CHAPTER VI.

The Queen's trial-Her attendance at the House of LordsEvidence of the Italian witnesses-Brougham's speechDispleasure of the King-Denman's speech-Popularity of the Queen-Visit of Prince Leopold-Abandonment of the Bill-Reception of the news by the Queen-Enthusiasm in the country-Scene in the House-The thanksgiving service at St. Paul's-The provision for the Queen-Libels on the Queen-The approaching coronation-The King's resolveCaroline's appearance at the Abbey-Her repulse-Her illness-Her death-Her will.

On the 17th of August what everyone rightly spoke of as "the Queen's trial" commenced, her defence being in the hands of Brougham and Denman. How the former was prepared to do her service, the latter's words will best convey. "Let me here state, once and for all, that from this moment I am sure that Brougham thought of nothing but serving and saving his client. I, who saw more of him nearly than any man, can bear witness that from the period in question his whole powers were devoted to her safety and welfare. He felt that the battle must be fought, and resolved to fight it manfully and to the utterance."" That he was acting under an honest belief in the utter falsity of the charges brought against her, his own words prove; and the testimony of an honourable gentleman, spoken from the depths of thorough conviction, goes far towards establishing the fair fame of the persecuted lady referred to.

"Of the utter groundlessness of these charges we all had the most complete and unhesitating belief; and I quite as much as any of the others. The evidence and discussion at the trial not only

failed to shake the conviction with which we set out from our knowledge of the Milan proceedings, and from our communication with such of her household as had attended her in the south, but very greatly confirmed it, and removed whatever doubts had for a moment crossed our minds. I can most positively affirm, that if every one of us had been put upon our oaths as jurymen, we should all have declared that there was not the least ground for the charges against her. The same was the clear and decided opinion of those most acquainted personally with her habits, from having been long on intimate terms with her-as Lord Archibald Hamilton; or having been her ladies-as Lady Charlotte Lindsay and Lady Glenbevrie. All these laughed to scorn the stories told by the witnesses about what had passed on shore, and still more, if possible, the tales of what had passed on board ship in the Levant."

The Queen gave notice that she should attend every day in the House of Lords while the trial lasted; and as Brandenburgh House was inconveniently far from Westminister, the widow of Sir Philip Francis offered her Majesty the use of her house in St. James's Square, which was at once accepted. She did not sleep there, but used generally to arrive there very early in the morning, and proceed from thence, in state, to the House of Lords, accompanied by Lady Ann Hamilton, Sir W. Gell, Mr. Keppel Craven, and Alderman Wood, who invariably attempted to escort the Queen to the Upper House, and was as invariably prevented, as, being a Member of Parliament, his proper entrance was that apportioned to the Commons. A withdrawing-room was provided for Caroline's use, and she was altogether treated with courtesy, as she more than

once remarked, when she seated herself on the almost throne-like chair placed for her near her counsel. She was usually received with military honours, and led into the House by Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt and Mr. Brougham, each holding her by the hand. On the morning of the 17th of August, says Mr. Fitzgerald, "the peers began to arrive betimes, while the Chancellor came at the singularly early hour of eight. Every window and housetop was covered with spectators. The Duke of York arrived on horseback, the Duke of Wellington being hissed and groaned at. The Duke of Sussex was received rapturously. The roar of voices all along the route gave notice of the procession, for such it was, which was to be the daily programme for some time to come, which swelled into shouts as the carriage, drawn by six horses, with servants in the royal liveries of scarlet and gold with purple velvet caps and facings, came into view. Behind followed other carriages, containing Sir William Gell and Mr. Keppel Craven, who, though they might have left her service in some disgust at her conduct, were chivalrous enough to return to it, to show their belief in her innocence of more serious charges. This to an impartial mind would not be without weight. Along the route the soldiers on duty were posted, and the multitude watched those stationed at Carlton House with feverish anxiety, to see whether they would present arms. They did so, to the delight and even rapture of the mob, who shook hands with them, while some of the women embraced them. The cries were all of the same affectionate character. "God bless your

Majesty!' 'We'll give our blood for you!' The Queen or death!" 'May you overcome your enemies!' Men were seen carrying green bags

at the end of long poles." The Queen entered the House punctually at ten o'clock, while the names of the peers were being called over, dressed in black satin, with a plain laced cap and veil. All present rose to receive her a courtesy she acknowledged with much dignity. The following day her costume was not in such good taste. "Denman was addressing the House on the morning of the 18th," says Lord Albemarle, "when a confused sound of drums, trumpets, and human voices announced the approach of the Queen. Beams a foot square had been thrown across the street between St. Margaret's Church and the Court of Queen's Bench; but this barrier her Majesty's admirers dashed through with as much ease as if they had been formed of reeds, and accompanied her Majesty to the entrance of the House. The peers rose as the Queen entered, and remained standing until she took her seat in a crimson and gilt chair, immediately in front of her counsel. Her appearance was anything but prepossessing. She wore a black dress with a high ruff, an unbecoming gipsy hat with a huge bow in front, the whole surmounted with a plume of ostrich feathers. Nature had given her light hair, blue eyes, a fair complexion, and a goodhumoured expression of countenance; but these characteristics were marred by painted eyebrows, and by a black wig with a profusion of curls, which overshadowed her cheeks, and gave a bold defiant air to her features." Her counsel Denman, however, who was enthusiastic in her cause, gives a much more favourable sketch of her. "I never saw a human being so interesting. Her face was pale, her eyelids a little sunken, her eyes fixed on the ground, with no expression of alarm or consciousness, but with an appearance of decent

distress at being made the subject of such revolting calumnies." The first two days passed without any proceedings of particular interest, the only event worth recording being an attempt by the Duke of Leinster to get rid of the Bill at the eleventh hour, which was negatived. Mr. Brougham also spoke ably against the Bill, dwelling strongly on the fact that the accused was prevented showing the guilt of her accuser. On the 19th the Attorney-General opened his case in a speech in which, professing to have substantial proof of all his assertions, he described the Queen's conduct as disgraceful to her alike as Princess and woman. The Queen entered as he was concluding, and immediately after the first of the Italian witnesses, Theodore Majocchi, who was indebted to her for much kindness, was brought in. Overwhelmed at seeing him turn against her, she exclaimed, "Oh, traditore!" and at once retired to her withdrawing-room, from whence she did not again return to the House. "This," says Lord Brougham, "looked like an alarm, and was sedulously represented as an indication that she knew he came to give testimony which she was afraid of, and that her expression was of astonishment that he should appear against her. Possibly it was; but the failure of his evidence to stand cross-examination and sifting completely proved that she had no reason to fear anything but his gross perjury." All these Italian witnesses on the side of the Government swore boldly to shameless conduct on the part of Caroline; but on crossexamination many admitted that they were hostile to and jealous of the ex-courier. The evidence of all, however, with some discrepancies, tallied. They all "deposed to an ostentation of criminality