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1814.]

Private Anecdotes of Buonaparte.

of Ostrenant, a young prince much delighting in armes.

This uoble youth, desirous to honour the kinge of England his kinsman, drew into his company many gentlemen of his nation, with whom hce passed into England.

Then resolving to perform that journey, thought good to take the consent of Albert his Father, Count of Henault, Holland and Zeland. Of whom with great difficultie he obtained leaue. The like desire to honour the king, mooued the Earle of S. Paul, who had married the king's sister. And hee brought with hin a great troope of gallant knightes.

These two princes came first vnto Callis, where they found English shypps readie to transport them. But the Earle of Oye passed ouer first: and being come to London had accesse to the king; of whom he was with great ioy imbraced. The like courtesie he found in John Hollaud the king's brother, and all other lords of the court.

The day of triumph being come, the kinge and the queene attended vpon by the troopes of men at armes and ladies

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aforesaid passed through London from the Tower to Smithfield.

Being come thither, the kinge, the queene, the ladies, and other honourable personages, settled themselves in such places as were prepared, and sorted with their degrees. Then were the men of armes marshalled, and set in such order as they shulde runne.

The first courses were allotted to the Earle of S. Paul, and his band: who were with great courage encountered by the Engiysh.

Betweene them the first

day's justing was spent: and that night his majestie, the queene, and all the company supped and lodged the bishop's house, neere to Samt Paul's Church.

The chiefe honour and ein 12 at that first fight, wa, strangers, giuen vnto the L Paul: and among the Englysh t of Huntington had the praise.

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This magnificent supper ended, one resorted to his lodging, the king and queenc onely excepted, who continued their lodging in that house all the time of that triumph.

BUONAPARTEANA.

WHEN Lucien Buonaparte was about to marry his present wife, and Napoleon thought fit to remonstrate with him upon his choice, in order to prevent the match, Lucien replied, Il te sied bien de me parler sur ce ton, toi, qui t'es avili à épouser la catin de Barras et la prostituée de tant d'autres. Tu pris pour obtenir un commandement, le rebut d'un autre; je prends la mienne sans acheter ni m' avilir. Peu m' importe que tu ne la voies point; cela lui sauvera la honte de voir la tienne. [It becomes you well, to be sure, to talk to me in that manner,- -you who have stooped to marry the cast-off mis tress of Barras, and the strumpet of so many others! You took her to obtain a command: I marry mine without buying her or degrading myself. What is it to me if you never see her? that will spare her the shame of seeing yours.]

In the first months after Buonaparte's accession to the imperial dignity, his family used every evening to assemble for some hours in the apartments of the empress Josephine, to instruct one another in etiquette, and to rehearse the parts which each had to perform in public. Josephine, whose experience best qualified her for the office of teach

er, often lost all patience (perduit son latin) especially with Joseph's consort. Buonaparte himself, who suffered no jesting on this subject, once said to the latter, Par Dieu, Madame, vous n'êtes du tout point dans votre rôle, et si vous n'y faites attention, vous vous donnerez et à nous beaucoup de ridicule. On dirait à vous voir qu'il est bien difficile à faire la princesse. [By God, Madam, you are very imperfect in your part, and unless you are inore attentive, you will make both yourself and us appear extremely ridiculous. To see you, one would suppose it to be very difficult to personate a princess.] Timid as she is, her eyes filled with tears, and she begged his majesty's pardon, saying, Mais c'est aussi la première fois que je joue la comédie. [But consider that it is the first time I ever played comedy.] His imperial majesty became furious and retorted: Ce n'est point une comedie que nous jouons; c'est m' insulter? ['Tis no comedy we are playing! Do you mean to insult me?] Joseph, in order to put an end to the altercation, then said to his brother, "Don't be angry! she means no harm; and in time she will get into the way of it as well as any of us. Je le désire, replied Napoleon, car aussi long!

