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M E M O I R S
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OF HER LATH MAJESTY
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C A R O L I N
of ffircat Britain:
EMBRACING
EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE
SCENES OF HER EVENTFUL LIFE,
FROM
INFANCY TO THE PERIOD OF HER DECEASE,
INTERSPERSED WITH
ORIGINAL LETTERS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS,
HITHERTO UNPUBLISHED.
LIKEWISE A FAITHFUL ACCOUNT OF HER MAJESTY'S
ILLNESS, LAST SAYINGS, LAMENTED DEATH,
FUNERAL PROCESSION, #C. #C.
BY ROBERT HUISH, ESQ.,
Author of Memoirs of the Princess Charlotte, History and Reign of
George the Third, &c.
IN TWO VOLUMES,
VOL. II
EMBELLISHED WITH ELEGANT ENGRAVINGS.
Hontton :
T. KELLY, 17,
-: ' '^ , * And sold hy all BookseUen in the United Ki^rjj?
) ' ,
1821.
V)
INDEX
TO
THE SECOND VOLUME.
Addresses to the Queen, viz. from Calais, 40 — Dover, 76 — Canter-
bury, 79 — Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London, 179, 355 —
Nottingham, 334— York, ib.— Preston, 347— Southwark, 351
—Westminster, 379— Shaftsbury, 401— Newcastle, 403—
Bedford, 409— Newbury, 411 — Poole, 415 — Females of
Nottingham, 424 — Morpeth, 427 — Wakefield, 428— Ilches-
ter, 435 — Sunderland, 439 — Lewes, 443 — Berwick-upon-
Tweed, 456 — Canterbury, 464 — Norwich, 467 — Middlesex,
489 — Shoreditch, 491 — Artisans of the Metropolis, 496 —
Hammersmith, 499— Married Ladies, 503 — Greenwich, 505
Aylesbury, 507— Barnard Castle, 451— Spitalfields' Weavers,
542 — Bethnal Green, 553 — Sheffield, 555 — Alston, 563 —
Reading, 569 — Cripplegate, 573 — Bath, 578 — Married
Ladies of St. Mary-le-bone, 580-84 — Captains, &c. of the
British merchant service, 591-93 — General accounts of Ad-
dresses presented to her Majesty, 593-94, 599, 608, 610-
15, 667-71.
Artisans of the metropolis, address of, to the Queen, 496.
Attorney-General's speech before the Privy Council, against the
Queen's Coronation, 678-681.
Bailey, Mr., conduct of, at the Queen's funeral, 756.
Bill of Pains and Penalties presented to the House by Lord
Liverpool, 373-75 — Presented to the Queen by Sir Thomas
Tyrwhitt, 378 — Read the first time, 366 — Debates thereon,
393-97— Second reading, 616 — Queen's Protest against the
third reading, 621 — Rejoicings on its abandonment, 622-27.
Boissouvray, Baroness, her interview with Bergami, 857.
Boulogne, Letter from the inhabitants of, to the Queen, 43.
Brandenburg 'house occupied by her Majesty, 439, 443, 463 —
Her death at, 716 — Funeral Procession from, 763.
Brougham, Mr., joins her Majesty at St. Omer's, 57 — Letters
to Lord Hutchinson, 57-8, 61— Speech in the House of
Lords, 306-314 — Appeal to the House of Commons, 400 —
Before the Privy Council, 674-77.
Bulletins respecting her Majesty's indisposition, 695-97, 701-12
— Of her death, 716.
INDEX TO THE SECOND VOLUME.
Brunswick, arrival of the funeral procession at, 831 — Conduct
of the people, 844 — Of the Minister to the Executors, S 45-47
— Address of the Young Females to Lady Anne Hamilton,
850— Of the Citizens to Lord Hood, 85 1— To Alderman
Wood, 852.
Brunsiuick Cathedral, affecting ceremonies in, 837 — Funeral
oration, 838.
Caroline, Queen of England, Letter to George III., 12 — Her
indisposition at Geneva, &c., 31-4 — At Dijon despatches a
courier to Mr. Brougham, and is joined by Alderman Wood,
44 — Letters to Earl Liverpool and Lord Melville, 45 — Arrival
at St. Omer's, and other particulars, 47, 51— -Diary of her
proceedings, 52-6— Joined by Mr. Brougham, 57 — Precipi-
tate departure, 62— Arrival at Calais, 64— Sails for Eng-
land, and arrives at Dover, 69 — Manner of her recep-
tion, 69, 75 — Her reception on the road to London,
77-91 — Arrival at Alderman Wood's, 87 — Tumultuous pro-
ceedings, 105, 111 — Her message to the House of Com-
mons, 120, 137, 630 — Letter to Lord Liverpool, 161, 164,
333, 627 — Rejoicings at Spilsby on her return to Eng-
land, 198-98 — Her answer to the deputation of the House
of Commons, 289 — Petition to the House of Lords, 305,
371, 381, 398, 418 — Her answer to the address from Dover,
77 — From Canterbury, 79 — From the Lord Mayor, &c. of
London, 184, 356 — Nottingham, 334 — From the ladies, 424
— From the Lord Mayor, &e. of York, 335 — Preston, 347 —
Westminster, 379— Shaftsbury, 401— Newcastle, 403— Bed-
ford, 409— Newbury, 411— Poole, 415— Rochester, 426—
Morpeth, 427 — Wakefield, 428— Ilchester, 435— Sunderland,
439 — Lewes, 443 — Berwick-upon -Tweed, 456 — Canterbury,
464 — Norwich, 467 — Middlesex, 489 — Shoreditch, 491 — Ar-
tisans of the metropolis, 496 — Hammermith, 499 — Married
Ladies, 503 — Inhabitants of Greenwich, 305 — Aylesbury,
507 — Barnard Castle, 541— Spitalfields' Weavers, 542 —
Bethrial Green, 553 — Sheffield 555 — Alston, 563 — Reading,
Cripplegate, 573 — Bath, 578— Married Ladies of St. Mary-
le-bone, 582 — Captains of the British merchant service, 592
— The Queen visits Guildhall, 3 44 — Applies to Lord Liverpool
for a suitable residence, 358 — Her religious character, 388, 390,
543-44, 56S— Anecdote of, 416 — Libel against, 422— Re-
quests a seat in the House of Lords, 428 — Arrangements for her
accommodation in the House of Lords, 436, 509 — Prepares
for her trial, 637 — Leaves the metropolis for Branden-
feurg-house, 439, 443— Accepts of the residence of Lady
Francis during her trial, 463 — Receives the intelligence of
the Duchess of York's death, 465 — Letter to the King,
472, 481 — Procession to and from the House of Lords,
416-528, 532-37, 545, 551, 553-58, 565, 567, 570-77, 590,
(516 — Excursion to Greenwich, 587-89 — Protest against th«
INDEX TO THE SECOND VOLUME. y
conduct of her prosecutors, 616, 685-87 — Public thanks-
giving at Hammersmith Church, 632-36 — At St. Paul's,
641, 664 — Letter to Lord Sidmouth, 682-83 — Is refused
admittance at the coronation, 688-92 — Her indisposition,
695-714 — Anecdotes of, 709-10 — Her death, 716— Prepara-
tions for her funeral, 727, 734,745-48,752,761 — Funeral
Procession of, 763, 783 — Copy of herwill and codicils, 729 -31.
Calais, arrival of Alderman Wood at, 37 — Circular of the inha-
bitants, 37 — Address to Queen Caroline, 40 — Arrival of the
Queen at, 64 — Departure of the Queen from, 67.
Captains, &c. of the merchant service, address to Queen Caro-
line, 591-93.
Canterbury, arrival of Queen Caroline at, 78 — Address of the
Mayor and Corporation, 79 — Her answer, 80 — Peculiar re-
ception by the inhabitants, 81 — Address of, and her Ma-
jesty's reply, 404.
Castlereagh, Lord, presents certain papers to the House of
Commons by command of the King, 215.
Commons, House of, debates respecting the infamous conduct
of Cardinal Gonsalvi to Queen Caroline, 18-24 — On the pe-
culiar situation of the Queen, 24, 30 — On the King's message
94, 105, 122, 136-39, 142, 168, 318, 330— On the Queen's
message, 120, 137, 630— On Mr. Wilberforce's motion, 245,
276 — Papers relative to the negotiation between their Ma-
jesties, 215 — Deputation from, to the Queen, 285-89— ~
Motion of Sir R. Ferguson, 383 — Mr. Brougham's appeal,
400 — Dr. Lushington's motion for an address to the King,
406— Petition of the Lord Mayor to, 408.
Common Council, meeting of the, for considering an address to
Queen Caroline, 165— Address presented, 179, 355 — Her
reply, 181 — Petition of, to Parliament, 408 — Alderman
Waithman presents a Letter from Queen Caroline, 597 —
Meeting of, on the death of the Queen, 748, 750.
Coronation, the Queen's right to be present at the ceremony of,
argued before the Privy Council, 676 — The Queen refused a
seat at, 673, 682, 684 — Her proceedings on the day of, 688.
Dacre, Lord, presents her Majesty's petition to the House of
Lords, 371, 381 — His protest, 516.
Dartford, reception of Queen Caroline at, 84.
Denman, Mr., Speech in the House of Lords, 314-17 — Before
the Privy Council, 677 — Presents a message to the House of
Commons, from the Queen, 630.
Discussion between Lord Castlereagh, the Duke of Wellington,
Mr. Brougham, and Mr. Denman, 171-77, 186, 190-98, 201.
Divorce Bill, Committee on, appointed by the House of Lords,
414— Report of 423.
Dover, arrival of Alderman Wood, at 36— Of Queen Caro-
line, 69 — Address of the inhabitants, 76 — Departure from, ib.
—Arrival of the Italians, 385.
VI INDEX TO THE SECOND VOLUME.
Erskine, Lord, speech relative to the witnesses, 403 — Present*
a petition from the Queen, 418.
Ferguson, Sir R., motion in the House of Commons respecting
the Milan Commission, 383.
Francis, Lady, offers her house as a residence for her Majesty
during her trial, 463 — The Queen's arrival at, 502.
Funeral of Queen Caroline, preparations for, 727, 734, 745-48,
752, 61 — Departure of, from Brandenburg-house, and arrival
at Kensington, 763, 772 — Interruption at, 772-74 — At Hyde
Park, 774-77— At Piccadilly, 778, 783— Proceeds along
Oxford-street, and ultimately goes through the city, 784-89 —
Passes through Whitechapel, and stops at Chelmsford, 792-99
— Departs for Kelvedon, and stops at Colchester, 800-8 —
Departure from, and arrival at Harwich, 809-11 — Order of
the procession, and conduct at, 811, 820 — The body em-
barked on board the Glasgow frigate, 821 — Transferred to
the Gannet, 822 — Arrival at Stade, 824-26 — At Bergen,
827— At Offau, 828, 834 — Departure for, and arrival at the
tomb, 835-38-— Translation of the prayer, 838.
Galloway, Rev. Mr., prays for the Queen, 469, 471.
Geneva, the Queen's indisposition at, 31-4 — Letter from a gen-
tleman, respecting the same, 34 — Letter from the inhabitants,
on the Queer's arrival, 41.
George IV., message to the House of Lords, 92 — Commons, 94.
Consalvi, Cardinal, Leiter of, to the Queen, 17.
Cravestnd, reception of her majesty at, 83.
Guildhall, visit of Queen Caroline to, 344.
Hammersmith, address of the inhabitants to Queen Caroline,
499 — Sensation at, on the death of the Queen, 718 — Funeral
sermon at St. Paul's church, 744 — Procession of the funeral
from, 766.
Hobhouse, Mr., (under Secretary of State) letters to Lady Hood,
#c., 736-37— To the Sheriffs of London, 750.
Hood, Lord, conversation with the door-keeper on refusing the
Queen's admittance to the coronation, 690-91 — Answer to the
address of the citizens of Brunswick, 851.
Hood, Lady, letter to Mr. Hobhouse, (under Secretary of State)
7.36— To Lord Liverpool, 737, 740.
Howard, Lord, letter to Lord Hood, 684.
Hughes, Dr., conduct towards the committee of arrangement
respecting her majesty's visit to St. Paul's, 637, 640.
Hutchinson, Lord, negotiation with the Queen at St. Omer's,
57— Letter to Mr. Brougham, 58, 60, 67.
Italian Witnesses, arrival of at Dover, 385 — At London, 391 —
Extract of a letter respecting, 431— Arrangements made for
their reception, 457, 462, 539, 541.
Letttr of the Princess of Wales to George III., 12— Cardinal
Gonsalvi to the Queen Caroline, 17 — From Geneva 34 —
Inhabitants of Boulogne, 43— Queen Caroline to Lords
INDEX TO THE SECOND VOLUME. VIV
Liverpool and Melville, 45— Loud Melville's answer, 55 —
Mr. Brougham and Lord Hutchinson, 57-8, 61, 58, 60, 67 —
Lord Liverpool to the Queen, 160, 163, 628, 673 — Respect-
ing the Italian witnesses, 43, 613 — Lord John Russell to Mr.
Wilberforce, 447— The Queen to the king, 472, 482— Sir
Gerard Noel to the Earl of Liverpool, 483, 487— Mr. Marsh
to Mr. Watts, 560 — The Queen to the Court of Common
Council, 597— To Lord Sidmouth, 682-13— To Lord Hood,
«84 — Lady Hood, #e. to Mr. Hobhouse, 736, 737 — To
Lord Liverpool, 737, 740, 7'39, 741— Mr. Hobhouse to the
Sheriffs of London, 750 — Sheriff Waithman's to Lord Liver-
pool, 751.
Leimter, Duke of, his opposition to the proceedings, 501.
Leghorn, arrival of Queen Caroline at, 30.
Lines on the distressing situation of her majesty, 430.
Liverpool, Lord, presents his majesty's message to the House of
Lords, 92 — Letter to the Queen, 160-63, 628, 673 — Presents
the Bill of Pains of Pains and Penalties, 373, 377 — Motion
for a committee on the Divorce Bill, 15 — Letter to Lady Hood,
739, 741— To Sheriff Waithman, 751
Lords, House of, Lord Liverpool presents his majesty's message
to, 92— Debates, 114-18, 142, 157-58, 201, 214, 231-33-39,
362, 368, 393, 397 — Petition of the Queen to, 305, 371, 381,
398, 418 — Mr. Brougham's speech, 305, 314 — Mr. Denman's
speech, 314-17 — Meeting of the Secret Committee, 336 —
Keport of, 361 — Lord Liverpool presents the Bill of Pains
and Penalties to, 373, 375 — Committee on the Divorce Bill
appointed, 414 — Report of, 423 — Arrangements for her ma-
jesty's reception during the trial, 436, 509 — Arrival of the
Peers, 513, 515 — Procession of her majesty to and from, 516,
528, 532, 537, 546, 551-53-56-58, 565-67, 570-72-75,77,
590, 616 — Sudden indisposition of the Queen, 547.
Lushington, Dr., moves an address to the king, 40,] — Is ap-
pointed executor to her majesty, 718 — Conversation with Mr.
Bailey on removal of her majesty's body, 756.
Married Ladies of the metropolis, address of, to the Queen, 503
— Of St. Mary-le-bone, 580-84.
Marsh, Mr., Letter to Mr. Watts respecting Majocchi, 560.
Melville, Lord, letter to Queen Caroline, 55.
Middlesex, meeting of the freeholders to address Queen Caro-
line, 466 — Address presented, and her reply, 487, 490.
Noel, Sir Gerard, letter to the Earl of Liverpool, 483-87.
Omer's, St., arrival of Queen Caroline at, 47 — Interesting parti-
culars, 47, 50 — Diary of her proceedings at, 52-5-6 — Ar-
rival of Mr. Brougham and others at, 57.
Parkins, Sheriff, note to Queen Caroline, 467.
Pergami, Count, requests his dismissal from her majesty's ser-
vice, 61 — His person and family, 431-34.
Petition of the Queen to the House of Lords, 305, 371, 381,
Vlii INDEX TO THE SECOND TOLUME.
398, 418 — Of the Lord Mayor to the House of Commons,
408— To the king 448, 455.
Privy Council, Mr. Brougham's speech before, relative to the
coronation of the Queen, 676-77— Mr. Denman's, 677—
Attorney-General's, 678, 681 — Decision of, 681.
Procession of the Queen to and from the House of Lords, 516-
28, 532-7, 545, 553-8, 565, 570-7, 590, 616 — Of the artisans
of the metropolis, 492, 651, 660— Of the Queen to St. Paul's,
641, 665. See Funeral.
Prayer at the tomh of the Queen, 838.
Remarks on the failure of the negotiation with her majesty,
217, 224 — On the conduct of the Queen while abroad, 297,
302— On the proceedings of the Secret Committee, 337, 340
— On its Report, 368, 370 — On the character of the Queen,
388, 390, 543-44, 568, 719, 725— Her petition, 421— On
the addresses, 444, 446 — On her letter to George IV.,
481-83— On her Trial, 528, 531-37-39, 550— On the exa-
mination of Majocchi, 560 — On the evidence of Captains
Briggs and Pechell, 561— On the Bills of Pains and Pe-
nalties, 565 — On the witnesses, #c., 585-87 — The Queen's
Protest, 617-19 — On the Divorce clause, 619 — On the
Queen's being refused admittance to the coronation, 692—
On the letter of Lady Hood to Lord Liverpool, 743.
Rothwell, Sheriff", presents a petition from the Lord Mayor, &fc.t
to the House of Commons, 408 — Is rejected, 411.
Russell, Lord John, letter to Mr. Wilberforce, 447.
Secret Committee, meeting of the, 335 — Report of, 361.
Sidmouth, Lord, letter to the Queen, 682.
Spilsby, rejoicings on the Queen's return to England, 196-98.
Spitalfields Weavers, address of to the Queen, 542.
St. Paul's, public thanksgiving of her majesty at, 641, 665.
Trial of the Queen, proceedings relative to, 463.
Tyrwhitt, Sir Thomas, presents the Bill of Pains and Penalties
to her majesty, 378.
Vassali, Count, requests the Queen to dismiss him, 61.
Waithman, Sheriff, letter to Lord Liverpool, 751.
Westminster, meeting of the inhabitants to address the Queen,
359 — The address presented, and her answer, 379.
Wilberforce, Mr., motion in the House of Commons, 245 — De-
bates thereon, 245, 276.
Wilde, Mr., appointed executor of her majesty's Will, 717.
Will of the Queen, Dr. Lushington and Mr. Wilde, appointed
executors, 718 — Copy of, and the codicils, 729, 731.
Wood, Alderman, arrival of, at Dover, 36— Calais, 37 — Joins
her majesty at Dijon, 44— Despatches a courier to Calais,
61 — To London, 65— Arrival in London, 85 — Answer to the
address of the citizens of Brunswick, 852.
York, address of the Lord Mayor, #c., to the Queen, 835.
York, death of the Duchess of, 465.
MEMOIRS,
MANY years had elapsed since death had
marked for its victims any members of the royal fa-
mily of England : after a course of a well-spent life
the aged stood grey and reverend, looking for-
ward to a crown more durable and lasting than
an earthly one ; and the younger, with the beau-
tiful example of their parents before them, gave
an additional splendour to the dignity of royalty,
by the practice of Christian benevolence, and by
the exercise of every relation which belongs to
the private or the exalted station. On a sudden
" Death rioted in our palaces," the fairest scion
which ever sprang from the branch of royalty
rose from its native purity, flourished in its prime,
blossomed, — bore a fruit, — and died. Not content
with two victims, the mother and hjer child,
onward strode the tyrant in his desolating spirit ;
he smote the aged and the young; they fell
before him followed by a nation's tears, and the
royal family of England, hitherto compact, beheld
its chasms and its blanks.
8 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
But it is the living that feel the loss of those
who are no more amongst thfcm, and no sooner
had our late venerable and truly amiable monarch
been gathered to his fathers, than circumstances
arose not only of a political but private nature,
which placed the country in a state of ferment
and disquiet. Amongst those circumstances,
the peculiar situation of the Queen Consort of
England appeared to claim a paramount atten-
tion, and certainly throughout the annals of this
country it is impossible to find any case ana-
logous to that which presented itself in the person
of the Queen Consort of England on the demise of
George III., at a time when her claim to the
crown, as the consort of the King, in succession,
became indisputable. At that period, we find her
an exile from the country, living as it were in a
land of her own adoption, and bereft of every
claim and privilege to which her illustrious rank
entitled her. To enter at this time into an inves-
tigation of the causes which impelled her to take
refuge in a foreign country, would not only be
diffuse, but could only be regarded as a mere
repetition of those circumstances which are too un-
happily in the recollection of the majority of the
people of this nation. She left the country
leaving behind her an only child, attached to her
by the strongest bonds of affection, ever woven
round the human heart: she parted from the
dearest object she held on earth, unconscious,
whether in the womb of futurity that moment was
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 9
germinating, which at a future period would
restore them to each other. With the last view
of England, she took the last view of those whom
she loved, for they fell one by one from the tree
of life, and left her desolate, and, like the blighted
tree of the desert, standing solitary, and alone.
In the midst of strangers, foreign to herself in
language and in manners, she sought an asylum
from those, whom she considered to be her
enemies, and in the view of the scenes of other
lands, she hoped to find an oblivion of those
of that country where she had left all that she
held dear on earth. To give a recital of what
has been ignorantly termed by many the romantic
and Quixotic excursions of her royal highness, un-
der which title she then travelled, could only be
considered in this part of her Memoirs as extra-
neous and premature, for we should be neces-
sarily called upon to prejudge the propriety or
the innocence of several circumstances which
have undergone the most solemn investigation,
and which will be regularly detailed in the course
of this work.
On the demise of George III. the Princess of
Wales became by marriage the Queen Consort of
England, and she was accordingly invested with
all the rights and privileges attached to thjat
exalted station. But whether she would ever
have claimed them, or whether she would have
renounced that mode of life to which she had so
long accustomed herself, must for certain rea-
1 c
10 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
sons remain enveloped in uncertainty ; yet had
it not been for particular indignities and affronts
which her majesty conceived were offered to
her, and to which she could not conscientiously
submit, without compromising her dignity as
queen of one of the first kingdoms of the world,
and her character as a female, it is perhaps no
vague supposition, that her majesty would have
remained in a state of comparative obscurity, nor
have boldly rushed into the very presence of
those individuals by whom she conceived herself
to be so openly insulted and degraded. Extremes
in all cases bear with them a positive degree of
danger, and in no point is an extreme more to be
avoided than in that which bears a particular
reference to the feelings of the human heart ; in
which the nicest principles which constitute the
bonds of society are not only materially con-
cerned, but without the practice of which all
virtue, all decorum, all morality, may be consi-
dered as a mere empty sound. There are
periods in life in which forbearance wears the
hue of criminality, and the innocent may be
goaded on to that keen sense of suffering, that
nature appears on a sudden to give them addi-
tional power, and they burst in an unexpected
moment into the presence of those who are their
secret and interested accusers, — braving them to
a verification of the imputed guilt, and, in the
bold and undaunted tone which innocence only
can use, demanding an acquittal or death.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 11
A short time before the demise of his late
majesty, it was the intention of his ministers to
have submitted a bill to parliament respecting
the peculiar situation of her royal highness the
Princess of Wales, the nature, or precise meaning
of which bill was never generally known, as the
decease of his majesty rendered its provisions
nugatory ; for immediately on that event taking
place, she became queen consort of England*,
and therefore entitled to her state and establish-
ment as such. It was, however believed, that
the intended bill was one of attainder, and which
would have deprived her royal highness of all
claim to the throne of this country. Another
singular circumstance arose from the decease of
his majesty, which was, that the provision of
35,000/. a year for her royal highness was made
for her establishment in quality of princess of
Wales, and only during her continuance in that
station. On her royal highness becoming queen
consort, she was therefore without a penny of
revenue.
It will be however necessary to give a slight
sketch of her proceedings just previous to the
period of his majesty's decease, and in one of her
letters dated Marseilles, the 26th of October 1819,
her royal highness says —
" During the five years of my long absence
* It may be necessary to remark, that the queen can be
either Queen Regent, Queen Consort, or Queen Dowager, but she
is not the Queen of England until crowned.
12 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
from my dear Old England, I can assure you it
has been the first real happy moment I felt,
having received such satisfactory information
respecting the feelings of the people of England
towards me. It has been the most gratifying
communication to my mind, and I trust to Heaven
I shall ever continue to deserve their good opi-
nion. My traducers and enemies in England
have again held secret inquisition at Milan,
through the means of spies and many old servants
who have been sent from the house for bad
conduct.
" A Mr. C , Mr. P , a Colonel B ,
and Lord S , have been making all sorts of
inquiry into my private conduct. My legal
advisers were informed of this in April last, and
I should have gone to London at that period,
had I not been otherwise advised, it being the
wish of my legal advisers that they should first
see me in France. I came to Lyons for that pur-
pose, and after waiting anxiously their arrival for
some weeks, I found they could not meet me. The
air being too cold for my health, I took the reso-
lution of fixing my winter residence at Marseilles,
where I have been two months, and expected to
see my legal advisers, but I have been again disap-
pointed, and Heaven knows when they will be
able to meet me. I have been much alarmed
about a rumour relating to our ever-beloved and
lamented king's health ; in the event of any
thing happening to our reverend monarch, I put
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 13
my only trust in the generosity of the great
nation, to protect me from the hands of my
enemies. I have the pleasure to tell you that all
my debts in England and Italy have been paid.
" CAROLINE, Princess of Wales."
In regard to the inquisition at Milan, briefly
hinted at by the princess, it is certain that a sort
of extra-official examination did take place of the
conduct of her royal highness, which examination
was conducted by fourteen persons, who examined
the discarded servants of her royal highness, and
on whose testimony the charges which are to be
brought against her royal highness are founded.
But Mr. Brougham has declared that although
the Milan board sat for ten months,, he did not
say that ten months, or ten weeks would be
required to blow the report of that board into the
air. One of the servants who was examined, had
committed a felony, and had been therefore dis-
charged by the princess from her service, and the
evidence to prove it was a peasant, who, if the
charges are gone into, must be followed and found.
It is not, therefore, to be supposed that the evi-
dence of such a servant can be received without
making allowance for the disposition with which
he tenders that evidence, which must be evidently
under the influence of pique and revenge. But
the most glaring case of the dishonourable inter-
ference of particular individuals in regard to the
conduct of the princess, at this period, was that of
14 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
Baron Ompteda, the Hanoverian ambassador,
whose name ought to be branded with infamy
wherever it is known or mentioned.
This man had been most graciously and hos-
pitably received by her royal highness, he had
insinuated himself into her confidence, — he had
partaken largely of her liberality — he had pass-
ed several months at a time under her roof —
this man, not indeed the envoy of Hanover to this
country, but to the Holy See, was discovered not
merely spying into her actions — bribing strangers
to watch her, and even bribing her own servants,
but it was found out that he employed a smith to
pick the locks of her writing desk, in order to
examine any papers that might be in her posses-
sion. Unluckily for him, that which he found
proved that he had been on a false scent, and de-
monstrated the innocence, instead of the guilt, of
the illustrious personage. A young naval officer
to whom the transaction became known, felt in-
censed and indignant at such a base attempt. No
wonder that his passions should be excited, that
he should feel warmly and forcibly, when such
a proceeding was pursued towards his mistress
and benefactress. Actuated by su-ch feelings he
demanded personal satisfaction, the baron being
at that time beyond the bounds of his mission.
He immediately made a movement — a backward
movement — to the city of Milan, where he was
vainly sought for in his fastnesses. Thus menaced
he retreated to the mountains, where a sort of
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 15
mountain warfare was carried on against him by
the gallant lieutenant, but without success, and at
length the baron was expelled from the Austrian
territories, not indeed for picking locks, but for
refusing to fight a duel. Let it not, however, be
supposed that any instructions had been given to
the baron for such dishonourable conduct, by the
Hanoverian or the English governments. It has
been most completely disavowed, and from that
quarter which sets that charge against it com-
pletely at rest.
The princess found herself so very uncomfort-
able at Marseilles, under the French government,
that she determined to leave it, and the follow-
ing letter which is dated, Marseilles, 6th of Ja-
nuary, 1820, gives her own sentiments on the sub-
ject : —
" I should not have taken up my pen so soon
to trouble you, if I had not received this morning
a letter from Paris, from a particular friend,
which communication stated to me, that the
English ambassador mentioned, the impossibility
of his paying me due respect, and assured my
friend that the government at Paris, he feared,
would make my residence there far from agreeable,
and my friend advised me not to visit Paris under
such circumstances. I never had any wish to
visit that metropolis, but the desire alone of seeing
my legal advisers, and that was the sole object of
my travelling into France. I am so uncomforta-
ble here under such a government, that I intend
16 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
leaving Marseilles on the 20th of this month, and
shall return into Italy.
" In case my presence should be necessary in
England, I will come by sea, and not expose my-
self to the possibility of being badly received by
the family of the Bourbons. The present king,
when in a distressed situation, was well received
by my late father's court at Brunswick palace, and
every comfort was offered to him : but such great
personages have the talent to forget where they
have received civilities. In a strange country, I
think the daughter should at least have been kindly
received, without pomp or parade, but in a friendly
way; that was all I expected, as I travelled
incognito.
CAROLINE, Princess of Wales."
Her royal highness on leaving Marseilles, di-
rected her route towards Rome, and in letters
received from her dated Rome, she complains of
not having received any messenger from this go-
vernment, announcing the demise of our late la-
mented sovereign. She appears to have been
treated in the holy city with every species of in-
dignity, and it was no sooner known that she was
Queen Consort of England, than her guard of
honour was withdrawn, because the British go-
vernment had not acknowledged her under that
title. Her majesty remonstrated against this act,
and the following is a copy of a letter from the
Secretary of State's office, in Rome, to the Queen of
England's chamberlain, dated February 24, 1820:—
CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 17
" The cardinal secretary of state received yes-
terday evening the request, to cause a guard to
be placed at the door of the mentioned palace,
and likewise has made known to him, that a cate-
gorical answer was expected upon this subject.
The observations which the above said cardinal
made yesterday morning, verbally, when you, by
orders you had received, called at his apartments,
not having permitted him to answer directly to
the royal personage who did him the honour to
write to him, is under the necessity of requesting
you to lay before the same the following :
". His holiness's government cannot grant the
guard to my lady the Countess Oldi*. No guard
is given to private persons ; and when even royal
princes travel incognito, under a private name, they
do not receive this distinction. There is actually
at Rome no instance of this. The papal govern*
ment did not fail in paying this honour to the Prin-
cess of Wales during her stay in this capital on a
former occasion. The royal person, however, who
has now come to Rome, is not announced as the
Princess of Wales, but as the Queen of England,
and for this the guard is requested. But as no
communication has been made to his holiness's
government by the government of his majesty the
King of England and Hanover, upon the change
that has taken place, nor upon the rank of the
said royal person, the papal government does not
* The travelling title assumed by the queen.
1.8 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
know that the Queen of England is in Rome, and
in consequence cannot grant a guard to the same.
Whenever the government of his holiness may re-
ceive from that of his majesty the King of Eng-
land and Hanover, the usual notification upon the
change that has taken place with the royal person
in question, he will consider it an imperious duty
to pay to the Queen of England all the honours
due to her.
(Signed) " C. CARDINAL GONSALVI."
On the subject of this indignity to the queen,
at Rome, Mr. Brougham said in the House of
Commons—
" Baron Reding was now the Hanoverian minis-
ter at Rome, and his conduct towards her majes-
ty was also worthy of remark. The moment it
was notified by the bishops to the chief of the
consistory at Rome, that her majesty's name was
not inserted in the Liturgy, the body-guard which
had previously been allowed to her, was imme-
diately withdrawn: but that was not all — the
heads of the government affected not to know
her — they pretended that she came concealed as
the Countess of Oldi, as she had before done ; and
because she was not acknowledged by this go-
vernment, because slight and disrespect were of-
fered to her by the ministers of her own country,
they thought they would be justified in doing the
same. But Baron Reding, the Hanoverian minis-
ter, went a great deal farther. He would not call
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 19
her by the title of " Queen ;" he would not call
her by the title of " Princess of Wales ;" but he
sometimes called her " Caroline of Brunswick,"
in so many words, without the epithet of " Prin-
cess, '* "which she certainly was entitled to before
her marriage ; and at other times he called her by
a different name — a name which had been never
heard elsewhere, — " Caroline of England, " — a
designation that had never at any period of her
life belonged to her. This he mentioned, to
shew how far insolence and absurdity might be
carried. Every Englishman who entered his ex-
cellency's society, must have heard him talk in
this manner of the consort of his own sovereign,
who, he was persuaded, had too much the feelings
of a gentleman, of a prince, and of a man of ho-
nour, to allow any individual to insinuate himself
into his favour by treating a female rudely and dis-
respectfully."
Her majesty, it appears, had now formed the
decided resolution of visiting England, for in one
of her letters, she expresses a great wish to have
Buckingham-house for her palace ; she also de-
sired that the discharged servants of the late Duke
of Kent, or those in the service of his royal high-
ness Prince Leopold, might be employed for her
in preference to any others, and her majesty also
desired in the event of the refusal of government
to find her a palace, that a house might be taken
for her near Dover. At this time her majesty was
preparing to leave Rome for Pesaro, and thence
D 2
20 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
it was her positive intention to repair to England,
with the least possible delay.
On the 1st of February, Mr. Sicard, formerly a
member of the household of her majesty when
Princess of Wales, and, since her departure to the
Continent, acting as her agent in London, arrived
at Dover, where he embarked immediately for
France. While at Dover, he stated himself to be
the bearer of letters to the queen ; that he was
directed to proceed in the first instance to Leg-
horn, and in the event of her majesty not being
there, to seek her until he found her residence,
and accompany her majesty to England with all
possible speed.
Amongst the many marked indignities which
the queen supposes to have received from the
ministers, was the omission of her name in the
Liturgy. This appears to have given deep and
well-merited offence, for it was literally blazoning
her majesty's disgrace within the walls of every
church in the country ; and although some clergy-
men, with an honest and upright zeal, did actually
include her name in the Liturgy, yet the instances
were solitary, and the general omission of it ap-
peared to the people as a determination on the
part of the ministers to mark the Queen of Eng-
land as an improper person to be included in the
prayers for the royal family.
On this subject, Mr. Canning said in the House
of Commons —
" So long as the late king was upon the throne,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 21
and the illustrious person was Princess of Wales,
there was no occasion for any change. There be-
ing no necessity for money, no other reason could
induce the government to come to Parliament.
But when occasion arose, when the situation of the
parties was changed, something must have been
done ; it was no longer possible to stand still, —
and then the change was made in the Liturgy. This
had been represented as a most wanton aggrava-
tion, and an act of injustice, for which there had
been no necessity. But on a new reign, new ar-
rangements must have been made, and such an
arrangement had been made as was in the power
of the crown, and was necessary or suitable, not
if the queen lived in London, but when she lived
abroad, and in a state of continued separation.
Such a proceeding was not without precedent.
The Duke of Cumberland had been prayed for in
the reign of George II. ; but the practice of pray-
ing for him by name was discontinued on the ac-
cession of George III. It could not have been
supposed that he had been less respected because
this change had been made ; but the change had
been made because his relation to the throne had
been changed. But in his opinion this would have
been wrong in the present case, if that measure
had been alone, and had not formed a part of the
general arrangement. But it had been part of the
general arrangement which had been understood
as agreed upon when a change should take place.
The honourable and learned gentlemen said it had
22 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
preceded the other arrangements; it was the first
step in the execution, but it was part of the whole,
and part of the plan which the honourable and
learned gentleman was confidently expected
to carry into execution. It has been a part of
the same arrangement, founded upon the con-
sideration of the queen's continued residence
abroad."
Now, with all due deference to the splendid
talents of so accomplished a statesman, the
reasons given by him for striking out her ma-
jesty's name from the Liturgy are lamentably
deficient in that solidity of judgment, and that
force of conviction, which in general distinguish
his parliamentary speeches. Will Mr. Canning
pretend to say, that the omission of the name of
the Duke of Cumberland in the Liturgy on the
accession of George III., was solely owing to his
relation to the throne being changed ? by the same
parity of reasoning it might be urged that the
name of the Duke of York ought to have been
struck out of the Liturgy on the decease of the
Princess Charlotte, for his relation to the throne was
then evidently changed. It has been stated that
there was nothing galling in the exclusion. How !
was not the circumstance of the queen's name
being struck out of the Liturgy, adduced by the
government of the Pope, — the most contemptible
and imbecile upon earth, — as a reason for not
paying her majesty those honours to which
her rank in life so justly entitled her? and, if
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 23
the exclusion of her name was the mere result
of a new arrangement, and not intended as
a mark of disrespect towards her, why did not the
ministers inform the right reverend father in
Christ, the Cardinal Gonsalvi, that he had made a
blunder, and that he should have given another
reason for the affront which was offered to her
majesty. She did not come to Rome as the
Countess of Oldi, her usual travelling name, but
as the Queen of England ; but the right reverend
father in Christ, the Cardinal Gonsalvi, had be-
held her before in the " Holy City" as Countess
of Oldi, and, therefore, as he knew that her name
had been struck out of the Liturgy of the church
of England, he was determined that she should
be considered as travelling incognito, under the
title of the Countess of Oldi ; and it is a proof,
how a cardinal in the full spirit of the Jesuit, can
turn and twist a matter to suit his own conve*
nience, or to support the bias of his political con-
nexions. It must, however, be conceded that it
is entirely in the discretion of the crown whether
the members of the royal family should be prayed
for by name, or generally as the royal family ;
and, herein lies the whole merit of the case.
The crown did not please to grant the favour of
the queen being prayed for separately, but in-
cluded her in the general name of the royal
family ; this, however, it must be allowed, is
placing the most lenient construction upon it, but
by the nation at large it was considered as an
indignity offered to the queen, and it served to in
24 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
crease the tide of unpopularity which set in so
strongly towards a certain quarter.
The first notice which parliament took of the si-
tuation of the queen, was on the 26th of February,
when a most animated debate took place from
which we insert the following extracts : —
Mr. Hume said, " the British Parliament was
now about to separate, and no one who had heard
a noble lord a few days since expatiate on the
advantages which this, country had derived from
the house of Brunswick, since its accession to
the throne of these realms, could see without
pain and surprise, that one near branch of that
illustrious house, he meant our present queen,
was left wholly unprovided for. He understood
a proposition was to be submitted in the com-
mittee for a vott of credit to the amount of one-
fourth of the civil list. This, however, he ap-
prehended would not suffice to provide an ade-
quate establishment for the queen, whose former
allowance, as Princess of Wales, had ceased at
the moment of his late majesty's death. Was she
then, the queen of this country, to be left wan-
dering in beggary through foreign lands, or would
not parliament rather make a provision for her
support, in a manner suitable to her rank and
station ? Suppose she were to land to-morrow in
this country, what was to be her reception ? He
was afraid there was not a military officer who
would know in what manner he was to conduct
himself, or understand in what situation he was
placed. It appeared to him to be a most extra-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 25
ordinary state of things, in which public func-
tionaries should be at a loss what deportment to
assume in respect of their legitimate queen. The
house, indeed, had been told that no personal
inconvenience could arise to that high person
from the change in her situation, but he did not
think the house ought to be satisfied with this
indefinite sort of assurance.
Lord Ccutlereagh was sure that on the present
occasion he should best consult the feelings
of the house and of the public, by declining
to go into any of the detail referred to in the
course of the honourable member's observations.
Whenever the attention of parliament should be
regularly called to this subject, he should be pre-
pared for the discussion. Till that time should
arrive, he had only to re-assert, that the high
person in question would experience no additional
difficulty or personal embarrassment, in conse-
quence of the event which had occurred. There
was not the smallest ground for apprehending that
she would be exposed either to harshness or inat-
tention. The vote which his right honourable
friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer was about
to propose, was intended to meet the necessary
charges on the civil list, for a limited period.
Mr. Tierney would not grant to a person labour-
ing under a heavy cloud of suspicion, any portion
of public money until that suspicion was removed*
It might answer the noble lord's purpose to deal
in hints, or make the pulpit a vehicle for his insi-
E
26 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
nuations, or infuse through any otluer channel
particular notions into the public mind ; but if
there was any ground for crimination, no time
ought to be lost in instituting an inquiry,
.and vindicating the monarchy of England from
disgrace. He would not, for no better reason
than the convenience of his majesty's minis-
ters, vate the public money to a person not
recognized as queen. It was desirable to know
whether any communication had been made to
her, informing her of the late king's death, and of
the rank to which she was thereby exalted. If
she was ignorant of these circumstances, in what
a situation were they all placed by his majesty's
ministers, and for purposes known only to them-
selves? The passing over the queen's name in
the church service was directed by an order in
council. Here then it must appear that ministers
conceived they had some ground of suspicion, or
they would not have adopted a proceeding which
derogated from the respect otherwise due to the
queen's rank and station. Under these circum-
stances, he could not suppress his conviction
that somebody had been scandalously ill used —
either the king had been betrayed, or the
queen had been insulted. He might now be
allowed to advert to another pretty general ru-
mour, as to there having been an examination
lately held, with the view of criminating the high
person in question. Thus they found her name
omitted in the Liturgy; her private conduct made
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 27
the theme of public conversation, arid then they
were told that nothing ought to be said of her in
parliament, because it was intended to provide
her with an adequate allowance, her claim on the
consolidated fund having already ceased. For
his own part, he should be content if his majesty's
ministers would give a pledge that this subject
should be investigated in the next parliament.
All he wished was, that justice should be done;
and upon that understanding he should not object
in the mean time to a provision being made.
He was conscious, in making these observations,
that he was merely discharging his duty ; he had
no favour to expect from court, nor had he ever
held the slightest intercourse with the queen.
What he threw out proceeded solely from a
sincere regard to, and desire of, preserving the
dignity of the English monarchy.
Mr. Brougham differed entirely from his right
honourable friend in the view which he had taken
of this unfortunate subject ; and, it was quite new
to him to learn that any parliamentary recogni-
tion, and much less any mode of speaking in par-
liament, or that any ceremonial of the church was
at all essential to make out the title of a queen, or
to vindicate the rights appertaining to that cha-
racter. According to his understanding of the
constitution, she who was the wedded wife of a
king regnant, was eo ipso, queen-consort ; and
that her claim to that title was as indisputable as
* 2
28 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
that of the king himself. It was not the less so
because she was prayed for in no Liturgy, or
because her name appeared in no order of council ;
or because no addresses either of condolence or
congratulation were presented to her. He appre-
hended, that if the advisers of the crown should
be enabled to advance what might be necessary
for this purpose out of the civil list, there would
be no need whatever to introduce the mention of
her majesty's name. If, by limiting her expences,
the crown should be pleased to pay 35,000/. a-
year to her majesty, parliament, he thought,
ought not to interfere ; but he must at the same time
state distinctly that he was wholly unacquainted
with any grounds of suspicion. He refused his
ears to all such rumours : as long as she was the
king's consort, he knew and should treat her only
in the character of queen-consort. He was wholly
ignorant of any inquiries that had been instituted ;
he listened not to their reported results ; nor
would he suffer his mind to receive any sinister
impressions. But if a charge should ever be
brought forward, he would deal with it as became
an honest member of parliament ; and, he would
endeavour to do justice between the parties most
concerned ; though, God knew, they were not
the only parties that were concerned.
Lord Castlereagh was convinced that the
manner in which the honourable and learned
gentleman (Mr. Brougham) had mentioned a topic
QUEEW CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 29
of this very peculiar and delicate nature was most
consonant to the general feeling and sense of the
house.
On the following day, in a committee of sup-
ply, a resolution being read, granting the sum
of 200,000/. to his Majesty for the payment
of pensions, annuities, 8$c. chargeable on the con-
solidated fund and civil-list, Mr. Tierney insisted
that no provision could be made for the queen
under this particular vote. There was no such
person as the Princess of Wales — who then was
to receive this annuity ? If they intended to grant
to her majesty that which had previously been
conferred on the Princess of Wales, words to that
effect ought to be introduced.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer replied, that
this payment might be made by the treasury
under the authority of parliament, although the
political situation of the individual might be
changed.
Mr. Tierney ; The grant was not conferred on
the individual* but was voted to maintain her
rank as Princess of Wales. She has ceased to be
Princess of Wales ; there is no such person. How,
then, I ask, can this resolution grant an annuity
to an individual not originally in the contempla-
tion of parliament ? I know the right honourable
gentleman must not use the word queen. I am
quite aware of that. I should be very glad to
hear the right honourable gentleman use the
30 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
word, and I should be still better pleased if I
could get him to record it on the journals.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer : That which
was formerly granted to the Princess of Wales
will now be payable to the queen, and to no other
person.
Mr. Hume : What reason is there, I wish to
know, for not stating specifically, that the an-
nunity formerly granted to the princess of Wales
shall, in future, be paid to her majesty the queen ?
By such a statement the objection of the right
honourable gentleman will at once be obviated.
Mr. Lushington : It would be impossible to
insert those words, without introducing the name
of every other person connected with the grant.
If therefore one name were introduced, all the
rest must be inserted. The resolution was agreed
to.
Her majesty, after a most fatiguing journey,
reached Leghorn, where she was met by Mr.
Sicard, her steward, now resident in this country,
who announced to her the death of our late vene-
rable sovereign ; from thence she proceeded to
Rome, then to Pesaro, and finally to Milan. From
Milan she despatched a courier to this country,
announcing her intention, if possible, to reach the
French coast, in order to be within reach of her
advisers, by the first of May.
In furtherance of this intention, after the courier
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 31
had set out, she commenced her wearisome
route, travelling through Turin, over Mount Cenis,
and by a circuitous, but pleasant, road to
Geneva.
On her arrival at Geneva, owing to the fatigues
which she had undergone, added to the anxiety
of mind which she very naturally felt, she became
so much indisposed, that she was incapable of
advancing. Indeed, her medical advisers de-
precated such an intention as highly dangerous.
She was afflicted with violent rheumatic pains,
and by severe spasmodic attacks. In this
situation, she sent forward another courier, with
letters announcing the precarious state of her
health, adverting generally to the interesting state
of her affairs, and requesting to be informed
whether there was no possibility of her being
joined at Geneva by Mr. Brougham. This
courier, on his route through Paris, where he had
also letters to deliver to Sir Charles Stuart, was
stopped by that gentleman, who, it seems, had
letters to forward to her majesty, and who sent
him back to Geneva with those letters, he him-
self undertaking to forward her majesty's letters
by his own courier to England.
The courier reached Geneva on his return
late at night. Her majesty had retired to rest,
but was immediately put in possession of the
letters transmitted by Sir Charles Stuart, and
was also apprized of the extraordinary step
which he had taken. Her majesty immediately
32 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
rose, and gave directions that the Chevalier
Vasali, one of her household, who is a gentle-
man of high character and distinguished merit,
should be directed to prepare for proceed-
ing forthwith with other letters, to London,
which her majesty then sat down to write. In
these letters her majesty complained of the in-
terruptions which her courier had received — and
added, that under such circumstances she had
felt it necessary to send one of her own establish-
ment to England. Her majesty also said, that
if it were inconvenient for Mr. Brougham to join
her at Geneva, she would, on the return of her
messenger announcing that fact, immediately pro-
ceed to one of the ports of France, calculated to
afford the most ready communication with Eng-
land., She would be the more capable of this,
as the rest which she had obtained in Geneva,
added to the kind and liberal manner in which
she had been treated by the inhabitants of that
ancient and respectable town, and especially
by some of our own countrymen, had tended
greatly to improve her health, and to enable her
to undergo further fatigues.
The Chevalier Vasali, in pursuance of the
commands of her majesty, set off from Geneva
early on the morning of Saturday, and by an
extraordinary effort reached London on the Tues-
day night following. The chevalier lost no time
in executing the commission intrusted to him ;
and a consultation was held between Mr.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 33
Brougham, Mr. Denman, and other distinguished
individuals, on the ensuing day, as to the mode
of proceeding which it would be proper to
adopt.
Mr. Brougham felt that, consistently with his
public engagements, it would be impossible for
him to join her at so great a distance as Geneva ;
added to which, where it might become requisite
to have repeated interviews and consultations, it
was considered that her majesty being so far from
the scene of discussion might be productive of
great and serious inconveniences. Under these
circumstances, it was determined with as little
delay as possible, to send the Chevalier Vasali back
to Geneva, with an humble request for her ma-
jesty to lose as little time as possible in pursuing
her route to Calais, or to some other town con-
tiguous to the coast, so as to be in close commu-
nication with the English shore.
It may be proper here to state, that it was the
decided and unanimous opinion of the real friends
of her majesty, that she should return directly to
this country, and with that courage which under
every trial, however severe, belongs to the charac-
ter of innocence, boldly meet her secret accusers.
That charges haye been made against her majesty
of the most serious and alarming nature, no doubt
can be entertained. That such charges do exist,
in point of fact, it is quite certain. Whether,
however, the evidence by which they are to be
supported, is such as is likely to gain a moment's
F
34 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
credit with discerning persons in this country, its
production alone can determine. The Chevalier
Vasal i stopped in London two days to refresh him-
self from the effects of his journey, and again set
out for the continent. On reaching Calais, he
made a short stay at Dessin's hotel, and then pro-
ceeded by post. He calculated that he should
reach Geneva in about five days, which he ac-
complished, and on the ensuing day her majesty
commenced her route towards England.
A letter from a gentleman at Geneva to a cor*
respondent in town, affords some interesting mat-
ter as to the state of her majesty's health, and as
to the manner in which she had been received in
that town. After describing the unexpected ar-
rival of her majesty, and the curiosity which her
presence had excited, he says —
" Some of us Englishmen felt it our duty to pay
our respects to the royal exile, and sent an humble
request that we might be allowed that honour.
Her majesty was at first so much indisposed as to
be incapable of seeing us, but we were ultimately
favoured with an audience. Her majesty received
us with great condescension and affability, and
made particular enquiries as to when we heard
from England, of which she expressed herself a
devoted admirer. She spoke with a sort of en-
thusiasm of the people and of the country, and
said that her heart yearned with affection towards
towards the one and the other. She said, she
never should forget the kind, and liberal, and
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 3J
thusiastic sentiments of respect which had been
paid to her while resident in London — at a period
when all hope, save that founded upon the con-
sciousness of her own innocence, had fled; a young
gentleman, a son of Mr. Alderman Wood, was
present, he had before spent some hours with her
majesty, and in alluding to the honourable exer
tions of his father, in favour of an almost friend
less womati, she seemed affected even to tears.—
Her country — for she said she had none other but
England, now that the grave had swallowed her
father, her mother, and her brother — was the
unceasing topic of her allusions ; and she seemed
to look with confidence to a triumphant return to
what she emphatically called ' the bosom of he*
people/
" Her person, since she left England in 1814,
seems to be a good deal changed. She is not so
fair as she then was, nor is she so stout — there is
an air of melancholy langour about her manners
which renders her very interesting. It is thought
she will remain here for some time. She lives
almost entirely secluded."
Such are the terms in which the writer describes
the state of her majesty, and they, in a great
measure, confirm the statement which had been
previously circulated.
On May 10th, Mr. Alderman Wood, who, as
the above extracts describe, is known to have been
long attached to the interests of her majesty
2, F 2
BG MKiVOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Reached Dover. He was soon recognized, and
it was speedily rumoured that the queen was im-
mediately expected, and that the worthy alder-
man had come down to meet her. A good deal
of bustle prevailed ; but the departure of Alder-
man Wood to the French coast on the ensuing
morning disappointed the hopes which the people
seemed to entertain. The honourable gentleman
did not reach Calais till between six and seven
o'clock ki the evening. He immediately proceed-
ed to Dessin's hotel, where we have already stated
Lady Hamilton to have taken up her residence.
It was rumoured that the worthy aldeimaii had
come over to meet the queen, and this rumour was
confirmed by his setting out on the following morn-
ing towards Paris, at the same time with Lady
Hamilton, who, it may be proper to state, receiv-
ed the appointment of one of her majesty's ladies
in waiting, when her majesty announced her in-
tention to return to England. The well-known
benevolence and liberal character of Lady Hamil-
ton sufficiently account for the readiness with
which she quitted her native shores, in the per-
formance of a duty which others, with feelings
less charitable, and with minds more prone to re-
ceive unfavourable impressions, might have de-
clined.
It was fixedthat her majesty, if she visited Calais,
should take up hej* residence at DesshYs hotel,
which has repeatedly afforded accommodation to
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND 37
royalty ; but it was possible that she herself might
determine to stop at St. Omer's or Abbeville.
The arrival of Alderman Wood in the town of
Calais produced among the English inhabitants
(about one thousand in number) a considerable
ferment. It was at once concluded that the
long existing doubts as to the arrival of her
majesty were about to be solved, and the sub-
sequent departure of the worthy alderman, in
company with Lady Hamilton, on the road towards
Paris, confirmed the belief that her majesty
would ultimately come among them. This be-
lief led to a consideration as to the way in which
she was to be received. Many were for evincing
those sentiments of attachment in the strongest
manner ; but in order that the matter might be
arranged in a proper way, the following circular
was issued : — •
« HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND.
" Information having been received of the pro-
bable intention of her gracious majesty Caroline
Queen of England to pass through this town, on
her way to Dover, it is requested that the English
inhabitants resident here may attend a public
meeting to be holden at the Silver Lion, Rue
Noeuf, on Thursday evening, at seven o'clock, for
the purpose of taking into consideration the course
which it may be most expedient to adopt, with
a view to pay to her majesty that respect which
s due from every British subject to one holding
2. G
38 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
so illustrious a rank, and in the maintenance of
whose honour and dignity every Englishman must
feel an imperative duty."
" Calais, <2<2d May, 1820."
Independent of the private circulation of the
above notice, it was likewise exhibited at the
English reading-room, and several gentlemen ex-
pressed their intention of attending the meeting.
In the course of the day, however, a person
holding an official situation under the British
government, and who had previously rendered
himself somewhat unpopular, discovered the
announcement, and, it is supposed, immediately
proceeded to lay an information before the mayor,
as in ten minutes after he had been seen reading
it, the proprietor of the reading-room was cited
before that gentleman. The mayor, who con-
ducted himself with great politeness, asked
several questions as to the persons by whom the
notice had been prepared, and by whose orders it
had been stuck up. The answer was, that one of
the subscribers to the reading-room had left it,
and that in placing it on his window, he (the pro-
prietor) was unconscious of having been guilty of
any offence. In return, he was informed, that it
was contrary to the laws of France to summon a
public meeting without the permission of the
municipal officers ; and further, that the exhibi-
tion of the notice in question without a stamp
was improper. The mayor finally declared his
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 39
intention to send the paper, with a copy of
which he was provided, to the Prefect at Arras,
which he accordingly did, and there the matter
rested. „
This proceeding soon obtained publicity, and
excited something like alarm in the breasts of
those who had intended to have met : but their
views were still further frustrated by the landlord
of the Silver Lion refusing to let them have a
room in his house — a circumstance which was
attributed to the influence of the same official
gentleman to whom we have already alluded.
Under these circumstances, no meeting took
place, and much interest was excited as to the
course that should be pursued, upon the part
of the British residents and the French au-
thorities, in the event of her majesty's arrival.
The persons who felt anxious for the English
inhabitants to assemble for the purpose of con-
sidering what, if any, public token of respect
should be paid to her majesty on her arrival,
were influenced only by a desire to do homage
to the illustrious rank which she holds, without
any reference whatever to those questions re-
specting her private conduct, which have led to so
much discussion.
We have been favoured with a copy of an ad-
dress to her majesty, which, we understand, it
was intended to have proposed. Whether it
would have been adopted or not, is, of course, a
matter of doubt. It was as follows : —
40 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
" To her most gracious majesty Caroline, Queen of
Great Britain.
" The humble Address of the English Inhabitants
of the Town of Calais.
" May it please your Majesty, — We, the inha-
bitants of the town of Calais, who are Englishmen,
and who although absent from our native shores,
still feeling that we owe every sentiment of
loyalty and attachment to that family by which
the sceptre of the United Kingdom has been so
long and so gloriously wielded, beg leave most
humbly to approach your majesty, and with great
humility to offer to your majesty our congratula-
tions on your near approach to that land over
which we may confidently expect you will hold
so high a sway, and in which we trust you will
at all times experience that respect and loyalty,
to which, by your illustrious rank, you are so
eminently entitled. We could not reconcile it to
our feelings as Englishmen, to suffer your majesty
to pass through this town without offering to you
this testimony of our anxious solicitude for your
majesty's welfare and happiness. "
The temperate manner in which this was drawn
up, at least proves that there was a strong clesire
to abstain from every topic calculated to excite
opposition, even among the most fastidious.
The following letter from Geneva, presents us
with some interesting particulars respecting her
majesty, on her journey towards the Engligh coast .
CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 41
Geneva, May 17, 1820.
" The Queen arrived here on Tuesday last,
coming by the Mont-Cenis to Chambery, and
thence by Aix and Rumilly to this place. Her
majesty is lodged at the Hotel 1'Ecu de Geneve,
where she intends to remain till the return of a
courier sent to Mr. Brougham on her arrival here.
Her majesty is leading a most retired and regu-
lar life ; she rises early, and is in bed generally
before eleven ; her dinner hour is at two, after
which she takes an airing on the lake, and returns
at five to tea. Her majesty was confined at
Milan several days by indisposition, but is now
in the best health and spirits ; she has been in-
duced to travel with less expedition than usual,
following the advice of her physicians. On
Friday, as the Queen entered her carriage to take
her accustomed ride, she was informed of the
death of the Duchess of York ; it so affected her,
that she was obliged to return to her chamber in
evident distress. From the authorities of the
King of Sardinia her majesty received the greatest
attention. Though she expressed a desire to
keep the strictest incognito, they insisted upon
providing her majesty with an escort of carebo-
niers throughout the Sardinian dominions. The
Queen has dismissed her Italian court, and with
the exception of her maid and footmen, has
merely with her M. de Bergami, her chamberlain,
an equerry, and her private secretary, who is an
English gentleman. Mr. William Austin, whom
42 MEMOIRS OF CAROLIN ,
her majesty took under her protection while a
child, is now a very fine young man, and accom-
panies her majesty to England, where she intends
to place him at college. A great deal of jealousy
has been excited in Italy, and stories have found
their way to England relative to the exaltation of
M. de Bergami by her majesty from the situation
of courier to chamberlain — from apparently no-
thing to that of a baron covered with orders.
But it is said that these decorations he gained by
his bravery with the French army in the cam-
paign in Russia and elsewhere ; and besides the
high recommendation the Queen received with
him, she says that she found his family was of
respectability, and she has lost no occasion to
reward him for six years of tried services. H6
leaves her Majesty next week to join his sisters
at Bologna. On receipt of despatches from Eng-
land the Queen will set out immediately for
Ostend, taking the route by Lausanne to Carls-
rhue, and so on to Brussels."
From the following letter it appears that the
English inhabitants at Boulogne were equally de-
sirous with those of Calais, of testifying their
loyalty to her majesty, on the event of her pass-
ing through that town. No doubt, however,
exists, that had she passed through Boulogne,
the French authorities would have used every
exertion in their power to prevent any honours
being paid her.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 43
Boulogne-sur-Mer, May 26, 1820.
" Mr. Alderman Wood and Lady Hamilton passed
through this town on their way, as is generally
supposed, to meet her majesty, on Wednesday.
A report prevails that her majesty's route will be
through Boulogne to Calais — this had led to a
consultation among some of the English inhabi-
tants (of whom there are not less than three
thousand), whether it may not be proper to ofte
to her majesty some mark of respect as she*
passes. Those persons directly or indirectly
connected with the British government, for rea-
sons which may be perfectly understood, are
averse to such a proposition."
Whatever might be the ultimate decision of her
majesty as to her visit to this country, it was now
ascertained that she was approaching the French
coast, and on her arrival at Dijon, she despatched
a courier charged with a letter to Mr. Brougham,,
in which her majesty informed that gentleman
that it was her intention to be at St. Omer's on
the following Wednesday, and requested his pre-
sence at that place to confer upon the step which
she was about to take in immediately proceeding
to England. At the time of the departure of this
courier, her majesty had not been joined by Alder-
man Wood and Lady Hamilton, although she had
received letters from them announcing their inten-
tion to meet her on the road.
After the departure of the courier, her majesty
again continued her journey to Monthard, which
44 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
she reached on Saturday morning. Here her ma-
jesty retired to rest, and when at dinner, was
agreeably surprised by the arrival of Mr. Alder-
man Wood and Lady Hamilton, who by keeping
the route pointed out by Count Vasali were thus
enabled to fall in with her majesty without diffi-
culty. They had missed the courier on the road,
who, it was supposed, must have taken another
direction. Her majesty received the worthy Al-
derman and Lady Hamilton with great condescen-
sion and kindness, and expressed much pleasure
at receiving such an accession to her suite. The
same evening they all pursued their course to Vil-
leneuve which they reached the next day. Here,
upon consultation with Mr. Alderman Wood, her
majesty repeated her determination to proceed
forthwith to England, there to assert her rights as
queen, and openly to meet the malevolence of her
secret enemies. She seemed to be perfectly ac-
quainted with many of the scandalous stories
which had been circulated to her prejudice. She,
treated them with contempt, and, relying upon the
consciousness of her own innocence, she said she
would fearlessly throw herself upon the justice and
candour of her people. Indeed, she added, that
she would long since have been in England, had
not her advisers recommended her to wait until
his majesty's government should afford her the
means of going thither in a manner becoming her
illustrious rank. Her majesty, having now re-
solved no longer to delay her intentions, immedi-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 45
ately sat down and wrote three letters; one to
the Earl of Liverpool, another to Lord Melville,
and a third to his royal highness the Duke 01
York.
The letter written by her majesty to the Earl
of Liverpool, demanding a suitable residence, was
as follows :
'< Villeneuve k Roi, May 29, 1820.
<( Having been prevented by indisposition from
arriving sooner in England, I take now the earliest
opportunity of communicating to the Earl of Liver-
pool my intention of arriving in London next
Saturday, 3d of June ; and I desire that the Earl
of Liverpool will give proper orders that one of
the royal yachts should be in readiness at Calais
to convey me to Dover: and likewise, that he
would be pleased to signify to me his majesty's
intentions as to what residence is to be allotted
to me, either for a temporary or a permanent ha-
bitation. I trust that his majesty the king is per-
fectly recovered from his late severe indispo-
sition.
" CAROLINE, Queen of England.''
" To the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Liverpool"
The letter to Lord Melville, the First Lord of
the Admiralty, was written by Lady Ann Hamil-
ton : it was as follows :
" Villeneuve le Roi, <2Qlh Mai/, 182O.
" Lady Ann Hamilton is commanded by her
majesty the Queen of England, to signify to Lord
2. H
46 MEMOIRS OF CAKOLINfc,
Melville, that it is her majesty's intention to re-
turn to England immediately ; therefore she de-
sires that Lord Melville will be so good as to give
orders that one of the royal yachts should be in
attendance at Calais next Saturday, 3d of June,
to convey her majesty and suite to England."
The letter to the Duke of York was a mere
recapitulation of both demands, as well as a
protest against the manner in which she had been
treated.
Her majesty remained at Villeneuve that night,
and the next morning pursued her route to
Melun ; from thence, avoiding Paris, she went
directly on to Abbeville. She reached Abbeville
early in the morning, and threw herself on a bed
to gain a little repose.
During her majesty's retirement, several Eng-
lish families, resident at Abbeville, requested to
be permitted to pay her their personal respects.
They were, however, informed of the fatigues
which her majesty had undergone, and of her
inability to receive the kindnesses which were in-
tended.
A courier was sent off' to St. Omer's, with
instructions to have beds prepared for her majesty
and her suite ; and two hours after, her majesty
recommenced her wearisome journey.
As she was about to quit the inn, the English
inhabitants already alluded to were in attendance,
and as she passed through the hall of the inn
they bowed most respectfully. Her majesty was
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 47
much moved by this testimony of their affection,
ancTuttering a few words of thanks, and grace-
fully returning the salute, she hurried into her
carriage.
The cavalcade now commenced the last and
most difficult stage of their route. From Ab-
beville to St. Omer's they were scarcely able to
obtain a single change of horses ; and those that
were procured were brought from the fields, and
ridden by the ploughmen. In one instance,
where the courier had called at the post-house,
and announced the approach of her majesty, the
post-master, who had but three horses in his
stable, was so alarmed, that he ran off and con-
cealed himself, and was not to be found when his
services were required. It was to these delays
that the late arrival of her majesty was at-
tributable.
M. Degacher, and his wife (an English woman),
the keeper of the hotel, who had made every
arrangement for the accommodation of their
royal guest, had almost come to the conclusion
that she had stopped at some other house on the
road, when the well known cracking of the
postillions' whips, as they drove down the street,
gave notice of the approach of some of the party.
In a few seconds afterwards, Mr. Alderman
Wood, who, with the Count Vasali, had come
forward in order to see that every thing was in
readiness, entered the inn-yard, and ordered fires
and refreshments. ^The worthy alderman ap*
48 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
peared to be a good deal fatigued, but still
showed a praiseworthy activity in securing the
comfort of his royal mistress.
An English gentleman (Mr. Moreland), who,
with his family, were on their way to Paris, now
rose from his bed, and tendered the use of his
rooms, which were in a retired part of the
building, for the use of her majesty ; but this
was not necessary. He also expressed a hope
that he might be allowed to pay his personal
respects to her majesty in the course of the
day.
After a short interval, the renewed cracking of
whips called all who were in attendance to the
gate, where her majesty and suite were seen
advancing : and here a serious accident had
nearly occurred, in consequence of the want of
experience in the drivers. In descending the
hill one of the leaders of her majesty's carriage
fell, and for a few seconds there was reason to
apprehend that the carriage would have been
overturned. The prompt assistance of the persons
present, however, prevented this misfortune,
and her majesty was driven safely to the inn.
A carpet was spread on the steps, and she
immediately alighted ; and leaning on the arms
of Alderman Wood and Count Vasali entered
the house. She appeared to be somewhat ex-
hausted from the fatigue she had undergone, but
soon recovering herself, she resumed her wonted
spirits. She ascended to her bed-chamber,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ZNGLANP, 49
accompanied by Lady Hamilton and some of her
female attendants, of whom there were three, two
French women and one Piedmontese.
Her majesty was dressed in a rich twilled sar-
cenet pelisse, of a puce colour, lined with ermine,
and wore on her head a white willow hat, similar
in shape to the fashionable Leghorn hats. Not-
withstanding the unfavourable ejfects which must
have accrued from the journey which she had
just accomplished, she looked extremely interest-
ing. It was not a little singular that the bed-
chamber into which her Majesty was first shown
was that in which the late Duke of Kent, when
coming with the Duchess of Kent to England,
had slept. Her majesty, preferring a room where
she could have her female attendants close to her
(her uniform habit), chose a room of a less magni-
ficent description, in an upper part of the house.
It may be interesting to our readers to
state the persons who composed her majesty's
suite. There were five carriages in all. The
first was that in which Mr. Alderman Wood
and Count Vasali rode. It was a sort of calash,
drawn by three horses. The second was an
English post-chariot, yellow body, with " C. P.W."
and the royal arms in the panels, drawn by four
horses. In this were her majesty, Lady Hamil-
ton, and a fine female child, about three years old,
whom her Majesty, in conformity with her bene-
volent practices on former occasions, has adopted
50 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Then came a large English travelling carriage,
similar in colour, and the panels emblazoned in
the same way with the chariot. In this were her
^ majesty's three female domestics. There were
two other calashes, in which were Mr. Austin,
the young man adopted by her majesty at Black-
heath, whose name has been so repeatedly men-
tioned ; Mr. Wood, junior, and several male
branches of her majesty's household; among
these we believe we may include the Count
Bergami, her Majesty's chamberlain, respecting
whom there have been such repeated speculations.
This gentleman it appears has engaged her
majesty's confidence, in consequence of the
fidelity with which he has attended to her pecu-
niary concerns, but it was determined that he
should not accompany her majesty to England.
He is a tall robust military-looking man, of rniddle-
age, and w^s respectfully attentive to her ma-
jesty's person ; his manners are those of a man
who has moved in the highest circles.
After her majesty had partaken of some refresh-
ments, she retired to bed ; anxiously expecting
the return of her couriers. One of these persons
was commissioned to bring her majesty some
articles of dress from London.
Her majesty expressed a full determination to
proceed to Dover by a common packet-boat, if
the yacht wliich she had demanded should not be
sent ; and if a royal palace should be refused,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND 51
it was expected that she would avail herself of
the offer, which had been made to her, of the
beautiful house of Mr. Angerstein, on Black-
heath.
Soon after her majesty had reached 1'Hotel de
1'Ancienne Poste, the captain of the guard on
duty at the gates of St. Omer's arrived at the inn
and expressed an intention of granting to her ma-
jesty a guard of honour, to be placed at the en-
trance of the hotel, as long as she should remain
in the town.
The offer having been communicated to her ma-
jesty, she said, that however flattered she might
be by the attention of the officer in question, yet
she felt herself bound to decline the intended dis-
tinction. In her progress through France she had
been treated with studied neglect ; and she knew
too well what was due to the high rank which she
held, to accept from an isolated town that which
had been withheld from her elsewhere, and which
she could not but consider as an offence, not to-
wards herself personally, but towards that nation
of which she was the queen.
The officer left the hotel, apparently mortified ;
but whether his offer proceeded from the sugges-
tions of his own gallantry, or from orders which
he had received from his superiors, cannot now
be ascertained.
The arrival of Mr. Brougham, and the courier
with answers from Lord Liverpool and Lord Mel-
ville, was anxiously looked for, as her majesty
52 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
then intended to advance to Calais without de-
lay ; from thence embark, and once more visit the
shores of " Old England/''
The following may be considered in the light
of a diary of the proceedings of her majesty, from
her arrival at St. Omer's, to her departure from
the French territory.
Friday, June 2.
" Her majesty was yesterday so much fatigued
that she was unable to quit her bed-chamber to
attend the dinner party. She is this morning,
we are happy to state, improved in health and
spirits. /
" The courier, who carried the letter from her
majesty to Mr. Brougham, arrived last night. Mr.
Brougham stated that he would leave London on
Thursday morning, and that in all probability he
would be at St. Omer's this day. Her majesty
anxiously expects his arrival.
" Her majesty expresses most fervently her de-
sire to reach England. She always appears cheer-
ful, except when speaking of the Princess Char-
lotte, to whose memory her heart seems fondly
attached.
" Her majesty makes constant enquiries after
every person with whom she was acquainted in
England, and seems fully sensible of the atten-
tions which many of the English families she .has
met felt it their duty to pay to her.
" Among her majesty's domestics, is a cook,
who prepares every thing for her majesty's table.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 53
" Several naval and military officers, who were
resident here, have quitted the town in order to
avoid paying their respects to her majesty.
" Alderman Wood will accompany her majesty
to England. He is in excellent health, and has
repeated interviews with her majesty.
" It would seem that her majesty cannot, how-
ever desirous, sail for England this week."
" Calais, Friday night.
" The courier sent by her majesty to Mr.
Brougham, who passed through this town on
Monday evening, returned last night, and imme-
diately proceeded with despatches to her majesty
at St. Omer's.
" A telegraphic annunciation has been made to
the military authorities here, intimating that no
official attention is to be paid to her majesty the
Queen of England : and, as if influenced by the
notification, the commandant^ following the ex-
ample of the mayor, whose conduct was noticed
in a former letter, sent for an English gentleman
known to possess a considerable acquaintance with
his fellow-countrymen, to whom he stated, that
if any public demonstrations of respect were of-
fered to her majesty, in the slightest degree cal-
culated to produce confusion in the town, he
should be under the necessity of interfering to
prevent it, by means even extending to imprison-
ment. This threat, we apprehend, could only
arise from an apprehension that it was intended
2. i
54 MEMOIRS 'OF CAROLINE,
to take her majesty's horses from the carriage, and
draw her into the town ; but it has received a
more extensive construction, and has produced
much indignation among the English, who can-
not endure such restrictions upon the honest ef-
fusions of their hearts.
" The commandant says, that her majesty is
travelling as the Countess of Oldi, and in that
character he will visit her himself. This is not
the case. All her majesty's couriers have their
passports drawn up as messengers from * La Reine
d'Angleterre/ and her majesty has invariably
adopted that style and title herself. There is no
pretence, therefore, for withholding from her
the respect due to her rank.
" The courier sent by her majesty to Lords
Liverpool and Melville, returned here by the
Lord Sidmouth packet, yesterday evening. He
brought a box, containing a dress for her majesty,
together with despatches. In a few minutes after
the arrival of the Lord Sidmouth, the Prince Leo-
pold packet reached the quay, with Mr. Brougham,
her majesty's attorney-general, and his brother
and Mr. Sicard, her majesty's steward, on board
Lord Hutohinson was also on board the Prince
Leopold. The quay was crowded to see the
learned counsel disembark. The British Consul
went on board to Mr. Brougham, and, after a short
conversation returned on shore.
" Mr. Brougham and his brother, Lord Hutchin-
son, and Mr. Sicard, proceeded to the Bourbon
CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 55
hotel. Mr. Brougham was so much indisposed
as to be unable to proceed to St. Diner's. He,
his brother, Lord Hutchinson, and the British
Consul dined together. The three former set off
for St. Omer's in the mornkig.
" The Countess of Byland has also reached this
port. She is at the Kingston-hotel.
" I have just engaged the Defence packet to
sail with this, arid I calculate it will reach you to-
morrow at eleven.
" There is no doubt her majesty will sail for
England. Her mind is firm, and her determina-
tion fixed."
It was during her majesty's stay at St. Omer's,
that Lady Hamilton received an answer from
Lord Melville, relative to the queen's ( demand for
a yacht to convey her to England; which was
couched in the following terms :
" Admiralty , 1st June, 9 A.M.
" Lord Melville had the honour to receive yes-
terday Lady Hamilton's note of the 29th ult., con-
veying the information that the queen intends being
at Calais to-morrow. His majesty, however, being
absent from London, Lord Melville cannot re-
ceive his commands as to the Board of Admiralty
giving orders for on<? of the royal yachts, to pro-
ceed at present to Calais."
Lord Liverpool sent no answer, and on Jier
i 2
56 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
majesty reading that of Lord Melville, she ap-
peared to be considerably displeased ; perhaps,
the former lord adopted the wiser plan of the
two ; he knew the requests of her majesty could
not be complied with, and not having the sam&
reason to give as Lord Melville, he thought it
better to give none at all. He therefore shrewdly
forbore to commit himself, and as far as an official
communication could go, her majesty was left in
ignorance whether on her arrival in England, a
suitable residence would or would not be ap-
pointed her.
The following is an extract of a letter from
Calais, dated the 14th of May :
" Calais, Sunday morning.
" No intelligence has as yet been received in
this town as to the intended movements of her
majesty. The result of her majesty's conference
with Mr. Brougham, will, no doubt, soon be
known.
" The Prince Leopold packet, by which Mr.
Brougham qame from Dover, and which is the
largest in the service, still remains in the harbour,
and rumours are afloat that she is destined to
bear her majesty to England.
" Orders have been issued by the commandant,
that in the event of her majesty's arrival in
Calais, no additional flags shall be hoisted by the
vessels in the harbour.
" Additional guards have been mounted at the
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 57
Basville gate, in the event of any jocund dis-
position being evinced by the English inhabitants,
on the approach of her majesty.
" Letters were received at the post office here
yesterday for her majesty, which were sent on
by a courier to St. Omer's. The wind still blows
a hurricane."
In the course of the afternoon of the 3d, Mr.
Brougham and his brother, and Lord Hutchinson,
reached St. Omer's in a post-carriage and four.
Mr. Sicard, her majesty's steward, was on the
box.
When Mr. Brougham and Lord Hutchinson
arrived at St. Omer's, on Saturday evening, Mr
Brougham was first introduced to her majesty,
who was taking coffee : after a few complimen-
tary observations on both sides, Mr. Brougham
announced to the queen, that Lord Hutchinson,
who had formerly been a warm friend of her
majesty, and who was now a confidential friend
of the king, had come in the spirit of sincere
friendship to both, to make some proposals in his
majesty's name.
Her majesty desired, that whatever proposals
were to be made should be committed to writing.
In consequence of this declaration of her majesty's
pleasure, Mr. Brougham wrote to Lord Hutchinson
the following note, and sent it t© his hotel :
" Mr. Brougham having humbly submitted to
the queen, that he had reason to believe that
58 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Lord Hutchinson had brought over a proposition
from the king to her majesty, the queen has
been pleased to command Mr. Brougham to
request Lord Hutchinson to communicate any
such proposition as soon as possible in writing.
The bearer of this (Count Vassali) will wait to
receive it from your lordship. — June 4, 1820."
To this letter Lord Hutchinson sent a written
answer, which it is not material to publish, as if
merely stated that his lordship had no written
proposals, but merely some scattered memoranda
on scraps of paper. Mr. Brougham instantly
sent the following reply to Lord Hutchinson's
letter :
" Mr. Brougham is commanded by the queen
to express to Lord Hutchinson her majesty's
surprise at his lordship not being ready to state
the terms of the proposition of which he is the
bearer ; but as Lord Hutchinson is desirous of a
few hours' delay, her majesty will wait until five
o'clock, in the expectation of receiving a commu-
nication from his lordship at that hour. — 2 o'clock,
June 4, 1820."
It was not till within a few minutes of the sti
pulated time that Lord Hutchinson communicated
his proposals in the following letter :
u Sir, — In obedience to the commands of the
queen I have to inform you, that I am no t in pos-
session of any proposition or propositions detailed
in a specific form of words which I could lay
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 59
before her majesty; but I can detail to you, for
her information, the substance of many conver-
sations held with Lord Liverpool. His majesty's
ministers propose that 50,000/. per annum should
be settled on the queen for life, subject to such
conditions as the king may impose. I have also
reason to know that the conditions likely to be
imposed by his majesty are, that the queen is
not to assume the style and title of Queen of
England, or any title attached to the royal family
of England. A condition is also to be attached
to this grant, that she is not to reside in any part
of the United Kingdom, or even to visit England.
The consequence of such a visit will be an imme-
diate message to Parliament, and an entire end
to all compromise and negociation. I believe
that there is no other condition — I am sure none
of any importance. I think it right to send to
you an extract of a letter from Lord Liverpool to
me : his words are — ' It is material that her
majesty should know confidentially, that if she
shall be so ill advised as to come over to this
country, there must be an end to all negociation
and compromise. The decision, I may say, is
taken to proceed against her as soon as she sets
her foot on the British shore.' I cannot conclude
this letter without my humble, though serious
and sincere supplication, that her majesty will
take these propositions into her most calm con-
sideration and not act with any hurry or preci-
pitation on so important a subject. I hope that
60 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
my advice will not be misinterpreted. I can
tave no possible interest which would induce me
to give fallacious counsel to the queen. But let
the event be what it may, I shall console myself
with the reflection that I have performed a painful
duty imposed upon me to the best of my judg-
ment and conscience, and in a case in the decision
of which the king, the queen, the government,
and the people of England are materially inte-
rested* Having done so, I fear neither obloquy,
nor misrepresentation. I certainly should not
have wished to have brought matters to so preci-
pitate a conclusion, but it is her majesty's decision
and not mine, I am conscious that I have per-
formed my duty towards her with every possible
degree of feeling and delicacy. I have been
obliged to make use of your brother's hand, as I
write with pain and difficulty, and the queen has
refused to give any, even the shortest delay.
" I have the honour to be, Sir,
" With great regard,
" Your most obedient humble servant,
" HUTCHINSON."
The moment this offensive epistle was read,
her majesty expressed the warmest indignation
and although we believe some attempts were
made to calm her irritation, and to induce her
to suspend her resolves, she commanded Mr.
Brougham te write the following reply to Lord
Hutchinson :
COUNT VASSAL]!,
s ? /
/
L,nuL>n, Published t>y T^o^
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. Gl
" Mr Brougham is commanded by the queen
to acknowledge the receipt of Lord Hutchinson's
letter, and to inform his lordship, that it is quite
impossible for her majesty to listen to such a
proposition. — Five o'clock, June 4, 1820."
Her majesty then quitted the room, leaving Mr.
Brougham alone.
It may be here necessary to state, that on Mr.
Brougham's arrival, her majesty's chamberlains,
the Count Bergarni and the Count Vasali, re
quested their own dismissal. They acknow-
ledged the honour which they had had in being her
servants for six years ; but having at last placed
her in the protection of her friends, and she being
about to take refuge in the arms of her people,
they presumed that, from among those people,
she would be enabled to find persons not more
worthy of her confidence than they had been,
but, perhaps, less likely to excite prejudice.
These gentlemen took their leave, and prepared
to return to their own country. Her majesty
made them suitable acknowledgments on their
departure.
Almost immediately on her majesty quitting
Mr. Brougham, she requested Mr. Alderman
Wood to send off a courier to Calais, to engage a
packet for her use. A courier was instantly des-
patched, and the Prince Leopold, being still in the
harbour, was secured, as well as the Lady Jane
for her majesty's carriages.
Her majesty's carriages were then ordered to
2 K
62 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINA
be got ready, and at half past five her majesty
got into her carriage, with Lady Hamilton, a
female attendant, and Alderman Wood. She
drove off with the utmost speed, and was follow-
ed by two calashes, in which were the younger
Mr. Wood, Mr. Austin, a female, and two male
domestics; a black servant, and one of her
couriers was on the box of her own carriage. It
may be proper to mention, that her majesty was,
on walking down the steps of the hotel at St.
Omer's, warmly greeted by a great number of
ladies of the first respectability, both French and
English: A Greek lady, the wife of Mr. Cope-
land, an English banker, about to settle at Paris,
was introduced to her majesty, who paid her
compliments on her interesting appearance : the
lady answered in Italian, and wished her majesty
a pleasant voyage, and a speedy victory over her
enemies. The queen gave her an animated smile,
and in Italian returned her warm thanks for her
good wishes.
The suddenness of her departure was such,
that Mr. Brougham had no time to follow her
majesty to her coach, and indeed scarcefy knew
she was gone, till he saw from a window the
carriage hastening away. The reason of this
precipitate departure, which prevented Mr.
Brougham from paying the respect which he
would otherwise have most anxiously paid, has
been since very Satisfactorily and naturally ex-
plained.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 63
Lord Hutchinson, a very short time before her
majesty's leaving St. Omer's, happened to say
that he expected almost immediately a courier
from Paris. Her majesty, conceiving that the
only object of a courier from the capital of a
country which had treated her with such marked
neglect, must be a hostile one, and probably
might end in intercepting her journey, took the
prompt resolution of setting off that very instant,
lest the delay of a few minutes might allow time
for Ve arrival of a messenger with powers to re-
fuse her the means of travelling. Her majesty
was even afraid that some difficulties might be
thrown in her way at Calais, and therefore, to
make all sure, determined to go at once on board
the English packet-boat. Such an apprehension
fully justified her majesty's abrupt departure from
the hotel at St. Omer's, and as fully explains the
non-attendance of Mr. Brougham at her carriage-
door, for her majesty, in her anxiety, did not
mention to any one the reason of her haste, till
she arrived almost at Calais. It turned out,
however, that her majesty had misunderstood
Lord Hutchinson's meaning : the courier expected
from Paris, was merely to bring an answer from
Lord Hutchinson's nephew, who resides in that
metropolis, and to whom his lordship had written,
requiring him to come and assist him, as his con-
fidential amanuensis, in the same manner as Mr.
Brougham's brother assisted Mr. Brougham.
Her majesty arrived at Calais at half-past nine,
and drove directly to the quay.
64 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
On her majesty's sudden appearance at Calais,
the greatest ferment prevailed. She was imme-
diately recognized, from the colour of her liveries
and the number of her carriages. She was fol-
lowed to the quay by a considerable crowd, and
was loudly cheered. The tide was out, but she
fearlessly descended into the packet by a ladder
of many steps. Once on board she seemed more
at ease. She sat upon a seat on the deck, and
remained there in conversation with Lady Hamil-
ton. But few persons were permitted to remain
on the quay, and these had only a distant view
of her majesty. It was altogether a most extra-
ordinary scene : the queen of this great empire
divested of the pomp due to her illustrious rank,
seated on the deck of a common packet-boat, and,
for the moment, deserted, as it were, by all those
whose duty it was to protect her, and yet flying
not from, but, with the pride of conscious inno
cence, fearlessly to meet, her enemies. The very
humility of her situation, however, but displayed
in more glowing colours the nobleness of her
mind. She appeared to soar above all trifling
considerations, and as she turned her eyes to-
wards the British shores, she exclaimed to Lady
Hamilton, in a plaintive voice, " It is there and
there alone I hope for justice. It is among rny
people I must look for the respect due to my
rank ; it is from them, and them alone, I can ex-
pect the acknowledgement of my rights, and the
defence of my character, against the foulest
calumniators !"
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 65
Alderman Wood had retired to the Bourbon
hotel, to prepare some despatches for England,
announcing her majesty's situation. He had, as
no answer had been received from Lord Liver-
pool, felt it his duty to offer to her majesty the
use of his own house, in South Audley-street, and
wrote to Mrs. Wood, apprizing her of her ma-
•esty's gracious acceptance of his offer. He also
wrote letters to Mr.Denman and other individuals,
intimating the course which her majesty had re-
solved to take. Refreshments were sent to her
majesty from Dessin's hotel, of which she par-
took in the cabin of the packet.
The moment her majesty went on board, the
Prince Leopold hoisted the royal standard.
The British Consul sent off a gentleman to
London to his majesty's ministers, announcing
her majesty's arrival at Calais, and intended de-
parture for Dover.
Mr. Alderman Wood, having finished his des-
patches, repaired on board to receive her ma-
jesty's final orders. There was now some little
difficulty in obtaining a confidential person t<?
convey the despatches to London.
This was, however, soon overcome — a gentle-
man on deck volunteered his services — an open
boat was rowed alongside the packet, and, at half
past ten, he glided out of the harbour, without
taking the customary leave of the Commissary of
Police. In a few minutes his little bark was ex-
posed to the shock of adverse winds and currents ;
but, after considerable hazard, he reached the
MEMOIRS ^OF CAROLINE,
Dover shore at half-past-ten the ensuing morning,
and, stepping into a post-chaise and four, was
driven into London in less than six hours. The
gentleman who had preceded him, with the des-
patches of the Consul, had stated, that her ma-
jesty did not intend coming to England for some
time. This ruse de guerre was frustrated by a
statement of the real truth, and thus an oppor-
tunity was afforded for evincing the enthusiasm
we shall subsequently describe. A report pre-
vailed at Calais that her majesty's messenger had
been lost ; but, happily, without foundation.
After the departure of the messenger, her
majesty retired to rest in one of the births of the
cabin. Alderman Wood slept, or rather watched,
on the deck, wrapped in a large coat.
Lord Hutchinson so little expected her majesty's
departure, that he was in the act of writing the
following letter to Mr. Brougham when the queen
went away. This letter was sent after her
majesty to Calais, in an enclosure from Mr.
Brougham. The queen was asleep when the
parcel arrived, about one o'clock, and it was
therefore received by Alderman Wood. The
worthy alderman did not think it right to wake
her majesty; but, about two hours afterwards,
hearing her speak to her female attendant, he
sent the letter to her : her majesty read it, and
desired Mr. Alderman Wood to acknowledge it ;
but to add, that the queen saw no reason to alte
her course
QFEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND 67
St. Omer'$,Jive o'clock June 4, 1820.
'• My dear Sir, — I should wish that you would
enter into a more detailed explanation ; but, to
show you my anxious and sincere wish for an
accommodation, I am willing to send a courier to
England to ask for further instruction, provided
her majesty will communicate to you whether
any part of the proposition which I have made
would be acceptable to her ; and, if there is any
thing which she may wish to offer to the English
government, on her part, I am willing to make
myself the medium through which it may pass.
" I have the honour to be, frc.
" HUTCHINSON."
This letter exhibits at once the promptitude and
firmness of her majesty's character. We have no
doubt that, had she suffered the wicked and dis-
graceful negociation to be opened again, her
enemies would then have proposed terms yet
more alluring, to tempt her to stay on the Con-
tinent.
Alderman Wood, in obedience to her majesty's
wishes, wrote to Lord Hutchinson, and sent his
letter back by his lordship's messenger.
Shortly before seven on the ensuing morning,
the Prince Leopold got under weigh, and her
majesty departed from the French shores. She
was greeted as she passed by the pier by the
acclamations of a vast number of the English
inhabitants. Unfortunately the wind being due
68 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
west for several hours, prevented the packet from
making any way; but at about eleven o'clock a
breeze sprung up from the south, and very
speedily brought the Queen of England near her
own shores.
Her majesty was much indisposed from the
customary effects of the motion of the vessel ;
but this subsided as she approached the British
shore, on which she kept her eyes steadily
fixed.
The certainty of her majesty's approach having
been ascertained from the royal standard flying
at the mast head of the Prince Leopold, which
could be distinctly seen with glasses from the
heights, the greatest bustle prevailed. Some
confusion seemed to exist among the military
authorities as to the mode of receiving her ma-
jesty. At last Colonel Monroe, who is the com-
mandant of the garrison, determined to receive
her majesty with a royal salute : he observed, as
we are informed, that as no special instructions
had been sent to him, he conceived he should
best discharge his duty by obeying the general
rule, which was to fire a royal salute whenever a
royal personage landed at Dover. This sensible
decision gave great satisfaction to the people ot
Dover, who were already flocking in vast numbers,
and all dressed as if for a fete, in order to view
the disembarkation of their queen. The packet,
at about a quarter before one, came close into the
roads, but on account of the tide, could not entei
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 69
the harbour. Her majesty, with her usual promp-
titude, as soon as she understood that it would
be five o'clock before the vessel could get into the
pier, determined to go ashore in an open boat,
though the swell of the water was so considerable
as to make it difficult to descend the ship's side.
At length, however, her majesty and suite were
safely placed in the boat, which rapidly ap-
proached the shore, amidst the most enthusiastic
cheerings from the countless multitude on the
beach, the heights, and all the avenues leading to
the principal hotel.
At one o'clock her majesty set her foot on
British ground : the royal salute began to fire,
and an universal shout of congratulation wel-
comed her arrival. For a few moments her coun-
tenance and manner bespoke considerable agita-
tion. She was visibly affected by the cordial
symptoms of regard which welcomed her home ;
but she soon recovered herself, and with a firm
step, a composed manner, and a smiling but
steady countenance, walked slowly along the
crowded ranks of the principal inhabitants. Well-
dressed females, young and old, saluted her as
she passed, with exclamations of " God bless
her ; she has a noble spirit ; she must be inno-
cent/' The queen returned the salutations with
the warmest marks of affectionate pleasure, and
repeatedly thanked the ladies for their expres-
sions of cordial attachment. She appeared in
good health, her blue eyes shining with peculiar
3—4 L
*Q MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
ustre, but her cheeks had the appearance of a
ong intimacy with care and anxiety. She is not
so much en bon point as formerly, and her manner
and figure altogether seemed perfectly befitting
her exalted station. She was dressed with great
elegance, in a rich pelisse, lined with fur, a black
sarcenet gown, white ruff, black satin hat, and a
rich plume of black ostrich feathers.
Sir Edward Hamilton came forward to meet
her majesty, and she rested on his arm. As she
moved along, the crowd gathered so fast, and
pressed so closely round her, that she was com-
pelled to take refuge in the York-hotel. Mr.
Wright, of the Ship-hotel, seeing that it would
be impossible for her majesty to reach his house
on foot, immediately despatched a handsome
open carriage to the York-hotel. Her majesty,
Lady Hamilton, and Alderman Wood, ascended
the carriage ; the populace removed the horses,
and drew it themselves. A band of music pre-
ceded her majesty, and two large flags, bearing
the inscription of " God save Queen Caroline,"
were carried by some of the principal tradesmen.
A guard of honour was placed at the door of the
hotel, but the people did not seem to relish their
appearance, and the queen observing to Alderman
Wood that their presence appeared rather to
produce an unpleasant and angry feeling, the
worthy alderman suggested the propriety of their
going away. After playing " God save the King,"
the soldiers retired, and the populace seemed
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 71
highly delighted. Her majesty observed, that
although she appreciated as it deserved the atten-
tions of the commandant, yet that she wanted no
guard of soldiers ; her firm reliance was on the
just principles and cordial attachment of her
people. Her majesty then went to the principal
window of the hotel, and bowed several times
with great grace and sweetness of manner to the
happy assemblage. She then retired, and, first
taking a slight refreshment, lay down to rest after
the harassing fatigues of body and mind which
she had undergone. At five o'clock she awoke,
and desired that the carriages, which she now
understood had been brought on shore, should be
speedily got ready, as she would set off for Can-
terbury that evening. The crowd round Wright's
hotel continued to increase from persons flocking
to the spot from all parts of the surrounding
country. The cries of " Long live the Queen"
were repeated from all quarters, and at length
her majesty appeared at the window. This led
to a renewal of popular acclamations which burst
from all quarters with an almost unparalleled
enthusiasm.
The following extract from a letter, contains
some further particulars of the most interesting
event of the queen's landing.
" Dover, May 5*
" My dear sir,
" Her majesty the queen embarked at Calais,
on board of the Leopold packet, at about ten
72 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
o'clock at night, on the 4th, and sailed at six thia
morning. After getting outside of the harbour, she
remained on deck until her arrival at Dover,
though the sea was considerably agitated by a
smart and unfavourable breeze, and she experi-
enced the sufferings of sea-sickness severely. At
about a quarter past one this day her majesty
landed, under a salute from the batteries, and the
.naval squadron in the roads. She was accom-
panied by Lady Ann Hamilton, Alderman Wood,
and his son ; Mr. Austin, two couriers, and some
domestics. All her Italian court have remained
behind. The crowd collected was immense. It
may truly be said that it comprised nearly the
entire of the most respectable as well as of the
inferior classes in Dover and the neighbourhood,
as far as Canterbury. It comprised almost every
individual of both sexes and of all ages, who was
not detained at home by illness or other reasons
equally cogent. The oldest inhabitant of Dover
does not recollect an instance of such an immense
mass, not even at the landing of the emperors
did the crowd equal by one half the aggregate
collected this day to witness and hail her ma-
jesty's return. The feeling was universal, and
the air was literally rent with acclamation, and
cries of " God save Queen Caroline — :God save
our good Queen !" The anxiety of all ranks to
see and welcome her majesty was so great, that
it was not without considerable difficulty she
could make her way up from the beach through
QUESN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 73
the admiring crowd, whose well-intentioned, but
inconvenient pressure, was such as to cause her
to retire from their good will into the York-hotel,
where she remained for a short time. Her car-
tinge was then brought to the door, but the una-
nimous voice of the assemblage demanded that
the horses should be unharnessed, and her ma-
jesty was drawn to the Ship-inn, amidst the tri-
umphant and enthusiastic shouts of thousands of
her subjects. Several bands of music attended,
and a number of appropriate banners were dis-
played. On her arrival at the Ship, an officer and
a guard of soldiers were drawn up at the door,
who endeavoured to keep the people off. Her
majesty, however, willing to gratify their wishes,
said, in a dignified and commanding manner, * I
am come once more amongst free men, and I do not
want any soldiers.' This had the desired effect,
and the multitude were no longer prevented from
expressing the satisfaction they felt at beholding
their queen. — Her majesty subsequently gratified
them by appearing two or three times at the win-
dow, and each time was greeted with the most
rapturous and enthusiastic peals of applause that
ever I witnessed ; to which she replied in a neat
and graceful manner. Never did acclamations
proceed more directly froaa the heart, than those
which were thus expressed ; and I lament much
the absence of some of his majesty's ministers on
the occasion, as they would have received a lesson
which would have made a deep impression on
74 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
them, that is to say, if any thing short of superna-
tural could affect them. An address of congratu-
lation was immediately moved, and presented to
her by the freemen and the respectable inhabitants
of Dover ; in fact, had I the descriptive powers
of Sir Walter Scott, I could give you but a very
faint idea of the enthusiasm excited by her arrival.
Suffice it to say, that she need not have a horse
harnessed to her carriage between this and
London.
" On this momentous occasion her majesty has
acted with a spirit and decision highly creditable
to her. The proposals which Lord Hutchinson
was directed to make to her, were insulting to her
dignity, and derogatory to her character as a
queen, and as a female. She was required to
reside on the continent — not to assume the title
of queen — to relinquish all honours, and titles apper-
taining unto the royal family — and never to return to
England!! The reward proffered for her thus ac-
ceding to her own dishonour, and tacitly admitting
the accusations against her to be well-founded,
was to be fifty thousand per annum / ! Her majesty
replied in a dignified but firm manner, ' Tell Lord
Hutchinson that I will return an answer to them in
London.' "
Another account says, it is impossible to des-
cribe the enthusiasm with which her majesty was
received at Dover. Thousands of well-dressed
ladies appeared on the beach and at the windows
welcoming her majesty in the most enthusiastic
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 75
manner. A number of flags were displayed,
on which were written " God save Queen Caro-
line," and a variety of other suitable inscrip-
tions. On the approach of the boat which con-
veyed her majesty from the packet to the shore,
the people assembled, greeted her with the
most rapturous applause. Sir Edward Hamil-
ton then came forward to conduct her majesty to
a carriage prepared for the occasion. She was
preceded by flags and a band of music, and as
soon as she was seated in the carriage, the people
drew her from the beach to Wright's hotel, where
the military were assembled. Her majesty's ar-
rival was announced by the firing of guns from
the heights. A large crowd assembled round the
hotel, and on her majesty's appearing at the win-
dow, the utmost enthusiasm was displayed.
At six o'clock a deputation of the inhabitants
of the town of Dover begged to be introduced to
her majesty, stating that they were anxious to
present to her an address, expressive of their feel-
ings on her majesty's arrival in her own kingdom.
The moment the arrival of these gentlemen
was mentioned to her majesty, she desired that
they might be admitted to her presence. She
stood at the upper end of the room, Alderman
Wood on her right, and Lady Hamilton on her
left hand. The deputation soon entered, and,
bowing with great respect, advanced close toj^^ J
Majesty, when one of the gentlemen react >tM j;"
following address :— * ^
;>M
76 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
" To the Queen's most excellent Majesty.
" May it please your royal majesty, — We,
your majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects,
tke inhabitants of the *town and port of Dover,
beg leave to approach your majesty's most
gracious person, to offer our most hearty con-
gratulations on your majesty's safe arrival in
your own kingdom. We beg leave to assure
your majesty how deeply we deplore the events
which, under the dispensation of Divine Provi-
dence, have so lately taken place in this nation,
and beg leave to offer your majesty our sincere
condolence on the demise of our late much- be-
loved and ever-to-be-lamented most gracious
sovereign, and to assure your majesty of our firm
attachment to the house of Brunswick, and of our
determination to support, at all times, those prin-
ciples which placed them on the British throne.
We rejoice at the opportunity which your majesty
has at this time been graciously pleased to afford
us of addressing you, for whom we entertain the
highest and most profound veneration and re-
spect ; and to assure your majesty how fully we
participate in every happiness you can experience:
and more particularly on your being now placed
on the British throne as Queen of England.
May this event, so pleasing to the nation, be pro-
ductive of permanent felicity to your majesty,
and may youf reign over us be long and happy."
To this her majesty returned the following most
gracious answer : —
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 77
" I am deeply impressed with all the attention
the town of Dover has shewn to me on my arrival
in these realms. I trust that some period will
arrive, when I may be permitted to promote the
happiness of my subjects, as I indeed feel most
gratified in being again united to so noble and
generous a nation,"
The deputation had the honour to kiss her
majesty's hand, and retired deeply impressed
with her condescension. Several ladies were
afterwards permitted to enter the room, and were
kindly received by her majesty.
Her majesty ascended her carriage at half-past
six. The crowd collected was beyond all cal-
culation. The carriage was drawn by the popu-
lace completely out of the town, amidst loud and
reiterated cheers, and accompanied by persons
bearing flags, and a band of music, playing " God
save the King/'
The horses were then put to, and her majesty
proceeded on her journey to Canterbury, followed
by the blessings of her people, who lined the
roads on each side in treble and quadruple rows.
Alderman Wood shared in the general approba-
tion of the multitude.
RECEPTION OF HER MAJESTY ON THE ROAD TO
LONDON.
In consequence of the delays occasioned by the
good-will of the inhabitants of Dover, her majesty
3—4 M
78 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
did not reach Canterbury till half-past nine
o'clock. It was quite dark. The scene, however,
became singularly beautiful from the effect of 100
flambeaux, which were lighted at the entrance of
the city, and carried by men. This illumination
discovered upwards of ten thousand persons, who
were anxiously expecting her majesty's approach,
and who, the moment they caught sight of her
carriage, gave three cheers, and continued to
cry " Long live Queen Caroline." The horses
were taken from the carriage, and her majesty
was drawn through the main street by the
multitude. On reaching the house of the mayor
the crowd stopped, and renewed their cheers
Her majesty reached the Fountain-hotel at a
quarter to ten o'clock, and immediately alighted
amidst continued testimonies of loyalty and at-
tachment.
The following correspondence appears to wear a
singular complexion, and were it not authenticated
by all the leading journals, we should be dis-
pose'd to question its accuracy. If a guard of
honour had been ordered for her majesty by
©rders from government, at Canterbury, how
happens it, that it is not granted to her in the
metropolis ? We can only account for this ap-
parent neglect, by supposing that the offer of the
guard was made, but refused.
Message to the commanding officer of the guard,
at the Fountain -hotel :
" The mayor presents his compliments to the
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 79
commanding officer, and requests to be informed
of the occasion for the guard being turned out ?"
" Canterbury, June 5."
ANSWER.
" The commanding officer's compliments ; the
guard is out, in consequenee of orders from go-
vernment, to meet the queen."
In consequence of the above, the mayor sum-
moned the House of Burghmote, who unani-
mously voted to address the queen, which was
presented by a deputation, consisting of the sheriff
and town clerk.
Her majesty had been met on the road by the
sheriff and town- clerk of Canterbury, in a chaise
and four, to request she would allow the mayor and
corporation to present her an address. When her
majesty arrived, the mayor and corporation were
in attendance. They were attired in their cor-
porate dresses. They were immediately received
by her majesty in the same form as the deputa-
tion of the inhabitants of Dover.
The mayor then read in a distinct voice an
address, of which the following is a copy : —
" We, his majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects,
the mayor, aldermen, sheriff, and common-coun-
cilmen of the ancient city of Canterbury, beg
leave most respectfully to approach your royal
presence with our sincere and hearty congratu-
lations on your majesty's safe arrival in this city ,
and to express our fervent hope that your majesty
80 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE
may long live in the esteem and admiration of a
loyal and dutiful people.— 5th June, 1820."
Her majesty immediately delivered the follow-
ing most gracious answer:
" Gentlemen — I am very much obliged to you
for the attention you have shown me, and certainly,
if it is ever in my power, I shall be happy to do
any thing for the good town of Canterbury, and
to make my people happy. Gentlemen, you
must excuse this short address, as 1 am very
tired ; but I speak from my heart, and I am sure
you will like that better than a formal address.
I shall never forget the loyalty and affection that
are shown to the house of Brunswick by this
noble and generous nation."
The members of the corporation were then
introduced to her majesty, and had the honour to
kiss her majesty's hand. Several ladies who
attended to witness the ceremony, had likewise
the honour of conversing with her majesty, and
kissing her hand. The mayor, in presenting the
address, was accompanied by seven aldermen out
of the twelve of which the corporation consists,
the sheriff, the town-clerk, and sixteen common-
councilmen out of the twenty-four who compose
the council. Her majesty retired early to her
bedchamber.
On the following morning her majesty rose at
nine, and intimated that she would set out on her
ourney to London at half-past ten. The horses
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 81
and carriages were ordered accordingly. Although
the morning was extremely unfavourable, from a
continued fall of rain, the street in front of the
hotel was filled with well-dressed persons, and
every window was thronged with spectators.
The people would not permit the horses to be
put to the carriage, but insisted upon drawing
her majesty completely through the town. From
the windows on each side of the street flags
bearing appropriate devices were displayed, and
the ladies were every where seen waving their
handkerchiefs, and joining in the general excla-
mations of " Long live our gracious Queen,"
" Long live Queen Caroline/' $*c.
At Canterbury, her reception was peculiarly
marked, and after the address was presented, the
corporation, with several other gentlemen of the
town, had a grand supper at the Fountain Inn, at
which Mr. Alderman Wood was present by spe-
cial invitation, and at which the healths of the
king and queen were drank with acclamations of
applause. At an early hour an immense multi-
tude filled the streets in the vicinity of the
Fountain-inn, and at ten o'clock her majesty ap-
peared at the window; she was immediately
saluted by loud and , long-continued cheering.
Her majesty expressed her acknowledgments,
and waving her handkerchief, silence was resto-
red, upon which she said, " My good people, as
you cheer me, I pray you to cheer the king also,0
which the people accordingly did, her majesty
82 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
waving her handkerchief as long as the cheers
for the king continued. Her majesty addressed
the people in the same manner at every village and
town along the road at which she met with any
expression of popular applause; she spoke, indeed,
with peculiar fervour to the people at Dartford.
,A great many of the young officers of the
cavalry regiments, stationed at Canterbury, ac-
companied her majesty on horseback from Can-
terbury to Sittingbourn.
Through every village on the route towards
London the same enthusiasm prevailed. All
business was at end, and every class of society
seemed to feel it a duty to pay homage to her
majesty. The bells of the churches were set
ringing, and all was joy and exultation.
At the bottom of Chatham-hill the whole popu-
lation of the town of Chatham and its vicinity
were collected to bid her majesty welcome. An
attempt was made to renew the compliment of
drawing her majesty through the town; but as
her majesty was anxious to get to London before
the close of day, at her request the people
desisted. She was, however, cheered from every
house as she passed, and all were alike loud in
their acclamations of applause. The scenes de-
scribed as having taken place in the other towns
were renewed until she had gone completely
through Rochester and Stroud. She was also
attended by a very numerous cavalcade of horse-
men, and was preceded by two of the Kentish
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. S3
yeomanry on horseback, who accompanied her all
the way to Shooter's-hill, where they took their
leave.
At Gravesend the inhabitants came forth, and
placing a rope across the road, insisted upon
drawing her majesty through the town. Alder-
man Wood endeavoured to dissuade them from
their well-meant intentions, but they entreated
to be permitted to gratify their wishes as a boon,
and her majesty consented. The carriage was
drawn completely through the town amidst rei-
terated cheers. Flags were displayed from all
the windows, handkerchiefs were waved, and all
was sincere and unaffected enthusiasm.
At Northfleet the same demonstrations of
delight were evinced.
From Dartford a number of horsemen came
forth to meet her majesty, and preceded her to
the commencement of the town, where persons
were prepared with ropes to draw the carriage,
which they effected without opposition, and drew
it to the Bull Inn. Here a change of horses took
place, and while this was effecting, the populace
opened the carriage and nearly overwhelmed her
majesty with their affectionate caresses. She
bore their salutations with the greatest good
humour and affability.
Mr. Alderman Wood having expressed a desire
to send off an express to Mr. Denman, to request
him to meet the queen — and another to Mrs.
Wood, to announce her majesty's arrival, a
84 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
gentleman with a fine blood-horse tendered
his services, and rode off with the rapidity of
lightning.
At Dartford the highest demonstrations of re-
spect were paid by the people. Immense crowds
from the metropolis were assembled on Shooter's
hill. On descending, the carriage of her majesty
was nearly overset, but fortunately no injury was
experienced. All the way from Shooter's-hill
o the inn at Blackheath, her majesty was re-
ceived in the same warm and cordial manner, and
crowds assembled before the inn, anxiously calling
on her majesty to make her appearance. Mr.
Alderman Wood .explained to them, that as soon
as her majesty had received some refreshment,
she would appear. Her majesty at last appeared
at the window, and was cheered, as usual, by
the loudest acclamations.
All the way into the metropolis, her majesty
was accompanied by numbers of carriages and
horsemen, and the road was crowded the whole
way, by persons who had been anxiously waiting
from an early hour for her majesty. The en-
thusiasm with which she was received on her
approach to the metropolis was indescribable,
and left no doubt of the sympathy and regard of
the people of this country. These were every
where so unequivocally displayed, that no one
could possibly mi«fo^° *^om
Her majesty the o"«<^ arrived in town shortly
after s^'a o'clock.
QUEEN" CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 85
Her arrival was known in the House of Com
mons, by the loud acclamations of the people
with which her majesty was greeted on crossing
Westminster-bridge. She appeared in an open
carriage, in which Lady Hamilton, and Mr. Alder-
man Wood were recognised. Her majesty was
dressed in black, looked uncommonly well, and
in excellent health ; she was evidently affected
by the grateful reception she met with. Her
carriage was surrounded by a number of gentle-
men on horseback, followed by a number of
carriages, some of which were of her suite. She
proceeded down Parliament-street, Charing-cross,
Pall-mall, St. James's-street, and on to South-
Audley-street, the residence of Mr. Alderman
Wood.
It is difficult to give a just picture of the
manner in which her majesty was received fry
her people — never was witnessed a more glow-
ing, a more generous or enthusiastic expression
of the public feeling. The streets through which
she passed were literally crammed with anxious
crowds, suddenly collected, all animated by one
sentiment of regard and of devotion to this
illustrious personage. Her entrance^was, in fact,
a triumphal entrance. All ranks of society
seemed to vie with each other in shewing to hei
majesty the tenderness due to a persecuted
woman, the respect and attention due to the
Queen of England. Almost all the windows
of all the houses in the streets through which the
3—4 x
86 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
cavalcade passed, were filled with elegant women
and gentlemen, who paid to her majesty every
demonstration of respect. One continued shout
was heard long before her majesty crossed
Westminster-bridge, but greatly increased as
the crowd increased when she passed by Carlton-
palace.
As she proceeded up Pall-mall and St. James's-
street, the interest of the scene thickened — the
windows of all the elegant and fashionable houses
at that end of the town were thronged with spec-
tators; the brilliant effect was increased in in-
terest and dignity by the affectionate congratula-
lations from every quarter, by the prayers, by
the cheering congratulations of every rank, age,
and sex. In the different Club-houses of St.
James's-street, the noblemen and gentlemen ap-
peared in the windows and on the balconies in
considerable numbers, and paid their respects to
her majesty as she passed. Her majesty's pro-
gress as she approached South Audley- street was
much retarded, so great was the pressure of the
people, all anxious to catch a glance of the
mother of their late beloved princess — all
animated by one feeling of duty, loyalty, and
devotion.
She descended from her carriage amidst the
ioud and enthusiastic plaudits of the crowd,
which now filled all the avenues leading to South
Audley-street.
In a few minutes after, her majesty, followed
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 87
by Mr Alderman Wood, appeared on the balcony,
as she came forward, the shouts of the multitude
rent the air. Her majesty was repeatedly greeted
with cries of " Queen Caroline, Queen Caroline
for ever/' " God bless your majesty," " God pro-
tect your dignity and your innocence."
Her majesty, evidently labouring under the
strongest feelings, was pleased, in the most
gracious manner, to acknowledge the salutations
of the people.
As it is our wish not to omit a single particular
relative to the arrival of her majesty, we subjoin
the following account, which, though is some par-
ticulars resembling the foregoing, yet is more ex-
plicit and diffuse.
Neither the degree of uncertainty which ac-
companied the arrival of her majesty, nor the un-
favourable state of the weather, could extinguish
the ardour which prompted hundreds to assem-
ble at an early hour, in order to hail and congra-
tulate her return. From the moment that she de-
cided as to the course she would adopt, and re-
solved to throw herself on the people of England,
all her proceedings have been so open, so divested
of the mystery usually attending a royal journey,
that few were in danger of miscalculating the dif-
ferent stages of her progress. Her majesty's ar-
rival seemed to have been greeted not as an un-
looked for, but as a natural and almost necessary
event. On all those outskirts of the town which
point or lead to the high Dover road, at the Obe-
N 2,
88 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
lisk in St George's-»fie]ds, at the Elephant and
Castle, and the Bricklayers' Arms, the multitude
began rapidly to increase about three o'clock.
The more loyal publicans hoisted a royal ensign
on the staff of their sign-posts, and at Deptford
the union jack was suspended in two or three
places across the road. Symptoms of an impa-
tient curiosity, mingled with those of a deep and
powerful interest, became stronger in each suc-
ceeding hour. At half-past six her majesty passed
the Bricklayers' arms, and here she was greeted
by new multitudes, waving their hats and hand-
kerchiefs, and renewing the shouts of exultation
already described. On pursuing its route over
Westminster-bridge, the crowd re-assembled in
one compact body, and, preceding or following
in the train, accompanied the procession to its
close. The ladies, it may be supposed, felt a pe-
culiar interest on the occasion, and testified the
warmth of that feeling by every demonstration
not unbecoming the delicacy of their sex. Though
not originally intended to pass up Pall-mall, this
direction was taken by the great body of horse-
men who preceded the royal carriage, and it was
not thought necessary to turn suddenly off. The
sentries on duty at Carlton-house presented arms,
but in a manner indicating that some reserve and
embarrassment extended even to their humble
stations. It was now understood that her ma-
jesty was to proceed to the house of Mr. Alder-
man Wood, in South A" d lev-street, there to fix
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 89
her abode for the present. Thither all parties,
whether on horseback or on foot, now began to
hasten, and soon swelled into a countless multi-
tude those who, from better or earlier information,
had already stationed themselves in that quarter
Considerable difficulty was experienced in leading
up her majesty 's barouche to the door. The tide
of popular feeling was at its flood, and the air
rung with repeated cheerings. After the queen
had at length entered, there seemed to be no dis-
position to disperse : vehicles of every kind main-
tained their position, and the crowd stood com-
pact and immoveable. In a few minutes, Mr.
Alderman Wood appeared in the balcony of the
first floor, and, we believe, intimated that her
majesty would in person testify the sense which
she entertained of the respectful sentiments ex-
pressed towards her. The clamour then subsided
till shortly after, the queen herself appeared, and
by a dignified obeisance acknowledged the tokens
of affectionate loyalty by which her reception had
been graced. The most splendid pageant, the
most imposing theatrical exhibition, never im-
parted a more genuine delight than seemed to
pervade all ranks of spectators at this instance of
condescending kindness. Her majesty, with a
deportment perfectly graceful, walked from one
end of the balcony to the other, and, having bowed
to all around, withdrew from the ardent gaze
which fed upon her presence. The crowd con-
tinued rather to increase than diminish during the
MEMOIRS OF CRAOLINE,
evening, and the inmates of every carriage, as
well as every horseman who passed, paid homage
to the residence of their queen.
At seven o'clock, Mr. Denman attended at
South Audley-street, where he had an interview
of some length with her majesty, who shewed
him all the correspondence she had with Mr.
Brougham and Lord Hutchinson. Mr. Denman
then, by desire of her majesty, proceeded to Mr.
Brougham, who had arrived in town during the
morning, and who soon after returned with him
to South Audley-street. Both these gentlemen
remained some time in consultation with her ma-
jesty, and after their departure, her majesty sat
down to dinner with Lady Ann Hamilton and Mr.
Alderman Wood, the alderman's family having
immediately after they received her majesty, left
the house, and proceeded to Flagdon's hotel.
There also the worthy alderman himself went in
the course of the night, leaving his house and
servants entirely to the use of the queen.
During the evening there was a partial illumi-
nation at the West end of the town, especially at
some of the club-rooms. The crowd remained
opposite the door till a late hour of the night.
The Countess of Byland, who we stated to
have arrived at the Kingston-hotel at Calais, did
not see her majesty in France, but came to Dover
by a subsequent packet. The countess followed
her majesty to Canterbury: and the ensuing day,
joined in her suite with a carriage and four horses.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 91
She did not accompany her majesty to Soutn
Audley-street.
As her majesty advanced along the Greenwich
road, a gentleman who had seen her depart at St.
Omer's, and who had followed her to England,
and reached London on Tuesday the 6th, came
to meet her in a post-chaise and four with the in-
telligence of the message sent by the king to the
two houses of Parliament. Her majesty received
the information with perfect calmness. Had her
majesty reached town in time, it was her inten-
tion to have sent an immediate message to both
houses herself.
Her majesty left the child which accompanied
her to St. Omer's in that town, for the purpose of
being conveyed back to its parents in Italy ; but,
at the same time, gave a strong and affectionate
assurance of future protection.
On the following Wednesday, a crowd again as-
sembled in front of her majesty's temporary resi-
dence, and by repeated cheers and cries of " Long
live Queen Caroline," testified the interest which
they took in her fate. Every passenger was
called upon to take off their hats as they passed
the house, a request which was in almost all
cases cheerfully obeyed.
In the course of the day her majesty's door was
crowded by ladies and gentlemen making in-
quiries as to her health, and leaving their names
with complimentary congratulations on her arrival
in England.
92 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Mr. Brougham and Mr. Denman held a consul-
tation with her majesty as to the measures which
might be most advisable to adopt, in consequence it
of the message from the king to the two houses
of parliament. The result was a determination
to send a message from her majesty to both
houses of Parliament.
On the day subequent to ^ the arrival of her ma-
jesty, Lord Liverpool appeared in the House of
Lords and presented a message from the king,
..which he handed to the Lord Chancellor, who
immediately read it to the following effect :
'" G. R.
" The king deems it necessary, in consequence
of the arrival of the queen, to communicate to
the House of Lords certain papers relative to the
conduct of her majesty since her departure from
this country, which his majesty recommends
to the immediate and serious attention of the
house.
" The king has felt a most anxious desire to
avert, by all the means in his power, a necessity
as painful to the people as to his own feelings ;
but the step taken by the queen leaves him no
alternative.
" The kings feels the utmost confidence in
making this communication, that the House of
Lords will adopt that course of proceeding which
the justice of the case, and the honour and dignity
of his crown require."
. fttl>tih<><l by llio f 'Ks^y, 27, Paternoster Ant ,
QU£EN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 93
The royal message being read,
The Earl of Liverpool, by his majesty's com-
mand, then laid on the table the papers referred
to in his majesty's message. [They were con-
tained in a green bag.] He intended to propose
that his majesty's most gracious message should
be taken into consideration to-morrow, when he
meant to move an address upon it. The terms
of the address would be such as not to pledge
their lordships to any thing further than to thank
his majesty for his communication, and to assure
his majesty that their lordships would adopt that
course of proceeding which the justice of the case
and the honour and dignity of the crown should
appear to require. He would then move to refer
the papers he had laid on the table to a secret
committee, having for its object to inquire whether
any and what course of proceeding should be
adopted. He then moved that his majesty's most
gracious message be taken into consideration to-
morrow, and that their lordships be summoned
for that day.
The House of Lords was exceedingly crowded
during the above proceedings. The Duke of Cla-
rence, Duke of Sussex, and Duke of Glocester,
9
were present. Most of the ministers who have
seats in the house were also present, and the op-
position benches were full. The number of peers
in attendance was uncommonly great.
In the House of Commons the following inte-
resting proceedings took place :
3— 4 o
94 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
MESSAGE FROM THfe KING*
Lord Castlereagh appeared at the bar of the
house.
The Speaker. — Lord Castlereagh, what have
you got there ?
Lord Castlereagh. — A message from the king.
The Speaker desired him to bring it up.
The noble lord then brought up a paper and a
sealed green bag: the paper he gave into the
hands of the Speaker ; the green bag he laid upon
the table.
The Speaker then proceeded to read the mes-
sage, amidst loud cries of " hats off/'
When the message was read, Lord Castlereagh,
in a very low tone of voice, moved the thanks of
that house to his majesty for his most gracious
message. We understood him also to state, that
on to-morrow he should move that the papers
alluded to in said message (and which were
brought down in a bag), should be referred to a
secret committee.
Mr. G. Bennet rose, but as the motion for the
vote of thanks had precedence, he sat down until
the vote was carried.
Mr. Bennet. — Mr. Speaker, seeing no member
near me disposed to put a question to the noble
lord, and with a full persuasion of my own humi-
lity, I still feel most anxious to know from him,
whether a letter which has this day appeared in
one of the public journals, and which purports to
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 95
be the letter of Lord Hutchinson to the legal
adviser of the queen of England, is, or is not a
genuine document? Whether Lord Hutchinson
had instructions from the ministers of the crown
to call upon the Queen of England to lay down
her right and title — a right held by the same
constitutional securities as that of the king him-
self— for a bribe of 50,000/. a-year? I do feel
most anxious to have an answer to this question,
because, hardy as I know his majesty's ministers
to be — so hardy, to use the words of my right
honourable friend Mr. Tierney, as even to betray
the king and insult the queen, he still could not
believe that even they would venture to authorise
such a proposition. I, for one, will never assent
to the genuineness of that document, until I hear
it admitted by the noble lord opposite (Castle-
reagh). Until that admission shall be made, I
can never give credit to the statement, that a
British ministry, without the authority and con-
sent of Parliament, would have dared to call upon
the Queen of Great Britain to divest herself of
that title which she holds by the same right as
the king himself does his title, for a bribe of
50, GOO/, a-year — a bribe too, not to be paid by
the king himself, but to be taken out of the
pockets of the people of England, labouring under
the severest distresses, and to be given to a
person against whom, if the statements circulated
against her were true, was not alone unworthy of
being the Queen of England, but of bei g allowed
0 2
96 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
to place her foot upon its shore. There were no
words strong enough to convey an adequate im-
pression of such a proposition. To call it treason
to the monarchy, might be considered extrava-
gant, but I cannot consider it less than an act of
treachery to the monarchy of Great Britain.
Feeling a sincere respect and attachment to that
monarchy, upon whose credit and character I
believe the peace and security of this country
essentially to depend, I could not as an honest
man, postpone the duty I feel, of hearing the
ministers of the crown admit or deny the fact of
the genuineness of the document now before the
public — whether or not they had transmitted a
person to make such an offer — whether they, the
ministers of the crown, are parties to the propo-
sition of calling upon the Queen of England
without the consent, authority, or knowledge of
Parliament, to lay down her title for 50,000/.
a-year.
Lord Castlereagh, in a very low tone of voice,
observed, that he could not help admiring the
peculiar temper under which the honourable
• '. '•
member rose to put his question. It must be
felt by the honourable member as a most auspi-
cious state of mind, under which to discuss one
of the most grave and important questions, per-
haps, ever submitted to the sober and deliberate
consideration of Parliament ; a consideration in
which were involved no less than the dignity and
honour of the crown, and the peace and tranquil-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND! 07
lity of the country. With such an impression of
that most grave and important deliberation, the
honourable member must allow him to say, that
even out of tenderness to him he should decline
answering the question. He had already commu-
nicated to the house the course that was intended
to be pursued ; and he put it to the honourable
member and to the house to say, whether there
ever had been a consideration, affecting so pecu-
liarly the feelings and interests, submitted to the
attention of Parliament, in language less calcu-
lated to provoke any warm or intemperate dis-
cussion. In the most ordinary act, even in the
discussion of a turnpike bill, a previous notice
was required, and surely on a question of the
present character a notice of such an intention
might have been expected. As the honourable
member, he well knew, was at times able to
combine very contradictory qualities, he would
himself feel the impropriety of giving way to any
precipitance. If such were his wish, it was open
to him to give a notice for to-morrow when the
discussion of the 'motion already noticed would
afford ample opportunity.
Mr. Beaumont did not consider the question
put by his honourable friend at all calculated to
throw any impediment in the progress of the
course proposed by the noble lord. It appeared
to him to be a very fair and reasonable question.
From the want of an answer to it, and the evident
disinclination of the noble lord to give it, it was
98 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
evident that this extraordinary letter was ge-
nuine, but that his majesty's ministers were
ashamed to own it.
Mr. Creevey observed, that so convinced was he
of the propriety of the question put with so much
feeling by his honourable friend (Mr. Bennet) that
had it not been put, it was his intention to have
moved for the production of the papers connected
with the late negociation at St. Omer's. The
Queen of England was to be prosecuted now, for
what ? — for having dared to set her foot in Eng-
land. His majesty had the same objection to be
in the same country with his queen that he once
had to be in the same drawing-room with her.
We were now to have a prosecution founded
on the result of an unsuccessful menace, and
an unaccepted bribe, a bribe offered to the
Queen of England to renounce her title. When
his majesty called upon the house, by his graci-
ous message, to interest themselves in the con-
sideration of that evidence which was placed
in the bag before them — a course which he thought
the house would not be right in pursuing, he
called upon them to become parties in a private
prosecution — a prosecution in which the same
person was the accuser, party, prosecutor, pro-
curer of evidence, and might in the end, as the
third estate, in the event of a bill of attainder, be
the judge. Since the time of Henry VIII. the
English House of Commons had not been in the
habit of thus interfering with the Queens of Eng-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 99
land. Let them beware how they venture on
such a course. Let that house not participate with
a cabinet, whose fifteen members had on a former
night left their duty there to arm against a single
woman. Who was she ? The daughter of tlie
Duke of Brunswick, the niece of the late king,
the relation and wife of his majesty, and the mother
of the lamented Princess Charlotte of Wales.
Would any man believe, that had that lamented
princess lived, we should have ever heard of these
proceedings ? would such a message as that com-
municated to-night have been ever made ? There
was not a single being who would believe it. He
called upon them to pause before they put them-
selves in such a condition, where every future
step would -involve them in greater difficulties.
That was his honest and sincere conviction, and
he should consider himself a disgraced person, if
thus feeling, he did not avow them.
Sir R. Wilson said there never was a message
so calculated to excite the most serious impres-
sions as that communicated from the throne that
evening. He trusted, however, that pending the
prosecution, it would be felt a paramount duty to
protect the queen from any further indignity. He
did not speak of those repeated indignities offered
to her by official persons from this country abroad,
or by foreign courts under our influence ; neither
did he speak of such an indignity as that of ex-
cluding her from the Liturgy. But he particu-
larly adverted to indignities of such a character as
JOO
MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
the compelling the Queen of England, when she
arrived at Calais, to sail in a common passage-
boat, to hoist the standard of England in a hired
conveyance. Was it no indignity that the Queen
of England had no roof, no asylum, no house to
to which she could repair, but has been obliged
to accept the roof of an honest individual ? (This
remark occasioned a laugh on the ministerial side
of the house.) The laugh he did not understand,
but he would repeat, an honest individual, who
had discharged his various public duties with fide-
lity, with diligence, and with service to his country.
Whatever course the advisers of the crown might
pursue, he was disposed to believe that his majesty
would not approve of any indignity offered to her,
who was once the wife of his affections, and now
the partner of his throne.
Lord A. Hamilton stated, that as he had given a
strong opinion on the subject before, he should
not trespass long upon their attention. Whatever
opinion his honourable friend might entertain on
the exclusion of the Queen from the Liturgy, he
must ever cite such a proceeding as a proof of the
attempt to condemn her majesty unheard and un-
accused. It was illegal, according to the tenor
and principle of the law, which gave the power of
altering the names of the royal family from time
to time, as fitted the occasion. By a construc-
tion at variance with the principle of the law, by
what he would not call special pleading, but spe-
cial quibbling, that law wa* evtended *-> authorize
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 101
such an exclusion. He appealed to the acknow-
ledged principles of British justice, which pre-
sumed every person innocent until proved to be
guilty, and asked why their protection were to be
denied to the queen ? He spoke with no authority
or previous communication, when he contended
that justice could not be done unless her name,
previously to every other proceeding, was restored
in the Liturgy, as such an exclusion must operate
to her prejudice. His majesty's ministers had done
every thing in their power to prejudice her ma-
jesty's case, and to condemn her before accusation.
He implored the house not to suffer that prejudice
to have any influence in their deliberations. In
adverting to the order in council, by which her
majesty's name was excluded from the Liturgy, he
expressed a doubt whether that order were not
the result of some art and intrigue, and whether
advice had not been given to his majesty upon that
occasion, for which his ministers were afterwards
not willing to be responsible. That order was
sent beyond the jurisdiction of the privy-council ;
for it was sent to the General Assembly in Scot-
land, where, whatever might be its authority in
this country, it was mere waste paper. In point
of fact, many of the most respectable clergymen
of that country had continued, in spite of the
order, to pray for her majesty ; and a motion had
actually been made in the General Assembly to
condemn the order as an improper interference
with the rights and privileges of Scotland, as set
3—4. P
102 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
tied by the union, He could not suffer these acts
of previous and anticipated condemnation to pass
without entering his protest against the injustice
of such a measure, and without calling upon his
majesty's ministers to extend to the Queen of
England that privilege which was not denied to
the poorest and meanest of her subjects, the pri-
vilege of not being condemned unheard — without
calling upon them to retrace their steps, and place
the queen in the same situation to meet her trial
in which she would have been placed if she haA
not experienced these acts of injustice on the
part of his majesty's ministers.
Mr. Denman said, that it was not his intention
at the present moment to enter into any discus-
sion of this most important subject ; for, both in
a personal and constitutional view of the question,
a fitter opportunity would hereafter occur. He
confessed that he entertained some apprehension
lest he should be betrayed into too strong an
expression of those ardent feelings which the
subject was calculated to excite, but which,
however, gave him infinitely less alarm than the
cold, calm, temperate manner in which a proposi-
tion of this nature had been brought forward by
his majesty's ministers — a proposition full of such
weighty consequences to the illustrious individual
and to the country. He could not trust himself
to press this subject at the present moment ; but
in common justice to the illustrious individual,
whose arrival in the country was greeted with an
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 103
accusation founded upon paper and not upo&
witnesses, and which was to be preferred, not to
the ordinary tribunals of the country, but to a
secret committee — standing in the particular
situation in which he did, he felt himself entitled
to call upon the noble lord opposite to state dis-
tinctly, when he came down to-morrow for a
re-consideration of this awful subject, what was
the nature of the proceeding which it was intended
to institute against her majesty ?
Mr.. Brougham said, that at the present moment
he would not enter into the merits of the subject,
even to the length at which his honourable and
learned friend (Mr. Denman) had entered upon
them. Unhappily (and he said this unfeignedly)
unhappily, not merely for the illustrious parties
concerned, for this house, for Parliament, and for
the country, a resolution appeared to have been
taken which rendered any longer silence upon the
subject almost impossible. The time had at
length arrived when all men would be called upon
to make up their minds upon this most important
question, an,d when his lips would be unsealed
from that silence which he had hitherto observed.
At present he should only say, and it was but
fair to give the noble lord this warning, that, in
his opinion, at least, as a member of Parliament,
his majesty's government would have not only to
perform and succeed in the task of proving a
strong case against her majesty, but to succeed
in another task, foremost in point of time, and of
p 2
JU4 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
paramount importance, that of clearly and satis-
factorily convincing the house and the country
that there was no longer any possibility left of
postponing or suppressing the discussion of this
question. In what way soever the merits of this
case were decided, in his view of the case, he
thought that decision a question of inferior import-
ance, compared with that of shewing that the
mere fact of her majesty's landing in this country
rendered all further forbearance absolutely im-
possible. This was so manifest, that he should
be wasting the time of the house, were he to urge
this point any further. He took it for granted,
that the noble lord and his colleagues had ad-
dressed themselves to this consideration, and
were prepared to stake their places upon the
event. He .would only add, in his own justifica-
tion, and in justification of the noble lord who
accompanied him upon a recent occasion, that
since his entering the house that evening, he had
read, with very great astonishment, in one of the
public newspapers, a long statement, purporting
to be an account of what passed at St. Omer's,
which, he repeated, in justification of himself and
the noble lord who was still absent, was in many
respects a most inaccurate, in some material par-
ticulars, a very garbled statement. Through what
channel this statement had been made public, or
to what breach of confidence the subject had
obtained this very extraordinary degree of pre-
mature publicity, it was not for him to determine ;
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 105
and it was hardly necessary for him to add, for
the house would not suspect him of so much indis-
cretion, that not one tittle of these premature dis-
closures had transpired with his sanction or con-
currence:
Upon the motion of Lord Castlereagh, it was
then ordered that the papers in the bag delivered
by Lord Viscount Castlereagh, be kept in the
custody of the clerk of the house.
In the mean time South Audley-street became
the scene of the most tumultuous proceedings, in
consequence of her majesty's residence.
During the day-time, the people congregated in
that and the surrounding streets, calling out — " the
queen ! the queen for ever!" They also subjected
all passengers, especially decently dressed per-
sons, and particularly those in carriages, chaises,
or on horseback, to " mob-law." They were
compelled to pull off their hats, to huzza for the
queen ; and then they were frequently, by way
of giving a little variety to the scene, pelted with
mud, for the amusement of the ruffian mob. But
as darkness increased, on each of the evenings,
the mobs became more mischievous and unruly.
In the course of Wednesday,., some printed
placards had been partially posted about town,
simply commanding to " illuminate for the queen,
this evening !" Some few obeyed this injunction,
as the securest mode, and others knew nothing
about it. With the exception of some few cries
106 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
of " lights, lights !" all remained tolerably quiet
except in South Audley-street ; but at midnight
a band of about one hundred persons issued forth
from that street on the proposition to have lights
exhibited, or to break the windows. Before they
left the front of Alderman Wood's house, however,
they began to carry the threat into execution,
as the windows of the houses next door and next
door but one, were very unceremoniously de-
molished. In Curzon street, scarcely a house
escaped ; and at many of those houses, the fine
large squares of the parlour and first-floor windows
were entirely broken. The houses in Dover-streei
and Clarges-street shared a similar fate. Several
hundred houses were exposed to this outrage*
which there was little opportunity of averting, as
the occupants of many of them had retired to rest.
The mob proceeded along Piccadilly into St.
James's-square ; Lord Castlereagh's house was
hooted and pelted, but a new direction was given
to their fury, by a solitary exclamation of " Carl-
ton-house! Carlton-house !" in the propriety of an
attack upon which, however, all seemed to agree.
Thither they accordingly directed their steps ;
but their movements having become known, some
preparations were made to receive them. In the
interior of Carlton-house, the Riding-school, &c.
there was an increased military guard, and a small
civil force ; and the whole were under the direc-
tion of Sir R. Baker, the chief magistrate of
Bow-street Office, who was in attendance, and
<£UEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 107
remained so till after two o'clock on Thursday
morning. The mob, on arriving in front of
Carl ton-house, and after expressions of disappro-
bation, assumed fresh daring, from experiencing
no interruption, and they then made a rush en
masse, at one of the gates, endeavouring to force
it open. In this they failed, and they soon after
wards deemed it prudent to retire.
During these proceedings, his majesty gave the
most positive commands, which were communi-
cated to all persons of authority in attendance,
that no hostile steps were to be adopted towards
this outrageous mob, but in the extreme case of
absolute necessity. The amplest forbearance was
of course observed.
A Life-guard patrol paraded Pall-mall and Char-
ing-cross during the night, but all remained quiet.
