1830.] George the Fourth. 13 



the Queen in England would be the signal for the recommencement 

 of proceedings for which a foundation was laid in the inquiries insti- 

 tuted on the Continent ; and from the unguarded levity, to speak in the 

 language of the Commissioners, which belonged to her character, the 

 reports circulated to her prejudice led many persons to believe that she 

 would best consult her safety by continuing to live on the Continent. 



His Majesty, now invested with royal power, displayed his disgust to 

 his spouse by ordering her name to be struck out of the liturgy. To 

 this were added, offences offered to her by the English foreign diploma- 

 tists. And her irritation was rapidly inflamed into open defiance. 



The Queen determined on returning to England. She had wished, 

 previously to taking this step, to consult with Mr. Brougham, (her Attor- 

 ney-General,) at Geneva, but a journey of such length was incompatible 

 with his other engagements, and the interview was fixed at Calais. On 

 the intentions of the Queen being communicated to Lord Liverpool ; 

 who, being of a timorous and apprehensive character, dreaded the con- 

 sequences of her return ; Lord Hutchinson was selected on the part of 

 the Ministry, to repair to France, and endeavour to dissuade her Majesty 

 from taking so hazardous a step. The whole country was in com- 

 motion. 



The conduct of Ministers in the whole transaction was culpably 

 feeble. The personal disgust of the King had urged them to severity 

 against the Queen. The angry and contemptuous aspect of the popu- 

 lace frightened them into the abandonment of every measure of justice 

 and wisdom. 



The Bill of Pains and Penalties was introduced by Lord Liverpool on 

 the 27th June. Her Majesty was charged with adultery with Bar- 

 tolomeo Pergami or Bergami, a foreigner of low station in her service, 

 and the penalties were, dissolution of the marriage and deprivation of 

 her title and rights. 



The memorable trial of the Queen now commenced. Into the details 

 of that proceeding it is impossible here to enter. At the time addresses 

 were voted to her Majesty from every part of the kingdom, and there 

 was no limit to the processions which took place to the Queen's residence 

 at Brandenburgh House. In fact, the whole of the middle and lower 

 orders of the country became passionate partizans of her Majesty. 

 There are periods when all ordinary motives cease to act, and when 

 men disregard all sacrifices to which their couduct may expose them. 

 This was now exemplified. Tradesmen disregarded the threats of the 

 higher ranks : workmen set their employers at defiance. The people 

 scorned the King. 



The bill was read a third time by a majority of only nine. This 

 majority was not deemed by Ministers a sufficient justification for pro- 

 ceeding further with the Bill, with the public feeling against them. The 

 majority had been diminished by the objection of several Peers to the 

 Divorce Clause, against which Ministers themselves voted. 



The concerns of the empire had now been postponed to a family quar- 

 rel. , The ministry had been defeated by a woman ; the parliament had 

 been led by a mob. The king had been cast from his height by a low con- 

 spiracy of Italian valets and English vagrants. To cover this defeat, the 

 coronation was ordered. By a singular destiny, it accomplished all its pur- 

 poses ; it pleased the populace, who were dazzled by its show ; it pleased 

 the nation as a splendid novelty, and an act of constitutional homage ; 

 and it extinguished the queen's influence for ever. It was even the 

 probable cause of her death. She had first demanded to be crowned 



