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Title: Autobiography of Miss Cornelia Knight, lady companion to the Princess Charlotte of Wales, Volume 1 (of 2) - with extracts from her journals and anecdote books
Author: Knight, Ellis Cornelia
Language: English
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*** Start of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "Autobiography of Miss Cornelia Knight, lady companion to the Princess Charlotte of Wales, Volume 1 (of 2) - with extracts from her journals and anecdote books" ***
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[Illustration: The Princess Charlotte.
– Sir Tho^s Lawrence pinx^t
– J. A. Vinter, lith.
– Day & Son, Lith^rs. to the Queen]
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AUTOBIOGRAPHY
OF
MISS CORNELIA KNIGHT,
LADY COMPANION TO THE
PRINCESS CHARLOTTE OF WALES.
WITH EXTRACTS FROM HER JOURNALS AND ANECDOTE BOOKS.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. I.
THIRD EDITION.
LONDON:
W. H. ALLEN AND CO., 7, LEADENHALL STREET.
MDCCCLXI.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTRODUCTION.
A BOOK of this kind scarcely needs a sponsor. It carries the impression
of its authenticity on every page. A few words, however, may be said
about the circumstances of its publication. In the expectation that I
should find in them materials for an interesting work, the papers from
which these volumes have been compiled were given to me, some years ago,
by the family into whose hands they passed on Miss Knight’s death. On
examining them, I found that they consisted of a considerable number of
journal-books, the dates of which covered more than half a century, and
an unfinished autobiographical memoir, written principally on loose
sheets of paper. The latter had obviously been commenced at a very late
period of life, and had been interrupted by death. The Journals,
however, supplied all that was needed to complete the Memoir to the very
end of the writer’s life. Indeed, the continuous Memoir had been written
from the Diaries, with only occasional additions supplied by the
recollection of the writer, and was, in many places, little more than a
transcript of them.
As I had no doubt that the Autobiography had been written with a view to
publication, after, if not before, the author’s death, I felt that in
giving it to the world I should only be carrying out the intentions
which, had she lived, Miss Knight would herself have fulfilled. And, on
consideration, I could see nothing to be deprecated in the fulfilment of
those intentions. It is true that a very considerable portion of the
manuscript related to the private concerns of the Royal Family of
England. But, even if the publications of Madame D’Arblay, Lady
Charlotte Campbell, Lord Malmesbury, the Duke of Buckingham, and others,
had not rendered all scruples on this score almost an over-refinement of
delicacy, it was to be considered that nearly half a century had passed
since the principal events recorded by Miss Knight had occurred, and
that really those events, however private and domestic in their origin,
had grown into legitimate history, and might properly be so treated.
Indeed, it might fairly be questioned whether they could ever be
considered as anything else. For, although I cannot subscribe to the
doctrine that there is one Family in England which has no private
history (such being the penalty exacted for its greatness), it is
sometimes in the very nature of things that privacy is impossible, and
that the affairs of royalty, whatsoever may be their delicacy, become
public history before they are a day old. And it is so notorious that
this was especially the case during the years of the Regency and the
early part of the reign of George IV., that if it were not that the
literary tendencies of the age are towards premature revelations,
indicating a total disregard of the sanctity of domestic life, and that
any kind of protest against it may do some good, I should have thought
it altogether a work of supererogation to say a word in defence of the
publication of such a Memoir as this.
Moreover, these volumes, though not the least interesting, are perhaps
the most harmless of their class. Miss Knight was no retailer of
prurient scandal or frivolous gossip; she had too good a heart to
delight in the one, and too good a head to indulge in the other. Some,
therefore, may think that she neglected her opportunities, and that her
Memoirs are wanting in piquancy of revelation and vivacity of style. But
it appears to me that the very simplicity of the narrative greatly
increases its value. There is such an entire absence of everything like
effort to produce effect, that the reader is irresistibly impressed with
the conviction that he has before him the inornate truth, and that he
may confide in every statement of the narrator.
Whilst, therefore, I had no scruples on the score of publication, I had,
on the other hand, a very strong impression that by publishing these
papers, and thus contributing an important addition to existing
materials of history illustrative of the reign of George III. and the
Regency, I should render a service to Literature and to Truth. But my
time was engrossed by other occupations, and I know not when these
volumes might have been prepared for the press if it had not been for
assistance very cordially rendered by my friend, Mr. James Hutton, of
whose intimate acquaintance with the social history of England in the
Georgian era no better proof could be afforded than that which speaks
out from his interesting volume on English Life “A Hundred Years Ago.”
To him, indeed, is to be assigned any praise that may be due for the
editing of these volumes, for his, in a much higher degree than mine,
have been the intelligence, the industry, and the care bestowed upon
them.
The story of Miss Knight’s life is soon told. The daughter of Admiral
Sir Joseph Knight, an officer of well-deserved reputation, she was born
about the year 1757. Her childish years appear to have been spent in
London, where she received an excellent education, and made the
acquaintance, as a girl, of Johnson, Goldsmith, Burke, Reynolds, and
other celebrities of the age. In 1775, Sir Joseph Knight died; and
shortly afterwards, Lady Knight, being in straitened circumstances, and
having failed to obtain a pension from the Crown, turned her back upon
England, and, taking Cornelia with her, travelled through France, and
finally fixed her residence in Italy.
During a space of some twenty years after their departure from England,
they appear to have oscillated between Rome and Naples, mixing in the
best society of those cities, and seeing much both of the political and
prelatical sides of Italian life. That in spite of these environments,
Cornelia Knight remained both a good Protestant and a loyal Englishwoman
we have the best possible proof in her Memoirs and Journals. Living in a
revolutionary period, she had a hatred of revolutions, and was a Tory
and a Bourbonite in every pulse of her heart.
At Naples, Lady Knight and her daughter became the familiar friends of
Sir William and Lady Hamilton; and when, after the victory of the Nile,
Nelson sailed into the Bay and delivered the Royal Family from the
dangers which beset them, it was only consistent with the general
kindliness of the hero’s nature that he should have taken a deep
personal interest in the welfare of the widow and daughter of a brother
officer. In return, Miss Knight celebrated his victories in patriotic
verse, and was called by the naval officers of the time “Nelson’s poet
laureate.”
In 1799, Lady Knight died, at Palermo, and Cornelia, in fulfilment of
her mother’s dying injunctions, placed herself under the protection of
the Hamiltons. In the following year she accompanied them and Lord
Nelson to England—being then about forty-two years of age.
In England she found many friends, with whom she had first become
acquainted on the Continent, and the circle was soon widened, including
in it some of the most distinguished persons of the age. In this society
she did not move merely on sufferance. Miss Knight enjoyed at this time
considerable reputation as a lady of extensive learning and manifold
accomplishments. She had written some books, which, being in the stately
classical style, hit the taste of the age;[1] and she was celebrated for
her extensive acquaintance with ancient and modern languages. Being a
person of high principle, of a blameless life, and altogether a
gentlewoman, it was not strange that, possessing also those intellectual
gifts, and having numerous influential friends, she should have
recommended herself, or been recommended by others, to the favourable
notice of the Royal Family of England. Among her friends was Mr. Pitt,
whose opinion it was that the education of the young Princess Charlotte
of Wales could be entrusted to no fitter person.
Other arrangements were made for the early instruction of the Princess;
but Miss Knight had been marked out for a Court life, and in 1806 she
became one of the attachées of Queen Charlotte, and took up her
residence at Windsor.
There she remained during a period of about seven years, at the end of
which, having been included in some new arrangements which were being
made for the household of the Princess Charlotte, then growing into
womanhood, she left the Court of the Queen (who never forgave her for
the desertion) and settled at Warwick House, which was then the domicile
of the young Princess, adjoining the residence of her father.
Here Miss Knight sojourned, in attendance upon the Princess, until the
eventful July of 1814. The papers had called her, and she is still
called in contemporary memoirs, the governess of the Princess Charlotte.
But she repudiated this title, and claimed her right official
nomenclature of “lady companion” to the Princess. That she had a
difficult part to play at Warwick House is certain; that she did not
pass the ordeal unscathed is not surprising. Her conduct in the trying
circumstances in which she was thrown appears to have been
straightforward and honourable; but the Prince Regent, not understanding
it at the time, resented it, and Miss Knight was dismissed.
Throughout the year 1815 and the early part of 1816, Miss Knight resided
principally in London. In the spring of the latter year she went abroad,
and the record of the next twenty years is one of almost continuous
wandering. In France, Italy, and Germany she spent the greater part of
her remaining life. The restoration of the Bourbons made Paris a point
of attraction to her, and there she appears to have been greatly
esteemed by the Royal Family, especially by Charles X., who had a high
opinion of her learning, and was wont to ask her, after any interval of
absence from his capital, what new language she had learnt. In Germany
she spent some time at the Court of Würtemberg, and also at that of the
petty principality of Hesse-Homburg—both of which were connected by
marriage with our own Royal Family. And so her wanderings were continued
into the year 1837, in the December of which she died, after a short
illness, at Paris, in the eighty-first year of her age.
In her later years she devoted herself more to Society than to
Literature, and she gave nothing to the world beyond a few fugitive
pieces. But she seems to have contemplated some more extended works, of
which some fragments remain among her papers. These are principally
chapters of Italian or German romances, suggested by the scenes of her
travels. But it appears to me that the very qualities which impart so
much value to her narration of facts incapacitated her for the
achievement of success as a writer of fiction. She was, in truth,
anything but an imaginative person. The works which she published have
little in them to attract the present generation, but in that respect
they do not differ much from the writings of most of her contemporaries.
No one reads “Dinarbas” now-a-days; but is “Rasselas” a popular work
with the rising generation?
But even by her own generation it is probable that Miss Knight herself
was held in greater esteem than her works. Madame Piozzi called her the
“far-famed Cornelia Knight.” Everybody, indeed, knew her. There was
scarcely a city of any note in Southern Europe in which she was not well
known—and to know was to esteem and admire her for all her fine
qualities of head and heart. How many friends she had, and in how many
parts of the world, these volumes pleasantly indicate; and, although
they are remarkably free from every kind of egotism, it is impossible
not to gather from them that Miss Ellis Cornelia Knight was an amiable
and accomplished person, of high principles and a blameless way of life,
worthy to be held in remembrance as a bright exemplar of that best of
all womanhood, an English gentlewoman.
J. W. KAYE.
Norwood. Whitsuntide, 1861.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENTS TO VOL. I.
-------
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
Parentage of Miss Knight—Anecdotes of her 1
Father—Her early Days—Education—Society—Sir
Joshua Reynolds—Burke—Goldsmith—Baretti—Anecdote
of Dr. Johnson—Death of Admiral Knight
CHAPTER II.
Paris—Lalande and Boscovich—Toulouse—Archbishop de 23
Brienne—His Character and Conduct—The Emperor
Joseph II.—Floral Games—A Philosophical Knight
of Malta
CHAPTER III.
Montpellier—The Archbishop of Narbonne—Liberal 34
Views of Commercial Policy—Society at
Montpellier—Departure for Italy
CHAPTER IV.
Rome—Cardinal de Bernis—Roman Society—Roman 49
Morals—Anecdotes of Cardinal de Bernis, M. de
Choiseul, the Duc de Crillon, and others
CHAPTER V.
Residence at Rome—Ceremony at St. 61
Peter’s—Midsummer Madness—Anecdote of M.
Clermont—The Ambassador and the Actress—Pope
Ganganelli
CHAPTER VI.
Naples—The King and Queen—Nismes—Vienne—The 91
Embassy from Tippoo Sahib—Genoa—Rome—The
Revolution and the Papacy—Arrival of the French
Troops
CHAPTER VII.
Sir William Hamilton—Expected Arrival of a British 105
Squadron—State of Feeling at Naples—The King and
Queen—Arrival of Nelson—His Reception—Excitement
at Naples
CHAPTER VIII.
Palermo and the Sicilians—Events at Naples—Death 132
of Lady Knight—The Hamiltons and Lord
Nelson—Execution of Caraccioli—Arrival of Sir
Arthur Paget—Departure for Malta
CHAPTER IX.
Departure from Palermo—Leghorn—Journey 146
homewards—Alfieri—Haydn—Klopstock—Reception of
Nelson—England—Society there—Lord and Lady
Nelson
CHAPTER X.
Society in England—Elizabeth Carter—Arrangements 164
at Court—Miss Knight enters the Queen’s
Service—State of the King’s Health—Death of the
Princess Amelia
CHAPTER XI.
State of the Court—The Regency—Princess of 179
Wales—Princess Charlotte—Arrangements for the
Education of the Princess—Miss Knight becomes
Lady Companion
CHAPTER XII.
Life at Warwick House—A Royal 199
Dinner-party—Princess Charlotte’s
Companions—Dinner at the Duke of York’s—Ball at
Carlton House—Treatment of the Princess
Charlotte
CHAPTER XIII.
The Letter in the Morning Chronicle—The Prince and 216
Princess of Wales—Painful Position of the
Princess Charlotte—Father and Daughter—The
Princess in Retirement—The Delicate
Investigation—Behaviour of the Princess
Charlotte
CHAPTER XIV.
Life at Warwick House—The Princess Charlotte’s 231
Establishment—Her Wardrobe—The Duchess
d’Angoulême—A Dinner at Carlton House—The Duke
of Gloucester—The Duke of Devonshire
CHAPTER XV.
Festivities at Carlton House—Complaints and 244
Accusations—Letter to Lady Liverpool—Visit to
Sandhurst—Arrival of the Prince of Orange—A
Suitor for the Princess Charlotte—Royal
Match-Making—Letter to the Princess Charlotte
CHAPTER XVI.
Return to Warwick House—The Prince of 263
Orange—Manœuvring—The Princess Charlotte
Betrothed—Feelings of the Princess—The Great
Frost
CHAPTER XVII.
The Great Frost—Domestic Amusements of the 272
Princess Charlotte—Projected Marriage with the
Prince of Orange—The Question of
Residence—Anxieties of the Princess—Tortuous
Negotiations
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Allied Sovereigns—Rupture with the Prince of 295
Orange—Prince Leopold—Family Scenes—Letter of
the Princess Charlotte—Her Escape from Warwick
House—Scene at Carlton House—The Princess in
Durance
FOOTNOTES. 342
------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX.
PAGE
Dr. Johnson and Mrs. Williams 313
Lord Nelson’s Journey Home 319
The Princess Charlotte and her Mother 323
Opening of the Coffin of Charles I 333
The Orange Match 335
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MISS KNIGHT.
-------
CHAPTER I.
PARENTAGE OF MISS KNIGHT—ANECDOTES OF HER FATHER—HER EARLY
DAYS—EDUCATION—SOCIETY—SIR JOSHUA
REYNOLDS—BURKE—GOLDSMITH—BARETTI—ANECDOTE OF DR. JOHNSON—DEATH OF
ADMIRAL KNIGHT.
MY ancestors, on my father’s side, lost a very considerable landed
property from their attachment to the cause of royalty, during the
unfortunate reign of Charles the First. My grandfather had a trifling
employment in Cornwall, where my father, his youngest son, was born. The
latter entered the naval service of the Crown at the age of fourteen, on
board a ship of war, commanded by his brother. He had previously
received a good education, and had attained as much classical knowledge
as could be expected at so early a period of life; and what is very
remarkable, though constantly and almost exclusively engaged in the
duties of his profession, he never forgot his Greek and Latin.[2]
That singular character, Wortley Montagu,[3] was on board my uncle’s
ship, and, of course, became much acquainted with my father, insomuch
that when my uncle was appointed to the command of another ship, and
took his brother with him, Montagu would stay no longer, and suddenly
disappeared. This was the commencement of his wanderings, as I was told
by an old gentleman who had been his tutor, and who was struck by my
resemblance to my father at nearly the same age as that at which he had
known him.
During half a century my father served his king and country with
unremitting zeal and attachment. He was present at most of the memorable
sieges and engagements of his time, and died at the age of sixty-six, a
rear-admiral of the white squadron and a knight.
Unassuming, disinterested, and possessing the nicest sense of honour, he
never received a reprimand from a superior officer, and never injured
the character of one under his command by a complaint to the Board of
Admiralty. Strict in the performance of his own duty, he exacted the
same from others. He was known to be kind, as well as just; he was
beloved, and he was obeyed.
When very young, he had married a lady, by whom he had a son and two
daughters. His son died a captain in the army before my father married
his second wife, my mother, a lady of an Essex family, whose crest was a
_tortoise_, while that of my father was an eagle on a spray. This
contrast of the slow and the swift is not more remarkable than that of
the histories of the two families. As the ancestor of my father, Sir
Joseph Knight, lost his estates in Cheshire and part of Whittleby Forest
on account of his supporting the cause of Charles the First, so Sir
Anthony Dean,[4] one of my mother’s family, a warm partisan of the
Commonwealth, having exchanged one of his Essex estates with Colonel
Sparrow for Hyde Park, was deprived of the latter at the Restoration,
and without receiving what he had given up, was obliged to relinquish
the property belonging to government.
My mother was, however, no friend of revolutions; and her principles in
that respect perfectly agreed with those of my father. She had great
quickness of perception, wit, and vivacity, a happy facility in
conversation, and a singular frankness of temper. I never knew any one
who better combined economy with the most disinterested generosity, or
the most affectionate warmth of heart with the keenest satirical
penetration. She was feared by some, but loved by many. She had read
much, but having lost her mother at her birth, and having been brought
up in the country at a time when education had not made general
progress, she was resolved that I should not labour under the same
disadvantage, and her ideas on the subject were very extensive. Had I
possessed half her acuteness of mind, firmness of character, and
buoyancy of spirits, there is nothing that I might not have attained,
from the pains that she took with my education.
The first event which I can recollect was the return of my father from
the West Indies, where he had been left for some time after the
conclusion of peace, with the command at the Havannah, until that place
was restored to Spain by the new treaty. I remember being carried up the
ship’s side, when I was taken by my mother to Portsmouth to meet him.
The height of the ship and the waves of the sea left a strong impression
on my mind.
My father liked the Spaniards, as I afterwards heard him say, and as my
mother used to tell me in later times. He was friendly and kind to them,
and they are not forgetful of benefits, nor, alas! of injuries.
One of the Judges of the Havannah, hearing Captain Knight called by his
christian as well as his family name at a dinner-party, sprang from his
chair and flew into my father’s arms, calling him his preserver, his
benefactor. It seems, that when this Spaniard was very young, and on his
first voyage to the West Indies, he had been taken prisoner by an
English ship of war, on board of which my father was a lieutenant.
Seeing the distress and fright of the youth, who, having just left his
parents, loaded with valuable gifts, relics, and keepsakes, trembled for
his treasures, and who, having been used to every comfort at home, was
wretched in his present situation, my father gave him up his own cabin,
took care of his property, and made him perfectly easy and happy.
Remembering all this with the most grateful feeling, the Spaniard, then
in one of the highest offices of the Havannah, pressed my father to come
to his house, and offered him every attention; but he declined it, for,
as he said, he knew the man would want him to accept valuable presents,
and he might offend him by refusing. He, indeed, constantly refused what
might be called remuneration of any kind; and was of opinion that no man
in a public situation could be just or independent unless he kept clear
of such obligations.
On the day of my completing my fifth year I was taken to the school of
Mesdames Thompets, four sisters from Switzerland, to which I was to go
as a parlour day-boarder, three times a week, for the purpose of
learning to dance and to speak French. This was certainly no hard
injunction, and I had some young friends there; but it was long a great
distress to me, and I dreaded the three unfortunate days to a degree not
to be described.
On the intermediate days I had masters at home. One of these was M.
Petitpierre, who had been a pastor of the Swiss church of Neufchatel,
and had been dismissed by the synod of that place for having preached a
doctrine which was not approved. He, it seems, pleaded that he had only,
when ordained, promised to interpret the Scriptures to the best of his
knowledge and comprehension; but the heads of his Church said that his
doctrine, which implied the non-eternity of punishments, might not be
dangerous for themselves, who were enlightened men, but would be greatly
so for their wives and servants.
Frederick, King of Prussia, as in some measure sovereign of Neufchatel,
interfered in behalf of Petitpierre, but without success; and he is said
to have finished by remarking, “Eh bien! si messieurs de Neufchatel
veulent être damnés à toute éternité, ainsi soit-il!”
M. Petitpierre had a great number of scholars in London, and was
certainly an excellent master. He taught me French, Latin, the elements
of Greek, and of the mathematics, with geography and history. He was a
man of great simplicity of manners, and I had a sincere regard for him.
He was the protector and comforter of all the Swiss who wanted his
assistance, and generally esteemed by those who were settled in our
country.
At length, the sister of one of those, who had chiefly caused his
banishment, happened to be in great difficulties, from which he
extricated her; and she wrote to her brother, saying that the man whom
the synod had exiled was the guardian angel of his countrymen and
countrywomen in England.
Petitpierre was, in consequence of this, and, perhaps, other letters of
similar import, recalled to Neufchatel, by a solemn deputation of the
synod, to his brother’s house. He went and paid a visit to his friends,
but did not settle in his native country till after the death of his
wife.
The too famous Marat was a Swiss physician, and used to visit at the
school. All that I can recollect of him were his person and countenance,
which were very repulsive.
The dancing-master was Novere, brother of the celebrated ballet-master
of that name. It is, I believe, impossible for any one to have been a
more proper instructor—graceful without affectation, a good time-ist,
and, I believe, a good domestic character in private life. As he had
many scholars—he and Gallini being the dancing-masters the most in
fashion—he made some money, and bought, as he said, “an estate for
himself and his _ancestors_.”
* * * * *
Sir Joshua Reynolds was, during my childhood, the painter in fashion,
and his house was the resort of the men of letters most known at that
time. He had living with him an unmarried sister (Miss Frances
Reynolds), for whom my mother had a real friendship. She was an amiable
woman, very simple in her manner, but possessed of much information and
talent, for which I do not think every one did her justice, on account
of the singular _naïveté_ which was her characteristic quality, or
defect, for it often gave her the appearance of want of knowledge. She
was a good painter and musician, and I have seen some of her poetical
compositions, which have appeared to me very pleasing, and in good
taste.
I used often to pass the day with her, when she would give me
instructions in drawing, and as I was very intimate with her younger
niece,[5] we used to pass much time in rooms where the portraits of most
of the celebrated beauties, men of letters, and politicians of the time,
were exposed to view.
Sir Joshua Reynolds was a very popular person. All seemed satisfied with
their portraits, and he had the art of rendering the costume
picturesque, without departing from the mode of the time so as to make
the resemblance less striking. There was in his paintings a fascination
which still, in great measure, prevails, though many are faded; and the
drawing was always correct. I believe he was good, friendly, and
benevolent in a high degree. His pronunciation was tinctured with the
Devonshire accent; his features were coarse, and his outward appearance
slovenly, but his mind was certainly not inelegant, and the graces which
he did not himself possess he could confer on his pictures. Sir Joshua
loved high company, and wished his house to be considered as a Lyceum.
In this he had Rubens and Vandyke in view. He was, indeed, surrounded by
the wits and men of learning, and their society was harmonised by the
goodness of his disposition, and the purity of his sister’s character
and manners.
Johnson, Burke, Goldsmith, Baretti, Langton,[6] Beauclerk,[7] and Mrs.
Montagu, were often his guests. As President of the Royal Academy, the
speeches of Sir Joshua Reynolds were admired for the style, though
probably not for the matter of them. He was, I suppose, assisted by his
literary friends, and more particularly by Johnson. Michael Angelo was
his idol. Sir Joshua had been at Rome while young, but before he left
England he had painted several portraits of sea officers, friends of
Lord Edgecombe, which portraits are, I imagine, still to be seen at that
most beautiful place Mount Edgecombe. I recollect seeing at Devonport
the portrait of an old lady of ninety, of the same date, and I think it
is one of his best performances. The colours, too, had not faded, as in
many of his later works.
I recollect being delighted with the conversation of Mr. Burke, amused
by the buffoonery of Goldsmith, and disgusted with the satirical madness
of manner of Baretti,[8] whose work, entitled “Frusta Literaria,” had, I
believe, been the principal cause of his leaving Piedmont. He was,
however, a great favourite in this society, and was warmly supported
when he had to take his trial for having stabbed a man who insulted him
one night in the street. He was acquitted, because it was considered to
have been done in self-defence. Being a foreigner, he was probably more
frightened than he might have been had he known our country better, and
he used, therefore, a weapon not common with us, though it might be in
Piedmont. I was then a child; but I remember being so shocked at his
shaking hands with me, that I said to my mother at night, “Did I ever
think I should shake hands with a murderer!” It is certain that Baretti
was a man of great learning and information.
Goldsmith was, I feel sure, very good-natured, and though neither his
features, person, nor manners had anything of grace to recommend them,
his countenance, as far as I can recollect, was honest and open, and in
his behaviour there was something easy and natural, removed from
vulgarity no less than from affectation. His buffoonery, of which I have
spoken, was a sort of childish playfulness, such as drinking off a glass
of water reversed on the table without spilling a drop, and similar
tricks. On some occasion—I forget what—he was told that he must wear a
silk coat, and he purchased one second-hand, which had been a
nobleman’s, without observing that there was visible on the breast a
mark showing where a star had been. He was beloved, and his death was
truly lamented.
The observations of so young a child as I then was can be of no
consequence, but of all these personages the one whom I liked best was
Mr. Burke, perhaps because he condescended to notice me. Of Mrs.
Montagu,[9] all that I can remember is that she called me “a stupid
child,” because I did not find out the puzzle of a gold ring which she
wore.
As to Johnson, he was always kind to me, but he was very intimate at our
house, had a high opinion of my father, and conversed willingly with my
mother, who never failed to contradict him when she was not of his way
of thinking, and yet never received from him a disagreeable reply.
An elderly lady, named Williams,[10] who had been a friend of his wife,
lived with him. Though blind, and suffering very much from a pain in the
head, she acted as his housekeeper, and managed all the affairs of his
domestic life. Born in a respectable station, she had been well
educated, but had no fortune. She had high principles, great strength of
mind, and a sound judgment. Her manners were perfectly good, and her
taste in literature correct. She was of a Welsh family, and had lost her
sight irrecoverably when a young woman; but it was wonderful to see how
little trouble she gave; she worked well, and even made her own gowns.
My mother had a great regard for her, and she often passed the day with
us.
I remember going with Mrs. Williams and Mr. and Mrs. Hoole to see the
tragedy of “Cyrus,” written by Mr. Hoole,[11] in imitation of the “Ciro”
of Metastasio, Mrs. Yates taking the part of Mandane.[12]
The King of Denmark[13] was at that time on a visit to England, and gave
a masquerade ball at the Opera House, for which, of course, everybody
was anxious to get tickets. In the epilogue to “Cyrus,” amongst other
satirical strokes, as usual, on the habits and customs of the times,
were the following lines:
With us what griefs from ills domestic rise,
When now a beau, and now a monkey dies!
In this our iron age, still harder lot,
A masquerade—no tickets to be got!
On the following morning, after the first hearing of this epilogue,
tickets were left at the door of Mrs. Yates.
This, I have been told, was the first masquerade given in London after
the death of George the Second, who was very fond of them, and seldom
missed them at the theatre. George the Third did not approve of an
amusement which he thought might lead to much that was wrong. He did
not, however, refuse his brother-in-law, though he endeavoured to
persuade him to give a fête of another description, and all he could
afterwards do was not to encourage masquerades by his presence.
To return to Mr. Hoole. I was captivated by his translation of Tasso’s
“Jerusalem,” which certainly has great merit. To translate from Italian
into any other language is more than difficult; whereas the Italians can
translate any author, not only of the dead but of the living languages,
with the greatest facility, and with a correctness delightfully
intelligible to the readers of their own country—an advantage also
enjoyed by the Germans in a high degree.
When I first knew Dr. Johnson, I was a little afraid of his deep tone of
voice and great wig; but when I had reached my seventh or eighth year, I
was accustomed to all this, and felt grateful for his indulgence.
He was introduced to George the Fourth, then a child, in the library at
St. James’s. He asked the young prince some questions about his studies,
and when he took leave of him, said, “God bless you, sir! and make you
as good a man and as great a king as your father.”
The ideas of Johnson on social order were carried so far, that when he
wanted to send for his favourite cat he would not order his servant, who
was a negro, to procure it, saying that it was not good to employ human
beings in the service of animals; he therefore went himself on the
errand. When I went abroad, Dr. Johnson gave me his blessing, and
exhorted me not to become a Roman Catholic, adding, that “if I extended
my belief, I might at length turn Turk.” I was insensible of the
goodness of the advice, because I knew it to be unnecessary, and was
therefore hurt at the supposition. Indeed, I still think, that if Dr.
Johnson had possessed as much discrimination of character as learning,
he would rather have advised me to remember I was a Christian, and never
allow vanity or the love of pleasure to lead me into follies unworthy of
that sacred character. I should have _felt_ that I wanted such advice,
and, probably, should have often thought of it, _at least_ with
gratitude.
Johnson was a sincere lover of equal justice, and though feeling great
respect for the distinctions of rank and lawful authority, he was far
from being servile, or what is called a courtier.
He had a great respect for men who served their country by sea or land,
and was heard to say that, let a man be ever so distinguished for rank
or abilities, he could not help thinking that he must, when in company
with an officer of long and splendid services, feel himself his
inferior.
He was very curious to see the manner of living and the discipline on
board a ship of war, and when my father was appointed to the command of
the _Ramilies_, of seventy-four guns, and to sail with the command of a
squadron for Gibraltar, at the time when a war with Spain was expected,
Johnson went to Portsmouth, and passed a week on board with my father.
He inquired into everything, made himself very agreeable to the
officers, and was much pleased with his visit.
When he was conveyed on shore, the young officer whom my father had sent
to accompany him, asked if he had any further commands. “Sir,” said
Johnson, “have the goodness to thank the commodore and all the officers
for their kindness to me, and tell Mr. ——, the first lieutenant, that I
beg he will leave off the practice of swearing.”
The young man, willing, if possible, to justify, or at least excuse, his
superior, replied that, unfortunately, there was no making the sailors
do their duty without using strong language, and that his Majesty’s
service required it. “Then, pray, sir,” answered Johnson, “tell Mr. ——
that I beseech him not to use one oath more than is absolutely required
for the service of his Majesty.”
Among the persons of talent whom we knew, I must not forget
Gainsborough. He might be said to be self-taught. I have heard my
mother, who knew all about Essex and Suffolk people, say that his father
kept a shop, and he was obliged to pink shrouds, &c. Every spare moment
he gave to drawing. He studied every tree in the counties in which he
lived, and was never out of England. Had he studied in Italy, he would
not only have been the first of English painters, but probably would
have formed a school in this country. His genius was very great. His
landscapes are Nature itself, and his portraits, though perhaps not so
fascinating as those of Sir Joshua, were correct likenesses. He had an
almost equal talent for music as for painting, and I never saw an artist
who had less presumption or vanity.
* * * * *
My father sailed for Gibraltar with a convoy of troops for that
garrison; but, peace being settled, he brought back others in exchange.
On his return, he was ordered to pay off the ships of war then at
Chatham, and afterwards appointed to the command of the _Ocean_, of
ninety guns, a guard-ship at Plymouth.
Thither we removed, and had a house in the square of what was then
called Plymouth Dock. Admiral Spry commanded the fleet there; but as he
was in Parliament, and often absent, my father, who was senior officer,
had the duty of commander to perform during three-fourths of the year.
Spry had an estate in Cornwall, and was a great friend of my father, in
whom he placed the highest confidence, otherwise I do not believe that
he would have made such frequent and long absences, for he was a
sensible man and a good officer, though not fond of being confined to a
seaport.
Whatever was _duty_ was preferred by my father to every other
consideration; and he not only took the greatest pains to acquit himself
of that which was his portion at Plymouth, but was most hospitable and
kind to the officers under his command, and to all the foreigners who
either came on service or were recommended to him on visits of pleasure
or curiosity. Among the latter were several Russian noblemen, and the
Duc de Guignes, the French ambassador at our Court.
It was my father who despatched a frigate, under the command of Captain
Macbride, to convey the unfortunate Queen Matilda[14] from Copenhagen to
Germany; and on that occasion he acted with a dignity similar to that
shown by our minister Sir Robert Keith; for he would not allow any of
the Danish noblemen to hand the Queen into the barge, saying, “No,
gentlemen, her Majesty is now under the protection of England.”
Sir Edward Hughes, Captain Barrington, Captain Fielding, and other
officers commanding guard-ships, were constantly at our house. Captain
Vandeput, who commanded a frigate, hearing that my father had a girl who
was learning Italian, lent me his library, during a long cruise. It
consisted of several books in that language, as well as in French.
I had a few lessons in Greek from the chaplain of the dockyard; but, in
most respects, I had not here much assistance in continuing my studies;
and from the circumstances in which we were placed, I was thrown more
into society than was expedient at so early a period of my life; but, at
the time, I was, of course, pleased with it to a certain degree, though
I can now remember little that was interesting during our residence at
Devonport.
No man, I think, was more generally beloved than Captain Barrington. His
eldest brother, Lord Barrington, was long Secretary to the War
Department, and had considerable influence; but Captain Barrington, who
was unassuming and unambitious, seemed never to avail himself of this
circumstance, unless by being the first to get his ship out of dock, or
any other exigency of service, not perhaps being even conscious that his
situation in life gained him this advantage with the persons on whom the
business depended.
He was an enemy to all ostentation, kept a good table on board his ship,
but without magnificence, that he might not hurt the feelings of his
brother officers, who were not in circumstances as easy as his own. He
was very charitable, and he paid for all the letters which came to the
seamen under his command. It was remarked that there never was a dinner
at which eight or ten sea officers were assembled without Barrington’s
health being drunk.
One of his lieutenants, Mr. Blenkett, had been long known to my mother.
He had wit and talent, knowledge of the world, and literary
acquirements. When abroad, he used to correspond with my mother, and his
letters were very amusing.
Bath was at that time a very fashionable place, and Mr. B., having leave
of absence for two or three weeks, sent to my mother from thence the
following lines, which he had composed doubtless in imitation of the
“Bath Guide:”[15]
MISS DOLLY DAPPERLOVE TO MISS BIDDY BLOSSOM.
I am all in a flurry! would you think it, my dear,
That sweet little creature, Bob Jervis, is here?
There is no alteration, except that he’s older,
And has got a small beard, which makes him look bolder.
He’s so smiling and nice, so neat and so trim,
That the ladies can look at no mortal but him;
When he enters the rooms the girls giggle and flirt,
While my hero, Bob Jervis, remains quite unhurt;
For he knows that his figure must charm every fair,
And to conquer their hearts he need only appear.
So ladies no longer your charms try in vain,
’Tis for me that Bob Jervis has come back again.
These lines were inserted in a newspaper, and they were the portrait of
a Mr. D——, chaplain to one of the guard-ships, who was also on leave of
absence at Bath. He was a very little man, and a great dandy. The
officers made a great joke of his attention to his person and dress; and
one evening at the Assembly, when he was about to dance with a very tall
young lady, Captain M—— ran and pushed him a stool, desiring him to
mount on it. He took all this very good naturedly, and, notwithstanding
this little weakness in his character, he was a man of learning and
taste in literature.
On our return to town, my father asked for the Newfoundland command; but
received a very flattering letter from Lord Sandwich, First Lord of the
Admiralty, implying that he deserved everything, but that the
appointment was already promised. He was already in a very indifferent
state of health, and lived but a few months after he was promoted to the
rank of Rear-Admiral of the White. He died at Harwich, whither he had
gone that he might have sea-bathing, and was interred in the family
vault of my mother in the Chapel Royal, where I have since erected an
humble monument to his memory and to that of my mother. His last meal
consisted of a little fruit and a glass of wine, which I gave him, and
which he drank to the health of his king, “wishing him out of all his
trouble,” for the American business was then the theme of all
politicians.
After this he begged my mother to read to him “The Sermon on the
Mount”—a part of Scripture which he particularly loved. While she was
reading, he expired. Nearly all the inhabitants of Harwich followed him
to the grave, and many wore mourning for some days.
After this irreparable loss, we passed the winter in London. My mother
applied for a pension, and a memorial of my father’s services, which she
presented to the king at St. James’s, was drawn up by Dr. Johnson. It
was graciously received, but Lord Sandwich having observed that she was
not in absolute want, the request was not granted.
My mother, then finding that she could not live in London with that
propriety which she had at heart, made up her mind to go abroad, with
the intention of remaining three years on the Continent—a plan very
congenial to my own wishes. She offered to take my sister with us, but
she preferred remaining in England with a very amiable woman, an old
friend of my mother. This lady was the widow of a clergyman, and my
sister had already passed some years with her to finish her education,
as she was not more than twelve years old when my father married for the
second time. She afterwards married the Rev. Maurice Mosely, and died
without children.
My mother’s first cousin, Sir Philip Staples, was at that time Secretary
to the Admiralty. He was a man of talent and information, fond of the
arts, and agreeable in society; but, for some years, we had seen little
of him, on account of a dispute between a sister who lived with him and
my mother. He was always on good terms with my father, and was present
at the opening of his will.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER II.
PARIS—LALANDE AND BOSCOVICH—TOULOUSE—ARCHBISHOP DE BRIENNE—HIS CHARACTER
AND CONDUCT—THE EMPEROR JOSEPH II.—FLORAL GAMES—A PHILOSOPHICAL KNIGHT
OF MALTA.
IN the spring of 1776,[16] we embarked at Dover for Calais, and arrived
at Paris with letters for Lord Stormont (but he was absent), for Colonel
St. Paul (secretary of embassy), &c., and for Lalande and Boscovich, two
famous scientific men.
The Faubourg St. Germain was at that time the part of the town to which
all strangers resorted. I was struck with the contrast between London
and Paris. The houses, of which there are so many, particularly in that
part of the town, _entre cour et jardin_, appeared to me to be immense—a
Swiss porter with a splendid costume at every door, and carriages
sweeping in and out with gold coronets, and coachmen driving with
bag-wigs. The ladies full dressed in the morning; gentlemen walking with
bags and with swords; and children in dress-coats skipping over the
kennels I had seen in the country towns; but in Paris they were not
trusted to walk in the bustle of the streets.
We went to see everything during the fortnight of our stay at Paris that
could well be seen, and were often accompanied by the astronomer royal,
M. de Lalande, for whom Dr. Shepherd, an old friend of my mother, who
was Professor of Astronomy at Cambridge, had given her a letter.
M. de Lalande was a man of great scientific knowledge, and had also
published a “Voyage d’Italie,” of which it is said that when he asked a
Venetian senator how he liked it, the answer was, “Monsieur de Lalande
nous désirons tous que vous fassiez un second voyage.” It is so long
since I read it, and when I did I was very young, and did not know
Italy, that I cannot say whether the skilful evasion was or was not a
fair criticism; but it is probable that Lalande, like many others of all
nations, was not just to a country which is so much visited and so
little known—from whom, however, I am happy to except Eustace.[17]
To return to Lalande. I must do him the justice to say that I do not
recollect his making any remark, or using any expression, which might
denote a disrespect for religion, though he had the reputation,
unfortunately, of being an atheist. I think it difficult, if not
impossible, that an astronomer should be one, but I have heard that,
when delivering a lecture on this science, he happened to say,
“Providence directed so and so,” and that he corrected himself, adding,
“I beg pardon; I mean Nature.” However this may have been, I believe it
is certain that, having been brought up at a college of Jesuits, he
wished to become one of that order, but was prevented by his father, for
which many years after he expressed some regret. “For,” said he, “if I
had become a Jesuit, I should have had better health, deeper knowledge,
and some religion.”
Boscovich was an ex-Jesuit, a Dalmatian of the city of Ragusa, so famous
for its men of learning and science. He was not only a good
mathematician and astronomer, but also a good Latin poet; he had the
talent, which many others of his countrymen have possessed, of composing
with great facility extempore verses in Latin.
Two lines of his epigram on the planets may be thus translated:
’Twixt Mars and Venus as this globe was hurled,
’Tis plain that love and war must rule the world.
In the present time (1835), I should change or correct it thus:
So Boscovich has sung, but now ’tis plain,
That fear of war and love of money reign.
There was something so natural and good natured in his manner it was
impossible not to like him. On his first visit to us, as he was going
away he mistook the door, and opened that of an inner room. Finding his
mistake, he said to my mother, “No doubt you have heard that the Jesuits
are capable of all that is bad, but do not think I was going to commit a
robbery.”[18] He composed an extempore distich in verse, and I am sorry
I did not ask him to write it down.
His place at Paris was “Inspecteur de l’Optique de la Marine,” a place
created for him by his friend M. de Vergennes, then Prime Minister. He
lived there in the best society, and was generally esteemed.
On the second Sunday after our arrival at Paris we went to see the court
and gardens of Versailles, and took our stand among many others in the
great gallery to see the King and Queen and their attendants pass to
their chapel.
I was not so much struck with the beauty of Marie Antoinette as with the
gracefulness of her person, and the very pleasing smile with which her
salutation was accompanied, for she noticed us as she passed. Louis XVI.
appeared grave and rather melancholy.
We saw the Comte and Comtesse d’Artois at dinner, and it was impossible
not to be charmed with the liveliness and elegance of figure which
characterised Charles X., who was then a “winged Mercury,” and whose
open-hearted, benevolent countenance still retains a charm which neither
years nor misfortunes can ever destroy.
At the door, talking to some one of her acquaintance, stood the
Princesse de Lamballe, handsome and distinguished in her appearance. How
painful it is to recur to scenes which recal to the mind the dreadful
events which occurred a few years afterwards.
We left Paris for Toulouse, taking the road of Orleans and Limoges, a
long and tiresome journey, with little interesting or picturesque.
Montauban I thought prettily situated, and it put me in mind of Rinaldo,
Bradamante, and other personages with whom Ariosto had made me
acquainted.
At length, after six days’ posting, we reached the Palladian City, as
Toulouse was called in old times, and it still, in some measure,
deserved the appellation, as it could boast of three academies—des
Sciences, des Beaux Arts, and des Belles Lettres—the last of which is so
well known by the name of _les Jeux Floraux_.
We spent the winter in this capital of Languedoc, were well lodged, and
had no want of society. At that time many of the first families of the
province went rarely to Paris. They had large and handsome houses at
Toulouse, where they spent the winter, as they spent the summer on their
estates. There was no _Chambre des Pairs_ or _des Députés_ to take them
to the metropolis, and unless they had employment at Court, or business
to call them thither, they preferred remaining where they were both
honoured and valued.
Toulouse was an archbishopric, and also at that time the seat of one of
those Courts of Justice now abolished, which were called Parliaments.
That of Toulouse had the reputation of being corrupt and prejudiced, an
accusation which in many respects was unfair. The affair of Calas, whose
father was executed for supposed murder, had made a great noise. The
liberals and philosophers had taken it up warmly; but, after all the
inquiries we could make of unprejudiced persons, we never could decide
whether the sentence was just or unjust.
From the time of the wars of the Albigenses, religious intolerance has
unfortunately been prevalent on both sides of the question, and has been
constantly productive of bloodshed and discord. The Protestants were
violent Calvinists, and many of their antagonists bigoted Jansenists.
The first, on account of their republican ideas, were often supported by
the revolutionary party, which was then forming, and making great
progress.
The high clergy were very tolerant, very charitable, and very delightful
in society; perhaps not always sufficiently strict to the rules of that
exact morality which is expected in the profession to which they were
devoted. But it may be said of many of its members, who were afterwards
victims of their loyalty and principles, what the celebrated Duke of
Marlborough said of himself, “that he could more easily die a martyr
than live a saint.”
In this number we cannot include M. de Brienne, who was at that time
Archbishop of Toulouse. It was not his fate to die a martyr. He became
Archbishop of Sens and Prime Minister; but his success in that post did
not come up to the expectations which had been formed from his talents
in the administration of his diocese and in society. He had a sensible
countenance, an active person, and great facility of expression. By all
accounts his quickness of comprehension was such as hardly to give time
to others to explain themselves, for he seemed to understand every
subject more clearly than the person whom it chiefly concerned.
It was said that Louis XVI. would not allow Monsieur de Brienne to be
Archbishop of Paris on account of his connexion with a certain lady, and
that the archbishop parodied on this occasion a song in the “Chasse
d’Henri Quatre:”
Si le roi Louis
Voulait me donner
Paris, sa grande ville,
Et qu’il me fallût quitter
L’amour de ma mie—
Je dirais au roi Louis:
Reprenez votre Paris,
J’aime mieux ma mie, o gué!
J’aime mieux ma mie.
Whether Monsieur de Brienne said or sang these lines, I know not; but I
have heard he had no taste for music, for, being at the Sistine Chapel
at Rome in the Holy Week, he had allowed that the singing was very fine;
on which a friend said to him, “I see you begin to like music.” He is
reported to have answered, “No, I cannot go so far; but I can now
comprehend that a person may be fond of music without being either a
fool or a madman.” It is a pity he did not write more, for his preface
to the “Memoir of Monsieur de Brienne,” who was a page of Louis XIV., is
very good, and the style excellent.
He visited his diocese every year, but did not remain long at a time. He
was there while we were at Toulouse to receive the Emperor of Germany,
Joseph II., who travelled in the most unostentatious manner, under the
title of Count Falkenstein. At his departure he thanked the archbishop
for his hospitality, but declined his offer of accompanying him to the
next place whither he was going, saying, “I cannot think of taking you
from a city where your duty requires your presence.”
The emperor knew very well what he was saying, and the archbishop
answered with a bow.[19]
In one of the little towns of Languedoc through which Joseph passed, a
lady of the place heard some one complain that the “empereur n’a point
de cortége,” on which she wrote the following lines:
La bienfaisance le précède
La modeste vertu se tient à son côté.
A la vertu l’humanité succède,
Et la marche finit par l’immortalité.
To which she annexed the title of “Cortége de l’Empereur.” I believe the
original history of “The Maid and the Magpie,” which has given occasion
to such pretty operas, was a circumstance that happened at Toulouse. A
lady missed her jewels, and knowing that it was impossible that any one
but her own maid could have entered the room at the time, the poor girl
was imprisoned, tried, and executed. The jewels were afterwards found on
the roof of the house, and a magpie was discovered to have been the
thief. In one of the chapels of the cathedral there was always a lamp
burning for the repose of her soul, on this account, and the family of
the lady used to pray there.
The inhabitants of Toulouse had a taste for poetry, and many agreeable
compositions in different kinds of metre were often read at the academy
of the “Jeux Floraux,” an institution which is said to have owed its
commencement to a lady named Clémence Isaure, of whose history,
unfortunately, nothing more is known, to the great annoyance of
whichever academician has the task of pronouncing an eulogium on this
their benefactress, as is done regularly once a year. The prizes
distributed on these occasions for the best compositions are flowers, in
silver gilt (vermeil), appropriated to each different species of poetry.
This institution dates from the early times of the Troubadours. The
patois of Languedoc is an offspring of their language, and in some
respects it resembles the Spanish.
One of these discourses, at the Floral Games, was read by the Chevalier
d’A——, a knight of Malta, and a man of some little taste in literature.
He was excessively lively, though not young; and he had many Italian
books. We were not at the ceremony of pronouncing his vows, which took
place while we were at Toulouse; but he told us that when he rose from
this awful renunciation of the world, the first person he saw was Lady
L——, a person very different in appearance from most of her
countrywomen, for, though an Irishwoman, she was remarkably plain. “My
first thought,” added the Chevalier d’A——, “then was, ‘Well, if all
women are like Lady L——, there will be no great sacrifice in renouncing
them.’” There was a convent of ladies, of the Order of Malta, which he
took us to see. It was built in an elegant style of Italian
architecture, and the ladies received us with great politeness. This
Order dated from the time of the Crusades; and they had to make the same
proofs of gentle blood for the same number of generations as the
knights.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER III.
MONTPELLIER—THE ARCHBISHOP OF NARBONNE—LIBERAL VIEWS OF COMMERCIAL
POLICY—SOCIETY AT MONTPELLIER—DEPARTURE FOR ITALY.
ABOUT the middle of November we left Toulouse. The weather was lovely,
with a clear frosty sunshine. We embarked on a large boat belonging to
the province, in company with the “Inspecteur des Travaux,” who was on
his way to Montpellier, to make his annual report to the Assembly of the
States. The canal of Languedoc, one of the greatest benefits which
France derived from the reign of Louis XIV., and which forms an inland
communication between the ocean and the Mediterranean, is really
interesting. In one place it passes through a mountain, by an excavation
some eighty fathoms in length, and in another goes over a bridge, under
which flows a river. We halted every night, and slept in the boat, as
there were three rooms, while the men-servants slept on shore. At
Béziers, which is situated on a considerable eminence, it is reported
that there is in every house a chamber, called “La Camerette,” reserved
for the mad members of the family, there being always at least one in
that condition. The inhabitants of this town are said to be the
liveliest people in France, and it is probably that circumstance which
gave rise to this ridiculous story. My mother’s carriage having been
sent on before us to this place, we now pursued our journey by land, and
proceeded by the high road to Montpellier, a city very famous for the
purity of its air, and on that account the resort of strangers in search
of a better climate than their own. Hence it has given its name to so
many places in England as a recommendation of the air. “Mais tout passe,
tout lasse, et tout casse!” Montpellier is no longer in fashion, though
its situation remains the same, its air is as good as ever, and the same
medicinal virtues reside in its waters. It has, not unhappily, been
called a “magazine of houses,” for the streets are neither wide nor
regular, though the houses are generally good, and some of them very
handsome, particularly in what was called “la Grande Rue.”
We were present at the opening of the Assembly of the States on the
27th. It was held in a great hall in the Hôtel de Ville. At the upper
end was a throne, under a canopy of crimson velvet. Long benches were
ranged on each side, and parallel rows in front below, with a table
covered with green cloth. The galleries and the rest of the hall were
filled with spectators. First entered the Archbishop of Narbonne, at the
head of the clergy; the bishops, in their violet robes, covered with
fine lace; and the “grands vicaires” representing the prelates who were
absent, in black cassocks. They took their places on the right hand of
the throne, which was occupied by the Comte de Périgord as soon as he
came in, followed by the barons and by the gentlemen who acted as
representatives of the absent nobles. The count and barons were robed in
black velvet mantles lined with gold stuff, hats with long feathers
hanging over them, and their hair dressed with two queues. The barons
took their places on the left, and below sat the “tiers état,”
consisting of deputies from the towns. The “greffiers” and lawyers were
at the table. On the left hand of the count, and above the barons, sat
the intendant of the province, M. de St. Priest, and two treasurers of
France, in black, with black caps, surmounted by a tuft. A greffier
having read the commission which the Count de Périgord, as commandant of
the province, had received from the king to hold the States, the count
made a speech, complimenting the intendant, the barons, and the bishops,
and particularly the Archbishop of Narbonne, whom he characterised as “a
prelate who supported the interests of the people at court without
flattery, and the interests of the court with the people without
ostentation.” The Assembly now became very attentive, for the archbishop
was to speak, and his eloquence was much admired. He began his
discourse[20] by dwelling on the utility of commerce, in all nations and
ages, towards the civilisation of mankind. Industry was the only true
road to improvement. In old times it was through commerce and industry
that the Phœnicians and their colonists, the Carthaginians, had risen to
eminence. The Romans, indeed, disdained to acquire riches except by
conquest, but they protected and encouraged commercial pursuits in their
tributary provinces, and by this policy supported their state, and
enabled themselves to pursue their astonishing career. And when the
Roman empire was overthrown by the Goths, a small number of fugitives
settled on the little islands in the bosom of the Adriatic, and a
flourishing republic arose out of this refuge for a few unfortunate
exiles. But this republic fell into insignificancy, because the people
became ashamed of the honourable industry of their ancestors, and
preferred an inglorious pomp and idleness. The example, however, had not
been lost upon England and Holland, as witness the flourishing state of
the English navy, and the tranquil riches and peaceful security of the
Dutch in the midst of powerful and envious nations. The speaker then
lamented that France, which possessed so many and such superior
advantages, situated between two seas, in the centre of Europe, under
the most favourable sky, and inhabited by a people of the most active
disposition, was yet by no means so commercial as she ought to be. Louis
XIV., he said, would have afforded encouragement to the commerce of his
kingdom, had he not been hurried away by an ill-judged ambition, and
thus compelled to leave that essential duty to the care of his minister,
the great Colbert. That statesman, however, signally erred in laying
restraints upon commerce, for it would have been far better to have
suffered the trifling inconveniences resulting from certain commodities
leaving the country and being useful to foreign nations, than to
renounce the great advantages which arise from the communication of new
discoveries and inventions, or from superior perfection in those already
made. Instead, therefore, of laying the restraint he intended upon
abuses, Colbert fostered the worst of all, monopoly. The archbishop then
reverted to the unhappy fanaticism which had driven so many industrious
citizens to seek refuge in the open and liberal arms of England and
Holland, which nations were amply repaid for their generosity by the
stimulus given to their commerce, and the improvements introduced into
all useful arts, by those grateful exiles. Louis XV. had proper views on
these subjects, but was prevented from carrying them into execution by
the troubles of the times and the narrow-mindedness of his ministers.
Under the present government, however, everything might be hoped for
from the known good disposition of the king towards his people, and
especially in this province, where his Majesty’s gracious intentions
were so well understood and seconded, &c. &c.
At the close of this speech, which had a very good effect, the governor,
the intendant, and the treasurers, as commissaries for the king, left
the Assembly, and were accompanied to the door by the archbishop and
bishops, who then returned to their seats, the archbishop occupying the
throne. The hour of the next meeting having been fixed, mass was said by
the archbishop’s almoner, and served by his grace’s footmen in livery.
The prelates, the intendant, the treasurers, and barons afterwards dined
with the governor in their robes, with their hats on, which, however,
they took off while they stood up to drink the health of the king, the
queen, and the royal family. We went to see this ceremony, which was
called “le Dîner du Roi.” At six we went dressed to the governor’s, who
received the visits of the ladies, and afterwards to Mme.
l’Intendante’s, where a supper was laid out for all who chose to stay.
On the 2nd of December the Assembly met, that the king’s commissaries
might ask for the “don gratuit” from the province. The demand was made
by the intendant, in what struck me as being a very authoritative style.
The Archbishop of Narbonne replied in a manner equally pathetic and
spirited. He lamented that, at a season dedicated to joy and festivity,
the misfortunes of the province should cast a cloud over the public
cheerfulness. He remarked, that after a long and severe winter the
distress of the inhabitants had not been mitigated by a genial spring
and summer, in the happiest country as to situation that could be
imagined, inhabited by a people endowed with the most industrious
activity, and enjoying a climate which drew so many illustrious
strangers from less favoured lands. He pointed out in the most lively
colours the losses sustained by the province from the frosts, which had
destroyed nearly all the vines, and from the failure of a most promising
harvest. Nor could the unhappy people hope for any alleviation of their
distress while subjected to such heavy imposts. It was dreadful, he
said, to find, after fifteen years of peace, that the taxes were still
the same as in time of war, though it was right to expect that they
should be taken off. The province was, therefore, in no state to give
any further testimony of duty than what they had already afforded. Then,
with respect to commerce, if the unhappy laws, dictated by rigour rather
than by prudence, were allowed to prevail, Languedoc would be utterly
ruined, as the manufacturers, deprived of all power of extending their
views, would necessarily give up all emulation and desire of
improvement. He then observed that, although the neglect of public
statutes was injurious to a country, even that perhaps was a less evil
than the observance of pernicious ones. As an example, he mentioned the
manufacturers of woollen cloths, who, perceiving that the dyes of France
were inferior to the texture while the reverse was the case in the
Levant, had acquired and introduced into this province the beautiful hue
which is in use among those nations. This, strictly speaking, was
contrary to law, but it had been of infinite benefit to France.
