1816,
the intended marriage of the Princess Charlotte of Wales with Prince
Leopold of Saxe Cobourg was announced, which had received the sanction
of the regent. This intended union appeared to us, for many reasons,
highly improper, and too closely allied to the circumstances of George
the Third. We knew, for a considerable period before this announcement,
that Leopold had been paying the most devoted attentions to a lady of
great merit and accomplishments; and, also, that marriage had been
promised. We likewise did not believe the prince was a Protestant from
conviction, if he professed so to be; and feared that, if finally the
husband of the princess, he would only be a convert to our "established
religion" from _convenience_, but really and in truth, by inclination
and education, a _Catholic_. We do not name the religious sentiments of
the prince as any degradation or disqualification to his character as a
man or as a prince, but simply to shew that his principles prohibited
his entrance, by marriage, into the English royal family; for the royal
marriage act expressly declares "such marriages shall be null and void."
While staying at the city of Augsburgh, in the early part of this year,
we heard various reports upon the subject in question, and the paper of
the day having met our eye, what were our feelings when we read the
annexed paragraph!
"_Augsburgh, January 10th._
"The Gazette of this city contains the following article, from
Vienna, of January 3rd: 'Yesterday was celebrated, in the
Cathedral Church of St. Stephen, in the presence of the
reigning Duke of Saxe Cobourg, the MARRIAGE of his brother,
_Prince Leopold_, with the young and beautiful Countess of
Cohaky, according to the rites of the _Catholic_ church.'"
In contemplating this circumstance, every honest man must view the
conduct of Leopold with indignation. Example is generally considered
preferable to precept, and Leopold embraced this opportunity of shewing
himself a convert to such doctrine. George the Third committed BIGAMY;
his son George did the same; and the remaining Hope of England was
destined to be a victim to similar wickedness!
After some formal correspondence, the regent sent a message to both
houses of parliament, on the 14th of March, to announce the marriage
contract of his daughter, the Princess Charlotte, with his serene
highness the Prince Leopold of Saxe Cobourg. Sixty thousand pounds were
voted to the illustrious couple, annually; and, in case of _her royal
highness' demise_, FIFTY THOUSAND POUNDS PER ANNUM were to be paid to
the PRINCE _for his life_. Sixty thousand pounds were also granted for
their outfit.
Well may foreigners exclaim, "How generous are the great English
people!" Alas! it was not the act of the _people_; but the absolute will
of Imbecility, Ignorance, and Impudence, which we shall have further
occasion to illustrate.
We must now refer our readers to the former expectation of marriage
between the Princess Charlotte and the Prince of Orange. That union was
much desired by the regent, because the Prince of Orange had promised
unrelenting opposition to the Princess of Wales. As soon as the Princess
Charlotte, however, became aware of this, she determinately refused to
see the prince again; and we well know that the Duchess of Oldenburgh
took every possible opportunity to press Prince Leopold upon her notice.
Up to the moment of the marriage, the Princess Charlotte did not hear or
know a single word about the _former_ serious engagement of her
affianced husband, except the mean and paltry report, that "he had been
very voluptuous in his gratifications, and was then desirous of bidding
an eternal adieu to those who had formerly led him _astray_!" On the
other hand, Charlotte was tired of the overbearing and indiscriminate
conduct of her grandmother, the queen; and therefore resolved to free
herself from such restraint.
Previous to the marriage, Prince Leopold solemnly promised to fulfil
every iota of the Princess Charlotte's wish, with respect to her abused
and insulted mother; and further engaged, that he never would permit or
allow himself to be made a party, directly or indirectly, to injure the
Princess of Wales, or to prevent any correspondence between the daughter
and mother, of which her royal highness the Princess Charlotte might
approve. But of what signification were the promises of such a faithless
man!
The former marriage of the prince was not considered by the queen a
sufficient impediment to his union with her grand-daughter; and she used
her utmost ability to suppress any representation contrary to the
interest of his serene highness. "The Augsburgh Gazettes" were,
therefore, bought up at an immense expense, to save the character of
this prince from public animadversion, and consequent contempt and
hatred.
On the 21st of February, Prince Leopold arrived at the Clarendon Hotel.
Lord Castlereagh waited upon his serene highness, and, on the following
day, Sir B. Bloomfield arrived from Brighton, with the regent's command
to invite the prince to the Pavilion.
Early on the ensuing morning, the prince and Sir B. Bloomfield left town
for Brighton; and his serene highness was received with as much warmth
and friendship by the regent as if he had been an old acquaintance, or
an especial friend in iniquity!
