersey upon all occasions, although your royal highness was too well acquainted with the deep-laid schemes formed by her majesty against me, which were to be put into execution by Lady Jersey; and when I most humbly requested of you, that I might be secluded from all society rather than endure that which was so hateful to me, your royal highness cannot have forgotten the inhuman reply you made me, '_The Princess of Brunswick has answered every purpose I desired, inasmuch as my debts are to be settled, and my income augmented, and I will provide an heir to the throne more worthy of popular regard than any descendant of my father's family could ever prove._' These, Sir, were words of so heavy and doubtful a character, that from that moment I never forgot them; and from the hour in which my Charlotte was born, I have feared for her health and happiness. How your royal highness could thus insult me, you can best imagine.

"Another most material grievance imposed upon me was, your unnatural remark to Lady Jersey, in my presence, '_that you thought the king_ TOO FOND _of the Princess of Wales; and if her royal highness had any children, his majesty would no doubt be the_ FATHER, INSTEAD OF THE GRANDFATHER.' Lady Jersey's reply will never be effaced from my memory, while reason holds her empire: '_Yes, my prince, and you deserve it, if ever you notice the Princess of Wales again in the character of a husband or lover._' Your royal highness may remember I instantly left the room, more deeply insulted and wounded than language can describe. From that time, I was aware of my cruel fate, and I did deeply deplore the necessity which had forced me from the much-loved scenes of my infancy and youthful years.

"The very remarkable request of Mr. Pitt, in 1800, for a private interview with me, was another cause for disquiet to my mind; but I acceded immediately, and he accordingly was admitted. The object of that minister's visit was to solicit my silence upon the subject of the _bondholders, whose fate had caused so great an interest in several countries_, and whose families had been the _victims_ of their ready acquiescense to the wishes of the royal princes. '_But_' said Mr. Pitt, '_these affairs are of as much consequence to your royal highness as they are to the other members of the royal family; and if matters of this kind are to be canvassed publicly, your royal highness may rest assured that ere long your family will not be permitted to occupy the exalted rank and station they now enjoy. I therefore most earnestly recommend that your royal highness does not name these subjects to any of the anti-ministerial party, who are not at present in possession of the circumstances._' I do not doubt but Mr. Pitt laid the whole of this conversation before your royal highness, and he must have noticed the very cool and guarded reception I gave him. To have behaved openly to Mr. Pitt was impossible, as I knew too well his avowed hostile feelings against me. But a few days had elapsed after this interview, when I had the pleasure of seeing the good king. I now take the liberty of laying before your royal highness the substance of our conversation. 'My dear daughter,' said his majesty, 'I hear Pitt has paid you a confidential visit,' 'Yes, Sire, he has,' I replied. 'What was the object of it?' 'Upon the subject of the bondholders, your majesty.' '_I hope you made no rash promise?_' said the king; 'None, Sire.' '_Why could not Pitt have called upon you at a more suitable hour, Caroline?_' 'I do not know, Sire; but I plainly saw Mr. Pitt did not think much etiquette was necessary to the Princess of Wales, as _he well knew it was my dinner hour_; and yet I was determined not to refuse myself, as I was perfectly sure the whole of the affair would be reported to the queen.' 'CAROLINE, MY NIECE,' said the king, 'DO NOT, PRAY DO NOT, FEAR PITT, OR ANY OF MY FAMILY. I WILL PUT YOU IN POSSESSION OF SOME AFFAIRS WHICH WILL SOON SILENCE THEM ALL; AND BEFORE THE END OF THIS WEEK I WILL SEND YOU A SMALL PARCEL OF IMPORTANT PAPERS, BY THE HAND OF A TRUSTY MESSENGER.'