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Masque of Alfred-Royal Theatricals.

temps que je ferai l' empereur, je pré-
tends que ce qui m' appartient, se pre-
sente avec dignité et n'ait point l'air de
ce qu'ils ne sont plus.
Si c'est pour
quelques années ou toujours n'importe.
Je veux qu'on s'y fusse. Aprés moi le
deluge, je m'en moque. [I hope so; for
as long as I am emperor, I will have
those belonging to me behave with dig-
nity, and not appear to be what they no
longer are. No matter whether it be
but for a few years or for ever. I insist
on compliance. After me let things go
as they will-what care I?]

A: one of these exercises in etiquette, Napoleon flew into the most violent passion with his brother Louis. Talleyrand, who had to act the part of the Prussian ambassador, having made a complimentary address to him, Louis returned the following answer: Je vous prie de témoigner au roi votre maitre, combien je me tiens honoré de son souvenir et de me mettre aux pieds de sa majesté. [I beg you to signify to the king, your master, how much I think myself honoured by his remembrance, and to lay me at his majesty's feet.] Scarcely had these words passed his lips, when Napoleon, with ferocious gestures, rushed towards him, and vociferated like a maniac, Est ce là le langage d'un frère de l'empereur de France à

[Ang. 1,

un ministre de Prusse, d'un roi du second ordre? Tais-toi plutôt que de dire pareilles sottises. Tu es comme Lucien, tu ne crois point à la solidité de ma grandeur, tu veux te menager des protecteurs. Je n'y crois pas plus que toi, mais autant que je serai empereur, je veux que mes frères en soutiennent la dignité, qu'ils ne recherchent d'autre protection que la mienne, et sachent qu'ils se trouvent sur la même ligne avec tous les rois, qu'ils sont leurs frères et qu'ils ne se mettent ni ne peuvent se mettre qu'a mes pieds.-Recommence ta réponse, et qu'il n'y soit question ni d'honneur ni des pieds. [Is that the language of a brother of the emperor of France to a minister of Prussia, a king of the second rank? Hold your tongue rather than talk such stupid stuff. You are just like Lucien; you doubt the solidity of my power, and want to secure protectors. I have doubts of it as well as you; but so long as I am emperor, I insist that my brothers support their dignity, seek no other protection than mine, and remember that they are upon a level with all kings, that they are their brothers, and shall lay themselves at nobody's feet but mine. Now begin your answer again, and let us hear no more about honour, or feet.]

GEORGIANA;

OR, ROYAL ANECDOTES ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE PRIVATE HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN DURING THE PERIOD OF ONE HUNDRED YEARS.

NUMBER V.

Variis locis dispersa, in unum fasciculum redegi.

MASQUE OF ALFRED.

ON the 1st of August, 1740, an entertainment of a peculiar kind was given by Frederic Prince of Wales in the gardens of Cliefden, in commemoration of the accession of his family to the British throne. It consisted of the appropriate mask of Alfred, written for the purpose by Thomson and Mallet; the masque of the Judgment of Paris; and some scenes from Rich's pantomimes by that performer and Lalauze, with dancing by Signora Barbarini, then lately arrived from Paris. The whole was exhibited upon a theatre in the garden, composed of plants, and decorated with festoons of flowers; at the end of which was erected a pavilion for the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George, and the Princess

Augusta, afterwards Duchess of Brunswick. The performers in Alfred were, Quin, (who represented the Hermit,) Milward, Mills, Selway, Mrs. Clive, and Mrs. Horton. The whole of the entertainment concluded with fireworks made by Dr. Desaguliers.

ROYAL THEATRICALS.

On the 4th of January, 1748-9, Cato was performed at Leicester-house by the direction of the Prince of Wales, in which play his present majesty, Prince Edward, (afterwards Duke of York,) Princess Augusta, and Princess Elizabeth, acted the parts of Portius, Juba, Marcia, and Lucia. The instruction of the young performers, and the conduct of the rehearsals devolved on the cele brated Quin, who afterwards obtained a

1814.] Early Piety-True Patriotism-The Royal Prisoner.

