some time subsisted, and Mrs. Clarke did not hesitate to state that
the intrigue to which she had been induced to lend herself as the
most conspicuous figure, was prompted by a desire on the part of the
principal agitator--who remained discreetly in the background--to
humiliate the Duke of York, in the expectation that the office of
Commander-in-Chief, vacated by his brother's dismissal, would descend
on himself in the natural order of things: an expectation which was
not realised. One wild surmise attributed to 'the party' the belief
that the Duke of York, smarting under his disgrace, would commit
suicide, and thus afford the Duke of Kent a chance of being appointed
his successor, as in the event of his brother's decease, there seems
little doubt that the Duke of Kent, in spite of certain prejudices
against which he struggled through his prematurely closed life, would
have filled the office, almost by family right. The character of the
Duke of Kent has been dispassionately reviewed since that date, and
the calumnies of his detractors disallowed; beyond a natural leaning
to discipline pushed to severity, through the fruits of his training,
it is clear that his disposition was remarkably free from the guilty
personal weaknesses which marked his age, and from those unrestrained
self-indulgences which disfigured many of the brightest luminaries of
the last century in nearly every phase of society.
It will perhaps be interesting, after having thus attempted to trace
the involutions of this complicated and scandalous intrigue, which,
however, belongs to history, to add a word on the ultimate careers of
the principal actors. Mrs. Clarke chiefly spent her later years in
Paris, where it is understood she died, leaving a fortune amounting to
some thousands of pounds. It is a redeeming point in her character,
that when a certain nobleman (best known by the fictitious title of
the 'Marquis of Steyne,' under which he figures in a famous novel,
perhaps the finest in the world), presuming on the reputation of
the mother, made princely overtures, with the object of converting
one of her daughters--who, we are informed, were unusually handsome
young ladies--into his mistress, the proposal was treated with the
indignation its nature merited.
Mr. Clarke, who was by no means the sinner, according to another
account which has reached us, that his detractors have painted, became
for a time, as we learn, a Brother of the Charter House. He lived to a
very venerable age; and he, too, from the circumstances of his family,
was able to leave some property at his decease.
The majority of caricatures published by Rowlandson in 1809 relate,
as we have already said, to the Clarke Scandal. The exposures which
attended this connection, and the action taken by the members of the
Opposition in consequence of the disclosures of abuses of influence
which came out in course of the investigation, occasioned the Duke
of York to resign his office as head of the army, a temporary
concession rendered unavoidable, it appeared, under the circumstances.
The satirical prints put forth to hold up to ridicule the various
compromising revelations which marked the progress of the Parliamentary
examination of witnesses formed a series by themselves. Thomas Tegg who
issued the greater part of these plates, thought proper to bring out a
frontispiece or title-page to the collection, which our artist etched,
for the purpose, on March 27, 1809. The design of this introductory
print is arranged as a screen, on which is the lettering: '_Tegg's
complete Collection of Caricatures relative to Mrs. Clarke, and the
circumstances arising from the Investigation of the Conduct of His
Royal Highness the Duke of York before the House of Commons,_ 1809--'
OUT OF EVIL COMETH GOOD--
Learn to be wise from others' harm,
And thou shalt do full well.
On the ground is a book open at the Commandment, 'Thou shalt not
commit adultery,' and beside lie the Duke's letters to his lady-love,
beginning, 'My darling, dearest dear,' &c. Mrs. Clarke and Colonel
Wardle, the pair made most conspicuous during the enquiry, are
standing on pedestals, placed at either extremity, and drawing back
the curtains. The mitre and crozier of the Duke, as Prince Bishop
of Osnaburgh, crossed by his long sword and the military cocked-hat
appertaining to his official position, as Commander-in-Chief of the
army, form an appropriate trophy, arranged above the proscenium.
_February 15, 1809._ _Dissolution of Partnership, or the Industrious
Mrs. Clarke Winding up her Accounts._ Published by T. Tegg,
Cheapside.--Above the heads of the principal performers in this scene
is engraved the well-known quotation from Gay's 'Beggar's Opera':--
'Tis woman that seduces all mankind;
By her we first are taught the wheedling arts;
Her very eyes can cheat when most she's kind.
She tricks us of our money with our hearts:
For her, like wolves, by night we rove for prey,
And practise every fraud to bribe her charms;
For suits of love, like law, are won by pay,
And beauty must be fee'd into our arms.
