Part 7
We have given this and the preceding letters solely with a view of forwarding the cause of truth, and shall leave our readers to draw their own inferences as to the propriety or impropriety of the conduct of the parties concerned.
Early in the ensuing year,
1795,
preparations were made, upon a moderate scale, to receive the Princess of Brunswick as the intended wife of the heir-apparent.
The prince was still as _dissolute_ as ever, and associated with the very dregs of society, of both sexes. Yet this same personage was about to be allied, according to the outward usages of the church, to a princess of the most opposite principles and sentiments! Many times has he become the _father_ of innocent victims, who were doomed to perish in a workhouse, or be consigned to a premature grave! How improbable then was it, that his heart would ever feel affection for the issue of an honourable connexion,--if it may be so called in _this_ case,--more particularly when that was the last resource to extricate him from debt and disgrace! Well, indeed, might his companions say, "the princess may hear, in the joyful peal, (after her vows) the surer knell of her happiness." Too well the result proved the truth of their prophetic announcement!
Previous to the arrival of Caroline, it was arranged by the queen that persons of distinction, upon whom her majesty could depend in this instance, should attend her highness, and a selection was made accordingly. The notorious Lady Jersey was one; of her character and intriguing disposition, we need not say more than announce the fact, that her favours had been at the command of the prince for a considerable time. Her disposition was artful and cruel; indeed, unless such qualities had been invested in her ladyship, the queen would not have given her orders in a manner so undisguised and bold. Cruelty and Vice are always inseparable companions.
At length, the princess arrived on these (to her) inhospitable shores. On the 8th of April, the formality of a marriage ceremony took place, at the palace of St. James. The king was particularly attentive to the princess; but not so the queen, who manifested an unbending haughtiness, and sometimes lost sight of etiquette so far, that sarcasm was too evidently visible. The princesses were in too much fear of their mother to bestow any particular attentions on the Princess of Wales, except one of them, who, however, dare not publicly avow her sentiments.
On retiring for the night to Carlton House, the princess was attended only by those invidious characters who had deliberately planned her ruin. Several historians have recorded, that, by some inaccuracy or defect in demeanour, the prince received an unexpected impression unfavourable to her royal highness; but such _was not the case_. It is true, that the conduct of the prince was any thing but gentlemanly; though of this little notice was taken. Her royal highness resolved to forbear from any unpleasant complainings, as she was now separated from her much-beloved home and friends. She plainly saw the disadvantage of her change; and, in the disappointment of her heart, frequently deplored her cruel destiny. Many times has she been obliged to witness the various favourites of the prince receiving those attentions and enjoying those smiles which ought to have been her's only.
In a conversation with the prince, shortly after their nuptials, (if such an appellation may be used) her royal highness said, "that, after the candour with which I have explained myself, I certainly feel entitled to the respectful attentions of your highness, and I cannot endure the insults I am continually receiving from your mistresses and coarse associates." This gentle remonstrance was repeated by this "all-accomplished gentleman" when he next met his half-drunken companions, and their infamy was heightened by maliciously abusing this much-injured lady.
The prince's yearly income was augmented at his marriage with his cousin to one hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds, besides having all his debts discharged.
The princess now seldom saw her husband. His nights were spent in debauchery, and he was frequently carried to bed, totally unconscious of all around him. Gaming supplied his leisure hours, and scenes of immorality were the common routine of each succeeding day. Such were the deportment and character of the man, or _monster_, who was to be invested with power over millions of brave, generous, and industrious people! It was impossible for such an one to have retained in his confidence a single upright and conscientious person. The soul sickens at the retrospect; but we must pursue the revolting subject.
The king was, at this time, the only friend in whom the Princess of Wales could repose any confidence, and to him she unburdened herself unreservedly. His majesty was much incensed at the indignation heaped upon the daughter of his sister, and, but for the apparent situation of his niece, he would have recommended severer measures than he then thought prudent.
In opposition to all remonstrance and advice, the prince gradually sunk deeper into the vortex of sensuality, and very frequently expressed himself in high hopes that the princess would soon "BE GOT RID OF." He still remained ignorant of the confidence the princess had reposed in her uncle; and well was it for her he was ignorant of it, as his passion was extreme, and rage might have gained such a pre-eminence as to have induced him to add _another FOUL DEED to his number_.
This fatal year, more than twenty-nine millions were required, eighteen of which were raised by loans! Here may be observed how progressively the "national debt" was incurred, partly for the immoderate extravagance of those who ought to have acted as models for imitation at home, and partly by unjust and destructive wars abroad! until Englishmen became any thing and every thing but a free people. The discontents of the tax-payers were loud and deep; but the ministers heeded them not!