This archbishop was of a commanding figure, and had a fine open
countenance. By birth he was an Irishman, being brother to Lord Dillon,
but he was brought up in France, and, while still very young, was
present at the battle of Fontenoy. Subsequently he went into the Church,
and became possessed of great benefices and considerable influence. He
belonged to that class of prelates called “Evêques Administrateurs,” but
he was liberal-minded and charitable. At a later period he behaved in a
very proper and dignified manner, when the revolution broke out, and at
length retired to England, where he died at an advanced age in 1803 or
1804. We were introduced to him at Montpellier, and he invited us to
dinner, when his conversation was lively and agreeable, intermixed with
sallies of wit and pleasantry in the best taste.
The Comte de Périgord was a truly worthy man; and, what is singular, was
free from the prejudice at that time general in France in favour of
America. He could not bear the idea of being at peace with England, and
yet supporting rebels against their sovereign. The Comtesse de Périgord
was dead. She was a beautiful woman, and Louis XV. fell in love with
her, which made her persuade her husband to leave the Court. He never
knew her reason till the king gave him the distinguished post he still
held in 1777, at the same time telling him that he owed it to the virtue
of his wife, for that he could not bear it should be supposed that so
worthy a nobleman had left the Court in disgrace. When we were at
Montpellier an English gentleman, named Langlais, was staying with the
count, which compelled the latter to enter his deceased wife’s
dressing-room, as it was occupied by his guest. Though several years had
passed since her death, he had never before ventured to look into it.
His suppers were splendid, attended by guards, and his liveries
magnificent. His parties were also very pleasant and cheerful. It is
painful to add, that this excellent man, who was equally loyal to his
king and beneficent to the poor, was uncle of the Bishop of Autun, M. de
Talleyrand. The Comte de Périgord was not possessed of such brilliant
talents as his nephew, but was distinguished rather for plain sense and
rectitude of principles. In person he was dignified and elegant. I have
since become acquainted with his descendants, and I must add that they
have inherited his virtues.
The intendant, M. de St. Priest, and the treasurers also had parties, at
which my mother usually played whist, while I sat by her side at the
corner of the table, finding plenty of idlers to chat with, for which I
sometimes received from my mother very proper lectures. It might be said
to be my first entrance into the world; and, excepting two or three of
my fellow-countrywomen, there were no young unmarried women at these
parties, as it was not the custom in France. We supped once with the
treasurer of the province. His house was not large, but well furnished,
and the supper, I remember, was thought to be remarkably fine, with
respect both to the eye and the palate. The place of treasurer _gave_
nobility, and of course the treasurers were rich, expensive, and not in
the list of “good company,” though visited by everybody at these
seasons. I believe the post was always purchased.
To the honour of Montpellier it must be observed, that, although there
were many Calvinists in the place, there was not that dissension and
hatred between the followers of the two religions that always existed at
Nismes, and evident proofs of this were given during the revolution. I
am sorry to say that M. de St. Etienne, who was a pastor here, did not
do credit to his cloth in this respect, for he was very violent, and
worthy to have belonged to Cromwell’s Independents. But many Roman
Catholic priests were saved by the Protestant inhabitants of
Montpellier. I remember we were much struck by the showy dress and
variegated plume of feathers worn by a young woman at a concert at which
we were present, and we were told that she was the wife of a Protestant
minister—in fact, of M. de St. Etienne himself.
It was not without regret that we quitted Montpellier on the 13th of
December, and arrived the same afternoon at Nismes. Here we inspected
the various Roman remains, under the guidance of M. Séguier, the
naturalist and antiquary, and on the 16th we reached Marseilles. At this
seaport we were detained by the bad weather until the 29th of January
(1777), when we embarked on board a “Senau,” which my mother had hired
to convey us to Civita Vecchia, as we had been told at Montpellier that
that was the quickest mode of conveyance, and that probably we should
not be above a day or two on our passage. We started with a fine
north-west wind, which shifted in the course of the evening to the east,
and we were obliged to put back and run into La Ciotat, a safe little
port, seven leagues distant from Marseilles by the road. It was late in
the evening of the 3rd of February before our captain would again
venture out to sea, but next day we were glad to run for shelter into
Toulon Roads. Fortunately, we happened to be acquainted with two French
naval officers who were stationed there, and who showed us every
attention. The command of ships in the French navy did not depend on
rank in the service as with us. An “enseigne de vaisseau” might command
a sloop, but they had many more steps, and were longer in getting on
than our officers at that time. In general, the French navy was composed
of men of fashion, belonging to the highest families, and great interest
was required to support them in the service. They had, by a recent
order, destroyed the places of commissioners, and all was in the hands
of sea officers, by which change many abuses were stopped, and their
navy was in a much better condition than it had been for many years, or
perhaps ever before.
We remained at Toulon until the 10th, when we made another attempt to
reach the Italian shores, but on the following afternoon again found
ourselves in our old lodgings. As the wind continued very high and
unfavourable, we stayed here till the 17th, and on the previous day went
to a “piquenique” at a little country-house not far from the town. We
were about fifty in number, of whom fifteen were ladies. We dined early,
and afterwards danced. Most of the company were of the first families of
Provence, all good humoured and well bred. Their dancing was excellent,
and their cheerfulness unwearied.
At last we got fairly under weigh, and were within eight leagues of
Civita Vecchia on the 19th, when a contrary wind sprang up, and we were
miserably tossed about all night, the weather very bad, the people
praying to St. Anthony, and the ship under little government. Late in
the afternoon of the 20th we succeeded in landing at a wretched little
place in Tuscany, belonging to the King of Naples, in what was called “i
Presidj di Toscana.” Its name was Santo Stefano, a small village, with a
castle and an insignificant garrison to keep off ships coming from the
Levant. Next day, the 21st, we went on shore, but could find no house
where we could get a bed. We were afraid to sleep on board, because we
heard that the Moorish pirates sometimes came here and cut vessels out
of the harbour. We were, therefore, very anxious to get away, and having
received flowers, salads, and civil messages from the governor, we at
length summoned up courage to call upon him and inquire if there were
any means of reaching Rome, for we were still fifteen leagues by sea
from Civita Vecchia.
The governor, an elderly man named Latil, a Provençal, was very
obliging, but kept his hands in a muff, and apologised for not having
called upon us, because he had unfortunately caught a complaint in his
hands which rendered him unfit for society. He told us we must go by
Orbitello, the capital of the Presidj, and there procure horses for our
journey. A Walloon officer, who happened to be at the governor’s,
obligingly offered to accompany us, and accordingly, in the afternoon of
the 28th, we embarked in a small felucca, another following in tow with
our carriage. We rowed about three miles, when we arrived at a neck of
land, and were taken ashore on the men’s shoulders, the carriage being
put into a cart with all our baggage. We walked across this sandy neck
of land to the Lake of Orbitello, where we embarked as before, and
happily arrived at the town, situated in the midst of the lake, and much
resembling a fish in water.
Captain Sougnez, the Walloon officer, offered us the use of his house,
but we went to the inn, which was not a very bad one, considering the
unfrequented situation of the place. The beds had muslin curtains, but
there were no glass windows in the room, only shutters, and the
adjoining apartment was a great hall, which served as the public
ball-room every night during Carnival. As far as I recollect, the price
of entrance was the value of twopence; the company consisting of all
ranks of people, but chiefly of soldiers and their wives. They danced
till three or four in the morning, but neither intoxication nor
indecorum of any kind appeared amongst them.
On the 1st of March the officers of the garrison invited us to a ball.
They danced minuets for five hours of the time. The manners of the
ladies were quiet and proper, though not elegant, and their dress no
very happy imitation of the French. On the following day we went to see
a comedy, entitled “Il Napolitano a Parigi,” acted in a barn by
soldiers. The sergeants and corporals, for distinction, acted the female
parts, and hid their moustaches as well as they could. They looked
oddly, but they really were good comedians.
The four horses which we had been obliged to send for from Viterbo
having at length arrived, we were enabled to resume our journey on the
7th, accompanied by Captain Sougnez, who was so good as to give us his
protection for the first day’s journey. We finally reached Rome late in
the afternoon of the 9th of March, on the fortieth day after our
departure from Marseilles, and engaged apartments in the Piazza di
Spagna.
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CHAPTER IV.
ROME—CARDINAL DE BERNIS—ROMAN SOCIETY—ROMAN MORALS—ANECDOTES OF CARDINAL
DE BERNIS, M. DE CHOISEUL, THE DUC DE CRILLON, AND OTHERS.
DURING the first two years after our departure from England, I attended
so little to political occurrences that they found no place in my
journal; yet it was an eventful period, for although war with France had
not commenced, the assistance given by the French to the Americans, then
in arms against our Government, rendered it inevitable. While we were at
Marseilles the news arrived of Lord Cornwallis being made prisoner; and
while at Toulon great preparations were making for the war with England,
which was then imminent, and which soon afterwards broke out. There,
however, _we_ heard no illiberal remarks against England.
At the time of year when we arrived in Rome that city was full of
strangers. Amongst others, there were the Prince of Saxe-Gotha, Mr.,
Mrs., and Miss J. Pitt, Mr. and Mrs. Swinbourne, Sir Thomas Gascoyne,
Sir Francis and Miss Holbourn, Mr. Henderson, Lord Lewisham, Justice
Welsh and his daughter, Lord Duncannon, Comte Dillon, Comte Edouard
Dillon, and Mr. T. Dillon, Chevalier Jerningham, Mr. and Mrs. O’Reilly,
Sir Robert and Lady Smith, Lady Euphemia Stewart, Lady Margaret Gordon,
Mr. Stuart Mackenzie and Lady Betty, Mrs. Gibbs and Miss Stevens, Sir
William Molesworth, Mr. Rooke, Mr. Perry, the Rev. Mr. Sherlocke, Mr.
and Mrs. Petty, Mr. and Mrs. Craddock Hartopp, Mrs. Chantrey, Mr. and
Mrs. Gore, Miss and Miss Emily Gore, Sir Carnaby and Mrs. Haggerstone,
the Bishop of Derry, Mrs. and Miss Louisa Hervey, Mr. Curzon, Mr. Slade,
Sir Edward Hales and son, the Abbé Preston, &c. &c.
We had letters to several persons, and more particularly to Cardinal de
Bernis,[21] the French ambassador, who at that time had his amiable
niece, the Marquise du Puy-Montbrun, and her married daughter of
sixteen, the Vicomtesse de Bernis, with her husband and his brother, the
Abbé de Bernis, staying in his house. From his rank, influence, and
fortune, the Cardinal de Bernis made the most splendid figure at Rome.
He was then about sixty-two years of age, and still more celebrated for
his writings and the elegance of his manners than for having been prime
minister of France. He inhabited the Palazzo de Carolis, a very
considerable building, opposite the church of San Marcello, on the
Corso. We were invited there to a conversazione, which began at
half-past seven, or one hour of the night, according to the Italian
dial. At this period of the year twenty-four o’clock is at about
half-past six; it is never earlier than five or later than eight, but it
is regulated by the sunset. The “conversazioni di prima sera” were
without cards, while those of “seconda sera,” at which cards were
played, began at two hours of night, and the company were all assembled
by three; that is, about half-past nine. After passing through the hall
of the Palazzo de Carolis, filled with servants in livery, and the first
ante-room, filled with attendants of a higher order, we found the
cardinal in one of the first rooms, which was called the “Stanza dei
Boccetti,” on account of a sort of billiard-table at which he used to
play, where the balls are thrown by the hand (similar tables were in all
the great houses in Rome). We passed on through a suite of fine rooms,
and in the farthest, which is a noble gallery, with columns of “giallo
antico,” we found the Marquise du Puy-Montbrun, some ladies, and many
gentlemen. Ices, lemonades, &c., were served, but no cards. A few nights
afterwards we were introduced by the marchioness to the Princess Santa
Croce at her conversazione, which was one of those “di seconda sera,”
where some people played, but more looked on.
The Palazzo Santa Croce was full of fine pictures, and the company
numerous, though, owing to the size of most of the fine houses at Rome,
there was never any crowding at an assembly; for the Roman nobility, the
corps diplomatique, and strangers who were well recommended, could alone
be admitted to the conversazioni; and at the most forty ladies were to
be seen there, the nobility not being numerous, and as the old ladies
did not go, and no unmarried ones, unless engaged or on the point of
becoming nuns, the men were in much greater strength; for, besides the
heads of families, the younger brothers, cardinals, prelates, officers,
&c., amounted to a considerable number. People began to come about nine,
and went away about half-past eleven.[22]
When a lady went to a conversazione, her servants called out “Torcie!”
and two servants of the house would come down, each with a torch, to
light her up the stairs. Sometimes at very great assemblies, or at a
fête, the court and the whole staircase were as light as day with
torches placed everywhere. At such times they were not called for. Great
order was observed to prevent all confusion of carriages, which drove in
at one gate and out at another, generally through a colonnade, or at
least a covered portico. When any particular occasion rendered it
necessary, from fear of a crowd, soldiers were stationed to regulate the
approach to the house, and to keep the coachmen in order. The master or
mistress of the house always remained near the door, and the groom of
the chambers announced the visitor, who had been before announced to him
through the different rooms by the footmen, valets, &c., according to
their several degrees. Everybody was full-dressed, and this formality of
entrance saved people from trouble, who otherwise would not know whither
to go, or where to find the person to whom they were going.
Great propriety of manner, with much wit and cheerfulness, characterised
the Roman society. The ladies sat still till they engaged in cards, and
the men stood round and chatted with them, or sat down beside them if
there was a vacant chair. The system of regularity prevailed to such an
extent at Rome, that the ladies usually went to the same part of the
room, and almost to the same chair, so that it was very easy for their
acquaintance to find them. The Romans, more than any people I have ever
known, followed the maxim of never interfering with the habits and
customs, the pleasures, or even the prejudices of others. “Live and let
live” was their practice no less than their principle, and this had a
happy influence in staying the progress of scandal, which was certainly
less prevalent at Rome than in most places.
I cannot deny that the custom of having “cavalieri serventi” was pretty
general. Some ladies went alone, some with their husbands, and some with
their brothers-in-law; but these were comparatively few. Yet I firmly
believe that many of those intimacies, which are so much criticised in
other countries, were perfectly innocent, and it was very usual to go
into company attended by two, sometimes by three, gentlemen. Very
respectable young women did this, and it was certainly the safest way.
These made her party at cards; and when she left the assembly she wished
them “good night,” and went home with her husband. Light characters were
thought ill of at Rome, as they are everywhere, though they were not so
much pulled to pieces. Women never went together to parties unless for
the purpose of a presentation or a masquerade: if a lady was invited to
a dinner party, her husband also was asked.
But what I particularly admired in the society there was, that character
was so justly estimated. The Romans had wonderful tact and penetration
in discovering and appreciating the merit of their fellow-citizens, and
also of strangers whom they had an opportunity of knowing, either
personally, or from their works or actions. They weighed everything, and
their judgment was very correct.
The theatres were open only during Carnival, that is to say, between
Christmas and Easter. No women were allowed to appear upon the stage.
All conversazioni, except those of old ladies or of cardinals, were
suspended during Carnival, unless on a Friday, when there was no opera.
For the first four nights it was the custom that everybody should go
dressed, and even those who had boxes of their own liked, on these
occasions, to go to the ambassadors’ boxes, where they were more in
sight, and certainly had the best view. The Governor of Rome had the
middle box on the second tier, which was counted the best, and the
ambassadors of France and Spain were on each side of him, the other
ambassadors following. These and the governor were alone permitted to
have lights in their boxes, and for the first four nights the latter
used to send ices and biscuits round to all the boxes of the three lower
tiers—there were, in all, six tiers—beginning with the corps
diplomatique.
We frequently accompanied Madame du Puy-Montbrun, and the society in our
box usually consisted of the old Prince of Palestrine, the Abbé de
Bernis, and the Chevalier du Theil, “un savant très caustique,” whom the
Court of France had sent to examine certain manuscripts in the Vatican,
and who lived at Cardinal de Bernis’. We had also occasional visitors
from the corps diplomatique. Madame du Puy-Montbrun was correct and
serious, handsome, sensible, and only thirty-six. I was _very_ young and
_very_ animated, but vainly would any of the gay prelates or young
travellers have endeavoured to effect a comfortable entrée. Madame du P.
was reserved, and the old prince and the chevalier were immovable, and
the only prelate who was not old but very agreeable, was Monsignor la
Somaglia, belonging to a noble family of Parma. He was a man of elegant
learning and manners, but by the gay was accused of too much devotion.
I shall here insert a few anecdotes and bons mots which I collected
during our lengthened residence in Rome.
M. de Choiseul, when he was ambassador of France at Rome, used to say
there were only two ways of managing the Italians, “danaro o
bastone.”[23] One day he addressed the Pope (Lambertini), at an
audience, in such an authoritative tone, that his holiness rose from his
chair, and said, “Mi faccia la finezza di mettersi quà, signor
ambasciadore.”[24] This same Pope once asked a lady how she liked Rome,
and whether she had seen all the ceremonies, &c. She answered that she
had seen everything except a “sedia vacante;”[25] whereupon the Pope got
up directly from his chair, and said, “There is one, madam.”
A cardinal, in conversation with a prelate whose whole study was how to
obtain promotion, happened to remark that he himself had very good
health. “Ah,” said the other, “how do you manage that? For my part, I am
always ailing.” “Why,” replied the cardinal, “the reason is, that I wear
my hat on my head, but you have it in your heart.”
The Abbé G., who is said to be the son of a shoemaker, was one day
complaining that he could not go to the Constable Colonna’s because his
carriage was not ready; a bystander remarked, that he was not surprised,
for, as the Abbé’s father was dead, his shoes might probably want
mending, and that consequently he could not walk. A very elegant Grand
Vicaire once asked a physician from what stock this Abbé G. was derived.
The physician took him into a shoemaker’s shop, and striking his hand on
the block—in French called “souche”—upon which they cut the leather, he
answered, “Voici, monsieur, la souche dont sort la famille de l’abbé.”
The French farmers-general adopted many ingenious contrivances for
advancing their fortunes. A certain chancellor of France having lost a
dog of which he was very fond, one of these individuals procured another
very like it, and dressing himself up in a wig and gown like that worn
by the chancellor, he accustomed the animal to take sweetmeats from his
hand, but to fly at every one else. Having sufficiently trained him, he
carried him to the chancellor, and declared that he had found the dog
that was lost. The chancellor was delighted, and an acquaintance was
thus formed which largely contributed to the advancement of the
dog-trainer. Another of this worthy’s schemes was to serve mass to
Cardinal de Fleury, and instead of the usual wine to give him Madeira or
Malaga.
The Cardinal de Bernis remarked to M. le Duc de Crillon that his head
was filled with poetry, and that he remembered all the agreeable poets
he had read forty years ago as if it were yesterday. “Your eminence has
only to remember yourself,” said the duke. “That is the very one I would
choose to forget,” replied the cardinal. The Spanish ambassador once
asked this same duke of what country he was; for, said he, “you are a
lieutenant-general in the service of Spain, a lieutenant-general in the
service of France, and an Avignonese duke.” “Sir,” answered M. de
Crillon, “I am everywhere a subject of the Pope; I am a Frenchman at
Madrid, and a Spaniard at Paris.”
The Marchesa Lepri received company four days after her husband’s death.
The Abbé de Bernis went, among others, and found her in bed, suffering
from a cold, with her hair full dressed, and nothing over it, and
reposing on the pillow. The bed was in the middle of the room, and
without curtains. The ambassadress of Bologna was one of the guests, and
many gentlemen were there.
M. Amelot, they say, was advised by his friends to retire, and ask for a
dukedom. He did so, and received for answer: “Ce n’est pas la saison
pour faire du camelot (Duc Amelot).”
The Duc de Crillon, of whom I have already made mention, asked of the
Bishop of Mirepoix a benefice for his brother. The bishop refused,
saying, “Sir, I repent of having given him the last one, for he was not
a Grand Vicaire, as you pretended that he was; and,” added he, “vous
êtes un imposteur, et le Pape le sait.” The duke, angry at being called
an impostor, replied, “Monseigneur, vous êtes un sot, et Dieu le sait.”
Cardinal de Bernis once observed that he wondered how any person could
fear death, for, said he, “ce n’est rien de fort difficile, car je vois
que chacun s’en tire.”
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CHAPTER V.
RESIDENCE AT ROME—CEREMONY AT ST. PETER’S—MIDSUMMER MADNESS—ANECDOTE OF
M. CLERMONT—THE AMBASSADOR AND THE ACTRESS—POPE GANGANELLI.
ON the 28th of June, 1780, being St. Peter’s-eve, we went to a house
near the bridge of St. Angelo to see the Constable Colonna conveying the
tribute-horse, which was annually presented to the Pope by the King of
Naples. The procession commenced with the Pope’s light horse, sent to
escort the constable. Then came the servants of several cardinals and
princes in their liveries, in attendance upon some of their gentlemen on
horseback with black mantles. The constable’s were the last, with their
mantles turned back with gold stuff. Next followed the horse, richly
caparisoned, the present—a silver flower—being carried on his back.
Behind the animal came the constable, preceded by his pages in lilac and
silver, and by his first gentlemen. He was dressed in light brown, with
a mantle, and was mounted on a beautiful horse: he himself was a pretty
figure. His state carriages followed him. The first was a chariot, which
belonged to his uncle, Cardinal Pamfili, when he was nuncio in France,
and the second one was a coach, richly ornamented, belonging to the King
of Naples, whom he represented as ambassador; the rest were of various
colours, but all drawn by fine horses. When they arrived at St. Peter’s,
the guns of St. Angelo were fired, and after them a volley of musketry.
We entered St. Peter’s a few minutes before the Pope came in to receive
the constable. He was carried on men’s shoulders down the body of the
church, attended by the cardinals. The horse was then brought in and led
up to the altar, when he received a slight tap with a wand, and
immediately knelt down, and the Pope gave him his benediction. The
statue of St. Peter was dressed in gold stuff, with a ring on its
finger, rare jewels on its breast, and a tiara on its head. Large
candle-sticks with lighted tapers were placed in front, and a guard of
soldiers stationed to check the indiscreet devotion of the saint’s
votaries; but the black face and hands of the statue had a comical
effect. The church was hung with crimson velvet and gold, the great
altar finely arranged, and festoons of artificial flowers hung round the
silver lamps that surrounded it. The throne of the Pope was set out for
next day’s mass, and the whole building in perfect “fiocchi.”[26] The
constable returned in his state coach, drawn by six horses.
During the great heats of July, 1781, many people went mad. Amongst
others, a bricklayer, in his madness, killed a priest near St. Pietro in
Vincoli, and then went to his work. His master, observing that his hands
were bloody, told him he looked as if he had been killing somebody. He
said, so he had; that he had just killed a priest. On this his master,
being frightened, gave him some money, and advised him to run away. He
went towards the Coliseo, where he killed, at one stroke, a very
beautiful woman, then broke in two places the arm of another woman who
was walking with her, and wounded a priest who came to her assistance.
In short, they say he killed, or wounded, seven persons. He was at last
secured, and thrown into prison. Many other madmen have tried to fight,
but people were put on their guard, and precautions taken to prevent any
violence. One of the madmen, meeting the Pope in St. Peter’s, said he
would confess to him, and tell him all the evils the poor experienced
from bad bread and dear oil. Another beat the statue of St. Peter; it
was reported he had beaten that of Pasquin. Four barbers, also,
counterfeited madness, but were taken up, and two of them sent to the
galleys for ten years, and the others sentenced to be hanged.
A story is told of M. Clermont, ambassador of France at the Court of
Naples, that he became very attentive to an actress known as “La
Balduzzi.” M. de Bièvre, calling upon him one morning, found him in his
garden gathering flowers. So he asked him what he was doing; when the
ambassador replied that he was gathering “garofolis” for the Balduzzi.
“Ah, monsieur,” exclaimed the other, “gare aux folies!” This M. de
Bièvre complained one day that Colonel Chrysti was very tiresome. “He is
a very honest man,” remarked a gentleman who was present, “he is _a
Swiss_.” “Eh bien, donc,” cries M. de Bièvre, “il faut le mettre à la
porte.”
Mr. Jenkins, our banker, having remarked that he didn’t know what Mr.
Pigot would think of the race on the Corso, he who had been so
celebrated on the turf: “Well,” said Mr. Hodges, “he can now be
celebrated on the _pavé_.”
When Pope Ganganelli died, who had made a great favourite of Padre
Buontempi, a monk of his own order, some one put an umbrella up over
Pasquin’s statue, with a writing, “E finito il buon tempo.” At another
time, a wag wrote on this statue, in answer to the question, “Che fa
Roma?” “Opera di misericordia. Veste i Gnudi ed arrichisce gli
Onesti.”[27] Gnudi was the name of a person who came from Cesena with
Don Luigi Onesti, the Pope’s nephew, and was previously in the greatest
poverty. In the chapel, too, of the new sacristy, where an inscription
testified that it was built in consequence of the _vota publica_, a
paper was affixed with these lines:
Publica! mentiris, non publica vota fuêre,
Sed tumidi capitis vota fuêre tui.
His Holiness was so much offended, that it was said he would have put
the author to death for his impertinence, if he could have found him.
The Italians used to say of the Pope’s arms, in which were stars, an
eagle, and the wind blowing on fleurs-de-lys: “L’Aquila è andata in
Germania, i Gigli in Francia, le Stelle sono tornate nel cielo, e non
gli è rimasto altro che il Vento.”[28]
The Cavalier Guglielmi, about this time, asked the Cardinal
Secretary-of-State to promote his brother to a better post. The
cardinal, taking snuff, replied, negligently, with the common proverb,
“Chi sta bene, non si muova.” The cavalier took no immediate notice of
this answer, but after a little while, imitating the cardinal’s action,
he said: “Vostra eminenza, mi ricordo, era nunzio a Bruxelles, e stava
bene, ma voleva qualche cosa di più, e fu fatto nunzio a Napoli; stava
benone, ma voleva qualche cosa di più, e fu fatto cardinale; stava
ottimamente, ma voleva qualche cosa di più, e fu fatto segretario di
stato; vedo chi sta a maraviglia, ma chi sa se ancora non vuole qualche
cosa di più.”[29] The cardinal felt the rebuke, and gave the desired
post to Cavalier Guglielmi’s brother.
It was also some time in the year 1781 that I became acquainted with the
following instance of gratitude on the part of a Turk, and which was
then of quite recent occurrence. The commander of a merchantman of
Leghorn was taken by an Algerine corsair, after making a gallant
defence. He was carried to Algiers, and exposed for sale in the
market-place, where he was soon observed by a Turkish merchant, who
bought him immediately, without further inquiry. While he remained
between hope and fear of his future situation, the Turk asked him
whether he knew him. He replied that he could not recollect ever having
seen him. The Turk then said: “I have not bought you for your harm, but
for your good. I am the man you took prisoner some years since, and whom
you treated with such humanity, and afterwards set at liberty. I mean,
therefore, to make you free, and will give you a ship larger than that
you have lost, and will freight it with corn, which is here at a very
low price. And when you return to Leghorn you will make what profit you
can upon it, only restoring to me the original price of the corn; all
the rest, together with the ship, is at your service.” The grateful and
generous Turk fulfilled his promise; and the man returned to Leghorn,
and disposed of his cargo to great advantage.
Mr. Jenkins told us of a curious affair that happened at Urbino. The
governor of that town, Monsignor Lucchesini, whose power was almost
absolute, being offended with the nobility of the place because they had
beaten one of his servants, searched through the records for some
obsolete law with which he could plague them. He found an obsolete
ordinance, which forbade the nobility of Urbino to stir out at night
without carrying torches, which all Italians have a great aversion to
doing. So he insisted upon this law being put in force, and, when they
refused to obey, he ordered the barigel[30] to compel them to do so.
That officer, however, told him that he dared not act against all the
principal families of the town; but the prelate still remained
obstinate. Whereupon all the families of the nobility assembled, and
agreed to go with their torches to the door of a lady’s house, whom
monsignor visited every evening by stealth. Accordingly, they posted
themselves at the door just at the time he usually went away, and he had
the pleasure of being escorted home in the full light of all their
torches.
One day in September, as the Pope was talking to his nephew, he observed
that he made no answer, and asked him the reason. The latter made signs
that there was somebody listening at the door. The Pope instantly got
up, went to the door, and, flinging aside the curtain, found there
Monsignor di Spagna, whom, it is said, he beat pretty handsomely for his
impertinent curiosity—others, however, deny the latter part of the
story.
On the 23rd of December, 1783, we met the Emperor Joseph II. at the
Princess Santa Croce’s conversazione. His Majesty was travelling
incognito as Count Falkenstein. As we entered the grand apartment we saw
him standing near the door with Cardinal de Bernis by his side, and
surrounded by all the men in the room, which was very full. He was in a
plain uniform, blue with red lappels, and had much the look of a
military man. His figure was good, and his eyes very fine. We had not,
however, a good opportunity of observing him, as the apartment was so
crowded in the part where he stood. The cardinal told him who we were,
and he made us very polite bows, after which we went off in search of
seats. The emperor talked a good deal to those near him, and stayed
about half an hour, but he had been there some time before we entered,
and had made a previous visit to the Princess Doria.
His Majesty had arrived that morning from Florence a little before noon,
without having given any notice to the Pope. About one, his Holiness was
sitting with Don Luigi, his nephew, and the Bailli Antinori, his
familiar friend, and finding that he had still some time to spare before
his usual hour for going out, he went into his closet to write a letter.
Just then a favourite valet-de-chambre ran into the room, and told Don
Luigi that Cardinal Hertzan, the emperor’s representative, was ascending
the staircase, and demanded an immediate audience. Greatly agitated by
this announcement, Don Luigi knocked at the door, and informed Pius VI.,
who was not less disconcerted. Presently, the valet again hurried in,
and said that the emperor also was there. Don Luigi thereupon told his
uncle, who threw open his closet door just as the emperor and the
cardinal entered the apartment through the opposite door. When his
imperial visitor rose to take leave, Pius VI. conducted him through the
apartments of the Countess Matilda into St. Peter’s. The Pope then
proposed that they should offer up a prayer together, and invited the
emperor to kneel by his side on a prie-Dieu, with two cushions, but the
latter flung aside the one intended for himself, and knelt down on the
bare floor. “Then,” said Pius, “I, too, must kneel on the floor: I
cannot take this place.” “You may do as you please,” replied the
emperor, “but I always kneel so.” He made a very short prayer, and,
wishing the Pope good morning, went to see the Museum, and at four
o’clock dined with Cardinal Hertzan, at whose house he had alighted.[31]
On the following day he dined with one of the generals who accompanied
him, at a lodging-house in the Piazza di Spagna, and, according to his
usual custom, sent down a large fish from the table to the mistress of
the house. As he was going away, an immense number of the populace, who
had collected round the door, began to cry aloud, “Viva l’imperadore!”
“Viva Cesare!” His Majesty stopped a moment, and made them a sign to be
quiet, and then jumped into his carriage and drove off. In the evening
the emperor was present at the Duchess Bracciano’s, and afterwards at
Princess Altieri’s, who had lighted up her house, of which he
complained, as he does not permit the slightest ceremony, not even
torches on the staircase.
On Christmas-day, Joseph II. and Gustavus III., King of Sweden, who had
arrived at a late hour of the previous evening, attended high mass at
St. Peter’s. The behaviour of the emperor was particularly decorous,
without any affectation or hypocrisy. The king at first hesitated about
kneeling, and asked the emperor what he should do. “Do as I do,” replied
Joseph. “But I am not of your communion,” rejoined the other. “Well,”
resumed the emperor, “believe what you will, but as you came here of
your own choice, you should act so as not to scandalise others.”
Gustavus took the hint, and knelt down.
The next evening we went to Cardinal de Bernis’, who had illuminated his
house, and was to give a concert in honour of the King of Sweden. The
day before he invited the emperor, who said that, if the concert were
given as a compliment to the king, he would certainly come, as he had no
objection to partake of fêtes, provided they were not offered to
himself. But, he added, if his eminence sent a single torch to him on
the stairs, he should instantly retire. There was a vast deal of company
assembled on the occasion, and it was remarked that it was like the East
Indies—all heat and diamonds.
About seven o’clock the King of Sweden, who was travelling under the
title of the Comte de Haga, came in, followed by two gentlemen. The
Princess Santa Croce[32] took him by the hand, and introduced him to
everybody in the room. His Majesty was dressed in a satin coat, wearing
his order, &c.; but there was nothing remarkable in his figure or
address, except an air of levity and affectation. Very different in this
from the emperor, of the perfect ease and propriety of whose conduct too
much cannot be said in praise. The latter talks to all around him with
the utmost politeness, but carefully avoids giving any trouble to
others, and never suffers any one to take liberties with himself. A
Roman gentleman went up to him at Cardinal de Bernis’, and said that he
had the honour of being acquainted with his Majesty. “What majesty?”
asked the emperor, looking around. “There is no majesty here.” “Oh!”
insisted the gentleman, “my family is too much attached to the House of
Austria for me not to know that I must address you as your Majesty.” “If
you speak to the Comte de Falkenstein,” said Joseph, “he will answer
you. But if you speak to the emperor, it is taking a great liberty to
address him first.” At this concert his Majesty stayed rather less than
an hour, and heard Marchesi[33] sing one song, after which he ran off in
great haste.
The King of Sweden, however, remained to supper, and did not leave till
two in the morning. He had also dined at the cardinal’s, and professed
himself wholly attached to the Court of France. At supper his Majesty
was seen to scratch his head with his fork, and also with his knife, and
afterwards to go on eating with them. Before his departure from Rome for
Naples, the emperor had a very satisfactory interview with the Pope, who
appeared more cheerful afterwards. It is said that his Holiness reminded
his Majesty that his ancestors had more than once been indebted for
their crown to the See of Rome. The emperor’s munificence was much
spoken of. He gave five hundred sequins to the mistress of the
lodging-house in the Piazza di Spagna where he used to sleep, and
bestowed upon her husband an employment in the Milan post-office. At the
Museum he left fifty sequins, and a similar sum at the library, &c., and
scattered a great deal of money among the populace. On one occasion the
emperor asked several questions of a footman, who answered him readily,
in ignorance of his rank, and so much pleased his Majesty that, on
leaving the man, he gave him three sequins for his company. At another
time he sent for a dish of coffee from the coffee-house, and laid a
baiócco[34] and a half on the saucer to pay for it, but gave a sequin to
the boy who brought it. In this respect he was very different to the
King of Sweden, of whom it was said:
Il Conte de Haga tutto vede, e niente paga.[35]
As he was returning from Naples, the postilions contrived to upset his
imperial Majesty’s carriage; whereupon he gave each of them three
sequins to comfort them under their mishap. Everybody agreed that Joseph
II. had conducted himself so as to win the hearts of all Rome, and this
without the slightest derogation to his own dignity. Several anecdotes
were told of his Majesty, illustrating his kindly disposition and dry
humour. When he was attending mass at St. Peter’s, some one remarked
that Cardinal Orsini had so bad a voice that he could not intone the
Gospel. “Se non intona,”[36] replied the emperor, “non stuona.” Seeing
the Pope’s niece seated near the door, he asked her, “Lei sta quà per
mangiar il prossimo?”[37] As she did not appear to understand him, he
added, “Perchè prende il fiato di tutti quelli che entrano.”[38]
At the Duchess Bracciano’s the emperor was standing in the middle of the
room, engaged in general conversation, when some ladies who had followed
him and the King of Sweden about everywhere, again came up to him. He
took a snuff-box out of the Venetian ambassador’s hand, and showed them
the lid; on it was painted the portrait of the Grand Signor. At Vienna
his Majesty used to dismiss all the soldiers from the palace at ten
o’clock. Not a single sentinel was stationed in the imperial apartments.
Even at the camp he had never more than two guards, and those he chiefly
employed as messengers. In driving about the streets of his capital he
was attended by only one servant, and not unfrequently he accompanied
ladies in their private carriages. If he happened to be unwell, he would
invite every evening four or five ladies of the first distinction to
keep him company. A horse was always kept ready saddled, so that if he
heard of a fire he was almost immediately upon the spot. While at Rome,
his Majesty went to see the caves of the Capucins, where human bones and
skulls were arranged in a very fanciful manner. Looking round him, he
asked: “What will these good people do at the day of judgment, now that
you have mixed their bones so?” An old Capucin, who was kneeling close
by, and who, though at prayer, overheard the emperor, made this reply:
“Ci pensa chi l’ha fatti.” One day the emperor, while walking about the
Villa Medici, inquired of the guarda-roba what he meant to do with his
children. The man answered, that he intended to bring two of them up as
priests, if they would study. The emperor then said that their studying
was of no great consequence, for, if they could barely read and write,
they might hope to become prelates, cardinals, the Pope himself.
His majesty entertained a very poor opinion of the Roman clergy. On his
return to Vienna, after his first journey into Italy, his mother, the
Empress Maria Theresa, asked him to give her some account of Rome. “I
can do it in a few words,” he replied: “great luxury, little religion,
and much ignorance.” While visiting the hospital of Santo Spirito, the
emperor remarked that it was a great expense. “Yes,” said a bystander;
“but your Majesty is at a still greater expense for the maintenance of
three hundred thousand soldiers.” “You may add sixty thousand to that
number,” replied Joseph; “but the money is all spent in the State, and,
by keeping up so large an army, I save the lives of many of my subjects,
who would otherwise perish in the wars my powerful neighbours would
raise up against me if I were not so well prepared.” He was out hunting
one day with the King of Naples, when the latter expressed a wish to see
Count Falkenstein at the head of a hundred thousand men. “Well,”
answered the other, “if you like, I will send a hundred thousand of my
troops here, and come and command them.” Upon this the king exclaimed,
in the lazzaroni dialect, which he generally used: “Malora, ci vuoi
assassinar.”
When the Emperor Joseph was at Florence, he thought to give the fourth
son of the Grand-Duke of Tuscany the colonelcy of a regiment that was
just then vacant, and called to him to approach, in the presence of his
father and mother. Taking a paper out of his pocket, he said that he had
just returned from Rome, and brought him a brief from the Pope for a
cardinal’s hat. The boy, who was not eleven years of age, reddened with
indignation, and presently burst into tears. The emperor then embraced
him, and told him it was a colonel’s commission, whereupon the little
prince danced about the room with the greatest delight, much to the
satisfaction of his uncle.[39]
At Milan, a poor woman petitioned the emperor on behalf of her husband,
who had been kept in prison seventeen months by order of Count
Belgiojoso, for having killed a hare on his estate. The same evening his
Majesty happened to meet the count in company, and telling him he was
sorry to hear that he preferred his game to the good of his
fellow-creatures, ordered him to set the man at liberty immediately, and
make his family amends for the sufferings they had sustained through his
absence, by giving them a florin a day for the time the poor fellow was
in prison. “And,” continued the emperor, “to avoid all temptation to
play the tyrant, do away with your game preserves.”
There was much ill-natured gossiping this year on the subject of the
Countess of Albany[40] and Count Alfieri. The moment the countess heard
that the Pretender was lying at the point of death, she forwarded the
news to Cardinal York,[41] at Frascati, who instantly hastened to
Florence to see his brother. On his return to Rome, he spoke only a few
cold words to the countess, but informed the Pope that it was his
brother’s wish that his wife should either dismiss Count Alfieri and
return to him, or go into a convent. The countess thereupon wrote a
letter to the Pope, in which she cleared her own character, and declared
that if Count Alfieri’s visiting her gave his Holiness any displeasure,
she was quite sure she could prevail upon that gentleman to leave Rome.
The Pope replied that he approved of her conduct, and had no doubt of
its correctness, but as the cardinal disapproved of the count’s visit to
her house, it might be as well to request his absence, taking care,
however, to do it in such a manner as not to offend him, or any other
gentleman who visited her. The cardinal, it is said, told every
postilion on the road from Florence to Rome the bad opinion he had of
his sister-in-law and Count Alfieri, and he held the same discourse with
all the shabby people about Frascati. It was generally believed that the
Grand-Duchess of Tuscany was the originator of all this disturbance,
from jealousy of her husband, who was partial to the cause of the
unfortunate lady. The count informed the Countess de Château-Dauphin
that he had good reason to believe that the Pretender meant to have him
assassinated. He afterwards consented to quit Rome for a time, and
travelled through France to England.
The countess’s mother, the Princess de Stolberg, arrived in Rome soon
after this with her youngest daughter, a chanoinesse. The cardinal
offered them apartments in his house at Frascati, which they declined,
but they consented to dine with him one day when he came into the town.
In April, 1784, through the mediation of the King of Sweden and Baron
Sparr, articles of separation were agreed upon and signed by the count
and countess, the former fully vindicating his wife’s reputation. She
entered very fully with us into the details of the sufferings she had
undergone during the twelve years of her married life. The count, she
said, was constantly and madly drunk, and seldom had a moment of reason.
He was ever talking about his restoration, or abusing the French and the
Pope. He was equally covetous and extravagant. His own table was always
sumptuously provided, but he would grudge the countess a little mutton
broth in the morning. She acknowledged he had one good quality—he never
betrayed a secret, and never disclosed who had belonged to his party
until after their death; nor would he ever listen to any ill-natured
things said of people. He once crossed over into England after the
rebellion, and was in London, but he never would mention in what
year;[42] the countess, however, was pretty sure that it was in the year
after the rebellion. She spoke of him with great calmness and
compassion, and thought, drinking apart, that he was a less despicable
character than Cardinal York.
About this time I gathered some anecdotes about preachers. The Marquis
de Montreuil told me of a preacher who, in the year of the Jubilee
(1775), exhorted the people to repentance in such forcible terms, that a
woman stood up on a chair and confessed publicly all her sins. A moment
afterwards, a man got up and declared that she was his wife, and a very
good woman, but she was a little mad, so they must not believe what she
had said. Several other women at the same time made public confession,
and were sent by the cardinal-vicar to religious houses, where they were
clothed and fed for some months.
The Cardinal de Bernis gave me two anecdotes of missionary preachers in
Languedoc. One of them said to his hearers that they were not ashamed to
live in the mud of their sins, but were ashamed to confess them
publicly. If it were not so, why did they not hide their heads in the
mud in token of repentance? It so happened that they were just then
standing in a very muddy place, and in obedience to the preacher they
all plunged their heads into the mire, standing with begrimed faces to
hear the remainder of his discourse. The other missionary used to carry
a death’s head about with him, which he dressed up in the cap and
ornaments then in fashion among ladies of rank. This skull he would
throw down on the floor of the pulpit, and talk to it, answering himself
in a low voice, to imitate that of a woman. “Qui êtes-vous?” “Je suis
une marquise.” “Êtes-vous dame de la cour?” “Oui, monsieur, je suis dame
de la reine.” “Où êtes-vous?” “Dans l’enfer, monsieur.” “Et pourquoi
cela?” To this last question he used to give answers that embodied
satirical allusions to the doings of the most celebrated women of
fashion.
One of the missionaries, at that time preaching at Santa Maria, in
Trastevere, also took a death’s head about with him, which he tossed up
and down like a ball. When the Duke de Bracciano opened the box which he
had held for the missions, in the garb of a penitent, he found scarcely
any money in it, but plenty of bits of wood, buttons, &c. &c. At first
he flew into a violent passion, thinking it to be an impertinence
levelled at himself personally, but he was soon pacified on discovering
that all the other gentlemen employed in the same business had been
treated in a similar manner.
The Duke of Parma used frequently to clothe himself in a friar’s robe
and live ascetically. One day he remarked to the duchess that her
head-dress was not becoming. “Oh!” said she, “è bello e buono per un
frate.” For her part she spent much of her time in hunting, and loved to
wear man’s attire. The Emperor of Austria told the duchess, his sister,
if she would come to Rome while he and the King of Sweden were there,
they might have great luck at a game much played at Vienna, in which the
best hand consists of two kings and a card called “la matta” (the fool).
The King of Sweden remained in Rome till the middle of April, 1784. The
night before he set out for Naples he presented the Cardinal de Bernis
with a snuff-box, on which was his portrait, set in brilliants, valued
at sixty thousand livres.[43] He also gave one to the Chevalier de
Bernis, estimated at fifteen thousand livres, and a similar one to the
major-domo, besides leaving five hundred sequins for the cardinal’s
servants. A few days before his majesty’s departure, he was received at
the Arcadia by the name of Anaxander, and verses were composed in his
honour, after the fashion known as a Corona, the last line of each piece
being the first of the following one. Most of these effusions referred
chiefly to Queen Christina, the great patroness of the Arcadia, but some
of them also eulogised the king, and alluded to his assumed name as King
of Men. I don’t think his Majesty understood these allusions, for he
told me in the evening that his name was “Anaxamandre.” He seemed,
however, much gratified by the compliments paid to him, but remarked
that he did not deserve them. What he had done, he added, might make
some figure in _history_, but not in _poetry_.
The King of Sweden also presented to the Pope three caskets, containing
Swedish medals, ninety of which were of gold and one hundred and fifty
of silver. His Holiness made a handsome return by a present of two large
mosaics and two pieces of tapestry, besides some prints by Piranesi. One
of the mosaics alone was worth more than the whole of the Swedish
medals, but the king set down on a piece of paper the cost of his own
and the Pope’s presents, and made out that the latter was not worth half
as much as the former.
One night, at Monsignor de Bayane’s, an air balloon[44] was sent up to
gratify his Swedish Majesty, whose arms were painted upon it, with the
motto: “Ce n’est pas un conte.” The king amused himself with making all
kinds of ridiculous experiments with Naples biscuits, in concert with
the Princess Santa Croce.
Being at supper once with the King and Queen of Naples, the latter asked
Gustavus a number of questions about his revolution (in 1772), which he
answered in monosyllables, with evident reluctance. At last she inquired
what the Queen of Sweden was doing all that time. “Why,” said he, “she
remained shut up in her own room, awaiting the event. What have women to
do with political affairs?” However, he kissed the queen one evening as
he was taking leave of her, in the presence of the king, her husband,
who exclaimed: “Malora! in faccia mia!”
About this time I made the acquaintance of Lieutenant Koehler, General
Elliott’s aide-de-camp during the siege of Gibraltar. He said that the
general used to rise every morning at four, but scarcely ever went to
bed before twelve or one, and even then was continually awakened to hear
the reports from the different batteries of every circumstance that
happened in the enemy’s camp. While the floating batteries were burning,
he exclaimed: “They will make us pay for them; for they have a hundred
thousand witnesses to prove that it was we who set them on fire.” As he
walked up and down, watching the conflagration, he caught himself
humming one of his favourite airs: “Le matelot brûle au milieu des
flots.”
While General Elliott was planning the great sortie that destroyed the
Spanish works, he did not speak of it to any one. But when he had
arranged and decided upon every part of the manœuvre, he sent for the
commanding officers, and explained his intentions to them, appointing
each to a particular duty. He then ordered all the suttling-houses to be
closed, in order that the men might be quite sober, and even when they
were under arms he kept them waiting for four hours, so that if any of
them should happen to have been drinking they might have time to recover
from the effects. He then said he should accompany them to the gate, but
no one knew that he meant to go any further, though his aide-de-camp had
observed that his great-coat—which he wore with a belt, and called his
“kitchen fire”—stuck out more than was usual over his ordinary small
sword. But when he arrived at the gate he threw off his coat, and
ordered some one to carry it home, and it was then seen that he had his
fighting sword on, slung by a belt over his shoulder. As the path was
exceedingly difficult, many of the soldiers offered their arm to steady
him, but he told them that they would have enough to do to take care of
themselves, and so contented himself with leaning on his aide-de-camp’s
shoulder. When they reached the Spanish lines he exclaimed: “We have had
a run for it, but it has been the right way.”
After having completely destroyed the enemy’s works, he walked with the
slowest pace and most majestic demeanour. If any man happened to be
wounded, the general always inquired closely into the circumstances of
the case, and severely rebuked any officer who did not take good care of
the lives of his men. If any man was killed, he always asked if he had
left a wife or family, and made it his business that they should be
provided for. Every morning he visited the hospital, to see that it was
kept perfectly clean, and the patients properly attended to. The first
lemons in his garden were always sent there, and whatever else was
likely to contribute to the comfort of the sick and wounded.
Whenever he wanted to propose some new scheme which he had designed in
his own mind, General Elliott used to go to the persons to whose
department it belonged, and mention the matter to them as if asking
their opinion. By degrees he would insinuate his own idea into their
heads, and then applaud them for it, as if it were their own, and invite
them to carry it out immediately. They would thus set about the
performance with greater alacrity, and the general never claimed any
merit for his original idea, but generously relinquished the credit to
others. He likewise banished all libertinism and dissipation from the
garrison, setting himself a good moral example, as he did of activity
and industry. At the same time, he was particularly attentive to procure
for his officers every comfort in his power, and his own table[45] was
remarkably elegant and agreeable. At dessert he always had vast
quantities of natural flowers, and in the spring, when he gave the grand
dinners after reviewing the regiments, he used to raise columns of hoops
covered with canvas, all wreathed round with natural flowers. He had a
good library, and passed a portion of every evening in reading the works
of ancient authors, particularly Cæsar’s Commentaries.
In the early part of the siege there was a great dearth of firewood,
until a violent storm drove towards them almost an entire forest, which
the Spaniards had cut down. The garrison was occupied for three days in
getting it in, and when this supply was nearly exhausted, some old
fire-ships sent against them by the enemy were secured, which lasted
them for the rest of the time.
An officer was walking one day in his garden, which was a very beautiful
one, and had been of great service to the men, and he thought with
sorrow how soon everything in it must perish from want of water. He was
a remarkably devout man, and began praying for rain. Suddenly a shell
from the enemy flew over his head, and struck the rock at a few yards’
distance. Instantly a plentiful stream of water gushed forth, which
sufficed for the entire garrison, and never failed them.
At another time, General Elliott was walking in his own garden with two
of his aides-de-camp. It was a few nights before the affair of the
floating batteries, and a little after midnight. He was conversing with
his companions about these expected ships, wondering where they would be
moored, and calculating the means of destroying them, when a ball of
fire sprang from behind a certain part of the rock and fell into the
sea. Raising his hand with characteristic vivacity, he exclaimed, like a
Roman of the ancient times, “I accept the omen.” It was afterwards
ascertained that the spot where the meteor first appeared was the site
of the batteries that destroyed the ships, and that the spot where it
fell was the exact part of the bay in which those ships were moored.
The general encouraged the country people to bring in provisions, by
telling them to sell their things as dear as they could. In consequence
of which, they would run any risk to supply the garrison. He used to say
that it made his heart ache to see the great dinners that were carried
to the batteries for the officers, while the children were dying of
hunger in the streets. To set an example of abstinence, he himself lived
for several days on six ounces of rice per diem.
The following parody on the old song of The Vicar of Bray was a great
favourite with the general:
And this is law I will maintain,
My tune it ne’er shall alter,
That whosoe’er is King of Spain,
_We_ will keep Gibraltar.[46]
In the course of this year I picked up also the following anecdotes.
Captain Bonapace said that there was an old gentleman, seventy-five
years of age, living at Venice, whose father still allowed him only a
very small weekly sum for pocket money. One day a beggar asked him for
alms. “Come volete,” he exclaimed, “che il figlio del padre eterno vi
dia qualche cosa?”[47]
A Turk, who had been converted to the Roman Catholic religion, being
rebuked for eating fowl on a Friday, sprinkled a little water upon it,
saying: “As a drop of water turned me into a Christian, why should not a
drop of water turn that fowl into a fish?”
Sir James Hall told us, that when Sir Robert Keith introduced Mr.
Trevelyan and Mr. Lemon to Count Kaunitz, the latter asked: “Ces
messieurs parlent-ils Français?” “Fort bien, fort bien, monsieur,”
replied Mr. Lemon. “Pour moi,” said the count, “j’aimais mieux ces
Anglais qui venaient autrefois, et qui parlaient mal le Français.” “Dans
ce cas-là,” answered Sir Robert, “vous serez très content de ces
messieurs-ci.”
The Pope sent to the Grand-Duke of Tuscany, and asked him, as a favour,
to change one hundred thousand crowns’ worth of “cedules.” The
grand-duke expressed his readiness to do so if his Holiness would allow
him to buy as many oxen as he pleased in the Papal territories without
paying the usual tax. To this the Pope agreed, and the grand-duke bought
up an immense quantity of cattle, for which he paid in the “cedules” he
had just been changing.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER VI.
NAPLES—THE KING AND QUEEN—NISMES—VIENNE—THE EMBASSY PROM TIPPOO
SAHIB—GENOA—ROME—THE REVOLUTION AND THE PAPACY—ARRIVAL OF THE FRENCH
TROOPS.
WE left Rome on the 2nd of May, 1785, and reached Naples in the
afternoon of the 5th. The dress of the common people was very slight,
though very often exceedingly picturesque. The women wore their hair in
the style of antique statues, and none of them had any stays. Ladies
even of the highest rank went about with only a ribbon tied round their
head, and seemed by no means scrupulous as to etiquette. Many of them
kept running footmen, but these were very dirty. A black petticoat and a
mantle that covered the whole figure were generally worn by all women,
except those of the lowest orders.
A few days after our arrival we witnessed the funeral of an infant. The
corpse was dressed in red and silver, and laid upon an immense and
magnificent bier borne by eight young men, in fancy costumes, with
plumes of feathers on their heads to represent angels, but much more
resembling stage figurants. Two persons walked in front, carrying gold
vases filled with flowers. The priests were in their usual place, and
last of all came the coffin, decorated with yellow and silver.
Refreshments were handed round at the house, and sugar-plums thrown out
of the window into the street, as it is considered a matter for
rejoicing that the child should have died before it could have committed
sin.
We were presented to the queen by the Duchess d’Andria. Her Majesty
stood beside a great table in a large room, and with only two candles
lighted. She asked us two or three common-place questions, and then made
us a civil curtsey, whereupon we took our leave. Her Majesty was not at
all well dressed, nor was she at all graceful. She is said to have a
fine hand and arm, which she leaned upon the table. She spoke to us in
French. Many other ladies were presented at the same time, the duchess
calling their names in order from a list she held in her hand.
The queen used to be subject to fits of devotion, at which times she
stuck short prayers and pious ejaculations inside of her stays, and
occasionally swallowed them. The king used to pass our house on his way
to the lake where he caught the gulls that he sold to the fish-dealers.
He weighed the birds with his own hands, and was very careful to be paid
in good money.
We remained at Naples till the latter part of May, 1786, when we
proceeded to Marseilles in a small sailing vessel. On our arrival at
that port the custom-house officers came on board, and were very
troublesome, though we had nothing contrary to their laws. It was
impossible, indeed, not to remark a change in the manners of the French
since we last resided in that country. The revolutionary spirit had made
great progress during the few years that had elapsed, though it had not
yet reached its acme. Injurious reflections were just beginning to be
cast upon Marie Antoinette, and all sorts of reports were being spread
abroad of a character to bring the “haute société” into discredit.
After staying a few days at Marseilles we went for a week to Avignon,
and thence to Nismes, where we remained for nearly a year. The larger
portion of the inhabitants were Calvinists, but the bishop was kind and
liberal to all who stood in need of his assistance, and never omitted to
send invitations to the higher order of Protestant gentlemen.
Individuals, however, of the two persuasions were not equally tolerant.
If a Catholic were invited to dine with a Protestant on Friday or
Saturday, he was certain not to find anything he could eat; and if a
Protestant happened to dine with a Catholic on a fast day, there was
never anything but fish and vegetables. Nevertheless, the society of
Nismes was very agreeable, and there were good families residing in the
neighbourhood who were very sociable.