On the 27th, the queen, accompanied by the Princess Charlotte and two of
the princesses, arrived at the Pavilion, from Windsor Castle; the
interview was short between Leopold and his intended bride. The family
resolved that the marriage should take place as soon as possible. The
royal ladies returned to Windsor, and the prince remained at Brighton
with the regent.
At the time such immense sums were voted for this intended marriage and
outfit, large means were also required for the support of our expensive
establishments at home, which ought to have prevented any squandering of
money upon _foreigners_, for we could never consider Prince Leopold as
one of the royal family of _England_.
Mr. Vansittart, however, was very eloquent, _in his way_, in setting
forth "the great, the incomparably great" station occupied by this
country amongst the nations of the earth! In truth, we will tell the
precise state of our _then greatness_. Our jails were crowded with
farmers and the best of our tradesmen; our streets and roads swarmed
with beggars, nearly dying from filth and want; agriculture languished,
and commerce was paralyzed!
After some delay, caused by circumstances not very _honourable_ to
Prince Leopold, the marriage took place on the 2nd of May; and a very
general report obtained credit that Prince Leopold pronounced his
responses very tremulously, scarcely articulating his portion of the
ceremony. This could hardly be wondered at, as he well knew the
sacrifice of honour he was then making, and the inconstancy of his
former sacred vows!
We pass over the time between the marriage and when the Princess
Charlotte was declared _enceinte_. This occurred twice; but, after one
disappointment, the accouchement was expected with all the ardour of
English anticipation.
The princess had generally expressed her opinion, that mankind, in
reason, policy, philosophy, and religion, were all of one great family;
and hence arose her extreme aversion to the pomp and magnificence of the
court. Indeed, the princess shewed herself very frequently to the
public, and was so free and gracious in her manners, that she appeared
in a natural English character, far opposed to the German pompous style.
A circumstance of no inferior import occurred at this period, which gave
suspicion to the inquiring spirit of the liberal part of the English
nation. This was--the return to office of George Canning! By the Tories,
the event was regarded as a last resource; by the Whigs, his accession,
under royal favour, was considered a token of victory. Each party was
positively assured of an undeviating principle in this gentleman's
character; but each one had to learn that the opinion was erroneous.
In this year, died two individuals, who had formerly been the bosom
companions of royalty. One of these, Mrs. Jordan, expired on the 5th of
July, near Paris, and was buried in the cemetery of St. Cloud; her body
was put into a _thin shell, stained black_, with no ornament whatever.
Mrs. Jordan had lived in Paris for some time in great privacy and
poverty, under the assumed name of Mrs. James. Is not the newly-created
Earl of Munster, and one or two other _great_ personages, the issue of
this unfortunate lady's singular engagement with the prince of some
great nation? The other character was Richard Brinsley Sheridan, the
favourite companion and devoted servant of the Prince of Wales. Let his
scanty means of subsistence be remembered whenever the name of the
prince regent is mentioned. Yes, reader, the man who had devoted his
highly-improved and naturally-eloquent abilities to the cause of this
regent was permitted to die in the course of an arrest!
The sorrows and disappointments which Mrs. Jordan underwent in this
world were of the most agonizing description. Oh! why is it tolerated
that royalty should be allowed to exercise the prerogative of inflicting
the deepest wounds without the possibility of the injured party ever
receiving redress? Is it not contrary to all laws, both human and
divine, to suppose "the king can do no wrong?" If a prince commit an act
of injustice, ought he not to be equally amenable with the peasant to
the laws of his country? _We_ think so, and hope to see the day when the
whole world will acknowledge its justness, and _act_ upon its principle.
Upon the retrospect of Mr. Sheridan's life, we are forcibly struck by
the ingratitude practised towards him by his royal master. The vices he
had contracted were the results of his acquaintance with this
"all-accomplished prince," and during the period of his successive
debaucheries with him, he frequently added his name to notes of hand,
upon sight, or at a longer date, for the prince's extravagancies, or to
meet any demand that might be required upon a run of ill luck at the
gaming-table. Even the debt for which he was arrested was contracted
under the last-mentioned circumstances, and had been paid by a note
given _solely_ for the regent's use by this unfortunate courtier. As
soon as the country became informed of the unkindness Sheridan had
experienced, they saw the character of the prince in its true light,
forming their opinions from FACTS only, and not from the sophistical
meaning given to his actions by the absolute prince himself, or by the
parasites in his service. Honest men could not help grieving at the
reflection, that the money produced by their labour, and even at the
expense of depriving their families of comforts, was being squandered
away at gambling-tables, upon unworthy characters, and in unwarrantable
undertakings. The indignation caused by the base treatment of Mrs.
