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CONTENTS
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
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
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engaged-Her father's opposition withdrawn-Marriage-The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
PAGE
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22
"
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
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 life-She 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
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
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
31
51
74
92
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 marriage-She 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
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121
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
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
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
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
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 .
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
CHAPTER XVI. MRS. JORDAN (1762-1816)
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224
236
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
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. Parr and the "Bidding Prayer
-Caroline returns-A Bill of Pains and Penalties-The Italian
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