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AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MISS KNIGHT.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
OF
MISS CORNELIA KNIGHT,
Vol II
LADY COMPANION TO THE
PRINCESS CHARLOTTE OF WALES.
WITH EXTRACTS FROM HER JOURNALS AND ANECDOTE BOOKS.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. II.
LONDON:
W. H. ALLEN AND CO., 7, LEADENHALL STREET.
MDCCCLXI.
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CONTENTS TO VOL. II.
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CHAPTER I.
Miss Knight’s Narrative of Events attending the 1
Rupture of the Orange-Marriage—Dismissal of the
Household of the Princess Charlotte—Letter to
the Regent—Miss Knight’s Pension
CHAPTER II.
The Princess’s Birthday—Suspected Intrigues—Letter 26
to the Queen—The Year 1815—Journal continued
CHAPTER III.
Preparations for War—The Queen’s Levee—Treatment 52
of the Princess Charlotte—Napoleon and the
Bourbons—Rumours from the Seat of War—The Battle
of Waterloo
CHAPTER IV.
Rejoicings for Waterloo—The Marriage of the Duke 71
of Cumberland—Prince Leopold—Marriage
Rumours—Marriage of the Princess Charlotte—How
it was brought about—Later Revelations—Character
of the Princess Charlotte
CHAPTER V.
France revisited—Chantilly—Parisian Society—The 92
Court of the Bourbons—The Prince de
Condé—Marshal Marmont—The French
Stage—Invitation from the Princess Charlotte
CHAPTER VI.
Return to England—Meeting with the Princess 111
Charlotte—France under the Bourbons—Parisian
Society
CHAPTER VII.
Society in Paris—Journey to Homburg—The Landgrave 133
and the Landgravine—the Dowager Queen of
Würtemberg—Christmas at Louisburg
CHAPTER VIII.
Departure from Louisburg—Paris—Coronation of 148
Charles X.—London—The Princess Charlotte’s
Monument—Anecdotes of Charles X.—Return to
Germany
CHAPTER IX.
Paris and London—Death of the Queen-Dowager of 165
Würtemberg—Homburg—The Landgrave and
Landgravine—Life at a German Court—Return to
Louisburg—Baden
CHAPTER X.
Genoa—The Pallavicini Family—Character of the 183
Genoese—Return to England—The Royal Family at
Brighton—London—Gloomy Retrospect.—Anecdotes
CHAPTER XI.
Anecdotes—Talleyrand—Charles 202
Albert—Masséna—Ferdinand of Spain—Lord
Wellesley—Alfieri—Charles X.—Death of Miss
Knight
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EXTRACTS FROM MISS KNIGHT’S JOURNALS.
ROME AND NAPLES, 1781–1798.
Consecration of a Catholic Bishop—The Grand-Duke 214
Paul of Russia—Princess Dashkoff—Père
Jacquier—Joseph II. of Austria—Gustavus of
Sweden—Alfieri—The Countess of Albany—The
Piozzis—General Acton—Arrival of Admiral Nelson
WINDSOR, 1805—1812.
Miss Knight’s Settlement at Windsor—Gaieties at 260
Court—Lord St. Vincent—Rejoicings at
Windsor—Death of Princess Amelia—State of the
King’s Health—Princess Amelia’s Funeral—Progress
of the King’s Malady–The Regency Act—Conduct of
the Regent
-------
EXTRACTS FROM MISS KNIGHT’S ANECDOTE BOOKS.
James Boswell—Madame Piozzi—Lord Nelson—The Queen 285
of Naples—Sir Thomas Troubridge—The Bronté
Estate—Admiral Barrington—Cardinal de
Bernis—Italian Anecdotes—The Princess
Dashkoff—Louis Philippe—The Emperor Joseph
II.—Miss Knight’s last Records—Her Religious
Faith
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APPENDIX.
Exclusion of the Princess of Wales from the 343
Queen’s Drawing-Room
Death of the Princess Charlotte 349
Footnotes 351
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AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MISS KNIGHT.
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CHAPTER I.
MISS KNIGHT’S NARRATIVE OF EVENTS ATTENDING THE RUPTURE OF THE
ORANGE-MARRIAGE—DISMISSAL OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF THE PRINCESS
CHARLOTTE—LETTER TO THE REGENT—MISS KNIGHT’S PENSION.