Jordan and Sheridan manifested itself in several publications of the
day, and many facts were elicited relative to these two unfortunate
individuals; indeed, there was scarcely a subject in the realm, at all
acquainted with their shameful desertion, who did not indulge in some
bold expression of disgust and abhorrence at the disgraceful conduct of
certain _illustrious_ individuals, as being the causes of their
multiplied sorrows and sufferings.
There was a time when monarchs and peers would have lived on the meanest
food, merely sufficient to sustain human nature, in order to discharge
the debts of a faithful servant; and it is well known, that, to reduce
the pressure of taxation or impost upon the poorer classes of society, a
certain sovereign even pawned his jewels! But, alas! this reign and
regency did not present such an endearing feature to the nation; on the
contrary, "the regent of blessed memory" would rather have pawned his
subjects than have relaxed in his extravagant pleasures!
The marriage of the Princess Mary with her cousin the Duke of
Gloucester took place in July, and gave "general satisfaction;" though
his royal highness never benefitted the people in any other way than
_honouring_ them by accepting their bounty!
About this time, a considerable sensation was produced by the
re-appearance of Mrs. Fitzherbert in the gay circles of fashion. The
public journals noticed such an unexpected circumstance with timid
expression, and professed that delicacy prevented any explanatory
remarks! Ignorance and Avarice were more probably the obstacles in the
way; but it would have better become writers, who pretended to
patriotism and independence of character, to have stated unhesitatingly
what they _did know_ of the intentions of the royal plotters; they
certainly might have paid a fine, or endured some imprisonment for
speaking the _truth_; yet he who faulters when his country's weal is at
stake is unworthy the name of--- Briton!
The regent appeared now more determined than ever to procure a divorce
from the Princess of Wales, and the means how this might be accomplished
were put in active preparation. All the ungenerous and mean expedients
hitherto used had been unavailing to produce the desired end. Spies had
not succeeded, and a bolder invention had therefore become necessary. At
the various courts connected with the "Holy Alliance," the princess had
received very little attention; but in every circle where her royal
highness appeared, which was uninfluenced by the crown, she was
received rapturously, and treated most respectfully.
Previous to the conclusion of this year, a naval captain was offered ten
thousand pounds if he could, by any stratagem, obtain PROOF of
adulterous intercourse between the princess and any person of rank
whatever. The _personage_ who made this offer is NOW ALIVE, and if this
statement of simple truth meet his eye, surely the blush of shame will
die his hardened cheek.
The Baron Ompteda was also employed in this foul and diabolical plot,
and, as a reward for his services, he has received a sufficiency from
the hard-earned money of the tax-payers of this kingdom. We suggest that
it had been quite in character to have presented the same in a purse,
with "THE REWARD OF VILLANY" inscribed upon it.
We will here lay before our readers a plain statement of facts, relative
to the persecutions which the unfortunate Princess of Wales endured
abroad, and which is extracted from an original letter now in our
possession:
"For some days past, there have been inserted in several of the papers
various pretended extracts of letters from Milan, Munich, and other
places, respecting the Princess of Wales, and giving a most erroneous
statement of an affair that occurred some months since in her royal
highness' family. You may depend upon the following, as being an
authentic narrative of the transaction alluded to. An Hanoverian baron
was observed to follow the princess' route wherever she went. He was
always received by her royal highness with the attentions due to his
rank. On the princess' return to Milan from her long voyage, the baron
was still there, and paid his respects to her royal highness as usual;
but reports having come to the ears of her household, that the baron had
made use of expressions in society highly injurious to her royal
highness, one of the gentlemen in her suite, an English officer, sent
the baron a challenge, and this conveyed, in terms too plain and
unequivocal to be misconstrued, that he accused him of 'a most infamous
and unmanly return for the kindnesses he had received from her royal
highness,' and called upon him to 'meet him at eight o'clock the next
morning at Bartassima, (half way between Milan and Como) there to answer
for this sacred charge against his honour as a gentleman and a man, who
had ever received the most marked hospitality at the hands of the
princess, and who had committed the greatest act of hostility against
the very first of virtues.'
"This challenge was delivered to the baron by the hands of the Baron
Cavalotti, a friend of the English officer. The answer to this direct
challenge was an attempt to explain away the charge imputed to him; but
an acceptance of the challenge, claiming his right to the choice of
weapons, and saying that he would fight in Switzerland, but that his
intended second was absent; in two days he would send him to settle the
time and place.
"Just at this period, a discharged servant of her royal highness wrote a
letter to the chief magistrate of Como, saying that his conscience
touched him, and that he was desirous of making a confession of the part
he had acted in a treacherous confederacy with the Hanoverian, in whose
pay he had been for the preceding ten months, to disclose to him every
transaction of the household, to procure false keys to her royal
highness' apartments and drawers, &c. &c. This was made known to her
royal highness. She treated all that he could have obtained by such
insidious means with contempt; and actually took the footman, who had
thus acted as a spy upon her actions, again into her service, on his
imploring her pardon; but another accomplice was delivered over to the
police, to be tried and punished.
