1783,
having, by their arbitrary measures, drawn upon themselves general
displeasure throughout the country.
Much surprise was created at the unexpected coalition of Lord North and
Mr. Fox, which was the natural result of the pressing case of the
prince, to whom the queen had confidentially entrusted his father's
breach of the law, in the solemnization of his marriage with herself.
The queen, in fact, used the prince's influence to prevail upon Mr. Fox
to join Lord North, as he was well informed upon all the circumstances
of the king's first marriage. Although the political sentiments of these
gentlemen were opposed, it was represented as a safe line of conduct, to
ensure the tranquillity of the kingdom. Thus, again, was every portion
of truth sacrificed to the WILL of the _queen_.
This year, the king agreed that the heir-apparent should receive fifty
thousand pounds per annum, and sixty thousand pounds to equip him
suitably to his dignity. In the mean time, it became a public fact, that
the prince had so deeply involved himself in debt as to be mean enough
to resort, through the medium of others, to borrow money (of various
amounts) of his tradespeople!
Before the conclusion of the year, the _Whig and Tory_ ministry were
ejected, to the entire satisfaction of nearly every individual in the
nation, who despised such an unholy alliance of opposite principles.
Mr. Pitt was now made "First Lord of the Treasury," which was a change
very satisfactory to her majesty, as, from the youth of the new
"premier," she augured her likely influence over the political
hemisphere to be increased. It was well known that her majesty did not
like any of the prince's associates, more especially Messrs. Fox and
Sheridan. Mr. Burke was not supposed to be so informed upon all
subjects; and, though much in the necessary confidence of the prince,
the queen presumed it was chiefly in procuring pecuniary accommodations.
It was not until an after period, that the _whole truth_ was stated to
her by the prince.
New taxes alone could furnish means for the immense additional annuities
now imposed upon the country; and thus were sums for every succeeding
year's demand increased.
At this period, the Prince of Wales and his next brother were associated
in dissipation of every kind. Their love of gaming was proverbial, and
their excess of indulgence in voluptuousness soon exhausted the income
allowed them by the country. Their caprices were various, but those of
the prince was most strikingly evinced in his abruptly declining his
engagements with the celebrated Mrs. Robinson. His usual plan was, when
fascinated by the appearance of a new object, to exert every nerve to
possess it. Presents, accompanied by the highest eulogiums, and
protestations of eternal love and constancy, were always pressed upon
the acceptance of the intended victim; and thus, by apparent devotion
and unconquerable passion, many were the delusions he practised, and the
outrages he committed, upon the unsuspecting virtue of woman.
Had a plebeian committed but _one_ act similar to those in which the
prince was so frequently the principal character, his _life_ must have
atoned for his fault, and a destitute family, in consequence, been
plunged into distraction. But, because the prince was of such
high-reputed family, he must, forsooth, be accounted a _noble-minded
gentleman_; and, instead of exposition and punishment, the venal and
hired press of the day launched out into the most fulsome eulogiums of
his _graceful, all-attracting elegance of style and manners_, without
even speaking of the _infamy_ of his amours, intrigues, and
debaucheries! Some writers, alas! are so fearful of speaking the truth,
lest they should offend the _side they have espoused_, or the
inclinations and political principles of those by whom they are likely
to be read, that they almost persuade themselves there is a sort of
_impropriety_ in presenting facts in their proper colours! But is it not
beneath the dignity of the press to act in so cowardly a manner?