On Thursday night, June 8th, the mob again
assembled in South Audley-street in increased
numbers, and evinced a still more daring disposi-
tion. As the evening closed, all the neighbouring
streets became impassable, from this congrega-
tion of the veriest rabble that ever disgraced the
metropolis. There were in the throng many
decent people who were attracted by curiosity ;
it having been circulated that her majesty would
shew herself in the balcony. During the early
part of the evening, the mob confined their pro-
ceedings to cries of " Queen ! Balcony ! Bal-
cony !" and compelling the persons in carriages,
and those on foot who passed, to pull off their
108 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
hats and huzza, and afterwards pelting them with
mud, as the reward of their forced compliance ;
but as they soon began to display a decidedly
mischievous and outrageous character, the more
respectable portion of the assemblage were seen
very prudently withdrawing themselves.
Those that remained consisted of at least three
or four thousand. The cry of the previous night,
of " Lights, lights !" was resumed ; and even the
houses immediately in the neighbourhood of Al-
derman Wood's residence, notwithstanding that
lights were exhibited as soon as possible, in obe-
dience to the " mob-law," became the early ob-
jects of attack. Many of the windows which
had been repaired during the day were again
broken. The house in which the Misses Fitz-
Clarence reside was furiously attacked ; the door
was thumped against, the railings were beaten,
and every square of glass in front of the house
broken; no lights, however, were exhibited. Se-
veral other houses along the street were assailed
in a similar manner; that of Mr. Maberly, M. P.
at the corner of the street leading down to Gros-
venor- square, had its windows broken for not
illuminating. In Curzon-street and Clarges-street
many windows were again broken, most of those
demolished during Wednesday night having also
been repaired.
Having gone thus far unmolested the preceding
evening, the miscreants assumed more bold, au-
dacious, and threatening tones ; they cried out,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 109
" The Ministers, the Ministers !" This proposl-
tion was deliberately received with four regular
rounds of huzzas ; and the progress of their march
was then particularised by several voices exclaim-
ing, " Lord Sidmouth's, Lord Sidmouth's first !"
Assent was given by another round of huzzas ;
and the mob hurried forward to Lord Sidmouth's
residence, in Clifford-street, Bond-street, by Gros-
venor-square and Brook- street.
On arriving in. Clifford-street they did not seem
accurately to know which was Lord Sidmouth's
house; however, they commenced their opera-
tions on the house next door to it, inhabited by
Mr. Mitford. As soon as the windows were
demolished they found that they had only been
attacking one of his lordship's neighbours ; but, as
their mistake was soon made known, and all their
forces having come up, an assault was commenced
on the several windows of Lord Sidmouth's resi-
dence. The lower windows were entirely broken.
The signal was then given to proceed to Lord
Anglesea's in Burlington-gardens ; but just as
they were about to depart a party of eight or ten
constables and officers, who had been stationed in
Lord Sidmouth's house, sallied forth, captured three
cr four of the ringleaders, and succeeded in bear,
ing them off to the watch-house, in spite of some
partial attempts at rescue, in which one of the
watchmen was severely beaten and knocked about
by the mob.
These captures, however, did not check their
3—4 o
110 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
progress. They proceeded to the Marquis of
Anglesea's. The windows here, as at Lord Sid-
mouth's house, suffered severely in the parlour
and drawing-room : scarcely a whole pane of glass
was left.
It was now about eleven o'clock, and it was de-
termined to visit Lord Castlereagh's house once
more, and thence proceed into Pall-mall ; but
there being some vague cries of " The military,
the military !" portions of the mob having heard
of parties of the horse-guards being out, they
faced about, and directed their steps northward,
to go in pursuit of their friends who had been
taken into custody. It was imagined that they
had been taken to Marlborough-street police-office,
and with this idea they proceeded in the direction
to that office : but near Argyle-street a party of
the Life-guards came up with them, and they fled
in all directions.
By this time, in consequence of the intelligence
that had reached the police and government offices,
of the outrages that were taking place, parties of
the police, aided by bands of constables and small
troops of the horse-guards were called out. About
250 of the horse-guards were out, divided into
parties of ten and twenty each, and they tra-
versed the west- end of the town in different direc-
tions, meeting each other at stated points, the
officers receiving and giving information respect-
ing what they observed. They thus proceeded
backwards and forwards, along Pall-mall, rounc
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. Ill
St. James's-square, along St. James's-street, Pic-
cadilly, Bond-street, and the neighbouring streets,
occupying the line which had been the scene of
outrage, and continued to be marked by the pre-
sence of small numbers of the dispersed mob.
In and about Carlton-house the amplest prepara-
tions were again made. About eleven o'clock, the
disconcerted parties attempted a partial rally in
Pall-mall and St. James's-square, but these well-
arranged and effective precautions disappointed
them in every quarter.
Though all appeared and was tranquil at mid-
night in the neighbourhood of Piccadilly, St.
James's-square, $-c., at two o'clock the following
morning the same mobs rallied in Portman-square,
almost every house in which suffered from their
violence, scarcely a window being left whole.
At. Mrs. Beaumont's, where there happened to
be a party, they became most furious. Not only
were the windows demolished, but the carriages
in attendance were attacked, and much broken
and injured. The mob also proceeded to the
Marquis of Hertford's elegant mansion in Man-
chester-square ; and although lights were imme-
diately exhibited, the assailants exclaimed, "that
will not do, smash the windows." They did so,
broke into the hall, and left this house a complete
wreck of their savage fury.
On the 7th, her majesty rose soon after five
o'clock, and occupied several hours in writing.
Q 2
112 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
In the course of the morning, numbers of trades-
men went into the mansion, with parcels for the
queen. About eleven o'clock, several private
individuals, in their carriages, began to arrive,
and make enquiries. A servant attended in the
hall, with a book, and the enquirers severally put
down their names.
Between eleven and twelve, Mr. Alderman
Wood waited upon her royal highness the
Duchess of Kent by the queen's command, to
express her majesty's condolence on the lamented
death of the Duke of Kent, and to enquire after
the health of her royal highness and her royal
infant.
Mr. Brougham and Mr. Denman had an in-
terview with her majesty in the course of the
morning, and they remained in consultation up-
wards of two hours.
So early as ten o'clock a considerable crowd
had assembled in front of the house, and before
noon the whole street for a great distance on
each side the house was so thronged, that it was
with difficulty the carriages could pass through
it. The crowd up to this time was composed
chiefly of respectably dressed persons, a very
large proportion of them females ; but towards
two o'clock it began to assume the same tumul-
tuous complexion as on the preceding afternoon.
The former cry of " hats off!" was resumed as
any coach, cart, or horsemen passed, and the
mud was very liberally applied to any person
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 113
who was contumacious enough to remain covered
whilst passing the house. The operators, how-
ever, in these doings were exclusively boys, of
from eight to twelve years old ; but backed by
the laughter of the bystanders, they became
bolder every moment, and the laughter conse-
quently became louder and more tumultuous ;
nor was it at all checked by the presence of a
number of the Bow-street officers, who were in
attendance on the steps of the house, and in front
of it throughout the day.
To add to the confusion, great numbers of
idly curious persons called out at intervals " The
queen!" " The queen !" with the hope, we pre-
sume, of inducing her majesty to show herself [at
the windows ; but in this they were totally dis-
appointed. This scene continued till nearly four
o'clock, when Mr. Alderman Wood appeared
upon the balcony. He was instantly greeted
with loud cheers, and silence having been at
length obtained, he addressed the assembled
crowd nearly as follows : —
" Fellow-Countrymen,— I have to address a
few words to you on behalf of her majesty. — You
must all be aware, that after the fatiguing journey
she has undergone, travelling almost night and
day for so long a time, she has much need of re-
pose. I am commanded, moreover, to express
to you her majesty's intention not to appear in
public pending the discussion of her affairs. Her
114 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
majesty has learned, with deep regret, that some
persons have been insulted in passing her present
residence, and that windows have been broken
by individuals affecting to be her friends. She
trusts such illegal conduct will not be repeated ;
and I am commanded to say that it is her express
desire that you will, as good citizens, , retire
peaceably to your homes immediately."
The worthy Alderman bowed and withdrew
amidst loud cheering, and immediately after, the
crowd began to disperse ; but towards dusk a
fresh and more extensive one had assembled, and
the tumultuous scenes of the ( preceding evening
were likely to be renewed.
The proceedings in parliament on this most
important subject, will be perused with peculiar
interest. They contain information which could
not be elicited from any other quarter, and it
must be acknowledged by all parties, that the
temperate, candid, and conciliating manner in
which this important question has been treated
in both houses of parliament, merits the applause
and confidence of the country.
On Wednesday the 7th, the Earl of Liverpool
moved the order of the day, for taking into con-
sideration his majesty's message ; which having
been read, he moved an address, thanking his
majesty for his most gracious communication.
,. The Earl of Liverpool said, the course to be
proposed was one that would place the whole
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND.
subject in the fullest and foirest train of inves-
tigation. He then moved, that a secret com-
mittee should be appointed, for examining the
papers presented to the House relating to the
conduct of the queen.
The Marquis of Lansdown said, as far as the
secrecy of the inquiry went, which every honest
man would wish to be concealed from the public,
and all mankind, he would give his assent to the
proposition. But it must be admitted that every
publicity must be given, in order to enable the
illustrious person to urge every thing in her
defence. This committee, however, could not be
a court of judicature, nor could she be heard be-
fore it in her defence. It was impossible to
suppose that any course of proceeding could be
recommended by the few lords who were to com-
pose the committee, better than could have been
advised by the noble lords opposite who were
acquainted with the whole of the evidence.
The Earl of Liverpool said, that the principal
objection of the noble marquis was, that the
house, being a court of judicature, should not
be prejudiced. He could say, that if there had
been evidence to convict her majesty of high
treason, it would not have been proper to lay
the case before the House of Commons ; but the
law officers of the crown should proceed accord
ing to the common practice of the law. Besides,
he had to say, that even (and he put it only 0$*.^" .>..
7 £» £'• •; '~tf '.' • -V • *V
supposition), if her majesty had commitwl;;-
116 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
adultery with a foreigner abroad, she was guilty
of no crime known to our laws, because, and he
had it from the highest legal authority, the Act
of Edward III. made it only high treason in a
Queen or Princess of Wales, to commit adultery
with a person owing allegiance to the king. But
was it to be made a case without any remedy ?
It was a case only to be remedied by legislative
provision ; and he, therefore, though it was the
most proper way to refer it to a secret committee,
to examine whether any and what course should
be adopted, on such a matter. This was not a
case which came within the power of the ordinary
tribunals, and therefore, this was the most pro-
per mode of proceeding.
Lord Holland said, his objection was, that this
course of proceeding would lead to a conclusion
highly dissatisfactory to the public, and dis-
honourable to that house. Whether the measure
to be adopted was to be by a bill of divorce or
of pains and penalties, that might have been
done by the noble earl by bringing down the
bill without calling for any investigation. They
ought to pause before they took any step on a
case which the grand inquest of the nation, (the
House of Commons) was about to investigate.
By instituting the proposed committee, they ex-
pressed an opinion that the matter to be sub-
mitted to them could not become a matter of
judicial proceedings. The noble lord's law might
be very good, but they could not know that the
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 117
House of Commons, the great inquest of the
nation, might not determine to proceed accord-
ing to judicial proceedings. He regretted that,
with the opinion which the people held of secret
committees, such a proceeding should have been
commenced. The sound of a green bag, and a
secret committee, occasioned the most jealous
feelings in the mindo of the people, for they re-
collected the many unpopular laws which had
proceeded from them.
The Lord Chancellor said, a secret committee
was intended to protect innocence. In fact,
what where the grand juries of the country but
secret committees. If the committee reported
that a judicial proceeding should be had, he knew
how to deal with it ; if on the contrary, it re-
ported that a legislative proceeding should be
adopted, then he knew how to deal with thai.
It was the privilege of every subject of this
country, whether high or low, to have an open
and public trial ; and in this case, if there must
be a trial, God forbid it should not be public.
The Marquis of Lansdown repeated, that it was
impossible for the house to assume that the other
house of parliament might not think this matter
a subject of impeachment.
The Earl of Donoughmore agreed with the
learned lord on the Woolsack, that the proposed
proceeding was interposing the shield of com
mittees of both houses of parliament before the
illustrious personage. The queen consort of these
5—6 R
US MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
realms should be not only free from stain, but
from the imputation of blemish.
Lord Holland was far from thinking that no
inquiry should be" instituted in this case ; but he
thought that inquiry should be made by the grand
inquest of the nation — the other house of par-
liament ; and they, who were the supreme court
of judicature, should not come prejudiced to any
judgment they might be called upon to decide.
He did not think the proposed mode of proceed-
ing more severe, or as severe, as many that might
$e adopted ; but he protested against it as un-
constitutional.
The Marquis of Lansdown agreed in every word
of the explanation of his noble friend.
The motion was then agreed to, and the house
adjourned.
As it might have been naturally expected, the
queen lost no time in addressing a message to
the House of Commons, in consequence of that
which haci previously been sent down by the
king. Her majesty declares that she relies with
the utmost confidence upon the support of the
House of Commons to defeat the machinations
against her. This confidence, it is certain, will
never be abused. If any machinations have been
or shall hereafter be carried on against the Queen
of England, they will most undpubtedly be de*
feated by the Commons of England. In this re>
spect. they will shun the feelings, and act on thi
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 119
principles of our late revered monarch, in whose
countenance and protection, her majesty readily
admits, she always felt secure.
It will, however, be remembered, that the very
first step which the late king took, when com-
plaints of his royal daughter-in-law's conduct
were laid before him, was to issue a warrant for
a secret investigation into the facts by certain
noblemen of high and unimpeachable character.
It will be remembered too, that though those
noblemen acquitted the princess of the most
serious part of the charges then brought against
her, yet they distinctly reported, in regard to other
particulars alleged respecting the conduct of her
highness, such as must especially, considering
her exalted rank and station, necessarily give
occasion to very unfavourable interpretations.
They reported that those circumstances must be
credited, until they should receive some decisive
contradiction ; and that if true, they were justly
entitled to the most serious consideration. And
upon the report, the whig ministers of the day, by a
cabinet minister, advised the king, by a serious
admonition, to convey to her royal highness his
majesty's expectation, that she would be more
circumspect in her future conduct.
It is not for any individual to pronounce, whether
her majesty has or has not regarded the serious
admonition of the deceased monarch, or whether
the impressions of her conduct, which have been
received and acted upon by most of the foreign
R 2
120 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
courts, nave any foundation, is a matter at this
moment of mere speculation.
The following is the message from the Queen :
" The Queen thinks it necessary to inform the
House of Commons, that she has been induced to
return to England in consequence of the measures
pursued against her honour and her peace for
some time by secret agents abroad, and lately
sanctioned by the conduct of the government at
home. In adopting this course, her majesty has
had no other purpose whatsoever, but the defence
of her character, and the maintenance of those
iust rights which have devolved upon her by the
death of that revered monarch, in whose high
honour and unshaken affection she had always
found her surest support.
" Upon her arrival, the queen is surprised to
find that a message has been sent down to par-
liament, requiring its attention to written docu-
ments ; and she learns with still greater astonish-
ment, that there is an intention of proposing that
these should be referred to a select committee.-
It is this day fourteen years since the first
charges wereN brought forward against her majesty.
Then, and upon every occasion during that long
period, she has shown the utmost readiness to
meet her accusers, and to court the fullest inquiry
into her conduct. She now also desires an open
investigation, in which she may see both the
charges and the witnesses against her — a pri-
vilege not denied to the meanest subject of the
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 121
realm. In the face of the sovereign, the par-
liament, and the country, she solemnly protests
against the formation of a secret tribunal to
evimine documents, privately prepared by her
adversaries, as a proceeding unknown to the laws
of the land, and a flagrant violation of all the
principles of justice. She relies with full con-
fidence upon the integrity of the House of Com-
mons for defeating the on1^ attempt she has rny
reason to fear.
" The queen cannot forbear to ada, that even
before any proceedings were resolved upon, she
had been treated in a manner too well calculated
to prejudice her case. The omission of her name
in the Liturgy ; the witholding the means of con-
veyance usually afforded to all the branches of
the royal family ; the refusal even of an answer
to her application for a place of residence in the
royal mansions ; and the studied slight, both of
English ministers abroad, and of the agents of all
foreign powers over whom the English govern-
ment had any influence — must be viewed as
measures designed to prejudice the world against
her, and could only have been justified by trial
and conviction."
The reading of the message was heard with
profound silence; the passage in which her
majesty demands an open and public inquiry,
was received with cheers from all sides the house.
Lord Castlereagh then moved the order of the
day for taking into consideration the late mes
l22 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
sage of the king. — The message was read by the
clerk.
Lora Castlereagh said, that, in rising to call the
attention of the house to his majesty's message,
le had to assure the house, that he keenly felt the
extreme delicacy of this most painful of public
questions, and that nothing could have induced
ministers to bring it forward until all the efforts
to render a discussion unnecessary had proved
unavailing. He then proceeded to state what it
was the intention of ministers to recommend for
the adoption of the house. He protested in limine
against the insinuation that ministers came down
tq parliament in the spirit of persecution or of
prosecution. Never was there a message deli-
vered to that house on terms more gracious than
hat to which they now directed their attention.
The sovereign sought their advice. Until the
nature of the information to be laid before them
was known, it was impossible to give that advice ;
and no vote should be asked of them that night
calculated to fetter their judgment upon the final
question. It was to be presumed, that the queen's
address was advised by her majesty's counsel,
and that her majesty apprehended that the charge
,vould be unsupported by evidence, and decided
upon before a secret tribunal. It was a matter
of astonishment to him that ministers should be
suspected of proposing or countenancing any
node of accusation against the illustrious indi-
vidual, or against the meanest subject, without
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 123
affording all opportunities of examining it with
publicity, of cross-examining those who supported
the charge, and of rebutting the accusation by
means of all those safe-guards of personal liberty,
which sprung from the spirit of public justice.
The serious question for the consideration of the
great council of the nation was, what was most
likely to lead to the most proper plan of investi-
gation, and satisfy the ends of justice ? He was
not now speaking of the ultimate course. It
would be for the house to decide, after the report
of a committee for which he should move, whe-
ther the case should be pursued before the high
court of parliament, or before the legislature by
bill. But it would also be for them to decide
whether any proceedings at all should be insti-
tuted. The committee, if it should be appointed,
could not be charged with the consideration of
the question, any more than a grand jury was
charged with the decision of the cases submitted
to it. The result of the investigation by the com-
mittee would, by no means, decide the guilt or
innocence of the illustrious individual charged,
and the report was not to be looked upon as at
all affecting the merits of the ultimate question.
The nature of the subject required that the com-
mittee should be secret, in conformity with all the
precedents upon record. If the interests of the
queen were to be considered in the committee,
he should certainly recommend the presence of
her majesty's attorney and solicitor-general but,
124 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
as the committee could have nothing to do with
that question, it was advisable to exclude them ;
for, if it appeared to the committee that her ma-
jesty could not properly be impeached, their pre-
sence could add nothing to the general impression.
On the other hand, if there appeared grounds of
ckarge, those gentlemen would feel themselves in
an awkward condition, by being obliged to act
as agents of her majesty, and members of the
committee, in which they were bound to act
conscientiously. Their hands would, in fact,
be much more free by their exclusion. With
respect to the observations made on the former
night by the hon. gentlemen on the opposite
side, upon this subject, he thought it neces-
sary to assure them, that they could not con-
sider the step ministers were compelled to adopt
in a more painful light than he did, and he
thought that they had entered prematurely upon
a question, with the details of which they ought
to have been more fully acquainted, instead of
giving credence to the wild stories that were cir-
culated through the world. He claimed from par-
liament that they would not raise a presumption
upon these reports, and from those who seemed
to advocate the queen, that they would not give
their sanction to what must, at least, be consi-
dered a very doubtful authority. He denied any
attempt upon the part of ministers to dishonour
or betray either of the royal personages to whose
case their attention was directed. No invesfciga-
CONSORT OF ENGLAND! 125
tion would have been proceeded in but from ne-
cessity ; and the transactions of the last forty-
eight hours proved how little was to be expected
from negotiations in attempting to prevent the
ferment her majesty's arrival in England occa-
sioned. There was also proof within that period
of the arts that could be used to excite the popu-
lar feeling by the publication of inaccurate and
garbled statements. He regretted much that cri-
minal advice which led her majesty to an appeal
to the lower orders of the people; but he ac-
quitted her majesty's legal advisers of that serious
charge. At the same time, he could not but
applaud the conduct of her majesty, if conscious
of her innocence, she came over to this country
to prove that innocence. But the conduct of his
majesty upon this subject was clear and distinct,
and the honourable gentleman (Mr. Brougham)
was eight months in possession of the course mi-
nisters intended to adopt, in the event of the
queen's arrival. Ministers looked to the peace of
the country, and were incapable of offering a
bribe, but broadly intimated what must have been
the inevitable consequences of bringing the ques-
tion before the country. If the queen had thought
proper to keep in a practical state of permanent
separation from the king, it would have been the
most sacred duty of ministers to avert the cala-
mity. The noble lord then stated, that the king,
as master of his family, had a right to make all
those exclusions, the name of the queen from the
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126 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Liturgy, $-c., $-c. ; and asserted that the question
of the coronation was distinctly at the discretion
of the crown. His lordship said, that the minis-
ters had been most anxious to avert the painful
issue at which they had now arrived : but it had
come. He, therefore, trusted that there would
be wisdom enough to meet the question ; and that
there would be a spirit of patient inquiry. If any
attempt were made to appeal to the public mind,
where the troubled spirit was but imperfectly
allayed, he must lament the result. If she had
listened to weak and mischievous advisers — if she
had been approached by persons who were incom-
petent to advise, and had presumed upon such
opportunity, he trusted her majesty would be
awakened to a sense of what was due to her
station. He concluded with moving, that the
papers be referred to a secret committee.
Mr. Brougham then rose. The noble lord him-
self had not risen with more pain than he did ; —
but he could only feel satisfaction that the hour
had arrived when this question could be fully and
fairly met. He was aware of the importance of
the question. He was anxious that the honour,
the dignity, and the popularity of the crown
should be sustained. The illustrious lady whose
cause he advocated appealed not to the mobs to
which the noble lord had been pleased to allude.
Her majesty did this with confidence ; and for sa-
gacity and propriety of mind he had seldom met
any lady that surpassed her. And yet how un-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 127
happily had she been situated ! She had been
removed from the salutary domestic controul and
comfort which were the best preservatives of fe-
male properties ; but had she enjoyed them,
endued so largely as was her mind by nature, it
would have been most fortunate for the country.
It was now left to him to pray and implore the
justice of the house in setting out on the inquiry,
which was now unhappily forced upon them.
Above all, he implored the House to believe her
majesty innocent, till the contrary should be
proved. Before any charge could be preferred,
there was much to be done. He trusted there
would be some discussion in that House, even
before the noble lord obtained his little inquiry up
stairs. To recent circumstances and publications
he had previously alluded. All that had passed
had not his sanction ; but still some allowances
ought to be made for a female unprotected and
almost friendless, on coming to this country, after
an absence of six years. It was not surprising
that her majesty should have listened to friendly
and well-meant advice. It certainly was not the
result of absolute wisdom ; it was not what he
would have advised. It might appear like making
an appeal to the people ; but under the peculiar
circumstances of the case, allowances ought to be
made for her majesty. Considering the acuteness
of the noble lord's mind, it was surprising that it
should be assumed that the queen's message com-
plained of the proposed committee as if it were
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128 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
deemed a 'tribunal of ultimate judicature. That
was not the fact, said the noble lord. He (Mr.
Brougham), and his learned friend, knew that as
well as the noble lord. He knew that any deci-
sion of the committee would be powerless beyond
the threshold of the committee-room. There
were the bills of attainder, and the other great
monsters of Henry VIII/s reign, — but the noble
lord, the organ of the present ricketty and shat-
tered ministry, durst not follow those precedents.
The noble lord, to attempt any thing of the
kind, would require no ordinary power ; but to
pass any such bill, — to condemn without any
public hearing, the noble lord would find to be in-
finitely beyond any power which he possessed.
Therefore, for the noble lord to say what the
committee would not do, he should take as no
concession ; nor should he counsel her majesty to
consider it as any concession. It was not even
an approximation to an argument ; it was not even
the shadow of a shade of reason. As to the com-
parison between the committee and a grand jury,
there was no analogy. A grand jury was sworn;
it was impartial, and it was impartially selected.
The party impanelled had no peculiar interest in
the question at issue. A grand jury certainly de-
cided on ex-parte evidence ; but what sort of evi-
dence was offered here ? — Letters and papers,
with or without names, he knew not which, for-
warded from beyond the Alps, the result of a
commission sent by God knew whom. He was
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 129
in utter ignorance of the contents of the green
bag ; but this he knew, that all the evidence wa&
within the bag, except some persons might be
called to prove signatures. They were the result
of a ten months' residence at Milan. A man of
high rank and learning, who had stood particu-
larly high in the profession to which he belonged,
and who had been esteemed by all who knew
him up to that ill-fated hour in which he had en-
gaged in this business, had procured this evi-
dence. This expectant master of Chancery had
obtained the contents of the bag. That individual,
who had so far forgotten himself, who had so far
lowered himself, as to engage in such a trans-
action, had gone about prying into all corners, and
mixing in the lowest conversations, to pick up the
idle and malicious gossip. He had mixed with
bargemen on the lakes, and ferrymen on the
rivers ; with the company of ale cellars and wine
servants ; and had taken down the evidence of
cast-off menials. He had gone to the impure
source of every pollution ; and by such means
had the green bag been filled. He (Mr. Brougham)
would not say that such base work ought not to
be performed ; it might be requisite to resort to
inferior means to procure evidence ; but such base
work ought to have been performed by hands as
naturally base and mean. All that the com-
mittee could do was, it was said, as nothing;
but this he denied. The report of a committee
of that house was no light matter ; and he would
130 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE
have gennemen to reflect how they would like to
have their conduct similarly examined, and made
the subject of the report of a committee. How
would they like to be examined in privacy and
darkness, on documents as darkly procured ?
What would they not give of their earthly goods
to escape from such a report? The noble lord
said, he could appeal to the house afterwards ; so
he must if he had no other resource ; but not all
the oily rhetoric of the noble lord could prove,
that if the committee only said, " Aye," the queen
was not traduced and blasted. Besides, many
things might happen after such an unfortunate
result, and before the queen could accomplish the
objects requisite to prove her innocence. And
then, where was the essence which could wash
out the blemish of such a report ? No — it was
vain to liken the committee to a grand jury.
Here the object was to get confirmed the result
of a previous inquiry, on which the ministers had
expressed their opinion. He said, let them act
upon that opinion, without going to the com-
mittee. Let them act on their own responsibility,
without seeking to shelter themselves behind
names more respectable than their own. Why
did they not do so ? but prizing their places so
highly, and to which they held so fast, did they
not dare to meet the question as men ? He spoke
the language of the constitution, when he said
they should proceed on their own responsibility.
But they sought to proceed by a tribunal that
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 131
was unknown. As to the value of the opinion of
eithei*, he would as leave have the committee's as
the minister's, with this exception, — the minister's
opinion would have no stain. The proceeding
proposed was gross, glaring, and unpardonable ;
and after the experience they had had of green
bags and secret committees, they had little rea-
son to be fond of them. He and his learned friend
were not to be placed on the committee. He
thanked the noble lord for this, because it would
spare him the pain of seeing the forms of justice
half pursued, while the substance was wholly
abandoned. Her majesty had commanded him
to call for a full, fair, open investigation. The
speedier the beginning of it was, the more com-
pletely would she be gratified, — the more ample
it was, the more decided would be her satis
faction. But, that it would be a short investiga-
tion, he, who knew the course of such pro-
ceedings, felt it to be impossible. Therefore, no
time was to be lost ; for, if the investigation went
on, they might expect to sit to no ordinary pe-
riod of the session. But in calling for inquiry,
her majesty protested strenuously and decidedly
against a secret one. Whether the body by
whom her case would be considered were desig-
nated a grand jury, a secret committee, a select
committee, a private tribunal, or an inquisition,
she cared not; but she required, that the body
called on to pronounce an opinion on her conduct,
whether intermediate or ultimate, should enable
132 _ MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
her to hear evidence, to see the witnesses ad-
duced against her, and to confront them by every
means within her power. He, as a member of
parliament, in the discharge of his duty to the
house, and to the country, implored gentlemen,
once more, to take into their serious considera-
tion all the circumstances he now finally laid be-
fore them. His last prayer to the house on this
occasion, the last wish he would breathe on the
subject was, that the negotiation which unfor-
tunately had not been brought to a favourable
issue, might not be broken off all at once and for
ever ! but if it were possible, that the country
should be spared those calamities to which such
an inquiry must give rise. He implored the
house to consider how far more virtuous an act
they would do, by avoiding such an investigation,
rather than by showing their constancy and
Derseverance in steering, however successfully,
through these accumulated difficulties.
Mr. Canning assented to all that had fallen from
the honourable gentleman respecting the painful
nature of the inquiry. But that inquiry had been
forced apon ministers, who had left nothing
undone to avoid it. At an early part of the
session, ministers were taunted with the dilemma
of proving her guilt, or admitting her innocence.
But ministers still kept silence, from a wish to
avoid so painful an inquiry. In July, 18J9,
ministers had received a communication, pointing
out the same terms as those offered. He did
QUKEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 13;j
not mean to state that the queen was a party to
the proposal, though from the quarter from which
it came, no idea could be entertained that it could
have been looked upon as discreditable. [n
1814, he had advised the queen to reside abroad,
and the same advice he would give in the same
circumstances to his nearest relation. He had
given that advice because faction had marked her
for its own — certainly the case was not altered.
By the honourable and learned gentleman's letter,
the disclosure was made that all negotiation was
prevented by the arrival of the queen in England.
The government had acquainted him with all
their plans ; he was directed to obtain delay and
negotiation, and then if he failed, he was informed
that government had no other resource than an
application to parliament. The question was,
whether it was to be an open or a close com-
mittee ? If there was criminality, it must come
to an open inquiry ; if not, he had only one wish,
that she might come out of this inquiry trium-
phantly. With an aching heart he went to this
investigation ; and, if he could, consistently with
his duty, he would have retired from it ; but he
knew that no attempt had been left untried to
avert this 'calamity, but they had been disap-
pointed ; and the cup of expectation had been
dashed from their lips.
Mr. Brougham pledged himself that he would
prove that the illustrious person had no know-
ledge of the negotiation the right honourable
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134 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
gentleman had alluded to, any more than the
child unborn. The whole was a secret transac-
tion, and his lips were sealed until the result of
this investigation ; but then he would produce
the original terms of that negotiation as his de-
fence. He never had been employed by Lord
Liverpool ; none of the ministers had ever pre-
sumed to ask him to become their agent. The
first proposals came not from Lord Liverpool, but
from a much higher quarter. Lord Hutchinson
was the agent of the government, and from him
he expected terms ; those terms required her to
give up all titles borne by any branches of the
royal family. He admitted that, in his opinion,
if she could make up her mind on that subject,
she had better stay abroad in the unhappy dif-
ferences whiah had taken place.
Mr. Tierney said, it was honourable to the
king to throw himself on his parliament ; but
was it true that he had wished for a compromise ?
If it were so, what had ministers done to promote
it ? Had they not sent persons from England to
collect evidence against her ? they had denied ;
but who did send them ? They might shelter
themselves behind the miserable quibble that no
official commission had been made out. The
right honourable gentleman had no need of being
so very squeamish in retiring from office ; for his
firm persuasion was, that for the peace of the
country, nothing could be better than that they
should retire from office ; for after what had
QUBEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 135
passed, it was impossible they could ever nego-
tiate with the queen in any successful way. He
found, however, by their countenances, that
gentlemen opposite had no intention of retiring
from office. He had no objection to these papers
being read in the whole house, with closed doors,
in order to strike out all the passages which it
might be improper to meet the poibKc eye. But
ministers had forced the king to come down as a
suitor to parliament. He understood there was
to be a pause in these proceedings, in order to
give an opportunity for further negotiation. He
should not object to that course of proceeding ;
but he should take the sense of the house on the
present motion.
Mr. Wilberforce was sure that there was not a
man in the house who was not desirous of pre-
venting the investigation from proceeding farther
if it were possible ; because, if the step then re-
commended to them was once taken, retreat
would ,be found impossible after it. If he saw
a spirit in the house likely to accede to such a
suggestion, he would propose an adjournment of
this question for a day or two, in order to see
whether, through the instrumentality of aommon
friends, some compromise might not take place
between the two parties. On every account such
a measure would be desirable, and, amongst
others, on account of the public morals, which
would not then receive any taint from the dis-
gusting details which the papers then on the
T 2
.36 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
table of the house in all probability contained.
Of the feeling with which ministers were actuated
upon this occasion he could entertain no doubt ;
the question went far beyond the point of political
feeling. Before he moved he was happy so
clearly to perceive the inclination of the house.
With his own motives he was satisfied : his only
wish was to spare both parties the misery which
must inevitably be their lot, if the existing pro-
ceedings were carried any farther. The honour-
able member concluded by moving that the de-
bate should be adjourned until Friday the 9th.
Mr. F. Buxton and Mr. Williams Wynn spoke
in its support. — Mr. Stuart Wortley, Mr. Martin
(of Galway), Sir Thomas Acland, Mr. Gooch, Sir
E. Knatchbull, and Mr. Davenport, spoke to the
same effect.
Lord Castlereagh then replied to Mr. Tiarney's
remarks, after which, the question upon Mr.
Wilberforce*'s motion — that' this debate be ad-
journed until Friday — was then put, and carried
without a division.
From the judicious and laudable secrecy which
was admitted on all sides to be necessary in the
prosecution of this momentous affair, few circum-
stances transpired through any private channel
from which any rational conclusion could be
drawn of the ultimate issue of the business ;
indeed, it was partly with the view of rendering
her majesty less acceptable to particular indivi-
duals, through whose unshaken zeal in her cause.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 137
a garbled statement of the actual progress of the
negotiation might be made public, that her ma-
jesty left the hospitable mansion of Alderman
Wood, and repaired to that of Lady Anne Ha-
milton, in Portman-street, Portman-square. It
must not, however, be considered that this re-
moval, owing to the causes above stated, had any
reference to the worthy alderman himself, for we
believe with the exception of her legal advisers,
he stands as high in the confidence and esteem
of her majesty as any individual in the kingdom.
The spirit of party has indeed branded him most
liberally with the epithets of enemy to the queen,
and disturber of the peace of the country; it
must, however, be remembered that assertion is
one thing, proof another ; and, that it is not the
mere ipsc dmt of a hireling writer which will
convert an honourable man into a villain or a
traitor.
The debate upon his majesty's message having
been adjourned ou the motion of Mr. Wilberforce,
on the acknowledged grounds of giving the illus
trious parties an opportunity of entering into
such a negotiation as might ultimately render
ail parliamentary interference unnecessary : it
was intended to resume the debate on the evening
of the 9th ; late however on that evening, a com-
munication from her majesty was delivered by
Mr. Denman to Lord Liverpool, to the following
effect :
" The queen, in compliance with the advice of
138 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
her counsel, and of several members of the House
of Commons, thinks it proper to inform Lord
Liverpool, that she is ready to receive any propo-
sition that is consistent with her honour, which
his lordship may be disposed to make on the part
of his majesty's government."
It was not without considerable reluctance,
and after much persuasion accompanied by an
intimation that the step was strongly advised by
several members of parliament, friends to her
majesty's interest, that the queen was induced
even to make the communication in question to
Lord Liverpool. Her majesty's desire was in
the most unequivocal manner to submit herself to
the united and independent wisdom of Parlia-
ment; boldly to challenge her accusers to the
proof of the allegations which they had declared
themselves ready to prefer against her, and firmly
to demand the full and unqualified acknowledg-
ment of all her rights as queen of this great
empire; and, we believe we may state from
authority, that it was her own private resolution
to listen to no proposition which should have a
tendency to throw the most distant shade upon
her fair fame and reputation. She expressed a
perfect consciousness of her own innocence, and
declared that she was not to be intimidated by
implied or positive threats of personal danger, to
forget the respect due to the honour and dignity
of the Queen of England.
The communication from her majesty gave,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 139
however, a proper turn to the negotiation. The
propositions ought certainly to have come from his
majesty's government. The queen asked nothing —
she was in possession of all the rights and privileges
of Queen Consort of England, and it was for those
who wished to deprive her of any part of those
rights, or to limit the exercise of them, to specify
the rights they wish her to renounce, or the limi-
tations they wish to impose. Her majesty would
then know whether she could consistently with her
honour, for the sake of the peace of the country,
make those sacrifices which should be demanded
of her.
We believe it it may be asserted without fear
of contradiction, that at no period of the English
history have the debates of Parliament gone
before the public with more profound, and
melancholy interest, in which there was so much
importance as a matter of state, and so much
interest as affecting the personal feelings and
character of public men.
In the House of Commons, Lord Castlereagh
rose on the 9th, for the purpose of moving, that
the order of the day be read, for going into the
adjourned debate for referring the papers brought
down with his majesty's most gracious message on
a former night. His object in making this motion
was with a view to the further postponement of
the debate till the following Monday. His lord-
ship observed, that he felt it his duty to take this
course in consequence of a communication having
140 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
been made to the Earl of Liverpool late in the
day. He was sure, from the state of the feeling
which he observed in the house, that they would
not expect that he should enter into any explana-
tion of the nature of that communication, from a
regard to that delicacy which they were sensible
it was becoming to observe on this important
subject. At the same time he was desirous of
preventing any impression being received from
the circumstance of his recommending the present
proceeding, that there was any alteration in his
manner of viewing the question ; or that he was
actuated by any other feeling on the present oc-
casion, than that which induced him to agree to
the motion for adjournment on Wednesday last,
tfe., that of acting in obedience to what he con
ceived to be the prevailing wishes of the house.
Mr. Broug/iam rose immediately, and said that
he perfectly concurred in the view which the
noble lord took of the importance of this subject;
and he perfectly understood, as he had no doubt
the house did also, that the operation of the pre-
sent motion would be that of merely keeping
matters in exactly the same, state as they were
on the last night of this delicate discussion — it
was to be understood that no difference existed
in the sentiments of either party. With respect
to the delay which the noble lord alluded to, in
gaying that the communication was not received
till a late hour of the day, it was necessary to
observe, that there had existed a misunderstand-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 141
ing as to which side ought to begin. This arose
from a feeling of delicacy on the one hand, and a
supposition on the other, that that oarty which
took the first step might seem to give up some-
thing of their original demands. He could assure
the noble lord that the delay did not originate in
any design on the part of the advisers of an illus-
trious personage to take the noble lord or his col-
leagues by surprise; it was occasioned by an
hesitation in a certain high quarter, which had
yielded to the anxious explanations of those whose
duty it was to give the best counsel.
Lord Castlereagh again arose, and stated that he
had only alluded to the late hour at which the
communication was made, in order to explain to
the house that it was impossible that it could
admit of any explanation being given in reply to
it, before the present step was taken. He could
assure the honourable and learned gentleman,
that no reflection whatever was intended to be
made.
Mr. Brougham was sorry to have misunderstood
the noble lord ; but, in the delicate situation in
which the noble lord and himself stood with
regard to each other, it was better to enter into a
superfluous explanation, than allow a misconcep-
tion to go abroad on so momentous a subject.
Mr. Wynn said a few words in congratulation,
that at least some hopes might be entertained
that the house would be spared the painful neces-
sity of proceeding further — a wish that was re-
5 — 6 u
142 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
echoed from the house itself by all parts of
kingdom.
The question was then put and carried.
In the House of Lords, however, very different
proceedings took place, which will be perused
with [peculiar interest, and the whole of which
deserves to be recorded as a proof cf the anxious
disposition of Parliament to devise every means
by which an exposure so injurious to the peace
and happiness of the illustrious parties, and to
the general tranquillity of the country, could be
avoided.
On the same evening that Lord Castlereagh
moved the adjournment in consequence of her ma-
jesty's communication, Lord Liverpool in the
House of Lords moved the order of the day for
proceeding to ballot for a Secret Committee, pur-
suant to the vote of the preceding night.
The Clerks were about to hand about the bal-
loting glasses, when
LordKenyon rose. Agreeing, his lordship said,
as he did, in the vote of last night, and agreeing
as he still did, in the propriety of that vote, he
notwithstanding thought, from what had since oc-
curred in the House of Commons, that there
arose, if not a hope, at least a possibility of con-
ciliation; and that thus the calamitous conse-
quences of such an investigation might be avoided.
A noble lord on the other side, from the expres-
sion of his countenance, seemed to accuse him
(Lord Kenypn) of inconsistency ; but he could
QUEKX CONSORT Of ENGLAND. 143
assure that noble lord, that he could not charge
himself with the slightest inconsistency. He
agreed in the vote of last night, because he thought
it was the only course the house could, under the
circumstances, adopt, consistently with the re-
spect due to the parties to whom the message re-
fered; but considering, as he he did, that th^
House of Commons had postponed coming to any
vote, upon the ground of the possibility of con-
ciliation— considering also, that it was due to the
morals of the country to prevent, if possible, any
disclosures that might tend to injure them — con-
sidering likewise, that in the present state of the
public mind, it was most essential to avoid, as far
as possible, any thing that might tend to increase
its irritation — and considering that they ought to
avert, by every means in their power, all that
danger and calamity which such an investigation
might produce, he thought it would be most ad-
visable, in order to afford an opportunity for the
possibility at least of conciliation ; and with that
view he proposed to postpone the ballot till
Monday.
The Earl of Liverpool — My lords, with reference
to what had been said by my noble friend, I think
it necessary to state, that no circumstance has
been communicated to me, nor have I any infor-
mation to authorize me in holding out any pros-
pect of conciliation. Far be it from me, how-
ever, to negative so desirable an object, which
must be the wish of every man who at all con-
u 2
144 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
siders the subject ; but what I object to is, that
nothing has been stated sufficient to induce this
house to recede from its vote of last night, by
not proceeding to the ballot. Let us proceed to
the ballot, and then it will be perfectly consistent
with the regularity of our proceedings to post-
pone the meeting of the Committee for a few days,
in order that an opportunity may be given for the
possibility of conciliation, if such is the wish of
the house. I should therefore propose, after the
ballot has taken place, that the meeting of the
Committee should be postponed till Tuesday.
The Marquis of Lansdown — One thing is cer-
tain, my lords, that we came to a v£>te last night
of which all that has since happened tends to
render very doubtful the propriety. It now ap-
pears that even the opinion of the noble earl at
the head of his majesty's government ought not
to be taken as to what course the House of Com-
mons may be likely to adopt, for we see that,
instead of coming to a decision, they have post-
poned it ; and when it is stated that this p'ostpone-
ment has taken place upon the ground of the pos-
sibility of conciliation, what becomes of the argu-
ment of the noble earl opposite, that this ought
to be a cotemporaneous proceeding in both houses
when he now objects to the motion of the noble
baron for postponement, founded upon that very
ground of the possibility of conciliation? Dis-
agreeing, as I did last night, in the vote of the
house, and being still of opinion that it would
QUEEN C'ONSORT OF ENGLAND. 145
have been much the better course to have ab-
stained from any proceeding under the circum-
stances in which the question was brought before
us, I certainly feel that the motion of the noble
baron is now the best course we can adopt, inas-
much as the wisest policy will be for us to retrace
our steps. I shall, therefore, give my vote for
the motion of the noble baron, or if that should
be negatived by the house, I shall be ready to
support any other proposition that may tend to a
similar effect.
Lord Kenyan — My lords, I have heard nothing
to convince me that I ought not to persist in the
motion which I have brought forward for post-
poning the ballot. The noble marquis, on the
other side, seems, from his manner, still to accuse
me of inconsistency.
The Marquis of Lansdown assured the noble
lord that he had not indicated, in the slightest
degree, any charge of that nature against the
noble lord — the smile on his countenance had no
reference whatever to the subject in discussion.
Lord Kmyon — My lords, the reason I prefer the
course I have suggested to that proposed by my
noble friend, is, that it would be much more re-
spectful and delicate to postpone the ballot, and
thereby leave the question completely open for
that possibility of conciliation which every one
hopes may be converted into a certainty, than to
appoint the Committee, and thereby, as it were,
take a step towards commencing the investiga-
146 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
tion. Every consideration, in my mind, of deli-
cacy, of propriety, of a desire to avoid the most
unpleasant and injurious consequences, leads to
the conclusion that an opening should be left for
the hope or the possibility of conciliation, which
can best be done by postponing the ballot ; and
therefore, though I shall not press the house to a
division, yet if a division is called for, I shall, of
course, vote for my own motion.
The Earl of Lauderdale — My lords, I must say,
that what was alleged by the noble lord, as to the
conduct of the House of Commons being a rea-
son for this house postponing the ballot, was
(though I did not chuse to interrupt the noble
lord) most disorderly. It is not for us to be
swayed by what is done in any other House of
Parliament ; we are only to look to our own pro-
ceedings : and most assuredly the dignity of the
house requires that we should go on with that
proceeding which, after due deliberation, has been
voted. Whatever may have been my sentiments
as to the propriety of that proceeding, I am de-
cidedly of opinion that, it being the vote of the
house, it would be most inconsistent with its dig-
nity now to reverse that proceeding ; or to refuse
to follow it up by the regular consequent step of
the appointment of a Committee.
Lord Holland — My lords, I am sorry to differ
from my noble friend who has just sat down ; but
I must decidedly object to his notions of dignity,
as being that which ought upon this occasion to
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 147
influence the decision of the house. True dignity
consists in acknowledging an error, if we have
committed one, and in endeavouring to retrieve
our steps, if we have gone wrong ; nor can I con-
ceive any more erroneous notion of dignity than
that which leads us to persevere in error, merely
because we had so decided. This would be verify-
ing the old proverb —
" The man who once loses his way,
" The farther he walks the more he is astray,"
Let us not follow so erroneous a course ; let us at
once retrace our steps, and shew a true dignity
by that species of conduct. There is one consi-
deration of great importance, that ought to weigh
with your lordships in postponing this ballot. I
have seen it stated, that somewhere or other (for
I will not call down an attack from my noble
friend for being disorderly) one of his majesty's
ministers stated that this investigation might ter-
minate in impeachment. The noble earl shakes
his head, but I defy him to disprove that I have
heard it said so ; and if there be any possibility
of such a termination of this investigation in the
House of Commons, it is of the greatest import-
ance that we should keep ourselves free from any
knowledge of that evidence which ought only to
come before us in the course of a public trial.
I certainly, therefore, shall support the motion of
the noble lord opposite, which tends to retrace
those steps which, in my opinion, have been errone-
148 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
ously adopted ; for whatever may be said in this
house, it is impossible for us to anticipate what
may be the ultimate decision of the House of
Commons.
The Earl of Liverpool — My lords, it becomes
necessary for me to say a few words, as to the
argument attributed to me of a cotemporaneous
proceeding of both houses, I certainly never
meant to state that this house ought to regulate
its proceedings by the proceedings of the House
of Commons. All I meant was, that so far as his
majesty's government were concerned, it was
thought the most advisable course to make the
message a cotemporaneous proceeding in both
houses ; but certainly no reason exists why we
should delay proceeding to ballot for a Committee,
which is in fact only a part of the proceeding of
last night. The subsequent postponement of the
meeting of the committee, for whatever motive
of convenience, is a totally different question.
The Earl of Carnarvon supported the motion of
Lord Kenyon, contending, that, practically, that
and the proposition of the Earl of Liverpool came
to the same point, as, if the committee were bal-
lotted for on Monday, they could meet on Tues-
day as proposed by the latter.
The Earl of Barnley also supported the motion
of Lord Kenyon, and intimated his intention of
taking the sense of the house upon it.
Lord Erskine — My lords, as my noble friend
below me informs me that he shall divide the
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND.
house upon the question, I must trouble your
lordships, contrary to my intention, with a very
few words. If the ballot had been only objected
to, both yesterday and to-day, on the ground that
delay was advisable, I should consider it as a
matter of the most perfect indifference whether
we delayed ballotting, or the sitting of the com-
mittee to be appointed ; but the ballot was re-
sisted, and with great ability and eloquence, on
the ground that the proceeding under it would be
highly unconstitutional — a proposition to which I
can by no means agree. It has been stated, that
if we proceed cotemporaneously with the House
of Commons, we shall be placed in a situation
which would disqualify us from trying an im-
peachment, if the commons should impeach. But
in the case before us there can be no reason to
presume that such proceeding will take place.
The case is shortly this : — Evil reports respecting
the conduct of the c^uccn beyond the seas (which
I sincerely hope, on investigation, will prove
groundless), called upon his majesty nevertheless
to notice them. The king, by his accession does
not forfeit the rights of a private man, though his
situation is changed. He cannot proceed for such
a private wrong like a private man, but as his
consort is a public person, representing the na-
tion as well as himself, he must proceed through
the public councils ; and in a case of great and
painful necessity he has applied to both houses
of parliament for advice. That act of his majesty
5—6. x
150 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
negatives every idea of an impeachment, and
shews that what he seeks is a legislative inquiry,
and an act of parliament, if unfortunately it should
be necessary ; because we ought not to presume
the king asks us to put ourselves in a situation
disqualifying us for what might afterwards be our
duty, which I agree would be the case if we were
now to examine the evidence, and afterwards to
sit in judgment upon it under an impeachment.
It is certainly true that the House of Commons
might proceed against the queen by impeachment,
though not at the instance and even against the
consent of the king, who had bound himself to
act in another manner by his message to both
houses ; but can any supposition be more prepos-
terous ? The highest wrong, if any has been com-
mitted, is to the king ; and it is only from the
queen consort's situation, as it respects the public,
that makes her infidelity a crime at all, and it
cannot therefore be believed that, except at the
instance of the king, an impeachment could take
place ; more especially when his majesty had se-
lected another mode of recovering for the public
and himself the same measure of justice by a
bill, if unfortunately necessary, beginning in either
House of Parliament, each being at liberty to re-
ject the opinion of the other. On that ground, I
can feel no objection to the ballot which we con-
sented to last night. We have acted as we ought
to do, and we have no steps to retrace. I should
be, of all mankind, the most inexcusable, if, con-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 151
trary to the principles in which I have been bred,
and on which I have uniformly acted, I should
consent to pervert this high tribunal, by consent-
ing to its being accuser and judge. But that can-
not be our condition, because, after having been
placed in that situation by the commons proceed-
ing to impeach the queen against the king's con-
sent, we might refuse to try her. My lords, I
dare scarcely trust myself to express an opinion
against that of my noble friends, whom I so highly
respect, and with whom I have always acted in
parliament. I agree to the law and constitution
as they have ably asserted them, but I deny our
situation as they assume it. As to secret commit-
tees, I have not changed any of my opinions con-
cerning them. No man in this house has com-
plained of them more warmly, because I thought
they were inapplicable to public acts of commo-
tion, and created a great jealousy on that account
in the minds of the people ; but is it possible to
maintain that no committee ought to be secret,
and what case that ever existed could, in tender-
ness to the illustrious person, so loudly call for
secrecy •? We were to enquire whether any, and
what proceeding was to be adopted, and if, as I
sincerely hope, we should find that there ought to
be no proceeding whatever, the character of the
queen would be completely restored and vindi-
cated ; whereas, if we should arrive at the same
conclusion by a public investigation, a sting would
remain that never could be drawn out. There
x 2
152 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
might then be differences of opinion, and malig-
nity might invent them — and if we say»there should
be a proceeding, it would then be a public pro-
ceeding. As to the cause of the delay, I know
nothing of it. The House of Commons has ex-
pressed no difference of opinion from any deli-
vered in this house. It was perfectly notorious
that there had been a negotiation to avert so pain-
ful and afflicting an inquiry, which had only been
frustrated by her majesty's arrival, and by her
own acts, as I have heard them represented ; and
if these acts are likely to be reconsidered, hu-
manity, honour, and justice, ought to unite in ren-
dering them practicable : and if, therefore, when
Tuesday came, a glimpse of hope shall remain
that the whole proceeding might be averted,
another adjournment might take place ; but after
the ground on which the ballot was originally
resisted, I cannot consent to say that we were in
the wrong in adopting it, when I feel we were
perfectly in the right.
The Earl of Rosslyn said, he had not heard a
word from any noble lord tending to discounte-
nance any proceeding which the house might
think proper to adopt much less to refuse to his
majesty any remedy which the nature of the case
might require. The argument of yesterday was
an attempt to persuade the house not to place
itself in the difficult situation of appearing, in the
slightest manner, and by the smallest number of
its members, to prejudge a case, which might by
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. , 153
possibility be afterwards submitted to its decision.
It was of the utmost importance, that the judica-
ture of the house should not only be pure, but
have the appearance of purity in all respects, and
for that purpose some additional delay was
recommended. But he had not heard one word
from his noble friends recommending that they
should retrace their steps. Circumstances had
since arisen, which led to a hope that Parliament
might be spared the painful necessity of discus-
sion or public examination into so disagreeable a
subject. It was agreed upon all hands, that a
short delay was not objectionable, so that the
-only question was, as to the conveniency of their
own proceedings. For his own part, he had no
difficulty in concurring with the noble earl oppo-
site, as most consistent with the dignity of the
house. They would stand in a better situation
by suspending all proceedings, after the appoint-
ment of a committee, until Tuesday next, leaving
it open to consideration upon that day, whether a
further suspension might not be expedient, than
if they were to force the committee to sit, and
perhaps find themselves afterwards under the
necessity of rescinding their own order. He
hoped most sincerely that some understanding
would take place in the mean time, to prevent the
painful subject from being brought before them.
At all events the course which was best calcu-
lated to give an opportunity for such an under-
standing was, that which was most respectful to
154 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
the sovereign, to the illustrious person, and to the
public, the most likely to be practically useful,
and certainly the most consistent with their own
dignity and honour.
Lord Ellenborough thought it was a matter of
perfect indifference which of the two courses were
adopted ; it was equally consistent with the
dignity of the house, whether they adjourned the
appointment of the committee, or having ap-
pointed, adjourned the committee itself. He
would prefer the immediate appointment of the
committee, with an order that it should sit on
Saturday, because if any success was to be ex-
pected from the negotiation, it could only be
obtained by shewing a determination on their
part to persist in the discharge of their duty.
This was the way to shorten the negotiation, and
if there was any success to be expected, it must
be from that alone.
The Earl of Donoughmore thought that the
speeches of his noble friends referred so much to
the proceedings of another place, they had the
appearance of members transferred from one
house of parliament to another. The manner in
which they had taken up the business, looked as
if that house had debated on an adjournment, for
all the arguments they had now heard, had been
urged last night, and the only new argument
attempted now, with a view to persuade the house
to alter its proceedings, was the course which the
matter had taken in another place. He did not
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 155
think it was material to quarrel for a day, or even
a week, while a hope of adjustment remained.
Every one must wish that the business should be
settled on a decent, agreeable, and constitutional
footing, in a manner satisfactory to the feelings
of the illustrious persons concerned, and to the
feelings of all persons in the country who had
any feelings at all. The argument of his noble
friends which alluded to what had passed in
another place, was unbecoming the dignity of that
house, as well as unparliamentary ; it amounted
to a proposal for truckling and bowing down to
the other house of parliament, to recommend that
they should retrace their steps, and put a stop to
all proceedings, because the other house had not
come to an immediate decision; and this too, on
the most important question that had taken place
for ages past, considering the parties concerned.
The house would forget its duty to itself, its duty
to the subject of discussion, to the public, and to
the high personages interested, if it consented to
reverse what it had done last night, merely
because the other house had not come to a
decision.
The Marquis of Lansdown wished to say a few
words in explanation, and especially for the pur-
pose of rescuing his noble friend (Lord Holland)
and himself from the reproach of his noble friend
who had just sat down. He hoped the house would
excuse him for trespassing a little beyond the
usual time allowed for explanation, as they must
156 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
feel that he and his noble friends had reason to
feel a great anxiety that their opinions upon every
part of the course of those proceedings should be
completely understood, and not completely mis-
taken, as they had been that night. His noble
friend (Lord Donoughmore) had said, that their
object was to change the course of proceeding
adopted by the house last night. Neither he,
nor his noble friend, nor any noble lord who had
spoken, had recommended or insinuated any such
thing. They certainly agreed with the noble
baron on the other side, in thinking that the pro-
ceedings ought to be suspended in a particular
way, but the noble earl (Liverpool) agreed also in
the propriety of a suspension, though he wished
to effect it in another way. It was not to the
proceeding of last night that they had addressed
their observations, but to the two modes proposed
by the noble baron, and the noble earl who sat
before him, both of whom were impressed with
the necessity of suspending in some measure, the
course of proceeding which was adopted last
night. What he had argued was, that it would be
more for the true dignity of the house to suspend
it altogether, acknowledging the precipitancy of
the step, than to proceed with a kind of mock
dignity, making believe that they were going to
do what they did not intend to do, and holding-
out a deception to themselves and to the public,
which the next moment they might be obliged to
do away. Such was the ground of his argument,
QUEEN CQXSQJ1T OF ENGLAND. 157
and he wished his noble friend who had misun-
derstood him, as much as it was possible for one
man to misunderstand another, would now under-
stand him distinctly.
The house then proceeded to a division, on
which the numbers were
Contents, Present 82
Proxies 26
— 108
Not Contents, Present 26
Proxies 3
— 29
Majority 79
The house then proceeded to ballot for a
committee, when the following members were
chosen :
The Archbishop of Canterbury
The Lord Chancellor
The Lord President
The Duke of Beaufort
The Duke of Northumberland
The Marquis of Lansdown
The Marquis of Buckingham
The Earl of Liverpool
The Earl of Beauchamp
Lord Viscount Sidmouth
The Bishop of London
Lord Redesdale
Lord Erskine
The Earl of Lauderdale.
The committee was ordered to sit on the Tues-
day following, after which the house adjourned.
Lord Holland afterwards gave notice that he
would on Monday next move for leave to bring in
a bill to repeal the act of the 12th of George III.,
affecting the marriages of the royal family. His
lordship intimated that his motive for this early
introduction of so important a measure, had a
5 — 6 y
156 MIWOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Deference t«o the present unfortunate differences
existing between certain members of the royal
family. He thought that it might suggest some
practicable legislative measure, divested of a
penal character, which might have the effect of
relieving the secret committee appointed to sit on
Tuesday of the most painful part of the duty
which the house had imposed upon them. He
said, that in his view of the case, the measure at
which he pointed might possibly relieve both the
parties from the unpleasant situation in which
they had long been placed, without any dispa-
ragement or depression of the honour and cha-
racter of either : he added, that he acted in this
case, without the knowledge of, or concert with,
any person enjoying the confidence of the illus-
trious characters to whom his proposition applied,
the grounds of which he would fully disclose on
Monday, if in the mean time some arrangement
did not render it unnecessary, in which case he
would defer the motion to a later day ; for, inde-
pendently of any particular case, he had strong
reasons for thinking that the act in question
ought to be expunged from the statute book.
On Saturday the 10th, at an early hour in the
morning, Messrs. Brougham and Denman waited
upon her majesty, and had a consultation which
Jasted about an hour. About one, the following
communication was made to Mr. Brougham from
the Earl of Liverpool, in consequence of which
Mr. Brougham sent a message to Mr. Denman,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 159
then in the Court of King's Bench, and a long
conference took place between them in one of the
chambers of the Court of Exchequer. The learned
gentlemen immediately afterwards proceeded to
Portman-street, where they had an audience of
the queen, which lasted until nearly five o'clock.
The communication from Loisd Liverpool was
in answer to that made by her majesty on the
preceding day :
Lord Liverpool has had the honour of receiving the
queen's communication of this day, and begs leave to
acquaint her majesty that a memorandum delivered by Lord
Liverpool to Mr. Brougham on the 15th of April last,
contains the propositions which Lord Liverpool was com-
manded by the king to communicate through Mr. Brougham
to her majesty. M
Her majesty has not been advised to return any answer
to those propositions, but ^ Lord Liverpool assures her
majesty that the king's servants will still think it their duty,
notwithstanding all that has passed, to receive for considera-
tion any suggestions which her majesty or her advisers may
have to offer upon those propositions. j
Fife-house , June 9, 1820.
The memorandum mentioned by Lord Liverpool
is as follows, and who that possesses the slightest
knowledge of the character of the queen, could
suppose that she could for a moment listen to
such proposals, much less agree to them. She
would thereby stand literally shorn of ail her
honours, and they who had hitherto only ventured
to pronounce upon her guilt, would in her accep-
tance of them had read a confirmation of it.
Y 2
160 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
The act of the 54th George III. cap. 160, recognised the
separation of the Prince Regent from the Princess of Wales,
and allotted a separate provision for the princess. This
provision was to continue during the life of his late majesty
and to determine at his demise. In consequence of that
event, it has altogether ceased, and no provision can be
made for her until it shall please his majesty to recommend
to Parliament an arrangement for that purpose.
The king is willing to recommend to Parliament to
enable his majesty to settle an annuity of 50,000/. a-year
upon the queen, to be enjoyed by her during her natural
life, and in lieu of any claim in the nature of jointure or
otherwise, provided she will engage not to come into any
part of the British dominions, and provided she engages to
take some other name or title than that of queen, and not to
exercise any of the rights or privileges of queen, other than
with respect to the appointment of law officers, or to any
proceedings in courts of justice.
The annuity to cease upon the violation of those engage-
ments, viz. upon her coming into any part of the British
dominions, or her assuming the title of queen, or her exer-
cising any of the rights or privileges of queen, other than
above excepted, after the annuity shall have been settled
upon her.
Upon her consent to an engagement on the above condi-
tions, Mr. Brougham is desired to obtain a declaration to
this effect, signed by herself; and at the same time a full
authority to conclude with such person as his majesty may
appoint, a formal engagement upon those principles.
April 15, 1820.
Her majesty lost no time in replying to Lord
Liverpool, for on the subsequent day the following
communication was made :
The queen commandg Mr. Brougham to inform Lord
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 161
Liverpool, that she has received his letter, and that the me-
morandum of April 15, 1820, which the proposition made
through Lord Hutchinson had appeared to supersede, has
also been now submitted to her majesty for the first time.
Her majesty does not consider the terms there specified
as at all according with the condition upon which she in-
formed Lord Liverpool yesterday that she would entertain a
proposal, namely, that it should be consistent with her dig-
nity and honour. At the same time she is willing to acquit
those who made this proposal, of intending any thing offen-
sive to her majesty ; and Lord Liverpool's letter indicates a
a disposition to receive any suggestions which she may
offer.
Her majesty retains the same desire which she com-
manded Mr. Brougham yesterday to express, of submitting
her own wishes to the authority of parliament, now so de-
cisively interposed. Still acting upon the same principle,
she now commands Mr. Brougham to add, that she feels it
necessary, before making any further proposal, to have it
understood that the recognition of her rank and privileges
as queen, must be the basis of any arrangement which can
be made. The moment that basis is established, her ma-
:esty will be ready to suggest a method by which she con-
ceives all existing differences may be satisfactorily adjusted.
WthJune, 1820,
On Sunday morning the llth, Divine Service
was performed to the queen, at her majesty's small
residence in Portman- street, at ten o'clock, by
the Rev. George Adam Brown, of Trinity College,
Cambridge. Mr. Brown read the Liturgy as pre-
scribed by the Privy Council, omitting the name
of her majesty. It may not be unworthy of re-
mark, how very applicable to her majesty's situa-
162 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
tion, are the Psalms of that day, the llth of the
month : —
PSALM LVL? Miserere mei, Dens.
1. Be merciful unto me, O God, for man goeth about
to devour me : he is daily fighting, and troubling me.
' 2. Mine enemies are daily in hand to swallow me up :
for they be many that fight against me, O thou most
Highest.
3. Nevertheless', though I am sometime afraid: yet put
1 my trust in thee.
4. I will praise God, because of his word : I have put
my trust in God, and will not fear what flesh can do unto
me.
5. They daily mistake my words : all that they imagine is
to do me evil.
6. They hold all together, and keep themselves close :
and mark my steps, when they lay wait for my soul.
7. Shall they escape from their wickedness : thou, O God,
in thy displeasure shall cast them down.
8. Thou tellest my Sittings ; put my tears into thy bottle :
are not these things noted in thy book ?
* 9- Whensoever I call upon thee, then shall my enemies
be put to flight : this I know ; for God is on my side.
10. In God's word will I rejoice; in the Lord's word
will I comfort me.
11. Yea, in God have I put my trust : I will not be afraid
what man can do unto me.
The following are impressive verses out of the
Psalm which follows : —
1 . Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me,
for my soul trusteth in thee : and under the shadow of thy
wings shall be my refuge, until this tyranny be overpast.
3. He shall send from Heaven, and save me from the re*
proof of him that would eat me up.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 103
7. They have laid a net for my feet, and pressed down
my soul : they have digged a pit before me, and are fallen
into the midst of it themselves.
In the course of the same day, the following
communication from Lord Liverpool was received
by her majesty : —
Lord Liverpool has had the honour of receiving the
queen's communication, and cannot refrain from expressing
the extreme surprise of the king's servants that the memo-
randum of April 15th, the only proposition to her majesty
which ever was authorized by his majesty, should not have
been submitted to her majesty until yesterday.
That memorandum contains so full a communication of
the intentions and views of the king's government with re-
spect to the queen, as to have entitled his majesty's ser-
vants to an equally frank, full, and candid explanation on the
part of her majesty's advisers.
The memorandum of the 15th April, while it proposed
that her majesty should abstain from the exercise of the
rights and privileges of queen with certain exceptions, did
not call Upon her majesty to renounce any of them.
Whatever appertains to her majesty by law, as queen,
must continue to appertain to her so long as it is not abro-
gated by law.
The king's servants in expressing their readiness to receive
the suggestion for a satisfactory adjustment which her ma-
jesty's advisers promise, think it right, in order to save time,
distinctly to state that any proposition which they could feel
it to be consistent with their duty to recommend to his ma-
jesty, must have for its basis her majesty's residence abroad.
11 th June, 1820.
To which her majesty returned the follow-
ing:—
164 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
The queen commands Mr. Brougham to acknowledge
having received Lord Liverpool's note of last night, and
to inform his lordship that her majesty takes it for granted
that the memorandum of April 15, was not submitted to her
before Saturday, only because her legal advisers had no op-
portunity of seeing her majesty until Lord Hutchinson was
on the spot prepared to treat with her.
Her majesty commands Mr. Brougham to state, that as
the basis of her recognition as queen is admitted by the
king's government, and as his majesty's servants express
their readiness to receive any suggestion for a satisfactory
adjustment, her majesty, still acting upon the same princi-
ples which have always guided her conduct, will now point
out a method by which it appears to her that the object in
contemplation may be obtained.
Her majesty's dignity and honour being secured, she re-
gards all other matters as of comparatively little importance,
and is willing to leave every thing to the decision of any
person or persons, of high station and character, whom both
parties may concur in naming, and who shall have authority
to prescribe the particulars as to residence, patronage, and in-
come, subject of course to the approbation of parliament.
12th June, 1820.
On 14th June, agreeable to a requisition most
respectably signed and presented to the Lord
Mayor, a Coui-t of Common Council was held, for
the purpose of presenting a congratulatory address
to her Majesty, Queen Caroline, on her arrival in
this country. There was a great number of mem-
bers present, and the bar was crowded to excess
with strangers anxious to hear the discussion.
At a quarter past eleven the Lord Mayor took
QUEEN COXS011T OF ENGLAND. 165
the chair. After some unimportant business had
been disposed of, his lordship rose, and observed,
that when the requisition calling this meeting had
been signed and agreed to, it was done under the
expectation that ere this some arrangements would
have been entered into, by which the unfortunate
disputes existing between two illustrious indivi-
duals might have been amicably settled. As that
had not taken place, he was sure that every one
would see the necessity of observing the strictest
propriety of expression in alluding to the situation
in which those individuals were placed. He im-
plored both parties not to suffer themselves to
be hurried into any intemperate warmth of de-
bate.
Mr. Favell then rose, and after disclaiming any
wish or intention, in what might fall from him, to
impede the arrangements which it was contem-
plated might still take place, but, on the contrary,
expressing his sincere desire to accelerate them,
moved that the requisition calling the meeting
be read.
The requisition was then read by the Common
Serjeant.
On the motion of Mr. Favell, the minutes of
the last address to the Princess of Wales were
also read.
Mr. Favell again rose to move, that " a loyal
address of condolence and congratulation be pre-
sented to her Majesty Queen Caroline, upon her
arrival in England."
7—8. z
GtJ MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
After some very pertinent remarks upon tlie
*v*culiar situation of the queen, and the indignities
which had been offered, the worthy member con-
cluded by moving the address.
Mr. James Williams seconded the motion.
Sir W. Curtis observed, that there had been a
wish strongly and generally expressed by men of
all parties, that this most important question
should be treated with the greatest possible deli-
cacy. Nobody could doubt the title of the queen.
She was Queen of England, and must be queen ;
but while he deeply regretted the unhappy diffe-
rences between the illustrious individuals, he
thought that the less that was said, would be so
much the better. He therefore would say no
more than merely to move the previous question.
This was seconded by Mr. James, on which an
interesting debate took place, when the question
being put, the numbers were, for the previous
question — The Lord Mayor, 5 Aldermen, and 18
Commoners, with 2 Tellers—Total 26.
Against it, 3 Aldermen, 103 Commoners, with
2 Tellers— Total 103. Majority 82.
Whilst these proceedings were carried on in the
city, circumstances of a very important nature took
place, not only in both houses of the legislature,
but also between her majesty's legal advisers
and the ministers of the crown. In the House
of Lords, Lord Liverpool rose and observed,
their lordships were aware that their secret com-
mittee was last ordered to commence its pro-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 167
ceedings to-morrow, an order which had been
made, not in consequence of negotiations which
were then depending, but of hopes which seemed
to be generally entertained that circumstances
might supersede the necessity of its sitting for the
proposed purpose. He had no difficulty in com-
municating to the house, that some communica-
tions had been received and explanations taken
place (though he must reserve himself at present
as to their nature and extent), which certainly
formed a medium to render a further adjournment
of the sitting of their lordships' committee desir-
able. Under these circumstances, he would move
that the order for the committee sitting on the 15th
be discharged, and an order made for its sitting
on the 17th. Before he sat down he begged
leave to state that copies of certain important
documents which had been communicated on this
occasion, were not only fabricated for publication,
but in a way grossly false, and by some persons
who must have seen the originals. He felt him-
self called upon in justice to make this declara-
tion, and to add that it was voluntarily communi-
cated on the part of the legal advisers of the
queen, that they were no parties whatever to
such publications, which no persons regretted
more than themselves. The noble minister then
formally moved as above.
In the House of Commons, the same evening,
Loid Castleieagh moved the order of the day for
z 2
168 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
the resumed consideration of his majesty s mes-
sage, for the purpose of postponing the discus-
sion.
The order being read—
His lordship said, he trusted the house would
feel that it would be unbecoming in him to state
any thing that had passed between the illustrious
parties concerned in the negotiation which in-
duced him to propose this course. He should,
therefore, abstain entirely from remark, and begged
only to express a hope that they would keep them-
selves and their impressions in the same way as
they were on a former night, till a full explana-
tion of all circumstances could be given. He
would suggest the postponement of the order till
Friday, as the most convenient day ; Thursday
being appointed for a drawing-room, on which
occasion it was usual to adjourn, that gentlemen
might attend the court. He had thought it better
to name at once the latter day, than to keep the
question in suspense by postponements, and was
sure the house would coincide with him that the
earliest possible period should be taken to bring
it finally before them.
On the question that the papers be referred to
a secret committee, $*c.
Sir M. W. Ridley rose, and declared that it
was not his intention to transgress the bounds
within which the noble lord had requested them
to keep this evening. But he was desirous of ex-
pressing his most anxious hope that every indi-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAXD. 169
vidual, both in the house and out of it, would
evince a disposition to forward the views of the
noble lord, and would abstain from such obser-
vations or statements as were calculated to do
injury to the cause of either of the illustrious
parties, while these negotiations were pending.
By not giving publicity to documents, whether
genuine or garbled, and by refraining from argu-
ment on what had already been promulgated, this
desirable issue would be most likely to result :
and he need only say, to shew the danger of such
publications, that they were calculated to excite
prejudice in the public mind, and irritation where
it were better avoided. He hoped he had not-
trespassed on the house, but could not neglect
these matters when he considered how much
unanimity was to be coveted.
Mr. Brougham concurred in the motion of the
noble lord, and with the honourable gentleman,
from whose earnest recommendation he had de-
rived the utmost satisfaction. He could assure
the house, on his solemn assertion, that the illus-
trious person and her legal advisers had no other
sentiment but that of the most scrupulous conceal-
ment. They desired that no disclosures should
be made ; indeed he had seen nothing disclosed
that was at all analogous to truth— nothing* like
the real facts. If any thing of that sort had trans-
pired, it must either have been through incredible
indiscretion, or a most unpardonable breach of
confidence. The queen, he must at the same time
state, was accommodated in a way whicb pre-
170 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
sented favourable means of access to officious in
truders, more than if her residence were better
suited to her station.
Lord Castlereagh, consistent with the spirit in
which he had brought forward his motion, could
not enter into the subject of accommodation ; from
which, in his opinion, under all circumstances,
the learned gentleman could have done as well
to abstain. For himself, he would give no sincerer
pledge of his intention, than by passing over in
silence that which appeared to be unnecessary.
Mr. Brougham assured the noble lord he meant
nothing offensive by alluding to the queen's pre-
sent accommodation. He knew that she had had
offers of a more suitable residence, and of money
to any amount ; but he merely mentioned it to
shew that her situation was more liable to intru-
sion, and to the propagation of disclosures, than
it might otherwise have been. His allusion was
purely accidental.
The motion for postponement till Friday was
then put, and agreed to.
Thus a further delay was allowed to the pending
negotiation between the king and queen, and what
is of greater consequence, the delay was required
and proposed by those who in the first instance
said that all attempts to negotiate were useless,
and who really declined availing themselves of
the time at first allowed for offering their propo-
sitions, and secondly, that they had no offer to
make. These facts are stated from a sincere de-
sire to promote the public good. We entreat
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 171
those who blacken and and exaggerate the im-
perfections of the house, and attempt to de cry its
utility under the present system, to consider that
it is this House of Commons, so slandered and
depreciated, which has through the instrumentality
of its most respectable members, quietly and un-
ostentatiously imposed upon ministers the neces-
sity of wholly altering their plan, and treating the
queen in some degree as Queen of England ought
to be treated.
On the 14th, Mr. Brougham transmitted the
following note to Lord Liverpool :
Mr. Brougham presents his compliments to Lord! Liver-
pool, and begs leave to inform him, that he has rec ei ved the
queen's commands to name two persons to meet t'he two
whom his lordship may name on the part of his majesty's
government, for the purpose of settling an arrangement.
Mr. Brougham hopes to be favoured with Lord .Liverpool's
nomination this evening, in order that an early appointment
for a meeting to-morrow may take place.
14th June, 1820.
In consequence of this arrangement Lord Cas-
tlereagh and the Duke of Wellington, en the part
of the king, and Mr. Brougham and Mr. Denman,
on the part of the queen, met at the; house of
Lord Castlereagh in St. James's- squaj -e ; and, in
order to facilitate the proposed perso.nal discus-
sions, it was suggested by the former
1st, That the persons named to frame au arrangement,
although representing different interests, should consider
hemselves in discharge of this duty, not as op posed to each
172 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
other, but as acting in concert with a view to frame arr
arrangement in compliance with the understood wish of
Parliament, which may avert the necessity of a public
inquiry iat» the information laid before the two houses.
2. The arrangement to be made must be of such a nature as
to require from neither party any concession as to the result
to which such inquiry, if proceeded on, might lead. The
queen must not be understood to admit, or the king to
retract , any thing.
3d. That in order the better to accomplish the above
important object, it was proposed, that whatever might pass
in the first conference should pledge neither party to any
opinion; that nothing should be recorded without previous
communication, and, as far as possible, common consent ;
and, that in order to facilitate explanation, and to encourage
unreserved discussion, the substance only of what passed
should be reported.
These preliminary points being agreed to, the
questions' to be examined (as contained in Lord
Liverpool^ memorandum of the 15th April 1820,
delivered to Mr. Brougham previous to hk pro-
ceeding to St. Omer's, and in Lord Liverpool's
note of the llth of June, and Mr. Brougham's
note of the 12th of June, written by the queen's
commands) Were
1st. The future residence of the queen abroad.
2d. The titk? which her majesty might think fit to assume
when travelling on the Continent.
3d. The no)n-exercise of certain rights of patronage m
England, whic
desist from exe
4th. The su
queen residing
Her
iTiaje
it might be desirable that her majesty might
cising should she reside abroad ; and,
table income to be assigned for life to the
broad.
y's law officers, on the part of the
QUEEN. CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 173
queea, desired in the first instance, that the fourth
point should be altogether laid aside in these
conferences ; her majesty desired it might make
no part of the conditions, nor be mixed with the
present discussions. They then proceeded to
state, that under all the circumstances of her
majesty's position, they would not say that her
majesty had any insuperable objection to living
abroad^ on the contrary, if such foreign resi-
dence were deemed indispensible to the comple-
tion of an arrangement so much desired by Par-
liament, her majesty might be prevailed upon to
acquiesce ; but then that certain steps must be
taken to remove the possibility of any inference
being drawn from such compliance, and from the
inquiry not being proceeded in, unfavourable to
her majesty's honour, and inconsistent with that
recognition which is the basis of these nego-
tiations ; and her majesty's advisers suggested
with this view, the restoration of her name to
the liturgy. To this it was replied, that the king's
government would no doubt learn with great sur-
prise that a question of this important nature had
now been brought forward for the first time,
without having been adverted to in any of the
previous discussions, and without being included
amongst the heads to be now treated of; that the
liturgy had been already regulated by his ma-
jesty's formal declaration in council, and in the
exercise of his majesty's legal authority ; that the
king in yielding his own feelings and views to the
7—8 2 A
174 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
wishes of Parliament, could not be understood (in
the absence of inquiry) to alter any of those im-
pressions under which his majesty had hitherto
deliberately and advisedly acted ; and, that as it
was at the outset stated, that the king could not
be expected to retract any thing, no hope could
be held out that the king's government would feel
themselves justified in submitting such a propo-
sition to his majesty. To this it was answered,
that although the point of the liturgy was certainly
not included by name amongst the heads to be
discussed, her majesty's law officers felt them-
selves entitled to bring it forward in its connection
with the question of her majesty's residence
abroad. It was further contended, that the alte-
ration in the liturgy was contrary to the plain
sense and even letter of the statute, and that it
was highly objectionable on constitutional grounds,
being contrary to the whole policy of the law
respecting the security of the succession, and
liable to be repeated in cases where the succes-
sion itself might be endangered by it, and there-
fore it was said that a step so taken might well
be retraced, without implying any unworthy con-
cession. It was also urged, that the omission
having been plainly made in contemplation of
legal or parliamentary proceedings against her
majesty, it followed, when these proceedings wen
to be abandoned, that the omission should b<
supplied ; and it followed for the same reason,
that supplying it would imply no retraction. It
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND: 175
was replied, that his majesty had decided that
her majesty's name should not be inserted in the
liturgy, for several reasons not now necessary to
discuss ; that his majesty had acted under legal
advice, and in conformity to the practice of his
royal predecessors ; and, that the decision of his
majesty had not been taken solely with a view to
intended proceedings in Parliament, or at law.
Independent of the inquiry instituted before Par-
liament, his majesty had felt himself long since
called upon to adopt certain measures to which
his majesty, as head of his family and in the exer-
cise of his prerogative, was clearly competent.
These acts, together with that now under consi-
deration, however reluctantly adopted, and how-
ever painful to his majesty's feelings, were taken
upon grounds which the discontinuance of the
inquiry before Parliament could not affect, and
which his majesty could not therefore be expected
to rescind; the principle, fairly applied, would
go in truth no further than to replace the parties
in the relative position in which they stood imme-
diately before her majesty's arrival, and before
the king's message was sent down to both houses
of Parliament. After further discussion upon this
point, it was agreed that the Duke of Wellington
and Lord Castlereagh should report to the Cabinet
what had passed, and come prepared with their
determination to the next conference. Her ma-
jesty's law officers then asked, whether, in the
event of the above proposition not being adopted,
2 A 2 A
176 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE, *
any other proceeding could be suggested on the
part of his majesty's government, which might
render her majesty's residence abroad consistent
with the recognition of her rights, and the vindi-
cation of her character ; and, they specially
pointed at the official introduction of her majesty
to foreign courts by the king's ministers abroad.
Upon this it was observed, that this proposition
appeared open to the same difficulty in point of
principle ; it was calling upon the king to retract
the decision formerly taken and avowed on the
part of his majesty, (a decision already notified to
foreign courts,) and to render the position of his
majesty's representatives abroad, in relation to
her majesty, inconsistent with that of their sove-
reign at home : — that the purpose for which this
was sought by the queen's advisers was incon-
sistent with the principle admitted at the com-
mencement of the conference, and was one that
could not be reasonably required to be accom-
plished by the act of his majesty, namely, to give
to her majesty's conduct that countenance which
the state of the case, as at present before his
majesty, altogether precluded. At the same time
it was stated, that while his majesty, consistently
with the steps already adopted, could not autho-
rize the public reception of the queen, or the
introduction of her majesty at foreign courts by
his ministers abroad, there was nevertheless every
disposition to see that branch of the orders
already given faithfully and liberally executed,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 177
which enjoined the British ministers on the Con-
tinent to facilitate, within their respective mis-
sions, her majesty's accommodation, and to con-
tribute to her personal comfort and convenience.
Her majesty's law officers gave the king's servants
no reason whatever to think that the queen could
be induced to depart from the propositions above
stated, unless some others, founded on the same
principles, were acceded to on the part of his
majesty's government.
(Signed) WELLINGTON. H. BROUGHAM.
CASTLEREAGH. T. DENMAN.
The same day in which this first conference
took place, Mr. Sheriff Rothwell and Mr. Sheriff
Parkins, attended by the City Remembrancer,
waited upon her majesty, at her residence in
Portman-street, to know at what time she would
be pleased to receive the address of the corpora-
tion of London. Her majesty received them
very graciously, and appointed one o'clock the
following day for the formal receiving the ad-
dress. Long before the arrival of the sheriffs, a
great crowd of respectably-dressed persons, had
assembled in front of the house, in expectation of
their arrival, and they received them with cheers.
The sheriffs were not in the house more than a
quarter of an hour, and, as they retired, the
crowd, which by this time was greatly increased,
again greeted them with applause. Her majesty,
at the same moment, appeared in one of the
178 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
balconies attached to the windows of the draw-
ing-room. The cheers were instantly renewed
with the utmost enthusiasm, accompanied with
the clapping of hands and every expression of
attachment and respect. The queen appeared
sensibly affected by the ardour which was
manifested, and, having made three very grace-
ful obeisances, she immediately retired ; whilst
cries of " God bless you !" " Long live the
Queen !" $-c., resounded on all sides.' The sheriffs'
carriages then drove off; and shortly afterwards
the greater part of the crowd had dispersed.
Her Majesty was dressed in black silk, with a
rich collar of point lace ; and wore on her head a
black velvet cap, and plume of ostrich feathers.
On the 16th, the lord mayor went up in state
to the queen's residence with the address, voted
to her majesty by the Common Council, on the
preceding Wednesday. Long before the ap-
pointed hour, Portman-street was excessively
crowded, and every window within view of the
queen's residence, was filled with ladies. Even
the tops of many houses were occupied ; and
coaches, carts, and other vehicles, were laden
with people. At one o'clock the city procession
arrived. It was preceded by the chief marshal,
on horseback, in his state uniform, and in every
respect was' conducted in the same state as is
usual in presenting addresses to the throne. The
lord mayor's state carriage was followed by the
carriages of the Aldermen Wood, Thorp, aud
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 179
Waithman, the mover and seconder of the address
accompanying the latter. Then followed the
Sheriffs in their state carriages, the Common
Serjeant, the City Remembrancer, &c.9 and the
procession was closed by about fifty private
carriages, containing members of the common
council. As the carriages drew up to the door,
the crowd expressed their feelings towards the
the different parties in rather strong terms. The
lord mayor, for instance, was received with hisses,
which continued till he had entered the house.
The Aldermen Wood, Waithman, and Thorp,
were greeted with loud cheers, as was Mr. Sheriff
Parkins ; but Mr. Sheriff Rothwell was received
with a ' most clamorous burst of downright exe-
cration. Many of the common council were
loudly cheered, and some of them as loudly
hooted ; in short, there was not a single carriage
whose inmates did not receive either praise or
blame. Mr. Sheriff Parkins appeared highly de-
lighted by his undiminished popularity.
Her majesty received the Corporation in the
front drawing room. She was attended by her
ladies, and remained standing whilst the town-
clerk, read the following address :
TO THE QUTEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.
The dutiful and loyal address of the lord mayor, aldermen,
and commons 'of the city ( of London, in common council
assembled.
" May it please your majesty,
" We his majesty's ever dutiful and loyal subjects, the
180 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
lord mayor, aldermen, and commons of the city of London,
in common council assembled, approach your majesty
with sincere expressions of loyalty, attachment, and re-
gard.
" We condole with your majesty on the various afflic-
tions your majesty has sustained since your departure from
this country, by the loss of so many illustrious personages
of your majesty's family, especially by the demise of our
late beloved sovereign, your majesty's paternal guardian,
whose countenance and support under the most trying
circumstances, gave the best pledge to the nation of your
majesty's innocence and the firmest protection against all
your enemies ; and also that of your amiable and illus-
trious daughter, the princess Charlotte, the fond hope of
Britain, whose memory will be ever dear to an affectionate
people.
" Deeply attached to the royal family, and anxious for
the preservation of the public tranquillity, we feel our-
selves called upon to express our earnest hope that the
differences which unfortunately subsist may be arranged in
a manner honourable to your majesty, as well as to your
royal consort, and satisfactorily to the country ; and that
should an investigation of these differences be still un-
happily resorted to, recognizing the dignified firmness
which your majesty has manifested, by the solemn protest
you have entered against all secret investigation of your
conduct, so repugnant to common justice and to the feel-
ings of Englishmen, we trust such investigation will be
conducted in an open and impartial manner, and ter-
minate in the complete vindication of your majesty's
honour. .
" We rely upon your majesty's gracious acceptance of
this address, as a proof of the loyalty and affection of your
faithful citizens of London, and of their attachment to the
illustrious house of Brunswick, ^yhich, they trust will long
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 181
continue to sway the British sceptre, and maintain the
liberties and happiness of the people.
Signed, by order of the Court,
" HENRY WOODTHORPE."
«L
To which her majesty was pleased to return
the following most gracious answer :
" I return you my heartfelt thanks for this dutiful address,
which is both loyal to the king and affectionate to me. If
any thing could lessen the grief which 1 must still feel for
the loss of those dear relations, of whom I have been de-
prived since I left England, it would be the proofs I now
receive upon my return, that their memories are cherished,
as their virtues deserved.
" In the new trials to which I am exposed, my first duty
is to vindicate myself, and my next wish is to see nothing
attempted that may hurt the feelings of others.
te But in all the troubles through which I have passed,
the generous attachment of the English people has been
my safeguard against the king's enemies and my own, and
be well assured that no time can ever weaken the grateful
impressions of such obligations."
The deputation then passed two and two be-
fore her majesty, and in so doing they received
her acknowledgements individually. The shouts
from the crowds in the street now became very
vehement, and her majesty advanced to the win-
dow, which being opened, she leaned forward and
bowed. She was received with reiterated cheers ;
but as those persons only immediately in front of
the house could obtain a sight of her, much strug-
gling and confusion ensued. Alderman Wood, how-
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MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,-
ever, brought the hearth-rug, and laid it upon
the bars, which floored the little balcony, and her
majesty immediately stepped forward and bowed
most gracefully on all sides, amidst the most
enthusiastic cheers, the waving of innumerable
handkerchiefs., &c. Her majesty wore a dress
of rich peach blossom satin, with a hat of the
same material, surmounted by a plume of white
ostrich feathers, springing from an aigrette of
brilliants. She also wore a superb diamond
broach in form of the plume and coronet of the
Princess of Wales. After having bowed repeat-
edly, her majesty retired, and the Corporation
immediately withdrew — the Aldermen Wood,
Thorp, and Waithrnan, and Mr. Sheriff Parkins,
being drawn by the populace. It is but right to
say, this exhibition did not take place without
very considerable resistance on the part of the
worthy aldermen.
The lord mayor led the procession through
St. Giles's, which created great disappointment
to persons who were waiting to greet it by Fleet-
street, the Strand, Pall-mall, &c. There was a
great concourse, however, in the streets by which
it did pass : occasionally a cry was raised against
the lord mayor of " What am I to do ?" &c.
We will not enter into the merits of the question
of the propriety or impropriety of the city ad-
dress, but we cannot refrain from remarking,
that it speaks of a secret investigation, when it
must have been well known that no secret inves-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 183
tigation was ever in the contemplation of the
ministers of this country. The committee of the
House of Lords cannot be called a secret investi-
gation, for it is analogous in every respect to a
grand jury. The evidences indeed are not per-
sonally before them, but those facts are before
them which can be proved by evidence, and
which if proved, subject the accused party to the
penalties of the act. A strong prejudice exists in
this country .against all secret committees, but on
a broad view of the question, we think the pre-
judice to be unfounded, and in this opinion we
are borne out by that, of one of the most eminent
legal authorities in the country, and who is in gene-
ral by no means inclined to sanction the measures of
the present ministry. Nothing, however, is further
from the intention of the ministers than a secret
investigation ; they have openly and most unequi-
vocally declared, that the fullest opportunity
shall be given to her majesty to disprove the
charges against her by evidence ; that power will
be given to her legal advisers to examine the evi-
dence against her, and that every advantage shall
be offered to her, which the laws of the country
allow her. It is also certain, that the ministers>
on the supposition that the funds of her majesty
might not be adequate to the great expense
attendant on bringing her witnesses to England,
have declared, that funds for that purpose shall
not be withheld from her; and, although sonic
jealousy is very probably excited in regard to
2 B 2
184 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
some clauses of the Alien Bill, which will have
passed both houses of the Legislature before the
second reading of the bill of Pains and Penalties
in the House of Lords, as a power is thereby
invested in the ministers of removing at pleasure
any foreigner out of the country, and conse-
quently her majesty might be deprived of her
witnesses ; yet, a declaration has been substan-
tively made by the ministers, that the provisions
of the Alien Act shall not be put in force against
the evidences of her majesty ; and it must be
acknowledged that justice, which is the basis of
English legislature, demanded this declaration
from them. For, if the ministers were to exercise
the sweeping power with which they are invested,
of removing at their pleasure any of the witnesses
in favour of her majesty, posterity would deter-
mine that the trial of her majesty was a partial
one, and that as she was not allowed the evi-
dence of her own witnesses, her guilt if proved
would still rest upon presumptive evidence.
We cannot, however, look upon the character
of the witnesses which are to be brought against
her majesty, without feeling some alarm. An
affidavit can be purchased as easily in Italy as a
box of vermicelli, and, an Italian will take an
oath as to a fact which he never saw, with the
greatest indifference and sangfroid. This evil lies
in the absolving religion which he professes. He
commits in the most unblushing manner the most
barefaced perjury, but he exacts a handsome
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND 185
sum for it; the act, if his conscience "be not
pretty well seared, preys rather heavily upon
him — he hastens to his priest — confesses the
heinous offence which he has committed — puts on
a face of contrition — mutters a paternoster — and,
having made a transfer of all his sins to the
accommodating priest, he departs from the con-
fessional, and mixes again in the world, to perjure
himself again on the very first opportunity.
Now, to a man of this description, what is the
sacred obligation of an oath ? If a man's evidence
can be purchased, and it is an article of very
common sale in Italy, what reliance can be
placed upon it ? Not that it is meant to say, that
the evidence of all the witnesses against her
majesty has been purchased, but when intelli-
gence reaches us that certain individuals who
gave their evidence before the Milan Commission,
were persons of a menial station of life, and that
one in particular is now lolling in his carriage, in
all the plenitude of his infamy, and invested with
the badge of the honourable band of spies and
informers, we cannot refrain expressing our sur-
prize at this sudden metamorphosis ; and, as an
effect is evident, which can only be produced by
one cause, we must conclude according to the
rules of logic, that that cause does actually exist,
or in other words, we must conclude, that a man
who has given his evidence on a most important
question, and is immediately raised from a state
of indigence to that of affluence, has been re-
ISC MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
warded for that evidence ; but, as the circum-
stance here alluded to will be completely detailed
in the course of the momentous trial, we shall
abstain from enlarging upon it in the present stage
of the proceedings.
The second conference between ministers and
her majesty's law officers was held at the Foreign
Office on the 16th, and the following was the result:
The king's servants began the conference by
stating, that they had not failed to report with
fidelity to the king's government, the proposition
brought forward by her majesty's law-officers,
that the queen's name should be expressly in-
cluded in the liturgy, in order to protect her
majesty against any misconstruction of the grounds
on which her majesty might consent to reside
abroad ; that they were not deceived, for reasons
already sufficiently explained, in anticipating the
surprise of their colleagues at the production of
this question, for the first time,' on the part of her
majesty, more especially in the present advanced
state of the proceedings ; that they were autho-
rised distinctly to state, that the king's servants
could on no account advise his majesty to rescind
the decision already taken and acted upon in this
instance ; and that to prevent misconception, the
king's government had charged the Duke of Wel-
lington and Lord Castlereagh to explain that they
must equally decline to advise the king to depart
from the principle already laid down by his ma-
jesty for the direction of his representatives
QUERN CONSORT OF ENGLAND, 187
abroad, with regard to the public reception by the
king's ministers abroad, and introduction of her
majesty at foreign courts ; but that they were not
only ready but desirous to guard in future, by
renewed orders, against any possible want of
attention to her majesty's comfort and conve-
nience by his majesty's ministers abroad; and,
that wherever her majesty might think fit to estab-
lish her residence, every endeavour would be
made to secure for her majesty from that state
the fullest protection, and the utmost personal
comfort, attention, and convenience.
In explanation of the position in which the king
actually stood upon this question in his foreign
relations, the instructions under which the minis-
ters abroad now acted were communicated to the
queen's law officers, and their attention was
directed as well to the principles therein laid
down, and from which his majesty could not be
called upon to depart, as to that breach of the
instructions which were studiously framed to pro-
vide for the personal comfort and convenience of
the queen when Princess of Wales.
The queen's law officers then stated, that they
must not be understood to suggest the giving of a
general power to her majesty to establish her
court in any foreign country, and to be there
received and presented by the English minister,
because reasons of state might render it inexpe-
dient, that under certain circumstances, such an
establishment should be made ; but they wished
188 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
that her majesty should have the power of being
so received and treated by the English ministers
where no such reasons* of state interfered ; and
they inquired whether the same objection would
exist to the public introduction of her majesty at
some one court where she might fix her resi-
dence, if she waved the claim of introduction at
foreign courts generally.
To this it was answered, that the principle was
in fact, the same whether at one or more courts ;
and, that if the king could be consistently advised
to meet the queen's wishes in this instance at all,
it would be more dignified for his majesty to do
so generally and avowedly, than to adopt any
partial or covert proceeding.
The queen's law officers, referring to the deci-
sion of the judges in George the First's reign, said
it would be a much more unexceptionable exercise
of the royal prerogative, were the king even to
prescribe where her majesty should reside, but to
order her there to be treated as queen by his
minister.
The king's servants, in consequence of what
had passed at a former conference, then reverted
to the mode in which the queen had arrived in
England, and the pain her majesty must expe-
rience were she exposed to leave England in the
like manner. They acquainted her majesty's law
officers that they could venture to assure them
that this difficulty would not occur. The queen
arrived in England contrary to the king's wishes
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 189
and representations ; but were her majesty now
to desire to pass to the Continent, whether to a
port in the Channel, or if it should more accord
with her majesty's views, to proceed at once to
the Mediterranean, a king's yacht in the one
instance, or a ship of war in the other, might be
ordered to convey her majesty.
After receiving these explanations, the queen's
law officers recurred to the points before touched
upon, viz., the inserting the queen's name in the
liturgy, or the devising something in the nature
of an equivalent, and intimated their conviction
that her majesty would feel it necessary to press
one or both of these objects, or some other of a
similar nature and tendency. They then asked
whether a residence in one of the royal palaces
would be secured to her majesty, while in this
country ; and observed, that her majesty had
never been deprived of her apartments in Ken-
sington-palace, until she voluntarily gave them up
.for the accommodation of the late Duke of Kent.
It was replied, that the king's servants had no
instructions on this point. They, however, ob-
served, that they believed the apartments which
her majesty formerly occupied when Princess of
Wales, were at present actually in the possession
of the Duchess of Kent; and, that they consi-
dered that this point had been already disposed
of, by supplying to her majesty the funds which
were necessary to furnish her majesty a suitable
residence.
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190 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Her majesty's law officers then inquired whe
ther, supposing an arrangement made, the mode
of winding up the transaction and withdrawing
the information referred to Parliament had been
considered, and whether the king's servants saw
any objection in the present instance, to the
Houses of Parliament expressing by suitable
addresses, both to the king and queen, their
grateful thanks for their majesties having ac-
quiesced in an arrangement by which Parliament
had been saved the painful duty of so delicate and
difficult a proceeding. The king's servants acknow-
ledged this point had not been considered, but
reserved to themselves to report the observations
made thereon to their colleagues.
It was then agreed, that upon every view of
duty and propriety, the final decision should not
be protracted beyond Monday, to which day it
should be proposed that the proceedings on the
king's message in the House of Commons should
be adjourned on a distinct explanation to this
effect, and that a conference should take place
on the following day, in order to bring the busi-
ness to a conclusion, and to arrange by mutual
consent, the protocols of conference.
In consequence of the pending negotiation, the
sitting of the committee of the House of Lords
was postponed ; as the Earl of Liverpool, on the
16th, moved in the House of Lords, to discharge
the order of the day for the sitting of the Secret
Committee to investigate the papers laid upon
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 191
the table by command of the king. His lordship
said, that in postponing the meeting of the Secret
Committee, he conceived he had only to state
that the same considerations which induced the
house to consent to former adjournments still
existed. He, therefore, now trusted that the
motion would be acceded to.
The Marquis of Lansdowne could not abstain
from remarking on the situation of their lordships
with regard to the motion of the noble earl. In
the first instance they had received a communi-
cation from the throne, whereupon a committee
of inquiry was nominated, and yet, without any
further royal communication, that committee was
postponed, and continued so, Therp might, per-
haps, be strong and cogent reasons for this con-
duct, reasons more strong and more cogent than
even the imperative forms of their lordships'
house ; but, at the same time, if their lordships
assented to the motion of the noble earl, which
he would not oppose, it must be accorded on a
strong understanding of its necessity.
The Earl of Darnley could not avoid a remark
on the disgraceful and extraordinary situation of
this house, in consequence, he maintained, of
their having once been persuaded by his majesty's
ministers to wait for the co-operation of the other
house. He was, however, not desirous to offer
much opposition in the present case, but he cer-
tainly did hope that it would operate as a warning
to their lordships in future
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192 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE, ,
The Earl of Liverpool said, after what had fallen
from the noble marquis on the motion, he had no
desire to say another word, as he wished to leave
the reasons for postponement to be assigned at a
fitter time. But, notwithstanding this reluctance,
he could not allow the language of the noble earl
to remain quite unanswered. Their lordships
would recollect, that, on a former night, he had
stated, as a motive for their adjournment, that
certain discussions and explanations were going
on, which might eventually lead to a desirable
conclusion. He then had felt no impropriety in
proposing an adjournment of proceeding in this
important case ; and he now conceived that expla-
nations as to the causes of delay would follow
with more propriety at an ulterior stage.
The Earl of Darnley said a few words in expla-
nation ; and concluded by hoping that those
persons who advised their lordships to defer to
the progress of the other house, would be able to
justify their conduct to this house
This was met by almost similar proceedings in
the House of Commons, on the same evening.
Lord Castlereagh rose amid cries of Order / and
said, Sir, I rise for the purpose of moving the
order of the day for the consideration of his ma-
jesty's most gracious message be further post-
poned until the 19th, I have to express my re-
gret at this delay, but circumstances have occured
which have rendered it indispensable, both on the
part of her majesty's legal advisers, and of his
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 193
majesty's government. The house will therefore
feel, that pending these circumstances, I am not
in a situation to offer any explanation to the house.
On every ground we feel this to be a question that
ought not to be longer delayed, and on Monday
the 19th, we hope to give a full exposition of the
state of these important transactions. I have to
beg the house will keep themselves and their im-
pressions exactly in the same state as on the night
the question was first adjourned.
Mr. Tierney — I do not wish, I am sure, to em-
barrass a question of so much importance; but
I wish to be assured if Monday is the last day to
which the adjournment is likely to be extended :
Is it to be the last adjournment ?
Mr. Brougham — I concur entirely with the noble
lord as to the necessity of further delay ; but no
longer delay, I do assure the house, either has
or shall take place than is absolutely required for
such important arrangements. I feel the great
anxiety that prevails on the subject, and the great
delay in the furtherance of the public business,
occasioned by the consideration of this moment-
ous affair; but no blame is imputable to either
of the parties. It has been the anxious wish of
both of them to expedite the business, and be-
yond the 19th, I see no circumstances that can
occur, in the ordinary course of human affairs, to
to prevent its being ended. I have also to add
my hope to that so properly expressed by the
noble lord, that the house will keep themselves
194 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
exactly in that state in which they separated on
the first night of the adjournment.
On the following day the negotiators met at the
Foreign Office, and the conference was opened by
her majesty's law officers intimating, that, advert
ing to what had passed on the preceding confer-
ence, they had nothing to propose, but to proceed
to the adjustment of the protocol.
The king's servants then stated, that, before
they entered into this business of arranging the
protocol, they thought it their duty to advert to
the points discussed in the preceding conference,
upon which no explicit opinion had been express-
ed by them on the part of his majesty's govern-
ment ; they then declared, that they were au-
thorized to inform the queen's law officers, that,
in the event of her majesty's going to the conti-
nent, a yacht or ship of war would be provided
for the conveyance of her majesty, either to a
port in the channel, or to a port in the Mediter-
ranean, as her majesty might prefer.
That every personal attention aud respect
would be paid by the king's servants abroad to
her majesty, and every endeavour made by them
to protect her majesty against any possible incon-
venience, whether in her travels or residing on
the Continent — with the understood reserve, how-
ever, of public reception by the king's ministers
abroad, and introduction at foreign courts.
It was further stated by the king's servants,
that having weighed the suggestion communicated
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 195
by the queen's law officers in the preceding con-
ference, they were now prepared to declare, that
they saw no difficulty (if the terms in which the
same were to be conveyed were properly guarded
to a proposition being made to both houses, for
expressing by address to the queen as well as to
the king, their grateful acknowledgments for the
facilities which their majesties might have re-
spectively aiforded, towards the accomplishment
of an arrangement by which parliament had been
saved the necessity of so painful a discussion.
These observations not appearing to make any
material difference in the views taken by her ma-
jesty's law officers of the result of the confer-
ences, it was agreed to proceed in the arrange-
ment of the protocols.
Before however the protocol was discussed, the
king's servants desired distinctly to know from
her majesty's law officers, whether the intro-
duction of the queen's name in the Liturgy, and
her majesty's introduction at foreign courts, were
either of them a condition sine qua non of an ar-
rangement on the part of the queen ; to which it
was replied, that either the introduction of her
majesty's name in the Liturgy, or an equivalent,
which would have the effect of protecting her ma-
jesty against the unfavourable inference to which
her majesty might be liable in leaving the coun-
try under the circumstances in which her majesty
was placed, was a sine qua non. The queen could
not be advised voluntarily to consent to any
196 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
arrangement which was not satisfactory to her
majesty's own feelings, however her majesty, with
a view to meet the understood wishes of parlia-
ment, had felt it her duty to propose to leave the
whole question to an arbitration.
No proposition on the part of her majesty,
other than those already adverted to, was brought
forward.
WELLINGTON. H. BROUGHAM.
CASTLEREAGH. T. DENMAN.
It was, however, not only in the metropolis,
that her majesty's return to this country was
hailed in the most enthusiastic manner. In
every part of the kingdom, meetings were held,
and the utmost festivity was maintained. It
must, however, be mentioned to the discomfiture
of those, who saw in those meetings nothing but
the cloven foot of party and of faction, that in no
one instance was a breach of the peace committed,
Hilarity and decorum prevailed, and it must be
added, that in no one instance was a spirit of the
most genuine loyalty deficient.
'At Spilsby, in Lincolnshire/ the return of her
majesty was celebrated in a very particular
manner. On the 12th, a very large and respectable
party met in that town, to form a procession in
celebration of the return of her majesty the
the queen, to England. The procession com-
menced in the square in the front of the Town-
hall, and proceeded in the following order :• —
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 197
An oak bough : mottoes, * Long live the King and Queen,
may they stand like the Oak, and their Enemies fall
like its Leaves ;' ' King and Constitution ;' ' Trade
and Commerce ;' * Long Life to the Princess Vic-
toria.'
A numerous band of music, composed of gentlemen ama-
teurs ; a white banner, with the Royal arms, initials
in gold, on black, ' C. E.,' surmounted in a drapery
with a celestial crown ; motto, t Britons will support
their Queen.'
A crowned King and Queen, tastefully woven in flowers.
His Majesty's banner on the right of the Queen.
A chaplet of laurel, with a transparent initial C.; and a
regal crown, supported on each side with brilliant stars
on laurel.
A Royal purple banner. Three tablets with inscriptions
' Brougham ;' ' Ennobled Wood and his illustrious
race ;' ' Denman ;' each ornamented with garlands of
flowers.
The train consisted of upwards of 4,000 people,
who moved round the town cheering, amidst the
ringing of bells, and waving of handkerchiefs
from different houses, and the pageant con-
cluded with the chorus of ' God save the King/
and four times four cheers. A most respect-
able party then retired to the White Hart Inn,
John Bourne, of Dalby-house, Esq. in the Chair,
who, after addressing the meeting in a neat and
applicable speech, gave ' Her most gracious
majesty the Queen ; may injured innocence ever
meet brave, honest, and able defenders ;' three
times three. A great number of other loyal and
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198 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
constitutional toasts were given, and several
national airs performed at intervals by the band.
The evening terminated with the greatest harmony
and hilarity.
On Sunday the 18th, Divine Service was per-
formed before her majesty, at her residence in
Port man- street, by the Rev. G. A. Brown. After
dinner her majesty took an airing in her carriage,
when immense crowds assembled to see her.
As Monday the 19th was fixed by parliament
for proceeding on the important question of the
king's message, on the failure of the negotiation,
it was therefore necessary that the utmost expedi-
tion should be used by the negotiators ; accord-
ingly they met on the Sunday at Lord Castle-
reagh's, in St. James's-square, and the following
is the protocol of the conference.
Before proceeding to finish the discussion of
the protocols, it was suggested, on the part of
the king's servants, if possible to meet the queen's
wishes, and in order the better to assure to her
majesty every suitable respect and' attention
within the particular State in which she might
think fit to establish her residence (the Milanese
or the Roman States having been previously
suggested by her majesty's law officers, as the
alternative within her majesty's contemplation)
that the king would cause official notification to
be made of her majesty's legal character as queen,
to the government of such State. — That con-
sistently, with the reasons already stated, it must
QUIEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 199
rest with the sovereign of such State what re-
ception should be given to her majesty in that
character.
The king's servants were particularly anxious
to impress upon the queen's law officers the
public grounds upon which this principle rested.
The general rule of foreign courts is to receive
only those who are received at home.
The king could not with propriety require any
point, of foreign governments, the refusal of
which would not afford his majesty just grounds
of resentment or remonstrance.
It would be neither for the king's dignity,
nor for the queen's comfort that she should be
made the subject of such a question.
To this it was replied for the queen, that with
respect to this new proposition on the part of the
king's servants, it should be taken into immediate
consideration ; but her majesty's law officers
observed, that her majesty was not in the situa-
tion referred to in the above reasoning^ having
been habitually received at court in this country
for many years, and having only ceased to go
there in 1814, out of regard to the peculiarly
delicate situation in which the unfortunate dif-
ferences in the royal family placed the late
queen.
The latter observation was met, on the part
of the king's servants, by a re-assertion of his
majesty's undoubted authority on this point,
whether as king, or as Prince Regent in the
2 D 2
200 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
exercise of the royal authority, that the court held
"by her late majesty was in fact the court of the
Prince Regent, then acting in the name and on
the behalf of his late majesty, and that the
present queen, then Princess of Wales, was ex-
cluded from such court.
WELLINGTON. EL BROUGHAM.
CASTLEREAGH. T. DENMAN.
Early on the 19th, the negotiators again met
at the Foreign Office, and the fifth and last pro-
tocol was signed by the respective parties.
The protocols of the preceding conferences
were read and agreed upon.
Her majesty's law officers stated, that the pro-
position of the preceding day had been submitted
to her majesty, and that it had not produced any
alteration in her majesty's sentiments.
In order to avoid any misinterpretation of the
expression used on mentioning their belief that
her majesty might overcome her reluctance to go
abroad, viz., " under all the circumstances of her
position," they stated that they meant thereby,
the unhappy domestic differences which created
the difficulty of her majesty holding a court, and
the understood sense of parliament, that her ma-
jesty's residence in this country might be attended
with public inconvenience.
They also protested generally, in her majesty's
name, against being understood to propose or to
desire any terms inconsistent with the honour and
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 201
dignity of the king, or any which her own vindi-
cation did not seem to render absolutely neces-
sary.
MEMORANDUM. — The second and third points
as enumerated for discussion in the protocol of the
first conference where not brought into delibera-
tion, in consequence of no satisfactory understand-
ing having taken place upon the points brought
forward by her majesty's law officers.
The five protocols were then respectively
signed.
WELLINGTON. H. BROUGHAM.
CASTLEREAGH. T. DENMAN.
Never, in the annals of parliament, was a more
intense anxiety displayed by the public to become
acquainted with their proceedings, than what was
evinced on the evening of the 19th. Every avenue
to either house was literal] y choaked, for although
some well-founded rumours had been circulated,
in the course of the day, that the negotiation had
failed, yet as some hopes of adjustment remained,
it was the ardent wish of every one that those
hopes should be realized ; the result, however,
shewed on what a baseless foundation those hopes
were built, for in the House of Lords,
The Earl of Liverpool rose soon after five, and
observed, that since the communication made from
his majesty to their lordships, and since the elec-
tion of a secret committee, in pursuance of that
202 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
communication from the throne, circumstances of
which their lordships were all aware, he had con-
sidered it his duty to move, from time to time,
for postponing the sitting of the secret committee
for investigating the papers laid by his majesty's
command on the table of the house. The reason
of his doing this was owing to communications
and explanations then going on, and which many
had hoped would ultimately lead to a most desir-
able end. He regretted to be under the necessity
of stating, that such communications and such
explanations had not terminated in that result so
much hoped for, he was certain, by their lordships,
by the oiher house of parliament, and by the
country at large, and which had even been ex-
pected by him. He must candidly state, as the
business now unfortunately stood, that he should
not have conceived he himself had done his duty,
if he had refrained from advising his majesty to
lay before their lordships the papers and corres-
pondence which had passed on this painful sub-
ject since the negotiation commenced. Those
papers he now held in his hand, and should pre-
sent them by his majesty's command, so that they
might be in readiness by the following day, (the
20th). But as it was desirable to allow time for
considering them, he should propose to discharge
the order for the meeting of the secret committee,
and fix that event for Friday the 23d, an arrange-
ment to which he anticipated no opposition from
the noble lords.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 203
T/ie Marquis of Lansdown was desirous to be
informed what course was intended to be pur-
sued with respect to the papers now laid upon
the table by his majesty's command. If the secret
committee were to assemble for investigation on
the 23d, there certainly would be no opportunity
for considering them.
The Earl of Liverpool said, that as their lord-
ships would be in possession of the papers now
communicated before the actual meeting, it was
competent to any noble lord, if he saw fit, to
make a motion on them antecedently to the
sitting of the secret committee. But he, cer-
tainly, had at present no notice to give.
The Marquis of Lansdown said, if he understood
the noble earl opposite, there really was nothing
in the contents of the papers just communicated
to prevent the sitting of the secret committee
on the 23d.
The Earl of Liverpool here observed, that re-
specting the documents in question, all he intended
was to present them, as he already had done, by
his majesty's command, and to move that they
should immediately be printed for the information
of the house. It would remain for their lordships
then to determine what course it appeared most
proper to take.
Earl Grey entered his protest against the pro-
ceeding by the medium of a secret committee in
the present case, and wished at the same time
for some explanations from his majesty's ministers.
204 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
What he would demand, was the situation in
which their lordships stood? A message in the
first instance came down to their lordships from
the crown, exhibiting charges against her majesty
the queen consort of a most serious nature, and
soliciting the advice of the house. Ministers soon
after thought it expedient to propose an adjourn-
ment of the affair, not as it appeared to him upon
any solid grounds, but probably to watch the
progress of the other house of parliament, and
ascertain what that branch of the legislature was .
likely to do ; though he would contend that it
was most improper in their lordships to adjourn
their own proceedings in order first to ascertain
what course would be taken by the House of
Commons. At length, after some discussion and
explanation, both ended to the great regret of the
noble earl (Liverpool,) and also of the public.
After all this, the papers in relation to the
negotiation so terminated are laid before the
house ; and now, what he wanted to know was,
why were those papers so laid before them — with
what view, and to what end ? It was absolutely
the very first time, he believed, in which papers
as between the king himself and a subject had
been laid upon the table as in the present case.
Wherefore the secret committee was to proceed
at all, without first considering the papers, or
why, indeed, they were not to proceed at once,
could not be collected from either the language or
measures. He apprehended that it was the duty
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 205
of advisers of the crown, before whom all lay
open, to have previously made up their minds
before they came down to Parliament on the
case ; but the present was of a-piece with all the
rest of their conduct, in shrinking from a respon-
sibility they ought to have courted, and shifting
from themselves on their lordships the execution
of a disagreeable duty, which belonged in reality
to them. Thus was completed that measure of
disgrace into which, in common with his noble
friends, the house had fallen by adopting the
advice of the noble earl.
The Earl of Harrowby was satisfied that noble
lords opposite would never be able to substan-
tiate their charges against his majesty's ministers,
with all the eloquence of the last noble earl,
except they first succeeded in making out a simi-
lar case. If, therefore, in such an affecting and
momentous case as the present one, where no
light could be derived from precedent, and even
that afforded by analogy was dubious and faulty,
he must continue to believe that his majesty's
ministers had acted with propriety in resorting to
Parliament for legislative guidance. With respect
to the objections tp®f the noble earl against the
adjournments which had taken place, he would
put it to all their lordships who attended at diffe-
rent times, whether that delay was not as much
I in consequence of the feelings of noble lords on
leach side, who hoped that the queen might
thereby come out of the dilemma, and spare Par-
2E
206 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
liament and the country the most painful neces-
sity of proceeding to ulterior steps ? Upon the
rupture of a negotiation begun and continued
with such views, in which ministers had endea-
voured to execute what both houses were desirous
of, he conceived that ministers would not merely
be blamed, but censured, were they not to com-
municate to Parliament the grounds upon which
the negotiation was carried on, and the circum-
stances which unhappily had induced the result.
With this feeling, his majesty had been advised
to communicate to both houses the papers now
upon the table of the house. With respect to the
objection that ministers had proposed no measure,
this was nothing unusual in either house. Nothing
was more common than to lay papers on the
table, without calling for an opinion from Parlia-
ment, even in the case of treaties by which long
wars were concluded. With respect to that re-
sponsibility which ministers were supposed to
dread, their lordships had hitherto no well-
grounded cause to entertain this charge; and he
trusted that, if confidence were required yet,
their lordships would not be deceived in the end.
Impressed in this manner with respect to the
present case, he hoped that in an affair so deli-
cate and so distressing, and so painfully novel to
them, it was proper advice not rashly to steer
upon an ocean where there was no compass. He
was not willing to add one word more ; but,
satisfied with the line of conduct that had been
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 207
adopted, he was convinced that no other course
could have been taken in such a case.
Lord Holland still conceived that his noble
relation (Grey) had reason in expressing his dis-
satisfaction at the mode of laying the papers in
question on the table of their lordships' house.
What was the object of depositing them there —
to further the proceedings it seemed they were
about to take, or to prevent any proceeding at
all ? Ministers now assured their lordships that
every thing was done by Government to avert
those disclosures. But what certainty had their
lordships on this point ? and what reasons were
given by ministers for the measures they advised
their lordships to take ? Certainly none, that he
could discover. Did, he would ask, his majesty's
ministers act in this manner when they plumped
on Parliament with their silken bags filled, or
supposed to be so, with secret plots ? Oh, no !
Filled with horrors at the evils they were the
bearers of, on these occasions his majesty's
ministers could come down, not only with full,
but inflated descriptions to alarm the public
mind, secrets were exposed, and their lordships
had no reason to complain of ignorance on the
subject. Such in this instance was the shifting
and shaking of the reputed props of the state,
that he could almost bring himself to be a Tory,
seeing the monarchial part of the Constitution so
surrendered by ministers to either house. What
was this conduct in ministers but saying to the
3 E2
208 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
house, in effect, " We will continue to keep our
places and our holidays, and your lordships may
do our business for us." Even the noble earl
(Liverpool) did not, if he understood him well, at
first expect the negotiation to end favourably.
iFar better would it have been for ministers had
they profited by the admonition of one of his
noble friends near him (Lansdowne) and put off
the proceeding at first, appointed no Secret Com-
mittee, but left affairs to take their natural course.
" No" cried the noble earl and his side, " such a
line of proceeding will be inconsistent with the
dignity of this house. We cannot wait for the
other house. Let us go on to the ballot, and
shew our determination to act." And now he
would ask their lordships, what had become of
their dignity in this unhappy case ? Could they
imagine they were raised on a pedestal by reject-
ing the warning of his noble friend ? Was it dig-
nified to have kept fifteen noble lords suspended
like judges in the air ? If ever it was determined
to try conciliation at all between personages so
prominently illustrious, why were not proceedings
in that case suspended at once ? Suppose, in the
event, that the House of Commons should, after
all, now refuse to ballot for a Secret Committee,
\vhere, indeed, would be their lordships dignity ?
He was sorry the word escaped his lips, but he
could not help repeating it, and declaring that
ths -whole proceeding was disgraceful to the
house
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAN.D. 209
The Earl of Darnley was of opinion, that the
postponement was in deference to the wish of
both houses, and not simply to this house. If
the other house had appointed a Secret Committee
at once, was it not probable that their lordships
would have gone on ?
The Earl of llarrowby could not perceive how
llie adjournments in this business were attri-
butable to those noble lords only with whom he
had the honour to act. His opinion was, that it
had been the express wish of all noble lords, that
further time should be afforded for discussions
and explanations, even as long as any hope
remained of a favourable result. It was indis-
putably clear, indeed, that their lordships had not
voted so, but the opinion was implied by adjourn-
ing from time to time in the manner they did.
Earl Grey allowed that papers had occasionally
been laid upon the table in silence, and no pro-
ceedings then had ; but, on the other hand, when
such documents were communicated with a view
to ulterior proceedings, it was unprecedented not
to explain the object of them. Notwithstanding
all he had heard, he was wholly at a loss to
conjecture on what solid grounds their lordships
would postpone their proceedings to the 16th.
Whenever that day should come, it was probable
the language of ministers would be — " Propose
vhal you like, we shall propose nothing." Then
should any one propose what ministers did not
210 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
like, the whole might amount to no proposition
at all.
The Marquis of Lansdowne said> it certainly had
been his fate to submit a proposition to their
lordships ia the first instance, on broad con-
stitutional grounds, to abstain altogether. But,
notwithstanding his objections, their lordships
were induced to adopt a contrary course, nor did
any one resist the motion for a Secret Committee.
The second day, before one word could be
uttered, the noble earl opposite held out to their
lordships the boon of conciliation, which de-
termined a further delay.
The Earl of Liverpool now observed, that he
felt as strongly satisfied as ever that in proposing
the balloting for a Secret Committee, their lord-
ships were induced to pursue the most con-
stitutional course. If he was satisfied they were
doing right at the time they agreed to ballot,
that satisfaction was strengthened from whatever
had occurred since. After the ballot there arose
good reasons for suffering the meeting of the
Secret Committee to stand over. This he stated
at the time ; but it seemed he was misap-
prehended, or had spoken loosely, with regard
to what he originally had entertained as his own
opinion of the result of negotiation. To the best
of his recollection on this point, he still sup-
posed that he had spoken with due caution ; and
all he intended to say was, that he individually
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 211
had heard nothing to induce him to support the
motion for postponement, but in deference to re-
ports which had reached him, and the feelings
which seemed to pervade their lordships' minds,
he consented to a short adjournment. After
this, their lordships might remember he stated
that explanations and discussions were going on,
and there appeared a well founded hope of ad-
justment. Here the matter stood, till this night,
when he laid the papers in relation to the negotia-
tion, now ended, on the table of the house. But
their lordships should always bear in mind the
difficulties, as well as the delicacy of this ex-
traordinary case, and that there existed no prece-
dent for them.
Lord Rolle here rose, remarked there was no
question yet before their lordships, and moved to
adjourn the house.
Lord Holland now explained.
Lord Dacre intimated the possibility of their
lordships not finding the Commons in concert
with their present course, and the insurmountable
perplexity to be apprehended in this case. He
was desirous of gathering some information from
ministers ; but at present he would suppose that
the noble earl opposite thought the papers now
laid upon the tabk would furnish some grounds
of proceeding, and so far the noble earl expressed
an opinion. He wished to know, however, how
far the papers went? Were they only those
passing last week ; and if only those, would an-
212 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
terior ones be allowed, in order to judge fairly of
the whole ?
Lord Rolle repeated his motion for adjourning-
the house ; which, was resisted by Lord Hol-
land, who moved that the papers should be now
read.
Earl Spencer supported the motion that the
papers be read.
The Lord Chancellor spoke to order, and re-
minded their lordships, that a motion of adjourn-
ment had been made, but themselves would de-
termine whether the speeches they were hearing
had any connexion with the motion.
The motion for reading the papers, superseded
that for adjourning the house ; and the titles were
accordingly read : —
No. I . Copy of a Letter from the Queen to the Earl of
Liverpool, dated June 9> 1820.
No. 2. Copy of the Answer addressed thereto by the Earl
of Liverpool, on the I Oth of June.
No. 3. Copy of a Letter from the Queen to the Earl oi
Liverpool, dated June 10.
No. 4. Answer of a Letter in reply to that of the Queen
from the Earl of Liverpool, dated June 1 1 .
No. 5. Copy of a Letter from the Queen to the Earl of
Liverpool, dated June 12.
No. 6. Answer of the Earl of Liverpool to the same,
dated June 13.
No. 7. Copy of a Note addressed by the Earl of Liver-
pool on the 13th of June to his Majesty.
No. 8. A Copy of a Note addressed by Mr. Brougham
to the Earl of Liverpool, stating her Majesty's consent
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 213
to the appointment of two persons on her behalf, for
settling all matters in dispute between herself and his
Majesty.
No. 9. An Appendix, containing the names of the
persons proposed as arbitrators on the part of the Queen,
with a view to conclude an arrangement; dated June 15.
No. 10. A Memorandum of an arrangement proposed to
the Queen, on the 13th of April last, previous to her
coming to England.
No. 1. Protocol of the first conversation held on this
subject at St. James's-square.
No. 2. Protocol of the second conversation held at the
Foreign Office.
Nos. 3 and 4. Protocols of the third and fourth con-
versations held at St. James's-square.
No. 5. Protocol of the fifth and last conversation held on
this subject at the Foreign Office *.
The Earl of Lauderdale here wished to be in-
formed, if the noble earl opposite was disposed
to communicate such papers as had passed in
this affair, not only on but before the 9th of
June. He was anxious to inspect the whole
evidence and facts, in order to see whether it
was prudent or wise to have negotiated at all
since her majesty had arrived here, or whether
the business was fruitless from the first. The
noble Earl had himself the advantage of seeing
the whole of the papers now referred to ; while
* These papers have been all given according to their re-
spective dates.
' 2 F
214 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
their lordships saw only their detached parts,
for any thing to the contrary yet known. He
wished to have the antecedent parts.
The Earl of Liverpool had no objection to pro-
duce one document of anterior date, the only
one then officially communicated to him. When
the whole of the papers were before the house,
noble lords would be enabled to form" their opi-
nions on the entire case, with explanations of par-
ticular parts.
Lord ErsMne wished to know if the noble lord
thought it possible for them to advise the king,
whether the negotiation would prove efficient or
non-efficient if their lordships were ignorant of
the contents of the papers upon which that
negotiation had been established. That was a
question which could be decided by his majesty's
government alone, because they had seen the
papers ; but their lordships would never venture
to deliver an opinion on a subject of which they
knew nothing whatever. He, for one, therefore,
should never give his opinion upon such informa-
tion ; at the same time he did not wish it to be
supposed that he felt any anxiety to drag open
the question. He had consented to the Secret
Committee, because he considered it both a legal
and constitutional proceeding; but the present
was a question totally distinct from that proceed-
ing, and until he heard those papers, he, for
one, would never deliver an opinion on the pre
subject.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 215
The question was then put, and the house ad-
journed.
In the House of Commons the proceedings
were of a mose limited nature.
Lord Castlcreagh appeared at the bar of the
house, and acquainted the Speaker, that he had it
in command from his majesty, to lay before the
house certain papers, which he then held in his
hand, relative to the late negotiation between their
majesties. The papers were then presented, and
the title of them read by the clerk at the table,
which were the same as those read in the House
of Lords.
Lord Castlereagh then rose and said, he felt it
his daty to state to the house, that his majesty
had been induced to order these papers to be laid
before them, in order to show the house that
every effort had been made to relieve Parliament
from an inquiry of this painful nature, and prevent
the necessity of the house proceeding further in
the investigation. Having failed in accomplishing
that object, he had been authorised to present to
the house the papers just then read. His majesty
on ordering him to bring down these papers, had
made a complete communication of the whole of
the proceedings which had taken place on the
subject of the differences existing between those
illustrious individuals, and it was with pain he
had to communicate that the result had not led to
any satisfactory arrangement. His majesty felt
the extreme importance of the question about to
2F2
216 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINA,
be agitated, and was accordingly anxious that,
before the house should enter into any discussion
of the subject, the whole of those papers, con-
cluding the series of information of what had
been done up to the present time, should be laid
before them, so as to shew the nature of the
efforts which had been made to bring about a
satisfactory arrangement. It would be improper
on his part, as well as unsatisfactory to the public,
if the house were suffered to proceed in the inves-
tigation of a subject of so much importance with-
out the most complete and authentic information,
so as to relieve the house in some degree, from
the painful situation in which it was now likely it
would be placed. These papers were already in
the act of being printed, and he hoped they would
be ready to-morrow early for the members' infor-
mation. Under these circumstances, he felt it
his duty to propose, first, that the order of the
day for resuming the debate on his majesty's
message should be adjourned until Wednesday
the 14th ; and next, to follow it up with a motion,
that the papers be printed. This mode of pro-
ceeding, he trusted, would enable the house more
adequately to determine what should be done
under all the difficulties of the case. He con-
cluded by moving the papers should be printed.
Mr. Brougham wished it to be understood he
concurred in the statement which had been made
by the noble lord of the nature of the proceedings
which had taken place with reference to this
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 217
subject, and, in common with the noble lord, he
as deeply regretted that these efforts should have
been made in vain. The noble lord could not feel
deeper or more sincere regret than himself, at the
unfortunate failure of those overtures for accom-
modating the differences subsisting between the
illustrious individuals in question. He thought
the house would not be of opinion, after it had
seen the papers now laid on the table, that there
was any reason to award blame to her majesty.
He was not hereby disposed to cast any blame on
the disposition manifested on the part of the
other illustrious individual concerned. Amongst
the many unfortunate peculiarities of this case, it
had one striking peculiarity, that the house might,
after it had seen these papers, be of opinion that
blame did attach in another quarter.
The further debate on this question was, on the
motion of Lord Castlereagh, then adjourned until
Wednesday the 21st.
It may be necessary to enter a little into detail
respecting the failure of this negotiation, without the
slightestimputationbeing thrown out of any attempt
to prejudge the question of the guilt or innocence
of the illustrious individual, whose cause is now
become the cause of the whole nation. It ought
to be admitted, as the ground-work of every argu-
ment which is advanced on this momentous ques-
tion, that the queen is actually innocent, until the
laws of her country have determined upon her
guilt; and further, that that determination has
218 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
been decided upon after the most solemn and im
partial examination of the witnesses which are to be
brought forward not only in support of the charges,
but also against them. It is sufficiently painful
for us to know, that as every avenue to an ami-
cable adjustment between the illustrious parties
appears to be closed, that we shall be compelled
ere long to enter upon discussions of a most deli-
cate and distressing nature. The object proposed
by the late negotiation originated in the earnest
desire of the House of Commons, as guardians of
the public morals and of the public peace, to
prevent disclosures, which would in all probability
be fatal to both- To this wish of the house the
ministers deferred, though with little hope of any
beneficial result, although it must be owned that
in many instances a particular part of the public
press was prostituted rather to inflame the minds
of the people, than to promote an amicable adjust-
ment of the truly unfortunate differences. Her
majesty was taught to look upon the persons
who conducted the negotiation on the part of the
king, not as persons anxious for the dignity of
the crown and the peace of the country, but as
actual monsters thirsting for her blood, and
seeking to wreck her fortune and her fame for
ever by the oath of suborned witnesses. Attempts
were made to convince the people, that the nego-
tiators as well as the ministers, were persons
who had actually fabricated false charges affecting
the very life of the queen, which were to be sup-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 219
ported by perjured evidence, and, that like a
victim of the Inquisition, she was to be con-
demned in secret and unheard. It is far from
our wish to panegyrise the individuals who at
this moment hold the reins of government, they
are by no means exempt from the fallibilities of
human nature, but they are men of honour, and
in private life of the most unimpeachable cha-
racter ; we ask, therefore, whether the monstrous
atrocity imputed to them would be credited of
any English nobleman, or any English gentleman ?
Do the functions of a minister absolve him from
all ties of humanity, or does the tenure of an
office grant him a charter to level the shafts of
destruction at the fortune, fame, and even the
life of an individual, whether of a low or an
exalted station, upon merely fabricated charges,
and to refuse the accused party every means and
opportunity of rebutting them ? Could the minis-
ters without contradicting the whole tenor of
their lives, without sinning against common sense
and common honesty, be guilty of the conduct
which has been attributed to them ?
In the open avowal of these sentiments we wish
by no means to be considered as departing from
that strict line of impartiality which will be the
chief characteristic of this work. We dispute
not the innocence of the queen, nor do we pre-
sume upon her guilt ; we are bound to believe in
the former, until the latter has been confirmed and
substantiated by the most irrefutable evidence.
220 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Mere allegation, in this instance, will not avail,
but let the question be fairly stated. Suppose that
evidence has been laid before the ministers of this
country, imputing charges of gross impropriety
of conduct ; we will even go further, and say of
criminality, against the queen. Are they to shut
their eyes to that evidence — are they to gloss it
over as a mere every-day transaction, unworthy of
their examination ; and if that examination be
thought worthy of their attention, ought it to be
passed over slightly ? Have the ministers shewn
themselves to be men so utterly devoid of all
sagacity, so bereft of common sense, as to venture
the serious lengths to which they have now gone,
upon common report, upon the mere tittle tattle of
discarded menials, and to institute one of the most
solemn and serious charges which was ever brought
against an individual, without any thing to war-
rant them in the undertaking ? But on the sup-
position that proceedings will be instituted against
her majesty, it would be the height of absurdity
to suppose that an Engligh minister dare to with
hold from her the fullest arid fairest means of de-
fence. The minister brings forward his alleged
proofs of criminality ; these must necessarily be
exposed to the severest scrutiny, and weighed
in the most equal balance against such defensive
evidence as may be adduced ; therefore, as the
queen is not to be prejudged, the ministers are
, certainly entitled to the same respect and con-
sideration ; they have also characters to support,
;
QUEENr COXSORT OF t'XGLAKL. 221
and as we reprobate every attempt to make her
majesty the sport of calumny, equally so do we
condemn that factious spirit which is ever on the
alert to calumniate those whose painful duty it is
to bring forth the charges against her majesty.
It is possible, and it is the sincerest wish not only
of ourselves, but of every friend to his country,
that the result of future investigation may be to
disprove the heaviest charges against her majesty.
But it must be still admitted, that the evidence
which the ministers have submitted to parliament
is entitled to the most grave and serious con-
sideration.
It has been already stated that the considera-
tion of his majesty's message, had been post
poned in the House of Commons, until Friday tin
22d ; in the mean time, however, a meeting was
held of the leading county members, in which it
was resolved to make every effort to bring about
a conciliation between the illustrious parties, and
to prevent that exposure which could not but
be subversive of the morals and peace of the
country.
It will be seen by the public documents, which
have been regularly given under their respective
dates, that although the negotiation failed, yet that
concessions were mutually made, on which the
basis of an arrangement might be formed, satisfac- ^l*>i
tory to the feelings and compatible with the honour^; |
both of the king and queen. Her majesty^lcfe^
to the sense of parliament, and consente^lb jfe^% 1|
9-10. 2 G & fT
223 MEMOIHS OF CAROLINE,
abroad, and on the other hand, his majestj had
been advised to cause official notification tc be
made of her majesty's legal character of qm n
to the government of the State, in which she shoui
reside. This certainly was a considerable ap-
proximation to an amicable arrangement ; itmust,
however, be admitted that something of the cloven
foot appeared in this notification, for it was ac-
companied with the intimation, that his majesty's
ministers would not presume to say whether the
foreign government would pay any attention to the
notification. This they certainly could not take
upon themselves to pronounce definitively, but it
is past all doubt, that his majesty's ministers had
it in their power to remove every obstacle in the
way of that notification being acted upon, and
the first of which was the restoration of her
majesty's name to the Liturgy. If she were un-
worthy of being prayed for in her own country,
was she worthy of being received in the super-
moral courts of Italy and Austria, in which the
prayers of the righteous are supposed to possess
double weight with that Being to whom they are
addressed ; and therefore, according to the minis-
ter's own view of her majesty's character, they
were the most proper courts for her majesty
to repair to. It is, however, a principle in human
nature to be most vociferous in the condemnation
of those particular vices, to which some illnatured
monitor tells us that we are ourselves particularly
addicted. Her majesty was to return to Italy,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 223
unabsolved from the imputation of infidelity to
the marriage bed. Is such an act unknown in
the profligate courts of Italy ? or does not the
cornuted husband actually reside under the same
roof with the sharer of his wife's affections ? Is
it not almost made a part of the marriage settle-
ment, that the lady should have a companion to
enliven her dreary hours, when her lawful hus-
band is abroad ? and these are the virtuous, the
continent gentry, who, mounted upon the stilts of
decorum, turn aside and look askance when an
illustrious female comes amongst them, who is
only suspected of that crime which they are
hourly practising, and whose suspicion rests upon
the testimony of degenerate beings like them-
selves.