[THE following additional narrative of the transactions related at the
close of the first volume, was drawn up by Miss Knight for the perusal
of a female friend:]
Princess Charlotte having had a long discussion with respect to
residence in Holland, of which all the papers were preserved by her
Royal Highness, it was at length granted by the Regent’s confidential
servants that an article should be inserted in the marriage contract to
prevent her being taken or kept out of England against her own consent
and that of the Regent—at least, this was the meaning of the words.
The Prince of Orange had always appeared to prefer an establishment in
England to one in Holland, and had always said that when his father’s
consent to the insertion of such an article came, he would look out for
a house, and take one, in case one was not provided by Government.
This consent came, and the article was prepared; but the Regent wished
Princess Charlotte even then to waive it as a compliment to the House of
Orange, but her Royal Highness persisted in claiming the article. Nearly
a fortnight passed after everything appeared to be arranged, and her
Royal Highness, seeing the Prince of Orange daily in presence of Miss
Knight, often asked him what preparations were making with respect to a
house, establishment, &c. He always answered that nothing had been said
to him, appeared to be ignorant, and did not then talk of taking a house
himself.
While the Prince of Orange was at Oxford, a letter came from one of
Princess Charlotte’s aunts, who is very intimate with the Regent, to say
that she understood he meant, as soon as the Emperor and King of Prussia
were gone, to write over for the Oranges and have the marriage
celebrated as soon as possible. This alarmed Princess Charlotte, and she
said she resolved to enter into a clear explanation with the young
Prince to avoid disputes afterwards.
The morning after he returned from Oxford this explanation took place,
and it appeared evident to Miss K., who was present, that they thought
it could not go on; that the duties of the Prince of Orange called him
to Holland, and Princess Charlotte’s to remain in England, and that
neither of them chose to give way; that in that respect the affair stood
nearly as at the setting out in December, and that no preparations were
made for a residence in England. They, however, parted, agreeing to
think it over till night, when Princess Charlotte promised to write to
the Prince of Orange. No letter came from him during this interval, and
about eleven at night her Royal Highness wrote him a letter breaking off
the marriage, and desiring he would inform the Regent of it. This letter
went on Thursday (I think the 16th of June); all Friday no answer. On
Saturday her Royal Highness received a note from a friend who had been
dancing at a ball the night before with the Prince of Orange, and who
said he had told her he had not informed the Regent of the breaking off
the marriage, and did not intend to inform him. Princess Charlotte
immediately wrote an affectionate and respectful letter to her father
telling him this circumstance, and her horror at the delay. About three
came the answer from the Prince of Orange, which was literally as
follows, her Royal Highness having allowed me to copy it:
8, Clifford-street, June 18, 1814.
I found the night before last your letter, and have lost no time to
acquaint my family with its contents, but I cannot comply with your
wish by doing the same with regard to the Regent, finding it much
more natural that you should do it yourself; and it is, besides,
much too delicate a matter for me to say anything to him on the
subject. Hoping that you shall never feel any cause to repent of the
step you have taken, I remain,
Yours sincerely,
(Signed) WILLIAM,
Hereditary Prince of Orange.
Her Royal Highness sent the original of this letter to the Regent, with
the copy of a note she ordered Miss Knight to write that day, after the
receipt of his letter to the Prince of Orange, to ask for her portrait
and letters. The portrait and some of the letters were a little while
after sent back to Miss Knight by the Prince’s aide-de-camp, and the
packet of letters sealed by the same.
Some time elapsed, and no further notice was taken; no communication
from Carlton House (except a short note on the 18th from the Prince to
Princess Charlotte expressing his concern), no visit from any of the
family. The Duchess of Leeds sent in her resignation.
In the beginning of July the Bishop of Salisbury had a conference with
Princess Charlotte, which she mentioned to Miss Knight, who was not
present at it. Her Royal Highness said it was to induce her to write a
submissive letter to the Regent expressing her concern for having
offended him, and holding out the hope that in three or four months she
might be induced to renew the treaty with the Prince of Orange. Her
Royal Highness added, that the Bishop had said, if she did not write
this letter, arrangements very disagreeable to herself would take place.
