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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cd64ede --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #51368 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/51368) diff --git a/old/51368-8.txt b/old/51368-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 5da42b4..0000000 --- a/old/51368-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9629 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's A Queen of Tears, vol. 1 of 2, by William Henry Wilkins - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: A Queen of Tears, vol. 1 of 2 - Caroline Matilda, Queen of Denmark and Norway and Princess - of Great Britain and Ireland - -Author: William Henry Wilkins - -Release Date: March 5, 2016 [EBook #51368] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A QUEEN OF TEARS, VOL. 1 OF 2 *** - - - - -Produced by Emmanuel Ackerman, University of California -Libraries, Microsoft (scanning) and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - - - -A QUEEN OF TEARS - - - - -_BY THE SAME AUTHOR._ - -THE LOVE OF AN UNCROWNED QUEEN: - - -SOPHIE DOROTHEA, CONSORT OF GEORGE I., AND HER CORRESPONDENCE WITH -PHILIP CHRISTOPHER, COUNT KONIGSMARCK. - -NEW AND REVISED EDITION. - -_With 24 Portraits and Illustrations._ - -_8vo, 12s. 6d. net._ - - -LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO., - -LONDON, NEW YORK AND BOMBAY. - - -[Illustration: O keep me innocent, make others great. - -Caroline Mathilde. - -_After the painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1766._ - -_Walter S. Colls, Ph. Sc._] - - - - - A QUEEN OF TEARS - - CAROLINE MATILDA, QUEEN OF - DENMARK AND NORWAY AND - PRINCESS OF GREAT BRITAIN - AND IRELAND - - BY - - W. H. WILKINS - _M.A., F.S.A._ - - _Author of "The Love of an Uncrowned Queen," and - "Caroline the Illustrious, Queen Consort of George II."_ - - WITH ILLUSTRATIONS - - IN TWO VOLUMES - VOL. I. - - LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. - 39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON - NEW YORK AND BOMBAY - 1904 - - - - -PREFACE - - -Some years ago, when visiting Celle in connection with a book I was -writing on Sophie Dorothea, _The Love of an Uncrowned Queen_, I found, -in an unfrequented garden outside the town, a grey marble monument of -unusual beauty. Around the base ran an inscription to the effect that -it was erected in loving memory of Caroline Matilda, Queen of Denmark -and Norway, Princess of Great Britain and Ireland, who died at Celle -in 1775, at the age of twenty-three years. To this may be traced the -origin of this book, for until I saw the monument I had not heard of -this English Princess--a sister of George III. The only excuse to be -offered for this ignorance is that it is shared by the great majority -of Englishmen. For though the romantic story of Caroline Matilda is -known to every Dane--she is the Mary Stuart of Danish history--her name -is almost forgotten in the land of her birth, and this despite the fact -that little more than a century ago her imprisonment nearly led to a -war between England and Denmark. - -Inquiry soon revealed the full measure of my ignorance. The dramatic -tale of Queen Caroline Matilda and her unhappy love for Struensee, her -Prime Minister, has been told in Danish, German, French and English in -a variety of ways. Apart from history and biography, it has formed the -theme of novels and plays, and even of an opera. The most trustworthy -works on the Queen and Struensee are written in Danish, a language -not widely read. In English nothing of importance has been written -about her for half a century,[1] and, owing to the fact that many -documents, then inaccessible, have since become available, the books -are necessarily incomplete, and most of them untrustworthy. Moreover, -they have been long out of print. - -[1] I except Dr. A. W. Ward's contribution to the _Dictionary of -National Biography_, but this is necessarily brief. A list of the books -which have been written about the Queen in different languages will be -found in the Appendix. - -My object, therefore, in writing this book has been to tell once -more the story of this forgotten "daughter of England" in the light -of recent historical research. I may claim to have broken fresh -ground. The despatches of Titley, Cosby, Gunning, Keith and Woodford -(British Ministers at Copenhagen, 1764-1775) and others, quoted in -this book, are here published for the first time in any language. -They yield authoritative information concerning the Queen's brief -reign at the Danish court, and the character of the personages who -took part, directly or indirectly, in the palace revolution of -1772. Even Professor E. Holm, of Copenhagen, in his admirable work, -_Danmark-Norges Historie_ (published in 1902), vol. iv. of which deals -with the Matilda-Struensee period, is ignorant of these important -despatches, which I found two years ago in the State Paper Office, -London. To these are added many documents from the Royal Archives -at Copenhagen; most of them, it is true, have been published in the -Danish, but they are unknown to English readers. I have also, in -connection with this book, more than once visited Denmark, and have -had access to the Royal Archives at Copenhagen, and to the palaces in -which the Queen lived during her unhappy life at the Danish court. I -have followed her to Kronborg, where she was imprisoned, and to Celle, -in Germany, where she died in exile. My researches at this latter place -may serve to throw light on the closing (and little-known) years of the -Queen's brief life. She rests at Celle by the side of her ancestress, -Sophie Dorothea, whose life in many ways closely resembled her own. - -A word of explanation is perhaps necessary for the first few chapters -of this book. In all the biographies of Caroline Matilda written in -any language, her life in England before her marriage has received -scant consideration, probably on account of her extreme youth. As her -parentage and education were largely responsible for the mistakes of -her later years, I have sketched, with some detail, the characters of -her father and mother, and her early environment. This plan has enabled -me to describe briefly the English court from the death of Queen -Caroline to the accession of George III., and so to form a link with my -other books on the House of Hanover. - -My thanks are due to Miss Hermione Ramsden for kindly translating for -me sundry documents from the Danish; to Mr. Louis Bobé, of Copenhagen, -for much interesting information; and to the Editor of the _Nineteenth -Century and After_ for allowing me to re-publish certain passages from -an article I recently contributed to that review on Augusta, Princess -of Wales. I must also thank the Earl of Wharncliffe for permitting -me to reproduce the picture of Lord Bute at Wortley Hall, and Count -Kielmansegg for similar permission with regard to the portrait of -Madame de Walmoden at Gülzow. - - W. H. WILKINS. - - _November, 1903._ - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - PREFACE v - - CONTENTS ix - - LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xi - - CHAPTER I. - BIRTH AND PARENTAGE 1 - - CHAPTER II. - CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH 19 - - CHAPTER III. - THE BETROTHAL 35 - - CHAPTER IV. - THE TRAINING OF A KING 52 - - CHAPTER V. - "THE NORTHERN SCAMP" 70 - - CHAPTER VI. - MATILDA'S ARRIVAL IN DENMARK 84 - - CHAPTER VII. - MARIAGE À LA MODE 106 - - CHAPTER VIII. - AT THE COURT OF DENMARK 124 - - CHAPTER IX. - THE BIRTH OF A PRINCE 138 - - CHAPTER X. - CHRISTIAN VII. IN ENGLAND 152 - - CHAPTER XI. - THE PRODIGAL'S RETURN 175 - - CHAPTER XII. - STRUENSEE 193 - - CHAPTER XIII. - THE TEMPTER 209 - - CHAPTER XIV. - THE QUEEN'S FOLLY 228 - - CHAPTER XV. - THE FALL OF BERNSTORFF 251 - - CHAPTER XVI. - QUEEN AND EMPRESS 265 - - CHAPTER XVII. - THE REFORMER 280 - - CHAPTER XVIII. - THE ORDER OF MATILDA 303 - - CHAPTER XIX. - THE DICTATOR 328 - - TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE - - - - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS - - - QUEEN MATILDA (_Photogravure_). _From the Painting - by Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1766_ _Frontispiece_ - - LEICESTER HOUSE, WHERE QUEEN MATILDA WAS BORN _Facing page_ 4 - - FREDERICK, PRINCE OF WALES, FATHER OF QUEEN MATILDA. - _From the Painting by J. B. Vanloo at Warwick - Castle, by permission of the Earl of Warwick_ " " 14 - - MADAME DE WALMODEN, COUNTESS OF YARMOUTH. _From - the Painting at Gülzow by permission of Count - Kielmansegg_ " " 24 - - JOHN, EARL OF BUTE. _From the Painting by Sir Joshua - Reynolds at Wortley Hall, by permission of the Earl - of Wharncliffe_ " " 36 - - THE ELDER CHILDREN OF FREDERICK AND AUGUSTA, PRINCE - AND PRINCESS OF WALES, PLAYING IN KEW GARDENS. _From - a Painting, temp. 1750_ " " 50 - - QUEEN LOUISE, CONSORT OF FREDERICK V. OF DENMARK AND - DAUGHTER OF GEORGE II. OF ENGLAND. _From a Painting - by Pilo in the Frederiksborg Palace_ " " 62 - - KING CHRISTIAN VII. _From the Painting by P. - Wichman, 1766_ " " 76 - - KEW PALACE, WHERE QUEEN MATILDA PASSED MUCH OF HER - GIRLHOOD. _From an Engraving, temp. 1751_ " " 90 - - THE MARRIAGE BALL OF CHRISTIAN VII. AND QUEEN - MATILDA IN THE CHRISTIANSBORG PALACE. _From a - Contemporary Print_ " " 104 - - THE CHRISTIANSBORG PALACE, COPENHAGEN. _From an Old - Print, temp. 1768_ " " 120 - - EDWARD, DUKE OF YORK, BROTHER OF QUEEN MATILDA. - _From the Painting by G. H. Every_ " " 132 - - QUEEN MATILDA RECEIVING THE CONGRATULATIONS OF THE - COURT ON THE BIRTH OF THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK. - _From a Contemporary Print_ " " 142 - - CARLTON HOUSE, PALL MALL, THE RESIDENCE OF THE - PRINCESS-DOWAGER OF WALES. _From a Print, temp. - 1765_ " " 156 - - THE MASKED BALL GIVEN BY CHRISTIAN VII. AT THE OPERA - HOUSE, HAYMARKET. _From the "Gentleman's Magazine," - 1768_ " " 172 - - THE PALACE OF FREDERIKSBORG, FROM THE GARDEN - TERRACE. _From an Engraving, temp. 1768_ " " 180 - - WILLIAM HENRY, DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, BROTHER OF QUEEN - MATILDA. _From the Painting by H. W. Hamilton, 1771_ - " " 190 - - STRUENSEE. _From an Engraving, 1771_ " " 206 - - QUEEN SOPHIA MAGDALENA, GRANDMOTHER OF CHRISTIAN - VII. " " 226 - - AUGUSTA, PRINCESS OF WALES, MOTHER OF QUEEN MATILDA. - _After a Painting by F. B. Vanloo_ " " 244 - - GEORGE III., BROTHER OF QUEEN MATILDA. _From a - Painting by Allan Ramsay (1767) in the National - Portrait Gallery_ " " 264 - - THE FREDERIKSBERG PALACE, NEAR COPENHAGEN. _From a - Print, temp. 1770_ " " 282 - - THE PALACE OF HIRSCHHOLM. _Temp. 1770_ " " 304 - - TWO RELICS OF QUEEN MATILDA IN THE ROSENBORG CASTLE, - COPENHAGEN. (1) THE INSIGNIA OF THE ORDER OF - MATILDA; (2) THE WEDDING GOBLET " " 330 - - QUEEN MATILDA AND HER SON, THE CROWN PRINCE OF - DENMARK. _From the Painting at the Rosenborg, - Copenhagen_ " " 348 - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -BIRTH AND PARENTAGE. - -1751. - - -Caroline Matilda, Queen of Denmark and Norway, Princess of Great -Britain and Ireland (a sister of George III.), was born at Leicester -House, London, on Thursday, July 22, 1751. She was the ninth and -youngest child of Frederick Prince of Wales and of his wife Augusta -of Saxe-Gotha, and came into the world a little more than four months -after her father's death. There is a Scandinavian superstition to the -effect that children born fatherless are heirs to misfortune. The life -of this "Queen of Tears" would seem to illustrate its truth. - -Caroline Matilda inherited many of her father's qualities, notably his -warm, emotional temperament, his desire to please and his open-handed -liberality. Both in appearance and disposition she resembled her father -much more than her mother. Some account of this Prince is therefore -necessary for a right understanding of his daughter's character, for, -though she was born after his death, the silent forces of heredity -influenced her life. - -Frederick Prince of Wales was the elder son of George II. and of his -consort Caroline of Ansbach. He was born in Hanover during the reign of -Queen Anne, when the prospects of his family to succeed to the crown of -England were doubtful, and he did not come to England until he was in -his twenty-second year and his father had reigned two years. He came -against the will of the King and Queen, whose cherished wish was that -their younger son William Duke of Cumberland should succeed to the -English throne, and the elder remain in Hanover. The unkindness with -which Frederick was treated by his father had the effect of driving him -into opposition to the court and the government. He had inherited from -his mother many of the graces that go to captivate the multitude, and -he soon became popular. Every cast-off minister, every discontented -politician, sought the Prince of Wales, and found in him a ready weapon -to harass the government and wound the King. The Prince had undoubted -grievances, such as his restricted allowance and the postponement of -his marriage to a suitable princess. For some years after Frederick's -arrival in England the King managed to evade the question of the -marriage, but at last, owing chiefly to the clamour of the opposition, -he reluctantly arranged a match between the Prince of Wales and -Augusta, daughter of the reigning Duke of Saxe-Gotha. - -The bride-elect landed at Greenwich in April, 1736, and, two days -after her arrival, was married to Frederick at the Chapel Royal, -St. James's. The Princess was only seventeen years of age and could -not speak a word of English. She was tall and slender, with an oval -face, regular features, bright, intelligent eyes, and an abundance -of light-brown hair. Frederick's marriage did not make him on better -terms with his parents, and in this family quarrel the Princess, who -soon showed that she possessed more than usual discretion, sided with -her husband. The disputes between the King and the Prince of Wales -culminated in an open act of revolt on the part of the latter, when, -with incredible folly, he carried off his wife, on the point of her -first lying-in, from Hampton Court to St. James's. Half an hour after -her arrival in London the Princess was delivered of a girl child, -Augusta, who later in life became Duchess of Brunswick. The King was -furious at this insubordination, and as soon as the Princess was -sufficiently recovered to be moved, he sent his son a message ordering -him to quit St. James's with all his household. The Prince and Princess -went to Kew, where they had a country house; and for a temporary London -residence (while Carlton House, which the Prince had bought, was being -repaired) they took Norfolk House, St. James's Square. - -A few weeks after this rupture the illustrious Queen Caroline died, -to the great grief of the King and the nation. Her death widened the -breach in the royal family, for the King considered that his son's -undutiful conduct had hastened his mother's death. Frederick now -ranged himself in open opposition to the King and the government, and -gathered around him the malcontent politicians, who saw in Walpole's -fall, or Frederick's accession to the throne, their only chance of -rising to power. The following year, 1738, a son and heir (afterwards -George III.) was born to the Prince and Princess of Wales at Norfolk -House. This event strengthened the position of the Prince, especially -as the King's health was reported to be failing. - -Frederick removed his household to Leicester House in Leicester Fields. -It was here, eleven years later, that his posthumous daughter Caroline -Matilda was born. Leicester House was built by the Earl of Leicester -in the reign of James I. There was a field before it in those days, -but a square was subsequently built around the field, and Leicester -House occupied the north-east corner of what was then Leicester Fields, -but is now known as Leicester Square. It was a large and spacious -house, with a courtyard in front, and the state rooms were admirably -adapted for receptions and levees, but as a residence it was not so -satisfactory. Frederick chiefly made use of Carlton House and Kew -for his family life, and kept Leicester House for entertaining. His -court there offered a curious parallel to the one his father had held -within the same walls in the reign of George I., when the heir to -the throne was also at variance with the King. Again Leicester House -became the rallying place of the opposition, again its walls echoed -with the sound of music and dance, again there flocked to its -assemblies ladies of beauty and fashion, elegant beaux, brilliant wits, -politicians and pamphleteers. Frederick's intelligence has been much -abused, but he was intelligent enough to gather around him at this time -much of what was best in the social life of the day, and his efforts -were ably seconded by his clever and graceful wife. - -[Illustration: LEICESTER HOUSE, WHERE QUEEN MATILDA WAS BORN.] - -After the fall of Walpole several of the Prince's friends took office, -and a formal, though by no means cordial, reconciliation was patched -up between the King and the Heir Apparent, but there was always veiled -hostility between them, and from time to time their differences -threatened to become acute. For instance, after the Jacobite rising the -Prince of Wales disapproved of the severities of his brother, the Duke -of Cumberland, "the butcher of Culloden," and showed his displeasure in -no unequivocal manner. When the Jacobite peers were condemned to death -the Prince and Princess interceded for them, in one case with success. -Lady Cromartie, after petitioning the King in vain for her husband's -life, made a personal appeal, as a wife and mother, to the Princess of -Wales, and brought her four children to plead with her as well. The -Princess said nothing, but, with evident emotion, summoned her own -children and placed them beside her. This she followed by praying the -King for Cromartie's life, and her prayer was granted. - -After the reconciliation the Prince and Princess of Wales occasionally -attended St. James's, but since the death of Queen Caroline the court -of George II. had lost its brilliancy and become both gross and -dull, in this respect contrasting unfavourably with Leicester House. -Grossness and dulness were characteristic of the courts of our first -two Hanoverian kings, but whatever complaint might be brought against -Leicester House, the society there was far livelier and more refined -than that which assembled at St. James's. The popular grievance against -Leicester House was that it was too French. France was just then very -unpopular in England, and the British public did not like the French -tastes of the Prince of Wales--the masques imitated from Versailles, -the French plays acted by French players and the _petits soupers_. High -play also took place at Leicester House, but the Princess did her best -to discourage this. In the other frivolities which her husband loved -she acquiesced, more for the sake of keeping her influence over him -than because she liked them. Her tastes were simple, and her tendencies -puritanical. - -At Kew the Prince and Princess of Wales led a quieter life, and here -the influence of the Princess was in the ascendant. Kew House was an -old-fashioned, low, rambling house, which the Prince had taken on a -long lease from the Capel family. The great beauty of Kew lay in its -extensive garden, which was improved and enlarged by Frederick. He -built there orangeries and hothouses after the fashion of Herrenhausen, -and filled them with exotics. Both Frederick and his wife had a love -of gardening, and often worked with their children in the grounds, and -dug, weeded and planted to their hearts' content. Sometimes they would -compel their guests to lend a hand as well. Bubb Dodington tells how he -went down to Kew on a visit, accompanied by several lords and ladies, -and they were promptly set to work in the garden, probably to their -disgust. Dodington's diary contains the following entries:-- - -"_1750, February 27._--Worked in the new walk at Kew. - -"_1750, February 28._--All of us, men, women and children, worked at -the same place. A cold dinner."[2] - -[2] Bubb Dodington's _Diary_, edition 1784. - -It was like Frederick's monkeyish humour to make the portly and pompous -Dodington work in his garden; no doubt he hugely enjoyed the sight. The -Prince's amusements were varied, if we may judge from the following -account by Dodington:-- - -"_1750, June 28._--Lady Middlesex, Lord Bathurst, Mr. Breton and I -waited on their Royal Highnesses to Spitalfields to see the manufactory -of silk, and to Mr. Carr's shop in the morning. In the afternoon the -same company, with Lady Torrington in waiting, went in private coaches -to Norwood Forest to see a settlement of gypsies. We returned and went -to Bettesworth the conjurer, in hackney coaches. Not finding him we -went in search of the little Dutchman, but were disappointed; and -concluded the particularities of this day by supping with Mrs. Cannon, -the Princess's midwife."[3] - -[3] Bubb Dodington's _Diary_, edition 1784. - -These, it must be admitted, were not very intellectual amusements. On -the other hand it stands to Frederick's credit that he chose as his -personal friends some of the ablest men of the day, and found delight -and recreation in their society. Between him and Bolingbroke there -existed the warmest sympathy. When Bolingbroke came back to England -after Walpole's fall, he renewed his friendship with Frederick, -and often paced with him and the Princess through the gardens and -shrubberies of their favourite Kew, while he waxed eloquent over the -tyranny of the Whig oligarchy, which kept the King in thrall, and -held up before them his ideal of a patriot king. Both the Prince and -Princess listened eagerly to Bolingbroke's theories, and in after -years the Princess instilled them into the mind of her eldest son. -Chesterfield and Sir William Wyndham also came to Kew sometimes, and -here Frederick and Augusta exhibited with just pride their flower-beds -to Pope, who wrote of his patron-- - - And if yet higher the proud list should end - Still, let me add, no follower, but a friend. - -The Prince not only sought the society of men of letters, but made some -attempts at authorship himself. His verse was not very remarkable; the -best perhaps was the poem addressed to the Princess beginning:-- - - 'Tis not the liquid brightness of those eyes, - That swim with pleasure and delight; - Nor those heavenly arches which arise - O'er each of them, to shade their light: - -and so on through five stanzas of praise of Augusta's charms, until: - - No,--'tis that gentleness of mind, that love - So kindly answering my desire; - That grace with which you look, and speak, and move, - That thus has set my soul on fire. - -Perhaps it was of these lines that the Prince once asked Lord Poulett -his opinion. "Sir," replied that astute courtier, "they are worthy of -your Royal Highness." - -Notwithstanding his admiration of his wife, Frederick was not faithful -to her. But it may be doubted whether, after his marriage, he indulged -in any serious intrigue, and his flirtations were probably only -tributes offered to the shrine of gallantry after the fashion of the -day. In every other respect he was a good husband. He was also a -devoted father, a kind master to his servants, and a true friend. In -his public life he always professed a love of liberty. To a deputation -of Quakers he once delivered the following answer: "As I am a friend -to liberty in general, and to toleration in particular, I wish you may -meet with all proper favour, but, for myself, I never gave my vote in -parliament, and to influence my friends, or direct my servants, in -theirs, does not become my station. To leave them entirely to their own -consciences and understandings, is a rule I have hitherto prescribed -to myself, and purpose through life to observe." "May it please the -Prince of Wales," rejoined the Quaker at the head of the deputation, "I -am greatly affected with thy excellent notions of liberty, and am more -pleased with the answer thou hast given us, than if thou hadst granted -our request." - -Frederick avowed a great love for the country over which he one day -hoped to reign; and, though French in his tastes rather than English, -he did all in his power to encourage the national sentiment. For -instance, it is recorded on one of his birthdays: "There was a very -splendid appearance of the nobility and gentry and their ladies at -Leicester House, and his Royal Highness observing some lords to wear -French stuffs, immediately ordered the Duke of Chandos, his Groom of -the Stole, to acquaint them, and his servants in general, that after -that day he should be greatly displeased to see them appear in any -French manufacture".[4] - -[4] _The Annual Register_, January, 1748. - -Moreover, he instilled in the minds of his children the loftiest -sentiments of patriotism. In view of the German predilections of -his father and grandfather the training which Frederick gave his -children, especially his eldest son, had much to do in after years -with reconciling the Tory and Jacobite malcontents to the established -dynasty. The wounds occasioned by the rising of 1745 were still -bleeding, but the battle of Culloden had extinguished for ever the -hopes of the Stuarts, and many of their adherents were casting about -for a pretext of acquiescing in the inevitable. These Frederick met -more than half way. He was not born in England (neither was Charles -Edward), but his children were, and he taught them to consider -themselves Englishmen and not Germans, and to love the land of their -birth. His English sentiments appear again and again in his letters and -speeches. They crop up in some verses which he wrote for his children -to recite at their dramatic performances. On one occasion the piece -selected for representation was Addison's play of _Cato_, in which -Prince George, Prince Edward, and the Princesses Augusta and Elizabeth -took part. Frederick wrote a prologue and an epilogue; the prologue was -spoken by Prince George. After a panegyric on liberty the future King -went on to say:-- - - Should this superior to my years be thought, - Know--'tis the first great lesson I was taught. - What! though a boy! it may with pride be said - A boy--in England born, in England bred; - Where freedom well becomes the earliest state, - For there the laws of liberty innate--etc., etc. - -There came an echo of this early teaching years later when George III. -wrote into the text of his first speech to parliament the memorable -words: "Born and educated in this country, I glory in the name of -Briton". - -In the epilogue spoken by Prince Edward similar sentiments were -expressed:-- - - In England born, my inclination, - Like yours, is wedded to this nation: - And future times, I hope, will see - Me General in reality.[5] - Indeed, I wish to serve this land, - It is my father's strict command; - And none he ever gave shall be - More cheerfully obeyed by me. - -[5] Prince Edward, Duke of York, became a Vice-Admiral of the Blue. - -We get many pleasant glimpses, in contemporary letters and memoirs, -of the domestic felicity of the royal household at Kew and Leicester -House; of games of baseball and "push pin," with the children in -the winter, of gardening and cricket in the summer, and of little -plays, sometimes composed by the Prince, staged by the Princess and -acted by their sons and daughters all the year round. "The Prince's -family," Lady Hervey writes, "is an example of innocent and cheerful -amusement,"[6] and her testimony is corroborated on all sides. - -[6] Lady Hervey's _Letters_. - -Frederick Prince of Wales died suddenly on March 20, 1751, to the -great grief of his wife and children, and the consternation of his -political adherents. The Prince had been suffering from a chill, but -no one thought that there was any danger. On the eighth day of his -illness, in the evening, he was sitting up in bed, listening to the -performance of Desnoyers, the violinist, when he was seized with a -violent fit of coughing. He put his hand upon his heart and cried, -"_Je sens la mort!_" The Princess, who was in the room, flew to her -husband's assistance, but before she could reach his side he was dead. -Later it was shown that the immediate cause of death was the breaking -of an abscess in his side, which had been caused by a blow from a -cricket ball a few weeks before. Cricket had been recently introduced -into England, and Frederick was one of the first to encourage the game, -which soon became national. He often played in matches at Cliveden and -Kew. - -No Prince has been more maligned than Frederick Prince of Wales, and -none on less foundation. He opposed Walpole and the Whig domination, -and therefore the Whig pamphleteers of the time, and Whig historians -since, have poured on him the vials of their wrath, and contemptuously -dismissed him as half fool and half rogue. But the utmost that can -be proved against him is that he was frivolous, and unduly fond of -gambling and gallantry. These failings were common to the age, and in -his case they were largely due to his neglected youth. Badly educated, -disliked by his parents, to whom he grew up almost a stranger, and -surrounded from the day of his arrival in England by malcontents, -parasites and flatterers, it would have needed a much stronger man -than Frederick to resist the evil influences around him. His public -utterances, and there is no real ground for doubting their sincerity, -go to show that he was a prince of liberal and enlightened views, a -friend of peace and a lover of England. It is probable that, had he -been spared to ascend the throne, he would have made a better king than -either his father or grandfather. It is possible that he would have -made a better king than his son, for, though he was by no means so -good a man, he was more pliant, more tolerant, and far less obstinate. -Speculation is idle in such matters, but it is unlikely, if Frederick -had been on the throne instead of George III., that he would have -encouraged the policy which lost us our American colonies. Dying when -he did, all that can be said of Frederick politically is that he never -had a fair chance. Keeping the mean between two extreme parties in -the state he was made the butt of both, but the fact remains that he -attracted to his side some of the ablest among the moderate men who -cared little for party and much for the state. Certainly nothing in his -life justified the bitter Jacobite epigram circulated shortly after his -death:-- - - Here lies Fred, - Who was alive, and is dead, - Had it been his father, - I had much rather; - Had it been his brother, - Still better than another; - Had it been his sister, - No one would have missed her; - Had it been the whole generation, - So much better for the nation; - But since 'tis only Fred, - Who was alive, and is dead, - There's no more to be said. - -George II. was playing cards when the news of his son's death was -brought to him. He turned very pale and said nothing for a minute; then -he rose, whispered to Lady Yarmouth, "_Fritz ist todt_," and quitted -the room. But he sent that same night a message of condolence to the -bereaved widow. - -[Illustration: FREDERICK, PRINCE OF WALES, FATHER OF QUEEN MATILDA. - -_From the Painting by J. B. Vanloo at Warwick Castle, by permission of -the Earl of Warwick._] - -The death of her husband was a great blow to Augusta Princess of -Wales. Suddenly deprived of the prospect of becoming Queen of England, -she found herself, at the age of thirty-two, left a widow with eight -young children and expecting shortly to give birth to another. Her -situation excited great commiseration, and among the people the dead -Prince was generally regretted, for despite his follies he was known to -be kindly and humane. Elegies were cried about the streets, and very -common exclamations were: "Oh, that it were his brother!" "Oh, that -it were the Butcher!" Still it cannot be pretended that Frederick was -deeply mourned. A conversation was overheard between two workmen, who -were putting up the hatchment over the gate at Leicester House, which -fairly voiced the popular sentiment: "He has left a great many small -children," said one. "Aye," replied the other, "and what is worse, they -belong to our parish." - -Contrary to expectation the King behaved with great kindness to his -daughter-in-law, and a few days after her bereavement paid her a visit -in person. He refused the chair of state placed for him, seated himself -on the sofa beside the Princess, and at the sight of her sorrow was -so much moved as to shed tears. When the Princess Augusta, his eldest -granddaughter, came forward to kiss his hand, he took her in his arms -and embraced her. To his grandsons the King said: "Be brave boys, be -obedient to your mother, and endeavour to do credit to the high station -in which you are born". He who had never acted the tender father -delighted in playing "the tender grandfather".[7] - -[7] _Vide_ Horace Walpole's _Reign of George II._ - -A month after his father's death Prince George was created Prince -of Wales and Earl of Chester, but the young Prince, though always -respectful, never entertained any affectionate feelings for his -grandfather. This may have been due, in part, to the unforgiving spirit -with which the old King followed his son even to the tomb. Frederick's -funeral was shorn of almost every circumstance of state. No princes -of the blood and no important members of the government attended, and -he was buried in Westminster Abbey "without either anthem or organ". -Of the few faithful friends who attended the last rites, Dodington -writes: "There was not the attention to order the board of green cloth -to provide them a bit of bread; and these gentlemen of the first rank -and distinction, in discharge of their last sad duty to a loved, and -loving, master, were forced to bespeak a great, cold dinner from a -common tavern in the neighbourhood; at three o'clock, indeed, they -vouchsafed to think of a dinner and ordered one, but the disgrace was -complete--the tavern dinner was paid for and given to the poor".[8] - -[8] Dodington's _Diary_, April 13, O.S., 1751, edition 1784. - -Some five months after Frederick's death his widow gave birth to a -princess, the subject of this book. Dodington thus records the event, -which, except in the _London Gazette_, was barely noticed by the -journals of the day:-- - -"On Wednesday, the Princess walked in Carlton Gardens, supped and went -to bed very well; she was taken ill about six o'clock on Thursday -morning, and about eight was delivered of a Princess. Both well."[9] - -[9] Dodington's _Diary_, July 13, O.S., 1751, edition 1784. - -The advent of this daughter was hardly an occasion for rejoicing. Apart -from the melancholy circumstances of her birth, her widowed mother -had already a young and numerous family,[10] several of whom were far -from strong, and all, with the exception of her eldest son, the heir -presumptive to the throne, unprovided for. - -[10] Table. See next page. - -Eleven days after her birth the Princess was baptised at Leicester -House by Dr. Hayter, Bishop of Norwich, and given the names of Caroline -Matilda, the first being after her grandmother, the second harking -back to our Norman queens. Except in official documents she was always -known by the latter name, and it is the one therefore that will be -used in speaking of her throughout this book. The infant had three -sponsors, her aunt the Princess Caroline (represented by proxy), her -eldest sister the Princess Augusta, and her eldest brother the Prince -of Wales. In the case of the godfather the sponsorship was no mere -form, for George III. stood in the light of guardian to his sister all -through her life. - - TABLE SHOWING THE CHILDREN OF FREDERICK AND AUGUSTA, PRINCE AND - PRINCESS OF WALES, AND ALSO THE DESCENT OF HIS MAJESTY KING - EDWARD VII. FROM FREDERICK PRINCE OF WALES. - - Frederick Prince of Wales = Augusta of Saxe-Gotha - (son of George II. and | (daughter of Frederick II. - Caroline of Ansbach). | Duke of Saxe-Gotha). - | - +---------------------------------+ - | - +--Augusta, b. 1737, d. 1813, m. Charles William Duke of Brunswick, - | and had issue among others - | | - | Caroline, Consort of George IV., who had issue - | | - | Princess Charlotte, d. in childbirth, 1817. - | - +--George III., b. 1738, d. 1820, m. Charlotte Princess of - | Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and had issue among others - | | - | Edward Duke of Kent - | | - | Queen Victoria - | | - | King Edward VII. - | - +--Edward Duke of York, b. 1738, d. 1767, unmarried. - | - +--Elizabeth, b. 1739, d. 1759, unmarried. - | - +--William Henry Duke of Gloucester, b. 1743, d. 1805, m. Maria - | Countess Dowager Waldegrave, illegitimate dau. of Sir Edward - | Walpole, and had issue among others - | | - | William Frederick Duke of Gloucester, m. Mary, dau. of George - | III., no issue. - | - +--Henry Frederick Duke of Cumberland b. 1745, d. 1790, m. Anne, - | dau. of Lord Irnham, afterwards Earl of Carlhampton, and widow - | of Andrew Horton, no issue. - | - +--Louisa Anne, b. 1748, d. 1768, unmarried. - | - +--Frederick William, b. 1750, d. 1765, unmarried. - | - +--CAROLINE MATILDA, b. July 11, 1751, m. 1766, Christian VII., King - of Denmark, d. 1775, and had issue - | - Frederick VI., King of Denmark, d. 1839, and - Louise Augusta, Duchess of Augustenburg, d. 1843. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH. - -1751-1760. - - -The early years of the Princess Matilda were passed at Carlton House -and Kew. After her husband's death the Princess-Dowager of Wales, as -she was called, resided for the most part in London at Carlton House. -She used Leicester House on state occasions, and kept it chiefly for -her two elder sons who lived there with their tutors. Carlton House -was a stately building fronting St. James's Park with an entrance in -Pall Mall. It was built by a Lord Carlton in the reign of Queen Anne, -and was sold in 1732 to Frederick Prince of Wales. The great feature -of Carlton House was its beautiful garden, which extended along the -Mall as far as Marlborough House, and was laid out on the same plan as -Pope's famous garden at Twickenham. There were smooth lawns, fine trees -and winding walks, and bowers, grottoes and statuary abounded. This -garden gave Carlton House a great advantage over Leicester House in the -matter of privacy, and was of benefit to the children. - -Cliveden, near Maidenhead, and Park Place, Henley-on-Thames, two -country places, owned, or leased, by Frederick were given up, but the -Princess retained her favourite house at Kew, and sent her younger -children down there as much as possible. The greater part of Matilda's -childhood was spent there, and Kew and its gardens are more associated -with her memory than any other place in England. The Princess-Dowager -encouraged in all her children simplicity of living, love of fresh -air and healthy exercise. Each of the little princes and princesses -was allotted at Kew a small plot of ground wherein to dig and plant. -Gardening was Matilda's favourite amusement, and in one of the earliest -of her letters she writes to a girl friend:-- - -"Since you left Richmond I have much improved my little plot in our -garden at Kew, and have become quite proficient in my knowledge of -exotics. I often miss your company, not only for your lively chat, but -for your approbation of my horticultural embellishments.... You know we -[the royal children] have but a narrow circle of amusements, which we -can sometimes vary but never enlarge."[11] - -[11] The authenticity of this letter is doubtful. It first appeared in -a work entitled _Memoirs of an Unfortunate Queen, interspersed with -letters written by Herself to several of her Illustrious Relatives -and Friends_, published 1776, soon after Matilda's death. Some of the -letters may be genuine, others are undoubtedly spurious. - -The Princess was better educated than the majority of English ladies -of her time, many of whom could do little more than read and write -(but seldom could spell) with the addition of a few superficial -accomplishments. Matilda was a fair linguist, she could speak and -write French well, and had a smattering of Italian. Like her brothers -and sisters she committed to memory long passages from English -classics, and recited them with fluency and expression. She had a great -love of music, and played on the harpsichord, and sang in a sweet and -pleasing voice. She was thoroughly trained in "deportment," and danced -to perfection. She was a pretty, graceful girl, not awkward, even at -the most awkward age, and early gave promise of beauty. She rejoiced -in an affectionate, generous disposition and a bright and happy -temperament. She stood in awe of her mother, but she was devoted to her -brothers and sisters, especially to her eldest sister, Princess Augusta. - -This Princess was the one who was suddenly hurried into the world on -a July night at St. James's Palace. She was fourteen years of age -when Matilda was born, and was a woman before her youngest sister -ceased to be a child, so that she stood to her in the place of friend -and counsellor. Augusta had not the beauty of Matilda, but she was -a comely maiden with regular features, well-shaped figure, pleasant -smile, and general animation. She was the best educated of the family. -This was largely due to her thirst for knowledge. She read widely, -and interested herself in the political and social questions of the -day to a degree unusual with princesses of her age. She was sharp and -quick-witted, and in her childhood precocious beyond her years. "La! -Sir Robert," she pertly exclaimed, when only seven years of age, to -Sir Robert Rich, whom she had mistaken for Sir Robert Walpole, "what -has become of your blue string and your big belly?" Sir "Blue-string" -was one of the Tory nicknames for Walpole, and in the caricatures -of the time his corpulence was an endless subject of ridicule. Her -parents, instead of reprimanding her, laughed at her pleasantries, -with the result that they often found her inconveniently frank and -troublesome. After Frederick's death her mother, who had no wish to -have a grown-up daughter too soon, kept her in the background as much -as possible, a treatment which the lively Augusta secretly resented. - -Matilda's other sisters, the Princesses Elizabeth and Louisa Anne, -were nearer her in age and were much more tractable than Augusta. -They both suffered from ill-health. Her eldest brother George Prince -of Wales was a silent youth, shy and retiring, and not demonstrative -in any way. Edward, her second brother, afterwards Duke of York, -was livelier and was always a favourite with his sister. Her three -youngest brothers, William Henry, afterwards Duke of Gloucester, Henry -Frederick, later Duke of Cumberland, and Frederick William (who died at -the age of fifteen), were her chief playmates, for they were nearer her -in age. The children of Frederick Prince of Wales and Augusta had one -characteristic in common; clever or stupid, lively or dull, sickly or -strong in health, they were all affectionate and fond of one another. -Quarrels were rare, and the brothers and sisters united in loving and -spoiling the pet of the family, pretty, bright little Matilda. - -For eighteen months after her husband's death the Princess-Dowager -of Wales remained in closest retirement. At the end of that time she -reappeared in public and attended court, where, by the King's command, -she received the same honours as had been paid to the late Queen -Caroline. She was also made guardian of her eldest son, in case of the -King's demise during the Prince of Wales' minority. William Duke of -Cumberland bitterly resented this appointment as a personal affront, -and declared to his friends that he now felt his own insignificance, -and wished the name of William could be blotted out of the English -annals. It increased his jealousy of his sister-in-law, and she, on her -part, made no secret of her inveterate dislike of him. Her children -were taught to regard their uncle as a monster because of his cruelties -at Culloden, and he complained to the Princess-Dowager of the "base and -villainous insinuations" which had poisoned their minds against him. - -The Princess-Dowager of Wales rarely attended St. James's except on -ceremonial occasions. Nominally George II.'s court, for the last -twenty years of his reign, was presided over by the King's eldest -unmarried daughter, Princess Amelia, or Emily, a princess who, as -years went on, lost her good looks as well as her manners. She became -deaf and short-sighted, and was chiefly known for her sharp tongue -and her love of scandal and high play. She had no influence with the -King, and her unamiable characteristics made her unpopular with the -courtiers, who treated her as a person of no importance. In reality -the _dame regnante_ at St. James's was Madame de Walmoden, Countess -of Yarmouth, who had been the King's mistress at Hanover. He brought -her over to England the year after Queen Caroline's death, lodged her -in the palace, created her a peeress, and gave her a pension. In her -youth the Walmoden had been a great beauty, but as she advanced in -years she became exceedingly stout. Ministers, peers, politicians, -place-hunters of all kinds, even bishops and Church dignitaries, paid -their court to her. She accepted all this homage for what it was worth, -but though she now and then obtained a place for a favourite, she very -wisely abstained from meddling in English politics, which she did not -understand, and chiefly occupied herself in amassing wealth. - -[Illustration: MADAME DE WALMODEN, COUNTESS OF YARMOUTH. - -_From the Painting at Gülzow, by permission of Count Kielmansegg._] - -Lady Yarmouth was the last instance of a mistress of the King of -England who received a peerage. Her title did not give her much -prestige, and her presence at court did not add to its lustre. During -her ten years' reign Queen Caroline had set an example of virtue and -decorum, which was not forgotten, and the presence of a recognised -mistress standing in her place was resented by many of the wives of the -high nobility. Some of these ladies abstained from going to St. James's -on principle, others, and these the more numerous, because the -assemblies there had become insufferably dull and tedious. If the court -had been conducted on the lavish scale which marked the reigns of the -Stuarts, if beauty, wit and brilliancy had met together, some slight -lapses from the strict path of virtue might have been overlooked. But a -court, which was at once vicious and dull, was impossible. - -The Princess-Dowager of Wales, who prided herself on the propriety -of her conduct and the ordered regularity of her household, was the -most conspicuous absentee, and though she now and then attended St. -James's as in duty bound, she never took her daughters to court, but -declared that the society there would contaminate them. She rarely, -if ever, honoured the mansions of the nobility with a visit, and her -appearances in public were few and far between. She lived a life of -strict seclusion, which her children shared. During the ten years that -elapsed between Frederick's death and George III.'s accession to the -throne, the Princess-Dowager was little more than a name to the outer -world; the time had not come when the veil of privacy was to be rudely -torn from her domestic life, and the publicity from which she shrank -turned on her with its most pitiless glare. - -The policy of the Princess was to keep in the background as much as -possible and devote herself wholly to the care and education of her -numerous family. She did her duty (or what she conceived to be her -duty) to her children to the utmost in her power, and in her stern, -undemonstrative way there is no doubt that she loved them. She ruled -her household with a rod of iron, her children feared and obeyed, but -it could hardly be said that they loved her. Despite her high sense of -duty, almsgiving and charity, the Princess-Dowager was not a lovable -woman. Her temperament was cold and austere, her religion was tinged -with puritanism, and her views were strict and narrow. She had many of -the virtues associated with the Roman matron. There was only one flaw -in the armour of the royal widow's reputation, and this her enemies -were quick to note. That flaw was her friendship with Lord Bute. - -John, third Earl of Bute, had been a favourite of Frederick Prince of -Wales. He owed his introduction to the Prince to an accident which, -slight though it was, served to lay the foundations of his future -political career. He was watching a cricket match at Cliveden when -a heavy shower of rain came on. The Prince, who had been playing, -withdrew to a tent and proposed a game of whist until the weather -should clear. At first nobody could be found to take a fourth hand, -but presently one of the Prince's suite espied Bute and asked him -to complete the party. The Prince was so much pleased with his new -acquaintance that he invited him to Kew, and gave him a post in his -household. Bute soon improved his opportunities, and the Princess also -extended to him her confidence and friendship; perhaps she found in -his cold, proud temperament and narrow views some affinity with her -own character and beliefs. Frederick rather encouraged this friendship -than otherwise. He was very much attached to his excellent and virtuous -wife, but no doubt her serious way of looking at things wearied his -more frivolous nature occasionally. According to the scandalous gossip -of Horace Walpole: "Her simple husband when he took up the character -of the regent's gallantry had forced an air of intrigue even upon his -wife. When he affected to retire into gloomy _allées_ of Kew with Lady -Middlesex, he used to bid the Princess walk with Lord Bute. As soon -as the Prince was dead, they walked more and more, in honour of his -memory."[12] - -[12] _Memoirs of George II._, vol. ii.; see also Wraxall's _Hist. -Memoirs_, vol. ii. - -At the corrupt court of George II., where the correct conduct of the -Princess was resented as a tacit affront, the intimacy between the -Princess and Lord Bute was soon whispered into an intrigue. Once at a -fancy dress ball during the lifetime of Frederick when the Princess -was present, the beautiful Miss Chudleigh appeared as Iphigenia and so -lightly clad as to be almost in a state of nudity. The Princess threw a -shawl over the young lady's bosom, and sharply rebuked her for her bad -taste in appearing in so improper a guise. "_Altesse_," retorted Miss -Chudleigh, in no wise abashed, "_vous savez, chacun a son but_." The -impertinent witticism ran like wildfire round the court, and henceforth -the names of the Princess and Lord Bute were associated together in -a scandalous suggestion, which had nothing to warrant it at the time -beyond the fact that the Princess treated Lord Bute as an intimate -friend. - -After Frederick's death the scandal grew, for the Princess was very -unpopular with the Walmoden and her circle, and they delighted to have -the chance of painting her as bad as themselves. Yet Bute was some -years older than the Princess. He was married to a beautiful wife, the -only daughter and heiress of Edward Wortley Montagu, by whom he had a -large family, and he was devoted to his wife and children. He was a man -of high principle, and lived a clean life in an age of uncleanness. -Lady Hervey writes of him: "He has always been a good husband, an -excellent father, a man of truth and sentiments above the common run -of men". Bute was not a great man, but his abilities were above the -average, and he possessed considerable force of character. He acquired -complete ascendency in the household of the Princess-Dowager, and -exercised unbounded influence over the young Prince of Wales. Princess -Augusta and Prince Edward disliked him, and secretly resented his -presence and his interference in family matters. The other children -were too young to understand, but Lord Bute was a factor which made -itself felt in the daily life of them all, and not a welcome one. Life -had become appreciably duller with the royal children since their -father's death. Gone were the little plays and masquerades, the singers -and dancers. Gone were the picnics and the children's parties. Even -the cards were stopped, and the utmost the Princess-Dowager would -allow was a modest game of comet. The children suspected Lord Bute of -aiding and abetting their mother in her Spartan treatment of them, and -disliked him accordingly. - -The Princess-Dowager had need of a friend and counsellor, whether Lord -Bute was the wisest choice she could have made or not. She was quite -alone in the world, and had to fight against many intrigues. She was -not a woman to make friendships quickly, and she disliked the society -of her own sex. Thus it came about that in the secluded life she led, -except for the members of her household, two persons only were admitted -to Carlton House and Kew. One was Lord Bute, the other Bubb Dodington. - -Bubb Dodington, whose diary we have quoted before, was a wealthy -_parvenu_ whose ambition in life was to become peer. Walpole had -refused him his coveted desire, and he therefore attached himself to -Frederick Prince of Wales, who borrowed money from him, and invented a -post in his household for his benefit. As far as it was possible for -Dodington to be attached to any one, he seems to have been attached to -his "Master," as he calls him. After Frederick's death, when, to use -his own phrase, "there was little prospect of his doing any good at -Leicester House," he again courted the favour of the government. But he -retained a sentimental attachment to his master's widow, or (for he was -a born intriguer) he wished to keep in touch with the young Prince of -Wales. In either case he was careful not to break off his friendship -with the Princess-Dowager, and often waited upon her at Carlton House. -The Princess, though she did not wholly trust him, clung to him as -a friend of her husband's. He was useful as a link with the outer -world, he could retail to her all the political gossip of the day, and -she, in turn, could make him the medium of her views, for she knew -what she told him in apparent confidence would be retailed to all the -town before the day was over. Dodington was an inveterate gossip, and -his vanity was too much flattered by being made the confidant of the -Princess-Dowager for him to conceal the fact. Moreover, he was wealthy, -and a shrewd man of business. The Princess sorely needed advice in -money matters, for her dower was only £50,000 a year, and out of that -sum she had to keep up Leicester House, Carlton House and Kew, educate -and maintain her numerous family, and to pay off by instalments her -husband's debts--a task which she voluntarily took upon herself, though -it crippled her financially for years. She did all so well that her -economy was a triumph of management. - -From Dodington's diary we get glimpses of the domestic life of the -Princess-Dowager and her children after her husband's death. For -instance, he writes: "The Princess sent for me to attend her between -eight and nine o'clock. I went to Leicester House expecting a small -company, or little musick, but found nobody but her Royal Highness. -She made me draw a stool and sit by the fireside. Soon after came in -the Prince of Wales, and Prince Edward, and then the Lady Augusta, all -in an undress, and took their stools and sat round the fire with us. We -continued talking of familiar occurrences till between ten and eleven, -with the ease and unreservedness and unconstraint as if one had dropped -into a sister's house that had a family to pass the evening. It is much -to be wished that the Prince conversed familiarly with more people of a -certain knowledge of the world."[13] - -[13] Dodington's _Diary_, Nov. 17, 1753, edition 1784. - -This last point Dodington ventured to press upon the Princess more -than once, for it was a matter of general complaint that she kept -her children so strictly and so secluded from the world. They had -no companions or playmates of their own age besides themselves, for -the Princess declared that "the young people of quality were so -ill-educated and so very vicious that they frightened her.... Such was -the universal profligacy ... such the character and conduct of the -young people of distinction that she was really afraid to have them -near her children. She should be even in more pain for her daughters -than her sons, for the behaviour of the women was indecent, low, and -much against their own interests by making themselves so cheap."[14] - -[14] Dodington's _Diary_, edition 1784. - -We have dwelt thus on Augusta Princess of Wales not only because she -was the mother of Princess Matilda, but because so little is known of -her. The scandalous tales of Whig pamphleteers, and the ill-natured -gossip of her arch-maligner Horace Walpole cannot be accepted without -considerable reserve. No adequate memoir has ever been written of this -Princess. Yet she was the mother of a king whose reign was one of the -longest and most eventful in English history, and the training she gave -her eldest son moulded his character, formed his views and influenced -his policy. It influenced also, though in a lesser degree, the life of -her youngest daughter. Matilda inherited certain qualities from her -father, but in her early education and environment she owed everything -to her mother. To the strict seclusion in which she was brought up -by this stern mother, who won her children's respect but never their -confidence, and to her utter ignorance of the world and its temptations -(more particularly those likely to assail one destined to occupy an -exalted position), may be traced to some extent the mistakes of her -later years. - -There were breaks in the children's circle at Carlton House and Kew. -Prince Frederick William died in 1765 at the age of fifteen, and -Princess Elizabeth in 1759 at the age of nineteen. Of the first nothing -is recorded, of the latter Horace Walpole quaintly writes: "We have -lost another princess, Lady Elizabeth. She died of an inflammation -in her bowels in two days. Her figure was so very unfortunate, that -it would have been difficult for her to be happy, but her parts and -application were extraordinary. I saw her act in _Cato_ at eight years -old when she could not stand alone, but was forced to lean against the -side scene. She had been so unhealthy, that at that age she had not -been taught to read, but had learned the part of _Lucia_ by hearing the -others studying their parts. She went to her father and mother, and -begged she might act; they put her off as gently as they could; she -desired leave to repeat her part, and, when she did, it was with so -much sense that there was no denying her."[15] - -[15] Walpole's _Letters_, vol. iii., edition 1857. - -The following year a life of much greater importance in the royal -family came to a close. George II. died at Kensington Palace on October -25, 1760, in the seventy-seventh year of his age, under circumstances -which have always been surrounded by a certain amount of mystery. The -version generally received is as follows: The King rose in the morning -at his usual hour, drank his chocolate, and retired to an adjoining -apartment. Presently his German valet heard a groan and the sound of a -heavy fall; he rushed into the room and found the King lying insensible -on the floor with the blood trickling from his forehead, where he had -struck himself against a bureau in falling. The valet ran to Lady -Yarmouth, but the mistress had some sense of the fitness of things, and -desired that the Princess Amelia should be sent for. She arrived to -find her father quite dead. His death was due to heart disease and was -instantaneous. - -George II. was buried in Henry VII.'s Chapel, Westminster Abbey. His -last wishes were fulfilled to the letter. He had desired that one -of the sides of Queen Caroline's coffin (who had predeceased him by -twenty-three years) should be removed and the corresponding side of his -own coffin should be taken away, so that his body might lie side by -side with hers, and in death they should not be divided. This touching -injunction was piously carried out by command of his grandson, who now -succeeded him as King George III. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE BETROTHAL. - -1760-1765. - - -The accession of George III. to the throne made at first little -difference in the lives of his brothers and sisters, especially of the -younger ones. It made a difference in their position, for they became -brothers and sisters of the reigning king, and the public interest -in them was quickened. But they remained under the control of the -Princess-Dowager, and continued to live with her in the seclusion of -Carlton House and Kew. - -The Princess-Dowager's dominion was not confined to her younger -children, for she continued to exercise unbounded sway over the -youthful monarch. He held his accession council at her residence -at Carlton House, and there he delivered his first speech--not the -composition of his ministers, who imagined they saw in it the hand -of the Princess-Dowager and Lord Bute. "My Lord Bute," said the King -to the Duke of Newcastle, his Prime Minister, "is your very good -friend, he will tell you all my thoughts." Again in his first speech -to Parliament the King wrote with his own hand the words, to which we -have already alluded: "Born and educated in this country, I glory -in the name of Briton". Ministers affected to find in all this an -unconstitutional exercise of the royal prerogative, and the Whig -oligarchy trembled lest its domination should be overthrown. - -Hitherto the influence of the Princess-Dowager with her eldest son, -and the intimate friendship that existed between her and Lord Bute, -had been known only to the few, but now the Whigs found in these -things weapons ready to their hands, and they did not scruple to use -them. They instigated their agents in the press and in Parliament, -and a fierce clamour was raised against the Princess as a threatener -of popular liberties. Her name, linked with Lord Bute's, was flung -to the mob; placards with the words "No Petticoat Government!" "No -Scottish Favourite!" were affixed to the walls of Westminster Hall, and -thousands of vile pamphlets and indecent ballads were circulated among -the populace. Even the King was insulted. "Like a new Sultan," wrote -Lord Chesterfield, "he is dragged out of the seraglio by the Princess -and Lord Bute, and placed upon the throne." The mob translated this -into the vulgar tongue, and one day, when the King was going in a sedan -chair to pay his usual visit to his mother, a voice from the crowd -asked him, amid shouts and jeers, whether he was "going to suck". - -[Illustration: JOHN, EARL OF BUTE. - -_From the Painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds at Wortley Hall, by -permission of the Earl of Wharncliffe._] - -The Princess-Dowager was unmoved by the popular clamour, and her -influence over the young King remained unshaken; indeed it was -rather strengthened, for his sense of chivalry was roused by the -coarse insults heaped upon his mother. Lord Bute continued to pay his -visits to Carlton House as before, the only difference made was that, -to avoid the insults of the mob, his visits were paid less openly. The -chair of one of the Princess's maids of honour was often sent of an -evening to Bute's house in South Audley Street, and he was conveyed in -it, with the curtains close drawn, to Carlton House, and admitted by -a side entrance to the Princess's presence. These precautions, though -natural enough under the circumstances, were unwise, for before long -the stealthy visits leaked out, and the worst construction was placed -upon them. - -In the first year of the King's reign the supremacy of the -Princess-Dowager was threatened by an attachment the monarch had formed -for the beautiful Lady Sarah Lennox, daughter of the second Duke of -Richmond. But the house of Lennox was a great Whig house, and its -members were ambitious and aspiring, therefore the Princess-Dowager -and Bute determined to prevent the marriage. That they succeeded -is a matter of history. Lady Sarah's hopes came to an end with -the announcement of the King's betrothal to Princess Charlotte of -Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The announcement was not popular, for the nation -was weary of royal alliances with the petty courts of Germany. But -the Princess-Dowager had made confidential inquiries. She was told -that Charlotte, who was very young, was dutiful and obedient, and no -doubt thought that she would prove a cipher in her hands. In this the -Princess-Dowager was sadly mistaken. Lady Sarah Lennox, or an earlier -candidate for the honour, a Princess of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, would -have been pliable in comparison with Charlotte of Mecklenburg, who, on -her arrival, showed herself to be a shrewd, self-possessed young woman, -with a tart tongue, and a full sense of the importance of her position. -Charlotte soon became jealous of her mother-in-law's influence over the -King. Her relations with her sisters-in-law also were never cordial, -and with the Princess Augusta she was soon at open feud. - -George III. and Charlotte were married at the Chapel Royal, St. James's -Palace, on September 8, 1761, and a fortnight later were crowned -in Westminster Abbey. The Princess Matilda, then ten years of age, -witnessed her brother's wedding, but unofficially, from a private pew. -Her first public appearance was made at the coronation, when we find -her following the Princess-Dowager in a procession from the House of -Lords to Westminster Abbey. A platform, carpeted with blue baize and -covered by an awning, had been erected across Palace Yard to the south -door of the Abbey, and over this platform the Princess-Dowager and all -her children passed, except the King, who was to be crowned, and Prince -Edward and Princess Augusta, who were in their Majesties' procession. - -"The Princess-Dowager of Wales," it is written, "was led by the hand -by Prince William Henry, dressed in white and silver. Her train, which -was of silk, was cut short, and therefore not borne by any person, and -her hair flowed down her shoulders in hanging curls. She had no cap, -but only a circlet of diamonds. The rest of the princes and princesses, -her Highness's children, followed in order of their age: Prince Henry -Frederick, also in white and silver, handing his sister Princess Louisa -Anne, dressed in a slip with hanging sleeves. Prince Frederick William, -likewise in white and silver, handing his youngest sister, the Princess -Matilda, dressed also in a slip with hanging sleeves. Both the young -princesses had their hair combed upwards, which was contrived to lie -flat at the back of their heads in an elegant taste."[16] - -[16] _The Annual Register_, September 22, 1761. - -For some time after George III.'s marriage the Princess-Dowager and -Bute continued to be all-powerful with the King. The aged Prime -Minister, the Duke of Newcastle, clung to office as long as he could, -but at last was forced to resign, and in 1762 Lord Bute became Prime -Minister. The Princess-Dowager's hand was very visible throughout -Bute's brief administration; her enemy the Duke of Devonshire, "the -Prince of the Whigs," as she styled him, was ignominiously dismissed -from office, and his name struck off the list of privy councillors. -Other great Whig Lords, who had slighted or opposed her, were -treated in a similar manner. Peace was made with France on lines the -Princess-Dowager had indicated before her son came to the throne, and -a still greater triumph, the peace was approved by a large majority -in Parliament, despite the opposition of the Whig Lords. "Now," cried -the Princess exultingly, "now, my son _is_ King of England!" It was her -hour of triumph. - -But though the Whigs were defeated in Parliament, they took their -revenge outside. The ignorant mob was told that the peace was the first -step towards despotism, the despotism of the Princess-Dowager and her -led-captain Bute, and the torrent of abuse swelled in volume. One -evening when the Princess was present at the play, at a performance -of Cibber's comedy, _The Careless Husband_, the whole house rose when -one of the actresses spoke the following lines: "Have a care, Madam, -an undeserving favourite has been the ruin of many a prince's empire". -The hoots and insults from the gallery were so great that the Princess -drew the curtains of her box and quitted the house. Nor was this all. -In Wilkes's periodical, _The North Briton_, appeared an essay in -which, under the suggestive names of Queen Isabella and her paramour -"the gentle Mortimer," the writer attacked the Princess-Dowager and -the Prime Minister. Again, in a caricature entitled "The Royal Dupe," -the young King was depicted as sleeping in his mother's lap, while -Bute was stealing his sceptre, and Fox picking his pocket. In _Almon's -Political Register_ there appeared a gross frontispiece, in which -the Earl of Bute figured as secretly entering the bedchamber of the -Princess-Dowager; a widow's lozenge with the royal arms hung over -the bed, to enforce the identity. Worst of all, one night, when the -popular fury had been inflamed to its height, a noisy mob paraded -under the windows of Carlton House, carrying a gallows from which hung -a jack-boot and a petticoat which they afterwards burned (the first -a miserable pun on the name of John Earl of Bute, and the second to -signify the King's mother). The Princess-Dowager heard the uproar from -within and learned the cause from her frightened household. She alone -remained calm. "Poor deluded people, how I pity them," she said, "they -will know better some day." - -What her children thought of all this is not precisely recorded, but -it would seem that the King stood alone among them in the sympathy -and support he gave to his mother. Prince Edward, Duke of York, and -the Princess Augusta were openly hostile to Lord Bute. Prince Edward -declared that he suffered "a thousand mortifications" because of him. -Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester, was sullenly resentful, -and even Prince Henry Frederick, Duke of Cumberland, made sarcastic -remarks. What Matilda thought there is no means of knowing; she was -too young to understand, but children are quick-witted, and since her -favourite brother, Edward, and her favourite sister, Augusta, felt so -strongly on the subject, she probably shared their prejudices. There is -little doubt that the mysterious intimacy between the Princess-Dowager -and Lord Bute was the cause of much ill-feeling between her and her -children, and had the effect of weakening her authority over them -and of losing their respect. Years after, when she had occasion to -remonstrate with Matilda, her daughter retorted with a bitter allusion -to Lord Bute. - -The Princess Augusta had inherited her mother's love of dabbling in -politics, and as her views were strongly opposed to those of the -Princess-Dowager the result did not conduce to the domestic harmony -of Carlton House. The Princess Augusta, of all the royal children, -had suffered most from the intimacy between her mother and Lord -Bute. Horace Walpole wrote of her some time before: "Lady Augusta, -now a woman grown, was, to facilitate some privacy for the Princess, -dismissed from supping with her mother, and sent back to cheese-cakes -with her little sister Elizabeth, on the pretence that meat at -night would fatten her too much".[17] Augusta secretly resented the -cheese-cakes, but she was then too young to show open mutiny. Now -that she had grown older she became bolder. She was the King's eldest -sister, and felt that she was entitled to a mind of her own. Therefore, -with her brother, the Duke of York, she openly denounced Lord Bute and -all his works, and lavished admiration on his great rival, Pitt. This -was a little too much for the Princess-Dowager, who feared that Augusta -would contaminate the minds of her younger brothers and sisters. -She resolved therefore to marry her to some foreign husband, and -thus remove her from the sphere of her present political activities. -Moreover, it was quite time that Augusta was married. She had completed -her twenty-sixth year and her youthful beauty was on the wane. "Lady -Augusta," writes Horace Walpole, "is not handsome, but tall enough -and not ill-made, with the German whiteness of hair and complexion so -remarkable in the royal family, and with their precipitate yet thick -Westphalian accent."[18] - -[17] _Memoirs of the Reign of George III._, vol. iii. - -[18] _Ibid._ - -Augusta might have married before, but she was extremely English in -her tastes, and had a great objection to leaving the land of her -birth. Neither her mother nor her brother would entertain the idea -of an English alliance, and so at last they arranged a marriage -between her and Charles William Ferdinand, Hereditary Prince of -Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, a famous soldier, and the favourite nephew of -Frederick the Great. The Prince arrived in England in January, 1764. -He had never seen his bride before he came, not even her portrait, -but when he saw her he expressed himself charmed, adding that if he -had not been pleased with her he should have returned to Brunswick -without a wife. Augusta, equally frank, said that she would certainly -have refused to marry him if she had found him unsatisfactory. They -were married in the great council chamber of St. James's Palace with -little ceremony. The bride's presents were few and meagre, and Augusta -declared that Queen Charlotte even grudged her the diamonds which -formed the King's wedding gift. Four days after the marriage a civic -deputation waited upon the pair at Leicester House, and presented an -address of congratulation. Princess Matilda was present, and stood at -the right hand of her mother. - -The King did not like the popularity of his brother-in-law, and -therefore hurried the departure of the newly wed couple. The Princess -of Brunswick shed bitter tears on leaving her native land. The day she -left she spent the whole morning at Leicester House saying good-bye -to her friends, and frequently appeared at the windows that the -people outside might see her. More than once the Princess threw open -the window and kissed her hand to the crowd. It was very tempestuous -weather when the Prince and Princess set out on their long journey to -Brunswick, and after they had put to sea rumours reached London that -their yacht had gone down in the storm; but, though they were for a -time in great danger, eventually they landed and reached Brunswick -safely. - -The marriage of the Princess Augusta was soon followed by the betrothal -of her youngest sister. The Princess Matilda was only in her thirteenth -year. But though too young to be married, her mother and the King, -her brother, did not think it too soon to make arrangements for her -betrothal. - -The reigning King of Denmark and Norway, Frederick V., for some years -had wished to bind more closely the ties which already existed between -him and the English royal family. The late Queen of Denmark, Queen -Louise, was the youngest daughter of King George II. She had married -Frederick V., and had borne him a son and daughters. After her death -the King of Denmark cherished an affectionate remembrance of his Queen -and a liking for the country whence she came. He therefore approached -the old King, George II., with the suggestion of a marriage in the -years to come between his son, the Crown Prince Christian, then an -infant, and one of the daughters of Frederick Prince of Wales. After -George II.'s death the idea of this alliance was again broached to -George III. through the medium of Titley,[19] the English envoy at -Copenhagen. - -[19] Walter Titley, whose name occurs frequently in the negotiations -of this marriage, was born in 1700 of a Staffordshire family. He was -educated at Westminster and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took -a distinguished degree. He entered the diplomatic service in 1728 -and became _chargé d'affaires_ at Copenhagen in the absence of Lord -Glenorchy. In 1730 he was appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister -Plenipotentiary. In 1733 Richard Bentley, the famous master of Trinity -College, Cambridge, offered him the physic fellowship of the College. -Titley accepted it, resigned his diplomatic appointment, but found -that he had become so much attached to his life at Copenhagen that he -was unable to leave it. The King of Denmark, with whom he was a great -favourite, urged him to stay, and the Government at home were unwilling -to lose a valuable public servant who possessed a unique knowledge of -the tortuous politics of the northern kingdom. So Titley resumed his -post and held it for the remainder of his life. He died at Copenhagen -in February, 1768. - -The King, after consultation with his mother, put forward his second -surviving sister, the Princess Louisa Anne (who was about the same age -as the Crown Prince Christian), as a suitable bride. But Bothmar, -the Danish envoy in London, reported to the court of Copenhagen that -Louisa Anne, though talented and amiable, was very delicate, and he -suggested that the King of Denmark should ask for the Princess Matilda -instead. This Princess was the beauty of the family, and her lively -disposition and love of outdoor exercise seemed to show that she had a -strong constitution. George III. demurred a little at first, on account -of his sister's extreme youth, but after some _pour-parlers_ he gave -his consent, and the King of Denmark sent orders to Bothmar to demand -formally the hand of the Princess Matilda in marriage for his son the -Crown Prince. At the same time Bernstorff, the Danish Secretary of -State for Foreign Affairs,[20] wrote to Titley, acquainting him with -the proposed alliance, but asking him to keep the matter a profound -secret until all preliminaries were arranged.[21] - -[20] Count Johan Hartvig Ernst Bernstorff was a Hanoverian by birth, -and a grandson of Bernstorff of Hanover and Celle, Minister of George -I. He early entered the service of Denmark, and represented his adopted -country as envoy at the courts of St. James's and Versailles. When he -left the diplomatic service he became Minister of State for Foreign -Affairs at Copenhagen, and filled other important posts. Finally he -became Count and Prime Minister. He must not be confounded with Count -Andreas Peter Bernstorff, his nephew, who was later Prime Minister of -Denmark under Frederick VI. - -[21] Sa Majesté, qui se souvient toujours avec plaisir et avec la -bienveillance la plus distinguée, de vos sentiments pour sa personne, -et pour l'union des deux familles royales, m'a commandé de vous faire -cette confidence; mais elle m'ordonne en même temps de vous prier de -la tenir entièrement secrète, jusqu'a ce qu'on soit convenu de part et -d'autre de l'engagement et de sa publication. (Bernstorff to Titley, -August 18, 1764.) - -A few days later Titley wrote home to Lord Sandwich: "I received from -Baron Bernstorff (by the King of Denmark's command) a very obliging -letter acquainting me with the agreeable and important commission which -had been sent that same day to Count Bothmar in London.... The amiable -character of the Prince of Denmark is universally acknowledged here, so -that the union appearing perfectly suitable, and equally desirable on -both sides, I hope soon to have an opportunity of congratulating you, -my Lord, upon its being unalterably fixed and settled."[22] - -[22] Titley's despatch to Lord Sandwich, Copenhagen, August 29, 1764. - -Within the next few months everything was arranged except the question -of the Princess's dower, which had to be voted by Parliament. In the -meantime a preliminary treaty between the King of Denmark and the King -of Great Britain was drafted and signed in London by Lord Sandwich on -the one part and Bothmar on the other. This was in the autumn, when -Parliament was not sitting, but the Danish Government stipulated that -the announcement of the marriage was not to be delayed beyond the next -session of Parliament, though the marriage itself, on account of the -extreme youth of both parties, would be deferred for a few years. - -Accordingly, at the opening of Parliament on January 10, 1765, George -III. in his speech from the throne said:-- - -"I have now the satisfaction to inform you that I have agreed with my -good brother the King of Denmark to cement the union which has long -subsisted between the two crowns by the marriage of the Prince Royal of -Denmark with my sister the Princess Caroline Matilda, which is to be -solemnised as soon as their respective ages will admit". - -In the address to the throne Parliament replied to the effect that -the proposed marriage was most pleasing to them, as it would tend to -strengthen the ancient alliance between the crowns of Great Britain and -Denmark, and "thereby add security to the Protestant religion".[23] - -[23] Presumably the alliance would strengthen the Protestant religion -by weakening the influence of Roman Catholic France at Copenhagen. It -must be borne in mind that Denmark was then a much larger and more -important country than it is now. Norway had not broken away from the -union, and Denmark had not been robbed of the Duchies of Schleswig and -Holstein by Prussia. - -On January 18 the King gave a grand ball at St. James's Palace in -honour of the double event of his youngest sister's betrothal and Queen -Charlotte's birthday. On this occasion the Princess Matilda made her -first appearance at court, when she opened the ball by dancing a minuet -with her brother, Prince Edward Duke of York. The Princess was then -only thirteen and a half years old, but she won the admiration of all -the court by her beauty and grace. She was very fair, with hair almost -flaxen in hue, pale gold with a gleam of silver in it, large tender -blue eyes, an arched nose, a well-shaped mouth (the underlip perhaps a -little too full), and a complexion like the wild rose. Her figure was -shapely and developed beyond her years, and she carried herself with -ease and dignity. - -The feelings of the Princess Matilda, who was thus betrothed to a -Prince whom she had never seen, were not consulted in the slightest -degree. The proposed marriage seemed a suitable one; and it was more -brilliant than that of her sister, the Princess Augusta; moreover, it -would strengthen the political alliance between England and Denmark, -and, it was hoped, give England more influence in the Baltic. These -considerations were sufficient for her brother, George III., who must -be held directly responsible for this marriage. The question of his -sister's happiness, or unhappiness, did not enter. The child Princess -disliked the idea from the first; her ladies-in-waiting noticed that -so far from showing any pleasure at her added dignity she became -pensive and melancholy. She was too young to realise all this marriage -would mean to her, but she knew that it would involve exile from her -native country, and separation from her family, and she grieved much -in secret, though afraid to show her unhappiness openly. She gave some -hint of her feelings to her aunt, the Princess Amelia, soon after her -betrothal. - -The Princess Amelia often went to Bath, then a very gay place, where -she played cards and talked scandal to her heart's content. She had a -great liking for her little niece, and she asked permission to take her -to Bath on one of these visits for a few weeks. Matilda, weary of the -dulness and seclusion of Carlton House, pleaded hard to go, but the -Princess-Dowager would not hear of it. She disliked her sister-in-law -and disapproved of her card-playing proclivities. Matilda was greatly -disappointed at her mother's refusal, and said that she had been -looking forward to the journey, for she loved to travel. The Princess -Amelia tried to cheer her niece, and remarked jocularly: "It will not -be long before you will have plenty of travelling". "I know what you -mean," said Matilda, "but surely it would be happier for me to stay -where I am, than go so far for a Prince I have never seen." - -[Illustration: THE ELDER CHILDREN OF FREDERICK AND AUGUSTA, PRINCE AND -PRINCESS OF WALES, PLAYING IN KEW GARDENS. - -_From a Painting, temp. 1750._] - -The Princess found consolation in the thought that her dreaded -marriage would not take place for some time (it was to be deferred -for two years, until 1767), and in a few months after her betrothal -she recovered her spirits, and interested herself once more in her -gardening and other simple pleasures, and in little acts of beneficence -to the poor families whom she took under her especial protection at -Kew. She pursued her studies diligently, the better to qualify herself -for the high position she was intended to fill. At the suggestion of -the King of Denmark, she began to learn German, the language then most -spoken at the Danish court.[24] It is characteristic of the English -tendencies of Frederick Prince of Wales, that, though both he and his -wife were born in Germany, not one of their children was taught -German as a necessary part of his, or her, education, and several of -them remained ignorant of it. - -[24] Letter of the Duke of Grafton to Titley, St. James's, March 14, -1766. - -We must now give some account of the Princess Matilda's betrothed -husband, the Crown Prince Christian, and of the court of Denmark. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -THE TRAINING OF A KING. - -1749-1766. - - -The Crown Prince Christian (afterwards Christian VII. of Denmark and -Norway) was born on January 29, 1749, and was therefore two years and -six months older than his first cousin and betrothed bride, Princess -Matilda. - -When he was in his third year Christian lost his mother, Louise, -daughter of George II. of England and consort of Frederick V. of -Denmark. Queen Louise was very beautiful, and had inherited from -her mother, Queen Caroline, her grace and dignity and her virtues -and talents. She was possessed of great tact, and won the love and -reverence of all classes, and, what was more difficult, of all races -of her husband's subjects, whether Danes, Norwegians or Germans. The -Danes compared her to their sainted Dagmar, and her early death was -regarded as a national calamity. During Louise's illness the streets of -Copenhagen were thronged from early dawn by people waiting for news, -and the churches were filled with praying and weeping men and women. -Every night, outside the palace gate, crowds waited patiently for -hours, their faces, white in the darkness, turned towards the wing of -the palace where the Queen lay dying. Louise died in 1751 (the year -that Caroline Matilda was born), and left behind her the legacy of a -bright example. The Danes owed England a debt of gratitude for sending -them this admirable princess, a debt they amply repaid a century later -when they gave to the English people a descendant of Queen Louise, -a princess even more beautiful and beloved than her illustrious -ancestress--our gracious Queen Alexandra.[25] - -[25] A short table showing the descent of Her Majesty Queen Alexandra -from Queen Louise of Denmark:-- - - Louise daughter of George II. of England and Queen of Frederick V. - of Denmark. - | - Charlotte Princess of Denmark. - | - Caroline Princess of Denmark. - | - Christian IX. King of Denmark. - | - Queen Alexandra. - - -King Frederick was overwhelmed with grief at his consort's death and -refused to be comforted. He could not mention her name without weeping; -he commanded the deepest court mourning for a year and prohibited -all public amusements for the same period. Yet, like many bereaved -widowers, before and since, the more deeply this royal widower mourned -his wife, the more quickly he sought consolation by giving her a -successor. Six months of the stipulated mourning had scarcely passed -when the King cast off his sables and wedded Princess Juliana Maria -of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. This princess was the youngest of six -daughters, two of whom had already made great alliances. The eldest -was married to Frederick the Great, and the second to Prince Augustus -William, the heir presumptive to the throne of Prussia. One of her -nieces came near to be married to George III., but was rejected by -him on the advice of his mother. This slight upon her house did not -tend to make Juliana Maria well disposed towards the English royal -family; and the love of the Danes for the English princess who was her -predecessor contrasted vividly with her own unpopularity. Juliana Maria -was a handsome and determined woman, rigidly correct in her conduct and -unblemished in her morals, but she was of a cold and selfish nature, -a profound intriguer and dissembler. Frederick V. married her from a -sense of duty; he wanted a queen to preside over his court, and a wife -to give him another son. Juliana Maria fulfilled both these conditions; -she looked every inch a queen, and in due time presented her husband -with a prince, who was named Frederick. But though she shared her -husband's throne she had no place in his affections. - -Frederick V. was popular with his subjects, who named him "Frederick -the Good". The first part of his reign as fully justified this title -as the latter part belied it. Queen Louise was his good angel and -led him to higher things, but when her beneficent influence was gone -he abandoned himself to evil habits, especially to his besetting one -of drunkenness. So much did he give way to this vice that he became -a confirmed dipsomaniac, and the reins of government passed out of -his hands into those of his Prime Minister, Count Moltke, and of his -mother, the Queen-Dowager, Sophia Magdalena. - -This princess, the widow of Christian VI.,[26] was a daughter of -the Margrave of Brandenburg-Culmbach. She had obtained considerable -political influence in her husband's lifetime, and she continued to -hold it throughout the reign of her son. She was a woman of narrow and -strict views, but had a great love of display. Between her and Moltke -an alliance existed for a time. They played into one another's hands -so cleverly that Juliana Maria, despite her ambitious and intriguing -disposition, found herself outwitted by her mother-in-law and the Prime -Minister. Sophia Magdalena's superior knowledge of Danish affairs gave -her an advantage over Juliana Maria, who, though the King's wife, -laboured under the disability of not being in the King's confidence. -Count Moltke was not a minister of great ability, and he was suspected -of selling his country's interests to other powers. Certain it is that -during the last years of Frederick V.'s reign the foreign envoys of -France, Russia and England were in turns the real rulers of Denmark. -With Moltke the French influence was generally paramount. - -[26] Christian VI., the son of Frederick IV., was born in 1699, -ascended the throne in 1730 and died in 1746, after a peaceful and -prosperous reign. He was succeeded by his son Frederick V. - -The Crown Prince Christian suffered an irreparable loss in his mother's -death, for she was devoted to her son and kept him with her as much as -possible, though this was contrary to the traditional etiquette of the -Danish court. After Queen Louise died the Crown Prince and his sisters -were handed over to the loveless care of governesses and tutors, and -their father never troubled about them. Juliana Maria was not an -affectionate stepmother, and left her husband's children severely -alone. Even if she had wished to give them personal supervision, the -etiquette of the Danish court would have prevented her. Moreover, any -movement she might have made in that direction would have been regarded -with suspicion. Juliana Maria regarded the Crown Prince Christian as -an obstacle in the path of her ambition. If he were out of the way her -son Frederick would succeed to the throne. She probably wished him -out of the way, but the stories that she plotted against the life of -her stepson rest on no trustworthy evidence, and may be dismissed as -unworthy of credence. - -At the age of six Christian was taken out of the nursery and given an -establishment of his own. Count Berkentin, a privy councillor, was -appointed his governor, and Count Reventlow his chamberlain and tutor. -Berkentin was an old man, indolent and easy-going, who was glad to -shift the responsibility of his troublesome charge on other shoulders, -and asked for nothing more than to draw his salary and be left in -peace. The training of the Crown Prince therefore devolved wholly on -Reventlow, who was a Danish noble of the most reactionary and barbarous -type. Reventlow's one idea of education was to harden the lad, to -make, as he said, a man of him--he might rather have said to make a -brute of him. He took no account of the idiosyncrasies of Christian's -character, or of his nervous, highly strung temperament. He sought to -crush him down to one low level, the level of himself. The boy was -brought up in slave-like fear of his brutal master, and sometimes -beaten for trifling errors so inhumanly that foam gathered on his lips -and he writhed in agony. Even in his boyhood, Christian's nervous -paroxysms sometimes degenerated into fits of an epileptic nature, and -so encouraged the growth of a terrible malady. - -Reventlow superintended the Crown Prince's education, that is to say, -his training and his daily life. He did not teach him his lessons. -The learned German author, Gellert, was first asked to undertake this -duty, but he refused. The King then appointed one Nielsen, who had -been tutor to several of the young Danish nobility. Nielsen was a -very learned man, but unfortunately had not the capacity of imparting -his learning in a lucid and attractive manner, and he was too fond of -abstruse speculations to teach things which would be useful to the -royal pupil. Nielsen was a Lutheran clergyman, but he was notoriously -unorthodox, and he mixed his religious instruction with a good deal -of profane philosophy. The poor little prince was not old enough to -understand theological, or philosophical, disquisitions; they weighed -like a nightmare on his youthful mind, and the result of this teaching -in after life was a curious mixture of freethinking and superstition. -The Crown Prince was taken to church twice every Sunday, where he sat -between his two tormentors, Reventlow and Nielsen, and listened to -dull and interminable sermons. If his attention flagged for a moment -Reventlow would pinch him, and when he came out of church Nielsen would -catechise him concerning the sermon, and make him repeat the preacher's -arguments at length. Christian regarded these religious exercises with -intense dislike, and dreaded Sunday as his chief day of torment. - -In the Crown Prince's hours of recreation he was neglected, and allowed -to keep bad company. His chief companions were two youths employed -about the court; one was Sperling, a page of the chamber and a nephew -of Reventlow; the other was Kirschoff, a servant of the chamber, and a -friend of Sperling. Both these youths were vicious and corrupt. They -were older than the Crown Prince and acquired great influence over him. -They set him a bad example by their evil habits, they poisoned his -mind by retailing all the scandals of the court, and they corrupted -his heart by mocking at everything good and noble. It has been well -said that they occupy the same place in the history of Denmark as Louis -XV.'s infamous servants Bachelier and Le Bel do in the history of -France. - -It stands to Juliana Maria's credit that she objected to these youths -as playmates of the Prince and to Reventlow's system of education, -and remonstrated with the King, but Frederick V. would not listen -to her. Later Bernstorff made similar representations and with more -success, for when Christian was eleven years of age a change took place -for the better. A Swiss named Reverdil[27] was appointed to instruct -the Crown Prince in mathematics and French, and he gradually extended -his teaching to other branches of learning. Reverdil was an upright -man, and did his duty according to his lights. He saw clearly that -the boy's physical and mental health was being ruined by Reventlow's -barbarous methods, and did what he could to improve things. But well -meaning though he was he made his pupil's life unhappier by introducing -a new torture in the form of public examinations. The Crown Prince -was examined twice yearly in the knight's hall of the Christiansborg -Palace[28] in the presence of the King, the Ministers, and the -_corps diplomatique_, and if we may judge from the courtly reports -of the foreign envoys he acquitted himself well. Yet, this testimony -notwithstanding, it is certain that he was not well educated, for he -was ignorant of solid acquirements. But he could dance a minuet with -much grace and could play the flute, sing, ride and fence well. He was -a fair linguist and spoke German and French. More important still he -was taught the Danish language, which had been neglected at the Danish -court, and the household of the Prince, except his French and German -tutors, were forbidden to speak to him in other language but Danish. - -[27] Reverdil was born in 1732 in the Canton of Vaud, and educated at -the University of Geneva. He became professor of mathematics at the -University of Copenhagen in 1758, and two years later was appointed -assistant tutor to the Crown Prince Christian. He has left a record of -his experiences at the Danish court in a book entitled _Struensee et la -cour de Copenhague 1760-1772, Mémoires de Reverdil_. To this work I am -indebted for much valuable information. - -[28] The Christiansborg Palace, situated on an island in the heart of -Copenhagen, was originally erected by Christian VI. in 1733-40. It -was a magnificent building both externally and internally, and for -five reigns was the principal palace of the Kings of Denmark. It was -partially burned down in 1794, but rebuilt. It was again gutted by -fire in 1884; but the walls are still standing. The palace could be -restored to its pristine splendour, and it is a reproach that this -residence, so rich in historic associations, has not been rebuilt. A -bill is occasionally introduced for the Danish parliament to grant the -necessary funds, but it has hitherto been defeated by the democratic -party on the ground that the King is well housed in his palace of the -Amalienborg, which, in point of fact, is much too small to be the chief -royal palace of the capital. - -The Crown Prince was precocious in some things and backward in others. -He was naturally quick-witted and had a gift of sarcasm and mimicry in -which he freely indulged; he made buffoon parodies of the preachers and -their sermons, and he mimicked ministers of state, high court officials -and even the august royal family. Some of his boyish sarcasms show -that he felt the cruel way in which he was treated and the subordinate -position in which he was kept. For instance, Frederick V., in one of -his generous moods (probably after a hard spell of drinking), made -Moltke a present of the palace of Hirschholm and all its contents. It -was a common ground of complaint that Moltke took advantage of his -master's weakness to enrich himself. The Crown Prince, hearing of this -princely gift, waylaid Moltke coming from the audience chamber of the -King, and thrust into his hand a picture of Hirschholm.[29] "Content -yourself with this, your Excellency," said the Prince, "for, believe -me, unless you get the crown as well, Hirschholm will never be yours." -The Prime Minister, taken aback at this display of authority on the -part of the heir apparent, wisely forebore to press the matter further, -and Hirschholm remained the property of the crown. On another occasion, -when the King and his favourite minister were drinking together, the -Crown Prince was present. The King commanded Christian to fill glasses -for himself and Moltke. Christian hesitated. The King repeated his -order, and told him that he could fill his own glass as well. The -Prince then filled Moltke's glass to the brim, the King's glass half -full, and into his own he poured only a few drops. "What do you mean by -this?" said the King. "I mean, sire," replied his son, "to denote our -relative importance in the state. His Excellency being all-powerful I -have filled his glass to the full. You being only second in authority -I half filled yours; as for me, since I am of no consequence, a drop -suffices." - -[29] It is possible that his grandmother Sophia Magdalena may have -instigated him to do this, as Hirschholm was her favourite palace. - -Despite his precocity, Christian had some extraordinary crazes and -superstitions. One of them he cherished from the nursery. His Norwegian -nurse had told him many legends of Scandinavian Vikings whose physical -perfections rivalled the gods, mighty warriors who were invulnerable -in battle, like the legendary heroes of ancient wars. At this time -there was a very widespread belief in northern Europe in a foolish -superstition called the "Art of Passau," a secret charm which made men -hard and invulnerable in battle. The young Crown Prince's imagination -was fired by it, and he determined to acquire the secret of the charm -and so attain his ideal of supreme physical perfection. Gradually -he came to believe that he had found it, and soon the hallucination -extended to his thinking that he was also endowed with superhuman -mental attributes, and he saw himself a mightier ruler and warrior than -Peter the Great or Frederick the Great, and a greater philosopher than -Leibniz or Voltaire. The fulsome despatches of Cosby, the assistant -English envoy,[30] would almost seem to warrant this preposterous -belief, for he describes the Crown Prince in the most extravagant terms. - -[30] In 1763 the envoy, Titley, on the ground of age and infirmity, -was granted an assistant, and the British Government sent Cosby to -Copenhagen, and he virtually took over the whole business of the -legation, Titley only intervening in domestic matters connected -with the royal families of England and Denmark. Cosby conducted the -diplomatic business until his recall in 1765. He suddenly went insane. - -[Illustration: QUEEN LOUISE, CONSORT OF FREDERICK V. OF DENMARK AND -DAUGHTER OF GEORGE II. OF ENGLAND. - -_From a Painting by Pilo in the Frederiksborg Palace._] - -"I had yesterday," he writes, "the honour of an audience with -the Prince Royal, and was greatly charmed with the graceful and -affectionate manner in which his Royal Highness received and answered -the compliment I had the honour to make him on the part of the King -[George III.].[31] This young Prince already promises everything that -the most sanguine hopes of this nation can expect. To an amiable and -manly countenance, a graceful and distinguishing figure, he joins an -address full of dignity, and at the same time extremely affable. But -what struck me most was the great resemblance of his Royal Highness, -both in person and manner, to the King [George III.] when his Majesty -was of the age the Prince now is [sixteen]. The likeness is in truth so -striking that it seems rather that of a royal brother than of a Prince -more distantly related [a first cousin] to his Majesty."[32] - -[31] Wherever square brackets occur the matter is interpolated. - -[32] Cosby's despatch, Copenhagen, March 27, 1764. - -Soon after this exchange of compliments between George III. and his -cousin of Denmark the negotiations began which resulted in Christian's -betrothal to Matilda of England. The formal announcement was not made -at Copenhagen until January 18, 1765, when it was enthusiastically -received by the Danish people, who cherished a fond remembrance of -their last Queen from England--Queen Louise. Cosby writes: "The -intended nuptials of the Prince Royal with the Princess Matilda were -declared at court yesterday. There was a very brilliant ball and supper -at the royal table on this occasion, and the evening concluded with -illuminations, and every possible demonstration of joy from all ranks -of people."[33] - -[33] Cosby's despatch, Copenhagen, January 19, 1765. - -On Palm Sunday, 1765, Christian, who had now reached his seventeenth -year, and was already betrothed, was confirmed by the Bishop of -Copenhagen in the chapel of the Christiansborg Palace in the presence -of the King and royal family, the ministers, foreign envoys and all -the court. The occasion was one of much state and ceremonial, for -confirmation in Denmark was, and is, regarded as a very important rite, -and signifies the taking upon oneself the serious responsibilities -of life. The inevitable examination preceded the Crown Prince's -confirmation. Accounts differ as to how he acquitted himself under -this ordeal. Some said that when the Bishop examined the Prince he -discovered that he was well acquainted with Tindal but ignorant of -the Bible. On the other hand, the courtly Cosby writes: "He excited -the admiration of all present by his graceful delivery and thorough -knowledge of the subject of religion; ... the masterly ease and dignity -with which he expressed his sentiments as well as such promising -abilities had an effect on the whole audience".[34] And Titley wrote -later: "As the religious sentiments of a person brought up for absolute -sovereignty may deserve some attention, I have taken the liberty of -adding hereunto as close a translation as I could make of what the -Prince Royal declared at the late solemnity of his being confirmed. -This young Prince, who is of a very amiable genteel figure, discovers -the greatest humanity and goodness of disposition, and is also -distinguished by a most lively understanding which has been carefully -cultivated in a noble, rational way. The declaration is said to be -entirely his own, and I am the more apt to believe it, as having been -assured that he is particularly well grounded in the study of the law -of nature and in general theology."[35] - -[34] Cosby's despatch, Copenhagen, April 2, 1765. - -[35] Titley's despatch, Copenhagen, April 23, 1765. - -The declaration was as follows:-- - -"I do acknowledge in the presence of God, in the presence of the King, -in the presence of this congregation, and of all those who have been my -instructors, that there is an eternal and unalterable law of nature; -from the obligation and force of which no man can be exempted by any -station, or dignity, or power upon earth. I am likewise fully convinced -that the right and true way to salvation is through faith in Jesus -Christ; and I profess it to be my steadfast purpose to live and die in -this belief. - -"I am also sensible of the general and particular functions to which -God has called me; and which I will always endeavour, by the assistance -of the Divine grace, to fulfil. But as, from human weakness, I must be -continually in danger of falling, so I hope that God will strengthen -and support me, that I may not be entangled in the snares of Satan. And -therefore I am persuaded, that, not only the congregation here present, -but also the whole people of this country, will join their prayers with -mine, that I may be enabled to sustain the combat of faith to the end, -and persevere, without spot or blame, in the law prescribed to me, till -the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."[36] - -[36] "A declaration made by the Prince Royal of Denmark when he was -confirmed in the King's Chapel on Palm Sunday, March 31, 1765." - -Though the betrothal of the Crown Prince to an English princess was -exceedingly popular with the Danish people, it was not universally so -in other and more exalted quarters. It was especially obnoxious to -France, and soon after Christian's confirmation an intrigue was set -afoot to break it off. The English envoy took fright lest the intrigue -should be successful, but his fears were groundless, for the alliance -had a firm friend in Frederick V., who, though weak on other points, -was firm as a rock on this one. Titley sought an audience of the King -of Denmark about this time and writes home:-- - -"His Danish Majesty received me in the most gracious manner as usual, -and told me he had now a picture of the Princess [Matilda] and was -extremely well pleased with it. That he had always highly approved -alliances of blood with the royal family of Great Britain, which he -hoped would in time produce close and perfect national union, and that -he heartily wished these family connections might still be repeated -and continued between the two courts through all posterity.... (_In -cipher_) In speaking of this marriage the King of Denmark could not but -remember his late Queen, whose behaviour he praised, and whose loss he -lamented with such an overflowing tenderness as filled his eyes with -tears, which he strove in vain to stifle, and often wiped away with his -handkerchief."[37] - -[37] Titley's despatch, Copenhagen, June 4, 1765. - -The picture to which the King of Denmark referred was a painting of -the Princess Matilda which had been sent from England to Copenhagen at -his express wish. The King declared himself delighted with the picture, -wherein he found many points of resemblance to his lamented Louise. We -find Titley writing again:-- - -"The picture of the Princess Matilda, having been put into a fine -frame by his Danish Majesty's order, was placed some days ago over the -toilet of the Prince Royal at Frederiksberg[38] unknown to his Royal -Highness. The Prince, as I am told, was equally surprised and delighted -to find it there, and after having surveyed it over and over with great -attention and inexpressible pleasure, declared his approbation and -satisfaction in terms of rapture. Yesterday being the birthday of the -Princess Matilda it was celebrated in a private manner by the royal -family at Fredensborg,[39] whither the Prince went two or three days -before on purpose to assist at the festivity."[40] - -[38] The Frederiksberg Palace is situated in the western suburb of -Copenhagen. It must not be confounded with Frederiksborg, which is -some twenty miles from the capital, near the village of Hilleröd. -Frederiksberg was built by Frederick IV., about 1720-30, in the Italian -style. There is a fine view from the terrace. It is surrounded by a -well-timbered park, and the gardens contain many shady promenades. The -palace is now used as a military academy: the grounds are a favourite -resort of the citizens of Copenhagen. - -[39] Fredensborg Slot (or castle) was built in 1720-24 in memory of -the recently concluded peace between Sweden and Denmark, and was known -as the "Castle of Peace". It is a plain unpretentious building, but -the gardens and park are beautiful, and reveal lovely views over the -blue lake of Esrom. The woods are extensive and the trees very fine. -Fredensborg is now used as the summer residence of the Danish royal -family. The family gatherings which have assembled within its walls -during the reign of Christian IX. have made Fredensborg famous over -Europe. - -[40] Titley's despatch, Copenhagen, July 23, 1765. - -Some few months after this pleasing incident the English match lost -its most powerful friend at the court of Copenhagen. On January 13, -1766, Frederick V. died, in the forty-third year of his age and the -twenty-first of his reign. His health for some time previously had been -going from bad to worse, and his malady, dropsy, was increased by his -habits of intemperance. Latterly his mind had become affected as well, -but before the end his brain cleared, and he called his son to his -bedside and said:-- - -"My dear son, you will soon be the King of a flourishing people, but -remember, that to be a great monarch it is absolutely necessary to be -a good man. Have justice and mercy, therefore, constantly before your -eyes, and above all things reflect that you were born for the welfare -of your people, and not your country created for your mere emolument. -In short, keep to the golden rule of doing as you would be done by, and -whenever you give an order as a sovereign examine how far you would be -willing to obey such an order were you a subject."[41] - -[41] _Gentleman's Magazine_, February, 1766. - -A few hours after Frederick V.'s death Bernstorff proclaimed the new -King to the people from the balcony of the Christiansborg Palace in -these words: "King Frederick V. is dead, but King Christian VII. lives. -The Crown Prince has become the ruler of the united kingdoms of -Denmark and Norway." Whereupon all the people shouted: "May the King -live long and reign well like his father!" Christian was then pleased -to show himself to his people, and was afterwards proclaimed throughout -the city by the heralds. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -"THE NORTHERN SCAMP." - -1766. - - -Few monarchs ever began their reign with more ardent prayers of their -people, or inspired brighter hopes, than "Christian VII., by the -grace of God King of Denmark, Norway, of the Goths and Wends, Duke of -Schleswig-Holstein, Stormarn and the Dittmarsches, Count of Oldenburg -and Delmenhorst"--to quote his full style and titles. The young King -was regarded as the probable regenerator of Denmark. "The eminent -virtues and truly royal disposition of the new Sovereign afford a -very agreeable prospect of his future reign," writes Titley. Again: -"He is in all respects a very hopeful Prince, virtuously disposed, -with excellent natural parts, and solidity as well as vivacity of -understanding".[42] The envoy's views were echoed by all who came in -contact with the King. - -[42] Titley's despatch, Copenhagen, January 18, 1766. - -Christian VII. held his first council a few days after his father's -death and acquitted himself with tact and dignity. It was his -introduction to affairs of state, for though, according to the _Lex -Regia_ of Denmark, the heir apparent came of age when he reached the -age of fourteen, Christian had been kept quite ignorant of public -business. This was the more inexcusable as his father's failing health -made it likely that his accession would take place at any moment. -Christian VII. was seventeen years of age when the call came for him -to ascend the throne, and it found him utterly unprepared. To quote a -Swedish writer: "The young monarch exchanged the schoolroom and the -birch-rod for the throne and sceptre". - -This policy of keeping the heir apparent in ignorance of the -constitution and government of the country was part of a set plan. -The Ministers wished to retain all power in their own hands, and they -viewed with alarm the possibility of a new ruler taking the initiative. -For the King of Denmark and Norway in those days was no mere puppet of -sovereignty. He was invested with absolute power, and was in theory, at -any rate, as much an autocrat as the Tsar of all the Russias. The late -King, from indolence and indifference, had let all the power drift into -the hands of his ministers, but there was no reason why Christian VII. -should do the same. The royal policy of _laissez-faire_ had not been so -successful in the last reign that the nation desired its continuance in -this. The trend of foreign policy under Moltke had been to sell Denmark -bound hand and foot to France. In home affairs, the army and navy had -drifted into a deplorable state of inefficiency, the national debt was -abnormally large, and the taxes burdensome. Many of the nobility were -disaffected and corrupt, the middle classes sullen and discontented, -and the peasants ground down to the level of beasts of burden. -Undoubtedly there was something rotten in the state of Denmark. - -The young King at first made a laudable effort to do what he could. -"He begins, they say," wrote Titley, "to show a desire of becoming -thoroughly master of the state of his affairs, and it is not to be -doubted that he will soon make great progress in that knowledge, if -he takes right methods and his application is equal to his capacity." -Again: "Sensible people here begin to conceive great hopes of their -young Sovereign, and cannot enough admire his application to business, -and also the quickness and solidity of his understanding".[43] And -again: "With a great share of vivacity and youthful levity he yet -thinks very seriously and strives to make himself master of his -affairs, so far at least as not to be under the necessity of blindly -following the suggestions of anybody; ... he is unwilling to do -anything that he cannot understand or rationally approve".[44] - -[43] Titley's despatch, Copenhagen, January 21, 1766. - -[44] _Ibid._, March 14, 1766. - -If this show of authority somewhat alarmed Moltke and his placemen, -the inexperienced King at first did nothing to displace them. For -the first few months of his reign Christian VII. ruled through a -triumvirate, composed of Moltke, Bernstorff and Reventlow. The -triumvirate, though they detested each other, united in an attempt -to discourage the King from governing. If Christian expressed an -opinion on any matter of state, they either raised difficulties, or -embarked on wearisome discussions. Baffled and discouraged at every -turn the young King resolved not to yield without a struggle to his -dictators. He knew that the affairs of the nation were in confusion, -and he asked a distinguished servant of the state, Count Frederick -Danneskjold-Samsöe,[45] to draw up for him an independent report of -the condition of the kingdom. Danneskjold-Samsöe performed his task -with alacrity, and painted an appalling picture of the distress of -the people, the corruption and mismanagement in the great spending -departments of the state, and the misgovernment of ministers. He -inveighed against the whole policy of the ministers, and especially -against that of Bernstorff, whom he regarded as chiefly responsible -for the marriage arranged between the King and the English Princess -Matilda. This marriage he boldly declared was displeasing to the -nation. But in this respect he met with no success; the King showed -no inclination to hurry into matrimony, but the betrothal remained -unaltered. So far as could be judged Christian inherited his father's -liking for England. "I am told," wrote the English envoy, "that he -has a predilection towards England. He often talks in private of the -British blood in his veins, and often intimates the satisfaction -it would give him to lead his army in person in the cause of Great -Britain."[46] - -[45] Count Frederick Danneskjold-Samsöe was a grandson of Christian -V. The first Count was Christian V.'s son by Sophie Amalie, daughter -of Paul Mothe, an apothecary. His daughter by his first marriage, -Frederica Louise, married in 1720 Christian Augustus, Duke of -Holstein-Sondeburg-Augustenburg. This marriage played an important -part in the interminable Schleswig-Holstein question as affecting the -legitimacy of the Pretender. Christian, the late Duke of Augustenburg, -and his brother Prince Frederick, also married daughters of the -house of Danneskjold-Samsöe. The mother of Prince Christian of -Schleswig-Holstein was a Countess Danneskjold-Samsöe. - -[46] Titley's despatch, Copenhagen, May 13, 1766. - -Christian VII. acted so far on Danneskjold-Samsöe's report as to -dismiss his Prime Minister, Moltke, without a pension, and to strip him -of all his offices. He had always disliked Moltke, whom he considered -chiefly responsible for his having been kept in subjection and in -ignorance of public affairs during the late King's lifetime. Contrary -to expectation he did not treat Reventlow with the same severity. He -gave him titular honours, but quietly put him on one side. Bernstorff -triumphantly acquitted himself of the charges brought against him, and -rapidly advanced in the King's favour. He soon became the most powerful -minister in Denmark. - -A firm friend of Bernstorff and of the English alliance was Prince -Charles of Hesse.[47] This Prince was Christian VII.'s first cousin, -and, like him, had an English mother--Princess Mary, daughter of -George II. This Princess married the Landgrave Frederick of Hesse, who -after his marriage became a Roman Catholic. His sons were then taken -away from his guardianship, and sent, for the greater security of their -Protestantism, to Copenhagen, where they grew up under the protection -of Frederick V. Prince Charles was much loved by King Frederick, who -betrothed him to his daughter the Princess Louise. Prince Charles was -good-looking, clever and high principled, but he was almost penniless, -and the proposed alliance was considered a poor one for the Danish -Princess. They, however, were very much in love with one another, and -Christian VII. approved of the betrothal quite as much as the late King. - -[47] Prince Charles of Hesse, afterwards Landgrave, left behind him a -manuscript entitled _Mémoires de mon Temps_. After nearly a century it -was ordered to be printed by King Frederick VII. of Denmark for private -circulation. It is the authority for many passages in this book. - -Prince Charles was at this time a great favourite with his royal -cousin, who often sought his advice. The young King had need of a -disinterested counsellor who was not afraid to speak, for before long -the bright hopes entertained concerning him began to fade. The tactics -of his ministers in seeking to blunt the edge of the King's interest -in state affairs had been only too successful. They wished him not to -interfere, or take the initiative in any way, but they wanted him to -be diligent in doing what they told him, and punctual in the discharge -of routine duties. But Christian VII. soon developed a distaste for -all work, and showed an inclination to shirk the most formal duty. -He rarely attended a council, and would leave the necessary papers -unsigned for days.[48] - -[48] "The late ministry," wrote Gunning after the fall of Bernstorff's -Government in 1770, "are said to have neglected no means of presenting -all business to His Majesty's youthful eye through the terrifying -medium of labour and drudgery. They used many efforts (and at length -they succeeded) to inspire him with a thorough distaste for everything -but ease and dissipation, with the sole design of maintaining their own -power and consequence. They equally diverted his application from civil -or military business, the former with a view of managing it themselves, -the latter in order to prevent any great exertion of the natural power -of an arbitrary government, which without an army is a mere chimæra." -(Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, April 4, 1771.) - -[Illustration: KING CHRISTIAN VII. - -_From the Painting by P. Wichman, 1766._] - -In other ways, too, Christian showed signs of change, not for the -better. For a few months after his accession he spent his evenings -in the circle of the royal family, with his sisters and stepbrother, -the Hereditary Prince Frederick. He by turns visited the two -Dowager-Queens, Juliana Maria and Sophia Magdalena. Juliana Maria -treated him with great friendliness, and his grandmother, Sophia -Magdalena, was genuinely fond of him. But the company of the two -dowagers was not lively, and it was made worse by the stiff etiquette -that prevailed in their circles. It pleased the King's wayward humour -to outrage all these laws of etiquette, and even to descend to the -level of practical jokes, sheltering himself against retaliation by his -position. On one occasion he blew a cup of scalding tea into a lady's -face when she was in the act of drinking it; on another he exposed his -august grandmother to derision by powdering her hair with sugar. In -addition to the two Dowager-Queens there was another old princess -at the Danish court, the King's aunt, Charlotte Amelia, who lived only -for religious practices and charity. Even the halo of sanctity which -surrounded this royal spinster did not protect her from insult. She was -constantly tormented by the King and jeered at before the courtiers. -At first Charlotte Amelia treated this insolence as boyish fun, but at -last things became so bad that she withdrew from court. Her limit of -endurance was reached when one of the King's pages crawled under the -dining-table on all fours, disguised as a savage, and nearly frightened -her to death. She retired to the Amalienborg and could never be -persuaded to return to court. The King's practical joke cost him dear, -for the Princess Charlotte Amelia revoked her will, and left her large -fortune away from her nephew to the poor. - -When he was weary of tormenting old ladies Christian VII. introduced -the custom of retiring to his own apartments after dinner, and there, -surrounded by a chosen circle of his intimates, he would lay aside his -kingly dignity and make merry with his friends. No doubt these evening -gatherings were in imitation of those of his exemplar, Frederick the -Great, where ceremonial and etiquette were banished and the Prussian -King and his friends engaged in intellectual conversation and social -enjoyment. Unfortunately for the parallel, Christian's clique consisted -of foolish and dissipated young courtiers, and their conversation -mainly turned upon current scandals, or _risqué_ French novels were -read and commented on. When in turn the King was wearied of these -diversions, he conceived the idea of prowling about his capital at -night, disguised like another Haroun al Raschid, but from a very -different motive to that which guided the enlightened Caliph, and -with very different results. Soon strange rumours were heard of these -nocturnal expeditions, of wild sallies and adventures, of street -fights, breaking of windows and conflicts with the watchmen. In these -excursions Kirschoff and Sperling accompanied the King, and aided and -abetted him in his wildest extravagancies. The sober Danes began to -take fright lest their young monarch should be thoroughly corrupted -by his evil companions. He was already earning the title, which the -English ladies gave him later, of "The Northern Scamp". The British -minister, who at first had nothing but praise for Christian VII., now -writes:-- - -"As this young gentleman [Sperling] is not eminently qualified to be -of any particular use or amusement to his Sovereign, otherwise than by -assisting him in the gratification of irregular passions, people are -alarmed at such a connection, and the greatest care will be taken to -prevent the evil effects which are naturally to be apprehended from -it".[49] - -[49] Titley's despatch, February 4, 1766. - -Something had to be done, so the ministers made a scapegoat of -Kirschoff and sent him away from court with a pension. Kirschoff, -though quite as vicious, was far less dangerous than Sperling, for -he had not the same influence with the King. But unfortunately this -arch-corrupter was suffered to remain, and by example and precept he -continued to encourage his master in vice and dissipation. The young -King's only restraint to the indulgence of gross and unbridled passions -was the superstition engendered by his gloomy creed. His teachers -had instilled into him a lively terror of hell and the devil, and -had painted in darkest colours the eternal punishment of the wicked. -Christian's mind often dwelt upon these things, and eventually the -torments of hell became with him a monomania. He used to discuss -this, and other religious questions, with Prince Charles of Hesse, -who had a liking for theological conversations; but his serious moods -did not last long. For instance, on one occasion the two young men -argued long and earnestly on the efficacy of the sacrament, and then -prayed together. The King was apparently deeply moved, but half an -hour later, when they went to see Queen Sophia Magdalena, he made a -mockery of the whole thing. "Charles and I have been praying together -most piously," he said, and burst into boisterous laughter. With such a -volatile temperament, never in the same mind two hours together, with -the spirit warring against the flesh, and the flesh warring against -the spirit, surrounded by temptations and evil example, the King did -well to hearken to Prince Charles when he urged him to marry as soon as -possible. Things were going from bad to worse, and it seemed that in a -happy marriage lay the only hope of the young monarch's salvation. - -The Danish nation eagerly desired to see their King married, for they -wished to have the succession to the throne assured in the direct line. -The Ministers also desired it (even those who were opposed to the -English alliance), partly for political reasons, and partly because -they thought that the evil tendencies of the King could only be checked -in this way. Christian, himself, was averse from marriage, but since -it was inevitable, it was easier for him to yield now than to postpone -the question, only for it to be revived later. And if he must wed, his -English cousin would do as well as any other bride. - -The marriage had been arranged to take place the following year, -1767, but, under the circumstances, it was thought advisable by -the Government at Copenhagen that it should take place sooner, and -representations were made to the court of St. James to that effect. -The English envoy, who was in constant dread lest the influence of -the French party should break off the match, also wrote home urging -the speedy fulfilment of the contract. Moreover, English interests -conspired to make it advisable that the marriage should take place -soon. Gunning,[50] who had succeeded Cosby at Copenhagen, wrote: -"There can be scarce any doubt that if the marriage takes place before -a renewal of the French treaty, the influence of so amiable a Princess, -as her Royal Highness is, on so young a Prince (who as yet has given -way to no tender attachment) will operate powerfully in favour of the -mutual interests of the two kingdoms".[51] Titley was no less zealous, -and while Gunning spoke of the political advantages of a speedy union, -he extolled the virtues of the royal bridegroom. "In his way of living -he is regular and sober," he writes, "eats heartily, but drinks little -or no wine. His temper is compassionate and good, but equitable and -firm. He has a quick apprehension, with a sound and not uncultivated -understanding, and his mind is well seasoned with the principles of -virtue and religion. He is now impatient for the accomplishment of -his marriage, and as he is hitherto under no prepossession, there is -the greatest reason to believe he will find his happiness in that -union."[52] What higher praise could be given of any prince! - -[50] Robert Gunning (afterwards Sir Robert Gunning) was born in 1731, -and came of a distinguished Irish family. On the recall of Cosby -through ill-health, he was appointed Minister Resident at the court of -Denmark in November, 1765, but he did not arrive in Copenhagen until -April, 1766. His instructions were to assist the Envoy Extraordinary -and Minister Plenipotentiary, Walter Titley, and to keep the British -Government well informed of passing events. He performed his duties -so well, that, on the death of Titley in 1768, he was appointed his -successor at Copenhagen. He remained there until June, 1771, when he -was appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the -court of Prussia. Eventually he was transferred to the Russian court, -and after a distinguished diplomatic career died a Baronet and a Knight -of the Bath in 1816. - -[51] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, April 19, 1766. - -[52] Titley's despatch, Copenhagen, May 13, 1766. - -The British King and Government, who were most anxious to check the -designs of France in the Baltic, responded with alacrity, and matters -advanced so quickly that, at the end of May, Bernstorff despatched -a messenger to Bothmar in London with instructions to conclude the -marriage contract, and to propose the completion of it in October. - -During the summer of 1766 the nuptials of the King of Denmark's two -sisters took place in Copenhagen, the elder to the Crown Prince of -Sweden, and the younger to Prince Charles of Hesse. These events were -solemnised with considerable magnificence, and so was the birthday of -the future Queen of Denmark, now aged fifteen. Gunning writes: "To-day -was celebrated at the palace of Frederiksberg with every possible -demonstration of joy and festivity the birthday of the Princess -Matilda. His Danish Majesty omitted nothing that could tend to show the -satisfaction he felt upon that happy occasion. He did Mr. Titley and me -the honour of admitting us to his table, that we might be witnesses of -it, a favour conferred on none of the other foreign ministers."[53] - -[53] Gunning's despatch, July 26, 1766. - -English influence was decidedly in the ascendant at Copenhagen, but -the envoy's desired alliance of England, Russia and Denmark against -the designs of France and Sweden did not advance rapidly. It was hoped -that Matilda on her arrival at the Danish court would help it forward. -She was regarded as a pawn in the diplomatic game, and we find Titley -writing home before the marriage, to advise the part she was to play. -"The partisans of France," he writes, "still keep up their spirits -here in spite of very discouraging appearances. I have heard that they -place some hopes even in the future Queen, expecting to work upon her -youth and inexperience so far as to incline her to favour their cause. -Therefore ... I would beg leave to intimate that it were to be wished -that her Royal Highness before she comes hither might be a little -prepared, and put upon her guard against all such impressions, since -it is very certain that her authority here will be always precarious, -whatever flattering prospects may be held out to her, if any foreign -interest should prevail to the prejudice of England. It cannot, -however, be doubted that her Royal Highness will preserve a favourable -remembrance of her native country, especially when she finds her Royal -Consort and the generality of the nation giving in to those very -sentiments which must be natural to her."[54] - -[54] Titley's despatch, Copenhagen, July 7, 1766. - -These representations were doubtless communicated to Matilda. Her -brother, George III., signified his consent to the marriage taking -place in October, and commanded his minister at Copenhagen to inform -the court of Denmark that his sister would set out for her new home as -soon as the necessary formalities were accomplished. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -MATILDA'S ARRIVAL IN DENMARK. - -1766. - - -When Matilda was told that her marriage would take place a year earlier -than at first arranged she burst into tears, and no longer concealed -her extreme reluctance to the Danish match. The Princess-Dowager of -Wales commanded Sir Joshua Reynolds to paint the portrait of the future -Queen of Denmark before her departure from England, and the great -painter complained that he was unable to do justice either to the -Princess or himself, because she was always weeping.[55] But neither -tears nor lamentations had any effect with the Princess-Dowager; that -stern mother told her daughter to remember that princes and princesses -were not as ordinary mortals, free to wed as inclination suggested, -and she recalled the fact that she, herself, had been sent from her -secluded German home at the age of seventeen to England, to wed a -husband whom she had never seen. - -[55] Northcote's _Memoirs of Sir J. Reynolds_, vol. i. - -Matilda's home had not been altogether a happy one because of this same -mother, but she was fondly attached to her brothers and to her invalid -sister Louisa Anne, and she loved the land of her birth. She forced a -smile in response to those who came to offer their congratulations, but -she took no interest in the preparations for her marriage. She seemed -to have a foreboding of evil, and it was evident to all that she was a -most unwilling bride, sacrificed upon the altar of political expediency. - -Not much time was allowed the young Princess for reflection, for soon -after the message was received from the Danish court her marriage and -departure were pushed on with all speed. On June 3, 1766, a message -from the King was delivered to Parliament asking for the marriage -portion of the Princess Matilda. After some debate, more on matters of -form than the actual sum, a portion was voted of £100,000. - -This important preliminary over, the King decided that his sister was -to be married by proxy in England on October 1, and leave for Denmark -the next day. The event excited some public interest, and we glean the -following particulars from the journals concerning the preparations for -the bride's journey:-- - -"Tuesday the provisions dressed in the royal kitchen at Somerset House -were sent on board the yachts at Gravesend. The Princess Matilda's -baggage was yesterday sent down and the yachts sailed last night for -Harwich."[56] - -[56] _The Gazetteer_, September 23, 1766. - -"There are orders for two coaches, two post-chaises and four saddle -horses to be ready on Thursday next at five o'clock to attend the -Queen of Denmark to Harwich."[57] - -[57] _The Gazetteer_, September 29, 1766. - -"We hear that Princess Matilda has ordered genteel presents to all her -servants, and also some benefactions to be distributed among a number -of poor persons after her departure."[58] - -[58] _The Public Advertiser_, September 29, 1766. - -"Detachments of the Queen's, or Second Regiment of Light Dragoons, are -stationed on the Essex Road to escort the Queen of Denmark to Harwich. -'Tis imagined the Princess will only stop to change horses, as the -necessary refreshments are carried in the coach. One of the King's -cooks goes over with her Royal Highness."[59] - -[59] _The Public Advertiser_, October 1, 1766. - -George III. personally superintended the arrangements for his sister's -marriage and journey to Denmark. We find from him the following letter -to the Secretary of State:-- - -"I return you the proposed ceremonial for the espousals of my sister -which I entirely approve of. The full power must undoubtedly _ex -officio_ be read by you, and the solemn contract by the Archbishop of -Canterbury. I desire, therefore, that you will have it copied, only -inserting the royal apartments of St. James's Palace instead of the -Chapel Royal, and my brother's Christian name in those places where it -has, I think, evidently been, through the negligence of the copier, -omitted where he speaks. As in all other solemn declarations, that is -always used as well as the title. The Archbishop should then have -it communicated to him, that he may see whether it is conformable to -precedents, besides the dignity of his station calls for that mark of -regard from me."[60] - -[60] Letter of King George III. to the Right Honourable Henry Seymour -Conway, Secretary of State, Queen's House, September 20, 1766. British -Museum, Egerton MS. 82, fol. 20. - -On Wednesday, October 1, 1766, between seven and eight o'clock in the -evening, the Princess Matilda was married by proxy to the King of -Denmark in the council chamber of St. James's Palace. Her brother, the -Duke of York, stood for Christian VII., and the ceremony was performed -by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the presence of the King, the Queen, -the Princess-Dowager of Wales, and other members of the royal family. -A large company of nobility, gentry and foreign ministers were also -present. Immediately after the ceremony the Queen of Denmark, as she -was called, received the congratulations of the court, but she looked -pale and dejected and her eyes were full of unshed tears. The same -evening the Queen took formal leave of her brother, George III. - -Matilda slept that night at Carlton House, and the next morning at -half-past six, in the grey light of a chill October dawn, she said -good-bye to her mother, and set out on her long journey. Three coaches -were waiting to convey the Queen to Harwich, the road was lined with -infantry, and a company of Life Guards was drawn up to escort her as -far as Mile End. These preparations caused a small crowd to assemble -in Pall Mall. The parting between Matilda and her mother was most -affecting. The marriage had been the Princess-Dowager's pet project, -but even she felt a pang when she bade her youngest child farewell and -sent her to the keeping of a strange prince in a far-off land. Her -farewell present to her daughter was a ring on which the words were -engraved, "May it bring thee happiness". When the young Queen came out -of the house to enter her coach it was noticed by the waiting crowd -that she was weeping bitterly, and this so affected many of the women -and children that they wept in company. The Duke of Gloucester, Baron -Bothmar,[61] the Queen's vice-chamberlain, who had been sent from -Denmark to escort her Majesty, and Lady Mary Boothby accompanied Queen -Matilda. The Life Guards conducted her as far as Mile End, and were -there relieved by a detachment of Light Dragoons who escorted the Queen -as far as Lord Abercorn's house at Witham, where it was arranged that -she would dine and sleep the night. Of this stage of her journey it is -written: "Her Majesty was dressed in bloom-colour with white flowers. -Wherever she passed the earnest prayers of the people were for her -health and praying God to protect her from the perils of the sea. An -easy melancholy at times seemed to affect her on account of leaving -her family and place of birth, but upon the whole she carried an air -of serenity and majesty which exceedingly moved every one who beheld -her."[62] - -[61] A brother of the Danish envoy at the court of St. James's. - -[62] _Public Advertiser_, October 5, 1766. - -The next morning Matilda set out again, and escorted by another -detachment of Light Dragoons reached Harwich soon after four o'clock in -the afternoon, but the wind being in the north-east, and the sea rough, -it was not thought advisable for her to embark. She therefore went to -the house of the collector of customs where she supped and lay the -night, and the next morning at half-past eleven went on board the royal -yacht with her retinue. Here she took leave of her brother the Duke of -Gloucester who returned to London. The wind was still rough and the -yacht lay all the morning in the Roads, but towards evening, when the -gale had abated, she set sail for the coast of Holland. Matilda came on -deck and watched the shores of her native land until the last lights -faded from her view. - -The evening of her departure, it is interesting to note, the eloquent -Nonconformist minister, George Whitefield, preached a sermon at his -Tabernacle in London on the marriage of the youthful Queen, and -concluded with an impassioned prayer for her future happiness.[63] - -[63] _Vide Public Advertiser_, October 8, 1766. - -It was known how unwilling she had been to go, and very general pity -was felt for her. "The poor Queen of Denmark," writes Mrs. Carter to -Miss Talbot on October 4, 1766, "is gone out alone into the wide world: -not a creature she knows to attend her any further than Altona. It is -worse than dying; for die she must to all she has ever seen or known; -but then it is only dying out of one bad world into another just like -it, and where she is to have cares and fears and dangers and sorrows -that will all yet be new to her. May it please God to protect and -instruct and comfort her, poor child as she is! and make her as good, -as beloved and as happy as I believe her Aunt Louisa was! They have -just been telling me how bitterly she cried in the coach so far as -anybody saw her."[64] - -[64] Mrs. Carter's _Letters_, vol. iii. - -The Queen had a very rough crossing, and did not arrive at Rotterdam -until six days after she had embarked at Harwich. She landed under a -discharge of cannon, and she was received with considerable ceremony -by the Prince Stadtholder and other personages. From Rotterdam to -Copenhagen is a distance of some six hundred miles. It had been -arranged that the Queen should accomplish this by slow stages, and -every resting-place on the line of route had already been decided upon. - -[Illustration: KEW PALACE, WHERE QUEEN MATILDA PASSED MUCH OF HER -GIRLHOOD. - -_From an Engraving, temp. 1751._] - -At Rotterdam she embarked on the Stadtholder's yacht and proceeded -by water to Utrecht, where she stayed the night at the house of a -Dutch nobleman. From Utrecht she proceeded by coach, and passed in -due course into her brother's Hanoverian dominions. Her retinue was -a large and splendid one, and everywhere on the route she attracted -great attention, the people coming out to cheer and bless her. She lay -for one night at Osnabrück, in the castle, and (tradition says) in -the same room where her great-grandfather, George I., was born and was -driven back to die. She was received there, as elsewhere, with great -marks of distinction. At Lingen in Westphalia a cavalcade of students, -arrayed in blue uniforms, came out of the town gate on horseback to -meet her. They conducted her to the house where she was to rest, they -serenaded her, and kept guard all night under her windows. The next -morning they escorted her three leagues on the road to Bremen, where -they took their leave. Her Majesty thanked them for their gallant -conduct. - -At Harburg on the Elbe Matilda embarked upon a richly decorated barge, -which had been built by the city of Hamburg for her use. On this she -sailed down the Elbe to Altona. The river was covered with boats and -all kinds of craft, flying the British and Danish flags, and as the -barge came in sight of Hamburg (a city adjacent to Altona) the Queen -was saluted by a discharge of thirty guns. The quays of Hamburg were -gaily decorated, and thronged with people anxious to catch sight of the -youthful Queen. - -A few minutes before Matilda's landing at Altona the Stadtholder of -Schleswig-Holstein went on board to pay his respects to the Queen -of Denmark, and to present to her Madame de Plessen, her first -lady-in-waiting, the maids of honour, and the men of her household, who -had there assembled to meet her. At Altona the Queen first set foot -in Danish dominions. She landed at six o'clock in the evening, and -passed down a bridge covered with scarlet cloth, and between two lines -of maidens dressed in white, who strewed flowers before her feet. The -streets, through which she drove, were lined with burghers under arms, -thronged with people, and decorated with flags, mottoes and triumphal -arches. The Queen passed under one of these arches, beautifully -illuminated, just in front of her house. That same evening the chief -ladies of the city were presented to her, and she supped in public. The -Queen rested at Altona over Sunday. In the morning she went to church, -and on her return held a court. She also received a deputation of the -magistrates of Altona, and one of them read the following address:-- - -"Your Majesty now gives us a mark of goodness, which we cannot -sufficiently acknowledge, in graciously permitting us to testify the -boundless veneration and joy which are excited in the hearts of the -burgesses and the inhabitants on your happy arrival in this city. It -is true that in every part of your journey your Majesty will receive -from your faithful subjects transports of joy and most ardent vows, -nevertheless, our fidelity is surpassed by none, and Altona at the same -time enjoys this happy privilege, that she is the first of all the -cities in the kingdom to admire in your Majesty's person a Princess the -most accomplished, and a Queen to whose protection we have the honour -to recommend ourselves with all possible submission."