In the following spring we removed to Vienne, with which we were so well
pleased that we resided there until the beginning of May, 1789.[48] An
embassy from Tippoo Sahib passed through Vienne in July, 1788, on its
way from Marseilles to Paris. The ambassadors consisted of a warrior
dressed in white, said to be the king’s son-in-law, with his two sons
who were learning French, and of a man of letters and a man of law. They
travelled only from eleven to four, fearing the cold of the morning and
evening. The whole town turned out to see them. The warrior laughed much
on seeing abbés and ladies standing together, and said that the latter
took a great liberty in touching persons who were sacred. He was also
much grieved for the women who were not married, and thought they were
not fairly treated.
From Vienne we descended the Rhône to Avignon, and thence proceeded by
way of Aix to Toulon. The country was filled with soldiers, and the
townspeople were breaking out into riots by reason of the heavy taxes
and the high price of bread. We were detained at Toulon several days
waiting for a French felucca from Antibes, as there was a nest of
Barbary corsairs among the Iles d’Hyères which rendered Italian vessels
unsafe. As it was, we crept along the coast, and landed at Nice, Frejus,
and Savona,[49] being greatly delayed by contrary winds. However, on the
eighteenth day after our departure from Toulon, we reached Genoa in
safety. Society was then on a very magnificent footing in that
aristocratic republic. Both men and women of the higher classes were
familiar with both French and Italian, though they generally used the
Genoese dialect. Many of them were also well acquainted with English,
and, as in other parts of Italy, most of the men were good classical
scholars. They were not, perhaps, so fond of music and painting as in
the south, and yet the noble pictures in their churches and palaces bore
evidence to the taste of the nation for the latter art.
All the nobility dressed in black, the men invariably, and the ladies
when at the Doge’s palace and the large parties called the “Quarante.”
It was considered their court dress, and was rarely worn for mourning.
Indeed, it was the custom for the nobles to mention in their wills that
they desired no mourning should be worn for them. The assemblies derived
their name of “quarante” from their having been originally given by
forty of the principal families in succession. There were not nearly so
many families of distinction when we were at Genoa, but these parties
were nevertheless very splendid, the houses being brilliantly
illuminated within and without, and sumptuously adorned with choice
tapestry and costly furniture. The nobility seldom gave grand dinners,
but when they did it was in the very best style. They were for the most
part engaged in commerce, and very keen in business matters.
I remember that after one of their great dinners a servant, who was
carrying coffee round, let the tray fall, and broke a very valuable
service of china. The master of the house took no further notice of the
accident than to tell the man to bring some more coffee. One of the
guests, who came from another part of Italy, remarked how patiently he
bore this loss, although he had been so angry only the day before
because his people were burning two small candles, instead of one, in
the office. The host smiled, and said: “O! questa è altra cosa: qui si
spende, là si guadagna.”[50]
It was a rare circumstance for Genoese noblemen to enter a foreign
service, nor was the military profession generally held in high regard.
One evening I was sitting by a lady at one of the parties of the
“quarante,” when a young officer came up and spoke to my companion.
After conversing a little while he moved away again, when she whispered
to, me: “Though he is in uniform, I can assure you that he is a
gentleman.” Very few of the Genoese noblemen cared to enter the army,
but many Corsican noblemen still remained in the service, though that
island no longer belonged to the Republic. The generalissimo, or rather
the secretary-at-war, was a senator, and wore the black “toga” of his
order. I saw him once review the troops in that dress, with a very fine
lace braid. He sat in an arm-chair at a table, with pens, ink, and paper
before him—his secretaries standing by the side of the table—while the
soldiers were performing their military evolutions.
With respect to the naval service, however, it was very different—the
frigates and galleys being commanded by young men of the highest
families. For the same reason that the Genoese nobles would not serve in
the army, they refused to be sent as ministers to foreign
courts—ambassadors they had none. Every noble was “a sovereign,” and as
such could not be a servant, even of the government, so simple citizens,
or gentlemen from provincial towns, were employed as envoys of the
republic.
There was one inconvenience, of a singular kind, which we never quite
got over. The money of many different countries was current in Genoa,
but changed in value every week. This at first puzzled us not a little,
but a gentleman of our acquaintance afterwards used to call upon us
every Saturday at noon, and tell us the rates of exchange for the
following week. Still it was a matter of some trouble in paying a bill
to calculate the different values of Austrian, Papal, Piedmontese,
Tuscan, and French coins, all of which were mixed together in the money
we received from our banker. The coin of the Republic was rare, and much
sought after.[51]
We liked Genoa much, but were compelled to leave it when the intrigues
of the revolutionary government of France rendered this city an
undesirable residence for English families. On our way to Rome we stayed
a few days at Parma, the sovereign of which was greatly beloved by his
subjects, for, it was said, he had never refused a petition, and never
imposed a new tax. There was no appearance of poverty in his states, and
I never saw a more happy people. How he and his country were treated by
the French republicans is matter of history. Both Parma and Piacenza
were free cities.
A few years after this visit I became acquainted with a regular canon of
the great church of Piacenza, and who, according to custom, had his own
confessional box. One day, after the French occupation of the country,
he entered the church, with the intention of taking his own seat, but
was surprised at not finding the confessional in its proper place. After
looking about for it in all directions, he found it in a gallery lying
on its side, and on the top of it the dead body of a French soldier,
which three surgeons, or surgeon’s mates, of that army were busily
skinning. Horrified at the sight, he asked the meaning of this ghastly
proceeding, and was told that some scientific men had discovered that
the human skin made excellent leather. It had, therefore, been ordered
that all dead bodies should be skinned, for the purpose of providing
boots and shoes for the soldiers.
From the Duchy of Parma we proceeded to Bologna, and thence to Florence,
which we greatly admired. The Tuscans, of all classes, appeared to me to
be a very polished people, as if still retaining traces of their early
civilisation. The peasants were far superior in every respect to those
of other countries, and fewer crimes were at that time committed in
Tuscany than in any other part of Europe.
On the 30th of April, 1791, we once more found ourselves in Rome.
The two French princesses, Madame Adelaide and Madame Victoire, aunts of
Louis XVI., were lodged at Cardinal de Bernis’. The cardinal having
declined to take the oath of allegiance to the republic, was no longer
ambassador; but he still kept up his Friday evenings’ conversazioni, at
which the princesses appeared, and were very courteous and affable.
Madame Adelaide still retained traces of that beauty which had
distinguished her in her youth, and there was great vivacity in her
manner, and in the expression of her countenance. Madame Victoire had
also an agreeable face, much good sense, and great sweetness of temper.
Their dress, and that of their suite, were old-fashioned, but
unostentatious. The jewels they brought with them had been sold, one by
one, to afford assistance to the poor émigrés who applied to the
princesses in their distress. They were highly respected by the Romans;
not only by the higher orders, but by the common people, who had a
horror of the French revolution, and no great partiality for that nation
in general.
It was in January, 1793,[52] that the revolutionary propagandism first
came into actual collision with the Pope’s government. A Frenchman named
Basville, who had been secretary to Lafayette in America, had been sent
from Paris to induce Pius VI. to acknowledge the republic, and permit
the republican arms and three-coloured cockades to be publicly displayed
in Rome. The Pope, however, resolutely refused to recognise any
government in France but that of the king.
The students at the French Academy, who were nearly all democratical,
then took down the statue of Louis XIV., the founder of that
institution, and gave a banquet in honour of the occasion. Every one
present wore a red cap on his head, or had a small one suspended from a
ribbon round his neck.
On the 12th of January, Major Flotte arrived from Naples, and went
straight to the Cardinal Secretary-of-State, whom he informed that his
orders were to give the Pope only twenty-four hours to decide whether he
would, or would not, recognise the republic; and that if his Holiness
did not, within that space of time, allow the republican insignia to be
put up, it would be considered as equivalent to a declaration of war.
The Pope desired the Cardinal Secretary-of-State to intimate to M.
Flotte that his resolution was already taken, and that if the republican
insignia were placed up anywhere in public, he would not be answerable
for the insults his countrymen might receive from the Roman people. On
being told this, M. Flotte replied in a loud voice, that if any insults
were offered, five hundred thousand Frenchmen would come to avenge them,
and would leave not a single stone upon another.
In the afternoon of the following day a great crowd assembled in the
Corso near the Academy of France, and after it was dark set fire to it.
For some hours they promenaded the streets, shouting “Viva il Papa!”
“Viva la Santa Chiesa!” We opened our windows to look at the people as
they walked past in a very orderly manner. They looked up, and in a
cheerful tone desired us to cry “Viva il Papa!”[53] which we did very
willingly, and added “Viva mille anni!” for which they applauded us. One
of them, however, a well-dressed young man, said, with an air of
drollery, “But will you cry ‘Viva la Santa Chiesa?’” “Vivan tutte le
Chiese!” cried I; to which he replied, “Brava! bravissima!”
Early in the afternoon of the 14th, Basville and Flotte drove out of the
French Academy with republican cockades in their hats, and in those of
the coachman and footman. Basville’s little boy was in the carriage with
them, and kept waving out of the window a three-coloured flag, while
they shouted to the people, “Romani, viva la libertà!” “Giù la cocarda!”
was the only reply they received. But as they would neither take the
cockades out of their own hats, nor allow the coachman to remove his,
the crowd became furious, and ordered the driver to turn the horses’
heads homewards.
A pistol being fired from the carriage, whether by Flotte or Basville
was never known, the people threw a volley of stones at them, and
pursued them to the house where Basville was staying. The latter
received a mortal wound, after having slightly wounded some of the
populace. Flotte jumped out of a window when the mob rushed into the
house, and took refuge with an old Roman marchioness. The furniture was
broken into fragments and flung into the streets, but nothing whatever
was stolen. Basville’s wife and child fell upon their knees and begged
for their lives, upon which the people turned away in disgust, and
indignantly asked, “If they thought they were going to hurt women and
children?” Flotte and Madame Basville were afterwards sent off by night
to Naples, the Pope giving each of them forty-five crowns to pay their
travelling expenses.
In the course of the next few days it was estimated that nearly three
thousand Frenchmen fled from Rome, some in carriages, others on
horseback, and others, again, on foot. Basville died of the injuries he
had received, and among his papers was found an unfinished treatise in
his handwriting, the object of which was to prove that the monarchical
form of government was the only one suited to the French nation.
For several days after this disturbance the people used to stop all
carriages in the streets, and make their inmates cry “Viva il Papa!”
Among others, they stopped that of Prince Augustus,[54] but some
dragoons rode up, and told them it was a son of the King of England. The
prince, however, said that he would very willingly cry “Viva il Papa!”
to which they responded with “Viva il Rè d’Inghilterra!” A few houses
were attacked, and some windows broken, but order was soon restored,
beyond an attempt to attack the Ghetto, the Jews’ quarter, which was
prevented by the soldiers, assisted by several noblemen of influence.
The mob went first to St. Peter’s, and asked for the Pope’s benediction,
before proceeding to vent their fury upon the Jews; and this gave time
for the adoption of measures of repression.
It is not my intention, however, to write a history of the political
events which occurred during our residence at Rome. We remained there
unmolested until the occupation of that city by the French troops under
General Berthier in February, 1798, when with some difficulty we
effected our escape to Naples.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER VII.
SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON—EXPECTED ARRIVAL OF A BRITISH SQUADRON—STATE OF
FEELING AT NAPLES—THE KING AND QUEEN—ARRIVAL OF NELSON—HIS
RECEPTION—EXCITEMENT AT NAPLES.
ON the 4th of June (1798), the birthday of our good and gracious
sovereign George III., Sir William Hamilton[55] gave a grand dinner, to
which he invited all the English then residing at Naples. As soon as the
dessert was placed upon the table he rose to propose the king’s health,
after which he announced what, he said, was certain to afford the
greatest satisfaction to the assembled company—the speedy arrival of a
British squadron in the Mediterranean. This intelligence, he added, had
been communicated to him in a letter from the Earl of St. Vincent, off
Gibraltar, informing Sir William that he would immediately despatch this
squadron, under the command of Sir Horatio Nelson, to oppose the French
fleets and protect the states of our allies.
It would be vain to attempt to describe the sensation produced by this
speech. Week after week, month after month, had our eyes been directed
towards the sea without ever discovering a friendly sail, unless it were
some little privateer with a still smaller prize. I remembered the
praises and civilities bestowed upon a Ragusan commanding a “letter of
mark,” who had displayed considerable bravery and seamanship in
capturing a French vessel. But now we considered ourselves perfectly
safe under the protecting shield of a British admiral, and that admiral
a Nelson, with a Troubridge for second in command, and under his orders
a Saumarez, a Hood, and others who had so gallantly distinguished
themselves as to be commonly called “the fire-eaters.” Daily did we look
out for our destined protectors, and an excellent telescope we possessed
was placed at the window every morning, and never removed till after
sunset.
At length we perceived a group of lofty masts and sails between the
Island of Capri and the furthest point of the coast beyond Posilippo. A
sloop was sent forward in advance, bringing the commodore, to obtain, if
possible, intelligence of the French fleet under Admiral Brueys,
conveying General Bonaparte and his army. Malta had already surrendered
to the enemy, but whither they had since directed their course could not
be positively ascertained. Many and various were the conjectures
hazarded on the subject, but Sir William Hamilton had entirely failed to
gain any reliable information as to their movements. The sloop then
returned to the squadron, and before morning not a mast was in sight.
Our conversation by day and our dreams by night had for their sole and
only subject the expected meeting of the hostile fleets. The Court of
Naples had not publicly renounced its neutrality,[56] though its dislike
of the common enemy, and its wishes for the success of the allies, on
which, indeed, its own safety depended, were well known to all parties.
The common people generally agreed with the Court, but many of the young
nobles were infected with the revolutionary spirit. Endowed with more
imagination than judgment, and greatly addicted to dissipation, they
were anxious to throw off all inconvenient trammels; or, if led by their
genius to nobler pursuits, they were captivated by the false theories of
the philosophers then in fashion, and who had been among the first
victims to the revolution they had evoked.
It must also be borne in mind, that at that time there existed two
opposite national parties. Although the war of 1745 had placed the
Spanish branch of the House of Bourbon on the throne, the Queen herself
was an Austrian, and was supposed to be partial to her native
country.[57] The Spanish families established in the kingdom of the Two
Sicilies, and the adherents of Spain, were secretly, if not avowedly,
her enemies. Spain had taken part with France, and many Neapolitans and
Sicilians of high rank were in the Spanish service. It is but just,
however, to remark, that amongst those who were warmly attached to this
party, there were many who, disgusted by the system of cruelty and
irreligion then prevailing in France, felt a natural horror in the
presence of the revolutionary agents, and heartily wished for their
expulsion from the country. The Italians in general were at that time
well affected towards the English, and certainly the majority of the
inhabitants of Naples anticipated with pleasure the arrival of a British
fleet.
The impatience of our naval heroes to discover the French fleet was
scarcely greater than that which we felt to hear of their success. We
knew that they had touched at Syracuse, and we hoped that they might
follow the directions they would probably receive there, for the
Sicilians, an acute people and sworn enemies of the French, were the
most likely to obtain correct information as to the movements of the
latter.
Our telescope was constantly directed towards the entrance of the
beautiful bay, the prospect of which we so perfectly enjoyed from our
windows. At length, one morning, while I was reading to my mother, I
happened to turn my eyes towards the sea, and thought I discerned a
sloop of war in the offing. I consulted the glass, and found that I was
not mistaken. I also plainly saw that a blue ensign was hoisted, but
this was no proof that the vessel belonged to the squadron of Sir
Horatio Nelson, for blue was also the colour of Lord St. Vincent’s flag.
My attention was instantly distracted from my book, and my dear mother
was rather displeased with my evident preoccupation, for I did not
venture to confess my hopes lest I should raise hers too high, and cause
her the pain of disappointment.
I forget what I was reading, but it was something that peculiarly
interested my mother, and she began at last to think that I could not be
so negligent without a cause of some importance. She rose from her seat,
and went to the telescope. The sloop was now approaching nearer and
nearer to the land. The book was laid aside, and we alternately kept an
eye at the glass. Presently we saw a boat put off from the shore, and
pull out to the ship. Two officers were on deck, and drew near to the
side. We clearly distinguished a gold epaulet on the shoulder, and this
was quite sufficient to convince us that one was the commander of the
sloop and the other a captain going home with despatches. News of a
victory, no doubt. We observed the gestures of the officers while they
were conversing with the persons in the boat, Englishmen resident at
Naples. We fancied we could see them, with the commotion natural to
sailors, and particularly on such an occasion, depict by their action
the blowing up of some ships and the sinking of others.
Our conjectures were soon happily realised. The vessel was the _Mutine_,
to which Captain Hoste,[58] who had distinguished himself as lieutenant
on board the flag-ship, had been appointed in the room of Captain Hardy,
who had been posted to succeed Captain Berry, sent home with the news by
another route. Captain Hoste had been sent by Sir Horatio to Naples with
despatches for Sir William Hamilton, and to convey Captain Capel,[59]
who was to proceed to England.[60] The battle of the Nile had been
fought and won. Never, perhaps, was a victory more complete. What a
deliverance for Italy! What a glory for England! The cause of religion,
of justice, of humanity had triumphed!
Old General di Pietra, one of the few survivors of the gallant band who
had assisted in the conquest of Naples during the war between Spain and
Austria, lived in a house adjoining our hotel, and there was a door of
communication between them. He had been very attentive to us, and we met
excellent society at his table, for he delighted in giving dinner
parties. We knew his anxiety to receive the earliest accounts of the
meeting of the two fleets, and my mother desired me to give him the
first intelligence. I ran to the door, and the servant who opened it,
and to whom I delivered my message, uttered exclamations of joy, which
were heard in the dining-room, where the general was entertaining a
large party of officers. The secretary was instantly sent to me, and I
was obliged to go in and tell my story. Never shall I forget the shouts,
the bursts of applause, the toasts drank, the glasses broken one after
another by the secretary in token of exultation, till the general,
laughing heartily, stopped him by saying that he should not have a glass
left to drink Nelson’s health in on his arrival.
The first care of Sir William Hamilton was to take Captain Capel to the
palace. The king and queen were at dinner with their children, as was
their custom, for they dined very early. As soon as the king heard the
good news, he started up, embraced the queen, the princes, and the
princesses, and exclaimed, “Oh, my children, you are now safe!”
Cardinal York was then at Naples, having fled from Rome to avoid falling
into the hands of the French. Sir William Hamilton, on his return from
the palace, met him in his carriage, called to the cardinal’s coachman
to stop, and, getting out of his own carriage, he went up to the
cardinal’s, and said: “I beg pardon of your eminence for stopping your
carriage, but I am sure you will be glad to hear the good news which I
have to communicate.”
The cardinal, rather surprised, asked, “Pray, sir, to whom have I the
honour of speaking?”
“To Sir William Hamilton.”
“Oh! to the British minister,” rejoined the cardinal. “I am much obliged
to you, sir; and what is the news?”
Sir William then gave an account of the victory as succinctly as he
could. The cardinal, agitated and rejoiced, said, “But may we depend on
the truth of this great affair? There are so many false reports.” Sir
William then introduced Captain Capel, saying, “This gentleman, a
brother of Lord Essex, was in the action, and is going home immediately
with the despatches.”
“In that case, sir,” said the cardinal to Captain Capel, “when you
arrive in England, do me the favour to say that no man rejoices more
sincerely than I do in the success and glory of the British navy.”
The effect produced by this event was instantaneously perceptible. The
French consul, M. de Sieyès, brother of the celebrated Abbé Sieyès, did
not venture to show himself on his balcony, and even Madame Sieyès and
her pug were seldom visible. The joy was universal, and the impatience
for the arrival of the victors daily increased in intensity. Two ships
of the line at length appeared in sight. The weather was particularly
calm, and a great number of boats went out to meet them, conveying not
only English residents, but many of the natives likewise. The king
himself went in his barge, followed by a part of his band of music in
another, and several of the foreign ministers and others joined in the
glad procession. I was with Sir William and Lady Hamilton in their
barge, which also was followed by another with a band of musicians on
board. The shore was lined with spectators, who rent the air with joyous
acclamations, while the bands played “God save the King” and “Rule
Britannia.”
As we approached the two ships we made them out to be the _Culloden_,
Commodore Troubridge;[61] and the _Alexander_, Captain Ball.[62] We
first rowed up to the _Culloden_, which had suffered considerably from
running aground in the Nile, and was going to Castellane to be repaired.
Commodore Troubridge came into our barge, and we then pulled on to the
_Alexander_, on board of which we found several French prisoners, and
among others Admiral Blanquet du Cayla, a man of good family, but an
enthusiastic republican. He had fought his ship the _Franklin_ most
bravely, for there was scarcely a gun left undismounted when he
consented to surrender, and he himself was wounded. Captain Ball, one of
the most gentlemanly men breathing, was very courteous to his prisoners;
and as his ship was nearest, and chiefly instrumental to the blowing up
of _L’Orient_, the flag-ship of Admiral Brueys, he and his officers and
men were peculiarly anxious to save as many of the enemy’s people as
possible, and at the hazard of their own lives rescued a great number
from the flames and from the sea.
The King of Naples did not go on board either of the ships, but from his
barge saluted the officers on deck. His Majesty had expressed his desire
to be incognito, so as not to give the trouble of paying him the usual
honours. Sir William Hamilton, observing some of the seamen looking
earnestly out of the portholes, said to them, “My lads! that is the
king, whom you have saved, with his family and kingdom.” Several of the
men answered, “Very glad of it, sir—very glad of it.”
Two or three days later (September 22) the _Vanguard_, with the flag of
Sir Horatio Nelson, came in sight; and this time the concourse of
barges, boats, and spectators, was greater than before. The _Vanguard_
was followed by two or three ships of the line, which had been in the
engagement. It would be impossible to imagine a more beautiful and
animated scene than the bay of Naples then presented. Bands of music
played our national airs. With “God save the King” they had long been
familiar, but for the present occasion they had learned “Rule Britannia”
and “See the conquering hero comes.” No Englishman or Englishwoman can
hear those airs without emotion in a foreign land, however trifling may
be the effect they produce in our own country; but under such
circumstances as these they create a powerful excitement.
We rowed out to a considerable distance, following the king, who was
anxious to greet his deliverers, as he did not scruple to call them.[63]
Sir Horatio Nelson received his Majesty with respect, but without
embarrassment, and conducted him over every part of the vessel, with
which he seemed much pleased, and particularly so with the kindness and
attention shown to the wounded seamen, of whom there were several on
board. The king afterwards sat down with us to a handsome breakfast, at
which I remarked a little bird hopping about on the table. This bird had
come on board the _Vanguard_ the evening before the action, and had
remained in her ever since. The admiral’s cabin was its chief residence,
but it was fed and petted by all who came near it, for sailors regard
the arrival of a bird as a promise of victory, or at least as an
excellent omen. It flew away, I believe, soon after the ship reached
Naples.
Just before we sat down to breakfast the Bailli Caraccioli[64] made his
appearance, and congratulated Sir Horatio on his victory with seemingly
genuine sincerity. That unfortunate man, however, had before this
conceived a jealous resentment against the hero of the Nile. We had been
in the habit of meeting him at General di Pietra’s, and some days before
the arrival of the _Vanguard_ he told me that in the engagement off
Corsica, in which he as commander of a Neapolitan frigate had joined the
squadron under Admiral Hotham, Nelson had passed before him, contrary to
the directions previously issued. This he thought very unfair, because
British officers had frequent opportunities of distinguishing
themselves, which was not the case with his own service. He was a man of
noble family, about fifty years of age, a Bailli of the Order of Malta,
and a great favourite at Court, being charged with the nautical
education of Prince Leopold, the king’s second son, then nearly nine
years old.
After the king had taken his leave, Sir William Hamilton asked the
admiral to make his house his head-quarters, and accordingly Sir Horatio
accompanied us ashore. In the evening the minister’s house was
illuminated in the most splendid manner, and many of the English
residents followed the example. Every imaginable honour was paid by the
Court to Admiral Nelson. General Sir John Acton,[65] who was
commander-in-chief, prime minister, &c., was very zealous in the cause
of the allies, and at a dinner-party which he gave, the young Prince
Leopold was sent by the queen, accompanied by the bailli, with a very
gracious message from her Majesty to Sir Horatio, regretting that she
had not yet been able to see him, as for some days she had been very
unwell.
A grand ball was also given in honour of the British admiral by Count
Francis Esterhazy, and on the 29th of September Sir William Hamilton
celebrated Nelson’s birthday by a splendid fête. At the extremity of the
saloon where we danced was a rostral column, on which were inscribed the
names of the heroes of the Nile, while a profusion of flowers and a
magnificent illumination added to the brilliancy of the entertainment.
Nothing could be more gay than Naples at that period. All anxiety and
fears were forgotten. Nor was the homage paid to our admiral confined to
the higher classes. It was impossible for him to appear in the streets
without being surrounded and followed by crowds of people, shouting out
“Viva Nelson!” Indeed, our officers and men were invariably treated with
the utmost respect and cordiality, and were hailed as the deliverers of
the country. Not a dissentient voice was ever heard. It was also very
gratifying to hear the praises bestowed in society upon the firmness of
our excellent sovereign, and on the sagacity of his ministers.
The French being in possession of Rome were masters of the post-office,
and thus in a great measure enabled to prevent the communication of any
exact intelligence as to the progress of the war. The Romans, however,
are a people not easily duped. So, when they were commanded to
illuminate their houses for a pretended victory gained by the French
navy at the Nile, they guessed the truth, and hung out lanterns,
representing St. Michael subduing the enemy of mankind. The authorities
at Paris were rather more modest than their subordinates at Rome, and
contented themselves with describing the affair as a drawn battle. I
remember that one day when we were rowing round some of the ships that
had been taken in the engagement, Sir William Hamilton remarked, “Look
at these, and ask how they can call it a drawn battle.” Nelson answered:
“They are quite right; only they drew the blanks and we the prizes.”
The foreigners who were obliged to remain at Rome were naturally anxious
to obtain correct accounts of what was passing elsewhere. Of this number
was the excellent Angelica Kauffman, who was civilly treated, however,
by the French, as they rather paid court to artists, though one of their
generals and his aide-de-camp made her paint their portraits
gratuitously,[66] and all the pictures they found in her house belonging
to Austrians, Russians, or English, were carried off by them. These were
tolerably numerous, as there had been for some time past no means of
forwarding them to their respective destinations. I used to send her the
news in terms of art, calling the French “landscape painters,” and the
English “historical painters.” Nelson was Don Raffaell; but I recollect
being puzzled how to inform her that our fleet was gone to Malta, until
I thought of referring her for the subject of “the picture” to a chapter
of the Acts of the Apostles, well knowing that the Book in which that
island was mentioned was not likely to be opened by the inspectors of
the post. To another lady I was in the habit of writing in the millinery
style, giving descriptions of gimps and ribands; and to Monsignor
Maretti, who was with the Pope in his confinement at Valence,[67] I
conveyed intelligence, as fragments of ancient Greek tragedies found
amongst the MSS. in the library of Capo di Monte. He had lately
translated into Italian verse the “Seven against Thebes,” and the
“Agamemnon” of Æschylus; and these were subjects that had very little
interest for our enemies.
It is with pleasure that I reflect upon the comfort which these
pretended fragments afforded to our friend and his venerable master, who
bore his captivity with wonderful fortitude. Lord St. Vincent had issued
orders to all his cruisers that in case they fell in with the Pope at
sea—for it was reported that he was to be sent to Spain or
elsewhere—they were at once to set him at liberty, and escort him
whithersoever he pleased to go, deferring the performance of every other
duty to the accomplishment of this one. I communicated this order to
Monsignor Maretti in the manner above described, and it excited the most
lively gratitude in the breast of the aged sovereign. His last brief, as
I afterwards learned from Monsignor Maretti, was addressed to the Roman
Catholic bishops and clergy then in England, exhorting them so to
conduct themselves as to show their gratitude to the king and people of
that country for the protection and hospitality they enjoyed.
“God save the King” was, of course, often sung amongst the English at
Naples, and the following stanza was added to the national anthem:
Join we great Nelson’s name,
First on the roll of fame,
Him let us sing;
Spread we his fame around,
Honour of British ground,
Who made Nile’s shores resound—
“God save our king!”[68]
The French officers of rank who had been made prisoners were permitted
to return to France on their “parole.” When Admiral Blanquet du
Cayla[69] left the _Alexander_, he called on the French consul, whose
apartments adjoined ours. As he entered the room, we heard M. Sieyès
exclaim, “Oh! how delighted I am to see you, my dear admiral, out of the
hands of those abominable Englishmen!” Du Cayla instantly replied: “Say
nothing against the English, consul. They fight like lions, and they
have treated me and my officers and men most kindly.” Without any
intention to listen, it was impossible to avoid hearing much that was
said in the adjoining room. I have no doubt our neighbours listened when
Sir William Hamilton brought the officers to give us an account of the
victory, for their child made a prodigious noise with his drum at the
door which communicated with both apartments. It was natural enough they
should be grieved, but it was an odd way of showing their vexation.
In the midst of all this festivity, however, the Neapolitan government
soon became aware of the necessity of raising an army to check the
further progress of the French arms in Italy. With this object in view,
they applied to Austria for a general to organise and command their
troops. Mack was the general solicited for this purpose, and the king
invited Sir William Hamilton and Lord Nelson—for he had been created a
peer in honour of his victory of the 1st of August—to be present at the
review, which was to take place at a short distance from the capital.
They went, and on their return reported favourably of the appearance of
the soldiers, though they seemed surprised that General Mack should have
said that he only regretted such a fine army would not have to encounter
an enemy more worthy of its prowess. This boastful security appeared to
them very extraordinary, for there was no doubt that the French were
still just as formidable as in their more chivalrous times.
The Neapolitan army soon afterwards marched to Rome, and took possession
of that city, after its evacuation by the French. The King of Naples
entered in triumph, and appointed some members of the Roman nobility to
form a provisional government during the absence of their sovereign.
Their tenure of office, however, was very brief. The French returned in
such force that the Neapolitans had barely time to secure their own
retreat, leaving the provisional governors to shift for themselves.
Fortunately they had still a few blank passports left, and having filled
them up with their own names, they sought safety in instant flight.
Like a dark cloud announcing a tremendous storm, the enemy kept
gradually approaching. A very indifferent understanding existed between
the Austrians and Russians in those parts of Italy where they were
acting in assumed co-operation. The populace of Naples, and many of the
higher orders, indeed, stoutly affirmed that they would never suffer
their king and his family to fall into the hands of the enemy; but still
it was thought more prudent to make preparations for departure.
Unfortunately, there was no English ship of war then in the bay, except
that which bore the flag of Lord Nelson,[70] and a frigate with a
Turkish ambassador on board, attended by a numerous suite. A Portuguese
squadron, however, was lying there, and also a fine Neapolitan
man-of-war, commanded by Prince Caraccioli, and likewise another ship of
the line; but it was the opinion of the Court, that although the bailli
himself was trustworthy, the same reliance could not be placed in his
crew. It was therefore resolved that the royal family should go with
Lord Nelson.
How far these suspicions were well founded I cannot say, but I have no
doubt that this step hastened the desertion of Prince Caraccioli. We met
him about this time at a dinner-party at General di Pietra’s, and I
never saw any man look so utterly miserable. He scarcely uttered a word,
ate nothing, and did not even unfold his napkin. However, he took the
ships safe to Messina, where they were laid up in ordinary.
Notwithstanding the secrecy observed with respect to the intended
departure of the king and the royal family, his Majesty’s intention was
generally known and lamented. We were informed of it by Sir William
Hamilton, but with injunctions of strict secrecy, and permission was
even refused us to give a hint to the Roman exiles who were staying in
the same hotel as ourselves. We packed up everything as quietly as
possible. We dared not venture out, as we knew not at what time we might
be sent for to embark, and we were equally ignorant of the destination
of our voyage.
The populace had become very riotous, crowding about the king’s palace,
beseeching his Majesty not to leave them. It was even unsafe for
strangers to be in the streets, unless well known; for all foreigners
were liable to be mistaken for Frenchmen. Day after day passed away in
anxious expectation, until one evening, just as we were retiring to
rest, an officer from Lord Nelson’s ship, attended by some seamen, made
his appearance, and told us that a boat was waiting to take us on board.
We hastily paid our bill, and sent an ambiguous message to our Roman
friends, which would put them on their guard. We then accompanied the
officer to the shore. Both he and his men were armed.
The night was cold, for we were in the month of December (21st), and it
was between twelve and one before we were in the boat. There were
several persons already in it, and an English child fell into the water,
but was taken out unhurt. We had a long way to go, for the ships had
cast anchor at a great distance from the city, to be beyond the range of
the forts in the event of treachery or surprise. When he came alongside
the admiral’s ship, the captain, Sir Thomas Hardy, stepped into the
boat, and told my mother that the ship was so full there was no room for
us. In vain we entreated to be taken on board. The thing was impossible.
We must take our passage in a Portuguese man-of-war, commanded by an
Englishman, who had formerly been a master in our navy, but had now the
rank of commodore. There was no alternative; but we were some time
before we reached the ship to which we had been consigned. The young
midshipman who conducted us was constantly jumping about in the boat to
keep himself from falling asleep, for during the last forty-eight hours
he had been unceasingly engaged in getting the baggage and numerous
attendants of the royal family on board.
We reached our destination about two in the morning, and were ushered
into the chief cabin, where we found many ladies of different countries.
One only—a Russian lady of high rank and great wealth—had a bed to sleep
in, the others being obliged to content themselves with mattresses laid
on the floor. We now learned that we were bound for Palermo, and it was
a great satisfaction to us to receive this confirmation of our previous
hopes.
The manners of the commodore were by no means prepossessing, but he was
apparently annoyed at having his ship so crowded with helpless
passengers. All the ships of the Portuguese squadron were commanded by
Englishmen, except the flag-ship, the captain of which was a French
emigrant nobleman. The admiral himself was a well-bred, good-natured
man, much liked by all his acquaintances, and on the best terms with
Lord Nelson and all the officers of our fleet.
After an uncomfortable night, we rose to witness so violent a storm that
no communication could take place between the ships. We obtained,
however, a small cabin for our exclusive use, which was an unspeakable
comfort.
On the following morning, the weather being more calm, we perceived on
Lord Nelson’s ship the signal for sailing; but none on the other ships.
Our feeling of “desertion” is not to be described, and the murmurs and
animadversions we were constrained to overhear, added not a little to
the painful sensations we ourselves experienced. Presently, however, we
perceived a barge making towards us. It was that of Captain Hardy, whom
Lord Nelson had sent with a message to my mother, expressive of his
concern that he could not take us on board his own ship, and informing
us that the _Culloden_, Captain Troubridge, was shortly expected from
Leghorn, and would, if we wished it, convey us to Palermo. Captain Hardy
then returned to his ship, and soon after we saw the anchor weighed, and
Lord Nelson, with the king and queen and royal family of Naples, sailed
out of the bay. It is impossible for any one who has not been in similar
circumstances to imagine the feeling of helpless abandonment which I
then experienced. Accustomed to look up to our squadron as our sole
protection, having little or no confidence in the persons with whom we
were left, and hearing of nothing but revolutionary horrors, I was
really miserable, though perhaps very silly for being so.
By-and-by we were joined by two cardinals, both men of excellent family,
and far advanced in life. The Portuguese admiral had given orders that
they should be treated with the utmost attention, and one of the ship’s
officers was obliged to resign his cabin to them. By all accounts it was
a miserably dirty hole, and smelt so strongly of rotten apples that it
was impossible to sleep in it. The valet of one of the cardinals,
however, threw the apples overboard, and by so doing grievously offended
the officer whose property they were, and drew from him expressions by
no means respectful to the dignitaries of the Church. But the entire
crew was a strange medley of negroes, mulattoes, and people of different
nations, without order, discipline, or cleanliness.
On the 24th December, 1798, Captain Wilmot,[71] of the _Alliance_, came
into the bay from a cruise, and kindly invited us the same evening to go
on board. He told us that he was to sail on the following morning for
Palermo, and offered us a passage in his ship. My mother, however, from
a motive of delicacy towards Lord Nelson, who had arranged for our going
in the Portuguese vessel, declined his offer, but after his departure,
observing how uncomfortable the two cardinals were, she gave them a note
for Captain Wilmot, who at once took them, on board, and showed them
every possible kindness. Not being gifted with my mother’s fortitude, I
passed the night in misery, anticipating every imaginable misfortune,
until at last she took compassion on my nervous feelings, and consented
to change, if the _Alliance_ should not have sailed before the morning.
As the next day was Christmas, we were obliged to wait until the first
mass was said before we could get a boat to take us off. At length we
reached the _Alliance_, and were heartily welcomed by Captain Wilmot. We
found our two good cardinals most grateful for the comforts that had
been provided for them, and much pleased with the change from the
Portuguese man-of-war. We weighed anchor about dinner-time, and Captain
Wilmot begged me to explain to the cardinals how sorry he was that he
could not do the honours of his table. He came down for a moment,
however, and drank their health, and expressed his good wishes _for the
season_. They returned the compliment, and both of them were so much
affected by his kindness that they could scarcely utter their
acknowledgments. Captain Wilmot afterwards begged me to order anything
they might like to have, in case they wished to keep a fast-day during
the voyage. “How different is this treatment,” said one of them, “to
what we experienced on board a ship belonging to persons of our own
religion.”
A violent storm came on during the night, and early in the morning
Captain Wilmot knocked at the door of our cabin to say that we were
safe, but that he had found it necessary to return to our old moorings.
The storm had, indeed, been tremendous, and we were, not without reason,
uneasy about the admiral’s ship, for the wind was contrary, and the sea
running very high.
When the Portuguese admiral, who was also commander-in-chief on this
station, heard of our return, he sent orders to Captain Wilmot to assist
in saving the stores in the dockyard that had not been sent to Sicily,
and in destroying what could not be removed, so that the enemy might
find as little as possible that was likely to be of any service to them.
Count de Thurn, an officer of distinction in the Neapolitan service,
though an Austrian by birth, brought these instructions, and lent his
aid in carrying them out. He afterwards received despatches for the
king, and accordingly took his passage with us, as did also the Russian
minister, a man of considerable information, and a great lover of
antiquities. We also picked up Lord Nelson’s chaplain, who had been
accidentally left behind.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER VIII
PALERMO AND THE SICILIANS—EVENTS AT NAPLES—DEATH OF LADY KNIGHT—THE
HAMILTONS AND LORD NELSON—EXECUTION OF CARACCIOLI—ARRIVAL OF SIR
ARTHUR PAGET—DEPARTURE FOR MALTA.
AT last we got fairly off, and, after a voyage of thirty hours, arrived
in sight of Palermo. Accustomed as I had been to the lovely and
magnificent scenery of Italy, I was not less surprised than delighted
with the picturesque beauty of the Sicilian coast. Then, when the
prospect of the city opened upon us, with the regal elegance of its
marble palaces, and the fanciful singularity of its remaining specimens
of Saracenic architecture, it was like a fairy scene, and would have
charmed me beyond measure had not my poor mother fallen seriously ill in
consequence of her long exposure in the boat on the night we left
Naples.
On our arrival we heard sad accounts of Lord Nelson’s voyage. Exposed to
all the fury of the storm which we had escaped, the flag-ship had been
in the greatest danger, and had suffered considerably in her masts and
rigging. Prince Albert, the king’s youngest son, had died of
sea-sickness, and his funeral was the first welcome which this noble
island could give to the royal personages who now took refuge on its
shores.
It was, I think, on the 1st of January, 1799, that we landed, and went
to the only hotel then in Palermo, the same that is mentioned by
Brydone[72] in his Travels, and being shown into the only tolerable
room, if such it might be called, we observed the portrait of the
mistress of the house in the costume which he describes.
We were, in all, about two thousand persons who left Naples at that
time. The French entered the city about a fortnight after the king’s
departure, and took possession of the castles, but they seldom ventured
into the streets except in large parties, as the lazzaroni were greatly
irritated against them. The environs, too, swarmed with armed peasants,
under the command of Cardinal Ruffo, a man of singular ability and
decision of character, and endowed with every advantage of mind and body
that is sought for in a military leader. Though a cardinal, he had never
taken holy orders, and, previous to his elevation to the purple, had
been treasurer to the Pope.
It was some time before I could remove my mother from the miserable
hotel in which we were lodged, and opposite to which was the principal
gaol of the town. As the street was narrow we could hear the groans and
lamentations of the wretched creatures all through the night. One of the
prisoners, however, used to stand at his grated window with his guitar,
on which he played exceedingly well.
At length we took apartments on the Marino, a magnificent promenade of
considerable length. It consisted of a row of good houses, some of them
really handsome buildings, a wide road for carriages, and along the
sea-shore a terrace for foot passengers, with statues of the kings of
Sicily at regular intervals. The Marino led to a beautiful garden named
the Flora Reale, for in Sicily all gardens are called Flora, and in the
summer-time bands of music used to play there for the entertainment of
the company. The garden belonged to the king, and near it was a very
pretty villa, which Sir William Hamilton occupied until he moved to a
larger one near the Mole.
The Sicilians appeared to me to be an active and intelligent people. It
was wonderful to see the improvements and resources which started up in
Palermo after the arrival of so many strangers. It seemed as if the
inhabitants wanted nothing but encouragement for their industry. There
was something in the shape and colour of their eyes, in the regularity
of their features, and in the expressiveness of their countenances, that
indicated their Grecian origin, while the curious vestiges of Moorish
architecture, and many other reminiscences of that nation, added to the
interest which they inspired. Traces of the Norman conquest, too, were
observable in the fair complexions and light hair which, so rare in
Southern Italy, were here by no means uncommon.
The Sicilian dialect, also, has caught something of the different
languages spoken by the various peoples who have successively inhabited
the island, though softened by the poetical genius of the natives, and
rendered suitable for verse. The peculiarity of Sicilian music is
mentioned by Dr. Burney[73] in his history of that science. It was
delightful to hear it on fine moonlight nights from the vessels and
boats that entered or crossed the bay. The sailors used to sing many of
those hymns which afterwards had such great success in England.
Of flowers they were particularly fond, and cultivated them with great
care. They also displayed great taste in arranging flowers to decorate
their rooms, and in the adjustment of drapery. The rocky ground and
coast of Palermo were covered with the Indian fig, or prickly pear as we
call it. The leaves are very large, and the fruit, which the common
people devour greedily, is said to be remarkably wholesome. The
Sicilians generally enjoyed excellent health, and I suppose there is
hardly any civilised country where so little medicine is taken. Cold
water was the usual prescription for bruises and abrasions, and it
always worked a speedy cure, after more scientific applications had
failed.
A grand dinner was given on the 4th June, 1799, at our minister’s, and
there was a ball at Court in the evening. About this time I remarked a
very singular phenomenon. I observed a little island opposite to us, of
a picturesque form, and apparently not much more distant than Capri is
from Naples. Whenever there were a few light clouds in the horizon I
could clearly distinguish it, but if the sky happened to be entirely
cloudless, I could see nothing of it. In answer to my inquiries, I was
told that there was no such island visible, and that I must have
mistaken a cloud for one. Still I persisted in my belief, because it had
always the same shape, and at last I sketched it. On showing this
drawing to some of our officers, they said that it resembled one of the
Lipari islands which lies at a short distance from the rest of the
group. The image of this islet had been reflected on the light clouds
when they were at a certain angle to its image in the sea, something in
the way of the fairy palaces at Messina of which so much has been said.
Soon after our king’s birthday most of our ships sailed for Naples,
where Captain Foote, in conjunction with Cardinal Ruffo, had already
succeeded in checking the progress of the enemy. A capitulation had been
accepted, which was not sanctioned by the Court, and afterwards became
the cause of much animadversion. Commodore Troubridge very wisely
forbore interfering with the political concerns of the Neapolitan
government. He had the command of the ships which were now despatched
for the recovery of that kingdom, and proved completely successful. The
islands were retaken, and the fortresses surrendered, with the
assistance of a very few regular troops, Neapolitans and Russians. The
commander of the Russian troops had said that the Castle of St. Elmo
could not be taken in less than three months, and by an army some
thousands strong. The commodore, however, captured it in a fortnight,
with a few hundred seamen and others. The Sicilians would have it, that
it was through the help of Santa Rosalia, whose festival occurred about
that time.
The king then went with Lord Nelson to take once more possession of his
capital, where he established a council of regency, and afterwards
returned to Palermo, where the queen and the royal family had remained.
It was during the absence of our fleet and of Sir William and Lady
Hamilton, who had accompanied the king, that my mother’s lengthened
sufferings came to an end, and that I was deprived of her enlightened
judgment for my protection and guidance, and of her animated and
instructive conversation for my comfort and delight. She had sustained
many trials with fortitude and dignity. Her mind was clear and
penetrating, and her heart warm and generous.
When Sir William Hamilton and Lord Nelson came to take leave of her
before their departure for Naples, she had particularly commended me to
their care, and, previous to their embarkation, Sir William and Lady
Hamilton had left directions with Mrs. Cadogan[74] that, in case I
should lose my mother before their return, she was to take me to their
house. That lady came for me, and I went with her to our minister’s,
knowing that it was my mother’s wish that I should be under his
protection; and I must say that there was certainly at that time no
impropriety in living under Lady Hamilton’s roof. Her house was the
resort of the best company of all nations, and the attentions paid to
Lord Nelson appeared perfectly natural. He himself always spoke of his
wife with the greatest affection and respect; and I remember that,
shortly after the battle of the Nile, when my mother said to him that no
doubt he considered the day of that victory as the happiest in his life,
he answered, “No; the happiest was that on which I married Lady Nelson.”
It is painful to reflect on the scenes that passed at Naples; and no one
can have a greater dislike than myself to political executions, because,
however legally just they may be, they are revolting to humanity, and do
no good to the cause which they are meant to uphold. On the contrary,
they create a feeling of exasperation, and excite compassion in favour
of the guilty. But it is only right to say that Caraccioli was taken in
arms against the forces of his sovereign, that he was tried by a
court-martial of Neapolitan officers, and executed on board of a
Neapolitan ship. I grieved for his fate, and still more for his
defection, but many strange misrepresentations have been circulated on
this subject.[75] The queen, who has been accused of so much vindictive
cruelty, was, to my certain knowledge, the cause of many pardons being
granted. And there was one lady in particular whom she saved, who was
her declared enemy, and at the head of a revolutionary association.
There was for many months a Spanish squadron at Palermo, that being a
neutral port, but it dared not venture out to sea for fear of being
taken by our ships, which kept a sharp look-out after it. The officers
seemed to be quite domiciliated at Palermo, and the commodore appeared
to be a very good-natured, obliging man, though, from etiquette, he
could not visit the English.
Lord Keith,[76] who had the chief command in the Mediterranean, arrived
one day, with his lady, on board the _Queen Charlotte_, a noble
three-decker. He often slept on shore at our minister’s, and always
brought with him his flag-lieutenant and secretary. He expressed himself
glad to see me, from having known and esteemed my father, and he was
very civil to everybody, though, from his desire to restore the
discarded _queues_, he afforded not a little embarrassment to many of
the younger officers. Lord William Stuart used to tie a few hairs
together, and, whenever he met Lord Keith, made him the drollest bow
imaginable, twisting his head round to show the attempt at a pigtail.
Lord William had great comic humour, and was an excellent dancer, but as
commander of a ship of war, the _Lion_, he was strictly exact to his
duty, and never made a difficulty or complained of a hardship.
And at that time our officers had much to contend with, for,
notwithstanding the good intentions and wise regulations of Lord
Spencer, who was First Lord of the Admiralty, the demands upon him were
so numerous and extensive from our various squadrons employed in every
part of the globe, that great delay sometimes occurred in sending off
stores and provisions. Many of our captains, to my knowledge, did not
spare their own purses that their men might be supplied with such wine,
and food as were required for the preservation of their health. It is no
less worthy of remark that I cannot recal to mind a single scandalous
story relating to any of our officers serving in that gay and
fascinating latitude. There were no duels, no rioting. Our people were
beloved and respected by the inhabitants, and maintained the reputation,
which they had acquired by their victories, of being the guardians and
preservers of Italy and her islands.
The _Généreux_, a French ship of the line, which had escaped from the
battle of the Nile, and taken refuge in the port of La Valetta, in
Malta, was captured by our cruisers while endeavouring to gain Toulon.
When Lord Nelson heard the good news, he exclaimed, “Ah! she knew that
she belonged to us, and her conscience would not let her stay away any
longer.” This affair was also the occasion of another additional stanza
being inserted in the national anthem.[77]
While thus we chant his praise,
See what new fires blaze!
New laurels spring![78]
Nelson! thy task’s complete;
All their Egyptian fleet
Bows at thy conqu’ring feet
To George our King!
The _William Tell_ was also taken, after a sharp conflict, and the sea
was cleared of the enemy.
Sir Charles Stuart, having been sent into Sicily with a few troops under
his command, drew up a plan for the defence of the island in case of
attack. This paper, at the request of Sir William Hamilton and Lord
Nelson, I translated into Italian, as I did many papers in that language
into English. As they were confidential, I have, of course, kept no
copies.
Previous to the French invasion, Sir William Hamilton had applied for
leave of absence to visit his property in Wales, adding that if he could
not obtain this favour, for which he had asked more than once, he should
be obliged to tender his resignation. No notice whatever was taken of
this application at the time, but, at a moment when he least expected
it, he received a letter from the Foreign Office, informing him that his
request was granted, and that Sir Arthur Paget was to succeed him as
minister. He was, I believe, very sorry, but made no complaints,
candidly admitting that he did once say he must give up his post.
When Sir Arthur[79] arrived, nothing could be more amiable than his
conduct towards Sir William, who, on his part, showed him every
attention, and gave him much confidential information likely to be of
great service to him in his new situation. Sir William also took care to
inform the Court of Naples, and all persons of influence, of the family,
connexions, and political principles of the new minister, so that proper
respect should be paid to him. I am convinced, however, that Sir William
himself felt great regret at leaving the Two Sicilies. Mount Vesuvius,
Pompeii, the antiquities of all descriptions which he had made his
study, the climate, the mode of life, all this was hard to leave. He was
truly beloved by the people of the country, and I heard a sensible
Neapolitan nobleman make the remark, that during the thirty years Sir
William Hamilton had resided at that Court, he had never injured any
one, but had always employed his influence to benefit the deserving.
Sir William had a well-selected, though not large, collection of
paintings, vases, and other works of art. He was fond of music, and had
an excellent taste. His first wife was an admirable performer on the
pianoforte. The second one, not having enjoyed the same advantages of
education, had no scientific knowledge of music, but an ear and a voice
that left nothing to be desired. She was possessed, indeed, of great
natural genius, which, added to her beauty, had completely fascinated
Sir William. She made herself very useful in public affairs during the
distressing circumstances which took place in consequence of the French
Revolution. Altogether, she was a singular mixture of right and
wrong.[80]
Lord Nelson’s presence being much needed at Malta, to direct the
operations of the blockading squadron, Sir William and Lady Hamilton
decided on accompanying him. At first I declined being one of the party,
but when I heard that it was the admiral’s intention to visit Syracuse,
and perhaps other parts of the island, I could not resist the
temptation, nor was I disappointed in my expectations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER IX.
DEPARTURE FROM PALERMO—LEGHORN—JOURNEY
HOMEWARDS—ALFIERI—HAYDN—KLOPSTOCK—RECEPTION OF NELSON—ENGLAND—SOCIETY
THERE—LORD AND LADY NELSON.
WE sailed from Palermo on the 23rd of April, 1800, on board the
_Foudroyant_, of eighty guns, with the flag of Lord Nelson, and
commanded by Sir Edward Berry. The party consisted of Sir William and
Lady Hamilton, another English lady and gentleman, an old Maltese
nobleman, and myself. The officers of the ship were in their turns
invited to dinner: the table was good, but unostentatious. In the great
cabin were many new publications, sent from England by Lady Nelson to
the admiral. A carving in wood of an immense three-coloured plume of
feathers, which ornamented the cap of the figure of William Tell, when
the ship so named struck to the _Foudroyant_; four muskets, taken on
board the _San Josef_, by Nelson, in the battle off Cape St. Vincent,
and the flag-staff of _L’Orient_,[81] saved from the flames when that
ship was blown up in the battle of the Nile, formed the chief ornaments
of the cabin, and gave occasion to the following lines, which were sung
by one of the company, to the old tune of “Hearts of Oak.” They were
addressed to a lady who was leaving Sicily with great reluctance.
Come, cheer up, fair Delia![82] forget all thy grief;
For thy shipmates are brave, and a Hero’s their chief.
Look round on these trophies, the pride of the Main;
They were snatch’d by their valour from Gallia and Spain.
Behold yonder fragment: ’tis sacred to fame;
’Midst the waves of old Nile it was saved from the flame—
The flame that destroy’d the new glories of France,
When Providence vanquish’d the friends of blind Chance.
Those arms the San Josef once claim’d as her own,
Ere Nelson and Britons her pride had o’erthrown.
That plume, too, evinces that still they excel—
It was torn from the cap of the famed William Tell.
Then cheer up, fair Delia! remember thou’rt free;
And ploughing Britannia’s old empire, the sea,
How many in Albion each sorrow would check,
Could they kiss but one plank of this conqu’ring deck.
Owing to the contrary winds, we experienced some difficulty in threading
the Straits of Messina, but on the 1st of May we landed at Syracuse, and
spent two days in seeing all that is interesting in that ancient city.
Late in the evening of the 3rd we joined the blockading squadron off
Malta, on which island we remained till the 20th, occasionally dining at
the governor’s, Captain Sir Alexander Ball’s, and sometimes at the
quarters of General Graham, afterwards Lord Lynedoch.
On the last day of May we were again in the harbour of Palermo, but on
the 8th of June we sailed for Leghorn, having on board the Queen of
Naples, her three unmarried daughters, and the young Prince Leopold. The
Duc de Berri accompanied the royal party on board, and shed tears as he
took leave of them. It was said that he had come to Palermo in the hope
of marrying the eldest princess, but I know not how the affair came to
be broken off. On the anchor being weighed, her Majesty exclaimed with
delight, “Leghorn! Leghorn!” no doubt as being on the way to her native
land (Austria). But, for my part, I left Sicily with great pain, for it
was also severing myself from Italy, where I had spent so many years of
happiness.
Before landing at Leghorn the queen presented Lord Nelson with a
medallion, on one side of which was a fine miniature of the king, and on
the other her own cipher, round which ran a wreath of laurel, and two
anchors were represented supporting the crown of the Two Sicilies,
designed by her Majesty herself. This device was executed in large
diamonds, and was therefore of great pecuniary value. The queen also
gave a very handsome snuff-box, set with diamonds, to Sir Edward Berry,
and was always very liberal in her presents to our officers.
While the queen was yet undecided as to the route she was to take, news
arrived of the battle of Marengo, and of the consequent surrender of
Genoa. Our situation soon became very alarming, for the French army,
under General Bonaparte, kept steadily advancing, and at last occupied
Lucca, whence one night’s march might have brought them to Leghorn. It
must be owned, to the credit of the inhabitants of that city, and
especially of the common people, that they were most anxious to take up
arms against the French, and repeatedly solicited the Austrian governor
to allow them to do so. They also pressed him to permit the
disembarkation of General Abercrombie and the English troops from
Minorca, but he would not give his consent, as the Austrians had
concluded a truce with the French after their defeat at Marengo. The
enemy, however, did not scruple to pass the limits assigned to him; but
the Emperor of Austria was at that time very ill served, and the
consequences were fatal to Italy.
The people after a while became infuriated at not being suffered to
defend their city, and, breaking into the arsenal, got possession of a
quantity of muskets and other arms. They also called upon Lord Nelson to
place himself at their head, but at length he succeeded in pacifying
them, and then caused the queen’s jewels and other valuables to be
carried on board the _Alexander_, to which he had transferred his flag
on the departure of the _Foudroyant_.[83] Our whole party soon
afterwards embarked, with the intention of sailing round the peninsula
to Trieste; but this plan was given up, and it was resolved that we
should travel by land to Ancona, and thence proceed in an Austrian
vessel to that port.
