Volume I Part 12 (2/2)
The Duke of York first communicated his suspicions on this subject to the regent, and the prince immediately went to Windsor (where the queen then was) to inform her majesty of his fears, and to consult what would be the most proper and effectual measures to take. Her majesty was highly incensed at the information, and very indignantly answered, ”My family connexions will prove my entire ruin.” Her majesty, accompanied by the prince, drove off directly for London, and the Princess Charlotte was commanded to meet her grandmother in her chamber. With her usual independent readiness, the princess obeyed the summons, and was ushered into the presence of the haughty queen.
After some considerable period of silence, her majesty began to ask what particular services Dr. Nott had rendered, or what very superior attractions he possessed, to engage the attentions of her royal highness in such an unusual degree, as was now well known to be the case. Her royal highness rose up, and in a tone of voice, not very agreeable to the queen, said, ”If your majesty supposes you can subdue me as you have done my mother, the Princess of Wales, you will find yourself deceived.
The Reverend Mr. Nott has shown me more attentions, and contributed more to my happiness in my gloomy seclusion, than any person ever did, except my mother, and I ought to be grateful to him, and I WILL, whether it pleases your majesty or not!” The queen saw her purpose was defeated in the attempt to intimidate her grand-daughter, and therefore, in a milder manner, said, ”You must, my dear, recollect, I am anxious for your honour and happiness; you are born to occupy the highest station in the world, and I wish you to do so becoming the proud character of your royal father, who is the most distinguished prince in Europe.” The queen had scarcely concluded her sentence, when her royal highness burst forth, in the most violent manner, and with an undismayed gesture, said, ”Does your majesty think I am always to be under your subjection? Can I believe my royal father _so great and good_, when I have so long witnessed his unremitted unkindness to my neglected mother? Neither do I receive much attention from the prince; and my uncle of York is always preaching to me about virtue and submission, and your majesty well knows _he does not practise either_! Mr. Nott practises every amiability which he enjoins, and I esteem him exceedingly _more than I do any other gentleman_!” The queen was quite vexed at the unbending disposition manifested by the princess, and desired her to retire, and reflect upon the improper conduct of which she had been guilty, and, by humility and contrition, to make a suitable atonement.
While walking out of the room, the princess appeared in deep thought, and more tranquil; her majesty, imagining it to be the result of her own advice, said, ”The Princess Charlotte will never want a friend if she abide by her grandmother's instructions, and properly maintain her dignity of birth.” Her royal highness returned to her former situation before the queen, and exclaimed, ”What does your majesty mean?” ”I mean,” replied the queen, ”that you must not condescend to favour persons in _low life_ with your confidence or particular respect; they will take advantage of it, and finally make you the tool to accomplish their vile purposes.” ”Does your majesty apply these remarks to the Rev.
Mr. Nott?” hastily replied the princess. ”I do,” said the queen. ”Then hear me, your majesty; I glory in my regard for Mr. Nott. His virtues are above all praise, and he merits infinitely more than I have to give; but I resolve, from this moment, to give him all the worldly goods I can; and your majesty knows that, by _law_, I can make a will, though I am but little more than fifteen; and my library, jewels, and other valuables, are at my own disposal! I will now, without delay, make my will in his favour, and no earthly power shall prevent me. I am sorry your majesty prefers _vicious and wicked characters, with splendid t.i.tles_, to virtuous and amiable persons, dest.i.tute of such empty sounds!” The princess left the room, and the queen was more disturbed than before the interview.
The regent was soon made acquainted with the result, and recommended that no further notice should be taken of the matter, hoping that the princess would change her intention upon a more deliberate survey of the subject. But in this opinion, or hope, his royal highness was disappointed; for the princess that day signed a _deed_, whereby she gave _positively_ to her friend and preceptor, Dr. Nott, her library, jewels, and all private property belonging to her, and delivered this instrument into his hand, saying, ”I hope you will receive this small token as a pledge of my sincere regard for your character, and high estimation of your many virtues. When I am able to give you greater testimonies of my friends.h.i.+p, they shall not be withheld.” We need hardly say that the divine was _delighted_ at the great attention and unexpected generosity of her royal highness. He was more; for his heart was subdued and affected.
A considerable period elapsed after this circ.u.mstance, when the queen was resolved to recover the _deed_ at all hazards, as she feared, if the validity of such an instrument were ever acknowledged, royalty would suffer much in the estimation of the public. All the queen's deceptive plans, therefore, were tried; but failed. The prince, at length, offered a large amount as a remuneration, and finally persuaded the doctor to give up the deed! Of course a good living was also presented to him, on his retiring from the situation in which he had so long enjoyed the smile and favour of his royal pupil.
The Princess Charlotte was mortified, beyond expression, at this unexpected conduct on the part of her father and grandmother, and was not very sparing in her expressions of dislike towards them. Mr.