"Your royal father most scrupulously kept his word, and enclosed me the PROOFS he had named, and promised to send. Many times since then have I informed your royal highness that I was in confidence upon those subjects; but you have never condescended to acknowledge those communications, or expressed one sentiment of obligation for the strict silence I have observed. I have been restrained only from the most ARDENT AND PARENTAL AFFECTION TO MY LOVELY DAUGHTER, or long ere this I WOULD HAVE PROCLAIMED THE EXTENT OF THE WRONGS I HAVE ENDURED FROM SOME OF THE ILLEGAL AND UNJUST IMPOSITIONS PRACTISED UPON ME AND THE BRITISH NATION. Your royal highness knew at the moment you met me at the altar in the palace, that you were already the affianced husband of Mrs. Fitzherbert, and you were well aware that if my uncle, the king, had known of that former circumstance, he would have prevented the left-handed marriage taking place. In this his majesty was deceived, and I have been the victim of your intentional imposition. It has generally been supposed by your royal highness' family connexions, that there was some impropriety or defect by which you received an unfavourable opinion of me in the early part of our fatal marriage; and, in my presence, your royal highness has insulted me by such insinuations, though you well know I was not the OFFENDER, but the OFFENDED!!! Up to this period, I have buried your royal highness' UNNATURAL CONDUCT to me in my own bosom; but if I am to be so injured, and if my character is to be so vilified, I shall EXPLAIN MYSELF TO THE NATION, and think I am performing an imperative duty. Your royal highness cannot have forgotten _THE OUTRAGE YOU COMMITTED BY ENTERING MY CHAMBER AT MONTAGUE HOUSE, AND YOUR DENIAL OF IT TO THE QUEEN, YOUR MOTHER, FOR THE AVOWED PURPOSE OF TRADUCING MY HONOUR_. Had I not then been restrained from explanation upon those base designs, by an unalterable love to my _child_, I should have exposed the infamous conduct you manifested towards me.

"I name these things, Sir, to prove to you the inviolable honour I have observed, in despite of all the insults and provocations I have received from your royal highness and the queen, and also from the creatures employed to ruin me in the estimation of this generous English nation. A _time will come when the secrets of my life will be_ PUBLISHED TO THE WORLD; _then let the unprejudiced judge_.

"I remain, Sir,
"Your royal highness' most
"Faithful wife and cousin,
"CAROLINE P."

"_To his Royal Highness,
the Prince Regent._"

It is more than probable that the confidentially-private and notorious secretary (M'Mahon) was the receiver of these appeals and documents, who, possessing the most unbounded assurance in the ability of his royal master's coadjutors to carry any plan into execution, or to prevent vexatious trouble to any extent, _suppressed them_ at the moment when they might have proved of the greatest consequence to her royal highness. We cannot wonder at this, when we take into account the character of this private secretary, who dared to violate the rights of friendship, and break through the most sacred ties of conjugal affection, treating the honourable engagements of persons in general as matters of minor consequence! Were this depraved man now an inhabitant of the earth, we would ask him if his recollection could furnish the _number_ of inroads he had made upon the abodes of innocence and beauty, to gratify his royal patron. We could ourselves name several instances; but one will suffice, which we copy from the manuscript of a friend, and the substance of which has been before published.

The private secretary of the prince (M'Mahon) was accustomed to retire for _recreation_ to Bath, at certain periods. At the time to which we now advert, he was travelling to that city, and, at Marlborough, a respectable and venerable gentleman, accompanied by two young ladies, took their seats in the stage coach. The courtier was not wanting in attentions, and, in reply to his numerous questions, he soon received the information, "that the gentleman was a _poor_ clergyman, residing near Marlborough; that the two young ladies were his daughters, whom he then was accompanying to visit a relation at Bath." M'Mahon's polished manners, added to the fixed determination of sacrificing these ladies to his royal master's desires, had the hoped-for effect, and the deluded party was anxious to cultivate further acquaintance with the stranger. Two days after their arrival, the intriguing secretary wrote and despatched the following letter to the prince:

"(MOST PRIVATE.)

