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The Project Gutenberg EBook of Autobiography of Miss Cornelia Knight, lady companion to the Princess Charlotte of Wale, by Ellis Cornelia Knight This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. Title: Autobiography of Miss Cornelia Knight, lady companion to the Princess Charlotte of Wales, Volume 2 (of 2) with extracts from her journals and anecdote books Author: Ellis Cornelia Knight Editor: John William Kaye Release Date: December 28, 2018 [EBook #58557] Language: English Character set encoding: UTF-8 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MISS CORNELIA KNIGHT, VOL 2 *** Produced by MWS, Barry Abrahamsen and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain. AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MISS KNIGHT. I III AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MISS CORNELIA KNIGHT, Vol II LADY COMPANION TO THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE OF WALES. WITH EXTRACTS FROM HER JOURNALS AND ANECDOTE BOOKS. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON: W. H. ALLEN AND CO., 7, LEADENHALL STREET. MDCCCLXI. CONTENTS TO VOL. II. CHAPTER I. Miss Knight’s Narrative of Events attending the Rupture of the Orange-Marriage—Dismissal of the Household of the Princess Charlotte—Letter to the Regent—Miss Knight’s Pension 1 CHAPTER II. The Princess’s Birthday—Suspected Intrigues—Letter to the Queen—The Year 1815—Journal continued 26 CHAPTER III. Preparations for War—The Queen’s Levee—Treatment of the Princess Charlotte—Napoleon and the Bourbons—Rumours from the Seat of War—The Battle of Waterloo 52 CHAPTER IV. Rejoicings for Waterloo—The Marriage of the Duke of Cumberland—Prince Leopold—Marriage Rumours—Marriage of the Princess Charlotte—How it was brought about—Later Revelations— Character of the Princess Charlotte 71 CHAPTER V. France revisited—Chantilly—Parisian Society—The Court of the Bourbons—The Prince de Condé— Marshal Marmont—The French Stage—Invitation from the Princess Charlotte 92 CHAPTER VI. Return to England—Meeting with the Princess Charlotte—France under the Bourbons—Parisian Society 111 CHAPTER VII. Society in Paris—Journey to Homburg—The Landgrave and the Landgravine—the Dowager Queen of Würtemberg—Christmas at Louisburg 133 CHAPTER VIII. Departure from Louisburg—Paris—Coronation of Charles X.—London—The Princess Charlotte’s Monument—Anecdotes of Charles X.—Return to Germany 148 CHAPTER IX. Paris and London—Death of the Queen-Dowager of Würtemberg—Homburg—The Landgrave and Landgravine—Life at a German Court—Return to Louisburg—Baden 165 CHAPTER X. Genoa—The Pallavicini Family—Character of the Genoese—Return to England—The Royal Family at Brighton—London—Gloomy Retrospect.—Anecdotes 183 CHAPTER XI. Anecdotes—Talleyrand—Charles Albert—Masséna—Ferdinand of Spain—Lord Wellesley—Alfieri— Charles X.—Death of Miss Knight 202 V VI EXTRACTS FROM MISS KNIGHT’S JOURNALS. Rome and Naples, 1781–1798. Consecration of a Catholic Bishop—The Grand-Duke Paul of Russia—Princess Dashkoff—Père Jacquier—Joseph II. of Austria—Gustavus of Sweden—Alfieri—The Countess of Albany—The Piozzis—General Acton—Arrival of Admiral Nelson 214 Windsor, 1805—1812. Miss Knight’s Settlement at Windsor—Gaieties at Court—Lord St. Vincent—Rejoicings at Windsor— Death of Princess Amelia—State of the King’s Health—Princess Amelia’s Funeral—Progress of the King’s Malady–The Regency Act—Conduct of the Regent 260 VII EXTRACTS FROM MISS KNIGHT’S ANECDOTE BOOKS. James Boswell—Madame Piozzi—Lord Nelson—The Queen of Naples—Sir Thomas Troubridge— The Bronté Estate—Admiral Barrington—Cardinal de Bernis—Italian Anecdotes—The Princess Dashkoff—Louis Philippe—The Emperor Joseph II.—Miss Knight’s last Records—Her Religious Faith 285 APPENDIX. Exclusion of the Princess of Wales from the Queen’s Drawing-Room 343 Death of the Princess Charlotte 349 Footnotes 351 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MISS KNIGHT. 1 CHAPTER I. MISS KNIGHT’S NARRATIVE OF EVENTS ATTENDING THE RUPTURE OF THE ORANGE-MARRIAGE—DISMISSAL OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE—LETTER TO THE REGENT—MISS KNIGHT’S PENSION. [The following additional narrative of the transactions related at the close of the first volume, was drawn up by Miss Knight for the perusal of a female friend:] Princess Charlotte having had a long discussion with respect to residence in Holland, of which all the papers were preserved by her Royal Highness, it was at length granted by the Regent’s confidential servants that an article should be inserted in the marriage contract to prevent her being taken or kept out of England against her own consent and that of the Regent—at least, this was the meaning of the words. The Prince of Orange had always appeared to prefer an establishment in England to one in Holland, and had always said that when his father’s consent to the insertion of such an article came, he would look out for a house, and take one, in case one was not provided by Government. This consent came, and the article was prepared; but the Regent wished Princess Charlotte even then to waive it as a compliment to the House of