1788,
the king's health again declined. His mind appeared full of gloomy
apprehensions and forebodings; sometimes he uttered the most incoherent
language; then, dissolving in tears, would ask after the health of the
several members of his family, and especially of his youngest daughter,
to whom he was more particularly attached. This state of aberration was,
however, strictly concealed from the public as long as possible by the
queen. Here, again, mark her German policy! Fearing she could not much
longer conceal the king's indisposition, she determined to consult her
favourite minister, and they resolved upon a proposition to give to the
_queen's_ care the charge of his majesty's person, presuming that step
was finally needful, as by its adoption _only_ could she retain an
opportunity of exercising _complete controul over her afflicted
husband_! On the reassembling of parliament, therefore, the project of
the queen was brought forward by Pitt, who, possessing a decided
majority, passed what resolutions he pleased. He contended, in
opposition to Fox, that the Prince of Wales had no more right to the
regency _than he had_! The debates upon this subject were long and warm;
but Pitt and the queen finally triumphed. The care of the king's person
and the disposition of the royal household was to be committed to her
majesty, who would, by this means, be vested with the patronage of _four
hundred places_, amongst which were the great offices of lord-stewart,
lord-chamberlain, and master of the horse! These "loaves and fishes"
offered the queen a fine opportunity of exercising her tyranny, and
further increasing her power!
Let us here digress a little, to reflect upon the _enviable_ state in
which her majesty was placed at this period.
Behold, then, the Queen of England, in the enjoyment of health,
surrounded with all the luxuries of life, knowing the _intricacies_ of
STATE INFAMY, and anxious to hold the reins of government in her own
hands, constantly closeted with the minister--ALONE! his years not half
so many as those of his royal mistress! See her confiding in his
secrecy, submitting her opinions for his decision, and knowing that
herself and her family are in his power! The man, who, after this
retrospect, pronounces there never was a _false step_, or a _deviation
from rectitude_, we venture to say is but very little acquainted with
humanity! It is also well known to more than one or two individuals,
that the Prince of Wales dared to _jest_ with her majesty upon the
occasional _private_ interviews she held with this minister; and his
royal highness was once seriously sent from her presence, in consequence
of a TRIFLING DISCOVERY he made. It therefore seemed the more requisite
that the _appearance_ of a rigid decorum must exist at court;
consequently, if any lady had been known to violate those bounds, she
must be excluded from royal favour, and never again enter the precincts
of the palace! Her majesty, it will be perceived from this, knew how to
put on the garb of virtue, if she possessed it not! Our love of
impartiality, however, obliges us to give an instance contrary to the
general edict of the queen. Her majesty was made fully acquainted with
Mrs. Fitzherbert's history, and therefore knew that this lady had been
left a widow--twice; and that she afterwards accepted the _protection_
of the Marquis Bellois, which intimacy was of considerable duration.
Yet, as soon as the prince _married her_, she was a general visitant at
court, and received the most especial and unlimited polite attentions
from the queen. Let this example suffice to shew her majesty's
_scrupulous_ delicacy!
In March,
1789,
the king was declared convalescent, so as to be able to resume his
duties, and defeat those air-drawn schemes of power, which his queen was
about to assume.
The insulted sovereign thus freed the people, for a time, from the
artful stratagems and devices arising from the charnel house of
oppression.
It is certain, that his majesty was free from all _violent_ paroxysms,
and generally manifested a quiet and unobtrusive disposition in all
things. But then this was the _utmost_ of his improvement. Reason's
empire was fatally shook, and the recollection of the past incapacitated
him for forming an opinion either upon the present or the future.
The queen, in the mean time, resolved not to be entirely debarred of her
prospects of patronage; for, under the specious disguise of kingly
authority, her majesty gave appointments and honours to the hirelings
around her, and carried "majorities" whenever she pleased.
It was not deemed prudent that the king should open the House in person;
therefore, the chancellor delivered the speech in the name of his
majesty.
During this session, Mr. Wilberforce pleaded ably for the abolition of
West Indian slavery, though to very little advantage.
Some excesses of an unhappy description were practised by the Duke of
York; but they were passed over without any public punishment or
parental rebuke, although a family of high respectability suffered the
loss of their only daughter, a most beautiful and accomplished girl,
nearly twenty years of age! She was a victim of the duke's sensuality,
and destroyed herself by poison soon afterwards,--such were the extreme
sentiments of honor and virtue entertained by her. Some of her family
yet live to mourn her loss and regret the privileges of royalty!
In this year a revolution broke out in France, and innumerable lives
were lost. The opposite views which Burke and Fox took of this event
dissolved the friendship that had so long existed between them.
In February,
1790,
the printer of "The Times" newspaper was fined ONE HUNDRED POUNDS for a
libel on the Prince of Wales, and the like sum for a libel on the
_equally-illustrious_ seducer, the Duke of York. If a verdict had been
given otherwise, royalty would have been humbled!
In this year, also, a most remarkable occurrence transpired. A very
respectable clergyman was induced to marry two persons upon an extreme
emergency, without their obtaining a license or the publishing of banns.
The clergyman was tried at Leicester for this offence, and sentenced to
be _transported for fourteen years_! Many appeals were made, in a quiet
and peaceable manner, to the judge. Expostulations upon the
disproportion of the punishment were also made by various classes of
society; but, alas! _the happiness of the subject was destroyed_, while
the higher authorities remained not only unimpeached, but defended!
During this session, the House was solicited to supply extra sums for
the expenditure of the _secret service_, to which, however, many voices
were raised in opposition. The prince and his former friends and
companions were now apparently in a state of disunion, as each one
appeared dissatisfied with the other.
Mr. Fox proved the most unremitting member of the House in the discharge
of his duties, opposing the increase of the national debt, and the
imposition of new taxes. The salary of the speaker of the House of
Commons, however, was advanced to six thousand pounds, remonstrance
proving of no avail.
About this time, the prince and two of his brothers became so
embarrassed by their imprudent conduct, that they found it expedient to
resort to some measure for the attainment of means to satisfy the
clamorous demands of their creditors. Jews and money-brokers were tried,
but to no effect; and their last resource seemed to be by obtaining the
amount desired upon their respective or joint bonds. Every likely person
was solicited to grant the loan; yet, after a long and mortifying
attempt, all their endeavours proved fruitless. A large interest was
offered, and had the parties been persons of indubitable integrity, many
of their countrymen would have gladly lent their money upon such terms;
but former inaccuracies paved the way for future misgivings. At length
the sum was furnished, from foreign houses chiefly,--the amount of which
was ONE MILLION!!! The princes received nearly half a million
immediately, and the other portion was to be paid according to the
stipulation,--the interest being fixed at _six per cent._ This interest,
however, was not paid upon its becoming due; consequently there was a
suspicion of unfair dealing; but of this subject we must treat anon.
A trifling dispute with Spain this year cost the country THREE HUNDRED
THOUSAND POUNDS!