Mrs. Clarke is seated on a 'rickety chair,' with a 'Morocco bottom;' at
her feet are the tender epistles of her admirer: 'My love, my life, I
cannot exist without you;' 'My admirable angel;' 'My dear pretty little
darling,' &c.; the lady is holding her lap for a bag of gold (800_l._)
which a stout old party is handing her in exchange for her good
offices, relative to the promotion of a scarecrow in military uniform,
probably his son, seated in an 'easy chair,' with a paper at his feet
inscribed likewise from Gay's 'Newgate Pastoral':--
'Tis so pat to all the tribe,
Each cries, 'That was levelled at me!'
Mrs. Clarke's boudoir is indicated behind; the portrait of 'Frederick'
is hanging therein, and below it is pinned a 'list of candidates
for promotion. Sums offered. Clavering 2,000_l._; Dowling, 800_l._;
O'Meara, 300_l._' &c. Everything is apparently conducted on a
business-like footing. 'Mrs. Clarke's Ledger' is placed ready to hand,
and upon it is a long file of receipts, 'commissions paid for.'
_February 20, 1809._ _Mrs. Clarke's Levee._ A pair of subjects on one
plate. Published by T. Tegg, Cheapside.--The interest of this frail
dispenser of patronage was not confined to the army, it was extended
to the Church. In the course of the disclosures it was shown that a
certain Doctor O'Meara had secured, through her offices, and for a
consideration, the privilege of preaching before Royalty--an equivocal
road to preferment, on the nature of which the caricaturists were
especially playful, as succeeding prints will elucidate. Mrs. Clarke is
seen, standing in semi-royal state, under a canopy, and holding a levee
of interested applicants: military officers, of various grades, are
bowing before the fair patroness; a Church dignitary, openly provided
with the needful (800_l._ in a money-bag), and 'cits' who are willing
to treat for the advantage of having their sons converted into officers
and gentlemen. Mrs. Clarke is candidly rehearsing the terms on which
business may be transacted at her establishment; the conditions are
sufficiently plausible:--
Ye Captains and ye Colonels--ye Parsons wanting place,
Advice I'll give you gratis, and think upon your case.
If there is possibility for you I'll raise the dust;
But then you must excuse me--if I serve myself the first.
_February 20, 1809._ _The Ambassador of Morocco on a Special
Embassy._--In such delicate transactions as Mrs. Clarke carried on at
Gloucester Place, where the Duke had set up an elegant establishment
for her use, the intermediary of third parties was essential. Among the
accommodating persons whose names were brought to light in the course
of the proceedings, as acting in the capacity of 'go-betweens,' was a
certain 'Emperor of Morocco,' as he was styled in the correspondence,
but who, in sober reality, was a ladies' shoemaker, one Taylor, of Bond
Street.
The print represents this mysterious plenipotentiary, with private
correspondence in his hand, hurrying up to Mrs. Clarke's handsomely
furnished mansion; the lady, who is at the open window on the look-out
for her envoy, is crying, 'Open the door, John; here comes the
Ambassador. Now for the dear delightful answer.' John Bull, with his
dog by his side, who has apparently formed a suspicion of the Emperor's
errand, is enquiring, 'I say, Master Shoemaker, where be you going in
such a woundy hurry?' To which the bustling confidential agent replies,
'Don't speak to me, fellow; you should never pry into State affairs.'
_February 24, 1809._ _Days of Prosperity in Gloucester Place, or a
Kept Mistress in High Feather._ Published by T. Tegg.--'Money was
expended upon her footmen, chariots, musicians, singers, players,
dancers, parasites, pimps, and bawds. But in the end the money of the
people.'--_Vide_ Cobbett, _Annual Register_. A scene of coarse and
indiscriminate revelry is represented proceeding in Mrs. Clarke's
drawing-room; a round table is covered with wines, spirits, punchbowls,
and, among the rich dessert dishes, is a gigantic golden bowl, the
thankoffering of a Bishop. The diversions of the company assembled have
passed the bounds of innocent recreation; fiddlers and singers are
rolling on the floor, wine and punch are recklessly thrown about the
place, and altogether the spectacle is not of an improving character. A
troop of flunkeys, in expensive liveries, are helping themselves from
the decanters and laughing at the tipsy antics of the company.