On the 7th of January,
1796,
the Princess of Wales was safely delivered of a daughter, whose birth, in some measure, assuaged the miseries of her forlorn condition. The Duke of Clarence might have very frequently repeated his expressions, delivered in the House of Lords in the preceding June, when he said, "Unless suitable provisions were made for the prince, the Princess of Wales, A LOVELY AND AMIABLE WOMAN, must feel herself torn from her family, (although her mother was the king's sister) removed from all her early connexions," &c. Ah! William Henry, were you prepared to prove this to be a speech in favour of your cousin and sister-in-law? Was it not _only_ for the aggrandizement of your spendthrift brother?
To oblige her majesty, the young princess was named CHARLOTTE. But what a different character did the younger Charlotte prove from the elder! Oh! that so sweet a disposition and so noble a mind should have been crushed in the bud, and that, too, by one nearly allied to her by the ties of nature!
Those more immediately about the person of the Princess of Wales were best capable to form an opinion of her maternal tenderness, and of the prince's negligence. The proofs of affectionate solicitude on the part of the mother, contrasted with the indifference of the father, deserve public explanation. The first time the prince saw his child, his countenance was not in the least illuminated by any ray of pleasure, as he contented himself by merely observing, "It is a fine girl." The princess afterwards acknowledged her disappointment, as she had hoped his heart was not entirely debased, or his sense of virtue altogether lost; but this fond, this very natural, hope was doomed to disappointment, and while this desolate lady was nursing her tenderly-beloved child, the prince was walking and riding out, openly and shamelessly, with Mrs. Fitzherbert and Lady Jersey! Would not the poor cottager have felt abashed to hear of his fellow-labourer's similar conduct, even in the most humble station of life, who must, of necessity, be devoid of ten thousand advantages this personage had derived from birth and education? Yes, doubtless; and he who could so act deserved no other appellation than that of a VOLUPTUOUS BRUTE.
It was much to be regretted at this time, that all the very heavy taxation and increase of debt were said to be in consequence of the "king's great predilection for the lavish expenditures of the royal family, and his anxious determination to continue the disastrous war." Such were not his majesty's desires, but exactly the reverse; though, unfortunately, his opinions were always overruled by the queen.
A formal separation took place this year between the Prince and Princess of Wales, and certainly her royal highness deserved much more general sympathy than she then experienced. The nobility appeared uncertain which side to espouse, and therefore, for want of _principle_ to do that which their consciences said was right, they fell imperceptibly into error; besides which, it was indispensably necessary, that those who wished to stand well with the queen and prince must withdraw from all intimacy with the Princess of Wales!
The immense amount for the supply this year was above THIRTY-EIGHT MILLIONS!--about twenty of which were raised by loans!
In
1797,
the heavy burdens imposed on the people to supply the insatiate thirst for war, and keep a gorgeous appearance at court, reduced the middle classes of people to want and distraction. While the prince and his fawning courtiers were revelling in every obscenity, and glutting themselves with the prospect which still continued, that to-morrow would be more abundant, thousands,--nay, millions,--in England and Ireland were perishing for want of bread! During this unexampled period of sorrow, the conduct of the ministry proved them to be perfectly indifferent to the distresses of the people. Splendid entertainments, at an immense expense, were frequently given, and the lofty halls of palaces rang with the loud shouts of conviviality and profanity! Such recitals may, to some persons, appear incredible, or too highly coloured; but _we_ well know they did occur, though we do not wish to shock the feelings of our readers by entering into the minutiæ of the infamous conduct practised by the Prince of Wales and his courtiers. Well might the prince, in his memorable letter to the princess in the preceding year, say, "Our inclinations are not suited to each other." He was correct; they were not suited; neither did the Princess Caroline ever desire they should be, because General Lee could testify that the prince had _more propensities than propriety suggested_!
In this most pressing and trying case, when the mind of the Princess of Wales was wrought up to the greatest point of agony, she resolved upon an interview with the queen, when her royal highness told her, that Carlton House could no longer be inhabited by her, as the infamous scenes she was too often obliged to witness were of a description so notoriously abominable, that common decency was grossly outraged! Her majesty supported the right of the prince to choose his own associates, and at the same time stated, as her opinion, that it was very disagreeable to the prince to have her in town at all, and it was proper the princess should remove to some distance agreeable to herself, where the prince might not be under the necessity of meeting her, when he had occasion to spend any time at the palace.
It will readily be presumed, the princess left the presence of the haughty queen with a heart full of disappointment and chagrin. Her royal highness found herself surrounded by persons on whose confidence she could not depend; because every one appeared in awe of the queen. She was also neglected and insulted by the prince, who ought to have been the first to protect her; but the smile of her infant still cheered her gloomy moments.