[65] - -[65] _Public Advertiser_, letter from Hamburg, November 4, 1766. - -Matilda graciously replied, and charmed every one by her youth -and affability. When the court was over, the Queen, attended by a -detachment of Hamburg troops and Danish cuirassiers, made a progress -through Altona and Hamburg, and was greeted with enthusiasm by all -classes of the people. - -The next morning, Monday, the Queen took leave of her English suite, -who were now to return to England. The parting moved her to tears, and -she presented Lady Mary Boothby, who had been with her for years, with -a watch, set with diamonds, and a cheque for a thousand crowns. It -had been stipulated by the Danish court that Matilda should bring no -English person in her train to Denmark, so that she might more readily -adapt herself to the customs of her adopted country. - -The Danish suite were, of course, all strangers to the Queen, and the -first aspect of her chief lady-in-waiting, Madame de Plessen, was not -reassuring. Madame de Plessen was the widow of a privy councillor, and -was a little over forty years of age. She had been lady-in-waiting to -Queen Sophia Magdalena, who held her in high esteem: it was through her -influence that she obtained this appointment. Madame de Plessen was -a virtuous and religious woman, with a strict sense of duty and high -moral principles, and could be trusted to guide the young Queen in the -way she should go. But she had been trained in the old school, and her -ideas of etiquette were rigid in the extreme. She sought to hedge round -the Queen with every possible form and ceremony, and at first her -chill formalism frightened the timid Queen, who had not yet discovered -that behind her austere demeanour Madame de Plessen concealed a kind -heart. - -Madame de Plessen was a clever and ambitious woman, and like her -former mistress, Sophia Magdalena, she favoured the French party at -Copenhagen. Her appointment, as head of the Queen's household, was -therefore viewed with no little apprehension by Gunning, who, some -time before Matilda's arrival in Denmark, wrote to warn the British -Government:-- - -"The person at the head of the list [of the Queen's household]," he -writes, "is a lady of an excellent understanding, possessing a thorough -knowledge of the world, and a most intriguing disposition. These -talents have recommended her to the Ministers here as a proper person -to place about the future Queen, but they are not the only ones. Her -being entirely devoted to the French system and interest, pointed her -out as the fittest instrument, to either give the young Princess the -bias they wish (which they think will not be difficult at her age), or, -by circumventing her, prevent that influence they conclude she will -have on the King. Their having unhappily effected the latter in the -late reign, gives them hopes of being equally successful in this; but -if her Royal Highness be prepared against these snares, her good sense -and discernment will prevent her falling into them, or being persuaded -by all the arguments (however specious) they may use, that it is not -the interest of this country [Denmark] to engage itself too close with -England."[66] - -[66] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, May 20, 1766. Marked "_secret_". - -It soon became apparent that the English envoy's fears were not without -foundation, and before long Madame de Plessen gained a great ascendency -over her young mistress. But at first she put aside all thought of -political intrigue, and her only instinct was maternal sympathy for the -lonely little Queen. Within a few days Matilda completely won Madame de -Plessen's heart, and the duenna determined at all hazard to protect her -charge against the perils and temptations of the corrupt court whither -she was bound. - -From Hamburg Matilda proceeded by easy stages through her Danish -dominions. She was received at the gates of the city of Schleswig by -the chief burgesses and clergy, who complimented her on her arrival. -Her journey was a triumphal progress. Gunning writes from Copenhagen: -"We have an account of her Majesty's being arrived at Schleswig in -perfect health. The transports of the common people at the expectation -of again seeing an English princess on the throne are scarcely to be -described. Her Majesty's affability and condescension have already -gained her the hearts of all those who have had an opportunity of -approaching her."[67] - -[67] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, October 25, 1766. - -Matilda arrived at the historic town of Röskilde,[68] near Copenhagen, -on the evening of November 1, and rested there the night. Here Titley -and Gunning were waiting to have audience, and a courier was sent ahead -to inform the King, who was at the Christiansborg Palace, that his -Queen was at Röskilde. The next morning, as early as seven o'clock, -Christian VII., with his brother the Hereditary Prince Frederick, and -his cousin Prince Charles of Hesse, set out in all haste for Röskilde. -Here the King and Queen saw one another for the first time. The King -greeted his bride with great heartiness, and bade her welcome to his -kingdom. So delighted was he with her that, in defiance of etiquette, -he embraced and kissed her in the presence of all the company. The -little Queen seemed much comforted by this warm welcome, and at first -sight was favourably impressed with her husband. The young King -had charming manners, and was by no means ill to look upon. Though -considerably under middle height he was perfectly proportioned, and -possessed agility and strength. His features were regular, if not -handsome, and, like his Queen and cousin, he was very fair, with blue -eyes and yellow hair. His personal appearance was greatly enhanced by -his dress, which was magnificent and in the best of taste. - -[68] Röskilde, an ancient town on the fjord of that name, once the -capital of the kingdom, and afterwards the residence of the Bishop -of Zealand. It has a magnificent cathedral, containing the tombs of -the Kings and Queens of Denmark. They are buried there to this day. -Röskilde is about twenty English miles from Copenhagen. - -After the first greetings were over, a procession was formed to -escort Matilda to Frederiksberg, where she was to stay until her -marriage. Again Christian put etiquette on one side and insisted on -entering the same coach as the Queen--an ornate state coach drawn by -six white horses. The coach was preceded by an escort of guards and -followed by a train of other coaches. Frederiksberg was reached about -noon, and here the Queen-Mother, Sophia Magdalena, the Queen-Dowager, -Juliana Maria, the Princess Louise, the King's sister, and a great -number of the nobility were assembled to welcome the bride. Matilda -was received by all with the greatest marks of affection and respect. -Even Juliana Maria, who saw in her advent a blow to her hopes, forced -herself to greet the young Queen with some show of cordiality. As for -the old Queen, Sophia Magdalena, she frankly was delighted with her -granddaughter-in-law, and sent a special message to Titley, as to an -old friend, to tell him "how extremely satisfied and charmed she was -with the person and conversation of the new Queen".[69] Matilda gave -universal satisfaction, and the envoys wrote enthusiastically:-- - -"She has everywhere been received in these dominions with all due -honours and the greatest demonstrations of joy. She seems to gain -universal applause and affection wherever she appears, and her -particular attendants are unanimous in giving the highest praises to -her disposition and behaviour."[70] - -[69] Titley's despatch, Copenhagen, November 4, 1766. - -[70] _Ibid._ - -Immediately on her arrival at Frederiksberg Matilda held a court, -at which many personages of distinction were presented to her. The -court was followed by a banquet, when the King and his bride, the two -Dowager-Queens and the rest of the royal family dined in public. After -the banquet the King and all the other personages present took their -leave and returned to Copenhagen, leaving Matilda to well-earned rest. -Her long journey had occupied a month; she left England on October 2, -and reached Frederiksberg on November 2. All this time she had been on -the road, and perpetually receiving congratulations and deputations. -It was no small tribute to the tact and amiability of this princess of -fifteen that she everywhere won golden opinions. And it was proof of -the strength of her constitution that she bore the long and tedious -journey across northern Europe, in inclement weather, without illness -or undue fatigue. - -Matilda rested at Frederiksberg for five days. On Saturday, November -8, she made her public entry into Copenhagen--on the occasion of -the marriage the same evening. Her entry was attended with every -circumstance of pomp and enthusiasm. About noon Princess Louise drove -to Frederiksberg, where her young sister-in-law was ready to receive -her. Accompanied by the Princess, Queen Matilda drove to a common -outside Copenhagen behind the "Blaagaard" [Blue Farm], where she found -a long procession awaiting her. The Queen here descended from her coach -and entered another, beautifully decorated and gilt. The procession -then set out for Copenhagen in the following order:[71] A squadron of -Horse Guards; a band of mounted drummers and trumpeters, twelve royal -pages in gold and crimson liveries on horseback, and a cavalcade, under -the command of the Master of the Horse, consisting of many officers of -the court. Then followed the ministers of state and the ambassadors -in their coaches; each coach vied with the other in magnificence, and -each was drawn by six horses and escorted by six running footmen. Then -came the Knights of the Order of the Elephant, wearing their robes and -insignia; the Knights of the Order of the Dannebrog, also in their -robes; the Royal Head Riding-Master, mounted on the "Dancing Horse" -(whatever that may mean), and a bevy of beautifully dressed ladies -in coaches. The climax of all this magnificence was the lovely young -Queen in robes of silver tissue and ermine, with a circlet of diamonds -on her fair hair, seated in her coach drawn by eight white horses, -and surrounded by royal lackeys in gorgeous liveries. Immediately -behind the Queen's coach came the members of her household; and twelve -halberdiers, arrayed in scarlet cloaks and equipped with pikes, closed -the procession. - -[71] The following description of the Queen's entry into Copenhagen and -her marriage is based upon official documents in the archives of the -Court Marshal at Copenhagen, and from Danish papers of the time. - -The procession entered Copenhagen through the Nörreport [North Gate] -and passed along the Nörregade [North Street] to the Gammeltorv -[Market Place]. Cannon thundered as the Queen passed under the gate, -and all the bells of the churches clashed forth joyous chimes. The -route was gaily decorated with flags and draperies; companies of -burghers lined the streets, and the balconies, windows, and even the -housetops were crowded with people, who cheered with wild enthusiasm. -The little Queen, looking like a fairy in her robes of silver tissue, -was seen, bowing and smiling, through the windows of her great gorgeous -coach, and she captured all hearts at once. "The English rose," the -Danes called her, and they hailed her as another Queen Louise, who -would act as a guide and helpmate to her husband, a purifier of his -court, and a true friend of the people. - -In the Market Place the procession came to a halt for a few minutes -before the Town Hall, and the Queen was met by a bevy of eighteen -young girls, dressed in white, and who carried wreaths and baskets of -flowers. Here was a magnificent arch, seventy feet high, representing -a Corinthian portcullis, and through the archway was revealed a -background in perspective of the Temple of Hymen. A statue of Hymen -looked down upon an altar, and above this altar allegorical figures of -Denmark and England clasped hands. A pretty ceremony took place; the -maidens passed up the steps and laid their wreaths upon the altar of -Hymen singing: - - God bless King Christian the Mild - And his Caroline Mathilde. - -Then they cast flowers before the Queen's coach, and at "the same -moment was heard the most delightful music, which broke forth -simultaneously from all sides". Thus amid music, song, flowers and -shouts of joy and welcome, Matilda proceeded on her way through the -city, and at last reached the Christiansborg Palace. - -As her coach drew up at the main entrance, the guard presented arms, -and the heralds blared on their silver trumpets. The heir presumptive, -Prince Frederick, was waiting to receive the Queen; he assisted her -to alight, and conducted her up the grand staircase into the King's -presence. The King received his bride with every mark of affection and -honour, and then led her to the knights' hall, where a state banquet -was served. The King pledged his Queen in a superb wedding goblet of -crystal and gold, manufactured for the occasion.[72] - -[72] This goblet is still preserved in the Rosenborg. It is a -magnificent specimen of Danish art. The Danish and English arms are -ground into the crystal, the crowned initials of the bridal pair are -also inscribed, and underneath appears the legend "_Felici sidere -juncti_, 1766". The elaborately chased lid is surmounted by a crown. -The height of the goblet is eighteen inches. - -After the banquet the Queen retired to her apartments to rest awhile, -and then robed for her wedding. At seven o'clock in the evening all -the ladies belonging to the two first ranks of the Danish nobility -(namely, the countesses and baronesses), and the ladies who had -taken part in the royal procession into Copenhagen, assembled in the -ante-chamber of the Queen's apartments. At half-past seven the Queen -appeared, a beautiful vision wearing a robe of white silk brocaded with -silver, a veil of priceless lace and a crown of pearls and diamonds. -The ladies made a lane for her to pass, and curtsied their obeisance. -The Queen, who, despite her tender years, bore herself with great -dignity, proceeded to the knights' hall, where the wedding procession -was marshalled. All the members of the royal family joined in this -procession with the exception of the Queen-Dowager, Juliana Maria, who -pleaded illness as an excuse for not appearing. The King and Queen -came last of all, and walked under a canopy to the royal chapel of the -Christiansborg, where the marriage ceremony was performed by Bishop -Harboe of Zealand. The chapel was brilliantly illuminated, and thronged -with the chief personages in Denmark, clad in rich attire, and covered -with orders and jewels. During the ceremony the King and Queen stood, -or knelt, on a _haut pas_ before the altar, which was covered with -cloth of gold and decked with silver candlesticks bearing large wax -tapers. At the conclusion of the marriage service the procession was -re-formed, and the King and Queen were conducted from the chapel to the -ante-room of their apartments, where the company dispersed. - -In honour of the marriage day a silver medal was struck, and numerous -orders and titles were distributed. At night the city of Copenhagen was -illuminated, and people paraded the streets all night shouting and -singing for joy. The young Queen had won all hearts, and the popular -enthusiasm evoked by the marriage augured well for the future of the -monarchy. - -Copenhagen held high festival for a week after the royal wedding, and -the populace as well as the court joined in the festivities. There was -a gala performance at the theatre including a "Felicitation Ballet," -in which there were many pretty allusions to the young Queen, who -was styled Venus or "_la plus belle_". Two days after the marriage -the knights' hall of the Christiansborg Palace was the scene of a -wedding ball. Queen Matilda opened the ball by dancing a minuet with -the King with much grace and spirit. She then honoured the English -envoy, Gunning, by commanding him to dance with her--a very natural -proceeding, for she wished to pay honour to her native country. -But it gave offence to some of the other foreign envoys present, -especially to the Spanish minister, who was the _doyen_ of the _corps -diplomatique_ at Copenhagen, and he reported the circumstance to the -Spanish court, who later demanded an explanation.[73] Nor was this the -only unpleasantness at the ball. After supper the _kehraus_, a Danish -country dance, was danced, and one figure was danced in procession. The -_kehraus_ was led by Prince Charles of Hesse and his wife, the Princess -Louise--probably because they knew all the figures. The King came next -with the Queen, and all the rest of the company followed, two and two. -The King, who had supped freely, was in boisterous spirits, and called -out to Prince Charles: "Lead the _kehraus_ through all the apartments". -The Prince therefore led the procession through the rooms on the first -floor of the palace, the band, presumably, going before. The procession -of laughing and dancing men and women followed, until they came to the -ante-chamber of the Queen's apartments. At the door of the Queen's -bedchamber Prince Charles found Madame de Plessen standing like a -dragon in his path. Imperiously she waved him back, and declared that -his entrance would be an outrage, alike on etiquette and decency. But -the King, whom any opposition goaded to anger, shouted: "Do not heed an -old woman's nonsense! Go on! Go on!" Therefore Madame de Plessen, still -expostulating, was thrust aside, and the procession danced through the -Queen's bedchamber, and so back to the ballroom. - -[73] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, November 18, 1766. - -[Illustration: THE MARRIAGE BALL OF CHRISTIAN VII. AND QUEEN MATILDA IN -THE CHRISTIANSBORG PALACE. - -_From a Contemporary Print._] - -These incidents, trivial though they were, revealed the rocks ahead in -the way of the young Queen, and showed that no common care would be -necessary to avoid them. As the English Secretary of State, Conway, -wrote to Gunning not long after Matilda's arrival at Copenhagen:-- - -"Her Majesty is entering upon the most important era of her life, and -at a tender age is launched, as it were alone, into a strange and wide -ocean, where it might require the utmost care and prudence to steer -with that nice conduct which may at once conciliate the affections -of her court and people, and support the dignity of that high station -to which Providence has called her".[74] - -[74] Conway's despatch to Gunning, St. James's, November 18, 1766. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -MARIAGE À LA MODE. - -1766-1767. - - -The court of Denmark over which Matilda was now the reigning Queen, -though not the ruling spirit, was the last place in the world for a -young and innocent girl to be sent alone. It was a hotbed of intrigue, -a stye of vile epicurism, where even decency was disregarded. Cunning -as foxes, and like foxes in their lust and greed, the majority of the -courtiers thought only of advancing their personal interests at the -expense of each other, or by vain and frivolous amusement to kill the -passing hour. All things that made for purity of life, nobility of -purpose, or singleness of heart, were mocked at and derided. Truth, -honour and virtue were by-words. During the later years of Frederick -V.'s reign the influence of the French court (at its worst) had not -been confined in Denmark to politics alone, but extended to manners and -morals as well. This influence became far more visible at the court -of Christian VII. than at that of his father. The society which the -young King collected around him within the walls of the Christiansborg -Palace did its best to copy Versailles, and it succeeded in aping the -vices, if not the superficial refinement, of the court of France. -At Christiansborg might be seen the same type of silly brainless -persons as those who flitted about the ante-chambers of Versailles, -who adopted the same frivolous tone, and the same loose morals. Their -avowed object was to avoid _ennui_, but in their pursuit of pleasure -they often caught boredom. The Danish courtiers, both men and women, -were artificial to the core. They painted their faces, powdered their -hair, and dressed extravagantly. They disguised every real sentiment, -and sought always to seem what they were not. They expressed nothing -but contempt for the language and customs of their native land. To be -Danish was _bourgeois_, to be virtuous even more so. - -The cheap cynicism which mocks at marriage, and all its privileges and -duties, was much in vogue among the fashionable or "young party" at the -Danish court. Christian VII. had heard too much of these views from the -young rake-hells whom he chose for his companions not to be entirely -at one with them, and he looked on marriage as the greatest burden. He -had been extremely reluctant to take it upon himself and had only done -so at the strongest representations of his ministers. Reverdil declares -with a groan that to this epicene being "_une personne royale dans son -lit lui semblait d'ailleurs plutôt un objet de respect que d'amour_," -and adds that the King would have certainly refused to perform his -connubial duties had it not been represented to him that the absence -of an heir to the throne would give rise to all manner of evil gossip -respecting himself. - -The young King had consented to marry with an ill grace, and after -his marriage he lost no time in declaring to his boon companions that -he intended to be in every respect a husband _à la mode_. The first -sight of his consort's fresh and youthful beauty had seemed to awaken -in him some dormant sense of manliness, and he treated her at first -with a plausible imitation of lover-like ardour. He was flattered by -the warmth of her reception and the praises of her beauty, which he -interpreted as tributes to his own good taste. The ceremonies incident -on the wedding gratified his love of display, and the festivities that -followed delighted his pleasure-loving soul. He was like a child with -a new toy, but he wearied of it even more quickly than a child. If -his passion ever existed it was short-lived, for on the third day of -his marriage he said to one of his intimate friends that he strongly -advised him never to marry, as the unmarried state was far preferable. -This speech might have been credited to the affectation of a very -young husband who wished to pose as a cynic, but there was evidently -something more behind it, for neither of the young couple appeared to -be happy during the first days of their married life; Christian was -restless and discontented, Matilda pensive and melancholy. - -The Queen's depression was natural. The excitement and novelty of her -journey and her enthusiastic welcome had buoyed her up at first, but -now these were over she felt the reaction. She was a stranger in a -strange land, separated from every one she had ever known, and she -suffered from homesickness. A closer acquaintance with her husband -obliterated the favourable first impression she had formed of him. -He was a disappointment. The flattering despatches which the English -envoys had sent to London (some of which we have quoted) credited -him with every physical and mental endowment, and portrayed him as -a paragon among princes. These encomiums, duly communicated to the -Princess-Dowager, had been dunned into Matilda's ears with such -persistency that she thought she was marrying a prince who was almost -a demi-god, and who gathered up into himself all the attributes of -the legendary heroes of Scandinavian romance. What then must have -been her disappointment when she found that her husband resembled a -French _petit maître_, rather than a son of the Vikings. To add to -her disillusion Christian made hardly any show of affection for his -wife, and after the first few days treated her with open indifference. -A week after their marriage the royal couple gave a banquet at the -Christiansborg Palace, and it was noticed by the company that already -the bloom had faded from the young Queen's cheeks, and she smiled with -evident effort. Her sadness increased from day to day, and she often -gazed at the ring her mother had given her, with its inscription, "May -it bring thee happiness," and sighed heavily. The King, who wished for -nothing but to be amused, was piqued by his consort's despondency, and -so far from making any attempt to comfort her, relieved his feelings -by satirical remarks. One day when one of his favourites called his -attention to the Queen's sadness, he said: "What does it matter? It is -not my fault. I believe she has the spleen." The King's indifference -to his Queen was quickly noticed by the courtiers, who took their cue -accordingly, and treated her as a person of little account. Ogier, the -French envoy at Copenhagen, reported to Paris three weeks after the -marriage: "The English Princess has produced hardly any impression on -the King's heart; but had she been even more amiable she would have -experienced the same fate, for how could she please a man who seriously -believes that it is not good form (_n'est pas du bon air_) for a -husband to love his wife?" - -The French envoy was exultant that the marriage, on which England had -built such high hopes, should produce so little effect politically. -The Queen had no influence with the King, and he would be more likely -to oppose her wishes than to yield to them, if only for fear lest it -should be thought that he was governed by his wife. The poor little -Queen had no wish for political power, and was too much downcast by -her own personal disappointments to be of any use in a diplomatic -intrigue. But George III., and the English Government, who had no -knowledge of the real state of affairs, persisted in their project of -using the Queen for their own advantage; and Secretary Conway sent -minute instructions to Gunning as to the best way in which this could -be worked. - -"In regard to your applying to the young Queen," he writes, "her -affection to his Majesty [George III.], and love for her native -country, cannot but incline her to preserve, as much as it can be in -her power to do, the mind of the King of Denmark, permanently fixed -upon the strictest union with his Majesty's, who has no one view in -his alliance inconsistent with the honour of the King of Denmark or -the welfare of his kingdom. Both Mr. Titley and you will doubtless -omit nothing that can mark your utmost attention and desire of serving -her Majesty. There might seem an impropriety in endeavouring to engage -her Majesty to interfere in business, especially in what has the air -of court intrigue, but so far as informing her Majesty fully of the -present state of the court, and apprising her who are the best friends -of her native country, and consequently most inclined to promote the -true honour and interests of their own, it will be your duty, and may -be an essential service to her Majesty, whose good sense will make the -properest use of the lights you furnish. The etiquette of the court of -Denmark (I find by your letter of September 2) allows an easier access -to family ministers than to others, and this privilege you will, I -imagine, have no difficulty to preserve.... You may also be assured -that the affection of his Majesty [George III.], and his care for the -welfare and happiness of his sister, so deservedly the object of his -love and esteem, cannot fail of having suggested every proper counsel -and information more immediately necessary for her guidance in the -delicate and important situation she is placed. Upon that foundation -you may properly build, and in such further lights as it may be fit for -you to give her Majesty, I think both the opportunities and the matter -of the information itself should rather flow naturally than be too -affectedly sought."[75] - -[75] Sir H. S. Conway's despatch to Gunning, St. James's, October 24, -1766. - -The English Government was soon disappointed of its hope of using -the Danish Queen as a pawn in the political game. Gunning, in bitter -disappointment, enlightened Conway as to the true state of affairs -a few weeks after the marriage. "All access to either the King or -Queen of Denmark," he wrote, "is rendered so difficult that without -being furnished with some pretext I can never expect to approach -either of their Majesties but in public. The preference given me there -has already occasioned some of the most unheard of and preposterous -complaints." [Here he refers to the protest of the Spanish minister -already mentioned.] "Monsieur Reventlow[76] has lately made me some -overtures to a better understanding; he speaks in raptures of the -Queen whenever I see him, and I believe will constitute as much as -depends upon him to promote her Majesty's happiness. This is of itself -a sufficient reason for my wishing to cultivate his good opinion, and -if possible to bring him over to our interests. [The French Minister] -encourages the carrying on intrigues against us; they (I need not tell -you, sir) increase every day, and particularly since the arrival of -her Majesty,--the principal people about her being our most inveterate -enemies."[77] - -[76] Reventlow had been appointed the Queen's Chief Chamberlain. - -[77] Gunning's despatch to Conway, Copenhagen, November 18, 1766. - -One of the "inveterate enemies" was the austere and haughty Madame de -Plessen, who hedged the Queen round with iron etiquette, and permitted -none to enter her presence without her permission. Especially did she -throw difficulties in the way of the English envoy having frequent -access of her Majesty, on the ground that his visits would be sure -to cause jealousy and ill-will. The Queen, she urged, must overcome -her natural preferences, she must forget that she was a Princess of -Great Britain, and remember only that she was Queen of Denmark and -Norway. This was perhaps sound advice so far as it went, but Madame de -Plessen's object in giving it was not altogether disinterested. She, -like her former mistress, Queen Sophia Magdalena, was a sworn friend -of France, and probably in its pay. Madame de Plessen had a genius -for political intrigue, and her apartments in the palace formed a -_rendez-vous_ for the friends of France. - -It is difficult to follow the cross-currents of politics at the Danish -court during the early years of the reign of Christian VII., but so -far as foreign affairs were concerned, the position may be briefly -summarised thus: The main object of England was to check France; the -main object of Sweden was to check Russia. Therefore, whatever was -disagreeable to France at Copenhagen was agreeable to England. Whatever -was disagreeable to Sweden was agreeable to Russia. Failing to see -her own influence in the ascendant at the Danish court, England would -prefer to see that of Russia. Bernstorff, the Prime Minister, was very -friendly to Russia, and not ill-disposed to England. Therefore, the -French envoy and Madame de Plessen intrigued against him. In domestic -politics also the Queen's chief lady was in opposition to Bernstorff, -and to her chambers flocked malcontents, including many of the staider -and more conservative among the Danish nobility, who shook their heads -over the misgovernment of the Prime Minister, and the follies and -extravagancies of the King and his friends. - -The advent of the young Queen was made an excuse for the King to -gratify his passion for festivity and display. During the preceding -reign the court had led a comparatively quiet life, but the winter -following Christian VII.'s marriage was an unceasing round of gaiety. -Balls, banquets, concerts, masques, operas and plays, hunting parties, -sledge parties, circuses, and excursions to the different royal castles -around Copenhagen--there were a good many--succeeded one another in -quick succession. The King had a great love for the play, so he built -a court theatre at the Christiansborg Palace and decorated it without -regard to expense. A French company acted there, and the King and his -suite frequently took part in the performances. The King acted a part -in Voltaire's _Zaire_, and his performance was received with great -applause. He was so much impressed with his dramatic talents that he -twice repeated his performance in the larger theatre of Copenhagen, and -there the general public were permitted to attend. Acting, however, was -but a passing phase with the King, and he soon tired of it, though he -undoubtedly showed talent. - -Madame de Plessen did all she could to prevent the Queen from taking -part in the court festivities, but Matilda, who was young, and fond of -pleasure, could not be prevailed upon to absent herself altogether, -more especially as by doing so she would incur the displeasure of the -King. But she never appeared unless attended by Madame de Plessen, and -turned to her always for guidance. It was Madame de Plessen who chose -the ladies to dance in the same quadrilles as the Queen, and she took -care that none, however beautiful or fashionable they might be, should -be admitted to this honour if there were the slightest blemish upon -their reputation. With men the same care was not necessary, for, as a -matter of etiquette, the Queen never danced with any but princes of -the blood, ambassadors, ministers of state, or others it was deemed -advisable to honour in an especial manner. - -The introduction of masquerades was a still more startling innovation, -and gave great offence to the two Dowager-Queens. Sophia Magdalena -protested, but though her protests were supported by several of the -ministers, and the more prominent among the clergy, they were unheeded. -The King and his friends anticipated too many gallant adventures to -forego the opportunities which a masked ball offered, and they wished -to imitate at Copenhagen those masquerades held at the opera in Paris. -The first masked ball ever given in Denmark was held in December in -the Christiansborg Palace. All the ladies and gentlemen belonging to -the first three classes were admitted, besides all officers belonging -to both services. They were allowed to appear in any fancy dress they -chose, the only restriction being that they should not come "in the -likeness of an animal or any unseemly disguise". The King appeared -as a Sultan, and his immediate following were also in eastern dress. -The point was fiercely debated whether the Queen should appear at the -masquerades or not; the Dowager-Queens and Madame de Plessen being -wholly against it, and the King insisting upon it. Finally a compromise -was arrived at; Matilda showed herself to the company for a short -time, and then retired to her apartments to play chess with court -ladies chosen for her by Madame de Plessen, and the elderly wives of -ministers. It was as well that the Queen retired early, for the tone of -the masquerade became more and more free as the evening wore on, and -degenerated at last into riotous licence. - -The expense of these entertainments was very heavy, and the people, -who were overburdened with taxes, began to murmur. There was great -distress in Copenhagen during the winter of 1766-67, and the contrast -between the want and misery in the poorer quarters of the city, and -the festivity and extravagance in the palace, was very striking. The -people, who loved the pomp and circumstance of royalty, might at -another time have overlooked this lavish expenditure, on the ground of -the youth and natural gaiety of the King. But sinister rumours were -afloat concerning him and his pleasures, and he had already by his -puerile amusements and dissipated conduct forfeited to a great extent -the public respect. Moreover, the Puritan party in Denmark was very -strong, and included the elder members of the royal family, and many -of the most influential personages in church and state. These regarded -many of the court festivities with disapproval, and the masquerades -with horror. The clergy especially were violent in their denunciations, -and did not hesitate to fan the flame of popular discontent. For -instance, a building, belonging, and adjacent to, the Christiansborg -Palace, in which there was a large wood store and brewery, caught fire -about this time, and was burned to the ground; the conflagration was -the biggest known in Copenhagen for years. Pastor Münter, a preacher -of great power, seized upon the incident to preach a sermon against -the sinful amusements of the court. He declared that the fire was a -sign from heaven to warn the King and his following to refrain from -their wicked ways, and if they did not profit by it they would be -utterly consumed with fire, if not here, then most certainly hereafter. -The sermon made a great sensation in Copenhagen, and the preacher was -reprimanded by the court, but he was regarded as an inspired prophet by -many austere Puritans. - -The worst of all this controversy was that the innocent young Queen was -blamed unjustly. Rumours were spread abroad that Matilda was largely -responsible for these extravagancies; and in proof of the assertion -it was pointed out that the introduction of masquerades followed upon -the arrival of the English princess. It was said that these rumours -originated at the court of the Queen-Dowager. Juliana Maria had retired -to the Fredensborg with her son, the Hereditary Prince Frederick, where -she was surrounded by a little circle of malcontents. In due time these -untruths reached Matilda's ears and caused her great annoyance. The -young Queen's household, including Madame de Plessen, did everything -they could to contradict the reports, but with indifferent success. The -mischief was done, and it remained a fixed idea in the minds of many -people that the Queen was almost as devoted as the King to frivolous -amusements. Queen Matilda communicated her uneasiness to the English -envoy, who wrote home:-- - -"At a time when the Crown labours under the pressure of heavy debts, -and the revenue, from mismanagement, is so much lessened, people -naturally complain of the increase of expenses, and the introduction -of a number of entertainments, and amongst these, of masquerades. The -Queen is under the greatest uneasiness, lest this should be imputed to -her having any inclination for a diversion of this kind, from which, -on the contrary, the goodness of her heart, and the purity of her -sentiments, render her very averse. The sweetness of her disposition, -and the uncommon degree of prudence and discretion she is endowed with, -must ensure her a large share of happiness; but whatever my wishes -may be, I cannot flatter myself this will ever bear any proportion to -what her Majesty so justly deserves."[78] To which the Secretary of -State replied: "Your attention to her Danish Majesty is most justly -commendable, and certainly her Majesty's cautious conduct is most -amiable and respectable".[79] - -[78] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, December 6, 1766. - -[79] Conway's despatch, St. James's, December 29, 1766. - -The festivities of the Danish court culminated in the coronation and -anointing of the King and Queen, which took place on May 1, 1767.[80] -The day dawned brilliantly fine, though the air was clear and cold. -At an early hour the bells of the Vor-Frue-Kirke (the Church of -Our Lady, the metropolitan church of Denmark) began to ring, and -bells chimed merrily from other towers. At eleven o'clock all the -gentlemen-in-waiting assembled in the King's ante-chamber, and all the -ladies-in-waiting in the Queen's. The King donned the anointing robes: -"A short jacket and breeches of gold brocade, pearl-coloured silk -stockings, white gloves embroidered with gold, and white shoes with red -heels; his buckles, garters and coat buttons were set with diamonds, -and his cloak of royal ermine was embroidered with golden flowers". -The King, thus arrayed, crowned himself with his own hands according -to the _Lex Regia_, which ordained that "since the Kings of Denmark do -not receive the crown from any hands but their own, the ceremony of -coronation shall be performed by themselves". - -[80] The following description of the coronation is taken from official -documents preserved in the Royal Archives, Copenhagen. - -With the crown on his head the King, accompanied by the Grand -Chamberlain, who carried the Queen's crown on a velvet cushion, went to -the Queen's room and crowned her with his own hands. - -This ceremony over, the King took the sceptre in his right hand -and the orb in his left, and donned the collars of both the great -Danish orders, the Elephant and the Dannebrog. Then he passed into -his audience chamber, his train upborne by the Counts Reventlow and -Danneskjold-Samsöe. There he held a court, and received the homage of -the principal personages in the state. - -The Queen, likewise attired in her anointing robes, to wit: "A robe of -cloth of gold, and a royal mantle of red velvet lined with ermine and -embroidered with gold crowns," and with the crown upon her head, passed -into her audience chamber, her train upborne by Madame de Plessen and -the Countess St. Germains. Here she held a court, and received the -homage of the assembled ladies. - -[Illustration: THE CHRISTIANSBORG PALACE, COPENHAGEN. - -_From an Old Print, temp. 1768._] - -The procession to the chapel of the Christiansborg was then marshalled, -and as the bells rang out it passed down the marble stairs of the -palace and across the quadrangle to the chapel. The King walked under a -red velvet canopy, upborne by four privy councillors and four Knights -of the Elephant. The Queen walked beneath a similar canopy, upborne by -four privy councillors and four Knights of the Dannebrog. - -The royal chapel was decorated with great splendour. Of this, as of -the other arrangements connected with the coronation, it was recorded: -"There was nothing lacking to make it beautiful. It was so splendid and -superb that even the foreign envoys were forced to admire the beauty -and lavish expenditure, to say nothing of the art in which these were -turned to account." The thrones of the King and Queen were placed upon -a dais, under a gorgeous canopy, upborne by two figures of angels with -drawn swords. On one side of the canopy was the King's motto, "_Gloria -ex amore patriae_," and on the other were the initials of the King -and Queen. The King's throne was of solid ivory, surmounted by a huge -amethyst nearly as large as a hen's egg. The Queen's throne was of -silver, elaborately wrought, and polished until it shone like crystal. -At the foot of the thrones lay three life-size lions in cast silver. - -At the entrance to the royal chapel the King and Queen were received -by the three Bishops, who were to officiate at the ceremony of the -anointing, vested in copes of gold brocade. The Bishops first -conducted the King to his throne while the choir sang an anthem. They -then returned and led the Queen to her throne in like manner. Bishop -Harboe of Zealand preached a sermon, and then the ceremony of anointing -took place; the coronation was considered as already performed. First -the King was anointed with the holy oil, and then the Queen. The -service concluded with a _Te Deum_. - -As the royal procession returned to the palace, a salute from the -ramparts was fired, and the heralds on the gate blew a loud blast on -their silver trumpets. The King and Queen received the congratulations -of their court, and then the coronation banquet took place. During -the banquet a chorale was sung by the choir, of which a verse may be -roughly translated as follows:-- - - And long shall it be before the sons of the North weep, - For while Christian lives, and Matilda, - There shall be nothing but joy, - And every man shall dwell in his tent in peace. - -The coronation was a people's holiday, and ample provision was made for -every class to partake in the festivities. When the banquet was over -the King and Queen passed on to the balcony of the palace to look down -upon the general rejoicings. A free dinner was given to the populace, -and wine ran like water from a fountain, "red wine on the right side -and on the left white, five hogsheads of each, of which all drank who -would". In the courtyard an ox had been roasted whole, and not an ox -only, for it was stuffed with "three wethers, five lambs, eight pigs, -ten geese, twenty brace of duck, and fifty-eight brace of old (_sic_) -hens". The roasted ox reposed upon a carriage painted red, and its -horns were gilt. - -"The moment their Majesties appeared on the balcony," continues the -chronicle, "the fountain of wine was set running, and the ox was -wheeled forward, pulled by eighteen sailors in white breeches and -jackets, with sashes of red, and wreaths upon their heads. On either -side of the ox-carriage more sailors walked, similarly attired, and -carried baskets of bread. The Quarter-master-Sergeant then ascended the -ox-carriage and cried in a loud voice: 'The roast ox will now be given -away!' and he threw to the crowd a number of silver pieces. With shouts -of delight the people rushed forward and scrambled for money, food -and wine. The feasting and revelry that followed occupied a countless -number of the poor all that evening and the greater part of the night, -so delighted were they. Their Majesties took great pleasure in watching -the tumult from the balcony of the Christiansborg." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -AT THE COURT OF DENMARK. - -1767-1768. - - -The relations between the King and Queen did not improve as time went -on. Matilda was frightened by Christian's wildness and dissipation, -piqued by his indifference, and wounded by his sarcasms. Though she -was very young she had a high spirit, and did not submit quietly to -insult. Her position at the court, of which she was nominally the -reigning Queen, was very unsatisfactory--the King was autocrat and she -was nothing--even in trifling questions concerning the royal household -she was not consulted, and if she ventured to express an opinion it -was ignored. She had no relative to whom she could look for guidance. -The Queen-Mother, Sophia Magdalena, had retired to Hirschholm; she was -nearly seventy years old, and since the fall of Moltke had abjured -politics and given herself up to good works. The Queen-Dowager, Juliana -Maria, was secretly hostile, and Matilda did not trust her, though the -three Queens at this time, as Reverdil says, lived outwardly "_dans -une grande intimité et dans un ennui paisible_". The King's sister, -the Princess Louise, was too much absorbed in her husband and child -to be of any use to her sister-in-law, and the King's aunt, Charlotte -Amelia, had never appeared at court since Matilda arrived in Denmark. -So the young Queen had to seek the advice of her chief lady, Madame de -Plessen, and she was guided by her in all things. It was the wish of -this lady to bring back to the lax court of Christian VII. the stiff -and wearisome etiquette that had prevailed in the reign of the King's -grandfather, Christian VI. In her eyes Matilda was not only a young -married woman, but the Queen of the land, whom the King himself might -only approach according to the rules of etiquette. Christian must be -made to understand that Queen Matilda was his honoured consort, and not -his mistress. - -It is possible that, had the young couple been left to themselves, they -would in time have understood one another better, and learned to make -allowances for each other. They were little more than children when -they married, and quarrelled like children; they would probably have -been reconciled afterwards like children, and become better friends. -But they were not left to themselves. Madame de Plessen chose to stand -between husband and wife in their most intimate relations, and with -disastrous results. She was especially to blame in embittering the -Queen's mind against the King by repeating every thoughtless utterance -of his, and magnifying every foolish deed. In Madame de Plessen's -opinion the Queen could only acquire an influence over her husband by -treating him with coldness, and resisting his advances. The ladies -of the court were ready to throw themselves into the King's arms at -the least provocation--not that he ever gave them any--and Madame -de Plessen thought that he would value most what it was not easy to -obtain. In pursuance of this policy she advised the Queen to treat -him with coyness and reserve. For instance, the King came unannounced -one morning into the Queen's room while she was dressing. A kerchief -had just been placed around her neck; the King pushed it aside and -pressed a kiss upon his wife's shoulder. Whereupon Madame de Plessen -held up her hands in disgust, and the Queen, taking her cue from the -duenna, feigned anger, and reproached her husband for disarranging her -kerchief. The King snatched it off her bosom, tore it in pieces, and -threw it on the floor. He did not come back for several days. - -Again, Madame de Plessen was annoyed because the King sent in the -evening to know if the Queen had retired to bed; she considered it -wanting in respect to the Queen, and advised Matilda to put a stop to -it. The next time the King sent to make his inquiry, the answer was -returned that her Majesty was playing chess and would not retire until -her game was finished. The King waited until twelve o'clock, and then -he came into the Queen's apartments and found her still playing chess -with Madame de Plessen. Very much annoyed he began to walk up and down -the room without saying a word, and the game was not finished until -the clock struck one. The Queen then said she wished to have her -revenge, and he saw Madame de Plessen give a triumphant smile. Then he -understood what was meant. He left the room in a fury, and banged the -door after him, and did not come near the Queen again for a fortnight. -There were many such scenes as these, and each one left the relations -between the King and Queen more strained than before, until within a -year of their marriage they were thoroughly alienated from one another. - -The immediate result of Madame de Plessen's interference was to drive -the King still further into dissipation and folly. Prevented from -enjoying his wife's society as he would, he spent his evenings with -his friends, who included the wildest spirits of the court. The King's -evening parties, which he held in his own rooms, had long ceased to -bear even a superficial resemblance to the celebrated gatherings of -Frederick the Great; they assumed by degrees a more and more noisy and -riotous character. The young men indulged in sham fights and wrestling -to develop the King's "smartness"--this was the word he used to denote -his physical strength. These fights, indulged in after plentiful -libations of wine, often proved destructive of the furniture, and -sometimes ended in high words and bad temper. But the fighting was -comparatively harmless. The King's evening gatherings unfortunately did -not stop here, but degenerated into excesses which recalled the orgies -described in the pages of Juvenal and Petronius. Even Sperling seems -to have found these dissipations too much for him. At any rate he -gradually lost the King's favour, and was replaced by Brandt, a page of -the chamber. - -Enevold Brandt was a few years older than Christian VII. He came of -an ancient Danish family: his father had been a privy councillor and -private secretary to Queen Sophia Magdalena, but he died before his -son's birth. His mother married again Baron Söhlenthal, and young -Brandt was brought up in his stepfather's house. At an early age he -went to Copenhagen to study law, and passed his examinations with -flying colours. In his vacations Brandt travelled widely: he was a -polished man of the world and possessed brilliant social qualities. -Christian VII., who was clever enough to appreciate cleverness in -others, took a great fancy to him, for a time. Honours, both legal -and courtly, were showered upon him. He was appointed an assessor of -the Court of Chancery, a page of the chamber, and an assessor of the -Supreme Court. Brandt was below the middle height, and though his face -could not be described as handsome, he had an air of distinction. After -Christian's accession he was a good deal about the person of the King, -and was of great use in arranging the masquerades. It was thought that -he would succeed Sperling as the King's first favourite, but Christian -quickly tired of his friends, and as soon as the masquerades were over -Brandt found himself eclipsed in the royal favour by Holck. - -Conrad, Count Holck, despite his wildness and extravagancies, was the -best of Christian VII.'s favourites (and bad was the best). Unlike -Sperling and Brandt, he was neither an intriguer nor a self-seeker. -He was a dare-devil youth, wealthy, handsome, and brimming over with -boisterous good-humour and animal spirits. Christian VII. found Holck -an excellent foil for the dark moods and the morbid humours that -occasionally beset him, and the pair soon became fast friends. - -Brandt and Holck were always at the King's evening gatherings, and -sought to outvie one another in their master's favour by proposing -fresh extravagancies. There were many others; among them a young -Englishman named Osborne, who held a commission in the Danish service, -Count Danneskjold-Laurvig, and some older men, including Saldern -the Russian envoy. By way of variety the King resumed his nocturnal -expeditions, which he had abandoned since his marriage. Accompanied by -his wild companions he roamed the streets of Copenhagen in disguise, -visiting taverns and houses of ill-repute, molesting peaceable -citizens, fighting with the watchmen, and breaking lamps and windows. -Of course these freaks got abroad and set a fashion, and bands of -disorderly youths prowled about the city at night in imitation of -the King and his companions, thereby causing great difficulty to the -superintendent of the police, for they pretended often to be the King's -party, and for fear of mistake he hardly dared to make an arrest. -Things came to such a pass at last that the watchmen lost patience, -and determined not to let the rioters off easily, whether they -belonged to the King's party or not. On one occasion, pretending not -to know, they caught the King and belaboured him so unmercifully that -he had to retire to bed for some days, and pretend that he was ill of -the fever.[81] On another night, however, he achieved a triumph, and -brought home a club as a trophy, which he had wrested from one of the -watchmen. - -[81] The Saxon minister at Copenhagen in his despatch of April 12, -1768, states that the King's indisposition was due to a wound he -received in one of these combats with the watchmen. - -Details of these extravagancies came to the young Queen's ears from -time to time, through the medium of Sperling, who, now that he was -superseded in the King's favour, attached himself to the Queen's -_entourage_, and, with his uncle, Reventlow, who was the Queen's -chamberlain, was often to be seen in the apartments of Madame de -Plessen. Prejudiced by Sperling the Queen took a violent dislike to -Holck, whose evil influence over the King she believed to be the cause -of all her troubles. Holck ascribed the Queen's dislike of him to -Madame de Plessen, whom he regarded as his enemy, and he retaliated -after the manner of his kind. Not only did he treat the Queen with -scant respect, but he declared that she was piqued because he did not -make love to her. He also behaved to Madame de Plessen with great -rudeness, and instigated the coarse and mischievous jokes whereby the -King sought to make the chief lady's position intolerable at court and -so force her to resign. But these tactics proved unavailing, for the -more rudely Madame de Plessen was treated by the King the more closely -did she cling to her post. She determined to protect the Queen come -what might, and Matilda, in return, identified herself with Madame de -Plessen's friends, and regarded her chief lady's enemies as her own. On -July 22, 1767, the Queen attained her sixteenth birthday, but to punish -her the King would not celebrate it. - -In August, 1767, Christian VII. determined to make a tour through -Holstein. The Queen, who was fond of travel, eagerly desired to -accompany the King, and the royal tour was made the subject of many -entreaties and negotiations on her part and the part of her household. -But to further mark his displeasure the King refused to take her, and -a serious quarrel took place between them. The Queen was to be pitied, -because the indifference she had shown towards her husband had in great -part been assumed at the suggestion of Madame de Plessen. She was now -likely to become a mother, and, by a natural instinct, she had grown -into an inclination for the father of her child. But she attributed -the King's refusal not to Madame de Plessen but to Holck (who, it is -very possible, had something to do with it), and insisted that if the -King would not take her he should not take Holck either. After much -difficulty she carried the point, but her victory only enraged the -King, and gave her no satisfaction. - -Reverdil, who was the Queen's friend, did his best to patch up the -quarrel. He accompanied the King on his tour through Holstein, and -urged him to write affectionate letters to his wife. He pointed out -that, considering the state of the Queen's health, there was need to -indulge her in her whims and fancies. Christian, who was still smarting -from the interference of Madame de Plessen, consented with an ill -grace, and only on condition that Reverdil composed the letters and he -merely copied them. These letters pacified Matilda; she was ignorant -of their real authorship, and replied with affection. The King did not -distinguish himself during his tour or increase the loyalty of the -duchy. He offended, by his frivolity and recklessness, the old Holstein -nobility, who, if somewhat barbarous, were very strict in their ideas -of what a King should be. - -[Illustration: EDWARD, DUKE OF YORK, BROTHER OF QUEEN MATILDA. - -_From the Painting by G. H. Every._] - -While Christian VII. was absent in Holstein Matilda heard of the -death of her favourite brother, Edward Duke of York, a gallant, -high-spirited youth. The Duke chose the navy as a profession, and if -his promotion in it was rapid (he was promoted to be a rear-admiral at -the age of twenty-three), he showed himself to be a brave sailor, and -distinguished himself under Howe at the bombardment of Cherbourg. After -the capture of the town the Duke gave the French ladies a ball. "He -told them he was too young to know what was good breeding in France, -and therefore he should behave as if meaning to please in England, and -he kissed them all."[82] The young Prince was a great favourite -with the ladies. His first love was the beautiful and witty Charlotte, -Countess of Essex. He then transferred his affections to the even more -beautiful Duchess of Richmond, sister-in-law of Lady Sarah Lennox. -But the most serious of all his love affairs was his passion for Lady -Mary Coke, a young widow, who found herself at an early age "the envy -of her sex; in the possession of youth, health, wealth, wit, beauty -and liberty". The young and ardent Duke seems to have given her a -promise of marriage, for during his lifetime she always spoke of -him to her friends as her betrothed, and after his death displayed -immoderate grief. The Duke's numerous love affairs and his constant -pursuit of pleasure naturally involved him in money difficulties. The -Princess-Dowager of Wales declined to supplement her second son's -allowance, and often lamented his extravagance, but George III. was -fond of his volatile brother, and occasionally helped him, though it -was against his strict principles to do so. One day the Duke went to -St. James's in a state of the greatest dejection, and, when he saw the -King, sighed heavily. The King asked him why he was so low-spirited. -"How can I be otherwise," said the Duke, "pressed as I am by creditors -and without a penny to pay them?" The King, much affected, pressed a -thousand pound note into his brother's hand. The Duke gravely read -every word of it aloud, then marched out of the room singing, "God save -great George our King!" - -[82] _The Georgian Era_, vol. i. - -The Duke of York had kept up a constant correspondence with Queen -Matilda since she had left England; he wrote to her from Paris a few -weeks before his death telling her that he was making a tour through -France, and intended, before he returned to England, to travel -northwards and pay her a visit at Copenhagen. But on his journey to the -south of France the Duke caught a chill, and when he arrived at Monaco -he was taken seriously ill. For fourteen days he lingered in great -suffering, alleviated only by the affectionate offices of the gentlemen -of his suite and the kindness of the Prince of Monaco. The Duke died on -September 17, 1767, at the age of twenty eight. His body was removed -on board the British ship-of-war _Montreal_, and conveyed home to be -buried in Westminster Abbey. - -The news of the Duke of York's death reached Copenhagen on October 10, -and the English envoy was under some difficulty how best to break the -news to the Queen, in her delicate state of health. He writes: "My -apprehensions of the effect it might have had on her Danish Majesty in -her present situation, whenever she became acquainted with it, made -me communicate my first intelligence of it to Madame de Plessen, of -whose caution and discretion in this instance I have no doubt, that she -might take such methods of preparing the Queen for it as she judged -most likely to lessen the shock, which otherwise so unexpected an event -might be attended with. I have the pleasure to acquaint you that her -Majesty has suffered as little as (considering the great tenderness of -her disposition) could well be expected."[83] - -[83] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, October 13, 1767. - -Queen Matilda felt her brother's death keenly, the more so as she -had been looking forward to his visit to Copenhagen, when she hoped -to confide to him her troubles, and ask his help and guidance. When -Christian heard of his Queen's loss, he wrote her (through Reverdil) -an affectionate letter of condolence. The Queen was touched by this -consideration; she felt tenderly towards her husband, and was anxious -to be friends. When the King returned from Holstein, the Queen drove -out eight leagues from Copenhagen to meet him. But Christian's greeting -was cold and formal, though he got into her coach and drove back with -her into Copenhagen, so that the citizens might think that he was on -good terms with his Queen. - -After her husband's return Matilda made several efforts to win his -love, and behaved to him with the utmost submission, but he did -not respond. Her pathetic desire to please him, her extreme youth -and loneliness, the fact that she was soon to become the mother of -his child--these considerations had no weight with Christian VII. -He repulsed his wife's advances, and treated her with rudeness and -contempt, conduct which, under the circumstances, was peculiarly -brutal. He made coarse jokes about her condition; he even tried to -force Holck, whom she detested, upon her as master of her household. -She refused with tears and agitation, so the King made him court -marshal, and gave him the management of all the festivities at court, -where comedies, balls and masquerades succeeded one another without -interruption. - -In addition to Christian's cruelty to his Queen, he flaunted his -infidelity before her eyes. He had no inclination for the ladies of -the court (indeed the company of refined women seemed distasteful -to him), but at Holck's suggestion he sought the society of women -politely termed "actresses," and thereby derived no little amusement -and distraction. Holck, however, was not responsible for a woman whose -acquaintance the King made at this time, who went by the nickname -of _Stovlep Katerine_, or "Catherine of the Gaiters". This woman, -according to Reverdil, was brought before the King's notice by Count -Danneskjold-Laurvig. Her real name appears to have been Anna Catherine -Benthaken, and she was the natural daughter of an eminent officer in -the Danish service. As a child she was brought up in the household -of this officer, but after his death her mother married a retired -soldier, who was by trade a tailor who made gaiters. As Catherine -was penniless she accompanied her mother to her stepfather's poor -house, where, in return for her board and lodging, she was obliged to -sew gaiters--hence her nickname. But she could not brook this life -long, and having a vivacious temperament and some natural gifts she -sought other means of livelihood. Copenhagen in the eighteenth century -offered few opportunities of honest work for unmarried women, so -Catherine first became an opera dancer, and then the mistress of an -Englishman, Sir John Goodrich.[84] She lived with him for some time, -and was generally known as "Milady". At the time Christian made her -acquaintance, "Milady" was a good-looking young woman, with a fine -figure, and an excellent taste in dress. She was amusing and witty, and -equal to any wild scheme the King might conceive. It was her ambition -to become _maîtresse en titre_, and to this end she lent herself to all -kinds of extravagancies in order that she might gain greater influence -over the King. Before long "Milady" achieved her ambition; she received -the honour of an invitation to a masquerade at the palace, and the -King showed his preference to the court by dancing with her nearly all -the evening. Queen Matilda was spared the sight of this insult, for in -consequence of her state of health she was unable to be present, but -the incident was duly reported to her, and filled her with grief and -resentment. - -[84] Sir John Goodrich was nominated by the British Government Minister -Plenipotentiary to Sweden, but, through the intrigues of the French -Government, he never got nearer Stockholm than Copenhagen. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE BIRTH OF A PRINCE. - -1768. - - -Queen Matilda gave birth to a son and heir--the future King Frederick -VI.--on January 28, 1768. Titley thus records the event: "Yesterday -the Queen of Denmark fell in labour, and about ten o'clock at night -was happily delivered of a prince, to the extreme satisfaction of her -royal consort and the whole court. The Queen, God be praised, and the -new-born prince are this morning both as well as can be expected. This -very important and much desired event happened but an hour or two -before the anniversary of the King of Denmark's own birthday, and we -are now celebrating the double festivity. The birth of an heir male to -the Crown has completely fulfilled the ardent wishes and prayers of the -public, and consequently spread a real joy through all ranks of the -people here."[85] - -[85] Titley's despatch, Copenhagen, January 29, 1768. - -A few days later the infant prince was christened by the name of -Frederick. The ceremony took place in the Queen's bedchamber, and -nobody was admitted except the ministers and council--the English -envoy was not invited. Queen Juliana Maria, to whom the birth of this -prince was the death-blow of her hopes, and the Princess Charlotte -Amelia (represented by proxy), were the godmothers, and Prince -Frederick, the King's brother, was the godfather. The King had wished -for a public ceremonial, but the babe was sickly and ailing, and it -was deemed necessary to baptise him as soon as possible. During her -illness the Queen was fenced round by the most rigid etiquette by -Madame de Plessen; she was attended in turn by Madame de Plessen, a -lady-in-waiting, and the wife of a Knight of the Elephant. The infant -was attended by two court ladies, who were changed according to rank, -and this absurd formality continued until all the court ladies had -shared the privilege. The Queen, a short time after her confinement, -had also to undergo the ordeal of sitting up in bed (the royal infant -in a bassinet by the side of the bed) and receiving the congratulations -of the court ladies and gentlemen, who filed through the room in -procession. The fatigue of this levee, or perhaps Madame de Plessen's -wearisome formalities, made the Queen seriously ill. Gunning, who never -lost a chance of attacking his arch-enemy, wrote to Lord Weymouth:-- - -"Her Danish Majesty has been very much indisposed for some days, but -her physicians, who own that they were not without apprehensions, now -assure me that all danger is over. It is with the greatest concern that -I think myself obliged to acquaint your lordship with my fears that her -Majesty's indisposition has been occasioned, in some measure, by the -imprudent conduct of the lady who is her _grande maîtresse_. I thought -it my duty to acquaint General Conway with the character of Madame de -Plessen immediately after her nomination to a post that I could wish -she had never filled, expressing at the same time my desire that her -Majesty might be informed of it. And in some despatches subsequent to -the Queen's arrival here, I applied for instructions with regard to my -explaining this matter to her Majesty, but not having had any orders -to do so, I could not with propriety, and consistent with my duty, -venture upon it, though I daily saw the fatal effects of the ascendant -this lady acquired. Her Majesty's sweetness of disposition and her -natural vivacity could not but, as indeed it did, attract the esteem -and affection of a young Prince who had so great a share of the latter. -Had she been allowed to follow the bent of her own inclinations, it -would have been so firmly established that nothing could have shaken -it. But this would not have answered the end of those who advised a -different conduct. The Queen's influence and ascendant would then -have been too great, and she herself would not have been subject to -that of others.... An attention to the situation her Majesty has been -in of late has prevented the King's executing the resolution he has -long taken of removing her _grande maîtresse_, but as soon as the -Queen's health is thoroughly established, I understand this is to take -place."[86] - -[86] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, February 17, 1768. - -Gunning proved right in his conjecture, for a few weeks later Madame -de Plessen was suddenly dismissed. The King would hardly have dared -to take this step if others had not come to his assistance. Madame -de Plessen had made many enemies by her tactless conduct, but her -political intrigues were the direct cause of her fall. So long as the -French party was in the ascendant all went well with her, but during -the last year Russia had grown in power and influence at the Danish -court. Russia, through her two envoys, Saldern, the envoy in Holstein, -and Filosofow, the envoy in Copenhagen, had gained the ear of the -Prime Minister, Bernstorff, and other persons holding high office, -notably of Baron Schimmelmann,[87] Grand Treasurer. Moreover, Saldern -was a personal friend of the King, and joined him in many of his -wildest dissipations; and it is probable that he won Christian over -to Russia by giving him money to defray his extravagancies. Saldern -was a terrible man, a semi-barbarian, with rough brutal strength and -domineering will that bore down all opposition. He knew that Reventlow, -the Queen's chamberlain, and Madame de Plessen were on the side of -France; he determined to get rid of them, and to this end used all his -influence with the King. Reventlow was dismissed with ignominy, and -Sperling, his nephew, soon followed; but Madame de Plessen remained, -and until she was gone Saldern could not feel safe against French -intrigues. He regarded the Queen's household as the centre of the -French party, and he hated Matilda because she supported Madame de -Plessen. A letter of Saldern's, written about the end of January, 1768, -gives an insight into the character of the man. "My great torment," he -wrote, "comes from the Queen. She has lost her right arm in Reventlow, -but she still has the left in Plessen, a mischievous woman, but I will -deprive her of this arm also.... When the King goes to see the Queen -she tells him he ought to be ashamed of himself, and that the whole -city says he lets himself be governed by me. She only says this out of -revenge, because I sent away her flea-catcher (_sa preneuse de puces_). -The King tells me all this, and I show him _mon égide_, and we laugh -together."[88] - -[87] Schimmelmann was a German-Jew by birth, and a type of the rogue -now called a "financier". After a career as a money-lender, during -which he amassed a fortune, he arrived in Denmark. He possessed great -financial ability, and made himself so useful to the Danish Government -that he was given first the title of Baron, then the Order of the -Elephant, and lastly appointed Grand Treasurer. - -[88] _Mémoires de Reverdil_, pp. 122-23. - -All the same it was some months before Saldern could screw up the -King's courage to the point of dismissing Madame de Plessen, but at -last he succeeded. As soon as the Queen was convalescent the King ran -away with Saldern to Frederiksborg, and from the safe shelter of that -retreat he despatched a signed order to Madame de Plessen commanding -her to quit the palace immediately on its receipt, without taking leave -of the Queen. As the King was all-powerful, there was nothing for -Madame de Plessen to do but obey; indeed she feared for her life if -she remained in Copenhagen. So she fled with all speed, the same day -she received the order, to her estate of Kokkedal, on the Sound. - -[Illustration: QUEEN MATILDA RECEIVING THE CONGRATULATIONS OF THE COURT -ON THE BIRTH OF THE CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK. - -_From a Contemporary Print._] - -Bernstorff was ordered to acquaint the Queen with the King's resolution -and declare it to be irrevocable. When the Queen was told that her -first lady had gone, there was a most painful scene--she burst into -tears and refused to be comforted. Her anger and resentment against the -King knew no bounds, and she declared she would never forgive him. The -whole of the Queen's household was now changed; all her friends were -sent away, and nominees of Holck and Saldern put in their places. The -King wished to appoint as chief lady, Madame von Berkentin, who had -intrigued against Madame de Plessen, but the Queen absolutely refused -to admit her to her presence, and so, after much angry recrimination -the vacant post was bestowed upon Madame von der Lühe, who was not any -more pleasing to the Queen from the fact that she was the sister of -Count Holck. But Madame von der Lühe proved more satisfactory than the -Queen expected, and gradually won her confidence; the worst appointment -was that of Fräulein von Eyben as maid-of-honour. This woman, who had -by no means an unsullied reputation, was false and untruthful--a spy -who sought opportunity to betray her mistress. - -Madame de Plessen was pursued with relentless severity, and two days -after her dismissal from the Danish court she was ordered to quit the -kingdom. She withdrew to Hanoverian territory, and finally settled -at Celle. She was forbidden to hold any communication with her former -mistress, but it is probable that she managed to evade this order. The -separation was a bitter grief both to the Queen and her chief lady. -Despite her domineering disposition and want of tact, Madame de Plessen -dearly loved her young mistress, and would have died, had it been -necessary, for her sake. She was by nature hard and undemonstrative, -but the helpless little Queen had found a tender spot in her heart, and -the maternal love she felt for her mistress was all the more fierce -because of its concentration; in shielding her from the contamination -of the court she was like a tigress guarding her young. Perhaps it -was the very fierceness of her devotion which led her into errors of -judgment, but great though these were, if she had avoided political -intrigue, she might have retained her place. - -To Matilda the loss of this good woman, for she was a good woman -despite her unamiable qualities, was irreparable. Surrounded as she was -by spies and enemies, beset by perils and temptations, she knew that -she had in her chief lady a disinterested friend, and she clung to her -all the more because she had not strength of herself to stand alone. -Had Madame de Plessen remained with the Queen, the errors and follies -of after years would never have been committed. In the dangerous path -Matilda had to tread, beset by pitfalls on every side, she needed some -one who would guide her stumbling feet, and lead her in the way she -should go. - -Queen Matilda was not allowed much time to indulge in her grief, for -within ten days of Madame de Plessen's dismissal she had to hold -a court, at which she received the congratulations of the foreign -ministers and Danish nobility on the birth of her son. The day was -observed as a general holiday, and in the evening there was a banquet -and ball at the Christiansborg Palace. If she wrote to England to -complain of the hard treatment she had suffered in thus being deprived -of one in whom she placed confidence, she probably received little -comfort from her brother. We find Lord Weymouth writing to Gunning -before Madame de Plessen's dismissal: "The King would not be sorry to -hear of her removal,"[89] and after it: "I assure you that the King is -thoroughly sensible of the zealous and dutiful motives which engaged -you to see with so much concern the dangerous tendency of that lady's -influence".[90] - -[89] Lord Weymouth's despatch to Gunning, March 18, 1768. - -[90] _Ibid._, May 4, 1768. - -In the same despatch (May 4, 1768) Lord Weymouth announced the death -of the Princess Louisa Anne, and enclosed a sealed letter from George -III. to the Queen, whose sorrows now came upon her thick and fast, -for her sister's death was the second bereavement she had sustained -within a few months, in addition to the loss of her faithful Plessen. -Louisa Anne, who had once been put forward as a possible Queen of -Denmark, had been always an invalid, and was so diminutive in stature -that, though she completed her nineteenth year before she died, she -looked like a sickly child of thirteen. There is nothing recorded -of her beyond that she was a lover of literature, and of an amiable -disposition. - -The death of her sister furnished the Queen with an excuse for not -appearing at court festivities, which became wilder and more dissolute, -and were attended by many persons of ill-fame, both men and women. -Prominent among them was "Catherine of the Gaiters," who had now gained -great influence over the King, and led him (or he led her) into the -wildest excesses. It was one of Christian's peculiarities that he liked -to see women dressed as men, and to humour him "Milady" disguised -herself in the uniform of a naval officer and accompanied the King -and his friends on their night adventures. During her varied career -"Milady" had made several enemies among women of her own walk in life: -they were jealous of her prosperity and spoke ill of her. To revenge -herself she induced the King and his party to enter the houses where -these women lived, smash the windows and throw the furniture into the -street. The watchmen had secret orders to take no notice of these -proceedings, but they often found it difficult to prevent the populace -from rising in indignation. Reverdil, who viewed the _liaison_ between -the King and "Milady" with disgust, once saw Christian returning to the -palace, boasting loudly of his exploits, and he could not refrain from -uttering the sarcasm, "_Voilà un beau chemin à la gloire_". The King -was exceedingly angry, and said, "Do not mock at me. Scold me if you -will, but do not mock at me." - -Reverdil did not heed the warning, and a few evenings later at the -palace theatre he saw "Milady" sitting in a prominent box and covered -with jewels; below her were the maids of honour, and facing her was -the Queen. Reverdil was standing near Holck, who was responsible for -this arrangement, and he thus gave vent to his indignation. "Sir," -said he, "though a hundred times you have turned into ridicule what I -have said, I say again that a man can be neither a good subject, nor a -good servant, who does not weep to see such a creature thus defy the -Queen, and the King make himself, to the great peril of the state, the -_greluchon_ of a foreign minister." Holck turned on his heel. The next -morning Reverdil received a written order from the King commanding him -to leave Copenhagen within twenty-four hours. The out-spoken Swiss lost -no time in obeying the order, and left the country. When he returned to -Copenhagen three years later the situation had changed. - -Reverdil was not the only one who entered a protest against the -ascendency of "Catherine of the Gaiters". She had induced the King to -buy her a palace, create her a baroness, and promise her a pension, -but in the hour of her triumph she fell as suddenly as she had risen. -The shameful scenes in the streets had so moved the honest people -of Copenhagen to indignation that they threatened to rise in revolt -unless the woman was dismissed. So threatening was their attitude and -so loud were their murmurs that at last the ministers resolved to act. -They sought the assistance of Schimmelmann and Saldern to convince the -King that matters had reached danger-point. The latter then went with -Bernstorff to the King, and by trading on his fears, persuaded him to -sign an order commanding Catherine to quit the kingdom at once. The -King signed without much difficulty; perhaps he was frightened, perhaps -he was already weary of her. Catherine was arrested at her house -and conducted across the frontier to Hamburg, where the obsequious -municipality put her into prison.[91] - -[91] There she remained for some years. Eventually Struensee set her at -liberty, but she never returned to Copenhagen. - -Dismissal and banishment now formed the order of the day at Copenhagen. -Prince Charles of Hesse had left the capital under the cloud of the -King's displeasure, and though he was later given as a consolation the -vice-royalty of the duchies, he was for a time in exile. Reventlow, by -making friends with the Russian party, had managed to crawl back into -office, but not to a place in the household of the Queen. Brandt soon -followed Sperling into banishment. He became jealous of the reigning -favourite Holck, and wrote the King a private letter containing severe -reflections on Holck's conduct. As might have been expected the King -showed the letter to Holck, with the result that Brandt was commanded -to quit the capital within twenty-four hours, and Danish territory -within eight days. Holck was more in favour than before, and the -Queen's position more unhappy. - -The King, now that he was deprived of the society of "Milady," and -a check put upon his follies, suffered from _ennui_, and determined -to travel. He proposed to visit England and France, and to be absent -from Denmark six months. His ministers, who at another time would have -opposed the idea of the King being away from his dominions for so long, -now thought it advisable that he should go. The situation had become -intolerable. The King was most unpopular with his people, and if he -travelled for a time it would not only give an opportunity for scandal -and bitter feeling to die down, but it was possible that he would gain -wisdom, and return a saner and better man. The question of expense was -a considerable one, but in this matter Schimmelmann proved useful--he -advanced a loan. - -When Matilda heard of her husband's intended tour, she pleaded hard to -accompany him, especially as he was going to England. The desire to see -again her family and native country made her put aside her pride, and -beg this favour of the King with all the eloquence in her power. But he -refused on several grounds, the real reason being that he did not want -her with him. She then prayed that Madame de Plessen might come back to -her during the King's absence, and it was said that Christian, before -he started, promised to grant this, but when he had gone a little -way on his journey he withdrew his promise. Under the circumstances -the Queen came to the wise resolution of retiring from the capital -altogether during the King's absence. It was necessary for her to be -on her guard, for it was rumoured that an intrigue was set on foot to -deprive her of the regency in the event of the King's demise.[92] No -doubt Juliana Maria thought that the post of regent should be filled -either by herself, or her son Frederick, whose chances of succession -to the throne had been greatly lessened by the birth of Matilda's son. -There had been some idea of appointing a regent during the King's -absence from his dominions, but the claims of the rival Queens were -too delicate to decide, and the difficulty was avoided by appointing -a council of regency composed of Counts Thott and Moltke and Baron -Rosenkrantz. - -[92] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, May 14, 1768. - -Christian VII. left Copenhagen in May, 1768, on his tour; his suite -consisted of no less than fifty-six persons, chief among them being -Bernstorff, the principal Secretary of State. The King travelled south -through Schleswig, where he remained some little time; the two Russian -envoys, Saldern and Filosofow, were there, and weighty diplomatic -matters were discussed. The treaty by which Russia exchanged her -claims on ducal Schleswig and Holstein for the counties of Oldenburg -and Delmenhorst was arranged there--a treaty of great importance to -Denmark.[93] - -[93] Peter III. of Russia had made a claim upon his hereditary states -of Holstein-Gottorp in 1762, and was preparing to enforce it when he -was deposed and assassinated. His consort and successor, Catherine the -Great, agreed to an amicable settlement of the affair by exchange. - -The King then proceeded through the southern part of his dominions -_viâ_ Kiel to Ahrensburg, near Hamburg. Here, without knowing it, he -took one of the most important steps of his life. He appointed John -Frederick Struensee, a doctor of Altona, his travelling physician, and -Struensee joined the King's suite forthwith. - -A few days later Christian quitted Denmark. After paying a visit of -reconciliation to his brother-in-law, Prince Charles of Hesse, at -Hanau, near Frankfort, he travelled down the Rhine to Cologne, and -thence to Amsterdam and Brussels. From Brussels he journeyed to Calais, -where his brother-in-law, George III., had sent the _Mary_ yacht to -convey him to England. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -CHRISTIAN VII. IN ENGLAND. - -1768. - - -Christian VII. landed at Dover on August 9, 1768. He was received with -especial marks of distinction, a salute was fired from the cannon of -the castle, and the vessels in the harbour were dressed with flags. -Royal coaches were in waiting, and Lord Hertford and Lord Falmouth -received him on behalf of the King. The King of Denmark's suite -consisted of Count Bernstorff, his principal Secretary of State, Count -Moltke the younger, Grand Marshal, Count Holck, Master of the Wardrobe, -Baron Schimmelmann, Treasurer, Baron Bülow, Lord-in-Waiting, Dr. -Struensee, Physician, and several others. - -Christian declined the royal coaches, and preferred to travel in a -post-chaise to avoid ceremony. With the principal members of his -suite he pushed on ahead, leaving the others to follow with the -baggage. Lord Hertford told his Majesty that the clergy and the -corporation of Canterbury, through which city he was to pass, had made -great preparations to receive him. The King was annoyed, for he was -travelling _incognito_ as the Prince of Traventhal, and his object -in coming to England was to amuse himself, and not to be wearied by -receiving addresses from mayors and Church dignitaries--for the clergy -in particular he had a dislike. He said to Bernstorff: "The last King -of Denmark who entered Canterbury laid it to ashes. I wish the citizens -had remembered that, and then perhaps they would have let me pass -unnoticed." But Bernstorff told Christian that he must at least receive -the address, which he did with ill grace, but he declined the luncheon -prepared in his honour. - -The King of Denmark arrived in London at seven o'clock in the evening, -and when his coach pulled up before St. James's Palace, Holck -exclaimed, "By God, this will never do! This is not a fit place to -lodge a _Christian_ in!" In truth the somewhat dingy exterior of St. -James's Palace was not, at first sight, likely to impress a foreigner, -but when the King entered he pronounced his lodgings tolerable. George -III. had spent £3,000 in refurnishing a suite of apartments for his -brother-in-law. Moreover, he defrayed the cost of his royal guest's -table during his stay in England, at the cost of £84 a day, without -wine, and the wine bill, no doubt, was a heavy addition. He also -decorated the King of Denmark's sideboard with the splendid gold plate -of Henry VII., which was seldom used, except at coronation banquets, -and was brought from the Tower especially for the occasion. These marks -of respect, it may be supposed, George III. paid to the office of the -King, for it is certain that he disliked the man, and heartily wished -him anywhere but at St. James's. - -Christian VII. had invited himself to the English court, and came as -a most unwelcome guest. His visit was singularly ill-timed, for the -Wilkes riots had taken place recently, and the King was unpopular, -and much worried and annoyed. Moreover, the court was in mourning for -the Princess Louisa Anne, and the King wished to give none but the -absolutely necessary receptions this year. He disliked festivities -as much as the King of Denmark revelled in them, and he grudged the -outlay which the visit of his self-invited guest entailed. Besides, -George III., who was a model of the domestic virtues, had heard of the -profligacy of the King of Denmark, and the cruelty and disrespect with -which he treated his Queen. Matilda had written home piteous complaints -of the sufferings she endured, and though George III. declined to -interfere between man and wife, and advised his sister to make the -best of her lot, he felt just resentment against her husband, who -ill-treated her so grossly.[94] - -[94] George III.'s repugnance to the King of Denmark's visit is shown -in the following note which he wrote to Lord Weymouth before he came: -"As to-morrow is the day you receive foreign ministers, you will -acquaint M. de Dieden (the Danish minister) that I desire he will -assure the King, his master, that I am desirous of making his stay in -this country as agreeable as possible. That I therefore wish to be -thoroughly apprized of the mode in which he chooses to be treated, that -I may exactly conform to it. This will throw whatever may displease -the King of Denmark, during his stay here, on his shoulders, and -consequently free me from that _désagrément_; but you know very well -that the whole of _it is very disagreeable to me_." [Richmond Lodge, -June 8, 1768.] - -In pursuance of these sentiments George III., though he had every -necessary preparation made for the King of Denmark, showed no warmth in -welcoming him. He was holding a levee in St. James's Palace the very -hour that Christian arrived there, but instead of hastening to greet -him, he sent a formal message to the effect that he would receive him -at the Queen's House (now Buckingham Palace) at half-past five o'clock. -To the Queen's House, therefore, at the appointed hour Christian -repaired. George III.'s reception of his cousin and brother-in-law -was cold and formal, and immediately it was over he left London for -Richmond Lodge, where he remained in seclusion nearly the whole time of -the King of Denmark's stay in England. - -Christian then went to Carlton House to pay his respects to his -mother-in-law. His reception there was less frigid, but far from -satisfactory. The Princess-Dowager of Wales could not help showing him -how anxious she was about her daughter. She overwhelmed her son-in-law -with inquiries concerning his wife's health, which wearied him greatly, -and he could not refrain from saying in an audible whisper to Holck, -"_Cette chère maman m'embête terriblement_". The Princess-Dowager -reopened the question of Madame de Plessen's dismissal, acting, -no doubt, at the request of Queen Matilda, and prayed the King to -reinstate her, as she was afraid for her daughter to be exposed to the -temptations of the court without a strict duenna. Christian, who was -visibly annoyed, said he would not oppose Madame de Plessen's return, -if the Princess-Dowager insisted upon it, but if she came back he and -the Queen must occupy separate palaces, as he was determined never to -have Madame de Plessen under his roof again. As this would involve a -virtual separation, the Princess-Dowager forebore to press the point -further. She reported her ill-success to Matilda, and begged her to -submit to the inevitable, and try to conciliate her husband. Now that -she saw what manner of man her son-in-law was, the Princess-Dowager -regretted the part she had played in bringing about this unhappy -marriage. - -Ill-health and many sorrows had softened this stern Princess's heart; -life had not gone smoothly with her of late. The one friend in whom -she trusted, Lord Bute, had been driven from England by her implacable -enemies. Bute had taken office at the request of the Princess-Dowager, -and for her sake he had laid it down. The ostensible ground he gave for -his resignation was ill-health, the real one was a chivalrous desire to -check the flood of cowardly insult aimed through him at the second lady -in the land. The Princess-Dowager urged him not to make the sacrifice, -for she well knew it would be in vain, and she proved to be right. Bute -was still pursued with a relentless hatred, and his enemies were not -satisfied until they had driven him first from London and then out of -the country. Unable to withstand the storm any longer Bute went into -exile, and at the time when Christian VII. visited England, he was -wandering about Italy under the _incognito_ of Sir John Stewart. The -Princess-Dowager was much cast down by the loss of her friend, with -whom she could hardly correspond, without fear of her letters being -intercepted. Moreover, her sorrows were increased by the death of two -of her children (the once numerous family of Frederick Prince of Wales -was now reduced to five), and by the unsatisfactory conduct of her -two younger sons, the Dukes of Gloucester and Cumberland, who showed -tendencies (the latter especially) to folly and extravagance. - -[Illustration: CARLTON HOUSE, PALL MALL, THE RESIDENCE OF THE -PRINCESS-DOWAGER OF WALES. - -_From a Print, temp. 1765._] - -The visit of her son-in-law, the King of Denmark, so far from -comforting her, only increased her anxiety. The more she saw of him the -more she disliked him. He was restive under her covert reproaches, and -at last entirely lost her good graces by his impertinence. The Princess -was telling fortunes by cards one evening with one of her ladies, to -whom Christian had given a diamond star. The King said to her: "_Chère -maman_, which King am I in your pasteboard court?" "Lady----," said the -Princess-Dowager archly, "calls you the King of Diamonds." "What do -you call Holck?" asked Christian. "Oh, by a more flattering title--the -King of Hearts." This nettled the King, who retorted: "And pray, _chère -maman_, what do you call Lord Bute--the Knave of Hearts?" This repartee -greatly discomposed the Princess-Dowager. She flushed crimson, and -gathered up the cards without a word. - -Though Christian was so unwelcome at court, he was exceedingly well -received by all classes of the nation, who made him the hero of -the hour. The fact that the King disliked him rather increased his -popularity than otherwise. The King and Queen, in consequence of the -seclusion in which they lived, had little or no influence on society. -George III. preferred a quiet domestic life with his wife and children, -routs, balls and assemblies had no attractions for him. Therefore -London society, which loves the presence of royalty, hailed the King of -Denmark with delight. All the fine ladies were in love with him, all -the fine gentlemen sought the honour of his acquaintance, imitated his -dress and deportment, and even copied his eccentricities. The rumour of -his vices lent an additional piquancy. He was nicknamed "the Northern -Scamp," and the ladies invented a headdress in his honour, which was -known as the "Danish fly". "The King of Denmark," writes Whately to -George Grenville, "is the only topic of conversation. Wilkes himself is -forgotten, even by the populace."[95] The people cheered him wherever -he went, and the nobility vied with one another in giving him splendid -entertainments. First to have the honour of entertaining "the royal -Dane" was Lady Hertford, who gave a brilliant assembly at Hertford -House. Horace Walpole, who was present, writes:-- - -"I came to town to see the Danish King. He is as diminutive as if he -came out of a kernel in the Fairy Tales. He is not ill made, nor weakly -made, though so small; and, though his face is pale and delicate, -it is not at all ugly.... Still he has more royalty than folly in -his air, and, considering he is not twenty, is as well as any one -expects any king in a puppet show to be.... He only takes the title -of _Altesse_ (an absurd mezzo-termine), but acts king exceedingly; -struts in the circle, like a cock-sparrow, and does the honours of -himself very civilly."[96] And again: "He has the sublime strut of his -grandfather (George II.), and the divine white eyes of all his family -on the mother's side.... The mob adore and huzza him, and so they did -at the first instant. They now begin to know why, for he flings money -to them out of the window; and by the end of the week, I do not doubt -they will want to choose him for Middlesex. His court is extremely well -ordered, for they bow as low to him at every word as if his name were -Sultan Amurath. You would take his first minister for only the first -of his slaves.... There is indeed a pert young gentleman who a little -discomposes this august ceremonial; his name is Count Holck, his age -three-and-twenty; and his post answers to one that we had formerly in -England ages ago, called, in our tongue, a royal favourite."[97] - -[95] _Grenville Papers_, vol. iv. - -[96] Walpole's _Letters_, vol. v., edition 1857. - -[97] _Ibid._ - -Lady Hertford's assembly was followed by a magnificent entertainment -at Syon House, given by the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland. "An -inexpressible variety of emblematical devices was illuminated by -more than fifteen thousand lamps, and the temple erected in the inner -court was ornamented by transparent paintings, which had a very happy -effect."[98] A gala performance was also given at the opera, which was -attended by all the rank and fashion of the town, though the King and -Queen were absent. After the opera the King went to Mrs. Cornelys' -house in Soho Square (a sort of Assembly Rooms at that period). "Mrs. -Cornelys had put the apartments in all the possible order that a few -hours' notice would admit of, and the whole was splendidly illuminated -with upwards of two thousand wax lights. The moment the King entered -the grand room the music (consisting of French horns, clarinets, -bassoons, etc.) began playing, and his Majesty seemed very much pleased -at the agreeable manner of his reception. Dancing was proposed; the -King opened the ball with the Duchess of Ancaster, and named the second -minuet with the Countess of Harrington; the minuets were succeeded by -English country dances, and those by the French cotillons."[99] - -[98] _The Annual Register_, 1768. - -[99] _Ibid._ - -Christian's maternal aunt, the Princess Amelia, was indignant with -George III. for the way he ignored his royal guest, and she gave a -grand entertainment at Gunnersbury House in honour of her Danish -nephew. "The entertainment was extremely magnificent. Invitations were -given to upwards of 300 of the nobility. The supper consisted of 120 -dishes; a grand fire-work was then played off; and the ball, which was -very splendid, ended about three o'clock on Saturday morning."[100] -The Duke of Gloucester was present, but the King and Queen did not -attend. The lovely Lady Talbot, who was much admired by Christian, was -the belle of the ball, and wore a diamond coronet worth £80,000. The -beautiful and lively Lady Bel Stanhope also created a sensation, and -Holck fell in love with her. It is said that he proposed marriage, but -Lady Bel, or her parents, would not hear of it. The Princess Amelia -declared herself to be very fond of her nephew, who, she said, reminded -her of her sister, Queen Louise, but she was distressed that he did not -get on better with his wife, and asked him why. "_Pourquoi?_" replied -Christian, "_Pourquoi?--elle est si blonde!_" Walpole has something to -say on this head too, for he tells us, "At the play of _The Provoked -Wife_, he (the King) clapped whenever there was a sentence against -matrimony--a very civil proceeding when his wife was an English -Princess". - -[100] _The Annual Register_, 1768. - -George III.'s neglect of the King of Denmark occasioned so much comment -that he at last reluctantly gave a ball in Christian's honour at -the Queen's House, at which the Princess-Dowager of Wales, the Duke -of Gloucester, and a great number of the nobility were present. The -Princess Amelia was not asked; the King owed her a grudge for the way -in which she had forced his hand in giving an entertainment to her -nephew--an example he was bound to follow. The King of Denmark opened -the ball with Queen Charlotte, and King George danced a minuet with the -Duchess of Ancaster, who seems to have been the greatest lady of the -day outside the royal family. - -Christian VII. showed no hurry to quit a country where he was so well -received, and in September, when London was empty, he made several -tours in the provinces. It was a very wet summer, and the rains were -heavier than had been known in the memory of man. "The Serpentine river -in Hyde Park rose so high that it forced down a part of the wall, and -poured with such violence upon Knightsbridge, that the inhabitants -expected the whole town to be overflowed; the canal in St. James's Park -rose higher than ever was known; in short, no man living remembered so -much rain-fall in so short a time."[101] Several parts of the country -were flooded, and the high roads rendered impassable; travelling -by coach always slow, became slower still, and in some places was -attended with difficulty and even danger. But these things did not -daunt Christian, who rushed about the country, from one end to another, -stopping nowhere for any time, and apparently taking no interest in -anything he saw. Even the polite writer in the _Annual Register_, who -devoted pages to Christian's doings, was constrained to say: "His -journeyings are so rapid, and his stay at places so short, that, if -he is not a youth of more than common talents, he must have a very -confused idea of what he sees". - -[101] _The Annual Register_, September 1, 1768. - -Horace Walpole, who now pursued the King of Denmark with strange -malignity, writes: "You know already about the King of Denmark, -hurrying from one corner of England to the other, without seeing -anything distinctly, fatiguing himself, breaking his chaise, going -tired to bed in inns, and getting up to show himself to the mob at the -window. I believe that he is a very silly lad, but the mob adore him, -though he has neither done nor said anything worth repeating; but he -gives them an opportunity of getting together, of staring and of making -foolish observations."[102] Bernstorff excused the King's indifference -on the ground that he was short-sighted. This also served to explain -many apparent discourtesies, for Christian often ignored people to whom -he had been most gracious a few days before. It is probable that Horace -Walpole was one of the victims of this little peculiarity, and that -accounts for the venom with which he writes of the King. Christian may -also have ignored Walpole's niece, Lady Waldegrave, who had secretly -married the Duke of Gloucester, and who, though the marriage was not -declared, already gave herself the airs of a princess of the blood. - -[102] Walpole's _Letters_, vol. v., edition 1857. - -Christian's first excursion was to York. Attended by a retinue of a -hundred and twenty persons he set out from London, and, in passing, -visited Cambridge. The Vice-Chancellor, the heads of houses, the -doctors, professors, proctors and other officials of the university, -clad in their scarlet robes, received the King at the entrance of the -senate house, and conducted him to a chair of state, where an address -was presented to him. The King was invited to a public luncheon, but -he excused himself, and asked the Vice-Chancellor to supper with him -at his inn. Christian shirked all ceremony, and saw the sights of -Cambridge in his riding coat and boots. At York the Corporation made -every preparation to entertain him in a splendid manner, but the King -declined all formalities, saw the races, visited the Minster and other -public buildings, and the next day set out on his return journey to -London, going round by way of Liverpool and Manchester, "where he was -particularly gratified by viewing the stupendous works of the Duke of -Bridgewater, at which he expressed both astonishment and pleasure". - -A few days after the Danish King's return to London he again set forth -on a visit to Oxford. He was received in state by the Vice-Chancellor -and officials of the university, and in full convocation had the -degree of Doctor of Civil Law conferred upon him. Bernstorff, Holck -and other members of the Danish suite also received honorary degrees, -and Struensee had conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Medicine. -After Oxford the King visited several places, and was perpetually on -the road. When he was at Newmarket for the races the Vice-Chancellor of -Cambridge waited on him, and in the name of the university presented -an address, and graces for conferring the same degree upon the King -and his nobles as they had received at Oxford. - -The grandest entertainment provided for Christian was his state visit -to the City of London. The Lord Mayor with the aldermen and sheriffs, -all in their robes, set out in coaches from the Guildhall for the -Three Cranes, where they embarked at eleven o'clock in the morning -on board the city state barge, "the streamers flying, a select band -of water-music playing, and the principal livery companies attending -in their respective barges," to Westminster, where they awaited the -arrival of Christian from St. James's Palace. The King came punctually, -and as he set foot on the city barge a royal salute was fired, and -loud cheers rent the air from the vast crowds of people who lined the -banks on either side, thronged the bridges, and crowded the river on -innumerable craft. The procession glided down the Thames to the Temple -Stairs. "During the course of this grand passage on the water his -Majesty frequently expressed himself highly pleased, and his admiration -of the several great and beautiful objects round him; and sometimes -condescended to come forward in order to gratify the curiosity of the -people, who eagerly fought to get a sight of his royal person, though -at the hazard of their lives."[103] Arrived at the Temple Stairs the -King landed, took his seat in the Lord Mayor's coach, and proceeded -to the Mansion House. The streets through which he passed were gaily -decorated, and crowded "with an innumerable populace, while the windows -and tops of houses were equally crowded with spectators of both sexes, -whose acclamations, together with the ringing of bells, and the shouts -of the multitude, loudly expressed their joy at his Majesty's presence; -his Majesty expressed his surprise at the populousness of this city, -and his satisfaction at the kindness of the citizens".[104] - -[103] _The Annual Register._ - -[104] _Ibid._ - -Arrived at the Mansion House an address was read to the King by the -City Recorder. Curiously no direct mention was made of Queen Matilda, -but we take from it one passage to show the gross and servile flattery -which characterised the whole effusion. "The many endearing ties which -happily connect you, Sir, with our most gracious Sovereign, justly -entitle you to the respect and veneration of all his Majesty's faithful -subjects; but your affability and other princely virtues, so eminently -displayed during the whole course of your residence among us, have in -a particular manner charmed the citizens of London, who reflect with -admiration on your early and uncommon thirst for knowledge, and your -indefatigable pursuit of it by travel and observation, the happy fruits -of which they doubt not will be long employed and acknowledged within -the whole extent of your influence and command." Christian returned a -suitable reply in Danish, and, "upon notice that the dinner was served, -his Majesty was conducted into the Egyptian Hall, where his Majesty -condescended to proceed quite round, that the ladies (who made a most -brilliant appearance in the galleries) might have a full view of his -royal person". The banquet was a Gargantuan one, and took four hours -to work through. Several toasts were drunk to the sound of a trumpet, -but, at the King's request, without speeches. In addition to the usual -loyal toasts, were added those of the King of Denmark and Norway and -his Consort, Queen Matilda. The King himself proposed two toasts, -"Prosperity to the British Nation," and "Prosperity to the City of -London".[105] - -[105] _The Annual Register._ - -At eight o'clock his Majesty took his leave, the City Fathers going -before him to his coach bearing wax lights. The King returned to St. -James's Palace through crowded streets, brilliantly illuminated in his -honour. The whole visit was a remarkable tribute to his undeserved -popularity. Truly there must be some strange glamour around the name -of king, when a prince like this, who had never said or done anything -worth recording, and a great deal which was quite unfit to be recorded, -received from the greatest city in the world an ovation which could not -be surpassed if he had been one of the world's greatest heroes. - -Moreover, the King of Denmark was pursuing in London the same -scandalous amusements as those which had revolted his subjects in -Copenhagen. Incredible though it may seem, night after night he and -his favourite, Holck, disguised as sailors, would pass hours drinking -and frolicking in the stews and pot-houses of St. Giles'. These -adventures generally began after midnight. Christian would leave some -splendid entertainment given in his honour by the proudest of the -English nobility, and hurrying back to St. James's would change his -clothes, and start out again to seek distraction in the lowest forms -of dissipation. These extraordinary predilections were perfectly -well known to many people of rank and fashion, and the knowledge -filtered down to the mob, who cheered the Danish King whithersoever -he went. Perhaps they lent, such was the depravity of the age, an -additional zest to the cheers. Even Queen Matilda, left behind in -far-off Denmark, heard from London of her husband's transgressions. It -is said that she wrote to her aunt, the Princess Amelia: "I wish the -King's travels had the same laudable object as those of Cyrus, but I -hear that his Majesty's chief companions are musicians, fiddlers, and -persons designed for inglorious employments. What a wretched levee! -And his evening amusements are said to be still more disgraceful. His -delicacy and sentiment cannot be supposed to dignify these fleeting -gratifications. If I had not experienced his fickleness and levity at -home, I could not have heard, without emotion and disquietude, of his -infidelities abroad."[106] - -[106] _Memoirs of an Unfortunate Queen._ - -Having said this much in condemnation of Christian VII. in England, -it is only fair to turn the other side of the shield, and record one -or two anecdotes of him which may have accounted, to some extent, for -his undoubted popularity. One day he saw a poor tradesman seized in -his shop by two bailiffs, who thrust him into a hackney coach, despite -the lamentations of his weeping wife and family, and drove off to the -Marshalsea. The King commanded Count Moltke to follow the coach and -find out all particulars. Moltke reported that the unlucky man had -contracted a debt in the course of his business, and had been charged -exorbitant interest. The King paid the debt, set the man free from -prison, and gave him five hundred dollars to start anew. This was only -one instance of several exhibitions of generosity, for he gave away -considerable sums to liberate poor debtors from the Marshalsea and -Fleet. Christian had also a habit of scattering money among the crowd, -which would account for many cheers--though money was scarce in Denmark -its King had always plenty to throw away on his travels. - -One day when Christian stepped out of his coach to enter St. James's -Palace, a fine buxom girl, who formed one of the little crowd that -always assembled to witness the King's goings out and comings in, burst -through the line, caught the King in her arms, and, fairly lifting him -off the ground, kissed him heartily. "Now," said she, "kill me if you -like, I shall die happy, for I have kissed the prettiest fellow in the -world." Christian, far from being offended, was delighted with this -tribute to his charms. He gave the girl a crown and ran laughing up -the stairs. But after this incident it was necessary to have a double -line of attendants, as other maidens might have been tempted to repeat -the experiment, for the King, though so small, was much admired by the -ladies of all classes. He was fond of dining in public at St. James's, -that is to say, he sat at a table in the middle of the room, and the -general public, chiefly women, were admitted to a space at one end, -shut off by a rail, whence they could see "the Northern Scamp" eat his -dinner. Powdered, painted, patched, perfumed, richly dressed in silk, -velvet and lace, and besprinkled with jewels, Christian looked like a -Dresden china figure. The men said he resembled a girl dressed in a -man's clothes, but the women adored him. - -Six weeks had passed since the King of Denmark's arrival in England, -yet he showed no inclination to depart. But the King of England, who -had to bear the cost of his maintenance, thought that it was high time -for him to return to his Queen and country. Other hints proving vain, -George III. invited his royal guest to what he pointedly called a -"farewell entertainment" at Richmond Lodge, on September 26. "A most -elegant structure," we read, "was erected, in the centre of which -was a large triumphal arch, about forty feet high, of the Grecian -order, decorated with figures, trophies and other embellishments." The -entertainment was equal to the magnificence of the structure, and the -fireworks were the finest ever exhibited in England. The road from St. -James's Palace to Richmond Lodge, along which Christian passed, was -illuminated by upwards of fifteen thousand Italian lamps. - -The Danish King accepted this "farewell entertainment," but still -showed no signs of saying farewell. The Princess-Dowager of Wales, -therefore, by way of speeding the parting guest, gave a supper party -on October 1, to bid him good-bye. It consisted of three tables, one -for their Majesties and the Princess-Dowager, a second for the King -of Denmark and fifty of the nobility, and a third for the Prince of -Wales (afterwards George IV., then a boy of six years old) and his -attendants. The supper party accomplished the object for which it -was given, and Christian VII. named the much-wished-for day of his -departure, which, however, was not for another fortnight. - -On October 10 the King of Denmark gave a masquerade ball to his English -friends, who had entertained him so lavishly. The ball took place at -the Opera House in the Haymarket, and two thousand five hundred guests -responded to the "royal Dane's" invitation. Queen Charlotte did not -appear, she did not approve of masquerades; her virtuous husband also -did not approve of them, but could not resist the temptation of being -present, though he compromised with his conscience by peeping at the -gay scene from a private box, behind transparent shutters. The Princess -Amelia, who was old and infirm, witnessed the revels from another box, -where she sat the whole evening masked. The scene was one of great -brilliancy, and the value of the jewels worn on this occasion was -estimated at upwards of £2,000,000. The company must have been rather -mixed, and a good many people lost articles of jewellery, which they -never recovered. The following account of the ball is taken from the -_Gentleman's Magazine_:-- - -[Illustration: THE MASKED BALL GIVEN BY CHRISTIAN VII. AT THE OPERA -HOUSE, HAYMARKET. - -_From the "Gentleman's Magazine," 1768._] - -"His Danish Majesty came in, masked, between ten and eleven o'clock, -dressed in a domino of gold and silver stuff, a black hat and white -feather, walked about with great good nature and pleasantry until -twelve, then withdrew with a select company to supper and appeared -no more.... The Duke of Cumberland was in a crimson domino, trimmed -with gold, black hat and white feather. The Duke of Gloucester in a -purple domino, white hat and white feather. Her Grace the Duchess -of Northumberland appeared in the character of Rembrandt's wife, in -a close black gown trimmed with gold, a rounded coif, a short apron -tucked up, and a painter's brush in her hand. Lady Bel Stanhope and her -sister represented pilgrims in brown gowns with blue sashes trimmed -with silver, and small hats laced round with diamonds. The Countess -of Harrington and the two young ladies, her daughters, were extremely -simple in their appearance, but at the same time extremely elegant.... -His Grace the Duke of Northumberland was in a Persian habit, with a -fine turban richly ornamented with diamonds. Lord Grosvenor was in a -splendid suit of the Turkish fashion. The Duchess of Ancaster, in the -character of a Sultana, was universally admired; her robe was purple -satin bordered with ermine, and fluttered on the ground so much in the -style of Eastern magnificence that we were transported in fancy to -the palaces of Constantinople.... Many of the most superb, as well as -the best fancied dresses in the whole assembly were those of eminent -citizens, or those who had acquired their fortunes by trade." - -Another account says: "The principal grotesque characters were the -conjurer, the black, and the old woman. There was also a Methodist -preacher, a chimney sweeper, with his bag, shovel and scraper, and a -boar with a bull's head, all of which were supported with great good -humour."[107] - -[107] _The Annual Register._ - -Two days after the masquerade the King of Denmark held a levee at St. -James's Palace, at which a large company attended to take leave of him. -The following day he went to Queen's House to say farewell to the King -and Queen, and to Carlton House to wish the Princess-Dowager good-bye. -Christian made several valuable presents before his departure, but the -most notable was a gold box studded with diamonds which he gave to -Garrick, the great actor, and begged him to receive it as a small token -of the regard he had for his genius. - -The King of Denmark posted to Dover on October 15, and on his way -thither he broke the journey at Chatham and went up the Medway on -H.M.S. _Victory_, and inspected the British fleet. It chanced that -the young officer who commanded the _Victory_ was Gambier, who forty -years later, in 1807, was the Admiral commanding the English fleet -that bombarded Copenhagen. The following day the King of Denmark left -England, after a stay of more than two months, and sailed for France. - - * * * * * - -Christian VII. went to Paris where he remained for some time as the -guest of the French King, Louis XV. It would not be germane to this -history to give a detailed account of the King of Denmark's experiences -in Paris. He was splendidly entertained by the King and the French -nobility, and welcomed on all his public appearances with enthusiasm. -His private amusements were of the same nature as those he had followed -in London. If it had been possible to corrupt Christian's morals more -than they were corrupted his experiences in Paris would have done it. -France was then slowly going down the steps that led to the revolution. -The heartlessness, extravagance and immorality of the nobility stood -in fearful contrast to the brutality, misery and ignorance of the -people. Already could be heard the mutterings of the coming storm, -but the Danish King had no eyes to see, nor ears to hear, nor mind to -understand anything beyond the amusements of the passing hour. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -THE PRODIGAL'S RETURN. - -1769. - - -On January 14 Christian VII. returned to Copenhagen after an absence of -nearly eight months. Queen Matilda drove out to meet him, and husband -and wife exchanged affectionate greetings. Together they entered -Copenhagen, amid the firing of cannon, ringing of bells, and the joyful -acclamations of the people. The English envoy gives the following -account of the entry: "The Queen went as far as Röskilde to meet his -Majesty, which strong mark of her affection and regard could not fail -of affording him the highest satisfaction. Between six and seven -o'clock their Majesties made a public entry into this capital, under -a triple discharge of the cannon on the ramparts. The whole garrison, -as well as the burghers, were under arms, and permission having been -given a few days before to illuminate the houses, the inhabitants -vied with each other in doing this, as well as the short notice would -admit of, and in demonstrating their joy in every other manner they -could. The foreign ministers, nobility, etc., attended at the palace -of Christiansborg in order to pay their compliments upon this happy -occasion, which the King was pleased to receive, after he had made a -short visit to the Dowager-Queens."[108] - -[108] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, January 17, 1769. - -Thus did Denmark welcome home her prodigal son. - -Queen Matilda had spent the greater part of the time since the King -left her at Frederiksborg,[109] some twenty miles from Copenhagen. -Frederiksborg was the most magnificent of the country palaces of the -Danish King, and has well been called the "Versailles of Denmark". -It stands to this day, and the site is one of the most picturesque -in Europe; the buildings cover three islands in a lake, connected by -bridges, the palace proper occupying the third island. The exterior is -rich in florid ornamentation, carried out in a warm sandstone, which -admirably harmonises with the time-stained brick of which the palace -is built. The windows look across the green water of the lake--a -vivid green nowhere seen as at Frederiksborg--to the gardens, laid -out in the old French style, with straight walks and terraces, and -clipped hedges of beech and hornbeam. The most magnificent room in -Frederiksborg is the knights' hall, and below it is the church, where -the Kings of the Oldenburg line were once wont to be crowned. This -church is the most ornate of any in Denmark; everywhere is colour--in -the traceried windows and frescoed walls, in the inlaid ivory work -of the stalls, the pulpit of ebony and embossed silver, and the -purple-vested altar with its golden crucifix. In short, Frederiksborg -is a magnificent specimen of the Danish Renaissance, and brings vividly -before us the life, the colour and richness which characterised the -court life of mediæval Denmark. - -[109] Frederiksborg was built early in the seventeenth century by -Christian IV. on the site of an old building, and was used as a -residence by the Kings of Denmark until 1859 (Frederick VII. usually -resided there), when a large part of the building was destroyed by -fire. Thanks to the munificence of the King, the Government and the -public, and especially to Herr J. C. Jacobsen, a wealthy brewer, who -contributed a large sum, the palace has been admirably restored, and -the interior is now fitted up as a National Historical Museum. The -contents, which include many works of art, illustrating events in -Danish history, are not so interesting as one might suppose, but the -visitor to Frederiksborg is well repaid by the beauty of its exterior, -the magnificence of its chapel, where the work of restoration has been -admirably done, and by the old-world charm of its gardens. - -At Frederiksborg Matilda spent the summer and autumn months of 1768 -alone. She occupied herself for the most part in works of charity, and -strove to forget her own sorrows in relieving those of others. There -was no philanthropic institution in the kingdom which she did not -support, and in her immediate neighbourhood her name became a household -word for many acts of kindness and benevolence. The young Queen went in -and out among the poor of the adjacent village of Hilleröd, visiting -the sick and helping the needy. The fame of her good deeds spread -abroad, and the poor throughout Denmark, even thousands to whom she -was only a name, came to look upon her as a protectress and a friend. -They believed that the golden days of good Queen Louise had come back -again. "The English," they said, "send us not Queens, but angels." - -For the rest, Matilda lived in great retirement. Occasionally she -received visits of ceremony from the Dowager-Queens, from Sophia -Magdalena, who lived at Hirschholm, or from Juliana Maria, who lived at -Fredensborg. The masked hostility of Juliana Maria continued unabated, -but the extreme circumspection of the young Queen's conduct gave no -occasion for cavil. Except the Dowager-Queens she saw no one beyond her -immediate household, and though most of these had been forced upon her -against her will, yet after the first restraint wore off she showed -to them no resentment. Her kindness and consideration won all their -hearts, with one exception--that of Fräulein von Eyben, who, though -pretending to be devoted to her mistress, was secretly working against -her. Matilda took no part in state affairs during the King's absence, -not even in ceremonial duties. Taking their cue from the King, the -Ministers who had been left to conduct the business of the state while -he was abroad, treated the Queen as a person of little importance, and -even neglected to pay her the ordinary visits of ceremony. - -Since Madame de Plessen had left the court Matilda had no one to whom -she could talk freely, nor, except her sister Augusta of Brunswick, -had she any one to whom she could write without restraint. Augusta -had her own troubles too, but she kept a warm corner in her heart for -her youngest sister, and throughout life remained her truest and -staunchest friend. But, at best, letter-writing is a poor substitute -for personal converse, and at this time Matilda was much alone. - -The young Queen must have often felt friendless and depressed as she -paced the terraces of Frederiksborg or looked down from the windows -of her apartments into the green water which lapped the castle walls, -or gazed out on the clear northern night, and watched the moonlight -play on the towers and pinnacles of the palace. Sometimes of a morning -she would wander forth to the beech woods beyond the gardens. These -beeches, mighty with age, are now, as they were then, one of the -features of Frederiksborg. They are always beautiful--beautiful in -spring, with their satin-smooth trunks, and branches still leafless, -but tipped with brown spikes flushed with purple, and already bursting -to disclose the woolly buds of silver within; beautiful in summer, when -the pale green leaves form a shimmering canopy overhead; beautiful when -the golden hues of autumn mingle with the russet-brown of the cones; -beautiful even in winter, when the leafless branches stretch like -lacework against the leaden hues of the sky, and the shrill winds from -the Baltic whistle through them, and the ground beneath is carpeted -with husks of their lavish fruit. Matilda grew to love these beech -woods greatly, and even to-day they are associated with her name. - -The Queen had one consolation in her loneliness which was not hers -when she came to Denmark-- she had her son, and found much happiness -in him, for the maternal instinct was always strong in her. She could -no longer feel a stranger and an alien in a country over which her -son would, under Providence, one day rule; she was not merely the -King's wife, but the mother of the future King of Denmark. The Crown -Prince was at first sickly and ailing, but when the Queen went to -Frederiksborg, in defiance of court etiquette, she took the infant -under her immediate care, and kept him with her as much as possible. -During the summer, under his mother's watchful love, the little -Prince, whose life was so precious to the Danish nation, grew much -stronger. The English envoy mentions an audience he had with the Queen -at Frederiksborg soon after her arrival there, and adds: "The Prince -Royal, whom her Majesty was pleased to allow me to see, is greatly -grown since his removal to the country. The resemblance between his -Highness and the King's (our royal Master's) family is striking to all -those who have had the honour of seeing him."[110] - -[110] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, July 9, 1768. - -[Illustration: THE PALACE OF FREDERIKSBORG, FROM THE GARDEN TERRACE. - -_From an Engraving, temp. 1768._] - -The only ceremonial the Queen attended, in the absence of Christian -VII., was the inauguration of an equestrian statue of the late King -Frederick V. at Copenhagen in the late autumn. Shortly after this -function Matilda removed from the country to the Christiansborg Palace, -and there awaited the King, who did not return until two months later -than he at first intended. Matilda had now determined to make the best -of her husband, notwithstanding the reports which had reached her of -his dissipation in London and Paris. He was the father of her child, -and her interests were bound up with his. The future happiness of her -son, and the prosperity of his kingdom, largely depended on Christian -VII. It was clearly the Queen's duty to put aside her own grievances, -however great they might be, and make an effort to guide the King in -the right way. Therefore she welcomed him home as affectionately as if -no cloud had dimmed their parting eight months before. - -The King was surprised and delighted at the change which had taken -place in his Queen's appearance and demeanour. The restful and healthy -life she had led at Frederiksborg had added greatly to her charm, her -figure had developed and her spirits improved. Christian had left -Matilda an unformed girl, he came back to find her a beautiful and -self-possessed woman. His wayward fancy was pleased, and soon the _mot_ -ran round the palace that the King had actually fallen in love with -his own wife. He might well have done so, for she was by far the most -beautiful woman at his court. There is a portrait of Queen Matilda in -the Rosenborg at Copenhagen, painted about this time, when she was in -her eighteenth year. It represents her in the full bloom of her beauty. -The face is a pure oval, the brow lofty and serene, the nose delicately -chiselled, the lips full and red, the large eyes of a peculiar shade -of light blue, the expression a combination of youthful dignity and -sweet archness. Her hair is dressed high, and powdered after the -fashion of the time; she wears a blue robe, with a narrow edge of -ermine to betoken her queenly rank, and round her finely-moulded throat -is a close necklace of pearls. Even if we make allowance for courtly -flattery, the picture remains that of a woman of rare loveliness and -indescribable charm. - -Though her heart was untouched, Matilda was no doubt flattered by her -husband's attentions, and she honestly tried to meet his advances -half way. Acting on the advice of her mother, her sister, and of all -who wished her well, she strove to please him, and in her desire to -hold his fickle favour, she even overlooked the fact that the hated -Holck was still in the ascendant. Perhaps she thought, by fair words -and guile, to undermine his ascendency. Her efforts, if they did not -add to her own happiness, at least conduced to the outward harmony -of the royal pair, and were coincident with a marked improvement in -Christian's mode of life. For the first few months after the King's -return this improvement was maintained; the nocturnal expeditions, -which had so scandalised the citizens of Copenhagen, were now entirely -given up; there were no masquerades, and the court became quite -decorous. Formerly the dinner used to be rushed through for the King to -hurry off to his apartments and occupy himself in unworthy pursuits. -Now the King and Queen dined in public nearly every day, and with -much ceremony. The leading ministers, the foreign envoys, and all who -distinguished themselves in the service of church or state, were in -turn honoured with invitations, and the conversation at the dinner -table became almost intellectual. Yet the court did not grow dull; -cotillons and minuets were often danced in the palace, and the opening -of the theatre for the season afforded much interest and amusement. The -centre of all this pleasant society was the young Queen, the praises -of whose beauty and amiability were on every tongue. Moreover, always -accompanied by the Queen, the King reviewed the fleet, inspected -the docks and fortifications of Copenhagen, and visited learned and -scientific institutions with the object of comparing them with those he -had seen abroad. The King also again endeavoured to interest himself -in affairs of state, attended councils and criticised many details -of administration. This remarkable change delighted alike the King's -ministers and his subjects, and they ascribed the improvement quite as -much to the influence of the Queen as to the result of his travels. -The Queen, it seemed at this time, was likely to become a power in the -state. The English envoy writes home:-- - -"Your Lordship (the Earl of Rochford) has been already acquainted with -the change that appeared in his Danish Majesty. Those amusements in -which he used to take delight no longer afford him any. The society of -the Queen seems alone to constitute his happiness. Her Majesty will -now, no doubt, obtain that just and proper degree of influence, which -her numberless amiable qualities entitle her to, and which she would -have much earlier enjoyed, had not the happy effect of it been too -much apprehended by some who did not expect to find their account in -it."[111] - -[111] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, February 18, 1769. - -Impressed, no doubt, by the warmth of his welcome in England, the King -of Denmark was now strongly English in his sentiments. He talked much -about his English mother, and delighted to honour anything which had to -do, even remotely, with England. For instance, he sent the order of the -Elephant to Prince George of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the youngest brother -of Queen Charlotte; he despatched a pressing invitation to the Duke -of Gloucester to visit Copenhagen, and he resolved to celebrate Queen -Matilda's birthday with all possible ceremony, not only as a mark of -her new-found favour in his eyes, but also because he wished to pay a -compliment, through her, to the royal house of England. - -The Duke of Gloucester duly arrived at Copenhagen to take part in -the celebration of his sister's birthday. He was the first of her -family whom Matilda had seen since she left home, and she received -him with demonstrations of joy. Gunning writes: "Their mutual joy and -satisfaction on this occasion was greater than can be expressed".[112] - -[112] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, July 11, 1769. - -William Henry, Duke of Gloucester, was in his twenty-sixth year at -the time of his visit to Copenhagen. He was the least intelligent of -the numerous family of Frederick Prince of Wales, but he had some -sterling qualities, which made him resemble, more than the other sons, -his eldest brother George III. If he lacked the wit and brilliancy -of the Duke of York, he did not possess the vices and follies of the -Duke of Cumberland. As a boy he was dull and heavy-witted, and the -Princess-Dowager cared for him the least of all her children. According -to Walpole she used to treat him with severity, and then accuse him -of sulking. "No," said the Duke, on one occasion, "I am not sulking, -I am only thinking." "And pray, of what are you thinking?" asked his -mother with scorn. "I am thinking that if ever I have a son, I will not -make him as unhappy as you make me." The Duke of Gloucester grew up -a silent, reserved man, and shortly after attaining his majority, he -became enamoured of Maria, Dowager-Countess Waldegrave. His passion was -the more violent, because of the way his affections had been stunted -in his youth, and the obstacles to the attainment of his desire only -served to quicken his ardour. The obstacles were considerable, for -the Dowager-Countess Waldegrave, in consequence of a stain upon her -birth,[113] was hardly a meet woman for the King's brother to take to -wife, and, on the other hand, as she told him, she was too considerable -a person to become his mistress. She was a young, rich and beautiful -widow of spotless reputation and boundless ambition. Many suitors -were at her feet, among them the Duke of Portland, the best match -in England, yet by some strange perversity Lady Waldegrave rejected -them all, and engaged in a dalliance with the unattractive Duke of -Gloucester. The Duke's wooing was long and unsatisfactory; the King -and the Princess-Dowager did their utmost to break off the affair, the -friends of Lady Waldegrave remonstrated, and counselled prudence. But -threats, advice and warnings were all in vain, and at last the Duke -of Gloucester and Lady Waldegrave were secretly married in September, -1766, in the drawing-room of Lady Waldegrave's town house, by her -domestic chaplain. The secret was jealously guarded; some declared that -the young couple were married, others, less charitable, that they ought -to be, but the Duke and his Duchess let them gossip as they would. The -Duke was always with Lady Waldegrave in public, and his manner to her -was exactly the manner a man would treat his honoured wife. The livery -worn by her servants was a compromise between that of the royal family -and her own. But the marriage was not declared, and at the time the -Duke of Gloucester came to Copenhagen there seemed no probability that -it ever would be.[114] - -[113] The Dowager-Countess Waldegrave was the illegitimate daughter -of Sir Edward Walpole (brother of Horace Walpole), by Mary Clement, a -milliner's apprentice. She was the second and the most beautiful of -three beautiful daughters, Laura, Maria and Charlotte. It was said that -after the birth of her children, Edward Walpole intended to marry Mary -Clement, but she died suddenly, and his honourable intentions were too -late. He, however, took the children, acknowledged them, and gave them -every advantage of wealth and education. When they grew up, though -their birth prevented presentation at court, they were successfully -launched into the best society. All three made brilliant marriages. -Laura married the Rev. the Hon. Frederick Keppel, brother of the Earl -of Albemarle, who subsequently became Bishop of Exeter; Charlotte, -Lord Huntingtower, afterwards fifth Earl of Dysart, and Maria, Earl -Waldegrave. Lord Waldegrave died a few years after the marriage, -leaving his widow three daughters and a large fortune. - -[114] The marriage was not declared until 1772, when, in consequence of -a bill having been brought into Parliament to regulate royal marriages, -the Duke publicly acknowledged Lady Waldegrave as his wife. The King -was highly incensed, and Queen Charlotte even more so. They refused to -receive the Duchess at court, though the King had to acknowledge the -marriage as legal; consequently the Duke and Duchess went to Italy, -where they remained for some time. In 1776 they returned to England -with their two children, Prince William Henry and the Princess Sophia. -Their conduct was so irreproachable that a reconciliation took place -between the Duke and the King, and the Duchess of Gloucester and her -children were duly acknowledged. Prince William Henry of Gloucester -eventually married his cousin, Princess Mary, daughter of George III. - -The Duke of Gloucester was received with every mark of respect, and -his visit to Copenhagen was a continual round of festivity. There was -a grand review of the troops in his honour, and a gala performance -at the court theatre. One day the King and Queen and the Duke made -an excursion to the ancient castle Kronborg at Elsinore, and were -entertained by the commandant of the fortress. The Queen-Mother, Sophia -Magdalena, gave a _déjeuner_ to the English Prince at Hirschholm and -Count Otto Moltke gave a ball. The Queen's birthday festivities are -described by the English envoy:-- - -"Saturday, July 22, was the anniversary of the Queen's birthday, -which not having been observed since her Majesty's arrival in these -dominions, by reason of the King of Denmark's absence, his Majesty was -determined to celebrate it now with as much magnificence as possible. -The court testified its joy on this occasion by a very numerous and -brilliant appearance.... In the evening followed a succession of new -entertainments at the court theatre, designed and executed purposely -in honour of her Majesty, and the day's festivity was closed with a -great supper at the King's table. On Monday began the second act of -this celebration. At six o'clock in the evening his Majesty and the -noblemen who performed a part in the Carousal,[115] richly habited -in Turkish dresses, and upon horses finely caparisoned, set out in -grand procession through the city, attended by the Horse Guards and -by a large band of martial music; at seven the procession returned to -the great area of the palace, and as soon as the noblemen, appointed -judges, had taken their seats, the exhibition began. One quadrille -was led by the King, the other by Count Ahlfeld, governor of the -city. The whole ceremony was very magnificent, and performed with the -utmost address and good order, in the presence of her Danish Majesty, -the Queen-Mother, Sophia Magdalena, his Royal Highness the Duke of -Gloucester, the whole court, and several thousand spectators. The -performance concluded soon after nine, and was succeeded by an elegant -supper and ball. The court returns this evening to Frederiksberg, where -there is a grand firework to be played off; the whole gardens are to -be illuminated, and, after a magnificent supper in a large building -erected for that purpose, a masquerade ball is intended, to which two -thousand persons are to be admitted."[116] - -[115] The Carousal was a musical ride which the King and the courtiers -had been rehearsing in the riding school for weeks beforehand. _Vide_ -Gunning's despatch, April 15, 1769. - -[116] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, July 25, 1769. - -The Duke of Gloucester left Copenhagen a few days after the Queen's -birthday, and returned to England. Though Christian had prepared all -these festivities in his brother-in-law's honour, he did not hesitate -to exercise his wit at the expense of his guest. The Duke was silent -and dull, and his lack of conversation was made a subject of ridicule -by the garrulous King. One day Christian asked Holck what he thought of -the Duke, and the favourite replied: "He reminds me of an English ox!" -The Duke was very stout for his age, and had a broad red face and large -ruminating eyes. The King laughed at Holck's witticism, and maliciously -repeated it to the Queen, who was incensed at the impertinence. If -the truth must be told, the English Prince did not appear in the most -favourable light at the Danish court. He stared and said little, and -chiefly distinguished himself by his enormous appetite. - -When her brother left Copenhagen the Queen found herself once more -alone. His visit had been to a great extent a disappointment to her, -for he had little in common with his sister, and not much sympathy for -her in her troubles. These, as time went on, grew from bad to worse. -Despite all her efforts Holck continued in the ascendant, and his -influence was wholly against the Queen. He was known throughout Denmark -as the man whom the King delighted to honour, and even Matilda was -forced to show public marks of favour to the man whom she considered -her worst enemy. For instance, in September she was compelled by the -King to attend Holck's wedding to a daughter of Count Laurvig, "an -honour," to quote the English envoy, "never before conferred in this -kingdom upon any subject when the ceremony was performed out of the -palace; but indeed the whole of this had more the appearance of the -nuptials of a prince of the blood than those of a private person, the -King having conveyed Count Holck in his Majesty's chariot, at the -same time giving him the right hand from Frederiksberg to Copenhagen, -the Queen and all the court following".