Social England under the Regency, Vol. 1 (of 2)Ashton, John
History
Social England under the Regency, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Ashton, John
England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century; Regency -- England
Launched into life, she became more independent. Papa had provided a
husband for her, but we all know the old proverb, that "You may take
a horse to the water, but you can't make him drink." She did not
like the Prince of Orange, and, as any excuse is better than none,
she made use of the fact that her husband _in posse_ wanted to take
her to Holland, if only for a fortnight, in order to show her the
Country, and present her to his people. This she refused utterly to
do, and the breach between them, which had been widening gradually,
became complete. He had been treated with but scant courtesy, during
the visit of the Allied Sovereigns, so much so, that it was commented
upon. One exemplar will suffice.
"The Hereditary Prince of Orange, who was announced as the intended
husband of our Princess Charlotte, and, consequently, as the Consort
of our future Queen, has not been treated with much ceremony, while
the other Illustrious Foreigners had State Carriages and Royal
liveries, the Prince was suffered to shift for himself, and to find a
lodging at the house of his _Tailor_."
In fact, she would not have him, and Papa did not like it. Naturally,
the Satirists of the time got hold of their estrangement, and
improved the occasion. I reproduce one print, "Miss endeavouring to
excite a Glow with her DUTCH Plaything." The Princess says to her
father, "There! I have kept it up a long while; you may send it away
now, I am tired of it. Mother has got some better play-things for
me." The Regent replies, "What! are you tired already? Take another
spell at it, or give me the whip." To which the Princess answers,
"No, no! You may take the Top, but I'll keep the whip."
There was another, "The Dutch Toy." The Princess is represented as
whipping a Top, with the letters P. O. painted on it, saying, "Take
this for Ma! and this for Pa! and this! and this! for myself, you
ugly thing, you." Through an open door the Regent's arm is seen,
carrying a portentous birch rod; and he warns her that if she does
not find pleasure in whipping the Top, he will exercise his paternal
authority with the instrument which he bears. There are others, but
they are hardly worth repeating.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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