ILLUSTRATIVE OF

THE TIMES

OF

GEORGE THE FOURTH,

INTERSPERSED WITH

ORIGINAL LETTERS

FROM THE LATE

QUEEN CAROLINE,

AND FROM

VARIOUS OTHER DISTINGUISHED PERSONS.

Tot ou tard, tout se scait.

MAINTENON.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

LONDON:

HENRY COLBURN, PUBLISHER,

GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET.

MDCCCXXXVIII.

[Entered at Stationers=hall.]

603.

210. L. 52.

DIARY

OF THE

TIMES OF GEORGE THE FOURTH,

my

SECTION I.

JUNE, Saturday 18th, 1814.-I got a glimpse of once more before his departure. He looks ill and dejected. The petty torments of the moment, with the hurry and bustle of departure, overcome softer regrets, and when under the influence of the former, one is obliged to put off all tender feelings to a more convenient opportunity. This habit of drowning feeling, when too often repeated, ends by hardening the heart; and those who are constantly engaged in the bustle or business or pleasures of life, should beware of this hardening influence, lest all that is noble in character should gradually be dried up, and the sources of affection and humanity totally fail.

I again dined at Connaught House. There were present Sir William Gell, Dr. Parr, Mr. Charles Burney, and Mrs. and Miss Rn. The two latter did not come in till dinner was

VOL. II.

B

half over. The Princess (who has conceived a hatred to Mrs. R because she would not consent to have her only child taken away from her) was of course very much enraged at this circumstance. At length Mrs. R made Her Royal Highness aware that they had been detained by the Princess Charlotte, who sent for them to Warwick House. After dinner, Mrs. R told the Princess that her daughter had received an answer from the Prince of Orange, which the Princess Charlotte deems very impertinent. In it, he states that he could not write to the Prince Regent, and that he only hoped she might never repent her determination. Upon which the Princess Charlotte wrote herself to her father, and to that letter she has received no answer. The Princess Charlotte desired Mrs. R- to communicate this to her mother. This softened the Princess's wrath, but not against Mrs. R-n. B. R-n was of course very happy, and very elated at dancing with the Emperor. That was natural. She thinks him charming; which is natural also, whatever he may be in reality. Everybody was going to Devonshire House.-The Princess should be grateful to Lady C. Campbell for having taken an extra turn in waiting on Her Royal Highness at this particular time, as it puts her out of everything that is grand and gay.

The Princess went to the Opera. She was warmly applauded, but there were one or two hisses. However, the plaudits conquered, the actors sang, "God save the King," and all the house was forced to stand up. The Princess went away before the Opera was quite finished; which was wise; and her Royal Highness set down Dr. Parr in Woodstock Street, and me at my own home. When we came to the end of Bond Street we passed a state carriage. At first we believed it to be the Regent's; but afterwards we heard it was the Emperor's. I still believe it was the Regent's, as it was surrounded by guards. The mob who followed thought the same, and were groaning.

Sunday, 19th.-I went to Kensington to hear Sidney Smith preach. I was agreeably disappointed by hearing one of the finest sermons I ever listened to in my life; and I own I had expected nothing but courtly device. The Princess had asked me some days before if I did not think Mr. Sidney Smith a very fine preacher. I answered that I thought he might be so, but that I should suppose there was a little too much of worldliness and of stage effect in his matter and manner. She was displeased when I made this answer, and in like manner angry, when I confessed myself to have been touched and edified by his sermon.