DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.51519#0099
THE DUCHESS OF CLEVELAND.
81
Irish peer, with the title of Earl of Castlemaine. He, meekest of
men, was, or affected to be, a little sulky and restive at first under
his new dignities, but means were soon found to pacify him; and
he afterwards submitted to the coronet, and other honours which
his beautiful wife showered on his head, with a spirit of philosophy
and resignation which was quite edifying.*
The passion of the King for Lady Castlemaine, and her
influence over him, were at their height at the time that his
marriage with Catherine of Portugal was, from political motives,
resolved on. When the Queen’s arrival at Portsmouth was
announced in London, Charles was supping at Lady Castlemaine’s
house in the Strand. Bonfires had been lighted, in token of
respect and rejoicing, before every door in the street except hers—
an omission which did not pass unobserved : nor did she attempt
to conceal her despair, when the King left her to meet his bride.
It was probably sincere \ for she had as much reason to dread, as
all good men had to hope from, the influence of a young' and
beloved Queen. Unhappily her fears and others’ hopes proved
groundless : the King could not break the fetters which her charms
* “ But that which pleased me best was, that my Lady Castlemaine stood over
against us upon a piece of White Hall. But methought it was strange to see
her lord and her upon the same place, walking up and down, without taking
notice one of another ; only at first entry, he put off his hat, and she made him a
very civil salute, but afterwards took no notice one of another; but both of them
now and then would take their child, which the nurse held in her arms, and
dandle it.” This was on occasion of the Queen’s triumphant entry into London,
she being brought with great state by water from Hampton Court. Immediately
after follows a trait of good-nature, which must not be suppressed, the rather
because it is solitary: the worst, however, are not wholly bad. A scaffolding
happened to fall at the moment, and Lady Castlemaine was the only one among
the great ladies of court, who, from an impulse of humanity, ran down among the
‘ common rabble’ to see what injury had been done, and took charge of a poor
child which had been hurt in the crowd, “which methought was so noble. Anon
came one booted and spurred, whom she talked with ; and by and by, she being
in her hair, she put on his hat, which was but an ordinary one, to keep the wind
off: but it became her mightily, as every thing else do.”—Pepys' Diary, vol. i.
p. 161.
Gr
81
Irish peer, with the title of Earl of Castlemaine. He, meekest of
men, was, or affected to be, a little sulky and restive at first under
his new dignities, but means were soon found to pacify him; and
he afterwards submitted to the coronet, and other honours which
his beautiful wife showered on his head, with a spirit of philosophy
and resignation which was quite edifying.*
The passion of the King for Lady Castlemaine, and her
influence over him, were at their height at the time that his
marriage with Catherine of Portugal was, from political motives,
resolved on. When the Queen’s arrival at Portsmouth was
announced in London, Charles was supping at Lady Castlemaine’s
house in the Strand. Bonfires had been lighted, in token of
respect and rejoicing, before every door in the street except hers—
an omission which did not pass unobserved : nor did she attempt
to conceal her despair, when the King left her to meet his bride.
It was probably sincere \ for she had as much reason to dread, as
all good men had to hope from, the influence of a young' and
beloved Queen. Unhappily her fears and others’ hopes proved
groundless : the King could not break the fetters which her charms
* “ But that which pleased me best was, that my Lady Castlemaine stood over
against us upon a piece of White Hall. But methought it was strange to see
her lord and her upon the same place, walking up and down, without taking
notice one of another ; only at first entry, he put off his hat, and she made him a
very civil salute, but afterwards took no notice one of another; but both of them
now and then would take their child, which the nurse held in her arms, and
dandle it.” This was on occasion of the Queen’s triumphant entry into London,
she being brought with great state by water from Hampton Court. Immediately
after follows a trait of good-nature, which must not be suppressed, the rather
because it is solitary: the worst, however, are not wholly bad. A scaffolding
happened to fall at the moment, and Lady Castlemaine was the only one among
the great ladies of court, who, from an impulse of humanity, ran down among the
‘ common rabble’ to see what injury had been done, and took charge of a poor
child which had been hurt in the crowd, “which methought was so noble. Anon
came one booted and spurred, whom she talked with ; and by and by, she being
in her hair, she put on his hat, which was but an ordinary one, to keep the wind
off: but it became her mightily, as every thing else do.”—Pepys' Diary, vol. i.
p. 161.
Gr