My dismay was now great, for we had to pass within a mile of the
advanced posts of the French army; and even the officers and crew of the
_Alexander_ were shocked at the idea of the danger to which their
admiral was going to expose himself. However, we again landed, and
pushed on through the heat and dust of the day to Florence, which we
reached in the afternoon of the 12th of July. The following day I passed
in the company of the Countess of Albany and Count Alfieri.
The latter showed me some of his unpublished manuscripts. It was only
within the last few years that he had studied the ancient Greek
literature, and his style was, in consequence, wonderfully improved. He
also showed me his “Miso-Gallo,” a satire on the French, which he was
desirous of publishing in England, and asked me to take it thither for
that purpose. But when I asked for it next morning he appeared greatly
agitated, and said he could scarcely forgive himself for having proposed
such a thing. If we happened to be stopped by the French, and this MS.
were found among my baggage, nothing, he was certain, could save me from
being imprisoned, if not guillotined. He further declared that he had
not been able to sleep all night through the reproaches of his
conscience, and he positively refused to give it to me.
After a tedious, fatiguing, and somewhat hazardous journey, we at length
reached Ancona in safety, and found there a Russian squadron on the
point of sailing to Corfu. The commanding officer, however, consented to
take the queen and all her party to Trieste, and on the 2nd of August
(1800) we landed at that port.[84]
Great curiosity was expressed to behold the hero of the Nile at every
place on the road to Vienna. I cannot say that I enjoyed the journey,
for I was dreadfully fatigued, far from well, and uneasy on many
accounts, besides being a good deal injured by the carriage being
overturned in which I was travelling. At Vienna, whenever Lord Nelson
appeared in public, a crowd was collected, and his portrait was hung up
as a sign over many shops—even the milliners giving his name to
particular dresses—but it did not appear to me that the English nation
was at all popular. The people generally were opposed to the war with
France, which had proved so unfavourable to them, for, although the
troops were brave and loyal, they were not well commanded.
We had often music, as the best composers and performers were happy to
be introduced to Sir William and Lady Hamilton. I was much pleased with
Haydn. He dined with us, and his conversation was modest and sensible.
He set to music some English verses, and, amongst others, part of an ode
I had composed after the battle of the Nile, and which was descriptive
of the blowing up of _L’Orient_:
Britannia’s leader gives the dread command;
Obedient to his summons flames arise:
The fierce explosion rends the skies,
And high in air the pond’rous mass is thrown.
The dire concussion shakes the land:
Earth, air, and sea, united groan.
The solid Pyramids confess the shock,
And their firm bases to their centre rock.
Haydn accompanied Lady Hamilton on the piano when she sang this piece,
and the effect was grand. He was staying at that time with Prince
Esterhazy, and presided over the famous concerts given by that nobleman
at his magnificent palace in Hungary. At one time the prince had an
intention of giving up these concerts, and told Haydn that the next one
would be the last. It was a very fine one. Towards the conclusion, Haydn
composed a finale so melancholy, so touching, that it drew tears from
many of the audience, and he had given orders that while it was playing
the lights should be gradually extinguished. All of which made such an
impression upon the mind of the prince, that he abandoned his intention
of discontinuing these concerts.
Prince Stanislaus Poniatowski, whom I had known at Rome, and who quitted
that city when the French took possession of it in 1798, was then living
at the Château of Lichtenstein, near Vienna, and came to see me. He
invited us all to dine with him, and he received us with great
cordiality, and showed us his magnificent collection of jewels, with
some of the largest pearls ever seen. This prince possessed every
advantage which nature and fortune could bestow. A fine person, an
immense fortune, the faculty of speaking every language, and a
distinguished rank in life. He declared himself an enemy to all
melancholy, and yet I never saw a person whom I thought less happy. It
was said that he had been disappointed with regard to the crown of
Poland, a hope of obtaining which had been held out to him by the
Empress Catherine.
On the 27th of September we proceeded on our travels,[85] and on the
morrow arrived at Prague, where the hotel at which we alighted was
splendidly illuminated in honour of Lord Nelson—the host, however, not
forgetting to charge for the lights in his bill. On the 1st of October
we embarked on the _Elbe_ at Lowositz, and reached Dresden the following
evening. Mr. Elliot, brother of Lord Minto, was at that time British
minister in Saxony. He was very fond of Dresden, and said it was a _good
sofa_ to repose upon, for, of course, there was not much diplomatic
business to be done. We dined with him at a very pretty villa, where he
and his family were passing the summer months, and where his beautiful
children were running about the garden like so many Cupids and Psyches.
He was much beloved at Dresden, and I believe all strangers who were
willing to be sociable were sure of being kindly treated in that
capital.
We again embarked on the _Elbe_ on the 10th for Hamburg. The fine bridge
was crowded with spectators to see Lord Nelson depart, as was the shore,
and every window that commanded a view of the river. As we stopped every
night, we were eleven days in reaching our destination, and latterly we
were sometimes rather short of provisions, as our caterer—our “jackal,”
as we called him—was not always able to procure sufficient supplies for
the party.
At Hamburg we found many remarkable persons of different nations, all of
whom seemed anxious to become acquainted with the hero of the Nile. The
Baron de Breteuil,[86] so well known in the annals of French diplomacy,
was living in an elegantly furnished villa, with his grandson-in-law, M.
de Montmorency. He invited us to breakfast, and we there met the Duc de
Guignes, who was ambassador in England when my father commanded as
senior officer at Plymouth, and whom the latter had entertained on board
his ship, the _Ocean_. All these were men of the highest rank, and of
the most elegant manners of the _vieille cour_. After breakfast came
General Dumouriez, who had been very curious to see Lord Nelson, though
he did not wish to show too much _empressement_. However, these two
distinguished men took a great fancy to one another, and we saw much of
the general during our stay at Hamburg.
Dumouriez was in person short, and far from handsome, though his
appearance was prepossessing and his manners very natural. There was an
apparent frankness in his conversation, which could not fail to please,
and he possessed the art of saying agreeable things without descending
to flattery, and seemed perfectly to understand the character of those
with whom he associated, after a very short acquaintance. He had been
both a lawyer[87] and a soldier, and I used to fancy that I could trace
in him the distinctive features of both professions. He was at that time
regarded as a decided Royalist, and was said to be in correspondence
with Louis XVIII. He had, however, no objection to talk of the battle of
Jemmapes, and showed us a box, with the portrait of a lady on it, which
he said was presented to him, just after the victory, by an officer who
came with despatches, and who, after congratulating him upon his
success, produced this box, and added, “General, voilà votre
récompense.” With this lady[88] he was then living at a little village
near Altona. She was a widow, and had a son in the Danish service.
Dumouriez, at that time, maintained himself by his writings, and Lord
Nelson forced him to accept a hundred pounds, telling him that he had
used his sword too well to live only by his pen. He was said to be very
poor, and his poverty did him honour, as it proved that he had not
abandoned the revolutionary party from motives of private interest.
The celebrated German poet Klopstock was also settled at Hamburg. We
went to visit him, which seemed to give him great pleasure. While there,
the door opened, and a grave-looking personage,[89] in canonicals,
entered the room with a Bible in his hand. He walked up to Lord Nelson,
and asked him to write his name on a blank page of the book. With this
request Lord Nelson willingly complied, and the clergyman gave him his
blessing and withdrew. Mrs. Cadogan and I supped one evening with
Klopstock[90] and his wife, a pleasing-featured, fat, fair woman, much
younger than himself, and a good musician. He read to me some passages
of his “Messiah,” and his room was hung with drawings by Füger,[91] of
subjects taken from that poem. At that time Klopstock was chiefly
engaged in writing odes, very sublime, but too metaphysical to be easily
understood.
The magistrates of Hamburg must have exercised great vigilance and good
sense to keep their city in such good order, for it was filled with such
strange characters that I could compare it to nothing but the banks of
Lethe.
On the 31st of October we went on board the _King George_ mail-packet,
and, after a stormy passage, landed at Great Yarmouth on the 6th of
November, having crossed the bar just in time to avoid a tremendous
gale, which must at least have driven us out to sea again for several
days. Lord Nelson was received with all due honours, which were rendered
still more interesting to the good people of the town from his being a
native of Norfolk. He was drawn in his carriage to the hotel[92] by the
populace, and the Mayor and Corporation came to present him with the
freedom of the city.
At his own request public service was performed in the church, to return
thanks for his safe return to his native country, and for the many
blessings which he had experienced. As he entered the church the organ
struck up “See the Conquering Hero comes.”
When we arrived in town, Sir William and Lady Hamilton went with Lord
Nelson to dine with his father and Lady Nelson, and I, with Mrs.
Cadogan, to an hotel in Albemarle-street. In the evening Sir Thomas
Troubridge called upon me. He was at the point of starting for Torbay,
being appointed captain of the Channel fleet, under Lord St. Vincent. He
advised me to go to my friend Mrs. Nepean, whose husband was Secretary
to the Admiralty, and who, on the following day, made me take possession
of a room in her house till her children came home for the holidays. Sir
William and Lady Hamilton also left the hotel to occupy a house in
Grosvenor-square, which had been lent to them by Mr. Beckford, whose
wife, Lady Margaret, had been a relative of Sir William.
Nothing could exceed the kindness I received from Mr. and Mrs. Evan
Nepean, in whose house I resided more than three weeks, and was
afterwards a constant guest at their dinner-parties, where I had the
advantage of meeting the most celebrated persons of the time. The two
statesmen whom I found most agreeable in society were Mr. Windham and
Lord Castlereagh. One day I heard Mr. Pitt give an account of what had
passed in the House of Commons on the preceding evening, and was
astonished at the oratorical energy and correctness of expression with
which he rendered, and perhaps embellished, every speech, without having
the slightest intention of doing more than relating what had actually
passed.
Some of the official gentlemen appeared to me conceited and coldly
satirical, as I have since observed to be the case with many amongst our
men of letters. There is something in the southern Italians, and indeed
in most of the men and women of that country, so natural and unaffected,
that it is impossible not to remark the artificial manners of some great
capitals. I observed that in morning visits, for example, it was not
only the same style of dress, but that nearly the same topics of
conversation, the same time of staying, and the same expressions would
be used by almost every lady who made her appearance. It was in vain
that I tried to feel at home in my own country; but what surprised me
most of all was the general cry of poverty, distress, and
embarrassment.[93] I had been accustomed to see foreign nations look up
to England as the most flourishing and potent of countries, and to
regard it as the laurel-crowned island, the safeguard of Europe. And now
that I was arrived in this highly favoured land, I heard nothing but
complaints of the impossibility of going on any longer, with wishes for
peace, &c. &c. Then, the darkness and the shortness of the days seemed
to me so strange. “How do you like London?” said I, one day, to my old
Italian friend, Andrea Plaudi. “I dare say, madam,” he answered, “that I
shall think it a very fine city when it comes to be daylight.” He had
heard of northern countries where, in the middle of winter, there was no
daylight for weeks together, and he fancied that was the case in London.
I myself felt rather surprised at returning from a round of morning
calls by lamplight, and at dining about the time when I had been used to
see supper served up. The months of November and December are certainly
not the most favourable season for a stranger to visit London, and a
stranger I felt myself to be after having resided so long in other
countries.
However, I must say that I was most kindly received by many who had
known me in early youth, or whom I had met in Italy. It was there I had
become acquainted with Lord Macartney, and now his amiable and excellent
wife—a daughter of Lord Bute, George the Third’s first minister—came to
see me, with Lady Aylesbury,[94] a most delightful person, from whom I
afterwards received every mark of friendship and good will. Lady
Macartney was also constantly obliging and good to me. The first party
to which I went in London was a concert at her house, where I saw the
Prince of Wales hand in Mrs. Fitzherbert[95] in the most respectful
manner imaginable.
I dined one day with Sir William and Lady Hamilton in Grosvenor-square.
Lord and Lady Nelson were of the party, and the Duke of Sussex and Lady
Augusta Murray[96] came in the evening. Lord Nelson was to make his
appearance at the theatre next day, but I declined to go with the party.
I afterwards heard that Lady Nelson fainted in the box. Most of my
friends were very urgent with me to drop the acquaintance, but,
circumstanced as I had been, I feared the charge of ingratitude, though
greatly embarrassed as to what to do, for things became very unpleasant.
So much was said about the attachment of Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton,
that it made the matter still worse. He felt irritated, and took it up
in an unfortunate manner by devoting himself more and more to her, for
the purpose of what he called supporting her. Mischief was made on all
sides, till at last, when he was appointed to the command of the
squadron in the Downs, which was to sail for Copenhagen—his brother[97]
and sister-in-law, with Sir William and Lady Hamilton, being with him at
Deal—he wrote to Lady Nelson, giving her credit for perfectly moral
conduct, but announcing his intention of not living with her any more.
This was certainly not in his thoughts before he returned to England,
for I remember his saying, while we were at Leghorn, that he hoped Lady
Nelson and himself would be much with Sir William and Lady Hamilton, and
that they would all very often dine together, and that when the latter
couple went to their musical parties, he and Lady Nelson would go to
bed. Even at Hamburg, just before we embarked, he purchased a
magnificent lace trimming for a court dress for Lady Nelson, and a black
lace cloak for another lady who, he said, had been very attentive to his
wife during his absence.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER X.
SOCIETY IN ENGLAND—ELIZABETH CARTER—ARRANGEMENTS AT COURT—MISS KNIGHT
ENTERS THE QUEEN’S SERVICE—STATE OF THE KING’S HEALTH—DEATH OF THE
PRINCESS AMELIA.
AT the change of administration in February, 1801, the king appointed
Earl St. Vincent First Lord of the Admiralty, intimating to him that it
was in consequence of his great victory in 1797. Mr. Addington succeeded
Mr. Pitt as First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer,
and preliminaries of peace[98] were signed with Napoleon Bonaparte,
First Consul of the French Republic. Mr. Nepean continued Secretary to
the Admiralty, and Sir Thomas Troubridge and Admiral Markham became two
of the new Lords, with apartments at the Admiralty. To be near my
friends I took apartments close to Whitehall, and passed much of my time
with them, going frequently to the Opera with Sir Philip and Miss
Stephens, and to the Concerts of Ancient Music with Lady Macartney.
Lord[99] and Lady Bruce, whom I had known in Italy, came to town in the
spring, as did also Lord and Lady Rolle, all of whom were very kind to
me. The Prince and Princess Castelcicala—the former was the Neapolitan
minister—likewise showed me every attention.
Mr. Pitt and his friends, who had quitted office because the country was
clamorous for peace, had promised to support Mr. Addington’s
administration; but the harmony that existed between the two parties was
not of long duration. The reform of abuses in the Navy-office and
dockyards excited a loud outcry against Lord St. Vincent and his
adherents, and even Mr. Nepean took part against him. Sir Philip
Stephens, however, like a prudent man long used to office, kept on good
terms with all parties. He was the oldest member of Parliament, having
represented Sandwich fourteen times.
About this time I became acquainted with Lady Macartney’s sister, Lady
Lonsdale, a very agreeable person, and a great favourite with everybody.
It was remarked, that if you had to invite to a dinner-party some who
were intimate with one another and others who were not, and a lady were
wanted to complete the arrangement, Lady Lonsdale was the person to be
asked, as she was certain to be agreeable to all parties. I was likewise
introduced by Lord Abercorn to the well-informed, mild, and amiable Dr.
Howley, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury. Early in 1802 I was
presented to their Majesties at a drawing-room by Lady Aylesbury, and
was received very graciously.
The people of England had been very desirous to have peace, but they
soon perceived how little they had gained by it. It is the custom of the
nation every now and then to be seized with a violent mania, but its
good sense speedily recals it to a proper understanding of its real
duties and interests. The war was, therefore, renewed, and carried on
with vigour, though nothing was spoken of for some time but the
threatened invasion. A gentleman, who was fishing in a sequestered spot
not far from London, was accosted by an old woman of the neighbourhood,
who entered into conversation with him on various matters. After a
little he asked her if she were not alarmed about Bonaparte’s landing on
the island. “Oh dear, no!” she answered. “I am up to all that. He was
expected here when I was a young woman, and he nearly came. At that time
they called him the Pretender, and now they call him Bonaparte.”
In the course of the following winter I frequently called upon Mrs.
Elizabeth Carter, the translator of “Epictetus.” She was a person of
excellent principles and solid good sense. She used to say, “There are
two men of great talent who now govern the world: the one, Bonaparte,
with his sword; and the other, Mr. Pitt, with his money.” With respect
to women, she once remarked: “It is thought that men have all the
advantage over us in this world, but I think we have one invaluable
advantage over them—we are not obliged to be politicians.” She used to
dine out every day with different friends while in London, though far
advanced in years, and I often met her at Lady Charlotte Finch’s.
Of that charming person it would be difficult to say enough. She was the
daughter of the Earl of Pomfret, and passed the early part of her youth
at Florence, with her mother, whose correspondence with the Duchess of
Somerset has been published.[100] They had destined her in marriage to
the son of the duchess, but he died before the ceremony could take
place, and she afterwards married Mr. Finch, a brother of the Earl of
Winchilsea. As soon as the Prince of Wales was born she took her station
by his cradle, on being appointed governess to the royal infant and his
future brothers and sisters. She had continued in the exercise of that
duty till they were all grown up, and never was any one in a similar
employment more sincerely or more justly esteemed and beloved. Her
judgment was clear, and her manners perfect. I have always thought it
equally honourable to her royal pupils and to herself, that, however
differing in pursuits and disposition, they were all warmly attached to
Lady Charlotte Finch, and never varied in their affection for her. It
might truly be said of her that she was “formed to make virtue amiable.”
I spent many pleasant hours with her, her daughters, and
grand-daughters, and indeed the whole month of October, 1804, at her son
Lord Winchilsea’s seat, in Rutlandshire.
One morning in March, 1805, Lady Aylesbury communicated to me the
queen’s wishes with regard to myself. Her Majesty had been pleased to
express a desire that I should be attached to her person without any
particular employment, but that I should be lodged at Windsor, in a
house belonging to her Majesty, and with a maid in her service to do the
work of the house. Her Majesty added, that she would allow me three
hundred pounds a year, and that I should be present at her evening
parties, when invited, and always on Sundays and red-letter days, and be
ready to attend upon her in the morning when required to do so; but that
I should have leave to visit my friends, particularly when their
Majesties were at Weymouth, where my services would not be wanted. This
proposal I accepted gratefully, and the more so that it was quite
unsolicited on my part.
A short time before it had been reported, and even in the public prints,
that Lady Aylesbury was to be governess to the Princess Charlotte, who
was then nine years of age, and that I was to be sub-governess, but
nothing of the kind was ever mentioned to me. Since then, indeed, I have
had reason to believe that Mr. Pitt wished it should be so, but Lady
Aylesbury declined, on account of the employments she held about the
queen, as she was one of the senior ladies of her bedchamber. Lady
Aylesbury and the Dowager Lady Ilchester shared this service between
them, while the king and queen were stationary at Windsor, but both
accompanied their Majesties to Weymouth. The former, as I have already
said, was a most agreeable and amiable person. She was the eldest sister
of Lord Moira, afterwards Marquis of Hastings, and was perfectly
well-bred and natural in her manners, and to myself the kindest of
friends. She took me one morning to the queen, after the arrangement had
been made, and in June I received my first summons to Windsor. I stayed
there for a fortnight before their Majesties and the princesses removed
to Weymouth, where they had been in the habit of passing two or three
months every summer. But this was their last visit to that
watering-place, for the king was now losing his eyesight very fast.
In December I became a resident at Windsor. The unmarried princesses,
who were still at home, were very kind and gracious to me. The Dukes of
Cumberland and Cambridge were often at the Castle in the evening, but
the Dukes of York and Clarence seldom, if ever, slept there. The queen
had her ladies and those of the princesses to dine with her, and the
king came in at the dessert, for he dined at an early hour. The
aides-de-camp, and other gentlemen on service, dined at the Upper Lodge.
It is difficult to form an idea of a more domestic family in any rank of
life, or a house in which the visitors—for those on duty were considered
as such—were treated with greater attention.
The queen used often to call for me between ten and eleven on her way to
Frogmore, where she liked to spend her mornings. She was fond of reading
aloud, either in French or English, and I had my work. Her library there
was well furnished with books in those languages and in German, and she
was so good as to give me a key, with permission to take home any that I
liked. Sometimes we walked in the gardens of that pleasant place,
Princess Elizabeth being usually of our party, and not unfrequently
Princess Mary. The Princesses Augusta and Sophia rode with the king. The
Princess Elizabeth had a pretty cottage and garden at Old Windsor, where
she would sometimes in summer give little fêtes. It was at Frogmore that
the queen generally celebrated the birthdays of the Prince of Wales and
the Duke of York, as they were both in August, while Princess Elizabeth
did the same for the Duke of Clarence’s birthday, which was also in that
month. And in November the queen gave a fête for those of the Princesses
Augusta and Sophia.
[At this point the autobiography breaks off suddenly, and a blank also
occurs in the rough diaries. The former recommences in October, 1809,
and the latter some months earlier, but the entries are wholly devoid of
interest until the end of May, 1810.]
The year 1810 was a very melancholy one at Windsor. The attempt to
assassinate the Duke of Cumberland caused great disquietude. Then
followed the afflicting illness which ended in the death of the amiable
Princess Amelia. And, lastly, the malady that overwhelmed our excellent
sovereign cast a gloom over the Castle, which was never removed during
the remainder of my stay in its neighbourhood.
It was only a few days[101] previous to the king’s birthday that the
Duke of Cumberland was awakened by an assassin. He defended himself, but
received several wounds. One of his people, a Piedmontese, named Sellis,
was found with his throat cut in his bedroom, which was not far from the
duke’s. Another page, an Irishman, who used to sleep in a closet
adjoining the room of his royal highness, was not forthcoming at the
moment, though it was the duke’s orders that every one should be at home
by eleven o’clock. His excuse was, that he had gone to sup with his wife
on some dainty that had been sent to her. A pair of slippers, with the
name of Sellis inside, was found in a closet within the duke’s room, and
the result of the inquest was a verdict that Sellis had been the
assassin, and had afterwards committed suicide. Still there were some
circumstances that threw a doubt upon his guilt. The slippers were old,
and the name written in them appeared to be in French, whereas Sellis
was a Piedmontese, and there were reasons for supposing that it was a
greater person who had counselled the crime. Sellis was left-handed, but
one of the physicians who examined the body said that a left-handed man
could not have cut his throat in the manner indicated by the wound;
another surgeon, however, said that he could. The duke gave a pension to
his Irish page, and dismissed him. This man had a brother who had a good
appointment in Windsor Castle, and a family, but he resigned, and went
away. The duke was removed to Carlton House by the orders of the Prince
of Wales, who watched over him with great tenderness until he was
perfectly recovered, although from difference of political views they
had not been on the best terms previous to this sad affair. It was the
fashion to go and see the duke’s apartments, which for several days were
left in the same state as when he was removed. The visitors discovered
traces of blood upon the walls, &c. &c., but, for my part, I did not
join the crowd whose curiosity led them to this horrid scene.
I come now to a most melancholy time. Dear Princess Amelia,[102] who had
derived no benefit from a lengthened visit to Weymouth, was removed to
Windsor, and inhabited a lodge near the Castle. Day by day she sank more
and more under her great sufferings. Though pale and emaciated, she
still retained her beauty. She wished to live, but was thoroughly
resigned when she found there was no hope of her remaining long upon
earth. Her sentiments of piety were pure, enlightened, and fervent. I
saw her a few days before her death, when, taking off her glove, she
showed me her hand—it was perfectly transparent.
She was particularly fond of music, but latterly could not bear the
sound of a pianoforte even in another room. The Princess Augusta
thereupon gave her a bird which sang very sweetly, and with a very soft
note, and she took pleasure in listening to it. When the king saw his
beloved daughter for the last time, she said to him, “Remember me, but
do not grieve for me.” Alas! the king was soon no longer himself. Her
illness and the loss of Hanover preyed sadly upon his mind.
I shall never forget the last evening of my seeing him. It was the
anniversary of his accession. The whole family, except the Queen of
Würtemberg[103] and dear Princess Amelia, were present when he entered
the room, the queen holding his arm. As he went round the circle as
usual, it was easy to perceive the dreadful excitement in his
countenance. As he could not distinguish persons, it was the custom to
speak to him as he approached, that he might recognise by the voice whom
he was about to address. I forget what it was I said to him, but shall
ever remember what he said to me: “You are not uneasy, I am sure, about
Amelia. You are not to be deceived, but you know that she is in no
danger.” At the same time he squeezed my hand with such force that I
could scarcely help crying out.[104] The queen, however, dragged him
away. When tea was served, I perceived how much alarmed I had been, for
my hand shook so that I could hardly take the cup.
When the king was seated he called to him each of his sons separately,
and said things to them equally sublime and instructive, but very unlike
what he would have said before so many people had he been conscious of
the circumstance. I never did and never will repeat what I then heard,
and I sincerely believe that all present felt as I did on that occasion.
His Majesty had a long conversation with Count Munster on the affairs of
Hanover, so that it could only be understood by those who were
acquainted with the German language. I was then convinced of the very
deep impression made on him by the fate of that country. On the
following evening I was not at the Castle, and it was the last on which
he appeared in society.
Princess Amelia expired on the birthday of the Duke of Kent, who had had
some dispute with the Duke of York, then commander-in-chief. I was told,
however, by Lady Aylesbury, who was in waiting, and had dined quietly
with the melancholy party of the royal family, that the Duke of York
said to her, in a whisper: “Though this is a sad day, I must drink the
health of poor Edward.”
Two days afterwards Princess Augusta sent for me, and as I was sitting
with her, one of her dressers entered the room with a birdcage in her
hand, and her fingers in her eyes. “Princess Amelia,” she said, “gave
orders before her death that this bird should be returned to your royal
highness; but not on the day she died, nor the day after, that it might
not afflict you too much in the first hours of your grief. But she
wished you to know how much she was obliged to you for giving it to her,
and what a comfort its sweet voice had been.”
Two ladies sat up with the corpse every night until the time of the
funeral. I was directed to perform this duty one night with Lady George
Murray.[105] We were in a room adjoining that in which was the coffin,
with the doors open. On the table was a book, which had been a favourite
with Princess Amelia. It was Tillikeper’s “Thoughts on Religious
Subjects,” and many of them had a pencil mark. The passages thus
distinguished testified to the feelings and judgment of the Princess,
and I asked leave to transcribe them into the copy of that work which
she herself had given to me.
The King recovered sufficiently to be told of her death, and he arranged
everything relating to the ceremony of the funeral. It appeared, indeed,
that before his late serious attack he had made some preparations for
this event, although, in the wanderings of his imagination, he could not
think her in danger. However this might be, the matter was settled very
properly. One of the Queen’s ladies was to go as chief mourner,[106]
followed, of course, by others belonging to the Princesses; but,
although I had no engagement of that kind, the King chose that I should
have a place in the procession, knowing how sincerely I was attached to
the Princess. I also heard that when lying on her death-bed, that the
two persons whom the Princess most warmly recommended to her father,
were Mrs. Williams—who had been her nurse, and was then attending
her—and myself. I was also named amongst the few persons to whom she
desired that remembrances should be given.
For the anthem the King had selected a passage from the sixteenth Psalm,
which used to be often sung by the Princess and her father. The
conclusion,[107] “In thy presence is gladness, and fulness of joy,”
raised my spirits from the depression into which they had fallen; and,
when I returned home, gave me a better night’s rest than I had enjoyed
for some time.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER XI.
STATE OF THE COURT—THE REGENCY—PRINCESS OF WALES—PRINCESS
CHARLOTTE—ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE PRINCESS—MISS KNIGHT
BECOMES LADY COMPANION.
THE amendment in the state of the King’s mind was only temporary. From
this time he was lost to his family and to his subjects; but his name
was still held sacred—he was still beloved and respected. Among the
aberrations of his mind there was one which must greatly have
contributed to his comfort. He fancied that Princess Amelia was not
dead, but living at Hanover, where she would never grow older, and
always be well. He endeavoured to impart the same consolation to one of
his physicians, who was lamenting the loss of his wife, by telling him
that she was not dead, but living at Hanover with Amelia.
I did not quit Windsor even for a day during the remainder of the
winter. The drawing-rooms were suspended, and even at the Castle the
Queen only received her family, and the persons attached to her service,
in her private apartments. Very early in the spring her Majesty,
perceiving that I had a very bad cold and cough, insisted on my going
into Devonshire, where I was invited to stay with Lord and Lady Rolle
till they came to town. The weather was beautiful, and my health was
gradually restored.
The autumn of 1811 was particularly fine. The comet[108] made a
magnificent appearance, and seemed to clear the atmosphere from storms
and rain.
The year 1812, remarkable in history on many accounts, was the last
which I passed at Windsor. The Regency was now established, fêtes were
given at Carlton House, and the Queen and Princesses went occasionally
to town. Several birthdays also were kept at Frogmore, and at Princess
Elizabeth’s cottage at Old Windsor.
Princess Charlotte was now in her seventeenth year, and was for some
time a visitor at the Castle. Her governess,[109] Lady de Clifford,
having gone to town on account of illness, the Queen commanded me to be
present at her Royal Highness’s lessons; or, I should rather say, asked
me to be present when her sub-preceptor, Dr. Short, read to her. She was
at that time allowed to dine once a fortnight with the Princess of
Wales, her mother, at Kensington Palace. I was appointed to accompany
her, and received my instructions accordingly. I was not to leave
Princess Charlotte one moment alone with her mother, nor prolong our
stay beyond a certain hour. When we arrived, the Princess of Wales
proposed our seeing the state apartments in Kensington Palace, which
occupied our time till dinner was served; after which, Lady Charlotte
Campbell,[110] who was in waiting on the Princess of Wales, played and
sang to Princess Charlotte. The Princess of Wales made me sit by her
side on the sofa, and was very gracious.
I must say that I neither saw nor heard anything extraordinary during
this visit. Her Royal Highness desired me to give her duty to the Queen,
with her thanks for having allowed her daughter to come that day. Of
course I executed this commission when I attended Princess Charlotte to
the Castle, where we arrived before the party was over. On our way from
Kensington to Windsor the carriage stopped, and Lord Yarmouth, who was
at that time the most intimate friend of the Prince Regent, came up to
the door to speak to the Princess. He, no doubt, afterwards informed the
Prince that all was right.
Towards the end of this year I had leave from the Queen to go to town in
consequence of a message from Lady Charlotte Rawdon, who wished me to
assist her in watching over the sick-bed of her excellent sister, Lady
Aylesbury, who had long been in a sad state of health, and was now
extremely ill. Lady Aylesbury had been to me more than a sister, and her
death was a heavy blow to me. I was standing with Lord Hastings beside
her bed when she expired,[111] with a calmness that had never forsaken
her during all her sufferings.
During the time I was tending Lady Aylesbury’s sick-bed, I had frequent
letters from the Royal Family, and wrote daily accounts to her Majesty.
She came to town one day, and sent for me. I think it was the day before
Lady Aylesbury died. Her Majesty, after inquiring whether any hope
remained, told me that a change was about to take place in Princess
Charlotte’s establishment, that Lady de Clifford had resigned, and that
the Duchess-Dowager of Leeds was to be governess; besides whom, there
must be a lady or two. She asked me whether I thought Lady Charlotte
Rawdon would be a proper person; but desired I would not say a word to
her on the subject. I stated some difficulties which I thought would
render this choice inconvenient, and, at the same time, hinted what Lady
Aylesbury, I knew, wished, and what I thought might do very well,
namely, that Miss Rawdon[112] should be about the Princess Charlotte.
The Queen seemed rather embarrassed: and dismissed me, as she was going
out. I had some hours before received a letter from Princess Mary,
hinting to me the same question about Lady C. Rawdon, which I had
communicated to Lady Aylesbury, whose sentiments on the subject I
therefore knew.
In my other letters from the Castle I had learned the scene which had
taken place. Princess Charlotte, having nearly attained her seventeenth
birthday (which took place on the 7th January, 1813), had written a
letter to Lord Liverpool, expressing a desire that, as she understood
Lady de Clifford had resigned, she might have no other governess, but an
establishment of her own, and ladies in waiting. As I did not hear this
from Princess Charlotte herself, or see the letter, I cannot exactly say
how it was worded, but I believe she wrote it by the advice of Miss
Mercer Elphinstone,[113] her old and intimate friend, with whom she was
not at that time allowed any communication, on account of opposition
principles, which, since the change of the Prince’s politics, he had
forbidden. The resignation of Lady de Clifford, and the consequent
arrangements, had been studiously kept from her Royal Highness, and she
was terrified as to what was to be her lot when she discovered these
circumstances. How she found means to write to Miss Elphinstone, or hear
from her, I know not, but imagine it was through the Princess of Wales.
I have always thought that the advice was suggested to Miss Elphinstone
chiefly by Lord Erskine. However this may be, the Prince was violently
angry when he heard of the letter, and took Lord Eldon (the Chancellor)
down with him to Windsor, where, in the Queen’s room, before her
Majesty, Princess Mary, and Lady de Clifford, in a very rough manner the
learned Lord explained the law of England as not allowing her Royal
Highness what she demanded; and on the Prince’s asking what he would
have done as a father, he is said to have answered, “If she had been my
daughter, I would have locked her up.” Princess Charlotte heard all this
with great dignity, and answered not a word; but she afterwards went
into the room of one of her aunts, burst into tears, and exclaimed,
“What would the King say if he could know that his grand-daughter had
been compared to the grand-daughter of a collier?”[114]
Things were in a most uncomfortable state after this scene, when Sir
Henry Halford told me what arrangements were intended. To soften matters
with the Princess, yet not entirely to yield to her demands, he said the
Duchess of Leeds was only to have the name of governess, and that her
Royal Highness was to have two ladies, to be called “ladies companions;”
the first title they had thought of, “ladies assistants,” looking too
much like governance. That at first they had thought of Miss Vernon, but
it would not do; next of the two Miss Townshends, sisters of Lord
Bayning, and nearly related to Lord Cornwallis. At least, he said the
appointment was or would be offered to one of them. I then mentioned
Miss Rawdon, desired he would call on her, as she was then ill, and
expressed my sentiments as to her understanding and accomplishments.
This Sir Henry did, and, I believe, spoke to the Queen on the subject;
but soon after, on the 12th, as I was at dinner at Lord Moira’s, I had a
note from him hinting a wish that I would myself be one of Princess
Charlotte’s ladies. I answered this note in very positive terms, by
saying that nothing short of an absolute command of her Majesty, to whom
I was bound by gratitude and attachment, could allow me to accept it.
Sir Henry called next day, and told me the Prince, in his visit to the
Duchess of Leeds, which had lately taken place, concurred with her in
anxiously wishing me to be with Princess Charlotte, and added, that my
accepting the situation would facilitate the appointment of Miss Rawdon
as my colleague. I could only repeat, as an answer, what I had written
in my note to him. He went to Windsor next day, and in the evening of
the 14th I received a most pressing letter from him, desiring that I
would come to Windsor as soon as possible, stating that the Prince was
to be there next day with the Duchess of Leeds (who with great
difficulty had been persuaded to accept the office), that nothing was
wanting to quiet the mind of Princess Charlotte but my presence, that I
must take the rank of honourable to dine with them, that I might write a
letter to the Queen expressing concern at leaving her, but that she
might have the comfort of considering that, when the year of governance
was over, I should remain in the family, &c. &c. &c. There was a
postscript, in which it was said that the hope of Miss Rawdon coming in
should not be given up.
With this letter came two from Princess Elizabeth, one of which was
written by the Queen’s desire to give me a hint that the Prince wished I
should come forward to assist him, with many flattering expressions on
her own (Princess Elizabeth’s) part; but adding that the Queen would not
bias me either way. The other letter was a private one, in which she
urged me to write a letter to the Queen, showing an inclination to
accept, and offering to consider myself still as _in her service_, or
terms to that effect, which letter Princess Elizabeth wished me to
enclose to her. There was also a letter from Princess Sophia, and one
from Princess Mary, the first to persuade me to accept the employment
from the unhappy persecuted state of Princess Charlotte, and the regard
she had for me; the second, adding to these motives the fullest promises
of support from the Prince and the _national_ benefit, which Sir Henry
had also pleaded. All I could resolve was to write a few lines to the
Queen, telling her Majesty I should be at Windsor next day (January 13),
at three, to take her pleasure on the subject of Princess Elizabeth’s
letter.
At the appointed hour, at which the Regent and Duchess of Leeds were
also to arrive, I reached Windsor, and found waiting for me at my own
door a servant of Madame Beckersdorff with a letter from the Queen,
which was to have been sent to town, but which her Majesty, finding I
was coming to Windsor, desired Madame Beckersdorff would get conveyed to
me before I came to the Castle. The first part of this letter was
relative to the Queen’s pecuniary affairs, which were embarrassed, and
on which she desired I would consult Mr. Claridge, her man of business,
more particularly as the death of Lady Aylesbury, and the advanced age
of Lord Aylesbury, rendered it essential they should in some measure be
settled, but insinuating that, instead of paying off her debts entirely,
when the arrangement was made, and that interest was settled for money
borrowed, a sum might be applied to further improvements at Frogmore and
the farm; the last page of the letter was relative to what she was
pleased to call a more important subject, the desire of the Prince, as
hinted by Sir H. Halford, that I should be about the Princess Charlotte.
In this she said she would not bias me, but she doubted whether my
health was equal to it; and, after intimating some displeasure at Sir
Henry for the proposal, and great affection for me, she evidently showed
that she wished me to remain with her till death. One of the expressions
was, that Lady Aylesbury was the first, and I was the second.
This letter, the receipt of which I was not to own, hurt me excessively.
I saw that the Queen wished me to take the refusal on myself, that she
might not offend the Prince. I recollected Lady Aylesbury having owned
to me that she was obliged to refuse in a similar manner (putting it on
Lord Aylesbury’s unhappiness if she was much away from him), when the
King wanted her and myself to be about Princess Charlotte in 1805. In
consequence of which she remained, and I became a member of the Queen’s
family. I thought of a letter I had received from her Majesty just after
Lady Aylesbury’s death, in which she enclosed one for Lord Bruce,
desiring he would be reconciled to his sisters, and at the same time
saying, as I had lost so good a friend, she would do everything to make
my life comfortable.
In all this there seemed to me much difficulty to encounter. I could not
find it in my heart to devote myself till death to the Queen’s service,
sacrificing the pleasing idea of rendering happy the life of a
persecuted young creature whose talents and disposition appeared to me
worthy of a better lot than as yet had fallen to her share. Perhaps also
my pride had been somewhat hurt, by the Queen not always, as I thought,
feeling properly my situation, and I will not say that I had not some
wish for a more active and more important employment than that which I
held at Windsor, dull, uninteresting, and monotonous. Every year more
and more confined, and, even from the kindness of the Royal Family,
condemned to listen to all their complaints and private quarrels. I
certainly hoped to get honourably out of it, but I did feel attachment
for the Queen, and even this letter which annoyed me excited my
gratitude.
I therefore went with a heavy heart, after an hysterical fit, to the
Castle, and entering Madame Beckersdorff’s room, requested she would
inform the Queen that I was there. This she would not do, but said the
Queen would ring for me when she wanted me, as she knew I was coming. I
waited till past five, when the bell rang. Madame Beckersdorff went, and
returned with a message from the Queen, to say that it would be better
both for her and myself that we did not meet till next morning at
eleven.
In the evening Sir Henry called, on his way to town, and said the Prince
was just gone, and had desired him to tell me that all was settled, and
that next day I should receive the formal proposal. I told him I feared
it would not do, for that I knew the Queen wished me to refuse, but that
I would write next day.
On the 16th, at eleven, I went to the Queen, who was in bed with a
severe cold. She was evidently embarrassed, asked me several questions
relative to Lady Aylesbury’s illness and death, and the affairs of the
family. She inquired how Lord Bruce had taken the letter she wrote to
him. I could not say he was pleased, and she said I might have kept it
back, as she sent it open to me with that design, and had expressed
herself so in her letter to me. I answered, that I could not feel myself
authorised to do that, and our conversation was very _gênante_, till at
last we got on the subject of Princess Charlotte. The Queen spoke of her
with all the prejudice and enmity which she had for years imbibed
against her, related to me all that had passed between her Royal
Highness and the Chancellor, and considered her dignified behaviour as
hardness of heart. Before she dismissed me, she said I should receive a
letter from the Duchess of Leeds, to propose the employment to me.
I then requested to be informed positively what was her Majesty’s
pleasure on the subject, hinting, at the same time, that I thought
Princess Charlotte would do all her family could reasonably wish, if she
were made happy and treated with confidence, and I might be able to do
good and promote harmony, but that I wished to act as her Majesty most
desired. The Queen inquired if I could recommend anybody, a sufficient
proof that she was resolved, if possible, I should not be that person. I
said I could only recommend Miss Rawdon, and repeated poor Lady
Aylesbury’s wishes on the subject. The Queen said she had spoken to the
Prince, but was fearful it would not do, and then said she would get the
Duchess to write to Lord Cornwallis, to urge the Miss Townshends to
accept. When I left the room, I said I would send her Majesty a copy of
my answer to the Duchess of Leeds when I received the letter.
In the ante-room this letter was given me by Madame Beckersdorff. It was
a very handsome one, and expressed the united wishes of the Queen,
Prince Regent, and Princess Charlotte, as well as her own. I took it
home with me, and after some debate with myself, I wrote an answer,
declining the proposal, from the sole motive of not thinking myself at
liberty to leave her Majesty’s service. It was worded in the most
respectful terms relative to the Prince and Queen, and expressed my
attachment to Princess Charlotte. I sent a copy of this letter to the
Queen, and at the same time wrote to the Duchess of Leeds, to ask when I
might call on her at the Lower Lodge, where she was already settled with
Princess Charlotte.
My letter to the Queen went at five, and at half-past six I took my
refusal to the Duchess, who expressed the greatest concern, and said all
in her power to persuade me to accept the situation, not having
entertained the smallest suspicion of any difficulty remaining. I left
her, and at the bottom of the stairs found the page, who desired I would
walk into the library, where I found Princess Charlotte. I had seen her
for a moment when I went in, and was received by her with all the warmth
of affection; but she was anxious to learn what had passed between the
Duchess and me, and was in an agony of grief and resentment when she
found I had been obliged to refuse, though she assured me, when I took
leave of her, that _I was fully justified with her_. I did not name to
her the Queen’s letter to me, but only said I could not leave her
Majesty without an absolute command.
I returned home, and heard nothing from the Queen. Next morning (17th) I
received a very urgent letter from Princess Mary, who was beyond measure
hurt at my refusal, and used every possible argument to induce me to
retract it. She said the Queen had never treated me as she ought, had
never placed me in my proper situation, that the Prince was most
desirous to do this, and intended that I should become one of his
family; that I should always dine with him when Princess Charlotte did,
whether the Queen was there or not, and that the whole family would
support me through everything. I heard, likewise, from Princess Sophia,
whose arguments were of a different nature, being chiefly addressed to
my feelings with respect to Princess Charlotte, and wishing to see me,
though not urging it if I felt it improper.
I had informed her Majesty the preceding morning that with her
permission I should go to Town at one, having other papers of Lady
Aylesbury’s to destroy. I went to the two Princesses who had written to
me, and told them that if the Regent, after my refusal (which they said
would throw him into the greatest difficulties), still condescended to
wish that I should be with Princess Charlotte, I had thought of a plan
which might succeed, and set things to rights with the Queen. My mind
was made up as to the letter I would write to her Majesty, but what I
suggested to the Princesses was that the Regent should send Lord Moira
to me to renew the negotiation, and then apply to the Queen to lay her
commands on me. To this Princess Mary most cordially and thankfully
acceded, and I left her room without seeing the elder Princesses.
I called on Madame Beckersdorff, to inquire after the Queen’s cold, and
to ask if there were any commands for me, but received none. I had no
answer whatever to my letter, but only heard that her Majesty had
announced the night before, at the party, my refusal of the appointment
about Princess Charlotte. At one I went to Town, and dined with Lady
Bruce. Soon after dinner, Sir Henry Halford called, and asked to speak
with me. He came from the Regent, and said his Royal Highness was
grieved and disappointed beyond measure at my refusal, but that he
intended next morning to send Lord Moira to me to remove my scruples,
and to assure me of the pains he would take to settle the mind of her
Majesty on the subject.
On the 18th, Lord Moira came and told me how very anxious the Regent was
for my coming into his service, and how embarrassed he would feel
himself if I continued to refuse. He offered to go himself, or send a
messenger if he was prevented from going, to persuade the Queen to lay
her commands on me to accept, and should not be easy until the affair
was settled. Lord Moira, however, agreed with me that it would be more
fair, as well as more respectful, for me to write, at the same time, to
the Queen, and give her the reasons for my listening once more to the
proposals made me. The Prince, likewise, wished me to write to the
Duchess of Leeds, informing her of my willingness to accept, for fear
she might have orders to make fresh applications to the Miss Townshends,
or to propose the employment to others. This I did; but although my
letter was directed very properly, she did not receive it till six days
after date, and it was said that it went by mistake to the young Duke of
Leeds in Yorkshire.
In my letter to the Queen I gave her my opinion with respect to her
affairs, assuring her that I had copied that part of her letter which
related to them, and had afterwards destroyed the whole; that I should
speak to Mr. Claridge as soon as he came to Town on the subject she
desired; and I also offered some arrangements which I thought would
serve to free her Majesty from embarrassment, and particularly the loan
of one thousand pounds, without interest, a sum which I knew the Queen
was at that time very desirous to procure, and which, added to the
salary I gave up, and the house which she might let, would set her
completely at her ease in respect to Frogmore and the farm. To this
letter I received, next day, two answers: the one, relative to my offer,
of course private; and the other, respecting my acceptance of the
employment. Both were resentful and bitter to a high degree. I was at
Lady Bruce’s when they arrived, and I was hurt beyond expression. I
immediately wrote a short note to Lord Moira, expressive of my feelings,
and giving up both situations. I took it to his house, where I found
Lady Loudon[115] and Lady Charlotte Rawdon, and afterwards himself. The
ladies approved of my feelings; but Lord Moira did not. He thought my
nerves ought to be braced against marks of resentment which he did not
think I had deserved. I did not mention to them the pecuniary part of
the correspondence, nor is it known to any human being except one
friend, who will never repeat it. On the 20th and 21st I remained ill at
home; I was rendered so miserable by the Queen’s letters that I would
not receive Lady Loudon, who called, or listen to the suggestions of Sir
Henry, who strongly pressed me to retract, or at least suspend, my
resolution. I had letters from all the Princesses, written in the
kindest and most urgent terms, to move me to accept the offered place;
but I resisted.
On the 22nd, Lord Moira called and informed me of the result of a letter
which the Prince had written to the Queen, enclosing one from himself to
the Prince. There was a positive command, as he said, contained in her
Majesty’s answer (which he had read) that I should accept the place
offered me; and he said that, when the Prince saw him, he had embraced
him with the greatest joy, and said that it was to his Lordship that he
owed whatever was agreeable to him. Every promise of support and of
remaining in the family was repeated, as it was in a letter which Lord
Moira wrote to me on the 20th, when I was ill.
On the 23rd, in the evening, I went to Warwick House, where I was to
meet Princess Charlotte on her arrival in Town. She came about nine,
attended by the Duchess of Leeds, having dined with the Princess of
Wales at Kensington, and received me in the most gracious and cordial
manner.
The last thing I did before I left my old lodgings to enter on my new
duties, was to write a respectful letter to the Queen expressive of the
deepest regret at having offended her, and of the sincerest attachment.
This letter was never answered.[116]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER XII.
LIFE AT WARWICK HOUSE—A ROYAL DINNER-PARTY—PRINCESS CHARLOTTE’S
COMPANIONS—DINNER AT THE DUKE OF YORK’S—BALL AT CARLTON
HOUSE—TREATMENT OF THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE.
WARWICK HOUSE,[117] in which Princess Charlotte and I, with an excellent
family of old servants, were now the only residents, was an old
moderate-sized dwelling, at that time miserably out of repair, and
almost falling to ruins. It was situated at the extremity of a narrow
lane with a small court-yard and gates, at which two sentinels were
placed. On the ground floor was a hall, dining-room, library,
comptroller’s-room, and two very small rooms, with a good staircase, and
two back staircases much the reverse. Above was what was called the
waiting-room, of very moderate dimensions, where Princess Charlotte took
her lessons in the morning; a good drawing-room, her Royal Highness’s
bedroom and dressing-room, or closet off it for a maid; my sitting-room
adjoining, and my bedroom, both small, the latter particularly so. Yet,
for a private family, it was far from being uncomfortable, though
anything rather than royal. The drawing-room and Princess Charlotte’s
bedroom, with bay-windows, looked on a small garden with a wall, and a
road which divided it from the gardens of Carlton House, to which there
was a door of communication.
Nothing could more perfectly resemble a convent than this residence; but
it was a seat of happiness to Princess Charlotte compared with the Lower
Lodge at Windsor, and she was anxiously desirous to remain in Town as
much as possible. It was announced to us that we were to be one week in
Town and one at Windsor; that when in Town we were to dine at Carlton
House, to go to the Play and Opera, and to have a party at Warwick
House, besides balls and great parties at Carlton House. Invitations
were already sent out for a ball, which was to take place on the 9th of
February, previous to which there was to be a Drawing-room.
On the 24th, which was Sunday, we went to the Chapel Royal, the Duchess
of Leeds and I attending her Royal Highness; and we found the Duke of
Cambridge there. We were told that the Prince would come in the course
of the morning to Warwick House, and dressed early to receive him. He
came not; the Duchess dined with us; and Sir Henry Halford came in the
evening with a message from the Prince, to say that we were to dine with
him next day. On the 25th we went at seven, and I was presented to the
Regent in form. There was no lady to meet us but Miss Goldsworthy.[118]
The Dukes of York, Cumberland, and Cambridge were there; Lord Yarmouth,
the Chancellor, Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt, and Colonel Bloomfield. The royal
Dukes were all very gracious, and promised their support, which I asked;
the Duke of Cumberland only saying, I wanted no support but that of my
own talents and merits. The Princes showed off; learning and information
were the order of the day. Lord Yarmouth was very attentive, and
sarcastically answered the Chancellor’s exaggerated delight in the
sufferings of Bonaparte’s army, and the cruelties of the Russians. At
ten we were ordered into the next room to take coffee, and then went
home.
The lower apartments of Carlton House, in which we dined, were close,
and too warm. They were fitted up with great splendour and elegance, and
contained some good pictures, and much ornamental decoration of bronze
and china. The Prince’s table was well served in every sense of the
word, and he did the honours of his house well, though not with
sufficient ease, and rather with assumed than real self-possession. He
talked but little to Princess Charlotte, and not with the manner or
voice of affection. His greatest attentions were for Miss Goldsworthy,
which, in one point of view, was amiable, but which, from subsequent
circumstances and conduct, proves what were the ideas and intentions of
the Prince at that early period of the new arrangements. Every
consideration was to be sacrificed to the plan of keeping the Princess
Charlotte as long as possible _a child_; and, consequently, whoever
belonged to her was to be thought a nurse or a preceptress, inferior, of
course, to the nurses and preceptresses of the Princesses her aunts.
On the 27th we returned to Windsor, which was at that time considered as
the _chef-lieu_; but Princess Charlotte had a very troublesome cold, and
the Lower Lodge was so damp, that Sir Henry Halford seemed disposed to
listen to her remonstrances, and willing to persuade the Prince to let
her remain in Town when she next went thither (which was to be on the
following Monday, 1st of February), at least until her cold should be
perfectly removed. She was indeed by no means well; for, besides her
cold, she had a little nervous fever, occasioned by all she had gone
through, and particularly the scene with the Chancellor.
At Windsor we found Lady Catherine Osborne and her governess, who were
allowed to live in the house with us. The good Duchess of Leeds was a
Miss Anguish,[119] daughter of a Norfolk lawyer, and, with her sisters,
had been noticed for singing agreeably Handel’s music. The late Duke of
Leeds married her, when Lord Carmarthen, having been divorced from his
first wife, by whom he had the present Duke and other children, one of
whom was married to Lord Chichester, a friend of the Regent, and
employed by him to negotiate with his stepmother the present
arrangements, though Sir Henry Halford was the principal agent. The
Duchess had two children of her own, Lord Sidney Osborne, who has the
Beaulieu estate; and Lady Catherine, an elegant little girl of
fifteen,[120] who danced well, could play a little on the pianoforte,
and speak a little French. She was to be a companion to Princess
Charlotte, and it was proposed she should have, when in Town, parties of
young ladies not presented—that is to say, children’s balls.
All this was evidently pursuing the plan of protracted infancy, and was
to be grafted on the education of a schoolboy, which had been the King’s
plan, to a certain degree, and to which the Prince had added lessons of
politics from Mr. Fox’s school, and had ordered that Mr. Adam and Dr.
Short should give her instruction in the laws of England, of which she
was to make an abstract. But when the Prince’s politics changed, and
Princess Charlotte, in understanding, penetration, and stature, was
become a woman, desirous to acquire more knowledge of public affairs and
general society, alive to everything, and capable of forming a judgment
for herself, the new plan of sending her back to the nursery was
adopted, and everything was done to promote it.
Such was the situation of affairs into which I perhaps heedlessly had
plunged myself, and I was romantic enough to think I could be of use;
and when Lord Moira was endeavouring to persuade me to accept the place
offered me, I told him my sole motive then was to assist in rescuing a
noble young creature from surrounding persecution, to give her room to
show what she really was, misunderstood as she appeared to be, and
certainly capable of becoming a blessing to her country, or the reverse.
For her character was such, I said, as not to promise mediocrity, and
much must depend upon the discipline of the next year or two. Measures
such as had recently been pursued with her must drive her, I urged, to
despair, and spoil her disposition, if not counteracted by affection and
tenderness. Talents and genius must be encouraged to become useful. If
endeavours are made to lower or extinguish them, what must be the
result? As I spoke, I saw the tears roll down the cheeks of Lord Moira,
and he said, “This is what I felt for her father; he _was_ everything
that was amiable, and _still_ I cannot help loving him.”[121]
It was necessary that I should be presented to the Queen in my new
capacity, but the Duchess of Leeds was ill. Lady Harcourt, the Queen’s
lady in waiting, was also not well, and it was not till Sunday, the
31st, that it was decided Lady Isabella Thynne, in waiting on the
Princesses, should present me. This was necessary, as we were to dine
next day with the Princess of Wales, on our way to Town, and it was
right I should first pay that respect to the Queen.
Nothing could be more disagreeable. Her Majesty, however, spoke to me,
for she inquired after Princess Charlotte, but added, she did not
believe she was very ill. I was soon dismissed, and went round to all
the Princesses, who received me very kindly, and lamented the coldness
with which I was treated.
Soon after I returned to the Lodge, the Queen and Princesses came to
visit Princess Charlotte.
The Duchess being in her room, not ready, I received them at the door,
and followed them up-stairs. The Queen did not command me to be seated,
and as soon as the Duchess made her appearance I left the room. Princess
Elizabeth afterwards said, that when Miss Goldsworthy was their
sub-governess the Queen never let her sit down when talking to them as
children. I said that that was not a case in point, for that I was not a
sub-governess, nor was Princess Charlotte a child; that as I was always
accustomed to sit in her Majesty’s presence, it was evident she resented
my leaving her, but that whatever the Queen chose to do I should never
lose the respect and attachment I had for her. I found, however, from
general conversation, that the object was to consider me as a
sub-governess, and a paragraph of that nature was put in the
papers,[122] which I insisted on Sir H. Halford mentioning to the
Prince, and getting it contradicted in the same paper, which was
done—the Prince remarking they might as well call me Lord
Chancellor.[123]
On the 1st of February we went to dine with the Princess of Wales at
Kensington Palace, and I was presented to her. She would not let me kiss
her hand, but embraced me. She was civil, but rather cool, to the
Duchess of Leeds. The Duke of Brunswick[124] dined with us. Lady
Charlotte Campbell and Miss Hayman were in waiting, and Lady Carnarvon
also dined. The Duke of Kent’s band was in attendance. The Duke of
Brunswick appeared grave and reserved, but very civil. The Princess
talked much to me about Princess Charlotte, seemed anxious for her
welfare, and expressed great satisfaction at my appointment.