[117] Holck's marriage made no -difference to his mode of life, and Christian's infatuation for his -favourite continued as great as before. Mounted couriers tore along the -road between the Blaagaard, where Holck lived, and the King's palace -at all hours of the day and night, and on one occasion two horses were -killed in the wild haste with which the horseman rode to convey the -King's message to his favourite. - -[117] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, September 30, 1769. - -[Illustration: WILLIAM HENRY, DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, BROTHER OF QUEEN -MATILDA. - -_From the Painting by H. W. Hamilton, 1771._] - -Nine months had passed since Christian's return from abroad, and -it was at last seen by his subjects that the hopes they had formed -of their King's reformation were doomed to disappointment. The -costly experiment of foreign travel had proved a failure. True, he -no longer scandalised his people with riots in the streets, or his -court with shameless disregard of morality, for his strength was no -longer equal to such exhibitions. The incessant round of dissipation -in London and Paris had shattered an already enfeebled constitution. -The King's tendency to melancholia became more marked every day, and -symptoms of the dread malady which before long overtook him began to -make themselves apparent. His delusions as to his prowess became more -frequent, and he showed strange aberrations of intellect. He was a -mental and physical wreck. - -In October, 1769, Queen Matilda fell ill. Her illness was the crowning -indignity and proved the limit of her long-suffering endurance. With -it also came to an end the efforts she had bravely made since the -King's return to do her duty to her husband, and lead him to higher -things. This was the turning-point of Matilda's life, and explains, if -it does not excuse, much that followed after. She threw down her arms. -Insulted and degraded, it is no wonder that the young wife of eighteen -was filled with a disgust of life. The remonstrances of her physicians -were unavailing, she turned her face to the wall and prayed for death. -The Queen's condition was so serious that the English envoy thought it -necessary to write home the following diplomatically worded despatch:-- - -"I am extremely sorry to acquaint your Lordship that the state of the -Queen of Denmark's health has lately presented some very unfavourable -symptoms; which have given such apprehensions to her physicians, as to -make them think that a perfect re-establishment may be attended with -some difficulty, unless her Majesty can be persuaded to pay unusual -attention to herself. I am so thoroughly sensible how deeply it would -affect the King [George III.] to receive information of a still more -alarming nature, and so anxious to prevent it, that I cannot help -desiring your Lordship to represent to his Majesty that, though there -appears no immediate danger, yet the situation the Queen of Denmark -is at present in is too critical not to make it highly necessary to -obviate worse symptoms, and as this happy effect depends very much upon -her Majesty's own care, I believe she would be wrought upon by nothing -more successfully than by some affectionate expostulations from the -King, upon the very great importance of her life."[118] - -[118] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, November 4, 1769. - -It was at this critical moment, when her whole being was in passionate -revolt, when she was disgusted with her environment, and weary of life, -that Matilda's evil genius appeared upon the scene in the guise of a -deliverer. This was the King's physician--John Frederick Struensee. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -STRUENSEE. - -1737-1769. - - -John Frederick Struensee was born at Halle, an old town in northern -Germany, on August 5, 1737. His father, Adam Struensee, was a -zealous Lutheran minister; his mother was the daughter of a doctor -named Carl, a clever man, much given to mysticism, who had been -physician-in-ordinary to King Christian VI. of Denmark. The Struensee -family was of obscure origin. The first Struensee of whom anything is -known began life under a different name. He was a pilot at Lubeck, -and during a terrible storm, in which no other man dared venture out -to sea, he brought into port a richly laden vessel. In honour of his -courageous deed he received from the corporation of Lubeck the name -of Strouvensee, which means a dark, stormy sea--a fit emblem of his -descendant's troubled career. - -John Frederick Struensee received his early education at the grammar -school of his native town. It was not a good education, for the -masters were imperfectly educated themselves, but the boy was so -extraordinarily precocious, and had such a thirst for knowledge, that -he soon absorbed all that his tutors could teach him, and began to -educate himself. The wave of mysticism was then passing over northern -Germany, and Struensee's teachers were infected with it, and no doubt -communicated their views to their pupil, for Struensee was all his life -something of a mystic, or, to speak more correctly, a fatalist. Despite -the orthodox Protestantism of his parents, the younger Struensee's -eager and inquiring mind had always an inclination to scepticism, and -before he had attained man's estate he was already a freethinker on -most matters of religion. He seems always to have retained a belief in -God, or a First Cause, but he never had the conviction that man enjoyed -a future life: he held that his existence was bounded by this life, and -always acted on that assumption. Side by side with the mysticism which -was permeating northern Germany there existed a religious revival. -The theory of conversion, whereby a man was suddenly and miraculously -converted from his evil ways and made sure of future salvation, was -peculiarly acceptable to many, and amongst Struensee's companions were -youths of notoriously loose morals who declared that they had suddenly -"found salvation". As this declaration was not always accompanied by -a corresponding change of life, Struensee hastily and unjustly came -to the conclusion that all religion was little more than an organised -hypocrisy. His father's long sermons, to which he was compelled to -listen Sunday after Sunday, left no impression on his heart, and his -sire's private exhortations to his son to change his life, and flee -from the wrath to come, wearied him. His mother, who had inherited -her father's mystical views, and supplemented them with her husband's -hard and uncompromising evangelicalism, also lectured her son until -the limits of his patience were exhausted, and he resolved as soon as -possible to quit a home where he was unhappy. - -Struensee exhibited remarkable abilities at an early age; he -matriculated at the university of Halle in his fourteenth year, and he -had not completed his twentieth when he received the degree of doctor. -Notwithstanding these academic distinctions, he was unable at first to -earn money, and his means were so limited that he was forced to remain, -an unwilling dweller, in the house of his parents. Even at that early -age his enterprising and restless mind and his unbridled ambition began -to make themselves manifest; his academic successes he considered -merely as steps towards further greatness. His father used to warn him -against worldly ambition and intellectual pride, but his exhortations -fell on deaf ears. - -In 1757, when Struensee was twenty years old, his father received "a -call" to become chief preacher of the principal church of Altona, a -city situated on the northern bank of the Elbe, within the kingdom of -Denmark. This change in the family fortunes was destined to exercise a -material influence on Struensee's future. The young doctor accompanied -his father to Altona, and in a few months was appointed town physician, -and country physician of the adjacent lordship of Pinneberg and the -county of Rantzau. The elder Struensee did not remain long at Altona, -for the fervour of his eloquence soon brought him preferment, and he -was appointed by the Danish Government superintendent-general of the -clergy of the duchy of Holstein, an office equivalent, in influence and -importance, to that of bishop. Left to himself, the young doctor bought -a house in Altona, and set up his own establishment. He entertained -freely some of the principal people in Altona. Struensee was a pleasant -host and clever conversationalist, and early gave evidence of those -social qualities which afterwards proved useful to him. But his polish -was superficial, and concealed his natural roughness and lack of -refinement. He would do anything to gain notoriety, and to this end -affected the bizarre; for instance, he had two skeletons with candles -in their hands placed one on either side of his bed, and by the light -of these weird candelabra he read himself to sleep. - -As Struensee's establishment was expensive and his means limited, -he invited a literary man named Penning to live with him and share -expenses. In 1763 the two started a magazine called _The Monthly -Journal of Instruction and Amusement_. The magazine was not a financial -success, and at the end of six months ceased to exist. It did not -contain anything very wonderful; perhaps the most remarkable article -was one headed "Thoughts of a Surgeon about the Causes of Depopulation -in a given country," which was written by Struensee, and contained -ideas on population which he afterwards put in practice. Struensee -also published some medico-scientific treatises, but nothing of any -great merit. He did not distinguish himself as a writer, but he was -without doubt a widely read man; his favourite author was Voltaire, -and next to him he placed Rousseau. He was also much influenced by the -writings of Helvetius. Struensee was a deep, if not always an original, -thinker, and his ideas generally were in advance of his time. - -In Altona Struensee soon won a reputation as a successful doctor, -and his handsome person and agreeable manners made him very popular, -especially with women. The good-looking young physician gained through -his lady patients (and it was his boast that women were his best -friends) access to the best houses in, and around, Altona. He made the -acquaintance of Count Schack Karl Rantzau, the eldest son of Count -Rantzau-Ascheberg, one of the most considerable noblemen in Holstein, -the owner of vast estates, a Danish privy councillor, and a Count of -the Holy Roman Empire. Of Count Schack Karl Rantzau we shall have -occasion to write at length later; suffice it here to say that he was -already middle-aged when Struensee met him, and had led a wild and -disreputable life. Struensee was useful to him in no creditable way, -and before long the two became very intimate. They made an informal -covenant that if either attained power he should help the other. But -at present nothing seemed more unlikely, and Rantzau gave Struensee -only promises and flattery, which, however, were enough, for the young -doctor was very vain, and moreover exceedingly fond of the society of -titled and highly placed personages. - -Struensee also visited the house of the Baron Söhlenthal, who was -the stepfather of Enevold Brandt, and thus became acquainted with -Christian VII.'s one-time favourite. Struensee had also attended, in a -professional capacity, Madame von Berkentin, who was later appointed -chief lady to the Crown Prince Frederick; and it was at her house that -he said, half in jest and half in earnest: "If my lady patronesses will -only contrive to get me to Copenhagen, then I will carry all before me". - -But for a long time he remained at Altona and all these fine -acquaintances had no other effect than making his scale of living -much higher than his circumstances warranted. He became considerably -in debt, and this, added to dislike of his calling, for his ambition -soared high above the position of a country doctor, made him restless -and discontented. He was on the point of resigning his post, and -taking a voyage to Malaga and the East Indies, partly to escape his -difficulties, partly on account of his health, when a very different -prospect revealed itself to him. The night is darkest before the dawn, -and dark though Struensee's fortunes were at this moment, the gloom -soon vanished in the dawn of a golden future. - -Christian VII., with a numerous suite, was then passing through -Holstein, preparatory to starting on his prolonged tour in England and -France. The King's health was far from strong, and it was necessary -that he should have a physician to accompany him on his travels; for -this purpose a young and active man who could adapt himself readily to -the King's eccentricities was preferable to the older and staider court -physicians, who indeed showed no inclination to undertake the task. -Struensee strained every nerve to obtain the post, and was strongly -recommended by Rantzau and Madame von Berkentin. The King had heard of -the young physician of Altona through Brandt, before the latter had -fallen into disgrace. Holck also knew something of him, and said that -he would serve. As Holck's slightest recommendation carried weight -with the King, Struensee obtained the coveted post, and was appointed -travelling physician. On June 6, 1768, he joined the King's suite near -Hamburg, and entered at once upon his duties. - -Struensee at first did not occupy a prominent place in the King's -suite. His profession of itself did not entitle him to be a member -of the first three classes who were received at court. His position -was a middle one, between the lackeys and those members of the King's -suite who ranked as gentlemen, and it must have been uncomfortable. -Some little difficulty arose as to with whom he should travel, but -he was finally given a seat in the coach of Bernstorff's secretary. -Struensee was not a man to be content to remain long in an anomalous -position, and he proceeded, very cautiously at first, to make his -situation better. As the King's physician he had unique opportunities, -and made the most of them. Christian was a hypochondriac, who imagined -himself ill when he was not, and often made himself really ill from his -excesses; he loved to talk about his ailments, and Struensee listened -with sympathetic deference. The King, who was always wanting to be -amused, found the doctor a pleasant companion. He discovered that he -could talk on a great many matters besides his profession, that he -was widely read, and had a considerable knowledge of philosophy and -French literature, in which Christian was genuinely interested. He -supplied a void which could not be filled by Holck, who cared nothing -for literature or abstruse speculations, and whose tastes were purely -material. - -The King's suite soon began to remark the pleasure which the King took -in conversing with his doctor, but Struensee was so modest, so anxious -to please every one, that he did not arouse feelings of jealousy. He -was especially careful to avoid political discussions, and never made -the slightest allusion to affairs at home. He was also very discreet, -and never spoke about his royal master, or his ailments, or made -any allusion to the escapades in which the King and his favourites -indulged. So far did Struensee carry this caution, that during the -King's tour he rarely wrote home to his parents and friends, and when -he did, he restricted himself to indifferent topics. His father thought -this apparent forgetfulness was because his son had lost his head -in consequence of his good fortune. "I knew," he said to a friend, -"that John would not be able to bear the favour of his monarch." But -Struensee had intuitively learned the lesson that the word written -over the gateway of all kings' palaces is "silence!" His position, -though pleasant, was precarious; he was only the travelling physician, -and his appointment would come to an end when the King returned home. -It was Struensee's object to change this temporary appointment into -a permanent one, and from the first moment he entered the King's -service he kept this end steadily in view. Struensee had another -characteristic, which in the end proved fatal to him, but which at -first helped him with both the King and Holck. Side by side with his -undoubted brain power, there existed a strong vein of sensuality, and -he readily lent himself to pandering to the King's weaknesses in this -respect. Struensee had no sense of morality; he was a law unto himself, -and his freethinking views on this and other questions were peculiarly -acceptable to his royal master. - -Struensee had a certain measure of success in England, and through -the King of Denmark's favour, he was invited to many entertainments -to which his position would not otherwise have entitled him. His -reputation for gallantry was hardly inferior to that of Holck. It is -stated that Struensee fell violently in love with an English lady of -beauty and fortune, and his passion was returned. He wore her miniature -next his heart, and it was found upon him after his death--but this -rests on hearsay. What is certain, during his sojourn in England, is -that he received honorary degrees, from the universities of Oxford and -Cambridge; and he took riding lessons at Astley's, and became an expert -horseman. - -Struensee accompanied the King to Paris, and took part in the pleasures -of that gay capital. Struensee visited the gallery at Fontainebleau -where Queen Christina of Sweden, after her abdication, had her -secretary and favourite Monaldeschi murdered, or, as she regarded it, -executed. Soon after he returned to Denmark Struensee told his brother -that he had been induced to visit the gallery by a dream, in which -there appeared before him the vision of an exalted lady whose name -he hardly dared to mention. He meant, of course, Queen Matilda. His -brother heard him in ominous silence, and Struensee, after waiting -some time for an answer, quoted his favourite maxim: "Everything is -possible". - -In January, 1769, Struensee returned to Altona in the King's suite. The -place and time had now come for him to take leave of his royal master, -and retire once more into the obscurity of a country doctor--a prospect -which, after his sojourn at glittering courts, filled him with dismay. -But Bernstorff and Schimmelmann, whose good offices he had assiduously -courted during the tour, spoke on his behalf to the King, and Christian -appointed Struensee his surgeon-in-ordinary, with a salary of a -thousand dollars a year, and as a mark of his royal esteem gave him a -further five hundred dollars. Struensee remained at Altona for a few -weeks after the King had left for Copenhagen to sell his house, pay his -debts and wind up his affairs. He visited his parents at Schleswig to -receive their congratulations and take leave of them. His father shook -his head doubtfully over his godless son's rapid rise in the world, -and his mother warned him against the perils and temptations of the -wicked court. But Struensee, flushed with his success, was in no mood -to listen to their croakings. He believed in himself, and he believed -in his destiny. "Everything is possible," he said. The desire of his -youth was gratified before he had arrived at middle age. He was going -to Copenhagen, and what was more, to court; the future was in his own -hands. - -Struensee arrived at Copenhagen in February, 1769, and at first -seemed to occupy himself only with his duties as the King's -surgeon-in-ordinary. But all the while he was feeling his way, and -every week he strengthened his position with the King. It was not long -before Struensee set himself to undermine the influence of Holck. He -first frightened the King about the state of his health, and then -diplomatically represented to him that the immoderate dissipation, -in which he had been in the habit of indulging with Holck, was bad -for him, and should be avoided. Struensee did not take a high moral -ground; on the contrary, he pointed out that greater pleasure might be -obtained by moderation than by excess. He also counselled the King to -occupy himself with public affairs, and so keep his mind from brooding -upon his ailments, and to take outdoor exercise. All this advice was -good, and the King followed it with manifest benefit to his health. -He stayed less indoors, and drove out frequently, accompanied by the -Queen, to the chase, until one day the horses got restive and the -carriage was overturned, and threw both the King and the Queen on the -ground. Fortunately, they both escaped unhurt, but after this incident -Christian became nervous and would not hunt any more. - -In May, 1769, the King was pleased to show his appreciation of -Struensee by making him an actual councillor of state, which admitted -the doctor to the third class, or order of rank,[119] and thus -permitted him to attend the court festivities. During the summer -Christian's health became more feeble, in consequence of his epileptic -seizures, and Struensee became resident physician. He made use of this -privilege to observe more closely the state of affairs in the royal -household, seeking always to turn things to his own benefit. He formed -the acquaintance of every member of the household, not despising even -the valets, and studied their character and peculiarities. - -[119] To the first class belonged the privy councillors of state, the -generals and lieutenant-generals, admirals and vice-admirals, and the -Counts of Danneskjold-Samsöe (by reason of birth); to the second class -the councillors of conference, major-generals and rear-admirals; and to -the third, actual councillors of state, colonels and commanders. These -three classes only had the right to attend court. - -Struensee found that the conflicting elements at the Danish court -might be roughly divided into two parties. The party in the ascendant -was that of Holck, or rather of Bernstorff, for Holck took no part -in politics. But he was supported by the ministers in power, with -Bernstorff at their head, who made use of his influence with the King. -Behind Bernstorff again was the power and favour of Russia. The other -party was nominally that of the Queen-Dowager, Juliana Maria, and -Prince Frederick, the King's brother. This, owing to the unpopularity -of the Queen-Dowager, was small, and included chiefly malcontents, who -were opposed, either to the policy of the Government, or to the new -order of things at court. It was supported, however, by many of the -Danish nobility, men of considerable weight and influence in their -provinces, and the great body of the clergy, who were a power in the -state. In short, it represented the forces of reaction, which had -gathered around the Queen-Mother, Sophia Magdalena, before she retired -from public affairs. It was also supported by French influence which, -since the rise of Bernstorff, had declined in Copenhagen. - -Between these two factions stood the reigning Queen. She was neglected -by both of them, but, during the spring of 1769, after the King's -return, she asserted herself in a way which showed to a shrewd observer -like Struensee that she would not always submit to be treated as a -nonentity. The Queen had not yet realised the inherent strength of her -position as the wife of the reigning King and the mother of the future -one. It was a position which would grow stronger as her husband grew -weaker. - -Struensee grasped the situation a few months after his arrival in -Copenhagen, and with sublime audacity resolved to turn it to his -advantage. Neither of the existing parties in the state would ever be -likely to give him what he most desired--political power. The party of -Bernstorff would help him in little things. If the doctor proved useful -to them with the King, he would be rewarded with money, a higher place -at court, a decoration, possibly a title. But that would be all. The -reactionary party of Juliana Maria would not do so much; they might -employ him in their intrigues, but the haughty Danish nobility, who -formed its backbone, would never admit a German doctor of obscure birth -to terms of equality. But Struensee's soaring ambition knew no bounds. -He determined to win both place and power, and to do this he realised -that it was necessary to form a new party--that of the Queen. - -[Illustration: STRUENSEE. - -_From an Engraving, 1771._] - -The material was ready for the moulding. The Queen was opposed to the -party in power; she hated Holck and disliked Bernstorff; nor was she -any more well-disposed towards the party of Juliana Maria. Matilda was -young, beautiful and beloved by the people, who sympathised with her -wrongs, and would gladly see her take a more prominent position in -the state. No one knew better than Struensee, the confidential doctor, -that Christian VII. would never again be able to exercise direct power. -He was a mental and physical wreck, and it was only a question of a -year, perhaps only of a few months, before he drifted into imbecility. -But in theory, at least, he would still reign, though the government -would have to be carried on by others. On whom, then, would the regal -authority so properly devolve as upon the Queen, the mother of the -future King? The ball was at her feet if she would stoop to pick it -up. Matilda had only to assert herself to be invested with the King's -absolute power--power which, since she was a young and inexperienced -woman, she would surely delegate to other hands. And here the ambitious -adventurer saw his opportunity. - -There was at first a drawback to Struensee's schemes; the Queen -would have nothing to do with him. Matilda was prejudiced against -the doctor; he was the King's favourite, and she imagined he was of -the same calibre as Holck and the rest of Christian's favourites--a -mere panderer to his vicious follies. Shortly after his arrival at -Copenhagen, before he grasped the situation at court, Struensee had -made a false step. He had sought to intrigue the King with one Madame -Gabel, a beautiful and clever woman, who was to play the part of his -Egeria--for the benefit of the doctor. But Madame Gabel died suddenly -and the plot was foiled. The Queen had heard of this episode and -disliked Struensee accordingly. She ignored him, and for nine months -after his arrival at court (from February to October, 1769), he had not -the honour of a word with her. But Struensee was by no means daunted by -the Queen's dislike of him; he regarded it as an obstacle in the path -of his ambition, which like other obstacles would have to be overcome. -He waited for an opportunity to dispel her prejudice, and it came with -the Queen's illness. - -Matilda had reached the point of despair. The court physicians -could do nothing with her, she rejected their remedies and turned a -deaf ear to all remonstrances. Matters went from bad to worse until -the Queen's life was thought to be in danger. As we have seen, the -English envoy suggested that George III. should write a private letter -of remonstrance to his sister. Whether the suggestion was acted -upon or not there is no record to tell, but remonstrance came from -another quarter. Christian VII., who had grown into a liking for his -wife, became very much alarmed, and at last, perhaps at Struensee's -suggestion, commanded that the Queen should see his own private -physician, in whom he had great confidence. Matilda refused; all that -she knew of the doctor filled her with suspicion and dislike. But the -King insisted, and at last she yielded to his commands, and admitted -Struensee to her presence. It was the crisis in her destiny. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -THE TEMPTER. - -1769-1770. - - -A single interview sufficed to break down the Queen's prejudice against -Struensee. His manner was so tactful and deferential; he seemed to be -so grieved at her condition, and so anxious to serve her that before -he withdrew she was convinced she had misjudged him. He was as skilful -as he was sympathetic; the remedies he prescribed took effect almost -immediately, and when the doctor again waited on his royal patient -he found her better. Struensee's visits were repeated daily, and as -Matilda improved in health she was naturally grateful to the physician -who wrought this change. She also became attracted by his tact and -courtesy, so different from the treatment she met with from Holck and -his party. She began to talk to the doctor on general subjects, and -discovered that he was an extremely intelligent and well-read man. -Struensee flattered himself that he had even more knowledge of the -human heart--and especially of the heart of woman--than of medicine. -He sought to amuse and distract the Queen, until she looked forward to -his visits with pleasure, and every day gave him longer audience than -before. - -Struensee was one of those doctors who find out what their patients -like to do, and then advise them to do it, and after several -conversations with the Queen, he arrived at most of her likes and -dislikes. The Queen, having been bred in England, was fond of an -outdoor life. In Denmark at that time ladies of rank never went outside -their gates except in a carriage, and for them to ride or walk about -the streets was unknown. Struensee advised that the Queen should set a -precedent, and walk and ride when, and where, she pleased. In pursuance -of this advice the Queen, a few days later, to the astonishment of -many, was seen walking briskly about the streets of Copenhagen, -attended by her ladies. She also rode a great deal, and, though she -did not at first appear in public on horseback, she spent hours riding -about the park and woods of Frederiksborg. Matilda much enjoyed her -new-found freedom, which made a great flutter in all grades of society -in Copenhagen. The Danish _Mercury_ wrote a poem on the subject of the -Queen walking in the town ending with the lines:-- - - Thanks, Matilda, thanks for the discovery, - You've taught healthy women to use their legs. - -Struensee also advised the Queen that it was bad for her to remain so -much alone. She must have amusement, surround herself with cheerful -people and join in the court festivities. He hinted that it was -advisable for her to take a more prominent part in these ceremonials, -not only because of her health, but because it was incumbent upon her -position as the reigning Queen, which, he added discreetly, some people -about the court did not seem to respect as they should do. Matilda, -who was not very wise, rose to the bait, and before long confided to -her physician the mortification and annoyance she suffered from Holck -and his following. Struensee listened sympathetically, and told the -Queen that though he had not ventured to mention the matter before, -he had noticed with amazement and indignation the scant consideration -paid to her at her own court. The desire of his heart, he said, was -to serve her, and if she would only listen to him, he would improve -this state of affairs as surely as he had improved her health. Here -the doctor obviously stepped outside his province, but the Queen, far -from rebuking him, encouraged him to proceed. Struensee then said -deferentially that, since all power and authority came from the King, -the Queen would be well advised to court his favour. This advice was -not so palatable to Matilda as the other he had given her, especially -at this juncture. She could not forget in a moment how cruelly she had -been wronged, and she hesitated. Then Struensee changed his note and -urged the Queen's own interest. He spoke to her plainly of the King's -failing mental powers, and declared that henceforth he must always be -ruled by some one. It were better, therefore, that the Queen should -rule him than another, for by doing so she would gather the regal -power into her own hands and so confound her enemies. The King was -anxious to repair the past; it was for the Queen to meet him half-way. - -The Queen suspiciously asked the doctor what was his object in striving -to mediate between her and the King. Struensee replied, with every -appearance of frankness, that he was studying his own interests quite -as much as those of the King and Queen. The King had been pleased to -show him especial marks of his favour, and he wished to remain in his -present position. He had noticed that all the preceding favourites of -the King had striven to promote disunion between Christian and his -consort, and they had, one after another, fallen out of favour and been -banished from court. Their fate was a warning to him, and an instinct -of self-preservation prompted him to bring about a union between the -King and Queen, because by so doing he was convinced that he would -inevitably strengthen his own position. - -After some hesitation Matilda proceeded to act on this advice also, -and, short of admitting the King to intimacy, she sought in every way -to please him. The King, also prompted by Struensee, responded with -alacrity to his wife's overtures, and came to lean upon the Queen more -and more. Before long Matilda's influence over her husband became -obvious to all. The young Queen delighted in the deference and homage -which the time-serving courtiers now rendered to her. Holck's star was -on the wane; he still filled the post of Master of the Ceremonies, -but it was the Queen who commanded the revels, and changed, or -countermanded, Holck's programme as she pleased. - -Struensee was now surely gaining ground. Both the King and the Queen -placed their confidence in him, with the result, as he predicted, that -he stood on a firmer footing than any former favourite. The Queen gave -him audience every day, and the conversations between them became more -intimate and more prolonged. There was nothing, however, at first to -show that the Queen had anything more than a liking for the clever -doctor, whose society amused and interested her, and whose zeal in her -service was apparently heart-whole. Everything so far had succeeded -exactly as Struensee foretold, and the vision of future happiness and -power, which he portrayed in eloquent terms, dazzled the young Queen's -imagination, while his homage and devotion flattered her vanity. - -Struensee's appearance and manner were such as to impress any woman. -He was thirty-two years of age, tall and broad shouldered, and in the -full strength of manhood. Though not really handsome, he appeared to -be so in a dashing way, and he made the most of all his points and -dressed with consummate taste. He had light brown hair, flashing eyes, -an aquiline nose and a high forehead. He carried himself well, and -there was about him a suggestion of reserved strength, both mental and -physical. His manner to the Queen was a combination of deference and -easy assurance, which pleased her mightily. By the end of January, -1770, the Queen no longer needed medical advice, but she required -Struensee's services in other ways, and the more she saw of him the -more she became attracted to him. Soon a further mark of the royal -favour was shown to the doctor, and a handsome suite of rooms was given -him in the Christiansborg Palace. - -Holck was the first to take alarm at the growing influence of the new -favourite, and came to regard him as a rival who would ultimately -drive him from court. Struensee looked upon Holck with contempt, and -was indifferent whether he went or stayed. But the Queen insisted that -he must go at the first opportunity, and Struensee promised that her -wishes should be obeyed in this, as in all things--in a little time. -Holck confided his fears to Bernstorff, warned him that the doctor was -playing for high stakes, and advised him to remove Struensee from the -King's person before it was too late. To the aristocratic Bernstorff, -however, it seemed impossible that a man of the doctor's birth and -antecedents could be any real danger, and he laughed at Holck's -warning. This is the more surprising, as both the Russian and English -envoys spoke to the Prime Minister about the sudden rise of Struensee, -and advised him to watch it well. The Russian minister, Filosofow, -went further, and presumed to make some remarks to the King on the -subject, which Christian ignored at the time, but afterwards repeated -to Struensee and the Queen. - -This interference on the part of Filosofow was no new thing. For -some years the Russian envoy had practically dictated to the Danish -King whom he should appoint and whom he should dismiss from his -service. He even presumed to meddle in the private affairs of the -Danish court, no doubt at the instigation of his mistress, Catherine -the Great. The Danish King and Government submitted to this bondage -until the treaty was signed, by which Russia exchanged her claims on -Schleswig-Holstein for the counties of Oldenburg and Delmenhorst. -As this exchange was eagerly desired by Denmark, the mere threat of -stopping it threw the King and his ministers into alarm, and made -Russia mistress of the situation. Curiously enough Filosofow, who was a -very astute diplomatist, did not realise the changed state of affairs, -and continued to dictate to the King as before. The haughty Russian did -not consider Struensee to be of any account from a political point of -view, but personally he objected to meeting him on terms of equality. -He had also, it was said, a grievance against Struensee, because he had -outrivalled him in the affections of a beautiful lady of the Danish -court. For some time he fretted at the royal favour shown to the -upstart doctor, and at last he showed his contempt for him by a public -act of insolence. - -It chanced in this wise. Wishing to conciliate the Danish monarch, -Filosofow gave a splendid entertainment to the King and Queen at the -Russian embassy. It consisted of an Italian opera, composed for the -occasion, and performed by persons of fashion about the court,[120] -and was followed by a banquet. Struensee, who was now invited to the -court entertainments, as a member of the third class, was present, and -so marked was the favour shown him by the King and Queen that he was -admitted to the box where the royal personages were. Filosofow, in his -capacity of host, was also in the box, and he was so much irritated at -the presence of the doctor that he showed his disgust by spitting on -his coat. Struensee, with great self-control, treated the insult as -though it were an accident, wiped his coat, and said nothing. Filosofow -immediately insulted him again in the same way. This time the action -was so unmistakable that Struensee withdrew from the royal box, and -later demanded satisfaction of Filosofow. The Russian treated the -challenge with contempt. He said that in his country an ambassador did -not fight a duel with a common doctor, but he would take his revenge in -another way, and give him a sound thrashing with his cane. Whether he -carried out his threat is uncertain, but it is certain that Struensee -never forgave the insult. The Queen also resented the flouting of her -favourite, and, despite the attempted mediation of Bernstorff, she -ignored Filosofow at court, and spoke with dislike of him and his -mistress, the Empress Catherine, who, she thought, was responsible -for her envoy's meddlesome policy. A few months before it would have -mattered little what the Queen thought, or did not think, but now her -influence with the King was growing every day. - -[120] _Vide_ Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, March 31, 1770. _Ibid._, -April 24, 1770. - -Eventually Filosofow had to retire from Copenhagen and give place to -another, but that was not yet. At this time he again warned Bernstorff -that his days of power were numbered, unless he forthwith took steps -to get Struensee removed from court. In this the envoy proved more -far-sighted than the minister, for Bernstorff still considered it an -incredible thing that his position could be seriously threatened. Yet -within a month of the Russian's warning the extraordinary favour which -Struensee enjoyed with the King and Queen was further demonstrated. - -The small-pox raged in Denmark in the spring of this year, 1770, and -in Copenhagen alone twelve hundred children died of it. Struensee -advised that the Crown Prince should be inoculated as a prevention. -Inoculation had lately been introduced into Denmark, and Struensee's -suggestion was met with a storm of protest from some of the nobility, -all the clergy and many of the doctors. Despite this Struensee carried -his point; he inoculated the Crown Prince and watched over him in the -brief illness that followed. Matilda herself nursed her son, and would -not leave his bedside day or night. Her presence in the sick-room threw -the Queen and the doctor continually together. Struensee was justified -of his wisdom, for the Crown Prince not only escaped the small-pox, but -soon rallied from the inoculation which it had been freely prophesied -would cause his death. The doctor was rewarded with signal marks of the -royal favour; he was given the title of Conferenzrath, or Councillor of -Conference, which elevated him to the second class, and was appointed -reader to the King, _lecteur du roi_, and private secretary to the -Queen, with a salary of three thousand dollars. Ministers were amazed -at the sudden elevation of the favourite, and began to ask themselves -whither all this was tending. - -Step by step as Struensee rose in honour Matilda gained in power. It -was now apparent to all about the court that the Queen, and not the -King, was the real ruler of Denmark. The Queen's ascendency over her -consort was so great that he did nothing without her approval. She in -turn was guided by Struensee; but, whereas the Queen's authority was -seen by all, Struensee's power at this time was only guessed at. His -plans were not matured. The prize was within his grasp, but he was -careful not to snatch at it too soon lest he should lose it altogether. -Struensee now accompanied the King and Queen wherever they went, and, -since his elevation to the second rank, dined at the royal table. -Bernstorff seems to have thought that these privileges were all that -Struensee cared about, and given money, a title and social position the -doctor would be content, like Holck, with the royal favour, and leave -politics alone. He little knew that Struensee in his heart despised -these things; they were to him merely the means to an end, and that end -was power. In his pursuit of power Struensee swept every consideration -aside. Honour, duty and gratitude were nothing to him provided he -gained his desire. In his belief in his destiny, his great abilities, -his soaring ambition and complete heedlessness of every one save -himself, this extraordinary man was a type of the _uebermensch_. - -Struensee's treatment of the Queen was an example of his utter -unscrupulousness. Her condition when he came to court would have -moved any man to pity. Her youth, her beauty and her friendlessness -appealed to every sentiment of chivalry. The conditions under which -Struensee made her acquaintance were the most intimate and delicate. -He quickly gained her confidence; she trusted him from the first, and -showed her gratitude by heaping favours upon him. Everything that -came to Struensee in the next few years--honour, place and power--he -owed to the Queen, and to her alone. Common gratitude, apart from any -other consideration, should have led him to treat her honourably, -but from the beginning he was false to her. He who came in the guise -of a deliverer was really her evil genius. The young Queen was never -anything to him but a means to an end. Adventurer and intriguer as -he was, Struensee had marked Matilda down as his prey before he was -admitted to her presence, and she fell an easy victim to his wiles. -He made use of her as a shield, behind which he could work in safety. -She was to be the buffer between him and his enemies; she was to be -the ladder by which he would rise in power. To this end he tempted -her with consummate art. He was first her confidential physician, then -her devoted servant, then her friend and counsellor, and then her -lover. This last phase was necessary to the success of his plans, and -he deliberately lured his victim to her ruin in order that he might -gain absolute mastery over her. Struensee gradually acquired over the -Queen an almost mesmeric power, and she became so completely under his -influence that she obeyed his wishes like an automaton. But it did not -need hypnotism to cause a woman so tempted, so beset on every side as -Matilda was, to fall. She had inherited from her father an amorous, -pleasure-loving nature; she was of a warm, affectionate disposition, -which had been driven back on itself by her husband's cruelty and -infidelities. Now, it was true, the King was anxious to make amends, -but it was too late. Christian had greatly changed in appearance during -the last year. Though little over twenty, he already looked like an -old man, very thin, with sharp, drawn features and dead-looking eyes. -Matilda, on the contrary, was in the full flood of womanhood; her blood -flowed warmly in her veins, yet she was tied to a husband who, from his -excesses, was ruined mentally and physically, and she was tempted by a -lover in the full strength of his manhood, a lover who was both ardent -and masterful, and whose strength of will broke down all her defences -as though they had been built of cards. Moreover, her environment -was bad--as bad as it could be. The atmosphere of the court was one -of undisguised immorality; the marriage tie was openly mocked at and -derided. The King had often told her to go her own way and let him go -his, and now so far from showing any signs of jealousy, he seemed to -take a delight in watching the growth of the intimacy between his wife -and the confidential physician. He was always sending Struensee to the -Queen's chamber on some pretext or another, and the more Matilda showed -her liking for Struensee's society the more the King seemed to be -pleased. That clever devil, opportunity, was all on Struensee's side. - -The Queen had no safeguards against temptation but those which arose -from the promptings of her own conscience. That she did not yield -without a struggle, that the inward conflict was sharp and bitter, -there is evidence to prove. - - _O keep me innocent, make others great!_ - -was the pathetic prayer she wrote on the window of the chapel of -Frederiksborg[121] at a time, when in the corridors and ante-chambers -of the palace Struensee was plotting his tortuous intrigues, all of -which started from the central point of his relations with the Queen. -It was he who wished to be great, she who was to make him great, and -to this end he demanded the sacrifice of her innocence. The poor young -Queen knew her peril, but she was like a bird fascinated by a snake. -She fluttered a little, helplessly, and then fell. - -[121] This window, with the Queen's writing cut with a diamond on a -pane of glass, was destroyed by the great fire at Frederiksborg in 1859. - -The struggle was prolonged for some months, but the end was certain -from the first. It was probably during the spring of 1770 that the -flood of passion broke the Queen's last barriers down. Her enemies -afterwards declared that she entered on this fatal dalliance about the -time of the Crown Prince's illness. Certain it is that after Struensee -had been appointed her private secretary, a marked change took place -in Matilda's manner and bearing. She is no longer a pathetic figure -of wronged and youthful innocence, but appears as a beautiful and -self-willed woman who is dominated by a great passion. There were no -half measures about Matilda; her love for Struensee was the one supreme -love of her life; it was a love so unselfish and all-absorbing, so -complete in its abandonment, that it wrung reluctant admiration even -from those who blamed it most. - -Once the Rubicon crossed, reserve, discretion, even ordinary prudence, -were thrown to the winds. Struensee's object seems to have been to -compromise the Queen as much as possible, so that she could not draw -back. He was always with her, and she granted him privileges which, -as Reverdil says, "would have ruined the reputation of any ordinary -woman," though it has been pleaded, on the other hand, that her -indifference to appearances was a proof of her innocence. The Queen and -her favourite were inseparable; he was admitted to her apartments at -all hours; she took solitary walks with him in the gardens and woods, -and she frequently drove and rode out alone with him; at balls and -masquerades, at the theatre and the opera, he was always by her side; -and in public and at court she followed him with her eyes, and did not -attempt to disguise the predilection she had for him. - -The Queen had no one to remonstrate with her, or guard her from the -consequences of her imprudence. It was thought by some that the first -use Matilda would make of her new-found power would be to recall Madame -de Plessen, whose dismissal against her will she had bitterly lamented. -It would have been well for her if she had done so, for Madame de -Plessen would have saved her from herself. But if the idea crossed her -mind, Struensee would not permit it, for he well knew that the presence -of this strict duenna would be fatal to his plans. Madame von der Lühe, -Madame de Plessen's successor, though she shook her head in private, -did not venture to remonstrate with her mistress; her position, she -felt, was insecure, and she thought to strengthen it by compliance with -the Queen's whims. The maid of honour, Fräulein von Eyben, and some of -the inferior women of the Queen's household, secretly spied on their -mistress, set traps for her, and generally sought occasion to harm her. -But their opportunity was not yet, for the Queen was all-powerful. -Matilda had always found the stiff etiquette of the Danish court -wearisome; at Struensee's advice she abolished it altogether in -private, and dispensed with the attendance of her ladies, except in -public. This enabled her to see the doctor for hours alone--not that -she made any secret of these interviews. On the contrary, she talked -quite freely to her ladies about her friendship with Struensee, and -accounted for her preference by declaring that she owed him a debt of -gratitude for all he had done, and was doing, for her. He always took -her part; she said, "he had much sense and a good heart". And it must -be admitted he had apparently rendered her service; her health was -re-established, and her life was fuller and happier. No longer was she -slighted and set aside; she reigned supreme at her court, and all, even -her former enemies, sought to win her smiles. - -The Queen's relations with the King were now uniformly friendly, and -he seemed quite content to leave authority in her hands. In return she -strove to humour him, and even stooped to gratify some of his most -absurd whims. It has already been stated that the imbecile Christian -had a weakness for seeing women in men's attire; "Catherine of the -Gaiters" captivated him most when she donned the uniform of an officer -in his service, and the complaisance of the former mistress on this -point was at least explicable. But Matilda was his wife and not his -mistress, his Queen and not his fancy of an hour, yet she did not -hesitate to array herself in male attire to please her husband, at the -suggestion of her lover. It may be, too, that she wished to imitate in -this, as in other things, the Empress of Russia, Catherine the Great, -who frequently wore uniforms and rode _en homme_. However this may -be, Matilda adopted a riding-habit made like that of a man, and rode -astride. The Queen often went out hunting with Struensee, or rode by -his side through the city, in this extraordinary attire. She wore -a dove-colour beaver hat with a deep gold band and tassels, a long -scarlet coat, faced with gold, a buff, gold-laced waistcoat, a frilled -shirt with a lace kerchief, buckskin small-clothes and spurs. She had -other riding-habits of different designs, but this was the one in which -she most frequently appeared in public. She was always splendidly -mounted and rode fearlessly. On horseback she looked a Diana, but -when she dismounted she did not appear to the same advantage, for -the riding-habit made her seem shorter than she really was, and she -already showed a tendency to stoutness, which the small-clothes did not -minimise. The Queen, however, was so enamoured of her male attire that -she frequently walked about the palace all day in it, to the offence of -many and the derision of others.[122] - -[122] The Queen set the fashion to ride in male attire, and it soon -became the custom among the ladies of Copenhagen. Keith wrote a year -later: "An abominable riding-habit, with black slouched hat, has been -almost universally introduced here, which gives every woman an air of -an awkward postilion, and all the time I have been in Denmark I have -never seen the Queen out in any other garb".--_Memoirs._ - -The adoption of this riding-habit greatly tended to lessen the Queen's -popularity, while her intimacy with Struensee before long caused it -to disappear altogether. The staider and more respectable portion of -the community were ready to believe any evil of a woman who went out -riding like a man, and the clergy in particular were horrified; but -acting on Struensee's advice, the Queen never troubled to conciliate -the clergy. This was a great mistake in a puritanical country like -Denmark, where the Church had great power, if not in the immediate -circle of the court, at least among the upper and middle classes. Even -the semi-barbarous Danish nobility were disgusted. That the young -and beautiful Queen should have a favourite was perhaps, under the -circumstances, only to be expected; if he had been one of their own -order, the weakness would have been excused. But that she should stoop -to a man of _bourgeois_ origin, a mere doctor, who was regarded by the -haughty nobles as little above the level of a menial, was a thing which -admitted of no palliation.[123] But the Queen, blinded by her passion, -was indifferent to praise or blame, and Struensee took a delight in -demonstrating his power over her under their very eyes. It was the -favourite's mean revenge for the insults he had suffered from these -nobles. - -[123] Even Frederick the Great (who was very broad-minded) wrote: -"L'acces que le médecin eut à la cour lui fit gagner imperceptiblement -plus d'ascendant sur l'esprit de la reine qu'il n'etoit convenable à un -homme de cette extraction". - -[Illustration: QUEEN SOPHIA MAGDALENA, GRANDMOTHER OF CHRISTIAN VII.] - -At the end of May, 1770, the old Queen Sophia Magdalena died at the -palace of Christiansborg. For the last few years of her life she -had lived in strict retirement, and had long ceased to exercise any -influence over her grandson, the King, in political affairs. The aged -widow of Christian VI. was much reverenced by the conservative party -in Denmark, and they complained that the court treated her memory with -disrespect. One incident in particular moved them to deep indignation, -and, if true, it showed how greatly Matilda had deteriorated under the -influence of her favourite. The body of Sophia Magdalena was embalmed, -and lay in state for some days in the palace of Christiansborg. The -public was admitted, and a great number of people of all classes -and ages, clad in mourning, availed themselves of this opportunity -of paying honour to the dead Queen. It was stated in Copenhagen by -Matilda's enemies that she showed her lack of good-feeling by passing -through the mourners in the room where the Queen-Mother lay in state, -leaning on the arm of Struensee, and clad in the riding-habit which -had excited the reprobation of Sophia Magdalena's adherents. This -story was probably a malicious invention,[124] but it is certain that -the court mourning for the venerable Queen-Mother was limited to the -shortest possible period, and the King and Queen a few days after her -death removed to Frederiksborg, where they lived in the same manner as -before. Neither the King nor the Queen attended the public funeral at -Röskilde, where the kings and queens of Denmark were buried, and Prince -Frederick went as chief mourner. Rightly or wrongly, the reigning Queen -was blamed for all this. - -[124] It rests on the authority of Wittich (_Struensee_, by K. Wittich, -1879), who is bitterly hostile to Queen Matilda. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -THE QUEEN'S FOLLY. - -1770. - - -Struensee, who was now sure of his position with the King and Queen, -resolved to carry out his plans, and obtain the object of his -ambition--political power. In order to gain this it was necessary that -the ministers holding office should one by one be removed, and the -back of the Russian party in Copenhagen be broken. The Queen was quite -agreeable to every change that Struensee suggested; she only stipulated -that her detested enemy, Holck, should go first, and his friends at -court follow. Struensee agreed, but in these matters it was necessary -to move with great caution, and await a favourable opportunity to -strike. Quite unwittingly Holck played into his enemies' hands; the -great thing, as either party knew well, was to gain possession of -the King, who would sign any paper laid before him. A page, named -Warnstedt, who was always about the person of the King, was Struensee's -friend, and Holck therefore resolved to get rid of him and appoint a -creature of his own. He thought he could best effect this by taking the -King away from his present surroundings, and he therefore proposed -to Christian that he should make another tour through the Duchies -of Schleswig and Holstein. The King agreed, and Holck was jubilant, -for he knew that if he could only get the King to himself the power -of Struensee would be shaken. To his dismay, the Queen announced -that she intended to accompany her husband. She was anxious, she -said, to see the duchies, and had no intention of being left behind -again. Notwithstanding the difficulties which Holck raised, the King -offered no objection, and even expressed pleasure that his Queen would -accompany him. The Queen's going meant, of course, that her favourite -would go too. Struensee hailed the prospect of the tour; he had long -been wishing to get the King and Queen away from the capital in order -that he might better effect the changes he had in contemplation. - -The preparations for the tour were pushed on apace. The King and Queen -were to be attended by a numerous suite. Holck, Struensee and Warnstedt -were to be in attendance, and all the ladies of the Queen's household. -Of ministers only Bernstorff, the Prime Minister, was to accompany -them, and the same council of three, Thott, Moltke and Rosenkrantz, -who had managed public business at Copenhagen during the King's former -tour, were to conduct it again, but under limitations. They received -express orders from the King not to have any transactions with foreign -envoys during his absence, and if any matter of urgency occurred they -were to communicate with him in writing before deciding on any plan of -action. These instructions were, of course, dictated to the King by -Struensee. Bernstorff was astonished and indignant when he heard of -them, for he guessed the quarter whence they came. He began to fear -that his position was threatened, and, too late, regretted that he had -not taken the repeated advice of his friends and removed Struensee -while there was time. He knew, though the English influence was on his -side, that he had nothing to hope from the Queen; he had offended her -past forgiveness by insisting on the dismissal of Madame de Plessen, -and by wishing to exclude her from the regency. He started on the tour -with great misgivings. But he had been in office so long that even now -he could not imagine the government of the kingdom going on without -him, forgetting that no man is indispensable. - -On June 20, 1770, the royal party arrived at Gottorp Castle in -Schleswig, an ancient and unpretending edifice on the edge of a lake, -which was then occupied by Prince Charles of Hesse, whom the King had -appointed Viceroy of the Duchies. The Viceroy and his wife, Princess -Louise, drove out a league from Gottorp to meet the King and Queen, and -their greetings were most cordial, especially those between Matilda -and her sister-in-law. The King, too, was very friendly, though Prince -Charles saw a great change in him. He seemed to rally his failing -powers a little at Gottorp. - -Prince Charles noticed with amazement how great a power Struensee -had acquired; it was the first time he had seen the favourite, and he -took a strong dislike to him, which, perhaps, coloured the description -he gave of the visit. "After an hour's conversation," writes Prince -Charles [on arriving at Gottorp], "in which we recalled past times, the -Queen took me by the arm and said: 'Now, escort me to Princess Louise's -apartments, but do not take me through the ante-chamber'--where the -suite were assembled. We almost ran along the corridor to the side -door by the staircase, and then we saw some of the suite coming -downstairs. The Queen espied Struensee among them, and said hastily: 'I -must go back; do not keep me!' I replied that I could not well leave -her Majesty alone in the passage. 'No! no!' she cried, 'go to the -Princess,' and she fled down the corridor." [Struensee had probably -forbidden the Queen to talk to the Princess alone.] "I was much -astonished, but I obeyed her commands. She was always ill at ease with -me when Struensee was present; at table he invariably seated himself -opposite to her."[125] - -[125] _Mémoires de mon Temps._ - -Prince Charles and his wife noted with great regret the change in the -Queen; they remembered that she was only eighteen, they made allowance -for her good heart and her lively spirits, but even so they grieved to -see her forget her self-respect, and indulge in amusements which hurt -her reputation. They ascribed this change to the pernicious influence -of Struensee. She seemed frightened of him, and trembled, when he spoke -to her, like a bird, ensnared. Frequently he so far forgot himself as -to treat her with scant respect. For instance, Prince Charles writes: -"The King's dinner was dull. The Queen afterwards played at cards. I -was placed on her right, Struensee on her left; Brandt, a new arrival, -and Warnstedt, a chamberlain, completed the party. I hardly like to -describe Struensee's behaviour to the Queen, or repeat the remarks he -dared address to her openly, while he leant his arm on the table close -to her. 'Well, why don't you play?' 'Can't you hear?' and so forth. I -confess my heart was grieved to see this Princess, endowed with so much -sense and so many good qualities, fallen to such a point and into hands -so bad."[126] - -[126] _Mémoires de mon Temps._ - -While the King and Queen were at Gottorp Struensee carried out the -first of his changes, and recalled Brandt to court. Brandt, it will -be remembered, had been banished from Copenhagen, and even from the -country, at the suggestion of Holck. He had sought to regain the King's -favour when he was in Paris, but again Holck intervened, and he failed. -He was formerly a friend of the Queen, which was one of the reasons -why Holck got rid of him, and he was also a friend of Struensee, who -had often, in his obscure days, visited at the house of Brandt's -stepfather. Struensee had, moreover, helped him in Paris. Brandt -had recently been so far restored to favour as to be given a small -appointment in Oldenburg, but no one expected that he would be recalled -to court, and Holck was astonished and dismayed when Brandt suddenly -appeared at Gottorp and was nominated a chamberlain by the King. Brandt -noticed his enemy's dismay, and said: "_Monsieur le Comte_, you look -as if you had seen a spectre. Are you afraid?" To which Holck bitterly -replied: "Oh no, _Monsieur le Chambellan_, it is not the spectre I -fear, but his return". - -Matilda was unwell during her stay at Gottorp, and her indisposition -caused the court to remain there longer than had been intended. -Struensee saw Prince Charles's dislike of him, and was uneasy lest -he should gain an influence over the King. The silent condemnation -of the Viceroy made him impatient to be gone, and directly the Queen -was sufficiently recovered to travel she and the King set out for -Traventhal, a small royal castle in Holstein. This move furnished the -opportunity of getting rid of Holck and his following. The excuse put -forward was that Traventhal was not large enough to accommodate so -numerous a suite, and therefore Count Holck and his wife, his sister, -Madame von der Lühe, and her husband, Councillor Holstein, Chamberlain -Luttichau, Gustavus Holck, a page, Fräulein von Eyben, and two more of -the Queen's maids of honour, were ordered to go back to Copenhagen. All -these people were either related to Holck, or appointed through his -influence, and on their return to the capital they learned that they -were dismissed from office. Holck, perhaps in consideration of the fact -that he had once befriended Struensee, was granted a pension of two -thousand dollars, the others received nothing. - -Bernstorff, who went with the King and Queen to Traventhal, as minister -in attendance, was not consulted concerning these dismissals, or in -anything about the court. Woodford, the English minister of Lower -Saxony, then at Hamburg, writes: "Mr. Bernstorff and the ministers -appear to be entirely ignorant of these little arrangements, the royal -confidence running in quite another direction".[127] And again: "With -regard to the court's movements at Traventhal, nothing is known, for -everything is kept a secret from those who, by their employments, -ought to be informed".[128] The Prime Minister, Bernstorff, was rarely -allowed to see the King, for Brandt, who had now stepped into Holck's -vacant place, was always with his master, and made it his business to -guard him against any influence that might be hostile to Struensee's -plans. Holck's sudden dismissal filled Bernstorff with apprehension, -which was increased by an important move which Struensee took soon -after the arrival of the court at Traventhal--a move destined to -exercise great influence on the future of both the favourite and the -Queen. This was the recall to court of the notorious anti-Russian, -Count Rantzau Ascheberg. - -[127] Woodford's despatch to Lord Rochford, Hamburg, July 13, 1770. - -[128] _Ibid._, July 17, 1770. - -Schack Karl, Count zu Rantzau Ascheberg, whom for short we shall call -Count Rantzau, had succeeded (on his father's death in 1769) to vast -estates in Holstein. Gunning, the English envoy, thus wrote of him:-- - -"Count Rantzau is a son of the minister of that name who formerly spent -some years at our court. He received some part of his education at -Westminster School. His family is the first in Denmark. He is a man -of ruined fortunes. It would be difficult to exhibit a character more -profligate and abandoned. There are said to be few enormities of which -he has not been guilty, and scarcely any place where he has not acted -a vicious part. Rashness and revenge form very striking features in -his character. With these qualities he possesses great imagination, -vivacity and wit. He is most abundantly fertile in schemes and -projects, which he forms one day and either forgets or ridicules the -next. He would be a very dangerous man did not his great indiscretion -put it into the power of his enemies to render many of his most -mischievous designs abortive."[129] - -[129] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, April 4, 1771. - -Rantzau had led an adventurous and dishonourable career. In his youth -he had been a chamberlain at the Danish court, and had served in the -army, eventually rising to the rank of major-general. In consequence -of a court plot, he was banished from Copenhagen in 1752. He then -entered the French army, but in Paris he became enamoured of an opera -singer and resigned his commission to follow her about Europe. This -part of his career, which occupied nearly ten years, was shrouded in -mystery, but it was known that during it Rantzau had many scandalous -adventures. Sometimes he travelled with all the luxury befitting his -rank and station, at others he was at his wits' end for money. At one -time he lived at Rome, habited as a monk, and at another he travelled -_incognito_ with a troupe of actors. He had absolutely no scruples, -and seemed to be a criminal by nature. He was tried in Sicily for -swindling, and only escaped imprisonment through the influence brought -to bear on his judges. At Naples there was an ugly scandal of another -nature, but the French envoy intervened, and saved him from punishment, -in consideration of his birth and rank. In Genoa he got into trouble -through drawing a bill on his father, whom he falsely described as -the "Viceroy of Norway," but his father repudiated the bill, as he -had already repudiated his son, and again Rantzau narrowly escaped -gaol. With such a record Keith was certainly justified in saying of -him: "Count Rantzau would, ... if he had lived within reach of Justice -Fielding, have furnished matter for an Old Bailey trial any one year of -the last twenty of his life".[130] - -[130] _Memoirs and Correspondence of Sir R. Murray Keith._ - -In 1761, after the death of the Empress Elizabeth, when a war seemed -imminent between Russia and Denmark, Rantzau, who wished to be on the -stronger side, went to St. Petersburg and offered his services to -Peter III., as a Holstein nobleman who owed allegiance to Russia rather -than to Denmark. But even the sottish Tsar knew what manner of man the -Holsteiner was, and rejected his offer with contumely. In revenge, -Rantzau went over to Catherine and the Orloffs, and was involved in -the conspiracy which resulted in the deposition and assassination of -Peter III. When Catherine the Great was firmly seated upon the Russian -throne she had no further need of Rantzau, and instead of rewarding -him, ignored him. Rantzau therefore left St. Petersburg and returned -to Holstein, a sworn foe of the Empress and eager for revenge on -her. It was during this sojourn in Holstein that his acquaintance -with Struensee began, and, as at this time Rantzau could get no help -from his father, Struensee is said to have lent him money to go to -Copenhagen, whither he went to regain his lost favour at the Danish -court. In this he was foiled by the influence of the Russian envoy -Filosofow, who was then all-powerful, and Rantzau was forced to return -again to Holstein, where he remained until his father's death in -1769--the year before the King and Queen came to Holstein on their tour. - -Rantzau should now have been a rich man, for in addition to the -property he inherited from his father, he had married an heiress, the -daughter of his uncle, Count Rantzau Oppendorft, by which marriage the -estates of the two branches of the family were united. But Rantzau -was crippled with debt, and on succeeding to his inheritance he -continued to live a reckless, dissipated life, and indulged in great -extravagance. On the other hand, he was a good landlord to his people, -and they did whatever he wished. On account of his ancient name, vast -estates and the devotion of his peasantry, Rantzau had much influence -in Holstein, which he persistently used against Russia. - -Rantzau and Struensee had not forgotten their covenant of years ago, -that if either attained power he should help the other. Even if -Struensee had been inclined to forget it, Rantzau would have reminded -him, but Filosofow's public insult made Struensee determined to break -the power of Russia in Denmark, and in Rantzau he found a weapon ready -to his hand. He determined to recall Rantzau to court, because he knew -that he, of all others, was most disliked by the Empress of Russia. -Therefore, when the King and Queen arrived at Traventhal, Struensee -wrote to Rantzau and asked him to come and pay his respects to their -Majesties. Rantzau was admitted to audience of the King and Queen, who -both received him very graciously. Rantzau was the most considerable -noble in Holstein, and moreover, any favour shown to him would -demonstrate that the Danish court would no longer brook the dictation -of Russia in domestic matters. Therefore, when Rantzau, prompted by -Struensee, prayed the King and Queen to honour him with a visit to his -castle at Ascheberg, they at once consented. Attended by Struensee -and Brandt they drove over from Traventhal and spent several days at -Ascheberg. - -Rantzau entertained his royal guests with lavish magnificence, and, -favoured by brilliant weather, the visit was a great success. There was -a masque of flowers one day, there were rustic sports another, there -was a hunting party on a third, and banquets every evening. The Queen -took the first place at all the festivities (the King had ceased to -be of account), and the splendour of her entertainment at Ascheberg -recalled Elizabeth's famous visit to Leicester at Kenilworth. Though -Rantzau was fifty-three years of age, he was still a very handsome -man, a born courtier, an exquisite beau, and skilled in all the arts -of pleasing women. Had he been ten years younger he might have tried -to eclipse Struensee in the Queen's favour, but he was a cynical and -shrewd observer, and saw that any such attempt was foredoomed to -failure, so he contented himself with offering the most flattering -homage to the young Queen. As a return for his sumptuous hospitality, -Matilda gave Rantzau her husband's gold snuff-box set with diamonds, -which Christian had bought in London for one thousand guineas, and as a -further mark of her favour, the Queen presented colours to the regiment -at Glückstadt, commanded by Rantzau, of which she became honorary -colonel. The presentation of these colours was made the occasion of -a military pageant, and the court painter, Als, received commands to -paint the Queen in her uniform as colonel. This picture was presented -to Rantzau as a souvenir. - -The royal favours heaped upon Rantzau filled the Russian party with -dismay. The visit to Ascheberg had a political significance, which was -emphasised by the Queen's known resentment of Russian dictation. One -of the Russian envoys, Saldern, had brought about the dismissal of -her chief lady-in-waiting; another, Filosofow, had publicly affronted -her favourite. The Queen neither forgot nor forgave. Woodford writes -at this time: "Her Danish Majesty, formerly piqued at M. de Saldern's -conduct, and condescending at present to show little management for -the Russian party, they are using every indirect influence to keep -themselves in place".[131] - -[131] Woodford's despatch to Lord Rochford, Hamburg, July 20, 1770. - -The defeat of the Russian party would involve necessarily the fall of -Bernstorff, who, more than any other Danish minister, had identified -himself with Russia. He was greatly perturbed at the visit to -Ascheberg, which had been undertaken without consulting him. After the -King and Queen returned to Traventhal the Prime Minister was treated -even more rudely than before; he was no longer honoured with the royal -invitation to dinner, but had to eat his meals in his own room, while -Struensee and his creatures revelled below. The object of these slights -was to force Bernstorff to resign, but he still clung to office, and -strove by all possible means to mitigate the anti-Russian policy of -the Queen and her advisers. To obtain private audience of the King -was impossible, though he was living under the same roof. Bernstorff -therefore drew up a memorandum, addressed to the King, in which he -forcibly pointed out the displeasure with which Russia would view -Rantzau's appointment to any office, not only because of his well-known -opposition to the territorial exchange, but because he was personally -objectionable to the Empress, who would resent his promotion as an -insult. Bernstorff's memorandum was read by Struensee and the Queen, -and though it made no difference to their policy, yet, as Struensee did -not wish to imperil the exchange, he made Rantzau promise not to meddle -further in this matter.[132] Rantzau gave the required promise, which -was duly communicated to Bernstorff, and with this negative assurance -he had to be content. - -[132] Though the treaty was signed in 1768, the actual exchange of -territory between Russia and Denmark was not carried out until some -years later. The original understanding was that it should wait until -the Grand Duke Paul attained his majority and gave it his sanction. - -The King and Queen remained at Traventhal nearly a month in seclusion. -The Queen was left without any of her ladies, and nearly the whole of -the King's suite had gone too. Except for Bernstorff, who was kept that -Struensee might have an eye on him, the King and Queen were surrounded -only by the favourite and his creatures. At Traventhal Struensee was -very busy maturing his plans. In concert with Rantzau and General -Gahler, an officer of some eminence who had been given a post in the -royal household, Struensee discussed the steps that were to be taken -for overthrowing Bernstorff and the other ministers, and reforming the -administration. There is nothing to show that the Queen took a leading -part in these discussions, though she was of course consulted as a -matter of form. Unlike her mother, the Princess-Dowager of Wales, or -her grandmother, the illustrious Caroline, Matilda cared nothing for -politics for their own sake, but she liked to have the semblance of -power, and was jealous of her privileges as the reigning Queen. When -she had a personal grievance against a minister, as against Bernstorff, -she wished him removed, and when she was thwarted by a foreign -influence, as in the case of Russia, she wished that influence broken; -but otherwise it was a matter of indifference to her who filled the -chief offices of state, or whether France or Russia reigned supreme at -Copenhagen. Her good heart made her keenly solicitous for the welfare -of her people, and some of the social reforms carried out by Struensee -may have had their origin with the Queen; but for affairs of state in -the larger sense Matilda cared nothing, and she lent herself blindly to -abetting Struensee's policy in all things. In complete abandonment she -placed her hands beneath his feet and let him do with her as he would. -Her birth as Princess of Great Britain, her rank as Queen of Denmark -and Norway, her beauty, her talents, her popularity, were valued by her -only as means whereby she might advance Struensee and his schemes. - -Rumours of the amazing state of affairs at the Danish court reached -England in the spring of 1770, and before long George III. and the -Princess-Dowager of Wales were acquainted with the sudden rise of -Struensee, and the extraordinary favour shown to him by the Queen. -They also heard of the check which Russia had received at Copenhagen, -and the probability of Bernstorff (who was regarded as the friend -of England) being hurled from power to make room for the ambitious -adventurer. Too late George III. may have felt a twinge of remorse for -having married his sister against her will to a profligate and foolish -prince, and sent her, without a friend in the world, to encounter the -perils and temptations of a strange court in a far-off land. Moreover, -the political object for which Matilda had been sacrificed had signally -failed. The marriage had in no way advanced English interests in the -north. Russia and France had benefited by it, but England not at all. -Now there seemed a probability that, with the fall of the Russian -influence at Copenhagen, France, the enemy of England, would again be -in the ascendant there. Both personal and political reasons therefore -made it desirable that some remonstrance should be addressed to the -Queen of Denmark by her brother of England. The matter was of too -delicate and difficult a nature to be dealt with satisfactorily by -letter, and there was the fear that Struensee might intercept the -King's letter to the Queen. Even if he did not venture thus far, -he would be sure to learn its contents and seek to counteract its -influence. In this difficulty George III. took counsel with his mother, -with the result that on June 9, 1770, the Dowager-Princess of Wales set -out from Carlton House for the Continent. It was announced that she was -going to pay a visit to her daughter Augusta, Hereditary Princess of -Brunswick. - -Royal journeys were not very frequent in these days, and as this was -the first time the Princess-Dowager had quitted England since her -marriage many years ago, her sudden departure gave rise to the wildest -conjectures. It was generally believed that she was going to meet Lord -Bute, who was still wandering in exile about Europe; some said that -she was going to bring him back to England for the purpose of fresh -intrigue; others that she was not returning to England at all, but -meant to spend the rest of her life with Bute in an Italian palace. -Against these absurd rumours was to be set the fact that the Duke of -Gloucester accompanied his mother, and more charitable persons supposed -that she was trying to break off his _liaison_ with Lady Waldegrave, -for their secret marriage had not yet been published. Some declared -that the Princess-Dowager and Queen Charlotte had had a battle royal, -in which the mother-in-law had been signally routed, and was leaving -the country to cover her confusion. Others, and this seemed the most -probable conjecture, thought that she was going abroad for a little -time to escape the scandal which had been brought upon the royal family -by her youngest son, Henry Frederick, Duke of Cumberland. - -[Illustration: AUGUSTA, PRINCESS OF WALES, MOTHER OF QUEEN MATILDA. - -_After a Painting by J. B. Vanloo._] - -The Duke of Cumberland was the least amiable of the sons of Frederick -Prince of Wales. Physically and mentally he was a degenerate. Walpole -pictures him as a garrulous, dissipated and impudent youth, vulgarly -boasting his rank, yet with a marked predilection for low society. -Unfortunately he did not confine himself to it, but betrayed to her -ruin a young and beautiful woman of rank, the Countess Grosvenor, -daughter of Henry Vernon and wife of Richard, first Earl Grosvenor. -Lord Grosvenor discovered the intrigue, and brought an action of -divorce in which the Duke of Cumberland figured as co-respondent. For -the first time in England a prince of the blood appeared in the divorce -court, and, what was worse, cut a supremely ridiculous and contemptible -figure in it. Several of the Duke's letters to the Lady Grosvenor were -read in court, and were so grossly ill-spelt and illiterate that they -were greeted with shouts of derision, and furnished eloquent comment -upon the education of the King's brother.[133] - -[133] Lord Grosvenor got his divorce, and the jury awarded him £10,000 -damages, which the Duke had great difficulty in paying, and George -III., much to his disgust, had to arrange for settlement to avoid a -further scandal. So base a creature was this royal Lothario that he -abandoned to her shame the woman whom he had betrayed, and scarcely had -the verdict been pronounced than he began another disreputable intrigue. - -It was easy to imagine, had there been no other reason, that the -Princess-Dowager of Wales would be glad to be out of England while -these proceedings were being made public. The King, who lived -a virtuous and sober life, and his intensely respectable Queen -Charlotte, were scandalised beyond measure at these revelations, -and the possibility of another, and even worse, scandal maturing in -Denmark filled them with dismay. At present the secret was well kept in -England. Whatever the English envoy might write in private despatches, -or Prince Charles of Hesse retail through his mother, or the Princess -Augusta transmit from Brunswick respecting the indiscretions of -Matilda, no whisper was heard in England at this time, outside the -inner circle of the royal family. Therefore all the conjectures as to -the reason of the Princess-Dowager's visit to the Continent were wide -of the mark. The real motive of her journey was not even hinted. - -The Princess-Dowager was hooted as she drove through the streets of -Canterbury on her way to Dover, and so great was her unpopularity that -it was rumoured that London would be illuminated in honour of her -departure. The Princess, as announced, travelled first to Brunswick, -where she was received by her daughter Augusta and the rest of the -ducal family with honour and affection. It was arranged that the -King and Queen of Denmark, who were then at Traventhal, should also -journey to Brunswick and join the family circle. Everything was -prepared for their coming, the town was decorated and a programme of -festivities drawn up, when suddenly the Grand Marshal of the King of -Denmark arrived at Brunswick with the news that the Queen was ill, -and unable to travel so far. That Matilda's illness was feigned there -can be little doubt, for she was well enough the next day to go out -hunting as usual with Struensee by her side, and in the evening she -played cards until midnight. The incident showed how greatly the Queen -had changed, for Matilda's family affections were strong, and under -other circumstances she would have been overjoyed at the prospect of -meeting her mother after years of separation, and seeing again her -favourite sister Augusta. But Struensee knew that the journey of the -Princess-Dowager boded no good to his plans, and persuaded the Queen to -offer this affront to her mother. - -The Princess-Dowager, who had a shrewd idea of the nature of her -daughter's illness, was not to be outwitted in this way, and she -proposed a meeting at Lüneburg, a town situated between Celle and -Hamburg, in the electorate of Hanover. Lüneburg was much nearer -Traventhal than Brunswick, and Matilda could not excuse herself on -the ground of the length of the journey. If she made that pretext, -the Princess-Dowager proposed to come to Traventhal, where she might -have seen more than it was desirable for her to see. So Struensee made -the Queen choose what he thought was the lesser evil, and write to -her mother that she would meet her at Lüneburg; but he was careful to -deprive the visit of every mark of ceremony, and to make it as brief as -possible. - -The King and Queen of Denmark arrived at Lüneburg late in the evening, -attended only by Struensee and Warnstedt, who were seated in the coach -with them. Matilda did not bring with her a lady-in-waiting, and one -coach only followed with a couple of servants and some luggage. There -was no palace at Lüneburg, and the King and Queen lodged for the night -in one of the fine Renaissance houses in the main street of the old -town. The interview between the Princess-Dowager and her daughter took -place that same evening, late though it was. Struensee was present in -the room the whole time, though the Princess-Dowager pointedly ignored -him. She addressed her daughter in English, of which she knew Struensee -was ignorant, but to her anger and surprise Matilda pretended to have -forgotten it, and she answered always in German that Struensee might -understand. Under these circumstances the conversation was necessarily -constrained and formal; the Princess-Dowager did not conceal her -displeasure, and retired to bed discomfited. - -The next morning at eleven o'clock she sent for her daughter again, -and this time succeeded in having a talk with her alone. What passed -between them cannot certainly be known, but its import was generally -guessed. The Princess-Dowager was said to have told her daughter that -the dismissal of Bernstorff would be much regretted by George III., -as he had always been a friend of England and its royal family, and -it would, moreover, be disastrous to Denmark. Whereupon the Queen -haughtily rejoined: "Pray, madam, allow me to govern my kingdom as -I please". The Princess, annoyed by this want of respect, unmasked -her batteries forthwith, and roundly scolded her daughter for the -extraordinary favours she gave to Struensee. Matilda at first would not -listen, but when her mother persisted, and declared that her conduct -would end in disgrace and ruin, she retorted with an allusion to the -supposed _liaison_ between her mother and Lord Bute, which wounded the -Princess past forgiveness. The interview only widened the breach. As a -matter of form the King had invited his mother-in-law to Copenhagen, -but the invitation was now curtly refused. The Princess saw that she -could do no good, and she did not care to countenance by her presence -a state of affairs of which she did not approve. The King and Queen of -Denmark left Lüneburg in the afternoon, the Princess a few hours later; -mother and daughter parted in anger, and they never met again. - -Struensee must have felt a great sense of relief when the King of -Denmark's coach rolled out of Lüneburg on the way back to Altona. He -had dreaded the meeting between the Queen and her mother, and had -striven to prevent it by every means in his power. But when that was no -longer possible, he had long and anxious consultations with the Queen, -and prompted her how she was to act and what she was to say. Even so he -could not be quite sure of the line the Princess-Dowager might take. -If she had spoken to her daughter gently, reasoned with her, pleaded -with her in love, and appealed to her with tears, she might have had -some effect, for Matilda was very warm-hearted and impressionable. But -these were not the stern Princess's methods; she had been accustomed -to command her children, and her haughty, overbearing tone and -contemptuous reproaches stung the spirited young Queen to the quick, -and made her resent what she called her mother's unjust suspicions -and unwarrantable interference. So the result was all that Struensee -wished. Woodford, who had been commanded by George III. to attend the -Princess-Dowager during her stay in Lüneburg, writes in a despatch of -"the agitation that was visible in Mr. Struensee upon his arrival first -at Lüneburg, and the joy that could be seen in his countenance as the -moment of departure approached".[134] - -[134] Woodford's despatch to Lord Rochford, marked "private," Hamburg, -August 21, 1770. - -Struensee now felt that the time was ripe for him to come forward as -the exponent of a new foreign policy for Denmark, and as the reformer -of internal abuses. He was no longer the doctor, but the councillor and -adviser of the Crown. He had flouted Russia and prevailed against the -influence of England. What power was there to withstand him? - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -THE FALL OF BERNSTORFF. - -1770. - - -The King and Queen of Denmark travelled from Lüneburg direct to -Copenhagen. During the short stay of the court in the capital the Queen -showed herself much in public, and sought in all ways to impress her -personality upon the people. She drove every day about the streets in -a state coach, attended by an escort of guards; the King was always -by her side, and his presence was intended to give the lie to many -sinister rumours. Apparently the royal couple were living together in -the utmost harmony and the King had complete confidence in his Queen. -Together they attended the Copenhagen shooting festival, an honour -which had not been bestowed on the citizens for a hundred years, and -were most gracious in their demeanour, especially the Queen, who was -all bows and smiles. Matilda further gratified the assembly by firing -a shot herself, and inducing the King to follow her example. The -Queen hit the popinjay, but Christian missed it badly. Matilda gained -considerable popularity from the crowd by this exhibition of her skill, -but the more sober-minded citizens were scandalised because she -rode on to the ground sitting her horse like a man, and clad in her -masculine riding-habit. The King rode by her side, but it was jocularly -said that the Queen was "by far the better man of the two," which was -what exactly she wished to convey. Certainly the diminutive and feeble -Christian looked a poor creature beside his dashing and Amazonian wife. - -From Copenhagen the King and Queen went to Hirschholm, the country -palace of the late Queen Sophia Magdalena, which, since her death, had -been prepared for their use, and henceforth eclipsed Frederiksborg -in the royal favour. Hirschholm was not so far from the capital -as Frederiksborg, and was situated amid beautiful surroundings. -The palace had been built by Sophia Magdalena on an island in the -middle of a lake. It was very ornate externally, and one of the -most striking features was a huge gate-tower, which terminated in a -pyramid supported by four lions, couchant and surmounted by a crown. -This gateway gave entrance to a quadrangular court, round three sides -of which the palace was built. The interior was gorgeous, and the -decorations were so florid as to be almost grotesque; a profusion of -silver, mother-of-pearl and rock crystal embellished the walls, and the -ceilings and doors were elaborately painted. The south aspect of the -palace looked over the lake to the beautiful gardens beyond, which were -freely adorned with marble fountains and statuary. In the gardens was a -summer-house, which was used as a temporary theatre for the amusement -of the Queen and her court. Beyond the park were shady avenues and -noble forests of beech and pine. In fine weather Hirschholm was a -paradise.[135] - -[135] Hirschholm became the favourite palace of Queen Matilda, and -usurped even Frederiksborg in her favour. It was more associated than -any other palace in Denmark with her love for Struensee. Perhaps -because of this her son, Frederick VI., when he came to the throne, -razed the palace to the ground. Not a trace of it now remains, but the -beautiful woods and surroundings of Hirschholm still exist, and even -to-day is pointed out the "Lovers' walk," where the Queen and Struensee -used to pace side by side, and the summer-house where they sat, and -spoke of all their hopes and fears. - -At Hirschholm the Queen made appointments in her household to fill -the places of Madame von der Lühe, Fräulein von Eyben and others -dismissed at Traventhal. The Queen's chief ladies were now Madame -Gahler, Baroness Bülow and Countess Holstein. They were three young, -beautiful and lively women, not too strict in their conduct, and the -husbands of all, needless to say, were friends of Struensee. Madame -Gahler was the wife of General Gahler, who held high place in the -councils of Traventhal. Baron Bülow was the Master of Horse, and Count -Holstein held a post about the King. The Queen had always fretted -under the stiff etiquette of the Danish court; now, at the suggestion -of Struensee, she dispensed with it altogether, except on public -occasions. The result was that the manners of the court at Hirschholm -became so lax and unceremonious that it hardly seemed to be a court -at all. Some show of deference was kept up towards the King, but the -Queen was treated with great familiarity, evidently at her own wish, -and in Struensee's case this familiarity sometimes degenerated into -positive rudeness. The ladies and gentlemen of the royal household -laughed and joked and flirted as they pleased, without any restraint, -in the presence of the Queen, scrambled for places at her table, -and quarrelled violently over cards. Even Rantzau was surprised at -the conduct at Hirschholm. "When I was a wild young man," he said, -"everybody at court was apparently respectable, except myself. Now that -I am old, and obliged to be more careful, every one about the court has -gone mad." - -The court at Hirschholm was conducted on a scale of luxury, and on -occasion with ceremonial magnificence. The King and Queen dined -frequently in public in the grand saloon, and were served on bended -knee by pages; the marshal of the palace sat at one end of the table, -the Queen's chief lady at the other, their Majesties in the middle on -one side, and the guests honoured with the royal command opposite them. -The King was a poor and insignificant figure, and rarely uttered a -word; but the Queen, who dressed beautifully, made a grand appearance, -and delighted everybody with her lively conversation. Matilda had wit -and vivacity, though during her early years in Denmark she had perforce -to curb her social qualities; now she gave them full play, and the King -gazed at her in silent astonishment and admiration. A table of eighty -covers was also laid every day in the adjoining "Chamber of the Rose" -for the foreign envoys and great officers of state (if any happened to -be present) and the court officials. At this table Struensee, Brandt -and the other ladies and gentlemen of the household generally dined, -though the favourite was frequently commanded to the King's table, and -might have dined there every day if he had wished. But he generally -preferred to hold a little court of his own in the "Chamber of the -Rose," and most of those present paid him far more homage than they -paid the King. Struensee accepted it all as a matter of course; his -head was already turned by his success, and indeed it was enough to -turn any man's head. Only two years before he had been in an obscure -position, crippled with debt, and seriously thinking of quitting the -country to repair his fortunes; now he was the all-powerful favourite -of a Queen, and could make and unmake ministers as he would. Nothing -was done without his consent, and the removal of the court from the -capital to Hirschholm was dictated by him from reasons which the -English envoy shrewdly guessed at the time:-- - -"Among other reasons assigned for this retreat," writes Gunning, -"one is said to be the desire of eluding the scrutiny of the public -eye, which affects to penetrate somewhat further than is imagined to -be [desirable]. Another cause of this retirement is supposed to be -their Danish Majesties' resolution of continuing inaccessible (which -they have been for some time) to everybody except Mr. Rantzau and -the Favourite. And that, if certain dismissions are resolved upon, -they may be effected with greater secrecy. Mr. Bernstorff tells me -that Mr. Rantzau has frequent conferences with the French minister. -He [Bernstorff] is more alarmed than he has ever yet appeared to be, -but nevertheless seems willing to fortify himself with the favourable -conclusions afforded by the levity and dissipation which mark the -character of his adversaries, and builds upon the unanimity of the -Council, which I hope is firmly grounded. He thinks, however, that -while the influence prevails, irreparable mischief may be done, and -he is at length convinced of a truth I wished him long since to have -believed, namely--that which has been transacting is more than a -court intrigue, and that [the Favourite] was the cause of all its -movements."[136] - -[136] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, September 8, 1770. - -Bernstorff was not long left in suspense as to his future. Struensee -had now matured his plans and was ready to strike. Bernstorff was the -first to go. Soon after the court arrived at Hirschholm the King was -prevailed upon, without much difficulty, to write his Prime Minister -an autograph letter in which he informed him that, as he intended to -make changes in his system of government, he no longer required his -services. He therefore dismissed him with a pension of 6,000 dollars a -year, but gave him leave to retain his seat on the council. Bernstorff -was seated at his desk in the foreign office when this letter was -brought to him by a King's messenger from Hirschholm; he read its -contents in silence, and then turned to one of his secretaries and -said: "I am dismissed from office. May the Almighty guide this country -and its King." - -Bernstorff fell with great dignity. He replied to the King saying "that -he accepted his pleasure with all submission, but begged leave to -join the resignation of his seat on the council to that of his other -employments".[137] He accepted the pension, but how beggarly a reward -it was for his long years of service was shown by comparison with that -assigned to Count St. Germains, a friend of Struensee and Rantzau, who -had been granted 14,000 dollars annually after only three years of -office. Count Bernstorff had grown grey in the service of the state, -and had sacrificed a large portion of his private fortune in the cause -of his adopted country. His great achievement as Prime Minister was the -treaty effecting the territorial exchange with Russia; for that alone -he deserved the gratitude of Denmark. He had his faults, but he was -a man of honourable and upright character, virtuous in private life, -and in public matters earnestly desirous of the welfare of the state. -Bernstorff's fall called forth loud expressions of regret, not only -from the most considerable people in Denmark, but from many foreign -courts. Especially was this the case with the court of St. James's. - -[137] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, September 18, 1770. - -On the return of the Princess-Dowager to England with the news of her -fruitless mission, and on receipt of Gunning's despatches, specifying -the changes likely to take place in the Danish Government, George -III. resolved to write a private letter to his sister, appealing to -her directly, and urging her, whatever she did, not to part with -Bernstorff, who had shown himself zealous of his country's welfare, -and who was, moreover, a friend of England and its royal house. But -this letter arrived too late; it reached Copenhagen a week after -Bernstorff's dismissal. It was enclosed in a private despatch from -Lord Rochford to the English envoy, with orders that he was to deliver -it into the Queen's own hand. Gunning thereupon set out at once for -Hirschholm "to force the entrenchments," to quote his own phrase; but -the Queen, who probably guessed his errand, would not see him. "On my -arrival there," writes Gunning, "I had the mortification to find that -her Majesty was so much indisposed by a fresh attack of cholick as to -render my admission to her impracticable. It not being, therefore, in -my power to present the King's letter myself, I took care to have it -safely conveyed to her Danish Majesty, who commanded her Grand Master -to tell me that I should be informed when she had any orders for -me."[138] But Matilda had no orders for the English envoy, and when she -wrote to her brother of England, it was to tell him that Bernstorff -had already been dismissed, and if he wished to write to her in future -about political matters in Denmark, she would be obliged if he would -send his communications to her through her ministers. How George III. -received this rebuff is not related. - -[138] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, September 22, 1770. - -Bernstorff's dismissal was followed by that of several other ministers. -Men who had grown old in the service of the state were suddenly -deprived of their portfolios, and sweeping changes took place in the -_personnel_ of the Government. Several important political appointments -were made while the court was at Hirschholm. General Gahler, who was -avowedly the friend of France, and had spent many years of his life -in the French service, was appointed head of the War Department. He -did not possess any great military knowledge, and owed his promotion -largely to his wife, who was a friend of the Queen. Gunning described -him as "a smooth, designing, self-interested man, submissive, cool, -deliberate and timid,"[139] and Keith wrote of him later as "dark, -intriguing and ungrateful".[140] - -[139] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, April 4, 1771. - -[140] Keith's despatch, Copenhagen, November 18, 1771. - -Bernstorff had united the office of Prime Minister with that of Foreign -Secretary. The first of these posts, with amplified powers, Struensee -reserved for himself, but he did not at once formally assume it. -Rantzau was understood to desire the Foreign Office, and his ambition -placed Struensee and the Queen in a position of great difficulty. -Rantzau's violent hostility to Russia, and his rash and mercurial -temperament, made this appointment impossible. Denmark would probably -be embroiled in war in a week. On the other hand, he had rendered great -services to Struensee; he was powerful in Holstein, and dangerous -to offend. Struensee compromised the matter by giving Rantzau the -second place in the War Department. Rantzau took it under protest, and -never forgave the affront. From that time he was the secret enemy of -Struensee and the Queen, and only waited for an opportunity to wreck -them. It would have been a mistake to send him to the Foreign Office, -but it was a greater one to place him in a subordinate post, and showed -a strange lack of judgment on the part of the Queen and Struensee. It -did not satisfy him, and it gave him opportunity to betray the secrets -of the Government. - -Struensee sought to conciliate Rantzau by paying the most flattering -attention to his opinions, and it was at Rantzau's suggestion that -Colonel Falckenskjold was recalled from the Russian service and -entrusted with the reform of the Danish army. Falckenskjold was a Dane -of noble family, and had fought with distinction in the French service -during the Seven Years' War; subsequently he entered the service of -Russia. He was a man of upright character, but poor and ambitious. It -was the prospect of power that induced him, in an evil hour, to accept -an appointment at Struensee's hands. "His views of aggrandisement are -said to be boundless," wrote Gunning.[141] - -[141] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, April 4, 1771. - -Brandt was given several lucrative court appointments, but he neither -asked nor received any post in the Government. Gunning thus summed -him up: "Mr. Brandt, the King of Denmark's favourite, seems to be -too light and insignificant to deserve mention in a political light; -he is considered by the others as a sort of dragon which they have -planted within the precincts of the court to stop the avenues to the -throne".[142] Keith declared him to be "naturally rash, turbulent and -waspish".[143] - -[142] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, April 4, 1771. - -[143] Keith's despatch, Copenhagen, November 18, 1771. - -These were the principal men Struensee chose to help him in governing -the internal affairs of the kingdom, in place of the experienced -statesmen whom he had evicted to make room for them. They were none -of them first-class men, but they were the best available. Statesmen -of credit and renown held aloof from Struensee, and would not have -accepted office at his hands. Neither did he seek them, for the men -he wanted were not colleagues but creatures, who would carry out -his bidding. He had now complete control of the situation, and was -already in fact invested with autocratic power. Although nominally -only _lecteur du roi_, he read all letters that came to the King, and -answered them in the King's name as he thought best, the King doing -whatever the Queen advised him, and signing all the documents laid -before him by Struensee. In order to gather power still more into his -hands, Struensee caused Christian to issue a rescript to the heads -of departments of the state requesting them henceforth to send all -communications to the King in writing, and the King would answer them -in the same way. Audiences between the King and his ministers were -hereby abolished. - -Struensee followed up this rescript by an attack upon the Council of -State, still nominally the governing body. Soon after Bernstorff's -dismissal a royal decree was issued, limiting the power of the council -and increasing the King's prerogative. The King wished--so the message -ran--to have the Council of State organised in the best manner. He -therefore requested that the councillors, at their meetings in future, -should duly weigh and consider all the business laid before them, but -leave the final decision to the King. Their object was not to govern, -but to afford the King assistance in governing. The King, therefore, -would have them remember that there must be no encroachment on the -sovereign power, which was vested wholly in the King. - -These changes caused great excitement among the official classes and -the nobility. The government of the kingdom had hitherto been in the -hands of an oligarchy, which was recruited solely from the nobility -and their dependents. By this last decree the King intended to strip -the nobility of their privileges and power. But the King was known to -be a figurehead, and therefore the resentment aroused by these changes -was directed, not against him but against the Queen. Struensee was -still working behind the Queen, and therefore, though he was known -to have great influence, the malcontents made the Queen the first -object of their resentment. The hostility felt against Matilda for the -revolutionary policy now inaugurated was especially bitter amongst the -old nobility, many of whom, notably Count Reventlow, had formerly been -her friends. Reventlow communicated his anger to Gunning, who wrote in -haste to Lord Rochford. He saw in the present confusion an opportunity -for English influence to be re-established in Copenhagen, and, ignorant -of the rebuff the King had received from his sister a few weeks before, -he urged his old expedient that George III. should write a private -letter to Queen Matilda. - -"Both Count Reventlow and everybody ascribe [these new measures] -without scruple to the Queen of Denmark," he writes, "_whose power is -affirmed to be unlimited, and on whose will all depends_. If these -assertions are not made without reason, your Lordship will judge -how much those persons who are honoured with her Danish Majesty's -confidence have misrepresented the state of affairs to her, in order -to make her consent to what is so evidently against the system this -court has some time adopted. Should the preservation of it be thought -worthy of the King's (George III.'s) attention, your Lordship will, I -am sure, think it necessary that the Queen of Denmark should be made -acquainted with his Majesty's sentiments on this important point as -soon as possible, and before the Prince Royal of Sweden comes here, -which under the present circumstances will be most effectually done (if -I may humbly presume to offer my opinion) by a private letter from his -Majesty to the Queen his sister. It is not to be doubted but that this -would have great weight; and should it either procure the reinstatement -of Count Bernstorff (whose indubitable attachment to the King's person -and family gives him a claim on his Majesty's protection), or till such -time as this could be more easily effected, prevent any extension of -the present influence, it would soon give his Majesty (George III.) as -great an ascendency here as the court of Petersburg has had, and which, -were it conducted in a more moderate and judicious manner, would not be -liable to the same reverse. It is not, however, impracticable for the -latter [the court of Petersburg] still to prevent the defection of this -court, but it must be by different and harsher methods than those (it -is hoped) his Majesty has occasion to take."[144] - -[144] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, October 6, 1770. - -It is unlikely that George III., who was still smarting under the -affront Queen Matilda offered to his last communication, acted on -his envoy's suggestion. Neither his brotherly remonstrances nor "the -different and harsher methods" of the court of St. Petersburg would -have had any effect on the Queen of Denmark. She was entirely under -Struensee's influence, and did whatever he wished, and in this case -their wishes were identical. Nothing would have induced her to recall -Bernstorff, against whom she had a grievance, and she had suffered so -much from the meddlesome interference of the Russian envoys that she -was determined to stop it at all hazards. - -[Illustration: GEORGE III., BROTHER OF QUEEN MATILDA. - -_From a Painting by Allan Ramsay (1767) in the National Portrait -Gallery._] - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -QUEEN AND EMPRESS. - -1770-1771. - - -The keynote of Struensee's foreign policy was to free Denmark from -outside interference, and the greatest offender in this respect -was Russia. The inauguration of the new regime, therefore, was the -occasion of a violent quarrel with the Russian court, to which a -personal element gave additional bitterness. Russia at this time meant -Catherine the Great, for the imperious Empress gathered all the reins -of government, both foreign and domestic, in her hands. She had come to -regard the King of Denmark as almost her vassal, and her first instinct -was to crush any signs of revolt against her influence. The Empress was -minutely informed of the changes at the Danish court and the causes -which had led to them. She knew all about the intrigue between Matilda -and Struensee. But she had no sympathy with the young Queen of Denmark, -whose career, in some respects, offered a curious parallel to her own. -Like Matilda, Catherine had been brought from a foreign country, when -little more than a child, and married to a weak and vicious prince, -in whose character there was a strain of madness; like Matilda, -she had been left alone in a strange and dissolute court, outraged -and neglected by her husband, ignored and set aside, and exposed to -every temptation. Catherine had found consolation in a lover, and -plotted with him and others. The outcome of her intrigues was the -deposition and subsequent murder of her husband, and the Empress's -elevation to the sovereign power. Rumour said that she was privy to the -assassination, but that must always remain a mystery. Of course, before -this point had been reached the parallel between the two women ended, -for Matilda, though she had undoubtedly intrigued with Struensee to get -the power into her own hands, was not of the same calibre as Catherine. -She was incapable of either her crimes or her vices; she had neither -her soaring ambitions nor her consummate powers of statecraft. Though a -woman of more than average ability, she had none of the genius of the -Russian Empress; and her heart would always hinder her from playing a -great part upon the world's stage. - -The weakness of Matilda's position was her love for Struensee. At first -she wished him to take no part in politics. "If Struensee had taken my -advice, and had not become a minister, it would have been much better," -she said, two years later in bitter retrospect, but he overruled her -in this as in all else. Everything he did was right in her eyes, and -though she sometimes trembled at the perilous path he was treading, -when he talked to her of his future policy and his sweeping reforms she -believed that he would be hailed as the saviour of the country. She -could not see that he was ignorant of statecraft, and made mistakes -which a little forethought would have avoided, for she worshipped -his commanding talents, and believed him to be a king among men. The -Danish Queen's all-absorbing passion for one man was regarded with -contempt by the Empress Catherine. It is needless to say she did not -condemn it from a moral point of view, for she was a very Messalina -in her passions, but because she considered it a fatal weakness in a -Queen who apparently aspired to reign over her husband's kingdom and to -inaugurate a new system of policy. So far from the similarity between -the trials of Catherine's early married life and the Queen of Denmark's -sorrows enlisting her sympathy, the Empress regarded Matilda with -dislike, mingled with contempt. "I have had the opportunity of seeing -the Empress of Russia's sentiments expressed in her own handwriting -relative to what is passing in Denmark," wrote Woodford. "The Empress, -in a letter to her correspondent, of September 24, says upon the -changes in Denmark, 'that allowances are always to be made for the -follies of youth, but accompanied with the marks of _a bad heart_ they -excite even a public indignation'."[145] - -[145] Woodford's despatch, Hamburg, October 16, 1770. - -There was undoubtedly some jealousy mingled with this dislike of the -Empress Catherine for a woman she had never seen. "The Semiramis of the -North" regarded herself as one to whom the ordinary rules of life and -conduct did not apply, nor even the immutable laws of right and wrong. -She was a woman of destiny, a sublime figure, above, beyond and apart -from all meaner mortals. Yet this foolish Matilda with her _bourgeois_ -favourite and paltry intrigues had presumed to challenge comparison -with one who was incomparable, and even to imitate her idiosyncrasies. -Like Catherine, Matilda rode astride in masculine attire; like -Catherine, she donned the uniform of a colonel, marched at the head -of her regiment, and fired a musket with unerring aim. True, Matilda -had only one favourite where Catherine had many, but he was one who -gathered up (in her estimation and his own) the charm of a Poniatowski, -the bravery of an Orloff, the genius of a Panteomkine, the ardour of a -Korssakof, and the beauty of a Lansköi.[146] Struensee was responsible -for this somewhat burlesque imitation of the Empress; he held before -the Queen's dazzled eyes the vision of another woman ruling her people -with consummate ability to the admiration of Europe, and Matilda was -weak enough to listen to his flattery. - -[146] Favourites of Catherine the Great. - -Catherine regarded the attempts of the Queen of Denmark to follow in -her steps as preposterous, and the anti-Russian policy as impertinent. -The Empress did not at first treat it seriously, but the limit of this -presumptuous folly (in her opinion) was reached when the news came to -St. Petersburg that her former co-conspirator and later her declared -enemy, Count Rantzau, had been taken into favour by the Danish -court, and given an appointment in the Government. Then the anger -of Catherine, as Bernstorff predicted, knew no bounds. She regarded -the appointment of Rantzau as an insult, and sent instructions to -Filosofow to represent her displeasure in the strongest terms to the -court of Copenhagen. Filosofow, who was already goaded to the point -of madness by the humiliations heaped on him by Struensee, performed -his mistress's behest with such violence and so many expletives -that the Queen strongly resented his bullying tone, and his further -residence at Copenhagen became impossible. For this, as the English -envoy wrote, "they [the court of St. Petersburg] will be in a great -measure indebted to their own conduct--disgusting this court by an open -attack on Monsieur Rantzau, whose character, let his intentions be what -they will, ought to have been too well known to them to give rise to -any great apprehensions".[147] Filosofow demanded his recall, which -was granted, and before leaving requested a private audience of the -King. But this was refused by Struensee, who had made up his mind that -henceforth foreign envoys should have no more private audiences with -the King behind his back. Filosofow was told that he could only see the -King at an ordinary court, when he could take leave of his Majesty. -The haughty Russian replied that his health would not allow him to be -present, and he left Copenhagen without taking leave of any of the -royal family. Thus was Struensee avenged upon his enemy. - -[147] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, February 12, 1771. - -Gunning rightly regarded the Russian envoy's withdrawal from the Danish -court as the result of an intrigue, which had its origin in the insult -offered to Struensee a year before. - -"This intrigue," he wrote, "sprang originally from an insuperable -disgust her Danish Majesty conceived against the person of Mr. Saldern -and latterly against that of Mr. Filosofow.... The latter, though a man -of great honour and worth, from a want of sufficient knowledge of the -world, and from being perhaps too sensible of the splendour and power -of the Empress, his mistress, studied not enough that refinement of -behaviour which was to be expected in a public character, and through -absence and inattention committed a piece of rudeness on a certain -occasion to the Favourite which his self-love (as indeed the self-love -of any other man might have done) induced him to impute to design. The -wound rankled in his heart, and I will venture to say the sense of it -was not confined to his own feelings. Her Danish Majesty was pleased to -think much the worse of Mr. Filosofow for it. In short the affront was -never forgiven, and the second Russian minister became equally, nay, -more, obnoxious to the Queen than the first."[148] - -[148] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, April 4, 1771. - -Struensee, now that he had gratified his personal animosity, had no -wish to become embroiled in a war with Russia. He thought that the -dispute had gone far enough, and it would be better to build for the -Empress Catherine a golden bridge, over which she might retreat with -dignity from a position which had become untenable. But unfortunately -for his plans he resolved to conduct the negotiations himself, for -he had not yet appointed a Foreign Secretary to take the place of -Bernstorff. It was only in the department of foreign affairs that -Struensee found himself at sea, not in regard to his policy, for his -mind was clear as to that, but with regard to the forms and phrases -usually observed in communications between courts and monarchs. He had -no training for this kind of work, and until the last two years had no -communication, direct or indirect, with princes and potentates. His -ignorance of forms and etiquette was equalled by his contempt for them. -But it could not be supposed that the King, his master, was ignorant -of these forms, and since communications with foreign sovereigns had -to be made nominally through him, errors of this nature revealed -either that the King had not been consulted, or he had not written the -letters issued with his name. Christian VII. perhaps took a malicious -pleasure in Struensee's ignorance, or he was too indifferent to correct -the glaring errors in letters signed by him, for many absurd mistakes -occurred. - -Struensee thought that a personal letter from the King of Denmark would -appease the anger of Catherine, and he therefore drew up one of these -strange documents which purported to come from Christian. But he was -so ignorant of the ordinary usage that he began it "Madame" instead of -"Madame my sister," and ended as though it had come from a subject, -"I have the honour to be, Madame, your Imperial Majesty's very humble -and obedient servant," a preposterous ending to a letter from one -sovereign to another. The letter contained a good deal of irrelevant -matter, but the gist of it was an apology for the King's refusal of a -private audience to the Empress's minister, "under the pretext," writes -Gunning, "that one having been already denied to the Swedish minister, -it could not have been consistently granted to the Russian minister, -and further, that the audiences which have been so often given, and -were now almost claimed by the Russian minister, ought to have been -considered more as a matter of courtesy than that of right. But had -Monsieur Filosofow appeared in the court circle, his Majesty would -probably have called him into the closet." The English envoy adds: -"Though perhaps this apology will not bear the test of a too strict -examination, yet as it shows an earnest desire of acceding on his -Danish Majesty's part, it may be wished the Empress may suffer herself -to be appeased by it".[149] - -[149] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, January 10, 1771. - -So far from the Empress being appeased by the King of Denmark's letter, -she received it with derision. The form, the manner, the style, the -contents, all showed her that it was not composed by her royal brother -of Denmark, but, as she coarsely said to her whole court, by the -Queen's _cicisbeo_. The relations between the courts of Copenhagen and -St. Petersburg were strained to breaking-point and Struensee was at a -loss what to do next. It was at this juncture that he appointed Count -Osten to the foreign office at Copenhagen. - -Osten was a Dane of noble family, but poor. He was educated at court -as a page in the household of Christian VII.'s father. As the youth -showed much ability, Count Moltke, who was then Prime Minister, sent -him to Leipsic to study languages, with the view of making use of him -in the diplomatic service. During his residence at Leipsic, Osten made -the acquaintance of Count Stanislaus Poniatowski (afterwards King of -Poland), and the two became great friends. On returning to Copenhagen -Osten became involved in some petty palace intrigue, which was directed -against the men who had benefited him, Moltke and Bernstorff. They -overlooked his ingratitude in consideration of his talents, but, -thinking it advisable that he should leave Copenhagen, they sent him -to St. Petersburg, as an _attaché_ to Malzahn, at that time Danish -minister in Russia. Malzahn died suddenly, and the secretary to the -legation being ill at the same time, Osten seized the opportunity -to receive and answer despatches, and to confer with the Russian -ministers. So well did he acquit himself that Bernstorff appointed him -Danish envoy at St. Petersburg, and told him that he must humour the -Grand-Duchess (later the Empress) Catherine, whose favour, as he was a -handsome and a brilliant youth, he had already won. Bernstorff already -foresaw the elevation of the Grand-Duchess to a prominent position in -councils of state. Osten paid his court assiduously to Catherine, and -during his residence at St. Petersburg Poniatowski came there. The -friendship between the two young men was renewed, and when there sprang -up an intrigue between Poniatowski and Catherine, Osten acted as a -go-between, and the lovers used to meet at his house. - -Perhaps because of the part he had played in this matter, the Danish -court found it necessary to remove Osten from St. Petersburg to -Dresden, so that he had nothing to do with the plots which led to the -assassination of the Emperor Peter, and the elevation of Catherine to -the throne. But as soon as the Empress found her position assured, -she asked the King of Denmark to send Osten back to St. Petersburg as -Danish envoy, and her request was at once complied with. The handsome -young diplomatist returned, and for two years enjoyed the friendship -of the Empress, who not only admitted him to her confidence, but even -allowed him sometimes to be present at the councils which she held with -her ministers and her generals. Suddenly, without warning, Osten fell -out of favour. The Empress wrote to the King of Denmark to request his -instant recall, and the Russian minister for foreign affairs informed -all the foreign envoys at St. Petersburg by a circular note that the -Empress had withdrawn her favour from Count Osten, and regarded him as -"a vile and odious person". The cause of Osten's disgrace was not a -political one, but referred to some secret infamy. - -Bernstorff did not wish to bring Osten back to Copenhagen, as his -talent for intrigue was so great that he might prove dangerous, nor -did he wish to lose his services altogether, for he had proved himself -a very able diplomatist; he therefore sent him as Danish envoy to -Naples. Osten went there for a time, but he never ceased to agitate for -his promotion from a post which he considered to be exile. Eventually -Bernstorff promised Osten the post of minister at The Hague; but before -his promise could be fulfilled, the once-powerful minister was himself -dismissed from office by Struensee and the Queen. - -The office of minister of foreign affairs rendered vacant by the -dismissal of Bernstorff, whose knowledge of the tangled threads of -European diplomacy was very great, was no easy one to fill--at least, -from such material as Struensee was able to command. Rantzau, who -wanted it, was impossible, and Struensee at first thought of keeping -it in his own hands; but after the ridicule poured upon his letter by -Catherine, which threatened to make the Danish court the laughing-stock -of Europe, Struensee came to the conclusion that there were some things -he did not know, and he must find some one who was, at any rate, -conversant with forms. No statesman of repute in Denmark would accept -the post on Struensee's terms, so he went through the list of Danish -envoys at foreign courts, and finding in Osten a man whose record was -unscrupulous enough for his purpose, he recalled him from Naples and -placed him at the foreign office in the hope that he would bring the -Empress Catherine to reason. - -Osten's appointment was regarded as a notable accession of strength -to Struensee's administration. His knowledge of Russian affairs was -unrivalled--a great advantage at this juncture--and Gunning, the -English envoy, who had a high opinion of the new foreign minister's -abilities, seems to have thought that he would not only restore -friendly relations with Russia, but would aid him in bringing about -an alliance between England and Denmark. "I think him well qualified -for the post he is in," he wrote, "and the only one here capable of -retrieving the affairs of this unhappy country."[150] Osten, who had to -take office on Struensee's terms, was really desirous of establishing -good relations with Russia, and one of his first acts was to write a -statesmanlike despatch to St. Petersburg, "with such representations -as he hoped would dispel the Empress's scruples regarding the late -transactions of this court, would explain all suspicious appearances, -and satisfy her Imperial Majesty".[151] - -[150] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, April 4, 1771. - -[151] _Ibid._, January 1, 1771. - -Though Osten's despatch was treated with more respect by the court -of St. Petersburg than the King of Denmark's [so-called] letter, the -Empress refused to be mollified. Her pride had been wounded by the -flouting of her representative at Copenhagen, but as her interference -in the internal affairs of the Danish court had been quite unwarranted, -she could not well ascribe her resentment to the fact that it was no -longer permitted. She therefore seized upon Osten's appointment as -an excuse for maintaining her irreconcilable attitude, and declared -that if the conduct of foreign affairs continued in the hands of that -"vile and odious person," she would break the treaty of 1768, and -end all negotiations with Denmark. Osten did not heed the Empress's -abuse; he knew from experience that her outbursts of passion did not -last long, and believed that in time she would take a more reasonable -view. But Rantzau and Gahler urged Struensee to anticipate Russia by -a declaration of war, and Struensee was half-persuaded, for he knew -that at the moment Russia was unprepared. Osten used all his eloquence -to convince Struensee of the folly of such a proceeding, which would -give offence to England as well, and probably bring the King of Prussia -into the quarrel. In this he was ably supported by Falckenskjold, who -had great knowledge of Russian affairs, but for a time it seemed that -Osten would not succeed. As Gunning wrote: "The hopes I for some time -entertained of Mr. Osten gaining a proper ascendency over the Favourite -are not greatly raised by the manner in which I see the former is -obliged to act. It seems to manifest Mr. Struensee's aim, whom every -circumstance deigns to favour, to grasp the whole power of the -administration into his own hands, and as his experience in business is -of a very short date, so long as Count Osten's knowledge and abilities -shall be found necessary for his information and assistance, so long -this gentleman may have some appearance of power."[152] - -[152] Gunning's despatch, February 12, 1771. - -In the end Osten and Falckenskjold won, and Rantzau and Gahler were -defeated. But matters remained in an _impasse_: on the one hand, -the Empress Catherine refused to receive any communications through -Osten; on the other, the King of Denmark refused to remove him, as -that would be to submit to an arbitrary interference on the part of -Russia in the internal affairs of Denmark. It was at last resolved that -Falckenskjold, who was _persona grata_ at the Russian court, should be -sent to St. Petersburg to patch up the quarrel. Falckenskjold's mission -was not very successful, for the Empress declared she would only carry -out the treaty of 1768, the territorial exchange, if Bernstorff were -recalled to the Danish foreign office, and Osten and Rantzau were -dismissed from the Government. An open breach however with Russia was -for the moment avoided. Falckenskjold returned to Copenhagen, and when -he told Struensee that the Empress insisted on the dismissal of the two -ministers, Struensee, on Osten's advice, said, and did, nothing. The -Empress, on learning that her demands had not been complied with, tried -the effect of threats, and alarming rumours reached Copenhagen that she -had determined to bombard the city, and for this purpose was equipping -six ships of the line and four frigates, which would immediately set -sail from Kronstadt. In this crisis Struensee came out well. He knew -that, though Russia might have the ships, she could not at the time -furnish a sufficient number of sailors to equip a fleet. He therefore -betrayed no panic and uttered no threats, but without ado fitted out -three ships of the line and two frigates, and gave orders to build -several others as a counter-demonstration. The ships were manned with -great rapidity, and Copenhagen was soon defended from every point. -Catherine, seeing that her threats were of no avail, forebore from -provoking Denmark to the point of open hostilities. Her hands were at -that moment full of more important matters, and so she declared "if the -present rascally advisers of the King of Denmark had rope enough they -would hang themselves". In the end her foresight was justified, but -at the time the victory was with Struensee. By his firmness he freed -Denmark from the intolerable interference of foreign ministers, which -had been going on for the last twenty years, and the fact stands to the -credit of his administration. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -THE REFORMER. - -1770-1771. - - -A short time after Bernstorff's fall and Osten's promotion, Struensee -was appointed (or rather appointed himself) Master of Requests, a -new office which, as the English envoy said, "might mean anything or -everything". It was an office invented by Struensee, and in practice -seemed to combine the authority of Prime Minister with power to -interfere in every department of government. The only obstacle which -now stood between the imperious minister and absolute power was the -Council of State, which had lost enormously in prestige since the -dismissal of Bernstorff and the royal rescript limiting its powers. -This council was a committee of nobles with conservative tendencies, -and though it was no longer able to decide anything, it still had the -power to delay new measures. Struensee, who determined to break the -power of the nobility in the same way as he had broken the yoke of the -foreign envoys, therefore resolved on a daring step. He would abolish -the Council of State, and place all authority in the hands of the King. - -After going through the farce of appointing a committee, who reported -exactly as it was ordered to report, Struensee swept away the Council -of State by the following decree which, though drawn up by the -Minister, was written throughout and signed by the King:-- - -"We, Christian VII., by the Grace of God King of Denmark, Norway, of -the Goths and Wends, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein, Stormarn and the -Dittmarsches, Count of Oldenburg and Delmenhorst, etc., etc., decree -and announce herewith: - -"As the affairs of state in an absolute government are only confused -and delayed when many of the nobility take part in them, owing to the -power and honour which they acquire from time and custom, and the -despatch of business is thereby retarded, - -"We, who have nothing so much at heart as zealous promotion of the -public weal, hereby declare that We will not let Ourselves henceforth -be checked or hindered in those measures and arrangements that are for -the national good. - -"We therefore think fit to abolish and absolutely suppress Our former -Council of State. In doing this Our object is to restore to the -constitution its original purity, and maintain the same. Thus, then, -the form of government will henceforth be, and remain exactly, as it -was handed to Our ancestors of glorious memory by the nation, and -nothing will remain to make it seem that We wish in any way to depart -from the sense and intention with which the nation transmitted it to -Our ancestors. In further confirmation of this We have had the present -decree drawn up in duplicate both in Danish and German, and command -that the copies shall be preserved for ever in the archives of the -chanceries. - -"Given under Our royal hand and seal at Our palace of Frederiksberg -this December 27, 1770. - - (Signed) "CHRISTIAN."[153] - -[153] Translated from the original document in the royal archives of -Copenhagen. - -The constitution which the King in this decree stated that his -ancestors received from the nation was the _Lex Regia_, or royal law of -Denmark and Norway, promulgated in 1660 by Frederick III. It had its -origin in a revolution against the power of the nobles, who had reduced -the King to a mere puppet of sovereignty, and formed an oligarchy which -governed the country entirely in their interests. Frederick III. freed -himself from this thraldom by a _coup d'état_, and with the consent of -the burghers and people, and the enforced sanction of the nobles, he -established the _Lex Regia_. It was therefore a most convenient weapon -for Struensee to refurbish and use against the nobles again, for with -a half-imbecile monarch, the whole of its tremendous powers would pass -to the Minister. Some description of this law may be given to show the -power which Christian VII., or rather Struensee the reformer, proposed -to gather into his own hands. - -[Illustration: THE FREDERIKSBERG PALACE, NEAR COPENHAGEN. - -_From a Print, temp. 1770._] - -The _Lex Regia_ consisted of forty articles, which declared, _inter -alia_, that "the hereditary kings of Denmark and Norway shall, and -must, be regarded by their subjects as the only supreme chiefs on -earth. They shall be above all human laws, and whether in matters -spiritual or matters temporal shall recognise no other superior -than God." That "the King only has the supreme right of making and -interpreting laws, of abrogating, amending, or superseding them". -That "the King only has the power of conferring office, or removing -from office, according to his mere pleasure". That "all dignities -and offices of whatsoever kind are derived from the King, and held -at his will". That "the King alone has the right of disposing of the -fortresses and troops of the realm; he alone can declare war, with -whom, and when, he pleases; he alone can make treaties, impose taxes, -or raise contributions of any kind". That "the King alone has supreme -jurisdiction over all the ecclesiastics of his dominions; he alone can -regulate the rites and ceremonies of public worship, convoke councils -and synods, terminate their sessions, etc.". That "all the affairs of -the kingdom, all letters and public acts, can only be expedited in the -royal name--sealed with his seal and signed by his hand". That "the -King shall not be required to take any oath or form any engagement, -whether verbal or written, since in quality of free and absolute -monarch, his subjects can neither impose an oath upon him nor prescribe -any conditions to limit his authority". That "the whole realm of -Denmark and Norway, its provinces, dependencies, islands, fortresses, -rights, jewels, money of every kind, its army, navy, everything now -enjoyed, everything that may be acquired hereafter, are the inalienable -property of the sovereign alone, and can never be divided or separated -from the crown". - -These few quotations from the _Lex Regia_ will serve to show that -Christian VII. arrogated to himself by this decree a power which no -other monarch in Europe claimed. Not even that most mighty empress, -Catherine of Russia, was so great an autocrat as this. In the -_Lex Regia_ of Denmark we find the most boundless, irresponsible, -unmitigated despotism, without a single provision in favour of -the life, substance, or liberty of any subject, high or low. The -re-establishment of this despotism in all its nakedness was the -essence of Struensee's policy, for, since the reign of the monarch who -promulgated it a century before, it had gradually fallen into disuse. - -Frederick III., the author of the _Lex Regia_, was an absolute monarch -in practice as well as theory; he broke the power of the nobles, and -nothing stood between him and his imperious will. His successor, -Christian V., began his reign on the same principles, but he found it -necessary before long to conciliate the nobles, and one of his first -acts was to create an order of titled nobility. Previously, all of -noble birth had been merely styled nobles, but now they were given -the titles of counts and barons--as if to console them for the loss -of their authority. Certain other privileges were granted to them, -but they still had no share in the government of the country, which -the King kept in his own hands. Gradually, however, there was formed -a Council of State, or Privy Council, which consisted of the heads of -the different departments in the state--such as the minister of foreign -affairs, the minister who was responsible for the army, the head of -the naval department, and the head of the finance department. These -posts at first were filled by the King's creatures, who relieved him -of detail business, but were unable to come to any decision apart from -him; but as time went on the nobles gradually crept back into office, -and were nominated one by one as heads of departments, until the -Council of State assumed more importance. Under the reign of Christian -VI. the Council of State was practically a committee of nobles, through -whom the King governed; and during the latter part of the reign of -Frederick V. (Christian VII.'s father) it usurped the sovereign power, -and the King became a puppet in the hands of his ministers. Once more, -despite the _Lex Regia_, the nobles became the rulers of Denmark. Had -they used their power wisely, they might have remained so; but great -abuses grew up. They filled every post with their creatures; they -betrayed the interests of Denmark to foreign countries; the departments -of state were badly administered, the national defences neglected, and -the people heavily taxed. This was the state of affairs which Struensee -was determined to remedy. - -Christian VII., who had fretted under the yoke of the Council of State, -especially when he first came to the throne (when the ministers who -composed it strove by every means to prevent him from governing and -to keep the power in their own hands), was quite ready to carry out -the daring policy of its abolition, though that policy was dictated -to him by Struensee. The King did not see that he was exchanging the -tyranny of King Log for that of King Stork. He always wearied of those -who dictated to him, whether ministers or favourites. He had wearied -of Moltke, he wearied of Bernstorff, and in the same way he wearied -of Sperling and Holck; and the time was coming when he would weary -most of all of Struensee and Brandt. But at present he was indifferent -to everything; he had long since ceased to take the initiative, and -only asked to be relieved of the burden of state. Sunk into premature -dotage--a listless gazer at the drama of life--so long as he was left -in peace to enjoy the few things he still cared about, he recked -nothing of his government, his kingdom, or the world. By the abolition -of the council he had become in theory the most absolute autocrat -in Europe. He had only to speak the word, or sign a paper, for the -word and the writing to immediately become law; but in fact he was an -imbecile, who let his whole power and authority drift into the hands of -another--nominally, into those of the Queen, in reality of Struensee, -who greedily snatched at every atom of power. In his muddled brain -Christian VII. still clung to the belief that he was rendering himself -equal to his great exemplar, Frederick the Great. The King of Prussia -had found a way of diminishing the power of his ministers by becoming -his own minister, and by signing the decree abolishing his Council -of State Christian VII. imagined that he was acting on a similar -plan. But, needless to say, there was no resemblance between the two -monarchs; Frederick the Great did everything himself, but the Danish -King did nothing, and the stereotyped answer he made to everyone at -this time was: "Apply to Struensee". Struensee had become a sort of -Grand Vizier. - -The day after the suppression of the Council of State a new body was -established, called the Council of Conferences, but it had no real -power. The members, who were the heads of the different departments of -the state, and all Struensee's nominees, met when commanded to do so by -the King, and expressed their views on such business as was laid before -them, advised on matters of form, and sent in their reports in writing. -As these reports all passed through Struensee's hands in his new office -of Master of Requests, they were very useful to him; they set him right -in matters of detail, and gave him the information he required without -his seeming to seek it. As that shrewd observer, Gunning, wrote: "This -is no ill-timed political scheme for those at the helm, who will, by -this method, be able to gain considerable lights without suffering any -one to have access to the King, their master, but themselves".