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pension for his services. It was intended that Lady Jane Grey should have been represented by the same performers, and accordingly that play was revived at Covent Garden in December 1750; but for some reason the intended exhibition did not take place. Quin was justly proud of the distinction conferred upon him; and when he heard of the graceful manner in which his majesty delivered his first speech from the throne, he cried Out, Ay, I taught the boy to speak." Prince Frederick, probably through the recommendation of Lord Lyttelton and Thompson the poet, was a warm patron of Quin. He generally used to attend his benefit, and all the plays he commanded, unless on some very particular occasions, were confined to Covent Garden theatre, in compliment to that actor. This attention in his royal highness was so beneficial to Quin, that his salary, in the last season of his performance, was equal to one thousand pounds.

EARLY PIETY.

The first tutor of his present majesty was Dr. Francis Ayscough, who married the sister of Lord Lyttelton, and died Dean of Bristol. In a letter from that worthy divine to the learned and pious Dr. Doddridge of Northampton, dated February 16, 1744, is the following remarkable passage:

"I thank God, I have one great encouragement to quicken me in my duty, which is, the good disposition of the children entrusted to me; as an instance of it, I must tell you, that Prince George (to his honour and my shame) had learnt several pages in your little book of verses, without any directions from me."

TRUE PATRIOTISM.

The Prince of Wales was completely disgusted with the distinctions of Whig and Tory, which he earnestly wished and endeavoured to destroy, by blending the really honest and patriotic of both parties into one common interest. This good design, however, had no other effect than that of exposing his royal highness to the abuse of the virulent, and the machinations of the intriguing politicians of his time. These base pretenders to public virtue artfully contrived to sow jealousies against the prince in the mind of his parent, and to render his condition very unpleasant, by embarrassing his circumstances, misrepresenting his actions, and calumniating his friends. Notwithstanding these difficulties, he continued to persevere in the same laudable course; and he took care that this generous principle should be stilled into the mind of his successor,

39

who has shewn, through his long life, that true patriotism consists in preferring the country to party.

THE ROYAL PRISONER.

Goupy, an ingenious artist, was in great favour with the Prince of Wales, and frequently attended at Leicesterhouse, to draw such designs as his royal highness chose to dictate. One morning, on his arrival, the prince said, "Come, Goupy, sit down, and paint me perceiving Prince George, his present a picture on such a subject:" but Goupy majesty, standing as a prisoner behind a chair, took the liberty humbly to represent to his royal patron, how impossible it was for him to sit down to execute his commands with spirit, while the prince was standing, and under his royal displeasure. "Come out then, George," said the good-natured prince; "Goupy has released you." When Goupy was eighty-four, and very poor, he had a mad woman to nurse and maintain, who had been the object of his delight when young; he therefore put himself in the king's way at Kensington, where he lived. One morning the king saw him, and stopped the coach; saying, "How do you, Goupy?" asking him also if he had sufficient to live "Little enough. indeed," answered Goupy; upon. " and as I once took your majesty out of prison, I hope you will not let me go into one.' His majesty was graciously pleased to order him a guinea a week for the remainder of his life, which, however, was but short.

"

DEATH OF FREDERICK, PRINCE OF WALES.

The Prince died in March, 1751, and upon this melancholy occasion, Dr. afterwards Bishop Newton, preached a sermon at St. George's, Hanover-square, which he was desired by some of the noblemen and gentlemen of the vestry to publish; but he excused himself, as it was a hasty composition, unfit for the public eye. However, the report of it reached the ear of the Princess of Wales; and Lady Charlotte Edwin was employed by her royal highness to convey her desire that she might be favoured with a copy of the sermon to peruse it. Such a request could not be refused; but it was complied with, upon condition that after her royal highness, at her leisure, had perused the sermon, it should be returned: and Lady Charlotte most obligingly undertook to carry it and bring it again. The part in question, relating to the Prince of Wales, was as follows:

