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CONTENTS
PAGE
CHAPTER I. QUEEN CHARLOTTE (1744-1818)
" Plain Food and a Plain Wife"-Princess Charlotte Sophia of
Mecklenburg-Strelitz_Her appearance-Her letter to the King
of Prussia-It is much admired by George III-Her marriage
to George III—The Coronation-A moral proclamation-
Economies in the Royal Household-Lord Talbot and John
Wilkes—The strict etiquette of the Court-Lampoons-Mrs.
Siddons—“Peter Pindar"- The Ladies of the Bedchamber-
The Queen's dull life-Her children—The Queen's day-Her
jealousy of the King's relations—The Duchess of Brunswick-
The Prince of Wales and the Duke of York-The struggle
between the Queen and the Prince for the Regency-Her anger
with her eldest son-Her death
13
CHAPTER II. LADY SARAH LENNOX (1745-1826)
A rival to Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz–George II charmed
by Lady Sarah Lennox Lady Sarah at Court attracts the
attention of the Prince of Wales-Her beauty and charm-The
Prince, on his accession to the throne, wishes to marry her-A
conversation-Lady Sarah's flirtation with Lord Newbattle-
The King expresses his wish to her–His engagement to Princess
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz announced-Lady Sarah
unconcerned-A bridesmaid at the royal wedding—She marries
William Bunbury-Her elopement with Lord William Gordon-
Divorce—She marries the Hon. George Napier-Her famous
sons-Death-Lady Sarah and the King
22
CHAPTER III. FRANCES BURNEY, AFTERWARDS MADAME
D'ARBLAY (1752-1840)
Evelina published anonymously-Miss Burney's excitement at its
success—She becomes a " lion "-Dr. Johnson's approval—Her
play, The Witlings, adversely criticised-Her second novel,
Cecilia, widely read-She makes the acquaintance of Mrs.
Delany--Presented to the King and Queen-Offered a post in
her Majesty's Household—Her desire to refuse_She accepts
reluctantly-She is unhappy at Court–The Schwellenberg-
Ill-health-Her resignation is accepted--A small pension granted
-M. d'Arblay—Miss Burney attracted by him—They become
engaged-Her father's opposition withdrawn-Marriage—The
birth of a son-Mme. d'Arblay's tragedy, Edwy and Elvine, a
failure-Her third novel, Camilla, financially successful-In
7
Paris—Mme. d'Arblay returns to England-Death of Dr. Burney
d'Arblay joins his wife--His death-Alexander d'Arblay-
Mme. d’Arblay in old age-Edits her father's Memoirs-Her
Diary
31
CHAPTER IV. MRS. FITZHERBERT (1756-1837)
The Prince of Wales as amorist—His early love-affairs-Lady Sarah
Campbell—The beautiful Harriet Vernon-His intrigue with
Mary Robinson-Mrs. Robinson's early lifeShe plays Perdita
at Drury Lane-Attracts the attention of the Prince—He falls
in love with her-She becomes his mistress-He tires of her--A
final meeting-She threatens to publish the Prince's letters—The
King buys the correspondence-Mrs. Fitzherbert-Her two
marriages—The Prince fascinated by her-She falls in love with
him-But will not enter into a liaison-A conspiracy against
her honour fails-She goes abroad-The Prince in despair-He
marries her secretly—The marriage denied in Parliament—Her
indignation—A favourite with society-At Brighton-Maria
Anne Crouch-Mrs. Fitzherbert entertains in Pall Mall-The
Regency Bill—Lady Jersey a successful rival—Mrs. Fitzherbert
goes abroad
51
CHAPTER V. CAROLINE, PRINCESS OF WALES (1768-1821):
(I) WIFE
Your Majesty's Greatest Enemy"-The Prince of Wales's marriage
-His heavy financial liabilities-He applies to Pitt for relief
An execution at Carlton House-Carlton House closed-Mrs.
