Fox's denial of the marriage--Once more at Brighton--Again in
1788--The Prince at a fatal prize-fight--His birthday--Dress at
Brighton--The Prince leases his house at Brighton--Unfilial conduct of
the Prince--Probability of a Regency.
But how about Fox's denial of the Prince's marriage with Mrs.
Fitzherbert? was that to pass unnoticed? Certainly not, and there was a
slight disturbance in Florizel's matrimonial establishment, which may
as well be told in Lord Stourton's suave diction.
'The first signal interruption to this ill-fated engagement arose from
the pecuniary difficulties of his Royal Highness, when, on the question
of the payment of his debts, Mr. Fox thought himself justified by some
verbal, or written permission of the Prince, to declare to the House
of Commons that no religious ceremony had united the parties. This
public degradation of Mrs. Fitzherbert so compromised her character
and her religion, and irritated her feelings, that she determined to
break off all connection with the Prince, and she was only induced to
receive him again into her confidence, by repeated assurances that Mr.
Fox had never been authorised to make the declaration; and the friends
of Mrs. Fitzherbert assured her, that, in this discrepancy as to the
assertion of Mr. Fox and the Prince, she was bound to accept the word
of her husband. She informed me that the public supported her, by their
conduct, on this occasion; for, at no period of her life, were their
visits so numerous to her house, as on the day which followed Mr. Fox's
memorable speech; and, to use her own expression, the knocker of her
door was never still during the whole day.
'I told her that I understood there was a scrap of paper from the
Prince to Mr. Fox; that Sir John Throckmorton, a friend of his, had
assured me of the fact of the Prince wishing much to obtain possession
of it; but, though written on a dirty scrap of paper, it was much too
valuable to be parted with. She said that she rather doubted the fact.
I think that the difference between the assertions of the Prince and
Mr. Fox may be accounted for under a supposition (which I have also
heard) either that there was some ambiguity in the expressions used, or
that Mr. Fox might have referred to what had passed, antecedently, at
Devonshire House, without being privy to their subsequent more formal
engagements.
'However this may be, an accommodation took place between Mrs.
Fitzherbert and the Prince, though she, ever afterwards, resolutely
refused to speak to Mr. Fox. She was, however, obliged to see him
sometimes, and was much urged by the Prince to a reconciliation;
but, though of a forgiving disposition upon other occasions, and
even benefiting some who most betrayed her confidence, she was
inflexible on this point, as it was one of the only means left her to
protect her reputation. She thought she had been ill-used, in a most
unjustifiable manner, by this public declaration before the House of
Commons; especially as she had been waited upon by Mr. Sheridan, who
had informed her, that some explanation would, probably, be required by
Parliament, on the subject of her connection with the Heir apparent.
She then told him, that they knew she was like a dog with a log round
its neck, and they must protect her. She went so far with respect to
Mr. Fox, that when, afterwards, during his administration, he made
overtures to her, in order to recover her good will, she refused,
though the attainment of the rank of Duchess was to be the fruit of
their reconciliation. On naming this circumstance to me, she observed
that she did not wish to be another Duchess of Kendal.'[50]
Gillray published a satirical print on May 21, 1787, entitled 'Dido
Forsaken. _Sic transit gloria Reginæ._' Mrs. Fitzherbert, crucifix in
hand, is seated on a heap of ruins, in utter despair, whilst a breeze,
blown by Pitt and Dundas, carries away her crown, orb, sceptre, and
coronet, as Princess of Wales. In a boat named _Honor_, bound for
Windsor, sail away the Prince, Fox (who steers), Lord North, and Burke.
The Prince says, 'I never saw her in my life.' Fox clinches this
with, 'No, never in his life, Damme.' North and Burke asseverate 'No,
never.' On the ground lie fetters, an axe, rods, and a harrow, 'for the
conversion of heretics,' being a delicate allusion to Mrs. Fitzherbert
being a Roman Catholic.
However, the difference between the couple was made up, and they were
in Brighton together early in July. The Prince evidently used some
of his newly-got money on his seaside residence, for we read in the
_Morning Herald_ for July 3, 1787: 'Last Tuesday morning (26 June) as
the painters were beautifying the great dome of the Prince of Wales's
house at Brighthelmstone, the scaffolding broke down, whereby several
of the workmen were killed, and others terribly wounded. His Royal
Highness has caused enquiry to be made into the condition of their
families, in order to give them relief.'
We hear very little of his stay at Brighton during this year. The
_Morning Herald_ of July 24 tells us: 'The _Prince_, we are happy to
say, has derived much benefit from the air of Brighthelmstone, and the
exercise which he has taken in its environs. We have never seen his
_Royal Highness_ in better health, or more apparent spirits than in
his evening walks on the Steyne. His companions in these promenades,
exclusive of the gentlemen of his suite, are, in general, Mrs. F----,
with the Countess of Talbot, and Lady Stawell.'