Miss Knight wrote to the Bishop desiring to know what these arrangements
were, saying, as she wished nothing more than a reconciliation between
Princess Charlotte and her father, she begged to know what arguments she
might use to enforce the step he dictated, only observing she did not
flatter him with a hope that Princess Charlotte would marry the Prince
of Orange, or any one who had a right to sovereignty.
Of the Bishop’s answer the following is an extract:
[N.B.—The Bishop was at the time in the habit of seeing the Chancellor,
and, I believe, also Lord Liverpool.]
“Having heard from three different quarters that the Regent was most
severely wounded and deeply afflicted by his daughter’s conduct, and
that an arrangement was making for the Princess Charlotte which might
not be according to her wishes; having also a hint given to me that
probably a dutiful, respectful, and affectionate letter from the
daughter to the father might soften the Prince’s mind, and tend to
lessen the rigour of any measure he might have in contemplation, I felt
it incumbent on me to state all this to the Princess, and I did most
strenuously recommend to her Royal Highness to write such a letter. I
did also go further, and ventured to tell her, that as the intended
match with the Prince of Orange had been so highly acceptable, and so
much desired by the whole nation, so the breaking it off had been the
cause of universal regret and displeasure. I told her, also, that there
was still a sanguine hope entertained that her Royal Highness might see
her objections in a different point of view, and that when the affairs
of Holland were completely settled, and its Prince had his time more at
his own command, that then her Royal Highness might be induced to change
her opinion, and give herself to the wishes of her father and her
country.
“With respect to the arrangement, which I understand is at this time in
contemplation, I know nothing but that an arrangement is making,” &c.
&c.
About this time Baillie, Clive, and Keate had given a paper expressing
their advice that her Royal Highness should go to the sea-side for two
or three months in the autumn. Princess Charlotte therefore wrote to
request this favour of her father, and at the same time expressed the
most poignant grief for his displeasure, and the most anxious wish to be
restored to his favour. This letter was sent on the 9th. Various rumours
in the mean while reached Warwick House of new ladies, amongst whom Lady
Ilchester and Mrs. Campbell, being appointed, of confinement at Carlton
House, &c. &c.
The Prince of Saxe-Coburg had never been but once at Warwick House,
where he stayed about half an hour or three-quarters, in presence of the
Duchess of Leeds, Miss K., and Miss Mercer Elphinstone. Princess
Charlotte had received him civilly, but rather coldly. He had sometimes
rode near her carriage; but her Royal Highness in general avoided
speaking to him, and only once exchanged a few words in the Park. She
never expressed the slightest partiality for him, but, on the contrary,
her displeasure, when one of her most intimate friends (Miss M. E.)
talked of him. She often expressed her astonishment that he should know
so much of her affairs as her friend said he did, for that he had talked
of Miss K. being sent away, and of a corner being fitted up at Carlton
House for her Royal Highness.
About the same time it was reported that this Prince saw the Princess
Charlotte often, and had drunk tea at Warwick House; himself told the
friend of Princess Charlotte that he had been severely lectured by the
Regent on the subject. These reports made Miss K. uneasy, and she
mentioned them as false to Lady Bathurst. She also wrote a letter to
contradict them, which she was about to send to the Regent, when on
Monday, the 11th, the Bishop came in the evening, and said he was to be
in attendance to go to Carlton House, and that something was to be done.
Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte and Miss K. talked to him, and
said everything they could to induce him to mitigate the anger of the
Regent, and to explain any circumstances which had been misrepresented.
He went, and was long closeted with the Regent or his Ministers. At
length he came, and said the communication was to be made at five, but
he was not at liberty to mention _what_. Soon after a message came from
the Regent to order her Royal Highness and Miss K. to go over. Princess
Charlotte was so wretched and so ill that she could not go. Miss K. went
and made her apology, taking this opportunity to confute the scandal
respecting the Prince of Saxe-Coburg, when the Regent said that was
perfectly cleared up, that the young man was honourable, and had written
him a letter explaining everything. He then ordered that Princess
Charlotte should come the next day if she was well enough, or Dr.
Baillie to say she could not.
The following day, 12th of July, her Royal Highness wrote a note to the
Regent, saying she was so distressed and unwell, that she begged he
would excuse her coming, but, as she wished much to see him, that he
would come to her.