The veriest foe of her majesty will not deny her
a depth of penetration and a solidity of judgment,
seldom attained by a female : she can say in the
words of the poet —
I have seen many cities, and the manners of many men
and even the enlightened, the classical Canning,
calls her " an ornament of her sex !" With the
knowledge therefore which her majesty has ac-
quired of the Italian character, with all its bigotry,
its superstition, and its profligacy, she considered
the restoration of her name in the Liturgy as in-
dispensable to her reception at an Italian court,
and especially one under the control of the Austrian
government. As, however, retraction is not a
2 G 2
224 "MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
part of royal etiquette, as it presupposes a pre-
vious action founded in error, which is contrary to
the known principles of the English constitution,
her majesty, with a view of conceding every thing
but her honour, comes forward, and by her ad-
visers, says, " If you will not restore my name
to the Liturgy, then adopt some equivalent mea-
sure, which shall have the effect of protecting me
against the unfavourable inference to which I shall
be liable on leaving the country under the cir-
cumstances in which I am placed,"
Thus a fresh opening was made for the accom-
modation of this important difference^ — and Mr.
Wilberforce, to his credit be it spoken, seized the
opportunity, and on the 20th, in the House of
Commons, rose and said, that in consequence
of the failure of the late negotiations between
the king and queen, he felt it his duty to give
notice, for the following day, of a motion on the
subject.
Mr. Brougham said, that to-morrow being a
notice day, the motion of the honourable member
would, according to the rules of the house, take
precedence of the discussion of the noble lord
(Castlereagh's) motion. He threw out this, not
for the purpose of objecting to the honourable
member's motion, but in order to inquire whether
it would not be as well to pursue the same course
upon this as upon former negotiations. That course
was to lay upon the table a statement of the
grounds on which the negotiation had failed. If
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND.
this were done, it would, perhaps, lead, on the
'part of ministers, to a defence of the opposite
party. Until this took place, it was desirable
that all parties should abstain from touching either
directly or indirectly, on the manner in which the
negotiation had been conducted, because the
grounds upon which the parties acted could not
be fairly examined. This course would not in
any manner, preclude the fullest inquiry into the
subject.
Lord Castlercagh was not aware that the ho-
nourable and learned member was correct in the
view which he took of the mode of proceeding
adopted on former negotiations. On a variety
of occasions he had seen that no consideration
was had as to the manner in which negotiations
had been conducted. For instance, in the nego-
tiations at Vienna the course now suggested
had not been pursued. As to the other part of
the honourable and learned member's speech, he
(Lord Castlereagh) had no hesitation in saying
that he did not feel it necessary to enter into
any justification of the course taken by his
majesty's government respecting this negotia-
tion. The house would form its own judgment
from the papers which had been laid on the table.
He was aware that his honourable friend's
motion would have precedence on the following
day ; but even if that were not the regular course,
he should gladly beiid to any measure which in the
judgment of the house would render the further
MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
discussion of his motion unnecessary. It was
undoubtedly open to the honourable member, 'or
to the house, to make any motion on the subject,
as the parties more immediately concerned would
afterwards have an opportunity of considering of
what Parliament thought on the subject. If any
mode could be suggested which would relieve
the case from the difficulties with which it was
surrounded, he should feel it his duty to attend
lo them as all further discussion on the subject
ought to be, if possible avoided.
Mr. Brougham observed, that he felt as strong-
ly as the noble lord could do the justice of the
observations he had made. He was anxious that
all further discussion ought to be, if possible,
avoided. The noble lord had stated that he did
not feel it necessary to enter into any defence of
the conduct pursued by ministers ; he (Mr.
Brougham) begged also to state, that he did not
feel it at all necessary to enter into a defence of
the conduct pursued by her majesty or her legal
advisers. Those advisers, as well as her majesty,
were satisfied that the case should rest on the
candour of the house, from what appeared on the
face of the proceedings.
Mr. Tierney hoped the honourable membet
(Mr. Wilberforce) would explain the nature of
the motion which he intended to make.
Mr. Wilberforce said he would rather decline
any further explanation at present. He should,
in the mean time, be happy to hear any sugges-
3ITEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 227
tion which should be thrown out on the subject.
He was convinced that it was the feeling of the
house and the country, that all minor differences
should, as far as possible, be overlooked in en-
deavouring to bring about an amicable arrange-
ment between the illustrious parties concerned.
He was sure that, both now, and hereafter, he
would obtain the greatest credit who should re-
commend the waving, as* far as possible all per-
sonal considerations in order to bring about that
which was so much to be desired, a happy
termination of this distressing business.
Mr. Tierney observed, that the honourable
member expressed a wish to hear suggestions
from the house, without giving them any oppor-
tunity of knowing upon what subject. He once
more asked, not for himself but for the informa-
tion of the house, what the nature of the honour-
able member's motion was? He could see no
difficulty in stating generally what was intended
to be done.
Mr. Wilberforce, said, that his motion in a great
measure explained itself; its object undoubtedly
was to remove, as far as possible, all obstacles to
an amicable arrangement of the differences exist-
ing between their majesties.
Lord A. Hamilton said, that the honourable
member having given notice of a motion which
was to take precedence of the very important
discussion of to-morrow, it surely was not too
much to ask, for the information of the house,
MEMOIRS OF . CAROLINE,
what the object of that motion was. He did not
wish to hear the precise words, he only asked
the honourable member to state generally what
its object was ?
Mr. Scarlett begged to ask the honourable
member, whether his object was to propose the
restoration of her majesty's, name to the Liturgy?.
If the honourable member did not answer the
question, he should conceive this to be the object
of his motion.
Mr. Wilberforce said he would rather decline
for the present giving any further explanation.
He did not wish that his motion should have
precedence, though he could not help thanking
his noble friend (Castlereagh) for the readiness
which he had shown to concede it to him. His
lordship, by that concession, evinced a desire, in
which he was joined by the whole country, to
avoid, if possible, all further inquiry into this
subject.
In consequence of Mr. Wilberforce having
given this notice, the public anxiety was wrought
to a height unequalled on any former occasion.
It discharged in a great degree the negotiators
from all further share in the arrangement of the
differences, and made the House of Commons
the supreme and sole arbiter. It was generally
supposed, that in the hands of Mr. Wilberforce,
strong as that gentleman is in the purity and
virtue of his public and private character, and
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND.
backed as he was in this case by tne great mass
of virtuous and independent feeling within and
without the house, all difficulties in this mo
mentuous and delicate affair would be smooth-
ened, and the differences ultimately adjusted.
It was the universal expectation that his in
terference, supported by a great mass of par-
liamentary strength, with which, on this subject,
he was in constant communication and concert,
would bend resistance, perhaps, on both sides.
But the opposing circumstances were greatly under
rated, and even mistaken, for it must be admitted,
that both parties, that is, the ministers and the
queen, were precipitated in the very first stage
into an uncompromising assumption of ground,
from which they afterwards found it difficult to
recede, and the negotiations so far from producing
an approximation, or reducing the disputed parts
to something unimportant, on the contrary, rather
fastened the parties to the ground which they
had taken. The negotiation may in some re-
spects be compared to the reconnoitring of an
army, in order to discover its weakness and its
points of attack ; and especially if there were any
masked batteries in reserve, which could open on
either side, from a quarter where it was the least
expected. Ministers evidently went into the
negotiation under a total misconception as to
the form and pretensions of her majesty, and
this delusion was not completely dispelled, until
the personal correspondence between the queen
230 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
and Lord Liverpool at the opening of the negotia-
tion. Lord Liverpool had certainly good grounds
to be ieve, at the moment of Lord Hutchinson's
departure, in company with Mr. Brougham, for
St. Omers, that the queen had seen the memo-
randum of April 15th; and from the acceptance
of the memorandum by Mr. Brougham, the
queen's confidential adviser, Lord Liverpool had
reason to suppose that the substance of the
memorandum repeated (though it must be owned
rather repulsively) through Lor.d Hutchinson,
would have been taken into consideration ; but
Mr. Brougham had never communicated it to the
queen, and upon receiving its substance through
Lord Hutchinson, she instantly rejected the
proposal, and started for the shores of England.
As early as one o'clock, the crowd began to
assemble in the vicinity of the House of Com-
mons, the avenues to which were completely
stopped. An unprecedented number of members
attended, and after some preliminary business
had been gone through, Mr. Wilberforce was
called on by the Speaker in the order in which
his motion stood on the list for the evening's
business ; a general silence ensued, and all
directed their attention with obvious solicitude to
that part of the house where he usually sat ; it
appeared, however, he was not to be found, and
some general symptoms of anxiety and uneasi-
ness began to display themselves. Silence and
nistiense ensued. Mr. Brougham shortly after
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 231
entered, and a very general exclamation of " here
he is !" announced the arrival of Mr. Wilberforce ;
on his entrance he was greeted by loud cheers.
He immediately retired to his customary seat, and
addressed the Speaker. — He trusted it was not
necessary he should assure the house, that he
would not have been so backward in being at the
post of duty that evening, if he had it in his
power to control the cause which had prevented
his appearing there earlier, as he was very well
aware he would be expected with no ordinary
anxiety. In fact, since he last night had the
honour of addressing the house, circumstances
had occurred which rendered it necessary he
should vary in some particulars from the terms oi
the proposition he had proposed to submit to its
adoption that day. He therefore most seriously
put it to the house, that under these circurn
stances, they should concede to him an opportu
nity of varying, he trusted with effect, the means
which he had in contemplation for obviating those
results naturally awaiting upon so fatal an inquiry.
He earnestly implored the noble lord not to bring
on the motion which stood for to-day upon the
king's gracious message to the house, and hoped
that he would grant him another day to mature
that proposition which he devoutedly hoped and
trusted would lead to an adjustment of interests
it was so deeply to be regretted should ever have
been separated. Finally, 1*3 hoped the house
would not suppose he would have suffered him-
2 ii 2
232 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
self, in a. case of such paramount interest an<
importance, to be diverted from his purpose by
any thing of a trifling nature, or that he would
thus have trespassed upon the indulgence of the
house and the noble lord, without assigning those
reasons for his conduct which he trusted would
hereafter be considered satisfactory, had it been
in his power to have given them publicity, without
prejudice to the great and important object he, in
common with every well-wisher of his country,
had in view.
Lord Castlereagh. — I own, Sir, that I Deeply
regret that any occasion has arisen to prevent the
honourable member for Bramber, from motives
which he has not thought proper to explain, and
which therefore are not before the house, but
which it is easy to conceive are good and suffi-
cient reasons, not now to bring forward the
motion of which he yesterday evening gave
notice, and to induce him to call on me further to
postpone that proceeding, which, in point of form,
would not have preceded the honourable mem-
ber's motion on the present evening. I am cer-
tainly not desirous of bringing on a discussion
which it is so desirable, if possible, to avert;
and I feel disposed, therefore, without inquiring
further into the honourable member's reasons, to
give him the credit to which, both on public and
on private grounds, he is entitled, for the gravity
of the motives by which he is actuated in the
pursuance of the principle recognized br
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 233
house — namely, that it is most desirable to avoid,
if possible, any further proceeding on the subject.
Under such circumstances, I should depart from
the principles by which the conduct of his
majesty's government has hitherto been directed,
if I were to press the house to go forward and
decide on the mode in which they will inquire
into the information which has been laid on their
table, until every fair and reasonable expedient
has been adopted to prevent the necessity for
that step. While, however, 1 readily accede to
the honourable member's request, I beg to submit
to his consideration the great public evil which
arises from the existing uncertainty and hesitation
on this question, and the expediency of avoiding
every delay, not absolutely necessary, that may
be calculated to continue that agitation into
which the public mind has been thrown, and
which must exist until the wisdom of Parliament
shall determine on the course which, on a view
of all the circumstances of the case, it may appear
most expedient to adopt. I therefore submit to
the honourable member's requisition ; but at the
same time I conjure and entreat him not to allow
any consideration whatever to induce him to
delay the proposition which he has to make to
the house beyond to-morrow ; for I am sure that
the evils of further delay are incalculable. I am
sure that, although it is most desirable that, if
possible, the house should be spared the delicate
and difficult duty of entering into the inquiry in
234 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
question, and although the house has so expressed
its wishes, a delay beyond to-morrow would have
a tendency, under any circumstances, to defeat
the object which all parties have so anxiously
in view.
Mr. Wilberforce. — I hope the noble lord and
the house will give me credit for not having pro-
posed the postponement of this proceeding on
light grounds. I cannot at present say any thing
further on the subject; but I will to-morrow
explain to the house my reasons.
Lord Castlereagh. — I by no means wish to press
the honourable gentleman for an immediate expla-
nation of his motives, which, I am persuaded, are
of the soundest and most sufficient nature.
Lord A* Hamilton.— Sir, I wish to ask the ho-
nourable member for Bramber, whether or not he
has any objection to state to the house what is
the nature of the motion which it is his intention
to bring forward to-morrow ? I can assure
honourable gentlemen that I do not ask this
question out of idle curiosity, but because I wish
to know the nature of the honourable gentleman's
motion, with a view to shape my own course
accordingly, as the answer to my question may
induce me to determine ; if I do not approve of
the honourable gentleman's motion, either to
propose an amendment to it, or to submit a dis-
tinct motion to the house.
Mr. Wilberforce.~My high respect for the noble
lord's character must always induce me to afford
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 235
him every gratification compatible with my duty.
I feel it to be inexpedient to say more on the sub-
ject of my motion publicly, but I shall have no
objection whatever to converse with the noble
lord in private upon it. What passed in the house
yesterday evening, and its results, have confirmed
me in the determination to refrain from entering
into any previous explanation of the precise na-
ture of my intended motion.
Mr. Tierney. — I really feel great difficulty, Sir,
in agreeing to this postponement. It is, in every
point of view, most desirable that this business
should be terminated as soon as possible. We
are placed in a situation that appears to me to be
unparalleled. To a message which his majesty
was graciously pleased. to send down to this house,
we answered by an Address, intimating that we
would immediately enter into the consideration of
the matters to which that message referred. Ac-
cordingly, we did enter on that consideration ;
but in consequence of the suggestion of a number
of honourable members, the discussion was ad-
journed for several days, in order to give an op-
portunity for ascertaining whether it might not be
practicable to bring the affair to a conclusion with-
out further interference. The negotiations on the
subject lasted for near a fortnight ; and the noble
lord then came down, declared that they had
failed, laid on the table of the house papers ex-
planatory of their nature, and gave notice that on
this evening he would propose to resume the sus-
286 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
pended consideration of his majesty » message
Now, however, another — an individual member —
took up the subject, and a fresh adjournment was
proposed, in order that he might see what he
could do. My noble friend near me, thinks it
very likely that he may feel it necessary to make
a motion on the subject. Other honourable mem-
bers may also think it necessary to make motions;
In the mean while the consideration of his ma-
jesty's message sleeps : and the delay is certainly
neither respectful to the crown, nor creditable to
this house. I think it fair, therefore, Sir, to give
notice that, be the cause of the delay what it
may, or let it originate in what quarter it may, I
will to-morrow take the sense of the house on the
propriety of any further adjournment, if such
should be proposed.
Lord A. Hamilton. — I also, Sir, beg leave to give
notice, that I will to-morrow move for the pro-
duction of the order of council, under which her
majesty's name was erased from the Liturgy.
Mr. Brougham. — Sir, I rise to know if I rightly
understand the honourable gentleman who has
just now postponed the motion of which he yes-
terday evening gave notice, and to state why,
I do rightly understand him, I think that th
delay which he requires, of a single day, ought
be allowed, notwithstanding the great public i
convenience and evil which, in common with my
noble and right honourable friend, I feel must re-
sult from any postponement of the question unde
QUKEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 23?
our consideration. If I rightly understand the
honourable member, he considers either the
adoption of his intended motion, or of any pro-
position which may arise out of it, the only al-
ternative of a proceeding to an inquiry on the
the part of this house. — If this is really the
honourable member's impression, I really think
that the delay of a single day becomes of less
importance, since, according to the honourable
member, if his motion should not be acquiesced
in by the house, the inquiry must then be com-
menced. Feeling, therefore, as strongly as any
man the importance of not unnecessarily delaying
the consideration of this question for a single
hour, I nevertheless cannot but accede to the
honourable members proposition. I trust, how-
ever, that no circumstance whatever will prevent
the honourable member from proceeding to-
morrow; for I can assure the house, that as
much anxiety is felt to avoid delay on the part
of her majesty and her advisers, as can be felt in
any other quarter whatever.
Mr. Scarlett. — If I correctly understand my
honourable and learned friend, he thoroughly
agrees with the honourable member for Bramber,
that the success of that honourable member's
motion is only one branch of an alternative, the
other branch of which is the inquiry originally
proposed by the noble lord opposite. Sir, I
cannot conceive that such is the state of the
case. In my humble judgment, whatever may
2 i
238 MEMOIKS OF CAROLINE,
be the fate of the honourable member's motion,
should it be rejected by the house, I shall still
think it the sort of inquiry proposed by his
majesty's ministers, and which is the only mea-
sure they have called upon us to agree to, — one
which it is impossible that, consistently with its
duty, the house can adopt. In my opinion, there-
fore, it by no means follows, as a necessary con-
sequence of the rejection of the honourable
member for Bramber's motion, that we must
acquiesce in the proposition of the noble lord.
Mr. Brougham. — As my honourable and learned
friend had no opportunity, or did not avail him-
self of any opportunity of expressing his opinion
in that which would, perhaps, have been its
right place, he has been induced to state it to
the house now, and in a manner somewhat hasty;
it becomes necessary for me to set myself right
with my honourable and learned friend, and with
the house. Does it follow, Sir, from what I
said when I last addressed you, that I think
what I have already characterised as an uncon-
stitutional proceeding, must be the necessary
consequence oftthe rejection of a motion, which,
for ought I know, I may feel it my duty to
oppose ? By no means. What I stated was—
not that I considered it as the alternative ; but
that as the honourable gentleman seemed to con-
sider it as the alternative, and as he would there-
fore press his motion to-morrow, the delay of a
single day did not appear to me to be unadvisable
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 239
Here the conversation was dropped ; and on
the motion of Lord Castlereagh, the order of the
day for the resuming the adjourned debate on
the king's message was discharged, and a new
order made for the following day.
This postponement of Mr. Wilberforce's mo-
tion, arose from a letter addressed to him by
her majesty, expressive of her surprise at the
proposition which Mr. Wilberforce was to call
on the house to make to her ; namely, that she
should withdraw herself from the prayers of the
people, or in other words, that she should consent
to the omission of her name in, the Liturgy. The
abandonment of that object by the queen, would
certainly have removed one great obstacle in the
way of negotiation between the queen and the
ministers: but to what did that abandonment
tend ? — to the actual compromise of her character,
by renouncing an ^ unquestionable right. And,
therefore, Mr. Wilberforce found himself obliged
to change his ground, and to propose those re-
solutions declaratory of the sense of the house,
that by conceding the point of the Liturgy to her
opponents, she did not compromise her character
nor her honour.
Accordingly on Thursday the 22d, Mr. Wil-
berforce was called upon in the House of Com-
mons, to submit his promised motion to the
house.
Mr. Wilberforce began by stating, that notwith-
2 i 2
24*0 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
standing the anxious desire he felt to bring this
subject before the house, so painful and oppressive
a task did he feel it to be, that were it not for
the imperious sense of duty by which he was
urged to proceed, he should have shrunk from
the attempt. If something were not done to
prevent that fatal inquiry, he (Mr. Wilberforce)
was impressed with the idea that the greatest of
all evils, one which he dared not to contemplate,
would accrue to the country. He ought to take
this opportunity of explaining to the house that
the delay which had occurred in bringing forward
this motion, was owing to his having received
a 'communication from her majesty, which had
required his utmost consideration, and required
that he should change the plan of his proceed-
ings. He should say nothing more on this point,
further than that he had received a second com-
munication explanatory of the first. He dare
not say that these documents in themselves, held
out any hopes that her majesty would acquiesce
in the views he entertained. Having since had an
opportunity of stating to her majesty the motives
by which he was actuated, he found that her
majesty had no other knowledge of the nature
of his intended motion, than what had been
collected from general report. The measure
which he had afterwards come to the conclusion
of adopting was, that of moving, that a resolution
be passed, the object of which was, earnestly to
express a hope that her majesty, now that the
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 241
material differences seemed to be so nearly done
away, might be prevailed upon, under all cir-
cumstances, to wave the only remaining dif-
ferences on grounds which he should state when
he came to the motion itself. It would be re-
membered, that the ultimate difference between
the king's servants and the law officers of the
queen related to two points, viz. the causing her
majesty to be acknowledged publicly as Queen
of England in foreign courts — and the restoration
of her majesty's name in the Liturgy. He wished
it to be understood, that it was in one part of
these papers virtually acknowledged, that the
objection to giving her majesty a full introduction
to one of the foreign courts abroad, although
there were almost insuperable objections to it,
could nevertheless be got over. Here the honour-
able gentleman read that passage in the corres-
pondence, where it was suggested, that, in the
foreign country in which her majesty might fix
her future residence, she should be introduced at
the court of that country by the British ambas-
sador residing there. This was at first objected
to, on the ground that the British government
had no right to prescribe to any foreign prince
the course which he should choose to pursue
under such circumstances ; and the difficulty was
not got rid of. The next point required, was
the restoration of the queen's name to the Liturgy.
For his own' part, after having given the fullest
consideration to this point, he did not ascribe so
MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
much importance to it as he had at first been
inclined to do. It did not strike him as applying
to any religious view of the subject. Accord-
ing to the mode of conducting the worship of the
Church in this country, when men met to do
honour to Him, to whom all honour was due,
all distinctions of persons were done away. Our
system of worship diffused an universal feeling of
piety with regard to others, and put all descrip-
tions of people on one common level. This was
the sentiment of many persons with whom he
had talked on the subject ; and must it not be
evident to every body, that, when prayers were
offered up for the king and all the royal family,
the queen, as one of that royal family, was prayed
for? Had any gentleman, he would ask, ever
heard of the royal family without thinking of the
queen ? It certainly was usual sometimes to ex-
press by name particular individuals of the royal
family in prayers of the Church ; it was usual
to name, among others, the heir apparent to the
crown ; but in the present Church Service this
rule was not adhered to ; for the name of the
Duke of York, who stood next to the crown,
was not mentioned. His meaning, and he wished
particularly to impress it on the house, was, that
considering this question in a religious point of
view, the queen was not excluded by the omis-
sion of her name, from the prayers of the con-
gregation. The point was not specified as a
thing that was considered or acted upon, until it
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 243
came to be debated in the conferences lately held
respecting her majesty. Therefore his mind was
impressed with a full persuasion, that this point
respecting the Liturgy had not been considered
as a religious question, nor as a thing of such
great importance as was ascribed to it. Her
majesty's legal advisers asked whether some
mode might not be adopted to serve as an equi-
valent for the omission of her name in the Liturgy;
and spoke of her official introduction at foreign
courts, which they were inclined to consider as a
good equivalent. This also went clearly to show,
that the question was not considered as a religious
one. The subject was mentioned a second time,
with a view that something might be devised as
an equivalent. It was, therefore, a great relief to
his mind, that the question had not been presses
by her majesty's advisers on any religious prin-
ciple. He was ready to grant that it was not
altogether respectful to her majesty to omit her
name ; but he thought that such an amicable ad-
justment might be made as would be consistent
with her majesty's honour, even if the omission
still continued. His utmost desire was, to avoid
that fatal green bag. (Here there was considerable
laughter in the house.) This was a subject of too
grave and serious a nature for merriment. He
was sure they must all feel as he did on this
melancholy subject ; and no one should mis-
construe the phrase he had used, for he declared,
that while there was a smile upon his lip, there
244 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
was a pang at his heart. There was one part of
the negotiation which had given him the greatest
satisfaction. When it was required by her
majesty's legal advisers that she a should receive
a recognition of her rights ; what greater recogni-
tion, he asked, could she have than assurances
from Parliament that her majesty was not
shrinking from any inquiry ; but was in the
opinion of Parliament ready to meet every thing
that might be laid to her charge. He would put
it then to honourable gentlemen, who were the
legal advisers of her majesty, whether this was
not the very sort of equivalent which they were
in search of, and whether it would not answer
every purpose that might be desired. With
regard to the Liturgy, he would again repeat,
that the restoration of her majesty's name to it,
was not considered as a matter of any importance.
The omission of the. name could not be sup-
posed to have any effect upon her majesty abroad ;
because our liturgy was as little known in foreign
countries on the Continent of Europe, as it was
in China or Japan. He should now come to what
he had to propose. The chief point to which he
should draw the consideration of the house was,
whether the queen would not go forth without
any stigma on her character, after she had yielded
to the wishes and authority of Parliament ?
Whether, after having done so, and receiving the
recognition of Parliament, all imputation against
her would not be removed ? The dignity of
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 245
monarchy would always be the greater in pro-
portion as they wished to conform to the wishes
and the feelings of Parliament. And, he was
sure that the queen had enough of English feeling
about her to induce her to act in this way. He
begged then that he might be allowed to express
his anxious hope that the house would well weigh
this question, and take such a course of pro-
ceeding as might lead to an amicable adjustment
of all the unhappy differences which now pre-
vailed among the royal personages ; and, if the
recommendation of the house should be attended
to, oh ! what a benefit would accrue to the
nation.
He concluded by moving .
" Resolved, That this house has learned with unfeigned
and deep regret, that the late endeavours to frame an arrange-
ment which might avert the necessity of a public inquiry
into the information laid before the two houses of Parlia-
ment, have not led to that amicable adjustment of the exist-
ing differences in the royal family, which was anxiously
desired by Parliament and the nation.
" That this house, fully sensible of the objections which
the queen might justly feel to taking upon herself the relin-
quishment of any points in which she might have conceived
her own dignity and honour to be involved, yet feeling the
inestimable importance of an amicable and final adjustment
of the present unhappy differences, cannot forbear declaring
its opinion, that when such large advances had been made
towards that object, her majesty, by yielding to the earnest
solicitude of the House of Commons, and forbearing to
press further the adoption of those propositions on which
any material difference of opinion is yet remaining, would
2 K
MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
oy no means be understood to indicate any wish to shrink
from inquiry, but would only be deemed to afford a renewed
proof of the desire which her majesty has been graciously
jleased to express, to submit, her own wishes to the autho-
Hity of Parliament ; thereby entitling herself to the grateful
acknowledgments of the House of Commons, and sparing
this house the painful necessity of those public discussions,
which, whatever might be their ultimate result, could not but
be distressing to her majesty's feelings, disappointing to the
Hopes of Parliament, derogatory from the dignity of the
crown, and injurious to the best interests of the empire."
Mr. Stuart Worthy thought there was no other
alternative than the motion of his honourable
friend, or proceeding to an inquiry. If they
adopted the latter course, they must do so with
all its attendant evils before their eyes; they
would throw the country for months into a state
of agitation and alarm, and they would have their
houses and their families inundated with publi-
cations which every man must wish to avoid.
It appeared to him that her majesty might, with-
out any derogation from her rank and honour,
accede to the terms now proposed. She might
accede to them, to use the words of the nego-
tiation, without her majesty's admitting or the
king's retracting any thing. In all the confe-
rences which he and his honourable friend (Mr.
Wilberforce) had on the subject, they had endea-
voured so to shape the motion that it should be
kept clear of all party views.
Mr. Brougham said, he should endeavour to
express himself on this important question with
QUEEN CON. SORT OF ENGLANp. 247
candour, with a sincere respect for his honourable
friend, and in concurrence with what he con-
ceived to be the feelings of the country. He
would now call the attention of the house to the
result of the late negotiations, and the unfortu-
nate failure that had taken place. But although
they had failed, he would declare it as his opi-
nion, that in the course of these negotiations not
a little had been gained for her majesty. For
the only basis on which the queen would consent
to treat, was, that of being fully acknowledged in
her high rank and title, and this basis, although
at first refused, was now fully acknowledged.
The only point in which she was always inflexible
— that which admitted of no alternative, and for
which she looked up to no equivalent, was au
unqualified recognition of her rights and privi-
leges as Queen of England ; and that recognition
was granted before ever the conferences were
opened. He should notice another material point
which had been gained by her majesty. Without
attempting to impute blame to any body, he
must say, that the queen, on her arrival lately in
this country, was not treated in any way with
that respect which was due to her exalted rank.
But siiK'e the commencement of the negotiations,
a very different treatment was proposed to be
observed towards her ; for, instead of being
allowed to travel in a common packet, all the
pomp, pride, and circumstance, which usually
attended the voyages of the highest royal per-
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248 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
sonages, were now offered to her, in case of her
departing from the country. Some persons might
say that he overrated those advantages ; but
these little things were of considerable moment ;
indeed, they were of as much value, as the omis-
sion of them would be a mark of degradation. In
this instance, therefore, a material point had been
gained. There was another circumstance, how-
ever, where no small advantage was gained. If
the queen was not to be recognised at foreign
courts, something very nearly approaching to
such recognition was conceded to her. In what-
ever country she should reside on the Continent,
she was to be announced to the court of that
country by the representative of the sovereign,
as queen of England, and there to be treated as
such. And last of all, there was a further pro-
ceeding, which he did not consider as immaterial ;
that was the consent given, that addresses should
be presented to the king and queen by both
houses of Parliament ; and that these addresses
should be presented to them together. Now,
would any gentleman recollect that four months
ago there was no possibility of getting the gen-
tlemen opposite to mention the name of the Queen.
She was then called an " Illustrious Personage"—
" a Person of high Consideration" — " a Great
Lady" — " a Lady of Great Distinction"—" a Lady
of high Character, whose interests were deeply
connected with this or that question," with fifty
other studied periphrases, for the purpose of
QUEEN CONSORT OF, ENGLAND^ 249
avoiding that word now so ready in all mouths —
" The Queen." Nothing was now heard of but —
" The Queen,"— " Her Majesty's Rank,"—" Her
Majesty's Dignity," — " Her Majesty's Honour," —
" Her Majesty's Law Advisers," — " Her Majesty's
Rights," and so on. Now her Majesty was to have
yachts for the channel, frigates and ships of war
for the Mediterranean, or to go to and fro as she
pleased ; and last of all came the address of his
Honourable friend, in which her majesty was, ad-
mitted to possess all the rights and privileges of
queen. This address was to be carried to the foot
of her majesty's throne, thanking her in the name
of Parliament for her most gracious condescen-
sion. However, the queen's advisers might have
resolved to proceed upon the inquiry, and to open
the green bag, he would ask, whether it behoved
Parliament to sanction the queen's resistance,
until a step further was granted. It had been
said, that the question of the Liturgy was not so
much a sine qua non, as a thing that ought not to
be contended for. He could at once supersede
the necessity of this argument. The Liturgy cer-
tainly was not so far a sine qua non as not to admit
of an equivalent. Her majesty required such a
basis, as should support her honour and her dig-
nity. When the question of residence came to
be discussed, in the late conferences, it was con-
sidered that, from motives of convenience to the
queen herself, and from the inconvenience which
would arise if two separate courts were held in
250 MEMOIRS OF CAROL INK,
this country, it might be more agreeable to hei
majesty's wishes, and more conducive to her per-
sonal comforts to go abroad. The question then
was, whether such departure from the country
would not be liable to great misconstruction, while
charges were still hanging over her majesty,
without being rebutted ; and whether something
was not to be done, in order to prevent such
misconstruction of her majesty's conduct. Her
legal advisers, therefore, in order to settle this
matter first, required that her name should be re-
stored to the Liturgy. Having assisted at the
negotiations, he thought it necessary to . state
this fact. From what he was in the habit of
noticing in various places — from what he could
collect to be the sense of that house, and from
the overwhelming majority which was known
to exist in favour of the queen among the people
out of doors, he was sure that the restoration of
her majesty's name to the Liturgy would render
the success of a negotiation certain, without the
possibility of any dishonour to her majesty. He
solemnly assured the house, that this very thing-
would produce all the effect that could be wished
for, and he was sure that it was the only remain-
ing obstacle towards an accommodation. By-
placing the name in the Liturgy, every obstacle
would be surmounted. This was a fact which he
had no more hesitation in asserting, than that he
was now standing on the floor of that house.
Without meaning to throw any blame against
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND: 251
ministers to whom he had been so often opposed
in that house, he must, in common with numbers
of others, express his deep regret at the omission
of her majesty's name in the Liturgy ; but by how
much the more the act ought not to have been
done, by so much the more ease it might now be
undone. It might now be with every kind of pro-
priety undone, on the ground that the doing it
was not only impolitic, but illegal. There was no
law in the country which gave a power to the
king to alter the Liturgy by an order in council.
The law said, that in all prayers relating to the
royal family, the names should be changed from
time to time, and fitted to the present occasion.
Nothing more was done than this : than at the
demise of one sovereign, the name of another was
inserted; and instead of Queen Charlotte, the
words Queen Caroline ought now to stand in the
Liturgy. This he conceived to be sufficient for
Parliament, to enable it to get out of the great
difficulty in which it was now placed. It was no
answer to his argument to say, that the queen was
prayed for along with the other members of the
royal family. Whether the exclusion of the name
did or did not exclude her majesty from the
prayers of the church, was not the question now
to be considered ; for it did not follow that the
king ought to have ordered that exclusion to take
place. The real question was, whether the act
was not unlawful and unconstitutional. In mat
ters of this kind, every thing was a degradation
252 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
which was contrary to old established usage
Former Queens of England had always been prayed
for by name, and to cease thus to pray for a
queen, could only tend to degrade her in the eyes
of the world. The allusion that had been mao^e to
the Queen of George I., was only an offensive ag
gravation of the wrong that had been done in the
present instance. His honourable friend had said
that the duke was not prayed for by name ; but
it should be understood that the Duke of York
was only heir presumptive to the crown ; and
that, as circumstances might occur by which he
would cease to be heir presumptive, it would be
an awkward thing to pray for him by name, and
afterwards take his name out of the Liturgy. But
if his royal highness was heir apparent, the cast
would be quite different. There was no instance
however, of the wife of the sovereign having been
struck out of the Liturgy. The Queen Consort
of this kingdom was invested with very high and
peculiar prerogatives; she enjoyed many privi-
leges above all other women ; and what was most
important for the house to consider, she ought to
be viewed as the stock which the people of the
country were to look up to for the continuance of
the royal line, and for the preservation of the line
of succession to the throne. He was not alluding
to the present queen ; he was speaking of the
Queen of England generally, and if by any sort ot
degradation a suspicion were to fall upon a Queen
of England, the greatest evils might fall on the na-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 253
tion, in case of a disputed successor to the throne.
Every possible protection should, therefore, be
afforded to the queen ; and every care should be
taken that the succession should not be tainted
even by the suspicion of a spurious offspring.
Yet, in opposition to those sound constitutional
principles, see what the ministers had done. The
king and queen were living separate ; it was pos-
sible they might come together again ; no matter
whether the queen was fifty-two or twenty-two
years of age. While thus separated, a,n order in
council was issued for degrading her, and an impu-
tation thrown on her character, which might bring
into dispute the succession to the throne. The
same thing might be done with any other queen ;
and every body must see how contrary it was to
the fundamental principles, and the safety of our
constitution. As ministers, then, were the authors
of this act, he called upon them to undo it. Let
the concession that was now required come from
them : it would be no more than making an atone-
ment for their error. The queen could not accede
to any thing until this concession was first made ;
for if she did, she was degraded every Sunday,
in every church in England. He cared not whether
foreign countries knew this omission in our Liturgy
or not ; it was sufficient that the injury was known
all over this kingdom. His proposition was, to
carry an address to the foot of the throne, for the
restoration of the queen's name in the Liturgy.
Why should ministers be afraid to carry this ad-
2 JL
2 ":4 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
dress ? Let them not fear that any such act of
justice would lead to their discountenance by the
king, for he was too noble to feel any resentment
towards them for what they should do on such
an occasion ; and if they should be displaced for
such an act, let them not be afraid that it would
cause the loss of their places ; for after such a
generous act, he wished to see the men who
would be so rash or presumptuous as to take the
places from which they were removed, for an
honest and conscientious discharge of their duty.
What he had said was this, and he called upon
any man in the house to controvert it — that if
complying with the wishes of the House of Com-
mons, any set of ministers were to lose their
places, he should like to see the man that would
accept power, after having refused to comply with
these wishes. He would fain hope that the house
had got to the close of those preliminary discus-
sions; and that any further agitation of it should
take place only with a view to a conclusive ad-
justment. He fervently prayed that this was the
last time that any preliminary business would be
discussed. He entreated the house to consider
how the matter stood at that crisis. The house
was going on from day to day revolving this most
unpleasant subject, and nothing final was doing.
We are going on from day to day ; but something
else is going on elsewhere. Much irritation — great
and serious discontent — factious intermeddling —
much misrepresentation of facts to factious pur-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND.
poses — all this, I will not say has happened, but
by every day's delay is rendered more probable
and imminent. I express my hope, therefore,
that these discussions will terminate from the
sincerest conviction of the public interest, as well
from my private feelings, to which it is so painful
day after day to be compelled to differ from so
many of those persons whom I respect.
Lord Castlereagh declared, that there never was
any reluctance on the part of ministers to re-
cognize the Queen of England under all those
circumstances, which by right belonged to her.
They had at once acknowledged her as dejure
Queen of England, and he begged to recall to the
attention of the house, that when the arrangements
for the royal family came under discussion at a
former time, he (Lord Castlereagh) had stated to
the house that he should feel it his duty to pro-
pose some provision for the late Princess of
Wales, then become Queen of England — so that
her capacity as queen was never once disputed.
Again, when the propositions which min s ers
had deemed it their duty to have proffered to
her were submitted to her, they were submitted
to her as Queen of England, calling upon her for
a surrender, not of her legal capacity of queen,
bat of those circumstances belonging to her
elevated situation, which it had been thought
advisable she should lay down It could not be
therefore imputed, with any justice to ministers,
that they delayed to acknowledge the alteration
2L 2
256 MEMOIRS OF CAROriXF,
in her majesty's circumstances. If the honour-
able member felt that the insertion of her majesty's
name was of such importance as he seemed
desirous of making the house believe — then,
indeed, he must have been the most supine, or
the most feeble of advisers, if he suffered the
resolution of the council, by virtue of which the
exclusion had taken place, to sleep upon their
books for forty-eight hours, without one effort to
vindicate the privileges or the rights of her
majesty, which this omission might be supposed
to violate. Even when the exclusion had been
on a former occasion, brought under the attention
of the house, what was the language of the
learned gentleman ? Why he (Mr. Brougham)
declared in his place in Parliament, that the
complaint of the omission of her majesty's name,
was too insignificant for a thought ; that it was
a trifle light as air ; and that the only question
which the house ought to consider as worthy of
their serious notice was, what was the legal
character of her majesty? The honourable and
learned member manifested uneasiness, even that
it should be thought necessary to urge the in-
sertion of her majesty's name in the Liturgy, for
that she was de jure queen, and the insertion or
omission of her name in the Prayer Book, was a
matter wholly irrelevant to her right to be treated
as queen. Would the honourable member attempt
to deny this ? Would he attempt to say, that he
held a different opinion from that which he had
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND: 257
expressed ? If her majesty's confidential servants
thought the insertion in the Liturgy of so much
moment, why did they permit the ministers of
the crown to enter upon the negotiation under
a delusion ? He had reason to complain that the
honourable and learned member opposite (Mr.
Brougham) had acted upon what he should call
a system of tergiversation upon this question ; in
having first assigned certain points as the basis
of accommodation, and then brought others
forward without any previous intimation what-
ever. From such a system no satisfactory ad-
justment could possibly be anticipated. His
majesty's ministers had never refused any thing
which they were not still prepared to refuse ; nor
had he at any time given any council to the
crown which he should be disposed to retract.
(The noble lord sat down amidst loud and con-
tinued cheers.)
Lord Archibald Hamilton did not see that any
good could re-suit from the proposition now
before the house. The extent to which that
proposition went, was this, that the party injured
should be still further injured: and that the
ministers, by whom the injury was done, should
claim of her majesty a paramount acquiescence,
in order to entitle her to partial relief. He had
intended before to offer a proposition to the
house upon this question, but was restrained by
the honourable gentleman on the Treasury bench,
who talked of delicacy, and urged the propriety
258 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
of abstaining from public disclosures. But to
him it certainly appeared that her majesty would
gain infinitely more from any public exposition
of facts, than she could by this resolution. There
was one point in the speech of his honourable and
learned friend (Mr. Brougham) which deserved
particular attention. It was this — that if the
house should give an opinion that the queen
ought to be restored to the full possession of her
rights, it would be a disrespect, not to his
majesty, but to his ministers, who had advised
their being withheld. The king, acting under
heir special advice, could not be responsible in
the affair. They had not, it was true, advised
his majesty to strike the queen's name out of the
Liturgy, but they had advised its being omitted,
which amounted, in effect, to the same thing, so
far as her dignity was concerned. But the noble
lord had said, that under the term royal family,
her majesty was regularly prayed for ; so was
his majesty under the same designation. But
there was still an express mention of his name
in the Liturgy, and if it should be an injustice to
omit it with respect to him, he saw no reason
why it would not be equally so, as the case ap-
plied to the queen. The noble lord then moved
an amendment, the purport of which was, that
the house felt sensible of the pain which the re-
linquishment of any of her rights must occasion
to her majesty ; and felt convinced, that the in-
sertion of her name in the Liturgy would be the
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 259
means of preventing the necessity of an investiga-
tion which, however it might terminate, must be
as distressing to her majesty's feelings as it would
be derogatory to the dignity of the crown, and the
honour of the nation.
Mr. Denman said, that no tergiversation, as the
noble lord would represent, ever took place on
the part of her majesty's advisers with regard to
the question now under consideration. He could
recall circumstances to the mind of the noble
lord which must convince him of the truth of this
assertion, and make him retract the statements
he had made. That both parties had met on the
basis that her majesty was to reside abroad, he
was not disposed to deny ; yet he had said, in
the first instance, when this proposition was made,
that he should not feel satisfied if her majesty
was not put in complete possession of her rights
as queen, and treated with that respect in foreign
states to which from her high rank she was en-
titled. Another mode of adjustment was then
proposed, and perhaps her majesty's advisers
had gone too far in meeting the views of those
with whom they had to treat ; but certainly they
had never deviated in the least from the fixed
principle they had laid down when agreeing to
her majesty's residence abroad. It was true,
that the question of the Liturgy had not been
mentioned, nor did he think it necessary, because
he believed that the express mention of her ma-
jesty's name was absolutely comprehended in her
260 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
rights as Queen of England. This argument he
should always maintain, and should be ready to
debate the question over and over again, upon
the grounds that her majesty's name must ne-
cessarily be restored to the Liturgy, by her
rights and privileges as queen being recognised.
If the king had his place in the Liturgy, it was
no less a principle of right that the queen should
have her's likewise. As to the case of the queen
of George I. to which allusions had been made,
it was not at all in point. She had been guilty
of certain practices in Hanover, which com-
promised her character, and was never considered
as Queen of England. On the continent she lived
under the designation of Princess of Halle, and
though the Prince of Wales had afterwards called
her to to this country for the purpose of embar-
rassing the government of his father to which he
happened to be opposed, still she was never re-
cognised in any other character than as Electress
of Hanover. With respect to the instances of
the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cumberland,
whose names had been erased from the Liturgy,
they were equally inapplicable ; and the rule as
it referred to them, would have been more
honoured in the breach than in the observance.
Exclusions of this description reflected but little
credit on the royal family ; and if there was any
case in which there ought to be a spirit of con-
ciliation and forbearance, it was when differences
existed about praying to the Great Father of
QUEEK CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 261
Mercy, to whom all ought to make their appeal ,
and whose forgiveness some who were now
present might feel themselves called upon to im-
plore, for the injuries done to the illustrious
individual whose cause he so humbly advocated.
The noble lord, however, would have it, that her
majesty was of course prayed for in the prayer
for the royal family. Admitted ; what then ? As
well might the noble lord have said, that her
majesty's name was included in the prayer for
all sorts and conditions of men. This was quite
as good an answer as he could make to the sin-
gular proposition of the noble lord. The noble
lord had said, that the omission of her majesty's
name, was a measure decided upon by the king
himself in his closet. Who was the king in his
closet ? He knew of no king in his closet existing
in this country. During her majesty's residence
in Italy, no notification of the death of the late
king was made to her majesty ; yet though no
information of events in England was given to the
queen, it was not for want of a facility of access
to the country where she then resided, as was
proved by the fact of the Milan Committee having
been then sitting, and in regular communication
with the cabinet at home. That committee made
its report, and was it not, he would ask, an
eternal stigma on the laws and administration of
the country, if, upon such report her majesty had
been held guilty, without affording her the op-
portunity of vindicating her honour. If there
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262 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
were not good and substantial grounds for the
proceeding adopted, it was one of the most
flagrant violations of justice and daring assaults
on freedom, that any minister ever yet had the
hardihood to recommend to an arbitrary govern-
ment. What was it that was done in this case ?
Her majesty had been prejudged — she had not
been confronted with the witnesses against her.
Her guilt was taken as certain, and she was thus
left without th£ power of openly proving her
innocence. But what right was there to pre-
sume upon her criminality in the smallest degree,
no charge being made against her ? Why was the
sword to be held suspended over the head of the
queen ? The reason was — she had come to En-
gland—this was her whole crime. Yes, the grand
accusation against her was, that she had come to
this country to meet her enemies face to face,
and dare them to impeach her. The noble lord
opposite had said, that ministers could not now
propose to the king a retraction of steps ; or, ia
other words, that if their views were not carried
into effect they must lose their places. He
hoped this assertion had not been in conse-
quence of any previous communication with any
party, for then the question would be, not whether
the queen was guilty or not, but whether mi-
nisters were to lose their places. It was hardly
fair or honourable to mix up with the considera-
tion of guilt in a woman these political specula-
tions. If there was an imputation of guilt, her
J
QUEEN CONSQP.T OF ENGLAND. 265
majesty was ready to meet the charge ; she had
given proofs of it by her coming to this country.
Indeed after what had passed at St. Omer's, she
had hardly any option but to come here. There
was no other course left her, charged as she was,
and the question of whether she had a yacht, or
a palace, was of minor importance compared
with that. However, it could not be concealed
that her majesty must have contrasted her recep-
tion in 1820, from that she had met with in 1795,
when she first came to this country. He wished
much things had not led her majesty to draw
this melancholy contrast, and he applauded the
feelings of the people, who shewed so much en-
thusiasm towards a fellow woman. Why should
it be charged upon her, that she came hither in a
hired packet, or took up her lodging at a private
house ; it was no fault of her's, it was a conse-
quence of the system of measures adopted by
ministers towards that high personage. Why lay
to her charge that she overlooked the punctilio
of form due to her station ? All this she was
content to risk ; she only recollected that she
was in the nature of one accused ? Having en-
deavoured to point out the injustice to which her
majesty was exposed, he would conclude by
leaving her case with confidence in the hands of
the members of that house, convinced, that as
gentlemen, and men of honour, they would feel
the full force of such an appeal.
Sir Francis Burdett said he should endeavour to
2 M 9
261< MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
look at the question with an unprejudiced mind,
and abstain from saying a word that could be con-
strued into the expression of want of respect to
either party. The honourable mover of the ad-
dress had, in his opinion, given a very erroneous
view of the subject. The house were not in a
dilemma. There was no possibility to their con-
senting that the green bag should be opened, con-
sulting, as they did, the interest of the royal
family and the public. As to the question regard-
ing the insertion of the queen's name in the
Liturgy, whether that was a matter of right or
not, was of no importance. The noble lord
(Castlereagh) had at one time said, that no insult
was intended by the omission ; and soon after ad-
mitted that there was, by declaring that the mea-
sure was adopted in consequence of the charges
contained against her in the green bag, which
were upon the vilest authority. The noble lord
had advised the omission upon those grounds, and
then was surprised that her majesty had objected
to it. After having used all the circumlocution of
which he and his colleagues were masters, to avoid
calling her majesty the queen, ministers wondered
at her demanding that point of honour, which it
would be better for her to yield every thing than
for a moment think of giving up. Now he who
held a threat in one hand, and a bribe in the
other — what was to be thought of him ? Her
majesty knew nothing of the process which was
intended to be instituted against her ; but a threat
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 26$
was held out against her, which she naturally con-
sidered a threat against her life. It was, how-
ever, conditional. She rejected the condition
with contempt. She refused the money which
ministers were prodigal enough to offer, and came
boldly forward to meet the charge. This was
indeed a proof of as great magnanimity as that
which had distinguished the conduct of the Duke
of Wellington, and furnished most powerful pre-
sumption ot innocence, for she appeared in England
under an imputation sufficient to break any spirit.
The noble lord denied that a bribe had been offered.
This was something like one of the characters in
a play — Foigard, he believed — who was asked
by a girl, whether taking money is not bribe, and
said, " If you take money first, it is a bribe ; but if
you take it afterwards, it is only a remuneration."
Ministers acted on this principle, but her majesty
rejected their remuneration. Then they came
down with their green bag. Now, if they had
made up their minds to pursue the threatened
course — if they had advised the king to pursue it,
there could be no means of retracting it — there
was no possibility of an alternative : for, if there
was the possibility of an alternative, there could
be no justification. When he considered the
misfortunes of this high-minded and unhappy
lady, placed as she was in a situation which
afforded her no defence such as other womei
were able to command, without control of any
kind, and broken from almost all connection
266 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
frith her family, he could not hesitate to declare,
bat if she had misconducted herself in the manner
attributed to her, there did not exist a person
with the feelings of a man who would not shed
tears of pity, instead of pursuing her with an arm
of vengeance under the mask of friendship. The
king he believed to . be incapable of conduct so
little calculated to keep up the dignity of the
crown. For his majesty there was a variety of
excuses. Who could tell what the conduct of
those pick-thanks and miscreants might have
been, who had collected them from sources as
vile as themselves. They might have misled his
judgment, and irritated his passions. For his
majesty there was great excuse ; but what apo-
logy was there for ministers ? There was nothing
to blind their judgment ; and, if they saw that
base persons were whispering in the royal ear,
their minds were calm, and they had the addi-
tional obligation of an oath to speak the truth to
the king. If they yielded to his passions, they
were the worst of traitors. If ministers had
advised his majesty to send down an accusation
in the green bag, they should have considered it
to all its parts. It was nothing to them whether
ihe was abroad or not. They were bound to
pursue one steady, inflexible course. No, they
said, she might riot abroad as much as she
pleased, and they would supply her with the
means of doing so. It was only when she should
come home that the green bag was to make its
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 267
appearance. The good sense of the house agreed
with him that that bag should never be opened.
The moment ministers said the thing was nego-
tiable, there was an end to all inquiry. The
honourable mover of the address had said, (but
whether that member was in the secret of minis-
ters or not, he could not tell) — that the green
bag contained such abominable disclosures of filth
as must stifle all morality. It was a strange way
of keeping up the dignity of the crown, to place
all those things before the public eye ! In fact,
nothing could be a more hostile course, even sup-
posing the contents to be true. But he believed
the green bag to be as false as it was filthy. At
all events, whether the imputations were true or
false, the house could not go into the question,
for no public interests were concerned ; and, if
they were, ministers had shown themselves willing
enough to compromise them. He had a right to
say they were false. This Pandora's box, without
hope at the bottom, whether it contained truth or
not, should never be opened. An honest coun-
cillor would advise his majesty not to proceed,
whatever might have been his impression. But
all this was done for no other purpose but that of
driving the queen out of the kingdom. Her reply
was, that she was determined to be the champion
of her own honour, and they might, if they pleased,
put their money in their pockets. They were
ready to grant her majesty any thing, would she
but consent to remove from them the embarrass-
268 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
merit of her presence ; but bhe had come to this
kingdom amidst the acclamations of the people,
and out of it she never would go under the hoot-
ings of her former admirers. It would be better
for her to lose twenty lives. Ministers, he be-
lieved, had not advised in this unfortunate case.
They came down most reluctantly, but they had
no alternative. An honest minister would, if he
felt a repugnance to any act which his master
wished to perform, say candidly, I cannot do it,
and not ran so dangerous a career as that in
which others were engaged. Ministers who
screwed their courage to such a course, should
take care that their heads did not follow. The
queen had acted with great judgment; she stood
in need of no advice, and she pursued the best.
If her majesty was fit to be addressed by that
house, she certainly was not fit to be the subject
of the contents of a green bag ; and, it was
extraordinary to him how a minister could come
forward with a green bag in one hand, and an
address in the other. But the worthy mover had
not said where the resolution was to go. It was
not known what was to be done with it. Whether
or not, the Speaker would be directed to go up
with his majesty's ministers to the queen with it.
At all events, the address was in good language
and respectful, and so far evidence against her
majesty being bad. But suppose the queen
refused the house — or suppose she refused to
answer if she did receive them. In feet, her
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 269
majesty could not return an answer. The Go-
vernment might take her fortune if they pleased',
but she could not part with her honour, even
though the plan of ministers might be to get an
opportunity of sneaking off with their green bag.
He protested against any inquiry in the name of
the king, the royal family, the queen, and the
country. The case could not be proceeded in if
the evidence were clear of all reproach. Minis-
ters were compounding high treason, or what was
as bad in effect. Was it not conduct like that of
the wretch who extorted money by threats of
some atrocious charge ? Even if the queen had
shrunk from the charge, it would have been far
from evidence of guilt. He had known men of
excellent characters who had given money to
escape imputation, and why might not a female
have shrunk from so tremendous a charge as that
with which the queen had been so basely threat-
ened? The House of Commons could not look
at those two parties engaged in a combat nearly
mortal, or patiently endure a contest which must
be one of destruction ? If his majesty's ministers
had only treated the queen with common decency
— if they had not exposed her to all the insults
of understrapping diplomacy, all this would not
have happened. What good sense, what policy
was there in irritating her majesty — in provoking
her to come over to this country, in which
her very breath seemed to Government to be
pestilential ? If she had not been insulted by his
2 N
270 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
majesty's ministers, she would not have troubled
them. Even if all that had been said of her
majesty was true, why send spies and pickthanks
to take it up, for the purpose of polluting England
with it ? Why not allow it to remain where it
was ? There was neither common sense nor
common honesty in the proceeding. In the first
place, ministers basely complied with wishes
which they ought to have contradicted. — Anxious
to avoid their constitutional responsibility, they
came to that house for advice. That step once
taken, it was impossible to retread it. Alarmed
at what they had done, when they were brought
to the test, and when nothing on earth ought to
have tempted them to change their determination,
they hesitated, and expressed a disposition to
compromise. The queen, that most unfortunate
lady, was pursued by one part of his majesty's
government for her vices, by another part for her
good qualities. She had been called amiable,
fascinating, generous, kind-hearted. He who
called her so, had talked of his " ardent affection,"
of that " ardent affection," he had given what
were surely the strangest proofs ! The right
honourable gentleman (Mr. Canning) must, of
course, be well acquainted with all the informa-
tion hostile to her majesty, which had been
crammed into the bag ; and yet, after having
consented to lay that bag on the table, he came
down to the house, and affected to talk of her
majesty as " the life, and grace, and ornament of
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 27
society. " Her majesty had so many virtues, it
Deemed, that she could not be allowed to remain
m England. Faction had " marked her for its
own/' The only faction, however, that had done
so, was the faction with which the right honour-
able gentleman had been connected. That fac-
tion had once held her up against her husband.
Who could tell whether the alienated mind of the
king (if alienated it was) might not be attributable
to that proceeding ? Who could tell what might not
have been the consequences of the proceedings of
that time when the queen was made use of by a
faction, which, having obtained its base purposes,
as basely deserted her 1 The right honourable
gentleman, however high his approbation of her
majesty, might still think it desirable to get rid
of her. But how could he reconcile that approba-
tion with the proposed mode of getting rid of her ?
If it had been proposed to her majesty to leave
the country with all the honours of war, it would
have been something ; but to send her to the con-
tinent by the explosion of the green bag, covered
with filth. The honourable baronet concluded by
a recapitulation of his arguments, and by again
protesting against adopting the dilemma adverted
to by the honourable member for Bramber. An
investigation founded on the green bag would be
fruitless, even for the purpose of those for whom
it might be instituted. If her majesty was as
deeply dyed in guilt as her bitterest enemies as-
serted, the people out of doors, if she were con-
272 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
vie ed on green bag information, would believe
her to be as white as snow. (The honourable
baronet sat down amidst the loudest cheers.)
Mr. Canning declared, that he would abstain
from all topics of irritation, decline the invitation
to combat thrown out by the honourable baronet,
and recall the attention of the house to the ques-
tion immediately before them — the last hope held
out of avoiding an inquiry which so large a part
of the house and the country earnestly deprecated.
Upon another occasion he should avail himself of
a proper opportunity of answering the most bois-
terous accusers, and the loudest cheers. He as-
sured the house, that if the queen had not re-
turned to this country, all idea of charge would
have been given up ; but her return left no alter-
native, and it became necessary either to acknow-
ledge her majesty, and place her in possession of
all the privileges of queen, or to show the reasons
for not doing so.
Mr. Titrney began by observing, that the speech
of the honourable baronet was one which the
right honourable gentleman (Mr. Canning) could
not answer : such a speech degraded the adminis-
tration, and the right honourable gentleman should
wait until its impression had worn away, before
he could hope that his arguments would have in-
fluence or success. He then proceeded to con-
sider the original resolution, and expressed his
regret that he could not vote with member for
Bramber, as the motives of every man who did
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 273
not were liable to be misconstrued ; but still his
sense of duty was superior to his fear of misap-
prehension. He thought the resolution was of a
nature to commit the house. It was right to take
into consideration what the opinion of the other
house might be, if a similar proposition was laid
before it. How it might be received was not to
be guessed at. Some time should at least be
given which might at least avert some difficulties.
He thought the debate ought to be adjourned. If
it were adjourned to to-morrow, her majesty's de-
termination could also be known. It would be
impossible that an inquiry could be proceeded in,
if the resolution was passed. Yet the noble lord
had pressed the house for inquiry— had spoken of
its absolute and immediate necessity ; and now
he declared he would vote for this proposition.
"Was such conduct consistent, manly, dignified —
was it, in short, intelligible ? That noble lord,
when he urged an inquiry, would have it to be the
only mode which could secure the honour of the
crown and the interests of the country; yet the
resolution of the honourable member for Bramber
went so far as to say, that an investigation would
produce no honour to the crown, and be injurious
to the interests of the state. Here were the two
opinions diametrically opposite ; yet the noble
lord supported each in turn, and surmounted all
their inconsistency by a logic peculiar to himself.
Mr. Brougham rose to make some explanations^
He said that he was anxious that her majesty
274 MEMOIRS OF CAROLlNEy
should not be loaded with any new difficulties
before her day of trial. He had been misunder-
stood when the said, speaking of her majesty's
name having been omitted in the Liturgy, that it
was " a trifle light as air : " he considered the
recognition as a trifle ; for her claim to that title
was clearly independent of such a recognition.
She was the Queen of England as long as she
was the king's wedded wife, and whether her
name was continued in the Liturgy or not, it could
not alter this paramount consideration. He did
not think it necessary to adjourn, in order to learn
the queen's determination, no more than it would
be necessary in passing an order of council, to
send for instance to America, to learn how it was*
likely to affect those to whom it applied. It had
been said that the queen was soundly advised
when dissuaded from returning to this country.
He (Mr. B.) had not dissuaded her from returning
at all ; that question had never been started, but
he advised her to suspend her journey for a few
days, until a courier should return to St. Omer's
from this country. He never advised her to ab-
stain altogether. It had been said also, that the ad-
vice which had prompted her to a hasty return wi
far from being judicious. But he (Mr. B.) veril;
believed that her only adviser in that step had beei
her own great spirit. It reflected lasting honoui
upon her, though it would not have reflected th<
same honour upon any other adviser. It prove*
her consciousness of innocence, and her fearless-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. . 275
ness to her meet accusers. He then said a few
words on the proposal from Lord Liverpool to the
queen, which had remained with himself for
several months without being produced. He said
that he had not received it as a communication to
be forwarded quam primus ; but as one on which
it would be necessary to have a personal inter-
view. She was at the time, when he received it,
in Italy — he could not go there for the purpose of
delivering it on account of other avocations, and
the necessity of his being on the spot to defend
the interests of her majesty, if they should become
incidentally the subject of debate. He added,
that it was not then the time to relate the extra-
ordinary circumstances which had prevented its
delivery by the hands of a noble friend of his,
who could have discharged the duty as he ought.
He cpncluded by stating, that the queen could
not safely give up those points on which the
negotiation had failed.
Mr. C. H. Hutchinson made a long and able
statement in vindication of the conduct of his
noble relative (Lord Hutchinson), who had made
the proposal to the queen at St. Omer's. He
expressed also his opinion, that her majesty was
badly advised in making a precipitate return to
England ; but he declared himself hostile to all
proceedings by green bags and secret committees.
He would vote for none but the most public and
open investigation. Some remarks which he
made upon what had fallen from Mr. Brougham
276 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
relative to lord Hutchinson not having had any
official instruction, called up
Mr. Brougham, who declared that he was as
anxious for the vindication of Lord Hutchinson's
character as the honourable member could be,
but the time was not yet come. He had not, as
was stated, expressed indignation and astonish-
ment at the proposal made by Lord Hutchinson ;
but her majesty had done so.
The Speaker put the question, when the amend-
ment of Lord A. Hamilton was negatived without
a division. The house then divided on the reso-
lution moved by Mr. Wilberforce : Ayes, 391 —
Noes, 124. Majority in favour of the original
motion, 267.
A conversation now arose as to the mode in
which the resolution was to be presented to her
majesty.
The Speaker said, the usual mode was to com-
municate it to some of the officers of her majesty's
household.
Mr. Denman hoped it would be conveyed in the
most respectful manner; and he was confident it
must be the wish of the house to do so.
Mr. Wilberforce, Mr. S. Wortley, Sir T. Ack-
land, and Mr. Bankes, were then named and ap-
pointed to wait upon her majesty, and present to
her the resolution of the house.
Mr. Tierney wished to know from the noble
lord, if it was to be understood that ministers
assented to have the address presented to her
CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 277
majesty with the usual ceremony observed in
addresses to the royal consort ?
Lord Castlereagh thought that the nature of the
debate would furnish a proper answer to the right
honourable gentleman.
Mr. Tierney : Does the noble lord know where
her majesty is to be found ?
Lord Castlereagh said, that was a consider-
ation for the gentlemen who were to present it
to her.
The extraordinary interest which is attached to
the proceedings of Parliament in this most mo-
mentous question, unparalleled in its general
nature, and unexampled in its effects upon the
peace and tranquillity of the country, imposes
upon us the imperious duty of giving the argu-
ments at full, as an almost official character is
thereby given to the events as they have arisen,
or may in future arise, and many circumstances
are thus brought into one focus connected with
the illustrious parties, which would otherwise
never have been exposed to public investigation.
How far that investigation will tend to the estab-
lishment of the innocence of the illustrious indi-
vidual it would be presumption at present to
declare ; but there are a few points connected
with the preceding debate, which we think it
desirable to press upon the attention of the
public.
In the first place, it is material to observe, as
2o
278 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
an indication of the temper of the House of Com-
mons, that Lord A. Hamilton's amendment was
negatived without a division. That amendment
had for its object to recommend the restoration
of her majesty's name to the Liturgy. This it
appears, in the present stage of the proceedings,
is the great object of contention ; and no one
will deny that her majesty justly feels the impor-
tance of the restoration of her name in the Li-
turgy, as without it, she exposes herself to a
positive renunciation of her dignity as Queen of
England in foreign courts, and to certain indig-
nities in this country from which she ought to be
kept exempt. We will simply notice the follow-
ing instance of the effect of her name not being
included in the Liturgy. A short time since, the
directors of a well-conducted and excellent insti-
tution for the relief of aged and infirm women of
good character, desirous of availing themselves of
public benevolence in aid of its funds, by the
usual method of a charity sermon, applied to the
reverend rector of an extensive parish in the city.
The reverend gentleman readily granted the use
of his pulpit, and not only undertook to advocate
their cause himself by a sermon on the Sunday
morning, but also prevailed upon the reverend
doctor, the lecturer at the same church, to preach
in behalf of the society in the afternoon. In the
infancy of this society, her Majesty, then Princess
of Wales, had been solicited to become its pa-
troness, to which she had not only consented, but
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 279
at the same time subscribed liberally to its funds ;
and to this her early countenance was to be ascrib-
ed the subsequent patronage of the late Princess
Charlotte, Prince Leopold, the late Duke of Kent,
and other branches of the royal family. This
patronage was of course acknowledged in all their
publications ; and in every notice of sermons to be
preached in its behalf, the society had uniformly
been described as under the patronage of the
Princess of Wales. The committee, suspecting
no impropriety, accordingly, in their printed
notice of these two sermons, announced the
society as patronised by the queen's most excel-
lent majesty ; but on a copy of this notice, toge-
ther with the printed account of the society, being
transmitted to the reverend rector, as is usual in
like cases, a few days previously to the day ap-
pointed for the sermon, he not only expressed
great surprise at the insertion of her majesty's
name, but appeared highly indignant that he
should be expected to notice from the pulpit the
name of a woman whom the council had forbid
him to pray for in the Liturgy, and peremptorily
refused to suffer the sermons to be preached un-
less they withdrew the notice, and circulated
others, omitting the queen's name. To this act
of ingratitude and injustice the committee were
most unwilling to submit ; the rector, however,
was immovable ; other notices were consequently
substituted, with the omission, not only of her
ma;esty's name, but, to avoid invidious distinc-
2 o 2
280 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
tion, of the names of all the illustrious personages
to whose patronage the institution was so highly
indebted for its present prosperity.
It has been already stated, that the customary
honours were refused to her as Queen of Eng-
land by the government of Rome, on account of
her name not being included in the Liturgy, and
as her future abode in an Italian state was at this
time in contemplation, it was necessary for the
establishment of her future rank at foreign courts,
that her name should be restored to the Liturgy.
Lord Castlereagh, however, insinuated in his
speech, that the restoration of her majesty's
name to the Liturgy, appeared to him to be an
after thought, as it was not brought forward at
the commencement of the negotiation ; and there-
fore it bore the aspect of being introduced for
the purpose of throwing a fresh obstacle in the
way of an amicable arrangement of the differ-
ences.
This supposition of Lord Castlereagh's was,
however, satisfactorily refuted by Mr. Brougham
the following evening in the House of Commons ;
when, he said, he trusted that the house would
give him leave to supply an omission that he had
made on the preceding night, although it was cer-
tainly a little irregular. It was an omission which
had occurred when the discussion took place, and
which was not brought to his mind until this
morning, (the 23d,) when he received a commu-
nication from her majesty, reminding him of the
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 281
fact of having made it. In answer to the ques-
tion of the noble lord, relative to the point of the
Liturgy having been brought forward at so late a
period of the negotiation, he ought, undoubtedly,
in justice to that illustrious princess, to have ex-
plained, that as soon as her majesty knew of the
omission of her name, with which she became ac-
quainted upon receiving the Gazette at her place
of residence upon the continent, she did imme-
diately address a letter to one of his majesty's
ministers, in order to complain of it. This was
the state of the fact, and he felt it incumbent on
him to bring it before the house. He was bound,
at the same time, in justice to all parties, to say,
that between the time of such communication
from her majesty, and the commencement of the
conferences, no mention had been made of the
circumstance.
Lord Castlereagh admitted that he had been in-
formed of such a letter having been received by a
noble friend of his ; he certainly last night did
express his wonder at the lateness of the period
at which the omission of her majesty's name had
been alluded to in the course of the conference ;
but he would now mention, that the argument he
had endeavoured to raise was, not that the ques-
tion of the Liturgy did not previously exist in her
majesty's mind, but that it was not brought on till
some time after the negotiations had been entered
into ; — that, so far as regarded those negotiations,
it appeared to have been an after thought.
282 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Mr. Denman begged to say, that the fact of such
a letter having been sent on the 15th of March,
and of its not having been received until the 29th
of the same month, was not known to him until it
had been this morning notified to him by her ma-
jesty.
So far, therefore, as the restoration of her ma-
jesty's 'name to the' Liturgy formed a part of her
demands, it appears certain, that her majesty re-
monstrated against the withdrawing of it, as soon
as the omission was, made known to her, and she
afterwards insisted upon the restoration of it, or
an equivalent for it, as a sine qua non of the basis
on which an arrangement of the differences could
be effected. The parliament now asks her to
relinquish that point, and that in that relinquish-
ment, the house would not consider that she had
compromised her honour, " but it would be spared
the painful necessity of those public discussions, which
whatever might be their ultimate result, could not but
be distressing to her majesty's feelings, disappointing
to the hopes of parliament, derogatory from the dig-
nity of the crown, and injurious to the best interests of
the empire."
Now it must be admitted that in regard to the
rights and privileges of the queen, there has been
shewn, on the part of the ministers, a kind of
lawyer-like quibbling, which hurts their cause,
strong as it may be in their own opinion. They
propose to her majesty to abstain from the exercise-
of the rights and privileges of queen, with certain
QUEEN CONSCm-T OF ENGLAND. 283
exceptions — but they do not call upon her to
renounce any of them. This is really the ne plus ultra
of finesse. She is to be queen and no queen —
she is to be in possession of certain rights and
privileges, but she is by no means to exercise
them. Ministers have no doubt in this case the
support of majorities in parliament, but he must
be very little acquainted with what is passing
around him, who does not know that the sense
of a very great majority of all ranks and classes
of the country are against them. Indeed no
question has in an equal degree excited the interest
of the public for many years. But the feeling is
all on one side. It originates in the love of justice
and real regard for the sex, which exists, we firmly
believe, in this country in a greater degree than in
any other country in Europe. The unmeaning
gallantry of the continent, the eternal parade of
obsequious attention to females which we meet
with whenever we cross the Channel, can only
deceive the superficial observer.
It is, however, gratifying to observe, that the
king, by the language expressed in the course of
the former interesting discussion in parliament, is
represented in the light in which he should and does
appear to every person of good feeling and com-
mon reflection, and which has hitherto been mis-
taken or misrepresented only by faction, or the
most wilful prejudice. The language of Sir
Francis Burdett, respecting the painful situation
of his majesty, in his personal relation to this
284 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
unfortunate affair, did him infinite credit, and
Mr. Tierney even considered that the idea of
forcing upon the king's feelings a galling retrac-
tion, could not for a moment be entertained. If
fault has been committed, and we are far from
being disposed to attach it to either party with-
out the most mature consideration, it does seem
in this instance, to rest solely with ministers, and
a fault they do seem to have committed at the
very outset. There was too much of petty
hostility in their first movements, for they at-
tempted to arrive at their object by the form of
official manoeuvring through an intermediate agent.
Had they communicated directly with the queen —
had they ascertained her sentiments — had they
negotiated with her on the basis of frankness and
moderation — it is highly probable that the scan-
dalous notoriety which has already taken place
would have been avoided. But there is a perverse
vanity or instinct in man, which tempts him to
endeavour to obtain his ends by tortuous means,
rather than by a straight-forward course. It is as
true in morals as it is in mathematics, that the
right line is the shortest from any given point to
another.
In the house of peers on the 23d, ministers were
not present, but Lord Grey rose, and stated, that
it had been his intention to put a question to Lord
Liverpool if he had seen the noble lord in his
place, the object of which, was to discover
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 285
whether ministers had it in contemplation to alter
their course of proceeding upon the question rela-
tive to her majesty, or to persevere in the inquiry
by a secret committee. His lordship observed
that the question had now assumed a character
altogether new, that the resolution which had
been carried by ministers, aided by a large majo-
rity in the House of Commons, declaring an inquiry
" whatever might be its result, to be derogatory
to the interests of the crown, and injurious to the
best interests of the country," was of itself a
strong proof of the impropriety of the course
which ministers had induced the house to adopt,
as they supported in one house a proposition which
condemned expressly what they had attempted
to carry into effect in the other. He said that, in
the new aspect which the case had taken, if the
noble earl to whom he alluded should persist in
the committee, he should feel it incumbent upon
him to submit a proposition to the house on the
following Monday, to meet the altered nature of
this distressing and important subject.
It having been understood, from the parlia-
mentary proceedings of the 23d, that the depu-
tation of the House of Commons, appointed to
wait on her majesty with the resolutions adopted
by the house on that night, would perform their
solemn and important duty on the following
Saturday, about mid-day, public curiosity was
strongly excited to know the result, and accord-
ingly a great assemblage was collected round the
2 p
286 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
residence of her majesty. The crowd began to
assemble at an early hour. It remained per-
fectly peaceable, and manifested only symptoms
of gratification and good humour, till its temper
was disturbed, about 1 1 o'clock, by a man who,
•
from his countenance, appeared to be a foreigner,
and who was dressed in that kind of manner
which is called shabby genteel. This person, in
passing the house of her majesty, threw a short
stick at the parlour-window. He was immedi-
"ately apprehended, and, as he refused to give any
reason for having committed the outrage, he would
soon have received summary justice from the
crowd, had not some respectable persons inter-
fered, and suggested that from his demeanour he
must either be intoxicated or deranged. This ex-
planation of his conduct seemed to be satisfactory
for the moment, and the defaulter was allowed to
be taken unmolested to the public office Marl-
borough-street, where the motives of his mad act
experienced a more deliberate and impartial in-
vestigation.
The interest of the transaction which was to
take place, and the fineness of the day, continued
to attract great crowds to the street in which her
majesty resided. By one o'clock an immense
multitude had assembled. Portman-street was
filled over its whole length from the square to
Oxford-street. Noblemen and gentlemen on
horseback, ladies in open carriages, and persons
of all ages and descriptions on foot, were cou-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 287
fusedly mingled together. A considerable num-
ber of members of parliament were present,
among whom were Lord Sefton, Mr. Calcraft,
Sir R. Wilson, Sir H. M'Gowan, Count Antonio,
8$c., amidst the crowd on horseback. The
windows and balconies were filled with spec-
tators of all ages and ranks. Many persons of
distinction, and elegantly dressed females were
observed amongst them. It would be difficult to
conceive a more interesting and enlivening scene
than that which Portman-street exhibited, imme-
diately before the arrival of the deputation, and
during its stay. The multitude could not be
called a mob from the materials of which it was
composed, though it displayed all the eager
zeal and unanimous feeling by which a mob is
usually distinguished. The conduct of the lower
class seemed to be regulated by that decorum
which the presence of their superiors was calcu-
lated to inspire. The only symptom of discon-
tented feeling which manifested itself was on the
arrival of the deputation, about a quarter past
one o'clock. Mr. Wilberforce and Mr. Wortley
occupied the first carriage. As soon as they
made their appearance, strong feelings of displea-
sure were indicated by hissing, hooting, and groan-
ing, which continued as the carriages of Sir T.
Acland and Mr. Bankes drove up to the door. All
the four members alighted without any interrup-
tion. They were dressed in full court costume,
and shewed a proper insensibility to the uncour-
2 P 2
288 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
teous manner in which they were greeted by the
multitude, who vociferated " No address!" The
carriages of the honourable members passed on
towards the adjoining square, and the crowd con-
tinued in patient expectation for the result of the
interview. About three-quarters of an hour inter-
vened between the entrance and the departure of
the deputation. When they were introduced to
her majesty, she was standing in the drawing-
room, attended by Lady A. Hamilton, and having
on her right Mr. Brougham, and on her left Mr,
Denman, both in their full-bottomed wigs and
gowns, as if at court. The folding doors were
then thrown open, and the four deputies of the
House of Commons in full court dresses entered,
and were severally presented to her majesty by
Mr. Brougham, who informed her majesty of the
places for which they were members. They
severally knelt and kissed her majesty's hand.
Mr. Wilberforce read the following resolutions, by
command of the house : —
Jovis 22, die Junii, 1820
Resolved—That this house has learned, with unfeigned
and deep regret, that the late endeavours to frame an ar-
rangement which might avert the necessity of a public in-
quiry into the information laid before the two houses of
parliament have not led to that amicable adjustment of the
existing differences in the royal family which was so anxiously
desired by parliament and the nation.
" That this house, fully sensible of the objections which
the queen might justly feel to taking upon herself the relin-
quishment of any points in which she might have conceived
QUEEN CONSORT OK ENGLAND. 289
her own dignity and honour to be involved, yet feeling the
inestimable importance of an amicable and final adjustment
of the present unhappy differences, cannot forbear declaring
its opinion, that when such large advances have been made
towards that object, her majesty, by yielding to the earnest
solicitude of the House of Commons, and forbearing to
press further the adoption of those propositions on which
any material difference of opinion yet remains, would by no
means be understood to indicate any wish to shrink from
inquiry, but would only be deemed to afford a renewed
proof of the desire which her majesty has been graciously
pleased to express to submit her own wishes to the authority
of parliament ; thereby entitling herself to the grateful ac-
knowledgments of the House of Commons, and sparing
this house the painful necessity of those public discussions^
which, whatever might be their ultimate result, could not
but be distressing to her majesty's feelings — disappointing
to the hopes of parliament — derogatory from the dignity of
the crown, and injurious to the best interests of the empire.
Ordered — That these resolutions be laid before her ma-
jesty.
Ordered— That Mr. Wilberforce, Mr. Stuart Wortley,
Sir T. Acland, and Mr. Bankes, do attend her majesty with
the said resolutions.
J. DYSON.
Her majesty delivered to Mr. Brougham the
! following answer, which he read by her majesty's
: command, and delivered it to Mr. Wilberforce :
" I am bound to receive with gratitude, every attempt on
the part of the House of Commons, to interpose its high
mediation, for the purpose of healing those unhappy dif-
ferences in the royal family, which no person has so much
reason to deplore as myself. And with perfect truth I can
•
290 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
declare that an entire reconcilement of those differences
effected by the authority of parliament, on principles con-
sistent with the honour and dignity of all the parties, is still
the object nearest to my heart.
" I cannot refrain from expressing my deep sense of the
affectionate language of these resolutions. It shews the
House of Commons to be the faithful representative of
that generous people, to whom I owe a. debt of gratitude
that can never be repaid. I am sensible, too> that I expose
myself to the risk of displeasing those who may soon be
the judges of my conduct. — But I trust to their candour
and their sense of honour, confident that they will enter
into the feelings which alone influence my determination.
" It would ill become me to question the power of
parliament, or the mode in which it may at any time be ex-
ercised.— But however strongly I may feel the necessity of*
submitting to its authority ; the question, whether I will
make myself a party to any measure proposed, must be
decided by my own feelings and conscience, and by them
alone.
" As a subje^of the state, 1 shall bow with deference,
and if possible, without murmur, to every act of the sove-
reign authority. But, as an accused and injured queen, I
owe it to the king, to myself, and to all my fellow-subjects,
not to consent to the sacrifice of any essential privilege, or
withdraw my appeal to those principles of public justice,
which are alike the safeguard of the highest and the hum-
blest individual."
The members of the deputation then made
their obeisance and retired. As their carriages
were called for, and as they entered them? they
were saluted in the same unceremonious manner
as when they arrived Mr. Brougham accom-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 291
panied the deputation to the door, and soon
afterwards left the house in company with Mr.
Penman. As the carriage of the learned gentle-
men was called, and as they entered it, they were
loudly cheered by the multitude, who expressed
a desire to take their horses away and to drag
them home. This testimony of popular applause
Mr. Brougham resisted, and the mob with some
appearance of disappointment yielded to his
wishes. They, however, asked if her majesty
had agreed to the surrender of her rights, and
were, it is believed, answered in the negative.
When the deputation and her majesty's law-
officers had left Portman-street, the multitude,
which still continued assembled, began a loud
huzzaing and clapping of hands, and calls of
" The queen ! the queen !" inviting her majesty
to appear and receive their applause. Her ma-
jesty, obeying the call, appeared on the balcony,
and, we need scarcely state, was received with
the liveliest enthusiasm. Shouts of " Long live
the queen ! — God bless you !" continued for several
minutes. Her majesty was dressed in a robe of
black satin, richly embroidered, and wore on her
head a bandeau of laurel leaves, studded with
emeralds, and surmounted with a superb plume of
feathers. Her majesty looked extremely well.
The crowd continued in front of her majesty's re-
sidence during the afternoon, and by repeated
shouts evinced an enthusiastic feeling in her fa-
vour. The report was spread that she had reject-
292 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
ed the overtures for any compromise inconsistent
with her dignity as queen, and this seemed to add
fervour to the affectionate cheers of the people. The
same animated scene continued till long after dusk.
The House of Commons resolved on this im-
portant occasion to depart from its established
practice of adjourning from Friday to Monday,
and to meet on the Saturday ; and, although the
circumstance of the queen having refused to
accede to the wishes of the house was generally
known, yet so great was the interest excited to
ascertain the steps which would be in conse-
quence taken by the Legislature, that on an early
hour on Saturday, the vicinity of the House of
Commons was crowded by all descriptions of
people, and several of the members who were
recognised, were rather uncourteously greeted on
account of the opinions which they had expressed
against the queen.
The house having met at the usual time, some
preliminary business was transacted, when Mr.
Wilberforce, accompanied by Mr. Stuart Wortley,
entered the house. The former was loudly called
for ; but Mr. S. Wortley took has place at th<
bar, attended by Mr. Bankes and Sir T. Aclanc
(the deputation appointed), and announced thai
the deputation appointed to wait upon her JIM
jesty had that day delivered to the queen tin
resolutions of that house, as authorized by theii
vote, to which her majesty had returned tl
answer which we have already given
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 293
Her majesty's answer was then read by Mr. S.
Wortley.
Mr. Wilberforce, who had also a copy of the
answer, and who corrected Mr. S. Wortley, in a
few immaterial words in the course of reading it,
was called on by the Speaker, carried up the
answer to the table, and deposited it in the hands
of the clerk.
After which, General Fergusson rose and said,
as we are now about to enter upon this unhappy
investigation, which, according to ministers, so
seriously affects the dignity of the crown and the
interests of the people at large, we have a right, I
think, before we proceed further, to receive some
information concerning transactions which have
reference to this painful subject. Before we
begin the consideration of the inquiry, I beg to
ask a question respecting the Milan Commission^
Was it a public or a private commission ? Was it
sanctioned by the legitimate advisers of the
crown ? Was there a report from it ; and if so,
to whom was it made ? I should also like to know
by whom that commission was appointed ? and
by whom the expense was defrayed ? I hope this
question will receive an answer from the noble
lord opposite.
Lord Castlereagh — I hope the honourable and
gallant general will excuse me, on the present
occasion, for reminding him, that when we agreed
to meet to-day, it was specifically understood by
the honourable and learned gentleman opposite
294 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
(Mr. Brougham) and I believe by others, that we
were not to meet for discussion, but merely toT
receive the queen's answer. As we are to enter
upon this subject on Monday, and as it may per-
haps be necessary that the public should see the
whole extent of this painful subject, I do hope
that it will not be expected of me now to say one
word more that can lead to premature discussion.
I must therefore decline answering the honourable
and gallant general's question at the present
moment.
Mr. M. A. Taylor protested against the doctrine
laid down by the noble lord, that his agreement
with any honourable member was to be admitted
as a bar to any inquiry which others might think
proper to make. The question was a very proper
one, and he thought the noble lord was in duty
bound to give it an explicit answer. He need not,
of course, unless he chose ; but as he had said
that the house was now to know the extent of the
question, for the purpose of guarding better against
its consequences, he thought it but proper that
an answer should be given to so serious a ques-
tion as that put by his honourable and gallant
friend. It related to an occurrence "which had
either arisen from an authorized or unauthorized
agency. It was either the act of Government, or
the under-hand dealing of others. In either case
it was material to know, whether the transaction
had been adopted by responsible authorities.
His view of the matter was this : — If ministers
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND 295
saw any disposition elsewhere to act exclusive of
their advice upon so momentous an occasion — if
they saw any steps taken, which they could not
with consistency and in conformity with their
duty encourage, they were bound to give advice
to that effect to their royal master ; and if that
advice were not received in the manner they
thought it was entitled to, it was their duty to
resign. He did assure the gentlemen who had
just indicated their feelings, that he spoke disin-
terestedly ; for so far from having a wish that his
friends, or the gentlemen who surrounded him,
should get into place, he thought it impossible
that a greater curse could befal them, or a greater
calamity visit them, than to succeed to the places
of the present ministers, in the state of misery to
which those ministers had by their counsels
reduced the country. For their august royal
master, from whom he had been now separated
for years, he entertained the highest friendship, if
he dare speak in such terms of his sovereign, to
whom he yielded in respectful duty to no man.
If the noble lord (Castlereagh) could 'resume his
gravity, he would tell him that he (Mr. Taylor)
spoke feelingly from his sense of the state of the
country, and not from any spleen that could be
supposed to arise from his having been separated
as it were from that sovereign, perhaps by the
counsels of that noble lord. He spoke out ho-
nestly, and under an imperious sense of his duty
as a member of parliament. If in what he had
296 MEMOIRS -OF CAROLINE,
uttered were any expressions personally hurtful
to the feelings of the illustrious individual, he was
ready to beg pardon — but not of the noble lord.
He could assure the noble lord, that he was
grossly mistaken if he thought he could embar-
rass him (Mr. Taylor) by any thing which he
could do. He repeated it, that he lamented to
see that illustrious individual in the hands of the
noble lord and his colleagues. The noble lord
smiled again. Had the noble lord preserved his
grave looks, he (Mr. Taylor) would have sat down
long ago. He insisted on it, that the question of
his honourable friend was perfectly proper ; and
if no answer should be given to it, it would carry
a conviction to his breast, that there was some-
thing in the Milan Commission so odious and
objectionable, that the noble lord would not dare
to own it. He strongly objected to any com-
promise on the part of his honourable friends.
He thought it highly improper for the house to
be ruled in its conduct, in an affair of such
importance, by the decision of two or three
individuals.
Sir R. Wilson did not wish to provoke discus-
sion, but he felt it necessary to ask the noble lord
if the adjourned debate on the king's message
would be resumed on Monday, or if it was in-
tended by ministers to insist on the appointment
of a secret committee ? He asked for the purpose
of obtaining information for his constituents, who
were anxious to seize the opportunity, if any
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. /- 297
should offer, to express their objections to that
mode of proceeding, by way of petition to the
house.
Lord Castlereagh declined giving any answer to
any further question.
Mr. R. Martin said, that no man was more dis-
posed than himself to feel for the infirmities of
human nature. Accordingly he felt great com-
miseration for the infirmities which had been
displayed by the gentleman who had spoken last
but one. His speech was just such a one as he
(Mr. Martin) should have expected to hear from
a minister newly discarded from office, on ad-
dressing his successors. He protested against
the speech altogether ; which, besides that it had
nothing to do with the business before the house,
was for the greatest part about himself. It was
highly indecorous to be putting questions to the
noble lord, especially when it was known to be
the feeling of the house, that there ought to be no
discussion.
The house then adjourned ; but numbers col-
lected in groups to read the queen's reply again,
and it was a" considerable time before the crowd,
which had been immense, completely dispersed.
We will now cast a short glance at the steps
by which the transaction has reached its present
stage. Certain reports, whether true or false,
had come to the knowledge of his majesty, re-
specting the conduct of the queen during her re-
sidence abroad. It has been said, that these
298 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
were derived from foreigners, from low dis
honourable persons. To obviate this objection,
.Englishmen of respectable stations in life, of
honourable character, were commmissioned to
procure information. With a most ridiculous in-
consistency, this proceeding also has been blamed,
and the evidence is impeached in one instance as
coming from too low, and on the other, from too
high a source. The statements, however, thus
obtained, appeared to the eminent persons before
whom they were several months ago laid, to be
such as would warrant most grave and serious
charges against the queen. They, however, felt
that unwillingness, since participated in by so
large a majority of the legislature, to place her
majesty in a state of accusation ; they were in-
clined to sink the very word " accusation," and to
treat the matter as one of " differences," un-
happily subsisting ; and in this view it was un-
questionably desirable, that it should have been
settled by negotiation with her majesty abroad.
She, however, chose to come to England, and they
had then no alternative, but to act on the informa-
tion in their hands. Far be it from us to impute
blame to her majesty for the step which she has
taken, in resolving to appeal at once to the nation
in vindication of her honour, and to support her
in the establishment of those rights and privileges
which are attached to her exalted station. In-
nocence is not to be daunted by the threats of
power, and although it may for a time be obliged
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND.
to succumb to the machinations of the slanderer
yet it will eventually soar superior to every petty
artifice, and the shafts which have been so in-
dustriously aimed at it, will recoil with triple
force upon those who impelled them. The ac-
cused individual who braves investigation of the
charges adduced against her, who defies her
enemies to produce their evidence, and boldly
resolves to confront them, stands upon no com-
mon ground — she appears almost invested with a
sacred character, and her claims are powerful
upon every humane and liberal mind. It k the
guilty only who fly from the examination of their
conduct, for " he is twice arm'd who hath his
quarrel just." The queen's appeal to the nation
stands upon the basis of her innocence, and the
whole nation stands pledged to believe in it, until
proof " strong as holy writ" confirms the con-
trary. But notwithstanding the heavy charges
brought against her, grounded on oral and ocular
testimony, ministers certainly proceeded writh the
utmost caution. They desired not to institute
any hostile proceedings, judicial or legislative,
against her majesty, 'unless their own impression
of the ground of charge should be confirmed by
the opinion of committees of both houses of par-
liament.
This measure has been exclaimed against, as
unknown to the practice of parliament, and in it-
self unjust. It is, however, neither ; as to the prac-
tice of parliament, we find an instance occurring so
300 MEMOIR* OF CAROLINE,
early as the llth year of the reign of Edward III.,
which bears a remarkable analogy to the present
case. In that year, it was agreed in parliament
that the bishops of Durham and Salisbury, the
earls of Northampton, Arundel, Warwick, and
Salisbury, should hear the answer of the arch-
bishop of Canterbury, of divers matters whereof he
was defamed through the realm, and if the said
answers were suitable, the king would hold him
excused ; but if it should appear to the king and
his council, that the same were insufficient, then
the said answer should be debated in the next
parliament, and judgment there given upon the
same *. It is true, that the archbishop was per-
mitted to give in his answers to the committee of
that day ; but it is by no means proved that there
would be any objection to the queen's giving in
her answers to the present committee, supposing
that her advisers should think such a step ad-
visable. The main consideration, however, is,
that the committees, both formerly and now, were
and are merely preparatory and deliberative. They
are not a secret tribunal to condemn, but a mere
sort of domestic forum, which may discharge, and
at the utmost, can only put the party on a public
trial. Even this introductory measure the House
of Commons earnestly wished to stop, by a medi-
ation certainly honourable to the queen. Her
majesty's feelings, sharpened and exalted as they
* Rolls of Parliament, v. 2. No. 44.
$UEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 301
have been since her arrival, by the voice of the
people, have set at nought the good wishes of par-
liament, and those consequences must follow
which her sincerest friends would have averted.
Several persons, and particularly those who
have lately been abroad, think that the lenity
and indulgence, these half measures and middle
courses adopted towards the queen, are not
enough, and that the public opinion of Europe re-
quires that a full examination should either prove
the queen to be innocent of the conduct imputed
to her, or should separate entirely, and in a for*
mal maner, her character from that of the English
nation. Persons of this opinion allege, that in
private life, as long as the impropriety or dis-
orderly conduct of an individual is confined within
her own family, public exposure and legal vindi-
cation may prudently be avoided ; but that wheu
the scandal becomes public, when the tongues of
neighbours grow busy with the affair, when the
blindness or silence of those at home cannot pre*
vent the disgrace arising from the discussion of
the subject abroad, then, it has been universally
admitted, that the injured husband, or indulgent
father is bound to do himself justice in the face of
the world.
There is much weight in such observations,
they are peculiarly applicable to the present case,
and in strict justice we do not know that we
can deny them ; but when great political and
moral interests become involved with private feel*
2 it
302 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
ings, it is allowable to consider the subject on a
principle of expediency, and to temper rigid jus-
tice with indulgence and policy.
We perfectly coincide then in the sentiments
expressed by Mr. Wilber force, sanctioned by the
House of Commons, and acted upon by the king's
ministers from the beginning, in regard to the ne-
cessity of getting rid of a scandal with the least
possible exposure, and, provided the sacred Queen
of England, a character now endeared and vene-
rable to the world, by the public and private
virtues of the two last partners of the throne ;
provided, we say, that character be severed from
the imputations to which we allude, of bearing in
decent silence the conduct of individuals. The
expectations which were thus excited by the
avowal of principles like these, — an avowal which
spoke the high moral feeling of the British nation ;
these expectations have now been destroyed by
the councils which have been given to her ma-
jesty— councils which may call into action the
ignorant passions of the vulgar; but their true
value will be estimated by every well regulated
mind, and it requires nothing but a confidence in
our national character, to predict that the indig-
nation of all the better portion of society will be
abundantly visited upon those, who have coun-
selled her majesty to reject the mediation of the
House of Commons, and thereby to plunge the
country in anarchv and confusion.
In consequence of the queen's rejection of the
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 303
advice of parliament, ministers saw themselves
reduced to the extremity of proceeding to the
committee ; and this measure being decided upon,
her majesty lost no time in sending down a peti-
tion to the House of Lords, appealing strongly
against the measures to be pursued against her,
and demanding to be heard by counsel at
the bar of the house. This petition was pre-
sented on Monday, the 26th, by Lord Dacre,
who in presenting it to their lordships regretted
that the illustrious person had not been enabled
to place it on the table through a medium better
calculated to give weight to the proceeding,
namely, through that of the highest authority in
the house (the Lord Chancellor). In this petition
her majesty complained of the mode of inquiry
instituted against her, being a secret committee.
She complained that this inquiry respecting her
conduct was instituted at a period when she had
not time to procure witnesses from the continent.
She complained that by this course of proceeding
an unfavourable impression might be made against
her before she had an opportunity to rebut the
evidence brought secretly forward by her ac-
cusers. He had never been honoured with her
majesty's acquaintance, nor had he the slightest
communication with her. Their lordships must
be aware that the public opinion was decidedly
against an inquiry by a secret committee, the ap-
pointment of which was notoriously in the hands
of his majesty's ministers. Many of the names
2 R 2
MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
included in the list of that committee were those
of noble lords who had already given an opinion
on the case. The list contained the names of
four cabinet ministers, and of two persons of high
station, who must be supposed to have received
impressions unfavourable to the illustrious person
accused. It was not to be believed that the ve-
nerable prelate at the head of the church (the
Archbishop of Canterbury), or the noble and
learned lord, would have suffered the name of her
majesty to be excluded from the Liturgy, had they
not admitted that there were grounds for the pro
ceeding.
The Lord Chancellor had no objection to the
petition being laid on the table. He had refused
to present that petition because it appeared to
him better that it should be presented by any
other noble lord than by him. He had happened
not to know the mode in which such a petition
should be presented ; and the journals gave him
no information. If he erred in his decision, it
was not from any disrespect to the illustrious indi-
vidual in question.
The petition of her majesty was then received,
and read by the reading-clerk at the table as
follows :
" To the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament
assembled.
" CAROLINE R.— The Queen having been informed
that proceedings are about to be instituted against her in
the House of Lords, feels it necessary to approach your
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 305
LircLships as a petitioner and a fellow subject. She is
advised, that, according to the forms of your Lordships'
house, no other mode of communication is permitted. Now,
as at all times, she declares her perfect readiness to meet
every charge affecting her honour ; and she challenges the
most complete investigatinn of her conduct. But she pro-
tests, in the first place, against any secret inquiry : and if
the House of Lords should notwithstanding persist in a
proceeding so contrary to every principle of justice and of
law, she must in the next place declare, that even from such
an unconstitutional course she can have nothing to appre-
hend, unless it be instituted before the arrival of those wit-
nesses whom she will summon immediately to expose the
whole of the machinations against her. She is anxious that
there should be no delay whatever in finishing the inquiry ;
and none shall be occasioned by her majesty. But the
Queen cannot suppose that the House of Lords will com-
mit so crying an injustice, as to authorize a secret exami-
nation of her conduct in the absence of herself and her
counsel, while her defence must obviously rest upon evi-
dence, which for some weeks cannot reach this country.
The instant that it arrives she will entreat the House of
Lords to proceed in any way they may think consistent
with the ends of justice : but in the mean time, and before
the first step is taken, her Majesty desires to be heard by
her counsel at your Lordship's bar this day upon the subject
matter of the Petition."
Lord Dacre moved, in pursuance of the desire
expressed in the petition, that counsel be now
called in.
The Lord Chancellor having put the question,
this motion was agreed to without opposition, and
counsel being called in, Mr. Brougham, Mr. Den-
306 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
man, and Mr. John Williams, appeared at the bar
as counsel for the queen, and Mr. Vizard as soli-
citor to her majesty.
The petition of the queen was again read by the
reading-clerk at the table.
Mr. Brougham : " My lords, I have the honour
to attend at this bar, as counsel for her majesty
the queen. I understand it is the pleasure of
your lordships, that we should now be heard on
the subject of the matter contained in the papers
on your table. It might, perhaps, be more con-
sistent with what I owe to my illustrious client,
if, feeling the extreme importance of the interests
concerned, and sensible of the feeble powers
which it falls to my lot to bring to the discharge
of such a duty as devolves upon me, I were to
intreat your lordships for a few hours' delay, in
order that I might be enabled to discharge that
duty with more etfeet, than can be expected
under the circumstances in which 1 appear be-
fore you. But I have the command of my illus-
trious client to forego all considerations personal
to myself, and to encounter all minor risks to
which her cause may be exposed, rather than
there should seem to exist on the part of her ma-
jesty the smallest disposition to delay inquiry,
or to impede your lordships' wishes for an im-
mediate investigation into the charges brought
against her. It is the more necessary for me,
standing here on the part of the illustrious peti-
tioner, to make this statement to your lordships
s u Y BROUGHAM ESQ? M. \
hv Th,,^ K.-Ilv, ijfaternosterZow.Jitfy tyi&o.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 307
of the command of her majesty as expressed to
me, because it is above all things important to
the interest of her cause, that this application
which we make this day should not be under-
stood to be, in the vulgar sense of the word, an
application for delay. It is not for a delay of the
prosecution that we ask — it is not for a delay of
the judgment which must result from that pro-
secution, and which must be a judgment of ho-
nourable acquittal. I say must, because I feel
that she is guiltless, and because I feel that you
are just. And because she is guiltless, and be-
cause you are just, and because the petition is
founded on principles of law which must be set
at defiance before you can be advised to reject
the prayer which it contains, I ask your lord-
ships to consent to that prayer as a necessary
step towards the fair and equitable investigation
which her majesty is entitled to request at your
hands. Her majesty's conduct is about to be
brought in question. We have a right to know
what proceedings are about to be instituted in
the two houses of parliament. His majesty's
message, the foundation of those proceedings,
states that the bags laid before both houses, con-
tain papers by way of charge against the queen,
and that those charges relate to the conduct of
her majesty during her residence abroad. What
the nature of those charges is — what the nature
of the testimony by which they are to be sup-
ported is, how it has been raked together, who
308 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE»
have been the tools, or how, or by whom, they
have been set at work to procure the evidence or
information, as it is called by a figure of speech,
but as I must call it more truly, the odious
matter contained in the bag, I will not stop to
inquire. It is enough for me to know, what I *
can collect from the message, that whatever may
be found in that bag, be it creditable, or be it ,
odious with respect to those from whom it has
proceeded, is only meant and intended to im-
peach the character of the queen by something
falsely alleged to have taken place abroad. Now
we know that her majesty, while abroad, resided
at a considerable distance from this country, that
the greater part of the time she passed across
the Alps and Appenines, and the smaller part
across the Alps ; but that during the whole of
the time she was placed at so great a distance
from the seat of that tribunal before which she is
now to appear, as renders it physically impos-
sible to procure the witnesses, depositions, or
correspondence, which must be necessary to her
defence, at any period within the compass of five
or six weeks from this moment. It would re-
quire so much time barely to send letters and
receive answers ; but if your lordships further
wait until the witnesses are collected, whose
presence is absolutely indispensible, without
whom it is impossible that I can cross-examine a
single individual of those wretches — , I beg your
lordships' pardon, those persons by whose testi-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 309
mony the charges are to be supported — it will
require an addition of five or six weeks longer to
the time. Do not, my lords — do not let it be
said or fancied, nor let it be whispered elsewhere
by those who will not state it in their places, and
under the public eye, that this is the plea of guilt.
My lords, it is the plea of innocence. The more
innocent the queen is, the more abominable and
base and treacherous those are who are to be>
brought against her — the more essentially ne-
cessary does it become that she should have at
hand those witnesses, documents, and communi-
cations, which she knows she can have to over-
whelm her adversaries with confusion. Reflect
upon the peculiarities of her majesty's case,
which are not of her own making, but which
separate it from other cases by difficulties and
embarrassments peculiar to itself. When an
Englishman or an Englishwoman is placed in a
situation where it becomes necessary that they
should defend their characters, and who in the
most upright walk of life can be assured, that by
foul contrivances he may not be reduced to such
a necessity, your lordships will remember, that
such Englishman or Englishwoman has one safe-
guard, and shield. The witnesses are all Eng-
lish ; there is no foreigner amongst them, whose
principles may hang loosely and negligently
about him, whose testimony may be doubtful,
though it cannot be disproved, who may deny
the obligation of an oath, or who, admitting the
2 s
310 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
obligation, may suppose that his conscience
will stand excused in consequence of the want of
some sanction which our practice does not require,
and our forms do not recognize. What is her
next security ? The witnesses are her own coun-
trymen. They are known to her — they are
known to the judge who tries her, and to the
counsel who pleads for her. The press too, is at
her hand — it describes the manner in which the
witness gave his evidence — his conduct in the
court, and those circumstances of manner which
have their weight in influencing the opinion as to
the credibility to which his depositions are en-
titled. The third security is, that she has a com-
pulsory process by which she can bring forward
witnesses and compel them to speak the truth,
however reluctant to do so. Against that process,
neither bribes, nor threats, nor promises, nor
procurement can prevail. But how is her majesty
situated? The witnesses in her case are all
foreigners, with whom the obligation of an oath
may be relaxed by their belief in the efficacy of
subsequent confession. Though I speak before
an assembly of bold men — of men, I am per-
suaded, as bold even as the distinguished Duke
of Wellington, in whose presence I perceive that
I am also speaking, I do not hesitate to pronounce
it as my firm belief, that there is not one amongst
you who would not tremble with apprehension if
his wife or his daughter was to be exposed to
thestateraents of such a cloud of witnesses. Her
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND: 311
majesty cannot compel the attendance of those
who could speak in her favour. They may refuse,
and she has no power to force them, nor has she
inducements to hold out which may conquer their
disinclination. She is not in a condition to be
followed. She has been disowned in foreign
countries, and neglected at home, so that she is
unable to array either by threats or bribe, or
force, or fear, or expectation of courtiership,
numbers of those upon whose attendance her
justification must depend. The witnesses against
her are not her neighbours • their characters are
not known. They may be persons who care not
what they say at home, and who care still less
what they say in a remote part of the world.
What conscious innocence then must support this
illustrious woman, who, under all those circum-
stances, says to us, " Go on, ask no delay." But
it is my duty, and if I neglect it, it is your duty,
my lords, as her judges, to see that she does not
suffer from her own fearlessness, and that the
innocence of an accused party shall not be brought
by its natural magnanimity into danger. That is
precisely the object of this application. I wish
for an opportunity to know more of the witnesses.
What I have already discovered of some, makes
me more anxious to know more of the rest. Now
I will pray any lawyer to tell me— I will beseech
any one who has ever witnessed a trial, to tell me,
how can I proceed to cross-examine a single
witness without knowing something of his neigh-
312 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINA
bourhood, his habits, or his character ? To put
the case of one who has come to my knowledge.
Amongst those who appear against her majesty,
is one who has been discharged from her service
for having robbed her of four hundred Napoleons.
This can be proved by two witnesses : one of
them is at Rouen, in France, and he is an English
naval officer — no Italian spy — no Hanoverian
baron — but an English officer who has bled in the
cause of his country. Should not the instance, of
this individual render me cautious of all the rest,
and especially as I have reason to know that the
other witnesses can be treated in the same manner,
if time is given for inquiry ? I ask no favour of
your lordships, but justice. I ask you, as the
queen's judges, into which you have erected your-
selves, whether you will drive me to defend her
majesty under the disadvantages I have described?
If I demanded any thing which could lead to the
suspension of the proceedings, or to delay the
result of the inquiry for a single hour, I should
immediately abandon that demand, for I should
have her majesty's directions to do so. But I
only ask you to pause at the commencement,
without protracting the conclusion ; for, after the
Secret Tribunal has reported, you must give time
for the production of this evidence; so that
whether you agree to it in one stage or in the
other, the ultimate result must come when the
same hour strikes, in both cases. I am presuming,
perhaps I ought not, that after you have deter-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENOLANI 313
mined on a parliamentary inquiry, and sent the
echo of the charges all over the land, with greater
or less accuracy, according as the proceeding is
public or private (if public with greater, and if
private with less) — I have presumed, that her
majesty's character being thus blackened by un-
contradicted statements and reports, you will, out
of the exuberance of your justice, allow some
delay to enable her to bring forward the evidence
on which she relies for her acquittal. I have
assumed this, because there is no court of justice,
whether in England or at Milan, in which such
an application could be resisted. If you are
British judges, it is impossible that you can refuse
it. If you refuse it I am bound to say that you
cannot deserve the character. I submit to your
lordships, whether you will now permit the delay
required, or whether you will delay the permis-
sion until it is too la^re to answer the purpose for
which it is intended, as it must be if you postpone
'it, till the preliminary investigation has taken
place. All I ask is, that you will not proceed to
hear the cause, in a manner which must lead to
the condemnation of any individual, however
innocent. I ask for that which every British
court of justice must grant, where no one can be
put upon his trial without being allowed time to
bring forward his witnesses, and the refusal of
which, the most innocent man who hears me,
must feel to operate as a sentence of outlawry
from his country. I have a right to assume from
314 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
the votes of Parliament, and to cite the authority
of one branch of the legislature, as at least worthy
of attention, that we are now about to enter on
an investigation, which one branch of the legisla-
ture has pronounced * distressing to the feelings
of her majesty, disappointing to the hopes of
Parliament, derogatory from the dignity of the
Crown, and injurious to the best interests of the
empire.3 I feel the more confident, when I reflect
on this, that in an investigation which the House
of Commons has so described, the delay of two
little months will not be considered too great
an indulgence for the purpose of furthering the
ends of justice, and providing that a legal murder
should not be committed on the character of the
first subject in the realm.
Mr. Denman. — My lords, perhaps I should best
consult the interests of my illustrious client, if I
were to leave her cause to the powerful impres-
sion already made ; but there are some circum-
stances which, perhaps, require one or two ob-
servations from me. As I happened to be the
person who brought down the petition, in the
absence of my learned friend, I may be permitted
to express my confidence that I was not guilty of
any aberration from the forms of the house, or the
principles of justice, in the course which I adopted,
I did not suppose that any considerations of a
personal nature could exist, to render it unfit for
me to ask, as a favour, from any peer of parliament,
that he would present the petition with which I
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 315
was intrusted. It did not appear to me, from
any similar case, that the cause was one which
could interfere with the preliminary proceeding,
whether the house was to exercise the capacity
of a grand jury, or any other within its functions
to assume. The task of apologizing does not rest
with him who only presents a petition for consi-
deration ; but those who refuse such a petition are
bound to shew upon what principle they act in a
manner so derogatory to the practice of the British
parliament. If there is any difficulty in the case of
a queen appealing to the House of Lords, I have
no doubt that, as a subject of the realm, she has
a right to be heard by petition against any doc-
trine or practices, by which her life or character
might be endangered. It is difficult to know how
to proceed in a case of anomaly, such as the pre-
sent. When I look forward to the consequences,
I find myself totally in the dark, contending
against shadows and clouds. It is impossible to
say, but that the mode of impeachment may after
all be determined on as the most proper to bring
the supposed offender to justice. On the other
hand, I am aware that another mode of proceed-
ing may be adopted, namely, a bill of pains and
penalties, which, pushed to its extremity, attaches
exile, infamy, and even death. In either case, it
is important that the prayer of the petitioner
should be complied with : for whether your lord-
ships attend to the evidence on the prosecution of
the House of Commons, or whether you proceed
«5iO MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
to investigate by a committee of fifteen peers>
you should be prepared against the existence of
any improper bias. To have an impression made
on the minds of fifteen peers, by the contents of
the green bag, to pause for a length of time on the
poison, and, finally, to pronounce judgment upon
honour of guilt or innocence, is a course of pro-
ceeding rom which it is impossible but that the
most honourable mind must receive a taint. I
will not allude to the vile, abominable manner in
which the evidence has been scraped together;
but. I will put the case, how very likely it is, after
the separation which every one must regret, that
persons would come forward to volunteer such
evidence as they might suppose to be agreeable.
But if, in addition to those voluntear witnesses,
there are others, of the description given by my
learned friend in his account, of which he seems
to have had in view the language of the poet —
" Some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office,
" Hath devis'd this slander !"—
how much more necessary is it to accede to the
prayer of the petition ? It is under these cir-
cumstances that we request your lordships to
pause, and not postpone, for your ultimate deci-
sion will experience no delay, and no difficulty
will be opposed to the speedy termination of this
awful proceeding. Nothing can be more fatal to
justice, than that a cause should be half heard.
Another matter of importance to justice is, that
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 31?
the proceedings should be simultaneous, for where
they are not so, a door is opened to subornation
of perjury, through the under agents. When I
look round on this illustrious assembly, and con-
sider my own feeble powers, I cannot conclude
better than by a quotation from a predecessor of
your lordship : " A judge ought to prepare his
way to a just sentence, as God useth to prepare
his way, by raising valleys, and taking down
hills: so when there appeareth on either side
an high hand, violent prosecution, cunning ad-
vantages taken, combination, power, great coun-
sel, then is the virtue of a judge seen to make
inequality equal, that he may plant his judgment
as upon an even ground."
Mr. Williams was then about to address the
house, when
The Lord Chancellor interposed, and stated that
it was contrary to the practice of Parliament to
hear more than two counsel on the part of any
petitioner.
The Earl of Liverpool moved that the petition
be taken into consideration to-morrow, in order
that they might have twenty-four hours to con-
sider the powerful arguments that had been
urged.
After a short conversation across the table, be-
tween Earls Grey and Liverpool, the motion was
agreed to, on an understanding that Earl Grey
would bring forward his motion on the same day,
if the prayer of the petition was not agreed to.
2 T
318 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
The proceedings in the Commons were yet
more various.
Lord Castlereagh rose to, address the house on
the subject of the adjourned debate on the king's"
message. The house would recollect, that on the
first night of the discussion on this question, the
adjournment was not proposed in order to see
what shape the proceeding to be adopted should
take; but for the purpose of entering into a
negotiation, in the hopes of averting altogether
the necessity of taking any steps on the papers
then before them. Without attempting to pass
obloquy on any party, he must say that he did
feel that there were certain strong grounds for
adopting the course then taken. Her majesty
had intimated her readiness to yield her judgment
up to the guidance of Parliament. From the
commencement of the negotiation, too, it had
been understood that the moment her majesty was
restored to her dignity as queen, she should con-
sider any other arrangement as of secondary
consequence ; and. in effect, that sine qua non hav-
ing been granted, two intermediate persons had
been appointed, to whom were intrusted all other
matters of interest, patronage, or income. After
such indications, he should have thought that her
majesty would yield herself to the anxious wishes
of Parliament. Yet in a most authoritative tone
she had rejected what had never before been done
by any part of the same illustrious family which
now filled the throne of this country. Our history
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 319
might be searched without finding a case wherein
this, or any other family, had ever been found so
to treat the request, so tendered, of that house.
He did not state this in a tone of reproach, but
the house could not but feel chagrined to have
their counsel rejected, when they addressed the
crown on a question deeply involving the interest
of the country, of a nature so serious and sacred.
On such an occasion would the house not have
desired to know who was the minister who had
dared to advise the crown against the recom-
mendations, and in the very face of the house ?
But it was one of the many excellencies of the
Constitution under which we live, that what no
minister would dare to advise, an individual
might with impunity venture to adopt. That il-
lustrious individual might repent the step which
had been taken. It certainly was as serious an
appeal as ever was made to any member of the
House of Brunswick ; and after that, he appre-
hended all that remained for them to do was,
to see what course of proceeding was best cal-
culated to put the matter in a train of judicial
investigation, now that they had done all that
they could to avoid that alternative. Now, there-
fore, that the case was fairly established on its
present altered state, it became his majesty's
ministers to make some alteration in the mode to
be pursued respecting it ; and if Parliament could
consent to receive a direct proposition from them,
containing a definite statement of what the charges
320 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINA,
against the queen are, and the evidence on which
they are supported, he thought that was the
course it was imperative on them to pursue, and
one which would be most consonant with her
majesty's view of her own situation. He would
now endeavour to explain what that course of
proceeding was, which he thought would probably
be best liked by the queen. With reference to
that part of her majesty's answer, in which she
expressed her apprehensions of exciting the re-
sentment of the house, because her majesty had
denied herself to an application which no Bruns-
wick before had ever done; he trusted the course
they should decide upon adopting would be such
as would convince that illustrious personage that
their object was nothing but to pursue the ends of
justice. If, therefore, the house would permit him
to speak of matters originating with himself, he
was prepared to say, that he had in view to bring
forward a motion on a future day, which would be
founded on the queen's answer to the late address
of that house. He was sure the house would not
wish him to go into a detail of the nature of the
motion, but he would state that it would have this
distinct character, it would put her majesty, the
house, and the country, in possession of the whole
of the evidence contained in the papers on the
table relative to this matter. If the house should
please, after hearing his motion, to go on to insti-
tute any proceedings in the case, without enter-
ing into a preliminary inquiry, it would have also
QUE£N CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 321
that characteristic so vehemently demanded, vis.
it would be open in itself. If afterwards a prima
facie case should be made out, and it should be
thought proper to follow it up by evidence, that of
course would be brought forward. He must so far
revert to what had passed on this subject, as to
state that the matter was at present involved in
considerable awkwardness, Nothing could be
more embarrassing than a judicial inquiry. He
would not now look at the prima facie cause ;
but he contended, and he had the authority of
Blackstone for saying so, that nothing was more
difficult in itself, and nothing was more absurd
than to require that two judicial inquiries on the
same subject, should be carried on at the same
time in the two houses of parliament. If both
the committees should, as he could not for a
moment doubt they would, decide that there
were sufficient grounds for instituting and ar-
ranging some judicial proceedings, he entreated
the house to consider of the difficulty that would
exist as to where the proceedings should origi-
nate. That was the view which government had
been induced to direct their proceedings upon,
y*>. that if the House of Lords took the matter up
judicially, that house would necessarily wait.
He wished it, therefore, to be understood, that it
was necessary to name some day for his motion,
sufficiently distant to give to the other house,
before that day should arrive, the possibility of
having framed some proceeding on this very im-
322 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
portant and grave accusation ; and which, at the
same time, should not be at a period too late for
the purposes of justice. In consequence of this
impression, he should name Thursday se'nuight
as the day on which he would be prepared to
offer a motion to the house, founded on the
answer of her majesty to the address of that
house. He had no hesitation in saying, that he
should desist from making that motion, if the
House of Lords should have, in its judicial cha-
racter, instituted any thing which must, in due
course, come down to that house. But after
waiting that reasonable length of time, he did
feel that, after all that had passed — after the fact
had been so broadly avowed, that the papers on
the table contained matters of charge so grave
against her majesty, even if the House of Lords
did not institute any proceedings, he considered
-that he owed it to her majesty, and he trusted
the house would allow him to put the charges in
such a shape, that her majesty might be able to
defend her own character. He had nothing
further to state, but that he was ready to charge
himself with the whole responsibility of origi-
nating this measure.
Mr. Brougham said, he concurred from the
bottom of his heart in the appeal which the noble
lord had just made ; and implored all sides of the
house from that moment henceforth, through the
whole course of the now inevitable inquiry, to let
the voice of party cease, to suffer no factious,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 323
personal, or political feelings to interfere in the
prosecution of this question ; in order that no
shadow might be said to cross their path towards
the attainment of substantial justice. On the part
of her majesty he had to express the infinite satis-
faction, which he knew to be the reflected image
of her sentiments, on finding at length that there
was some chance of her obtaining justice on con-
stitutional principles. On rinding that there was
an end of that dark, inquisitorial, unconstitutional,
unjust, and he would add, illegal proceeding,
which it was the tendency of the green bag, ac-
companying the message from the throne, to in-
stitute against her. Her claim from the begin-
ning had been for an open inquiry — her protest
had been against an invisible tribunal. He had,
however, not to thank the noble lord (Castlereagh)
•for this favourable change. He had to felicitate
Parliament, the country, and herself, who had
declared with one unanimous voice, that that
secret trial should not take place. It seemed that
!the noble lord intended to propose in his motion
'some measure of a legislative nature to meet the
inquiries of the other house. On this ground he
should lay a claim to delay in behalf of her ma-
jesty. Let not the house draw from this an er-
i'oneous conclusion. He should not have ventured
:o make such a proposal, had not the reasons for
;uch a claim been most just and satisfactory. The
'meen was anxious to proceed, and for her, and
>n his own account, he should deprecate all delay ;
!
324 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
but one was rendered necessary by local distance.
It was a journey of three weeks to the place of
her majesty's residence, and three weeks back to
bring the witnesses and evidence necessary for her
defence. Should the house therefore proceed on
Thursday se'nnight with the inquiry, how would
her majesty be in a condition to meet it? Five or
six witnesses on the side of inculpation might be
examined, and all on that side of the case would
be over. If this partial inquiry were open, all the
country would see its nature. If it were secret it
would be still worse ; for a secret intrusted /to
twenty-one members in one house and fifteen in
another, according to the common adage, had
little chance of being kept. How would any man
like the honour of his wife or daughter to depend
on the secrecy of thirty- six gentlemen who had
wives and daughters of their own, even should
they be the most honourable of men? It would
be impossible that some portion of the evidence
adduced should not leak out of those orifices for
emitting secrets which were found in every family.
That evidence would issue out more or less, but
its venom would circulate fully through the coun-
try. Let any man place himself in the position
of her majesty — let him figure to himself the in-
evitable ruin of character which must ensue from
this interval of three or four months before the
exculpatory evidence for her majesty be pro-
duced ? He therefore laid a claim to delay ; but
let him not be misunderstood ; it was a delay
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 325
which would not retard for one hour the ultimate
result.
Colonel Palmer had voted against the late reso-
lution, because he thought that it called upon her
majesty to do that which he would not have done
himself in her place. He now conceived, that
consistently with that resolution, it was the duty
of the house to desist from the proposed inquiry.
Mr. Bathurst defended the conduct of his ma-
jesty's ministers through the whole of the present
unfortunate business. He contended against the
possibility of not taking some ulterior proceeding,
and stated, that if a ^bill should be introduced,
sufficient time would be given to the parties to
prepare for defence ; so that when the case of the
prosecution should close, that of the defendant
should immediately commence.
Mr. Western entered his protest against the
motion of the noble lord, because he conceived
that its effect was to draw the house, directly or
indirectly,. into an approbation of those measures,
and into an inquiry which the whole country, he
said, had condemned, and which the general
sense of the house on the first night of the discus-
sion had decidedly condemned too. Why had the
whole country expressed an opinion that the pro-
posed inquiry was one which ought not to be gone
into ? Because the noble lord, after having re-
presented the charges as of a criminal nature,
had declared that they were capable of being ne-
gotiated and settled by an amicable adjustment.
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326 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE/
He would move an amendment to the proposal of
the noble lord, that the debate be adjourned to
this day six months.
Mr. S. C. Whitbread rose on the present occa-.
sion to protest against the measures which his
majesty's ministers had pursued ever since the
arrival of her majesty in this country, and parti-
cularly against the one produced that night, as it
appeared an endeavour to delude the house into
some approbation of their proceedings. He had
opposed the late resolution, because if reduced
into plain words, it was nothing but a call on her
majesty to acknowledge herself guilty.
Mr. Tierney observed, that when the queen was
spoken of as having taken too high a tone, it
should be remembered by whom she had been
taught to take that tone. She had learnt it from
those who had pleaded her cause in 1807. She
had then called for trial, and demanded to be ac-
quitted or proved guilty. She had then been
taught to tell her accusers that she would hear of
no compromise, of nothing but the full restoration
of her rights, of being re-instated in the favour of
the sovereign, and received at his court. This
was the language which she had held when it
suited some of the gentlemen opposite to be her
advocates, yet it seemed to excite in them some
surprise, that now as then, she should claim to be
considered innocent. The evils which threat-
ened the country might yet be avoided, by pur-
suing one course which he would point out. He
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 327
knew that a loud shout would be raised when he
stated what that was — it was a change of minis-
ters ; and " So help me God," exclaimed the right
honourable gentleman, " I believe this country
will never gain a state of tranquillity till the mi-
nisters are changed." He had no interested feel-
ing when he stated this, but such was his sincere
opinion. The first obstacle to an amicable ar-
rangement was found in the persons who were to
negotiate. He again enlarged on the evil effect
produced on the public mind by the course which
had been pursued. An opinion in favour of her
majesty's innocence was abroad from one end of
the country to the other. It might be unfounded*
but the impression would not easily be done
away ; and from the moment that any trick or
chicanery was discovered, every thing that might
be brought forward to support the charge would
be viewed as tainted, and unworthy of at-
tention.
Lord Nugent asked, were ministers sincere in
wishing that no prejudice should be excited out
of doors "before the case came under the consi-
deration of parliament ? He would put them to
the test. He had seen certain paragraphs in two
papers, called ministerial journals, which he had
read with horror and disgust. In one of these
papers he found at the end of a very long and of-
fensive paragraph the following passage, which
he begged to read to the House.— " England
ought not to be involved in misery for an alien
2 u 2
328 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
and unworthy object ; we mean for a cause not
essential to our national interest, and not of suf-
ficient importance to call for a domestic division
upon it, to the ruin of our happiness and repose ;
and as the queen alone stands in the way of ar-
rangement, we say she ought to yield to the uni-
versal good, we care not whether as a martyr or
a criminal." Could it be believed that this per-
son was no other than the queen consort of England
— no less than his majesty's queen. He left it to
the impression and fair feeling of the house, if
language like this was to be sanctioned ?
Mr. C. Wynn> and Mr. Stuart Worthy, while
they admitted the embarassed situation in which
the house was placed, urged the necessity of im-
mediate investigation.
Mr. Hobhouse said, it appeared to him that the
queen had gained nothing by the negotiation but
the means of going out of the country in a more
suitable manner than she had come to it. He
believed that ministers would have been glad
to get her out of it on any terms. He could
not understand how the green bag was to be
got off the table. An honourable gentleman,
on a former evening,' had compared the situation
of ministers to that of certain characters in the
Rehearsal ; but the honourable member for Bram-
ber and his associates, perhaps, rather resembled
those in a drama founded upon it, the Critic,
where Lord Burleigh says to Mr. Puff, " But,
Sir, you have not told us how we are to get off/'
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND 329
•— " Why, replies he, cannot you get off kneel-
ing ?" " No !" " Egad, it will have a good ef-
fect if you go off praying."
The question was loudly called for.
Mr. Wilberforce expressed his regret that the
advice of the House of Commons had been re-
jected, because he was convinced that if it had
been followed, her majesty's honour would have
stood assured in the page of history. Before that
vote was tendered, much had been already con-
ceded to the queen in the course of this trans-
action. In the course of the negotiation it ap-
peared that only two points remained unadjusted ;
the acknowledgment of the queen at foreign
courts, and the restoration of her name to the
Liturgy. The first was removed by the offer to
nominate her majesty as queen to the court at
which she wished to reside; and then, all that
impeded the final arrangement, was the restora-
tion to the Liturgy. Whether the name ought to
have been taken out, was not to the point ; for the
basis of the negotiation was, that the one side was
not to retract, nor the other to admit any thing.
So far did the legal advisers of the queen adopt
this principle, that they offered to receive an equi-
valent for the concession demanded, and he would
ask if the House of Commons had fallen so low
that its assurance of the construction put upon
her majesty's yielding this matter of feeling was
not a sufficient ground to satisfy all that she could
have desired ? It was on that ground he voted ior
330 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
the proceeding, and he was sorry their hopes had
been dashed to the ground.
Mr. Denman said that the legal advisers of the
queen did not fear the charges contained in the
green bag: it was only its falsehoods they dreaded,
and the sole delay they required was to enable
them to meet these charges satisfactorily, of which
they had no doubt. They asked in the first place
an open trial, and if not that, as fair a trial through
the interposition of the secret committee as was
possible.
The house now divided : for Lord Castlereagh's
motion, 195 ; against it, 100. Majority for minis-
ters, 95.
It must be allowed that the consequences of the
step which the ministers were about to pursue
against her majesty, were taken into due considera-
tion by the opposition members of both houses, not
only with a regard to the general interests of the
country, but also to the feelings of the illustrious in-
dividual then under accusation. On Tuesday even-
ing, Earl Grey, in the House of Lords, made, what
may almost be called the last effort to stay the
proceedings which were instituted against the
queen, by moving, that the order for the meeting
of the secret committee to consider the papers
referred to their lordships be discharged. This
motion gave rise to a very long debate, in which
the same arguments were used by ministers as in
the former debates on this momentous question,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 331
and the motion was ultimately negatived by a
majority of 102 to 47.
The only circumstance deserving of mention
which took place during this debate, was the
attack which Lord Holland made upon the Arch-
bishop of Canterbury, as being the person who
advised the omission of her majesty's name in the
Liturgy. This led to an explanation on the part
of the reverend lord, who said, that Lord Holland
had objected to the insertion of the name of the
Archbishop of Canterbury in the secret commit-
tee, because he was the constitutional adviser of
the crown in the alteration of the Liturgy. Another
noble baron, in a former conversation, had ob-
jected to the insertion of the name of that person,
because he was the responsible adviser. He (the
Archbishop of Canterbury) believed that neither
one nor the other of the noble lords were correct.
He would ask, where was their authority ? Was
it any statute ? The only act he was acquainted
with, which referred to this subject, was the Act
of Uniformity. Did the noble lords find their
opinions there ? Certainly not. There was cer-
tainly no one who would be more disposed than
he was, to relinquish his station on the committee
in question, if the noble lords could point out such
grounds as would be satisfactory to the house,
and which would not impeach his integrity as a
public or a private man.
Lord Holland explained, that nothing was fur-
ther from his intention than to impeach the in-
tegrity of the reverend lord. But as that reverend
332 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
prelate Conveyed the acts of the king, as head of
the church, to the clergy of England, he con-
sidered the reverend prelate as responsible for the
alteration in the Liturgy.
- Lord Liverpool said, the alteration of the Liturgy
was the act of the king's confidential servants who
had advised it. The act was done in the council,
and the lords of the council, who were present
were, perhaps, strictly responsible ; but in the
practice since the revolution, the acts done in coun-
cil were preceded by advice on the part of the king's
confidential servants, who were thus the peculiar
objects of responsibility. The archbishop merely
acted ministerially, and was obliged to execute
the orders in council.
Thus the public are at last informed by whom
the omission of her majesty's name was advised,
and it is now ascertained on whose shoulders the
whole weight of that odious measure should repose ;
a weight which is hourly increasing from the indig-
nation of the people, and which will one day impel
them from the places which they now occupy.
In regard to the Liturgy, we now lay before
our readers a letter which was written by her ma-
jesty, on her seeing from the newspapers that her
name was omitted in the Liturgy ; and the com-
position proves that it proceeded from her own
feelings, and was not the result of legal opinion.
It also puts to rest the charge which was brought
forward by Lord Castlereagh, at the time when
the negotiations were carried on, that the question
of the Liturgy had been raised as an afterthought
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 333
to throw an obstacle in the way of an amicable
adjustment of the differences.
Rome, March 16, 1820.
The queen wishes to be informed, through the medium
of Lord Liverpool, first minister to the king, for what rea-
son or motive the queen's name is left out of the General
Prayers in England, with a view to prevent all her subjects
from paying her such respect as is due to her. And it is
an equally great omission towards the king, that his consort
queen should be obliged to submit to such great neglect, as
if the archbishop was in perfect ignorance of the real exist-
ence of the Queen Caroline of England. The queen is
desirous that Lord Liverpool should communicate this letter
to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Lord Liverpool will with
difficulty believe how much the queen was surprised at this
first act of cruel tyranny towards her ; since she had been
informed through the newspapers of the 22d of February,
that in the course of the debates in the House of Commons,
Lord Castlereagh, one of his best friends, assured the
queen's attorney-general, that the king's servants would not
use towards the queen any inattention or harshness. And
after that speech of Lord Castlereagh, the queen is sur-
prised to find her name left out of the Liturgy, as if she no
longer existed in this world. The queen trusts, before she
arrives in England, these matters will be corrected, and that
she will receive a satisfactory answer from Lord Liverpool.
* CAROLINE, QUEEN.
Whilst these proceedings were carrying on in
Parliament, the whole country rose as if actuated
by one spirit of indignation, at the unjustifiable
measures which had been adopted against the
queen, and particularly at the manner in which it
had been decided that she should be tried ; meek
2 x
334 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
ings were held in various towns, for the purpose
of addressing the queen, and one of the first
addresses which was presented, was from the
town of Nottingham. The address itself, however,
is not worthy of being recorded, the following is
her majesty's answer :
I receive with cordial gratitude, the affectionate sentiments
expressed in this address.
Sincerely as I must ever deplore the distresses that may
fall on any of my fellow-subjects, I must decline to speculate
on their probable causes, or to cast reproaches on their sup-
posed authors. Having come to this country for my own
vindication, I cannot mix political animosities with my just
cause.
My fervent prayers will be constantly offered to the
Throne >f Mercy, for the happiness and prosperity of the
whole English people ; and .there is no portion of them for
whom 1 feel a livelier interest, than the inhabitants of the
ancient town and neighbourhood of Nottingham.
A general meeting of the inhabitants of York
and its vicinity, was held on the 26th of June, in
the Guildhall of that city, for. the purpose of
taking into consideration the propriety of congra-
tulating her majesty the queen on her accession
to the throne, and on her return to this kingdom ;
and of expressing their sentiments on the de-
grading treatment she has experienced from his
majesty's ministers. There were present nearly
3,000 persons, and numbers were obliged to retire
on account of the excessive heat. The address
having been agreed to, was signed by the right
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 335
honourable the Lord Mayor,' who presided as
chairman at the meeting, and forwarded the same
evening to Marmaduke Wyvill, Esq., represent®,
tive of the city, with a request that he would
present it to her majesty without delay.
The address was presented in course, to which
her majesty returned the following answer :
To the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor and Inhabitants
of the City of York.
1 thank you ibr your loyal congratulations on my acces-
sion to the throne, and on my return to England, as well as
for your expressions of condolence on the severe losses*
which, in common with the whole nation, I have sustained
in the death of my dear and illustrious relatives. Had it
pleased Providence to preserve their lives, I should not now
have been exposed to the persecutions that await me, nor the
country to the fatal consequences that must always follow a
departure from the sacred principles of public justice. In
the unequal contest against those secret advisers, who are
alike the enemies of my royal consort and myself, I rely,
with confidence, on the sympathy and support of every
generous bosom, and feel secure that the vindication of my
honour will be again complete.
Wednesday the 28th of June was a portentous
day in the annals of this country, whether we
regard the events of it as affecting the peace of
the country, or the moral integrity of the people.
The Secret Committee of the Lords upon the
affairs of her majesty the queen met on that day
at twelve, and proceeded to the opening of one
of the most memorable depositories of accusatory
2x2
336 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
matter which was ever laid upon the table of
either house of parliament. Her majesty's coun-
sel, Messrs. Brougham and Denman attended, and
put in a sealed letter, expressing the sentiments
of their royal, client upon the extraordinary and
unprecedented proceedings which have now been
commenced against her. The learned gentlemen
remained in waiting a considerable time, in order
to receive an answer to the letter delivered on
the part of the queen, tut none being returned by
the committee, her majesty's counsel withdrew.
The committee first met in Lord Shaftesbury's
private room, all idlers being very property ex-
cluded from the passages. After remaining there
a short time, they went to the robing room, and
finally chose the old House of Lords as the most
commodious apartment, and the farthest removed
fro tint interruption. The gentleman usher of the
black rod and other officers of the house were sta-
tioned in various parts, and suffered no person to
approach the committee room, while a number of
constables were in attendance in other directions.
Previously to the committee, Lords Lansdown
and Erskine were excused from the committee, at
heir own request, and Lords Hardwicke and El-
lenborough attended in their room.
The following reflections press themselves upon
us in this stage of the proceedings. The break-
ing that portentous seal is the first step to a
career, upon which it would not be prudent to
speculate. The act reminds us of the opening of
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 337
the bags in which the adverse winds were bound
by the companions of Ulysses while their master
was asleep. We sincerely hope the result will be
less disastrous in the present instance than in the
poetic fiction. The jealous mariners expected to
find a prize ; a prize it was, but such a one as blew
them from the dearest object of their wishes
When lo ! on board a fond debate arose,
What rare device those wond'rous bags enclose :
' How ./£OLUS, you see, augments his store ;
' But come, my friends, these mystic gifts explore.'
They said — and (oh, curst thought !) the thongs unbound —
The gushing tempest sweeps the ocean round. — fyc.
Odyssey, lib. 10.
It has been urged by many that ministers have
shrunk from responsibility by the course they
have latterly taken. Our opinion is wholly the
contrary. They have rather increased their re-
sponsibility ; for let it be granted, that upon the
papers contained in the bag the committee should
report a presumption of criminality, they do so
upon the pledge of ministers to support the depo-
sitions by the parole evidence of the deponents.
