DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.51519#0080
64 QUEEN CATHERINE OF BRAGANZA.
and to facilitate what I am sure my honour is so much concerned
in; and whosoever I find to be my Lady Castlemaine’s enemy in
the matter; I do promise upon my word to be his enemy as long’
as I live.”
Whatever may be thought of the style and reasoning* of this
notable epistle; it had its effect. Lord Clarendon labours to excuse
the part he took in this wretched business; of which he has given
us a very particular account: but it must be allowed that it ill
became the gravity of his place and character to stoop to be the
King’s instrument on such an occasion. He allows that, after
having* represented to Charles “ the hard-heartedness and cruelty
of laying* such a command upon the Queen, which flesh and blood
could not comply with•” and reminded him of the difference; in
this respect; between the French and English courts; (c that in
the former; such connections were not new and scandalous; whereas
in England they were so unheard of; and so odious; that the
mistress of the King was infamous to all women of honour /’* he
yet undertook to persuade the Queen to bear this indignity; which
was “ more than flesh and blood could comply with/’ and to receive
into her society—nay; into an office of honour and trust about
her person; a female held “ infamous by all women of honour/’
and whom he would never suffer his own wife to visit.
When the Chancellor first addressed himself to the Queen upon
this delicate subject; she broke out into such a passion of grief and
indignation; that he was obliged to quit her. The next day she
asked his pardon a for giving vent to the passion that was ready
to break her heart /’ and desired his advice; and to hear the truth
with all freedom. He began by excusing the King: he told her
“ he doubted she was little beholden to her education; that had
* Charles the First and James the First were models of conjugal fidelity ;
and Henry the Eighth never thought of any other resource in his amours,
but the desperate one of divorcing, or cutting off the head of one Queen to
marry another.
and to facilitate what I am sure my honour is so much concerned
in; and whosoever I find to be my Lady Castlemaine’s enemy in
the matter; I do promise upon my word to be his enemy as long’
as I live.”
Whatever may be thought of the style and reasoning* of this
notable epistle; it had its effect. Lord Clarendon labours to excuse
the part he took in this wretched business; of which he has given
us a very particular account: but it must be allowed that it ill
became the gravity of his place and character to stoop to be the
King’s instrument on such an occasion. He allows that, after
having* represented to Charles “ the hard-heartedness and cruelty
of laying* such a command upon the Queen, which flesh and blood
could not comply with•” and reminded him of the difference; in
this respect; between the French and English courts; (c that in
the former; such connections were not new and scandalous; whereas
in England they were so unheard of; and so odious; that the
mistress of the King was infamous to all women of honour /’* he
yet undertook to persuade the Queen to bear this indignity; which
was “ more than flesh and blood could comply with/’ and to receive
into her society—nay; into an office of honour and trust about
her person; a female held “ infamous by all women of honour/’
and whom he would never suffer his own wife to visit.
When the Chancellor first addressed himself to the Queen upon
this delicate subject; she broke out into such a passion of grief and
indignation; that he was obliged to quit her. The next day she
asked his pardon a for giving vent to the passion that was ready
to break her heart /’ and desired his advice; and to hear the truth
with all freedom. He began by excusing the King: he told her
“ he doubted she was little beholden to her education; that had
* Charles the First and James the First were models of conjugal fidelity ;
and Henry the Eighth never thought of any other resource in his amours,
but the desperate one of divorcing, or cutting off the head of one Queen to
marry another.