The Regent sent his love, and said he would come after the levee. He
came about six, attended by the Bishop, whom he left below, and came
into the drawing-room, desiring Miss Knight to leave him alone with
Princess Charlotte. He was shut up with her for about three-quarters of
an hour, after which the Bishop was called up, and remained with them
about a quarter more. The door then opened, and Princess Charlotte came
out in an agony of grief, telling Miss Knight, who followed her into her
dressing-room, that “all was over; she was to be dismissed, the servants
to be turned off, the new ladies in possession of the house, herself to
go over to Carlton House, or, if not well enough that day, the next (and
in the mean while the Regent and the ladies to sleep in the house) and
to be shut up for five days at Carlton House, after which to be taken to
Cranbourne Lodge, and remain there for some time without seeing anybody
but the Queen once a week.” Miss Knight begged she would compose
herself, and go over quietly. She fell on her knees, and, in the
greatest agitation, exclaimed, “God Almighty grant me patience!” Miss
Knight, she said, must go immediately to the Regent; which she did, and
he communicated to her the same intentions Princess Charlotte had just
related, adding that he was sorry to put a lady to inconvenience, but
that he wanted her room that night. Miss Knight begged to know in what
she had offended, but the Regent answered he made no complaints, and
should make none. He, however, said he believed many things were done in
the house without her knowledge, which she denied. When she came out, to
her great dismay Princess Charlotte had disappeared. She searched for
her everywhere, and at length Miss Mercer (who was changing her dress in
Princess Charlotte’s bedroom adjoining) came and begged to see the
Regent. She told him her suspicions that Princess Charlotte might be
gone to her mother, and offered to go with the Bishop to persuade her to
come back. Miss Knight went afterwards, and then returned to Carlton
House and asked to see the Regent, but was shown into a room where the
Chancellor and Lord Ellenborough were.
* * * * *
You will feel that all I have written is in great measure
confidential, though the strictest truth. The letter of the Prince
of Orange, in particular, I would not wish to make any improper use
of; but happening to have it, I copied it, as a proof of what I had
asserted. I join a copy of my letter to the Prince Regent, which has
not been answered.
It would have been a great blessing if we had been living at Carlton
House for the last year and a half. I wished nothing so much as that
the Regent and his daughter should be much together, which, alas!
was not the case, for his health or business prevented his coming to
Warwick House, where he was only four times since the 10th of
December, and Princess Charlotte was only sent for when the Queen
and Princesses were in town; besides, nothing was communicated to
her until it was settled. In that it was not like _one_ family.
I know she would have been most happy to have been on more intimate
terms with her father, and he always assured me of his affection for
her. It seemed as if some malignant power kept them asunder, when
their real happiness and interest demanded their having confidence
in each other.
I mean no complaint against the Regent. I was much hurt when he
dismissed me, and felt angry; for which reason I made apologies in
my letter, though I am not conscious of having said or done anything
to offend him. I had no authority to keep away visitors he did not
like, and in one instance, when he gave an absolute _command_, the
lady never came again. The few who did come were certainly all women
of character.
I hear it now reported that Princess Charlotte has been sometimes
_seen_ alone in her carriage, which is a decided falsehood.
I know, my dear Miss L., I can trust your discretion; and the high
opinion my old friend, Lord St. Vincent, has of Lord Ellenborough,
assures me I may trust to his.
You will have the goodness to return me these papers at your
leisure. I called yesterday, but did not find you at home. Excuse
all this trouble, and believe me,
My dear Miss L.,
Very sincerely yours,
E. C. KNIGHT.
Friday, 5th August, 1814.
* * * * *
The paragraphs which appeared on this occasion in all the Government
papers, and the reports circulated, were most injurious to Princess
Charlotte and to me. I therefore thought it my duty to remain in town to
hear and to contradict all this nonsense.
MISS KNIGHT TO THE RIGHT REV. BISHOP OF SALISBURY.
9, Little Stanhope-street, May Fair.
MY DEAR LORD,—Have the goodness to look over the paragraph I have
marked in to-day’s _Morning Post_.[1] It evidently alludes to
yourself and to me, as I was the only person living in Warwick
House, and the only one dismissed. I am sure you will not hesitate
to contradict it as far as this goes, and trust also that you will
state whether the Prince Regent did not repeatedly say that he had
no complaint to make of me, and that he would make none.
