Florizel's Folly
by John Ashton · English · Gutenberg #49846 · 499,847 chars · public domain (US)
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Title: Florizel's Folly
Author: John Ashton
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FLORIZEL'S FOLLY ***
FLORIZEL'S FOLLY
BOOKS BY JOHN ASHTON.
Crown 8vo., cloth, 7s. 6d. each.
A HISTORY OF THE CHAP-BOOKS OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. With 334
Illustrations.
HUMOUR, WIT, AND SATIRE OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. With 82
Illustrations.
ENGLISH CARICATURE AND SATIRE ON NAPOLEON THE FIRST. With 115
Illustrations.
MODERN STREET BALLADS. With 57 Illustrations.
* * * * *
SOCIAL LIFE IN THE REIGN OF QUEEN ANNE. With 84 Illustrations. Crown
8vo., cloth. 3s. 6d.
London: CHATTO & WINDUS, 111 St. Martin's Lane.
[Illustration: _M^{rs} Fitzherbert_ 1792]
FLORIZEL'S FOLLY
BY
JOHN ASHTON
AUTHOR OF
'SOCIAL LIFE IN THE REIGN OF QUEEN ANNE,' 'MODERN STREET BALLADS,'
ETC., ETC.
[Illustration: Decorative motif]
WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS
LONDON
CHATTO & WINDUS
1899
[Illustration: Decorative scroll]
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I.
PAGE
Early history of Brighthelmstone--Domesday Book--The
Flemings--The French harry the South Coast--At
Brighthelmstone--Defences of the town--Rumours of
the Spanish Armada--Armament of the town 1-13
CHAPTER II.
Escape of Charles II. to France--The story of it--The
'Royal Escape'--Brighton in 1730--In 1736--In 1761--Forty-five
different ways of spelling the name of the
town 14-27
CHAPTER III.
Brighton becomes fashionable--Duke of Cumberland there--His
character--The Royal Marriage Act--His influence
over the Prince of Wales--The Duke and the
King--Bad conduct of the Prince of Wales 28-39
CHAPTER IV.
Mrs. Robinson--Her story of Florizel and Perdita--Her
after-career--Coming of age of the Prince of Wales--His
new establishment--His first visit to Brighton--His
and Colonel Hanger's adventure 40-51
CHAPTER V.
Memoir of, and anecdotes about, George Hanger 52-64
CHAPTER VI.
The Prince goes to Brighton for his health--Description
of Brighton in 1784--Royal visitors--The Prince takes
a house--Weltje--Sam House--Fox and the Prince--Brighton
in 1785 65-80
CHAPTER VII.
The Prince's acquaintance with Mrs. Fitzherbert--His
courtship and marriage--Satirical prints thereon 81-94
CHAPTER VIII.
The Prince's debts--Appeal to the King--His retrenchments--'The
Jovial Crew, or Merry Beggars'--Satirical
prints--Help from Parliament--Schedule of his debts 95-108
CHAPTER IX.
Fox's denial of the marriage--Once more at Brighton--Again
in 1788--The Prince at a fatal prize-fight--His
birthday--Dress at Brighton--The Prince leases his
house at Brighton--Unfilial conduct of the Prince--Probability
of a Regency 109-122
CHAPTER X.
The Prince as a musician--A _bon-mot_ of his--Lady Lade--Her
husband, Sir John--The Prince's pecuniary difficulties--His
dealings with his jeweller--The latter's
story--Another financial mess 123-134
CHAPTER XI.
Rowlandson and Brighton--Poem on the Prince's birthday,
1790--Lord Barrymore--Anecdotes respecting
him and his family 135-148
CHAPTER XII.
The Duke of Norfolk, and anecdotes respecting him--The Duke
of Queensberry, and anecdotes--Charles
Morris--The Prince out shooting--A grand review--French
_émigrés_--Smuggling--The Prince's birthday,
1792--Poem on the _émigrés_ 149-161
CHAPTER XIII.
The _émigrés_--Duchesse de Noailles--The nuns--Camp at
Brighton--The Prince as a soldier--His debts--Interview
with the King--Breaks with Mrs. Fitzherbert--Her
account--Satirical prints--Newspaper paragraphs 162-179
CHAPTER XIV.
Another camp at Brighton--The Prince's second marriage--His
debts--Parliamentary debate thereon--Prince
and Princess at Brighton--'Moral Epistle from the
Pavilion at Brighton to Carlton House'--Manners at
Brighton, 1796--Description of the town 180-193
CHAPTER XV.
Reconciliation of the Prince and Mrs. Fitzherbert--Her
scruples, etc.--The Prince at Brighton--Satirical
prints--The Prince and the Pavilion--Increase of
income--The Prince and his regiment--A race--Guests
at the Pavilion--The Prince and his daughter 194-208
CHAPTER XVI.
The case of Miss Seymour--Satirical prints thereon--The
Prince at Brighton, 1806--His birthday--The Green
Man--Visit of the Princess Charlotte 209-222
CHAPTER XVII.
Final rupture between the Prince and Mrs. Fitzherbert--That
lady and William IV.--Her kindly relations with
the Royal Family--Her death--The King's illness--The
Regency--Visitors at the Pavilion--Queen Charlotte
there--The 'Royal Rantipoles' 223-243
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Regent and Admiral Nagle--A quiet time at the
Pavilion--The Regent's extravagance--His yacht--Sham
fight, and caricature thereon--A cruise to the
French coast--Royal visitors--The Regent's statues--'High
Life Below Stairs,' etc.--Satirical prints--Closing
days--Last appearance at the Pavilion 244-260
CHAPTER XIX.
The books by Nash and Brayley on the Pavilion--Description
and history of the building--Its exterior--Entrance
hall--Red Drawing-room 261-272
CHAPTER XX.
The Chinese Gallery--The Music Room--The Yellow
Drawing-room--The Saloon--The Green Drawing-room 273-284
CHAPTER XXI.
The Banqueting Room--The Library--Royal Bedroom--North
and South Galleries--Queen Adelaide's apartments--Great
Kitchen--Chapel--Stables--Riding
House 285-300
CHAPTER XXII.
Visit of William IV.--Alterations contemplated--Visit of
the King and Queen--Story of the Duke of Cambridge--Alterations
in the Pavilion--The Royal Family snowed
up Queen Victoria's first visit--Second visit--Third,
with the Royal children--Fourth, and last--The
Pavilion dismantled--Sold to the Corporation of
Brighton 301-308
[Illustration: Decorative motif]
[Illustration: Decorative scroll]
ILLUSTRATIONS
MRS. FITZHERBERT. _Condé, after Cosway._ 1792.
_Frontispiece_
ATTACK MADE BY THE FRENCH UPON BRIGHTHELMSTONE,
1545 _To face p._ 9
GEORGE IV. AS PRINCE OF WALES. (_Artist
unknown._) _February 1, 1782_ " 36
GEORGEY IN THE COALHOLE. _Gillray._ _July 1,
1800_ " 53
RETURNING FROM BROOKS'S. _Gillray._ _April
18, 1784_ " 72
WIFE AND NO WIFE; OR, A TRIP TO THE
CONTINENT. _Gillray._ _March 27, 1786_ " 92
LOVE'S LAST SHIFT. _Gillray._ _February 26,
1787_ " 102
CAPTAIN MORRIS. _Gillray._ _July 23, 1790_ " 157
A VOLUPTUARY UNDER THE HORRORS OF
DIGESTION. _Gillray._ _July 2, 1792_ " 167
THE RAGE. _Newton_ or _O'Keefe_ del.,
_W. Hintin_ sculpt. _November 22, 1794_ " 177
THE GUARDIAN ANGEL. _Gillray._ _April 22,
1805_ " 211
HIGH LIFE BELOW STAIRS. _J. R. Cruikshank._
_March 25, 1819_ " 256
WEST FRONT OF THE PAVILION. _A. Pugin._
1825 " 271
[Illustration: Decorative motif]
[Illustration: Decorative motif]
FLORIZEL'S FOLLY
CHAPTER I.
Early history of Brighthelmstone--Domesday Book--The Flemings--The
French harry the South Coast--At Brighthelmstone--Defences of the
town--Rumours of the Spanish Armada--Armament of the town.
We who live in these latter days, when Brighton, the
'London-on-the-Sea,' has a standing population of 115,873,[1] and
contains 19,543 houses, can hardly realize its small beginnings. That
it was known to the Romans there can be no doubt, for, about 1750, an
urn was dug up near the town, which contained a thousand _denarii_,
ranging from Antoninus Pius to Philip; and others have since been
found. In the Anglo-Saxon time Brighthelmstone was a manor, and the
great Earl Godwin succeeded in the lordship of it to his father,
Ulnoth. On his banishment from the kingdom, this manor, with his other
possessions, was seized by King Edward, but, afterwards, he recovered
it, and held it until his death, on April 14, 1053, when it lapsed into
the hands of his son Harold, who held it until his death at the Battle
of Senlac, on October 14, 1066.
I should rather say that Harold held two of the three manors of
Brighthelmstone, for his father, Godwin, had given the other to a
man named Brictric, for his life only. This was the manor called
'Brighthelmstone-Lewes;' the other two were 'Michel-ham' and
'Atlyngworth.' It is thus described in Domesday Book, A.D. 1086:
'Radulfus ten. de Will'o, Bristelmestane. Brictric tenuit de dono
Godwini. T. R. E. et m^o, se def'd p. 5 hid' et dimid'. Tra' e' 3 car.
In d'nio e' dimid' car. et 18 vill'i et 9 bord' cu' 3 car. et uno
servo. De Gablo 4 mill' aletium. T. R. E. val't 8 lib. et 12 sol. et
post c. sol., modo 12 lib.
'In ead' villa, ten^t Widardus de Will'o 6 hid' et una v^a et p'tanto
se defd'.
'Tres aloarii tenuer' de Rege E., et potuer' ire quolibet. Un^o ex eis
habuit aula': et vill'i tenuer' partes alior' duor. T'ra e' 5 car. et
est in uno M. In d'nio un' car. et dim', et 13 vill'i, et 21 bord', cu'
3 car. et dimid': ibi 7 ac' p'ti et silva porc. In Lewes 4 hagæ. T. R.
E. val't 10 lib., et post 8 lib., modo 12 lib.
'Ibide' ten' Wills. de Watevile Bristelmestune de Willo. Ulovard
tenuit de Rege E. T'c et modo se defd' p. 5 hid' et dim'. T'ra e' 4
car. In d'nio e' 1 car. et 13 vill'i, et 2 bord' cu' una car'. Ibi
Æccl'a.
'T. R. E. val't 10 lib'. et post 8 lib', modo 12 lib'.'
TRANSLATION.
'Ralph holds of William (de Warren[2]) Bristelmestune. Brictric held
it from the gift of Earl Godwin. In the time of King Edward, and now,
it defends itself for 5 hides[3] and a half. The (arable) land is 3
carucates.[4] In demesne is half a carucate, and 18 villeins[5] and 9
bordars.[6] Of the Gabel (customary payment) 4 thousands of herrings.
In the time of King Edward it was worth 8 pounds and 12 shillings, and,
afterwards, 100 shillings. Now, 12 pounds.
'In the same vill,[7] Widard holds of William 6 hides and 1 virgate;[8]
and, for so much, it defends itself.
'Three aloarii (customary tenants) held it of King Edward, and could
go where they pleased. One of them had a hall, and the villeins held
the portions of the other two. The land is 5 carucates, and is in one
manor. In demesne one carucate and a half, and 14 villeins and 21
bordars, with 3 carucates and a half; there are 8 acres of meadow, and
a wood for hogs. In Lewes 4 hagæ.[9] In the time of King Edward it was
worth 10 pounds, and, afterwards, 8 pounds; now 12 pounds.
'In the same place William de Wateville holds Bristelmestune of
William. Ulward held it of King Edward. Then, and now, it defends
itself for 5 hides and a half. The land is 4 carucates. In demesne is 1
carucate, and 13 villeins, and 2 bordars with one plough.[10] There is
a church.
'In the time of King Edward it was worth 10 pounds, and, afterwards, 8
pounds; now, 12 pounds.'
We thus see how small was the population of the three manors in the
time of William the Conqueror, and it is useful to note that there
is no mention whatever of fisheries or fishermen except the Gabel of
herrings. Concerning this matter Lee[11] propounds a very interesting
theory. He says:
'From the surnames of some of the most ancient families in the town
of _Brighthelmston_, the phrase and pronunciation of the old natives,
and some peculiar customs there, it has, with great probability, been
conjectured, that the town had, at some distant period, received a
colony of _Flemings_. This might have happened soon after the Conquest,
for we read of a great inundation of the sea, about that time, in
_Flanders_; and such of the inhabitants of the deluged country
as wanted new habitations could not have anywhere applied with a
greater likelihood of success than in _England_. _Matilda_, Queen of
_William_ the _Conqueror_, was their countrywoman, being daughter to
_Baldwin_, Earl of _Flanders_. At her request, _William de Warren_,
her son-in-law, would have readily given a band of those distrest
emigrants a settlement on one of his numerous manors; and, as they had
been inhabitants of the maritime part of _Flanders_, and lived chiefly
by fishing, _Brighthelmston_ was the most desirable situation for them
within the territory of that nobleman.
'The _Flemings_, thus settled at _Brighthelmston_, were led, by habit
and situation, to direct their chief attention to the fishery of the
Channel. Besides obtaining a plentiful supply of fresh fish of the best
kind and quality for themselves and their inland neighbours, they,
every season, cured a great number of herrings, and exported them to
several parts of the Continent, where the abstinence of Lent, vigils,
and other meagre days, insured them a constant market. The inhabitants
of the town, now classed into _landsmen_ and _seamen_, or _mariners_,
profited respectively by the advantages of their situation. The former,
whose dwellings covered the _Cliff_, and part of the gentle acclivity
behind it, drew health and competence from a fertile soil. The latter,
residing in two streets under the _Cliff_, found as bountiful a
source of subsistence and profit in the bosom of the sea. In process
of time the _mariners_ and their families had increased so far as to
compose more than two-thirds of the population of the town, and had
a proportionate share of the offices and internal regulation of the
parish.'
The people of Brighthelmstone were subject, in common with all the
coast, to invasion and reprisals to the English raids on France, and
their ships and boats were occasionally taken, and their fishery
interrupted. In 1377 the French harried the South Coast, spoiled the
Isle of Wight, and burnt Rye, Portsmouth, Dartmouth, Plymouth, and
Hastings. There is no record of Brighthelmstone being attacked, but
the French came parlously near, as Holinshed tells us: 'Winchelsie
they could not win, being valiantlie defended by the abbat of Battell
and others. After this, they landed, one day, not far from the abbeie
of Lewes, at a place called Rottington (Rottingdean), where the prior
of Lewes and two knights, the one named sir Thomas Cheinie, and the
other, sir John Falleslie, having assembled a number of the countrie
people, incountred the Frenchmen, but were overthrowen; so that there
were slaine about an hundred Englishmen; and the prior, with the two
knights, and an esquier called John Brokas, were taken prisoners,
but yet the Frenchmen lost a great number of their owne men at this
conflict, and so, with their prisoners, retired to their ships and
gallies, and, after, returned into France.'
As far as I have read, Brighthelmstone had peace until 1514, when
Holinshed tells us: 'About the same time, the warres yet continuing
betweene England and France, Prior Jehan (of whom ye have heard before
in the fourth yeere of this King's reigne), a great capteine of the
French navie, with his gallies and foists[12] charged with great
basilisks[13] and other artillerie, came on the borders of Sussex, in
the night season, at a poore village there, called Brighthelmston, and
burnt it, taking such goods as he found. But, when the people began to
gather, by firing the becons, Prior Jehan sounded his trumpet, to call
his men aboord, and by that time it was daie. Then certeine archers
that kept the watch, folowed Prior Jehan to the sea, and shot so fast,
that they beat the gallie men from the shore; and wounded manie in the
foist; to the which Prior Jehan was constreined to wade, and was shot
in the face with an arrow, so that he lost one of his eies, and was
like to have died of the hurt; and, therefore, he offered his image of
wax before our ladie at Bullongne, with the English arrow in the face
for a miracle.'
These archers, who so stoutly resisted the French, were, according to
Lee, the land-owners and others of the adjacent country, as well as
the inhabitants of the sea-coast, who were obliged to keep _watch_
and _ward_ whenever there was the least appearance of danger. The
_Watch_, called _Vigiliæ minutæ_, in the King's mandate to the Sheriff,
was nocturnal, and seldom exacted, unless an immediate descent was
apprehended. The _Ward_ consisted of men-at-arms, and _hobilers_, or
_hoblers_. The latter were persons who seem to have been bound to
perform that service by the nature of their tenure. They were a sort
of light cavalry, dressed in jackets called _hobils_, and mounted on
fleet horses. The bold stand made against the French who landed at
Rottingdean in 1377 was principally by the _Watch_ and _Ward_ of this
coast, which had been divided into districts, entrusted to the care of
some baron or religious house by certain Commissioners called _Rectores
Comitatus_. Thus it was that the Prior of Lewes and the Abbot of Battle
were placed at several times at the head of an armed power, to oppose
actual or threatened invasion. Certain hundreds and boroughs were
also obliged, under pain of forfeiture, or other penalty, to keep the
beacons in proper condition, and to fire them at the approach of an
enemy, in order to alarm and assemble the inhabitants of the Weald.
Brighthelmstone had yet another hostile visit from the French, and to
this we are indebted for the earliest recorded view of the town. It
occurred in 1545, and Holinshed gives us the following short and pithy
account of the affair.
'After this, the eighteenth of Julie, the admerall of France, monsieur
Danebalte, hoised up sailes, and with his whole navie came forth into
the seas, and turned on the coast of Sussex before Bright Hampsteed;
and set certein of his soldiers on land, to burne and spoile the
countrie: but the beacons were fired, and the inhabitants thereabouts
came downe so thicke, that the Frenchmen were driven to flie with losse
of diverse of their numbers; so that they did little hurt there.'
[Illustration: ATTACK MADE BY THE FRENCH FLEET UPON BRIGHTHELMSTONE,
1545.]
The French then tried the Isle of Wight, and got the worst of it, so
returned to Sussex. 'The French Capteins having knowledge by certeine
fishermen, whom they tooke, that the King was present, and so huge
a power readie to resist them, they disanchored, and drew along the
coast of Sussex; and a small number of them landed againe in Sussex,
of whome, few returned to their ships: for diverse gentlemen of
the countrie, as sir Nicholas Pelham and others, with such power as
was raised upon the sudden, tooke them up by the waie, and quickelie
distressed them. When they had searched everie where by the coast, and
saw men still readie to receive them with battell, they turned sterne,
and so got them home againe without anie act acheived worthie to be
mentioned. The number of the Frenchmen was great, so that diverse of
them that were taken prisoners in the Ile of Wight, and in Sussex, did
report that they were three score thousand.'
This descent on Brighthelmstone is admirably shown in a water-colour
drawing on parchment in the MS. Department of the British Museum
(Cotton MSS., Aug. 1, vol. i. 18), which measures 3 feet by 2 feet; it
is here reproduced. A tracing of it was engraved in 'Archæologia,' vol.
xxiv., p. 298, as an illustration of a paper read by Sir Henry Ellis
before the Society of Antiquaries, April 14, 1831.
Here we find the town, _apparently_, just where it is now, with a
'felde in the midle of the towne,' but with some houses on the beach
opposite what is now Pool Valley, on the east side of which houses the
French are landing. The following are the explanations inserted in the
drawing:
'The Bekon of the Town.'
'The Wynde Mylles.'
'The towne of Brithampton.'
'Hoove Church.'
'Hove Village.'
'A felde in the midle of the Town.'
'The town Fyre Cage.'
'The Valley coming from Ponyng betwixt Brithampton and the village
Hove.'
'Upon this west parte may lond [ML over C] persons unletted by any
provisions there.'
'The east parte of Brithampston rising only on Cleves (cliffs) high.'
'Here landed the Galeys.'
'Shippes may ride all somer within di. a myle the towne in V fathome
water.'
'These grete Shippes ryding hard abord shore by shoting into the hille
and valies over the towne, so sore oppresse the towne that the Countrey
dare not adventure to reskue it.'
In consequence of this attack, Lee says that 'The town of
_Brighthelmston_, thus harassed by frequent alarm, and the desultory
attacks of an active enemy, resolved to erect fortifications, which
might afford them some protection in future. Accordingly, at a Court
Baron held for the manor of Brighthelmstone-Lewes, on the 27th of
September, 1558, the Lords of the manor granted to the inhabitants of
the town, a parcel of land on the cliff between Blacklyon street and
Ship street, and about two hundred and sixteen yards westward from the
lower end of East street, thirteen feet in length and sixteen feet
in breadth, to build thereon a storehouse for armour and ammunition,
afterwards called the _Blockhouse_. This parcel, however, was only part
of the site of that building; for, at a Court Baron held for the Manor
of _Atlyngworth_, on the 3rd day of January 1613, the homage presented
that the north side of the said building stood on the demesne lands of
that manor. The _Blockhouse_, the walls of which were about eight feet
in thickness, and eighteen feet in height, was circular, and measured
50 feet in diameter. Several arched apartments in its thick walls were
repositories for the powder and other ammunition for the defence of the
town. In front of it, towards the sea, was a little battery called the
_Gun Garden_, on which were mounted four pieces of large iron ordnance.
Adjoining the _Blockhouse_, on the east, stood the _Townhouse_, with a
dungeon under it for the confinement of malefactors. From the summit of
this building rose a turret, on which the town clock was fixed.