Is not this a perilous — a most precarious respon-
sibility ? Should the ministers fail to substantiate
the contents of these papers, awful indeed will be
their situation, politically and morally. A great
difficulty exists in coming to the question of the
propriety of the present course of parliamentary
proceeding against the queen : not from the mul-
titude of arguments which are opposed to us, but
338 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
from the variety of topics which have claims upon
our attention. If we consider the proceeding as
a measure of state, undertaken from motives of
state policy, the words of the resolutions of the
House of Commons meet us. If we consider it as
a criminal proceeding against her majesty, [the
offers to her, and the late proffered compromise,
meet us. If we consider it as a civil suit, insti-
tuted by the king against the queen, ,many consi-
derations press upon us, of the most alarming and
important nature. If we consider the question as
one of the purity and decency of public justice,
the committee — its nature — its members — the evi-
dence which it receives and rejects — all offer
themselves to our notice. The question of the
decency and purity of the administration of jus-
tice deserves perhaps the first place ; because,
although the House of Commons has already de-
cided, if its resolutions have any meaning, that
the proceeding is indefensible on the ground of
state policy — though the compromise which has
been attempted may defend the queen from any
criminal prosecution, — though notorious facts
might protect her against a divorce, — though we
are confident, even if all the lies* which Italians
* It was the remark of a man, who, whatever might be his
private individual failings, always acted constitutionally right,
" That he would not believe an Italian upon his oath." He
said this upon a court-martial, where the life of the man de-
pended on Italian evidence. The man was acquitted —the Ita-
lian disgraced* In a few years, the Italian was prosecuted for
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 339
could invent or swear to, for the highest pay, were
believed against the queen, that they could not
lead to divorce or punishment, unless there be
one law for the high and another for the low, it
would be still no small evil that she should be de-
prived of her character by a perversion of the
forms of judicial proceedings.
We do not hesitate, therefore, to say that the
responsibility of administration is great in the
extreme. It is most difficult to anticipate the
judgment of posterity upon a public man ; yet let
us hope that Lord Liverpool will not be pronounced
a minister capable of any act, harsh, mean, or
unprincipled. He is a man with particular indi-
vidual prejudices, and moreover with the preju-
dices of a man of system, brought up in a political
school ; but on this question he has committed more
than one great error. When he advised and
brought down the criminatory papers, he entered
the lists in a combat of passion with an irritated
female; forgetting that, in such a trial, female spirit
rarely is the first to be reasonable. He risked
himself and his colleagues upon a fearful ca-
sualty—the substantiation of written evidence ;
and he not only exposed, by his secret committee,
an offence at Minorca. He was sentenced to die. Lord Nelson
questioned him as to the truth on the preceding trial,
swore," said the Italian, " to a parcel of lies; but I swore en
an English Prayer-book." The horror of Lord Nelson was
great, but he had spoken. The man was forgiven, and bears
the same name now as one of the queen's accusers.
340 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
the House of Peers to suspense and odium, but he
departed from the constitutional usage of our ances-
tors, that great principle which should be as sacred
in Britain as the Nios Majorum of ancient Rome,
the reverence for which was one of the main causes
of the greatness of that wonderful people, and a
convicted violation of which was in their eyes ab-
solute treason, punishable by the Tarpeian rock.
Ministers have trusted their fortunes, their
fame, and character, to the throw of the dice ;
and for their conduct towards the queen, an in-
dignant posterity will, perhaps, attach the foulest
obloquy to their names.
In consequence of the course which the house
of peers had resolved to pursue towards her
majesty, she determined to relinquish her in-
tention of visiting Drury-lane theatre, which she
fixed for Wednesday the 28th, in compliance
with the urgent solicitations of the manager.
This prudent determination on the part of her
majesty, instead of softening the asperity of the
ministerial party, only increased the virulence of
their attack, for they were in hopes that she
would visit the theatre, and then all the hell-dogs
of abuse and invective would have been let loose
upon her ; but she deprived them of a handle for
their scurrility, and that was an offence not to be
easily pardoned. A large party dined with her
majesty on that day at two o'clock, which early
hour for dining is her majesty's usual custom. Dr.
Parr was of the party, and those measures were
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 341
into consideration, which it became necessary to
adopt, in consequence of the course pursued by
the House of Peers.
Although the House of Commons had paused
for a time in their proceedings in the case of her
majesty, for the express purpose of waiting for
the report of the secret committee of the lords,
yet the country was actively alive in shewing the
sense which the people at large entertained of
the charges which had been brought forward
against the queen, and of the injury which she
had sustained.
A requisition had been signed by the Livery of
London, to hold a common-hall for the purpose
of considering the propriety of an address from
that body to her majesty, on her arrival in this
country. Accordingly the Livery met on Friday
the 30th June, and at one o'clock, the Lord
Mayor took the chair ; there being present
Alderman Wood, Thorpe, Waithman, $-c. and the
sheriffs.
Mr. Gibson came forward to propose certain
resolutions ; the second only of which we shall
give, as being the only one out of the usual
form:
That we have beheld with grief the numerous insults and
indignities that have been offered to her majesty, both at
home and abroad, and lament that persons should be found
with such unchristian feelings as to advise the omission of
her name in the solemn services of the Church ; and we
have felt the highest indignation at the insulting and de-
2 Y
342 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
grading propositions which were made to her majesty be-
fore her arrival in this country; and we are equally dis-
gusted with those which have been made since her arrival,
to induce her to become an exile from this land, which
might afford her enemies fresh opportunities for those
Calumnies, which probably they never would have dared to
attempt if she had remained in England.
Several members spoke, but only one (Mr.
Rowcroft) against the resolutions, which were
carried.
Thanks were then proposed to Mr, Alderman
Wood for his conduct towards her majesty ; on
which, the worthy alderman expressed himself in
the following manner :
He said, that if his conduct had given satisfac-
tion to his constituents, he was happy. There
were many reasons why he should remain silent,
both in that place, and elsewhere ; but the time
would, no doubt, come when he might speak
out. Not all the taunts and goadings he endured
in the house, or elsewhere, had tempted him to
break that silence, or violate the deep respect he
owed to j;he illustrious lady in question. He had
been grossly taunted, but he would say to his
enemies, that if they had acted through their
public life as disinterestedly as he had done in
this instance, they would have no cause to re-
gret. He had, he said, long known the peculiar
situation of her majesty, and the measures that
had been adopted to prevent her return to this
country ; and he was sure that no honest man in
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 343
the kingdom, knowing what he knew, would have
hesitated to have acted exactly as he had done.
Whether or not his conduct had been regulated
by profound and absolute wisdom, was not for him
to say, but this he would say, fearlessly, that
what he Lad done, he had done with an upright
heart ; and he felt convinced, that in the end he
should receive the approbation of every honour-
able mind in the country. He had abstained
from all public dinners or meetings, because he
would not be tempted to give any thing like a
public opinion, and he should still abstain from
expressing any opinion, except this one — that
her majesty must not leave this kingdom. Speak-
ing of the offer made to her majesty at St.
Omer's, he said, that if she had so consented to
compromise her honour, nothing should have in-
duced him to vote a single shilling of the public
money towards her support ; and he should not
hesitate to say the same thing to her majesty
herself, These were his sentiments, he added,
and he could enlarge upon them much further ;
but that was not the proper place, and he bowed,
not only to his own sense of propriety, but to his
feeling of respect for that illustrious lady. The
worthy alderman retired, amidst general and
continued cheering.
On the same day, a numerous and respectable
meeting of the electors of the borough of South-
wark was held at the town-hall, pursuant to a
requisition sent to the high bailiff, for the purpose
2 Y 2
344 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
of presenting an address of condolence and con-
gratulation to her majesty.
The high bailiff having stated the object of the
meeting, Mr. S. Davis moved the following re-
solution :
" That a loyal address of condolence and con-
gratulation, be presented to her majesty upon
her arrival in England."
The resolution having been put, was carried
unanimously, and after some very able argu-
ments by Mr. Calvert, Sir Robert Wilson, and
other speakers, in censure of the proceedings
instituted against her majesty, the meeting dis-
persed.
About two hours after the meeting of the
Livery was over in the city, her majesty went to
Guildhall, accompanied by Mr. Alderman Wood.
Her majesty was received at the door by Mr.
Favell, and several gentlemen of the common-
council, bearing wands. Her majesty was par-
ticularly anxious to see the statue of the late
king, and was accordingly led to the room where
it stands. The common-council-chamber was
crowded with well-dressed ladies, who waved
their handkerchiefs as her majesty walked
through their ranks. One lady knelt down, and
ejaculated a fervent prayer for her majesty's pros-
perity. The queen raised her, and spoke a few
words of thanks to her, in a manner that showed
she was greatly affected by the incident. Her
majesty was received with loud cheers by all
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 345
who had the honour to be admitted into the hall
to see her pass. Her carriage was drawn by the
populace, in spite of the most earnest re-
monstrances to the contrary.
This circumstance of the queen's visit to the
city, was eagerly seized upon by the ministerial
party to vent their abuse against their queen ;
and indeed every event, however trivial in its
nature, which calls forth an expression of the
public feeling, flowing with such an impetuous
force in favour of the queen, is received by that
party with the most marked disgust and ab-
horrence. They seem to be immediately afflicted
with a kind of St. Vitus's dance, and they turn
and twist — and jump and skip about, and make
a thousand hideous grimaces at an act which
an unbiassed and unprejudiced mind would look
upon as one of the common actions of daily life.
We should be the foremost to regret if her ma-
jesty committed any act to lower herself in the
esteem of the wise, or if she rendered herself too
common in the eyes of the people, and so far,
caution is to be recommended. It must, how-
ever, be taken into consideration in this instance,
that her majesty is actually driven into a state of
publicity, by the very situation in which she is
improperly placed ; and it is the very acme of
illiberality in those who have so placed her, or
forced her to place herself, to abuse her for that
which necessarily results : from their own con-
duct towards her. Had she been placed, as she
346 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
ought to have been, at least till her trial, in any
of the empty palaces, she would then have had
grounds and gardens for walking and amusement,
remote from observation ; but instead of this,
she is immured within the narrow space of some
forty feet square, or forty by thirty, and possess-
ing as she does light spirits, and an active frame,
the only kind of exercise she can possibly take,
if she must not stir out, would be running up
stairs and down — but she cannot do even this
without being seen and cheered by occasional
passengers and loiterers. Is this her fault, we
ask, or her misfortune ? She certainly does right
to attend to her health, and to take as much air
and exercise as are necessary for its preservation,
and we may add for the support of those spirits
which are requisite to enable her to meet the
trial to which she is doomed. If she does more,
if she needlessly exposes herself to the public
gaze, or studies ostentatious parade, we might
address her in the words of the poet :
Had I so lavish of my presence been,
So common hackney'd in the eyes of men,
So stale and cheap to vulgar company ; —
Opinion, that did help me to the crown,
Had still kept loyal to possession,
And left me, in reputeless banishment,
A fellow of no mark nor likelihood.
By being seldom seen, I could not stir,
But, like a comet, I was wondered at ;
That men would tell their children, ' This is he P
Others would say, * Where ? which is Bolingbroke ?
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 347
And then I stole all courtesy from heav'n,
And dress'd myself in such humility,
That I did pluck allegiance from men's hearts,
Loud shouts and salutations from their mouths,
Even in the presence of the crowned king.
Thus did I keep my person fresh and new ;
My presence, like a robe pontifical,
Ne'er seen, but wonder'd at : and so my state,
Seldom, but sumptuous, showed like a feast ;
And won, by rareness, such solemnity.
On the following day, Saturday July 29th, Mr.
Brougham had an audience of her majesty, to
present an affectionate and loyal address frojn
Preston, signed in a few hours by some thousands
of the inhabitants.
Her majesty was most graciously pleased to
receive it, and return the following answer :
I thank the good people of Preston for this mark of their
regard.
My object in coming home has been the vindication of
my honour ; and I shall perform this sacred duty, which I
owe alike to the country and to myself, without making
myself a party to the political divisions that at present
exist. But I never can forget the gratitude I owe to the
English nation, or cease to feel the liveliest interest in
its prosperity.
In the afternoon, her majesty took an airing to
Blackheath, in a private carriage. She returned
through the city, and called at the shop of Mr.
Alderman Waithman ; on leaving which, she was
I recognised by the populace, who took the horses
; from her carriage, and drew it themselves.
348 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
As a specimen of the manner in which these,
inoffensive actions of her majesty were described.,
and the construction which was put upon them
by one of the greatest apostates to the cause of
her majesty, we quote the following remarks which
were promulgated to the public, on the occasion
of this visit of her majesty to the shop of Alder-
man Waithman :
" After remaining there a sufficient time for a
mob to collect, she re-entered her carriage, amidst
the noisy cheering of a number of chimney-
sweeps and other dirty fellows, the very refuse
of society, who being as usual provided with a
rope for the purpose, dragged her along all the
streets, amidst the most hideous and abhorrent
bowlings, and to the evident offence of all the
decent and peaceable inhabitants. Either her
majesty must in this course give herself up entirely
to the advice of the most worthless and mis-
chievous of men, or she cannot herself be in
proper state of mind; and this perhaps is the
most humane plea that can be urged in behalf ol
her extraordinary conduct. Good God ! what
disgusting and abhorrent scene does thus con-
tinue to present itself to our view. A woman-
that woman a queen — that queen labouring undei
the imputation of heavy charges — daily dragge<
by the veriest rabble through the streets of the
metropolis ! Is it of a Queen of England that we
are compelled to write this ? Since England had
a name, when was its metropolis so disgraced
QUEEN COXSORT OF ENGLAND. 349
before ? There is, in the whole transaction, some-
thing so repulsive — so alien from all oUr notions
of female propriety — so unlike what the sober
dignity of English morals requires — so irrecon-
cileable with all our habits, feelings, and ideas —
that we cannot trust ourselves with the] language
which alone could adequately express our senti-
ments. From the repetition of such extraordi-
nary conduct, it cannot now be said that her
majesty would fain avoid such exhibitions. We
have unhappily lived to see what we should have
scorned the man who had told us could happen —
a female — an illustrious female — a queen — daily
dragged in procession through the streets of
London — like a base demagogue or radical incen-
diary ! Oh ! the very idea saddens and sickens
the heart ! May we hope, for her own sake, that
we have now witnessed the last of these afflicting
scenes — as derogatory to her majesty, as they are
disgraceful to the country, in which she claims
the full rank and undiminished rights and privi-
leges of the most decorous and amiable of our
queens !"
From this same polluted source of vituperation
issued the following truly scandalous and abomi-
nable statement :
" England ought not to be involved in misery
for an alien and unworthy object ; we mean for a
cause not essential to our national interest, and
not of sufficient importance to call for a domestic
division upon it, to the ruin of our happiness and
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350 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
repose; and, as the queen alone stands in the
way of arrangement, we say she ought to yield to
the universal good, we care not whether as a
martyr or a criminal."
This infamous language was severely animad-
verted upon by Lord Nugent in the House of
Commons, and he asked whether language like
this was to be sanctioned. He called on his
majesty's ministers, if indeed they meant to bring
this question to issue by a fair, public, just, and
impartial trial, to do their duty. He asked,
whether the noble lord and his friends in office
would allow an impression of this nature to be
attempted, without instructing the Attorney-Ge-
neral to prosecute an attack so unwarranted and
so prejudicial ?
But this circumstance is particularly deserving
of notice, as it .nearly endangered the peace of
the city; and by the very persons who were
actually trembling with alarm on account of the
ebullition of popular enthusiasm which manifested
itself in favour of the queen. The walls of the
metropolis were now posted with placards, headed
in large letters, " PROPOSALS TO MURDER THE
QUKEN." Large crowds were assembled to read
them in different places, but the police officers
tore them down almost as soon as they were
posted on the walls. These placards were by
the ministerial party immediately stigmatized as
having been written and printed for the most
diabolical purposes, although they themselves
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 351
stood acquitted of any diabolical intent, in recom-
mending that the queen should be sacrificed, they
cared not which, either as a martyr or a criminal.
In the plenitude of their sagacity they declared,
that these placards were only published with a
view of inflaming the passions of the mob, but
forgetting at the same time, very conveniently,
that the most inflammatory language which ever
issued from the press, had but a few hours before
been promulgated by themselves. Such is the
impartiality with which the cause of an injured
queen has been investigated ; and such in propor-
tion will be the humiliation of her enemies, when
in the moment of her victory over them they will
be crouching at her feet, supplicating her forgive-
ness, and ready to emit the blackness of the
venom on all those who dare henceforth asperse
her character.
Her majesty having been pleased to appoint
Monday the 3d of July, for receiving the addresses
of the borough of South wark and of the Common-
hall, considerable crowds began to collect in
Portman-street and Oxford-street, at an early
hour, notwithstanding the unfavourable state of
weather. The windows were crowded with
well-dressed females, and rows of carriages lined
the streets, A few minutes past one, the South-
wark procession appeared, and was saluted with
cheers by the multitude. Sir R. Wilson, in the
uniform of a general officer, Mr. Calvert and the
high bailiff of Southwark, in their court dresses,
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352 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
with a number of gentlemen, electors of the
borough, were presented to the queen, and had
the honour of kissing her majesty's hand. The
following is the address, and was read to her
majesty ; but as the original copy had been sent
to Mr. Brougham, who was indisposed in the
country, she had not previously perused it, so as
to be able to return a written answer. Her
majesty returned a most gracious verbal answer,
and promised that her written answer should be
immediately sent to the electors of Southwark.
The deputation then retired, and was a second
time greeted by the enthusiastic cheers of the
people. At the same moment, several benefit
societies marched by with their flags and music.
The whole scene was interesting and animated in
the extreme.
TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.
The dutiful and loyal Address of the inhabitant House-
holders of the ancient Town and Borough of Southward, in
Town-hall assembled.
May it please your majesty :
We, his majesty's faithful subjects, the inhabitant house-
holders of the ancient town and borough of Southwark, in
town-hall assembled, beg leave to offer to your majesty our
most sincere and fervent congratulations on your majesty's
accession to your royal title ; and on your majesty's safe
return to the empire in which it has been ordained by
Providence that your majesty should hold so exalted a
station.
In offering these congratulations to your majesty, it is in-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 353
cumbent upon us to add the expressions of our condolence
on the loss your majesty has sustained by the death of our
late gracious sovereign, your majesty's steadfast friend, King
George the Third, and still more, on the irreparable loss
your majesty has suffered by the death of your amiable and
incomparable daughter, the Princess Charlotte, on whom
the hopes of the country were fixed, and in whose virtues
were combined the surest safeguards for the loyalty and
the liberty of a people born to freedom ; and who have
never abused the blessings of freedom, when fairly and con-
stitutionally dispensed to them.
We would on r.o account offend, by intruding unneces-
sarily into the personal concerns of your majesty. Your
majesty's interests, however, have become the interests of
the public. We trust then, we shall be excused, as well
as believed, when we take the liberty of assuring your
majesty, that we have long beheld the afflictions by which
your majesty has been so peculiarly oppressed, with the
most genuine emotions of sympathy and grief.
In these feelings, common, with some few unimportant
exceptions, to the great bulk of his majesty's subjects,
we have been, in some degree, consoled, by the conviction
that your majesty must have seen and known that the
sufferings to which you have been exposed, and the in-
dignities to which you have been doomed, have been in no
way attributable to any want of affection, or dutiful con-
sideration, towards your majesty, on the part of the British
nation.
But, of all the consolations which, under such circum-
stances, we could have received, one of the greatest has
been afforded to us, by the courage, the fortitude, and the
magnanimity, with which your majesty has opposed your-
self, in person, to measures \v\iich threatened, if not the
destruction of your majesty's life, the destruction, at least,
354 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
of your majesty's privileges and reputation. The extraor-
dinary vigour of your majesty's conduct, has not only com-
manded the respect, the admiration, and the confidence of
every liberal and enlightened mind ; but it has raised, we
trust, an invincible barrier against the enemies of your ma-
jesty *s peace and honour ; and has secured the transmission
of your majesty's name to futurity, unsullied by the defile-
ments which malevolence and servility might have at-
tempted to attach to it.
That the advantages your majesty has acquired by this
wise and dignified course of proceeding, may not be im-
paired by needless, or insidious negotiations ; — that your
majesty's character and rights may be established on the
plain and common -sense grounds, which are evidently those
of your majesty's choice, and not be frittered away by
verbal • subtilties, and refinements, beyond the scope of
popular comprehension ; — that your majesty, by continuing
to dwell among us, may not only long reign in our hearts,
but be an eye-witness and a personal partaker of the joys
with which (as it has been confessed even by one of the
king's ministers) your majesty's presence is calculated to
inspire us : — that your majesty, in few words, may possess,
during the remainder of your valuable life, such securities
for happiness as may, in some measure, atone for the un-
merited ills of days gone by ; — these, may it please your
majesty, are the objects earnestly wished and devoutly
prayed for by the millions of friends and of advocates by
whom your majesty is at this moment surrounded ; and by
no part of the British community more ardently, than by
the inhabitants of that large and respectable district of the
metropolis, who now presume to lay at your majesty's feet
this humble testimony of their fidelity, their regard, and their
fene ration.
The Lord Mayor and the other city authorities,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 355
shortly after two, appeared with the address of
the Common-hall, which was read to her majesty
as follows :
TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY
The humble Address of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and
Livery of the City of London, in Common-hall as-
sembled.
May it please your Majesty,
We, his majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lord
Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery of the City of London, in
Common-hall assembled, humbly approach your majesty
with our warmest congratulations upon your majesty's safe
return to this kingdom.
We sincerely condole with your majesty upon the loss of
so many illustrious personages of your royal house, particu*
larly that of your majesty's guardian and protector, our late
revered sovereign, and your amiable and beloved daughter,
the Princess Charlotte, upon whom the hopes of the nation
had fondly rested.
We have beheld with grief the numerous insults and
indignities which have been offered to your majesty, both
at home and abroad, and lament that any persons should be
found with such unchristian feelings as to advise the omis-
sion of your majesty's name in the solemn services of the
church.
As we have before congratulated your majesty upon your
complete triumph over a foul conspiracy against your life
and honour, we have never ceased to feel the most anxious
solicitude for every thing connected with your peace and
happiness, and sincerely trust your majesty will prove
equally triumphant over the renewed attempts to vilify your
character.
We have felt, in common with all his majesty's subject*,
356 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,,
the highest indignation at the insulting and degrading pro-
posals which were made to your majesty previous to your
arrival in this country.
We admire the prompt refusal of your majesty to com-
promise your honour for a pecuniary consideration ; nor
can we forbear expressing equal admiration at the magnani-
mous and decisive conduct your majesty has displayed, by
your unhesitating confidence in the loyalty and honour of
the British nation, as well as the courage you have evinced
in boldly meeting your accusers, protesting against all
secret investigations, and demanding an open and constitu-
tional tribunal.
We felt disgusted at the proposal made to your majesty
to become an exile from this land, which might afford your
majesty's enemies fresh opportunity for the calumnies which
probably they never would have dared to attempt, if your
majesty had remained in England.
We sincerely hope that your majesty will be established
in the full possession of all your just rights, and reside
amongst a people zealously attached to the house of Bruns-
wick, and who feel deeply interested in every thing con-
nected with the honour of that house, and with the welfare
and happiness of your majesty.
Her majesty then returned the following
answer :
It is with peculiar satisfaction, and with most cordial
thanks, that I receive this loyal and affectionate address
from the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery of the city of
London, whose manly support of my cause upon a
former occasion, has never ceased to live in my grateful
lemembrance.
No words can give utterance to the agonies of my heart,
occasioned by those losses on which you offer me your
kind condolence, and which admit of no reparation on this
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 357
side Uie grave ; but, in the many and deep sorrows and
afflictions with which it has pleased Providence to visit me,
I have derived unspeakable consolation from the zealous and
constant attachment of this warm-hearted, just, and gene-
rous people ; to live at home with, and to cherish whom, will
be the chief happiness of the remainder of my days.
The indignation which a long series of persecution?,
plots, and conspiracies, carried on against my peace, honour,
and life, is so well calculated to excite, it shall be my en-
deavour to suppress ; and while I steadily pursue ihe means
necessary to the full possession of all my rights, privileges,
and dignities, I would fain bury past injuries and insults in
total oblivion.
Conscious of my innocence, disdaining the threats intended
to awe me, knowing that it was to Britain I was coming, it
required no extraordinary degree of courage to place* me in
the face of my accusers. To have acted upon this or upon
any other occasion a pusillanimous part, would ill become a
daughter of the house of Brunswick and the queen of a
nation famed for its valour in all ages, and whose gallant
Bailors and soldiers have so recently been crowned with
laurels in every part of the globe.
This answer her majesty delivered in the most
feeling manner, and it made the deepest impres-
sion on the hearers.
The reply of her majesty to the address of the
city of London will resound from one end of
Europe to the other. The last sentence above
all will excite the warmest emotions. Is there
the abatement of 6ne jot of heart or hope in this
masculine composition ? Quite the reverse ; her
views enlarge — 'her resolution is invigorated — her
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358 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
indignation more fervent, as the hand of power
seems or threatens to bear yet more heavily upon
her. From the reply to the city, it was first
learned that it will henceforth be her majesty's
" chief happiness to spend the remainder of her
days at home, among this warm-hearted, just, and
generous people/' After the publication of the
charges, indeed her majesty cannot retire ; if there
were before need of firmness, then will the most
undaunted intrepidity be necessary — -thus, there
must be no fluctuating, no symptom of fear, or
inward misgiving. The die will be cast — one
look back would give her persecutors incalculable
advantages — her courage, and her courage alone
can save her.
We now turn from the official to the incidental
proceedings which have reference to her ma-
jesty. Finding that the residence which she at
this time occupied was neither consistent with
her rank, nor attended with those conveniencies
which she had a right to enjoy, she applied to
Lord Liverpool for a suitable residence. His
lordship hereupon wished her majesty to name
some house ; under the supposition, therefore, that
the mansion at the top of Stratford-place, which
had been occupied by foreign princes, belonged
to Government, her majesty fixed upon it, ima-
gining also that the assignment of it would put
the country to no expense. Lord Liverpool
replied, that the house in question had ceased to
belong to Government, and requested her ma-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 359
jesty to name another. Her majesty, however,
saw through the art of the wily statesman, and
she was, in her own mind, so convinced that had
ghe fixed upon any other house, that it would be
discovered that it either did not belong to Govern-
ment, or that if it did belong to Government,
some excuse would be ready at hand to refuse it
to her, that she did not condescend to make
another request. It would have been curious to
know the reason why Hampton-court could not
be granted to her majesty — at all events, if the
true reason had been stated to the public, it
would have involved a distinguished individual,
who at present has not appeared in the arena of
this extraordinary contest.
On Sunday, the 2d of July, Sir William Grant
had two interviews on the part of her majesty,
with Mr. Canning on the part of ministers, but
nothing was effected towards an adjustment of
the grand differences.
On Tuesday, at one o'clock, a numerous meet-
ing of the inhabitants of Westminster was held in
Co vent-garden, for the purpose of taking into
consideration the propriety of addressing her
majesty, on her return to England.
The high bailiff, (Arthur Morris, Esq.,) who
presided, shortly addressed the meeting, and
stated, that one of the reasons why he had not
convened it sooner was, that he was afraid lest,
as negotiations were at that time pending between
her majesty and the king's ministers, it should
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360 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
prove an obstacle to an amicable arrangement.
He could assure them, that he had not been in-
fluenced by Lord Sidmouth in the reluctance
which he then had to convene the meeting, but
had acted entirely from his own sense of duty.
Indeed, he never had, and he never would, con-
sult that noble lord regarding what he ought to
do when a requisition was presented to him from
the inhabitants of "Westminster. He then read
the requisition on which he had convened the
present meeting, and requested their attention to
the subject of it.
Mr. Thelwall then came forward, and, after a
$hort speech, proposed five resolutions, the last
of which was, " that an address to her majesty
be adopted by this meeting."
Mr. O'Callaghan seconded the resolutions.
The High Bailiff then put them to the meeting,
and they were agreed to unanimously.
The report of the secret committee was pre-
sented on Tuesday, July 4th, to the House of
Lords, and as it might be anticipated, charged
the queen with offences of the highest magnitude.
It accused her majesty of having formed an in-
timacy of a most criminal nature with a foreigner,
who had filled the situation of a servant in her own
household ; and further alleged, upon the authority
of the papers contained in the green bag, that
her majesty's conduct had in other instances
been marked by circumstances of a licentious
nature, unbecoming her rank and station.
QUEEN CONSORT Off ENGLAND. 361
Previously, however, to entering into any dis-
quisition on the merits of this celebrated report,
we will lay a correct copy of it before our
readers, with a condensed account of the parlia-
mentary proceedings consequent upon it.
REPORT OF THE SECRET COMMITTEE.
The Earl of Harrowby begged leave to lay on
the table the report of the secret committee, to
whom the papers connected with his majesty's
message had been referred, and moved that the
same be now read.
The clerk read the report, which was as fol-
ows :
" By the lords' committee, appointed a secret
committee to examine the papers laid before the
1 House of Lords on Tuesday, the 6th of June last,
in two sealed bags, by his majesty's command,
and to report thereupon, as they shall see fit,
and to whom have been since referred several
additional papers, in two sealed bags, relative to
the subject matter of his majesty's most gracious
message of the 6th June. Ordered to report,
" That the committee have examined, with all
the attention due to so important a subject, the
documents which have been laid before them,
and they find that those documents contain
allegations supported by the concurrent tes-
timony of a great number of persons in various
I situations of life, and residing in different parts
i of Europe, which deeply affect the honour of
362 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
the queen, charging her majesty with an adul-
terous connexion with a foreigner, originally in
her service in a menial capacity ; and attributing
to her majesty a continued series of conduct
highly unbecoming her majesty's rank and
station, and of the most licentious character.
" These charges appear to the committee so
deeply to affect not only the honour of the queen,
but also the dignity of the crown and the moral
feelings and honour of the country, that in their
opinion it is indispensable that they should be-
come the subject of a solemn inquiry ; which it
appears to the committee may be best effected
in the course of a legislative proceeding, the
necessity of which they cannot but most deeply
deplore."
The Earl of Liverpool, in consequence of the
recommendation of the committee, would to-
morrow introduce a bill relative to the subject
matter of the report. With respect to the course
of proceeding which it might be thought fit to
adopt, he should be disposed to consult the con-
venience of the illustrious person who was the
object of the charge.
Earl Grey would, in the present situation of the
proceedings, abstain from saying much that oc-
curred to him upon this most important subject,
the difficulty and danger to be apprehended from
which was, in his opinion, increased in an im-
mense degree, by the reading of the report now.
on the table. When he before objected to the
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 363
course which the noble lords opposite proposed to
pursue, he stated then, and he now repeated, that
his only object was to obtain for the parties con-
cerned, strict and impartial justice. He had now
again to enter his protest against the injustice of
a proceeding which did not leave the case of the
person accused in an unprejudiced state. The
charges now made were not merely brought for-
ward by the ministers of the crown, but came
before their lordships through the medium of a
committee of their lordship's house. It was,
therefore, important that their lordships should
consider the situation in which they were placed.
A charge of a more abhorrent nature never could
be made against any individual, to say nothing of
its being brought against a queen. If this charge
rested upon evidence which could be supported,
it certainly formed a case for indispensible inquiry,
and he agreed that it was for the honour of the
crown, and the welfare of the country, that the
inquiry should proceed in the way calculated to
secure the honour and interests of both. But by
whom were their lordships told that the evidence
could be supported? By those ministers who
were willing to continue her majesty in the cha-
racter of queen — to make arrangements for her
introduction to foreign courts — and to recommend
their ambassadors to pay respect to her. They
(the ministers) now told their lordships that the
queen was a person liable to imputations of the
most abhorrent nature. They had permitted this
364 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
conduct to go on for years, and now tney brought
forward the charge with the greatest haste, leaving
it suspended to agitate the country, and thus com-
promising not only the dignity of the throne, but
the safety of the state. Her majesty, now
standing under a charge proceeding from such
authority, was placed in a situation that no one
before her ever stood in. It appeared to be
thought that it would be necessary to suspend the
charge, in order to allow time for the defence,
but he did not think that her majesty would lose
any thing by the inquiry proceeding immediately ;
for she must sustain more injury from the circum-
stance of this report being promulgated to the
world, than she could gain advantage from any de-
lay for procuring evidence. As the case now; stood,
she had no means of knowing the characters of the
witnesses that were to be brought against her ;
even the name of the menial servant with whom
the adulterous intercourse was said to have taken
place, was not mentioned. In this situation the
charge was to stand against her for three months ;
and then, perhaps she would have, after all, to
meet the investigation with very imperfect means
of defence. He thought that justice required that
her majesty should be forthwith furnished by
ministers with a distinct statement of the charges,
and a list of the witnesses on whose authority they
were made.
The Earl of Harrowby thought that the noble
lord might have abstained from saying any thing,
QUEEN" CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 365
until his noble friend had had the opportunity
of explaining the course of proceeding which he
thought should be adopted. He could assure
their lordships that he as deeply regretted the
necessity of the proceeding, and as anxiously de-
sired to avoid agitating the public mind, as the
noble lord or any other person ; but he thought
it requisite to make one or two observations on
what had fallen from the noble earl. He had
accused his majesty's government with having
committed a great act of injustice by the course
which had been pursued. If that course was
injustice, their lordships were completely accom-
plices in it.
The Earl of Darnley was afraid that nothing but
mischief could result from the paper laid on the
table, and sincerely wished that the proceedings
had been avoided. He had before alluded to the
measure of the omission of her majesty's name
in the Liturgy, the injustice of which was so
glaring. After her majesty had been prayed for
during twenty-five years as Princess of Wales,
the refusing to pray for her as queen was quite
unaccountable. How did it happen that she,
who was worthy to be prayed for on the 29th
of January, became all at once an unworthy
object on the 30th, the very next day ? The con-
duct of ministers in this respect, could not be
exculpated.
Earl Grey, in explanation, remarked, that if
his majesty's ministers had before them evidence
3 B
366 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
of the queen having been guilty of an adulterous
intercourse with a foreigner, they ought not to
have softened it down into family differences,
and offered to compromise it by an allowance ot
50,000/ a year taken from the pockets of the
people.
The Earl of Liverpool said, the doctrine ad-
vanced by him was, that ministers had finally
seen the queen's conduct in a different light from
what they did at the commencement, because
they now advised inquiry, whereas, they formerly
showed a willingness to compromise. Now he
(Lord Liverpool) had not the least difficulty in
maintaining that, even on the assumption of the
possibility of proving every charge against the
queen which had been made, his majesty's
ministers had done right in offering to agree to
an adjustment without a trial. He would say,
that had she remained abroad, the evils attend-
ing a compromise, would not have been so great
as those that might be anticipated from institut-
ing proceedings against her ; and he entertained
this opinion in common with 99 out of 100 of the
nation. Undoubtedly it might be said, that, if
charges existed, they ought to be proved or dis-
pelled. This, as a general maxim, might be
correct ; but circumstances might be such as to
render the application of it to certain cases
highly inexpedient. Whether the steps they
had taken to prevent inquiry were prudent or no,
was a different question; but when the queen
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 367
came to the country — when her conduct was
forced upon public attention— when no medium
was left between admitting her to the exercise
of all her rights and privileges, and allowing her
full influence on the morals of the country, and
proceeding against her, supposing the charges to
be true, they were compelled to bring them
forward. Great as the evil on this latter sup-
position was, it appeared to them to be the
least.
The Marquis of Buckingham agreed in the ne-
cessity of pursuing the inquiry, as all attempts
at compromise had proved unavailing.
"Lord Holland remarked, that the noble earl
(Liverpool) had stated in loud and lofty language
that he had his reasons for believing that inquiry
which was not necessary if her majesty had re-
mained out of England, became necessary as
soon as she returned ; but he had not specified
those reasons. He merely gave his opinion
without producing any grounds for it ; and he
had forgotten that her majesty was not only to
escape a trial if she remained abroad, but was
to receive 50,000/. a year. The feelings of the
country might have been interested in this ques-
tion ; but was that interest diminished by the
presence of her majesty in England ? The noble
carl had alleged that ministers were driven to the
course which they had adopted, but he had not
explained why they were so driven. The course
of these proceedings was from the beginning
3 B2
368 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
wrong — highly inconsistent — highly dangerous —
derogatory from the honour of the crown, and
injurious to the best interests of the country.
! We shall be brief in our remarks on this unex-
empled report, in order to proceed to more im-
portant and weighty matter ; but, we submit the
few following reflections to the unprejudiced part
of the community, and in so doing, we acquit our-
selves of all direct partiality to either side of the
question. In this report the committee say, that
they have examined with all the attention due to
so important a subject, the documents which have
been laid before them ; and, they find that these
documents contain allegations, supported by the
concurring testimony of a great number of persons
in various situations of life, and residing in diffe-
rent parts of Europe, which deeply affect the
honour of the queen, charging her majesty with
an adulterous connexion with a foreigner, ori-
ginally in her service in a menial capacity.
This report will not, we believe, surprize one
individual in the country who has bestowed a
moment's reflection on the subject. Every one
knew that the committee had only ex parte
statements before them, and that ministers having
made up their own minds to bring forward
charges against her majesty, would not be guilty
of such egregious imbecility as not to lay at least
a plausible statement before the committee. The
report is, therefore, necessarily neither more nor
less than an echo of the substance of the state-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 369
ments laid before the committee by the ministers
of the Crown. This Is the impression which the
report ought to produce. When her majesty,
then Princess of Wales, was first delivered over
to the vigilance of spies and the persecution of
foes, the accusations brought forward against
her, though they were only made the object of a
private investigation, were far more numerous
and explicit in their nature. She was then charged,
not with an adulterous intercourse with a name-
less foreigner, but with distinct acts of adultery
with various well-known and specified persons.
Captain Manby and Sir Sidney Smith were
amongst the number ; and, not only was the
crime of adultery laid against her, but it was
attempted to be proved that it had been fol-
lowed by pregnancy, and the birth of a child.
Neither did these momentous charges rest on
the authority of foreigners alone. The witnesses
examined were of a rank and respectability in
life which entitled them to much consideration.
What fell from Sir John and Lady Douglas, could
not fail to produce more impression than the fabri-
cations of discarded servants or needy adventurers;
yet under all those circumstances her royal high-
ness was fully acquitted of all criminality, and her
innocence was solemnly recognised by the country.
Jf the fearful influence of Government was so
powerfully exercised when she was only to be
neglected, what would be its operation, when it
is put to its full exertion on her being put upon
370 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
her trial, and her condemnation loudly called
for. We trust, however, that this tremendous
arm will not be employed, for what innocence
could contend with its might. In the meantime,
however, we feel confident that if her majesty
be allowed the same fair and full means of defence
which she possessed in 1 807, she will emerge as
pure and brilliant from the fiery ordeal as she did
at that period, when the whole country rejoiced
at her innocence, and none but her enemies were
confounded.
On the evening of the day that the report of
the secret committee was made, the queen took
an airing for several miles along the western-
road, in a chariot and pair. The Princess Sophia
also rode out along the same road, in a coach and
four with outriders. The illustrious ladies met
near Kensington-gate, but not the slightest recog-
nition took place between them. The queen's
carriage, however, was at the moment attended
by a number of persons from Kensington, who
expressed much clamorous disapprobation to-
wards the princess; at the same time peremp-
torily ordering her servants to take off their
hats. The mandate was not obeyed, and a
momentary confusion ensued ; but the whips of
the respective drivers, and the mettle of the
horses, soon put an end to it, by whirling the
the carriages away, in different directions, almost
at full speed.
On Wednesday, July 5, Lord Liverpool brought
QUEEN" CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 371
ir his bill of which he had given notice on the
preceding evening. It was a bill of degradation
and divorce — a fearful formula for a woman and
a queen to encounter. Previously, however, to
the order of the day being read, Lord Dacre rose
and observed, that he held in his hand a petition,
which had just been handed to him from her
majesty the queen, who, being informed of the
extraordinary course the House of Lords had
taken yesterday, stated that she had various
weighty matters to urge before the house, which
were necessary to be urged in the present stage,
and desiring to be heard this evening by counsel
at the bar. Although he was ignorant of the
nature and weight of that information which her
majesty was urgent to communicate to the House,
and could not decide how far it might induce
their lordships to wave their prescribed course,
it ill became him, he conceived, to decline the
duty of presenting it ; and when her majesty now
stated that the acceding to her prayer was neces-
sary for her further defence, he trusted that their
lordships would listen to her solicitation. Such
communications might also tend to accelerate the
proceedings by counsel at their lordships' bar.
His lordship then presented the petition from
the queen, which, on his motion, was read by
the clerk :
The humble Petition of the Queen to the Lords Spiritual
and Temporal, in Parliament assembled.
The queen, observing the most extraordinary course that
hts been adopted by the noble lords in the secret committee
372 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
assembled, begs to state to the house, that she is perfect]/
ready at this moment to enter upon her defence on the
charges against her, as far as she can understand them, and
she begs to remind your lordships, that as it will be abso-
lutely necessary for her to have certain witnesses for her
future defence, she begs to have the nature of the charges
against her distinctly stated in the present stage of the pro-
ceedings ; and she further prays that, as it is important to
her interests to make some statements on the present occa-
sion, that she may be heard by her counsel at the bar this
evening.
Lord Dacre moved that her majesty be now
heard by her counsel.
The Earl of Liverpool : My lords, I must say
that her majesty the queen has been ill-advised
in presenting this petition, though I by no means
mean to object to its being received. It appears
to me, however, that there is, in point of fact, no
proceeding at the present moment before the house
to which this petition can properly apply, as in a
parliamentary sense, her majesty cannot be sup-
posed to know any thing of the report of the
secret committee, whilst the bill of which I had
the honour of giving notice, is not yet presented.
When that bill is on your lordships table, a copy
of it will be furnished to her majesty, and her
majesty's convenience will of course be consulted
as to time with regard to whatever evidence she
may think it necessary to adduce to rebut the
charges against her. At the present moment,
it does not appear to me that there is, in point of
fact, any stage of proceeding to which the petition
of her majesty can apply.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 373
Lord Dacre, Earl Grey, the Marquis of Lans-
down, and Lord Holland, contended, that there
were circumstances peculiar to this case, which
remored it from all ordinary rules, and that
an infraction of their practice might be conceded
on an occasion like the present. The Lord Chan-
cellor and Lord Ellenborough replied. The ques-
tion for proceeding to call in counsel was then
put, and negatived without a division.
This discussion being closed, Lord Liverpool
brought in his Bill of Pains and Penalties ; he
declared, that if he had now to retrace the steps
he had taken, he knew not how he could move in
any other course than that which had been de-
cided on. From the fairness of the mode of trial
in that house, and the power their lordships had
to examine evidence on oath at their bar, he con-
ceived there was a greater chance that substantial
justice would be done between the parties there
than in the House of Commons. He might state
farther, that though this could not be considered
a bill of divorce in the common and ordinary sense
of the word, still its effect would be the same.
The king and queen did not come before them as
individuals ; it was a question between the ac-
cused party, in her capacity of queen, and the
state itself. Yet as it must necessarily relate, in
some degree, to the marriage-contract between
the king and the queen, it was on that ground
more consistent with the dignity of the parties
that it should come there, than be brought in the
3 c
374 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINEr
first instance before the other house of parliament.
The only question that remained was, whether
this bill should have been brought in originally
under the responsibility of the executive govern-
ment, or whether it was not more proper to sub-
mit the documents in the first instance to a secret
committee. He had reconsidered this question ;
he had reconsidered it with reference to principle
and to precedent ; and he had no hesitation in
saying that, with reference to either, he thought
the course adopted by their lordships was the just
one. He would venture to say, that there could
be found no instance where measures of this kind
were adopted without previous inquiry. As to
the more immediate proceedings, he wished a
copy of the bill to be forwarded in the most re-
spectful manner to each of the illustrious indi-
viduals concerned. The next question would be
whether their lordships would fix a period for the
second reading now, or postpone the determina-
tion on that point for two or three days, in order
to learn what the wishes of the illustrious indi-
viduals on the subject were. If he were called
on to name a day, he would propose the second
reading for that day fortnight, as a proper and
reasonable time fora measure of this description ;
and during that period their lordships would have
an opportunity of considering what their future
course of proceeding should be. On this occa-
sion he wished only to move that copies of the
bill should be sent to their majesties. He could
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 375
then wish that the house should meet on Monday
next, in order to name a day for the second
reading, which might then be fixed for Friday
fortnight. He trusted that the administration
would be found to act on this occasion with the
utmost calmness and deliberation. It was a
most important question, and called for dispas-
sionate inquiry. It would be his endeavour, and
he was sure it would be the endeavour of all
their lordships, to discharge their duty firmly
but with all due lenity and mildness towards
the illustrious person whose conduct had been
brought under consideration. It was most satis-
factory to reflect that the country had no prece-
dents of a case similar to the present, during a
period of two hundred years, except in the in-
stance of one individual, who never came over to
this country. There had not been a queen in this
country during that time against whom even a
whisper of shame had been raised to affect her
character or sully her reputation. He felt that
he, in common with their lordships, was placed in
a situation in which they had no alternative : the
question now was, if those allegations were
proved to be true, whether impunity should be
extended to guilt, or justice should be suffered to
triumph. Nothing now remained for their lord-
ships to do, but to pursue a clear and straight-
forward course — to perform their duty boldly —
determined, whatever public clamours might exist,
to take care that public justice was satisfied.
3c2
37(5 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
The clerk then read the bill, in substance as
follows : —
* An Ac^ entitled an Act for depriving Caroline Amelia
Elizabeth, Queen of Great Britain, of and from the stile
end title of Queen of these realms, and of and from the rights,
prerogatives, and immunities now belonging to her as Queen
Consort.
1" Whereas, in the year 1814, her majesty Caroline Amelia
Elizabeth, then Princess of Wales, but now Queen of Eng-
land, being at the court of Milan, engaged in her service
one Bartholomo Pergami, otherwise Bartolomo Bergami, a
foreigner of low situation in life, and afterwards the most
unbecoming and indecent familiarities took place between
her royal highness and the said Bartolomo ; and her royal
highness not only advanced him to a high situation in her
household, but received also many of his relatives into her
service in inferior and other situations, and bestowed on him
the said Bartolomo various marks of distinction and favour,
and took upon herself to confer upon him the Order of
Knighthood, and pretended to institute an Order of Knight-
hood, without the authority of your majesty, and conducted
herself both in public and in private in various places, with
indecent and offensive familiarities and freedom towards the
said Bartolomo, and carried on with him a disgraceful,
licentious, and adulterous intercourse, to the great scandal
of your majesty's royal family, and to the dishonour of the
kingdom, and manifested a most scandalous, disgraceful,
and vicious conduct towards the said Bartolorao. We,
therefore, the lords spiritual and temporal and commons of
Great Britain in Parliament assembled, humbly pray your
majesty that it may be enacted, and be it therefore enacted,
that from and after the passing of this act, the said Caro-
line Amelia Elizabeth be wholly deprived of and from the
stile and title of queen of these realms, and of and from the
rights, prerogatives, privileges, »ud immunities uovf belong-
QUEEN CONSUKT OF ENGLAND. 377
ing to her as queen consort, and that she shall and may be,
from and after the passing of this act, for ever displaced
from, and be utterly incapable of, exercising or enjoying the
same, and that the said marriage between his majesty the
king and the queen be, and the same is hereby wholly dis-
solved and annulled, to all intents and purposes."
The Earl of Liverpool moved, seriatim, " That
copies of the said bill be presented to his majesty,
to her majesty, to the king's attorney-general, and
to the queen's attorney-general;" which motions
were agreed to.
Earl Grey objected to the manner in which this
bill was drawn up. Instead of stating accusations
generally, without any specification of time or
place, he thought that the time and place where
those acts of criminality were supposed to have
been committed should have been distinctly stat-
ed, to enable her majesty to meet the accusation
fully. The general statement contained in the
preamble of this bill merely set forth that her
majesty had indulged in vices of a low descrip-
tion : no certain period of time was attached to
this accusation, by which her majesty might bo
enabled to prepare for her defence. He hoped
the noble earl would answer these two questions :
first, whether any more particular specification of
the offences stated by the committee would be
laid before the house ? and next, whether it was
intended to give to her majesty a list of the wit-
nesses by whom she was accused t
378 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
The Earl of Liverpool said, the delivery of the
names of witnesses was unprecedented in parlia-
mentary proceeding. When the case for the pro-
secution had closed, and the allegations were to
be disproved at the bar of that house, then any
time which her majesty might think proper should
be afforded to enable her to rebut the evidence
adduced against her.
On the following day, at twelve o'clock, Sir
Thomas Tyrwhitt waited upon her majesty, with
the bill presented the evening before to the
House of Lords, by command of their lordships.
Her majesty came into the room, and received
the bill, with great calmness and apparent
temper. The words which she used were not
distinctly understood, or have not been accu-
rately conveyed. They were in substance or
sound like [the following: — " I am sorry that it
comes so late, as twenty-five years ago it might
have been of some use to his majesty;" (indicat-
ing, probably, that it might have tended to set
aside her daughter's claim to the throne.) What
followed was more audible : — " But, as we shall
not meet in this world, I hope we shall in the
next," (pointing her hand towards Heaven, and
then adding, with great emphasis) " where
justice will be rendered me." She requested
Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt, if he had an opportunity,
to convey these sentiments to his majesty. Sir
Thomas Tyrwhitt is *aid to have .been much
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 379
affected on delivering the message to the queen.
He had not seen her majesty since she was living
in the king's house.
Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt had scarely taken his
departure, when the High Bailiff of Westminster,
with Sir Francis Burdett, and Mr. Hobhouse,
waited on her majesty with the Westminster ad-
dress, to which her majesty returned the fol
lowing most gracious answer :
This address from the inhabitant householders of the
city and liberty of Westminster, will be long treasured in
my memory, as an indubitable proof of their regard, and a
lasting claim upon my gratitude. The language of affec-
tion for my person, of devotion to my interest, and of zeal
in my cause, which appears to issue from their hearts, has
made a deep impression upon my own. In the feeling
manner in which they mention Her, for whom the invisible
sigh of grief, will never cease in my maternal breast, I
cannot be insensible to the homage which they pay to
her memory, and to the solace which they offer to my
regret*.
It is now seven years since I received an address from
the inhabitant householders of Westminster, in which they
congratulated me upon my escape from what they truly
described as a nefarious conspiracy against my honour and
my life. Upon that occasion my character was exon-
erated from the load of calumny with which it had been
oppressed, though my conduct had undergone only an ex-
parte examination, and though I had no means of facing
my accusers, or of being heard in my defence.
The people of England then, almost universally ex-
pressed their approbation of what they considered as the
triumph of rectitude and innocence over perfidy and
380 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
falsehood. — From that hour to the present, 1 have been
the victim of a similar conspiracy, which has been incited
by the same motives, and prosecuted with the same views ;
though with increased violence, and with aggravated ma-
lignity. New and more appalling efforts have been made
to destroy that character, which had resisted so many for-
mer attempts ; but, I rejoice that I now find, as I, at that
lime, found, the people of Westminster, uninfluenced by
the powerful machinations of iny enemies, and animated by
the same sentiment, which they then expressed, that every
subject, until convicted of guilt, had an undoubted right to
retain the reputation, the rights and immunities of in-
nocence.
In the present perilous crisis of my fate, I am supported
by that courage wjiich arises from the consciousness of rec-
titude ; and I feel that the English people will never suffer
an injured queen to appeal in vain either to their justice or
to their humanity. I am convinced that, in this lane cf
liberty, no oppression can be practised, and that to be up-
right is to be secure.
In the warm desire which the people of Westminster
have expressed for the consideration of my honour, they
have exhibited a striking testimony of their loyalty to thy
king ; for the honour of his majesty must for ever be idea,
fied with that of his queen.
My first wish is to prove, that my character has been
unjustly traduced ; my next is to terminate my days among
the high-minded people of this country, to whose affec-
tionate sympathy I am, at present, indebted for so much of
the cheerfulness which 1 feel, and of the support which I
possess, under the pressure of such complicated wrongs, and
such accumulated persecutions.
Soon after the departure of the Westminster
deputation, Mr. Brougham, Mr. Denman, Mr.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 381
Williams, Mr. Brougham, jun., and Mr. S. Whit-
oread arrived, and had an audience of her ma-
jesty, which lasted about half an hour.
In the evening her majesty took her accus-
tomed carriage airing.
Her majesty's petition to the House of Lords
not having been received on account of its infor-
mality, another was presented by Lord Dacre on
the following evening, who said, that in conse-
quence of what took place on the preceding
evening on the subject of the petition then pre-
sented on the part of her majesty, he held in his
hand another petition from the same illustrious
personage, which proceeded nearly on similar
grounds, but' prayed also that her majesty may
be heard by her counsel against the bill now
pending in their lordships' house. The noble
lord then handed in the petition, which was read
by the clerk, and appeared as follows :
CAROLINE, REGINA. — The queen has heard, with inex-
pressible astonishment, of the proceedings of the House of
Lords — proceedings which have in view the dissolving of
her privileges, and founded upon the report of a secret com-
mittee, before whom she had no counsel to assert her rights,
and who have proceeded entirely on written papers, and by
whom no witnesses have been examined. She further learns,
with surprise and regret, that her counsel were last night re-
fused a hearing at the bar of the House of Lords ; and further,
that a list of the witnesses, on a future occasion to be pro-
duced against her, has been refused to her. Under *uch
circumstances, her majesty doubts whether she can do more
than make her most solemn protest against the whole of
3 D
382 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
mch proceedings. Still, however, she relic* on the justice
/ of your lordships, and still prays that her counsel maybe
heard at your bar to state her claims.
After some conversation, it was agreed that
her majesty's counsel should be called in.
Mr. Brougham stated that her majesty had last
night, to her great surprise, been served with an
official copy of a bill presented to and read the
first time in their lordships' house. The preamble
to that bill contained charges of a most grave and
serious nature against her majesty — against the
illustrious personage for whom he appeared. Her
majesty's objection was to the situation in which
such a proceeding of the house unexpectedly
placed her. She also wished to be heard with
respect to the mode of proceeding as well as to
the time. The proceedings, as the case now
stood, may be either gone into entirely, or only
in part, which consideration may obviously ope-
rate as a very serious disadvantage to her ma-
jesty. Her majesty was also desirous of being
heard with respect to certain matters which she
thought well calculated to produce an important
effect. On these she conceived the present was
the time on which, with ordinary fairness to
herself, their lordships could be addressed ; and
she wished that the attention of the house could
be called generally to them. Their lordships'
rejection of the prayer of the petition of yester-
day to*be heard before the bill was read the first
time, was a serious disadvantage to her. They
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 383
were also told of things happening in a certain
quarter, of which they were held to know no
more than if they never existed, and of course
they knew regularly no more of the report of
the secret committee, except from its being
printed in every newspaper, though for aught
they knew it might be a fabrication, and a gross
libel upon the committee itself, and that those
who circulated such reports were deserving of
punishment. In fact, the report went farther than
the bill. Upon the former there was much matter
which would not be confirmed by the passing of
the bill, or negatived by its rejection. These
were the only points upon which he had received
instructions.
Mr. D&nman followed, and supported the argu-
ments advanced by Mr. Brougham.
Lord Liverpool said, he had distinctly stated that
on Monday the 17th he should propose the day
which he should deem proper for the second
reading of the bill ; that course he still meant
should be pursued, and he trusted a full attend-
ance would take place.
On the same evening, Sir Ronald Ferguson
brought forward, in the House of Commons, his
promised motion respecting the Milan Commis-
sion ; when he stated that he did not believe that
that commission, or the plan of getting up that
bag, originated with ministers ; the merit of that
invention must be given to another person, a per-
son of high station. It would be unfair not to
3 D2
384 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
name him — he meant the Vice- Chancellor. He
spoke from what he had heard, if he were wrong,
he would, for the sake of the character of that
learned person, be most happy to receive a com-
plete contradiction. It was said that the Vice-
Chancellor had been at great pains in promoting
the object of the commission; he was at the head
of it, and he recommended a gentleman to act on
that honourable occasion, who had been long, and
he believed successfully, engaged with him set the
bar. As to the expense of the commissioners, he
would be glad to be set right if he were wrong,
but he did understand that the expense amounted
to no less than 33,000/. ; that for the five first
months, no less than 1 1,000/. were drawn by these
commissioners. He (Sir R.) would engage to say,
that in Italy, with one half of that sum, he could
get blasted the character of every man and woman
in England. Affidavits were brought from the
most mean and rascally of mankind to degrade
her majesty without trial. He would call it de-
gradation ; and surely the bill recently introduced
to hang over the head of her majesty, was not,
and never could be, called an act of justice. He
concluded by moving an address to his majesty,
praying that he would be pleased to give direc-
tions to have laid before that house copies of any
commission or commissions, instruction or in-
structions, issued by his majesty's commands,
since the departure of the queen from this coun-
try in the year 1814, for the purpose of taking
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 385
depositions, or making inquiries relating to her
majesty during her residence abroad ; and also
for an account of all sums expended on this com-
mission, and by whom were such sums respec-
tively issued.
Lord Castlereagh moved the previous question,
and it was carried without a division.
Whilst these interesting proceedings were
carrying on in the houses of parliament, the peo-
ple manifested an almost enthusiastic attachment
to the queen, and the most fervent interest in her
cause. But it was not only in the metropolis,
but in all parts of the country, that the same en-
thusiasm prevailed ; and a most striking proof of
the general sense of the people was manifested
on the arrival of some Italians at Dover, who were
known to have come to this country for the pur-
pose of swearing against the queen. It was on
Friday the 7th, that the Italians arrived at Dover,
eleven men and one woman, and to all appear-
ance of the very lowest class. Their object in
coming to this country was immediately disco-
vered by the people, and roused, as it could not
fai] to do among Englishmen, the liveliest feeling
of indignation against them through the whole
town. While they were in the Custom-house,
having their luggage examined, a large crowd, con-
sisting of men, women, and children, collected in
front of it ; on their coming out they fell upon them,
and beat them most unmercifully, venting, all the
while, the deepest execrations against them, and
38C MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE.
the profligate purpose for which they had dared
to land in England. It was observable that the
women took the most violent part in thus sum-
marily dispensing justice on these foreign merce-
naries. The coach, which had been ordered to
convey the Italians to London, stopped for two
hours after its usual time of departure ; but the
cro^d was great, and continued to exhibit such
strong feelings of indignation towards these misera-
ble creatures, that it was obliged to leave Dover
without them. The magistrates then called out
the civil power, and proceeded to disperse the
people, which they succeeded in accomplishing
in little more than an hour. The Italians after-
wards left the town by stealth, and proceeded to
London by the bye-road, through Folkstone, Maid-
stone, &c One of them was said to have suffered
most severely.
For some time the most active preparations had
been making for the celebration of his majesty's
coronation, and immense sums had been already
expended. The sense of the nation was, however,
against the ceremony taking place during the pro-
ceedings against the queen, and Colonel Beau-
mont, on the 25th, gave notice of an address to
his majesty, praying that the coronation might be
suspended until the termination of the proceed-
ings now pending against her majesty.
Lord Castlereagh said, the motion was unneces-
sary, because his majesty had already signified
his intention that the ceremony of the royal cjoro-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 387
nation should not take place on the day originally
named, nor was any other day fixed for that pur-
pose. This postponement was not, however, in
consequence of any proceedings respecting her
majesty. Those proceedings, he might add, would
be carried on with as little delay as justice would
admit.
The ministerial papers put forth their strength
to convince the English people, that this post-
ponement of the coronation had no reference
whatever to the proceedings against the queen,
but that it had its cause in the impossibility of
completing the preparations by the time originally
appointed for the ceremony taking place. There
was a time when the English people had so much
confidence in the ministers of the country, as to
give credit to their assertions, but that time is
past, and all the shifting of my Lord Castlereagh,
nor all the smooth and oily eloquence of his co-
adjutor, Mr. Canning, will ever convince the peo-
ple of this country, that the coronation was post-
poned for any other cause than the trial of the
queen ; unless there be any truth in the rumour,
that the military were so decidedly in favour of the
queen, that they would not act their part properly
in the gorgeous pageant. The postponement,
however, is to be regretted on various grounds,
but it is a necessary sacrifice to public justice.
On July 15th, the queen sent off three persons
to the continent to bring witnesses of the highest
rank and respectability to depose to her majesty's
388 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
mode of life. Upwards of one hundred persons
of this character, are expected to rebut the testi-
mony which is to be brought against her majesty
by the filth and dregs of Italian inns and post-
houses. The queen went to Barnes the preceding
afternoon, but returned before nightfall. She was
greeted by thousands on the road. Great num-
bers of well-dressed females seemed anxious to
pay the most respectful attention to her wherever
she passed ; and the assemblage of respectable
people in Portman-street was so great, that the
road from Oxford- street to Portman-square was
completely blocked up. The attachment of the
respectable part of the community was more
warm and more general than it had been on any
former occasion since her majesty came to face
her enemies.
On Sunday, the 27th, Dr. Parr performed divine
service before the queen. Her majesty's counsel
were with her during the morning. Several English
gentlemen of distinction that had visited the queen
abroad called in the course of the day to offer their
services to give evidence for her majesty.
It is with great pleasure that we lay before
our readers the following remarks of an eminent
divine, respecting her majesty's religious cha-
racter, exemplified at this particular period, and
we agree with him " that it will be admitted,
that a behaviour so strikingly exemplary, cannot
but emanate from a heart which is the seat of
purity and innocence, honour, and religion."
QUEEN CONSORV OF ENGLAND. 389
" At a time when the press teems with ob-
servations on the conduct of the queen, it is
remarkable that not one has attempted to pour-
tray her majesty's most amiable and strikingly
serious and dev7out deportment in religious
worship. Few have been so far privileged as to
be present on the occasion. It, however, has
fallen to the lot of the writer to have had the
very high honour of officiating before her majesty
on the third Sunday after her arrival in England;
and he conceives it a paramount duty to offer to
the public his unsolicited testimony of the
queen's most exemplary and devout deportment,
during the whole of our Church Service ; and he
wishes to do so at this particular time, because,
from the proximity of the proceedings in the
House of Lords, the unsolicited testimony of a
minister of the Church of England in her ma-
jesty's favour, will, doubtless, have its weight
with that noble house, and with every well-
regulated mind throughout the Empire. He,
therefore, does not hesitate to say, that a stricter
attention to divine worship could not be evinced
by any person, high or low, than was manifested
by our most excellent queen, throughout the
entire performance. All the responses, as well
as the alternate verses in the Psalms, were de-
livered by her majesty with the utmost pathos
and propriety. It was impossible not to catch a
feeling of devotion from the illustrious personage.
On every occasion when our venerable Rubric
SB
390 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
directed kneeling, the queen, conscious of the
more immediate presence of the Deity, invariably
fell low on her knees on the floor, not seeking
and not having any prop to lean on, but most
diligently intent on the awful and solemn ex-
ercise in which her whole heart appeared to be
engaged ; nor, after the conclusion, did her ma-
jesty rise until she had offered up a secret prayer
to the Most High, for acceptance in his sight.
If, then, a nation is highly favoured where the
great and the illustrious are examples of piety
and virtue, Britain is truly blest in its present
queen. And as to judge of a tree by its fruit, is
the only certain method of forming a right judg-
ment, so it will be admitted that a behaviour so
strikingly exemplary, cannot but emanate from a
heart which is the seat of purity and innocence,
honour and religion."
In the afternoon of Sunday 16th, the queen
went through Hyde-park, about half-past six, ex-
actly in the same state as on the preceding Sun-
day. The drive was very much crowded at the
time, and the course of her majesty's carriage
thereby much impeded. She had scarcely entered
Cumberland-gate, when she was recognised, and
"The queen!" "The queen!" "Hats off!"
"Hats off!" frc. resounded on all sides. The
promenade was also much crowded, and the
moment the cry of " The queen" was heard,
every body rushed impetuously towards the
drive. Towards the bottom of the drive, near
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 391
Apsley-house, the carriages and horsemen were
so numerous, that the royal carriage was for
some moments unable to proceed at all. The
cry of " Hats off!" was now very generally re-
newed, with increased vigour, and it was gene-
rally complied with, whilst many persons loudly
cheered her majesty. At length the carriage
passed through the gate, and drove off rapidly in
the direction of Vauxhall-bridge.
The arrival of some of the Italian witnesses
against her majesty, and their uncourteous treat-
ment at Dover, have been already noticed.
On Friday, at eleven or twelve at night, they
were wheeled, like a waggon-load of nastiness,
through the streets of London, and dropped in
Bucklersbury. But it appears that all the water
in the Straits of Dover would not cleanse them
of their filth ; it was such indeed, that the land-
lady of the house in the city, resolved to expel
them forthwith from her premises, and accord-
ingly on Saturday night, was preparing so to do,
when there drove up to the door two post-
coaches, hired, as was said, for Harwich! But
this was shrewdly suspected to be a feint : as
the witnesses were brought the whole way from
Italy, it was, perhaps, unreasonable to suppose
that they would be so quickly sent off again,
from any impression of fear or shame in their
employers, before some man of business — as Mr.
Cooke, for instance, or Sir John Leach, (whose
names were continually in their mouths) — had
3 E 2
'392 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
ascertained how far they were capable of serv
ing the cause of that " allegorical personage,
called Public Justice."
The public having now been put into posses-
sion of the charges against the queen, consi-
derable anxiety prevailed to know the day ap-
pointed for the second reading of the bill, as the
trial might be then said to commence. On
Monday, Lord Liverpool rose in the House of
Lords, to call their lordships' attention to the
order of the day made with reference to the bill
he had introduced on the report of the secret
committee. When this subject was under dis-
cussion on a former occasion, it was thought that
the illustrious person against whom the proceed-
ings were instituted, and her counsel, were de-
sirous of considerable delay ; but, in consequence
of the report of the secret committee, and the bill
which he had laid on the table, an application of
a different nature had been made by the queen's
counsel — namely, that their lordships should pro-
ceed forthwith with the inquiry. On the last day
on which this subject was under discussion, he
had thrown out for their lordships' consideration,
whether they would think proper to proceed
with this inquiry without the presence of the
judges. In the communications he had had with
those whom he thought right to consult on this
point, he was confirmed in the opinion that their
lordships could not exercise their duty in the
manner which became them, if they proceeded in
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 393
this measure without having the advantage of at
least a portion of the judges. He had now to
call their lordships' attention to the next stage of
the bill. Consistently with the wish of answering
the call made for an immediate proceeding, with
as little delay as possible, he had made it his
duty to inquire what was the earliest period at
which the presence of a part of the judges could
be obtained, and he had found that by the 17th
of August, their lordships might have at least the
attendance of four. It was, therefore, his inten-
tion to move that the bill be read a second time
on the 17th of August next. What would be the
view of the illustrious person, who was the object
of the bill, with regard to the course he now pro-
posed, remained to be seen. He knew not how
far that illustrious person might, or might not,
have objection to the time. He must observe,
however, that if it should be thought advisable
to make any application to their lordships for a
change of time, or delay, he trusted that such
application would be made within a few days ;
because, if it came in August, after the prepara-
tions for proceeding had been completed, and
their lordships had made their arrangements for
attending, it would be very inconvenient to comply
with it. He must, therefore, repeat his hope,
that if any such application was intended, it
would be made without loss of time. If their
loftlships agreed to his proposition for fixing the
second reading of the bill for Thursday the 17th
394 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
of August, he would next move that a copy of the
the order be sent to her majesty, that counsel be
allowed to be heard for and against the bill before
the second reading ; and that the judges on that
day be ordered to attend. He concluded by
moving, that the bill be read a second time on
Thursday, August 17.
Earl Grey would not oppose the motion ; but
thought that if there was to be any delay, it
would be much better it should take place before
the proceedings commenced than during their
progress. He thought, however, that some ar-
rangement might be made with her majesty, so
as to have the delay previously to the inquiry,
instead of making it interpose, as it otherwise
might do, to allow time for the preparation of the
defence. How this was to be brought about he
did not know : but he thought it might be accom-
plished by communicating to her majesty a copy
of the charges, and a list of 'the witnesses against
her, which he considered nothing more than what
strict justice required. He thought the attend-
ance of four judges sufficient, and did not think
that the noble earl had shewn any necessity for
the postponement.
Lord Holland could see no reason why the names
of the witnesses should not be disclosed to the
accused party on this occasion. Either a state-
ment of the precise evidence should be allowed ;
or, if that were refused, a list of the witnesses
should be forthcoming. The ends of justice could
QUEEN COXSORT OF ENGLAND. 395
not be properly attained, unless either at this
moment, or at some future period, the necessary
information were laid before her majesty's legal
advisers, and sufficient time were given them to
examine the evidence in all its bearings.
Lord Erskine conceived that the party accused
ought to have the advantage of knowing who the
witnesses were, that their character and conduct
might be inquired into. That appeared to him to
be consonant with the plain principles of justice.
When they were called on to decide this question,
whatever his decision might be, he was deter-
mined to act with the most impartial justice. He
would pay no regard, no respect, to persons ; he
would look only to the case, however painful it
might be to his feelings. When a person was
indicted for high treason, he was furnished with
a copy of the indictment, and with a list of all
the witnesses. Should not the same course be
adopted in a case that was so analogous ? In a
case of high treason, if the prosecutor omitted the
name of a single witness, though perhaps the
accused had an opportunity of knowing that such
a witness existed, and therefore could not be on
his guard against him, it might put an end to the
whole proceeding. As far as the prosecutor, in
treasonable cases, was in possession of witnesses,
he must produce a list of them; and, in his
opinion, such a list ought to be afforded now. If
•t were not granted, it vrould seem as if all power
396 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
were exercised on one hand — as if an interest
were mustered up too strong for the individual to
contend against. If he were (and God forbid he
should be !) — if he were desirous, if he were bad
enough, to wish for a conviction, he would still
grant to the person accused all the indulgence
that the principles and analogies of justice could
sanction.
The Lord Chancellor observed, that with respect
to what his noble and learned friend had said, it
appeared that there was no one case whatever,
except that of high treason, which he could state
as having the smallest analogy to the present ;
and even that his noble and learned friend was
obliged to give up. He must evidently give it
up as the law at present stood ; and he was glad
of having this opportunity to state his opinion.
In the course of his professional life he had had
occasion to see enormously long lists of witnesses,
comprising perhaps 200 or 300 persons, given to
defendants in cases of high treason. How could
this be avoided as the law now stood ? There
was, in fact, no way of avoiding it ; because, in
cases of that description, the prosecutor could
not call a single witness whose name was not
included in the list. The arguments that had
been used might afford good reason for post-
poning the hearing of the defence ; and he was
sure their lordships did not imagine that there
was a man in that house, or out of doors, who
QUEEN COX SORT OF ENGLAND, 397
Believed that the defence would be entered on
until a full and fair opportunity was given to sift
the character of every witness as far as possible.
The motion was then carried; and also a
second, directing that his majesty and the queen,
and their respective law advisers, should be ap-
prised of the proceeding. On the motion of the
Earl of Liverpool, it was ordered that their lord-
ships be summoned for Thursday, August 17, and
the house to be called over on that day The
Lord Chancellor added, that the call would be
enforced. Lord Liverpool next moved, " that no
lord absent himself on that day, or during the
subsequent proceedings on this bill, without the
leave of the house. "
Her majesty, for the purpose of greater privacy
having taken the villa of Mr. Ball at Barnes, re-
gularly drove thither every evening, to inspe t
the preparations which were carrying on there for
her reception ; and the concourse of people as-
sembled in Portman-street, to await her return,
increased every evening. On Tuesday night the
crowd was so great, it was with much difficulty
the carriage could be driven up to the door ; and,
even when it was there, several minutes elapsed
before her majesty could alight.
The crowd, for the most part, consisted o
respectably dressed persons, — the majority, per
haps, females; and among them carriages and
horsemen. Her majesty was -received with loud
cheers from every part of the assembly, accompa-
398 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
nied by the most enthusiastic gestures from those
persons more immediately about her carriage.
Mr. Alderman Wood arrived at the house
during her majesty's absence, and awaited her
return, which was not till between nine and ten
o'clock,
In the House of Lords, Lord Auckland rose, on
Tuesday, the 18th, to present a petition from the
queen, praying that a list of witnesses might be
communicated to her majesty's attorney-general.
His lordship said, that he would only move at
present, that the petition should be read and laid
on the table ; and would postpone the further
consideration of it to Friday, 20th, when the mo-
tion, of which notice had been given by a noble
lord (Erskine) would be discussed.
The petition was then read, and was to the
following purport:
The Petition of her Majesty Caroline Queen Consort to the
Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in Parliament assembled.
The Queen having been informed, that the House of
Lords have resolved that the bill to deprive her majesty of
her rank and titles, shall be read a second time on Thurs-
day, the l?th of August, deems it necessary to her just de-
fence, that she should be furnished with a list of the wit-
nesses against her ; and therefore desires that such list
should be forthwith communicated to her Majesty's At-
torney-General.
The petition was then ordered to lie on the
table, and to be taken into further consideration
on Friday, the 20th.
QUEEN* CONSORT OF ENGLAND 399
The Earl of Lauderdale proposed, that a com-
mittee should be appointed to search for pre
cedents applicable to the whole course of pro-
ceedings, that their lordships might have before
them all that had been done in former cases, to
direct them in the present.
Lord Liverpool thought, that such a general
inquiry would be improper in the first instance ;
but had no objection to the appointment of a
committee, whose labours should be confined
to the object of the petition, and whose powers
might afterwards be extended.
On the suggestion of the noble earl, Lord Lau-
derdale narrowed his motion, so as to restrict
the committee to search for precedents upon the
subject of communicating a list of witnesses in
cases of bills of attainder, and bills of pains and
penalties.
Lord Holland opposed the motion, on the ground
that it ought, if appointed at all, to report gene-
rally; because a single point might'mislead, rather
than direct, if taken as a precedent : a knowledge
of the whole proceeding in any case being neces-
sary, in order to show the real value of any one
part, and to determine whether it ought to be a
warning or a precedent.
Lord Bathurst proposed an amendment, em-
powering the committee to extend their search to
cases of impeachment.
This amendment was opposed by the Lords
Holland and Auckland, as still improperly con
3r 2
400 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
fining the search of the committee, in the cases
specified, to a single point, and being more con-
sistent with a tenacious adherence to forms and
rules, than with a rational regard for substantial
justice.
The house divided upon the amendment, when
it was carried by a majority of eighteen to ten.
On the same evening, Mr. Brougham made an
appeal in the House of Commons on behalf of her
majesty and her majesty's law-officers ; and it was
in respect of their being so, and of a proceeding
by bill having commenced against her majesty in
the other house, where she had no officers, and
where it was therefore the question whether she
ever should. His majesty, the other party, had
his ministers in that house ; he had his household
officers ; but as the bill originated there, and the
queen had no person who could act as the nominee
of a committee, she was left under peculiar dis-
advantages. Supposing, too, an event which he
could not anticipate — that of the bill coming down
to them — he should have to request for himself
and his learned friend (Mr. Denman) permission
of the house not to vote on any stage of it. He
should now move, " That, notwithstanding the
standing orders of the house, Mr. Brougham and
Mr. Denman be at liberty to attend the bar of the
House of Lords as counsel for her majesty."
Lord Castlereagh thought the house ought not
to be called on to decide upon such a motion
instanter. Upon his lordship's motion, it was post •
poned till the following day.
QUEEN COXSORT OF ENGLAND. 40}
Mr. Brougham, on the following evening, pur-
suant to his notice, moved that his colleague (Mr.
Denman) and himself, as law-officers of the queen,
should be permitted to appear as counsel at the
bar of the lords on behalf of her majesty. The
motion was agreed to with scarcely any opposi
tion. The king's attorney-general, as we have
already observed, stood in the same situation, so
far as to require the permission of the house for
him too to appear as counsel at the bar of the
lords. Leave was accordingly given to him and his
colleague, the solicitor-general. Dr. Lushington,
who had been retained on behalf of the queen for
the same occasion, asked, and obtained, with some
difficulty, the same indulgence. The five honour-
able members are all under an obligation not to
vote on the bill, should it pass the lords into the
House of Commons.
On Thursday the 13th, her majesty received an
address from the inhabitants of the town and
neighbourhood of Shaftsbury, to which her ma-
jesty returned the following gracious answer :
I cordially thank the mayor of Shaftsbury, and the in-
habitants of the town and neighbourhood, for this loyal and
affectionate address. The sympathy which they evince for
the melancholy losses and the reiterated persecutions which
I have endured, cannot but be gratifying t* the best feelings
of iny heart.
To whatever trials I may have been exposed since I first
set my foot on the English shore, I shall never forget that,
in those trials, I was consoled by the tendernesf, and sup-
ported by the magnanimity of the English nation.
402 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Though I am well acquainted -with the activity and the
malignity of my adversaries, I place a firm reliance upon
the protection of that great Being, for whom no secrets are
bid ; and, while those who are no less the enemies of his
majesty than of myself, are endeavouring to ruin me by their
wiles, and to crush me by their power, I am cheered by
the consciousness that I possess a strong rampart of security
in the good sense, good feelings, and good principles of this
enlightened people.
For some time, public curiosity was excited to
know what had become of the Italian witnesses,
and in what corner of the island, they would,
like the hunted duck on the lake, who dives to
escape from the dogs, put up their heads. It
was at length ascertained, that they had actually
been conveyed to Holland, there to be kept until
they were wanted. The Dutch were by no
means pleased at their country having been
selected as the temporary residence of this mass
of iniquity. Their transportation to Holland, was
at least a measure of an extraordinary nature.
The violent attack upon these persons at
Dover was justly condemned, and we trust the
perpetrators will meet with condign punishment ;
but are ministers therefore afraid of protecting
them against a repetition of insult? With all
the civil and military power of the country at
their command, and without being scrupulous in
the employment of the latter, their doubts seem
to justify the report that all classes of the people
are indignant at the course of proceeding against
her majesty — and that they did not think these
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 403
witnesses safe from popular rage in any corner
of the island. Their conduct in this instance is
certainly liable to an alarming supposition !
The address to her majesty from Newcastle,
was presented on Friday morning, and the
following gracious answer was given :
With great satisfaction I receive this address from his
majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the inhabitants of New-
rastle-upon-Tyne and the vicinity.
I accept with thanks, and return with sincerity, the af-
fectionate expression of your wishes towards myself, and
towards that illustrious house from which I am descended ;
and the true honour of which, as it never has been, so it
never shall be tarnished by me.
Whatever I possess of wisdom, courage, and magna-
nimity, has been fostered and strengthened by the example
of this discerning, generous, and gallant nation, on whose
unalterable attachment to the principles of justice I firmly
rely, under Divine Providence, for support under all my
unmerited afflictions, and for protection against the machi-
nations and violence of all my enemies.
On Friday, the 20th, the committee appointed
to search for precedents, respecting the commu-
nicating a list of witnesses to persons accused,
made their report ; and, on it being ordered to lie
on the table,
Lord Erskine contended, that a list of the wit-
nesses in support of the accusation ought to be
communicated to her majesty. The bill did not
specify either time or place in which the offence
had been committed. Thus her majesty would
404 MEMOIRS Or CAROLINE,
have to defend herself from 1814, the time of ber
leaving the country, to 1820, during which period
the illustrious personage having travelled to a
variety of places, the charges extended over the
whole progress of her different journeys. If, on
the contrary, her majesty were furnished with a
list of witnesses, she might then be enabled to
rebut the charges, or obtain the means of cross-
examining the witnesses; but, if it was denied,
her majesty would, after the examination of the
witnesses for the prosecution, naturally require
delay, and a considerable interruption would take
place. Every one acquainted with proceedings
in courts of law knew how much depended upon
the cross-examination of witnesses for the prose-
cution, in order to elicit the falsehood of their
statements, if falsehood there be. If the list was
refused, her majesty would, of course, be entitled
to delay, in order to prepare her means of de-
fence. In what a situation would, therefore, their
lordships be placed in the mean time ? In courts
of law, if a trial is adjourned from day to day,
the jury is locked up, or required to pledge them-
selves that they will not communicate on the sub-
ject of the trial. Would their lordships consent
to be locked up during the interval ? He alluded
also to the difficulty her majesty would labour
under in shaping her defence, without the possi-
bility of knowing what specific acts are attempted
to be proved against her. When a divorce was
sued out in -the ecclesiastical court, the acts to
QUEEX CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 405
be proved, the time when, and the place where,
they were committed, were particularly specified
in the libel, a copy of which was furnished to the
accused party. His lordship concluded by moving
three resolutions to the following effect:
1. That a list of witnesses should be furnished
forthwith to her majesty's legal advisers.
2. That the delivery of such list should not ex-
clude the house from the right of examining other
witnesses, if necessary, not named in the list.
3. That copies of the depositions should also be
furnished.
After some observations from the Lord Chan-
cellor, Lords Holland, Belhaven, and Bute, the
motion of Lord Erskine was negatived by a ma-
jority of f*0.
During this week her majesty received several
letters from persons of distinction in Italy, express-
ing an anxious wish to be called upon to bear
their testimony to the general propriety and
unimpeachable character of her majesty's court.
Communications were likewise received from
persons in an humbler class, resident at Naples,
Venice, Milan, Como, and Rome, in which some
curious statements are made of the expedients
resorted to, for the purpose of obtaining wit-
nesses to be produced at the approaching inves-
tigation.
On the other hand, among other subjects of
annoyance to which her majesty was at this time
exposed, were the proffers of " kind friends0 to
406 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
suppress facts and documents which might assist
her prosecutors in establishing their charges.
Her majesty invariably declined the interference
of these persons, and desired that they might
take their commodities to a market where they
would be more acceptable. There was a proffer
of a like nature from a baron, formerly noto-
rious in this country, but lately resident at Dun-
kirk. It met with a similar reception.
In the absence of Messrs. Brougham and
Denman, who were attending their professional
duties on the circuits, the task of protecting the
queen's interests, and of watching over the pro-
ceedings of Parliament, devolved upon Doctor
Lushington ; and on Saturday, the learned doctor
rose in the House of Commons for the purpose of
moving, " That an humble address be presented
to the king, praying that he will be graciously
pleased to order that there be laid before this
house, copies of all official papers relative to a
service of plate presented in the year 1808, by
his late majesty to the queen, then Princess of
Wales, and used by her from that period up to
her departure from England in the year 1814."
In consequence, however, of the absence of
Lord Castlereagh, the motion was withdrawn,
and Doctor Lushington put it into the shape
of a motion for the following Monday ; accordingly
on that clay the learned Doctor renewed his
motion, and Lord Castlereagh in answering the
statement of the honourable mover, took occasion
I
SHIHOTOK, B. t
' "'' r/ '//>-/•'' vuutsfej •''
QUEEN CJ3STSORT OF ENGLAND. 407
to speak in strong terms of all attempts made to
inflame the public mind, and spoke of the queen
as listening to improper advisers, and suffering
herself to be made an instrument of the evil
designs of others, which had prevented her from
receiving those accommodations, of the want of
which she complained. On the subject of the
plate, he argued, that the late king could never
have intended to make it a personal present to
the then Princess of Wales, as he had no more
power to do so than to alienate the Crown Lands,
it being the property of the Crown as attached to
a royal palace, and some of it having actually
oelonged to King William. It was, therefore,
merely intended for her use, like other furniture
cf Kensington Palace, while she resided there in
1808, and was never intended by that use to be
detached from the establishment. Mr. Huskisson
corroborated this statement, and the motion was
negatived without a division.
It must be admitted, that the queen was
led into an error respecting the plate which his
late majesty allowed her to use while in Kensing-
ton Palace. The king could not make a present
of the plate belonging to the Crown. It is not
unusual for an order to issue for plate from the
Tewel Office to princes of the blood, while resi-
dent in any of the royal palaces. Such an order
was made for her majesty while Princess of
Wales, and a similar issue of plate was made for
the Duke of Cambridge, but they both sent them
3 r. 2
408 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
back, and they were returned to the Jewel
Office.
In the course of the parliamentary proceedings
in the House of Commons on Monday the 17th,
Mr. Sheriff Rothwell appeared at the bar, and
presented the petition relative to the proceedings
against the queen, which had that day been agreed
to by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commoners
of the City of London, in Common-council as-
sembled.
Alderman Wood said, the petition that was just
presented to the house had been that day agreed
to by a very large majority of the common-council.
Indeed, scarcely ten hands had been held up
against it. He conceived that it was worthy the
attention of that house, or of any other assembly ;
And he begged leave to add, that he concurred in
every sentiment contained in it.
The petition was then read. The petitioners
stated that they had learned with great regret,
that a Bill of Pains and Penalties had been intro-
duced to the House of Lords against her majesty
having for its object to degrade her from her rank,
and to dissolve the marriage between her and his
majesty. That the principles on which this
measure was founded were never resorted to
except in the worst of times, and the petitioners
could not but express their sorrow that it was
brought forward on evidence that would not be
received in ordinary cases. The petitioners con-
templated with great satisfaction the caution
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 409
observed by this honourable house, in the course
of a proceeding which tended to lower the dignity
of the Crown, and to endanger the peace of the
country. In conclusion, petitioners prayed the
house to reject the Bill of Pains and Penalties, if
it should come before them. The petition was
received.
On Tuesday, the 18th, Lord W. Russell and
Mr. Whitbread waited upon her majesty, to pre-
sent the address from the town of Bedford, to
which her majesty returned the following answer :
I receive, with the most cordial satisfaction and gratitude,
the assurance of the affectionate attachment of the Mayor
and Inhabitants of the ancient town and borough of
Bedford.
The condolence and sympathy expressed for the irrepa-
rable loss which I have sustained during my absence from
England, in the persons of my beloved daughter, and his
late revered majesty, is most valuable to me, and offers the
only alleviation to my feelings of which the circumstances
admit.
It is no slight aggravation of the pain occasioned by those
severe losses, that those enemies, who for years have been
seeking my destruction, no sooner perceived that I am des
titute of that protection which before shielded me, than
their attacks were renewed in a form scarcely admitting
resistance ; boundless as are the means of overawing and
corrupting, possessed by these implacable foes, no tess of
his majesty than of myself. But, however well-calculated
may have been their measures to effect my destruction, by
secret machinations, followed by the most audacious and
industrious circulation of slandei of their own creation, I
410 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
yet feel confident that that justice whjch has hitherto been
the brightest characteristic of the British nation, will not
be sacrificed or tarnished in my person. At the same time
I cannot but be astonished and grieved that these slanders
should have been in any respect sanctioned before I have
been heard in my defence, furnished with any specific
charge, or suffered to know who are the witnesses by whom
I have thus been reviled.
To whatever dangers, however, I may be exposed, from
the power and malice of my enemies, I never can regret
that I did not submit to purchase security, and become
party to my own degradation, by consenting to continue
absent from the kingdom, under a compromise which must
have equally affected the honour of all concerned. I thank
you for your manly and generous expression, that the insults
offered to your queen you feel as offered to the nation ; and
be assured, that \\hiie my honour is identified with the
nation's (from which it never can be really separated), with
God's help, I will maintain it in the face of every danger,
and to the last moment of my life ; feeling at the same
time, that no sacrifice but that of the honour of the country,
can be too great to promote the prosperity and happiness of
a nation to which I already owe so much.
The address from Newbury was presented the
same day by Mr. Grey and a deputation, accom-
panied by Mr. Alderman Wood, to which her
majesty gave the following answer :
His majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, inhabitants of
the borough of Newbury, merit my grateful acknowledg-
ments for their frank and affectionate address. During my
long absence from this country, I never ceased to remember
the obligations which I owed to its high-minded generosity.
Those obligations have beeu greatly increased since my re-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND.
turn ; and I should be insensible to all right feeling, if I did
not, hereafter, consider England as my only Home.
I have shed my tears over the early grave of the Princess
Charlotte ; and I am, at this moment, sensibly affected bv
the tribute of atFection which you have paid to her memory,
and by that tender recollection of her worth which is so
universally cherished.
When death removed his late revered majesty to a happier
scene, I instantly felt the magnitude of the loss I had sus-
tained ; while his sacred life was spared> it operated like a
barrier against the vengeance of my persecutors. But his
dear remains were hardly cold, when my enemies began to
renew their persecutions, and to load me with aggravated
indignities. I was almost instantly held up to the people
as a criminal, unworthy of having my name inserted in their
devotional formularies. The conspiracy, which had been
defeated, though only by a partial investigation of my con-
duct, in 1806 and 1807, again reared its vindictive head ;
and an attempt is now making to degrade me in rank, and
o sink me in infamy, by a procedure which is at once an
outrage upon all law, and wholly incompatible with the
spirit of the British constitution. But my honour and my
rights are, in fact, those of the country ; and every one is in-
terested in their preservation. The tyranny which destroys
me to-day, makes every man's liberty less secure to-mor-
row. In the present alarming crisis, when I am attacked
by the strong arm of overwhelming power, I rely first, as
an innocent woman, upon the favour of a protecting Provi-
dence ; and next, as an insulted and a persecuted queen,
upon the sympathies of the people ; and upon that potent
agency of public opinion, which now forms the best safe-
guard against the aggressions of tyranny, and the enormities
o» injustice.
The petition from the city of London, which
412 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
was presented to the House of Lords, by Lord
Erskine, on the 19th, against the Bill of Pains
and Penalties, was rejected, and the objections
which were made to the petition were various
Lord Holland took the narrowest and most defen-
sible ground, viz., that the petition contained as-
sertions respecting the papers presented to the
committee, which the petitioners were not war-
ranted in making. Lord Lauderdale said, the al-
legations of the petition were erroneous. The
Lord Chancellor said, the hous« should not tolerate
an interference with judicial proceedings; and
Lord Redesdale (treating the Lord Chancellor's
arguments, according to Sheridan's phrase, as
gypsies treat other men's children — disfiguring
them to make them pass for their own.) said that
the house should not allow any imputation to be
thrown upon the mode of proceeding by Bill of
Pains and Penalties.
The petition was rejected in the most uncere-
monious manner.
Her majesty, in consequence of the indisposition
of Lady Anne Hamilton, confined herself at this
time for some days to the house, but she was
visited daily by many foreigners of distinction, one
of whom made a pleasing communication to her
majesty, that a family at Milan, who lent her ma-
jesty a house for six weeks, had voluntarily offered
to come to England to give evidence in behalf of
her majesty. The lady of this family is above 70,
but she declared she would cheerfully undertake
QrJIEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 413
the fatigue of the journey, if her evidence could
be of any utility to her majesty.
Some particular objections having arisen to the
residence which her majesty had selected at
Barnes, a treaty was subsequently commenced for
Brandenburg-house, formerly the mansion of the
Margravine of Anspach, near Hammersmith, and
the treaty was, in a short time, satisfactorily con-
cluded.
In the mean time, immense crowds of people
continued to assemble round her majesty's house
in Portman-street every evening. On the pre-
ceding Sunday, the street was completely blocked
up till after ten o'clock.
The honourable fraternity of Italian spies and
informers was, during this period, secretly and
silently increasing in Holland. Mr. B. J. Capper
arrived at Dunkirk on Friday the 7th, with five
of these new and meritorious claimants upon the
English pension-list ; and finding at that place
some information awaiting him, that the air of
England had been found not to agree with the
constitution of those who had formerly landed, he
proceeded with them to Ostend, and thence to
the general dep6t, where they were to catechise
and drill each other in regard to the evolutions
which they would be shortly called upon to per-
form in the English House of Lords.
Respecting these witnesses, a letter from the
Hague, of- the 18th of July, says— " The wit-
nesses against the queen (twenty-six in number)
3 H
414 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
are distributed through the villages adjacent to
this place, where they were placed by the secre-
tary of the British embassy, with the aid of the
police magistrate. Their appearance, and the
purpose for which they are brought hither, have
made a strong impression, and the people feel
degraded that their country has been selected for
an asylum to those who, they suppose, cannot
ba.received in England."
In the House of Lords, on Thursday the 20th,
on the motion of the Earl of Liverpool, a com-
mittee was appointed to search for precedents
relating to the Royal Divorce Bill, and to con-
sider of the most effectual means of enforcing the
attendance of the members of that house upon
the approaching trial. Among the committee
were,
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Earl of Shaftesbury
The Lord Chancel loi
Lord Redesdale
The Earl of Liverpool
Viscount Melville
Lord Calthorpe
Lord Holland.
On Friday the 21st, Mr. M. A. Taylor, the re-
corder, and Messrs. Lester and Dent, members
for Poole, presented an address to her majesty.
They were received most graciously. Her ma-
jesty was observed to be in high spirits, and re-
turned the following answer :
I accept with gratitude this loyal and affectionate address
from the merchants and other inhabitants of the town and
county of the town of Poole. When they speak of the late
Princess Charlotte as the best hope of the "nation, and of
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 415
the late beloved king as the kind protector of my innocence,
their language is in perfect unison with the conviction of
my mind, and with the feelings of my heart.
I feel no inquietude about the result of the present at-
tack upon my honour and my peace. The charges against
me in 1 806 had no other origin than malice, and no other
support than perjury. The charges against me in 1820 will
be found to be equally destitute of proof.
I should have been humiliated beneath contempt if I had
suffered my character to become an affair of pecuniary cal-
culation. I should instantly have been deprived of that
self-respect which is the basis of virtue, as well as have for-
feited the esteem of this noble nation, if, in a late attempt
at negotiation on the part of my accusers, I had exhibited a
spirit unworthy of a British Queen. If there can be any
satisfaction in what is sordid in sentiment and debased in
conduct, I willingly resign that to the pusillanimity of my
adversaries.
If I can in any way contribute to the happiness of the
nation, I shall always consider the augmentation of that hap-
piness as an accession to my own. My welfare is the wel-
fare of the people ; their good is my good ; and their pros-
perity is my highest exultation.
I should feel myself unworthy of the elevated station
which I occupy if I could approve the practice, or cherish
the sentiment of revenge. That principle ought to have
no residence in any royal breast.
If England was not my native country, the people of
England have rendered it as dear to me as the land of my
nativity. In their enlightened sentiments of justice, in
their generous affections, and in their steady loyalty, 1 pos-
sess a strength which no menace can shake, and a comfort
which no adversity can take away.
Injustice to her majesty, it is with pleasure
3 H 2
4 1C MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
we insert the- following interesting anecdote, and
we think it ought to abash the journal whose in-
discriminate abuse of her majesty, was the cause
of its publicity. We extract it from the Edin-
burgh Star, with a confirmation from the Editor
of that paper, of the fact mentioned by his cor-
respondent. The following is the letter :
SIR, — In an article in a late London evening paper,
there is the following passage : — <f We trust we shall be ex-
cused for saying, that we never heard before of any ge-
nerous and humane action performed by the queen, either
abroad or at home." It is elsewhere said, in the same
article, that, notwithstanding all her majesty's professions
of deep interest in this " generous people," she, in fact,
does not care one fig for them. How far these observa-
tions are well founded may, perhaps, be discovered from
the following anecdote. But to enable your readers to
understand it, it will be necessary to go into a little pre-
vious detail.
This time two 'years, I went, with a party of friends,
to the continent, viz. Holland. In the packet, there was
a strange passenger named Cornoli, an Italian, a native of
Como, who had been settled for some years in Edinburgh
as a barometer-maker, <5fc. This honest man had married
an Edinburgh girl, who soon brought him a numerous
family ; and as the expense of living is much less in Como
than in Edinburgh, he had, a year or two before this pe-
riod, carried his wife and children to the former place,
where he is possessed of a cottage and small plot of land
on the lake. He was at this time on a visit to them, in-
tending to go up the Rhine. As he was a good-humoured,
intelligent man, and sung us Italian songs, he was a great
favourite with us ; and we promised to see him again on
our return to Edinburgh.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 417
The other day, as I was passing through St. Mary's
Wynd, I observed my friend Comoli's shop, and called to
inquire for him and his family. I found him quite solitary,
his wife and all his children but one, being still at Como ;
as he cannot yet afford to bring them here, or to join
them there. In the course of conversation, I asked him
if he had seen the queen when at Como ? He answered in
the affirmative, and told me that her majesty was much
beloved there, especially by the poor people, to whom she
was very kind. In particular he mentioned, and not with-
out evident feelings of gratitude, that her majesty having,
one day some time previous to his arrival at Como, seen
his wife, and finding from her accent she was a Briton, the
queen at once became much interested in her, and having
learned that she had five young children, and was but in-
differently provided for, though not in absolute poverty her
majesty generously gave the good woman a louis d'or, and
desired her at all times to come freely to the palace when
in any distress, and she would get relief.
This little story (which any of your readers may have an
opportunity of authenticating by a conversation with ho-
nest Comoli) may, perhaps, appear trifling to some ; with
me the case is different. A very slight trait is often deci-
sive of a character. There was very little chance of such
an action as this becoming known in this country. It
would be most uncandid, therefore, to ascribe it to osten-
tation, or to any other than a purely benevolent motive ;
and I hope the writer of the article will now be induced to
retract his observations above-mentioned, which he seems to
have made without due inquiry or consideration.
I am, Sir, fyc.
VERUS.
O Sq , nth July, 1820.
418 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
We have seen Comoli, who has repeated to us the above
anecdote, with many other circumstances illustrative of her
majesty's well-known benevolent disposition. — ED.
On Monday, the 24th, Lord Erskine rose in the
House of Lords, and said, it was his duty to
present a petition to their lordships on the part
of her majesty ; and, in presenting it, he must
state to the house, that her majesty, as it ap-
peared to him, had made a very just and reason-
able request to their lordships. She begged of
them, as a listp of the witnesses had been refused
to her, that she should be furnished with a spe-
cification of the times and places when and
where it was alleged that she had acted licen-
tiously. The petition was read by his lordship.
It was as follows : —
To the Lords Spiritual, fyc.
The queen laments that the House of* Lords have
deemed it proper to refuse her application for a list of the
witnesses to be examined in support of the bill of degrada-
tion and dissolution of marriage ; thus leaving her majesty
and her legal advisers in total ignorance as to the time or
place to which the charges may relate, or the person by
whose testimony the allegations in the bill are intended to
be supported.
Her majesty now submits to the House of Lords, that a
specification of the place or places in which the criminal
acts are charged to have been committed, should forthwith
be furnished to her majesty's attorney-general ; for, if this
be denied, it will be impossible to be prepared to meet the
accusation, or to take preliminary measures for providing
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENOLAND1 419
defensive evidence against the charges, without bringing
from every place her majesty has visited during the last six
years, every witness who had any means of observing her
majesty's conduct
Her majesty further desires to be heard by her counsel
and agent, at your lordships' bar, in support of this her
request.
Lord Erskine hoped that this last part of the
petition would not be refused; but that their
lordships would give immediate orders to have
her counsel called in, that they might point out
the propriety of adopting the course required.
His lordship knew nothing at all as to the places
at which the offence was said to have been per-
petrated : it was only known that various parts
of the south of Europe were said to have been
the scenes of this alleged licentiousness : and the
charge being that of the commission of criminal
acts during a period of six years, it was utterly
impossible to meet it unless their lordships
granted the specification called for, or after they
had heard the evidence in support of the charge,
they would allow the queen a fair time for her
defence, by adjourning the house to such a
period as would give her an opportunity of hav-
ing the assistance of counter-witnesses. He
must say, and felt it to be his duty strongly to
declare, that, if her request was not complied
with, she would not have that opportunity, which
during a long professional experience, he had
always considered of the utmost importance —
420 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
that of seeing the witnesses face to face, and of
confronting them with others by whom they
might be contradicted. As he had told their
lordships before, and he felt it from the bottom
of his heart, he conceived that if they adjourned
the examination, they would not take the best
mode of administering justice : they would, he
thought, take away from the dignity and honour
of the house, if witnesses were sent away before
they were fully cross-examined; and yet this
must be the case if her majesty were unac-
quainted with those who were to appear against
her, or with the places to which their statements
related.
The petition was then handed to the clerk by
Lord Erskine, but it was not read by him.
The Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Liverpool,
and Earl Bathurst contended, that if the time
and place were to be specified at which adultery
was charged, the inquiry before their lordships
must be of a very limited description. Suppose
evidence to be given of a material character, but
not corresponding to the alleged time and place,
would their lordships think it right to strike out
such evidence ? This was not even done in other
proceedings of divorce : and with regard to what
had been said about the queen's conduct, at
Milan, that referred only to a single place, and
to a particular period of the time to which the
whole charge referred. The 17th August had
been fixed to the supposed satisfaction of all
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 42 1
parties. Their lordships had not deemed it right
to furnish a list of the witnesses, and they were
now desired to inform the queen of the places at
which the alleged improprieties had occurred.
If her majesty meant to defend her case on the
17th of August, this application was perfectly
absurd ; because she could make no use of the
indulgence by a period so early. If the prayer
of the petition were good for any thing, it ought
to be accompanied by an objection to so early
a commencement of the proceedings.
Lord Holland made a few observations. The
house then divided upon Lord Erskine's motion,
which was rejected by 37 to 12. ^
On the rejection of this petition we shall make
but a few remarks, as the objection which we
have before adverted to, has been in this instance
repeated. To grant a specification of time and
place, is not consistent with the form of the pro-
ceedings. It is, however, unfortunate that a
mode of proceeding should have been adopted by
which not the defendant, for that supposes a crime
known to the law — not the person to "be tried, for
that also supposes an illegal act — but the person
who is to be afflicted by a new law, in a mode for
which our language furnishes no correct expres-
sion, is to be deprived of the natural means of
proving the falsehood of the allegations which are
made the reason of this infliction.
It has seldom fallen to our lot to notice a more
infamous personal libel — a more gross outrage
3 i
422 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
.
upon the decencies of social life — a more audaci-
ous insult to public justice, than a paragraph from
a provincial paper, relative to her majesty, which
at this time attracted the public attention. It ap
peared in Flyndell's Western Luminary, and was
as follows :
" Shall a woman who is as notoriously devoted
to Bacchus as to Venus — shall such a woman as
would, if found on our pavement, be committed to
Bridewell and whipped — be held up in the light of
suffering innocence ?"
This infamous and unparelleled libel formed
the subject of a motion in the House of Commons
by Mr. Wetherell, the purport of which was to
direct the attorney-general to prosecute the printer
and publisher of the paper in which the libel ap-
peared. An argument ensued upon the motion,
but it was at length withdrawn, it being consi-
dered beneath the dignity of her majesty to take
any notice of such a slanderous libel.
In the House of Lords, the Earl of Shaftesbury
laid on the table the report of the committee ap-
pointed to inquire into precedents relative to the
enforcement of the attendance of peers during
great and solemn occasions. The report was read
by the clerk. It set forth —
The committee appointed by their lordships to search the
journals for precedents as to the best means of enforcing
the attendance of peers of this house during the proceedings
on a bill entitled " An Act to deprive her majesty, Caroline
Amelia Elizabeth, of the title, prerogatives, rights, privileges,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 423
and exemptions, of queen consort of these realms, and to
dissolve the marriage between his Majesty and the said Caro-
line Amelia Elizabeth" — Ordered to report. The com-
mittee have met, searched the journals, and found the prece-
dents annexed to this report ; and the committee are of
opinion, that, if the house think fit, the following resolutions
should be agreed to : —
Resolved, That no lord do absent himself, on pain of in-
curring a fine of 100/. for each day's absence pending the
three first days of such proceedings, and of 50/. for each
subsequent day's absence from the same ; and in default of
payment of any and every such fine, of being taken into
custody.
Resolved, That no excuses be admitted, save disability
from age, viz., being of the age of 70 years and upwards,
or from sickness, or having been out of the realm in foreign
parts on the 10th of July instant, being the day on which
the order for the second reading of the said bill was made,
and continuing out of the same ; or out of Great Britain on
his majesty's service, or on account of the death of a parent,
wife, or child.
Resolved, That every peer absenting himself from age or
sickness do address a letter to the lord chancellor, stating,
upon his honour, that he is so disabled.
Resolved, That the lord chancellor do write a letter to
the several peers and prelates of the house, in the following
terms ; and that a copy of the said resolutions do accom-
pany the same : —
' My lord, — I am commanded by the House of Lords to
acquaint you, that the house expects your lordship's attend-
! ance upon the second reading of the bill, entitled t€ An Act
to deprive her majesty," $c., on Thursday the l?th day of
1 August next, at ten of the clock in the forenoon : and that
it is the further order of the house that no lord shall absent
I himself from the service of the house upon the second read-
3i 2
424 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
ing of the said bill, or on any of the subsequent proceedings
of the house upon the same, \vithout the leave of the house,
upon pain of incurring the displeasure of the house/
On the motion of the Earl of Shaftesbury, the resolutions
of the committee were agreed to. His lordship then moved
an address to his majesty in the above mentioned terms,
which was also agreed to.
An address was at this time presented to her
majesty, eigned by 7,800 females of the town of
Nottingham, in which they say —
„ We would not wring anew your feelings, they have been
too often wrung ; yet when we consider this, we are not sur-
prised that, though you are not defended by the drawn
sabres of the military, you are always surrounded by your
guards ; thus imitating the example of the magnanimous
Queen Elizabeth, trusting your defence to a brave people,
who will not be deterred by any power under heaven to for-
sake you in the day of peril. All in whom the spirit of the
days of chivalry are not utterly extinct, all who would not
immolate the best impulses of our nature on the altar of
modern policy, will rally round their queen, and save her
alike from foreign emissaries and spies, and domestic perse-
cutors.
To this address her majesty returned the fol-
lowing answer :
1 should be deficient in sensibility if I had not felt the
wannest gratitude and more than ordinary delight, when I
received from the female inhabitants of the town of Notting-
ham and its vicinity, an address, which is remarkable for the
amiable spirit which it breathes, and for the fervor of at-
tachment to my person and rights which it displays. I am
proud of being the queen of women of such generous senti-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 425
ments : and I am happy to remark that such sentiments
indicate an increased and increasing cultivation of the
female mind.
To be conscious that the hearts of so large a portion of
my own sex are vibrating with emotions of affection for his
majesty's royal consort, that they are sympathising with her
sorrows, and deprecating her wrongs, and that her happi-
ness is the object of their pious supplications, cannot but
awaken in my breast the most pleasurable sensations. The
same spirit of devotedness to the fair fame, to the lawful
rights, and to the general interests of a persecuted queen,
which animates the female inhabitants of Nottingham, is,
I trust, diffused through a large majority of their country-
women. They will consider the honour of her majesty as
reflected upon themselves — they will best know how to ap-
preciate the vexations by which I have been harassed, the
slanders by which I have been assailed, and the indignities
by which I have been oppressed.
With the most gentle delicacy the female inhabitants of
the town Nottingham and its vicinity have touched those
springs of grief in my heart which will ever continue pain-
fully to vibrate at the recollection of the near and dear rela-
tives of whom I have been bereaveu, and particularly of that
departed saint in whose talents, and whose virtues, the
women have lost a model of the most estimable excellence,
and the nation in general a future sovereign, under whose
fostering care that liberty would have flourished which gives
happiness to the people and security to the throne.
The deputation from the city of Rochester
waited upon her majesty on the 26th with their
address, and her majesty was pleased to return
the following gracious answer :
This loyal, warm, and ingenuous address, entitles the
V
426 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
citizens and inhabitants of Rochester to my most cordial
thanks. When they make my return to these realms the
topic of congratulation, and my former departure from Eng-
land the subject of regret, their joy and their sorrow are
mingled with my own.
The affectionate manner in which the citizens and inha-
bitants of Rochester mention my two deceased, most dear,
and most lamented relatives, powerfully touches every chord
of sensibility in my breast. I still mourn over their graves —
but not as one without hope. That beloved daughter of
whom 1 have been bereaved, was once my exhilarating de-
light, and his late revered majesty my unalterable trust.
Had their lives been happily protracted, I should not now
have to contend against that malice, and those calumnies,
by which I am so rancorously assailed.
My constitutional rights are, at present, attacked in an
unconstitutional manner. If, in this country, the life, the
property, and the reputation of the most humble individual
are safe within the sanctuary of the laws, surely those laws
ought not to violated on purpose to deprive the queen of her
rank, her title, and her truly legitimate rights.
If, as a subject, I am answerable to the laws, let those
laws be sacredly observed in the judicial investigation of my
conduct. Let me not, by any proceeding, which if it retains
the form of justice is conceived in the spirit of tyranny, be
put at once out of the protecting pale of the law, and the
tutelary guardianship of the Constitution.
I have no wish — I can have no wish to leave this en-
lightened, this hospitable country. In what other part of
the world could I find, or expect to mid, a people so affec-
tionate, friends so steady, or a home in which I have s@ little
to fear from the machinations of my enemies ?
The same day an address was presented to her
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 427
majesty from the town of Morpeth, to which her
majesty gave the following answer :
I am unfeignedly obliged to the worthy inhabitants of the
town of Morpelh and its vicinity, for their loyal and affec
tionate address ; and particularly for their condolence upon
those severe domestic losses which have often agonised my
heart. I no sooner set my foot on British shore, after my
late long absence, than I felt that I was respiring the air of
freedom, and was in the midst of a generous people, amongst
whom the persecuted and oppressed can never want a friend.
Their sublime sentiments and their virtuous sympathies
were instantly excited in favour of an injured queen. From
the south to the north, from one extremity of the kingdom
to the other, the spark of enthusiastic loyalty has been
kindled in every breast. If the age of chivalry were ever
past, I have lived to see it revived anew.
I humbly solicit, and boldly challenge, any open, any legal
investigation ; and, the more my character is investigated,
the more, I trust, it will be found to be intimately embodied
with the principles of rectitude. I wish for life, only to
make others feel that it is a blessing to live.
I consider my rights and privileges, as queen consort of
the sovereign, to be a part of the sacred patrimony of the
British nation ; and, I will defend them with intrepid con-
stancy, for their benefit rather than for my own personal
gratification. The rights and liberties of the people are the
( best safeguard of the sovereign, and while I live I shall pray
for their everlasting preservation.
The queen this week sent a communication to
the House of Lords, informing their lordships of
iher intention to be present every day during the
(investigation, which is to take place in support
|of the Bill of Pains and Penalties relating to her,
which has been introduced into the house by
428 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Lord Liverpool. Her Majesty also desired th;
their lordships will order a seat to be provided
for her in the House of Lords, so situated that
she may be enabled to hear distinctly all the
evidence that may be produced in the course of
the investigation.
Lord Duncannon waited on her majesty on the
27th, with an address from the town of Wakefield
and its vicinity, to which her majesty returned
the following answer :
I receive with heartfelt satisfaction, this loyal and affec-
tionate address from his majesty's subjects, inhabitants of
the town of Wakefield, and its vicinity. Their sentiments
of congratulation on my accession to the high dignity of
queen of these realms, are a proof that their minds have not
been unduly influenced by the flagitious calumnies of my
persecutors ; and I am, at the same time, feelingly alive to
their expressions of kind condolence upon the melancholy
osses of those near and dear relatives, which I experienced
Jiile on the Continent.
I am sensible of the indignities with which I have been
assailed, not so much because they are disrespectful to
myself, as because they are insulting to the nation ; for the
nation has been insulted in the late outrages upon the cha-
racter of its lawful queen. Though I am attacked by that
malice, which hesitates ct no falsehood, and by an assumption
of power, which seems to spurn all limitation, I feel a cheer-
ing confidence of present support, and of effectual triumph
in the affections of the people.
I have been accused of appealing to popular clamour-
but I appeal to nothing but to the good sense and good
feeling — to the reason — the morality and the patriotism of
the most enlightened and most respectable portion of the
community. If I am to be condemned without justice, and
QUEEN" CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 429
dethroned against all law, the liberties of every individual
will receive a fatal stab ; and the, character of the highest
judicature will be blasted to the latest posterity.
My own personal welfare is of little moment ; but I do
feel as a queen for the public welfare, which is deeply impli-
cated in the vindication of my violated rights.
The power which the House of Lords are assuming in
their Bill of Pains and Penalties, not only of divorcing his
majesty's royal consort, but of dethroning their lawful queen,
may prove in their result productive of an age of misery to
the nation. The child that is now at the breast, may live
to rue its consequences.
The consciousness of rectitude, of which no Bill of Pains
and Penalties can ever deprive me, will support me through
all trials ; and, even though the force of my enemies should,
in the end, prove commensurate with their malignity, the
people shall never have occasion to reproach me with
neglecting their happiness, with betraying their rights, or
zcith relinquishing, for otie moment, the patriotic magnanimity
of the queen.
This answer of her majesty's set her enemies
all upon the alert, for they saw in it an incitement
to rebellion, and designs the most mischievous.
It was described as stirring up the people to
revolution, and instilling into their minds the true
spirit of disaffection to the laws. The bitterest
terms of reproach were vented against her ma-
jesty, and her arrival in this country was repre-
sented as a baneful meteor, blasting the happiness
of the nation. We believe it may be retorted
with truth, that they are the real destroyers of
the happiness of the nation, who by the accumu-
3 K
430 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
lated indignities which they offered to her ma-
jesty, forced her to seek a refuge in the bosom
of a noble and a generous nation.
We cannot refrain inserting the following beau-
tiful lines, which were at this time written on the
distressing situation of her majesty :
She has come unarray'd in "the pomp and the splendor,
That royalty throws round the steps of a queen ;
And turns to her foes without guard or defender,
Majestic in sorrow, in danger serene.
Where is the child of her bosom who bless'd her? —
Where is the monarch who mourn'd o'er her woes,
Who guarded her rights when injustice oppress'd her,
Who solac'd her sorrows and silenc'd her foes ?
That child of her bosom the cold tomb encloses —
That hope of her heart has for ever gone by !
That monarch who lov'd her in silence reposes,
Untouch'd by her tear, and unwak'd by her sigh !
But though the best beams of her life have departed,
Enough of their heavenly light yet remains
To kindle the breasts of the warm and true hearted,
And waken a fervor in loyalty's veins.
She wants not the pageantry pomp could throw round her,
The brightest of diadems circles her brow !
O, if in the full pride of power we'd found her
Had she been half so dear to our bosoms as now ?
No, the sun-beam that struggles through clouds in the morning
But comes forth more bright in the fullness of day ;
And she yet will shine forth like that sun-beam adorning
The kingdom which Heaven ordain'd her to sway.
Being particularly desirous to lay before our
readers every account which transpires of the
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 431
character of the Italian witnesses which are pen-
sioned to appear against her majesty, we subjoin
the following extract of a letter received from
Trieste, dated the 12th of July :
From the hotel in this city, called the Locanda gr ancle,
two waiters have departed for London to appear as wit-
nesses against the Queen of England. Besides their tra-
velling expenses, they are each allowed ten francs daily.
You, who know the degrading employment to which fellows
of this description voluntarily offer themselves for a few
scudi, will doubt with me the credit they are likely to confer
on those who employ them.
It being also our particular desire to enrich
these Memoirs with the character and connexions
of the individuals who form so prominent a figure
in this unprecedented affair, we, in the first
instance, lay before our readers an account of the
principal actor in the various scenes through
which her majesty passed on the Continent, and
which totally falsifies the report that Bergami
was originally of low extraction. By way of an
offset to this ridiculous slur upon him, the origin
of Lord Castlereagh and Sir John Leach has been
examined, an<i it was found that neither of them
could boast an, origin equ-ally respectable with
Bergami. This is not meant by way of dispa-
ragement to those two individuals, on the con-
trary, it is honourable to them; but persons who
are afflicted with a particular disease, should
abstain from reprobating another, who is so unfor-
tunate as to be afflicted with the same malady,
a K 2
432 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
On the first introduction of Bergami into the
household of her majesty, then Princess of Wales,
we find him holding the situation of cabinet
courier, an officer entrusted with despatches of
great importance, and usually a person entitled
to particular confidence. He was a man who was
acquainted with different languages, accustomed
to travel, and deemed by those with whom he
was acquainted to possess extensive information ;
added to this, he was of a respectable family,
which, by unforeseen and unfortunate circum-
stances, had been reduced from a state of opu-
lence to a situation of comparative poverty. The
honourable marriages of M. Bergami's three
sisters, prove, at least, that he was not of the
" low station" which has been averred. The
first was married to Count Oldi; the second to
M. Servergrini, of an ancient family at Cremona ;
and the third to M. Martini de Lodi, brother of
the ex-secretary general of the captaincy of
Padua, when commanded by his excellency the
Baron de Goez. M. Bergami, the eldest son,
soaring beyond his bad fortune, and recollecting
the past honourable condition of his family, em-
braced a military life, and was attachedto the etat-
major of the troops commanded by his Excellency
the General Count Pino, in the late campaigns of
1812, 1813, and 1814, as attested by the following
declaration of General Major Galimberti:
1 declare that M. le Baron Bartolomo Bergami, of Cre-
mona, knight of Malta, has served in the ctut-imjor <
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND, 433
troops, commanded by his Excellency Count Pino, lieute-
nant-general, to whom I was the chief of the etat-major, in
the late campaigns of 1812, 1813, 1814.
(Signed) Le Gen era!- Major GALIMBEUTI.
Dated Milan, November 1,1816.
Seen and certified by me, Lieut-General Count PINO.
Her majesty soon discovered in M. Bergami
an intelligence above the situation in which he
was placed, and as the reward of his faithful ser-
vices, she gradually raised him to the rank of her
equerry, and from thence to that of her chamber-
lain. She was acquainted with the misfortunes of
his family, and long experience increased for him
her esteem. She became particularly interested in
his favour, procured for him a barony in Sicily,
decorated him with several orders of knighthood,
and in fact did every thing in her power to mark
her sense of the repeated proofs which he had
afforded of his attachment to her person and inte-
rests during her long and fatiguing tour. On her
return to Italy too, she took two of his brothers
as well as his sister into her service. M. Louis
Bergami presided over her household, Mr. Sicard
having returned to England ; and M. Vollotti
Bergami formerly under-prefect at Cremona, was
the comptroller of her disbursements. Such
appear to be the real state of the facts with regard
to this individual. We shall only add, that M.
Bergami continued in her majesty's service down
to her departure from St. Omer's. Fie travelled
with her majesty from Pesaro, leaving behind him
434 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
his wife and sisters, but bringing with him his
daughter, an amiable child, seven years of age,
whom her majesty had adopted, and to whom she
was particularly partial, from its extraordinary
acquirements at so early an age. This interesting
little protege of her majesty was perfect mistress
of French and Italian, and had no inconsiderable
skill in music and other fashionable accomplish-
ments. Such was her natural attachment to her
parent, however, that she could not be induced
to accompany her majesty to England, and re-
turned with her father to Italy.
In person, M. Bergami is a man of about five
feet eleven inches in height, of a military aspect,
large mustachios and whiskers, dark complexion
and eyes, a bold but agreeable countenance, and
of robust form.
On the 31st of July, her majesty received the
address from the borough of Ilchester, which in
point of literary talent, is evidently the produc-
tion of a superior mind. Our limits will not
permit us to transcribe it, but her majesty felt
the force of it by the sentiments expressed by
her in the following answer :
I return my grateful thanks to the inhabitants of the
borough of Ilchester and its vicinity, for an address in which
so much affection is manifested for my person, so much zeal
for my rights, and so much sympathy for my sufferings.
My late beloved daughter well knew her mother's injuries ;
and her noble nature made them her own. Over her un-
timely end, if I wept as a parent, the whole nation mourned
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 435
like an individual. The grief was one and the same in all.
Every man felt as if he had lost a friend ; and that friend his
solace iu the passing day, and his hope in the time that was
to come.
When I call to mind the form of his late majesty, op-
pressed with afflictions, and bending with age, I ought not,
perhaps, to lament over that event which put an end to his
sufferings, and made him exchange his earthly crown for a
crown more permanent. But my gratitude will not suffer
me to forget that his majesty was my protector in adver-
sity ; and my heart, still sorrowing, tells me that that pro-
tector is no more.
I should, even according to the confession of my accusers,
have been guilty of no sin if I had never revisited this
country ; that was my great transgression, and that has been
rendered more inexpiable by this circumstance — that I no
sooner came than the affections of the people all circled
round their queen.
If to possess the affections of the people be a proof of
guilt, how can I ever show that I am innocent ? Could I
prevent, or was I to try to prevent, the stream of popular
sympathy from running forcibly in favour of majesty insulted,
and of integrity reviled ? If the nation could have contem-
plated the many wrongs I have experienced, and the greater
wrongs with which I am threatened, with severe indiffe-
rence, or with sluggish apathy, it would not have been com-
posed of men and women ; it would have been constituted
of beings without sensibility or intelligence. But the
British people are made of better materials. No nation has
more right reason, or more good feeling ; and this is a truth
of which I can never be unconscious as long as one parti-
cle of life is streaming in my veins.
After the deputation withdrew, her majesty
went to North-street, Finsbury-square, to view
436 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
the school, called the Royal Institution, for 1,000
boys and 300 girls, of which the Duke and Duchess
of Kent were patrons. Her majesty expressed
the most lively satisfaction at the order and regu-
larity which pervaded the establishment, and the
interesting appearance of the children, for whom
she left a liberal donation.
The same day two of her majesty's witnesses
arrived from Milan, one of whom performed the
journey in the short period of six days. We are
assured, upon the most undoubted authority, that
her majesty experiences great difficulty in bringing
to this country the witnesses necessary for her
defence. — The governor of Milan states, that he
cannot give passports to any witnesses except
those who may have belonged to her majesty's
household, without previously sending to Vienna
for authority. Thus the defence of the Queen of
England is made to depend upon, the will and
pleasure of the Emperor of Austria.
The board of works began on the 31st of July
to make arrangements for the alterations in the
interior of the House of Lords, for the accommo-
dation of the peers during the trial of the queen.
Mr. Soane, architect to this board, together with
some lords of the committee, and Sir T. Tyrwhitt,
were in attendance. All the peers' benches have
been removed into the king's robing- room ; the
woolsacks have been covered, and the new throne
is being enclosed, preparatory to the workmen
beginning to raise a gallery on each side of the
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 437
house for the extra accommodation of their lord-
ships. These two galleries will be high enough
to enable peers to pass to their seats underneath
them. The lords' seats in the body of the house
will be restored to their former stations, and in
their previous order ; but some extension of them
at the upper end of the house, on each side of the
throne, is only at present contemplated. The
partition at the lower end of the house, called the
Bar, is to remain as it is ; but portions of it will
be separated from the space allotted to " stran-
gers," to accommodate the counsel, agents, soH-
citors, witnesses, $-c., according to the plan pur-
sued in the investigation of the Berkeley peerage.
The accommodation to be afforded to the queen
was not finally arranged.
During the adjournment of parliament a good
deal of correspondence took place between her
majesty's advisers and Lord Liverpool, on the
subject of a town residence for her majesty. Her
majesty pointed out one in St. James's- square,
another in South Audley-street, that of the Duke
of Cambridge, which he was at this time about
to quit on his return to Hanover, and some others,
to all of which some objection was raised by his
majesty's ministers, On the other hand, other
houses were proposed to her majesty, but which
it was well known would be rejected, before the
offer was made.
In the mean time her majesty was by no means
| idle in regard to the arrangement necessary for
3 L
438 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
her approaching trial. She despatched Mr. Henry,
a barrister of some eminence, and conversant with
the Italian language, to Italy, in order to select
her majesty's witnesses, and it was understood
that every facility would be afforded to him by
the government of this country. It must, how-
ever, be observed, that no witness can depart from
Milan without a passport from the Austrian go-
vernment, and, judging from the side which that
power has espoused in this momentous proceed-
ing, some alarm is excited, that a refusal of the
passport may be made to certain individuals, and
thus the ends of justice may be defeated, and her
majesty prevented from rebutting the evidence
which is brought against her.
Her majesty also made the necessary prepara-
tions for going down to the house of peers, dur-.
ing what may be termed her trial, in a manner
consistent with her rank and dignity. A new and
splendid carriage was ordered to be built without
delay, with appropriate harness for six horses,
and in this equipage it is the intention of her ma-
jesty to go daily to the house of peers, attended
by her servants in state liveries.
Previously to her majesty setting out on the
1st of August, to visit some charitable institutions,
in company with Alderman Wood, she received
an address from the inhabitants of Sunderland,
Jo which her majesty returned the following
answer :
I am greatly obliged to the loyal inhabitants of Sunder-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 439
land and its vicinity, for their cordial congratulations upon
my accession to the high dignity of queen consort of these
realms ; and for the generous zeal which they express in
favour of my lawful rights, and my personal happiness.
A foul conspiracy against my honour and my life has been
prosecuted for many years ; and seems at present to be
reaching the very climax of iniquity. Originating in this
country, it long endeavoured to effect its purpose by all the
fraud and falsehood it could procure here ; and when that
failed, it determined to overwhelm me with infamy, by bring-
ing a mass of perjury from the continent.
Every person who can reflect upon the consequences of
passing events, or who can read the danger of the future in
the 'dark aspect of the present, must be convinced that the
public welfare is, at this moment, intimately identified with
the preservation of my rights and dignities as the royal con-
sort of his majesty. General tyranny usually begins with
individual oppression. If the highest subject in the realm
can be deprived of her rank and title — can be divorced, de-
throned, and debased, by an act of arbitrary power, in the
form of a Bill of Pains and Penalties, the constitutional
liberty of the kingdom will be shaken to its very base. The
rights of the nation will be only a scattered wreck, and this
once free people like the meanest of slaves, must submit to
the lash of an insolent domination.
For several days past it had been understood
Jiat her majesty would take up her residence at
Brandenburg-house. From various causes her de-
parture had been postponed, but Thursday the 3d
was fixed positively for her majesty to leave the
metropolis. At an early hour on Thursday morn-
ing, Portman-street was in consequence filled with
carriages and persons anxious to see her majesty
3L2
410 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
before she quitted the capital. At about two
o'clock, the hour at which it was supposed her
majesty would take her departure, the crowd op-
posite the house was excessive, and loud cries of
" God save the queen ! God bless her majesty !"
were heard from every quarter. The queen was
graciously pleased, on two several occasions, to
show herself at the balcony, and bowed conde-
scendingly to the people. A short time after two
o'clock it was understood that her majesty had
altered her determination, and, in consequence 01
the indisposition of Lady Anne Hamilton, had
postponed her visit to Brandenburg-house until
Saturday following. The consequence was, that
some part of the crowd dispersed. We under-
stand that the carriage was actually counter-
ordered, and that a person was about to be sent
down to Hammersmith to postpone the prepara-
tions. At nearly three o'clock Mr. Alderman
Wood arrived on horseback, and was greeted with
loud huzzas. Soon after his arrival, a servant was
despatched to order the carriage to be got in
readiness, her majesty having determined not to
disappoint the expectations of the inhabitants of
Hammersmith. At this moment the street was
completely thronged with persons, some of them
of the highest respectability, anxious to pay their
respects to her majesty. Many ladies of rank
attended in their carriages, and gentlemen on
horseback awaited the appearance of her majesty.
At length, at nearly four o'clock, her majesty's
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 441
carriage drew up to the door ; it was an entirely
new elegant open carriage, drawn by four beautir
ful bay horses ; the near leader was mounted by
a postillion : the livery was scarlet, trimmed with
gold lace. On the pannels of the carriage was
painted a crown, and underneath, the letters
" C. R." In about ten minutes her majesty made
her appearance at the door of her house, and was
immediately handed into the carriage. Her ma-
jesty seemed to be in high spirits, and looked re-
makably well : she was dressed in a dove-coloured
pelisse, with a hat of the same colour, surmounted
by a very handsome plume of white feathers.
Lady Anne Hamilton next made her appearance,
and was followed by Dr. Lushington and Mr.
Alderman Wood. Loud cries of " God save the
queen ! " accompanied with shouts of approbation,
filled the air. The carriage drove off at a fast
trot into Oxford-street, followed by a great con-
course of persons. It proceeded through the park,
and out at Kensington-gate. In consequence of
a mizzling rain which fell at this time, the car-
riage, which was previously open, was closed,
and it continued shut during the remainder of the
way to Hammersmith. The road was completely
lined in many parts with people ; ladies were seen
from every window, waving white handkerchiefs,
and crying " God save the queen." At the bar-
racks at Kensington we observed a great number
of the military join in the general shout : they
took off their hats, and waved them in the air as
442 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
her majesty passed. When her majesty arrived
at Hammersmith, the scene was extremely inter-
esting. All were prepared to receive her ma-
jesty, and the little charity children, dressed in
their Sunday clothes, were stationed near the
"church, to welcome her majesty's arrival. Before
the carriage reached Hammersmith, a body of
gentlemen on horseback, with white favours in
their hats, came to meet her majesty, and they
were greeted with loud cheers. They accom-
panied the carriage until it reached Brandenburg-
house. The town of Hammersmith was com-
pletely filled, and on the arrival of the queen the
cheers were so vehement as to have a deafening
effect j guns were discharged, and the bells of the
church were rung. Her majesty most condescend-
ingly bowed to the people as she passed. The
carriage proceeded immediately to Brandenburg-
house, and drove through the great gate at the
grand entrance up the avenue of trees to the
front of the mansion. Her majesty, Lady Anne
Hamilton, and Mr. Alderman Wood and Dr.
Lushington, then alighted. The carriage was fol-
lowed by two or three others filled with ladies of
rank, who were desirous of paying their respects
to her majesty. Her majesty dined at Branden-
burg-house, and did not return in the evening.
In the course of the evening a great number of
the houses in the town were illuminated with
variegated lamps, torches, and candles ; guns of
various sorts were discharged, and especially on
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 443
ie river, adjoining the grounds of Brandenburg-
louse, which was covered with boats.
Previously to her departure for Brandenburg-
house, her majesty received an address from the
borough of Lewes, to which the following answer
was given :
The high-constable, burgesses, and other inhabitants of
the ancient borough of Lewes, are requested to accept my
cordial thanks for this loyal and affectionate address. My
heart is in perfect unison with the expressions which they
use in their topics of condolence. I felt the loss of his late
venerable majesty to be, indeed, irreparable ; for he stood
like the angel of mercy between me and persecuting cruelty.
The untimely "end of the late beloved Princess Charlotte
seemed, for a moment, to throw the shadow of death over the
land. The voice of merriment was mute in our streets; and
the gaiety of the nation suffered a temporary eclipse. It was
the unbought tribute of loyalty, the spontaneous offering of
love in thousands — nay, in millions, to those bright properties
of the mind, and those tender qualities of the heart, in which
the people read a cheering presage of her glory, and of the
public happiness.
The machinations of my enemies are supported by a
faction, that has long operated like a canker»worm upon the
noble trunk of the national prosperity. If I would have
stooped to become an instrument in their hands, or to have
lent myself to their sordid purposes, I might have averted
their vengeance, or have neutralised their hostility. In the
year 1807, this faction were eager to make use of my power
as the means of gratifying their ambition : and when their
ambition could not be gratified by other means, they imme-
diately sacrificed my honour and my rights upon the altar of
their selfishness.
444 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
*
That calm wisdom which is the result at once of reflec-
tion and of experience, teaches me that I ought never to give
my sanction to the narrow views of any sect, or to the in-
terested projects of any party. That comprehensive charity
which kindles in my heart shall be visible in my conduct ;
and I will never forget that the queen of a faction is only
half a queen. The good of a faction is only the good of
a few : but the good which I cherish is that of the com-
munity.
The queen's replies to the addresses of her
subjects, became now the general theme of in-
vective by the hangers-on of ministers. In all
these answers her majesty continued to express
her confidence in the affections of her people,
and solemnly to assert her innocence of the in-
famous crimes which have been imputed to her.
These documents, or as they may be more pro-
perly denominated, the state-papers of her ma-
jesty, are occasionally characterized by solemn
warnings of the fatal consequences which may
result to the country, if upon a mere shew of
justice, she shall be deprived of those dignities to
which -by her rank, she is so justly entitled. It
cannot have escaped the observation of our readers
that the queen, in some of her recent acknowledg-
ments for public addresses, has thrown out hints
at the motives which she suspects to have actuated
one or two of her quondam counsellors and pre-
sent accusers. This has put the daily advocates
of ministers beside themselves, and it will never
$•5 forgiven. By them the queen is reproached
i
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 445
for using strong language when she speaks of the
charges brought against her, and of the evidence
by which alone they can, in her opinion, be upheld.
Now let us ask any one of the honest matrons of
all ranks throughout this country, who value virtue
far more than life, and reputation next to virtue,
how she would feel, aye, and how she would ex-
press herself if she were put upon her trial for
crimes which she abhorred ? If conscious of that
innocence which the law assumes, and which she
herself asserts to be untainted, is there a lady in
this land of moral and exemplary women, who, in
reply to the affectionate confidence of her friends,
would not disdain to keep measures with her as-
sailants ? Is there a virtuous Englishwoman living,
who would hesitate at repelling with every mark
of inextinguishable scorn and disgust, a charge
so heinous as adultery ? Well, then, the queen
loudly proclaims her innocence ; she alleges that
fraudulent and wicked means have been taken to
ransack the dregs of a depraved community for
materials by which to bolster up this charge.
The queen must know best her own guilt or in-
nocence ; if knowing the latter, she has a right —
she is bound — to assert it. The very assertion of
her innocence is a direct condemnation of the
means by which it has been impugned. Unless
her majesty were to use ironical terms — to say of
her prosecutors that they were " well-meaning,
but mistaken, men" — and of the witnesses that
(t they might be very honest people, whose senses
3 M
446 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
or imaginations had in some perverse manner de-
ceived them ;" — unless she resorted to such figures
of speech, she must either confess herself guilty
of adultery, or, in averring her own purity, pro-
nounce that the prosecution is iniquitous, and that
the witnesses are forsworn. In common justice
to the queen, we insist that she, as the party pro-
secuted, has a right to use such language ; and
much more so, when it is taken into consideration
that she has petitioned and protested, over and over
again, against the course of measures pursued by
her adversaries, which in her judgment take away
from her the chance of a fair trial, and leave her
no refuge but in her appeals to mankind at large,
to her own innocence, and to Heaven.
We now proceed to lay two documents before
our readers, relating to the unhappy question
oetween their majesties. These documents have
imparted fresh splendor to the illustrious name
of Russell, but the matter contained in them,
would be enough to distinguish from the vulgar
herd any individual, however obscure in fortune,
who had no title to eminence, but from them
alone. The first of these documents, is a letter
from Lord J. Russell to Mr. Wilberforce ; the
second is in the form of a petition to his majesty.
Both productions unite, in an extraordinary
degree, deep feeling with accurate reasoning.
The feeling, indeed, is of a nature which men of
all parties must subscribe to, since it is one of
serious alarm for the existence at least for the
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 447
peaee of the country, let the pending trial of
the queen result in her condemnation or ac-
quittal.
LORD JOHN RUSSELL TO MR. WILBERFORCE.
Turibridge-wells, Aug. 3, 1820.
SIR, — I address to you a public letter, because you are
a public man on whom much depends. Although I gene-
rally differ with you in politics, I warmly admire your ge-
nerous efforts for the welfare of mankind, and I believe
you capable o£ doing at this moment a great benefit to
your country. For this reason I communicate to you, in
the form of a petition to the king, my sentiments on the
one subject of the present day. The whigs, as you well
know, have no power whatever. It is useless for them to
originate any thing. If they move in part, they are de-
feated by a ministerial majority : if they attend public
meetings, it is said they are endeavouring to bring about
a revolution, and new laws to restrain freedom are imme-
diately enacted. But you, sir, and some others, whose
support is the sole strength of administration, are bound to
interfere if they bate any thing of the wisdom and prudence
which you attribute to their general conduct.