[154] - -[154] Gunning's despatch, January 1, 1771. - -The abolition of the Council of State, though it was so drastic a -measure, was greeted with applause by the people--the burghers and the -peasants--who had long groaned under the tyranny of the nobility, and -had come to look upon them as the cause of all their ills. The royal -decree of course called forth a tremendous uproar from the privileged -classes, and if the nobles could have conferred together the situation -might have become dangerous. But Struensee hit on a very ingenious plan -for driving them out of Copenhagen. Most of them were heavily in debt, -and under the old order of things had set their creditors at defiance. -Struensee, therefore, obtained an order from the King, decreeing that -any creditor could arrest his debtor, if unable to pay at the time of -demand, and keep him in prison until the debt was discharged. In a very -short time nearly all the nobility were hurrying from the capital to -their country seats. Having scattered them, Struensee took a further -step to prevent them from returning to Copenhagen. He issued a decree, -signed by the King, to the effect that it was undesirable to encourage -the flocking to court of persons who hoped to make their fortunes -there, for it only tended to ruin and impoverish the country districts, -and entail great expense on the King. It would be much better for the -nobility, who did not desire official employment, to remain on their -estates and spend their money there instead of coming so much to the -capital; and those nobles who desired employment in the future must -first qualify themselves for it in subordinate posts. In giving these -appointments the King, henceforth, would be guided entirely by service -and merit, and pay no regard to favour or backstairs influence. - -From the enforced retirement of their country seats the Danish -nobility cursed Struensee with impotent wrath; he gave them more to -curse him for before long. Having got rid of them he next abolished -their placemen and parasites, who might have acted as their agents in -the capital. He issued a circular to all the Government departments, -informing them that in future no lackey who waited on a master would be -eligible for a public office; and thus the hateful system of lackeydom -was abolished. Formerly the nobles at the head of the departments -had given minor offices to their coachmen and their footmen in lieu -of payment, and with the result that a great number of ignorant and -incapable men were foisted upon the state, and the administration of -the Government departments was hopelessly mismanaged. Struensee sought -to break down all privileges of caste. Formerly only the nobility were -allowed to use torches at night when they drove out in their carriages, -but now an order was promulgated giving leave to all persons, of -whatever rank, whether in hired carriages or their own, to use torches -at night. But the permission was not generally availed of--probably -because the good burghers of Copenhagen found that if they and their -wives encroached upon the privileges of the nobility, they did so at -the risk of losing their custom. - -Having clipped the claws of the nobility, Struensee next aimed a series -of blows at his other enemies, the clergy. During the two previous -reigns the clergy had gained great influence in Denmark, and now -encroached in matters outside their sphere. Not content with their -spiritual sway, they expressed their opinion on political matters -with great frankness from their pulpits, and even the court did not -escape censure. Struensee, though the son of an eminent divine, was -a freethinker, and hostile to clerical influence, and both the King -and Queen disliked being preached at. Therefore it was not long -before the clergy were made to feel the weight of their displeasure. -A great number of religious festivals were still kept in Denmark as -public holidays, to the hindrance of business, and the encouragement -of idleness and extravagance on the part of the people; the clergy -cherished these festivals, and hitherto the Government had not dared -to abolish them, for fear of giving offence to the Church. But the -new order of things had scant reverence for old abuses, and a royal -decree was promulgated, which abolished, henceforth and for ever, the -public holidays at Christmas, Easter and Whitsuntide, the Epiphany, St. -John's Day, Michaelmas Day, All Saints, the Purification, Visitation -and Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin, and the annual _Te Deums_ in -celebration of the deliverance of Copenhagen from Charles X.'s attack -on February 11, 1659, and of the great fire. By another decree liberty -of conscience was granted to all, and universal toleration in matters -of religion. Henceforth every man would be allowed to follow his own -belief without let or hindrance, to choose his own form of worship, -or not to worship, as he pleased. These decrees gave great offence to -the established clergy, who considered the first to be unwarrantable -interference with the vested rights of the Church, and the second, an -encouragement of godlessness and infidelity. - -Struensee was a great believer not only in new measures but new men. -Some of his appointments were good ones--notably that of Professor -Oeder (an able man who had hitherto been a member of the agricultural -commission) as head of the financial department. Oeder helped Struensee -materially in his gigantic labours, and often warned him against -precipitate and violent measures. Struensee also summoned his brother, -Charles Augustus Struensee, to Copenhagen, and appointed him one of the -deputies in the College of Finances. Charles Augustus was a clever and -hard-working man, without his brother's genius, but with a great deal -more ballast, and no objection could be taken to his appointment except -on the score of nepotism--a charge which could not fairly be brought -against Struensee, for his brother was the only member of his family -whom he appointed to any important office. Dismissals were the order -of the day in every department of the state; the imperious minister -brooked no opposition to his will even in the most trifling details. -Count Moltke, court marshal, son of the former Prime Minister, was -dismissed because he demurred to some change in ceremonial, on which -he was a much better authority than Struensee; a page of the chamber, -who was so imprudent as to speak disrespectfully of Struensee, was sent -away without warning, and the young chamberlain Warnstedt, who was a -favourite of both the King and the Queen, and had stood in confidential -relations with Struensee, was banished from court in consequence -of having made a single incautious remark about him. The aged and -respected Viceroy of Norway, Benzon, was dismissed from office without -any explanation; the Burgomaster of Bergen was discharged in the same -way; the bailiff and under-bailiff of Copenhagen were displaced at -an hour's notice. In fact, no official considered himself safe any -longer, but was liable at any moment to be dismissed without warning, -explanation or pension. As the disgraced official generally had his -discharge handed to him by a groom of the royal stables mounted on a -yellow horse, it became a saying in Copenhagen: "Whom did the yellow -horse visit last?" or, "If you are not careful, you will see the yellow -horse to-morrow". - -Struensee's idea of government was absolute despotism, combined, oddly -enough, with a liberal and enlightened policy. He was a despot, but -he was also a _doctrinaire_, and his ideas generally were in advance -of his time. He had read widely German philosophy, notably that -of Leibniz, and was a firm believer in the so-called eudæmonistic -utilitarianism--the greatest possible happiness of the greatest -possible number. He believed also in perfectionism--the inherent -right of the individual man to work out his own perfection in every -respect. Leibniz was an exponent of this school, so was Goethe, who -called his Faust a "Beyond-man".[155] Struensee was a pioneer who -sought to reduce these views to practice. He grafted on his German -philosophy certain Pagan ideals, he affected a benevolent despotism, -and he believed himself to be an _uebermensch_, a "Beyond-man," a man -of destiny. So thoroughly did he believe in himself, that he forced -the same conviction on others for a time--even his enemies, who saw in -him something superhuman and dreaded him accordingly. He bore down all -outside opposition by the sheer force of his will, and so long as he -was sure of himself his power was assured. - -[155] So too in our day has been Nietsche, who elaborated these views -in _Thus Spake Zarathustra_ and other works. - -Struensee was a great reformer, and the intrepidity with which he -carried out his theories compels admiration, but like many other -reformers he neglected to temper his zeal with discretion. Perhaps -he had an instinct that his day would not be long, for he was a -reformer in a hurry. Within a few months after the abolition of the -Council of State he revolutionised the government of the kingdom. By -a series of royal decrees, nominally issued by the King, he reformed -every department of the state. He rearranged the finance department, -he overhauled the admiralty and the war office, he cut down the -expenses of the Danish legations abroad, he abolished the method under -which titles, places and pensions had been granted, and revised the -collection of taxation. Efficiency and economy were his watchwords; -and had his system been given time to work, there is every reason -to believe that he would have achieved both in the great spending -departments of the state. - -This is not the place to write a detailed account of Struensee's -administration,[156] but a brief summary may be given of some of his -principal reforms, because they throw a light upon the character and -career of this extraordinary man. They were planned on the broad -principle of "the greatest possible good for the greatest possible -number," and nearly all of them aimed at benefiting the people at the -expense of vested interests. To appreciate his reforms we have to -remember that the government of Denmark was honeycombed with abuses, -and the peasants were ground down to the level of beasts of burden. -Only drastic measures could remedy this state of things, and those -which Struensee proposed were so sweeping as to amount to a revolution. - -[156] Professor E. Holm of Copenhagen has dealt with it most admirably -in his recent work, _Danmark-Norges Historie_, 1720-1814. - -Perhaps the most important reform he effected was in the administration -of justice. It was decreed that henceforth all men, whatever their -rank, were equal before the law; judges who had shown themselves -corrupt or negligent in the performance of their duties were removed -from their posts, and the delay in hearing trials was censured. A -multiplicity of law courts existed in Copenhagen and the provinces, -which caused great confusion and hindered the course of justice; -these were all abolished, and in their stead a single jurisdiction -was instituted. This reform gave great offence to lawyers, who lost -many fees thereby, but it proved most effectual for the better -administration of justice. - -The civic government of Copenhagen was reformed with a view to -bettering the management of the city revenues and the carrying out of -improvements. The streets were named and lighted, and the houses were -numbered. These changes gave almost as much offence to the burghers -as the abolition of festivals had given to the clergy, for they were -regarded as encroachments on the rights and liberties which the city -had obtained at various times from the Kings of Denmark. But Struensee -did not heed, and routed the forces of bumbledom in the same way as he -had routed those of bigotry. He even aimed a blow at Sabbatarianism, -and forbade the police of Copenhagen to enter private houses without -a warrant, and meddle with what might, or might not, be done by the -inhabitants on Sundays. Heretofore if found working or indulging -in "unseemly merriment" in their houses on Sundays, citizens were -liable to fine or imprisonment--a system which led to gross abuses -of the power of the police, but which was tenaciously upheld by the -magistrates and clergy. - -Other reforms included the abolition of the censorship of the press, -leaving it perfectly free; a regulation aimed at the fraudulence of -trustees; and another to check the extravagant expense of funerals, -which were often so costly as to entail ruin on the family of the -deceased. No abuse seemed too small to escape the eagle eye of the -reformer. - -A royal decree was issued which benefited the serfs. Hitherto they had -been helpless slaves in the hands of their tyrannical masters--the -nobles and landowners; but now they were only required to render -compulsory service on certain days and hours of the week, and the -remaining time was their own. The peasants were also placed under -the protection of the law, and all the privileges that belonged to -ordinary citizens were granted to them. The peasant question was a very -difficult one in Denmark, and it was Struensee's intention one day to -abolish serfdom altogether. But in this reform even he was compelled to -proceed by degrees. - -Another royal decree abolished the salt tax, which had lain very -heavily on the poorer classes, and had caused an outbreak among the -peasantry. The abolition of this tax was most popular, though the -reform was resisted by the nobility. A similar measure was an order -forbidding the exportation of corn to foreign countries, while the -importation from the duchies of Schleswig-Holstein and from one inland -province to another was encouraged. The large landowners had been in -the habit of selling their corn for export abroad at high prices, while -their peasantry were starving for bread. This was effectually checked -by this edict; many thousand loads of grain of every description were -prevented from leaving the kingdom; and, during the severe winter which -followed, were brought from the provincial granaries to Copenhagen, -with the result that flour was sold at half the ordinary price to the -inhabitants. It was also decreed that bread should be sold at the same -low rate to the poor. - -Queen Matilda had probably something to do with the measures for -improving the condition of the poor, for she had great sympathy with -toiling and suffering humanity. A few weeks after the regulations -enforcing the sale of cheap bread, a hospital for six hundred poor -children was established in Copenhagen. In this institution the Queen -took a keen interest, and to cover the cost of founding and maintaining -it a tax was levied on all carriage and saddle horses in the -capital--another device by which the rich were taxed for the benefit of -the poor, a complete reversal of the former order of things, whereby -the poor were ground down for the benefit of the rich. - -Against these beneficial reforms no objection could reasonably be -taken, and whatever the private character and motives of the man -responsible for them, they reflected great honour on his public -administration. But when he came forward as a moral reformer, his -views were more open to cavil. Copenhagen in the eighteenth century -was a very immoral city despite severe penalties on immorality, and -a system of police supervision that interfered with the liberty of -the subject--if the subject were poor. Struensee would have done well -to correct the abuses of the existing system for the suppression of -vice, but he chose rather to abolish it altogether. "Improved morals," -wrote this eminent moralist, in one of his virtuous monarch's royal -decrees, "cannot be brought about by police regulations, which are -also an encroachment on human liberty; for immoral conduct, if it -have no directly injurious influence on the quiet and safety of -society, must be left to the conscience to condemn. The secret vices -which enforced constraint entail are frequently much greater offences -against morality, and constraint only generates hypocrisy." There was -no doubt something to be urged from Struensee's point of view. He had -theories about racial perfectionism, and like many before and since, -believed that artificial selection would produce a higher breed of -men. With these ideas the conventional views of morality seemed to him -superfluous, and his reforms were aimed quite as much against them as -against social abuses. - -For instance, the Danish penal laws directed against illegitimacy -were barbarous; they called for reform, but Struensee swept them away -altogether. He decreed that henceforth illegitimate children should -not rest under any stigma; they were in future to be christened in -precisely the same way as if they were legitimate, and irregular birth -should no longer prevent a man from learning a trade, or carrying -on a business. Mothers of illegitimate children were no more to be -punished--the fathers had always got off scot free. For a long time, -in consequence of these same cruel laws, secret births, child murder, -and the desertion and exposure of new-born infants to the cold had -been common in Copenhagen. To remedy this evil Struensee and the Queen -imitated Catherine of Russia, and established a Foundling Hospital -in Copenhagen,[157] but apparently without any safeguards to prevent -its abuse. It began in a small way. A drawer containing a mattress -was placed outside a window of the lying-in hospital; a notice was -affixed that unfortunate mothers who were unable to maintain, from -any cause, their children, could leave them there, to be taken care -of by the state. This _crêche_ was so eagerly availed of that no less -than twenty-four children were found in it during the first four days, -and the number increased rapidly. The following Sunday, from almost -every pulpit in Copenhagen, came denunciation of the new institution -for foundlings. The clergy denounced it root and branch, as putting -a premium on illegitimacy and immorality, and as throwing an unjust -burden on the virtuous and industrious classes, by compelling them to -rear and maintain the deserted offspring of the immoral and the idle. -But Struensee did not heed. The old order of things, he maintained, -had resulted in infanticide, and wicked waste of human life. And he -held that these children, who had no fault but their illegitimacy, -which was not their fault, might with proper care be reared into useful -citizens. That he might thereby be going against his pet theory of -racial perfectionism, and encouraging the multiplication of the unfit, -apparently did not occur to him. - -[157] Catherine the Great established a Foundling Hospital in St. -Petersburg in 1763, with the aid of the philanthropist Demidoff. The -Empress gave 50,000 roubles towards its maintenance, and granted it -privileges and favours such as no benevolent institution had ever -received before, including exemption from taxation and the monopoly of -the state lottery. - -Struensee followed up this by an attack upon the marriage laws. It -was decreed that henceforth none but the injured party should bring a -charge of adultery. The custom by which persons convicted of adultery -were put in the pillory and preached at publicly by the clergyman of -the parish was also abolished, and all penalties beyond the dissolution -of the marriage tie were forbidden. The table of kindred and affinity -was rearranged, and marriages within certain prohibited degrees were -allowed. The Church disapproved of the marriage of first cousins -(though both Frederick V. and Christian VII. had contracted these -alliances); they were not forbidden, but a dispensation was always -required. This dispensation was now declared to be unnecessary by royal -decree, and the same authority henceforth gave a man permission to -marry his deceased wife's niece, or his deceased wife's sister. This -aroused furious protests from the clergy, but Struensee did not heed, -and further aggrieved the Church by converting two disused chapels into -hospitals for the sick poor. - -Thus it will be seen that, in his zeal for reform, Struensee aroused -against himself the antagonism of nearly every class. The court -officials, the nobles, the clergy, the lawyers, the burghers were -attacked in turn, and all saw their ancient privileges torn away from -them. Under the circumstances, their hostility to the new order of -things was natural, but the unpopularity of Struensee among the people, -whom he sought so greatly to benefit, is not so easy to understand. -That he was unpopular there is no doubt. A good deal of this was due -to the prejudice among the Danes against the German and the foreigner. -Nearly all the advisers who now surrounded the King were of German -extraction, and were dubbed "the German Junto". All grace was taken -from the royal decrees in the eyes of the Danes by the fact that they -were issued in German. It is true the court had been for centuries the -centre of Germanism in Denmark; but the people knew that Christian VII. -spoke and wrote Danish very well, and until the advent of Struensee -all royal decrees and government regulations (except those addressed -to the duchies of Schleswig-Holstein) had been written in the Danish -language. Now, in disregard of the national prejudice, they were issued -in German; and the Danish people regarded this as an insult offered to -them by a German minister. Moreover, it gave colour to the rumour that -the King was for the most part ignorant of the decrees which appeared -in his name, for it was said that otherwise he would most certainly -have framed them in his own language when addressing his own people. -Struensee, who had a contempt for forms and prejudices, and looked -at everything from the broad point of view, excused himself on the -ground that he had no time to learn the Danish language; but even so it -would have been easy for him to have had these decrees translated into -the Danish. As it was he threw away all the popularity he might have -gained from his beneficial measures by wantonly affronting the national -sentiment. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -THE ORDER OF MATILDA. - -1770-1771. - - -A curious commentary on the social reforms of the new regime was -furnished by the proceedings of the court. Extraordinary rumours were -circulated concerning the conduct of the Queen and her favourite, -and though these rumours were grossly exaggerated, still it must be -confessed that Matilda showed at this time a recklessness of public -opinion which was, to say the least of it, unwise. Having regard to the -difficult and delicate situation in which she found herself placed, -a young and beautiful woman, tied to a semi-imbecile husband, and -with a handsome and ambitious man as her adviser and intimate friend, -it surely behoved the Queen to regulate her conduct with the nicest -discretion, and to have in her household only those ladies whose -character was beyond reproach. This was the more necessary as the -sweeping, and on the whole beneficial, reforms which the Queen and her -adviser were introducing were bound to raise up against her a host of -enemies whose interests were more or less attacked--enemies who would -be sure to note any false step she might make to arouse public opinion -against her. Her duty to herself, her duty to her child, and her duty -to her high position all combined to make it imperative that in her -private life she should give not the slightest occasion for enemies -to blaspheme. But acting under the spell of Struensee Matilda threw -discretion to the winds, and even went out of her way in affronting the -prejudices of the staider part of the community. The clergy, already -enraged against the Queen and Struensee for their attacks upon the -Church, were now able to point to the conduct of the Queen and her -favourite as a proof that their strictures were just. - -[Illustration: THE PALACE OF HIRSCHHOLM, _Temp. 1770._] - -Hitherto the Danish court, outwardly at any rate, had respected -Sunday, and the King and Queen had been regular in attendance at -public worship. Now, though the King and Queen went to church -sometimes to keep up appearances, Sunday was purposely selected as -a day of pleasure. For instance, one Sunday at Hirschholm there was -a steeple-chase in the royal park, and the King gave prizes to the -winners. The races attracted a large and disreputable crowd. Nor was -it enough to slight religious convictions; they were openly mocked at -and derided. On another Sunday Brandt was guilty of the folly and bad -taste of delivering a mock sermon from the pulpit in the private chapel -at Hirschholm before the King and an assembled court, who laughed and -applauded. At this exhibition it is only fair to say the Queen was not -present. Naturally these things were repeated at Copenhagen, and the -"revels of Hirschholm" formed a favourite subject of conversation -and reprobation. The clergy fanned the flame of indignation, and many -a covert allusion to Jezebel was heard from the pulpits. Moreover, by -abolishing the censorship of the press Struensee had put a sword into -the hands of his enemies, and before long many scurrilous pamphlets -were sold in the streets, containing the coarsest abuse of the Queen -and her "minion". Caricatures in which the Queen and Struensee were -grossly depicted, and satires after the manner of Juvenal, purporting -to describe the orgies of the court at Hirschholm, were circulated in -Copenhagen, and not only posted on the walls of houses, but even in the -passages of the royal palaces. - -All this popular discontent played into the hands of the Queen-Dowager, -Juliana Maria, who, with her son, Prince Frederick, lived in -comparative retirement at Fredensborg, and sought, by the decorum of -her household and by her regular attendance at public worship, to draw -a contrast between her court and that of the reigning Queen. Juliana -Maria had always been unpopular, but now, though she was not loved, she -was respected, and became generally recognised as the representative -of the old regime, which offered in so many ways a favourable contrast -to the new. She took the place of the Queen-Mother, Sophia Magdalena, -and her palace of Fredensborg became the rallying-place of those who -were discontented with Struensee and his methods. It is quite possible -that intrigues were set on foot at Fredensborg with the object of -overthrowing the favourite, and it is probable that Struensee, who -had spies everywhere, came to hear of them, and in revenge advised -the reigning Queen to treat her brother-in-law and his mother with -discourtesy, which was not only unworthy but unwise. Juliana Maria and -her son were rarely invited to court, and when they attended they were -often kept waiting for some time before the King and Queen received -them, treated with little ceremony, and made to feel that their -presence was unwelcome. Moreover, on the birthday of the Queen-Dowager, -Juliana Maria held her usual court at Fredensborg, but neither the King -nor the Queen attended or sent congratulations, an omission which, -under the circumstances, was very marked. Prince Frederick had been in -the habit of attending the riding-school at Christiansborg, and had had -free access to the royal stables. One morning on presenting himself -there he was curtly informed that no horses could be placed at his -disposal in future, and the riding-school was closed to him, as the -Queen had reserved it for her own use. - -A great deal of this Juliana Maria had brought upon herself by the -scant consideration she had shown to the young Queen when she seemed a -person of no importance, and by the malignant and unjust rumours she -had circulated against her when she first came to Denmark. But Matilda -would have done well to be magnanimous, for these slights provoked a -reaction in favour of the Queen-Dowager. Juliana Maria behaved with -great circumspection. She did not publicly resent the affronts put -upon herself and her son, though she lamented them in private, and -she was careful always to say that she in no way censured the King, -but laid all the blame on the Queen and her favourite. Her hatred of -Matilda deepened, and the most injurious reports which were circulated -concerning the Queen had their origin in the salons of Fredensborg. The -invalid King was represented as living in a state of terror under the -dominion of his Queen and her imperious favourite. He was treated, it -was said, with positive disrespect, if not with cruelty, by the minions -with whom he was surrounded, and Matilda forgot not only her duty as a -Queen and wife but also as a mother. - -This last indictment had reference to the treatment of the Crown -Prince. So far the heir to the throne had come little before the -public, but suddenly there spread throughout the kingdom alarming -rumours of the treatment which he suffered at the hands of his mother -and her adviser, and such was the universal prejudice that these -rumours were generally credited. It was said that the Crown Prince was -neglected in a scandalous manner; he was left to run about the gardens -of Hirschholm in all weathers, insufficiently clothed, with no one -to look after him, and no companions but a boy of low rank; and his -education had not yet begun. He was frequently beaten by his mother -and Struensee, and shut up in an iron cage for hours together as a -harsh punishment; his food was of the coarsest kind, and served in a -wooden bowl, which was placed on the ground. Altogether he was treated -more like an animal than a human being, especially one who would some -day be called upon to fill a high destiny. Even the foreign envoys -heard of this treatment of the Crown Prince, and commented upon it in -their despatches. Gunning, who considered the matter not only from a -political but also from a domestic point of view (seeing that the King -of England was the uncle of the Crown Prince), wrote home in bitter -sarcasm:-- - -"As no step taken in the education of a prince is without its -importance, his nursery may sometimes present a scene not unworthy -of attention. The philosopher of Geneva would hail the dawn of more -enlightened days could he behold (as he might here) the scene of -a monarch left from his cradle to crawl unassisted upon his hands -and knees (like the nursling of a Norwegian peasant) and condemned -to lose his meals, most philosophically concealed, unless he could -discover them by the sagacity of his nose. Such are the maxims which -obtain in the royal nursery of Denmark. The latter instance is no -doubt calculated to sharpen the talent of investigation, a talent -very requisite where the labyrinth of intrigue requires some such -guide."[158] - -[158] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, October 6, 1770. - -Notwithstanding Gunning's authority, these rumours were shamefully -exaggerated, and if they may be taken as a sample of the others -circulated about the Queen, it is very difficult to say of any of them -where fact ends and imagination begins. In this case they were not only -untrue but cruel, for the maternal instinct was always strong in Queen -Matilda, and she was never so happy as when with her child. Moreover, -it was in her interest that the Crown Prince should have his health -guarded in every way, for her position would be seriously affected if -she were no longer the mother of the heir to the throne. The Spartan -treatment, therefore, which the Crown Prince undoubtedly underwent, was -sanctioned by his mother from the highest motives, for Struensee had -persuaded her that it was the training of all others most conducive to -the child's well-being. From his birth the young Prince had been of a -weakly constitution, and had shown a tendency to consumption; he had -been pampered and spoiled by his attendants, with the result that he -would not take the slightest exercise; he was fractious and peevish, -and wanted always to be petted and amused. - -Struensee, who was a believer in the famous treatment of Emile, -changed all this, and urged the Queen to bring up her son as simply as -possible, so that he would grow up to be a strong and a self-reliant -man. The Crown Prince's former attendants were sent away, and he was -given the simplest fare, consisting of vegetables, rice boiled in -water, bread and water, and milk and potatoes; no meat was allowed him. -He wore light silk clothes, and went about bare-footed. He was bathed -twice a day in cold water, and soon became so fond of it that he would -go into the bath of his own accord. He was forced to take exercise, -kept as much as possible in the open air, and made to run about the -gardens in all weathers. His room at Hirschholm was a large one on the -ground floor, some forty feet in length, and on the garden side it was -closed in by an iron trellis-work, which accounted for the story that -the heir to the throne was shut up in a cage. The little Prince had -only one playmate, a boy who was the natural son of one of the court -surgeons, and known as "little Karl". These boys were always together, -and no difference was made between them. They played, quarrelled and -fought as they would, and no one was allowed to interfere with them, -nor were any of the servants about the court suffered to speak to, or -play with, the Crown Prince. This rule was kept very strictly. For -instance, one day, when the little Prince fell in the garden and hurt -himself, Struensee's valet, who was passing, picked him up and tried -to comfort him. For this breach of rule the servant was sent to the -Blue Tower in Copenhagen and imprisoned for some time. The boy was not -allowed on any pretext to take advantage on the ground of his rank. One -day when he and his companion had some quarrel, Frederick asked Karl -how he dared to strike a prince. "I am as much a prince as you," the -other boy answered. "Yes, but I am a Crown Prince," Frederick retorted. -Thereupon the two boys fought till Frederick won the victory. Struensee -heard of this battle royal, and told the Queen, who, when she knew the -cause, insisted on the Crown Prince begging the other boy's pardon. As -Frederick refused to do so, the Queen gave him a whipping. From this -arose the rumour that he was frequently severely beaten. The charge -that he was neglected rests on more foundation. One day during the -autumn of 1770, at Hirschholm, the King and Queen and all the court -went out hunting, and on their return very late the Crown Prince could -nowhere be found. A search was made for him, and he was at last found -lying insensible in the garden half-dead with cold. He was put to bed -with a nurse, who took him in her arms and gradually restored him. The -negligence in this case was due to the servants who had been left in -charge of him, but the blame was laid upon the Queen. - -The incident became known, and so loud and insistent was the popular -clamour that the court physician, Berger, became frightened, and -insisted on some modification of the Crown Prince's treatment. -Henceforth the boy was allowed to wear shoes and stockings, given -warmer clothing, and his room was slightly heated in the winter. -His diet was also made a little fuller; his rice was boiled in -mutton-broth, and he was given meat-soup for dinner. His education, -however, was still left severely alone, and at the age of four he -could not speak any language properly, but only a jargon of Danish and -German, which he had learnt from his playmate. The excuse put forward -for this retarded education was that the boy was far from strong, and -it was the Queen's object to see his health thoroughly established -before she burdened his strength with studies. - -The Queen, as a rule, was indifferent to public criticism, but she -was much hurt at the strictures passed on her for her treatment of -her son, especially those made by foreign courts. It is possible that -some remonstrance may have reached her from England, either from her -mother or her brother, for she had drawings made of the Crown Prince, -showing him with his little rake and spade and watering-can, playing -in the garden, or leaning against his mother, all designed to show how -healthy and happy he was. These were given to the foreign envoys for -transmission to their respective courts.[159] - -[159] Some rough sketches of these little pictures--in -water-colours--are preserved in the royal archives at Copenhagen. - -The best answer to this charge against the Queen is to be found in the -fact that the Crown Prince threw off his early weakness, grew up a -strong and healthy boy, and developed into a vigorous man, who lived to -a sound old age. All through his life the Crown Prince Frederick (who -afterwards became Frederick VI.) was able to endure much more fatigue -than an ordinary man, and he always adhered to the simple and frugal -habits to which he had been inured when a child. - -The King and Queen remained at Hirschholm until late in the autumn, and -then removed to the castle of Frederiksberg, near Copenhagen. Struensee -and Brandt accompanied them in close attendance. Struensee now was a -permanent inmate of the royal palaces, and wherever the court went he -went too--a special suite of rooms adjacent to, or communicating with, -the Queen's apartments were set apart for him.[160] - -[160] The castle of Frederiksberg is not much changed to this day, -and a secret door is still shown which, tradition says, led from -Struensee's apartments to those of the Queen. - -At Frederiksberg the King and Queen lived in comparative retirement, -but as unpleasant rumours were persistently promulgated about the -King's health, Struensee thought it well that Christian should -occasionally show himself in public, and it was announced that the -King and Queen would drive into Copenhagen every week to hold a court -at the Christiansborg Palace. There was a general curiosity to see the -King; but when the court was held he only appeared for a few minutes -and spoke to nobody; the Queen then took his place and received the -company alone. She was much mortified to see how the nobility and their -wives held aloof from the court. But on reflection she could hardly -have been surprised, for not only had recent legislation been directed -against them, but the King had published a decree a few months before -recommending the nobility to spend less time in the capital and more on -their estates. Those who attended court now, outside the foreign envoys -and the ministers and officials whose duties compelled them to be -present, were chiefly the lesser and newer nobility, the professional -classes and even the _bourgeoisie_. It was Matilda's ambition to -have a brilliant court. It was undoubtedly brilliant in the sense of -display, and was largely attended, but the company who came could -scarcely be said to add to its distinction. - -The Crown Prince of Sweden (who afterwards ascended the throne as -Gustavus III.) and his younger brother, the Hereditary Prince Frederick -Adolphus, paid a visit to the King and Queen of Denmark at this time. -The Crown Prince of Sweden had married Christian VII.'s elder sister, -and this was his first visit to Copenhagen since his marriage. As -Struensee's foreign policy was to cultivate good relations with Sweden -as against Russia, every effort was made to receive the princes with -honour. A masquerade ball was arranged for their entertainment, plays -and operas were performed at the theatre, and banquets, concerts and -levees were held every day. Despite these efforts the Crown Prince -of Sweden did not appear to be pleased with his reception, and he -made audible comments on the strange company he met at the court of -Copenhagen. At the masquerade, in particular, almost any one came who -would. He pointedly asked the Queen what had become of the Danish -nobility, several of whom he inquired for by name, and scarcely -concealed his annoyance that they were not present to do him honour. -One day, at the royal table, when he found that two or three of the -wives of the principal merchants of Copenhagen were dining there, he -sarcastically exclaimed, "And are there no Jews and Jewesses here -too?" On another occasion a beautiful lady of the _bourgeoisie_ rallied -the Prince politely for not having acknowledged her obeisance, and -he answered elaborately (in the hearing of the Queen) that he could -not understand how the Swedish envoy had made such an oversight, for -he had strictly ordered him to present every lady of noble rank who -attended the Danish court, and he could only suppose the minister had -forgotten as he had presented so few. These sarcasms were very wounding -to the Queen, and her pride was much hurt. The Crown Prince of Sweden -and his brother treated the King and Queen with studied deference, but -they declined to regard Struensee in any other light than that of a -man of almost menial birth, who might be useful to them politically. -Struensee, who had arrogated to himself a foremost place at the Danish -court, was incensed at thus being put outside the charmed circle, and -vented his ill-humour on the Queen, who was sufficiently mortified on -her own account. It was a relief to every one when the visit ended, and -the Swedish princes betook themselves to Gottorp to stay with Prince -Charles of Hesse, and amaze him and his wife with an account of the -extraordinary proceedings of the court of Copenhagen. This was the only -royal visit paid to the Danish court during Matilda's regime, and it -gave her no taste for others. - -The state of the King's mind made any repetition of this experience -impossible, for Christian VII. was no longer able to play the host to -royal guests. One of the current rumours was that Struensee and the -court physician, Berger, who was his creature, tampered with the King's -health, and gave him drugs which dulled his understanding. Certainly, -when the King appeared in public his dejected air and extreme -indifference to everything that was going on around him gave colour -to the report--which was not true. The fact was that the condition of -Christian by this time had become hopeless; his mind had partly given -way, and the greatest care was taken by the Queen and Struensee lest -this should be discovered. For if the King were proved to be incapable -of governing, what force had the decrees issued in his name? But the -King was declared to be in perfect health, and the fiction of his -absolutism was rigidly maintained. On the strength of this, sometimes, -impudent demands were made upon him, when Brandt was out of the way. - -For instance, one of the King's pages drove his master into a corner, -and said to him, "Your Majesty, make me a groom of the chamber". Nor -would he let the King out until he had granted his request, and the -royal word once spoken could not be recalled. Occasionally the King -aired his authority in a way which his keepers did not approve, and now -and then a ray of intelligence crossed his brain which found expression -in satire, and made Struensee fear that perhaps the King was not quite -so imbecile as he looked. One day Christian, who wished for nothing -but to amuse himself, had been worried to sign commissions appointing -several new conference councillors, creatures of Struensee, who had -little or no qualification for their posts. The King that evening at -dinner kicked his favourite dog "Gourmand," who was lying at his feet, -and asked, "Can you bark?" and when the dog began yelping, the King -said, "As you can bark, you shall be a conference councillor too". -He thereupon rose and proposed the health of "Councillor Gourmand," -to which all present had to drink. He also gave the dog a salary, -which had to be paid regularly from the treasury. Struensee's enemies -regarded the incident as a bitter joke on the part of the King, and -nicknamed the Minister "Gourmand". - -On another occasion when Christian had been forced to appoint a man, -whom he disliked, a chamberlain, he revenged himself by making one of -the palace menials a chamberlain too. The man, whose duty it was to -light the stoves, came into the royal apartment just after Christian -had been worried into signing the paper. "Hullo, my good fellow, -would you like to be a chamberlain?" cried the King. The man grinned -sheepishly, and, to humour his master, answered that he would not -mind. "Very well," said the King, "you shall be one: come with me." -He took the servant by the hand, and led him just as he was, in his -yellow blouse, into the great hall, where the Queen, Struensee and all -the court were assembled, walked him to the middle of the room, and -shouted in a loud voice: "I appoint this man my chamberlain". As the -theory that the King was absolute had to be kept up at all hazards, -the man became a chamberlain forthwith. Struensee, however, hit on a -device next day for getting out of the difficulty, and bought the title -back from the man for the price of a small farm some distance from the -capital, whither he was despatched as soon as possible. - -It was difficult to guard against these _contretemps_, for the King's -condition varied considerably; some days he was quite sane and lucid in -his conversation, so that no one would imagine that there was anything -the matter with him; on others he was to all intents and purposes a -madman. But his keepers never knew when the mania would break out, and -it sometimes showed itself at most inconvenient seasons. One day when -the Queen was holding a levee (it having been announced that the King -did not feel well enough to be present), the door suddenly opened, and -the King, who had managed to evade the vigilance of Brandt, walked into -the room, and waving his hand to the assembled court, peremptorily -commanded silence. The conversation was at once hushed, and the Queen, -pale and trembling, wondered what was coming next. The King, with great -earnestness, recited _The Warning Ode to Princes_, by the famous poet, -Klopstock, a poem peculiarly suitable under the circumstances. When -it was finished, he again waved his hand to the company, burst into a -laugh, and walked out of the room. It was probably after this incident -that Gunning wrote:-- - -"I am very sorry to communicate so disagreeable an article of news -as that alarming reports have been circulated on the subject of his -Danish Majesty's health. Notwithstanding infinite pains have been -taken to conceal or explain away some very unpromising symptoms, I am -apprehensive they have but too much foundation."[161] - -[161] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, February 12, 1771. - -The court had by this time returned to Copenhagen and taken up -residence at the Christiansborg Palace. Struensee now strove in every -way to win popularity for his administration. He was a great believer -in _panem et circenses_, and in pursuance of this policy seized upon -the King's birthday (January 29, 1771) as an opportunity for bribing -the populace. The celebrations rivalled in magnificence those of the -coronation, and were also intended to dispel the idea that the King was -ignored in his own court. A fountain was erected in the palace yard -whence flowed red and white wine, and all who would were allowed to -drink from it the King's health. Sheep and oxen were roasted whole, and -distributed to the crowd; gold and silver medals were struck, and money -thrown to the people. The King and Queen looked down upon the scene -from a balcony, while the galleries which ran round the quadrangle were -crowded with spectators. - -The King's birthday was also made the occasion of glorifying the -reigning Queen, and of rewarding her adherents. Struensee gave Matilda -all the semblance of power, and himself grasped the substance. In order -to identify the young Queen with the revolutionary changes that had -recently taken place, and impressing upon the nation the prominent -position which she now held in the councils of the state, a new order -was established, which was called the Order of Matilda. The Queen was -founder of the order, and the statutes were as follows:-- - - "I. The order shall be called the Order of Matilda. - - "II. It shall be conferred on both women and men. The number shall - never exceed twenty-four, the Queen, its founder, included. - - "III. It shall only be conferred on those persons who deserve - particular attention of the Queen, independently of merit or - services rendered. - - "IV. It is forbidden to ask for the order, and those who act - contrary to this rule will deprive themselves for ever of the - hope of obtaining it. - - "V. Those women or men who, on receiving the Order of Matilda, - already possess the 'Order of the Perfect Union' of the late - Queen-Mother, Sophia Magdalena, shall deliver the insignia of - the latter to the Queen. - - "VI. The order shall be worn with a pink ribbon striped with - silver. The men shall wear it round the neck, and the ladies - fasten it in the shape of a bow on the left breast. - - "VII. On the death of any person decorated with the Order of - Matilda, the heirs are expected to return the insignia to the - Queen." - -The badge of the order was a medallion with the letters "C. M." set -in diamonds, with a royal crown over it and a laurel wreath round it. -The Queen was pleased to confer it on the King, the Queen-Dowager, and -Prince Frederick. The others to whom it was given on the day of its -institution were Struensee, Rantzau, Osten, Brandt, General and Madame -Gahler, Madame de Plessen, who still lived at Celle, and Baroness -Schimmelmann, and Countess Holstein, the Queen's ladies-in-waiting. -The Queen only decorated those who were her avowed supporters, and the -establishment of this order gave her the opportunity of honouring them -in a special and personal manner. But Struensee's enemies declared that -he had invented the order for his own special benefit, inasmuch as he -despised the Order of the Dannebrog, and did not yet dare to take for -himself the Order of the Elephant--the highest order in Denmark. This, -however, was a malicious invention, for Struensee could have had any -order and title he wished, and if he did not take them all at once, it -was because he liked to prolong the pleasure of anticipation. - -The court remained at Christiansborg throughout the winter, and -Brandt, who was now established as a sort of master of the revels, had -the arrangement of all the festivities. His first step was to alter -and redecorate the royal theatre in Copenhagen at great cost, and -arrange a series of operas. For the first time in Denmark, since the -Reformation, performances were given on Sunday, and Sunday came to be -regarded as the gala night at the opera, when the King and Queen would -attend. This gave fresh offence to the puritan party in Copenhagen. -The rearranging of the royal theatre was used as an occasion for -offering a further slight to the Queen-Dowager and her son. They had -hitherto been accustomed to share the King's box, but now they were -allotted one of their own. The Queen-Dowager rarely attended operas, -but Prince Frederick did, and the excuse put forward was that there was -no room for the Prince in the royal box; but when, after protest, he -yielded the point, Struensee and Brandt appeared in the box, and seated -themselves immediately behind the King and Queen. - -Struensee turned his attention to the court, and soon the new -brooms were busily sweeping out this Augean stable of privilege and -corruption. The expenditure of the court was carefully revised, a great -many useless offices, chiefly held by the younger sons of the nobility, -were abolished, and pensions and salaries greatly reduced. The King -of Denmark was burdened with a great number of costly palaces, which -were always in need of repair. None of these palaces was closed, but -the embellishment of them, which was always going on, was commanded -to cease. By order of the late King Frederick V. the building of -a marble church, to be named after him Frederiks-Kirke, had been -begun in Copenhagen, after magnificent designs by Jardin, the French -architect. The building of this church, which had now been going on -for twenty years at enormous cost, crippled the treasury. Struensee, -who considered the building of churches as useless waste, put a stop -to the works, and broke the contracts with the builders. The church -remained half-finished.[162] This occasioned much discontent; the -contractors declared that they were ruined, the architect was loud in -his complaints, artists protested against the vandalism of abandoning -so magnificent an undertaking, and the clergy were scandalised that -the house of the Lord should be left in this condition while large -sums were squandered upon masquerades and play-houses. It is true that -Struensee's changes in the court did not effect much economy, for the -perpetual round of entertainments and festivities organised by Brandt -more than ate up anything that might be saved in another direction. - -[162] It so remained until 1878 for lack of funds, when Tietgen, a -wealthy banker of Copenhagen, undertook the cost, and it was finally -completed in 1894. The handsome copper-sheathed dome is a conspicuous -object in Copenhagen, especially when the city is approached from the -sea. - -To bring money into the depleted treasury, Struensee established a -royal Danish lottery, and it became a most profitable institution, -not only to the court but to the Government. Its establishment was -regarded by many as state encouragement of gambling, which would not -fail to bring ruin upon thousands; but protest was unavailing, for a -mania for gambling seized the citizens of Copenhagen and the people -in the provinces, and nothing was talked of but the lottery, to the -hindrance of regular and honest occupation. Struensee's defence to his -critics was that he did not establish gambling, which already existed -in Denmark; he merely sought to regulate it, and turn the craze to -the benefit of the state. In this, as in many other things, he was -imitating Catherine the Great, who raised money in the same way. - -Struensee closed his programme of court reform by what was in effect -an indirect attack upon the army, though it was really aimed at the -nobility. He abolished by royal decree the two squadrons of Household -Cavalry or King's Bodyguard, who, composed of picked handsome men, were -the flower of the Danish army. Struensee considered them to be useless, -and justified their abolition on the ground of economy; but it was said -that a personal grievance had something to do with it. The officers of -the Household Cavalry were all men of noble birth, and had the right -of coming to court when they liked. Many of them held ornamental posts -which Struensee had swept away. Naturally the officers did not view -these reforms with favour, and they revenged themselves by making -slighting remarks about the mixed company which now formed the court -circle, and ridiculing the more prominent members of it, including the -favourite himself. Struensee stopped this annoyance by abolishing the -Household Cavalry by a stroke of his pen, and gave directions that the -officers, who could not at once be attached to other cavalry regiments, -were to be placed on half-pay; but the non-commissioned officers and -privates received no compensation beyond the option of joining the Foot -Guards, whom they looked down upon and despised. - -A terrific uproar followed the promulgation of this order. The army -declared that it was an attack on the King's majesty and prestige, he -could not be properly guarded without his cavalry. The protests of the -nobles, the clergy, the lawyers, the magistracy had been nothing to -this. The officers at whom Struensee really aimed belonged of course -to a class, but the troopers were from the people, whom he desired to -conciliate. They were very popular among the citizens of Copenhagen, -who were proud of them. Even the Queen was frightened at the din, and -feared that in this measure Struensee had gone too far. Some of her -fear must have communicated itself to him; for when the Horse Guards -were returning to their barracks from the parade, where the King's -order had been read to them, Struensee, who was driving, met them face -to face. The aspect of the soldiers and the populace was so threatening -that, believing a mutiny to be imminent, he fled back to the palace -and hastily summoned the heads of the war department--Gahler, Rantzau -and Falckenskjold. The result was a complete capitulation so far as -the rank and file were concerned. A cabinet order was issued declaring -that the disbandment of the Household Cavalry was only a prelude to -the establishment of a model corps which was to be called "The Flying -Bodyguard". This corps was to be composed of the non-commissioned -officers and men of the two squadrons disbanded, and picked men from -other cavalry regiments. Struensee declared that his only object was -to provide really efficient cavalry, and this he had intended all the -time. Now that the danger had passed he sought to conceal that it was a -concession forced from him by fear. But the rumour of his panic spread -about the city, and it was even said that he had been frightened into -offering his resignation. The rumour was not generally believed, for it -was thought incredible that a man who had shown himself so daring and -indomitable should thus show signs of weakness. - -Struensee recognised that, from the popularity point of view, he had -made a false move, and sought to retrieve it by popularising the court. -Everything now was done for the masses and nothing for the classes. -When, in 1771, spring came (and it comes with a rush in Denmark) the -beautiful gardens of the Rosenborg[163] Castle in Copenhagen, and the -park and gardens of Frederiksberg, outside the walls of the city, were -thrown open to the people, and on Sundays and holidays military bands -performed for their benefit. The King and Queen frequently honoured -the concerts with their presence. They would dine in the palace, and -then mingle freely with the crowd in the gardens, which was composed -of all classes. The grounds of the Rosenborg were especially beautiful -and varied, with shady groves and shrubberies. Often of an evening the -gardens were illuminated with coloured lamps, and refreshment buffets -were erected. Struensee gave permission to the proprietor of the -buffets to open a faro-bank which was much frequented, and the rent -paid for the tables was given to the foundling hospital. Catherine -the Great had done the same thing at St. Petersburg. The clergy again -cursed Struensee from their pulpits; they declared that he turned the -King's gardens into haunts of libertinism, gambling and drunkenness, -and the shady groves and dark alleys into scenes of iniquity. These -charges were greatly exaggerated and fell wide of the mark. Most of the -amusement was quite innocent, and despite the anathema of the Church, -the opening of the royal gardens was the most popular measure of -Struensee's administration. - -[163] Rosenborg, a handsome Renaissance palace with pediments and -towers, was erected by that splendour-loving monarch, Christian IV., -in 1610. It was his favourite residence, and from his death until the -reign of Christian VII. was used as an occasional residence of the -Danish monarchs, who here deposited their jewels, coronation robes and -other treasures. Christian VII. and Matilda never used the Rosenborg -as a residence. It is now converted into a Danish historical museum, -and is full of relics and beautiful things. A visit to it is a most -instructive lesson in Danish history. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -THE DICTATOR. - -1771. - - -When the court removed from Copenhagen to Hirschholm for the summer, -it was officially announced that the Queen was likely again to become -a mother. The fact had long been known to people about the court, -but the publication of it was unduly delayed. Some months before its -announcement Gunning wrote to England: "As no declaration has yet -been made of her Danish Majesty's pregnancy, I have long entertained -scruples with regard to the propriety of mentioning it; but as nobody -seems to make the least doubt of its truth, I am at length convinced I -ought no longer to suppress so important a piece of intelligence".[164] -Extraordinary mystery was observed. The Saxon minister informed -his court that at the last drawing-room held before the Queen's -confinement, no one ventured to inquire after her Majesty's health, -though it was the usual custom. - -[164] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, February 12, 1771. - -The news was ill-received by the Danish people, who had hitherto not -been disposed to judge the young Queen too harshly. Except by the -clergy, and some women, Matilda was more pitied than blamed, and -spoken of with sorrow rather than with anger. But when her pregnancy -was at last declared, and an order issued for prayers to be offered for -her in the churches, many people (even those who had tried to believe -the best) regarded the announcement as a confirmation of their worst -suspicions. The clergy in many instances did not obey the order to pray -for the Queen, and in some of the principal churches in Copenhagen -half the congregation rose up and left the church when the prayer -was read. The Danes, though accustomed to the profligacy of their -kings, had hitherto regarded their queens as above suspicion. The old -Queen-Mother, Sophia Magdalena, had been a model of respectability: -Queen Louise was almost worshipped on account of her domestic virtues: -even Juliana Maria, the Queen-Dowager, unpopular though she was, -on account of her intriguing and vindictive disposition, had never -given occasion for the slightest whisper against her fair fame. When, -therefore, Matilda, who had come to Denmark little more than four years -before, a child-bride with golden hair and blue eyes, the incarnation -of innocence, and who (during the early years of her married life) had -won all hearts by the way she had borne her sorrows, suddenly put aside -her modesty and dignity, surrounded herself with ladies of easy virtue, -and compromised herself with a man of inferior position, she alienated -the sympathies of the people. - -It is true that, even admitting the worst, of which there was no -positive proof, the young Queen of Denmark was only imitating the -conduct of the Empress Catherine of Russia and her predecessors, -the Empresses Ann and Elizabeth. But Russia was a more barbarous -country than Denmark, and the priests of the Eastern Church took a -more tolerant view of breaches of the seventh commandment than the -puritanical clergy of Denmark. Moreover, Catherine conducted her amours -with more discretion than Matilda; her conduct in public was a model -of decorum, however shameless it might be in private; she was careful -always to conciliate the clergy, to respect the rights and privileges -of the national Church, and to be regular in her attendance at public -worship. But Matilda, urged by Struensee, had attacked the rights of -the established Church, and had needlessly shocked the conventions. And -whereas the favourites of the Empress of Russia were puppets in her -hands, the Queen of Denmark was a puppet in the hands of her favourite. - -[Illustration: - -TWO RELICS OF QUEEN MATILDA IN THE ROSENBORG CASTLE, COPENHAGEN. - -(1) THE INSIGNIA OF THE ORDER OF MATILDA; (2) THE WEDDING GOBLET.] - -It must be repeated that much would have been forgiven the young and -beautiful Queen had her favourite been other than he was--had he been -a Dane of good birth, who respected the proprieties sufficiently to -keep himself in the background. Had the young Queen been first, and her -favourite second, she might have gathered as much power in her hands -as she would, and have aroused little opposition except at the court -of the Queen-Dowager, and those whose interests she attacked. She -would certainly have reigned still in the hearts of the people, who -were willing to make great allowance because of her wrongs. But when -her favourite was a German, an upstart, who flaunted his power over -the Queen in the face of the public, and made her do a hundred things -which were not in keeping with her rank as a queen, or her dignity as a -woman, when every one knew that it was he who dictated the new policy -of the King, and used the Queen as a buffer between him and the popular -indignation, when he attacked the national institutions and flouted -the national sentiment at every turn--it is no wonder that a cry of -indignation went up, not only against the minister, but also against -the Queen. - -This indignation deepened when it was announced on July 7, 1771, that -the Queen was delivered of a daughter. Mounted messengers at once -conveyed the tidings from Hirschholm, whither the court had gone -three weeks before, to Copenhagen, and the birth of the princess was -proclaimed in the usual manner from the balcony of the Christiansborg -Palace. Royal salutes were discharged from the cannon on the ramparts -and at the arsenal, and heralds in gorgeous tabards blew a blast of -trumpets from the town hall and the principal church towers. But so -far from the event arousing any public rejoicing, ominous murmurs were -heard among the people, and the free press did not hesitate to abuse -its freedom by more scurrilous articles and gross caricatures. Though -there was no proof, the newborn infant was generally believed to be -the child of Struensee, "who," said his enemies, "had shamelessly -dishonoured the King's bed, and introduced his vile posterity in the -place of the pure blood of Oldenburg". It must be stated here, however, -that even if the Queen's indiscretion with Struensee were admitted, -it was not impossible that the Princess should have been the King's -child, and this was the view taken later by the Queen's most inveterate -enemies. Unfortunately, colour was given to this damaging report by -Struensee assisting with Berger at the accouchement of the Queen; no -other physicians were called in, and all the etiquette usual on these -occasions was abolished. - -With incredible recklessness Struensee chose this time, when his -unpopularity was at its height, and the air full of evil rumours, to -put the crown upon his audacity by seizing the kingly power in a way no -subject had ever dared to attempt before. Struensee's nominal office -hitherto had been that of Master of Requests; in reality he had been -dictator, and governed both the state and the court. But this was not -enough for his boundless ambition; he was no longer content to work -behind the King and Queen, and through his creatures Rantzau, Gahler -and Osten. He therefore induced the King to appoint him (or rather he -appointed himself) "Privy Cabinet Minister," and to invest him with -absolute authority. - -An extraordinary order, signed by the King, and counter-signed by -Struensee, was published from Hirschholm, July 15, 1771, a week after -the birth of the Princess, and copies were sent to every department -of the Government, and the ministers of foreign courts. Briefly, this -document ordained that henceforth all orders or directions issued by -Struensee and signed by him would have the same force and validity -as if they were given under the royal sign manual; and whether the -orders of the Privy Cabinet Minister came addressed to the heads of -departments, or to their subordinates in office, they were to be -instantly and implicitly obeyed. "The cabinet orders issued in this -way," wrote the King, "shall have the same validity as those drawn up -by Our hand. They shall be immediately obeyed." - -This decree, which amounted to a virtual abdication on the part of -Christian VII. in favour of Struensee, was received with consternation -and indignation from one end of the kingdom to the other. At first -it seemed impossible that the King could thus vest any subject with -unlimited power, but, since no other meaning could be attached to the -document, the people declared that it could only have been wrested -from the King by force or undue influence. It was now realised that -from the beginning Struensee had aimed at absolute power. He first -persuaded the King to abolish the Council of State and proclaim himself -an absolute monarch, and then forced him to delegate the whole power -to him as Privy Cabinet Minister. The Danish nation were, in fact, no -longer ruled by their hereditary monarch but by a foreign adventurer, -who had usurped the kingly functions, and, having abolished all -ministers and councils, gathered up into himself every branch of power -and prerogative. The unscrupulousness of the man was only equalled by -his audacity. It was the last straw on the back of the long-suffering -Danes. Hitherto, the agitation against Struensee had been confined to -certain classes; now it represented the whole nation, and not all the -laws he had passed for the benefit of the people, nor all the doles he -had meted out to them, could avail to quell the tempest of indignation -aroused by the publication of this royal decree. Its promulgation at -such a time, within a week of the Queen's delivery, gave credence -to the rumour that the infant Princess was not the King's child but -Struensee's, and it was said that this insolent tyrant, who stopped -at nothing, had already formed a plan of getting the King out of the -way, of marrying the Queen, of assassinating the Crown Prince, and -establishing himself and his posterity upon the throne of Denmark. - -The Princess was christened on the Queen's birthday, July 22, 1771, -under the names of Louise Augusta--the first name having been that of -the King's mother, the second that of the Princess-Dowager of Wales. -The King, himself, stood as principal sponsor to the child, the others -being his brother Prince Frederick, and the Queen-Dowager, Juliana -Maria. Whispers of the current scandal had reached the ears of the -Queen and Struensee, and the choice of these sponsors was a way of -contradicting them. The Queen-Dowager and Prince Frederick were present -at the express command of the King, and dared not disobey. They must -have come very unwillingly, for Juliana Maria had already stated in -private what she afterwards proclaimed in public--that the legitimacy -of the Princess was open to grave suspicion. The child was generally -spoken of by the courtiers as "the Ma'amselle". - -The Queen's birthday and the royal christening formed the occasion -of a further elevation of the all-powerful Minister. With reckless -effrontery, Struensee chose this day of all others for the King to -confer upon him and his colleague, Brandt, the title of Count, the -highest title in the kingdom.[165] No estates were granted to the -recipients of these honours; it was announced that the King had -offered large domains, but Struensee's modesty would now not allow him -to accept this further mark of the royal favour. Both Struensee and -Brandt had received large sums from the treasury, and since Struensee -could take practically what he liked, he probably thought it would -look better to waive any claim to estates for the present. So he made -a parade of his disinterestedness, and contented himself with a brand -new coat of arms, and other outward signs of his new dignity. The coat -of arms must have cost him much thought, for its composition showed -remarkable ingenuity. He symbolised in it every department of the -state, which he now governed as absolute minister. - -[165] Keith's despatch, Copenhagen, July 23, 1771. - -"The escutcheon (symbolical of the state) was divided into five fields, -the centre one of which represented a sailing vessel (the symbol of -commerce) with a crown over it, typical of the monarch and the persons -representing him. The first and fourth quarters displayed four rivers -(exports and imports idealised) on a field _or_, which was the symbol -of Denmark, rich in corn, and Norway, abounding in metal, wood and -fish. In the third and second quarters was a crown surrounded with palm -leaves (the symbol of peace and victory) and two crossed keys (the -image of authority and might) on a field _azure_, which allegorically -typified fidelity and constancy. Below the coat of arms was the royal -crown with the badge of the Matilda Order, surrounded by a laurel -wreath (the symbol of fortune, joy and honour), from which flowed two -rivers running round the chief escutcheon (the state), supported by -two beavers (the representatives of architecture and industry) guarded -by _bourgeois_ helmets (emblems of national armament), counts' crowns -(the symbol of the servant of the state), and an owl holding a key in -its mouth (as allegories of thought and wisdom). Above the whole was -displayed, between two eagle wings (the symbols of power, strength and -victory), a man-of-war in full sail (typical of the navy), and above -this, again, a suspended crown, surrounded by palm branches (the type -of peace)."[166] - -[166] Wraxall's _Life and Times of Caroline Matilda_. - -Struensee had all his life professed the most radical ideas. He had -begun his political career as one who despised rank, titles and -display--and yet he crowned it by framing this heraldic absurdity. He -had the preposterous coat of arms engraved on the seal which he affixed -to cabinet orders; he built himself a magnificent coach, resplendent -with crimson and gold, and blazoned it on the panels. He vested his -servants and running footmen in gaudy liveries of scarlet and white, -and decked them with diamond badges. When Struensee's valet appeared -for the first time in his new livery he fell down the palace stairs, -and in his fall broke his badge and his nose, and the blood spoiled -his finery. On Struensee being told of this ill-omened mishap, he -gave his usual answer to any unpleasant news: "As God wills". This -fatalistic answer also gives the measure of his arrogance, for he had -come to consider himself an instrument chosen by God. Certainly, from -his rapid rise to power, and the way in which he moulded everything -to his will, Struensee may well have believed, with many others, that -there was something supernatural about him, though his enemies declared -that his power came from the devil. At this time, notwithstanding -the universal hatred which he inspired, the Privy Cabinet Minister -seemed omnipotent and his tenure of power assured. So much was this -the case that Gunning, a very keen observer, thought it would be best -to accept the peculiar relations which existed between the Queen and -her favourite, and turn them to the advantage of England. In a long -and important despatch, written nominally for the guidance of the -English Secretary of State, Lord Halifax, in reality for George III., -he described at length the situation at the Danish court, and gave a -detailed description of the principal personages then in power. As his -general view is the one taken in these pages, it is not necessary to go -over the ground again, but the following word-portrait of Struensee may -be quoted; the more so as it is studiously dispassionate:-- - -"Mr. Struensee, the Favourite, ... was bred a physician, and till -within these ten months continued the practice of his profession. -He is supposed not to be destitute of some knowledge, acquired at a -German university, but with respect to any political attainments, -either as they may concern the state of Europe in general, or this -country in particular, he has them almost wholly to make. He is said -to have carried the freedom of thinking as far as any man, but as -his conversation discovers nothing of that vivacity and grace by -which other men in a disadvantageous situation have won their way to -royal favour, it is universal matter of wonder how he has managed to -gain so entire an ascendency over their Danish Majesties. His manner -of treating business is dry and ungraceful. He, however, possesses -a clear and ready conception of things. A great share of natural -confidence, and indifference with regard to the ideas others may form -of his principles or abilities, brings him at once without ambiguity or -affectation to the point in question, so that he is always intelligible -though he may not be agreeable. He appears to have no vanity, but it -is supplied by no small share of insolence. A stronger or juster idea -of this gentleman's character cannot be conveyed than by contrasting -it (the article only of understanding excepted) with that of Count -Bernstorff. The latter was characteristically timid, cautious and -irresolute; the former is bold, enterprising and firm. The Minister -possessed great extent of political knowledge; the Favourite is -uncommonly circumscribed in what relates to this kind of acquisition. -Count Bernstorff displayed great refinement of manners with an easy -flow of eloquence; Mr. Struensee's address is simple, and his way of -speaking inelegant and embarrassed. The Minister's conduct exhibited a -conspicuous example of morality and religion; that of the Favourite is -said to be deficient in both." - -After drawing character-sketches of Rantzau, Gahler and others, -and reviewing the quarrel with Russia, Gunning went on to show how -Struensee might be used to the advantage of England:-- - -"As the Queen of Denmark _is now in full possession of the most -absolute power_, and free from all imaginable control, it were to be -wished that some means dictated by the wisdom of our Royal Master -[George III.] were made use of to give her Danish Majesty a true and -just idea of the importance of a close and permanent alliance between -Great Britain, Denmark and Russia, and prevent her any longer from -seeing a connection with the latter through the medium of personal -resentment, so that the views of this court might be brought back -into their natural channel. Mr. Struensee, in whom her Majesty places -the most unreserved confidence, and whose vast influence with her -is unquestioned, as he is attached to no particular system, might, -with proper management, be induced to forget his personal prejudice, -and heartily to concur in, and recommend, such measures as the court -of Great Britain would wish her Majesty to pursue. This would (if I -may presume to offer my opinion) be more advisable than to attempt -his removal, which, considering the ascendency he has, could not but -be attended with danger. If he was secured, he might easily be made -instrumental to the views of the two courts. But as there can be little -hopes of gaining the other two [Rantzau and Gahler], or if there -were, of any reliance being placed on them, their dismission ought -to be effected. The critical state of the King of Denmark's health -makes it of the last importance, both to the Queen's happiness and -the tranquillity of this kingdom, that she should not, in case of the -regency devolving on her, be surrounded and advised by men so extremely -unpopular and so justly detested as these are universally. I must not -conceal from your Lordship that there is scarcely a single family -or person in these dominions of any considerable rank, property or -influence, who has not been disobliged, disgusted and (as they think) -injured; and whose disaffection, there is reason to apprehend, only -waits for a favourable opportunity of manifesting itself."[167] - -[167] Gunning's despatch, Copenhagen, April 4, 1771. - -Gunning's view did not appeal to the King of England. George III., -a model of the domestic virtues, would under no circumstances enter -into negotiations with Struensee. To do so would be to condone, or -recognise, the position the favourite held with his sister. The -official answer to Gunning's despatch was a note informing him of -his promotion as ambassador to Berlin. George III. recognised his -minister's diplomatic abilities, but it seemed to him that what was -wanted at Copenhagen at the present juncture was a man of action -rather than a diplomatist. He regarded the state of affairs at the -Danish court as impossible to last, and therefore replaced Gunning by -a man personally known to him, who could be trusted to intervene when -matters came to a crisis on behalf of the Queen. The new envoy was -Lieutenant-General (afterwards Sir Robert) Murray Keith.[168] - -[168] Keith's _Memoirs_ have been published, but they do not include -his despatches, now published in these volumes for the first time. - -Keith was a Scotsman. Born in Ayrshire, in 1730, he was the son of a -British Ambassador at Vienna. He was a man of all-round ability, though -he was perhaps more of a soldier than a diplomatist. In early life -he wrote some poems of considerable merit, and on arriving at man's -estate entered the army. He fought at the battle of Minden, and later -was appointed major-commandant of three new companies of Highlanders, -known as "Keith's Highlanders," who distinguished themselves in many -a hard-fought fight. Eventually they were disbanded, and then some -employment had to be found for their distinguished commander. In 1769 -he was appointed British Minister at the court of Saxony, and he -remained at Dresden until 1771, when George III., looking round for -some one whom he could trust, and whose fidelity to his royal house was -undoubted, chose Keith to succeed Gunning at Copenhagen. - -Keith arrived at the Danish capital in June, 1771, shortly before -the birth of the Princess Louise Augusta. He did not take up his new -duties with any zest. "Climate, comfort and society are all against -me," he wrote to his father shortly after his arrival at Copenhagen. -But he found the place "by far a finer city than I had figured to -myself, or had a right to expect from the other Danish towns I had seen -upon the road. The streets are broad, the openings and the squares -spacious, and the palace, as well as several of the public buildings, -magnificent."[169] - -[169] _Memoirs of Sir Robert Murray Keith_, vol. i. - -Keith found the situation dominated by Struensee, and like Gunning (who -had now gone to Berlin) thought that his tenure in power was assured: -"While I am in expectation of his Majesty's orders on this head," he -wrote, "I shall be equally cautious not to court too far or to disgust -this gentleman.... From all I have heard of his character, it seems -assiduous to the greatest degree, enterprising and active.... It may -not be judging too rapidly of Mr. Struensee to suppose that having -laboured so hard to get on the pinnacle of power his chief care may for -some time be to secure his situation."[170] And again: "I shall only -add that if the general opinion here is to be trusted--for hitherto -I have been able to form few opinions of my own--the new Count and -Minister will show himself at any risk, and by all means whatever, as -tenacious of the power he has grasped as he has been daring and active -in attaining to it".[171] - -[170] Keith's despatch, July 10, 1771. - -[171] _Ibid._, July 27, 1771. - -Keith quickly found that it did not depend on the King of England's -orders for him "to court or to disgust" Struensee as he pleased. The -precise degree of intimacy which was permitted him at court, or with -the affairs of the government, was regulated by Struensee himself, and -a line was laid down beyond which Keith could not pass. The Minister, -who probably guessed the motive which prompted George III. to send -Keith to Copenhagen, treated the English envoy with marked coldness, -and would not permit him to have private audience either with the -King or with the Queen. Keith thus found himself checked on the very -threshold of his mission; he sent home a bitter complaint of his -reception at the court of Denmark. He writes:-- - -"Count Struensee, after removing from the court every person of this -country who could give him umbrage, has at last been prompted by his -jealousy of the foreign ministers to make an entire change in the forms -of the audiences granted to them." ... [Here follows an account of how -the Russian envoy had been refused audience.] - -"When I presented copies of my credentials to Count Osten, he was so -civil as to offer to conduct me himself to the audiences at Hirschholm, -_as there was no Master of the Ceremonies_, and I cannot suppose that -the Count foresaw a repetition of the above innovation in my case, -as, on the contrary, he talked with pleasure of the gracious and -even distinguished reception I might expect, being the bearer of the -strongest assurances of the friendship and affection of the King for -both his Sovereigns. For my part, I had no suspicion of such intention, -not being able to figure to myself that any court could pretend to -establish _by surprise_ a regulation subversive of the very nature of -private audiences. - -"When I was ushered into the room, where his Danish Majesty stood -alone, I imagined that the folding doors, which had been opened only -at my entrance, were again shut after me; but during the audience I -found that one, or both, of the doors _behind me_ had been left ajar, -or pushed open, after I had begun to deliver the compliment with which -I was charged to the King of Denmark. - -"I was afterwards carried through several rooms of the palace into -one where, _unexpectedly_, I found her Danish Majesty alone, and -the doors on each side of that apartment stood wide open. But, as -the Queen was supposed to be within a few hours of her lying-in, I -did not judge it proper to make any difficulty with regard to that -circumstance, and therefore delivered the King's letter, accompanied -with the expressions contained in my instructions. It had occurred to -me from the beginning that to retire in the midst of the audience from -the King, or to refuse that of her Majesty _in the apparent situation -of her health_, might be interpreted as disrespectful to one or other -of their Danish Majesties.... When I spoke upon this matter to Mr. -Osten, he was so far from vindicating the innovation that he assured -me in positive terms that none such had been intended, and that the -door of the King's room being open must have been owing to accident. -I have since had good reason to believe that Mr. Osten was either -misinformed in this affair, or not sincere in what he advanced.... -About a fortnight ago Baron Hamilton was sent by the King of Sweden -upon his accession with a compliment to this court, and the audiences -granted to him upon this occasion were _with open doors_.... The affair -now came to a crisis, and, as I was sensible how much my court was -averse from a dispute of this nature, I not only said all in my power -to Count Osten, but, in order to prevent any harsh step being taken, -I offered to wait upon Count Struensee at Hirschholm, to lay before -him in the most dispassionate manner the forms observed by all the -great courts of Europe upon this head, and the impropriety, not to say -impracticability, of excluding all private audiences whatever, which -was evidently the object of the intended regulation. Count Osten was -waiting to see the event of a representation in writing he had just -made to the same effect, but if that should fail he accepted my offer -of visiting the Cabinet Minister. - -"This happened on Wednesday last, prior to our going to pay our court -at Hirschholm, and I cannot tell your Lordship how much I was surprised -at Count Osten's acquainting me the same evening that his endeavours -were unsuccessful, and my intended conference needless, as it had been -declared to him _positively_ that the King of Denmark would abide by -the resolution of granting hereafter no audiences to foreign ministers -with shut doors."[172] - -[172] Keith's despatch, Copenhagen, July 29, 1771. - -Keith soon found that nothing remained for him but to play the waiting -game at the court of Denmark. He was subjected to a form of boycott, -and both at court and the foreign office he was kept at arm's length. -"At the court," he writes, "where everything is carried on with an -affection of mystery, where the Sovereign and the Prime Minister are -equally inaccessible, a foreign envoy is obliged to watch ... the -slightest indications to form a judgment of the system of politics -likely to be adopted."[173] And again he writes to his father -privately: "An intercourse of an hour for once a week with the court, -a formal supper once a fortnight with the fashionable people--make the -whole of my public appearances. And what may form a sure prognostic of -the future society, I can safely assure you that in a residence of two -months I have not been admitted to any one visit that I have made to -man or woman, Dane or _diplomatique_."[174] - -[173] Keith's despatch, Copenhagen, August 31, 1771. - -[174] _Memoirs of Sir Robert Murray Keith_, vol. i. - -In October he writes again to his father: "I am sorry to say that -the climate, society and politics of this kingdom are equally -uncomfortable.... The little of summer I saw was sultry and languid, -August and almost all September rotten and rainy, and the few clear -days we have had lately too chilly to be abroad with pleasure. Five -months of a dismal and variable winter are now awaiting us, with as -little defence against the cold, both of body and spirit, as can well -be imagined. After looking round me with an anxious yet a benevolent -eye for anything that may be called 'society,' or even a single friend, -male or female, I am forced to own to myself that there is not any hope -of succeeding."[175] - -[175] _Memoirs of Sir Robert Murray Keith_, vol. i. - -Shortly after the arrival of Keith at Copenhagen another person -reappeared upon the scene. Reverdil, the Swiss, was recalled to the -Danish court, after an absence of three years. His return was due to -the fact that Brandt had become tired of his position as sole guardian -of the King. Christian VII. was a troublesome charge; he was often -morose and sometimes quarrelsome, and a good deal of friction arose -between him and Brandt, until the latter found his post exceedingly -wearisome. He often left the King in charge of Moranti, a black boy, -whom Christian dressed in uniform and made an inseparable companion. -Meanwhile Brandt amused himself with the beautiful Countess Holstein, -one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting, with whom he had an amour. -Gallantry, music and the dance were much more congenial to him than the -society of the semi-imbecile King. He therefore told Struensee that he -must find some one else to take his place, or at least relieve him in -part of his duties. Struensee was reluctant that Brandt should resign -his position as permanent attendant to the King, for it was necessary -to keep him closely guarded from outside influence. But as Brandt -insisted, after some reflection, Struensee resolved to recall Reverdil, -who, if not his friend, was at least free from any intrigue against his -authority. - -[Illustration: QUEEN MATILDA AND HER SON, THE CROWN PRINCE OF DENMARK. - -_From the Painting at the Rosenborg, Copenhagen._] - -Reverdil was much astonished when he received a letter from Struensee -saying that the King of Denmark desired his return to court, and wished -to resume with him the scheme for enfranchising the serfs, and asked -him to name his own terms. Reverdil demurred a little at first, and -pleaded for time to consider the offer. He communicated with a trusted -friend in Copenhagen, and also asked the advice of Count Bernstorff, -who was living in retirement at Grabow, near Borstel. Reverdil's friend -at Copenhagen sent him a list of persons who had been appointed and -dismissed during Struensee's administration, and gave him to understand -that if he accepted the office he would hold it on a very precarious -tenure. Bernstorff, though greatly prejudiced against Struensee, urged -Reverdil to go, for the King had need of him, and it was his duty to -succour the unfortunate Sovereign. He wrote him a long letter, the gist -of which may be summed up in the following quotation:-- - -"Go to Copenhagen, appear at court, but do not enter into engagements -until you have reconnoitred the ground for yourself. If you can do -good, do not refuse to do it for a country that needs it. May Heaven -grant you merit and glory; but if you see that the means are refused -you, do not allow yourself to be drawn into any subordinate, doubtful -and odious employment, dictated by harsh, dishonest evil-doers. Do not -allow your name to be associated with the names of men about whom the -nation is already weeping and posterity will weep for a long time."[176] - -[176] Letter of Bernstorff to Reverdil, June 9, 1771. _Mémoires de -Reverdil._ - -Reverdil determined to follow Bernstorff's advice, and wrote to -Struensee accepting the post on the conditions that he might return -home when he thought proper, and the King should pay his travelling -expenses both ways. On his journey to Copenhagen, especially in the -duchies, Reverdil was struck with the hatred and odium which the name -of Struensee inspired among all classes. At Schleswig he met the -Princess-Dowager of Culmbach, the great-aunt by marriage of the King, -and the Prince and Princess Charles of Hesse. They all lamented the -terrible state of things at the Danish court, the insolence of the -favourite, and the infatuation of the Queen, and agreed that such an -intolerable state of affairs could not long be allowed to continue. The -thought appears to have crossed Reverdil's mind to turn back, but upon -reflection he dismissed it, and proceeded on his journey. - -Reverdil reported himself at Hirschholm in July (1771). He relates in -his _Memoirs_ that he was received by Brandt, who welcomed him with -effusion, and told him of the King's wretched mental condition, of the -necessity he had of a constant companion, and his desire that Reverdil -should fill the place, since both he and the King had grown weary of -one another. Reverdil listened in silence and without enthusiasm. He -was then presented to the King and the Queen, who received him with -great cordiality. The Queen spoke to him kindly, as, indeed, had -always been her wont, and the King was very civil, nothing in what -he said revealing his malady. Reverdil was invited to dine at the -royal table, and after dinner was admitted to private audience of the -King. Christian made some sort of apology for his abrupt dismissal -of Reverdil three years ago, and threw the blame of it on Holck. The -King's manner and speech were those of a perfectly sane man, and he -appeared to talk quite freely and without constraint. Reverdil had been -told in the provinces that every word the King said was dictated to -him beforehand by the favourites, but no sign of this was visible in -his conversation. The next day Reverdil took a drive with the King and -Brandt. Brandt treated the King with scant respect; he occupied the -whole of the back of the carriage, and lounged out of the window, that -all might see him who passed by. The poor King crouched up in a corner -of the other seat with a sad and frightened air, and seemed glad when -the drive was over. - -Reverdil now entered upon his duties, and remained alone with the -King in his apartments. Before long Christian's mania manifested -itself, despite his efforts to conceal it. His mind began to wander, -and he broke out into rapid and incoherent speech. Occasionally he -would recite lines from _Zaire_, in which he had acted years before; -often he would address Reverdil as "Brandt," sometimes as "Denize" or -"Latour"--two French actors who had been in his service--sometimes -by his right name. Now and then he would vaunt himself, and recall -the fact that he had been greeted like a god by the English nation, -and declare that his glory and magnificence were above those of all -other kings on earth. On other occasions he would become depressed -and melancholy, and belittle himself, saying that no matter what he -did he would never be more than a "little man" of no reputation. He -talked much about his infirmities, and sometimes threatened to commit -suicide. "Shall I drown myself?" he would say. "Shall I throw myself -out of the window, or dash out my brains against the wall?" But this -was only talk, for the King feared death greatly. For instance, one -day when they were in a boat on the small lake round the palace of -Hirschholm, the King said to Reverdil with a look of despair: "I -should like to throw myself into the lake"; but he added as a quick -after-thought: "and be pulled out again directly". He was aware of his -mania, and strove hard to overcome it, but in vain. There were three -marked degrees which he indicated by three German expressions. The -first was: "_Ich bin confus_" (I am confused); the second: "_Es rappelt -bei mir_" (There is a noise in my head); and the third: "_Er ist -ganz übergeschnappt_" (I am quite beside myself). And often he would -declare: "I can bear it no longer". - -The King now talked to Reverdil in German, which, in deference to -Struensee, had become the court language, though, formerly, Christian -had made it a rule that Danish only should be spoken, except to -foreigners, whom he addressed in French. German was never heard at the -Danish court during his reign until the advent of Struensee. Though the -King said little, he had a shrewd idea of what was going on between the -Queen and Struensee. Once Reverdil took up one of the King's books, and -found it marked at the history of Rizzio, the favourite of Mary Stuart. -But the King never showed the slightest symptoms of jealousy or -resentment at the relations between Struensee and the Queen, and, when -he alluded to them, it was to treat the affair as a matter of course. -Sometimes he spoke of Struensee as the Queen's _cicisbeo_, and on -another occasion he asked Reverdil whether he thought that the King of -Prussia had an amour with the Queen of Denmark. "The King of Prussia!" -exclaimed Reverdil. "I mean Struensee, of course," said the King, -thereby showing the mastery which Struensee had acquired over him; for -the King of Prussia, Frederick the Great, had always been Christian's -ideal of a great ruler. - -Reverdil found that the rumours which had been spread abroad of the -revels of Hirschholm were much exaggerated. The conversation and -conduct of the court were quite decent, and, whatever might be going -on beneath, little or no hint of it appeared on the surface. But -despite the extravagance and luxury everywhere visible, the tone was -_bourgeois_. Reverdil says that "the conversation of the company -resembled nothing so much as that of the servants of a large house who -sat down to table in the absence of their master".[177] The _corps -diplomatique_ noticed this peculiarity also, and had a hundred good -stories to tell their several courts of the ridiculous incidents which -came under their notice. As Keith wrote to his father: "This court has -not the most distant resemblance to any other under the sun".[178] - -[177] _Mémoires de Reverdil._ - -[178] _Memoirs of Sir Robert Murray Keith_, October 30, 1771. - -Reverdil gives a curious sketch of the daily life of the court at -Hirschholm. When there was no hunting, the King, the Queen, Struensee -and Brandt, and some of the ladies and gentlemen-in-waiting assembled -at _déjeuner_ between eleven and twelve o'clock, and, if the weather -were fine, the _déjeuner_ was followed by a walk in the gardens and -woods. Struensee gave his arm to the Queen as a matter of course, the -King to some lady-in-waiting whom he elected to honour, Brandt to the -Countess Holstein, and each of the other gentlemen to the lady allotted -him. In procession they paraded the grounds, and frequently would dine -in a summer-house some distance from the palace. On these occasions -etiquette was wholly banished from the royal table. The King and Queen -and the company were waited on by pages, who only entered when a bell -was rung and left immediately they had changed the courses. The Queen -placed herself at table between the King and Struensee, and if the -King's mania asserted itself, as it was apt to do at awkward times, -the Queen would command Brandt to lead him out of the room. Sometimes -instead of the promenade the King would drive out in the same carriage -as the Queen and Struensee. They generally managed to drop the King at -some point where his attendant was waiting for him, and often returned -late at night together, quite unattended. - -Reverdil noticed a great change in the Queen. Formerly her manners -were courteous, affable and winning, and she exerted herself to say -pleasant things, and place every one at his ease. Now she talked only -to Struensee, and ignored the rest of the company. If by chance she -addressed a few remarks to any one else, Struensee was always close by, -and listened to what was said. The Queen was devoted to her children, -especially to the infant Princess. Reverdil had heard rumours of the -Crown Prince's ill-treatment, but he acquitted the Queen of any blame -or neglect; she spent as much time with her children as her position -allowed, and thoroughly enjoyed the happiness of being a mother. On -rainy days, when the court was obliged to remain indoors, the Queen -often appeared in the circle, carrying her daughter and leading her -son, who clung affectionately to her dress. She always loved children. -They were her joy in the hour of her prosperity and her consolation in -the day of her adversity. - - -END OF VOL. I. - - -THE ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY PRESS LIMITED - - - - -TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE - - -Archaic, inconsistent and unusual spellings from the original book -have been preserved in this ebook. Obvious typos have been fixed. The -spelling of many family names in this book varies from the spelling -used in historical documents today. - -In the original book, "Ibid." was used in the footnotes only when the -same source was cited in adjacent footnotes on the same page. In this -ebook, the use of "Ibid." has been changed to appearing only when -adjacent footnotes on the same paragraph cite the same source. This -change is not noted in the details below. - -Details of the changes: - - Table of Contents: - The Preface, Contents, List of Illustrations and the Transcriber's - Note were added. Only Chapters I-XIX were in the original Table of - Contents. - - List of Illustrations and the caption of the illus. facing page 304: - Originally: THE PALACE OF HIRSCHHOLM, TEMP. 1770 - In this ebook: THE PALACE OF HIRSCHHOLM. _Temp. 1770._ - - Page 46: - Originally: love of out-door exercise seemed to show - In this ebook: love of outdoor exercise seemed to show - - Page 221: - Originally: in the corridors and antechambers of the palace - In this ebook: in the corridors and ante-chambers of the palace - - Page 347: - Originally: another person re-appeared upon the scene - In this ebook: another person reappeared upon the scene - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Queen of Tears, vol. 1 of 2, by -William Henry Wilkins - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A QUEEN OF TEARS, VOL. 1 OF 2 *** - -***** This file should be named 51368-8.txt or 51368-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/1/3/6/51368/ - -Produced by Emmanuel Ackerman, University of California -Libraries, Microsoft (scanning) and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: A Queen of Tears, vol. 1 of 2 - Caroline Matilda, Queen of Denmark and Norway and Princess - of Great Britain and Ireland - -Author: William Henry Wilkins - -Release Date: March 5, 2016 [EBook #51368] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A QUEEN OF TEARS, VOL. 1 OF 2 *** - - - - -Produced by Emmanuel Ackerman, University of California -Libraries, Microsoft (scanning) and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - -</pre> - -<div class="chap"> -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<p class="ph2">A QUEEN OF TEARS</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> -<div class="bbox width80"> - -<p class="center"><i>BY THE SAME AUTHOR.</i></p> - -<p class="ph2 center">THE LOVE OF -AN UNCROWNED QUEEN:</p> - - -<p class="center less-width">SOPHIE DOROTHEA, CONSORT OF GEORGE I., -AND HER CORRESPONDENCE WITH PHILIP -CHRISTOPHER, COUNT KONIGSMARCK.</p> - -<p class="center fsmall"><span class="smcap">New and Revised Edition.</span></p> - -<p class="center"><i>With 24 Portraits and Illustrations.</i><br /> -<i>8vo, 12s. 6d. net.</i></p> - - -<p class="center">LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.,<br /> -<span class="fsmall">LONDON, NEW YORK AND BOMBAY</span>.</p> -</div> -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> -<a name="FRONTISPIECE" id="FRONTISPIECE"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 576px;"> -<img src="images/frontispiece.jpg" width="576" height="800" alt="Painting of Caroline Matilda with her handwriting: O keep me innocent, make others great." /> -<div class="caption"><i>After the painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1766.</i><br /><span class="fsmall"><i>Walter S. Colls, Ph. Sc.</i></span></div> -</div> -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> - - -<h1>A QUEEN OF TEARS</h1> - -<p class="center less-width">CAROLINE MATILDA, QUEEN OF -DENMARK AND NORWAY AND -PRINCESS OF GREAT BRITAIN -AND IRELAND</p> - -<p class="center fsmall p2">BY</p> - -<p class="center">W. H. WILKINS<br /> -<span class="fsmall"><i>M.A., F.S.A.</i></span></p> - -<p class="center fsmall less-width"><i>Author of “The Love of an Uncrowned Queen,” and “Caroline the Illustrious, -Queen Consort of George II.”</i></p> - -<p class="center p2">WITH ILLUSTRATIONS</p> - -<p class="center p2">IN TWO VOLUMES<br /> -<span class="smcap">Vol. I.</span></p> - -<p class="center p2">LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.<br /> -<span class="fsmall">39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON<br /> -NEW YORK AND BOMBAY<br /> -1904</span> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v"></a>[Pg v]</span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE</h2> - - -<p>Some years ago, when visiting Celle in connection -with a book I was writing on Sophie Dorothea, -<i>The Love of an Uncrowned Queen</i>, I found, in -an unfrequented garden outside the town, a grey -marble monument of unusual beauty. Around the -base ran an inscription to the effect that it was -erected in loving memory of Caroline Matilda, Queen -of Denmark and Norway, Princess of Great Britain -and Ireland, who died at Celle in 1775, at the age -of twenty-three years. To this may be traced the -origin of this book, for until I saw the monument -I had not heard of this English Princess—a sister -of George III. The only excuse to be offered for -this ignorance is that it is shared by the great -majority of Englishmen. For though the romantic -story of Caroline Matilda is known to every Dane—she -is the Mary Stuart of Danish history—her -name is almost forgotten in the land of her birth, -and this despite the fact that little more than a -century ago her imprisonment nearly led to a war -between England and Denmark.</p> - -<p>Inquiry soon revealed the full measure of my -ignorance. The dramatic tale of Queen Caroline<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi"></a>[Pg vi]</span> -Matilda and her unhappy love for Struensee, her -Prime Minister, has been told in Danish, German, -French and English in a variety of ways. Apart -from history and biography, it has formed the theme -of novels and plays, and even of an opera. The -most trustworthy works on the Queen and Struensee -are written in Danish, a language not widely read. -In English nothing of importance has been written -about her for half a century,<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> and, owing to the fact -that many documents, then inaccessible, have since -become available, the books are necessarily incomplete, -and most of them untrustworthy. Moreover, -they have been long out of print.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> I except Dr. A. W. Ward’s contribution to the <i>Dictionary of -National Biography</i>, but this is necessarily brief. A list of the books -which have been written about the Queen in different languages will -be found in the Appendix.</p></div> - -<p>My object, therefore, in writing this book has -been to tell once more the story of this forgotten -“daughter of England” in the light of recent historical -research. I may claim to have broken fresh -ground. The despatches of Titley, Cosby, Gunning, -Keith and Woodford (British Ministers at Copenhagen, -1764-1775) and others, quoted in this book, -are here published for the first time in any language. -They yield authoritative information concerning the -Queen’s brief reign at the Danish court, and the -character of the personages who took part, directly or -indirectly, in the palace revolution of 1772. Even -Professor E. Holm, of Copenhagen, in his admirable -work, <i>Danmark-Norges Historie</i> (published in 1902), -vol. iv. of which deals with the Matilda-Struensee<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii"></a>[Pg vii]</span> -period, is ignorant of these important despatches, -which I found two years ago in the State Paper -Office, London. To these are added many documents -from the Royal Archives at Copenhagen; -most of them, it is true, have been published in the -Danish, but they are unknown to English readers. -I have also, in connection with this book, more -than once visited Denmark, and have had access -to the Royal Archives at Copenhagen, and to the -palaces in which the Queen lived during her unhappy -life at the Danish court. I have followed -her to Kronborg, where she was imprisoned, and -to Celle, in Germany, where she died in exile. My -researches at this latter place may serve to throw -light on the closing (and little-known) years of the -Queen’s brief life. She rests at Celle by the side of -her ancestress, Sophie Dorothea, whose life in many -ways closely resembled her own.</p> - -<p>A word of explanation is perhaps necessary for -the first few chapters of this book. In all the biographies -of Caroline Matilda written in any language, -her life in England before her marriage has received -scant consideration, probably on account of her extreme -youth. As her parentage and education were -largely responsible for the mistakes of her later years, -I have sketched, with some detail, the characters of -her father and mother, and her early environment. -This plan has enabled me to describe briefly the -English court from the death of Queen Caroline to -the accession of George III., and so to form a link -with my other books on the House of Hanover.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii"></a>[Pg viii]</span></p> - -<p>My thanks are due to Miss Hermione Ramsden -for kindly translating for me sundry documents from -the Danish; to Mr. Louis Bobé, of Copenhagen, for -much interesting information; and to the Editor of -the <i>Nineteenth Century and After</i> for allowing me to -re-publish certain passages from an article I recently -contributed to that review on Augusta, Princess of -Wales. I must also thank the Earl of Wharncliffe -for permitting me to reproduce the picture of Lord -Bute at Wortley Hall, and Count Kielmansegg -for similar permission with regard to the portrait of -Madame de Walmoden at Gülzow.</p> - -<p class="right"> -W. H. WILKINS.<br /> -</p> - -<p> -<i>November, 1903.</i><br /> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix"></a>[Pg ix]</span></p> - - - -<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS</h2> - -<table id="ToC" summary="Table of Contents"> -<tr><th></th><th class="tdr"><span class="smcap">page</span></th></tr> - -<tr><td class="padtop"><a href="#PREFACE"><span class="smcap correction" title="Added by transcriber.">Preface</span></a></td><td class="tdr padtop"><a href="#Page_v">v</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="padtop"><a href="#CONTENTS"><span class="smcap correction" title="Added by transcriber.">Contents</span></a></td><td class="tdr padtop"><a href="#Page_ix">ix</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="padtop"><a href="#LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS"><span class="smcap correction" title="Added by transcriber.">List of Illustrations</span></a></td><td class="tdr padtop"><a href="#Page_xi">xi</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdc padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.</a></td><td class="padtop"></td></tr> -<tr><td><span class="smcap">Birth and Parentage</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdc padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.</a></td><td class="padtop"></td></tr> -<tr><td><span class="smcap">Childhood and Youth</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdc padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.</a></td><td class="padtop"></td></tr> -<tr><td><span class="smcap">The Betrothal</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_35">35</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdc padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.</a></td><td class="padtop"></td></tr> -<tr><td><span class="smcap">The Training of a King</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_52">52</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdc padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.</a></td><td class="padtop"></td></tr> -<tr><td>“<span class="smcap">The Northern Scamp</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_70">70</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdc padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.</a></td><td class="padtop"></td></tr> -<tr><td><span class="smcap">Matilda’s Arrival in Denmark</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_84">84</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdc padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.</a></td><td class="padtop"></td></tr> -<tr><td><span class="smcap">Mariage à la Mode</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_106">106</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdc padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.</a></td><td class="padtop"></td></tr> -<tr><td><span class="smcap">At the Court of Denmark</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_124">124</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdc padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.</a></td><td class="padtop"></td></tr> -<tr><td><span class="smcap">The Birth of a Prince</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_138">138</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdc padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.</a></td><td class="padtop"></td></tr> -<tr><td><span class="smcap">Christian VII. in England</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_152">152</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdc padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.</a></td><td class="padtop"></td></tr> -<tr><td><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x"></a>[Pg x]</span><span class="smcap">The Prodigal’s Return</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_175">175</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdc padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</a></td><td class="padtop"></td></tr> -<tr><td><span class="smcap">Struensee</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_193">193</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdc padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.</a></td><td class="padtop"></td></tr> -<tr><td><span class="smcap">The Tempter</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_209">209</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdc padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.</a></td><td class="padtop"></td></tr> -<tr><td><span class="smcap">The Queen’s Folly</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_228">228</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdc padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.</a></td><td class="padtop"></td></tr> -<tr><td><span class="smcap">The Fall of Bernstorff</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_251">251</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdc padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.</a></td><td class="padtop"></td></tr> -<tr><td><span class="smcap">Queen and Empress</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_265">265</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdc padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.</a></td><td class="padtop"></td></tr> -<tr><td><span class="smcap">The Reformer</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_280">280</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdc padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.</a></td><td class="padtop"></td></tr> -<tr><td><span class="smcap">The Order of Matilda</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_303">303</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdc padtop"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.</a></td><td class="padtop"></td></tr> -<tr><td><span class="smcap">The Dictator</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_328">328</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="padtop"><a href="#TRANSCRIBERS_NOTE"><span class="smcap correction" title="Added by transcriber.">Transcriber’s Note</span></a></td><td class="padtop"></td></tr> -</table> -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi"></a>[Pg xi]</span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS" id="LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS"></a>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> - -<table id="LoI" summary="List of Illustrations"> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">Queen Matilda</span> (<i>Photogravure</i>). <i>From the Painting by -Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1766</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom"><a href="#FRONTISPIECE"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">Leicester House, where Queen Matilda was Born</span></td><td class="tdr tdbottom"><i>Facing page</i> <a href="#i004">4</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">Frederick, Prince of Wales, Father of Queen -Matilda.</span> <i>From the Painting by J. B. Vanloo at -Warwick Castle, by permission of the Earl of -Warwick</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i014">14</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">Madame de Walmoden, Countess of Yarmouth.</span> -<i>From the Painting at Gülzow by permission of -Count Kielmansegg</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i024">24</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">John, Earl of Bute.</span> <i>From the Painting by Sir Joshua -Reynolds at Wortley Hall, by permission of the Earl -of Wharncliffe</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i036">36</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">The Elder Children of Frederick and Augusta, -Prince and Princess of Wales, Playing in Kew -Gardens.</span> <i>From a Painting, temp. 1750</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i050">50</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">Queen Louise, Consort of Frederick V. of Denmark -and Daughter of George II. of England.</span> <i>From -a Painting by Pilo in the Frederiksborg Palace</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i062">62</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">King Christian VII.</span> <i>From the Painting by P. Wichman, -1766</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i076">76</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">Kew Palace, where Queen Matilda passed much -of her Girlhood.</span> <i>From an Engraving, temp. 1751</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i090">90</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">The Marriage Ball of Christian VII. and Queen -Matilda in the Christiansborg Palace.</span> <i>From -a Contemporary Print</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i104">104</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">The Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen.</span> <i>From an -Old Print, temp. 1768</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii"></a>[Pg xii]</span>" " <a href="#i120">120</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">Edward, Duke of York, Brother of Queen Matilda.</span> -<i>From the Painting by G. H. Every</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i132">132</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">Queen Matilda Receiving the Congratulations of -the Court on the Birth of the Crown Prince -Frederick.</span> <i>From a Contemporary Print</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i142">142</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">Carlton House, Pall Mall, the Residence of the -Princess-Dowager of Wales.</span> <i>From a Print, temp. -1765</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i156">156</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">The Masked Ball given by Christian VII. at the -Opera House, Haymarket.</span> <i>From the “Gentleman’s -Magazine,” 1768</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i172">172</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">The Palace of Frederiksborg, from the Garden -Terrace.</span> <i>From an Engraving, temp. 1768</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i180">180</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">William Henry, Duke of Gloucester, Brother of -Queen Matilda.</span> <i>From the Painting by H. W. -Hamilton, 1771</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i190">190</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">Struensee.</span> <i>From an Engraving, 1771</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i206">206</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">Queen Sophia Magdalena, Grandmother of Christian -VII.</span></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i226">226</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">Augusta, Princess of Wales, Mother of Queen -Matilda.</span> <i>After a Painting by F. B. Vanloo</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i244">244</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">George III., Brother of Queen Matilda.</span> <i>From a -Painting by Allan Ramsay (1767) in the National -Portrait Gallery</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i264">264</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">The Frederiksberg Palace, near Copenhagen.</span> <i>From -a Print, temp. 1770</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i282">282</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">The Palace of Hirschholm.</span> <span class="correction" title="In the original book: TEMP. 1770"><i>Temp. 1770</i></span></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i304">304</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">Two Relics of Queen Matilda in the Rosenborg -Castle, Copenhagen. (1) The Insignia of the -Order of Matilda; (2) The Wedding Goblet</span></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i330">330</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="hang"><span class="smcap">Queen Matilda and her Son, the Crown Prince of -Denmark.</span> <i>From the Painting at the Rosenborg, -Copenhagen</i></td><td class="tdr tdbottom">" " <a href="#i348">348</a></td></tr> - -</table> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1"></a>[Pg 1]</span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> - -<p class="center">BIRTH AND PARENTAGE.</p> - -<p class="center">1751.</p> - - -<p>Caroline Matilda, Queen of Denmark and Norway, -Princess of Great Britain and Ireland (a -sister of George III.), was born at Leicester House, -London, on Thursday, July 22, 1751. She was the -ninth and youngest child of Frederick Prince of -Wales and of his wife Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, and -came into the world a little more than four months -after her father’s death. There is a Scandinavian -superstition to the effect that children born fatherless -are heirs to misfortune. The life of this “Queen -of Tears” would seem to illustrate its truth.</p> - -<p>Caroline Matilda inherited many of her father’s -qualities, notably his warm, emotional temperament, -his desire to please and his open-handed liberality. -Both in appearance and disposition she resembled -her father much more than her mother. Some -account of this Prince is therefore necessary for a -right understanding of his daughter’s character, for, -though she was born after his death, the silent forces -of heredity influenced her life.</p> - -<p>Frederick Prince of Wales was the elder son<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2"></a>[Pg 2]</span> -of George II. and of his consort Caroline of -Ansbach. He was born in Hanover during the -reign of Queen Anne, when the prospects of his -family to succeed to the crown of England were -doubtful, and he did not come to England until -he was in his twenty-second year and his father -had reigned two years. He came against the will -of the King and Queen, whose cherished wish was -that their younger son William Duke of Cumberland -should succeed to the English throne, and -the elder remain in Hanover. The unkindness -with which Frederick was treated by his father -had the effect of driving him into opposition to -the court and the government. He had inherited -from his mother many of the graces that go to -captivate the multitude, and he soon became -popular. Every cast-off minister, every discontented -politician, sought the Prince of Wales, and -found in him a ready weapon to harass the -government and wound the King. The Prince -had undoubted grievances, such as his restricted -allowance and the postponement of his marriage -to a suitable princess. For some years after -Frederick’s arrival in England the King managed -to evade the question of the marriage, but at last, -owing chiefly to the clamour of the opposition, he -reluctantly arranged a match between the Prince of -Wales and Augusta, daughter of the reigning Duke -of Saxe-Gotha.</p> - -<p>The bride-elect landed at Greenwich in April, -1736, and, two days after her arrival, was married<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3"></a>[Pg 3]</span> -to Frederick at the Chapel Royal, St. James’s. The -Princess was only seventeen years of age and could -not speak a word of English. She was tall and -slender, with an oval face, regular features, bright, -intelligent eyes, and an abundance of light-brown -hair. Frederick’s marriage did not make him on -better terms with his parents, and in this family -quarrel the Princess, who soon showed that she -possessed more than usual discretion, sided with her -husband. The disputes between the King and the -Prince of Wales culminated in an open act of revolt -on the part of the latter, when, with incredible folly, -he carried off his wife, on the point of her first -lying-in, from Hampton Court to St. James’s. Half -an hour after her arrival in London the Princess -was delivered of a girl child, Augusta, who later in -life became Duchess of Brunswick. The King was -furious at this insubordination, and as soon as the -Princess was sufficiently recovered to be moved, he -sent his son a message ordering him to quit St. -James’s with all his household. The Prince and -Princess went to Kew, where they had a country -house; and for a temporary London residence -(while Carlton House, which the Prince had bought, -was being repaired) they took Norfolk House, St. -James’s Square.</p> - -<p>A few weeks after this rupture the illustrious -Queen Caroline died, to the great grief of the King -and the nation. Her death widened the breach in -the royal family, for the King considered that his -son’s undutiful conduct had hastened his mother’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4"></a>[Pg 4]</span> -death. Frederick now ranged himself in open opposition -to the King and the government, and gathered -around him the malcontent politicians, who saw in -Walpole’s fall, or Frederick’s accession to the throne, -their only chance of rising to power. The following -year, 1738, a son and heir (afterwards George III.) -was born to the Prince and Princess of Wales at -Norfolk House. This event strengthened the position -of the Prince, especially as the King’s health -was reported to be failing.</p> - -<p>Frederick removed his household to Leicester -House in Leicester Fields. It was here, eleven -years later, that his posthumous daughter Caroline -Matilda was born. Leicester House was built by -the Earl of Leicester in the reign of James I. -There was a field before it in those days, but a -square was subsequently built around the field, and -Leicester House occupied the north-east corner of -what was then Leicester Fields, but is now known -as Leicester Square. It was a large and spacious -house, with a courtyard in front, and the state rooms -were admirably adapted for receptions and levees, but -as a residence it was not so satisfactory. Frederick -chiefly made use of Carlton House and Kew for his -family life, and kept Leicester House for entertaining. -His court there offered a curious parallel to -the one his father had held within the same walls -in the reign of George I., when the heir to the -throne was also at variance with the King. Again -Leicester House became the rallying place of the -opposition, again its walls echoed with the sound<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5"></a>[Pg 5]</span> -of music and dance, again there flocked to its -assemblies ladies of beauty and fashion, elegant -beaux, brilliant wits, politicians and pamphleteers. -Frederick’s intelligence has been much abused, but -he was intelligent enough to gather around him at -this time much of what was best in the social life -of the day, and his efforts were ably seconded by -his clever and graceful wife.</p> - -<a name="i004" id="i004"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 800px;"> -<img src="images/page004.jpg" width="800" height="582" alt="Leicester House, where Queen Matilda was born." /> -<div class="caption">LEICESTER HOUSE, WHERE QUEEN MATILDA WAS BORN.</div> -</div> - -<p>After the fall of Walpole several of the Prince’s -friends took office, and a formal, though by no -means cordial, reconciliation was patched up between -the King and the Heir Apparent, but there -was always veiled hostility between them, and -from time to time their differences threatened to -become acute. For instance, after the Jacobite -rising the Prince of Wales disapproved of the -severities of his brother, the Duke of Cumberland, -“the butcher of Culloden,” and showed his displeasure -in no unequivocal manner. When the -Jacobite peers were condemned to death the Prince -and Princess interceded for them, in one case with -success. Lady Cromartie, after petitioning the -King in vain for her husband’s life, made a personal -appeal, as a wife and mother, to the Princess of -Wales, and brought her four children to plead with -her as well. The Princess said nothing, but, with -evident emotion, summoned her own children and -placed them beside her. This she followed by praying -the King for Cromartie’s life, and her prayer -was granted.</p> - -<p>After the reconciliation the Prince and Princess<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6"></a>[Pg 6]</span> -of Wales occasionally attended St. James’s, but -since the death of Queen Caroline the court of -George II. had lost its brilliancy and become both -gross and dull, in this respect contrasting unfavourably -with Leicester House. Grossness and dulness -were characteristic of the courts of our first two -Hanoverian kings, but whatever complaint might -be brought against Leicester House, the society -there was far livelier and more refined than that -which assembled at St. James’s. The popular -grievance against Leicester House was that it was -too French. France was just then very unpopular -in England, and the British public did not like the -French tastes of the Prince of Wales—the masques -imitated from Versailles, the French plays acted by -French players and the <i>petits soupers</i>. High play -also took place at Leicester House, but the Princess -did her best to discourage this. In the other -frivolities which her husband loved she acquiesced, -more for the sake of keeping her influence over -him than because she liked them. Her tastes were -simple, and her tendencies puritanical.</p> - -<p>At Kew the Prince and Princess of Wales led a -quieter life, and here the influence of the Princess -was in the ascendant. Kew House was an old-fashioned, -low, rambling house, which the Prince -had taken on a long lease from the Capel family. -The great beauty of Kew lay in its extensive garden, -which was improved and enlarged by Frederick. -He built there orangeries and hothouses after the -fashion of Herrenhausen, and filled them with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7"></a>[Pg 7]</span> -exotics. Both Frederick and his wife had a love -of gardening, and often worked with their children -in the grounds, and dug, weeded and planted to -their hearts’ content. Sometimes they would compel -their guests to lend a hand as well. Bubb -Dodington tells how he went down to Kew on a -visit, accompanied by several lords and ladies, and -they were promptly set to work in the garden, -probably to their disgust. Dodington’s diary contains -the following entries:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“<i>1750, February 27.</i>—Worked in the new -walk at Kew.</p> - -<p>“<i>1750, February 28.</i>—All of us, men, women -and children, worked at the same place. A cold -dinner.”<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Bubb Dodington’s <i>Diary</i>, edition 1784.</p></div> - -<p>It was like Frederick’s monkeyish humour to make -the portly and pompous Dodington work in his -garden; no doubt he hugely enjoyed the sight. -The Prince’s amusements were varied, if we may -judge from the following account by Dodington:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“<i>1750, June 28.</i>—Lady Middlesex, Lord -Bathurst, Mr. Breton and I waited on their Royal -Highnesses to Spitalfields to see the manufactory -of silk, and to Mr. Carr’s shop in the morning. In -the afternoon the same company, with Lady Torrington -in waiting, went in private coaches to -Norwood Forest to see a settlement of gypsies. -We returned and went to Bettesworth the conjurer, -in hackney coaches. Not finding him we went in -search of the little Dutchman, but were disappointed;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8"></a>[Pg 8]</span> -and concluded the particularities of this day by -supping with Mrs. Cannon, the Princess’s midwife.”<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Bubb Dodington’s <i>Diary</i>, edition 1784.</p></div> - -<p>These, it must be admitted, were not very intellectual -amusements. On the other hand it stands -to Frederick’s credit that he chose as his personal -friends some of the ablest men of the day, and found -delight and recreation in their society. Between -him and Bolingbroke there existed the warmest -sympathy. When Bolingbroke came back to England -after Walpole’s fall, he renewed his friendship -with Frederick, and often paced with him and the -Princess through the gardens and shrubberies of -their favourite Kew, while he waxed eloquent over -the tyranny of the Whig oligarchy, which kept the -King in thrall, and held up before them his ideal -of a patriot king. Both the Prince and Princess -listened eagerly to Bolingbroke’s theories, and in -after years the Princess instilled them into the mind -of her eldest son. Chesterfield and Sir William -Wyndham also came to Kew sometimes, and here -Frederick and Augusta exhibited with just pride -their flower-beds to Pope, who wrote of his -patron—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">And if yet higher the proud list should end</div> -<div class="verse">Still, let me add, no follower, but a friend.</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>The Prince not only sought the society of men -of letters, but made some attempts at authorship -himself. His verse was not very remarkable; the -best perhaps was the poem addressed to the Princess -beginning:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9"></a>[Pg 9]</span></p> - -<div class="poetry-container"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">’Tis not the liquid brightness of those eyes,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">That swim with pleasure and delight;</div> -<div class="verse">Nor those heavenly arches which arise</div> -<div class="verse indent2">O’er each of them, to shade their light:</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>and so on through five stanzas of praise of Augusta’s -charms, until:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">No,—’tis that gentleness of mind, that love</div> -<div class="verse indent2">So kindly answering my desire;</div> -<div class="verse">That grace with which you look, and speak, and move,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">That thus has set my soul on fire.</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>Perhaps it was of these lines that the Prince once -asked Lord Poulett his opinion. “Sir,” replied that -astute courtier, “they are worthy of your Royal -Highness.”</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding his admiration of his wife, -Frederick was not faithful to her. But it may -be doubted whether, after his marriage, he indulged -in any serious intrigue, and his flirtations -were probably only tributes offered to the shrine -of gallantry after the fashion of the day. In every -other respect he was a good husband. He was -also a devoted father, a kind master to his servants, -and a true friend. In his public life he always -professed a love of liberty. To a deputation of -Quakers he once delivered the following answer: -“As I am a friend to liberty in general, and to -toleration in particular, I wish you may meet with -all proper favour, but, for myself, I never gave my -vote in parliament, and to influence my friends, or -direct my servants, in theirs, does not become my -station. To leave them entirely to their own consciences -and understandings, is a rule I have hitherto -prescribed to myself, and purpose through life to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10"></a>[Pg 10]</span> -observe.” “May it please the Prince of Wales,” -rejoined the Quaker at the head of the deputation, -“I am greatly affected with thy excellent notions of -liberty, and am more pleased with the answer thou -hast given us, than if thou hadst granted our request.”</p> - -<p>Frederick avowed a great love for the country -over which he one day hoped to reign; and, though -French in his tastes rather than English, he did all -in his power to encourage the national sentiment. -For instance, it is recorded on one of his birthdays: -“There was a very splendid appearance of the -nobility and gentry and their ladies at Leicester -House, and his Royal Highness observing some -lords to wear French stuffs, immediately ordered -the Duke of Chandos, his Groom of the Stole, to -acquaint them, and his servants in general, that after -that day he should be greatly displeased to see them -appear in any French manufacture”.<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> <i>The Annual Register</i>, January, 1748.</p></div> - -<p>Moreover, he instilled in the minds of his -children the loftiest sentiments of patriotism. In -view of the German predilections of his father -and grandfather the training which Frederick gave -his children, especially his eldest son, had much to -do in after years with reconciling the Tory and -Jacobite malcontents to the established dynasty. -The wounds occasioned by the rising of 1745 were -still bleeding, but the battle of Culloden had extinguished -for ever the hopes of the Stuarts, and -many of their adherents were casting about for a -pretext of acquiescing in the inevitable. These<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11"></a>[Pg 11]</span> -Frederick met more than half way. He was not -born in England (neither was Charles Edward), but -his children were, and he taught them to consider -themselves Englishmen and not Germans, and to -love the land of their birth. His English sentiments -appear again and again in his letters and -speeches. They crop up in some verses which he -wrote for his children to recite at their dramatic -performances. On one occasion the piece selected -for representation was Addison’s play of <i>Cato</i>, in -which Prince George, Prince Edward, and the Princesses -Augusta and Elizabeth took part. Frederick -wrote a prologue and an epilogue; the prologue was -spoken by Prince George. After a panegyric on -liberty the future King went on to say:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Should this superior to my years be thought,</div> -<div class="verse">Know—’tis the first great lesson I was taught.</div> -<div class="verse">What! though a boy! it may with pride be said</div> -<div class="verse">A boy—in England born, in England bred;</div> -<div class="verse">Where freedom well becomes the earliest state,</div> -<div class="verse">For there the laws of liberty innate—etc., etc.</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>There came an echo of this early teaching years -later when George III. wrote into the text of his -first speech to parliament the memorable words: -“Born and educated in this country, I glory in the -name of Briton”.</p> - -<p>In the epilogue spoken by Prince Edward -similar sentiments were expressed:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">In England born, my inclination,</div> -<div class="verse">Like yours, is wedded to this nation:</div> -<div class="verse">And future times, I hope, will see</div> -<div class="verse"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12"></a>[Pg 12]</span>Me General in reality.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a></div> -<div class="verse">Indeed, I wish to serve this land,</div> -<div class="verse">It is my father’s strict command;</div> -<div class="verse">And none he ever gave shall be</div> -<div class="verse">More cheerfully obeyed by me.</div> -</div></div></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Prince Edward, Duke of York, became a Vice-Admiral of the Blue.</p></div> - -<p>We get many pleasant glimpses, in contemporary -letters and memoirs, of the domestic felicity of the -royal household at Kew and Leicester House; of -games of baseball and “push pin,” with the -children in the winter, of gardening and cricket -in the summer, and of little plays, sometimes composed -by the Prince, staged by the Princess and -acted by their sons and daughters all the year -round. “The Prince’s family,” Lady Hervey -writes, “is an example of innocent and cheerful -amusement,”<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> and her testimony is corroborated on -all sides.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> Lady Hervey’s <i>Letters</i>.</p></div> - -<p>Frederick Prince of Wales died suddenly on -March 20, 1751, to the great grief of his wife -and children, and the consternation of his political -adherents. The Prince had been suffering from -a chill, but no one thought that there was any -danger. On the eighth day of his illness, in the -evening, he was sitting up in bed, listening to the -performance of Desnoyers, the violinist, when he -was seized with a violent fit of coughing. He put -his hand upon his heart and cried, “<i>Je sens la -mort!</i>” The Princess, who was in the room, flew -to her husband’s assistance, but before she could -reach his side he was dead. Later it was shown -that the immediate cause of death was the break<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13"></a>[Pg 13]</span>ing -of an abscess in his side, which had been caused -by a blow from a cricket ball a few weeks before. -Cricket had been recently introduced into England, -and Frederick was one of the first to encourage -the game, which soon became national. He often -played in matches at Cliveden and Kew.</p> - -<p>No Prince has been more maligned than -Frederick Prince of Wales, and none on less foundation. -He opposed Walpole and the Whig domination, -and therefore the Whig pamphleteers of the -time, and Whig historians since, have poured on -him the vials of their wrath, and contemptuously -dismissed him as half fool and half rogue. But -the utmost that can be proved against him is that -he was frivolous, and unduly fond of gambling and -gallantry. These failings were common to the age, -and in his case they were largely due to his neglected -youth. Badly educated, disliked by his parents, to -whom he grew up almost a stranger, and surrounded -from the day of his arrival in England by malcontents, -parasites and flatterers, it would have needed -a much stronger man than Frederick to resist -the evil influences around him. His public utterances, -and there is no real ground for doubting -their sincerity, go to show that he was a prince of -liberal and enlightened views, a friend of peace and -a lover of England. It is probable that, had he -been spared to ascend the throne, he would have -made a better king than either his father or grandfather. -It is possible that he would have made a -better king than his son, for, though he was by no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14"></a>[Pg 14]</span> -means so good a man, he was more pliant, more -tolerant, and far less obstinate. Speculation is idle -in such matters, but it is unlikely, if Frederick had -been on the throne instead of George III., that he -would have encouraged the policy which lost us -our American colonies. Dying when he did, all -that can be said of Frederick politically is that he -never had a fair chance. Keeping the mean between -two extreme parties in the state he was made the -butt of both, but the fact remains that he attracted -to his side some of the ablest among the moderate -men who cared little for party and much for the -state. Certainly nothing in his life justified the -bitter Jacobite epigram circulated shortly after his -death:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Here lies Fred,</div> -<div class="verse">Who was alive, and is dead,</div> -<div class="verse">Had it been his father,</div> -<div class="verse">I had much rather;</div> -<div class="verse">Had it been his brother,</div> -<div class="verse">Still better than another;</div> -<div class="verse">Had it been his sister,</div> -<div class="verse">No one would have missed her;</div> -<div class="verse">Had it been the whole generation,</div> -<div class="verse">So much better for the nation;</div> -<div class="verse">But since ’tis only Fred,</div> -<div class="verse">Who was alive, and is dead,</div> -<div class="verse">There’s no more to be said.</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>George II. was playing cards when the news -of his son’s death was brought to him. He turned -very pale and said nothing for a minute; then he -rose, whispered to Lady Yarmouth, “<i>Fritz ist todt</i>,” -and quitted the room. But he sent that same night -a message of condolence to the bereaved widow.</p> - -<a name="i014" id="i014"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 566px;"> -<img src="images/page014.jpg" width="566" height="800" alt="Frederick, Prince of Wales, father of Queen Matilda." /> -<div class="caption">FREDERICK, PRINCE OF WALES, FATHER OF QUEEN MATILDA.<br /><i>From the Painting by J. B. Vanloo at Warwick Castle, by permission of the Earl of Warwick.