'At the same time, with the _Blockhouse_, were erected four Gates
of freestone (three of which were arched) leading from the Cliff to
that part of the town which lay under it; _viz._ the _East-gate_ at
the lower end of _East-street_; the _Portal_, vulgarly miscalled
the _Porter's-gate_, which was less than any of the others, and
stood next the _East-gate_; the _Middle-gate_, opposite the end of
_Middle-street_, commonly called the _Gate of all nations_; and
the _West-gate_, which stood at the end of _West-street_. From the
_East-gate_, westward, there was, at the same time, a wall built about
fifteen feet high, and four hundred feet long, where the _Cliff_ was
most easy of ascent: and, from the termination of that wall, a parapet,
three feet high, was continued on the verge of the _Cliff_ to the
_West-gate_, with embrasures for cannon. The _Blockhouse_ was built
at the expense of the mariners of the town; but the gates and walls
seem to have been erected partly, if not wholly, at the expense of
Government.
'The upland part of the town, thus effectually secured on the south,
might also, in case of any emergency, be rendered pretty secure on
its three other sides, by cutting trenches at the ends of the streets
which led into the town; or barring the enemy's entrance with lumber
carriages and household furniture, while the inhabitants annoyed them
from every quarter.'
From 1545 to 1586 Brighthelmstone lived in peace; but when rumours
of the Spanish Armada, which was in preparation, began to be bruited
about, the town's folk had a scare, for a fleet of fifty vessels were
descried off the town, apparently waiting for a favourable opportunity
of landing. The terrified inhabitants lit the beacons, and sent off,
post haste, to Lord Buckhurst, the Lord Lieutenant of the county, for
assistance and protection. His lordship immediately attended with as
many armed men as he could hurriedly muster, and posted them on the
brow of the cliff between Brighthelmstone and Rottingdean, so that he
might oppose the enemy should they try to land at either place. During
the ensuing night, his force increased to the number of 1,600 men, and
a considerable number of Kentish men were on their march to join him.
However, when morning dawned, the ships were still there, but no one on
board seemed to show any disposition to land; so a few boats belonging
to the town plucked up heart of grace, and ventured out a little way to
reconnoitre this fleet, when they discovered, to their very great joy,
that it only consisted of Dutch merchantmen, laden with Spanish wines,
detained in the Channel by contrary winds!
But at the end of July, 1558, when the Armada was an accomplished fact,
Brighthelmstone went to work in earnest to defend itself; and they then
had in the town belonging to the Government, six pieces of great iron
ordnance and ten 'qualivers.'[14] Luckily, they were not needed, and
after the memorable storms of 1703 and 1705 the sea so encroached, that
the _Blockhouse_ and Gun Garden, together with the walls and gates,
were sapped, and finally disappeared through stress of weather.
[Illustration: Decorative motif]
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Census, 1891.
[2] Earl of Surrey, son-in-law of William the Conqueror.
[3] A hide is an indeterminate quantity of land, varying from 20 to
4,000 acres. Eyton says it was a fiscal value, and not a superficial
quantity.
[4] As much land as eight oxen could plough in a season--80 to 144
acres.
[5] Peasants, not serfs.
[6] Lord Coke says they were 'Boors holding a little house, with some
land of husbandry, bigger than a cottage.'
[7] Manor.
[8] A perch of 16½ feet, or 5½ square yards.
[9] Haga was a house in a city or borough--some think a shop.
[10] Eight oxen.
[11] 'Ancient and Modern History of Lewes and Brighthelmstone,' etc.,
printed for W. Lee, the editor and proprietor, Lewes, 1795, p. 458.
[12] A foist was a light galley, a vessel propelled both by oars and
sails.
[13] Heavy ordnance, which, in the fifteenth century, could carry stone
balls of 200 lb. weight.
[14] Or caliver, a kind of harquebuse or musket--the lightest firearm,
except the pistol, and it was used without a rest.
[Illustration: Decorative panel]
CHAPTER II.
Escape of Charles II. to France--The story of it--The 'Royal
Escape'--Brighton in 1730--In 1736--In 1761--Forty-five different ways
of spelling the name of the town.
There is nothing particularly noteworthy with regard to Brighthelmstone
until we come to the embarkation of Charles II. in July, 1651, from
that place for France, the culmination of his wanderings after the
disastrous Battle of Worcester. There are several accounts of this
event, including one dictated by the King himself to Samuel Pepys;
but the one that is considered most reliable is Colonel Gounter's
narrative, a manuscript which was found in a secret drawer of an old
bureau, formerly in possession of the Gounter family, and purchased by
a Mr. Bartlett of Havant, when their old seat at Racton was dismantled
about the year 1830. It is now in the British Museum (Add. MSS.,
9,008), and is entitled, 'The last Act in the Miraculous Storie of His
M^{ties} Escape, being a true and perfect relation of his Conveyance,
through many obstacles and after many dangers, to a safe harbour
out of the reach of his tyrannical enemies. By Colonell Gounter, of
Rackton, in Sussex, who had the happines to be instrumentall in the
busines (as it was taken from his mouth by a person of worth, a little
before his death).'
The following is the portion relating to Brighthelmstone:
'When we were come to Beeding, a little village where I had provided a
treatment for the King (one Mr. Bagshall's house), I was earnest that
his majesty should stay there a while till I had viewed the coast;
but my Lord Wilmot would by no means, for fear of those soldiers, but
carried the King out of the road, I knew not whither; so we parted.
They where they thought safest, I to Brightemston, being agreed they
should send to me when fixed anywhere and ready.
'Being come to the said Brightemston, I found all clear there, and the
inn (the George) free from all strangers at that time. Having taken the
best room in the house, and bespoke my supper, as I was entertaining
myself with a glass of wine, the King, not finding accommodation to his
mind,[15] was come to the inn: and up comes mine host (one Smith by
name). "More guests," saith he to me. He brought them up into another
room, I taking no notice. It was not long, but, drawing towards the
King's room, I heard the King's voice, saying aloud to my lord Wilmot,
"Here, Mr. Barlow, I drink to you." "I know that name," said I to mine
host, now by me. "I pray inquire whether he was not a major in the
King's army." Which done, he was found to be the man whom I expected,
and presently invited (as was likely) to the fellowship of a glass of
wine.
'From that I proceeded, and made a motion to join company; and, because
my chamber was largest, that they would make use of it, which was
accepted, and, so, we became one company again.
'At supper, the King was cheerful, not shewing the least sign of fear
or apprehension of any danger, neither then, nor at any time during the
whole course of this business, which is no small wonder, considering
that the very thought of his enemies, so great and so many, so diligent
and so much interested in his ruin, was enough, as long as he was
within their reach; and, as it were, in the very midst of them, to have
daunted the stoutest courage in the world, as if God had opened his
eyes, as he did Elisha's servant at his master's request, and he had
seen an heavenly host round about him to guard him, which, to us, was
invisible; who, therefore, though much encouraged by his undauntedness
and the assurance of so good and glorious a cause, yet were not without
secret terrors within ourselves, and thought every minute, a day, a
month, till we should see his sacred person out of their reach.
'Supper ended, the King stood with his back against the fire, leaning
over a chair. Up came mine host (upon some jealousy, I guess, not my
certain knowledge); but up comes he, who called himself Gaius, runs
to the King, catcheth his hand, and kissing it, said, "It shall not be
said but I have kissed the best man's hand in England."
'He had waited at table at supper time, where the boatman also sat with
us, and were there present. Whether he had seen, or heard anything that
could give him any occasion of suspicion, I know not; in very deed,
the King had a hard task so to carry himself in all things, that he
might be in nothing like himself, majesty being so natural unto him,
that, even when he said nothing, did nothing, his very looks (if a man
observed) were enough to betray him.
'It was admirable to see how the King (as though he had not been
concerned in these words, which might have sounded in the ears of
another man as the sentence of death) turned about in silence, without
any alteration of countenance, or taking notice of what had been said.
'About a quarter of an hour after, the King went to his chamber, where
I followed him, craved his pardon with earnest protestation, that I
was as innocent, so altogether ignorant of the cause how this had
happened. "Peace, peace, colonel," said the King, "the fellow knows me,
and I him; he was one (whether so, or not, I know not, but so the King
thought at the time) that belonged to the back stairs to my father. I
hope he is an honest fellow."
'After this, I began to treat with the boatman (Tettersfield,[16] by
name), asking him in what readiness he was. He answered he could not be
off that night, because, for more security, he had brought his vessel
into creek, and the tide had forsaken it, so that it was on ground.
'It is observable, that all the while the business had been in
agitation to this very time, the wind had been contrary. The King, then
opening the window, took notice that the wind had turned, and told the
master of the ship; whereupon, because of the wind and a clear night, I
offered £10 more to the man to get off that night; but that could not
be: however, we agreed he should take in his company that night.
'But it was a great business that we had in hand, and God would have us
to know so, both by the difficulties that offered themselves, and, by
his help, he afforded to remove them.
'When we thought we had agreed, the boatman starts back, and saith,
no, except I would insure the bark. Argue it we did with him, how
unreasonable it was, being so well paid, etc., but to no purpose, so
that I yielded at last, and £200 was his valuation, which was agreed
upon.
'But then, as though he had been resolved to frustrate all by
unreasonable demands, he required my bond; at which, moved with much
indignation, I began to be as resolute as he; saying, among other
things, there were more boats to be had besides his; and, if he would
not act, another should, and made as though I would go to another.
'In this contest, the King happily interposed, "He saith right," (saith
his majesty), "A gentleman's word, especially before witnesses, is as
good as his bond." At last, the man's stomach came down, and carry them
he would, whatsoever came of it: and, before he would be taken, he
would run his boat under the water: so it was agreed that about two in
the night they should be aboard. The boatman, in the meantime, went
to provide necessaries, and I persuaded the King to take some rest; he
did, in his clothes, and my Lord Wilmot with him, till towards two of
the night. Then I called them up, shewing them how the time went by my
watch.
'Horses being led by the back way towards the beach, we came to the
boat and found all ready, so I took my leave, craving his majesty's
pardon if anything had happened through error, not want of will or
loyalty; how willingly I would have waited further, but for my family
(being many) which would want me, and I hoped his majesty would not,
not doubting but in a very little time he should be where he would.
'My only request to his majesty was, that he would conceal his
instruments; wherein their preservation was much concerned.
'His majesty promised nobody should know. I abided there, keeping the
horses in readiness in case anything unexpected had happened.
'At eight of the clock, I saw them on sail, and it was the afternoon
before they went out of sight.
'The wind (oh Providence) held very good till next morning, to ten of
the clock brought them to a place in Normandy, called Fackham,[17] some
three miles off Havre de Grace, Wednesday, Oct. 15.
'They were no sooner landed, but the wind turned, and a violent storm
did arise, insomuch that the boatman was forced to cut his cable, and
lost his anchor to save his boat, for which he required of me £8, and
had it.'[18]
On the King's restoration, Tattersal shared the fate of most of those
who had helped the King in his need; but he must have either had good
interest or was very pertinacious in his claim, for his coal-brig,
ornamented and enlarged, was taken into the Royal Navy as a fifth-rate,
under the name of the _Royal Escape_, and on September 4, 1671, the
Duke of York, as Lord High Admiral, appointed Tattersal to be her
captain (a sinecure post), with pay as such, and an extra pension of
£100 per annum. On August 29, 1672, the King granted the reversion
of this appointment to his son Nicholas, to take effect after the
death of Tattersal senior, which took place on May 20, 1674. He was
buried near the south side of Brighton Church, under a marble slab,
commemorative of his virtues. The _Royal Escape_ was for some years
moored off Whitehall; afterwards she was relegated to Deptford, where
she gradually decayed, and was broken up for firewood in 1791.
We get an account of Brighton in 1730 in 'Magna Britannia' (pp. 510
and 511), which states that it is 'an indifferent large and populous
town, chiefly inhabited by fishermen, and having a good Market weekly
on Thursday, and a Fair yearly. The Situation is very pleasant, and
generally accounted healthful; for, tho' it is bounded on the North
side by the _British Channel_, yet it is encompassed on the other Parts
with large Cornfields and fruitful Hills, which feed great Flocks of
Sheep, bearing Plenty of Wooll, which is thought by some concern'd in
the Woollen Manufacture, to be of the finest Sort in _England_....
About 90 Years ago, this Town was a very considerable Place for
Fishing, and in a flourishing Condition, being, then, one of the
principal Towns of the County, containing nearly six hundred Families;
but since the Beginning of the Civil Wars, it hath decay'd much for
want of a Free Fishery, and by very great Losses by Sea, their Shipping
being very often taken from them by the Enemy: Nay, it is the Opinion
of the most judicious Inhabitants that, had not Divine Providence in
a great Measure protected them by their Town being built low, and
standing on a flat Ground, the _French_ would several Times have quite
demolish'd it, as they had attempted to do; but the low Situation of
it prevented their doing it any considerable Damage, the Cannon Balls
usually flying over the Town; But the greatest Damage to the Buildings
has been done by the breaking in of the Sea, which, within these 40
Years, hath laid Waste above 130 Tenements; which Loss, by a modest
Computation, amounts to near £40,000; and, if some speedy Care be not
taken to stop the Encroachments of the Ocean, it is probable that the
Town will, in a few Years, be utterly depopulated; the Inhabitants
being already diminished one third less than they were, and those that
remain are many of them Widows, Orphans, decrepid Persons, and all very
poor; insomuch that the Rates for their Relief are at the Rack Rent
of 8^d in the Pound, for there are but few Charities given for their
Support.'
Groynes, however, were introduced early in the eighteenth century, with
such good effect as to do away with the above dismal apprehensions.
Indeed, it was beginning to be a place for visitors to come to for the
benefit of the bathing and sea-air, as we may see by the following
letter from the Rev. William Clarke (grandfather of the celebrated
traveller, Edward Daniel Clarke (1769-1822)), to his friend Mr.
Bowyer.[19]
'BRIGHTHELMSTONE,
'_July 22, 1736_.
'We are now sunning ourselves upon the beach at Brighthelmstone, and
observing what a tempting figure this Island made formerly in the eyes
of those gentlemen who were pleased to civilize and subdue us. The
place is really pleasant; I have seen nothing in its way that outdoes
it. Such a tract of sea; such regions of corn; and such an extent of
fine carpet, that gives your eye the command of it all. But then,
the mischief is that we have little conversation besides the _clamor
nauticus_, which is, here, a sort of treble to the plashing of the
waves against the cliffs. My morning business is bathing in the sea,
and then buying fish; the evening is riding out for air, viewing the
remains of old Saxon camps, and counting the ships in the road, and
the boats that are trawling.
'Sometimes we give the imagination leave to expatiate a little; fancy
that you are coming down, and that we intend to dine one day next
week at Dieppe in Normandy; the price is already fixed, and the wine
and lodging there tolerably good. But, though we build these castles
in the air, I assure you we live here _almost under ground_. I fancy
the architects here usually take the altitude of the inhabitants, and
lose not an inch between the head and the ceiling, and then dropping
a step or two below the surface: the second story is finished
something under 12 feet. I suppose this was a necessary precaution
against storms, that a man should not be blown out of his bed into New
England, Barbary, or God knows where.
'But, as the lodgings are _low_, they are cheap; we have _two
parlours_, _two bed chambers_, _pantry_, _etc._, for 5s. per week;
and if you will really come down you need not fear a bed of proper
dimensions.
'And, then, the coast is safe; the cannons all covered with rust and
grass; the ships moored, and no enemy apprehended. Come and see.'
Lee tells us that about 1736 the delightful situation of
Brighthelmstone began to attract some visitors of distinction as early
in the summer as the deep miry Sussex roads were in some way passable.
Hunting, horse-racing, and water-parties were then the chief, or
sole, attractions; and a few indifferent inns their only places of
accommodation.
But Dr. Richard Russell, having removed from Mailing, near Lewes, to
this town about the year 1750, called attention to the benefit of
sea-bathing, having written a treatise, which was translated into
English, and went through several editions--'De Tabe Glandulari,
sive de usu aquæ marinæ in morbis glandularum dissertatio,' Oxford,
1750, 8vo. This brought visitors to Brighthelmstone; the erection of
lodging-houses became a profitable speculation, and the town began to
increase in population and celebrity.
Dr. Russell's successor, Dr. A. Relhan, wrote, in 1761, 'A Short
History of Brighthelmston, with Remarks on its Air, and an Analysis of
its Waters, particularly of an uncommon Mineral one, long discovered,
though but lately used.' In this tract he thus describes the
Brighthelmstone of his time:
'The town, at present, consists of six principal streets, many lanes,
and some spaces surrounded with houses, called by the inhabitants
Squares. The great plenty of flint stones on the shore, and in the
cornfields near the town, enabled them to build the walls of their
houses with that material when in their most impoverished state; and
their present method of ornamenting the windows and doors with the
admirable brick which they burn for their own use, has a very pleasing
effect. The town improves daily, as the inhabitants, encouraged by the
late great resort of Company, seem disposed to expend the whole of what
they acquire in the erection of new buildings, or making the old ones
convenient. And, should the increase of these, in the next seven years,
be equal to what it has been in the last, it is probable there will be
but few towns in England that will exceed this in commodious buildings.
'Here are two public rooms, the one convenient, the other not only so,
but elegant; not excelled, perhaps, by any public room in England, that
of York excepted: and the attention of the proprietor in preparing
everything that may answer for the conveniency and amusement of the
company is extremely meritorious.
'The men of this town are busied almost the whole year in a succeeding
variety of fishing; and the women industriously dedicate part of their
time, disengaged from domestic cares, to the providing of nets adapted
to the various employments of their husbands.
'The spring season is spent in dredging for Oysters, which are mostly
bedded in the Thames and Medway, and, afterwards, carried to the
London market: the Mackerel fishery employs them during the months of
May, June, and July; and the fruits of their labour are always sent
to London; as Brighthelmston has the advantage of being its nearest
fishing sea coast, and the consumption of the place, and its environs,
is very inconsiderable. In the early part of this fishery, they
frequently take the red Mullet; and, near the close of it, abundance of
Lobsters and Prawns. August is engaged in the Trawl fishery, when all
sorts of flat fish are taken in a net called by that name. In September
they fish for Whiting with lines: and in November the Herring fishery
takes place, which is the most considerable and growing fishery of the
whole. Those employed in this pursuit show an activity and boldness
almost incredible, often venturing out to Sea in their little boats in
such weather as the largest ships can scarce live in. Part of their
acquisition in this way is sent to London, but the greatest share of
it is either pickled, or dried and made red. These are mostly sent to
foreign markets, making this fishery a national concern....
'From this account of the fishery of this town, the reader will be
satisfied that it must supply a constant and good article in provision
to the inhabitants. And although there are complaints made of the
inconveniences experienced in the want of a regular and daily market;
yet, as few who come here to take the waters can long want an appetite,
and as fish of different sorts, excellent mutton, beef, and veal
tolerably good, with all kinds of fowl, may be had in plenty twice
or thrice a week, the rarities of a London market may be resigned
unregretted for a few months.'
It is probable that very few towns have so many variations on their
names as Brighton, which modernized form began somewhere about 1775;
at least, that is the earliest date I have met with. F. E. Sawyer,
Esq., F.M.S., in an article on the 'Ecclesiastical History of Brighton'
in the 'Sussex Archæological Collections,' vol. xxix., pp. 182, 183,
gives forty-five different readings of the name, together with the
authorities whence they are derived, and he repeated them in _Notes and
Queries_, vi. S. ii. 376, with the dates of the authorities. They are
as follow:
{ston 1252 and 18th cent.
{stone 1340.
{eston 1415.
Brighthelm {estone 1460.
{iston 1616.
{yston 1535 and 1411.
{sted Camden.
Brighthelnisted 1616.
Brightehelmston 1621.
{lmeston 1440.
{lmiston 1616.
Brighte {lmyston _ib._
{elneston ?
{elniston 1616.
Brytthalmston 1340.
Brittelmston ?
{ {etune 1086.
{elm {estune _ib._
{ {eston ?
Brist { {estona Dugdale.
{alnerston 1292.
{halmestone ?
{helmstone ?
{ {pston 1509-14.
{hem {son 1628.
{ {sted 1629.
{ {stone 1609.
Bright {henstone 1509-14.
{Hampstead Stow.
{healmertun Saxon.
{on Modern.
Brighelm {ston 1292.
{eston 1397.
Brihtelmston 1438.
Brithelm {ston ?
{eston 1404.
Brythelmston 1397.
Bryst {elmstone 1438.
{helmeston ?
Brishelmeston ?
Brichelmston 1292.
Brett {Hempston 1637.
{hempstone _ib._
Bredhemston 1724.
Brogholmestune ?
[Illustration: Decorative panel]
FOOTNOTES:
[15] This hardly agrees with Lee's account (p. 475), who says he 'was
conducted at last to the house of a Mrs. Maunsell of Ovingdean, by Lord
Wilmot and Colonel Gunter.... At Ovingdean the King lay concealed for
a few days, as local tradition still relates, within a false wall or
partition, while his friends were contriving the best means for his
escape to France.'
[16] Tattersal.
[17] Fécamp.
[18] The spelling of the MS. has been modernized.
[19] 'The Brighton Ambulator,' by C. Wright, London, 1818, p. 25.
[Illustration: Decorative panel]
CHAPTER III.
Brighton becomes fashionable--Duke of Cumberland there--His
character--The Royal Marriage Act--His influence over the Prince of
Wales--The Duke and the King--Bad conduct of the Prince of Wales.