In the following paper I have given no opinion on the
guilt or innocence of the queen. I regret and disapprove
of the measure of leaving her majesty's name out of the
Liturgy — I regret, though I cannot severely blame, the
language of many of the addresses that have been pre-
sented to her.
I do not wish to prejudge a question of which we know
nothing. I have also omitted many topics that might have
been insisted upon, you are perfectly aware of the nature of
the discussions that will take place, and the temper in which
they will be met. In your hands is, perhaps, sir, the fate
SM 2
448 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
of this country. The future historian will ask, whether it
was right to risk the welfare of England — her boasted con-
stitution— her national power — on 'the event of an inquiry
into the conduct of the Princess of Wales, in her villa upon
the lake of Como ? From the majority which followed you
in the House of Commons, he will conclude you had the
power to prevent the die being thrown. He will ask, if
you wanted the inclination ?
I remain, your faithful and obedient servant,
JOHN RUSSELL. *
The humble Petition of to his Majesty the King.
We, your majesty's most dutiful and obedient subjects,
approach your majesty with feelings of the deepest anxiety
and the most profound respect, but at the same time with
a firm convictioa of the uprightness of our intentions, to
address your majesty on the subject of her majesty the
queen.
Were the conduct of the queen a 'private matter, were
it a subject that concerned your majesty alone, we should
be the last persons to intrude with our advice, or to delay
the trial of the queen's conduct a single instant. But your
majesty has nobly shown that you consider it a matter of
public import : your majesty has proved, by offers of an
amicable arrangement, that you were ready to allow a
queen charged with a total abandonment of her duty still
to retain the title of your wife, and to be notified as such
to the powers of Europe. It was only when the queen
landed in England, that your majesty interfered on behalf
of the public interests and the public morals of the country,
and sent down to your Houses of Parliament the informa-
tion which had been received respecting her majesty's con-
duct abroad.
To your majesty, therefore, it would be superfluous,
\
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 449
and consequently indecorous, to urge that persons of your
exalted station are not raised to such eminent rank for the
purpose of involving their subjects in all their domestic
differences; but, viewing this difficult question as your
majesty has viewed it— namely, as a matter of state — we
must be permitted to express our doubts whether your
majesty has been wisely advised to bring it forward at all.
It appears that your majesty's servants have thought right
to proceed against the queen by a Bill of Pains and
Penalties. Far be it from us to canvass whether any pro-
ceeding could have been instituted in the Ecclesiastical or
other courts, or whether the queen could have been con-
stitutionally impeached. We bow to the decision of the
great law authorities by whom the throne is surrounded ;
and we conclude, that as no method of trial known to the
ordinary tribunals, nor even the extraordinary mode of
impeachment, has been adopted, that a bill was the
only proceeding that could 't reach the offence of the
queen. But we cannot disguise from ourselves that a
bill inflicting penalties ought in very few 'cases indeed to
be resorted to. If impeachment has been likened to
Goliah's sword, which should only be brought out of the
temple on solemn occasions, how much more is this ob-
servation true of single laws made for a single case, which
at once create the offence, regulate the proof, decide upon
the evidence, and invent the punishment ? — a mode of
criminal conviction so anomalous, and so fearfully liable to
injustice, as to have been censured and rejected by many
of the most enlightened men of ancient and modern times —
not writing in the heat of blood, but placing beacons to
guide states and empires in the right course of legislation *.
Without yielding to their arguments, we may be permitted
* Leges in priros homines nolunt ferri : id enim est privi-
legium ; quo quid est injustius ?— -Cicero. See also Paley.
450 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
to observe, that, when the parliament of England has
sanctioned laws against individuals, it has usually been
either when the accused person fled from trial, as in the
cases of the Earl of Clarendon and Lord Bolingbroke —
or when a sudden insurrection and invasion to change
the dynasty were apprehended — or when peculiar circum-
stances occurred, as in the case of Sir John Fenwick, who,
after a bill was found against him by a grand jury, de-
frauded justice by a pretended contrition; and, abusing the
lenity of the law and the mercy of his prosecutors, bribed
one of the witnesses against him to go abroad. But in this
case what is the reason for a Bill of Pains and Penalties ?
Has the queen fled from justice ? Is there a paramount
state necessity for punishment? Are there any circum-
stances leading us to suppose that justice will be defrauded
if this bill does not pass ? That the queen has not fled from
justice is not only the admission, but forms one of the
chief charges of her prosecutors. This point, therefore,
requires no proof. Is there then a paramount state ne-
cessity ? We confess we are unable to perceive it. The
queen, it is well known, has for many years unhappily
been separated from your majesty, and during the last
six years, indeed, has resided out of this country. It is
impossible, therefore, for any sober-minded man to main-
tain that there is a danger lest the succession of the crown
be tainted. As little, or nearly as little, is there any danger
for the future. The great point of the succession then —
the only one on which the conduct of the queen is of
paramount interest to the state — is not affected. Even if
we go a step further, and inquire whether the behaviour
of the queen has affected the public morals of England .?
To this question, also, we must reply in the negative.
The queen has been several years resident abroad. Whe-
ther, as her enemies affirm, her life was licentious— or
whether, as her friencjs stoutly maintain, she upheld her
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND: 451
royal character — the influence of her example could extend
only to the inhabitants of Como or of Athens. To the
wives and daughters of England she was extinct — removed
from their sphere of action, as effectually as if she had been
dead— and to their ears the details of her domestic life, the
scandal tales of her neighbours and her servants, the scenes
of immorality which are alleged to have happened, are now,
for the first time, to be revealed by the inquiry your ma-
jesty has been advised to set on foot.
If then there is no paramount necessity, nor even a prima
facie case of policy, for proceeding against the queen by
bill, let us next inquire whether the ends of justice will be
defeated if this bill does not pass ? It is difficult to say they
would. If the law of England has made no provision for
trying a queen on a charge of immoral conduct abroad, the
the reason is probably to be found in the conclusion we
have just made, that such conduct does not seriously affect
the state. But, on the other hand, we are compelled to
represent, that the ends of justice may be grossly defeated
by the passing of the bill now pending in Parliament. For
what, let us humbly ask, is the situation of the queen ? Se-
parated from her husband during the first year of her mar-
riage, she has been forced out of that circle of domestic
duties and domestic affections, which alone are of power to
keep a wife holy and safe from evil. For the period to
which the accusation extends she has been also removed
from the control of public opinion — the best remaining
check this world can afford upon female behaviour. Many
women, unhappily, there are in England, who have aban-
doned husbands warmly attached to them, and a large family
of children dependent upon them for maternal care ; but
not one has yet been exposed to such an ordeal, or threatened
with such a disgrace, as the queen. Is it just (may we ask ?)
that an offence deserving of peculiar indulgence shouid be
visited with extraordinary severity ?
452 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Much distrust, it must also be manifest, will attach to
the witnesses. It is well known (without undue prejudice
we may say it), that the standard of morality for female con-
duct is not so high in Italy as it is in England ; and the
consequence is, that a ready belief is given to any story,
however improbable, which affects the honour of a woman.
Again, the witnesses do not give evidence in their own
country ; and their character in their own neighbourhood is
not at stake. If persons of some rank in England have
accused the queen falsely, what may we not expect from
the stray servants of an Italian town — from the jetsam and
flotsam of a licentious people— from the eaves-droppers of
the whole continent, solicited and brought together by an
emissary of the British court, who is even now ransacking
the Milanese for evidence against the queen ?
There are other circumstances tending to pollute the
stream of justice in this high matter. It is not in human
nature (say the suspicious) that, in voting on a bill some of
that political affection which the House of Lords may
entertain should not enter into the decision. On a judicial
proceeding men vote on their own judgment : on a law they
often vote from confidence in the judgment of others. And
in whom do the House of Peers generally place their con-
fidence ? In the men who have advised your majesty to
bring forward this sorrowful business — m the same men who
brought down the information as accusers — in the same
men who examined it in a secret committee, styling them-
selves grand jurors — in the same men who are about to
decide on the conduct of the queen, and their own charac-
ters, for a third time, in the character of judges. There are
other circumstances : — the prejudging of the case, by leaving
the queen out of the Liturgy — the casting her out from all
royal honours, even before any charge was made— the
refusal of a list of witnesses, and of a specification of the
charges ; — in short, there are circumstances without number,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 453
which show an unfair bias in the minds of her powerful and
almost resistless judges.
What has been the consequence ? A feeling as universal
as the air, that the queen is to be oppressed, and not to be
tried— a feeling so generous, that there are none but must
applaud its spirit. To those who provoked it belong the
results. Those results must be$ that if the queen is
acquitted, no man can say how far her triumph may rise, or
how low the monarchy may sink : if she is condemned, a
general feeling of indignation will pervade the people, and
your majesty \\ili lose, in the first year of your reign, the
best part of your inheritance — the hearts of your subjects.
We cannot forget that an example is about to be given
for the degradation of a queen. We see in the bill, that to
mark this more strongly, the degradation is made to precede
the divorce ; none are more convinced than we are of the
right of Parliament to alter the succession of the crown :
none respect more than we do the Act of Settlement, which
took away the crown from the hereditary successors, and
gave it to the House of Brunswick. But we are not for
uncrowning a royal head without necessity : we see much
to alarm us in the example — nothing to console us in the
immediate benefit.
Why then— and this is the end we humbly aim at — why
should Queen Caroline be prosecuted at all as long as she
behaves with propriety in this country f From her future
conduct your majesty and the nation will be enabled to
judge whether the reports from Milan were well founded,
or whether they were the offspring of curiosity and malice.
If the former, the nation will be at once supplied with a
reason for inquiry, and deprived of much of its sympathy ;
if, on the other hand, the queen's conduct bears the test,
vour majesty will have cause to rejoice that you have saved
ber from humiliation, and preserved her from a sentence
which must destroy in her all shame, and extinguish for
3 N
454 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
ever the care of her reputation. For these reasons it would
have been in our view more consistent with good morals
and with humanity if your majesty's ministers, when they
first heard the sinister reports from Italy, instead of offering
the queen a large income to stay abroad, had offered her an
increase of revenue to return home. Nor must it be for-
gotten that your majesty has already the power of inflicting
a severe punishment. Your majesty has the prerogative
(and it is one with which the House of Commons refused
-to interfere) of excluding the queen from your palace and
your court. This must be a severe, it might be an unjust,
sentence on any woman; but on the queen it bears with
peculiar weight. The splendour of her rank — the attendant
pomp of majesty — the pre-eminence of her station above
all other females, are taken away and annulled at once by
the simple pleasure of your majesty. All who look for
court preferment — all who are ambitious of the king's
regard — all who fly to the side of power — all who are
bound by office — desert the queen, with a doubt or a ques-
tion on her behaviour. Her only resource is to unite a few
friends about her, and to live without ostentation, without
homage, without authority. But in addition to this, if she
forfeited her, reputation by her conduct, all women who have
a regard for their own characters would instantly leave her :
she would receive no favour in this respect. Is your ma-
jesty not satisfied ? With all the interested passions against
her — with all the virtue of the ladies of Queen Charlotte's
court on the watch to take alarm— could not your majesty
safely leave the queen with the weight of suspicion about
her, in the midst of the society of England ? Can there be
a more painful situation 1 Can there be a more difficult
trial ? If the habits of the queen be in reality as degrading
as the bill represents them, what can she dread more than
to live in the moral atmosphere of England ?
We have endeavoured to make it apparent to your ma
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 455
jesty that the act by which it is proposed to degrade the
queen is not necessary to the state — that, on the contrary> it
will be, to use the words of the House of Commons, " dis-
appointing to the hopes of Parliament, derogatory to the
honour of the Crown, and injurious to the best interests of
the empire." We also have attempted to show that another
course is open. In recommending your majesty to abstain
from further proceedings, we give no opinion on the merits
of the case. We do not ask your majesty to retract any
opinion you have formed • we merely ask your majesty to
decline putting the queen on the hard task of defending
herself against foreign rumours, springing up in the course
of six years, and nursed into importance by a commission
sent from England for the purpose.
Your majesty, we know full well, is too generous and too
magnanimous to put any inclination of your own in the
balance against the real welfare of your people. That
welfare requires repose. During the last year the conflict
«)f passions brought our country to the verge of civil war.
& new subject is the only thing wanting to renew those
passions in a more dreadful form. May your majesty not
furnish the occasion ! Already the loyal bodies who address
the queen are called " Radicals ;" those who accuse her
are styled " Persecutors and Calumniators*" By a single
word your majesty may dispel the impending storm. We,
therefore, humbly pray your majesty that you will be pleased
to issue orders to prorogue the Parliament, and thus put an
end to all proceedings at present pending against the
queen
And your petitioners will ever pray, fyc.
On the 2d of August, an address was presented
to her majesty from Berwick-upon-Tweed by
Lord Ossulston, to which the following answer was
returned :
3 N 2
456 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
For this loyal and affectionate address, I feel deeply in-
debted to the mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses of the borough
of Berwick-upon-Tweed. The ravage which death has
made amongst my nearest and most beloved relatives, since
I left England, has furnished many arduous trials for my
resignation and my fortitude. It is my duty to submit, with-
out fretfulness or impatience, to these and to heavier afflic-
tions, if I have still heavier to endure.
My many sorrows have been mingled with an infusion of
joy, by the enthusiastic delight with which the people hailed
my arrival from the continent. I had been so long absent
from England, and so artfully reviled in my absence, that it
was supposed I should never return. My return operated
Tike a flash of lightning upon the public mind. Those
whom the accumulated slanders of my enemies had caused
to hesitate about my rectitude, were instantly struck with
conviction of my integrity. But while my friends exulted
with joy, my enemies turned pale with apprehension. The
consciousness of their own guilt was aggravated by the ir-
resistible feeling of my innocence. They exhibited a sin-
gular picture of malice rendered impotent, and of rage be-
coming desperate.
When' my enemies found that they could not operate upon
my disinterestedness by a bribe, they attempted to shake my
courage by a threat. But I derive from the bounty of
Heaven, a mind that is at once superior to the calculations
of avarice, and to the impressions of fear.
If I am a subject, I am a subject in a state of immediate
proximity to the sovereign ; and certainly I ought not to be
placed in a less favourable situation than that of the most
humble individual. Every subject, whatever may be his
condition or his rank, is entitled to a fair and open trial, by
which his guilt or his innocence may be legally established
To me, such a trial is refused. My demand for it has
hitherto been answered only by Green Bags, which perjurp
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND.1 457
has filled, or by Secret Inquisitions, over which malice pre-
sides. Every other subject has the benefit of an impartial
jury ; and he may object to a certain number of jurors,
whom he may know, or believe to be hostile to himself, or
partial to his adversary. Can I object to any of my numer-
ous judges and jurors? What individual is there who could
expect an impartial trial where his adversary could influence
the majority of his judges, either by the fear of loss, or the
hope of gain ; either by good in possession, or in expect-
ancy ? — But are my judges alone without human infirmities ?
I leave the question to be answered by those, who know
what man is ; or who have calmly observed the late proceed-
ings in the House of Lords.
The following description of the arrangements
made for the Italian witnesses against her ma-
jesty, will be perused with peculiar interest, as it
shews a system of caution in regard to witnesses,
which has not its precedent in the annals of this
country.
The houses in Cotton-garden, occupied by Sir
Thomas Tyrwhitt, Mr. Ley, and the other officers
of the House of Lords, were the places appointed
for the use of the Italian witnesses against the
queen. The occupants were compelled to re-
move, and their quitting on such short notice pro-
duced no little bustle and confusion. Cotton-
garden is situate at the rear of the western angle
of the 'House of Lords, to which it is approached
by a narrow passage from the eastern end of
Abingdon-street. A situation more completely
'retired, and more convenient for ingress and
egress to the interior of the House of Lords, can-
458 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
i
not be conceived. It was therefore mcst judici-
ously chosen by ministers for the seat of the Italian
witnesses, and at the same time furnishes a com-
plete answer to that part of the argument against
the queen's request for a list of the witnesses to
be produced against her majesty, founded upon
the danger of exposing them, if known, to tam-
pering and intimidation. Cotton-garden is also
the site of the newly-constructed kitchens, scul-
leries, and other edifices necessary for furnishing
the grand dinner in Westminster-hall on the en-
suing coronation. These works were soon com-
pleted, and all further access to the scene was
entirely cut off. The long flagged passage from
the western end of the House of Lords, by which
the Westminster scholars have the privilege of
access to their boats on the river, was also blocked
up by order of government.
Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt, Mr. Ley, Mrs. Goods and
some of Mr. Bellamy's servants, who occupied
apartments under the long gallery, have entirely
removed from them. The houses of Sir Thomas
and Mr. Ley, were fitted up apparently for the
reception of personages somewhat above the ordi-
nary rank. They are to be exclusively occupied by
the witnesses of a more respectable rank in life,
who are brought over to support the allegations
in the bill. The furniture in them is of that de-
scription which is used in a private gentleman's
house. It was entirely new, and consists of
Brussel's carpets, neat mahogany chairs, four-
QUEJ2NT CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 459
post bedsteads, with fine cotton hangings, orna-
mented mirrors, several services of ware, among
them the best plain courses of Wedgwood, the
kitchens well stocked with culinary articles, and
the cellars with wines of various descriptions.
Including the conveniencies provided in the two
houses we have mentioned, there was bedding
fitted up for the use of upwards of one hundred
persons, and this accommodation was provided
in a more comfortable manner than it can gene-
rally be obtained by the more humble classes of
society.
The temporary buildings in Cotton-yard, which
are not set apart for the operation of the cooking
aparatus, were filled with good plain feather-beds
and mattrasses, about seven or eight in each di-
vision or ward, with sheets, blankets, and the
greater part with white coverlids. They are all
laid upon bedsteads, but of various forms — four-
post, tent, and press bedsteads, are all in requisi-
tion. On Thursday and Friday the 10th and llth,
the most material part of the accommodation —
the provisions — were lodged in the different store-
rooms, and, as if the intention was to keep the
stock on hand a secret from any hungry fellows
who might be induced from without to storm the
fortress, none of it was supplied by the trades-
men usually employed in the neighbourhood. It
came from strangers, who mostly resided out of
Westminster, and was brought ^n suddenly and
unexpectedly. There were several barrels of beef,
460 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
a quantity of pork and bacon, eggs in abundance
flour, and a large quantity of groceries. One
large dray came from the country laden with ale ;
and on Saturday the 12th the whole stock for the
accommodation of the witnesses, who will have
no reason to complain of our hospitality at least,
whatever else they may lament, was completed
and distributed in the different parts of Cotton-
yard, according to the general arrangement. The
eating too begun on Friday evening, eleven
foreigners having been landed out of a boat at
Parliament-stairs, and immediately conducted into
the general apartments where the accommodation,
en masse, is provided, They were the following
day seen parading about the yard, dressed in
foreign cut jackets and small leather travelling
caps. They appeared to be young mea, and
some of them had a military air. Most of the
windows which overlooked the yard are fastened
down, and the apartments to which they belong
kept locked. All external communication with
Cotton-yard was closed on the 12th, and strong
doors, iron bound, fixed up at the extremity of
the avenue, opposite Henry the 7th's chapel which
led to Mr. Hatsell's house. Ingress from Parlia-
ment-stairs was then effectually obviated, by a
brick wall and a strong timber partition ; fortu-
nately for the arrangements this was holiday time
with the Westminster boys, or else the juvenile
pranks of resisting supposed encroachments,
would doubtless be played off with the old West-
QCEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 461
minster spirit ; for this passage to the water has
been so universally used by the boys of the school,
as almost to constitute for them a legal right of
way,
The only entrance now to Cotton-yard from the
water, [there is none from the adjoining street, ex-
cept a small passage to the house of Mr. Reeves,
the magistrate, and another private gentleman's
next to it] is by a new causeway, which projects
from Mr. Hatsell's house down to low water mark
in the Thames ; a flight of steps unite the cause-
way with the shore, at which place there is a
wooden barrier, in which a gate opens to the side
wall of Mr. Hatsell's house. This gate, as well
as that which bars the other extremity of the pas-
sage facing Henry the 7th's chapel, will be strongly
watched and guarded : even the foreign witnesses
are not permitted to be landed from the riverside
without a previous order from the office of the
Home Department, and the attendance of a con-
fidential person from the Alien-office to recognise
the attendant from that office, who conducts the
witnesses to their quarters in Cotton-yard. Two
boats laden with these new visitors arrived at the
place of their destination, on Saturday the 12th,
and the witnesses seemed very cheerful and
well pleased with the ample preparations for
their accommodation and protection. The con-
trast which both the place and the fare pre-
sented to their cheerless reception some time
ago m Diver, and at the Inn, in Bishopsgate,
3o
462 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
appeared to afford them the most comfortable
confidence. The whole of the witnesses, save
two or three, whose attendance is contingent
were mustered in Cotton-yard, on Monday the
14th.
Arrangements, before then, were made to ex-
clude the possibility of a glimpse at that place —
both the witnesses and their quarters will be, as
it were, hermetically sealed from the public eye,
and every crevice will be so stopped up as to
prevent the slightest glance which could by pos-
sibility be caught by the most prying curiosity.
The witnesses will, as they are wanted, be con-
ducted to the House of Lords through a covered
passage alongside Mr. Hatsell's house, and the
painted chamber ; these avenues will conduct
them to the side passage of the House of Lords,
and from thence it is thought they will he led into
the house, not through the ordinary side door for
strangers, but through the folding doors by which
the members of the House of Commons carry up
their bills. A number of cooks from Hampton-
court, Windsor, and other court residences, ar-
rived on Sunday, and the following day, to super-
intend the culinary offices.
Her majesty now constantly resided at Bran-
denburgh-house. Upon her first arrival at this
mansion, her majesty was waited upon by a gen-
tleman, who, in the most serious manner, en-
treated that she would not remain there for a
single night, for that he had the stongest reasons
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 463
to believe an attempt would be made to carry
her off, by water, to some place of secrecy. Her
majesty treated this information with great indif-
ference, and seemed to think that the zeal of her
informant had induced him to stretch his imagi-
nation beyond the bounds of probability. Her
scepticism, however, only increased the vehe-
mence of her adviser, and she was induced to
send for Mr. Alderman Wood. The worthy
alderman, like her majesty, considered the scheme
as very unlikely ; but, at the same time, believing
that it was not impossible that there were per-
sons capable of offering to her majesty some
insult, to which the exposed state of Branden-
burgh-house, next the water, might afford facility,
he accepted the services of several persons who
proffered themselves to act as a guard during her
majesty's stay, and every night since a regular
watch has been kept round the house. Her ma-
jesty is herself free from all apprehensions, and
reposes with perfect confidence on the affections
of her people.
The attempts which were made by her majesty
to obtain a suitable town residence through the
means of his majesty's ministers, having failed,
and the period of her trial fast approaching,
her majesty was induced to accept the kind
offer of Lady Francis (the widow of Sir Philip
Francis), to lend her the use of her mansion in
St. James's-square, during the proceedings in
parliament. This mansion is situate next door to
3 o 2
464 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
.
that of Lord Castle reagh, and was soon prepared
for her [majesty's reception. Her majesty re-
moved thither on Tuesday the loth. Objections
have been made to the choice of this residence
from its proximity to the dwelling of an ob-
noxious minister, and from the necessity which
it imposes on her majesty of passing the palace
of the king every day, on her way to and from
the House of Peers. Those who raise these ob-
jections should recollect that the acceptance of
Lady Francis's offer was, on the part of her ma-
jesty, a dernier resort, and that it was in the
power of his majesty's ministers to have obviated
its necessity. Her majesty pointed out several
other places, all of which were refused, and no
satisfactory reason, it is said, assigned.
On Monday 14th, an address was presented to
her majesty from the city of Canterbury, to which
the following very pathetic answer was given : —
My bosom glowed with emotions of gratitude, when I
read the loyal and affectionate address from the freemen
and inhabitants of the ancient and metropolitan city and
county of the city of Canterbury. Their sentiments of
cheering congratulation upon my return to England, and
of soothing condolence upon the heavy domestic afflictions
I have sustained, will be indelibly imprinted op my memory
through the agency of my heart.
I no sooner stepped upon the pier of Dover, after es-
caping from the inhospitable treatment I had experienced
on the opposite shore, that I felt that, if I were assailed by
the slanders of a few, I was protected by the sympathies of
the many. My heart thrills with delight, and that delight
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 4G5
is mingled with no small portions of gratitude when I recol-
lect the devotedness to my interest which has been so uni-
versally manifested since my return.
I left England with tears of regret ; but I no sooner saw
its white cliffs rising from the ocean, than I was over-
powered with emotions of joy. There, said I, if I do not
find a refuge from every care, I shall at least experience
sweet solace and steady support, under every attack upon
my honour and my peace. The warm affections of his
majesty's subjects have already made me ample compensa-
tion for all the pitiful malignity of my adversaries.
When my accusers offered to load me with wealth, on
condition of depriving me of honour, my habitual disin-
terestedness, and my conscious integrity, made me spurn
the golden lure. My enemies have not yet taught me, that
wealth is desirable when it is coupled with infamy.
The manner in which the House of Lords has rejected
my several reasonable petitions, has made me feel pity
rather than resentment. If the honourable members of that
honourable house should ever cease to respect the rights
of their lawful queen, they will find that they have been
weakening their own. Their lights are inseparable from
those of the monarchy, and the rights of the queen are a
part of our monarchical constitution.
The intelligence of the death of her royal high-
ness the Duchess of York was conveyed to her
majesty on Monday, the 7th, and was received
by her with unfeigned regret. Her majesty at
all times spoke of the deceased duchess in terms
of strong affection. During the subsequent week
her majesty declined receiving any visits of ce-
remony; and, although several addresses were in
readiness to be presented to her, she requested
466 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
that they might be delayed till after the funeral o
her deceased relation. The whole of her ma
jesty's household were put in deep mourning.
Pursuant to a requisition directed to the sheriff
of Middlesex, a meeting was held, on the 8th, at
the Mermaid tavern, Hackney, to take into con-
sideration the propriety of presenting an address
to the queen. The meeting was fixed for twelve
o'clock, but at that hour very few individuals had
assembled. Before one o'clock, the great room
was completely filled ; and the sheriff not making
his appearance, much disapprobation was shewn.
At half-past one o'clock Mr. Sheriff Parkins made,
his appearance. He was accompanied by Mr.
P. Moore, Dr. Parr, Mr. S. Whitbread, Mr. Al
derman Waithman, and Mr. Alderman Wood
In compliance with the request of the free-
holders of the county of Middlesex, Mr. Sheriff
Parkins went to the queen's residence at Bran
den burgh-house, in order to ascertain when her
majesty would receive the county address ; when
Lady Ann Hamilton being made acquainted with
the nature of his visit, expressed herself doubtful
whether her majesty would feel herself able to
receive him, on account of the recent death of the
Duchess of York.
The sheriff therefore sent in to her majesty the
accompanying note, to which the queen returned
a very gracious message by Lady Ann Hamilton,
expressing her regret that she could not then see
the sheriff, and that she would, at the earlier* POS-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 467
sible period, after the interment of the Duchess
of York, appoint a day for receiving the address
from the county of Middlesex.
To her Majesty Queen Caroline.
Sheriff Parkins has the honour to communicate, that he
presided at a numerous and highly respectable meeting of
the freeholders of her majesty's metropolitan and loyal
county of Middlesex, held yesterday at the Mermaid ta-
vern, Hackney, convened by the sheriff, on a requisition
numerously signed, for the purpose of considering an Ad-
dress to her Majesty, as also to take into consideration ihe
proceedings pending in Parliament against the queen.
Sheriff Parkins, with heartfelt satisfaction, has now the
honour, officially, to inform her majesty, that a series of
resolutions were unanimously passed, expressive of loyal
feeling, duty, and respect for her majesty's person and
I honour, and that an Address to her Majesty, founded on
ithese resolutions, was read and carried without a dissenting
voice, and voted to be presented by Sheriff Parkins, the
two members for the county, accompanied by a deputation
of freeholders.
The sheriff humbly approaches her majesty, in com-
pliance with the request of the freeholders, to ascertain
'when it will be convenient to her majesty to receive the
deputation.
Augusts, 1820.
The address from Norwich, was presented to
her majesty on the day preceding the decease of
the Duchess of York, and her majesty's answer
was as follows :
I I gratefully acknowledge my obligations to his majesty's
ailaful subjects, the inhabitants of the city of Norwich,
468 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
for this affectionate address. The voice of sympathy is
always soothing to the ear, but it is heard with double com-
placency when it is known to issue from the heart. I am
convinced, that in this sympathetic tribute of regard for my
insulted honour, and my violated rights, the inhabitants of
Norwich have expressed only those sentiments which
affection breathes from their generous hearts.
The accumulated indignities which I have experienced,
have had an effect quite contrary to the expectation of my
enemies ; they have rendered me an object of public regard
in a higher degree than I could otherwise have been. My
••eason approves, and my piety reveres that instinctive pro-
pensity which there is in the human heart to succour the
oppressed. Of this propensity no page in history furnishes
a brighter example, than that which the British people
have exhibited in favour of their persecuted queen,
proportion as my enemies have endeavoured to effect m
abasement, they have contributed to my exaltation. Th
have degraded nobody but themselves. Their malice
been my protection, and their obloquy has become m
panegyric.
When my adversaries had recourse to a Bill of Pains
Penalties, they offered an involuntary testimony to my i
nocence ; for, if I had been guilty, my guilt might have
established by a more legal and a less circuitous proces
But knowing that my integrity was my security, as long as
they remained within the confines of our constitutional
sanctuary, they leaped with profane daring over that sacred
boundary, and are now labouring to annihilate my honour
as a woman, and my dignity as a queen, by a procedure
which must in its consequences be perilous to the vital in-
terests of individual and general liberty. I am now, there-
fore, struggling not more for my own good, than for that of
the country. The question, at this moment, is not merely
whether the queen shall have her rights, but whether the
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 469
rights of any individual in the kingdom shall be free from
violation.
The maxims of English jurisprudence have always,
hitherto, been favourable to the accused. Perhaps my ac-
cusers, who are also to be my judges, thought that they
were acting in comformity to those maxims, when, after
spreading the accusations against me over a period of six
years, and a spaceal most equal to that of a whole continent,
they refused any specification of the times when, and the
places where, the charges were laid, after they had pre-
viously condescended not to grant any list of the witnesses
by whom these charges were to be. supported. A generous
enemy never commences the combat by previously wresting
from his adversary every instrument of defence. But is
not the conduct of my enemies a proof that they think their
own cause weak and mine strong ? Why else do they
labour with a sort of trembling cowardice to cripple my
powers of resistance ? Is not this tacitly to tell the world
1 that my integrity is their dread, and my accusation their
shame ?
The following account of the consequences of
praying for the queen, which took place about
this time, has been transmitted from Galloway,
and it affords a striking example of the tole-
rating spirit of our northern neighbours :
" The Rev. Mr. Gillespie has for some years
acted as chaplain to the Stewartry Yeomanry ;
and on Sunday the 13th, he preached before the
corps, which was then assembled at Kirkcud-
bright, what has been described to us one of the
most loyal and patriotic discourses ever delivered
from a pulpit. In his prayer, however, after
many petitions in behalf of his majesty, he
3p
470 MEMO.IRS OF CAROLINE,
added the words, ' Bless also the Queen;' and for
this high crime and misdemeanour he was, the
same evening, placed under military arrest by
his commanding-officer ! This proceeding has
excited a strong feeling of surprise — perhaps of
indignation — particularly among the members of
the presbytery of Kirkcudbright, who are no
strangers to the soundness of Mr. Gillespie's
political principles, and who are themselves in
the general practice of praying for ^her majesty.
How the, matter will end, we know not ; but we
should suppose the clergy of Scotland will be
apt to view the arrest of Mr. Gillespie as an
insult offered to the whole order, especially
after the independence of the Kirk of Scotland
on this very point — a thing, indeed, that never
could be doubted — was so distinctly recognised
in the last General Assembly. The chaplain of
a regiment is, no doubt, bound to conform himself
to the wishes of his colonel, in as far as regards
time and place ; but farther than this no officer
has any right to interfere ; and, it would cer-
tainly be very strange if the wise heads and bold
hearts who, in imitation of John Knox, have
never ceased to assert the independence pf the
Presbyterian form of worship, would concede to
a military officer a power which cannot be claimed
even by the king upon the throne. We also
understand that a yeomanry corps are only under
martial law when called into active service, and
that consequently no chaplain is liable to be
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 471
arrested when the corps in which he happens to
officiate, is merely assembled for the purpose of
training. If this view of the subject be correct,
it follows that Mr. Gillespie was illegally arrested.
Besides, it is quite obvious that the zeal of the
colonel alluded to must, in the end, defeat its
own purpose. A reverend gentleman in the
same neighbourhood, noted for his talents and
loyalty, when asked whether he ever prayed for
the queen ? replied, ' No ; but I shall certainly
do so the moment I am interdicted ;' and several
other clergymen, we understand, who had pre-
viously abstained from praying for her majesty,
have since commenced the practice, with the
express view of repelling what they conceive to
be a practical encroachment on the liberty of
the church."
The following letter from her majesty, which
is dated August 7th, was sent by the queen's
messenger early in the morning of the 8th, to the
cottage at Windsor, accompanied with a note to
Sir Benjamin Bloomfield, written by the queen,
desiring Sir Benjamin to deliver it immediately
to the king. Sir Benjamin Bloomfield being then
absent, the letter was received by Sir William
Keppel, who forwarded it immediately to Sir
Benjamin Bloomfield, at Carlton-house, who re-
turned it in the afternoon of the 8th to the queen,
informing her majesty that he had received the
king's commands and general instructions, that
any communications that might be made should
3?2
472 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
pass through the channel of his majesty's govern-
ment. The queen immediately despatched a mes-
senger with the letter to Lord Liverpool, desiring
his lordship to lay it before his majesty. Lord
Liverpool was at Combe-wood. He returned an
answer that he would lose no time in laying it be-
fore the king. On the llth, no reply having been
received, the queen wrote again to Lord Liver-
pool, requesting information whether any further
communication would be made on the subject of
the latter to his majesty. Lord Liverpool wrote
the same day from Combe-wood that he had not
received the king's commands to make any com-
munication to her majesty in consequence of her
letter
THE QUEEN'S LETTER TO THE KING.
SIB,
After the unparalleled and unprovoked prosecution which
during a series of years, has been carried on against me
under the name and authority of your majesty — and which
persecution, instead of being mollified by time, time has
rendered only more and more malignant and unrelenting — •
it is not without a great sacrifice of private feeliug that I
now, even in the way of remonstrance, bring myself to»
address this letter ta your majesty. But, bearing in m-lnd
that royalty rests on the basis of public good ; that to this
paramount consideration all others ought to submit ; and
aware of the consequences that may result from the present
unconstitutional, illegal, and hitherto unheard-of proceed-
ings ; — with a mind thus impressed, I cannot refrain from
laying my grievous wrongs once more before your majesty,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 4?3
in the hope that the justice which your majesty may, by
evil-minded counsellors, be still disposed to refuse to the
claims of a dutiful, faithful, and injured wife, you may be
induced to yield to considerations connected with the honour
and dignity of your crown, the stability of your throne, the
tranquillity of your dominions, the happiness and safety of
your just and loyal people, whose generous hearts revolt at
oppression and cruelty, and especially when perpetrated by
a perversion and a mockery of the laws.
A sense of what is due to my character and sex forbids
me to refer minutely to the real causes of our domestic sepa-
ration, or to the numerous unmerited insults offered me pre-
viously to that period ; but, leaving to your majesty to re-
concile with the marriage vow the act of driving, by such
means, a wife from beneath your roof, with an infant in her
arms, your majesty will permit me to remind you, that that
act was entirely your own ; that the separation, so far from
being sought for by me, was a sentence pronounced upon
me, without any cause assigned, other than that of your own
inclinations, which, as your majesty was pleased to allege,
were not under your control.
Not to have felt, with regard to myself, chagrin at this
decision of your majesty, would have argued great insensi
bility to the obligations of decorum ; not to have dropped
a tear in the face of that beloved child, whose future sor-
rows were then but too easy to forsee, would have marked
me as unworthy of the name of mother ; but, not to have
submitted to it without repining, would have indicated a
consciousness of demerit, or a want of those feelings which
belong to affronted and insulted female honour.
The " tranquil and comfortable society" tendered to me
by your majesty formed, in my mind, but a poor compensa-
tion for the grief occasioned by considering the wound given
to public morals in the fatal example produced by the in-
dulgence of your majesty's inclinations ; more especially
474 MEiMOIRS OF CAROLINE
when I contemplated the disappointment of the nation, who
had so munificently provided for our union, who had fondly
cherished such pleasing hopes of happiness arising from
that union, and who had hailed it with such affectionate and
rapturous joy.
But, alas ! even tranquillity and comfort were too' much
for me to enjoy. From the very threshold of your majesty's
mansion the mother of your child was pursued by spies,
conspirators, and traitors, employed, encouraged and re-
warded to lay snares for the feet, and to plot against the
reputation and life, of her whom your majesty had so re-
cently and so solemnly vowed to honour, to love, and to
cherish.
In withdrawing from the embraces of my parents, in
giving my hand to the son of George the Third and the
heir-apparent to the British throne, nothing less than a voice
from Heaven would have made me fear injustice or wrong
of any kind. What, then, was my astonishment at finding
that treasons against me had been carried on and matured,
perjuries against me had been methodized and embodied, a
secret tribunal had been held, a trial of my actions had taken
place and a decision had been made upon those actions,
without my having been informed of the nature of the charge,
or of the names of the witnesses ? And what words can ex-
press the feelings excited by the fact, that this proceeding
was founded on a request made, and on evidence furnished,
by order of the father of my child, and my natural as well as
legal guardian and protector ?
Notwithstanding, however, the unprecedented conduct
of that tribunal — conduct which has since undergone, even
in parliament, severe and unanswered animadversions, and
which has been also censured in minutes of the privy coun-
cil—notwithstanding the secrecy of the proceedings of this
tribunal — notwithstanding the strong temptation to the
giving of false evidence against one before it — notwithstand
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 475
ing that there was no opportunity afforded me of rebutting
that evidence — notwithstanding all these circumstances, so
decidedly favourable to my enemies — even this secret tri-
bunal acquitted me of all crime, and thereby pronounced
my principal accusers to have been guilty of the grossest
perjury. But it was now (after the trial was over) disco-
vered that the nature of the tribunal was such as to render
false swearing before it not legally criminal! And thus, at
the suggestion and request of your majesty, had been created
to take cognizance of and try my conduct, a tribunal com-
petent to administer oaths, competent to examine witnesses
on oath, competent to try, competent to acquit or condemn,
and competent, moreover, to screen those who had sworn
falsely against me from suffering the pains and penalties
which the law awards to wilful and corrupt perjury. Great
as my indignation naturally must have been at this shame-
ful evasion of law and justice, that indignation was lost in
pity for him who could lower his princely plumes to the
dust by giving his countenance and favour to the most con-
spicuous of those abandoned and notorious perjurers.
Still there was one whose upright mind nothing could
warp, in whose breast injustice never found a place, whose
hand was always ready to raise the unfortunate, and to res-
cue the oppressed. While that good and gracious father
and sovereign remained in the exercise of his royal func-
tions, his unoffending daughter-in-law had nothing to fear.
As long as the protecting hand of your late ever-beloved
and ever lamented father was held over me, I was safe. — But
the melancholy event which deprived the nation of the active
exertions of its virtuous king, bereft me of friend and pro-
tector, and of all hope of future tranquillity and safety. To
calumniate your innocent wife was now the shortest road to
royal favour ; and to betray her was to lay the sure founda-
tion of boundless riches and titles of honour. Before claims
like these, talent, virtue, long services, vour own personal
476 , MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
friendships, your royal engagements, promises, and pledges,
written as well as verbal, melted into air. Your cabinet
•was founded on this basis. You took to your councils men,
of whose persons, as well as whose principles, you had in-
variably expressed the strongest dislike. The interest of the
nation, and even your own feelings, in all other respects, were
sacrificed to the gratification of your desire to aggravate my
sufferings, and ensure my humiliation. You took to your
councils and your bosom men whom you hated, whose aban-
donment of, and whose readiness to sacrifice me were their
only merits, and whose power has been exercised in a man-
ner, and has been attended with consequences, worthy of its
origin. From this unprincipled and unnatural union have
sprung the manifold evils which this nation has now to en-
dure, and which present a mass of misery and of degradation,
accompanied with acts of tyranny and cruelty, rather than
have seen which inflicted on his industrious, faithful, and
brave people, your royal father would have perished at the
head of that people.
When to calumniate, revile, and betray me, became the
sure path to honour and riches, it would have been strange
indeed if calumniators, revilers, and traitors, had not
abounded. Your court became much less a scene of po-
lished manners and refined intercourse than of low intrigue
and scurrility. Spies, bacchanalian tale-bearers, and foul
conspirators swarmed in those places which had before
been the resort of sobriety, virtue, and honour. To enu-
merate all the various privations and mortifications which I
had to endure, all the insults that were wantonly heaped
upon me, from the day of your elevation to the regency to
that of my departure for the continent, would be to describe
every species of personal offence that can be offered to, and
every pain short of bodily violence that can be inflicted on,
any human being. Bereft of parent, brother, and father-in-
law, and my husband for my deadliest foe; seeing those
QUEEN COMSOR? OF ENGLAND. 477
who have promised me support bought by rewards to be
amongst my enemies ; restrained from accusing my foes in
the face of the world, out of regard for the character of the
father of my child, and from a desire to prevent her happi-
ness from being disturbed ; shunned from motives of selfish*
ness by those who were my natural associates ; living in ob-
scurity, while I ought to have been the centre of all that
was splendid ; thus humbled, I had one consolation left —
the love of my dear and only child. To permit me to enjoy
this was too great an indulgence. To see my daughter ; to
fold her in my arms ; to mingle my tears with hers, to re-
ceive her cheering caresses, and to hear from her lips as-
surances of never-ceasing love; — thus to be comforted,
consoled, upheld, and blessed, was too much to be allowed
me. Even on the slave mart the cries of " Oh ! my mo-
ther, my mother ! Oh ! my child, my child !" have pre-
vented a separation of the victims of avarice. But your
advisers, more inhuman than the slave-dealers, remorselessly
tore the mother from the child.
Thus bereft of the society of my child, or reduced to the
necessity of imbittering her life by struggles to preserve
that society, I resolved on a temporary absence, in the hope
that time might restore me to her in htppier days. Those
days, alas ! were never to come. To mothers — and those
mothers who have been suddenly bereft of the best and
most affectionate and only daughters — it belongs to esti-
mate my sufferings and my wrongs. Such mothers will
judge of my affliction upon hearing of the death of my
child, and upon my calling to recollection the last look, the
last words, and all the affecting circumstances of our sepa-
ration. Such mothers will see the depth of my sorrows.
Every being with a heart of humanity in its bosom will drop
a tear in sympathy with me. And will not the world, then,
learn with indignation, that this event, calculated to soften
the hardest heart, was the signal for new conspiracies, and
3Q
478 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
indefatigable efforts for the destruction of this afflicted
mother ? Your majesty had torn my child from me ; you
had deprived me of the power of being at hand to succour
her \ you had taken from me the possibility of hearing of
her last prayers for her mother ; you saw me bereft, forlorn,
and broken-hearted; and this was the moment you chose
for redoubling your persecutions.
Let the world pass its judgement on the constituting of a
commission, in a foreign country, consisting of inquisitors,
spies, and informers, to discover, collect, and arrange matters
of accusation against your wife, without any complaint
having been communicated to her : let the world judge of
the employment of ambassadors in such a business, and of
the enlisting of foreign courts in the enterprise : but on the
measures which have been adopted to give final effect to
these preliminary proceedings it is for me to speak ; it is for
me to remonstrate with your majesty; it is for me to
protest ; it is for me to apprize you of my determination.
I have always demanded a fair trial. This is what I
now demand, and this is refused me. Instead of a fair trial,
I am to be subjected to a sentence by the Parliament,
passed in the shape of a law. Against this I protest, and
upon the following grounds : —
The injustice of refusing me a clear and distinct charge,
of refusing me the names of the witnesses, of refusing me
the names of the places where the alleged acts have been
committed ; these are sufficiently flagrant and revolting ;
but it is against the constitution of the Court itself that I
particularly object, and that I most solemnly protest.
Whatever may be the precedents as to Bills of Pains
and Penalties, none of them, except those relating to the
queen of Henry the Eighth, can apply here ; for here your
majesty is the plaintiff. Here it is intended by the Bill to
do you what you deem good, and to do me great harm. You
are, therefore, a ^arty, and the only complaining party.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 473
You have made your complaint to the House of Lords.
You have conveyed to this house written documents sealed
up. A secret committee of the house have examined these
documents. They have reported that there are grounds of
proceeding ; and then the house, merely upon that report,
nave brought forward a bill containing the most out-
-ageous slanders en me, and sentencing me to divorce and
degradation.
The injustice of putting forth this bill to the world for six
weeks before it is even proposed to afford me an opportu-
nity of contradicting its allegations is too manifest not to
have shocked the nation ; and, indeed, the proceedings even
thus far are such as to convince every one that no justice is
.utended me. But if none of these proceedings, if none of
these clear indications of a determination to do me wrong
had taken place, 1 should see, in the constitution of the
House of Lords itself, a certainty that I could expect no
Justice at its hands.
Your majesty's ministers have advised vhis prosecution ;
they are responsible for the advice they give ; they are
liable to punishment if they fail to make good their charges ;
and not only are they part of my judges, but it is they who
have brought in the Bill ; and it is too notorious that they
have always a majority in the house ; so that without any
other, here is ample proof that the house will decide in
favour of the bill, and, of course, against me.
But further, there are reasons for your ministers having
a majority in this case, and which reasons do not apply to
common cases. Your majesty is the plaintiff: to you it
belongs to appoint and to elevate peers. Many of the pre-
sent peers have been raised to that dignity by yourself, and
almost the whole can be, at your will and pleasure, further
elevated. The far greater part of the peers hold, by them-
selves and their families, offices, pensions, and other emolu-
ments, solely at the will and pleasure of your majesty, and
480 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
these, of course, your majesty can take away whenever you
please. There are more than four jifths of the peers in this
situation, and there are many of them who might thus be
deprived of the far better part of their incomes.
If, contrary to all expectation, there should be found, in
some peers, likely to amount to a majority, a disposition to
reject the bill, some of these peers may be ordered away to
their ships, regiments, governments, and other duties ; and,
which is an equally alarming power, new peers may be
created for the purpose, and give their vote in the decision.
That your majesty's ministers would advise these measures,
if found necessary to render their prosecution successful,
there can be very little doubt ; seeing that they have hitherto
stooped at nothing, however unjust or odious.
To regard such a body as a Court of Justice would be to
calumniate that sacred name ; and for me to suppress an
expression of my opinion on the subject, would be tacitly
to lend myself to my own destruction, as well as to an im-
position upon the nation and the world.
In the House of Commons I can discover no better
grounds of security. The power of your majesty's ministers
is the same in both houses ; and your majesty is well ac-
quainted with the fact, that a majority of this house is com-
posed of persons placed in it by the peers and by your ma-
jesty's treasury.
It really gives me pain to state these things to your ma-
jesty ; and, if it gives your majesty pain, I beg that it may
be observed, and remembered, that the statement has been
forced from me. I must either protest against this mode of
trial, or, by tacitly consenting to it, suffer my honour to be
sacrificed. No innocence can secure the accused if the
judges and jurors be chosen by the accuser ; and if I were
tacitly to submit to a tribunal of this description, I should
>e instrumental in my own dishonour.
On these grounds I protest against this species of trial.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 481
1 demand a trial in a court where the jurors are taken im-
partially from amongst the people, and where tht? proceed-
ings are open and fair. Such a trial I court, and to no
other will I willingly submit. If your majesty persevere in
the present proceeding, I shall, even in the Houses of Par-
liament, face my accusers ; but I shall regard any decision
they may make against me as not in the smallest degree re-
flecting on my honour ; and I will not, except compelled by
actual force, submit to any sentence which shall not be pro-
nounced by a Court of Justice.
I have now frankly laid before your majesty a statement
of my wrongs, and a declaration of my views and intentions.
You have cast upon me every slur to which the female cha-
racter is liable. Instead of loving, honouring and cherish-
ing me, agreeably to your solemn vow, you have pursued
me with hatred and scorn, and with all the means of destruc-
tion. You wrested from me my child, and with her my
only comfort and consolation. You sent me sorrowing
through the world, and even in my sorrows pursued me with
unrelenting persecution. Having left me nothing but my
innocence, you would now, by a mockery of justice, deprive
me even of the reputation of possessing that. The poisoned
bowl and the poinard, are means more manly than perjured
witnesses and partial tribunals ; and they are less cruel,
| inasmuch as life is less valuable than honour. If my life
would have satisfied your majesty, you should have had it
j on the sole condition of giving me a place in the same tomb
jwith my child ; but, since you would send me dishonoured
[to the grave, I will resist the attempt with all the means that
it shall please God to give me.
CAROLINE R.
Brandenburg-house, August 7 ', 1820.
This composition is not more impressive at the
resent hour th»u it will be memorable to future
482 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
times. It is clear and strong — it is indignant ana
pathetic : there is no evil passion which it does
not shame — there is no generous, or manly, or
moral feeling, which it does not rouse with ani-
mated and unadorned eloquence. The illustrious
writer speaks home to every heart when she de-
scribes her unexampled wrongs ; while the rea-
soning which she offers against the intended ag-
gravation of them deserves to be deeply pondered
by every thinking mind in the community. The
language throughout is of that nature which
nothing but a sense of injured honour and ruined
happiness could suggest; it is the appeal of a
lofty but wounded spirit mingled with the alter-
nate reproaches and supplications of an almost
despairing victim. We have no right to use ex-
pressions of equal warmth with those in which
the queen has delivered her sentiments. The
injuries she complains of may, on the part of her
majesty, justify invectives towards her supposed
persecutors which mere sympathy with her suf-
fering^ could not extenuate in us. We shall make,
however, but a brief remark or two on as many
passages of the Royal Memoir.
Her majesty lays it down as a fixed principle,
that " the basis of royal power is the public good,"
and thence we infer, that, if the country would
be a sufferer instead of gainer by a sovereign
giving scope to his revengeful passions — even
though he were to secure, instead of rendering
hopeless, the redress of the grievances of which
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 483
he complains — his bounderr duty would be to
sacrifice his spleen, and to save the peace and
welfare of his subjects. We are far from say lag
that the king is actuated by any vindictive pas-
sion ; but we do assert, that his ministers are
either wicked or unwise in having misdirected his
majesty's zeal for the public prosperity, and in
having persuaded him (contrary, we doubt not,
to his own wish) that it would be better to divorce
and destroy his wife, than to hear her complaints,
and to relieve her sufferings.
Some judgement may be formed of the decided
tendency and rapid progress of opinion against
the proceedings of ministers, by the conduct of
those amongst their own friends in Parliament
who have any pretensions to honesty or inde-
pendence. We insert the following letter from
Sir Gerard Noel to Lord Liverpool, a gentleman
of known character for loyalty and honour, and
one whose general politics will not be depre-
ciated by the king's ministers, because he has
always supported their measures :
SIR GERARD NOEL TO THE EARL OF LIVERPOOL.
Exton Park, August 11.
MY LORD,
The present moment seems to nje to claim the best exer-
tions of every one to preserve the empire in prosperous
tranquillity ; and I therefore have no scruple, as an old
member of the house, who have in general given my sup-
port to ministers, though always without fixed devotedness
to party, in addressing your lordship previously to the
meeting of Parliament.
484 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
I lament extremely to be obliged to complain that his
majesty's ministers, instead of adhering to an undeviating
plan of healing measures, in order to justify the cautionary
regulations of the t\vo last years, and unequivocally te mark
the wish of^admiuistration more generally to attain the con-
fidence of the people, have ventured to adopt with pertina-
city the monstrous measure of the Bill of Pains and Pe-
nalties against the queen, which unhappily forms the most
important undertaking of the new reign, and by which they
are exasperating the public discontents, and almost calling
forth and sanctioning, by their conduct in this sad affair,
that impatience against which those cautionary regulations
have been directed, and hereby creating such wide-spreading
dissensions as will put in jeopardy every class of society,
and may eventually tend to weaken our national respecta-
bility in the courts of Europe.
My Lord, it is to me a great proof of the inattention of
the cabinet, that the return of the Queen to England was
not foreseen, as the obvious consequence of its proceedings
with regard to her majesty ; for, when the storm began to
threaten against her, immediately on the demise of the
late king, with strong symptoms of its having been gathering
in his life-time ; and when, upon her last arrival at Rome,
where she was personally known, and had been formerly
acknowledged as Princess of Wales, the court there treated
her majesty as a disowned individual ; being thus a discarded
heretic in a Roman Catholic country, must it not have been
apparent to her majesty that her best course was rapidly t®
escape, and to throw herself on the protection of the British
nation ? I assert, therefore, without the fear of successful
contradiction, that it is the conduct of his majesty's advisers
which has forced the queen into England. The attempt to
persuade her majesty to remain on the Continent, which
Happened at St. Omer's, could only excite her greater
alarm ; and her good sense and knowledge of the world,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 485
and of the principles of the British Constitution — consider-
ing besides the harassings by which her steps had been
visited in Italy, and upon the line of her return home —
clearly and immediately pointed out to her majesty that to
accept its conditions was wholly inconsistent with her
dignity and her repose ; that, without the protection of the
English church, which was withheld, and without British
sanction, which the communication could not assure to her
majesty, there was neither safety nor permanency to life or
fortune ascertained to her ; and most fitly therefore she
steadily and promptly proceeded on her journey. Can
it then be charged against her majesty, that she has
intruded offensively on the shores of England ?
If indeed, my lord, instead of instituting that Milan Com-
mission (for the cost of which I know not upon what prin-
ciple the Chancellor of the Exchequer can ask from the
Commons to provide), the cabinet, by a generous and pru-
dent anticipation, had intimated to her majesty, that, after
the demise of the late king, the protection of the church of
England, and an increased allowance as Queen of England,
should be afforded to her, to soften the misfortunes of the
royal separation, which had so solemnly and irrevocably
been agreed upon long ago, her majesty might possibly
have been induced to remain abroad ; and, in consideration
of the relief which her marriage with the present king,
when Prince of Wales, gave to the nation from the
apprehension, strangely but strongly excited at that time
by various circumstances, that the influence of popery
might revive in these realms ; feeling also grateful acknow-
ledgement to both their majesties for their meeting the
wishes of the people, then so impressively declared ;
Parliament no doubt would nave agreed to pass an acl
enabling his majesty to make such provision, whicfe
would, in that case, have been mutually desirable; but,
my lord, adverting to the actual posture of affairs, 1 pio-
3R
486 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
uounce that the queen had no alternative in the overture
at St. Omer's for staying abroad, nor is the Bill of Pains
and Penalties a fair alternative or just consequence of
the failure of the negotiations with her majesty in London :
and I cannot contemplate that bill, so illegitimately com-
menced, without disgust, or without astonishment as to its
policy in a ministerial point of view ; regard being had to the
enormous growing expenses of the trial,, and to the disad-
vantage which must result from the unwarrantably terming
it a cause between the country and the queen, whereas the
repugnance of the country against the trial is so notorious,
as probably to render the question of defraying the charges
of so unjustifiable and pernicious an extravagance, if your
lordship, and those who act with you, urge this portentous
bill relentlessly forward in spite of every warning voice,
most embarrassing to his majesty's administration, at a
time perhaps even more distressingly afflicting than the
present, and in a predicament entirely originating with
themselves.
With sentiments, then, of parting friendship, and somewhat
of painful anxiety for the future — and to obey the cali to
public duty, so well made by Lord John Russell upon Mr.
Wilberforce, and all those members who have hitherto sup-
ported the present administration, I venture to address this
letter of remonstrance to your lordship, as prime minister ;
for not all the bias of attachment and of private gratitude
which I owe to his majesty, and which it inflicts upon my
heart a most severe pang to resist, can otherwise operate
than to make me regret with deeper sorrow that his majesty
is advised to assent to the carrying on this bill — a measure
which demands from me a conduct in contrast with those
feelings, and in opposition to that bias ; because, accord-
ing to the best of my judgment, I should swerve from the
paramount duty of my station did I not declare frankly that
I will endeavour to interrupt and thwart the enactment of
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 487
this Bill in every stage : and did I not, with the full impres-
sion on my mind of the unpropitious consequences of it
generally, and especially to the present administration, if
passed into a law, most earnestly recommend that your lord-
ship should be disposed to consider it kinder and wiser to
withdraw the Bill, rather than to press the second reading of
it when the peers shall re-assemble.
I have the honour to be, my lord,
Your lordship's most obedient and
very humble servant,
GERARD NOEL.
On Tuesday the 15th, four addresses were pre-
sented to her majesty at Brandenburg-house.
These were from the County of Middlesex ; from
the mechanics of the metropolis ; from the Parish
of St. Leonard, Shoreditch; and from the in-
habitants of Hammersmith.
About half-past ten o'clock the city part of the
deputation, to present the county of Middlesex
address, began to move from the house of Mr.
Sheriff Parkins, in Bridge-street, Blackfriars. It
consisted of about forty private carriages, one half
of which, open landaus and four, each containing
six gentlemen, led the way. The remainder con-
sisted of close coaches and chariots, with two or
three curricles. Mr. Sheriff Parkins, accompanied
by his deputy, Mr. Pullen, led the way in the
Sheriffs state coach. He was immediately fol-
lowed by Mr. Samuel Whitbread, M.P. for Mid-
dlesex, who was accompanied by a friend, in his
coach. Mr. Peter Moore followed, and Mr.
Alderman Waithman : they were severally ac-
3 R 2
488 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
companied in their carriages by electors of Mid
dlesex. The other carriages were filled by per-
sons of respectability.
The procession moved at a gentle pace along
Fleet-street, the Strand, Pall-mall, St. James's-
street, Piccadilly, to Kensington-gate, where it
was joined by the Westminster part of the caval-
cade. A great number of persons were on the
road, who loudly cheered the carriages as they
passed along. The windows of the houses were
crowded with ladies who joined in the expression
of satisfaction by the waving of handkerchiefs, $-c.
The procession, after passing Kensington-gate,
proceeded at a smarter pace onwards, and arrived
at Brandenburg-house before one o'clock.
The garden gates were thrown open, and ad-
mission was indiscriminately allowed to the
grounds in front of the house. The carriages
drove up to the Side entrance, where they set
down their company. The queen, attended by
Lady Anne Hamilton and Mr. Alderman Wood,
received the deputation in the principal suite of
apartments. Her majesty was dressed in mourn-
ing— she looked cheerful, and in excellent health.
She conversed in the most affable and condescend-
ing manner with many of the gentlemen who ap-
proached her, particularly Mr. Whitbread, Mr.
Peter Moore, Mr. Alderman Waithman, and the
Sheriff. The Middlesex address was presented
to the queen by Mr. Sheriff Parkins, and her ma
jesty immediately returned the following answer
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND.
In my long absence from England I had never forgotten
lhat justice and humanity had no warmer advocates, nor
more steady friends than the freeholders of Middlesex.
Their present animated and affectionate address has im-
pressed that conviction more strongly upon my mind ; and
my heart rejoices at receiving such a tribute of regard from
•men so enlightened, philanthropists so generous, and patriots
so pure. The improved spirit of the age, which is seen in
the intellectual advancement of man through all the grada
tions of the social scheme, is particularly visible in this
metropolitan county. Here the dissemination of knowledge
is found to have the most salutary effects. Here moral
worth is most resplendent. Here beneficence most abounds.
Here those sentiments and affections are most operative
that exclude intolerance from the mind, and give the most
comprehensive charity to the heart. Here liberty finds its
most impenetrable shield ; and tyranny has to contend with
its most determined foe. My frank and unreserved dispo-
sition may, at times, have laid my conduct open to the mis-
representations of my adversaries. Conscious that my
motives are pure, and my heart upright, I have never sought
any refuge even from the infuriated eye of malignity in the
coverts of duplicity, or in the obscurities of fraud. I am
what I seem, and I seem what I am. And though calumny,
aided by perjury, is now making its Jast desperate attack
upon my character, yet 1 feel no fear, except it be the fear
that my character should not be sufficiently investigated. I
challenge every inquiry ; I deprecate not the most vigilant
scrutiny.
My life has been a life of trial. But what trial is there
which 1 have yet undergone, that has not elevated my cha-
racter, and humbled that of my enemies ? During a period
of twenty-five years I have been exposed to the most pei-
secuting inquisition. In private life virtue is thought to
bloom like the primrose in the shade ; but I have been
4&0 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
placed in circumstances where temptation operates with
double force, and where vice assumes the most fascinating
ures ; and yet what credible proof has been produced that
I have once erred from the path of innocence ?
The freeholders of Middlesex could not make use of ex-
pressions more gratifying to my pride, or more sacred to my
soul, than by telling me that I occupy in the affections of
the people that place which the Princess Charlotte so emi-
nently possessed. It inspires me with a sort of hallowed
ecstasy, when I perceive how much and how tenderly this
generous nation still cherishes her venerated memory.
The voice of the people, which has been so generally ex-
pressed in favour of my integrity, has cheered me in the
most trying circumstances ; and if I were to reach the fatal
moment of my expiration on the morrow, it would still
murmur pleasure in my ears.
When the freeholders of Middlesex congratulate me
upon having such fair associates as Truth and Justice in my
train, 1 must implore the Author of all Good, that as they
have been my solace in time past, they may remain my in
separable companions through life, and not forsake me even
in the tomb.
The instant the answer was given by her ma
jesty, it was communicated to the crowd without
doors by the gentlemen at the windows, by a
loud clapping of hands. The communication was
hailed from without by loud and reiterated cheers,
intermixed with entreaties that her majesty would
gratify the crowd by her appearance at the win-
dows of the house. The queen, with great con-
descension, obeyed this call, and appeared at all
the windows in succession, accompanied by Lady
Anne Hamilton, Mr. Alderman Wood, Mr. Whit-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 491
bread, and Mr. Peter Moore. It is needless to
state, that her majesty was received with the
most enthusiastic acclamations. The reception
of the Middlesex deputation occupied nearly half
an hour. The deputation with the Shoreditch
Address was then introduced, and received with
equal affability by her majesty, who permitted
the principal gentlemen to have the honour of
kissing her hand.
Her majesty gave the following answer to this
address : —
The householders and inhabitants of St. Leonard, Shore
ditch, are requested to accept my unfeigned thanks for this
affectionate address. The long series of persecutions by
which 1 have been assailed, though they have been successr
fully defeated, have been as constantly renewed. The pre-
sent atrocious attack upon my moral character, and upon
, my royal dignity, is designed by my enemies to produce that
catastrophe which is to terminate this drama of iniquity. But
the good people of England are not willing to see a new reign
open with a tragedy.
The inhabitants of St. Leonard, Shoreditch, well remark,
that the charges against me are of the most vague and inde-
finite kind. They have no palpable form, no distinct indi-
vidual character. Such vague generalities of accusation are
the common refuge of slander, when it asperses without
evidence, and condemns without proof. In the present in-
stance, the charge against me is so indeterminate, that it is
more like an inquisition into the conduct of a whole life
than into the truth of any particular allegation.
In their Bill of Pains and Penalties my adversaries first
condemn me without proof— and then, with a sort of novel
refinement in legislative science, proceed to inquire whether
492 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
there is any proof to justify the condemnation. They fir
prejudice my case, and then attempt to colour the injustice
by a sort of judicial parade, which this age will never ap-
prove, and which posterity will abhor. Justice has been
denominated even-handed ; but what should we think of that
emblematical figure of judicial purity in one of whose hands
the accuser had put not only a green bag of perjury, but a
yellow bag of gold.
The deputation of the Artisans of the Metro-
polis followed the Middlesex deputation on foot.
They met a little before twelve o'clock, near St.
Clement's church, and the crowd, which was very
considerable, was there marshalled by a few per-
sons who bore white wands, by way of distinc-
tion ; they formed the crowd into companies ot
a convenient breath to move through the streets
without creating any inconvenient interruption.
The address itself, signed by 29,786 persons,
was borne between two of the addressers, gen-
teelly dressed in mourning, with rosettes of silk
riband in the breasts of their coats, and white
wands in their hands; they were followed by
about 100 others, walking two and two, attired
in the same manner; about 100 more followed in
coloured clothes, some with their aprons on,
others with silk coloured neckerchiefs, but the
whole exceedingly clean. This party was com
posed of persons deputed from the several trades
of the metropolis, two from each. They pro-
ceeded through Wych-street, Drury-lane, St
Giles's and Oxford-street. They halted in three
QUF,EN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 493
or four places, and gave three cheers. They en-
tered the upper end of Piccadilly, and passed out
through Hyde Park-corner. When they came in.
front of the barracks at Knightsbridge they again
halted, gave three cheers, and commenced a loud
clapping of hands. Some straggling soldiers were
at the gates of the barracks, and several at the
windows; they remained passive spectators of
the enthusiastic crowd. By the time the crowd
arrived at Knightsbridge it joined the rear of the
cavalcade, which had previously advanced with
the Middlesex Address, and before this time,
several carriages, containing the gentlemen with
the Shoreditch Address, who were attended by
their parochial officers and maces, had joined the
throng, so that the road from Hyde Park-corner
to Hammersmith then presented one continued
line of persons on their way to address the
queen.
The anxiety to see the several processions pass
was manifested at a very early hour. The morn-
ing stages which start from Piccadilly were more
than usually crowded, and long before the time
appointed for any of the processions to move, not
a vehicle of any description was to be found un-
i occupied for the conveyance of passengers to-
wards Brandenburg-house.
About eleven o'clock, the pedestrians began to
arrive at Hammersmith, and their numbers gra-
dually thickened until the footway on the sides
of the road, more particularly that from Ken-
3s
494 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
sington to HammersrrJth, became completely
crowded. The whole scene was at this time
extremely interesting. On the side of the road,
was a stream of people of various ranks, the
lowest of whom were cleanly dressed ; and the
mixture of females in the crowd, sparkling as
they did under a clear bright day, relieved in
some measure the sombre effect of the moving
mass. The centre of the road was filled with
horsemen and vehicles of all descriptions, crowded
for the most part with respectable-looking men,
going at various paces, and passing each other at
pleasure, the wheels of the carriages and gigs
flashing back the sun so as to dazzle the eyes of the
spectators. At the junction of the by-roads were
to be seen knots of persons who had come from
the adjacent country to enjoy the sight. While
some dropped in from these avenues to swell the
passing throng, other groups were formed at the
public-house doors, and the inhabitants of the
other houses were either standing at their doors
or looking out of the windows to satisfy their
curiosity. In the mean while business of all
sorts seemed suspended. It was evidently, how-
ever, not a day of rejoicing to the people. Every
one seemed occupied with the important subject
which now agitates the country ; some seriously
talking of it, others wrapt up in their meditations,
and all apparently apprehensive of its conse
quences to the public welfare ; justly inferring
perhaps what must be the effect on the nation at
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 495
large, from the impression which the proceed-
ings against the queen had made on their own
minds.
As the day advanced and the people accumu-
lated, the regularity which has been mentioned
in the movements of the people was no longer
visible. Besides the footways, the centre of the
road was strewed with passengers, and as soon
as the deputations had united and begun to pro-
ceed together, the whole breadth of the way was
for a great length nothing but a moving aggregate
of carriages, and every other description of
vehicle. Horsemen and pedestrians all com-
mingled— each endeavouring to get forward in a
cloud of dust, with the most speed, and the least
annoyance to himself or others. A promiscuous
throng of persons of both sexes closed the line.
All the windows of the houses at each side of the
road were filled by persons of respectability :
among them were clusters of elegantly-dressed
ladies, who waved their handkerchiefs as the pro-
cession passed ; and the groups of persons who
were stationary in different parts of the road
loudly cheered the most popular characters as
they recognised them in the line of march, and
repeatedly shouted " Long live Queen Caroline!"
In this way the processions reached that part
of Hammersmith where the road, leading by the
church to Brandenburg-house, turns off. The
Union Flag had previously been hoisted on the
steeple, and flags with various inscriptions waved
3 s 2
496 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
from some of the houses in the town, as well as
from several along the road. A merry peal had
also commenced before this time, and, with the
firing of guns, was continued until the business
of the day closed.
Many of the gentlemen who composed the pre-
ceding deputations were with difficulty able to
regain their carriages, and drive off from the house
in the direction kept open for them. While they
were in the act of driving off, the large pedestrian
body of artisans and mechanics entered the
grounds, and were loudly cheered ; a select part
of their number had the honour of being admitted
to the queen to present the general address. Her
majesty received them with her usual grace and
dignity, and they retired highly gratified with
their reception.
The following was her majesty's answer to the
address of the artisans : —
I am much gratified and unfeignedly obliged by this warm
and affectionate address from the industrious classes in and
about the great metropolis of these realms. It affords me
unspeakable satisfaction to find that this mighty city contains
myriads of such persons, among whom there is a large stock
of virtue and intelligence, who condole with my sorrows, and
who kindle with indignation at my wrongs. The industrious
classes have shewn that they still retain that independence of
mind which is inflexible to external circumstances, and which
was once the proud boast and the characteristic property of
every Englishman. Though the gangrene of corruption has
iwagendered a debasing venality and a fawning obsequious-
ue in detached portions of the community, yet Britain
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 497
still retains a large portion of that heart of oak which for
so many ages has made its name glorious and its annals
bright.
The industrious classes of the nation constitute the vital
energy of the state. In the great fabric of society they are
the strength at the bottom which support the ornaments at
the top.
The productive powers of the country are its real powers.
For out of what other source is consumption supplied ? —
What else is it «.hat multiplies gratifications of all kinds ? —
To what else is affluence indebted for its splendour, or
beauty for its decorations ? Where rank is measured by
usefulness, no reflecting mind will say that the industrious
classes occupy the lowest step in the ascent of honourable
ambition or of estimable fame. There have been times,
and perhaps those times may still be, when the hard-earned
bread of the long-toiling peasant or mechanic is insufficient
for his numerous family — when the penury of the day has
been succeeded by the inquietude of the night, and when
night and day, and day and night, have been only a sad suc-
cession of pining wretchedness and of hopeless woe. That
order of things, which, in a large portion of the community,
necessitates the acquisition of subsistence by the sweat of
the brow, is the institution of Providence for the benefit of
man ; but who does not see that it is not owing to the
wisdom of the Deity, but to the hard-heartedness of the
oppressor, when the sweat of the brow during the day is
followed by the tear of affliction at its close, when the labour
of the hand only adds to the aching of the heart, and what
ought to be a source of joy is an aggravation of calamity?
But if these things have been, I may perhaps be permitted
to hope, that they will ere long be only as the troubled
scenery of a dream; and that happier times are approaching,
when commerce will crowd our rivers, trade be bus-y in our
streets, and industry smiling in our fields.
498 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
The grounds were at this time entirely filled by
an immense multitude : the pressure in front of
the house was so great, that many of the laurel
hedges, which protect the small fruit garden in
that direction, yielded to the weight of persons who
were jammed against them ; and some idle boys
immediately took advantage of their contact with
the fruit to refresh themselves with such apples
as they could reach. It is but right to state that
even this trifling trespass was immediately re-
sisted by the crowd, many of whom instantly
assisted the constables to eject the truants who
were unable to resist the temptation which en-
compassed them. After the artisans withdrew
from her majesty's presence, the queen made her
appearance again at the windows, and signified
by her gesture the gratification she felt at the
demonstrations of affection which were reiterated
by the immense multitude then before her. Mr.
Peter Moore, who attended her majesty, then
addressed the crowd, and informed them that the
queen had yet to receive the address of the inha-
bitants of Hammersmith, who were then ap-
proaching in their carriages. Her majesty, he
said, was afraid that some persons might suffer
inconvenience or injury from the horses, and
therefore requested that they would be kind
engtfgh to depart, and make room for the other
gentf^rnen who were coming up with an address.
Thtis intimation was immediately obeyed, and the
gentlemen from Hammersmith passed into the
, QUEEN COXSOltT OF ENGLAND. 499
house with their address. They met with the
same gratifying reception as the other gentlemen
who preceded them.
Her majesty delivered the following answer to
the Hammersmith address :
I am sensibly impressed and deeply obliged by this affec-
tionate address from the inhabitants of Hammersmith,
amongst whom I have my present temporary residence. I
have always rejoiced in the felicitations of neighbours and
in the charities of neighbourhood. The day on which the
remains of the Princess Charlotte were committed to the
silent tomb was a day of deep sorrow to the nation. But if
the nation wept, it was not merely because youth and
beauty had withered, and wit and elegance had vanished in
the grave. These were common occurrences : but it is not
a common occurrence to see every virtue in a successor to
the throne ; and in the mirror of those virtues to behold the
nation emerging from wretchedness, servitude, and disgrace,
to freedom, to glory, and to happiness. All Europe has its
eyes fixed on the present procedure in the House of Lords.
I shall have to appear at the bar of that house ; but that
house itself will have to appear at the bar of public opinion
throughout the world. I shall have to defend myself
against their accusations; but they will have to defend
themselves against the reproaches of individual conscience,
as well as the impartial condemnation of the age which now
is, and of that which is to come. To have been one of the
peers who, after accusing and condemning, affected to sil^in
judgment on Queen Caroline, will be a sure passj^figto
the splendid notoriety of everlasting shame. tfi
Mr. Alderman Wood, Mr. P. Moore, and^Slr
Whitbread, remained with her majesty a consi-
derable time after the other gentlemen of the
500 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
several deputations had withdrawn, and it was
near four o'clock, before the crowd which occu-
pied the grounds in front of Brandenburg-house
had retired. The spectacle in the narrow road
leading from Hammersmith to her majesty's resi-
dence, was as interesting and diversified as that
on the main road : vehicles of every description
were in waiting for company they had set down ;
barouches, landaus, gigs, tax-carts of every shape
and colour ; indeed, so great was the demand for
conveyances, that females, respectably dressed,
were glad to avail themselves of those heavy
machines which are used in removing furniture
in the metropolis. Considerable laughter was
excited by the inscriptions on these carts, and
the difference between their present and their
ordinary application: for instance, groups of
females and children were seated upon vehicles,
on which were inscribed, " Goods carefully re-
moved, at a low price ;" — " Lumber stowed and
carried any distance;5' and even the accommo-
dation which such conveyances afforded was the
subject of much competition, the oppressive heat
of the day had so considerably fatigued a number
of the pedestrians. The large throng which had
set out in the morning from the metropolis, con-
tinued at intervals to occupy the road on its
return, until a late hour in the evening. No
serious accident occurred during the early part
of the day, though we are extremely sorry to say
a fatal one happened in the evening, the particu
QUEEN* CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 501
lars of which will be found subjoined. The light
fingered gentry, of course, did not lose so excel-
lent an opportunity of practising their favourite
occupation : many of these fellows fell into the
hands of the police, and others of them when
caught in the act of picking pockets, received
chastisement on the spot from the crowd.
Many of the artisans and mechanics wore laurel-
leaves and sprigs in their hats, and others of them
white favours in their breasts.
We are sorry to add, that a melancholy acci-
dent took place immediately opposite Branden-
burg-house. About five o'clock in the afternoon,
some men had placed several pieces of small
cannon on the side of the river, and were firing
them off in order to add to the general gaiety of
the day, when a young man, named William Ford,
about twenty years of age, and a native of Ham-
mersmith, was in the act of replacing one of the
colours which had fallen, one of the guns was
unfortunately fired off, and the wadding pene-
trating his forehead, part of his face and brains
were blown away. He was immediately conveyed
to the Red Lion public-house, on the opposite
side of the river. Several medical gentlemen
attended, who extracted the wadding, but the
unfortunate youth lingered only about two hours*
when death put a period to his misery.
On Tuesday, the 15th, the House of Lords met
in pursuance of adjournment, when the Duke of
Leinster said, that he rose for the purpose of
3 T
502 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
taking this, the earliest opportunity to state to
their lordships, that he felt the strongest objec-
tions to the Bill of Pains and Penalties now in
progress through their lordships' house, and that
he meant to oppose it in every stage, and on every
occasion. He considered all Bills of Pains and
Penalties as the engines of violence, injustice, and
oppression ; but that which was at present before
their lordships appeared to him, in every point of
view, peculiarly objectionable.
Wednesday, the 16th, being the day appointed
for the removal of her majesty from Brandenburg-
house to her new residence, the house of Lady
Francis in St. James's- square, a great crowd as-
sembled there at an early hour, attracted by
curiosity to witness the arrival of her majesty, as
also the arrival of the several deputations charged
to present addresses; viz. those of the Married La-
dies, Greenwich, and the Borough of Aylesbury.
The concourse continued to increase until the
space between the houses and the railing of the
central inclosure was almost, filled up, extending
itself, in irregular divisions, to the contiguous cor-
ners of the square, and augmenting its numbers in
greater proportions as the expected hour of her ar-
rival approached. The appearance of this multi-
tude was in general respectable, and their conduct
that of silent and respectful attention. The win-
dows of Lord Castlereagh's house were closely
shut up, from the ground floor to the attic, and it
was understood, that all the valuable property
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 503
had been removed. At a quarter past twelve
o'clock, the approach of the queen was announced
by the rushing of a vast multitude of persons from
Piccadilly and Pall-mall, and other western ave-
nues, through the latter street. Her majesty's
carriage came into the square amid the accla-
tions of the immense multitude assembled. Her
majesty appeared pale, but smiled, and seemed
in most excellent health. Alderman Wood had
previously arrived, and handed her majesty from
her carriage. At one o'clock, the deputation ap-
pointed to present the address of the Married
Ladies entered the square. They occupied thirty
carriages, and were all elegantly dressed ; they
were received by the crowd with the most deaf-
ening shout of applause, and as each carriage
drew up to the door to set down, the salutation
was repeated with undiminished effect. The
scene, viewed from the eastern angle of the
square, was of the most animated character. The
whole deputation amounted to about 100; having
alighted, they were shewn to the queen's pre-
sence. Her majesty was attended by Mr. Alder-
man Wood and Lady Hamilton.
The address was read by Mrs. Thelwall ; and
her majesty returned the following answer : —
In this honest and affectionate address from my female
neighbours, who are wives and mothers of families, in and
near the metropolis, I gratefully acknowledge the sym-
pathy which th*y express for my many sorrows, and the
indignation which they feel for my unnumbered wrongs*
3T2
504 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE.
The approbation of my own sex must be ever dear to my
heart; and it must be more particularly gratifying, when it
is the approbation of mothers of families in and near the
metropolis.
When my lion our is attacked, every loyal Englishwoman
must feel it as an imputation upon her own. The virtues of
sovereigns are not circumscribed in their influence, or insu-
lated in their operations. They put in motion a wide circle
of the imitative propensity in the subordinate conditions of
life. Thus the virtues of the great become the property of
the people ; and the people are interested in preserving them
from slanderous contamination.
tThe present procedure against me is like a wilful attempt,
on the part of blind frenzy or improvident malice, to destroy
the moral character of the monarchy. To lessen this moral
character in public estimation, is not merely to degrade the
queen, but to shatter into atoms that reverential respect which
gives strength to the sceptre, and dignity to the sovereign.
I shall never sacrifice that honour, which is the glory of a
woman, and the brightest jewel of a queen, for any earthly
coniideration. All the possessions in the world would be
purchased too dear, if they were obtained at the price of
self-condemnation. I can never be debased while I observe
the great maxim of respecting myself.
In this era of ceaseless change and of violent agitation,
when whole nations seem tossed, like individuals on the
ocean of storms, no circumstances, however menacing, shall
shake the constancy of my attachment to the English nation,
or estrange my affections from the general good of the com-
munity. The future is wisely covered with an opaque
cloud ; but, whatever may be my future destiny, I will
cherish in all vicissitudes, and preserve in all fortunes, that
resignation to the Divine Will, which, in proportion as it
becomes an habitual sentiment of the mind, improves all it«
virtues, and elevates the general character.
QUEEN CONSORT OF EXGLAXD. 505
After the presentation her Majesty conversed
in the most affable manner with several of the
ladies, who had the honour of kissing her hand.
The ladies then returned to their carriages,
and drove off, accompanied by the reiterated
cheers of the crowd, intermingled with shouts of
" Long live Queen Caroline.'9 During these de-
monstrations of affectionate attachment to the
Queen, her majesty, attended by Mr. Alderman
Wood, made her appearance at the drawing-room
window, and repeatedly acknowledged by her
gestures, the sense she entertained of the kind-
ness she had experienced.
Shortly after the ladies* procession had re*
tired, seven coaches, each drawn by four horses,
arrived with the deputation, bearing the Address
of the Inhabitants of Greenwich. The first coach
contained the officers of the vestry, and be-
hind it stood the beadles carrying their maces.
The second coach contained Mr. Vernon an.d
Mr. Giles, the mover and seconder of the ad-
dress; and the others contained some respect-
able inhabitants of Greenwich.
They met with a most gracious reception, and
her Majesty was pleased to return the following
answer :
In this cordial, this friendly address, the inhabitants of Green-
wich have strongly excited my sympathies, and interested my
heart. In the most vivid manner they have recalled to my
memory those times over which oblivion will never throw a veiL
They have reminded me of those past days when I lived among
3 u
506 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
them, when I visited their nouses and traversed their fields,
when I partook of their social festivities, and was united in their
sacred rites ; when I was rendered happy by ministering to the
wants of some, and by adding to the comforts of others ; and,
above all, when my heart was lifted to God in gratitude because
my ears were cheered with the benedictions of the poor. This
is that period which the kind-hearted inhabitants of Greenwich
so powerfully recall to my recollection ; nor can I ever be un-
mindful that it was a period in which I could behold that counte-
nance which I never beheld without vivid delight, and to hear
that voice which to my fond ears was like music breathing over
violets. Can I forget ? No, my soul w ill never suffer me to for-
get that, when the cold remains of this beloved object were de-
posited in the tomb, the malice of my persecutors would not
suffer even the name of the mother to be inscribed upon the
coffin of her child. Of all the indignities which I have expe-
rienced, this is one which, minute as it may seem, has affected
me as much as all the rest. But if it were minute, it wras not so
to my agonising sensibility. It was a dagger directed by un-
relenting hate, not to the surface, but to the very centre of a
mother's heart. If little circumstances mark character, that
which I have mentioned will not fail to fix a note of indelible
infamy upon that ferocious persecution which has troubled my
peace and imbittered my days.
While the Greenwich deputation were in at-
tendance upon her Majesty, Lord Nugent and
Mr. Packford, the members for Aylesbury, arrived
with the address from the inhabitants of that
place. The noble earl was recognised by per-
sons amongst the crowd, and his name re-echoed
with great applause.
Her Majesty received the address from Ayles-
bury with great satisfaction, and was pleased to
return the following answer:
QUEEX CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 607
The inhabitants of the borough of Aylesbury have my cordial
thanks for this impressive testimony of their affectionate regard.
Whatever may have been the afflictions with \vhich I hav . oeen
visited by Providence, I know my duty to Heaven too well to
murmur at any of its dispensations. The sorrows that are
scattered over the surface of human life are usually transient,
though often recurring. They come and go — they depart and
return, like the wind and the rain ; but my sorrows have not
been of this kind. They have not merely flitted over my nerves
in the shades of the evening, to disappear when the East
reddened with the dawn : they have been a long, a dark, an
almost interminable night, which malice, like that of a fiend,
has thrown over my soul for a quarter of a century. But the
people of England think that I have been sufficiently tortured
by malignity and saddened by wo. Their vivid sympathies and
their glowing affections begin to dissipate the thick darkness that
covered my prospects, and to announce the day-spring of a life
more serene, when my wrongs shall be redressed, and my per-
secutions come to an end.
Those persons who could instigate or advise that the name of
the Queen should, contrary to all usage, be omitted in our
national prayers, must have had their hearts far from God.
Such an omission is at variance with that charity without which
all our adoration is mere mummery, and all our Hosannas only
empty air.
The injustice of my enemies has been so great, and indeed so
monstrous, that the account of it will hereafter be numbered
among the prodigies in the moral history of man. It is the ex-
tremity of barbarism in an age of high civilization. Because
I have violated no law, a Bill of Pains arid Penalties has been
introduced into the House of Lords to destroy me without law.
But the people of England have not minds of inert clay, or
hearts of impenetrable stone. They know, they see, they feel
my unparalleled wrongs. Every man, every woman, nay, every
child, is alive to the sympathy they have inspired. Oppression
always sanctifies its object. In this order of things the Almighty
has written his decree against cruelty and injustice.
3u 2
£08 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
The eventful 1 7th of August at length arrived ,
that day on which the ex post facto Bill, for the
punishment of the Queen of England, was to be
taken into consideration by the peers of the
realm ; a day which will ever stand as a foul
blot on the records of the country. The peers*
were all summoned to attend in their respective
places, and from day to day during the continuance
of the trial, and with a view to afford every prac-
ticable accommodation to strangers or auditors,
which the necessarily straitened limits of the
House of Lords could afford, it was ordered by
their lordships that no lord shall give more than
one order of admission in any one day, and that
such order shall be regularly dated and signed,
and sealed by such lord.
The following arrangements were made for the
accommodation of her majesty in the house of
lords, during her trial. A new door was made
in the piazza, between the peers' entrance and
the passage leading to Cotton-garden. This door
led into the room heretofore devoted to the peers,
* The Garter King at Arms, at the commencement of every
Session, provides the officers of the House of Lords with a roll
of all the peers of the realm ; and this Garter-roll, as it is termed,
is their guide and authority regarding those who are entitled
to take the oaths. There are 367 peers of parliament on this
roll ; but in this number there are 7 Roman Catholic peers,
about 12 minors, and 8 peers who are abroad. Exempting
those peers, and the noble lords not bound to attend on account
of advanced age, it was calculated that about 330 peers daily
attended the proceedings respecting the Queen.
QUEEN CONSORT OK ENGLAND, 509
as a robing room, when the king attended the
house to meet his parliament. Here her majesty
was to be regularly received by the usher of the
black rod, whose office it was to conduct her along
the passage, and up the grand staircase, by which
the peers proceed into the house. Instead of en-
tering the body of the house, at this end of it, her
majesty was to be conducted along a wide avenue,
or passage, to a room set apart expressly for her,
and which is nearly opposite the door by which
strangers gain admission to the splice below the
bar. It was Lord Shaftesbury's (the chairman of
the committee) private room, and it was very
handsomely fitted up for the particular accom-
modation of her majesty. One female attendant
was provided by the house to wait upon her ma-
jesty, and the deputy housekeeper was appointed.
The queen was allowed to bring with her one
female attendant, or companion, every day, and
that person, should her majesty desire it, was to
be accommodated with a seat, within the bar of
the house, near to her majesty. A handsome
elbow chair was provided for the queen, covered
with scarlet morocco, edged with gold-headed
nails, the legs were tastefully gilt, with gold
bordering round the edges of the chair. An ob-
long square footstool was also prepared, covered
with red morocco, and decorated with gilt orna-
ments to accord with the chair. The chair was
placed within the bar, immediately under the
station allotted for her majesty's counsel ; but as
510 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
her majesty proceeded to the house, in the cha-
racter of Queen Consort, she was entitled to sit
near the throne, and therefore a chair, together
with a footstool, similar to those already de-
scribed, were placed near the throne. Etiquette
required that her majesty should first seat herself
in this chair, but in this instance it was waved,
one reason for which was given that there was
no lord great chamberlain to officiate, and the
secretary, or officiating deputy, could not act in
this instance, he being below the title of knight.
It became therefore the exclusive duty of the
usher of the black rod, Sir T. Tyrwhitt, to attend
her majesty, on her entering the house, to the seat
appointed for her.
The morning of the 17th was ushered in with
every indication of the most intense anxiety on
the part of the people. Ministers had adopted
every precaution which might secure the tran-
quillity of the metropolis against any desperate
attempt to violate it ; and these precautions were
ably carried into execution by the various civil
authorities, with zeal and alacrity.
That all the country magistrates, justices of the
peace, &c. might have the fullest notice, so far
back as Tuesday the 8th, they received letters
from the office of the home secretary of state,
i ord Sidmouth, requesting them to remain in
town, and to be at their several stations during
the week, and so long as the important proceed-
ings respecting the queen should continue before
CONTSORT OF ENGLAND. 511
parliament. The Bow-street police establish-
ment, which has peculiarly extensive powers, and
the efficacy of which powers has been so fre-
quently proved, received the strictest injunctions
to make the most complete regulations, and to
have all its forces at command in the metropolis.
The county and police magistrates accordingly
examined the lists, and directed the attendance
of the several constables, officers, &c. under their
control; but the active magistrates of Bow-
street office, not only commanded the strictest
service on the part of the officers, &c., but also
ordered into town all that valuable and well-dis-
ciplined force, denominated the Bow-street pa-
troles. They are about four hundred in number,
mcl tiding officers, or conductors; most of them
are horse patroles, and those that had been dis-
mounted for the limited service on which they
might have been stationed, were again provided
with horses for this occasion. They were, on the
morning of the 17th, stationed in the streets
immediately leading to the house of lords, and
remained under the command of the civil power.
The force under the immediate control of the high-
constable for Westminster, Mr. Lee, amounted to
about eighty constables; but this number was
extended by those provided from several parishes,
the police offices, £c. There were nearly one
thousand constables on duty. Besides these
constables, the horse-patroles, the police-officers,
the Thames police were stationed off Palace-
£12 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
yard-stairs. The firemen of the different offices
were also on duty, and spread about in different
parties. All were on duty by eight o'clock.
Besides these arrangements, the usher of the
black rod, Sir T. Tyrwhitt, and D. Fellowes,
Esq. were, on the 15th and 16th, in attendance,
carrying several arrangements into execution.
In the evening of the 16th an order was issued,
announcing the regulations respecting carriages,
&c., and the hours during which certain streets
and parts of the town were to be kept cleared:
it was printed, and immediately afterwards stuck
up at the several corners of the streets in the
neighbourhood of the houses of parliament: —
The following order was also issued and
delivered to the several messengers and officers
of the house, for the guidance of their con
duct: —
House of Lords, August 17
The entrance for Members of the House of Commons is
through the long gallery only.
The door-keepers have strict directions not to allow any
person whatever to pass the outer door, where strangers are
admitted, without a peer's order.
THOMAS TYRWHITT,
Black Rod.
There was another regulation in this order, but
it was eventually struck out ; it was to the fol-
lowing effect, that
It is understood that Black Rod can only admit one order,
frnn each peer daily ; and that as soon as the space allotted for
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 513
strangers below the bar be filled, which is calculated to hold
one hundred persons, no more are to be admitted, whether they
have peers' orders or not.
All the officers of /the House of Commons, the
messengers, door-keepers, &c. were in attendance
by nine o'clock; the dooi'-Wy at the bottom of
the stone steps leading into the lobby, was kept
closed, except to members, who thus proceeded
along the long-gallery to their station in the
House of Lords by the throne. The attendance
of the officers was requisite, as the members of
the Commons had no other means of passing to
the Lords ; and soon after nine o'clock, a crowd
of members had collected in their lobby.
By nine o'clock the carnages began to arrive
rapidly. Dr. Lushington, Mr. Brougham, and
Mr. Maule, the solicitor to the Treasury, ap-
proached in separate carriages ; and they pro-
ceeded to the Lords through Howard's Coffee-
house, under the piazza. They were followed
by Mr. Sheriff Parkins, in his carriage. He
attended to present the City petition against the
Bill of Pains and Penalties. His servants were
in black. He went into Howard's Coffee-house,
where he was to meet Lord Erskine by appoint-
ment ; his lordship was to present the petition.
— His lordship, however, was not there.
Amongst the members of Parliament who
arrived at the Commons' were the Hon. Grey
Bennett, and his brother ; Mr. Tierney, &c.
The judges also arrived soon after nine o'clock,
3 x
514 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
and they proceeded from their rooms in the Stone
Buildings, through the southern hall gate, and
entered the House of Lords by the lower doors.
They were attended by their officers, train-
bearers, &c.
The peers arriy:0,!-, rapidly at half-past nine
o'clock, and the mob forced the servants and
coachmen to pull off their hats, huzza, and ex-
claim, " the Queen, the Queen !" Those minis-
terial peers who were recognized were hissed ;
the Duke of Wellington — will England believe
it? — was hissed. The gallant general was on
horseback, with a groom behind him. He seemed
perfectly amazed — he looked round him with
astonishment — and he made almost a complete
halt and gazed full at the crowd. Even they
stood abashed, and seemed ashamed. The dis-
graceful hissing subsided, and the duke passed on.
g The Duke of Wellington was soon afterwards
followed by the Duke of York, accompanied by
the Marquis of Anglesea. Both were on horse-
back. The crowd received them most flatteringly,
and on their arrival at the corner of the House of
Commons, the first regiment of Foot Guards
presented arms, the drums performing the royal
salute. The royal duke then alighted and walked
to the door of the House of Lords. Lord Donough-
rnore was also on horseback, but being unable to
make way through the crowd, his lordship alighted
at the end of Parliament-street, and, as well as
many other lords, were escorted by the constables
QUEEN CONBORT OF ENGLAND. 515
to the peers' entrance. Prince Esterhazy ap-
proached the House on foot, and the French am-
bassador went iu his camge. The several
bishops, as they passed in their carriages, re-
ceived no particular notice from the crowd. The
approaches for the carriages were kept clear, and
the most excellent order was preserved till the
Queen's arrival.
On the 17th, so early as seven o'clock in the
morning, symptoms of the approaching popular fer-
ment began to manifest themselves in St. James's
square. A number of waggons were brought,
and the horses being taken away, they were
stationed in a line round the palisades of the
shrubbery, extending to almost half its circum-
ference. The whole of these were filled with
well-dressed females, at a shilling a-head ; in less
than half an hour other vehicles, such as coaches,
gigs, and taxed carts, &c. arranged themselves
within this line, and pedestrians were continually
pouring in through all the four avenues, and by
nine o'clock the whole square presented almost
one polid mass of human beings. The windows
and the balconies were all filled with ladies, and
many of the house-tops were occupied. A strong
detachment of the Bow-street patrole, under the
direction of Perry, had previously been stationed
on the steps, and in front of her Majesty's resi-
dence. Mr. Alderman Wood had also arrived
about eight o'clock, and was in waiting to receive
her Majesty.
3.X 2
516 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
At ten minutes after nine o'clock, a distant
shout announced her Majesty's approach ; the
assembled multitude in the square caught the
signal, and in the next moment her Majesty's
travelling chariot and four rolled into the square
amidst reiterated shouts, which seemed almost
" to rend Heaven's conclave." It was not with-
out some trouble that the postillions could ap-
proach the door, so thickly were the people
wedged together, and so vehement were their
gesticulations. At length, however, the carriage
was driven to the door, and her Majesty was
handed from it by Mr. Alderman Wood. Her
Majesty appeared in excellent health and spirits
—much better indeed than had been seen upon
any former occasion since her return to England.
Her Majesty was attended by Lady Anne Hamil-
ton, who seemed to partake, in no ordinary
degree, the enthusiasm of the multitude, and the
fearless anticipation of her royal mistress.
In a few minutes, her Majesty's private town
equipage was seen making its way through the
crowd at the lower end of the square, and infinite
anxiety was manifested by the populace to know
whom it contained. — " Is it Brougham?" — "„ Is it
Denman?" — " Is it Lushington?" was every
where a hundred times repeated. It drove up to
the door and was found to contain Sir William
Gell and the Honourable Keppel Craven, her
Majesty's Chamberlains when she left this coun-
try for the Continent, and who resumed their
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 517
functions immediately after her return. They
arrived from Naples, for the purpose, only the
preceding day.
The Hon. Keppel Craven alighted from the
carriage, and immediately joined her ^Majesty,
Lady Hamilton, and Mr. Alderman Wood, in the
drawing-room. Sir William Gell remained in
the carriage, which drove on a little distance
from the door.
An interval of some minutes now ensued, dur-
ing which, the shouts and cries of " the Queen !
the Queen?" were almost incessant; and once
or twice her Majesty advanced to the window,
and was greeted with the loudest demonstrations
of popular attachment.
Shortly after her Majesty's state carriage was
seen advancing through the moving mass from
York-street, and the shouts of the multitude
again rent the air. It was drawn by six beauti-
ful bay horses, superbly caparisoned, the coach-
man, postillion, and footmen, habited in rich
dresses of scarlet and gold, with purple velvet
facings, and black velvet caps of state, exactly
the same as those of the servants of his late and
present Majesty.
Every thing now appeared ready for her Ma-
jesty to set forward, and Mr. Alderman Wood,
in full dress, was conducted through the crowd
by the police, to the carriage, which brought the
Queen to town.
The door of the state carriage was then opened
518' MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
by the royal servants, and "Hats off!" was the
instant and almost universal cry. It was as in-
stantly and universally obeyed ; scarcely a head
remaining covered throughout the vast assemblage
whilst her Majesty descended the grand stair-
case, leaning on the arm of the Hon. Keppel Cra-
ven, and followed by Lady Hamilton. The en-
thusiastic shouts of the populace again resounded
on all sides as her Majesty took her seat in the
carnage, and Mr. Craven having resumed his
place beside Sir W. Gell in her Majesty's other
carriage, the cavalcade set forward, amidst the
most tremendous crowd which was ever col-
lected. The carnage in which was Mr. Alderman
Wood, went first, the state carriage followed,
and that with Sir W. Gell and the Hon. Keppel
Craven brought up the rear. As it advanced
slowly along Pall-mall, and indeed throughout
the whole line to Westminster-Hall, the streets
seemed to be paved with heads, and the houses
on each side, from the ground to their utmost
summit, one continued scene of animation. There
was waving of white handkerchiefs, scarfs, and
even table cloths ; fervently expressed blessings
from the females, and climbing boys stood on
their father's shoulders, answering their shouting
sires with tender cries. As the cavalcade ap-
proached Carlton-House, the populace manifested
the greatest anxiety to ascertain whether the
sentinels would present arms as she passed, and
they formed avenues from each soldier to the
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND.
carriage in order that he might see it, waiting
with a sort of breathless expectation for the
result. The soldiers did present arms, the same
as to any other member of the Royal Family, and
it is impossible adequately to describe the enthu-
siastic shouts and gesticulations which followed.
The soldiers at the Horse-Guards, like those at
Carlton-House, presented arms as her Majesty
passed ; but those at the Treasury and Home-
Office did not, and for some seconds it appeared
probable that violence would take place, but the
Queen having once passed by, the angry feelings
of the crowd passed by also, and all was peace
again.
As her Majesty approached the barrier at Old
Palace-yard, there were tremendous shouts of ft the
Queen !" " the Queen !" <e the Queen is coming !"
and at half-past ten o'clock the procession passed
through the barrier.
Up to this time the barriers had been so well
defended, that scarcely any one had passed with-
out permission ; but now many persons of both
sexes entered with the carriages, and two women
clung so close to the fore-horse of Mr. Alderman
Wood's carriage, that they could not be disen-
gaged from it, and screamed most lustily when it
was attempted. A tremendous rush was now
made. In vain did Mr. Lee, the high-constable,
attempt to stem the torrent; he was carried away
by its force, and thousands, of all ages and both
520 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
sexes, rushed to the scene of action, with loud
cries of " the Queen !" the Queen !"
The procession was not marked with any pecu-
liarity till its arrival at the barriers raised across
the street from St. Margaret's church to the Stone
Buildings. The crowd was here great and in-
tense, and at this time there were only constables
to guard those barriers, the foot guards having
"been drawn up under the piazza by the House of
Lords, so that it was some time before the
carriage opening could be cleared. Alderman
Wood, in his coach and four, first approached.
Several persons, chiefly women, literally hung to
the carriage, and to the harness of the horses.
He was in the carriage alone. He was driven at
a spirited pace to the Queen's entrance door ;
but Sir T. Tyrwhitt informed him that he could
not pass into the Lord's House by that door.
"There was," he said, " a special order to regulate
the admission of members of the House of Com-
mons. It was enforced with respect to all other
members ; it must also be observed by Mr. Alder-
man Wood. The members of the Commons must
proceed through their own house, and the long
gallery, to tke throne-end of the House of Peers.
There would be no difficulty in proceeding to the
House of Commons ; the passages were kept
clear, and he could proceed by those means to
thQ House of Lords.5' Mr. Alderman Wood
replied, " That he did not desire to interfere with
QUEEN CONTORT OF ENGLAND. 521
any regulations, but he hoped he should be
allowed to remain to hand the Queen out of her
carriage." Sir T. Tyrwhitt added, " That he
could have no objection to such attention, but
every possible arrangement was made for the
most respectful reception of her Majesty." Mr.
Alderman Wood accordingly remained.
Alderman Wood's carriage was then driven out
of the way, and that of her majesty was drawn
up to the Queen's entrance. There was no crowd
about the door ; very few had been enabled to pass
the barriers ; and those who were present be-
haved in the most decorous manner towards the
civil authorities and the military force. They
loudly huzzaed as her majesty's carriage drew up ;
the regiment of Guards, who were the only soldiers
at this time on the spot, presented arms by com-
mand of their officers, and the royal salute was
played. At the Queen's entrance door, ready to
receive her majesty, were stationed some of the
lords' marshalmen, with their batons, and in their
scarlet uniforms. Beyond them were some special
constables, under the immediate direction of Mr.
Lee, the high constable. In the doorway were
officers of the House, and in the centre of them
appeared Sir T. Tyrwhitt, with the rod and
costume of his office, as usher of the black rod,
Her majesty's servants in their scarlet liveries,
stood on each side of the coach door, and opened
it. Lady Anne Hamilton first descended, and she
proceeded through the officers in waiting into
522 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
1
the first room, the peers' robing room. By this
time all the Queen's counsel had descended from
the Lords' and appeared in the door-way. They
were all, of course, attired in the costume of the
bar. Mr. Brougham and* Mr. Denman, in silk
gowns and long wigs, as the Attorney and Soli-
citor-general of her majesty : behind them were
Dr. Lushington, Mr. Williams, and Mr. Tyndall.
No other persons, than those thus particularly
mentioned were allowed to be in the first room,
or in the passage and entrance leading imme-
diately into it.
Soon after Lady Anne Hamilton had left the
carriage, the Queen descended. Alderman Wood
handed her majesty down the carriage steps.
Sir T. Tyrwhitt, the usher of the black rod, then
took her majesty's right hand ; and immediately
afterwards Mr. Brougham stepped forward, and
took the Queen by the left hand. Her majesty
paused for a short time, looked round her with
much complacency, and then curtsied and bowed
to those around her in an affable manner. The
crowd on the outside had now considerably in-
creased, as many had forced their way through
the barriers and past the constables. They
huzzaed most lustily, and many exclaimed, " God
send your Majesty a good deliverance !'* The
Queen having looked round her for a short time,
entered the outer apartments of the House oi
Lords, conducted, in the manner already d<
scribed, by Sir. T. Tyrwhitt and Mr. Brougham.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 523
They proceeded through the peer's robing-room,
along the passage leading thence to the stair-
case up which the peers pass to the body of the
House of Lords. Her majesty was led up this
flight of stairs, and conducted to the upper side-
entrance appropriated to their lordships and the
officers attached to the Lord Chancellor. This is
on the left-hand side of the throne, which was en-
tirely uncovered for the occasion.
The Queen having thus entered the House of
Lords, her carriage was drawn away, and con-
ducted, under the directions of Towshend, who
was ordered by Sir T. Tyrwhitt to perform such
duty, to Abingdon-street.
The Queen's carriage was succeeded by a
chariot drawn by a pair of horses, with servants
and coachmen wearing her majesty's livery. In
it were the Hon. Keppel Craven and Sir W. Gell.
They also passed through the Queen's entrance
door, which was then closed. The lords' mar-
shalmen, the constables, and the high-constable's
deputies, &c. retired into the open area fronting
the House of Peers. The guards, who were under
the piazza, closed in, and occupied the space from
Cotton-garden to the peers' entrance.
In all the apartments connected with the
Houses of Lords and Commons, the most decorous
demeanour was observed. Spectators were not
allowed to occupy the windows. Most of them
were closed ; and only officers of the House ap-
peared at those which might be open. No per-
3 Y 2
524 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
sons were allowed to be on the leads over the
piazza of the House of Lords ; indeed every where
the completest regularity was observed.
After the royal carriages had withdrawn, the
mob overpowered the constables at the barriers
by St. Margaret's church, so far as to be able to
break the carriage opening in the middle of the
barriers. The dense torrent was irresistible.
Thousands hurried on with impetuous fury, and
soon filled the space of Old Palace Yard. The
constables, however, rallied, and an obstruction
was soon raised at the barriers, and thus checked
the further irruption of the mob. Those thou-
sands who had thus violently got immediately
fronting the House of Peers, made direct for the
Lords' entrance. They completely blocked up
this entrance, and closed upon the soldiers ; but
the high-constable collected a party, and soon
succeeded in driving the mob back. He was sup-
ported at the barriers by the mounted and dis-
mounted patrol ; but the space from the barriers
to Bridge-street, Parliament-street, and New-
Palace Yard, presented one solid mass of people.
Above the barriers, at the end of Abingdon-street
and College-street, there were also considerable
crowds. Between them, however, the space was
kept tolerably clear during the rest of the morn-
ing ; and the peers* and other carriages drew up
in lines in Abingdon-street.
It would be superfluous to enter into an ac-
count of the proceedings of the House of Lords,
QUEFN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 525
as they are sufficiently and faithfully detailed i&
the Trial itself, we shall therefore merely confine
ourselves to those circumstances and events which
have an immediate reference to her majesty in
person, or which either in a remote or proximate
degree have any influence upon the consumma-
tion of the plans which were at this time in agi-
tation against her, and which by her malignant and
powerful enemies were most openly and unequi-
vocally avowed.
At ten o'clock precisely, on the morning of
the 17th, the order of the House of Lords was
read for calling over the names of the peers.
Whilst the House was engaged in the preli-
minary steps, a few shouts without intimated the
approach of the Queen. In a moment she en-
tered by the door appropriated for the entrance
of peers from the robing-room. She crossed the
floor of the House at the foot of the throne, and
occupied a chair placed for her in that part of
the House usually appropriated to the members
of the House of Commons. She was dressed in
a black satin gown and white kid gloves, and
wore a white veil thrown over her head-dress,
which consisted of a plain lace cap. She was
accompanied by Lord A. Hamilton and Lady
Hamilton.
On her entrance, all the peers rose to receive
her. She bowed to them, and lolling back in her
chair, with an easy air of indifference, surveyed
526 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
the members of the House, without any appa-
rent emotion. The list was then proceeded in.
As the time approached when the lords were
expected to adjourn, the windows, balconies,
and parapets of the houses, again became filled
by ladies of distinction. The appearance which
they presented was elegant in the extreme, and
the interest manifested by them did honour to
their feelings. At four o'clock, the bustle among
the peers' carriages, and anxiety to press for-
ward to the outer door, indicated the termina-
tion of the day's business in the House. Among
the first carriages which drove off was that ot
his Royal Highness the Duke of Glocester. The
royal duke was loudly cheered by the people,
and his royal highness repeatedly bowed in
return. His Royal Highness the Duke of York
rode from the House in the same manner as he
arrived there, attended by his groom. The
crowd pressed close around him, and a patrol of
the guards made a movement as if to clear a pas-
sage, but his royal highness waved his hand as if
to avoid the interference of the military. The
multitude received the duke at his departure
with the same enthusiasm which marked his
arrival in the morning. Shouts of " Long live
Frederick1!" " Long live the Queen !" were re-
echoed from all sides. His royal highness
repeatedly bowed as he passed through the
crowd, which continued to address him in the
QUEEN CONSORT OP E.VOLANb. 52?
most flattering mariner while he remained within
sight. The next personages recognised by the
people were not so fortunate as to meet with a
similar reception : they were the Duke of Wel-
lington and the Marquis of Anglesea. These dis-
tinguished personages were on horseback. The
crowd particularly pressed around the duke, and
shouted " We must have the Queen — no foul
play, my Lord — The Queen for ever!" Others
exclaimed — " The army for ever, my Lord."'
And one person who was on horseback rode
along-side the duke, and said " The Queen and
the army." His grace rode on apparently indif-
ferent to the surrounding bustle ; he occasionally
smiled at those of the crowd who pressed the
nearest to him, and said " Yes, yes," to the rei-
terated exclamations of some of the most perse-
vering among them who continued to vociferate
" Long live the Queen!" The Marquis of An-
glesea did not manifest the same command of
temper: he spurred his horse, and seemed
anxious to get rapidly through the crowd. Their
lordships rode through the Horse-guards, the
gates of which edifice were immediately closed
as they passed, and the crowd prevented from
entering St. James's Park. Earl Grey, Lord
Holland, and several other peers were loudly
cheered. But few of them had driven off when
the Queen's carriage approached the door at
which she had alighted ; and her majesty again
took her seat in it, and departed from the House
5£S MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
in the same state which marked her arrival in the
morning. The immense multitude who sur-
rounded her was, if possible, greater than in the
morning — their enthusiasm the same, for it could
not possibly be exceeded. The shouts of "Long
live the Queen !" were universal and deafening.
The ladies waved their handkerchiefs, and the
demonstrations of popular attachment were loud
and general, and each class in society seemed to
vie with the others in an anxiety to pay homage
to their Queen in this hour of her trial. Her
majesty appeared somewhat exhausted by the
fatigue and anxiety she must have sustained
throughout the day. She repeatedly bowed to
the people, and appeared deeply sensible of the
extraordinary interest they manifested in her
behalf. The Queen was escorted back to he^
residence in St. JamesVsquare by the Hon.
Keppel Craven, Sir W. Gell, and Mr. Alderman
Wood. The same military honours were paid her
as she passed the sentinels at Carlton-Palace,
and she alighted at her house exactly at five
o'clock. St. James's-square was thronged to
excess by carriages filled by personages of dis-
tinction, who seemed anxious to see her majesty
return. The crowd continued in front of the
Queen's residence until a late hour in the evening.
We shall be very brief in our remarks on the
proceedings of the first day of the trial of her
majesty, but some circumstances of such im-
portant nature present them&elves to the consi-
QUEEN CONSORT OF EXGLAXD. 529
deration of the country and of after times," that to
pass them over without notice would be a com-
plete direliction of our duty.
The manner in which her majesty was treated
at Rome, when by the decease of George III. she
became Queen Consort of England, has been dis-
inctly stated in a former part of this work, and
we mention it now merely to draw the contrast
of her reception at a court, completely under
the influence of the court of her husband, with
that, which she met with on her entrance into the
house of lords. She was there at once, and as
if instinctively, acknowledged in the character of
Queen Consort, and all the honors which the
illustrious individual could claim, were without
hesitation paid to her.
It must have been a galling circumstance to
some noble individuals then present to see them-
selves obliged to rise and pay to her those
honors as Queen Consort, which according to the
spirit of their own instructions had been refused
her in a foreign country. Out of their own mouths
were they condemned; and the cringing bow, the
fawning look, and the sycophantic air of the
courtier, were never more distinctly pourtrayed
than on this occasion.
The first proceeding in the house was an at-
tempt to get rid of the disgusting Bill of Pains
and Penalties; and, accordingly, the Duke, of
Leinster moved that the order of the day for
going on with the Bill of Pains and Penalties be
3 2
530 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
discharged ; the motion was however negatived
by 306 to 41 votes. Even the Marquis of Lans-
down and Lord Grey, who usually vote with Op-
position, voted on this occasion with the ministers,
on the conviction, that a retreat was now im-
possible ; but there was something in the tone of
the ministers themselves so singularly mild to
wards the Queen, as to induce a belief that all
hopes of accommodation were not even now shut
out. They used their best endeavours to shew
that the king had personally nothing to do with
the question; and yet the only object of a bill of
pains and penalties was evidently a divorce,
which could not be demanded by the* other mode
of proceeding. This attempt to make a distinc-
tion between his majesty's desire for a divorce
and a certain state necessity, was singularly
wretched. The Queen was not married to the
state, nor would the fact of her criminality, (sup-
posing it for the sake of argument) have rendered
her example contagious, though she retained a
nominal rank when every other mode of punish-
ment had marked her out as an object degraded
— a character rendered null and void.
Mr. Brougham addressed their lordships against
the Bill, in a speech distinguished alike for fervid
eloquence, powerful reasoning, intense thought,
and glowing language, every word of which will
long be eagerly read and remembered by the
country; but the most impressive part of his
appeal derived its force from the description
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 531
which it gave of the generous spirit of his royal
client. We allude to the passage in which he
mentioned the Queen's commands to abstain from
recrimination, unless forced to adopt a contrary
coarse by the conduct of her adversaries.
Nothing can exceed the humane feeling which
vas thus indicated by her majesty, goaded and
insulted as she had been. It is not, however,
for the purpose of introducing remarks of this
kind that we mention the fact, but with a view to
notice the singular and, upon every principle of
British law, monstrous anomaly, that a divorce was
now first in process in this country, in which the
innocence or criminality of the party suing was not
to be questioned, and in which common guilt was
held to be no bar to the dissolution of the sacred
rite of marriage. Here, therefore, was founded
a revolution in our ecclesiastical law, as founded
on the law of God.
Her majesty after her return from the House
of Lords, dined about five o'clock, and at six
went in her private carriage to Brandenburg-
house. At two o'clock in the morning, one of her
majesty's couriers arrived at Brandenburg-house,
from Rome. The Queen was informed of his
arrival, and instantly rose and examined the
papers which her messenger had brought, arrang-
ed them in proper order, and sent them to her
solicitor, Mr. Vizard, with written instructions
respecting them.
By these despatches, her majesty received the
3 z2
532 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
gratifying intelligence that persons of the highest
rank voluntarily offered to proceed immediately
to England, to attend as witnesses on her
behalf.
In consequence of the near approach of the
populace to the House of Lords on the 17th, and
the interruption given to the proceedings within
the House by the acclamations without — it was
judged expedient, by the magistracy to have an
additional barrier erected. Accordingly workmen
were employed the whole of the night in effecting
this object, and on the morning of the 18th
there appeared a new barrier, extending from the
corner of New Palace- yard, against Hillier'
Coffee-house, to the palisades of the shrubbery
on the Opposite side of the way. But though
additional precaution was thought necessary in
this respect, the conduct of the populace had
been so generally peaceful, that some relaxation
took place in other quarters.
In St. James's-square, instead of the early fer-
ment of the preceding morning, all was calm
and quiet till long after eight o'clock; at that
hour not even one solitary loiterer was to be
seen ; and the police took possession of the
steps of the Queen's house without a single indi-
vidual upon whom to exercise their peace-pre-
serving qualities. It was not till nearly nine
o'clock that those accommodative personages,
the wagon-proprietors took up their ground,
for the benefit of the curious, and their own
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 533
pockets. Then, however, they mustered more
strongly even than on the former morning ; and
their vehicles were very soon all profitably filled ;
for the most part with persons of respectable
appearance, and the majority of them, perhaps,
of the softer sex. The influx of carriages, horse-
men, and pedestrians was now incessant, and by
half-past nine o'clock the square presented one
vast amphitheatre of anxious spectators, of
much more sedate and respectable demeanour
and complexion than those composing the as-
semblage of the preceding day.
Her majesty did not arrive in St. James's-
square from Brandenburg-house until a quarter
after ten o'clock, but the first appearance of her
carriage, on turning into the square from Pall-
Mall, was marked by a deafening shout from the
crowd assembled. Instantly began the clapping
of hands, the waving of hats and handkerchiefs ;
and in the occasional pauses of the cheering
might be heard prayers for her majesty's suc-
cess, with frequent cries of " God bless her
majesty !" " Heaven bless our Queen !" in which
female voices were particularly discernible. In
the carriage with the Queen was Lady Anne
Hamilton. The steps to the house were so ex-
tremely crowded, that a passage could with
difficulty be made for the Queen and her at-
tendants.
Her majesty having rested for a short time,
the state coach, which for more than an hour had
534 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
been waiting in the square, was ordered to draw
up, and the Queen ascended it, amidst the huz-
zaing of the multitude. The procession then
moved slowly forward, in the same order that was
observed on the preceding day. Mr. Alderman
Wood advanced in front in a plain carriage.
Then followed the Queen in her state coach.
Two carriages succeeded: in one were the
Queen's Chamberlains, and in the other were
two ladies, attendants on her majesty.
As her majesty's carriage approached Carl ton-
house, ev,ery eye was turned upon the sentinels
there on duty, to witness their reception of the
Queen. It happened that the sentinels had been
relieved about five minutes before the arrival of
the procession in front of the palace, and, it is
said, the instructions then given by the sentinels
relieved to those who succeeded them, were
" that they should take no notice whatever of
the Queen." Of the four sentinels, however, at
Carlton-house, one paid the customary respect
to royalty, and presented arms to her majesty,
as the carriage passed. This soldier was loudly
cheered by the people, while the other three were
as vociferously hissed, although it was very
evident from their manner that they would gladly
have displayed their loyal feelings had they not
been prohibited by superior orders. As the pro-
cession passed the Admiralty, the people loudly
expressed their dislike of the ministers, as was
done on the preceding day. The sentinel on
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 535
duty at the Army Pay-office ordered arms as the
carriage passed, and was almost borne away by
the rush of the people. The two mounted sen-
tinels at the Horse-guards showed no disposition
to pay her majesty any respect, and in revenge
the people waved their hats so close to the
horses' eyes as to give the riders some trouble in
managing them. The gate of the Horse-guards
was kept closed, and the apparent indifference of
the soldiers within the iron railing formed a sin-
gular contrast with the enthusiastic cheering and
animated demeanour of the enormous mass of
people moving with the procession. As if, how-
ever, to compensate for the conduct of the
guards, the two sentinels on duty at the Treasury
regularly presented arms as her majesty's car-
riage arrived in front of them respectively. The
Queen bowed graciously, and the people cheered.
Parliament-street presented a very animated
scene. The street was extremely crowded, and
every window, and even the roofs of houses, pre-
sented groups of people, all emulously express-
ing their affection and zeal for the Queen. The
ladies universally waved white handkerchiefs,
and wore white favours, at which her majesty
seemed to be much pleased.
Some disposition was manifested, as the car-
riages approached the outer barriers, to take the
horses from Alderman Wood's carriage, as well
as from that of the Queen, and thus defeat the
regulations of the civil authorities to keep out
536 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE.
,rf
mobs, by dragging both carriages to the doors
the House of Lords ; this object, however, was
frustrated. Alderman Wood's drove up to the
door by which the Queen entered. Sir T. Tyr-
whitt, who had been waiting some time to re-
ceive the Queen, told the marshalmen to inform
Mr. Alderman Wood, that neither he nor any
member of the House of Commons could pass
through that door. But the Alderman still per-
sisted, and said "He must attend on the Queen/'
The carriage, however, was driven on, and thus
was way made for the approach of that of her
majesty, which then drew up. Alderman Wood
opened his own coach-door in great haste, jumped
out, and returned with the utmost rapidity to the
Queen's entrance door. He was again informed
by Sir T. Tyrwhitt himself that he could not
enter. The Queen, having been informed of what
was passing, hesitated to leave her carriage. Mr.
Brougham approached and spoke to her majesty
in the carriage. She appeared considerably ex-
asperated, and directed an angry look towards
the officers, and said, " Then let me have my
chamberlain — let my chamberlain attend me."
The chamberlain was quickly handed forth by
the worthy Alderman. The Queen then bowed
to Sir T. Tyrwhitt, who immediately approached,
and handed her majesty out of the carnage, Mr.
Brougham walking first, aaid Lady Anne Hamilton
and the Queen's chamberlain followed. As soon
as her majesty and her retinue had entered the
QUEEN CONSORT Of ENGLAND. 537
house, the door closed. The alderman retreated
to the commoners' entrance.
At a quarter after four in the afternoon, the
Queen again left the House. The state carriage,
which is a landau, had been thrown open, and as
her majesty seated herself in it, the soldiery, who
had previously been drawn up in line, again re-
ceived her with military honours. As the caval-
cade repassed the barrier, the enthusiastic multi-
tude received it with shouts of " God bless the
Queen,'' Sec. and she returned to her residence
in St. James's-square. surrounded by a vast con-
course of people, and greeted with loud plaudits.
The square was previously crowded with persons,
who had stationed themselves there to witness
her return. The Queen, having entered the house,
in a few minutes presented herself at the window
of the drawing-room ; shouts of acclamation in-
stantly resounded through the place ; whilst hats>
handkerchiefs, and shawls were waving in every
direction. Her majesty acknowledged these
salutations by repeated inclinations of the head,
and then gracefully waving her hand, she with-
drew.
The multitude dispersed almost immediately
after, and her majesty went to Brandenburg-
house to dinner.
On the 19th, the mountain which had been so
long in labour was delivered, or, in other words,
the Attorney-general opened his charges against
her majesty. On considering these charges the
4 A
538 MEMOIHS OF CAROLINE,
yere
first thing that strikes the mind is, that they wei
infinitely Less precise, direct, and positive, than
those which were preferred against her majesty
in 1806, and most triumphantly refuted. In 1806
Lady Douglas swore that her majesty informed
Lady Douglas of her majesty's being pregnant ;
that, independently of such confession, she (Lady
Douglas,) knew of her majesty's pregnancy, and
that she actually saw the child after it was born,
and that her majesty declared that it was her
own child. Lord Castlereagh declared, in his
place in the House of Commons, that there was
no .doubt that these charges were false, and that
Lady Douglas was perjured. In the former case,
the criminal fact was directly sworn to by an
English lady of education, rank, and independent
fortune; in the present case, the criminal fact
was to be indirectly inferred from circumstances
sworn to by Italian servants, discarded for mis-
conduct. But, from the dark insinuations thai
had been artfully propagated in mysterious
whispers, it was thought by some, however falsely,
that the Attorney would have to disclose whal
would not only disgust but shock the whole mass
of the moral and civilized world. But so fai
from this being the case, the Attorney-genen
was only enabled, with the aid of his official mag-
nifying powers, and all the light which could b<
concentrated into a focus from the illurninate<
intellects of his employers, to state the common-
place facts in every case of unlegalized intercourse
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 539
between persons of different sexes. The offence
itself, which was charged against her majesty,
was but a reiteration of what she was accused of
in 1806, and of which she was acquitted on ex
parte evidence, not even followed out to its own
refutation, by commissioners, who had some of
the strongest inducements which operate on our
frail nature to be biassed against her. This im-
pression was visible in a remarkable degree during
the whole of the proceedings against her majesty,
and the public saw through the tissue of incon-
sistencies and impossibilities which the Attorney-
general put forth in opening his charges against
her majesty. " It is true," he said, " that he
would not state any thing that he did not believe
he could not substantiate on proof." We have
no more reason to doubt the sincerity of this
declaration, than we should have to doubt the
sincerity of the Unitarian who professed to de-
fend the Christian religion as by law established,
against the assaults of the Deist. We shall have,
however, frequent occasion to notice the incon-
sistency and the tergiversation of the Attorney-
general, the organ of the hidden prosecutors of
her majesty, and we shall therefore now return to
our historical account of the procedings connected
with the trial of her majesty.
Considerable attention was at this time excited
by the inner line of works which were constructed
for the protection of that honorable and honored
body of individuals, the Italian witnesses, who
4 A2
^40 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
were brought over to this country at the expense
of the public, to swear any thing and every thing
against their benefactress, and who were to be
defended against the assaults of that very public,
by fortification, police boats, checaux de frise,
planking, paling, and palisadoes. The following
will convey some idea of the precautions which
were taken to insure the safety of those im-
portant personages, the Italian witnesses ; and
had Cotton-Garden been a besieged or a block-
aded place, containing within its purlieus all that
was great and honourable, not more efficient
means could have been adopted for their protec-
tion, than were consummated for the protection of
the Italian perjurers. In the first place, these
works consisted of a gigantic paling, some twenty
feet high or so, between the corner of Abingdon-
street^and that of the House of Lords. Within
this paling, for several yards in depth, which left
but a narrow space for the sentinel to move in,
the pavement was broken up into formidable
looking gulfs, the stones loosely scattered about.
Above this broken surface, large quantities of
sough timber were thrown with a sort of cunning
artlessness, so that the whole formed a species of
chevaux defrise, sufficient, at all events, to secure
the Italians from the assaults of a troop of horse.
These awful entrenchments seemed particularly
to tickle the fancies of the people, for a viler mass
of corruption, perjury, and ingratitude, had never
entered into combination in this, or any other
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 541
portion of the civilized world, than was at this time
to be found at Cotton-Garden. It was the very
dregs and sediment of Italian treachery, concocted
by the aid of English gold ; and the people of this
country saw the treasures of it wasted, in one of
the most successful attempts which was ever
practised, to destroy its virtue, its morality* and
its honour.
But how different was the spirit displayed by
the illustrious object of their treachery, in the
answers which she gave to the numerous ad-
dresses which were presented to her, all of which
breathe the fmrest philanthropy, the most ardent
attachment to virtue, and the fullest confidence in
a final triumph over her enemies. As a code 01
morality, they ought to be transmitted to posterity,
and to be perused by the rising generation, as the
sentiments of a great aad noble mind, struggling
beneath oppression, but supported by the con-
sciousness of her innocence, and emerging at last
with renovated splendour from the density of the
gloom in which her enemies had attempted to
envelope her.
How beautifully does the Christian sufferer
allude to the loss of her daughter, and to her firm
reliance in the dispensations of heaven, in the
following answer which she gave to the address
from Barnard Castle, which was presented by
Dr. Lushington : —
My unfeigned thanks are due to the inhabitants of the town of
Barnard Castle and its vicinity, for this cordial testimony of
542 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
affectionate attachment to their persecuted Queen. Iii the
chequered scene of my eventful life, I have discerned the bene-
volent agency of that universal Father,, whose afflictions are
never cruel — and whose discipline, though often severe, is always
kind. I have extracted many a sweet, even from the bitterness
of woe ; and in the thorny path of adversity I have collected
many a flower.
. From the dark shades of despondency, the Spirit of The Mer-
ciful has conducted me to the illuminating prospects of hope ;
and a light from heaven has darted on my soul, when I have
been weeping over my daughter's early grave.
In my present circumstances, when I have to contend against
an implacable foe for every thing that is dear to me as a woman
and a queen, my mind preserves its wonted serenity, and I am
cairn amidst the storm. My conscience is without a pang ; —
and what have I to fear ?
Again, if we wish to trace in her the real senti-
ments of the genuine patriot, tremblingly alive to
the interests of the country, we have only to recur
to her answer to the address of the Spitalfields
Weavers.
I am in no small degree gratified by knowing that my good
and my bad fortune, my misery and my happiness, the indig-
nities which I have not deserved, and the honour which is my
due, are not contemplated with indifference by the silk-weavers
of Spitalfields. The prosperity pf the nation is so intimately
connected with that of its manufactures, that I cannot but feel
a deep interest in the flourishing state of that long established
manufacture of silk in Spitalfields, which gives bread to thou-
sands, and supplies sumptuous decorations for so many of my
own sex.
My mind loves to trace the progress, and my heart sympa-
thises with the operations of ingenious skill, or of patient in-
dustry, in all the multiplicity of its toils, and all the variety of
its products. I have been much affected by the sad privations
QUEEN CONSOBT OP ENGLAND. 543
and pinching wants which in recent times the valuable artizans
of this capital, and particularly the silk-weavers of Spitalfields,
have endured, and which it is to be feared, in a greater or less
degree, they still endure. Taxation, when it becomes exces-
sive, instead of increasing production, generates despondency
and paralyses the active powers ; it then operates like a canker
upon the national industry, and like a blight upon the happiness
of mankind. If it is ordained in the Council of Heaven that
1 shall triumph over my enemies, my mind will be more at
liberty to consider how I can best promote the noble cause of
English industry in its diversified branches, and I shall not be
inattentive to that in Spitalfields ; as far as my limited means
at present extend, and I will do what I can to effect that great
object, though all I can do is much less than I would in diffe-
rent circumstances, and much less than the public good
requires.
My example, however, may be more influential than my
private expenditure ; and if by this example I can encourage
the growth of our native manufactures, it will be no small addi-
tion to my own personal enjoyment. I measure the sum of
individual enjoyment by the number of my fellow-creatures
with whom it is shared ; for the highest degree of human hap-
piness is that which beneficence reflects upon the heart from
the happiness it has produced.
In the circumstances in which I am placed, I feel my inte-
rests inseparably identified with that of the people, and parti-
cularly with that of the great and enlightened body of English
manufacturers. As all power is a trust for the benefit of others,
and all authority only an institution for the common good, it
shall be a fixed principle in my conduct to make the influence
which I possess, and the station which I occupy, contribute in
the greatest possible degree to the encouragement of national
industry, and the consequent increase of the national pros-
perity.
In the performance of the offices of religion,
her majesty was a most exemplary character;
544 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
and, although we are aware that no great faith
ought to be attached to an outward show in the
observance of the forms of religion, nor that any
just estimate can be thence formed of the real
character of the individual ; yet in the particular
case of her majesty, she was as free from hypo-
crisy, as she was from intolerance and fana-
ticism. Her accusers, indeed, in the plenitude
of their malice, and their hatred of her virtues,
which they never could reach themselves, hesi-
tated not to stigmatise her and to load her with
their opprobium, because she had ventured to
worship her Maker and her Saviour in the chapel
of the Roman Catholic. Her enlarged and libe-
ral mind told her that her Lord and her lie^
deemer were every where, and that it is not to
the form under which they are worshipped that
the divine attention is directed, but to the heart
and the dispositions under which the prayer is
offered.
During the residence of her majesty at Bran-
denburg-house, she never omitted to have the
divine service performed before her on a Sunday,
at which the whole of her household regularly
attended. On Sunday the 20th, the divine service
was performed by Dr. Parr, to whom is ascribed,
and we believe not unjustly, the merit of im-
bodying the sentiments of her majesty, in her
energetic answers to the addresses of the people.
Her majesty having partaken of an early
dinner, to which a select party were invited, left
QURRN CONSOKT OF BNOLAMD. M5
Brandenburg-house about five o'clock in her tra-
velling carriage and four, for the purpose of
faking an airing. She was attended by Lady
Hamilton and Mr. Alderman Wood, and pro-
ceeded through Hyde-park, Constitution-hill,
St. James's-park, the Horse-guards, Westminster-
bridge, across the Borough to London-bridge,
Bishopsgate-street, and the New-road to the Re-
gent's-park, and thence to Hammersmith. Every
where her majesty was received with ardent ma-
nifestations of respect and attachment. Through-
out the ride the carriage was driven rapidly, but
so enthusiastic were the people in many places,
that they actually hung to the traces and diffe-
rent parts of the carriage, to the imminent peril
of their limbs, and even their lives. Several
persons were thrown down by this daring con-
duct, but no accident of any serious nature
occurred.
On the 21st, notwithstanding the wetness of
the morning, and notwithstanding, too, the an-
nouncement that her Majesty would not go to
the House of Lords again till the examination of
the witnesses commenced, a great crowd of
people had assembled opposite her residence in
St. Jameses-square, so early as half- past eight
o'clock ; and, before ten, the concourse was
almost as great as upon any former morning.
A great portion of the crowd were females ; and
for more than two hours did they " bide ^
4 B
!
546 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE.
pelting of the pitiless storm" with infinite pa-
tience.
About ten o'clock Mr. Alderman Wood arrived,
and shortly afterwards went down to the House
of Lords, in one of the Queen's private carriages,
to wait the conclusion of the Attorney-general's
statement; her majesty having signified her inten-
tion of going down to the house immediately on
its close.
At a quarter past eleven her majesty reached
St. James's-square in her state carriage. The
moment her royal equipage was perceived turn-
ing into the square from Pall-mall, the most
enthusiastic shouts ascended from the drenched
multitude; neither the heavy rain, nor i*he heavy
charges of the Attorney-general, appeared to
have damped their ardour at all ; and her majesty,
as she was handed from her carriage by the Hon.
Keppel Craven, was saluted on all sides with
exclamations of " God bless your majesty ! — May
your majesty frustrate your enemies ! — God save
the queen !" &c. Her majesty acknowledged the
gratulations by bowing graciously as she passed
into the house.
The Attorney-general had finished his state-
ment, after which a long conversation took place
between their lordships, respecting the dates ol
the facts which he had stated ; at the close of
which her majesty entered the house, attended
as usual by Lady Anne Hamilton, and took hei
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. o47
seat in a chair placed within the bar, about the
distance of three yards from it, and which, though
not directly opposite to, enabled her to confront,
the witnesses.
The Solicitor-general then called Theodore Ma-
jocchi, who, in a very few moments, was ushered
in, and placed before the bar. He was a man of
middle stature, decent appearance, and was hand-
somely attired.
The Queen, having fixed her eyes on him,
exclaimed in a piercing tone, " Theodore ! oh, no !
no !" and was immediately conducted to a private
apartment. When her majesty retired to the little
room appointed for her use, adjoining the entrance
to the house of peers, her manners were extremely
hurried ; she threw herself in a chair, and for
some time did not utter a syllable. As it was
possible when she did speak, that her observa-
tions might be overheard, Sir T. Tyrwhitt peremp-
torily desired that no person should be permitted
to approach her apartment. In about an hour,
she was joined by Mr. Alderman Wood, with
whom she conversed for several minutes.
Respecting this circumstance the hireling prints
were as usual most vociferous in their crimina-
tion of her majesty, representing her conduct on
this occasion to have arisen from secret remorse,
on beholding an individual before her, whom she
knew was privy to her actions, and whom she
had every reason to believe would not appear
against her.
4n2
548 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Now this supposed ignorance on the part of her
majesty respecting the appearance of Majocchi,
was engendered and hatched, in the turbid brains
of some pensioned writer, for it was impossible
that her majesty should not have known that
Majocchi was engaged on the part of the prosecu-
tion. The French papers announced the fact to
all Europe. In an article dated Vienna, July
26th, it is stated, that " many of the Italian wit-
nesses against the Queen of England, have been
here with Lord Stewart, Lord Castlereagh's
brother. Among them is one Majocchi and his
wife, and two children These witnesses are well
paid, Majocchi has ten francs a-day, his wife five,
and each of his children four ; besides an allow-
ance of 150 francs a month for that part of his
family which he left at Como, and which is paid
by the English government."