On the 3rd of February, Princess Charlotte was invited to dine at the
Duke of York’s, to meet the Queen and Princesses, and I was asked for
the evening, with the very fair excuse that the dining-room was so small
that it would not hold even the Princesses’ or Duchess’s ladies. I dined
at Lord Moira’s, who, with Lady Loudon, was also asked to the evening
party. The apartments were, indeed, all very small, and very unfit for a
royal Duke or Commander-in-Chief. Lady Anne Cullen Smith (sister of Lord
Wellesley, and formerly married to a brother of Lord Southampton, by
whom she has two daughters, the Miss Fitzroys) was the Duchess’s only
lady in waiting. Her manners were elegant, and her daughters
accomplished and agreeable. I had seen them one morning at Warwick
House, for they had formed an intimacy with Princess Charlotte at
Oatlands.[125] The Prince, when he came up to shake hands with me,
whispered to me that he supposed Mary had said something to me which I
would remember. I asked Princess Mary, in the course of the evening,
what the Prince meant, and she answered, “Oh, nothing; he is only afraid
lest Charlotte should like the Duke of Gloucester; and there is no
danger. He wanted me to set you on your guard.”[126]
While I was talking to the Miss Fitzroys and others, the Chancellor[127]
came up to me, and began to shake me violently by the hand, which rather
surprised me, as we had never been introduced to each other. He was not
quite sober. He said he hoped I did not believe all the nonsense about
his ill-treatment of Princess Charlotte, of which no doubt I had heard a
lamentable story; and was going on, when I stopped him by saying that
Princess Charlotte had not conversed with me at all on the subject, and
that if any one had mentioned it to me it was the Queen. Not content
with this, he came up to me in the same manner after the Royal Family
had gone down to supper, and entered again on the subject, in a very
confused tone. I put him off by saying that really it was not my
business to interfere in the Princess Charlotte’s concerns, that I had
only the honour of attending her, and that the Duchess of Leeds was the
person who had the responsibility. This I said in a good-humoured way,
and got rid of him at last.
On the 4th I went with Princess Charlotte to the Duke of Cumberland’s
apartments at St. James’s, where she was to meet the Queen and
Princesses, previous to the drawing-room, to which she was not to go. I
left her there, and went to the drawing-room.[128] As soon as I had been
_seen_ by the Queen, for I was not spoken to, I returned to her Royal
Highness, who in the mean while was left with the Duchess of Leeds, and
she took her turn of going into the drawing-room. Princess Charlotte was
greatly hurt by being thus treated as a child, but made no complaints,
and was good natured with her family.
She met them that day at dinner at the Duke of Cambridge’s, and I was
asked for the evening party there. His house,[129] though not very
large, is handsome and comfortable. There was a little music in the
evening, and everything passed in tolerable good humour. Next day, the
5th, we dined quietly tête-à-tête to prepare for the ball in the
evening. Princess Charlotte’s spirits were worn out with anxiety
respecting her mother. She had heard that her visits at Kensington were
to be less frequent in future, and her mind was harassed by various
things. She felt nervous when the hour of dressing approached, but came
out looking beautiful, and with proper self-possession. Her dress was
white and silver, and she wore feathers for the first time. The Duchess
and I[130] were in white and gold. When we arrived at Carlton House, her
Royal Highness, with the Duchess of Leeds, went into the room where the
Royal Family were assembled, and I joined the Princess’s and Princess
Sophia of Gloucester’s ladies till the company was assembled, when we
all entered the ball-room.
The state apartments at Carlton House were certainly magnificent, and
everything well regulated. They were well lighted, and were superior to
anything I had seen in England; but the classical taste and sober
dignity of Italy, with the grandeur of its spacious habitations, eclipse
in my mind all I have seen elsewhere, and render Carlton House nothing
more than a nobleman’s dwelling expensively furnished. The best part of
the fête appeared to me the respect paid to the Royal Family of France.
Indeed, the Regent, ever since he came into power, has invariably shown
the most independent and honourable feeling. Princess Mary opened the
ball, and danced with the Duke d’Angoulême. Princess Charlotte stood
next her with the Duke of Clarence.[131] The dresses were splendid, and
the supper, in the apartments below, all that it should be. The Queen
seemed to enjoy it, and retired, apparently unfatigued, at five or six
in the morning.
That day Princess Charlotte dined at Carlton House, and I went in the
evening. I found her looking very unhappy, and she told me there was
something going on to vex her—that she had overheard a conversation
about the Duchess of York, who had invited herself to dine with her on
the following day—and that she was sure something had gone wrong. I
comforted her as well as I could; but I soon found from Princess Mary
that she was blamed for “having invited” the Duchess, and asked whether
she chose to have Lady Anne and the Miss Fitzroys to meet her. Princess
Mary said that it was wrong to do this without consulting the Duchess of
Leeds, and also that the Duchess of York did not wish to meet Lady Anne,
for that, though she was her lady, she did not like her, and that it
would be better to get rid of this dinner party.
The Prince took me aside this evening, and talked to me for a long while
against the Princess of Wales, and the little regard she had shown for
Princess Charlotte when a child, and how by her negligence there was a
mark of the small-pox on Princess Charlotte’s nose, having left her
hands at liberty; whereas _he_ used continually to watch beside her
cradle. He said very severe things of the Princess of Wales in every
way, and even accused her of threatening to declare that Princess
Charlotte was not his daughter. I really had not remarked this little
blemish on the smooth and beautiful skin of my young Princess, and
should have had great difficulty in forbearing to smile at the
seriousness with which that important misfortune was mentioned, if I had
not been horrified by the rest of the conversation. The Prince also
warned me against Lady Jersey, whom he had observed talking to Princess
Charlotte the night before at the ball, and said he did not choose she
should be too intimate at Warwick House, but did not give any particular
reasons for it.
All this appeared to me the more extraordinary, as really the Regent can
speak well, rationally, and with eloquence—or, at least, with great
plausibility. What could I think of such a mixture of serious and
frivolous complaint, when I might have expected discrimination of
character to guide me in what advice I was to give the Princess—views
for the future and regulations for the present, which the important
station she was one day to fill, and the very delicate situation in
which she was placed for the time present, seemed to render essentially
requisite? I really knew not what to answer, and could only assent to
his wishes or remarks in general terms.
When we returned home, Princess Charlotte was greatly agitated, and
insisted on knowing the whole of Princess Mary’s conversation with me.
She had heard most of it, and I concealed nothing from her in that
respect; but I was less communicative with respect to my lesson from the
Regent. I told her what he said about Lady Jersey, and I hinted that he
had expressed his regard for her in preference to her mother, because he
had insisted on my so doing. Princess Charlotte said she had of late
received much more kindness from her mother than from the Prince, but
that their unfortunate quarrels with each other rendered their
testimonies of affection to her at all times very precarious. As to Lady
Jersey, she said she knew not what the Prince had against her. He had
been the first to urge her visiting his daughter, and Lady Jersey
declared she would come unless she heard from his own lips a positive
revocation of the order. Lady Jersey was now going out of town, so that
all difficulties on that subject were suspended.
The affair of the Duchess of York and Lady Anne Smith hurt Princess
Charlotte exceedingly; she had a great regard for the Miss Fitzroys, and
she thought the Duke and Duchess of York two of her best friends. She
therefore resolved to clear up the point with the Duchess, and therefore
wrote her a note on the subject, desiring her to put off the party if
she thought it more prudent so to do. What the Duchess had or had not
said I cannot determine, but that trifling circumstance made a
“tracasserie” of long duration. The Duchess wanted to exculpate herself
with Lady Anne, who, scandal said, was jealous of her. Lady Anne wrote
to Colonel Taylor at Windsor, he told it to Princess Mary, and she wrote
me a letter, complaining I had betrayed confidence, after a friendship
of so many years.
At last, however, the Duke of Cambridge called on me, and, I believe,
set all to rights as far as I was concerned; for I not only told him
that I could not deceive Princess Charlotte, whose ears were very quick,
and who insisted on knowing the whole, but that I had promised never to
deceive her; and that also I had not the slightest idea that Princess
Mary wished what she said to me on the subject of the Duchess and Lady
Anne to be a secret kept from Princess Charlotte; that I had rather
considered it as a warning which it was my duty to repeat; and that the
whole would have ended quietly if the Duchess had left it where it was.
The Duke said that it had better have rested with the Princess
Charlotte’s being to blame in not consulting the Duchess of Leeds.
_That_, I said, had no effect; for her Royal Highness would not be
persuaded to consider her as more than a nominal governess, and I had
some difficulty in making things go on as well as they did in that
quarter.
Sir Henry Halford, however, who was the person always employed at that
time, settled the business of putting off the dinner party, by coming to
say from the Queen, that as the Princess Charlotte was not well enough
to go back to Windsor, she could not be well enough to see company at
dinner, and the Duchess of York prudently declined it. The Prince Regent
was supposed not to know anything of this affair, and perhaps really did
not. I feel almost ashamed of spending ink and paper on such trifles,
but they show the style of treatment adopted towards the future Queen of
England.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER XIII.
THE LETTER IN THE “MORNING CHRONICLE”—THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS
OF WALES—PAINFUL POSITION OF THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE—FATHER
AND DAUGHTER—THE PRINCESS IN RETIREMENT—THE DELICATE
INVESTIGATION—BEHAVIOUR OF THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE.
A VERY few days after this first fête, at which Princess Charlotte made
her appearance, the _Morning Chronicle_ exhibited a letter[132] from the
Princess of Wales to the Regent, complaining of her daughter not being
allowed to join in society, to acquire knowledge of the world, &c.
Another complaint was her not being permitted to see her oftener; and
the most serious one, that she was not _confirmed_. This letter had been
sent to the Prince a month before, and a copy of it to Lord Liverpool.
That to the Prince had been returned unopened, and had it rested there
it would have been very well, but it was injudicious to print it in the
papers, and more particularly at a time when Princess Charlotte had just
appeared in public, and had been allowed to visit her mother twice in
the space of eleven days, instead of once a fortnight, which had been
the rule for some time past. I have no doubt that these two last visits
had been so contrived on account of the letter; but _that_ the world
could not know, and with many people it put the Princess of Wales in the
wrong. It produced a visit to me from Colonel Mac Mahon, with a command
from the Prince to write a note to the lady in waiting of the Princess
of Wales, to say that, “in the absence of the Duchess of Leeds, I was
commanded to inform her that Princess Charlotte could not dine at
Kensington that day, as had been intended.”[133]
Poor Princess Charlotte was thrown into agonies of grief by all these
discussions, and always remarked that she could not have three days’
peace, and trembled continually for what was to come next.
The Prince Regent had, I think, made one or two visits to Warwick House
since I came into office; but soon after that message through Colonel
Mac Mahon, he called one morning with Lord Liverpool, and desired I
would go down to the latter while he spoke to Princess Charlotte, as
Lord Liverpool[134] would explain to me on what business they were come.
I found Lord Liverpool, as I thought, very uncomfortable. He seemed too
much embarrassed to begin the conversation, and I said the Prince Regent
had told me his Lordship would explain to me the business on which they
were come, which, as far as I could comprehend, related to the Princess
of Wales. Lord Liverpool said it did, and that it gave him great pain,
that it was altogether a most unfortunate business, and that no one
could feel it more unpleasantly than he did. He did not appear willing
to say more, and I had no desire to ask questions. Our conversation,
therefore, turned on Lady Liverpool for a few minutes, when the page
came in to say that the Prince Regent desired we would both walk
up-stairs.
I found the Regent and Princess Charlotte standing near the chimney. She
looked penetrated with grief, and spoke not a word. The Prince said he
wished Lord Liverpool, as his confidential servant, and me, as Princess
Charlotte’s friend, to hear him repeat what he had been saying to her,
namely, that an investigation was being made with respect to the conduct
of her mother, on the result of which depended her ever being allowed to
visit her again, and that in the mean while her usual visits must be
suspended. He added, that it was a very serious investigation, and most
probably would end in a manner most painful; but that, whatever way it
ended, his treatment of Princess Charlotte would be equally kind and
considerate, as he should not consider her accountable for the faults of
her mother.
Princess Charlotte was dreadfully overcome when he addressed this to
Lord Liverpool and me, and her behaviour sufficiently indicated how
painful it was to her that family dissensions of so delicate a nature
should be brought before a minister and an attendant. The Prince
dismissed Lord Liverpool, saying that he would not detain him, as he
knew he had much to do; and I saw Princess Charlotte in such distress,
that I ventured to say I hoped the Prince would allow her to lie down.
On this she roused herself, and with great dignity said she was not ill.
However, the Prince soon after took his leave, and desired I would come
with him.
I followed him into the library, where he told me that he was surprised
at Charlotte’s behaviour; for that she had taken everything he had said
to her, while they were alone, perfectly well. I answered, that the
Prince’s own feelings would suggest to him that what her Royal Highness
could bear from him, she could not support to hear mentioned before
subjects and persons unconnected with the family; that I was sure of her
attachment to him, but that if she did not feel for her mother (however
faulty), she could not have the proper sentiments of a daughter for him.
He took this remarkably well, and said he certainly felt for her; but it
was better not to deceive her, and that the business would end very
seriously. He added, that he had promised to communicate to her the
result of the investigation, and would call on her the next day, or the
day after.
Many days passed, and no visit from the Prince. He sent one or two
messages to excuse himself, and we heard that every one talked of this
unhappy affair. Sir John and Lady Douglass[135] had lodgings in
Pall-Mall, or St. Alban’s-street, and were constantly with the
inhabitants of Carlton House, as we were told. At length Princess
Charlotte grew so very anxious that she wrote an affectionate note to
the Prince, requesting to see him, which he answered very kindly, but
said it was better they should not meet for the present, as when all was
settled they might afterwards meet constantly with pleasure. Many more
days elapsed, during all which time Princess Charlotte never went out.
Lady Liverpool came one day, and was very anxious she should be amused
by little parties at Carlton House, or asked to go to the play or opera.
But Princess Charlotte constantly replied, that it would ill become her
to appear in public while her mother was under a cloud of so tremendous
a nature. At length the Miss Herveys, daughters of Mrs. Fremantle, and
very intimate at Windsor Castle, called one morning and told her that if
she did not appear in public her character would be lost, for that the
most injurious stories were circulated about her and Captain
Fitzclarence.[136] _This_ had its effect with Princess Charlotte, and
she resolved to take an airing in the Park.
This was on the 22nd of February, and we afterwards went almost every
day for an hour or two up and down the road where only royal carriages
are allowed to go. What mischief was intended by this story of Captain
Fitzclarence it is impossible to learn; but it is certain that he
neither came to Warwick House, nor sent a letter, during all the time I
was with Princess Charlotte, nor do I believe he ever had, or that she
had ever entertained a partiality for him. He left his name at the door,
as others did, before he went abroad, and when he returned.
But Sir Henry Halford had, before Miss Hervey’s visit, taken great pains
to persuade Princess Charlotte to go out, on the score of her health;
and it was evident to me that the great anxiety was to prevent the world
from thinking that she took much interest in her mother’s concerns.
At length, one day, the Duchess of Leeds remained at Warwick House while
we went for our drive in the Park, and at our return we learned that she
had been sent for to Carlton House. When she came back, she told me that
the Princess’s affair had finished dreadfully, and that the paper would
be sent at eight o’clock to be read to Princess Charlotte, before her
and me. Princess Charlotte wished we should be alone, and appointed the
Duchess to return at eight, declaring that if Lord Liverpool or the
Chancellor came to read the paper she would not listen to it, for that
_in her eyes_ her mother _must_ be innocent.
At eight the paper came, sealed and directed to the Duchess of Leeds,
who arrived a moment after, and who, with great delicacy, put it into
the hands of Princess Charlotte. This conduct on her part had great
weight with Princess Charlotte, and from that moment she always treated
her with more cordiality than she had before done, though she was never
uncivil to her, and very kind to Lady Catherine.
Her Royal Highness ran over the paper, and then said, “I have no
objection to any one hearing this.” She read it then aloud, and it
implied nothing more than the result of the former investigation in
1806, and the consequent advice that Princess Charlotte should only be
allowed to see her mother with the same restrictions as before.[137]
This very extraordinary termination of the business, after all that had
been said, was a great comfort to Princess Charlotte, but did not
increase her affection for the Prince. Addresses were now pouring in on
all sides to the Princess of Wales, congratulating her on “having
escaped a conspiracy against her life and honour.” Mr. Whitbread spoke
in the House as her champion, and she became exceedingly popular.
On the 23rd of March the Duchess of Brunswick[138] died. Sir Henry
Halford brought the news to me at eleven at night. Princess Charlotte
was much affected, and lamented not having lately visited her. But she
had kept away from delicacy, on account of the painful affairs relative
to the Princess of Wales. She wrote immediately to the Prince, to the
Princess, and to the Duke of Brunswick. Next day she wrote to Princess
Sophia of Gloucester, who was particularly attached to the Duchess; and
the Duke of Gloucester sent a gentleman to me to inquire after Princess
Charlotte. It was wonderful to see the kindness and energy with which
this young person of seventeen acted on this occasion. She wished to
have gone to see the Duchess, her grandmother, after her death, for her
mind was not easy at having kept away from her during the last month or
two; but Lady Anne Smith and the Duchess of Leeds—particularly Lady
Anne—persuaded her not to go.
I must own that I had rather encouraged this idea when she started it,
for I thought it proceeded from the best of motives, and I considered
that royal personages are in general less prepared for the troubles of
this life, because they are spared almost all painful and disagreeable
scenes. Everybody, however, chose to interfere with respect to Princess
Charlotte, under pretence of excessive anxiety for her happiness and
welfare.
On the 25th the Prince called, and offered to Princess Charlotte that
she should visit her mother at Blackheath.[139] She went, attended by
the Duchess and myself, on the 26th, and we passed a very quiet and
comfortable day. The Princess of Wales looked better than I ever saw
her. She appeared to be affected and subdued, and was particularly so
when we came away, saying how uncertain it was when she should be
allowed to see her daughter again. Lady Charlotte Lindsay was in
waiting.
About this time Miss Mercer Elphinstone came to Town, and Princess
Charlotte wrote to ask the Regent’s permission for seeing her; which was
granted. It was evident that this had been arranged beforehand, and that
the conditions were that Miss Mercer, who had more influence than any
one with Princess Charlotte, should open her eyes to her mother’s
imprudence, and break the confidential intimacy between them. That this
intimacy must in some degree be prejudicial to Princess Charlotte there
were reasons enough to prove; but great delicacy was requisite on this
subject, and perhaps not quite sufficient was observed, which gave room
for false rumours amongst some Opposition people (particularly the
violent ones) that Princess Charlotte was won over by fêtes and balls,
and had given up her mother. These rumours were, I believe, underhand,
seconded by the agents of Carlton House, who had before spread the most
infamous falsehoods about Captain Fitzclarence, &c.
I soon perceived the change, and also some difference of conduct towards
myself. Princess Charlotte left off shaking hands with me when we met in
the morning and parted at night—a circumstance trifling in itself, and
unnecessary where people live in the same house together; but it was
accompanied by hints that when she had an establishment her ladies
should be kept at a distance, and a short time after that her ladies
ought to be Peeresses, or of the highest connexions. I could easily
guess whence all this was derived, but I said nothing.
One evening, however, Lady Anne Smith speaking very kindly of the
advantage she thought Princess Charlotte had reaped from my being with
her, her Royal Highness seemed embarrassed, which upset me; I burst into
tears, and was obliged to remain in my room that evening. Next day
Princess Charlotte hinted something about jealousy, of which I took no
notice; but I perceived her mind had been poisoned.
I resolved, however, to go on doing my duty, and could not blame her for
preferring the advice of a person whom she had known intimately for many
years, who was shrewd, had talents, and a decision of character often
very useful. It appeared to me an amiable trait in Princess Charlotte’s
character, and, as she did not treat me ill, I could not bring myself to
be angry with her, though it necessarily changed my mode of proceeding.
I could no longer be as open as I had been; and though I did not deceive
her, and, when necessary, told her exactly what I thought, I was obliged
to be on my guard, and to wait sometimes for days before I could hint
anything which I was anxious for her to know. Miss Mercer appeared shy
of me; and things were in this state when we were asked one day to
dinner at Carlton House. It was just after the discovery of the body of
Charles I. in the subterranean chapel at Windsor,[140] and the Prince
was acting the manner of decapitation on my shoulders. He was in good
humour, and had given to Princess Charlotte the centre sapphire of
Charles’s crown, which he had received with the papers of the Stuart
family from Rome. This dinner party was very dull. It consisted of Miss
Goldsworthy and the Duke of Clarence (both of whom fell asleep after the
second course), the Duke of Cambridge and Colonel Bloomfield.
About a week after, on the 11th of April, we were sent to Windsor for a
fortnight, as Easter was approaching. Princess Charlotte, whose real
goodness of heart could not be entirely warped, took me in the carriage
with her straight to the Castle, where the Duchess was to meet us. I was
anxious to take my leave when I had accompanied her into the room, and I
had written to Miss Roberts[141] to say I would dine with her, but it
was agreed that as the Queen and Royal Family were just going into the
dinner-room, Princess Elizabeth should ask whether I was to dine there.
To me nothing could be so disagreeable. The answer of the Queen was,
that as I was there I might stay; but I was afterwards told that she had
said to the Duke of Cambridge, as he handed her in, that she now did
more for the Prince’s daughter than she had ever done for her own
children; for that she never sat down with their sub-governesses. This
being repeated to me by the Princesses, I found it necessary to write
the following letter to the Prince on the subject, more particularly as
other affronts of a similar nature were put upon me:
MISS KNIGHT TO THE PRINCE REGENT.
SIR,—As I am well aware of the many and important occupations which
engross the time of your Royal Highness, I am sincerely concerned at
being under the necessity of arresting your attention for a few
moments; but I am convinced that your Royal Highness would think me
unworthy of the situation in which you have been pleased to place
me, if I could tamely submit to the treatment which I have
experienced since my arrival at Windsor.
As it was past five when we reached the Castle on Sunday, the Queen
said that I might remain to dinner, but that in allowing this she
did more for your Royal Highness’s daughter than she had ever done
for her own, as she was not used to sit down with their
_sub-governesses_. This, I understand, was not only said at that
moment, but had also been her Majesty’s expression at other times
when speaking of me; and if reminded that I had the honour of being
one of the _ladies companions_, and not _sub-governess_, to the
Princess, her Majesty had always said that she considered it as the
same thing.
Since the dinner of Sunday, I have not been admitted into her
Majesty’s presence, and while I make this representation to your
Royal Highness, as explaining the reason why I am thus prevented
from doing my duty in attending Princess Charlotte, I by no means
wish to force myself into the Queen’s society; and I beg leave to
remark that were Princesses alone, or the daughters of Peers,
allowed to dine with her Majesty, I perhaps, _individually_, should
have no reason to complain; but that, as your Royal Highness well
knows, is far from being the case. I must therefore remember that my
father was a gentleman, descended from an ancient family; that he
served his King and country with uninterrupted loyalty, zeal, and
distinction; that he died an admiral, and had, some years before,
received the honour of being made a knight banneret under the Royal
standard, and of dining with his Majesty.
I must therefore consider that neither my birth nor my situation
about her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte render me unworthy of
being admitted to her Majesty’s table and parties, and I must look
on the exclusion as proceeding from personal displeasure, which I
lament having incurred, notwithstanding my dutiful and respectful
attachment. I therefore fully confide in the honourable feelings of
your Royal Highness, under whose protection I am proud of
considering myself, and whose promises of support are indelibly
engraved on my memory. I trust I shall never be undeserving of them
either in conduct or gratitude, nor of the happiness I feel in
belonging to her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte.
I am, Sir, &c.
April, 1813.
Princess Charlotte wrote two letters to her father on the same subject;
but some persons, anxious to complain of the Queen, and to make her
proceedings appear in a worse light, advised her to add that the Queen
was not civil to the Duchess of Leeds, and other complaints, which
rendered my grievances only a part of the whole.
Whatever the Regent might think, he sent no answer to me either by
letter or word of mouth, and he made Sir Henry Halford answer Princess
Charlotte in a manner very unsatisfactory. Towards the end of the
fortnight Lady Catherine and I had two invitations to the evening
parties, but it was altogether very odious and uncomfortable, and I was
not less pleased than Princess Charlotte to return to town, which we did
on the 29th.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER XIV.
LIFE AT WARWICK HOUSE—THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE’S ESTABLISHMENT—HER
WARDROBE—THE DUCHESS D’ANGOULÊME—A DINNER AT CARLTON HOUSE—THE DUKE OF
GLOUCESTER—THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE.
THE life we led at Warwick House was exactly that of a child and her
nurse. Dr. Short, her Royal Highness’s sub-preceptor, a good sort of
Devonshire man, with some classical knowledge, very little taste, an
honest heart, but over-cautious temper, fearful of offending, used to
come every morning and read English to her Royal Highness from eleven to
twelve, at which hour he was succeeded by Mr. Sterkey, minister of the
Swiss church, who read French to her; a man of good manners for his
station, and of a pliant disposition, ready to do anything not actually
wicked, and, I believe, an excellent husband and father. As to Küper,
the German preceptor, I could not get her to let him give his usual
lessons. She thought him a spy, and perhaps not entirely without reason;
but he might have been useful with respect to information, for he was a
learned man, and did not want judgment with regard to Greek and Latin,
as well as the German language. Mrs. Miles, her music mistress, used
frequently to give her lessons in the evening; and she had instructions
on the guitar, first from Ventura, a Venetian, who sang prettily, and
had practical facility, and afterwards from Vacari, a scientific
professor of music, and an excellent player on the violin, who had left
the band of the King of Spain, and whose wife was a Spaniard, and taught
Princess Charlotte the wild Spanish manner of playing, which the Miss
Fitzroys also imitated very happily.
The Bishop of Salisbury used to come three or four times a week, and “do
the important” as her Royal Highness’s preceptor. He had expressed great
satisfaction at my coming into her service, and had, I know, wished it
many years before; but however willing I was to be on the best terms
with the Bishop, and to induce Princess Charlotte to treat him with
attention, I could not but see how narrow his views, how strong his
prejudices, and how unequal his talents were to the charge with which he
had been entrusted by the good old King, much against the Prince’s
inclination. The Bishop’s great points were to arm Princess Charlotte
against the encouragement of Popery and Whig principles (two evils which
he seemed to think equally great), and to appear himself a man of
consequence. His best accomplishment was a taste for drawing, and a love
of the fine arts. I have often put him in a good humour by showing him a
drawing, or forwarding his proposals of accompanying Princess Charlotte
to exhibitions. Indeed, though she was not fond of the Bishop’s company
at any time, and more particularly after two o’clock, when it had been
decided by the Prince that he had nothing more to do at Warwick House,
she would good naturedly allow him to be our cicerone on these
occasions, and nothing could gratify him more, except a Garter ceremony,
on which occasion he never failed to make his appearance at Warwick
House in his dress as Chancellor of the Order.
The Bishop having been preceptor to the Duke of Kent, and living much at
Windsor, where he was formerly a canon, had imbibed the bad style of
manners belonging to that place, and as it was not grafted on any
natural or acquired elegance, he was in that respect also unfit for his
situation; added to which, his temper was hasty, and his vanity easily
alarmed. His disputes with Lady de Clifford had been terrible, and he
seemed now to bless himself that things went on so well and so quietly.
Indeed, I thought it important they should do so, and the good Duchess
of Leeds had no inclination to quarrel with anybody. Provided that she
might ride two or three times a week at Hall’s—a second-rate
riding-school—on an old quiet horse for exercise, get into her
shower-bath, and take calomel when she pleased, dine out, and go to all
parties when invited, shake hands with everybody, and touch her salary,
she cared for nothing more, except when mischievous people to plague
her, or curious gossips to find out what was going on, talked to her
about Princess Charlotte’s petticoats being too short,[142] of her Royal
Highness nodding instead of bowing, or talking to the maids of honour at
chapel between the prayers and the sermon.
On these occasions the poor Duchess became bilious, cried in her sleep,
and begged and prayed me next day to talk to Princess Charlotte, for she
did not like to venture on anything herself, unless driven to the last
extremity. The financial department being wholly in her keeping, this
was a very sore subject. Princess Charlotte had been, until just before
Lady de Clifford left her, allowed ten pounds a month for pocket money;
more than which she lost at cards at Windsor, for her Royal Highness was
not fond of play, and still less of the practice of having her hand made
for her to the detriment of others; therefore she, of course, seldom won
a pool at commerce, and Lady de Clifford was obliged, to furnish her
with money for her little charities out of the eight hundred pounds a
year allotted for her wardrobe. Before she left her Royal Highness she
increased the monthly allowance to fifteen pounds, saying they could not
lessen it; and this was all Princess Charlotte had absolutely at her own
disposal; and now that balls and birthdays necessarily took up so much
money for dresses, which the Prince and Royal Family expected should be
new and splendid, the difficulties were great.
Mrs. Louis, a German, Princess Charlotte’s second dresser, and now the
only one capable of exertion (for Mrs. Gagarin was in a dying state),
possessed taste and economy superior to anything I ever saw, added to
excellent principles of religion and morality, and a constant
cheerfulness of temper. She was invaluable from all points of view. Her
contrivances with respect to her Royal Highness’s wardrobe, to which she
gave the appearance of novelty at a very trifling expense, were truly
praiseworthy in a situation where extravagance and airs are so apt to
characterise the menial servants of Princesses. But with all this
economy, eight hundred pounds a year could not do more than dress her
Royal Highness with propriety.
Fortunately, she was not desirous of sacrificing either time or treasure
on her toilette, but she liked pictures, and specimens of the fine arts
of every description; and she loved nothing so much as making presents
of valuable trinkets to her young friends, who were ready enough to
accept them, and the poor Duchess had really sufficient cause for crying
in her sleep when quarter-day came about. Yet it is astonishing to think
with what propriety, order, and regularity the house went on, with such
small funds as were allowed. Fourteen thousand pounds was the average
expense, from which pensions to the amount of nearly two thousand pounds
a year, and salaries which could not amount to less than four thousand
pounds more, were to be subtracted, a steward, page, two dressers, and a
proportionate number of servants to be maintained, carriages and horses
kept, and, in short, all the expenses of a family paid, excepting her
Royal Highness’s saddle horses, which were kept at Carlton House
stables.
Mrs. Gagarin, who had lived with Princess Charlotte from her infancy,
was an excellent person; she was an Englishwoman, but in her youth had
been unfortunately married to a Russian Prince, whom she afterwards
discovered to be the husband of another, and whom she therefore left
without even claiming a provision. This was told me in confidence by
Princess Charlotte, who had almost a filial regard for her. Mrs. Gagarin
had one daughter, whom she had placed, after giving her a good
education, as governess in a Scotch family, where she became acquainted
with a worthy clergyman named Wightman, and was engaged to him. Some
months before I came to Princess Charlotte, Mrs. Gagarin had fallen into
a bad state of health, and her daughter came to stay with her. Why I
cannot tell, but the Queen and Princesses had been much displeased with
this, and with the notice which Princess Charlotte took of her; and
after giving up the plan of dismissing all the servants, which had been
their intention when the Duchess and I came into office, they at least
took care that Miss Gagarin should be married as soon as possible, and
sent away with her husband to a small living near Bath, given him by the
Bishop of Salisbury, whither Mrs. Gagarin was also sent, on pretence of
change of air being beneficial to her health, but in fact hoping she
would not return, for this was confessed to me. However, though far from
recovering, she was most anxious to return as soon as the weather
allowed her to travel; and we had her back. Every care, every attention
which the kindest and most considerate affection could suggest were
bestowed on her by Princess Charlotte. While she was capable of taking
airings, her Royal Highness constantly sent her out in a carriage, and
when she grew so weak as to be confined to her room, visited her two or
three times a day, carried her in her arms to the window, and exerted
every faculty to soothe and comfort her. Indeed, Princess Charlotte was
kind and benevolent to all her servants, yet never condescended to any
unbecoming familiarity with them, or treated them with more confidence
than could be justified by their stations and conduct. They all idolised
her.
On the 5th of May I went in the evening to the Duchess d’Angoulême, who
had sent the Duke de Sérent to say she was in town, and desired I should
be presented to her, as I had been to the King, Monsieur, and the Duke
d’Angoulême at Carlton House. I went about eight, and found her in a
small house in South Audley-street, belonging to Monsieur. She received
me very graciously, and placed me beside herself; the room was full of
French emigrants, a foreign minister or two, and two or three other
strangers. Her profile was good, and she would have been beautiful had
not early misfortune nipped the blossom. Her figure stooped, but it was
rather a good one. Her dress particularly plain and unassuming; her
manner perfectly unaffected; her voice rather too loud, and her
articulation rather too quick to be pleasing, otherwise than by a tone
of sincerity, which was very striking. The manners of Monsieur were
perfect, and his countenance still very pleasing. The Duchess de Coigny
struck me as singularly well bred and agreeable.
The Queen and Princesses came to town pretty often, and at those times
we went to Carlton House, usually the Princess and Duchess to dinner,
and all of us in the evening.
On the 12th there was a ball there, and also on the 1st of June. The
next day, the Duchess being ill, I had to accompany Princess Charlotte
to dinner at Carlton House. The Queen, two of the Princesses, and a
small party dined there. The Hertfords, Liverpools, Cholmondeleys,
Hampdens, and Lord St. Helens, were the usual set, and were there that
day. The Prince was uncommonly gracious to me, and it was settled that I
was to go to Windsor with Princess Charlotte on the 4th of June (the
King’s birthday), dine at Frogmore, and come back the next day. We went,
and the Prince was again all courtesy. He seemed very anxious that the
Duchess of Leeds should send the Queen a letter[143] of mine, which she
had never seen, and which he and good Princess Augusta thought would
restore me to her favour. At all events, he desired I would not be
uneasy, and that although the Queen might be angry with me herself, he
was sure she would be much more angry with any one who should speak
against me. He was in high good humour, but in the midst of it, tapping
me on the shoulder, said, “Remember, however, my dear Chevalier, that
Charlotte must lay aside the idle nonsense of thinking that she has a
will of her own; while I live she must be subject to me as she is at
present, if she were thirty, or forty, or five-and-forty.” This, of
course, I did not repeat to her Royal Highness.
The Prince had desired Princess Charlotte to make him a present of her
portrait, and she had for some time been sitting to Sanders for that
purpose. He is an excellent painter, but uncommonly slow. She wished it
should be finished against the 12th of August, as a present to her
father on his birthday; and we used to go very often to his study for
these sittings. Sanders is a very particular man, very correct, very
religious. So far from taking the liberty of admitting any one when her
Royal Highness was there, it was with great difficulty we could prevail
on him to let in Miss Mercer, Lady Tavistock, Lady Jersey, or the Miss
Fitzroys, when the regent particularly desired it; and it certainly was
an annoyance to a nervous man, peculiarly anxious for the success of
this picture, to have a set of women come and give their opinions, and
afterwards talk over the balls and parties of the night before. Princess
Charlotte, however, could not sometimes resist letting in these
tormentors of poor Sanders; and she had so little amusement in general,
that anything of this kind was an object to her. She listened with
avidity to all the accounts her friends gave of the assemblies and other
amusements of which she could not partake; and they would sometimes come
for a little while in the evening, before they went to their gayer
parties. Our only other entertainment was driving in the park, and when
that was objected to, on the road.
On the 17th of May we had visited the Princess of Wales on her birthday,
but were not allowed to dine there.
On the 30th of June there was a magnificent ball at Carlton House, and
the evening before we had been at the Duke of York’s. The Duke of
Gloucester was there, sat down by Princess Charlotte, and talked to her.
This displeased the Prince, and there was much conversation with Lady
Liverpool, who walked up and down the room, and was at last sent to
desire that her Royal Highness would change places with Lady Bathurst,
who sat on the other side of her. This she would not do, but walked into
the next room. The Duke was greatly offended, and his sister much hurt.
After the Queen, Prince, and Princesses were gone, Princess Charlotte
apologised to the Duke and Princess Sophia of Gloucester for what had
passed. This gave occasion to the Duke, who had been only talking to her
before on indifferent subjects, to say that he meant to take no liberty,
but that she might consider him as devoted to her, and ready to come
forward whenever she would cast her eyes on him. Princess Charlotte came
home indignant and hurt at having been watched and worried, and the ball
was not so pleasant to her as it otherwise would have been.
The Duke of Devonshire used alternately to dance with Princess Charlotte
and Princess Mary, not less, and generally more, than two dances at
every ball. The Prince encouraged this, on account of his rank, and also
from a regard for him on his late mother’s account; and ministers were
supposed to encourage it, because they hoped the attractions of Princess
Charlotte might attach him to Carlton House, and so to the Prince, and
so on to their side of the House in Parliament.
The Duke was by no means insensible to the charms of his future Queen.
Followed by all the mothers and all the misses in London, because he was
the yet unmarried Duke of Devonshire, it is probable that he might wish
to be liked for himself alone, and this must be the case if Princess
Charlotte liked him. His ambition, also, might be roused, and he might,
and perhaps unfortunately did, feel really attached to her. A good young
man, of a benevolent heart, moderate abilities, and romantic turn (which
I understand was the case with him), might easily fall into such a
snare. He was very attentive, and Princess Charlotte’s friends were,
almost all, very intimate with him. Miss Mercer Elphinstone was supposed
to like him, to wish to marry him, and to be playing a deep game, so
that when he was disappointed of Princess Charlotte, he might take her,
out of gratitude for her good offices. This ill-natured story was too
ridiculous to be believed; for if Miss Mercer wished to marry him, she
could not at the same time wish to encourage his attachment to a
beautiful young Princess of seventeen, who was generally thought the
handsomest woman in the ball-room (for dress became her particularly),
and who must, at all events, eclipse a woman of twenty-eight, whose
great fortune would be no attraction to the Duke. I heard this story
from every one, but did not believe it. The Duke of Devonshire paid
great attention to all Princess Charlotte’s friends, and also to the
Duchess of Leeds. As to myself, I was not acquainted with him, and
rather avoided being so, that I might not be suspected of carrying on
any intercourse between him and Princess Charlotte.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER XV.
FESTIVITIES AT CARLTON HOUSE—COMPLAINTS AND ACCUSATIONS—LETTER TO LADY
LIVERPOOL—VISIT TO SANDHURST—ARRIVAL OF THE PRINCE OF ORANGE—A SUITOR
FOR THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE—ROYAL MATCH-MAKING—LETTER TO THE PRINCESS
CHARLOTTE.
ON the 6th of July we were at the magnificent breakfast given at Carlton
Gardens, followed by a ball. The news of the battle of Vittoria added
splendour to the fête, and the letter[144] of the Prince to Lord
Wellington, with the marshal’s staff which he was to send him, and that
taken from the enemy, were the lions of the day. It was a fine day, and
the gardens really looked very gay, but Princess Charlotte had just
before, on the 1st of the month, lost poor Mrs. Gagarin,[145] and was
deeply affected by her loss. She might be said to have known no other
mother; and her fortitude as well as tenderness, on this occasion,
showed itself in every possible way, to the great honour of her heart
and head. Mrs. Wightman arrived too late to see her mother alive.
Princess Charlotte saw her after her death; it was the first corpse she
had seen; she took with her into the room an intimate friend of the
deceased, and to her, and to all who were attached to Mrs. Gagarin, she
was invariably affectionate and beneficent. She was very low for a long
time afterwards, though she endeavoured to suppress and conceal her
feelings.
We continued to visit Sanders, as the time approached for going into the
country; and Princess Charlotte was anxious that the picture should be
finished. We also took long airings before and after dinner, and
everything that could divert her thoughts from the loss she had
sustained was, I thought, necessary to be done, and her life was so
monotonous, that any other young person must have felt it excessively
dull.
About this time, the middle of July, her Royal Highness being really by
no means well, wrote a letter to her father, to request that she might
be allowed to go to the sea-side which was recommended by Sir Henry
Halford, and which all the medical people said she ought to visit every
year till she was five-and-twenty, as she had been accustomed to do till
she went to Windsor in 1812. She sent for Mr. Adam, Miss Mercer’s uncle,
and the Prince’s chancellor,[146] on this business. The request was not
granted; the Prince was much displeased, and said that she was quite
well. He also sent Sir Henry to me, to complain of our having been seen
driving twice one day on the Chiswick road, when the Duke of Devonshire
was giving a great breakfast there. I said the fault was mine, as I had
proposed to drive that way that Princess Charlotte might see the
carriages; that her life had so little variety in it, and her health and
spirits were at that time so indifferent, that I was anxious to do
anything that could cheer her. The Prince scarcely called once in two
months, and she saw none of her family except at the Carlton House
parties.
Another heavy complaint was our going to the painter’s. I agreed that it
would have been better if he could have painted at Warwick House, but
the light would not have suited him for a large picture, and I desired
Sir Henry to assure the Prince how scrupulously careful Mr. Sanders was
as to quiet and privacy, insomuch that he would not let in his friend
and patroness Lady Charlotte Campbell, and I added that the picture was
for the Prince, as Lady Liverpool well knew, for she had discovered that
such a picture was painting, had been to see it, and we had told her its
destination. In the midst of all this sudden fit of ill humour we were
ordered to Windsor, and arrived there on the 31st, to the great
displeasure of Princess Charlotte.
The next day, 1st August, her Royal Highness and the Duchess of Leeds
dined at the Castle, and the Duchess came home to me crying at night,
having been severely reprimanded by the Queen and Prince Regent for her
own conduct and mine. The stories of the Duke of Devonshire, with
exaggerated circumstances, were called up, and, as far as I could
understand from the Duchess’s mutilated account, I was more blamed than
herself. As I found there was no possibility of my justifying myself
with the Prince, and still less with the Queen, I was so shocked that I
really became quite ill, and I wrote the following letter to Lady
Liverpool, in which I defended both Princess Charlotte and myself:
Lower Lodge, Windsor, August 3, 1813.
MY DEAR LADY LIVERPOOL,—I am convinced no apology is necessary for
the trouble I am about to give you, when I consider the length of
time in which I have had the honour of being known to you, the
respect I entertain for the memory of your respected mother, whose
good opinion of me when I was young, and you were a child, was
always particularly flattering to me, and, more than all, the good
sense and delicacy of principle for which you are distinguished.
I confess I have been extremely hurt since my arrival at Windsor, on
finding that my conduct with respect to Princess Charlotte has been
blamed by her Majesty and the Prince Regent. I have had no
opportunity of justifying myself with the latter, as he left this
place without seeing me; and with the former I can have no
explanation, as her Majesty does not speak to me, and has declared
she will have no further communication with me since I left her
service for that of her grand-daughter. It is needless to
recapitulate _why_ I did so, _how much_ I was _urged_ to it, or what
_promises_ of _support_ were made me. I must, however, confess that
I made no conditions, except that I could not be a spy on Princess
Charlotte; and I will only say that I have had no other support than
the great good sense, the excellent disposition, and affectionate
heart of this young Princess, who, providentially, being a very
superior creature to what girls of seventeen generally are, has not
taken advantage of the circumstances in which I was placed, but has
acted in such a manner as to convince me I was perfectly right when
I said that reliance might safely be placed on her honour and
nobleness of temper, and that the only control under which she could
properly act was that of confidence and affection.
As to myself, the various and often very difficult trials I have had
to encounter through life, have, I trust, made known to my friends
that I have always at least wished to act with propriety, and it is
certainly not now that I should begin to adopt an opposite plan of
conduct. What false reports, or exaggerated statements may, from
idleness or envy, have been carried to the Prince Regent, or to the
Queen, I know not, and therefore do not condemn them for what they
said; but this I can solemnly declare, that since I have had the
honour of belonging to Princess Charlotte, I have seen no
impropriety of conduct which could have justified a complaint on my
part, and that had I seen any, such was my confidence in her candour
and condescending kindness to me, and such was my strong sense of
duty, that I should undoubtedly have made proper, though respectful,
representations to her Royal Highness on the subject; but, deprived
as she is of those domestic comforts and amusements which girls of
her age in a less elevated station enjoy, and which even the
Princesses her aunts have always enjoyed with their Royal parents, I
must have had a heart of a very strange composition if, amidst all
her privations (and some of them it is to be remembered of the most
trying nature), I could have contradicted her for trifles innocent
in themselves, and by so doing have lost that confidence which could
alone give me a shadow of authority over her actions and
proceedings.
I have for the last six months given up all visits to my friends,
all avocations connected with my duty at Warwick House, and, in
short, everything that could deprive me of the power of saying that
I had done my duty, and that I could answer for the conduct of
Princess Charlotte at every hour and moment of the day and night.
You will not think this an intrusion on your time, my dear Lady
Liverpool. The subject is in itself of sufficient importance; and
the temperate conduct of Lord Liverpool, as well as the moral
propriety and domestic happiness which secure to you both the esteem
of the public, are so many reasons for making me desirous of
standing well in your opinions, that I cannot deny myself the
satisfaction of explaining what I feared might be misinterpreted to
his lordship and to you.
Believe me, &c.
Lady Liverpool wrote a courteous answer, but which, in one respect, was
unsatisfactory, as it implied that my justification depended on Princess
Charlotte’s conduct, whereas I endeavoured to prove that the want of
support I had experienced, contrary to all promises made me, rendered it
not only difficult, but even impossible, to be of any other use than
what Princess Charlotte’s confidence and good nature might allow. I
showed her my letter before I sent it, and afterwards the answer.[147]
Miss Mercer came about this time to stay two or three days at Windsor,
on a visit to Princess Charlotte; but not having leave to sleep in the
house, I got a room for her at Mrs. Hallam’s, who was absent. She was
evidently annoyed at my having written to Lady Liverpool, her friend
Lady Bathurst and Lady L. being _dear friends_ and _great enemies_—at
least, according to Miss Mercer’s representations; and perhaps it was
really the case, but I felt I had done right, and I told Princess
Charlotte there was no dependence to be placed on any of these people,
hinting to her that most probably their only reason for paying court to
Miss Mercer was to make her useful, and that everybody said the consent
for her Royal Highness seeing Miss Mercer again had only been given to
detach her from the Princess of Wales. Of course Princess Charlotte
repeated this to Miss Mercer, and the effect it had was to make that
young lady particularly attentive to me. She wrote to me after her
departure in the most confidential and flattering manner, particularly
explaining a circumstance in which it appeared that the Princess of
Wales had acted very imprudently with respect to Princess Charlotte, and
in which she (Miss M.) interposed in the properest manner. I was pleased
with this, and from that time Miss Mercer and I were on the best terms,
and, as I thought, in common with her Royal Highness, treated every
subject in the most confidential manner.
The Prince Regent’s birthday, 12th August, was kept at the new Military
College at Sandhurst, where the Queen was to present new colours to the
Cadet Battalion. All the Royal Family, the ministers and their wives,
and a few others, were present. The Bishop of Salisbury had previously
consecrated the chapel, and Sir Alexander Hope,[148] whose heart seemed
quite devoted to this interesting colony, was all attention and
propriety. His sister, the Dowager Lady Melville, lately appointed one
of the Ladies of the Bedchamber to the Queen, assisted Lady Hope in
doing the honours; as did the sister of the latter, Lady Hampden. The
Prince did not speak to Princess Charlotte, the Duchess, or me, but
looked as if he wished to annihilate us. However, the day in other
respects passed very well, and the establishment was highly deserving of
praise. The Royal Family dined in the house, the rest of the company
under tents in the garden, and in the evening there was a little dance
of five or six couples, promoted by the Duke of Clarence. The day had
been remarkably hot, and the evening was a beautiful moonlight. When the
Queen was about to depart, the Prince Regent was not to be found, and we
afterwards learned that he, with the Duke of York, Prince of Orange (the
father),[149] and many others, were under the table. The Duke of York
hurt his head very seriously against a wine cellaret. In short, it was a
sad business. We went home very quietly in an open carriage by the
lovely moonlight.
On the 16th, the Duke of York’s birthday, arrived the hereditary Prince
of Orange with the account of a great victory gained by Lord Wellington
over the French army, commanded by Soult. A large party dined that day
at Frogmore, of whom I was one, and we expected to see the hereditary
Prince, but the Regent did not bring him. The Regent was in no better
humour than on the 12th, but Lord Yarmouth paid great court to the
Princess Charlotte, to the Duchess, and to me. The Prince Regent would
not come to see the Princess Charlotte at the Lower Lodge, and gave, as
an excuse, that he could not bear to see those d—— ladies, meaning the
Duchess and myself—so, at least, we were told. Had I been the Duchess I
think I should have resigned; but perhaps not, as I thought this species
of conduct, without any real ground, was possibly meant to force us to
this step by making our lives disagreeable. I told Sir H. Halford so,
and he asserted the contrary.
Soon afterwards, we had an invitation to dine at Lord Liverpool’s, at
Coombe Wood, to meet the Queen and Princesses. Lady Liverpool sent the
invitation to the Duchess, and next morning I received a private letter
from her, mentioning the company we were to meet, and particularly all
the young ladies, who, she hoped, might be pleasant society for Princess
Charlotte, recommending to my notice a young person, a relation of hers,
whose timidity would require support. The Oranges were not mentioned,
neither was it said at the Castle that they were to be there; but
Princess Charlotte had private information to that effect, and, I
believe, it was to have been so. On which account her Royal Highness
availed herself of the excuse of not being well, put on a blister a day
sooner than she had intended, and did not go.
I was sorry for this, because, if it was a trick, it was one easily
foiled by dignity of conduct; and I was more sorry for her Royal
Highness’s going very soon after to the Egham races, though she was not
well enough to do more than sit in her carriage. Her mind was worried,
she had a pain in her side, and her health always suffered from the
climate and water of Windsor, as well as the constant worry.
Sir H. Halford was at this time continually at the lodge, a great
favourite of the Duchess, and constantly charged with messages from the
Castle. One of his affairs there was to negotiate a marriage between the
Duke of Brunswick and Princess Mary, of which it was to be understood
the latter knew nothing. Poor Princess Charlotte was most willing to do
all she could to persuade her uncle[150] to this step, but it would not
do, and, I dare say, was never forgiven by the Prince, if he knew it;
which most probably he did. For neither Princess Mary nor Sir H. Halford
would have ventured without being sure of his approbation, and the
subsequent conduct of the Prince Regent to the Duke manifestly proved
his displeasure. Hints were given with great caution of wishes in favour
of the Prince of Orange, but Princess Charlotte had shown so great a
dislike to that business, that nothing was said openly.
At last, in consequence of a confidential conversation between Princess
Charlotte and Princess Mary, I found the latter had warmly recommended
marriage to the former, and next evening there was a long interview with
Sir Henry; after which Princess Charlotte told me she had brought him
round with respect to one person. I could not guess whom she meant, but
thought it might be the Duke of Kent. She said, “No, it was the Duke of
Gloucester;” and in the evening she told me that they all wanted her to
marry, and that she saw they wished for the hereditary Prince of Orange,
but that she would never marry him,[151] and had told Sir Henry that the
Duke of Gloucester was the most eligible person, and the one she would
prefer.
I felt rather hurt that she should have committed herself in this
manner, more particularly as I was sure she had no partiality whatever
for the Duke; but I answered that it certainly was a marriage which in
the eye of reason could not be disapproved, but that I was convinced
neither the Regent nor any of the family would hear of it, the Duke’s
politics being a sufficient bar, added to the want of birth on his
mother’s side. Besides, I could not help reminding her of the difference
of age, and, I added, I never saw anything to make me believe she liked
him. Princess Charlotte answered that all this was perfectly true, but
that she could never expect to marry from inclination, and that the
Duke’s character and temper were so good that she might reasonably look
forward to being treated with kindness, and to see her husband esteemed
by the nation.
In all this I heartily concurred, but still I felt exceedingly surprised
at her having started it so suddenly, and augured nothing good from the
proceeding. I expressed my astonishment to Sir Henry, and, at the same
time, my total ignorance of the measure until it had taken place. When
Sir Henry returned next time from town, he said that the Prince had
taken it more calmly than he had expected, and that he would come very
soon to Windsor and talk it over with Princess Charlotte, but that he
could not give hope that the result would be favourable. I begged only
that the Prince would see his daughter at the Lower Lodge, as she always
felt hurt at being only sent for to the Castle for the purpose of seeing
him in her aunt’s room.
The Prince came, and to the Lower Lodge. Princess Charlotte was desirous
that I should see him first, and I met him on the stairs. He at first
looked displeased, but I entered into an explanation with him on the
former grievances, and cleared up the falsehoods. I heard what he chose
to say on the present subject with proper respect, and he became very
good-humoured towards me; but when Princess Charlotte came in, although
he did not raise his voice, and said he would be very calm and very
affectionate, he was certainly as bitter as possible on the Duke of
Gloucester, and not a little so to Princess Charlotte. He positively
refused giving his consent to this union, but added, what I thought most
important, that so far from ever wishing to control her inclinations, he
would not even urge her to comply with any proposals by recommendatory
means. He said he was himself too severe a sufferer to wish any other
person, and especially a child of his own, to know the misery of an
ill-assorted marriage; that he would invite over many of the Princes of
the Continent (for that a subject of England she could not marry), and
she might then have her choice; that with respect to the hereditary
Prince of Orange, whom she seemed to apprehend being forced on her, he
would not bring him to Frogmore on the Duke of York’s birthday, that she
might not think he meant to recommend him (he took occasion, however, to
praise him several times during this visit); and he ended by saying that
her happiness and her honour were the wishes nearest to his heart.
When he took leave of her, and remained with me, he expressed great
displeasure, and hinted a suspicion of her doing all this as a blind,
and of her being attached to the Duke of Devonshire. I defended her on
that point, but said that I regretted her having proposed the marriage
with the Duke of Gloucester in the manner she had done, and that I
wished to prevent her having such long conferences with Sir Henry,
farther than medical advice might render them necessary, as I was
mindful of his Royal Highness’s injunction of not leaving her alone with
gentlemen; an injunction which my own sense of propriety rendered
unnecessary. The Prince said that Sir Henry was the friend of the
family, and that he had not the slightest objection to her being left
alone with him; on the contrary, he had often sent messages by him.
I could never discover who had advised Princess Charlotte to this step,
but I am convinced it was brought on by Princess Mary and Sir Henry
urging the necessity of her marrying. I was very uneasy about it, but I
wished to impress on her mind that she had so far gained a great point
in having the Prince’s promise that he would never force her
inclinations, and that she could always refer to this promise in case of
necessity. But the fact was, they were using every means to bring about
a marriage with the Prince of Orange, without choosing to appear in it,
or to give her the merit of consenting from a feeling of duty. Underhand
means of all sorts were put in practice, and Lady Anne Smith and her
daughters, while staying at Oatlands, came over to make a visit, and
warmly advocated the cause.
About this time her Royal Highness, by the advice of Miss Mercer, with
whom she constantly communicated, entered into another correspondence,
which promised great utility. Politics were not concerned in it, and
nothing could be more correct than the advice given with respect to her
filial duty, as well as other points of her conduct. To this friend she
communicated what had passed with her father, and the advice was, if
possible, to comply with his wishes with regard to the Prince of Orange,
but if resolved to marry the Duke of Gloucester, to wait patiently until
the age of twenty-one, when more efficacious measures might be pursued.
This adviser professed himself the friend of the Duke, but certainly was
fair and impartial in the manner in which he wrote.
