Report of the Milan commissioners-The Princess's determination to return to England-Studied neglect of her by Louis XVIII.-Lord Hutchinson's proposal to her to remain abroad-Her indignant refusal ---Bergami's anger on the refusal of the proposition-Discourtesy of the French authorities to the Princess-Her reception in England- The Regent's message to parliament-The green bag-Sympathy for the Queen-Desire for a compromise evinced; meeting for the pur- pose at Lord Castlereagh's-The contending parties in parliament- Mr. Wilberforce as Mr. Harmony-Mr. Brougham, the Queen's especial advocate-The Queen's name in the Liturgy demanded- Mr. Denman's argument for it-Address of the House of Commons to the Queen-Her reply, and appeal to the nation-A secret inquiry The secret committee on the Queen's conduct-Encounter between the Queen and Princess Sophia-Bill of Pains and Penalties brought into the House of Lords-The Queen demands to know the charges against her-Her demand refused-The Queen again petitions-- Lord Liverpool's speech-Her indignant message to the Lords Money spent to procure witnesses against her-Public feeling against the Italian witnesses-Dr. Parr's advice to the Queen-His zealous advocacy of her cause-Lord Erskine's efforts in her favour-Her hearty protest against legal oppression-Gross attack on her in a provincial paper-Cruel persecution of her-Her sharp philippic against ministers-Lord John Russell's letter to Mr. Wilberforce, and petition to the King-The Queen at Brandenburgh House-Death of the Duchess of York-Her eccentricities-Her character-Addresses The Queen's reception by the House of Lords-Royal progress to the House The Queen's enthusiastic reception by the populace-Their treatment of the King's party-Marquis of Anglesea-The Duke of Wellington's reply to them-The Attorney-General's opening speech -Examination of Theodore Majocchi-The Queen overcome at the ingratitude of this traitor-Disgusting nature of the evidence- Other witnesses examined-Mr. Brougham's fearless defence of the Queen-Mr. Denman's advocacy not less bold-His denunciation of the Duke of Clarence-Question of throwing up the bill entertained by ministers-Stormy debates-Lords Grey and Grosvenor in favour of the Queen-Duke of Montrose against her-Ministerial majority -The Queen protests against the proceedings-The ministers in a minority-The bill surrendered by Lord Liverpool-Reception of the The result of the Queen's trial advantageous to neither party-The Queen's application to parliament for a residence-Lord Liverpool's reply-Royal message from the Queen to parliament, and its dis- courteous reception-The Queen goes to St. Paul's to return thanks -Uncharitable conduct of the cathedral authorities-Their un- seemly behaviour rebuked by the Lord Mayor-Revenue for the Queen recommended by the King-Accepted by her-The Coronation of George the Fourth-The Queen claims a right to take part in the ceremony-Her right discussed-Not allowed-Determines to be present The Queen appears at the Abbey, and is refused admittance -With a broken spirit retires-Her sense of degradation-The King labours to give éclat to his coronation-The coronation-festival in Westminster Hall described-Appearance of the Duke of Wellington -His banquet to the King-The King's speech on the occasion-True greatness of the Duke-Anecdote of Louis XIV. and Lord Stair- Regal banquet to the foreign ministers-The Duke of Wellington appears as an Austrian general-Incident of the coronation-Lord CHAPTER XII. A CROWN LOST AND A GRAVE WON. The Queen's agitation-Her illness-Her sufferings-Desires her diary PAGE 404 LIVES OF THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND. CHARLOTTE SOPHIA, WIFE OF GEORGE III. In Freud und Elend, Als treue Gattinn Nicht zu entweichen. GÖTHE. CHAPTER I. THE COMING OF THE BRIDE. Lady Sarah Lennox, the object of George the Third's early affections-The fair Quaker-Matrimonial commission of Colonel Græme-Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburgh—Her spirited letter to the King of Prussia-Demanded in marriage by George the Third-Arrival in England-Her progress to London-Colchester and its candied eringo-root-Entertained by Lord Abercorn-Arrival in London, and reception-Claim of the Irish peeresses advocated by Lord Charlemont-The royal marriage-The first drawingroom-A comic anecdote The King and Queen at the Chapel Royal-At the theatre; accidents on the occasion-The coronation-Incidents and anecdotes connected with it-The young Pretender said to have been present-The coronation produced at the theatre. THE eldest son of Frederick, Prince of Wales, was yet young when his grandfather began to consider the question of his marriage; and, it is said, had designed to form a union VOL. II. B between him and a princess of the royal family of Prussia. The design, if ever formed, entirely failed, and while those most anxious for the Protestant succession were occupied in naming princesses worthy to espouse an heir to a throne, that heir himself is said to have fixed his young affections on an English lady, whose virtues and beauty might have made her eligible, had not the accident of her not being a foreigner barred her way to the throne. This lady was Lady Sarah Lennox; and a vast amount of gossip was expended upon her and the young Prince, by those busy persons whose chief occupation consists in arranging the affairs of others. It is impossible to say how far this young couple were engaged; but the fact, as surmised, rendered the friends of the Prince, now George III., more anxious than ever to see him provided with a fair partner on the throne. "There Walpole has described the lady who first raised a tender feeling in the breast of George, in very graphic terms: was a play at Holland House, acted by children; not all children, for Lady Sarah Lennox (subsequently Lady Sarah Napier) and Lady Susan Strangways played the women. It was Jane Shore. Charles Fox was Hastings. The two girls were delightful, and acted with so much nature, that they appeared the very things they represented. Lady Sarah was more beautiful than you can conceive; and her very awkwardness gave an air of truth to the sham of the part, and the antiquity of the time, kept up by her dress, which was taken out of Montfauçon. Lady Susan was dressed from Jane Seymour. I was more struck with the last scene between the two women than ever I was when I have seen it on the stage. When Lady Sarah was in white, with her hair about her ears, and on the ground, no Magdalen of Correggio was half so lovely and expressive." But there is a pretty romance extant, based, as even romances may be, upon some foundation of reality; and according to the narrators thereof, it is said that the King, when yet only Prince of Wales, had been attracted by the charms of a young Quakeress, named Lightfoot (of the i |