I must request you also, in my own vindication, to state whether you
discovered me to be a person “possessing pernicious sentiments,
alike hostile to the peace of the daughter, the father, and the
country.” It is impossible for me not to anticipate your
contradiction of this base insinuation, when I remember the
assurances I received from your Lordship, so late as Monday last,
that you had zealously, though ineffectually, endeavoured to change
his Royal Highness the Prince Regent’s resolution of removing me
from my attendance on Princess Charlotte.
Believe me, my dear Lord,
Your faithful, humble servant,
E. C. KNIGHT.
A few days afterwards Princess Charlotte went to Cranbourne Lodge; the
Princess of Wales asked permission to visit her; but was answered that
her daughter should pass a day with her to take leave of her before she
went to Worthing.
This took place;[2] and Princess Charlotte, as I heard, went to
Connaught-place, attended by Lady Ilchester, and Lady Rosslyn, and
General Garth, who was also appointed to be of her suite. Before they
parted, the Princess of Wales asked Princess Charlotte whether there was
any chance of her renewing the treaty of marriage with the Prince of
Orange, and she positively declared she never would. The Bishop, Dr.
Short, Mr. S——, and Mr. K—— attended as usual; had houses at Windsor,
and went to Cranbourne Lodge in the evening.
The Princess of Wales invited me to dine with her before she left town,
which I respectfully declined, but called to take leave. She seemed
agitated, had just had leeches applied to her temples, and asked me
whether the report of Princess Charlotte having gone out in the carriage
alone were true. I contradicted it positively, wondering how such a
silly report could have gained ground for a moment. I then read her the
following letter, which I had just written to the Prince in
justification of Princess Charlotte and myself:
MISS KNIGHT TO THE PRINCE REGENT.
SIR,—As a subject, and one who had the honour of being admitted into
your Royal Highness’s family, I consider it a sacred duty to express
the grief I feel for having incurred your displeasure.
Your Royal Highness will do me the justice to allow that I was
actuated by no ambitious views, but by loyalty and attachment, when
I accepted the employment which has been the source of my
degradation. I have no near connections left to plead my cause. My
sole protection must be derived from the honourable feelings of your
Royal Highness. I am not disposed to seek it from the influence of
patronage, and still less from the clamours of faction.
Your Royal Highness was graciously pleased to promise me, through
Lord Moira, that you would support me in every difficulty, and never
give me up. These claims (from accusations to me unknown) your Royal
Highness may think I have forfeited. I will therefore only venture
to enforce them so far as to solicit your attention to a few words
in my justification. Indeed, I need not enforce them. As a good and
just Prince, your Royal Highness will listen to the vindication of
an individual who appeals to no other tribunal.
Anxious as I was to evince my dutiful attachment to your Royal
Highness and to Princess Charlotte, permit me to say that I could
not have accepted the employment offered me if I could have foreseen
that I was to be the constant and sole inmate of Warwick House. I
concluded that the responsibility must almost wholly devolve on the
lady who was appointed governess, and that my intended colleague and
myself as “Ladies Companions to Princess Charlotte,” the title
specified when I came into office, were only to share the duty of
attending on her Royal Highness, and to cultivate what was ever my
most anxious wish—the greatest harmony between her Royal Highness
and every branch of the Royal Family.
No colleague was appointed, and circumstances, no doubt unforeseen
by your Royal Highness, rendered my situation very different from
what I had expected, but they could not change the nature of my
employment, nor invest me with a character, against which your Royal
Highness will recollect my remonstrating when the papers erroneously
styled me sub-governess.
All this gave me pain, but did not alter my sentiments. I felt the
delicacy of my situation, and I devoted myself entirely to the
duties which had fallen to my lot. I gave up all society, and nearly
all intercourse with my friends. I can solemnly declare that I never
left Warwick House but to attend her Royal Highness, unless the
Duchess of Leeds was there, and even then so rarely, that I do not
believe I made six visits in the space of a year and a half.
For many weeks last winter a violent cough and almost constant fever
could not induce me to remain one day in my room. I never went to
rest until Princess Charlotte had retired to her chamber, and I
always rose before her Royal Highness, availing myself of this short
interval to see any one with whom I had business.