In the same newspaper of August 6, we find under the heading
'BRIGHTHELMSTONE, Aug. 3. This scene feels, at present, a temporary
desertion from the general resort of the visitants to the races of
Lewes. The Prince has also left it this morning, on hearing of the
arrival of his brother, the Duke of York, from the Continent.
'The races above mentioned derived more celebrity from the brilliant
attendance with which they were honoured, than from the sport which
they afforded. The betting on the first day was so generally on the
side of _Marplot_ that eighty guineas to sixty, and immediately before
starting sixty to forty were offered and refused. Mr. Fox took the
odds that were offered against _Balloon_, to the amount of about five
hundred pounds, and Mr. Tetherington is said to have cleared upwards of
a thousand by the success of his horse _Marplot_.
'Amongst those present were the Prince, the Duke and Duchess
of Cumberland, the Princesse de Lamballe, who was particularly
distinguished through the day by the _enviable_ attentions of the Duke
of Queensberry. The Duchess of Rutland, the Countess of Talbot, Lord
and Lady Abergavenny, Mrs. Fitzherbert, Lord Clermont, Lord Grosvenor,
Sir John Lade, Sir Richard Heron, Mr. Fox, Mr. Wyndham, Mr. Pelham,
Col. Fitzpatrick, etc., added to the fashion of the group.
'After the first race, the Prince, with a select party, retired to
partake of an entertainment provided for them at the seat of Mr.
Wyndham, near Lewes.'
In 1788 the Prince went to Brighton for the season on July 1, and very
shortly, when driving with Mrs. Fitzherbert, they were both upset.
Neither could have been much hurt, for the _Morning Post_ of July 5
says that the Prince came to town the previous day, and that 'Mrs.
Fitzherbert is totally recovered from the effects of her accident.'
Still, this trivial event gave food to the caricaturist, 'The Prince's
Disaster, or a fall in Fitz.' They have been for a drive in an open
carriage, which has broken down. Mrs. F---- lies on the ground, and the
Prince is being thrown out.
That their mutual relations were cordial is evidenced by a satirical
print, April 3, 1788, where Mrs. Fitzherbert is seen leading the Prince
in chains. She says, 'Who can behold without transport "the glass of
fashion and the mould of form, the observ'd of all observers," smiling
in chains?' He replies, 'Delightful slavery! A day, an hour, of such
sweet bondage is worth an eternity of celestial happiness!'
We get a glimpse of what Brighton was, at this time, by the two
following newspaper cuttings. _Morning Post_, July 14: 'Brighton,
with the Prince, and such Company as follow the Prince, will do very
well, though, of late years, it has not been so crowded as formerly.
Many reasons have been assigned for this change--we, however, for
_propriety's sake_, shall give none.' _Ibid._, July 21: 'Brighton,
notwithstanding the return of the Prince, does not bear the appearance
of pleasure and fashion.'
And it can hardly be wondered at, for the Prince had relapsed, since
he had got his debts paid, and kept very bad company. He always was
fond of seeing prize-fights, and he and the Duc d'Orleans saw the fight
between Humphries and Martin at Newmarket, on May 3, 1786; but he had
more than he bargained for at Brighton Races this year. The event
is thus recorded in _Boxiana_ (vol. i., p. 219, ed. 1818): '_Tyne_
next entered the lists with _Earl_, upon a stage erected near the
stand on the Brighton Race ground, on August 6, 1788. Never were more
fashionables assembled at a boxing match than the above; the town of
Brighthelmstone was literally drained of its company, and the race
stand was crowded to excess with nobility and gentry; among whom was
his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. _Earl_ was a tall, strong man,
and, in point of appearance, the favourite, and was actually becoming
so from his exertions, when _Tyne_ put in a blow upon his temple, that
made him reel against the rail of the stage, and he instantly dropped
down dead: which unfortunate circumstance produced a most afflicting
scene; and the Prince declared he would never witness another battle.
His Royal Highness, with great humanity and consideration, settled an
annuity on Mrs. _Earl_ and family. It appeared by the evidence before
the Coroner's jury that _Earl_ had been for some time previous to the
battle engaged in an election contest at Covent Garden, and had been
in one continued state of inebriety during the whole of it. It was the
opinion of professional men, that the vessels being so overcharged with
blood was the immediate cause of his death.'
The _Morning Post_ of August 9 has the following from Brighton: 'The
Prince of Wales gains many hearts by his great affability and good
humour. His company is much better than it used to be, and he is
certainly more sparing of his libations to Bacchus.
