It is very lamentable to consider that her majesty was so much guided by this one man in most of her actions, even to the fatal day of the coronation, upon which occasion, however, he took particular care not to attend her. There is every reason to believe, notwithstanding, that her going at all was owing to his _secret_ advice, though he pretended to the contrary. Those who heard him at the _king's dinner_ were disgusted at his being the _loudest_ to applaud his majesty! Most certainly, the coronation day did not end to her majesty as she had been led to expect; and she discovered, or fancied so, that she had no friend or adviser in England on whom she could rely; and, therefore, determined to visit Scotland. It was remarked to the queen, by a _true_ friend, who sought only her honour and happiness, that Scotland was a proud nation, and that it would not be there thought that Alderman Wood was of sufficient rank to attend her majesty. The queen quickly and _indignantly_ replied, "Alderman Wood! I should never think of taking _him_! No, no; I shall only take Lord and Lady Hood, and Lady Hamilton!" All the world knows her majesty never named the alderman in her will; but all the world does not know that, a short time before her death, she said, "I OWE WOOD NOTHING!"
The alderman also seized every opportunity he could to persuade the queen to go _abroad again_. On one of these occasions, a friend of her majesty overheard the hypocritical adviser, and immediately said, "How can you, Mr. Wood, pretend to be her majesty's best friend, and yet want her to do that which would ruin her in the eyes of the whole country?" "I do not _want_ her to go," replied he, "but if she _will_ go, I wish to point out to her the best way of doing it." "Sir, there is _no good way_ for the queen to quit the country, and if you should unfortunately succeed in persuading her to do it, you will be her ruin!"
Thus it will be seen, that "all is not gold that glitters;" but Mr. Wood ought hardly to find fault with us for stripping him of his borrowed plumes, considering the length of time he has been allowed to wear them! If the public had known these particulars at the time they occurred, it is doubtful whether the alderman would have ever received _his plate_; therefore, he owes us a little gratitude for not mentioning them before that (to him) _golden_ opportunity!