"If ever there was an occasion that might justify an excess of grief, it is the

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Death and Character of Frederick, Prince of Wales. [Aug. 1,

death of our well-beloved prince, with whom so many hopes--so many expectations are cut off, and blasted in their fullest bloom. It is the most fatal blow that this nation has felt for many many years; and the more we consider it, the more reason we find to lament it: indeed it is but justice to grieve,-it would be stupidity, or something worse, not to do it. We cannot surely help grieving for his widowed consort, whose loss is unspeakable, as it is irreparable; the loss not only of greatness, but, what is more, of happiness: for I believe there scarcely ever was, in private life, a greater instance of conjugal affection and domestic felicity: and every humane heart must bleed to see such virtue in such distress, and the more on account of her present tender condition. Who likewise can think of so many fine children left without a father, and not bewail their loss? for as he was the most affectionate of husbands, so he was the most indulgent of parents: and his care and inspection and authority were now wanted more and more, to form their minds and manners. Such a calamity in any private family would be very affecting; but it must needs affect us much more sensibly, as they are the children of the pubLe, and the hopes of the rising generaHis servants, too, have lost a most kind and gracious master, whom they not only honoured but loved, and served out of affection as much as duty; for he was a friend-a father, as it were, to all his family and it is a grievous misfortune, not only to be deprived of present comforts, but also to be defeated of future expectations. Besides the distress which this heavy stroke has brought upon individuals, upon private persons and private families, it is impossible to think, without horror, of the infinite loss to the public. Religion hath lost a defender, liberty hath lost a guardian, trade hath lost a protector,-the arts have lost a patron,-all mankind have lost a friend for never was there in a person of such eminence more humanity and condescension to the lowest, more pleasing courtesy and engaging address to the highest, more beneficence to all within his sphere, or more benevolence to all without it. We might have rested under his shadow, whenever God, for our sins, should have deprived us of his majesty's mild and gracious government: but now we have a dark and gloomy prospect before us; minorities have always been unhappy to this kingdom; and as it is our duty at all times to pray

tion.

:

"for kings, and for all that are in authority," we should now, more ardently than ever, pray for the life of our most excellent sovereign, that God would confirm his health, prolong his days, direct his counsels, unite his friends, and defeat the designs of his enemies, that so this fatal loss may in some measure be repaired to us; that we and our children, and our children's children, may continue to enjoy our religion and liberties under his and his royal family's auspices, till time shall be no more.'

The sermon was detained about a week; and then Lady Charlotte Edwin was again commissioned by her royal highness to restore it, with her thanks; and, at the same time, with her desire that she might appoint the author one of her chaplains; and the warrant was made out accordingly, and sent him: and ever afterwards, both privately in his times of waiting, and publicly in her drawing-room, she was particularly gracious to him.

CHARACTER OF THE PRINCE.

The following anecdotes were inserted in a French miscellaneous publication, which appeared soon after his death, entitled, " Bibliotheque Instructive et Amusante," and purporting to be a letter from an ingenious French gentleman, at that time residing in England, to his friend abroad.

"Dear Friend,

I have a thousand things to say to you; but, penetrated as I am by the fatal loss which we have experienced, I can entertain you with no other subject. Besides, I know that you interest yourself in the fate of all great men, of what nation soever they may be, which assures me that you will sympathize with us in the grief which the death of the Prince of Wales has occasioned; the circumstances of which I cannot enter into. Paleness and melancholy sit on the faces of all that we meet in the streets of this great metropolis; and those who had the honour of attending the prince, are like persons distracted; even those who have only seen him at a distance cannot mention his name without the tribute of a tear.

The prince had long reigned in the hearts of his people, which, indeed, he deserved, as he had nothing of that haughtiness which is too often the characteristic of persons of his rank: nothing was more easy than to have access to his presence, and he was always ready to hear complaints, or to receive petitions. He was an affectionate husband,

1814.]

