Volume I Part 13 (1/2)
Let us here inquire into the services which Mr. Perceval had rendered his country to warrant ministers in this lavish expenditure upon his family, one of whom now frequently intrudes his crude notions in the House of Commons. Mr. Perceval had been for a long period the _pretended friend_ of the ill-fated Princess of Wales. ”The Book” which he arranged, and which had been printed, but not published, in 1807, giving the particulars of the ”Delicate Investigation,” improperly so called, _was bought up_ in 1809, and as much as fifteen hundred pounds GIVEN _for a single copy_. The rancour and malice of the unprincipled enemies and calumniators of the open-hearted Princess of Wales had been much exposed by Mr. Perceval, and by his apparent generous and manly defence in her royal highness' favour, the storm materially abated. After a long period, she was again received at court, and acknowledged _innocent_ of the charges preferred by her a.s.sailants. Apartments were given to her at Kensington Palace, and it appeared very probable that her wishes would finally be completed, in the restoration of her beloved daughter to her society. But mark the ensuing change. Mr. Perceval was chosen by the regent to a.s.sist in his councils; and as no man can serve two causes at the same time, Mr. Perceval deserted the princess, and became the servile minister of the prince! Surely there must be something supernatural in the smile of royalty, when, in some instances, principle and conscience have fallen subdued before it! We know for an _incontrovertible_ fact, that but a few months before Mr. Perceval's acceptance of office, he delivered his sentiments concerning the Princess of Wales to a particular friend, in these words: ”I am decidedly friendly to the Princess of Wales, because I am well satisfied and a.s.sured her royal highness is a much-injured lady. I am also convinced her mother-in-law had conceived an inveterate dislike to her before she arrived in this country, on account of the objections preferred by the prince against any connexion, except that which his royal highness had already formed. From these unhappy circ.u.mstances, I am obliged to believe, that the sufferings of her highness are unmerited on her part, and very much increased by the dictatorial behaviour of her majesty.” At another interview with the same person, the following question was put, unreservedly, to Mr. Perceval: ”Do you, Sir, think her royal highness has been deserving of the persecutions she has endured, by any deviation from virtue and propriety?” ”I do not think the princess guilty,” earnestly rejoined Mr. Perceval, ”and I am fully satisfied, in my own mind, that if there had not existed ungenerous intentions on the part of the royal family, the affair would long since have sunk into silence. There is a gaiety and levity about her royal highness which is not usual with the _English_ ladies generally; but, with all the exterior frivolity of the princess, when she chooses to be lively, _I would prefer her infinitely to the professedly-modest and apparently-reserved of the s.e.x in high life_. I believe the princess to be playful, and incautiously witty, in her deportment; but _I prefer that to secret intrigue and infamous practices_.”
We leave our readers to judge whether this simple declaration was not honourable to the princess, and whether it does not correspond with every speech delivered by this gentleman in his public and private defence of her royal highness. Humanity, however, is weak, and the ingratiating attentions of the prince were too powerful to be resisted by Mr. Perceval. At his royal command, Virtue, Goodness, and Truth, a.s.sumed the garb of Vice, Infamy, and Falsehood. ”Oh, blasting privilege of sovereignty! The bare scent of thy perfume spreads desolation to society; changes man, the n.o.blest of G.o.d's works, into a monster; and the consequences of thy _unnatural existence_ will most probably produce the engine to be used for _thine own destruction_!”
Shortly after the untimely death of Mr. Perceval, Lord Liverpool was appointed first lord of the Treasury; Mr. Nicholas Vansittart, chancellor of the Exchequer; and Lord Sidmouth, secretary of state for the home department.
On the 17th of June, Mr. Vansittart brought forward his budget,--the amount of the supplies required being more than sixty-two millions.
Certainly this was not a very exhilirating or agreeable prospect to the nation of the retrenchments intended by the new ministry; but notwithstanding the divisions on the subject, it finally received the sanction of parliament. Had it not been for the corrupt state of the representation, can we suppose it possible that such a sum would have been permitted to be drawn from the starving mult.i.tudes, when there existed such pecuniary distress in the manufacturing and commercial districts, unequalled in former years?
