1765,
the queen was pressingly anxious that her marriage with the king should
again be solemnized; and, as the queen was then pregnant, his majesty
readily acquiesced in her wishes. Dr. Wilmot, by his majesty's
appointment, performed the ceremony at their palace at Kew. The king's
brother, Edward, was present upon this occasion also, as he had been on
the two former ones.
Under the peculiar distractions of this year, it was supposed, the mind
of the sovereign was again disturbed. To prevent a recurrence of such
interruptions to the royal authority, a law was passed, empowering his
majesty to appoint the _queen_, or _other member of the royal family_,
assisted by a council, to act as regent of the kingdom. Although his
majesty's blank of intellect was but of short duration, it proved of
essential injury to the people generally. The tyrannical queen,
presuming on the authority of this bill, exercised the most unlimited
sway over national affairs. She supplied her own requirements and
opinions, in unison with her trusty-bought clan, who made it apparent
that these suggestions were offered by the king, and were his settled
opinions, upon the most deliberate investigation of all matters and
things connected therewith!
During the king's indisposition, he was most passionate in his requests,
that the _wife of his choice_ should be brought to him. The queen,
judging her influence might be of much consequence to quell the
perturbation of her husband's mind, was, agreeably to her own request,
admitted to the solitary apartment of the king. It is true he recognised
her, but it was followed by extreme expressions of disappointment and
disgust! The queen was well acquainted with all subjects connected with
his majesty's unfortunate passion and marriage; therefore, she thought
it prudent to stifle expressions of anger or sorrow, and, as soon as
decency permitted, left the place, resolving thenceforth to manage the
helm herself.
On the 31st of October, his majesty's uncle, the Duke of Cumberland,
died suddenly at his house in Upper Grosvenor-street, in the forty-fifth
year of his age; and on the 28th of December, his majesty's youngest
brother, Prince Frederick William, also expired, in the sixteenth year
of his age.
On December 1st,
1766,
his majesty's sister, Matilda, was married to the King of Denmark, and
the Duke of York was proxy on the occasion. Soon afterwards, his royal
highness took leave of his brother, and set out on a projected tour
through Germany, and other parts of the continent. The queen was most
happy to say "Adieu," and, for the first time, felt something like ease
on his account.
The supplies granted for the service of this year, although the people
were in the most distressed state, amounted to _eight millions, two
hundred and seventy-three thousand, two hundred and eighty pounds_!