Volume I Part 1 (1/2)
Secret History of the Court of England, from the Accession of George the Third to the Death of George the Fourth.
Volume I.
by Lady Anne Hamilton.
”TO THE READER.”
The source from whence this Work proceeds will be a sufficient guarantee for the facts it contains. A high sense of duty and honor has prompted these details which have for many years been on the eve of publication.
It will be worthy of the perusal of THE GREAT because it will serve as a mirror, and they who do not see themselves, or their actions reflected, will not take offence at the _unvarnished Picture_--it may afford real benefit to the Statesman and Politician, by the ample testimony it gives, that when _Justice is perverted_, the most lamentable consequences ensue; and to that cla.s.s of Society whose station is more humble, it may unfold the designing characters by whom they have so frequently been deceived. _They only_ are competent to detail the scenes and intrigues of _a Court_, who have been most intimately acquainted with it, and it must at all times be acknowledged, that it is a climate not very conducive to the growth of Virtue, not very frequently the abode of Truth--yet although its atmosphere is so tainted, its giddy crowd is thought enviably happy. The fallacy of such opinions is here set forth to public view, by one who has spent much of her time in _the interior of a Court_, and whose immediate knowledge of the then pa.s.sing events, give ability to narrate them faithfully. Many, very many, facts are here omited, which hereafter shall appear, and there is little doubt, but that some general good may result from an unprejudiced and calm perusal of the subjects subjoined.
”PREFACE.”
How far the law of Libel (as it now stands) may affect is best to be ascertained by a reference to the declaration of Lord Abingdon, in 1779, and inserted, verbatim, at page 69--1st vol. of this ”Secret History.”
The following Pages are intended as a benefit, not to do injury. If the facts could not have been maintained proper methods ought to have been adopted to have caused the most minute enquiry and investigation upon the subject. Many an Arrow has been shot, and innumerable suspicions entertained from what motive, and by whose hand the bow was drawn, yet here all mystery ceases, and an open avowal is made:--Would to Heaven for the honor of human nature that the subjoined doc.u.ments were falsehoods and calumniations invented for the purpose of maligning character, or for personal resentments--but the unusual corroboration of _events_, _places_, times, and persons, will not admit the probability.
In the affair of the ever lamented Death of the Princess Charlotte, the three important Letters commencing at page 369, vol. 1st, are of essential importance, and deserve the most grave and deliberate enquiry--for _the first time_ they _now_ appear in print. The subjects connected with the Royal Mother are also of deep interest. The conduct of the English Government towards Napoleon is introduced, to give a true and impartial view of the _reasons_ which dictated such arbitrary and unjust measures enforced against that _Great Man_, and which will ever remain a blot upon the British Nation. These unhandsome derelictions from honorable conduct could alone be expressed by those who were well informed upon _private subjects_. Respect for the ill.u.s.trious Dead has materially encouraged the inclination to give publicity to scenes, which were as revolting in themselves as they were _cruel_ and _most heart-rending_ to the Victims: throughout the whole, it is quite apparent that certain Persons were obnoxious to the Ruling Authorities, and the sequel will prove, that _the extinction_ of such Persons was resolved upon, let the means and measures to obtain that object be what they might. During this period we find those who had long been opposed in Political sentiments, to all appearance perfectly reconciled, and adhering to that party from whom they might expect the greatest honors and advancement in the State. We need only refer as proofs for this, to the late ”Spencer Percival,” and ”George Canning”--who to obtain preferment joined the confederations formed against an unprotected Princess, and yet who previously had been the most strenuous defenders of the same Lady's cause.--Well may it be observed that Vanity is too powerful,
”The Seals of Office glitter in their eyes, They leave the truth, and by their falsehoods rise.”
These remarks are not intended as any disparagement to the private characters or virtues of those statesmen whose talent was great and well cultivated, but to establish the position which it is the object of this work to show that Justice has not been fairly and impartially administered when the requirement was in opposition to the Royal wish or the administration.
Within these volumes will also be found urgent remonstrances against the indignities offered to the people of Ireland, whose forebearance has been great, and whose sorrows are without a parallel, and who merit the same regard as England and Scotland.--Much is omited relative to the private conduct of persons who occupy _high stations_, but should it be needful, it shall be published, and all the correspondence connected therewith. It is true much honor will not be derived from such explanations, but they are forthcoming if requisite.
The generality of readers will not criticise severely upon _the diction_ of these prefatory remarks; they will rather have their attention turned to the truths submitted to them, and the end in view,--_that end_ is for the advancement of the best interests of Society--to unite more closely each member in the bonds of friends.h.i.+p and amity, and to expose the _hidden causes_ which for so long a period have been barriers to concord, unity, and happiness
”MAY G.o.d DEFEND THE RIGHT.”
SECRET HISTORY,
_&c. &c._
The secret history of the Court of England, during the last two reigns, will afford the reflecting mind abundant matter for regret and abhorrence. It has, however, been so much the fas.h.i.+on for historians to speak of kings and their ministers in all the fulsome terms of flattery, that the inquirer frequently finds it a matter of great difficulty to arrive at truth. But, fearless of consequences, we will speak of facts as they _really occurred_, and only hope our readers will accompany us in the recital with feelings, unwarped by party prejudice, and with a determination to judge the actions of kings, lords, and commons, not as beings of a _superior order_, but as _men_. Minds thus const.i.tuted will have little difficulty in tracing the origin of our present evils, or of perceiving
”How many that _command_ should be COMMANDED!”
We commence with the year
1761,
about which period George the Third was pressed by his ministers to make choice of some royal lady, and demand her in marriage. They urged this under the pretext, that such a connexion was indispensably necessary to give stability to the monarchy, to a.s.sist the progressive improvements in morality and religion, and to benefit all artificers, by making a display at court of their ingenious productions. His majesty heard the proposal with an aching heart; and, to many of his ministers, he seemed as if labouring under bodily indisposition. Those persons, however, who were in the immediate confidence of the king, felt no surprise at the distressing change so apparent in the countenance of his majesty, the cause of which may be traced in the following particulars:
The unhappy sovereign, while Prince of Wales, was in the daily habit of pa.s.sing through St. James' street, and its immediate vicinity. In one of his favourite rides through that part of town, he saw a very engaging young lady, who appeared, by her dress, to be a member of the Society of Friends. The prince was much struck by the delicacy and lovely appearance of this female, and, for several succeeding days, was observed to walk out alone. At length, the pa.s.sion of his royal highness arrived at such a point, that he felt his happiness depended upon receiving the lady in marriage.
Every individual in his immediate circle, or in the list of the privy council, was very narrowly questioned by the prince, though in an indirect manner, to ascertain who was most to be trusted, that he might secure, _honorably_, the possession of the object of his ardent wishes.
His royal highness, at last, confided his views to his next brother, Edward, Duke of York, and another person, who were the only witnesses to the _legal_ marriage of the Prince of Wales to the before-mentioned lady, HANNAH LIGHTFOOT, which took place at Curzon-street Chapel, May Fair, in the year 1759.