This article appeared in many of the French,
and in all the English papers *. The unexpected
appearance of Majocchi, therefore, could not have
occasioned her majesty's emotion. It was an in*
voluntary burst of horror and indignation, at
beholding a person who had lived upon her bounty,
now engaged to destroy her, and coming forward
for the sake of lucre, with the most hardened
effrontery, to act his shameful part in a drama,
the characters of which had been cast, and which
had been got up for representation in the English
• See the Traveller of tha 12th of July.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 54S
House of Lords, by the honourable members of
the Milan Commission.
Her majesty did not re-enter the house; but
her return home, a little before four o'clock, was
marked by the same demonstrations of attachment
throughout the whole line, though the continued
wind and rain prevented the usual large assem-
blages of people.
Her majesty, on her arrival in St. James's-
square, immediately ordered her dinner, and
having hastily partaken of that meal, she pro-
ceeded in her post chaise and four to Branden-
burg-house. She seemed, on her departure,
greatly to have recovered the agitation with
which she was affected when she left the house.
The House of Commons met on the 21st, and
adjourned to the 18th of September. Lord Francis
Osborne moved as an amendment to Lord Castle-
reagh's motion of adjournment, that an address
be presented to his majesty to prorogue parlia-
ment. On this amendment, a short, but very
animated discussion took place. Lord Francis
condemned, in the strongest language, the in-
justice of the proceedings against her majesty,
stated that he was determined to do all he could
to prevent the bill from coming into that house,
and that rather than be a party to the proceed-
ings, he would vacate his seat. Several other
members expressed themselves also in very strong
terms with respect to the proceedings, and Mr.
Wilberforce lamented that he had not been able
550 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
to make a second attempt at reconciliation before
the last adjournment, though he thought it was
due to her majesty that the charges should now
be gone into. Mr. Brougham also thought the
time for arrangement was gone by, and requested
Lord Francis Osborne to withdraw his motion,
which, however, the noble lord declined doing,
though he did not press it to a division.
. Mr. Brougham exposed, in a happy vein of
irony, the circumstance of ministers departing, in
this instance, from their practice in all similar
cases, of prohibiting the publication of evidence
till the close of any proceedings, for the purpose
of not prejudicing the party or parties. The
public did not overlook this conduct of ministers.
In the mean time, the trial of the Queen, as it
proceeded, stickened in interest. The dark and
cloven foot of perjury and subornation began to
display itself, and even to the minds of those who
came prepared with the belief that the truth, and
nothing but the truth would be sworn to. This
sentiment was even so strongly impressed upon
the mind of the Lord Chancellor, that h,e gave
notice of a motion, that their lordships should
wave their privileges, in order to permit a pro-
secution of the witnesses on the Queen's trial;
should they give perjured evidence. It must,
however, be admitted, that this question had
been proposed by Lord Grey, at the commence-
ment of the proceedings; but the Lord Chancellor,
like many other noble lords, were taken by $ur-
QUEEN COHORT OF ENGLAND. 651
prise by the strange and contradictory evidence
which was brought forward.
At an early hour on the 23d, the people began
to assemble in crowds in St. James's-square, and
in the neighbourhood of the House of Lords.
Before ten o'clock it was almost impossible to
pass in front of her majesty's town residence.
About half-past nine Mr. Alderman Wood arrived
in his gig from Hammersmith. Her majesty did
not arrive till a quarter or twenty minutes after
ten.
When her majesty arrived, the square was
crowded in a manner never equalled on any former
day. It was completely filled with respectably
dressed people, walking opposite to her majesty's
house. A line of wagons was drawn up, in
which the places were let for hire, and were
filled with females. As her majesty passed along,
the mighty mass seemed simultaneously to re-
ceive animation. Hats and handkerchiefs were
waved, and every one not immediately close to
the carriage was leaping up to catch a sight of
the Queen.
The specimen which the public had had of the
evidence against her majesty seemed to have
given a confidence to the public enthusiasm on
this occasion, and she was received less as a
person who had a battle to fight than one whose
triumph was assured. Her majesty's spirits
seemed raised to the highest pitch by sympathy
USMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
and gratitude to the affectionate and exulting
people.
At a quarter before eleven, the Queen left her
house, but was compelled to proceed slowly from
the pressure of the immense multitude. At Carl-
ton-house there were loud cheers, the soldi
every where presenting arms. The windows
were crowded with respectable persons, who
joined most warmly in the enthusiasm of the
people below. Her majesty was received in
Palace-yard with the usual military honours.
About the barriers even more caution than ever
was used in the admission of people.
The approach of her majesty was always an-
nounced some time before her arrival, by the
loud cheers with which she was greeted. This
species of telegraphic communication extended
from Brandenburg-house to Palace-yard. In the
latter place, the signal of her approach was the
order to the guards to prepare to do the honours
that are paid to royalty.
At a quarter past eleven o'clock, the Queen's
carriage drove into Palace-yard. Her majesty
was accompanied by Lady Anne Hamilton. She
was dressed in black, and wore a white veil.
Her majesty looked extremely well. In all the
streets through which she passed, her majesty
was most loudly and enthusiastically cheered.
On her return from the house, the crowds
were greater, and the affectionate demonstrations
QU8EW CONSORT OK ENGLAND. 55?
of the people more rapturous than on any former
day. The whole of Parliament-street, the whole
space before the barriers at Westminster-hall,
the whole of the space about Charing-cross, and
as far as St. Jameses-square, was crowded to
excess, and people were still hurrying along the
Strand, anxious to testify to her majesty their
dutiful homage and heart-felt sympathy. It was
expected that her majesty, as on former days,
would retire from the House of Lords at four
o'clock ; she remained, however, till near five,
to the great disappointment of the assembled
multitudes. On leaving the House, she was
saluted in the accustomed manner by the mili-
tary, and cheered with the most rapturous shouts
by the spectators within the barriers. The ex-
clamations " God bless your majesty," " May
you triumph speedily over all your persecutors,"
were so generally heard, that it was difficult to
determine what feeling was predominant — whe-
ther sympathy for the sufferings and admiration
for the courage of her majesty, or indignation at
the inhuman treatment of which she was made
the object.
Her majesty had scarcely alighted from her
carriage, when the procession with the Bethnal-
green Parish Address was seen approaching up
George-street, in a long line of carnages, pre-
ceded by several persons on horseback, and sur-
rounded by a shouting multitude. It was some
minutes before the procession could approach the
4c
MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
door. At length, however, a way was made for
them, and they drew up.
Her majesty gave them instant audience, when
Mr. Jennery, the senior Churchwarden, read the
Address.
To which her majesty returned the following
gracious answer : —
The Churchwardens, Overseers, and Vestrymen of the parish
of St. Matthew, Bethnal- green, are requested to accept my
cordial thauks for this spontaneous tribute of affectionate
regard.
The present mode of proceeding against me in the House of
Lords, may well alarm those who have any regard for the poli-
tical welfare or the moral interest of the nation. Though the
primary object of the Bill of Pains and Penalties is to divorce
me from his majesty, yet it is hypocritically pretended that his
majesty is not a party in the case. An abstract term is em-
ployed, in order to cover the deception, and the state is sub-
stituted for his majesty. But the state, if it means any thing,
must mean the people, collectively considered. But the people,
collectively considered, instead^ of desiring a dissolution of
my marriage with his majesty, have expressed the most indu-
bitable desire that that marriage may not be annulled, but that
I may remain Queen Consort of these realms, and be invested
with all the rights, privileges, and immunities which the law
has appropriated to that royal dignity.
To pretend that his majesty is not a party, and the sole com-
plaining party in this great question, is to render the whole
business a mere mockery — the reprobation of the good, the jest
of the thoughtless, and the contempt of the wise. His majesty
either does or does not desire the divorce which the Bill of
Pains and Penalties proposes to accomplish. If his majesty
does not desire the divorce, it is certain that the state does not
desire it in his stead ; and if the divorce is the desire of his
majesty, Ms majesty ought to seek it on the same terms as fcif
QUEEN COXSORT OF ENGLAND.
objects ; for. in a limited monarchy, the law is one and the
same for all ; or otherwise, the mere volition of the monarch is
paramount to the law ; and the government becomes a des»>
potism.
The Bethnal-green procession had scarcely
departed, when the deputation from the Town
of Sheffield arrived. Although fatigued with
the ceremonies of the day, her majesty ever
attentive to the convenience of those who were
to pay their homage to her, countermanded her
carriage, which was ordered to convey her to
Brandenburg-house, and the Sheffield deputa-
tion was received in the most flattering and'
condescending manner. Her majesty returned
the following answer to the Sheffield Address : —
I shall never be unmindful of the obligation which the inha-
bitants of the Town of Sheffield and its vicinity have conferred
upon me, by this honest testimony of their fervent zeal for my
interest; their tender sympathy for my sorrows, and their
generous resentment of my wrongs.
Though benefits ought to be written in marble, and injuries
in the dust, yet the injuries 1 have endured have been to 3
many in number, and too grievous in their kind, to be readily
obliterated from my recollection. But, though my memory
retains the impression, I have not suffered the spirit of revenge
to rankle in my breast. It would have been well for me, and
perhaps not ill for the country, if my oppressor had been as free
from malice as myself ; for what is it but malice, of the most
unmixed nature, and the most unrelenting character, which has
infested my path, and waylaid my steps, during a long period
of twenty-five years ? Malice of this description, of such long
continuance, and such extraordinary intensity, has certainly
beeq productive of great misery to myself; but I may well
4c2
556 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
repress the sentiments of revenge, when I reflect that it must
have been productive of much more inquietude in that mind
which could listen to its suggestions, and in that bosom which
could cherish a spirit so adverse to goodness, and so incom
patible with happiness.
Her majesty arrived at her residence in St.
James's-square, from Brandenburg-house, on the
24th, about ten minutes before ten o'clock. She
was attended as usual by Lady Anne Hamilton,
and the crowd assembled round her residence
was as great as on any former occasion.
At ten o'clock, the carriage of her majesty's
chamberlains drew up, and the Hon. Keppel
Craven alighted to attend her majesty ; but Sir
W. Gell remained in the carriage on account of
his lameness.
From this time till her majesty's departure, the
crowd increased continually, and the cheering
was loud and incessant. Her majesty more than
once approached the open window of the draw-
ing-room, and bowed to every part of the vast
assembly.
At twenty minutes past eleven, the state car-
riage drew up ; it was thrown open in conse-
quence of the fineness of the day, and the Queen
descended to it, leaning on the arm of Mr. Cra-
ven- Her majesty, this day, wore a white satin
hat with a superb plume of white ostrich fea-
thers* and she was wrapped in an ample grey
cachemire shawl. As she seated herself in the
carriage, the cheers and exclamations were re
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 537
doubled, and the females especially seemed to
set no bounds to their enthusiasm. Many of
them rushed forward in spite of the utmost
efforts of the police-officers to restrain them, and
as her majesty crossed the footpath to her car-
riage they completely surrounded, and almost
overwhelmed her with their kindness. Lady
Hamilton was at length suffered to take her seat
in the carriage, and it then moved slowly from
the door, preceded, surrounded, and followed by
an immense multitude continually cheering. In
her progress to the House, her majesty was
every where received with ardent manifestations
of sympathy and attachment. The windows, the
balconies, &c. were again crowded with ladies,
who appeared to vie with each other in demon-
strations of regard towards her. In short, had
her majesty triumphantly refuted the charges
against her, she could scarcely have had a prouder
and more cordial reception.
At the barriers, her majesty was received by
the military with the usual honours .paid to
royalty, and she entered the House about twenty
minutes before twelve, when she proceeded di-
rectly to her private apartment.
At half-past four o'clock, her majesty returned
to her residence in St. James's-square, attended,
if possible, by still greater and more ardent mul-
titudes than in the morning. Besides the im-
mense crowds on foot, the whole space from
Parliament-street to Charing-cross was literally
558 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
filled with coaches, wagons, &c. all covered with
people ; Cockspur«atreet and Pall-Mall were
nearly as full ; and in St. James's-square the
crowd was so dense, that for some time the state
carriage was unable to proceed.
Her majesty, after having ascended to the
drawing-room, again appeared at the windows,
and bowed repeatedly in the most condescend-
ing and cheerful manner to the multitude below.
An immense concourse of people remained as
usual in the neighbourhood of the House of Lords,
along Parliament-street, &c. to witness the de-
parture of the Peers, and scarcely one departed
without either censure or applause. The Duke
of Wellington and the Marquis of Anglesea rode
on horseback together, and they were again pur-
sued with the hissings and hootings of the mob.
The noble duke took this treatment very coolly,
merely smiling when the yells were at the
loudest ; but the gallant marquis had not such
command of his temper; he seemed very in-
dignant, repeatedly turning round in an angry
posture. This drew the general attention, and
the increase of lookers-on augmented the insolence
of the yel'jers, which added to the anger of the
gallant nrarquis, so that they passed through
the Horse-guards into the Park, followed by a
great concourse of people. Here they put their
horses mto better speed, in the expectation appa-
rently, of outriding their clamorous attendants.
The Duke of Wellington succeeded in this ; but
ifiiU
i
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND.
the marquis lingered irresolutely, and at length,
making a full stop, he demanded of his perse-
cutors, " Why do you hiss me ?" Loud shouts of
" The Queen ! the Queen !" was the only reply ;
and his lordship, in continuation, exclaimed,
" If you want me to do any thing contrary to
my conscience, I must tell you, I would rather
you ran me through the body !" This called
forth loud cheers from the crowd ; but at the
next moment the cry of the " Queen !" was
renewed, and the gallant marquis, losing all
patience, put spurs to his horse and left them.
An excellent bon mot is related of the Duke ol
Wellington, who on one of these occasions was
much pressed by the crowd, vociferously exclaim-
ing, " The Queen !" the Queen !"— " Well then,"
said the gallant duke, '•' Here is the Queen, and
may all your wives be like her"
The 24th was a glorious day for the cause of
her majesty; the conspiracy against her re-
ceived on that day its death-wound from the
examination alone of the perjured witness Ma-
jocchi— the celebrated, famous, and infamous
Non ml Ricordo. This witness, who at the com-
mencement of the examination, swore that he
did not understand a word of English, was dis-
covered to have been living at Gloucester as a
servant after his dismissal from the service of
her majesty ; and at which place he damned his
own evidence given at the House of Lords, by
constantly asserting the Queen to be *' an excel-
560 MEMOIRS OF CAROLFNS,
lent, a good woman ;" but on being asked whether
he had ever declared that her majesty had never
done any thing improper, or indecorous, he
answers, Non mi Ricordo.
We are enabled to lay before the public, one of
the letters transmitted from Gloucester on the
subject, and the contents of which completely
opened the eyes of the public to the infamy and
ingratitude of this notorious witness.
Gloucester, August 23d.
I know you to be a well-wisher of the Queen. The first wit-
ness called against her I have every reason to believe is a man
who lived with Mr. Adam Hyatt, who brought him over from
Italy. He always spoke in the highest terms of her majesty,
and said he had been offered a considerable sum of money,
and a place for life, if he would appear against her. I caw
find very creditable people in Gloucester to whom he told this.
I request you will make known these circumstances to Alderman
Wood ; and some person may then be sent from London to
make the necessary inquiries here.
JOHN MARSH.
To Mr. John Watts, 21, Castle-street, Oxford-street.
There was not, indeed, scarcely a single iota
of this fellow's evidence which did not tend to
shew him in the light of one of the most perjured
evidences which ever dared to present himself at
a bar of justice. During his examination, he
made several references to the British embassy at
Vienna, which drew an explanation from Lord
Ellenborough ; by whose statement it appeared,
that Lord Stewart was not, and could not have
have been at Vienna, during any part of the time
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 56-1
at which Majocchi stated himself to have been
there.
From the testimony of Italian witnesses, the
mind will turn with a feeling of refreshment to
the evidence of Englishmen. Captains Pechell,
of the Clorinde, and Briggs, of the Invincible,
were examined ; their evidence, on reference to
the trial, affected the Princess in no way what-
ever. In a former part of this work, we alluded
to the circumstance of Captain Pechell having
recollected that Bergami had waited on the Prin-
cess at table in the month of March 1818, refused
to sit down to dine with the same Bergami, after
his elevation, in December. This fact was now
proved upon the trial, and it is certainly impos-
sible to argue upon men's feelings of propriety ;
but we cannot refrain observing, that Captain
Pechell dealt out a hard measure to Signer Ber-
gami. We can recollect a certain young man,
whose name we will not mention, who had been
used to wait at table on Mrs. Clarke and an illus-
trious individual, and to whom, on the solicitation
of the lady, a commission was given in the army.
! At the time the investigation was going on, the
young man was serving in America, but we never
heard that the officers of the British army refused
to dine with that officer when the method of his
advancement was made known. There may,
however, be an essential difference between the
promotion of an Englishman and an Italian ; at
all events, it is certain that there is a wide dif-
4D
562 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
ference in the quarter from which that promotion
emanates, in regard to the supposed degree of
respectability which is attached to it.
The zealous manner in which the people of this
country espoused the cause of her majesty, must
have been highly gratifying to her feelings ; and a
particular circumstance occured at the time,
which must have convinced her enemies, that not-
withstanding the petty shifts to which government
resorted, to annoy and harrass her, and to humble
her in the opinion of their adherents — yet that the
people were roused to the indignities which were
so lavishly heaped upon her, and that they were
determined in every instance, by their combined
efforts, to repair the injury which she had sus-
tained.
The circumstance of the refusal on the part of
government, to restore to her majesty the plate
which had been given to her by his late majesty,
on the plea that it was a loan, in the usual manner
to the members of the royal family, excited
amongst the people an excessive degree of indig-
nation, and measures were immediately set on
foot to supply her majesty with a service of plate,
by a voluntary contribution from each person, of
one shilling. That this measure excited the spite
and resentment of them who thought the Queen
of England nc£ worthy of a service of plate, can-
not for a moment admit of a doubt ; but it was a
noble proof of the independence of the English
people, and of their hatred of every thing which
QUEEN CONSORT OF KffGLAXD. 563
bore the slightest relation to persecution or
oppression.
That her majesty was fully aware of this senti-
ment existing in the minds of the English people,
is evident, from the following answer which she
gave to the Alston address.
I cannot be insensible to the obligations which I owe to the
inhabitants of Alston and its vicinity, for this affectionate
address.
When I had been for some years upon the Continent, I was
told that the people of England had forgotten me in my absence,
and that I had become an object of indifference and aver-
sion. But I no sooner appeared on the British shore, than
the whole kingdom seemed to have only one heart and one
voice ; and while that heart felt for my sufferings, that voice
was raised in generous acclamations of transport and joy at my
return.
If I had experienced from the government the attention due
to my rank — if I had received the homage of the public authori-
ties in a manner suitable to the high dignity of Queen Consort of
these realms, the people might have contemplated me with little
more than ordinary regard ; the parade of royalty would have
diminished the sympathy for flip sufferings of the Queen. The
homage of the noble would have chilled the ardour of sympathy
in the middle and inferior ranks. But when the people beheld me
insulted and reviled, stripped of all the trappings of authority,
and sheltering my head in the house of a private gentleman,
they instantly rallied round my person with enthusiastic de-
votedness, and convinced me that no sovereign can be so secure
as in the affections of the people. All the pomp of royal power
is but mere empty pageantry, where it is not*supported by that
heartfelt, spontaneous, unbought love of the nation, which, in
this enlightened age, will never be conferred upon any sovereign
who is not a friend to the freedom and the happiness of man-
kind.
4o2
564 MEMOIRS 'OP CAROLINE,
Her majesty expresses nearly the same senti-
ments in her answer to the Bolton address.
The inhabitants of Bolton, in the county of Lancaster, and
its vicinity, have convinced me, by this unaffected testimony of
their regard, that they sincerely sympathise with my sufferings,
and that they consider the injuries done to me as done to them-
selves. Every loyal subject immediately identifies his interest
with that of his Queen ; for, it is only by supporting his Queen
against her enemies, that he can protect himself from the peril
of tyranny, or his children from the certainty of servitude.
If the desperate faction, which is at once an enemy to the
general liberty, and to individual happiness, shall succeed in
accomplishing the project of my degradation, the nation will
have no safeguard against the inroads of despotism. When
every sacred principle of the constitution, every protecting rule
of the law, every hallowed maxim of equity, can, in the person
of the queen, be outraged with impunity, what is to preserve
any other subject from similar oppression ?
That system cannot be good which is at war with the spirit
of the age — which cannot exist without diminishing the common
stock of national liberty, without stopping the free circulation
of opinions, or abridging the intellectual freedom of man. That
system cannot be good which can extinguish the charities of
neighbourhood, abate the love of country, and produce the
desire of expatriation. Men will run away from misery : but
that misery must be extreme which causes them to forsake the
graves of their fathers, and to leave the land of their nativity.
When the people of England so generously sympathise with
my sufferings I should have no heart at all, or only a heart of
stone, if I did not participate in their sorrows, and condole
with their wrongs. My sympathies all harmonise with those of
the people : we have one common interest : and that interest is
one and indivisible.
In the mean time, the difficulties in the pro-
ceedings on the Bill of Pains and Penalties in-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 565
creased from day to day. The House of Lords
found themselves in a dilemma from which they
could not extricate themselves : they could nei-
ther persevere in the course which they originally
adopted, nor could they retract without injustice
to the one party or the other, and this arose in a
great degree from the original step of withhold-
ing the names, descriptions, and addresses of the
witnesses who were to be called. This was a
most fearful and ominous resolution, and many
noble peers saw the danger of the precedent it
might set to their own posterity. It was not,
therefore, the mere question of the queen's guilt
or innocence that agitated every mind — it was not
the unheard of attempt at breaking asunder the
religious bond of marriage by a divorce, not
called for by either of the parties, that created
this universal interest in the cause, but it was the
constitutional jealousy resulting from a violation
of all the rules established for the security of life,
property, and honour, by the wisdom of our
ancestors.
We must refer our readers to the trial itself,
for an exposition of the dilemma into which the
prosecutors of her majesty were thrown, by their
anomalous mode of proceeding, and which will
be handed down to posterity as one of the
brightest instances of legislative ingenuity.
At half past ten, on the morning of the 26th,
her majesty, attended by Lady Hamilton, in her
travelling chariot and four, entered St. James's-
566 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
square, and the whole place instantly rang with
acclamation. The Hon. Keppel Craven handed
her majesty from the carriage, and as she passed
into the house, the crowd, especially those im-
mediately around the door (for the most part fe-
males), poured forth a world of boisterous bene-
dictions upon her head. Her majesty ascended
to the drawing-room, and the shouts and accla-
mations continuing, she shortly after appeared at
the centre window, and bowed repeatedly to the
multitude.
At eleven, the state carriage, thrown open, was
brought to the door, and her majesty descended
to it from the drawing-room, supported by the
Hon. Mr. Craven and Mr. Alderman Wood. Her
majesty wore a gown of black Chinese spotted
crape, over a black satin slip, with a white satin,
hat, and superb ostrich plume. The crowd again
received her with loud cheers, and her majesty
bowed and smiled with great affability. Her
majesty and Lady Hamilton having taken their
seats, the carnage moved forward ; her majesty
protecting herself from the rays of the sun with
an ivory handled parasol of purple silk, richly
fringed with white.
The carriage with the chamberlains followed,
and as the procession passed through the street,
it was, as usual, greeted by the great bulk of the
assembled crowds with every demonstration of
sympathy and attachment, in many cases with the
most devoted enthusiasm.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 567
The sentinels posted in the way, and the mili-
tary at the barriers presented arms, till she
reached the door of the House of Lords ; and
as she was handed from her carriage by Sir
Thomas Tyrwhitt, the fifes, drums, and trumpets
greeted her with a royal salute.
Her majesty immediately inquired what wit-
ness was being examined, and having been in-
formed that it was the German chambermaid,
she withdrew to her retiring room.
Her majesty remained until half-past twelve
in this room, attended by her chamberlains and
Lady Anrie Hamilton. She did not enter the
House, and having been informed that their lord-
ships were about to adjourn, she returned home.
From the suddenness of her departure the crowd
was not so great as usual, but a vast concourse
of persons assembled in St. James's-square in
the course of the afternoon, in expectation of
witnessing her departure for the night to her
villa. This took place at half-past five, and her
majesty drove off amidst the loud cheers of
crowds assembled.
In the course of the evening, several respect-
able gentlemen, who had arrived in town from
Gloucester, had a long conference with the
Queen's legal advisers and Mr. Alderman Wood,
at her majesty's residence in St. James's-square ;
at the close of which, Mr. Alderman Wood went
to Brandenburg-house. He returned to St.
James's-square on the following morning, where
568 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
he was again met by Mr. Brougham, Mr. Den-
man, &c. and the gentlemen abovementioned,
and the whole party went down to Brandenburg-
house together.
On Sunday, the 28th, the whole of the queen's
household attended divine service, which was
performed at Brandenburg-house, before her
majesty, by the Rev. Mr. Fellowes.
On the subject of her majesty's strict attention
to her devotional exercises, we have been fa-
voured with the following communication from a
most respectable clergyman, who performed the
divine service in her majesty's household since
her return to England.
" At a time when the press teems with observations on the
conduct of the queen, it is remarkable, that not one has at-
tempted to pourtray her majesty's most amiable and strikingly
serious and devout deportment in religious worship. Few have
been so far privileged as to be present on the occasion. It,
however, has fallen to the lot of the writer, to have had the
very high honour of officiating before her majesty, on the third
Sunday after her arrival in England ; and he conceives it a
paramount duty to offer to the public his unsolicited testimony
of the queen's most exemplary and devout deportment during
the whole of our church service ; and he wishes to do so at this
particular time, because, from the proximity of the proceedings
in the House of Lords, the unsolicited testimony of a minister of
the Church of England in her majesty's favour, will doubtless
have its weight with that noble house, and with every well-
regulated mind throughout the empire. He, therefore, does not
hesitate to say, that a stricter attention to divine worship could
not be evinced by any person, high or low, than was manifested
by our most excellent queen, throughout the entire performance.
All the responses, as well as the alternate verses in the Psalms,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 569
were delivered by her majesty with the utmost pathos and pro-
priety. It was impossible not to catch a feeling of devotion from
the illustrious personage. On every occasion when our venera-
ble rubric directed kneeling, the queen, conscious of the more
immediate presence of the Deity, invariably fell low on her
knees on the floor, not seeking and not having any prop to lean
on, but most diligently intent on the awful and solemn exercise
in A\hich her whole heart appeared to be engaged ; nor, after
the conclusion, did her majesty rise, until she had offered up a
pecret prayer to the Most High for acceptance in his sight. If,
then, a nation is highly favoured, where the great and the illus-
trious are examples of piety and virtue, Britain is truly blest in
its present queen. And, as to judge of a tree by its fruit is the
only certain method of forming a right judgement, so it will be
admitted, that a behaviour so strikingly exemplary, cannot but
emanate from a heart which is the seat of purity and innocence,
honour and religion."
On Sunday, at two o'clock, C. F. Palmer and
J. B. Monck, Esqrs., the members for the borough
of Reading, attended at Brandenburg-house,
and presented to her majesty the queen an ad-
dress signed by upwards of two thousand inha-
bitants; to which address her majesty returned
the following answer :
The patriotic inhabitants of the ancient borough of Reading
have given me a strong proof of their attachment in this affec-
tionate address.
All institutions which are made for such a mutable being as
man ought to vary witk his character and habits, and should
adapt themselves to his progressive improvement in political
knowledge, and in knowledge of other kinds. Those truths
which were formerly confined to a few, are now open to the
perception of the many. Political knowledge is in a great mea-
sure generalized. Clear ideas are now substituted for the vague
phrases of past times. The captive has burst his intellectual
4 E
570 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
chains. The mind is relieved from its long thraldom to feudal
prejudices, and a spirit has arisen which will not endure servi-
tude under any of its imposing forms.
As government cannot stop the march of intellect any more
than they can arrest the motion of the tides, or the course of
the planets, it behoves them to yield in time to that force of
opinion which must he finally irresistible ; and to crnduct it, ere
it be too late, to those results which, without endangering the
public tranquility, are in unison with the light of the age, and
conducive to the best interests of civilized man.
My adversaries have all along treated me as if I were insen-
sible to the value of character ; for why else should they have
invited me to bring it to market, and let it be estimated by
gojd ? But infamy is not with me an affair of arithmetical cal-
culation. A good name is better than riches ; for I do not
dread poverty, but I loathe turpitude, and I think death prefer-
able to shame.
The crowds in St. James's-square, at a very
early hour, on the morning of the 28th, were im-
mense ; and at ten o'clock it was almost impos-
sible to walk along Pall-mall, Cockspur-street,
&c., in the direction of Charing-cross; so thronged
were the flag-ways with persons of both sexes,
and of the most respectable appearance, moving
towards St. James's-square. All the other ave-
nues leading to her majesty's residence had a
similar appearance, but not in the same degree.
In St. James's-square, the steps up to all the hall
doors were filled with ladies, and a line of
wagons, furniture-carts, &c., in some parts two,
in others three deep, was drawn up before Lady
Francis's house, and crammed with well-dressed
females The street leading from Charing*cros»
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 571
down to Westminster, was also choked up with
people, particularly that part of it next the bar-
rier; but for the whole way, the steps, railings,
walls, &c., were hung with persons, anxiously
expecting to catch a sight of their queen as she
passed along. Her majesty, however, did not
arrive in town till half-past twelve o'clock, as
she naturally expected that the greater part of
this day would be spent in debating, and her
attendance therefore unnecessary at the House
of Lords.
Her majesty returned from the House of
Lords about four o'clock, amidst the cheers of an
immense multitude ; she then took a hasty din-
ner with Lady Anne Hamilton, and prepared to
receive the Cripplegate address, which was' to be
presented at five o'clock. Meanwhile the crowd
augmented to a degree never before witnessed.
Even so early as two o'clock, every part of St.
James's-square was filled with persons of the
most respectable appearance. A double, in some
places a triple, row of wagons, the greater num-
ber of them covered with matting, and filled
with elegantly-dressed females, were drawn up
round three sides of the square. The windows
of almost all the houses were studded with ladies.
Between four and five o'clock, a long line of pri-
vate carriages drove in succession past her ma-
jesty's residence ; the ladies and gentlemen who
were in them waving their handkerchiefs, and
the coachmen and footmen their hats. The scene
4i2
572 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
which the square at this moment presented, can-
not be described — it was a perfect swarm of peo-
ple, exhibiting the strongest enthusiasm : hats
and handkerchiefs waving over the surface of the
crowd; and when her majesty condescended to
appear to this multitude of her loyal and affec-
tionate subjects, shouts and huzzas filled, the
vault of heaven, while the females, with charac-
teristic delicacy, lisped in under accents, " God
bless the Queen!" — " May your majesty tri-
umph!"— " May innocence prevail I'1
About half-past five o'clock, the deputation
from the ward of Cripplegate, which consisted of
twenty-eight landaus, almost all of them with
four horses, entered St. James's-square. This
deputation had proceeded along the Strand,
Cockspur-street, Pall-mall, &c., and was every-
where received by the multitudes, which at that
hour rilled the streets, with looks and expressions
of the liveliest sympathy.' There were about 160
gentleman of the first respectability in Cripple-
gate in this deputation. They were all dressed
in blackj with white favours on their breasts. Mr.
Under-sheriff Pullen, and three other commoi
council men of the ward, in their gowns, were
among the number. Mr. Stevens, the seconder
of the address, had the honour of reading an<
presenting it to her majesty, who received il
with that gracious condescension which at all
times distinguished her, and returned the follow-
ing answer :
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 573
The citizens of London have never deserted their post when
tyranny attacked the rights of individuals, or threatened the con-
stitutional liberties of the nation. In this critical period, when
both individual right and general liberty are vitally assailed in
the person of the Queen, I have found in the citizens of London
my most intrepid supporters and my most zealous friends ; and
among the foremost of those supporters and friends, the grateful
feelings of my heart tell me that I ought ever to number the
householders and inhabitants of the Ward of Cripplegate-
without.
Unlimited power ought to be given to no man, unless it
could at the same time be united with unlimited wisdom ; but as
Providence does not usually bestow a much larger portion of
wisdom or of virtue upon kings, than upon other individuals, it
Is necessary that their power should be circumscribed within
strict limitations, in order to render it beneficial to mankind.
The power of the laws is good, because it is power without
passion ; but who would approve discretionary power, in an in-
dividual who is the slave of his appetites, or remarkable only for
his fatuity ? Where power is limited by fixed laws for the com-
mon good, those laws which may be called fundamental, cannot
be changed without the consent of the people, for whose good
they were established. A limited monarchy, with fundamental
laws which may be capriciously changed, is, in fact, an arbi-
trary government. It is not the government of unimpassioned
law, but of fickle inclination.
The Bill of Pains and Penalties, which is pending against
me, is an anomaly in a free government. It is an assumption
of power without limitations ; it is a domination that spurns all
control : it begins with setting aside every existing law which
has any reference to the protection of the individual against
those Pains and Penalties which the bill purposes to inflict.
If, therefore, such a Bill of Pains and Penalties should pass,
it may, perhaps, hereafter be proposed to the people of England
to consider how far it ought to be obeyed. It can have no claim
to obedience, as an act emanating from legitimate authority ;
for no authority is any further legitimate, than as it is exer-
574 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
cised within those fixed constitutional limitations, by which it
was originally circumscribed, and for the good of the people,
for whose good alone it was bestowed. In a limited monarchy
all power must be a trust ; but the very nature of a trust sup-
poses an accountableness to some higher authority, for otherwise
a trust might be changed at the pleasure of the trustee.
If it be said that the enactment of a Bill of Pains and Penal-
ties is only the exercise of a constitutional power, I answer,
that no unconstitutional power can be constitutionally exercised.
How can a breach of the law be conformity to law ?
Though, therefore, this Bill of Pains and Penalties should be
solemnly enacted, it may not be the less an unconstitutional
act. Perhaps it will be said, " What then, cannot Kings,
Lords, and Commons, do as they please?" I answer, No.
Their power is only a trust, limited by law ; and what is a trust
never can suppose unrestrained volition or arbitrary agency.
If the power of Kings, Lords, and Commons, is limited by
the fundamental laws of the realm, their acts are not binding
when they exceed those limitations. If it be asked, " What
then, are Kings, Lords, and Commons amenable to any higher
authority ?" — I distinctly answer, Yes. " To what higher au-
thority ?"— To that of God and of the people.
The deputation had then the honour of kissing
her majesty's hand, after which they retired to
the hall to wait for their carriages. Her majesty's
carnage at this time drove up to the door, and a
line was immediately formed through the gentle-
men in the hall and the crowd at the door for her
majesty to pass, who was pleased to apologise for
the interruption. On entering her carriage the
exulting cheers of the crowd resounded through
the whole square and neighbourhood, and conti-
nued while it was in sight. The multitude then
began to disperse, and had entirely disappeared
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 575
about the time that her majesty reached Bran-
denburg-house.
The popularity of her majesty appeared to
increase daily. St. James's-square was again
filled on the 29th, at an early hour, with a vast
multitude of respectable people; some thousands
of whom kept their standing the whole day with
infinite patience. Of these the ladies were in
the proportion of at least three to one, and
among them were many of the Society of
Friends.
Her majesty arrived from her Villa at a quarter
past twelve ; and was received Avith the usual
fervent acclamations of the vast concourse as-
sembled. Upon finding that Mr. Wood was not
returned from the House, she instantly despatched
one of her suite to inquire the state of the pro-
ceedings. At two o'clock Mr. Wood returned,
having left the messenger still waiting at the
House for the close of the debate. In about
half an hour the messenger returned, bringing
the result of the debate, and the division which
had taken place upon it. The state carriage was
immediately ordered to the door, and in a few
minutes her majesty set forward for the House
in the usual state, amidst the most enthusiastic
cheering of the male part of the crowd, and the
ardent benedictions of the softer sex, whilst hats
and handkerchiefs were waving every where in
glorious confusion. The same scene of popular
attachment was displayed all the way to the bar-
576 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
riers, which her majesty entered soon after three
o'clock.
She did not remain more than an hour in her
retiring-room, and returned to St. James's-square,
her return being marked with every demonstra-
tion of undiminished regard. St. James's-square
was, if possible, more crowded than in the fore-
noon.
As her majesty alighted from her carriage, a
poor, but clean-looking woman, apparently be-
tween seventy and eighty years old, pressed
through the officers and attempted to put a
neatly-folded paper into her hand. The Queen,
however, put it back gently, and then passed
hastily into the house. After the lapse of a few
seconds, and whilst the door was still open, the
poor woman, at the sugo-pstion of a bystander,
followed her majesty into the hall ; but the Queen
had ascended to the drawing-room, and the
woman was obliged to content herself with leav
ing her paper in the hands of Mr. Hieronymus.
Her majesty set out for Brandenburg-house
about half-past six o'clock, at which time there
could not be fewer than ten thousand persons
present.
Her majesty, at tne suggestion 01 counsel,
came to town at an early hour on the 30th, and,
after delaying a few minutes in St. James's-
square, proceeded to the House of Lords, where
she arrived exactly at eleven o'clock. The mul-
titude who attended her were not so great as
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 577
the day before, but their love and dutiful devo-
tion were expressed with equal ardour.
Her majesty's return from the House of Lords,
was one of the most inspiring sights ever, per-
haps, witnessed. From Charing-cross to New
Palace-yard was one continuous mass of people,
through which the Queen's carriage moved with
the utmost difficulty — the crowd, in succession,
as her majesty proceeded, waved their hats and
handkerchiefs ; and the ladies, who filled the
windows and balconies, exhibited every demon-
stration of respect and affection, which their
ardent feelings could suggest. Her majesty's
carriage was opened as a landau, which allowed
the Queen, with her habitually graceful conde-
scension, to acknowledge the pleasure which she
received from the homage of her devoted sub-
jects.— After she had remained some time at
St. James's-square, her majesty proceeded to
Brandenburg-house, and retired to rest at an
early hour.
Her majesty up to this date, had been very
strenuous in her applications to government to
provide a town residence for her, suitable to her
rank and dignity, and it was intimated to her on
the part of government, that the house of the
Duke of Cambridge in South Audley-street should
be provided for her reception ; but it was after-
wards stated that some difficulties had arisen to
prevent the accomplishment of the business. Her
majesty was, however, convinced that these dif-.
578 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINA,
ficulties were not of an insuperable nature, on
the contrary, that they rather existed in imagi-
nation than in reality, and she therefore wrote a
letter to Colonel Stevenson, requesting a peremp-
tory answer, and stating her anxiety to get pos-
session of that house to be, that the price fixed
upon by the Duke of Cambridge, before he left
England, were many thousands less than the
price of the house of Lord Carnarvon in Gros-
venor-square, which was in contemplation for her
majesty. The sequel will shew that no real in-
tention existed in the minds of ministers to pro-
vide a town residence for her majesty, and that
the whole of the affair was merely another in-
stance of that temporising spirit, which dis-
tinguished all their actions which had any re-
ference to the comfort or the establishment of
the Queen.
Addresses were at this time presented to her
majesty from Ludlow, Liverpool, Worcester, and
Bridport, and from the ladies of Bath ; to the
latter her majesty gave the following answer: —
The female inhabitants of the City of Bath will accept my
warmest acknowledgments for an Address, which has deeply in-
terested my sensibility. Tenderness and delicacy are the most
admired characteristics of our sex ; and they are the most de-
serving of admiration. The female inhabitants of the City ot
Bath appear to be eminently distinguished by their truly femi-
nine captivations. The language of their Address breathes a
spirit of gentle unaffected piety, which is perfectly in uuisoc
•yith the state of my own feelings ; and is always refreshing to
my heart. I regard this kind ©f piety as a great addition to the
QUEEN COXSORT OK EN-GLAND. 579
amiable properties of our sex ; and, indeed, without it, all other
excellence is only superficies without substance ; a shewy exte-
rior without the lovely reality of worth. As far as the influence
of a Queen Consort can reach, my own sex shall have no occa-
sion to reproach me. with neglecting the culture or the en-
couragement of that unostentatious piety, which shews itself in
humble resignation to the will of the All-wise, in every variety
of circumstances ; in a diffusive benevolence to all within the
circle of its agency ; and in that comprehensive charity, which,
without any narrow or exclusive attachment to sect or party,
embraces the good of all ; and makes that good the highest
ambition of the mind, and the most constant aspiration of the
soul.
In the mean time, the interest excited by the
proceedings in the House of Lords continued
undiminished, the same enthusiasm. in favor of
her majesty prevailed every where ; and, not-
withstanding the supposed overwhelming testi-
mony which had been adduced to her prejudice,
a perfect confidence was entertained of her ulti-
mate triumph.
On Friday, the 1st of September, her majesty
received despatches from Milan of the most
pleasing description. They related to the pro-
gress of her majesty's agents in obtaining evi-
dence to refute that which had been brought
forward on the part of the crown, during which,
discoveries of an extraordinary nature were
made, regarding the means which had been em-
ployed by the emissaries of her enemies, in ob-
taining and bribing witnesses to appear against
her majesty. Every engine which money or in-
4r2
580 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
fluence could discover, was found to be set in
motion amongst those individuals who had for-
merly constituted a part of her majesty's estab-
lishment, in order to induce them to come for-
ward and swear to facts which were to be
brought forward as proofs of the guilt of her ma-
jesty. Bribery * and subornation were at their
height, and her majesty, the Queen of England,
was destined to be crushed beneath a weight of
falsehood and of perjury.
Her majesty remained the whole of Sunday
the 3d, at Brandenburg-house. The Rev. Mr.
Fellowes had the honor of performing divine
service before her, at which the entire of the
household attended.
The tide of popular feeling in favor of her ma-
jesty now rushed forward with accelerated force.
The venom and the slander, the filth and the ob-
scenity, which it was hoped by certain lovers of
morality, would have checked the mighty current,
were dashed aside, leaving the stream to pursue
its course unimpeded and unpolluted. Addresses
poured in fast to her majesty from the moment
she last set her foot on our shores ; but now,
when the Mqjocchis and the Demonts were un-
veiled, when their motives were known, and their
characters exposed, those memorials of affection
and respect were redoubled. Immediately after
the day was ascertained when her majesty would
be at leisure to receive the address of the mar-
ried ladies and th inhabitant householders of
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 581
Mary-le-bone, preparations were made to give
the best and handsomest effect to the cavalcade
in its progress to Brandenburg-house. It was
decided that the different equipages should as-
semble in Welbeck-street, and in its neighbour-
hood, between ten and eleven o'clock. Several
of those gentlemen who took an active part at
the public meeting in which the Address was
voted, appeared at an earlier hour : amongst these
were Sir G. Noel, Mr. P. Moore, Lord W. Fitz-
gerald, Mr. Hume, and Mr. Whitbread. As ten
o'clock approached, a great number of barouches
and four, and a few carriages and pairs, took their
stations in the order of procession : and at eleven
o'clock, the hour appointed for proceeding to-
wards Brandenburg-house, one hundred and
thirty-five equipages were arranged in line. At
one o'clock, the procession reached Hammer-
smith, and was received with a loud and lively
peal of the church-bells. The first forty car-
riages obtained easy admittance at the great
gate, opening into the grounds which surround
the house ; but, as they nearly filled the line of
road, a long delay took place before any of the
others could be admitted. At about four o'clock,
the whole of the ladies and gentlemen who were
immediately connected with the presentation of
the Address, were set down at her majesty's
residence.
At this time the scene was highly picturesque
and pleasing. A number of elegantly-dressed
582 MEMOi&S OF CAROLINE,
females appeared at the different windows of the
house, but their costume was scarcely more taste-
ful or more elegant than that which was displayed
by those who paraded the grounds that are in
front of the mansion. On such a scene the heart
reposes with pleasure. Every thing appeared to
be in unison with the occasion. The day was
beautiful — the sun shone brightly — every eye was
lighted up with gladness ; and the eye, doubt-
less, spoke the feelings of the heart. The fe-
males, many of whom were eminently beautiful,
were dressed in a style that would not have dis-
graced a drawing-room. We speak of the younger
females. The matrons (and many of them were
present) appeared in a costume suited to their
more advanced age. The ladies, almost uniformly,
were attired in white, with white ornaments in
their hair or on their caps. The gentlemen, who
were, with very few exceptions, in full (not court)
dress, wore white favors in their breasts and hats.
The appearance of the entire procession was in
the highest degree respectable. Soon after four
o'clock the address of the ladies was presented
to her majesty by Mrs. Haydon, of Welbeck-
street.
The following was her majesty's answer, and
it drew tears from many of the ladies who were
present.
I feel a cordial satisfaction in accepting the unfeignedly
affectionate Address from the married females resident in the
parish of St. Mary-le-bone.
QUEEN CONSORT OF I NGLAND. 583
Many of the most estimable characteristics of our sex. borrow
no small degree of lustre from adversity.— It is then that tnose
gentle virtues are most conspicuous, by which we are most
adorned : and when even loveliness itself is increased by
uncomplaining patience and humble resignation.
In us, it is true heroism to be meek in sorrow and not que-
rulous in suffering.
If the spirits of those who are no more with us be at all con-
scious of what is passing in the scene they have left, I trust
that the spirit of my beloved daughter will contemplate with
complacency the serenity I have endeavoured to acquire, and
the fortitude I have endeavoured to exercise, in trials of which
it is difficult to appreciate the severity ; and indeed to which
few females have ever been exposed.
My departure for the Continent in 1814 was, at that moment,
like an exile from all that I held dear. I left a child who was
my mind's best hope, and my heart's best stay, expecting here-
after to see her in happier days ; but alas ! I was to see her no
more ! When we parted, we parted never to meet again.
I was hardly married before my circumstances became more
desolate than those of widowhood, and I seemed to have become
a mother only to be tortured by the privation of that intercourse
with my child, which was hardly ever denied to any mother
but myself. Thus the pre-eminence of my station became
only a pre-eminence in misery.
If I have had any enjoyment in the changes and chances of
my chequered life, it h'as been principally produced by the
habits of beneficence which I have had an opportunity of culti-
vating. I claim no praise for this, for I found the practice to
be agreeable to my nature ; and if I had reflected on the sub-
ject, my resolution would only have derived additional support
from the balance of pleasure, and the calculations of interest.
Here I request you to unite with me in admiring that wise con-
stitution of the moral world, which makes the most exquisite
satisfaction, and the most permanent happiness to arise out of
the addition which we make to the gratification of others, and
i to the general stock of human felicity.
-
584 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Sir Gerard Noel then presented the Address
from the male inhabitants of Mary-le-bone.
The termination of each answer, which was
known by the motions of some gentlemen who
were near the window, was marked by the ap-
plauses of the crowd without.
Exactly at five o'clock the ceremony ended,
and the Queen appeared at the centre window
amidst acclamations of pleasure. Her majesty
never looked better. She wore a species of
tiara turban, suspended from the top of which,
and falling on her shoulders, was a large white
veil, partially concealing the upper part of her
gown, which was of black sarcenet. She bowed
repeatedly to the people, and retired with a
smile of satisfaction on her countenance.
The road to town, on the return of the proces-
sion, was no less crowded than it had been in the
morning. The huzzas and ejaculations in favor
of the Queen, and the execrations directed against
her persecutors were heard, without intermission,
from Hammersmith to Hyde-park-corner, as the
coaches filled with those who witnessed this exhi-
lirating ceremony returned to town.
At half-past twelve o'clock, the Queen received
the Camberweli Address, which was read by a
clergyman in full canonicals. The procession
bearing this mark of respect consisted of about
wenty carriages.
The Address from Kimpton (Hampshire) was
also received.
QUEEN CONSORT OV ENGLAND. 585
On Thursday the 7th of September, the Attor-
ney-general having finished the examination of
the witnesses in support of the Bill of Pains and
Penalties, summed up his evidence to the House.
It was his intention to have called more witnesses,
but on their arrival at Calais, on being informed
of the treatment which their countrymen had
met with at Dover, they one and all turned their
backs upon the shores of England, and hastened
with all possible speed to their native country, a
soil much more fitted for such wretches than the
noble and generous land of Britons.
The Solicitor-general proceeded to recapitu-
late the leading circumstances detailed by the
witnesses for the crown, intermixing his state-
ments with comments, tending to shew, that
though no distinct act of adultery, was sworn to,
the facts proved by the concurrent testimony of
several witnesses led directly, in the mind of any
reasonable man, to the conclusion that adultery
had been committed. With regard to the evi-
dence of Maj ocelli, the learned gentleman ob-
served, that in spite of the much-handled joke of
Non mi Ricordo, it appeared to him that during a
cross-examination of seven hours, extending over
a period of three years, and going through a
variety of complicated facts, in no one instance
had that witness been betrayed into inconsistency.
Mademoiselle Dernont did not certainly corrobo-
rate the statements of Majocchi, but she deposed
to similar circumstances occurring within the
586 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
same period. The learned gentleman maintained,
that there was nothing whatever to impeach the
testimony of Miss Demont, but her letters ; and
that the praises of the Princess in those letters
might be accounted for by the fact of the wit-
ness's knowledge that the letters would fall into
the hands of her Royal Highness, and from her
great attachment to her sister. Their lordships
might see, as men of the world, in what particular
view Miss Demont wrote those letters. The So-
licitor-general concluded his speech, by declaring
his devout wish, that her majesty might be able
to prove her pure and unsullied innocence, but
still maintaining that the preamble of the bill was
proved, unless the proof should be impeached by
evidence, clear, distinct, and satisfactory, on the
part of her majesty.
We shall not tire the patience of our readers
with many comments on the summary of the
Attorney-general. We shall merely content our-
selves with observing that it was quite suitable to
the occasion — miserably wordly and pitiable —
dull, question-begging, self-sufficient, and insuffi-
cient for every other purpose.
Mr. Brougham was then about to enter upon
the Defence of her majesty, but the Lords confined
him to the alternative of either doing all at once,
or nothing — either of following up his defence
with the evidence in her favour immediately,
(which he could not do, as the witnesses were not
all at hand) or of not saying any thing till he could
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 587
commence without stopping. Of the two hard-
ships he preferred the latter.
The learned gentleman apprized the House,
that he should be ready to commence his case for
the defence in three weeks, and desired an ad-
journment of the proceedings for that length of
time. This application was made in the hope of
ojj^tating, as much as possible, the evil conse-
-'<luences to the Queen which might be expected
to arise from the case for the prosecution, dwell
ing upon the public mind for a considerable timer
without answer or comment ; but it was difficult
to believe that her majesty could be fully pre-
pared within three weeks for undertaking her
defence with the same effect as she might hope
for, had a longer time been taken by the counsel ;
but she was placed in the sad alternative of either
prematurely undertaking her defence without suf-
ficient means, or of submitting to the dreadful
evil of suffering the public mind to receive an im-
pression injurious to her fame, which a future
triumph in the House of Lords might not be able
effectually to remove.
At the desire of Mr. Brougham, the House ad-
journed until Tuesday, the 3d of October.
Whilst these proceedings were going on in
Parliament, her majesty made her intended ex-
cursion by water to Greenwich, Woolwich, $rc.
At an early hour in the morning the new and
splendid state barge, built by Searle and God-
frey, of Stangate, was taken up the River and
4 G 2
588 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
moored off the grounds of Brandenburg-house.
Mr. Searle, dressed in scarlet, with cocked hat,
<J-c. acting as cockswain; the barge decorated
with a profusion of union jacks, broad pendants,
and streamers, and having a crew of twenty men,
all wearing scarlet uniforms, and state caps of
black velvet.
At twelve o'clock her majesty embarked under
a salute from a number of guns on the Hammer- g|
smith shore, and at the same time the royal
standard was hoisted at the bow of the vessel.
Her majesty was attended by Mr. Alderman
Wood, the Honourable Mr. Keppel Graven, seve-
ral foreigners of distinction, and two ladies of her
suite. She wore a large plain Leghorn bonnet,
with a dress of garter blue, and a rich dark scarf.
In consequence of the tide not serving, the
Richmond steam-yacht had been engaged to tow
the royal barge, and she went down the river in
grand style, amidst the firing of cannon, the ring-
ing of bells, and the shouts of the populace as-
sembled on either shore ; whilst a number of plea-
sure boats, filled with well dressed company,
surrounded her on all sides. Chairs had been
provided for the accommodation of the Queen
and her suite, and her majesty remained seated
with her ladies on the deck, or " house," of the
vessel, throughout the whole trip, the gentlemen
standing, and occasionally pointing out to her
majesty such objects as were worthy, her obser-
vation.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 589
As they approached the metropolis, the throng
of pleasure-boats continually increased, till the
surface of the water was almost covered with
them. Immediately opposite the new erections
in Cotton- Garden a tremendous shout was raised,
mingled with loud cries of " Non mi ricordo," 8$c.
the large guns on the opposite shores at Stangate
at the same moment firing a noble salute. The
bridges, the stairs, and the wharfs, were every
where covered with people, who cheered her
majesty as she passed.
Immediately below the Southwark bridge the
towing line was cast off from the steam-yacht,
and the crew of the royal barge taking to their
oars, proceeded without her assistance. The
scene below London-bridge was very animated,
all the vessels in the Pool displaying their co-
lours, many of them saluting with their guns, and
the crews of all of them loudly cheering, whilst
their shouts were re-echoed by the multitude
which every where crowded the shore.
In this state her majesty passed down the
river as low as Woolwich, and then, without land-
ing, the vessel was put about and returned to
Greenwich, where the state carriage and others
were waiting to convey her majesty and suite to
Brandenburg-house. The Queen went ashore at
the Hospital-stairs, and crossed the grand square
to her carriage, amidst the cheers of a vast con-
course of people.
On Friday, the 8th, her majesty came to town,
590 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
and proceeded to the House of Lords, to hold a
conference with her legal advisers. She after-
wards returned to Brandenburg-house to receive
a number of addresses. Among them was the
Whitechapel address, presented by the church-
wardens, attended by the parish-officers, &c. ;
the address from the ward of Aldersgate, pre-
sented by Mr. Alderman Cox ; the Derby, by Sir
Robert Wilson and Mr. Hobhouse ; the address
from the females of Sheffield, with 10,000 signa-
tures, by Lord Duncannon ; the address from 300
of the Leicester Militia, by Mr. Alderman Wood;
and one from the females of Halifax, also by Mr.
Alderman Wood. The address from the mate
inhabitants was forwarded to Sir Francis Burdett.
The Leicester Militia address would have had
many more than 300 signatures, had not the
greater number of the men been engaged, it is said
in harvest- work, in different parts of the county.
On Sunday, the 10th, a great number of per-
sons waited upon her majesty, and had the ho-
nour of being introduced. At three o'clock her
majesty sat down to dinner with a select company
of friends. In the evening she sat upon the lawn.
A vast number of most respectable persons came
up the river in boats, and lay on their oars op-
posite to Brandenburg-house, eager to catch even
a distant sight of the Queen.
Her majesty was engaged almost the whole of
Tuesday and Wednesday receiving addresses;
one of the most conspicuous of which was from
QUEElf CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 591
the captains, mates, and seamen, of the British
merchant service, whose vessels were then lyipg
in the river. The procession was the most in-
teresting, and, in a political point of view, the
most important that was witnessed. The pro-
cession arrived in the Strand about one o'clock,
from the city. It was headed by a gentleman on
a white horse, holding in his hand a blue flag,
fringed with white, inscribed with " The Sea-
mens' Address.*' Then followed the seamen,
walking four abreast, all decently dressed, and
wearing white favours. They amounted to about
5,000, and, with their friends who accompanied
them, formed a line that filled the street from
Temple-bar to the Adelphi. There were three
other similar flags, each carried by a seaman, in
the procession. The first was inscribed, " Heaven
protect the Innocent/' — the second— " God save
the Queen," — and the third — " Non mi ricordo."
Several naval flags were also carried in the pro-
cession. In the midst of it was a small cart, with
two men seated in it, sustaining a pole, on the top
of which was the figure of a sailor, with a roll in
one hand and a hat in the other, in the act of
cheering. The procession was closed by a con-
siderable number of hackney coaches, full of
company, male and female. The windows in the
line of the procession were filled with spectators ;
the ladies waved their handkerchiefs, and the
sailors occasionally cheered in return. They con-
ducted themselves in the most orderly manner.
592 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
To this address her majesty returned the fol-
lowing answer :
" A British seaman is another name for downright sincerity
and plain-spoken truth. A British seaman always says what
he thinks, and is what he seems, A British seaman never de-
serts his flag, and never abandons his companion in distress.
A British seaman is generous to his enemy, but he is never faith-
less to his friend. His heart is not fickle and inconstant, like
the element on which he moves, or the wind which fills the
sails of his ship. The word of a British seaman is as sure as
his bond. His veracity is incorruptible. In the late examination
before the House of Lords, let the evidence of the two British
naval officers who were brought forward by my accusers, be
compared with the misrepresentations, ambiguities, and equi-
vocating perjuries of the other witnesses, and the honest
character of a British sailor will be truly resplendent in the
contrast with that mass of infamy. A British sailor is gene-
rous to excess, and brave even to a fault. There is no extre-
mity of distress in which he will not share his last shilling with
his friend, and often even with his foe ; nor are there any cir-
cumstances in which he will not prefer death to disgrace ; and
every evil under the sun to cowardice. When I had long been
convinced that these are the ordinary characteristics of British
seamen, it may be easily conceived that I was in the highest
degree gratified by an address so loyal and so warm-hearted. •
from such a respectable assemblage of British seamen in the
county of Middlesex. I am not surprised that British seamen, v
who are as compassionate as they are brave, should feel for my
sufferings, and should be indignant at my wrongs. The
wrongs and sufferings of a woman, and that woman a Queen,
must make a deep impression on their generous hearts. It is
only the base and the cowardly that can tamely acquiesce in
injustice and inhumanity ; and I am fully convinced, that in-
sulted greatness or depressed rank can no where find a surer
refuge or more steady protection than in the sailors and soldiers
of this country. As the Queen-Consort of England, my sphere
QUEEN CONSORT OF .ENGLAND.
593
df usefulness is small, and my means of benefitting the commu-
nity very circumscribed ; but as far as my power or my influ-
ence extends, all classes will ever find in me a sincere friend to
their liberties and a zealous advocate for their rights.
Some idea of the enthusiastic spirit which at
this time pervaded the country in the cause of her
majesty may be formed, by the numerous ad-
dresses which at this time flocked from all quar-
ters of the kingdom, and the presentation of
which absorbed a great portion of her majesty's
time. The following is a list of those which had
been presented up to the month of September,
and even at a time when, according to the testi-
mony of the Italian witnesses, her majesty had
been guilty of the most depraved and licentious
conduct.
Aldersgate.
Alston
Aylesbury
Barnard castle
Bath, (Ladies)
Bath
Bedford
Berwick upon Tweed
Bethnal Green
Bolton
SIGNED.
200
600
Mayor.
Mayor.
700
6,200
Boston . Chairman.
Bridport.
Bristol, (Ladies) . 11,050
British Seamen of Mid-
dlesex . . 5,000
Camberwell
Canterbury . Chairman.
SIGNED.
Carlfsle.
Castle Donnington . 320
Chippenham.
Clerkenwell . . 2,500
Cripplegate Without.
Dalkeith, (Deacon and
Members of Hammer
Men Society) . Deacon.
Derby . . . 4,300
Dover.
Exeter, (Ladies) . 9,000
Exeter . . 11,000
Greenwich Churchwardens
and Vestry Clerk.
Glocester, City . 1 >70O
Gospel Church, Port sea 1,000
Haddington.
H
594
MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
SIGNED.
Halifax, (Ladies) . 3,700
Halifax . . 3,600
Hammersmith.
Hereford, (young Men).
Hexam . . . 700
High Wycombe . . 400
Ilchester . High Bailiff.
Kimpton and Grateley . 90
Leeds, (Ladies) Chairman.
Leeds , . Chairman.
Leicester Militia, (Privates)
300
Lewes . . Constables.
Litchfield.
Liverpool . . 30,000
London, (Married Ladies)
8,500
London, (Mechanics of)
29,500
Lord Mayor and Common
Council . Lord Mayor.
Lord Mayor, Aldermen,
and Livery . Lord Mayor.
Ludlow . . . 660
Mary-le-bone, (Married
Ladies) . . 8,700
Mary-le-bone . 7,500
Morpeth . . . 264
Newbury . . Mayor.
SIGNED.
*Newcastle-upon-Tyne 3,800
Northampton, (Tradesmen
and Artificers of} . 1 ,600
North Shields . . 1,250
Norwicn . . Aldermen.
Nottingham, (Ladies) 7,800
Nottingham . . 7,100
Preston, (Borough of) 2,300
Poole . . . 800
Reading „ . 2,000
Rochester . . Chairman.
Ross.
Sandwich . . 480
Shaftsbury.
Sheffield, (Ladies) . 11,000
Sheffield . 4,600
St. Leonard's, Shoreditch
Churchwardens.
St. Sidwell.
St. Stephen-by-Launceston
400
Stockport . . 3,600
Sunderland.
Wakefield . „ 1,440
Westminster . High Bailiff.
Whitechapel, (Parish) 4,000
Worcester.
York . . Mayor.
Two messengers arrived at Brandenburg-house
from Italy on Friday morning, the 14th, with
despatches for her majesty. The object of these
persons' journey to this country was solely to
represent the difficulties which were felt by her
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 595
majesty's advocate, Mr. Henry, in sending for-
ward his witnesses, and to request an immediate
remittance of money. Several of the witnesses
who had arrived at Milan, were detained there
some days for the want of passports, and, in fact,
every obstacle appeared to be thrown in their
way. In consequence of this, a messenger was
despatched to Vienna, who took a letter to Lord
Stewart on the subject, and returned on Monday
se'nnight with an answer, enclosing Lord Castle-
reagh's letter to Lord Stewart, which it appeared
his lordship had laid before Prince Metternich,
who replied, that the Austrian government re-
quired a letter from her majesty or from Mr.
Brougham for each witness — a thing, of course,
impossible, unless her majesty or her attorney-
general, were present there. On a particular
day, Mr. Henry applied to get a passport for a
Venetian witness ; he was told that he must be
sent to Venice to get his passport, and it was not
until after remonstrating strongly^ against such
abominable shuffling, and a declaration that Mr.
•Henry would advise her majesty not to proceed
any further in her defence under such circum-
stances, that he obtained the passport.
From the 14th to the 20th, her majesty re-
mained almost in a state of seclusion. She did
not visit London, nor were any addresses pre-
sented to her. She did not, however, pass her
time unprofitably ; she devoted several hours
each day to the review of the case which had
4 H2
506 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
been brought against her by her accusers, and to
the writing down of such suggestions as might
assist her legal advisers in her defence. Her
majesty is stated to have been much shocked at
some of the charges detailed in the evidence,
and particularly as it was given by individuals
who were indebted to her for several acts of the
utmost kindness and generosity. She did not
hesitate to say, that she was fully prepared for a
great deal that would surprise her, but she could
not imagine that the ingenuity of the most de-
praved minds could have carried them to the
lengths to which some of the witnesses carried
their depositions. Her majesty's confidence, how-
ever, as to the perfect establishment of her inno-
cence in the minds of the great body of her sub-
jects remained unabated, and she looked forward
with cheerfulness to the moment when the pro-
ceedings in the House of Lords were to be
resumed.
Numerous witnesses in favour of her majesty,
among whom were the Marquis and Marchioness
Sangretta, were now flocking into the kingdom,
although it was feared that some of the persons
on whose attendance her majesty had calculated,
would, from the difficulties thrown in their way
on the Continent, be unable to reach this
country.
Her majesty having determined to present her
portrait to the corporation of the city of London,
Alderman Waithrnan, on Friday, the 23rd, pre-
'QUEEN CONSORT op ENGLAND. 597
sented the following letter to the court of com-
mon council :
To the Right Honorable the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and
Common Council-men of the City of London, in Common
Council assembled.
I am commanded by her majesty the Queen, to request
that the corporation of London will accept her majesty's por-
trait, as a testimony of her majesty's gratitude to the citizens
of London, and of her attachment to the corporation of the
first city in the world, for the sincere and zealous loyalty which
they have ever manifested in the cause of the Queen.
Sept. 20 M. WOOD.
The worthy alderman, after some observations
on the subject of this communication, moved, —
" That her majesty's most generous offer of her
portrait be gratefully acknowledged; and that
the thanks of this court be presented to her
majesty, for this mark of her condescension and
regard for the corporation and citizens of the city
of London/'
This motion was finally agreed to, and it was
ordered that the Lord Mayor should make the
communication to her majesty.
The consequences of her majesty's seclusion
for a short time, was to multiply the addresses
which remained to be presented; and Monday
the 29th being the day appointed by her to receive
those from various public meetings, the streets
displayed in the morning a very bustling appear-
ance. The deputations, attended by vast crowds,
proceeded towards Brandenburg-house, from their
598 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
respective committee-rooms. About twelve o'clock
the deputation from the ward of Farringdon passed
through the Strand. It was led by the beadles
of the parish on horseback, and consisted of about
sixty open landaus, each drawn by four horses.
This was soon followed by a still more magni-
ficent and numerous procession of the inhabitants
of Spitalfields. This party was preceded by the
gentlemen composing the deputation on horse-
back, two, and two, carrying white staves ; two
persons also on horseback supported a handsome
flag, and then succeeded a long line of landaus,
each carrying, as in the former procession, six
gentlemen wearing white favours. The postilions
in this procession were all distinguished by wear-
ing yellow silk jackets. A procession from the
parish of Shadwell exhibited a brilliant display of
ladies, elegantly dressed, wearing magnificent
plumes of feathers. A little after twelve o'clock
six different processions formed in order at Hyde-
park-corner, and composed at short intervals a
continuous line of carriages (the major part drawn
by four horses to each) extending over a distance
of two miles. At a very early hour all the ave-
nues to Brandenburg-house were besieged by
crowds of foot-passengers, hoping for admission
into the grounds. Major Cartwright and Mr.
Wcoler were the first arrivals, with an address
from a considerable number of persons in Man-
chester and Leeds. The Queen, on entering the
great saloon, or hall of audience, soon after, con-
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 599
versed for several minutes with the worthy
Major. The procession of the ward of Farring-
don, headed by Mr. Waithman in his alderman's
robes, then arrived. Mr. Waithman was accom-
panied by several members of the Common Coun-
cil of London, and a very considerable number of
his constituents. He delivered the address with
much animation and energy. The Queen's reply
was read by Mr. Alderman Wood. All who
joined in the procession had the honour of kissing
her majesty's hand. The third address was from
the inhabitants of Gloucester. The fourth and
fifth were from the wards of Cripplegate and
Aldgate; and the sixth, from the weavers of
Spitalfields. Her majesty, who did not appear to
be in perfect health, returned her respective
answers through Mr. Alderman Wood. The last
and most splendid part of the exhibition con-
sisted of a line of sixty or seventy barouches and
four, bearing the addresses of the parishes of
Paddington and St. Pancras, and headed by
Sir Gerard Noel and Mr. Peter Moore. The
cavalcade was decorated by the presence of many
women. Her majesty conversed familiarly with
several of them, and it was near six o'clock before
the entire ceremony was brought to a conclusion.
A very numerous meeting of the Journeymen
Printers of the metropolis took place on the same
night at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, to con-
sider the propriety of presenting an address to
600 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
the Queen, congratulating her majesty on her
return to this country, and condoling with her
under the persecutions to which she was exposed.
The mover of the address urged, in a neat speech,
that a body of men who were so intimately con-
nected with that powerful engine to which her
majesty had candidly owned she was principally
indebted for her protection from the malice of
her enemies — the British Press — were specially
called upon to shew, that in a case like this, they
were not merely instrumental to an object in
which they did not hand and heart concur. The
address was carried by acclamation. It was
then resolved, that the address should be printed
on satin, and carried up by a deputation, consist-
ing of as many of the trade as chose to join in
the procession. A deputation was then appointed
to wait on her majesty, to know when she would
be pleased to receive the address, and the meet-
ing, which was conducted throughout with great
order and propriety, broke up.
The House of Lords met, pursuant to the ad-
journment, at ten o'clock, on the 3d of October,
and the usual forms being gone through, the first
question which occupied the attention of their
lordships was the alleged obstructions to the
witnesses on the behalf of her majesty. Lord
Liverpool, with his accustomed candour, entered
into an explanation of the whole affair, and even-
tually succeeded in convincing the House that no
",.
(?,%»•
:
QUEEN CQNSORT OF ENGLAND, 601
obstruction had been given to her majesty's wit-
nesses, and that the powers of the Alien Bill
would not be applied to those individuals.
Mr. Brougham then commenced his speech,
for which we must refer our readers to the Trial
itself, and at one o'clock on Thursday the 5th,
the statement of counsel on the part of the Queen
was concluded.
Some conversation next arose respecting the
letters read in the House on a preceding day;
they were verified at the bar by Mr. Marietti,
junior, to whom they had been sent. Some con-
versation next arose upon statements made by
the Queen's counsel, that influence had been
used by individuals abroad, to prevent witnesses
in defence from coming over ; and also upon their
statement, that General Pino and the chamber-
lain of the Grand Duke of Baden, Baron Ende,
had refused to attend. The latter was restrained
solely by the command of his government. The
Earl of Liverpool expressed his readiness to send
off a messenger in two hours, in order to remove
any difficulties of this kind. Several witnesses
were then examined, and their evidence will be
found important *,
Monday the 9th was a great day for addresses
to the Queen. There were addresses from the fol-
lowing places and public bodies: — Shipwrights,
Metropolitan; Bristol, Male and Female; Mon-
* See the authorised edition of the Trial of Queen Caroline,
published by T. Kelly.
602
MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
mouth; St. Katharine's, Tower; St. James's,
Westminster; Jedburgh; Abergavenny ; New-
castle-under-Line ; Calne, Wilts ; Chipping, Sod-
bury.
The Shipwrights and Caulkers carried up to
Brandenburg-house specimens of the progress of
their art, from Noah's ark up to a first rate Eng-
lish ship of war. The procession with the address
from the Ladies and other Inhabitants of the Me-
tropolis was however the most splendid yet seen.
It mustered early in Great Queen-street and
Lincoln's-Inn-fields, forming a line of 106 car-
riages, and headed by Mr. Hobhouse, Sir G
Noel, Mr. P. Moore, and Mr. Hume, proceeded
into the Strand, and thence through Piccadilly,
where it was joined by the procession from St.
James's, composed of thirty-one post-coaches, and
headed by Sir R. Wilson. The Metropolitan
address was borne in an elegant landau, drawn
by six grey horses ; and Mr. Hobhouse stated to
the Queen, that according to the information of the
best informed persons, the signatures amounted
to more than 100,000. Her majesty was engaged
most of the day in receiving deputations with
addresses, the ladies and gentlemen composing
which, had the honour of kissing her hand. The
scene on the western road was of the most lively
description : the metropolis appeared to have
almost emptied itself to witness the processions.
Her majesty returned very spirited answers to
the addresses.
QUEEN CONSOKT OF ENGLAND. 603
On Tuesday, the lightermen and watermen
went up the river Thames with their Address to
the Queen, and the crowds which collected to
witness their progress were immense. All the
streets which led to the water-side were in a
state of bustle in the morning, and every bridge,
wharf, or other station open to the public,
whence a view of the procession could be ob-
tained, was crowded. The deputation to convey
the Address started from Southwark-Bridge at
ten o'clock in a very handsome barge, accom-
panied by three steam vessels, and an immense
number of boats. The scene was most splendid.
There could not be fewer than from five to six
thousand boats present ; the men in each were,
for the most part, clothed in blue or white jackets,
with blue sashes and white favors, and each boat
bore a flag. Bands of music were heard on va-
rious parts of the river, and from many places
along the shores, and the guns from the steam
boats were answered by salutes from the land.
The deputation were very graciously received,
and her majesty returned an answer to the Ad-
dress, from which we extract the following
passage : —
Justice is a simple thing, and requires no depth of learning
to be understood. Its common rules and its sacred principles
may be as clearly comprehended by shipwrights and artisans as
by the mitred bishop or the ermined judge. Who does not
know it to be a principle of justice that an accused person
should have a fair trial, and that it is hardly consistent with the
4i2
604 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE
reality of a fair trial that the same persons should unite the in-
congruous offices of accuser, judge, and jury — should lay the
charge, make the law, declare the offence, and punish the
offender ? The plainest understanding may readily compre-
hend that this is not justice, but iniquity.
Addresses were also presented the same day
from St. Pancras, Edmonton, St. Saviour's, St.
George's in the East, and St. Pancras, Chiehester.
A great portion of the Pancras committee, as
well as of the ladies attached to its members,
wore a beautiful medal of the Queen, suspended
by a purple riband from the shoulders.
Whilst these sincere and ardent demonstra-
tions of loyalty and attachment to the cause of
the Queen were exhibited through the country,
the ministers astounded and confounded at the
evidence which had been brought forward in
favor of her majesty, began seriously to reflect
on the relinquishment of the Bill, and Lord Liver-
pool, Lord Castlereagh, and other ministers,
went to the King, at his cottage in Windsor Park,
whither they were accompanied by several distin-
guished peers of great influence and borough
patronage, to represent to his majesty the im-
pression which the evidence adduced in opposi-
tion to the Bill of Pains and Penalties had made
on their minds, so as to make it impossible for
them to support it through the House. The
noblemen had an audience of his majesty, to state
their opinion that it ought to be withdrawn. It
is not known with what complacency this decla-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 605
ration was received ; but it was understood that
ministers were disposed to give up the Bill, m.
the evidence of Lieutenant Flynn should over-
throw the testimony of the master and mate of
the polacca ; that of Majocchi and Demont being
considered by them as totally discredited. The
contradictions of Lieutenant Flynn, however,
induced them to persevere.
Wednesday the llth, being the day appointed
by the Queen for the reception of addresses, the
road from Hyde-park-corner to Hammersmith
was at an early hour thronged by vast bodies of
persons. The following were the addresses pre-
sented:— from Ely-place Liberty, Holborn, Croy-
don, Wandsworth, S. Ann's (Limehouse), Far-
ringdon within, Portsoken Ward, Horsleydown,
Christ-church (Surrey), Winchester, Oxford, St.
Ive's, Hereford, Stockton-on-Tees, Cardiff, Lei-
cester, North Petherton, Taunton, Truro, Sedge-
ley, Colebrook, Milford, Surrey, Kendal, Amble-
side, Kirby Lonsdale, Milnthrop, the Letter-press
Printers, Evesham, Manchester, Hinckley, Leeds,
Glasgow, United Guildries of Perth, Banff, St.
John's (Southwark), and Coventry, and the Be-
nefit Societies of London.
The first address which arrived at Branden-
burg-house was that from the inhabitants of the
parish of St. Abbot's, Kensington. The proces-
sion consisted of forty-two carnages, chiefly
filled with ladies of the first respectability.
They were elegantly dressed in white, and wore
606 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
her majesty's medals suspended from their neck-
laces. The Queen was in excellent health, and
received the deputation in her usual gracious and
condescending manner. Her majesty wore a
dress of black silk and spangled velvet, trimmed
with roses, under a dress of crape.
Mr. Hume then presented the addresses from
Glasgow (signed by 37,000 persons), from the
United Guildries of Perth, and from Banff. Ma-
jor Cartwright, who appeared in the full regi-
mental uniform of the Nottingham Militia, pre-
sented the address from the ladies of Man-
chester, and from the inhabitants of Leeds and
Hinckley, in Leicestershire. At half-past two
o'clock the deputation from the Ward of Port-
soken arrived. The gentlemen who composed it
filled thirty-five coaches and four ; the postilions
were in new pink dresses with white hats and
cockades. In the first carriage was Sir James
Shaw, Bart, the Alderman of the Ward.
At three o'clock the procession of the several
Benefit Societies of the metropolis arrived. There
were more than four thousand persons in this
procession. They appeared to be chiefly artisans
and mechanics, and their whole appearance and
demeanor did them the highest credit. This pro-
cession was accompanied by an immense con-
course of people. At the head of each society,
the stewards and flags were arranged. This pro-
cession took up its position on the lawn, and
received her majesty, who appeared on the bal-
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 607
cony, with the loudest acclamations. Many of
the members wore the medallic portrait of her
majesty.
The next procession was that of St. Ann's
Limehouse, consisting of ladies and gentleman,
wearing white favors, in open landaus and four;
the postilions dressed in crimson jackets. The
writer of the Address, Mr. Fitch, the able master
of the Stepney Academy, called the British
Lyceum, with many other of the worthy Lime-
house addressers, wore the large medal of her
majesty, as did many of the Christ-church
addressers. *
The gentlemen deputed from Coventry next
appeared, to present her majesty with some pieces
of an elegant new manufactured riband ; the
colour, Queen's purple, on scarlet ground, com-
bining in its texture the fabrics of sarcenet, and
damask satin, on which the crown appeared beau-
tifully wrought, and the initials " C. R." Her
majesty accepted the present, and returned a
most gracious answer.
It was nearly dark when the Letter-press
Printers of the metropolis arrived. The pro-
cession consisted of a very numerous body of
respectable persons of that trade in this great
metropolis.
The deputation appointed to carry up this
Address occupied twenty-three carriages. It
was preceded by a person on horseback, bearing a
white satin banner, on which was printed in a
608 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
beautiful large type, " Printers' Address." Ano-
ther white banner was displayed from one of the
carriages, inscribed " Liberty of the Press."
The address itself was printed on beautiful
white satin, edged with white silk fringe, and
purple satin back, mounted on an ivory roller,
with appropriate ornaments.
The typographical execution was considered
superior to any thing ever yet seen. It repre-
sented a triumphal arch, supported by pillars,
and mounted on a pedestal. The key-stone a
crown, sceptre, and cushion. On the tops of the
pillars, " Lords," " Commons." At the bases,
" Religion," " Law." On the pedestal, right-
hand side, " Truth ;" left-hand side, " Justice."
In the centre, a finely executed representation of
a printing-press. Within the arch was placed
the address. The whole surrounded by a hand-
some border.
The other addresses were presented to her
majesty by persons connected with the places,
or bodies from which they proceeded. The
Queen returned answers to all. Her majesty
bore the fatigue of standing so long with great
composure, and repeatedly conversed, throughout
the day, with Lady Anne Hamilton and the
Honourable Mrs. Darner, upon the gratitying
sight which the grounds around the house pre-
sented, thronged as they were with so large a
portion of the population of the metropolis. At
no period during the day was there a smaller
9UEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 609
number than 10,000 persons within the avenue c/
Brandenburg-house; they repeatedly hailed their
Queen with the most enthusiastic demonstrations
of their attachment, which her majesty as often
acknowledged in the most affable manner.
It was, however, not only amongst the cor-
porate bodies of the kingdom, nor amongst the
industrious classes of the community, that the
spirit of resentment-shewed itself at the unjust
persecution to which her majesty was subjected,
but the same spirit manifested itself at all the
public places, and particularly the theatres, where
every sentence that could be found anyways ap-
plicable to the situation of her majesty, was
eagerly seized upon by the audience, and they
testified their joy or their indignation, according
as the import of the sentence bore upon the case
of her majesty. Thus, when the tragedy of
Cymbeline was performed at Covent-garden, the
application of some of the sentences produced the
most violent expressions of applause.
In the fourth scene of the second act, lachimo tries
to convince Posthumus of Imogen's infidelity, by pro-
ducing one of her bracelets. The husband is stag-
gered, but his friend Pisanio thus re-assures him :
Have patience, Sir ;
It may be probable she lost it ; or
Who knows if one of her women, being corrupted,
Hath not stolen it from her ?
The most vehement applause followed this
suggestion, and lasted for two or three raiautes.
4 K
610 MEMOIRS QV CAROLINE,
In the next act the following passage was received
with tumultuous and repeated shouts :
Oh, master ! what a strange infection
Has falPn into thy ear ; — What false Italian,
As poisonous tongued as handed, hath prevailed
On thy too-ready hearing ? Disloyal I No :
She's punished for her truth.
But the climax of sympathetic exultation was
reserved for the last act, when the lying Italian
thus records his penitence and the lady's
wrongs:
The heaviness of guilt within my bosom
Takes off my manhood ; I have belied a lady,
The princess of this country.
On the 25th of October, an immense number
of the working classes of the metropolis and its
vicinity paid their tribute of respect and sym-
pathy to the Queen. The streets, therefore, and
even the whole line of road to Brandenburg-
house, were, so early as ten o'clock, extremely
crowded. The first procession was that of the
Carpenters and Joiners, ^vho commenced their
jnarch in regular order, from Lincoln's-inn-fields,
at eleven o'clock, walking four abreast, with
music. The whole body must have exceeded
6,000 persons, each wearing a white cockade.
The next procession was that of the Glass-
blowers, which excited attention by the beauty
and singularity of their devices, formed of their
;own manufacture, in cut and blown glass, magni-
ficently ornamented with rich and varied colours.
QUEEN CUXSORT OF ENGLAND. 611
A third procession, consisting of about forty
open carriages, each drawn by four horses, bore
the Address of the parish of St. John. Her ma-
jesty was occupied till a late hour at Branden
burg-house in receiving the addresses. There
were no less than thirty deputations.
On the same day, the following official an-
nouncement was made by the vice-chamberlains
of her majesty:
Mr. K. Craven and Sir Wm. Gell, vice-chamberlains to the
Queen, are commanded to announce, that, in consequence of
the lateness of the season, and the probable approach of wet
weather, her majesty wishes to decline receiving any future
addresses in person after Monday next, the 30th instant. It is
nevertheless to be understood, that her majesty by no means
intends to exclude the presentation of such addresses as may
be at this moment in preparation, and which, if not ready by
Monday, her Majesty will receive and answer without the cere-
mony of a formal deputation.
From the moment of the landing of her majesty
in this country, the public curiosity was greatly
excited, to know in what manner her son-in-law,
Prince Leopold, would conduct himself towards the
unfortunate mother of his deceased wife. What-
ever his private feelings might have been upon
the subject, it was generally considered, that any
visit to her majesty on the part of Prince Leopold
would be regarded, in a certain quarter, as a
direct insult to himself; and thus the difficulty of
the part which his Royal Highness had to per-
form was considerably increased. It was, how-
ever, not until Thursday, the 26th of October,
4*2
612 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
that his royal highness appears to have
his mind on the subject, when, on hearing that
her majesty had been taken suddenly ill, he paid
a visit to Brandenburg-house, but did not alight
from his carnage, Colonel Addenbroke was de-
puted to make the necessary inquiries of Lady
Hamilton, accompanied at the same time with a
request to know when it would be agreeable to
her majesty for him to renew his visit.
Her majesty fixed the following day, and Prince
Leopold accordingly kept the appointment. It
would be profane to pry further, or to speak
more of so affecting an interview — both had much
to say of one who was gone, and who, had she
been there to bless them with her presence,
might have appeared as ah angel of conciliation
tendering the branch of peace to her unhappy
parents, and thereby closing1 for ever those dif-
ferences which had such a distracting influence
upon the prosperity and tranquillity of the country.
But their tears could not recall her sainted
spirit, and the childless mother and the lonely
widower could only tell each other how much,
when living, they had loved her.
On Saturday, the 28th, Mr. Sheriff Waithman
was honoured by the Queen with an interview, at
Brandenburg-house. He expressed to her ma-
jesty, that it was the anxious wish of the lord-
mayor elect and the sheriffs, that her majesty-
would condescend to honour the city of London
with her presence at' the approaching festival, in
ENGLAND.
613
cue Guildhall, on lord mayor's day ; and that the
lord-mayor elect and the sheriffs would wait
upon her majesty, in state, with an invitation in
clue form, at any time she might please to ap-
point, or would feel themselves highly honoured
to receive her majesty's commands upon the
subject.
Her majesty was graciously pleased to express
herself most grateful for this mark of their at-
tention; but as she was not provided with a
proper establishment, she could not attend on the
occasion in the state suitable to her rank, and
was therefore prevented from acceding to their
wishes at present.
The 30th being the last day appointed by her
majesty for receiving addresses, Mr. Hume at-
tended and presented the following from
Margate,
Islington,
Coopers,
Youths of the Metropolis,
Leather-dressers,
Brass- founders,
Wokinghara,
Silver Trade,
Paperhangers,
Bricklayers,
West and East Coker,
Monmouth,
New Mills,
Weavers of Newberry,
Ditchling, Sussex,
Lawyers' Clerks,
Odd Fellows,
Sidmouth,
Arundel,
Pontypool,
Chichester,
Wigton,
Cabinet-makers,
Lymington,
Maidstone.
Of the above addresses, the united deputations
from the Brass-founders and Brasiers deserves
314
MOICHR3 OF CAROLINE,
the most honourable mention. This was an al-
most interminable procession on foot, almost
every individual bearing some device or other ot
beautiful and costly workmanship, emblematic
either of their trade or the occasion upon which
they were thus drawn together. It is true, some
of these emblems were a little homely and irre-
levant, and very unpicturesque; such, for instance,
as coal-scuttles, candlesticks, and pestles and
mortars ; but there was one equally homely ar-
ticle, the purpose of which seemed to be univer-
sally applied, and it was hailed every time with
laughing applause : this was an enormous ex-
tinguisher. There was also a multitude of flags,
banners, and musicians, with this party ; but the
chief and distinguishing feature of the procession
was, three men in complete armour, two of brass
and one of steel, mounted on large black horses,
and each knight attended by four esquires (we
humbly presume), with brazen helmets and staves,
on foot. The knights, however, were evidently
overladen with their harness, and it was with
infinite difficulty they could be dismounted on
their arrival an Brandenburg-house. Dismounted
they were at length, and they marched at the
head of the deputation into the hall of audience,
where the principal knight advanced in front of
the rest, bearing in his hand a large brazen baton,
headed with the crown. Having arrived, " with
stately step and slow/' immediately in front of
the chair of state he knelt and laid his baton at
QUKEX CONSORT OF ENGLAND.
the feet of her majesty, on the steps of the plat-
form. This baton was explained by his attend-
ants to contain the address ; and whilst some of
them placed it in the hands of her majesty's
chamberlains, others assisted the knight to regain
his perpendicular, and then her majesty, having
presented him with her written reply, he moved
off very awfully. His train then passed indi-
vidually by her majesty, and the pageant ended.
On Thursday the 2d of November, the debate
commenced on the Bill of Pains and Penalties;
and as our limits will not allow us to do justice to
those unparalleled specimens of oratory which
distinguished this important subject, we cannot
adopt a better course than to refer the reader to
the speeches, contained at length in the History
of the Trial.
At twelve o'clock on the 4<th, it was announced
to the officers of the house that the Queen in-
tended to come to the House of Lords that day.
Shortly before one o'clock, her majesty arrived in
her state carriage, attended by Lady Anne Ha-
milton ; there was no other carriage, nor were
there any gentlemen in attendance. The mili-
tary presented arms, and the music played the
royal salute. She entered the house by the
small entrance under the piazza. Sir T. Tyrwhitt
handed her majesty from the carriage, and con-
ducted her into the room usually allotted to the
Queen. She was there attended by Lady Anne
616
MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Hamilton, Mr. Brougham, Mr. Vizard, and Mr.
Wilde. She retired at half-past three.
The debate on the bill was continued until the
6th, when the house divided a little after three
o'clock, when there appeared for the second
reading « 123
Against it - 95
Majority 28
On the meeting of the house on the following
day Lord Dacre said, that her majesty the Queen
had been pleased that morning to place in his
hands a protest ; though he (Lord Dacre) had not
taken any part in the debates on this subject.
The fact was, his objections to Bills of Pains
and Penalties for alleged moral turpitude long
since past were of a nature so fixed and perma-
nent, that no circumstances which could tran-
spire in evidence would induce him to accede
to such measures. The noble lord concluded by
presenting the following Protest.
CAROLINE REGINA.
To the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in Parliament assembled.
The Queen has learnt the decision of the Lords upon the
bill now before them. In the face of parliament, of her family,
and of her country, she solemnly protests against it.
Those who avowed themselves her prosecutors have presumed
to sit in judgment on the question between the Queen and
themselves. Peers have given their voices against her who had
heard the whole evidence for the charge, and absented them-
selves during her defence, v
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 617
Others have come to the discussion, from the Secret Com-
mittee, with minds biassed by a mass of slander, which her
enemies have not dared to bring forward in the light.
The Queen does not avail herself of her rights to appear
before the Committee, for to her the details of the measures
must be a matter of indifference ; and unless the course of these
unexampled proceedings should bring the Bill before the other
branch of the legislature, she will make no reference whatever
to the treatment experienced by her during the last twenty-five
ye?.T*s.
She now most deliberately, and before God asserts, that she
is wholly innocent of the crime laid to her charge, and she
awaits with unabated confidence the final result of this unparal-
leled investigation.
CAROLINE REGINA,
The Lord Chancellor said the rule in these
cases was, that the accused might be personally
heard after the second reading; and he did not
see any objection to receiving a written address
in lieu of a verbal one, but a protest he thought
decidedly irregular.
Lord Dacre had no authority to present the
protest as an address.
The Lord Chancellor apprehended, that it
could not be endured that any body should be
allowed at the bar to comment on the judgment
of the House or on the 'conduct of particular
Peers. He thought the paper could be received
as an address.
Lord Lauderdale expressed great indignation
at the attack made in the protest upon the Secret
Committee, which he contended was written for
the purpose of falsely vilifying those noble Lords
4 L
618 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
who composed it, though it was impossible for
any person to know that all the charges sub-
mitted to the Secret Committee were not brought
publicly forward. For his part, he felt a firm
conviction of her majesty's guilt.
The Duke of Newcastle declared, that though
casually prevented from attending during the
defence, he had intensely studied the evidence ;
and no slander should compel him to surrender
his right of voting.
Lords Sheffield and Somers, who had been
absent on some occasions, spoke to the same
effect.
The Earl of Carnarvon thought the declarations
of the noble Lords were calculated to trample on
the vital principles of justice. He always con-
sidered it a vital principle of justice, that no
accused person should be condemned except on
oral testimony.
The Lord Chancellor thought the House might
save its dignity if it received the paper, and
tacked to it the following resolution : — That this
House, notwithstanding the exceptionable matter
in some parts of the paper, now presented, does
nevertheless, under all the circumstances of the
case, consent to receive the same as the repre-
sentation of what her majesty has further to state
to the House in the present stage of these pro-
ceedings.
The Earl of Lauderdale moved as an amend-
ment, that the word "justly" should be intro-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 619
duced in the resolution before the word " excep-
tionable."
Earl Grey observed, that those Lords who had
voted without hearing the whole evidence had
certainly a right to do so; they had only to
answer to God and their consciences for the
course they had thought proper to take. It did
appear to him a little extraordinary, when that
House had declared its opinion upon a question of
this nature, that it was improper for any peer to
vote by proxy — that peers should be found acting
contrary to that principle themselves — by appear-
ing as their own proxies. With respect to the
exception taken to all the votes which stood in
the situation of her majesty's accusers, this he
thought most proper. So with regard to the
votes of the members of the Secret Committee.
He therefore did not object to the word "justly."
The amendment was carried.
The house then went into a committee on the
Bill ; and on the divorce clause, being read, it was
most strongly opposed, particularly by some of
the spiritual peers, as they deemed marriage a
a sacred ordinance of religion. Some of the
Bishops, however, only made the perplexity
worse by the diversity of their opinion. Their con-
sciences, therefore, wanting a leader, were thrown
back upon themselves, and the threatening aspect
of the texts remained. Some of the peers on the
manly and truly Christian side of the question
took advantage of the doubt. The ministers, on
4 L2
620
MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
affecting to part from the courtiers, and siding
with the other side against the divorce clause,
thought to get rid of that stumbling block, and go
on smoothly with the rest; but ministers were
most complete!}' outwitted, for the Lords in
question literally astonished them, by taking part
with the men they had pretended to desert, by
which grand parliamentary manoeuvre there was
a majority for retaining the divorce clause, and
the ministers found themselves in the unusual pre-
dicament of figuring in a minority ; they looked at
each other with astonishment, and they appeared
like a pack of school-boys entrapped in the rob-
bery of an orchard.
The third reading of the bill arrived, and the
ministers just saved their reputation for majorities
by nine men ; but this was so obviously insuffi-
cient for public purposes, to say nothing of their
own promises in bringing the measure forward,
that the bill, upon their own proposition, was im-
mediately thrown out. The abortive bantling-
would not live. It had been overlaid — it had been
clipped and cut — it had been circumcised by Ita-
lian doctors— it had been swaddled and papped,
and swathed and unswathed — in fine, it was kept
up by stimulants of various kinds — but all would
not do, it died at last in the christening; it was
sick from the first, and nine men held it tenderly
at the font in vain. It gave a last gasp and
expired.
On the day in which the bill was thrown ou<
..
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 621
her majesty came to the House of Lords at a
quarter before twelve o'clock. She remained in
her private apartment until the proceedings were
concluded. Her majesty received the news of the
majority for the Bill with great -fortitude, and
signed the petition drawn up by her counsel with
a smiling air, saying, as she wrote the words
Carolina Regina, " There, Regina still, in spite of
them.'* In a few minutes, her counsel rushed
into the room, with the glad tidings that the Bill
was rejected. Her majesty spoke not a word :
she looked fixed and insensible as a statue. Mr.
Brougham suggested the propriety of her majesty
proceeding immediately to her carnage: her
attendants handed her down stairs, her majesty
still remaining perfectly silent ; and it was not till
after she had been some minutes in her carriage
that a flood of tears coming to her relief, she was
able to resume her speech, and her wonted sere-
nity and firmness. The cheers and exultation of
the people surpassed conception. Her majesty
proceeded to Brandenburg-house.
When the Earl of Liverpool on Friday after-
noon had signified his intention to withdraw the
Bill, the intelligence was immediately communi-
cated to the strangers in the lobby, who could
not be restrained from testifying their joy by
the loudest shouts. The strangers immediately
rushed out into Old Palace-yard, where her ma-
jesty was just at that moment stepping into her
carriage. The joy manifested by the people who
622 / MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
had assembled to witness her majesty's de-
parture when the fate of the Bill was made
known, is indescribable. The effect of the
shouts and congratulations of the people was
.heightened by the royal salute from the drums
of the soldiers on duty. The brave fellows
shewed by their countenances that they were not
behind the rest of their countrymen in exulta-
tion, and when they piled their arms after the
Queen's carriage had passed, they added their
shouts to those of the multitude.
The news of the rejection of the Bill spread to
every corner of the metropolis, and in all the
streets were to be seen multitudes of persons
congratulating each other on the event.
At the approach of dusk, many of the inha-
bitants of the west end of the town, adorned
their windows with festoons, candles, lamps, £c.
The illumination in Piccadilly, and in the streets
and squares south of that thoroughfare, did not
become general until nine o'clock. Bond-street
was brilliant early in the evening, and the man-
sions of the Duke of Devonshire, Lord George
Cavendish, Mr. Coutts, and many other persons
of fortune and situation, bore ample testimony
of the principles of their proprietors; nor were
the great hotels backward in the expression of
their opinions. Apsley-house was " all a-mort,"
and Carlton Palace was enveloped in gloom.
In Hamilton-place there were, less lamps than
usual: but the Duke of Gloucester and the
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 6)23
Princess Sophia, by the splendour of their flam-
beaux, made visible the darkness of the few dis-
loyal who dwelt near them.
The whole of the northern side of Oxford-street
and Cavendish-square, and particularly Wel-
beck-street, Wigmore-street, Wimpole- street, and
Harley-street, were more brilliantly than gene-
rally illuminated. The noble residence of Earl
Grey, in Portman-square, and several other beau-
tiful mansions in its vicinity, were superbly deco-
rated with every species of lights. Hynde-street,
Berkeley-street, Mount-street, Grosvenor-square,
and Lower Brook-street, all displayed the same
manifestations of an affectionate regard for her
majesty. In Hanover-square the lights were
numerous, and nearly universal in Swallow and
Titchfield-streets, a part of Waterloo-street, the
Hay-market, and Cockspur-street. The principal
streets were exceedingly thronged by multitudes
whose deportment was particularly quiet and
becoming.
Early in the evening, the Glub-houses in St.
James's-street, many of the houses in St. James's-
square, Pall-mall, and Charing- cross, were illumi-
nated. Brookes's, in St. James's-street, attracted
particular notice. The balcony was tastefully
decorated with a royal crown, with the letters
Q. C., the initials of Queen Caroline. White's
was illuminated profusely with torches — Boodle's
very sparingly; the Guard's Mess-club very
splendidly. In Pall-mall, though nearly all the
624 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
houses were lighted up about eight o'clock, nothing
particular was observable. Groups of people, at
different periods of- the evening, collected in
Waterloo-place, anxious to learn if " the large
house with pillars before it" partook in the gene-
ral joy. In St. James's- square the houses of the
nobility and gentry were generally illuminated
with more or less brilliancy. The houses of Lord
Castlereagh and the Duke of Northumberland
were the only mansions involved in gloom. The
house of Lord Castlereagh was protected by the
military. Greenwood's (the army agent) people,
at Charing-cross, refused at first to illuminate,
and in consequence of that resistance he had his
windows smashed.
The illumination in Holborn was very general.
Bedford-street was particularly resplendent, as
was also Great Russell-street, Bloomsbury, Char-
lotte-street, Tavistock-street, Percy-street, and
Tottenham-court-road. In one of the houses
were the initials of the Queen's name, C. R. dis-
played in variegated lamps and festoons of laurel,
in the interstices of which several placards of
46 Non mi'Ricordo*' were placed. Cranbourne-
street was one blaze of light : on one of the houses
a transparency was exhibited, which bore the
following inscription : — " May the contrivers,
abettors, and supporters of the infamous conspi-
racy against her majesty, meet with that doom
which their malignant hearts would have assigned
to her." Every house, without exception, in
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 625
Leicester-square, bore testimony of the satisfac-
tion afforded to the metropolis. In the Strand,
the generality of the householders seemed to vie
with each other as to who should display their
attachment to her majesty in the most brilliant
manner. The Post and Courier newspaper offices
were refractory, and had some of their windows
broken. The consequence of which was, that
the military were sent for ; but, though the
Riot Act was read, no material injury was
done, excepting the breaking of a few panes.
The crowd ultimately dispersed, and all was per-
fectly tranquil at twelve o'clock. The military,
however, continued in small numbers about
Charing-cross. The Bible Society, in Earl-
street, Blackfriars, was lighted up with varie-
gated lamps. A few houses in Sun-street, were
illuminated ; also in Gracechurch-street.
The illuminations in the Borough were ex-
tremely general : almost every house was lighted
from London-bridge to Stone's-end, and many
were adorned with fanciful decorations. In one
were three busts of the Queen, each surrounded
with white ribands, and bows of white ribands
were tastefully displayed. In another were the
words " Carolina Regina/' inscribed on white
silk, and surrounded by variegated lamps. In
every direction brilliant stars, and festoons formed
of lamps, were seen, and garlands of white flowers
were exhibited from the windows.
The most interesting and novel sight was the
4 M
626 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
illumination of the ships in the Pool, visible from
London-bridge. The effect was extremely grand
and beautiful.
On Fish-street-hill, in Cornhill, Bishopsgate-
street, Leadenhall-street, and the Minories, the
illumination was very general. Parties with flam-
beaux and white cockades paraded the streets,
crying " Long live Queen Caroline," and chant-
ing " Rule Britannia." Some of them were pe-
culiarly loud in their vociferations of " Non mi
Ricordo ;" but not the least appearance of riot
or disturbance was observed. In Cheapside
and Ludgate-hill there was scarcely a house
which was not illuminated.
The bells of the several parish churches rang
merry peals, and all the coaches that left London
bore marks of the general joy, the coachmen
having decorated their hats and their horses with
a profusion of white ribands. The neighbouring
villages were not slow in testifying their sym-
pathy with the feelings of the metropolis. Chelsea,
Greenwich, Deptford, &c. soon resounded with
the shouts of triumph.
During the evening the military paraded the
streets, and on their arriving at Temple-bar they
were about to enter the City, but were prevented
by the proper authorities, without a due order;
they were necessitated to return, and confine
themselves to marching backward and forward
the extent of the Strand. They received the
cheers of the populace as they passed along.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 627
Several officers attempted to disperse the mob,
who rallied upon them with much fury, and even-
tually overpowered them.
The illuminations and rejoicings continued for
three successive nights, and every mail that
arrived from the cmmtry brought intelligence of
the joy which pervaded every part of the king-
dom, upon the failure of one of the most ob-
noxious bills which was ever brought before the
British Parliament ; and the proceedings of which
will long remain as an indelible disgrace upon
those who advised it, and upon those who sup-
ported it.
One of the first steps which her majesty took
on the failure of the Bill, was a demand for a
palace suitable to her dignity as Queen Consort,
and her letter to Lord Liverpool was to the fol-
lowing effect :— -
Her Majesty's Vice- Chamberlain informs Lord Liverpool
that he has her majesty's commands to require from his ma-
jesty's government, that, without any further delay, a palace
and establishment should be provided, suitable to her majesty's
rank in the country in which she is now to reside.
That this had been much too long deferred, with a view
either to the station of her majesty or the honor of the crown :
nevertheless, that in the circumstances of the time her majesty
was willing to overlook such delay.
But that it must be evident that no further time ought to
elapse without finally arranging this matter.
In answer, Lord Liverpool was merely under-
stood to say, that he had not yet received the
628 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
King's commands on the subject of a dwelling
for her majesty, but that he would communicate
them to Mr. Craven, the moment it was in his
power to do so.
Lord Liverpool states, subsequently, —
That he has received his majesty's commands to inform the
Queen, that it is not possible for his majesty, under all the
circumstances, to assign any of the royal palaces for the
Queen's residence. Lord Liverpool has been further com-
manded to inform the Queen, that, until Parliament shall meet
for the despatch of business, the allowance which has hitherto
been enjoyed by the Queen will be continued to her, and that
it will then be for Parliament to determine the amount of the
future provision to be granted to her majesty.
In an annexed paper Lord Liverpool adds,
That he thinks it material to observe, that this answer must
not be understood as withdrawing the facilities which had been
previously offered for procuring a residence in London for the
Queen.
In consequence of this intimation on the part
of Lord Liverpool, her majesty determined to
make an appeal to Parliament ; accordingly, on
the 23d of November, at the meeting of the
House of Commons, Mr. Denman rose, about five
minutes past two, with a paper in his hand,
which he said was a communication from the
Queen.
At the same time the Deputy Usher of the
Black Rod entered the House, and advanced to
the table, amidst the loudest cries for " Mr.
Denman." With these cries were mingled
shouts of " withdraw, withdraw," addressed
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 629
to the Black Rod. Mr. Denman continued
standing with the message in his hand, and did
not for a moment give way to that officer. Not
a word the Usher said was heard. His message
was drowned amidst the most indignant and
vehement cries of " Shame, shame" from all parts
of the House. His lips moved, but no sound was
audible. After this mummery, the Black Rod
retreated, apparently much agitated. A pause
ensued, when
Mr. Tierney rose, and observed that not one
word of what had fallen from the Deputy Usher
had been heard ; and how, then, did the Speaker
know what was the message, or whether he was
wanted at all in the other House ? (Loud cheer-
ing, intermingled with cries of " Order" from
the Treasury-bench.)
The Speaker then rose, the uproar still con-
tinuing, and Mr. Bennet exclaiming, with a loud
voice — <c This is a scandal to the country. yy
The Speaker then proceeded down the body
of the House amidst the most deafening cries of
" Shame, shame" and loud and repeated hisses.
Lord Castlereagh, the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, and a very few ministerial members,
accompanied the Speaker. Lord Castlereagh
followed close to him.
A considerable proportion of the members re-
mained in the House awaiting the Speaker's
return; but it turned out, contrary to all pre-
cedent, that no speech had been made by the
630 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
commissioners — and the Speaker did not return
to the House of Commons, but went straight to
his private apartments, leaving the House of
Commons to collect as they could that a proro-
gation had actually taken place.
On the Speaker's return from the House ot
Peers, as he was passing through the lobby, the
Sergeant at Arms, who was preceding him, was,
as is usual, about to enter the door of the House
of Commons, when the Speaker called to him,
and said, " Mr. Seymour, there is no business tc
be done ; therefore I cannot go into the House/
The Sergeant bowed, and the Speaker passed
quickly into the avenues leading to his house.
Mr. Brougham had previously communicated
in writing, to the Speaker and Lord Castlereagh,
that a message would be delivered from the
Queen. The Speaker had returned for answer,
that he would take the chair at a quarter before
|wo, although the general practice had been not
to take the chair until two.
The following is the Message which Mr. Den-
man was stopped as he was about to read : —
CAROLINE R.
The Queen thinks it proper to inform the House of Com-
mons that she has received a communication from the King's
ministers, plainly intimating an intention to prorogue the Par-
liament immediately, and accompanied by an offer of money
for her support, and for providing her with a residence until a
new session may be holden
This offer the Queen has had no hesitation in refusing.
While the late extraordinary proceedings were pending, it
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 631
might be fit" for her to accept the advances made for her tem-
porary accommodation ; but she naturally expected that the
failure of that unparalleled attempt to degrade the Royal Fa-
mily would be immediately followed by submitting some per-
manent measure to the wisdom of Parliament — and she has
felt that she could no longer, with propriety, receive from the
ministers what she is well assured the liberality of the House of
Commons would have granted, as alike essential to the dignity
of the throne, and demanded by the plainest principles of
justice.
If the Queen is to understand that new proceedings are
meditated against her, she throws herself with unabated confi-
dence on the representatives of the people, fully relying on
their justice and wisdom to take effectual steps to protect her
from the further vexation of unnecessary delay, and to provide
that these unexampled persecutions may at length be brought
to a close.
The main reason, however, of this ungenteel
treatment, was the wish to indulge a petty re-
venge against the Queen, by putting off the
regular parliamentary provision for her mainte-
nance, and keeping her dependant on the bounty
of ministers.
We have already had occasion to enlarge upon
the religious character of the Queen, and in no
instance was it more conspicuous than in the re-
solution which she formed of offering up her
thanks to Heaven for the signal defeat which her
enemies had sustained, and she consequently de-
termined to attend divine service at Hammersmith
church the second Sunday after the rejection of
the Bill of Pains and Penalties. On the Wed-
nesday previous, her intention to do so was com-
632 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
municated by letter to the Rev. Mr. Attwood,
vicar of the parish, who, in the most respectful
manner, instantly expressed his readiness to
make the necessary arrangements for her majesty's
convenience, offering her at the same time the
use of his own pew. Mr. Hieronymus, by whom
the letter had been conveyed to Mr. Attwood,
then waited on Mr. Gomme, the churchwarden,
to whom he also stated the intention of his royal
mistress, adding, that it was her majesty's desire
to be received with as little ostentation as pos-
sible. On Friday, a meeting of the parish-officers
was held at the committee -room of the Latimer
Charity, for the purpose of arranging the manner
in which her majesty was to be received, when it
was agreed that her commands, as expressed by
Mr. Hieronymus, should be attended to with as
much strictness as was consistent with her ma-
jesty's convenience and cdmfort. The only addi-
tional preparations made on the occasion were, a
state chair, a footstool, and a table, all covered
with crimson cloth, which were placed in Mr.
Attwood 's pew. The floor of the pew was also
covered with Turkey carpeting.
Notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the
weather during the early part of the day, an im-
mense concourse was assembled around the church
long before the hour at which public worship com-
mences, and thousands of respectable individuals
were unable, not only to procure seats, but even to
gain admission into the church. The utmost atten-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 633
tion and civility were shown to the strangers who
applied for accommodation; but their numbers
were so utterly disproportioned to the dimensions
of the church, that only a moiety of the earliest
applicants succeeded in the object of their
wishes.
At eleven o'clock her majesty arrived in her
state carriage at the outer gate, opposite to the
chancel. The avenue leading from the gate to the
chancel — about forty feet in length — was covered
with fine floor-cloth; and on each side it was
lined by a deputation of gentlemen, bearing white
wands, and selected from among the inhabitants
of the hamlet, to testify their respect for their
Queen. All those who had been unable to obtain
admission into the church, crowded together on
each side of the avenue through which her ma-
jesty was to pass from her carriage, eager to
gratify their curiosity by a view of that illustrious
Queen, whose unmerited sufferings and heroic
fortitude have commanded the sympathy and the
admiration of every truly British bosom. The
utmost propriety and decency of conduct was
evinced on this occasion by the persons assem-
bled. The male part of the crowd stood un-
covered while her majesty passed from her car-
riage, but not a cheer was uttered by any indi-
vidual present; not the slightest indication of
feeling was exhibited that was inconsistent with
the solemnity of the occasion. Her majesty
having been met at the outer gate by the Rev.
4 N
634 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Mr. Attwood, the vicar, and the Rev. Mr. Leggett,
the curate, was handed into the church by her
Vice chamberlain, Sir William Gell. She was
also attended by Lady Anne Hamilton, Mr. Al-
derman Wood, Chevalier Vassal!, and several
other members of her household. Her majesty
entered through the chancel, and, advancing along
the middle aisle, took her seat in the pew usually
occupied by Mr. Attwood's pupils, but which had
been fitted up for her majesty's reception on this
occasion.
The usual morning service was read by the
Rev. Mr. Leggett. When the Rev. gentleman
came to that part of the Liturgy in which it was
formerly customary to pray for the Queen, the
eyes of all the congregation were rivetted on him,
and an anxious apprehension seemed to be de-
picted in every countenance. This expression
quickly gave place to one of marked disappoint-
ment, when the Rev. curate, after the prayer for
the king, read the amended court-version of the
Litany, "That it may please Thee to bless and
preserve all the Royal Family." It was generally
understood, that her majesty had expressed a
wish that the clergyman who officiated should
not deviate in any respect from the usual forms
on account of her attendance. The lesson se-
lected by Mr. Leggett was particularly applicable
to the Queen and her enemies. It was the 59th
chapter of Isaiah, and we insert the first eight
verses :
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 635
" Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot
save ; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear : but your ini-
quities have separated between you and your God, and your
sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For
your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with ini-
quity ; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered
perverseness. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for
truth : they trust in vanity, and speak lies ; they conceive mis-
chief, and bring forth iniquity. They hatch cockatrice eggs,
and weave the spider's web : he that eateth of their eggs dieth,
and that which is crushed breaketh "out into a viper. Their
webs shall net become garments, neither shall they cover them-
selves with their works : their works are works of iniquity, and
the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and
they make haste to shed innocent blood : their thoughts are
thoughts of iniquity ; wasting and destruction are in their paths.
The way of peace they know not ; and there is no judgment in
their goings : they have made them crooked paths : whosoever
goeth therein shall not know peace."
The 14th verse is particulary striking: —
"Judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth
afar off : for truth is fallen into the street, and equity cannot
enter."
The communion service was then read at the
altar by Mr. Attwood, who afterwards preached
from the following text : " But let him that glo-
rieth glory in this, that he understandeth and
knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise
loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in
the earth : for in these things I delight, saith the
Lord." Jer. ix. 24.
The ordinary service being concluded, a cons*
derable time elapsed before the crowded congre-
gation could retire. All but those who intended
4 N2
636 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
to communicate having at length withdrawn from
the church, her majesty went to the altar, and
received the Holy Communion. The crowd con-
tinued assembled in the church-yard till her ma-
jesty and her suite had returned to their car-
riages, and then they dispersed in the most decent
and orderly manner.
Her majesty, however, was not satisfied with
simply offering up her prayers for her safe deli-
verance from the hands of her enemies in the
parish church of Hammersmith, but following the
example of George III. after his recovery from his
afflicting malady, she determined to attend divine
service at St. Paul's ; and on the 17th of Novem-
ber, the following notification of her majesty's
intention was forwarded to the Lord Mayor : —
Lower Brook-street, Nov. 17th.
Mr. Keppel Craven has received her majesty's commands to
nform the Lord Mayor that it is her majesty's wish to attend
livine service at St Paul's, on Sunday, November 26
Right Hon. the Lord Mayor.
To this the Lord Mayor returned an answer,
intimating that her majesty's notification should
be attended to.
Lower Brook-street, Nov. 17 th.
Mr. Keppel Craven has the honour to acknowledge the receipt
of the Lord Mayor's letter, in answer to the communication he
made to the Lord Mayor, hy the command of her majesty the
Queen. Mr. Keppel Craven will not fail to lay the Lord
Mayor's note before her majesty, and to forward to the Lord
Mayor any further information he may receive on the subject.
Right Hon. the Lord Mayor.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 637
Lower Brook-street, Nov.llth.
In addition to the communication I had the honour to make
to you this morning, I have now, by her majesty's commands,
to inform you, that her majesty having understood that it is cus-
tomary to perform divine service three times a-week in St,
Paul's cathedral, her majesty selects Wednesday, the 29th
instant, in preference to Sunday the 2Sth, feeling, that perhaps
the concourse of people who might be drawn together would not
be quite suited to the solemnity of the Sabbath-day.
KEPPEL CRAVEN.
Right Hon. the Lord Mayor.
In consequence of this intimation of her ma-
jesty, the subject came under discussion in the
court of Common Council, when the following
resolution was moved, and finally agreed to.
Resolved, — That the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and court of
Common Council, do attend her majesty on that occasion, and
that a special committee be appointed to devise a mode for re-
ceiving her majesty in a suitable manner.
At a subsequent meeting of the court, a com-
mittee of the corporation was appointed to confer
with the Dean and Chapter upon the mode of
ordering and conducting the necessary arrange-
ments, and to take the proper steps for preserving
the peace of the city.
The committee were accordingly introduced to
Dr. Hughes, the Dean himself being out of town :
they were received with every mark of polite-
ness and respect by the Rev. Doctor, but soon
discovered that his authority was exceedingly
limited, and controlled by the higher powers,
whose orders, it should seem, he was restrained
638 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
from agreeing to any one of the essential regula-
tions or arrangements the committee proposed.
It was the wish of the committee that the ad-
mission to the cathedral should be by tickets
only ; but though this arrangement is generally
adopted upon all public occasions, Dr. Hughes's
instructions were peremptory on this head— that
the doors sould be thrown open as upon ordinary
occasions ; at the same time, with admirable con-
sistency, the committee were given to understand
that the Lord Mayor and corporation would be
looked to as responsible for any injury the cathe-
dral might sustain.
The committee, with the Lord Mayor at their
head, urged the utter impossibility of ensuring
order and tranquillity if this determination was
adhered to ; that the indiscriminate admission of
all intruders upon such an occasion was calcu-
lated to insure and promote the confusion pro-
fessed to be dreaded ; and declared, that under
such circumstances, they would not be respon-
sible for any consequences that might occur.
After much discussion, it was at length arranged
and agreed that every member of the corporation
should have a ticket for himself and one other
person; that the members of the committee,
about thirty in number, should be allowed two ,
tickets each, besides their personal admission ;
and that 2,000 respectable householders, sworn
in as special constables, should be admitted into
the cathedral, for the purpose of forming a line to
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 639
keep off the crowd, and preserve a clear passage
for her majesty to proceed to the seat prepared
for her. The regular notices from the Lord
Mayor were accordingly issued, inviting the
citizens to enrol themselves as special constables
for the occasion; and Mr. Alderman Wood at-
tended at the Guildhall, for the purpose of swear-
ing them in.
At a subsequent interview with Dr. Hughes
fresh difficulties arose ; the permission of an extra
ticket to the members of the committee was
revoked ; and it was intimated that the committee
would not be suffered to appear with wands, as
it was the wish of the Dean and Chapter that
there should be nothing like a procession. A
number of respectable ladies, to the amount of one
hundred, were desirous of being permitted to re-
ceive her majesty upon her entry into the cathe-
dral, but the proposition was immediately objected
to by the representative of the Dean, as wholly
improper and inadmissible.
The use of wands was strongly contended for by
the committee, as proper and necessary marks of
authority, without which it was hopeless for
them to attempt to regulate a body of 2,000 con-
stables, who would have no means of knowing to
whose directions they were to conform. The
attendance of respectable females upon such an
occasion, and for the purpose proposed, it was
observed, must be most gratifying to her majesty,
640 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
and, under proper arrangements, could be pro-
ductive of no confusion or disorder.
In vain, however, was all argument or obser-
vation on the part of the committee ; the Rev.
Doctor had received his instructions, from which
it was evident he had no authority to depart, and
at the breaking up of the conference it was the
general understanding that the Lord- Mayor and
the committee, finding all their efforts to effect a
proper arrangement useless, would relinquish all
responsibility with regard to the interior of the
cathedral, and direct their attention solely to the
previous attendance upon her majesty, and the
preservation of the peace during her entry and
return through the city.
The committee met again at the Guildhall in
the evening; the Lord-Mayor and Dr. Hughes
were present; but at ten o'clock, when they
broke up, no essential alteration to the previous
arrangement had been obtained. The use of wands
to the committee was, however, conceded, upon
their assurance that they should be used only for
the purpose of the peace, and not in any cere-
monial.
Dr. Hughes appeared most anxious on his own
part to afford every accommodation to the com-
mittee; but frankly confessed he acted under
the orders of higher powers than the Dean and
Chapter of St. Paul's.
The 29th being the day appointed by her ma-
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. C4I
jesty for public thanks, at St. Paul's Cathedral,
for the defeat of the late conspiracy against her
honor, the metropolis and its vicinity, in every
direction, presented such scenes of active bustle
and splendor, as we believe its oldest inhabitants
never before witnessed, and such as will not be
forgotten by the youngest who did witness it.
Certainly on no public occasion within our me-
mory has the interest or the enthusiasm of the
metropolis been so unanimously evinced as on
the present. The feeling was natural, and it
was general. The scene which that day pre-
sented would, even if there were no other cir-
cumstances in their favor, be sufficient to acquit
Englishmen generally of any participation in the
late nefarious attempt to degrade their Queen,
and, through her, the illustrious House of Bruns-
wick.
We apprehend that the hirelings who daily
amused themselves and disgusted the public, by
declaring that only the Radicals, or rabble (as they
usually term the working classes of the commu-
nity) evinced any feeling for her majesty under her
manifold persecutions, were now obliged to alter
their tone, if indeed they had any respect for truth
yet remaining ; for such a practical disproof of
their daily slanders was given on this day, as must
have convinced even their masters. It is impos-
sible to convey to those who did not witness that
day's procession any accurate idea of the intense
interest which it excited ; and, therefore, any
4 o
642 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
description, however correct in detail, must fall
far short of what really did take place.
At a very early hour in the morning every
street and avenue leading to Hyde-park-corner
began to be thronged with an unusual concourse
of spectators on horseback and on foot. Those
who were to form the escort of her majesty from
Hammersmith to town went on towards that
rendezvous ; the others, who were to meet her
on her arrival, established their head-quarters in
Hyde-park. At a quarter past nine o'clock about
150 gentlemen on horseback assembled at Ham-
mersmith, from whence they proceeded in a
body to the field in front of Brandenburg-house :
there they were formed three abreast, according
to the arrangement which had been previously
made. In this manner one body, of about fifty
horsemen, which was to precede her majesty's
carriage, proceeded to the avenue before the
house, the remaining body, whose numbers had
by this time considerably increased, forming in
like manner in the rear. Her majesty's state
carriage, drawn by six chestnut horses, was at
the door about half-past nine ; and at a little
before ten her majesty was handed into it, fol-
lowed by Lady Anne Hamilton. Only one car-
riage belonging to the Queen was in the suite :
this was occupied by her Majesty's Vice-Cham-
berlain, the Honourable Keppel Craven. Before
the cavalcade left the grounds, it was joined by
a barouch and four, which took its station about
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 643
fifty paces in the rear of her majesty's carriage.
The barouch was occupied by the churchwar-
dens and some other officers of the parish of
Hammersmith. At a few minutes before ten
o'clock the procession moved off in very excel-
lent order towards Hammersmith. In passing
the parish-church her majesty was warmly greeted
by the cheers of the charity-children, who were
drawn up in front, dressed in their holyday-
gear ; but their juvenile plaudits were almost
drowned in the louder shouts of the older inha-
bitants of the village, who seemed to vie with
each other in expressing their feelings of grati-
tude and veneration for their benefactress and
Queen. Many of the houses in the village were
decorated with handsome flags, with various de-
vices and mottos, expressive of a conviction of
her majesty's innocence, and of the injustice of
her persecutors; and there were few houses
which were not ornamented with laurel-leaves,
intermixed with knots of white riband, as em-
blematic of the late victory of injured innocence
over powerful oppression. The windows were
thronged with well-dressed females, who, by
waving of handkerchiefs, and occasionally of
streamers of white riband, evinced their warm
concurrence in the general feeling. We ought
not to omit, that from a very early hour a large
flag waved from the church-top, and the bells
continued ringing " merry peals" until her ma-
jesty passed through.
4o2
644 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
After the cavalcade had passed Hammersmith,
very considerable accessions were made to its
numbers by those horsemen who had come too late
to join it at Brandenburg-house. Viewed from
any station on the road's-side, between that and
Kensington, it presented a most pleasing spec-
tacle. The richness of the royal liveries, the
number and respectability of the equestrian
escort, the handsome decorations of the horses,
and the tasteful knots of white favors (added, in
very many instances, to medallions of her ma-
jesty, suspended from the neck by blue ribands),
gave to the entire spectacle a splendid and inte-
resting appearance. On the arrival of the pro-
cession at Kensington, her majesty was received
with most enthusiastic cheers. Every aperture
of every house, through which even a glimpse
could be had, had been occupied by " eager and
inquiring eyes" long before her majesty's arrival.
Flags and banners of various descriptions floated
from many houses, and in others their place was
supplied by the waving of less costly emblems-
handkerchiefs and ribands. All, however, were
equally significant of the same feeling — the heart-
felt satisfaction of the inhabitants at the triumph
of their much-injured Queen. The repeated
cheers of the thousands who occupied the doors
and windows, and lined the streets, her majesty
graciously acknowledged in the most kind and
dignified manner.
The procession was partly delayed for a few
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 645
moments at Kensington, by one of the horses to
the carriage in which the Honourable Keppel
Craven rode, becoming suddenly restive and
unmanageable. Mr. Craven was, in consequence,
detained while the horses were Changed ; but he
rejoined the procession before its arrival at
Knightsbridge. Here her majesty was met by
Sir Robert Wilson, and a deputation from the
large body of gentlemen who waited on horse-
back for her at Hyde-park-corner. The gallant
officer then took the lead of the procession until it
joined the main body from which he had been
deputed. At Knightsbridge, also, her majesty
was loudly and warmly cheered. The barrack
gates were shut, but a number of troopers were
in the streets (unarmed), and were the only appa-
rently passive spectators of the scene.
On both sides of the road, from Knightsbridge
to Hyde-park-corner, the crowd was immense ;
and the procession, in consequence, moved at
a much slower pace than before. Thousands
and thousands of spectators occupied the walls
and trees in the Park, and every other eminence
from which even an indistinct view of the scene
might be obtained. The shouts, cheers, and
loud huzzas which rent the air on every side at
this period, might have been heard for more than
a mile round. Before her majesty arrived at
Knightsbridge, the procession was followed by
an immense number of carriages of every de-
scription, from the barouch to the taxed cart,
646 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
thronged with spectators of every class, all equally
eager to partake in the general jubilee. Many of
these carriages and carts went no farther than
Hyde-park-corner, owing to the immense pres-
sure of the crowd from thence to the other end of
Piccadilly.
Her majesty reached Hyde-park-corner exactly
at a quarter before eleven o'clock. The immense
multitude of persons there waiting to receive her
exceeded any expectation that could be formed,
and far surpassed any of the great assemblages
which on former occasions have covered the same
ground in celebrating the triumphs of eminent
popular characters. Such a congregation of the
people, which might truly be said to represent
the various classes which compose society in this
country, was perhaps never before beheld. Nor
was it the streets alone, thronged as they were,
and the occasional appearance of rank and beauty
in the windows of fashionable residences, that
presented this complete and extended coup d'oeil,
for similar rtianifestations of respect and curiosity
were exhibited when Louis XVIII. made his
public entry into Piccadilly in the year 1814, and
on many other occasions of great public interest ;
but it was the intense anxiety that prevailed to
occupy every spot which 'could command even a
distant glance of her majesty as she passed; the
decorum of behaviour one to another, in this great
throng, denoting at once decent condition in
society, and the diffusion of a harmonious feeling
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 647
in the various ranks which were assembled, to
conduct themselves in the presence of the Queen
with that propriety and respect which became
the solemnity of the' occasion. Balconies, win-
dows, and roofs of the houses in Piccadilly, were
filled by the most interesting objects; men,
women, and children, alike pressed forward to
get a passing glance. The Park walls, the iron
railing, and the trees, presented a living mass of
occupants, which gave every point of vision the
most novel and lively effect. The gentlemen
who formed on horseback in Piccadilly, four
a-breast, had taken up their position at an early
hour, and kept a convenient space open for the
advance of the procession upon the arrival of her
majesty ; so that when her majesty's carriage
passed through the turnpike, they took the lead,
and the whole moved forward in the most perfect
order, and without the least inconvenience or
delay. Several trumpets sounded a grand salute
as the Queen entered Piccadilly, but the shrill
noise of the martial instrument was quickly
drowned in the enthusiastic and deafening shouts
of the people. The shouts were repeated and
continued from the tops of the houses and the
trees in the Park, so as to keep up a reverbera-
tion of sound, which denoted the universal enthu-
siasm that pervaded all ranks which had as-
sembled. Sir Robert Wilson and Mr. Hume,
M. P., rode at the side of her majesty's carnage ;
Mr. Hobhouse, Mr. Peter Moore, and several
648 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
other members of parliament, followed in their
carriages. The Queen surveyed this interesting
display of the enthusiastic feeling of the people
with dignity and calmness ; her repeated obei-
sances could only be seen by those who, regard-
less of the horses, pressed close around the
coach to express their dutiful attachment to her
majesty. As the procession swept along Picca-
dilly, the carriages, filled by company, which were
drawn up on each side of the way, necessarily
intruded upon the line of the cavalcade ; but so
universal was the desire to promote the general
ceremony, that casual impediments were speedily
removed, with little or no inconvenience to indi-
viduals, and we believe without any serious acci-
dent, though several small carts were overset,
owing to the immense pressure of the people as
they passed. From Piccadilly the cavalcade
turned into St. James's-street, and here the most
picturesque prospect opened upon the eye. The
deputations from the different trades of the me-
tropolis, with bands of music, and colours and
banners flying, lined St. James's-street at an early
hour, and kept an open passage. The harmo-
nious arrangement of the different streamers, the
tasteful decorations of some of the feanners, blazed j
upon the eye with the brilliant tints which float
in the pomp of a Venetian carnival. The music
struck up as the Queen passed, the colours were
waved amid the loudest acclamations, and the
Queen passed the ancient palace of her prede-
QUEEN CONSORT O!< ENGLAND. 649
cessors, and the more immediate palace of her
husband, attended by a larger number of her fel-
low subjects, and greeted by more universal en-
thusiasm, than ever before accompanied any
human being upon the same, or indeed any other
line of march. In front of Carlton-house, a space
was left open for the sentinels on duty to com-
mand a view of her majesty when she came oppo-
site their post. They advanced and presented
arms, according to the usual etiquette, as the
Queen passed, and were applauded by the by-
standers for this prompt obedience to their duty.
As might have been expected, the pressure be-
came severe when the immense crowds attending
her majesty poured into the Strand from Charing-
cross. The anxiety to get a glance of her ma-
jesty, and catch her eye while in the act of any
enthusiastic expression of respect, became more
intense as it was found utterly unattainable from
the limited breadth of the streets. Her affability
and condescension were never more unremittingly
displayed. It was, however, impossible to pay it
to every body ; but, in the language of the poet,
Still her approach with stronger influence warm'd :
She pleased while distant ; but when near she charmed.
She seemed indeed an object of proud exultation —
• a form design'd for sway,
Which chiefs may court, and kings with pride obey.
At half-past eleven o'clock the Queen passed
through the streets as well as it were practicable,
4 P
650
MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
considering the immense assemblage which pressed
upon the cavalcade at all sides.
The city, at a very early hour, presented a
scene of unusual bustle and animation. The in-
habitants were seen moving in all directions
towards Fleet-street; whence vast bodies pro-
ceeded westward, anxious to witness the prepa-
rations for her majesty's reception at Hyde-park-
corner. Carpenters were employed by break of
day in securing the windows of the shops, and
in erecting seats for the accommodation of those
persons whose curiosity might induce them to pay
from one to two guineas each for a secure situa-
tion, from which they might see the procession.
As early as eight o'clock, crowds of elegantly-
dressed ladies took their seats in the different
houses along the line of procession. Their ap-
pearance contradicted, in the most decided man-
ner, the vile slanders of those who have un-
blushingly asserted that none but the very meanest
order of females commiserated the sufferings of
the Queen, or rejoiced in her deliverance. We
never, on any occasion, recollect to have seen a
brighter or more fascinating assemblage of female
loveliness — rendered still more lovely by grace-
fulness of dress — than the windows of Fleet-
street and Ludgate-hill presented. Almost all
the ladies wore white favours, and not a few of
them indicated the pleasure which they derived
from the Queen's triumph by displaying small
branches of laurel.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 651
Several deputations from different trades, who
had expressed their intention to pay respect to
her majesty on this interesting occasion, were
stationed in various parts of Fleet-street. The
Brass-founders extended in a line across Bridge-
street, and made a very handsome appearance.
One of their flags was inscribed, " The Queen's
guards are men of metal." A deputation of the
inhabitants of Southwark drew up almost in the
centre of Fleet-street. They exhibited a white
silk flag, with the plain inscription, " Borough of
Southwark." Several bodies of the united benefit-
societies with flags and bands of music, were also
drawn up in order, and afforded considerable as-
sistance to the constables, who paraded the
street in great numbers.
At half-past eleven o'clock the special and ordi-
nary constables, under the guidance of the City-
marshal, and assisted by the Marshal's men,
formed a passage through the multitude, for the
purpose of admitting the Lord- Mayor and Sheriffs
to approach Temple-bar. Soon afterwards the
clangour of trumpets gave notice that her majesty
approached — an intimation which was received
with enthusiastic plaudits.
The City-gates had been closed, and the band
of trumpeters, which accompanied Sir Robert
Wilson, advancing to the portal, sounded a loud
flourish. The City-marshal immediately ap-
proached, and demanded who was there. He
was answered, that her majesty the Queen de-
4 p2
652 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
sired to be admitted into the City of London.
The Marshal informed the Lord-Mayor of her ma-
jesty's visit, and his lordship gave the necessary
orders for admitting her. The gates were then
thrown open, and in a few minutes, a numerous
cavalcade, consisting of many hundred gentle-
men mounted on horseback, entered the City.
They all wore white favours, and the heads of
their horses were decorated with white rosettes.
They were cheered most energetically as they
advanced towards St. Paul's. Having arrived
there, they drew up round the Cathedral, forming
a clear and secure passage. Soon after this
body had passed, the gentlemen who formed, as
we may term it, " the special guard" of her ma-
jesty, approached, and, when the first of them
had reached the Lord-Mayor's carriage, the civic
part of the procession moved on.
The plaudits on her majesty's entrance into the
City exceeded, if possible, all the demonstrations
of popular respect hitherto evinced. The waving
of handkerchiefs by the ladies was almost univer-
sal ; and the exulting shouts of assembled my-
riads made the welkin ring. The flags which
were carried by the deputations from different
trades, and which presented every variety of
colour and of device, formed a most picturesque
object, and were much noticed. One of the in-
scriptions was " The Queen's Guards — the
People !" and another " The people have been
taught this lesson— Southey." Sir R. Wilson,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 653
who rode on the right side of the Queen's car-
riage, was loudly cheered ; and the same mark of
approbation was conferred on Mr. Hobhouse, who
appeared in a private chariot, and was dressed in
a full court suit.
The whole line from Temple-bar to St. Paul's
was excessively crowded at nine o'clock. No
cart, carriage, or hackney-coach was to be seen,
but well-dressed ladies and gentlemen moving
slowly on foot backwards and forwards, as the
general current afforded room for moving. Every
street and lane adjoining this part of the line of
procession was occupied by crowds, who were
accommodated with temporary means of viewing
the interesting scene. New Bridge-street and
Fleet market presented a grand appearance, both
for numbers and for elegance. Not a window
within view but was occupied by as many ladies
and gentlemen of the greatest respectability as
could possibly have a glimpse of the procession.
Every house-top, every place where a human foot
could stand, was required. The top of St. Dun-
stan's church was covered with a genteel multi-
tude. In Ludgate-hill Mr. Hone's house was
conspicuous; it was crowded with spectators;
and lamps were suspended for an illumination in
the evening, to express " Knowledge is power. "
About half-past eleven the Lord Mayor, the
Sheriffs of London, Alderman Wood, Mr. Favell,
and other members of the Common Council, in"
their respective coaches, with horses splendidly
654 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
decorated, and with all the pomp and state of
the metropolitan corporation, proceeded towards
Temple-bar to receive her majesty. They were
loudly cheered by the immense multitudes on
every side as they advanced. At Temple-bar
they inverted the order for the return, the Lord
Mayor, who had advanced first, now taking his
station last. Her majesty, on arriving at Temple-
bar, took her station immediately after the Lord
Mayor. In the procession to St. Paul's, the cor-
.poration were preceded by a large body of the
cavalcade, headed by Sir G. Noel. The multi-
tudes along the streets now ranged themselves in
the closest phalanx, and cleared a passage for the
procession to advance with perfect ease and safety.
It is quite impossible to imagine any gratification
to the eye or the ear of man more magnificently
sublime than this scene presented. Above, below,
on every side, nothing was to be seen but eager
and continued waving of hats and handkerchiefs ;
the shouts of congratulation and heart-felt bless-
ings that resounded along, were at once awful and
animating. When the preservation of order made
it necessary to halt occasionally, those who had
a view of her majesty raised a shout of redoubled
enthusiasm; this was invariably a signal to all
who heard the shout or saw the agitation of white
handkerchiefs, to join in the cry of " God bless
the Queen," and to wave their white handker-
chiefs in token of their conviction of her inno-
cence. Her majesty on these occasions acknow
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 655
ledged, with every symptom of feeling and con-
descension, the ardent expressions of sympathy
and admiration which she called forth. The
eagerness to get a near view of her majesty was
extreme, and must have caused considerable
annoyance to many gentlemen in the procession ;
but no interruption to perfect good humour was
any where offered. There was but one attempt
at picking pockets, and the attempt was scarcely
made, when the miscreant found himself in so-
ciety that would not harbour him for a moment,
he was instantly apprehended. It may safely
be affirmed, that so numerous a concourse of hu-
j man beings was never before seen on the face of
I the earth. It is proudly peculiar to the Queen of
; England and the City of London that this im-
r mense assemblage should be seen within the ba-
i riers of London, to celebrate the triumph of a
I Queen, the greatest triumph ever obtained over
i the worst passions that ever disgraced human
nature — without one emblem of military control,
or one instrument of war, and without the slightest
cause to regret their absence.