Orange, but her Royal Highness persisted in claiming the article. Nearly a fortnight passed after everything appeared to be arranged, and her Royal Highness, seeing the Prince of Orange daily in presence of Miss Knight, often asked him what preparations were making with respect to a house, establishment, &c. He always answered that nothing had been said to him, appeared to be ignorant, and did not then talk of taking a house himself. While the Prince of Orange was at Oxford, a letter came from one of Princess Charlotte’s aunts, who is very intimate with the Regent, to say that she understood he meant, as soon as the Emperor and King of Prussia were gone, to write over for the Oranges and have the marriage celebrated as soon as possible. This alarmed Princess Charlotte, and she said she resolved to enter into a clear explanation with the young Prince to avoid disputes afterwards. The morning after he returned from Oxford this explanation took place, and it appeared evident to Miss K., who was present, that they thought it could not go on; that the duties of the Prince of Orange called him to Holland, and Princess Charlotte’s to remain in England, and that neither of them chose to give way; that in that respect the affair stood nearly as at the setting out in December, and that no preparations were made for a residence in England. They, however, parted, agreeing to think it over till night, when Princess Charlotte promised to write to the Prince of Orange. No letter came from him during this interval, and about eleven at night her Royal Highness wrote him a letter breaking off the marriage, and desiring he would inform the Regent of it. This letter went on Thursday (I think the 16th of June); all Friday no answer. On Saturday her Royal Highness received a note from a friend who had been dancing at a ball the night before with the Prince of Orange, and who said he had told her he had not informed the Regent of the breaking off the marriage, and did not intend to inform him. Princess Charlotte immediately wrote an affectionate and respectful letter to her father telling him this circumstance, and her horror at the delay. About three came the answer from the Prince of Orange, which was literally as follows, her Royal Highness having allowed me to copy it: 8, Clifford-street, June 18, 1814. I found the night before last your letter, and have lost no time to acquaint my family with its contents, but I cannot comply with your wish by doing the same with regard to the Regent, finding it much more natural that you should do it yourself; and it is, besides, much too delicate a matter for me to say anything to him on the subject. Hoping that you shall never feel any cause to repent of the step you have taken, I remain, Yours sincerely, (Signed) William, Hereditary Prince of Orange. Her Royal Highness sent the original of this letter to the Regent, with the copy of a note she ordered Miss Knight to write that day, after the receipt of his letter to the Prince of Orange, to ask for her portrait and letters. The portrait and some of the letters were a little while after sent back to Miss Knight by the Prince’s aide-de-camp, and the packet of letters sealed by the same. Some time elapsed, and no further notice was taken; no communication from Carlton House (except a short note on the 18th from the Prince to Princess Charlotte expressing his concern), no visit from any of the family. The Duchess of Leeds sent in her resignation. In the beginning of July the Bishop of Salisbury had a conference with Princess Charlotte, which she mentioned to Miss Knight, who was not present at it. Her Royal Highness said it was to induce her to write a submissive letter to the Regent expressing her concern for having offended him, and holding out the hope that in three or four months she might be induced to renew the treaty with the Prince of Orange. Her Royal Highness added, that the Bishop had said, if she did not write this letter, arrangements very disagreeable to herself would take place. Miss Knight wrote to the Bishop desiring to know what these arrangements were, saying, as she wished nothing more than a reconciliation between Princess Charlotte and her father, she begged to know what arguments she might use to enforce the step he dictated, only observing she did not flatter him with a hope that Princess Charlotte would marry the Prince of Orange, or any one who had a right to sovereignty. Of the Bishop’s answer the following is an extract: [N.B.