Princess Charlotte never went out unattended by the Duchess of Leeds
or myself (a circumstance so obvious that I should not mention it,
if I had not accidentally heard that the contrary had been
reported). The carriage was never ordered without my knowledge, and
visitors were announced to the Duchess or to me.
No gentlemen were in the habit of visiting her Royal Highness, nor
was she left alone, or expressed a wish to that effect, even with
her masters.
If I have erred, it has been against my intention, and without my
knowledge. I have no acquaintance, nor have I had any communication
with persons of seditious principles, improper conduct, or
sentiments hostile to your Royal Highness. I trusted the whole tenor
of my life would have exempted me from the suspicion. I can only say
that I have done my duty to the best of my power, and I can safely
aver that, during my attendance on Princess Charlotte, not only her
Royal Highness’s conduct, in the usual sense of the word, has been
blameless, but her time usefully employed in the cultivation of her
talents.
My devoted attachment to Princess Charlotte will not be considered
as a crime by your Royal Highness, who was generously pleased, on
account of that very attachment, and of her condescension in wishing
it, to place me about her; but after it had been the pleasure of
your Royal Highness to dismiss me, I could not wish Princess
Charlotte to urge my stay. God forbid that I should become a source
of controversy between your Royal Highness and Princess Charlotte!
May you rather be united and happy when I am forgotten!
I only beg for the restoration of your Royal Highness’s favour,
which may put an end to the injurious suspicions so sudden a
dismissal may have raised against me; and if, when struck to the
heart by the accumulated anguish of sustaining the weight of your
Royal Highness’s displeasure, the pang of parting from my beloved
mistress, and the obloquy of being discarded from her service, any
expression may have escaped me which might offend your Royal
Highness, or appear inconsistent with my dutiful and loyal
attachment, I humbly entreat your Royal Highness’s forgiveness.
I am, Sir,
With the most profound respect,
Your Royal Highness’s most dutiful servant,
C. E. KNIGHT.
July 24, 1814.
Lady C. Lindsay told me that Mr. Brougham said, when he was obliged to
tell Princess Charlotte that she could not in law refuse going to her
father, he was so shocked at the manner in which she received this
account, that it appeared to him like pronouncing sentence of death on a
criminal. The Princess of Wales asked me whether Princess Charlotte was
attached to any one of the foreign Princes who had been in England, for
that if she was, she (the Princess of Wales) would move heaven and earth
to get him for her. I answered that I believed her Royal Highness’s
principal wish was to be left quiet on subjects of that nature, at least
for many months; and the Princess said that was all she could get out of
Princess Charlotte.
Mr. Canning was announced, and ordered to be shown up-stairs. I took my
leave. It is certain that on the fatal evening in Connaught-place it
struck me that the Princess of Wales was more anxious for the removal of
Princess Charlotte out of her house than the Prince was to get her into
his. She departed next day for Worthing.[3] Soon afterwards we heard
that she had asked and obtained leave for going abroad; and it was said
Mr. Canning had persuaded her. It is certain that she had for several
months formed the plan, which Princess Charlotte had opposed in the most
urgent and respectful manner.
I sent my letter to the Prince, and heard it was delivered, but received
no answer. I had, during our last interview, asked his leave to visit
Princess Charlotte, which he had refused, saying she was to receive no
visits. I then had asked permission to write to her, and his answer was,
“better not at present.”
I went to Twickenham, where I passed a few weeks with Lord and Lady
Aylesbury. Time passed, and Princess Charlotte remained at Cranbourne
Lodge till the _Morning Chronicle_[4] published the medical report given
in July, recommending her going to the sea. This occasioned great anger,
and Baillie was ordered to inquire, in a manner the most inquisitorial,
who had obtained and caused this to be published. Amongst the rest I was
questioned by letter, and answered that the copy I possessed I gave to
the Regent on the 12th of July, and had no means of discovering how it
got into the hands of the editor of a newspaper.
DR. BAILLIE TO MISS KNIGHT.
DEAR MADAM,—I am very sorry to give you any trouble at present, but
I am commanded by high authority to ask you the following questions:
Do you know by what individual the medical opinion recommending a
residence on the sea-coast this autumn to Princess Charlotte was put
into the hands of Mr. Perry, the editor of the _Morning Chronicle_?