'Mrs. F----t looks more elegant than ever. One can, indeed, hardly
help exclaiming with the army of Mahomet the Second, when he showed
them his Irene--"Such a woman is worth a kingdom!"
'The Prince of Wales has won money on the races--more money than one
would wish a Prince of Wales to win.'
The same newspaper of August 15 says: BRIGHTHELMSTONE.--The celebration
of the Prince's birthday was in a style of the utmost gaiety and
conviviality, the more general and uniform, from the contracted circle
in which it shone. The Prince gave a most sumptuous entertainment
at the MARINE PAVILION,[51] of which all the Nobility and Gentry in
the town and neighbourhood partook by invitation. In the evening the
illuminations were general, and some of them conspicuous for taste,
particularly the Castle, the front of which was covered with various
coloured lamps. A Ball was given by the Jockey Club, in honour of the
Prince, who honoured several ladies with his hand during the course of
the evening.'
_Ibid._, _September 6._--'The Prince of Wales does not slumber in dull
indolence at his retreat at Brighton, but promotes and participates
in many manly exercises. Cricket is, at present, the chief amusement
patronized by his Royal Highness, who is dexterous and indefatigable.
Most of the young noblemen in the neighbourhood join in this vigorous
and wholesome exercise, in which the domestics of the Prince are
permitted to partake.'
We get a good glimpse of our great grandfathers and grandmothers
at Brighton in the _Morning Post_ of September 18: 'DRESS AT
BRIGHTON.--The fashionable bathing dress at Brighton is chiefly a pair
of buff trousers, and a slight jacket.
'This is adopted by all the young men of the place, and such a number
of idle, sauntering _land lubbers_ meet the eye, every morning, on the
Steyne, that one cannot help wishing for a sturdy press gang to give
them useful employment, or, at least, keep them out of mischief.
'After breakfast, they are then accoutred for the sports of the field.
'The sporting dress is a brown jacket, with a multiplicity of pockets
on each side, that reach from the bottom to the top, so that, from this
appearance, it is somewhat difficult to determine which the fashionable
tribe most resemble, a set of _grooms_, or a company of _smugglers_.
'When the dinner hour arrives, after these sprightly and heroic
gentlemen have _slain their thousands and ten thousands_, according to
their own account, in the field, with as little winking and blinking as
_Major Sturgeon_ himself, they then attire themselves in order to enjoy
the pleasures of the table; and, however deranged they may, afterwards,
be by convivial excess, they march, or stagger away to the _Rooms_, as
circumstances may determine, and entertain the Ladies with _elegant_
and _decent_ gallantry.
'The Ladies have no particular dress for the morning, but huddle away
to the bathing-place, in close caps and gipsy bonnets, so that they
look like a set of wandering _fortune tellers_, who have just had the
opportunity of pillaging the contents of a _frippery warehouse_, with
which they have bedecked themselves in haste.
'It is to be remarked that the Ladies do not atone for the negligence
of the morning, by neatness and elegance during the rest of the day,
but _shuffle_ on _something_ by dinner time, covering themselves with
an enormous nondescript bonnet, which, to the confusion of all order,
they, afterwards, think a proper garb for the assembly.
'If a spectator, not cognizant in the fanciful and capricious
variations of _ton_, were to cast his eyes on the motley groupe
contained in the Rooms, of an evening; far from supposing them persons
of the first fashion attired for a Ball, he would consider them as a
band of _Bedlamites_; or, at best, conclude that the whole presented
the extravagant vagaries of a Masquerade.'
This year Mrs. Fitzherbert moved into a house in Pall Mall, which
had a private entrance into the grounds of Carlton House. There was
a question put in the _Morning Post_ of October 10 which was never
answered. 'A QUESTION, What is the reason that Mrs. FITZHERBERT, who is
a lady of fortune and fashion, never appears at Court? She is visited
by _some_ ladies of high rank--has been in public with them--and, yet,
never goes to the Drawing Rooms at St. James's. This question is sent
for publication by a person who pays no regard to the idle reports of
the day, and wishes to have the mystery cleared up.'
The house which Weltje had taken for His Royal Highness had the Castle
Tavern on one side of its grounds, and Grove House on the other, and
considerable alterations were made in it since it was leased to Weltje
from Mr. Kempe for £150 per annum with the option of purchase (which
was exercised) for £3,000, and the house and gardens were leased by
Weltje to the Prince for a term of twenty-one years from Christmas,
1787.
