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
Guldberg, the chief councillor of the conspirators, was the only man
who received no reward. But as this ostensible modesty was certainly
purposed, it serves to throw light on the man who from this time
governed Denmark for twelve years. He was certain of his influence, and
consequently was in no hurry about personal distinctions. His clear
understanding also told him, that an apparent disinterestedness would
be of great advantage to him with the public.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 41: These curious details are derived from a scarce pamphlet,
"Leben, Begebenheiten und unglückliches Ende der beiden Grafen
Struensee und Brandt, 1772" (no imprint).]
[Footnote 42: "Mémoires de Falckenskjold," p. 238.]
[Footnote 43: There are as many variations in the account of Caroline
Matilda's arrest as there are writers on it, but I have mainly followed
that of Prince Charles of Hesse, even passing over the "Private
Journal" in its favour, for the following reasons:--First, Prince
Charles was a friend of the queen dowager, and continued in the Danish
service: hence he had every opportunity of hearing the correct details
from some of the principal actors. On the other hand, Mr. Wraxall's
informants were friends of the queen, and both already under arrest,
so they could only repeat the affair at second-hand: and even though
Mr. Wraxall was in Copenhagen so shortly after the occurrence, all
Englishmen were regarded as spies, and I do not think he found any
opportunity of hearing the exact facts from the chief conspirators.
The two narratives, however, differ very slightly, and this is a
confirmation of the correctness of the Landgrave's story, because
Mr. Wraxall was informed by the queen herself of the whole details.
Unfortunately, he delivered to George III. all the confidential papers
and letters connected with the affair, and from this cause I am unable
to say with certainty whether the "Private Journal" is based on the
story of Caroline Matilda herself. Still, my grandfather was not
the man to give up important papers and keep a copy of them, and I
therefore believe that the narrative I have before me is drawn up from
the statements of Bülow and Le Texier.]
[Footnote 44: A descendant of this officer accompanied the Princess
Alexandra in her triumphal entrance into London. But this is only a
further proof of the well-established fact that the whirligigs of time
bring strange revenges.]
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