—The Bishop was at the time in the habit of seeing the Chancellor, and, I believe, also Lord Liverpool.] “Having heard from three different quarters that the Regent was most severely wounded and deeply afflicted by his daughter’s conduct, and that an arrangement was making for the Princess Charlotte which might not be according to her wishes; having also a hint given to me that probably a dutiful, respectful, and affectionate letter from the daughter to the father might soften the Prince’s mind, and tend to lessen the rigour of any measure he might have in contemplation, I felt it incumbent on me to state all this to the Princess, and I did most strenuously recommend to her Royal Highness to write such a letter. I did also go further, and ventured to 2 3 4 5 6 tell her, that as the intended match with the Prince of Orange had been so highly acceptable, and so much desired by the whole nation, so the breaking it off had been the cause of universal regret and displeasure. I told her, also, that there was still a sanguine hope entertained that her Royal Highness might see her objections in a different point of view, and that when the affairs of Holland were completely settled, and its Prince had his time more at his own command, that then her Royal Highness might be induced to change her opinion, and give herself to the wishes of her father and her country. “With respect to the arrangement, which I understand is at this time in contemplation, I know nothing but that an arrangement is making,” &c. &c. About this time Baillie, Clive, and Keate had given a paper expressing their advice that her Royal Highness should go to the sea- side for two or three months in the autumn. Princess Charlotte therefore wrote to request this favour of her father, and at the same time expressed the most poignant grief for his displeasure, and the most anxious wish to be restored to his favour. This letter was sent on the 9th. Various rumours in the mean while reached Warwick House of new ladies, amongst whom Lady Ilchester and Mrs. Campbell, being appointed, of confinement at Carlton House, &c. &c. The Prince of Saxe-Coburg had never been but once at Warwick House, where he stayed about half an hour or three-quarters, in presence of the Duchess of Leeds, Miss K., and Miss Mercer Elphinstone. Princess Charlotte had received him civilly, but rather coldly. He had sometimes rode near her carriage; but her Royal Highness in general avoided speaking to him, and only once exchanged a few words in the Park. She never expressed the slightest partiality for him, but, on the contrary, her displeasure, when one of her most intimate friends (Miss M. E.) talked of him. She often expressed her astonishment that he should know so much of her affairs as her friend said he did, for that he had talked of Miss K. being sent away, and of a corner being fitted up at Carlton House for her Royal Highness. About the same time it was reported that this Prince saw the Princess Charlotte often, and had drunk tea at Warwick House; himself told the friend of Princess Charlotte that he had been severely lectured by the Regent on the subject. These reports made Miss K. uneasy, and she mentioned them as false to Lady Bathurst. She also wrote a letter to contradict them, which she was about to send to the Regent, when on Monday, the 11th, the Bishop came in the evening, and said he was to be in attendance to go to Carlton House, and that something was to be done. Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte and Miss K. talked to him, and said everything they could to induce him to mitigate the anger of the Regent, and to explain any circumstances which had been misrepresented. He went, and was long closeted with the Regent or his Ministers. At length he came, and said the communication was to be made at five, but he was not at liberty to mention what. Soon after a message came from the Regent to order her Royal Highness and Miss K. to go over. Princess Charlotte was so wretched and so ill that she could not go. Miss K. went and made her apology, taking this opportunity to confute the scandal respecting the Prince of Saxe-Coburg, when the Regent said that was perfectly cleared up, that the young man was honourable, and had written him a letter explaining everything. He then ordered that Princess Charlotte should come the next day if she was well enough, or Dr. Baillie to say she could not. The following day, 12th of July, her Royal Highness wrote a note to the Regent, saying she was so distressed and unwell, that she begged he would excuse her coming, but, as she wished much to see him, that he would come to her. The Regent sent his love, and said he would come after the levee. He came about six, attended by the Bishop, whom he left below, and came into the drawing-room, desiring Miss Knight to leave him alone with Princess Charlotte. He was shut up with her for about three-quarters of an hour, after which the Bishop was called up, and remained with them about a quarter more. The door then opened, and Princess Charlotte came out in an agony of grief, telling Miss Knight, who followed her into her dressing-room, that “all was over; she was to be dismissed, the servants to be turned off, the new ladies in possession of the house, herself to go over to Carlton House, or, if not well enough that day, the next (and in the mean while the Regent and the ladies to sleep in the house) and to be shut up for five days at Carlton House, after which to be taken to Cranbourne Lodge, and remain there for some time without seeing anybody but the Queen once a week.” Miss Knight begged she would compose herself, and go over quietly. She fell on her knees, and, in the greatest agitation, exclaimed, “God Almighty grant me patience!” Miss Knight, she said, must go immediately to the Regent; which she did, and he