"_Bath, Sunday Evening._

"SIR,--Ever alive to the obtaining possession of any object
which may contribute to your royal pleasures, I hasten to
inform your royal highness, that chance has thrown me into the
company of two most lovely girls, the daughters of an indigent
curate, and who, from their apparent simplicity and ignorance
of the world, may be soon brought to comply with the wishes of
your royal highness. I shall immediately devise some plan by
which they may be induced to visit the metropolis, and the
remainder of my task will then not be difficult of execution.
The prize is too valuable to be lost sight of; the elder of
the girls bears some resemblance in her form and make to
Hillisberg, although it is evident that the whole fullness of
her growth has not yet developed itself. The younger is more
of a languishing beauty; but, from the knowledge which I
possess of your royal taste, the elder will be the object of
your choice.

"I have the honour to remain, &c. &c.
"JOHN M'MAHON."

"To his Royal Highness the
Prince Regent, &c. &c."

The intimacy at Bath was cultivated. M'Mahon promised to intercede for the interest of the worthy clergyman, and afterwards engaged to ensure him promotion.

In the midst of explanations, promises, and engagements, M'Mahon was summoned to town by the royal order. Ere he departed, he promised, instantly upon seeing the prince, to lay their case before him, and dwelt in vivid terms upon the effects of such a representation. Within the ensuing fortnight, the clergyman received a letter from him, announcing "that a vicarage was vacant, in the gift of the crown, to which he should receive the presentation." M'Mahon again visited Bath, and recommended the clergyman and family to take up their abode in the metropolis. For this purpose, he had engaged apartments in the house of Mrs. General Hamilton, in Gloucester-place, to which they soon resorted. In the mean time, M'Mahon informed the clergyman that his induction would shortly take place, and that, in the interim, he must employ himself in the most agreeable manner, as also his daughters, in such amusements as the town afforded. Mrs. Hamilton was also pleased to say she would be their conductor and companion upon all occasions. The lady just named was a gay, though _unsuspected_, character. Shortly after this period, at an evening party, M'Mahon introduced Colonel Fox, "a gentleman," he said, "allied to the noblest families, and of an immense fortune."

If our readers should here inquire, _who_ was Colonel Fox? we answer,--the Prince of Wales.

We hasten to the conclusion of this most infamous history. The deceived clergyman was informed that he must proceed to a village in Leicestershire, where his induction would instantly take place; and he, therefore, hastily took leave of his daughters, with an assurance that they were in the best society. Indeed, Mrs. Hamilton had evinced such interest and apparent solicitude in their happiness, that his heart was relieved from any doubts for their safety. This amiable father took leave of his children in the most affectionate manner; but little did he imagine that embrace would be the last he should ever receive from them,--yet so it proved. A short time after, early in the day, M'Mahon called upon Mrs. General Hamilton, expressing the necessity of her seeing her solicitor upon some affairs relative to the estate of her deceased husband.

The carriage was ordered, and the secretary promised to remain with the younger, while the elder sister accompanied Mrs. Hamilton. "We will first drive to Taylor's, in Bond-street," said Mrs. Hamilton, "he has some commissions to execute for me," and accordingly they were set down there.

The obsequious shoe-maker requested them to walk into the drawing-room, which they did; and in a few minutes Mrs. Hamilton said, "I will now step down, and transact my business with Taylor." In a short time she returned, saying, "How truly fortunate we are; Colonel Fox has just entered the shop, and, being informed _you_ are here, has solicited permission to keep you company until I return from my solicitor's; _you_ cannot refuse the request;" and then, without waiting a reply, she left the room. The _pretended_ Colonel Fox entered; he professed _eternal love_ and _unalterable constancy_; and, within one hour, this lovely, but most unfortunate, female was added to the infamously-swelled list of the prince's debaucheries and cruel seductions. The younger sister _still lives_--a melancholy proof of outraged and insulted honour.

We have given this detail to satisfy the scrupulous portion of society, that the prince merited a thousand-fold more exposure and execration than he ever received.