Brighton rapidly became fashionable, and we find the announcement
on June 1, 1761, of Lord Abergavenny, Lord Bruce, Mr. and Lady Jane
Evelyn, Lady Sophia Egerton, etc.; and on June 25, 1775, arrived here
the Duke and Duchess of Richmond, Duke and Duchess of Marlborough,
Ladies Caroline and Eliza Spencer, etc. In 1782 it was patronized by
Royalty, for the somewhat eccentric Princess Amelia Sophia Eleonora,
the second daughter of George II., paid the town a visit, and Henry
Frederick, brother to George III. and Duke of Cumberland, took up
his residence there at Grove House. An extract from a letter from
Brighthelmstone published in the _Morning Herald_, September 28, 1782,
describes the state of society there at that time:
'_Sep. 26._--This place is, at last, as full as an egg, but the company
is a motley groupe, I assure you. The Duke of C---- is at the head of
the whole, and condescendingly associates with all, from the _Baron_
down to the _Blackleg_!--_Play_ runs high, particularly at Whist;
his Royal Highness has touched a few hundreds by betting adverse to
Major B----gs, who, apparently, is not like to make a very profitable
campaign of it. We have every kind of amusement that fancy can desire
for the train of folly and dissipation; and all are crowded beyond
measure! _Barthelemon_ has had two or three _boreish concerts_ entirely
of _his own_ music, by which he has made much more than he merited.
Lady _Worsley_, who is among us, is the life and soul of _equestrian
parties_, riding _sixteen miles within the hour_ every morning with
all imaginable ease! Her Ladyship made a match the other day to ride
over our revived course for fifty guineas, p. or p. against her aide
du camp, Miss V----rs, and mounted her buckskins and half boots
accordingly; but, to the mortification of a great number of spectators,
who assembled to see this exhibition of _female jockeyship_, she
declared off at the moment they were expected to start! Few people
think of stirring from hence at present, so that it is probable we
shall have a jolly season till the staghounds come down, about the
middle of next month.'
This Duke of Cumberland (born 1744, died 1790) was the reverse of
estimable in character. He was a confirmed gambler, and never missed a
great horse-race when he was in England. In 1770 Lord Grosvenor brought
an action against him, and obtained £10,000 damages from him on account
of Lady G.; and in 1771 he married Lady Anne Luttrell, the widow of Mr.
Christopher Horton, of Derbyshire, a lady much older than himself.
This so enraged George III. that he forbade them the Court, and he
sent a message to Parliament, recommending a legislative provision for
preventing any of the Royal Family marrying without the consent of the
King. Hence arose The Royal Marriage Act (12 George III., c. xi.),
which was passed in 1772. By this Act none of the descendants of George
II., unless of foreign birth, can marry under the age of twenty-five
without the consent of the King. At and after that age, after twelve
months' notice given to the Privy Council, they may contract such
marriage, which shall be good unless both Houses of Parliament
disapprove. Walpole gives us a ballad on the Marriage Act, a few verses
of which I reproduce:
'THE MARRIAGE ACT NOT MADE BY THE LATE KING.
'A NEW BALLAD.
* * * * *
'The Duke was restored to his brother's high favour,
And continued, as usual, his wanton behaviour;
For adultery at Court was not thought an unfitness,
As a twice married maiden of honour can witness.
'But Hymen, indignant to see his laws broke,
Determined to bend the loose youth to his yoke;
So a votary true, a bright widow, he chose,
And the pert little Prince was soon caught in the noose.
'But, oh! all ye Gods, who inspire ballad-singers,
Ye Muses, with nine-times-ten ivory fingers,
I invoke ye to guide both my voice and my pen,
While I sing of the fury that seized King and Queen.
'King and Queen, when they heard how th'undutiful whelp
Had disgraced the great houses of Mecky and Guelp,
Swore and cried, curs'd and fainted, and calling for Bute,
Of your Luttrell connexion, cried George, see the fruit.
'This Irish alliance my projects all bilks,
I'd as lief he had married the daughter of Wilkes;
While to humour my mother and you I conspire,
I am out of the frying-pan into the fire.
* * * * *
'From the Duke's breach of duty, my act shall receive
The highest-flown doctrines of prerogative;
Plantagenets, Tudors, nay, Stuarts I'll quote,
And what law cannot prove, shall be proved by a vote.
'To marry, unmarry, son, brother, or heir,
Has been always his right, our good King shall declare;
Though as far from the truth as the north from the south,
It is not the first lie we have put in his mouth.
'They may burn and be damn'd, but they never shall marry:
George the Third as despotic, shall be, as Eighth Harry:
He shall cut off the heads of his sons and his spouses,
For we'll have no more war between red and white roses.'
* * * * *
The Duke was ultimately reconciled to the King, but, during the time of
his displeasure, the former was a very bad Mentor to the young Prince
of Wales, with whom he was most intimate to the day of his death. We
learn a great deal about them from Walpole. The following occurred in
1780, when the Prince was eighteen years old:[20] 'Two days afterwards
the Duke told me the Prince of Wales had said to him: "I cannot come to
see you now without the King's leave, but in three years I shall be of
age, and then I may act for myself. I will declare I will visit you."'
Again[21] (1781): 'But an event soon happened that changed that
aspect, and made Cumberland House naturally the headquarters of at
least part of the Opposition. The Duchess of Cumberland and the
Luttrells openly countenanced the amour of the Prince of Wales, and
Mrs. Armstead ... joined that faction, and set themselves in open
defiance of the King.
'The first project was to make a ball for the Prince at Cumberland
House; but the King forbad his servants going thither. The Duke then
made a great dinner for the Prince's servants, to which, as I have
said, the King would not permit them to go. The Duke was so enraged,
that he wrote a most insolent letter to the King, in which he told
him he would go abroad, for this country was not fit for a gentleman
to live in. The Duke, however, went to the Drawing-room again, and
continued to go, the Duchess having certainly told him that if he
absented himself he would lose his influence over the Prince of Wales.
'To the Queen's ball, as I have said, the Duke was not invited, yet
went to Court the next day. At that ball the Prince got drunk, which
threw him into a dangerous fever, but such a general irruption over
his whole face and body of the humours in his blood came out, that it
probably saved his life.
'At this moment the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester came to town from
Weymouth. The King, as usual, vented his complaints to the Duke of
Gloucester. The King told the Duke that though, on the reconciliation,
he had told the Duke of Cumberland that all his doors would be opened
to him, "yet," said the King, "he comes to the Queen's house fourteen
times a week to my son, the Prince, and passes by my door, but never
comes in to me; and, if he meets me there, or when we are hunting,
he only pulls off his hat, and walks, or rides away. I am ashamed,"
continued he, "to see my brother paying court to my son." The King
resented it, and, though he invited the principal persons who hunted,
to dinner, he never invited the Duke of Cumberland. The Prince of Wales
seemed to be very weak and feeble. He drank hard, swore, and passed
every night in----: such were the fruits of his being locked up in the
palace of piety!
'The King further informed the Duke of Gloucester of his brother
Cumberland's outrageous letter, and said, "He has forced himself every
day into my son's company, even when he was at the worst." The Duke
said he wondered his Majesty had suffered it. "I don't know," replied
the King, "_I do not care to part relations_."'
'_May 4, 1781._[22]--The conduct of the Prince of Wales began already
to make the greatest noise, and proved how very bad his education had
been, or, rather, that he had had little or none; but had only been
locked up, and suffered to keep company with the lowest domestics;
while the Duke of Montague, and Hurd, Bishop of Lichfield, had thought
of nothing but paying court to the King and Queen, and her German
women. The Prince drank more publicly in the Drawing room, and talked
there irreligiously and indecently, in the openest manner (both which
were the style of the Duchess of Cumberland). He passed the nights in
the lowest debaucheries, at the same time bragging of intrigues with
women of quality, whom he named publicly. Both the Prince and the Duke
talked of the King in the grossest terms, even in his hearing, as he
told the Duke of Gloucester, who asked him why he did not forbid his
son seeing his brother. The King replied that he feared the Prince
would not obey him.
'The Duke of Cumberland dropped that he meant by this outrageous
behaviour to force the King to yield to terms in favour of his Duchess,
having gotten entire command over the Prince. The latter, however, had
something of the duplicity of his grandfather, Prince Frederick, and,
after drawing in persons to abuse the King, would betray them to the
King. Nor in other respects did his heart turn to good. In his letters
to Mrs. Robinson, his mistress, he called his sister, the Princess
Royal, a poor child, "_that bandy-legged b--- h, my sister_;" and,
while he was talking of Lord Chesterfield in the most opprobrious
terms, he was sending courier after courier to fetch him to town. That
Lord's return produced a scene that divulged all that till now had been
only whispered.
'One night, as soon as the King was gone to bed, the Prince, with
St. Leger and Charles Windham, his chief favourites, and some of his
younger servants, the Duke of Cumberland, and George Pitt, son of Lord
Rivers, went to Blackheath to sup with Lord Chesterfield, who, being
married, would not consent to send for the company the Prince required.
They all got immediately drunk, and the Prince was forced to lie down
on a bed for some time. On his return, one of the company proposed as
a toast, "_A short reign to the King_." The Prince, probably a little
come to himself, was offended, rose and drank a bumper to "_Long
live the King_." The next exploit was to let loose a large fierce
house-dog, and George Pitt, of remarkable strength, attempted to tear
out its tongue. The dog broke from him, wounded Windham's arm, and
tore a servant's leg. At six in the morning, when the Prince was to
return, Lord Chesterfield took up a candle to light him, but was so
drunk that he fell down the steps into the area, and, it was thought,
had fractured his skull. That accident spread the whole history of the
debauch, and the King was so shocked that he fell ill on it, and told
the Duke of Gloucester that he had not slept for ten nights, and that
whenever he fretted, the bile fell on his breast. As he was not ill
on any of the disgraces of the war, he showed how little he had taken
them to heart. Soon after this adventure, the King being to review a
regiment on Blackheath, Lord Chesterfield offered him a breakfast, but
the late affair had made such a noise that he did not think it decent
to accept it.
'FOR THE "PUBLIC ADVERTISER," 1782.
MODERN WIT--(BLACKHEATH).
'Drink _like_ a Lord, and _with_ him, if you will.
Deep be the bumper: let no liquor spill;
No _daylight_ in the glass, though through the night
You soak your senses till the morning light;
Then stupid rise, and with the rising sun
Drive the high car, a second _Phaeton_.
Let these exploits your fertile wit evince:
_Drunk as a Lord, and happy as a Prince!_'
'_Nov. 28, 1781._[23]--The Duke of Gloucester had come to town, as
usual, on the opening of Parliament, and stayed five days, in which
he was three times with the King, who, as if he had not used the Duke
ill, opened his mind to him on his son, the Prince of Wales, and his
own brother, the Duke of Cumberland, the latter of whom, he said,
was governed by Charles Fox and Fitzpatrick, and governed the Prince
of Wales, whom they wanted to drive into opposition. "When we hunt
together," said the King, "neither my son nor my brother speak to me;
and, lately, when the chace ended at a little village where there was
but a single post chaise to be hired, my son and brother got into it,
and drove to London, leaving me to go home in a cart, if I could find
one." He added, that when at Windsor, where he always dined at three,
and in town at four, if he asked the Prince to dine with him, he always
came at four at Windsor, and in town at five, and all the servants saw
the father waiting an hour for the son. That since the Court was come
to town, the Duke of Cumberland carried the Prince to the lowest places
of debauchery, where they got dead drunk, and were often carried home
in that condition.'
[Illustration: GEORGE IV. AS PRINCE OF WALES, 1 FEB. 1782.]
'_Feb. 20, 1782._[24]--The hostilities of the Prince of Wales were
supposed to be suggested by his uncle, the Duke of Cumberland, who
had now got entire influence over him. The Prince, though, at first,
he did not go openly to her, frequently supped with the Duchess of
Cumberland; and, in a little time, they openly kept a faro bank for
him--not to their credit; and the Duke of Cumberland even carried
bankers and very bad company to the Prince's apartments in the Queen's
house. This behaviour was very grating to the King, and the offences
increased. The Duke of Cumberland twice a day passed by the King's
apartment to his nephew's, without making his bow to his Majesty; and
the brothers, at last, ceased to speak. On hunting-days the Duke was
not asked to dine with the King. He returned this by instilling neglect
into his nephew. The King complained of this treatment to the Duke of
Gloucester, who asked why he bore it. "What can I do?" said the King;
"if I resent it, they will make my son leave me, and break out, which
is what they wish."
'But it was not long before the folly and vulgarity of the Duke of
Cumberland disgusted the Prince. His style was so low that, alluding
to the Principality of Wales, the Duke called his nephew _Taffy_.
The Prince was offended at such indecent familiarity, and begged it
might not be repeated--but in vain. Soon after, Mr. Legge, one of the
Prince's gentlemen, and second son of the Earl of Dartmouth, growing a
favourite, inflamed the Prince's disgusts; and the coolness increasing,
the Duke of Cumberland endeavoured to counteract the prejudice by
calling Legge to the Prince "Your _Governor_"--but as the Governor had
sense, and the uncle none, Legge's arrows took place, the others did
not. Yet, though the Prince had too much pride to be treated vulgarly,
he had not enough to disuse the same style. Nothing was coarser than
his conversation and phrases; and it made men smile to find that in
the palace of piety and pride his Royal Highness had learned nothing
but the dialect of footmen and grooms. Still, if he tormented his
father, the latter had the comfort of finding that, with so depraved
and licentious a life, his son was not likely to acquire popularity.
Nor did he give symptoms of parts, or spirit, or steadiness. A tender
parent would have been afflicted--a jealous and hypocritic father might
be vexed, but was consoled too.'
One more quotation from Walpole,[25] which shows us the Prince of Wales
after he had attained his eighteenth year, when he had his own suite of
apartments in the Queen's House (now Buckingham Palace):
'_Feb., 1781._--A new scene now began to open, which drew most of the
attention of the public, at least of the town. Since the family of
the Prince of Wales had been established, and that he was now past
eighteen, it was impossible to confine him entirely. As soon as the
King went to bed, the Prince and his brother Prince Frederick went to
their mistresses, or to----. Prince Frederick, who promised to have
the most parts, and had an ascendant over his brother, was sent abroad
on that account, and thereby had an opportunity of seeing the world,
which would only make him more fit to govern his brother (contrary to
the views of both King and Queen) or the nation, if his brother should
fail, and which was not improbable.
'The Prince of Wales was deeply affected with the scrofulous humour
which the Princess of Wales had brought into the blood, and which
the King kept down in himself by the most rigorous and systematical
abstinence. The Prince, on the contrary, locked up in the palace,
and restrained from the society of women, had contracted a habit of
private drinking, and this winter the humour showed itself in blotches
all over his face. His governor, the Duke of Montague, was utterly
incapable of giving him any kind of instruction, and his preceptor,
Bishop Hurd, was only a servile pedant, ignorant of mankind. The Prince
was good-natured, but so uninformed that he often said, "I wish anybody
would tell me what to do; nobody gives me any instructions for my
conduct." He was prejudiced against all his new servants, as spies set
on him by the King, and showed it by never speaking to them in public.
His first favourite had been Lord Malden, son of the Earl of Essex, who
had brought about his acquaintance with Mrs. Robinson.'
[Illustration: Decorative motif]
FOOTNOTES:
[20] 'Journal of the Reign of King George the Third, from the Year 1771
to 1783,' by Horace Walpole, London, 1859, vol. ii., p. 416.
[21] _Ibid._, p. 449.
[22] Walpole, vol. ii., p. 457.
[23] Walpole, vol. ii., p. 480.
[24] Walpole, vol. ii., p. 502.
[25] Vol. ii., p. 446.
[Illustration: Decorative panel]
CHAPTER IV.
Mrs. Robinson--Her story of Florizel and Perdita--Her
after-career--Coming of age of the Prince of Wales--His new
establishment--His first visit to Brighton--His and Colonel Hanger's
adventure.
Who was this Mrs. Robinson? She was of Irish extraction, and was born
in Bristol in 1758. In 1774 she married an attorney's clerk, named
Robinson; and, owing to pecuniary difficulties, she went on the stage,
appearing at Drury Lane as Juliet on December 10, 1770, a part for
which her fascinating beauty well fitted her. On December 3, 1779,
Garrick's adaptation of Shakespeare's _Winter's Tale_ was produced by
royal command, and Mrs. Robinson appeared in the part of Perdita. It
was then that she was seen and admired by the Prince of Wales. Let her
tell her own story as to that night, and what came of it.
'The play of the Winter's Tale was, this season, commanded by their
Majesties. I never had performed before the royal family; and the first
character in which I was destined to appear was that of Perdita. I had
frequently played the part, both with the Hermione of Mrs. Hartley and
of Miss Farren: but I felt a strange degree of alarm when I found my
name announced to perform it before the royal family.
'In the green-room I was rallied on the occasion; and Mr. Smith,
whose gentlemanly manners and enlightened conversation rendered him
an ornament to the profession, who performed the part of Leontes,
laughingly exclaimed, "By Jove, Mrs. Robinson, you will make a conquest
of the Prince; for to-night you look handsomer than ever." I smiled at
the unmerited compliment, and little foresaw the vast variety of events
that would arise from that night's exhibition!
'As I stood in the wing opposite the Prince's box, waiting to go on the
stage, Mr. Ford, the manager's son, and now a respectable defender of
the laws, presented a friend who accompanied him; this friend was Lord
Viscount Malden, now Earl of Essex.
'We entered into conversation during a few minutes, the Prince of
Wales all the time observing us, and frequently speaking to Colonel
(now General) Lake, and to the Honourable Mr. Legge, brother to Lord
Lewisham, who was in waiting on his Royal Highness. I hurried through
the first scene, not without much embarrassment, owing to the fixed
attention with which the Prince of Wales honoured me. Indeed, some
flattering remarks which were made by his Royal Highness met my ear as
I stood near his box, and I was overwhelmed with confusion.
'The Prince's particular attention was observed by everyone, and I was
again rallied at the end of the play. On the last curtsey, the royal
family condescendingly returned a bow to the performers; but, just as
the curtain was falling, my eyes met those of the Prince of Wales; and
with a look that I _never shall forget_, he gently inclined his head a
second time; I felt the compliment, and blushed my gratitude.
'During the entertainment Lord Malden never ceased conversing with me:
he was young, pleasing, and perfectly accomplished. He remarked the
particular applause which the Prince had bestowed on my performance;
said a thousand civil things; and detained me in conversation till the
evening's performance was concluded.
'I was now going to my chair, which waited, when I met the royal family
crossing the stage. I was again honoured with a very marked and low bow
from the Prince of Wales. On my return home, I had a party to supper;
and the whole conversation centred in encomiums on the person, graces,
and amiable manners of the illustrious Heir apparent.
'Within two or three days of this time, Lord Malden made me a morning
visit. Mr. Robinson was not at home, and I received him rather
awkwardly. But his Lordship's embarrassment far exceeded mine. He
attempted to speak,--paused, hesitated, apologized; I knew not why. He
hoped I would pardon him; that I would not mention something he had
to communicate; that I would consider the peculiar delicacy of his
situation, and then act as I thought proper. I could not comprehend his
meaning, and therefore requested he would be explicit.
'After some moments of evident rumination, he tremblingly drew a small
letter from his pocket. I took it, and knew not what to say. It was
addressed to PERDITA. I smiled, I believe, rather sarcastically, and
opened the billet. It contained only a few words, but those expressive
of more than common civility: they were signed FLORIZEL.
'"Well, my lord, and what does this mean?" said I, half angrily.
'"Can you not guess the writer?" said Lord Malden.
'"Perhaps yourself, my lord," cried I, gravely.
'"Upon my honour, no," said the Viscount. "I should not have dared so
to address you on so short an acquaintance."
'I pressed him to tell me from whom the letter came. He again
hesitated; he seemed confused, and sorry that he had undertaken to
deliver it.
'"I hope I shall not forfeit your good opinion," said he; "but----"
'"But what, my lord?"
'"I could not refuse--for the letter is from the Prince of Wales."
'I was astonished; I confess that I was agitated; but I was, also,
somewhat sceptical as to the truth of Lord Malden's assertion. I
returned a formal and a doubtful answer, and his lordship shortly after
took his leave.'
It is not worth while pursuing the details of this woman's fall; she
says her husband was neglectful of her, and unfaithful; and, besides,
the Prince gave her a bond for £20,000, payable when he came of age.
He soon tired of her, and terminated the connection in 1781. The lady
seems to have been far from inconsolable, for in 1782 she was under
the protection of Colonel Tarleton, and a caricature, said to be by
Gillray, called 'The Thunderer' (August 20, 1782), thus shows the then
situation.
The engraving shows a dragoon officer (Colonel Tarleton) standing
before the door of the 'Whirligig' Chop-house, with a drawn sword,
boasting his wondrous feats of arms. Beside him stands a figure having
a plume of three feathers instead of a head (the Prince of Wales). The
sign, the 'Whirligig,' is Mrs. Robinson. The _Morning Post_, September
21, 1782, says: 'Yesterday, a messenger arrived in town, with the very
interesting and pleasing intelligence of the Tarleton, armed ship,
having, after a chace of some months, captured the Perdita frigate,
and brought her safe into Egham port. The Perdita is a prodigious fine
clean bottomed vessel, and had taken many prizes during her cruize,
particularly the Florizel, a most valuable ship belonging to the Crown,
but which was immediately released, after taking out the cargo. The
Perdita was captured some time ago by the Fox, but was, afterwards,
retaken by the Malden, and had a sumptuous suit of new rigging, when
she fell in with the Tarleton. Her manœuvring to escape was admirable;
but the Tarleton, fully determined to take her, or perish, would not
give up the chace; and at length, coming alongside the Perdita, fully
determined to board her, sword in hand, she instantly surrendered at
discretion.'