"The very next day after this discovery, her royal highness gave a grand
entertainment, at which the Governor of Milan and all the principal
nobility were present. When the princess communicated the whole affair
to the governor, he expressed his indignation at the scandalous conduct,
and having learnt that a challenge had passed from one of her gentlemen
to the baron, said that certainly that person was unworthy to be treated
as a gentleman. The Hanoverian knew nothing of all this; but, according
to his promise, sent Count Cantenogh, one of the chamberlains to the
Austrian Emperor, to Como, who, having met the British officer, said he
was not much acquainted with the Hanoverian who had requested him to be
his second in an affair of honour; that he was anxious to have the
matter fully investigated; and trusted that, if the baron should prove
his innocence of the language imputed to him, the British officer would
be satisfied that he had acted hastily. But, in case he was not
satisfied, he was further instructed to say, that the baron wished the
meeting to be in Germany, on the confines of France, instead of
Switzerland, and time could not be convenient to him sooner than three
weeks, a month, or more, from that time, as he had to go to Hanover to
settle his affairs in the interim. The Englishman then related to Count
Cantenogh the disclosures that had been made the day before, and
submitted to him whether such behaviour did not render his principal
unworthy the support of a man of honour, or to be met as a gentleman.
The count declared that he could not be the second of such a person;
that he must justify himself from this infamous charge, or choose
another friend. With this, the count returned to Milan, and a message
was soon after delivered to her royal highness, from the governor, to
say that the Hanoverian baron had received orders to quit the Austrian
dominions, which he had accordingly done.
"This curious affair made a considerable noise at the time, which was
the beginning of November last, and is, we suppose, the foundation of
the stories which have lately been circulated and misrepresented."
"In the summer of 1815, another wicked secret plot was formed against
the princess, the origin of which it is not difficult to guess. The
princess was narrowly watched, and attempts were made to seduce her
people; but only one, Piqueur Crade, was so weak as to yield, and to
promise Baron O** to conduct him into the apartments of the princess by
means of false keys. The plot was, however, discovered, and the piqueur
turned away. The man wrote to the Chevalier Tommassia, confessed that he
had let himself be seduced by Baron O** to betray his mistress, and
begged for mercy. The princess thought it proper to acquaint the
governor, Count Sawrau, with this event, and Baron O** was forced to
leave the dominions of his Majesty the Emperor. Hownham, the princess'
private secretary, challenged the baron, but the latter has hitherto put
it off. Since this affair, the princess is very cautious, particularly
towards Englishmen whom she does not know; but she conceals herself from
nobody, only she will not be the object of calumny, and of a shameful
_espionage_, of which she has already been the victim. What has happened
gives ground to fear still greater enormities.
"An event, which took place at Genoa, has more the appearance of an
attempt at _assassination_ than robbery. Some armed men penetrated,
during the night, into the house of the princess, and almost into her
bed-chamber. An alarm being given, one of the servants fired upon these
people, and pursued them, but in vain. It is not yet discovered what
were their intentions. But let a veil cover all this. Her first master
of the horse, Schiavini, has kept a circumstantial account of her
journey to the Holy Land. The princess went from Genoa to the island of
Elba, thence to Sicily and Barbary, then to Palestine. She visited
Jerusalem, Athens, &c., and was every where received with the honours
due to her rank.
"By the assistance of several _literati_, she obtained a collection of
valuable antiquities, for which object she spared no expense. Wherever
the princess appeared, she left behind her grateful recollections by her
beneficence. At Tunis, she obtained the freedom of several slaves. The
princess is now employed in writing the history of her life, which she
will make public when the time comes.
"By this, she will throw great light on many facts which are now
involved in obscurity."
We need hardly offer a remark upon the vindictive measures, so fully set
forth in this narrative, exercised against the unfortunate Princess of
Wales. It will not be difficult for our readers to recognize the REAL
INSTIGATORS of the many annoyances she endured; _their names_ will be
handed down to future generations as the "Oppressors of Innocence,"
while the finger of Scorn will mark the spot where lies their "SORDID
DUST."
The calamitous situation of the nation at this time became truly
appalling. Subscriptions were entered into for the purpose of relieving
the distresses of the poor, and her majesty's name was put down for the
insignificant sum of three hundred pounds! If we were to be prolix in
our account of this German lady's _discretionary_ liberality, the
details, we fear, would not interest our readers. She was only liberal
when her own interest was at stake!