_February 26, 1809._ _All for Love. A Scene at Weymouth._--The
Duke's most affectionate epistles were dated from Weymouth, and the
caricaturist has drawn the stout commander seated at table there,
pen in hand, filled with rapture at the prospect of returning to his
Delilah: 'To-morrow I inspect my regiment, and then for my dearest,
dearest, dearest love!' Unfinished love-letters are scattered around:
'Oh, love is the cause of my folly!' 'My amiable girl!' 'My dearest
dear, I hope to be in your arms,' &c. The Duke's black footboy, who is
standing staring in amazement at the rhapsodising hero his master, is
inclined to moralise over the Duke's follies: 'Bless my massa! what be
the matter with him? Him in love, I fear. Sambo once be in love with
bad woman, but him repent!' On the same plate is a second subject,
entitled--
_February 26, 1809._ _An Unexpected Meeting._--An elderly officer is
amazed at running across the figure of Mrs. Clarke's footboy, strutting
in his uniform as bold as the best. 'Can I believe my eyes? Why, this
is the little footboy who waited on us at the house of a lady of a
certain description!' The promoted favourite is highly indignant at
this allusion to the past: 'I beg, sir, you will not come for to go to
affront a gemman!'
_February 26, 1809._ _The Bishop and his Clarke._ Published by T. Tegg,
111 Cheapside.--The reverend Bishop of Osnabrück has laid aside his
crozier and mitre and assumed the nightcap of domestic retirement. By
his side is the notorious Clarke, who is reminding her companion of
certain promises: 'Only remember the promotions I mentioned; I have
pinned up the _list_ at the head of the bed.' To which the Duke of York
is tenderly responding, 'Ask anything in reason, and you shall have it,
my dearest love!' The list of promotions includes 'A Bishopric for Dr.
O'Leary,' 'A Commissariat for Dicky Dowlas,' and other items, down to a
post for the lady's footboy. It was stated by Mrs. Clarke, during the
proceedings, that the Duke had assured her 'that as his favourite she
had far more influence than the Oueen.'
_February 27, 1809._ _A Pilgrimage from Surrey to Gloucester Place, or
the Bishop in an Ecstasy._ Published by T. Tegg.--The Duke of York,
arrayed in his canonicals as Prince Bishop of Osnabrück, has turned his
back on his mansion and on his wife; he has travelled a long stride
upon the 'road to destruction' and passed the 'stumbling-block' on his
path. He is trampling under foot 'Thoughts on Connubial Happiness' and
the Commandments, and is just turning the corner of Gloucester Place,
saying, 'Now for a meeting with my dearest dear.' Mrs. Clarke and a
female friend are looking out of window, and signalling the Duke's
arrival. Various placards are pasted on the house of his mistress: 'To
all.--Journeymen Taylors wanted,' 'Man traps are placed every night on
these premises,' 'Diamonds by Mrs. Clarke, Lapidary to His Highness;'
'Agency Office; business transacted on moderate terms;' 'This evening
will be performed "Duke and no Duke," by His Majesty's servants,' &c.
_February 29, 1809._ _The York_[18] _Magician Transforming a Footboy
into a Captain._ Published by T. Tegg.--The Commander-in-Chief has
assumed the white beard, fur cap, and robes of a magician; he is waving
a magic wand, 'Petticoat Influence,' over Mrs. Clarke's late footboy,
who is rising transformed into a captain, and filled with astonishment
at the rapidity of the performance. The Duke is made to say, 'By the
mystery of my art, no more be a footboy, but rise a captain!'
_March 2, 1809._ _A Parliamentary Toast._ Published by T. Tegg.--A
company, consisting principally of army officers, have been dining; the
wine is on the table. 'Come, Jack, favour with a toast.' The chairman
is standing on his legs to do honour to his toast: 'Here is the lady
that can raise five hundred!' Another gallant gentleman is anxiously
enquiring of his neighbour, 'How much did you give to be gazetted?' The
answer, given with a disconsolate air, is, 'Five hundred hard cash!' A
listener is remarking, 'I did not think it would have been done up so
soon. I had promised at least a dozen promotions!'