The scandal about her being connected with Fox has, I think, no
foundation in fact. He was infatuated with Mrs. Armstead, who
afterwards became his wife; and the foundation for the rumour was,
probably, that Fox was the agent from the Prince to negotiate the
return of the £20,000 bond from Perdita, which he succeeded in
effecting, on condition that she was paid an annuity of £500 for
life. Still, the caricaturist T. Colley gives us (December 17, 1782),
'Perdito and Perdita, or the Man and Woman of the People,' which shows
Mrs. Robinson driving Fox in her chariot. This must have been a very
smart affair, if we may trust a newspaper cutting of 1782.
'_Dec. 4._--Mrs. Robinson now sports a carriage, which is the
admiration of all the _charioteering_ circles in the vicinity of St.
James's; the body Carmelite and silver, ornamented with a French
mantle, and the cypher in a wreath of flowers: the carriage scarlet
and silver, the seat-cloth richly ornamented with silver fringe. Mrs.
Robinson's livery is green, faced with yellow, and richly trimmed with
broad silver lace; the harness ornamented with stars of silver, richly
chased and elegantly finished. The inside of the carriage is lined with
white silk, embellished with scarlet trimmings.'
The _Morning Herald_, June 16, 1783, says: 'The _Perdita's_ new
_vis-a-vis_ is said to be the aggregate of a few stakes laid at
Brooke's, which the competitors were not able to decide. Mr. _Fox_
therefore proposed that as it could not be better applied than to the
above purpose, that the _Perdita_ should be presented with an elegant
carriage. The ill-natured call it _Love's Last Stake_, or The Fools of
Fashion.'
It is not worth while following her career until her death on December
26, 1800; and, indeed, unconnected as she was with the Prince and
Brighton, the episode would not have been introduced were it not to
tell the story of how the Prince got the name of Florizel, which stuck
to him all his life.
The Prince came of age on August 12, 1783, but there were no great
festivities over the event. The Court was quiet, because the Queen had
just been confined, and the account we have of the doings at Windsor
are very meagre. The _Morning Chronicle_ of August 14 tells us that--
'_Windsor, 13 Aug._--Yesterday, being the day on which his Royal
Highness George, Prince of Wales, came of age, the same was observed,
at this place, with every demonstration of joy, as far as could
be consistent with the situation of Her Majesty. The Prince came
down about eight in the morning, waited upon the King, with whom
he breakfasted, and received the compliments from his brothers and
sisters, the Duke of Cumberland, Duke of Montague, Lord Aylesbury, etc.
After breakfast, his Highness retired to his own apartments, and, at
noon, had a Levee; Colonel Dalrymple, with all the officers belonging
to the regiment, were introduced to the Prince, and gave him joy of the
day. Several of the nobility and gentry around the country waited upon
his Royal Highness, and were very politely received.
'The Prince had ordered a dinner for his own suite, from Clode's, at
the White Hart, and had a turtle dressed in London, which was brought
down by Weltje, of St. James's Street. His Royal Highness dined with
his Majesty, three of his brothers, five of his sisters, the Duke of
Montague, Lord Aylesbury, and Lady Charlotte Finch. After the cloth was
removed, and a few glasses had gone round, the Prince went to his own
apartments, and sat for some time with Lord Southampton, Lord Lewisham,
Lord Boston, Lord Chewton and the rest of his suite. His Majesty
went upon the Terrace at half past six; the Prince of Wales and his
attendants soon followed. It is said, more genteel company scarce ever
met on that spot.
'The Duchess of Ancaster, Lady Ferrers, the beautiful Miss Hudson, and
a variety of women of rank, did honour to the day. It was quite dark
before the company retired from the Terrace. The Duke of Queensbury
joined his Royal Highness and his suite. The carriages were so numerous
that they filled both Castle Yards.'
There were illuminations at Windsor and in London, where His Royal
Highness's tradesmen and the Hon. Artillery Company (of which he was
Captain-General) held good cheer; but it was felt that the coming of
age had not been celebrated in a sufficiently national style, and a
fête later on was talked of, which never came to pass. Perhaps the
Prince's character had something to do with it, for the _Morning
Herald_ of August 15 says: 'The broad faced dissipation of a certain
young gentleman, gives the most general disgust. Extravagance in the
_extreme_, but ill suits the present state of the British empire.' They
were outspoken in those days!
The Prince is now launched in life. He is Colonel of the 10th Light
Dragoons, has £50,000 per annum allowed him by Parliament, and the
revenues of the Duchy of Cornwall, about £13,000 more. He has Carlton
House fitting up for him; he is his own master, being no longer under
paternal control, and his soul yearns towards his _âme damnée_, the
Duke of Cumberland. This Prince was at Brighthelmstone, and thither
Florizel went. Every authority but one says that the Prince of Wales
paid a visit to the Duke in 1782; but I think that the one which has
not slavishly copied from other sources is right, for two reasons:
first, that in 1782 he was under strict paternal control, and could
stir nowhere without his governor, and a visit to that uncle whom the
King so disliked was the last thing to be thought of; and, secondly,
we see (on p. 28) in the description of Brighton in 1782, 'The Duke of
C. is at the head of the whole.' If the heir to the throne had been
there, the Duke would have taken 'a back seat,' and the papers would
have given due prominence to the visit; and therefore I incline to the
opinion that, since the days of his childhood, his first visit to the
watering-place he afterwards made so famous was in September, 1783,
on which occasion the town was illuminated and there was a display of
fireworks. During his stay of eleven days, he hunted, went to a ball,
and to the theatre, besides the ordinary amusements of the place. In
fact, his visit seems so to have impressed him, that from that date he
made Brighthelmstone his abiding-place for, at least, a portion of the
year. Huish,[26] however, gives another version for his liking for the
place:
'The Prince had now begun to manifest that predilection for Brighton,
which induced him at a future period to make that town his residence.
The report, however, which was current at the time, and which is
actually founded on truth, goes so far as to state, that it was neither
the marine views, nor the benefit of change of air, nor the salubrity
of the place, which possessed, in the eyes of his Royal Highness, at
this time, any great attractions; but that he was drawn thither by
the angelic figure of a sea nymph, whom he, one day, encountered
reclining on one of the groins on the beach. In this amour, however,
his Royal Highness was completely the dupe. As far as personal charms
extended, Charlotte Fortescue was of "the first order of fine forms";
but, as far as mental qualifications were to be considered, she was
one of the most illiterate and ignorant of human beings. In artifice
and intrigue she was unparalleled; and, withal, she knew how to throw
such an air of simplicity and innocence over her actions, as would have
deceived even a greater adept than his Royal Highness, in the real
nature of her character. She soon discovered the exalted station of the
individual whom she believed she had captivated by her charms; and, on
the principle that the thing is of little value which is cheaply or
easily obtained, she, for a time, frustrated every attempt of his Royal
Highness to obtain a private interview with her. She kept her residence
a complete secret, and, for some days, she was neither seen nor heard
of. On a sudden, she would make her appearance, and then, suffused in
tears, would speak of her approaching marriage, and her consequent
departure from the country; and could that idea be borne by her royal
lover? Heaven and earth were to be moved to avert such a direful
calamity; a regular elopement was proposed, and, in order to give the
affair a highly romantic air, it was arranged that the dress of a
footman was to be procured for the beautiful fugitive, and that the
Prince was to have a postchaise in waiting a few miles on the London
road, to bear away his valuable prize. There is, however, an old adage
which says, that much falls between the cup and the lip, and, in this
instance, the truth of it was fully confirmed. The hour was anxiously
looked for which was to bring the lovers into the undisturbed society
of each other; but, as the Prince was dressing for dinner, the arrival
of George Hanger, who had just then begun his career of eccentricity
and profligacy in the fashionable circles, was announced. The Prince
invited him to dine; excusing himself, however, at the same time, for
the early hour at which he would be obliged to leave him, as he had
most important business to transact that night in the metropolis.
Dinner being over, the Prince inquired the business which had brought
his visitor to Brighton in so unexpected a manner.
'"A hunt, a hunt, your Royal Highness," said Hanger, "I am in chace of
a d----d fine girl, whom I met with at Mrs. Simpson's in Duke's Place;
and, although I have taken private apartments for her in St. Anne's
East, yet the hussy takes it into her head every now and then to absent
herself for a few days; and I have now been given to understand that
she is carrying on some intrigue with a _fellow_ in this place. Let me
but catch him, and I will souse him over head and ears in the ocean."
'The Prince now inquired what kind of a lady he was in pursuit of;
and, by the description given, he doubted not for a moment, that the
lady with whom he was to elope that very evening, on account of her
approaching marriage, was the identical lady who had eloped from the
protection of his visitor, and he began to consider how he could
extricate himself with the best possible grace from the dilemma in
which he was involved. That he was a dupe to the artifices of a
cunning, designing girl, was now apparent to him; and, therefore, it
would be his greatest pride and joy to outwit her. He, therefore,
disclosed the whole of his intrigue with the runaway, and it was
resolved that Hanger should put on one of the coats in which she was
accustomed to see her royal lover, and take his seat in the chaise,
instead of the Prince. The whole affair was well managed; the Prince
remained at Brighton; Hanger bore off his lady to London, not a little
chagrined at such an unexpected termination of her romantic elopement;
but not many months elapsed before the lady gained an opportunity of
repaying the Prince tenfold for the trick which he had played her.'
[Illustration: Decorative motif]
FOOTNOTES:
[26] 'Memoirs of George IV.,' by Robert Huish, 8vo., vol. i., p. 80;
London, 1831.
[Illustration: Decorative panel]
CHAPTER V.
Memoir of, and anecdotes about, George Hanger.
The Hon. George Hanger (afterwards the fourth and last Lord Coleraine)
was at one time an especial friend of the Prince. He was educated
at Eton and Göttingen, and was for some little time an officer in
the first regiment of foot guards, which regiment he soon left in
disgust at someone being promoted over his head. He then received
an appointment from the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel as Captain in the
Hessian Jäger Corps, then serving in America, and he was with this
corps throughout the war. He, afterwards (in 1782), was made a Major
in Tarleton's Light Dragoons, which was disbanded the following year,
and he retired on half-pay. It was then that he joined the Prince's
set, and received the appointment of equerry at a salary of £300 per
annum, and this, combined with raising recruits for the East India
Company, enabled him for a time to vie with the jovial crew with which
he associated. But evil days fell upon him, and he dwelt in the
King's Bench Prison from June 2, 1798, to April, 1799, and in 1800
set up for a time as a coal-merchant, and was nicknamed the Knight of
the Black Diamond. He appears in many of Gillray's caricatures, but
the most savage pictorial satire on him (by Cruickshank) was issued
with the _Scourge_ for November 2, 1812, where he is represented as
a tall, full-faced man, wearing a long drab-coloured coat with a
cape, and a star upon his right breast. Each of his arms encircles a
gin-drinking old woman, and at his feet, one of which is cloven like
a satyr's, sprawls a young woman who applies a bottle to her lips. A
dandy, standing near, inspects the scene through his quizzing glass,
and observes: 'Hang her! She's quite drunk.' A label issuing from the
mouth of the principal person makes him observe: 'As for me, my name is
sufficient; I am known by the title of the Paragon of Debauchery, and I
only claim to be the [Prince]s _Confidential Friend_.' The letterpress
description of the caricature contains the following illustrative
paragraph:
[Illustration: GEORGEY IN THE COAL-HOLE.]
'A tall, strapping-looking person, shabbily, but buckishly attired,
with a peculiar cast of countenance, now stepped forward, and cried
out, "My _name_ is sufficient. Whoever has heard of ---- must know that
I am without a rival in the annals of debauchery. I claim no higher
honour than to be my _Prince's friend_."'
On the death of his brother, on December 11, 1814, he succeeded to the
title of Lord Coleraine, but he never assumed the title, and disliked
being addressed by it. On his death, unmarried, on March 31, 1824, at
the age of seventy-three, the barony of Coleraine became extinct.
Huish tells several stories about Hanger.[27] 'It is well known that
the above-mentioned person was the particular companion of his late
Majesty, when Prince of Wales, and many of the youthful improprieties
which he committed were ascribed, by the King, to the company which he
kept; and, particularly, to the society of Sheridan and Major Hanger.
On a particular occasion, when the latter was raising recruits, the
King, hearing that the Prince was taken from place to place, by him
and others in high life, collecting mobs, and throwing money to them
in large quantities, for the sake of creating the fun of seeing a
scramble, and other worse purposes, he, with much feeling, exclaimed,
"D--n Sherry, and I must hang--hang--Hanger, for they will break my
heart, and ruin the hopes of my country."'
The following will be read as a rich treat to the lovers of fun and
mischief: it shows the extraordinary gaiety of the Prince of Wales's
disposition, and the familiar manner in which he lived with his
companions:
It was at the celebration of her Majesty's birthday, 1782, that Major
Hanger made his first appearance at Court; and it may be said to have
been a début which proved a source of infinite amusement to all who
were present, and to no one more so than the Prince of Wales, who
was no stranger to the singularity of his character, and the general
eccentricity of his actions. Being a Major in the Hessian service,
he wore his uniform at the ball, which was a short blue coat with
gold frogs, with a belt, unusually broad, across his shoulders, from
which his sword depended. This dress, being a little particular, when
compared with the full-trimmed suits of velvet and satin about him,
though, as professional, strictly conformable to the etiquette of the
Court, attracted the notice of his Majesty and his attendants; and
the buzz, 'Who is he?' 'Whence does he come?' etc., etc., was heard
in all parts of the room. Thus he became the focus of attraction,
and especially when the contrast presented itself of his selecting
the beautiful Miss Gunning as his partner. He led her out to dance
a minuet, but when, on the first crossing of his lovely partner, he
put on his hat, which was of the largest Kevenhüller kind, ornamented
with two large black and white feathers, the figure which he cut was
so truly ridiculous and preposterous, that even the gravity of his
Majesty could not be restrained: the grave faces of the Ministers
relaxed into a smile, and the Prince of Wales was actually thrown
into a convulsive fit of laughter. There was such an irresistible
provocation to risibility in the _tout ensemble_ of his appearance and
style of movement, that his fair partner was reluctantly obliged to
lose sight of good manners, and could scarcely finish the minuet; but
Hanger himself joined in the laugh which was raised at his expense,
and thereby extricated his partner from her embarrassment. This is,
perhaps, the first time that the _pas grave_ of a minuet has been
considered as a mighty good jest, but there are moments when even the
most serious circumstances serve only to produce a comic effect.
The Major now stood up to dance a country dance, but here his
motions were so completely antic, and so much resembling those of a
mountebank, that he totally discomfited his partner, put the whole set
into confusion, and excited a degree of laughter throughout the room
such as had never before been witnessed in a royal drawing-room.
On the following day the subject of the Major's ludicrous début at
Court became the topic of conversation at the convivial board at
Carlton House, when the Prince proposed that a letter should be
written to the Major, thanking him in the name of the company which
had assembled in the drawing-room, for the pleasure and gratification
which he had afforded them. The joke was considered a good one. Writing
materials were ordered, and the Prince himself indited the following
letter, which was copied by Sheridan, with whose handwriting the Major
was unacquainted:
'ST. JAMES'S STREET,
'_Sunday morning_.
'The Company who attended the Ball on Friday last, at S^t James's,
present their compliments to Major Hanger, and return their unfeigned
thanks for the variety with which he enlivened the insipidity
of that evening's entertainment. The _gentlemen_ want words to
describe their admiration of the truly grotesque and humourous
figure which he exhibited: and the _ladies_ beg leave to express
their acknowledgements for the lively and animated emotions that his
stately, erect, and perpendicular form could not fail to excite in
their delicate and susceptible bosoms. His gesticulations and martial
deportment were truly admirable, and have raised an impression that
will not be soon effaced at S^t James's.'
This letter produced a highly humorous scene, which often excited a
laugh when the Prince related it to his guests, as one of the most
humorous which had occurred to him during his life.
On the day subsequent to the receipt of this letter, the Prince
purposely invited George Hanger to dine at Carlton House, and it formed
part of the plot of his Royal Highness, that Sheridan should not be
invited. After dinner the conversation turned, designedly, upon the
leading circumstances of the late ball; and, on the Prince ironically
complimenting the Major on the serious effect which his appearance must
have had on the hearts of the ladies, he, in a very indignant manner,
drew from his pocket the letter which he had received, declaring
that it was a complete affront upon him, and that the sole motive of
the writer was to insult him, and turn him into ridicule. The Prince
requested permission to read the letter, and, having perused it, he
fully coincided in the opinion of the Major, that no other motive could
have actuated the writer than to offer him the greatest affront.
The Major's anger rose. 'Blitz und Hölle!' he exclaimed; 'if I could
discover the writer he should give me immediate satisfaction.'
'I admire your spirit,' said the Prince; 'how insulting to talk of your
grotesque figure.'
'And then to turn your stately, erect and perpendicular form into
ridicule,' said Mr. Fox.
'And to talk of your gesticulations,' said Captain Morris.
'Sapperment!' exclaimed the Major, 'but the writer shall be
discovered.'
'Have you not the slightest knowledge of the handwriting?' asked the
Prince; 'the characters are, I think, somewhat familiar to me. Allow me
to peruse the letter again.' The letter was handed to the Prince. 'I am
certain that I am not mistaken,' he said; 'this is the handwriting of
that mischievous fellow, Sheridan.'
'Sheridan!' exclaimed the Major. 'Impossible--it cannot be!'
'Hand the letter to Fox,' said the Prince; 'he knows Sheridan's
handwriting well.'
'This is undoubtedly the handwriting of Sheridan,' said Fox, looking at
the letter.
'Then he shall give me immediate satisfaction,' said the Major, rising
from the table; and, addressing himself to Captain Morris, requested
him to be the bearer of his message to Mr. Sheridan. Having written
the note, in which a full and public apology was demanded, or a place
of meeting appointed, Captain Morris was despatched with it; and in
the meantime he (the Major) would retire to his lodgings to await
the answer from Mr. Sheridan. The Prince now pretended to interfere,
expressing his readiness to be a mediator between the parties, but
at the same time he contrived, every now and then, to increase the
flame of the Major's resentment by some artful insinuations as to the
grossness of the affront, and complimenting him on the spirited manner
in which he had behaved on the occasion. The Major was determined not
to be appeased, and he left the room, muttering, 'D--n the impudent
fellow! grotesque figure! perpendicular form! gesticulations!'
The Major had no sooner retired than the whole party burst into a loud
laugh. The Prince had brought him to the very point he wished, and
in about an hour Captain Morris arrived with Sheridan, who entered
immediately into the spirit of the adventure. It was then agreed
that Sheridan should accept the challenge, appointing the following
morning at daybreak in Battersea Fields, and that Mr. Fox should be the
bearer of Mr. Sheridan's answer to the offended Major, Mr. Sheridan
undertaking, on his part, to provide the necessary surgical assistance.
On the following morning the parties were punctually on the spot; the
Major, accompanied by Captain Morris, Mr. Sheridan by Mr. Fox, the
Prince of Wales, disguised as a surgeon, being seated in the carriage
which conveyed the latter gentlemen. The customary preliminaries being
arranged, the parties took their stations. The signal to fire was
given; no effect took place. The seconds loaded the pistols a second
time; the parties fired again; still no effect was produced.
'D--n the fellow!' said the Major to his second, 'I can't hit him.'
'The third fire generally takes effect,' said Captain Morris, who with
the utmost difficulty could keep his risible faculties in order, whilst
the Prince, in the carriage, was almost convulsed with laughter at the
grotesque motions of the Major.
The signal to fire was given the third time. The effect was decisive;
Mr. Sheridan fell, as if dead, on his back.
'Killed, by G--d!' said Captain Morris. 'Let us fly instantly;' and,
without giving the Major time to collect himself, he hurried him to
the carriage, which immediately drove away towards town. The Prince
descended from the carriage, almost faint with laughter, and joined
Sheridan and Fox, the former of whom, as soon as the Major's carriage
was out of sight, had risen from his prostrate position, unscathed as
when he entered the field, for, to complete the farce, it had been
previously arranged that no balls should be put into the pistols, and
that Sheridan was to fall on the third fire. The Prince, with his two
associates, immediately drove off to town, and a message was sent to
Major Hanger, desiring his immediate attendance at Carlton House. The
Major obeyed the summons, and he entered the apartment of the Prince
with a most dolorous countenance.
'Bad business this,' said the Prince--'a very bad business, Hanger; but
I have the satisfaction to tell you that Sheridan is not materially
hurt, and if you will dine with me this day, I will invite a gentleman
who will give you an exact account of the state in which your late
antagonist lies. Remain here till dinner-time, and all may yet be well.'
The Prince, from goodness of heart, and not wishing that the Major
should have the painful impression on his mind that he had been
the instrument of the death of a fellow-creature and one of the
most convivial of their companions, had imparted to the Major the
consolatory information that his antagonist was not seriously injured,
and the Major looked forward to the hour of dinner with some anxiety,
when he was to receive further information on the subject. The hour
came. The party was assembled in the drawing-room.
'Now, Hanger,' said the Prince, 'I'll introduce a gentleman to you who
shall give you all the information you can wish.'
The door opened, and Sheridan entered. The Major started back in wonder.
'How--how--how is this?' he stammered. 'I thought I had killed you.'
'Not quite, my good fellow,' said Sheridan, offering the Major his
hand. 'I am not yet quite good enough to go to the world above; and,
as to that below, I am not yet fully qualified for it, therefore I
considered it better to defer my departure from this to a future
period; and, now, I doubt not, that his Royal Highness will give you an
explicit explanation of the whole business--but I died well, did I not,
Hanger?'
