Social England under the Regency, Vol. 2 (of 2). Ashton John

Social England under the Regency, Vol. 2 (of 2)

good-humoured Admiral's own black mare, which had been painted in a manner to elude his detection." Thus it was that "le Roi s'amuse."

But the Regent was fit for better things. On the very same date that the above was recorded, we find that he ordered, at his own expense, a splendid monument to be erected at Rome, in memory of Cardinal York, the last legitimate descendant of the Stuarts.

Another serious event was preparing for him, the marriage of his daughter. We have seen that she would have none of the Prince of Orange – it is not quite certain whether, at this time, she was dotingly fond of him who was to be her partner in life for the brief portion of time allotted her. At all events, he came over here, in February, as the suitor for her hand – arriving on the 21st, and dutifully waited upon "papa" on the 23rd. That his suit would be a prosperous one, there could hardly be a doubt, for he was received by the Duke of Clarence, Sir R. Bloomfield (the Regent's Chamberlain), Count Hardenberg, and the Nobility then residing at the Pavilion.

"Happy's the wooing, that's not long a-doing," says the old rhyme, and this was speedily brought to a conclusion. The Prince paid his devoirs to his future bride, and her "stern parent," and then gracefully retired from the scene. In those days of no Telegraphs, the news of people's happiness, or misfortunes, was longer in reaching them than now, for a King's Messenger had to go to Paris, only to find Prince Leopold gone to Berlin, and to follow him there, in order to tell him that the English Princess Royal had been graciously pleased to accept him for her husband. On the Messenger's return, the consent of the Prince Regent was officially given, and the Lord Chancellor affixed the great Seal to the Marriage Contract.

On Thursday, the 14th of March, Lord Castlereagh appeared at the bar of the House of Commons with the following message from the Prince Regent:

"The Prince Regent, acting in the name, and on the behalf of his Majesty, having given the royal consent to a marriage between his daughter, her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte Augusta, and his Serene Highness Leopold George Frederick, Prince of Cobourg of Saalfield, has thought fit to communicate the same to this House.

"His Royal Highness is fully persuaded that this alliance cannot but be acceptable to all his Majesty's faithful subjects; and the many proofs which his Highness has received of the affectionate attachment of this House to his Majesty's person and family, leave him no room to doubt of the concurrence and assistance of this House, in enabling him to make such a provision, with a view to the said marriage, as may be suitable to the honour and dignity of the Country.

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1

The Corn Bill passed the Commons on the 10th of March, and the Lords on the 20th.

2

Lambeth Street, Whitechapel, removed to Arbour Square, Stepney, and now called the Thames Police Office.

3

From this time until Napoleon sailed for St. Helena, I quote, sometimes at length, from my book, "English Caricature and Satire on Napoleon

1

The Corn Bill passed the Commons on the 10th of March, and the Lords on the 20th.

2

Lambeth Street, Whitechapel, removed to Arbour Square, Stepney, and now called the Thames Police Office.

3

From this time until Napoleon sailed for St. Helena, I quote, sometimes at length, from my book, "English Caricature and Satire on Napoleon I.," because I then wrote, thoroughly imbued with the subject, and with every authority at hand – I can do no more now, than to add a little to it. – J. A.

4

This title was never recognized by the French Nation until the assumption of Imperial dignity by Louis – under the title of Napoleon III.

5

General Gourgaud.

6

A measure of about one hundred fathoms. In all marine charts a Cable is deemed 607.56 feet, or one-tenth of a Sea Mile.

7

"A Visit to Bonaparte in Plymouth Sound," by a Lady. Plymouth, 1815.

8

Mackerel.

9

"Interesting Particulars of Napoleon's Deportation for Life to St. Helena," &c. London, 1816. Printed for W. Hone.

10

By George Colman the Younger.

11

I.e., the midshipmen who took female parts.

12

Transported.

13

Shaw the Lifeguardsman.

14

Battle of Waterloo.

15

Cowardice.

16

Of course, now-a-days we can hardly understand this; but the old tubs used to take their time then. – It is recorded in the "Annual Register" of 1815, as follows: "16 December. – A vessel is arrived in the Thames from New South Wales after an extraordinarily short passage of less than five months."

17

It took longer, vide this extract from The Globe, March 18, 1889: – "A Tardy Honour. – Captain Gammell is 92. It is only within the last ten days that he has received an honour which he won nearly three-quarters of a century ago. As Ensign James Gammell he was present at the sortie of Bayonne, and leaving the army shortly afterwards never applied for the medal. At last Captain Gammell has found himself decorated with two – one the Jubilee medal, accompanied by a letter from Sir Henry Ponsonby on behalf of the Queen; the other the Peninsular medal, with the clasp for the Nive, forwarded by the Duke of Cambridge. It is never too late to decorate a gallant man, and Colonel Balguy, who has been active in this matter, is to be congratulated upon the success which his efforts have attained."

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