_March 4, 1809._ _Chelsea Parade, or a Croaking Member Surveying the
Inside, Outside, and Backside of Mrs. Clarke's Premises._ Published
by T. Tegg.--The front door of Mrs. Clarke's establishment, 'Warren
Street.' The door is inscribed, 'Knock, and you shall enter.' A
notice-board, hung out sign-fashion, bears the quotation: 'All the
world's a stage, and men and women merely players. Some play the
upper, some the under part, but chief play that most foreign to their
heart.' Colonel Wardle, wrapped in his military cloak, and indicating
discretion, with his finger on his lips, is handing a bag of money to
a waiting-maid and saying, 'You understand me,' to which the favourite
is replying with an assurance 'that the Colonel's business shall be
attended to.' Mrs. Clarke, leaning out of window, is overlooking her
visitor and crying, 'Though not in love, enter quick, my guardian
angel, my sweet Widdle-Waddle.' Mr. Croker, ensconced in 'Prospect
Place,' opposite, as the 'croaking member,' spyglass in hand, is
surveying the position of affairs from an attic marked, 'Peeping Tom's
Observatory;' he is exclaiming, 'Oh, the devil choke her! he's Waddling
in, as I'm a prying Croaker.' A discomfited group of ex-favourites
are hurrying off as quickly as possible. The Duke of York, with mitre
and crozier, a cope worn over his uniform, and bearing a label on his
stole: 'Men have their entrances and their exits,' cries, 'To part
with my dear, and not allow four hundred a year.' His lawyer, Adam,
by his side, cries, 'Alas, alas! all flesh is grass--so said Adam,
my forefather;' and Doctor O'Meara, bringing up the rear, in great
tribulation, is moaning, 'O me, Leary! O me, Leary! who once made
Royalty melt into tears--am now become a sniveller.'
_March 5, 1809._ _The Road to Preferment--through Clarke's Passage._
Published by T. Tegg.--Mrs. Clarke, wearing a general's uniform above
her skirts, is standing at the entrance to a wide thoroughfare, marked
'Clarke's Passage.' There is a stampede to gain admission--officers,
dandies, old fogeys, parsons with money-bags, fathers and sons--the
halt and the lame, the gouty and disabled, are all flocking in crowds,
ready to pay for the accommodation,--but in vain. The arbitress of
promotions and easy advancements is declaring, 'Gentlemen, it is no
use to rush on in this manner; the principal places have been disposed
of these three weeks; and I assure you at present there is not even
standing room.'
_March 5, 1809._ _The York March._ Published by T. Tegg.--The stout
Duke of York has turned his sturdy back on his fair enslaver,
declaring, 'If I must march, I must; however, I shall leave my
Baggage behind me!' The principal cause of the exposure may be laid
to the Duke's account. He declined, as has been mentioned, to keep
his word in respect to an allowance of four hundred a year, which,
there appears no doubt, he had promised to make the lady, if her
conduct, after his desertion, was such as to merit his approval. Mrs.
Clarke, who is dressed precisely as she appeared at the bar of the
House of Commons,[19] is thus reproaching the York deserter: 'O you
gay deceiver, to leave a poor woman without _protection_!' The storm
which was raised during the enquiry into the abuses of privilege in
the administration of the army and Half-Pay Fund, and threatened to
deprive the Duke of his office as Commander-in-Chief, only hardened
his resolution to do nothing for this Ariadne, who, however, to do her
justice, showed herself well able to defend her own interests, and to
pay back her defamers in their own coin.
[Illustration: THE YORK MARCH.]
_March 7, 1809._ _The Triumvirate of Gloucester Place, or the Clarke,
the Soldier, and the Taylor._ Published by T. Tegg.
John Gilpin said, 'Of womankind
I only love but one,
And thou art she, my dearest dear;
Therefore it shall be done.'--_Vide_ 'John Gilpin.'
--The Duke of York is seated at table, on which is wine and dessert,
placed between Mrs. Mary Ann Clarke and her friend and _confidante_,
Miss Taylor. The Duke's favourite is holding out her 'List of
Promotions,' entered upon a tremendous roll of papers, which seems
to be endless. 'I have a small list of promotions which I wish to
be filled up immediately, my dearest!' To which modest request this
weak-minded Samson is readily giving his assent: 'It shall be done, my
darling!'
_March 8, 1809._ _A Scene from the Tragedy of 'Cato.'_ Published by
T. Tegg.--Two Britons are meeting, wearing the most solemn aspect,
indicating occurrences of portentous gravity. One of the pair is a
cobbler, above whose stall is the figure of an anchor and the words,
'Hope--Insurance Office.' His friend is reciting with terrific
intensity these lines:--
The dawn is overcast--the morning lours,
And heavily in clouds brings in the day--
Big with the fate of York and Mrs. Clarke.
_March 8, 1809._ _Yorkshire Hieroglyphics._ Plate 1. Published by T.
Tegg.--The hieroglyphics are not very difficult to decipher, and when
transcribed prove nothing more than a compromising letter, which was
produced in the House of Commons, incautiously sent by the amorous
Commander-in-Chief to his lady-love five years previously:--
_The Duke of York's first letter to Mrs. Clarke._
'Weymouth, August 4, 1804.