Character of Frederick Prince of Wales.

a tender father, being never so happy as
when he was surrounded by his nume-
rous and charming family, who, throw-
ing off in his presence, the restraint
which stifles social love, made him the
witness of their innocent recreations.
I have met him twenty times in his
chaise, with one child before him, whom
he caressed as much as if this had been
an only one; and I have been assured,
that after a short absence, when he has
revisited his little family, his embraces
were generally mixed with tears of joy.
It is impossible to have more tenderness
and respect, than he had for the prin-
cess; and the union of this august cou-
ple was proposed as a model to all per-
sons. The Prince of Wales loved the
people as his children; and sure of be-
ing beloved by them, he relied on their
affection for the safety of his person,
walking the streets without guards, and
only followed by a couple of servants.
In this manner he visited the manufac-
tories, where he liberally rewarded the
workmen for no one knew better than
himself the necessity of encouraging the
useful arts. Sometimes in rowing inatches
on the water, he would distribute the
prizes to the victors with his own band:
he has also been seen conversing famili-
arly with a company of fishermen on
matters belonging to their profession,
rewarding them handsomely for their
industry and information. He has tra-
velled through several counties of Eng-
land, where he has entered without
ceremony into the hut of a labourer,
neither disdaining to sit down with the
family, nor to partake with them in their
humble repast; but informing himself
of their occupations and circumstances,
and relieving their wants as far as lay in
bis power. Of the following instance of
bis goodness, I was myself an eye-wit-
ness. Busy in the park one morning by
eight o'clock, at the moment the prince
entered his chair, a ragged soldier who
had walked close by me, approached it.
The prince did not perceive him till the
chairman had taken him up; but then,
immediately
on perceiving the cripple,
be ordered the men to stop.
"Where
did you lose your arm, my friend?" said
he. "At Fontenoy," answered the sol-
dier. "You look pale: are you in bad
health?" replied the prince. "Yes,
bir," said the man," since the loss of
my arm, I have remained so feeble, that
the least labour throws me into a fever."
"And why have you not applied to be put
on the list of out-pensioners?" "I have

NEW MONTHLY MAg.—No 7.

41

been promised that," said the soldier; but wanting a friend, many others, less miserable, have been preferred before me."

I had kept my eyes on the prince during the whole of the dialogue, and I could perceive from his countenance, the movements of his heart, which expressed the most lively sensibility. Having ordered his gentleman to give the poor creature four guineas, he said, "My friend, come and see me, and I will endeavour to get you into Chelsea."

"For some years past the prince had redoubled his application to reading. He had a happy memory, and on any passage of history being cited, he could tell immediately whether it was pertinently or correctly stated. He also sought to inform himself in every art and science becoming a prince, without overlooking or despising the most mechanical, being persuaded that nothing was little or mean that could be serviceable to society.

"The only fault of which he was guilty was one not common with persons of his station, and that consisted in his want of indulgence to himself: his death is attributed to this cause; and though he was ill nine days, it may justly be esteemed sudden, since it happened at the time when his physicians thought him out of danger; and, if we may cre dit public report, they assured him that he had nothing to fear some minutes before his death.

"His princess, though far advanced in her pregnancy, never quitted him day or night: she is so generally beloved, that her affliction greatly augments that of the people, as her own is greatly aggravated by the grief of her children, who,

more sensible than is common at their age, are inconsolable.

"On all sides prayers are heard that God may preserve the king; and that he may have the comfort of leaving his grandson at a proper age to assume the royal sceptre. A thousand good things are said of this young prince, and of the nobleman to whom his education is entrusted. We have yet received no orders for mourning; but this does not prevent the public from preparing for it; every one being desirous of shewing his sensibility of this heavy loss. The grief is universal; and even those who from a party spirit had left the court, cannot help doing justice to the merit of the prince, and owning that he was worthy to have sat on the British throne.”

VOL. II.

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