As she was to be eighteen on her next birthday, she was very anxious
about the establishment which she doubted not then to obtain, and as it
evidently appeared to me, from her conversation, that she had been
advised to have none but people of high rank about her, and young
people, I thought it necessary to write her the following letter, which
I gave into her own hand, expressing my wish to leave her entirely at
liberty with respect to myself.
MISS KNIGHT TO THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE.
MY DEAREST MADAM,—There is a subject on which I have for some time
wished to speak to your Royal Highness, but finding that my feelings
will not allow me to mention it without being completely overcome, I
think it best to trouble you with a few lines of explanation, as I
am sensible it is not right to defer it longer.
The time for your Royal Highness having a new establishment is
rapidly approaching, and I know your way of thinking is not only so
just and honourable, but also so kind and considerate, that you may
perhaps feel embarrassed with respect to me. I therefore wish that
you should consider yourself perfectly at liberty.
It is needless to repeat what passed when I entered into the service
of your Royal Highness. Had I not been assured that it was your
particular desire, I should not have yielded to the Prince’s
entreaties. I thought I saw a noble disposition misunderstood, great
talents unperceived or discouraged, and strong feelings so harassed
as to be rendered dangerous to their possessor. I flattered myself
that I might at least be a negative comfort, and by perhaps
soothing, certainly not tormenting, give scope for the display of
those amiable and exalted qualities which vexation and contradiction
might tarnish. Thus far I trust I may have succeeded; and I shall
therefore retire in some measure satisfied with what I have done,
and with the most ardent and fervent prayers for the happiness of my
ever-dear Royal mistress. I am no longer young; my spirits have been
broken by the vicissitudes and sorrows of a life of disappointments.
I have no connexions, and few friends left who can promote the
interests of your Royal Highness, or give support to me in the
slippery path which I have already found so difficult to tread. It
is therefore perhaps better, both for your Royal Highness and
myself, that I should retire, even if you wished me to remain, and
also that, when I retire, I should withdraw myself entirely. The
pang will be dreadful when I am obliged to leave you; for the
romance of my life has been attachment, and I feel for your Royal
Highness an interest of which, after various afflictions I had
experienced, I no longer thought myself capable; that interest I
shall still feel, but it will occasion me less pain at a distance
than were I to see you only now and then, after having passed so
many months constantly in your society.
I trust I need not add that every confidential communication with
which you have been pleased to honour me shall be sacred, and that
the very few friends with whom I shall associate for the remainder
of my life will hear nothing from me but expressions of gratitude
for your goodness.
I shall also for ever feel grateful to the Prince for having placed
me with you; but should he (from a recollection of the promise he
made Lord Moira never to give me up) urge you to retain me in your
service, I beg you will not think yourself under any necessity to
comply with his request. I may be proud, but I do not think that I
am either interested or ambitious. I will stay while I can be of any
the slightest service to your Royal Highness, but I will never be a
burden to you, or prevent you from filling a place about you more
worthily.
I trust your Royal Highness will not consider what I have said as a
liberty. I feel it as an urgent though a very painful duty, and must
therefore risk the consequences. That every blessing may attend you,
will be to my latest hour the prayer of,
My dearest madam,
Your Royal Highness’s
Most dutiful and most devoted servant,
ELLIS CORNELIA KNIGHT.
Lower Lodge, Windsor, Oct. 27, 1813.
I was much overcome, and ill for two days after writing this letter,
which I believe hurt her; but she said nothing to me on the subject, and
we went on as usual at Windsor, never so comfortable as in town, but no
disputes. We had Vacari there and Vitalba (the drawing-master). I
persuaded her to invite the Queen and Princesses, with their own
society, to some music, and it succeeded very well.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER XVI.
RETURN TO WARWICK HOUSE—THE PRINCE OF ORANGE—MANœUVRING—THE PRINCESS
CHARLOTTE BETROTHED—FEELINGS OF THE PRINCESS—THE GREAT FROST.
AFTER Princess Augusta’s birthday, the 8th of November, we returned to
town, and the Princess Charlotte seemed to feel happy and comfortable in
being restored to the quiet life of Warwick House.
This quiet did not last long. Towards the end of the month Sir Henry
Halford urged the business of the hereditary Prince of Orange, insomuch
that Princess Charlotte came up much annoyed, after a long interview
with him; but Lady Anne Smith was, I believe, more successful, and after
a very long conference with her, on the 29th of November, I heard
Princess Charlotte say that the Prince of Orange was certainly adored in
the army, and that not only Lord Wellington, but all his brother
officers, particularly John Fremantle, spoke most highly of him. I saw
something was passing in her mind, but I never pressed to obtain her
confidence.
Miss Mercer was still at Plymouth; the Miss Herveys, _i.e._ Lady
Knightley and Miss Hervey, daughters of Mrs. Fremantle, had, no doubt,
worked hard, as far as their influence would go, in favour of the Prince
of Orange, but the aversion of Princess Charlotte, till the evening I
have been just mentioning, was so great, that nothing could persuade her
even to speak of him with patience.
On the 1st and 2nd of December the Queen and two Princesses being in
town, we passed the evening at Carlton House. A print of the hereditary
Prince was placed on a chair to be looked at, and Princess Charlotte
thought it not ugly. The Prince was mighty busy and good humoured. He
made Princess Charlotte a present of a belt sent him from Turkey, to
which he had added a diamond clasp. The belt was studded with
rose-diamonds. I heard him joke about a ring, and I saw little Lord
Arran hold up his hand in a mysterious way to one of the Princesses, and
heard him say, “It will do, it will do!” All this convinced me of what
was going on, and I heard that despatches had been received from Lord
Wellington, stating that the Prince of Orange was to come over to see
his father, who shortly before had returned to Holland, and was
proclaimed Prince of the Netherlands.
On the 4th,[152] after Princess Charlotte had seen Sir Henry Halford for
a quarter of an hour, she told me she was to dine next day at Carlton
House. I asked if the Queen and Princesses were come back to town. She
said no; that she was to go attended by the Duchess, and to meet only a
very small party. I said then I supposed the Prince of Orange was to be
there. She said, Yes, he was just arrived. I was shocked at the
suddenness and want of confidence in all this; but I felt I had no right
to interfere. She was complying with the wishes of all her family; and I
only said that I thought she did right to see the Prince of Orange, and
to see him without prejudice; but that I also hoped she would take time
for consideration in a case where the happiness of her life was
concerned. She seemed agitated and unwilling to speak on the subject; in
short, not daring to trust herself. She said she expected the Prince,
and must write a note to say so. He came, and saw her alone; after
which, I asked whether there were any orders for me the next day. She
said, none. I then said that I should not go in the evening, as I was
always ordered to do when she dined there; but that I begged, if I were
missed, that her Royal Highness would tell the Prince that I would not
intrude on what appeared to be so private a party.
Next morning, the 5th, we went to chapel, as usual, and I told the
Duchess of Leeds that a print of the Duke of Devonshire,[153] which had
been hanging up with other portraits, for some time, in one of the rooms
(a print which the Duchess of Leeds had herself brought from the Duke of
Devonshire, as it was a private plate, and wanted, she thought, like
many others, for the History of England which we were illustrating)—that
this print was taken down and given to Lady Anne Smith, and that of the
Prince of Orange placed in its room. The Duchess rejoiced at this, as
also that she was to meet the Prince of Orange at dinner.
When we came home, Princess Charlotte, contrary to custom, shut herself
up in her own room, and only came out of it dressed for dinner. Her
toilet was by no means _recherchée_. She was dressed in violet satin,
trimmed with black lace, and looked pale and agitated. I sat up for her
return, which was about one in the morning, and she told me in
confidence she was engaged to the Prince of Orange. I could only remark
that she had gained a great victory over herself. She answered, “No, you
would not say so if you were to see him; he is by no means as
disagreeable as I expected.” She mentioned his having spoken very
handsomely at dinner of the old liberties of Holland, and said that in
the evening the Regent took them both into a room, where they walked up
and down together for some time; after which he took her apart, and
said, “Well, it will not do, I suppose?” That she answered, “I do not
say that. I like his manner very well, as much as I have seen of it.”
Upon which the Prince was overcome with joy, and joined their hands
immediately. She told me the Prince of Orange had praised the Fitzroys
very much at dinner, as also Colonel Hervey, Mrs. Fremantle’s son, and
had said that he had promised to ask for his being made aide-de-camp to
the Regent.
Next day the Prince of Orange came to make his visit with Lord Bathurst,
the Regent being busy. He shook hands with me very good humouredly when
I was introduced by Princess Charlotte. I thought him particularly plain
and sickly in his look, his figure very slender, his manner rather
hearty and boyish, but not unpleasant in a young soldier. The day after,
the 7th, he came with the Regent, who left them together, and sat down
with me by the fire in the adjoining room (with only a passage, at
least, between us). He told me _in confidence_ that the Princess
Charlotte was engaged to the young Prince of Orange, but that he would
not have her inform anybody, not Miss Mercer, nor her uncles, till he
should give her leave; that he should acquaint the Queen and Princesses
with it; that the marriage would not take place till spring, as the
young Prince was now going to join his father for the settlement of the
Dutch affairs, and that, as I remained now the friend of Princess
Charlotte, no new arrangements being to be made until the marriage, he
desired I would give her good advice, particularly against flirtation.
He said she should go to Windsor for a week towards Christmas to be
confirmed, and afterwards to take the sacrament with the family, and he
should meet her there; but that he could not give her any dance on her
approaching birthday, as no one would be in town, and he himself was
going to the christening of the young Marquis of Granby at Belvoir
Castle. I asked if it was his pleasure that I should go to Windsor with
her Royal Highness, and he said, “_Most certainly_.”
While we were talking, we heard Princess Charlotte break forth into a
violent fit of sobs and hysterical tears. The Prince started up, and I
followed him to the door of the other room, where we found the Prince of
Orange looking half-frightened, and Princess Charlotte in great
distress. The Prince Regent said, “What! is he taking his leave?” She
answered, “Not yet,” and was going to her own room; but the Prince took
him away, said it was time for him to go to the great City dinner,[154]
for which he had stayed, and they parted.
When they were gone she told me what was the cause of her sudden
transport of grief. He had told her it was expected she should reside
every year two or three months in Holland, and even, when necessary,
follow him to the army; that the Prince and his ministers had not
thought it advisable to tell her this, but that, as he always wished
they should be open and fair with each other, he was resolved to tell
her; that he was quite an Englishman himself, and hoped she would invite
over what friends she liked, and that, with respect to her ladies, he
only recommended one, which was one of the Fitzroys, and should himself
prefer Georgiana. _This_ pleased poor Princess Charlotte, but she had
never entertained the slightest suspicion that she should be obliged to
leave England. I reminded her of a conversation I had related to her a
few days before, when Mrs. T.[155] told me she had heard “the Regent and
his daughter were on bad terms because she would not marry the Prince of
Orange,” and I had answered that it was not true, as he had never been
proposed to her. On which Mrs. T. said she should be sorry for one
reason, as I should then probably go with her _to Holland_.
As Princess Charlotte had, however, consented to these temporary
absences, I endeavoured to make the best of it to her, and on her saying
she would not _ask_ any one to go with her, I volunteered my services,
which she accepted with great feeling and pleasure, and, I afterwards
heard, expressed herself with great satisfaction at my having made the
offer. She seemed, however, by no means pleased at the idea of going
over for a short time, and said I had lived so much abroad that I could
not have the same feelings on the subject as she had.
When the Duchess came to dinner, we repeated to her what had passed, and
I gave her the Regent’s message. She offered to go as much as her family
duties would admit. Before Princess Charlotte was to go to Windsor to be
confirmed, she was really mortified by a letter of Princess Mary,
hinting that it would be better I should not come. I begged she would
not think of it, and told her I was sure of the Queen never forgiving my
having left her; that it was better I should not go. However, I was hurt
by this as well as by several other similar circumstances, but I availed
myself of the opportunity of passing two days with Lord St. Vincent at
Rochetts, and on my return found a very flattering letter from Princess
Elizabeth, and a very kind one from Princess Augusta, with an account of
all that had passed. Soon after the return of the Princess Charlotte to
town on the 27th, came on one of the thickest, most oppressive, and
lasting fogs[156] I ever witnessed; I was ill all the winter with a
violent cold and cough, and actually I found it scarcely possible to
breathe. Thus ended the year 1813.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER XVII.
THE GREAT FROST—DOMESTIC AMUSEMENTS OF THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE—PROJECTED
MARRIAGE WITH THE PRINCE OF ORANGE—THE QUESTION OF RESIDENCE—ANXIETIES
OF THE PRINCESS—TORTUOUS NEGOTIATIONS.
ON the 1st January, 1814, Princess Charlotte went to dine at Windsor,
attended by the Duchess, and the fog was so thick that I could not go to
Lord Bruce’s, where I had promised to dine. Her Royal Highness returned
the next day, and on the 7th, which was the anniversary of her birthday,
her eighteenth birthday, to which she had looked forward in hope of an
establishment and comparative liberty, she had only permission to make a
morning visit to her mother, to which she was accompanied by the Duchess
of Leeds; and in the evening we had Vacari and Dizzi, who gave her
lessons on the harp, for the purpose of having a little music. The upper
servants, and the tradespeople and their wives, had a dance in the
dining-room. The Dukes of Kent and Sussex called in the evening to see
her.
The fog, which had disappeared on the 6th, was succeeded by very severe
frost and snow, which lasted for many weeks, and at last rendered the
roads almost impassable. We scarcely saw anybody except the masters, the
Duchess and Lady Catherine, and the Miss Fitzroys, who arrived in town
soon after the 7th. We took airings in the park when the weather
permitted, read, drew, &c. Music was also a great resource to Princess
Charlotte, and we went one evening (the 29th) to the Duchess of Leeds’,
who gave a ball for children. Princess Charlotte was very kind to the
young Princes of Brunswick, whom her uncle, when he left England, had
particularly recommended to her. She had them to dine with her that day,
and took them with us in the evening.
In the beginning of February the Prince Regent, who had been far from
well since his return from the Duke of Rutland’s,[157] and other places
where he had been visiting, sent for me one morning. He was sitting on a
sofa in his bedroom, looking very ill and weak. He said there was an
unpleasant circumstance had happened, but nothing that he was so angry
at as to make Princess Charlotte or me uneasy. The Duke of York, he
said, had shown him a paragraph in the papers[158] about a fine carriage
building for Princess Charlotte at Birch the coachmaker’s, and, out of
friendship for him, being the brother nearest his own age, had told him
all about this Birch, who was a protégé of the Duke of Kent, &c. &c. I
explained to him the circumstance as well as I could, for it was, of
course, the Duchess who had ordered this carriage when the three years’
job of the former one had expired, which was while we were at Windsor,
and, as I understood, the Duke of Kent was consulted previously by Lady
de Clifford on similar affairs. I also told the Prince the account of
the new carriage had been misstated in the papers if it was said to be
green, as it was yellow, like all the carriages belonging to his Royal
Highness, and I could not think it was put in by Birch himself, as the
description was not correct.
The Prince said that his coachmaker, who had served him for many years,
had made heavy complaints, &c. &c. He spoke much of the Duke of Kent,
and also of the Duke of Sussex, but attached more deceit and deep-laid
plans to the former. He read one part of a letter he was writing to the
Duke of Cambridge, promising to visit Hanover in the course of the
summer, and seemed to have perfectly forgiven the Duke of Cumberland for
having made his appearance at Hanover before Bernadotte, which had been
much criticised, and had, it was said, excited his displeasure. In
short, he seemed willing to talk, and kept me a long while; spoke of the
King as having always done justice to _his_ honourable principles, even
when they were at variance on some points; complained of being much
exhausted from having been kept low for many days, and really, I must
say, he affected me. He mentioned Princess Charlotte spending too much
with jewellers, and said it was fruitless to conceal anything from him,
for tradespeople would talk, and it came to his knowledge. He thought it
very shameful in young ladies of immense fortunes to take valuable
presents from Princess Charlotte.
I took this opportunity to say I had made an agreement with her Royal
Highness, as I had done with Princess Amelia, that no presents should be
made to me, as, where confidence was placed, it would hurt me if one
human being could suppose I availed myself of it for interested motives.
He burst into tears when I mentioned Princess Amelia, and regretted he
could not more fully comply with her last wishes, seemed embarrassed,
and excessively overcome. At last he let me go, saying that Charlotte
must be content without amusements that spring, as he could not give any
entertainments under present circumstances. I said her Royal Highness’s
music and drawing, with her books, made the time pass, and that I was
endeavouring to amuse her by little musical proverbs and entertainments.
He said all that was very well, but she must not now think of frivolity;
she was to be married, and must think of the duties of a wife.
On my return to Warwick House, I found Princess Charlotte very uneasy to
know what had passed, and why I had been kept so long.
That evening she acted with Lady Catherine and the Miss Fitzroys, a
little French proverb I wrote for her; and this amusement was continued
for some time. I wrote two others, and, as she was beginning to sing
with Lindley, they were of use in that respect, and still more so in
giving her more facility for speaking French. Only the Duchess and I,
with the upper servants and masters, were the audience. The weather was
very severe; we scarcely saw any one, but the days passed quietly and
not uncomfortably. I wrote Italian songs, which she set to music, or got
Lindley or Vacari to set them. She composed waltzes, &c. Sometimes, when
all other resources failed, we sent for old Vitalba, the drawing-master,
to come in the evening, and she would make drawings with him, with
stumps burned in the candle, which had a very good effect.
The Prince was much worse after I saw him; indeed, I believe in imminent
danger for a day or two. When he got a little better, the Queen and
Princesses came to see him, and the Duke of York came over to fetch
Princess Charlotte, who made him a half-hour or an hour’s visit; but was
not asked to dine with the family. The Prince was in bed.
On the 2nd of March, Princess Charlotte and I were sent for to Carlton
House. The Prince was better, but had his leg on a chair. The object of
our coming was for her Royal Highness to see the letters from the
sovereign of the Netherlands and his son to ask her (formally) in
marriage: they were brought over by Baron Van der Duyn de Maasdam,[159]
who was said to be the principal agent in the Dutch counter-revolution,
and he was also the bearer of a portrait of the Prince of Orange. The
following day was appointed for Lord Liverpool to introduce him and M.
Fagel, the Dutch Ambassador, to Princess Charlotte.
They came, and the Duchess and I were present. They did not bring the
picture to Warwick House, but afterwards gave it to the Duchess. Fifteen
thousand pounds were sent by the House of Orange for jewels, which the
Prince said Princess Charlotte herself should choose, and Bridge was
accordingly sent to receive her orders, the Regent having announced that
when he knew what she chose he should order his own present for her.
Parliament was to meet on the 21st (of March),[160] and it was supposed
the intended marriage would be then announced.[161] It had been
announced to the States of Holland, which seemed irregular; but that was
attributed to the pressure of circumstances, and it was evident that
ministers had been most anxious to obtain Princess Charlotte’s consent
at the time they did, to strengthen the means of executing their plans
in Holland and the Netherlands.
Miss Mercer came to town, and Lady Anne and the Fitzroys faded before
her. Princess Charlotte grew uneasy with respect to the article of
residence, and explained her sentiments on that subject to the
hereditary Prince with great frankness. He answered in the same manner,
and appeared to wish that their residence for a considerable portion of
the year should be fixed (by Parliament) in England. He did not
appear[162] himself to like Holland, but at length his letters showed
that he could do nothing to prevent their residing there, and by the
arrangements making for houses there, and none here, it was clear enough
what the intentions were.
Affairs began to take the most favourable turn on the Continent.
Ministers, particularly Lord Liverpool, had evidently wished to make
peace with Bonaparte; but it was said the Prince never did, and his
gentlemanly, noble conduct to the Bourbons during their adversity makes
me willing to believe he was sincere in wishing their restoration. News
arrived of the defeat of the French army by Lord Wellington, and of
Bordeaux opening its gates and declaring for the Bourbons.
On the 23rd and 24th we were at Carlton House, the Queen and two
Princesses being in town, and a small party meeting them there. On the
29th the Queen came again, and we were that evening at Carlton House,
the next at the Duke of York’s, and the 31st at Carlton House, where the
party was rather larger. That day arrived the Grand-Duchess Catherine,
widow of a Prince of Oldenburg,[163] and sister of the Emperor of
Russia. This was the lady who had been so much talked of last spring for
the Prince Regent, in case he could have got a divorce from the
Princess; and as Count Munster was shut up with him many hours every day
at that time, it was supposed he was managing the affair. However that
might be, there was great bustle between Lady Liverpool and Princess
Elizabeth, about arrangements for her reception. Count Lieven, the
Russian Ambassador, was closeted in another room, and word was at last
brought that she was gone to bed, but would be introduced to the Queen
next day, and would afterwards dine and spend the evening at Carlton
House.
Princess Charlotte was ordered to be present at this audience, attended
by the Duchess of Leeds, and the Grand-Duchess afterwards called to
leave her name at Warwick House. In the evening there was a large party
at Carlton House, and a concert, which annoyed the Grand-Duchess so much
that she left the room abruptly. It seems that music overcame her
nerves. She was said to have frequent faintings, and to have scarcely
slept at all since the death of her husband.
This sentimentality in a great politician, not to say intrigante,
appeared to me very extraordinary. Her figure was slight and
well-formed, her complexion good, her eyes fine, and her manners
dignified, called graceful, but I think not gracefully feminine, at
least not when she spoke, her nose Calmuck, and, altogether, I thought
her very like what I remembered her father, only I liked his manners
better. She had with her a Prince Gagarin and a Princess Volkonskoi,
apparently a good kind of woman, daughter of the famous Prince
Repnin,[164] and a Mademoiselle Aladensky, who had been her governess—a
sensible woman, who did not appear to me very good natured; both were
elderly, and plain in their dress.[165]
Princess Charlotte was much pleased with the Grand-Duchess, and returned
her visit very soon, stayed a long while, and returned enchanted[166]
with her. The Duchess of Leeds had accompanied her Royal Highness, but
had not been admitted into the private room. She sat with the ladies.
Princess Charlotte told me the Grand-Duchess had complained of the
assiduities of the Duke of Clarence, of his vulgar familiarity, and of
his want of delicacy, had called the Prince Regent “un voluptueux,” and
had talked very confidentially to her.
I was shocked at all this, but at the same time knew not how to prevent
mischief. The Prince sent Sir Henry Halford to me to desire I would keep
Princess Charlotte from going too often to the Grand-Duchess, but I
could not prevent her coming to Warwick House, nor could I well blame
Princess Charlotte for being pleased with the conversation of a sensible
woman of a rank similar to her own. The Grand-Duchess hinted to her that
she thought of marrying the Archduke Charles, and Princess Charlotte
told her that many persons had supposed that she was to marry the Regent
if he could have found cause for a divorce. She answered that she was so
much attached to her brother the Emperor, that for his sake and the
public good she would have done whatever he wished, but that now she had
seen the Regent she could never think of marrying him. She expressed
great esteem and even preference for the Duke of Sussex, and he was so
much pleased with it that he conceived the highest opinion of her.
On the 5th (of April), while she was making a visit to Princess
Charlotte, I received a note from Lord Bathurst, to inform the Princess
that the allies had entered Paris on the 31st of March. This delightful
intelligence was soon followed by that of Bonaparte’s defeat and
abdication, and the restoration of the Bourbons to the throne of their
ancestors. A general illumination took place, and joy and good order
reigned throughout the metropolis.
Poor Princess Charlotte was far from happy. On the 16th of this month
(April) she wrote a letter to her father, humbly requesting to see the
marriage contract, a sketch of which she heard from the Prince of Orange
had been shown to him; she expressed her uneasiness at not hearing of a
house or establishment, and begged that insertion might be made in the
contract of an article to prevent her being taken or kept out of England
against her inclinations. To this the Prince returned no answer, but on
the 18th sent for me, and appeared greatly enraged, but promised
forgiveness if she would withdraw her letter; otherwise, he said he must
bring the matter before his Cabinet, declared that he had no intention
to banish her, but that the duty of a wife was to follow her husband;
that perhaps he might have to build a house for her, and that in the
mean while, when she came to England, she might be at Carlton House. He
said that neither her Royal Highness nor the hereditary Prince had any
business to see the contract; that it had been sent to the sovereign of
the Netherlands because it was a matter to be settled by fathers, but
that the great provision of 50,000_l._ a year which was to be made, and
the clause that her eldest son was, as the future Sovereign of England,
to be sent when between three and four years of age over for education
here, proved that no harm was intended her; that the second would be
Sovereign of Holland, and educated there. He insisted on my repeating
all this, and desired I would come back at twelve next day with her
answer.
The answer which I took next day was not such a one as to procure me a
favourable reception, for Princess Charlotte adhered firmly, though
respectfully and very affectionately, to the purport of her first
letter. However, I found the Prince less violent than the day before,
but very uneasy. He recapitulated all that, he said, had passed with
respect to Princess Charlotte’s engagement with the Prince of Orange,
declared that he had not the slightest idea himself of the Prince of
Orange being arrived, until Sir Henry brought him Princess Charlotte’s
message, desiring to meet him at dinner next day, &c. &c. I was kept a
long while, and at length dismissed, with the arrangement that the Duke
of York would be sent to talk to Princess Charlotte on the subject.
When I returned, her Royal Highness positively denied having given any
such message to Sir Henry Halford. The Duke of York and Mr. Adam came on
the following day, and the Duke wished me to leave the room, though
Princess Charlotte was desirous I should stay. When they were gone she
seemed hurt and agitated, and said the Duke was to come next day for her
answer, but that she would write to prevent it, as it was very painful
to her, from her affection for him, to disagree with him. Mr. Adam soon
after came back, and asked for me. He told me the Prince did not mean I
should leave the room; that, on the contrary, he wished me to be
present, and had now sent him to repeat to me all the arguments they had
used with Princess Charlotte, that I might impress them on the mind of
her Royal Highness, but that he could not stay now, as he was expected
on business, and would return in the evening.
He came, and recapitulated what he had said in the morning with respect
to Princess Mary, daughter of James the Second, and the Prince of
Orange, &c. &c. He remarked, it was supposed Princess Charlotte must
have legal advisers, as her letters were not those of a woman. I said
that he must recollect, she had gone through a course of study on the
laws of England, and by his own observation to me one evening at Carlton
House, was allowed to be mistress of the subject. He smiled, and said
her Royal Highness turned his arms against himself. He was in the midst
of this when Princess Charlotte entered the room with the letter which
she had been writing, as she said she would, to the Duke of York, and
put it into Mr. Adam’s hand that he might read it; after which she
sealed it and left the room. He conjured me to follow her and prevent
its going; but before I arrived at the drawing-room it was gone. Miss
Mercer was with her all the time. Her Royal Highness had been reading
the passage in Burnet, where he mentions the provision made by the Peers
to prevent Queen Mary the First from being taken out of the kingdom by
Philip of Spain, &c. &c.
Next day the Duke of York came and desired to speak with me. He repeated
to me all the arguments before used, and added that Princess Charlotte
laboured under a great mistake, for that she seemed to consider herself
as heir-apparent, whereas she could hardly be considered as presumptive
heiress. He was very anxious to see her; but she refused it in the most
peremptory manner, and was displeased with my pressing it, as she said I
knew the pain it gave her.
After this, several letters passed between her Royal Highness and the
Duke of York on the subject of their conversation, but without producing
any change of sentiments on either side.
During this time the King and Royal Family of France, who had remained
in England (for Monsieur and his two sons were gone) came to town in the
Prince Regent’s carriages, accompanied by himself in state.[167] We saw
the procession from the Grand-Duchess’s apartments at the Pulteney
Hotel, where Princesses Elizabeth and Mary were invited. The Prince and
Royal Family had taken no notice of Princess Charlotte on this occasion.
The Grand-Duchess had called on her that morning, and it was by chance,
or, rather, because we could not get through the crowd, that we stopped
at the Pulteney Hotel, for we were going to see the procession in the
Park. However, the Grand-Duchess was very civil to Princess Charlotte,
and asked her in. We found the Duchess of Leeds and Lady Catherine
there, brought by Mrs. Robinson and Princess Volkonskoi. This neglect
pressed hard on Princess Charlotte’s spirits, and her aunts appeared
cool. After the procession was gone by a breakfast was served, and on
our way home the acclamations and throng of the populace would scarcely
allow us to get on. Whenever Princess Charlotte appeared this was now
the case, though she by no means sought it.
The Duchess d’Angoulême, attended by the old Duchess de Sérent, came the
day before the procession to visit Princess Charlotte, and the day after
it her Royal Highness, attended by the Duchess of Leeds and myself, went
to take leave of this excellent and interesting Princess. I could not
have formed an idea of such self-command and composure as I saw in her
behaviour at both these interviews, and at so trying a moment. The Royal
Family of France left England, and as soon as the Regent returned from
Dover, whither he accompanied them, he sent for me, and expressed
violent displeasure at Princess Charlotte having made the acquaintance
of Madame Tatischeff, a Polish lady, the wife of a Russian, who was
going Ambassador to Madrid. He said that not only she was a woman of
slight character, but, with her husband, was caballing to marry her
Royal Highness to one of the Russian Princes.
In April, the Prince asked if I knew what was the object of Tatischeff’s
mission to Paris (whither he was gone to join the Emperor)? I said I
knew nothing of it, except that he had asked my commands, and I had
given him a letter to an old friend, M. de B., at Carlton House, where
there had been a great party to take leave of the Bourbons. The Prince
said he was gone to settle this marriage with one of the Emperor’s
brothers; that he knew Princess Charlotte had given the commission to
Madame Tatischeff. I said it was impossible, for that I was always
present; that Count Woronzow[168] introduced Madame Tatischeff, who was
married to his nephew, to Princess Charlotte, at Carlton House, and that
when I heard reports against her character, I also heard that Lady
Pembroke, who is remarkably correct herself, had made inquiries and
found them to be false; that I saw no harm in her, and that her intimacy
at Warwick House had been much less than was represented. The Prince
said that it was the morning we were at the Pulteney Hotel to see the
Bourbons pass,[169] that the Princess Charlotte had given the commission
to Madame Tatischeff; that she had also written her letters, which
Madame T. had sent to Russia, and that one of his Ministers had informed
him of all this. He held a letter in his hand, but did not show me the
name. I assured him her Royal Highness had written no letters to Madame
T., that I had written one to that lady while she was at Brighton, and
several notes in town; but that there was one circumstance which might
appear suspicious, and I would tell him fairly what it was. Princess
Charlotte had, as his Royal Highness knew, a wish to obtain the order of
St. Catherine, and he had said that she could not have it till she was
married. On being engaged to the Prince of Orange she had expressed this
wish to Madame Tatischeff, whose principal intercourse was with respect
to bonnets and gowns; but Madame T. had written to me from Brighton,
asking whether the Princess would really like to have this order, and
whether I thought his Royal Highness would permit her to accept it, if
offered by the Emperor. I answered, that I was sure it would please the
Princess, and considering the friendship between his Royal Highness and
the Emperor, I did not think he would disapprove of it. As secrecy was
recommended, I had expressed myself in such and such terms, which I
repeated. I saw that Count Lieven, or rather Madame de Lieven, who hated
Madame Tatischeff, and was hated in return, had a hand in this mischief;
but I took the Prince’s orders, which were to forbid Madame T. the
house; and when I returned home I wrote to Count Woronzow explaining the
circumstance to him, and begging, in the most delicate manner I could,
that he would prevent Madame Tatischeff’s further visits.
Shortly afterwards, I was called down stairs early one morning to a
Captain St. George,[170] who said he was just arrived from Holland, and
sent by Lord Bathurst. I found it was the Hereditary Prince of Orange,
and apologised for having made him wait, and for his having been shown
into the Comptroller’s room. He asked to see Princess Charlotte, who was
not up. She was not well, and greatly annoyed by this arrival. However,
at last she consented to see him, and received him in a very friendly
manner, assured him she had no complaint to make against him, and
promised he should see copies of all her letters on the subject of
residence, which were sent to him the same day at Lord Bathurst’s. He
said he had not seen[171] the Prince Regent, and went from us to Carlton
House. An hour or two afterwards he flew back, said the Prince desired
they should both go over, and that all would be forgiven. To this
Princess Charlotte would not consent, as she was now fearful of being
taken by surprise, and most earnestly entreated to be left quiet for the
rest of the day. I prevailed with the young Prince to settle this with
the Regent, and except a note in the evening to urge her to say what
were her demands, that he might write them to his father, nothing more
was done that day by the Hereditary Prince. A correspondence now took
place between them, and he used to come daily to see me in the library,
and to talk over the letters and answers, as Princess Charlotte did not
think proper to see him till it should be settled whether she should
have security or not for remaining in England, save for temporary
absences at her own choice. As soon, however, as he received an answer
to a letter which he said he had written to his father on the subject,
he asked leave to show it to Princess Charlotte, as it was favourable to
her conditions, and from that time he came every evening. Lord
Liverpool, after several fruitless attempts to persuade her Royal
Highness to give up her demands, at length consented to the insertion of
such an article as she wished,[172] and nothing was now required but the
formal assent of the Prince of the Netherlands. In the mean while, the
Princess of Wales, with whom Princess Charlotte had had very little
communication this year, enclosed to her a note from the Queen, who was
about to hold two Drawing-rooms at Burlington House, excluding her from
coming to them, on the plea that the Prince did not choose to meet her
anywhere.[173] This hurt Princess Charlotte exceedingly; and she at
first doubted whether she would go to the Drawing-room in case it were
intended she should: indeed, the order for her going to it did not
arrive till two days before, and she had scarcely time to have a proper
dress made up. She was not allowed to dress at home, lest it should be
considered that she was going in state, and though she was then lame,
having hurt her knee, it was proposed she should dress in Princess
Elizabeth’s apartments at the top of the Queen’s house. To this the
surgeons Keate and Clive objected; but we had to go at twelve, and a
room on the second floor was given her to dress in.[174] The day before
this Drawing-room arrived the answer of the Prince of the Netherlands,
consenting to her remaining in England. The young Prince showed her his
father’s letter to that effect; but by that letter it plainly appeared
that there had been instructions given him from England.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE ALLIED SOVEREIGNS—RUPTURE WITH THE PRINCE OF ORANGE—PRINCE
LEOPOLD—FAMILY SCENES—LETTER OF THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE—HER ESCAPE FROM
WARWICK HOUSE—SCENE AT CARLTON HOUSE—THE PRINCESS IN DURANCE.
SOON afterwards arrived the Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia,
with the Hereditary Princes of Prussia, Würtemberg, and Bavaria; Prince
William, second son of the King of Prussia; his two brothers, Prince
Henry and Prince William; Prince Augustus, cousin to the King and
Lieutenant-General of the Artillery; Prince Anthony de Radzivil, the
husband of Princess Louisa of Prussia; the Prince of Oldenburg;[175]
Prince Frederick, nephew of the King of Prussia, and many general
officers; amongst the rest, Blücher and Platoff. London was out of its
senses, and nothing but amusement was going on. Princess Charlotte was
at one dinner at Carlton House to meet these royal personages; but at no
other of the parties, either there or at Lord Stafford’s, Lord
Cholmondeley’s, or any other house where they and the Regent were
invited.
The Regent came one morning with the Bishop of Salisbury: seemed greatly
out of humour, and wished Princess Charlotte to relinquish, as a mark of
civility to the House of Orange, the insertion of the article. This she
respectfully declined. The Queen bought her wedding clothes, and told
her she need have only one court dress, as hoop petticoats were not worn
in Holland. This, and a letter which she received from Princess Mary
just before the Sovereigns were about to leave England, saying that as
soon as they should be gone it was the intention of the Prince to send
for the Orange family, and to have the wedding immediately, threw her
into great alarm, and induced her to resolve on having an explanation
with the Prince of Orange. He amused himself very well all this time,
danced at all the balls, went to Oxford, and everywhere. At his return
from Oxford the explanation took place, and it finished by a rupture of
the marriage.[176]
All the Princes visited Princess Charlotte, and I was particularly
pleased with the manners of the Russians. There appeared to be great
information, dignified affability, and no affectation amongst them.
Their appearance was also highly in their favour, for most of them were
handsome and fine figures. The Emperor of Russia came three or four
times with his sister to Warwick House. They became violent advocates
for the Prince of Orange, after the rupture of the marriage, and, I
believe, in consequence of a long conversation the Regent had with the
Grand Duchess, in which he is thought to have painted his daughter in no
very pleasing colours. However that might be, when we went to take leave
of these Russians, the day before their departure, at five o’clock, by
the Grand Duchess’s appointment, she took Princess Charlotte into a
private room, and afterwards came out of it leaving her alone with the
Emperor, having herself to receive the visits of the Duke d’Orleans, the
Duke of Gloucester, and Princess Sophia Matilda. To this I respectfully
objected, and requested I might be allowed to join Princess Charlotte.
This she at first refused, and said she was very safe with the Emperor;
but I said it was the Regent’s order that she should not be left without
the Duchess of Leeds or myself, even when her own uncles visited her.
She then unwillingly let me go, and I had some difficulty in getting
past the Russian servants, who stood at the door of the room, where I
found the Princess Charlotte with the Emperor. She seemed agitated, and
he was persuading her to see the Prince of Orange, _who was in the
house_;—I should rather say endeavouring to persuade her, for she had no
inclination to give way. A newspaper lay on the table. He went up to it,
and pointing to the name of Mr. Whitbread, he said she was giving up an
excellent marriage, one essential to the interests of her country, and
all to be praised by “a Mr. Whitbread.” As he addressed this speech to
me, I answered that his Majesty was much mistaken if he supposed that
gentleman or any other had influenced Princess Charlotte’s conduct.
“Really?” he replied. I repeated the assertion, which Princess Charlotte
herself confirmed, and the Emperor then asked me to persuade her Royal
Highness to see the Prince of Orange, and renew the acquaintance. I
answered that I had no right to interfere, and that a matter of such
importance and delicacy could only be decided by her Royal Highness
herself and the Regent. The Emperor, finding at last that he could gain
nothing, took his leave on the entrance of his sister, and said he must
join the Duke of Gloucester and the Prince of Orange. She did not renew
her solicitations, but took an affectionate leave of Princess Charlotte,
and kissed me.
After the Sovereigns were gone, we heard that the King of Prussia had
insisted on the Prince of Orange (who had remained incognito) leaving
the country, and had expressed himself with great moderation and
propriety on the subject of the marriage being broken off. Prince
Radzivil stayed some time longer, and we saw him twice or thrice. His
friend, Prince Adam Czartorisky, a Pole of great influence in his own
country, and who had been Prime Minister of Russia, had been introduced,
and called to take leave. We heard nothing from Carlton House; and
Princess Charlotte’s knee still suffering from the hurt it had received,
increasing in pain from the sleepless nights she endured and the
agitation of her mind, which also had an effect on her general health,
Baillie, Clive, and Keate, who attended her, gave it in writing as their
opinion that she ought to go to the sea-side for two or three months.
About this time the Bishop, who often saw the Chancellor and Lord
Liverpool, and was also, I believe, employed by the Regent, who formerly
disliked and despised him, hinted to Princess Charlotte in a private
conversation, and to me _on paper_, as I wrote to him on the subject,
that unless Princess Charlotte would write a submissive letter to her
father, and hold out a hope that in a few months she might be induced to
give her hand to the Prince of Orange, arrangements would be made by no
means agreeable to her inclinations. Her Royal Highness wrote to the
Regent a most submissive and affectionate letter, but held out no hope
of renewing the treaty of marriage.
This letter was sent on Saturday, the 9th of July. We heard various
reports of the intentions of the Regent: it was said that I and the
servants were to be dismissed, and that an apartment was being fitted up
for Princess Charlotte at Carlton House. Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg,
a handsome young man, a general in the Russian service, brother-in-law
to the Grand-Duke Constantine, and a great favourite with the Emperor of
Russia, told Miss Mercer Elphinstone many of these particulars. He had
been once at Warwick House, the Duchess of Leeds and myself being
present. Miss Mercer Elphinstone, who was intimately acquainted with
him, came in while he was there. He paid many compliments to Princess
Charlotte, who was by no means partial to him, and only received him
with civility. However, Miss Mercer evidently wished to recommend him,
and when we drove in the Park, he would ride near the carriage, and
endeavour to be noticed. There were reasons why this matter was by no
means agreeable to Princess Charlotte. However, he certainly made
proposals to the Regent, and, though rejected, found means to get into
his favour. In the mean while, it was reported that he was frequently at
Warwick House, and had even taken tea with us, which not one of the
Princes had done except Prince Radzivil, whom we invited to sing and
accompany himself on the guitar. We heard that Lady Ilchester and Lady
Rosslyn were talked of as being about Princess Charlotte, and I had
hints from some of my friends, particularly from Lady Rolle, that a
change was about to take place.
However, the letter of the 9th remained unanswered till the 11th, on
which day the Bishop was detained almost the whole morning at Carlton
House, and at five Princess Charlotte and I were ordered to go over. Her
Royal Highness was too ill to obey; but I went, and found the Regent
very cold, very bitter, and very silent. I, however, took the
opportunity of contradicting any false reports he might have heard
relative to the Prince of Saxe-Coburg, and he answered that this Prince
was a most honourable young man, and had written him a letter which
perfectly justified himself, and said that he was invited by Princess
Charlotte; but that it was Prince Augustus of Prussia, and not he, who
was in the habit of going to Warwick House. I justified Prince Augustus,
as he well deserved; and apologised for Princess Charlotte’s not coming
over to Carlton House. The Prince said she must either come the next
day, or Baillie must come to say she was not capable of walking over.
With this melancholy prospect I returned to my anxious Princess, whom I
found with Miss Mercer, and told all that had passed. Miss Mercer
expressed considerable displeasure at the conduct of Prince Leopold of
Saxe-Coburg; and that evening Princess Charlotte told the page that it
was possible all the servants might be sent away, but that she would
never forget them, and would take them again whenever it was in her
power. She also wrote the following most energetic letter to the Bishop,
asserting her own innocence and mine:
FROM PRINCESS CHARLOTTE TO THE BISHOP OF SALISBURY.
Monday night, July 11, 1814.
MY DEAR LORD,—As I saw your carriage for some time this evening in
my yard, I had hoped you would have come through Warwick House, and
that I should have been able to have spoken to you, as I gave orders
in case you did to show you into the drawing-room.
Being disappointed in this, I take up my pen to say that you cannot
but suppose Miss Knight informed me of all that passed, which, as it
relates more to her than to myself, I still more deeply feel.
I believe your Lordship has known me long enough to know that
severity of any kind rather injures than does a cause good _with
me_, whereas kindness may do a great deal; at all events is more
difficult to withstand. Anything but my friend’s or my character
being _aspersed_ I may submit to quietly; but this I neither can nor
_will do_, as I owe it to myself positively to _declare the whole
allegation to be false_ and _a base lie_, to answer some very deep
design which I cannot guess, as I am far from entering into any
cabals. My word has as yet been doubted by no one, and as likely,
therefore, to be believed as _any foreigner, or native_. Feeling the
consciousness as I do of innocence, both as to myself and Miss
Knight, I feel in the most lively manner the scene of to-day, and
what I have to expect to-morrow. But I can assure you no such
violent accusations or measures will have any effect on me, but have
the most fatal upon their inventors and advisers, as I do not see
why my character or Miss Knight’s should be aspersed with impunity
any more than any one’s else. I shall therefore never cease till I
have discovered and brought to light who are my base calumniators
with the Prince. I regret exceedingly your having been partaker of
so unpleasant a scene, and still more of the little influence you
have with the Prince to vindicate a person you have brought up from
childhood, or those attached to her. Either Miss Knight or myself
will inform the Prince of Mr. Keate’s visit tonight, who is coming
to examine my knee, with which I am suffering more than I have done
for some time owing to the highly anxious morning I have passed.
(Signed) CHARLOTTE.
Next day, Baillie said she was quite capable of going over, and advised
her so to do, but she was really so ill and so much affected, that it
was impossible. Her Royal Highness, therefore, wrote to the Regent,
entreating he would come to her. The Duchess of Leeds, who,
unfortunately, had been ordered to send in her resignation some time
before, but still came as usual to Warwick House, called that morning,
but I could not persuade her to stay till the Prince’s arrival, as she
said he might think it improper her being there. About six he came,
attended by the Bishop only (as I supposed), but he came up alone, and
desired I would leave him with Princess Charlotte. He was shut up with
her three-quarters of an hour, and afterwards a quarter more with the
Bishop and her Royal Highness. The door then opened, and she came out in
the greatest agony, saying she had but one instant to speak to me, for
that the Prince asked for me. I followed her into her dressing-room,
where she told me the new ladies were in possession of the house; that I
and all the servants were to be dismissed; that she was to be confined
at Carlton House for five days, after which she was to be taken to
Cranbourne Lodge, in the midst of Windsor Forest, where she was to see
no one but the Queen once a week, and that if she did not go immediately
the Prince would sleep at Warwick House that night, as well as all the
ladies. I begged her to be calm, and advised her to go over as soon as
possible, assuring her that her friends would not forget her. She fell
on her knees in the greatest agitation, exclaiming, “God Almighty grant
me patience!” I wished to stay and comfort her, but she urged me to go
to the Prince, for fear of greater displeasure.
I went to him, and he shut the door; the Bishop was with him. He told me
he was sorry to put a lady to inconvenience, but that he wanted my room
that evening for the ladies, repeating what Princess Charlotte had
already told me. I asked in what I had offended, but he said he made no
complaint, and would make none; that he had a right to make any changes
he pleased, and that he was blamed for having let things go on as they
had done. He repeated his apology for putting a lady to the
inconvenience of leaving the house at so short a notice, and I replied
that, my father having served his Majesty for fifty years, and
sacrificed his health and fortune to that service, it would be very
strange if I could not put myself to the temporary inconvenience of a
few hours. He then said that in the arrangements at Carlton House there
was a room which I might have for a night or two, if I had nowhere to
go. This I declined, thanking him, but saying that I had lodgings, which
fortunately were now vacant; and that Lord and Lady Rolle, who seemed to
know much more of the business than I did, had, to my great surprise,
offered me their house for the last fortnight. I then made a low curtsey
to him, and left the room.
What was my astonishment when I could not find Princess Charlotte
anywhere, and when at length Miss Mercer and her maid, who had come (as
was often the case) to dress her before dinner, appeared from my
bedroom, the latter crying, and Miss Mercer saying she supposed Princess
Charlotte was gone to her mother!
The Prince came forward when I returned to the dressing-room, and I
brought Miss Mercer, who desired I would do so, that she might not be
suspected of anything clandestine. She told him, that as she was
dressing herself in Princess Charlotte’s bedroom, she heard her say she
would go to her mother (Lewis, the dresser, thought when she took her
bonnet she was going to Carlton House), and before they could prevent it
she had disappeared. The Prince was very cool, and rather seemed
pleased, saying he was glad that everybody would now see what she was,
and that it would be known on the Continent, and no one would marry her.
Miss Mercer cried, and said she hoped he did not think _her_ to blame. I
was indignant at the abuse cast upon Princess Charlotte. The Bishop and
Miss Mercer offered to go and look for her, and proposed my accompanying
them, which I refused, saying I should wait, for that I did not wish to
be in _that house_—meaning the Princess of Wales’—but that if I went,
and Princess Charlotte asked me to stay with her, I could not refuse
remaining with her _there or in a prison_.
They went off, and I withdrew to my own room, whence I sent to Lady
Salisbury, requesting she would lend me her carriage, which she promised
to send me when it had taken her to the Opera at nine. About that hour
the Bishop returned. He did not come to me, but I heard he was gone over
to Carlton House; that he had found Princess Charlotte, but had not
brought her with him. I therefore went immediately to Connaught-place,
and asked to see Princess Charlotte alone. Lady Charlotte Lindsay, in
waiting on the Princess of Wales, came out to me and told me that her
Royal Highness was with her mother, Miss Mercer Elphinstone, and Mr.
Brougham, in the next room, and the Princess of Wales desired I would
walk in. She added how much the Princess had been surprised when she
heard by a messenger despatched from the house to Blackheath (whither
she had gone on business) that Princess Charlotte was there, and not
finding Mr. Whitbread and another member—I forget whom[177]—to advise
with, had sent for Mr. Brougham, and that before she got home Princess
Charlotte had sent for the Duke of Sussex. I still begged to see
Princess Charlotte alone, to which Lady Charlotte Lindsay seemed willing
to consent; but Miss Mercer, who came in, said she had promised the
Regent not to leave her alone with any one. I said, rather stiffly, that
she might with me, and her Royal Highness withdrew with me into the part
of the room separated by columns, where I gave her her seals, to which
was annexed a key, and a letter which had come during her absence. She
met me with great joy, and told me I was to stay with her, for she had
written offering to go to her father on that condition, and that she
should retain her maid, and receive the visits of Miss Mercer.
We waited some time for the return of the Bishop with the answer to
these proposals, and at length I offered to go to Carlton House, and
endeavour to see the Prince. I did, but could not see him. I was told I
might see the Chancellor or Lord Liverpool. I answered I was ready to
see either of them, when I was ushered into a room where the Chancellor
and Lord Ellenborough were seated at each end of a long table. The
former informed me the Bishop was returned with the answer that her
Royal Highness must submit unconditionally, on which I replied that I
had nothing more to do, but return to her, and take her maid and
night-things, as she might be obliged to remain that night in
Connaught-place. Lord Ellenborough said I should do better to remain, as
it would be a comfort to her to find me there. I told him he was not
aware of my dismissal, and of the order given me not to remain that
night in the house, at which he seemed surprised, and I afterwards
learned from one of his friends that he had been taught to believe all
these coercive measures were only in consequence of Princess Charlotte’s
escape to her mother.
I went back to Princess Charlotte, taking with me Mrs. Lewis, her
dresser; and when I arrived, I found the Bishop had stated she must
submit to return to her father unconditionally, holding out the hope
that Miss Mercer would be allowed to visit her. I saw the letter she had
written. It was very flattering to me; but I did not wish to have been
made an object of controversy between her and her father. It was two in
the morning before the Duke of York arrived to take her away. I was too
much affected to follow her down stairs. I fell into hysterics; but when
I went down to the Princess of Wales, Miss Mercer, the Duke of Sussex,
and Mr. Brougham, who were assembled below, I learned it was with
difficulty the Princess of Wales had persuaded the Duke to take Mrs.
Lewis in the carriage. He had a paper in his hand when he came in, but
did not unfold it; and I afterwards heard from the Duke of Sussex that a
hackney-coach followed him with the Chancellor and two other lawyers in
it, as also that when dear Princess Charlotte arrived at Carlton House,
she was made to remain in the court-yard for more than half an hour,
while they were debating within how they would receive her. The ladies
appointed to be her attendants were, Lady Ilchester, Lady Rosslyn, Mrs.
Campbell,[178] who had formerly been her sub-governess, and the two Miss
Coates, nieces of Lady R. Miss Mercer took me home between three and
four, and next day I called at the gate of Carlton House, and sent up a
message to inquire after her Royal Highness’s health. Lady Rosslyn sent
down a very civil message to say she was well, and sent her love to me.
A few days after, before she was taken to Cranbourne[179] Lodge, which
was on the Monday, she found means, through Miss M., I believe, to send
a letter written (on paper she had _stolen_) with a pencil, to be
forwarded by me to the Duke of Sussex. His Royal Highness called and
read it to me, and it contained a melancholy description of the manner
in which she was confined and watched night and day. I wrote a note the
day before her departure to Lady Ilchester, which was very civilly
answered by Lady Rosslyn.[180] Mine only contained good wishes for her
Royal Highness’s recovery, and a request that she might be assured of
them.[181]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX.
DR. JOHNSON AND MRS. WILLIAMS—LORD NELSON’S JOURNEY HOME—THE PRINCESS
CHARLOTTE AND HER MOTHER—OPENING OE THE COFFIN OF CHARLES I.—THE
ORANGE MATCH—FLIGHT OF THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX.
----------------------------
DR. JOHNSON AND MRS. WILLIAMS.
IN Croker’s Edition of Boswell’s Life of Johnson, chap, x., there is an
extract from a letter addressed by Lady Knight to Mr. Hoole, referring
to the incident narrated at pages 14-15 of the Autobiography:
“Dr. Johnson’s political principles ran high, both in Church and State:
he wished power to the King and to the heads of the Church, as the laws
of England have established; but I know he disliked absolute power: and
I am very sure of his disapprobation of the doctrines of the Church of
Rome, because, about three weeks before we came abroad, he said to my
Cornelia, ‘You are going where the ostentatious pomp of Church
ceremonies attracts the imagination; but if they want to persuade you to
change, you must remember that by increasing your faith you may be
persuaded to become Turk.’ If these were not the words, I have kept up
to the express meaning.”
With reference to Dr. Johnson’s visit to a man-of-war, an account of
which is given at pages 15-16, Mrs. Piozzi says, at p. 285 of her
“Anecdotes,” &c., that “the roughness of the language used on board a
man-of-war, where he passed a week on a visit to Captain Knight,
disgusted him terribly. He asked an officer what some place was called,
and received for answer that it was where the loplolly man kept his
loplolly: a reply he considered, not unjustly, as disrespectful, gross,
and ignorant.” On this Croker remarks: “Captain Knight, of the _Belle
Isle_, 74, lay for a couple of months of 1762 in Plymouth Sound, and may
have been visited by Reynolds and Johnson; but it is unlikely they
passed a week on ship-board.” (Note to chap. liii. Boswell’s Johnson.)
But it was the _Ramilies_ off Portsmouth, not the _Belle Isle_ off
Plymouth, that was visited by the great lexicographer.
The following reminiscences of Mrs. Williams were sent by Lady Knight,
from Rome, to Mr. John Hoole, and by him contributed to the _European
Magazine_ for October, 1799:
“Mrs. Williams was a person extremely interesting; she had an uncommon
firmness of mind, a boundless curiosity, retentive memory, and strong
judgment: she had various powers of pleasing; her personal afflictions
and slender fortune she seemed to forget when she had the power of doing
an act of kindness: she was social, cheerful, and active, in a state of
body that was truly deplorable. Her regard to Dr. Johnson was formed
with such strength of judgment and firm esteem that her voice never
hesitated when she repeated his maxims or recited his good deeds, though
upon many other occasions her want of sight had led to her making so
much use of her ear as to affect her speech. Mrs. Williams was blind
before she was acquainted with Dr. Johnson: her account of Mrs. Johnson
was, that she had a good understanding and great sensibility, but
inclined to be satirical. Her first husband died insolvent: her sons
were much disgusted with her for her second marriage; perhaps because
they, being struggling to get advanced in life, were mortified to think
she had allied herself to a man who had not any visible means of being
useful to them. However, she always retained her affection for them.
While they resided in Grough-court, her son, the officer, knocked at the
door and asked the maid if her mistress was at home. She answered, ‘Yes,
sir; but she is sick in bed.’ ‘Oh,’ says he, ‘if it is so, tell her that
her son Jervas called to know how she did,’ and was going away. The maid
begged she might run up and tell her mistress, and, without attending
his answer, left him. Mrs. Johnson enraptured to hear her son was below,
desired the maid to tell him she longed to embrace him. When the maid
descended the gentleman was gone, and poor Mrs. Johnson was much
agitated by the adventure: it was the only time he ever made an effort
to see her. Dr. Johnson did all he could to console his wife; but told
Mrs. Williams, ‘Her son is uniformly undutiful; so I conclude, like many
other sober men, he might once in his life be drunk, and in that fit
nature got the better of his pride.’
“Mrs. Williams was never otherwise dependent on Dr. Johnson than in that
sort of association which is little known in the great world. They both
had much to struggle through, and I verily believe that whichever held
the purse, the other partook what want required.