communicated to her the same intentions Princess Charlotte had just related, adding that he was sorry to put a lady to inconvenience, but that he wanted her room that night. Miss Knight begged to know in what she had offended, but the Regent answered he made no complaints, and should make none. He, however, said he believed many things were done in the house without her knowledge, which she denied. When she came out, to her great dismay Princess Charlotte had disappeared. She searched for her everywhere, and at length Miss Mercer (who was changing her dress in Princess Charlotte’s bedroom adjoining) came and begged to see the Regent. She told him her suspicions that Princess Charlotte might be gone to her mother, and offered to go with the Bishop to persuade her to come back. Miss Knight went afterwards, and then returned to Carlton House and asked to see the Regent, but was shown into a room where the Chancellor and Lord Ellenborough were. You will feel that all I have written is in great measure confidential, though the strictest truth. The letter of the Prince of Orange, in particular, I would not wish to make any improper use of; but happening to have it, I copied it, as a proof of what I had asserted. I join a copy of my letter to the Prince Regent, which has not been answered. It would have been a great blessing if we had been living at Carlton House for the last year and a half. I wished nothing so much as that the Regent and his daughter should be much together, which, alas! was not the case, for his health or business prevented his coming to Warwick House, where he was only four times since the 10th of December, and Princess Charlotte was only sent for when the Queen and Princesses were in town; besides, nothing was communicated to her until it was settled. In that it was not like one family. I know she would have been most happy to have been on more intimate terms with her father, and he always assured me of his affection for her. It seemed as if some malignant power kept them asunder, when their real happiness and interest demanded their having confidence in each other. I mean no complaint against the Regent. I was much hurt when he dismissed me, and felt angry; for which reason I made apologies in my letter, though I am not conscious of having said or done anything to offend him. I had no authority to keep away visitors he did not like, and in one instance, when he gave an absolute command, the lady never came again. The few who did come were certainly all women of character. I hear it now reported that Princess Charlotte has been sometimes seen alone in her carriage, which is a decided falsehood. I know, my dear Miss L., I can trust your discretion; and the high opinion my old friend, Lord St. Vincent, has of Lord Ellenborough, assures me I may trust to his. 7 8 9 10 11 You will have the goodness to return me these papers at your leisure. I called yesterday, but did not find you at home. Excuse all this trouble, and believe me, My dear Miss L., Very sincerely yours, E. C. Knight. Friday, 5th August, 1814. The paragraphs which appeared on this occasion in all the Government papers, and the reports circulated, were most injurious to Princess Charlotte and to me. I therefore thought it my duty to remain in town to hear and to contradict all this nonsense. MISS KNIGHT TO THE RIGHT REV. BISHOP OF SALISBURY. 9, Little Stanhope-street, May Fair. My dear Lord,—Have the goodness to look over the paragraph I have marked in to-day’s Morning Post.[1] It evidently alludes to yourself and to me, as I was the only person living in Warwick House, and the only one dismissed. I am sure you will not hesitate to contradict it as far as this goes, and trust also that you will state whether the Prince Regent did not repeatedly say that he had no complaint to make of me, and that he would make none. I must request you also, in my own vindication, to state whether you discovered me to be a person “possessing pernicious sentiments, alike hostile to the peace of the daughter, the father, and the country.” It is impossible for me not to anticipate your contradiction of this base insinuation, when I remember the assurances I received from your Lordship, so late as Monday last, that you had zealously, though ineffectually, endeavoured to change his Royal Highness the Prince Regent’s resolution of removing me from my attendance on Princess Charlotte. Believe me, my dear Lord, Your faithful, humble servant, E. C. Knight. A few days afterwards Princess Charlotte went to Cranbourne Lodge; the Princess of Wales asked permission to visit her; but was answered that her daughter should pass a day with her to take leave of her before she went to Worthing. This took place;[2] and Princess Charlotte, as I heard, went to Connaught-place, attended by Lady Ilchester, and Lady Rosslyn, and General Garth, who was also appointed to be of her suite. Before they parted, the Princess of Wales asked Princess Charlotte whether there was any chance of her renewing the treaty of marriage with the Prince of Orange, and she positively declared she never would. The Bishop, Dr. Short, Mr. S——, and Mr. K—— attended as usual; had