The Prince now declared that the whole plot was concocted by himself,
and hoped that when the Major next fought such a duel, he might be in
a coach to view it. Conviviality reigned throughout the evening; the
song and glass went round; the Prince singing the parody on 'There's a
difference between a beggar and a queen,' which was composed by Captain
Morris, and which is to be found in the twenty-fourth edition of 'Songs
Political and Convivial,' by that first of lyric poets.
One more anecdote of the Prince and George Hanger, from the same
source,[28] and I have done with him.
'That the immense losses which the Prince of Wales sustained at
the gaming table were not, always, the consequence of a run of ill
luck, may be easily conjectured. Scheme after scheme was devised by
which a heavy drain was to be made upon his finances; and he became,
eventually, the dupe of a set of titled sharpers, who fattened on his
credulity, and who, by acts of the most deliberate villainy, reduced
him to a state of comparative pauperism. As a proof of the inventive
spirit of these associates of the Prince, we have only to mention the
celebrated wager between the turkeys and the geese, which emanated
from the prolific head of George Hanger, and on the issue of which the
Prince found himself minus several thousand pounds.
'During one of the convivial parties at Carlton House, George Hanger
designedly introduced the subject of the travelling qualifications of
the turkey and the goose, and he pronounced it as his opinion (although
directly contrary to his real one), that the turkey would outstrip the
goose. The Prince, who placed great reliance on the judgment of George
Hanger on subjects of that nature, backed Hanger's opinion; and, as
it may be supposed, there were some of the party who were willing to
espouse the part of the goose: the dispute ended in the Prince making
a match of twenty turkeys against twenty geese for a distance of ten
miles, the competitors to start at four o'clock in the afternoon. The
race was to be run for £500; and, as George Hanger and the turkey party
hesitated not to lay two to one in favour of their bird, the Prince did
the same to a considerable amount, not in the least suspecting that the
whole was a deep laid plan to extract a sum of money from his pockets,
for his chance of winning, from the natural propensity of the turkey,
was wholly out of the question.
'The Prince took great interest in this extraordinary wager, and
deputed George Hanger to select twenty of the most wholesome and high
feathered birds which could be procured; and, on the day appointed,
the Prince and his party of turkeys and Mr. Berkeley and his party
of geese, set off to decide the match. For the first three hours
everything seemed to indicate that the turkeys would be the winners,
as they were, then, two miles in advance of the geese; but, as night
came on, the turkeys began to stretch out their necks towards the
branches of the trees which lined the sides of the road. In vain
the Prince attempted to urge them on with his pole, to which a bit
of red cloth was attached: in vain George Hanger dislodged one from
its roosting-place, before he saw three or four others comfortably
perching among the branches--in vain was barley strewn upon the road;
no art, no stratagem, no compulsion, could prevent them taking to their
roosting-place! whilst, in the meantime, the geese came waddling on,
and in a short time passed the turkey party, who were all busy in the
trees, dislodging their obstinate birds; but, as to further progress,
it was found impossible, and the geese were declared the winners.
'Trifling as this circumstance may appear, it will have the tendency of
exposing the characters of the intimates of the Prince of Wales, and
the singular expedients to which they had recourse to restore their
shattered fortunes at the expense of his character and fortune.'
On the death of Lord Coleraine, a contemporary[29] thus sums up his
character: 'He was, formerly, admitted amongst the convivial companions
of his present Majesty; but, as the Prince advanced in life, the
eccentric manners of the Colonel became somewhat too free and coarse
for the Royal taste, and the broad vivacity of the facetious Humourist
gave way to associates of a more refined description. But, though
the Colonel was free in his manners, he never was inclined to give
intentional offence, and the peculiarity of those manners precluded all
idea of resentment, and laughter, rather than anger, was the result of
his most extravagant sallies.
'He was capable of serious exertions of friendship, not by pecuniary
sacrifices, for, of such, his situation hardly ever admitted, but by
persevering zeal when he was likely to effect a beneficial purpose.
He was well acquainted with military duty, and was never wanting in
courage, or the spirit of enterprise. He is generally acknowledged
to have been a very handsome man in early life, but his person
was disguised by the singularity of his dress. Though disposed to
participate in all the dissipations of higher life, he yet contrived
to devote much of his time to reading, and was generally well provided
with topics for the usual conversations of the table, even in the
most convivial circles. He was so marked a character that he might be
considered as one of the prominent features of his time, and he was
courted as well for the peculiarity, as for the harmless tendency of
his humour.'
[Illustration: Decorative motif]
FOOTNOTES:
[27] Vol. i., p. 97, etc.
[28] Huish, vol. i., 164.
[29] _Gentleman's Magazine_, 1824, part i., 457, 458.
[Illustration: Decorative panel]
CHAPTER VI.
The Prince goes to Brighton for his health--Description of Brighton in
1784--Royal visitors--The Prince takes a house--Weltje--Sam House--Fox
and the Prince--Brighton in 1785.
In 1784 the Prince of Wales had a somewhat serious illness, and we read
in the _Morning Herald_ of July 16 that 'His Royal Highness, the Prince
of Wales, having been advised by his Physicians to sea bathing, we are
informed from good authority, that his Royal Highness will set out on
Monday next for Brighthelmstone. Mr. Weltje, the Clerk of the Kitchen,
and Mr. Gill, the Purveyor of the Stables, are now at Brighthelmstone,
preparing everything for his Royal Highness's reception.'
He left London on the evening of July 22, and the following are some
newspaper cuttings which describe his visit and the general gaieties of
that season at Brighton:
'_Brighthelmstone_ will certainly prove the summer residence of the
_loves_ and _graces_, on account of the temporary residence there
of the Heir apparent: not a cock loft but what is taken by some
_expectant fair_, who means to make an _innocent conquest_, or an
_illicit sacrifice_!--The _Knights of the Dice box_ are collecting
there from all quarters, hoping for a plentiful harvest in so singular
a season for universal _gul-_ as well as _cul-libility_! A pretty
sprinkling of Princes of the _Gallic blood_ is, likewise, hourly
expected to complete the curious _dramatis personæ_.'[30]
'_Extract from a letter from Brighthelmstone, July 25._ The Prince
of Wales is here quite as a private gentleman, attended by Colonel
Leigh, etc. He walks frequently upon the Steine, and behaves with great
affability and politeness.'[31]
'BRIGHTHELMSTONE INTELLIGENCE. _Brighthelmstone_ is the center
_luminary_ of the _system_ of pleasure: Lymington, Southampton and
all other places within the _sphere_ of its _attraction_, lose their
gayest visitants, who fly to that resort:--the women, the pretty women,
all hasten to see the _Paris_ of the day!--On Monday last, the Dukes
of _Chartres_ and _Lauzun_, the Marquis _de Conflans_, the Comte _de
Seguir_, and others, arrived to be present at the races. They came
from France by the way of Dover, but had all their equipage sent over
from _Dieppe_. The lively and engaging Comtesse _de Coniac_ was to
have met them by the latter route at Brighthelmstone; but some dæmon,
unfriendly to gallantry, and to this place, interposed, and procured
an _arret_ to be expedited from the Queen of France's bedchamber,
just as the sprightly belle was casting a longing eye from _Dieppe_
over to the British coast, and preparing to step into the pacquet.
This is a prodigious disappointment to the company, and particularly
to the _Prince_. His Highness gave an elegant dinner at his house on
the _Steine_. The _Duc de Chartres_ and his friends were present: the
meeting was festive and social. In the evening, this convivial party
visited the Rooms: the company was genteel and numerous. The Prince
danced with Lady _Elizabeth Conway_, and was acknowledged the best
performer present.
'On Tuesday, the _Brighton Races_ began, which afforded but very
little sport. The Duke of Queensberry's was the favourite horse, but
lost; and the _Duc de Chartres_, who betted him against the field,
got rid of a good deal of money on the occasion. The sport was not
better the next day, but rather worse, on account of the badness of
the weather. All the Ladies attended both days, mostly in carriages.
Lady _Charlotte Bertie_ was the Constellation, or superior luminary of
the course. _Micavit inter omnes, quantum inter ignes Luna minores._
Lady _Lincoln_, and her sister Lady _Betty Conway_, drove about in a
phaeton, to the great annoyance of the beaux.
'The public entertainments at Brighthelmstone are, balls at the rooms
twice a week, alternately at the _Ship_, and _Castle_, and plays,
the other four nights, at the theatre. The balls are on Monday and
Thursday; and no dress is required except in those that dance minuets.
The rooms are, besides, open all the other nights for card parties, and
on _Sunday_ for a promenade. The Prince has not yet missed the Play
house once, when there has been a performance at it, since his arrival.
The pleasurable daughters of the place, have at their head, Mrs.
_Smith_, Mrs. _Elliot_, and Mrs. _Walker_; between whom an equipoise
of rivalship and jealousy prevails, and what one has in a _dimple_, is
counteracted by the lip, or the eye of the others.'[32]
'LEWES RACES. The _Prince of Wales_ is so regardless of weather,
that a shower of rain is never known to interrupt his excursions.
His Highness's indifference on this head, reminds us of a remark of
_Henry the Great_, "that fate does not depend upon a sunbeam!"--The
example of the British prince was followed by his _insular_ friends
and _Parisian_ visitors. The road from Brighthelmstone to Lewes, was
crowded by _gentlemen jockies_ and _jockey sharpers_; carriages of
various denominations, and a company of all descriptions. The _Steine_
was depopulated of all save a few _living caricatures_, consisting of
antique Females, and _balloonified_ squires from the City, too awkward
and unwieldy to wear boots, or venture on horseback: to this class of
beings, the ball room was relinquished.
'The Course ground continued, during the races, frequented by
fashionable guests. Besides the English and French princes, were
present the Duc _de Lauzun_, Marquis _de Conflans_, Count _Seguir_, the
Russian minister, and several others from the Continent. The Duke of
Queensberry, Lord Cholmondeley, Lord Foley, and many more of the Jockey
Club were on the ground.
'The Bets were high, though the sport was indifferent; the Duke de
Chartres, Duke of Queensberry and Sir Charles Bunbury, were principally
engaged in the success of the day. The _Gallic Duke_ was in such
spirits, that it was said his Highness would have mounted an _Air
balloon_ had one been present.
'A _Pedestrian Race_ was, also, proposed between a _fat gentleman_, and
a _lean one_: but the former complaining that the atmosphere was low,
gave up the contest as he was fearful he should be _hard blowed_!'[33]
The Prince being at Brighton made all the difference in the gaiety
of the place, and his occasional absence in London is thus commented
upon: 'Brighthelmstone, comparatively speaking, within these few days,
has become almost a desert; scarce a person of fashion remains; the
whole company now consists of _antiquated virgins_, _emaciated beaux_,
and wealthy citizens, with their wives and daughters; the latter of
whom have some _weight_ in continuing a few needy adventurers, who are
as watchful as lynxes, for an opportunity of carrying off the golden
prizes.'[34]
Note how this all changes when he returns. 'Extract from a Letter from
Brighthelmstone, dated Sep. 5. We are all alive and merry here. Besides
the honour of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales's company, we are
favoured with those of the Duchess of Ancaster, Lady Charlotte Bertie,
Lady Mary Brudenell, the Bishop of Winchester, Lord and Lady Beauchamp,
the Right Hon. Mr. Fox, with many others; and, last night, the Right
Hon. Mr. Pitt, accompanied by Mr. Steele, of the Treasury, arrived here.
'The Prince of Wales was, last night, at the Theatre, accompanied by
the Hon. Mr. Erskine, and the Hon. Mr. Onslow, to see the Beggar's
Opera, the principal parts of which were represented by gentlemen, and
well represented they were. Captain Ash's _Macheath_ much exceeded
many of the professional men on either of your London theatres. It was
succeeded by a well-timed address, written and spoken by Mr. Bonner,
craving the friendly attendance of the company to the future benefits
of the several performers.'[35]
We also learn by a newspaper paragraph[36] that 'the house that the
Prince of Wales has at Brighthelmstone, is that which formerly belonged
to Lord Egremont's brother, Mr. Wyndham. The Duke of Cumberland had it
last year. The house is, or ought to be, the best in the place.'
This is the house which we have seen was negotiated for the Prince by
Weltje, his clerk of the kitchen; at least, this was his nominal title,
but in reality he was the Prince's purveyor of his household, and was
much mixed up in his financial matters. Louis Weltje was a German
of obscure origin, and it is said, at one time, sold cakes in the
streets. However, he must have had something in him, and must also have
been thrifty, for in the newspapers of 1782 and 1783 we find several
mentions of Weltje's Club, and he had a famous pastry-cook's shop and
restaurant in St. James Street, and afterwards in Pall Mall. In the
satirical prints in the British Museum for 1783, drawn by Captain
Hays, is 'Mr. Weltjee's Fruit Shop, Pall Mall.' Madame Weltje, a large
woman, is seated at a horseshoe counter, on which is a variety of
fruit. In the window are displayed pines, grapes, bottles, and jars. A
manuscript note says her shop was 'next door neighbour to Mr. Neville.'
He served the Prince for some years, but was at last superseded. On
his retirement he bought a large house at Hammersmith, formerly in
the occupation of Lord Allington, the supporters of whose arms, two
talbots, decorated the gate-posts. In this house, which he bequeathed
to his brother Christopher, he died, probably of apoplexy, in 1810,
and was buried in Hammersmith Churchyard. His name still exists in the
neighbourhood in Weltje Road, which runs from the Upper Mall to King
Street West, and consists of sixty-eight houses.
We have seen that Fox was at Brighton in 1784. Fox, who was the 'guide,
philosopher, and friend' of Prince Florizel, was at this time a man
of about thirty-five or thirty-six, having been born in 1749. By his
birth, education, and talents he should have been a fitting companion
for the Prince, but he was lax in his morals, an inveterate gambler,
and a hard drinker, and a worse comrade for a young man could scarcely
be found. Indeed, at the end of the Westminster election of 1784
Gillray caricatured him in a satirical print entitled 'Preceptor and
Pupil' as a loathsome toad with a fox's brush, who is whispering into
the ear of the sleeping (or drunken) Prince: 'Abjure thy country and
thy parents, and I will give thee dominion over many powers. Better to
rule in Hell than serve in Heaven!'
Apropos of this election, which lasted forty days, and brought Fox in
second at the poll, it is perhaps as famous as any in our electoral
history. Much to the disgust of his parents, the Prince threw himself
heart and soul into the fray, wearing a 'Fox cockade' at Ranelagh, and
allowing members of his household to canvas for his boon companion.
During the election, Gillray produced a satirical print (April 18,
1784) called 'Returning from Brooks's,' where the Prince, exceedingly
drunk, and wearing the 'Fox cockade,' is being helped along by Fox and
Sam House, a publican who kept a house, called The Intrepid Fox, at the
corner of Peter Street and Wardour Street. 'Honest Sam House,' as he
was called, was a violent politician and Whig, and during this election
kept open house at his own expense. House figures in many caricatures
of the time, and his fame was even enshrined in verse:
'See the brave Sammy House, he's as still as a mouse,
And does canvas with prudence so clever;
See what shoals with him flocks, to poll for brave Fox:
Give thanks to Sam House, boys, for ever, for ever, for ever!
Give thanks to Sam House, boys, for ever!
'Brave bald-headed Sam, all must own, is the man,
Who does canvas for brave Fox so clever:
His aversion, I say, is to _small beer_ and _Wray_:[37]
May his bald head be honour'd for ever, for ever, for ever!
May his bald head be honour'd for ever!'
There is another satirical print, which is dated January, 1785, by an
unknown artist, called 'Fox singing a Song to the P----e of W--l--s.'
Fox and the Prince are playing cards and drinking. Fox sings:
1.
'Tho' matters at present go cross in the realm,
You will one day be K--g, Sir, and I at the helm;
So let us be jovial, drink, gamble and sing,
Nor regard it a straw, tho' we're not yet the thing.
Tol de rol, tol, tol, tol de rol.
2.
'The proverb informs us, each dog has his day,
So those that oppose us, this fate must obey;
But time's on our side, Sir, and now on the wing,
To make me a statesman, and you, Sir, the K--g.
Tol de rol, etc.
3.
'In vain are harangues, I as well may be dumb,
And let motions alone, till our day, Sir, is come;
Then Thurlow and Pitt from their state we will fling,
They may go below stairs, Sir, so we are the thing.
Tol de rol, etc.
4.
'Thus seated in state, Sir, we'll fill all our soul,
At the fountain of Venus, at Bacchus's bowl;
In all that we please, Sir, we'll take a full swing,
For who's to controul a Prime Statesman and K--g?
Tol de rol, etc.'
The Prince remarks: 'Fox, are you not the shuffler?'
[Illustration: RETURNING FROM BROOKS'S.]
'The Prince of Wales has again taken a house at Brighton for the
season,' says the _Morning Post_ of June 11, 1785, and he left
London for his seaside residence on the 22nd of the same month. The
same newspaper of June 28 reports that 'the visit of a certain gay,
illustrious character at Brighton, has frightened away a number of
old maids, who used constantly to frequent that place. The history of
the gallantries of the last season, which is in constant circulation,
has something in it so voluminous, and tremendous to boot, that the
old tabbies shake in their shoes whenever his R----l H----ss is
mentioned.'
'_Lewes, July 2._--The Prince of Wales, on Monday last, at
Brighthelmstone, amused himself for some time, in attempting to shoot
doves with single balls, but with what success, we have not learnt;
though we hear that his Royal Highness is esteemed a most excellent
shot, and seldom presents his piece without doing some execution. The
Prince, in the course of his diversion, either by design, or accident,
lowered the tops of several of the chimnies of the Hon. Mr. Wyndham's
house.'[38]
A few paragraphs from the _Morning Post_ of this year will give us a
good insight into the Brighton of the period.
_July 6._--'The _Brighthelmstone intelligence_ has no novelty to
recommend it; merely a repetition of the old story; _morning rides_,
_champaigne_, _dissipation_, _noise_ and _nonsense_: jumble these
phrases together, and you have a complete account of all that's passing
at _Brighthelmstone_!'
_July 8._--'A correspondent says, Brighthelmstone is much altered from
what it was last season. Neither money, nor any speculating jewellers
who give good _tick_, and discount upon a _gentle feeling_. The ---- has
been tried and found wanting--all about him is not sterling--but one
good _endorser_ in the whole set, and he abroad. Times are bad.
'Mrs. Johnson and Windsor have undertaken to provide for the
necessities of Brighton this year. The _female adventurers_ of last
season were totally ruined: even _Bet Cox_, who made as good a hand of
it as any, swears she will not run the risk again, and that, _though as
how_ she was with the Prince, one night when he was drunk, yet that did
not compensate her for the wear and tear with his attendants. We have
not yet heard Mrs. _Smith's_ opinion on the subject; but, as she was
nearer the fire, she could not well escape being scorched.'
_August 4._--'Brighthelmstone is at present very thin of company,
few females arriving there but the _corps d'amour_. Women of virtue
and character shun these scenes of debauchery and drunkenness, ever
attendant on the spot which is the temporary residence of a----.'
_August 18._--'His Royal Highness the Prince is so attached to his
bathing residence, Brighthelmstone--he has so many sea nymphs there,
rising from Old Ocean every morning to greet him; that, in the true
spirit of an _English Prince_, his sole desire appears to _rule the
waves_: and, when he comes to Town, he is actually like _a fish out of
water_.'
_August 25._--'Plague upon the _skippers_ that they do not understand
the navigation of their own coasts! for, surely, some of the Margate
Hoys have blundered by both the North and South Foreland, and landed
their cargoes on the Sussex Shore. Never were there such a set
of curmudgeonly knaves and dowdies, before, in Brighton, say the
conscientious keepers of the subscription books! The lodging-houses
are full, the streets well frequented, and the Steyne crowded--but who
bathes, who raffles, and who subscribes? They vow that they never had
so little Gold in their Autumn crop, since they were obliged to content
themselves with the profits of their fishing, to wash their smocks upon
the beach, and to live on crabs and pickled herrings!
'In fact, the visitors of this place are either a wiser, or a poorer
sort than formerly. _Snug_ is the word with most of them; they give as
little into amusements, dissipation and extra expences, as they can
well avoid--hence, the obvious policy of the inhabitants to render
the necessary ones as high and as productive as possible--they treat
Londoners in their town as we treat Dutchmen and others, in our charge
for lights and landmarks--make them come down handsomely, as it is
to be done but seldom. The innkeepers here, are a kind of beasts of
prey, whose rapacity is in proportion to their former abstinence: they
are leeches, who think a plethora of the purse is no less dangerous
than that of the body; and, though you come here only to have your
constitution put to rights, they will, also, gladly take charge of your
property.
'An Irish gentleman being asked, the other day, by a friend, which
Inn he thought the best, observed that they were both bad enough; at
one you were _imposed upon_; at the other, _cheated_. The Rooms have
been pretty well frequented on a Sunday, when it is the Vauxhall price
of admission. The play house must, long since, have shut up, were it
not for the _extraordinary abilities_ and _fertile resources_ of Mr.
_Fox_,[39] and the patronage of the fair emigrants from Cleveland Row,
Jermyn Street, and King's Place--there have been no gentlemen enactors,
this year; so much the worse. With deference, be it said, to the
judgement of certain titled ladies, who, adding to their _purity_ by
every successive plunge into the salt water, pronounced the mixture of
gentlemen with professed actors, a perfect contamination. Better sense,
however, and more extra liberality prevail at present; for ladies now
ride to the Downs to see Earls and great folks play at cricket, with
footmen and drivers, without having their delicacy wounded, or their
finer feelings deranged. That game has become the favourite amusement
with the young men of fashion here. Mr. _St. John_ is the best bowler;
Lord _Darnley_ and _George Hanger_ the best bats; _Bob_ the postillion,
the best stopper behind the wicket. As to his Royal Highness, he is but
a young cricketer; the ladies, however, commend his agility; and, since
M^{rs} _J--n's_ squad arrived, he has been famous for catching and
running.