Do you know whether the original opinion, which was at one time
mislaid or lost, was ever recovered, and, in that case, what became
of it?
I request that you will be so good as to send me an answer to these
two questions as early as you can, directed to me at Sunning Hill,
Berks.
I remain, Madam,
Your most obedient humble servant,
M. BAILLIE.
Sunning Hill, Berks, Sept. 1, 1814.
* * * * *
MISS KNIGHT TO DR. BAILLIE.
Lord Aylesbury’s, Twickenham, Sept. 3, 1814.
DEAR SIR,—No apology is necessary for the questions you ask, as I am
happy at all times to obey the commands referred to in your letter,
which reached me last night after post time.
I neither know nor can discover through what channel the editor of a
newspaper obtained a copy of the medical opinion recommending the
sea-side to her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte.
That which was in my possession I delivered to the Prince Regent on
Tuesday, the 12th of July.
This is all the information I can give on the subject, and no one
could be more surprised than myself when I heard it had found its
way into the _Morning Chronicle_.
Believe me, dear Sir,
Sincerely yours,
E. C. KNIGHT.
However, Princess Charlotte was sent to Weymouth,[5] and the air was of
great use to her general health as well as to her knee. She formed an
acquaintance with the Lady Grenvilles, daughters of Lord Warwick, and
was allowed to see Lord and Lady Ashbrook,[6] who went there on her
account, though on pretence of a tour. She was more comfortable there
than she had been at Cranbourne Lodge, to which place she did not return
until the winter was advanced; but since she has been there the family,
and the Queen in particular, have been more kind to her than they ever
before were.
I have since passed much of my time at Rochetts, Lord St. Vincent’s, who
is as much alive to all this at eighty as if he were only thirty-five.
When I found no payment of salary was made me in October, I wrote to
Lord Liverpool, and the Prince ordered 300_l._ a year should be paid me
from the Civil List as a compensation for having left the Queen’s
service to attend on Princess Charlotte. To the servants, wages and
board wages have been granted.
* * * * *
[The following is the correspondence referred to:]
MISS KNIGHT TO LORD LIVERPOOL.
MY LORD,—When, by the special desire of the Prince Regent, I left
her Majesty’s service for that of Princess Charlotte, his Royal
Highness was graciously pleased to promise (through the medium of
the Earl of Moira) that I should never be a sufferer by the change.
I therefore take the liberty of requesting that your Lordship will
lay before the Prince my humble petition for the continuation of my
salary; and I am so fully convinced of the humanity, liberality, and
justice of his Royal Highness, that I am confident he will not
refuse me a provision, which I really would not claim were it not
essential to my subsistence in the station of life which Providence
has assigned me.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship’s obedient servant,
E. C. KNIGHT.
* * * * *
LORD LIVERPOOL TO MISS KNIGHT.
Lord Liverpool presents his compliments to Miss Knight, and begs to
acknowledge the receipt of her letter to him of yesterday’s date.
Lord Liverpool will not fail to lay it before the Prince Regent when
his Royal Highness returns to town.
Fife House, November 1, 1814.
* * * * *
MISS KNIGHT TO LORD ST. VINCENT.
Saturday, December 3.
MY DEAR LORD,—I am just returned from Fife House, whither I went by
appointment at twelve. I said that my first motive was to thank his
Lordship for his obliging attention to my request in laying my
letter before the Prince Regent, and my next to show him a letter
from Lord Moira, which I had preserved, as, although it contained no
specific promises, it implied _much_. He read it attentively, and I
then showed him that from Sir H. Halford, with the intention of
giving me the rank of Honourable, and the certainty of my remaining
in the family, &c. He read that also attentively. I added that I had
several letters from the Princesses to the same effect, if not still
more explicit, but that I considered _them_ as _sacred_. He was
silent for a little while, and then said the Prince had directed
that what I had from the Queen should be given to me; that he had
laid my letters before his Royal Highness, and had no further power.
