(Vol. v., pp. 77. 135.)
There is clearly some inaccuracy in the details of my statement, which I
am obliged to LORD BRAYBROOKE and to G. for pointing out, and which,
perhaps, they may help to clear up. The main fact is admitted: that
"_two_ Knights of the Garter covered the period from 1684 to 1820;" and
George IV.'s assertion, that "he had given away a Garter that had been
given but once since the reign of Charles II.," I myself heard, though I
unluckily did not make a "Note" of it. This could apply to nothing but
the cases of the Duke of Somerset and George III. Whether George IV. was
misinformed as to the details on which he founded his assertion, I know
not; but it is unlikely: and that after a lapse of about thirty years I
may have confounded the _Regency_ with the _Accession_, and _Lord Moira_
with the _Duke of Buckingham_, I will not deny; for it seems that I have
done one or the other, though without any effect on the main point. As
to G.'s objection, that of several Garters disposed of on the same day
in 1745. The Duke of Somerset's did not fall to Prince George. I have
not Beltz to refer to; but it strikes me as possible this may admit of
explanation: because, although Prince George was _nominated_ first in
the batch, it happened that he was _invested_ the last; indeed not till
the day _after_ all the others: so that he might have received the
_badge_ of the Duke of Somerset. Your readers are aware that the
_badges_ are not the private property of the knights, but are always
_returned_ into the hands of the _sovereign_, and that the same badge is
delivered to successive knights; so that it is probable that George
III., on becoming sovereign, kept in his own possession the badge he had
originally received, and that this identical badge George IV. disposed
of as he stated, whether to the Duke of Buckingham, or, as the
impression on my memory still is, Lord Moira.