At this period, Mr. Whitbread was very pressing with the Princess of Wales, advising her to make a tour upon the continent, in order to divert her mind from the provocations she was so frequently called upon to endure. Upon one occasion, he urged the subject with considerable warmth, and his great earnestness surprised her royal highness. With her usual readiness, she said, "I feel sure Mr. Whitbread does not intend any thing disagreeable in these remarks; but, Sir, are you aware that Mr. Canning has been pressing the same opinion upon my notice? and I do not comprehend _why_ this suggestion is made by you also. If I go away, shall I not leave my beloved child exposed to the determinate will and caprice of the queen, and others, who, doubtless, will vex her as much as possible? Are you, Sir, _requested_ to represent this to me, or is it your private opinion?" Mr. Whitbread replied, "It is _my personal opinion_, and solely to provide against any unhappy effects arising from the queen's displeasure, which," he added, "I well know is unbounded."

On the 27th of May, the princess went to the Opera House. It was her first appearance in public since her triumphant acquittal. Her royal highness was received with considerable acclamations, while even her enemies were compelled to acknowledge "the dignity, delicacy, and feeling, pre-eminently displayed in her behaviour."

On the 30th, the regent gave a grand supper and ball, but the princess was not invited.

The supplies required for the service of this year amounted to upwards of one hundred and twenty millions!

Endless vexations and anxieties attended the Princess of Wales up to the year

1814;

but the public voice cheered her to the ultimate defeat of her base enemies.

The transactions of this year do not reflect much credit upon certain mis-named _illustrious_ individuals, and can never fail to excite contempt in the minds of the British people. The Douglas party were promised _rewards_, which they could not obtain, except in a less degree, as it was alleged they had failed in a principal part of their unworthy undertaking; namely, the degradation of the princess, by a full and unlimited verdict against her royal highness, agreeable to the charges they had preferred.

The disappointed queen was indignant, beyond bounds, at the honourable acquittal of the Princess of Wales. "What!" said her majesty, "am I for ever to be disappointed by the adroit talents of the princess, whose very name I hate! It must not be. If she be recognised as an unblemished character, I am well satisfied the odium of the whole proceeding will fall upon _me_; and rather would I prefer death than suffer her royal highness to triumph over me!"

Lord Castlereagh was then consulted by the queen, and he engaged to do his utmost against the princess; and the regent again suggested the idea of her going abroad, when steps, more effectual, might be taken to ruin her character. Lord Castlereagh, therefore, the next day informed the princess, by a note, "that for the present time all interviews with the Princess Charlotte must cease."

On the 7th of January, the Princess of Wales gave an entertainment at Montague House, where a select party was invited, in honour of the Princess Charlotte's birth-day, who had now attained her eighteenth year.

An unexpected event, about this period, gave the Princess Charlotte an interview with her mother for nearly two hours, in which these affectionate relatives enjoyed an undisturbed conversation. The Princess Charlotte was very explicit in her communications to her dear mother on the severity of the queen, during the time she had lately spent with her majesty at Windsor; and, among other observations, remarked, "HER MAJESTY IS A TYRANT TO ALL AROUND HER. If you walk out with the queen," continued the charming and noble princess, "you are sure to be told your pace is disagreeable,--either too quick or too slow. If you feel pleasure in seeing any sweet pretty plant, and express admiration of its several beautiful colours, and its various delicate appearances, you are sure to be told, such observations prove your _want of taste and judgment_. Indeed, my dear mother, I like anybody better than my _disagreeable grandmother_, and I can never permit myself to remain with her so long again. When I am at the castle, I am seldom _allowed to see my grandfather_, the king; and, when I do, he scarcely looks at me, and seems extremely unhappy. When my royal father goes to the castle, he is always with the _queen alone_, and very rarely pays a visit to the king." Such was the ingenuousness of the Princess Charlotte. She would immediately speak the _truth_, and defy all results, rather than act with dissimulation to please or conciliate any one. This was the longest interview which was to fall to the lot of these high-spirited and generous-minded personages. Alas! their destiny might have been pourtrayed by the pen of cruelty, and traced in characters of blood! At parting, the princess most tenderly embraced her mother, and that parent for the moment forgot all her sorrows. But what was her agitation, when her ONLY HOPE was saying, "Farewell!" Agonizing--beyond all expression--agonizing! We must sympathize with such sorrows, and admit the propriety of the remark of the Princess of Wales at this separation, "My life has already been too long, since it has been one continued scene of misfortune!"