“She had many resources, though none very great: with the Miss
Wilkinsons she generally passed a part of the year, and received from
them presents, and from the first who died a legacy of clothes and
linen. The last of them, Mrs. Jane, left her an annual rent; but from
the blundering manner of the will, I fear she never reaped the benefit
of it. That lady left money to erect an hospital for ancient maids; but
the number she had allotted being too great for the donation, the Doctor
said it would be better to expunge the word _maintain_, and put in, to
starve such a number of old maids. They asked him what name should be
given it. He replied, ‘Let it be called Jenny’s Whim’ [the name of a
place of popular entertainment].
“Lady Phillips made her a small annual allowance, and some other Welsh
ladies, to all of whom she was related. Mrs. Montagu, on the death of
Mr. Montagu, settled on her ten pounds per annum. When the first ten
were sent her, they were accompanied with a letter telling her that,
before she sent her that sum, she had taken care that the future
payments should not depend upon her own precarious life, for that it was
fixed to her by deed. Mrs. Williams’s gratitude was great and sincere:
and on showing the letter before the Doctor to the present writer, and
my testifying my joy at it, ‘Ah!’ said he, ‘the good lady has given
Willy a treasure here, and is laying up one for herself.’
“As to her poems, she many years attempted to publish them: the
half-crowns she had got towards the publication, she confessed to me
went for necessaries, and that the greatest pain she ever felt was from
the appearance of defrauding her subscribers: ‘But what can I do? the
Doctor always puts me off with, “Well, we’ll think about it;” and
Goldsmith says, “Leave it to me.”’ However, two of her friends, under
her directions, made a new subscription at a crown, the whole price of
the work, and in a very little time raised sixty pounds. Mrs. Carter was
applied to by Mrs. Williams’s desire, and she, with the utmost activity
and kindness, procured a long list of names. At length the work was
published, in which is a fine-written but gloomy tale of Dr. Johnson.
The money Mrs. Williams had various uses for, and a part of it was
funded. As near as I can calculate, Mrs. Williams had about thirty-five
or forty pounds a year. The furniture she used was her own; her expenses
were small; tea and bread-and-butter being at least half of her
nourishment. Sometimes she had a servant, or charwoman, to do the ruder
offices of the house; but she was herself active and industrious. I have
frequently seen her at work. Upon remarking one day her facility in
moving about the house, searching into drawers, and finding books
without the help of sight, ‘Believe me,’ said she, ‘persons who cannot
do these common offices without sight, did but little while they enjoyed
that blessing.’ Scanty circumstances, bad health, and blindness, are
surely a sufficient apology for her being sometimes impatient; her
natural disposition was good, friendly, and humane. She was in respect
to morals more rigid than modern politeness admits; for she abhorred
vice, and was not sparing of anger against those who threw young folks
into temptation. Her ideas were very just in respect to the improvement
of the mind, and her own was well stored. I have several of her letters;
they are all written with great good sense and simplicity, and with a
tenderness and affection that far excel all that is called politeness
and elegance. I have been favoured with her company some weeks at
different times, and always found her temper equal, and her conversation
lively. I never passed hours with more pleasure than when I heard her
and Dr. Johnson talk of the persons they valued, or on subjects in which
they were much interested. One night, I remember, Mrs. Williams was
giving an account of the Wilkinsons being at Paris, and having had
consigned to their care the letters of Lady Wortley Montagu, on which
they had bestowed great praise. The Doctor said, ‘Why, Madam, there
might be great charms to them in being entrusted with honourable
letters; but those who know better the world, would have rather
possessed two pages of true history.’[182]
“One day that he came to my house to meet many others, we told him that
we had arranged our party to go to Westminster Abbey, would not he go
with us? ‘No,’ he replied, ‘not while I can keep out.’ Upon our saying
that the friends of a lady had been in great fear lest she should make a
certain match for herself, he said, ‘We that are _his_ friends have had
great fears for him.’
“He gave us an account of a lady, then lately dead, who had made a
separate purse from her husband, and confessed to the sum in her last
moments; but before she could tell where it was placed, a convulsion
finished her. The poor man said he was more hurt by her want of
confidence in him than the loss of his money. ‘I told him,’ said he,
‘that he must console himself, for perhaps the money might be found, and
he was sure his wife was gone.’
“I talked to her (Mrs. Thrale) much of dear Mrs. Williams. She said she
was highly born; that she was very nearly related to a Welsh Peer; but
that though Dr. Johnson had always pressed her to be acquainted with
her, yet she said she could not; she was afraid of her. I named her
virtues: she seemed to hear me as if I had spoken of a new-discovered
country.
“I think the character of Dr. Johnson can never be better summed up than
in his own words in ‘Rasselas’, pp. 246, 247. He was master of an
infinite deal of wit, which proceeded from depth of thought, and of a
humour which he used sometimes to take off from the asperity of reproof.
Though he did sometimes say very sportive things, which might be said to
be playing upon the folly of some of his companions, and though he never
said one that could disgrace him, yet I think, when the man is no more,
the care should be to prove to steady uniformity in wisdom, virtue, and
religion, and not to add those matters which could be of no force but as
the occasion called them forth. His political principles ran high, both
in Church and State: he wished power to the King and to the Heads of the
Church, as the laws of England have established, but I know he disliked
absolute power; and I am very sure of his disapprobation of the
doctrines of the Church of Rome; because, about three weeks before we
came abroad, he said to my Cornelia, ‘You are going where the
ostentatious pomp of Church ceremonies attracts the imagination; but if
they want to persuade you to change, you must remember that by
increasing your faith you may be persuaded to become Turk.’ If these
were not the words, I have kept up to the express meaning.
“I have no patience of the manner in which Mrs. Williams is mentioned,
with insinuations of the great weight she was on Dr. Johnson. (By Mrs.
Piozzi, in her ‘Anecdotes.’) She was of a very good family: her Welsh
friends made her a constant allowance, and the Miss Wilkinsons were
liberal to her. She got a hundred and fifty pounds by her poems. I well
remember her saying one day that she would have bought some tea, but
wanted the money. The Doctor replied, ‘Why did you not ask me?’ She
replied, ‘I knew you had none.’ He answered, ‘But I could have borrowed
it.’ She, who knew him better than any person living, once said that ‘He
never denied his advice or his purse to any one that asked.’ She had
strong sense, excellent principles, and a cheerful mind; but, oppressed
with blindness, pain, and poverty, her temper might be soured. But who
would have borne such heavy afflictions so well as she did, or have been
so useful as she really was? But please to consider, when you come to
narrate particulars, how, without intention, you lessen fame. You will
find in some lines I have writ, that I expose the poverty of my friend,
and the weaknesses that only proceeded from a state of mortality.”
----------------------------
LORD NELSON’S JOURNEY HOME.
[The following are the extracts from Miss Knight’s correspondence with
Sir E. Berry, referred to at p. 151:]
“Leghorn, July 2, 1800.
“DEAR SIR,—The very great, indeed, I may say, fraternal care you had
the goodness to take of me while I was on board the _Foudroyant_,
and the very sincere esteem I shall always have for Sir Edward
Berry, induces me to trouble you with these few lines, as you will
be desirous to hear of Lord Nelson, and the plan proposed for the
party. The Queen wishes, if possible, to prosecute her journey. Lady
Hamilton cannot bear the thought of going by sea; and, therefore,
nothing but impracticability will prevent our going to Vienna. Lord
Nelson is well, and keeps up his spirits amazingly. Sir William
appears broken, distressed, and harassed.
“July 16th.—It is, at length, decided that we go by land; and I feel
all the dangers and difficulties to which we shall be exposed. Think
of our embarking on board small Austrian vessels at Ancona, for
Trieste, as part of a land journey! to avoid the danger of being on
board an English man-of-war, where everything is commodious, and
equally well arranged for defence and comfort; but the die is cast,
and go we must. Lord Nelson is going on an expedition he
disapproves, and against his own convictions, because he has
promised the Queen, and that others advise her. I pity the Queen.
Prince Belmonte directs the march; and Lady Hamilton, though she
does not like him, seconds his proposals, because she hates the sea,
and wishes to visit the different Courts of Germany. Sir William
says _he_ shall die by the way, and he looks so ill, that I should
not be surprised if he did. I am astonished that the Queen, who is a
sensible woman, should consent to run so great a risk; but I can
assure you that neither she nor the Princesses forget their great
obligations to you. If I am not detained in a French prison, or do
not die upon the road, you shall hear from me again.
“Ancona, July 24, 1800.—As I find delays succeed each other, and
England still recedes from us, I will not omit at least informing
you of our adventures. We left Leghorn the day after I wrote to you
by Mr. Tyson, and owing more to good fortune than to prudence,
arrived in twenty-six hours at Florence, after passing within _two
miles_ of the French advanced posts. After a short stay, we
proceeded on our way to this place. At Castel San Giovanni, the
coach, in which were Lord Nelson and Sir William and Lady Hamilton,
was overturned; Sir William and Lady Hamilton were hurt, but not
dangerously. The wheel was repaired, but broke again at Arezzo—the
Queen two days’ journey before them, and news of the French army
advancing rapidly, it was therefore decided that they should
proceed, and Mrs. Cadogan and I remained with the broken carriage,
as it was of less consequence we should be left behind, or taken,
than they. We were obliged to stay three days to get the coach
repaired; and, providentially, Arezzo was the place, as it is the
most loyal city in Tuscany; and every care, attention, and kindness
that humanity can dictate, and cordiality and good manners practise,
were employed in our favour.... Just as we were going to set off, we
received accounts of the French being very near the road where we
had to pass, and of its being also infested with Neapolitan
deserters; but at the same moment arrived a party of Austrians, and
the officers gave us two soldiers as a guard. We travelled night and
day; the roads are almost destroyed, and the misery of the
inhabitants is beyond description. At length, however, we arrived at
Ancona, and found that the Queen had given up the idea of going in
the _Bellona_, an Austrian frigate, fitted up with silk hangings,
carpets, and eighty beds for her reception, and now meant to go with
a Russian squadron of three frigates and a brig. I believe she
judged rightly; for there had been a mutiny on board the _Bellona_,
and, for the sake of accommodation, she had reduced her guns to
twenty-four, while the French, in possession of the coast, arm
trabaccoli and other light vessels that could easily surround and
take her. This Russian squadron is commanded by Count Voinovitsch, a
Dalmatian, who, having seen his people ill-treated, and their
colours destroyed by the Germans last year at the siege of Ancona,
made a vow never to come ashore, and keeps it religiously, for he
has not returned the Queen’s visit. I fancy we shall sail to-morrow
night or the next morning. Mrs. Cadogan and I are to be on board one
of the frigates, commanded by an old man named Messer, a native of
England, who once served under Lord Howe, and has an excellent
reputation. The rest of our party go with the Queen, and say they
shall be very uncomfortable. Lord Nelson talks often of the
_Foudroyant_, whatever is done to turn off the conversation; and
last night he was talking with Captain Messer of the manœuvres he
intended to make in case he accepted of another command. In short, I
perceive that his thoughts turn towards England, and I hope and
believe he will be happy there. The Queen and her daughters have
been very kind to me, especially when I was ill; and poor Sir
William suffered much when he left me at Arezzo. The Queen speaks of
you often, and always with the highest esteem. Our party is very
helpless; and though it is their own fault that they have brought
themselves into these difficulties, I cannot help pitying them, and
have the comfort to be of some use to them. Lord Nelson has been
received with acclamations in all the towns of the Pope’s States.
Success attend you. Where shall _we_ be on the 1st of August? The
Queen asked me for the christian and surname of all the captains of
the Nile. I am ashamed of the length of this letter, but it is
pleasant to forget oneself for some moments, and renew a
quarter-deck conversation. Our cots are ready, and the carriages on
board, or I should not have had spirits to write so much.
“Trieste, August 9th, 1800.—As I know you will be anxious to hear
how Lord Nelson proceeds on his journey, and as new delays
continually occur, I will not refuse an opportunity offered me by
Mr. Anderson, the Vice-Consul. Perhaps I am a little interested in
the affair; for, as I have small comfort in my present situation, my
thoughts willingly recur to the Mediterranean, where there were
always resources to be found. I told you we were become humble
enough to rejoice at a Russian squadron conveying us across the
Adriatic; but had we sailed, as was first intended, in the imperial
frigate, we should have been taken by eight trabaccoli, which the
French armed on purpose at Pisaro. Sir William and Lady Hamilton and
Lord Nelson give a miserable account of their sufferings on board
the Commodore’s ship (Count Voinovitsch). He was ill in his cot; but
his First Lieutenant, a Neapolitan, named Capaci, was, it seems, the
most insolent and ignorant of beings. Think what Lord Nelson must
have felt! He says a gale of wind would have sunk the ship. I, with
Mrs. Cadogan, came in another ship, commanded, as I believe I told
you, by an Englishman, a Captain Messer, a plain, good man, who
behaved with distinguished bravery last year at the siege of Ancona,
and who was kind and attentive beyond description.... Poor Sir
William Hamilton has been so ill that the physicians had almost
given him up: he is now better, and I hope we shall be able to set
off to-morrow night for Vienna. The Queen and thirty-four of her
suite have had fevers: you can form no idea of the _helplessness_ of
the party. How we shall proceed on our long journey is to me a
problem; but we shall certainly get on as fast as we can; for the
very precarious state of Sir William’s health has convinced
everybody that it is necessary he should arrange his affairs....
Poor Lord Nelson, whose only comfort was in talking of ships and
harbours with Captain Messer, has had a bad cold, but is almost
well, and, I think, anxious to be in England. He is followed by
thousands when he goes out, and for the illumination that is to take
place this evening, there are many ‘Viva Nelsons!’ prepared. He
seems affected whenever he speaks of _you_, and often sighs out,
‘Where is the _Foudroyant_?’”
----------------------------
THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE AND HER MOTHER.
[The following is the letter alluded to at page 216:]
_The Princess of Wales to the Prince Regent._
“SIR,—It is with great reluctance that I presume to obtrude myself
upon your Royal Highness, and to solicit your attention to matters
which may, at first, appear rather of a personal than a public
nature. If I could think them so—if they related merely to myself—I
should abstain from a proceeding which might give uneasiness, or
interrupt the more weighty occupations of your Royal Highness’s
time. I should continue, in silence and retirement, to lead the life
which has been prescribed to me, and console myself for the loss of
that society and those domestic comforts to which I have so long
been a stranger, by the reflection that it has been deemed proper I
should be afflicted without any fault of my own—and that your Royal
Highness knows it.
“But, Sir, there are considerations of a higher nature than any
regard to my own happiness, which render this address a duty both to
myself and my daughter. May I venture to say—a duty also to my
husband, and the people committed to his care? There is a point
beyond which a guiltless woman cannot with safety carry her
forbearances. If her honour is invaded, the defence of her
reputation is no longer a matter of choice; and it signifies not
whether the attack be made openly, manfully, and directly, or by
secret insinuation, and by holding such conduct towards her as
countenances all the suspicions that malice can suggest. If these
ought to be the feelings of every woman in England who is conscious
that she deserves no reproach, your Royal Highness has too sound a
judgment, and too nice a sense of honour, not to perceive how much
more justly they belong to the mother of your daughter—the mother of
her who is destined, I trust, at a very distant period to reign over
the British empire.
“It may be known to your Royal Highness that, during the continuance
of the restrictions upon your royal authority, I purposely refrained
from making any representations which might then augment the painful
difficulties of your exalted station. At the expiration of the
restrictions I still was inclined to delay taking this step, in the
hope that I might owe the redress I sought to your gracious and
unsolicited condescension. I have waited, in the fond indulgence of
this expectation, until, to my inexpressible mortification, I find
that my unwillingness to complain has only produced fresh grounds of
complaint; and I am at length compelled either to abandon all regard
for the two dearest objects which I possess on earth—mine own honour
and my beloved child—or to throw myself at the feet of your Royal
Highness, the natural protector of both.
“I presume, Sir, to represent to your Royal Highness that the
separation, which every succeeding month is making wider, of the
mother and the daughter is equally injurious to my character and to
her education. I say nothing of the deep wounds which so cruel an
arrangement inflicts upon my feelings, although I would fain hope
that few persons will be found of a disposition to think lightly of
these. To see myself cut off from one of the very few domestic
enjoyments left me—certainly the only one upon which I set any
value, the society of my child—involves me in such misery as I well
know your Royal Highness could never inflict upon me if you were
aware of its bitterness. Our intercourse has been gradually
diminished. A single interview weekly seemed sufficiently hard
allowance for a mother’s affections. That, however, was reduced to
our meeting once a fortnight; and I now learn that even this most
rigorous interdiction is to be still more rigidly enforced.
“But while I do not venture to intrude my feelings as a mother upon
your Royal Highness’s notice, I must be allowed to say that, in the
eyes of an observing and jealous world, this separation of a
daughter from her mother will only admit of one construction—a
construction fatal to the mother’s reputation. Your Royal Highness
will also pardon me for adding, that there is no less inconsistency
than injustice in this treatment. He who dares advise your Royal
Highness to overlook the evidence of my innocence, and disregard the
sentence of complete acquittal which it produced, or is wicked and
false enough still to whisper suspicions in your ear, betrays his
duty to you, Sir, to your daughter, and to your people, if he
counsels you to permit a day to pass without a further investigation
of my conduct. I know that no such calumniator will venture to
recommend a measure which must speedily end in his utter confusion.
Then let me implore you to reflect on the situation in which I am
placed without the shadow of a charge against me—without even an
accuser—after an inquiry that led to my ample vindication—yet
treated as if I were still more culpable than the perjuries of my
suborned traducers represented me, and held up to the world as a
mother who may not enjoy the society of her only child.
“The feelings, Sir, which are natural to my unexampled situation
might justify me in the gracious judgment of your Royal Highness,
had I no other motives for addressing you but such as relate to
myself: but I will not disguise from your Royal Highness what I
cannot for a moment conceal from myself—that the serious, and it
soon may be, the irreparable injury which my daughter sustains from
the plan at present pursued, has done more in overcoming my
reluctance to intrude upon your Royal Highness than any sufferings
of my own could accomplish; and if, for her sake, I presume to call
away your Royal Highness from the other cares of your exalted
station, I feel confident I am not claiming it for a matter of
inferior importance either to yourself or your people.
“The powers with which the constitution of these realms vests your
Royal Highness in the regulation of the Royal Family I know, because
I am so advised, are ample and unquestionable. My appeal, Sir, is
made to your excellent sense and liberality of mind in the exercise
of those powers; and I willingly hope that your own parental
feelings will lead you to excuse the anxiety of mine for impelling
me to represent the unhappy consequences which the present system
must entail upon our beloved child.
“Is it possible, Sir, that any one can have attempted to persuade
your Royal Highness that her character will not be injured by the
perpetual violence offered to her strongest affections—the studied
care taken to estrange her from my society, and even to interrupt
all communication between us? That her love for me, with whom, by
his Majesty’s wise and gracious arrangements, she passed the years
of her infancy and childhood, never can be extinguished, I well
know; and the knowledge of it forms the greatest blessing of my
existence. But let me implore your Royal Highness to reflect how
inevitably all attempts to abate this attachment, by forcibly
separating us, if they succeed, must injure my child’s principles;
if they fail, must destroy her happiness.
“The plan of excluding my daughter from all intercourse with the
world, appears to my humble judgment peculiarly unfortunate. She who
is destined to be the Sovereign of this great country enjoys none of
those advantages of society which are deemed necessary for imparting
a knowledge of mankind to persons who have infinitely less occasion
to learn that important lesson; and it may so happen, by a chance
which I trust is very remote, that she should be called upon to
exercise the powers of the Crown with an experience of the world
more confined than that of the most private individual. To the
extraordinary talents with which she is blessed, and which accompany
a disposition as singularly amiable, frank, and decided, I willingly
trust much; but beyond a certain point the greatest natural
endowments cannot struggle against the disadvantages of
circumstances and situation. It is my earnest prayer, for her own
sake as well as her country’s, that your Royal Highness may be
induced to pause before this point be reached.
“Those who have advised you, Sir, to delay so long the period of my
daughter’s commencing her intercourse with the world, and for that
purpose to make Windsor her residence, appear not to have regarded
the interruptions to her education which this arrangement occasions;
both by the impossibility of obtaining the attendance of proper
teachers, and the time unavoidably consumed in the frequent journeys
to town, which she must make, unless she is to be secluded from all
intercourse, even with your Royal Highness and the rest of the Royal
Family. To the same unfortunate counsel I ascribe a circumstance in
every way so distressing both to my parental and religious feelings,
that my daughter has never yet enjoyed the benefit of confirmation,
although above a year older than the age at which all the other
branches of the Royal Family have partaken of that solemnity. May I
earnestly conjure you, Sir, to hear my entreaties upon this serious
matter, even if you should listen to other advisers on things of
less near concernment to the welfare of our child?
“The pain with which I have at length formed the resolution of
addressing myself to your Royal Highness is such as I should in vain
attempt to express. If I could adequately describe it, you might be
enabled, Sir, to estimate the strength of the motives which have
made me submit to it: they are the most powerful feelings of
affection, and the deepest impressions of duty towards your Royal
Highness, my beloved child, and the country, which I devoutly hope
she may be preserved to govern, and to show by a new example the
liberal affection of a free and generous people to a virtuous and
constitutional monarch.
“I am, Sir, with profound respect, and an attachment which nothing
can alter, your Royal Highness’s most devoted and most affectionate
consort, cousin, and subject,
(Signed) “CAROLINE LOUISA.
“Montague House, January 14, 1813.”
-------
[The following is the text of the official report referred to at page
223:]
“The following members of his Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy
Council, viz.:
“His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Right Hon. the Lord
High Chancellor, his Grace the Archbishop of York, his Grace the
Lord Primate of Ireland, the Lord President of the Council, the Lord
Privy Seal, the Earl of Buckinghamshire, the Earl of Bathurst, the
Earl of Liverpool, the Earl of Mulgrave, the Viscount Melville, the
Viscount Sidmouth, the Viscount Castlereagh, the Right Hon. the Lord
Bishop of London, the Right Hon. Lord Ellenborough, Lord Chief
Justice of the Court of King’s Bench, the Right Hon. the Speaker of
the House of Commons, the Right Hon. the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, the Right Hon. the Chancellor of the Duchy, his Honour
the Master of the Rolls, the Right Hon. the Lord Chief Justice of
the Court of Common Pleas,[183] the Right Hon. the Lord Chief Baron
of the Court of Exchequer, the Right Hon. the Judge of the High
Court of Admiralty, the Right Hon. the Dean of the Arches;
“Having been summoned by command of your Royal Highness, on the 19th
of February, to meet at the office of Viscount Sidmouth, Secretary
of State for the Home Department, a communication was made by his
Lordship to the Lords then present, in the following terms:
“‘My Lords,—I have it in command from his Royal Highness the Prince
Regent to acquaint your Lordships that a copy of a letter from the
Princess of Wales to the Prince Regent having appeared in a public
paper, which letter refers to the proceedings that took place in an
inquiry instituted by command of his Majesty in the year 1806, and
contains among other matters certain animadversions upon the manner
in which the Prince Regent has exercised his undoubted right of
regulating the conduct and education of his daughter the Princess
Charlotte; and his Royal Highness having taken into his
consideration the said letter so published, and adverting to the
directions heretofore given by his Majesty, that the documents
relating to the said inquiry should be sealed up, and deposited in
the office of his Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State, in order
that his Majesty’s Government should possess the means of resorting
to them if necessary, his Royal Highness has been pleased to direct
that the said letter of the Princess of Wales, and the whole of the
said documents, together with the copies of other letters and
papers, of which a schedule is annexed, should be referred to your
Lordships, being members of his Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy
Council, for your consideration; and that you should report to his
Royal Highness your opinion, whether, under all the circumstances of
the case, it be fit and proper that the intercourse between the
Princess of Wales and her daughter, the Princess Charlotte, should
continue to be subject to regulations and restrictions.’
“Their Lordships adjourned their meetings to Tuesday, the 23rd of
February; and the intermediate days having been employed in perusing
the documents referred to them, by command of your Royal Highness,
they proceeded on that and the following day to the further
consideration of the said documents, and have agreed to report to
your Royal Highness as follows:
“In obedience to the commands of your Royal Highness, we have taken
into our most serious consideration the letter from her Royal
Highness the Princess of Wales to your Royal Highness, which has
appeared in the public papers, and has been referred to us by your
Royal Highness, in which letter the Princess of Wales, amongst other
matters, complains that the intercourse between her Royal Highness,
and her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte, has been subjected to
certain restrictions.
“We have also taken into our most serious consideration, together
with the other papers referred to us by your Royal Highness, all the
documents relative to the inquiry instituted in 1806, by command of
his Majesty, into the truth of certain representations respecting
the conduct of her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, which
appear to have been pressed upon the attention of your Royal
Highness in consequence of the advice of Lord Thurlow, and upon
grounds of public duty, by whom they were transmitted to his
Majesty’s consideration; and your Royal Highness having been
graciously pleased to command us to report our opinions to your
Royal Highness, whether, under all the circumstances of the case, it
be fit and proper that the intercourse between the Princess of Wales
and her daughter, the Princess Charlotte, should continue to be
subject to regulation and restraint.
“We beg leave humbly to report to your Royal Highness, that after a
full examination of all the documents before us, we are of opinion
that, under all the circumstances of the case, it is highly fit and
proper, with a view to the welfare of her Royal Highness the
Princess Charlotte, in which are equally involved the happiness of
your Royal Highness in your parental and royal character, and the
most important interests of the State, that the intercourse between
her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales and her Royal Highness the
Princess Charlotte should continue to be subject to regulation and
restraint.
“We humbly trust that we may be permitted, without being thought to
exceed the limits of the duty imposed on us, respectfully to express
the just sense we entertain of the motives by which your Royal
Highness has been actuated in the postponement of the confirmation
of her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte, as it appears, by a
statement under the hand of her Majesty the Queen, that your Royal
Highness has conformed in this respect to the declared will of his
Majesty, who had been pleased to direct that such ceremony should
not take place till her Royal Highness should have completed her
eighteenth year.
“We also humbly trust that we may be further permitted to notice
some expressions in the letter of her Royal Highness the Princess of
Wales, which may possibly be construed as implying a charge of too
serious a nature to be passed over without observation. We refer to
the words—“suborned traducers.” As this expression, from the manner
it is introduced, may, perhaps, be liable to misconstruction
(however impossible it may be to suppose that it can have been so
intended), to have reference to some part of the conduct of your
Royal Highness, we feel it our bounden duty not to omit this
opportunity of declaring that the documents laid before us afford
the most ample proof that there is not the slightest foundation for
such an aspersion.”
(Signed)
“C. CANTUAR,
ELDON,
E. EBOR,
W. ARMAGH,
HARROWBY, P. C.
WESTMORELAND, C. P. S.
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE,
BATHURST,
LIVERPOOL,
MULGRAVE,
MELVILLE,
SIDMOUTH,
J. LONDON,
ELLENBOROUGH,
CHARLES ABBOTT,
N. VANSITTART,
C. BATHURST,
W. GRANT,
A. MACDONALD,
W. SCOTT,
J. NICHOLL.”
[Subjoined is the reply of the Princess of Wales to the above:]
“Montague House, March 1.
“The Princess of Wales informs Mr. Speaker that she has received
from Lord Viscount Sidmouth a copy of a report made to his Royal
Highness the Prince Regent by certain members of his Majesty’s Privy
Council, to whom it appears that his Royal Highness was advised to
refer certain documents and evidence regarding the character and
conduct of the Princess of Wales. This report is of such a nature,
that her Royal Highness is persuaded that no person can read it
without considering it to contain aspersions on her character,
though its vagueness renders it impossible to be precisely
understood, or to know exactly with what she is charged. The
Princess of Wales feels conscious of her innocence, and considers it
due to herself, to the two illustrious Houses with which she is
connected by blood and marriage, and to the people of this country,
in which she holds such a distinguished rank, not to acquiesce for a
moment in the reflections which have been cast upon her honour. The
Princess of Wales has not been permitted to know on what evidence
this report has been founded, nor has she had any opportunity of
being heard in her own defence. What she knew on the subject was
only from common rumour, until she received the report; nor does she
know whether it proceeded from persons acting together as a body, to
whom she could make her appeal, or only as individuals. Her Royal
Highness throws herself upon the wisdom and justice of Parliament,
and desires the fullest investigation of her conduct during the time
that she has resided in this country. She fears no scrutiny,
provided she be tried by impartial judges, in a fair and open
manner, consistent with the laws of the land. Her Royal Highness
wishes to be treated as innocent, or to be proved guilty. She
desires Mr. Speaker to communicate this letter to the Hon. the House
of Commons.”
----------------------------
OPENING OF THE COFFIN OF CHARLES I.
[The following is the passage from Sir H. Halford’s narrative referred
to at page 227—_note_:]
“On removing the pall, a plain leaden coffin, with no appearance of
ever having been enclosed in wood, and bearing an inscription, “King
Charles, 1648,” in large legible characters, on a scroll of lead,
encircling it, immediately presented itself to view. A square
opening was then made in the upper part of the lid, of such
dimensions as to admit a clear insight into its contents. These
were, an internal wooden coffin, very much decayed, and the body
carefully wrapped in cerecloth, into the folds of which a quantity
of unctuous or greasy matter, mixed with resin, as it seemed, had
been melted, so as to exclude as effectually as possible the
external air. The coffin was completely full; and from the tenacity
of the cerecloth, great difficulty was experienced in detaching it
successfully from the parts which it enveloped. Wherever the
unctuous matter had insinuated itself, the separation of the
cerecloth was easy; and when it came off, a correct impression of
the features to which it had been applied was observed in the
unctuous substance. At length the whole face was disengaged from its
covering. The complexion of the skin of it was dark and discoloured.
The forehead and temples had lost little or nothing of their
muscular substance: the cartilage of the nose was gone; but the left
eye, in the first moment of exposure, was open and full, though it
vanished almost immediately, and the pointed beard, so
characteristic of the period of the reign of King Charles, was
perfect. The shape of the face was a long oval; many of the teeth
remained, and the left ear, in consequence of the interposition of
the unctuous matter between it and the cerecloth, was found entire.
“It was difficult at this moment to withhold a declaration, that
notwithstanding its disfigurement, the countenance did bear a strong
resemblance to the coins, the busts, and especially to the pictures
of King Charles I. by Vandyke, by which it had been made familiar to
us. It is true that the minds of the spectators of this interesting
sight were prepared to receive this impression: but it is also
certain that such a facility of belief had been occasioned by the
simplicity and truth of Mr. Herbert’s narrative, every part of which
had been confirmed by the investigation, so far as it had advanced;
and it will not be denied that the shape of the face, the forehead,
and eye, and the beard, are most important features by which
resemblance is determined.
“When the head had been entirely disengaged from the attachments
which confined it, it was found to be loose, and, without any
difficulty, was taken up and held to view. It was quite wet, and
gave a greenish red tinge to paper, and to linen which touched it.
The back part of the scalp was entirely perfect, and had a
remarkable fresh appearance; the pores of the skin being more
distinct, as they usually are when soaked in mixture; and the
tendons and ligaments of the neck were of considerable substance and
firmness. The hair was thick at the back part of the head, and in
appearance nearly black. A portion of it, which has since been
cleaned and dried, is of a beautiful dark brown colour; that of the
beard was a redder brown. On the back part of the head, it was not
more than an inch in length, and had probably been cut so short for
the convenience of the executioner, or perhaps by the piety of
friends soon after death, in order to furnish memorials of the
unhappy King.
“On holding up the head to examine the place of separation from the
body, the muscles of the neck had evidently retracted themselves
considerably; and the fourth cervical vertebra was found to be cut
through its substance, transversely, leaving the surfaces of the
divided portions perfectly smooth and even, an appearance which
could have been produced only by a heavy blow, inflicted with a very
sharp instrument, and which furnished the last proof wanting to
identify King Charles I.
“After this examination of the head, which served every purpose in
view, and without examining the body below the neck, it was
immediately restored to its situation, the coffin was soldered up
again, and the vault closed.
“Neither of the other coffins had any inscription upon them. The
larger one, supposed on good grounds to contain the remains of King
Henry VIII., measured six feet ten inches in length, and had been
enclosed in an elm one two inches in thickness; but this was
decayed, and lay in small fragments near it. The leaden coffin
appeared to have been beaten in by violence about the middle, and a
considerable opening in that part of it exposed a mere skeleton of
the King. Some beard remained upon the chin, but there was nothing
to discriminate the personage contained in it.
“The smaller coffin, understood to be that of Queen Jane Seymour,
was not touched; mere curiosity not being considered by the Prince
Regent as a sufficient motive for disturbing these remains.”
----------------------------
THE ORANGE MATCH.
[The following extract from the Duke of Buckingham’s “Court of the
Regency” may be read with interest in illustration of the seventeenth
and eighteenth chapters of the Autobiography:]
“The Grand-Duchess of Oldenburg contrived to obtain considerable
influence over the Princess Charlotte, and persuaded her to reject
the Prince of Orange. The object of this was not suspected at the
time; but it was a Russian intrigue that, shortly afterwards, fully
explained itself. Some amusing speculations respecting this Russian
Princess are indulged in by the authoress of the ‘Diary of George
IV.,’ vol. iii. p. 48. The Prince Regent is stated to have kept her
under strict _espionage_ to make her marry one of his brothers—the
Grand-Duchess had already (had) one husband—and to prevent her
having any communication with the Princess of Wales, which was
possible any day during her stay in England through a third party.
The real object of the visit of the Duchess of Oldenburg could not
have been suspected, or the Prince Regent would not have placed her
exactly in that position in which she could succeed with the
greatest ease. The writer especially adds in a subsequent page: ‘The
Regent evidently wished his daughter to take the Prince of Orange;
otherwise, why should he, who was so careful in excluding from
Princess Charlotte’s society any one inclined to encourage her in
independent principles, have permitted her to be intimate with this
cunning Russian lady, _whose very eyes betrayed the wily nature of
her character_?’
“It was said that the Princess Charlotte’s insurmountable objection
to the union arose from repugnance to quitting her own country; but
Lord Clancarty was commissioned to propose her constant residence in
England, should the marriage take place.
“Some amusement may be found in tracing the course of this Russian
intrigue. In January, 1814, the Emperor expressed to Lord
Castlereagh the strong interest he felt in the proposed marriage of
the Princess Charlotte and the Prince of Orange, and was extremely
desirous that himself and his sister, the Grand-Duchess Catherine,
should be permitted to visit England. A month or two subsequently,
Russia exhibits much solicitude to obtain a direct interest in the
affairs of Holland. A little later this Grand-Duchess precedes the
Emperor as a visitor to England, and immediately endeavours to
obtain the confidence of the Princess Charlotte, who thenceforth
becomes intractable on the subject of the proposed alliance. Lord
Castlereagh wrote to Lord Clancarty on the 26th of June: ‘The
circumstances attending the rupture of the marriage are still
mysterious;’ but the mystery, shortly afterwards, began to unfold
itself. The Emperor returned to his own dominions by way of Holland,
and immediately a marriage was rumoured between its hereditary
Prince and the Grand-Duchess Helen. ‘Connected with this,’ writes
Mr. George Jackson, at Berlin, ‘is the expectation affected to be
entertained of Russia procuring East Friedland for the Duke of
Oldenburg.’... In September the Czar allowed it to be known at St.
Petersburg, _as a secret_, that a marriage was contemplated between
the Prince of Orange, who had been invited to Russia, and the
Grand-Duchess Anne. The following summer they were married.
“The Duchess of Oldenburg was also suspected of being a means of
communication between the Princess Charlotte and her mother, and was
evidently regarded by the latter with more than ordinary
admiration.... Encouraged by a such a friend and such a mother, the
young Princess proceeded on a course that her warmest friends
regarded with deep concern.
“The intrigue that was going on at last became known to the Prince
Regent, and his Royal Highness, accompanied by the Bishop of
Salisbury, suddenly presented themselves (_sic_) at the residence of
the Princess Charlotte, Warwick House, and announced their intention
of taking her with them to Carlton House. The Princess having
obtained leave to retire—probably to prepare for her journey—at once
hurried down a back-stairs into the street, called a hackney-coach,
and drove to her mother’s town residence, Connaught House. Her
escape having transpired, her retreat was soon ascertained, and the
Duke of York and the Lord Chancellor were sent to bring her back. It
so happened that the Princess of Wales was then secretly negotiating
with the Government for the means of travelling abroad, and feared
that this step of the Princess Charlotte might compromise her, and
prevent the fulfilment of her desire to leave the country, she
therefore not only did not give her daughter a cordial reception,
but absolutely persuaded her to go back before the arrival of the
deputation sent for her by the Prince Regent. This advice was very
far from agreeable. But we must allow Lord Eldon to relate the
curious sequel. ‘When we arrived, I informed her a carriage was at
the door, and we would attend her home. But home she would not go.
She kicked and bounced, but would not go. Well, to do my office as
gently as I could, I told her I was sorry for it; for, until she did
go, she would be obliged to entertain us, as we would not leave her;
at last she accompanied us.’
“Such an event could not pass without exciting much observation, and
exaggerated accounts were circulated. The House of Lords, on the
18th of July, was startled with a violent speech from the Duke of
Sussex, which included a variety of questions,[184] referring to
this transaction, addressed to Lord Liverpool, who did not think
proper to answer one of them, but insisted on the Prince Regent’s
right to control his own child, and the impropriety of any
interference on the part of the House of Lords. The Duke, not being
satisfied, gave notice of a motion. The Lord Chancellor followed
with some stringent observations to the same purpose as that of his
colleague, and there the discussion terminated. On the 25th his
Royal Highness made another speech, in which he withdrew his motion,
as Lord Grey acknowledged, by his advice.”
----------------------------
FLIGHT OF THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE.
[With reference to the events narrated in the last chapter of this
volume, Lord Brougham observes, after contradicting Lord Eldon’s
statements:]
“When the Princess’s escape became known at Carlton House (for it is
not at all true, as stated by Mr. Twiss, that the Prince and Bishop
went to see her at Warwick House to inform her of the new
constitution of her household, and that she asked leave to retire,
and escaped by a back staircase), the Regent sent notice to the
heads of the law, and of his own Duchy of Cornwall establishment.
Soon after these arrived, each in a separate hackney-coach, at
Connaught-terrace, the Princess of Wales’s residence. These were the
Chancellor, Lord Ellenborough, Mr. Adam, Chancellor of the Duchy of
Cornwall, Mr. Leach, the Bishop of Salisbury, and afterwards the
Duke of York. There had already come to join the Princess Charlotte,
Miss Mercer, now Lady Keith and Countess of Flahault, who came by
the Regent’s express desire as his daughter’s most confidential
friend; Mr. Brougham, for whom the young Princess had sent, as a
person she had already often consulted; the Duke of Sussex, whose
attendance he had taken the precaution of asking, knowing that he
happened to dine in the immediate neighbourhood; the Princess of
Wales, too, had arrived from her villa at Blackheath, where she was
when Mr. Brougham and Miss Mercer arrived; her Royal Highness was
accompanied by Lady Charlotte Lindsay, then in waiting. Dinner had
been ordered by the Princess Charlotte, and the party, except the
Duke of Sussex, who did not immediately arrive, were at table, when
from time to time the arrival of the great personages sent by the
Regent was announced as each of their hackney-coaches in succession
came into the street. Some were suffered to remain in these
vehicles, better fitted for convenience than for state; but the
presumptive heiress to the Crown having chosen that conveyance, it
was the humour of the party which she now delighted with her humour,
and interesting by her high spirits, like a bird flown from a cage,
that these exalted subjects should become familiar with a residence
which had so lately been graced with the occupancy of their future
Sovereign. Exceptions, however, were made, and the Duke of York
immediately was asked into a room on the ground floor. It is an
undoubted fact that not one of the persons sent by the Regent, not
even the Duke of York, ever was in any of the apartments above
stairs for one instant until the young Princess had agreed to leave
the house and return home. The Princess of Wales saw the Duke of
York for a few minutes below, and this was the only communication
between the company above and those below, of whom all but the Duke
and the Bishop remained outside the house. After a great deal of
discussion, the Princess Charlotte asked Mr. Brougham what he, on
the whole, would advise her to do. He said, ‘Return to Warwick
House, or to Carlton House, and on no account pass a night out of
it.’ She was exceedingly affected, even to tears, and asked if he
too refused to stand by her. The day was beginning to break; a
Westminster election to reinstate Lord Cochrane (after the sentence
on him which abolished the pillory, and secured his re-election) was
to be held that day at ten o’clock. Mr. Brougham led the young
Princess to the window, and said, ‘I have but to show you to the
multitude which in a few hours will fill these streets and that
park—and possibly Carlton House will be pulled down—but in an hour
after the soldiers will be called out, blood will flow, and if your
Royal Highness lives a hundred years it will never be forgotten that
your running away from your home and your father was the cause of
the mischief; and you may depend upon it the English people so hate
blood that you will never get over it.’ She at once perceived the
truth of this statement, and, without any kind of hesitation, agreed
to see her uncle below, and accompany him home. But she told him she
would not go in any carriage except one of her father’s, as her
character might suffer; she therefore retired to the drawing-room
until a royal coach was sent for, and she then went home with the
Duke of York.”—_Law Review_, No. XI., 280, _as quoted in Lord
Campbell’s “Life of Lord Eldon_,” p. 314.
END OF VOL. I.
C. WHITING, BEAUFORT HOUSE, STRAND.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOOTNOTES.
-----
Footnote 1:
Her works are “Dinarbas,” a sort of supplement to Johnson’s
“Rasselas,” published in 1790; “Marcus Flaminius: a View of the
Military, Political, and Social Life of the Romans,”—a classical novel
in two volumes, which, originally published in 1792, reached a second
edition in 1808; and “A Description of Latium, or La Campagna di Roma,
with Etchings by the Author,” which appeared in 1805.
Footnote 2:
Sir Joseph, then Lieut. Knight, obtained his first ship, the _Ruby_,
50, on the 31st July, 1746, and in the following year he sailed with
Admiral Boscawen’s fleet to the East Indies, whence he returned with
Commodore Lisle’s squadron, of which he took the command, as senior
captain, on that officer’s death at the Cape of Good Hope. In 1758,
Captain Knight was appointed to the _Fougueux_, 64, and greatly
distinguished himself under Admiral Keppel at the attack on the French
settlement of Goree on the African coast. He afterwards commanded the
_Belleisle_, and, in 1770, took out troops to Gibraltar in the
_Ramilies_, 74. On his return he was appointed to the _Ocean_, 90,
stationed at Portsmouth. At the grand naval review on the 24th June,
1773, he was knighted by his Majesty on board the _Barfleur_, under
the royal standard of England. On the 31st of March, 1775, Sir Joseph
Knight was promoted to the rank of rear-admiral of the white, but died
on the 8th of September following, after spending fifty-two years of
his life in the service of his king and country.
Footnote 3:
Wortley Montagu, son of the famous Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, and the
first Englishman ever inoculated. He showed early symptoms of an
unsettled character, impatient of control, by three times running away
from Westminster School. Later in life he turned Roman Catholic, and
subsequently embraced Mahomedanism. He was the author of “Reflections
on the Rise and Fall of the Ancient Republics.”
Footnote 4:
Sir Anthony Dean was great-grandson of Mr. William Dean, a Lancashire
gentleman, who united the three manors of Hosedens, Caxtons, and
Dynes, about the year 1575. Sir Anthony, says Holman, “being very much
addicted to the Parliamentary cause, and presuming the structure then
raised would have stood for ever, exchanged his fair estate here with
Colonel Sparrow for Hide Park, which that colonel had obtained in
consideration of his zeal for the same prevailing cause. Thus he lost
the substance for the shadow.” The crest of the Dean family was: On a
torse ermine, and sable, a boar’s head couped or, muzzled gules.
Footnote 5:
Miss Palmer, frequently mentioned in Madame D’Arblay’s Memoirs. After
Sir Joshua’s death she married Lord Inchiquin.
Footnote 6:
Bennet Langton, who succeeded Dr. Johnson as Professor of Ancient
History in the Royal Academy.
Footnote 7:
The well-known Topham Beauclerk, son of Lord Sydney Beauclerk, of whom
Dr. Johnson said: “Beauclerk’s talents were those which he had felt
himself more disposed to envy than those of any he had known.”
Footnote 8:
Joseph Baretti was a native of Piedmont. He published an Italian and
English dictionary, and several other works of less importance. Miss
Burney says of him in 1779: “Baretti worries me about writing—asks a
million of questions of how much I have written, and so forth, and
when I say ‘Nothing,’ he raves and rants and says he could beat me.”
He was for some years Foreign Secretary to the Royal Academy.
Footnote 9:
Mrs. Elizabeth Montagu, author of an “Essay on the Genius and Learning
of Shakspeare.” She also wrote three “Dialogues of the Dead,” which
were printed with Lord Lyttleton’s.
Footnote 10:
Mrs. Anna Williams was the daughter of a Welsh physician. Miss Burney
calls her “an exceeding pretty poetess.” She died in 1783.
Footnote 11:
John Hoole, the translator of Tasso, Ariosto, &c. He was born in 1727,
and died in 1803.
Footnote 12:
This is an error. Mrs. Yates certainly spoke the Epilogue, but she
took the part of Aspasia. Miss Hopkins appeared as Mandane.
Footnote 13:
Frederick of Denmark, when crown prince, married Louisa, youngest
daughter of George the Second.
Footnote 14:
The Princess Caroline Matilda, posthumous child of Frederick, Prince
of Wales, was married to Prince Christian, afterwards King of Denmark.
She died at Zell, in Hanover, in 1775.
Footnote 15:
The “New Bath Guide,” by Christopher Anstey, of whom Miss Burney
sarcastically remarks: “If he could but forget he had written the
“Bath Guide,” with how much more pleasure would everybody else
remember it.”
Footnote 16:
In this year Miss Knight’s journals commence. The title-page of the
first volume bears the motto:
“Per varios casus, per tot discrimina rerum,
Tendimus in Latium.” VIRGIL.
Footnote 17:
John Chetwode Eustace, a Roman Catholic clergyman, and author of “A
Classical Tour in Italy.” He died at Naples in 1815.
Footnote 18:
M. Mignet, in his lectures on the history of the League, dryly
remarked: “Les Jesuites, pour arriver à leurs fins, osèrent tout—même
le bien.”
Footnote 19:
In another note-book Miss Knight observes of M. de Brienne: “His
manners were elegant, but not conciliating, and his effrontery
appeared to me astonishing.... He was of an ancient and distinguished
family, and, probably, had he been brought up to a military
profession, would have been a man of honour and agreeable in society.
I believe he was liberal, and in many respects useful in his diocese.
He was at the head of those who were called ‘Evêques Administrateurs,’
in opposition to the ‘Dévôts,’ or pastoral bishops: both had their
defects, and helped on the Revolution in different ways; for the first
were too often libertines, and the second intolerant and illiberal.”
Footnote 20:
The singular liberality of this discourse, viewed with reference to
the time and place of its delivery, and to the profession of the
speaker, is beyond all praise. The archbishop was nearly a century in
advance of his age.
Footnote 21:
François Joachim Pierre de Bernis belonged to a noble but impoverished
family, whose paternal estate was near Pont St. Esprit, in Languedoc.
He had a great talent for Anacreontic poetry, and his verses were
lively and elegant, but too highly coloured for young readers. Though
short, and by no means remarkable for beauty of face or figure, he
was, when young, universally known as _le joli petit abbé_, and
_l’aimable abbé_. In his early years he was often subject to great
pecuniary embarrassments, but was always cheerful, always the
gentleman, and always well received. He gained the favour of Madame de
Pompadour by his verses, and of the king by a memoir on the dispute
between the Parliaments and the Jesuits. He was sent as minister to
Venice, and while there took priest’s orders, lest the Princesse de
Rohan should ask him to marry her on the death of her husband, who was
then past recovery. The princess and he had long been attached to one
another, but he considered himself too much her inferior both as to
rank and fortune to make a graceful figure in the world. His conduct
on this occasion did not forfeit him the friendship of the princess,
for she left him her entire fortune at her death; but he nobly gave it
up to the Rohans, reserving for himself only a ring, on which was a
Moor’s head, and this he wore as long as he lived, in remembrance of
her. On his return to France he was made prime minister, but was soon
displaced by the Choiseul party. He was then created a cardinal, but
lived in a sort of disgrace until the accession of Louis XVI., when he
was appointed Minister Plenipotentiary of his Most Christian Majesty
at the Court of Rome, whither he had gone for the Conclave of
Ganganelli. He was subsequently dismissed from this post for refusing
to take the oath exacted by the revolutionists, and was deprived of
the revenues of his benefices in France. He had, however, a pension
from Spain, and he received at his house in Rome, where he still
continued to reside, Mesdames Adelaide and Victoire, the daughters of
his old master, Louis XV. He bore his change of fortune with dignity
and temper, and died about eighteen months before the French took
possession of Rome.—_From MS. Notes by Miss Knight._
Footnote 22:
The dinner-hour was two o’clock, and the company generally dispersed
at four, or a little after, so that between that and the Ave Maria, or
close of day, there was time for those, who did not go home to sleep,
to visit anything they wished to see.—_MS. Note by Miss Knight._
Footnote 23:
“By bribing or beating.”
Footnote 24:
“Do me the favour to place yourself here, Signor Ambassador.”
Footnote 25:
Literally, “a vacant seat,” but a term applied to the ceremonies on
the death of a pope.
Footnote 26:
“In fiocchi” is equivalent to our phrase “in gala costume.” It was
derived from the tassels with which the horses were ornamented in
state processions. Hence, probably, the vulgar phrase “in full fig,”
and “figged out.”
Footnote 27:
“What is Rome about?” “Works of mercy. She clothes the naked, and
enriches the honest.”
Footnote 28:
“The Eagle has gone to Germany, the Lilies to France, the Stars have
returned to the sky, and nothing remains but the Wind.”
Footnote 29:
“Your eminence, I remember, was nuncio at Brussels, and stood well,
but wished for something more, and was made nuncio at Naples; stood
better, but wished for something more, and was made cardinal; stood
excellently well, but wished for something more, and was made
secretary-of-state. I see that you stand marvellously well now, but
who knows if you will not again wish for something more?”
Footnote 30:
_Bargello_, a sheriff.
Footnote 31:
General Kinsky, who generally accompanied Joseph II. on his travels,
was sent for the night before his Majesty set out for Italy, but could
not be found. The next morning he waited as usual upon the emperor,
who told him he was going to make a tour. He then walked down stairs,
and desired the general to get into the carriage that was standing at
the door. “Where is your Majesty going?” asked the general. “To
Italy,” replied the emperor. “But I have nothing ready.” “It does not
signify: a few shirts can be got anywhere.”—_Miss Knight’s Journal._
Footnote 32:
The Princess Croce was of a lively disposition. Being at St. Peter’s
on Good Friday, when the people were going up to kiss the relic of the
Cross, she said to the gentlemen who were with her, but loud enough to
be heard by the whole congregation, “This is _my_ fête, so you ought
to kiss me.”—_Miss Knight’s Journal._
Footnote 33:
An English lady remarked of Marchesi’s singing: “Cela est fort joli,
mais il ne va pas au cœur.” To which the emperor dryly replied: “Ces
choses doivent aller prémièrement à la tête, et ensuite au cœur,” and
turned on his heel and moved away.—_Miss Knight’s Journal._
Footnote 34:
A small copper coin worth about three-farthings.
Footnote 35:
Count Haga sees everything, and pays nothing.
Footnote 36:
“If he does not intone he will not get out of tune.”
Footnote 37:
“Do you stand here to eat your neighbour?”
Footnote 38:
“Because you catch the breath of all who come in.”
Footnote 39:
The original scene of a popular anecdote is laid by Miss Knight in
Florence. One of the miscellaneous entries in her journal for the year
1783 records how a Moorish ambassador was greatly fêted in that city,
but was chiefly pleased with a grand ball at which all the Florentine
nobility were present. It must have cost a great deal of money, he
said, to pay so many women for dancing.
Footnote 40:
The Princess Louisa Maximiliana of Stolberg-Gœdern married Charles
Edward Stuart, commonly called the Young Pretender. At his death, in
1788, she removed to Paris, accompanied by Count Alfieri, the famous
poet, to whom she is said to have been subsequently united by
marriage. Miss Knight takes a more favourable view of the countess’s
conduct and character than was altogether justified by the real facts
of the case.
Footnote 41:
Henry Benedict Maria Clement Stuart, brother of Prince Charles Edward,
born in 1725, was made a cardinal in 1747 by Pope Benedict XIV. His
valuable collection of paintings and antiques was plundered by the
French in 1788, and his property confiscated. He then removed to
Venice, where he endured considerable privations, until George III.,
hearing of his distress, generously bestowed upon him a pension of
4000_l._ a year. The cardinal returned to Rome in 1801, and continued
to reside there until his death in 1807. His learning, piety, and
virtues commanded the esteem of his contemporaries, with the
exception, apparently, of his sister-in-law and her immediate circle
of friends.
Footnote 42:
The Pretender himself told the Commander D’Olomieu that he was in
England in the year 1752, at the invitation of the minister, and that
he saw many people and was well received, though the person at whose
house he lodged knew not who he was. At Dover he went to the house of
a gentleman who belonged to the opposite party, but who treated him
with great respect and civility.—_Miss Knight’s Journal._
Footnote 43:
The Commander D’Olomieu told me, that when the Bailli de Suffren
brought over in his xebecque M. de Choiseul and his lady, the duke
being then appointed ambassador at the Court of Rome, the latter
presented him with a handsome snuff-box with the portrait of the
duchess. The bailli took a key out of his pocket, wrenched off the
portrait, which he kept, and returned the box to the ambassador.—_Miss
Knight’s Journal._
Footnote 44:
The King of Sweden appears to have been partial to this kind of
entertainment, if we may judge from an interesting letter, descriptive
of an ascent in his presence, dated from Naples February 19, which
appeared in the _European Magazine_ for April, 1784. Gustavus III. was
mortally wounded, March 16, 1792, at a masked ball, by Ankerstroem, an
officer dismissed from the Guards.
Footnote 45:
General Elliott was himself the most abstemious man in the garrison,
his diet being exclusively confined to vegetables, milk, puddings, and
farinaceous food.
Footnote 46:
This was not the only poetical effusion of the gallant general. He
also composed the following lines on a young lady who died in
consequence of dancing too much, and drinking too much lemonade, at a
ball:
“Do you know who’s gone away?
Do you know who’s gone away?
The masquerade and lemonade
Have done for Jenny Conaway.”
_Miss Knight, on the authority of Lieutenant Koehler._
Footnote 47:
“How can you expect that the son of the eternal father should give you
anything?”
Footnote 48:
“I rested afterwards at the house of a Monsieur Loriol. He was an old
man, with a white ribbon in his button-hole, and a good-humoured
countenance, which became ten times more beaming upon our informing
him, when he made the inquiry if I knew the Lady K., as he called her,
that I was acquainted with her. ‘Ah!’ said he, ‘she is an excellent
lady; she lived here eighteen months, and made drawings of all the
ruins in this neighbourhood. She had a very cross mother, but was
herself a most amiable person;’ and then he showed me two of Miss K.’s
gifts to himself, a pocket-book and snuff-box, of which, with some
Derbyshire spar, he seemed very proud.”—_Lady C. Campbell’s Diary
&c_., vol. ii.
Footnote 49:
At Savona, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, Lady Knight and her
daughter received many civilities from the French consul—Signor
GARIBALDI, a Genoese.
Footnote 50:
“Oh! that is quite another thing. Here we spend money—there we make
it.”
Footnote 51:
It was during her residence at Genoa that Miss Knight published her
first work, “Dinarbas,” a continuation of “Rasselas.”
