OF

THE LIFE AND REIGN OF

KING GEORGE THE THIRD.

BY

J. HENEAGE JESSE,

AUTHOR OF MEMOIRS OF THE COURT OF ENGLAND UNDER THE STUARTS;"
"MEMOIRS OF KING RICHARD III.," ETC.

IN THREE VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

LONDON:

TINSLEY BROTHERS, 18, CATHERINE ST., STRAND.

1867.

[The Right of Translation is reserved.]

LONDON:

BRADBURY, EVANS, AND CO., PRINTERS,

WHITEFRIARS.

TILDEN LIBRAR

1895

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Birth of Prince George, afterwards George III.-Characteristics of his parents,

the Prince and Princess of Wales-Juvenile Theatricals at Leicester House-

Death of Frederick Prince of Wales-Position of his Widow and family-

Kindness of George II. to the Princess of Wales and Prince George-The

Prince created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester-Officers of his house-

hold-Plans for the Prince's education-His tutors and governors-Quarrels

and changes among them.

CHAPTER II.

Earl of Waldegrave governor of the Prince-The Prince's habits and disposition

-His slow progress in education-His ignorance of the world-Visit to the

Archbishop of Canterbury-Princess of Wales named Regent-Unpopularity

of William Duke of Cumberland-Influence of the Earl of Bute on the

Princess Dowager and on the Prince of Wales-Failure of the King's pro-

posal to marry the Prince to a Princess of Wolfenbuttel-Proposed separate

establishment on coming of age-Declined by the Prince-Lord Bute placed

at the head of the Prince's household-The Prince's passion for Hannah

Lightfoot, the fair Quakeress-The Prince's request for military employ-

ment declined by the King

CHAPTER III.

PAGE

1

19

•

Sudden Death of George II.-Accession of the Prince of Wales as George III.-

Condition of Public Affairs-The King's first speech in Council, supposed

to be inspired by Lord Bute-Chagrin of Mr. Pitt and the Duke of New-

castle-No change in the Ministry-Proclamation against “ vice, profanity,

and immorality "—Attention of George III. to the last wishes of his Grand-

father-Funeral of George II.-Friendly bearing of the King to the Duke

of Cumberland and other members of the Royal Family -Testimonies to

the good disposition and good sense of the King-A royal chaplain rebuked-

Lord Bute's share in preparing the King's first speech to Parliament-

Career and character of Bute-Bute's influence at Court renders the King

and his mother unpopular.

39

CHAPTER IV.

The King and the great Whig aristocracy-Eight Dukes, five Earls, and one

Commoner in the Cabinet-Exclusion of Tories from place in all depart-

ments of administration - Bolingbroke's Ideal "Patriot King "-The King's

leaning to the Tories-Whig jealousy of Bute's influence at Court-The

King's passion for Lady Sarah Lennox, youngest daughter of the second

Duke of Richmond-The King's personal feelings subdued by considerations

of public policy-Subsequent history of Lady Sarah Lennox

PAGE

58

CHAPTER V.

The Princess Dowager's efforts to preserve her influence on the King's mind—

Bute's political intrigues-Changes in the Government, and accession of

Bute to office as Secretary of State- Weakness of the Whig party, owing to

dissensions among the " 'Great Families "-Career of William Pitt, after-

wards Earl of Chatham-Success of Pitt's policy as Secretary of State and

War Minister-His efficiency as an administrator-Public confidence in his

abilities and patriotism-His personal influence in the House of Commons

and the Cabinet-Pitt's opposition to the Bourbon "Family Compact

defeated by Bute-Fall of Pitt-His popularity impaired by his acceptance

of a peerage for his wife and a pension for himself-His emotion on deliver-

ing the Seals of Office to the King

70

CHAPTER VI.

Negotiations for the Marriage of the King with Princess Sophia Charlotte of

Mecklenburg Strelitz-Episode of the Duke of Roxburgh and Princess

Christina-Marriage by Proxy at Mecklenburg-Simple manners of the

Mecklenburg Court-Preparations in England-Landing of the Princess

Charlotte at Harwich-Enthusiastic reception by the populace in London-

Wedding at Midnight in St. James's Palace-Antiquated Nuptial observ-

ances-Letter of George III. to the King of Prussia-The Coronation in

Westminster Abbey-Incidents and omens of the splendid ceremonial

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CHAPTER VII.

Changes in the Ministry-Mr. Pitt recovers the popular favour-The King and

Queen dine at Guildhall, where the King meets a cool reception-Lord

Bute mobbed, and Mr. Pitt cheered-Pitt's views of the Bourbon "Family

Compact" found to be correct-War declared against Spain-Unregretted

retirement of the Duke of Newcastle, who declines a pension offered him by

the King-Dangerous illness of the King-Birth of a Prince, afterwards

George IV.-The King's kindly recollections of Eton School

112