Life and Times of Her Majesty Caroline Matilda, Vol. 2 (of 3): Queen of Denmark and Norway, and Sister of H. M. George III. of EnglandWraxall, Lascelles, Sir
History
Life and Times of Her Majesty Caroline Matilda, Vol. 2 (of 3): Queen of Denmark and Norway, and Sister of H. M. George III. of England
Wraxall, Lascelles, Sir
Caroline Mathilde, Queen, consort of Christian VII, King of Denmark, 1751-1775; Denmark -- History -- Christian VII, 1766-1808
On his second visit, Dr. Münter strove to convince the count of the
falsity of his system, that man was a mere machine. Struensee answered,
that in his present situation his mind was neither composed nor serene
enough to examine into the nature of his principles. Münter, however,
would not allow himself to be foiled in this manner, but earnestly
warned the prisoner that it was his ambition alone which prevented him
from doing justice to truth.
"Oh!" said Struensee, "this inclination is gone, and I am now very
little in my own eyes and how could I be ambitious in this place?"
Münter speedily discovered the tender side in his opponent. The thought
of having dragged his friends and adherents into ruin with him grieved
him most, and hence he found his only comfort in repentance. The
doctor, consequently, had hardly touched on this topic, ere Struensee
confessed to him with tears in his eyes, that he felt guilty in this
respect. Münter confirmed him in his sorrow, hoping thus to induce
him to speak about his other actions. He told him that, in order to
qualify himself for God's mercy, it was necessary to search his former
life, and to acknowledge his errors and crimes. Then, in order to hold
up to him the necessity of repentance, Münter delineated to him the
outlines of his character, as he had reason for thinking it to be.
"God," the doctor said, "has given you an uncommon understanding,
and, as I believe, a good natural disposition of heart; but, through
voluptuousness, ambition, and levity, you have corrupted yourself."
Struensee confirmed Münter's conjectures, and admitted that
voluptuousness had been his chief passion, and had contributed most to
his moral depravity.
At the seventh conference Dr. Münter thought it advisable to hand
Struensee a letter from his parents, which he had kept in his pocket
for several days. This letter is curious, as showing how far the
idolatry of royalty was carried at that time. Struensee's crime was
considered so horrible, that no one imagined that it could be pardoned.
Even his parents, the letter shows, writing to him in his wretched
dungeon, do not once testify a desire that his sufferings should be
alleviated, or that he should be spared the death which he so justly
merited. The body was surrendered to man, who must be inexorable; the
only thing to be effected was the salvation of the soul. The letter was
to the following effect:--
MY SECOND SON!
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