At half-past twelve her majesty arrived at the
, outer gate of the grand entrance to St. Paul's.
All who had a view of this part of the procession,
and immense was the crowd stationed at win-
dows, on house-tops, on hackney-coaches, and on
.booths erected near the Cathedral, all raised a
simultaneous shout; the mass along the streets
carried it triumphantly along towards Temple-
G5G MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
bar. During the time her majesty was engaged
in the solemn act of giving thanks to God, the
multitudes kept their stations. It was dread-
fully grand on this occasion, from the roof of a
centre house in Ludgate-hill, to view the inse-
parable mass condensed in the streets below. In
the slightest movement that took place, all moved.
It was one living mass, as closely packed as it
was possible for human beings to be.
The south door of the Cathedral was opened at
ten o'clock for the admission of the Canon-Resi-
dentiary, the Sub-Canons, the Choir, and the
other persons who were to officiate in the solemn
service of the day ; and at half-past ten the
northern door was opened to the members of
the Common Council, who formed the committee.
These two entrances were then closed for the
remainder of the day. The members of the com-
mittee were dressed in their municipal robes,
each of them wearing a large rosette of white
riband on his left breast, and bearing a white
wand, the upper part of which was gilt, and or-
namented with wreaths of artificial flowers, sur-
mounted with a white silk rosette. To these
gentlemen the arrangement of the seats in the
choir was intrusted, and it is but justice to state
that every exertion was used on their part to
accommodate all who were present. At first,
only the families of the members of the Courts of
Aldermen and Common Council, with a few select
friends, were admitted and were disposed in the
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 657
most convenient seats not appropriated for the
reception of those members of parliament, city
officers, magistrates, &c. in attendance on her
majesty. By half-past eleven o'clock the choir
contained a great number of beautiful ladies,
dressed in a manner as tasteful and elegant as
was consistent with a prudent regard for their
health at that season of the year. Among them
was observed Mrs. Alderman Wood, and her two
lovely and elegant daughters, occupying a seat
nearly opposite to that set apart for her majesty.
The Bishop's throne and the Dean's seat were
not occupied at all, both these reverend digni-
taries having written to the Lord-Mayor, prohi-
biting them from being used. The seat appro-
priated to her majesty's use on this occasion, was
the one uniformly occupied by members of the
Royal Family, and called the Bishop's seat : in
the middle of the choir, on the south side. The
corresponding seat on the opposite side of the
choir was set apart for the Lord-Mayor. The
Countess Oldi, Madame Felice, Mr. Austin, and
others, occupied from an early hour one of the
right-side seats, between the door and her ma-
jesty's seat. The only interior preparations made
on this occasion were the erection of a few seats
in the space between the gates of the choir and
the nave, and the placing of several forms along
the aisle of the choir, between the pulpit and the
railing in front of the altar. It has been stated
that the committee expressed a wish to lay down
4 Q
"658 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
a covering of floor-cloth, or carpeting, from the
outer gate of the Cathedral, through the nave and
choir, to the seat set apart for her majesty, but
that Dr. Hughes's instructions did not permit him
to sanction the proposal.
At a quarter before twelve o'clock, the com-
mittee of sixty ladies, who were in attendance to
receive her majesty, entered the choir, and took
their seats on the forms placed in front of the
communion-table. They were all, with two ex-
ceptions, dressed in white, their hair decorated
with white ribands, and white veils hanging
gracefully on their shoulders and bosoms. The
effect produced by seeing so many beautiful and
elegant females uniformly dressed, and seated
together, was peculiarly striking and pleasing.
Just as these ladies had taken their seats behind
the pulpit, the only act of indecorum that was
committed during the whole day — the only exhi-
bition that was inconsistent with the solemnity of
the occasion — took place in the Cathedral. While
every other person within the choir was evincing
that solemn demeanour which was becoming in
the house of God, the Rev. Dr. Hughes entered
one of the side-stalls, and began to address the
Committee of the Common-Council in a loud and
angry tone of remonstrance. The Rev. Sub-dean
stated, that an agreement had been entered into
with the committee, that the gates should be
opened to the public at a quarter before twelve
o'clock; but he now found that the constables
TME QITEJEM'S FMOTI: TO §* PAUL'S
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 659
who had been stationed at the gates had received
orders not to admit the people till the Queen
arrived. This he loudly complained of as a vio-
lation of the conditions to which the committee
had acceded.
One of the committee observed, that although
a quarter before twelve might have been the time
mentioned at which the gates would be opened to
the public, still the committee acted within the
spirit of the agreement, since the only object of
preventing the promiscuous entrance of the public
before twelve o'clock, was to avoid such a pressure
inside, as would render it impossible for her ma-
jesty to pass either with comfort or with safety.
Dr, Hughes, apparently much irritated, and
striking his trencher-cap with violence on the
front of the desk, reiterated his complaint that
the agreement was violated.
The conduct of the zealous canon drew from
the persons assembled in the choir very unequi-
vocal symptoms of disapprobation ; but the good
sense of the congregation was proof against every
artifice resorted to for the purpose of occasioning
a tumult.
At thirty minutes past twelve, her majesty ap-
proached St. Paul's, and the west centre doors,
fronting Ludgate-hill, were thrown open. The
vast pile resounded with murmurs of gratulation ;
and the distant shouts of the multitude without
continued to increase in loudness as her majesty
drew near to the majestic temple. Notice of
660 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
the Queen's approach having been given to Dr.
Hughes, he proceeded with the choir, to the west
door, to receive her majesty. The committee
advanced and joined the choir, and in a few
seconds her majesty entered the cathedral amidst
loud shouts. The west door was then closed,
and her majesty advanced thus attended : —
Two Marshalmen.
Members of the Committee, two and two. .
The Officers of the Corporation.
Mr. Sheriff Waithman and Mr. Sheriff Williams.
HER MAJESTY, resting on the arm of the Lord-Mayor.
Alderman Wood, and the Members of her Majesty's Suite
Lady Hamilton, resting on the arm of Mr. Favell.
Members of the Committee.
Her majesty was also attended by the Hon.
Keppel Craven, Sir Robert Wilson, Mr. Hume,
M. P., Mr. Hobhouse, M. P., and several other
persons of distinction.
As her majesty approached, Mr. Attwood, the
organist, performed a voluntary, and one of
Mozart's fugues.
Her majesty walked slowly and solemnly up
the nave and choir to the seat appointed for her,
headed by the Lord-Mayor, and followed by the
gentlemen already mentioned. Lady Anne Ha-
milton was on the Queen's right, and Sir Robert
Wilson and Mr. Hobhouse on her left. On Lady
Anne Hamilton's right was Mr. Hume, and Mr.
B. Beaumont. Mr. Keppel Craven stood below,
in front of her majesty.
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 661
Having left the Queen seated, the Lord-Mayor,
followed by the Aldermen and city-officers,
proceeded to the opposite side of the choir, and
took his seat, Mr. Alderman Wood being on
his left, and Sheriffs Waithman and Williams,
and their Under-sheriffs, on the left of Alderman
Wood. The members of the corporation who
were present then arranged themselves in their
respective places. The deputation of ladies, who
previously sat on the forms in front of the com-
munion-table, now removed to the side-seats on
each side of the pulpit. Dr. Hughes took his
private seat at the end of the choir.
Her majesty wore a white silk pelisse, with
deep trimmings of white fur, and a close turban
head-dress, covered with a white veil. As soon
as she was placed in her seat, she turned round,
and, kneeling slowly down, offered up the usual
silent prayer.
The usual morning service was then read ; the
prayers by the Rev. Mr. Hayes, and the Litany by
the Rev. Mr. Pridden and the Rev. Mr. Pack.
The service performed was Mr. Nares's, and the
chant Lord Mornington's. It is impossible not
to remark how strikingly applicable the Psalms
appointed for the morning service were to her ma-
jesty's situation. The following are two of them :
PSALM CXL. Eripe me, Domine.
1. DELIVER me, O Lord, from the etil man: and preserve
me from the wicked man.
2. Who imagine mischief in their hearts ; and stii up strife
all the day long.
662 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
3. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: adders'
poison is under their lips.
4. Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the ungodly : preserve
me from the wicked men who are purposed to overthrow my
goings.
5. The proud have laid a snare for me, and spread a net
ahroad with cords : yea, and set traps in my way.
6. I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God : hear the voice of
my prayers, O Lord.
7. O Lord God, thou strength of my health, thou hast covered
my head in the day of battle.
8. Let not the ungodly have his desire, O Lord : let not his
mischievous imagination prosper, lest they be too proud.
9. Let the mischief of their own lips fall upon the head of
them that compass me about.
10. Let hot burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast
into the fire, and into the pit, that they never rise up again.
1 1 . A man full of words shall not prosper upon the earth : evil
shall hunt the wicked person to overthow him.
12. Sure I am that the Lord will avenge the poor: and
maintain the cause of the helpless.
13. The righteous also shall give thanks unto thy name : and
the just shall continue in thy sight.
PSALM CXLI. Domine, clamavi.
1. LORD, I call upon thee ; haste thee unto me, and consider
my voice when I cry unto thee.
2. Let my prayer be set forth in thy sight as the incense :
and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.
3. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth : and keep the door
of my lips.
4. O let not mine heart be inclined to any evil thing : let
me not be occupied in ungodly works with the men that work
wickedness, lest I eat of such things as please them.
5. Let the righteous rather smite me friendly : and reprove me.
6. But let not their precious balms break my head : yea, I
will pray yet against their wickedness.
QUEEN C/ONSOKT OP ENGLAND. 663
7. Let their judges be overthrown in stony places : that they
may hear my words, for they are sweet.
8. Our hones lie scattered hefore the pit : like as when one
breaketh and heweth wood upon the earth.
9. But mine eyes look unto thee, O Lord God : in theeis my
trust, O cast not out my soul.
10. Keep me from the snare that they have laid for me : and
from the traps of the wicked doers.
11. Let the ungodly fall into their own nets together: and
let me ever escape them.
The Litany was read as amended on the acces-
sion of his present majesty, no notice being taken
of her majesty's name. In the general thanks-
giving, the parenthetical clause which it is cus-
tomary for the officiating clergyman to read at
the request of any individual who desires to offer
up a particular thanksgiving, was also omitted on
this occasion. A dead and solemn silence per-
vaded the choir during the time of service ; and
owing to the excellent arrangements previously
made, and already described, it was not uncom-
fortably crowded. The unaffected solemnity of
her majesty's deportment, during the performance
of the service, was eminently characteristic of the
devout and humble Christian.
Public worship was concluded at a quarter be-
fore two o'clock, and the deputation of ladies then
moved towards the door of the choir, and arranged
themselves on each side of the passage through
which her majesty was to walk on proceeding to
her carriage.
The corporation, choir, -&c., preceded the
664 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
Queen on her return, in the same order as on her
entrance, the Lord-Mayor walking on her left, and
Mr. Alderman Wood going before her majesty to
make a way through the people, who pressed
round her as she passed, offering up their bene-
dictions and their prayers for her past and future
protection by Providence. Her majesty gra-
ciously acknowledged these offerings of affec-
tionate loyalty and duty with her accustomed
gracefulness and condescension. Having been
handed to her carriage by the Lord-Mayor, her
majesty left St. Paul's Cathedral, attended by the
same procession that had escorted her to this
great national temple.
The appearance of St. Paul's Church-yard and
Ludgate-Hill, from the western door of the Cathe-
dral, mocks every attempt at description. The
scene was truly picturesque. Below the spec-
tator were seen thousands of uncovered heads,
undulating in one connected wave, according
to the impulse given to the crowd ; while the
surrounding houses were literally roofed with
people, and the fronts of them were almost ren-
dered invisible by the clustered groups that occu-
pied the windows, the balconies, and every ledge
and pinnacle on which a human being could
maintain a footing.
A few minutes before two o'clock, signals were
given of her majesty's return, and all became
alacrity and attention. At two precisely the pro-
cession began to move. Her majesty was now
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. GG3
seen to great advantage, the carriage being
opened. This high gratification gave infinite
energy to the joy and exultation of all. Her ma-
jesty seemed deeply affected, and signified her
sense of the national homage now done to her
innocence and moral courage, in the most cour-
teous and gracious manner. The Lord-Mayor
attended her majesty to Temple-bar, and then re-
turned, loudly and warmly cheered.
The crowd in the Strand continued nearly as
thronged as when the procession first passed ; in
addition to which, a vast number of vehicles of
every description were stationed close to the
footway, the owners of Avhich took advantage of
the public feeling, by letting out seats and stand-
ing-room to those who were not fortunate enough
to gain admission to any of the houses in the
street. For such accommodation, inconvenient
as it was, as high as half-a-crown was in many
instances demanded, and readily given. In her
passage through the Strand, and on to Hyde-
park-corner, her majesty was again most enthu-
siastically cheered. On this occasion the almost
countless thousands who filled the streets, doors,
and windows, were gratified with a sight of her
majesty as she passed. Her majesty's condes-
cension in throwing open her carriage was grate-
fully acknowledged, and she had thereby the
additional gratification of observing more accu-
rately the unaffected and enthusiastic joy which
her presence every where inspired. She here
4 u,
666 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
enjoyed one of the greatest of all human consola-
tions to a British Queen — a consolation for which
kings and queens may sigh in vain, unless they
deserve it — the proud consciousness of possessing
the love and affection of her people, and of never
having done any act to forfeit their esteem. After
the procession had passed, the assemblage moved
quietly away, as quickly as multitudes so con-
densed could get from their several places. Every
individual appeared to derive personal distinction
and gratification from the undisturbed order and
complete effect with which the highest tribute of
respect and attachment ever paid to a human
being was paid to the calumniated and perse-
cuted, but acquitted and triumphant, Queen Con-
sort of George IV.
Singularly unfortunate as the Queen Consort of
England had really been, and powerful as her
claim to sympathy might be, there occasionally
appeared in her history instances of rare good
fortune. The unanimity and perseverance with
which the people of England have entertained and
expressed the warmest interest and the pro-
foundest devotion, is an instance of gooti fortune
to which the history of princes affords no paral-
lel. Perhaps a 4th of December was never before
in England more propitious to the purposes of pa-
rade in the open air than that of 1820. Addresses
in open carriages, on horseback, and on foot, pro-
ceeded through the whole of London, and by the
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 667
public road to Hammersmith, with all the splen-
dour and comfort which could have been enjoyed
in the month of July, and with the additional
satisfaction of enjoying an uncommon and unex-
pected pleasure. The kindly but subdued ma-
jesty of the day seemed to accord in amazing
harmony with the sentiments of men full of con-
gratulations for the triumph of a Queen, clouded
but serene — afflicted but victorious. Her majesty
appeared to feel all the influence of the day.
Never woman of her age, in any rank, or on any
occasion, displayed in her looks more dignity and
grace. So powerful and irresistible was the im-
pression of her look and air, that the crowd of
ladies and gentlemen in her presence — and they
were of the highest respectability — could not be
restrained from loud demonstrations of their
ardent delight. It has been said that virtue re-
quires but to be fairly seen in order to be univer-
sally recognised and admired ; but it is a virtue
without the perjuries which the vindictive and the
venal would throw around her. Whoever fails to
recognise and admire the Queen of England as
innocent and injured, views her only through the
mists of perjury and well-paid prejudice.
There were not fewer than thirty-nine addresses
presented to her majesty on that day. The first
was from the parish of St. John, Hackney ; it was
presented and read by the chairman, Mr. Christie.
A great number of ladies and gentlemen attended
with this address, and had the honour of kissiner
4f R2
668 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
her majesty's hand. They were highly respect-
able ; all came in carriages and four. Mr. Alder-
man Wood read her majesty's reply.
The next address presented was from Norwich.
It was presented by a deputation, consisting of
the Deputy- Mayor W. Smith, Esq., M.P., and
Mr. Taylor. It was most graciously received.
The address of the inhabitants of Farringdon-
within was presented by Mr. Deputy Crowder,
and read by Mr. Herring. It was most graciously
received, and the ladies and gentlemen who at-
tended kissed her majesty's hand.
The address from Brighton was presented to
her majesty by John Chatfield, Esq., supported
by Edward Thunder, Esq., and Mr. Slight.
Their reception from her majesty was gratifying
in the highest degree. Her majesty stepped for-
ward, and with the greatest animation said, " I
am happy to find the inhabitants of Brighton have
not forgotten me, though some have done so."
Mr. Chatfield replied, " And your majesty may
be assured they never will forget you.J}
The address from Kimpton and Grately, Hants,
was presented by the Rev. Mr. Hutchin, and re-
ceived with marked condescension.
Lieut. Ladd, of the royal navy, presented the
address from Buckland. Her majesty received
it very graciously.
Mr. Little presented the address from Annan.
A numerous and respectable deputation of
ladies and gentlemen waited upon her majesty
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND.
669
with the address from St. Matthew's, Bethnal-
green. Mr. Ball, the chairman, presented and
read the address. All had the honour of kissing
her majesty's hand.
Mr. Tucker, the portreeve, and Dr. Brine, pre-
sented the address from Ashburton.
Colonel Jones presented an address from New-
castle-under-Lyme.
The addresses from the following places were
then successively presented by Mr. Alderman
Wood : —
Northampton,
Chippenham,
Arbroath, N. B.
Nottingham,
Gainsborough,
Great Yarmouth,
Bury St. Edmund's,
Eye,
Linlithgow, N. B.
Huddersfield,
Culross,.
Wellingborough,
Marnhill,
Hertford,
Kelso (incorporated trades),
Kelso (merchants' company),
March, Isle of Ely,
Hilton, Derbyshire,
Castleton, and
Preston.
Also from the Benefit Societies of
Andover and Charlton,
Whitchurch,
Highclere,
East Woodhay.
West Woodhay,
Whitway, and
Newton.
The worthy alderman likewise presented ad-
dresses from Grimsby, Button, and St. Neot's.
Her majesty then retired for a short time, till
the procession of Furriers, Skinners, and Leather-
dressers, had arranged themselves, with their
670 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
flags, banners, and emblematical representations,
along the gallery.
The procession was on foot, and displayed a
great number of beautiful* flags and banners, with
appropriate inscriptions, cfe. —
" Our Country and Commerce."
A white flag, with the initials C. R.
Another, with the inscription " Not Guilty."
A white flag — Motto, " Virtue often suffers when Vice goes
unpunished."
A white flag— Motto, " Thank God, the People, and the Press."
A white flag— Motto, " United we stand."
The Fell mongers' Arms*
The figure of a Lamb, carried by a gentleman on horseback,
with a white flag, inscribed, " Innocence Triumphant."
White flag— Motto, " Thus shall be done to the Woman whom
the People delight to honour."
The address and reply being read, the chair-
man, mover, and seconder, kissed her majesty's
hand, and the procession moved in a regular and
slow pace across the room before her majesty,
from right to left, and then marched out in the
same order in which they had entered. Her ma-
jesty bowed her head to each individual as he
passed, and paid particular attention to all the
flags and inscriptions. She examined minutely,
and seemed to admire the inscription, " Thank
God, the People, and the Press/' The letters
were dyed in red morocco.
Her majesty afterwards presented herself suc-
cessively at the windows to the south and to the
east of the long gallery, and was most raptur-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 671
«, V
ously cheered by large crowds assembled on the
lawn.
In consequence of the signal defeat which the
enemies of her majesty had experienced, it was
natural enough to suppose that every petty art
and shift would be resorted to, in order to vilify
her. and to lower her in the opinion of the English
people. Reports were circulated that her majesty
was resolved to quit England and retire to Italy,
not so much that the air of Italy was congenial
to her, but that as it would not be decorous in
Bergami to come to England, her majesty must
leave England to go to him. — These and other
such like reports, circulated by various means
and by hireling agents inundated the venal part
of the public press, and there was no act too
base of which her majesty was not supposed to
be guilty.
Unfortunately, however, for these imps of
slander and detraction, her majesty, so far from
having any intention of leaving the country, was
actually at this time in treaty with Prince Leopold
for the purchase of the lease of Marlborough-
house. His royal highness was ready to transfer
his interest in the premises to her majesty, and
an arrangement was accordingly begun; when on
a sudden it was discovered, that Marlborough-
house and Carlton-palace were at a very short
distance from each other, and therefore the fitness
of the former mansion, as a residence for the
Queen, began to be questioned, and it was sub-
672 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
sequently determined, that it could not be allowed.
Her majesty then, finding that every obstacle was
thrown in her way of having a town residence
provided for her by the ministers, shortly after-
wards entered into a treaty for Cambridge-house,
and the treaty was ratified and confirmed on the
part of her majesty.
Parliament was now sitting, and every attempt
was made by her majesty to have her name
restored to the Liturgy. Petitions innumerable
were presented from all parts of the kingdom,
praying that her majesty might be restored to all
the rights and privileges of a Queen Consort ; the
voice of the people called loudly for it, but it was
all to no effect ; her majesty was to be treated as
a guilty woman, and all the consequences of guilt
were to be heaped upon her. Her name was not
restored to the Litany, and every engine, which
ministers could set in motion, was employed to
oppress and annoy her.
Her majesty may now be said to have been
living entirely in the hearts of her people, they
had fought for her the good fight, and although
they had not obtained all they required, yet
much had been gained, and the ministers of this
country had an admonitory lesson read to them
of what the English people can effect when they
are united.
Her majesty now appeared more in public. She
attended the theatres and other places of public
amusement, and wherever a charitable institution
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 673
could be benefitted by her patronage, it was most
readily and cheerfully granted.
In this state matters rested until the beginning
of May last, when the renewed labours of a
limited number of men in Westminster-hall led
to a belief that the immediate coronation of his
majesty had been determined on; and the Queen
joining in this belief, although no official announce-
ment had been made to that effect, wrote a letter
to the Earl of Liverpool on the 5th, demanding to
be present at the ceremony. To this she received
the following reply :
Lord Liverpool has received the king's commands, in con-
sequence of the last communication of the Queen to Lord
Liverpool of the 5th instant, to inform the Queen that his
majesty having determined that the Queen shall form no part
of the ceremonial of his coronation, it is therefore his royaj
pleasure that the Queen shall not attend the said ceremony.
Fife House, 1th May, 1821.
In consequence of this intimation, her majesty
claimed to be heard before the Privy Council, re-
garding her right to be crowned ; and the claim
being granted, the Privy Council met on the 6th
of June, and Mr. Brougham began by stating that
he had been refused a piece of evidence which it
was of importance for him to possess, and which
was in the custody of the Dean and Chapter of
Westminster ; he meant the Liber Regalis, a book
that contained the formula of the ceremonies per-
formed at the coronation of the kings of England.
4 s
674 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
This book they refused to the Counsel unless
ordered to do so by the highest authority.
Some conversation then took place among their
lordships, when it was determined to send for the
book, and that Mr. Brougham might, in the mean
time, proceed with his case — when the book came
he could retire and refer to it.
Mr. Brougham then commenced his speech :—
" The question," he said, " which he had to submit to their
lordships was a legal one, — namely, whether the Queen Consort
of England had a right to be crowned when the King celebrates
the ceremony of the Coronation. He thought he should be able
to prove satisfactorily that she had this right ; arid with this
view he should first request their lordships to go back with him
into the history of the country : for the ground on which he
mainly relied was the uniform and uninterrupted enjoyment of
this ceremony by the Queen Consort of England, from the
earliest period. He inferred the right of queens to participate
in the solemnity so early as the Saxon times, from the circum-
stance of a law being passed, in the year 784, excluding Queen
Adelbriga from the ceremony of being crowned Queen of the
West Saxons, because she had murdered her husband. He
next quoted passages from ancient records to establish the fact,
that the coronation of the Queen Consort with her husband the
King was quite a matter of course, and that in the case of Henry
VII. when he put off the coronation of his queen, he at length
found it was no longer safe for him, on account of popular re-
sentment, to withhold that ceremony to which she was con-
sidered as having a solemn right. Henry VII. therefore yielded
to public opinion, and the coronation was celebrated on the
25th Nov. 1487, when the queen was crowned- Lord Bacon's
observation was, that it was * an old christening, which had
staid long for a godfather.' This coronation of the Queen
alone was announced in a proclamation in the ver} same words
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 675
in which the King himself had two years and a month before
announced the solemnity of his own coronation. Mr. Brougham
called their lordships' attention to the fact, that from the
Conqueror up to this period, there had been nineteen kings
crowned. Eighteen of these were married either before or
after the coronation, and of these eighteen the queens were all
crowned. Up to that period, fifteen coronations of kings had
taken place, the purpose of those solemnities being to crowit
the king ; and fourteen of these solemnities had taken place for
the purpose of crowning the queens alone, independently and
exclusively of any purpose of crowning the king ; and if Mar-
garet, the second wife of Edward I. were included, fifteen would
have so taken place. For as many precedents, therefore, as
existed, for crowning the kings of England, up to this period,
there was precisely the same number of instances for perform-
ing the same ceremonial, for the purpose of doing honour to
their queens. Of those ceremonials no less than six were
known to have been coronations of queens, without the king
being crowned a second time with them."
After entering at great length into a history of the various
coronations, to the accession of Henry VI., " he would here,"
he said, " with their lordships' permission, step aside to consider
what had been the rule and precedent of Scotland in these
matters, where the same custom with that he had been describ-
ing, had uniformly taken place, though the documents for the
proof of it were by no means so clear or perfect. But this he
was prepared to maintain, that there was no instance in the
history of Scotland, in which a Queen Consort had not been
crowned with or without her husband. He stated this in the
broadest terms, and he put it to those who asserted the contrary,
to disprove him."
The learned counsel then applied for leave to
withdraw to consult the Liber Regalis. The
Council granted such permission. At half-past
one o'clock Mr. Brougham returned, and stated
4 s 2
676 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
that he should be obliged to ask for leave to
withdraw for at least another hour.
After consulting counsel for a short time, the
Council adjourned accordingly, at a quarter be-
fore two o'clock, till ten the next morning.
Second Day. — The Privy Council having met
at ten o'clock on the following day, Mr. Brougham
resumed his argument.
44 He contended omissions of the exercise of the right of a
Queen to be crowned, which might have occurred, were not to
be construed into a non-claim of a right which had existed by
immemorial usage. The enjoyment of the right had been uni-
form ; and where the right had been interrupted there was no
acquiescence on the part of the persons interrupted, nor any
adjudication prohibiting the exercise of their claims. S'o
essential was it, in point of fact, that the solemnity of crowning
the Queen should take place, that several rights of service and
tenure were attached to, and dependent upon it.
" Mr. Brougham then quoted cases where there appeared to be
certain offices which the subject was bound to perform, and
certain rights which he was entitled to enjoy at the coronation
of the Queen, as well as at the coronation of the King. He
then asked was the coronation of the Queen a mere unsubstan-
tial trifle — a something which might or might not be done, and
of which the performance or the omission was a matter of equal
indifference ? Was it to be considered as a trifle of so little
value, as a matter of so much indifference as to be dispensed
with or not, at the will of the Crown — as to rest upon no solid
foundation, but to be performed or neglected at the caprice of
an individual ? No such usago could exist at the mere will and
pleasure of the sovereign. 1 D assert the contrary would be to
assert that the sovereign reigne\S not for the benefit of the realm,
but for his own ends. The coronation itself could not be dis
pensed with by the Crown, because it was a right to be exej
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 677
cised for the public good — which belonged to the sovereign, not
in his private capacity as a man, but in his public capacity as a
sovereign, acting for the good of the realm. It would be an
empty show, a vain, idle, insignificant pageant, if it depended
upon the mere will and pleasure of the individual."
Mr. Denman followed on the same side.
" He dwelt on the importance in a free state of the long train
of recollections which connected the people with the origin of
their institutions ; there was something, too, in such ceremonial
which gave every individual pride in the sense of the security of
his own rights ; and of the stability of the social state, by
seeing the rights of others, his fellow-subjects and his sove-
reign, upheld in the integrity of their rights from the time of
the darkest antiquity. The coronation of the Kings and Queens
of England rested on custom, and custom alone. There was no
positive law which authorised the King to call the people to
witness the placing of the crown on his head. It was a cere-
monial which derived the force of law from its great antiquity,
and from the same antiquity the crowning of the Queen was
derived as well as that of the King, and wherever a Queen Con-
sort existed at the time of the King's coronation, never from that
high antiquity was the King crowned without her being crowned
also, except it was from circumstances of irresistible necessity.
Her present majesty, unfortunately, was in a situation in which
she could not wave any right which she possessed, without
being exposed to the most injurious imputations. It was re-
served for her, in this late period of the English monarchy, to
demand this right which to all other Queens had been sponta-
neously granted, as legitimately and necessarily appertaining
to the station of Queen Consort.
" With respect to the ceremony of the coronation, it was a
solemn compact between the King and his people. The King
binds himself to observe the statutes, customs, and laws of the
Country. Should it be said, that at the moment when he took
that solemn oath, he should violate the rights of the first sub-
ject of the realm. Could it be supposed that the King could
678 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
model this ceremonial at his pleasure, or that, if the Peers and
all those who were accustomed to be present, were all excluded,
the very essence of the ceremony would not be destroyed ? It
was an honor to be allowed to assist at the coronation, for no
one could serve at the coronation, either of the King or the
Queen, without bearing to the end of his life the title of
Esquire — This was laid down in Doddridge's Law of Nobility,
and Corny ns's Digest. He could not figure to himself a single
argument in support of the assertion, that the Coronation of the
Queen of England was a matter of grace and favour. If it was
a matter of grace and favour, it would no doubt be made a sti-
pulation in every marriage contract with a Prince of England,
that his Princess should be crowned on her accession. But if
her rights were not safe in custom, no dignity was safe, no
property secure. He begged to impress upon their lordships,
as well as upon the country, that the claim of his illustrious
client was, put forth in self-defence, because her majesty could
not forego that claim without hazarding her reputation or sacri-
ficing her honor, which, to her, was dearer than life itself."
The Court then adjourned to the following day,
and at an early hour the avenues leading to the
Council Chamber, Whitehall, were thronged with
strangers, anxious to hear the arguments of the
King's Attorney-General against her majesty's
claim to be crowned. A little after ten o'clock
the Lord Chancellor arrived, and in a few minutes
the Queen's Counsel were called in.
The King's Attorney-General was then ordered
to proceed.
" He began by contending, that her majesty's claim was per-
fectly unfounded. This right had never been mentioned as
claimed by any former Queen, by any writer on the ceremony
of the coronation, or by any one of those authorities who had
considered the privileges of Queens Consort. The ground,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 679
therefore, on which the claim was founded was usage ; and it
had been stated that long-continued usage was acknowledged
as the foundation of rights in the law of this country.
" When talking, however, of rights founded upon usage, it was
Kot enough merely to show that such and such things had taken
place, hut it should be shown under what circumstances the
supposed rights had taken place, and the manner in which they
had been exercised. It was necessary not only to state the fact
of usage, but to show that it had taken place with the permis-
sion of the other party. Their lordships, in the present instance,
would see how the right claimed had originated, and how it had
been performed ; and they would also see that the law of usage,
as he explained it, did not apply, for he should show that the
coronation of the Queen was not a right, but a mere favour con-
ferred by the King. Even if there had been no interruption in
the usage since the Norman Conquest, that would not make it
a right in the Queens Consort. It would only show that it was
permitted them to enjoy the coronation, as an honor conferred
on them by the King. With respect to the King it was more
than a ceremony, because it was a sworn compact between him
and his people ; yet, by the law of the country, it was never
considered more than a mere ceremony, till the statute of the
first of William and Mary ; the whole proceeding from his will,
and he directing all that was to be done on the occasion. With
respect to the Queen Consort, who fills no political character in
the state, who has privileges merely as the wife of a King, it
was a mere act of favour on the part of the King. At the coro-
nation there was no political act done by her ; she took no oath
on the occasion ; there was no presentation of her to the people ;
no compact between her and them made at that time ; it was a
mere honorable ceremony towards her as the -wife of the King.
Therefore, if with respect to the King, it was a mere ceremony,
how much more was it so with respect to the Queen ? But
although it was a mere ceremony with respect to the King, even
after the Act of William and Mary, it was one which it would
be highly improper to advise him not to have performed. That
it was a mere ceremony, Lord Coke stated, in Calwin's case,
680 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
when speaking of James I., he said, that no ex post facto law
was necessary to secure or substantiate his title to the crown ;
that he was as much and truly a King before the coronation, as
after it. To prove this, and refute the assertion that James I.
was liable to legal process before being crowned, Lord Coke
instanced Henry VI. who had reigned eight years before his
coronation. But he (the Attorney- General) again repeated,
that although it was a mere magnificent ceremony, it was also
a solemn compact between the King and his people, securing
them their rights and privileges, and therefore the coronation
might take place at any period of the King's reign, and was
therefore an act entirely proceeding from the King's will. But
if this were the case — if it at the same time was an occasion on
which the King entered into a political compact with his people,
a fortiori, the Queen Consort, who had no political rights, her
privileges merely following from her marriage, not from her
coronation, who entered into no political compact, and from
whom therefore nothing was asked at her coronation or pro-
mised by her, had no right to be crowned. He (the Attorney-
General) had before stated, that no notice was to be found of
this ceremony previous to the statute of 1 st William and Mary,
and he would now refer to that Act. He then proceeded to
read the preamble of this statute— setting forth that, * whereas
by the usage and law of the land, the King and the Queen take
an oath at their coronation^ to observe, &c.' (Here the At-
torney-General observed, that it was necessary for him to
remark, that as Queen Consorts never took any oath at their
coronation, it was evident the words of the Act meant Queens
Regnant.) He then went on to show, that this statute proved
the Queen Consort had no right to be crowned ; because,
although it prescribed the oath to be taken at the coronation, it
established a difference between the King and Queen. How
then he would ask, could it be contended that the coronation of
the Queen was a necessary adjunct to the coronation of the
King ? Having thus established that with respect to Queens
Consort it was a mere ceremony, he would support this opinion
by the authority of Seldon, who expressly stated, that in its
I
QUEEX CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 681
early origin, the coronations of Queens Consort entirely pro-
ceeded from the will and pleasure of the King. — The Queen, in
short, could no more demand her own coronation than she
could that of the King.
• • ..••••.'.•
The Attorney-general was followed in his ar-
gument by the Solicitor-general ; Mr. Brougham
then replied, and the decision of the Council was
deferred till the 10th.
On Wednesday the llth of July, the following
decision of the Privy Council was transmitted by
Lord Sidmouth to Viscount Hood.
At the court at Carlton-house, the 10th July, 1821, present,
the King's most excellent Majesty in council. Whereas, there
was this day read at the board a report from a committee of
the lords of his majesty's most honourable privy council, in
the words following, viz. : — Your majesty having been pleased,
by your order in council of the 3d of this instant, to refer unto
this committee the several memorials of her majesty the Queen,
claiming a right to be crowned on the same day and at the
same place which has been appointed for the coronation of your
majesty, and praying to be heard by counsel in support of the
said claim: the lords of the committee, in obedience to your
majesty's said order of reference, have accordingly heard her
majesty's attorney and solicitor-general in support of her
majesty's said claim ; and having also heard the observations
of your majesty's attorney and solicitor- general thereupon,
their lordships do agree humbly to report to your majesty their
opinions, that as it appears to them that the Queens- Consort of
this realm are not entitled of right to be crowned at any time,
her majesty the Queen is not entitled, as of right, to be
crowned at the time specified in her majesty's memorials —
His majesty having taken this said report into consideration,
has been pleased, by and with the advice of his privy council,
lo approve thereof. i
C. C. GRENVILLE.
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682 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
In consequence of this decision, her majesty
wrote the following letter to Lord Sidmouth : —
Brandenburg-house , July 11, 1821.
My lord, — Your lordship's letter of yesterday to Lord Hood,
conveyed to me the report of the committee of council on my
Memorial to the King in council, claiming my right to be
crowned ; and as I find the committee positively denies that
right which I have claimed, and which all Queens- Consort have
enjoyed (without one exception arising from the will of the
sovereign), I consider it necessary to inform your lordship that
it is my intention to be present at the ceremony on the 19th,
the day fixed for his majesty's coronation ; and 1 therefore
demand that a suitable place may be appointed for me.
Rt. Hon. Viscount Sidmouth. CAROLINE R.
The following is a copy of a letter received by
the Queen, purporting, by implication, to be from
Lord Sidmouth, but without address or signa-
ture.
Whitehall, July 13, 1821.
Madam — I have laid before the king your majesty's letter to
me of the llth of this month, in which it is stated that your
majesty considers it necessary to inform me, that it is your
majesty's intention to be present at the ceremony of the 19th,
the day fixed for his majesty's coronation, and you, therefore,
demand that a suitable place may be appointed for your ma-
jesty ; and I am commanded by the king to refer your majesty
to the Earl of Liverpool's letter to your majesty of the 7th of
May last, and to acquaint your majesty that it is not his ma-
jesty's pleasure to comply with the application contained in
your majesty's letter.
Upon perusal of the above, her majesty im-
mediately despatched a messenger to Lord Sid-
mouth with the following reply: —
QUEEN CON60HT OF ENGLAND. 683
Brandenburg-house, July 13, 1821.
Five o'clock, p. m.
My lord, — I have this instant received a letter, dated White-
hall, July 13, without any signature, I therefore consider it
as anonymous, and shall treat it as such, till I hear from your
lordship.
CAROLINE R.
The Rt. Hon. Viscount Sidmouth.
Lord Sid mouth lost no time in repairing the
error which had been unintentionally committed,
and acknowledged the authenticity of the letter.
On Monday the 16th of July, Lord Hood wrote
a letter to the Duke of Norfolk, as Earl Marshal of
England, informing him that it was her majesty's
intention to be at Westminster-abbey at half past
eight o'clock on Thursday morning following, and
requesting him to have persons in attendance to
conduct her to her seat.
Her majesty also wrote a letter to the Arch-
bishop of Canterbury, in which she informed him
of her desire to be crowned some day after the
king, and before the arrangements were done away
with, so that there might be no additional expense.
The archbishop, in his answer, represented that
he could take no part in the ceremony except in
consequence of orders from the sovereign. The
Duke of Norfolk, in his answer, stated, that he
was not acting in his character of earl marshal,
and referred her majesty to his deputy, Lord
Howard of Effingham. It never, however, was her
majesty's intention to attend the Banquet in the
Hall, as she considered it unbecoming to be pre-
4 T 2
684 MEMOIRS or CAROLINE,
sent at a mere dining ceremony, while she thought
it important not to shrink from the right of par-
ticipating or witnessing the solemn service of the
Coronation in the Abbey.
The following letter was received by Lord
Hood, chamberlain to her majesty, on Tuesday,
from Lord Howard of Effingham : —
9, Mansfield-street, July 16.
My lord, — The Duke of Norfolk having transmitted to me*
as appointed to do the duties of the office of Earl Marshal of
England at the ceremony of the approaching coronation, your
lordship's letter to his grace of the 15th instant, I thought it
incumbent on me to lay the same before Viscount Sidmouth,
the secretary of state for the home department, and I have just
learnt from his lordship, in reply, that having received a letter,
dated the llth instant, from the Queen, in which her majesty
was pleased to inform him of her intention of being present at
the ceremony of the 19th, the day fixed for his majesty's royal
coronation, and to demand that a suitable place should be ap-
pointed for her majesty, he was commanded by the king to ac-
quaint her majesty, that it was not his majesty's pleasure to
comply with the application contained in her majesty's letter :
I have accordingly to request that your lordship will make my
humble representation to her majesty of the impossibilit}', under
these circumstances, of my having the honour of obeying her
majesty's commands. — I have the honour to be, my lord, your
lordships most obedient humble servant,
HOWARD OF EFFINGHAM,
Acting as Earl Marshal of England.
Lord Viscount Hood.
Her majesty's law advisers then had a consul-
tation, and the following Protest against the deci-
sion of the Privy Council was drawn up, and
signed by her majesty.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 685
CAROLINE REGIXA.
To the Kinys Most Excellent Majesty, — The Protest and
Remonstrance of Caroline Queen of Great Britain
and Ireland.
Your majesty having been pleased to refer to your Privy
Council the Queen's memorial, claiming as of right to cele-
brate the ceremony of her coronation on the 19th day of July,
being the day appointed for the celebration of your majesty's
royal coronation, and Lord Viscount Sidmouth, one of your ma-
jesty's principal secretaries of state, having communicated to the
Queen the judgment pronounced against her majesty's claim ;
in order to preserve her just rights, and those of her successors,
and to prevent the said minute being in aftertimes referred to as
deriving validity from her majesty's supposed acquiescence in
the determination therein expressed, the Queen feels it to be her
bounden duty to enter her most deliberate and solemn protest
against the said determination ; and to affirm and maintaiL,
that by the laws, usages, and customs of this realm, from time
immemorial, the Queen Consort ought of right to be crowned
at the same time with the king's majesty.
In support of this claim of right her majesty's law officers
have proved before the said council, from the most ancient and
authentic records, that Queen Consorts of this realm have, from
time immemorial, participated in the ceremony of the corona-
tion with their royal husbands. The few exceptions that occur
demonstrate, from the peculiar circumstances in which they ori-
ginated, that the right itself was never questioned, though the
exercise of it was from necessity suspended, or from motives of
policy declined.
Her majesty has been taught to believe that the most valuable
laws of this country depend upon, and derive their authority
from custom ; that your majesty's royal prerogatives stand upon
the same basis :« the authority of ancient usage cannot therefore
be rejected without shaking that foundation upon which the most
important rights and institutions of the country depend. Your
majesty's council, however, Avithout controverting any of the
686 MEMOIRS OK CAROLINE,
facts or reasons upon which the claim made on the part of her
majesty has been supported, have expressed a judgment in op-
position to the existence of such right. But the Queen can
place no confidence in that judgment, when she recollects that
the principal individuals by whom it has been pronounced were
formerly her successful defenders; that their opinions have
waved with their interest, and that they have since become the
most active and powerful of her persecutors ; still less can she
confide in it, when her majesty calls to mind that the leading
members of that council, when in the service of your royal
father, reported in the most solemn form, that documents reflect-
ing upon her majesty were satisfactorily disproved as to the
most important parts, and that the remainder was undeserving
of credit. Under this declared conviction, they strongly recom-
mended to your majesty's royal father to bestow his favour upon
the Queen, then Princess of Wales, though in opposition to your
majesty's declared wishes. But when your majesty had as-
sumed the kingly power, these same advisers, in another minute
of council, recanted their former judgment, and referred to
and adopted these very same documents as a justification of
one of your majesty's harshest measures towards the Queen —
the separation of her majesty from her affectionate and only
child.
The Queen, like your majesty, descended from a long race
of kings, was the daughter of a sovereign house connected by
the ties of blood with the most illustrious families in Europe,
and her not unequal alliance with your majesty was formed in
full confidence that the faith of the king and the people was
equally pledged to secure to her all those honours and rights
which had been enjoyed by her royal predecessors.
In that alliance her majesty believed that she exchanged the
protection of her family for that of a royal husband, and of a
free and noble-minded nation. From your majesty the Queen
has experienced only the bitter disappointment of every hope she
had indulged. In the attachment of the people she has found
that powerful and decided protection which has ever been her
steady support and her unfailing consolation. Submission from
CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 687
a subject to injuries of a private nature may be matter of expe^
dience — from a wife it may be matter of necessity — but it never
can be the duty of a Queen to acquiesce in the infringement of
those rights which belong to her constitutional character.
The Queen does therefore repeat her most solemn and deli-
berate protest against the decision of the said council, consider-
ing it only as the sequel of that course of persecution under
which her majesty has so long and so severely suffered, and
which decision, if it is to furnish a precedent for future times,
can have no other effect than ta fortify oppression with the
forms of law, and to give to injustice the sanction of authority.
The protection of the subject, from the highest to the lowest, is
not only the true but the only legitimate object of all power ;
and no act of power can be legitimate which is not founded on
those principles of eternal justice, without which law is but the
mask of tyranny, and power the instrument of despotism.
Queen's House, July 17 th.
On the same evening, her majesty was attended,
at Brandenburg-house, by all her legal advisers,
to a very late hour, and the following day it
was rumoured that they had succeeded in per
suading her to abandon her intention of going to
the House of Lords, having respectfully sub-
mitted that her majesty had done all that was ne-
cessary for the maintenance of her dignity by the
protest which she had signed.
Her majesty's counsel were, however, deceived
in their expectations, for on the morning of the
coronation, about six o'clock, her approach was
announced by loud acclamations without the bar-
rier, and a kind of confusion and anxious agita-
tion within. The burst of applause when
carnage appeared, completely overpowered
688 -MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
ill-directed and irresolute efforts of a portion of
the spectators whose interests or connexions
prejudiced them against her person. Her car-
riage, drawn by six horses, passed the barrier
without interruption, and proceeded by the
King's-arms Tavern to nearly opposite the door
©f Westminster-hall. Her majesty there stopped
for a few moments, apparently uncertain what
course to take, as she had hitherto met with no
obstruction, and yet had received nothing like
an invitation to approach. At this moment the
feelings of the spectators were wound up to a
pitch of the most intense curiosity and most pain-
ful anxiety. The persons who immediately sur-
rounded her carriage knew no bounds in ex-
pressing their enthusiastic attachment, while
many of those in the galleries, apprehensive of
the consequences of the experiment which she
was making, could not restrain their fears and
alarms. In the mean time, great confusion
seemed to prevail among the officers and soldiers
on and near the platform; the former giving
orders and retracting them, and the latter running
to their arms, uncertain whether they should
salute her by presenting them or not. Astonish-
ment, hurry, and doubt, seemed to agitate the
whole multitude assembled, either to witness or
compose the ensuing pageant.
More unequivocal symptoms of pain and hor-
ror were never observed than were manifested
by people of the most opposite sentiments, when
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 689
they saw their Queen treated like an alien or
outcast, by the servants, and at the festive hall,
of her husband. Every heart thrilled with pity
or indignation. These feelings were increased
as she alighted from her carriage and proceeded
on foot, leaning on the arm of Lord Hood, and
accompanied by the faithful companions of her
affliction, Lady Hood and Lady Anne Hamilton,
to demand admission. The approach of the
Queen towards the hall-door produced a consi-
derable sensation within : there was an imme-
diate rush to the door, which was closed amidst
much confusion. The officer on guard was im-
mediately summoned to the spot, and asked her
majesty for her ticket. She replied that she had
none, and as Queen of England needed none : he
professed his sorrow, but said he must obey
orders, and that his orders were to see that no
person whatever should be admitted without a
ticket. Her majesty then retired. They went
to the door of the Duchy of Lancaster, behind the
Champion's stable, and had the door shut in their
faces. They then turned round, and leaving the
royal carriage behind, proceeded to demand ad-
mission at another entrance. The same intense
sensation of interest and the same applause
mixed with partial disapprobation continued to
follow her.
When she arrived nearly at the other extremity
of the platform — that which was opposite to
the Central Pavilion— her further progress was
690 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
arrested by a file of about a dozen soldiers, who
were suddenly ordered to form across the plat-
form. Her majesty then quitted it, and went
straight to the House of Lords on foot, there to
repeat the same request, and with the same suc-
cess. In about twenty minutes she returned,
and having ordered the top of her carriage to be
taken down, rode off, amid the astonishment and
acclamations of the people.
The following is an account of her majesty's
reception at the door of Westminster-abbey.
Lord Hood having desired admission for her
majesty, the door-keepers drew across the
entrance, and requested to see the tickets.
. Lord Hood. — " I present you your Queen;
surely it is not necessary for her to have a ticket."
Door-keeper. — " Our orders are to admit no
person without a peer's ticket."
Lord Hood. — " This is your Queen: she is
entitled to admission without such a form."
The Queen, smiling, but still exhibiting some
agitation — " Yes, I am your Queen, will you
admit me?"
Door-keeper. — " My orders are specific, and I
feel myself bound to obey them."
The Queen laughed.
Lord Hood.— " I have a ticket."
Door-keeper. — " Then, my lord, we will let
you pass on producing it."
Lord Hood now drew from his pocket a peer's
ticket for one person ; the original name in whose
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 691
favour it was drawn was erased, and the name of
" Wellington" substituted.
Door-keeper. — " This will let one person pass,
but no more."
Lord Hood. — "Will your majesty go in alone?"
Her majesty at first assented, but did not per-
severe.
Lord Hood. — " Am I to understand that you-
refuse her majesty admission?"
Door-keeper. — " We only act in conformity
with our orders."
Her majesty again laughed.
Lord Hood. — " Then you refuse the Queen
admission ?"
A door-keeper of a superior order then came
forward, and was asked by Lord Hood whether
any preparations had been made for her majesty?
He answered respectfully in the negative.
Lord Hood — " Will your majesty enter the
Abbey, without your ladies?" Her majesty de-
clined.
Lord Hood then said, that her majesty had
better retire to her carriage, as it was clear no
provision had been made for her accommodation.
Her majesty assented.
Some persons within the porch of the Abbey,
laughed, and uttered some expressions of dis-
respect.
Lord Hood.—" We expected to have met at
least with the conduct of gentlemen. Such con-
duct is neither manly nor mannerly."
4 u2
692 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Her majesty then retired, leaning on Lord
Hood's arm, and followed by Lady Hood and
Lady Hamilton. She was preceded by constables
back to the platform, over which she returned,
entered her carnage, and was driven off amidst
reiterated shouts of applause and disapprobation.
For some time previous to the coronation her
majesty was undetermined as to the course she
should pursue, not more for herself than the
future queens of England. She had not lost a
single opportunity of enforcing her legal rights,
and restricting within the due compass and the
forms of law, what appeared to her advisers
and the nation an unwarrantable and capricious
assumption of power, to the exclusion of right
and justice.
It were much to be wished that her majesty
had refrained from her attempt to gain admission
to the ceremony of the coronation, for that event
was undoubtedly the cause of her subsequent
malady, and ultimately of her decease. Her
early rising on that eventful morning — the agita-
tion of her feeling mind — the noble indignation
of insulted pride — the consciousness of all he«
unmerited sufferings — the dreadful completion of
her adversaries' schemes to degrade and injure
her in the eyes of the world — all flashed with an
accumulating force upon her brain ; and although
her lofty spirit bore her outward form with dig-
nity erect, the acuteness of her sufferings pierced
her too sensitive and generous heart ; the victim
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 693
of unnatural conspiracies felt an irresistible hysteric
convulsion seize upon her frame, and with in-
furiate terror shake her agitated mental nerve.
More than once, on that trying occasion, shud-
dering with cold, and overcome with mental
agony, did she turn her eyes to heaven, and in
the fulness of her grief ejaculated, " O God ! is
this fit treatment for an injured queen?" From
that moment her wonted cheerfulness forsook her.
Apathy and indifference to life seized possession
of her mind. In vain the faithful friends around
her endeavoured to dispel the settled gloom. The
cheering ray of animation, the benignant fascina-
tion of her smile, which used to play upon hei
sprightly brow, were sunk for ever. Some tran-
sient gleams occasionally broke forth, acknow-
ledgements of kindness and respect to those about
her, but the weight of care, the load of insult
and injury, had so pressed her down, that nought
but Heaven could afford relief.
There was another circumstance which pressed
heavily upon the spirits of her majesty, and in-
deed there was scarcely any thing during the last
year of her trials and sufferings which gave her
so much pain, as the circumstances of her refusal
and subsequent acceptance of the grant from
Parliament. She had determined in her own mind
to accept it, as the first gracious act of the sove-
reign towards her ; but she was otherwise advised,
and she yielded to that ad vice. — But the severest
blow to her feelings was the necessity which
C94 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
forced her for once to submit to retract what she
had said : firm of purpose, and always so decisive,
to yield to her enemies inflicted a wound she never
recovered ; and what gave more anguish still, was
the thought that her enemies would in triumph
exclaim, " She has yielded !" And for what ?
for money which she cared not for, and which,
at last, she only accepted to enable her to pay her
debts ; for, at the moment she agreed to accept
the money from Parliament, she had not ten
pounds in the house to defray the common ex-
penses of the day, and nothing at her banker's.
She expected, that, on her agreeing to take the
grant, government would have given her a house
and some outfit for her establishment, when she
would have paid all her debts, and have been quite
satisfied as to pecuniary affairs, for she never
valued money for her own personal gratification.
Instead of this, they deducted upwards of 4000/.
which they paid for a carriage, house-rent, &c.
A few days after the severe mortification which
her majesty had experienced at the coronation,
she signified her intention of visiting Drury-lane
Theatre again, and her attendants looked forward
to the appointed day with pleasure, in the hope
that the amusement might tend to dispel her me-
lancholy. Some hours before the time, however
her majesty was attacked by excessive sickness
at the stomach. Her ladies, who for many days
had been anxiously contemplating her declining
health, became alarmed, and strenuously prayed
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 695
her to relinquish her intentidh of visiting the theatre.
Her majesty, with a manifestly forced cheerfulness,
replied, " Why should I not go ? I shall be well
directly. My going has been announced in the
bills and papers of the day : it may be that some
persons will go there also because of it, and I never
will disappoint even a single individual, whilst I
have the power to avoid so doing." She then
ordered a quantity of warm water, of which she
drank copiously, with its usual effect; and she
then went to the theatre as she had appointed.
But her indisposition encreased even whilst she
was there. The ride from the theatre appeared
to decompose her much, and from that time the
symptoms of disease gained ground hourly.
On the following morning she was much worse,
and the first bulletin was issued as follows :
Brandenburg "house, August 2, 1821,
half-past ten o'clock a. m.
Her Majesty has an obstruction of the bowels, attended with
inflammation. The symptoms though mitigated, are not re-
moved. •'*-
W. G. MATON, P. WARREN, H. HOLLAND.
In the course of this day her majesty was
copiously bled, but the symptoms of her malady
did not abate ; indeed it appeared to have attained
a force beyond the power of medicine to check.
On the 3d the following bulletin was issued.
Brandenburg "house, August 3, nine o'clock, a. m.
The Queen has passed a tolerably quiet night; but the
symptoms of her majesty's illness remain nearly the same as
yesterday evening.
W.G. MATON, H.HOLLAND, P. WARREN.
696 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
In the course of Friday the 3d, another physi-
cian, Dr. Ainslie, was called in. Her majesty
was immersed, for about a quarter of an hour, in
a warm bath, which moderated the pain, but in
other respects was unavailing. Connected with
the inflammation of the bowels was a nausea at the
stomach, which repelled both food and medicine.
On the evening of the 3d, the following bulletin
was issued.
Brandenburg-house, August 3d.
" There is no improvement in her majesty's symptoms since tha
morning.
H. AINSLIE, P. WARREN,
W. G. MATON, H. HOLLAND.
Towards the morning of Saturday the 4th, her
majesty obtained some tranquil sleep, and in the
course of the day was able to keep some water
gruel on her stomach. She slept a great part of
the day, which induced some observers to believe
that an inward mortification had commenced.
Her majesty's legal advisers, most of whom were
on the point of setting off for their different cir-
cuits, attended at Brandenburg-house, to assist
in the arrangement of her majesty's property ;
and it was understood that her will was then
drawn up.
The following were the bulletins which were
issued on the 4th.
Brandenburg -house, Aug. 4<A, nine o'clock, a. m.
Her majesty has passed an indifferent night, hut has had
some tranquil sleep this morning. The general symptoms re-
main nearly the same as yesterday.
H. AINSLIE, W. G. MATON.
P. WARREN, H. HOLLAND.
QUF.EN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 697
Brandenburg -house, August 4th, twelve o'clock.
Her majesty has been in a sound sleep since six o'clock this
morning, and still remains so. All the symptoms are as before,
H. AINSLIE, W. G. MATON,
P. WARREN, H. HOLLAND.
Brandenburg-house, August 4.th, ten o'clock, p. m.
No material change has taken place in her majesty's symp-
toms since the morning.
H. AINSLIE, P. WARREN,
W. G.! MATON, H. HOLLAND.
When her majesty's illness first assumed a
serious character, Dr. Holland requested her per-
mission to send for another physician, observing,
that whatever might be his own individual skill
and attention, y<yt the public would necessarily
expect, in the case of a Queen, that every pos-
sible aid should be had recourse to. Her ma-
jesty answered with a smile to the following-
effect : — " My dear Doctor, do what you please ;
if it will be any relief to your own mind to call in
assistance, do so ; but do not do it for my sake ;
I have no wish to live ; I would rather die." In-
deed, from the first moment that her majesty was
assured of the very serious nature of her indispo-
sition, she clung to the assurance with joy and
gratitude, and listened with a reluctant ear to the
hopes of recovery which her physicians and
friends held out to her from time to time. " Why
do you wish me to live ?" she exclaimed on one
occasion in the early part of her illness ; " life to
me can be nothing but a series of sorrows and per-
4.x
698 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
secutions ; I should be much happier in another
world than in this."
It was observed that she desponded too much ;
that public opinion was in her favour, and would
make her amends for all her sufferings. Her ma-
jesty asked " What public opinion had done for
her?" It was answered, that it had defeated the
late dreadful attempt to ruin her — the Bill of Pains
and Penalties. Her reply was prompt and firm —
" What am I the better for the failure of that bill ?
If it had passed, I should have been degraded;
and what is my situation now? I have indeed
the empty title of Queen, but am I Queen of Eng-
land ? Have I the privileges, the power, the dig-
nities of a Queen of England ?*- No, no, I am a
mere private person — I am not Queen of Eng-
land."
It will be recollected, that, on Friday the 3d, the
symptoms of her majesty's disorder had become
very alarming, and the physicians had scarcely
any hope of her recovery. She received the
announcement of her danger with admirable calm-
ness and composure ; and shortly afterwards pro-
ceeded to make her wjll. There was an air of
cheerfulness about her after she had signed it,
which induced one of her professional advisers,
Mr. Brougham, to express a hope that she felt
herself easier and better. Her majesty answered,
" Oh, no, my dear Mr. Brougham, I know I shall
die, and I do not at all regret it." Mr. Brougham
said that he was of a different opinion, and
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 699
expected her majesty to recover ; but added, that
the step she had just taken was perfectly proper
in case of accident. Her majesty persisted in
saying that she knew she was dying. In the
course of the evening she took occasion to say —
" I do not know whether I shall suffer bodily pain
in dying, but I can assure you I shall quit this
world without regre-t; I have no reason to be
attached to lifo."
Her majesty, in spite of some favourable symp-
toms which inspired the physicians with hope,
still expressed her firm conviction that she should
die. She seemed to feel pleasure in talking on
the subject, and rejoiced in anticipating her
release from trouble — her escape from the malice
of her enemies. She said, that in this world,
whether in England or abroad, the rancour of her
persecutors would always beset her : and it was
only in another world she could look for peace
and justice. She expressed the deepest regret
that she was so little able to reward those faith-
ful servants who had stood by her in her diffi-
culties, but hoped that government would not
let them want. She declared herself warmly
grateful — and hoped her gratitude would be
made known to that generous portion of the
people of England whose support of her had
been most steady when most wanted, and who
had never been frightened from her cause, either
by the power or the calumny of her oppressors.
" England," said her majesty, " has certainly
4x2
700 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
been to me a land of sorrow and persecution, but
I know how to love those faithful English who
have always sympathised with my sorrow, and
have done all in their power to defeat the malice
of my persecutors." It was on this occasion
that she observed that her enemies had been for
years plottihg and conspiring to destroy her : " At
last," said she, <f they have destroyed me, but I
forgive them. I die in peace with all mankind.'
Shortly after she sent for Mariette Brune, to
whom she declared her perfect forgiveness of hex
sister's (Demont's) cruel falsehoods. All whc
had an opportunity of seeing her majesty were
struck with the glorious trait in her character,
that though her heart was evidently broken with
the recollection of the deep injuries she had
received, and though an indelibly strong image
of the injustice of her enemies was always present
to her mind, yet she never used a harsh or angry
expression against any individual : she freely
forgave them all, spoke of them in terms of pity,
and even made allowances for their conduct on the
score of the weakness and frailty of human nature.
On Sunday noon, after a delay of nearly two
hours, occasioned by the expectation of some
alteration of a decisive nature, the following bul-
letin was published : —
Brandenburg -house, August 5tk, nine o'clock, a. m.
Her majesty has passed the last night better than the pre-
ceding one, but no material important amendment has takeji
place.
HENRY AINSLIE, W. G. MATON,
PELHAM WARREN, HENRY HOLLAND.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 701
The next bulletin was issued under the same
circumstances of delay, and from the same cause,
at half-past eleven on Sunday night : —
Brandenburg '-house , August 5th, ten o'clock, p. m.
Her majesty has passed a more tranquil day, and is not
ATorse this evening.
HENRY AINSLIE, W. G. MATON.
PELHAM WARREN, HENRY HOLLAND.
It would be difficult to describe the anxiety
which now pervaded Hammersmith and its vicinity
on her majesty's account. The road from town
was crowded with persons, extending their after-
noon's walk in the direction of the Queen's resi-
dence, and questioning every coach or chaise
that met them, in hope of favourable tidings.
The gates of Brandenburg-house were surrounded
the whole day by groups of respectable and well-
dressed persons, dissatisfied with the unpro-
mising statement of the bulletin, and repeating
their hopes of a fortunate result. Some gentle-
men on horseback rode half way up the avenue,
but they invariably dismounted, and approached
the house on foot; and the greater part of the
carriage visitors declined (from considerate mo-
tives) suffering their equipages to enter the gate.
The whole demeanour, in fact, of the very many
persons who presented themselves, showed that
their inquiries were inquiries not of form, but oi
deep feeling. A great number of persons, who
had been waiting from ten o'clock for informa-
702 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
tion, dispersed upon seeing the document, with
the warmest expression of their good wishes :
many of them had come from a considerable dis-
tance. Scarcely an individual, even of the hum-
blest class, in the neighbourhood of Hammer-
smith would go to bed until the authorised state-
ment was put forth.
Soon after eleven o'clock on Sunday night her
majesty enjoyed some little repose; and through-
out the night, though no crisis had taken place,
she appeared to be a little more easy than she had
been on any night since the commencement of
her indisposition.
Towards the morning of Monday, her majesty
again enjoyed some sleep, and it was the opinion
of her physicians, that the violence of her com-
plaint had somewhat abated. At an early hour, a
considerable number of persons from Hammer-
smith and its vicinity, and several from London,
had assembled outside the lodge-gate, anxious to
learn how her majesty had passed the night. At
ten o'clock the following bulletin appeared : —
Brandenburg -house, August 6th, nine o'clock, a. m.
The Queen has had some relief during the night, and the
state of her majesty is more favourable to-day.
H. AINSLIE, P. WARREN,
W. G. MATON, H. HOLLAND.
The publication of the bulletin, as it afforded
some hope of her majesty's ultimate recovery, was
received with unfeigned satisfaction, and was
rapidly circulated by those who attended to make
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 703
inquiries at the lodge. It is scarcely necessary
to add, that the pleasing intelligence was joyfully
greeted in Hammersmith and its neighbourhood,
and ultimately in London.
Soon after the bulletin was issued, Dr3. Maton,
Warren, and Holland, left Brandenburg- house for
London ; Dr. Ainslie alone remaining in attend-
ance on her majesty. This was the first occasion
since the commencement of her majesty's illness,
on which so many of her medical attendants were
absent together, and the circumstance was looked
upon as a proof at least that no immediate danger
was apprehended. At half-past two o'clock Dr.
Baillie arrived in a post-chaise and four. A mes-
senger had been despatched for him on Sunday,
who arrived at his country seat, Dunsborn, in
Gloucestershire (about 90 miles distant from Lon-
don) between two and three o'clock on Monday
morning. The Doctor set off about five o'clock,
and scarcely allowed himself a moment's rest till
he reached her majesty's house. Immediately on
his arrival he had an interview with Dr. Ainslie,
and soon after, was introduced to her majesty's
chamber.
Her majesty had been bled with leeches, and
found herself able to retain on her stomach a little
arrow-root, and some medicine ; she had also at
her own request, been raised from her bed, and
was seated in an arm-chair, when she was first
seen by Dr. Baillie. From these and other cir-
cumstances, the medical gentlemen viewed the
704 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
case iii a more favourable light than they had
before done, but hesitated to pronounce the
Queen out of danger; though, as was natural,
the hopes of her domestics and others personally
interested in her recovery, outstripped the cau-
tion of the physicians. Still her majesty was
extremely weak and feeble from her long and
acute sufferings, and the small portion of susten-
ance that she had been able to take ; and when
she spoke (which she did relative to the disposal
of her property and other matters), she was very
faint, and felt it necessary to be revived-from time
to time by a smelling bottle.
A short consultation took place between the
two physicians, but its result did not then tran-
spire. Dr. Ainslie soon after departed for Lon-
don, leaving Dr. Baillie in attendance, who was
joined in about an hour by Dr. Holland and Mr.
Thompson, her majesty's apothecary. It was
expected that a bulletin would be published by
three o'clock, but no bulletin was issued. The
verbal answer given to the numerous inquiries
at the lodge and the house was, that no change
had taken place in her majesty's complaint since
morning.
Up to nine o'clock on Monday night, the ac-
counts given at Brandenburg-house continued to
be favourable. Her majesty enjoyed some sleep
in the afternoon, from which she appeared much
refreshed. In the course of the day she was able
to take a small quantity of Indian arrow-root, two
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 705
or three times, and retained it on her stomach;
she was also enabled to take her medicine in the
afternoon, and this she likewise retained, which
had not been the case hitherto.
From the commencement of her illness up to
Monday morning, her majesty seemed to be of
opinion that her disorder would prove fatal, but
she on every occasion spoke of her expected dis-
solution with the most perfect resignation. On
Monday, for the first time, she appeared to enter-
tain some expectation of her recovery, but she still
mentioned it as if in doubt. On one occasion she
observed, that she felt very much relieved, and
wished to be taken out of bed for a short time
and placed sitting up in an arm chair. Her wish
was complied with by her attendants, but it was
not known at the time to any of her physicians.
She did not, however, remain long out of bed,
but she suffered no inconvenience from the exer-
tion. Though the circumstance above mentioned
would denote a favourable change in her majesty's
complaint, yet her medical attendants were not
without apprehensions of a relapse. :
The inquiries respecting her majesty's health
at Brandenburg-house, and at her majesty's town
residence, throughout the whole of Monday,
were very numerous. „ >
At a little after nine o'clock the whole of the
physicians had assembled, and after a consulta-
tion, they agreed upon the following bulletin, t
4 Y
TOG MEMOIR& OP CAROLINE,
which, though dated at ten o'clock, was not pub-
lished till a quarter to eleven; —
Brandenburg -house, Aug. (>, 1;
Ten o'clock, p. m.
Her Majesty's symptoms still continue favoiirable.
io (.. M. BAILLIE, H. AINSLIE, P. WARREN,
H. HOLLAND, W. G. MATON.
Immediately after the bulletin was agreed to,
Drs. Baillie, Maton, and Holland, quitted for
London.
The anxiety to obtain intelligence regarding
the state of her majesty's health was as intense
on Monday as upon any day since the commence-
ment of her unfortunate illness. The first bulletin
that was published in the course of the day, gave
unfeigned pleasure to the inhabitants of the me-
tropolis, as it held out hopes to them that the
crisis of her majesty's disorder was past. Still
the public mind was not entirely relieved from the
fears by which it had been oppressed, owing to
the despondent tones of the bulletins which had
been previously issued. Numbers of well-dressed
and respectable people, whose occupations pre-
vented them from making personal inquiries; 'at
Brandenburg-house, kept hourly calling at Cam-
bridge-house and the Mansion-house, in order to
obtain as early as possible the latest information
respecting her majesty. In order to allay the
intense anxiety under which all classes of people
evidently laboured, the following placard was
QUEEN CONSOUT OP ENGLAND. 707
posted on the doors of her majesty's residence in
South Audley- street, at four o'clock in the after
noon of Monday : —
Her majesty is not worse, but continues in the same state
as in the morning.
And shortly afterwards the foLowing brief
notice was exhibited at the Mansion-house : —
Mansion-house, six o'clock, August 6.
Extract of a note just received from Lord Hood, dated
Brandenburg-house, three o'clock p. m., 6th August:-—
44 There will be no bulletin until the evening, but the Queen
is going on favourably."
JOHN THOMAS THORP, Mayor.
About nine o'clock in the evening of Monday,
Cambridge-house was surrounded by a great
number of respectable persons, 'who were waiting
for the publication of the promised bulletin. The
steps to the house were then crowded by well-
dressed individuals, and some of them had been
sitting there for two hours previously.
On Monday night. her physicians seemed to
consider her majesty out of all danger: she was
informed of their opinion, but insisted they were
mistaken, adding, she felt she was dying, and
thought she should die before nine o'clock the
next evening. It is not improbable that her
majesty then felt the symptoms of incipient mor-
tification. She sent for Mr. Wilde, who was in
attendance, and added a codicil to her will re-
lative to the place of her interment. Her first
4 Y 2
708 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
wish was to be buried in the same grave with her
beloved daughter, " But/' added she, " I can
have little hope that the government will grant
this wish : I desire, therefore, to be buried in the
same grave with my father and brother at Bruns-
wick." When her majesty had signed this co-
dicil, she began to converse at considerable length
with Mr. Wilde ; the physicians fearing that con-
versation might disturb her, wished to withdraw
Mr. Wilde from the room, and that gentleman,
from the same motive, was anxious to go, but her
majesty begged him to stay. " I thank my phy-
sicians," she said, " for their kind intentions ;
they mean nothing but what is right ; but they do
not understand my character. They think that
it agitates me to talk of death ; they are mistaken ;
to me, who have little pleasure in the past, and
no prospect of future tranquillity in this life, it is
a pleasure to contemplate my approaching death,
and why may I not speak what I feel ?" All these
observations were made with such sweetness of
manner and such calmness of tone as to make an
impression never to be effaced from the minds of
those who were present.
Two circumstances which occurred at this
period of her illness, strongly illustrate her con-
scious innocence, and the sweetness of her dis-
position. On the 4th instant, when her profes-
sional advisers were talking with her respecting
her worldly affairs, one of them suggested the
propriety of sending a messenger to Italy to seal
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 709
up her papers, to prevent their falling into the
hands of her enemies. " And what if they do?"
exclaimed her majesty, " I have no papers that
they may not see : they can find nothing, because
there is nothing, nor ever has been, to impeach
my character." Her legal adviser said he was
perfectly aware of that; but he could not but
believe that her enemies might put there what
they did not find. She replied, " that she had
always defied their malice, and she defied it
still."
The other anecdote shows how careful she,
whom almost all parties and persons had in turn
wounded, was of wounding the feelings of others.
To amuse herself she was generally occupied two
or three hours of a morning in committing to a
diary various reflections on the events of the pre-
ceding day, and as she had a great relish for
humour, she had (as she herself asserts) some-
times indulged herself with recording any pecu-
liarity of character that forced itself on her notice.
Her majesty said that the sole purpose of this
journal was to while away a few hours of time
that sometimes hung rather heavily, and that the
purpose having been answered, it was now proper
to destroy the book, especially as, though written
with no such intention, it might cause pain where
she should grieve to produce any thing but plea-
sure. She therefore ordered Mariette Brune to
bum the diary, and the girl accordingly burnt it.
Those who know the tact, the unerring sagacity,
710 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
with which her majesty appreciated the characters
of people almost at first sight, with the singular
point and spirit of her phraseology, w>ll regret
the destruction of this manuscript as a serious loss,
but all will admire the delicacy of mind which
dictated its destruction.
Another anecdote shewing the kindness of her
disposition, and the complacency with which she
regarded the termination of her life, then drawing
to a close, may not be unacceptable. The Queen
told the domestics that attended her on Sunday
the 6th, that she wished Mr. Busch to come and
measure her for her coffin ; she asked again if he
was come ; the servants made excuses ; she told
them he must make the shell of cedar wood. Mr.
Busch had done a little work for her in cedar
wood (a bookcase), at Connaught-place, before
she left England, and lately she gave him an
order to make a writing-desk of cedar wood, an
exact copy of one she had bought at the late
Duke of Kent's sale. This was made, and when
finished, sent to her house in South Audley-street;
and she ordered the one bought at the Duke of
Kent's to be sent to Mr. Alderman Wood, because
she had heard that he had given an order to Mr.
Denew, the auctioneer, to purchase the desk, as
he was anxious to have it as a relic of the Duke
of Kent, having seen him frequently writing at it.
This happened about twelve months previous,
and Mr. Alderman Wood had never thought of it,
until she sent the desk. But this was her ma-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 711
jesty's disposition : she was always planning to
do some kind act.
The night between Monday and Tuesday was
passed without sleep, owing, it is believed, to
that restless anxiety which usually accompanies
the process o£ mortification, her majesty's phy-
sicians were, however, not without hope of her
recovery, but the bulletin on Tuesday morning
first checked the sanguine expectations which had
been formed, and hope gave place to no inconsi-
derable share of despondency, when it was learnt
. that the favourable symptoms of the preceding
night had not increased. The bulletin was pub-
lished about half- past ten: it was as follows: —
Brandenburg -house, August 7 'lh, fen o'clock, a. m.
The Queen has passed the night without sleep: her ma-
jesty's symptoms are no worse than yesterday.
M. BAILLIE, P. WARREN, H. AINSLIE.
W. G. MATON, H. HOLLAND.
Shortly after the publication of this bulletin,
unfavourable symptoms began to manifest them-
selves, and her majesty endured considerable
pain. That undaunted resolution, however, which
had conducted her in safety over half the surface
of the habitable globe, did not forsake her at this
trying period ; and if she suffered severely, she
suffered without a murmur. Opiates were admi-
nistered, and for some time they had a consoling
effect; but at two, increased inflammation was
visible to every one, and the attendance of the
712 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
physicians was desired with the utmost speed.
Drs. Baillie, Maton, and Holland first arrived ;
and under their direction, at half-past four o'clock,
the following bulletin was put forth : —
" Brandenburg -house, August 1th, four o'clock, p. m.
In the course of the morning her majesty has suddenly
become much worse.
M. BAILLIE, W. G. MATOX, H. HOLLAND.
Dr. Ainslie and Dr, Warren arrived shortly
after, and a very long consultation took place.
Between four and five Mr. Wilde was sum-
moned to her majesty's chamber. At that time
a marked alteration — an alteration which could
scarcely be mistaken — had taken place in her
appearance. The illustrious sufferer herself
seemed perfectly aware of the change ; and, amid
the tears of all who surrounded her, spoke with
calmness and with resignation of her approaching
dissolution. She thanked her friends for the
care they had bestowed upon her ; lamented her
inability to reward their kindness as it deserved,
and expressed the most perfect conviction that
in a few hours she should cease to need their at-
tention. She commended her soul with humility,
but with confidence to her Creator, and trusted
to meet that justice in another world, which had
been denied to her in this.
A more striking proof of the noble spirit which
still actuated the mind of her majesty, even on
the threshold of death, cannot be mentioned, than
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 713
when, on the Friday previous to her dissolution,
a delicate intimation was given her on the pro-
priety of making her will, she seemed to hail with
joy a hint which is usually received with terror :
with her usual quickness she caught up the idea
before it was half expressed, and said, " I under-
stand you perfectly ; I am quite ready— send for
my lawyers." She spent two or three hours in
calmly and deliberately giving instructions for
the will, and after signing it with a firm and
unhesitating hand, exclaimed, with a cheerful
smile, " There, now, I am ready to die."
As some doubt has been expressed of the
extent of her majesty's religious impressions, it
is but right it should be generally known, that
almost immediately after the dangerous tendency
of her illness was announced to her, she expressed
a wish to receive the Holy Sacrament ; and for
this purpose the Rev, Mr. Attwood, of Hammer-
smith, was summoned on Sunday morning to
Brandenburg-house ; but when he arrived, her
majesty was more unwell than usual, and the
ceremony was obliged to be postponed. In the
night of Monday she again expressed to one of
her medical attendants her wish and determina-
tion to partake of the Holy Communion in the
course of the following day; but the fatal change
in her majesty's disorder took place before her in-
tentions could be completed. It was not necessary,
however, that her majesty should partake of this
holy rite, to evince to the world her true sense of
4 z
714 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINA,
religion. She, who could for more than four
days, with calmness, with fortitude, with the
most perfect resignation, contemplate the sure
but gradual approach of death, could not by a
compliance with any external form, have more
fully testified her perfect and unshaken reliance
on the mercy and justice of an all-wise Providence.
The dangerous state of her majesty having been
made known, Dr. Lushington, Mr. Hobhouse, the
Hon. D. Kinnaird, and many other personal
friends of her majesty, came with breathless haste.
Hammersmith was traversed by gentlemen on
horseback, or servants sent out on the same
errand. Among the latter, were messengers from
their royal highnesses the Duchess of Kent and
the Duke of Sussex. The gates of Brandenburg-
house were also besieged by anxious inquiries,
whose earnest and respectful demeanour suffi-
ciently evinced their attachment to the royal suf-
ferer.
About four o'clock an access of fever came on,
which operating on a frame already almost ex-
hausted, produced for a short time a greater exul-
tation of spirits than she had yet manifested :
during this period she expressed herself with
more vehemence of manner, but still with the
same forbearance of language, touching the cruel
conspiracies of her inveterate foes ; but the fever
soon subsided, and she recovered her usual
gentle tone, her usual calm and firm demeanour;
she was again all resignation to the will of God.
TME QUEENS JLAST MOMENTS,
QUEfiN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 715
A drowsiness then came on, which lasted till
nearly eight o'clock ; when she suddenly awoke,
and observing by her bed-side Dr. Holland, who,
during her illness, had often expressed a hope of
her recovery, said with a smile and accent of the
greatest sweetness: — " Well, my dear doctor,
what do you think now ?"
A few hours, before her death, she observed
to a faithful female attendant — " The doctors
do not understand my malady; it is here, (laying
her hand upon her heart) but I will be silent;
my lips will never make it known."
About eight, in the evening, the physicians,
after having spent considerable time in consulta-
tion, gave directions to have their horses taken
out, and declared their intention of remaining
till some, decided alteration was apparent in her
majesty's complaint.
Every symptom of approaching dissolution
from this time increased ; the continued existence
of spasmodic affection, and various other circum-
stances, convinced her attendants that she could
not long exist. Just before eight, she sunk for a
short time into a dose ; soon after the eye became
fixed, the muscle grew rigid, and a stupor ensued,
from which her majesty never awoke. At twenty-
five minutes past ten o'clock, (after an entire
absence of sense and faculty of more than two
hours) nature gave up the contest, and, almost
without a struggle, the Consort of George IV.,
and the reigning Queen of England, expired.
4 z 2
716 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
The shock through the household was violent,
almost to stupefaction. About five minutes after-
wards, a Moorish domestic of her majesty, burst,
half frantic into the vestibule, and at the same
instant a loud and lengthened shriek from the
female servants, as they rushed towards each
other from their several apartments, rendered all
explanation unnecessary to the horror-struck
spectators. The cry of alarm was succeeded by
a long and fearful pause. It was a pause of death-
like silence — of a silence which every one dreaded
to break. Even to the fatal moment, spite of
evidence to the contrary, all had hoped, and many
had trusted, that she, their friend and mistress,
would recover. The sobs of the women were
loud and unrestrained; the men covered their
faces with their hands, and wept. It was long
before any thing like regularity could be restored.
For some time all distinctions of rank appeared to
be at an end ; in this instance the most eminent
individuals present were seen walking about the
house, forgetting to claim, and scarcely receiving
any thing like ready attention from their own
servants. At length the necessity of making
certain arrangements produced the restoration
(in some degree) of order.
At half-past eleven o'clock the following bul-
letin was issued : —
Brandenburg 'house, August 1th.
Her majesty departed this life at twenty-fire minutes past
ten o'clock.
M. BAILLIE, H. AINSLIE, W. G. MATON,
P. WARREN, H. HOLLAND.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 717
The persons present at the moment of her ma-
jesty's death were Lord and Lady Hood, and
Lady Hamilton ; Alderman Wood, and his son,
the Rev. Mr. John Wood ; Dr. Baillie> Dr. Ainslie,
Dr. Maton, Dr. Warren, and Dr. Holland ; Mr.
Wilde, Dr. Lushington, and Mr. Austin.
Soon after the bulletin was delivered, all the
medical gentlemen, except Dr. Holland, departed.
Dr. Holland remained all night at Brandenburg-
house, as did also Lady Anne Hamilton. Numerous
expresses were sent off in different directions.
The sensation produced in the vicinity of her
majesty's residence was deep beyond description.
At midnight, lights were moving in the windows
of every house in the village of Hammersmith ;
the streets were filled by persons running to and
fro — whither or why, they scarcely knew ; and
circles collected round the door of every dwell-
ing discussed the dreadful event of the night
with interest painfully acute. '-'The Queen is
gone !" was the observation with which each met
his fellow. "Peace be to her soul!" was the
fervent prayer of thousands.
It was about twelve at night when the melan-
choly intelligence was received at Cambridge-
house. A crowd, amounting to about two hun-
dred well-dressed persons, men and women, were
then waiting for the arrival of the bulletin, some of
them in front of the house of Alderman Wood,
and the rest opposite Cambridge-house. As
the bearer of the bulletin drore up to the door
718 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
of the latter, they all pressed around him, eagerly
inquiring " What news?'' The answer, '• Dead/'
excited a heavy groan ; some of the females
shrieked, and many burst into tears. Some flatter-
ing themselves that the account was not authentic,
observed that the bulletin was a copy, the sig-
natures not being in the hand-writing of the
several physicians whose names were subscribed ;
but this doubt only shewed the reluctance of the
parties to credit the fact. The bulletin was ex-
hibited by the domestic of her majesty, who had
been in the habit of attending for the purpose,
and to whom the bearer was well known.
Her majesty's seal was placed upon all her
papers and effects as soon as she had expired.
The executors to her majesty's will were Dr.
Lushington, and Mr. Wilde.
In about an hour after the death of her majesty
the servants were admitted to see her, the body
having been laid out, and a white covering placed
over it to the neck. The alteration in her features
was so great that several of them could scarcely
believe it was their late mistress. Lougos, the
black, whom her majesty brought from Africa,
(an orphan,) was inconsolable, and refused to take
food. Young Austin was overwhelmed with grief,
and indeed every member of the family.
Before we enter upon an account of the funeral
rites of our now departed Queen, disgraceful to
those who had the management of them, and
melancholy and mournful in their consequences,
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 719
we shall give a slight analysis of her character —
a character wilfully misunderstood by many, and
rightly appreciated but by few.
The name of Queen Caroline of England will
make a conspicuous figure in history, for she was
a princess whose singular lot it was to have led
a life of comparative unhappiness and degrada-
tion in the midst of affluence and artificial rank,
and to have been the victim of calumny and per-
secution in a country distinguished for the rigid
administration of law and justice. This illustrious
female gave to the world a striking example of
the infinite superiority, which in the common
intercourse of life, a cold and calculating prudence
must have over an open-hearted and thoughtless
benevolence. Had this illustrious woman been
brought up from her infancy under the superin-
tendance of his late Majesty George III., and
under the tuition of governors and governesses
selected by him ; had she received that strict
English education, with all its punctilious forma-
lities and rigorous precepts, which he would have
enjoined by his authority and example ; had she
been trained in those sombre retiring delicacies,
and that stateliness of exterior deportment, which
characterize the higher order of females of this
country, and for which the court of the Consort
of George III. was so remarkably and pro-
verbially conspicuous ; she might with her natural
flow of spirits, and amiable dispositions, have cap-
tivated the heart and retained the affections of an
720 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
individual whose taste is known to be fastidiously
elegant. But, unfortunately, she passed the early
part of her life in a country where female man-
ners are as diiferent from ours as the language ;
where words and actions are not subject to that
severity of criticism which is to be met with not
only in the splendid mansions, but even in the
humble cottages of ^Britain ; and those manners
were altogether inconsistent with the reflecting
and scrupulous decorum of St. James's. The
personal dislike of Queen Charlotte to her ill-
fated relative, and her own high-spirited claims
to the rights which she conceived the law had
given her, constituted the source of all her afflic-
tions. When it was known that she had become
an object of aversion in that quarter where she
should have been protected., honored, and che-
rished, those unprincipled wretches who always
swarm round a court, and who are ready to pro-
ject any act of baseness that may promote their
private interests, formed designs against her
honor and her life; advantage was taken of the un-
restrained gaiety of her temper, and her harmless
levities, and kind-hearted condescensions, were
wilfully perverted, and magnified into crimes.
The terrible ordeal which she underwent in 1806,
when a set of perjured miscreants conspired to
destroy her character, must be still fresh in the
recollection of the reader. But, perhaps, the
severity of the sentence has not been sufficiently
noticed, which at the very time that her inno-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 721
cence was proclaimed to the world, declared
that she had sunk from the dignity of her rank
by unbecoming levities — and this was merely
because she could not change the free, the
sprightly, and familiar habits of Germany, for
those of England. This operated like a degree
of civil excommunication against her, for it shut
her out from the court, and from the elevated
society she was entitled to move in. It also led
to her subsequent departure from England, and
all those heart-breaking events that have occurred
within the last fifteen months. Her too affable
and familiar manners were the toils in which her
reputation became entangled, and there were
persons always ready to spread them out, and
make them instrumental to her ruin. In all other
respects, we look upon the late Queen Caroline
as one who was fit to rank with the noblest, with
the most estimable and amiable of the human
race ; her heart was open, generous, and sincere —
her mind was elevated and princely — even the
very freedoms which she extended to her inferiors
might be traced to a magnanimous simplicity of
character, which often raises people above the
petty, the selfish, and jealous punctilios of rank;
her fortitude was such as one might expect to
find in a descendant of heroes. In short, she
was deficient only in one of the cardinal virtues,
and that was PRUDENCE. In all the others, her
whole life, and her dying words prove her to
have been pre-eminent. But the tragedy of the
5 A
722 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
persecutions and death of a Queen is at length
brought to its awful close ; and thousands — we
may say millions — of eyes will be suffused in
tears, when they read of the death of Caroline of
Brunswick. The greatest, perhaps the best
woman of her day, sunk by what may be called
a premature death; her illustrious daughter —
the only object, in truth, for which her mother
wished to live — died three years and nine months
before her ; and, in their persons, a branch the
most illustrious of the reigning House of England,
and the closest to the royal stem, which, under
happier auspices and more kindly treatment,
might have given future Edwards and Henries,
and Elizabeths, to the country, is for ever and for
ever cut off. How the surviving members of the
royal family may feel on this portentous occur-
rence, we know not ; but the nation, which, dur-
ing the sufferings of the Queen, evinced its loyalty
to her person, and its admiration of her cha-
racter, feels now widowed by her decease ; and
politicians must perceive with some anxiety,
that the destinies of the monarchy are now trans-
ferred to, and wound up with, the life of an infant
girl. Sound be her frame, and lengthened be
her days ! But the nation has once already too
fondly indulged hopes resting on such a basis, to
repose implicit confidence in that which a sor-
rowful experience, as well as reason, hath taught
it to be so frail.
The Queen ; — we will not say that she was in
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 723
her last moments deserted by her friends or kins-
folk ; they who had long deserted her came not
near her even at that affecting crisis. The official
forms of the court were neglected in her case ;
and no other announcement of the state of her
malady was given to the anxious people, than
that which private friendship, and unshaken de-
votion afforded ; but her majesty was sustained
by the consciousness of innocence: she was
soothed by the consolation of religion ; and that
firm courage which a benevolent Providence had
so amply supplied to her, and all the members of
her suffering race, did not desert her when she
came to struggle with the last enemy of our
nature. She died as she had lived, a Christian
heroine, and a martyr.
But how truly awful ! to contemplate the de-
cease of a princess in whose gallant heart there
beat the mingled blood of the reigning fami-
lies of Brunswick and of England, who was
the last illustrious representative of that united
stock, her only child having gone before her to
the grave. It is the death-scene, not of one, but
of a race ! No kindred hand was near to close
her eyes; no mitred prelate to receive, amidst
the impressive ceremonials of his office, and to
publish to the world her solemn declarations of
innocence. But peace was there, smiling like a
cherub; and the life which had been spent
amidst clouds and tempests was blest with one
last moment of serenity and joy ; and now —
5x2
724* MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Treason hath done its worst :
Life's fitful fever ended, she sleeps -well.
Malice domestic— nothing — can touch her further.
•
Her majesty's enemies were appalled at the
unexpected event. They looked at each other
with inquiring faces — " "We did not do it ?" No ;
the last stroke was a merciful dispensation, and
was therefore none of yours. Whatever comfort
you may derive from this reflection, seize it with
avidity, and enjoy the meagre feast. But time
wears away apace; and your 'day of account
draws near. Then, then, when the charge of
hastening the Queen's end shall be brought against
you by that Being who knows " whereof we are
made/' and perceives by what secret operations
of the mind the body is gradually worn down, or
abruptly shattered into its original dust; — then
urge the extenuating plea, " Thou canst not say
we did it." And there may that plea avail ! But
as the first step to repentance here, is the know-
ledge of the offence; we must for your future
good inform you, that however undaunted was
the courage of her majesty, yet. that the cruelty
of her enemies, the ingratitude of her friends, and
the general baseness of courtiers, did at times
most deeply prey upon her spirits, and imparting
incessant shocks to a frame, which however well
composed, was still but feminine, did there occa-
sion symptoms and affections which were likely
to lead to this result. We will even add, that all
these circumstances taken together, engendered
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 725
in her mind at last so great a distrust of profes-
sions of service, and so strong a suspicion of hu-
man nature in general, as must have tended to
shorten life by rendering it undesirable.
Come then, my countrymen, and weave the
cypress crown to deck the monumental pile. In
lieu of consecrated oil and courtly emblazonment,
let tributary tears of fond devotion and a people's
love bedew her funeral urn. No sculptured mo-
nument, or prayers episcopal, need she to speak
her worth. A nation's grief, her passport to high
heaven, and the best record for futurity. The
lisping babe, as yet unknown to thought, shall,
when the mind expands to hear the pitying tale
of all her woes, drop tears of anguish, while the
proud hearts, swelling with indignation at the
bare remembrance of her wrongs, will conjure up
through each succeeding age, a recollective mo-
nument, more proudly great than earthly skill
could raise, ENGRAFTED ON THE MEMORY OF A
PEOPLE'S LOVE.
We must now return to a description of the
funeral ceremonies, the consequences of which
will be long remembered in this country, and
which, in a political point of view, will have a
decided influence upon the welfare of the country.
We will, however, in the first place, take a
slight glance at the house of mourning, and how
silent and sad was the scene. There was such a
profound repose in every thing that the observer
felt, it was the " sabbath of the dead."
726 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
What a different scene did this neighbourhood
present a few short months ago ! Then all the
roads were filled — thousands and tens of thousands
of gaily-dressed persons in carriages, on horse-
back, and on foot, all wearing the white cockades,
and pressing forward to pay their congratulations
at the feet of her majesty — whilst innumerable
bands of music, the ringing of bells, and the
thunder of cannon, were heard on every side.
Now all was quiet as the grave — the only vestige of
all the pageantry was the British standard, still
floating on the humble tower of the church at
Hammersmith; and even that was now mourn-
fully lowered beneath a long streamer of black
crape.
On the night of her majesty's decease, Lady
Anne Hamilton sat up with the corpse of her royal
mistress ; and subsequently her ladyship and Lady
Hood performed that mournful ceremony alter-
nately. The room in which her majesty expired,
and in which the corpse was deposited, was
on the ground floor, at the eastern corner of the
mansion, fronting to the lawn. Among other di-
rections relative to her funeral, her majesty ex-
pressed a wish to be buried in a night-dress, &c.
of her own, instead of the usual grave clothes.
The service of dressing was performed by Mari-
ette Brune (sister to the celebrated Demont) ex-
actly as her majesty had pointed out, in a richly
frilled long night-dress and cap, with white kid
gloves on the hands.
s QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND.
Immediately after the death of her majesty,
Lord Hood despatched a courier with a letter to
the Earl of Liverpool, announcing the event, and
requesting to know whether his majesty's minis-
ters were prepared to take any part in the neces-
sary arrangements consequent upon her demise.
The noble earl was at his seat, Combe- wood, and
the courier did not arrive there till after twelve
o'clock. His lordship had then retired to rest ;
but he returned a verbal answer to Lord Hood's
letter, acknowledging its receipt, and stating that
he would be in town, at Fife-house, early in the
morning, and ready to confer with any of the
'gentlemen from Brandenburg-house on the sub-
ject. Accordingly Dr. Lushington and Mr. Wilde
had an interview with his lordship, at Fife-house,
between twelve and one o'clock on Wednesday
morning, and in consequence Messrs. Bailey and
Saunders, of Mount- street, the king's upholsterers,
received instructions to proceed to Brandenburg-
house, and make the necessary preparations in
their department, for the funeral. They arrived
in the afternoon, accompanied by one of the
clerks from the Lord Chamberlain's office, and
remained there several hours.
It will be necessary, in this place, to make
particular mention of her majesty's will, as many
of the circumstances which afterwards occurred
arose from the wording of it, and which were
greedily seized upon by certain individuals, with
that zeal and avidity which had heretofore dis-
728 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
tinguished their conduct in every particular, which
had a reference to the wishes or the comfort of
her majesty. In some instances, and many there
are, which the people of England will long re-
member, in which her majesty, whilst living, had
only to express a desire that such and such a
request should be granted, to be certain to meet
with a decided refusal, and also that that same
refusal should be accompanied with every mark
of contempt and disdain ; but her majesty no
sooner makes a request in her dying hour, than
the consciences of those, to whom the task de-
volved of fulfilling it, felt an unusual degree of
alarm, and their whole sagacity was immediately
set in motion to discover in what manner they
could possibly perform the last injunctions of
that individual, on whom, whilst she lived, they
had heaped every species of obloquy and insult.
It must, however, be mentioned, that the very
last requests of this truly unfortunate woman
coincided exactly with the wishes of her enemies;
they took advantage of it, and they profited by
it, to the full extent of their power. It will, be
necessary, however, to give the will in full, in
order to discover the allusion of the foregoing
sentence; but little did her majesty suspect that
the directions expressed in the second codicil of
her will, and which are printed in italics, would
have given rise to scenes which will be long re-
membered as a positive disgrace to the country.
We shall have occasion to enlarge on this subject
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLA»i,. 729
\a a future part of the history, but in the mean
time we insert the Will.
This is the last WILL and TESTAMENT of me, CAROLINE,
Queen-Consort of the united kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland : —
I revoke all former wills. <.
I constitute and appoint Stephen Lushington, Doctor of Laws,
and Thomas Wilde, Esq., Barrister at Law, trustees and exe-
cutors of this ray will.
In execution of all powers given me by the will of my late
mother, Augusta, Duchess of Brunswick -Lurienburg, I appoint,
limit, give, devise, and bequeath to my said trustees all my right,
title, and interest under the said will, and also all the rest of my
property, real and personal, debts arid effects, of whatsoever
nature or kind soever, and wheresoever situate, upon trust to
receive and collect the same ; and, when collected, convert into
money, and invest it at their discretion in the funds of the
united kingdom, or otherwise ; and, upon farther trust, to pay
the principal of the whole of the said trust property to William
Austin, who has been long under my protection, on his attaining
the age of 21 years ; and, in the mean time, to pay the interest
and proceeds of the same, or so much thereof as to them may
seem meet, towards the maintenance and education of the same
William Austin ; And I do declare that my said trustees and
executors shall not be chargeable in respect of the default of
each other, or of any agent employed by them or either of them,
but only for their own respective receipts, acts, and wilful
defaults. I also give and bequeath to my said executors, to be
disposed of according to their will and pleasure, all and every
my documents, manuscripts, papers, writings, and memoranda,
wheresoever being at the time of my death.
CAROLINE R.
Signed, sealed, and published this third day of August, in
the year 1821, at Brandenburg- house, in the presence of
H. BROUGHAM, T. DENMAN,
H. HOLLAND, M,D. HOOD.
5 B
730 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
1 This is a Codicil to my Will, dated this 3d day of August :— •
I give all my clothes here and in Italy to Mariette Brune.
I direct that a particular box, by me described, be sealed with
my seal, and delivered to Mr. Obichini, of Colman-street,
merchant : and I acknowledge that I owe him 4,300Z. I wish
that government would pay the 15,000/. the price of my house
in South Audley-street. I desire to be buried in Brunswick.
I leave my coach to Stephen Lushington, my executor ; my
landaulet to John Kieronymus.
CAROLINE R. :
Witnesses, HOOD, H. BROUGHAM,
T. DENMAN, H. HOLLAND, M. D.
This is a Codicil to my last Will : —
I give to John Hferonymus and Mariette Brune all my bed
and table linen, which has already been used. I give to Louis
Bischi, the sum of 1,000/., and an annuity of \50l. per annum,
payable half-yearly. I give the large picture of myself and
late daughter to the Cardinal Albano. The half length picture
of myself to Lady Anne Hamilton. I give the picture of myself,
which is a copy of that given to the City of London, to my
executor Stephen Lushington. There are two pictures re-
maining, of which I bequeath to the Marquis Antaldi, that
which he shall choose ; and the remaining one to William
Austin. I give to the Viscount and Viscountess Hood, 50QJ.
each. I have aleady given to John Hieronymus one carriage ;
J also give him the other open carriage. I declare that my
interest under my mother's will is given to William Austin, as
a specific legacy. / desire and direct that my body be not opened,
and that three days after my death it be carried to Brunswick for
interment; and that the inscription on my coffin be, " Here lie$
Caroline of Brunswick, the injured Queen of England."
CAROLINE R.
Witness, H. HOLLAND, M.D. Aug. 5, 1821.
A Codicil to my last Will :-—
I give and bequeath to William Austin, all my plate and house-
hold furniture at Brandenburg-house, and also all unused linen
QUEfiN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 731
*I direct my executors to make application to his majesty's
government to pay to them such sum of money as at the time of
my decease I may have paid, or which they may be called upon
to pay, for the purchase of my house in South Audley-street ;
and I give and bequeath sum of money, as my said exe-
cutors shall procure and obtain in that respect, unto them my
said executors, in trust for William Austin, according to the
provisions of my will : such sum to be considered a specific
legacy. And in case the government shall refuse to repay such
sum, I direct my executors to sell my interest in the said house,
and also the furniture and things therein. And I give and
direct the proceeds thereof to be paid and applied to and for
the use of the said William Austin in like manner, as a specific
legacy ; but in case the Government shall repay the purchase-
money of tho said house, in that case, the proceeds which may
be realized by the sale are to fall into the general residue of my
estate. CAROLINE R.
Witness, H. U. THOMSON. August 7, 1821.
The respectful tribute that was paid by the citi-
zens of London to the memory of their departed
Queen, was highly creditable to their character.
In Fleet-street, the Strand, Piccadilly, Pall-mall,
and the intersecting streets, there was not a single
shop the windows of which were not partially
closed ; many were shut up altogether ; and at
the east end of the town the expression was
equally decided, and many persons already ap-
peared in black. These open demonstrations of
regret broadly gave the lie to those who had in-
sulted the Queen, and who would, if they could,
misrepresent the state of public opinion ; for the
rest, it is not pomp of outward show, " nor cus-
tomary suits of solemn black," that can denote
the feelings of the British people truly
5s2
732 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
In the metropolis, an involuntary feeling of
surprise was excited at seeing the houses of
several of the most distinguished personages,
who had taken a decided part against her ma-
jesty during her lifetime, exhibit an appearance
of sorrow on her departure for " another and a
better world !" At the mansion of the » Lord
Chancellor, in particular, the shutters in the
lower part of the house were quite closed, and in
the upper part the blinds were drawn. At Carl-
ton-house, the shutters in front were all closed.
Most of the houses in St. Jameses-square, includ-
ing the late residence of her majesty, were also in
the same state ; and similar marks of respect were
observable, in a greater degree, perhaps, than
might have been expected, in the other fashion-
able squares and streets. Somerset-house, and
the other public offices were partially closed, but
the business proceeded as usual.
Orders were issued for the closing of the
theatres, on Wednesday evening the 8th, and also
on the night of the funeral.
At noon on Wednesday, there were not, in the
long line of way between Blackfriar's-bridge and
the Elephant and Castle, a dozen shopkeepers
who did not partially close the fronts of their
dwellings. The few tradesmen who stood as ex-
ceptions were chiefly of the Society of Friends,
whose religious tenets forbid them either to make
merry or weep after the things of this world.
Throughout the Lambeth-road, at Bermondsey,
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 733
and at Camberwell, the same demonstrations of
sorrow appeared. In many parishes the bells
tolled during the whole morning.
The inhabitants of Hammersmith, who have
always been conspicuous for their attachment to
their persecuted Queen, were most anxious to
pay the last public tribute to her memory.
A requisition was accordingly signed by many
of the most respectable individuals in the
neighbourhood, requesting the churchwarden,
(Mr. J. Gornme) to call a meeting to consider
the best means of evincing their respect for her
memory.
A circular was sent to the gentlemen who com-
posed the committee for arranging her majesty's
escort from Hammersmith to London on the day
of her visit to St. Paul's — and another circular
was despatched to the gentlemen who formed the
procession on that occasion ; requesting their at-
tendance at Freemason's-tavern on the following
Saturday evening.
A most numerous and respectable meeting as-
sembled accordingly ; when, after an able and
energetic speech from J. Hume, Esq. who was
called to the chair, it was unanimously resolved,
" that a committee should be appointed to make
the necessary arrangements to pay the last marks
of respect, for which they would hold themselves
in readiness to assemble, to accompany the body
as far out of London as might be agreed upon, in
carnages or on horseback." Each individual to
734 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
have on black scarfs, crape, or such decent
mourning as was customary on such occasions
On Thursday evening, between nine and ten
o'clock, the shell of cedar-wood and the leaden
coffin arrived at Brandenburg-house in. a hearse
and four, followed by two mourning coaches,
filled with the undertakers' assistants. The shell
was lined with white satin, padded, with a mat-
tress of the same delicate materials, and the body
was immediately placed within it by Mariette
Brune, assisted by some of the other female at-
tendants. The Ladies Hamilton and Hood after-
wards strewed the corpse with flowers and
aromatic herbs, and then the undertakers' men
placed the whole within the leaden coffin; but
the cover was left open by order of the executors
till Friday evening. Accordingly on that day Mr.
Holroyd, attended by several of his workmen,
repaired to Brandenburg-house, by order of the
Board of Works, for the purpose of soldering
down the leaden coffin in which the cedar shell
containing the royal corpse was placed. The
melancholy task was performed in the presence of
Mr. Alderman Wood and some of her majesty's
upper domestics, who thus took their last view of
their beloved mistress. The body had not under-
gone so great a change as might have been ex-
pected from the nature of her majesty's disorder.
The features still bore a considerable resemblance
to the placid yet dignified look for which in life
they were remarkable. After the body was thus*
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 735
for ever shut from human eye, a black pall was
thrown over the coffin ; it was then removed into
the dining-hall, which was hung with black, as
also the passages between that and the door, at
the entrance from Hammersmith. It was, how-
ever, not intended that the corpse should be laid
in state, as being contrary to the express wishes
of her majesty on this point.
On the same day an interview took place at
the Home Department Office, between Sir G.
Nayler, of the Herald's College, and Mr. Hob-
house, the Under Secretary of State, for the pur-
pose of making some necessary preparations, and
for issuing orders for regulating the procession on
the removal of her majesty's body from town to
Harwich. Mr. Thomas, of the Lord Chamber-
lain's office, and Mr. Bailey, of the house of
Bailey and Sanders, his majesty's upholsterers,
&c., subsequently had an interview with Mr.
Hobhouse, and it was determined to proceed with
the funeral preparations only as far as would be
requisite, until his majesty should decide that her
majesty's remains should be interred either at
Windsor or Brunswick.
As it was evident that a wish existed in a par-
ticular quarter to hurry the queen's funeral as
much as possible, partly that it might not inter-
fere with the rejoicings and the merriment oc-
casioned by his majesty's visit to Ireland, and
partly perhaps to give the people of England no
time to prepare any mark of respect to the illus-
736 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
trious deceased, it became necessary to apply to
the proper authorities on the part of those who
were to attend the funeral of her majesty, stating
the impossibility of their being properly prepared
for the funeral by the day appointed by govern-
ment. On this subject the following correspond-
ence took place between Lady Hood and Lord
Liverpool:
Lady Anne Hamilton and Lady Hood to Mr. Hobhouse.
Brandenburg-house, Saturday night, Aug. 11.
The ladies in attendance upon her majesty the Queen feel it
.ncumbent on them to state to Mr. Hobhouse, that having only
received intimation this day, at four o'clock in the afternoon, of
the necessary preparations to make for the mourning, they find
it impossible to complete the dresses requisite before Tues-
day night.
Unless the time until Wednesday morning is allowed for
the removal of her late majesty's remains, Lady Anne Hamil-
ton and Lady Hood will not have it in their power to attend
the funeral.
Mr. Hobhouse to Lady Anne Hamilton and Lady Hood.
Grosvenor-place, Aug. 12, half-past eight, p. m.
Mr. Hobhouse has to acknowledge the receipt of the note
addressed to him last night by Lady Anne Hamilton and Lady
Hood, from whence he is surprised to learn that the intention
of moving the late Queen's remains, as nearly as possible in
conformity with the wish expressed in her majesty's will,
should have been so recently communicated to their ladyships ;
the anxiety of the King's servants to carry that wish into effect
having been expressed to Dr. Lushington arid Mr. Wilde on
Wednesday, and at every subsequent interview, and those gen-
tlemen having yesterday stated that there would be no obstacle
to the removal of the corpse on Tuesday morning. Mr. Hob-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 737
house will lose no time in despatching their ladyships' note to
Lord Liverpool, arid will communicate his lordship's answer at
the earliest moment.
Mr. Hobhouse to Lady Anne Hamilton and Lady Hood.
Whitehall, August 12th, four o'clock, p. m.
Mr. Hobhouse presents his compliments to Lady Anne
Hamilton and Lady Hood, and is directed by Lord Liverpool to
apprise their ladyships, that the order for the removal of her
majesty's remains on Tuesday is irrevocable. Their ladyships
must be aware, that in cases of this nature, it is extremely fre-
quent for persons who are to attend the interment to follow
after the procession has proceeded far on its route ; and it is
presumed, that if their ladyships should unfortunately not be
entirely prepared on Tuesday morning, there can be no objec-
tion to this course being ado'pted on the present occasion.
Lady Hood to the Earl of Liverpool.
Brandenburg "house, August l'2th, 1821.
MY LORD, — Though I have not the honour of your lord-
ship's acquaintance, I cannot resist the impulse I feel to address
you, not as a minister of this country, but I wish to speak to
your heart ; and I am not without the hope of inspiring you with
sympathy on this most interesting and awful subject. I have
often, my lord, heard you highly spoken of. Some time ago I
was acquainted with a lady who was either nearly allied to you,
or the late Lady Liverpool. Her sentiments of your good prin-
ciples inspire me with hope that you will act up to that excel-
lent monitor within every one's breast — " To do as they would
be done by." Why, my lord, is her majesty's funeral thus
indecently hurried ? Mr. Hobhouse replied to a note written
by Lady Anne Hamilton and myself—" Because it was the
Queen's request in her will." This is, I believe, the first and
only request of her majesty's that ever has been complied with.
And allow me, my lord, to put another question to you— Why
is there to be a guard of honour appointed to attend her funeral,
5 c
738 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
which, honour -was never given to her during her life ? If such
is persisted in, I foresee much mischief, and I fear bloodshed.
The people have ever been her majesty's only friends ; suffer
them to pay their last tribute of affection to their beloved and
injured Queen, without being interrupted by the military. I
have been in the habit of attending her majesty for the last five
months through immense crowds, and not a single accident has
ever occured. Why, my lord, is the corpse to be carried out of
the direct road to disappoint the people ? For Heaven's sake
revoke this sentence ; the evil of it exceeds all calculation. I
have, my lord, been the companion of the Queen for the last
five months ; my previous knowledge of her good and estimable
qualities alone induced me to accept this situation, and from
seeing her deserted by all her former associates and friends.
And I can with truth assure you, that not even her bitterest
enemy could censure her majesty's conduct ; and her death-bed,
my lord — that awful moment to which we are all approaching
—is an example to all living. She died in peace, I do believe,
with all the world ; and during her illness frequently said : —
" Je ne sais si en mourant j'aurai a suffrir des douleurs phisiques,
mais je puis vous assurer que je quitterrai la vie sans regrets ;"
and she desired her female attendant, Brunette, to assure her
sister De Mont that she had forgiven her. I have one more
appeal to make to your lordship ; and first I will ask you why
the funeral of the Queen of England should be so much more
hurried than that for your lordship's late wife; that event
proves your lordship's opinion on the subject ; the Queen will
not have been dead a week till after ten o'clock next Tuesday
night ; therefore, I trust your heart will dictate the same degree
of outward respect, if not love, for your Queen. And now, my
lord, I have only te say, that I have been surprised at the inter-
ruption to the tranquillity of this house by a show of mourning
—the having a part of this house hung with black, which cannot
be completed before Monday night, if so soon, and the proceed-
ing has only been interrupted this day (Sunday) during the time
her majesty's domestic chaplain performed the church service.
1 trust, my lord, you will not order her majesty's funeral before
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND 739
Wednesday or Thursday next. I will only add, my lord, that
every word of this letter is dictated by myself, and that I have
set down nought in malice, for my late beloved mistress, the
Queen, set me a better example ; but my conscience will not
allow me to continue silent, and I entreat that your lordship
will grant all the requests contained in this letter ; and in so
doing, be assured I shall ever feel the highest veneration and
esteem, permit me to add affection, for your lordship, and be-
lieve me, my lord, your humble servant,
JANE HOOD*
The Earl of Liverpool to Lady Hood.
Combe Wood, August 12M.
MADAM, — I have this moment had the honour of receiving
your ladyship's letter, and I think it right to observe in answer to
it, that when her late majesty's executors communicated to me
copies of her last will, on Wednesday last, by which it appeared
that her majesty desired that three days after her death her
body should be sent to Brunswick for interment, I felt it to be
my duty to give directions, in the king's absence, that her ma-
jesty's intentions in this respect might be carried into effect with
as little delay as possible ; and I lost no time in laying before
the king the directions which had been issued for this purpose.
I have since received his majesty's commands to continue to act
in conformity to the orders first given. I had directed that the
funeral should proceed from Brandenburg-house to-morrow
morning ; but upon a representation which I received from Dr.
Lushington yesterday, it was agreed to put off the departure till
Tuesday, and 1 feel I should be now acting in direct contradic-
tion to the king's commands, as well as contrary to the intention
of her late majesty, if I was a party to any further delay. I am
sorry it is not in my power to return a more satisfactory answer
to your ladyship's letter ; but I have been ready from the be-
ginning to communicate with her majesty's executors on the ar-
rangements necessary to be made on this melancholy occasion ;
and it has been the anxious desire of the king and his govern-
740 MfcMOrilS OF CAROLINE,
ment that every thing should be conducted in the most becoming,
orderly, and decent manner.
I have the honour to be, Madam, your ladyship's obedient
humble servant,
LIVERPOOL.
Viscountess Hood to the Earl of Liverpool.
Brandenburg-house, Sunday Evening^
August 12, 1821.
MY LORD, — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your lord-
ship's letter, and though certainly not according with my
wishes, yet please to accept my thanks for the promptness of
your reply. But, my lord, there is a material part of my
letter which you have not answered (my question). — .Why is a
guard of honour appointed to attend her majesty's funeral ? I
can venture to pronounce, if there are no soldiers, there will not
be any disposition to tumult ; therefore I do most earnestly pray
^our lordship to give up the idea of her majesty's remains
having any other guard than that of the people. They were to
her majesty, during her life, her most welcome attendants, and
surely, if your lordship is so tenacious in strictly adhering to
her majesty's requests in her Will, you cannot fail being
equally so in complying with what I am sure would be her
majesty's wish, was she living to speak ; as it was ever her
earnest desire to have no soldiers, but to be attended and
guarded solely by the people. In their love she ever confided,
and surely, my lord, you will not, at this awful moment of her
interment, act so decidedly contrary to her inclination.
I omitted to mention, in my last letter to your lordship, that
the person sent by government for providing the mourning for
her majesty's servants did not arrive at Brandenburg-house till
yesterday noon, consequently neither Lady Anne Hamilton,
Lord Hood, nor myself, and several other -gentlemen, could
think it requisite to be in such haste to order their mourning ;
and until Dr. Lushington and Mr. Wilde arrived at Branden-
burg-house, late yesterday evening, we could not form an i
of the funeral being fixed for so early a day.
. QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 741
I must again repeat, that on no occasion whatever has the
government ever ordered the troops to attend her majesty ; I
trust, therefore, your lordship will not think of such a measure
upon this occasion of her majesty's funeral ; and I also con-
clude, from your lordship's not replying to that part of my
letter, respecting her majesty's removal, that the procession
will be ordered to move in the direct and nearest road through
the City of London, as, I am informed, that the Lord Mayor
and the Corporation of London intend meeting the funeral pro-
cession at Temple-bar; and surely your lordship will not offer
an insult to so ancient and respectable a body, who have ever
shown their attachment to the royal family. I flatter myself
your lordship will forgive my thus troubling you, and impute
it to my zeal and attachment to my much -loved and departed
Queen ; and I beg to subscribe myself, &c.
JANE HOOD.
The Earl of Liverpool's Answer.
Coombe Wood, Sunday Night, Aug. 12.
MADAM, — I have had the honour of receiving your lady-
ship's second letter, and I must only repeat, that it is my duty
to obey the King's commands as to the arrangements to be
made for her majesty's funeral (whatever these arrangements
may be, have been, or will be, duly communicated from the
secretary of state's office to her majesty's executors) ; and I am
under the necessity of adding, that no discussion can take place
with any other persons on the subject. I have the honour, &c.
LIVERPOOL,
Upon the warning words of Lady Hood's very
sensible letter, "If there be no soldiers there will not
be any disposition to tumult" and upon some other
parts of this momentous correspondence, we must
not be entirely silent ; the words, indeed, when
coupled with the recollections of all the popular
transactions of the last two or three years, speak
742 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
with such an awful conviction to every impartial
mind, that if the known humanity of the Earl of
Liverpool in particular did not compel us rather
to impeach his understanding than to suspect his
heart, one should be disposed to the horrible sus-
picion, that soldiers never are employed upon
any popular occasion, but with a view of pro-
ducing tumult, where it would be desperate to
hope that any would be produced without them.
Exonerating, however, his majesty's ministers, as
in duty bound, from so dark an imputation, we
can only lament, that the height and distance of
office should have rendered those blind to a con-
viction, which is as obvious as the noon-day sun
to nearer and more impartial optics.
With respect to the Earl of Liverpool's final
answer, we must be permitted to observe, that
his throwing the responsibility of the arrange-
ments for her majesty's funeral, or any other ar-
rangements, upon his royal master, is not very
reconcileable to our ideas of the British constitu-
tion. " The king's commands/' The people of
England know and acknowledge them only in
acts of beneficence. All other arrangements are
to them the acts and measures of his responsible
advisers. It is to the cabinet, and not to the
throne, that we must look with the eyes of cen-
sure or of critical animadversion.
With respect to the time of the removal of the
remains of our injured and perseveringly-insulted
Queen, we do not think that the question has yet,
COXSORT OF ENGLAND. 743
not even in the letter of Lady Hood herself, been
placed upon what appears to us its proper
grounds. Her majesty, in her will, it is said, re-
quested that her body should be removed in three
days : three days from what ? from the day of her
death? That was physically impossible to be
either effected or contemplated. It might as well
be interpreted, three days from the date of the
signing of the will. Her majesty's last commands
could not be executed until they were known — >
nor known till the will was opened. The three
days were therefore to be reckoned from the
opening of the will, which expired not till the
evening of Wednesday, the 15th ; the hurrying
away therefore of the body before Thursday, the
16th, was in violation of, not in obedience to, her
majesty's dying testament, and for whatever mis-
chiefs or degradations may have resulted from
such precipitation, those who enforced that pre-
cipitation are therefore doubly responsible.
A report that her majesty would lie instate on
Sunday, the 12th, and that the public would be
admitted to Brandenburg-house, filled Hammer-
smith with strangers. Numerous parties came
down from London as soon as the rumour reached
them, and persons of all ranks flocked in from
the adjacent villages. The arrivals, however,
appeared to be premature, for the order at
Brandenburg-house was, that no one should pass
the lodge except on business. The inquirers, in
the mean time, did not give up their object:
744 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
they flattered themselves that the gates would be
opened in the afternoon, and meant to wait the
event. The whole of her late majesty's house-
hold attended divine service in the morning, in
the long gallery of Brandenburg-house. The Rev.
John Page Wood, her majesty's domestic chap-
Iain, delivered a most impressive discourse
adapted to the melancholy occasion.
A funeral sermon was also preached at the
church of St. Paul, Hammersmith, by the Rev.
George Leggett ; and a second at the chapel of
St. Mary, Fulham, by the Rev. Edward Elmes.
The pulpit of Hammersmith church, and the pew
(now empty and deserted) in which her majesty
used to sit, were covered with black cloth, and
the ornamental part's of the building were decked
with bunches of crape : the present arrangement,
however, was merely made on the spur of the
moment: the following Sunday the church was
fully hung with sable. The worthy divine (Mr.
Leggett) took his text from the second Epistle of
Paul to Timothy: the congregation were pro-
foundly attentive ; and the ladies almost univer-
sally shed tears.
The young ladies and gentlemen belonging to
the various boarding-schools proceeded to their
churches, chiefly all in deep mourning. The
chapels in that direction were also in mourning.
The bells at Hammersmith tolled every morning
and evening.
On Monday, soon after ten o'clock, the under-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 745
taker's people, under the direction of Mr. Thomas,
of the Lord Chamberlain's office, had prepared
the marble hall, at Brandenburg-house, for the
reception of the royal corpse, in order to its lying
in state. The marble hall is in the back of the
house, on the ground floor, adjoining the apart-
ment in which her majesty died. The walls and
floor of this hall were covered with black cloth,
that on the walls arranged in festoons, and the
pillars which support the ceiling were also covered
with the same material ; but, unlike the other
preparations of the same kind, the ceiling was
not covered at all. In the centre of the room,
immediately facing the entrance, a plain square
canopy of black cloth was erected, and underneath
stood the tressels intended to support the coffin.
The entrance hall and vestibule were entirely
covered with black.
The workmen having so far completed the ar-
rangements, repaired to the adjoining apartment
to remove the royal coffin, and place it beneath
the canopy ; but the door was found to be locked,
nor could the key be found any where. Applica-
tion was made successively to all the members of
the household, but no one knew any thing of it.
More than three quarters of an hour were spent in
useless inquiry after it; at length Mr. Thomas
directed the workmen to open the door by taking
off the lock. This being effected, the royal coffin
was placed in the situation prepared for it.
Whilst these things were doing, the crowd at
5 D
746 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
the lodge was every moment accumulating; but
a strong party of the Bow-street patrol had the
command of the gates, and admitted only such
persons as they thought proper. This caused
much dissatisfaction and turmoil throughout the
day ; and the murmurs were loud and incessant
— both at the lodge gates, and at the stable-
yard, both of which were surrounded by many
hundreds of people, chiefly females, very respect-
ably attired in deep mourning, who toiled and
struggled hour after hour with infinite perse-
verance. This scene continued till after three
o'clock, when they were somewhat pacified by
its being announced that they would be indiscri-
minately admitted after six o'clock.
It was not till that hour that the ceremony of
" lying in full state" commenced. During this
time, however, many of the neighbouring gentry
were admitted in small parties ; and on no former
occasion of the kind was ever such a manifesta-
tion of mental affliction witnessed. The ladies, for
the most part, wept audibly — many threw them-
selves upon their knees before the coffin, and
clasped their hands convulsively. In the course
oc the morning, the Honourable Mrs. Darner was
observed among the company who approached
the royal coffin, and fervently kissed it. She
was accompanied by Lady Anne Hamilton, and
appeared so absorbed in grief, that her ladyship
had some difficulty in withdrawing her from the
melancholy scene
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 747
At length six o'clock arrived, and full state
commenced; but there was very considerable
deficiency of the ceremonies usually observed on
these occasions.
An ample pall of black velvet, lined with white
sarsnet, was thrown over the coffin, turned back
so as to show its foot, and a very indifferent imi-
tation of the royal crown was placed on a golden
fringed purple velvet cushion at its head, but the
pall was unadorned with a single escutcheon.
Three gigantic candles burned on either side the
coffin ; immediately over it appeared an emblazon-
ment of the royal arms in a lozenge-shaped cloth
of silver, six smaller escutcheons, with the arms
of Britain and Brunswick quartered, were dis-
played near it, and the walls were gloomily en-
lightened with a few silver sconces. The only
persons officially in attendance on the part of
government, were three grooms of the great
chamber, Messrs. Nost, Gardener, and Seymour,
and two of the undertakers' men. There were
no noble mourners, no pursuivants in their tabards,
no yeomen of the guard, nor any of the usual
accompaniments to denote the high rank of the
illustrious deceased.
The gates at the lodge were now thrown open,
and many hundred persons rushed tumultuously
down the avenue, but an order was given almost
immediately that no more should be admitted.
There was no thoroughfare through the room of
state, so that those who first obtained admittance
748 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
found it so extremely difficult to get out again,
that much confusion appeared likely to ensue,
and therefore the order to close the gate again
was issued. The royal corpse, however, conti-
nued to lie in this state till late at night.
On the same day a Court of Common Council
was held at the Council- chamber, Guildhall, for
the purpose " of testifying in a suitable manner
the deep and mournful feelings of the court, upon
the sudden and lamented death of her majesty
Queen Caroline." At a little after twelve o'clock,
the Lord Mayor entered the court in deep
mourning. The civic sword of state was sheathed
in a black scabbard ; and all the ceremonials
evinced the same mournful solemnity. In a
short time after the business of the day com-
menced, the court was quite filled. — There were
only two Aldermen present.
Alderman Waithman reviewed the principal
circumstances of the life of her late majesty, from
the period of her first setting foot on our shores.
He strongly animadverted on the rancour and
persevering malignity of her enemies — eulogised
in the warmest terms the intrepidity, firmness,
and strength of mind, which had marked her
majesty's conduct in all the trying scenes of her
life. Those heroic virtues received additional
splendour from the proverbial mildness, gentle-
ness, and affable condescension of the royal
sufferer; and proposed the following resolu-
tion : —
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 749
Resolved — That this court feels it a melancholy and irresis-
tible duty to express its deepest concern and affliction at the
premature and ever-to-he-lamented death of our most gracious
majesty Queen Caroline. The eminent virtues she possessed —
the amiable and unaffected condescension of her manners — >the
habitual kindness and benevolence of her disposition— and the
vigour and intelligence of mind she displayed on the most
trying occasions — her regard for the rights and liberties of the
people — and the warmth of affection she evinced for the British
Nation, would of themselves have called for expressions of gra-
titude to her memory, and sorrow for her loss. But when this
court calls to mind the painful and distressing vicissitudes of
her eventful life, from the period she first landed in this country,
under the most flattering and auspicious circumstances, and
contemplates the domestic afflictions and the series of perse-
cutions which, in unrelenting succession, she has undergone—
it cannot but record its highest admiration of the temper — the
unshaken firmness and magnanimity with which she met and
defeated, if not destroyed, the malice of her persecutors — and
that to the last moments of her life she displayed the same for-
titude with Christian resignation, forgiving all her enemies, and
when under the weight of her complicated wrongs and suf-
ferings, sinking into the arms of Death, she hailed him as a
friend, in the hope of exchanging those scenes of sorrow and
trouble for a crown of glory and immortality.
Mr. Favell then said, that having carried the
first resolution, it was impossible they could suffer
her majesty's body to pass through the city
without testifying their most dutiful regard. He
moved, therefore, the second resolution —
Resolved — That this court is anxious to do honor to the
remains of her late majesty Queen Caroline ; and, in the event
of the royal corpse passing through this city> they feel it their
duty to attend the funeral procession at Temple-bar, and
through the City.
750 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Both resolutions were carried unanimously.
It was then put and carried unanimously, " That
the sheriffs do forthwith wait on Lord Liverpool,
in order to know the hour at which the corpora-
tion should attend at Temple-bar." After which,
it was referred to the committee which had been
appointed to attend her majesty to St. Paul's on
the 29th of November last, to make arrangements
for carrying the other resolution into effect. The
council then broke up. The sheriffs immediately
after, proceeded with the Remembrancer to the
office of the Secretary of State, where they had
an interview with Mr. Hobhouse, who promised
an early answer. At a little before four o'clock
the following answer was returned : —
Whitehall, 13th August, 1821.
GENTLEMEN, — I am directed by the Earl of Liverpool, to
•whom I have communicated the resolutions agreed to at a
common council held this day, to inform you, that all the ar-
rangements for her late majesty's funeral have been completed,
and laid before the King ; and that it is not intended that the
royal corpse should pass through the city, in its way from
Brandenburg-house to Harwich, the port at which it is to be
embarked for the purpose of being conveyed to Brunswick, in
conformity to the desire expressed in her late majesty's will.
I have the honor to be, &c.
To the Sheriff's of London, $c. H. HOBHOUSE.
Mr. Sheriff Waithman not having been able to
obtain any information as to the route by which
her majesty's remains were to be conveyed from
Brandenburg-house, so late as half-past ten on
Monday evening, sent the following letter to Lord
QUEEN COXSORT OF EXGLAND. 751
Liverpool, to which he received the subjoined
answer : —
Bridge-street, Aug. 13, 1321, half-past ten, p. m.
MY LORD, — As Sheriff of the County of Middlesex, I feel
it my duty to request your lordship to inform me by what
route the remains of her late majesty are to be conveyed through
the County from Brandenburg-house. I have the honour to be,
Your lordship's obedient servant,
The Rt. Hon. the Earl of Liverpool. R. WAITHMAN.
Lord Liverpool replied as follows : —
Fife-house, Aug. 13, half-past 11.
SIR, — I have this moment received your letter, and must
refer you to the Lord Chamberlain's department for particulars.
The directions are, that the remains of her late majesty shall
be conveyed by the New-road * to Romford, and then by the
direct road to Harwich. I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient humble servant,
Mr. Sheriff Waiihman. LIVERPOOL.
The Freemason's Tavern was besieged by
crowds of people during the evening, and up to
a late hour at night, to gain intelligence of the
route which the procession was to take on
Tuesday. The committee sat to a late hour, and a
general meeting was held up stairs, at which Mr.
Haydon presided, to wait the determination of
the committee, and to receive the benefit of any
official communication that might arrive in the
course of the evening.
A good deal of discontent was manifested
within and without doors, but no instance of
* It is indeed a very new road from Hammersmith to Romford.
752 MEMOIRJS OF CAROLINE.
disorder occurred throughout the night It was
determined, if no official communications were
received in the course of the evening, the gentle-
men who proposed to attend the procession on
horseback should meet at Hyde Park-corner at six
on Tuesday morning, to be in readiness to move
forward. Persons were to be stationed at every
outlet by which it was possible for the remains to
be carried ; and, should the procession not pass
by Hyde Park-corner, the intelligence was to be
communicated with as much speed as possible, in
order to enable the horsemen to join it imme-
diately.
At ibur o'clock the following communication
was made : —
The Committee have received assurances from the following
gentlemen, of their intention to attend the funeral procession ol
her late majesty, to-morrow, on horseback or in carriages, viz:
Sir Gerard Noel, Bart., M. P. ; Sir Robert Wilson, Bart,
M. P. ; Hon. Grey Bennet, M. P. ; Joseph Hume, Esq. M. P. ;
J. C. Hobhouse, Esq. M. P. ; S. C. Whitbread, Esq. M. P.
Freemason's Tavern. A. WILSON, Chairman.
Very early on the morning of the 14th, a great
part of the population of the metropolis was in
motion, to pay the last respect to the remains of
the Queen, before they were transported for ever
from a country which has been the scene of her
persecutions and her triumphs. The people had
been studiously kept in the dark, as to the course
the procession was to take, perhaps with the
view of giving that appearance of desertedness to
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND 753
the funeral, which her enemies so studiously
laboured to give her majesty's dwelling during
her life. The anxiety of the people, however,
to obtain the information that was withheld from
them, was the means of shewing the interest
which they felt. The state of the weather was
such as would have scared mere idle spectators.
The morning was unusually dark, and rain falling
without intermission, added to the gloom which
the solemn affair of the day was calculated to
create.
The only information which the public had ob-
tained as to the direction which the corpse was
to take, was contained in the letter from Mr.
Hobhouse to the Sheriffs of London. The infor-
mation contained in this letter, was, however,
merely negative : viz. that the royal corpse would
not pass through the city. It was thought, per-
haps, that the passage of the remains of her ma-
iesty through the city, attended by the Corpora-
tion, might have called to mind another occasion
when the persecuted lady, whose remains were
now to be borne to their last resting-place, went,
amidst the gratulations of an unexampled multi-
tude, to offer up thanks (alas ! how prematurely !)
j for her success against the malice of her enemies.
Mr. Bailey, of Mount-street, Grosvenor-square,
who had been appointed conductor of her ma-
esty's funeral, arrived at Brandenburg-house
soon after five o'clock, preceded by^the hearse,
drawn by eight horses, and the mourning coaches,
5 E
754 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
with the various funeral habiliments and para-
phernalia. There were about twenty coaches and
six, the horses' head4* ornamented with plumes.
The hearse was rather a small one, and sur-
mounted by a profusion of black plumes ; on each
side, the royal arms, quartered with those of the
Brunswick family, were emblazoned in scarlet and
gold. This gave to the vehicle rather a splendid
appearance ; but it was still far short of what it
ought to have been upon an occasion like this.
About the same time Sir George Nayler, as
clarencieux king at arms, arrived, attended by
Mr. Hood, the herald.
A little after six o'clock Dr. Lushington arrived.
Mr. Wilde, Mr. Brougham, Alderman Wood, Mr
Hobhouse, Sir Robert Wilson, Mr. Thomas, (act-
ing for Mr. Mash, of the Lord Chamberlain's
office,) Dr. Holland, Lieutenants Flynn and How
nam, Count Vassali, £c. were present in the state
apartment.
At six o'clock precisely, a squadron of the
Oxford Blues, under the command of Captain
Bouverie, arrived from their barracks, llegent's-
park, (which they left at a quarter before five
o'clock) at Brandenburg-house, and rode up the
avenue from the lodge, and formed into a line in
front of the house. The helmets of the officers
were partially covered with black crape. The
gates of Brandenburg-house were kept by one of
the officers of Bow-street, who admitted only those
whose names were on a list. The marshal men of
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 755
the royal household arrived about the same time
on horseback. They were in full uniform, with
their batons decorated with crape.
At seven o'clock the mourning coaches intended
for the domestics of her late majesty's household
were ordered to draw up to the door, and the
servants, male, and female, having entered them,
they drew slowly off towards the outer gates;
this occupied half an hour. The servants of her
majesty's counsel, and of her other officers, occu-
pied places in these coaches ; and the whole were
arranged according to their respective ranks.
Mr. Bailey now gave orders for every person
to be in readiness to depart with the procession;
and he went into the state-room, and gave direc-
tions to the Lord Chamberlain's officers to deliver
up the body to the persons in waiting, who would
carry it to the hearse. The persons whose names
are above-mentioned (except Mr. Wilde) were in
the state-room at this period. Sir George Nayler
stood in his state dress, at the foot of her ma-
jesty's coffin; on his right was Mr. Hood, the
herald, holding in his hand the directions from his
majesty's government, authorising him to remove
the body. On each side of the entrance of the
state apartment stood the officers of the Lord
Chamberlain (grooms of the great chamber) in
plain dress black, not their state attire. On each
side of the body were arranged M*. Brougham,
Sir Robert Wilson, Mr. Hobhouse, Mr. Thomas,
Mr. Bailey, Mr. Chippenden (assistant conductor,)
5 E2
756 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Dr. Holland, Alderman Wood, Rev. Mr. Wood,
her majesty's chaplain, Count Vassal!, &c.
On the body of her majesty being demanded of
the executors, Dr. Lushington spoke to the fol-
lowing effect :—
Sir Georgfe Naylef and Mr. Bailey — You know what h£s
already taken place upon the subject of her late majesty's inter*
ment ; you know what has been the expressed wish of her late
majesty's executors upon the necessity of delay for the purpose
of making preparations for so long a journey ; and also upon
the disgraceful conduct that has been persisted in by his ma-
jesty's government (in such direct opposition to the known wifl.
of her late majesty) in forcing into the funeral procession a great
body of soldiers. I enter my solemn protest against the removal
of her majesty's body, in right of the legal power which is
vested in me by her late majesty, as executor. Proper arrange-
ments for the funeral, and the long journey, and voyage by sea,
have not been marie ; there has not been time for it ; and I com-
mand that the body be not removed till the arrangements suit^
able to the rank and dignity of the deceased are made.
Mr. Bailey < — I have orders from government to remove the
body', which is now in custody of the Lord Chamberlain ; I must
do my duty, the body must be removed.
Dr. Lushington. — Touch the body at your peril. You have
ho power to act contrary to the will of her majesty's executors ;
And they do their duty by protesting against such an usurpation*
Mr. Bailey.— -You do not mean to use violence, and prevent
by force the removal of the body, I trust, Dr. Lushington ?
Dr> Lushington. — I shall use no violence myself.
Mr. Bailey. — Nor recognize it in others ?
Dr. Lushington. — 1 shall neither assist in, nor recommend
violence ; nor shall I join the procession in my official character
of executor, but merely go as a private individual* to show my
respect for her majesty.
Mr, Bailey. — Very well, Sir ; I shall discharge my duty
firmly, and I trust properly* t
QUEfcN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 757
Shortly after seven the hearse drew up to the
door, and the bearers were ordered to be in rea-
diness. Sir George Nayler, attended by Mr.
Thomas and Messrs Seymour, Gardner, and Nost,
went into the state apartment, and taking the
cushion and crown from the head of the coffin, he
bore it to the coach immediately preceding the
hearse, and one of the attendants placed it on the
seat. The bearers, eight in number, then ad-
vanced, and took up the coffin, to bear it to the
hearse. The scene in the interior of the hall at
this moment will not soon be forgotten. Many of
the inferior domestics, who were not to accompany
the funeral, had assembled in the passage to take
a last view of the remains of their lamented mis-
tress; and these, with several private persons,
lined the room on each side. When the bearers
advanced towards the door, the women sobbed
aloud ; and one threw herself upon the floor, and
evinced the most violent and impassioned grief.
Those of the other sex shed tears plentifully as
the body passed ; and several hurried out to see
it deposited in the hearse. This having been
done, under the immediate inspection of Sir
George Nayler, that gentleman with his attend-
ants, entered the carriage in which the crown, £c.
were placed. The carriages for the mourners
then came to the door in succession.
While the coach, appointed for Mr. and Mrs.
