Fitzherbert, Maria Anne, 1756-1837; George IV, King of Great Britain, 1762-1830
'However this may be, an accommodation took place between Mrs.
Fitzherbert and the Prince, though she, ever afterwards, resolutely
refused to speak to Mr. Fox. She was, however, obliged to see him
sometimes, and was much urged by the Prince to a reconciliation;
but, though of a forgiving disposition upon other occasions, and
even benefiting some who most betrayed her confidence, she was
inflexible on this point, as it was one of the only means left her to
protect her reputation. She thought she had been ill-used, in a most
unjustifiable manner, by this public declaration before the House of
Commons; especially as she had been waited upon by Mr. Sheridan, who
had informed her, that some explanation would, probably, be required by
Parliament, on the subject of her connection with the Heir apparent.
She then told him, that they knew she was like a dog with a log round
its neck, and they must protect her. She went so far with respect to
Mr. Fox, that when, afterwards, during his administration, he made
overtures to her, in order to recover her good will, she refused,
though the attainment of the rank of Duchess was to be the fruit of
their reconciliation. On naming this circumstance to me, she observed
that she did not wish to be another Duchess of Kendal.'[50]
Gillray published a satirical print on May 21, 1787, entitled 'Dido
Forsaken. _Sic transit gloria Reginæ._' Mrs. Fitzherbert, crucifix in
hand, is seated on a heap of ruins, in utter despair, whilst a breeze,
blown by Pitt and Dundas, carries away her crown, orb, sceptre, and
coronet, as Princess of Wales. In a boat named _Honor_, bound for
Windsor, sail away the Prince, Fox (who steers), Lord North, and Burke.
The Prince says, 'I never saw her in my life.' Fox clinches this
with, 'No, never in his life, Damme.' North and Burke asseverate 'No,
never.' On the ground lie fetters, an axe, rods, and a harrow, 'for the
conversion of heretics,' being a delicate allusion to Mrs. Fitzherbert
being a Roman Catholic.
However, the difference between the couple was made up, and they were
in Brighton together early in July. The Prince evidently used some
of his newly-got money on his seaside residence, for we read in the
_Morning Herald_ for July 3, 1787: 'Last Tuesday morning (26 June) as
the painters were beautifying the great dome of the Prince of Wales's
house at Brighthelmstone, the scaffolding broke down, whereby several
of the workmen were killed, and others terribly wounded. His Royal
Highness has caused enquiry to be made into the condition of their
families, in order to give them relief.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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