This was the most disastrous period of the war: the Bank of England stopped payment; mutinies broke out in the army and navy, which were attended by much bloodshed; Ireland was on the verge of rebellion; and the sum required for the year's service amounted to the abominable and increased sum of FORTY-TWO MILLIONS OF MONEY, of which thirty-four millions were raised by loans, and three millions by Exchequer Bills. The premier also proposed to extort seven millions from the people by a new impost, under the name of "the triple assessment!"
The year
1798
presented a continuation of grievances amongst most classes in humble life. Revelry and uproarious riot, however, were ever to be found in the residences of the royal, yet unnatural, husband of the Princess of Wales; and each succeeding year seemed but to _improve_ him in all sorts of infamous engagements. He had at his command some of the most desperate and inhuman characters by which society was ever debased. One in particular, M'Mahon, who would at any time seduce a female from her home, under some specious pretence, in order to take her as a prize to his master, whose favour thereby might be secured!
The intrigues of the Duke of York were also of a most abandoned character; and the other brothers _merit_ some notice in the "Annals of Infamy!" During Frederick's residence in Germany, he contracted habits and indulged in excesses abhorrent to human nature, and we should be spared much deep humiliation, as Englishmen, if we had not occasion to recur again to these sickening facts; but the recording angel of TRUTH forbids our silence, and we must not, therefore, disobey her mandate.
1799
will be remembered, and reference made to it, as long as humanity can reflect upon the desolations and calamities occasioned by war. The earth, in many quarters, was covered with "killed and wounded," while the money of the tax-payers paid the _legal assassins_!
In the mean time, the minister at home was racking his brains how new taxes might be levied, to supply the means for the continuation of carnage. Property, liberty,--nay, even life itself, were deemed toys in the hands of Mr. Pitt, whose passions seemed to centre in rapine, enmity, and ambition. His heart was steeled against the cry of the widow and the plaintive sigh of the destitute orphan. The queen's account in the day of retribution must also be rather enormous, for the minister acted in concert with her in this complicated trickery. Mr. Pitt and the queen seemed to think their only part consisted in draining the resources of the people to their last ability, and in refusing all overtures of peace, whatever offers might be made.
This year, France made proposals of peace with these kingdoms, which were _refused_, and war, desolating war, with all its attendant and consequent horrors, still reared its "gory banners" over the principal part of the world!
We will leave the contemplation of this heart-rending subject, and turn to another, scarcely less revolting to humanity,--the conduct of the Prince of Wales,--whose court was generally filled with a host of harlots. His royal highness was anxious to get rid of the princess (his wife) entirely, and most heartily did the queen concur in his wishes. The difficult part of the task was, the consideration and organization of those measures most likely to promote the desired end. The Princess of Wales' letters, addressed to her family in Brunswick, had many times been opened, and, not unfrequently, even _suppressed_! So that her persecutions were now commenced.
The princess was too open and ingenuous in character to obtain the queen's approbation, and therefore, after the several repulses which she had received from her majesty, Caroline was justly incensed at her uncalled-for unprovoked haughtiness, and overbearing manners. The unsuspecting nature of the Princess of Wales, however, prevented her from being aware of the infamous snares laid for her destruction at this period. Her royal highness has many times been heard to say, "Had I been suspicious, pray what should I not have feared? The queen, from the first time I saw her, frowned upon me, and very little I said or did pleased her; so I never thought I was an object of any consequence to her majesty." These were the reasonings of native, unsophisticated feelings, and well would it have been for the queen if her heart had been equally open, and her language equally candid.
The year
1800
was a continuation of dissension and discord, both at home and abroad. Twice in this year the king's life was attempted; once in Hyde Park, and again, on the same evening, at Drury-lane Theatre; the first being by a ball cartridge, and the latter by a pistol. In the court, the same lavish display as formerly was continued, and the royal means were not curtailed. It was _said_, that the king declined having more than one course served up, but this was merely _nominal_; indeed, if it were as stated, the country did not benefit much by the change, as the allowances to royalty were, in many instances, very much increased, instead of being decreased.
Such was the scarcity of provisions this year, that the generality of the population existed upon a scanty portion of potatoes during the twenty-four hours. Bread was not within the power of the poor to obtain, as the quartern loaf, mixed with all sorts of deleterious ingredients, sold for twenty-one pence!
This year was rendered of immortal memory by the union of Ireland with England, which was effected by a profuse distribution of _money_ and _titles_. Oh! disgrace to the Irish nation, ye servile few, who could sell your country for selfish ends! To yield up "name and fame," and all that is dear to honesty, for the sake of an "empty sound!"