'On Saturday last, the _Marquis de Conflans_ took his departure for
_Dieppe_. The Prince and his company went to see the Marquis embark,
when a very extraordinary and humorous scene was presented. It being
low water, the boat could not approach the shore--the Marquis was
anxious to get on board, and stood, for some time, in suspence, when
the Prince, to show him that persons of their rank should not have
the propensities of cats, or the frippery of _petits maîtres_, taking
one of his companions by the hand, rushed at once into the water.
The Marquis, _pour l'honneur de la France_, could not do otherwise
than follow him; the line advanced with resolution, but could not
long withstand the force of the waves, which overset them; they then
rolled like porpoises in the water, till they got the Marquis aboard
the packet; when they despatched him, in a proper state, to pay his
respects to the _Dauphin_. _Vive l'amour et l'allegresse, et bon
voyage, M. le Marquis!_'
_September 10._--'The flux and reflux of company not being so great
here as at some other places, there has been very little novelty since
my last intelligence. The lodging-houses are, still, in general, full,
though there are some occasionally to be disposed of at the following
reasonable rates: for a house upon the Steine, eight guineas a week,
or the same faced with blue and buff,[40] for the trifling addition of
two guineas (for which you may have the credit of being a member of
that party).[41] Two beds, with a dining-room or parlour (the former,
perhaps, being supplied with a good _live stock_) for three guineas;
and, for a guinea per week, a single gentleman may be accommodated
with an apartment, where, if he finds himself streightened for want
of room, he may be gratified, at least, with a prospect of better
things, and have the view of a large piece of water, commonly called
the English Channel. Hence, too, he may form some idea of our naval
grandeur, by contemplating the fleet, as it lies at anchor before the
town, consisting, at least, of an hundred sail--of fishing smacks;
or, he may indulge in a peep of the ladies dipping into the water, or
bobbing at a wave in rough weather; for the Master of the Ceremonies
has judiciously assigned them the place nearest to the houses, and has
sent the gentlemen, for _decency's sake_, two hundred yards further to
the westward.
'If we may believe _the printed list_, half the fashionable persons,
and about one-fourth of the w----s of London, have visited Brighton
in the course of the summer; but, for those of the most consideration,
who are to be seen in their shoes, as well as upon the List of the
Company, take the following names: His Royal Highness and suite, more
respectable, though not as numerous as last year; the Earl and Dowager
Countess of Darnley, with her family; Earl and Countess of Clermont;
Lord and Lady Beauchamp; the Countess of Shaftesbury and family; Baron
and Baroness Nolcken; Lord Belgrave; Lord Lucan, with his family; Lord
and Lady Lisle; Lord Gage; Sir Sampson and Lady Gideon; Sir Eardley
Wilmot; Earl and Countess of Sefton; Lord Herbert; Sir Godfrey Webster;
Mr. Wyndham; Mr. T. Townsend; Mr. St. John. Some city beaux sport their
gigs upon the downs, and their persons upon the Steine: they would fain
be thought men of fashion, but their very best airs in the ballroom
partake of Coachmaker's Hall; the City dancing-masters being ten years
behindhand in the refinements of their profession. There is very little
show of beauty in the Rooms. Among the young ladies of family, _Miss
Bingham_, daughter of Lord Lucan, is almost the only one that deserves
notice in that particular; and, however singular, in this place, it
is a fact that one of the ladies who has been most distinguished for
elegance, is a Miss I----s, from _Cow Lane_, West Smithfield!
'The Rooms, as I hinted before, have been almost deserted, except
on particular nights. At the last ball but one, at the _Ship_, only
seven couple stood up, and the lady who took the lead, according to
the etiquette established in pride and folly, was _pro_ NUMMORUM
_atque hominum fidem credite_!--no less a person than Mrs. Tr----d,
daughter of the naval baronet, who, in his lifetime, gained many signal
advantages over the tribes of Benjamin and Levi. The _Castle_ has been
somewhat more fortunate. But Fox, the manager, has been so successful,
as to excite the envy of his rivals, who have it in contemplation to
set up a theatre in opposition to his. It was for this purpose that
_Signor Grimaldi's_ journey was undertaken, which, by the newspaper
accounts, proved so fatal to him; and, as he, with Mr. _Spencer_, the
harlequin, is to have the principal concern, we may expect that the
prime parts of the entertainment at the new Theatre, will be pantomime,
with _grinning_ and _jumping_ in abundance. If Mr. _Grimaldi_ should
bring down his young pupils from the Circus, it will, perhaps, be
necessary for Mr. Fox to engage the General Jackoo, or the Dancing
Dogs. At present, he confines his attempts to Comic Opera, Comedy, and
Farce; and, for these, it must be confessed, he has good materials. His
company may be called a good one--for the country--though the greatest
part are recruits, and want drilling. Yet, why for _the country_, when
there are so many London performers without engagements in the summer.
'The most extraordinary event that has happened lately, was a violent
gale on Tuesday, which caused many sad accidents. The wind blew with
prodigious force from the southward, and brought an uncommonly high
tide with it. This rendered it necessary to draw up all the small
craft, and the machines upon the Steine, where most of the Company,
particularly the Londoners, assembled to gaze at a sea storm. The
Prince's curiosity got him a ducking, and an old man and his ass were
drowned under the Cliff.'
[Illustration: Decorative motif]
FOOTNOTES:
[30] _Morning Herald_, July 27.
[31] _Parker's General Advertiser_, July 28.
[32] _Morning Herald_, August 9.
[33] _Morning Herald_, August 10.
[34] _Ibid._, August 21.
[35] _Morning Herald_, September 9.
[36] _Ibid._, August 27.
[37] Sir Cecil Wray, one of the candidates.
[38] _Morning Post_, July 8, 1785.
[39] The lessee and manager.
[40] The builders have, since last year, erected a row of houses on the
Steyne, with bricks of these colours, in compliment, I imagine, to the
Prince's uniform.
[41] Whig.
[Illustration: Decorative panel]
CHAPTER VII.
The Prince's acquaintance with Mrs. Fitzherbert--His courtship and
marriage--Satirical prints thereon.
This year was exceedingly fateful to Prince Florizel, for, in it, he
made the acquaintance of a lady whose connection with him influenced
his whole life. This was Maria Anne Fitzherbert, daughter of Walter
Smythe, Esq., of Brambridge, in the county of Hants, second son of
Sir John Smythe, Bart., of Eske, in the county of Durham, and Acton
Burnell, in Shropshire. She was born in July, 1756, and married, in
July, 1775, Edward Weld, Esq., of Lulworth Castle, county Dorset, who
died in the course of the same year. She married, secondly, Thomas
Fitzherbert, Esq., of Swinnerton, county Stafford, in the year 1778.
This gentleman only survived their union three years, losing his life
in consequence of his exertions during the Lord George Gordon Riots.
Being much heated, he bathed, and brought on the malady which, soon
after, occasioned his death.
Behold her, then, in 1785 a fascinating young widow with a competent
fortune, moving in the highest society, and of so much importance as
to be made the subject of newspaper paragraphs long before she met
the Prince. _Morning Herald_, March 20, 1784.--'Mrs. _Fitzherbert_
is arrived in London for the winter.' And again, _Morning Herald_,
July 27, 'A new _constellation_ has lately made an appearance in the
_fashionable hemisphere_, that engages the attention of those whose
hearts are susceptible to the power of beauty. The widow of the late
Mr. F--h--t has in her train half our young Nobility: as the lady has
not, as yet, discovered a partiality for any of her admirers, they are
all animated with hopes of success.'
Cosway painted a charming picture of her, which, engraved by Condé, is
reproduced as the frontispiece to this volume.
Huish[42] gives an erroneous account of the acquaintance of the Prince
and Mrs. Fitzherbert, but I give it so that the reader may contrast
it with that of Lord Stourton,[43] who was her intimate friend and
near connection. 'The first time that the Prince of Wales saw Mrs.
Fitzherbert, was in Lady Sefton's box at the Opera; and the novelty of
her face, more than the brilliancy of her charms, had the usual effect
of enamouring the Prince. But in this instance he had not to do with
a raw inexperienced girl, but with an experienced dame, who had been
twice a widow, and who, consequently, was not likely to surrender upon
common terms. She looked forward to a more brilliant prospect which her
ambition might artfully suggest, founded upon the feeble character of
an amorous young Prince; and, when his Royal Highness first declared
himself her admirer, she gave him not the slightest hopes of success;
but, in the true spirit of the finished coquette, she turned away from
his protestations; and, in order to avoid his importunities, quitted
the kingdom, and took up her residence at Plombiers, in Lorrain, in
France. The lovely idol knew that an object which is easily gained,
is seldom esteemed or prized: the Prince, indeed, from his peculiar
situation as Heir apparent, could not follow her, although it is
stated, in an anonymous letter preserved in the British Museum, that
his Royal Highness did once travel to Paris incog. and that he had,
there, an interview with Mrs. Fitzherbert, the consequence of which
was, her immediate return to England. As there is no other authority
for this act of his Royal Highness, and taking the improbability of the
event into consideration, it must be left with all the doubt attached
to it, acknowledging, at the same time, that the preponderancy leans to
the side of its being a fiction.'
Now let us hear Lord Stourton's version, which bears the impress of
truth upon it, judging by the almost universal testimony as to Mrs.
Fitzherbert's character:
'In the midst of the afflictions, both of body and mind, which weighed
down the latter years of Mrs. Fitzherbert, the thought which most
soothed her pains, and assuaged her grief, was the consoling testimony
which would be borne to her character, when she should be no more; when
all the actors in this extraordinary drama being removed by the hand of
death, the veil might be drawn aside which had prompted secrecy during
her life; and her character might be shown to posterity in the light
which it appeared to herself, unsullied by crime, and even untarnished
by interestedness or ambition. With this view, she almost insisted,
in our confidential communications, upon my requiring from her every
information respecting her conduct, from her first connection with
George the Fourth, down to his death--as evidence to satisfy my mind of
the strictest propriety of every portion of her conduct, that I might
deem doubtful, or objectionable.
'After disclosures so intimate, and, to my judgment, so satisfactory,
I should not wish to descend into the tomb myself, leaving her
reputation to the doubtful testimony of others, less informed, even
if equally disposed to render her justice. Associated with some, in
the custody of a few important papers relative to her history, I stand
single in a nearer relationship to this distinguished person, in some
important and intimate connections, and was, therefore, selected by
her on that account, to be honoured with communications of so very
delicate and confidential a nature. Having deliberately accepted the
proffered confidence, I should not feel happy to leave to the chances
of ill-advised or mercenary biographers the portraiture of one so
difficult to pencil in her true and accurate lineaments.
'Mrs. Fitzherbert was first acquainted with the Prince when residing
on Richmond Hill, and soon became the object of his most ardent
attentions. During this period she was made the subject of a popular
ballad, which designated her, under the title of the "Sweet Lass of
Richmond Hill."
'"I'd crowns resign to call her mine,
Sweet lass of Richmond Hill."
She was, then, the widow of Mr. Fitzherbert, in possession of an
independent fortune of nearly £2,000 a year, admired and caressed by
all who were acquainted with her character and singular attractions.
'Surrounded by so many personal advantages, and the widow of an
individual to whom she had been singularly attached, she was
very reluctant to enter into engagements fraught with so many
embarrassments; and, when viewed in their fairest light, exposing their
object to great sacrifices and difficulties. It is not, therefore,
surprising that she resisted, with the utmost anxiety and firmness,
the flattering assiduities of the most accomplished Prince of his age.
She was well aware of the gulf that yawned beneath those flattering
demonstrations of royal adulation.
'For some time her resistance had been availing, but she was about to
meet with a species of attack so unprecedented and alarming, as to
shake her resolution, and to force her to take that first step, which,
afterwards, led by slow (but on the part of the Prince, successful)
advances, to that union which he so ardently desired, and to obtain
which he was ready to risk such personal sacrifices. Keit (Keate),
the surgeon, Lord Onslow, Lord Southampton, and Mr. Edward Bouverie,
arrived at her house in the utmost consternation, informing her that
the life of the Prince was in imminent danger--that he had stabbed
himself, and that only _her_ immediate presence would save him.[44]
She resisted, in the most peremptory manner, all their importunities,
saying that nothing should induce her to enter Carlton House. She was,
afterwards, brought to share in the alarm, but, still, fearful of some
stratagem derogatory to her reputation, insisted upon some lady of
high character accompanying her, as an indispensable condition: the
Duchess of Devonshire was selected. They four drove from Park Street to
Devonshire House, and took her along with them. She found the Prince
pale, and covered with blood. The sight so overpowered her faculties,
that she was almost deprived of all consciousness. The Prince told her
that nothing would induce him to live unless she promised to become
his wife, and permitted him to put a ring round her finger. I believe
a ring from the hand of the Duchess of Devonshire was used upon the
occasion, and not one of his own. Mrs. Fitzherbert being asked by me,
whether she did not believe that some trick had been practised, and
that it was not really the blood of his Royal Highness, answered in the
negative; and said she had frequently seen the scar, and some brandy
and water was near his bedside when she was called to him on the day he
wounded himself.
'They returned to Devonshire House. A deposition was drawn up of what
had occurred, and signed and sealed by each one of the party; and, for
all she knew to the contrary, might still be there. On the next day,
she left the country, sending a letter to Lord Southampton, protesting
against what had taken place, as not being then a free agent. She
retired to Aix la Chapelle, and, afterwards, to Holland. The Prince
went down into the country to Lord Southampton's, for change of air.
'In Holland, she met with the greatest civilities from the Stadtholder
and his family, lived upon terms of intimacy with them, and was
received into the friendship of the Princess of Orange, who, at that
time, was the object of negotiation with the Royal Family of England,
for the Heir apparent. Frequent inquiries were made about the Prince
and the English Court, in confidential communications between her and
the Princess, it being wholly unknown to the Princess that she was her
most dangerous rival. She said she was often placed in circumstances
of considerable embarrassment; but, her object being to break through
her own engagements, she was not the hypocrite she might have appeared
afterwards, as she would have been very happy to have furthered this
alliance. She afterwards saw this Princess in England, and continued to
enjoy her friendship, but there was always a great coolness on the part
of the Stadtholder towards her.
'She left Holland in the Royal Barge, and spent above another year
abroad, endeavouring to "fight off" (to use her own phrase) a union
fraught with such dangerous consequences to her peace and happiness.
Couriers after couriers passed through France, carrying the letters
and propositions of the Prince to her in France and Switzerland. The
Duke of Orleans was the medium of this correspondence. The speed
of the couriers exciting the suspicion of the French Government,
three of them were, at different times, put into prison. Wrought
upon, and fearful, from the past, of the desperation of the Prince,
she consented, formally and deliberately, to promise that she would
never marry any other person; and, lastly, she was induced to return
to England, and agree to become his wife, on those conditions which
satisfied her own conscience, though she could have no legal claim to
be the wife of the Prince.
'I have seen a letter of thirty-seven pages, written, as she informed
me, not long before this step was taken, entirely in the handwriting
of the Prince; in which it is stated by him that his Father would
connive at the union. She was then hurried to England, anticipating
too clearly and justly, that she was about to plunge into inextricable
difficulties; but, having insisted upon conditions, such as would
satisfy her conscience, and justify her in the eyes of her own Church,
she abandoned herself to her fate. Immediately after her return, she
was married to the Prince, according to the rites of the Catholic
Church in this country; her uncle Harry Errington and her brother Jack
Smythe being witnesses to the contract, along with the Protestant
clergyman who officiated at the ceremony.[45] No Roman Catholic priest
officiated. A certificate of this marriage is extant in the handwriting
of the Prince, and with his signature and that of Maria Fitzherbert.
The witnesses' names were added; but, at the earnest request of the
parties, in a time of danger, they were afterwards cut out by Mrs.
Fitzherbert herself, with her own scissors, to save them from the peril
of the law.[46]
'This, she afterwards regretted; but a letter of the Prince, on her
return to him, has been preserved, to supply any deficiency, in which
he thanks God, that the witnesses to their union were still living;
and, moreover, the letter of the officiating clergyman is still
preserved, together with another document with the signature and seal,
but not in the handwriting, of the Prince, in which he repeatedly terms
her his wife.'
As a matter of fact, these papers are now deposited in Coutts's Bank,
sealed up in a cover under the seals of the Duke of Wellington, Sir
William Knighton, the Earl of Albemarle, and Lord Stourton. All other
correspondence was destroyed, on the death of George IV., by Mrs.
Fitzherbert herself in the presence of the Duke of Wellington and the
Earl of Albemarle. The packet consists of:
1. The mortgage on the palace at Brighton.
2. The certificate of the marriage, dated December 21, 1785.
3. A letter from George IV. relating to the marriage (signed).
4. A will written by George IV.
5. Memorandum written by Mrs. Fitzherbert, attached to a letter written
by the clergyman who performed the marriage ceremony.
With regard to this mortgage on the Pavilion, Lord Stourton says:[47]
'To the Duke of York and the Queen, Mrs. Fitzherbert was indebted for
£6,000 a year in a mortgage deed, which they procured for her on the
Palace at Brighton; being aware, as she said, that till that period,
she had no legal title to a single shilling should she survive the
Prince. Indeed, at one period, she had debts upon her own jointures,
incurred principally on account of the Prince; and, when the Duke of
Wellington, as executor to George IV., asked her if she had anything to
show, or claim upon the personalty of the deceased Sovereign, she told
him she had not even a scrap of paper, for that she had never, in her
life, been an interested person.'
We have seen that the marriage took place on December 21, 1785; but
it was noised about before then, as we may see by the two following
cuttings from the _Morning Post_, December 16, 1785: 'It is whispered
in the circles of gallantry, that a certain illustrious character has
made a delicate and honourable engagement with a Lady of superior
accomplishments; that she is to have the full direction of his
household, with a settlement of £8,000 a year, the ---- 's liveries,
with an engagement to create her a Duchess, if ever he should have the
power.'
_December 17, 1785._--'A very extraordinary treaty is on the tapis,
between a beautiful young Widow, who resides about ten miles from
London, in the county of Surrey, and a Gentleman of _high rank_, in the
neighbourhood of St. James's. Fame speaks highly of the Lady's virtues,
and her accomplishments; and, as conscious of her value, she has taken
care to set a very high price upon her person: the terms are that she
should be the mistress of the young Gentleman's town house, to preside
at his table, to have a settlement of Six thousand pounds per annum:
her equipages and liveries to be the same as her lover's; and, when it
shall be _in his power_, the Lady to be created a Duchess in her own
right:--These conditions, it is said, are already agreed to; and, in a
very short time, the amorous treaty will be signed and sealed.'
The caricaturist did not linger long afterwards, and the earliest of
the satirical prints bearing on this subject is one dated March 13,
1786, supposed to be drawn by 'Fitz,' called 'The Follies of a Day, or
the Marriage of Figaro.' The Prince is just putting the ring on Mrs.
Fitzherbert's hand. They are being married by a sham parson--Weltje,
in fact, as is evidenced by the corkscrew which he wears in lieu of a
crucifix, whilst out of his pocket appears a scroll endorsed 'Weltjie's
Nat(uralizatio)^n Bill.' The book from which he reads is 'Hoyle's
Games,' and the page is headed 'Matrimony.' George Hanger is the sole
witness.
Others follow, and they are all as wide of the real facts of the case
as is this one.
_March 20, 1786_--'The Royal Toast--Fat, Fair, and Forty,' is a fancy
portrait of Mrs. Fitzherbert, very stout, a fact as truthful as her
age, which was but thirty.
_March 21, 1786_--'Wedding Night, or the Fashionable Frolic.' The
Prince and Mrs. Fitzherbert are dancing, and George Hanger is playing
the 'Black Joke' on a fiddle. A marriage certificate, torn up, lies on
the floor.
_March 21, 1786_--'The Lovers' Leap.' The Prince and Mrs. Fitzherbert
are preparing to jump over a broom (which is said to be the gipsies'
marriage ceremony), which lies on the floor between them. George
Hanger is pushing the Prince on, and a cat is jumping out of a bag.
Another version of this, by Gillray, was published on the same date,
and is thus described in Wright and Grego's 'Gillray':
'_21 Mar., 1786._--_'Twas nobody saw the Lovers' Leap and let the Cat
out of the Bag._ This title, which refers to the first disclosure
of the scandal, is literally treated in the print. Fox appears as
"nobody," and a cat is seen escaping from a bag. The Whig chief, with
whom, as the occasional companion of the young Prince's excesses,
the public were not slow to connect the transaction, is encouraging
Florizel to "leap over the broomstick" with Mrs. Fitzherbert. The ex
favourites, in a second apartment, surmounted by the Prince's crest,
tranquilly regard the coming change. "All I desire of mortal man is
to love whilst he can," says Perdita. "Well said, Robby," remarks a
gentleman at table: "his father will broomstick him!"'
The best etching on the subject is dated March 27, 1786, and is called
'Wife and no Wife; or, A Trip to the Continent.' The Prince is about to
put the ring on Mrs. Fitzherbert's hand, and Fox is giving her away.
Hanger and Sheridan are witnesses. Burke, as a Jesuit, is reading the
marriage service, and Lord North, as a coachman, is fast asleep.
[Illustration: WIFE AND NO WIFE; OR, A TRIP TO THE CONTINENT.]
