INCLUDING, AMONG OTHER IMPORTANT MATTERS,
BY THE RIGHT HONORABLE LADY ANNE HAMILTON,
_Sister of His Grace the present Duke of Hamilton and Brandon; and of the Countess of Dunmore._
"OF MEANER VICE AND VILLAINS, SING NO MORE, BUT MONSTERS CROWN'D, AND CRIME ENROBED WITH POWER! AT VICE'S HIGH IMPERIAL THRONE BEGIN, AND BOLDLY BRAND SUCH PRODIGIES OF SIN; WITH PREGNANT PHRASE, AND STRONG IMPARTIAL VERSE, THE CRIMES OF LORDS AND CRIMES OF KINGS REHEARSE!"
LONDON: PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM HENRY STEVENSON, 13, WELLINGTON STREET, STRAND. 1832.
The coronation of George the Fourth, which had been postponed from time to time, at length took place on the 19th of July. We think, situated as her majesty then was, she ought to have been attended to the Abbey by all the noblemen and gentlemen whose courage and honour had permitted them to espouse and support her cause; and, with such a phalanx, could she have been refused admittance? Instead of such arrangement, however, her majesty went at an early hour, accompanied by two ladies and one gentleman!--was refused admittance at the first door, and sought for entrance at another, with the same ill success. It was true, her majesty had not an imperative right to be _crowned_, though she had an undoubted title to be present at the ceremony of her husband's coronation. Nay, claiming her right of admission in the character of cousin to his majesty, ought to have entitled her to very different treatment. Her majesty would not have encroached upon another's privileges, by entering Westminster Hall, because that might be considered the king's dining room; and the queen was too well informed to pass the boundary of privilege.
On the evening of the 18th of July, Lord and Lady Hood slept at Cambridge House, and, after retiring for the night, they were disturbed by the announcement that a messenger waited from Mr. Brougham to see Lord Hood. His lordship saw the messenger, whose business was to say, "If Lord Hood wanted any tickets for the coronation, he might have as many as he pleased." Lord Hood said, "I have _my own_, and that is quite enough; I need no more." It becomes a wise general to provide against the inroad of an enemy, and Lord Hood _ought_, and was in duty bound, to have accepted Mr. Brougham's offer of tickets, though that offer was made so SECRETLY, and at _such a late hour_. Lord Hood was either not sufficiently _firm_ in the interest of her majesty, or else some previous understanding had existed upon the subject of these tendered tickets; for all well-dressed ladies were admitted upon the presentation of a ticket, and the name never required. There cannot be a doubt that the king had positive fears of the arrival of her majesty, because his carriage was kept in waiting to convey him to Carlton House, should the queen be announced. Well might he say to the bearers of his train, "Hold it wider." Yes, indeed, he required room to breathe, for CONSCIENCE is an obtrusive monitor, as well as a privileged guest, in all companies.