The journal of Elizabeth Lady Holland (1791-1811) Volume 2 (of 2)Holland, Elizabeth Vassall Fox, Lady
History
The journal of Elizabeth Lady Holland (1791-1811) Volume 2 (of 2)
Holland, Elizabeth Vassall Fox, Lady
Holland, Elizabeth Vassall Fox, Lady, 1770-1845 -- Diaries
_21st Jan._--The paper they delivered to the Prince was to inform him
that they were ready to undertake the Govt., but advising him before he
undertakes the Regency to institute an examination of physicians as to
the state of the King’s health, and if the result should be that it is
probable that the King would be so far recovered within any limited
time so as to be able to resume the exercise of the royal functions,
in that case they advise him not to change the Ministers, giving them
such an explanation of his motives for retaining them as would prevent
him from being justly considered as approving, much less as adopting,
the system of their policy. The whole was a very vague, loose way of
expressing themselves.
[Sidenote: THE QUEEN’S LETTER]
On Tuesday the Prince sent for them again, and showed a letter he had
received from the Queen (Mr. Adam would not allow me to take a copy).
‘My dearest son, you will be, I am sure, highly gratified to hear
that the King is considerably improved in health; he had an interview
this morning with Mr. Perceval, who was much satisfied with his whole
appearance. He held a very reasonable conversation, and inquired with
great interest all that had been done, and expressed himself with
kindness towards you, and said he was pleased with yr. conduct _pending
this business_. I send my own servant that there may be no delay in yr.
receiving this agreeable information. (Signed) Charlotte,’
The Prince ridiculed the artifice, which was too gross to escape
detection. What woman, he said, ever used the Westminster Hall term
of _pending the business_? They thought him shook and little disposed
to encounter the clamour of a change. He showed them a letter from
Perceval in which he represented the state of public business as
pressing. The Prince begged them to write the answer, which was done
offhand.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account