I answered that I should not dispute with my Sovereign, nor refuse
whatever he chose to give me, but that it was _not_ a compensation
for what I left, as, besides the salary, I had apartments and other
advantages adequate at least to the 500_l._ I received at Warwick
House. I subjoined that I had hoped his Royal Highness would have
continued my salary, as, when he dismissed me, he said he did not
complain of anything; since which, however, I had written him a
letter in my justification, which, not being answered, I concluded
there was no complaint to make. Lord L. bowed assent. I then said I
neither wished to trouble his Lordship nor to refuse the pension,
but was anxious to put him in the possession of facts. He said the
pension was clear of all expenses but the property tax, and inquired
what was the time of my last payment of salary. I said the 5th of
July, and that I was dismissed on the 12th. He could not exactly
tell, he said, when the pension might begin, as it depended on what
money was in the Exchequer. I rose to wish him a good morning. He
asked if I had a carriage, and I hoped Lady Liverpool was well. So
we parted.
I am glad I saw him, as I think my visit has answered two purposes;
one, to solicit _accusation_, or at least to prove to him, as I had
before done to the Chancellor and Lord Ellenborough, that I had
urged the Prince Regent to make complaints, if any were to be made,
and none were; secondly, that I have made known, though
respectfully, to the Prince Regent my dissatisfaction as to what is
called remuneration or compensation, which leaves my claim open for
future times if I live to want an addition to my income.
Pray tell Miss Brenton that I have called in Bryanstone-street, and
saw Lady Brenton, but Sir Jahleel was in his bed. Many thanks for
your Lordship’s letter, and the enclosure from Lady Jane Loftus, who
has at length given me her Dublin direction. I saw Prince
Castelcicala this morning; he augurs well of Naples.
Ever, my dear Lord,
Your much obliged and affectionate,
E. C. KNIGHT.
* * * * *
MISS KNIGHT TO LORD LIVERPOOL.
Miss Knight presents her compliments and thanks to Lord Liverpool
for his obliging notes. She is just returned to town, and requests
his Lordship will allow her to see him for a few minutes at any time
he will have the goodness to appoint for her calling. 9, Little
Stanhope-street, May Fair,
Thursday, Dec. 1, 1814.
* * * * *
LORD LIVERPOOL TO MISS KNIGHT.
Lord Liverpool presents his compliments to Miss Knight, and will be
glad to receive her at twelve o’clock to-morrow.
Fife House, Friday, December 2.
* * * * *
MR. WILLIMOTT TO MISS KNIGHT.
Fife House, December 9, 1814.
MY DEAR MADAM,—Lord Liverpool has desired me to inquire whether you
would wish your pension warrant to be made out in the name of _two
trustees_, or merely in your own name; and also whether you would
like to have the following words inserted—viz. “_for her sole and
separate use_.”
As soon as you can favour me with an answer to the above queries,
Lord Liverpool will direct the warrant to be prepared.
I have the honour to be,
My dear Madam,
Your sincere humble servant,
R. WILLIMOTT.
* * * * *
MISS KNIGHT TO MR. WILLIMOTT.
9, Little Stanhope-street, May Fair,
Monday, Dec. 12, 1814.
DEAR SIR,—I beg you will return my best thanks to Lord Liverpool for
his very obliging attention as to the mode in which the warrant for
my pension should be made out. Indeed, I am fully sensible of his
Lordship’s readiness to oblige throughout the whole, and I am
convinced that after the explanation I had with him, if he can
obtain for me the whole of my salary (500_l._ a year) he will,
although I am too dutifully attached to the Prince Regent to murmur
at whatever he thinks proper to grant.
I do not see any necessity for trustees, or even for the insertion
“sole and separate use,” though the latter may be more regular.
Believe me, dear Sir,
Very sincerely yours,
E. C. KNIGHT.
* * * * *
LORD ST. VINCENT TO MISS KNIGHT.
MY DEAR MADAM,—Thanks for the relation of what passed at the Fife
House interview, which was most ably and honestly conducted on your
part, and unless the specific sum of 300_l._ per annum was expressed
by the Regent, Lord L. ought to, and I hope will, bring the case
again before his Royal Highness. I return your letter because the
statement it contains, taken down the moment of your return home,
may be profitably referred to on some future occasion.
My cough is so incessant I can only add how truly I am
Your affectionate,
ST. VINCENT. Rochetts, December 4, 1814.
I rejoice in every event which contributes to the gratification of
Prince Castelcicala. Miss Brenton is very sensible of your kind
attention to her brother and sister; she and Thomas Parker send you
their best wishes.
ST. VT.
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