houses at Windsor, and went to Cranbourne Lodge in the evening. The Princess of Wales invited me to dine with her before she left town, which I respectfully declined, but called to take leave. She seemed agitated, had just had leeches applied to her temples, and asked me whether the report of Princess Charlotte having gone out in the carriage alone were true. I contradicted it positively, wondering how such a silly report could have gained ground for a moment. I then read her the following letter, which I had just written to the Prince in justification of Princess Charlotte and myself: MISS KNIGHT TO THE PRINCE REGENT. Sir,—As a subject, and one who had the honour of being admitted into your Royal Highness’s family, I consider it a sacred duty to express the grief I feel for having incurred your displeasure. Your Royal Highness will do me the justice to allow that I was actuated by no ambitious views, but by loyalty and attachment, when I accepted the employment which has been the source of my degradation. I have no near connections left to plead my cause. My sole protection must be derived from the honourable feelings of your Royal Highness. I am not disposed to seek it from the influence of patronage, and still less from the clamours of faction. Your Royal Highness was graciously pleased to promise me, through Lord Moira, that you would support me in every difficulty, and never give me up. These claims (from accusations to me unknown) your Royal Highness may think I have forfeited. I will therefore only venture to enforce them so far as to solicit your attention to a few words in my justification. Indeed, I need not enforce them. As a good and just Prince, your Royal Highness will listen to the vindication of an individual who appeals to no other tribunal. Anxious as I was to evince my dutiful attachment to your Royal Highness and to Princess Charlotte, permit me to say that I could not have accepted the employment offered me if I could have foreseen that I was to be the constant and sole inmate of Warwick House. I concluded that the responsibility must almost wholly devolve on the lady who was appointed governess, and that my intended colleague and myself as “Ladies Companions to Princess Charlotte,” the title specified when I came into office, were only to share the duty of attending on her Royal Highness, and to cultivate what was ever my most anxious wish—the greatest harmony between her Royal Highness and every branch of the Royal Family. No colleague was appointed, and circumstances, no doubt unforeseen by your Royal Highness, rendered my situation very different from what I had expected, but they could not change the nature of my employment, nor invest me with a character, against which your Royal Highness will recollect my remonstrating when the papers erroneously styled me sub-governess. All this gave me pain, but did not alter my sentiments. I felt the delicacy of my situation, and I devoted myself entirely to the duties which had fallen to my lot. I gave up all society, and nearly all intercourse with my friends. I can solemnly declare that I never left Warwick House but to attend her Royal Highness, unless the Duchess of Leeds was there, and even then so rarely, that I do not believe I made six visits in the space of a year and a half. For many weeks last winter a violent cough and almost constant fever could not induce me to remain one day in my room. I never went to rest until Princess Charlotte had retired to her chamber, and I always rose before her Royal Highness, availing myself of this short interval to see any one with whom I had business. Princess Charlotte never went out unattended by the Duchess of Leeds or myself (a circumstance so obvious that I should not mention it, if I had not accidentally heard that the contrary had been reported). The carriage was never ordered without my knowledge, and visitors were announced to the Duchess or to me. No gentlemen were in the habit of visiting her Royal Highness, nor was she left alone, or expressed a wish to that effect, even with her masters. If I have erred, it has been against my intention, and without my knowledge. I have no acquaintance, nor have I had any communication with persons of seditious principles, improper conduct, or sentiments hostile to your Royal Highness. I trusted the 12 13 14 15 16 whole tenor of my life would have exempted me from the suspicion. I can only say that I have done my duty to the best of my power, and I can safely aver that, during my attendance on Princess Charlotte, not only her Royal Highness’s conduct, in the usual sense of the word, has been blameless, but her time usefully employed in the cultivation of her talents. My devoted attachment to Princess Charlotte will not be considered as a crime by your Royal Highness, who was generously pleased, on account of that very attachment, and of her condescension in wishing it, to place me about her; but after it had been the pleasure of your Royal Highness to dismiss me, I could not wish Princess Charlotte to urge my stay. God forbid that I should become a source of controversy between your Royal Highness and Princess Charlotte! May