</i></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15"></a>[Pg 15]</span></p> - -<p>The death of her husband was a great blow to -Augusta Princess of Wales. Suddenly deprived of -the prospect of becoming Queen of England, she -found herself, at the age of thirty-two, left a widow -with eight young children and expecting shortly to -give birth to another. Her situation excited great -commiseration, and among the people the dead -Prince was generally regretted, for despite his follies -he was known to be kindly and humane. Elegies -were cried about the streets, and very common exclamations -were: “Oh, that it were his brother!” -“Oh, that it were the Butcher!” Still it cannot be -pretended that Frederick was deeply mourned. A -conversation was overheard between two workmen, -who were putting up the hatchment over the gate -at Leicester House, which fairly voiced the popular -sentiment: “He has left a great many small -children,” said one. “Aye,” replied the other, -“and what is worse, they belong to our parish.”</p> - -<p>Contrary to expectation the King behaved with -great kindness to his daughter-in-law, and a few -days after her bereavement paid her a visit in -person. He refused the chair of state placed for -him, seated himself on the sofa beside the Princess, -and at the sight of her sorrow was so much moved -as to shed tears. When the Princess Augusta, his -eldest granddaughter, came forward to kiss his hand, -he took her in his arms and embraced her. To his -grandsons the King said: “Be brave boys, be obedient -to your mother, and endeavour to do credit to -the high station in which you are born”. He who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16"></a>[Pg 16]</span> -had never acted the tender father delighted in playing -“the tender grandfather”.<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> <i>Vide</i> Horace Walpole’s <i>Reign of George II.</i></p></div> - -<p>A month after his father’s death Prince George -was created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester, -but the young Prince, though always respectful, -never entertained any affectionate feelings for his -grandfather. This may have been due, in part, to -the unforgiving spirit with which the old King -followed his son even to the tomb. Frederick’s -funeral was shorn of almost every circumstance of -state. No princes of the blood and no important -members of the government attended, and he was -buried in Westminster Abbey “without either -anthem or organ”. Of the few faithful friends who -attended the last rites, Dodington writes: “There was -not the attention to order the board of green cloth -to provide them a bit of bread; and these gentlemen -of the first rank and distinction, in discharge of their -last sad duty to a loved, and loving, master, were -forced to bespeak a great, cold dinner from a common -tavern in the neighbourhood; at three o’clock, -indeed, they vouchsafed to think of a dinner and -ordered one, but the disgrace was complete—the -tavern dinner was paid for and given to the poor”.<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> Dodington’s <i>Diary</i>, April 13, O.S., 1751, edition 1784.</p></div> - -<p>Some five months after Frederick’s death his -widow gave birth to a princess, the subject of this -book. Dodington thus records the event, which, -except in the <i>London Gazette</i>, was barely noticed -by the journals of the day:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17"></a>[Pg 17]</span></p> - -<blockquote><p>“On Wednesday, the Princess walked in Carlton -Gardens, supped and went to bed very well; she was -taken ill about six o’clock on Thursday morning, -and about eight was delivered of a Princess. Both -well.”<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> Dodington’s <i>Diary</i>, July 13, O.S., 1751, edition 1784.</p></div> - -<p>The advent of this daughter was hardly an -occasion for rejoicing. Apart from the melancholy -circumstances of her birth, her widowed mother had -already a young and numerous family,<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> several of -whom were far from strong, and all, with the exception -of her eldest son, the heir presumptive to -the throne, unprovided for.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Table. See next page.</p></div> - -<p>Eleven days after her birth the Princess was -baptised at Leicester House by Dr. Hayter, Bishop -of Norwich, and given the names of Caroline Matilda, -the first being after her grandmother, the second -harking back to our Norman queens. Except in -official documents she was always known by the -latter name, and it is the one therefore that will be -used in speaking of her throughout this book. The -infant had three sponsors, her aunt the Princess -Caroline (represented by proxy), her eldest sister the -Princess Augusta, and her eldest brother the Prince -of Wales. In the case of the godfather the sponsorship -was no mere form, for George III. stood in -the light of guardian to his sister all through her life.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18"></a>[Pg 18]</span></p> - -<blockquote> - -<p class="hang"><span class="smcap">Table Showing the Children of Frederick and Augusta, Prince and Princess of -Wales, and also the Descent of His Majesty King Edward VII. from Frederick -Prince of Wales.</span></p></blockquote> - - -<table id="family1" summary="Matilda’s parents and siblings."> -<col class="cwid1" /><col class="cwid5" /><col class="cwid5" /><col class="cwid5" /><col class="cwid29" /><col class="cwid5" /><col class="cwid5" /><col class="cwid45" /> - -<tr><td class="tdr tdtop pbottom1" colspan="5" rowspan="2">Frederick Prince of Wales<br />(son of George II. and Caroline of Ansbach).</td> -<td colspan="2" class="bbd hgthlf"></td> -<td class="tdl tdtop" rowspan="2">Augusta of Saxe-Gotha<br />(daughter of Frederick II. Duke of Saxe-Gotha).</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="bl"> </td></tr> - -<tr><td></td><td colspan="4" class="bb"></td><td class="br bb"></td><td colspan="8"></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"></td><td colspan="7" class="padtop hang">—Augusta, b. 1737, d. 1813, m. Charles William Duke of Brunswick, and had issue among others</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"></td><td class="br">  </td><td colspan="6"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"></td><td>  </td><td colspan="6" class="hang">Caroline, Consort of George IV., who had issue</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"></td><td>  </td><td class="br"> </td><td colspan="5"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"></td><td colspan="2">   </td><td class="hang" colspan="5">Princess Charlotte, d. in childbirth, 1817.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"></td><td colspan="7" class="padtop hang">—George III., b. 1738, d. 1820, m. Charlotte Princess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and had issue among others</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"></td><td class="br">  </td><td colspan="6"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"></td><td>  </td><td class="hang" colspan="6">Edward Duke of Kent</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"></td><td>  </td><td class="br"> </td><td colspan="5"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"></td><td colspan="2">   </td><td class="hang" colspan="5">Queen Victoria</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"></td><td colspan="2">   </td><td class="br"> </td><td colspan="4"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"></td><td colspan="3">    </td><td class="hang" colspan="4">King Edward VII.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"></td><td colspan="7" class="padtop hang">—Edward Duke of York, b. 1738, d. 1767, unmarried.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"></td><td colspan="7" class="padtop hang">—Elizabeth, b. 1739, d. 1759, unmarried.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"></td><td colspan="7" class="padtop hang">—William Henry Duke of Gloucester, b. 1743, d. 1805, m. Maria Countess Dowager Waldegrave, illegitimate dau. of Sir Edward Walpole, and had issue among others</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"></td><td class="br">  </td><td colspan="6"></td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"></td><td>  </td><td class="hang" colspan="6">William Frederick Duke of Gloucester, m. Mary, dau. of George III., no issue.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"></td><td colspan="7" class="padtop hang">—Henry Frederick Duke of Cumberland b. 1745, d. 1790, m. Anne, dau. of Lord Irnham, afterwards Earl of Carlhampton, and widow of Andrew Horton, no issue.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"></td><td colspan="7" class="padtop hang">—Louisa Anne, b. 1748, d. 1768, unmarried.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"></td><td colspan="7" class="padtop hang">—Frederick William, b. 1750, d. 1765, unmarried.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br hgt1"></td><td rowspan="2" colspan="7" class="padtop hang">—CAROLINE MATILDA, b. July 11, 1751, m. 1766, Christian VII., King of Denmark, d. 1775, and had issue</td></tr> -<tr><td></td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td class="br">  </td><td colspan="6"></td></tr> -<tr><td></td><td>  </td><td colspan="6">Frederick VI., King of Denmark, d. 1839, and<br />Louise Augusta, Duchess of Augustenburg, d. 1843.</td></tr> - -</table> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19"></a>[Pg 19]</span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> - -<p class="center">CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH.</p> - -<p class="center">1751-1760.</p> - - -<p>The early years of the Princess Matilda were -passed at Carlton House and Kew. After her -husband’s death the Princess-Dowager of Wales, -as she was called, resided for the most part in -London at Carlton House. She used Leicester -House on state occasions, and kept it chiefly for -her two elder sons who lived there with their tutors. -Carlton House was a stately building fronting St. -James’s Park with an entrance in Pall Mall. It -was built by a Lord Carlton in the reign of Queen -Anne, and was sold in 1732 to Frederick Prince -of Wales. The great feature of Carlton House -was its beautiful garden, which extended along -the Mall as far as Marlborough House, and was -laid out on the same plan as Pope’s famous garden -at Twickenham. There were smooth lawns, fine -trees and winding walks, and bowers, grottoes and -statuary abounded. This garden gave Carlton -House a great advantage over Leicester House in -the matter of privacy, and was of benefit to the -children.</p> - -<p>Cliveden, near Maidenhead, and Park Place,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20"></a>[Pg 20]</span> -Henley-on-Thames, two country places, owned, or -leased, by Frederick were given up, but the Princess -retained her favourite house at Kew, and sent her -younger children down there as much as possible. -The greater part of Matilda’s childhood was spent -there, and Kew and its gardens are more associated -with her memory than any other place in England. -The Princess-Dowager encouraged in all her children -simplicity of living, love of fresh air and healthy -exercise. Each of the little princes and princesses -was allotted at Kew a small plot of ground wherein -to dig and plant. Gardening was Matilda’s favourite -amusement, and in one of the earliest of her letters -she writes to a girl friend:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“Since you left Richmond I have much improved -my little plot in our garden at Kew, and have become -quite proficient in my knowledge of exotics. -I often miss your company, not only for your lively -chat, but for your approbation of my horticultural -embellishments.... You know we [the royal -children] have but a narrow circle of amusements, -which we can sometimes vary but never enlarge.”<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> The authenticity of this letter is doubtful. It first appeared -in a work entitled <i>Memoirs of an Unfortunate Queen, interspersed with -letters written by Herself to several of her Illustrious Relatives and -Friends</i>, published 1776, soon after Matilda’s death. Some of the -letters may be genuine, others are undoubtedly spurious.</p></div> - -<p>The Princess was better educated than the -majority of English ladies of her time, many of -whom could do little more than read and write -(but seldom could spell) with the addition of a few -superficial accomplishments. Matilda was a fair<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21"></a>[Pg 21]</span> -linguist, she could speak and write French well, and -had a smattering of Italian. Like her brothers and -sisters she committed to memory long passages from -English classics, and recited them with fluency and -expression. She had a great love of music, and -played on the harpsichord, and sang in a sweet and -pleasing voice. She was thoroughly trained in -“deportment,” and danced to perfection. She was -a pretty, graceful girl, not awkward, even at the most -awkward age, and early gave promise of beauty. -She rejoiced in an affectionate, generous disposition -and a bright and happy temperament. She stood in -awe of her mother, but she was devoted to her -brothers and sisters, especially to her eldest sister, -Princess Augusta.</p> - -<p>This Princess was the one who was suddenly -hurried into the world on a July night at St. James’s -Palace. She was fourteen years of age when -Matilda was born, and was a woman before her -youngest sister ceased to be a child, so that she -stood to her in the place of friend and counsellor. -Augusta had not the beauty of Matilda, but she was -a comely maiden with regular features, well-shaped -figure, pleasant smile, and general animation. She -was the best educated of the family. This was -largely due to her thirst for knowledge. She read -widely, and interested herself in the political and -social questions of the day to a degree unusual with -princesses of her age. She was sharp and quick-witted, -and in her childhood precocious beyond her -years. “La! Sir Robert,” she pertly exclaimed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22"></a>[Pg 22]</span> -when only seven years of age, to Sir Robert Rich, -whom she had mistaken for Sir Robert Walpole, -“what has become of your blue string and your big -belly?” Sir “Blue-string” was one of the Tory -nicknames for Walpole, and in the caricatures of -the time his corpulence was an endless subject of -ridicule. Her parents, instead of reprimanding her, -laughed at her pleasantries, with the result that they -often found her inconveniently frank and troublesome. -After Frederick’s death her mother, who -had no wish to have a grown-up daughter too soon, -kept her in the background as much as possible, -a treatment which the lively Augusta secretly resented.</p> - -<p>Matilda’s other sisters, the Princesses Elizabeth -and Louisa Anne, were nearer her in age and were -much more tractable than Augusta. They both -suffered from ill-health. Her eldest brother George -Prince of Wales was a silent youth, shy and retiring, -and not demonstrative in any way. Edward, -her second brother, afterwards Duke of York, was -livelier and was always a favourite with his sister. -Her three youngest brothers, William Henry, afterwards -Duke of Gloucester, Henry Frederick, later -Duke of Cumberland, and Frederick William (who -died at the age of fifteen), were her chief playmates, -for they were nearer her in age. The children of -Frederick Prince of Wales and Augusta had one -characteristic in common; clever or stupid, lively or -dull, sickly or strong in health, they were all affectionate -and fond of one another. Quarrels were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23"></a>[Pg 23]</span> -rare, and the brothers and sisters united in loving -and spoiling the pet of the family, pretty, bright -little Matilda.</p> - -<p>For eighteen months after her husband’s death -the Princess-Dowager of Wales remained in closest -retirement. At the end of that time she reappeared -in public and attended court, where, by the King’s -command, she received the same honours as had -been paid to the late Queen Caroline. She was -also made guardian of her eldest son, in case of the -King’s demise during the Prince of Wales’ minority. -William Duke of Cumberland bitterly resented this -appointment as a personal affront, and declared to -his friends that he now felt his own insignificance, -and wished the name of William could be blotted -out of the English annals. It increased his jealousy -of his sister-in-law, and she, on her part, made no -secret of her inveterate dislike of him. Her children -were taught to regard their uncle as a monster -because of his cruelties at Culloden, and he complained -to the Princess-Dowager of the “base and villainous -insinuations” which had poisoned their minds against -him.</p> - -<p>The Princess-Dowager of Wales rarely attended -St. James’s except on ceremonial occasions. Nominally -George II.’s court, for the last twenty years -of his reign, was presided over by the King’s eldest -unmarried daughter, Princess Amelia, or Emily, a -princess who, as years went on, lost her good looks -as well as her manners. She became deaf and short-sighted, -and was chiefly known for her sharp tongue<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24"></a>[Pg 24]</span> -and her love of scandal and high play. She had no -influence with the King, and her unamiable characteristics -made her unpopular with the courtiers, who -treated her as a person of no importance. In reality -the <i>dame regnante</i> at St. James’s was Madame de -Walmoden, Countess of Yarmouth, who had been -the King’s mistress at Hanover. He brought her -over to England the year after Queen Caroline’s -death, lodged her in the palace, created her a -peeress, and gave her a pension. In her youth the -Walmoden had been a great beauty, but as she -advanced in years she became exceedingly stout. -Ministers, peers, politicians, place-hunters of all -kinds, even bishops and Church dignitaries, paid -their court to her. She accepted all this homage -for what it was worth, but though she now and then -obtained a place for a favourite, she very wisely -abstained from meddling in English politics, which -she did not understand, and chiefly occupied herself -in amassing wealth.</p> - -<a name="i024" id="i024"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 561px;"> -<img src="images/page024.jpg" width="561" height="800" alt="Madame de Walmoden, Countess of Yarmouth." /> -<div class="caption">MADAME DE WALMODEN, COUNTESS OF YARMOUTH.<br /><i>From the Painting at Gülzow, by permission of Count Kielmansegg.</i></div> -</div> - -<p>Lady Yarmouth was the last instance of a -mistress of the King of England who received a -peerage. Her title did not give her much prestige, -and her presence at court did not add to its lustre. -During her ten years’ reign Queen Caroline had -set an example of virtue and decorum, which was -not forgotten, and the presence of a recognised mistress -standing in her place was resented by many of -the wives of the high nobility. Some of these ladies -abstained from going to St. James’s on principle, -others, and these the more numerous, because the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25"></a>[Pg 25]</span> -assemblies there had become insufferably dull and -tedious. If the court had been conducted on the -lavish scale which marked the reigns of the Stuarts, -if beauty, wit and brilliancy had met together, some -slight lapses from the strict path of virtue might -have been overlooked. But a court, which was at -once vicious and dull, was impossible.</p> - -<p>The Princess-Dowager of Wales, who prided -herself on the propriety of her conduct and the -ordered regularity of her household, was the most -conspicuous absentee, and though she now and then -attended St. James’s as in duty bound, she never -took her daughters to court, but declared that the -society there would contaminate them. She rarely, -if ever, honoured the mansions of the nobility -with a visit, and her appearances in public were -few and far between. She lived a life of strict -seclusion, which her children shared. During the -ten years that elapsed between Frederick’s death and -George III.’s accession to the throne, the Princess-Dowager -was little more than a name to the -outer world; the time had not come when the -veil of privacy was to be rudely torn from her -domestic life, and the publicity from which she -shrank turned on her with its most pitiless glare.</p> - -<p>The policy of the Princess was to keep in the -background as much as possible and devote herself -wholly to the care and education of her -numerous family. She did her duty (or what she -conceived to be her duty) to her children to the -utmost in her power, and in her stern, undemon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26"></a>[Pg 26]</span>strative -way there is no doubt that she loved -them. She ruled her household with a rod of -iron, her children feared and obeyed, but it -could hardly be said that they loved her. Despite -her high sense of duty, almsgiving and charity, -the Princess-Dowager was not a lovable woman. -Her temperament was cold and austere, her religion -was tinged with puritanism, and her views were -strict and narrow. She had many of the virtues -associated with the Roman matron. There was only -one flaw in the armour of the royal widow’s reputation, -and this her enemies were quick to note. That -flaw was her friendship with Lord Bute.</p> - -<p>John, third Earl of Bute, had been a favourite -of Frederick Prince of Wales. He owed his introduction -to the Prince to an accident which, slight -though it was, served to lay the foundations of his -future political career. He was watching a cricket -match at Cliveden when a heavy shower of rain -came on. The Prince, who had been playing, -withdrew to a tent and proposed a game of whist -until the weather should clear. At first nobody -could be found to take a fourth hand, but presently -one of the Prince’s suite espied Bute and -asked him to complete the party. The Prince -was so much pleased with his new acquaintance -that he invited him to Kew, and gave him a -post in his household. Bute soon improved his -opportunities, and the Princess also extended to -him her confidence and friendship; perhaps she -found in his cold, proud temperament and narrow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27"></a>[Pg 27]</span> -views some affinity with her own character and -beliefs. Frederick rather encouraged this friendship -than otherwise. He was very much attached -to his excellent and virtuous wife, but no doubt -her serious way of looking at things wearied his -more frivolous nature occasionally. According to -the scandalous gossip of Horace Walpole: “Her -simple husband when he took up the character of -the regent’s gallantry had forced an air of intrigue -even upon his wife. When he affected to retire -into gloomy <i>allées</i> of Kew with Lady Middlesex, -he used to bid the Princess walk with Lord Bute. -As soon as the Prince was dead, they walked more -and more, in honour of his memory.”<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> <i>Memoirs of George II.</i>, vol. ii.; see also Wraxall’s <i>Hist. Memoirs</i>, -vol. ii.</p></div> - -<p>At the corrupt court of George II., where the -correct conduct of the Princess was resented as a -tacit affront, the intimacy between the Princess -and Lord Bute was soon whispered into an intrigue. -Once at a fancy dress ball during the lifetime of -Frederick when the Princess was present, the beautiful -Miss Chudleigh appeared as Iphigenia and so -lightly clad as to be almost in a state of nudity. -The Princess threw a shawl over the young lady’s -bosom, and sharply rebuked her for her bad taste -in appearing in so improper a guise. “<i>Altesse</i>,” -retorted Miss Chudleigh, in no wise abashed, “<i>vous -savez, chacun a son but</i>.” The impertinent witticism -ran like wildfire round the court, and henceforth the -names of the Princess and Lord Bute were associated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28"></a>[Pg 28]</span> -together in a scandalous suggestion, which had -nothing to warrant it at the time beyond the fact -that the Princess treated Lord Bute as an intimate -friend.</p> - -<p>After Frederick’s death the scandal grew, for the -Princess was very unpopular with the Walmoden -and her circle, and they delighted to have the chance -of painting her as bad as themselves. Yet Bute was -some years older than the Princess. He was married -to a beautiful wife, the only daughter and heiress of -Edward Wortley Montagu, by whom he had a large -family, and he was devoted to his wife and children. -He was a man of high principle, and lived a clean life -in an age of uncleanness. Lady Hervey writes of -him: “He has always been a good husband, an excellent -father, a man of truth and sentiments above -the common run of men”. Bute was not a great -man, but his abilities were above the average, -and he possessed considerable force of character. -He acquired complete ascendency in the household -of the Princess-Dowager, and exercised unbounded -influence over the young Prince of Wales. Princess -Augusta and Prince Edward disliked him, and -secretly resented his presence and his interference -in family matters. The other children were too -young to understand, but Lord Bute was a factor -which made itself felt in the daily life of them all, -and not a welcome one. Life had become appreciably -duller with the royal children since their -father’s death. Gone were the little plays and -masquerades, the singers and dancers. Gone were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29"></a>[Pg 29]</span> -the picnics and the children’s parties. Even the -cards were stopped, and the utmost the Princess-Dowager -would allow was a modest game of comet. -The children suspected Lord Bute of aiding and -abetting their mother in her Spartan treatment of -them, and disliked him accordingly.</p> - -<p>The Princess-Dowager had need of a friend and -counsellor, whether Lord Bute was the wisest choice -she could have made or not. She was quite alone -in the world, and had to fight against many intrigues. -She was not a woman to make friendships quickly, -and she disliked the society of her own sex. Thus -it came about that in the secluded life she led, except -for the members of her household, two persons -only were admitted to Carlton House and Kew. -One was Lord Bute, the other Bubb Dodington.</p> - -<p>Bubb Dodington, whose diary we have quoted -before, was a wealthy <i>parvenu</i> whose ambition in -life was to become peer. Walpole had refused him -his coveted desire, and he therefore attached himself -to Frederick Prince of Wales, who borrowed money -from him, and invented a post in his household for -his benefit. As far as it was possible for Dodington -to be attached to any one, he seems to have been -attached to his “Master,” as he calls him. After -Frederick’s death, when, to use his own phrase, -“there was little prospect of his doing any good -at Leicester House,” he again courted the favour -of the government. But he retained a sentimental -attachment to his master’s widow, or (for he was -a born intriguer) he wished to keep in touch with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30"></a>[Pg 30]</span> -the young Prince of Wales. In either case he was -careful not to break off his friendship with the -Princess-Dowager, and often waited upon her at -Carlton House. The Princess, though she did not -wholly trust him, clung to him as a friend of her -husband’s. He was useful as a link with the outer -world, he could retail to her all the political gossip -of the day, and she, in turn, could make him the -medium of her views, for she knew what she told -him in apparent confidence would be retailed to -all the town before the day was over. Dodington -was an inveterate gossip, and his vanity was too -much flattered by being made the confidant of the -Princess-Dowager for him to conceal the fact. -Moreover, he was wealthy, and a shrewd man of -business. The Princess sorely needed advice in -money matters, for her dower was only £50,000 a -year, and out of that sum she had to keep up Leicester -House, Carlton House and Kew, educate and -maintain her numerous family, and to pay off by -instalments her husband’s debts—a task which she -voluntarily took upon herself, though it crippled her -financially for years. She did all so well that her -economy was a triumph of management.</p> - -<p>From Dodington’s diary we get glimpses of the -domestic life of the Princess-Dowager and her children -after her husband’s death. For instance, he -writes: “The Princess sent for me to attend her -between eight and nine o’clock. I went to Leicester -House expecting a small company, or little musick, -but found nobody but her Royal Highness. She<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31"></a>[Pg 31]</span> -made me draw a stool and sit by the fireside. Soon -after came in the Prince of Wales, and Prince Edward, -and then the Lady Augusta, all in an undress, -and took their stools and sat round the fire with us. -We continued talking of familiar occurrences till -between ten and eleven, with the ease and unreservedness -and unconstraint as if one had dropped -into a sister’s house that had a family to pass the -evening. It is much to be wished that the Prince -conversed familiarly with more people of a certain -knowledge of the world.”<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> Dodington’s <i>Diary</i>, Nov. 17, 1753, edition 1784.</p></div> - -<p>This last point Dodington ventured to press -upon the Princess more than once, for it was a -matter of general complaint that she kept her -children so strictly and so secluded from the world. -They had no companions or playmates of their own -age besides themselves, for the Princess declared -that “the young people of quality were so ill-educated -and so very vicious that they frightened -her.... Such was the universal profligacy ... -such the character and conduct of the young people -of distinction that she was really afraid to have them -near her children. She should be even in more -pain for her daughters than her sons, for the behaviour -of the women was indecent, low, and much -against their own interests by making themselves so -cheap.”<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> Dodington’s <i>Diary</i>, edition 1784.</p></div> - -<p>We have dwelt thus on Augusta Princess of Wales -not only because she was the mother of Princess<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32"></a>[Pg 32]</span> -Matilda, but because so little is known of her. The -scandalous tales of Whig pamphleteers, and the ill-natured -gossip of her arch-maligner Horace Walpole -cannot be accepted without considerable reserve. -No adequate memoir has ever been written of this -Princess. Yet she was the mother of a king whose -reign was one of the longest and most eventful in -English history, and the training she gave her eldest -son moulded his character, formed his views and influenced -his policy. It influenced also, though in -a lesser degree, the life of her youngest daughter. -Matilda inherited certain qualities from her father, -but in her early education and environment she -owed everything to her mother. To the strict seclusion -in which she was brought up by this stern -mother, who won her children’s respect but never -their confidence, and to her utter ignorance of the -world and its temptations (more particularly those -likely to assail one destined to occupy an exalted -position), may be traced to some extent the mistakes -of her later years.</p> - -<p>There were breaks in the children’s circle at -Carlton House and Kew. Prince Frederick William -died in 1765 at the age of fifteen, and Princess -Elizabeth in 1759 at the age of nineteen. Of the -first nothing is recorded, of the latter Horace -Walpole quaintly writes: “We have lost another -princess, Lady Elizabeth. She died of an inflammation -in her bowels in two days. Her figure -was so very unfortunate, that it would have been -difficult for her to be happy, but her parts and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33"></a>[Pg 33]</span> -application were extraordinary. I saw her act in -<i>Cato</i> at eight years old when she could not stand -alone, but was forced to lean against the side scene. -She had been so unhealthy, that at that age she -had not been taught to read, but had learned the -part of <i>Lucia</i> by hearing the others studying their -parts. She went to her father and mother, and -begged she might act; they put her off as gently as -they could; she desired leave to repeat her part, -and, when she did, it was with so much sense that -there was no denying her.”<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> Walpole’s <i>Letters</i>, vol. iii., edition 1857.</p></div> - -<p>The following year a life of much greater -importance in the royal family came to a close. -George II. died at Kensington Palace on October -25, 1760, in the seventy-seventh year of his age, -under circumstances which have always been surrounded -by a certain amount of mystery. The -version generally received is as follows: The King -rose in the morning at his usual hour, drank his -chocolate, and retired to an adjoining apartment. -Presently his German valet heard a groan and the -sound of a heavy fall; he rushed into the room and -found the King lying insensible on the floor with -the blood trickling from his forehead, where he had -struck himself against a bureau in falling. The -valet ran to Lady Yarmouth, but the mistress had -some sense of the fitness of things, and desired that -the Princess Amelia should be sent for. She arrived -to find her father quite dead. His death was due to -heart disease and was instantaneous.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34"></a>[Pg 34]</span></p> - -<p>George II. was buried in Henry VII.’s Chapel, -Westminster Abbey. His last wishes were fulfilled -to the letter. He had desired that one of the sides -of Queen Caroline’s coffin (who had predeceased -him by twenty-three years) should be removed and -the corresponding side of his own coffin should be -taken away, so that his body might lie side by side -with hers, and in death they should not be divided. -This touching injunction was piously carried out by -command of his grandson, who now succeeded him -as King George III.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35"></a>[Pg 35]</span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> - -<p class="center">THE BETROTHAL.</p> - -<p class="center">1760-1765.</p> - - -<p>The accession of George III. to the throne made at -first little difference in the lives of his brothers and -sisters, especially of the younger ones. It made a -difference in their position, for they became brothers -and sisters of the reigning king, and the public -interest in them was quickened. But they remained -under the control of the Princess-Dowager, and -continued to live with her in the seclusion of Carlton -House and Kew.</p> - -<p>The Princess-Dowager’s dominion was not confined -to her younger children, for she continued to -exercise unbounded sway over the youthful monarch. -He held his accession council at her residence at -Carlton House, and there he delivered his first speech—not -the composition of his ministers, who imagined -they saw in it the hand of the Princess-Dowager -and Lord Bute. “My Lord Bute,” said the King -to the Duke of Newcastle, his Prime Minister, “is -your very good friend, he will tell you all my -thoughts.” Again in his first speech to Parliament -the King wrote with his own hand the words, to -which we have already alluded: “Born and educated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36"></a>[Pg 36]</span> -in this country, I glory in the name of Briton”. -Ministers affected to find in all this an unconstitutional -exercise of the royal prerogative, and the -Whig oligarchy trembled lest its domination should -be overthrown.</p> - -<p>Hitherto the influence of the Princess-Dowager -with her eldest son, and the intimate friendship that -existed between her and Lord Bute, had been known -only to the few, but now the Whigs found in these -things weapons ready to their hands, and they did -not scruple to use them. They instigated their -agents in the press and in Parliament, and a fierce -clamour was raised against the Princess as a -threatener of popular liberties. Her name, linked -with Lord Bute’s, was flung to the mob; placards -with the words “No Petticoat Government!” “No -Scottish Favourite!” were affixed to the walls of -Westminster Hall, and thousands of vile pamphlets -and indecent ballads were circulated among the -populace. Even the King was insulted. “Like -a new Sultan,” wrote Lord Chesterfield, “he is -dragged out of the seraglio by the Princess and -Lord Bute, and placed upon the throne.” The mob -translated this into the vulgar tongue, and one day, -when the King was going in a sedan chair to pay -his usual visit to his mother, a voice from the crowd -asked him, amid shouts and jeers, whether he was -“going to suck”.</p> - -<a name="i036" id="i036"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> -<img src="images/page036.jpg" width="600" height="797" alt="John, Earl of Bute." /> -<div class="caption">JOHN, EARL OF BUTE.<br /><i>From the Painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds at Wortley Hall, by permission of the -Earl of Wharncliffe.</i></div> -</div> - -<p>The Princess-Dowager was unmoved by the -popular clamour, and her influence over the young -King remained unshaken; indeed it was rather<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37"></a>[Pg 37]</span> -strengthened, for his sense of chivalry was roused -by the coarse insults heaped upon his mother. Lord -Bute continued to pay his visits to Carlton House as -before, the only difference made was that, to avoid -the insults of the mob, his visits were paid less -openly. The chair of one of the Princess’s maids -of honour was often sent of an evening to Bute’s -house in South Audley Street, and he was conveyed -in it, with the curtains close drawn, to Carlton -House, and admitted by a side entrance to the -Princess’s presence. These precautions, though -natural enough under the circumstances, were unwise, -for before long the stealthy visits leaked out, -and the worst construction was placed upon them.</p> - -<p>In the first year of the King’s reign the supremacy -of the Princess-Dowager was threatened by an -attachment the monarch had formed for the beautiful -Lady Sarah Lennox, daughter of the second Duke -of Richmond. But the house of Lennox was a great -Whig house, and its members were ambitious and -aspiring, therefore the Princess-Dowager and Bute -determined to prevent the marriage. That they -succeeded is a matter of history. Lady Sarah’s -hopes came to an end with the announcement of the -King’s betrothal to Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. -The announcement was not popular, -for the nation was weary of royal alliances with the -petty courts of Germany. But the Princess-Dowager -had made confidential inquiries. She was told -that Charlotte, who was very young, was dutiful -and obedient, and no doubt thought that she would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38"></a>[Pg 38]</span> -prove a cipher in her hands. In this the Princess-Dowager -was sadly mistaken. Lady Sarah Lennox, -or an earlier candidate for the honour, a Princess of -Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, would have been pliable -in comparison with Charlotte of Mecklenburg, who, -on her arrival, showed herself to be a shrewd, self-possessed -young woman, with a tart tongue, and -a full sense of the importance of her position. -Charlotte soon became jealous of her mother-in-law’s -influence over the King. Her relations with her -sisters-in-law also were never cordial, and with the -Princess Augusta she was soon at open feud.</p> - -<p>George III. and Charlotte were married at the -Chapel Royal, St. James’s Palace, on September -8, 1761, and a fortnight later were crowned in -Westminster Abbey. The Princess Matilda, then -ten years of age, witnessed her brother’s wedding, -but unofficially, from a private pew. Her first -public appearance was made at the coronation, -when we find her following the Princess-Dowager -in a procession from the House of Lords to Westminster -Abbey. A platform, carpeted with blue -baize and covered by an awning, had been erected -across Palace Yard to the south door of the Abbey, -and over this platform the Princess-Dowager and -all her children passed, except the King, who was -to be crowned, and Prince Edward and Princess -Augusta, who were in their Majesties’ procession.</p> - -<p>“The Princess-Dowager of Wales,” it is written, -“was led by the hand by Prince William Henry, -dressed in white and silver. Her train, which was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39"></a>[Pg 39]</span> -of silk, was cut short, and therefore not borne by -any person, and her hair flowed down her shoulders -in hanging curls. She had no cap, but only a -circlet of diamonds. The rest of the princes and -princesses, her Highness’s children, followed in -order of their age: Prince Henry Frederick, also -in white and silver, handing his sister Princess -Louisa Anne, dressed in a slip with hanging sleeves. -Prince Frederick William, likewise in white and -silver, handing his youngest sister, the Princess -Matilda, dressed also in a slip with hanging sleeves. -Both the young princesses had their hair combed -upwards, which was contrived to lie flat at the back -of their heads in an elegant taste.”<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> <i>The Annual Register</i>, September 22, 1761.</p></div> - -<p>For some time after George III.’s marriage the -Princess-Dowager and Bute continued to be all-powerful -with the King. The aged Prime Minister, -the Duke of Newcastle, clung to office as long as -he could, but at last was forced to resign, and in -1762 Lord Bute became Prime Minister. The -Princess-Dowager’s hand was very visible throughout -Bute’s brief administration; her enemy the Duke -of Devonshire, “the Prince of the Whigs,” as she -styled him, was ignominiously dismissed from office, -and his name struck off the list of privy councillors. -Other great Whig Lords, who had slighted or opposed -her, were treated in a similar manner. Peace -was made with France on lines the Princess-Dowager -had indicated before her son came to the throne, -and a still greater triumph, the peace was approved<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40"></a>[Pg 40]</span> -by a large majority in Parliament, despite the -opposition of the Whig Lords. “Now,” cried the -Princess exultingly, “now, my son <i>is</i> King of -England!” It was her hour of triumph.</p> - -<p>But though the Whigs were defeated in Parliament, -they took their revenge outside. The -ignorant mob was told that the peace was the -first step towards despotism, the despotism of the -Princess-Dowager and her led-captain Bute, and -the torrent of abuse swelled in volume. One -evening when the Princess was present at the -play, at a performance of Cibber’s comedy, <i>The -Careless Husband</i>, the whole house rose when -one of the actresses spoke the following lines: -“Have a care, Madam, an undeserving favourite -has been the ruin of many a prince’s empire”. -The hoots and insults from the gallery were so -great that the Princess drew the curtains of her -box and quitted the house. Nor was this all. In -Wilkes’s periodical, <i>The North Briton</i>, appeared an -essay in which, under the suggestive names of Queen -Isabella and her paramour “the gentle Mortimer,” -the writer attacked the Princess-Dowager and the -Prime Minister. Again, in a caricature entitled -“The Royal Dupe,” the young King was depicted -as sleeping in his mother’s lap, while Bute was -stealing his sceptre, and Fox picking his pocket. In -<i>Almon’s Political Register</i> there appeared a gross -frontispiece, in which the Earl of Bute figured as -secretly entering the bedchamber of the Princess-Dowager; -a widow’s lozenge with the royal arms<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41"></a>[Pg 41]</span> -hung over the bed, to enforce the identity. Worst -of all, one night, when the popular fury had been -inflamed to its height, a noisy mob paraded under -the windows of Carlton House, carrying a gallows -from which hung a jack-boot and a petticoat which -they afterwards burned (the first a miserable pun -on the name of John Earl of Bute, and the second -to signify the King’s mother). The Princess-Dowager -heard the uproar from within and learned -the cause from her frightened household. She -alone remained calm. “Poor deluded people, how -I pity them,” she said, “they will know better some -day.”</p> - -<p>What her children thought of all this is not precisely -recorded, but it would seem that the King stood -alone among them in the sympathy and support he -gave to his mother. Prince Edward, Duke of York, -and the Princess Augusta were openly hostile to Lord -Bute. Prince Edward declared that he suffered “a -thousand mortifications” because of him. Prince -William Henry, Duke of Gloucester, was sullenly -resentful, and even Prince Henry Frederick, Duke -of Cumberland, made sarcastic remarks. What -Matilda thought there is no means of knowing; -she was too young to understand, but children are -quick-witted, and since her favourite brother, Edward, -and her favourite sister, Augusta, felt so strongly -on the subject, she probably shared their prejudices. -There is little doubt that the mysterious intimacy -between the Princess-Dowager and Lord Bute was -the cause of much ill-feeling between her and her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42"></a>[Pg 42]</span> -children, and had the effect of weakening her -authority over them and of losing their respect. -Years after, when she had occasion to remonstrate -with Matilda, her daughter retorted with a bitter -allusion to Lord Bute.</p> - -<p>The Princess Augusta had inherited her mother’s -love of dabbling in politics, and as her views were -strongly opposed to those of the Princess-Dowager -the result did not conduce to the domestic harmony -of Carlton House. The Princess Augusta, of -all the royal children, had suffered most from -the intimacy between her mother and Lord Bute. -Horace Walpole wrote of her some time before: -“Lady Augusta, now a woman grown, was, to facilitate -some privacy for the Princess, dismissed from -supping with her mother, and sent back to cheese-cakes -with her little sister Elizabeth, on the pretence -that meat at night would fatten her too -much”.<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> Augusta secretly resented the cheese-cakes, -but she was then too young to show open -mutiny. Now that she had grown older she became -bolder. She was the King’s eldest sister, and -felt that she was entitled to a mind of her own. -Therefore, with her brother, the Duke of York, -she openly denounced Lord Bute and all his -works, and lavished admiration on his great rival, -Pitt. This was a little too much for the Princess-Dowager, -who feared that Augusta would contaminate -the minds of her younger brothers and sisters. -She resolved therefore to marry her to some foreign<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43"></a>[Pg 43]</span> -husband, and thus remove her from the sphere of -her present political activities. Moreover, it was -quite time that Augusta was married. She had -completed her twenty-sixth year and her youthful -beauty was on the wane. “Lady Augusta,” writes -Horace Walpole, “is not handsome, but tall enough -and not ill-made, with the German whiteness of hair -and complexion so remarkable in the royal family, -and with their precipitate yet thick Westphalian -accent.”<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> <i>Memoirs of the Reign of George III.</i>, vol. iii.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i></p></div> - -<p>Augusta might have married before, but she -was extremely English in her tastes, and had a -great objection to leaving the land of her birth. -Neither her mother nor her brother would entertain -the idea of an English alliance, and so at last -they arranged a marriage between her and Charles -William Ferdinand, Hereditary Prince of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, -a famous soldier, and the favourite -nephew of Frederick the Great. The Prince arrived -in England in January, 1764. He had never seen -his bride before he came, not even her portrait, but -when he saw her he expressed himself charmed, -adding that if he had not been pleased with her -he should have returned to Brunswick without a -wife. Augusta, equally frank, said that she would -certainly have refused to marry him if she had -found him unsatisfactory. They were married in -the great council chamber of St. James’s Palace -with little ceremony. The bride’s presents were -few and meagre, and Augusta declared that Queen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44"></a>[Pg 44]</span> -Charlotte even grudged her the diamonds which -formed the King’s wedding gift. Four days after -the marriage a civic deputation waited upon the -pair at Leicester House, and presented an address -of congratulation. Princess Matilda was present, -and stood at the right hand of her mother.</p> - -<p>The King did not like the popularity of his -brother-in-law, and therefore hurried the departure -of the newly wed couple. The Princess of Brunswick -shed bitter tears on leaving her native land. -The day she left she spent the whole morning at -Leicester House saying good-bye to her friends, -and frequently appeared at the windows that the -people outside might see her. More than once the -Princess threw open the window and kissed her -hand to the crowd. It was very tempestuous weather -when the Prince and Princess set out on their long -journey to Brunswick, and after they had put to sea -rumours reached London that their yacht had gone -down in the storm; but, though they were for a time -in great danger, eventually they landed and reached -Brunswick safely.</p> - -<p>The marriage of the Princess Augusta was soon -followed by the betrothal of her youngest sister. -The Princess Matilda was only in her thirteenth -year. But though too young to be married, her -mother and the King, her brother, did not think it -too soon to make arrangements for her betrothal.</p> - -<p>The reigning King of Denmark and Norway, -Frederick V., for some years had wished to bind -more closely the ties which already existed between<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45"></a>[Pg 45]</span> -him and the English royal family. The late Queen -of Denmark, Queen Louise, was the youngest -daughter of King George II. She had married -Frederick V., and had borne him a son and -daughters. After her death the King of Denmark -cherished an affectionate remembrance of his Queen -and a liking for the country whence she came. He -therefore approached the old King, George II., -with the suggestion of a marriage in the years to -come between his son, the Crown Prince Christian, -then an infant, and one of the daughters of Frederick -Prince of Wales. After George II.’s death the idea -of this alliance was again broached to George III. -through the medium of Titley,<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> the English envoy -at Copenhagen.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> Walter Titley, whose name occurs frequently in the negotiations -of this marriage, was born in 1700 of a Staffordshire family. He -was educated at Westminster and Trinity College, Cambridge, where -he took a distinguished degree. He entered the diplomatic service -in 1728 and became <i>chargé d’affaires</i> at Copenhagen in the absence -of Lord Glenorchy. In 1730 he was appointed Envoy Extraordinary -and Minister Plenipotentiary. In 1733 Richard Bentley, the famous -master of Trinity College, Cambridge, offered him the physic fellowship -of the College. Titley accepted it, resigned his diplomatic appointment, -but found that he had become so much attached to his -life at Copenhagen that he was unable to leave it. The King of -Denmark, with whom he was a great favourite, urged him to stay, -and the Government at home were unwilling to lose a valuable -public servant who possessed a unique knowledge of the tortuous -politics of the northern kingdom. So Titley resumed his post and -held it for the remainder of his life. He died at Copenhagen in -February, 1768.</p></div> - -<p>The King, after consultation with his mother, -put forward his second surviving sister, the Princess -Louisa Anne (who was about the same age as the -Crown Prince Christian), as a suitable bride. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46"></a>[Pg 46]</span> -Bothmar, the Danish envoy in London, reported to -the court of Copenhagen that Louisa Anne, though -talented and amiable, was very delicate, and he -suggested that the King of Denmark should ask for -the Princess Matilda instead. This Princess was the -beauty of the family, and her lively disposition and -love of <span class="correction" title="In the original book: out-door.">outdoor</span> exercise seemed to show that she had -a strong constitution. George III. demurred a little -at first, on account of his sister’s extreme youth, but -after some <i>pour-parlers</i> he gave his consent, and the -King of Denmark sent orders to Bothmar to demand -formally the hand of the Princess Matilda in -marriage for his son the Crown Prince. At the -same time Bernstorff, the Danish Secretary of State -for Foreign Affairs,<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> wrote to Titley, acquainting -him with the proposed alliance, but asking him to -keep the matter a profound secret until all preliminaries -were arranged.<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> Count Johan Hartvig Ernst Bernstorff was a Hanoverian by -birth, and a grandson of Bernstorff of Hanover and Celle, Minister -of George I. He early entered the service of Denmark, and represented -his adopted country as envoy at the courts of St. James’s and -Versailles. When he left the diplomatic service he became Minister -of State for Foreign Affairs at Copenhagen, and filled other important -posts. Finally he became Count and Prime Minister. He must not -be confounded with Count Andreas Peter Bernstorff, his nephew, -who was later Prime Minister of Denmark under Frederick VI.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> Sa Majesté, qui se souvient toujours avec plaisir et avec la -bienveillance la plus distinguée, de vos sentiments pour sa personne, -et pour l’union des deux familles royales, m’a commandé de vous -faire cette confidence; mais elle m’ordonne en même temps de vous -prier de la tenir entièrement secrète, jusqu’a ce qu’on soit convenu -de part et d’autre de l’engagement et de sa publication. (Bernstorff -to Titley, August 18, 1764.)</p></div> - -<p>A few days later Titley wrote home to Lord<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47"></a>[Pg 47]</span> -Sandwich: “I received from Baron Bernstorff (by -the King of Denmark’s command) a very obliging -letter acquainting me with the agreeable and important -commission which had been sent that same -day to Count Bothmar in London.... The amiable -character of the Prince of Denmark is universally -acknowledged here, so that the union appearing -perfectly suitable, and equally desirable on both -sides, I hope soon to have an opportunity of congratulating -you, my Lord, upon its being unalterably -fixed and settled.”<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> Titley’s despatch to Lord Sandwich, Copenhagen, August 29, -1764.</p></div> - -<p>Within the next few months everything was -arranged except the question of the Princess’s -dower, which had to be voted by Parliament. In -the meantime a preliminary treaty between the -King of Denmark and the King of Great Britain -was drafted and signed in London by Lord Sandwich -on the one part and Bothmar on the other. -This was in the autumn, when Parliament was not -sitting, but the Danish Government stipulated that -the announcement of the marriage was not to be -delayed beyond the next session of Parliament, -though the marriage itself, on account of the extreme -youth of both parties, would be deferred for a few -years.</p> - -<p>Accordingly, at the opening of Parliament on -January 10, 1765, George III. in his speech from -the throne said:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“I have now the satisfaction to inform you that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48"></a>[Pg 48]</span> -I have agreed with my good brother the King -of Denmark to cement the union which has long -subsisted between the two crowns by the marriage -of the Prince Royal of Denmark with my sister the -Princess Caroline Matilda, which is to be solemnised -as soon as their respective ages will admit”.</p></blockquote> - -<p>In the address to the throne Parliament replied -to the effect that the proposed marriage was most -pleasing to them, as it would tend to strengthen the -ancient alliance between the crowns of Great Britain -and Denmark, and “thereby add security to the -Protestant religion”.<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> Presumably the alliance would strengthen the Protestant religion -by weakening the influence of Roman Catholic France at -Copenhagen. It must be borne in mind that Denmark was then -a much larger and more important country than it is now. Norway -had not broken away from the union, and Denmark had not been -robbed of the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein by Prussia.</p></div> - -<p>On January 18 the King gave a grand ball at -St. James’s Palace in honour of the double event of -his youngest sister’s betrothal and Queen Charlotte’s -birthday. On this occasion the Princess Matilda -made her first appearance at court, when she opened -the ball by dancing a minuet with her brother, Prince -Edward Duke of York. The Princess was then -only thirteen and a half years old, but she won the -admiration of all the court by her beauty and grace. -She was very fair, with hair almost flaxen in hue, -pale gold with a gleam of silver in it, large tender -blue eyes, an arched nose, a well-shaped mouth -(the underlip perhaps a little too full), and a complexion -like the wild rose. Her figure was shapely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49"></a>[Pg 49]</span> -and developed beyond her years, and she carried -herself with ease and dignity.</p> - -<p>The feelings of the Princess Matilda, who was -thus betrothed to a Prince whom she had never -seen, were not consulted in the slightest degree. -The proposed marriage seemed a suitable one; and -it was more brilliant than that of her sister, the -Princess Augusta; moreover, it would strengthen -the political alliance between England and Denmark, -and, it was hoped, give England more influence -in the Baltic. These considerations were sufficient -for her brother, George III., who must be held -directly responsible for this marriage. The question -of his sister’s happiness, or unhappiness, did not -enter. The child Princess disliked the idea from -the first; her ladies-in-waiting noticed that so far -from showing any pleasure at her added dignity -she became pensive and melancholy. She was -too young to realise all this marriage would mean -to her, but she knew that it would involve exile -from her native country, and separation from her -family, and she grieved much in secret, though -afraid to show her unhappiness openly. She gave -some hint of her feelings to her aunt, the Princess -Amelia, soon after her betrothal.</p> - -<p>The Princess Amelia often went to Bath, then -a very gay place, where she played cards and -talked scandal to her heart’s content. She had a -great liking for her little niece, and she asked permission -to take her to Bath on one of these visits -for a few weeks. Matilda, weary of the dulness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50"></a>[Pg 50]</span> -and seclusion of Carlton House, pleaded hard to -go, but the Princess-Dowager would not hear of it. -She disliked her sister-in-law and disapproved of -her card-playing proclivities. Matilda was greatly -disappointed at her mother’s refusal, and said that -she had been looking forward to the journey, for -she loved to travel. The Princess Amelia tried -to cheer her niece, and remarked jocularly: “It -will not be long before you will have plenty of -travelling”. “I know what you mean,” said Matilda, -“but surely it would be happier for me to stay -where I am, than go so far for a Prince I have -never seen.”</p> - -<a name="i050" id="i050"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 800px;"> -<img src="images/page050.jpg" width="800" height="532" alt="The elder children of Frederick and Augusta, Prince and Princess of Wales, playing at Kew Gardens." /> -<div class="caption">THE ELDER CHILDREN OF FREDERICK AND AUGUSTA, PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES, PLAYING IN -KEW GARDENS.<br /><i>From a Painting, temp. 1750.</i></div> -</div> - -<p>The Princess found consolation in the thought -that her dreaded marriage would not take place -for some time (it was to be deferred for two years, -until 1767), and in a few months after her betrothal -she recovered her spirits, and interested herself -once more in her gardening and other simple -pleasures, and in little acts of beneficence to the -poor families whom she took under her especial -protection at Kew. She pursued her studies diligently, -the better to qualify herself for the high -position she was intended to fill. At the suggestion -of the King of Denmark, she began to learn -German, the language then most spoken at the -Danish court.<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> It is characteristic of the English -tendencies of Frederick Prince of Wales, that, -though both he and his wife were born in Germany,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51"></a>[Pg 51]</span> -not one of their children was taught German as a -necessary part of his, or her, education, and several -of them remained ignorant of it.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> Letter of the Duke of Grafton to Titley, St. James’s, March -14, 1766.</p></div> - -<p>We must now give some account of the Princess -Matilda’s betrothed husband, the Crown Prince -Christian, and of the court of Denmark.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52"></a>[Pg 52]</span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> - -<p class="center">THE TRAINING OF A KING.</p> - -<p class="center">1749-1766.</p> - - -<p>The Crown Prince Christian (afterwards Christian -VII. of Denmark and Norway) was born on January -29, 1749, and was therefore two years and six -months older than his first cousin and betrothed -bride, Princess Matilda.</p> - -<p>When he was in his third year Christian lost -his mother, Louise, daughter of George II. of -England and consort of Frederick V. of Denmark. -Queen Louise was very beautiful, and had inherited -from her mother, Queen Caroline, her grace and -dignity and her virtues and talents. She was possessed -of great tact, and won the love and reverence -of all classes, and, what was more difficult, of all -races of her husband’s subjects, whether Danes, -Norwegians or Germans. The Danes compared -her to their sainted Dagmar, and her early death was -regarded as a national calamity. During Louise’s -illness the streets of Copenhagen were thronged -from early dawn by people waiting for news, and -the churches were filled with praying and weeping -men and women. Every night, outside the palace -gate, crowds waited patiently for hours, their faces,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53"></a>[Pg 53]</span> -white in the darkness, turned towards the wing of -the palace where the Queen lay dying. Louise -died in 1751 (the year that Caroline Matilda was -born), and left behind her the legacy of a bright -example. The Danes owed England a debt of -gratitude for sending them this admirable princess, -a debt they amply repaid a century later when they -gave to the English people a descendant of Queen -Louise, a princess even more beautiful and beloved -than her illustrious ancestress—our gracious Queen -Alexandra.<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> A short table showing the descent of Her Majesty Queen -Alexandra from Queen Louise of Denmark:— -</p> -<table id="family2" summary="From Queen Louise to Queen Alexandra"> -<col class="col1" /><col class="col1" /><col class="col1" /><col class="col1" /><col class="col5" /> -<tr><td colspan="5">Louise daughter of George II. of England and Queen -of Frederick V. of Denmark.</td></tr> -<tr><td> </td><td colspan="4" class="bl hgt1"></td></tr> -<tr><td> </td><td colspan="4">Charlotte Princess of Denmark.</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="2">  </td><td colspan="3" class="bl hgt1"></td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="2">  </td><td colspan="3">Caroline Princess of Denmark.</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="3">   </td><td colspan="2" class="bl hgt1"></td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="3">   </td><td colspan="2">Christian IX. King of Denmark.</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="4">    </td><td class="bl hgt1"></td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="4">    </td><td>Queen Alexandra.</td></tr> -</table> -</div> - -<p>King Frederick was overwhelmed with grief -at his consort’s death and refused to be comforted. -He could not mention her name without weeping; -he commanded the deepest court mourning for a -year and prohibited all public amusements for the -same period. Yet, like many bereaved widowers, -before and since, the more deeply this royal widower -mourned his wife, the more quickly he sought consolation -by giving her a successor. Six months of -the stipulated mourning had scarcely passed when -the King cast off his sables and wedded Princess -Juliana Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. This -princess was the youngest of six daughters, two of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54"></a>[Pg 54]</span> -whom had already made great alliances. The eldest -was married to Frederick the Great, and the second -to Prince Augustus William, the heir presumptive -to the throne of Prussia. One of her nieces came -near to be married to George III., but was rejected -by him on the advice of his mother. This slight -upon her house did not tend to make Juliana Maria -well disposed towards the English royal family; -and the love of the Danes for the English princess -who was her predecessor contrasted vividly with -her own unpopularity. Juliana Maria was a handsome -and determined woman, rigidly correct in her -conduct and unblemished in her morals, but she was -of a cold and selfish nature, a profound intriguer -and dissembler. Frederick V. married her from a -sense of duty; he wanted a queen to preside over -his court, and a wife to give him another son. -Juliana Maria fulfilled both these conditions; she -looked every inch a queen, and in due time presented -her husband with a prince, who was named Frederick. -But though she shared her husband’s throne she had -no place in his affections.</p> - -<p>Frederick V. was popular with his subjects, who -named him “Frederick the Good”. The first part -of his reign as fully justified this title as the latter -part belied it. Queen Louise was his good angel -and led him to higher things, but when her beneficent -influence was gone he abandoned himself to evil -habits, especially to his besetting one of drunkenness. -So much did he give way to this vice that he became -a confirmed dipsomaniac, and the reins of govern<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55"></a>[Pg 55]</span>ment -passed out of his hands into those of his Prime -Minister, Count Moltke, and of his mother, the -Queen-Dowager, Sophia Magdalena.</p> - -<p>This princess, the widow of Christian VI.,<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> was -a daughter of the Margrave of Brandenburg-Culmbach. -She had obtained considerable political -influence in her husband’s lifetime, and she continued -to hold it throughout the reign of her son. -She was a woman of narrow and strict views, but -had a great love of display. Between her and -Moltke an alliance existed for a time. They played -into one another’s hands so cleverly that Juliana -Maria, despite her ambitious and intriguing disposition, -found herself outwitted by her mother-in-law and -the Prime Minister. Sophia Magdalena’s superior -knowledge of Danish affairs gave her an advantage -over Juliana Maria, who, though the King’s wife, -laboured under the disability of not being in the -King’s confidence. Count Moltke was not a minister -of great ability, and he was suspected of selling his -country’s interests to other powers. Certain it is -that during the last years of Frederick V.’s reign the -foreign envoys of France, Russia and England were -in turns the real rulers of Denmark. With Moltke -the French influence was generally paramount.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> Christian VI., the son of Frederick IV., was born in 1699, -ascended the throne in 1730 and died in 1746, after a peaceful and -prosperous reign. He was succeeded by his son Frederick V.</p></div> - -<p>The Crown Prince Christian suffered an irreparable -loss in his mother’s death, for she was devoted -to her son and kept him with her as much as possible,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56"></a>[Pg 56]</span> -though this was contrary to the traditional etiquette -of the Danish court. After Queen Louise died the -Crown Prince and his sisters were handed over to -the loveless care of governesses and tutors, and -their father never troubled about them. Juliana -Maria was not an affectionate stepmother, and left -her husband’s children severely alone. Even if she -had wished to give them personal supervision, the -etiquette of the Danish court would have prevented -her. Moreover, any movement she might have -made in that direction would have been regarded -with suspicion. Juliana Maria regarded the Crown -Prince Christian as an obstacle in the path of her -ambition. If he were out of the way her son -Frederick would succeed to the throne. She probably -wished him out of the way, but the stories -that she plotted against the life of her stepson rest -on no trustworthy evidence, and may be dismissed -as unworthy of credence.</p> - -<p>At the age of six Christian was taken out of -the nursery and given an establishment of his own. -Count Berkentin, a privy councillor, was appointed -his governor, and Count Reventlow his chamberlain -and tutor. Berkentin was an old man, indolent -and easy-going, who was glad to shift the responsibility -of his troublesome charge on other shoulders, -and asked for nothing more than to draw his salary -and be left in peace. The training of the Crown -Prince therefore devolved wholly on Reventlow, -who was a Danish noble of the most reactionary -and barbarous type. Reventlow’s one idea of educa<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57"></a>[Pg 57]</span>tion -was to harden the lad, to make, as he said, a -man of him—he might rather have said to make a -brute of him. He took no account of the idiosyncrasies -of Christian’s character, or of his nervous, -highly strung temperament. He sought to crush -him down to one low level, the level of himself. -The boy was brought up in slave-like fear of his -brutal master, and sometimes beaten for trifling -errors so inhumanly that foam gathered on his -lips and he writhed in agony. Even in his boyhood, -Christian’s nervous paroxysms sometimes degenerated -into fits of an epileptic nature, and so -encouraged the growth of a terrible malady.</p> - -<p>Reventlow superintended the Crown Prince’s -education, that is to say, his training and his daily -life. He did not teach him his lessons. The -learned German author, Gellert, was first asked to -undertake this duty, but he refused. The King -then appointed one Nielsen, who had been tutor to -several of the young Danish nobility. Nielsen was -a very learned man, but unfortunately had not the -capacity of imparting his learning in a lucid and -attractive manner, and he was too fond of abstruse -speculations to teach things which would be useful -to the royal pupil. Nielsen was a Lutheran -clergyman, but he was notoriously unorthodox, -and he mixed his religious instruction with a good -deal of profane philosophy. The poor little prince -was not old enough to understand theological, or -philosophical, disquisitions; they weighed like a -nightmare on his youthful mind, and the result of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58"></a>[Pg 58]</span> -this teaching in after life was a curious mixture of -freethinking and superstition. The Crown Prince -was taken to church twice every Sunday, where he -sat between his two tormentors, Reventlow and -Nielsen, and listened to dull and interminable -sermons. If his attention flagged for a moment -Reventlow would pinch him, and when he came out -of church Nielsen would catechise him concerning -the sermon, and make him repeat the preacher’s -arguments at length. Christian regarded these -religious exercises with intense dislike, and dreaded -Sunday as his chief day of torment.</p> - -<p>In the Crown Prince’s hours of recreation he -was neglected, and allowed to keep bad company. -His chief companions were two youths employed -about the court; one was Sperling, a page of the -chamber and a nephew of Reventlow; the other -was Kirschoff, a servant of the chamber, and a friend -of Sperling. Both these youths were vicious and -corrupt. They were older than the Crown Prince -and acquired great influence over him. They -set him a bad example by their evil habits, they -poisoned his mind by retailing all the scandals of -the court, and they corrupted his heart by mocking -at everything good and noble. It has been well -said that they occupy the same place in the history -of Denmark as Louis XV.’s infamous servants -Bachelier and Le Bel do in the history of France.</p> - -<p>It stands to Juliana Maria’s credit that she -objected to these youths as playmates of the Prince -and to Reventlow’s system of education, and remon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59"></a>[Pg 59]</span>strated -with the King, but Frederick V. would not -listen to her. Later Bernstorff made similar representations -and with more success, for when Christian -was eleven years of age a change took place for the -better. A Swiss named Reverdil<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> was appointed -to instruct the Crown Prince in mathematics and -French, and he gradually extended his teaching to -other branches of learning. Reverdil was an upright -man, and did his duty according to his lights. -He saw clearly that the boy’s physical and mental -health was being ruined by Reventlow’s barbarous -methods, and did what he could to improve things. -But well meaning though he was he made his pupil’s -life unhappier by introducing a new torture in the -form of public examinations. The Crown Prince -was examined twice yearly in the knight’s hall of -the Christiansborg Palace<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> in the presence of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60"></a>[Pg 60]</span> -King, the Ministers, and the <i>corps diplomatique</i>, -and if we may judge from the courtly reports of the -foreign envoys he acquitted himself well. Yet, this -testimony notwithstanding, it is certain that he was -not well educated, for he was ignorant of solid -acquirements. But he could dance a minuet with -much grace and could play the flute, sing, ride and -fence well. He was a fair linguist and spoke German -and French. More important still he was taught -the Danish language, which had been neglected at -the Danish court, and the household of the Prince, -except his French and German tutors, were forbidden -to speak to him in other language but -Danish.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> Reverdil was born in 1732 in the Canton of Vaud, and educated -at the University of Geneva. He became professor of mathematics -at the University of Copenhagen in 1758, and two years later -was appointed assistant tutor to the Crown Prince Christian. He -has left a record of his experiences at the Danish court in a book -entitled <i>Struensee et la cour de Copenhague 1760-1772, Mémoires de -Reverdil</i>. To this work I am indebted for much valuable information.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> The Christiansborg Palace, situated on an island in the heart -of Copenhagen, was originally erected by Christian VI. in 1733-40. -It was a magnificent building both externally and internally, and for -five reigns was the principal palace of the Kings of Denmark. It -was partially burned down in 1794, but rebuilt. It was again gutted -by fire in 1884; but the walls are still standing. The palace could be -restored to its pristine splendour, and it is a reproach that this residence, -so rich in historic associations, has not been rebuilt. A bill -is occasionally introduced for the Danish parliament to grant the -necessary funds, but it has hitherto been defeated by the democratic -party on the ground that the King is well housed in his palace -of the Amalienborg, which, in point of fact, is much too small to be -the chief royal palace of the capital.</p></div> - -<p>The Crown Prince was precocious in some things -and backward in others. He was naturally quick-witted -and had a gift of sarcasm and mimicry -in which he freely indulged; he made buffoon -parodies of the preachers and their sermons, and -he mimicked ministers of state, high court officials -and even the august royal family. Some of his -boyish sarcasms show that he felt the cruel way in -which he was treated and the subordinate position in -which he was kept. For instance, Frederick V., in -one of his generous moods (probably after a hard -spell of drinking), made Moltke a present of the -palace of Hirschholm and all its contents. It was -a common ground of complaint that Moltke took -advantage of his master’s weakness to enrich himself. -The Crown Prince, hearing of this princely -gift, waylaid Moltke coming from the audience<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61"></a>[Pg 61]</span> -chamber of the King, and thrust into his hand a -picture of Hirschholm.<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> “Content yourself with this, -your Excellency,” said the Prince, “for, believe -me, unless you get the crown as well, Hirschholm -will never be yours.” The Prime Minister, taken -aback at this display of authority on the part of the -heir apparent, wisely forebore to press the matter -further, and Hirschholm remained the property of the -crown. On another occasion, when the King and -his favourite minister were drinking together, the -Crown Prince was present. The King commanded -Christian to fill glasses for himself and Moltke. -Christian hesitated. The King repeated his order, -and told him that he could fill his own glass as well. -The Prince then filled Moltke’s glass to the brim, -the King’s glass half full, and into his own he -poured only a few drops. “What do you mean by -this?” said the King. “I mean, sire,” replied his -son, “to denote our relative importance in the state. -His Excellency being all-powerful I have filled his -glass to the full. You being only second in authority -I half filled yours; as for me, since I am of no -consequence, a drop suffices.”</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> It is possible that his grandmother Sophia Magdalena may have -instigated him to do this, as Hirschholm was her favourite palace.</p></div> - -<p>Despite his precocity, Christian had some extraordinary -crazes and superstitions. One of them -he cherished from the nursery. His Norwegian -nurse had told him many legends of Scandinavian -Vikings whose physical perfections rivalled the gods, -mighty warriors who were invulnerable in battle,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62"></a>[Pg 62]</span> -like the legendary heroes of ancient wars. At this -time there was a very widespread belief in northern -Europe in a foolish superstition called the “Art of -Passau,” a secret charm which made men hard and -invulnerable in battle. The young Crown Prince’s -imagination was fired by it, and he determined to -acquire the secret of the charm and so attain his -ideal of supreme physical perfection. Gradually he -came to believe that he had found it, and soon the -hallucination extended to his thinking that he was -also endowed with superhuman mental attributes, -and he saw himself a mightier ruler and warrior than -Peter the Great or Frederick the Great, and a -greater philosopher than Leibniz or Voltaire. The -fulsome despatches of Cosby, the assistant English -envoy,<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a> would almost seem to warrant this preposterous -belief, for he describes the Crown Prince in -the most extravagant terms.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> In 1763 the envoy, Titley, on the ground of age and infirmity, -was granted an assistant, and the British Government sent Cosby to -Copenhagen, and he virtually took over the whole business of the -legation, Titley only intervening in domestic matters connected with -the royal families of England and Denmark. Cosby conducted the -diplomatic business until his recall in 1765. He suddenly went -insane.</p></div> - -<a name="i062" id="i062"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> -<img src="images/page062.jpg" width="600" height="677" alt="Queen Louise, Consort of Frederick V. of Denmark." /> -<div class="caption">QUEEN LOUISE, CONSORT OF FREDERICK V. OF DENMARK AND -DAUGHTER OF GEORGE II. OF ENGLAND.<br /><i>From a Painting by Pilo in the Frederiksborg Palace.</i></div> -</div> - -<p>“I had yesterday,” he writes, “the honour -of an audience with the Prince Royal, and was -greatly charmed with the graceful and affectionate -manner in which his Royal Highness received and -answered the compliment I had the honour to make -him on the part of the King [George III.].<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> This -young Prince already promises everything that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63"></a>[Pg 63]</span> -most sanguine hopes of this nation can expect. To -an amiable and manly countenance, a graceful and -distinguishing figure, he joins an address full of -dignity, and at the same time extremely affable. But -what struck me most was the great resemblance of -his Royal Highness, both in person and manner, to -the King [George III.] when his Majesty was of -the age the Prince now is [sixteen]. The likeness -is in truth so striking that it seems rather that of a -royal brother than of a Prince more distantly related -[a first cousin] to his Majesty.”<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> Wherever square brackets occur the matter is interpolated.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> Cosby’s despatch, Copenhagen, March 27, 1764.</p></div> - -<p>Soon after this exchange of compliments between -George III. and his cousin of Denmark the negotiations -began which resulted in Christian’s betrothal -to Matilda of England. The formal announcement -was not made at Copenhagen until January 18, -1765, when it was enthusiastically received by the -Danish people, who cherished a fond remembrance -of their last Queen from England—Queen Louise. -Cosby writes: “The intended nuptials of the Prince -Royal with the Princess Matilda were declared at -court yesterday. There was a very brilliant ball -and supper at the royal table on this occasion, and -the evening concluded with illuminations, and every -possible demonstration of joy from all ranks of -people.”<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> Cosby’s despatch, Copenhagen, January 19, 1765.</p></div> - -<p>On Palm Sunday, 1765, Christian, who had now -reached his seventeenth year, and was already -betrothed, was confirmed by the Bishop of Copen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64"></a>[Pg 64]</span>hagen -in the chapel of the Christiansborg Palace -in the presence of the King and royal family, the -ministers, foreign envoys and all the court. The -occasion was one of much state and ceremonial, for -confirmation in Denmark was, and is, regarded as -a very important rite, and signifies the taking upon -oneself the serious responsibilities of life. The inevitable -examination preceded the Crown Prince’s -confirmation. Accounts differ as to how he acquitted -himself under this ordeal. Some said that -when the Bishop examined the Prince he discovered -that he was well acquainted with Tindal but ignorant -of the Bible. On the other hand, the courtly Cosby -writes: “He excited the admiration of all present -by his graceful delivery and thorough knowledge of -the subject of religion; ... the masterly ease and -dignity with which he expressed his sentiments as -well as such promising abilities had an effect on the -whole audience”.<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> And Titley wrote later: “As -the religious sentiments of a person brought up for -absolute sovereignty may deserve some attention, -I have taken the liberty of adding hereunto as -close a translation as I could make of what the -Prince Royal declared at the late solemnity of his -being confirmed. This young Prince, who is of a -very amiable genteel figure, discovers the greatest -humanity and goodness of disposition, and is also -distinguished by a most lively understanding which -has been carefully cultivated in a noble, rational way. -The declaration is said to be entirely his own, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65"></a>[Pg 65]</span> -I am the more apt to believe it, as having been -assured that he is particularly well grounded in the -study of the law of nature and in general theology.”<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> Cosby’s despatch, Copenhagen, April 2, 1765.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> Titley’s despatch, Copenhagen, April 23, 1765.</p></div> - -<p>The declaration was as follows:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“I do acknowledge in the presence of God, in -the presence of the King, in the presence of this -congregation, and of all those who have been my -instructors, that there is an eternal and unalterable -law of nature; from the obligation and force of -which no man can be exempted by any station, or -dignity, or power upon earth. I am likewise fully -convinced that the right and true way to salvation -is through faith in Jesus Christ; and I profess it to -be my steadfast purpose to live and die in this belief.</p> - -<p>“I am also sensible of the general and particular -functions to which God has called me; and which -I will always endeavour, by the assistance of the -Divine grace, to fulfil. But as, from human weakness, -I must be continually in danger of falling, so I -hope that God will strengthen and support me, that -I may not be entangled in the snares of Satan. -And therefore I am persuaded, that, not only the congregation -here present, but also the whole people of -this country, will join their prayers with mine, that -I may be enabled to sustain the combat of faith to -the end, and persevere, without spot or blame, in the -law prescribed to me, till the coming of our Lord -Jesus Christ.”<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> “A declaration made by the Prince Royal of Denmark when -he was confirmed in the King’s Chapel on Palm Sunday, March 31, -1765.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66"></a>[Pg 66]</span></p></div> - -<p>Though the betrothal of the Crown Prince to -an English princess was exceedingly popular with -the Danish people, it was not universally so in -other and more exalted quarters. It was especially -obnoxious to France, and soon after Christian’s confirmation -an intrigue was set afoot to break it off. -The English envoy took fright lest the intrigue -should be successful, but his fears were groundless, -for the alliance had a firm friend in Frederick -V., who, though weak on other points, was firm as -a rock on this one. Titley sought an audience of -the King of Denmark about this time and writes -home:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“His Danish Majesty received me in the most -gracious manner as usual, and told me he had now a -picture of the Princess [Matilda] and was extremely -well pleased with it. That he had always highly -approved alliances of blood with the royal family of -Great Britain, which he hoped would in time produce -close and perfect national union, and that he heartily -wished these family connections might still be repeated -and continued between the two courts through -all posterity.... (<i>In cipher</i>) In speaking of this -marriage the King of Denmark could not but remember -his late Queen, whose behaviour he praised, -and whose loss he lamented with such an overflowing -tenderness as filled his eyes with tears, which he -strove in vain to stifle, and often wiped away with -his handkerchief.”<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> Titley’s despatch, Copenhagen, June 4, 1765.</p></div> - -<p>The picture to which the King of Denmark<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67"></a>[Pg 67]</span> -referred was a painting of the Princess Matilda -which had been sent from England to Copenhagen -at his express wish. The King declared himself -delighted with the picture, wherein he found many -points of resemblance to his lamented Louise. We -find Titley writing again:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“The picture of the Princess Matilda, having -been put into a fine frame by his Danish Majesty’s -order, was placed some days ago over the toilet of -the Prince Royal at Frederiksberg<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> unknown to -his Royal Highness. The Prince, as I am told, was -equally surprised and delighted to find it there, and -after having surveyed it over and over with great -attention and inexpressible pleasure, declared his -approbation and satisfaction in terms of rapture. -Yesterday being the birthday of the Princess Matilda -it was celebrated in a private manner by the royal -family at Fredensborg,<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> whither the Prince went two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68"></a>[Pg 68]</span> -or three days before on purpose to assist at the -festivity.”<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> The Frederiksberg Palace is situated in the western suburb -of Copenhagen. It must not be confounded with Frederiksborg, -which is some twenty miles from the capital, near the village of -Hilleröd. Frederiksberg was built by Frederick IV., about 1720-30, -in the Italian style. There is a fine view from the terrace. It is -surrounded by a well-timbered park, and the gardens contain many -shady promenades. The palace is now used as a military academy: -the grounds are a favourite resort of the citizens of Copenhagen.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> Fredensborg Slot (or castle) was built in 1720-24 in memory of -the recently concluded peace between Sweden and Denmark, and -was known as the “Castle of Peace”. It is a plain unpretentious -building, but the gardens and park are beautiful, and reveal lovely -views over the blue lake of Esrom. The woods are extensive and -the trees very fine. Fredensborg is now used as the summer residence -of the Danish royal family. The family gatherings which -have assembled within its walls during the reign of Christian IX. -have made Fredensborg famous over Europe.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> Titley’s despatch, Copenhagen, July 23, 1765.</p></div> - -<p>Some few months after this pleasing incident -the English match lost its most powerful friend at -the court of Copenhagen. On January 13, 1766, -Frederick V. died, in the forty-third year of his age -and the twenty-first of his reign. His health for -some time previously had been going from bad to -worse, and his malady, dropsy, was increased by -his habits of intemperance. Latterly his mind had -become affected as well, but before the end his -brain cleared, and he called his son to his bedside -and said:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“My dear son, you will soon be the King of a -flourishing people, but remember, that to be a great -monarch it is absolutely necessary to be a good -man. Have justice and mercy, therefore, constantly -before your eyes, and above all things reflect that -you were born for the welfare of your people, and -not your country created for your mere emolument. -In short, keep to the golden rule of doing as you -would be done by, and whenever you give an order -as a sovereign examine how far you would be -willing to obey such an order were you a subject.”<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> <i>Gentleman’s Magazine</i>, February, 1766.</p></div> - -<p>A few hours after Frederick V.’s death Bernstorff -proclaimed the new King to the people from -the balcony of the Christiansborg Palace in these -words: “King Frederick V. is dead, but King -Christian VII. lives. The Crown Prince has be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69"></a>[Pg 69]</span>come -the ruler of the united kingdoms of Denmark -and Norway.” Whereupon all the people shouted: -“May the King live long and reign well like his -father!” Christian was then pleased to show himself -to his people, and was afterwards proclaimed -throughout the city by the heralds.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70"></a>[Pg 70]</span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> - -<p class="center">“THE NORTHERN SCAMP.”</p> - -<p class="center">1766.</p> - - -<p>Few monarchs ever began their reign with more -ardent prayers of their people, or inspired brighter -hopes, than “Christian VII., by the grace of God -King of Denmark, Norway, of the Goths and -Wends, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein, Stormarn and -the Dittmarsches, Count of Oldenburg and Delmenhorst”—to -quote his full style and titles. The -young King was regarded as the probable regenerator -of Denmark. “The eminent virtues and truly -royal disposition of the new Sovereign afford a very -agreeable prospect of his future reign,” writes Titley. -Again: “He is in all respects a very hopeful Prince, -virtuously disposed, with excellent natural parts, and -solidity as well as vivacity of understanding”.<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> The -envoy’s views were echoed by all who came in contact -with the King.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> Titley’s despatch, Copenhagen, January 18, 1766.</p></div> - -<p>Christian VII. held his first council a few days -after his father’s death and acquitted himself with -tact and dignity. It was his introduction to affairs -of state, for though, according to the <i>Lex Regia</i> of -Denmark, the heir apparent came of age when he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71"></a>[Pg 71]</span> -reached the age of fourteen, Christian had been -kept quite ignorant of public business. This was -the more inexcusable as his father’s failing health -made it likely that his accession would take place -at any moment. Christian VII. was seventeen years -of age when the call came for him to ascend the -throne, and it found him utterly unprepared. To -quote a Swedish writer: “The young monarch -exchanged the schoolroom and the birch-rod for the -throne and sceptre”.</p> - -<p>This policy of keeping the heir apparent in -ignorance of the constitution and government of -the country was part of a set plan. The Ministers -wished to retain all power in their own hands, -and they viewed with alarm the possibility of a -new ruler taking the initiative. For the King of -Denmark and Norway in those days was no mere -puppet of sovereignty. He was invested with -absolute power, and was in theory, at any rate, -as much an autocrat as the Tsar of all the Russias. -The late King, from indolence and indifference, had -let all the power drift into the hands of his ministers, -but there was no reason why Christian VII. should -do the same. The royal policy of <i>laissez-faire</i> had -not been so successful in the last reign that the -nation desired its continuance in this. The trend -of foreign policy under Moltke had been to sell -Denmark bound hand and foot to France. In -home affairs, the army and navy had drifted into -a deplorable state of inefficiency, the national debt -was abnormally large, and the taxes burdensome.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72"></a>[Pg 72]</span> -Many of the nobility were disaffected and corrupt, -the middle classes sullen and discontented, and -the peasants ground down to the level of beasts of -burden. Undoubtedly there was something rotten -in the state of Denmark.</p> - -<p>The young King at first made a laudable effort -to do what he could. “He begins, they say,” wrote -Titley, “to show a desire of becoming thoroughly -master of the state of his affairs, and it is not to be -doubted that he will soon make great progress in -that knowledge, if he takes right methods and -his application is equal to his capacity.” Again: -“Sensible people here begin to conceive great -hopes of their young Sovereign, and cannot enough -admire his application to business, and also the -quickness and solidity of his understanding”.<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> And -again: “With a great share of vivacity and youthful -levity he yet thinks very seriously and strives to make -himself master of his affairs, so far at least as not -to be under the necessity of blindly following the -suggestions of anybody; ... he is unwilling to do -anything that he cannot understand or rationally -approve”.<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> Titley’s despatch, Copenhagen, January 21, 1766.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i>, March 14, 1766.</p></div> - -<p>If this show of authority somewhat alarmed -Moltke and his placemen, the inexperienced King -at first did nothing to displace them. For the first -few months of his reign Christian VII. ruled through -a triumvirate, composed of Moltke, Bernstorff and -Reventlow. The triumvirate, though they detested<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73"></a>[Pg 73]</span> -each other, united in an attempt to discourage the -King from governing. If Christian expressed an -opinion on any matter of state, they either raised -difficulties, or embarked on wearisome discussions. -Baffled and discouraged at every turn the young -King resolved not to yield without a struggle to -his dictators. He knew that the affairs of the -nation were in confusion, and he asked a distinguished -servant of the state, Count Frederick -Danneskjold-Samsöe,<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a> to draw up for him an independent -report of the condition of the kingdom. -Danneskjold-Samsöe performed his task with alacrity, -and painted an appalling picture of the distress of -the people, the corruption and mismanagement in -the great spending departments of the state, and -the misgovernment of ministers. He inveighed -against the whole policy of the ministers, and -especially against that of Bernstorff, whom he regarded -as chiefly responsible for the marriage -arranged between the King and the English -Princess Matilda. This marriage he boldly declared -was displeasing to the nation. But in this -respect he met with no success; the King showed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74"></a>[Pg 74]</span> -no inclination to hurry into matrimony, but the -betrothal remained unaltered. So far as could be -judged Christian inherited his father’s liking for -England. “I am told,” wrote the English envoy, -“that he has a predilection towards England. He -often talks in private of the British blood in his -veins, and often intimates the satisfaction it would -give him to lead his army in person in the cause -of Great Britain.”<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> Count Frederick Danneskjold-Samsöe was a grandson of -Christian V. The first Count was Christian V.’s son by Sophie -Amalie, daughter of Paul Mothe, an apothecary. His daughter by -his first marriage, Frederica Louise, married in 1720 Christian -Augustus, Duke of Holstein-Sondeburg-Augustenburg. This marriage -played an important part in the interminable Schleswig-Holstein -question as affecting the legitimacy of the Pretender. -Christian, the late Duke of Augustenburg, and his brother Prince -Frederick, also married daughters of the house of Danneskjold-Samsöe. -The mother of Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein -was a Countess Danneskjold-Samsöe.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> Titley’s despatch, Copenhagen, May 13, 1766.</p></div> - -<p>Christian VII. acted so far on Danneskjold-Samsöe’s -report as to dismiss his Prime Minister, -Moltke, without a pension, and to strip him of all his -offices. He had always disliked Moltke, whom he -considered chiefly responsible for his having been -kept in subjection and in ignorance of public affairs -during the late King’s lifetime. Contrary to expectation -he did not treat Reventlow with the same -severity. He gave him titular honours, but quietly -put him on one side. Bernstorff triumphantly -acquitted himself of the charges brought against -him, and rapidly advanced in the King’s favour. -He soon became the most powerful minister in -Denmark.</p> - -<p>A firm friend of Bernstorff and of the English -alliance was Prince Charles of Hesse.<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> This -Prince was Christian VII.’s first cousin, and, like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75"></a>[Pg 75]</span> -him, had an English mother—Princess Mary, -daughter of George II. This Princess married the -Landgrave Frederick of Hesse, who after his -marriage became a Roman Catholic. His sons -were then taken away from his guardianship, and -sent, for the greater security of their Protestantism, -to Copenhagen, where they grew up under the -protection of Frederick V. Prince Charles was -much loved by King Frederick, who betrothed -him to his daughter the Princess Louise. Prince -Charles was good-looking, clever and high principled, -but he was almost penniless, and the proposed -alliance was considered a poor one for the -Danish Princess. They, however, were very much -in love with one another, and Christian VII. approved -of the betrothal quite as much as the late -King.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> Prince Charles of Hesse, afterwards Landgrave, left behind him -a manuscript entitled <i>Mémoires de mon Temps</i>. After nearly a century -it was ordered to be printed by King Frederick VII. of Denmark -for private circulation. It is the authority for many passages in -this book.</p></div> - -<p>Prince Charles was at this time a great favourite -with his royal cousin, who often sought his advice. -The young King had need of a disinterested counsellor -who was not afraid to speak, for before long -the bright hopes entertained concerning him began -to fade. The tactics of his ministers in seeking to -blunt the edge of the King’s interest in state affairs -had been only too successful. They wished him -not to interfere, or take the initiative in any way, -but they wanted him to be diligent in doing what -they told him, and punctual in the discharge of -routine duties. But Christian VII. soon developed -a distaste for all work, and showed an inclination -to shirk the most formal duty. He rarely attended<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76"></a>[Pg 76]</span> -a council, and would leave the necessary papers -unsigned for days.<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> “The late ministry,” wrote Gunning after the fall of Bernstorff’s -Government in 1770, “are said to have neglected no means of presenting -all business to His Majesty’s youthful eye through the terrifying -medium of labour and drudgery. They used many efforts (and at -length they succeeded) to inspire him with a thorough distaste for -everything but ease and dissipation, with the sole design of maintaining -their own power and consequence. They equally diverted his -application from civil or military business, the former with a view -of managing it themselves, the latter in order to prevent any great -exertion of the natural power of an arbitrary government, which -without an army is a mere chimæra.” (Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, -April 4, 1771.)</p></div> - -<a name="i076" id="i076"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> -<img src="images/page076.jpg" width="600" height="650" alt="King Christian VII." /> -<div class="caption">KING CHRISTIAN VII.<br /><i>From the Painting by P. Wichman, 1766.</i></div> -</div> - -<p>In other ways, too, Christian showed signs of -change, not for the better. For a few months after -his accession he spent his evenings in the circle of -the royal family, with his sisters and stepbrother, -the Hereditary Prince Frederick. He by turns -visited the two Dowager-Queens, Juliana Maria -and Sophia Magdalena. Juliana Maria treated him -with great friendliness, and his grandmother, Sophia -Magdalena, was genuinely fond of him. But the -company of the two dowagers was not lively, and -it was made worse by the stiff etiquette that prevailed -in their circles. It pleased the King’s wayward -humour to outrage all these laws of etiquette, -and even to descend to the level of practical jokes, -sheltering himself against retaliation by his position. -On one occasion he blew a cup of scalding -tea into a lady’s face when she was in the act of -drinking it; on another he exposed his august -grandmother to derision by powdering her hair with -sugar. In addition to the two Dowager-Queens<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77"></a>[Pg 77]</span> -there was another old princess at the Danish court, -the King’s aunt, Charlotte Amelia, who lived only -for religious practices and charity. Even the halo -of sanctity which surrounded this royal spinster did -not protect her from insult. She was constantly -tormented by the King and jeered at before the -courtiers. At first Charlotte Amelia treated this -insolence as boyish fun, but at last things became -so bad that she withdrew from court. Her limit -of endurance was reached when one of the King’s -pages crawled under the dining-table on all fours, -disguised as a savage, and nearly frightened her to -death. She retired to the Amalienborg and could -never be persuaded to return to court. The King’s -practical joke cost him dear, for the Princess Charlotte -Amelia revoked her will, and left her large -fortune away from her nephew to the poor.</p> - -<p>When he was weary of tormenting old ladies -Christian VII. introduced the custom of retiring -to his own apartments after dinner, and there, surrounded -by a chosen circle of his intimates, he would -lay aside his kingly dignity and make merry with -his friends. No doubt these evening gatherings -were in imitation of those of his exemplar, Frederick -the Great, where ceremonial and etiquette were -banished and the Prussian King and his friends -engaged in intellectual conversation and social enjoyment. -Unfortunately for the parallel, Christian’s -clique consisted of foolish and dissipated young -courtiers, and their conversation mainly turned upon -current scandals, or <i>risqué</i> French novels were read<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78"></a>[Pg 78]</span> -and commented on. When in turn the King was -wearied of these diversions, he conceived the idea -of prowling about his capital at night, disguised -like another Haroun al Raschid, but from a very -different motive to that which guided the enlightened -Caliph, and with very different results. Soon strange -rumours were heard of these nocturnal expeditions, -of wild sallies and adventures, of street fights, breaking -of windows and conflicts with the watchmen. In -these excursions Kirschoff and Sperling accompanied -the King, and aided and abetted him in his wildest -extravagancies. The sober Danes began to take -fright lest their young monarch should be thoroughly -corrupted by his evil companions. He was already -earning the title, which the English ladies gave -him later, of “The Northern Scamp”. The British -minister, who at first had nothing but praise for -Christian VII., now writes:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“As this young gentleman [Sperling] is not -eminently qualified to be of any particular use or -amusement to his Sovereign, otherwise than by -assisting him in the gratification of irregular passions, -people are alarmed at such a connection, and the -greatest care will be taken to prevent the evil effects -which are naturally to be apprehended from it”.<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> Titley’s despatch, February 4, 1766.</p></div> - -<p>Something had to be done, so the ministers made -a scapegoat of Kirschoff and sent him away from -court with a pension. Kirschoff, though quite as -vicious, was far less dangerous than Sperling, for -he had not the same influence with the King. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79"></a>[Pg 79]</span> -unfortunately this arch-corrupter was suffered to -remain, and by example and precept he continued -to encourage his master in vice and dissipation. -The young King’s only restraint to the indulgence -of gross and unbridled passions was the superstition -engendered by his gloomy creed. His teachers had -instilled into him a lively terror of hell and the devil, -and had painted in darkest colours the eternal punishment -of the wicked. Christian’s mind often dwelt -upon these things, and eventually the torments of -hell became with him a monomania. He used to -discuss this, and other religious questions, with Prince -Charles of Hesse, who had a liking for theological -conversations; but his serious moods did not last long. -For instance, on one occasion the two young men -argued long and earnestly on the efficacy of the -sacrament, and then prayed together. The King -was apparently deeply moved, but half an hour later, -when they went to see Queen Sophia Magdalena, -he made a mockery of the whole thing. “Charles -and I have been praying together most piously,” -he said, and burst into boisterous laughter. With -such a volatile temperament, never in the same -mind two hours together, with the spirit warring -against the flesh, and the flesh warring against the -spirit, surrounded by temptations and evil example, -the King did well to hearken to Prince Charles when -he urged him to marry as soon as possible. Things -were going from bad to worse, and it seemed that -in a happy marriage lay the only hope of the young -monarch’s salvation.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80"></a>[Pg 80]</span></p> - -<p>The Danish nation eagerly desired to see their -King married, for they wished to have the succession -to the throne assured in the direct line. The -Ministers also desired it (even those who were -opposed to the English alliance), partly for political -reasons, and partly because they thought that the -evil tendencies of the King could only be checked -in this way. Christian, himself, was averse from -marriage, but since it was inevitable, it was easier -for him to yield now than to postpone the question, -only for it to be revived later. And if he must -wed, his English cousin would do as well as any -other bride.</p> - -<p>The marriage had been arranged to take place -the following year, 1767, but, under the circumstances, -it was thought advisable by the Government -at Copenhagen that it should take place sooner, and -representations were made to the court of St. James -to that effect. The English envoy, who was in -constant dread lest the influence of the French party -should break off the match, also wrote home urging -the speedy fulfilment of the contract. Moreover, -English interests conspired to make it advisable that -the marriage should take place soon. Gunning,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81"></a>[Pg 81]</span><a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> -who had succeeded Cosby at Copenhagen, wrote: -“There can be scarce any doubt that if the marriage -takes place before a renewal of the French treaty, -the influence of so amiable a Princess, as her Royal -Highness is, on so young a Prince (who as yet has -given way to no tender attachment) will operate -powerfully in favour of the mutual interests of the -two kingdoms”.<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> Titley was no less zealous, and -while Gunning spoke of the political advantages of -a speedy union, he extolled the virtues of the royal -bridegroom. “In his way of living he is regular -and sober,” he writes, “eats heartily, but drinks little -or no wine. His temper is compassionate and good, -but equitable and firm. He has a quick apprehension, -with a sound and not uncultivated understanding, -and his mind is well seasoned with the principles -of virtue and religion. He is now impatient for the -accomplishment of his marriage, and as he is hitherto -under no prepossession, there is the greatest reason -to believe he will find his happiness in that union.”<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> -What higher praise could be given of any prince!</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> Robert Gunning (afterwards Sir Robert Gunning) was born in -1731, and came of a distinguished Irish family. On the recall of -Cosby through ill-health, he was appointed Minister Resident at the -court of Denmark in November, 1765, but he did not arrive in -Copenhagen until April, 1766. His instructions were to assist the -Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, Walter Titley, -and to keep the British Government well informed of passing events. -He performed his duties so well, that, on the death of Titley in 1768, -he was appointed his successor at Copenhagen. He remained there -until June, 1771, when he was appointed Envoy Extraordinary and -Minister Plenipotentiary to the court of Prussia. Eventually he -was transferred to the Russian court, and after a distinguished -diplomatic career died a Baronet and a Knight of the Bath in 1816.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, April 19, 1766.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> Titley’s despatch, Copenhagen, May 13, 1766.</p></div> - -<p>The British King and Government, who were -most anxious to check the designs of France in the -Baltic, responded with alacrity, and matters advanced -so quickly that, at the end of May, Bernstorff -despatched a messenger to Bothmar in London with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82"></a>[Pg 82]</span> -instructions to conclude the marriage contract, and to -propose the completion of it in October.</p> - -<p>During the summer of 1766 the nuptials of the -King of Denmark’s two sisters took place in Copenhagen, -the elder to the Crown Prince of Sweden, and -the younger to Prince Charles of Hesse. These -events were solemnised with considerable magnificence, -and so was the birthday of the future Queen -of Denmark, now aged fifteen. Gunning writes: -“To-day was celebrated at the palace of Frederiksberg -with every possible demonstration of joy and -festivity the birthday of the Princess Matilda. His -Danish Majesty omitted nothing that could tend -to show the satisfaction he felt upon that happy -occasion. He did Mr. Titley and me the honour -of admitting us to his table, that we might be witnesses -of it, a favour conferred on none of the other -foreign ministers.”<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, July 26, 1766.</p></div> - -<p>English influence was decidedly in the ascendant -at Copenhagen, but the envoy’s desired alliance of -England, Russia and Denmark against the designs -of France and Sweden did not advance rapidly. It -was hoped that Matilda on her arrival at the Danish -court would help it forward. She was regarded as -a pawn in the diplomatic game, and we find Titley -writing home before the marriage, to advise the part -she was to play. “The partisans of France,” he -writes, “still keep up their spirits here in spite of -very discouraging appearances. I have heard that -they place some hopes even in the future Queen,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83"></a>[Pg 83]</span> -expecting to work upon her youth and inexperience -so far as to incline her to favour their cause. Therefore ... -I would beg leave to intimate that it were -to be wished that her Royal Highness before she -comes hither might be a little prepared, and put -upon her guard against all such impressions, since -it is very certain that her authority here will be -always precarious, whatever flattering prospects may -be held out to her, if any foreign interest should -prevail to the prejudice of England. It cannot, -however, be doubted that her Royal Highness will -preserve a favourable remembrance of her native -country, especially when she finds her Royal Consort -and the generality of the nation giving in to those -very sentiments which must be natural to her.”<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> Titley’s despatch, Copenhagen, July 7, 1766.</p></div> - -<p>These representations were doubtless communicated -to Matilda. Her brother, George III., signified -his consent to the marriage taking place in -October, and commanded his minister at Copenhagen -to inform the court of Denmark that his sister would -set out for her new home as soon as the necessary -formalities were accomplished.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84"></a>[Pg 84]</span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> - -<p class="center">MATILDA’S ARRIVAL IN DENMARK.</p> - -<p class="center">1766.</p> - - -<p>When Matilda was told that her marriage would -take place a year earlier than at first arranged -she burst into tears, and no longer concealed her -extreme reluctance to the Danish match. The -Princess-Dowager of Wales commanded Sir Joshua -Reynolds to paint the portrait of the future Queen -of Denmark before her departure from England, and -the great painter complained that he was unable to -do justice either to the Princess or himself, because -she was always weeping.<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> But neither tears nor -lamentations had any effect with the Princess-Dowager; -that stern mother told her daughter to -remember that princes and princesses were not as -ordinary mortals, free to wed as inclination suggested, -and she recalled the fact that she, herself, had been -sent from her secluded German home at the age of -seventeen to England, to wed a husband whom she -had never seen.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> Northcote’s <i>Memoirs of Sir J. Reynolds</i>, vol. i.</p></div> - -<p>Matilda’s home had not been altogether a happy -one because of this same mother, but she was fondly -attached to her brothers and to her invalid sister<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85"></a>[Pg 85]</span> -Louisa Anne, and she loved the land of her birth. She -forced a smile in response to those who came to offer -their congratulations, but she took no interest in the -preparations for her marriage. She seemed to have -a foreboding of evil, and it was evident to all that -she was a most unwilling bride, sacrificed upon the -altar of political expediency.</p> - -<p>Not much time was allowed the young Princess -for reflection, for soon after the message was received -from the Danish court her marriage and departure -were pushed on with all speed. On June 3, 1766, a -message from the King was delivered to Parliament -asking for the marriage portion of the Princess -Matilda. After some debate, more on matters of -form than the actual sum, a portion was voted of -£100,000.</p> - -<p>This important preliminary over, the King -decided that his sister was to be married by proxy -in England on October 1, and leave for Denmark -the next day. The event excited some public -interest, and we glean the following particulars from -the journals concerning the preparations for the -bride’s journey:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“Tuesday the provisions dressed in the royal -kitchen at Somerset House were sent on board the -yachts at Gravesend. The Princess Matilda’s -baggage was yesterday sent down and the yachts -sailed last night for Harwich.”<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> <i>The Gazetteer</i>, September 23, 1766.</p></div> - -<blockquote><p>“There are orders for two coaches, two post-chaises -and four saddle horses to be ready on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86"></a>[Pg 86]</span> -Thursday next at five o’clock to attend the Queen -of Denmark to Harwich.”<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> <i>The Gazetteer</i>, September 29, 1766.</p></div> - -<blockquote><p>“We hear that Princess Matilda has ordered -genteel presents to all her servants, and also some -benefactions to be distributed among a number of -poor persons after her departure.”<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> <i>The Public Advertiser</i>, September 29, 1766.</p></div> - -<blockquote><p>“Detachments of the Queen’s, or Second Regiment -of Light Dragoons, are stationed on the -Essex Road to escort the Queen of Denmark to -Harwich. ’Tis imagined the Princess will only -stop to change horses, as the necessary refreshments -are carried in the coach. One of the King’s -cooks goes over with her Royal Highness.”<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> <i>The Public Advertiser</i>, October 1, 1766.</p></div> - -<p>George III. personally superintended the arrangements -for his sister’s marriage and journey to -Denmark. We find from him the following letter -to the Secretary of State:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“I return you the proposed ceremonial for the -espousals of my sister which I entirely approve of. -The full power must undoubtedly <i>ex officio</i> be read -by you, and the solemn contract by the Archbishop -of Canterbury. I desire, therefore, that you will -have it copied, only inserting the royal apartments -of St. James’s Palace instead of the Chapel Royal, -and my brother’s Christian name in those places -where it has, I think, evidently been, through the -negligence of the copier, omitted where he speaks. -As in all other solemn declarations, that is always<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87"></a>[Pg 87]</span> -used as well as the title. The Archbishop should -then have it communicated to him, that he may -see whether it is conformable to precedents, besides -the dignity of his station calls for that mark of -regard from me.”<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> Letter of King George III. to the Right Honourable Henry -Seymour Conway, Secretary of State, Queen’s House, September 20, -1766. British Museum, Egerton MS. 82, fol. 20.</p></div> - -<p>On Wednesday, October 1, 1766, between seven -and eight o’clock in the evening, the Princess Matilda -was married by proxy to the King of Denmark in -the council chamber of St. James’s Palace. Her -brother, the Duke of York, stood for Christian -VII., and the ceremony was performed by the Archbishop -of Canterbury in the presence of the King, -the Queen, the Princess-Dowager of Wales, and -other members of the royal family. A large company -of nobility, gentry and foreign ministers were -also present. Immediately after the ceremony the -Queen of Denmark, as she was called, received -the congratulations of the court, but she looked pale -and dejected and her eyes were full of unshed -tears. The same evening the Queen took formal -leave of her brother, George III.</p> - -<p>Matilda slept that night at Carlton House, and -the next morning at half-past six, in the grey light -of a chill October dawn, she said good-bye to her -mother, and set out on her long journey. Three -coaches were waiting to convey the Queen to Harwich, -the road was lined with infantry, and a company -of Life Guards was drawn up to escort her as far<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88"></a>[Pg 88]</span> -as Mile End. These preparations caused a small -crowd to assemble in Pall Mall. The parting -between Matilda and her mother was most affecting. -The marriage had been the Princess-Dowager’s -pet project, but even she felt a pang when -she bade her youngest child farewell and sent her -to the keeping of a strange prince in a far-off land. -Her farewell present to her daughter was a ring -on which the words were engraved, “May it bring -thee happiness”. When the young Queen came -out of the house to enter her coach it was noticed -by the waiting crowd that she was weeping bitterly, -and this so affected many of the women and children -that they wept in company. The Duke of Gloucester, -Baron Bothmar,<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> the Queen’s vice-chamberlain, -who had been sent from Denmark to -escort her Majesty, and Lady Mary Boothby -accompanied Queen Matilda. The Life Guards -conducted her as far as Mile End, and were there -relieved by a detachment of Light Dragoons who -escorted the Queen as far as Lord Abercorn’s house -at Witham, where it was arranged that she would -dine and sleep the night. Of this stage of her -journey it is written: “Her Majesty was dressed in -bloom-colour with white flowers. Wherever she -passed the earnest prayers of the people were for -her health and praying God to protect her from the -perils of the sea. An easy melancholy at times -seemed to affect her on account of leaving her -family and place of birth, but upon the whole she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89"></a>[Pg 89]</span> -carried an air of serenity and majesty which exceedingly -moved every one who beheld her.”<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> A brother of the Danish envoy at the court of St. James’s.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> <i>Public Advertiser</i>, October 5, 1766.</p></div> - -<p>The next morning Matilda set out again, and -escorted by another detachment of Light Dragoons -reached Harwich soon after four o’clock in the -afternoon, but the wind being in the north-east, -and the sea rough, it was not thought advisable for -her to embark. She therefore went to the house of -the collector of customs where she supped and lay -the night, and the next morning at half-past eleven -went on board the royal yacht with her retinue. -Here she took leave of her brother the Duke of -Gloucester who returned to London. The wind -was still rough and the yacht lay all the morning in -the Roads, but towards evening, when the gale had -abated, she set sail for the coast of Holland. Matilda -came on deck and watched the shores of her native -land until the last lights faded from her view.</p> - -<p>The evening of her departure, it is interesting to -note, the eloquent Nonconformist minister, George -Whitefield, preached a sermon at his Tabernacle in -London on the marriage of the youthful Queen, and -concluded with an impassioned prayer for her future -happiness.<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> <i>Vide Public Advertiser</i>, October 8, 1766.</p></div> - -<p>It was known how unwilling she had been to go, -and very general pity was felt for her. “The poor -Queen of Denmark,” writes Mrs. Carter to Miss -Talbot on October 4, 1766, “is gone out alone into -the wide world: not a creature she knows to attend<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90"></a>[Pg 90]</span> -her any further than Altona. It is worse than -dying; for die she must to all she has ever seen or -known; but then it is only dying out of one bad -world into another just like it, and where she is to -have cares and fears and dangers and sorrows that -will all yet be new to her. May it please God to -protect and instruct and comfort her, poor child as -she is! and make her as good, as beloved and as -happy as I believe her Aunt Louisa was! They -have just been telling me how bitterly she cried in -the coach so far as anybody saw her.”<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> Mrs. Carter’s <i>Letters</i>, vol. iii.</p></div> - -<p>The Queen had a very rough crossing, and did -not arrive at Rotterdam until six days after she -had embarked at Harwich. She landed under a -discharge of cannon, and she was received with considerable -ceremony by the Prince Stadtholder and -other personages. From Rotterdam to Copenhagen -is a distance of some six hundred miles. It had been -arranged that the Queen should accomplish this by -slow stages, and every resting-place on the line of -route had already been decided upon.</p> - -<a name="i090" id="i090"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 800px;"> -<img src="images/page090.jpg" width="800" height="499" alt="Kew Palace, where Queen Matilda passed much of her girlhood." /> -<div class="caption">KEW PALACE, WHERE QUEEN MATILDA PASSED MUCH OF HER GIRLHOOD.<br /><i>From an Engraving, temp. 1751.</i></div> -</div> - -<p>At Rotterdam she embarked on the Stadtholder’s -yacht and proceeded by water to Utrecht, where she -stayed the night at the house of a Dutch nobleman. -From Utrecht she proceeded by coach, and -passed in due course into her brother’s Hanoverian -dominions. Her retinue was a large and splendid -one, and everywhere on the route she attracted -great attention, the people coming out to cheer and -bless her. She lay for one night at Osnabrück,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91"></a>[Pg 91]</span> -in the castle, and (tradition says) in the same room -where her great-grandfather, George I., was born -and was driven back to die. She was received -there, as elsewhere, with great marks of distinction. -At Lingen in Westphalia a cavalcade of students, -arrayed in blue uniforms, came out of the town gate -on horseback to meet her. They conducted her to -the house where she was to rest, they serenaded -her, and kept guard all night under her windows. -The next morning they escorted her three leagues -on the road to Bremen, where they took their leave. -Her Majesty thanked them for their gallant conduct.</p> - -<p>At Harburg on the Elbe Matilda embarked -upon a richly decorated barge, which had been built -by the city of Hamburg for her use. On this she -sailed down the Elbe to Altona. The river was -covered with boats and all kinds of craft, flying the -British and Danish flags, and as the barge came -in sight of Hamburg (a city adjacent to Altona) -the Queen was saluted by a discharge of thirty -guns. The quays of Hamburg were gaily decorated, -and thronged with people anxious to catch -sight of the youthful Queen.</p> - -<p>A few minutes before Matilda’s landing at Altona -the Stadtholder of Schleswig-Holstein went on board -to pay his respects to the Queen of Denmark, and -to present to her Madame de Plessen, her first lady-in-waiting, -the maids of honour, and the men of her -household, who had there assembled to meet her. -At Altona the Queen first set foot in Danish -dominions. She landed at six o’clock in the evening,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92"></a>[Pg 92]</span> -and passed down a bridge covered with scarlet cloth, -and between two lines of maidens dressed in white, -who strewed flowers before her feet. The streets, -through which she drove, were lined with burghers -under arms, thronged with people, and decorated -with flags, mottoes and triumphal arches. The -Queen passed under one of these arches, beautifully -illuminated, just in front of her house. That same -evening the chief ladies of the city were presented -to her, and she supped in public. The Queen rested -at Altona over Sunday. In the morning she went -to church, and on her return held a court. She also -received a deputation of the magistrates of Altona, -and one of them read the following address:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“Your Majesty now gives us a mark of goodness, -which we cannot sufficiently acknowledge, in -graciously permitting us to testify the boundless -veneration and joy which are excited in the hearts -of the burgesses and the inhabitants on your happy -arrival in this city. It is true that in every part of -your journey your Majesty will receive from your -faithful subjects transports of joy and most ardent -vows, nevertheless, our fidelity is surpassed by none, -and Altona at the same time enjoys this happy -privilege, that she is the first of all the cities in the -kingdom to admire in your Majesty’s person a -Princess the most accomplished, and a Queen to -whose protection we have the honour to recommend -ourselves with all possible submission.”<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> <i>Public Advertiser</i>, letter from Hamburg, November 4, 1766.</p></div> - -<p>Matilda graciously replied, and charmed every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93"></a>[Pg 93]</span> -one by her youth and affability. When the court -was over, the Queen, attended by a detachment -of Hamburg troops and Danish cuirassiers, made -a progress through Altona and Hamburg, and -was greeted with enthusiasm by all classes of the -people.</p> - -<p>The next morning, Monday, the Queen took -leave of her English suite, who were now to return -to England. The parting moved her to tears, and -she presented Lady Mary Boothby, who had been -with her for years, with a watch, set with diamonds, -and a cheque for a thousand crowns. It had been -stipulated by the Danish court that Matilda should -bring no English person in her train to Denmark, -so that she might more readily adapt herself to the -customs of her adopted country.</p> - -<p>The Danish suite were, of course, all strangers to -the Queen, and the first aspect of her chief lady-in-waiting, -Madame de Plessen, was not reassuring. -Madame de Plessen was the widow of a privy councillor, -and was a little over forty years of age. She -had been lady-in-waiting to Queen Sophia Magdalena, -who held her in high esteem: it was through -her influence that she obtained this appointment. -Madame de Plessen was a virtuous and religious -woman, with a strict sense of duty and high moral -principles, and could be trusted to guide the young -Queen in the way she should go. But she had -been trained in the old school, and her ideas of -etiquette were rigid in the extreme. She sought -to hedge round the Queen with every possible form<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94"></a>[Pg 94]</span> -and ceremony, and at first her chill formalism -frightened the timid Queen, who had not yet -discovered that behind her austere demeanour -Madame de Plessen concealed a kind heart.</p> - -<p>Madame de Plessen was a clever and ambitious -woman, and like her former mistress, Sophia Magdalena, -she favoured the French party at Copenhagen. -Her appointment, as head of the Queen’s -household, was therefore viewed with no little -apprehension by Gunning, who, some time before -Matilda’s arrival in Denmark, wrote to warn the -British Government:—</p> - -<p>“The person at the head of the list [of the -Queen’s household],” he writes, “is a lady of an excellent -understanding, possessing a thorough knowledge -of the world, and a most intriguing disposition. -These talents have recommended her to the Ministers -here as a proper person to place about the future -Queen, but they are not the only ones. Her being -entirely devoted to the French system and interest, -pointed her out as the fittest instrument, to either -give the young Princess the bias they wish (which -they think will not be difficult at her age), or, by -circumventing her, prevent that influence they conclude -she will have on the King. Their having -unhappily effected the latter in the late reign, gives -them hopes of being equally successful in this; but -if her Royal Highness be prepared against these -snares, her good sense and discernment will prevent -her falling into them, or being persuaded by all -the arguments (however specious) they may use,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95"></a>[Pg 95]</span> -that it is not the interest of this country [Denmark] -to engage itself too close with England.”<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, May 20, 1766. Marked -“<i>secret</i>”.</p></div> - -<p>It soon became apparent that the English envoy’s -fears were not without foundation, and before -long Madame de Plessen gained a great ascendency -over her young mistress. But at first she put aside -all thought of political intrigue, and her only instinct -was maternal sympathy for the lonely little -Queen. Within a few days Matilda completely won -Madame de Plessen’s heart, and the duenna determined -at all hazard to protect her charge against -the perils and temptations of the corrupt court -whither she was bound.</p> - -<p>From Hamburg Matilda proceeded by easy stages -through her Danish dominions. She was received -at the gates of the city of Schleswig by the chief -burgesses and clergy, who complimented her on her -arrival. Her journey was a triumphal progress. Gunning -writes from Copenhagen: “We have an account -of her Majesty’s being arrived at Schleswig in perfect -health. The transports of the common people at -the expectation of again seeing an English princess -on the throne are scarcely to be described. Her -Majesty’s affability and condescension have already -gained her the hearts of all those who have had an -opportunity of approaching her.”<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_67_67" id="Footnote_67_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, October 25, 1766.</p></div> - -<p>Matilda arrived at the historic town of Röskilde,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96"></a>[Pg 96]</span><a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> -near Copenhagen, on the evening of November 1, -and rested there the night. Here Titley and Gunning -were waiting to have audience, and a courier -was sent ahead to inform the King, who was at the -Christiansborg Palace, that his Queen was at Röskilde. -The next morning, as early as seven o’clock, -Christian VII., with his brother the Hereditary Prince -Frederick, and his cousin Prince Charles of Hesse, -set out in all haste for Röskilde. Here the King -and Queen saw one another for the first time. The -King greeted his bride with great heartiness, and -bade her welcome to his kingdom. So delighted -was he with her that, in defiance of etiquette, he -embraced and kissed her in the presence of all the -company. The little Queen seemed much comforted -by this warm welcome, and at first sight was favourably -impressed with her husband. The young King -had charming manners, and was by no means ill to -look upon. Though considerably under middle -height he was perfectly proportioned, and possessed -agility and strength. His features were -regular, if not handsome, and, like his Queen and -cousin, he was very fair, with blue eyes and yellow -hair. His personal appearance was greatly enhanced -by his dress, which was magnificent and in -the best of taste.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_68_68" id="Footnote_68_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> Röskilde, an ancient town on the fjord of that name, once the -capital of the kingdom, and afterwards the residence of the Bishop -of Zealand. It has a magnificent cathedral, containing the tombs of -the Kings and Queens of Denmark. They are buried there to this -day. Röskilde is about twenty English miles from Copenhagen.</p></div> - -<p>After the first greetings were over, a procession -was formed to escort Matilda to Frederiksberg,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97"></a>[Pg 97]</span> -where she was to stay until her marriage. Again -Christian put etiquette on one side and insisted on -entering the same coach as the Queen—an ornate -state coach drawn by six white horses. The coach -was preceded by an escort of guards and followed -by a train of other coaches. Frederiksberg was -reached about noon, and here the Queen-Mother, -Sophia Magdalena, the Queen-Dowager, Juliana -Maria, the Princess Louise, the King’s sister, and -a great number of the nobility were assembled to -welcome the bride. Matilda was received by all -with the greatest marks of affection and respect. -Even Juliana Maria, who saw in her advent a blow -to her hopes, forced herself to greet the young -Queen with some show of cordiality. As for the -old Queen, Sophia Magdalena, she frankly was -delighted with her granddaughter-in-law, and sent a -special message to Titley, as to an old friend, to tell -him “how extremely satisfied and charmed she was -with the person and conversation of the new Queen”.<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a> -Matilda gave universal satisfaction, and the envoys -wrote enthusiastically:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“She has everywhere been received in these -dominions with all due honours and the greatest -demonstrations of joy. She seems to gain universal -applause and affection wherever she appears, and -her particular attendants are unanimous in giving -the highest praises to her disposition and behaviour.”<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_69_69" id="Footnote_69_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> Titley’s despatch, Copenhagen, November 4, 1766.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_70_70" id="Footnote_70_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_70"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98"></a>[Pg 98]</span></p></div> - -<p>Immediately on her arrival at Frederiksberg -Matilda held a court, at which many personages -of distinction were presented to her. The court -was followed by a banquet, when the King and -his bride, the two Dowager-Queens and the rest -of the royal family dined in public. After the -banquet the King and all the other personages -present took their leave and returned to Copenhagen, -leaving Matilda to well-earned rest. Her long -journey had occupied a month; she left England -on October 2, and reached Frederiksberg on -November 2. All this time she had been on the -road, and perpetually receiving congratulations and -deputations. It was no small tribute to the tact -and amiability of this princess of fifteen that she -everywhere won golden opinions. And it was proof -of the strength of her constitution that she bore the -long and tedious journey across northern Europe, in -inclement weather, without illness or undue fatigue.</p> - -<p>Matilda rested at Frederiksberg for five days. -On Saturday, November 8, she made her public -entry into Copenhagen—on the occasion of the -marriage the same evening. Her entry was attended -with every circumstance of pomp and -enthusiasm. About noon Princess Louise drove -to Frederiksberg, where her young sister-in-law was -ready to receive her. Accompanied by the Princess, -Queen Matilda drove to a common outside Copenhagen -behind the “Blaagaard” [Blue Farm], where -she found a long procession awaiting her. The -Queen here descended from her coach and entered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99"></a>[Pg 99]</span> -another, beautifully decorated and gilt. The procession -then set out for Copenhagen in the following -order:<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a> A squadron of Horse Guards; a band of -mounted drummers and trumpeters, twelve royal -pages in gold and crimson liveries on horseback, -and a cavalcade, under the command of the Master -of the Horse, consisting of many officers of the court. -Then followed the ministers of state and the ambassadors -in their coaches; each coach vied with -the other in magnificence, and each was drawn by -six horses and escorted by six running footmen. -Then came the Knights of the Order of the -Elephant, wearing their robes and insignia; the -Knights of the Order of the Dannebrog, also in -their robes; the Royal Head Riding-Master, -mounted on the “Dancing Horse” (whatever that -may mean), and a bevy of beautifully dressed ladies -in coaches. The climax of all this magnificence was -the lovely young Queen in robes of silver tissue -and ermine, with a circlet of diamonds on her fair -hair, seated in her coach drawn by eight white -horses, and surrounded by royal lackeys in gorgeous -liveries. Immediately behind the Queen’s -coach came the members of her household; and -twelve halberdiers, arrayed in scarlet cloaks and -equipped with pikes, closed the procession.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_71_71" id="Footnote_71_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_71"><span class="label">[71]</span></a> The following description of the Queen’s entry into Copenhagen -and her marriage is based upon official documents in the archives of -the Court Marshal at Copenhagen, and from Danish papers of the time.</p></div> - -<p>The procession entered Copenhagen through the -Nörreport [North Gate] and passed along the Nörre<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100"></a>[Pg 100]</span>gade -[North Street] to the Gammeltorv [Market -Place]. Cannon thundered as the Queen passed -under the gate, and all the bells of the churches -clashed forth joyous chimes. The route was gaily -decorated with flags and draperies; companies of -burghers lined the streets, and the balconies, windows, -and even the housetops were crowded with -people, who cheered with wild enthusiasm. The -little Queen, looking like a fairy in her robes of -silver tissue, was seen, bowing and smiling, through -the windows of her great gorgeous coach, and she -captured all hearts at once. “The English rose,” -the Danes called her, and they hailed her as another -Queen Louise, who would act as a guide and helpmate -to her husband, a purifier of his court, and a -true friend of the people.</p> - -<p>In the Market Place the procession came to a -halt for a few minutes before the Town Hall, and -the Queen was met by a bevy of eighteen young -girls, dressed in white, and who carried wreaths and -baskets of flowers. Here was a magnificent arch, -seventy feet high, representing a Corinthian portcullis, -and through the archway was revealed a background -in perspective of the Temple of Hymen. A -statue of Hymen looked down upon an altar, and -above this altar allegorical figures of Denmark and -England clasped hands. A pretty ceremony took -place; the maidens passed up the steps and laid -their wreaths upon the altar of Hymen singing:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">God bless King Christian the Mild</div> -<div class="verse">And his Caroline Mathilde.</div> -</div></div></div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101"></a>[Pg 101]</span></p> - -<p>Then they cast flowers before the Queen’s coach, -and at “the same moment was heard the most -delightful music, which broke forth simultaneously -from all sides”. Thus amid music, song, flowers -and shouts of joy and welcome, Matilda proceeded -on her way through the city, and at last reached -the Christiansborg Palace.