'My dear little Angel,--How can I sufficiently express to my sweetest,
my darling love, the delight which her dear, her pretty letter gave
me, or how do justice to the emotion it excited? Millions and millions
of thanks for it, my angel, and be assured that my heart is wholly
sensible of your affection, and that upon it alone its whole happiness
depends.
'I am, however, quite hurt that my love did not go to the Lewes Races;
how kind of her to think of me on that occasion! but I trust she knows
me too well not to be convinced that I cannot bear the idea of adding
to those sacrifices which I am but too sensible that she has made to me.
'News my angel cannot expect from me from hence; though the life led
here, at least in the family I am in, is very hurrying, there is a
sameness in it which affords little subject for a letter; except Lord
Chesterfield's family, there is not a single person besides ourselves
I know. Last night we were at the play, which went off better than the
first night.
'Dr. O'Meara called upon me yesterday morning, and delivered me your
letter; he wishes much to preach before Royalty, and if I can put him
in the way of it I will.
'What a time it appears to me already, my darling, since we parted; how
impatiently I look forward to next Wednesday se'night!
'God bless you, my own dear, dear love! I shall miss the post if I add
more! Oh, believe me ever, to my last hour, yours and yours alone.'
[Addressed 'Mrs. Clarke, to be left at the Post Office, Worthing.'
Endorsed 'Dr. O'Meara.']
_March 9, 1809._ _The Burning Shame._--The residence of Mrs. Clarke,
at the corner of Gloucester Place, is made conspicuous to the public
by a notification at one time practised in respect to disreputable
vicinities. A man is planted before the door holding a notice-board,
warning the passers-by to 'beware of bad houses and naughty women;'
a couple of watchmen, with their lanterns slung on the ends of long
poles, are throwing a good light on the nature of the case. A clergyman
and an officer, who were evidently coming direct to the establishment
on private ends, are, by this publicity, warned out of danger before
their intention is disclosed to the public.
_March 11, 1809._ _Yorkshire Hieroglyphics._ Plate 2. Published by T.
Tegg.
'Sandgate, August 24, 1804.
'How can I sufficiently express to my darling love my thanks for her
dear, dear letter, or the delight which the assurances of her love give
me!
'Oh! my angel! do me justice, and be convinced that there never was
a woman adored as you are. Every day, every hour convinces me, more
and more, that my whole happiness depends upon you alone. What a time
it appears to be since we parted, and with what impatience do I look
forward to the day after to-morrow; there are still, however, two whole
nights before I clasp my darling in my arms.
'How happy am I to learn that you are better; I still, however, will
not give up my hopes of the cause of your feeling uncomfortable.
'Clavering is mistaken, my angel, in thinking that any new regiments
are to be raised; it is not intended, only second battalions to the
existing corps; you had better, therefore, tell him so, and that you
were sure that there would be no use in applying for him.
'Ten thousand thanks, my love, for the handkerchiefs, which are
delightful; and I need not, I trust, assure you of the pleasure I feel
in wearing them, and thinking of the dear hands which made them for me.
'Nothing could be more satisfactory than the tour I have made, and the
state in which I have found everything. The whole of the day before
yesterday was employed in visiting the works at Dover, reviewing the
troops there, and examining the coast as far as this place. From
Folkestone I had a very good view of those of the French Camp.
'Yesterday I first reviewed the Camp here, and afterwards the 14th
Light Dragoons, who are certainly in very fine order; and from thence
proceeded to Brabourne Lees, to see four regiments of Militia; which
altogether took me up near thirteen hours.
'I am now setting off immediately to ride along the coast to Hastings,
reviewing the different corps as I pass, which will take me at least as
long.
'Adieu, therefore, my sweetest and dearest love, till the day after
to-morrow, and be assured that to my last hour I shall ever remain
your's and your's alone.'
[Addressed 'George Farquhar, Esq., 18 Gloucester Place, Portman
Square.' Folkestone, endorsed 'Gen. Clavering,' &c.]
_March 12, 1809._ _The Statue to be Disposed of._ Published by T. Tegg,
Cheapside.--Mrs. Clarke's house at the corner of Gloucester Place
is again the subject of caricature. The figure of the Duke of York,
in his uniform, with his back to the spectator, and his face to the
wall, is placed on a pedestal for disposal. A placard, posted on the
house, announces: 'The statue on the outside having been thoroughly
repaired and whitewashed, is to be sold by private contract. For
further particulars enquire within.' A bill-poster is sticking up the
following notice on behalf of the publisher: 'Caricature Warehouse, 111
Cheapside. A new caricature on Mrs. Clarke every day.'