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Ebook has 413 lines and 75835 words, and 9 pages

VOL. I

CHAP. PAGE

INTRODUCTION ix

VOL. I

PAGE

THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES, MISS VANE AND HER SON " 11

CAROLINE, CONSORT OF GEORGE II " 15

GEORGE II " 15

PRINCE GEORGE OF WALES, PRINCE EDWARD OF WALES, AND DR. AYSCOUGH " 35

AUGUSTA, PRINCESS DOWAGER OF WALES " 41

LEICESTER HOUSE " 45

GEORGE, PRINCE OF WALES " 55

"THE BUTTON MAKER" " 75

MISS AXFORD " 86

LADY SARAH LENNOX SACRIFICING TO THE MUSES " 105

QUEEN CHARLOTTE " 120

JOHN, EARL OF BUTE " 136

WINDSOR CASTLE " 167

"THE KITCHEN METAMORPHOZ'D" " 178

"LEARNING TO MAKE APPLE DUMPLINGS" " 190

THE KING RELIEVING PRISONERS IN DORCHESTER GAOL " 196

"SUMMER AMUSEMENTS AT FARMER GEORGE'S" " 198

BUCKINGHAM HOUSE " 202

"THE CONSTANT COUPLE" " 220

KEW PALACE " 223

JOHN WILKES " 235

"THE BRUISER" " 243

THE KING'S LIFE ATTEMPTED " 258

"THE RECONCILIATION" " 268

THE RIGHT HON. GEORGE GRENVILLE " 270

FARMER GEORGE

Vol. I

INTRODUCTION

"So closely is the domestic history of George the Third connected with the political events of his reign, as to render it almost impossible to disassociate the one from the other. Fortunately, however, in the war of party and in the animated struggle for ascendency which he so long carried on with the great Whig aristocracy, there is ample and stirring interest."--J. H. Jesse.

George had not even the excuse of success for his treachery. It is true that he contrived to compel the resignation of various ministers, but his incursions into the political arena were fraught with disaster. He forced Bute on the nation, and Bute could not venture to enter the City except with a band of prize-fighters around his carriage to protect him! He took an active part against Wilkes, and Wilkes became a popular hero! He encouraged the imposition of the Stamp Act in America, and in the end America was lost to England! Having no knowledge of men and being ignorant of the world, he was guided at first by secret advisers, and subsequently by his own likes and dislikes, coupled with a regard for his dignity, that did not, however, prevent him from personally canvassing Windsor in favour of the Court candidate when Keppel was standing for the parliamentary representation of the town.

"I grant his household abstinence; I grant His neutral virtues, which most monarchs want;"

a kind master; a well-meaning, though unwise father; a faithful husband, possessing

"that household virtue, most uncommon, Of constancy to a bad, ugly woman,"

which was the more creditable as his nature was vastly susceptible. He was pious, anxious to do his duty, and deeply attached to his country, but believing himself always in the right, was frequently led by his feelings into courses such as justified Byron's magnificent onslaught:--

"In the first year of Freedom's second dawn Died George the Third; although no tyrant, one Who shielded tyrants, till each sense withdrawn Left him nor mental nor external sun; A better farmer ne'er brushed dew from lawn, A worse king never left a realm undone. He died--but left his subjects still behind, One half as mad, and t'other no less blind."

"Give me a royal niche--it is my due, The virtuousest king the realm ever knew.

I, through a decent reputable life, Was constant to plain food and a plain wife.

Ireland I risked, and lost America; But dined on legs of mutton every day.

My brain, perhaps, might be a feeble part; But yet I think I had an English heart.

When all the Kings were prostrate, I alone Stood face to face against Napoleon;

Nor ever could the ruthless Frenchman forge A fetter for old England and old George.

I let loose flaming Nelson on his fleets; I met his troops with Wellesley's bayonets.

Triumphant waved my flag on land and sea: Where was the King in Europe like to me?

Monarchs exiled found shelter on my shores; My bounty rescued Kings and Emperors.

But what boots victory by land and sea, What boots that Kings found refuge at my knee?

I was a conqueror, but yet not proud; And careless, even when Napoleon bow'd.

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