Fitzherbert-The Prince consents to marry-Princess Caroline
of Brunswick-The Court of Brunswick-Caroline as a child-
Her wit and waywardness—An attractive girl-Her love of
children—Sir James Harris demands her in marriage for the
Prince-His accounts of Caroline-Lady Jersey-Caroline
comes to England-Her first meeting with the Prince_Marriage
-George takes a dislike to his bride_His ill-treatment of her
The birth of Princess Charlotte of Wales
Separation agreed
upon
74
CHAPTER VI. MARY AND AGNES BERRY (1763–1852)
The early acquaintances of the sisters—Their father, Robert Berry-
The sisters meet Horace Walpole in 1787–His account of them
He soon becomes devoted to them—The “ twin-wives ”—They
take up their residence at Little Strawberry Hill-Absurd
scandal-mongering—Mary Berry and Walpole-Talk of their
marrying—Mary Berry's love-affair—General Charles O'Hara
-Their correspondence—They become engaged-O'Hara leaves
England on duty-Further letters—The engagement is broken
off-Mary Berry's rebuke-O'Hara's later life-Walpole's
legacies to the sisters—Mary Berry's publications—The sisters'
salon in London-Their deaths
92
PAGB
CHAPTER VII. LADIES-IN-WAITING : LADY CHARLOTTE CAMPBELL
(1775–1861); LADY ANNE HAMILTON (1776-1846); LADY
CHARLOTTE LINDSAY
Diary relative to the Times of George the Fourth–It is bitterly
attacked by Thackeray-Attributed to Lady Charlotte Campbell
-Lady Charlotte's beauty-Her first marriageShe becomes
a Lady-in-Waiting to the Princess of Wales—Her second
marriage—Her taste for letters-Her several novels—Her
friendship with Mary and Agnes Berry-Not responsible for
the publication of the Diary-The indignation of Charles
Kirkpatrick Sharpe-Lady Charlotte's liking for the Princess-
Her loyalty-Lady Anne Hamilton, another Lady-in-Waiting
of the Princess—She supports her Royal Highness at the trial
-Not very popular with the Princess—A Secret History of the
Court of England wrongfully attributed to her—Lady Charlotte
Lindsay a third Lady-in-Waiting-She gives favourable evidence
at the trial
CHAPTER VIII. CAROLINE, PRINCESS OF WALES :
(II) GRASS-WIDOW
The Prince of Wales, Caroline, and Lady Jersey-Caroline dismisses
Lady Jersey-Lady Jersey's insolent letter—The Prince returns
to Mrs. Fitzherbert-Public avowal of the reconciliation
Caroline and Mrs. Fitzherbert-Caroline at Blackheath-She
rarely goes to Court-The Queen's attitude towards her-
Appointed Ranger of Greenwich Park-Her home for foundlings
- The King and his affection for Princess Charlotte—The
Prince's hostility, to his Consort—"Monk ”Lewis-An admirable
hostess—Life at Blackheath-The Sapios-Mary Berry-Sir
Walter Scott-John William Ward-Caroline's unguarded "
conduct-Sir John and Lady Douglas-Admiral Sir Sidney
Smith-William Austin—" The Delicate Investigation
Caroline declared innocent-Her indiscretions commented on-
The King's point of view—The Book suppressed-Caroline goes
to Court
121 PAGE
CHAPTER IX. LADY HERTFORD (1760–1834)
The Marchioness of Hertford–The second Marquis of Hertford-
Très grande dame—A very handsome woman— -The infatuation
of the Prince of Wales-A “ liaison of vanity"—His visits to
Hertford House-Tom Moore's gibes—Mrs. Fitzherbert dis-
tressed by this affaire—Her relations with Lady Hertford-
Mary Seymour-A threat-Mrs. Fitzherbert insulted by the
Prince—They separate—Lady Hertford and Lady Conyngham 148
CHAPTER X. PRINCESS CHARLOTTE OF WALES (1796–1817)
The Prince Regent's conduct towards Caroline-Princess Charlotte
as a young girl—The Prince restricts her intercourse with her
mother-Caroline protests vigorously-Colonel Desbrowe-
Brougham advises Caroline-Her remonstrance to the Regent-
Her remonstrance appears in the Morning Chronicle—The
Regent's anger-A ministerial enquiry—Protest to Parliament
-The Douglases denounced as perjurers—A“ foul company
-The Duchess of Brunswick—The French Royalties—Caroline
weary of the long struggle-A fête at Vauxhall—The Allied
Sovereigns in London—The Queen refuses to receive Caroline at
Court-A further protest to Parliament–Parliament votes
Caroline an income-Charlotte engaged to the Prince of Orange
-She refuses to live abroad-She runs away to her mother-
The engagement broken off—The Regent secludes Charlotte-
The Duke of Sussex raises the question in the House of Lords-
The rigour of Charlotte's confinement mitigated-Caroline goes
abroad-Charlotte marries Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-
She dies in childbirth
155
CHAPTER XI. MARIA FAGNIANI (“ Mie-Mie ") (1771-1856)
The Earl of Yarmouth—The relation between his mother, Lady
Hertford, and the Prince –“ Royal Stripes ”—Thackeray's
Lord Steyne-Disraeli's Lord Monmouth-Maria Fagniani -
Her three fathers—The Marquis Fagniani, Lord March, and
George Selwyn-Selwyn's love for Mie-Mie”-Her childhood
- Marries Lord Yarmouth-Their son-Lady Yarmouth and
Marshal Androche-A second son-Death
176
CHAPTER XII. LADY CRAVEN, AFTERWARDS MARGRAVINE
OF ANSPACH (1750-1828)
Lady Elizabeth Berkeley marries Lord Craven-Her devotion to
letters—Her affaire with the Comte de Guines—Dr. Johnson-
She visits Horace Walpole at Strawberry Hill-Her verses
and plays—Lady Craven's other intrigues-She goes to Paris-
Meets the Margrave of Anspach-Their appreciation of each
other—The Margravine-Scandal-Lady Craven corresponds
with the Margrave_Her travels—She visits Anspach-Mdlle.