The new parliament met for business on the 30th of November, and one of its first acts was, to grant the sum of one hundred thousand pounds to Lord Wellington for the part he had taken in legal slaughter!
It may, with propriety, be submitted here, how large a grant would have been made to any man who should have presented a _plan for the comfortable and honourable maintenance of the peris.h.i.+ng millions_? We fear any patriot, who had dared to press such a scheme would have soon been consigned to a damp and dreary dungeon, charged with disaffection to the monarch, or commanded, under _certain protection_, to set sail for another country; and, if permitted to reach the destined sh.o.r.e, there to be received and treated as one of the most infamous of the human race! But in these days, the _will_ of the regent, supported by the queen, was supreme law. There was not one who ventured to _insult his dignity_ by speaking to him TRUTH!--not one _dared_ to stem the torrent of his royal displeasure! It is true that, when Lord Liverpool first entered office, he once _hinted_ to his royal master the general voice of dissatisfaction which the people expressed; but the imperious regent commanded silence upon all such subjects, and desired Lord Liverpool never again to meet his highness, unless under a positive resolve not even to give the most distant hint at matters so very disagreeable to the royal ear, and which were of _no considerable importance_! His lords.h.i.+p proved himself wanting in fort.i.tude to set an example to courtiers, and the principle of his mind was, consequently, bartered for the _pleasure_ of being the _slave_ of a haughty prince, who had ”relinquished Justice, and abandoned Mercy!”
We must here refer to a most interesting circ.u.mstance with respect to the Princess of Wales. Her royal highness was well aware of the bonds, _still in existence_, given by the Princes George, Frederick, and William, to the firm of Perigoux and Co., of Paris, which were to the amount of several hundred thousand pounds, as we have before named; and, in an open and friendly conversation with Messrs. Whitbread and Perceval, the princess said, ”The regent and the royal dukes engaged in those bonds are perfectly aware they deserve severe exposure. Their action was not only wicked, but their intention also; as every person in any way acquainted with their concerns must be sure they undertook to pay more than their means would ever permit, seeing how deeply the country was in debt, and that the revenue did not then meet the annual amount required. And,” emphatically added the princess, ”if the world did but _know of the_ LIVES SACRIFICED _in this affair, to preserve the good reputation of these princely brothers, I suppose royalty would not gain much in the estimation of good people by the exposure_!”
The substance of this conversation soon afterwards transpired to the Prince of Wales. There cannot be a doubt that his royal highness was _afraid_, but he resolved not to _appear so_; and from that period, he and the queen were the unalterable and bitterest enemies of the princess, both publicly and privately. So, then, for the simple expression of _truth_, to those who were already in possession of the whole affair, was an injured princess to be pursued by the hounds of destruction until her capture should be accomplished. The prince sought an immediate divorce; but as the former attempts on this ground, in the year 1806, had failed, there appeared great difficulty in the attainment of his object. The former charges and gross calumnies were declared false, and Lady Douglas had been shunned by all good and strictly-honourable society; for, except where she was received in compliment to the queen, her invitations were, indeed, but very few. The old story was again resorted to, and as Mr. Perceval was now no more, a bold attempt was resolved on, as the last resource, to obtain the desired end.
Mr. Whitbread communicated to the Princess of Wales the scheme then forming against her honour, and that the ministry were favourable to the wishes of the regent. Her royal highness stood amazed at this unexpected information. ”What!” said the princess, ”is not the Prince of Wales satisfied with the former abuses he has poured upon me? Is he so abandoned, being heir-apparent, as to risk his life, or engage the vengeful disposition of the nation, in the punishment due to the crimes he has committed against me? _If the generous English people were informed of half the sufferings I have endured since my arrival in this country, they would never be induced to yield obedience to the commands of a prince whose virtues are not the least balance to his_ VICES! But,”
continued her royal highness, ”I will go down to Windsor, and request an interview with the queen.” Mr. Whitbread remonstrated, and at last the princess consented to write, and ask an audience. A courier was despatched with it, and the _verbal_ reply of her majesty was, ”She would see the Princess of Wales, provided her royal highness was at Windsor Castle by _eight o'clock in the evening_.”