Then we have on May 1, 1786, 'The April Fool, or the Follies of a
Night, as performed at the Theatre Royal, C----n House, for the
Benefit of the Widow Wadman.' The Prince, Mrs. Fitzherbert, and
George Hanger are dancing, while Fox is drumming with a pistol on a
warming-pan, exclaiming, 'Damme, but 'tis sublime;' and Burke, who
says, 'Burn the pan, is it not beautiful?' plays on a gridiron with a
pair of tongs. On the walls are two scenes from _Hamlet_: one where
Polonius says to the King, 'I will be brief, your noble son is mad;'
the other where Hamlet says to Ophelia:
'He may not, as inferior persons do,
Carve for himself, for on his choice depends
The sanity and health of the whole state.'
On the ground lie two plays, 'A Bold Stroke for a Wife'[48] and 'The
Clandestine Marriage.'[49]
_May 1, 1786._--'An Extravaganza, or Young Solomon besieging
Fitzhubbub, the Governess of the Fort and Garrison of Fitzhubbub, after
a political resistance of time proper, surrenders to the besieger,
as by the articles of capitulation.' The Prince is kneeling before
Mrs. Fitzherbert, who, seated on a sofa, points to 'Articles of
Capitulation, £8,000 per annum. A Duchess in my own right. The mockery
of MARRIAGE by a Priest and a Parson.'
_May 3, 1786._--'The Introduction of F---- to St. James's.' A view
of the gateway of St. James's Palace. The Prince is carrying Mrs.
Fitzherbert on his shoulders, preceded by George Hanger beating a drum,
and by Fox and Captain Morris playing on trumpet and horn, whilst Burke
brings up the rear playing on a flageolet.
The Prince, personally, took no heed of these pictorial satires;
but others thought differently of them, as we learn by the _Morning
Post_, April 24, 1786: 'His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has
been frequently entreated to take legal cognizance of the numerous
libellous prints, and other scandalous reports, which have lately been
in circulation; but, with a magnanimity of soul congenial with the
spirit of British freedom, he constantly declined it, with expressions
of jocularity: at the same time, thinking the authors unworthy of
his notice. The laws of his country have, at last, interfered, and
common decency requires that the most rigorous measures should now be
pursued to punish the offenders.--Indictments have been preferred, and
the Bills were found, on Friday last, at the Guildhall, Westminster,
against--_Ford_, of Piccadilly, for having published and circulated
some infamous prints, with an intent to satyrize and libel his Royal
Highness, the Prince of Wales; which prints, we understand, were shown
to a great law Lord, by an indifferent person; and, in consequence, his
Lordship pronounced them most infamous libels, and ordered the present
prosecutions to be instituted against the publishers thereof.'
The newspapers notice the new opera-box of Mrs. Fitzherbert, and also
her new house in St. James's Square, formerly in the occupation of Lord
Uxbridge.
[Illustration: Decorative motif]
FOOTNOTES:
[42] 'Memoirs of George IV.,' vol. i., p. 125.
[43] 'Memoirs of Mrs. Fitzherbert,' etc., by the Hon. Charles Langdale;
London, 1856, 8vo., p. 115.
[44] At this time the great mooncalf would go to Fox's house at St.
Ann's Hill, near Chertsey, and there blubber his love-woes into the
sympathizing ears of Bridget Cane, alias Armistead, or Armstead, a
woman of good manners and some education, who was said to have been
waiting-woman to Mrs. Abington, the actress, but who was then Fox's
mistress, and afterwards his wife.
[45] It is said that the Rev. Mr. Burt, of Twickenham, on his death-bed
acknowledged marrying the Prince and Mrs. Fitzherbert, and that he
received £500 for his fee.
[46] She was married in her own drawing-room.
[47] Langdale's 'Memoirs of Mrs. Fitzherbert,' p. 141.
[48] By Mrs. Centlivre.
[49] By George Colman and D. Garrick.
[Illustration: Decorative panel]
CHAPTER VIII.
The Prince's debts--Appeal to the King--His retrenchments--'The
Jovial Crew, or Merry Beggars'--Satirical prints--Help from
Parliament--Schedule of his debts.
Early in 1786 matters financial came to a crisis with Florizel.
Notwithstanding his income of nearly £70,000, he had managed in
less than three years to get some £300,000 in debt. Harassed by his
creditors, he had no resource left but to apply to his father, but from
him he got naught but good counsel. In this dilemma Pitt was applied
to, and asked to furnish £250,000. This not being forthcoming, the
King was written to, who replied, asking for a detailed statement of
liabilities. This was furnished, and so astonished the King that he
declined the proposal, and declared that he would never sanction an
increase to his son's income. Then Florizel wrote another letter to his
father, announcing his determination to retrench violently, and set
aside £40,000 a year towards the payment of his debts. To which the
King replied, that if he chose to take a rash step, he must likewise
take the consequences. Then the Prince once more took his pen in hand,
and wrote a letter to his father, which closed the correspondence:
'SIR,
'I have had the honour of receiving your Majesty's written message,
transmitted to me by Lord Southampton, and am greatly concerned
that my poor sentiments cannot coincide with those of your Majesty,
in thinking that the former message which I had the honour of
receiving, in your Majesty's own hand, was not a refusal. After
having repeatedly sent in various applications to your Majesty, for
two years successively, representing that a partial reduction out
of so incompetent an income as mine, was to no purpose towards the
liquidation of a debt, where the principal and interest were so
considerable, I, this year, humbly requested your Majesty that you
would be graciously pleased (having previously laid my affairs before
you, Sir, for your inspection, and painted them in the distressed
colours which they so justly merited), whenever it suited your
conveniency, to favour me with a decisive answer; as the various
delays which have occurred, through the course of this business, have,
in reality, proved more pernicious to me in the situation in which I
have been for some time past involved, than the original embarrassment
of the debt. To not only these, but to any future delays, would I
have, most willingly, submitted, had they really rested upon my
own patience; but the pressing importunities of many indigent and
deserving creditors (some of them whose very existence depends upon
a speedy discharge of their accounts), made too forcible an appeal
to the justice becoming my own honour, and to the feelings of my
heart, to be any longer delayed. Another consideration is, that any
further procrastination might have exposed me to legal insults, as
humiliating to me, as, I am persuaded, they would be to your Majesty.
I, therefore, previously to my having the honour of receiving that
message, had determined, that, should I not be so fortunate as to meet
with that relief from you, Sir, with which I had flattered myself,
and which I thought I had the greatest reason to expect, I would
exert every nerve to render that just redress and assistance to my
creditors, which I cannot help thinking is denied to me. These are the
motives, Sir, that have actuated my conduct in the step I have taken,
of reducing every expence in my family, even those to which my birth
and rank entitle me (and which, I trust, will ever continue to be the
principle and guide of my conduct), till I have totally liberated
myself from the present embarrassments which oppress me; and the more
so, as I am persuaded that such a line, when pursued with consistency,
will meet with the approbation of every candid and dispassionate mind.
'I will not trespass any further on your Majesty's time, but have the
honour to subscribe myself,
'Sir,
'Your Majesty's most dutiful and obedient
'Son and Subject,
'GEORGE, P.'
'_July 9, 1786._'
After the despatch of this letter he immediately acted on it; gave
orders to curtail his household, to stop all building and decoration
of Carlton House, and to sell his race and carriage horses, with a very
few reservations, and go and ruralise at Brighton, which he reached
on July 11. The newspapers and caricaturists, of course, immediately
made capital out of it, _vide_ the _Morning Post_, July 13, 1786: 'A
morning paper of yesterday says that the _Prince of Wales_ set off for
_Brighton_ in a _hired chaise_ and _hack horses_; but we are informed
by authority, which we trust will meet with _equal credit_, that his
Royal Highness was an _outside passenger_ by the _Brighton Dilly_.'
And the caricaturist followed quickly in the wake of the newspaper
men with a satirical print published on July 15, called 'A Trip
to Brighton, or the P---- and his reduced Household returning for
the summer season.' The Prince and Mrs. Fitzherbert are inside the
carriage, and the latter is studying the 'Principles of Œconomy.' The
carriage is laden with household effects, vegetables, meat, etc., and
with small beer and raisin wine. One of the footmen is Fox, the other
George Hanger, who is reading, 'For Sale, at Tattersall's, the Prince's
Stud.' Weltje, 'Purveyor, Coachman, Cook and Butler,' is driving.
There is another, which, although not dated, is evidently of the same
period, called 'The Brighton Stud,' in which is seen a groom leading
three donkeys--George Hanger, Fox, and Sheridan. The Prince rides
another donkey (Mrs. Fitzherbert), and Lord Derby (as another) looks
on. This evidently refers to the sale of the Prince's stud, which
realized somewhat over £7,000. Mrs. Fitzherbert went to Brighton
immediately after the Prince.
There is a very amusing satirical print dated August 23, 1786, the best
part of which is the verse attached. It is called 'The Jovial Crew, or
Merry Beggars. A Comic Opera, as performed at Brighton by the Carleton
Company.' The Prince and Mrs. Fitzherbert occupy the centre of the
picture. The Prince has a hat full of money, '£7,586. By sale of the
Stud,' and Mrs. Fitzherbert carries a child on her back. The other
beggars, who are mostly on crutches, are on either side.
'1ST BEGGAR, } I once was a poet at London,
MR. S----. } I kept my heart still full of glee;
(_Sheridan._) There's no man can say that I'm undone,
For begging's no new trade to me.
'2ND BEGGAR, } In London I once shone with eclat,
THE ----. } A Stud and brave Household could boast;
(_Prince of Wales._) Give me a brisk wench in clean straw,
And I value not who rules the roast.
'3RD BEGGAR, } A widow I was, buxom and bold,
MRS. F----. } So clos'd with a Royal attack;
(_Fitzherbert._) Tho' 'tis said the marriage won't hold,
But, ecod, I'll stick to his back.
'4TH BEGGAR, } Here comes a patriot polite, Sir,
MR. F----. } Who flatter'd the K---- to his face;
(_Fox._) Now, railing is all his delight, Sir,
Because he's turn'd out of his place.
'5TH BEGGAR, } I was a Jesuitical preacher,
MR. B----. } I turn'd up my eyes when I pray'd;
(_Burke._) But my hearers half starved their teacher,
For they believ'd not a word that I said.
'6TH BEGGAR, } I still am a merry song maker,
CAP. M----. } My heart never yet felt a qualm;
(_Morris._) Tho' poor, I can fiddle and caper,
And sing any tune but a psalm.
'7TH BEGGAR, } Make room for a soldier in buff,
COL. H----. } Who valiantly strutted about;
(_Hanger._) And, if the Peace should be breaking off,
Why, then he'll, most wisely, sell out.
'8TH BEGGAR, } De Beggar vos I in Germany,
MR. W----. } But alms vos here better agree;
(_Weltje._) For, by begging in coot company,
Begging vos de making of me.
'9TH BEGGAR, } Since, Beggars, then, we are happy and free,
L. N----. } Pray talk no more of state axes;
(_North._) For, by the War, you'll surely agree,
That, all, I have beggar'd with Taxes.'
There is a very clever satirical print which refers to the breaking up
of the Prince's establishment. It is called 'The School for Scandal,'
and parodies the scene from Sheridan's play, in which Charles Surface
helps to knock down the portraits of his ancestors. George Hanger is
the auctioneer, and Lot 1 is a picture of the King and Queen, 'Farmer
George and his Wife.' Hanger cries out, 'Going for no more than one
Crown!' and the Prince thus encourages the Colonel, 'Careless, knock
down the Farmer.' One of the audience bids five shillings for the
royal pair. Lot 2 is a portrait of Mrs. Fitzherbert, and Lot 3 one of
Perdita. Through the open door is seen Tattersall's, where the Prince's
stud, etc., were sold. A carriage is numbered Lot 1,000 to show the
extravagance of the Prince's stable arrangements.
A piece of gossip about the Prince at Brighton appears in the _Morning
Post_ of September 25, 1786: 'We hear that the Prince of Wales, a
few days since, was suddenly indisposed at Brighthelmstone; and, at
the same time, several gentlemen who had dined with the Prince at a
friend's table, the preceding day, were seized with symptoms similar
to those of his Royal Highness. They were all more or less affected,
according to the quantity each eat of a particular dish at table.
Happily for his Royal Highness, he eat but moderately; and we have the
pleasure to add, he has now quite recovered. Mr. Keate, the Prince's
surgeon, has been sent for from London; and the business terminated so
favourably, no other assistance was called in.'
During his stay this year he was very quiet, only going to the races,
and superintending the alterations to his house, which were completed
the ensuing spring. He left Brighton for the season on October 17.
The Prince kept his promise of retrenchment for nine long months, and
was sorely put to it for money--a fact of which the caricaturist took
full advantage. Thus, on January 18, 1787, we have 'The Prodigal Son,'
in which the Prince is depicted as seated on the bare ground, feeding
swine; his coat is out at elbows and breeches unfastened; his Garter
has gone, and his three feathers lie on the ground.
Then, on February 26 there is 'Love's Last Shift,' which represents the
Prince and Mrs. Fitzherbert in the last stage of poverty. The Prince
sits before a fire, turning a sheep's head, which hangs by a string,
and rocking a cradle in which a child lies sleeping, an event which,
happily, did not occur during his connection with Mrs. Fitzherbert. He
has no breeches on, because Mrs. Fitzherbert is mending them. Weltje
has just brought in some potatoes, and George Hanger has a small
measure of beer.
The Prince's friends felt that this could not go on longer. It was
resolved to appeal to Parliament for aid, and Mr. Nathaniel Newnham,
a merchant, Alderman, and an M.P. for the City of London, was chosen
to open the matter, which he did on April 20, 1787, by asking Mr. Pitt
whether it was his intention to bring forward any proposition to rescue
the Prince of Wales from his embarrassed and distressed situation.
Being answered by the Minister that he had no commands to that purpose
from the King, the Alderman gave notice that, on Friday, May 4, he
would bring forward a motion upon that subject for the consideration of
the House.
[Illustration: LOVE'S LAST SHIFT.]
As a matter of fact, the motion was brought before the House on April
27, and again on April 30, when Fox supported the Prince, and in the
course of his speech, referring to the rumour of the Prince being
married to Mrs. Fitzherbert (a Roman Catholic), said: 'With respect to
the allusion to something full of "danger to the Church and State,"
made by the hon. gentleman, one of the members of the County of
Devon, till that gentleman thought proper to explain himself, it was
impossible to say with any certainty to what that allusion referred;
but he supposed it must be meant in reference to that miserable
calumny, that low, malicious falsehood, which had been propagated
without doors, and made the wanton sport of the vulgar. In that House,
where it was known how frequent and common the falsehoods of the times
were, he hoped a tale, only fit to impose on the lowest order of
persons in the streets, would not have gained the smallest portion of
credit; but, when it appeared that an invention so monstrous, a report
of a fact which had not the smallest degree of foundation, a report of
a fact actually impossible to have happened, had been circulated with
so much industry, as to have made an impression on the minds of the
members of that House, it proved, at once, the uncommon pains taken
by the enemies of his Royal Highness to propagate the grossest and
most malignant falsehoods, with a view to depreciate his character,
and injure him in the opinion of his country.... The whole of the debt
the Prince was ready to submit to the investigation of the House; and
he was equally ready to submit the other circumstance to which he had
alluded, to their consideration, provided that the consideration of a
House of Parliament could, consistently with propriety and decency, be
applied to such a subject. Nay, his Royal Highness had authorised him
to declare that, as a Peer of Parliament, he was ready in the other
House to submit to any of the most pointed questions which could be
put to him respecting it, or to afford his Majesty, or his Majesty's
ministers, the fullest assurances of the utter falsehood of the fact in
question, which never had, and which common sense must see, never could
have happened.'
In a later part of the debate 'Mr. Fox answered, that he did not deny
the calumny in question merely with regard to the effect of certain
existing laws, alluded to by the hon. gentleman; but he denied it
_in toto_, in point of fact, as well as of law. The fact not only
never could have happened legally, but never did happen in any way
whatsoever, and had, from the beginning, been a base and malicious
falsehood.'
The debate was again resumed on May 4, when Mr. Alderman Newnham rose,
and said: 'Sir, I am extremely happy that the motion which I was to
have had the honour of making, this day, is no longer necessary; and it
is with the most sincere and heartfelt satisfaction that I inform the
House that I decline bringing it forward.'
The following is a note to p. 1074 of vol. xxvi. of Hansard: 'On
Sunday the 29th, or Monday the 30th of April, an intimation was given
at Cumberland House, that, if the Prince had no objection, Mr. Dundas
would be glad to have an interview with his Royal Highness. On this
being communicated to the Prince, he sent back word that he was ready
to see him whenever he should call at Carlton House. Accordingly, on
Wednesday, the 2nd of May, late in the evening, Mr. Dundas had a long
general conversation with the Prince, which ended with Mr. Dundas
requesting that the Prince would permit Mr. Pitt himself to wait upon
him. To that, his Royal Highness assented; and Mr. Pitt, in conformity,
was with the Prince at Carlton House, the next day, for more than
two hours: in this long conversation, the Prince stated all his
circumstances to Mr. Pitt, who then promised to lay the same before his
Majesty, and to return an answer as speedily as possible.
'Mr. Pitt thence went immediately to the King, and the same evening a
Cabinet Council was held at nine o'clock, which sat until midnight;
when an answer in writing, by his Majesty's command, was dispatched by
Mr. Pitt to the Prince, informing him in general terms, that, in case
his Royal Highness thought proper to withdraw the motion intended to
be made, the next day, in the House of Commons, everything should be
settled to his Royal Highness's satisfaction. Agreeably to this, the
motion was, the next day, withdrawn by Alderman Newnham, as being no
longer necessary; after which, to the infinite surprise of the House,
the Minister rose up in his place, and said that he could not see, for
his own part, that the motion was then either more or less necessary,
than it ever had been; and added, in answer to Mr. Rolle's question,
that no terms of any kind were settled, but that matters remained _in
statu quo_.
'This proceeding, being related to the Prince, his Royal Highness, the
same night, wrote a letter, with his own hand, to Mr. Pitt, requiring
an immediate explanation of the extraordinary speech delivered that day
in the House of Commons. Mr. Pitt, in answer, requested leave again
to wait upon his Royal Highness. Accordingly the Minister went on
Saturday, at noon, to Carlton House, and had another long conference
with the Prince, in which his Royal Highness (in order to prevent any
more mistakes) gave to Mr. Pitt, in writing, his proposals, which were
in substance:--1. The Prince of Wales to have his debts paid off, in
part, at least. 2. To have a sum granted sufficient to finish Carlton
House. 3. To have such moderate increase made to his annual income, as
may be sufficient to prevent his running in debt in future.
'With these propositions Mr. Pitt took his leave, and on Sunday,
despatched them by a special messenger to Windsor, to the King; who,
on Monday last, returned his answer, signed in form by his Majesty's
own hand. This answer was on the same day delivered by Mr. Pitt to the
Prince at Carlton House, and is nearly to the following effect:--1.
That his Majesty was glad to find the Prince of Wales ready to submit
his accounts to inspection. 2. That it would be necessary for the
Prince, not only to ascertain the whole amount of his debts, but,
also, the particulars thereof, with an exact account of how each debt
was incurred. 3. That the Prince shall engage not to run in debt in
future. 4. That, upon the specifications above required, would depend
his Majesty's determining upon whether he should agree to the payment
of the whole, or any part of the Prince of Wales's debts. 5. That his
Majesty cannot think any increase of income necessary, so long as the
Prince of Wales shall remain unmarried. This answer cannot be supposed
to have been, in any way, satisfactory to the Prince of Wales.
'However, nothing was said upon the business in the House, either
on Monday, or Tuesday, and nothing on those days was done farther
than that the Prince, on Tuesday, sent his commissioners, Colonels
Lake and Hulse, with Mr. Lyte, his Treasurer, to Mr. Pitt, with all
his accounts, etc., etc., for the inspection and information of his
Majesty.'
The account of the Prince's debts which was furnished to the House is
as follows:
SCHEDULE OF DEBTS
Bonds and debts £13,000
Purchase of houses 4,000
Expenses of Carlton House 53,000
Tradesmen's bills 90,804
--------
£160,804
EXPENDITURE FROM JULY, 1783, TO JULY, 1786.
Household, etc. £29,277
Privy purse 16,050
Payments made by Col. Hotham,
particulars delivered to His
Majesty 37,203
Other extraordinaries 11,406
------ £93,936
Salaries £54,734
Stables 37,919
Mr. Robins, etc. 7,059
------ £99,712
--------
£193,648
On May 21 the King sent a message to the Commons, in which he says,
'His Majesty could not, however, expect, or desire the assistance
of the House, but on a well grounded expectation that the Prince
will avoid contracting any new debts, in future. With a view to this
object, and from an anxious desire to remove every possible doubt of
the sufficiency of the Prince's income to support amply the dignity of
his situation, his Majesty has directed a sum of £10,000 per annum to
be paid out of his civil list, in addition to the allowance which his
Majesty has hitherto given him; and his Majesty has the satisfaction
to inform the House that the Prince of Wales has given his Majesty the
fullest assurances of his firm determination to confine his future
expences within his income; and has, also, settled a plan for arranging
those expences in the several departments, and for fixing an order of
payment under such regulations as his Majesty trusts will effectually
secure the due execution of the Prince's intentions.'