Clairon-Lady Craven becomes the social dictator at Anspach-
She travels with the Margrave-Death of the Margravine_The
Margrave and Lady Craven come to London together-Lady
Craven not received—They go to Lisbon-Death of Lord
Craven-Marriage Return to England-Brandenburgh House
-Benham Valence, Newbury-The Margrave and Margravine
entertain lavishly—The Queen declines to receive the Margravine
-The Hon. Mrs. Hobart-Gambling—Almack's—The Mar-
gravine and Lady Mary Wortley Montagu as letter-writers,
Later years—Death
186
CHAPTER XIII. HARRIETTE WILSON (1789–1846)
Her parentage-Her appearance—The fast life-Her sisters, Amy,
Fanny, Sophia-Lord Dewhurst—Another sister, Charlotte-
Harriette Wilson, the mistress of Lord Craven-Other lovers
Her popularity–Her distinguished visitors-Her affected
demureness-Byron attracts her fancy—but declines the
acquaintance_She goes to Paris—The Marquess of Worcester
-Her Memoirs-Blackmail-Tom Raikes- Beau Brummell-
Harriette marries one Rochfort-Later years-Death
208
CHAPTER XIV. THE DUCHESS OF YORK (1767-1820)
Princess Frederica of Prussia marries the Duke of York—Separation
- The Duke the favourite son of George III--Description of the
Duchess—The Duchess not intimate with the English royal
family—The Duchess and Mrs. Fitzherbert-A charming woman
-She entertains at Oatlands Park, Weybridge—“Monk" Lewis
-Beau Brummell's devotion to the Duchess-Charles Greville-
The Duchess's love of dogs.
224
.
CHAPTER XV. MARY ANNE CLARKE (1776-1852)
The Duke of York-His military career—Mary Anne Clarke-Her
early days—She becomes the Duke's mistress-Her extrava-
gance-Her lovers—Lloyd Wardle-Her illicit sale of commis-
sions in the army-Discussion in the House of Commons-Peter
Pindar's “ Epistle to Mrs. Clarke ”—The Duke resigns the office
of Commander-in-Chief—The cynical attitude of Mrs. Clarke-
The Rival Princes—Mrs. Clarke settles at Paris-Death of the
Duchess of York—The Duke of York and the Duchess of Rutland
-Stafford House
238
CHAPTER XVI. MRS. JORDAN (1762-1816)
Birth-Her mother and father-She goes on the stage—Her début
-Comes to England-Appears at Drury Lane-Criticisms of
Hazlitt and Leigh Hunt—Richard Ford-Marriage of her
daughters—Becomes the mistress of the Duke of Clarence-
Her replies to attacks in the Press—Her large income-Monetary
difficulties—The Duke and Mrs. Jordan—The parting—The
reasons for this—Miss Tylney Long-Miss Elphinstone-Miss
Wykeham-Marriage of the Duke His affection for the Fitz-
clarences—Mrs. Jordan in distress—She dies abroad
245
CHAPTER XVII. QUEEN CAROLINE (died 1821)
The Princess of Wales goes abroad-Her suite-Her travels—The
Order of St. Caroline - Italian members of her Household
Bartolomeo Pergami—His appearance and manner–His family
-Caroline's indiscretions arouse comment at home The Milan
Commission-Its report temporarily shelved—The accession of
George IV-Will the Queen return ?—The King insists on
divorce proceedings being instituted—The Queen's name
omitted from the Liturgy-Dr. Part and the “ Bidding Prayer"
-Caroline returns-A Bill of Pains and Penalties—The Italian