Not a moment was to be lost; the carriage was announced in a few minutes, and the princess, attended by only one lady, entered it. ”Drive quickly,” said her royal highness. It was only half-past seven when the princess was announced. Her royal highness was received in courtly style and unbending manner by her majesty, who, in her usual way, inquired ”the cause which gives me the pleasure of a visit, so very unexpectedly, from the Princess of Wales?”
”Madam,” answered her royal highness, ”I am quite sensible of your surprise at my hasty request and appearance; but as I am tired of hearing the false reports in such general circulation in the court, I am resolved to ask your majesty in person, if I am likely to experience any renewal of those bitter persecutions which, in former years, were agitated to my horror and surprise. I am well aware the regent would not enter upon such a business, unless he had your majesty's sanction and countenance, as well as a.s.sistance. Is it because Mr. Perceval is dead, that your majesty thinks me so unprotected as to fall immediately a prey to my base enemies?--if so, your majesty will be in the wrong; for although Mr. Perceval forsook my interest when he engaged himself in confidence to the regent, my husband, I never shall forget the grat.i.tude I owe him for former benefits, and his letters speak volumes of truths, which it was entirely impossible for him to name or attest, unless his mind had been duly influenced by the solid foundation upon which his opinion was fixed.”
Her majesty appeared vexed and astonished; then, a.s.suming that hauteur for which she was so remarkable, said, ”I do not know, princess, that I am under any necessity to answer your question, as it seems to me improper to do so. The prince regent has an unquestionable right to choose his ministers and counsellors, and also to engage their attentions and services _for any purpose his royal highness may please_,(?) and therefore I decline to answer any interrogatory upon the subject. Your royal highness must be aware this interview and conversation is very unpleasant to me, and I hope, in future, you will not put me to the very disagreeable task of refusing you an audience, or of permitting one, under similar circ.u.mstances. I must, therefore, desire your royal highness will take some refreshment in the adjoining room, and I wish you a very good evening.”
It hardly need be told that the insulted Caroline did not stay to partake of the proffered _hospitality_ of this German princess. To be injured by the son, and insulted by the mother, was as much as human feeling could endure, and the princess reached her home in a state of mind little short of distraction. On the following morning, one of the royal dukes called upon the princess, and told her, he was informed of her journey to Windsor by an express from his mother, and also stated his opinion that no measures of an unpleasant nature were in agitation.
The princess hastily answered, ”Do you think I was not fully satisfied of the regent's intention upon the subject before I resolved to visit the queen? You forget, prince, that I am an injured lady. You know I was brought into this country to afford money to pay my intended husband's enormous debts, and to give him means to live in the greatest splendour with his numerous mistresses! I am deprived of the society of my only child! Injurious reports are circulated and received against my honour, and I am not even permitted to exonerate myself from these vile and slanderous imputations, because I am injured by the reigning authority.”
The royal duke said, ”I beg, my dear cousin, you will not permit the harsh and unfeeling conduct of the queen to operate on your mind. _We all know she is revengeful in the extreme_, but she always _favours George_ in every thing; and, from her very bitter conduct to you, we are well a.s.sured George is meditating some new scheme against you. One thing I promise you: I will abide by you, even presuming any thing _disreputable is proved_; and I only beg you will give me your _private_ confidence, that I may be prepared for the worst.”
Her royal highness, hastily rising, said, ”Sir, if you intended to insult me, I feel it such; but if, from unguarded or not well-considered language, you have so very improperly expressed yourself, then I am not captious to place any ungenerous meaning upon your words! If my rect.i.tude did not rise higher in the scale of truth and uprightness than that of your family, including _both s.e.xes_, I should not have ventured the close and determinate inspection into my conduct at the will or command of my avowed foes! If it were not for my child's sake, I would _satisfy you all_ that I am privy to TRANSACTIONS which one day or another will be punished with the vengeance of heaven, and which I solemnly believe to be my duty to explain, though it may even cause 'the cloud-capp'd towers and gorgeous palaces' to fall into one general heap of ruins!”