The prince regent now paid a visit to the Duke of Rutland, for the avowed purpose of standing sponsor to the young marquis, the duke's son and heir. The preparations for the reception and accommodation of his royal highness were upon the most magnificent scale, which, we are sorry to relate, were little else than thrown away. In the evening, the sparkling goblet was so freely emptied by the royal guest, that he was obliged to be _carried_ to the chamber prepared for him. Do not imagine, gentle reader, that we are disposed to dwell ill-naturedly on the mischances of this luckless night; but the prince was unfortunate, and committed such sins and transgressions in this ducal apartment, and IN _the bed_ prepared for him, that, at a very early hour, his carriage was ordered, and his royal highness was on the road to London! The domestics at Belvoir Castle were left to relate this very disagreeable incident, and testify that the means required for the _purification_ of their master's premises were of no common quality!

However facetiously we may have spoken of this "untoward occurrence," yet we recoil with disgust and indignation from such scenes. How revolting is the reflection that this was the prince invested with _kingly authority_, and to whom so many millions of intelligent beings were looking for the redress of their grievances, and the amelioration of their many miseries!

The king's indisposition increased in the early part of this year, and the over-bearing tyranny of the queen consequently knew no bounds. In May, she addressed several notes to the Princess of Wales to forbid her appearance at the drawing-room, to which her royal highness replied very spiritedly. Some of these letters were afterwards published, but several were suppressed. It was at this time that the prince expressed his unalterable determination "never again to meet the princess, either in public or private," and the queen was the person who communicated his royal highness' unmanly vow to the princess.

About three weeks after this announcement, some illustrious foreigners, who were formerly intimate with the family of the princess, paid her royal highness a visit; and, on the ensuing day, they received her royal highness' invitation to dine with her on that day se'nnight. It was accepted with pleasure; but, only about an hour previous to the appointed time for dinner, an apology was sent, asking pardon for the delay, which was said to be _unavoidable_, as the impediments arose from the COMMANDS OF THE REGENT, which had only been communicated to them a few hours before! Upon Mr. Canning's next visit to the princess, he explained the reason of this shameful conduct, by saying, "that Colonel M'Mahon desired, as a compliment, they would dine at Carlton House that day, and expressed an apology for the _shortness of the invitation_, as the regent had some days before given him his instructions to invite them, but that he (the colonel) had FORGOTTEN IT IN THE HURRY OF BUSINESS. Now," added Mr. Canning, "I know this story to be an invention; for it was only on the very morning of the day appointed by your royal highness that a brother of the regent heard of their intended visit, and informed him of it; and the prince then commanded M'Mahon to invite the party to dine at Carlton House, which they could not refuse, as etiquette would forbid their accepting any engagement in preference to that of the regent." Was there ever a more artful and vindictive piece of business concocted? How worthy was the master of such a scheming servant as M'Mahon!

In June, the allied sovereigns arrived in London, and fetes and festivals followed in close succession. New honours were conferred upon several persons, who had been leaders in the late war. Lord Wellington was created Marquis of Douro and Duke of Wellington. To support this new dignity, four hundred thousand pounds were granted to him by the boroughmongering majority!

In consequence of the queen's edict, the Princess of Wales was excluded from the drawing rooms, held in honour of the illustrious guests; and this extra piece of persecuting malice sufficiently attested the _littleness_ of the minds of her too powerful enemies.

Under these trying circumstances, Mr. Canning and Mr. Whitbread again urged their advice, that it would be better for all parties if the princess absented herself for a period, as the queen was so severe to the Princess Charlotte, in consequence of her regard for her mother. This consideration was enough for the fond parent. "Yes," said her royal highness, "for the sake of my child, I will leave England; I feel assured that my afflicted father-in-law, the king, cannot long survive; he is falling very gradually. But the crisis may be sudden; in that case, you know my situation; and what has been refused to the Princess of Wales cannot, I presume, be refused to the Queen of England! In making this reference, I merely and only mean, that I have hitherto been treated with the most unmerited severity, and the greatest injustice; this, I hope, will not be permitted in the event of my being queen. I name this to satisfy you, as my friends, that whenever I can return to this country with safety to my child, and honour to my few zealous friends, I shall not lose one moment in answering the summons."