Footnote 52:
In the course of the preceding year Miss Knight brought out a work in
two volumes, entitled “Marcus Flaminius, or a View of the Life of the
Romans,” of which Miss Burney said: “I think it a work of great merit,
though wanting in variety, and not very attractive from much
interesting the feelings. But to Italian travellers, who are classy
readers, I imagine it must be extremely welcome, in reviving images of
all they have seen, well combined and contrasted with former times of
which they have read. The sentiments interspersed are so good, I wish
for more; and the principles that are meant to be recommended are both
pure and lofty. It is not a work which you will read quickly through,
or with ardour, but it is one, I think, of which you will not miss a
word.”—(_Madame d’Arblay’s Diary_, vol. v.) In 1805, Miss Knight
published also a quarto volume, entitled “A Description of Latium, or
La Campagna di Roma,” a work displaying a sound knowledge of classical
literature, together with a familiar acquaintance with the places she
describes.
Footnote 53:
Even the Protestantism of Dr. Johnson might have forgiven this as an
outburst of anti-republican zeal. See _antè_, Chapter I.
Footnote 54:
The late Duke of Sussex.
Footnote 55:
Sir William Hamilton, who was at that time sixty-eight years of age,
had been for nearly half that period British minister at the Court of
Naples. He had then been married to Lady Hamilton nearly seven years.
Footnote 56:
There was at that time a treaty between Naples and France, by which
the former bound herself not to admit more than two English ships of
war at a time into any Neapolitan or Sicilian port.
Footnote 57:
Maria Caroline, daughter of Maria Theresa of Austria. She was married,
in 1768, to Ferdinand IV., King of Naples, son of Charles III. of
Spain. A woman of great feminine beauty, but of a masculine
understanding, she has earned for herself an unhappy notoriety in
history as a princess of a cruel and ferocious nature, pitiless and
unscrupulous in the attainment of her ends. But it may be doubted
whether her vices have not been exaggerated both by English and French
historians. At all events, it should be borne in mind that she was
mated to a very weak prince, and that his feebleness rendered
necessary, in the troublous times in which their lot was cast, an
assertion of her masculine strength.
Footnote 58:
Afterwards Sir W. Hoste, K.C.B. His Memoirs and Correspondence were
published by Lady Hoste in 1833.
Footnote 59:
Afterwards Admiral the Honourable Sir Bladen Capel, K.C.B. Hoste and
Capel brought a letter of introduction from Nelson to Lady Hamilton,
in which he says: “I beg leave to introduce Captain Capel, who is
going home with my despatches, to your notice. He is a son of Lord
Essex, and a very good young man. And I also beg your notice of
Captain Hoste, who to the gentlest manners joins the most undaunted
courage. He was brought up by me, and I love him dearly.”
Footnote 60:
There is some error in these statements. Captain Capel, not Captain
Hoste, was appointed to the _Mutine_ on the promotion of Captain
Hardy. Hoste was appointed to her afterwards. The battle of the Nile
was fought on the 1st of August. The despatches were not received in
London till the 2nd of October.
Footnote 61:
Afterwards Admiral Sir Thomas Troubridge.
Footnote 62:
This is the Captain, afterwards Sir Alexander, Ball, of whom Coleridge
has given an interesting account in one of the numbers of the
_Friend_. There was an early coldness between him and Nelson, but the
great storm of the 20th of May, 1798, had brought them together, under
very interesting circumstances, and a close friendship was cemented
between them. Captain Ball was created a baronet in 1801, and was for
some time governor of Malta, where he died in 1809.
Footnote 63:
In Nelson’s published correspondence there is a letter to his wife
descriptive of his reception at Naples. The following passage will be
read with interest:—“I must endeavour to convey to you something of
what passed; but if it were so affecting to those who were only united
to me by bonds of friendship, what must it be to my dearest wife, my
friend, my everything which is most dear to me in this world? Sir
William and Lady Hamilton came out to sea, attended by numerous boats,
with emblems, &c. They, my most respectable friends, had nearly been
laid up and seriously ill; first from anxiety, then from joy. It was
imprudently told Lady Hamilton in a moment, and the effect was like a
shot; she fell apparently dead, and is not yet recovered from severe
bruises. Alongside came my honoured friends; the scene in the boat was
terribly affecting; up flew her ladyship, and exclaiming, ‘Oh, God! is
it possible?’ she fell into my arm more dead than alive. Tears,
however, soon set matters to rights, when alongside came the king. The
scene was, in its way, as interesting; he took me by the hand, called
me his deliverer, his preserver, with every other expression of
kindness. I hope some day to have the pleasure of introducing you to
Lady Hamilton; she is one of the very best women in the world; she is
an honour to her sex.” The hero was then drifting to his destiny. It
may be stated here that Nelson—then Captain Nelson—had first made the
acquaintance of the Hamiltons at Naples in 1793. He had made a strong
impression on them both. Sir William had predicted that, though only a
little fellow, and not very handsome, he would live to become the
greatest man that England had ever produced.
Footnote 64:
This was the unfortunate Prince Caraccioli, whose execution has thrown
so deep a shadow over the history of the connexion between Nelson,
Lady Hamilton, and the Queen of Naples.
Footnote 65:
Sir John Francis Edward Acton, Bart., of Aldenham, Salop, born 1736 or
1737, after a chequered and romantic career, became the favourite of
Queen Caroline of Naples, the prime minister, and commander-in-chief
of the naval and military forces of that kingdom. He bore an
implacable enmity to the French, which appears to have been cordially
reciprocated, for after the complete overthrow of the
Austro-Neapolitan army under General Mack, the French insisted upon
General Acton’s retirement from public affairs, and at a later period
(1803) he was compelled to withdraw into the island of Sicily. He died
at Palermo in the year 1811. All the biographical notices of this
remarkable man, being evidently derived from one common unauthentic
source, are equally full of errors and misstatements. His brother,
Joseph Edward, was also in the Neapolitan service, and was appointed
governor of Gaeta. It is said that he was originally in the French
army, and was present at the battle of Rosbach, but at the outbreak of
the Revolution emigrated to Naples. The Acton family were Roman
Catholics. The Neapolitan minister left two sons, the second of whom
became a cardinal. The widow of the younger brother (Baron Acton)
married the present Lord Granville.
Footnote 66:
Pius VI. was removed to Valence, notwithstanding his ill health and
advanced age, on the 14th July, 1798, and died there on the 29th
August, 1799, in his eighty-second year.
Footnote 67:
Miss Knight is somewhat unjust to the French general, Lespinasse,
whose portrait Angelica painted gratuitously. It was done by her own
desire, as an acknowledgment of the kind and courteous treatment she
had experienced at his hands, her house being specially exempted from
having soldiers billeted on it.
Footnote 68:
Sir Harris Nicolas says that this verse is attributed to a Mr.
Davenport. It was, in reality, written by Miss Knight herself.
Footnote 69:
Admiral Blanquet, whose flag was on the _Franklin_ (80), was taken
with his ship in the battle of the Nile. He was a brave and an honest
man, distinguished for his candour and ingenuousness.
Footnote 70:
The _Vanguard_, Nelson, had left Naples for Malta in October, but had
returned to the former place early in November. Miss Knight thus
records his arrival in her Journal:—“_November 5, 1798._—Appeared in
sight Admiral Nelson, in the _Vanguard_, with the _Minotaur_, Captain
Lewis, from Malta, and they were all day coming in; but the admiral
came on shore at four o’clock, and went immediately to Caserta, where
he was scarce arrived when the hereditary princess was brought to bed
of a daughter, and the bells were ringing, guns firing, &c. Next
morning the admiral presented to the king the French colours taken at
Gozo, telling his Majesty that he had sixteen thousand more subjects
than before.”
Footnote 71:
Killed very shortly afterwards at the defence of St. Jean d’Acre,
under Sir Sidney Smith.
Footnote 72:
“As there is but one inn in Palermo, we were obliged to agree to their
own terms (five ducats a day). We are but indifferently lodged;
however, it is the only inn we have yet seen in Sicily, and may be
said to be the only one in the island. It is kept by a noisy,
troublesome Frenchwoman, who, I find, will plague us.... She is as fat
as a pig, and as ugly as the devil, and lays on a quantity of paint
that looks like a great plaister of red morocco. Her picture is
hanging in the room where I am now writing, as well as that of her
husband, who, by-the-by, is a ninny: they are no less vile curiosities
than the originals. He is drawn with his snuff-box open in one hand,
and a dish of coffee in the other, and at the same time ‘fait
l’aimable à madame.’ I took notice of this triple occupation, which
seemed to imply something particular. She told me that the thought was
hers; that her husband was exceedingly fond of snuff and of coffee,
and wanted by this to show that he was still more occupied with her
than with either of them. I could not help applauding the ingenuity of
the conceit. Madame is painted with an immense bouquet in her breast,
and an orange in her right hand, emblematic of her sweetness and
purity, and has the prettiest little smirk on her face you can
imagine. She told me that she insisted on the painter drawing her
‘avec le souris sur le visage,’ but as he had not esprit enough to
make her smile ‘naturally’ she was obliged to force one ‘qui n’étoit
pas si joli que le naturel, mais qui vaudroit mieux que de paroître
sombre.’”—_Brydone’s Tour through Sicily and Malta._ Letter xxi.
Footnote 73:
“As for Sicilian airs, which are graceful and pathetic,” &c.—_History
of Music_, vol. iv.
Footnote 74:
Mrs. Cadogan was mother of Lady Hamilton. In one of the supplementary
chapters of Mr. Pettigrew’s Life of Nelson, it is stated that Lady
Hamilton, “by her connexion with Mr. Greville, is reputed to have had
three children, named Eliza, Anne, and Charles. She always passed for
their aunt, and took upon herself the name of Harte. In the splendid
misery in which she lived, she hastened to call to her her mother, to
whom she was through life most affectionate and attentive, _and she
passed by the name of Cadogan_.” There is a little confusion in this.
It does not appear very plainly whether Emma or her mother, at that
time, passed by the name of Cadogan. Mr. Cadogan and Alderman Smith
paid the last expenses ever incurred in the name of Lady Hamilton, and
the former gentleman brought Nelson’s daughter from Boulogne, and
handed her over to the motherly care of that hero’s sister, Mrs.
Matchan.
Footnote 75:
Among other statements was one to the effect that the queen was on
board, and witnessed the execution.
Footnote 76:
The Honourable George Keith Elphinstone, second son of Lord
Elphinstone, was created Lord Keith, for his services, in 1797, at the
Cape.
Footnote 77:
This stanza was written by Miss Knight, whom the officers of the fleet
called Nelson’s “charming poet-laureate.” Mr. Pettigrew, in his Life
of Nelson, says that it was written on the occasion of the capture of
the _Guillaume Tell_, the following having been previously written to
celebrate the capture of the _Généreux_:
“Lord, thou hast heard our vows!
Fresh laurels deck the brows
Of him we sing.
Nelson has laid full low
Once more the Gallic foe;
Come let our bumpers flow
To George our King.”
Footnote 78:
Mr. Pettigrew prints the first part of this stanza:
“While thus we chant his praise,
See what new _glories_ blaze,
New _trophies_ spring.”
Footnote 79:
The Queen of Naples was in despair about the supersession of Sir
William Hamilton, and used to write, at this time, about the “fatal
Paget,” the “inevitable Paget,” in terms of pitiable distress.
Footnote 80:
For an interesting sketch of the chequered career of this lady, and
for an able vindication of her character, see the Appendix to
Pettigrew’s Life of Nelson, and _Blackwood’s Magazine_ for April,
1859, No. dxxxiv.
Footnote 81:
Lord Nelson also kept in his cabin a coffin made out of the mainmast
of _L’Orient_, presented to him by Captain Hallowell, of the
_Swiftsure_. See Southey’s Life of Nelson.
Footnote 82:
The passion, in those days, for Delias and Celias was unconquerable,
else “Emma” would have been quite as metrical and much less pedantic.
Mr. Pettigrew has printed these lines with the substitution, or
perhaps restoration, of Emma for Delia, as “A Song addressed to Lady
Hamilton on her Birthday, April the 26th, 1800, on board the
_Foudroyant_, in a gale of wind.”
Footnote 83:
Nelson shifted his flag to the _Alexander_ on the 28th of June. On the
24th, Lord Keith, commander-in-chief, had arrived at Leghorn. He
thought that Nelson was too much disposed to employ his Majesty’s
ships in the service of the Queen of Naples, and the _Foudroyant_ was
ordered off to Minorca to be refitted. Lord Keith, however, authorised
Nelson to receive the Queen and her family on board the _Alexander_,
and to convey her to Palermo or any other desirable port. Her Majesty,
alarmed by the attitude of the populace of Leghorn, embarked on board
the _Alexander_ on the 9th of July, but landed again on the following
day, and started for Florence. Nelson, the Hamiltons, and Miss Knight
followed.
Footnote 84:
For a more detailed account of this journey, see a letter from Miss
Knight to Sir E. Berry, given in the Appendix. It is taken from the
fourth volume of the Nelson Despatches, edited by Sir Harris Nicolas.
Footnote 85:
Harrison, quoted by Sir H. Nicolas, says the 26th. It is stated, too,
that on the 29th (Nelson’s forty-second birthday) a grand fête was
given to him by the Archduke Charles. It is strange that it should not
have been recorded by Miss Knight if it actually occurred.
Footnote 86:
Baron de Breteuil returned to France in 1802, but never again took
part in public affairs.
Footnote 87:
This is an error. At the age of eighteen, young Dumouriez
distinguished himself at an affair of the advanced posts, under
Marshal d’Estrées, and in the following year he obtained a cornetcy of
horse.
Footnote 88:
Sister of the famous _émigré_, Count de Rivarol.
Footnote 89:
Southey tells this anecdote with more point. “A German pastor,” he
says, “between seventy and eighty years of age, travelled forty miles
with the Bible of his parish church, to request that Nelson would
write his name on the first leaf of it. He called him the Saviour of
the Christian world. The old man’s hope deceived him.”—_Southey’s Life
of Nelson_, chap. vi.
Footnote 90:
Klopstock lost his first wife, Margaret Müller, in 1758, and regretted
her loss until his own death, and his remains were laid in the same
tomb. His second wife, Madame de Winthem, whom he married in 1791, was
a lady of excellent character and rare merit: she was a widow at the
time of her marriage with Klopstock.
Footnote 91:
A German portrait-painter, patronised by the Empress Maria-Theresa. He
is best known, however, by his illustrations of Klopstock’s “Messiah.”
Footnote 92:
The Wrestlers’ Arms.
Footnote 93:
“The year 1800, though marked by no great political event, obtained a
disastrous celebrity as a year of scarcity. At the commencement of
harvest the rain descended in torrents, the lowlands were deluged with
water, the crops were spoiled, the price of wheat rose to more than
120s. a quarter, and people resorted to all sorts of devices to
economise the consumption of bread. Potatoes, potato flour, and rice,
were the ordinary substitutes, and an Act of Parliament forbade the
bakers to sell any but whole meal bread.”—_The Diaries and
Correspondence of the Right Hon. George Rose_, vol. i. p. 280.
Footnote 94:
Sister of Lord Moira, afterwards Marquis of Hastings. In the two
following chapters of this Memoir there is frequent notice of Lady
Aylesbury.
Footnote 95:
Mrs. Fitzherbert must, at that time, have been in her forty-fifth
year. She was about twenty-nine when she first attracted the attention
of the Prince of Wales, who was six years her junior. They were
married according to the rites of the Roman Catholic Church, on the
21st of December, 1785. When Miss Knight met Mrs. Fitzherbert on the
occasion referred to (1800-1), the prince had been married for some
time to Caroline of Brunswick. That ill-omened event took place on the
8th of April, 1795.
Footnote 96:
Daughter of the Earl of Dunmore. Lady Augusta was married to Prince
Augustus (Duke of Sussex) at Rome, according to the rites of the Roman
Catholic Church, and afterwards at St. George’s, Hanover-square. She
had two children by the prince, but after her marriage was declared
illegal, she refused to have further intercourse with him.
Footnote 97:
The Rev. William Nelson, who succeeded to the earldom on Nelson’s
death, but left no issue.
Footnote 98:
The preliminaries were signed in London on the 1st of October, 1801,
and in Paris on the 5th of the same month. The Treaty of Peace was
concluded at Amiens on the 27th of March, 1802, and war again declared
on the 18th of May, 1803.
Footnote 99:
Son of the Marquis of Aylesbury.
Footnote 100:
Correspondence of Henrietta Louisa Fermor, Countess of Pomfret, and
Frances, Countess of Hartford, afterwards Duchess of Somerset.—Three
vols. 8vo. London: 1805.
Footnote 101:
On the 31st of May the Duke of Cumberland returned to town from a
dinner at Greenwich, in order to be present at a concert for the
benefit of the Royal Society of Musicians. He retired to rest about
one o'clock, and awoke a little after two, in consequence, as he
thought, of a bat flying about the room. He had actually, however,
received a severe sword-cut on the head, which was quickly followed up
by a second. As his royal highness sprang out of bed the assassin cut
him across the arm, and, in all, inflicted some half-dozen wounds
before the duke could make his escape from the room. His cries quickly
brought an English valet (Neale) to the spot, when a sabre belonging
to the duke was found on the floor of the bedroom. Sellis, his
Corsican or Italian valet, was then discovered stretched on his bed,
partly undressed, and with his throat cut from ear to ear. The
circumstantial evidence in proof of his guilt was conclusive, though
many calumnious stories were afterwards circulated tending to
criminate the duke himself, who had stood godfather to Sellis's last
child. At the coroner's inquest the jury brought in a verdict of "felo
de se," and the body of the wretched man was accordingly buried in
"the high road" in Scotland-yard.
Footnote 102:
The Princess Amelia was born on the 7th of August, 1782, and died on
the 2nd of November, 1810. From her earliest infancy she was extremely
delicate, and perhaps for that reason was the especial favourite of
the king. His malady was greatly aggravated by the shock which he
sustained one day when he visited her during her last illness. The
princess slipped upon his finger a ring, containing a lock of her hair
under a crystal, and beneath the hair were inscribed her name and the
words “Remember me.”
Footnote 103:
Previously Princess Royal of England.
Footnote 104:
This would have been a gross breach of etiquette. In Madame d’Arblay’s
Memoirs there are some good-naturedly satirical directions given as to
the conduct to be observed in the presence of royalty. “You must not
upon any account stir either hand or foot. If, by chance, a black pin
runs into your head, you must not take it out. If the pain is very
great, you must be sure to bear it without wincing; if it brings the
tears into your eyes, you must not wipe them off; if they give you a
tingling by running down your cheeks, you must look as if nothing was
the matter,” &c. &c.—Vol. ii. p. 407.
Footnote 105:
Lady George Murray was widow of Lord George Murray, Bishop of St.
David’s. George the Third, proposing to appoint her preceptress to
Princess Charlotte in 1805, commanded Mr. Rose to state distinctly
what he knew about that lady. Mr. Rose then said, “that as a girl she
was remarkably amiable, and very innocent; that she had been married
when little more than a child to a young man under age; that she had
conducted herself most unexceptionably, to say the least, both as a
wife and mother; that he had never heard a syllable to her
disadvantage, but much in her commendation.”—_Diaries and
Correspondence of the Right Hon. George Rose_, vol. ii.
Footnote 106:
The pall was supported by the Viscountess Cranley, Lady E. Thynne, the
Countess of Ely, and Lady G. Murray. The chief mourner was the
Countess of Chesterfield, whose train was borne by Lady Halford, the
wife of the eminent physician, supported by the Countesses of
Macclesfield and Ilchester. The ladies attendant on the Queen and
Princesses who were present on this occasion were Lady Albinia
Cumberland, Miss Goldsworthy, Mrs. Williams, Hon. Mrs. Fielding, Hon.
Mrs. Egerton, Hon. Miss Townshend, Madame and Mademoiselle
Beckersdorff, Miss Knight, Mrs. Adams, Miss Montmollin, Miss Planta,
Miss Gaskin, Miss Byerley, Mrs. Davenport, and Mrs. Robinson. The
funeral took place in the evening of the 14th of November.
Footnote 107:
The words of the concluding verse of the sixteenth Psalm: “Thou wilt
shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy
right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Footnote 108:
The comet of 1811 was first discovered at Viviers by M. de
Flanguergues on the 25th March. It was seen at Marseilles by the
Messrs. Pons on the 11th April, and at Paris on the 20th May. It then
became invisible until some time in August, when it was first seen in
England. Its nearest approach to the earth was on the 24th of October,
on which the _Gentleman’s Magazine_ remarks: “We regret to say that
the awfully sublime stranger will not much longer appear to the same
advantage to our view.” The length of its tail was conjectured to be
between twenty and thirty millions of miles.
Footnote 109:
The Princess’s governesses were the Countess Elgin and Baroness de
Clifford. In 1809, Dr. Fisher, Bishop of Salisbury, was appointed her
Royal Highness’s preceptor, with Drs. Nott and Short as his
assistants.
Footnote 110:
Afterwards Lady Charlotte Bury, authoress of “A Diary Illustrative of
the Times of George the Fourth,” and of many now forgotten novels,
such as “The Disinherited,” “The Devoted,” “Flirtation,”
“Fortune-Hunting,” &c.
Footnote 111:
Lady Aylesbury died in Seymour-street, on the 8th of January, 1813.
Footnote 112:
Lady Aylesbury’s niece.
Footnote 113:
Daughter of Lord Keith; afterwards Baroness Keith (1823)—married in
1817 the Count de Flahault, the present (1860-61) French Ambassador at
our Court.
Footnote 114:
Lord Eldon’s grandfather, William Scott, of Sandgate, was “said to
have been clerk to a ‘fitter,’ and who, in the latter part of his
life, himself became the owner of several ‘keels’—a ‘fitter’ being the
person who buys and sells coals between the owner of the mine and the
shipper, and who conveys them in ‘keels,’ or barges, from the higher
parts of the Tyne to Newcastle or Shields, where they are loaded for
exportation.”—_Lord Campbell’s Life of Lord Eldon._
Lady Charlotte Campbell thus relates this scene at second-hand:
“Sunday, 17th (January), Lady de Clifford came and told the Princess
all the story of the Regent’s scolding Princess Charlotte over again,
and repeated what he had said in respect to her never having an
establishment till she married. He had also, she said, called her a
fool, and used other violent language. The Chancellor told the
Princess Charlotte that if she had been his daughter, and had written
him such a letter, he would have locked her up till she came to her
senses. ‘Rather violent language,’ said Lady de Clifford, ‘for a
coal-heaver’s son to the future Queen of England.’”—_Diary
Illustrative of the Times of George the Fourth_, vol. i.
Footnote 115:
Lord Moira’s wife, a Countess in her own right.
Footnote 116:
In Lady C. Campbell’s “Diary Illustrative of the Times of George the
Fourth” there occurs the following entry, under the date of the 24th
of January: “She (the Princess Charlotte) told her mother that there
had been a great battle at Windsor between the Queen and the Prince;
the former refusing to give up Miss Knight from her own person to
attend on Princess Charlotte as sub-governess; but the Prince Regent
had gone to Windsor himself, and insisted on her doing so, and the
‘old begum’ was forced to submit, but has been ill ever since, and Sir
Henry Halford declared it was a complete breaking up of the
constitution (to the great delight of the two Princesses who were
talking about the affair). Miss Knight was the very person they wished
to have; they think they can do as they like with her.” Upon this the
editor remarks in a footnote: “In this idea their Royal Highnesses
were much mistaken; for Miss Knight was a person of uncompromising
integrity and steady rectitude of conduct. A devoted royalist, but not
a sycophant, no one has proved more than she has the fallaciousness of
Court favour. The Queen Charlotte never forgave her for having left
her service to attend the young Princess Charlotte, and the Regent
afterwards dismissed her in an unjust manner from the post in which he
had himself placed her, and which every one who knows Miss Knight is
confident she never was unworthy of.”
Footnote 117:
Warwick House stood at the end of Warwick-street, which stretches from
Cockspur-street towards Carlton House-terrace, but terminates in a
cul-de-sac. The site of the house itself, between which and the
gardens of Carlton House there appears to have been a private
communication, is now occupied by some livery stables. Warwick House
was formerly the residence of Sir Philip Warwick, the well-known
Royalist writer, who was born there in 1609. The street, which was
built at a later date, was called after the Warwick family, and still
retains the name.
Footnote 118:
Sister of Colonel Goldsworthy, one of the royal equerries most
frequently mentioned in Madame D’Arblay’s Memoirs. She was very deaf,
and in the habit of falling asleep at the dinner-table.
Footnote 119:
Daughter of Thomas Anguish, Esq., a Master in Chancery.
Footnote 120:
Catherine Anne Sarah, daughter of fifth Duke of Leeds, born 1798;
married, in 1819, to J. Whyte-Melville, Esq., of Bennochy.
Footnote 121:
“He (Prince Regent) was indeed,” said the Duke (of Wellington), “the
most extraordinary compound of talent, wit, buffoonery, obstinacy, and
good feeling; in short, a medley of the most opposite qualities, with
a great preponderance of good, that I ever saw in any character in my
life.”—_Raikes’s Journal_, vol. i.
Footnote 122:
“Miss Knight is appointed sub-governess to the Princess Charlotte of
Wales in the room of Mrs. Udney, who retired with Lady de
Clifford.”—_Morning Chronicle_, January 30.
“Miss Knight, who succeeds Mrs. Udney as sub-governess to the Princess
Charlotte, is the daughter of the late admiral who died in the
Mediterranean, and who, when in Italy with her father, may be
remembered by her verses on the transactions then occurring there.
Since her return she has been in attendance on the Queen.”—_Morning
Chronicle_, February 1.
Footnote 123:
“Miss Knight is not appointed sub-governess to her Royal Highness the
Princess Charlotte. Miss Knight is one of the _ladies companions_ to
her Royal Highness, and is the daughter of the late Sir Joseph
Knight.”—_Morning Chronicle_, February 4.
This contradiction, however, did not remove the impression that Miss
Knight was the governess of the Princess. Sir Harris Nicolas, in his
edition of the “Correspondence of Lord Nelson,” speaks of her as
“preceptress” and “sub-governess,” and Lord Colchester, in his
journal, does the same.
Footnote 124:
Nephew of George the Third, and brother of Queen Caroline, afterwards
killed at Quatre-Bras.
Footnote 125:
The Duke of York’s country residence.
Footnote 126:
The Duke of Gloucester was first cousin of the Regent. He died on the
20th of November, 1834, at Bagshot, after a painful illness of fifteen
days, aged fifty-nine. He married in 1816 the Princess Mary, his
cousin, sister of the Regent. “He was not a man of talent, as may be
inferred from his nickname of _Silly Billy_, but he was a quiet,
inoffensive character, rather tenacious of the respect due to his
rank, and strongly attached to the ultra-Tory party. His father, the
late Duke, married Lady Waldegrave; thus he was uncle to Mrs.
Darner.”—_Raikes’s Journal_, vol. i.
Footnote 127:
Lord Eldon.
Footnote 128:
According to “The Mirror of Fashion,” Miss Knight wore on this
occasion “a dress of orange-coloured satin, with draperies of silver
gauze, tastefully separated with net silver rolio, forming a lacing
between each, through which the colour of the satin under-dress was
discovered; the whole trimmed with handsome silver cords and tassels;
robe, black velvet.”
Footnote 129:
Cambridge House, South Audley-street.
Footnote 130:
“The Mirror of Fashion” informs us that Miss Knight’s dress was “of
white net, spangled all over with gold, and ornamented with broad
borders, with wreaths of fancy flowers, over a rich white satin slip.”
Footnote 131:
Afterwards William the Fourth.
Footnote 132:
This letter occupied a column and a half of the _Morning Chronicle_ of
the 10th of February, and is dated from Montague House, January 14,
1813. On the 11th of February that journal gave the following account
of the mode by which the letter in question had come into its
possession: “It was transmitted on the 14th ult. to Lord Liverpool and
Lord Eldon, sealed by Lady Charlotte Campbell as lady in waiting for
the month, expressing her Royal Highness’s pleasure that it should be
presented to the Prince Regent; and there was an open copy for their
perusal. On the 15th, the Earl of Liverpool presented his compliments
to Lady Charlotte Campbell, and returned the letter unopened. On the
16th, it was returned by Lady Charlotte, intimating that as it
contained matter of importance to the state, she relied on their
laying it before his Royal Highness. It was again returned unopened,
with the Earl of Liverpool’s compliments to Lady Charlotte, saying
that the Prince saw no reason to depart from his determination. On the
17th, it was returned in the same way by command of her Royal
Highness, expressing her confidence that the two noble Lords would not
take upon themselves the responsibility of not communicating the
letter to his Royal Highness, and that she should not be the only
subject in the empire whose petition was not to be permitted to reach
the throne. To this an answer was given that the _contents_ of it had
been made known to the Prince. On the 19th, her Royal Highness
directed a letter to be addressed to the two noble Lords, desiring to
know whether it had been made known to his Royal Highness by being
read to him, and to know his pleasure thereon. No answer was given to
this letter, and therefore, on the 26th, she directed a letter to be
written expressing her surprise that no answer had been given to her
application for a whole week. To this an answer was received addressed
to the Princess, stating that in consequence of her Royal Highness’s
demand, her letter had been read to the Prince Regent on the 20th, but
that he had not been pleased to express his pleasure thereon. Here the
correspondence was closed, and some days after this copies of the
letter were in circulation, but we know not from what quarter they
originated.” The letter will be found in the Appendix.
Footnote 133:
The Princess of Wales then resided at Brandenburg House, at
Kensington.
Footnote 134:
Lord Liverpool was, at that time, Prime Minister. His premiership
commenced in 1812, and ended in 1827.
Footnote 135:
Major-General Sir John Douglass had declared that the Princess of
Wales was delivered of a child in 1802. This vile calumny was refuted
by the evidence adduced before Lords Grenville, Spencer, Erskine, and
Ellenborough, sitting in commission, in 1806. After Sir John’s revival
of this disproved slander, he was suspended from employment about the
Duke of Sussex, expelled from a masonic lodge, and spoken of with
contempt by Lord Castlereagh in the Upper House, and by Mr. Whitbread
in the House of Commons.
Footnote 136:
One of the sons of the Duke of Clarence (by Mrs. Jordan), and,
therefore, first cousin of the Princess. There is subsequent mention
of this calumny at page 226.
Footnote 137:
The report of the commission appointed to investigate the conduct of
the Princess of Wales is given in the Appendix.
Footnote 138:
Mother of the Princess of Wales. Her Royal Highness died at her
lodgings in Hanover-square.
Footnote 139:
The Princess of Wales had, at this time, taken up her residence in the
village of Charlton, near Blackheath.
Footnote 140:
Sir Henry Halford’s very interesting account of the opening of the
coffin of Charles the First is given in the Appendix.
Footnote 141:
Daughter of Dr. Roberts, Provost of Eton, then deceased some years.
Footnote 142:
Lady Charlotte Campbell says in her Diary: “Her (the Princess’s) legs
and feet are very pretty; her Royal Highness knows that they are so,
and wears extremely short petticoats. Her face would be pretty, too,
if the outline of her cheeks was not so full.”
Footnote 143:
The following is the letter referred to in the text. It is addressed
to the Duchess of Leeds:
“Jan. 16, 1813.
“MADAM,—Nothing can exceed my gratitude to the Prince Regent for
the confidence he has been pleased to place in me. It will be
imprinted deeply on my mind while I have life.
“My attachment to the Princess Charlotte is very great, and there
is nothing I would not do to prove it. I am also most sensible of
your Grace’s kindness; but, although her Majesty has been
graciously pleased to say that she leaves me unbiased as to my
decision, duty and gratitude oblige me to consider myself as
belonging to her, and therefore not at liberty to accept what
would have otherwise been my ambition.
“As this is _my only_ cause for declining the honour offered me, I
will entreat your Grace to communicate it to the Prince, and to
believe me, madam,” &c.
Footnote 144:
The following is the Prince’s letter:
“Carlton House, July 3, 1813.
“MY DEAR LORD,—Your glorious conduct is beyond all human praise,
and far above my reward; I know no language the world affords
worthy to express it. I feel I have nothing left to say, but
devoutly to offer up my prayers of gratitude to Providence, that
it has in its omnipotent bounty blessed my country and myself with
such a general. You have sent me, among the trophies of your
unrivalled fame, the staff of a French marshal; and I send you in
return that of England. The British army will hail it with
enthusiasm, while the whole universe will acknowledge those
valorous efforts which have so imperiously called for it. That
uninterrupted health, and still increasing laurels, may continue
to crown you through a glorious and long career of life, are the
never-ceasing and most ardent wishes of, my dear Lord,
“Your very sincere and
“Faithful friend
“G. P. R.
“The Marquis of Wellington.”
Footnote 145:
“July 1. At Warwick House, Mrs. Gagarin, many years an affectionate
and faithful attendant of the Princess Charlotte of Wales. Her last
moments were solaced by the condescending and unremitting attentions
of her Royal Highness, reflecting a lustre on the native goodness of
her heart, superior to all the appendages of her exalted rank.”—_Gent.
Mag._, August, 1813.
Footnote 146:
Chancellor of the Duchy of Cornwall.
Footnote 147:
The subjoined letter, from Lord St. Vincent to Miss Knight, relates to
this subject:
“MY DEAR MADAM,—Under the circumstances you were placed in,
nothing could be better judged than your letter; the reply wore
the finesse of a courtier; the means of applying an antidote to
the poison are difficult in a position surrounded by spies, prone
to put that construction upon actions which they think will be
most pleasing to the persons who listen to them, mixed with envy
and malice. Truth will in the long run prevail; in the mean while
you have a powerful shield in the correctness of your conduct
through life, and the integrity with which you have performed the
important duties of your present station. I dread the effect these
miserable subterfuges may have upon the young lady’s mind, happily
formed to resist attempts to make her a hypocrite; yet to have the
movement of her muscles watched, and a wrong interpretation put
upon all her actions, must produce an ill effect, in the practice
of concealment of thought at least, if not driven to carry it
farther. One should have expected that her openness of character
would have created confidence.
“I rejoice that your health does not suffer under these painful
restrictions and suspicions. You have the most ardent wishes for
the continuance of it and every other blessing, of
“Your truly affectionate,
“ST. VINCENT.
“Rochetts, Aug. 23, 1813.”
Footnote 148:
The Governor of the Military College, Sandhurst.
Footnote 149:
Afterwards first King of the Netherlands.
Footnote 150:
“The Duke of Brunswick is very-near being a handsome man; his figure
is light and graceful; and were it not that he carries his head ill,
he would be a noble-looking creature. His eyes are deep sunk in his
head, more so than I ever saw in any one, and his brows are remarkably
prominent, with shaggy eyebrows. This circumstance gives him a sombre
expression, and indeed the whole cast of his countenance is gloomy,
but his features are regular; and, when he smiles, there is a
transitory sweetness which is very striking, by the contrast to his
usual severity of expression. In manner he is very reserved—stiff and
Germanic. He remained some time conversing with his sister (Princess
of Wales) in German, eyeing the lady-in-waiting occasionally askance.
He seemed glad to take his leave.”—_Lady C. Campbell’s Diary_, vol. i.
Footnote 151:
“May 31, 1814. The latter (Princess Charlotte) told her mother, the
last time they met, that she was determined not to marry the Prince of
Orange; that ‘his being approved of by the Royal Family was quite
sufficient to make him disapproved of by her; for that she would marry
a man who would be at _her_ devotion, not theirs. Marry I will,’ said
she to the Princess of Wales, ‘and that directly, in order to enjoy my
liberty, but not the Prince of Orange. I think him so ugly that I am
sometimes obliged to turn my head away in disgust when he is speaking
to me.’
“‘But, my dear,’ replied her mother (at least so her Royal Highness
told me), ‘whoever you marry will become a king, and you will give him
a power over you.’
“‘A king! Pho, pho! _Never!_ He will only be _my first subject—never
my king!_’”—_Lady C. Campbell’s Diary_, vol. i.
Footnote 152:
There is apparently an error of a week in this—the date should be the
11th. See note, _infra_, page 268.
Footnote 153:
“Sunday, January 9.... There was hung in the apartment one portrait,
amongst others, that very much resembled the Duke of D. I asked Miss
Knight whom it represented; she said that was not known; it had been
supposed a likeness of the Pretender when young.”—_Lady C. Campbell’s
Diary_, vol. i.
Footnote 154:
There is evidently some confusion of dates in this narrative. It was
on the 14th December that the grand City banquet was given at the
London Tavern in honour of the hereditary Prince of Orange—the Duke of
Clarence in the chair. According to Lord Colchester (Diary), the young
Prince did not arrive from Spain before the 11th of December.
Footnote 155:
Purposely erased in the original journal.
Footnote 156:
“The frost was ushered in by a fog which, for its intensity and
duration, has seldom been equalled. This began about five in the
evening of Monday, December 27th.... The Prince Regent, intending to
pay a visit to the Marquis of Salisbury at Hatfield House, was obliged
to return back to Carlton House, after one of his out-riders had
fallen into a ditch on this side of Kentish Town, and which short
excursion occupied several hours. Mr. Croker, of the Admiralty, also
wishing to proceed on a visit northward, wandered in the dark several
hours without making more than three or four miles’ progress.... There
is nothing in the memory of man to equal the late fall of snow, which,
after several shorter intervals, continued incessantly for forty-eight
hours, and this, too, after the ground was covered with a
condensation, the result of nearly four weeks’ continued frost. Almost
the whole of the time the wind blew continually from the north and
north-east, and was intensely cold.”—_Universal Magazine_, January,
1814.
The thaw did not commence until the 6th of February, 1814, and a fair
was held on the Thames for several weeks. “Paths were formed,” says
the _Universal Magazine_ for March, “both direct and diagonal from
shore to shore; and frequent cautions were given to those heroines
whose curiosity induced them to venture on the glassy plane, to be
careful _not to slip off the kerb_. The votaries of Terpsichore amused
themselves with the mazy dance, in which they were accompanied
principally by Pandean pipes, while others diverted themselves with
skittles; and the well-known cry of ‘Up and win ’em’ resounded from
the voices of numerous vendors of savoury pies, gin, and gingerbread,
&c. Most of the booths were distinguished by appropriate signs; there
were the Watermen’s Arms, the Crown, the Magpye, the Eelpot, &c.; and
one wag had a notice appended to his tent that several feet adjoining
his premises _were to be let on a building lease_.”
Footnote 157:
The _Morning Chronicle_ of January 6th gives the following account of
the christening at Belvoir:
“The baptismal ceremony of the infant Marquis (who, to use the phrase
of a nurse, ‘is as fine a little fellow of four months old as ever was
seen’) took place at six o’clock in the evening (4th January, 1814).
The sponsors were—
H.R.H. the Prince Regent - in person,
H.R.H. the Duke of York - in person,
Her Grace the Duchess-Dowager of Rutland, proxy for H.M. the Queen.
His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury arrived at the Castle early in
the morning, and he performed the baptismal ceremony with solemnity
and graceful expression, assisted by the Rev. John Thornton, Chaplain
to his Grace the Duke of Rutland, who made the responses.... A
discharge of fifteen cannon from the Castle announced the event,” &c.
&c. There are long accounts in the papers of the time of the
festivities at Belvoir Castle. The Prince Regent’s subsequent illness
may be thence easily accounted for.”
Footnote 158:
“A singularly neat and very elegant landau will be launched in a few
days by H.R.H. the Princess Charlotte of Wales. It is built by Messrs.
Birch and Son, Great Queen-street, Lincoln’s Inn-fields. The carriage
is beautifully finished. The body is painted a fine light green,
emblazoned with arms, supporters, &c., with mantles on the panels. On
the side panels is a beautiful _à la Grecque_ border, enclosing the
cipher C. P. W., with a coronet above. The same ornaments are placed
on the door rails; very superb silver joints, lamps, and other
appropriate ornaments, extremely neat; the lining is a fine scarlet
cloth, with rich gold lace and fringe; the hammercloth is, agreeable
to royal etiquette, composed of scarlet cloth, very full, with a
purple velvet border, and trimmed with gold lace. Outside elbows are
introduced, but the projection is upon so moderate a scale that they
are scarcely perceptible. The carriage is a very light compass perch
painted yellow, picked out with maroon colour, hung upon whip springs,
two feet six inches from the ground; silver hoops to the wheels; an
upright coach-box, made in the usual style, but not fixed.”—_Morning
Chronicle_, February 3rd, 1814.
This statement was contradicted in the same paper on the following day
“by authority.”
Footnote 159:
“The Baron Van der Duyn Van Maasdam, Grand Master of the Household to
his Royal Highness the Prince Sovereign of the Netherlands, whose
presentation to the Prince Regent at a private audience on the 9th
inst (March), accompanied by M. Fagel, the regular ambassador, was
notified in the _Gazette_ of Saturday last, as having come on a
special mission from the Court of the Hague, has been sent over to
make a demand in form of the Princess Charlotte’s hand in marriage for
the hereditary Prince of Orange. The sanction of the previous consent
and approbation of the Prince Regent, the Princess herself, and of the
whole Court and Government, has already smoothed the way to the
arrangements of this important and auspicious union, which must,
however, according to the established etiquette among crowned heads,
be demanded by embassy after it has been agreed upon by the parties;
and the settlements and provisions resulting from the exalted
condition and prospective sovereign duties of the personages to be
married, must be reduced into a treaty by plenipotentiaries specially
appointed. M. Van Maasdam is charged with full powers for this purpose
on the part of the Prince Sovereign of the Netherlands.”—_Morning
Chronicle_, March 17, 1814.
Footnote 160:
It had been adjourned to that date.
Footnote 161:
See Lord Colchester’s Journal, under date February 28. “At Lord
Sidmouth’s office met Lord Liverpool; talked over the proceedings upon
the intended marriage of the Princess Charlotte to the hereditary
Prince of Orange, which is to be communicated to Parliament before
Easter.”
Footnote 162:
“May 21, 1814. The Prince of O——e, it is said, wishes his wife to go
with him to his own Dutch land, and so does the Prince Regent, who
does not like a rising sun in his own: but report also whispers that
the _rising sun_ is aware of this, and will not consent to the
marriage, unless she is allowed to shine in her own dominions.”—_Lady
C. Campbell’s Diary_, vol. i.
Footnote 163:
Subsequently married to the Crown Prince of Würtemberg.
Footnote 164:
Prince Nicolas Wasiliwitch Repnin, nephew of Count Panin, minister and
favourite of the Empress Catherine. As Russian Ambassador at the Court
of Stanislaus Poniatowski, he virtually governed Poland from 1764 till
1770, when he joined the army under Count Romanzoff, and greatly
distinguished himself in the campaign against the Turks. In after
years he gained more than one victory over that enemy, and also became
the successful rival of Prince Potemkin. He was raised to the rank of
Field Marshal by Paul I., and was sent to Berlin rather as a
negotiator than as an ambassador. He died at Moscow in 1801.
Footnote 165:
And in their persons, too. Lord Colchester speaks of them as “two ugly
old women.”
Footnote 166:
“The Duchess of Oldenburg is spoken of as a very clever woman, and I
am inclined to believe the truth of the report, by the observation she
seems to take, not only of our places of entertainment, but of
everything best worth seeing in this country. I understand she is a
great favourite of Princess Charlotte, and gives her (as it is
supposed) excellent advice about her conduct.”—_Lady C. Campbell’s
Diary_, vol. i.
Footnote 167:
On the 20th of April, 1814.
Footnote 168:
Count Woronzow died in England on the 18th June, 1832. His daughter
married the Earl of Pembroke, and was the mother of Lord Herbert of
Lea. The Count left one son, whose name, as Prince Woronzow, became
familiar to English ears during the Crimean war.
Footnote 169:
April 20th.
Footnote 170:
“Judge of the transport with which I seize my pen to apprise you that
my daughter has acted with the greatest firmness, promptitude, and
energy of character possible in the very intricate business concerning
her marriage. She has manœuvred and conquered the Regent so
completely, that there can be no more doubt that the marriage is broke
off. The Prince Hereditary of Orange was secretly sent for by the
Regent, and arrived under the feigned name of Captain St. George.
Under that same name he presented himself next day at Warwick House
early in the morning. She was in bed, and had not expected him in this
country; Miss Knight received him. She had afterwards a long
conversation with him, in which she showed him every letter that had
passed between her father and her upon that subject. She then declared
to him that she never would leave this country, except by an Act of
Parliament, and by her own especial desire. She then desired that he
might retire, and that she would not see him again till these matters
were settled. Two days after he came again and brought a message from
the Regent, in which he proposed to her that he would forgive and
forget everything, and that she should immediately come to him, and
that everything should be arranged in the most amicable manner. She
declared that she would not see her father, or any of the family, till
their consent to her remaining in this country had been obtained, or
that otherwise the marriage would be broke off. She has received no
answer since the course of a week from her father, and she supposes
that the papers have been sent to Holland, to make the family there
also a party concerned in a new political question for the future
happiness of England. It has, in my opinion, nothing at all to do with
the Dutch family. The Duchess of Oldenburg, I believe, is her chief
adviser, and as she is a clever woman, and knows the world and mankind
well, my daughter cannot be in better hands.”—_Extract of Letter from
the Princess of Wales in Lady C. Campbell’s Diary_, vol. i. See
Appendix.
Footnote 171:
“We are now fitting up the Duke of Cumberland’s house, to receive
Alexander (Emperor of Russia) in, because we have none of our own. And
in the mean time our future son-in-law lodges at his tailor’s! because
he has neither house nor hotel to put his head in; and though we drink
his health occasionally with three cheers, and twice as many speeches,
we do not love him well enough to give him a good bed
anywhere.”—_Extract of Letter from Lord Granville to the Marquis of
Buckingham, dated “Camelford House, May 9, 1814.” Memoirs of the
Regency_, vol. i.
Footnote 172:
There was precedent for this—see following extract from preamble of
the statute 1 Mary, sess. 3, chap. 2, relating to the proposed
marriage of Philip and Mary: “That the said Lord Prince shall not lead
away the foresaid most Noble Lady out of the borders of her Highness’s
realme, unless she herself desire it, nor carry the children that
shall be borne of his matrimony out of the same realme of England; but
to the hope of succession to come, shall there suffer them to be
nourished and brought up, unless it shall be otherwise thought good by
the consent and agreement of the nobilitie of England.”
Footnote 173:
“While every one in the three kingdoms was under the influence of
excitement, it was not to be expected that her Royal Highness the
Princess of Wales would remain unmoved. The Queen was about holding
two Drawing-rooms, and as the Prince Regent intended to be present,
his Royal Highness had requested her Majesty to intimate to the
Princess of Wales his determination not to meet her, either in public
or in private. The Queen was thus placed under the painful necessity
of intimating to her Royal Highness that she could not be received at
her Drawing-rooms. This was quite sufficient provocation for the
inflammable nature of the Princess, and the following day her Royal
Highness addressed the Queen at considerable length, apparently
acceding to the prohibition, but threatening to appeal to the public.
Her Majesty answered with characteristic dignity, which elicited a
rejoinder from her angry daughter-in-law, which produced only a simple
acknowledgment from the Queen. She then addressed herself to the
Prince Regent, referring, as usual, to the declaration of her entire
innocence by the Government in 1807, and giving him to understand that
they _must_ meet at the approaching marriage of their daughter, and at
their _coronation_; adding, that the prohibition was rendered
intolerable, in consequence of the distinguished visitors then
flocking into the country; one of whom, the illustrious heir of the
House of Orange, had ‘announced himself to me as my future
son-in-law.’”—_The Duke of Buckingham’s Memoirs of the Regency_ vol.
ii.
Mr. Methuen, on the 4th of June, proposed in the House of Commons
“that an humble address be presented to the Prince Regent, praying
that he would be graciously pleased to acquaint the House _by whose
advice he had been induced_ to form the unalterable resolution of
never meeting her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, on any
occasion, either in public or private.” After a brief and unimportant
discussion, the motion was withdrawn.
Footnote 174:
“Her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte arrived a few minutes after
one o’clock, accompanied by Miss Knight, in an elegant and
particularly neat and light state carriage, with three footmen and the
coachman in new state liveries. She was received by the Duchess of
Leeds and the dresser, who had previously arrived in her plain
carriage, to attend her Royal Highness in dressing in a court dress
for the first time, yesterday being her Royal Highness’s first
appearance at a public Drawing-room. At the close of the Drawing-room,
on her Royal Highness leaving the Palace, the Prince of Orange handed
her Royal Highness to her carriage.”—_Morning Chronicle_, June 3,
1814.
Footnote 175:
Prince Alexander of Oldenburg was a child in the third year of his
age.
Footnote 176:
“June 17, 1814. Before the Princess (of Wales) dismissed Lady ——, Miss
——, or myself, she received a letter from Princess Charlotte, telling
her mother the match between herself and the Prince of Orange was
entirely off, and at the same time enclosing a copy of a letter she
had written to the Prince of Orange, in which she alludes to some
point of dispute which, it seems, remained unsettled between them; but
Princess Charlotte does not precisely name what that point was, and
chiefly rests her determination of not leaving this kingdom upon the
necessity of her remaining in England to support her mother. The whole
letter turns upon the Princess of Wales —it is extremely well
_written_, and very strong. I conclude the words are Miss Knight’s,
but the sentiments, for the _present_ moment, are Princess
Charlotte’s.... I know too much of all parties to believe that
Princess Charlotte, in her heart, quarrelled with her lover from any
motive of real tenderness towards her mother. I believe that what the
Princess of Wales told me some time ago is perfectly true, namely,
that her daughter did not at all admire the Prince of Orange, and only
wanted to be her own mistress; and now finding, I conclude, that that
end would not be answered by marrying him, she has determined to break
off the engagement.”—_Lady C. Campbell’s Diary_, vol. i.
Footnote 177:
Mr. Tierney.
Footnote 178:
“Widow of a Colonel Campbell, who went out governor to Bermuda, or
Bahama (I forget which), and died on his arrival there. Of this lady
he (George the Third) had received a most favourable account from an
authority he respected.”—_Diaries of the Right Hon. G. Rose._
Footnote 179:
“July 26, 1814. I received several letters from England to-day. Mrs.
—— says: ‘The Princess Charlotte went with a heavy heart, I hear,
yesterday to Cranford Lodge [Cranbourne Lodge] (I think that is the
name of the place), Windsor Park. She has, of all her friends, only
been allowed to see Miss Mercer. Miss Knight has not been suffered to
return to her. The courtiers say all is made up, but no one believes
them; how can they, while she is _a state prisoner_?’”—_Lady C.
Campbell’s Diary_, vol. ii.
Footnote 180:
“MY DEAR MADAM,—I cannot think the request in your note can be
inconsistent with my orders, and I will certainly communicate the
contents of your note to her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte.
“I am, dear madam,
“Your obedient servant,
“CHARLOTTE ROSSLYN.”
Footnote 181:
It may be interesting to observe the manner in which these events were
recorded by the journals of the day. The following is from the
_Morning Chronicle_:
“An extraordinary sensation was yesterday produced by the report
of an event which took place on Tuesday evening.
“It is perfectly known that the intended marriage between the
Princess Charlotte of Wales and the Hereditary Prince of Orange
was broken off in consequence of the dread which her Royal
Highness felt of being taken out of the country at a time when
considerations of the highest importance demanded her continuance
in it. From the time of the breaking off this negotiation,
attempts have been incessantly made, if not to renew it, at least
to show the high offence which she had given; and her Royal
Highness has suffered the most cruel agitation, although her
health was so seriously affected as to demand the most lenient
attention, and particularly that her mind should be kept free from
all harassing disturbance. Her physicians had, some time ago,
given a written certificate that the complaint of her lameness
required sea bathing and sea air; and we have reason to believe
that this certificate was laid before the Prince Regent some days
ago.
“On Tuesday evening his Royal Highness the Prince Regent entered
Warwick House, and, without any previous notice, informed the
Princess Charlotte that Miss Knight and all her household, as well
as all the servants attending upon her, were dismissed, and that
her Royal Highness must forthwith take up her residence in Carlton
House, and from thence to Cranford Lodge [Cranbourne Lodge], where
the Countess-Dowager of Rosslyn, the Countess of Ilchester, the
two Miss Coates, and Mrs. Campbell, were actually in the next room
in readiness to wait upon her; and this intimation was made in
terms of unusual severity, as it was accompanied by a declaration
that she was to be under their sole superintendence, and that she
was neither to be permitted to receive visits or letters. In this
embarrassing situation, and under the agony of despair, she ran
out of Warwick House, threw herself into a hackney-coach, and
drove to Connaught-place, the residence of her mother. The
Princess of Wales was absent, but a groom was despatched to
Blackheath, to request her immediate return to town. The groom met
her Royal Highness on the way, and delivered the Princess
Charlotte’s note acquainting her with the event; upon which the
Princess of Wales drove to the Parliament House, and eagerly
inquired for Mr. Whitbread, who was absent, and for Earl Grey, who
had left town several days before. She then went on to her own
house at Connaught-place, where her daughter communicated the
particulars we have stated, and where Mr. Brougham, who had been
sent for to Mr. Michael Angelo Taylor’s, had arrived.
“The flight of the Princess from Warwick House was soon made known
to the Prince Regent, at the Duke of York’s, where a great party
were assembled. Notice of it was also sent to the Queen, who had a
card party, and which she instantly left. A council was called,
and Lord Ellenborough and Lord Eldon were consulted. Rumour says
that a habeas corpus was to be issued to bring back the person of
her Royal Highness to Carlton House. But the Duke of York and
three of the Prince Regent’s people went to Connaught House, and
stated to her Royal Highness her father’s commands to conduct her
back. Mr. Brougham had previously acquainted her Royal Highness
that, by the laws of the land, she must obey her father’s command;
and when the Duke of York gave her an assurance that she should
not be immured, nor treated with the severity which had been
threatened, she consented to return with him, and, accordingly, at
a little past three o’clock yesterday morning, her Royal Highness
was conveyed to Carlton House, where she now remains, all the
persons by whom she has been served being removed from attendance
on her person, except Mrs. Lewis, who had followed her to
Connaught House with her night-clothes, and who was permitted to
return with her in the carriage along with the Duke of
York.”—_Morning Chronicle_, July 14, 1814.
Footnote 182:
Mrs. Piozzi says: “He never read but one book, which he did not
consider as obligatory, through in his whole life; and Lady W.’s
Letters was the book.”—_Anecdotes of Johnson_, p. 259.
Footnote 183:
The Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas was prevented by
indisposition from attending during any part of these proceedings.
Footnote 184:
On the 19th of July the Duke of Sussex “put some most important
questions to the Ministers respecting Princess Charlotte, which they
refused to answer, and thus admitted the inferences to which the
questions point. It appears that his Royal Highness had concurred in
the advice given to the Princess Charlotte by Mr. Brougham respecting
her return to Carlton House. The first was, Whether the Princess
Charlotte had been allowed personal intercourse with her friends since
Tuesday last? Secondly, Whether she had been allowed to write and
receive letters, and whether she had been allowed the use of pen, ink,
and paper? Third, Whether she had been, and now was, under restraints
from which persons not in actual imprisonment are free? Fourth,
Whether the physicians of her Royal Highness had last year certified,
by a writing under their hands, as they have this year, that the sea
is necessary for her recovery from her complaints? Fifth, Her Royal
Highness being considerably past the age at which the Legislature has
repeatedly recognised the capacity of heirs to the Crown to exercise
its powers without assistance, whether any steps had been taken to
form an establishment for her Royal Highness suited to her exalted
rank in the State, and fitted to prepare her for the functions she
will one day be called on to exercise?”—_Morning Chronicle_, July 20.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
● Transcriber’s Notes:
○ All footnotes were gathered into one final section of the book. An
entry was added to the Table of Contents for it.
○ Missing or obscured punctuation was silently corrected.
○ Typographical errors were silently corrected.
○ Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation were made consistent only
when a predominant form was found in this book.
○ Text that was in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_).
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