</p> - -<p>As her coach drew up at the main entrance, -the guard presented arms, and the heralds blared -on their silver trumpets. The heir presumptive, -Prince Frederick, was waiting to receive the Queen; -he assisted her to alight, and conducted her up -the grand staircase into the King’s presence. -The King received his bride with every mark of -affection and honour, and then led her to the -knights’ hall, where a state banquet was served. -The King pledged his Queen in a superb wedding -goblet of crystal and gold, manufactured for the -occasion.<a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_72_72" id="Footnote_72_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_72"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> This goblet is still preserved in the Rosenborg. It is a magnificent -specimen of Danish art. The Danish and English arms are -ground into the crystal, the crowned initials of the bridal pair are -also inscribed, and underneath appears the legend “<i>Felici sidere juncti</i>, -1766”. The elaborately chased lid is surmounted by a crown. The -height of the goblet is eighteen inches.</p></div> - -<p>After the banquet the Queen retired to her -apartments to rest awhile, and then robed for her -wedding. At seven o’clock in the evening all the -ladies belonging to the two first ranks of the Danish -nobility (namely, the countesses and baronesses), and -the ladies who had taken part in the royal procession -into Copenhagen, assembled in the ante-chamber of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102"></a>[Pg 102]</span> -the Queen’s apartments. At half-past seven the -Queen appeared, a beautiful vision wearing a robe -of white silk brocaded with silver, a veil of priceless -lace and a crown of pearls and diamonds. The -ladies made a lane for her to pass, and curtsied their -obeisance. The Queen, who, despite her tender -years, bore herself with great dignity, proceeded to -the knights’ hall, where the wedding procession was -marshalled. All the members of the royal family -joined in this procession with the exception of the -Queen-Dowager, Juliana Maria, who pleaded illness -as an excuse for not appearing. The King and -Queen came last of all, and walked under a canopy -to the royal chapel of the Christiansborg, where the -marriage ceremony was performed by Bishop Harboe -of Zealand. The chapel was brilliantly illuminated, -and thronged with the chief personages in Denmark, -clad in rich attire, and covered with orders and -jewels. During the ceremony the King and Queen -stood, or knelt, on a <i>haut pas</i> before the altar, -which was covered with cloth of gold and decked -with silver candlesticks bearing large wax tapers. -At the conclusion of the marriage service the -procession was re-formed, and the King and -Queen were conducted from the chapel to the -ante-room of their apartments, where the company -dispersed.</p> - -<p>In honour of the marriage day a silver medal -was struck, and numerous orders and titles were -distributed. At night the city of Copenhagen was -illuminated, and people paraded the streets all night<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103"></a>[Pg 103]</span> -shouting and singing for joy. The young Queen -had won all hearts, and the popular enthusiasm -evoked by the marriage augured well for the future -of the monarchy.</p> - -<p>Copenhagen held high festival for a week after -the royal wedding, and the populace as well as the -court joined in the festivities. There was a gala -performance at the theatre including a “Felicitation -Ballet,” in which there were many pretty allusions -to the young Queen, who was styled Venus or “<i>la -plus belle</i>”. Two days after the marriage the -knights’ hall of the Christiansborg Palace was the -scene of a wedding ball. Queen Matilda opened the -ball by dancing a minuet with the King with much -grace and spirit. She then honoured the English -envoy, Gunning, by commanding him to dance with -her—a very natural proceeding, for she wished to pay -honour to her native country. But it gave offence -to some of the other foreign envoys present, especially -to the Spanish minister, who was the <i>doyen</i> -of the <i>corps diplomatique</i> at Copenhagen, and he -reported the circumstance to the Spanish court, who -later demanded an explanation.<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a> Nor was this the -only unpleasantness at the ball. After supper the -<i>kehraus</i>, a Danish country dance, was danced, and -one figure was danced in procession. The <i>kehraus</i> -was led by Prince Charles of Hesse and his wife, -the Princess Louise—probably because they knew -all the figures. The King came next with the -Queen, and all the rest of the company followed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104"></a>[Pg 104]</span> -two and two. The King, who had supped freely, -was in boisterous spirits, and called out to Prince -Charles: “Lead the <i>kehraus</i> through all the apartments”. -The Prince therefore led the procession -through the rooms on the first floor of the palace, -the band, presumably, going before. The procession -of laughing and dancing men and women -followed, until they came to the ante-chamber -of the Queen’s apartments. At the door of the -Queen’s bedchamber Prince Charles found Madame -de Plessen standing like a dragon in his path. -Imperiously she waved him back, and declared -that his entrance would be an outrage, alike on -etiquette and decency. But the King, whom any -opposition goaded to anger, shouted: “Do not -heed an old woman’s nonsense! Go on! Go on!” -Therefore Madame de Plessen, still expostulating, -was thrust aside, and the procession danced through -the Queen’s bedchamber, and so back to the ballroom.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_73_73" id="Footnote_73_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_73"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, November 18, 1766.</p></div> - -<a name="i104" id="i104"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 800px;"> -<img src="images/page104.jpg" width="800" height="586" alt="The Marriage Ball of Christian VII. and Queen Matilda in the Christiansborg Palace." /> -<div class="caption">THE MARRIAGE BALL OF CHRISTIAN VII. AND QUEEN MATILDA IN THE CHRISTIANSBORG PALACE.<br /><i>From a Contemporary Print.</i></div> -</div> - -<p>These incidents, trivial though they were, revealed -the rocks ahead in the way of the young -Queen, and showed that no common care would be -necessary to avoid them. As the English Secretary -of State, Conway, wrote to Gunning not long after -Matilda’s arrival at Copenhagen:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“Her Majesty is entering upon the most important -era of her life, and at a tender age is -launched, as it were alone, into a strange and -wide ocean, where it might require the utmost -care and prudence to steer with that nice con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105"></a>[Pg 105]</span>duct -which may at once conciliate the affections of -her court and people, and support the dignity of -that high station to which Providence has called -her”.<a name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_74_74" id="Footnote_74_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_74"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> Conway’s despatch to Gunning, St. James’s, November 18, 1766.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106"></a>[Pg 106]</span></p></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> - -<p class="center">MARIAGE À LA MODE.</p> - -<p class="center">1766-1767.</p> - - -<p>The court of Denmark over which Matilda was now -the reigning Queen, though not the ruling spirit, was -the last place in the world for a young and innocent -girl to be sent alone. It was a hotbed of intrigue, a -stye of vile epicurism, where even decency was disregarded. -Cunning as foxes, and like foxes in their lust -and greed, the majority of the courtiers thought only -of advancing their personal interests at the expense -of each other, or by vain and frivolous amusement -to kill the passing hour. All things that made for -purity of life, nobility of purpose, or singleness of -heart, were mocked at and derided. Truth, honour -and virtue were by-words. During the later years -of Frederick V.’s reign the influence of the French -court (at its worst) had not been confined in Denmark -to politics alone, but extended to manners and -morals as well. This influence became far more -visible at the court of Christian VII. than at that of -his father. The society which the young King collected -around him within the walls of the Christiansborg -Palace did its best to copy Versailles, and it -succeeded in aping the vices, if not the superficial<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107"></a>[Pg 107]</span> -refinement, of the court of France. At Christiansborg -might be seen the same type of silly brainless -persons as those who flitted about the ante-chambers -of Versailles, who adopted the same frivolous tone, -and the same loose morals. Their avowed object -was to avoid <i>ennui</i>, but in their pursuit of pleasure -they often caught boredom. The Danish courtiers, -both men and women, were artificial to the core. -They painted their faces, powdered their hair, and -dressed extravagantly. They disguised every real -sentiment, and sought always to seem what they -were not. They expressed nothing but contempt -for the language and customs of their native land. -To be Danish was <i>bourgeois</i>, to be virtuous even -more so.</p> - -<p>The cheap cynicism which mocks at marriage, -and all its privileges and duties, was much in vogue -among the fashionable or “young party” at the -Danish court. Christian VII. had heard too much -of these views from the young rake-hells whom he -chose for his companions not to be entirely at one -with them, and he looked on marriage as the greatest -burden. He had been extremely reluctant to -take it upon himself and had only done so at the -strongest representations of his ministers. Reverdil -declares with a groan that to this epicene being “<i>une -personne royale dans son lit lui semblait d’ailleurs -plutôt un objet de respect que d’amour</i>,” and adds -that the King would have certainly refused to -perform his connubial duties had it not been represented -to him that the absence of an heir to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108"></a>[Pg 108]</span> -throne would give rise to all manner of evil gossip -respecting himself.</p> - -<p>The young King had consented to marry with -an ill grace, and after his marriage he lost no time in -declaring to his boon companions that he intended to -be in every respect a husband <i>à la mode</i>. The first -sight of his consort’s fresh and youthful beauty had -seemed to awaken in him some dormant sense of -manliness, and he treated her at first with a plausible -imitation of lover-like ardour. He was flattered by -the warmth of her reception and the praises of her -beauty, which he interpreted as tributes to his own -good taste. The ceremonies incident on the wedding -gratified his love of display, and the festivities that -followed delighted his pleasure-loving soul. He was -like a child with a new toy, but he wearied of it even -more quickly than a child. If his passion ever -existed it was short-lived, for on the third day of his -marriage he said to one of his intimate friends that -he strongly advised him never to marry, as the unmarried -state was far preferable. This speech might -have been credited to the affectation of a very young -husband who wished to pose as a cynic, but there -was evidently something more behind it, for neither -of the young couple appeared to be happy during -the first days of their married life; Christian was -restless and discontented, Matilda pensive and -melancholy.</p> - -<p>The Queen’s depression was natural. The excitement -and novelty of her journey and her enthusiastic -welcome had buoyed her up at first, but now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109"></a>[Pg 109]</span> -these were over she felt the reaction. She was a -stranger in a strange land, separated from every one -she had ever known, and she suffered from homesickness. -A closer acquaintance with her husband -obliterated the favourable first impression she had -formed of him. He was a disappointment. The -flattering despatches which the English envoys had -sent to London (some of which we have quoted) -credited him with every physical and mental endowment, -and portrayed him as a paragon among princes. -These encomiums, duly communicated to the Princess-Dowager, -had been dunned into Matilda’s ears -with such persistency that she thought she was -marrying a prince who was almost a demi-god, and -who gathered up into himself all the attributes of the -legendary heroes of Scandinavian romance. What -then must have been her disappointment when she -found that her husband resembled a French <i>petit -maître</i>, rather than a son of the Vikings. To add -to her disillusion Christian made hardly any show -of affection for his wife, and after the first few days -treated her with open indifference. A week after -their marriage the royal couple gave a banquet at -the Christiansborg Palace, and it was noticed by -the company that already the bloom had faded -from the young Queen’s cheeks, and she smiled -with evident effort. Her sadness increased from -day to day, and she often gazed at the ring her -mother had given her, with its inscription, “May -it bring thee happiness,” and sighed heavily. The -King, who wished for nothing but to be amused,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110"></a>[Pg 110]</span> -was piqued by his consort’s despondency, and so far -from making any attempt to comfort her, relieved -his feelings by satirical remarks. One day when -one of his favourites called his attention to the -Queen’s sadness, he said: “What does it matter? -It is not my fault. I believe she has the spleen.” -The King’s indifference to his Queen was quickly -noticed by the courtiers, who took their cue accordingly, -and treated her as a person of little account. -Ogier, the French envoy at Copenhagen, reported -to Paris three weeks after the marriage: “The -English Princess has produced hardly any impression -on the King’s heart; but had she been even -more amiable she would have experienced the same -fate, for how could she please a man who seriously -believes that it is not good form (<i>n’est pas du bon -air</i>) for a husband to love his wife?”</p> - -<p>The French envoy was exultant that the marriage, -on which England had built such high hopes, -should produce so little effect politically. The -Queen had no influence with the King, and he -would be more likely to oppose her wishes than -to yield to them, if only for fear lest it should be -thought that he was governed by his wife. The -poor little Queen had no wish for political power, -and was too much downcast by her own personal -disappointments to be of any use in a diplomatic -intrigue. But George III., and the English -Government, who had no knowledge of the real -state of affairs, persisted in their project of using -the Queen for their own advantage; and Secretary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111"></a>[Pg 111]</span> -Conway sent minute instructions to Gunning as to -the best way in which this could be worked.</p> - -<p>“In regard to your applying to the young -Queen,” he writes, “her affection to his Majesty -[George III.], and love for her native country, cannot -but incline her to preserve, as much as it can be -in her power to do, the mind of the King of Denmark, -permanently fixed upon the strictest union with his -Majesty’s, who has no one view in his alliance -inconsistent with the honour of the King of Denmark -or the welfare of his kingdom. Both Mr. -Titley and you will doubtless omit nothing that can -mark your utmost attention and desire of serving -her Majesty. There might seem an impropriety -in endeavouring to engage her Majesty to interfere -in business, especially in what has the air of court -intrigue, but so far as informing her Majesty fully -of the present state of the court, and apprising her -who are the best friends of her native country, and -consequently most inclined to promote the true -honour and interests of their own, it will be your -duty, and may be an essential service to her Majesty, -whose good sense will make the properest use of -the lights you furnish. The etiquette of the court -of Denmark (I find by your letter of September 2) -allows an easier access to family ministers than -to others, and this privilege you will, I imagine, -have no difficulty to preserve.... You may also -be assured that the affection of his Majesty [George -III.], and his care for the welfare and happiness of -his sister, so deservedly the object of his love<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112"></a>[Pg 112]</span> -and esteem, cannot fail of having suggested every -proper counsel and information more immediately -necessary for her guidance in the delicate and important -situation she is placed. Upon that foundation -you may properly build, and in such further -lights as it may be fit for you to give her Majesty, I -think both the opportunities and the matter of the -information itself should rather flow naturally than -be too affectedly sought.”<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_75_75" id="Footnote_75_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_75"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> Sir H. S. Conway’s despatch to Gunning, St. James’s, October 24, -1766.</p></div> - -<p>The English Government was soon disappointed -of its hope of using the Danish Queen as a pawn -in the political game. Gunning, in bitter disappointment, -enlightened Conway as to the true state of -affairs a few weeks after the marriage. “All access -to either the King or Queen of Denmark,” he wrote, -“is rendered so difficult that without being furnished -with some pretext I can never expect to approach -either of their Majesties but in public. The preference -given me there has already occasioned some -of the most unheard of and preposterous complaints.” -[Here he refers to the protest of the -Spanish minister already mentioned.] “Monsieur -Reventlow<a name="FNanchor_76_76" id="FNanchor_76_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a> has lately made me some overtures to -a better understanding; he speaks in raptures of the -Queen whenever I see him, and I believe will constitute -as much as depends upon him to promote -her Majesty’s happiness. This is of itself a sufficient -reason for my wishing to cultivate his good opinion,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113"></a>[Pg 113]</span> -and if possible to bring him over to our interests. -[The French Minister] encourages the carrying on -intrigues against us; they (I need not tell you, sir) -increase every day, and particularly since the arrival -of her Majesty,—the principal people about her -being our most inveterate enemies.”<a name="FNanchor_77_77" id="FNanchor_77_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_76_76" id="Footnote_76_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_76_76"><span class="label">[76]</span></a> Reventlow had been appointed the Queen’s Chief Chamberlain.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_77_77" id="Footnote_77_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_77_77"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch to Conway, Copenhagen, November 18, -1766.</p></div> - -<p>One of the “inveterate enemies” was the austere -and haughty Madame de Plessen, who hedged the -Queen round with iron etiquette, and permitted -none to enter her presence without her permission. -Especially did she throw difficulties in the way of the -English envoy having frequent access of her Majesty, -on the ground that his visits would be sure to cause -jealousy and ill-will. The Queen, she urged, must -overcome her natural preferences, she must forget -that she was a Princess of Great Britain, and remember -only that she was Queen of Denmark and -Norway. This was perhaps sound advice so far -as it went, but Madame de Plessen’s object in giving -it was not altogether disinterested. She, like her -former mistress, Queen Sophia Magdalena, was a -sworn friend of France, and probably in its pay. -Madame de Plessen had a genius for political intrigue, -and her apartments in the palace formed a <i>rendez-vous</i> -for the friends of France.</p> - -<p>It is difficult to follow the cross-currents of politics -at the Danish court during the early years of the -reign of Christian VII., but so far as foreign affairs -were concerned, the position may be briefly sum<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114"></a>[Pg 114]</span>marised -thus: The main object of England was to -check France; the main object of Sweden was to -check Russia. Therefore, whatever was disagreeable -to France at Copenhagen was agreeable to -England. Whatever was disagreeable to Sweden -was agreeable to Russia. Failing to see her own -influence in the ascendant at the Danish court, England -would prefer to see that of Russia. Bernstorff, -the Prime Minister, was very friendly to Russia, and -not ill-disposed to England. Therefore, the French -envoy and Madame de Plessen intrigued against -him. In domestic politics also the Queen’s chief lady -was in opposition to Bernstorff, and to her chambers -flocked malcontents, including many of the staider -and more conservative among the Danish nobility, -who shook their heads over the misgovernment of -the Prime Minister, and the follies and extravagancies -of the King and his friends.</p> - -<p>The advent of the young Queen was made an -excuse for the King to gratify his passion for festivity -and display. During the preceding reign the court -had led a comparatively quiet life, but the winter following -Christian VII.’s marriage was an unceasing -round of gaiety. Balls, banquets, concerts, masques, -operas and plays, hunting parties, sledge parties, -circuses, and excursions to the different royal castles -around Copenhagen—there were a good many—succeeded -one another in quick succession. The King -had a great love for the play, so he built a court -theatre at the Christiansborg Palace and decorated -it without regard to expense. A French company<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115"></a>[Pg 115]</span> -acted there, and the King and his suite frequently -took part in the performances. The King acted a -part in Voltaire’s <i>Zaire</i>, and his performance was -received with great applause. He was so much -impressed with his dramatic talents that he twice -repeated his performance in the larger theatre of -Copenhagen, and there the general public were -permitted to attend. Acting, however, was but a -passing phase with the King, and he soon tired of -it, though he undoubtedly showed talent.</p> - -<p>Madame de Plessen did all she could to prevent -the Queen from taking part in the court festivities, -but Matilda, who was young, and fond of pleasure, -could not be prevailed upon to absent herself altogether, -more especially as by doing so she would -incur the displeasure of the King. But she never -appeared unless attended by Madame de Plessen, and -turned to her always for guidance. It was Madame -de Plessen who chose the ladies to dance in the same -quadrilles as the Queen, and she took care that -none, however beautiful or fashionable they might -be, should be admitted to this honour if there were -the slightest blemish upon their reputation. With -men the same care was not necessary, for, as a -matter of etiquette, the Queen never danced with -any but princes of the blood, ambassadors, ministers -of state, or others it was deemed advisable to -honour in an especial manner.</p> - -<p>The introduction of masquerades was a still more -startling innovation, and gave great offence to the -two Dowager-Queens. Sophia Magdalena protested,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116"></a>[Pg 116]</span> -but though her protests were supported by several -of the ministers, and the more prominent among -the clergy, they were unheeded. The King and his -friends anticipated too many gallant adventures to -forego the opportunities which a masked ball offered, -and they wished to imitate at Copenhagen those -masquerades held at the opera in Paris. The -first masked ball ever given in Denmark was held -in December in the Christiansborg Palace. All the -ladies and gentlemen belonging to the first three -classes were admitted, besides all officers belonging -to both services. They were allowed to appear in -any fancy dress they chose, the only restriction -being that they should not come “in the likeness of -an animal or any unseemly disguise”. The King -appeared as a Sultan, and his immediate following -were also in eastern dress. The point was fiercely -debated whether the Queen should appear at the -masquerades or not; the Dowager-Queens and -Madame de Plessen being wholly against it, and the -King insisting upon it. Finally a compromise was -arrived at; Matilda showed herself to the company -for a short time, and then retired to her apartments -to play chess with court ladies chosen for her by -Madame de Plessen, and the elderly wives of -ministers. It was as well that the Queen retired -early, for the tone of the masquerade became -more and more free as the evening wore on, and -degenerated at last into riotous licence.</p> - -<p>The expense of these entertainments was very -heavy, and the people, who were overburdened with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117"></a>[Pg 117]</span> -taxes, began to murmur. There was great distress -in Copenhagen during the winter of 1766-67, and -the contrast between the want and misery in the -poorer quarters of the city, and the festivity and -extravagance in the palace, was very striking. The -people, who loved the pomp and circumstance of -royalty, might at another time have overlooked -this lavish expenditure, on the ground of the youth -and natural gaiety of the King. But sinister -rumours were afloat concerning him and his pleasures, -and he had already by his puerile amusements and dissipated -conduct forfeited to a great extent the public -respect. Moreover, the Puritan party in Denmark -was very strong, and included the elder members -of the royal family, and many of the most influential -personages in church and state. These regarded -many of the court festivities with disapproval, and -the masquerades with horror. The clergy especially -were violent in their denunciations, and did not -hesitate to fan the flame of popular discontent. -For instance, a building, belonging, and adjacent to, -the Christiansborg Palace, in which there was a -large wood store and brewery, caught fire about -this time, and was burned to the ground; the conflagration -was the biggest known in Copenhagen -for years. Pastor Münter, a preacher of great -power, seized upon the incident to preach a sermon -against the sinful amusements of the court. He -declared that the fire was a sign from heaven to -warn the King and his following to refrain from -their wicked ways, and if they did not profit by it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118"></a>[Pg 118]</span> -they would be utterly consumed with fire, if not -here, then most certainly hereafter. The sermon -made a great sensation in Copenhagen, and the -preacher was reprimanded by the court, but he was -regarded as an inspired prophet by many austere -Puritans.</p> - -<p>The worst of all this controversy was that the innocent -young Queen was blamed unjustly. Rumours -were spread abroad that Matilda was largely responsible -for these extravagancies; and in proof of the -assertion it was pointed out that the introduction of -masquerades followed upon the arrival of the English -princess. It was said that these rumours originated -at the court of the Queen-Dowager. Juliana Maria -had retired to the Fredensborg with her son, the -Hereditary Prince Frederick, where she was surrounded -by a little circle of malcontents. In due -time these untruths reached Matilda’s ears and -caused her great annoyance. The young Queen’s -household, including Madame de Plessen, did everything -they could to contradict the reports, but with -indifferent success. The mischief was done, and it -remained a fixed idea in the minds of many people -that the Queen was almost as devoted as the King -to frivolous amusements. Queen Matilda communicated -her uneasiness to the English envoy, who -wrote home:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“At a time when the Crown labours under the -pressure of heavy debts, and the revenue, from -mismanagement, is so much lessened, people naturally -complain of the increase of expenses, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119"></a>[Pg 119]</span> -introduction of a number of entertainments, and -amongst these, of masquerades. The Queen is under -the greatest uneasiness, lest this should be imputed -to her having any inclination for a diversion of this -kind, from which, on the contrary, the goodness of -her heart, and the purity of her sentiments, render her -very averse. The sweetness of her disposition, and -the uncommon degree of prudence and discretion -she is endowed with, must ensure her a large share -of happiness; but whatever my wishes may be, I -cannot flatter myself this will ever bear any proportion -to what her Majesty so justly deserves.”<a name="FNanchor_78_78" id="FNanchor_78_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a> To -which the Secretary of State replied: “Your attention -to her Danish Majesty is most justly commendable, -and certainly her Majesty’s cautious -conduct is most amiable and respectable”.<a name="FNanchor_79_79" id="FNanchor_79_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_78_78" id="Footnote_78_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_78_78"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, December 6, 1766.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_79_79" id="Footnote_79_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_79_79"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> Conway’s despatch, St. James’s, December 29, 1766.</p></div> - -<p>The festivities of the Danish court culminated -in the coronation and anointing of the King and -Queen, which took place on May 1, 1767.<a name="FNanchor_80_80" id="FNanchor_80_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_80_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a> The -day dawned brilliantly fine, though the air was clear -and cold. At an early hour the bells of the Vor-Frue-Kirke -(the Church of Our Lady, the metropolitan -church of Denmark) began to ring, and bells -chimed merrily from other towers. At eleven o’clock -all the gentlemen-in-waiting assembled in the King’s -ante-chamber, and all the ladies-in-waiting in the -Queen’s. The King donned the anointing robes:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120"></a>[Pg 120]</span> -“A short jacket and breeches of gold brocade, pearl-coloured -silk stockings, white gloves embroidered -with gold, and white shoes with red heels; his -buckles, garters and coat buttons were set with -diamonds, and his cloak of royal ermine was embroidered -with golden flowers”. The King, thus -arrayed, crowned himself with his own hands -according to the <i>Lex Regia</i>, which ordained that -“since the Kings of Denmark do not receive the -crown from any hands but their own, the ceremony -of coronation shall be performed by themselves”.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_80_80" id="Footnote_80_80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_80_80"><span class="label">[80]</span></a> The following description of the coronation is taken from -official documents preserved in the Royal Archives, Copenhagen.</p></div> - -<p>With the crown on his head the King, accompanied -by the Grand Chamberlain, who carried -the Queen’s crown on a velvet cushion, went to the -Queen’s room and crowned her with his own hands.</p> - -<p>This ceremony over, the King took the sceptre -in his right hand and the orb in his left, and donned -the collars of both the great Danish orders, the -Elephant and the Dannebrog. Then he passed into -his audience chamber, his train upborne by the Counts -Reventlow and Danneskjold-Samsöe. There he held -a court, and received the homage of the principal -personages in the state.</p> - -<p>The Queen, likewise attired in her anointing -robes, to wit: “A robe of cloth of gold, and a royal -mantle of red velvet lined with ermine and embroidered -with gold crowns,” and with the crown -upon her head, passed into her audience chamber, -her train upborne by Madame de Plessen and the -Countess St. Germains. Here she held a court, and -received the homage of the assembled ladies.</p> - -<a name="i120" id="i120"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 800px;"> -<img src="images/page120.jpg" width="800" height="536" alt="The Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen." /> -<div class="caption">THE CHRISTIANSBORG PALACE, COPENHAGEN.<br /><i>From an Old Print, temp. 1768.</i></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121"></a>[Pg 121]</span></p> - -<p>The procession to the chapel of the Christiansborg -was then marshalled, and as the bells rang out -it passed down the marble stairs of the palace and -across the quadrangle to the chapel. The King -walked under a red velvet canopy, upborne by four -privy councillors and four Knights of the Elephant. -The Queen walked beneath a similar canopy, upborne -by four privy councillors and four Knights of -the Dannebrog.</p> - -<p>The royal chapel was decorated with great -splendour. Of this, as of the other arrangements connected -with the coronation, it was recorded: “There -was nothing lacking to make it beautiful. It was so -splendid and superb that even the foreign envoys -were forced to admire the beauty and lavish expenditure, -to say nothing of the art in which these -were turned to account.” The thrones of the King -and Queen were placed upon a dais, under a gorgeous -canopy, upborne by two figures of angels with drawn -swords. On one side of the canopy was the King’s -motto, “<i>Gloria ex amore patriae</i>,” and on the other -were the initials of the King and Queen. The -King’s throne was of solid ivory, surmounted by a -huge amethyst nearly as large as a hen’s egg. The -Queen’s throne was of silver, elaborately wrought, -and polished until it shone like crystal. At the -foot of the thrones lay three life-size lions in cast -silver.</p> - -<p>At the entrance to the royal chapel the King -and Queen were received by the three Bishops, who -were to officiate at the ceremony of the anointing,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122"></a>[Pg 122]</span> -vested in copes of gold brocade. The Bishops -first conducted the King to his throne while the -choir sang an anthem. They then returned and -led the Queen to her throne in like manner. -Bishop Harboe of Zealand preached a sermon, and -then the ceremony of anointing took place; the -coronation was considered as already performed. -First the King was anointed with the holy oil, and -then the Queen. The service concluded with a -<i>Te Deum</i>.</p> - -<p>As the royal procession returned to the palace, -a salute from the ramparts was fired, and the heralds -on the gate blew a loud blast on their silver trumpets. -The King and Queen received the congratulations -of their court, and then the coronation -banquet took place. During the banquet a chorale -was sung by the choir, of which a verse may be -roughly translated as follows:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">And long shall it be before the sons of the North weep,</div> -<div class="verse">For while Christian lives, and Matilda,</div> -<div class="verse">There shall be nothing but joy,</div> -<div class="verse">And every man shall dwell in his tent in peace.</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>The coronation was a people’s holiday, and -ample provision was made for every class to partake -in the festivities. When the banquet was over -the King and Queen passed on to the balcony -of the palace to look down upon the general -rejoicings. A free dinner was given to the populace, -and wine ran like water from a fountain, “red -wine on the right side and on the left white, five -hogsheads of each, of which all drank who would”.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123"></a>[Pg 123]</span> -In the courtyard an ox had been roasted whole, -and not an ox only, for it was stuffed with “three -wethers, five lambs, eight pigs, ten geese, twenty -brace of duck, and fifty-eight brace of old (<i>sic</i>) -hens”. The roasted ox reposed upon a carriage -painted red, and its horns were gilt.</p> - -<p>“The moment their Majesties appeared on the -balcony,” continues the chronicle, “the fountain of -wine was set running, and the ox was wheeled forward, -pulled by eighteen sailors in white breeches -and jackets, with sashes of red, and wreaths upon -their heads. On either side of the ox-carriage more -sailors walked, similarly attired, and carried baskets -of bread. The Quarter-master-Sergeant then ascended -the ox-carriage and cried in a loud voice: -‘The roast ox will now be given away!’ and he -threw to the crowd a number of silver pieces. With -shouts of delight the people rushed forward and -scrambled for money, food and wine. The feasting -and revelry that followed occupied a countless -number of the poor all that evening and the greater -part of the night, so delighted were they. Their -Majesties took great pleasure in watching the tumult -from the balcony of the Christiansborg.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124"></a>[Pg 124]</span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> - -<p class="center">AT THE COURT OF DENMARK.</p> - -<p class="center">1767-1768.</p> - - -<p>The relations between the King and Queen did not -improve as time went on. Matilda was frightened -by Christian’s wildness and dissipation, piqued by -his indifference, and wounded by his sarcasms. -Though she was very young she had a high spirit, -and did not submit quietly to insult. Her position -at the court, of which she was nominally the reigning -Queen, was very unsatisfactory—the King was -autocrat and she was nothing—even in trifling -questions concerning the royal household she was -not consulted, and if she ventured to express an -opinion it was ignored. She had no relative to -whom she could look for guidance. The Queen-Mother, -Sophia Magdalena, had retired to Hirschholm; -she was nearly seventy years old, and since -the fall of Moltke had abjured politics and given -herself up to good works. The Queen-Dowager, -Juliana Maria, was secretly hostile, and Matilda did -not trust her, though the three Queens at this time, -as Reverdil says, lived outwardly “<i>dans une grande -intimité et dans un ennui paisible</i>”. The King’s -sister, the Princess Louise, was too much absorbed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125"></a>[Pg 125]</span> -in her husband and child to be of any use to her -sister-in-law, and the King’s aunt, Charlotte Amelia, -had never appeared at court since Matilda arrived in -Denmark. So the young Queen had to seek the -advice of her chief lady, Madame de Plessen, and she -was guided by her in all things. It was the wish of this -lady to bring back to the lax court of Christian VII. -the stiff and wearisome etiquette that had prevailed -in the reign of the King’s grandfather, Christian VI. -In her eyes Matilda was not only a young married -woman, but the Queen of the land, whom the King -himself might only approach according to the rules -of etiquette. Christian must be made to understand -that Queen Matilda was his honoured consort, and -not his mistress.</p> - -<p>It is possible that, had the young couple been -left to themselves, they would in time have understood -one another better, and learned to make -allowances for each other. They were little more -than children when they married, and quarrelled -like children; they would probably have been reconciled -afterwards like children, and become better -friends. But they were not left to themselves. -Madame de Plessen chose to stand between husband -and wife in their most intimate relations, and with -disastrous results. She was especially to blame in -embittering the Queen’s mind against the King by -repeating every thoughtless utterance of his, and -magnifying every foolish deed. In Madame de -Plessen’s opinion the Queen could only acquire an -influence over her husband by treating him with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126"></a>[Pg 126]</span> -coldness, and resisting his advances. The ladies -of the court were ready to throw themselves into -the King’s arms at the least provocation—not that -he ever gave them any—and Madame de Plessen -thought that he would value most what it was not -easy to obtain. In pursuance of this policy she -advised the Queen to treat him with coyness and -reserve. For instance, the King came unannounced -one morning into the Queen’s room while she was -dressing. A kerchief had just been placed around -her neck; the King pushed it aside and pressed a -kiss upon his wife’s shoulder. Whereupon Madame -de Plessen held up her hands in disgust, and the -Queen, taking her cue from the duenna, feigned -anger, and reproached her husband for disarranging -her kerchief. The King snatched it off her bosom, -tore it in pieces, and threw it on the floor. He did -not come back for several days.</p> - -<p>Again, Madame de Plessen was annoyed because -the King sent in the evening to know if the Queen -had retired to bed; she considered it wanting in -respect to the Queen, and advised Matilda to put -a stop to it. The next time the King sent to make -his inquiry, the answer was returned that her Majesty -was playing chess and would not retire until her game -was finished. The King waited until twelve o’clock, -and then he came into the Queen’s apartments -and found her still playing chess with Madame de -Plessen. Very much annoyed he began to walk -up and down the room without saying a word, and -the game was not finished until the clock struck<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127"></a>[Pg 127]</span> -one. The Queen then said she wished to have her -revenge, and he saw Madame de Plessen give a -triumphant smile. Then he understood what was -meant. He left the room in a fury, and banged the -door after him, and did not come near the Queen -again for a fortnight. There were many such scenes -as these, and each one left the relations between the -King and Queen more strained than before, until -within a year of their marriage they were thoroughly -alienated from one another.</p> - -<p>The immediate result of Madame de Plessen’s -interference was to drive the King still further into -dissipation and folly. Prevented from enjoying his -wife’s society as he would, he spent his evenings -with his friends, who included the wildest spirits of -the court. The King’s evening parties, which he -held in his own rooms, had long ceased to bear even -a superficial resemblance to the celebrated gatherings -of Frederick the Great; they assumed by -degrees a more and more noisy and riotous character. -The young men indulged in sham fights -and wrestling to develop the King’s “smartness”—this -was the word he used to denote his physical -strength. These fights, indulged in after plentiful -libations of wine, often proved destructive of the -furniture, and sometimes ended in high words and -bad temper. But the fighting was comparatively -harmless. The King’s evening gatherings unfortunately -did not stop here, but degenerated into excesses -which recalled the orgies described in the pages of -Juvenal and Petronius. Even Sperling seems to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128"></a>[Pg 128]</span> -have found these dissipations too much for him. -At any rate he gradually lost the King’s favour, -and was replaced by Brandt, a page of the chamber.</p> - -<p>Enevold Brandt was a few years older than -Christian VII. He came of an ancient Danish family: -his father had been a privy councillor and private -secretary to Queen Sophia Magdalena, but he died -before his son’s birth. His mother married again -Baron Söhlenthal, and young Brandt was brought -up in his stepfather’s house. At an early age he -went to Copenhagen to study law, and passed his -examinations with flying colours. In his vacations -Brandt travelled widely: he was a polished man of -the world and possessed brilliant social qualities. -Christian VII., who was clever enough to appreciate -cleverness in others, took a great fancy to him, for -a time. Honours, both legal and courtly, were -showered upon him. He was appointed an assessor -of the Court of Chancery, a page of the chamber, -and an assessor of the Supreme Court. Brandt was -below the middle height, and though his face could -not be described as handsome, he had an air of distinction. -After Christian’s accession he was a good -deal about the person of the King, and was of great -use in arranging the masquerades. It was thought -that he would succeed Sperling as the King’s first -favourite, but Christian quickly tired of his friends, -and as soon as the masquerades were over Brandt -found himself eclipsed in the royal favour by Holck.</p> - -<p>Conrad, Count Holck, despite his wildness and -extravagancies, was the best of Christian VII.’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129"></a>[Pg 129]</span> -favourites (and bad was the best). Unlike Sperling -and Brandt, he was neither an intriguer nor -a self-seeker. He was a dare-devil youth, wealthy, -handsome, and brimming over with boisterous good-humour -and animal spirits. Christian VII. found -Holck an excellent foil for the dark moods and the -morbid humours that occasionally beset him, and -the pair soon became fast friends.</p> - -<p>Brandt and Holck were always at the King’s -evening gatherings, and sought to outvie one another -in their master’s favour by proposing fresh extravagancies. -There were many others; among them a -young Englishman named Osborne, who held a commission -in the Danish service, Count Danneskjold-Laurvig, -and some older men, including Saldern -the Russian envoy. By way of variety the King -resumed his nocturnal expeditions, which he had -abandoned since his marriage. Accompanied by his -wild companions he roamed the streets of Copenhagen -in disguise, visiting taverns and houses of ill-repute, -molesting peaceable citizens, fighting with -the watchmen, and breaking lamps and windows. -Of course these freaks got abroad and set a fashion, -and bands of disorderly youths prowled about the -city at night in imitation of the King and his -companions, thereby causing great difficulty to the -superintendent of the police, for they pretended often -to be the King’s party, and for fear of mistake he -hardly dared to make an arrest. Things came to -such a pass at last that the watchmen lost patience, -and determined not to let the rioters off easily,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130"></a>[Pg 130]</span> -whether they belonged to the King’s party or not. -On one occasion, pretending not to know, they -caught the King and belaboured him so unmercifully -that he had to retire to bed for some days, and -pretend that he was ill of the fever.<a name="FNanchor_81_81" id="FNanchor_81_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_81_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a> On another -night, however, he achieved a triumph, and brought -home a club as a trophy, which he had wrested from -one of the watchmen.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_81_81" id="Footnote_81_81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_81_81"><span class="label">[81]</span></a> The Saxon minister at Copenhagen in his despatch of April -12, 1768, states that the King’s indisposition was due to a wound he -received in one of these combats with the watchmen.</p></div> - -<p>Details of these extravagancies came to the young -Queen’s ears from time to time, through the medium -of Sperling, who, now that he was superseded in the -King’s favour, attached himself to the Queen’s <i>entourage</i>, -and, with his uncle, Reventlow, who was -the Queen’s chamberlain, was often to be seen in -the apartments of Madame de Plessen. Prejudiced -by Sperling the Queen took a violent dislike to -Holck, whose evil influence over the King she believed -to be the cause of all her troubles. Holck -ascribed the Queen’s dislike of him to Madame de -Plessen, whom he regarded as his enemy, and he -retaliated after the manner of his kind. Not only -did he treat the Queen with scant respect, but he -declared that she was piqued because he did not -make love to her. He also behaved to Madame -de Plessen with great rudeness, and instigated the -coarse and mischievous jokes whereby the King -sought to make the chief lady’s position intolerable -at court and so force her to resign. But these<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131"></a>[Pg 131]</span> -tactics proved unavailing, for the more rudely -Madame de Plessen was treated by the King the -more closely did she cling to her post. She determined -to protect the Queen come what might, and -Matilda, in return, identified herself with Madame -de Plessen’s friends, and regarded her chief lady’s -enemies as her own. On July 22, 1767, the Queen -attained her sixteenth birthday, but to punish her -the King would not celebrate it.</p> - -<p>In August, 1767, Christian VII. determined to -make a tour through Holstein. The Queen, who -was fond of travel, eagerly desired to accompany -the King, and the royal tour was made the subject -of many entreaties and negotiations on her part and -the part of her household. But to further mark his -displeasure the King refused to take her, and a -serious quarrel took place between them. The -Queen was to be pitied, because the indifference she -had shown towards her husband had in great part -been assumed at the suggestion of Madame de -Plessen. She was now likely to become a mother, -and, by a natural instinct, she had grown into an inclination -for the father of her child. But she attributed -the King’s refusal not to Madame de Plessen -but to Holck (who, it is very possible, had something -to do with it), and insisted that if the King -would not take her he should not take Holck either. -After much difficulty she carried the point, but her -victory only enraged the King, and gave her no -satisfaction.</p> - -<p>Reverdil, who was the Queen’s friend, did his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132"></a>[Pg 132]</span> -best to patch up the quarrel. He accompanied the -King on his tour through Holstein, and urged him -to write affectionate letters to his wife. He pointed -out that, considering the state of the Queen’s health, -there was need to indulge her in her whims and -fancies. Christian, who was still smarting from the -interference of Madame de Plessen, consented with -an ill grace, and only on condition that Reverdil -composed the letters and he merely copied them. -These letters pacified Matilda; she was ignorant -of their real authorship, and replied with affection. -The King did not distinguish himself during his tour -or increase the loyalty of the duchy. He offended, -by his frivolity and recklessness, the old Holstein -nobility, who, if somewhat barbarous, were very strict -in their ideas of what a King should be.</p> - -<a name="i132" id="i132"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> -<img src="images/page132.jpg" width="600" height="719" alt="Edward, Duke of York, brother of Queen Matilda." /> -<div class="caption">EDWARD, DUKE OF YORK, BROTHER OF QUEEN MATILDA.<br /><i>From the Painting by G. H. Every.</i></div> -</div> - -<p>While Christian VII. was absent in Holstein -Matilda heard of the death of her favourite brother, -Edward Duke of York, a gallant, high-spirited -youth. The Duke chose the navy as a profession, -and if his promotion in it was rapid (he was promoted -to be a rear-admiral at the age of twenty-three), -he showed himself to be a brave sailor, and -distinguished himself under Howe at the bombardment -of Cherbourg. After the capture of the town -the Duke gave the French ladies a ball. “He told -them he was too young to know what was good -breeding in France, and therefore he should behave -as if meaning to please in England, and he kissed -them all.”<a name="FNanchor_82_82" id="FNanchor_82_82"></a><a href="#Footnote_82_82" class="fnanchor">[82]</a> The young Prince was a great favourite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133"></a>[Pg 133]</span> -with the ladies. His first love was the beautiful -and witty Charlotte, Countess of Essex. He then -transferred his affections to the even more beautiful -Duchess of Richmond, sister-in-law of Lady Sarah -Lennox. But the most serious of all his love affairs -was his passion for Lady Mary Coke, a young -widow, who found herself at an early age “the -envy of her sex; in the possession of youth, health, -wealth, wit, beauty and liberty”. The young and -ardent Duke seems to have given her a promise -of marriage, for during his lifetime she always -spoke of him to her friends as her betrothed, and -after his death displayed immoderate grief. The -Duke’s numerous love affairs and his constant pursuit -of pleasure naturally involved him in money -difficulties. The Princess-Dowager of Wales declined -to supplement her second son’s allowance, and -often lamented his extravagance, but George III. -was fond of his volatile brother, and occasionally -helped him, though it was against his strict principles -to do so. One day the Duke went to St. James’s in -a state of the greatest dejection, and, when he saw -the King, sighed heavily. The King asked him -why he was so low-spirited. “How can I be otherwise,” -said the Duke, “pressed as I am by creditors -and without a penny to pay them?” The King, -much affected, pressed a thousand pound note into his -brother’s hand. The Duke gravely read every word -of it aloud, then marched out of the room singing, -“God save great George our King!”</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_82_82" id="Footnote_82_82"></a><a href="#FNanchor_82_82"><span class="label">[82]</span></a> <i>The Georgian Era</i>, vol. i.</p></div> - -<p>The Duke of York had kept up a constant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134"></a>[Pg 134]</span> -correspondence with Queen Matilda since she had -left England; he wrote to her from Paris a few -weeks before his death telling her that he was making -a tour through France, and intended, before he -returned to England, to travel northwards and pay -her a visit at Copenhagen. But on his journey to -the south of France the Duke caught a chill, and -when he arrived at Monaco he was taken seriously -ill. For fourteen days he lingered in great suffering, -alleviated only by the affectionate offices of the -gentlemen of his suite and the kindness of the -Prince of Monaco. The Duke died on September -17, 1767, at the age of twenty eight. His body -was removed on board the British ship-of-war -<i>Montreal</i>, and conveyed home to be buried in -Westminster Abbey.</p> - -<p>The news of the Duke of York’s death reached -Copenhagen on October 10, and the English envoy -was under some difficulty how best to break the -news to the Queen, in her delicate state of health. -He writes: “My apprehensions of the effect it might -have had on her Danish Majesty in her present -situation, whenever she became acquainted with it, -made me communicate my first intelligence of it to -Madame de Plessen, of whose caution and discretion -in this instance I have no doubt, that she might take -such methods of preparing the Queen for it as she -judged most likely to lessen the shock, which otherwise -so unexpected an event might be attended -with. I have the pleasure to acquaint you that -her Majesty has suffered as little as (considering the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135"></a>[Pg 135]</span> -great tenderness of her disposition) could well be -expected.”<a name="FNanchor_83_83" id="FNanchor_83_83"></a><a href="#Footnote_83_83" class="fnanchor">[83]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_83_83" id="Footnote_83_83"></a><a href="#FNanchor_83_83"><span class="label">[83]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, October 13, 1767.</p></div> - -<p>Queen Matilda felt her brother’s death keenly, -the more so as she had been looking forward to his -visit to Copenhagen, when she hoped to confide to -him her troubles, and ask his help and guidance. -When Christian heard of his Queen’s loss, he wrote -her (through Reverdil) an affectionate letter of condolence. -The Queen was touched by this consideration; -she felt tenderly towards her husband, and was -anxious to be friends. When the King returned -from Holstein, the Queen drove out eight leagues -from Copenhagen to meet him. But Christian’s -greeting was cold and formal, though he got into her -coach and drove back with her into Copenhagen, so -that the citizens might think that he was on good -terms with his Queen.</p> - -<p>After her husband’s return Matilda made several -efforts to win his love, and behaved to him with the -utmost submission, but he did not respond. Her -pathetic desire to please him, her extreme youth -and loneliness, the fact that she was soon to become -the mother of his child—these considerations had no -weight with Christian VII. He repulsed his wife’s -advances, and treated her with rudeness and contempt, -conduct which, under the circumstances, was -peculiarly brutal. He made coarse jokes about her -condition; he even tried to force Holck, whom she -detested, upon her as master of her household. She -refused with tears and agitation, so the King made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136"></a>[Pg 136]</span> -him court marshal, and gave him the management -of all the festivities at court, where comedies, balls -and masquerades succeeded one another without -interruption.</p> - -<p>In addition to Christian’s cruelty to his Queen, -he flaunted his infidelity before her eyes. He had -no inclination for the ladies of the court (indeed the -company of refined women seemed distasteful to -him), but at Holck’s suggestion he sought the -society of women politely termed “actresses,” and -thereby derived no little amusement and distraction. -Holck, however, was not responsible for a woman -whose acquaintance the King made at this time, -who went by the nickname of <i>Stovlep Katerine</i>, or -“Catherine of the Gaiters”. This woman, according -to Reverdil, was brought before the King’s -notice by Count Danneskjold-Laurvig. Her real -name appears to have been Anna Catherine Benthaken, -and she was the natural daughter of an -eminent officer in the Danish service. As a child -she was brought up in the household of this officer, -but after his death her mother married a retired -soldier, who was by trade a tailor who made gaiters. -As Catherine was penniless she accompanied her -mother to her stepfather’s poor house, where, in -return for her board and lodging, she was obliged -to sew gaiters—hence her nickname. But she -could not brook this life long, and having a vivacious -temperament and some natural gifts she sought -other means of livelihood. Copenhagen in the -eighteenth century offered few opportunities of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137"></a>[Pg 137]</span> -honest work for unmarried women, so Catherine -first became an opera dancer, and then the mistress -of an Englishman, Sir John Goodrich.<a name="FNanchor_84_84" id="FNanchor_84_84"></a><a href="#Footnote_84_84" class="fnanchor">[84]</a> She lived -with him for some time, and was generally known -as “Milady”. At the time Christian made her -acquaintance, “Milady” was a good-looking young -woman, with a fine figure, and an excellent taste in -dress. She was amusing and witty, and equal to -any wild scheme the King might conceive. It was -her ambition to become <i>maîtresse en titre</i>, and -to this end she lent herself to all kinds of extravagancies -in order that she might gain greater influence -over the King. Before long “Milady” achieved -her ambition; she received the honour of an invitation -to a masquerade at the palace, and the King -showed his preference to the court by dancing with -her nearly all the evening. Queen Matilda was -spared the sight of this insult, for in consequence -of her state of health she was unable to be present, -but the incident was duly reported to her, and filled -her with grief and resentment.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_84_84" id="Footnote_84_84"></a><a href="#FNanchor_84_84"><span class="label">[84]</span></a> Sir John Goodrich was nominated by the British Government -Minister Plenipotentiary to Sweden, but, through the intrigues of -the French Government, he never got nearer Stockholm than -Copenhagen.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138"></a>[Pg 138]</span></p></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> - -<p class="center">THE BIRTH OF A PRINCE.</p> - -<p class="center">1768.</p> - - -<p>Queen Matilda gave birth to a son and heir—the -future King Frederick VI.—on January 28, 1768. -Titley thus records the event: “Yesterday the Queen -of Denmark fell in labour, and about ten o’clock -at night was happily delivered of a prince, to the -extreme satisfaction of her royal consort and the -whole court. The Queen, God be praised, and the -new-born prince are this morning both as well as -can be expected. This very important and much -desired event happened but an hour or two before -the anniversary of the King of Denmark’s own -birthday, and we are now celebrating the double -festivity. The birth of an heir male to the Crown -has completely fulfilled the ardent wishes and prayers -of the public, and consequently spread a real joy -through all ranks of the people here.”<a name="FNanchor_85_85" id="FNanchor_85_85"></a><a href="#Footnote_85_85" class="fnanchor">[85]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_85_85" id="Footnote_85_85"></a><a href="#FNanchor_85_85"><span class="label">[85]</span></a> Titley’s despatch, Copenhagen, January 29, 1768.</p></div> - -<p>A few days later the infant prince was christened -by the name of Frederick. The ceremony took place -in the Queen’s bedchamber, and nobody was admitted -except the ministers and council—the English -envoy was not invited. Queen Juliana Maria, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139"></a>[Pg 139]</span> -whom the birth of this prince was the death-blow -of her hopes, and the Princess Charlotte Amelia -(represented by proxy), were the godmothers, and -Prince Frederick, the King’s brother, was the godfather. -The King had wished for a public ceremonial, -but the babe was sickly and ailing, and it was -deemed necessary to baptise him as soon as possible. -During her illness the Queen was fenced round by -the most rigid etiquette by Madame de Plessen; she -was attended in turn by Madame de Plessen, a lady-in-waiting, -and the wife of a Knight of the Elephant. -The infant was attended by two court ladies, who -were changed according to rank, and this absurd -formality continued until all the court ladies had -shared the privilege. The Queen, a short time after -her confinement, had also to undergo the ordeal of -sitting up in bed (the royal infant in a bassinet by -the side of the bed) and receiving the congratulations -of the court ladies and gentlemen, who filed -through the room in procession. The fatigue of this -levee, or perhaps Madame de Plessen’s wearisome -formalities, made the Queen seriously ill. Gunning, -who never lost a chance of attacking his arch-enemy, -wrote to Lord Weymouth:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“Her Danish Majesty has been very much indisposed -for some days, but her physicians, who -own that they were not without apprehensions, -now assure me that all danger is over. It is with -the greatest concern that I think myself obliged -to acquaint your lordship with my fears that her -Majesty’s indisposition has been occasioned, in some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140"></a>[Pg 140]</span> -measure, by the imprudent conduct of the lady who -is her <i>grande maîtresse</i>. I thought it my duty to -acquaint General Conway with the character of -Madame de Plessen immediately after her nomination -to a post that I could wish she had never filled, -expressing at the same time my desire that her -Majesty might be informed of it. And in some -despatches subsequent to the Queen’s arrival here, -I applied for instructions with regard to my explaining -this matter to her Majesty, but not having had -any orders to do so, I could not with propriety, and -consistent with my duty, venture upon it, though -I daily saw the fatal effects of the ascendant this -lady acquired. Her Majesty’s sweetness of disposition -and her natural vivacity could not but, as -indeed it did, attract the esteem and affection of -a young Prince who had so great a share of the -latter. Had she been allowed to follow the bent of -her own inclinations, it would have been so firmly -established that nothing could have shaken it. But -this would not have answered the end of those -who advised a different conduct. The Queen’s influence -and ascendant would then have been too -great, and she herself would not have been subject -to that of others.... An attention to the situation -her Majesty has been in of late has prevented the -King’s executing the resolution he has long taken -of removing her <i>grande maîtresse</i>, but as soon as -the Queen’s health is thoroughly established, I understand -this is to take place.”<a name="FNanchor_86_86" id="FNanchor_86_86"></a><a href="#Footnote_86_86" class="fnanchor">[86]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_86_86" id="Footnote_86_86"></a><a href="#FNanchor_86_86"><span class="label">[86]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, February 17, 1768.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141"></a>[Pg 141]</span></p></div> - -<p>Gunning proved right in his conjecture, for a -few weeks later Madame de Plessen was suddenly -dismissed. The King would hardly have dared to -take this step if others had not come to his assistance. -Madame de Plessen had made many enemies -by her tactless conduct, but her political intrigues -were the direct cause of her fall. So long as the -French party was in the ascendant all went well -with her, but during the last year Russia had grown -in power and influence at the Danish court. Russia, -through her two envoys, Saldern, the envoy in -Holstein, and Filosofow, the envoy in Copenhagen, -had gained the ear of the Prime Minister, Bernstorff, -and other persons holding high office, notably of -Baron Schimmelmann,<a name="FNanchor_87_87" id="FNanchor_87_87"></a><a href="#Footnote_87_87" class="fnanchor">[87]</a> Grand Treasurer. Moreover, -Saldern was a personal friend of the King, and -joined him in many of his wildest dissipations; and -it is probable that he won Christian over to Russia -by giving him money to defray his extravagancies. -Saldern was a terrible man, a semi-barbarian, with -rough brutal strength and domineering will that bore -down all opposition. He knew that Reventlow, the -Queen’s chamberlain, and Madame de Plessen were -on the side of France; he determined to get rid of -them, and to this end used all his influence with the -King. Reventlow was dismissed with ignominy, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142"></a>[Pg 142]</span> -Sperling, his nephew, soon followed; but Madame -de Plessen remained, and until she was gone Saldern -could not feel safe against French intrigues. He -regarded the Queen’s household as the centre of -the French party, and he hated Matilda because -she supported Madame de Plessen. A letter of -Saldern’s, written about the end of January, 1768, -gives an insight into the character of the man. “My -great torment,” he wrote, “comes from the Queen. -She has lost her right arm in Reventlow, but she -still has the left in Plessen, a mischievous woman, but -I will deprive her of this arm also.... When the -King goes to see the Queen she tells him he ought -to be ashamed of himself, and that the whole city -says he lets himself be governed by me. She only -says this out of revenge, because I sent away her -flea-catcher (<i>sa preneuse de puces</i>). The King tells -me all this, and I show him <i>mon égide</i>, and we laugh -together.”<a name="FNanchor_88_88" id="FNanchor_88_88"></a><a href="#Footnote_88_88" class="fnanchor">[88]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_87_87" id="Footnote_87_87"></a><a href="#FNanchor_87_87"><span class="label">[87]</span></a> Schimmelmann was a German-Jew by birth, and a type of the -rogue now called a “financier”. After a career as a money-lender, -during which he amassed a fortune, he arrived in Denmark. He -possessed great financial ability, and made himself so useful to the -Danish Government that he was given first the title of Baron, then -the Order of the Elephant, and lastly appointed Grand Treasurer.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_88_88" id="Footnote_88_88"></a><a href="#FNanchor_88_88"><span class="label">[88]</span></a> <i>Mémoires de Reverdil</i>, pp. 122-23.</p></div> - -<p>All the same it was some months before Saldern -could screw up the King’s courage to the point -of dismissing Madame de Plessen, but at last he -succeeded. As soon as the Queen was convalescent -the King ran away with Saldern to Frederiksborg, -and from the safe shelter of that retreat he despatched -a signed order to Madame de Plessen commanding -her to quit the palace immediately on its receipt, -without taking leave of the Queen. As the King -was all-powerful, there was nothing for Madame de -Plessen to do but obey; indeed she feared for her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143"></a>[Pg 143]</span> -life if she remained in Copenhagen. So she fled -with all speed, the same day she received the order, -to her estate of Kokkedal, on the Sound.</p> - -<a name="i142" id="i142"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 767px;"> -<img src="images/page142.jpg" width="767" height="600" alt="Queen Matilda receiving the congratulations of the court on the birth of the Crown Prince Frederick." /> -<div class="caption">QUEEN MATILDA RECEIVING THE CONGRATULATIONS OF THE COURT ON THE BIRTH OF THE -CROWN PRINCE FREDERICK.<br /><i>From a Contemporary Print.</i></div> -</div> - -<p>Bernstorff was ordered to acquaint the Queen -with the King’s resolution and declare it to be irrevocable. -When the Queen was told that her first -lady had gone, there was a most painful scene—she -burst into tears and refused to be comforted. -Her anger and resentment against the King knew -no bounds, and she declared she would never forgive -him. The whole of the Queen’s household -was now changed; all her friends were sent away, -and nominees of Holck and Saldern put in their -places. The King wished to appoint as chief lady, -Madame von Berkentin, who had intrigued against -Madame de Plessen, but the Queen absolutely refused -to admit her to her presence, and so, after -much angry recrimination the vacant post was bestowed -upon Madame von der Lühe, who was not -any more pleasing to the Queen from the fact that -she was the sister of Count Holck. But Madame -von der Lühe proved more satisfactory than the -Queen expected, and gradually won her confidence; -the worst appointment was that of Fräulein von -Eyben as maid-of-honour. This woman, who had -by no means an unsullied reputation, was false and -untruthful—a spy who sought opportunity to betray -her mistress.</p> - -<p>Madame de Plessen was pursued with relentless -severity, and two days after her dismissal from the -Danish court she was ordered to quit the kingdom.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144"></a>[Pg 144]</span> -She withdrew to Hanoverian territory, and finally -settled at Celle. She was forbidden to hold any -communication with her former mistress, but it is -probable that she managed to evade this order. -The separation was a bitter grief both to the Queen -and her chief lady. Despite her domineering -disposition and want of tact, Madame de Plessen -dearly loved her young mistress, and would have -died, had it been necessary, for her sake. She was -by nature hard and undemonstrative, but the helpless -little Queen had found a tender spot in her heart, -and the maternal love she felt for her mistress was -all the more fierce because of its concentration; in -shielding her from the contamination of the court -she was like a tigress guarding her young. Perhaps -it was the very fierceness of her devotion which led -her into errors of judgment, but great though these -were, if she had avoided political intrigue, she might -have retained her place.</p> - -<p>To Matilda the loss of this good woman, for -she was a good woman despite her unamiable -qualities, was irreparable. Surrounded as she was -by spies and enemies, beset by perils and temptations, -she knew that she had in her chief lady a -disinterested friend, and she clung to her all the -more because she had not strength of herself to -stand alone. Had Madame de Plessen remained -with the Queen, the errors and follies of after years -would never have been committed. In the dangerous -path Matilda had to tread, beset by pitfalls on -every side, she needed some one who would guide<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145"></a>[Pg 145]</span> -her stumbling feet, and lead her in the way she -should go.</p> - -<p>Queen Matilda was not allowed much time to -indulge in her grief, for within ten days of Madame -de Plessen’s dismissal she had to hold a court, at -which she received the congratulations of the foreign -ministers and Danish nobility on the birth of her son. -The day was observed as a general holiday, and in -the evening there was a banquet and ball at the -Christiansborg Palace. If she wrote to England -to complain of the hard treatment she had suffered -in thus being deprived of one in whom she placed -confidence, she probably received little comfort -from her brother. We find Lord Weymouth writing -to Gunning before Madame de Plessen’s dismissal: -“The King would not be sorry to hear of -her removal,”<a name="FNanchor_89_89" id="FNanchor_89_89"></a><a href="#Footnote_89_89" class="fnanchor">[89]</a> and after it: “I assure you that -the King is thoroughly sensible of the zealous and -dutiful motives which engaged you to see with so -much concern the dangerous tendency of that lady’s -influence”.<a name="FNanchor_90_90" id="FNanchor_90_90"></a><a href="#Footnote_90_90" class="fnanchor">[90]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_89_89" id="Footnote_89_89"></a><a href="#FNanchor_89_89"><span class="label">[89]</span></a> Lord Weymouth’s despatch to Gunning, March 18, 1768.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_90_90" id="Footnote_90_90"></a><a href="#FNanchor_90_90"><span class="label">[90]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i>, May 4, 1768.</p></div> - -<p>In the same despatch (May 4, 1768) Lord -Weymouth announced the death of the Princess -Louisa Anne, and enclosed a sealed letter from -George III. to the Queen, whose sorrows now came -upon her thick and fast, for her sister’s death was -the second bereavement she had sustained within a -few months, in addition to the loss of her faithful -Plessen. Louisa Anne, who had once been put<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146"></a>[Pg 146]</span> -forward as a possible Queen of Denmark, had been -always an invalid, and was so diminutive in stature -that, though she completed her nineteenth year -before she died, she looked like a sickly child of -thirteen. There is nothing recorded of her beyond -that she was a lover of literature, and of an amiable -disposition.</p> - -<p>The death of her sister furnished the Queen with -an excuse for not appearing at court festivities, which -became wilder and more dissolute, and were attended -by many persons of ill-fame, both men and women. -Prominent among them was “Catherine of the -Gaiters,” who had now gained great influence over -the King, and led him (or he led her) into the wildest -excesses. It was one of Christian’s peculiarities -that he liked to see women dressed as men, and to -humour him “Milady” disguised herself in the uniform -of a naval officer and accompanied the King and his -friends on their night adventures. During her varied -career “Milady” had made several enemies among -women of her own walk in life: they were jealous -of her prosperity and spoke ill of her. To revenge -herself she induced the King and his party to enter -the houses where these women lived, smash the -windows and throw the furniture into the street. -The watchmen had secret orders to take no notice -of these proceedings, but they often found it difficult -to prevent the populace from rising in indignation. -Reverdil, who viewed the <i>liaison</i> between -the King and “Milady” with disgust, once saw -Christian returning to the palace, boasting loudly of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147"></a>[Pg 147]</span> -his exploits, and he could not refrain from uttering -the sarcasm, “<i>Voilà un beau chemin à la gloire</i>”. -The King was exceedingly angry, and said, “Do -not mock at me. Scold me if you will, but do not -mock at me.”</p> - -<p>Reverdil did not heed the warning, and a few -evenings later at the palace theatre he saw “Milady” -sitting in a prominent box and covered with jewels; -below her were the maids of honour, and facing her -was the Queen. Reverdil was standing near Holck, -who was responsible for this arrangement, and he -thus gave vent to his indignation. “Sir,” said he, -“though a hundred times you have turned into -ridicule what I have said, I say again that a man -can be neither a good subject, nor a good servant, -who does not weep to see such a creature thus -defy the Queen, and the King make himself, to the -great peril of the state, the <i>greluchon</i> of a foreign -minister.” Holck turned on his heel. The next -morning Reverdil received a written order from the -King commanding him to leave Copenhagen within -twenty-four hours. The out-spoken Swiss lost no -time in obeying the order, and left the country. -When he returned to Copenhagen three years later -the situation had changed.</p> - -<p>Reverdil was not the only one who entered a -protest against the ascendency of “Catherine of the -Gaiters”. She had induced the King to buy her a -palace, create her a baroness, and promise her a -pension, but in the hour of her triumph she fell as -suddenly as she had risen. The shameful scenes in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148"></a>[Pg 148]</span> -the streets had so moved the honest people of -Copenhagen to indignation that they threatened to -rise in revolt unless the woman was dismissed. So -threatening was their attitude and so loud were their -murmurs that at last the ministers resolved to act. -They sought the assistance of Schimmelmann and -Saldern to convince the King that matters had -reached danger-point. The latter then went with -Bernstorff to the King, and by trading on his -fears, persuaded him to sign an order commanding -Catherine to quit the kingdom at once. The King -signed without much difficulty; perhaps he was -frightened, perhaps he was already weary of her. -Catherine was arrested at her house and conducted -across the frontier to Hamburg, where the obsequious -municipality put her into prison.<a name="FNanchor_91_91" id="FNanchor_91_91"></a><a href="#Footnote_91_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_91_91" id="Footnote_91_91"></a><a href="#FNanchor_91_91"><span class="label">[91]</span></a> There she remained for some years. Eventually Struensee -set her at liberty, but she never returned to Copenhagen.</p></div> - -<p>Dismissal and banishment now formed the order -of the day at Copenhagen. Prince Charles of Hesse -had left the capital under the cloud of the King’s -displeasure, and though he was later given as a -consolation the vice-royalty of the duchies, he was -for a time in exile. Reventlow, by making friends -with the Russian party, had managed to crawl back -into office, but not to a place in the household of the -Queen. Brandt soon followed Sperling into banishment. -He became jealous of the reigning favourite -Holck, and wrote the King a private letter containing -severe reflections on Holck’s conduct. As might -have been expected the King showed the letter to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149"></a>[Pg 149]</span> -Holck, with the result that Brandt was commanded -to quit the capital within twenty-four hours, and -Danish territory within eight days. Holck was more -in favour than before, and the Queen’s position more -unhappy.</p> - -<p>The King, now that he was deprived of the -society of “Milady,” and a check put upon his follies, -suffered from <i>ennui</i>, and determined to travel. He -proposed to visit England and France, and to be -absent from Denmark six months. His ministers, -who at another time would have opposed the idea -of the King being away from his dominions for so -long, now thought it advisable that he should go. -The situation had become intolerable. The King -was most unpopular with his people, and if he -travelled for a time it would not only give an -opportunity for scandal and bitter feeling to die -down, but it was possible that he would gain wisdom, -and return a saner and better man. The -question of expense was a considerable one, but in -this matter Schimmelmann proved useful—he advanced -a loan.</p> - -<p>When Matilda heard of her husband’s intended -tour, she pleaded hard to accompany him, especially -as he was going to England. The desire to see -again her family and native country made her put -aside her pride, and beg this favour of the King -with all the eloquence in her power. But he refused -on several grounds, the real reason being that he -did not want her with him. She then prayed that -Madame de Plessen might come back to her during<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150"></a>[Pg 150]</span> -the King’s absence, and it was said that Christian, -before he started, promised to grant this, but when -he had gone a little way on his journey he withdrew -his promise. Under the circumstances the Queen -came to the wise resolution of retiring from the -capital altogether during the King’s absence. It -was necessary for her to be on her guard, for it -was rumoured that an intrigue was set on foot to -deprive her of the regency in the event of the -King’s demise.<a name="FNanchor_92_92" id="FNanchor_92_92"></a><a href="#Footnote_92_92" class="fnanchor">[92]</a> No doubt Juliana Maria thought -that the post of regent should be filled either by -herself, or her son Frederick, whose chances of -succession to the throne had been greatly lessened -by the birth of Matilda’s son. There had been -some idea of appointing a regent during the King’s -absence from his dominions, but the claims of the -rival Queens were too delicate to decide, and the -difficulty was avoided by appointing a council of -regency composed of Counts Thott and Moltke and -Baron Rosenkrantz.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_92_92" id="Footnote_92_92"></a><a href="#FNanchor_92_92"><span class="label">[92]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, May 14, 1768.</p></div> - -<p>Christian VII. left Copenhagen in May, 1768, -on his tour; his suite consisted of no less than -fifty-six persons, chief among them being Bernstorff, -the principal Secretary of State. The King travelled -south through Schleswig, where he remained -some little time; the two Russian envoys, Saldern -and Filosofow, were there, and weighty diplomatic -matters were discussed. The treaty by which -Russia exchanged her claims on ducal Schleswig -and Holstein for the counties of Oldenburg and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151"></a>[Pg 151]</span> -Delmenhorst was arranged there—a treaty of great -importance to Denmark.<a name="FNanchor_93_93" id="FNanchor_93_93"></a><a href="#Footnote_93_93" class="fnanchor">[93]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_93_93" id="Footnote_93_93"></a><a href="#FNanchor_93_93"><span class="label">[93]</span></a> Peter III. of Russia had made a claim upon his hereditary -states of Holstein-Gottorp in 1762, and was preparing to enforce it -when he was deposed and assassinated. His consort and successor, -Catherine the Great, agreed to an amicable settlement of the affair -by exchange.</p></div> - -<p>The King then proceeded through the southern -part of his dominions <i>viâ</i> Kiel to Ahrensburg, near -Hamburg. Here, without knowing it, he took -one of the most important steps of his life. He -appointed John Frederick Struensee, a doctor of -Altona, his travelling physician, and Struensee joined -the King’s suite forthwith.</p> - -<p>A few days later Christian quitted Denmark. -After paying a visit of reconciliation to his brother-in-law, -Prince Charles of Hesse, at Hanau, near -Frankfort, he travelled down the Rhine to Cologne, -and thence to Amsterdam and Brussels. From -Brussels he journeyed to Calais, where his brother-in-law, -George III., had sent the <i>Mary</i> yacht to -convey him to England.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152"></a>[Pg 152]</span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> - -<p class="center">CHRISTIAN VII. IN ENGLAND.</p> - -<p class="center">1768.</p> - - -<p>Christian VII. landed at Dover on August 9, -1768. He was received with especial marks of distinction, -a salute was fired from the cannon of the -castle, and the vessels in the harbour were dressed -with flags. Royal coaches were in waiting, and -Lord Hertford and Lord Falmouth received him -on behalf of the King. The King of Denmark’s -suite consisted of Count Bernstorff, his principal -Secretary of State, Count Moltke the younger, -Grand Marshal, Count Holck, Master of the -Wardrobe, Baron Schimmelmann, Treasurer, Baron -Bülow, Lord-in-Waiting, Dr. Struensee, Physician, -and several others.</p> - -<p>Christian declined the royal coaches, and preferred -to travel in a post-chaise to avoid ceremony. -With the principal members of his suite he pushed -on ahead, leaving the others to follow with the -baggage. Lord Hertford told his Majesty that -the clergy and the corporation of Canterbury, -through which city he was to pass, had made -great preparations to receive him. The King was -annoyed, for he was travelling <i>incognito</i> as the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153"></a>[Pg 153]</span> -Prince of Traventhal, and his object in coming to -England was to amuse himself, and not to be -wearied by receiving addresses from mayors and -Church dignitaries—for the clergy in particular he had -a dislike. He said to Bernstorff: “The last King -of Denmark who entered Canterbury laid it to ashes. -I wish the citizens had remembered that, and then -perhaps they would have let me pass unnoticed.” -But Bernstorff told Christian that he must at least -receive the address, which he did with ill grace, but -he declined the luncheon prepared in his honour.</p> - -<p>The King of Denmark arrived in London at -seven o’clock in the evening, and when his coach -pulled up before St. James’s Palace, Holck exclaimed, -“By God, this will never do! This is not -a fit place to lodge a <i>Christian</i> in!” In truth the -somewhat dingy exterior of St. James’s Palace was -not, at first sight, likely to impress a foreigner, but -when the King entered he pronounced his lodgings -tolerable. George III. had spent £3,000 in refurnishing -a suite of apartments for his brother-in-law. -Moreover, he defrayed the cost of his royal -guest’s table during his stay in England, at the -cost of £84 a day, without wine, and the wine bill, -no doubt, was a heavy addition. He also decorated -the King of Denmark’s sideboard with the splendid -gold plate of Henry VII., which was seldom used, -except at coronation banquets, and was brought from -the Tower especially for the occasion. These marks -of respect, it may be supposed, George III. paid to -the office of the King, for it is certain that he disliked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154"></a>[Pg 154]</span> -the man, and heartily wished him anywhere but at -St. James’s.</p> - -<p>Christian VII. had invited himself to the English -court, and came as a most unwelcome guest. His -visit was singularly ill-timed, for the Wilkes riots had -taken place recently, and the King was unpopular, -and much worried and annoyed. Moreover, the -court was in mourning for the Princess Louisa -Anne, and the King wished to give none but the -absolutely necessary receptions this year. He disliked -festivities as much as the King of Denmark -revelled in them, and he grudged the outlay which -the visit of his self-invited guest entailed. Besides, -George III., who was a model of the domestic -virtues, had heard of the profligacy of the King -of Denmark, and the cruelty and disrespect with -which he treated his Queen. Matilda had written -home piteous complaints of the sufferings she endured, -and though George III. declined to interfere -between man and wife, and advised his sister to -make the best of her lot, he felt just resentment -against her husband, who ill-treated her so grossly.<a name="FNanchor_94_94" id="FNanchor_94_94"></a><a href="#Footnote_94_94" class="fnanchor">[94]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_94_94" id="Footnote_94_94"></a><a href="#FNanchor_94_94"><span class="label">[94]</span></a> George III.’s repugnance to the King of Denmark’s visit is -shown in the following note which he wrote to Lord Weymouth before -he came: “As to-morrow is the day you receive foreign ministers, -you will acquaint M. de Dieden (the Danish minister) that I desire -he will assure the King, his master, that I am desirous of making -his stay in this country as agreeable as possible. That I therefore -wish to be thoroughly apprized of the mode in which he chooses -to be treated, that I may exactly conform to it. This will throw -whatever may displease the King of Denmark, during his stay -here, on his shoulders, and consequently free me from that <i>désagrément</i>; -but you know very well that the whole of <i>it is very disagreeable -to me</i>.” [Richmond Lodge, June 8, 1768.]</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155"></a>[Pg 155]</span></p></div> - -<p>In pursuance of these sentiments George III., -though he had every necessary preparation made for -the King of Denmark, showed no warmth in welcoming -him. He was holding a levee in St. James’s -Palace the very hour that Christian arrived there, -but instead of hastening to greet him, he sent a -formal message to the effect that he would receive -him at the Queen’s House (now Buckingham Palace) -at half-past five o’clock. To the Queen’s House, -therefore, at the appointed hour Christian repaired. -George III.’s reception of his cousin and brother-in-law -was cold and formal, and immediately it was -over he left London for Richmond Lodge, where -he remained in seclusion nearly the whole time of -the King of Denmark’s stay in England.</p> - -<p>Christian then went to Carlton House to pay -his respects to his mother-in-law. His reception -there was less frigid, but far from satisfactory. The -Princess-Dowager of Wales could not help showing -him how anxious she was about her daughter. She -overwhelmed her son-in-law with inquiries concerning -his wife’s health, which wearied him greatly, and he -could not refrain from saying in an audible whisper -to Holck, “<i>Cette chère maman m’embête terriblement</i>”. -The Princess-Dowager reopened the question -of Madame de Plessen’s dismissal, acting, no -doubt, at the request of Queen Matilda, and prayed -the King to reinstate her, as she was afraid for her -daughter to be exposed to the temptations of the court -without a strict duenna. Christian, who was visibly -annoyed, said he would not oppose Madame de<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156"></a>[Pg 156]</span> -Plessen’s return, if the Princess-Dowager insisted upon -it, but if she came back he and the Queen must -occupy separate palaces, as he was determined never -to have Madame de Plessen under his roof again. As -this would involve a virtual separation, the Princess-Dowager -forebore to press the point further. She -reported her ill-success to Matilda, and begged her -to submit to the inevitable, and try to conciliate her -husband. Now that she saw what manner of man -her son-in-law was, the Princess-Dowager regretted -the part she had played in bringing about this unhappy -marriage.</p> - -<p>Ill-health and many sorrows had softened this -stern Princess’s heart; life had not gone smoothly -with her of late. The one friend in whom she trusted, -Lord Bute, had been driven from England by her -implacable enemies. Bute had taken office at the -request of the Princess-Dowager, and for her sake he -had laid it down. The ostensible ground he gave -for his resignation was ill-health, the real one was -a chivalrous desire to check the flood of cowardly -insult aimed through him at the second lady in the -land. The Princess-Dowager urged him not to make -the sacrifice, for she well knew it would be in vain, -and she proved to be right. Bute was still pursued -with a relentless hatred, and his enemies were not -satisfied until they had driven him first from London -and then out of the country. Unable to withstand -the storm any longer Bute went into exile, and -at the time when Christian VII. visited England, -he was wandering about Italy under the <i>incognito</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157"></a>[Pg 157]</span> -of Sir John Stewart. The Princess-Dowager was -much cast down by the loss of her friend, with whom -she could hardly correspond, without fear of her -letters being intercepted. Moreover, her sorrows -were increased by the death of two of her children -(the once numerous family of Frederick Prince of -Wales was now reduced to five), and by the unsatisfactory -conduct of her two younger sons, the -Dukes of Gloucester and Cumberland, who showed -tendencies (the latter especially) to folly and extravagance.</p> - -<a name="i156" id="i156"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 800px;"> -<img src="images/page156.jpg" width="800" height="537" alt="Carlton House, Pall Mall, the residence of the Princess Dowager of Wales." /> -<div class="caption">CARLTON HOUSE, PALL MALL, THE RESIDENCE OF THE PRINCESS-DOWAGER OF WALES.<br /><i>From a Print, temp. 1765.</i></div> -</div> - -<p>The visit of her son-in-law, the King of Denmark, -so far from comforting her, only increased -her anxiety. The more she saw of him the more -she disliked him. He was restive under her covert -reproaches, and at last entirely lost her good graces -by his impertinence. The Princess was telling -fortunes by cards one evening with one of her ladies, -to whom Christian had given a diamond star. The -King said to her: “<i>Chère maman</i>, which King am -I in your pasteboard court?” “Lady——,” said the -Princess-Dowager archly, “calls you the King of -Diamonds.” “What do you call Holck?” asked -Christian. “Oh, by a more flattering title—the -King of Hearts.” This nettled the King, who -retorted: “And pray, <i>chère maman</i>, what do you -call Lord Bute—the Knave of Hearts?” This -repartee greatly discomposed the Princess-Dowager. -She flushed crimson, and gathered up the cards -without a word.</p> - -<p>Though Christian was so unwelcome at court,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158"></a>[Pg 158]</span> -he was exceedingly well received by all classes of the -nation, who made him the hero of the hour. The -fact that the King disliked him rather increased his -popularity than otherwise. The King and Queen, -in consequence of the seclusion in which they lived, -had little or no influence on society. George III. -preferred a quiet domestic life with his wife and -children, routs, balls and assemblies had no attractions -for him. Therefore London society, which -loves the presence of royalty, hailed the King of -Denmark with delight. All the fine ladies were in -love with him, all the fine gentlemen sought the -honour of his acquaintance, imitated his dress and -deportment, and even copied his eccentricities. The -rumour of his vices lent an additional piquancy. He -was nicknamed “the Northern Scamp,” and the -ladies invented a headdress in his honour, which was -known as the “Danish fly”. “The King of Denmark,” -writes Whately to George Grenville, “is the -only topic of conversation. Wilkes himself is forgotten, -even by the populace.”<a name="FNanchor_95_95" id="FNanchor_95_95"></a><a href="#Footnote_95_95" class="fnanchor">[95]</a> The people cheered -him wherever he went, and the nobility vied with -one another in giving him splendid entertainments. -First to have the honour of entertaining “the -royal Dane” was Lady Hertford, who gave a -brilliant assembly at Hertford House. Horace -Walpole, who was present, writes:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“I came to town to see the Danish King. He -is as diminutive as if he came out of a kernel in the -Fairy Tales. He is not ill made, nor weakly made,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159"></a>[Pg 159]</span> -though so small; and, though his face is pale and -delicate, it is not at all ugly.... Still he has more -royalty than folly in his air, and, considering he is -not twenty, is as well as any one expects any king -in a puppet show to be.... He only takes the title -of <i>Altesse</i> (an absurd mezzo-termine), but acts king -exceedingly; struts in the circle, like a cock-sparrow, -and does the honours of himself very civilly.”<a name="FNanchor_96_96" id="FNanchor_96_96"></a><a href="#Footnote_96_96" class="fnanchor">[96]</a> And -again: “He has the sublime strut of his grandfather -(George II.), and the divine white eyes of all his -family on the mother’s side.... The mob adore -and huzza him, and so they did at the first instant. -They now begin to know why, for he flings money -to them out of the window; and by the end of the -week, I do not doubt they will want to choose him -for Middlesex. His court is extremely well ordered, -for they bow as low to him at every word as if his -name were Sultan Amurath. You would take his -first minister for only the first of his slaves.... -There is indeed a pert young gentleman who a -little discomposes this august ceremonial; his name -is Count Holck, his age three-and-twenty; and his -post answers to one that we had formerly in England -ages ago, called, in our tongue, a royal -favourite.”<a name="FNanchor_97_97" id="FNanchor_97_97"></a><a href="#Footnote_97_97" class="fnanchor">[97]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_95_95" id="Footnote_95_95"></a><a href="#FNanchor_95_95"><span class="label">[95]</span></a> <i>Grenville Papers</i>, vol. iv.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_96_96" id="Footnote_96_96"></a><a href="#FNanchor_96_96"><span class="label">[96]</span></a> Walpole’s <i>Letters</i>, vol. v., edition 1857.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_97_97" id="Footnote_97_97"></a><a href="#FNanchor_97_97"><span class="label">[97]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i></p></div> - -<p>Lady Hertford’s assembly was followed by a -magnificent entertainment at Syon House, given -by the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland. -“An inexpressible variety of emblematical devices<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160"></a>[Pg 160]</span> -was illuminated by more than fifteen thousand -lamps, and the temple erected in the inner court -was ornamented by transparent paintings, which -had a very happy effect.”<a name="FNanchor_98_98" id="FNanchor_98_98"></a><a href="#Footnote_98_98" class="fnanchor">[98]</a> A gala performance -was also given at the opera, which was attended by -all the rank and fashion of the town, though the -King and Queen were absent. After the opera the -King went to Mrs. Cornelys’ house in Soho Square -(a sort of Assembly Rooms at that period). “Mrs. -Cornelys had put the apartments in all the possible -order that a few hours’ notice would admit of, and -the whole was splendidly illuminated with upwards -of two thousand wax lights. The moment the King -entered the grand room the music (consisting of -French horns, clarinets, bassoons, etc.) began playing, -and his Majesty seemed very much pleased at -the agreeable manner of his reception. Dancing -was proposed; the King opened the ball with the -Duchess of Ancaster, and named the second minuet -with the Countess of Harrington; the minuets were -succeeded by English country dances, and those by -the French cotillons.”<a name="FNanchor_99_99" id="FNanchor_99_99"></a><a href="#Footnote_99_99" class="fnanchor">[99]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_98_98" id="Footnote_98_98"></a><a href="#FNanchor_98_98"><span class="label">[98]</span></a> <i>The Annual Register</i>, 1768.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_99_99" id="Footnote_99_99"></a><a href="#FNanchor_99_99"><span class="label">[99]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i></p></div> - -<p>Christian’s maternal aunt, the Princess Amelia, -was indignant with George III. for the way he -ignored his royal guest, and she gave a grand -entertainment at Gunnersbury House in honour -of her Danish nephew. “The entertainment was -extremely magnificent. Invitations were given to -upwards of 300 of the nobility. The supper con<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161"></a>[Pg 161]</span>sisted -of 120 dishes; a grand fire-work was then -played off; and the ball, which was very splendid, -ended about three o’clock on Saturday morning.”<a name="FNanchor_100_100" id="FNanchor_100_100"></a><a href="#Footnote_100_100" class="fnanchor">[100]</a> -The Duke of Gloucester was present, but the King -and Queen did not attend. The lovely Lady -Talbot, who was much admired by Christian, was -the belle of the ball, and wore a diamond coronet -worth £80,000. The beautiful and lively Lady -Bel Stanhope also created a sensation, and Holck -fell in love with her. It is said that he proposed -marriage, but Lady Bel, or her parents, would not -hear of it. The Princess Amelia declared herself -to be very fond of her nephew, who, she said, reminded -her of her sister, Queen Louise, but she -was distressed that he did not get on better with -his wife, and asked him why. “<i>Pourquoi?</i>” replied -Christian, “<i>Pourquoi?—elle est si blonde!</i>” Walpole -has something to say on this head too, for he -tells us, “At the play of <i>The Provoked Wife</i>, he -(the King) clapped whenever there was a sentence -against matrimony—a very civil proceeding when -his wife was an English Princess”.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_100_100" id="Footnote_100_100"></a><a href="#FNanchor_100_100"><span class="label">[100]</span></a> <i>The Annual Register</i>, 1768.</p></div> - -<p>George III.’s neglect of the King of Denmark -occasioned so much comment that he at last reluctantly -gave a ball in Christian’s honour at the -Queen’s House, at which the Princess-Dowager of -Wales, the Duke of Gloucester, and a great number -of the nobility were present. The Princess Amelia -was not asked; the King owed her a grudge for the -way in which she had forced his hand in giving an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162"></a>[Pg 162]</span> -entertainment to her nephew—an example he was -bound to follow. The King of Denmark opened -the ball with Queen Charlotte, and King George -danced a minuet with the Duchess of Ancaster, who -seems to have been the greatest lady of the day -outside the royal family.</p> - -<p>Christian VII. showed no hurry to quit a country -where he was so well received, and in September, -when London was empty, he made several tours in -the provinces. It was a very wet summer, and the -rains were heavier than had been known in the -memory of man. “The Serpentine river in Hyde -Park rose so high that it forced down a part of the -wall, and poured with such violence upon Knightsbridge, -that the inhabitants expected the whole town -to be overflowed; the canal in St. James’s Park rose -higher than ever was known; in short, no man -living remembered so much rain-fall in so short a -time.”<a name="FNanchor_101_101" id="FNanchor_101_101"></a><a href="#Footnote_101_101" class="fnanchor">[101]</a> Several parts of the country were flooded, -and the high roads rendered impassable; travelling -by coach always slow, became slower still, and in -some places was attended with difficulty and even -danger. But these things did not daunt Christian, -who rushed about the country, from one end to -another, stopping nowhere for any time, and apparently -taking no interest in anything he saw. -Even the polite writer in the <i>Annual Register</i>, who -devoted pages to Christian’s doings, was constrained -to say: “His journeyings are so rapid, and his stay -at places so short, that, if he is not a youth of more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163"></a>[Pg 163]</span> -than common talents, he must have a very confused -idea of what he sees”.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_101_101" id="Footnote_101_101"></a><a href="#FNanchor_101_101"><span class="label">[101]</span></a> <i>The Annual Register</i>, September 1, 1768.</p></div> - -<p>Horace Walpole, who now pursued the King -of Denmark with strange malignity, writes: “You -know already about the King of Denmark, hurrying -from one corner of England to the other, without -seeing anything distinctly, fatiguing himself, -breaking his chaise, going tired to bed in inns, and -getting up to show himself to the mob at the -window. I believe that he is a very silly lad, but -the mob adore him, though he has neither done -nor said anything worth repeating; but he gives -them an opportunity of getting together, of staring -and of making foolish observations.”<a name="FNanchor_102_102" id="FNanchor_102_102"></a><a href="#Footnote_102_102" class="fnanchor">[102]</a> Bernstorff -excused the King’s indifference on the ground that -he was short-sighted. This also served to explain -many apparent discourtesies, for Christian often -ignored people to whom he had been most gracious -a few days before. It is probable that Horace -Walpole was one of the victims of this little peculiarity, -and that accounts for the venom with which -he writes of the King. Christian may also have -ignored Walpole’s niece, Lady Waldegrave, who -had secretly married the Duke of Gloucester, and -who, though the marriage was not declared, already -gave herself the airs of a princess of the blood.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_102_102" id="Footnote_102_102"></a><a href="#FNanchor_102_102"><span class="label">[102]</span></a> Walpole’s <i>Letters</i>, vol. v., edition 1857.</p></div> - -<p>Christian’s first excursion was to York. Attended -by a retinue of a hundred and twenty persons he set -out from London, and, in passing, visited Cambridge. -The Vice-Chancellor, the heads of houses,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164"></a>[Pg 164]</span> -the doctors, professors, proctors and other officials of -the university, clad in their scarlet robes, received -the King at the entrance of the senate house, and -conducted him to a chair of state, where an address -was presented to him. The King was invited to a -public luncheon, but he excused himself, and asked -the Vice-Chancellor to supper with him at his inn. -Christian shirked all ceremony, and saw the sights of -Cambridge in his riding coat and boots. At York -the Corporation made every preparation to entertain -him in a splendid manner, but the King declined -all formalities, saw the races, visited the Minster and -other public buildings, and the next day set out on -his return journey to London, going round by way -of Liverpool and Manchester, “where he was particularly -gratified by viewing the stupendous works -of the Duke of Bridgewater, at which he expressed -both astonishment and pleasure”.</p> - -<p>A few days after the Danish King’s return to -London he again set forth on a visit to Oxford. He -was received in state by the Vice-Chancellor and -officials of the university, and in full convocation -had the degree of Doctor of Civil Law conferred -upon him. Bernstorff, Holck and other members -of the Danish suite also received honorary degrees, -and Struensee had conferred upon him the degree -of Doctor of Medicine. After Oxford the King -visited several places, and was perpetually on the -road. When he was at Newmarket for the races -the Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge waited on him, -and in the name of the university presented an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165"></a>[Pg 165]</span> -address, and graces for conferring the same degree -upon the King and his nobles as they had received -at Oxford.</p> - -<p>The grandest entertainment provided for Christian -was his state visit to the City of London. The -Lord Mayor with the aldermen and sheriffs, all -in their robes, set out in coaches from the Guildhall -for the Three Cranes, where they embarked -at eleven o’clock in the morning on board the city -state barge, “the streamers flying, a select band -of water-music playing, and the principal livery -companies attending in their respective barges,” to -Westminster, where they awaited the arrival of -Christian from St. James’s Palace. The King came -punctually, and as he set foot on the city barge a -royal salute was fired, and loud cheers rent the air -from the vast crowds of people who lined the banks -on either side, thronged the bridges, and crowded -the river on innumerable craft. The procession -glided down the Thames to the Temple Stairs. -“During the course of this grand passage on the -water his Majesty frequently expressed himself -highly pleased, and his admiration of the several -great and beautiful objects round him; and sometimes -condescended to come forward in order to -gratify the curiosity of the people, who eagerly -fought to get a sight of his royal person, though at -the hazard of their lives.”<a name="FNanchor_103_103" id="FNanchor_103_103"></a><a href="#Footnote_103_103" class="fnanchor">[103]</a> Arrived at the Temple -Stairs the King landed, took his seat in the Lord -Mayor’s coach, and proceeded to the Mansion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166"></a>[Pg 166]</span> -House. The streets through which he passed were -gaily decorated, and crowded “with an innumerable -populace, while the windows and tops of houses -were equally crowded with spectators of both sexes, -whose acclamations, together with the ringing of -bells, and the shouts of the multitude, loudly expressed -their joy at his Majesty’s presence; his -Majesty expressed his surprise at the populousness -of this city, and his satisfaction at the kindness of -the citizens”.<a name="FNanchor_104_104" id="FNanchor_104_104"></a><a href="#Footnote_104_104" class="fnanchor">[104]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_103_103" id="Footnote_103_103"></a><a href="#FNanchor_103_103"><span class="label">[103]</span></a> <i>The Annual Register.</i></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_104_104" id="Footnote_104_104"></a><a href="#FNanchor_104_104"><span class="label">[104]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i></p></div> - -<p>Arrived at the Mansion House an address was -read to the King by the City Recorder. Curiously -no direct mention was made of Queen Matilda, -but we take from it one passage to show the gross -and servile flattery which characterised the whole -effusion. “The many endearing ties which happily -connect you, Sir, with our most gracious Sovereign, -justly entitle you to the respect and veneration of all -his Majesty’s faithful subjects; but your affability -and other princely virtues, so eminently displayed -during the whole course of your residence among us, -have in a particular manner charmed the citizens of -London, who reflect with admiration on your early -and uncommon thirst for knowledge, and your indefatigable -pursuit of it by travel and observation, -the happy fruits of which they doubt not will be -long employed and acknowledged within the whole -extent of your influence and command.” Christian -returned a suitable reply in Danish, and, “upon -notice that the dinner was served, his Majesty was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167"></a>[Pg 167]</span> -conducted into the Egyptian Hall, where his Majesty -condescended to proceed quite round, that the ladies -(who made a most brilliant appearance in the galleries) -might have a full view of his royal person”. -The banquet was a Gargantuan one, and took four -hours to work through. Several toasts were drunk -to the sound of a trumpet, but, at the King’s request, -without speeches. In addition to the usual -loyal toasts, were added those of the King of Denmark -and Norway and his Consort, Queen Matilda. -The King himself proposed two toasts, “Prosperity -to the British Nation,” and “Prosperity to the City -of London”.<a name="FNanchor_105_105" id="FNanchor_105_105"></a><a href="#Footnote_105_105" class="fnanchor">[105]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_105_105" id="Footnote_105_105"></a><a href="#FNanchor_105_105"><span class="label">[105]</span></a> <i>The Annual Register.</i></p></div> - -<p>At eight o’clock his Majesty took his leave, the -City Fathers going before him to his coach bearing -wax lights. The King returned to St. James’s -Palace through crowded streets, brilliantly illuminated -in his honour. The whole visit was a remarkable -tribute to his undeserved popularity. -Truly there must be some strange glamour around -the name of king, when a prince like this, who had -never said or done anything worth recording, and -a great deal which was quite unfit to be recorded, -received from the greatest city in the world an ovation -which could not be surpassed if he had been -one of the world’s greatest heroes.</p> - -<p>Moreover, the King of Denmark was pursuing -in London the same scandalous amusements as those -which had revolted his subjects in Copenhagen. Incredible -though it may seem, night after night he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168"></a>[Pg 168]</span> -and his favourite, Holck, disguised as sailors, would -pass hours drinking and frolicking in the stews and -pot-houses of St. Giles’. These adventures generally -began after midnight. Christian would leave -some splendid entertainment given in his honour by -the proudest of the English nobility, and hurrying -back to St. James’s would change his clothes, and -start out again to seek distraction in the lowest -forms of dissipation. These extraordinary predilections -were perfectly well known to many people -of rank and fashion, and the knowledge filtered -down to the mob, who cheered the Danish King -whithersoever he went. Perhaps they lent, such -was the depravity of the age, an additional zest -to the cheers. Even Queen Matilda, left behind -in far-off Denmark, heard from London of her -husband’s transgressions. It is said that she wrote -to her aunt, the Princess Amelia: “I wish the -King’s travels had the same laudable object as -those of Cyrus, but I hear that his Majesty’s chief -companions are musicians, fiddlers, and persons -designed for inglorious employments. What a -wretched levee! And his evening amusements -are said to be still more disgraceful. His delicacy -and sentiment cannot be supposed to dignify these -fleeting gratifications. If I had not experienced his -fickleness and levity at home, I could not have -heard, without emotion and disquietude, of his -infidelities abroad.”<a name="FNanchor_106_106" id="FNanchor_106_106"></a><a href="#Footnote_106_106" class="fnanchor">[106]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_106_106" id="Footnote_106_106"></a><a href="#FNanchor_106_106"><span class="label">[106]</span></a> <i>Memoirs of an Unfortunate Queen.</i></p></div> - -<p>Having said this much in condemnation of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169"></a>[Pg 169]</span> -Christian VII. in England, it is only fair to turn -the other side of the shield, and record one or two -anecdotes of him which may have accounted, to -some extent, for his undoubted popularity. One -day he saw a poor tradesman seized in his shop by -two bailiffs, who thrust him into a hackney coach, despite -the lamentations of his weeping wife and family, -and drove off to the Marshalsea. The King commanded -Count Moltke to follow the coach and find -out all particulars. Moltke reported that the unlucky -man had contracted a debt in the course of his -business, and had been charged exorbitant interest. -The King paid the debt, set the man free from -prison, and gave him five hundred dollars to start -anew. This was only one instance of several exhibitions -of generosity, for he gave away considerable -sums to liberate poor debtors from the Marshalsea -and Fleet. Christian had also a habit of scattering -money among the crowd, which would account for -many cheers—though money was scarce in Denmark -its King had always plenty to throw away on his -travels.</p> - -<p>One day when Christian stepped out of his coach -to enter St. James’s Palace, a fine buxom girl, who -formed one of the little crowd that always assembled -to witness the King’s goings out and comings in, -burst through the line, caught the King in her arms, -and, fairly lifting him off the ground, kissed him -heartily. “Now,” said she, “kill me if you like, I -shall die happy, for I have kissed the prettiest fellow -in the world.” Christian, far from being offended,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170"></a>[Pg 170]</span> -was delighted with this tribute to his charms. He -gave the girl a crown and ran laughing up the stairs. -But after this incident it was necessary to have a -double line of attendants, as other maidens might -have been tempted to repeat the experiment, for the -King, though so small, was much admired by the -ladies of all classes. He was fond of dining in -public at St. James’s, that is to say, he sat at a table -in the middle of the room, and the general public, -chiefly women, were admitted to a space at one -end, shut off by a rail, whence they could see -“the Northern Scamp” eat his dinner. Powdered, -painted, patched, perfumed, richly dressed in silk, -velvet and lace, and besprinkled with jewels, -Christian looked like a Dresden china figure. The -men said he resembled a girl dressed in a man’s -clothes, but the women adored him.</p> - -<p>Six weeks had passed since the King of Denmark’s -arrival in England, yet he showed no inclination -to depart. But the King of England, who had -to bear the cost of his maintenance, thought that it -was high time for him to return to his Queen and -country. Other hints proving vain, George III. invited -his royal guest to what he pointedly called a -“farewell entertainment” at Richmond Lodge, on -September 26. “A most elegant structure,” we -read, “was erected, in the centre of which was a -large triumphal arch, about forty feet high, of the -Grecian order, decorated with figures, trophies and -other embellishments.” The entertainment was -equal to the magnificence of the structure, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171"></a>[Pg 171]</span> -the fireworks were the finest ever exhibited in -England. The road from St. James’s Palace to -Richmond Lodge, along which Christian passed, was -illuminated by upwards of fifteen thousand Italian -lamps.</p> - -<p>The Danish King accepted this “farewell entertainment,” -but still showed no signs of saying farewell. -The Princess-Dowager of Wales, therefore, -by way of speeding the parting guest, gave a supper -party on October 1, to bid him good-bye. It consisted -of three tables, one for their Majesties and the -Princess-Dowager, a second for the King of Denmark -and fifty of the nobility, and a third for the -Prince of Wales (afterwards George IV., then a boy -of six years old) and his attendants. The supper -party accomplished the object for which it was given, -and Christian VII. named the much-wished-for day -of his departure, which, however, was not for another -fortnight.</p> - -<p>On October 10 the King of Denmark gave a -masquerade ball to his English friends, who had -entertained him so lavishly. The ball took place -at the Opera House in the Haymarket, and two -thousand five hundred guests responded to the -“royal Dane’s” invitation. Queen Charlotte did -not appear, she did not approve of masquerades; -her virtuous husband also did not approve of them, -but could not resist the temptation of being present, -though he compromised with his conscience -by peeping at the gay scene from a private box, -behind transparent shutters. The Princess Amelia,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172"></a>[Pg 172]</span> -who was old and infirm, witnessed the revels from -another box, where she sat the whole evening -masked. The scene was one of great brilliancy, -and the value of the jewels worn on this occasion -was estimated at upwards of £2,000,000. The -company must have been rather mixed, and a good -many people lost articles of jewellery, which they -never recovered. The following account of the ball -is taken from the <i>Gentleman’s Magazine</i>:—</p> - -<a name="i172" id="i172"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 800px;"> -<img src="images/page172.jpg" width="800" height="490" alt="The masked ball given by Christian VII. at the opera house, Haymarket." /> -<div class="caption">THE MASKED BALL GIVEN BY CHRISTIAN VII. AT THE OPERA HOUSE, HAYMARKET.<br /><i>From the “Gentleman’s Magazine,” 1768.</i></div> -</div> - -<blockquote><p>“His Danish Majesty came in, masked, between -ten and eleven o’clock, dressed in a domino of gold -and silver stuff, a black hat and white feather, walked -about with great good nature and pleasantry until -twelve, then withdrew with a select company to -supper and appeared no more.... The Duke of -Cumberland was in a crimson domino, trimmed with -gold, black hat and white feather. The Duke of -Gloucester in a purple domino, white hat and white -feather. Her Grace the Duchess of Northumberland -appeared in the character of Rembrandt’s wife, in -a close black gown trimmed with gold, a rounded -coif, a short apron tucked up, and a painter’s brush in -her hand. Lady Bel Stanhope and her sister represented -pilgrims in brown gowns with blue sashes -trimmed with silver, and small hats laced round -with diamonds. The Countess of Harrington and -the two young ladies, her daughters, were extremely -simple in their appearance, but at the same time -extremely elegant.... His Grace the Duke of -Northumberland was in a Persian habit, with a fine -turban richly ornamented with diamonds. Lord<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173"></a>[Pg 173]</span> -Grosvenor was in a splendid suit of the Turkish -fashion. The Duchess of Ancaster, in the character -of a Sultana, was universally admired; her robe was -purple satin bordered with ermine, and fluttered on -the ground so much in the style of Eastern magnificence -that we were transported in fancy to the -palaces of Constantinople.... Many of the most -superb, as well as the best fancied dresses in the -whole assembly were those of eminent citizens, or -those who had acquired their fortunes by trade.”</p></blockquote> - -<blockquote><p>Another account says: “The principal grotesque -characters were the conjurer, the black, and the old -woman. There was also a Methodist preacher, a -chimney sweeper, with his bag, shovel and scraper, -and a boar with a bull’s head, all of which were supported -with great good humour.”<a name="FNanchor_107_107" id="FNanchor_107_107"></a><a href="#Footnote_107_107" class="fnanchor">[107]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_107_107" id="Footnote_107_107"></a><a href="#FNanchor_107_107"><span class="label">[107]</span></a> <i>The Annual Register.</i></p></div> - -<p>Two days after the masquerade the King of -Denmark held a levee at St. James’s Palace, at -which a large company attended to take leave of -him. The following day he went to Queen’s House -to say farewell to the King and Queen, and to -Carlton House to wish the Princess-Dowager good-bye. -Christian made several valuable presents -before his departure, but the most notable was a -gold box studded with diamonds which he gave to -Garrick, the great actor, and begged him to receive -it as a small token of the regard he had for his -genius.</p> - -<p>The King of Denmark posted to Dover on -October 15, and on his way thither he broke the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174"></a>[Pg 174]</span> -journey at Chatham and went up the Medway on -H.M.S. <i>Victory</i>, and inspected the British fleet. -It chanced that the young officer who commanded -the <i>Victory</i> was Gambier, who forty years later, in -1807, was the Admiral commanding the English -fleet that bombarded Copenhagen. The following -day the King of Denmark left England, after a stay -of more than two months, and sailed for France.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Christian VII. went to Paris where he remained -for some time as the guest of the French King, -Louis XV. It would not be germane to this history -to give a detailed account of the King of Denmark’s -experiences in Paris. He was splendidly entertained -by the King and the French nobility, and welcomed -on all his public appearances with enthusiasm. His -private amusements were of the same nature as those -he had followed in London. If it had been possible -to corrupt Christian’s morals more than they were -corrupted his experiences in Paris would have done -it. France was then slowly going down the steps -that led to the revolution. The heartlessness, extravagance -and immorality of the nobility stood in -fearful contrast to the brutality, misery and ignorance -of the people. Already could be heard the -mutterings of the coming storm, but the Danish -King had no eyes to see, nor ears to hear, nor mind -to understand anything beyond the amusements of -the passing hour.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175"></a>[Pg 175]</span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> - -<p class="center">THE PRODIGAL’S RETURN.</p> - -<p class="center">1769.</p> - - -<p>On January 14 Christian VII. returned to Copenhagen -after an absence of nearly eight months. -Queen Matilda drove out to meet him, and husband -and wife exchanged affectionate greetings. Together -they entered Copenhagen, amid the firing of -cannon, ringing of bells, and the joyful acclamations -of the people. The English envoy gives the -following account of the entry: “The Queen went -as far as Röskilde to meet his Majesty, which strong -mark of her affection and regard could not fail of -affording him the highest satisfaction. Between six -and seven o’clock their Majesties made a public -entry into this capital, under a triple discharge of -the cannon on the ramparts. The whole garrison, -as well as the burghers, were under arms, and permission -having been given a few days before to -illuminate the houses, the inhabitants vied with each -other in doing this, as well as the short notice would -admit of, and in demonstrating their joy in every -other manner they could. The foreign ministers, -nobility, etc., attended at the palace of Christiansborg -in order to pay their compliments upon this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176"></a>[Pg 176]</span> -happy occasion, which the King was pleased to -receive, after he had made a short visit to the -Dowager-Queens.”<a name="FNanchor_108_108" id="FNanchor_108_108"></a><a href="#Footnote_108_108" class="fnanchor">[108]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_108_108" id="Footnote_108_108"></a><a href="#FNanchor_108_108"><span class="label">[108]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, January 17, 1769.</p></div> - -<p>Thus did Denmark welcome home her prodigal -son.</p> - -<p>Queen Matilda had spent the greater part of -the time since the King left her at Frederiksborg,<a name="FNanchor_109_109" id="FNanchor_109_109"></a><a href="#Footnote_109_109" class="fnanchor">[109]</a> -some twenty miles from Copenhagen. Frederiksborg -was the most magnificent of the country palaces -of the Danish King, and has well been called the -“Versailles of Denmark”. It stands to this day, -and the site is one of the most picturesque in -Europe; the buildings cover three islands in a lake, -connected by bridges, the palace proper occupying -the third island. The exterior is rich in florid ornamentation, -carried out in a warm sandstone, which -admirably harmonises with the time-stained brick -of which the palace is built. The windows look -across the green water of the lake—a vivid green -nowhere seen as at Frederiksborg—to the gardens,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177"></a>[Pg 177]</span> -laid out in the old French style, with straight -walks and terraces, and clipped hedges of beech -and hornbeam. The most magnificent room in -Frederiksborg is the knights’ hall, and below it -is the church, where the Kings of the Oldenburg -line were once wont to be crowned. This church -is the most ornate of any in Denmark; everywhere -is colour—in the traceried windows and frescoed -walls, in the inlaid ivory work of the stalls, the -pulpit of ebony and embossed silver, and the purple-vested -altar with its golden crucifix. In short, -Frederiksborg is a magnificent specimen of the -Danish Renaissance, and brings vividly before us -the life, the colour and richness which characterised -the court life of mediæval Denmark.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_109_109" id="Footnote_109_109"></a><a href="#FNanchor_109_109"><span class="label">[109]</span></a> Frederiksborg was built early in the seventeenth century by -Christian IV. on the site of an old building, and was used as a residence -by the Kings of Denmark until 1859 (Frederick VII. usually -resided there), when a large part of the building was destroyed by -fire. Thanks to the munificence of the King, the Government and -the public, and especially to Herr J. C. Jacobsen, a wealthy brewer, -who contributed a large sum, the palace has been admirably restored, -and the interior is now fitted up as a National Historical -Museum. The contents, which include many works of art, illustrating -events in Danish history, are not so interesting as one -might suppose, but the visitor to Frederiksborg is well repaid by -the beauty of its exterior, the magnificence of its chapel, where the -work of restoration has been admirably done, and by the old-world -charm of its gardens.</p></div> - -<p>At Frederiksborg Matilda spent the summer -and autumn months of 1768 alone. She occupied -herself for the most part in works of charity, and -strove to forget her own sorrows in relieving those -of others. There was no philanthropic institution -in the kingdom which she did not support, and in -her immediate neighbourhood her name became -a household word for many acts of kindness and -benevolence. The young Queen went in and out -among the poor of the adjacent village of Hilleröd, -visiting the sick and helping the needy. The fame -of her good deeds spread abroad, and the poor -throughout Denmark, even thousands to whom she -was only a name, came to look upon her as a protectress -and a friend. They believed that the -golden days of good Queen Louise had come<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178"></a>[Pg 178]</span> -back again. “The English,” they said, “send us -not Queens, but angels.”</p> - -<p>For the rest, Matilda lived in great retirement. -Occasionally she received visits of ceremony from -the Dowager-Queens, from Sophia Magdalena, who -lived at Hirschholm, or from Juliana Maria, who -lived at Fredensborg. The masked hostility of -Juliana Maria continued unabated, but the extreme -circumspection of the young Queen’s conduct gave -no occasion for cavil. Except the Dowager-Queens -she saw no one beyond her immediate -household, and though most of these had been -forced upon her against her will, yet after the first -restraint wore off she showed to them no resentment. -Her kindness and consideration won all -their hearts, with one exception—that of Fräulein -von Eyben, who, though pretending to be devoted -to her mistress, was secretly working against her. -Matilda took no part in state affairs during the -King’s absence, not even in ceremonial duties. -Taking their cue from the King, the Ministers -who had been left to conduct the business of the -state while he was abroad, treated the Queen as -a person of little importance, and even neglected to -pay her the ordinary visits of ceremony.</p> - -<p>Since Madame de Plessen had left the court -Matilda had no one to whom she could talk freely, -nor, except her sister Augusta of Brunswick, had -she any one to whom she could write without restraint. -Augusta had her own troubles too, but she -kept a warm corner in her heart for her youngest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179"></a>[Pg 179]</span> -sister, and throughout life remained her truest and -staunchest friend. But, at best, letter-writing is a -poor substitute for personal converse, and at this -time Matilda was much alone.</p> - -<p>The young Queen must have often felt friendless -and depressed as she paced the terraces of Frederiksborg -or looked down from the windows of her -apartments into the green water which lapped the -castle walls, or gazed out on the clear northern -night, and watched the moonlight play on the -towers and pinnacles of the palace. Sometimes of -a morning she would wander forth to the beech -woods beyond the gardens. These beeches, mighty -with age, are now, as they were then, one of the -features of Frederiksborg. They are always beautiful—beautiful -in spring, with their satin-smooth -trunks, and branches still leafless, but tipped with -brown spikes flushed with purple, and already -bursting to disclose the woolly buds of silver within; -beautiful in summer, when the pale green leaves -form a shimmering canopy overhead; beautiful when -the golden hues of autumn mingle with the russet-brown -of the cones; beautiful even in winter, when -the leafless branches stretch like lacework against -the leaden hues of the sky, and the shrill winds from -the Baltic whistle through them, and the ground -beneath is carpeted with husks of their lavish fruit. -Matilda grew to love these beech woods greatly, -and even to-day they are associated with her name.</p> - -<p>The Queen had one consolation in her loneliness -which was not hers when she came to Denmark—<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180"></a>[Pg 180]</span> -she had her son, and found much happiness in him, -for the maternal instinct was always strong in her. -She could no longer feel a stranger and an alien -in a country over which her son would, under -Providence, one day rule; she was not merely the -King’s wife, but the mother of the future King of -Denmark. The Crown Prince was at first sickly -and ailing, but when the Queen went to Frederiksborg, -in defiance of court etiquette, she took the -infant under her immediate care, and kept him with -her as much as possible. During the summer, under -his mother’s watchful love, the little Prince, whose -life was so precious to the Danish nation, grew -much stronger. The English envoy mentions an -audience he had with the Queen at Frederiksborg -soon after her arrival there, and adds: “The Prince -Royal, whom her Majesty was pleased to allow me -to see, is greatly grown since his removal to the -country. The resemblance between his Highness -and the King’s (our royal Master’s) family is striking -to all those who have had the honour of seeing him.”<a name="FNanchor_110_110" id="FNanchor_110_110"></a><a href="#Footnote_110_110" class="fnanchor">[110]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_110_110" id="Footnote_110_110"></a><a href="#FNanchor_110_110"><span class="label">[110]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, July 9, 1768.</p></div> - -<a name="i180" id="i180"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 800px;"> -<img src="images/page180.jpg" width="800" height="543" alt="The Palace of Fredericksborg, from the garden terrace." /> -<div class="caption">THE PALACE OF FREDERIKSBORG, FROM THE GARDEN TERRACE.<br /><i>From an Engraving, temp. 1768.</i></div> -</div> - -<p>The only ceremonial the Queen attended, in the -absence of Christian VII., was the inauguration of -an equestrian statue of the late King Frederick V. -at Copenhagen in the late autumn. Shortly after -this function Matilda removed from the country -to the Christiansborg Palace, and there awaited -the King, who did not return until two months -later than he at first intended. Matilda had now -determined to make the best of her husband, not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181"></a>[Pg 181]</span>withstanding -the reports which had reached her -of his dissipation in London and Paris. He was the -father of her child, and her interests were bound -up with his. The future happiness of her son, and -the prosperity of his kingdom, largely depended on -Christian VII. It was clearly the Queen’s duty to -put aside her own grievances, however great they -might be, and make an effort to guide the King -in the right way. Therefore she welcomed him -home as affectionately as if no cloud had dimmed -their parting eight months before.</p> - -<p>The King was surprised and delighted at the -change which had taken place in his Queen’s appearance -and demeanour. The restful and healthy life -she had led at Frederiksborg had added greatly -to her charm, her figure had developed and her -spirits improved. Christian had left Matilda an -unformed girl, he came back to find her a beautiful -and self-possessed woman. His wayward fancy -was pleased, and soon the <i>mot</i> ran round the palace -that the King had actually fallen in love with his -own wife. He might well have done so, for she was -by far the most beautiful woman at his court. There -is a portrait of Queen Matilda in the Rosenborg -at Copenhagen, painted about this time, when she -was in her eighteenth year. It represents her in -the full bloom of her beauty. The face is a pure -oval, the brow lofty and serene, the nose delicately -chiselled, the lips full and red, the large eyes of -a peculiar shade of light blue, the expression a -combination of youthful dignity and sweet archness.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182"></a>[Pg 182]</span> -Her hair is dressed high, and powdered after the -fashion of the time; she wears a blue robe, with -a narrow edge of ermine to betoken her queenly -rank, and round her finely-moulded throat is a close -necklace of pearls. Even if we make allowance for -courtly flattery, the picture remains that of a woman -of rare loveliness and indescribable charm.</p> - -<p>Though her heart was untouched, Matilda was -no doubt flattered by her husband’s attentions, and -she honestly tried to meet his advances half way. -Acting on the advice of her mother, her sister, and -of all who wished her well, she strove to please him, -and in her desire to hold his fickle favour, she even -overlooked the fact that the hated Holck was still -in the ascendant. Perhaps she thought, by fair -words and guile, to undermine his ascendency. Her -efforts, if they did not add to her own happiness, -at least conduced to the outward harmony of the -royal pair, and were coincident with a marked improvement -in Christian’s mode of life. For the first -few months after the King’s return this improvement -was maintained; the nocturnal expeditions, -which had so scandalised the citizens of Copenhagen, -were now entirely given up; there were no masquerades, -and the court became quite decorous. -Formerly the dinner used to be rushed through for -the King to hurry off to his apartments and occupy -himself in unworthy pursuits. Now the King and -Queen dined in public nearly every day, and with -much ceremony. The leading ministers, the foreign -envoys, and all who distinguished themselves in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183"></a>[Pg 183]</span> -service of church or state, were in turn honoured -with invitations, and the conversation at the dinner -table became almost intellectual. Yet the court did -not grow dull; cotillons and minuets were often -danced in the palace, and the opening of the -theatre for the season afforded much interest and -amusement. The centre of all this pleasant society -was the young Queen, the praises of whose beauty -and amiability were on every tongue. Moreover, -always accompanied by the Queen, the King reviewed -the fleet, inspected the docks and fortifications -of Copenhagen, and visited learned and -scientific institutions with the object of comparing -them with those he had seen abroad. The King -also again endeavoured to interest himself in affairs -of state, attended councils and criticised many details -of administration. This remarkable change -delighted alike the King’s ministers and his subjects, -and they ascribed the improvement quite as much -to the influence of the Queen as to the result of his -travels. The Queen, it seemed at this time, was -likely to become a power in the state. The English -envoy writes home:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“Your Lordship (the Earl of Rochford) has -been already acquainted with the change that appeared -in his Danish Majesty. Those amusements -in which he used to take delight no longer afford -him any. The society of the Queen seems alone -to constitute his happiness. Her Majesty will now, -no doubt, obtain that just and proper degree of -influence, which her numberless amiable qualities<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184"></a>[Pg 184]</span> -entitle her to, and which she would have much -earlier enjoyed, had not the happy effect of it been -too much apprehended by some who did not expect -to find their account in it.”<a name="FNanchor_111_111" id="FNanchor_111_111"></a><a href="#Footnote_111_111" class="fnanchor">[111]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_111_111" id="Footnote_111_111"></a><a href="#FNanchor_111_111"><span class="label">[111]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, February 18, 1769.</p></div> - -<p>Impressed, no doubt, by the warmth of his welcome -in England, the King of Denmark was now -strongly English in his sentiments. He talked -much about his English mother, and delighted to -honour anything which had to do, even remotely, -with England. For instance, he sent the order -of the Elephant to Prince George of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, -the youngest brother of Queen Charlotte; -he despatched a pressing invitation to the Duke of -Gloucester to visit Copenhagen, and he resolved to -celebrate Queen Matilda’s birthday with all possible -ceremony, not only as a mark of her new-found -favour in his eyes, but also because he wished to -pay a compliment, through her, to the royal house of -England.</p> - -<p>The Duke of Gloucester duly arrived at Copenhagen -to take part in the celebration of his sister’s -birthday. He was the first of her family whom -Matilda had seen since she left home, and she -received him with demonstrations of joy. Gunning -writes: “Their mutual joy and satisfaction on this -occasion was greater than can be expressed”.<a name="FNanchor_112_112" id="FNanchor_112_112"></a><a href="#Footnote_112_112" class="fnanchor">[112]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_112_112" id="Footnote_112_112"></a><a href="#FNanchor_112_112"><span class="label">[112]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, July 11, 1769.</p></div> - -<p>William Henry, Duke of Gloucester, was in -his twenty-sixth year at the time of his visit to -Copenhagen. He was the least intelligent of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185"></a>[Pg 185]</span> -numerous family of Frederick Prince of Wales, but -he had some sterling qualities, which made him -resemble, more than the other sons, his eldest -brother George III. If he lacked the wit and -brilliancy of the Duke of York, he did not possess -the vices and follies of the Duke of Cumberland. -As a boy he was dull and heavy-witted, and the -Princess-Dowager cared for him the least of all her -children. According to Walpole she used to treat -him with severity, and then accuse him of sulking. -“No,” said the Duke, on one occasion, “I am not -sulking, I am only thinking.” “And pray, of what -are you thinking?” asked his mother with scorn. -“I am thinking that if ever I have a son, I will not -make him as unhappy as you make me.” The -Duke of Gloucester grew up a silent, reserved man, -and shortly after attaining his majority, he became -enamoured of Maria, Dowager-Countess Waldegrave. -His passion was the more violent, because -of the way his affections had been stunted in his -youth, and the obstacles to the attainment of his -desire only served to quicken his ardour. The obstacles -were considerable, for the Dowager-Countess -Waldegrave, in consequence of a stain upon her -birth,<a name="FNanchor_113_113" id="FNanchor_113_113"></a><a href="#Footnote_113_113" class="fnanchor">[113]</a> was hardly a meet woman for the King’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186"></a>[Pg 186]</span> -brother to take to wife, and, on the other hand, -as she told him, she was too considerable a person -to become his mistress. She was a young, rich and -beautiful widow of spotless reputation and boundless -ambition. Many suitors were at her feet, among -them the Duke of Portland, the best match in England, -yet by some strange perversity Lady Waldegrave -rejected them all, and engaged in a dalliance -with the unattractive Duke of Gloucester. The -Duke’s wooing was long and unsatisfactory; the -King and the Princess-Dowager did their utmost -to break off the affair, the friends of Lady Waldegrave -remonstrated, and counselled prudence. But -threats, advice and warnings were all in vain, and -at last the Duke of Gloucester and Lady Waldegrave -were secretly married in September, 1766, -in the drawing-room of Lady Waldegrave’s town -house, by her domestic chaplain. The secret was -jealously guarded; some declared that the young -couple were married, others, less charitable, that -they ought to be, but the Duke and his Duchess -let them gossip as they would. The Duke -was always with Lady Waldegrave in public, -and his manner to her was exactly the manner a -man would treat his honoured wife. The livery<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187"></a>[Pg 187]</span> -worn by her servants was a compromise between -that of the royal family and her own. But the -marriage was not declared, and at the time the Duke -of Gloucester came to Copenhagen there seemed no -probability that it ever would be.