On the 4th of June, Lord Castlereagh moved in the committee of the House, that fifty thousand pounds be annually paid to her royal highness the Princess of Wales. Mr. Whitbread offered some very correct and spirited remarks upon the subject, and the motion was agreed to. The princess, in the most generous manner, wrote to the Speaker on the 5th, declining to receive more than thirty-five thousand, adding, as a reason for this, her dislike to increase the already heavy burdens imposed upon the nation.

The ill-natured manner in which this most honourable act was received is best explained in the words of Lord Castlereagh, who, on the 8th, called the attention of the House to the letter of the princess, and concluded by saying, "It is not my duty to vote the public money to a _subject_ who is not inclined to receive it." Her royal highness certainly was not much indebted to Lord Castlereagh for his very elegant and noble mention of her name, thus made; and the most dim-sighted person might have easily seen that "if the vessel came safe to shore," a _marquisate_ would be the reward of the pilot.

The Princess of Wales at length requested leave of the ministers to go abroad. This was very readily granted; and, after some arrangements for correspondence, her royal highness prepared to depart. A very short interview was permitted with the child of her hopes and affections, while even that was attended by the ladies in waiting. They separated _then--TO MEET NO MORE IN THIS WORLD_!

It was during this affecting interview that her royal highness committed some letters of importance to the care of her noble-minded daughter; and, as it appeared impossible for any _private_ conversation to pass between them, a letter accompanied the others, addressed to the Princess Charlotte by her afflicted mother, of which the following is a transcript:

"_Copy of a letter to my dear Charlotte, Princess of Wales._

"_1814, June 7th._

"MY DEAREST CHILD,

"I deposit to your keeping a small parcel, of letters for my much-esteemed friend, Lady *******. I well know her generous disposition will cause her to endure a vast load of sorrow on my account, and, from these documents, the nation may one day _be bold_. I must tell you, my dearest child, that in conformity to my father and mother's opinion, I became the wife (so called) of your father. Well do I remember the time when my dear father, the Duke of Brunswick, entered my library, (holding in his hand a letter) saying, 'Caroline, my love, I desire you will give your attention to the request of your most excellent uncle, the King of England, and, without any demur, engage to marry your cousin George. He is undoubtedly the most _elegant man_ and the most ACCOMPLISHED GENTLEMAN in Europe. Very unfortunately, this prince has been captivated by the many beautiful ladies surrounding the court; but although he may have committed himself in _formal engagements_, yet the prince is the most ready, desirous, and expectant supplicant for your hand!' I started, and exclaimed, 'What, my dear sire?' The sequel, however, is sufficient. I came to England. I was received heroically by the people, flatteringly by the persons deputed to attend me, and sarcastically by the queen, my aunt; but most pleasantly by the king, my uncle, and the prince, my destined husband. After my marriage with the prince, your father, I soon had occasion to regret my change of situation. However, I strove to conceal my disappointment and chagrin, and appeared as lively as if I had no cause for regret. Speedily after my marriage, I was informed that the prince was not my _legal_ husband; that, some time previous to our marriage, he had been united to Mrs. Fitzherbert, and therefore our engagement was null and void! I opened the sorrows of my heart to the good king. 'Ah! Ah!' said his majesty, 'I will befriend you, but my family will prove my ruin. They care not for any thing beside their own ease, and they, sooner or later, will _lose the crown_ by such improper conduct. The disposition of my son George is _unrelenting_; but I will tell you, my dear niece, that you may subdue his public injurious mention of your character, if you make use of proper means. My son is so lascivious, that if you would attempt to hide his defects, they would speedily become more apparent.' In the course of conversation, his majesty informed me of the untimely end of his BROTHER EDWARD, and also of the MARRIAGE and ISSUE of that brother, who, he stated, had been educated for the _church_; and also, that he had frequently seen him during his residence at Eton with no small degree of affection and regret, and had even appointed interviews with the individual under whose care he was placed, to adopt plans for his welfare. I confess, my dear Charlotte, I was quite unprepared for this exposition, and I answered with much warmth, 'Does your majesty mean to say, that his royal highness left issue which has never been acknowledged?' 'I do, indeed,' replied the king, 'and though the affair has been hitherto kept from the public, yet I fancy it will, one day or another, be made known.' My dear Charlotte will conceive how much I felt upon these singular explanations. I long to tell you more upon the subject, but as our confidential messenger is waiting, I must conclude by subscribing myself

