He had now formed an attachment of no common kind to a lady, whose name
at this period came frequently before the public associated with his. A
veil of ambiguity or mystery covered, and still covers, the relations of
the Prince of Wales with Mrs. Fitzherbert. She received all the respect
and exercised all the influence which could belong to rank, character,
accomplishments, and manners, in the highest class of society in this
country daring her intimacy with the prince, and after their separation;
and she is still living, surrounded, in her advanced years, with all the
consideration which could do honour to the decline of a life the most
estimable. Mrs. Fitzherbert was first married at sixteen, and had still
all the graces of beauty and youth on the death of Colonel Fitzherbert.
She was brought up abroad, with every advantage of a costly and
consummate education. Her beauty had that soft and touching character,
the result of fair complexion and blue eyes which distinguishes
Englishwomen abroad, and obtained her the appellation of the angelic
English _blonde_. The cousin of Lord Sefton, and related to other
distinguished families, she lived in a sphere of society in London which
necessarily made her acquainted with the Prince of Wales. He became
enamoured, declared his passion, and was the cause of her retiring
to the continent to avoid his importunities. Having remained abroad
about three years, she returned to England in 1784. The prince on her
return declared the continuance and repeated the sincerity of his
attachment, with, it would appear, more success. Their intimacy for some
time was known only to the initiated in high life; they moved and met
in the same society, apparently on terms rather of formal than familiar
acquaintance. The secret was divulged shortly before the prince's
quarrel with the king, and base advantage was taken of it to wound the
private feelings of the prince where manly feelings are the most
vulnerable. She was of a Catholic family, herself a Catholic; and this
was easily turned against the Prince of Wales, at a period of religious
bigotry, and political alarm, especially in the mind of George
III.--_Ibid._
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