1798
presented a continuation of grievances amongst most classes in humble
life. Revelry and uproarious riot, however, were ever to be found in the
residences of the royal, yet unnatural, husband of the Princess of
Wales; and each succeeding year seemed but to _improve_ him in all sorts
of infamous engagements. He had at his command some of the most
desperate and inhuman characters by which society was ever debased. One
in particular, M'Mahon, who would at any time seduce a female from her
home, under some specious pretence, in order to take her as a prize to
his master, whose favour thereby might be secured!
The intrigues of the Duke of York were also of a most abandoned
character; and the other brothers _merit_ some notice in the "Annals of
Infamy!" During Frederick's residence in Germany, he contracted habits
and indulged in excesses abhorrent to human nature, and we should be
spared much deep humiliation, as Englishmen, if we had not occasion to
recur again to these sickening facts; but the recording angel of TRUTH
forbids our silence, and we must not, therefore, disobey her mandate.
1799
will be remembered, and reference made to it, as long as humanity can
reflect upon the desolations and calamities occasioned by war. The
earth, in many quarters, was covered with "killed and wounded," while
the money of the tax-payers paid the _legal assassins_!
In the mean time, the minister at home was racking his brains how new
taxes might be levied, to supply the means for the continuation of
carnage. Property, liberty,--nay, even life itself, were deemed toys in
the hands of Mr. Pitt, whose passions seemed to centre in rapine,
enmity, and ambition. His heart was steeled against the cry of the widow
and the plaintive sigh of the destitute orphan. The queen's account in
the day of retribution must also be rather enormous, for the minister
acted in concert with her in this complicated trickery. Mr. Pitt and the
queen seemed to think their only part consisted in draining the
resources of the people to their last ability, and in refusing all
overtures of peace, whatever offers might be made.
This year, France made proposals of peace with these kingdoms, which
were _refused_, and war, desolating war, with all its attendant and
consequent horrors, still reared its "gory banners" over the principal
part of the world!
We will leave the contemplation of this heart-rending subject, and turn
to another, scarcely less revolting to humanity,--the conduct of the
Prince of Wales,--whose court was generally filled with a host of
harlots. His royal highness was anxious to get rid of the princess (his
wife) entirely, and most heartily did the queen concur in his wishes.
The difficult part of the task was, the consideration and organization
of those measures most likely to promote the desired end. The Princess
of Wales' letters, addressed to her family in Brunswick, had many times
been opened, and, not unfrequently, even _suppressed_! So that her
persecutions were now commenced.
The princess was too open and ingenuous in character to obtain the
queen's approbation, and therefore, after the several repulses which she
had received from her majesty, Caroline was justly incensed at her
uncalled-for unprovoked haughtiness, and overbearing manners. The
unsuspecting nature of the Princess of Wales, however, prevented her
from being aware of the infamous snares laid for her destruction at this
period. Her royal highness has many times been heard to say, "Had I been
suspicious, pray what should I not have feared? The queen, from the
first time I saw her, frowned upon me, and very little I said or did
pleased her; so I never thought I was an object of any consequence to
her majesty." These were the reasonings of native, unsophisticated
feelings, and well would it have been for the queen if her heart had
been equally open, and her language equally candid.