"Your very affectionate mother,
"CAROLINE."

The persecuted wife of the heir-apparent now prepared to leave England. Her royal highness went to Worthing on the 2nd of August, and on the 9th embarked for the Continent, with a heart heavily charged with the most poignant feelings.

The evening of her departure was spent in rioting and drunkenness by the inhabitants of Carlton House, as they had now attained a portion of their dishonourable object, and, in a great measure, relied upon final success. The entertainments given at this period by the "unparalleled prince" were of the most dazzling and costly description. The massive services of richly-chased gold, and the viands served upon them, in addition to every luxurious appendage, were daily superseded by others, still more rare and expensive than the preceding ones. Hundreds of thousands were thus lavished on useless pomp, while, perhaps, a poor tradesman, who had received _the honour_ of an order by command of the prince, and had borrowed the larger portion of the means to enable him to execute it, solicited, in the most humble manner, a portion of his debt; but, alas! solicited in vain; and, after daring to press his destitute and ruined condition several times, is probably forbidden ever to ask for the settlement again, but to wait the royal pleasure. His impatient creditors, in the interim, arrest him; he is carried to a prison, and, in the agony of his soul, commits suicide. Many a wife and family of children have thus been reduced to a workhouse, and the greater number of them afterwards thrown upon the town! But--these are some of the privileges of royalty!

The reminiscences of the queen were sometimes rather painful; and, shortly after she had driven her daughter-in-law from the country, symptoms of melancholy were observed. Her physicians, therefore, recommended a change of air; and, in order to amuse her majesty, it was proposed that she should repair to Brighton for a short time, accompanied by the princesses.

The Princess Charlotte, after the departure of her much-beloved mother, appeared very unhappy, and, from that time, saw her father and grandmother as seldom as possible. They well knew she was favourable to her mother's cause, in opposition to their's, not only from the very great affection which she naturally felt for her mother, but also from the numberless proofs she had observed of the honourable motives by which the conduct of the Princess of Wales had been influenced. To these might be added the opinion of the virtuous part of the nation upon the subject, and the very great respect at all times paid to her royal highness by those persons who were _independent_ of the royal family and the government.

Upon her majesty's return to Windsor, she found the king something improved in natural spirits, but desirous not to be troubled with unnecessary visiters. This slight improvement was, however, but of short duration; for, in a few days afterwards, this distressingly-afflicted sovereign relapsed into insensibility, and frequently became very boisterous in his conduct.

The amount required for this year's service was upwards of one hundred and sixteen millions, twenty-seven of which were raised by loans.

The year

1815

commenced under numerous public and private difficulties. The regent found himself in a very unpleasant situation, being under a necessity of increasing the number of the various orders of knighthood, in order to preserve himself a sufficiency of adherents. A strange concatenation of events had also placed the rest of the royal family in an uneasy position. The Duke of Kent, some considerable time before, entered into a positive engagement with a foreign princess, by solemnly promising her marriage; yet, upon requesting his mother's approbation of the choice he had made, how great was his surprise and indignation to find that she would not listen to it! But, hastily snatching up the letter a second time, she said, "It is impossible such things can be permitted; we need money too much in our own family to squander it upon these miserably-poor connexions." This indignant lady quite forgot, or did not wish to remember, her own origin, and the _great wealth_ she had brought to this country. Ere this self-important personage had said so much, she should have called to mind the many _noble_ acts by which she had been distinguished above all other royal ladies, and ought to have reflected, how many thousands had suffered privations and want to permit her royal self and family to live in splendour, and how many had been privately disposed of to satisfy her inordinate ambition and insatiable thirst for power!

