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 assist 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
passing 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 passion 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.
This marriage was productive of _issue_, the particulars of which,
however, we pass over for the present, and only look to the results of
the union.
Shortly after the prince came to the throne, by the title of George the
Third, ministers became suspicious of his marriage with the quakeress.
At length, they were informed of the important fact, and immediately
determined to annul it. After innumerable schemes how they might best
attain this end, and thereby frustrate the king's wishes, they devised
the "Royal Marriage Act," by which every prince or princess of the blood
might not marry or intermarry with any person of less degree. _This act,
however, was not passed till thirteen years after George the Third's
union with Miss Lightfoot_, and therefore it could not render such
marriage _illegal_.
From the moment the ministry became aware of his majesty's alliance to
the lady just named, they took possession of their watch-tower, and
determined that the new sovereign should henceforth do even as their
will dictated; while the unsuspecting mind of George the Third was
easily beguiled into their specious devices. In the absence of the
king's beloved brother, Edward, Duke of York, (who was then abroad for
a short period) his majesty was assured by his ministers that no
cognizance would be taken at any time of his late unfortunate amour and
marriage; and persuaded him, that the only stability he could give to
his throne was demanding the hand of the Princess Charlotte of
Mecklenburgh Strelitz. Every needful letter and paper for the
negotiation was speedily prepared for the king's signature, which, in
due course, each received; and thus was the foundation laid for this
ill-fated prince's _future malady_!
Who can reflect upon the blighted first love of this monarch, without
experiencing feelings of pity for his early sorrows! With his domestic
habits, had he only been allowed to live with the _wife of his choice_,
his reign might have passed in harmony and peace, and the English people
now been affluent, happy, and contented. Instead of which, his unfeeling
ministers compelled him to marry one of the most selfish, vindictive,
and tyrannical women that ever disgraced human nature! At the first
sight of the German princess, the king actually shrunk from her gaze;
for her countenance was of that cast that too plainly told of the nature
of the spirit working within.
On the 18th of September, the king was _obliged_ to subscribe to the
formal ceremony of a marriage with the before-named lady, at the palace
of St. James. His majesty's brother Edward, who was one of the witnesses
to the king's first marriage with Miss Lightfoot, was now also present,
and used every endeavour to support his royal brother through the
"trying ordeal," not only by first meeting the princess on her entrance
into the garden, but also at the altar.
In the mean time, the Earl of Abercorn informed the princess of the
_previous_ marriage of the king, and of the then existence of his
majesty's wife; and Lord Harcourt advised the princess to well inform
herself of the policy of the kingdoms, as a measure for preventing much
future disturbance in the country, as well as securing an uninterrupted
possession of the throne to her issue. Presuming, therefore, that this
German princess had hitherto been an open and ingenuous character,
(which are certainly traits very rarely to be found in the mind of a
German of her grade) such expositions, intimations, and dark mysteries,
were ill calculated to nourish honorable feelings, but would rather
operate as a check to their further existence.
To the public eye, the newly-married pair were contented with each
other;--alas! it was because each feared an exposure to the nation. The
king reproached himself that he had not fearlessly avowed the only wife
of his affections; the queen, because she feared an explanation that the
king was guilty of _bigamy_, and thereby her claim, as also that of her
progeny, (if she should have any) would be known to be illegitimate. It
appears as if the result of these reflections formed a basis for the
misery of millions, and added to that number millions then unborn. The
secret marriage of the king proved a pivot, on which the destiny of
kingdoms was to turn.
At this period of increased anxiety to his majesty, Miss Lightfoot was
disposed of during a temporary absence of his brother Edward, and from
that time no _satisfactory_ tidings ever reached those most interested
in her welfare. The only information that could be obtained was, that a
young gentleman, named AXFORD, was offered a large amount, to be paid on
the consummation of his marriage with Miss Lightfoot, which offer he
willingly accepted.
The king was greatly distressed to ascertain the fate of his
much-beloved and legally-married wife, the quakeress, and entrusted Lord
Chatham to go in disguise, and endeavour to trace her abode; but the
search proving fruitless, the king was again almost distracted.
Every one in the queen's confidence was expected to make any personal
sacrifice of feeling whenever her majesty might require it; and,
consequently, new emoluments, honors, and posts of dignity, were
continually needful for the preservation of such unnatural friendships.
From this period, new creations of peers were enrolled; and, as it
became expedient to increase the number of the "privy cabal," the nation
was freely called upon, by extra taxation and oppressive burdens of
various kinds, to supply the necessary means to support this vile system
of bribery and misrule!
We have dwelt upon this important period, because we wish our countrymen
to see the _origin of our overgrown national debt_,--the real cause of
England's present wretchedness.
The coronation of their majesties passed over, a few days after their
marriage, without any remarkable feature, save that of an additional
expense to the nation. The queen generally _appeared_ at ease, though
she seized upon every possible occasion to slight all persons from whom
she feared any state explanation, which might prove inimical to her
wishes. The wily queen thought this would effectually prevent their
frequent appearance at court, as well as cause their banishment from the
council-chamber.
A bill was passed this year to fix the civil list at the annual sum of
EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS, payable out of the consolidated fund, in
lieu of the hereditary revenue, settled on the late king.
Another act passed, introduced to parliament by a speech from the
throne, for the declared purpose of giving additional security to the
independence of the judges. Although there was a law then in force,
passed in the reign of William the Third, for continuing the commissions
of judges during their good behaviour, they were legally determined on
the death of the reigning sovereign. By this act, however, their
continuance in office was made _independent_ of the royal demise.
Twelve millions of money were raised by loans this year, and the
interest thereon agreed to be paid by an additional duty of three
shillings per barrel on all strong beer or ale,--the sinking fund being
a collateral security. The imposition of this tax was received by the
people as it deserved to be; for every labourer and mechanic severally
felt himself insulted by so oppressive an act.