DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.51519#0077
QUEEN CATHERINE OF BRAGANZA. 61
of his young' Queen ’* in a letter to Lord Clarendon, dated from
Portsmouth; he expresses his satisfaction in strong’ terms and
Clarendon says, cc it is certain she had wit and beauty enough to
have pleased the King, if bigotry and an ill education had not
spoiled her.” Pepys, describing her in his Diary, says, “ For the
Queen, though she be not a very charming, yet hath she a good,
modest, and innocent look, which is most pleasing.” Catherine’s
defects seem to have been those of manner, rather than person ;
her disposition was not sprightly, nor her deportment dignified.
It would be unjust to attribute the moody pettishness and melan-
choly, which she betrayed soon after her marriage, to a natural
gloominess of disposition; for it only proved that she was not
absolutely insensible. Charles, whose powers of captivation few
women could withstand, had, in the commencement of their inter-
course, won her whole affections; and she could not see herself
neglected by her husband, and brow-beat by insolent rivals,
without the discontent and anger natural to a fond, jealous, and
high-spirited woman.
When Catherine first arrived in England, she was dressed after
o J
the antiquated fashion of Portugal, in a high boddice, ruff, and
* “ The Queen is brought a few days since to Hampton Court, and all people
do say of her to be a very fine and handsome lady, and very discreet, and that
the King is pleased enough with her, which, I fear, will put Madam Castlemaine’s
nose out of joynt.”—Pepys' Diary.
“ Portsmouth, 21 May, 8 in the Morning.
t “ I arrived here yesterday, about two in the afternoon ; and as soon as I had
shifted myself, I went to my wife’s chamber. * * * * * Her face is not so
exact as to be called a beauty, though her eyes are excellent good, and not any
thing in her face that in the least degree can shock me. On the contrary, she
has as much agreeableness in her looks, altogether, as ever I saw; and if I have
any skill in physiognomy, which I think I have, she must be as good a woman as
ever was born. Her conversation, as much as I can perceive, is very good; for
she has wit enough, and a most agreeable voice. You would much wonder to see
how well we are acquainted already. In a word, I think myself very happy ; but
I am confident our two humours will agree very well together. I have not time
to say any more. My Lord-Lieutenant will give you an account of the rest.”
of his young' Queen ’* in a letter to Lord Clarendon, dated from
Portsmouth; he expresses his satisfaction in strong’ terms and
Clarendon says, cc it is certain she had wit and beauty enough to
have pleased the King, if bigotry and an ill education had not
spoiled her.” Pepys, describing her in his Diary, says, “ For the
Queen, though she be not a very charming, yet hath she a good,
modest, and innocent look, which is most pleasing.” Catherine’s
defects seem to have been those of manner, rather than person ;
her disposition was not sprightly, nor her deportment dignified.
It would be unjust to attribute the moody pettishness and melan-
choly, which she betrayed soon after her marriage, to a natural
gloominess of disposition; for it only proved that she was not
absolutely insensible. Charles, whose powers of captivation few
women could withstand, had, in the commencement of their inter-
course, won her whole affections; and she could not see herself
neglected by her husband, and brow-beat by insolent rivals,
without the discontent and anger natural to a fond, jealous, and
high-spirited woman.
When Catherine first arrived in England, she was dressed after
o J
the antiquated fashion of Portugal, in a high boddice, ruff, and
* “ The Queen is brought a few days since to Hampton Court, and all people
do say of her to be a very fine and handsome lady, and very discreet, and that
the King is pleased enough with her, which, I fear, will put Madam Castlemaine’s
nose out of joynt.”—Pepys' Diary.
“ Portsmouth, 21 May, 8 in the Morning.
t “ I arrived here yesterday, about two in the afternoon ; and as soon as I had
shifted myself, I went to my wife’s chamber. * * * * * Her face is not so
exact as to be called a beauty, though her eyes are excellent good, and not any
thing in her face that in the least degree can shock me. On the contrary, she
has as much agreeableness in her looks, altogether, as ever I saw; and if I have
any skill in physiognomy, which I think I have, she must be as good a woman as
ever was born. Her conversation, as much as I can perceive, is very good; for
she has wit enough, and a most agreeable voice. You would much wonder to see
how well we are acquainted already. In a word, I think myself very happy ; but
I am confident our two humours will agree very well together. I have not time
to say any more. My Lord-Lieutenant will give you an account of the rest.”