bedroom companion.


THE PRINCE REGENT


When the eldest son of George the Third assumed the Regency, England
was in a state of political transition. The convulsions of the Continent
were felt amongst us; the very foundations of European society were
shaking, and the social relations of men were rapidly changing. The
Regent's natural leanings were towards the Tories; therefore as soon
as he undertook the responsibility of power, he abruptly abandoned the
Whigs and retained in office the admirers and partisans of his father's
policy. This resolution caused him to have innumerable and inveterate
enemies, who never lost an opportunity of attacking his public acts
and interfering with his domestic relations.

The Regent was singularly imbued with petty royal pride. He would rather
be amiable and familiar with his tailor than agreeable and friendly
with the most illustrious of the aristocracy of Great Britain; he would
rather joke with a Brummell than admit to his confidence a Norfolk or
a Somerset. The Regent was always particularly well-bred in public,
and showed, if he chose, decidedly good manners; but he was in the habit
very often of addressing himself in preference to those whom he felt
he could patronise. His Royal Highness was as much the victim of circumstances
and the child of thoughtless imprudence as the most humble subject of
the crown. His unfortunate marriage with a Princess of Brunswick originated
in his debts; as he married that unhappy lady for one million sterling,
William Pitt being the contractor! The Princess of Wales married nothing
but an association with the Crown of England. If the Prince ever seriously