When the King was taken ill with his first attack of mental aberration,
in November, 1788, the Prince and Mrs. Fitzherbert came up to London,
a fact which the pictorial satirist soon got hold of; and a print
was published in that month, in which the King was depicted as being
in bed, a Bishop reading prayers for his restoration to health. This
solemn group is interrupted by the Prince of Wales bursting into the
room, calling out, 'Damme, come along, I'll see if the old fellow's----
or not!' Following him are George Hanger, with a bottle, and Sheridan.
To point this satire the more, a picture of the Prodigal Son hangs on
the wall.
Miss Burney gives us an account of the King's seizure and of the
arrival of the Prince, and although his conduct was not as heartless
as shown in the etching, it was bad enough. 'Soon after, suddenly
arrived the Prince of Wales. He came into the room. He had just quitted
Brighthelmstone. Something passing within seemed to render this meeting
awfully distant on both sides. She (the Queen) asked him if he should
not return to Brighthelmstone. He answered, yes, the next day.'
But this he did not do, as there were already rumours of a Regency, yet
his conduct towards his father seems to have been very bad. Grenville,
writing to his brother, the Duke of Buckingham, November 23, 1788,
says: 'Think of the Prince of Wales introducing Lord Lothian into the
King's room when it was darkened, in order that he might hear his
ravings at the time that they were at the worst. Do not let this fact
come from you; it begins to be pretty well known here, and, no doubt,
will find its way to Ireland; but it is important that we should not
seem to spread the knowledge of anything which can injure his Royal
Highness's character in public opinion.'[52]
There was much intriguing as to a Regency, the Ministry at first
suggesting that the Government should be carried on by a Commission;
but on December 30, 1788, Pitt wrote a letter to the Prince of Wales,
stating that His Majesty's Ministers had come to the conclusion to
offer him the Regency of the kingdom, under certain restrictions.
The Prince replied at once, expressing his sorrow at the occasion
of his proposed elevation, but accepting the trust. Of course, this
suggestion of the Government could not be acted upon without mature
deliberation, and it was not until January 30, 1789, that the following
resolutions of the Lords and Commons were presented to the Prince
of Wales: 'That his Royal Highness be empowered to exercise the
Royal authority under the title of Regent.'--'That the power given,
should not extend to the granting of any Peerage, except to the Royal
issue.'--'Nor to the grant of any office in reversion, or any office,
salary, or pension, than during his Majesty's pleasure; or to the
granting his Majesty's real, or personal estates.'--'That the care of
his Majesty be committed to the Queen, who should nominate all persons
to the offices in the household.'
Needless to say, the Prince made no objections, and by February 12
the Regency Bill had gone through all its stages in the House of
Commons, and was ordered to be sent to the Lords. But the proverbial
'slip 'twixt cup and lip' occurred. On February 19 the Lord Chancellor
informed the House of Lords that, according to the report of his
physicians, the King's health was steadily mending, and they therefore
abstained from further consideration of the Regency Bill.
The physicians' hopes were fully justified; the King got better
rapidly, and on February 27 his perfect recovery was announced,
the prayer for the same was discontinued, and a form of prayer of
thanksgiving for his restoration to health was ordered to be read in
all churches and chapels throughout England and Wales. Rejoicings and
illuminations were the order of the day, and on April 23, the day of
general thanksgiving, the King, Queen, and Royal Family went in state
to St. Paul's Cathedral, to return thanks to God for His mercy in
giving the King his health and reason once again.
Naturally, there were satirical prints going about, but not so many as
might be thought. There was one in February, 1789, called 'The Rival
Queens. _A Political Heat for Lege and Grege._' Madame Schwellenburg,
the Queen's Mistress of the Robes, armed with the Lord Chancellor's
mace, is making a desperate onslaught on Mrs. Fitzherbert, who defends
herself with a crucifix. Pitt officiates as second to the German lady,
and Florizel performs the same office towards his wife.
On April 29 appeared 'The Funeral Procession of Miss Regency,' in which
are numerous figures. On the coffin are a dice-box and two dice, the
Prince of Wales's coronet, and an empty purse. The chief mourner is
Mrs. Fitzherbert, who is in deep grief at the loss of her position.
Of course Fox and Sheridan are among the mourners, as are also the
Prince's household, amongst whom is the 'Clerk of the Dish Clouts,'
Weltje, who laments:
'Vor by Got, ve do pine, and in sadness ve tink
Dat it's long till de Prince vear de Crown.'
[Illustration: Decorative motif]
FOOTNOTES:
[50] Mistress of George II.
[51] This is the first instance I have met with in which it is so
called.--J. A.
[52] 'Memoirs of the Court and Cabinets of George III.,' by the Duke of
Buckingham and Chandos; London, 1853, vol. ii., p. 11.
[Illustration: Decorative panel]