<a name="FNanchor_114_114" id="FNanchor_114_114"></a><a href="#Footnote_114_114" class="fnanchor">[114]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_113_113" id="Footnote_113_113"></a><a href="#FNanchor_113_113"><span class="label">[113]</span></a> The Dowager-Countess Waldegrave was the illegitimate -daughter of Sir Edward Walpole (brother of Horace Walpole), by -Mary Clement, a milliner’s apprentice. She was the second and the -most beautiful of three beautiful daughters, Laura, Maria and -Charlotte. It was said that after the birth of her children, Edward -Walpole intended to marry Mary Clement, but she died suddenly, and -his honourable intentions were too late. He, however, took the -children, acknowledged them, and gave them every advantage of -wealth and education. When they grew up, though their birth prevented -presentation at court, they were successfully launched into -the best society. All three made brilliant marriages. Laura married -the Rev. the Hon. Frederick Keppel, brother of the Earl of Albemarle, -who subsequently became Bishop of Exeter; Charlotte, Lord Huntingtower, -afterwards fifth Earl of Dysart, and Maria, Earl Waldegrave. -Lord Waldegrave died a few years after the marriage, leaving his -widow three daughters and a large fortune.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_114_114" id="Footnote_114_114"></a><a href="#FNanchor_114_114"><span class="label">[114]</span></a> The marriage was not declared until 1772, when, in consequence -of a bill having been brought into Parliament to regulate royal -marriages, the Duke publicly acknowledged Lady Waldegrave as -his wife. The King was highly incensed, and Queen Charlotte even -more so. They refused to receive the Duchess at court, though the -King had to acknowledge the marriage as legal; consequently the -Duke and Duchess went to Italy, where they remained for some time. -In 1776 they returned to England with their two children, Prince -William Henry and the Princess Sophia. Their conduct was so -irreproachable that a reconciliation took place between the Duke -and the King, and the Duchess of Gloucester and her children were -duly acknowledged. Prince William Henry of Gloucester eventually -married his cousin, Princess Mary, daughter of George III.</p></div> - -<p>The Duke of Gloucester was received with -every mark of respect, and his visit to Copenhagen -was a continual round of festivity. There was a -grand review of the troops in his honour, and a gala -performance at the court theatre. One day the -King and Queen and the Duke made an excursion -to the ancient castle Kronborg at Elsinore, and were -entertained by the commandant of the fortress. The -Queen-Mother, Sophia Magdalena, gave a <i>déjeuner</i> -to the English Prince at Hirschholm and Count -Otto Moltke gave a ball. The Queen’s birthday -festivities are described by the English envoy:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“Saturday, July 22, was the anniversary of the -Queen’s birthday, which not having been observed -since her Majesty’s arrival in these dominions, by -reason of the King of Denmark’s absence, his Majesty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188"></a>[Pg 188]</span> -was determined to celebrate it now with as much -magnificence as possible. The court testified its joy -on this occasion by a very numerous and brilliant -appearance.... In the evening followed a succession -of new entertainments at the court theatre, designed -and executed purposely in honour of her Majesty, -and the day’s festivity was closed with a great -supper at the King’s table. On Monday began -the second act of this celebration. At six o’clock in -the evening his Majesty and the noblemen who -performed a part in the Carousal,<a name="FNanchor_115_115" id="FNanchor_115_115"></a><a href="#Footnote_115_115" class="fnanchor">[115]</a> richly habited -in Turkish dresses, and upon horses finely caparisoned, -set out in grand procession through the city, -attended by the Horse Guards and by a large band -of martial music; at seven the procession returned -to the great area of the palace, and as soon as the -noblemen, appointed judges, had taken their seats, -the exhibition began. One quadrille was led by the -King, the other by Count Ahlfeld, governor of the -city. The whole ceremony was very magnificent, -and performed with the utmost address and good -order, in the presence of her Danish Majesty, the -Queen-Mother, Sophia Magdalena, his Royal Highness -the Duke of Gloucester, the whole court, and -several thousand spectators. The performance concluded -soon after nine, and was succeeded by an -elegant supper and ball. The court returns this -evening to Frederiksberg, where there is a grand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189"></a>[Pg 189]</span> -firework to be played off; the whole gardens are to -be illuminated, and, after a magnificent supper in a -large building erected for that purpose, a masquerade -ball is intended, to which two thousand persons -are to be admitted.”<a name="FNanchor_116_116" id="FNanchor_116_116"></a><a href="#Footnote_116_116" class="fnanchor">[116]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_115_115" id="Footnote_115_115"></a><a href="#FNanchor_115_115"><span class="label">[115]</span></a> The Carousal was a musical ride which the King and the -courtiers had been rehearsing in the riding school for weeks beforehand. -<i>Vide</i> Gunning’s despatch, April 15, 1769.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_116_116" id="Footnote_116_116"></a><a href="#FNanchor_116_116"><span class="label">[116]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, July 25, 1769.</p></div> - -<p>The Duke of Gloucester left Copenhagen a few -days after the Queen’s birthday, and returned to -England. Though Christian had prepared all these -festivities in his brother-in-law’s honour, he did not -hesitate to exercise his wit at the expense of his -guest. The Duke was silent and dull, and his lack -of conversation was made a subject of ridicule by the -garrulous King. One day Christian asked Holck -what he thought of the Duke, and the favourite -replied: “He reminds me of an English ox!” The -Duke was very stout for his age, and had a broad -red face and large ruminating eyes. The King -laughed at Holck’s witticism, and maliciously repeated -it to the Queen, who was incensed at the -impertinence. If the truth must be told, the English -Prince did not appear in the most favourable -light at the Danish court. He stared and said little, -and chiefly distinguished himself by his enormous -appetite.</p> - -<p>When her brother left Copenhagen the Queen -found herself once more alone. His visit had been -to a great extent a disappointment to her, for he -had little in common with his sister, and not much -sympathy for her in her troubles. These, as time -went on, grew from bad to worse. Despite all her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190"></a>[Pg 190]</span> -efforts Holck continued in the ascendant, and his -influence was wholly against the Queen. He was -known throughout Denmark as the man whom the -King delighted to honour, and even Matilda was -forced to show public marks of favour to the man -whom she considered her worst enemy. For instance, -in September she was compelled by the King -to attend Holck’s wedding to a daughter of Count -Laurvig, “an honour,” to quote the English envoy, -“never before conferred in this kingdom upon any -subject when the ceremony was performed out of -the palace; but indeed the whole of this had more -the appearance of the nuptials of a prince of the -blood than those of a private person, the King -having conveyed Count Holck in his Majesty’s -chariot, at the same time giving him the right hand -from Frederiksberg to Copenhagen, the Queen and -all the court following”.<a name="FNanchor_117_117" id="FNanchor_117_117"></a><a href="#Footnote_117_117" class="fnanchor">[117]</a> Holck’s marriage made -no difference to his mode of life, and Christian’s -infatuation for his favourite continued as great as -before. Mounted couriers tore along the road -between the Blaagaard, where Holck lived, and the -King’s palace at all hours of the day and night, and -on one occasion two horses were killed in the wild -haste with which the horseman rode to convey the -King’s message to his favourite.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_117_117" id="Footnote_117_117"></a><a href="#FNanchor_117_117"><span class="label">[117]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, September 30, 1769.</p></div> - -<a name="i190" id="i190"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> -<img src="images/page190.jpg" width="600" height="724" alt="William Henry, Duke of Gloucester, brother of Queen Matilda." /> -<div class="caption">WILLIAM HENRY, DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, BROTHER OF -QUEEN MATILDA.<br /><i>From the Painting by H. W. Hamilton, 1771.</i></div> -</div> - -<p>Nine months had passed since Christian’s return -from abroad, and it was at last seen by his subjects -that the hopes they had formed of their King’s reformation -were doomed to disappointment. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191"></a>[Pg 191]</span> -costly experiment of foreign travel had proved a -failure. True, he no longer scandalised his people -with riots in the streets, or his court with shameless -disregard of morality, for his strength was no longer -equal to such exhibitions. The incessant round of -dissipation in London and Paris had shattered an -already enfeebled constitution. The King’s tendency -to melancholia became more marked every -day, and symptoms of the dread malady which before -long overtook him began to make themselves -apparent. His delusions as to his prowess became -more frequent, and he showed strange aberrations of -intellect. He was a mental and physical wreck.</p> - -<p>In October, 1769, Queen Matilda fell ill. Her -illness was the crowning indignity and proved the -limit of her long-suffering endurance. With it also -came to an end the efforts she had bravely made -since the King’s return to do her duty to her husband, -and lead him to higher things. This was the -turning-point of Matilda’s life, and explains, if it -does not excuse, much that followed after. She -threw down her arms. Insulted and degraded, it -is no wonder that the young wife of eighteen was -filled with a disgust of life. The remonstrances of -her physicians were unavailing, she turned her face -to the wall and prayed for death. The Queen’s -condition was so serious that the English envoy -thought it necessary to write home the following -diplomatically worded despatch:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“I am extremely sorry to acquaint your Lordship -that the state of the Queen of Denmark’s health has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192"></a>[Pg 192]</span> -lately presented some very unfavourable symptoms; -which have given such apprehensions to her physicians, -as to make them think that a perfect re-establishment -may be attended with some difficulty, -unless her Majesty can be persuaded to pay unusual -attention to herself. I am so thoroughly sensible -how deeply it would affect the King [George III.] to -receive information of a still more alarming nature, -and so anxious to prevent it, that I cannot help -desiring your Lordship to represent to his Majesty -that, though there appears no immediate danger, yet -the situation the Queen of Denmark is at present -in is too critical not to make it highly necessary -to obviate worse symptoms, and as this happy effect -depends very much upon her Majesty’s own care, I -believe she would be wrought upon by nothing more -successfully than by some affectionate expostulations -from the King, upon the very great importance of -her life.”<a name="FNanchor_118_118" id="FNanchor_118_118"></a><a href="#Footnote_118_118" class="fnanchor">[118]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_118_118" id="Footnote_118_118"></a><a href="#FNanchor_118_118"><span class="label">[118]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, November 4, 1769.</p></div> - -<p>It was at this critical moment, when her whole -being was in passionate revolt, when she was disgusted -with her environment, and weary of life, that -Matilda’s evil genius appeared upon the scene in the -guise of a deliverer. This was the King’s physician—John -Frederick Struensee.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193"></a>[Pg 193]</span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> - -<p class="center">STRUENSEE.</p> - -<p class="center">1737-1769.</p> - - -<p>John Frederick Struensee was born at Halle, an -old town in northern Germany, on August 5, 1737. -His father, Adam Struensee, was a zealous Lutheran -minister; his mother was the daughter of a doctor -named Carl, a clever man, much given to mysticism, -who had been physician-in-ordinary to King -Christian VI. of Denmark. The Struensee family -was of obscure origin. The first Struensee of whom -anything is known began life under a different -name. He was a pilot at Lubeck, and during a -terrible storm, in which no other man dared venture -out to sea, he brought into port a richly laden vessel. -In honour of his courageous deed he received from -the corporation of Lubeck the name of Strouvensee, -which means a dark, stormy sea—a fit emblem of -his descendant’s troubled career.</p> - -<p>John Frederick Struensee received his early education -at the grammar school of his native town. It -was not a good education, for the masters were -imperfectly educated themselves, but the boy was -so extraordinarily precocious, and had such a thirst -for knowledge, that he soon absorbed all that his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194"></a>[Pg 194]</span> -tutors could teach him, and began to educate himself. -The wave of mysticism was then passing over -northern Germany, and Struensee’s teachers were -infected with it, and no doubt communicated their -views to their pupil, for Struensee was all his life -something of a mystic, or, to speak more correctly, a -fatalist. Despite the orthodox Protestantism of his -parents, the younger Struensee’s eager and inquiring -mind had always an inclination to scepticism, and -before he had attained man’s estate he was already a -freethinker on most matters of religion. He seems -always to have retained a belief in God, or a First -Cause, but he never had the conviction that man -enjoyed a future life: he held that his existence -was bounded by this life, and always acted on that assumption. -Side by side with the mysticism which -was permeating northern Germany there existed a -religious revival. The theory of conversion, whereby -a man was suddenly and miraculously converted -from his evil ways and made sure of future salvation, -was peculiarly acceptable to many, and amongst -Struensee’s companions were youths of notoriously -loose morals who declared that they had suddenly -“found salvation”. As this declaration was not -always accompanied by a corresponding change of -life, Struensee hastily and unjustly came to the conclusion -that all religion was little more than an -organised hypocrisy. His father’s long sermons, to -which he was compelled to listen Sunday after Sunday, -left no impression on his heart, and his sire’s -private exhortations to his son to change his life,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195"></a>[Pg 195]</span> -and flee from the wrath to come, wearied him. His -mother, who had inherited her father’s mystical views, -and supplemented them with her husband’s hard and -uncompromising evangelicalism, also lectured her -son until the limits of his patience were exhausted, -and he resolved as soon as possible to quit a home -where he was unhappy.</p> - -<p>Struensee exhibited remarkable abilities at an -early age; he matriculated at the university of -Halle in his fourteenth year, and he had not completed -his twentieth when he received the degree of -doctor. Notwithstanding these academic distinctions, -he was unable at first to earn money, and his -means were so limited that he was forced to remain, -an unwilling dweller, in the house of his parents. -Even at that early age his enterprising and restless -mind and his unbridled ambition began to make -themselves manifest; his academic successes he considered -merely as steps towards further greatness. -His father used to warn him against worldly ambition -and intellectual pride, but his exhortations fell on -deaf ears.</p> - -<p>In 1757, when Struensee was twenty years old, -his father received “a call” to become chief preacher -of the principal church of Altona, a city situated on -the northern bank of the Elbe, within the kingdom -of Denmark. This change in the family fortunes -was destined to exercise a material influence on -Struensee’s future. The young doctor accompanied -his father to Altona, and in a few months was appointed -town physician, and country physician of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196"></a>[Pg 196]</span> -the adjacent lordship of Pinneberg and the county -of Rantzau. The elder Struensee did not remain -long at Altona, for the fervour of his eloquence soon -brought him preferment, and he was appointed by -the Danish Government superintendent-general of -the clergy of the duchy of Holstein, an office -equivalent, in influence and importance, to that of -bishop. Left to himself, the young doctor bought a -house in Altona, and set up his own establishment. -He entertained freely some of the principal people -in Altona. Struensee was a pleasant host and clever -conversationalist, and early gave evidence of those -social qualities which afterwards proved useful to -him. But his polish was superficial, and concealed -his natural roughness and lack of refinement. He -would do anything to gain notoriety, and to this end -affected the bizarre; for instance, he had two skeletons -with candles in their hands placed one on either -side of his bed, and by the light of these weird -candelabra he read himself to sleep.</p> - -<p>As Struensee’s establishment was expensive and -his means limited, he invited a literary man named -Penning to live with him and share expenses. In -1763 the two started a magazine called <i>The Monthly -Journal of Instruction and Amusement</i>. The magazine -was not a financial success, and at the end of -six months ceased to exist. It did not contain -anything very wonderful; perhaps the most remarkable -article was one headed “Thoughts of a Surgeon -about the Causes of Depopulation in a given country,” -which was written by Struensee, and contained ideas<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197"></a>[Pg 197]</span> -on population which he afterwards put in practice. -Struensee also published some medico-scientific -treatises, but nothing of any great merit. He did -not distinguish himself as a writer, but he was without -doubt a widely read man; his favourite author -was Voltaire, and next to him he placed Rousseau. -He was also much influenced by the writings of -Helvetius. Struensee was a deep, if not always an -original, thinker, and his ideas generally were in -advance of his time.</p> - -<p>In Altona Struensee soon won a reputation as -a successful doctor, and his handsome person and -agreeable manners made him very popular, especially -with women. The good-looking young physician -gained through his lady patients (and it was -his boast that women were his best friends) access -to the best houses in, and around, Altona. He made -the acquaintance of Count Schack Karl Rantzau, -the eldest son of Count Rantzau-Ascheberg, one of -the most considerable noblemen in Holstein, the -owner of vast estates, a Danish privy councillor, and -a Count of the Holy Roman Empire. Of Count -Schack Karl Rantzau we shall have occasion to -write at length later; suffice it here to say that he -was already middle-aged when Struensee met him, -and had led a wild and disreputable life. Struensee -was useful to him in no creditable way, and before -long the two became very intimate. They made -an informal covenant that if either attained power -he should help the other. But at present nothing -seemed more unlikely, and Rantzau gave Struensee<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198"></a>[Pg 198]</span> -only promises and flattery, which, however, were -enough, for the young doctor was very vain, and -moreover exceedingly fond of the society of titled -and highly placed personages.</p> - -<p>Struensee also visited the house of the Baron -Söhlenthal, who was the stepfather of Enevold -Brandt, and thus became acquainted with Christian -VII.’s one-time favourite. Struensee had also attended, -in a professional capacity, Madame von -Berkentin, who was later appointed chief lady to -the Crown Prince Frederick; and it was at her -house that he said, half in jest and half in earnest: -“If my lady patronesses will only contrive to get -me to Copenhagen, then I will carry all before me”.</p> - -<p>But for a long time he remained at Altona and -all these fine acquaintances had no other effect than -making his scale of living much higher than his -circumstances warranted. He became considerably -in debt, and this, added to dislike of his calling, for -his ambition soared high above the position of a -country doctor, made him restless and discontented. -He was on the point of resigning his post, and taking -a voyage to Malaga and the East Indies, partly to -escape his difficulties, partly on account of his health, -when a very different prospect revealed itself to him. -The night is darkest before the dawn, and dark -though Struensee’s fortunes were at this moment, -the gloom soon vanished in the dawn of a golden -future.</p> - -<p>Christian VII., with a numerous suite, was then -passing through Holstein, preparatory to starting on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199"></a>[Pg 199]</span> -his prolonged tour in England and France. The -King’s health was far from strong, and it was -necessary that he should have a physician to accompany -him on his travels; for this purpose a -young and active man who could adapt himself -readily to the King’s eccentricities was preferable to -the older and staider court physicians, who indeed -showed no inclination to undertake the task. Struensee -strained every nerve to obtain the post, and was -strongly recommended by Rantzau and Madame -von Berkentin. The King had heard of the young -physician of Altona through Brandt, before the latter -had fallen into disgrace. Holck also knew something -of him, and said that he would serve. As -Holck’s slightest recommendation carried weight -with the King, Struensee obtained the coveted post, -and was appointed travelling physician. On June -6, 1768, he joined the King’s suite near Hamburg, -and entered at once upon his duties.</p> - -<p>Struensee at first did not occupy a prominent -place in the King’s suite. His profession of itself -did not entitle him to be a member of the first three -classes who were received at court. His position -was a middle one, between the lackeys and those -members of the King’s suite who ranked as gentlemen, -and it must have been uncomfortable. Some -little difficulty arose as to with whom he should -travel, but he was finally given a seat in the coach of -Bernstorff’s secretary. Struensee was not a man to -be content to remain long in an anomalous position, -and he proceeded, very cautiously at first, to make<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200"></a>[Pg 200]</span> -his situation better. As the King’s physician he had -unique opportunities, and made the most of them. -Christian was a hypochondriac, who imagined himself -ill when he was not, and often made himself -really ill from his excesses; he loved to talk about -his ailments, and Struensee listened with sympathetic -deference. The King, who was always wanting to -be amused, found the doctor a pleasant companion. -He discovered that he could talk on a great many -matters besides his profession, that he was widely -read, and had a considerable knowledge of philosophy -and French literature, in which Christian was -genuinely interested. He supplied a void which -could not be filled by Holck, who cared nothing for -literature or abstruse speculations, and whose tastes -were purely material.</p> - -<p>The King’s suite soon began to remark the -pleasure which the King took in conversing with -his doctor, but Struensee was so modest, so anxious -to please every one, that he did not arouse feelings -of jealousy. He was especially careful to avoid -political discussions, and never made the slightest -allusion to affairs at home. He was also very -discreet, and never spoke about his royal master, or -his ailments, or made any allusion to the escapades -in which the King and his favourites indulged. -So far did Struensee carry this caution, that during -the King’s tour he rarely wrote home to his parents -and friends, and when he did, he restricted himself -to indifferent topics. His father thought this apparent -forgetfulness was because his son had lost<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201"></a>[Pg 201]</span> -his head in consequence of his good fortune. “I -knew,” he said to a friend, “that John would not -be able to bear the favour of his monarch.” But -Struensee had intuitively learned the lesson that the -word written over the gateway of all kings’ palaces -is “silence!” His position, though pleasant, was -precarious; he was only the travelling physician, -and his appointment would come to an end when the -King returned home. It was Struensee’s object to -change this temporary appointment into a permanent -one, and from the first moment he entered the -King’s service he kept this end steadily in view. -Struensee had another characteristic, which in the -end proved fatal to him, but which at first helped -him with both the King and Holck. Side by side -with his undoubted brain power, there existed a -strong vein of sensuality, and he readily lent himself -to pandering to the King’s weaknesses in this -respect. Struensee had no sense of morality; he -was a law unto himself, and his freethinking views -on this and other questions were peculiarly acceptable -to his royal master.</p> - -<p>Struensee had a certain measure of success -in England, and through the King of Denmark’s -favour, he was invited to many entertainments to -which his position would not otherwise have entitled -him. His reputation for gallantry was hardly inferior -to that of Holck. It is stated that Struensee -fell violently in love with an English lady of -beauty and fortune, and his passion was returned. -He wore her miniature next his heart, and it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202"></a>[Pg 202]</span> -found upon him after his death—but this rests on -hearsay. What is certain, during his sojourn in -England, is that he received honorary degrees, from -the universities of Oxford and Cambridge; and he -took riding lessons at Astley’s, and became an expert -horseman.</p> - -<p>Struensee accompanied the King to Paris, and -took part in the pleasures of that gay capital. -Struensee visited the gallery at Fontainebleau where -Queen Christina of Sweden, after her abdication, -had her secretary and favourite Monaldeschi murdered, -or, as she regarded it, executed. Soon after -he returned to Denmark Struensee told his brother -that he had been induced to visit the gallery by -a dream, in which there appeared before him the -vision of an exalted lady whose name he hardly -dared to mention. He meant, of course, Queen -Matilda. His brother heard him in ominous silence, -and Struensee, after waiting some time for an -answer, quoted his favourite maxim: “Everything -is possible”.</p> - -<p>In January, 1769, Struensee returned to Altona -in the King’s suite. The place and time had now -come for him to take leave of his royal master, and -retire once more into the obscurity of a country -doctor—a prospect which, after his sojourn at -glittering courts, filled him with dismay. But -Bernstorff and Schimmelmann, whose good offices -he had assiduously courted during the tour, spoke -on his behalf to the King, and Christian appointed -Struensee his surgeon-in-ordinary, with a salary of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203"></a>[Pg 203]</span> -a thousand dollars a year, and as a mark of his -royal esteem gave him a further five hundred -dollars. Struensee remained at Altona for a few -weeks after the King had left for Copenhagen to -sell his house, pay his debts and wind up his affairs. -He visited his parents at Schleswig to receive their -congratulations and take leave of them. His father -shook his head doubtfully over his godless son’s -rapid rise in the world, and his mother warned him -against the perils and temptations of the wicked -court. But Struensee, flushed with his success, -was in no mood to listen to their croakings. He -believed in himself, and he believed in his destiny. -“Everything is possible,” he said. The desire -of his youth was gratified before he had arrived at -middle age. He was going to Copenhagen, and -what was more, to court; the future was in his own -hands.</p> - -<p>Struensee arrived at Copenhagen in February, -1769, and at first seemed to occupy himself only -with his duties as the King’s surgeon-in-ordinary. -But all the while he was feeling his way, and every -week he strengthened his position with the King. -It was not long before Struensee set himself to -undermine the influence of Holck. He first -frightened the King about the state of his health, -and then diplomatically represented to him that the -immoderate dissipation, in which he had been in -the habit of indulging with Holck, was bad for -him, and should be avoided. Struensee did not -take a high moral ground; on the contrary, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204"></a>[Pg 204]</span> -pointed out that greater pleasure might be obtained -by moderation than by excess. He also counselled -the King to occupy himself with public affairs, and -so keep his mind from brooding upon his ailments, -and to take outdoor exercise. All this advice was -good, and the King followed it with manifest benefit -to his health. He stayed less indoors, and drove -out frequently, accompanied by the Queen, to the -chase, until one day the horses got restive and -the carriage was overturned, and threw both the -King and the Queen on the ground. Fortunately, -they both escaped unhurt, but after this incident -Christian became nervous and would not hunt any -more.</p> - -<p>In May, 1769, the King was pleased to show his -appreciation of Struensee by making him an actual -councillor of state, which admitted the doctor to the -third class, or order of rank,<a name="FNanchor_119_119" id="FNanchor_119_119"></a><a href="#Footnote_119_119" class="fnanchor">[119]</a> and thus permitted him -to attend the court festivities. During the summer -Christian’s health became more feeble, in consequence -of his epileptic seizures, and Struensee -became resident physician. He made use of this -privilege to observe more closely the state of affairs -in the royal household, seeking always to turn things -to his own benefit. He formed the acquaintance -of every member of the household, not despising<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205"></a>[Pg 205]</span> -even the valets, and studied their character and -peculiarities.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_119_119" id="Footnote_119_119"></a><a href="#FNanchor_119_119"><span class="label">[119]</span></a> To the first class belonged the privy councillors of state, the -generals and lieutenant-generals, admirals and vice-admirals, and -the Counts of Danneskjold-Samsöe (by reason of birth); to the -second class the councillors of conference, major-generals and rear-admirals; -and to the third, actual councillors of state, colonels and -commanders. These three classes only had the right to attend court.</p></div> - -<p>Struensee found that the conflicting elements -at the Danish court might be roughly divided into -two parties. The party in the ascendant was that -of Holck, or rather of Bernstorff, for Holck took -no part in politics. But he was supported by the -ministers in power, with Bernstorff at their head, -who made use of his influence with the King. -Behind Bernstorff again was the power and favour -of Russia. The other party was nominally that of -the Queen-Dowager, Juliana Maria, and Prince -Frederick, the King’s brother. This, owing to the -unpopularity of the Queen-Dowager, was small, and -included chiefly malcontents, who were opposed, -either to the policy of the Government, or to the -new order of things at court. It was supported, -however, by many of the Danish nobility, men of -considerable weight and influence in their provinces, -and the great body of the clergy, who were a power -in the state. In short, it represented the forces of -reaction, which had gathered around the Queen-Mother, -Sophia Magdalena, before she retired from -public affairs. It was also supported by French -influence which, since the rise of Bernstorff, had -declined in Copenhagen.</p> - -<p>Between these two factions stood the reigning -Queen. She was neglected by both of them, but, -during the spring of 1769, after the King’s return, -she asserted herself in a way which showed to a -shrewd observer like Struensee that she would not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206"></a>[Pg 206]</span> -always submit to be treated as a nonentity. The -Queen had not yet realised the inherent strength of -her position as the wife of the reigning King and -the mother of the future one. It was a position -which would grow stronger as her husband grew -weaker.</p> - -<p>Struensee grasped the situation a few months -after his arrival in Copenhagen, and with sublime -audacity resolved to turn it to his advantage. -Neither of the existing parties in the state would -ever be likely to give him what he most desired—political -power. The party of Bernstorff would -help him in little things. If the doctor proved -useful to them with the King, he would be rewarded -with money, a higher place at court, a decoration, -possibly a title. But that would be all. The -reactionary party of Juliana Maria would not do so -much; they might employ him in their intrigues, -but the haughty Danish nobility, who formed its -backbone, would never admit a German doctor of -obscure birth to terms of equality. But Struensee’s -soaring ambition knew no bounds. He determined -to win both place and power, and to do this he -realised that it was necessary to form a new party—that -of the Queen.</p> - -<a name="i206" id="i206"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 465px;"> -<img src="images/page206.jpg" width="465" height="800" alt="Struensee." /> -<div class="caption">STRUENSEE.<br /><i>From an Engraving, 1771.</i></div> -</div> - -<p>The material was ready for the moulding. The -Queen was opposed to the party in power; she hated -Holck and disliked Bernstorff; nor was she any -more well-disposed towards the party of Juliana -Maria. Matilda was young, beautiful and beloved -by the people, who sympathised with her wrongs, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207"></a>[Pg 207]</span> -would gladly see her take a more prominent position -in the state. No one knew better than Struensee, -the confidential doctor, that Christian VII. would -never again be able to exercise direct power. He -was a mental and physical wreck, and it was only -a question of a year, perhaps only of a few months, -before he drifted into imbecility. But in theory, at -least, he would still reign, though the government -would have to be carried on by others. On whom, -then, would the regal authority so properly devolve -as upon the Queen, the mother of the future King? -The ball was at her feet if she would stoop to -pick it up. Matilda had only to assert herself to -be invested with the King’s absolute power—power -which, since she was a young and inexperienced -woman, she would surely delegate to other hands. -And here the ambitious adventurer saw his opportunity.</p> - -<p>There was at first a drawback to Struensee’s -schemes; the Queen would have nothing to do with -him. Matilda was prejudiced against the doctor; -he was the King’s favourite, and she imagined he -was of the same calibre as Holck and the rest of -Christian’s favourites—a mere panderer to his vicious -follies. Shortly after his arrival at Copenhagen, -before he grasped the situation at court, Struensee -had made a false step. He had sought to intrigue -the King with one Madame Gabel, a beautiful -and clever woman, who was to play the part of his -Egeria—for the benefit of the doctor. But Madame -Gabel died suddenly and the plot was foiled. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208"></a>[Pg 208]</span> -Queen had heard of this episode and disliked Struensee -accordingly. She ignored him, and for nine -months after his arrival at court (from February to -October, 1769), he had not the honour of a word -with her. But Struensee was by no means daunted -by the Queen’s dislike of him; he regarded it as an -obstacle in the path of his ambition, which like other -obstacles would have to be overcome. He waited -for an opportunity to dispel her prejudice, and it -came with the Queen’s illness.</p> - -<p>Matilda had reached the point of despair. The -court physicians could do nothing with her, she rejected -their remedies and turned a deaf ear to all -remonstrances. Matters went from bad to worse -until the Queen’s life was thought to be in danger. -As we have seen, the English envoy suggested that -George III. should write a private letter of remonstrance -to his sister. Whether the suggestion -was acted upon or not there is no record to tell, but -remonstrance came from another quarter. Christian -VII., who had grown into a liking for his wife, -became very much alarmed, and at last, perhaps at -Struensee’s suggestion, commanded that the Queen -should see his own private physician, in whom he -had great confidence. Matilda refused; all that she -knew of the doctor filled her with suspicion and -dislike. But the King insisted, and at last she -yielded to his commands, and admitted Struensee -to her presence. It was the crisis in her destiny.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209"></a>[Pg 209]</span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> - -<p class="center">THE TEMPTER.</p> - -<p class="center">1769-1770.</p> - - -<p>A single interview sufficed to break down the -Queen’s prejudice against Struensee. His manner -was so tactful and deferential; he seemed to be so -grieved at her condition, and so anxious to serve -her that before he withdrew she was convinced -she had misjudged him. He was as skilful as he -was sympathetic; the remedies he prescribed took -effect almost immediately, and when the doctor -again waited on his royal patient he found her -better. Struensee’s visits were repeated daily, and -as Matilda improved in health she was naturally -grateful to the physician who wrought this change. -She also became attracted by his tact and courtesy, -so different from the treatment she met with from -Holck and his party. She began to talk to the -doctor on general subjects, and discovered that -he was an extremely intelligent and well-read -man. Struensee flattered himself that he had -even more knowledge of the human heart—and -especially of the heart of woman—than of medicine. -He sought to amuse and distract the Queen, until -she looked forward to his visits with pleasure,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210"></a>[Pg 210]</span> -and every day gave him longer audience than -before.</p> - -<p>Struensee was one of those doctors who find -out what their patients like to do, and then advise -them to do it, and after several conversations with -the Queen, he arrived at most of her likes and dislikes. -The Queen, having been bred in England, -was fond of an outdoor life. In Denmark at that -time ladies of rank never went outside their gates -except in a carriage, and for them to ride or walk -about the streets was unknown. Struensee advised -that the Queen should set a precedent, and walk and -ride when, and where, she pleased. In pursuance -of this advice the Queen, a few days later, to the -astonishment of many, was seen walking briskly -about the streets of Copenhagen, attended by her -ladies. She also rode a great deal, and, though -she did not at first appear in public on horseback, -she spent hours riding about the park and woods -of Frederiksborg. Matilda much enjoyed her new-found -freedom, which made a great flutter in all -grades of society in Copenhagen. The Danish -<i>Mercury</i> wrote a poem on the subject of the Queen -walking in the town ending with the lines:—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Thanks, Matilda, thanks for the discovery,</div> -<div class="verse">You’ve taught healthy women to use their legs.</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>Struensee also advised the Queen that it was -bad for her to remain so much alone. She must -have amusement, surround herself with cheerful -people and join in the court festivities. He hinted -that it was advisable for her to take a more promi<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211"></a>[Pg 211]</span>nent -part in these ceremonials, not only because of -her health, but because it was incumbent upon her -position as the reigning Queen, which, he added -discreetly, some people about the court did not seem -to respect as they should do. Matilda, who was not -very wise, rose to the bait, and before long confided -to her physician the mortification and annoyance she -suffered from Holck and his following. Struensee -listened sympathetically, and told the Queen that -though he had not ventured to mention the matter -before, he had noticed with amazement and indignation -the scant consideration paid to her at her own -court. The desire of his heart, he said, was to serve -her, and if she would only listen to him, he would -improve this state of affairs as surely as he had -improved her health. Here the doctor obviously -stepped outside his province, but the Queen, far -from rebuking him, encouraged him to proceed. -Struensee then said deferentially that, since all -power and authority came from the King, the -Queen would be well advised to court his favour. -This advice was not so palatable to Matilda as the -other he had given her, especially at this juncture. -She could not forget in a moment how cruelly she -had been wronged, and she hesitated. Then Struensee -changed his note and urged the Queen’s own -interest. He spoke to her plainly of the King’s -failing mental powers, and declared that henceforth -he must always be ruled by some one. It were -better, therefore, that the Queen should rule him -than another, for by doing so she would gather<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212"></a>[Pg 212]</span> -the regal power into her own hands and so confound -her enemies. The King was anxious to repair the -past; it was for the Queen to meet him half-way.</p> - -<p>The Queen suspiciously asked the doctor what -was his object in striving to mediate between her -and the King. Struensee replied, with every appearance -of frankness, that he was studying his own -interests quite as much as those of the King and -Queen. The King had been pleased to show him -especial marks of his favour, and he wished to -remain in his present position. He had noticed -that all the preceding favourites of the King had -striven to promote disunion between Christian and -his consort, and they had, one after another, fallen -out of favour and been banished from court. Their -fate was a warning to him, and an instinct of self-preservation -prompted him to bring about a union -between the King and Queen, because by so doing -he was convinced that he would inevitably strengthen -his own position.</p> - -<p>After some hesitation Matilda proceeded to act -on this advice also, and, short of admitting the King -to intimacy, she sought in every way to please him. -The King, also prompted by Struensee, responded -with alacrity to his wife’s overtures, and came to -lean upon the Queen more and more. Before long -Matilda’s influence over her husband became obvious -to all. The young Queen delighted in the deference -and homage which the time-serving courtiers now -rendered to her. Holck’s star was on the wane; he -still filled the post of Master of the Ceremonies, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213"></a>[Pg 213]</span> -it was the Queen who commanded the revels, and -changed, or countermanded, Holck’s programme as -she pleased.</p> - -<p>Struensee was now surely gaining ground. -Both the King and the Queen placed their confidence -in him, with the result, as he predicted, that he -stood on a firmer footing than any former favourite. -The Queen gave him audience every day, and the -conversations between them became more intimate -and more prolonged. There was nothing, however, -at first to show that the Queen had anything -more than a liking for the clever doctor, whose -society amused and interested her, and whose zeal -in her service was apparently heart-whole. Everything -so far had succeeded exactly as Struensee -foretold, and the vision of future happiness and -power, which he portrayed in eloquent terms, dazzled -the young Queen’s imagination, while his homage -and devotion flattered her vanity.</p> - -<p>Struensee’s appearance and manner were such as -to impress any woman. He was thirty-two years -of age, tall and broad shouldered, and in the full -strength of manhood. Though not really handsome, -he appeared to be so in a dashing way, and he -made the most of all his points and dressed with -consummate taste. He had light brown hair, flashing -eyes, an aquiline nose and a high forehead. -He carried himself well, and there was about him -a suggestion of reserved strength, both mental and -physical. His manner to the Queen was a combination -of deference and easy assurance, which pleased<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214"></a>[Pg 214]</span> -her mightily. By the end of January, 1770, the -Queen no longer needed medical advice, but she -required Struensee’s services in other ways, and the -more she saw of him the more she became attracted -to him. Soon a further mark of the royal favour -was shown to the doctor, and a handsome suite of -rooms was given him in the Christiansborg Palace.</p> - -<p>Holck was the first to take alarm at the growing -influence of the new favourite, and came to -regard him as a rival who would ultimately drive -him from court. Struensee looked upon Holck with -contempt, and was indifferent whether he went or -stayed. But the Queen insisted that he must go at -the first opportunity, and Struensee promised that -her wishes should be obeyed in this, as in all things—in -a little time. Holck confided his fears to Bernstorff, -warned him that the doctor was playing for -high stakes, and advised him to remove Struensee -from the King’s person before it was too late. To -the aristocratic Bernstorff, however, it seemed impossible -that a man of the doctor’s birth and antecedents -could be any real danger, and he laughed -at Holck’s warning. This is the more surprising, -as both the Russian and English envoys -spoke to the Prime Minister about the sudden rise -of Struensee, and advised him to watch it well. The -Russian minister, Filosofow, went further, and presumed -to make some remarks to the King on the -subject, which Christian ignored at the time, but -afterwards repeated to Struensee and the Queen.</p> - -<p>This interference on the part of Filosofow was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215"></a>[Pg 215]</span> -no new thing. For some years the Russian envoy -had practically dictated to the Danish King whom -he should appoint and whom he should dismiss from -his service. He even presumed to meddle in the -private affairs of the Danish court, no doubt at the -instigation of his mistress, Catherine the Great. -The Danish King and Government submitted to -this bondage until the treaty was signed, by which -Russia exchanged her claims on Schleswig-Holstein -for the counties of Oldenburg and Delmenhorst. -As this exchange was eagerly desired by Denmark, -the mere threat of stopping it threw the King and -his ministers into alarm, and made Russia mistress -of the situation. Curiously enough Filosofow, who -was a very astute diplomatist, did not realise the -changed state of affairs, and continued to dictate to -the King as before. The haughty Russian did not -consider Struensee to be of any account from a -political point of view, but personally he objected -to meeting him on terms of equality. He had also, -it was said, a grievance against Struensee, because -he had outrivalled him in the affections of a beautiful -lady of the Danish court. For some time he fretted -at the royal favour shown to the upstart doctor, and -at last he showed his contempt for him by a public -act of insolence.</p> - -<p>It chanced in this wise. Wishing to conciliate -the Danish monarch, Filosofow gave a splendid -entertainment to the King and Queen at the Russian -embassy. It consisted of an Italian opera, composed -for the occasion, and performed by persons<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216"></a>[Pg 216]</span> -of fashion about the court,<a name="FNanchor_120_120" id="FNanchor_120_120"></a><a href="#Footnote_120_120" class="fnanchor">[120]</a> and was followed by a -banquet. Struensee, who was now invited to the -court entertainments, as a member of the third class, -was present, and so marked was the favour shown -him by the King and Queen that he was admitted -to the box where the royal personages were. -Filosofow, in his capacity of host, was also in the -box, and he was so much irritated at the presence -of the doctor that he showed his disgust by spitting -on his coat. Struensee, with great self-control, -treated the insult as though it were an accident, -wiped his coat, and said nothing. Filosofow immediately -insulted him again in the same way. -This time the action was so unmistakable that -Struensee withdrew from the royal box, and later -demanded satisfaction of Filosofow. The Russian -treated the challenge with contempt. He said that -in his country an ambassador did not fight a duel -with a common doctor, but he would take his revenge -in another way, and give him a sound thrashing -with his cane. Whether he carried out his threat -is uncertain, but it is certain that Struensee never -forgave the insult. The Queen also resented the -flouting of her favourite, and, despite the attempted -mediation of Bernstorff, she ignored Filosofow at -court, and spoke with dislike of him and his -mistress, the Empress Catherine, who, she thought, -was responsible for her envoy’s meddlesome policy. -A few months before it would have mattered little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217"></a>[Pg 217]</span> -what the Queen thought, or did not think, but now -her influence with the King was growing every day.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_120_120" id="Footnote_120_120"></a><a href="#FNanchor_120_120"><span class="label">[120]</span></a> <i>Vide</i> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, March 31, 1770. <i>Ibid.</i>, -April 24, 1770.</p></div> - -<p>Eventually Filosofow had to retire from Copenhagen -and give place to another, but that was not -yet. At this time he again warned Bernstorff that -his days of power were numbered, unless he forthwith -took steps to get Struensee removed from -court. In this the envoy proved more far-sighted -than the minister, for Bernstorff still considered it -an incredible thing that his position could be -seriously threatened. Yet within a month of the -Russian’s warning the extraordinary favour which -Struensee enjoyed with the King and Queen was -further demonstrated.</p> - -<p>The small-pox raged in Denmark in the spring -of this year, 1770, and in Copenhagen alone twelve -hundred children died of it. Struensee advised -that the Crown Prince should be inoculated as a -prevention. Inoculation had lately been introduced -into Denmark, and Struensee’s suggestion was met -with a storm of protest from some of the nobility, -all the clergy and many of the doctors. Despite -this Struensee carried his point; he inoculated the -Crown Prince and watched over him in the brief -illness that followed. Matilda herself nursed her -son, and would not leave his bedside day or night. -Her presence in the sick-room threw the Queen -and the doctor continually together. Struensee -was justified of his wisdom, for the Crown Prince -not only escaped the small-pox, but soon rallied -from the inoculation which it had been freely pro<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218"></a>[Pg 218]</span>phesied -would cause his death. The doctor was -rewarded with signal marks of the royal favour; he -was given the title of Conferenzrath, or Councillor -of Conference, which elevated him to the second -class, and was appointed reader to the King, <i>lecteur -du roi</i>, and private secretary to the Queen, with a -salary of three thousand dollars. Ministers were -amazed at the sudden elevation of the favourite, and -began to ask themselves whither all this was tending.</p> - -<p>Step by step as Struensee rose in honour -Matilda gained in power. It was now apparent -to all about the court that the Queen, and not -the King, was the real ruler of Denmark. The -Queen’s ascendency over her consort was so great -that he did nothing without her approval. She in -turn was guided by Struensee; but, whereas the -Queen’s authority was seen by all, Struensee’s -power at this time was only guessed at. His -plans were not matured. The prize was within -his grasp, but he was careful not to snatch at it too -soon lest he should lose it altogether. Struensee -now accompanied the King and Queen wherever -they went, and, since his elevation to the second -rank, dined at the royal table. Bernstorff seems to -have thought that these privileges were all that -Struensee cared about, and given money, a title and -social position the doctor would be content, like -Holck, with the royal favour, and leave politics alone. -He little knew that Struensee in his heart despised -these things; they were to him merely the means -to an end, and that end was power. In his pursuit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219"></a>[Pg 219]</span> -of power Struensee swept every consideration aside. -Honour, duty and gratitude were nothing to him -provided he gained his desire. In his belief in -his destiny, his great abilities, his soaring ambition -and complete heedlessness of every one save -himself, this extraordinary man was a type of the -<i>uebermensch</i>.</p> - -<p>Struensee’s treatment of the Queen was an example -of his utter unscrupulousness. Her condition -when he came to court would have moved any man -to pity. Her youth, her beauty and her friendlessness -appealed to every sentiment of chivalry. The -conditions under which Struensee made her acquaintance -were the most intimate and delicate. He quickly -gained her confidence; she trusted him from the -first, and showed her gratitude by heaping favours -upon him. Everything that came to Struensee in -the next few years—honour, place and power—he -owed to the Queen, and to her alone. Common -gratitude, apart from any other consideration, should -have led him to treat her honourably, but from the -beginning he was false to her. He who came in the -guise of a deliverer was really her evil genius. The -young Queen was never anything to him but a -means to an end. Adventurer and intriguer as he -was, Struensee had marked Matilda down as his -prey before he was admitted to her presence, and -she fell an easy victim to his wiles. He made use -of her as a shield, behind which he could work in -safety. She was to be the buffer between him and -his enemies; she was to be the ladder by which he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220"></a>[Pg 220]</span> -would rise in power. To this end he tempted her -with consummate art. He was first her confidential -physician, then her devoted servant, then her friend -and counsellor, and then her lover. This last -phase was necessary to the success of his plans, -and he deliberately lured his victim to her ruin -in order that he might gain absolute mastery over -her. Struensee gradually acquired over the Queen -an almost mesmeric power, and she became so -completely under his influence that she obeyed his -wishes like an automaton. But it did not need -hypnotism to cause a woman so tempted, so beset -on every side as Matilda was, to fall. She had -inherited from her father an amorous, pleasure-loving -nature; she was of a warm, affectionate disposition, -which had been driven back on itself by -her husband’s cruelty and infidelities. Now, it was -true, the King was anxious to make amends, but -it was too late. Christian had greatly changed in -appearance during the last year. Though little over -twenty, he already looked like an old man, very thin, -with sharp, drawn features and dead-looking eyes. -Matilda, on the contrary, was in the full flood of -womanhood; her blood flowed warmly in her veins, -yet she was tied to a husband who, from his excesses, -was ruined mentally and physically, and she -was tempted by a lover in the full strength of his -manhood, a lover who was both ardent and masterful, -and whose strength of will broke down all her defences -as though they had been built of cards. -Moreover, her environment was bad—as bad as it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221"></a>[Pg 221]</span> -could be. The atmosphere of the court was one of -undisguised immorality; the marriage tie was openly -mocked at and derided. The King had often told her -to go her own way and let him go his, and now -so far from showing any signs of jealousy, he seemed -to take a delight in watching the growth of the -intimacy between his wife and the confidential -physician. He was always sending Struensee to -the Queen’s chamber on some pretext or another, -and the more Matilda showed her liking for Struensee’s -society the more the King seemed to be -pleased. That clever devil, opportunity, was all -on Struensee’s side.</p> - -<p>The Queen had no safeguards against temptation -but those which arose from the promptings of -her own conscience. That she did not yield without -a struggle, that the inward conflict was sharp and -bitter, there is evidence to prove.</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><i>O keep me innocent, make others great!</i></div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>was the pathetic prayer she wrote on the window -of the chapel of Frederiksborg<a name="FNanchor_121_121" id="FNanchor_121_121"></a><a href="#Footnote_121_121" class="fnanchor">[121]</a> at a time, when -in the corridors and <span class="correction" title="In the original book: antechambers.">ante-chambers</span> of the palace -Struensee was plotting his tortuous intrigues, all of -which started from the central point of his relations -with the Queen. It was he who wished to be great, -she who was to make him great, and to this end he -demanded the sacrifice of her innocence. The poor -young Queen knew her peril, but she was like a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222"></a>[Pg 222]</span> -bird fascinated by a snake. She fluttered a little, -helplessly, and then fell.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_121_121" id="Footnote_121_121"></a><a href="#FNanchor_121_121"><span class="label">[121]</span></a> This window, with the Queen’s writing cut with a diamond on a -pane of glass, was destroyed by the great fire at Frederiksborg in -1859.</p></div> - -<p>The struggle was prolonged for some months, -but the end was certain from the first. It was probably -during the spring of 1770 that the flood of -passion broke the Queen’s last barriers down. Her -enemies afterwards declared that she entered on this -fatal dalliance about the time of the Crown Prince’s -illness. Certain it is that after Struensee had been -appointed her private secretary, a marked change -took place in Matilda’s manner and bearing. She -is no longer a pathetic figure of wronged and -youthful innocence, but appears as a beautiful and -self-willed woman who is dominated by a great -passion. There were no half measures about Matilda; -her love for Struensee was the one supreme love of -her life; it was a love so unselfish and all-absorbing, -so complete in its abandonment, that it wrung -reluctant admiration even from those who blamed it -most.</p> - -<p>Once the Rubicon crossed, reserve, discretion, -even ordinary prudence, were thrown to the winds. -Struensee’s object seems to have been to compromise -the Queen as much as possible, so that she could -not draw back. He was always with her, and she -granted him privileges which, as Reverdil says, -“would have ruined the reputation of any ordinary -woman,” though it has been pleaded, on the other -hand, that her indifference to appearances was a -proof of her innocence. The Queen and her -favourite were inseparable; he was admitted to her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223"></a>[Pg 223]</span> -apartments at all hours; she took solitary walks with -him in the gardens and woods, and she frequently -drove and rode out alone with him; at balls and -masquerades, at the theatre and the opera, he was -always by her side; and in public and at court she -followed him with her eyes, and did not attempt -to disguise the predilection she had for him.</p> - -<p>The Queen had no one to remonstrate with her, -or guard her from the consequences of her imprudence. -It was thought by some that the first use -Matilda would make of her new-found power would be -to recall Madame de Plessen, whose dismissal against -her will she had bitterly lamented. It would have -been well for her if she had done so, for Madame de -Plessen would have saved her from herself. But if -the idea crossed her mind, Struensee would not -permit it, for he well knew that the presence of -this strict duenna would be fatal to his plans. -Madame von der Lühe, Madame de Plessen’s successor, -though she shook her head in private, did not -venture to remonstrate with her mistress; her position, -she felt, was insecure, and she thought to strengthen -it by compliance with the Queen’s whims. The -maid of honour, Fräulein von Eyben, and some of the -inferior women of the Queen’s household, secretly -spied on their mistress, set traps for her, and generally -sought occasion to harm her. But their opportunity -was not yet, for the Queen was all-powerful. Matilda -had always found the stiff etiquette of the Danish -court wearisome; at Struensee’s advice she abolished -it altogether in private, and dispensed with the atten<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224"></a>[Pg 224]</span>dance -of her ladies, except in public. This enabled -her to see the doctor for hours alone—not that she -made any secret of these interviews. On the contrary, -she talked quite freely to her ladies about her -friendship with Struensee, and accounted for her preference -by declaring that she owed him a debt of -gratitude for all he had done, and was doing, for her. -He always took her part; she said, “he had much -sense and a good heart”. And it must be admitted -he had apparently rendered her service; her health -was re-established, and her life was fuller and happier. -No longer was she slighted and set aside; -she reigned supreme at her court, and all, even her -former enemies, sought to win her smiles.</p> - -<p>The Queen’s relations with the King were now -uniformly friendly, and he seemed quite content to -leave authority in her hands. In return she strove -to humour him, and even stooped to gratify some of -his most absurd whims. It has already been stated -that the imbecile Christian had a weakness for seeing -women in men’s attire; “Catherine of the -Gaiters” captivated him most when she donned the -uniform of an officer in his service, and the complaisance -of the former mistress on this point was at -least explicable. But Matilda was his wife and not -his mistress, his Queen and not his fancy of an -hour, yet she did not hesitate to array herself in -male attire to please her husband, at the suggestion -of her lover. It may be, too, that she wished to -imitate in this, as in other things, the Empress of -Russia, Catherine the Great, who frequently wore<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225"></a>[Pg 225]</span> -uniforms and rode <i>en homme</i>. However this may -be, Matilda adopted a riding-habit made like that of -a man, and rode astride. The Queen often went -out hunting with Struensee, or rode by his side -through the city, in this extraordinary attire. She -wore a dove-colour beaver hat with a deep gold -band and tassels, a long scarlet coat, faced with gold, -a buff, gold-laced waistcoat, a frilled shirt with a lace -kerchief, buckskin small-clothes and spurs. She had -other riding-habits of different designs, but this was -the one in which she most frequently appeared in -public. She was always splendidly mounted and -rode fearlessly. On horseback she looked a Diana, -but when she dismounted she did not appear to the -same advantage, for the riding-habit made her seem -shorter than she really was, and she already showed -a tendency to stoutness, which the small-clothes did -not minimise. The Queen, however, was so enamoured -of her male attire that she frequently walked -about the palace all day in it, to the offence of many -and the derision of others.<a name="FNanchor_122_122" id="FNanchor_122_122"></a><a href="#Footnote_122_122" class="fnanchor">[122]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_122_122" id="Footnote_122_122"></a><a href="#FNanchor_122_122"><span class="label">[122]</span></a> The Queen set the fashion to ride in male attire, and it soon became -the custom among the ladies of Copenhagen. Keith wrote a -year later: “An abominable riding-habit, with black slouched hat, has -been almost universally introduced here, which gives every woman -an air of an awkward postilion, and all the time I have been in Denmark -I have never seen the Queen out in any other garb”.—<i>Memoirs.</i></p></div> - -<p>The adoption of this riding-habit greatly tended -to lessen the Queen’s popularity, while her intimacy -with Struensee before long caused it to disappear -altogether. The staider and more respectable portion -of the community were ready to believe any evil<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226"></a>[Pg 226]</span> -of a woman who went out riding like a man, and -the clergy in particular were horrified; but acting -on Struensee’s advice, the Queen never troubled -to conciliate the clergy. This was a great mistake -in a puritanical country like Denmark, where the -Church had great power, if not in the immediate -circle of the court, at least among the upper and -middle classes. Even the semi-barbarous Danish -nobility were disgusted. That the young and beautiful -Queen should have a favourite was perhaps, -under the circumstances, only to be expected; if -he had been one of their own order, the weakness -would have been excused. But that she should stoop -to a man of <i>bourgeois</i> origin, a mere doctor, who -was regarded by the haughty nobles as little above -the level of a menial, was a thing which admitted -of no palliation.<a name="FNanchor_123_123" id="FNanchor_123_123"></a><a href="#Footnote_123_123" class="fnanchor">[123]</a> But the Queen, blinded by her -passion, was indifferent to praise or blame, and -Struensee took a delight in demonstrating his power -over her under their very eyes. It was the favourite’s -mean revenge for the insults he had suffered from -these nobles.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_123_123" id="Footnote_123_123"></a><a href="#FNanchor_123_123"><span class="label">[123]</span></a> Even Frederick the Great (who was very broad-minded) wrote: -“L’acces que le médecin eut à la cour lui fit gagner imperceptiblement -plus d’ascendant sur l’esprit de la reine qu’il n’etoit convenable -à un homme de cette extraction”.</p></div> - -<a name="i226" id="i226"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 479px;"> -<img src="images/page226.jpg" width="479" height="800" alt="Queen Sophia Magdalena, grandmother of Christian VII." /> -<div class="caption">QUEEN SOPHIA MAGDALENA, GRANDMOTHER OF CHRISTIAN VII.</div> -</div> - -<p>At the end of May, 1770, the old Queen Sophia -Magdalena died at the palace of Christiansborg. -For the last few years of her life she had lived in -strict retirement, and had long ceased to exercise any -influence over her grandson, the King, in political -affairs. The aged widow of Christian VI. was much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227"></a>[Pg 227]</span> -reverenced by the conservative party in Denmark, -and they complained that the court treated her -memory with disrespect. One incident in particular -moved them to deep indignation, and, if true, it -showed how greatly Matilda had deteriorated under -the influence of her favourite. The body of -Sophia Magdalena was embalmed, and lay in state -for some days in the palace of Christiansborg. The -public was admitted, and a great number of people -of all classes and ages, clad in mourning, availed -themselves of this opportunity of paying honour -to the dead Queen. It was stated in Copenhagen -by Matilda’s enemies that she showed her lack of -good-feeling by passing through the mourners in -the room where the Queen-Mother lay in state, -leaning on the arm of Struensee, and clad in the -riding-habit which had excited the reprobation of -Sophia Magdalena’s adherents. This story was -probably a malicious invention,<a name="FNanchor_124_124" id="FNanchor_124_124"></a><a href="#Footnote_124_124" class="fnanchor">[124]</a> but it is certain that -the court mourning for the venerable Queen-Mother -was limited to the shortest possible period, and the -King and Queen a few days after her death removed -to Frederiksborg, where they lived in the same -manner as before. Neither the King nor the Queen -attended the public funeral at Röskilde, where the -kings and queens of Denmark were buried, and -Prince Frederick went as chief mourner. Rightly -or wrongly, the reigning Queen was blamed for all -this.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_124_124" id="Footnote_124_124"></a><a href="#FNanchor_124_124"><span class="label">[124]</span></a> It rests on the authority of Wittich (<i>Struensee</i>, by K. Wittich, -1879), who is bitterly hostile to Queen Matilda.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228"></a>[Pg 228]</span></p></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> - -<p class="center">THE QUEEN’S FOLLY.</p> - -<p class="center">1770.</p> - - -<p>Struensee, who was now sure of his position with -the King and Queen, resolved to carry out his -plans, and obtain the object of his ambition—political -power. In order to gain this it was necessary that -the ministers holding office should one by one be -removed, and the back of the Russian party in -Copenhagen be broken. The Queen was quite -agreeable to every change that Struensee suggested; -she only stipulated that her detested enemy, Holck, -should go first, and his friends at court follow. -Struensee agreed, but in these matters it was -necessary to move with great caution, and await a -favourable opportunity to strike. Quite unwittingly -Holck played into his enemies’ hands; the great -thing, as either party knew well, was to gain -possession of the King, who would sign any paper -laid before him. A page, named Warnstedt, who -was always about the person of the King, was -Struensee’s friend, and Holck therefore resolved to -get rid of him and appoint a creature of his own. -He thought he could best effect this by taking the -King away from his present surroundings, and he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229"></a>[Pg 229]</span> -therefore proposed to Christian that he should make -another tour through the Duchies of Schleswig -and Holstein. The King agreed, and Holck was -jubilant, for he knew that if he could only get the -King to himself the power of Struensee would be -shaken. To his dismay, the Queen announced that -she intended to accompany her husband. She was -anxious, she said, to see the duchies, and had no -intention of being left behind again. Notwithstanding -the difficulties which Holck raised, the -King offered no objection, and even expressed -pleasure that his Queen would accompany him. -The Queen’s going meant, of course, that her -favourite would go too. Struensee hailed the prospect -of the tour; he had long been wishing to get -the King and Queen away from the capital in order -that he might better effect the changes he had in -contemplation.</p> - -<p>The preparations for the tour were pushed on -apace. The King and Queen were to be attended -by a numerous suite. Holck, Struensee and -Warnstedt were to be in attendance, and all the -ladies of the Queen’s household. Of ministers -only Bernstorff, the Prime Minister, was to accompany -them, and the same council of three, Thott, -Moltke and Rosenkrantz, who had managed public -business at Copenhagen during the King’s former -tour, were to conduct it again, but under limitations. -They received express orders from the King not -to have any transactions with foreign envoys during -his absence, and if any matter of urgency occurred<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230"></a>[Pg 230]</span> -they were to communicate with him in writing before -deciding on any plan of action. These instructions -were, of course, dictated to the King by Struensee. -Bernstorff was astonished and indignant when he -heard of them, for he guessed the quarter whence -they came. He began to fear that his position was -threatened, and, too late, regretted that he had not -taken the repeated advice of his friends and removed -Struensee while there was time. He knew, though -the English influence was on his side, that he had -nothing to hope from the Queen; he had offended -her past forgiveness by insisting on the dismissal -of Madame de Plessen, and by wishing to exclude -her from the regency. He started on the tour -with great misgivings. But he had been in office -so long that even now he could not imagine the -government of the kingdom going on without him, -forgetting that no man is indispensable.</p> - -<p>On June 20, 1770, the royal party arrived at -Gottorp Castle in Schleswig, an ancient and unpretending -edifice on the edge of a lake, which was -then occupied by Prince Charles of Hesse, whom -the King had appointed Viceroy of the Duchies. -The Viceroy and his wife, Princess Louise, drove -out a league from Gottorp to meet the King and -Queen, and their greetings were most cordial, especially -those between Matilda and her sister-in-law. -The King, too, was very friendly, though Prince -Charles saw a great change in him. He seemed -to rally his failing powers a little at Gottorp.</p> - -<p>Prince Charles noticed with amazement how<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231"></a>[Pg 231]</span> -great a power Struensee had acquired; it was -the first time he had seen the favourite, and he -took a strong dislike to him, which, perhaps, -coloured the description he gave of the visit. -“After an hour’s conversation,” writes Prince -Charles [on arriving at Gottorp], “in which we -recalled past times, the Queen took me by the arm -and said: ‘Now, escort me to Princess Louise’s -apartments, but do not take me through the ante-chamber’—where -the suite were assembled. We -almost ran along the corridor to the side door by -the staircase, and then we saw some of the suite -coming downstairs. The Queen espied Struensee -among them, and said hastily: ‘I must go back; -do not keep me!’ I replied that I could not well -leave her Majesty alone in the passage. ‘No! no!’ -she cried, ‘go to the Princess,’ and she fled down -the corridor.” [Struensee had probably forbidden -the Queen to talk to the Princess alone.] “I was -much astonished, but I obeyed her commands. She -was always ill at ease with me when Struensee -was present; at table he invariably seated himself -opposite to her.”<a name="FNanchor_125_125" id="FNanchor_125_125"></a><a href="#Footnote_125_125" class="fnanchor">[125]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_125_125" id="Footnote_125_125"></a><a href="#FNanchor_125_125"><span class="label">[125]</span></a> <i>Mémoires de mon Temps.</i></p></div> - -<p>Prince Charles and his wife noted with great -regret the change in the Queen; they remembered -that she was only eighteen, they made allowance for -her good heart and her lively spirits, but even -so they grieved to see her forget her self-respect, -and indulge in amusements which hurt her reputation. -They ascribed this change to the pernicious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232"></a>[Pg 232]</span> -influence of Struensee. She seemed frightened of -him, and trembled, when he spoke to her, like a -bird, ensnared. Frequently he so far forgot himself -as to treat her with scant respect. For instance, -Prince Charles writes: “The King’s dinner was -dull. The Queen afterwards played at cards. I -was placed on her right, Struensee on her left; -Brandt, a new arrival, and Warnstedt, a chamberlain, -completed the party. I hardly like to describe -Struensee’s behaviour to the Queen, or repeat the -remarks he dared address to her openly, while he -leant his arm on the table close to her. ‘Well, -why don’t you play?’ ‘Can’t you hear?’ and so -forth. I confess my heart was grieved to see this -Princess, endowed with so much sense and so many -good qualities, fallen to such a point and into hands -so bad.”<a name="FNanchor_126_126" id="FNanchor_126_126"></a><a href="#Footnote_126_126" class="fnanchor">[126]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_126_126" id="Footnote_126_126"></a><a href="#FNanchor_126_126"><span class="label">[126]</span></a> <i>Mémoires de mon Temps.</i></p></div> - -<p>While the King and Queen were at Gottorp -Struensee carried out the first of his changes, and -recalled Brandt to court. Brandt, it will be remembered, -had been banished from Copenhagen, -and even from the country, at the suggestion of -Holck. He had sought to regain the King’s favour -when he was in Paris, but again Holck intervened, -and he failed. He was formerly a friend of the -Queen, which was one of the reasons why Holck -got rid of him, and he was also a friend of Struensee, -who had often, in his obscure days, visited at the -house of Brandt’s stepfather. Struensee had, moreover, -helped him in Paris. Brandt had recently<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233"></a>[Pg 233]</span> -been so far restored to favour as to be given a -small appointment in Oldenburg, but no one expected -that he would be recalled to court, and -Holck was astonished and dismayed when Brandt -suddenly appeared at Gottorp and was nominated -a chamberlain by the King. Brandt noticed his -enemy’s dismay, and said: “<i>Monsieur le Comte</i>, -you look as if you had seen a spectre. Are you -afraid?” To which Holck bitterly replied: “Oh -no, <i>Monsieur le Chambellan</i>, it is not the spectre -I fear, but his return”.</p> - -<p>Matilda was unwell during her stay at Gottorp, -and her indisposition caused the court to remain -there longer than had been intended. Struensee -saw Prince Charles’s dislike of him, and was uneasy -lest he should gain an influence over the King. The -silent condemnation of the Viceroy made him impatient -to be gone, and directly the Queen was -sufficiently recovered to travel she and the King set -out for Traventhal, a small royal castle in Holstein. -This move furnished the opportunity of getting rid -of Holck and his following. The excuse put forward -was that Traventhal was not large enough to -accommodate so numerous a suite, and therefore -Count Holck and his wife, his sister, Madame von -der Lühe, and her husband, Councillor Holstein, -Chamberlain Luttichau, Gustavus Holck, a page, -Fräulein von Eyben, and two more of the Queen’s -maids of honour, were ordered to go back to Copenhagen. -All these people were either related to -Holck, or appointed through his influence, and on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234"></a>[Pg 234]</span> -their return to the capital they learned that they -were dismissed from office. Holck, perhaps in consideration -of the fact that he had once befriended -Struensee, was granted a pension of two thousand -dollars, the others received nothing.</p> - -<p>Bernstorff, who went with the King and Queen -to Traventhal, as minister in attendance, was not -consulted concerning these dismissals, or in anything -about the court. Woodford, the English minister of -Lower Saxony, then at Hamburg, writes: “Mr. -Bernstorff and the ministers appear to be entirely -ignorant of these little arrangements, the royal confidence -running in quite another direction”.<a name="FNanchor_127_127" id="FNanchor_127_127"></a><a href="#Footnote_127_127" class="fnanchor">[127]</a> And -again: “With regard to the court’s movements at -Traventhal, nothing is known, for everything is -kept a secret from those who, by their employments, -ought to be informed”.<a name="FNanchor_128_128" id="FNanchor_128_128"></a><a href="#Footnote_128_128" class="fnanchor">[128]</a> The Prime Minister, Bernstorff, -was rarely allowed to see the King, for -Brandt, who had now stepped into Holck’s vacant -place, was always with his master, and made it his -business to guard him against any influence that -might be hostile to Struensee’s plans. Holck’s -sudden dismissal filled Bernstorff with apprehension, -which was increased by an important move which -Struensee took soon after the arrival of the court -at Traventhal—a move destined to exercise great -influence on the future of both the favourite and the -Queen. This was the recall to court of the notorious -anti-Russian, Count Rantzau Ascheberg.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_127_127" id="Footnote_127_127"></a><a href="#FNanchor_127_127"><span class="label">[127]</span></a> Woodford’s despatch to Lord Rochford, Hamburg, July 13, 1770.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_128_128" id="Footnote_128_128"></a><a href="#FNanchor_128_128"><span class="label">[128]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i>, July 17, 1770.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235"></a>[Pg 235]</span></p></div> - -<p>Schack Karl, Count zu Rantzau Ascheberg, whom -for short we shall call Count Rantzau, had succeeded -(on his father’s death in 1769) to vast estates in -Holstein. Gunning, the English envoy, thus wrote -of him:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“Count Rantzau is a son of the minister of that -name who formerly spent some years at our court. -He received some part of his education at Westminster -School. His family is the first in Denmark. -He is a man of ruined fortunes. It would be -difficult to exhibit a character more profligate and -abandoned. There are said to be few enormities of -which he has not been guilty, and scarcely any place -where he has not acted a vicious part. Rashness -and revenge form very striking features in his -character. With these qualities he possesses great -imagination, vivacity and wit. He is most abundantly -fertile in schemes and projects, which he forms -one day and either forgets or ridicules the next. He -would be a very dangerous man did not his great -indiscretion put it into the power of his enemies -to render many of his most mischievous designs -abortive.”<a name="FNanchor_129_129" id="FNanchor_129_129"></a><a href="#Footnote_129_129" class="fnanchor">[129]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_129_129" id="Footnote_129_129"></a><a href="#FNanchor_129_129"><span class="label">[129]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, April 4, 1771.</p></div> - -<p>Rantzau had led an adventurous and dishonourable -career. In his youth he had been a chamberlain -at the Danish court, and had served in the -army, eventually rising to the rank of major-general. -In consequence of a court plot, he was banished from -Copenhagen in 1752. He then entered the French -army, but in Paris he became enamoured of an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236"></a>[Pg 236]</span> -opera singer and resigned his commission to follow -her about Europe. This part of his career, which -occupied nearly ten years, was shrouded in mystery, -but it was known that during it Rantzau had many -scandalous adventures. Sometimes he travelled -with all the luxury befitting his rank and station, at -others he was at his wits’ end for money. At one -time he lived at Rome, habited as a monk, and at -another he travelled <i>incognito</i> with a troupe of actors. -He had absolutely no scruples, and seemed to be -a criminal by nature. He was tried in Sicily for -swindling, and only escaped imprisonment through -the influence brought to bear on his judges. At -Naples there was an ugly scandal of another nature, -but the French envoy intervened, and saved him -from punishment, in consideration of his birth and -rank. In Genoa he got into trouble through drawing -a bill on his father, whom he falsely described as -the “Viceroy of Norway,” but his father repudiated -the bill, as he had already repudiated his son, and -again Rantzau narrowly escaped gaol. With such -a record Keith was certainly justified in saying of -him: “Count Rantzau would, ... if he had lived -within reach of Justice Fielding, have furnished -matter for an Old Bailey trial any one year of the -last twenty of his life”.<a name="FNanchor_130_130" id="FNanchor_130_130"></a><a href="#Footnote_130_130" class="fnanchor">[130]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_130_130" id="Footnote_130_130"></a><a href="#FNanchor_130_130"><span class="label">[130]</span></a> <i>Memoirs and Correspondence of Sir R. Murray Keith.</i></p></div> - -<p>In 1761, after the death of the Empress Elizabeth, -when a war seemed imminent between Russia and -Denmark, Rantzau, who wished to be on the stronger -side, went to St. Petersburg and offered his services<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237"></a>[Pg 237]</span> -to Peter III., as a Holstein nobleman who owed -allegiance to Russia rather than to Denmark. But -even the sottish Tsar knew what manner of man the -Holsteiner was, and rejected his offer with contumely. -In revenge, Rantzau went over to Catherine -and the Orloffs, and was involved in the conspiracy -which resulted in the deposition and assassination of -Peter III. When Catherine the Great was firmly -seated upon the Russian throne she had no further -need of Rantzau, and instead of rewarding him, ignored -him. Rantzau therefore left St. Petersburg and returned -to Holstein, a sworn foe of the Empress and -eager for revenge on her. It was during this sojourn -in Holstein that his acquaintance with Struensee -began, and, as at this time Rantzau could get no help -from his father, Struensee is said to have lent him -money to go to Copenhagen, whither he went to regain -his lost favour at the Danish court. In this he -was foiled by the influence of the Russian envoy Filosofow, -who was then all-powerful, and Rantzau was -forced to return again to Holstein, where he remained -until his father’s death in 1769—the year before the -King and Queen came to Holstein on their tour.</p> - -<p>Rantzau should now have been a rich man, for -in addition to the property he inherited from his -father, he had married an heiress, the daughter -of his uncle, Count Rantzau Oppendorft, by which -marriage the estates of the two branches of the -family were united. But Rantzau was crippled with -debt, and on succeeding to his inheritance he continued -to live a reckless, dissipated life, and indulged in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238"></a>[Pg 238]</span> -great extravagance. On the other hand, he was a -good landlord to his people, and they did whatever -he wished. On account of his ancient name, vast -estates and the devotion of his peasantry, Rantzau -had much influence in Holstein, which he persistently -used against Russia.</p> - -<p>Rantzau and Struensee had not forgotten their -covenant of years ago, that if either attained power -he should help the other. Even if Struensee had -been inclined to forget it, Rantzau would have reminded -him, but Filosofow’s public insult made -Struensee determined to break the power of Russia -in Denmark, and in Rantzau he found a weapon -ready to his hand. He determined to recall Rantzau -to court, because he knew that he, of all others, was -most disliked by the Empress of Russia. Therefore, -when the King and Queen arrived at Traventhal, -Struensee wrote to Rantzau and asked him to come -and pay his respects to their Majesties. Rantzau -was admitted to audience of the King and Queen, -who both received him very graciously. Rantzau -was the most considerable noble in Holstein, and -moreover, any favour shown to him would demonstrate -that the Danish court would no longer brook -the dictation of Russia in domestic matters. Therefore, -when Rantzau, prompted by Struensee, prayed -the King and Queen to honour him with a visit -to his castle at Ascheberg, they at once consented. -Attended by Struensee and Brandt they drove over -from Traventhal and spent several days at Ascheberg.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239"></a>[Pg 239]</span></p> - -<p>Rantzau entertained his royal guests with lavish -magnificence, and, favoured by brilliant weather, the -visit was a great success. There was a masque of -flowers one day, there were rustic sports another, -there was a hunting party on a third, and banquets -every evening. The Queen took the first place -at all the festivities (the King had ceased to be -of account), and the splendour of her entertainment -at Ascheberg recalled Elizabeth’s famous visit -to Leicester at Kenilworth. Though Rantzau was -fifty-three years of age, he was still a very handsome -man, a born courtier, an exquisite beau, -and skilled in all the arts of pleasing women. -Had he been ten years younger he might have -tried to eclipse Struensee in the Queen’s favour, -but he was a cynical and shrewd observer, and saw -that any such attempt was foredoomed to failure, so -he contented himself with offering the most flattering -homage to the young Queen. As a return for -his sumptuous hospitality, Matilda gave Rantzau -her husband’s gold snuff-box set with diamonds, -which Christian had bought in London for one -thousand guineas, and as a further mark of her -favour, the Queen presented colours to the regiment -at Glückstadt, commanded by Rantzau, of which -she became honorary colonel. The presentation of -these colours was made the occasion of a military -pageant, and the court painter, Als, received commands -to paint the Queen in her uniform as colonel. -This picture was presented to Rantzau as a souvenir.</p> - -<p>The royal favours heaped upon Rantzau filled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240"></a>[Pg 240]</span> -the Russian party with dismay. The visit to -Ascheberg had a political significance, which was -emphasised by the Queen’s known resentment of -Russian dictation. One of the Russian envoys, -Saldern, had brought about the dismissal of her chief -lady-in-waiting; another, Filosofow, had publicly -affronted her favourite. The Queen neither forgot -nor forgave. Woodford writes at this time: “Her -Danish Majesty, formerly piqued at M. de Saldern’s -conduct, and condescending at present to show little -management for the Russian party, they are using -every indirect influence to keep themselves in -place”.<a name="FNanchor_131_131" id="FNanchor_131_131"></a><a href="#Footnote_131_131" class="fnanchor">[131]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_131_131" id="Footnote_131_131"></a><a href="#FNanchor_131_131"><span class="label">[131]</span></a> Woodford’s despatch to Lord Rochford, Hamburg, July 20, -1770.</p></div> - -<p>The defeat of the Russian party would involve -necessarily the fall of Bernstorff, who, more than -any other Danish minister, had identified himself -with Russia. He was greatly perturbed at the -visit to Ascheberg, which had been undertaken without -consulting him. After the King and Queen -returned to Traventhal the Prime Minister was -treated even more rudely than before; he was no -longer honoured with the royal invitation to dinner, -but had to eat his meals in his own room, while -Struensee and his creatures revelled below. The object -of these slights was to force Bernstorff to resign, -but he still clung to office, and strove by all possible -means to mitigate the anti-Russian policy of the -Queen and her advisers. To obtain private audience -of the King was impossible, though he was living<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241"></a>[Pg 241]</span> -under the same roof. Bernstorff therefore drew up -a memorandum, addressed to the King, in which -he forcibly pointed out the displeasure with which -Russia would view Rantzau’s appointment to any -office, not only because of his well-known opposition -to the territorial exchange, but because he was -personally objectionable to the Empress, who would -resent his promotion as an insult. Bernstorff’s -memorandum was read by Struensee and the Queen, -and though it made no difference to their policy, -yet, as Struensee did not wish to imperil the exchange, -he made Rantzau promise not to meddle -further in this matter.<a name="FNanchor_132_132" id="FNanchor_132_132"></a><a href="#Footnote_132_132" class="fnanchor">[132]</a> Rantzau gave the required -promise, which was duly communicated to Bernstorff, -and with this negative assurance he had to -be content.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_132_132" id="Footnote_132_132"></a><a href="#FNanchor_132_132"><span class="label">[132]</span></a> Though the treaty was signed in 1768, the actual exchange of -territory between Russia and Denmark was not carried out until -some years later. The original understanding was that it should -wait until the Grand Duke Paul attained his majority and gave it -his sanction.</p></div> - -<p>The King and Queen remained at Traventhal -nearly a month in seclusion. The Queen was left -without any of her ladies, and nearly the whole of -the King’s suite had gone too. Except for Bernstorff, -who was kept that Struensee might have an -eye on him, the King and Queen were surrounded -only by the favourite and his creatures. At Traventhal -Struensee was very busy maturing his plans. -In concert with Rantzau and General Gahler, an -officer of some eminence who had been given a -post in the royal household, Struensee discussed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242"></a>[Pg 242]</span> -the steps that were to be taken for overthrowing -Bernstorff and the other ministers, and reforming -the administration. There is nothing to show that -the Queen took a leading part in these discussions, -though she was of course consulted as a matter of -form. Unlike her mother, the Princess-Dowager -of Wales, or her grandmother, the illustrious -Caroline, Matilda cared nothing for politics for their -own sake, but she liked to have the semblance of -power, and was jealous of her privileges as the -reigning Queen. When she had a personal grievance -against a minister, as against Bernstorff, she -wished him removed, and when she was thwarted -by a foreign influence, as in the case of Russia, she -wished that influence broken; but otherwise it was -a matter of indifference to her who filled the chief -offices of state, or whether France or Russia reigned -supreme at Copenhagen. Her good heart made -her keenly solicitous for the welfare of her people, -and some of the social reforms carried out by -Struensee may have had their origin with the -Queen; but for affairs of state in the larger sense -Matilda cared nothing, and she lent herself blindly to -abetting Struensee’s policy in all things. In complete -abandonment she placed her hands beneath -his feet and let him do with her as he would. Her -birth as Princess of Great Britain, her rank as Queen -of Denmark and Norway, her beauty, her talents, -her popularity, were valued by her only as means -whereby she might advance Struensee and his -schemes.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243"></a>[Pg 243]</span></p> - -<p>Rumours of the amazing state of affairs at the -Danish court reached England in the spring of -1770, and before long George III. and the Princess-Dowager -of Wales were acquainted with the sudden -rise of Struensee, and the extraordinary favour -shown to him by the Queen. They also heard of the -check which Russia had received at Copenhagen, -and the probability of Bernstorff (who was regarded -as the friend of England) being hurled from power -to make room for the ambitious adventurer. Too -late George III. may have felt a twinge of remorse -for having married his sister against her will to a -profligate and foolish prince, and sent her, without -a friend in the world, to encounter the perils and -temptations of a strange court in a far-off land. -Moreover, the political object for which Matilda -had been sacrificed had signally failed. The marriage -had in no way advanced English interests in -the north. Russia and France had benefited by -it, but England not at all. Now there seemed a -probability that, with the fall of the Russian influence -at Copenhagen, France, the enemy of England, -would again be in the ascendant there. Both personal -and political reasons therefore made it desirable -that some remonstrance should be addressed to -the Queen of Denmark by her brother of England. -The matter was of too delicate and difficult a nature -to be dealt with satisfactorily by letter, and there was -the fear that Struensee might intercept the King’s -letter to the Queen. Even if he did not venture -thus far, he would be sure to learn its contents and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244"></a>[Pg 244]</span> -seek to counteract its influence. In this difficulty -George III. took counsel with his mother, with the -result that on June 9, 1770, the Dowager-Princess -of Wales set out from Carlton House for the -Continent. It was announced that she was going -to pay a visit to her daughter Augusta, Hereditary -Princess of Brunswick.</p> - -<p>Royal journeys were not very frequent in these -days, and as this was the first time the Princess-Dowager -had quitted England since her marriage -many years ago, her sudden departure gave rise -to the wildest conjectures. It was generally believed -that she was going to meet Lord Bute, -who was still wandering in exile about Europe; -some said that she was going to bring him back to -England for the purpose of fresh intrigue; others -that she was not returning to England at all, but -meant to spend the rest of her life with Bute in -an Italian palace. Against these absurd rumours -was to be set the fact that the Duke of Gloucester -accompanied his mother, and more charitable persons -supposed that she was trying to break off his <i>liaison</i> -with Lady Waldegrave, for their secret marriage -had not yet been published. Some declared that -the Princess-Dowager and Queen Charlotte had -had a battle royal, in which the mother-in-law had -been signally routed, and was leaving the country -to cover her confusion. Others, and this seemed -the most probable conjecture, thought that she was -going abroad for a little time to escape the scandal -which had been brought upon the royal family by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245"></a>[Pg 245]</span> -her youngest son, Henry Frederick, Duke of Cumberland.</p> - -<a name="i244" id="i244"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> -<img src="images/page244.jpg" width="600" height="761" alt="Augusta, Princess of Wales, mother of Queen Matilda." /> -<div class="caption">AUGUSTA, PRINCESS OF WALES, MOTHER OF QUEEN MATILDA.<br /><i>After a Painting by J. B. Vanloo.</i></div> -</div> - -<p>The Duke of Cumberland was the least amiable -of the sons of Frederick Prince of Wales. Physically -and mentally he was a degenerate. Walpole -pictures him as a garrulous, dissipated and impudent -youth, vulgarly boasting his rank, yet with a marked -predilection for low society. Unfortunately he did -not confine himself to it, but betrayed to her ruin a -young and beautiful woman of rank, the Countess -Grosvenor, daughter of Henry Vernon and wife -of Richard, first Earl Grosvenor. Lord Grosvenor -discovered the intrigue, and brought an action of -divorce in which the Duke of Cumberland figured -as co-respondent. For the first time in England -a prince of the blood appeared in the divorce court, -and, what was worse, cut a supremely ridiculous and -contemptible figure in it. Several of the Duke’s -letters to the Lady Grosvenor were read in court, -and were so grossly ill-spelt and illiterate that they -were greeted with shouts of derision, and furnished -eloquent comment upon the education of the King’s -brother.<a name="FNanchor_133_133" id="FNanchor_133_133"></a><a href="#Footnote_133_133" class="fnanchor">[133]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_133_133" id="Footnote_133_133"></a><a href="#FNanchor_133_133"><span class="label">[133]</span></a> Lord Grosvenor got his divorce, and the jury awarded him -£10,000 damages, which the Duke had great difficulty in paying, and -George III., much to his disgust, had to arrange for settlement -to avoid a further scandal. So base a creature was this royal -Lothario that he abandoned to her shame the woman whom he had -betrayed, and scarcely had the verdict been pronounced than he -began another disreputable intrigue.</p></div> - -<p>It was easy to imagine, had there been no other -reason, that the Princess-Dowager of Wales would be -glad to be out of England while these proceedings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246"></a>[Pg 246]</span> -were being made public. The King, who lived a -virtuous and sober life, and his intensely respectable -Queen Charlotte, were scandalised beyond measure -at these revelations, and the possibility of another, -and even worse, scandal maturing in Denmark filled -them with dismay. At present the secret was well -kept in England. Whatever the English envoy -might write in private despatches, or Prince Charles -of Hesse retail through his mother, or the Princess -Augusta transmit from Brunswick respecting the -indiscretions of Matilda, no whisper was heard in -England at this time, outside the inner circle of the -royal family. Therefore all the conjectures as to -the reason of the Princess-Dowager’s visit to the -Continent were wide of the mark. The real motive -of her journey was not even hinted.</p> - -<p>The Princess-Dowager was hooted as she drove -through the streets of Canterbury on her way to -Dover, and so great was her unpopularity that it -was rumoured that London would be illuminated -in honour of her departure. The Princess, as announced, -travelled first to Brunswick, where she was -received by her daughter Augusta and the rest of -the ducal family with honour and affection. It was -arranged that the King and Queen of Denmark, -who were then at Traventhal, should also journey to -Brunswick and join the family circle. Everything -was prepared for their coming, the town was decorated -and a programme of festivities drawn up, -when suddenly the Grand Marshal of the King of -Denmark arrived at Brunswick with the news that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247"></a>[Pg 247]</span> -the Queen was ill, and unable to travel so far. That -Matilda’s illness was feigned there can be little -doubt, for she was well enough the next day to go -out hunting as usual with Struensee by her side, and -in the evening she played cards until midnight. The -incident showed how greatly the Queen had changed, -for Matilda’s family affections were strong, and -under other circumstances she would have been -overjoyed at the prospect of meeting her mother after -years of separation, and seeing again her favourite -sister Augusta. But Struensee knew that the journey -of the Princess-Dowager boded no good to his plans, -and persuaded the Queen to offer this affront to her -mother.</p> - -<p>The Princess-Dowager, who had a shrewd idea -of the nature of her daughter’s illness, was not to -be outwitted in this way, and she proposed a meeting -at Lüneburg, a town situated between Celle and -Hamburg, in the electorate of Hanover. Lüneburg -was much nearer Traventhal than Brunswick, and -Matilda could not excuse herself on the ground -of the length of the journey. If she made that -pretext, the Princess-Dowager proposed to come to -Traventhal, where she might have seen more than -it was desirable for her to see. So Struensee made -the Queen choose what he thought was the lesser -evil, and write to her mother that she would meet -her at Lüneburg; but he was careful to deprive the -visit of every mark of ceremony, and to make it as -brief as possible.</p> - -<p>The King and Queen of Denmark arrived at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248"></a>[Pg 248]</span> -Lüneburg late in the evening, attended only by -Struensee and Warnstedt, who were seated in the -coach with them. Matilda did not bring with her -a lady-in-waiting, and one coach only followed with -a couple of servants and some luggage. There was -no palace at Lüneburg, and the King and Queen -lodged for the night in one of the fine Renaissance -houses in the main street of the old town. The -interview between the Princess-Dowager and her -daughter took place that same evening, late though -it was. Struensee was present in the room the -whole time, though the Princess-Dowager pointedly -ignored him. She addressed her daughter in English, -of which she knew Struensee was ignorant, -but to her anger and surprise Matilda pretended -to have forgotten it, and she answered always in -German that Struensee might understand. Under -these circumstances the conversation was necessarily -constrained and formal; the Princess-Dowager -did not conceal her displeasure, and retired to -bed discomfited.</p> - -<p>The next morning at eleven o’clock she sent -for her daughter again, and this time succeeded in -having a talk with her alone. What passed between -them cannot certainly be known, but its import was -generally guessed. The Princess-Dowager was said -to have told her daughter that the dismissal of -Bernstorff would be much regretted by George III., -as he had always been a friend of England and -its royal family, and it would, moreover, be disastrous -to Denmark. Whereupon the Queen haughtily<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249"></a>[Pg 249]</span> -rejoined: “Pray, madam, allow me to govern my -kingdom as I please”. The Princess, annoyed -by this want of respect, unmasked her batteries -forthwith, and roundly scolded her daughter for -the extraordinary favours she gave to Struensee. -Matilda at first would not listen, but when her -mother persisted, and declared that her conduct -would end in disgrace and ruin, she retorted -with an allusion to the supposed <i>liaison</i> between -her mother and Lord Bute, which wounded the -Princess past forgiveness. The interview only -widened the breach. As a matter of form the King -had invited his mother-in-law to Copenhagen, but -the invitation was now curtly refused. The Princess -saw that she could do no good, and she did not -care to countenance by her presence a state of affairs -of which she did not approve. The King and -Queen of Denmark left Lüneburg in the afternoon, -the Princess a few hours later; mother and daughter -parted in anger, and they never met again.</p> - -<p>Struensee must have felt a great sense of relief -when the King of Denmark’s coach rolled out of -Lüneburg on the way back to Altona. He had -dreaded the meeting between the Queen and her -mother, and had striven to prevent it by every means -in his power. But when that was no longer possible, -he had long and anxious consultations with the -Queen, and prompted her how she was to act and -what she was to say. Even so he could not be -quite sure of the line the Princess-Dowager might -take. If she had spoken to her daughter gently,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250"></a>[Pg 250]</span> -reasoned with her, pleaded with her in love, and -appealed to her with tears, she might have had -some effect, for Matilda was very warm-hearted and -impressionable. But these were not the stern -Princess’s methods; she had been accustomed to -command her children, and her haughty, overbearing -tone and contemptuous reproaches stung the spirited -young Queen to the quick, and made her resent -what she called her mother’s unjust suspicions and -unwarrantable interference. So the result was all -that Struensee wished. Woodford, who had been -commanded by George III. to attend the Princess-Dowager -during her stay in Lüneburg, writes in a -despatch of “the agitation that was visible in Mr. -Struensee upon his arrival first at Lüneburg, and -the joy that could be seen in his countenance as -the moment of departure approached”.<a name="FNanchor_134_134" id="FNanchor_134_134"></a><a href="#Footnote_134_134" class="fnanchor">[134]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_134_134" id="Footnote_134_134"></a><a href="#FNanchor_134_134"><span class="label">[134]</span></a> Woodford’s despatch to Lord Rochford, marked “private,” -Hamburg, August 21, 1770.</p></div> - -<p>Struensee now felt that the time was ripe for him -to come forward as the exponent of a new foreign -policy for Denmark, and as the reformer of internal -abuses. He was no longer the doctor, but the -councillor and adviser of the Crown. He had -flouted Russia and prevailed against the influence -of England. What power was there to withstand -him?</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251"></a>[Pg 251]</span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> - -<p class="center">THE FALL OF BERNSTORFF.</p> - -<p class="center">1770.</p> - - -<p>The King and Queen of Denmark travelled from -Lüneburg direct to Copenhagen. During the short -stay of the court in the capital the Queen showed -herself much in public, and sought in all ways -to impress her personality upon the people. She -drove every day about the streets in a state coach, -attended by an escort of guards; the King was -always by her side, and his presence was intended -to give the lie to many sinister rumours. Apparently -the royal couple were living together in -the utmost harmony and the King had complete -confidence in his Queen. Together they attended -the Copenhagen shooting festival, an honour which -had not been bestowed on the citizens for a hundred -years, and were most gracious in their demeanour, -especially the Queen, who was all bows and smiles. -Matilda further gratified the assembly by firing a -shot herself, and inducing the King to follow her -example. The Queen hit the popinjay, but Christian -missed it badly. Matilda gained considerable popularity -from the crowd by this exhibition of her skill, -but the more sober-minded citizens were scandalised<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252"></a>[Pg 252]</span> -because she rode on to the ground sitting her horse -like a man, and clad in her masculine riding-habit. -The King rode by her side, but it was jocularly said -that the Queen was “by far the better man of the -two,” which was what exactly she wished to convey. -Certainly the diminutive and feeble Christian looked -a poor creature beside his dashing and Amazonian -wife.</p> - -<p>From Copenhagen the King and Queen went to -Hirschholm, the country palace of the late Queen -Sophia Magdalena, which, since her death, had -been prepared for their use, and henceforth eclipsed -Frederiksborg in the royal favour. Hirschholm -was not so far from the capital as Frederiksborg, -and was situated amid beautiful surroundings. The -palace had been built by Sophia Magdalena on an -island in the middle of a lake. It was very ornate -externally, and one of the most striking features was -a huge gate-tower, which terminated in a pyramid -supported by four lions, couchant and surmounted -by a crown. This gateway gave entrance to a -quadrangular court, round three sides of which -the palace was built. The interior was gorgeous, -and the decorations were so florid as to be almost -grotesque; a profusion of silver, mother-of-pearl and -rock crystal embellished the walls, and the ceilings -and doors were elaborately painted. The south -aspect of the palace looked over the lake to the -beautiful gardens beyond, which were freely adorned -with marble fountains and statuary. In the gardens -was a summer-house, which was used as a temporary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253"></a>[Pg 253]</span> -theatre for the amusement of the Queen and her -court. Beyond the park were shady avenues and -noble forests of beech and pine. In fine weather -Hirschholm was a paradise.<a name="FNanchor_135_135" id="FNanchor_135_135"></a><a href="#Footnote_135_135" class="fnanchor">[135]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_135_135" id="Footnote_135_135"></a><a href="#FNanchor_135_135"><span class="label">[135]</span></a> Hirschholm became the favourite palace of Queen Matilda, and -usurped even Frederiksborg in her favour. It was more associated -than any other palace in Denmark with her love for Struensee. -Perhaps because of this her son, Frederick VI., when he came to -the throne, razed the palace to the ground. Not a trace of it now -remains, but the beautiful woods and surroundings of Hirschholm -still exist, and even to-day is pointed out the “Lovers’ walk,” where -the Queen and Struensee used to pace side by side, and the summer-house -where they sat, and spoke of all their hopes and fears.</p></div> - -<p>At Hirschholm the Queen made appointments -in her household to fill the places of Madame -von der Lühe, Fräulein von Eyben and others -dismissed at Traventhal. The Queen’s chief ladies -were now Madame Gahler, Baroness Bülow and -Countess Holstein. They were three young, beautiful -and lively women, not too strict in their conduct, -and the husbands of all, needless to say, were -friends of Struensee. Madame Gahler was the wife -of General Gahler, who held high place in the -councils of Traventhal. Baron Bülow was the -Master of Horse, and Count Holstein held a post -about the King. The Queen had always fretted -under the stiff etiquette of the Danish court; now, -at the suggestion of Struensee, she dispensed with -it altogether, except on public occasions. The result -was that the manners of the court at Hirschholm -became so lax and unceremonious that it hardly -seemed to be a court at all. Some show of deference -was kept up towards the King, but the Queen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254"></a>[Pg 254]</span> -was treated with great familiarity, evidently at her -own wish, and in Struensee’s case this familiarity -sometimes degenerated into positive rudeness. The -ladies and gentlemen of the royal household laughed -and joked and flirted as they pleased, without any -restraint, in the presence of the Queen, scrambled -for places at her table, and quarrelled violently over -cards. Even Rantzau was surprised at the conduct -at Hirschholm. “When I was a wild young man,” -he said, “everybody at court was apparently respectable, -except myself. Now that I am old, and obliged -to be more careful, every one about the court has -gone mad.”</p> - -<p>The court at Hirschholm was conducted on a -scale of luxury, and on occasion with ceremonial -magnificence. The King and Queen dined frequently -in public in the grand saloon, and were -served on bended knee by pages; the marshal of -the palace sat at one end of the table, the Queen’s -chief lady at the other, their Majesties in the middle -on one side, and the guests honoured with the royal -command opposite them. The King was a poor -and insignificant figure, and rarely uttered a word; -but the Queen, who dressed beautifully, made a -grand appearance, and delighted everybody with her -lively conversation. Matilda had wit and vivacity, -though during her early years in Denmark she had -perforce to curb her social qualities; now she gave -them full play, and the King gazed at her in silent -astonishment and admiration. A table of eighty -covers was also laid every day in the adjoining<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255"></a>[Pg 255]</span> -“Chamber of the Rose” for the foreign envoys and -great officers of state (if any happened to be present) -and the court officials. At this table Struensee, -Brandt and the other ladies and gentlemen of the -household generally dined, though the favourite was -frequently commanded to the King’s table, and might -have dined there every day if he had wished. But -he generally preferred to hold a little court of his -own in the “Chamber of the Rose,” and most of -those present paid him far more homage than they -paid the King. Struensee accepted it all as a matter -of course; his head was already turned by his success, -and indeed it was enough to turn any man’s head. -Only two years before he had been in an obscure -position, crippled with debt, and seriously thinking -of quitting the country to repair his fortunes; now -he was the all-powerful favourite of a Queen, and -could make and unmake ministers as he would. -Nothing was done without his consent, and the -removal of the court from the capital to Hirschholm -was dictated by him from reasons which the English -envoy shrewdly guessed at the time:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“Among other reasons assigned for this retreat,” -writes Gunning, “one is said to be the desire of -eluding the scrutiny of the public eye, which affects -to penetrate somewhat further than is imagined to -be [desirable]. Another cause of this retirement is -supposed to be their Danish Majesties’ resolution -of continuing inaccessible (which they have been for -some time) to everybody except M<sup>r</sup> Rantzau and -the Favourite. And that, if certain dismissions are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256"></a>[Pg 256]</span> -resolved upon, they may be effected with greater -secrecy. M<sup>r</sup> Bernstorff tells me that M<sup>r</sup> Rantzau -has frequent conferences with the French minister. -He [Bernstorff] is more alarmed than he has ever -yet appeared to be, but nevertheless seems willing -to fortify himself with the favourable conclusions -afforded by the levity and dissipation which mark -the character of his adversaries, and builds upon the -unanimity of the Council, which I hope is firmly -grounded. He thinks, however, that while the influence -prevails, irreparable mischief may be done, -and he is at length convinced of a truth I wished -him long since to have believed, namely—that which -has been transacting is more than a court intrigue, -and that [the Favourite] was the cause of all its -movements.”<a name="FNanchor_136_136" id="FNanchor_136_136"></a><a href="#Footnote_136_136" class="fnanchor">[136]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_136_136" id="Footnote_136_136"></a><a href="#FNanchor_136_136"><span class="label">[136]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, September 8, 1770.</p></div> - -<p>Bernstorff was not long left in suspense as to his -future. Struensee had now matured his plans and -was ready to strike. Bernstorff was the first to go. -Soon after the court arrived at Hirschholm the King -was prevailed upon, without much difficulty, to write -his Prime Minister an autograph letter in which he -informed him that, as he intended to make changes -in his system of government, he no longer required -his services. He therefore dismissed him with a -pension of 6,000 dollars a year, but gave him leave -to retain his seat on the council. Bernstorff was -seated at his desk in the foreign office when this -letter was brought to him by a King’s messenger -from Hirschholm; he read its contents in silence, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257"></a>[Pg 257]</span> -then turned to one of his secretaries and said: “I -am dismissed from office. May the Almighty guide -this country and its King.”</p> - -<p>Bernstorff fell with great dignity. He replied to -the King saying “that he accepted his pleasure with -all submission, but begged leave to join the resignation -of his seat on the council to that of his other -employments”.<a name="FNanchor_137_137" id="FNanchor_137_137"></a><a href="#Footnote_137_137" class="fnanchor">[137]</a> He accepted the pension, but how -beggarly a reward it was for his long years of service -was shown by comparison with that assigned to Count -St. Germains, a friend of Struensee and Rantzau, -who had been granted 14,000 dollars annually after -only three years of office. Count Bernstorff had -grown grey in the service of the state, and had -sacrificed a large portion of his private fortune in -the cause of his adopted country. His great achievement -as Prime Minister was the treaty effecting the -territorial exchange with Russia; for that alone he -deserved the gratitude of Denmark. He had his -faults, but he was a man of honourable and upright -character, virtuous in private life, and in public -matters earnestly desirous of the welfare of the state. -Bernstorff’s fall called forth loud expressions of regret, -not only from the most considerable people in Denmark, -but from many foreign courts. Especially was -this the case with the court of St. James’s.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_137_137" id="Footnote_137_137"></a><a href="#FNanchor_137_137"><span class="label">[137]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, September 18, 1770.</p></div> - -<p>On the return of the Princess-Dowager to -England with the news of her fruitless mission, and -on receipt of Gunning’s despatches, specifying the -changes likely to take place in the Danish Govern<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258"></a>[Pg 258]</span>ment, -George III. resolved to write a private letter -to his sister, appealing to her directly, and urging -her, whatever she did, not to part with Bernstorff, -who had shown himself zealous of his country’s -welfare, and who was, moreover, a friend of England -and its royal house. But this letter arrived too late; -it reached Copenhagen a week after Bernstorff’s -dismissal. It was enclosed in a private despatch -from Lord Rochford to the English envoy, with -orders that he was to deliver it into the Queen’s own -hand. Gunning thereupon set out at once for Hirschholm -“to force the entrenchments,” to quote his -own phrase; but the Queen, who probably guessed -his errand, would not see him. “On my arrival -there,” writes Gunning, “I had the mortification to -find that her Majesty was so much indisposed by a -fresh attack of cholick as to render my admission to -her impracticable. It not being, therefore, in my -power to present the King’s letter myself, I took -care to have it safely conveyed to her Danish -Majesty, who commanded her Grand Master to -tell me that I should be informed when she had any -orders for me.”<a name="FNanchor_138_138" id="FNanchor_138_138"></a><a href="#Footnote_138_138" class="fnanchor">[138]</a> But Matilda had no orders for the -English envoy, and when she wrote to her brother -of England, it was to tell him that Bernstorff had -already been dismissed, and if he wished to write to -her in future about political matters in Denmark, -she would be obliged if he would send his communications -to her through her ministers. How George -III. received this rebuff is not related.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_138_138" id="Footnote_138_138"></a><a href="#FNanchor_138_138"><span class="label">[138]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, September 22, 1770.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259"></a>[Pg 259]</span></p></div> - -<p>Bernstorff’s dismissal was followed by that of -several other ministers. Men who had grown old -in the service of the state were suddenly deprived of -their portfolios, and sweeping changes took place in -the <i>personnel</i> of the Government. Several important -political appointments were made while the court was -at Hirschholm. General Gahler, who was avowedly -the friend of France, and had spent many years of -his life in the French service, was appointed head -of the War Department. He did not possess any -great military knowledge, and owed his promotion -largely to his wife, who was a friend of the Queen. -Gunning described him as “a smooth, designing, -self-interested man, submissive, cool, deliberate and -timid,”<a name="FNanchor_139_139" id="FNanchor_139_139"></a><a href="#Footnote_139_139" class="fnanchor">[139]</a> and Keith wrote of him later as “dark, -intriguing and ungrateful”.<a name="FNanchor_140_140" id="FNanchor_140_140"></a><a href="#Footnote_140_140" class="fnanchor">[140]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_139_139" id="Footnote_139_139"></a><a href="#FNanchor_139_139"><span class="label">[139]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, April 4, 1771.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_140_140" id="Footnote_140_140"></a><a href="#FNanchor_140_140"><span class="label">[140]</span></a> Keith’s despatch, Copenhagen, November 18, 1771.</p></div> - -<p>Bernstorff had united the office of Prime Minister -with that of Foreign Secretary. The first of these -posts, with amplified powers, Struensee reserved for -himself, but he did not at once formally assume it. -Rantzau was understood to desire the Foreign -Office, and his ambition placed Struensee and the -Queen in a position of great difficulty. Rantzau’s -violent hostility to Russia, and his rash and mercurial -temperament, made this appointment impossible. -Denmark would probably be embroiled in war in -a week. On the other hand, he had rendered -great services to Struensee; he was powerful in -Holstein, and dangerous to offend. Struensee<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260"></a>[Pg 260]</span> -compromised the matter by giving Rantzau the -second place in the War Department. Rantzau -took it under protest, and never forgave the affront. -From that time he was the secret enemy of Struensee -and the Queen, and only waited for an opportunity -to wreck them. It would have been a mistake to -send him to the Foreign Office, but it was a greater -one to place him in a subordinate post, and showed -a strange lack of judgment on the part of the -Queen and Struensee. It did not satisfy him, and -it gave him opportunity to betray the secrets of the -Government.</p> - -<p>Struensee sought to conciliate Rantzau by paying -the most flattering attention to his opinions, and it -was at Rantzau’s suggestion that Colonel Falckenskjold -was recalled from the Russian service and -entrusted with the reform of the Danish army. -Falckenskjold was a Dane of noble family, and had -fought with distinction in the French service during -the Seven Years’ War; subsequently he entered -the service of Russia. He was a man of upright -character, but poor and ambitious. It was the prospect -of power that induced him, in an evil hour, to -accept an appointment at Struensee’s hands. “His -views of aggrandisement are said to be boundless,” -wrote Gunning.<a name="FNanchor_141_141" id="FNanchor_141_141"></a><a href="#Footnote_141_141" class="fnanchor">[141]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_141_141" id="Footnote_141_141"></a><a href="#FNanchor_141_141"><span class="label">[141]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, April 4, 1771.</p></div> - -<p>Brandt was given several lucrative court appointments, -but he neither asked nor received any -post in the Government. Gunning thus summed -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261"></a>[Pg 261]</span>him up: “M<sup>r</sup> Brandt, the King of Denmark’s -favourite, seems to be too light and insignificant -to deserve mention in a political light; he is considered -by the others as a sort of dragon which -they have planted within the precincts of the -court to stop the avenues to the throne”.<a name="FNanchor_142_142" id="FNanchor_142_142"></a><a href="#Footnote_142_142" class="fnanchor">[142]</a> Keith -declared him to be “naturally rash, turbulent and -waspish”.<a name="FNanchor_143_143" id="FNanchor_143_143"></a><a href="#Footnote_143_143" class="fnanchor">[143]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_142_142" id="Footnote_142_142"></a><a href="#FNanchor_142_142"><span class="label">[142]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, April 4, 1771.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_143_143" id="Footnote_143_143"></a><a href="#FNanchor_143_143"><span class="label">[143]</span></a> Keith’s despatch, Copenhagen, November 18, 1771.</p></div> - -<p>These were the principal men Struensee chose -to help him in governing the internal affairs of the -kingdom, in place of the experienced statesmen -whom he had evicted to make room for them. They -were none of them first-class men, but they were -the best available. Statesmen of credit and renown -held aloof from Struensee, and would not have -accepted office at his hands. Neither did he seek -them, for the men he wanted were not colleagues -but creatures, who would carry out his bidding. He -had now complete control of the situation, and was -already in fact invested with autocratic power. -Although nominally only <i>lecteur du roi</i>, he read all -letters that came to the King, and answered them in -the King’s name as he thought best, the King doing -whatever the Queen advised him, and signing all the -documents laid before him by Struensee. In order -to gather power still more into his hands, Struensee -caused Christian to issue a rescript to the heads of -departments of the state requesting them henceforth -to send all communications to the King in writing, -and the King would answer them in the same way.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262"></a>[Pg 262]</span> -Audiences between the King and his ministers were -hereby abolished.</p> - -<p>Struensee followed up this rescript by an attack -upon the Council of State, still nominally the governing -body. Soon after Bernstorff’s dismissal a royal -decree was issued, limiting the power of the council -and increasing the King’s prerogative. The King -wished—so the message ran—to have the Council -of State organised in the best manner. He therefore -requested that the councillors, at their meetings in -future, should duly weigh and consider all the business -laid before them, but leave the final decision to the -King. Their object was not to govern, but to -afford the King assistance in governing. The King, -therefore, would have them remember that there -must be no encroachment on the sovereign power, -which was vested wholly in the King.</p> - -<p>These changes caused great excitement among -the official classes and the nobility. The government -of the kingdom had hitherto been in the hands -of an oligarchy, which was recruited solely from the -nobility and their dependents. By this last decree -the King intended to strip the nobility of their privileges -and power. But the King was known to be -a figurehead, and therefore the resentment aroused -by these changes was directed, not against him but -against the Queen. Struensee was still working -behind the Queen, and therefore, though he was -known to have great influence, the malcontents -made the Queen the first object of their resentment. -The hostility felt against Matilda for the revolution<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263"></a>[Pg 263]</span>ary -policy now inaugurated was especially bitter -amongst the old nobility, many of whom, notably -Count Reventlow, had formerly been her friends. -Reventlow communicated his anger to Gunning, -who wrote in haste to Lord Rochford. He saw in -the present confusion an opportunity for English -influence to be re-established in Copenhagen, and, -ignorant of the rebuff the King had received from -his sister a few weeks before, he urged his old -expedient that George III. should write a private -letter to Queen Matilda.</p> - -<blockquote><p>“Both Count Reventlow and everybody ascribe -[these new measures] without scruple to the Queen -of Denmark,” he writes, “<i>whose power is affirmed -to be unlimited, and on whose will all depends</i>. If -these assertions are not made without reason, your -Lordship will judge how much those persons who -are honoured with her Danish Majesty’s confidence -have misrepresented the state of affairs to her, in -order to make her consent to what is so evidently -against the system this court has some time adopted. -Should the preservation of it be thought worthy of -the King’s (George III.’s) attention, your Lordship -will, I am sure, think it necessary that the Queen -of Denmark should be made acquainted with his -Majesty’s sentiments on this important point as soon -as possible, and before the Prince Royal of Sweden -comes here, which under the present circumstances -will be most effectually done (if I may humbly presume -to offer my opinion) by a private letter from -his Majesty to the Queen his sister. It is not to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264"></a>[Pg 264]</span> -doubted but that this would have great weight; and -should it either procure the reinstatement of Count -Bernstorff (whose indubitable attachment to the -King’s person and family gives him a claim on his -Majesty’s protection), or till such time as this could -be more easily effected, prevent any extension of -the present influence, it would soon give his Majesty -(George III.) as great an ascendency here as the -court of Petersburg has had, and which, were it conducted -in a more moderate and judicious manner, -would not be liable to the same reverse. It is -not, however, impracticable for the latter [the court -of Petersburg] still to prevent the defection of this -court, but it must be by different and harsher -methods than those (it is hoped) his Majesty has -occasion to take.”<a name="FNanchor_144_144" id="FNanchor_144_144"></a><a href="#Footnote_144_144" class="fnanchor">[144]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_144_144" id="Footnote_144_144"></a><a href="#FNanchor_144_144"><span class="label">[144]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, October 6, 1770.</p></div> - -<p>It is unlikely that George III., who was still -smarting under the affront Queen Matilda offered to -his last communication, acted on his envoy’s suggestion. -Neither his brotherly remonstrances nor “the -different and harsher methods” of the court of St. -Petersburg would have had any effect on the Queen -of Denmark. She was entirely under Struensee’s -influence, and did whatever he wished, and in this -case their wishes were identical. Nothing would -have induced her to recall Bernstorff, against whom -she had a grievance, and she had suffered so much -from the meddlesome interference of the Russian -envoys that she was determined to stop it at all -hazards.</p> - -<a name="i264" id="i264"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> -<img src="images/page264.jpg" width="600" height="767" alt="George III., brother of Queen Matilda." /> -<div class="caption">GEORGE III., BROTHER OF QUEEN MATILDA.<br /><i>From a Painting by Allan Ramsay (1767) in the National Portrait Gallery.</i></div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265"></a>[Pg 265]</span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> - -<p class="center">QUEEN AND EMPRESS.</p> - -<p class="center">1770-1771.</p> - - -<p>The keynote of Struensee’s foreign policy was to -free Denmark from outside interference, and the -greatest offender in this respect was Russia. The -inauguration of the new regime, therefore, was -the occasion of a violent quarrel with the Russian -court, to which a personal element gave additional -bitterness. Russia at this time meant Catherine the -Great, for the imperious Empress gathered all the -reins of government, both foreign and domestic, in -her hands. She had come to regard the King of -Denmark as almost her vassal, and her first instinct -was to crush any signs of revolt against her -influence. The Empress was minutely informed of -the changes at the Danish court and the causes -which had led to them. She knew all about the -intrigue between Matilda and Struensee. But she -had no sympathy with the young Queen of Denmark, -whose career, in some respects, offered a curious -parallel to her own. Like Matilda, Catherine had -been brought from a foreign country, when little -more than a child, and married to a weak and vicious -prince, in whose character there was a strain of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266"></a>[Pg 266]</span> -madness; like Matilda, she had been left alone in a -strange and dissolute court, outraged and neglected -by her husband, ignored and set aside, and exposed -to every temptation. Catherine had found consolation -in a lover, and plotted with him and others. -The outcome of her intrigues was the deposition and -subsequent murder of her husband, and the Empress’s -elevation to the sovereign power. Rumour -said that she was privy to the assassination, but that -must always remain a mystery. Of course, before -this point had been reached the parallel between -the two women ended, for Matilda, though she had -undoubtedly intrigued with Struensee to get the -power into her own hands, was not of the same -calibre as Catherine. She was incapable of either -her crimes or her vices; she had neither her soaring -ambitions nor her consummate powers of statecraft. -Though a woman of more than average ability, she -had none of the genius of the Russian Empress; -and her heart would always hinder her from playing -a great part upon the world’s stage.</p> - -<p>The weakness of Matilda’s position was her love -for Struensee. At first she wished him to take no -part in politics. “If Struensee had taken my advice, -and had not become a minister, it would have been -much better,” she said, two years later in bitter retrospect, -but he overruled her in this as in all else. -Everything he did was right in her eyes, and though -she sometimes trembled at the perilous path he was -treading, when he talked to her of his future policy -and his sweeping reforms she believed that he would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267"></a>[Pg 267]</span> -be hailed as the saviour of the country. She could -not see that he was ignorant of statecraft, and made -mistakes which a little forethought would have -avoided, for she worshipped his commanding talents, -and believed him to be a king among men. -The Danish Queen’s all-absorbing passion for one -man was regarded with contempt by the Empress -Catherine. It is needless to say she did not condemn -it from a moral point of view, for she -was a very Messalina in her passions, but because -she considered it a fatal weakness in a Queen who -apparently aspired to reign over her husband’s -kingdom and to inaugurate a new system of policy. -So far from the similarity between the trials of -Catherine’s early married life and the Queen of -Denmark’s sorrows enlisting her sympathy, the -Empress regarded Matilda with dislike, mingled -with contempt. “I have had the opportunity of -seeing the Empress of Russia’s sentiments expressed -in her own handwriting relative to what is passing -in Denmark,” wrote Woodford. “The Empress, in -a letter to her correspondent, of September 24, says -upon the changes in Denmark, ‘that allowances are -always to be made for the follies of youth, but -accompanied with the marks of <i>a bad heart</i> they -excite even a public indignation’.”<a name="FNanchor_145_145" id="FNanchor_145_145"></a><a href="#Footnote_145_145" class="fnanchor">[145]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_145_145" id="Footnote_145_145"></a><a href="#FNanchor_145_145"><span class="label">[145]</span></a> Woodford’s despatch, Hamburg, October 16, 1770.</p></div> - -<p>There was undoubtedly some jealousy mingled -with this dislike of the Empress Catherine for a -woman she had never seen. “The Semiramis of -the North” regarded herself as one to whom the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268"></a>[Pg 268]</span> -ordinary rules of life and conduct did not apply, nor -even the immutable laws of right and wrong. She -was a woman of destiny, a sublime figure, above, -beyond and apart from all meaner mortals. Yet -this foolish Matilda with her <i>bourgeois</i> favourite and -paltry intrigues had presumed to challenge comparison -with one who was incomparable, and even to -imitate her idiosyncrasies. Like Catherine, Matilda -rode astride in masculine attire; like Catherine, she -donned the uniform of a colonel, marched at the -head of her regiment, and fired a musket with unerring -aim. True, Matilda had only one favourite -where Catherine had many, but he was one who -gathered up (in her estimation and his own) the -charm of a Poniatowski, the bravery of an Orloff, -the genius of a Panteomkine, the ardour of a -Korssakof, and the beauty of a Lansköi.<a name="FNanchor_146_146" id="FNanchor_146_146"></a><a href="#Footnote_146_146" class="fnanchor">[146]</a> Struensee -was responsible for this somewhat burlesque imitation -of the Empress; he held before the Queen’s -dazzled eyes the vision of another woman ruling her -people with consummate ability to the admiration -of Europe, and Matilda was weak enough to listen -to his flattery.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_146_146" id="Footnote_146_146"></a><a href="#FNanchor_146_146"><span class="label">[146]</span></a> Favourites of Catherine the Great.</p></div> - -<p>Catherine regarded the attempts of the Queen -of Denmark to follow in her steps as preposterous, -and the anti-Russian policy as impertinent. The -Empress did not at first treat it seriously, but the -limit of this presumptuous folly (in her opinion) was -reached when the news came to St. Petersburg -that her former co-conspirator and later her de<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269"></a>[Pg 269]</span>clared -enemy, Count Rantzau, had been taken into -favour by the Danish court, and given an appointment -in the Government. Then the anger of -Catherine, as Bernstorff predicted, knew no bounds. -She regarded the appointment of Rantzau as an -insult, and sent instructions to Filosofow to represent -her displeasure in the strongest terms to the -court of Copenhagen. Filosofow, who was already -goaded to the point of madness by the humiliations -heaped on him by Struensee, performed his mistress’s -behest with such violence and so many expletives -that the Queen strongly resented his bullying tone, -and his further residence at Copenhagen became -impossible. For this, as the English envoy wrote, -“they [the court of St. Petersburg] will be in a -great measure indebted to their own conduct—disgusting -this court by an open attack on Monsieur -Rantzau, whose character, let his intentions be what -they will, ought to have been too well known to -them to give rise to any great apprehensions”.<a name="FNanchor_147_147" id="FNanchor_147_147"></a><a href="#Footnote_147_147" class="fnanchor">[147]</a> -Filosofow demanded his recall, which was granted, -and before leaving requested a private audience of -the King. But this was refused by Struensee, who -had made up his mind that henceforth foreign envoys -should have no more private audiences with the King -behind his back. Filosofow was told that he could -only see the King at an ordinary court, when he -could take leave of his Majesty. The haughty -Russian replied that his health would not allow -him to be present, and he left Copenhagen without<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270"></a>[Pg 270]</span> -taking leave of any of the royal family. Thus was -Struensee avenged upon his enemy.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_147_147" id="Footnote_147_147"></a><a href="#FNanchor_147_147"><span class="label">[147]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, February 12, 1771.</p></div> - -<p>Gunning rightly regarded the Russian envoy’s -withdrawal from the Danish court as the result of -an intrigue, which had its origin in the insult offered -to Struensee a year before.</p> - -<blockquote><p>“This intrigue,” he wrote, “sprang originally -from an insuperable disgust her Danish Majesty -conceived against the person of M<sup>r</sup> Saldern and -latterly against that of M<sup>r</sup> Filosofow.... The -latter, though a man of great honour and worth, -from a want of sufficient knowledge of the world, -and from being perhaps too sensible of the splendour -and power of the Empress, his mistress, studied not -enough that refinement of behaviour which was to -be expected in a public character, and through -absence and inattention committed a piece of rudeness -on a certain occasion to the Favourite which -his self-love (as indeed the self-love of any other -man might have done) induced him to impute to -design. The wound rankled in his heart, and I -will venture to say the sense of it was not confined -to his own feelings. Her Danish Majesty was -pleased to think much the worse of M<sup>r</sup> Filosofow -for it. In short the affront was never forgiven, and -the second Russian minister became equally, nay, -more, obnoxious to the Queen than the first.”<a name="FNanchor_148_148" id="FNanchor_148_148"></a><a href="#Footnote_148_148" class="fnanchor">[148]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_148_148" id="Footnote_148_148"></a><a href="#FNanchor_148_148"><span class="label">[148]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, April 4, 1771.