An Unfortunate Princess
Queen Caroline. By His Honour Sir Edward Parry. (Bonn.
21s.)
WIIAT would most moderately well informed English men or women say about Queen Caroline, wife of George IV ? Something like this. That she was a coarse-natured creature, who stood before a fire with her petticoats lifted as our fathers liked their coat-tails, and who was badly treated by her worthless husband, though he may have had ground for his charges against her. On the whole, that would not be very far from the truth. Judge Parry who has made up a very read- able and diverting book about the lady, takes a more favour- able view. He admits frankness and levity (which must have meant a good deal in those outspoken days of unblushing indecorum), but he denies flatly that the Queen was guilty with her good-looking major-domo. It is a long time ago now and one need not grow hot about it either way. Certainly Judge Parry pleads capably ; as a trained lawyer he sets out the points in his client's favour with adroit skill. If at the end one is left just a little in doubt, why, that makes the case more intriguing.
On one aspect of the quarrel we can all agree with the Judge. George IV behaved like a cad all through. It was more their resentment against his detestable behaviour that made the crowd take Caroline's part so warmly than any great affection for her. Drunk at his wedding, having insulted his bride on her arrival by sending one of his mistresses, Lady Jersey, to meet her, George never conducted himself towards the unhappy princess with anything but mean cruelty. This was so well known that when she arrived in England after he had become king she was greeted with genuine enthusiasm by members of all classes. Her husband was hissed and hooted. All this only just over a century ago ! And only 135 years since the British Ambassador sent to fetch the Prince of Wales's bride had to tell her maid that she must wash her mistress all over. Which was accordingly done, though not without protest, for the weather was cold !
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