The King's message was considered on the 24th, and part of the
Commons' reply runs thus: 'That his Majesty may depend on the zeal and
affectionate attachment of his faithful Commons, to afford his Majesty
the assistance he desires for the discharge of his Royal Highness's
debts, and that, in full reliance on the assurances which his Majesty
has received, this House humbly desires that his Majesty will be
graciously pleased to direct the sum of £161,000 to be issued out of
his Majesty's Civil List for that purpose, and the sum of £20,000 on
account of the works of Carlton House, as soon as an estimate shall be
formed, with sufficient accuracy, of the whole expence for completing
the same in a proper manner, and to assure his Majesty that his
faithful Commons will make good the same.'
Of course there was the inevitable satirical print, 'The Prince in
Clover' (June 2, 1787). The Prince has his hands full of purses,
with which he is, somewhat theatrically, paying his creditors. Three
Ministers--Pitt, Dundas, and Thurlow--are abjectly grovelling behind
him, to the intense delight of Fox, Sheridan, Burke and Lord North.
[Illustration: Decorative motif]
[Illustration: Decorative panel]
CHAPTER IX.
Fox's denial of the marriage--Once more at Brighton--Again in
1788--The Prince at a fatal prize-fight--His birthday--Dress at
Brighton--The Prince leases his house at Brighton--Unfilial conduct of
the Prince--Probability of a Regency.
But how about Fox's denial of the Prince's marriage with Mrs.
Fitzherbert? was that to pass unnoticed? Certainly not, and there was a
slight disturbance in Florizel's matrimonial establishment, which may
as well be told in Lord Stourton's suave diction.
'The first signal interruption to this ill-fated engagement arose from
the pecuniary difficulties of his Royal Highness, when, on the question
of the payment of his debts, Mr. Fox thought himself justified by some
verbal, or written permission of the Prince, to declare to the House
of Commons that no religious ceremony had united the parties. This
public degradation of Mrs. Fitzherbert so compromised her character
and her religion, and irritated her feelings, that she determined to
break off all connection with the Prince, and she was only induced to
receive him again into her confidence, by repeated assurances that Mr.
Fox had never been authorised to make the declaration; and the friends
of Mrs. Fitzherbert assured her, that, in this discrepancy as to the
assertion of Mr. Fox and the Prince, she was bound to accept the word
of her husband. She informed me that the public supported her, by their
conduct, on this occasion; for, at no period of her life, were their
visits so numerous to her house, as on the day which followed Mr. Fox's
memorable speech; and, to use her own expression, the knocker of her
door was never still during the whole day.
'I told her that I understood there was a scrap of paper from the
Prince to Mr. Fox; that Sir John Throckmorton, a friend of his, had
assured me of the fact of the Prince wishing much to obtain possession
of it; but, though written on a dirty scrap of paper, it was much too
valuable to be parted with. She said that she rather doubted the fact.
I think that the difference between the assertions of the Prince and
Mr. Fox may be accounted for under a supposition (which I have also
heard) either that there was some ambiguity in the expressions used, or
that Mr. Fox might have referred to what had passed, antecedently, at
Devonshire House, without being privy to their subsequent more formal
engagements.
'However this may be, an accommodation took place between Mrs.
Fitzherbert and the Prince, though she, ever afterwards, resolutely
refused to speak to Mr. Fox. She was, however, obliged to see him
sometimes, and was much urged by the Prince to a reconciliation;
but, though of a forgiving disposition upon other occasions, and
even benefiting some who most betrayed her confidence, she was
inflexible on this point, as it was one of the only means left her to
protect her reputation. She thought she had been ill-used, in a most
unjustifiable manner, by this public declaration before the House of
Commons; especially as she had been waited upon by Mr. Sheridan, who
had informed her, that some explanation would, probably, be required by
Parliament, on the subject of her connection with the Heir apparent.
She then told him, that they knew she was like a dog with a log round
its neck, and they must protect her. She went so far with respect to
Mr. Fox, that when, afterwards, during his administration, he made
overtures to her, in order to recover her good will, she refused,
though the attainment of the rank of Duchess was to be the fruit of
their reconciliation. On naming this circumstance to me, she observed
that she did not wish to be another Duchess of Kendal.'[50]
Gillray published a satirical print on May 21, 1787, entitled 'Dido
Forsaken. _Sic transit gloria Reginæ._' Mrs. Fitzherbert, crucifix in
hand, is seated on a heap of ruins, in utter despair, whilst a breeze,
blown by Pitt and Dundas, carries away her crown, orb, sceptre, and
coronet, as Princess of Wales. In a boat named _Honor_, bound for
Windsor, sail away the Prince, Fox (who steers), Lord North, and Burke.
The Prince says, 'I never saw her in my life.' Fox clinches this
with, 'No, never in his life, Damme.' North and Burke asseverate 'No,
never.' On the ground lie fetters, an axe, rods, and a harrow, 'for the
conversion of heretics,' being a delicate allusion to Mrs. Fitzherbert
being a Roman Catholic.
However, the difference between the couple was made up, and they were
in Brighton together early in July. The Prince evidently used some
of his newly-got money on his seaside residence, for we read in the
_Morning Herald_ for July 3, 1787: 'Last Tuesday morning (26 June) as
the painters were beautifying the great dome of the Prince of Wales's
house at Brighthelmstone, the scaffolding broke down, whereby several
of the workmen were killed, and others terribly wounded. His Royal
Highness has caused enquiry to be made into the condition of their
families, in order to give them relief.'
We hear very little of his stay at Brighton during this year. The
_Morning Herald_ of July 24 tells us: 'The _Prince_, we are happy to
say, has derived much benefit from the air of Brighthelmstone, and the
exercise which he has taken in its environs. We have never seen his
_Royal Highness_ in better health, or more apparent spirits than in
his evening walks on the Steyne. His companions in these promenades,
exclusive of the gentlemen of his suite, are, in general, Mrs. F----,
with the Countess of Talbot, and Lady Stawell.'
In the same newspaper of August 6, we find under the heading
'BRIGHTHELMSTONE, Aug. 3. This scene feels, at present, a temporary
desertion from the general resort of the visitants to the races of
Lewes. The Prince has also left it this morning, on hearing of the
arrival of his brother, the Duke of York, from the Continent.
'The races above mentioned derived more celebrity from the brilliant
attendance with which they were honoured, than from the sport which
they afforded. The betting on the first day was so generally on the
side of _Marplot_ that eighty guineas to sixty, and immediately before
starting sixty to forty were offered and refused. Mr. Fox took the
odds that were offered against _Balloon_, to the amount of about five
hundred pounds, and Mr. Tetherington is said to have cleared upwards of
a thousand by the success of his horse _Marplot_.
'Amongst those present were the Prince, the Duke and Duchess
of Cumberland, the Princesse de Lamballe, who was particularly
distinguished through the day by the _enviable_ attentions of the Duke
of Queensberry. The Duchess of Rutland, the Countess of Talbot, Lord
and Lady Abergavenny, Mrs. Fitzherbert, Lord Clermont, Lord Grosvenor,
Sir John Lade, Sir Richard Heron, Mr. Fox, Mr. Wyndham, Mr. Pelham,
Col. Fitzpatrick, etc., added to the fashion of the group.
'After the first race, the Prince, with a select party, retired to
partake of an entertainment provided for them at the seat of Mr.
Wyndham, near Lewes.'
In 1788 the Prince went to Brighton for the season on July 1, and very
shortly, when driving with Mrs. Fitzherbert, they were both upset.
Neither could have been much hurt, for the _Morning Post_ of July 5
says that the Prince came to town the previous day, and that 'Mrs.
Fitzherbert is totally recovered from the effects of her accident.'
Still, this trivial event gave food to the caricaturist, 'The Prince's
Disaster, or a fall in Fitz.' They have been for a drive in an open
carriage, which has broken down. Mrs. F---- lies on the ground, and the
Prince is being thrown out.
That their mutual relations were cordial is evidenced by a satirical
print, April 3, 1788, where Mrs. Fitzherbert is seen leading the Prince
in chains. She says, 'Who can behold without transport "the glass of
fashion and the mould of form, the observ'd of all observers," smiling
in chains?' He replies, 'Delightful slavery! A day, an hour, of such
sweet bondage is worth an eternity of celestial happiness!'
We get a glimpse of what Brighton was, at this time, by the two
following newspaper cuttings. _Morning Post_, July 14: 'Brighton,
with the Prince, and such Company as follow the Prince, will do very
well, though, of late years, it has not been so crowded as formerly.
Many reasons have been assigned for this change--we, however, for
_propriety's sake_, shall give none.' _Ibid._, July 21: 'Brighton,
notwithstanding the return of the Prince, does not bear the appearance
of pleasure and fashion.'
And it can hardly be wondered at, for the Prince had relapsed, since
he had got his debts paid, and kept very bad company. He always was
fond of seeing prize-fights, and he and the Duc d'Orleans saw the fight
between Humphries and Martin at Newmarket, on May 3, 1786; but he had
more than he bargained for at Brighton Races this year. The event
is thus recorded in _Boxiana_ (vol. i., p. 219, ed. 1818): '_Tyne_
next entered the lists with _Earl_, upon a stage erected near the
stand on the Brighton Race ground, on August 6, 1788. Never were more
fashionables assembled at a boxing match than the above; the town of
Brighthelmstone was literally drained of its company, and the race
stand was crowded to excess with nobility and gentry; among whom was
his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. _Earl_ was a tall, strong man,
and, in point of appearance, the favourite, and was actually becoming
so from his exertions, when _Tyne_ put in a blow upon his temple, that
made him reel against the rail of the stage, and he instantly dropped
down dead: which unfortunate circumstance produced a most afflicting
scene; and the Prince declared he would never witness another battle.
His Royal Highness, with great humanity and consideration, settled an
annuity on Mrs. _Earl_ and family. It appeared by the evidence before
the Coroner's jury that _Earl_ had been for some time previous to the
battle engaged in an election contest at Covent Garden, and had been
in one continued state of inebriety during the whole of it. It was the
opinion of professional men, that the vessels being so overcharged with
blood was the immediate cause of his death.'
The _Morning Post_ of August 9 has the following from Brighton: 'The
Prince of Wales gains many hearts by his great affability and good
humour. His company is much better than it used to be, and he is
certainly more sparing of his libations to Bacchus.
'Mrs. F----t looks more elegant than ever. One can, indeed, hardly
help exclaiming with the army of Mahomet the Second, when he showed
them his Irene--"Such a woman is worth a kingdom!"
'The Prince of Wales has won money on the races--more money than one
would wish a Prince of Wales to win.'
The same newspaper of August 15 says: BRIGHTHELMSTONE.--The celebration
of the Prince's birthday was in a style of the utmost gaiety and
conviviality, the more general and uniform, from the contracted circle
in which it shone. The Prince gave a most sumptuous entertainment
at the MARINE PAVILION,[51] of which all the Nobility and Gentry in
the town and neighbourhood partook by invitation. In the evening the
illuminations were general, and some of them conspicuous for taste,
particularly the Castle, the front of which was covered with various
coloured lamps. A Ball was given by the Jockey Club, in honour of the
Prince, who honoured several ladies with his hand during the course of
the evening.'
_Ibid._, _September 6._--'The Prince of Wales does not slumber in dull
indolence at his retreat at Brighton, but promotes and participates
in many manly exercises. Cricket is, at present, the chief amusement
patronized by his Royal Highness, who is dexterous and indefatigable.
Most of the young noblemen in the neighbourhood join in this vigorous
and wholesome exercise, in which the domestics of the Prince are
permitted to partake.'
We get a good glimpse of our great grandfathers and grandmothers
at Brighton in the _Morning Post_ of September 18: 'DRESS AT
BRIGHTON.--The fashionable bathing dress at Brighton is chiefly a pair
of buff trousers, and a slight jacket.
'This is adopted by all the young men of the place, and such a number
of idle, sauntering _land lubbers_ meet the eye, every morning, on the
Steyne, that one cannot help wishing for a sturdy press gang to give
them useful employment, or, at least, keep them out of mischief.
'After breakfast, they are then accoutred for the sports of the field.
'The sporting dress is a brown jacket, with a multiplicity of pockets
on each side, that reach from the bottom to the top, so that, from this
appearance, it is somewhat difficult to determine which the fashionable
tribe most resemble, a set of _grooms_, or a company of _smugglers_.
'When the dinner hour arrives, after these sprightly and heroic
gentlemen have _slain their thousands and ten thousands_, according to
their own account, in the field, with as little winking and blinking as
_Major Sturgeon_ himself, they then attire themselves in order to enjoy
the pleasures of the table; and, however deranged they may, afterwards,
be by convivial excess, they march, or stagger away to the _Rooms_, as
circumstances may determine, and entertain the Ladies with _elegant_
and _decent_ gallantry.
'The Ladies have no particular dress for the morning, but huddle away
to the bathing-place, in close caps and gipsy bonnets, so that they
look like a set of wandering _fortune tellers_, who have just had the
opportunity of pillaging the contents of a _frippery warehouse_, with
which they have bedecked themselves in haste.
'It is to be remarked that the Ladies do not atone for the negligence
of the morning, by neatness and elegance during the rest of the day,
but _shuffle_ on _something_ by dinner time, covering themselves with
an enormous nondescript bonnet, which, to the confusion of all order,
they, afterwards, think a proper garb for the assembly.
'If a spectator, not cognizant in the fanciful and capricious
variations of _ton_, were to cast his eyes on the motley groupe
contained in the Rooms, of an evening; far from supposing them persons
of the first fashion attired for a Ball, he would consider them as a
band of _Bedlamites_; or, at best, conclude that the whole presented
the extravagant vagaries of a Masquerade.'
This year Mrs. Fitzherbert moved into a house in Pall Mall, which
had a private entrance into the grounds of Carlton House. There was
a question put in the _Morning Post_ of October 10 which was never
answered. 'A QUESTION, What is the reason that Mrs. FITZHERBERT, who is
a lady of fortune and fashion, never appears at Court? She is visited
by _some_ ladies of high rank--has been in public with them--and, yet,
never goes to the Drawing Rooms at St. James's. This question is sent
for publication by a person who pays no regard to the idle reports of
the day, and wishes to have the mystery cleared up.'
The house which Weltje had taken for His Royal Highness had the Castle
Tavern on one side of its grounds, and Grove House on the other, and
considerable alterations were made in it since it was leased to Weltje
from Mr. Kempe for £150 per annum with the option of purchase (which
was exercised) for £3,000, and the house and gardens were leased by
Weltje to the Prince for a term of twenty-one years from Christmas,
1787.
When the King was taken ill with his first attack of mental aberration,
in November, 1788, the Prince and Mrs. Fitzherbert came up to London,
a fact which the pictorial satirist soon got hold of; and a print
was published in that month, in which the King was depicted as being
in bed, a Bishop reading prayers for his restoration to health. This
solemn group is interrupted by the Prince of Wales bursting into the
room, calling out, 'Damme, come along, I'll see if the old fellow's----
or not!' Following him are George Hanger, with a bottle, and Sheridan.
To point this satire the more, a picture of the Prodigal Son hangs on
the wall.
Miss Burney gives us an account of the King's seizure and of the
arrival of the Prince, and although his conduct was not as heartless
as shown in the etching, it was bad enough. 'Soon after, suddenly
arrived the Prince of Wales. He came into the room. He had just quitted
Brighthelmstone. Something passing within seemed to render this meeting
awfully distant on both sides. She (the Queen) asked him if he should
not return to Brighthelmstone. He answered, yes, the next day.'
But this he did not do, as there were already rumours of a Regency, yet
his conduct towards his father seems to have been very bad. Grenville,
writing to his brother, the Duke of Buckingham, November 23, 1788,
says: 'Think of the Prince of Wales introducing Lord Lothian into the
King's room when it was darkened, in order that he might hear his
ravings at the time that they were at the worst. Do not let this fact
come from you; it begins to be pretty well known here, and, no doubt,
will find its way to Ireland; but it is important that we should not
seem to spread the knowledge of anything which can injure his Royal
Highness's character in public opinion.'[52]
There was much intriguing as to a Regency, the Ministry at first
suggesting that the Government should be carried on by a Commission;
but on December 30, 1788, Pitt wrote a letter to the Prince of Wales,
stating that His Majesty's Ministers had come to the conclusion to
offer him the Regency of the kingdom, under certain restrictions.
The Prince replied at once, expressing his sorrow at the occasion
of his proposed elevation, but accepting the trust. Of course, this
suggestion of the Government could not be acted upon without mature
deliberation, and it was not until January 30, 1789, that the following
resolutions of the Lords and Commons were presented to the Prince
of Wales: 'That his Royal Highness be empowered to exercise the
Royal authority under the title of Regent.'--'That the power given,
should not extend to the granting of any Peerage, except to the Royal
issue.'--'Nor to the grant of any office in reversion, or any office,
salary, or pension, than during his Majesty's pleasure; or to the
granting his Majesty's real, or personal estates.'--'That the care of
his Majesty be committed to the Queen, who should nominate all persons
to the offices in the household.'
Needless to say, the Prince made no objections, and by February 12
the Regency Bill had gone through all its stages in the House of
Commons, and was ordered to be sent to the Lords. But the proverbial
'slip 'twixt cup and lip' occurred. On February 19 the Lord Chancellor
informed the House of Lords that, according to the report of his
physicians, the King's health was steadily mending, and they therefore
abstained from further consideration of the Regency Bill.
The physicians' hopes were fully justified; the King got better
rapidly, and on February 27 his perfect recovery was announced,
the prayer for the same was discontinued, and a form of prayer of
thanksgiving for his restoration to health was ordered to be read in
all churches and chapels throughout England and Wales. Rejoicings and
illuminations were the order of the day, and on April 23, the day of
general thanksgiving, the King, Queen, and Royal Family went in state
to St. Paul's Cathedral, to return thanks to God for His mercy in
giving the King his health and reason once again.
Naturally, there were satirical prints going about, but not so many as
might be thought. There was one in February, 1789, called 'The Rival
Queens. _A Political Heat for Lege and Grege._' Madame Schwellenburg,
the Queen's Mistress of the Robes, armed with the Lord Chancellor's
mace, is making a desperate onslaught on Mrs. Fitzherbert, who defends
herself with a crucifix. Pitt officiates as second to the German lady,
and Florizel performs the same office towards his wife.
On April 29 appeared 'The Funeral Procession of Miss Regency,' in which
are numerous figures. On the coffin are a dice-box and two dice, the
Prince of Wales's coronet, and an empty purse. The chief mourner is
Mrs. Fitzherbert, who is in deep grief at the loss of her position.
Of course Fox and Sheridan are among the mourners, as are also the
Prince's household, amongst whom is the 'Clerk of the Dish Clouts,'
Weltje, who laments:
'Vor by Got, ve do pine, and in sadness ve tink
Dat it's long till de Prince vear de Crown.'
[Illustration: Decorative motif]
FOOTNOTES:
[50] Mistress of George II.
[51] This is the first instance I have met with in which it is so
called.--J. A.
[52] 'Memoirs of the Court and Cabinets of George III.,' by the Duke of
Buckingham and Chandos; London, 1853, vol. ii., p. 11.
[Illustration: Decorative panel]
CHAPTER X.
The Prince as a musician--A _bon-mot_ of his--Lady Lade--Her husband,
Sir John--The Prince's pecuniary difficulties--His dealings with his
jeweller--The latter's story--Another financial mess.
The King being ordered to Weymouth, the Prince left, early in July, for
Brighton. We do not hear much of him there, and more of what we read is
pleasant. Fitzgerald[53] says: 'On one of the evenings at the Pavilion
(one of Sir P. Francis's daughters reports) his Royal Highness,
after dinner, having proposed music, and being actively engaged in
performing, with Mr. Francis and some other person, the pretty hunting
trio of "Azioli," of which the burden is _Ritorneremo a Clori_. But the
story is amusing, and bears such a favourable testimony to the Prince's
good humour, that the lady must be allowed to tell it herself.
'"It is well known that, to an excessive love of music, he added much
real taste as an amateur, and some power as a performer; but his
execution was not particularly good, and Mr. Francis, Sir Philip's
son, with whom he frequently sang, was, sometimes, comically struck
by the loudness of his voice, and his peculiar manner. On one of the
above-mentioned evenings at the Pavilion, his Royal Highness, after
dinner, having proposed music, and being actually engaged in performing
with Mr. Francis and some other person the pretty hunting trio of
'Azioli,' of which the burden is _Ritorneremo a Clori al tramontar
del di_, Mr. Francis suddenly found the full face of the Prince,
somewhat heated by the eagerness of his performance, in immediate
contact with his own; and this circumstance, combined with that of
the loud bass tones in which his Royal Highness was singing the words
_Ritorneremo a Clori_, striking him in some ludicrous point of view,
he became absolutely unable to resist the effect on his nerves, and
burst out laughing. The Prince evidently perceived that his own singing
had produced the unseasonable laughter; but, instead of showing a
displeasure at a rudeness which, however involuntary, would have been
resented by many far less illustrious persons, he only called the
offender to order with the words 'Come, come, Philip!' his countenance
betraying, at the same time, a strong inclination to join in the laugh
himself; and the trio proceeded to a conclusion. Sir Philip (adds his
daughter) by his original humour, and great powers of conversation,
was, often, the life of the Pavilion; though his temperate habits made
the excesses occasionally committed at the Prince's table distasteful
to him; and his royal host, perceiving him ready to drop asleep when
the revels were long protracted, would say, 'We must carry grandpapa
away to bed.'"'
The same ready good humour is shown in a pleasant scene which took
place at the Pavilion. Cricket was often played on the lawn, and
the dinner which followed was served in a marquee. On one of these
occasions the Duke of York and Sheridan fell into dispute on some point
of the game. Sheridan at length angrily told the Duke 'that he was not
to be talked out of his opinion there, or anywhere else; and that, at
play, all men were on a par.'
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