The duke was almost petrified with the language and manner of the princess, and strongly urged the necessity of _silence_ upon any and all of the unfortunate or dishonourable transactions in which the family had been engaged, observing, ”Your own welfare depends upon their's, and that is a consideration of positive importance, which I hope your royal highness will justly appreciate!”
This suggestion of the cowardly duke produced the opposite effect to that which was intended; the princess declared that the mean sentiments of the queen had also found way into the minds of her sons, and instead of proving their royal descent by greatness of mind and action, they condescended to suggest self-preservation and self-enjoyments in preference to an open avowal of truth, and an honourable meeting with an enemy. ”And,” hastily said her royal highness, ”is this, Sir, a specimen of the character of the English royal family? What would my ever dear and lamented father have thought of such principles and opinions?
Doubtless, he would rather have followed his daughter to the tomb, and have seen her remains deposited with his ancestors, than have had her a.s.sociated with persons who could sacrifice HONOUR for mean and paltry conveniences. Your royal highness must be well a.s.sured, that I am not a stranger to the unfounded and most abominable a.s.sertions or suggestions issued against my child's legitimacy; certainly, if I am only the Princess of Wales _nominally_, then my daughter bears a surrept.i.tious t.i.tle, and if either of us is considered as an obstacle to the interests of the nation, why are not the a.s.sertions upon that point made in an honourable and open manner. You well know, Sir, that I would sacrifice any thing and every thing for the happiness and future prosperity of my child; but I must be fully convinced, that _my_ destruction of rights or enjoyments of privileges would not produce the entire annihilation of _her's_ also. I must be made to understand that the mother and child have separate interests, and that insults received by one are not dishonourable to the other. I have also another powerful objection to keep silence upon these heart-rending and distracting subjects, which is, Charlotte's deep-rooted aversion to those persons who have insulted me most. This feeling a.s.sures my mind that I ought not to shrink from any avowal of truth which I may in justice to this generous nation be called upon to make, and nothing less than my child's safety shall keep me from making a disclosure of the unmerited and most incomparable wicked conduct manifested towards me. If I find that likely to operate against my daughter's happiness, I will forbear; but not upon any other ground.”
The determined manner of her royal highness fully satisfied the abashed duke that the sentiments thus boldly expressed were the unalterable principles entertained by the princess, and would only gather energy and force by opposition and remonstrance; he therefore very soon afterwards took his leave, and gave the outline of the conversation to his _august_ mother, BY WHOSE EXPRESS WISH THE INTERVIEW HAD TAKEN PLACE.
The queen was posed by the firmness her royal highness had displayed; and, in reply to the communication, said, ”I will not be disappointed by this seeming boldness; the princess shall _feel my_ POWER. She shall see Charlotte still less; the restrictions shall be enforced with greater severity, and she shall repent of her stupidity. Does the Princess of Wales imagine that I am to submit to _her_ opinions upon my conduct, or to _her_ abuse of any of my family? _My only fear is that the daughter will prove_ AS UNBENDING AND AS DETERMINATELY RESOLUTE _as the mother is_, and I am therefore resolved to separate them as much as possible.”
The result proved the queen's indignation and resentful disposition; as, immediately, a council was held upon the subject, and her majesty was positive in her instructions, that the restrictions between the Princess of Wales and her daughter should be more rigidly enforced.
At the commencement of the year
1813,
the princess found her situation more irksome than ever; and she resolved, therefore, to inform the prince regent of the hards.h.i.+ps of her case, soliciting his royal highness to inform himself of all or any part of her behaviour or demeanour, to which the queen had made such heavy objections. The following is an exact copy of the letter of her royal highness to the prince: