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_SOCIAL ENGLAND._

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WARD AND DOWNEY, PUBLISHERS, LONDON.

  SOCIAL ENGLAND
  UNDER
  _THE REGENCY_.

  BY
  JOHN ASHTON,

  AUTHOR OF "SOCIAL LIFE IN THE REIGN OF QUEEN ANNE," "OLD TIMES,"
  "DAWN OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY," ETC.

  _WITH 90 ILLUSTRATIONS._

  IN TWO VOLUMES.

  VOL. I.

  London:
  WARD AND DOWNEY,
  12, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN.

  MDCCCXC.

PREFACE.

Certainly, it is not the least part of an Author's reward, for all
his pains and trouble, to find that the Public appreciates his
efforts, and purchases, and reads his books.

This, I am happy to say, was specially the case with one of mine,
"The Dawn of the Nineteenth Century." In it I wrote of Social England
in the first decade of the century, leaving off at a time when George
III. was hopelessly incompetent to govern, and a Regency was in
progress of establishment.

The favour which the Public bestowed upon this book emboldens me
to continue it, and sketch the men and manners of the Regency.
Most books of this class deal mainly with the great ones of the
land, but I have only done so where necessary to illustrate the
history of the times, my aim being more to delineate the social
condition of England, and her people; and this work will be found
perfectly reliable as history, nothing being taken at second hand,
but all compiled, even down to the illustrations, from original and
contemporaneous authorities.

                                                     JOHN ASHTON.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
                                                                  PAGE

  The King's Malady -- Former preparations for a Regency --
  King's recovery -- The King at home -- His love of music --
  Severe frost -- Lucien Buonaparte a prisoner of war -- French
  obstructions to commerce -- A gallant merchantman                  1

CHAPTER II.

  A Regency inevitable -- Prince of Wales waited on -- He
  undertakes the Regency -- French and English prisoners of war
  -- Roman Catholic soldiers -- Roughness of manners -- Passing
  of Regency Bill -- The Prince's companions -- Inauguration of
  the Prince as Regent -- Improvement in the health of the King     17

CHAPTER III.

  Story of a crime -- The Shanavests and the Caravats --
  Gluttony -- Smuggling bullion -- A Tar at the theatre --
  Deposition of French Colours in Whitehall Chapel -- The Duke
  of York reinstated as Commander-in-Chief -- The Regency Fête
  -- Account of the entertainment                                   39

CHAPTER IV.

  Ladies' dresses at the Fête -- The banquet -- Carlton House
  thrown open to the public -- The crush -- Sir F. Burdett's
  action against the Speaker -- Relief of British Prisoners in
  France -- Scarcity of guineas -- Lord King and his tenants --
  Stories respecting the Currency                                   57

CHAPTER V.

  A smuggler's victim -- Illness of Gilray -- A gallant
  highwayman -- A Witch -- Bartholomew Fair -- The Comet --
  A practical joke on the Queen -- Woman's Cricket Match --
  Ballooning -- French prisoners of war -- Luddite riots -- The
  King and his physicians -- His health                             75

CHAPTER VI.

1812.

  The Regent's doings -- The Royal Sprain -- Colonel McMahon --
  Luddite and Factory Riots -- Scarcity of Bullion -- Murder of
  Mr. Perceval                                                      97

CHAPTER VII.

  French Prisoners of War -- Repeal of the "Orders in Council"
  -- Rejoicings for the Victory of Salamanca -- Saturnalia
  thereat                                                          119

CHAPTER VIII.

  Chimney-sweeps -- Climbing boys -- Riot at Bartholomew Fair
  -- Duelling -- War with France -- Declaration of war between
  England and America -- Excommunication for bearing false
  witness -- Early Steam Locomotives -- Margate in 1812 --
  Resurrection men -- Smithfield Cattle Club                       133

CHAPTER IX.

1813.

  High price of provisions -- Luddites -- Smuggling -- Day of
  Humiliation -- The Cossack -- Mdlle. Platoff -- Discovery of
  body of Charles I. at Windsor -- The Queen and the mad woman
  -- The fasting woman of Tutbury -- Fight between the _Shannon_
  and the _Chesapeake_ -- Rejoicings for the Victory at Vittoria
  -- Fête at Vauxhall--William Huntingdon, S.S.                    149

CHAPTER X.

  Emperor of Russia invested with the Garter -- The Poet
  Laureate -- French Prisoners of War -- Joy over Napoleon's
  defeat at Leipsic -- "Orange boven" -- The Allies and the War
  with France -- The War with America -- The Princess Charlotte
  and her establishment -- The Prince of Orange her suitor --
  The King's Health                                                179

CHAPTER XI.

  A Cat in a Conflagration -- Scramble for Exchequer Bills --
  A Matrimonial Dispute -- An old Debtor -- A Volunteer Dinner
  -- A Man and Hedgehog -- Torpedoes -- Slavery -- Gambling on
  Napoleon's Life -- Gas Lighting                                  199

CHAPTER XII.

1814.

  The Fog -- Condition of Ireland -- State of the Navy -- The
  Regent at Belvoir -- Coming of age of Princess Charlotte --
  Day of Thanksgiving -- Great Snowstorm -- Thames frozen over
  -- Sports thereon -- Frost fair -- The Country and the Snow      209

CHAPTER XIII.

  Burning of the Custom House -- De Berenger's fraud on the
  Stock Exchange -- Lord Cochrane inculpated -- Price of
  provisions -- Arrival of the Duchess of Oldenburgh -- The
  Capitulation of Paris, and fall of Napoleon -- Papa Violette
  -- Elba                                                          233

CHAPTER XIV.

  Illuminations for Peace -- Ovation to Louis XVIII. --
  His departure for France -- Peace with France -- Cheaper
  provisions -- Distinguished foreign guests in London --
  Arrival of Emperor of Russia and King of Prussia -- Movements
  of the great folk -- Popularity of General Blücher               251

CHAPTER XV.

  Royal festivities -- The Emperor of Russia, the King of
  Prussia, and General Blücher at Oxford -- Banquet at Guildhall
  -- Departure of the Allied Sovereigns -- Signature of Treaty
  of Peace -- Proclamation of Peace -- State Thanksgiving at St.
  Paul's Cathedral                                                 277

CHAPTER XVI.

  City banquet to the Duke of Wellington -- Costly vegetables --
  The Princess Charlotte -- Squabbles about her presentation at
  Court -- The Regent hooted -- The Princess Charlotte and the
  Prince of Orange -- Her future husband, Prince Leopold -- Her
  flight from Warwick House, and return                            299

CHAPTER XVII.

  State of Ireland -- The Regent _fêtes_ the Duke of Wellington
  -- The Jubilee in the Parks -- Public opinion thereon -- The
  Celebration                                                      329

CHAPTER XVIII.

  The celebration of the Jubilee continued -- Sale of the
  Properties -- Continuation of the Fair -- Departure of Queen
  Caroline for the Continent -- Scarcity of Gold -- French
  prisoners of war -- State of the streets -- Red tape in the
  Navy -- English visit France -- The War with America -- Treaty
  of peace with America                                            351

CHAPTER XIX.

1815.

  Health of the King -- Extension of the Order of the Bath --
  Wife selling -- A Sailor's frolic -- "Nelson's Lady Hamilton"
  -- "The Pig-faced Lady" -- The advantage of being able to play
  the violin -- Napoleon's escape from Elba                        371

ILLUSTRATIONS TO VOL. I.

                                                                  PAGE

  ROBEING THE REGENT; OR, THE ROAD TO PREFERMENT                    27

  THE SOLDIER'S WELCOME HOME!!!                                     47

  GUDGEON FISHING À LA CONSERVATORY                                 59

  JEW ---- DEPRECIATING BANK NOTES                                  70

  THE COMET OF 1811                                                 82

  RURAL SPORTS; OR, A CRICKET MATCH EXTRAORDINARY                   86

  RURAL SPORTS; BALLOON HUNTING                                     89

  1812; OR, REGENCY À LA MODE                                       96

  PRINCELY AGILITY; OR, THE SPRAINED ANCLE                         101

  THE PRIVY PURSE AND POLITICAL BEGGARS                            105

  MR. PERCEVAL ASSASSINATED IN THE LOBBY OF THE HOUSE OF
  COMMONS, MAY 11, 1812                                            115

  ZEMLANOWHIN, THE BRAVE RUSSIAN COSSACK, AS HE APPEARED AT THE
  ROYAL EXCHANGE ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1813                      154

  A TIT-BIT FOR A COSSACK; OR, THE PLATOFF PRIZE FOR THE HEAD OF
  BUONAPARTE                                                       158

  MEDITATIONS AMONG THE TOMBS                                      165

  BRITISH VALOUR AND YANKEE BOASTING                               171

  SHANNON _v._ CHESAPEAKE                                          173

  PART OF TRANSPARENCY AT ACKERMANN'S                              186

  "THE SEA IS OPEN, TRADE REVIVES"                                 189

  THE FROST FAIR                                                   222

  VIOLETTES                                                        249

  "PEACE AND PLENTY; OR, GOOD NEWS FOR JOHN BULL!!!"               259

  BLÜCHER GREETED BY HIS NUMEROUS FRIENDS IN THE PARK, 1814        270

  BLÜCHER SURVEYING HIMSELF AS A D.C.L.                            283

  DOCTOR BLÜCHER                                                   285

  RUSSIAN CONDESCENSION; OR, THE BLESSINGS OF UNIVERSAL PEACE      292

  MISS ENDEAVOURING TO EXCITE A GLOW WITH HER DUTCH PLAYTHING      310

  THE DEVONSHIRE MINUET                                            313

  THE R----T KICKING UP A ROW; OR, WARWICK HOUSE IN AN UPROAR      319

  PLEBEIAN SPIRIT; OR, COACHEE AND THE HEIR PRESUMPTIVE            322

  THE FORTRESS                                                     335

  THE TEMPLE OF CONCORD                                            348

  A WHOLE FAMILY LOST                                              361

  THE FATE OF WASHINGTON; OR, MADDY IN FULL FLIGHT                 368

  WALTZING A COURTSHIP                                             379

SOCIAL ENGLAND UNDER THE REGENCY.

CHAPTER I.

     The King's Malady -- Former preparations for a Regency --
     King's recovery -- The King at home -- His love of music --
     Severe frost -- Lucien Buonaparte a prisoner of war -- French
     obstructions to commerce -- A gallant merchantman.

"STATE OF HIS MAJESTY'S HEALTH.

     "Windsor Castle, January 1, 1811.

     "His Majesty has passed a quiet night, without much sleep, and
     continues the same as he was yesterday.

                                                     "H. HALFORD.
                                                    "W. HEBERDEN.
                                                     "R. WILLIS."

Such was the announcement contained in _The Times_ of 2nd of January,
1811, and, for some time, the subjects of George III. were fed with
daily news of the King's health. By and by, as his mental disease
was confirmed, they grew fewer, until they were furnished just once a
month, and then only the very scantiest intelligence of his condition
was vouchsafed to his people.

This was not the first time that his mind had given way. In the early
part of October, 1788, he had decided symptoms of mental aberration,
and was totally incapable of undertaking any of the affairs of State;
but his physicians were hopeful of his recovery--and their hopes
were gratified. But the Ministry thought differently, and, after
suggesting that the Government should be carried on by a Commission,
on the 30th of December, 1788, Pitt wrote a letter to the Prince
of Wales, stating that his Majesty's Ministers had come to the
conclusion to offer him the Regency of the kingdom under certain
restrictions.

The Prince of Wales replied at once, expressing his sorrow at
the occasion of his proposed elevation, but accepting the trust.
Of course, this suggestion of the Government could not be acted
upon without mature deliberation, and it was not until the 30th
of January, 1789, that the following resolutions of the Lords and
Commons were presented to the Prince of Wales--"That his Royal
Highness be empowered to exercise the royal authority under the title
of Regent." "That the power given, should not extend to the granting
of any peerage, except to the Royal issue." "Nor to the grant of
any office in reversion, or any office, salary, or pension, than
during his Majesty's pleasure; or to the granting his Majesty's real
or personal estates." "That the Care of his Majesty be committed to
the Queen, who should nominate all persons to the offices in the
household."

Needless to say, the Prince made no objections, and by the 12th
of February, the Regency Bill had gone through all its stages in
the House of Commons, and was ordered to be sent to the Lords.
But the proverbial "slip 'twixt cup and lip" occurred. On the
19th of February the Lord Chancellor informed the House of Lords
that, according to the report of his physicians, the King's health
was steadily mending, and they therefore abstained from further
consideration of the Regency Bill.

The physicians' hopes were fully justified; the King got better
rapidly, and, on the 27th of February, his perfect recovery was
announced, the prayer for the same was discontinued, and a form of
prayer of thanksgiving for his restoration to health, was ordered to
be read in all Churches and Chapels throughout England and Wales.
Rejoicings and illuminations were the order of the day, and, on the
23rd of April, the day of general thanksgiving, the King, Queen, and
Royal family went in state to St. Paul's Cathedral, to return thanks
to God for his mercy in giving the King his reason and health once
more.

Years went on, and the King did not suffer from mental disease,
until the year 1810, when to bodily illness of his own, was added
the death of his daughter, the Princess Amelia. This shock,
his intellect, perhaps never too strong, could not stand, and,
although his condition was concealed for some little time from the
people--under the pretence that he had a cold--the truth was obliged
to come out; and we read in _The Morning Post_ of October 31st--"It
is with heartfelt sorrow we announce that His Majesty's indisposition
still continues. It commenced with the effect produced upon his
tender parental feelings on receiving the ring[1] from the hand of
his afflicted beloved daughter, the affecting inscription upon which,
caused him, blessed, and most amiable of men, to burst into tears,
with the most heart-touching lamentations on the present state, and
approaching dissolution of the afflicted and interesting Princess.
His Majesty is attended by Drs. Halford, Heberden, and Baillie,
who issue daily bulletins of the state of the virtuous and revered
monarch, for whose speedy recovery the prayers of all good men will
not fail to be offered up."

          [Footnote 1: The Princess Amelia, when dying, ordered a
          valuable stone she possessed, to be set in a ring, for a
          keepsake of her to her father, and so urgent was she that
          it might be made before she died, that a jeweller was sent
          for, express, from London to make it. It contained a lock
          of her hair, and, on it, was her name, and, "_Remember me
          when I am gone_."]

This time the Physicians held out no hopes of the King's recovery,
or if they did, it was at some vague, indefinite future, the date
of which none could prognosticate, and Parliament found itself in
a serious situation. It met on the 1st of November, to which date
it had been prorogued, only to find that there was no King to open
the session, and no Commission for so doing had been named. So, in
default of any other recognized authority, the Lord Chancellor, and
the Speaker, took the lead in their different assemblies, and, after
vainly trying to find out how they should act, an Order in Council
cut the Gordian Knot, adjourning Parliament to the 29th of November,
a decision which was confirmed in the House of Commons by a majority
of 285. When they again met, they, after discoursing of the King, set
to work to concoct a Regency.

But that may wait for a while, and come in its proper place, for King
George is passing away from this history, and the full blaze of the
Regency leaves very little room for the shadow of the old King to
show: yet, before he disappears altogether, it may be as well if we
can recall a reminiscence of him, as late as possible, before his sad
malady overtook, and mastered him. Not in his public capacity, but as
it were _en famille_, let us see him; and we get a good view of him
through the medium of the Rev. John Evans, LL.D., of Islington, who
wrote "An excursion to Windsor," and thus describes what he saw on
the 10th of July, 1810:--

"We entered Windsor about six o'clock, and, having refreshed
ourselves at the inn with a cup of tea, hastened to _The Terrace_,
where we found a considerable portion of genteel company. Intent on
the gratification of a laudable curiosity, we felt peculiarly happy
in joining them on this occasion. It was seven o'clock, and the good
old King soon made his appearance with his accustomed punctuality.

"A little door in the Castle was thrown open, when two attendants
were seen leading this _venerable personage_ with great care down a
flight of steps till he safely alighted upon the terrace. Then the
Princesses _Elizabeth_ and _Augusta_, who were present, accompanied
him, one on each side, or rather took hold of his arm; they paced
backwards and forwards for an hour, two bands of music playing
alternately; and the fine tones of the several instruments being
heightened by the stillness of the closing day.

"The King was dressed neatly: blue coat with gilt buttons and blue
star, white waistcoat and small clothes, white stockings, and gold
buckles in his shoes. His hat somewhat resembled that worn by the
clergy, with the addition of a gold button and loop, mounted by a
black cockade, which marks him out conspicuously from the rest of the
company. His Majesty looked ruddy and full; his voice is sonorous,
and he converses with cheerfulness, though, when he attempts to speak
rather hastily, it is with hesitation.

"His want of sight is very apparent, for his hat is drawn over the
upper part of his face, and he feels about with his cane, especially
ascending or descending a step. It is affecting to see him, though
he appears cheerful when he speaks, and seems as if nothing were
the matter with him. He now and then stops to converse either with
the officers, or with the nobility and gentry. We saw him several
times on the Terrace; but on this first evening there was a more
than ordinary degree of conversation. He was full of inquiries
respecting the _installation_ of Lord Grenville as Chancellor of
the University of Oxford, which had taken place during the week. He
inquired also about the _balloon_ in which Mr. Sadler[2] had ascended
on this occasion, and was particularly anxious to know how long it
continued in the air, and where it had alighted; Harrow-on-the-Hill
was mentioned, though the spot had not then been ascertained. He
conversed at all times on a variety of topics with the utmost freedom
and even hilarity.

          [Footnote 2: Then the principal Aëronaut in England.]

"This daily promenade must benefit both his mind and body: while
the presence, as well as the attention, of so many of his subjects,
some coming from distant parts, must yield him no inconsiderable
gratification. The countenances of the Princesses are replete with
good nature, and most exemplary is their attention to their aged
parent....

"It should be mentioned that the King, in returning back to his
apartments in the Castle, passing by the _band of musicians_ on
the steps, always touched his hat, and said, in an audible voice,
'_Gentlemen, good night, I thank you_.' Indeed, his Majesty, during
the whole time, seemed in perfect good humour with all the company.

"The only etiquette observed on _the Terrace_ is, that when the
King passes, the ladies and gentlemen withdraw on either side, the
latter merely uncovering the head; bows and curtsies being dispensed
with on the occasion. A police officer is in attendance, who, with
a little switch, keeps individuals from pressing too much on the
_King_, when he stops to converse; but this is done with the greatest
urbanity. Owing to a slight indisposition, the Queen did not make her
appearance on the Terrace; but we saw her on other occasions. His
Majesty was regular in his attendance at Chapel every morning, and
seemed seriously engaged in his devotions.

"About ten o'clock, when the weather is fine (Sundays excepted), the
King rides out on horseback; and, considering his age, he mounted
his horse with wonderful agility. He is, in his ride, accompanied
by two of the Princesses, who have some of their _maids of honour_
following in a landau or phaeton. The King has several attendants,
two of whom are close by him, and one has a little stick, the crooked
end of which catches that part of the bridle nearest the curb, so
that should the animal, on which his Majesty rides, stumble, instant
assistance might be given."

Music was his greatest solace from his latter seizure till his death,
and we learn of him in the beginning of the year 1811 (_Morning
Chronicle_, Jan. 8th):--

"Windsor, January 6th,--The Bulletin of to-day is of a very cheering
nature, and for these five days past his Majesty has been gradually
improving, both in mental and bodily strength. His Majesty has
become more tranquillized in his general deportment, and there are
daily visible signs that his malady is on the decline. His Majesty
now uses the sitting-room in the Blenheim Tower; takes his meals
regularly, and at intervals amuses himself with playing the most
familiar tunes on the harpsichord, with a correctness surpassing the
most sanguine expectations. As a striking proof of this fact, on
some very recent occasions, when his Majesty, in consequence of his
defective sight, struck a wrong key, he instantly corrected the error
by modulating the tune, and finishing it with his accustomed science
and judgment....

"The Harpsichord on which his Majesty plays, formerly belonged to the
great Handel, and is supposed to have been manufactured at Antwerp
in the year 1612. Handel's music is highly esteemed by his Majesty,
and many of his most favourite compositions are now played by his
Majesty from recollection." And so let us leave him, for a while, to
be soothed by his music.

The year 1811 came in bitterly cold, and sad were the tales told in
consequence. As to the Coaches, they suffered severely. On the 4th
of January the fall of snow was so great, that the Northern roads
were all but impassable, and the Mail Coach from Boston could only be
dragged four miles through the snow, the guard having to do the best
he could, on horseback, with the mails, and the mails from London to
Boston had to be conveyed in the same manner. The Leicester Coach,
on the way to Stamford, was upset in the snow at Burton-Lazarus,
and several of the passengers were hurt; the Carlisle Mail was dug
out of the snow at Tickencote, and with difficulty got to Stamford
with eight horses, three hours later than usual; but it could not
proceed further than Thornhaugh, whence the guard was obliged to
take the letter-bags on horseback. Three coaches from the north lay
all night in the snow about a mile from Stamford, and as many near
Winsford. Oh! for the good old Coaching days! when Pulman's Cars were
unknown, and people with slender purses had to ride outside in all
weathers--and it was recorded that on the 5th of January, 1811, on
the arrival of the Carlisle Coach in London two poor women, outside
passengers, were frozen to death. The Coachman supposed them to be
asleep, and did not attempt to disturb them until he arrived at his
destination, when they were found stiff in death. Two persons near
Lincoln perished in the snow, and the cold was so great, even so far
south as London, that the Thames was nearly frozen over.

Tender hearts felt for the Poor Debtors, and those in Ludgate record
their thanks to M. A. Taylor, Esq., M.P., for his annual benevolent
gift of two Chaldrons of Coals, 158 lbs. Beef, and 23 half-peck
loaves; and to Alderman Wood, the friend of Queen Caroline, for
his present of £5; and an unknown donor for 40 lbs. Beef. The poor
debtors in Newgate had very many large sums to acknowledge, and were
duly grateful for the kindly and thoughtful assistance thus rendered
them. Sad, however, is it to find that during the Severe Frost, on
the 7th of January, a poor prisoner died of Cold and Want in the
Marshalsea prison. At this time we learn there were about 320 debtors
in Newgate alone; and those that were without private means, had to
subsist on the prison allowance of 2d. worth of bread (the quartern
loaf being, in January, 1s. 3d.), so that their relief during the
inclement winter, was a work of necessity, as well as of benevolence.

In 1811 was living amongst us an illustrious Prisoner of War, no
less than Lucien Buonaparte, Prince de Canino (his son, Prince
Louis Lucien still lives at Norfolk Terrace, Bayswater), who, not
altogether falling in with his brother's policy, was on his way to
the United States, when, on the 1st of August, 1810, he was taken
and made prisoner by a British Cruiser. After some detention at
Malta, he was sent on to England, and Ludlow was assigned as his
place of detention; and there he lived for some time, inhabiting
Dinham House, the seat of the Earl of Powis. He seems to have
accepted the inevitable cheerfully, according to _The Times_ of
Friday, January 4th:--

"Lucien Buonaparte arrived at Ludlow about 4 o'clock on the evening
of Wednesday, sen'night, accompanied by his nephew, an interpreter,
secretary, Mr. Mackenzie, and a few servants. He drove to the Angel
Inn where he dined and slept. On Thursday morning he walked about
the town, viewed the Castle, and some of the principal streets; but,
as the weather was rather unfavourable, and public curiosity great,
he did not stay out long. On that evening, one of the Winter Dancing
Assemblies took place, which Lucien, his nephew, and some of his
friends attended. Some of the latter danced, but Lucien did not. He
continued in the room till supper was announced; he then attended
Countess Powis to the supper rooms, and sat at her Ladyship's right
hand during supper: after which he returned to the ball and card
rooms. On Saturday he went to Stone-house, a seat of Lord Powis,
about five miles from Ludlow, where Lucien is in future to reside,
and from thence proceeded to Walcot, the principal residence of his
Lordship, where he stayed a day or two, and returned to Ludlow."

The next day's _Times_ says: "Madame Lucien Buonaparte, with her
family, and a numerous train of servants, occupying, in all, four
carriages, arrived at Ludlow on Wednesday; having performed the
journey from Plymouth, in a week. Lucien removed, on the preceding
day, from the Inn to Lord Powis's residence in that town, called
Dinham-house; his Lordship's seat in the neighbourhood (Stone-house)
being found too small for the reception of so numerous a suite."

In another Newspaper the ladies are described with almost American
frankness: "Madame Buonaparte is extremely handsome and fascinating;
Lucien's daughter, of whom so much has been said, has great claims to
a genteel figure, and elegant demeanour, but she is not beautiful.
The motto on Lucien's carriage is an extraordinary one, _Luceo, non
uro_, 'I shine without burning,'" On this motto the following Epigram
was made:--

  "A Wag, requested to translate
  The Motto, on the Coach of State
      That sets all Wales into a wonder.
  'It means,' said he, and scratcht his pole,
  'It means _I shine_, with what I stole;
      My foolish brother _burns_ his plunder."

He afterwards, bought the estate of Thorngrove, near Worcester, and
there lived until the restoration in 1814, when he went to Rome.

Some explanation is needed, to elucidate the last line of the above
epigram. Napoleon was determined to do the utmost damage to England,
and endeavoured to injure her in her most vulnerable part, her
commerce--so, whenever the goods of Great Britain, or her Colonies,
were found, they were burnt. That this was not an idle threat is
shown by the following excerpts from _The Times_ of January 7th and
8th:--

"A Gentleman who has arrived within these three days from the
Continent, and has been present at several burnings of British
manufactures, informs us that in every place where the decrees to
that effect were put in force, it was done at the point of the
bayonet: French Soldiers being always present to prevent tumults and
disorder, which, on such occasions, manifested themselves everywhere."

"At the beginning of December, a number of French Officers of the
Customs, with a detachment of the 17th regiment of Infantry, arrived
at Brandenburg, to make searches for Colonial produce, which they
immediately began with great strictness."

"Parma, December 12th. Yesterday, there were burnt in this town 24
bales of spun cotton, 150 pieces of cotton handkerchiefs, and 74
pieces of stuffs of the same manufacture; the whole being English
manufactures, and seized by the Custom House agents on the frontiers
of the department of the Po."

But, at sea, sometimes a Merchantman could look after its cargo
itself, without need of the strong arm of a Convoy, as in the case
of the good ship _Cumberland_, Barrett, master, bound from Quebec to
England. On the 13th of January, 1811, she arrived in the Downs under
a jury foremast and bowsprit, having lost both foremast and bowsprit
in a heavy gale of wind off the banks of Newfoundland.

This, one would have thought, would have been sufficient excitement
for one voyage, but no! when close home, between Deal and Folkestone,
about seven and eight in the morning, she was attacked by four French
lugger privateers, who approached under the pretence of knowing
whether Captain Barrett wanted a pilot. But he was wary, and replied
in the negative, whereupon the privateers declared themselves in
their true colours, and poured in a volley of musketry.

Captain Barrett ordered his men down below, arming them with boarding
pikes, and as soon as about twenty of the enemy were aboard, his
crew attacked them, and cleared the decks, killing most of them;
the others jumping overboard. Five times were they boarded, (the
Frenchmen ceasing firing, for fear of hurting their own men), and
five times the enemy experienced a crushing defeat. Captain Barrett
then discharged three of his Carronades, loaded with round shot
and Canister. One shot carried away the mainmast of one of the
privateers; the second, the bowsprit of another, and doubtless
injured some of their men, as there was a great cry heard. This
proved enough for "Mounseer," and the four luggers sheered off.

The Crew of the _Cumberland_ was twenty-six men, and the force of
the enemy was estimated at two hundred and seventy according to the
statements of the prisoners taken. The loss to the _Cumberland_
was one man killed, and the chief mate wounded; the French loss is
set down as about sixty. And what think you was the reward of the
gallant crew? "The Lords of the Admiralty have, as a mark of their
satisfaction at the gallantry exhibited on this occasion, expressed
their intention _to grant to each of the crew of the_ Cumberland, _a
protection from the impress, for the space of three Years_."!!!

CHAPTER II.

     A Regency inevitable -- Prince of Wales waited on -- He
     undertakes the Regency -- French and English prisoners of war --
     Roman Catholic soldiers -- Roughness of manners -- Passing of
     Regency Bill -- The Prince's companions -- Inauguration of the
     Prince as Regent -- Improvement in the health of the King.

All the year the Lords and Commons had been incubating a Regency, and
matters were so far advanced, that on the 8th of January, the House
of Commons received a message from the Lords that they had "ordered
the Lord President, and the Lord Privy Seal to attend his Royal
Highness the Prince of Wales with the several Resolutions agreed to
by the Lords and Commons, for the purpose of supplying the defect of
the personal exercise of the royal authority during his Majesty's
illness, on the part of their lordships, and desired that that House
would appoint a proportionate number of their members to go with
them. Also that they had ordered Earl Harcourt, and Earl Morton, to
attend her Majesty with the Resolution and Address agreed to by the
Lords and Commons respecting the care of his Majesty's royal person,
and the direction of such part of his Majesty's household as may be
requisite for the comfort of his Majesty, and for the maintenance
of the Royal dignity; and desired that the House would appoint a
proportionate number of their members to go with them."

The Commons chose, as under, to go with the Lords to wait upon the
Prince of Wales:--The Chancellor of the Exchequer (the Right Hon.
Spencer Perceval), the Secretary of State for the Home Department
(the Right Hon. Richard Ryder), the President of the Board of Control
for the affairs of India (the Right Hon. Robert Saunders Dundas,
afterwards Lord Melville), and Sir William Grant, the Master of the
Rolls; whilst the members chosen to wait upon the Queen were Lord
John Thynne, Lord Palmerston (Secretary at War), Lord Clive and
Colonel Desbrowe.

On the 11th of January these two deputations went in great state,
the one to the Prince, the other to the Queen. The Prince received
them in the grand drawing room of Carlton House, standing with his
Chancellor, William Adam, Esq., and Earl Moira on his right hand, the
Duke of Cumberland and Mr. Sheridan on his left; whilst behind him
were four Officers of his household, Mr. Tyrwhitt, Colonel M'Mahon,
General Bloomfield, and General Turner.

The Lord President, as chief of the deputation, then read a paper,
informing the Prince that "they were a Committee appointed to attend
his Royal Highness with the resolutions which had been agreed to by
the Lords and Commons, for the purpose of supplying the defect of
the personal exercise of the royal authority, during his Majesty's
illness, by empowering his Royal Highness to exercise that authority
in the name and on the behalf of his Majesty, subject to such
limitations and restrictions as shall be provided.

"And that they were directed to express the hope which the Lords
spiritual and temporal, and Commons entertain, that his Royal
Highness, from his regard to the interests of his Majesty, will be
ready to undertake the weighty and important trust proposed to be
invested in his Royal Highness, as soon as an Act of Parliament shall
have been passed for carrying the said resolutions into effect."

The Lord President first read and then delivered to the Prince the
Resolutions, and he replied:--

"MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

"I receive the communication which the two Houses have directed you
to make to me of their joint Resolutions, on the subject of providing
for 'the exercise of the Royal Authority during his Majesty's
illness,' with those sentiments of regard which I must ever entertain
for the united desires of the two Houses.

"With the same sentiments I receive the expressed hopes of the Lords
and Commons, that from my regard for the interest of his Majesty and
the Nation, I should be ready to undertake the weighty and important
trust proposed to be invested in me, under the Restrictions and
Limitations stated in those Resolutions.

"Conscious that every feeling of my heart would have prompted me,
from dutiful affection to my beloved Father and Sovereign, to have
shown all the reverential delicacy towards him inculcated in those
Resolutions, I cannot refrain from expressing my regret, that I
should not have been allowed the opportunity of manifesting to his
afflicted and loyal subjects that such would have been my conduct.

"Deeply impressed, however, with the necessity of tranquilizing the
public mind, and determined to submit to every personal sacrifice,
consistent with the regard I owe to the security of my Father's
Crown, and the equal regard I owe to the welfare of his people, I
do not hesitate to accept the office and situation proposed to me,
restricted as they are, still retaining every opinion expressed by me
upon a former and similar distressing occasion.

"In undertaking the trust proposed to me I am well aware of the
difficulties of the situation in which I shall be placed; but I shall
rely with confidence upon the Constitutional advice of an enlightened
Parliament, and the zealous support of a generous and loyal people. I
will use all the means left to me to merit both.

"MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

"You will communicate this my answer to the two Houses, accompanied
by my most fervent wishes and prayers, that the Divine Will may
extricate us, and the nation, from the grievous embarrassments of our
present Condition, by the speedy restoration of his Majesty's health."

The Queen gave an answer, couched in a similar spirit to the
deputation which waited upon her.

Whilst the Lords and Commons are debating on the Regency Bill (and
they took the whole of January to do it), let us see what was
happening in England.

There was a subject that touched many, and all over Britain, from the
highest to the lowest, and that was the British Prisoners of War in
France. Truly we had many more French prisoners in England than there
were English in France; _The Morning Post_, October 15, 1810, placing
the numbers respectively at 50,000 and 12,000. The French prisoners
here, were not treated too well; but the English prisoners in France,
were treated worse, and many thousands of hearts must have yearned
towards those poor Captives, and many thousands were willing to part
with their means, although there were then many, and urgent, calls
upon their purses, in order to alleviate their lot.

Lloyd's was then the Centre of benevolence, as the Mansion House now
is; and the leading Merchants and Bankers issued an advertisement in
_The Times_ of January 7th, saying that their means of helping these
prisoners were exhausted, and they appealed for fresh funds.

"The Committee beg to state that there are upwards of 10,000 British
Prisoners in the different Prisons in France, for the most part
in great distress, and that the subscription is intended for the
alleviation of their sufferings in some degree, by assisting them
with articles of clothing, bedding, fuel, and such other necessaries
as they stand in most need of.

"They think it proper to add that the relief from the last
subscription, was intrusted to the care of some of the most
respectable persons detained in France, among whom were Clergymen,
and several officers both Naval and Military, and that they have
made so satisfactory a distribution of the funds, and rendered such
particular details thereof, as to entitle them to the highest credit.
The same Gentlemen, there is reason to expect, will kindly undertake
the distribution of a new subscription."

Needless to say that the appeal was nobly responded to.

Scant courtesy seems to have been paid to the prisoners on either
side, almost degenerating into pettiness: for, this month, an Order
was issued from Whitehall, that no French women should be allowed
to land in this country, who might have left France to see their
husbands. The reason assigned for this very peculiar proceeding,
was, that the French Government would not permit Lady Lavie and
family, to join her husband, Sir Thomas, who was a prisoner at Verdun.

But pettiness in official circles seems to have obtained. Can we
barely imagine, at a time when every soldier was wanted, and it might
be thought that good treatment, at all events, might have allured men
to the ranks, that they trod upon their tenderest feelings? Yet so it
was, and it was mainly owing to the exertions of _The Dublin Evening
Post_ that the following "General Order" was issued:--

  "ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, DUBLIN,
                                                "_January, 1811_.

"Reports having been circulated, that Catholic soldiers have been
prevented from attending Divine worship, according to the tenets
of their religion, and obliged, in certain instances to be present
at that of the Established Church, the Commanding Officers of the
several Regiments, are to be attentive to the prevention of such
practices, if they have, in any instance, existed in the Troops under
their command, as they are in _violation_ of the Orders contained in
the Circular letter of the 14 May, 1806, and, since, _repeated to the
Army_. And the Catholic soldiers, as well as those of other Sects,
are to be allowed, _in all cases_, to attend the Divine Worship of
the Almighty according to their several persuasions, when duty does
not interfere, _in the same manner, and under the same regulations_,
as those of the Established Church.

                                    "WM. RAYMOND, Dep. Adjt. Gen.
                             "N. RAMSEY, Maj. Assist. Adjt. Gen."

_The Morning Chronicle_ commenting upon this, says: "So late as
Friday morning last, some of the artillery, privates and drivers,
quartered in Enniskillen, continued to do duty with _turned coats_,
the most mortifying punishment ever inflicted on a brave man, and
this, merely for having attended, _according to law_, to the Worship
of their Church: but on the evening of that day, the scene was
somewhat changed, the General Order arrived, and on the following
morning, the officer accused of the oppression, departed for Dublin,
and, on Sunday, the Catholic soldiers of the garrison were marched
to the Roman Catholic Chapel, accompanied by the officers of that
religion."

It would seem that all parties were trying to make the Services
unpopular: the navy, especially, by impressment--and even the Militia
did not escape--for in January, a number of farmers and others were
summoned before the magistrates at Stafford for making deductions
from the wages of those servants who were enrolled in the Militia
and who had been absent for their training. It must be remembered
that in those days farm labourers were hired at Statute fairs, for
a twelvemonth, and the 15th clause of 48 Geo. III. cap. 3, had to
be shown to those summoned, whereby they learned that no ballot,
enrolment, or service under the Act should make void or in any manner
affect, any indenture of apprenticeship, or contract of service. And
so they had to pay their men.

They were rather a rough lot in the Country, and this anecdote is
thus recorded in _The Times_ of January 31, 1811:--"The following
_ludicrous_[3] circumstance occurred on Tuesday week at Bristol:--A
couple of Jews being apprehended in the act of stealing several
articles from the stables of the White Hart Inn, were hauled into
the yard by two stout fellows, whither the whole fraternity of
the currycomb were immediately summoned. The long beards of these
disciples were then stuck together with pitch (their hands being
previously tied behind them); and, whilst thus face to face, a
profusion of snuff mixed with hellebore, was administered, which
caused them to sneeze in such a manner, that by the frequent and
violent bobbing of noses one against the other, a copious stream of
blood issued from either nostril, whilst the enraged Culprits were
kicking and capering about in all directions."

          [Footnote 3: The italics are mine.--J. A.]

Chronologically, we must now turn to the Prince of Wales, who, one
would imagine, was desirous of emulating the Squires of old, who
spent the eve of their knighthood in vigil, prayer, fasting, and
watching their armour--so before he became Prince Regent, he must
needs partake of the Holy Eucharist, and did so at the Chapel Royal
St. James' on Sunday the 27th of January, _the sole object of which
was to obtain a certificate that he was in the Communion of the
Church of England_. This public act of worship was a stately affair.
The Prince was in the Royal Closet during the major portion of the
service, the Bishop of London and sub-dean duly bowing to the royal
presence, at their entrance. Afterwards, attended by the Earl of
Moira, and Lords Dundas and Keith, he went up to the Altar, took his
seat under a canopy, made his offering in a gold dish, and then the
Dean, Prince, and the three Lords Communicated.

On the 5th of February the Lords and Commons had their final
conference over the Regency Bill, they agreed to the interpolation of
two words "and Commons," and the thing was all but finished. It only
wanted what was done immediately afterwards, the Royal Commissioners
to give the Royal Assent, the Deputy Clerk of the Crown to read the
title of the Act, the Clerk Assistant of the Parliaments to utter
the words "Le Roi le veult"--and the Prince of Wales was _de facto_
Regent.

[Illustration: Robeing the Regent; or, the Road to Preferment.

(_Published February 1, 1811, by Walter and Knight, Cornhill._)]

Knowing his proclivities, it was imagined that he would give places
to all his _entourage_, and, accordingly, we have the caricature of
"Robeing the Prince, or the Road to Preferment." To the extreme left
is Earl Grey, who says "A bason of _Grey_ pease soup is better
than porter for your Highness," but Whitbread is of opinion that
"If his Highness should want any refreshment, here's a pot of my
best brewing." Grenville offers his services to the Prince. Sheridan
hopes "your Royal Highness will not forget _Old Sherry_; pray allow
me to brush the Royal shoes, they seem quite mouldy with lieing by
so long." Colonel Bloomfield is tying his garter. Whoever is holding
the looking-glass exclaims, "What an honour this is! but I hope for
greater." The Regent tells Sheridan, "Fear not, my friend, all in
good time." Col. McMahon says, "Why! can't you see you have given
him the wrong sleeve; do give it to me, you'll make a fine figure of
him!" But the person holding the robe replies, "Don't push so, Col.,
you won't let any one come near his Highness but yourself." Mr. Adam,
the Prince's Chancellor, soliloquises thus, "A dam good prospect now,
however." Sir John Douglas calls out, "Who wants me?" and Col. Geo.
Hanger, hopes "you won't forget poor Georgy."

Perhaps the three best known of these Companions of the Prince are
Sheridan, Col. McMahon, and George Hanger. The first belongs to
history, and the second will be noticed by and by. Col. Hanger came
of a noble Irish family, but in his youth led a wild harum scarum
life. Of course he entered the army, and whilst holding the King's
Commission he fell in with, and joined a gang of gipsies, when he
fell in love with a dusky beauty, and married her according to the
customs of her tribe, which, probably, only involved the jumping over
a broomstick. He introduced her to his brother officers, and all
went well for about a fortnight, when she eloped with a bandy-legged
tinker. His tastes were congenial to those of the Prince, and he
made himself useful, bought horses for him, looked after his racing
arrangements, and was one of his equerries, which post he kept until
he was, by his extravagance, compelled to resign it. He was more
than once imprisoned for debt, but turned steady after the death of
his brother Lord Coleraine (called _blue Hanger_, from the colour of
his garments) in 1814, when he succeeded to the title, which became
extinct on his death in 1824.

Meanwhile, all was being prepared for the assumption of the Regency,
Carlton House was being brushed up, chandeliers cleaned, &c., a
congenial task for its occupier, the Hanoverian creams were publicly
exercised, and made to pass between files of soldiers, and, at last,
the 6th of February, the day appointed for the Prince to take the
oaths, arrived. The following is probably an official _communiqué_,
as it appears in all the Newspapers of the period:--

"The 6th of February being the day appointed for swearing in the
Prince of Wales as Regent, before his taking upon himself that
important office, about twelve o'clock a party of the flank companies
of the grenadiers, with their Colours, the band of the first
regiment, drums and fifes, with white gaiters on, marched into the
courtyard of Carlton House, where the colours were pitched in the
centre of the grand entrance; the band struck up 'God save the King,'
and continued playing that national piece alternately with martial
airs during the day, until near five o'clock. Colonel Bloomfield,
one of the Prince's principal attendants, having written to the Earl
of Macclesfield, the Captain of his Majesty's yeomen of the guard,
informing him it was his Royal Highness' command that as many yeoman
of the guard should attend at Carlton House, as usually attended
upon councils being held by the King in state, the noble Earl not
being in London, the letter was opened by the person in waiting,
who ordered six yeomen and an usher to attend at Carlton House,
which they accordingly did; and they, together with the Prince's
servants in state, lined the grand hall and staircase: several of the
lifeguards men were also in some of the rooms, in a similar manner
as on Court-days at St. James' Palace. About a quarter before two
o'clock, the Duke of Montrose arrived, being the first of the privy
councillors who attended; he was followed by all the royal dukes, and
a very numerous assembly of privy councillors, who had all arrived
by a quarter before three o'clock. The whole of the magnificent
suite of state apartments were opened, and the illustrious persons
were ushered into the Gold Room (so called from the style of
the ornaments). Almost every privy councillor then in town was
present--exceeding above a hundred in number.

"About half-past two o'clock, Earl Moira, of his Royal Highness'
council, being also a privy councillor to the King, brought a message
from the Prince to the President of the Council, Earl Camden,
desiring his attendance on the Prince in an adjoining room, according
to the usual form, to communicate to him officially the return to
the summons, &c. The noble Earl accordingly went with Earl Moira,
made the necessary intimation to his Royal Highness, and returned to
the company; who, during this time of waiting were highly gratified
with seeing the Princess Charlotte on horse-back, accompanied by two
grooms, make the tour of the beautiful gardens in the rear of the
palace. Her Royal Highness appeared to be in excellent health and
spirits.

"After Earl Camden's return, the Prince approached in grand
procession, preceded by the officers of his own household, and
several of his own council, among whom were Earl Moira, Lords
Keith, Cassilis, Hutchinson, Mr. Sheridan, Mr. M. Angelo Taylor,
Mr. Tyrwhitt, Colonel McMahon, Colonel Bloomfield, General Hulse,
Mr. Bicknell, &c., &c. (His Chancellor, Mr. Adam, was, by accident
not present, and there was a delay, in consequence of his Royal
Highness' anxious desire of his presence.) The Prince was also
accompanied by all the Royal Dukes. They passed through the room
where the privy councillors were assembled, through the Circular
drawing room, into the grand saloon (a beautiful room in scarlet
drapery, embellished with portraits of all the most distinguished
Admirals who have fought the battles that have given us the dominion
of the seas); and here the Prince seated himself at the top of the
table, his Royal brothers and cousin seating themselves on each hand,
according to seniority, and all the officers of his household, not
privy councillors, ranging themselves on each side of the entrance
to the Saloon. The privy councillors then proceeded, all in full
dress, according to their rank--the Archbishop of Canterbury, the
Lord Chancellor, the Archbishop of York, the Lord President, the Lord
Privy Seal, &c., &c., &c., and, as they severally entered, they made
their reverence to the Prince, who made a graceful return to each,
and they successively took their places at the table; and lastly,
Mr. Fawkener and Sir Stephen Cottrell took their seats as Clerk, and
Keeper, of the Records.

"The Prince then spoke to the following effect:--

"'MY LORDS,

"'I understand that by the Act passed by the Parliament, appointing
me Regent of the United Kingdom, in the name, and on behalf of
his Majesty, I am required to take certain oaths, and to make a
declaration before your lordships, as prescribed by the said Act.
I am now ready to take these oaths, and to make the declaration
prescribed.'

"The Lord Privy Seal then rose, made his reverence, approached the
Regent, and read from a Parchment the oaths as follows. The Prince
with an audible voice pronounced after him:--

"'I do sincerely promise and swear that I will be faithful, and bear
true allegiance to his Majesty King George.

                                              "'So help me, God.'

"'I do solemnly promise and swear, that I will truly and faithfully
execute the office of Regent of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, according to an Act of Parliament passed in the
fifty-first year of the reign of his Majesty King George the Third
(entitled "An Act" &c.), and that I will administer, according to
law, the power and authority vested in me by virtue of the said Act;
and that I will in all things, to the utmost of my power and ability,
consult and maintain the safety, honour, and dignity of his Majesty,
and the welfare of his people.

                                               "'So help me God!'

"And the Prince subscribed the two oaths. The Lord President then
presented to his Royal Highness, the declaration mentioned in an Act
made in the 30th year of King Charles II., entitled, 'An Act for
the more effectual preserving the King's person, and government,
by disabling Papists from sitting in either House of Parliament,'
and which declaration his Royal Highness audibly made, repeated,
and subscribed. The Lord President signed first, and every one of
the Privy Councillors in succession signed these instruments as
witnesses, and the same was delivered into the hand of the Keeper of
the Records.

"The Prince then delivered to the President of the Council a
Certificate of his having received the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
at the Chapel Royal of St. James, on Sunday the 27th of January,
which was also countersigned, and delivered to the Keeper of the
Records, who deposited all these instruments in a box at the bottom
of the table.

"The Lord President then approached the Regent, bent the knee, and
had the honour to kiss his hand. The Royal Dukes followed, and
afterwards, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and all the rest, according
to the order in which they sat at the long table, advancing to the
chair on both sides. During the whole of this ceremony, his Royal
Highness maintained the most graceful and dignified deportment; and
it was remarked, that there was not the slightest indication of
partiality of behaviour to one set of men more than to another.

"The Ceremony being closed, a short _levée_ took place in the drawing
room, where his Royal Highness addressed himself to the circle;
and, afterwards, he gave an audience to Mr. Perceval, who had the
honour of again kissing his hand as First Lord of the Treasury and
Chancellor of the Exchequer."

The Regent did wisely in not changing his Ministry, and Perceval
turned dutifully towards the rising sun. It was said that in a visit
he and the Chancellor (Lord Eldon) paid the King on Jan. 26th, that
he turned his back on the King, a monstrous piece of rudeness in
Court etiquette. Probably the poor old blind, half-demented Monarch
never observed it; but others did, and there were several epigrams
thereon, the following being the best--

  "The people have heard, with delight and surprize,
  That his Minister's conduct has op'd the K----'s eyes;
  That with just indignation his Royal breast burn'd,
  When he thought he saw Per----l's back on him turn'd;
  Exclaiming, 'Thank G--d! I've recover'd my sight,
  For I now see you, Sir, in your own proper light.'"

The Queen had the Custody of the King's person, but had to account
to a Council consisting of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York
and several Noblemen of high rank, and her first Council under the
Regency was held on Feb. 13th.

About this time there was an improvement in the King's health; so
much so that on the 8th of February the Queen and the Princess
Augusta were allowed to have an interview with him, and on the next
day and for two or three others, he appeared on the Terrace and
walked for a time accompanied by the Physicians in attendance upon
him.

CHAPTER III.

     Story of a crime -- The Shanavests and the Caravats -- Gluttony
     -- Smuggling bullion -- A Tar at the theatre -- Deposition
     of French Colours in Whitehall Chapel -- The Duke of York
     reinstated as Commander-in-Chief -- The Regency Fête -- Account
     of the entertainment.

And now, for a while, we will leave Royalty alone, and note anything
particular that occurred--not that there ever was much general
news recorded--there were no country correspondents to the London
Newspapers, which were but of small size, and with very little space
to spare for what we call News. As these little scraps of information
will be scattered throughout this book, I may at once say that they
will, perforce, have no sequence one to another except that of
Chronological order.

At the beginning of February, as a dragoon was returning from
duty to his quarters, which were at a small public-house called
"Barndean Hut," near Petersfield, in the New Forest, his attention
was arrested by the cries of some person in distress, which induced
him to ride up to the spot from whence they proceeded, where his
humanity was shocked on beholding a woman tied to a tree, with the
tears, which her situation and suffering had produced, actually
frozen to her cheeks, and, horrid to relate, quite naked, having
been stripped and robbed of every article of dress, by two villains,
who, afterwards, left her in that deplorable condition. The dragoon
instantly cut the cords that bound her hands and feet to the tree,
and, having in some measure restored her to the use of her limbs by
rubbing them, wrapped her up in his cloak, placed her on his horse,
and proceeded on to his quarters, where he soon after arrived; and,
as he was conducting the shivering object of his care into the house,
she looked through a window that commanded a view of the kitchen,
and, in a faint voice, exclaimed, "There are the two men that robbed
me of my all, and used me so cruelly." The soldier, in consequence,
entered the kitchen and secured the men, who were the next day taken
before a magistrate, and, after the necessary examination, fully
committed to Winchester jail, for trial at the next assizes.

Ireland has always been a sweet boon to England ever since the
Union; and faction fights used to abound. Among others were those
of the Caravats and Shanavests--the Capulets and Montagues of their
time; and the etymon of the names of two formidable factions, which
embraced the greater part of the lower order of people in the two
counties of Tipperary and Limerick, is thus given:--

It was at a trial of some of these at a Special Commission at
Clonmel, and _James Slattery_ was under examination.

_Chief Baron._ What is the cause of quarrel between these two
parties--the Shanavests and the Caravats?

_A._ I do not know.

_Q._ What's the true reason?

_A._ I cannot tell.

_Q._ So, then, according to your account, I am to understand that
each party attacks each other by way of defence.

_Q._ (_by a juror_). Were the men who were concerned in the affray
in the month of August, the same that were concerned at the races of
Coolmoyne?

_A._ They were.

_Q._ Do you know a man of the name of Pauddeen Car?

_A._ I do.

_Q._ He is your uncle; was not he the principal ringleader and
commander of the army of Shanavests?

_A._ He is a poor old man, and not able to take command.

_Q._ (_by Lord Norbury_). What was the first cause of quarrel?

_A._ It was the same foolish dispute made about May-poles.

_Q._ (_by the Chief Baron_). Which is the oldest party?

_A._ The Caravats were going on for two years before the Shanavests
stirred.

_Q._ Why were they called Caravats?

_A._ A man of the name of Hanly was hanged; he was prosecuted by the
Shanavests, and Pauddeen Car said he would not leave the place of
execution until he saw the Caravat about the fellow's neck, and from
that time they were called Caravats.

_Q._ For what offence was Hanly hanged?

_A._ For burning the house of a man who had taken land over his
neighbour's head.

_Q._ Hanly was the leader of the Caravats?

_A._ Before he was hanged, his party was called the Moyle Rangers.
The Shanavests were called Pauddeen Car's party.

_Q._ Why were they called Shanavests?

_A._ Because they wore old waistcoats.

We occasionally hear of feats of gluttony, but, as a piece of
downright lunacy, the following can scarcely be matched.

_Morning Chronicle_, Mar. 26th: "A blacksmith at Strout ate on
Tuesday, for a trifling wager, a pint of periwinkles with the shells,
in the space of ten minutes. Being desired to repeat this disgusting
feat he readily did it, but he is now so dangerously ill that he is
not expected to recover."

Bullion both Gold and Silver got scarcer and scarcer, so much was
exported: and, early in 1810, large quantities of Dollars were
stamped at Birmingham with the image and superscription of George
III.; in fact, the dollars stamped in 1797 and down to 1810,
inclusive, were about five millions--but they were smuggled out of
the kingdom wholesale. On the 19th of March an official rise of 10
per cent. in their value took place, in the hopes that raising them
to 5s. 6d. would be prohibitory to their exportation, but it was not:
more still were needed, and on April 15th 300,000 dollars were sent
to Boulton and Watts, Soho Works, Birmingham, to be stamped, "and the
same quantity are to be forwarded in a few days." The price fell on
the 25th of April to 5s. 1d. per dollar.

On the 27th of March, the Duke of Gloucester was elected Chancellor
of the University of Cambridge, by a majority of 114 over his
opponent, the Duke of Rutland.

We may take the following as an example of how Jack fooled away
his prize-money:--"A Tar, who had just received his prize-money,
lately engaged a small provincial Theatre entirely to himself: he
took his seat in the centre of the pit, furnished himself with an
inordinate quantity of beer, punch, and tobacco, &c., and requested
the performances to commence, as no one should enter the Theatre
but himself; at the close of every speech which pleased him, he
presented the Actor with a glass, and when the curtain dropped, he
transferred his stores to the stage, and invited the whole of the
_Dram. Per._, to partake."

Under date of the 8th of April, we read: "A very singular discovery
has been made at Colchester, respecting the sex of a servant who had
lived thirty years in a family in that town, as housemaid and nurse.
Having lately paid the debt of Nature, it was discovered that the
deceased was a man."

On the 5th of May, the Court of Common Council voted the Regent, the
freedom of the City of London in _an Oak box_, but the presentation
was abandoned as it was found that etiquette forbade the Regent
accepting the Freedom, as he then stood in the position of Sovereign.

On March 5th the English troops under the command of General Graham,
engaged and defeated a much superior French force under the command
of Marshal Victor, at Barrosa in Andalusia, after a severe conflict.
How thoroughly the French were then beaten, may be judged by the fact
that an Eagle and twelve standards were taken from them. A sergeant
of the 87th, or Prince's Own Royal Irish Volunteers, who took the
Eagle, was promoted to an Ensigncy, and ordered to be removed to his
own regiment, on the first Vacancy. On the 18th of May, these Colours
were taken, with great military ceremony, from the Parade in St.
James's Park, to Whitehall Chapel, and deposited on each side of the
Altar. It was a fine sight, and three Royal Dukes, York, Cambridge,
and Gloucester, were present, besides many generals, and the Spanish
and Portuguese Ambassadors.

_Apropos_ of the Duke of York, he formerly had a mistress named
Mary Anne Clarke, who abused her position by selling Commissions in
the Army at a cheap rate, and using her influence over the Duke to
confirm them. In 1809, Mr. Wardell, M.P. for Oakhampton, brought
the scandal before the House of Commons, and, although the House
eventually found that there was nothing in the evidence to prove
personal corruption, or criminal connivance on the part of his Royal
Highness--yet public opinion against him was so strong, that he had
to resign his position as Commander-in-Chief.

The Regent and the Duke of York were tied together by strong bonds
of fraternal feeling, and the first important act of the Regent
was to re-appoint his brother to his old position on the 25th of
May. This naturally created great dissatisfaction, for his former
resignation only saved the Duke from the ignominy of being cashiered,
and Viscount Milton moved in the House of Commons on the 6th of June:
"That upon a deliberate consideration of the recent circumstances
under which his Royal Highness the Duke of York retired from the
Command of the Army in March, 1809, it appears to this House that it
has been highly improper and indecorous in the advisers of the Prince
Regent to have recommended to his Royal Highness the re-appointment
of the Duke of York to the Office of Commander-in-Chief." It is
astonishing how the opinion of the House of Commons varied during
two years, for this motion, when put, was only supported by 47
members--against 296.

But although he obtained the post, he had to run the gauntlet of
public opinion, and which way that went is shown by the accompanying
Satirical print, "The Soldier's Welcome Home!!!" where the Duke
of York amid the Cheers of his friends, Buckingham, Temple, and
Grenville, is leaping into the portals of the Horse Guards, the
Regent standing just inside to welcome him. A figure, I presume meant
to be John Walter, is pointing to _The Times_ Newspaper. There were
several others, but this is best suited to this book.

[Illustration: The Soldier's Welcome Home!!!

(_Published June 4, 1811, by W. Holland._)]

The next event of public note, and next to the appointment of the
Prince of Wales to the Regency, it was the principal topic of
conversation of the year, was a grand fête given to upwards of 2,000
of the Nobility and gentry, including the French Royal Family, the
foreign Ambassadors, &c.--at an estimated cost of £15,000. For
fully six weeks previously all the available weavers, tailors,
mantua-makers, and milliners, were put under requisition for it,
and ample work was found for architects, upholsterers, painters,
carpenters, cooks, and confectioners, and diamonds were borrowed for
the night at 11 per cent.

This wonderful fête took place on the 19th of June, and the company
began to arrive between 9 and 10 o'clock. The whole of Carlton House,
even down to the basements, which were utilized as supper rooms,
was thrown open to the guests, but failed to afford sufficient
accommodation, so a large portion of the garden was canvassed over
and used for supper. It is impossible, in the limits of this book, to
describe the luxury with which this palace was furnished, but I must
be excused, as Carlton House has long been numbered with the things
of the past, if I revive the description of the Throne and Ball
Rooms, simply that my readers may form some idea of the splendour in
which "the first gentleman in Europe" lived.

The first was hung with crimson velvet, with embroidered ornaments
in pure gold, and most massive gold fringes and laces. The Canopy,
superbly carved and gilt, was surmounted by four helmets of real
gold, having plumes of the finest white ostrich feathers, many of
them 17 inches in height. On each side the Canopy, were magnificent
antique draperies; decorated to correspond with it, and forming
back-grounds to two superb candelabra, after the antique, executed
in the finest manner, with lions _couchant_, and other appropriate
ornaments. Under the Canopy stood a grand state chair and foot-stool.
The compartments of the room were decorated with the richest gold
ornaments on a crimson velvet ground, with draperies enriched with
gold fringes, _en suite_. There were two superb glasses about twelve
feet high, with oriental alabaster tables, on frames, carved and
gilt, in the most magnificent style. On a chimney, decorated with
_or-molu_ foliage of the richest sculpture, was placed a large glass
in a superb frame; and on the chimney-piece and tables, were fine
French girandoles of _or-molu_. In this room were no other seats
than stools gilt and covered with crimson velvet. Here were whole
length portraits in grand gold frames, of their Majesties, the
Prince Regent, and the Duke of York. Through a door at one end of
this room, a temporary staircase presented itself to view, which
communicated with the Conservatory; this erection was intended as
a private passage for the Prince Regent and his particular friends
to pass down to the head of the tables, when supper was announced.
Opposite the above door, a door leading to the Throne room being
removed, and a large glass being placed in the opposite door, on the
further side beyond the Throne, the whole range of Candelabra, and
the throne itself were reflected in it; and a striking _coup d'oeil_
was thereby produced.

The Ball room was decorated with Arabesque ornament, and figures,
painted in the finest style imaginable, on gold grounds, in panels,
between pilasters richly carved and gilt; the ceiling was decorated
in compartments. The windows and recesses have circular tops,
and they were decorated with rich blue velvet draperies, with
massive gold fringes, lace, tassels, and ropes--the latter were
likewise of gold. In the recesses were magnificent French plates
of looking-glass, in gold frames, having sofas under them, richly
carved and covered with blue velvet; the chairs to suit. Before each
pilaster was placed a rich gilt pedestal, on which was a superb
French girandole, carrying eight wax-lights, executed in _or-molu_.
The two chimney-pieces of Statuary marble, were ornamented with
foliage and figures in bronze and _or-molu_, and, over them, were
glasses in gold frames, and French Candelabra, worthy of the _tout
ensemble_.

The Prince Regent entered the State apartments about a quarter
past nine, dressed in a scarlet coat, most richly and elegantly
ornamented, in a very novel style, with gold lace, and a brilliant
star of the Order of the Garter; and he arrived just at the same
time as the dethroned Louis XVIII.--who was present as the Comte
de Lille--and his family. Dancing began about half past eleven or
twelve, and at half past two supper was announced. As one account
says: "Upon no previous occasion, and at no Court in Europe, was
ever the experiment made to sit down 2,000 of the principal nobility
and gentry of a kingdom to a regular supper, as was the case at
the Prince Regent's fête. The largest entertainment, at the most
brilliant period of the French Monarchy, was that given by the Prince
of Condé at Chantilli, to the King of Sweden, when 400 covers were
laid. Here covers were laid for 1,600 under canvas, and 400 in the
house."

_The Times_ gives a short, but succinct, account of this brilliant
fête, and being so, I take it, as well fitted for this book, as all
accounts, more or less, are by press correspondents, and relate only
to the internal arrangement and decoration of Carlton House.

"It was totally impossible, capacious as the Mansion of the Prince
is, to accommodate such a number of persons in the rooms of the
Mansion itself. From the central apartment of the lower range, which
we have mentioned, on the south, or garden front, proceeded a broad
and lofty wall, towards the southern wall of the garden, adjoining
St. James's Park, which was crossed by three similar walks, from
east to west, lengthwise in the garden. All these walks were closed
in by walls, and covered over by awnings made for the occasion. In
each of these cross walks were placed long supper tables, and at
the end of each walk were communications to circular marquées, in
which were tables containing all the necessary refreshments for the
company, with space for the numerous servants, and assistants in
attendance. The Great Walk from the house southward had in it six
tables, leaving those spaces quite open where other walks crossed
it. The intermediate spaces between these, were lawns, which
communicated to the walks by suitable openings. The interior sides
of these grand walks were lined with festoons of flowers, yielding
the most odoriferous perfumes, and relieved by the verdant and softer
beauties that more towering plants and shrubs could bestow. The
arched roofs were ornamented in the liveliest manner, and, from them,
were suspended thousands of lights, in all the different forms and
fashions by which illumination can be produced. The _coup d'oeil_ of
the whole, especially from the central south entrance to the gardens,
was inexpressibly delightful, and even magically impressive. The
entrance was under an illuminated arch, and the southern end of the
walk was filled by an immense mirror, and ornamented at the top and
sides with a superb drapery, and with artificial flowers and costly
candelabra: particularly the long range of supper rooms on the grand
level, at the head of which the Regent sat, at the west end of the
Conservatory, inspired the highest ideas of real magnificence.

"This range, beginning from the east end, comprises the new
Gothic rooms, not yet entirely finished, but temporarily hung with
crimson, and the Library, beautifully ornamented with marbles. In
these apartments there were two rows of tables, elegantly adorned.
The centre room was left open. To the west, the eating room, &c.,
and the Conservatory had one long table running through both. The
appearance of the Conservatory was truly striking and brilliant.
The architecture of it is of the most delicate Gothic. The upper
end was a kind of circular buffet surmounted by a Medallion, with
the initials G. P. R. lined by festoons and antique draperies of
pink and silver, and partly filled by mirrors, before which, on
ornamented shelves, stood a variety of vases, candlesticks, &c., of
the most gorgeous gold plate. Supplied, as indeed all the tables
were, with every attainable delicacy and luxury which wealth and rank
could command, or ingenuity suggest, and embellished by all the art
and skill of the confectioner, with emblematical devices of every
conceivable appropriate description, this table displayed a still
more splendid exuberance.

"In the front of the Regent's seat there was a circular basin of
water, with an enriched Temple in the centre of it, from whence there
was a meandering stream to the bottom of the table, bordered with
green banks. Three or four fantastic bridges were thrown over it, one
of them with a small tower upon it, which gave the little stream a
picturesque appearance. It contained also a number of gold and silver
fish. The excellence of design, and exquisiteness of workmanship
could not be exceeded; it exhibited a grandeur beyond description;
while the many and various purposes for which gold and silver
materials were used were equally beautiful and superb in all their
minute details.[4]

          [Footnote 4: Nearly a waggon load of the family plate of
          the late Sir William Pulteney decorated the Tables at
          Carlton House. It is said that the weight of the whole of
          the gold and silver plate used on this occasion, was Six
          Tons.]

"The Company, who continued to arrive from nine till half-past
twelve, were ushered into the state rooms, and soon filled the house.
The hall was crowded with Peers and Peeresses, and was made the same
use of, as the apartments of State. Under the grand arched doorway
between the halls, was a most elegant scarlet and gold drapery, after
the antique.

"The male part of the nobility and gentry, were habited in court
suits, many richly embroidered, or in naval and military uniforms.
The waving plumes, the elegant, variegated dresses, the sparkling
diamonds, and, still more, the native beauty and grace of the ladies,
gave a sort of enchanting perfection to the whole of this brilliant
courtly exhibition. The _Vieille Cour de Versailles_, with all its
proud pretensions, could never have more attractively set forth the
elegant fascinations of fashionable life, and exalted rank.

"The upper servants of his Royal Highness' household wore a rich
costume of dark blue, trimmed with very broad gold lace; the others
wore their state liveries. A considerable number of the Yeomen
of the Guard attended in different parts. The assistants, out of
livery, were dressed uniformly, in black suits with white vests. Two
of the bands of the Guards, in state uniforms, played various airs
throughout the night. Parties of the Foot-guards protected all the
immediate avenues, and the Horse-guards were stationed in Pall Mall,
St. James's Street, St. James's Square, Piccadilly, &c. Everything
was managed, with the assistance of the Police, with unexampled care
and convenience."

CHAPTER IV.

     Ladies' dresses at the Fête -- The banquet -- Carlton House
     thrown open to the public -- The crush -- Sir F. Burdett's
     action against the Speaker -- Relief of British Prisoners in
     France -- Scarcity of guineas -- Lord King and his tenants --
     Stories respecting the Currency.

The ladies had been requested to dress themselves in the productions
of British industry, and some of their costumes were truly
magnificent. They are so uniformly beautiful, that in the examples I
give, I take them as they follow, and make the extracts for the sake
of their brevity.

_The Marchioness of Downshire_ wore a petticoat of white satin,
trimmed at the bottom with a Spanish net of embossed silver, over
which was a tunic of the most beautiful silver stuff, of Irish
manufacture, on which was delicately woven the shamrock: over the
shoulders were superb epaulettes of embossed Spanish silver. The
tunic was laced with diamond chains, and fastened in front with
large diamond brooches. Her ladyship's ear-rings were the largest
diamonds at the fête, to which there was a corresponding necklace,
and a profusion of diamond ornaments.

_The Marchioness of Sligo._ A dress of white satin, with a superb
border of brilliant embroidery round the train; a robe richly
embroidered in silver shamrock, round which was an elegant, and
brilliant border, to correspond with the dress; diamond stomacher,
armlets, necklace, and brooches. Head-dress, diamonds and ostrich
feathers.

_The Marchioness of Tavistock._ Splendid dress, embroidered in white
and gold.

_The Marchioness of Hertford._ White satin dress, embroidered in
white and gold.

_The Marchioness of Stafford._ Violet satin dress, richly embroidered
in gold.

_The Marchioness of Exeter._ White satin, embroidered in gold.

_The Marchioness Cornwallis._ White satin dress, richly embroidered
with amethysts.

_The Marchioness Waterford._ White satin dress, richly embroidered
with silver.

_The Countess of Cavan._ A dress of white and silver tissue, with
a superb border of prominent silver jonquils; body and sleeves
splendidly ornamented with diamonds. Head-dress, diamonds and ostrich
feathers.

[Illustration: Gudgeon Fishing à la Conservatory.

(_Published July, 1811, by S. W. Fores._)]

Needless to say, this grand fête was made fun of--and so we see in
"Gudgeon fishing _à la_ Conservatory," the meandering stream down
the centre of the Regent's table is caricatured, and the fair ladies
are provided with rods and lines. The artist has taken liberties with
his subject--the Prince, for instance, sat on a plain mahogany chair,
and the "stream" was banked up with moss and flowers. The Earl of
Moira, and Sheridan, are taking wine together, and on the right of
the Regent sits the Duchesse d'Angoulême. A person in plain evening
dress is in the extreme right, and points to a paper on the ground,
"Admission to John Bull to look at the Gold."

This was the subject of another caricature, called "The Regency
Fête, or John Bull in the Conservatory." This shows John Bull, his
wife, three men and one woman looking at the royal table loaded with
gold plate and wine, a beef-eater and a butler guarding the plate
on the table and on the buffet behind the royal chair. Says John
Bull (scratching his head) to his wife: "Why, odd Zookers! this is
marvellous fine indeed. Oh, Nan! how we should enjoy a rasher on one
of they monstracious beautiful plates. Why, now I think I shan't
grumble to pay three or four Bank Tokens towards this grand treat;
methinks I should just like a nippikin or two." Mrs. Bull: "Oh, John!
one of our milk-white chickens roasted by myself by our wood fire
would be lusciosious indeed." The speeches of the others are not
worth reprinting.

Needless to say the privilege of visiting the scene of festivity was
eagerly embraced by the public, and they came in such shoals, that
the Horse Guards had to keep order, and it was feared some accident
would occur. And sure enough, on the last day, the 26th of June,
there was a pretty scrimmage. This is _The Times_ report:--

"Yesterday being the last day that the public were permitted to view
the interior of Carlton House, the crowd, from an early hour in the
morning, was immense; and, as the day advanced, the scene excited
additional interest. Every precaution had been adopted to facilitate
the entrance of the visitors. The Horse-guards paraded in front of
the House, and were stationed at both ends of Pall Mall, and the
various streets leading from it. The pressure to gain admittance was
so great, that early in the day several females fainted away; many
lost their shoes, and endeavoured to extricate themselves from the
crowd, but this was quite impossible. The gates were only opened at
certain intervals, and, when this was the case, the torrent was so
rapid, that many people were taken off their feet, some with their
backs towards the entrance, screaming to get out. The scene, at
last began to wear a still more serious aspect; when it was deemed
expedient that some measure should be resorted to, to prevent farther
mischief. Lord Yarmouth, and the Duke of Gloucester appeared, and
announced to the public that the gates would not be again opened:
and that, for the sake of preventing the loss of any lives, they
had to express the strongest wish that the persons assembled would
cease from endeavouring to gain admittance. This, however, had not
the desired effect; as many, who probably were ignorant of what had
happened, remained, in the anxious hope of being admitted at last.

"The greatest pressure to obtain admittance took place about
half-past two o'clock. About one, the crowd in the inside of Carlton
House had accumulated so much, that it was found necessary to shut
the gates. The line of carriages now extended the whole length of
Pall Mall, up to the very top of St. James's Street, and, as there
had been a complete stoppage for above half an hour, hundreds of
ladies left their carriages, and hastened on foot towards the gates
of Carlton House. At this time you might see ladies and gentlemen
coming out of the crowd covered with perspiration, and unable any
longer to bear the pressure. Those who thus made their retreat in
time will be able to congratulate themselves on their superior
prudence.

"Hitherto all was comparatively well, and the scene rather afforded
amusement than excited alarm. But the case was most materially
altered when the gate of entrance was next opened. It became exactly
like some of those rushes at our Theatres, which have sometimes
produced such melancholy consequences. Those behind, irresistibly
pushed on those before, and of the number of delicate and helpless
females who were present, some were thrown down, and, shocking to
relate, literally trod upon by those behind, without the possibility
of being extricated. When, at last, the crowd got inside Carlton
House gates, four females were found in a lifeless state, lying on
their backs on the ground, with their clothes almost completely
torn off. One young lady, elegantly attired, or, rather, who had
been so, presented a shocking spectacle; she had been trodden on,
until her face was quite black from strangulation, and every part of
her body bruised to such a degree, as to leave little hopes of her
recovery: surgical assistance was immediately had, but her life was
not expected to be saved. An elderly lady had her leg broken, and was
carried away in a chair; and two others were also seriously hurt,
but, on being bled, were restored to animation. One of them was able
to walk home, the other was led by two men.

"The situation of almost all the ladies who were involved in this
terrible rush was truly deplorable; very few of them could leave
Carlton House until furnished with a fresh supply of clothes; they
were to be seen all round the gardens, most of them without shoes or
gowns; and many almost completely undressed, and their hair hanging
about their shoulders. The crowd outside, at one time, literally
carried away the Horse-guards for several paces, when the animals
became restive to an alarming degree, rearing on their hind legs, and
beating down all within their reach with their fore ones: several
women were trodden under foot, and received considerable injury; and
five or six men were so overcome, that they fainted, and were carried
off."

_The Morning Chronicle_ of the 29th of June says: "The number of
stray shoes in the courtyard of Carlton House, on Wednesday, was so
great, they filled a large tub, from which the shoeless ladies were
invited to select their lost property. Many ladies, however, and also
gentlemen, might be seen walking away in their stockinged feet. About
a dozen females were so completely disrobed in the squeeze, they
were obliged to send home for clothes, before they could venture out
in the streets, and one lady was so completely disencumbered of all
dress, a female domestic, in kind compassion, wrapped her up in an
apron."

On the 6th of April, 1810, Sir Francis Burdett was, by a majority of
38 Members of the House of Commons, sentenced to be committed to the
Tower, for a breach of privilege committed by him against the house,
in an address written by him in _Cobbett's Weekly Political Register_
of March 24, 1810: "SIR FRANCIS BURDETT TO HIS CONSTITUENTS, DENYING
THE POWER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS TO IMPRISON THE PEOPLE OF ENGLAND."
After some trouble, and a great deal of rodomontade on his part, he
was safely lodged in the fortress--after which a slight affray took
place between the mob and the troops in which one of the former was
killed, and eight wounded."[5]

          [Footnote 5: See _The Dawn of the Nineteenth Century_, by
          John Ashton, 1 vol. edit., pp. 166 to 176.]

The demagogue did not like the position in which he found himself,
and breathed fire and fury. He would bring actions against the
Speaker, the Sergeant-at-Arms, and the Earl of Moira, who was then
Governor of the Tower. He was released, on the prorogation of
Parliament, 21st of June, 1810, and on March 8, 1811, he brought
an action against the Speaker (Abbott) for a trespass and assault
in breaking open his house on the 6th of April, 1810. The Speaker
pleaded justification, and the case was tried on the 19th of June,
when the jury found a verdict for the defendant, thereby admitting
and enforcing the right of the House of Commons to commit for breach
of privilege.

Mention has already been made of a fund started by a number of
Merchants, Bankers, and others of the City of London, at Lloyd's, for
the "Relief of British prisoners in France," which, on the 29th of
June, reached about £54,000. But their practical charity did not end
here, for there was also another fund begun "for Relief of Portuguese
sufferers during the French Invasion," which, on the 21st of June,
amounted to nearly £52,000. The West End, evidently tried to emulate
the City, and at Willis's Rooms, under the presidency of the Duke of
York, there was a "Fund for the Relief of the Unfortunate Sufferers
in Portugal--who have been plundered and treated by the French Armies
with the most unexampled barbarity." By June 29th this had reached
£15,000.

Silver, as we have seen, had got, to use a mercantile phrase, "a
little easier," but the Guinea! it was almost as scarce as Russian
gold coins are now, and, in spite of every effort, it was quoted at
a premium, and yet was exported. Here is a Police report, anent it:
"Mansion House, 23rd of April. James King, guard of the Yarmouth mail
coach, was brought up for examination, upon a charge of purchasing
eight guineas, the Coin of this realm, at a price considerably beyond
their current value. The Charge was brought by Mr. Nalder, the Under
Marshal of the City of London; who, in consequence of information
received from the Treasury, that there were persons about town
employed as agents to purchase guineas for exportation, made diligent
enquiry, and having found out the defendant, he marked eight guineas,
and went with Sayer, the Bow Street officer, who sold those guineas
to the prisoner, and received for each £1 5s. 6d. Mr. Nalder shortly
afterwards took the prisoner into custody, found the marked guineas
upon him, and brought him before the Lord Mayor; the transaction
being against the Statute of the third of Edward III., which subjects
offenders to the penalty of twelve months' imprisonment, and fine
at the discretion of the Court. The defendant was admitted to bail."
Ultimately he was fined forty shillings.

On the 6th of May the officers rummaged a smack called the _Union_,
and found, in a hole between the timbers, seven canvas bags
containing 4,500 guineas, making in all 11,128 guineas found in that
vessel.

The greater part of May was taken up by the discussion in the House
of Commons of the Report of the Bullion Committee, which recommended
the resumption of specie payments by the Bank of England as speedily
as possible. This was negatived, on the ground that the Bank paper
was not depreciated--but, as a matter of fact, it was. _Vide_ the
following letter from Lord King to his tenants:--

"By lease, dated 1802, you have agreed to pay the annual rent of ----
in good and lawful money of Great Britain. In consequence of the
late depreciation of paper money, I can no longer accept of any bank
notes at their nominal value in payment of your rent in the legal
coin of the realm; at the same time, having no other object than to
receive payment of the real intrinsic value of the sum stipulated
by agreement, and being desirous to avoid giving you unnecessary
trouble, I shall be willing to receive payment in either of the
manners following, according to your option--

"1st. By payment in guineas.

"2nd. If guineas cannot be procured, by a payment in Portugal gold
coin, equal in weight to the number of guineas requisite to discharge
the debt.

"3rd. By a payment in Bank-paper of a sum sufficient to purchase (at
the present market price) the weight of standard gold requisite to
discharge the rent. The alteration of the value of paper money is
estimated in this manner.

"The price of gold in 1802, the year of your agreement, was £4 per
oz.; the present market price is £4 14s., owing to the diminished
value of paper--in that proportion, an addition of £17 10s. per cent.
in paper money will be required as equivalent for the payment of rent
in paper.

                                                  "(Signed) KING.

"N.B.--A power of re-entry and ejectment is reserved by deed in case
of non-payment of rent due. No draft will be received."

[Illustration: Jew ---- Depreciating Bank Notes.

(_Published July, 1811, by S. W. Fores._)]

This gave rise to a pictorial _jeu d'esprit_ entitled "Jew =_King_=,"
depreciating Bank notes. A farmer, of the then typical John Bull
type, has called on Lord King to pay his rent, and says to him, "I
be come to pay you some money! but I cannot get Guineas for love nor
money! so you must take Bank Notes.--Why! no person ever refused them
before." To which Lord King replies, "I tell you I will have Guineas.
If I take Bank Notes I will have 20 per cent. I like good profit."
With one hand he points to some Guineas, and, on the table, are the
"Laws of Landlord and Tenant," and "Tables of Interest."

Earl Stanhope, on the 27th of June, in consequence of Lord King's
action, introduced a Bill into the House of Lords to prevent the Gold
coin from being paid or received for more than its nominal value, or
the Bank paper for less. In the course of the debate he stated that
guineas were publicly bought at Manchester, at an advance of _twenty_
per cent. by persons from Ireland, for the purpose of paying their
landlords, who insisted on gold: and the Earl of Lauderdale declared
that he knew an instance, where a landlord called upon his tenants
to pay in gold; and the latter having represented to the steward the
impossibility of procuring gold, they were each told that there were
100 guineas at a Chandler's shop in the neighbourhood, which might be
purchased; and it was a fact, that with those 100 guineas, passing
from one to another, a rent of £7,000 was actually paid. The Bill
passed both Houses, and received the royal assent on the 24th of July.

In _The Morning Chronicle_ of the 11th of July we find: "It has
been for several weeks a known and common practice, at one shop
in the City, for a man to have a twenty-shilling note, and a dish
of fish, for a guinea." And so it was after the passing of Earl
Stanhope's Act, the guineas were still bought at an advanced price,
and the first Commitment under the Act is recorded in the same
paper of Monday, the 9th of September, 1811: "On Friday sen'night
Adkins, the Bow Street officer, arrived at Worcester, in pursuit of
one Thomas Woodford, who was known to have dealt pretty largely in
guineas; having found him, Adkins offered him eight guineas, and
three half-guineas, for which Woodford gave him £10 18s. 6d. in Bank
of England Notes.--He was immediately apprehended, and committed to
gaol."

It was no use trying to fight the purchase of these precious coins:
every plan possible was put in force--How is this? "LOST--EIGHT
GUINEAS--Whoever may have found the same, and will bring them to ----
shall receive ten pounds reward." It was all of no use, the guineas
used to be smuggled out of the Country as much as ever, and on July
3rd, in the Court of King's Bench, in the case of De Yonge, who had
been convicted of purchasing guineas for more than 21 shillings, and
whose case had been reserved for the opinion of the twelve judges, it
was decided that such purchase was not an offence punishable under
the existing laws.

CHAPTER V.

     A smuggler's victim -- Illness of Gilray -- A gallant highwayman
     -- A Witch -- Bartholomew Fair -- The Comet -- A Practical joke
     on the Queen -- Woman's Cricket Match -- Ballooning -- French
     prisoners of war -- Luddite riots -- The King and his physicians
     -- His health.

The odds and ends of gossip for July may be taken briefly as
follows--Smuggling was very common, and our grandfathers had not the
faintest notion that they were doing wrong in purchasing wares that
had never paid the King his dues. In fact, many were proud of it.
Sometimes they got sold, as the following story will vouch for. It
happened that in Windsor and its neighbourhood, a woman, clad in a
long red cloak, appeared, calling about dusk at several houses with
a sample of excellent Cognac brandy. She stated that her husband
was waiting at a little distance with several casks of the same,
which they could sell at a very low price. Several people agreed to
take Casks, which were duly delivered, and the money for which was
properly paid. Alas! alas! when the brandy came to be tapped it was
nothing but water.

Poor Gilray, the Caricaturist, from whom I have so much borrowed,
and who exemplified the manners of his times as well as ever Hogarth
did, had been ill, and had knocked off work for some time--yet he
still lived at Mrs. Humphrey's house in St. James Street, attempted,
while in a fit of delirium, to throw himself out of the attic storey
window. Luckily for him there were iron bars to that window, and
his head got jammed, which, being perceived by a Chairman waiting
outside White's Club, who instantly went to render assistance, he
was extricated, and proper persons were appointed to take care
of him. Poor Gilray etched his last picture in 1811, and it was
entitled, "Interior of a Barber's Shop in Assize Time," but it was
not published until May 15, 1818, nearly three years after his death,
which took place on the 1st of June, 1815. It is a comfort to know
that from the setting in of his mania until his death, he was well
looked after by his old friend Mrs. Humphrey.

It is hard to have to chronicle the rise and fall of a most useful
invention, the percussion _Cap_, which was patented by the Rev. A.
J. Forsyth, of Belhevie, Aberdeenshire, on the 11th of April, 1807.
Lepage, the noted gun-maker of Paris pirated it; and Napoleon, in
1811, ordered it to be generally introduced into the French Army.
It has been superseded, or rather its form has been altered by the
modern breech loader.

Good manners and courtesy from Robber to robbed evidently had not
gone out of fashion with Claude Duval, and a "gentle thief" was
not unknown, as the Miss Somervilles could testify. They were in a
carriage with their papa, who was a surgeon, when it was stopped, on
Hounslow Heath, by a _foot pad_--for there were subtle distinctions
in theft in those days. The Man who robbed you, and was on horseback,
was at the top of his profession--he was a Highwayman; but the poor,
scurvy rogue whose financial arrangements could not compass the
dignity of a horse, was a common thief, a wolf's head, a foot pad.
This mean specimen of roguery, only armed with a Clasp Knife, with
many oaths, declared that he would operate upon the Surgeon to his
disadvantage, unless he gave him his money. Under this compulsion
Mr. Somerville gave him all he had about him, two five-pound notes,
and four shillings; meanwhile the women folk, who saw what was being
done to dear papa, besought the evil-doer, with tears in their eyes,
and their money in their hands, to take what his strong arm had won,
and depart in peace. Then the innate chivalry of that robber arose
within him, and he said, in a somewhat mixed vein of politeness, and
brutality, "Nay, ladies, don't be frightened, I never did the least
injury to a woman in my life, nor never will, d--n me; as for your
money, keep it yourselves: all that I ask from you is a kiss apiece;
if you grudge me that, I'm sure you are neither sensible, nor good
humoured." _Væ Victis!_ The soft penalty was paid, and the wicked man
turned away from his wickedness after doing a mild "Confiteor "--that
he had spent all his money very foolishly, and the sum in which he
had mulcted papa would carry him to his friends, and then he should
have plenty. It was the first robbery he had ever committed, and it
should be the last--and then he faded into the _ewigkeit_. But how
about the stout coachman and footman who drove, and sat behind the
carriage? Probably Somerville _père_ had something to say to them on
his return home.

Here is another case of wickedness, by a supposed Witch, the belief
in Witchcraft being a cult not yet thoroughly ignored in England,
copied from the _Annual Register_ of August 26th: "At the Bridgewater
assizes, Betty Townsend, a very old woman, aged 77, who for many
years past has been considered by the superstitious as a _Witch_,
was tried for obtaining money of a child under the following
circumstances: The prosecutor, Jacob Poole, was a labouring man,
residing in the hamlet of Taunton, in which parish the prisoner also
resided, and he had been in the habit of sending his daughter, aged
about thirteen, with apples in a basket, to market. About the 24th
of January last, the old woman met the little girl, stopped her,
and asked to see what she had in her basket; which, having examined,
she said to her, 'Hast' got any money?' The child said she had none.
'Then get some for me,' said the old woman, 'and bring it to the
Castle (a tavern in Taunton) door, or I will kill thee.' The child,
terrified at such a threat from a witch, procured two shillings, and
carried it to her; when the old woman said, ''Tis a good turn thou
hast got it, or else I would have made thee die by inches.' This
was repeated seven times within five months, when Poole, the girl's
father, going to the shop of Mr. Burford, a druggist in Taunton, to
pay a little bill which he owed for medicine, found no less than
seven different charges against him for money lent; and, on inquiry,
found that different small sums of two shillings, half-a-crown, five
shillings, &c., had been borrowed by the little girl in her father's
name, for the purpose, as she said, of going to market, but carried
as a peace-offering to the old woman. The whole was now discovered,
and Poole's wife, and another woman, took the girl with them to the
prisoner's house, and interrogated her as to the facts. She admitted
a knowledge of the girl, but, on being reprehended for her conduct,
raved and swore, that if they dared to accuse her, she would make
them 'die by inches.' 'No,' said Mrs. Poole, who appears to have
thought that she knew much better how to deal with a Witch than her
daughter, 'that thee shall not--I'll hinder that': and, taking a
pin from her clothes, she scratched the witch from her elbow to her
wrist, in three places, _to draw her blood_, a process, believed to
be of unfailing efficacy, as an antidote to witchcraft. The idea of
this wicked woman's power has had such an effect upon the mind of
the poor little girl, that she is now reduced to such a state of
debility, that she is scarcely able to take any sustenance. The Jury
found the prisoner guilty (_what of?_); and the Judge observed that
only her extreme old age prevented him from pronouncing on her the
severest sentence the law would allow. She was sentenced to pay a
fine of one shilling, and to be kept to hard labour in the House of
Correction for six Calendar months."

Bartholomew Fair must be within the recollection of many of my
readers, for it was not abolished until 1855. At one time it was
always opened by the Lord Mayor--yet it reads with an old-world
flavour that "Yesterday Morning (Sept. 3) the Lord Mayor, attended
by the City Marshals, &c., went in procession, after having partaken
of a cool tankard at the house of Mr. Newman, the keeper of Newgate,
to the corner of Long Lane, West Smithfield, where the fair was
proclaimed, and all its usual din and bustle commenced." The fair was
not finally suppressed until 1855.

[Illustration: The Comet of 1811.

(_Published by T. Moon, January, 1811._)]

It was not till 1835 that Bull baiting was made illegal in England,
and it is refreshing to read that the bull, even for a very short
time, had the best of his human persecutor, who on such an occasion
ever cuts a sorry figure. _Morning Chronicle_, Sept. 4th: "A
dreadful catastrophe occurred at Chapel Wake, Birmingham, on Tuesday
last. A concourse of people having assembled at the Fives Court,
Lawrence Street, for the purpose of baiting a bull, the enraged
animal broke loose, and ran with great fury into Coleshill Street.
A Scene of the greatest confusion ensued. An infant, three months
old, was killed on the spot: two women and boys were dreadfully
trampled and bruised, and remain in the hospital with little hopes of
recovery, and many others received injury." _Bravo Toro!_

Annus Mirabilis! A Regent, and a Comet! According to Shakespeare,
when "beggars die, there are no Comets."[6] These Celestial
aberrations are for far greater mundane personages--they are for the
great ones of the earth only; and, again, from the same authority we
learn that "Comets importing change,"[7] is fairly fulfilled in the
Regency.

          [Footnote 6: _Julius Cæsar_, act ii. sc. 2.]

          [Footnote 7: I _Henry IV._, act i. sc. 1.]

Of course the Caricaturist got hold of it, and fixed it for all time.
"The Comet of 1811" has, as nucleus, the _facile princeps_ of his
age. Its tail is studded with celebrities, all of whom I cannot,
unfortunately, make out. First is Earl Moira, then Sheridan and
Erskine; Lord Derby with his hydrocephalous forehead, and the Duke
of Norfolk. Behind Lord Derby is Col. Bloomfield; behind him is
Lord Grenville, and side by side with him are Temple and Buckingham,
whose wig and spectacles betray him anywhere. The last face to be
recognized is that of Earl Grey.

This Comet was discovered at Viviers on the 25th of March, by M. de
Flanguergues, and was again noticed by M. Pons at Marseilles on the
11th of April. It was seen at Paris on the 20th of May, but was not
generally visible in England until the latter end of August or the
beginning of September. It was nearest to the earth on the 24th of
October, and then it went on its course, and, in due time, vanished.

In September a practical joke was played, on no less a person than
the Queen. For four consecutive days, ending Sept. 26th, Buckingham
Palace, or, as it was then called, the Queen's House, was besieged by
Washerwomen, from morning till night. It seems that a woman, calling
herself the head of the Queen's laundry had gone round to hundreds
of Washerwomen, telling them that she had held her present situation
for five years, and that she had been obliged to discharge all her
staff, because they did not wash the royal linen clean, and also that
they got drunk. She was very affable with her dupes, and was not
above drinking with them, or of borrowing from them, cloaks, shawls,
umbrellas, and other trifles, promising some of them two guineas a
week, others 4s. a day, a pot of porter, and as much rum, gin, and
wine as they chose.

[Illustration: Rural Sports; or a Cricket Match Extraordinary.

_Rowlandson._]

Early on Monday morning they began to arrive, about 6 o'clock, so
as to set to work, and it was in vain that the porters refused them
admission. Their tale was, that the lady who had hired them, had
given them the key of the laundry to let themselves in, so that they
might get to work, light the fire, &c. But, as there was no laundry
at Buckingham Palace, they sent the poor women to St. James's Palace,
where there was one, and, when they got there, it was only to be told
that none had been engaged, nor even wanted. One can imagine the
scene, more especially as many of the poor women had come from great
distances, some had left good situations to go there, and others had
sent their children into the Country to nurse, in order to enable
them to take the place.

A more pleasing contest of women took place on the 3rd of October,
1811, in the shape of a Cricket Match between two teams, not the sort
of thing as "Actresses" Cricket, which is now played between a team
each of men and women, the former being armed with broom handles,
the latter with cricket bats; but a much rougher sort of thing, if
we can believe the accompanying illustration, which is taken from an
etching of Rowlandson's, called "RURAL SPORTS, OR A CRICKET MATCH
EXTRAORDINARY. On Wednesday, Oct. 3, 1811, a Singular Cricket Match
took place at Ball's Pond, Newington. The players on both sides were
22 Women, 11 Hampshire, against 11 Surrey. The Match was made between
some amateur Noblemen of the respective Counties, for 500 Guineas a
side. The performers in the Contest were of all ages and sizes."

The Match really began on the 2nd of October, and lasted three days,
the Hampshire team winning. The ages varied from 14 to upwards of
forty.

Rowlandson sketched with a freedom approaching decided
coarseness--but his sketches were natural, and in this instance
valuable, as showing us Cricket as then played, although the game,
with its two stump wickets, curved bats, and primitive scoring was
then obsolete, at least in matches.[8]

          [Footnote 8: The third stump was added by the Hambledon
          Club, 1775.]

But, if we can believe the same artist, Baldwin and his congeners
were outdone this year by a woman descending from a balloon in a
parachute. It is taken from an etching by Rowlandson, dated the 25th
of October, 1811, and entitled "Balloon Hunting." It represents the
mishaps of a party of ladies who went balloon hunting across country,
in a one-horse vehicle, the shafts of which are smashed, and the
horse is being reduced to docility by the driver. I know of no woman
who descended by means of a parachute, in this year.

They were not novelties, for André Jacques Garnerin, the Aëronaut,
came down in one in 1802, and, according to Larousse, Elisa, daughter
of Jean Baptiste Olivier Garnerin, brother of the above, was the
first woman who tried a "drop from the clouds." She made her first
descent in 1815, and in 1820 had made over twenty.

[Illustration: Rural Sports; Balloon Hunting.

(_By Rowlandson, published October 25, 1811, by Thomas Tegg._)]

Taken as a whole, the French Prisoners of War, whose numbers were
ever increasing, were not a bad lot of fellows. There were many
breaches of parole, and large numbers of the rank and file, and
seamen got away; for, in a Trial in the Court of King's Bench,
November 14, 1811, the Attorney-General asserted that, of the
French Officers, prisoners of war, on their parole, in this country,
one-fourth had effected their escape: and that one condition on which
smugglers from this country were permitted to land their goods in
France, was the bringing over with them, a French prisoner.

Those interned at Cupar fitted up a neat little Theatre, which was
opened on the 3rd of September. A prologue composed by one of the
Officers, complimentary to the inhabitants for their hospitality to
the Captives, was spoken and acted. This was followed by a Comedy
in verse, by Regnard, called "Les Folies Amoureuses," and an after
piece "Le Quaterne." The Scene painting, interior decorations of the
theatre, Stage Apparatus, and Costumes, were all their own work: nor
did they stop there, for they had an excellent band of their own.