Wilde* was stopping at the door of Brandenburg-
house, a message was sent from him that he
758 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
wished to see Mr. Bailey. This gentleman im-
mediately went to Mr. Wilde, and, on his enter-
ing the apartment, Mr. Wilde presented him with
a written protest against the removal of her ma-
jesty's body. He then addressed Mr. Bailey in
very warm language, declaring the conduct pur-
sued by his majesty's ministers to be most dis-
graceful, as well as illegal. He declared that the
body was taken by force against the will of the
executors, and called upon Mr. Bailey to give him
some information as to where he intended to take
the procession — by what route, and where was the
destination? Mr. Bailey complained that every
impediment was thrown in the way of the persons
whose duty it was to attend the removal of the
body. He then took out of his pocket a paper,
and read from it the route of the procession.
The funeral cavalcade to pass from the gate at Brandenburg-
house through Hammersmith, to turn round by Kensington-
gravelrspits, near the church, into the Uxbridge-road, to Bays-
water, from thence to Tyburn-turnpike, down the Edgeware-
road, along the New-road to Islington, down the City-road,
along Old-street, Mile-end, to Romford, &c. A squadron of
Oxford Blues from Brandenburg-house to Romford, to attend
the procession ; a squadron of the 4th Light Dragoons from
Romford to Chelmsford ; another squadron of the same regi-
ment from Chelmsford to Colchester ; another escort from Coir
Chester to Harwich, where a guard of honour is in waiting
And this mere programme, unsigned, unvouched
by any respectable functionary, was what Mr.
Bailey on this and other occasions, appealed to,
is his royal authority for superseding that of her
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 759
majesty's executors, and setting at nought, as
hereafter will appear, even the directions of Lord
Liverpool himself.
Mr. Wilde declared that he would not go into
the procession in the route mentioned by Mr.
Bailey, nor should the body be taken, except by
force; and, when the body stopped at the first
stage, he, probably, should be there to exercise
his legal right as executor (which was superior to
any usurped power then exercised by the officers
employed by his majesty's ministers) to have the
body removed according to his own will and that
of her late majesty, without squadrons of soldiers.
Mr. Bailey said that his orders were imperative,
and that nothing should prevent him doing his
duty. He would take upon himself the peril of
removing the body.
Notwithstanding the jealousy with which the
gates of the avenue to Brandenburg-house were
guarded by porters, military and police, some
had the good fortune to gain access to the vesti-
bule of that melancholy mansion. Each was
anxious to see all that was practicable to be seen
of the sad remains, and lame and imperfect ob-
sequies of our departed Queen, of whose wrongs
we were certain, in whose innocence we believed;
and whose persecutions, whose magnanimity in
contending with them, and whose sensibility,
which occasioned her to become the ultimate vic-
tim of them, have alike endeared her to our re-
membrance.
760 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
Nothing could in reality surpass the melancholy
of the spectacle here exhibited to the spectators.
The exterior of the vestibule covered with a pro-
fuse drapery of black cloth — the interior in the
same sable hue — another profusion of like dra-
pery closing up the access to the interior — the
doleful illumination of wax-lights, &c., within,
which served to make the darkness visible — the
sable decorations of attendance, and the heavy
fall of rain which descended at the time, though
they could not augment the sadness of the heart,
were yet in unison with it. Yet we confess the
reflections mingled with the feelings thus inspired,
were not so much on the frailty of human gran-
deur, as on the unfeeling cruelty and malignity
of presumptuous power, to which the highest and
the lowest victim is alike indifferent, when the
ends of faction are to be obtained.
It could be but a few minutes after seven when
the first mourning coach and six was ordered up
o the door; for it was exactly eighteen minutes
past, when that which all were most anxious to
see, THE ROYAL COFFIN, was brought forth.
It was covered with crimson velvet, studded
with nails and other customary ornaments of gold
or of silver gilt. It was borne on the shoulders
of eight strong men of equal stature, who seemed
to totter beneath its weight, and who, with the
assistance of Mr. Bailey and his attendants,
seemed to have no small difficulty in putting it
into the hearse The pall wasr afterwards cram-
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND.
med in upon it with as little attention to the con-
dition in which it was afterwards to come out, as
the most ordinary article could have been thrust
into a foul clothes bag. This may serve as a
specimen of the kind of professional respect that
was paid to the royal corpse.
The enumeration of the persons who were to
fill the respective carriages then succeeded, and
some surprise was excited not to hear the names
of Mr. Brougham, or Mr. Denman, her majesty's
attorney and solicitor-general, among them —
though the carriage of the former was in the ave-
nue, and himself within it. It was afterwards
ascertained that he had been refused a place in
any of the mourning coaches; and he followed,
in fact, the procession in his own chariot — a pri-
vate and voluntary attendant on the ceremony.
Even at that time it was found, from the conver-
sation of Mr. Bailey, &c.9 that much of the ar-
rangement was open to his unsettled discretion;
and that, although Mr. Alderman Wood was to
be permitted to attend, it was left to the last
moment of filling up the procession to decide
whether a corner could be found for him in one of
the government coaches; or whether he was to
proceed solitarily in the one he had hired at his
own expense. The fact is, that, although blanks
were left for four names which Dr. Lushington
and Mr. Wilde were at liberty to fill up, the
persons were to be set down as officers of her
majesty's household. This Mr. Wood, who had
5 F
762 . MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
never held any office in that household, nor re-
ceived one shilling, either of the public money or
of her majesty's, perseveringly declined. It was
as the friend, not the officer of her majesty, that
he attended. A place, however, was at last as-
signed to him on his own conditions, by the con-
descension, we suppose, of Mr. Bailey, and in the
same carriage, it will be seen,, with Count Vassali ;
and assuredly were never seen in any state
funeral, together, two faces more strongly expres-
sive of grief and devoted attachment. The emo-
tions of Lady Hood and Lady Anne Hamilton
were also very conspicuous; and scarcely less,
though less to be expected, that of Mrs. Lushing-
ton — a circumstance which, together with that
lady having accompanied, as will hereafter be
seen, the remains of her majesty to the Continent,
and, indeed, the whole of her interesting deport-
ment on the occasion, ought to be known ; as it
may explain, perhaps, the reason for the parti-
cular time selected for the nuptials of Dr. Lush-
ington, without which occurrence his lady could
not have had the privilege of paying these last
attentions to an injured and beloved Queen.
The children of Latimer's charity school were
now observed going up towards the house, three
and three — that is to say, a boy on each side
with baskets hung with black and filled with
flowers, and a girl between who was to scatter
them.
At exactly a quarter before eight, the proces-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 763
sion from the gates of Brandenburg-house began
by the return of these poor children (the objects
of her majesty's care and bounty) strewing their
flowers along the path. Some of these flowers
were eagerly snatched up by the spectators, and
thrust into their bosoms, as sweet, though sad
remembrances to their hearts. The greater part
of the throng, however, seemed to disapprove of
this, and remonstrated that they should remain,
according to the intention of the strewers, as fare-
well offerings in the way over which the remains
of their benevolent patroness were to be carried ;
and so, in fact, by far the greater part of them
did remain.
The following is a correct arrangement of the
order of the Procession.
Beadle of Hammersmith, at the head of Latimer's School
Charity Children, who strewed the way with flowers.
Pages, three and two.
Oxford Blues, three and two.
Four Mutes, two and two.
First Mourning Coach and Six,
containing the servants of her Majesty's Chamberlain, and
Longuez, the black.
Second Mourning Coach and Six,
containing Mr. Wilde's male and female servants, and a
servant of Sir George Nayler.
Mutes and Pages, two and two.
His Majesty's eight Deputy Marshals, two and two, in state,
on horseback.
Twelve Pages on horseback, two and two, with black cloate
and hatbands.
Two Oxford Blues.
5 f 2
764 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Her late Majesty's State Carriage, wiih six horses,
containing Sir George Nayler, in his state oress as Clarencieux
King of Arms, accompanied by Mr. Hood, the Herald.
£Sir George carried the Crown and Cushion from the state
apartment to the door, and having got into the carriage, they
were placed on his lap by the Herald, who afterwards took a
seat by his side, with their backs towards the horses. The
Cushion was about two feet long and one foot wide — black
velvet, edged with gold fringe, and a large gold tassel at each
of the four corners. It was an Imperial Crown which was
carried upon the cushion.]
Two of her Majesty's state servants behind the carriages.
Squadron of Horse,
two and two, attended by their commanding officer.
HEARSE WITH EIGHT BLACK HORSES;
Page. f~\ Page.
Page
s
: [Each side of the hearse was decorated with an escutcheon.
Postilions in black rode upon the two leading horses. At the
end of the hearse was an imperial crown with the letters C. R.
The horses in the coaches also were decorated with large
black feathers.]
Four Soldiers, two and two, with flag.
Trumpeter.
Eighteen Soldiers, two and two.
Third Mourning Coach and Six,
containing James Thomas, Esq., of the Lord Chamberlain's
office, with a gentleman in the same department.
Fourth Mourning Coach and Six,
in which was alone Lord Hood, Her Majesty's Chamberlain.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 765
Fifth Mourning Coach and Six,
containing Lady Hood and Lady Anne Hamilton.
Sixth Mourning Coach and Six,
containing Dr. Lushington and his Lady.
Seventh Mourning Coach and Six,
prepared for Mr. and Mrs. Wilde.
Eighth Mourning Coach and Six,
containing Mr. Alderman Wood and Count Vassali. ,;>
Ninth Mourning Coach and Six,
containing Captain Hesse and Mr. Wilson (son of Sir Robert) ,
her late Majesty's Equerries, with the Rev. Mr. Wood, her
Majesty's Chaplain, and Mr. William Austin.
Tenth Mourning Coach and Six,
containing Lieutenants Hownam and Flynn, with two other
gentlemen belonging to the household.
Eleventh Mourning Coach and Six,
contained Mr. Hieronymus, her Majesty's Steward, Mariette
Brune (De Mont's sister), Lady Hood's female servant, and
Lady Anne Hamilton's.
Twelfth Mourning Coach and Six,
contained her Majesty's three Pages, Mr. Melburn, Mr.
Adolphus, and Mr. Nicolini.
' Sheriff Waithman's carriage.
Thirteenth Mourning Coach,
contained Mr. Bailey, and two other gentlemen, who accom-
panied the procession to Brunswick, to see the last rites per-
formed over the body of her majesty, according to his instruc-
tions from the British government.
Escort of Pages and Gentlemen residing in Hammersmith.
A carriage with a servant, containing luggage belonging to the
different persons in the cavalcade.
Two Highland Officers in a chaise.
A Page.
The carriages of the different Gentlemen, friends of her late
Majesty.
766 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
The hamlet of Hammersmith, as the procession
passed up the Broadway, presented a striking
spectacle. The windows of the houses were filled
in every part, chiefly with females, all in the
deepest mourning, and a great number of men
had climbed upon the roofs, and even upon the
chimneys, so great was the anxiety to obtain a
view of the procession. On each side of the road
vehicles of every kind were drawn up, and seats
or standing places on them were purchased
eagerly, at from one to three shillings. The
owners of some of the carts and wagons had pro-
vided canopies of carpet or sail-cloth, which pro-
tected the occupiers of seats from the rain, and
these men made a very considerable sum by their
speculation. The space between these carriages
and the people was completely filled with specta-
tors on foot, many of whom were without um-
brellas, or any other than their ordinary covering ;
but the heavy rain which continued to fall during
the morning did not dismay them. Hundreds
of women, of all ages, stood patiently beneath
the pelting shower, and bore, without a mur-
mur, the rude assault to which they were every
minute subject, from the want of common tender-
ness on the part of the men.
As the procession moved along, it was re-
garded by the assembled multitude with mourn-
ful earnestness. The great majority of the female
spectators were in tears, and many wept aloud as
thev took their last view of the hearse. The fair
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 767
inhabitants of the hamlet evinced the strongest
sensibility upon this melancholy occasion. They
were seen at their windows gazing with tearful
eyes upon the solemn spectacle, and many were
heard to sob aloud, apparently in the greatest
agony of grief.
When the head of the procession reached the
Broadway, the spectators were gratified with
one of the most interesting sights ever wit-
nessed. The children, male and female, of Lati-
mer's charity-school, issued from the school-
house, in their best dresses, wearing crape upon
their hats, and each bearing a small white basket
filled with choice flowers. The sides of the
basket were covered with crape. The little ones
Aaving ranged themselves at the head of the caval-
cade in proper order, two and two, they pro-
ceeded on, strewing their flowers in the road as
they walked along. The extremely neat dresses
of the children, with their simple but earnest
manner of performing this ceremony, excited the
highest admiration and the deepest sympathy. It
imparted a degree of painful interest to the scene,
that will long be remembered by those who had
an opportunity of beholding it.
The children walked bareheaded, and bore the
heavy rain with great cheerfulness. When their
stock of flowers was exhausted, Jthey walked out
of the line, and stood at the side of the road until
the procession had passed them, when they re-
turned to the school-house.
These children had been furnished with their
768 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
baskets on Monday, and they went round on that
day to the principal inhabitants of the hamlet, and
Pegged from each a supply of the best flowers in
.he garden.
While the arrangements for the procession were
forming at Brandenburg-house, an immense crowd
of horsemen and pedestrians was collected at
Hyde-park-corner, which increased rapidly from
five until eight o'clock, by which time it was pro-
digious, notwithstanding the deluge of rain which
continued without intermission the whole morn-
ing, as if the very heavens were weeping in sym-
pathy with the hearts of the English people. By
half-past six, a considerable body of horsemen
having assembled by appointment inside the Park-
gate, all habited in the deepest mourning, and
wearing sable cloaks, crape hatbands and scarfs,
and other badges of grief, they proceeded to
Hammersmith, amidst the sorrowful ejaculations
of the people, for the purpose of falling in with
the procession. Upon arriving at the turnpike,
the populace insisted that the horsemen should
pay no toll, it being, we believe, a popular error
that funerals pay no toll under any circumstances.
The gentlemen themselves seemed willing to pay,
but hesitating in consequence of the calls from
the crowd, the keeper closed the gate against
them, upon which the populace instantly tore it
from their hinges, and dashed it on one side ; nor
did they suffer any horseman who passed after-
wards to pay.
Shortly after this, a doubt seemed to prevail as
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 769
to which route the procession would adopt, and
the anxiety upon this subject soon became ex-
tremely intense. Every coach, every horseman,
or even foot-passenger, who came from the direc-
tion of Hammersmith, was questioned with the
greatest eagerness as to whether he knew any
thing of the matter ; and each succeeding person
interrogated gave a different answer from the
preceding one. At about a quarter past eight,
it was announced that the procession was moving
along the road at the other extremity of the Park,
and instantly the whole crowd streamed off with
all the speed in their power to the Oxford-street
gate. Here they found that the same uncer-
tainty prevailed as at Hyde-Park Corner ; and,
after they had waited with great patience for half
an hour, another report was circulated that the
procession was going along by Knightsbridge.
Immediately the whole Park was covered with a
moving cloud of umbrellas, the people having
made their way over all parts of the wall along
the Edgeware-road, and directing their course
back again to Hyde-Park Corner.
Still the route remained unascertained, and it
was now understood that not even any of the per-
sons at Hammersmith, except the undertaker,
who was in the confidence of his majesty's go-
vernment,, were informed of the intended line it
was to take. This circumstance appeared to
excite a general murmur of indignation ; and some
went so far as even to utter imprecations upon
770 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
the characters that could resort to such petty
modes of insulting the memory of their dead
Queen. But the more indignant and exasperated
they were at the conduct of her enemies, the
more firmly rooted, if possible, became their de-
termination to endure every inconvenience and
hardship, rather than lose this occasion, the last
they could ever enjoy, to offer this manifestation
of respect to the remains of the royal victim.
Multitudes proceeded on to Hammersmith, as the
more certain way of avoiding the frustration of
their purpose. But the greater number appeared
to conclude, from the stationary appearance of
the friendly societies' flags, which, with emblems
of mourning attached to them, were waiting the
arrival of the procession, that it would certainly
pass that way. However, once more, (in conse-
quence of the arrival of a horseman with the intel-
ligence) it was understood that the procession
was about to pass the other way; and again the
immense multitude rolled back the whole length
of Hyde-park to the Edgeware-road, and again
disappointment alone awaited them. The angry
feeling excited against the authors of this dis-
graceful and irritating suspense became consider-
ably enhanced by a suggestion, that the different
horsemen who had given the false intelligence at
various times, were persons expressly employed
to deceive the people with unfounded reports,
and thereby call off their attention from the di-
rection in which the procession was to move
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 771
At this period the whole length of the Edge-
ware-road was thronged to excess, and vast
numbers made their way to the Paddington-road,
under the impression that that was the destined
route. A long line of carnages also blocked up
each of the various roads through which there
was any chance of the procession passing.
It now approached to eleven o'clock, and
nothing but feelings of the deepest, the most
heart-rooted affection and grief, could account for
the extraordinary patience and self-devotion with
which this immense concourse of persons, male
and female, endured unintermitting fatigue, wet,
and hunger, for a space of six hours; and, still
although the water streamed in torrents from
their drenched limbs — although they were hardly
able to stand, from incessant running in every
direction during the whole morning, and although
almost fainting from exhaustion and want of food,
they maintained an unshaken resolution to undergo
every possible extremity of suffering from hard-
ship or privation, rather than lose the opportiv-
nity of uttering a parting blessing on the cold
remains of their " injured Queen." At length,
the arrival of one or two horsemen from Hammer-
smith, known not to be in the service of govern-
ment, who informed the anxious inquirers that
surrounded them, that the most probable course
for the procession to adopt was by Knightsbridge,
induced the crowd to traverse Hyde-park a fourth
time, and take their final stand in the neighbour
5 o2
172 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE.
hood of Hyde-park-corner ; where, daring another
hour of suspense and anxiety, they remained
until the approach of the procession was at length
announced in reality.
The procession moved on at a slow pace through
the immense crowds that lined each side of the
road. The order was not interrupted till its ar-
rival at Kensington church. The constables and
police officers, who by that time headed the pro-
cession, endeavoured to turn it out of the direct
road leading to Piccadilly, by guiding it along
Church-street, which is by Kensington church;
and thus to convey her majesty's remains into the
Bayswater-road, following the route previously
marked by Mr. Bailey. This was promptly and
loudly resisted. The people cried out " Shame !
Shame '.—Through the City ! Through the City !"
but finding that exclamations would avail but
little they resisted with personal force. A stout
scuffle ensued; and as no military had yet ar-
rived, the populace triumphed. This brought the
procession to a stand-still. A communication of
what had passed was made to superior powers
lower down in the procession; and while this
was taking place, the people, assembled in
Church-street, set to work with an alacrity and
success that were truly surprising, to render in-
effectual an attempt to pass that way, by blocking
up and cutting up the street. Wagons, carts,
&c., were brought and placed across the streets ;
the Imch-pins were taken out, and some of the
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 773
wheels were taken off, and all the horses were
removed. Higher up the stones were removed'
trenches were dug in the roadway; even the
water-pipes were opened. Crow-bars and pokers
were at work, and the workmen were cheered
with cans of porter, and with the applause of the
multitude. A stoppage of as impassable a nature
was thus created in less than half an hour, as
ever was raised by a retreating army to check
the pursuit of an enemy. A wagon, containing
baggage belonging to the second regiment of foot
guards, was seized and placed in Church-street.
The serjeant commanding the party immediately
represented to Sir Robert Wilson the great in
convenience the delay would occasion him and his
party, as they had a long march before them. Sir
Robert Wilson immediately addressed the popu-
,ace, and pointed out to them that the delay
would be of serious inconvenience to the soldiers.
The short speech of Sir Robert was received with
great good humour; the baggage-wagon was
instantly released, and suffered to proceed on its
iourney, but another wagon was instantly placed
:n the same situation.
While these labours were going on, a soldier
was forwarded to town, with a despatch to Lord
Liverpool for orders. As Mr. Bailey, the con-
ductor of the procession, would not take upon
himself the responsibility of moving in any other
direction than that laid down in the written direc-
tion, the whole cavalcade halted until new in-
structions arrived.
774 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
At half-past eleven, a troop of Life Guards ap-
peared, coming from London. They were headed
by Sir R. Baker, the chief magistrate of Bow-
street, mounted on an officer's horse; and on each
side of him was a military officer. Sir Robert and
the officers having reconnoitred the end of Church-
street, and found it impossible to remove the ob-
struction raised there, yielded to necessity, and
gave orders for the procession to move on in a
direct line, which was complied with, amidst the
stunning huzzas of the multitude, who could not
restrain their joy in having thus defeated the plan
to carry off her majesty's remains without their
even entering London.
Their exultations, however, were doomed to
speedy interruption. As soon as the procession
arrived at Hyde-park gate, by Kensington Bar-
racks, Sir Robert Baker, with some of the sol-
diers, entered it, with the view of heading the
procession. The joy ceased, and loud cries were
heard of " Shame ! shame ! she shall not go
through the Park ! let us die first." Some one
crying out " Every man in the breach," meaning
the single gate that was then thrown open.
About twenty persons instantly rushed into the
opening, s.eized the gate, dragged the keeper and
his helper forward, and closed them. This exas-
perated the serjeant of the troops inside, who
cried out, " I'll chop your hands off, if you do
not let go the gates." The gates were again
drawn back, and again closed by the people.
Here one of the soldiers outside, putting spurs
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND 775
to his horse, dashed up to the gate, when a per-
son amongst them immediately held a great stick
over him, crying out, " Let our lives be lost
before we let her pass this way." Here the cry
of " Murder" was vociferated, and a .voice ex-
claimed, " Sir Robert Baker, remember you have
^lot read the Riot Act." Again a soldier from
the roadside of the gate rode up to cut those
hanging on to the gate, when one of the com-
mittee-men rode up between them and interposed.
The cry was now, " Horsemen ! horsemen ! stand
in the gate." One only attempting it, whose
horse was frighten-ed, he could not get him for-
ward. Several persons now got up to the gate,
and though the soldiers were not three yards
from it, several large stones were thrown at the
military, one of which struck, a soldier on the
breast; and the cry of " Murder!" still conti-
nuing, Sir Robert Baker said, " Open the gate,
and we will go on." The gate was opened, Sir
Robert Baker came out, and headed the proces-
sion, and it proceeded on towards Hyde-park-
corner, the people crying out, " The City ! the
City ! Nothing but the City ! Fly to Hyde-park-
corner; block up, block up; every man in the
breach." The people now began to fly towards
Hyde- park-corner, when they reached the gates
they were closed, and the military were sta-
tioned close to the gates inside the park. The
gates were soon opened sufficiently for them to
come out one by one; they were then closed
776 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
again, and the military rode through the crowd to
Park-lane, with their horse-pistols in their hands.
When the procession reached Hyde-park-
corner, a troop of the Life Guards was drawn
up ; at whose appearance much dissatisfaction
was expressed by the people. Indeed, from the
moment at which the procession moved from
Brandenburg-house, the greatest dissatisfaction
was displayed by the people at the appearance of
the soldiery. As the procession passed by the
Broadway, Hammersmith, a thousand voices
exclaimed, " Why are the soldiers here ?" and
the hissings and hooting accompanied and fol-
lowed them along the road. The soldiery bore
those attacks at first with apparent good humour.
At this period an immense multitude assembled
— a multitude which, even on the finest day, and
under circumstances of a more joyous nature,
was never exceeded. The general cry amongst
the people was, that the royal corpse should be
carried through the city — that it should be pa-
raded amongst that honest and honourable body
who, from the first moment of her majesty's
return to this country, had proved themselves her
decided and disinterested friends. Many per-
sons who were determined that her majesty's
corpse should, in spite of those who were her
enemies when she was living, pass through the
streets of London carried in their hands copies of
the official declaration, which told to the asto-
nished public, that the remains of our beloved
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 777
and persecuted Queen should be conveyed from
Hammersmith in an almost ignominiously private
manner. This new mode of heaping insult on
the remains of one, who, while living, had braved
her enemies with a degree of firmness which
virtue alone can bestow, excited amidst the crowd
the strongest sentiments of reprobation ; and
those sentiments were loudly expressed, as the
grocession approached Park-lane. Groans, hisses,
and execrations, were here levelled at the sol-
diers ; and again it was demanded,, in a voice of
thunder, " what business had they there on such
an occasion ?" The Life Guards, who had before
signalized themselves in the same neighbourhood,
were not quite so gentle as they had previously
been, and they struck, with the flat of their
swords, some of those persons who reproached
them. They attempted to force, m et armis, a
passage down Park-lane ; but the dense mass of
people, and the coaches, carts, and cars, which
in a very few minutes v&ere thrown across the
road, rendered their efforts wholly abortive. Here
there was a delay for a few minutes; until at
length the officer of the guard having consulted
with some persons near him, the procession was
Ordered to turn, and it entered the Park at the
corner gate, and proceeded towards Cumberla«d-
gate, the entrance at the Oxford-street end. The
Life Guards were drawn up, six on each side of
the gate. Two of them then passed the proces-
sion, and rode a-head of the horsemen. The
5 H
778 MEMOIRS or CAROLINE,
appearance of this fresh supply of military force
occasioned the most boisterous uproar. Some of
the Guards, displeased with the abuse they
received, struck the people ; but the people,
though unarmed, did not refrain from their male-
dictions. The scene at this moment was most
awful — the carnage of Manchester rapidly shot
across the memory of the people. An immense
multitude covered the Park ; but all was peace and
quiet, except when the military appeared. Some
of the Life Guards rode to and fro, which seemed
to excite much displeasure among the crowd,
which was testified by hissings and hootings.
After the commencement of the procession had
passed Hyde-park-corner, and entered Piccadilly,
fresh interruption took place. Considerable par-
ties of benefit societies, of different trades, &c.,
who had carried addresses to the Queen; appeared
at this point, with their banners and solemn mu-
sic, prepared to join the procession. They oc-
casioned some delay. Next it was found that
Park-lane, the then contemplated route, had been
stopped up almost as effectually as Church-lane,
at Kensington, had been previously rendered im-
passible. The procession was thereby again
brought to a complete stand-still, one that was
rendered the more painful and alarming, owing to
the increased numbers of the populace, as well
as of the horse soldiers. Several hundreds of
Horse Guards and of Blues lined the streets, and
the former certainly were not hailed in a very
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 779
complimentary manner by portions of the vast
and, in many instances, irritated multitude now
assembled. Sir R. Baker knew not what to do
officers of the Guards said they must obey their
orders — they were positive — they were peremp-
tory. The people looked to the gentlemen on
horseback, particularly to several distinguished
citizens, for them to advocate their cause at this
critical juncture, with the civil and military au-
thorities. A more frightful state of things was
never beheld ; the most dreadful consequences
were to be apprehended — pistols, as well as
swords, were drawn, the Guards displaying the
most determined demeanour.
Mr. Hurcombe, the common councilman, at this
fearful moment, rode up to Sir R. Baker, and
claimed his attention, if he had no right to ask
that of the officers. He said, amongst other obser-
vations, " For Heaven's sake ! Sir Robert, let the
procession proceed through the City ! You see
the people will not be satisfied without such a
course be pursued. If the contrary course be
persisted in, the consequences, I fear, must be
dreadful. There is every reason to apprehend
that in such case blood will be spilled, — lives will
be lost. Therefore, reflect well, and let the pro-
cession proceed through the City."
Sir R. Baker. — " I know not what to do ; the
orders are positive — peremptory : I cannot change
them."
Mr. Hurcombe. — " You see that the lives of
780 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
your fellow-citizens are placed in jeopardy — you
see what is the state of the public mind ; there-
fore, let me beseech you, take on yourself the
responsibility of ordering the corpse to pass
through the City. You will thereby doubtless
save many lives ; and if you do not pursue such
course, and should lives be lost, who will be
answerable for them after this warning? Will not
you be answerable ? Then take on yourself the
responsibility/'
Sir R. Baker.—" I will."
He afterwards held a conversation with an
officer of the Guards, who said that his orders
were peremptory, that he could not proceed
through the City ; and, be the consequences what
they might, he must fulfil his orders. He at the
same time called on Sir R. Baker to aid him
with the civil power in the execution of such
duty.
Mr. Bailey now intimated a desire that the caval-
cade should again attempt to pass up Park-lane
into Oxford-street; but it was found impracti-
cable. The head of the procession was then
moved down the line of Piccadilly, and had pro-
ceeded nearly as far as Lord Coventry's house,
when it was met by a fresh reinforcement of
horse-soldiers, by whom its further progress in
that direction was stopped. The conduct of the
people during the stoppage, towards the military,
was of a trying nature. - After some hesitation,
the leaders of the procession and the military
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 781
commanders being apparently occupied in de-
liberating on the course to be taken, the whole
made a retrograde movement towards Hyde-park-
corner. Upon this the mob gave a loud and deep
shout, and mud and missiles flew at the soldiery
from all directions. A party of dragoons were
immediately sent round to Park-lane, with strict
orders to remove the carts ; in which service, we
regret to say, many of them, as well as the
crowd, were badly wounded, the former with
stones, the latter with the swords of the soldiery.
One dragoon had his eye severely cut with a
stone ; and he would, no doubt, have killed the
man with his sabre, had it not been for the hu-
mane interference of Sir R. Baker. The line of
wagons, however, was so very compact, that it
was found impossible to remove them, and this
circumstance being communicated to the magis-
trate, whose strict orders were, that it should
take no other route than that prescribed by the
officers of his majesty's government, it was, after
considerable stoppage, agreed to open Hyde-
park-gate, and orders were given to admit the
whole cavalcade, and to exclude the crowd, which
was at length effected, after considerable resist-
ance and pelting on the part of the latter.
At about twelve o'clock the procession entered
the park, and during its passage through it a
scene of confusion and outrage ensued of which
the annals of this or any other Christian country
can, it is hoped, present few parallels. Vast
782 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
numbers of persons on foot and on horseback
passed with great speed along Park-lane, and in
all directions towards Cumberland-gate at the
end of Oxford-street. Their object was suspected
by the guards to be to reach that gate before
them, with the view of meeting the procession
and again forcing it to turn back. To prevent
this the guards galloped through the park at full
speed, in order to gain Cumberland-gate before
them. Simultaneously with this movement of
the guards and the multitude attendant on the
royal funeral, the procession itself moved at a
very quick pace through the park. Suddenly,
however, it halted, and it was understood that
the people had closed the gates. It now became
necessary, in consequence of the peremptory
orders issued to the guards, to force a. way for
the procession through whatever impediments
might present themselves, for them to disperse
the multitude at Cumberland-gate, and clear a
passage^ The people were equally bent on turn-
ing the procession, and forcing it into the route
of the city. Here a contest arose, and here, we
deeply grieve to say, blood was shed. Some
stones and mud were thrown at the military, and,
a magistrate being present, the soldiers were
sanctioned in firing their pistols and carbines at
the unarmed crowd. Screams of terror were
heard in every direction, and numbers were seen
flying across the park in dismay. The number
of shots fired was not less than forty or fifty.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 783
Hyde-park would have been the scene of a tragedy
as dreadful as that acted at Manchester, had not
the large open space towards Bayswater afforded
ample opportunities for escape from the murderous
weapons of the soldiery. The guards were gal-
loping about in all directions. One of the suf-
ferers, was Richard Honey, a carpenter, residing
at No. 3, Rose-street, Soho, the other George
Francis, a bricklayer. They were shot at the cor-
ner of Great Cumberland-street, and the bodies
were carried to the General Townshend, in Ox-
ford-street. Others were carried to St. George's
Hospital. So completely did the soldiery appear
at this period to have lost the good temper and
forbearance they previously evinced, that they
fired several shots in the direction in which
the procession was then moving. In consequence
of this, some gentlemen belonging to the parish
of Hammersmith, and who occupied a coach next
to that of Alderman Wood, narrowly escaped with
their lives. A ball passed through one of the panels
of the coach, and came out at the other side, but
most providentially without any injury to those
within it.
The procession now crossed the end of Oxford-
street ; and, leaving Tyburn-turnpike on the left,
passed down the Edgeware-road towards Pad-
dington. Almost immediately upon the cessation
of the firing, the latter part of the procession,
which during the continuance of the unfortunate
affray between the military and the people had
784 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
remained in the Park, proceeded rapidly forward,
and joined the rest of the funeral train in the
Edge ware- road. Upon leaving the Park, several
mourning coaches, followed by a considerable
number of horsemen, broke out of the line of the
procession, and proceeding down Cumberland-
street, turned off to the right, and did not again
take any share in the solemn ceremony in which
they had previously borne a part. Whether this
proceeding resulted from a feeling of disgust at
the transaction which had just before taken place,
cannot be determined; but it was evident that
at this moment the minds of the individuals in the
procession were much discomposed. The popu-
lace in Oxford-road and at Tyburn-gate appeared
to be in the highest degree exasperated against
the military, whom they loaded with the bitterest
execrations. Some cried out, " they have shot a
man, and killed him ;" others wished to draw the
attention of the horsemen in the funeral train, to
the blood of the unfortunate sufferers in the con-
flict, which stained the ground in several places.
It must be confessed, that under these circum-
stances, it required some little nerve in any indi-
vidual to continue in a course in wliich it was not
improbable he might again be liable to behold
scenes of horror and danger similar to that of
which he had recently been a spectator. How-
ever, the admirers of her late majesty were not
to be deterred from testifying their respect for
pre-eminent worth, and the procession continued
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 785
to proceed along the Edgeware-road, as strong in
numbers as when it first left Hammersmith, with
the exception of the seceders we have above al-
luded to. The rain, which had latterly somewhat
abated, again poured ir torrents as the procession
advanced on the Edgeware-road. The number
of pedestrian followers continued undiminished.
Indeed, it was somewhat surprising, at least it
would have been so on any other occasion, to
perceive the vast number of respectable people
who followed the procession on foot, and who,
although it was evident that many of them had
put on their mourning for the first time, proceeded
onwards totally regardless of the almost incessant
rain which wetted them to the skin. The express
sion of deep feeling among the spectators of the
never-to-be-forgotten ceremony of the 14th of
August, far surpassed even the expectations which,
the ardent admirers of our late Queen had formed
on this subject. It might reasonably be supposed^,
that amongst all persons of kind dispositions, great
sorrow would be felt for her majesty's unhappy
fate ; but that it should have been so deep and so
general could hardly be expected, even by her
best friends. Her death-bed, has, however, con-
verted thousands of sceptics. At most of the
houses along the route which the procession pur-
sued, females of all ages might be seen weeping ;
their eyes red and swoln, and their whole demea-
nour giving evidence of the most poignant grief.
This, which is a fact of great interest, was wit-
5 i
786 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
nessed by thousands, and cannot be denied. As
the procession moved along the New-road, the
crowd became more dense and compact. Large
groups of individuals in carriages, on horseback,
and on foot, were collected at the ends of all the
streets running south from the New-road. At. the
top of Portland-place, and in the Regent's-park,
the assemblage was immense.
It was about half-past one when the head of
the procession had advanced to the end of New
Paddington-road, and was about to cross the top
of Tottenham-court-road, for the purpose of con-
tinuing the route to the City-road. Here, how-
ever, a sudden and insurmountable obstacle pre-
sented itself: the people, who at Cumberland-
gate had been checked in their endeavours to turn
the procession out of the by-paths chosen by the
government into the open public street, now made
a second and more successful attempt to effect
the object of having the Queen carried through
the metropolis.
Though, to a close observer, it was evident
that there was none of that communication be-
tween the different portions of the immense
multitude which could imply concert or previous
design, yet so unanimous was the wish that the
funeral should pass through the City, that the
common feeling ran from one to another with all
the simultaneous rapidity of an electric shock. In
an instant they put in practice the only effectual
means of obtaining their object; every wagon,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 787
cart, coach, and vehicle, of whatever description,
was seized, or rather spontaneously seemed to
go and form itself into parts of a dense deep mass,
extending the whole width of the road, and
almost a hundred yards in depth. Through such
a compact body it was impossible to force any
passage except by artillery. The leader of the
procession looked at the impenetrable mass with
dismay, and turned down into Tottenham-court-
road. The persons, however, who had the con-
duct of the funeral, were not yet awakened to
the impossibility of carrying their designs into
execution, but made another fruitless effort to
deviate into a lone and by-way ; but the skill and
dexterity of the multitude again anticipated and
defeated them. Francis-street, Tottenham-court-
road, down which the leader of the procession
attempted to pass, was in an instant blocked up
with carriages of ail descriptions, which seemed
to rush to a common centre as if by instinct.
The procession was thus compelled to move on
in a straight line towards St. Giles's, every street
which leads out of Tottenham-court-road towards
the New-road, being rendered inaccessible by
the instantaneous blockade of the multitude.
At the bottom of Oxford-street those who acted
in opposition to the wishes of the people intended
to turn the procession back into some of the by-
streets, by means of a regiment of foot-soldiers;
but the military were too late, either by passive
obstruction or by firing. The procession now
5 i 2
788 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
moved onwards till it reached the top of Drury-
lane ; and here the main passage down Holborn
being completely blocked up, it was compelled to
take the direction towards the Strand. Nay, so
anxious and so determined were the people not
to be defeated, that it having occurred to them
that another attempt might be made to regain
the irregular path, by turning out of Drury-lane
into Great Queen-street, and thus returning to
Holborn, they effectually blocked up the avenue
of Queen-street, and forced the procession to de-
scend into the Strand. It may here be proper to
remark, that the Oxford Blues, who were on duty
at the time the Life Guards fired on the people,
did not participate in the outrage. They were,
of course, during the whole day, favourites of the
people, and were repeatedly cheered. Though
the public were displeased to see any military
force in the procession, the mild conduct of these
soldiers and their officers seemed to attract that
approbation which is always given to men who
behave with moderation and propriety, in what-
ever situation they may be placed.
Various but most unsuccessful efforts were
made to precipitate the funeral through High-
Holborn, and thence, northerly, by one of the
many obscure streets with which that neighbour-
hood abounds. But these efforts were futile ;
that people who, with solicitious care, watched
over her majesty's interests while living, pro-
tected her remains from insult when the noble
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 789
spirit had fled. Every base attempt having been
effectually baffled, the funeral proceeded quietly
towards Temple-bar.
When the cavalcade arrived at the bottom of
Newcastle-street, a body of infantry was drawn
in a semi-circular line across the street from the
New-Church to prevent the people from passing.
Upon reaching Temple-bar, the procession halted
for a short time ; and part of the body of Life
Guards which had hitherto accompanied the
cavalcade, here separated from it and returned to
the west-end of the town. The Oxford Blues
were much applauded by the people at this spot.
So little expectation was entertained by the city
authorities, that the remains of her majesty would
ultimately be conveyed through the city, that the
Lord-Mayor was in Guildhall, presiding as gover-
nor of the Irish Society, when, about half-past
two o'clock, a private individual announced that
the procession with the remains of the Queen was
then coming into the city ; whereupon the court
was adjourned by desire of several of the mem-
bers, and his lordship proceeded on foot to the
Mansion-house, after giving directions to one of
the city-officers to proceed and obtain perfect in-
formation as to the truth of the circumstance
stated to him; and this being ascertained, his
lordship proceeded from the Mansion-house in
his private carriage towards Temple-bar.
As soon as the cavalcade passed the gates, the
Lord-Mayor placed himself at its head, and in
790 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
this order it proceeded up Fleet-street It is
almost unnecessary to state, that all the shops in
the streets through which the procession moved
in the city were closely shut up, and all the win-
dows of the houses in the same line were crowded
with individuals dressed in deep mourning, who
appeared to take the deepest interest in the
solemn scene which was passing before them.
The route observed through the city was along
Fleet-street and Ludgate-hill, round St. Paul's-
church-yard, through Cheapside, past the Ex-
change, into Leadenhall-street, and from thence
to Whitechapel-church. The numbers of the
people assembled in these streets exceeded all
calculation. The roofs of houses, and every
point which could command a view of the pro-
cession, were possessed by anxious multitudes.
A very delicate mark of respect was shown by the
people in the city towards the remains of our
lamented Queen. The populace in the streets,
and the inhabitants at their windows, invariably
stood uncovered whilst the hearse passed.
As the procession moved along the city, the
Oxford Blues, who then formed the principal
escort, were cordially greeted by the populace on
either side of the street, who shook them by the
hands, slapped them on the thighs, arid patted
their horses, exclaiming, " Success to the Blues
— -The Blues for ever — True Blues;" and using
other expressions of approbation. Such as could
not come nearer to them, applauded them by
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 791
clapping of hands. Those who had, during the
reign of persecution, waited on her majesty with
addresses, were not negligent on this occasion.
Her whom they had loved in life, they followed
in death ; and after bearing a heavy rain from four
o'clock in the morning till twelve at noon, they
joined the funeral procession, and followed all
that remained of Caroline Amelia into the metro-
polis of this great empire. Amongst those grate-
ful people were observed, the carpenters, the brass-
founders, the morocco leather-dressers, coopers,
&c. They marched in ranks, with banners and
emblems of their profession. They carried ban-
ners. One large banner, white with black letters,
had the following inscription : — " Power of Public
Opinion ;" another had — " United we stand ;"
another — " Spanish Leather-dressers ; Justice will
triumph ;" another — " Friends of Humanity ."
The sailors who had assembled at Whitechapel,
and a number of societies in various parts, moved
towards Hammersmith, on learning that the corpse
of her majesty was to be conveyed by the out-
skirts of the metropolis towards Harwich. The
streets were, during the day, crowded with decent
people, all in mourning ; some entirely clad, others
partially, according to their respective means of
expense, but none without some token of their
regard for their beloved and persecuted Queen.
At the boundary of the city, in Whitechapel, the
Lord -May or and Mr. Sheriff Waithman left the
procession; it was then five o'clock, and the
792 , MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
fatigue and exhaustion of both man and horse
were such as to make it impossible to go much
further without rest.
From Whitechapel the procession moved on to
Mile-end, in the same order in which it had
passed through the city, with this difference, that
before it reached to the former place it was joined
by a large additional body of sailors, who formed
in small parties of six abreast, intervening be-
tween the hearse and the carriages in front. The
procession at this place (Mile-end) advanced at a
much more rapid rate than it had been enabled to
do before. The groups of mariners which had
just joined it, however, kept pace with it, and
continued to move on in very regular order until
it reached Bow.
The procession entered Bow a short time past
five o'clock. The crowds which lined the roads
and filled the houses on its approach to this place
were very great. Not an elevation on which
even a single individual could obtain a sight of
the approaching procession remained unoccupied.
The streets were thronged, the houses and win-
dows filled, and not a place was left empty at its
approach. It was here noticed, as well as in
several other stages of the melancoly procession,
that the females received it with tears. Indeed,
it would be difficult to convey to a person who
had not witnessed the procession, an adequate
idea of the feelings with which the remains of her
majesty were received, in every place through
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 793
which they passed. During the whole course
of the procession from Whitechapel to Romford
there was not scarcely a house which the body
passed, in which several females did not bestow
the tribute of a tear to the memory of their be-
loved Queen. Indeed, on no occasion were such
public manifestations of real sorrow exhibited.
The grief of very many of the most respectable
females who witnessed the procession appeared
rather as that which is created by the loss of a
dear and intimate friend, than what is generally
felt for the departure of a person of her late ma-
jesty's rank.
It has been mentioned that a large body of
mariners joined the melancholy procession at
Mile-end. They continued with it (though even
at this place the rapidity of its movements was
considerably greater than what would be called
very quick walking) until it reached nearly to
Bow : at this place the cavalry (and of course the
hearse and its attendant carriages) advanced at
such a quick rate as defied the exertions of an
ordinary pedestrian. The consequence was, that
many of those who had accompanied the funeral
on foot, were obliged to drop behind. This
rapid pace was continued for the greater part of
the way between Mile-end and Bow ; and though
at the latter place, in consequence of the great
crowds which preceded it, its speed was relaxed,
yet still it was greater than that with which an
ordinary pedestrian could keep pace. This quick
5K
794 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
movement was sometimes given up, and a more
slow and solemn motion, but at intervals the
cavalcade would break into a rapid movement,
wholly inconsistent with dignity or solemnity.
In justice it must be added, that the indecent kind
of haste which has been before noticed, did r>ot
continue throughout the procession to Romford,
but that it now and then subsided into the more
solemn movement which befitted the funeral of a
Queen. The procession continued in nearly the
same order from Bow to Stratford, in both of
which places, its entrance was announced by the
tolling of the church bells. In Stratford there
was the same concourse of spectators, and the
same affecting sympathy from the females as
before. At this latter place, the bodies of sailors
which had joined the procession formed in lines,
at each side of the road ; and as soon as the pro-
cession passed through, they turned towards
town. Many of the horsemen, who had accom-
panied the funeral from Hyde-park, also quitted
at this place. The cavalcade then moved on,
occasionally in a very quick trot, to Ilford. Here
the funeral was met by large bodies of the inha-
bitants, on horseback, on foot, and in vehicles of
every description, which lined the roads at both
sides. Among these a number of private car-
riages filled with ladies dressed in deep mourning
were noticed.
At a quarter past six o'clock the funeral entered
Ilford, the streets of which were thronged with
QUEEN CONSOKT OF ENGLAND. 795
spectators. At the doors and windows of every
house, groups of individuals were seen, who ap-
peared to sympathise most deeply in the general
feeling. At Ilford the greater part of the knight
marshal's men left the procession. The cavalcade
then moved on towards Romford, but at rather a
slower pace than it had kept since it left Mile-
end At about a mile at this side of the town it
was met by a deputation of the inhabitants attired
in deep mourning, each individual bearing a black
wand, covered at the top with crape. Preceded by
this body it entered Romford at a quarter to eight
o'clock. The inhabitants had been expecting it
for several hours before; and the most strange
stones were prevalent as to the cause of its delay,
The White Hart-inn, where it was determined
that her majesty's suite should stop and dine,
was hung with mourning. A large canopy covered
with black cloth, handsomely festooned, was
raised over the gateway under which the persons
composing the procession had to pass. As soon
as the mourners had alighted from their car-
riages, the hearse with the royal remains was
drawn up about a hundred yards further into the
town. The Oxford Blues, which had attended it
from London, were here relieved by a party of
the 4th Light Dragoons. Of these, a small guard
of honour was placed round the hearse ; the re-
mainder of the troop paraded up and down the
street in its vicinity. It was expected by some
that the stay of the procession at Romford would
5 K 2
796 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
not exceed half an hour, and by others it was
thought that it would remain there for the night.
Indeed, from the fatigue which all the individuals
who formed the procession had undergone, it was
impossible that they could proceed without some
considerable time being allowed for refreshment
and repose. The principal persons of her ma-
jesty's suite objected to going farther for that
night, and some considerable time was occu-
pied in the discussion between them and the indi-
viduals who had the direction of the funeral on
this subject. It was at length determined that
the body should be conveyed on to Chelmsford,
and that the principal persons of the suite should
remain to rest at Romford until an early hour in
the morning, at which time they were to set off
to overtake the procession before it reached Col-
chester.
At a little before eleven o'clock the guard of
honour in attendance on the royal corpse be-
gan to move, and very soon the hearse was
drawn up to its former station in the proces-
sion. It was at this time preceded by the depu-
tation which had ushered it into the town, each
member bearing a lighted torch. The red fune-
real glare which was thus cast upon all the sur-
rounding objects, suited well with the melancholy
solemnity of the occasion, and added a deeper
interest to that already excited by the mournful
destiny of her, to whose memory all this sponta-
neous homage was paid.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 797
The mildness of the evening, and the brightness
of the sky, in which an unclouded moon was
shining with all its lustre, attracted many small
detached parties both of men and women to follow
the funeral far beyond the immediate limits of their
own neighbourhood. At a village about a mile and
a half from Romford, the torchbearers bade a last
farewell to " the injured Queen of England," and
at the same time, some of them called down curses,
not only deep, but loud, upon her persecutors.
On leaving this place the military put their horses
to a sharper pace, and for some time the rate at
which they went was more like that of a race, than
that of a funeral; and at one time they were
nearly half a mile a-head of all the mourning
coaches. They halted, however, more than once
before they got to Chelmsford, to allow them time
to regain their proper place in the cortege. At
Brooksbridge and at Brentwood, the people had
given up all expectations of seeing the funeral that
night, and on its arrival were running about in all
kinds of undress to obtain a sight of it. A great
desire existed both in these and in other villages
to touch the hearse which conveyed her majesty.
In all of them the bell of the parish church tolled
minute strokes from the entrance to the departure
of the procession. Arriving at Chelmsford, the
inhabitant proved themselves better acquainted
than their neighbours with the intentions of the
" powers that be;" for their windows and streets
were quite as crowded as they ever are in the day
798 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
time, and the whole of the population seemed per
fectly aware of the mournful duties which it was
incumbent upon them to perform in the present
great national catastrophe. The procession drove
up the town, and did not stop until it reached the
avenue leading to the church-yard, which was
lined by a dismounted detachment of the 4th
Dragoons. The coffin was there taken out of the
hearse, carried by the undertaker's men into the
church, and followed thither by all the members
of her late majesty's household. During this pe-
riod the bells were tolling, and the royal standard
was floating on the tower half-mast high.
i The church was lighted up, when the remains
of her majesty arrived. The clergymen appeared
in their gowns. The coffin was deposited behind
the pulpit, and immediately before the altar. The
pulpit was hung with black, and had the royal
arms emblazoned in front, as upon the herjse.
The square space in which the coffin was deposited
was likewise hung with black, and had on each
side six lamps with reflectors behind them. Three
large wax lights were placed at each side, and
rose as high as the top of the royal coffin. The
body and galleries of the church were filled with
persons, most of them in deep mourning. The
emblems of mortality every where multiplied
around, and, consecrated by solemn services of
religion, which commenced as soon as the royal
remains were introduced, formed a striking and
impressive scene. A funeral anthem was played,
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 799
while the mourners, who formed the procession,
stood round the body. As soon as it was finished,
an order was given to clear the church, and a
guard of Blues took their station beside the coffin,
where they remained for the night. So deep was
the interest of the mourning population in the ob-
ject before them, that the order for clearing the
church was executed with difficulty, and only after
repeated exhortations from the clergymen.
The decorous solemnity and sympathy of the
population of Chelmsford, deserves particular ac-
knowledgment : for it is a place well known for
its devotion (at least the devotion of its corpora-
tion, &c.) to ministerial views, They had, at least,
the honour of not letting the prejudices of faction
supersede the sympathies and duties of humanity.
But it is not every where that the corporation
stamps the character of the people.
At eleven on Wednesday, two troops of light
dragoons, of the regiment called the Queen's Own
were drawn up before the church. The hearse
was brought down, and the mourning coaches
forming the procession arranged as before. The
undertakers were employed to bring out her ma-
jesty's remains from the church ; the bell tolled,
and the funeral proceeded. All the attendant
mourners were ready from nine o'clock, the hour
originally fixed upon for their departure. The
respite of two hours, which they enjoyed, was
entirely owing to the good- will and pleasure of the
government directors of the ceremony.
800 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
The cavalcade arrived at Kelvedon about three
o'clock in the afternoon. When it left Chelmsford,
the greater part of the population went along with
it, the gentry all dressed in decent mourning, and
the labouring classes either in black or in their
best Lolyday clothes. On their return, deep sor
row was visibly imprinted on the faces of all. The
same symptoms of grief were also discernible in
the inhabitants of Springfield, the first village on
the road to Kelvedon : in that neighbourhood the
hedges appeared to be teeming with human beings;
and it was evident from the spectacle then ex-
hibited, that it was not merely the villagers on the
exact line of road that had come to mourn at her
majesty's untimely fate, but also those from a con-
siderable distance. The procession, contrary to
the practice of the preceding day, was closed by
a small squadron of the 4th light dragoons. This
regiment is called the " Queen's own," and is said
to be very proud of its appellation. The closing
of the procession of mourning coaches in this man-
ner certainly added to its picturesque appearance,
and as it was also opened by an advanced guard
of the same regiment, made it more unique and
uniform. At the pleasant little villages of Bore-
holme and Hatfield there was the same prevalence
of good, kind, genuine English feeling as had been
witnessed all along the road. The populous town-
ship of Witham, however, in its exhibition of
mournful attachment to her majesty, rivalled, if it
did not surpass, any township there has yet been
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 801
occasion to mention. From the highest to the
lowest persons in the town, all were in mourning,
and it could not have been more general had each
family in the place lost a near and dear relation;
The only exception was in the house of a Quaker,
whose religious tenets prevented him from exhi-
biting any outward appearance of his inward
grief. The housetops were crowded with num-
bers of well-dressed females, many of them in
tears : the male inhabitants appeared to be all
engaged in preceding the procession on horse-
back to Colchester. Indeed, the Cc valcade of
horsemen at Kelvedon was considerable, and as
it was mostly formed of substantial farmers,
assumed a very imposing appearance.
The roads between Kelvedon and Colchester
were filled with detached parties of men and
women, who were all anxious to secure a view of
the melancholy procession which was carrying
the Queen of their affections home to the mauso-
leum of her paternal ancestors, instead of to the
tombs of that family, into which she had been
adopted by marriage. About Langston the road
is so peculiarly formed, from its being cut through
a small declivity, that the ridges on each side of
it afforded, as it were, excellent galleries for the
accommodation of the numerous spectators who
hastened to crown them, — men, women, and
children, of all sizes, ages, ranks, and conditions.
The hill on which the town of Colchester is
situated, afforded an opportunity for beholding the
5L
802 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
vast multitude which was pouring out of it in all
directions. In the town, not only the streets
were quite filled, but the housetops and windows
crammed with spectators, who were mostly
strangers to Colchester, and were drawn to it by
the strong feeling of regret, which prevailed in the
surrounding country for the untimely fate of
oppressed majesty. The procession, on its en-
tering this town, presented itself in a more inte-
resting point of view than any in which it had
been previously seen. The crowds which sur-
rounded it were immense ; but were marshalled
in such admirable order, and influenced by so
kindly a spirit, that not the slightest confusion
appeared among them. There was a gravity 01
demeanour observable in all, highly appropriate
to the solemnity of the occasion, and highly me-
ritorious in those who displayed it. The proces-
sion moved on to the bottom of Butt-street, and
to the opening of Head-street, at a foot pace,
headed by a small advanced guard of the 4th
Dragoons, with swords sheathed, and with car-
bines in their hands. At a short distance after-
wards followed a squadron, preceded by the
bugles of the two troops employed on this occa-
sion ; then came the band of gentlemen mourners,
to whom we have previously alluded, headed by
the Rev. Mr. Frank, of Sudbury, a clergyman of
the Church of England, in full canonicals, and
several other persons of the first consequence in
the neighbourhood. — Their numbers were
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 803
increased to more than 350 persons, all in black,
and linked arm in arm with each other, in rows
of four and five each. They were followed by
about 100 gentlemen on horseback, who attended
the procession for some miles. Then came
another squadron of the dragoons, and then the
remainder of the procession, in the same order
as before described. On turning into High-street
the bugles of the regiment played the Dead
March in Saul, and continued to play till the
hearse arrived at the Three Cups Inn, where it
was intended to remain till all was ready for
another advance. A body of dismounted dra-
goons stationed by one of the public buildings
presented arms to the coffin as it passed them.
As soon as the body of gentlemen mourners had
arrived in the High-street, and had taken their
ground, they wheeled off into two distinct bodies
to the right and left, and thus one of them formed
one side, and the other another side of the living
avenue, through which the royal cortege was to
pass. A manoeuvre on a field day was never
executed by a set of soldiers with greater order
and regularity. If the mourners had been exer-
cising daily for twenty years, they could not have
performed it with greater dexterity. The pro-
cession then moved quietly on through them
until it reached the Three Cups, where refresh-
ments were understood to be provided for the
different members of her late majesty's house-
hold. The bells of the different parish churches
5 L2
804 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
were tolling during all this time, and every shop
in the town was most completely closed. The
hearse remained in the street.
The order was given by Mr. Bailey, the direc-
tor-general of the funeral, that the procession,
after about three hours' rest, was to set out for
Harwich, at eight o'clock, and a relief of the 4th
Light Dragoons was ready to escort it. A repre-
sentation was made to this absolute person, that
not only for the preservation of due decorum,
but for the necessary refreshment of the friends
of her late majesty, who attended her remains,
the delay of a night was desirable. As reasoning
probably could not be expected to be much
listened to in such a quarter, Dr. Lushington pro-
duced a letter from the Earl of Liverpool, in
which his lordship said, that if it was called for
by the convenience of the parties, the procession
might be two nights oh the road, as he had no
wish to hurry it on beyond such convenience.
On this, Mr. Bailey assumed a higher tone than
ever, and replied, that he did not care for letters
of Lord Liverpool, while he had in his pocket
a king's order to reach Harwich the second night.
This order Dr. Lushington requested him to pro-
duce, when the former handed him a paper con-
taining the arrangements of the procession, but
without a signature. When this essential defect
was announced, Mr. Bailey replied, that the want
of a signature was of no consequence in his eyes,
as he knew who wrote the paper, and that on his
QJEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 805
responsibility the procession should move at
eight o'clock. Silent submission was the only
reply to commands backed by a military force.
The Queen's household and executors, therefore,
prepared for their departure after snatching a
hasty meal, when Mr. Bailey entered, and said
that if they preferred staying at Colchester for
the night, he had no particular objections. To
this proposal they of course assented ; the order
for an immediate departure to Harwich was coun-
termanded, and a night's repose granted to the fa-
tigued and harrassed party. Though the royal
remains had stood in the street during the time ot
refreshment, it was thought too indecent that they
should be kept there during the night. Accord-
ingly, they were removed to St. Peter's church,
the chief church of the town, escorted by a fresh
detachment of the 4th Light Dragoons, and at-
tended by her late majesty's household. The
pulpit had previously been hung with black, and
preparations had been made beside the altar for
receiving the coffin, which was taken from the
hearse and there deposited. But a scene of singu-
lar outrage now ensued.
Her majesty's remains had been hurried with
such indecent precipitation from Hammersmith,
that time was not even allowed for affixing the
plate which contained the account of her age and
station, on her coffin. A plate containing a Latin
inscription, was in the pocket of the undertaker,
but Dr. Lushington, as one of her late majesty's
806 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
executors, had declared to Lord Liverpool that
he would object to it, and accordingly it was not
affixed. The learned Doctor had, at the same
time, expressed a desire to have the inscription
proposed in her majesty's will adopted, and to
that proposition his- lordship replied, that if the
legend in question were to be inscribed on her
majesty's coffin, it must be done by the execu-
tors, and not considered as having obtained the
approbation of government. This did not amount,
in the opinion of her majesty's executors, to a
prohibition, and accordingly, having provided a
plate with the testamentary werds, " Deposited,
Caroline of Brunswick, the injured Queen of
England/' they chose this, the last stage of the
funeral procession, to screw it on. The church
was the only place where this could be done,
and in the church it was done, after much alter-
cation. Sir George Nayler objected. Mr. Thomas
of the Lord Chamberlain's office, likewise objected;
the undertaker joined in the protest, and the
clergyman. Some persons who called themselves
magistrates protested also ; as did Mr. Smithers,
the town clerk ; and by what authority was not
known, Mr. Round, collector of the stamps. Dr.
Lushington and Mr, Wilde conducted themselves
with great moderation and propriety, declining
useless altercation, and requesting an express to
be sent to London, to ascertain the commands
of government. This arrangement was at last
agreed to; but before the executors left the
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 807
church they obtained an engagement from the
undertaker, that the plate should not be removed
in the night. Two persons appointed by the
executors were by assent left behind to prevent
any clandestine or unauthorized violation of this
arrangement. As to the multitude of persons
who thronged into the church to see the inscrip-
tion, they were turned out by the military ; and
shortly after the departure of the executors, their
two watchmen were turned out also. The plate
with the inscription dictated by her majesty's
will, was torn off; nor was it known what had
become of it. The government inscription was
fixed in its place. And all this took place at the
altar of a Christian church.
For the remorseless indecency and indignity of
this proceeding the government conductors of the
funeral at last pleaded an order from the Prime
Minister. An answer was received from Lord
Liverpool, stating, that as government had under-
taken the charge of the funeral, which the exe-
cutors had renounced, he conceived that while
her majesty's remains were in this country, they
(the executors) had no right to interfere with any
part of the management or arrangements. As
soon as they arrived at Stadt, in Germany, they
might do in this matter what they thought proper.
On this answer being received, the undertakers
immediately proceeded to remove the inscription,
which contained too much truth and feeling to re-
ceive the sanction of government.
808 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
In the mean time, the arrival of the remains of
her majesty had been anxiously expected at Har-
wich, especially by the numerous visitors from
Ipswich and the surrounding country. No ade-
quate preparations for its reception and deposit
during the night had there, indeed, been made,
nor was it practicable, for the church had been
pulled down and was re-building ; and three dif-
ferent places had been named in which it was
proposed that the body should rest till the mid-
day tide could permit the embarkation ; among
these was the hospital, in which the church ser-
yice is at present performed. This idea was,
however, abandoned, as too degrading, even by
those who had taken no steps whatever to shew
any respect to the royal remains. At length the
news arrived that the body was to rest for the
water at Dove-court, a small village about a mile
and a half short of Harwich ; and preparations
were hastily made in the little church there for its
reception. The black cloth, &c., to hang the
pulpit and the altar, and other parts of this sanc-
tuary, being hastily sent in a sort of vehicle, not
much more respectable in appearance than a com-
mon fish cart, drawn by wretched hacks and
driven by postilions, in tawdry scarlet ; while the
churchyard was occupied with soldiers, who
were to be ready for its reception. Midnight,
two o'clock, five o'clock the ensuing morning,
were successively named by successive des-
patches for the proposed time of the arrival of
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 809
the procession. And here, we are sorry to
say, that after midnight, one of the most de-
grading scenes was witnessed, that at such a
period could disgrace a Christian country ; a den
of drunken wretches, of both sexes, and of the
very lowest description, reeling, roaring, and
belching out " God save the King," mingled
with the grossest vociferations, in the very vicinity
of the church, where, at that time, the arrival of
the corpse was expected. A grave and indignant
reproof, however, put these wretches to silence ;
and, notwithstanding this occurrence, we believe,
that had the original intention of moving the
royal remains thither for the night, been carried
into effect, the disgraceful scene acted at Col-
chester could not have taken place.
At any rate, we saw enough of the general de-
portment of the clergyman there, to be convinced
he could not have been made a participator or in»
strument in such a profanation of the sanctuary ;
and we may also add, that, with the exception to
some of the lowest of the low, and to a few whom
we will not characterise, the prevalence of deco-
rous and right feeling was very general in Har-
wich. At one or two o'clock in the morning,
however, an express arrived that the royal re-
mains had rested for the night at Colchester
and were to start again in the morning.
At a little before six the procession did begin
to move. About nine it rested for a few minutes
at Manningtree, having been received by the
5 M
810 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
villagers along the road with the same feelings of
regret as was manifested in the former part of
their journey. But it was found incompatible
with the instructions of the undertakers for her
majesty's household to take any refreshment ;
although to them it was known, though not to the
suite, that when the procession reached Harwich,
it was to proceed directly to the place of depor-
tation without delay.
At Mistley-Thorne the villagers were most of
them in deep mourning. All the vessels in Man-
ningtree river had their colours hoisted half-mast
high, and some had them even covered with
crape. The bells • of the church tolled in mourn-
ful sympathy with, the grief visibly expressed in
the face of every individual around. About a
mile and a half from Mistley-Thorne, the ascent
to the summit of a hill afforded a coup d'aeil of
the whole of this mournful procession. It ex-
tended more than a mile in length, and seen from
the distance winding along the road, assumed a
more picturesque appearance than belonged to it
when closely examined. The indecent haste at
which the cortege proceeded destroyed, in fact
all idea of regal and funereal solemnity.
The sea opening to view, the Glasgow was seen
stationed at some distance from Lan guard Fort
In the river were seen, at the same time, the
six smaller vessels which were to accompany it
in its voyage to Germany, viz. the sloops Tyne
and Wye : the brigs Brisk, Rosario, and Gannet
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 811
and the Pioneer schooner. The boats around
them appeared innumerable.
At half-past eleven the procession arrived at
Harwich. It was met outside of the town by a
detachment of the 86th, of about a hundred and
fifty men, with a stand of colours and band. The
crowds of well-dressed people in mourning who
were waiting on the slopes of the fort, and on the
edges of the road, certainly expected a procession
of a very different kind from that which wound
down the hill into the town, after the assurance
given by Lord Liverpool to Lady Hood, that the
funeral should be conducted with decency, order,
and in a becoming manner. The procession as
it entered Harwich was literally such as is now
mentioned. A small advanced guard of cavalry
preceded ; Mr. Chittenden, the undertaker, on a
lame horse, headed : ten undertakers on horse-
back, in pairs — a miserable spectacle, both as to
cattle, dress, and persons, some with shoes, some
with gaiters, others in boots, some in spurs, others
not — followed their leader. Three mourning-
coaches and six, one of which contained the" real
directors and lords of this strange ceremony, Mr.
Bailey and Mr. Thomas ; the two others, con-
taining the servants of the Queen's household,
came next. Mr. Bailey was the head undertaker,
and Mr. Thomas the deputy of the non-existent
Lord Chamberlain. About twenty-five cavalry,
4th Dragoons, followed. Then came her majesty's
own carriage, drawn by six bay horses, containing
5 M 2
812 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Sir George Nayler, his companion, the cushion
and crown: the crown, a tawdry bauble de-
corated with white beads, strung round in a
manner that would have disgraced a country
stage. Then followed the hearse, drawn by eight
black horses. No plumes on the horses — a few
paltry feathers on the hearse. No plateaus of
plumes carried, as is the case at almost all re-
spectable funerals. The royal arms were still
left upon the hearse, but all the escutcheons, if
there ever had been any, were removed from the
horses. No attendance of heralds or marshal's-
men. Two undertaker's men on foot graced this
part of the procession, and the same number of
cavalry as had preceded the Queen's carriage
followed the body. Nine mourning coaches, con-
taining Lord Hood, Lady Hood, and Lady Anne
Hamilton, and those of her majesty's family enu-
merated in former accounts, were next seen : one
appeared to contain undertaker's men, and ano-
ther nothing but luggage. The wretched appear-
ance of the carriages, of the horses, of the drivers,
and of the trappings, surprised every spectator.
Then followed the private carriage of Mr.
Brougham, containing Mr. Brougham and Sir
Robert Wilson. Near this carriage were remarked
Mr. Hume and Mr. Hobhouse, who had attended
the funeral from London. A mourning coach and
six succeeded, apparently empty. Then came
Lord Hood's private carriage and four. Lady
Perceval's (the wife of Lord Perceval) carriage and
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 813
pair came next. The carriage of Mr. Saville, of
Colchester, with that gentleman and another in it,
Dr. Lushington's empty carriage. The Rev. Mr.
Fonnereau's family, of Christ-church Park, Ips-
wich, in an open barouch and four. An empty
gig. These equipages, brought up by another
detachment of dragoons, closed the " decent/'
".orderly," and " becoming" funeral of the Queen
of England— the wife, as the new inscription said,
of the most potent monarch George IV. ! But if
the reader be astonished at the foregoing details,
how will he be surprised at what ensued ? The
executors, suite, and friends of her late majesty,
were kept in entire ignorance of the intention of
government as to the embarkation, either as to
time or place. The ladies who had got into the
carriage before six o'clock, knew not whether
they were to proceed on board immediately, or
stay for refreshment.
The procession, as before described, marched
into the town. The dragoons preceding played
the Dead March in Saul on their trumpets. The
infantry, with arms reversed, took up the tune,
going before the cavalry. The infantry had one
stand of colours, the cavalry two standards. The
head of the procession arrived on the jetty before
JLord Hood, the executors, or any other person
knew what was to take place. The troops drew
up, opened their ranks, and formed a line on each
side. Mr. Chittenden and his ten men dis-
mounted ; and it then, for the first time, appeared
814 MEMOIRS xOF CAROLINE,
that the body was to be instantly removed. Mr.
Wilde, the only person authoritatively employed
by her late majesty who was to be seen, was on
foot near the jetty. This gentleman, the executor
of her majesty, was at first stopped, and had to
get permission of a deputy to follow the royal
body as the coffin was carried down the jetty;
and permission was graciously granted, after
some delay, and the favour was extended to Mr.
Hobhouse and to Mr. Hume, who stood by him;
the soldiers and constables kept back the crowd.
All the latter part of the procession, except the
Queen's coach, and the hearse, were necessarily
far behind. The Queen's coach now drew up,
and Sir G. Nayler and his companion got out.
The crown and cushion were previously handed
out to an undertaker's man, who carried it totter-
ing, apparently unaccustomed to carry crowns,
and stood alone without a single attendant near
him in front. The hearse drew up next, and Mr.
Chittenden, and his ten slip-shod undertakers,
dragged the royal coffin from the carriage. They
raised it on their shoulders, and moved off, pre-
ceded only by Mr. Chittenden, without waiting a
single instant, down the jetty. It is scarcely
credible, but it is a fact, not a single attendant of
any description — no military officer-— no civil
functionary! no, not a soul attended the royal
corpse. No pall — no plumes. No pauper's coffin
was ever so unattended. A decent man would
have thought that, as is the practice at every
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 815
funeral, some little stop would have been made
to allow Lord Hood and the ladies of her majesty's
household to come up and follow their royal
mistress. But no ; the body and the undertakers
had advanced full thirty yards, and were on the
edge of the outer jetty, before Lord Hood could
get from his carriage, and hurry after the coffin.
The next carriage, containing Lady Hood and
Lady Anne Hamilton, was opened in haste by
some common fellow, and there being no person
to receive them, either civil, military, or of the
Queen's household, Lady Hood nearly fell on her
face, the undertakers proceeding all this time
with their burden. Lady Hood and Lady Anne
Hamilton, standing alone, looked round them, at
a loss, apparently, whither to go or what to do.
Mr. Hume and Mr, Hobhouse came back in haste
from their position on the edge of the jetty,
where they stood with Mr. Wilde. Mr. Hume
gave his arm to Lady Hood, Mr. Hobhouse to
Lady Anne Hamilton, and followed Lord Hood.
The body was still carried forward.
By this indecent haste, neither Dr. Lushington
nor Mr. Brougham, nor any of those more imme-
diately connected with her majesty, could join
the body until this unpalled coffin was slipped off
the undertakers' shoulders upon the slings and
under the crane, that in a minute or two swung it
from the shore. Be it recollected, that this part
of the ceremony, as far as regarded England, was
in fact the funeral of her majesty. Not even Mr.
816 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
William Austin, the residuary legatee, could come
up to be a mourner in the procession of five ! Mr.
Brougham, Dr. Lushington, Mr. Alderman Wood,
Sir R> Wilson (who had travelled post from Paris
on purpose to attend), — not one of these gentle-
men, nor any of the suite, could come up except
just in time to see the slings wound round the
coffin. It was at this moment, that in the faces
of all the ladies and gentlemen above mentioned,
the deepest grief was depicted. Not a person
refrained from shedding tears. The vulgar hands
that were bustling about the last rites of departed
majesty added to the horror and sorrow of the
scene. Some naval officers, who had taken their
station previously on the jetty, seemed much
affected. The band which had preceded the
coffin played the Dead March. This was the only
tribute of homage which distinguished the cere-
mony ; but this is granted to a' grenadier. The
barge of the Glasgow frigate, bearing the half-
hoisted standard of England, with its commander,
Captain Doyle, had been drawn under the point
of the jetty, and six other men of war's boats
attended on the outside ready to tow it off. A
few minutes before twelve, the body was raised
by the crane. At that instant Landguard Fort
fired the first minute gun. The coffin was lowered
into the Glasgow's barge. A loud shriek an-
nounced that a female had fainted in one of the
many boats that surrounded the point of the jetty
crowded with spectators- and the most painful
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 817
anxiety and death-like stillness prevailed amongst
those who, from all the surrounding points, as
well as the vessels, were able to witness the last
melancholy scene.
A period of deeper interest, mingled with
horror and disgust, never occurred on any civi-
lized ceremony in any age or country. The
coffin was in the barge, and the spectators could
now see that the new silver plate had replaced
the gilt plate ordered by her majesty's will, which
was affixed by the executors, and torn off by the
orders of those persons who had, agreeably to his
majesty's instructions, declared their determina-
tion to fulfil her last wishes. Sir George Nayler,
Mr. Chittenden, Mr. Bailey, and Mr. Thomas,
now carried the crown and cushion into the
barge, and placed them on the head of the coffin;
and these worthy gentlemen were the only persons
who were allowed to accompany the Queen's
remains from the shore. Thus a single herald,
an undertaker, a deputy undertaker, and a non-
descript from the Chamberlain's office, without a
signed order, paid the last honor to the departed
Queen of England. The barge was quickly towed
off, surrounded by the men of war's boats, to the
Pioneer schooner, a vessel employed in the pre-
ventive service, which instantly hoisted the royal
standard, and made sail out of the harbour to join
the Glasgow frigate, which lay two miles east of
Landguard Fort.
As soon as Lord Hood could recover from the
5 N
818 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
agitation of the melancholy, scene, his attention
was directed to his own situation and to that of
his wife, and of Lady Anne Hamilton, and the
others of her late majesty's household. His lord-
ship, besides the distressing circumstances of the
scene described, had been much aifected by the
sight of Mr. Mason, midshipman on duty in the
barge of the Tyne. The father of this young
gentleman commanded the Jupiter, the ship that
brought the Queen to England ; and Lord Hood
was. also struck by the other strange coincidence,
that Captain Doyle, who was now in charge of
her majesty's remains to convey them from Eng-
land, was the very midshipman who handed the
rope to her majesty on her ascending the man of
war that brought her to England. Up to this
period no one had communicated to Lord Hood
when or how he was to attend the royal corpse.
Mr. John Calvert, member of Parliament for
Huntingdon, who had made his appearance for
the first time this morning, and who was under-
stood to have full powers from government to
attend and direct the remainder of this disgrace-
ful proceeding, was observed upon the jetty.
Lord Hood turned to this gentleman, and asked
if lie knew in what manner, he and her kite ma-
jesty's household were to proceed from Stadt to
Brunswick, and afterwards return to England.
Mr. Calvert said he knew nothing of the matter.
Lord Hood then remonstrated, and said, that
unless he knew there was some provision for
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 819
their progress and return, he should not proceed.
Captain White, of the Tyne frigate, most feelingly
and politely assured his lordship he believed a
ship of war would attend his lordship's return at
Stadt : as to his progress he of course knew
nothing ; but Mr. Calvert still professed igno-
rance as to the whole matter. Afterwards, how-
ever, Captain White communicated an order from
the Admiralty, which satisfied his lordship that a
ship would be ready to brihg him back. It might
have been expected that boats would have been
prepared to take him at the time.
A short time afterwards his lordship and his
lady, Lady Anne Hamilton, Dr. and Mrs. Lushing-
ton, Count Vassali, arid young Austin, embarked
on board the boats of one of the schooners in the
offing, and immediately proceeded to the vessel
which had been prepared for their reception, and
which, a few minutes after they had reached it,
hoisted its sails and left the harbour to join the
rest of the squadron.
Such was the beggarly manner in which those
who wield the power of Great Britain thought
fit to dismiss from its shore the body of their
late Queen. But the line of conduct which they
in their folly thought it expedient to pursue,
served only to render the affection with whicli the
people regarded her remains more clear and per-
fect by the contrast. The whole population of the
neighbouring villages seemed poured out to take
their last farewell of this member of the House of
5 N2
820 MEMOIR* OF CAROLINE,
Brunswick. Long before the funeral arrived at
Harwich, the beach was filled with spectators,
and the river was covered with boats assembled
to witness the conclusion of the mournful drama
which had recently been passing before the eyes
of the country. The neighbouring hills and forts,
viewed from the river itself, appeared to be
crowned by a black mass of living mourners,
whilst on the river itself every vessel, yacht, and
fishing-boat that could be procured was occupied
by persons solicitous to catch a parting glimpse
of the loved remains of her in whose calamities
they had long felt a lively sympathy. When the
coffin was lowered into the boat, it was observed
that the friction occasioned by the indecent ra-
pidity with which it was hurried along the road,
had not only torn asunder, but had absolutely torn
off the bottom of it, the crimson velvet which was
placed there for the purpose of ornament. On
the crown being lowered into the boat, it imme-
diately proceeded to the Pioneer schooner, and
was followed at a short distance by numbers of
the boats which had previously been stationed
around the jetty, and of which several had arrived
from the neighbouring ports, especially Ipswich,
filled with most respectable individuals. The
coffin, on the boat's reaching the schooner, was
hoisted on board, and received by a party of
marines with arms reversed. The crown and
cushion immediately followed, and with some
little shew of decency; the pall was, however,
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 821
thrown out of the boat to the sailors on the deck
by one of the three gentlemen who had it in charge,
with no more ceremony than if it had been his
cloak. Almost before the body was safe on deck,
the sailors were busily employed in unfurling the
sails, and in less than ten minutes the Pioneer
was under sail to join the Glasgow frigate, which
was to carry the royal corpse over to Germany.
It was followed part, if not the whole, of the way
out to sea by a body of musicians from Ipswich,
in a boat, playing funeral marches, the melody of
which, softened as it was by being heard over
the water, inspired a general melancholy, not in-
appropriate to the solemnity of the scene.
The schooner reached the Glasgow frigate at
half-past four o'clock ; the other ships composing
the funeral squadron immediately weighed anchor
and proceeded to join the Glasgow ; the wind was
favorable for Germany, and the lessening sails
soon disappeared.
The squadron, consisting of the Glasgow frigate,
having on board her late majesty's body, and the
other vessels accompanying it, arrived at Cux-
haven on Sunday the 19th, at two o'clock p. m.,
and anchored in the harbour. The Glasgow was
no sooner moored, than preparations, which had
in part been previously arranged, were made for
the removal of the royal corpse to a smaller ves-
sel, suited to the navigation of the Elbe. The
Gannet sloop of war was appointed for the latter
purpose. It accordingly lay-to at a convenient
822 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
distance from the frigate, and every thing being
in readiness, her majesty's coffin was, with be-
coming solemnity, transferred to the Gannet, a
few minutes after three o'clock p. m. Some time
was then spent in making the necessary arrange-
ments, and depositing her majesty's remains in
the sloop of war. All, however, was completed
by four o'clock, and precisely at that hour the
Gannet, accompanied by the Wye, sailed up the
Elbe for Stade, but the wind having slackened,
and the tide being on the ebb, they were
obliged to anchor at eight o'clock on Sunday
evening.
At three o'clock on Monday morning, the tide
having flowed, and the wind freshened, the anchor
was raised, and each of the ships sailed rapidly
up the river, and at eight o'clock they cast anchor
again, near the mouth of the Schwingey, but the
tide having been on the ebb, and the Schwingey
not being navigable at low water, an immediate
removal was rendered impossible.
Sir G. Nayler, Mr. Calvert, and Mr. Bailey,
then proceeded to Stade. They returned about
four o'clock to the Wye, and soon after five o'clock
the coffin was lowered into a boat belonging to
the Wye. The boat was taken in tow by three
other boats, and they moved across the Elbe into
the Schwingey, the Wye firing minute guns. A
guard of honour, consisting of marines, under the
command of a marine lieutenant of the Wye,
stood around the coffin. In the same boat were
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 823
/
Sir George Nayler and Mr. Calvert, the Captains
Fisher and Simpson, Dr. Lushington, and the two
undertakers, Messrs. Bailey and Chittenden, The
British flag, on the coffin being placed in the
boat, was immediately lowered half-mast high,
and having been taken into the boat was sus-
pended over the coffin. The boats were rowed by
half minute strokes of the oars up the Schwingey,
and they were guided up that river by the boat
of the Hanoverjan guard-ship, with the captain,
dressed in mourning, on board. Thousands of
persons covered the banks of the narrow river.
The Wye continued to fire minute guns until the
approach of the boats to Stade became visible
from the fort; the Wye then ceased to fire, and
the Gannet comm-ericed firing minute guns for half
an hour. The Hanoverian guard-ship immedi-
ately after fired for the same time; while the.
guns of the fortress announced to the inhabitants
of Stade the approach of the remains of their late
Queen.
At the moment the boats of the British ships
approached to the draw-bridge, the bells of the
three churches of the town were tolled. The
British boats approached to the stone stairs, the
chief landing-place of the town, where the under-
takers' men removed the coffin from the boat, and
having reached the top of the stairs, placed it on
chairs ranged for that purpose. As it had been
impossible, from the low tide, to convey the
hearse from the Wye to the shore at an early
824 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
hour in the day, it had not been prepared for the
removal of the royal corpse on its landing; the
procession to the church of St. Wilhadi, the most
ancient church of the town, was therefore on
foot.
It may be necessary to state, that Stade is a
fortified town, and that a regular garrison is kept
up there. The commandant, Colonel Von Issen-
dorf, and the chief military commander of the
district, Major-General Berger, had issued orders
for the attendance of the troops of the garrison
on the solemn occasion of the reception of the
corpse of their late Queen two days previous to
the arrival of the royal body at Stade, and which
orders were followed as far as circumstances
allowed. The procession was therefore as fol-
ows: —
Military.
The band; the drum every minute striking a solemn beat.
Military.
Mr. Bailey, Chief Undertaker.
The Lutheran Pastors of the town.
Rev. Mr. Moser and Rev. Mr. Hinterthner.
The Rev. the Senior Pastor, Rodatz, and Rev. Mr. Bulsec.
The General Superintendant, Rupperti, D. D. and the Rev.
Mr. Chilling, Counsellor of the Aulic Consistory.
Captain Siapson, f fir Ge°rf *ay?f ' 1 Captain Fisher,
oftheGannet. ^.ng the Cush.on [ oftheW
(^ and Crown. J
Calvert, Esq.
Mr. Chittenden, Assistant Undertaker.
THE BODY,
borne by ten of the men belonging to the Undertaker
Eight Lancers or Hulans on each side of the Body.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 825
Lord Hood, Chief Mourner.
. Lady Anne Hamilton, Lady Hood.
Doctor and Mrs. Lushington.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilde.
Mr. W. Austin and Rev. Mr. Wood.
Count Vassali and Lieutenant Hownam.
The various Servants of her late Majesty, two and two.
Forty of the principal Burghers, or Inhabitants of the Town,
in mourning dresses, two and two.
Military.
The soldiers who were in attendance were the
6th regiment, a detachment of the 8th regiment,
and a battalion of artillery.
The procession moved with slowness and so-
lemnity through the principal streets of the towj:
to the church, a distance of about three quarters
of a mile. On their approach to the church of St.
Wilhadi, the military filed off to the right and
left, and the royal coffin and the procession en-
tered amidst a salute of the soldiers.
As soon as the royal coffin was placed on the
catafalque or platform before the altar, the organ
commenced a solemn dirge, which continued till
the mourners had left the church. Around the
royal coffin, on the verge of the catafalque, were
numerous lighted candles, and on each side of the
coffin were placed three large wax candles, in
large plated candlesticks, and all of them were
kept lighted while the body remained in the
church. The church was crowded to excess,
and after the mourners had retired, the anxiety
of the people to approach the altar was so great,
5o
826 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
that a military guard became necessary to repress
them. Under the protection of two of the under-
takers' men, and under the care of a military
guard, the royal remains continued in the church
from seven o'clock on Monday evening until
eleven o'clock on Tuesday morning.
At eight o'clock the hearse and mourning
coaches were put in a state of readiness to pro-
ceed on their journey. About half-past nine,
eight fine horses were put to the hearse, which
was drawn up to the barrack-square, close to the
Hotel Herzog von Cumberland, where Sir George
Nayler, Mr. Calvert, and others appointed to
conduct the funeral, had taken up their residence
for the night. About eleven o'clock, the hearse,
accompanied by sixteen mounted Hulans, pro-
ceeded to the church, outside which, a military
guard of honor was stationed : guards were also
placed in the church, and candles were still
burning. The corpse was then, under the direc-
tion of Messrs. Bailey and Chittenden, the under-
takers, carried out by their men, and placed in
the hearse ; and, as the hearse went away, the
guard on each side presented arms. The hearse
then, preceded and followed by Hulans, was
drawn again to the barrack- square. Sir George
Nayler then, in a mourning coach and six, with
the crown and cushion, went on before the hearse,
which was followed by three other mourning
coaches, and three or four chaises, all of which
were filled with the parties who walked to the
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 827
church on the preceding evening. Six or seven
stuhl wagons, hired for the conveyance of the un-
dertakers' men, and other attendants, then brough
up the rear. A company of infantry marched
before, and another behind the procession. Whek
they came to the first gate at the fortress, a
guard of honor stationed there presented arms as
the royal corpse passed; after the funeral had
come through all the other gates, the infantry
guards presented ; they were drawn up in rank
and file on the side of the road, and, after pre-
senting arms, they marched back into the town.
The Hulans then marched on to Buxtehude,
where the whole of the parties forming the pro-
cession rested that night.
An affecting incident occurred upon the pas-
sage from Soltau to Celle. Halting in the middle
of the day at the town of Bergen, the mourners
entered a house for the purpose of rejtosing them-
selves. The commandant of the place, Colonel
Fnegen, waited upon them, to bid them welcome;
but was for some time absolutely unable to speak
from emotion. At length in a few words, which
sufficiently, however, expressed the nature of his
feelings, he told them that, in the very room which
they then occupied, he had, in the same month
seven years before, received the Queen of England
when she came to meet her brother, the late Duke
of Brunswick. A vast number of persons who
collected inside the house remembered the fact as
well as the worthy commandant, and bore testi-
5o9
828 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
mony to it with their tears. Some of the most
respectable inhabitants of the place requested, as
a favour, that the hearse might be opened for a
moment : their desire was complied with.
At Bergen the hussars who accompanied the
funeral were relieved by a guard of cuirassiers; and
the entrance of the cavalcade into Celle was mark-
ed by demonstrations of the highest regard and
attention. The authorities came out to meet the
procession. The bells were tolled ; the streets
were lined with soldiers, girls strewed flowers
before the hearse; and the coffin being carried
into the great church of the city, was placed (by a
singular coincidence,) upon the tomb of the unfor-
tunate sister of George III., Matilda Queen of
Denmark.
About noon on the 24th of August the proces-
sion arrived at OfFau, qtnd was met by the Count
Aldenslaben, grand chamberlain of the court.
That officer intimated to Lord Hood and Dr.
Lushington, that he wished to make arrangements
for the interment, which was to take place upon
the same evening. Lord Hood and Dr. Lushing-
ton resisted a proposal which appeared to them
inconsistent with the respect due to the illustrious
remains placed under their charge. They wished
that the body should at least lie in state during
the ensuing day. The grand chamberlain, who
evidently wished to show all possible respect to
the memory of the Queen, and who spoke of her
the deepest regret and affection, declared,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 829
that under the arrangements made (upon which
he was bound to act,) the interment was to take
place without any previous ceremonial in the
way of lying in state; he further stated, that it
had been the invariable custom in the family of
the Dukes of Brunswick to bury at midnight.
Dr. Lushington still refused to acquiesce, on the
ground that the mourners attending the funeral,
many of whom were ladies, could not prepare
themselves so early for the ceremony ; it would
be impossible that they should enter Brunswick
with the procession, and proceed at once to the
place of interment. Count Aldenslaben stated,
that an immense concourse of persons, who were
collected in Brunswick to witness the funeral,
would be disappointed if it did not take place
on that night ; and that, by the regulations laid
down, the body, if not buried that night, could
not be permitted to enter the walls of the city.
It was then agreed that Lord Hood, with Dr.
Lushington, Lady Hood, Lady A. Hamilton, Mrs.
Lushington, and the remainder of the mourners
should at once go forward to Brunswick ; that
the funeral procession should follow so as to
arrive at ten at night at the gates of the city ; and
that, at that time, the personages attending and
officiating should go out to meet it. This arrange-
ment was decided upon. The mourners went
forward ; and the hearse, with the mourning
coaches, continuing its slow and solemn course,
arrived about ten o'clock at the outer barrier.
830 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
The people of Brunswick had received no in-
timation that her majesty was to be buried in the
tomb of her ancestors till the Thursday evening,
when it was announced that on the 'very next
night the funeral was to take place. The authori-
ties, and the general population, equally ex-
pressed disgust at this precipitate interment of
their illustrious and beloved princess; but it was
understood that the order was peremptory, and
could not be disputed. Much mystery seemed to
exist as to the source whence the order emanated ;
but when it was considered that the evident
disposition of the authorities at Brunswick was to
pay every mark of respect in their power to the
memory of their royal countrywoman, and that
the King of England, as guardian to the infant
Duke of Brunswick, now in Switzerland, is in fact
the present sovereign of the principality, little
doubt remained that Count Munster was the per-
son who had issued the mandate to conduct the
funeral obsequies of the Queen of England. But
the enthusiastic regard of the Brunswickers for
their sovereign's family, and their particular affec-
tion for the deceased queen, were too deeply
rooted and genuine to require any formal notice
of preparation. In an instant a population of
forty thousand souls, though without the possi-
bility of concert, seemed actuated by one resolu-
tion to shew how much sincere respect exceeds
the official sorrow demanded by a government ga-
zette; and determined by " their swift unbespoken
CiUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 83i
pomp," to put to shame all the elaborate prepara-
tions of a College of Heralds.
At ten o'clock on Friday night (August 24), Lord
and Lady Hood, Lady Anne Hamilton, Dr. and
Mrs. Lushington, and Mr. and Mrs. Wilde, and
the other mourners who had previously arrived at
Brunswick, were informed that the hearse with
the mortal remains of the Queen had arrived at
the outer barrier, about a mile distant from the
inner barrier, or entrance into the town. They
immediately ordered their carriages, and pro-
ceeded to the place provided for their reception,
which was a large room on the ground-floor of an
inn. In the middle of the road opposite the door
of the inn stood the hearse, guarded by an escort
of the black regiment of Brunswickers, at the
head of whom the late Duke, the brother of the
Queen, fell gallantly fighting at the battle of Wa-
terloo. It was now eleven o'clock, and Sir G.
Nayler was preparing to marshal the proces-
sion, when the Grand Chamberlain and the Com-
mandant of the town presented themselves, and
desired a few minutes' conversation with Sir
George and Mr. Calvert before the procession
should begin to move. They stated that they
had an urgent request to make, on behalf of the
people of Brunswick: it was, that a deputation of
respectable citizens might be permitted to draw
the funeral car. Mr. Calvert, who from the be-
ginning of the voyage had behaved in a manner at
once characteristic of good sense and gentlemanly
feeling, immediately assented to what he cou-
832 MFMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
sidered a roost reasonable request ; but Sir
George Nayler began to express his disapproba-
tion, though without assigning any reason. Captain
Hesse here interposed, and with an apology for
his intrusion, asked, whether the request of the
citizens of Brunswick was to be considered as a
mark of respect or otherwise. To this it was in-
stantly answered, that it was certainly intended
as a mark of the profoundest respect for the illus-
trious deceased. Sir G. Nayler still maintained
the appearance of opposition; but as he offered
no remark, he was supposed to assent, especially
when it was added, by the Chamberlain and Com-
mandant, that they could not be answerable for
the peace of the city unless this reasonable re-
quest was complied with.
The horses were then removed from the hearse,
and the coffin was deposited in a magnificent open
car, while about a hundred Brunswickers, well
dressed, and having all the appearance of the
espectable classes of society, placed themselves
in front, in the most regular and tranquil order.
Sir G. Nayler, with an embarrased look, uttered
something which sounded like vexation; and for
the purpose apparently of expressing his displea
sure more strongly, threw aside his gorgeous coat
of heraldry, asserting that he would not wear it.
In a few seconds, however, he seemed visited by
a sudden thought that a herald without a coat
might in the eyes of a stranger lose his import-
ance : he therefore magnanimously decided to
QtJEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 833
Suppress his disapprobation, and put on his coat;
which having done, he slowly entered his coach.
The various mourners now ascended their car-
riages, and an order was given for the procession
to move*
The scene that now presented itself, at once
solemn and magnificent, baffled all description:
no painting could do justice to its striking effect
on the eye, no poetry could express the pathos
and sublimity of its moral effect on the heart.
The whole way from the outer to the inner bar-
rier,, a space of little less than a mile in length,
and about the breadth of Blackfriars-road, was
lined with a dense mass of peoplie, not merely
from Brunswick, but from the neighbouring towns
and villages : some families had followed the fu-
neral cortege from Celle, and others even fron>
Hamburg. The front lines of this immense as-
semblage carried torches; and from the double
rows of willows on each side of the road were
suspended lamps of various colours, green, red,
and yellow. In the distance were seen the illumi-
nated houses of Brunswick, adding by the fantastic
variety of their architecture to the picturesque
beauty of the scene, and by their undecayed an-
tiquity reminding man of the nothingness of his
existence, in comparison even with the durability
of the commonest works of his own hands. The
solemn tolling of the bells, the suppressed sobs of
the women, and the deep silence of the men*
added an awful and almost painful interest ; there*
834 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
was room, however, for one pleasurable sensa-
tion, and that of the purest kind, and that waa,
that this homage paid to the deceased and perse-
cuted Queen of England was no mere state cere-
mony, but the unbidden worship of manly and
generous hearts, who revered her virtues, and
sympathized with her afflictions.
The procession moved slowly towards the town,
and as the clock struck twelve reached the inner
barrier. Here the mourners descended from the
carnages, and the whole cortege now proceeded
on foot, with the exception of Sir George Nayler,
who kept his state in the first carriage. From
the entrance of the town to the cathedral church
the distance is about a mile, and the slow pace at
which the procession moved, together with the
various streets through which it passed, gave the
whole population an opportunity of witnessing the
grand spectacle without much inconvenience, and
with scarcely any danger. To the people, how-
ever, was due the praise of the good order, that
prevailed. The only arrangement made by the
authorities — so great and so just was their con-
fidence in the good disposition of the people —
was an escort of about twenty constables. The
Brunswick cavalry, that, to the amount of about
two hundred, accompanied the procession, march-
ed slowly by the sides, as state attendants, but
took no part in directing the movements of the
immense multitude about them, and guided their
well-managed chargers through a countless crowd,
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 835
in narrow streets, without alarming, much less
hurting, a single individual. — One admirable
arrangement was here made, contributing equally
to the decorum, and the safety of the scene ; and
this was the total absence of women from the
crowd. Outside the barriers, where the space
was very extensive, women as well as men were
seen in ail parts of the assemblage ; but in the
streets of Brunswick not a woman was to be
seen. The men alone were in the streets, the
women were at the windows of the houses ; and
there was not a house in any street through which
the procession passed which had not every win-
dow crowded with spectators of the female sex,
all dressed in black, and all expressing by their
anxious attention the deep interest which they
took in the solemn ceremony passing before
them.
In this manner the procession moved on to the
church, the glare of a thousand torches making
every part of it visible to every one of the multi-
tude. At the door of the church a short scene of
confusion took place, but no injury ensued. When
the hearse reached the church door, the multi-
tude, with a very natural desire to see as much as
they could of the funeral rites, endeavoured to
enter the church ; but as there was no room for
them, it was necessary to put them back. Re-
monstrance, however, was fruitless, for the pres-
sure from behind had now become so great, that
it prevented the first line from stepping back : in
5p2
836* MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
this dilemma, and in order to afford a passage
into the church for the mourners, the cavalry
were ordered to clear the way; this they did
with equal dexterity, promptitude, and care : at
the same instant three bodies o;f them moved
forward as from two sides of a triangle to a
point, and completely cut off the multitude from
the door. This movement was effected with so
much care, that not a single person received the
slightest hurt ; and in a minute a clear space was
left for the mourners to enter the church. Here
at the porch the minister and the municipality
stood ready to receive the body ; the coffin was
lifted from the cai\ an<J carried by sixteen ser-
jeants of the Brunswick cavalry, while sixteen
majors bore the pall, The appearance of the
church was solemn and imposing. Though a
building of no striking beauty when seen by day*
light, its lofty columns and long aisles hung with
black, had by night an appearance of melancholy
grandeur, especially as, to increase the sombre
effect, the illumination was but scanty.
Owing to the positive orders received from the
same mysterious quarter to which we have before
alluded, no service, not even a funeral chant, was
to be performed in the church ; and this, for
some absurd pretence, that as the Queen had
died abroad, it was to be considered that these
rites had been already performed, and that the
ceremony at Brunswick was merely depositing
the body in the family vault— a ceremony which
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 837
was always performed without funeral service, as
in the case of the Duke of Brunswick, the father
of the late Queen. But this was a mere idle
pretence : the late Duke was absolutely interred,
and with all funeral ceremonies and services, out
of his dominions, during the tyranny of Buona-
parte, after whose defeat he was disinterred and
removed to Brunswick. The Queen of England
had not been so interred : no religious rite had
been performed on her ; and decency, as well as
religion, required that a Queen should not be
curtailed of those rites which belong to the funeral
of the meanest subject. The love of the people
here again made ample compensation for the cur-
tailments of power. Even the officers of state
expressed their regret that they were forced to
comply with orders manifestly unreasonable and
disgusting ; and the worthy minister of the
cathedral, who loved and venerated the virtues
of the late Queen, showed by his manner that he
was no party to the official arrangement.
As the corpse passed along the aisle into the
place of sepulture, a hundred young ladies of the
first families in Brunswick, dressed in white,
stood on each side and scattered flowers before it.
In a few seconds the coffin and the mourners had
all arrived in the family vault of the illustrious
House of Brunswick. The entire space is very
large, and already contains fifty-seven coffins of
different branches of that ancient family. A por-
tion, about seven yards square, was separated
838 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
from the rest by hangings of black cloth, and was
illuminated with wax lights. In the middle of
this section stood a platform, raised about two
feet from the ground : on one side stood the
coffin of the gallant father of the Queen, at the foot
was the coffin of her gallant brother, both heroes
slain in battle when fighting against the tyranny
of Buonaparte ; and here, in this appropriate
spot, was now deposited one as brave as the
bravest of her race, and who fell in a great and
courageous struggle with a persecution more
unjust, more unrelenting, than ever scourged
mankind.
When the mourners were all arranged in the
tomb, the minister, whose name was J.W. J. Wolff,
preacher of the cathedral church, a mild and sen-
sible-looking man, about sixty years of age, stood
at the head of the coffin, and, in a voice tremulous
with emotion, uttered a prayer in the German
language, of which the following is a trans*
lation : —
t Transient is our life, perishable all fortune and glory of the
earth ! Thus, All-wise God, thou hast ordained it i But in
death are terminated all the hardships, troubles, and sufferings
that attend the life of man in this state of imperfection. Not
in this world, where we are strangers, where we live in a con-
stant struggle with adversities and our own infirmities ; no 1
only in that to come, for which thou hast created our immortal
spirit, do we find the desired felicity, and purer, untroubled,
unperishable joys. Penetrated even in the inmost recesses of
our hearts, by this solemn and consoling truth, we elevate with
pious devotion our hearts to thee, the Infinite One! in this
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 839
sacred place, and at the coffin of a deceased, whom thy All-
wise will once destined for a terrestrial throne, and now, after
a rare change of destiny, hast called into the land of eternal
peace. With hearts deeply affected do we view the burying-
place of this descendant of a beloved and princely family.
Thou, her benign Creator, didst adorn her with hioh advantages
of mind and body, and didst bestow upon her a heart full of
clemency and benignity. Thy providence placed her where
she could and was resolved to do much good, to the honor of
her high family, and for the weal of the country whose Prin-
cess she was. Unsearchable, O Eternal, are thy ways ! After
a transient and troublesome life, she has now finished her
earthly career, and her inanimate body returns to the vault
where her ever-memorable father, her brother, her relations
are resting.
Almighty God ! with elevated hearts we glorify thy grace for
all the benefits thou hast given to the deceased during her life,
and we infinitely revere thy wisdom in the present termination
of her severe trials ; whereby, after thy most benign intention,
she should be purified of human infirmities, and be prepared for
a better life. Thanks to thee for the comfort thou hast richly
granted her in her last hours ! thanks for the great strength
thou didst inspire her with, both in her life and in her last
moments, to a patient and courageous endurance of her suf-
ferings and grievances ! thanks for the hopes strengthened in
her soul, wherewith full of desire and serenity and faith, she
passed from a mortal to an immortal life ! Now may her
released soul enjoy the peaceful and blissful tranquillity which
this imperfect world cannot grant ! and may thy grace, thou
all-just and most righteous Lord, recompense her in that state
of perfection for what was but deficient here on earth ! But to
us let her ever-memorable remembrance be a moving and bene-
ficial lesson, thus to believe, thus to hope, thus to live, that we
may once courageously pass over to the life of just requital.
And now, most gracious God, preserve likewise to us graciously
the remaining most beloved members of our princely family,
840 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
for our joy and for the welfare of our country, and attend
their days with thy richest blessing ! — Grant our most pious
wishes'. Amen.
While the minister was uttering this beautifun
and pathetic prayer, all were deeply affected :
the military did not disdain to express their emo-
tions in an audible manner, and several times the
Great Chamberlain wiped away the tears from
his fine manly countenance. As to the imme-
diate mourners, including the servants of the
Queen's household, a more unequivocal and un-
affected sorrow was never seen. When the prayer
was finished, and before the mourners left the
tomb, the hundred young ladies were admitted,
£nd formed a large circle round the platform :
they strewed flowers on the floor ; and then
having prepared some wreaths^ arranged them in
different forms on the coffin; they then knelt
down, uttered a short prayer, and retired amidst
the tears and sobs of the company. Even Sir G.
Nayler was visibly affected by this beautiful and
pathetic incident. The funeral was over about
two, and in less than half an hour the streets
were completely empty, and all was as tranquil as
the tomb to which the Queen had just been
solemnly consigned.
From the silent grave of the " injured Queeo
of England," we must now turn to those few
faithful adherents, who, in the midst of the storms
and tempests which assailed her, did not forsake
her, and who with cheerfulness and meekness
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 841
bore the whole weight of opprobium, calumny,
and persecution, which an infatuated and disap-
pointed ministry could heap upon them. The
vengeance of the infuriated junto, smarting and
writhing under their late defeat, followed them
to the last resting place of her, whose cause they
had so nobly espoused, whose battle they had so
bravely fought, and whose death they now so sin-
cerely deplored.
The eyes of all Europe, and of the whole civi-
lized world, had long been directed towards this
country, watching with an intense anxiety the
result of the proceedings which had been insti-
tuted against the Queen ; but in no country was
that anxiety greater, than in the land in which
their injured princess first drew her breath. She
had gambolled amongst them as a child ; they had
witnessed the dawnings of her gigantic mind ;
they had seen the bloom of her youth ; and they
had witnessed her departure from her native land,
to become the spouse of the first monarch in the
world — the remembrance of her virtues, however,
remained behind her, and it was that very re-
membrance which excited in the breast of her
compatriots, that strong and ungovernable indig-
nation which afterwards burst forth, at the indig-
nities which were offered to their princess, and
the schemes which were planned to ruin her for
ever in the eyes of the country, which she hat-
left, and of that, which had adopted her. They
followed her in imagination through all her $uf-
5Q
842 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
ferings and her trials They saw her leave the
Country of her adoption in hope of happiness and
of peace. They saw her seeking for a diversion
from her sufferings in the scenes of other coun-
tries, and amongst a people who were able to
appreciate her merits. But it was with the most
boundless indignation, that they still saw hatred
continuing to pursue her steps — they beheld the
naost infernal geniuses surrounding her, whis-
pering calumnious reports — preaching insubor-
dination to her servants, and inviting strangers
to be deficient in the attention due to a princess
of her exalted rank.
But it is in the hour of adversity that great
and noble souls evince their superiority over
others. The people of her country saw their
princess encountering the horrors. of the burning
sands of Africa, journeying across the wildest
deserts, where the foot of the hardy traveller
seldom Was known to tread, and enduring those
fatigues from which some masculine constitu-
tions would have shrunk with dread. Physical and
moral pains were alike unable to damp her
courage. Their imagination followed her every
where with delight ; they saw her visiting the
holy spot, the source of our redemption — they
saw her bending over His tomb, and following the
dictates which He taught on earth, breathing for-
giveness to her enemies. They followed her
back to Greece — they beheld her on the ruins of
Sparta, and of Athens, searching the tombs of
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 843
Liberty and Merit, amidst the devastations
caused by ignorance and arbitrary power; and
they saw her in Italy examining the remains of
ancient Rome, meditating on the causes of the
destruction of empires, and the progress of the
arts.
They finally saw her returning in the dignified
character of Queen of England, to become the
victim of the foulest conspiracy, which was ever
engendered in a civilized country. But they did
not mistake the character of the people, into
whose hands she had confided all that was clear
to her, and on whose magnanimity and genero-
sity she had thrown herself, fearless of the issue
of the contest in which she was involved. Dear
and valued to her countrymen were then those
great and noble souls, who stood by her in her
adversit}% their children were taught to lisp their
names — the German maidens blessed them — and
at every social board, their healths were drank
with enthusiasm.
The time was now come, when the few
worthies, whose names had been as familiar to
them as those of their household gods, were to
appear before them in person, in the melancholy
character of mourners, paying the last tribute of
their respect to the memory of their inj ured Queen.
It is amongst the great mass of the people that a
true estimate of human actions is to be found ;
and, although the influence of gorernment may
constrain the acts of those who are immediately
5 Q 2
844
MEMOIRS OF CAROLlJfB,
under its influence, and force them into a track
contrary to their inclination, yet, the strong tide
of popular feeling rushes on with an irresistible
force, not to be controled by the puny efforts
of arbitrary government ; and in no instance was
the above remark more strongly verified, than in
the conduct of the Brunswickers towards the
*• steady few" who followed their princess to the
grave. It exhibits a noble trait in the German
character, at the same time that it must penetrate
as a dagger to the hearts of the enemies of their
deceased countrywoman.
We shall briefly narrate the facts as they oc-
curred, and it requires no comment on our part
to exalt the interest which they must necessarily
excite.
On Saturday the 25th of August, it was in-
tended that the younger part of the population of
Brunswick, as a mark of respect, should assemble
on that evening before the Hotel d'Angleterre,
with torches and bands of music, to serenade the
distinguished friends of their late illustrious prin-
cess, a mode of expressing public approbation,
very common in Germany. It was, however,
thought proper to prevent it, and in consequence,
an order was sent round to the merchants and
tradesmen not to suffer their clerks and appren-
tices to leave the house; the police were in-
structed to prevent the carrying of lights, or the
playing of music. Thus far the design was frus-
trated, but about eleven o'clock, several hun-
ClUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 845
dreds of the most respectable dressed individuals
assembled before the hotel, and called for Lord
Hood, Dr. Lushington, Alderman Wood, &c., and
on the appearance of those gentlemen, and like-
wise the Ladies Hood and Hamilton, they rent
the air with their acclamations. They continued
there until after twelve o'clock, and then sepa-
rated with the utmost order. Although they
were disappointed in the principal part of their
object, yet no disposition to irregularity was ma-
nifested. They seemed to be determined to make
full amends for the absence of music, by the
length and vehemence of their applause. In
England, that such a demonstration of popular
feelings should be prevented taking place on a
Sunday, might be accounted for on the ground of
usage and religious considerations ; but it is im-
possible that that cause could have existed at
Brunswick, for the Sabbath there is a day of mer-
riment and gladness, and, therefore, it is not
difficult to divine the source from which the pro-
hibitory mandate issued.
On the afternoon of Saturday, the 25th, an ap-
plication was made by the executors of the late
Queen, to the clergyman of the cathedral church,
requesting him to preach a funeral sermon on the
following Sunday. The reverend gentleman an-
swered the application by stating that he could not
do so without an order from M— > one of the
ministers. The executors immediately proceeded
to the residence of that minister, for the purpose
846
MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
of soliciting — not his interference, for that they
thought was quite unnecessary — but his per-
mission, which was deemed to be indispensible.
They were so unlucky as not to find him at home,
and they heard afterwards that he was dining
with Sir George Nayler and Mr. Calvert. They
paid him a second visit, and succeeded in obtain-
ing an interview. He received them very coldly,
and indeed scarcely showed them common civility.
As soon as they had mentioned the object of their
visit, he abruptly answered, he could give no
order, as it was not usual to preach funeral ser-
mons in cases where an address was made by the
minister at the time of interment. He was re-
minded that a funeral sermon had been preached
on the late Duke, notwithstanding a previous ad-
dress ; that, he sharply answered, was because he
was the reigning prince ; adding, "I am answer-
able for my conduct, not to the executors, but to
the regency, and I shall give no order on the sub-
ject. This uncourteous refusal was given by the
minister, walking with a hurried step about the
room, and the executors saw it was vain to oppose
arguments to his sovereign decision. Had there
been any probability that reasoning would pro-
duce any effect, they could have stated, that a
funeral sermon, after a previous address, was
preached, not only on the late reigning Duke, but
on another brother of the Queen's who died a few
months ago, and who, so far from possessing any
power, was blind, and almost an idiot.
T . WllLJDE ESQ R
/ '//>, • f // J ', '^v7
7
Sketched- by A.WwdL k Eryra»ed,ty T. Wright.
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 847
In the interview which Dr. Lushington and Mr.
Wilde had with Mr. Wolff, the clergyman above
alluded to, the reverend gentleman spoke of the
late Queen in terms of almost parental affection.
The venerable man had been her early religious
instructor and he mentioned the amiable quali-
ties she displayed in her infancy and youth, in
terms of the highest eulogium. He said, " When
she last visited Brunswick, in 1814, immediately
on her arrival she sent for me, and she received
me with such affection, and with an artlessness of
manner so peculiarly her own, that I could not
help throwing myself upon my knees at her feet,
and blessing God, that though so many years had
elapsed, and her outward circumstances so ma-
terially changed, she was yet the creature of that
endearing simplicity that so much delighted me
in my early years." Tears gushed from the eyes
of the good old man as he told the interesting
tale.
On Sunday, the 26th, at nine o'clock, Lord and
Lady Hood, Lady Anne Hamilton, Alderman
WTood, and other friends of her late majesty, with
most of her household, attended divine service in
the cathedral. The venerable clergyman appeared
in a scarf, and, in the latter end of his discourse,
alluded in the most affecting manner to the life
and sufferings of the illustrious lady, whose re-
mains on the preceding morning had been con-
signed to the tomb. The following is an extract
from the sermon.
848 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
We, too, dear fellow citizens^ have been so happy as to
have sovereigns -who revered religion, and in our princely fa-
mily we were always edified with the spectacle of an enlight-
ened piety. We frequently saw its members worshipping God
in our sacred congregations. They joined as fellow oelievers,
and gave us an endearing example of true devotion and pious
zeal. And what a beneficial influence had this on our attach-
ment to them, and in their behaviour towards us. Sincere piety
made our princes just sovereigns, lovers of mankind, patterns of
gentleness and benevolence.
Here I may be allowed to make mention of the high deceased,
whose earthly remains we all lately followed to the vault. She
is still deeply impressed on your memory, and your looks lead
me to speak again of her whom your hearts lament. She, too,
the daughter of the venerahle Charles William Frederic, was an
enlightened and warm votary of religion. Before I filled the
situation which I now hold, she was from her tender infancy
instructed in Christianity by a worthy teacher, and solemnly
confirmed in it. Her quick understanding eagerly received
every ray of divine truth, and her warm heart and lively feel-
ings were excited and elevated by piety. Her; sense of religion
increased to a confirmed faith, and she resolutely resolved to ex-
ercise the duties which it enjoined. Pious occupations were
dear to her heart. I knew her as an enlightened Christian
before she left the country of her birth. She first received from
my hands, with pious emotion, the holy Supper of our Lord, and
the solemnity of her manner was like her previous devotions, an
unsuspected proof of her sincere faith and pious feeling. She
was then qualified, for her destination to become queen of a
noble nation, distinguished by its religious zeal, and its sacred
regard to the days dedicated to God. The sense of religion, it
is true, did not always preserve her from infirmities and errors,
but where is the mortal, where has there been a saint, who
has been always perfect ? And he who erred less, may con-
scientiously ask himself, whether he owes it to himself, or to his
more fortunate situation, and the undeserved grace of God ?
Let us not forget the good with which religion endowed her
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 849
^iderstanding and her heart, combining itself in her disposition
and behaviour, her distinguished benevolence, her affability, her
unbounded desire to protect mankind, her love of righteousness,
her generosity, and her forgiving disposition ; these sublime
virtues of the Christian have always been allowed her, and the
strength of her religion appeared especially in her last trying
days. You yourselves, my brethren, have read the description
of her earthly end. You know, then, with what resignation and
courage she bore her last severe sufferings, how she refrained
from every complaint, what touching proofs of the meekness of
her heart she gave in her last moments — how she exhibited
every virtue of a Christian — with what holy and confident hope
she passed from this world to eternity.
May God's eternal peace rest on her glorified spirit, and
comfort her, after the endurance of her earthly woes, with the
joys of salvation.
At this part of the address, many of the male,
and almost the whole of the female part of the
audience were in tears. Considerable surprise
and much indignation were manifested by the
public, in finding that all the emblems of mourn-
ing were removed from the tomb.
Many of the most respectable inhabitants were
in mourning, but numbers were deterred, much
against their inclination, from the fear of offending
the higher authorities. It was confidently as
serted, that the most positive instructions had
been issued by the government, prohibiting any
external marks of respect.
On Monday the 27th, much bustle was mani-
fested at an early hour, before the Hotel d'Angle-
terre, and a considerable concourse of people ar-
rived, and there took their stations. About half-
850 MEMOIRS OP CAROLINE,
past eight, a carriage drew up to the door, and
two interesting little girls, dressed in the costume
of the flower girls that attended the funeral (white
frocks, black sashes, and crape round their heads)
alighted and inquired for Lady Anne Hamilton.
They were shortly after introduced to her lady-
ship, and presented to her a most pleasing address
from themselves and companions, of which the
following is a translation : —
MADAM — At the grave of her majesty the late much ho-
nored Queen, we expressed the sentiment of our deepest afflic-
tion, and now we wish to give our most sincere thanks likewise
to you, for the affectionate love and attachment you always,
even in the most difficult situations, had showed to her deceased
majesty.
May God recompense you and all the faithful men and female
servants of the late Queen, for this universally admired fidelity.
: Her ladyship was highly gratified with this
simple and affectionate address, and detained her
young friends with her a considerable time. On
parting with them she gave to each some small
present that had been the property of her late
majesty, and with which they were delighted be-
yond bounds. It should be observed, that the
young females who acted as flower girls, were the
daughters of the most opulent merchants and
tradesmen in Brunswick.
Shortly after nine o'clock a deputation from
the citizens and inhabitants of Brunswick, con-
sisting of about thirty gentlemen, all dressed in
deep mourning, arrived at the hotel. They were
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 851
soon after introduced to Lord Hood's apartments,
where they were received by his lordship, the
ladies, and other principal personages in the suite.
One of the gentlemen of the deputation then stept
forward, and read in English the following address :
To Lord and Lady Hood, Lady Anne Hamilton, Doctor Lush-
ington, and other distinguished friends of her late most gracious
Majesty, Caroline, Queen of England.
MY LORD, LADIES, AND GENTLEMEN — The citizens of
Brunswick, who have requested the honour of waiting upon you,
beg leave to assure you, that our hearts are penetrated with sen-
timents of the deepest gratitude for the attachment and esteem
you have at all times shown to her majesty the late Queen of
England and Princess of Brunswick.
Being greatly indebted to the Ducal House of Brunswick, for
numberless benefits, we venture to offer to you our most sincere
thanks for that most distinguished attachment which you have
shewn to her majesty, as a member of that illustrious House,
and for the interest you have taken in her manifold distresses.
To which Lord Hood returned the following
answer : —
GENTLEMEN— Allow me to return you, in the name of my-
self and companions, our most sincere thanks for this flattering
mark of respect, and pleasing testimony of your approbation of
our conduct to the late much lamented Queen of England and
Princess of Brunswick.
We cannot but consider, that your attachment to that illus-
trious lady has influenced you to confer upon us this unexpected
honour ; — an honour considerably increased in our estimation by
such considerations. Suffer me again, gentlemen, most sincerely
to thank you for the flattering mode in which you have conveyed
your sentiments, and to assure you, that it will never be effaced
from our recollection.
5 R2
852 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
His Lordship then introduced the ladies and
gentlemen around him to the members of the depu-
tation, who bowed, and afterwards retired. They
then proceeded to the apartment of Mr. Alder-
man Wood, to whom they, in the same manner,
presented an address, of which the following is a
copy : —
SIR — A deputation from the inhabitants and citizens of
Brunswick, very much affected at the loss of their beloved
Princess, the late Queen of England, desire to express their
sensibility of the most active interest which you have kindly
evinced for her welfare, from the time of her last return to Eng-
land, till the melancholy end of her existence. Accept of our
sincere thanks, for the most noble attachment you have shewn
her.
As we neat- that it is your intention so shortly to leave our
town, we heartily wish you a safe return to your native country
— the land of freedom and happiness.
The worthy Alderman then addressed the gen-
tlemen of the deputation in nearly the following
words : —
GENTLEMEN — I cannot find words to express the feelings
with which I receive this public avowal of your approbation of
my conduct to our late most gracious Queen and your illustrious
Princess. In the Corporation of London, of which I have the
honour to be a member, I many years ago considered it my
duty to move an address to that illustrious lady, the Princess of
Wales. I did this contrary to the wishes of many of my friends,
with whom I was in the habit of acting, who were fearful of its
success. It was, however, carried by a powerful majority, and
it was followed by addresses from every part of Great Britain.
From that time my connection with this great and unfortunate
lady has been more intimate ; and on the death of his late most
QUEEN" CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 853
gracious majesty George the Third, I received from her several
letters from the Continent, intimating her determined resolution
of proceeding to England, and, regardless of consequences, to
assert her claim to all the rights and privileges of her high
station, and stating the unpleasant situation in which she then
found herself placed. In consequence I hastened to her, and
the noble magnanimity with which she spurned the offered
bribe of fifty thousand pounds a-year, to remain from England,
neither time nor circumstance can ever efface from my memory.
Her only fear was, that compulsory measures would be adopted
to hinder her proceeding. Nor were those fears allayed till she
stept on English ground. She was received with open arms by
that great and generous people, who, under all her trials, re-
mained her unshaken friends. She had enemies, it is true, and
those enemies Englishmen ! She is now, happily for herself,
released from all the wretchedness to which she here was sub-
ject. The heavy afflictions she has borne are now for ever over ;
and although we, who enjoyed the honour of her intimacy, must
long feel our irreparable loss, yet to her it is a happy release.
She died, gentlemen, as a Christian should die. The day
oefore the one on which she breathed her last, when, on being
removed from her bed to a chair, as I was standing by her side,
she repeatedly and fervently declared, that she forgave all her
enemies the cruelties that had brought her to the bed of death,
By the instructions that government had thought proper to
issue respecting her funeral, I was prohibited attending as a,
mourner from England. I therefore have travelled at my own
expense, to pay this last tribute of respect to one I so highly
reverenced.
For acting as I have done, I have been assailed with innumer-
able calumnies ; but while the illustrious deceased pleased to
honour me with her confidence, nothing on earth should have
induced me to have withdrawn from her any token of attach-
ment that it was in my limited power to show.
I again, gentlemen, return you my mo t sincere thanks for the
pleasing testimony of your approbation of my public conduct ,
and likewise for your personal good wishes.
854< MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
Immediately after the deputation had with-
drawn, the worthy Alderman, accompanied by his
son, the Rev. J. P. Wood, left Brunswick for
Hanover.
It was in contemplation by the inhabitants of
Brunswick, that the foregoing addresses should be
presented by a far more numerous deputation,
and in a style of much greater magnificence ; but
from the decided part taken by the court, pru-
dence was so opposed to this inclination, that
they were compelled to abandon their intention.
Very numerous private messages were sent both
to Lord Hood and Alderman Wood, from gentle-
men of the first respectability, alleging what has
already been alluded to, as the only reason that
prevented their paying their personal respects,
and assuring them how deeply they commiserated
the sufferings of their late illustrious princess, and
honoured all her friends.
The opinion of the Brunswickers, and, indeed,
the opinion of the inhabitants of every part of
Germany, not under the immediate influence of
this government, was exactly in unison with the
popular feeling in England.
It is universally allowed, that the reception
given to the remains of Queen Caroline was a
national disgrace, and that years will not wipe
away the stain. It was the general lament at
Brunswick, that the young prince had not as-
sumed the reins of government, or matters would
have been managed in a much more decorous and
becoming manner.
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 855
It was evidently not the intention of govern-
ment that the bells should toll, nor that the places
of public amusement should be closed. Popular
indignation was, however, so strongly expressed,
that if orders to the contrary had been contem-
plated, they were not enforced; the people; with
an almost unanimous voice, declared that they
would burst open the doors of the churches and,
at whatever peril, toll the bells ; and an elderly
gentleman, a merchant of considerable opulence
in the town, conceiving that money would be an
essential object in effecting the public wishes, in*
stantly put down the sum of two hundred dollars,
" I knew," said he, " the illustrious deceased in
her infancy, and I have since venerated her sor-
rows, and nothing that I can do shall be wanting
to give her remains a due reception in her native
town."
In this manner closed the funeral obsequies of
the ill-fated Caroline, Queen of England; but
although she now rests in the silence of her
grave, beyond the reach and persecution of her
enemies, still there are some evil spirits who stalk
abroad, and with the pestiferous breath of ca-
lumny, seek to blacken her memory. The em-
phatic words of the royal victim were, " They
have destroyed me T' and having so well achieved
their diabolical designs, it might be supposed
that human nature could not possess such inhe-
rent turpitude as to follow her, now that she is in
her grave, with every species of obloquy and re-
856 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
proach. Let us, however, speak to these people,
and tell them, that not a day elapses without some
link of the horrid chain being discovered by which
the unfortunate Queen of England was to be bound
in infamy and ignominy during the remainder of
her life, had it pleased Heaven to grant her a
protracted existence.
The following authentic statement of the means
which were employed to obtain evidence against
her majesty, will be perused with uncommon in-
terest, and it imparts an additional shade to the
already too gloomy picture which we have been so
long contemplating.
The principal actress in the following scene is
the Baroness de Boisouvray, a lady not more con-
spicuous for her splendid talents, than for the in-
terest which she took in every thing which had
the slightest reference to the fate of Queen
Caroline.
The baroness happened to be at Paris when
the celebrated Bergami visited that city, and the
following is the interesting recital which we now
transmit to the consideration of the English peo-
ple, being well assured that the impression which
it will make will not be easily effaced.
"' I heard," says the Baroness, " that Signer
Bergami was at Paris. A person who was well
acquainted with my ardent wishes for the Queen,
came to tell me that she had passed the preceding
evening in Baron Bergami's company, and that she
should meet him again that same day. As I
QUEEN CONSORT OP ENGLAND. 85?
longed very much to see him, I asked for his di-
rection, and being informed that he was at the
Hotel de Frescati, Rue de Richelieu, I instantly
wrote to him in the following terms : —
' I hear that Baron Bergami is in Paris ; I
should be very much gratified if he would favor
me with a call.'
" A few moments afterwards, I had the satisfac-
tion of- seeing him in my dwelling. He was ac-
companied by a gentleman who appeared his
friend.
" Sir," said I, " I crave your pardon for the
liberty I took of writing to you, and requesting
you to call upon me, though unknown to you>
but my motive was this: on the 21st of March,
I sent to Mr. Senn Guebhard, a banker at Leg-
horn, a work which I wished to present to her
Majesty the Queen of England, along with the
first articles which appeared in her behalf in the
public papers, and which I myself caused to be
inserted. On the 27th of April I received an
answer, purporting that as her majesty was at
Rome, my parcel had been transmitted, and
recommended to the Duke of Tortonia, with
whom the banker corresponded. I have had n<e
other information since that time, and should like
to know whether her majesty has vouchsafed to
honor my humble homage with a favorable recep-
tion."
" I cannot inform you, Madam/* replied Signer
Bergami, " whether her majesty received the
5 s
858 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
parcel you sent her, she probably had left Rome;
for she is too kind not to have ordered an answer
to be returned ; but the parcel itself cannot be
lost, it has very likely been forwarded to her ma-
jesty's Villa."
" I must, however, candidly confess, that my
wish to see Signor Bergami was not entirely in-
fluenced by my anxiety to obtain information -
about my parcel. I longed to speak to him of the
Queen, Women have generally more address
than men, they discern the smallest shades of
meaning. A thousand trifling circumstances to
which men pay no attention, serve to reveal the
truth. Thus having conversed with Signor Ber-
gami, I found him to be nothing more than a
respectful and devoted servant of her majesty.
" You must be very sorry, Sir, for the troubles
which her majesty experiences, since I, who only
know her from the report of her misfortunes, feel
the most lively concern for her."
" Alas, Madam, if you knew what insults are
heaped upon her, who is entitled to general ad-
miration, if you were acquainted with the noble-
ness of her mind, with her courage and kindness,
you might then form a just idea of my distress,
for being the pretence that is laid hold of to slart
der her. It is with gold that the Milan Commis-
sion bribed all the domestics of her majesty, and
induced them to make fabricated reports. Even
foreigners were paid to circulate the most horrid
tales concerning her majesty. Whatever evil re-
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 859
port you have heard of her, is the work of that infernal
Commission which is supported by calumny''
" Our conversation then turned to the travels
of the Queen, to her great qualities, the extent of
her information, and, above all, to the good she
had done to the unfortunate of every country she
visited. Signor Bergami told me, that he had
never known a mistress more kind to the persons
of her household. He added, that those of her
servants who suffered themselves to be bribed by
the Milan Commission, had been loaded with
kindness by the Queen ; that it was because he
had saved her majesty's life, and that he was orne
of those in whom she could place a perfect re-
liance that she had made his fortune, and raised
him so high, and that his gratitude should be
eternal and his devotedness unbounded."
The interview of the Baroness with Bergami,
was in itself a circumstance of no striking pecu-
liarity, it was, however, the forerunner of a
scene, which cannot fail to make its due impres-
sion on the minds of the English people.
The Baroness says, <( I shall not relate all
preceding circumstances that probably gave rise
to the fact which I am geing to publish. As they
may be of use to me, in case my account should
be doubted, I will reserve them for another oppor-
tunity. On the 15th of September I was going
to pay a visit to the wife of a colonel who lives
in the Rue de Joubert ; I had taken the longest
road by the Rue de la Pair, along the Boulevards?y
•5s2
&60 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
On that part of the Boulevard, between the Rue
de la Paix and the Chinese Baths, are some print-
shops, at which I stopped for a moment, to exa-
mine some prints. A gentleman came up, and
looking at the portraits of the Queen of England
and of Signer Bergami, remarked in a loud voice,
how striking the likenesses of both were*. I
could not help glancing at the person who made
this remark, and I was about to continue my
walk, when the same individual accosted me,
saying,
" Pray, Madam, are you not the Baroness de
Boisouvray ?"
<•' Yes, Sir," I replied.
" I beg your pardon, Madam, for taking the
liberty of addressing you without having th§
honour of being known to you, but it is in your
power to render me a service."
<« In what, Sir ?"
" I have heard that you have seen Signer Ber-
gami at your house, a short time before his de*
parture. I suppose you are still in correspon^
dence with him, and could favour me with his
direction."
* In the French edition is the following note, the tenor of
which is highly complimentary to the publisher of this work.—
" Ces estampes sont publiees par KELLY, ti Londres et attacheeS
aux Memoires de la Reine d'Angleterre, ecrit par ROBER •
HUISH."
Anglice. — These engravings are published by KELLY of
London, and are affixed to the Memoirs of the Queen of
land, written by ROBERT HUISH.
UUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 861
" You are mistaken," I answered, " I have not
his direction."
" I continued my walk, greatly surprised at
what had just occurred, and I was still more asto-
nished, when the same individual accosting me
once more, said,
" Madam, I am going to speak to you without
reserve. I am positively informed that you
have seen Bergami. It is more than probable
that you have conversed about the Queen. You
are a sensible lady ; you must have easily judged
by his manner of expressing himself, of his situa-
tion and intimacy with the Queen."
" Since you interrogate me on the subject," I
replied, " I think it is a sacred duty to inform
you, that I have actually seen Signor Bergami at
my house, that I had a conversation with him
respecting the Queen, during which he constantly
expressed himself with all the respect of a ser-
vant humbly devoted to her majesty. I must,
however, observe, that if I answer your questions,
it is merely to pay homage to truth, and I beg to
assure you, that had he expressed himself other-
wise, I should not have informed you of what he
said. But may I ask you, Sir, who you are, to
make such inquiries of me ?''
" Had you consented," he replied with a mali*
cious grin, " to give me some details to prove the
charges brought against the Queen, you would
have had no reason to complain of being kept
ignorant of my name ; for there are no sacrifices-
862 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE.
that would not be made to convince the nation of the
misconduct of the Queen* ."
<( You are addressing yourself in a wrong quar-
ter, Sir," I answered. " Go some where else to
fulfil your contemptible mission." And he freed
me from his contemptible presence.
" I was at first excessively angry, that any one
durst have made me such a proposal ; but reflec-
tion soon showed me, that instead of being vexed,
I ought to have thanked heaven for being enabled
to bring to light the means of seduction that were
employed to procure false witnesses against the
Queen. I therefore wrote two days after, that
is, on the 17th of September, to Mr. Brougham,
to inform him of what had happened. "
With the exposure of this infamous transac-
tion, so disgraceful, so disreputable to every
principle of an enlightened government, and to
the dictates of fair and honorable dealing, we
close our Memoirs of the injured Queen of Eng-
land. In the annals of Britain, her life will form
a most conspicuous part; and our children's chil-
dren will point to her treatment as one of the
foulest blots which stain the pages of it.
Eventful and extraordinary was her life — me-
morable and lamentable was her death. Ejected
at an early period of life from the connubial state,
with a stigma upon her which she had not the
*This is lit?rally translated from the French. Car il nest
vas de sacrifices quon ne vui&sefavre pour convaincre la nation
des torts de la Reine.
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 863
means of doing away, and with manners avowedly
frank and lively, whatever they might or might not
have been in other respects, she soon found herself
beset with eyes wishing to find fault, and with
servants whom to lord it over was not in her
nature, and whom to offend or dismiss was to
render the more vindictive for the previous kind-
ness. A charge of illegal familiarity with the
other sex was soon brought against her. The
same ministers who ruled the destinies of the
nation in 1820, defended her from the attack
which was made upon her, and their triumph was
complete ; but at the same time, in order that her
husband and herself might not have two jarring
and jealous establishments in each other's neigh-
bourhood, she was advised by Mr. Canning to
go out of the country ; Mr. Whitbread, her best,
her ablest, and her staunchest friend, advised her
not to go ; but the ministers prevailed, and to the
last moment of her eventful life she regretted that
she had ever followed their advice. Her royal
highness proceeded to the Continent, and there
found every legitimate court and courtesy in Eu-
rope shut against her. Not that the character or
the morals of her royal highness would have
obtained any great accession of purity by an in-
tercourse with some of the German courts — the
large ones are proud and pompous, the middle
ones inclined to liberality, the petty ones vulgar,
and all, generally speaking, as licentious as courts
are apt to be. For when courts are licentious
864 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE/
they are truly so, they know of no medium, that
is to say, they are exceedingly worldly and hy-
pocritical ; upholding the religion and morals
which they think necessary to them in public,
and contradicting them with double wilfulness in
private. During her temporary residence in
these courts, the observant eyes began to renew
their work. Her looks,- her gestures, her actions,
even her correspondence, were all minutely
watched. A freedom of manners was construed
into an indecorous familiarity, and a look or a be-
nevolent action towards one not of her own sex,
was instantly converted into a positive display of
a lawless passion. An animal not to be found in
Buffon, or in the writings of any naturalist, but
for the description of which we must refer to Mr.
Brougham's, speech on the trial, sets himself
down, month after month, at Milan, to watch at
her doors and windows, to intercept discarded
servants and others, who knew what a deposition
might be worth, and thus to gather poison for
one of those venomous Green Bags, which have
so long infected and nauseated the people, and
which were now destined to infect the Queen.
In the mean time, the event, which had not been
left out in the contemplation of these animals ar-
rived. Her father-in-law dies, and she thereby
inherited rights in common with her husband, and
claimed them accordingly. But these claims
were even denied to her abroad. She then an-
nounced her intention of coming to England, and
QUEEN CONSORT OF ENGLAND. 865
every studied neglect, every possible mode of
breaking and thwarting her spirit, was practised
by the very men who, on a former occasion, were
her warm advocates, and who actually bore her
triumphantly through the battle which was then
waged against her honour and her fame. The
most common, the most popular, and the mos.f
sacred maxim of English law, was violated in bet
especial disfavour. She was treated as guilty
before she was tried and found so. She was not
only kept out of foreign courts, as if none were to
be found there but the unaccused and the guilt-
less, and as if they had not contained some of the
mere refuse of human kind, but all official Eng-
lishmen abroad were instructed to avoid her. Her
name was struck out of the Liturgy — she was even
refused a packet-boat to return home in — and a
sum of fifty thousand a year was offered her to
keep quiet, upon conditions and threats that she
ought not to have received a penny. She answers,
" I can negotiate no further but in London ;" and
to London she accordingly comes, amidst the ac-
clamations of the people, and is obliged to take
up her residence in the house of a private gentle-
man. It was an act that could not be forgiven
her — it was actually bearding the lion in his own
den, and every engine which the most powerful
government in the world could employ was set in
motion to crush for ever — a woman, and a Queen
The hateful and obnoxious Bill of Pains and Pe-
nalties was brought into parliament, but it failed,
and great was the triumph of her majesty, in
866 MEMOIRS OF CAROLINE,
consequence. One act, however, still remained,
which it was well known would inflict a deep
and rankling wound upon her high and noble
spirit, and this was, her expulsion from all partici-
pation in the ceremony of the coronation, to which,
as England's Queen, . she was justly entitled.
The arrow that. was shot reached its mark. The
insults, the indignities, that 'had been heaped
upon her, had been hitherto borne with a noble
and unbending spirit ; but there is , a point be-
yond which .human forbearance, can not go— .-that
point had been gained — rand the mind which had
hitherto, like the firm rock in the ocean, breasted
every billow which the fury of her assailants ha$
directed against her, gave way at last to the
accumulated waves of oppression which rushed
on with an overpowering force, and she sunk the
victim of tyranny, hatred, and injustice.
Such is the epitome of the life of. Caroline the
injured Queen of England. In the history of the
country her persecutions and her trial will appear
in blots never to be wiped away, and ages will
elapse before the wounds are closed, which her
sufferings and her injuries have inflicted upon the
minds of a noble but indignant people.
She now sleeps with her fathers, in the tomb
of the heroes of her family; and in the bosom of
her God, let us fervently pray that she has found
that peace, which was denied to her on earth.
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Memoirs of Her late Majesty
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