you rather be united and happy when I am forgotten! I only beg for the restoration of your Royal Highness’s favour, which may put an end to the injurious suspicions so sudden a dismissal may have raised against me; and if, when struck to the heart by the accumulated anguish of sustaining the weight of your Royal Highness’s displeasure, the pang of parting from my beloved mistress, and the obloquy of being discarded from her service, any expression may have escaped me which might offend your Royal Highness, or appear inconsistent with my dutiful and loyal attachment, I humbly entreat your Royal Highness’s forgiveness. I am, Sir, With the most profound respect, Your Royal Highness’s most dutiful servant, C. E. Knight. July 24, 1814. Lady C. Lindsay told me that Mr. Brougham said, when he was obliged to tell Princess Charlotte that she could not in law refuse going to her father, he was so shocked at the manner in which she received this account, that it appeared to him like pronouncing sentence of death on a criminal. The Princess of Wales asked me whether Princess Charlotte was attached to any one of the foreign Princes who had been in England, for that if she was, she (the Princess of Wales) would move heaven and earth to get him for her. I answered that I believed her Royal Highness’s principal wish was to be left quiet on subjects of that nature, at least for many months; and the Princess said that was all she could get out of Princess Charlotte. Mr. Canning was announced, and ordered to be shown up-stairs. I took my leave. It is certain that on the fatal evening in Connaught-place it struck me that the Princess of Wales was more anxious for the removal of Princess Charlotte out of her house than the Prince was to get her into his. She departed next day for Worthing.[3] Soon afterwards we heard that she had asked and obtained leave for going abroad; and it was said Mr. Canning had persuaded her. It is certain that she had for several months formed the plan, which Princess Charlotte had opposed in the most urgent and respectful manner. I sent my letter to the Prince, and heard it was delivered, but received no answer. I had, during our last interview, asked his leave to visit Princess Charlotte, which he had refused, saying she was to receive no visits. I then had asked permission to write to her, and his answer was, “better not at present.” I went to Twickenham, where I passed a few weeks with Lord and Lady Aylesbury. Time passed, and Princess Charlotte remained at Cranbourne Lodge till the Morning Chronicle[4] published the medical report given in July, recommending her going to the sea. This occasioned great anger, and Baillie was ordered to inquire, in a manner the most inquisitorial, who had obtained and caused this to be published. Amongst the rest I was questioned by letter, and answered that the copy I possessed I gave to the Regent on the 12th of July, and had no means of discovering how it got into the hands of the editor of a newspaper. DR. BAILLIE TO MISS KNIGHT. Dear Madam,—I am very sorry to give you any trouble at present, but I am commanded by high authority to ask you the following questions: Do you know by what individual the medical opinion recommending a residence on the sea-coast this autumn to Princess Charlotte was put into the hands of Mr. Perry, the editor of the Morning Chronicle? Do you know whether the original opinion, which was at one time mislaid or lost, was ever recovered, and, in that case, what became of it? I request that you will be so good as to send me an answer to these two questions as early as you can, directed to me at Sunning Hill, Berks. I remain, Madam, Your most obedient humble servant, M. Baillie. Sunning Hill, Berks, Sept. 1, 1814. MISS KNIGHT TO DR. BAILLIE. Lord Aylesbury’s, Twickenham, Sept. 3, 1814. Dear Sir,—No apology is necessary for the questions you ask, as I am happy at all times to obey the commands referred to in your letter, which reached me last night after post time. I neither know nor can discover through what channel the editor of a newspaper obtained a copy of the medical opinion recommending the sea-side to her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte. That which was in my possession I delivered to the Prince Regent on Tuesday, the 12th of July. This is all the information I can give on the subject, and no one could be more surprised than myself when I heard it had found its way into the Morning Chronicle. Believe me, dear Sir, Sincerely yours, E. C. Knight. However, Princess Charlotte was sent to Weymouth,[5] and the air was of great use to her general health as well as to her knee. She formed an acquaintance with the Lady Grenvilles, daughters of Lord Warwick, and was allowed to see Lord and Lady Ashbrook,[6] who went there on her account, though on pretence of a tour. She was more comfortable there than she had been at Cranbourne Lodge, to which place she did not return until the winter was advanced; but since she has been there the family, and 17 18 19 20 the Queen in particular, have been more kind to her than they ever before were. I have since passed much of my time at Rochetts, Lord