But they could behave sternly on occasion, if there is any truth in
the following story. In May, 1811, the French prisoners confined
on board the _Sampson_ (prison ship lying in the Medway), formed
a conspiracy to forcibly take possession of the ship, and effect
their escape, which was prevented by one of their number imparting
secretly their projected plan to the commanding officer. Enraged at
the disappointment of their hopes, they used every effort to find out
the individual by whose communication their secret had transpired;
and having, as they thought, fixed upon the right man, as soon as
they were locked up for the night, they formed a Court, for his
trial, at which a _procés verbal_ was drawn up, declaratory of their
proceedings. The suspected traitor was found guilty, but there was
a difference of opinion as to his punishment, and it was at last
resolved and carried into effect, that he should be tattooed on his
forehead and cheeks "J'ai vendu mes frères aux Anglais abord le
ponton 'Le Sampson,' 31 Mai, 1811."

There is not much more to chronicle for the remainder of this year,
except the Census, and we must glance at the figures to see the
enormous difference in the population then, and now. In 1811, the
whole population was 12,552,144, in 1881, 35,246,562, or, in other
words, the population had all but trebled itself in 70 years. In
the last Census (1881) the sexes were very evenly balanced, being
17,253,947 males, and 17,992,615 females, and so they were in 1811,
6,310,548 males, and 6,241,596 females.

Still the Luddite Riots must not be forgotten, for, at one time, they
threatened to be somewhat serious. They began in the neighbourhood of
Nottingham, the Manufacturers there, having been obliged, from the
decrease of demand for their manufactures, to discharge many of their
workmen, and consequently much distress was caused. Nor was this all;
a certain wide frame for weaving stockings had been introduced, which
saved much labour, and, consequently, fewer hands were wanted. In
November, these riots became rather serious, as, not only were the
obnoxious frames smashed, and manufacturers' stock destroyed, but
millers, corn dealers, &c., suffered, and the military had to be
called out. Their name was taken from their imaginary leader, one
Captain Ludd, who never had any existence, but probably stood for the
Committee of Management.

At this time, at all events, the public were free from the sickening
details of the illness of Royalty, such as they have lately had--in
the case of the German Emperor, Frederic--details which could do
no good whatever to the outer world, and which must have been very
painful to the relatives of the deceased Kaiser. They managed things
better in George III.'s reign. If the medical men quarrelled, they
did not openly wash their dirty linen, but it only was known to a few
that Dr. Willis's treatment of his Royal patient, during his former
illness, had been considered unnecessarily severe, and that, perhaps,
they were not too well content to have him associated with them in
the present crisis: still for the first year or so, the people, who
really loved old Farmer George, were kept fairly acquainted with the
state of his health, until it became hopeless--and then, perhaps very
wisely, they only were fed with the merest details of his disorder.

In February, the King was getting so well that the Queen and one
of the Princesses, on more than one occasion visited him: then he
suffered from a paroxysm of mania, to which succeeded a calm, during
which he took his constitutional walks on the Terrace. In March,
he got better, so much so, that on the 31st of March, the prayers
for his recovery were discontinued in the Chapel Royal, and, at the
Queen's Monthly Council, it was hoped that he would recover, so
that he had the key of the Cabinet Council Despatch Boxes, and, in
other ways, was treated as a responsible being. In May, his health
was capricious, but still he was able to walk and ride in public.
June brought a relapse, and his case was deemed hopeless, yet he
still occasionally took walks. In July, he was in a very dangerous
state, opiates had to be administered, and he partook of very little
solid food. In August, it was said that his suite of apartments
were padded to prevent his doing himself a mischief, but this was
denied. September was a better month for him, but, in October, he
retrograded. November and December only show him as leading a fairly
healthy animal existence.

[Illustration: 1812, or Regency à la Mode.

(_Drawn and etched by W. Heath._)]

CHAPTER VI.

1812.

     The Regent's doings -- The Royal Sprain -- Colonel McMahon --
     Luddite and Factory Riots -- Scarcity of Bullion -- Murder of
     Mr. Perceval.

Judging by the barometer of public opinion, the satirical prints,
the topic of conversation in the commencement of this year, was
the Prince Regent. Occupying the exalted position that he did, he
naturally was the observed of all, and his foibles and peccadilloes
were made the laughing-stock, or were censured of all. And the
Caricaturists did not spare him. Take this illustration as a sample;
it is called "1812 or REGENCY à la Mode," where we see our "fat
friend," as Brummell called him, having his stays laced, and, during
that operation, occupying himself by rouging his cheeks.

He would allow very little of his doings to be known by the public,
and the movements of Royalty, as we know it in the _Court Circular_,
were recorded in the baldest manner possible, except on one occasion,
when the Regent sprained his ancle, and there was a very long and
elaborate report thereon.

_Morning Chronicle_, Saturday, November 16, 1811:--"THE PRINCE
REGENT.--His Royal Highness, we are concerned to state, was not
well enough to come to town yesterday. At the Party given by the
Duchess of York at Oatlands, on Wednesday evening, the Duchess made
arrangements for a Ball. The Prince Regent agreed to lead off the
dance with his daughter, the Princess Charlotte, for his partner.
Whilst his Royal Highness was leading the Princess briskly along, his
right foot came in contact with the leg of a chair or sofa, which
gave his leg a twist, and sprained his ancle. His Royal Highness took
but little notice of it that night, but in the morning he found it
worse than he expected, &c., &c."

Whatever was the matter with him, he did not leave Oatlands till the
9th of December, or nearly a month after the Ball. Nobody believed in
the royal sprain, but the story that did gain credence, and was made
the most of by the Caricaturist and Satirist, was that the Regent,
at that Ball, grossly insulted Lady Yarmouth, for which he was most
heartily, and soundly, thrashed by her husband, Lord Yarmouth, and
hence the royal indisposition. Walcot, as "Peter Pindar, Esqre,"
wrote one of his most scathing odes, and that is saying something,
entitled "The R----L SPRAIN, or A KICK from YAR----H to WA----S,
being the particulars of an expedition to OAT----DS, and the SPRAINED
ANCLE."

There were several Caricatures, all with the same tendency. One was
"A Kick from Yarmouth to Wales, December, 1811," which shows Lord
Yarmouth holding the Regent by his coat collar and vigorously kicking
him behind, the Regent yelling and trying to get away, Lady Yarmouth
sitting on a sofa looking on. There is attached to this, a poetical
effusion of fourteen verses, to be sung to the tune of "The Love-sick
Frog." The first verse runs thus:

  "A Prince he would a raking go.
      Heigh ho! said Rowly.
  Whether his people would have him or no;
  With a rowly-powly, gammon and spinach,
      Heigh ho! said Anthony Rowly."

Then there was "The Royal Milling Match," published December, 1811,
in which is depicted Lord Yarmouth, who, by a paper sticking out
of his coat pocket, was "Late a pupil of the Champion of England,"
is "fibbing merrily" on the royal countenance; at the same time
exclaiming, "There is plenty of fair game, but no poaching on my
Manor. My action is quick, and _put in_ strait forward--so!" The
Regent calls out, "Help, help, I have made a _false step_, and
sprained my Ancle." A servant coming in, says to Lord Yarmouth,
"Lord, Sir, don't be so harsh, you'll sprain the gentleman's _ancle_.
By goles, this is what they call Milling indeed!" Lady Yarmouth views
the scene from behind a screen.

The most amusing one I have seen, is given in the accompanying
illustration, which is by Geo. Cruikshank, published January, 1812.
It is called "PRINCELY AGILITY, or the SPRAINED ANCLE." The doctor
at the foot of the bed (probably meant for Halford) is fomenting the
foot, which seems its normal size, and says to the attendant, "Take
that _waistcoat_ away, or we shall make the town talk." The Princess
Charlotte is examining the foot, and exclaims, "Bless me, how it's
swelled!" Lady Jersey, who is administering to the invalid prince, is
inattentive to her duties; while the Regent, with "two lovely black
eyes," is calling to Colonel McMahon, "Oh! my Ancle, Oh!--bring me
my Wig--Oh! my Ancle! Take care of my Whiskers, Mac! Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh,
o--o--o--oh, o!" Sir John Douglas is feeling his pulse, saying, "Out
a way, Mon, you are always exposing yourself." John Bull is coming in
at the door, but is pushed back by Adams, with "Indeed, Bull, 'tis
only a sprained ancle." But John Bull says, "John Bull is not to be
fobbed off so easily, Master Lawyer."

[Illustration: Princely Agility; or, the Sprained Ancle.

_G. Cruikshank._

(_Published, January, 1812, by J. Johnston._)]

George Cruikshank was not very particular as to his likenesses, as we
may see by his ideal Colonel McMahon, who was a servant worthy of his
master, to whom he was most useful.

Walcot "Pindarised" him in an Ode, "Mac the First," in which he makes
him say:

  "Once a boy, in ragged dress,
  Who would little _Mac_ caress?
  When in the streets, starv'd and sad,
  I was a _common errand lad_."

But, be his origin whatever it might have been, he was a tool well
fitted for the use of his august master, who, it must be owned,
endeavoured to repay him; but, also, at the public expense. In
1811 General Fox died, and at his death, the office of Paymaster
of the Widows' Pensions became vacant. It was a perfect sinecure,
the duties being done by others, and the salary attached to the
office was over £2,000 per annum. The Commissioners of 1783, and of
1808, both reported and recommended the abolition of Paymaster and
Deputy-Paymaster of Widows' Pensions, as being unnecessary, the one
having very little to do, the other, nothing at all. The office of
Paymaster had, in particular, been recommended to be done away with,
on the demise of General Fox: but it was given to Colonel McMahon.

On January 9, 1812, on a Motion for Supply, Mr. Creevey spoke
decidedly against this appointment, and moved as an Amendment, "That
the House would, to-morrow se'nnight, resolve itself into a Committee
of Supply, in order to give an opportunity, in the interim, for the
consideration which he had suggested," namely, that they would take
into their earliest consideration, the various offices of emolument
recently granted by the Crown to several of their members. This
amendment was lost.

On the 22nd of February, the question of the Army Estimates being
on, Mr. Bankes moved as an Amendment, "That the amount of the sum
expected to be paid to the Paymaster of Widows' Pensions, being 12d.
in the pound on the said Pensions (£2,790 1s.) be deducted from the
said sum." This amendment was lost by a majority of sixteen.

But on the next night Mr. Bankes brought the matter up again, and
moved the virtual abolition of the office by omitting the sum
necessary to pay it--and this was carried by a majority of three.

[Illustration: The Privy Purse and Political Beggars.

(_Published April 13, 1812, by William Holland._)]

There was consternation among the Regent's party at the temerity
of the House in thus thwarting the Royal wishes, and, of course,
the recalcitrant Commons must be taught a lesson, so McMahon was
appointed Keeper of the Privy Purse, and Private Secretary to the
Prince Regent; and, in the caricature of "The PRIVY PURSE and
POLITICAL BEGGARS" we find McMahon installed in his new position.
_Sheridan_ says, "Dear, good, worthy Countryman, thou Pine Apple
of Erin! consider I was burnt out,[9] not a penny in my purse, my
credit very low--do--dear Mac, for the love of St. Patrick, give me a
handfull." _Buckingham_: "I have not above a Hundred Thousand a year,
these hard times. Pray remember the Poor!" _Temple_: "With my wife's
fortune, and my own, I have not above Forty Thousand a Year. Pray
remember the Poor!" _Grenville_: "I have not above Fifty Thousand
a Year, a slender pittance. Pray remember the Poor!" _Mac Mahon_
replies: "Paws Off! no Blarney will do with me! I'm up to all your
Gammon! and so is my dear Master. I'm cosy at last, in spite of all
your speeches and paragraphs, and you may all go to the Devil, your
Master!!!"

          [Footnote 9: At Drury Lane Theatre, destroyed on the 24th
          of February, 1809.]

And, doubtless, he thought he was cosy, but the Commons would not
stand the job, and on the 23rd of March his appointment was brought
before Parliament, and the Hon. J. W. Ward asked whether it was
a fact, and, if so, what salary was he to have? Mr. Perceval, as
Chancellor of the Exchequer, admitted the appointment, and pointed
out that Colonel Taylor had occupied the same position towards the
King for many years, and the same salary that was given to that
gentleman had been continued to Colonel McMahon. Mr. Whitbread
pointed out that Colonel Taylor's appointment was owing to the
infirmities of the King, and that previously, there had been no such
post.

On the 14th of April, Mr. C. W. Wynn, in the House of Commons, moved
for the Production of the Appointment of Colonel McMahon to the new
Office of Private Secretary to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent.
A very long discussion took place, and on a division, the motion was
negatived by a majority of seventy-six. But the Ministry felt that
the House was decidedly against them, and the appointment was not
persisted in--McMahon afterwards became a pensioner on the Privy
Purse.

During the whole of January the Luddites were very violent in, and
about Nottingham, doing an immense amount of mischief, in spite of
all the troops could do, and they were so well organized that very
few prisoners were taken. In April the agitation spread to Leeds,
where machinery was broken, and cloth &c., destroyed. Then there were
food riots among the Cornish miners, which lasted until the arrival
of troops. More Luddite riots at Leeds. Food riots among the Colliers
at Macclesfield. Then Bristol got tainted with the same lawless
spirit; then Sheffield, Stockport, Carlisle, Manchester, Bolton,
and elsewhere, but these riots were principally directed against
machinery. At the latter end of April, one of the chief ringleaders,
a man named Walker, was arrested, and safely lodged in Chester Gaol.
He was said to be General Ludd himself.

In May, there still were riots in the manufacturing district,
but these principally took the form of organized burglaries. At
last, on May 24th, there was a Special Commission to try those who
had been captured. Some were sentenced to imprisonment, some to
transportation, which, in those days really meant being sent across