Her majesty had also another mortification to endure in the marriage of her hopeful son, the Duke of Cumberland, with the Princess of Salms. Lord Castlereagh, always happy to take from the people, had the audacity to propose an additional grant to the Duke of Cumberland upon his alliance with a lady so congenial to the taste and talents of his royal highness! The House of Commons, however, opposed this grant, and several members made the most severe, though _just_, remarks upon the character of Ernest Augustus on this occasion.

"Mr. R. GORDON rose, and declared that he could not reconcile
it to his sense of duty to allow this motion to pass with a
silent vote against it. He was astonished at the observation
of the noble lord (Castlereagh) who brought forward this
motion last night, that he did not apprehend any opposition,
while he agreed with the noble lord that it must be painful to
hear any reflections upon the character of the individual
referred to, or any comments whatever at all likely to
depreciate the consequence of the illustrious family to whom
that individual belonged. But ministers alone were to blame in
_dragging_ the Duke of Cumberland before that House. If any
reflections were thrown out against that individual, it was
the fault of ministers in _forcing_ him upon the consideration
of that House. _After what had_ NOTORIOUSLY PASSED WITH
RESPECT TO THIS INDIVIDUAL, _and his connexions,--after the_
RUMOURS _that were afloat upon the subject,--he could not, by
any means, concur with the noble lord, that this was not to be
regarded as a_ PERSONAL _question!_"

"Mr. BENNET said, the Duke of Cumberland, of all the branches
of the royal family, was the _only one_ who could come to that
House, and make an application for money, which he should feel
_compelled to oppose_! He appealed to every person in the
committee, whether they did not hear, out of that House,
_every individual in the country express_ ONE UNIFORM FEELING
_with respect to that personage,--a feeling decidedly averse
from any disposition to concur in such a grant as was now
proposed_. It was impossible even to go to what was called
_fashionable_ society, without hearing the _same feeling of
disrespect expressed_!!!"

"Lord NUGENT disapproved of the grant proposed, with reference
to the time in which, to the manner in which, and to the
_person_ for whom, the grant was proposed. He differed with
his honourable friend who spoke first in the debate, not in
his vote, but in that he did not admit public rumour to
influence his vote. For his own part, he voted mainly on
evidence which could come before the House only by public
rumour,--public rumour uncontradicted and unencountered!!!"

"Lord A. HAMILTON thought the House was called upon to
consider the _merits of the individual_ before it assented to
this proposition, unless it were assumed that, upon the
marriage of any branch of the royal family, the House was
bound to grant an additional allowance, without any
consideration of the nature of the marriage, which was a
proposition too preposterous to be maintained! The intimation,
too, which he understood to be authentic, that it was the
intention of the Duke of Cumberland not to reside in this
country, furnished another argument against the present
measure; nay, it was stated that the grant was brought forward
upon the _settled condition that his royal highness should fix
his residence_ ELSEWHERE!"

"Mr. METHUEN contended that the House ought to shew, by its
vote that night, that it was not inattentive to the _morals_
of the country, and that therefore he should oppose the grant,
not from the slightest personal motives, but merely in the
conscientious discharge of what he conceived to be his duty."

"Sir H. MONTGOMERY said, that when the present bill was first
brought into the House, he voted for it, because he thought
the proposed sum was no more than what was necessary; but,
from what he had heard since, he almost fancied he had done
something very wrong! In the present case, however, he really
saw nothing which would warrant the House in putting such a
_stigma_ upon his royal highness as _would be conveyed by
refusing the grant_!"

The House of Commons DID REFUSE THE GRANT, though only by a small majority. But this majority was sufficient, according to Sir H. Montgomery, one of his royal highness' _admirers_, to cast a STIGMA on the Duke of Cumberland!