The amounts required for this and the last year were nearly the same as for 1798.
In the early part of the year
1801,
it was announced that the king had taken a severe cold, while hunting, and, in consequence, was not able to visit the several concerts to which he had previously given the promise of his attendance and patronage; but his indisposition was _mental_, not bodily. His majesty was so exceedingly distressed at the base and unworthy conduct of his son to his niece, the Princess of Wales, that he said frequently, "It is more than a father can bear!" Many times would he order his horse to be brought, and, requesting his attendants not to follow him, pursue his way towards Blackheath, where the princess then resided, sympathizing with her sorrows, and, more especially, in the intended removal of her child; for even at this early period, when the Princess Charlotte was but four years of age, the queen would signify her commands that the child should pass some days with her, either in London or Windsor, whichever happened to be most convenient to her majesty.
Notwithstanding the extreme scarcity of money and the high price of food, the queen and the younger branches of her family continued to give their splendid entertainments, as expense was the last consideration with the royal brood, when it was known the country supplied the means. Oh! John Bull, thy gullibility has, for above half a century, been _more_ than proverbial!
On the 29th of October, the king opened the house in person, and announced the conclusion of war. Parliament then adjourned till after the Christmas recess. England now exhibited the effects of an eight years' war; the national debt had been DOUBLED, and internal distress had become general; the poor were in a state bordering on starvation, and commerce had the prospect of every foreign port being shut against it; while the supplies required for the year amounted to nearly FORTY MILLIONS.
The year
1802
was ushered in under the greatest embarrassments. The vitals of the people were nearly destroyed by the enormous taxation they had endured for so many years, and it was doubtless owing to the intolerable load they had sustained, and still expected to have forced upon them, that independent sentiments were proclaimed. They had a right to condemn the usurping power of the queen, for producing all their troubles.
The recess having terminated, the House met. The chancellor came forward to shew that the sovereign's pecuniary affairs were very much in arrear. After introducing his plan of finance, he was obliged to inform the House that certain taxes had been mortgaged by Mr. Pitt, (_who had now resigned_) for which the present minister must provide. To defray this expense, very heavy additional duties were imposed on beer, malt, hops, &c. A considerable addition was also made to the assessed taxes, and upon imports and exports. At this period, the whole of the "funded debt," including the loans of the present year, amounted to _five hundred and forty millions_, and the interest was annually _seventeen millions sterling_!
On the 7th of May, Mr. Nichol moved that an address be presented to his majesty, thanking him for the removal of Mr. Pitt from his councils, when Lord Belgrave rose, and moved an amendment, expressive of the high approbation of that House respecting the character and conduct of the late minister and his colleagues! In the face of all opposition, Lord Belgrave's amendment was carried by more than _four to one_, as also a second motion, by Sir H. Mildmay, "that the _thanks_ of the House be given to the Right Hon. Mr. Pitt." This was assurance in perfection! These discussions only seemed to increase Mr. Pitt's popularity, and on the occasion of his next birth-day, Earl Spencer, late first lord of the Admiralty, gave as a toast to the company, "the pilot that weathered the storm," instead of "the pilot who _gathered_ the storm!"
In the latter part of this year, much fear was excited, lest hostilities should again arise between France and England, on account of the ascendency of Buonaparte.
At the commencement of the year
1803,
the unhappy king, by the desire of his overbearing wife, directed a message to the House, recommending "the embarrassed state of the Prince of Wales to their attention," and, in consequence, sixty thousand pounds annually were further settled upon his royal highness, to continue for three years and a half. This sum, however, was not half sufficient to meet his lavish engagements; and therefore Mr. Calcraft had the hardihood to move, that "means be granted to enable the prince to resume his state and dignity!" But this inconsistent and insulting motion was "_too bad_," and, in defiance of even the boroughmongers, was negatived.
The supplies voted for the public service this year amounted to above FIFTY-SIX MILLIONS! We really wonder of what materials Englishmen were composed to allow such iniquitous grants.
Ministers again declared war with France, and men and money were in no inconsiderable request. The French Consul possessed himself of Hanover, and threatened an invasion of England, which frightened ministers to put the country in a state of defence. But was not this a political _ruse_?
Mr. Addington was not so popular as his predecessor in the capacity of minister; he had not so much hardihood as Mr. Pitt, and was not calculated to endure the load of obloquy which he received, as he considered himself free from the charge of having destroyed the prospects of his country by the immense debt then contracted; for that was the arrangement of Mr. Pitt. Mr. Addington was merely a _tool_ in the hands of others.