Fitzherbert, Maria Anne, 1756-1837; George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830
'This handsome structure extends upwards of 200 feet in front, towards
the Steyne; the centre is a circular building, with a lofty dome,
supported by pillars; on each side are two elegant rooms on the ground
floor, with bed chambers over them: in addition to these, in the spring
of 1802, two wings were added, which gives a light, airy appearance to
the building; gravel walks, grass plats, and plantations towards the
Steyne, add a great degree of elegance to the whole.
'The front, towards the street, forms a square, with a handsome
colonnade in the middle, supported by columns; in the wings are
commodious apartments for his Royal Highness's suite; in the court is
the figure of a negro supporting a dial, executed in a superior style
of beautiful sculpture.'
The Prince was at Brighton in 1801. _Vide_ the following extract from a
newspaper:
'_Rejoicings for Peace._ _Oct. 14._--On Monday, the joyful tidings of
Peace were celebrated here; the bells rang from six in the morning
till twelve at night; never was the satisfaction of the people
more fully displayed. Young and old wore ribbons emblematic of the
occasion--_Peace and Plenty!_ The sea fencibles fired a _feu de joie_,
marched from thence to the Prince's house, and gave him three loud
huzzas: with that liberality which has ever marked our Royal guest,
he ordered them two hogsheads of beer. Brilliant illuminations took
place in the evening; the whole town appeared in a blaze. The most
distinguished were those of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales,
flambeaux burning round his house, and every window lighted. This happy
day closed with a ball and supper at the Castle, attended by near five
hundred visitors; at one o'clock the room was opened with the most
sumptuous entertainment; every delicacy that could be procured.'
The Prince was in Brighton in 1802, and in the latter part of the year
hunted almost daily with his harriers, and had concerts at the Pavilion
two or three times a week. He left it for the season on December 27.
A newspaper cutting tells us that 'The charitable donations and willing
assistance which Mrs. Fitzherbert has bestowed, and continues to bestow
on the unfortunate individuals of this place, have justly endeared her
to the inhabitants of every description.'
But the miserable caricaturist, who knew nothing of her noble nature,
depicts her in a scurrilous drawing (October 21, 1802), entitled 'A
BRIGHTON BREAKFAST, OR MORNING COMFORTS.' Mrs. Fitzherbert and Lady
Lade are at breakfast; Mrs. Fitzherbert is pouring Hollands into a
huge tumbler labelled 'Comfort,' and says, 'Won't you take another
Comforter? We must make haste, I expect Noodle here presently.' Lady
Lade, who takes Brandy, says, 'I think your Comforters are bigger than
my John's.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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