Inconsistency of the Whigs--The Tories become radical reformers--Party spirit--A restricted Regency scorned by the Prince--Compelled to accept it--The King’s rapid recovery--Incredulity of the Princes in regard to the King’s recovery--A family scene at Kew--Ball at White’s Club on the King’s recovery, and unbecoming conduct of the Princes--Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s--Indecent conduct of the Princes--Grief of the King--Expectations of the Prince disappointed--Caricatures and satires 92 CHAPTER IX. ROYALTY UNDER VARIOUS PHASES. Bishop Watson a partisan of the Prince--The bishop’s reception by the Queen--The Prince’s patronage of the bishop--Bishop Watson’s views on the Regency--Laid on the shelf--The Prince and the bishop’s ‘Apology’--Ball given on the King’s recovery by Brookes’s Club--Mrs. Siddons, as Britannia--The Queen’s Drawing-room on the occasion-- Mrs. Siddons’s readings at Buckingham House--Gay life of the Duke of York--Popularity of the Duke of Clarence--His boundless hospitality at the Admiralty--Duel between the Duke of York and Colonel Lennox--Littleness of spirit of the Princes--Royal Visit to Lulworth Castle--Assault on the King--Caricatures of the day--Marriage of the Duke of York--Ceremonious royal visit to the young couple-- Caricatures of the Duchess of York--Unhappy in her marriage --The Duchess and Monk Lewis--Alleged avarice of the King and Queen--Dr. Johnson’s opinion of the King--Etiquette at Court--The Sailor Prince ‘too far gone’ for a minuet-- The Royal Family at Cheltenham--The mayor and the master of the ceremonies--Questionable taste of the Queen in regard to the drama--Moral degradation of England during the reign of the first two Georges--Mrs. Hannah More’s ideas on morality; and Rev. Sydney Smith’s witty remark on it--A delicate hint by the Queen to Lady Charlotte Campbell--The Prince’s pecuniary difficulties--The Prince and affairs of the heart--_Mésalliance_ of the Duke of Sussex 102 CHAPTER X. LENGTHENING SHADOWS.