</p></div> - -<p>Struensee, now that he had gratified his personal -animosity, had no wish to become embroiled in -a war with Russia. He thought that the dispute<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271"></a>[Pg 271]</span> -had gone far enough, and it would be better to -build for the Empress Catherine a golden bridge, -over which she might retreat with dignity from a -position which had become untenable. But unfortunately -for his plans he resolved to conduct the -negotiations himself, for he had not yet appointed a -Foreign Secretary to take the place of Bernstorff. -It was only in the department of foreign affairs that -Struensee found himself at sea, not in regard to his -policy, for his mind was clear as to that, but with -regard to the forms and phrases usually observed -in communications between courts and monarchs. -He had no training for this kind of work, and -until the last two years had no communication, -direct or indirect, with princes and potentates. His -ignorance of forms and etiquette was equalled by -his contempt for them. But it could not be supposed -that the King, his master, was ignorant of these -forms, and since communications with foreign sovereigns -had to be made nominally through him, -errors of this nature revealed either that the King -had not been consulted, or he had not written the -letters issued with his name. Christian VII. perhaps -took a malicious pleasure in Struensee’s ignorance, -or he was too indifferent to correct the glaring errors -in letters signed by him, for many absurd mistakes -occurred.</p> - -<p>Struensee thought that a personal letter from -the King of Denmark would appease the anger of -Catherine, and he therefore drew up one of these -strange documents which purported to come from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272"></a>[Pg 272]</span> -Christian. But he was so ignorant of the ordinary -usage that he began it “Madame” instead of -“Madame my sister,” and ended as though it had -come from a subject, “I have the honour to be, -Madame, your Imperial Majesty’s very humble and -obedient servant,” a preposterous ending to a letter -from one sovereign to another. The letter contained -a good deal of irrelevant matter, but the gist of it -was an apology for the King’s refusal of a private -audience to the Empress’s minister, “under the pretext,” -writes Gunning, “that one having been already -denied to the Swedish minister, it could not have -been consistently granted to the Russian minister, and -further, that the audiences which have been so often -given, and were now almost claimed by the Russian -minister, ought to have been considered more as -a matter of courtesy than that of right. But had -Monsieur Filosofow appeared in the court circle, his -Majesty would probably have called him into the -closet.” The English envoy adds: “Though perhaps -this apology will not bear the test of a too -strict examination, yet as it shows an earnest desire -of acceding on his Danish Majesty’s part, it may -be wished the Empress may suffer herself to be -appeased by it”.<a name="FNanchor_149_149" id="FNanchor_149_149"></a><a href="#Footnote_149_149" class="fnanchor">[149]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_149_149" id="Footnote_149_149"></a><a href="#FNanchor_149_149"><span class="label">[149]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, January 10, 1771.</p></div> - -<p>So far from the Empress being appeased by -the King of Denmark’s letter, she received it with -derision. The form, the manner, the style, the -contents, all showed her that it was not composed by -her royal brother of Denmark, but, as she coarsely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273"></a>[Pg 273]</span> -said to her whole court, by the Queen’s <i>cicisbeo</i>. -The relations between the courts of Copenhagen -and St. Petersburg were strained to breaking-point -and Struensee was at a loss what to do next. It -was at this juncture that he appointed Count Osten -to the foreign office at Copenhagen.</p> - -<p>Osten was a Dane of noble family, but poor. -He was educated at court as a page in the household -of Christian VII.’s father. As the youth showed -much ability, Count Moltke, who was then Prime -Minister, sent him to Leipsic to study languages, -with the view of making use of him in the diplomatic -service. During his residence at Leipsic, Osten -made the acquaintance of Count Stanislaus Poniatowski -(afterwards King of Poland), and the two -became great friends. On returning to Copenhagen -Osten became involved in some petty palace intrigue, -which was directed against the men who had benefited -him, Moltke and Bernstorff. They overlooked -his ingratitude in consideration of his talents, but, -thinking it advisable that he should leave Copenhagen, -they sent him to St. Petersburg, as an <i>attaché</i> -to Malzahn, at that time Danish minister in Russia. -Malzahn died suddenly, and the secretary to the -legation being ill at the same time, Osten seized the -opportunity to receive and answer despatches, and -to confer with the Russian ministers. So well did -he acquit himself that Bernstorff appointed him -Danish envoy at St. Petersburg, and told him that -he must humour the Grand-Duchess (later the -Empress) Catherine, whose favour, as he was a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274"></a>[Pg 274]</span> -handsome and a brilliant youth, he had already -won. Bernstorff already foresaw the elevation of the -Grand-Duchess to a prominent position in councils -of state. Osten paid his court assiduously to -Catherine, and during his residence at St. Petersburg -Poniatowski came there. The friendship between -the two young men was renewed, and when -there sprang up an intrigue between Poniatowski -and Catherine, Osten acted as a go-between, and -the lovers used to meet at his house.</p> - -<p>Perhaps because of the part he had played in -this matter, the Danish court found it necessary to -remove Osten from St. Petersburg to Dresden, so -that he had nothing to do with the plots which led -to the assassination of the Emperor Peter, and the -elevation of Catherine to the throne. But as soon as -the Empress found her position assured, she asked -the King of Denmark to send Osten back to St. Petersburg -as Danish envoy, and her request was at once -complied with. The handsome young diplomatist -returned, and for two years enjoyed the friendship -of the Empress, who not only admitted him to her -confidence, but even allowed him sometimes to be -present at the councils which she held with her -ministers and her generals. Suddenly, without -warning, Osten fell out of favour. The Empress -wrote to the King of Denmark to request his instant -recall, and the Russian minister for foreign affairs -informed all the foreign envoys at St. Petersburg -by a circular note that the Empress had withdrawn -her favour from Count Osten, and regarded him as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275"></a>[Pg 275]</span> -“a vile and odious person”. The cause of Osten’s -disgrace was not a political one, but referred to some -secret infamy.</p> - -<p>Bernstorff did not wish to bring Osten back to -Copenhagen, as his talent for intrigue was so great -that he might prove dangerous, nor did he wish to -lose his services altogether, for he had proved himself -a very able diplomatist; he therefore sent him -as Danish envoy to Naples. Osten went there for a -time, but he never ceased to agitate for his promotion -from a post which he considered to be exile. -Eventually Bernstorff promised Osten the post of -minister at The Hague; but before his promise could -be fulfilled, the once-powerful minister was himself -dismissed from office by Struensee and the Queen.</p> - -<p>The office of minister of foreign affairs rendered -vacant by the dismissal of Bernstorff, whose knowledge -of the tangled threads of European diplomacy -was very great, was no easy one to fill—at least, from -such material as Struensee was able to command. -Rantzau, who wanted it, was impossible, and Struensee -at first thought of keeping it in his own hands; -but after the ridicule poured upon his letter by -Catherine, which threatened to make the Danish -court the laughing-stock of Europe, Struensee came -to the conclusion that there were some things he did -not know, and he must find some one who was, at -any rate, conversant with forms. No statesman of -repute in Denmark would accept the post on Struensee’s -terms, so he went through the list of Danish -envoys at foreign courts, and finding in Osten a man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276"></a>[Pg 276]</span> -whose record was unscrupulous enough for his purpose, -he recalled him from Naples and placed him -at the foreign office in the hope that he would bring -the Empress Catherine to reason.</p> - -<p>Osten’s appointment was regarded as a notable -accession of strength to Struensee’s administration. -His knowledge of Russian affairs was unrivalled—a -great advantage at this juncture—and Gunning, -the English envoy, who had a high opinion of the -new foreign minister’s abilities, seems to have thought -that he would not only restore friendly relations with -Russia, but would aid him in bringing about an -alliance between England and Denmark. “I think -him well qualified for the post he is in,” he wrote, -“and the only one here capable of retrieving the -affairs of this unhappy country.”<a name="FNanchor_150_150" id="FNanchor_150_150"></a><a href="#Footnote_150_150" class="fnanchor">[150]</a> Osten, who had to -take office on Struensee’s terms, was really desirous -of establishing good relations with Russia, and one -of his first acts was to write a statesmanlike despatch -to St. Petersburg, “with such representations as he -hoped would dispel the Empress’s scruples regarding -the late transactions of this court, would explain -all suspicious appearances, and satisfy her Imperial -Majesty”.<a name="FNanchor_151_151" id="FNanchor_151_151"></a><a href="#Footnote_151_151" class="fnanchor">[151]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_150_150" id="Footnote_150_150"></a><a href="#FNanchor_150_150"><span class="label">[150]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, April 4, 1771.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_151_151" id="Footnote_151_151"></a><a href="#FNanchor_151_151"><span class="label">[151]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i>, January 1, 1771.</p></div> - -<p>Though Osten’s despatch was treated with more -respect by the court of St. Petersburg than the King of -Denmark’s [so-called] letter, the Empress refused to -be mollified. Her pride had been wounded by the -flouting of her representative at Copenhagen, but as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277"></a>[Pg 277]</span> -her interference in the internal affairs of the Danish -court had been quite unwarranted, she could not -well ascribe her resentment to the fact that it was no -longer permitted. She therefore seized upon Osten’s -appointment as an excuse for maintaining her irreconcilable -attitude, and declared that if the conduct -of foreign affairs continued in the hands of that “vile -and odious person,” she would break the treaty of -1768, and end all negotiations with Denmark. Osten -did not heed the Empress’s abuse; he knew from -experience that her outbursts of passion did not last -long, and believed that in time she would take a -more reasonable view. But Rantzau and Gahler -urged Struensee to anticipate Russia by a declaration -of war, and Struensee was half-persuaded, for -he knew that at the moment Russia was unprepared. -Osten used all his eloquence to convince -Struensee of the folly of such a proceeding, which -would give offence to England as well, and probably -bring the King of Prussia into the quarrel. In this -he was ably supported by Falckenskjold, who had -great knowledge of Russian affairs, but for a time it -seemed that Osten would not succeed. As Gunning -wrote: “The hopes I for some time entertained of -M<sup>r</sup> Osten gaining a proper ascendency over the -Favourite are not greatly raised by the manner in -which I see the former is obliged to act. It seems -to manifest M<sup>r</sup> Struensee’s aim, whom every circumstance -deigns to favour, to grasp the whole -power of the administration into his own hands, and -as his experience in business is of a very short date,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278"></a>[Pg 278]</span> -so long as Count Osten’s knowledge and abilities -shall be found necessary for his information and -assistance, so long this gentleman may have some -appearance of power.”<a name="FNanchor_152_152" id="FNanchor_152_152"></a><a href="#Footnote_152_152" class="fnanchor">[152]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_152_152" id="Footnote_152_152"></a><a href="#FNanchor_152_152"><span class="label">[152]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, February 12, 1771.</p></div> - -<p>In the end Osten and Falckenskjold won, and -Rantzau and Gahler were defeated. But matters -remained in an <i>impasse</i>: on the one hand, the -Empress Catherine refused to receive any communications -through Osten; on the other, the King -of Denmark refused to remove him, as that would -be to submit to an arbitrary interference on the -part of Russia in the internal affairs of Denmark. -It was at last resolved that Falckenskjold, who was -<i>persona grata</i> at the Russian court, should be sent -to St. Petersburg to patch up the quarrel. Falckenskjold’s -mission was not very successful, for the -Empress declared she would only carry out the -treaty of 1768, the territorial exchange, if Bernstorff -were recalled to the Danish foreign office, and Osten -and Rantzau were dismissed from the Government. -An open breach however with Russia was for the -moment avoided. Falckenskjold returned to Copenhagen, -and when he told Struensee that the Empress -insisted on the dismissal of the two ministers, Struensee, -on Osten’s advice, said, and did, nothing. The -Empress, on learning that her demands had not -been complied with, tried the effect of threats, and -alarming rumours reached Copenhagen that she had -determined to bombard the city, and for this purpose -was equipping six ships of the line and four frigates,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279"></a>[Pg 279]</span> -which would immediately set sail from Kronstadt. -In this crisis Struensee came out well. He knew -that, though Russia might have the ships, she could -not at the time furnish a sufficient number of sailors -to equip a fleet. He therefore betrayed no panic -and uttered no threats, but without ado fitted out -three ships of the line and two frigates, and gave -orders to build several others as a counter-demonstration. -The ships were manned with great rapidity, -and Copenhagen was soon defended from every -point. Catherine, seeing that her threats were of -no avail, forebore from provoking Denmark to the -point of open hostilities. Her hands were at that -moment full of more important matters, and so she -declared “if the present rascally advisers of the King -of Denmark had rope enough they would hang themselves”. -In the end her foresight was justified, but -at the time the victory was with Struensee. By his -firmness he freed Denmark from the intolerable -interference of foreign ministers, which had been -going on for the last twenty years, and the fact -stands to the credit of his administration.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280"></a>[Pg 280]</span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> - -<p class="center">THE REFORMER.</p> - -<p class="center">1770-1771.</p> - - -<p>A short time after Bernstorff’s fall and Osten’s -promotion, Struensee was appointed (or rather appointed -himself) Master of Requests, a new office -which, as the English envoy said, “might mean -anything or everything”. It was an office invented -by Struensee, and in practice seemed to combine -the authority of Prime Minister with power to -interfere in every department of government. The -only obstacle which now stood between the imperious -minister and absolute power was the Council -of State, which had lost enormously in prestige since -the dismissal of Bernstorff and the royal rescript -limiting its powers. This council was a committee -of nobles with conservative tendencies, and though -it was no longer able to decide anything, it still -had the power to delay new measures. Struensee, -who determined to break the power of the nobility -in the same way as he had broken the yoke of the -foreign envoys, therefore resolved on a daring step. -He would abolish the Council of State, and place -all authority in the hands of the King.</p> - -<p>After going through the farce of appointing a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281"></a>[Pg 281]</span> -committee, who reported exactly as it was ordered -to report, Struensee swept away the Council of State -by the following decree which, though drawn up -by the Minister, was written throughout and signed -by the King:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“We, Christian VII., by the Grace of God -King of Denmark, Norway, of the Goths and -Wends, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein, Stormarn -and the Dittmarsches, Count of Oldenburg and -Delmenhorst, etc., etc., decree and announce herewith:</p> - -<p>“As the affairs of state in an absolute government -are only confused and delayed when many of -the nobility take part in them, owing to the power -and honour which they acquire from time and -custom, and the despatch of business is thereby -retarded,</p> - -<p>“We, who have nothing so much at heart as -zealous promotion of the public weal, hereby declare -that We will not let Ourselves henceforth be checked -or hindered in those measures and arrangements -that are for the national good.</p> - -<p>“We therefore think fit to abolish and absolutely -suppress Our former Council of State. In -doing this Our object is to restore to the constitution -its original purity, and maintain the same. -Thus, then, the form of government will henceforth -be, and remain exactly, as it was handed to Our -ancestors of glorious memory by the nation, and -nothing will remain to make it seem that We wish -in any way to depart from the sense and intention<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282"></a>[Pg 282]</span> -with which the nation transmitted it to Our ancestors. -In further confirmation of this We have had the -present decree drawn up in duplicate both in Danish -and German, and command that the copies shall -be preserved for ever in the archives of the -chanceries.</p> - -<p>“Given under Our royal hand and seal at Our -palace of Frederiksberg this December 27, 1770.</p> - -<p> -(Signed) “<span class="smcap">Christian.</span>”<a name="FNanchor_153_153" id="FNanchor_153_153"></a><a href="#Footnote_153_153" class="fnanchor">[153]</a><br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_153_153" id="Footnote_153_153"></a><a href="#FNanchor_153_153"><span class="label">[153]</span></a> Translated from the original document in the royal archives -of Copenhagen.</p></div> - -<p>The constitution which the King in this decree -stated that his ancestors received from the nation -was the <i>Lex Regia</i>, or royal law of Denmark and -Norway, promulgated in 1660 by Frederick III. It -had its origin in a revolution against the power of -the nobles, who had reduced the King to a mere -puppet of sovereignty, and formed an oligarchy -which governed the country entirely in their -interests. Frederick III. freed himself from this -thraldom by a <i>coup d’état</i>, and with the consent of -the burghers and people, and the enforced sanction -of the nobles, he established the <i>Lex Regia</i>. It was -therefore a most convenient weapon for Struensee -to refurbish and use against the nobles again, for -with a half-imbecile monarch, the whole of its -tremendous powers would pass to the Minister. -Some description of this law may be given -to show the power which Christian VII., or rather -Struensee the reformer, proposed to gather into his -own hands.</p> - -<a name="i282" id="i282"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 800px;"> -<img src="images/page282.jpg" width="800" height="539" alt="The Frederiksberg Palace, near Copenhagen." /> -<div class="caption"><span class="correction" title="See comments in the Transcriber's Note">THE FREDERIKSBERG PALACE, NEAR COPENHAGEN.<br /><i>From a Print, temp. 1770.</i></span></div> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283"></a>[Pg 283]</span></p> - -<p>The <i>Lex Regia</i> consisted of forty articles, which -declared, <i>inter alia</i>, that “the hereditary kings -of Denmark and Norway shall, and must, be regarded -by their subjects as the only supreme chiefs -on earth. They shall be above all human laws, -and whether in matters spiritual or matters temporal -shall recognise no other superior than God.” -That “the King only has the supreme right of -making and interpreting laws, of abrogating, -amending, or superseding them”. That “the -King only has the power of conferring office, or removing -from office, according to his mere pleasure”. -That “all dignities and offices of whatsoever kind -are derived from the King, and held at his will”. -That “the King alone has the right of disposing of -the fortresses and troops of the realm; he alone -can declare war, with whom, and when, he pleases; -he alone can make treaties, impose taxes, or raise -contributions of any kind”. That “the King alone -has supreme jurisdiction over all the ecclesiastics -of his dominions; he alone can regulate the rites -and ceremonies of public worship, convoke councils -and synods, terminate their sessions, etc.”. That -“all the affairs of the kingdom, all letters and public -acts, can only be expedited in the royal name—sealed -with his seal and signed by his hand”. That -“the King shall not be required to take any oath or -form any engagement, whether verbal or written, -since in quality of free and absolute monarch, his -subjects can neither impose an oath upon him nor -prescribe any conditions to limit his authority”.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284"></a>[Pg 284]</span> -That “the whole realm of Denmark and Norway, -its provinces, dependencies, islands, fortresses, -rights, jewels, money of every kind, its army, navy, -everything now enjoyed, everything that may be -acquired hereafter, are the inalienable property of -the sovereign alone, and can never be divided or -separated from the crown”.</p> - -<p>These few quotations from the <i>Lex Regia</i> will -serve to show that Christian VII. arrogated to himself -by this decree a power which no other monarch -in Europe claimed. Not even that most mighty empress, -Catherine of Russia, was so great an autocrat -as this. In the <i>Lex Regia</i> of Denmark we find -the most boundless, irresponsible, unmitigated despotism, -without a single provision in favour of the -life, substance, or liberty of any subject, high or -low. The re-establishment of this despotism in all -its nakedness was the essence of Struensee’s policy, -for, since the reign of the monarch who promulgated -it a century before, it had gradually fallen into disuse.</p> - -<p>Frederick III., the author of the <i>Lex Regia</i>, was -an absolute monarch in practice as well as theory; -he broke the power of the nobles, and nothing stood -between him and his imperious will. His successor, -Christian V., began his reign on the same principles, -but he found it necessary before long to conciliate -the nobles, and one of his first acts was to create -an order of titled nobility. Previously, all of noble -birth had been merely styled nobles, but now they -were given the titles of counts and barons—as if to -console them for the loss of their authority. Certain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285"></a>[Pg 285]</span> -other privileges were granted to them, but they still -had no share in the government of the country, -which the King kept in his own hands. Gradually, -however, there was formed a Council of State, or -Privy Council, which consisted of the heads of the -different departments in the state—such as the -minister of foreign affairs, the minister who was -responsible for the army, the head of the naval -department, and the head of the finance department. -These posts at first were filled by the King’s -creatures, who relieved him of detail business, but -were unable to come to any decision apart from him; -but as time went on the nobles gradually crept back -into office, and were nominated one by one as heads -of departments, until the Council of State assumed -more importance. Under the reign of Christian -VI. the Council of State was practically a committee -of nobles, through whom the King governed; -and during the latter part of the reign of Frederick -V. (Christian VII.’s father) it usurped the sovereign -power, and the King became a puppet in the -hands of his ministers. Once more, despite the -<i>Lex Regia</i>, the nobles became the rulers of Denmark. -Had they used their power wisely, they -might have remained so; but great abuses grew -up. They filled every post with their creatures; -they betrayed the interests of Denmark to foreign -countries; the departments of state were badly -administered, the national defences neglected, and the -people heavily taxed. This was the state of affairs -which Struensee was determined to remedy.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286"></a>[Pg 286]</span></p> - -<p>Christian VII., who had fretted under the yoke -of the Council of State, especially when he first -came to the throne (when the ministers who composed -it strove by every means to prevent him -from governing and to keep the power in their -own hands), was quite ready to carry out the -daring policy of its abolition, though that policy -was dictated to him by Struensee. The King did -not see that he was exchanging the tyranny of -King Log for that of King Stork. He always -wearied of those who dictated to him, whether -ministers or favourites. He had wearied of Moltke, -he wearied of Bernstorff, and in the same way he -wearied of Sperling and Holck; and the time was -coming when he would weary most of all of Struensee -and Brandt. But at present he was indifferent -to everything; he had long since ceased to take the -initiative, and only asked to be relieved of the -burden of state. Sunk into premature dotage—a -listless gazer at the drama of life—so long as he was -left in peace to enjoy the few things he still cared -about, he recked nothing of his government, his -kingdom, or the world. By the abolition of the -council he had become in theory the most absolute -autocrat in Europe. He had only to speak the word, -or sign a paper, for the word and the writing to immediately -become law; but in fact he was an imbecile, -who let his whole power and authority drift into -the hands of another—nominally, into those of -the Queen, in reality of Struensee, who greedily -snatched at every atom of power. In his muddled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287"></a>[Pg 287]</span> -brain Christian VII. still clung to the belief that -he was rendering himself equal to his great exemplar, -Frederick the Great. The King of Prussia -had found a way of diminishing the power of his -ministers by becoming his own minister, and by -signing the decree abolishing his Council of State -Christian VII. imagined that he was acting on a -similar plan. But, needless to say, there was no -resemblance between the two monarchs; Frederick -the Great did everything himself, but the Danish -King did nothing, and the stereotyped answer -he made to everyone at this time was: “Apply -to Struensee”. Struensee had become a sort of -Grand Vizier.</p> - -<p>The day after the suppression of the Council -of State a new body was established, called the -Council of Conferences, but it had no real power. -The members, who were the heads of the different -departments of the state, and all Struensee’s -nominees, met when commanded to do so by the -King, and expressed their views on such business as -was laid before them, advised on matters of form, -and sent in their reports in writing. As these -reports all passed through Struensee’s hands in -his new office of Master of Requests, they were -very useful to him; they set him right in matters -of detail, and gave him the information he required -without his seeming to seek it. As that shrewd -observer, Gunning, wrote: “This is no ill-timed -political scheme for those at the helm, who will, by -this method, be able to gain considerable lights<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288"></a>[Pg 288]</span> -without suffering any one to have access to the -King, their master, but themselves”.<a name="FNanchor_154_154" id="FNanchor_154_154"></a><a href="#Footnote_154_154" class="fnanchor">[154]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_154_154" id="Footnote_154_154"></a><a href="#FNanchor_154_154"><span class="label">[154]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, January 1, 1771.</p></div> - -<p>The abolition of the Council of State, though it -was so drastic a measure, was greeted with applause -by the people—the burghers and the peasants—who -had long groaned under the tyranny of the -nobility, and had come to look upon them as the -cause of all their ills. The royal decree of course -called forth a tremendous uproar from the privileged -classes, and if the nobles could have conferred -together the situation might have become dangerous. -But Struensee hit on a very ingenious plan for -driving them out of Copenhagen. Most of them -were heavily in debt, and under the old order of -things had set their creditors at defiance. Struensee, -therefore, obtained an order from the King, decreeing -that any creditor could arrest his debtor, if unable -to pay at the time of demand, and keep him in -prison until the debt was discharged. In a very -short time nearly all the nobility were hurrying -from the capital to their country seats. Having -scattered them, Struensee took a further step to -prevent them from returning to Copenhagen. He -issued a decree, signed by the King, to the effect -that it was undesirable to encourage the flocking to -court of persons who hoped to make their fortunes -there, for it only tended to ruin and impoverish the -country districts, and entail great expense on the -King. It would be much better for the nobility, -who did not desire official employment, to remain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289"></a>[Pg 289]</span> -on their estates and spend their money there instead -of coming so much to the capital; and those nobles -who desired employment in the future must first -qualify themselves for it in subordinate posts. In -giving these appointments the King, henceforth, -would be guided entirely by service and merit, and -pay no regard to favour or backstairs influence.</p> - -<p>From the enforced retirement of their country -seats the Danish nobility cursed Struensee with -impotent wrath; he gave them more to curse him -for before long. Having got rid of them he next -abolished their placemen and parasites, who might -have acted as their agents in the capital. He issued -a circular to all the Government departments, informing -them that in future no lackey who waited -on a master would be eligible for a public office; -and thus the hateful system of lackeydom was -abolished. Formerly the nobles at the head of the -departments had given minor offices to their coachmen -and their footmen in lieu of payment, and with -the result that a great number of ignorant and -incapable men were foisted upon the state, and -the administration of the Government departments -was hopelessly mismanaged. Struensee sought to -break down all privileges of caste. Formerly only -the nobility were allowed to use torches at night -when they drove out in their carriages, but now an -order was promulgated giving leave to all persons, -of whatever rank, whether in hired carriages or their -own, to use torches at night. But the permission -was not generally availed of—probably because the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290"></a>[Pg 290]</span> -good burghers of Copenhagen found that if they and -their wives encroached upon the privileges of the -nobility, they did so at the risk of losing their -custom.</p> - -<p>Having clipped the claws of the nobility, -Struensee next aimed a series of blows at his other -enemies, the clergy. During the two previous -reigns the clergy had gained great influence in -Denmark, and now encroached in matters outside -their sphere. Not content with their spiritual sway, -they expressed their opinion on political matters -with great frankness from their pulpits, and even -the court did not escape censure. Struensee, though -the son of an eminent divine, was a freethinker, -and hostile to clerical influence, and both the King -and Queen disliked being preached at. Therefore -it was not long before the clergy were made to feel -the weight of their displeasure. A great number -of religious festivals were still kept in Denmark as -public holidays, to the hindrance of business, and -the encouragement of idleness and extravagance on -the part of the people; the clergy cherished these -festivals, and hitherto the Government had not -dared to abolish them, for fear of giving offence -to the Church. But the new order of things had -scant reverence for old abuses, and a royal decree -was promulgated, which abolished, henceforth and -for ever, the public holidays at Christmas, Easter -and Whitsuntide, the Epiphany, St. John’s Day, -Michaelmas Day, All Saints, the Purification, Visitation -and Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291"></a>[Pg 291]</span> -the annual <i>Te Deums</i> in celebration of the deliverance -of Copenhagen from Charles X.’s attack on -February 11, 1659, and of the great fire. By -another decree liberty of conscience was granted to -all, and universal toleration in matters of religion. -Henceforth every man would be allowed to follow -his own belief without let or hindrance, to choose -his own form of worship, or not to worship, as he -pleased. These decrees gave great offence to the -established clergy, who considered the first to be -unwarrantable interference with the vested rights of -the Church, and the second, an encouragement of -godlessness and infidelity.</p> - -<p>Struensee was a great believer not only in new -measures but new men. Some of his appointments -were good ones—notably that of Professor Oeder -(an able man who had hitherto been a member of -the agricultural commission) as head of the financial -department. Oeder helped Struensee materially in -his gigantic labours, and often warned him against -precipitate and violent measures. Struensee also -summoned his brother, Charles Augustus Struensee, -to Copenhagen, and appointed him one of -the deputies in the College of Finances. Charles -Augustus was a clever and hard-working man, -without his brother’s genius, but with a great deal -more ballast, and no objection could be taken to -his appointment except on the score of nepotism—a -charge which could not fairly be brought against -Struensee, for his brother was the only member of -his family whom he appointed to any important<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292"></a>[Pg 292]</span> -office. Dismissals were the order of the day in -every department of the state; the imperious -minister brooked no opposition to his will even in -the most trifling details. Count Moltke, court -marshal, son of the former Prime Minister, was -dismissed because he demurred to some change -in ceremonial, on which he was a much better -authority than Struensee; a page of the chamber, -who was so imprudent as to speak disrespectfully -of Struensee, was sent away without warning, and -the young chamberlain Warnstedt, who was a -favourite of both the King and the Queen, and had -stood in confidential relations with Struensee, was -banished from court in consequence of having made -a single incautious remark about him. The aged -and respected Viceroy of Norway, Benzon, was -dismissed from office without any explanation; the -Burgomaster of Bergen was discharged in the same -way; the bailiff and under-bailiff of Copenhagen -were displaced at an hour’s notice. In fact, no -official considered himself safe any longer, but was -liable at any moment to be dismissed without -warning, explanation or pension. As the disgraced -official generally had his discharge handed to him -by a groom of the royal stables mounted on a -yellow horse, it became a saying in Copenhagen: -“Whom did the yellow horse visit last?” or, “If -you are not careful, you will see the yellow horse -to-morrow”.</p> - -<p>Struensee’s idea of government was absolute -despotism, combined, oddly enough, with a liberal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293"></a>[Pg 293]</span> -and enlightened policy. He was a despot, but he -was also a <i>doctrinaire</i>, and his ideas generally were -in advance of his time. He had read widely -German philosophy, notably that of Leibniz, and -was a firm believer in the so-called eudæmonistic -utilitarianism—the greatest possible happiness of -the greatest possible number. He believed also -in perfectionism—the inherent right of the individual -man to work out his own perfection in every respect. -Leibniz was an exponent of this school, so was -Goethe, who called his Faust a “Beyond-man”.<a name="FNanchor_155_155" id="FNanchor_155_155"></a><a href="#Footnote_155_155" class="fnanchor">[155]</a> -Struensee was a pioneer who sought to reduce -these views to practice. He grafted on his German -philosophy certain Pagan ideals, he affected a benevolent -despotism, and he believed himself to -be an <i>uebermensch</i>, a “Beyond-man,” a man of -destiny. So thoroughly did he believe in himself, -that he forced the same conviction on others for a -time—even his enemies, who saw in him something -superhuman and dreaded him accordingly. He -bore down all outside opposition by the sheer force -of his will, and so long as he was sure of himself his -power was assured.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_155_155" id="Footnote_155_155"></a><a href="#FNanchor_155_155"><span class="label">[155]</span></a> So too in our day has been Nietsche, who elaborated these -views in <i>Thus Spake Zarathustra</i> and other works.</p></div> - -<p>Struensee was a great reformer, and the intrepidity -with which he carried out his theories compels -admiration, but like many other reformers he neglected -to temper his zeal with discretion. Perhaps -he had an instinct that his day would not be long, -for he was a reformer in a hurry. Within a few<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294"></a>[Pg 294]</span> -months after the abolition of the Council of State -he revolutionised the government of the kingdom. -By a series of royal decrees, nominally issued by -the King, he reformed every department of the -state. He rearranged the finance department, he -overhauled the admiralty and the war office, he cut -down the expenses of the Danish legations abroad, -he abolished the method under which titles, places -and pensions had been granted, and revised the -collection of taxation. Efficiency and economy were -his watchwords; and had his system been given -time to work, there is every reason to believe that -he would have achieved both in the great spending -departments of the state.</p> - -<p>This is not the place to write a detailed account -of Struensee’s administration,<a name="FNanchor_156_156" id="FNanchor_156_156"></a><a href="#Footnote_156_156" class="fnanchor">[156]</a> but a brief summary -may be given of some of his principal reforms, -because they throw a light upon the character and -career of this extraordinary man. They were -planned on the broad principle of “the greatest -possible good for the greatest possible number,” and -nearly all of them aimed at benefiting the people -at the expense of vested interests. To appreciate -his reforms we have to remember that the government -of Denmark was honeycombed with abuses, and the -peasants were ground down to the level of beasts of -burden. Only drastic measures could remedy this -state of things, and those which Struensee proposed -were so sweeping as to amount to a revolution.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_156_156" id="Footnote_156_156"></a><a href="#FNanchor_156_156"><span class="label">[156]</span></a> Professor E. Holm of Copenhagen has dealt with it most admirably -in his recent work, <i>Danmark-Norges Historie</i>, 1720-1814.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295"></a>[Pg 295]</span></p></div> - -<p>Perhaps the most important reform he effected -was in the administration of justice. It was decreed -that henceforth all men, whatever their rank, were -equal before the law; judges who had shown themselves -corrupt or negligent in the performance of -their duties were removed from their posts, and the -delay in hearing trials was censured. A multiplicity -of law courts existed in Copenhagen and the -provinces, which caused great confusion and hindered -the course of justice; these were all abolished, and -in their stead a single jurisdiction was instituted. -This reform gave great offence to lawyers, who lost -many fees thereby, but it proved most effectual for -the better administration of justice.</p> - -<p>The civic government of Copenhagen was reformed -with a view to bettering the management of the -city revenues and the carrying out of improvements. -The streets were named and lighted, and the houses -were numbered. These changes gave almost as -much offence to the burghers as the abolition of -festivals had given to the clergy, for they were -regarded as encroachments on the rights and liberties -which the city had obtained at various times from -the Kings of Denmark. But Struensee did not -heed, and routed the forces of bumbledom in the -same way as he had routed those of bigotry. He -even aimed a blow at Sabbatarianism, and forbade -the police of Copenhagen to enter private houses -without a warrant, and meddle with what might, -or might not, be done by the inhabitants on Sundays. -Heretofore if found working or indulging in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296"></a>[Pg 296]</span> -“unseemly merriment” in their houses on Sundays, -citizens were liable to fine or imprisonment—a -system which led to gross abuses of the power -of the police, but which was tenaciously upheld by -the magistrates and clergy.</p> - -<p>Other reforms included the abolition of the -censorship of the press, leaving it perfectly free; a -regulation aimed at the fraudulence of trustees; -and another to check the extravagant expense of -funerals, which were often so costly as to entail ruin -on the family of the deceased. No abuse seemed -too small to escape the eagle eye of the reformer.</p> - -<p>A royal decree was issued which benefited the -serfs. Hitherto they had been helpless slaves in -the hands of their tyrannical masters—the nobles -and landowners; but now they were only required -to render compulsory service on certain days and -hours of the week, and the remaining time was their -own. The peasants were also placed under the -protection of the law, and all the privileges that -belonged to ordinary citizens were granted to them. -The peasant question was a very difficult one in Denmark, -and it was Struensee’s intention one day to -abolish serfdom altogether. But in this reform even -he was compelled to proceed by degrees.</p> - -<p>Another royal decree abolished the salt tax, -which had lain very heavily on the poorer classes, -and had caused an outbreak among the peasantry. -The abolition of this tax was most popular, though -the reform was resisted by the nobility. A similar -measure was an order forbidding the exportation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297"></a>[Pg 297]</span> -of corn to foreign countries, while the importation -from the duchies of Schleswig-Holstein and from -one inland province to another was encouraged. -The large landowners had been in the habit of -selling their corn for export abroad at high prices, -while their peasantry were starving for bread. -This was effectually checked by this edict; many -thousand loads of grain of every description were -prevented from leaving the kingdom; and, during -the severe winter which followed, were brought from -the provincial granaries to Copenhagen, with the -result that flour was sold at half the ordinary price -to the inhabitants. It was also decreed that bread -should be sold at the same low rate to the poor.</p> - -<p>Queen Matilda had probably something to do -with the measures for improving the condition of the -poor, for she had great sympathy with toiling and -suffering humanity. A few weeks after the regulations -enforcing the sale of cheap bread, a hospital -for six hundred poor children was established in -Copenhagen. In this institution the Queen took -a keen interest, and to cover the cost of founding -and maintaining it a tax was levied on all carriage -and saddle horses in the capital—another device by -which the rich were taxed for the benefit of the poor, -a complete reversal of the former order of things, -whereby the poor were ground down for the benefit -of the rich.</p> - -<p>Against these beneficial reforms no objection -could reasonably be taken, and whatever the private -character and motives of the man responsible for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298"></a>[Pg 298]</span> -them, they reflected great honour on his public -administration. But when he came forward as a -moral reformer, his views were more open to cavil. -Copenhagen in the eighteenth century was a very -immoral city despite severe penalties on immorality, -and a system of police supervision that interfered -with the liberty of the subject—if the subject were -poor. Struensee would have done well to correct -the abuses of the existing system for the suppression -of vice, but he chose rather to abolish it altogether. -“Improved morals,” wrote this eminent moralist, in -one of his virtuous monarch’s royal decrees, “cannot -be brought about by police regulations, which are -also an encroachment on human liberty; for immoral -conduct, if it have no directly injurious influence on -the quiet and safety of society, must be left to the -conscience to condemn. The secret vices which enforced -constraint entail are frequently much greater -offences against morality, and constraint only generates -hypocrisy.” There was no doubt something to -be urged from Struensee’s point of view. He had -theories about racial perfectionism, and like many -before and since, believed that artificial selection would -produce a higher breed of men. With these ideas -the conventional views of morality seemed to him -superfluous, and his reforms were aimed quite as -much against them as against social abuses.</p> - -<p>For instance, the Danish penal laws directed -against illegitimacy were barbarous; they called -for reform, but Struensee swept them away altogether. -He decreed that henceforth illegitimate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299"></a>[Pg 299]</span> -children should not rest under any stigma; they -were in future to be christened in precisely the same -way as if they were legitimate, and irregular birth -should no longer prevent a man from learning a -trade, or carrying on a business. Mothers of illegitimate -children were no more to be punished—the -fathers had always got off scot free. For a long -time, in consequence of these same cruel laws, secret -births, child murder, and the desertion and exposure -of new-born infants to the cold had been common in -Copenhagen. To remedy this evil Struensee and -the Queen imitated Catherine of Russia, and established -a Foundling Hospital in Copenhagen,<a name="FNanchor_157_157" id="FNanchor_157_157"></a><a href="#Footnote_157_157" class="fnanchor">[157]</a> but -apparently without any safeguards to prevent its -abuse. It began in a small way. A drawer containing -a mattress was placed outside a window of -the lying-in hospital; a notice was affixed that -unfortunate mothers who were unable to maintain, -from any cause, their children, could leave them -there, to be taken care of by the state. This <i>crêche</i> -was so eagerly availed of that no less than twenty-four -children were found in it during the first four -days, and the number increased rapidly. The -following Sunday, from almost every pulpit in -Copenhagen, came denunciation of the new institution -for foundlings. The clergy denounced it root<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300"></a>[Pg 300]</span> -and branch, as putting a premium on illegitimacy -and immorality, and as throwing an unjust burden -on the virtuous and industrious classes, by compelling -them to rear and maintain the deserted offspring -of the immoral and the idle. But Struensee -did not heed. The old order of things, he maintained, -had resulted in infanticide, and wicked waste -of human life. And he held that these children, -who had no fault but their illegitimacy, which was -not their fault, might with proper care be reared into -useful citizens. That he might thereby be going -against his pet theory of racial perfectionism, and -encouraging the multiplication of the unfit, apparently -did not occur to him.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_157_157" id="Footnote_157_157"></a><a href="#FNanchor_157_157"><span class="label">[157]</span></a> Catherine the Great established a Foundling Hospital in St. -Petersburg in 1763, with the aid of the philanthropist Demidoff. The -Empress gave 50,000 roubles towards its maintenance, and granted -it privileges and favours such as no benevolent institution had ever -received before, including exemption from taxation and the monopoly -of the state lottery.</p></div> - -<p>Struensee followed up this by an attack upon -the marriage laws. It was decreed that henceforth -none but the injured party should bring a charge -of adultery. The custom by which persons convicted -of adultery were put in the pillory and -preached at publicly by the clergyman of the parish -was also abolished, and all penalties beyond the -dissolution of the marriage tie were forbidden. The -table of kindred and affinity was rearranged, and -marriages within certain prohibited degrees were allowed. -The Church disapproved of the marriage -of first cousins (though both Frederick V. and -Christian VII. had contracted these alliances); they -were not forbidden, but a dispensation was always -required. This dispensation was now declared to -be unnecessary by royal decree, and the same -authority henceforth gave a man permission to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301"></a>[Pg 301]</span> -marry his deceased wife’s niece, or his deceased -wife’s sister. This aroused furious protests from -the clergy, but Struensee did not heed, and further -aggrieved the Church by converting two disused -chapels into hospitals for the sick poor.</p> - -<p>Thus it will be seen that, in his zeal for reform, -Struensee aroused against himself the antagonism -of nearly every class. The court officials, the -nobles, the clergy, the lawyers, the burghers were -attacked in turn, and all saw their ancient privileges -torn away from them. Under the circumstances, -their hostility to the new order of things was natural, -but the unpopularity of Struensee among the people, -whom he sought so greatly to benefit, is not so easy -to understand. That he was unpopular there is no -doubt. A good deal of this was due to the prejudice -among the Danes against the German and the -foreigner. Nearly all the advisers who now surrounded -the King were of German extraction, -and were dubbed “the German Junto”. All -grace was taken from the royal decrees in the -eyes of the Danes by the fact that they were -issued in German. It is true the court had been for -centuries the centre of Germanism in Denmark; -but the people knew that Christian VII. spoke -and wrote Danish very well, and until the advent -of Struensee all royal decrees and government -regulations (except those addressed to the duchies -of Schleswig-Holstein) had been written in the -Danish language. Now, in disregard of the national -prejudice, they were issued in German; and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302"></a>[Pg 302]</span> -Danish people regarded this as an insult offered -to them by a German minister. Moreover, it gave -colour to the rumour that the King was for the -most part ignorant of the decrees which appeared in -his name, for it was said that otherwise he would -most certainly have framed them in his own language -when addressing his own people. Struensee, -who had a contempt for forms and prejudices, and -looked at everything from the broad point of view, -excused himself on the ground that he had no time -to learn the Danish language; but even so it would -have been easy for him to have had these decrees -translated into the Danish. As it was he threw -away all the popularity he might have gained from -his beneficial measures by wantonly affronting the -national sentiment.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303"></a>[Pg 303]</span></p> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> - -<p class="center">THE ORDER OF MATILDA.</p> - -<p class="center">1770-1771.</p> - - -<p>A curious commentary on the social reforms of the -new regime was furnished by the proceedings of the -court. Extraordinary rumours were circulated concerning -the conduct of the Queen and her favourite, -and though these rumours were grossly exaggerated, -still it must be confessed that Matilda showed at this -time a recklessness of public opinion which was, to -say the least of it, unwise. Having regard to the -difficult and delicate situation in which she found -herself placed, a young and beautiful woman, tied to -a semi-imbecile husband, and with a handsome and -ambitious man as her adviser and intimate friend, -it surely behoved the Queen to regulate her conduct -with the nicest discretion, and to have in her household -only those ladies whose character was beyond -reproach. This was the more necessary as the -sweeping, and on the whole beneficial, reforms -which the Queen and her adviser were introducing -were bound to raise up against her a host of enemies -whose interests were more or less attacked—enemies -who would be sure to note any false step she might -make to arouse public opinion against her. Her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304"></a>[Pg 304]</span> -duty to herself, her duty to her child, and her duty -to her high position all combined to make it imperative -that in her private life she should give not the -slightest occasion for enemies to blaspheme. But -acting under the spell of Struensee Matilda threw -discretion to the winds, and even went out of her -way in affronting the prejudices of the staider part -of the community. The clergy, already enraged -against the Queen and Struensee for their attacks -upon the Church, were now able to point to the -conduct of the Queen and her favourite as a proof -that their strictures were just.</p> - -<a name="i304" id="i304"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 800px;"> -<img src="images/page304.jpg" width="800" height="455" alt="The Palace of Hirschholm." /> -<div class="caption">THE PALACE OF HIRSCHHOLM, <br /><span class="correction" title="In the original book: TEMP. 1770"><i>Temp. 1770.</i></span></div> -</div> - -<p>Hitherto the Danish court, outwardly at any rate, -had respected Sunday, and the King and Queen -had been regular in attendance at public worship. -Now, though the King and Queen went to church -sometimes to keep up appearances, Sunday was -purposely selected as a day of pleasure. For instance, -one Sunday at Hirschholm there was a -steeple-chase in the royal park, and the King gave -prizes to the winners. The races attracted a large -and disreputable crowd. Nor was it enough to -slight religious convictions; they were openly mocked -at and derided. On another Sunday Brandt was -guilty of the folly and bad taste of delivering a -mock sermon from the pulpit in the private chapel -at Hirschholm before the King and an assembled -court, who laughed and applauded. At this exhibition -it is only fair to say the Queen was not -present. Naturally these things were repeated at -Copenhagen, and the “revels of Hirschholm”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305"></a>[Pg 305]</span> -formed a favourite subject of conversation and -reprobation. The clergy fanned the flame of indignation, -and many a covert allusion to Jezebel -was heard from the pulpits. Moreover, by abolishing -the censorship of the press Struensee had put -a sword into the hands of his enemies, and before -long many scurrilous pamphlets were sold in the -streets, containing the coarsest abuse of the Queen -and her “minion”. Caricatures in which the Queen -and Struensee were grossly depicted, and satires -after the manner of Juvenal, purporting to describe -the orgies of the court at Hirschholm, were circulated -in Copenhagen, and not only posted on the walls -of houses, but even in the passages of the royal -palaces.</p> - -<p>All this popular discontent played into the hands -of the Queen-Dowager, Juliana Maria, who, with -her son, Prince Frederick, lived in comparative retirement -at Fredensborg, and sought, by the decorum -of her household and by her regular attendance at -public worship, to draw a contrast between her court -and that of the reigning Queen. Juliana Maria had -always been unpopular, but now, though she was -not loved, she was respected, and became generally -recognised as the representative of the old regime, -which offered in so many ways a favourable contrast -to the new. She took the place of the Queen-Mother, -Sophia Magdalena, and her palace of Fredensborg -became the rallying-place of those who -were discontented with Struensee and his methods. -It is quite possible that intrigues were set on foot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306"></a>[Pg 306]</span> -at Fredensborg with the object of overthrowing the -favourite, and it is probable that Struensee, who -had spies everywhere, came to hear of them, and -in revenge advised the reigning Queen to treat -her brother-in-law and his mother with discourtesy, -which was not only unworthy but unwise. Juliana -Maria and her son were rarely invited to court, and -when they attended they were often kept waiting -for some time before the King and Queen received -them, treated with little ceremony, and made to feel -that their presence was unwelcome. Moreover, on -the birthday of the Queen-Dowager, Juliana Maria -held her usual court at Fredensborg, but neither the -King nor the Queen attended or sent congratulations, -an omission which, under the circumstances, was very -marked. Prince Frederick had been in the habit of -attending the riding-school at Christiansborg, and had -had free access to the royal stables. One morning -on presenting himself there he was curtly informed -that no horses could be placed at his disposal in -future, and the riding-school was closed to him, as -the Queen had reserved it for her own use.</p> - -<p>A great deal of this Juliana Maria had brought -upon herself by the scant consideration she had -shown to the young Queen when she seemed a -person of no importance, and by the malignant and -unjust rumours she had circulated against her when -she first came to Denmark. But Matilda would have -done well to be magnanimous, for these slights provoked -a reaction in favour of the Queen-Dowager. -Juliana Maria behaved with great circumspection.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307"></a>[Pg 307]</span> -She did not publicly resent the affronts put upon -herself and her son, though she lamented them in -private, and she was careful always to say that she -in no way censured the King, but laid all the blame -on the Queen and her favourite. Her hatred of -Matilda deepened, and the most injurious reports -which were circulated concerning the Queen had -their origin in the salons of Fredensborg. The -invalid King was represented as living in a state -of terror under the dominion of his Queen and her -imperious favourite. He was treated, it was said, -with positive disrespect, if not with cruelty, by the -minions with whom he was surrounded, and Matilda -forgot not only her duty as a Queen and wife but -also as a mother.</p> - -<p>This last indictment had reference to the treatment -of the Crown Prince. So far the heir to -the throne had come little before the public, but -suddenly there spread throughout the kingdom -alarming rumours of the treatment which he suffered -at the hands of his mother and her adviser, and -such was the universal prejudice that these rumours -were generally credited. It was said that the Crown -Prince was neglected in a scandalous manner; he -was left to run about the gardens of Hirschholm -in all weathers, insufficiently clothed, with no one -to look after him, and no companions but a boy -of low rank; and his education had not yet begun. -He was frequently beaten by his mother and Struensee, -and shut up in an iron cage for hours together -as a harsh punishment; his food was of the coarsest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308"></a>[Pg 308]</span> -kind, and served in a wooden bowl, which was -placed on the ground. Altogether he was treated -more like an animal than a human being, especially -one who would some day be called upon to fill a -high destiny. Even the foreign envoys heard of -this treatment of the Crown Prince, and commented -upon it in their despatches. Gunning, who considered -the matter not only from a political but also -from a domestic point of view (seeing that the King -of England was the uncle of the Crown Prince), -wrote home in bitter sarcasm:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“As no step taken in the education of a prince -is without its importance, his nursery may sometimes -present a scene not unworthy of attention. The -philosopher of Geneva would hail the dawn of more -enlightened days could he behold (as he might here) -the scene of a monarch left from his cradle to crawl -unassisted upon his hands and knees (like the nursling -of a Norwegian peasant) and condemned to lose -his meals, most philosophically concealed, unless he -could discover them by the sagacity of his nose. -Such are the maxims which obtain in the royal -nursery of Denmark. The latter instance is no -doubt calculated to sharpen the talent of investigation, -a talent very requisite where the labyrinth of -intrigue requires some such guide.”<a name="FNanchor_158_158" id="FNanchor_158_158"></a><a href="#Footnote_158_158" class="fnanchor">[158]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_158_158" id="Footnote_158_158"></a><a href="#FNanchor_158_158"><span class="label">[158]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, October 6, 1770.</p></div> - -<p>Notwithstanding Gunning’s authority, these -rumours were shamefully exaggerated, and if they -may be taken as a sample of the others circulated -about the Queen, it is very difficult to say of any of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309"></a>[Pg 309]</span> -them where fact ends and imagination begins. In -this case they were not only untrue but cruel, for -the maternal instinct was always strong in Queen -Matilda, and she was never so happy as when with -her child. Moreover, it was in her interest that the -Crown Prince should have his health guarded in -every way, for her position would be seriously -affected if she were no longer the mother of the heir -to the throne. The Spartan treatment, therefore, -which the Crown Prince undoubtedly underwent, -was sanctioned by his mother from the highest -motives, for Struensee had persuaded her that it -was the training of all others most conducive to the -child’s well-being. From his birth the young Prince -had been of a weakly constitution, and had shown -a tendency to consumption; he had been pampered -and spoiled by his attendants, with the result that -he would not take the slightest exercise; he was -fractious and peevish, and wanted always to be -petted and amused.</p> - -<p>Struensee, who was a believer in the famous -treatment of Emile, changed all this, and urged the -Queen to bring up her son as simply as possible, so -that he would grow up to be a strong and a self-reliant -man. The Crown Prince’s former attendants -were sent away, and he was given the simplest fare, -consisting of vegetables, rice boiled in water, bread -and water, and milk and potatoes; no meat was -allowed him. He wore light silk clothes, and went -about bare-footed. He was bathed twice a day in -cold water, and soon became so fond of it that he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310"></a>[Pg 310]</span> -would go into the bath of his own accord. He was -forced to take exercise, kept as much as possible in -the open air, and made to run about the gardens in -all weathers. His room at Hirschholm was a large -one on the ground floor, some forty feet in length, -and on the garden side it was closed in by an iron -trellis-work, which accounted for the story that the -heir to the throne was shut up in a cage. The -little Prince had only one playmate, a boy who -was the natural son of one of the court surgeons, -and known as “little Karl”. These boys were -always together, and no difference was made between -them. They played, quarrelled and fought -as they would, and no one was allowed to interfere -with them, nor were any of the servants about the -court suffered to speak to, or play with, the Crown -Prince. This rule was kept very strictly. For instance, -one day, when the little Prince fell in the -garden and hurt himself, Struensee’s valet, who was -passing, picked him up and tried to comfort him. -For this breach of rule the servant was sent to the -Blue Tower in Copenhagen and imprisoned for some -time. The boy was not allowed on any pretext to -take advantage on the ground of his rank. One -day when he and his companion had some quarrel, -Frederick asked Karl how he dared to strike a -prince. “I am as much a prince as you,” the other -boy answered. “Yes, but I am a Crown Prince,” -Frederick retorted. Thereupon the two boys fought -till Frederick won the victory. Struensee heard of -this battle royal, and told the Queen, who, when she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311"></a>[Pg 311]</span> -knew the cause, insisted on the Crown Prince begging -the other boy’s pardon. As Frederick refused -to do so, the Queen gave him a whipping. From -this arose the rumour that he was frequently severely -beaten. The charge that he was neglected rests on -more foundation. One day during the autumn of -1770, at Hirschholm, the King and Queen and all -the court went out hunting, and on their return very -late the Crown Prince could nowhere be found. A -search was made for him, and he was at last found -lying insensible in the garden half-dead with cold. -He was put to bed with a nurse, who took him in -her arms and gradually restored him. The negligence -in this case was due to the servants who had -been left in charge of him, but the blame was laid -upon the Queen.</p> - -<p>The incident became known, and so loud and -insistent was the popular clamour that the court -physician, Berger, became frightened, and insisted on -some modification of the Crown Prince’s treatment. -Henceforth the boy was allowed to wear shoes and -stockings, given warmer clothing, and his room was -slightly heated in the winter. His diet was also -made a little fuller; his rice was boiled in mutton-broth, -and he was given meat-soup for dinner. His -education, however, was still left severely alone, -and at the age of four he could not speak any -language properly, but only a jargon of Danish and -German, which he had learnt from his playmate. -The excuse put forward for this retarded education -was that the boy was far from strong, and it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312"></a>[Pg 312]</span> -the Queen’s object to see his health thoroughly -established before she burdened his strength with -studies.</p> - -<p>The Queen, as a rule, was indifferent to public -criticism, but she was much hurt at the strictures -passed on her for her treatment of her son, especially -those made by foreign courts. It is possible -that some remonstrance may have reached her from -England, either from her mother or her brother, for -she had drawings made of the Crown Prince, showing -him with his little rake and spade and watering-can, -playing in the garden, or leaning against his -mother, all designed to show how healthy and happy -he was. These were given to the foreign envoys -for transmission to their respective courts.<a name="FNanchor_159_159" id="FNanchor_159_159"></a><a href="#Footnote_159_159" class="fnanchor">[159]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_159_159" id="Footnote_159_159"></a><a href="#FNanchor_159_159"><span class="label">[159]</span></a> Some rough sketches of these little pictures—in water-colours—are -preserved in the royal archives at Copenhagen.</p></div> - -<p>The best answer to this charge against the Queen -is to be found in the fact that the Crown Prince threw -off his early weakness, grew up a strong and healthy -boy, and developed into a vigorous man, who lived -to a sound old age. All through his life the Crown -Prince Frederick (who afterwards became Frederick -VI.) was able to endure much more fatigue than an -ordinary man, and he always adhered to the simple -and frugal habits to which he had been inured when -a child.</p> - -<p>The King and Queen remained at Hirschholm -until late in the autumn, and then removed to the -castle of Frederiksberg, near Copenhagen. Struensee -and Brandt accompanied them in close attend<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313"></a>[Pg 313]</span>ance. -Struensee now was a permanent inmate of -the royal palaces, and wherever the court went he -went too—a special suite of rooms adjacent to, or -communicating with, the Queen’s apartments were -set apart for him.<a name="FNanchor_160_160" id="FNanchor_160_160"></a><a href="#Footnote_160_160" class="fnanchor">[160]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_160_160" id="Footnote_160_160"></a><a href="#FNanchor_160_160"><span class="label">[160]</span></a> The castle of Frederiksberg is not much changed to this day, -and a secret door is still shown which, tradition says, led from -Struensee’s apartments to those of the Queen.</p></div> - -<p>At Frederiksberg the King and Queen lived in -comparative retirement, but as unpleasant rumours -were persistently promulgated about the King’s -health, Struensee thought it well that Christian -should occasionally show himself in public, and it -was announced that the King and Queen would -drive into Copenhagen every week to hold a court -at the Christiansborg Palace. There was a general -curiosity to see the King; but when the court was -held he only appeared for a few minutes and spoke -to nobody; the Queen then took his place and -received the company alone. She was much mortified -to see how the nobility and their wives held -aloof from the court. But on reflection she could -hardly have been surprised, for not only had recent -legislation been directed against them, but the King -had published a decree a few months before recommending -the nobility to spend less time in the -capital and more on their estates. Those who -attended court now, outside the foreign envoys and -the ministers and officials whose duties compelled -them to be present, were chiefly the lesser and -newer nobility, the professional classes and even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314"></a>[Pg 314]</span> -the <i>bourgeoisie</i>. It was Matilda’s ambition to have -a brilliant court. It was undoubtedly brilliant in -the sense of display, and was largely attended, but -the company who came could scarcely be said to -add to its distinction.</p> - -<p>The Crown Prince of Sweden (who afterwards -ascended the throne as Gustavus III.) and his younger -brother, the Hereditary Prince Frederick Adolphus, -paid a visit to the King and Queen of Denmark -at this time. The Crown Prince of Sweden had -married Christian VII.’s elder sister, and this was -his first visit to Copenhagen since his marriage. -As Struensee’s foreign policy was to cultivate good -relations with Sweden as against Russia, every effort -was made to receive the princes with honour. A -masquerade ball was arranged for their entertainment, -plays and operas were performed at the -theatre, and banquets, concerts and levees were -held every day. Despite these efforts the Crown -Prince of Sweden did not appear to be pleased with -his reception, and he made audible comments on the -strange company he met at the court of Copenhagen. -At the masquerade, in particular, almost any one -came who would. He pointedly asked the Queen -what had become of the Danish nobility, several of -whom he inquired for by name, and scarcely concealed -his annoyance that they were not present to -do him honour. One day, at the royal table, when -he found that two or three of the wives of the -principal merchants of Copenhagen were dining -there, he sarcastically exclaimed, “And are there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315"></a>[Pg 315]</span> -no Jews and Jewesses here too?” On another -occasion a beautiful lady of the <i>bourgeoisie</i> rallied -the Prince politely for not having acknowledged her -obeisance, and he answered elaborately (in the hearing -of the Queen) that he could not understand how -the Swedish envoy had made such an oversight, for -he had strictly ordered him to present every lady -of noble rank who attended the Danish court, and -he could only suppose the minister had forgotten -as he had presented so few. These sarcasms were -very wounding to the Queen, and her pride was -much hurt. The Crown Prince of Sweden and his -brother treated the King and Queen with studied -deference, but they declined to regard Struensee in -any other light than that of a man of almost menial -birth, who might be useful to them politically. -Struensee, who had arrogated to himself a foremost -place at the Danish court, was incensed at thus being -put outside the charmed circle, and vented his ill-humour -on the Queen, who was sufficiently mortified -on her own account. It was a relief to every one -when the visit ended, and the Swedish princes -betook themselves to Gottorp to stay with Prince -Charles of Hesse, and amaze him and his wife with -an account of the extraordinary proceedings of the -court of Copenhagen. This was the only royal visit -paid to the Danish court during Matilda’s regime, -and it gave her no taste for others.</p> - -<p>The state of the King’s mind made any repetition -of this experience impossible, for Christian VII. was -no longer able to play the host to royal guests. One<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316"></a>[Pg 316]</span> -of the current rumours was that Struensee and -the court physician, Berger, who was his creature, -tampered with the King’s health, and gave him -drugs which dulled his understanding. Certainly, -when the King appeared in public his dejected air -and extreme indifference to everything that was -going on around him gave colour to the report—which -was not true. The fact was that the condition -of Christian by this time had become hopeless; his -mind had partly given way, and the greatest care was -taken by the Queen and Struensee lest this should -be discovered. For if the King were proved to be -incapable of governing, what force had the decrees -issued in his name? But the King was declared to -be in perfect health, and the fiction of his absolutism -was rigidly maintained. On the strength of this, -sometimes, impudent demands were made upon him, -when Brandt was out of the way.</p> - -<p>For instance, one of the King’s pages drove -his master into a corner, and said to him, “Your -Majesty, make me a groom of the chamber”. Nor -would he let the King out until he had granted his -request, and the royal word once spoken could not be -recalled. Occasionally the King aired his authority -in a way which his keepers did not approve, and now -and then a ray of intelligence crossed his brain which -found expression in satire, and made Struensee fear -that perhaps the King was not quite so imbecile as -he looked. One day Christian, who wished for -nothing but to amuse himself, had been worried to -sign commissions appointing several new conference<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317"></a>[Pg 317]</span> -councillors, creatures of Struensee, who had little -or no qualification for their posts. The King that -evening at dinner kicked his favourite dog “Gourmand,” -who was lying at his feet, and asked, “Can -you bark?” and when the dog began yelping, the -King said, “As you can bark, you shall be a conference -councillor too”. He thereupon rose and -proposed the health of “Councillor Gourmand,” to -which all present had to drink. He also gave the -dog a salary, which had to be paid regularly from -the treasury. Struensee’s enemies regarded the -incident as a bitter joke on the part of the King, -and nicknamed the Minister “Gourmand”.</p> - -<p>On another occasion when Christian had been -forced to appoint a man, whom he disliked, a chamberlain, -he revenged himself by making one of the -palace menials a chamberlain too. The man, whose -duty it was to light the stoves, came into the royal -apartment just after Christian had been worried into -signing the paper. “Hullo, my good fellow, would -you like to be a chamberlain?” cried the King. The -man grinned sheepishly, and, to humour his master, -answered that he would not mind. “Very well,” -said the King, “you shall be one: come with me.” -He took the servant by the hand, and led him just -as he was, in his yellow blouse, into the great hall, -where the Queen, Struensee and all the court were -assembled, walked him to the middle of the room, -and shouted in a loud voice: “I appoint this man -my chamberlain”. As the theory that the King was -absolute had to be kept up at all hazards, the man<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318"></a>[Pg 318]</span> -became a chamberlain forthwith. Struensee, however, -hit on a device next day for getting out of the -difficulty, and bought the title back from the man -for the price of a small farm some distance from -the capital, whither he was despatched as soon as -possible.</p> - -<p>It was difficult to guard against these <i>contretemps</i>, -for the King’s condition varied considerably; some -days he was quite sane and lucid in his conversation, -so that no one would imagine that there was anything -the matter with him; on others he was to all -intents and purposes a madman. But his keepers -never knew when the mania would break out, and -it sometimes showed itself at most inconvenient -seasons. One day when the Queen was holding a -levee (it having been announced that the King did -not feel well enough to be present), the door suddenly -opened, and the King, who had managed to evade -the vigilance of Brandt, walked into the room, and -waving his hand to the assembled court, peremptorily -commanded silence. The conversation was at -once hushed, and the Queen, pale and trembling, -wondered what was coming next. The King, with -great earnestness, recited <i>The Warning Ode to -Princes</i>, by the famous poet, Klopstock, a poem -peculiarly suitable under the circumstances. When -it was finished, he again waved his hand to the -company, burst into a laugh, and walked out of the -room. It was probably after this incident that -Gunning wrote:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“I am very sorry to communicate so disagreeable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319"></a>[Pg 319]</span> -an article of news as that alarming reports have been -circulated on the subject of his Danish Majesty’s -health. Notwithstanding infinite pains have been -taken to conceal or explain away some very unpromising -symptoms, I am apprehensive they have -but too much foundation.”<a name="FNanchor_161_161" id="FNanchor_161_161"></a><a href="#Footnote_161_161" class="fnanchor">[161]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_161_161" id="Footnote_161_161"></a><a href="#FNanchor_161_161"><span class="label">[161]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, February 12, 1771.</p></div> - -<p>The court had by this time returned to Copenhagen -and taken up residence at the Christiansborg -Palace. Struensee now strove in every way to win -popularity for his administration. He was a great -believer in <i>panem et circenses</i>, and in pursuance of -this policy seized upon the King’s birthday (January -29, 1771) as an opportunity for bribing the populace. -The celebrations rivalled in magnificence those of -the coronation, and were also intended to dispel the -idea that the King was ignored in his own court. -A fountain was erected in the palace yard whence -flowed red and white wine, and all who would were -allowed to drink from it the King’s health. Sheep -and oxen were roasted whole, and distributed to -the crowd; gold and silver medals were struck, and -money thrown to the people. The King and Queen -looked down upon the scene from a balcony, while -the galleries which ran round the quadrangle were -crowded with spectators.</p> - -<p>The King’s birthday was also made the occasion -of glorifying the reigning Queen, and of rewarding -her adherents. Struensee gave Matilda all the -semblance of power, and himself grasped the substance. -In order to identify the young Queen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320"></a>[Pg 320]</span> -with the revolutionary changes that had recently -taken place, and impressing upon the nation the -prominent position which she now held in the -councils of the state, a new order was established, -which was called the Order of Matilda. The Queen -was founder of the order, and the statutes were -as follows:—</p> - -<ul id="OoM"> -<li>“I. The order shall be called the Order of -Matilda.</li> -<li>“II. It shall be conferred on both women and -men. The number shall never exceed -twenty-four, the Queen, its founder, included.</li> -<li>“III. It shall only be conferred on those persons -who deserve particular attention of the -Queen, independently of merit or services -rendered.</li> -<li>“IV. It is forbidden to ask for the order, and -those who act contrary to this rule will -deprive themselves for ever of the hope of -obtaining it.</li> -<li>“V. Those women or men who, on receiving the -Order of Matilda, already possess the ‘Order -of the Perfect Union’ of the late Queen-Mother, -Sophia Magdalena, shall deliver the -insignia of the latter to the Queen.</li> -<li>“VI. The order shall be worn with a pink ribbon -striped with silver. The men shall wear it -round the neck, and the ladies fasten it in -the shape of a bow on the left breast.</li> -<li>“VII. On the death of any person decorated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321"></a>[Pg 321]</span> -with the Order of Matilda, the heirs are -expected to return the insignia to the -Queen.”</li> -</ul> - -<p>The badge of the order was a medallion with -the letters “C. M.” set in diamonds, with a royal -crown over it and a laurel wreath round it. The -Queen was pleased to confer it on the King, the -Queen-Dowager, and Prince Frederick. The others -to whom it was given on the day of its institution -were Struensee, Rantzau, Osten, Brandt, General -and Madame Gahler, Madame de Plessen, who still -lived at Celle, and Baroness Schimmelmann, and -Countess Holstein, the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting. -The Queen only decorated those who were her -avowed supporters, and the establishment of this -order gave her the opportunity of honouring them -in a special and personal manner. But Struensee’s -enemies declared that he had invented the order -for his own special benefit, inasmuch as he despised -the Order of the Dannebrog, and did not yet dare -to take for himself the Order of the Elephant—the -highest order in Denmark. This, however, was a -malicious invention, for Struensee could have had -any order and title he wished, and if he did not take -them all at once, it was because he liked to prolong -the pleasure of anticipation.</p> - -<p>The court remained at Christiansborg throughout -the winter, and Brandt, who was now established -as a sort of master of the revels, had the -arrangement of all the festivities. His first step -was to alter and redecorate the royal theatre in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322"></a>[Pg 322]</span> -Copenhagen at great cost, and arrange a series of -operas. For the first time in Denmark, since the -Reformation, performances were given on Sunday, -and Sunday came to be regarded as the gala night -at the opera, when the King and Queen would -attend. This gave fresh offence to the puritan -party in Copenhagen. The rearranging of the -royal theatre was used as an occasion for offering a -further slight to the Queen-Dowager and her son. -They had hitherto been accustomed to share the -King’s box, but now they were allotted one of their -own. The Queen-Dowager rarely attended operas, -but Prince Frederick did, and the excuse put forward -was that there was no room for the Prince in the -royal box; but when, after protest, he yielded the -point, Struensee and Brandt appeared in the box, -and seated themselves immediately behind the King -and Queen.</p> - -<p>Struensee turned his attention to the court, and -soon the new brooms were busily sweeping out this -Augean stable of privilege and corruption. The expenditure -of the court was carefully revised, a great -many useless offices, chiefly held by the younger -sons of the nobility, were abolished, and pensions -and salaries greatly reduced. The King of Denmark -was burdened with a great number of costly -palaces, which were always in need of repair. None -of these palaces was closed, but the embellishment -of them, which was always going on, was commanded -to cease. By order of the late King Frederick -V. the building of a marble church, to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323"></a>[Pg 323]</span> -named after him Frederiks-Kirke, had been begun -in Copenhagen, after magnificent designs by Jardin, -the French architect. The building of this church, -which had now been going on for twenty years at -enormous cost, crippled the treasury. Struensee, -who considered the building of churches as useless -waste, put a stop to the works, and broke the contracts -with the builders. The church remained -half-finished.<a name="FNanchor_162_162" id="FNanchor_162_162"></a><a href="#Footnote_162_162" class="fnanchor">[162]</a> This occasioned much discontent; -the contractors declared that they were ruined, the -architect was loud in his complaints, artists protested -against the vandalism of abandoning so magnificent -an undertaking, and the clergy were scandalised that -the house of the Lord should be left in this condition -while large sums were squandered upon masquerades -and play-houses. It is true that Struensee’s changes -in the court did not effect much economy, for the -perpetual round of entertainments and festivities -organised by Brandt more than ate up anything -that might be saved in another direction.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_162_162" id="Footnote_162_162"></a><a href="#FNanchor_162_162"><span class="label">[162]</span></a> It so remained until 1878 for lack of funds, when Tietgen, a -wealthy banker of Copenhagen, undertook the cost, and it was finally -completed in 1894. The handsome copper-sheathed dome is a conspicuous -object in Copenhagen, especially when the city is approached -from the sea.</p></div> - -<p>To bring money into the depleted treasury, -Struensee established a royal Danish lottery, and -it became a most profitable institution, not only to -the court but to the Government. Its establishment -was regarded by many as state encouragement of -gambling, which would not fail to bring ruin upon -thousands; but protest was unavailing, for a mania<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324"></a>[Pg 324]</span> -for gambling seized the citizens of Copenhagen and -the people in the provinces, and nothing was talked -of but the lottery, to the hindrance of regular and -honest occupation. Struensee’s defence to his critics -was that he did not establish gambling, which already -existed in Denmark; he merely sought to regulate -it, and turn the craze to the benefit of the state. -In this, as in many other things, he was imitating -Catherine the Great, who raised money in the same -way.</p> - -<p>Struensee closed his programme of court reform -by what was in effect an indirect attack upon the -army, though it was really aimed at the nobility. -He abolished by royal decree the two squadrons -of Household Cavalry or King’s Bodyguard, who, -composed of picked handsome men, were the -flower of the Danish army. Struensee considered -them to be useless, and justified their abolition on -the ground of economy; but it was said that a -personal grievance had something to do with it. -The officers of the Household Cavalry were all -men of noble birth, and had the right of coming -to court when they liked. Many of them held -ornamental posts which Struensee had swept away. -Naturally the officers did not view these reforms with -favour, and they revenged themselves by making -slighting remarks about the mixed company which -now formed the court circle, and ridiculing the more -prominent members of it, including the favourite -himself. Struensee stopped this annoyance by -abolishing the Household Cavalry by a stroke of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325"></a>[Pg 325]</span> -his pen, and gave directions that the officers, who -could not at once be attached to other cavalry -regiments, were to be placed on half-pay; but the -non-commissioned officers and privates received no -compensation beyond the option of joining the Foot -Guards, whom they looked down upon and despised.</p> - -<p>A terrific uproar followed the promulgation of -this order. The army declared that it was an attack -on the King’s majesty and prestige, he could not -be properly guarded without his cavalry. The -protests of the nobles, the clergy, the lawyers, the -magistracy had been nothing to this. The officers -at whom Struensee really aimed belonged of course -to a class, but the troopers were from the people, -whom he desired to conciliate. They were very -popular among the citizens of Copenhagen, who -were proud of them. Even the Queen was frightened -at the din, and feared that in this measure -Struensee had gone too far. Some of her fear -must have communicated itself to him; for when -the Horse Guards were returning to their barracks -from the parade, where the King’s order had been -read to them, Struensee, who was driving, met them -face to face. The aspect of the soldiers and the -populace was so threatening that, believing a mutiny -to be imminent, he fled back to the palace and -hastily summoned the heads of the war department—Gahler, -Rantzau and Falckenskjold. The result -was a complete capitulation so far as the rank and -file were concerned. A cabinet order was issued -declaring that the disbandment of the Household<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326"></a>[Pg 326]</span> -Cavalry was only a prelude to the establishment of -a model corps which was to be called “The Flying -Bodyguard”. This corps was to be composed of -the non-commissioned officers and men of the two -squadrons disbanded, and picked men from other -cavalry regiments. Struensee declared that his -only object was to provide really efficient cavalry, -and this he had intended all the time. Now that -the danger had passed he sought to conceal that it -was a concession forced from him by fear. But the -rumour of his panic spread about the city, and it -was even said that he had been frightened into -offering his resignation. The rumour was not generally -believed, for it was thought incredible that a man -who had shown himself so daring and indomitable -should thus show signs of weakness.</p> - -<p>Struensee recognised that, from the popularity -point of view, he had made a false move, and sought -to retrieve it by popularising the court. Everything -now was done for the masses and nothing for the -classes. When, in 1771, spring came (and it comes -with a rush in Denmark) the beautiful gardens of -the Rosenborg<a name="FNanchor_163_163" id="FNanchor_163_163"></a><a href="#Footnote_163_163" class="fnanchor">[163]</a> Castle in Copenhagen, and the park -and gardens of Frederiksberg, outside the walls of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327"></a>[Pg 327]</span> -the city, were thrown open to the people, and on -Sundays and holidays military bands performed for -their benefit. The King and Queen frequently -honoured the concerts with their presence. They -would dine in the palace, and then mingle freely -with the crowd in the gardens, which was composed -of all classes. The grounds of the Rosenborg were -especially beautiful and varied, with shady groves -and shrubberies. Often of an evening the gardens -were illuminated with coloured lamps, and refreshment -buffets were erected. Struensee gave permission -to the proprietor of the buffets to open a -faro-bank which was much frequented, and the rent -paid for the tables was given to the foundling -hospital. Catherine the Great had done the same -thing at St. Petersburg. The clergy again cursed -Struensee from their pulpits; they declared that he -turned the King’s gardens into haunts of libertinism, -gambling and drunkenness, and the shady groves -and dark alleys into scenes of iniquity. These -charges were greatly exaggerated and fell wide of -the mark. Most of the amusement was quite -innocent, and despite the anathema of the Church, -the opening of the royal gardens was the most -popular measure of Struensee’s administration.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_163_163" id="Footnote_163_163"></a><a href="#FNanchor_163_163"><span class="label">[163]</span></a> Rosenborg, a handsome Renaissance palace with pediments -and towers, was erected by that splendour-loving monarch, Christian -IV., in 1610. It was his favourite residence, and from his death -until the reign of Christian VII. was used as an occasional residence -of the Danish monarchs, who here deposited their jewels, coronation -robes and other treasures. Christian VII. and Matilda never used -the Rosenborg as a residence. It is now converted into a Danish -historical museum, and is full of relics and beautiful things. A visit -to it is a most instructive lesson in Danish history.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328"></a>[Pg 328]</span></p></div> - - - - -<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> - -<p class="center">THE DICTATOR.</p> - -<p class="center">1771.</p> - - -<p>When the court removed from Copenhagen to -Hirschholm for the summer, it was officially announced -that the Queen was likely again to become -a mother. The fact had long been known to people -about the court, but the publication of it was unduly -delayed. Some months before its announcement -Gunning wrote to England: “As no declaration -has yet been made of her Danish Majesty’s pregnancy, -I have long entertained scruples with regard -to the propriety of mentioning it; but as nobody -seems to make the least doubt of its truth, I am at -length convinced I ought no longer to suppress so -important a piece of intelligence”.<a name="FNanchor_164_164" id="FNanchor_164_164"></a><a href="#Footnote_164_164" class="fnanchor">[164]</a> Extraordinary -mystery was observed. The Saxon minister informed -his court that at the last drawing-room -held before the Queen’s confinement, no one -ventured to inquire after her Majesty’s health, -though it was the usual custom.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_164_164" id="Footnote_164_164"></a><a href="#FNanchor_164_164"><span class="label">[164]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, February 12, 1771.</p></div> - -<p>The news was ill-received by the Danish people, -who had hitherto not been disposed to judge the -young Queen too harshly. Except by the clergy,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329"></a>[Pg 329]</span> -and some women, Matilda was more pitied than -blamed, and spoken of with sorrow rather than with -anger. But when her pregnancy was at last declared, -and an order issued for prayers to be offered -for her in the churches, many people (even those -who had tried to believe the best) regarded the -announcement as a confirmation of their worst -suspicions. The clergy in many instances did not -obey the order to pray for the Queen, and in some -of the principal churches in Copenhagen half the -congregation rose up and left the church when the -prayer was read. The Danes, though accustomed -to the profligacy of their kings, had hitherto regarded -their queens as above suspicion. The old -Queen-Mother, Sophia Magdalena, had been a -model of respectability: Queen Louise was almost -worshipped on account of her domestic virtues: -even Juliana Maria, the Queen-Dowager, unpopular -though she was, on account of her intriguing and -vindictive disposition, had never given occasion for -the slightest whisper against her fair fame. When, -therefore, Matilda, who had come to Denmark little -more than four years before, a child-bride with golden -hair and blue eyes, the incarnation of innocence, and -who (during the early years of her married life) -had won all hearts by the way she had borne her -sorrows, suddenly put aside her modesty and -dignity, surrounded herself with ladies of easy -virtue, and compromised herself with a man of -inferior position, she alienated the sympathies of -the people.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330"></a>[Pg 330]</span></p> - -<p>It is true that, even admitting the worst, of -which there was no positive proof, the young Queen -of Denmark was only imitating the conduct of the -Empress Catherine of Russia and her predecessors, -the Empresses Ann and Elizabeth. But Russia was -a more barbarous country than Denmark, and the -priests of the Eastern Church took a more tolerant -view of breaches of the seventh commandment -than the puritanical clergy of Denmark. Moreover, -Catherine conducted her amours with more -discretion than Matilda; her conduct in public was -a model of decorum, however shameless it might be -in private; she was careful always to conciliate the -clergy, to respect the rights and privileges of the -national Church, and to be regular in her attendance -at public worship. But Matilda, urged by -Struensee, had attacked the rights of the established -Church, and had needlessly shocked the conventions. -And whereas the favourites of the Empress -of Russia were puppets in her hands, the Queen -of Denmark was a puppet in the hands of her -favourite.</p> - -<a name="i330" id="i330"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> -<div class="figleft" style="width: 300px;"> -<img src="images/page330-1.jpg" width="300" height="367" alt="The insignia of the Order of Matilda." /> -<div class="caption">(1)</div> -</div> -<div class="figright" style="width: 250px; vertical-align: center;"> -<img src="images/page330-2.jpg" width="250" height="367" alt="The wedding goblet of King Christian VII. and Queen Matilda." /> -<div class="caption">(2)</div> -</div> -<div class="caption"> -TWO RELICS OF QUEEN MATILDA IN THE ROSENBORG CASTLE, COPENHAGEN.<br />(1) THE INSIGNIA OF THE ORDER OF MATILDA; (2) THE WEDDING GOBLET.</div> -</div> - -<p>It must be repeated that much would have -been forgiven the young and beautiful Queen had -her favourite been other than he was—had he been -a Dane of good birth, who respected the proprieties -sufficiently to keep himself in the background. -Had the young Queen been first, and her favourite -second, she might have gathered as much power -in her hands as she would, and have aroused -little opposition except at the court of the Queen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331"></a>[Pg 331]</span>-Dowager, -and those whose interests she attacked. -She would certainly have reigned still in the hearts -of the people, who were willing to make great allowance -because of her wrongs. But when her favourite -was a German, an upstart, who flaunted his power -over the Queen in the face of the public, and made -her do a hundred things which were not in keeping -with her rank as a queen, or her dignity as a -woman, when every one knew that it was he who -dictated the new policy of the King, and used the -Queen as a buffer between him and the popular -indignation, when he attacked the national institutions -and flouted the national sentiment at every -turn—it is no wonder that a cry of indignation -went up, not only against the minister, but also -against the Queen.</p> - -<p>This indignation deepened when it was announced -on July 7, 1771, that the Queen was delivered of a -daughter. Mounted messengers at once conveyed the -tidings from Hirschholm, whither the court had gone -three weeks before, to Copenhagen, and the birth -of the princess was proclaimed in the usual manner -from the balcony of the Christiansborg Palace. -Royal salutes were discharged from the cannon on -the ramparts and at the arsenal, and heralds in -gorgeous tabards blew a blast of trumpets from -the town hall and the principal church towers. -But so far from the event arousing any public -rejoicing, ominous murmurs were heard among the -people, and the free press did not hesitate to abuse -its freedom by more scurrilous articles and gross<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332"></a>[Pg 332]</span> -caricatures. Though there was no proof, the newborn -infant was generally believed to be the child -of Struensee, “who,” said his enemies, “had shamelessly -dishonoured the King’s bed, and introduced -his vile posterity in the place of the pure blood of -Oldenburg”. It must be stated here, however, that -even if the Queen’s indiscretion with Struensee were -admitted, it was not impossible that the Princess -should have been the King’s child, and this was the -view taken later by the Queen’s most inveterate -enemies. Unfortunately, colour was given to this -damaging report by Struensee assisting with Berger -at the accouchement of the Queen; no other physicians -were called in, and all the etiquette usual on -these occasions was abolished.</p> - -<p>With incredible recklessness Struensee chose -this time, when his unpopularity was at its height, -and the air full of evil rumours, to put the crown -upon his audacity by seizing the kingly power in -a way no subject had ever dared to attempt before. -Struensee’s nominal office hitherto had been that of -Master of Requests; in reality he had been dictator, -and governed both the state and the court. But -this was not enough for his boundless ambition; he -was no longer content to work behind the King and -Queen, and through his creatures Rantzau, Gahler -and Osten. He therefore induced the King to -appoint him (or rather he appointed himself) “Privy -Cabinet Minister,” and to invest him with absolute -authority.</p> - -<p>An extraordinary order, signed by the King,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333"></a>[Pg 333]</span> -and counter-signed by Struensee, was published -from Hirschholm, July 15, 1771, a week after the -birth of the Princess, and copies were sent to every -department of the Government, and the ministers -of foreign courts. Briefly, this document ordained -that henceforth all orders or directions issued by -Struensee and signed by him would have the same -force and validity as if they were given under the -royal sign manual; and whether the orders of the -Privy Cabinet Minister came addressed to the heads -of departments, or to their subordinates in office, -they were to be instantly and implicitly obeyed. -“The cabinet orders issued in this way,” wrote -the King, “shall have the same validity as those -drawn up by Our hand. They shall be immediately -obeyed.”</p> - -<p>This decree, which amounted to a virtual abdication -on the part of Christian VII. in favour -of Struensee, was received with consternation and -indignation from one end of the kingdom to the -other. At first it seemed impossible that the King -could thus vest any subject with unlimited power, -but, since no other meaning could be attached to -the document, the people declared that it could -only have been wrested from the King by force or -undue influence. It was now realised that from the -beginning Struensee had aimed at absolute power. -He first persuaded the King to abolish the Council -of State and proclaim himself an absolute monarch, -and then forced him to delegate the whole power -to him as Privy Cabinet Minister. The Danish<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334"></a>[Pg 334]</span> -nation were, in fact, no longer ruled by their hereditary -monarch but by a foreign adventurer, who had -usurped the kingly functions, and, having abolished -all ministers and councils, gathered up into himself -every branch of power and prerogative. The unscrupulousness -of the man was only equalled by -his audacity. It was the last straw on the back -of the long-suffering Danes. Hitherto, the agitation -against Struensee had been confined to certain -classes; now it represented the whole nation, and -not all the laws he had passed for the benefit of -the people, nor all the doles he had meted out to -them, could avail to quell the tempest of indignation -aroused by the publication of this royal decree. Its -promulgation at such a time, within a week of the -Queen’s delivery, gave credence to the rumour that -the infant Princess was not the King’s child but -Struensee’s, and it was said that this insolent tyrant, -who stopped at nothing, had already formed a plan -of getting the King out of the way, of marrying -the Queen, of assassinating the Crown Prince, and -establishing himself and his posterity upon the -throne of Denmark.</p> - -<p>The Princess was christened on the Queen’s -birthday, July 22, 1771, under the names of Louise -Augusta—the first name having been that of the -King’s mother, the second that of the Princess-Dowager -of Wales. The King, himself, stood as -principal sponsor to the child, the others being his -brother Prince Frederick, and the Queen-Dowager, -Juliana Maria. Whispers of the current scandal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335"></a>[Pg 335]</span> -had reached the ears of the Queen and Struensee, -and the choice of these sponsors was a way of contradicting -them. The Queen-Dowager and Prince -Frederick were present at the express command -of the King, and dared not disobey. They must -have come very unwillingly, for Juliana Maria had -already stated in private what she afterwards proclaimed -in public—that the legitimacy of the Princess -was open to grave suspicion. The child was -generally spoken of by the courtiers as “the -Ma’amselle”.</p> - -<p>The Queen’s birthday and the royal christening -formed the occasion of a further elevation of the -all-powerful Minister. With reckless effrontery, -Struensee chose this day of all others for the King -to confer upon him and his colleague, Brandt, the -title of Count, the highest title in the kingdom.<a name="FNanchor_165_165" id="FNanchor_165_165"></a><a href="#Footnote_165_165" class="fnanchor">[165]</a> No -estates were granted to the recipients of these -honours; it was announced that the King had -offered large domains, but Struensee’s modesty -would now not allow him to accept this further -mark of the royal favour. Both Struensee and -Brandt had received large sums from the treasury, -and since Struensee could take practically what -he liked, he probably thought it would look better -to waive any claim to estates for the present. -So he made a parade of his disinterestedness, and -contented himself with a brand new coat of arms, -and other outward signs of his new dignity. -The coat of arms must have cost him much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336"></a>[Pg 336]</span> -thought, for its composition showed remarkable -ingenuity. He symbolised in it every department -of the state, which he now governed as absolute -minister.</p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_165_165" id="Footnote_165_165"></a><a href="#FNanchor_165_165"><span class="label">[165]</span></a> Keith’s despatch, Copenhagen, July 23, 1771.</p></div> - -<blockquote><p>“The escutcheon (symbolical of the state) was -divided into five fields, the centre one of which -represented a sailing vessel (the symbol of commerce) -with a crown over it, typical of the monarch -and the persons representing him. The first and -fourth quarters displayed four rivers (exports and -imports idealised) on a field <i>or</i>, which was the -symbol of Denmark, rich in corn, and Norway, -abounding in metal, wood and fish. In the third -and second quarters was a crown surrounded with -palm leaves (the symbol of peace and victory) and -two crossed keys (the image of authority and might) -on a field <i>azure</i>, which allegorically typified fidelity -and constancy. Below the coat of arms was the -royal crown with the badge of the Matilda Order, -surrounded by a laurel wreath (the symbol of -fortune, joy and honour), from which flowed two -rivers running round the chief escutcheon (the state), -supported by two beavers (the representatives of -architecture and industry) guarded by <i>bourgeois</i> -helmets (emblems of national armament), counts’ -crowns (the symbol of the servant of the state), and -an owl holding a key in its mouth (as allegories of -thought and wisdom). Above the whole was displayed, -between two eagle wings (the symbols of -power, strength and victory), a man-of-war in full -sail (typical of the navy), and above this, again, a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337"></a>[Pg 337]</span> -suspended crown, surrounded by palm branches -(the type of peace).”<a name="FNanchor_166_166" id="FNanchor_166_166"></a><a href="#Footnote_166_166" class="fnanchor">[166]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_166_166" id="Footnote_166_166"></a><a href="#FNanchor_166_166"><span class="label">[166]</span></a> Wraxall’s <i>Life and Times of Caroline Matilda</i>.</p></div> - -<p>Struensee had all his life professed the most -radical ideas. He had begun his political career -as one who despised rank, titles and display—and -yet he crowned it by framing this heraldic absurdity. -He had the preposterous coat of arms engraved on -the seal which he affixed to cabinet orders; he -built himself a magnificent coach, resplendent with -crimson and gold, and blazoned it on the panels. -He vested his servants and running footmen in -gaudy liveries of scarlet and white, and decked them -with diamond badges. When Struensee’s valet -appeared for the first time in his new livery he -fell down the palace stairs, and in his fall broke his -badge and his nose, and the blood spoiled his finery. -On Struensee being told of this ill-omened mishap, -he gave his usual answer to any unpleasant news: -“As God wills”. This fatalistic answer also gives -the measure of his arrogance, for he had come -to consider himself an instrument chosen by God. -Certainly, from his rapid rise to power, and the -way in which he moulded everything to his will, -Struensee may well have believed, with many -others, that there was something supernatural about -him, though his enemies declared that his power -came from the devil. At this time, notwithstanding -the universal hatred which he inspired, the Privy -Cabinet Minister seemed omnipotent and his tenure -of power assured. So much was this the case that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338"></a>[Pg 338]</span> -Gunning, a very keen observer, thought it would -be best to accept the peculiar relations which existed -between the Queen and her favourite, and turn -them to the advantage of England. In a long -and important despatch, written nominally for the -guidance of the English Secretary of State, Lord -Halifax, in reality for George III., he described at -length the situation at the Danish court, and gave -a detailed description of the principal personages -then in power. As his general view is the one -taken in these pages, it is not necessary to go over -the ground again, but the following word-portrait of -Struensee may be quoted; the more so as it is -studiously dispassionate:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“M<sup>r</sup> Struensee, the Favourite, ... was bred a -physician, and till within these ten months continued -the practice of his profession. He is supposed not -to be destitute of some knowledge, acquired at a -German university, but with respect to any political -attainments, either as they may concern the state of -Europe in general, or this country in particular, he -has them almost wholly to make. He is said to -have carried the freedom of thinking as far as any -man, but as his conversation discovers nothing of -that vivacity and grace by which other men in a -disadvantageous situation have won their way to -royal favour, it is universal matter of wonder how -he has managed to gain so entire an ascendency -over their Danish Majesties. His manner of treating -business is dry and ungraceful. He, however, -possesses a clear and ready conception of things.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339"></a>[Pg 339]</span> -A great share of natural confidence, and indifference -with regard to the ideas others may form of his -principles or abilities, brings him at once without -ambiguity or affectation to the point in question, -so that he is always intelligible though he may not -be agreeable. He appears to have no vanity, but -it is supplied by no small share of insolence. A -stronger or juster idea of this gentleman’s character -cannot be conveyed than by contrasting it (the -article only of understanding excepted) with that of -Count Bernstorff. The latter was characteristically -timid, cautious and irresolute; the former is bold, -enterprising and firm. The Minister possessed -great extent of political knowledge; the Favourite -is uncommonly circumscribed in what relates to this -kind of acquisition. Count Bernstorff displayed -great refinement of manners with an easy flow of -eloquence; M<sup>r</sup> Struensee’s address is simple, and his -way of speaking inelegant and embarrassed. The -Minister’s conduct exhibited a conspicuous example -of morality and religion; that of the Favourite is said -to be deficient in both.”</p></blockquote> - -<p>After drawing character-sketches of Rantzau, -Gahler and others, and reviewing the quarrel with -Russia, Gunning went on to show how Struensee -might be used to the advantage of England:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“As the Queen of Denmark <i>is now in full possession -of the most absolute power</i>, and free from all -imaginable control, it were to be wished that some -means dictated by the wisdom of our Royal Master -[George III.] were made use of to give her Danish<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340"></a>[Pg 340]</span> -Majesty a true and just idea of the importance of a -close and permanent alliance between Great Britain, -Denmark and Russia, and prevent her any longer -from seeing a connection with the latter through the -medium of personal resentment, so that the views -of this court might be brought back into their -natural channel. M<sup>r</sup> Struensee, in whom her -Majesty places the most unreserved confidence, and -whose vast influence with her is unquestioned, as -he is attached to no particular system, might, with -proper management, be induced to forget his personal -prejudice, and heartily to concur in, and recommend, -such measures as the court of Great -Britain would wish her Majesty to pursue. This -would (if I may presume to offer my opinion) be -more advisable than to attempt his removal, which, -considering the ascendency he has, could not but -be attended with danger. If he was secured, he -might easily be made instrumental to the views of -the two courts. But as there can be little hopes of -gaining the other two [Rantzau and Gahler], or if -there were, of any reliance being placed on them, -their dismission ought to be effected. The critical -state of the King of Denmark’s health makes it of -the last importance, both to the Queen’s happiness -and the tranquillity of this kingdom, that she should -not, in case of the regency devolving on her, be -surrounded and advised by men so extremely unpopular -and so justly detested as these are universally. -I must not conceal from your Lordship -that there is scarcely a single family or person in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341"></a>[Pg 341]</span> -these dominions of any considerable rank, property -or influence, who has not been disobliged, disgusted -and (as they think) injured; and whose disaffection, -there is reason to apprehend, only waits for a -favourable opportunity of manifesting itself.”<a name="FNanchor_167_167" id="FNanchor_167_167"></a><a href="#Footnote_167_167" class="fnanchor">[167]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_167_167" id="Footnote_167_167"></a><a href="#FNanchor_167_167"><span class="label">[167]</span></a> Gunning’s despatch, Copenhagen, April 4, 1771.</p></div> - -<p>Gunning’s view did not appeal to the King of -England. George III., a model of the domestic -virtues, would under no circumstances enter into -negotiations with Struensee. To do so would be -to condone, or recognise, the position the favourite -held with his sister. The official answer to Gunning’s -despatch was a note informing him of his -promotion as ambassador to Berlin. George III. -recognised his minister’s diplomatic abilities, but it -seemed to him that what was wanted at Copenhagen -at the present juncture was a man of action rather -than a diplomatist. He regarded the state of affairs -at the Danish court as impossible to last, and therefore -replaced Gunning by a man personally known -to him, who could be trusted to intervene when -matters came to a crisis on behalf of the Queen. -The new envoy was Lieutenant-General (afterwards -Sir Robert) Murray Keith.<a name="FNanchor_168_168" id="FNanchor_168_168"></a><a href="#Footnote_168_168" class="fnanchor">[168]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_168_168" id="Footnote_168_168"></a><a href="#FNanchor_168_168"><span class="label">[168]</span></a> Keith’s <i>Memoirs</i> have been published, but they do not include -his despatches, now published in these volumes for the first time.</p></div> - -<p>Keith was a Scotsman. Born in Ayrshire, in -1730, he was the son of a British Ambassador at -Vienna. He was a man of all-round ability, though -he was perhaps more of a soldier than a diplomatist. -In early life he wrote some poems of considerable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342"></a>[Pg 342]</span> -merit, and on arriving at man’s estate entered the -army. He fought at the battle of Minden, and later -was appointed major-commandant of three new -companies of Highlanders, known as “Keith’s -Highlanders,” who distinguished themselves in many -a hard-fought fight. Eventually they were disbanded, -and then some employment had to be found for their -distinguished commander. In 1769 he was appointed -British Minister at the court of Saxony, and he -remained at Dresden until 1771, when George III., -looking round for some one whom he could trust, and -whose fidelity to his royal house was undoubted, -chose Keith to succeed Gunning at Copenhagen.</p> - -<p>Keith arrived at the Danish capital in June, 1771, -shortly before the birth of the Princess Louise -Augusta. He did not take up his new duties with -any zest. “Climate, comfort and society are all -against me,” he wrote to his father shortly after -his arrival at Copenhagen. But he found the place -“by far a finer city than I had figured to myself, or -had a right to expect from the other Danish towns -I had seen upon the road. The streets are broad, -the openings and the squares spacious, and the -palace, as well as several of the public buildings, -magnificent.”<a name="FNanchor_169_169" id="FNanchor_169_169"></a><a href="#Footnote_169_169" class="fnanchor">[169]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_169_169" id="Footnote_169_169"></a><a href="#FNanchor_169_169"><span class="label">[169]</span></a> <i>Memoirs of Sir Robert Murray Keith</i>, vol. i.</p></div> - -<p>Keith found the situation dominated by Struensee, -and like Gunning (who had now gone to Berlin) -thought that his tenure in power was assured: -“While I am in expectation of his Majesty’s -orders on this head,” he wrote, “I shall be equally<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343"></a>[Pg 343]</span> -cautious not to court too far or to disgust this gentleman.... -From all I have heard of his character, it -seems assiduous to the greatest degree, enterprising -and active.... It may not be judging too rapidly -of M<sup>r</sup> Struensee to suppose that having laboured -so hard to get on the pinnacle of power his chief -care may for some time be to secure his situation.”<a name="FNanchor_170_170" id="FNanchor_170_170"></a><a href="#Footnote_170_170" class="fnanchor">[170]</a> -And again: “I shall only add that if the general -opinion here is to be trusted—for hitherto I have been -able to form few opinions of my own—the new Count -and Minister will show himself at any risk, and by -all means whatever, as tenacious of the power he -has grasped as he has been daring and active in -attaining to it”.<a name="FNanchor_171_171" id="FNanchor_171_171"></a><a href="#Footnote_171_171" class="fnanchor">[171]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_170_170" id="Footnote_170_170"></a><a href="#FNanchor_170_170"><span class="label">[170]</span></a> Keith’s despatch, July 10, 1771.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_171_171" id="Footnote_171_171"></a><a href="#FNanchor_171_171"><span class="label">[171]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i>, July 27, 1771.</p></div> - -<p>Keith quickly found that it did not depend on -the King of England’s orders for him “to court or -to disgust” Struensee as he pleased. The precise -degree of intimacy which was permitted him at -court, or with the affairs of the government, was -regulated by Struensee himself, and a line was laid -down beyond which Keith could not pass. The -Minister, who probably guessed the motive which -prompted George III. to send Keith to Copenhagen, -treated the English envoy with marked coldness, -and would not permit him to have private audience -either with the King or with the Queen. Keith -thus found himself checked on the very threshold of -his mission; he sent home a bitter complaint of his -reception at the court of Denmark. He writes:—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344"></a>[Pg 344]</span></p> - -<blockquote><p>“Count Struensee, after removing from the -court every person of this country who could give -him umbrage, has at last been prompted by his -jealousy of the foreign ministers to make an entire -change in the forms of the audiences granted to -them.” ... [Here follows an account of how the -Russian envoy had been refused audience.]</p> - -<p>“When I presented copies of my credentials to -Count Osten, he was so civil as to offer to conduct -me himself to the audiences at Hirschholm, <i>as there -was no Master of the Ceremonies</i>, and I cannot -suppose that the Count foresaw a repetition of the -above innovation in my case, as, on the contrary, -he talked with pleasure of the gracious and even -distinguished reception I might expect, being the -bearer of the strongest assurances of the friendship -and affection of the King for both his Sovereigns. -For my part, I had no suspicion of such intention, -not being able to figure to myself that any court -could pretend to establish <i>by surprise</i> a regulation -subversive of the very nature of private audiences.</p> - -<p>“When I was ushered into the room, where his -Danish Majesty stood alone, I imagined that the -folding doors, which had been opened only at my -entrance, were again shut after me; but during the -audience I found that one, or both, of the doors <i>behind -me</i> had been left ajar, or pushed open, after I had -begun to deliver the compliment with which I was -charged to the King of Denmark.</p> - -<p>“I was afterwards carried through several rooms -of the palace into one where, <i>unexpectedly</i>, I found<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345"></a>[Pg 345]</span> -her Danish Majesty alone, and the doors on each -side of that apartment stood wide open. But, as -the Queen was supposed to be within a few hours of -her lying-in, I did not judge it proper to make any -difficulty with regard to that circumstance, and therefore -delivered the King’s letter, accompanied with -the expressions contained in my instructions. It -had occurred to me from the beginning that to retire -in the midst of the audience from the King, or to -refuse that of her Majesty <i>in the apparent situation -of her health</i>, might be interpreted as disrespectful -to one or other of their Danish Majesties.... -When I spoke upon this matter to M<sup>r</sup> Osten, he -was so far from vindicating the innovation that he -assured me in positive terms that none such had -been intended, and that the door of the King’s -room being open must have been owing to accident. -I have since had good reason to believe that M<sup>r</sup> -Osten was either misinformed in this affair, or -not sincere in what he advanced.... About a -fortnight ago Baron Hamilton was sent by the King -of Sweden upon his accession with a compliment to -this court, and the audiences granted to him upon -this occasion were <i>with open doors</i>.... The affair -now came to a crisis, and, as I was sensible how -much my court was averse from a dispute of this -nature, I not only said all in my power to Count -Osten, but, in order to prevent any harsh step being -taken, I offered to wait upon Count Struensee -at Hirschholm, to lay before him in the most dispassionate -manner the forms observed by all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346"></a>[Pg 346]</span> -great courts of Europe upon this head, and the impropriety, -not to say impracticability, of excluding all -private audiences whatever, which was evidently -the object of the intended regulation. Count Osten -was waiting to see the event of a representation in -writing he had just made to the same effect, but -if that should fail he accepted my offer of visiting -the Cabinet Minister.</p> - -<p>“This happened on Wednesday last, prior to our -going to pay our court at Hirschholm, and I cannot -tell your Lordship how much I was surprised at -Count Osten’s acquainting me the same evening -that his endeavours were unsuccessful, and my intended -conference needless, as it had been declared -to him <i>positively</i> that the King of Denmark would -abide by the resolution of granting hereafter no -audiences to foreign ministers with shut doors.”<a name="FNanchor_172_172" id="FNanchor_172_172"></a><a href="#Footnote_172_172" class="fnanchor">[172]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_172_172" id="Footnote_172_172"></a><a href="#FNanchor_172_172"><span class="label">[172]</span></a> Keith’s despatch, Copenhagen, July 29, 1771.</p></div> - -<p>Keith soon found that nothing remained for him -but to play the waiting game at the court of Denmark. -He was subjected to a form of boycott, and -both at court and the foreign office he was kept at -arm’s length. “At the court,” he writes, “where -everything is carried on with an affection of mystery, -where the Sovereign and the Prime Minister are -equally inaccessible, a foreign envoy is obliged to -watch ... the slightest indications to form a judgment -of the system of politics likely to be adopted.”<a name="FNanchor_173_173" id="FNanchor_173_173"></a><a href="#Footnote_173_173" class="fnanchor">[173]</a> -And again he writes to his father privately: “An -intercourse of an hour for once a week with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347"></a>[Pg 347]</span> -court, a formal supper once a fortnight with the -fashionable people—make the whole of my public -appearances. And what may form a sure prognostic -of the future society, I can safely assure you that in -a residence of two months I have not been admitted -to any one visit that I have made to man or woman, -Dane or <i>diplomatique</i>.”<a name="FNanchor_174_174" id="FNanchor_174_174"></a><a href="#Footnote_174_174" class="fnanchor">[174]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_173_173" id="Footnote_173_173"></a><a href="#FNanchor_173_173"><span class="label">[173]</span></a> Keith’s despatch, Copenhagen, August 31, 1771.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_174_174" id="Footnote_174_174"></a><a href="#FNanchor_174_174"><span class="label">[174]</span></a> <i>Memoirs of Sir Robert Murray Keith</i>, vol. i.</p></div> - -<blockquote><p>In October he writes again to his father: “I -am sorry to say that the climate, society and politics -of this kingdom are equally uncomfortable.... -The little of summer I saw was sultry and -languid, August and almost all September rotten -and rainy, and the few clear days we have had -lately too chilly to be abroad with pleasure. Five -months of a dismal and variable winter are now -awaiting us, with as little defence against the cold, -both of body and spirit, as can well be imagined. -After looking round me with an anxious yet a benevolent -eye for anything that may be called ‘society,’ -or even a single friend, male or female, I am forced -to own to myself that there is not any hope of -succeeding.”<a name="FNanchor_175_175" id="FNanchor_175_175"></a><a href="#Footnote_175_175" class="fnanchor">[175]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_175_175" id="Footnote_175_175"></a><a href="#FNanchor_175_175"><span class="label">[175]</span></a> <i>Memoirs of Sir Robert Murray Keith</i>, vol. i.</p></div> - -<p>Shortly after the arrival of Keith at Copenhagen -another person <span class="correction" title="In the original book: re-appeared.">reappeared</span> upon the scene. Reverdil, -the Swiss, was recalled to the Danish court, after -an absence of three years. His return was due to the -fact that Brandt had become tired of his position as -sole guardian of the King. Christian VII. was a -troublesome charge; he was often morose and some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348"></a>[Pg 348]</span>times -quarrelsome, and a good deal of friction arose -between him and Brandt, until the latter found his -post exceedingly wearisome. He often left the -King in charge of Moranti, a black boy, whom -Christian dressed in uniform and made an inseparable -companion. Meanwhile Brandt amused himself -with the beautiful Countess Holstein, one of the -Queen’s ladies-in-waiting, with whom he had an -amour. Gallantry, music and the dance were much -more congenial to him than the society of the semi-imbecile -King. He therefore told Struensee that -he must find some one else to take his place, or -at least relieve him in part of his duties. Struensee -was reluctant that Brandt should resign his position -as permanent attendant to the King, for it was -necessary to keep him closely guarded from outside -influence. But as Brandt insisted, after some reflection, -Struensee resolved to recall Reverdil, who, -if not his friend, was at least free from any intrigue -against his authority.</p> - -<a name="i348" id="i348"></a> -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 567px;"> -<img src="images/page348.jpg" width="567" height="800" alt="Queen Matilda and her son, the Crown Prince of Denmark." /> -<div class="caption">QUEEN MATILDA AND HER SON, THE CROWN PRINCE OF DENMARK.<br /><i>From the Painting at the Rosenborg, Copenhagen.</i></div> -</div> - -<p>Reverdil was much astonished when he received -a letter from Struensee saying that the King of -Denmark desired his return to court, and wished to -resume with him the scheme for enfranchising the -serfs, and asked him to name his own terms. Reverdil -demurred a little at first, and pleaded for time -to consider the offer. He communicated with a -trusted friend in Copenhagen, and also asked the -advice of Count Bernstorff, who was living in -retirement at Grabow, near Borstel. Reverdil’s -friend at Copenhagen sent him a list of persons<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349"></a>[Pg 349]</span> -who had been appointed and dismissed during -Struensee’s administration, and gave him to understand -that if he accepted the office he would hold -it on a very precarious tenure. Bernstorff, though -greatly prejudiced against Struensee, urged Reverdil -to go, for the King had need of him, and it -was his duty to succour the unfortunate Sovereign. -He wrote him a long letter, the gist of which may -be summed up in the following quotation:—</p> - -<blockquote><p>“Go to Copenhagen, appear at court, but do -not enter into engagements until you have reconnoitred -the ground for yourself. If you can do -good, do not refuse to do it for a country that needs -it. May Heaven grant you merit and glory; but -if you see that the means are refused you, do -not allow yourself to be drawn into any subordinate, -doubtful and odious employment, dictated by harsh, -dishonest evil-doers. Do not allow your name to -be associated with the names of men about whom -the nation is already weeping and posterity will -weep for a long time.”<a name="FNanchor_176_176" id="FNanchor_176_176"></a><a href="#Footnote_176_176" class="fnanchor">[176]</a></p></blockquote> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_176_176" id="Footnote_176_176"></a><a href="#FNanchor_176_176"><span class="label">[176]</span></a> Letter of Bernstorff to Reverdil, June 9, 1771. <i>Mémoires de -Reverdil.</i></p></div> - -<p>Reverdil determined to follow Bernstorff’s advice, -and wrote to Struensee accepting the post on the -conditions that he might return home when he -thought proper, and the King should pay his travelling -expenses both ways. On his journey to Copenhagen, -especially in the duchies, Reverdil was struck -with the hatred and odium which the name of Struensee -inspired among all classes. At Schleswig<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350"></a>[Pg 350]</span> -he met the Princess-Dowager of Culmbach, the -great-aunt by marriage of the King, and the -Prince and Princess Charles of Hesse. They all -lamented the terrible state of things at the Danish -court, the insolence of the favourite, and the -infatuation of the Queen, and agreed that such -an intolerable state of affairs could not long be -allowed to continue. The thought appears to have -crossed Reverdil’s mind to turn back, but upon -reflection he dismissed it, and proceeded on his -journey.</p> - -<p>Reverdil reported himself at Hirschholm in -July (1771). He relates in his <i>Memoirs</i> that he -was received by Brandt, who welcomed him with -effusion, and told him of the King’s wretched -mental condition, of the necessity he had of a constant -companion, and his desire that Reverdil -should fill the place, since both he and the King -had grown weary of one another. Reverdil listened -in silence and without enthusiasm. He was then -presented to the King and the Queen, who received -him with great cordiality. The Queen -spoke to him kindly, as, indeed, had always been -her wont, and the King was very civil, nothing -in what he said revealing his malady. Reverdil -was invited to dine at the royal table, and after -dinner was admitted to private audience of the -King. Christian made some sort of apology for -his abrupt dismissal of Reverdil three years ago, -and threw the blame of it on Holck. The King’s -manner and speech were those of a perfectly sane<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351"></a>[Pg 351]</span> -man, and he appeared to talk quite freely and without -constraint. Reverdil had been told in the -provinces that every word the King said was -dictated to him beforehand by the favourites, but -no sign of this was visible in his conversation. -The next day Reverdil took a drive with the King -and Brandt. Brandt treated the King with scant -respect; he occupied the whole of the back of the -carriage, and lounged out of the window, that all -might see him who passed by. The poor King -crouched up in a corner of the other seat with a sad -and frightened air, and seemed glad when the drive -was over.</p> - -<p>Reverdil now entered upon his duties, and remained -alone with the King in his apartments. -Before long Christian’s mania manifested itself, -despite his efforts to conceal it. His mind began to -wander, and he broke out into rapid and incoherent -speech. Occasionally he would recite lines from -<i>Zaire</i>, in which he had acted years before; often -he would address Reverdil as “Brandt,” sometimes -as “Denize” or “Latour”—two French actors who -had been in his service—sometimes by his right -name. Now and then he would vaunt himself, and -recall the fact that he had been greeted like a god -by the English nation, and declare that his glory -and magnificence were above those of all other kings -on earth. On other occasions he would become -depressed and melancholy, and belittle himself, saying -that no matter what he did he would never be -more than a “little man” of no reputation. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352"></a>[Pg 352]</span> -talked much about his infirmities, and sometimes -threatened to commit suicide. “Shall I drown myself?” -he would say. “Shall I throw myself out -of the window, or dash out my brains against the -wall?” But this was only talk, for the King feared -death greatly. For instance, one day when they -were in a boat on the small lake round the palace -of Hirschholm, the King said to Reverdil with a -look of despair: “I should like to throw myself into -the lake”; but he added as a quick after-thought: -“and be pulled out again directly”. He was aware -of his mania, and strove hard to overcome it, but in -vain. There were three marked degrees which he -indicated by three German expressions. The first -was: “<i>Ich bin confus</i>” (I am confused); the second: -“<i>Es rappelt bei mir</i>” (There is a noise in my -head); and the third: “<i>Er ist ganz übergeschnappt</i>” -(I am quite beside myself). And often he would -declare: “I can bear it no longer”.</p> - -<p>The King now talked to Reverdil in German, -which, in deference to Struensee, had become the -court language, though, formerly, Christian had -made it a rule that Danish only should be spoken, -except to foreigners, whom he addressed in French. -German was never heard at the Danish court during -his reign until the advent of Struensee. Though -the King said little, he had a shrewd idea of what -was going on between the Queen and Struensee. -Once Reverdil took up one of the King’s books, -and found it marked at the history of Rizzio, the -favourite of Mary Stuart. But the King never<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353"></a>[Pg 353]</span> -showed the slightest symptoms of jealousy or resentment -at the relations between Struensee and -the Queen, and, when he alluded to them, it was -to treat the affair as a matter of course. Sometimes -he spoke of Struensee as the Queen’s <i>cicisbeo</i>, and -on another occasion he asked Reverdil whether he -thought that the King of Prussia had an amour -with the Queen of Denmark. “The King of -Prussia!” exclaimed Reverdil. “I mean Struensee, -of course,” said the King, thereby showing the -mastery which Struensee had acquired over him; -for the King of Prussia, Frederick the Great, had -always been Christian’s ideal of a great ruler.</p> - -<p>Reverdil found that the rumours which had been -spread abroad of the revels of Hirschholm were -much exaggerated. The conversation and conduct -of the court were quite decent, and, whatever might -be going on beneath, little or no hint of it appeared -on the surface. But despite the extravagance and -luxury everywhere visible, the tone was <i>bourgeois</i>. -Reverdil says that “the conversation of the company -resembled nothing so much as that of the servants of -a large house who sat down to table in the absence -of their master”.<a name="FNanchor_177_177" id="FNanchor_177_177"></a><a href="#Footnote_177_177" class="fnanchor">[177]</a> The <i>corps diplomatique</i> noticed -this peculiarity also, and had a hundred good stories -to tell their several courts of the ridiculous incidents -which came under their notice. As Keith -wrote to his father: “This court has not the most -distant resemblance to any other under the sun”.<a name="FNanchor_178_178" id="FNanchor_178_178"></a><a href="#Footnote_178_178" class="fnanchor">[178]</a></p> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_177_177" id="Footnote_177_177"></a><a href="#FNanchor_177_177"><span class="label">[177]</span></a> <i>Mémoires de Reverdil.</i></p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_178_178" id="Footnote_178_178"></a><a href="#FNanchor_178_178"><span class="label">[178]</span></a> <i>Memoirs of Sir Robert Murray Keith</i>, October 30, 1771.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354"></a>[Pg 354]</span></p></div> - -<p>Reverdil gives a curious sketch of the daily life -of the court at Hirschholm. When there was no -hunting, the King, the Queen, Struensee and Brandt, -and some of the ladies and gentlemen-in-waiting -assembled at <i>déjeuner</i> between eleven and twelve -o’clock, and, if the weather were fine, the <i>déjeuner</i> -was followed by a walk in the gardens and woods. -Struensee gave his arm to the Queen as a matter of -course, the King to some lady-in-waiting whom he -elected to honour, Brandt to the Countess Holstein, -and each of the other gentlemen to the lady allotted -him. In procession they paraded the grounds, and -frequently would dine in a summer-house some -distance from the palace. On these occasions etiquette -was wholly banished from the royal table. The -King and Queen and the company were waited on by -pages, who only entered when a bell was rung and -left immediately they had changed the courses. -The Queen placed herself at table between the -King and Struensee, and if the King’s mania asserted -itself, as it was apt to do at awkward times, -the Queen would command Brandt to lead him out -of the room. Sometimes instead of the promenade -the King would drive out in the same carriage as -the Queen and Struensee. They generally managed -to drop the King at some point where his attendant -was waiting for him, and often returned late at night -together, quite unattended.</p> - -<p>Reverdil noticed a great change in the Queen. -Formerly her manners were courteous, affable and -winning, and she exerted herself to say pleasant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355"></a>[Pg 355]</span> -things, and place every one at his ease. Now she -talked only to Struensee, and ignored the rest of -the company. If by chance she addressed a few -remarks to any one else, Struensee was always -close by, and listened to what was said. The -Queen was devoted to her children, especially to -the infant Princess. Reverdil had heard rumours -of the Crown Prince’s ill-treatment, but he acquitted -the Queen of any blame or neglect; she spent -as much time with her children as her position -allowed, and thoroughly enjoyed the happiness of -being a mother. On rainy days, when the court was -obliged to remain indoors, the Queen often appeared -in the circle, carrying her daughter and leading her -son, who clung affectionately to her dress. She -always loved children. They were her joy in the -hour of her prosperity and her consolation in the -day of her adversity.</p> - - -<p class="center p2">END OF VOL. I.</p> - - -<p class="center p2 fsmall">THE ABERDEEN UNIVERSITY PRESS LIMITED</p> -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> -<div class="chap"> -<div class="transnote"> -<h2><a name="TRANSCRIBERS_NOTE" id="TRANSCRIBERS_NOTE">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE</a></h2> -<p>Archaic, inconsistent and unusual spellings from the original book -have been preserved in this ebook. Obvious typos have been fixed. Changes are indicated below and in the text <span class="not-hh">with a mouse-over</span> like <span class="correction" title="Original text">this</span>.The -spelling of many family names in this book varies from the spelling -used in historical documents today.<span class="hh-only"> The cover was developed -at pgdp.net and is in the public domain.</span></p> - -<p>In the original book, “Ibid.” was used in the footnotes only when the -same source was cited in adjacent footnotes on the same page. In this -ebook, the use of “Ibid.” has been changed to appearing only when -adjacent footnotes on the same paragraph cite the same source. This -change is not noted in the details below.</p> - -<p>The quality of the illustrations in the original book were generally -acceptable, however the <a href="#i282">illustration of Frederiksberg Palace</a> was -definitely the worst in terms of clarity and detail—that is the -way it appeared in the original book. Also, a little research has led -me to question whether that illustration is representative of the -way the Ferderiksberg Palace appeared during the events of this book -(1751-1771), or if it is the way the Palace appeared after the gardens -in front were redesigned 1795-1804.</p> - -<p>Details of the changes:</p> -<table id="tn" summary="Transcriber’s Note Details."> - -<tr><td colspan="2"><a href="#CONTENTS">Table of Contents</a>:</td></tr> -<tr><td colspan="2">The Preface, Contents, List of Illustrations and the Transcriber’s -Note were added. Only Chapters I-XIX were in the original Table of -Contents.</td></tr> - -<tr><td colspan="2" class="padtop"><a href="#LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS">List of Illustrations</a> and the caption of the illus. facing page <a href="#i304">304</a>:</td></tr> -<tr><td>Originally:</td><td>THE PALACE OF HIRSCHHOLM, TEMP. 1770</td></tr> -<tr><td>In this ebook:</td><td>THE PALACE OF HIRSCHHOLM. <i>Temp. 1770.</i></td></tr> - -<tr><td colspan="2" class="padtop">Page <a href="#Page_46">46</a>:</td></tr> -<tr><td>Originally:</td><td>love of out-door exercise seemed to show</td></tr> -<tr><td>In this ebook:</td><td>love of outdoor exercise seemed to show</td></tr> - -<tr><td colspan="2" class="padtop">Page <a href="#Page_221">221</a>:</td></tr> -<tr><td>Originally:</td><td>in the corridors and antechambers of the palace</td></tr> -<tr><td>In this ebook:</td><td>in the corridors and ante-chambers of the palace</td></tr> - -<tr><td colspan="2" class="padtop">Page <a href="#Page_347">347</a>:</td></tr> -<tr><td>Originally:</td><td>another person re-appeared upon the scene</td></tr> -<tr><td>In this ebook:</td><td>another person reappeared upon the scene</td></tr> -</table> -</div> -<hr class="chap" /> -</div> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Queen of Tears, vol. 1 of 2, by -William Henry Wilkins - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A QUEEN OF TEARS, VOL. 1 OF 2 *** - -***** This file should be named 51368-h.htm or 51368-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/1/3/6/51368/ - -Produced by Emmanuel Ackerman, University of California -Libraries, Microsoft (scanning) and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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