Perceval (who was then premier) was requested by the prince to see her royal highness, and to suggest _any_ terms of reconciliation between the princess and the queen; but he could not succeed. ”What, Sir!” said her royal highness, ”would you desire me to _appear what I am not_, and to meet her majesty as if I believed her to be my sincere friend, when I know I am hated for my dear mother's sake? No, Sir! I cannot do as you desire; but I will endeavour to meet her majesty at all needful opportunities with as much gentleness of manners as I can a.s.sume. What indignities has not the queen offered to my persecuted mother? You well know, Sir, they have been unmerited, and if her majesty insults the Princess of Wales again in my presence, I shall say, 'your majesty should regulate your family affairs better, and teach lessons of virtue to your _daughters_, before you traduce the characters of other ladies!'
You, Sir, are the regent's minister, and in his confidence, so I may venture to give you my candid opinion, and I do not consider that, by doing so, I exceed the bounds of propriety. Will you, therefore, oblige me by announcing to the prince, my father, that I am unalterably devoted in heart to my mother, and while I wish to be a dutiful child to my father, I must not even be that at the expense of principle and honourable sentiments. My grandfather always had my respect and pity.”
It is scarcely necessary to say, that Mr. Perceval retired with evident symptoms of disappointment and chagrin. He immediately communicated the result of his interview to the regent and the queen, who declined making any further remonstrance, lest the princess should imagine they feared her, or were at all intimidated by her bold decisions.
In this year, Lord Sidmouth moved to bring in a bill to alter the ”Toleration Act.” His lords.h.i.+p stated, that this bill was calculated to serve the interests of religion, and promote the prosperity of the Church of England! But Lord Sidmouth, for once, was disappointed. The sensation excited throughout the country was of an unprecedented description; for, within forty-eight hours, no less than three hundred and thirty-six pet.i.tions against it were poured into the House of Lords!
and the House was presented, on the second reading, with five hundred more! It was consequently abandoned.
The supplies voted for the public and _private_ services were FIFTY-SIX MILLIONS!
At the close of this year, the poor were peris.h.i.+ng for want; yet the court became more splendid than ever! The ill-fated sovereign was as imbecile and as weak as an infant, and his representative a profligate ruler. What a condition for England!
War still raged at the commencement of
1812.
We will not, however, record the scenes of devastation and horror consequent from it; neither will we eulogize Lord Wellington for the _victories_ he obtained. Much rather would we shed a tear at the remembrance of the slaughtered victims to kingly or ministerial ambition. Who that believes in the immortality of the soul can think of these horrid engagements without shuddering at the immense and inexpressible accountability of the destroyer? It would be utterly impossible to give an idea of the number of WIDOWS and ORPHANS who have had to mourn the consequences of _splendid_ victories, as a _wholesale murdering of soldiers_ are denominated. How many _ducal coronets_ have been purchased at the expense of human existence! Rather should our brows never be encircled than at such an unnatural price!
On the 13th of February, the restrictions formerly in force against the prince regent terminated; and, properly speaking, it may be declared, _he then a.s.sumed the kingly power_. One hundred thousand pounds were voted for him, _professedly_ to meet the expenses attendant upon his a.s.sumption of the regal authority.
This was a moment of triumph to the queen, and the sequel will prove that her majesty took especial care to turn it to her own account. The Duke of York was fully reinstated as ”Commander-in-Chief,” and, therefore, ready ways and means presented themselves to her majesty. The regent engaged that the queen should have the continued sanction of his name and interest, in all the various ways she might require.
Accordingly, it was soon arranged, that _her majesty should receive an additional sum of ten thousand pounds per annum_ FOR THE CARE OF HER ROYAL HUSBAND'S PERSON!
We cannot pa.s.s by this shameful insult to the nation without making an observation upon so _unnatural_ an act. If the queen were the kind and affectionate wife she had so very frequently been represented to be, could she have allowed herself to receive an immense payment for merely doing her _duty_? But a more selfish woman, and a more unfeeling wife, never disgraced humanity, as this wicked acceptance of the public money fully testifies.
An additional nine thousand pounds annually were also granted to each of the princesses, whilst places and pensions were proportionally multiplied. In the case of Colonel M'Mahon, upon whom a private secretarys.h.i.+p had been conferred, much very unpleasant altercation took place in the House of Commons; but _bribery_ effected that which argument proved to be _wrong_. It was a well-known fact, indeed, that this individual was nothing more than a pander to the regent's l.u.s.t, to which infamous engagements and practices we shall hereafter refer.
On the 11th of May, as Mr. Perceval was entering the lobby of the House of Commons, he received a shot in his left breast, and, after staggering a few paces, fell down and expired. The a.s.sa.s.sin was tried on the 15th and executed on the 18th of the same month. He defended his conduct on the ground of having received much injury from the government, who had denied redress of his grievances, and, therefore, thought he had only done an act of justice in taking away the life of a member of so callous an administration.
Agreeably to the regent's message, fifty thousand pounds were voted for the use of Mr. Perceval's family, and two thousand annually to be paid to his widow. In case of her demise, however, the same amount was to be continued annually to such male descendant as might at that time be the heir, for the term of his life.
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