St. Vincent’s, who is as much alive to all this at eighty as if he were only thirty-five. When I found no payment of salary was made me in October, I wrote to Lord Liverpool, and the Prince ordered 300l. a year should be paid me from the Civil List as a compensation for having left the Queen’s service to attend on Princess Charlotte. To the servants, wages and board wages have been granted. [The following is the correspondence referred to:] MISS KNIGHT TO LORD LIVERPOOL. My Lord,—When, by the special desire of the Prince Regent, I left her Majesty’s service for that of Princess Charlotte, his Royal Highness was graciously pleased to promise (through the medium of the Earl of Moira) that I should never be a sufferer by the change. I therefore take the liberty of requesting that your Lordship will lay before the Prince my humble petition for the continuation of my salary; and I am so fully convinced of the humanity, liberality, and justice of his Royal Highness, that I am confident he will not refuse me a provision, which I really would not claim were it not essential to my subsistence in the station of life which Providence has assigned me. I have the honour to be, My Lord, Your Lordship’s obedient servant, E. C. Knight. LORD LIVERPOOL TO MISS KNIGHT. Lord Liverpool presents his compliments to Miss Knight, and begs to acknowledge the receipt of her letter to him of yesterday’s date. Lord Liverpool will not fail to lay it before the Prince Regent when his Royal Highness returns to town. Fife House, November 1, 1814. MISS KNIGHT TO LORD ST. VINCENT. Saturday, December 3. My dear Lord,—I am just returned from Fife House, whither I went by appointment at twelve. I said that my first motive was to thank his Lordship for his obliging attention to my request in laying my letter before the Prince Regent, and my next to show him a letter from Lord Moira, which I had preserved, as, although it contained no specific promises, it implied much. He read it attentively, and I then showed him that from Sir H. Halford, with the intention of giving me the rank of Honourable, and the certainty of my remaining in the family, &c. He read that also attentively. I added that I had several letters from the Princesses to the same effect, if not still more explicit, but that I considered them as sacred. He was silent for a little while, and then said the Prince had directed that what I had from the Queen should be given to me; that he had laid my letters before his Royal Highness, and had no further power. I answered that I should not dispute with my Sovereign, nor refuse whatever he chose to give me, but that it was not a compensation for what I left, as, besides the salary, I had apartments and other advantages adequate at least to the 500l. I received at Warwick House. I subjoined that I had hoped his Royal Highness would have continued my salary, as, when he dismissed me, he said he did not complain of anything; since which, however, I had written him a letter in my justification, which, not being answered, I concluded there was no complaint to make. Lord L. bowed assent. I then said I neither wished to trouble his Lordship nor to refuse the pension, but was anxious to put him in the possession of facts. He said the pension was clear of all expenses but the property tax, and inquired what was the time of my last payment of salary. I said the 5th of July, and that I was dismissed on the 12th. He could not exactly tell, he said, when the pension might begin, as it depended on what money was in the Exchequer. I rose to wish him a good morning. He asked if I had a carriage, and I hoped Lady Liverpool was well. So we parted. I am glad I saw him, as I think my visit has answered two purposes; one, to solicit accusation, or at least to prove to him, as I had before done to the Chancellor and Lord Ellenborough, that I had urged the Prince Regent to make complaints, if any were to be made, and none were; secondly, that I have made known, though respectfully, to the Prince Regent my dissatisfaction as to what is called remuneration or compensation, which leaves my claim open for future times if I live to want an addition to my income. Pray tell Miss Brenton that I have called in Bryanstone-street, and saw Lady Brenton, but Sir Jahleel was in his bed. Many thanks for your Lordship’s letter, and the enclosure from Lady Jane Loftus, who has at length given me her Dublin direction. I saw Prince Castelcicala this morning; he augurs well of Naples. Ever, my dear Lord, Your much obliged and affectionate, E. C. Knight. MISS KNIGHT TO LORD LIVERPOOL. Miss Knight presents her compliments and thanks to Lord Liverpool for his obliging notes. She is just returned to town, and requests his Lordship will allow her to see him for a few minutes at any time he will have the goodness to appoint for her calling. 9, Little Stanhope-street, May Fair, Thursday, Dec. 1, 1814. LORD LIVERPOOL TO MISS KNIGHT. Lord Liverpool presents his compliments to Miss Knight, and will be glad to receive her at twelve o’clock to-morrow. Fife House, Friday, December 2. MR. WILLIMOTT TO MISS KNIGHT. 21 22 23 24

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