CHAPTER I. THE REIGN OF GEORGE IV. GEORGE IV. had occupied the throne but a few weeks, when a treasonable plot was discovered for the assassination of Ministers. The Cato Street conspiracy-for such was the name given to it-originated with a knot of desperate men who had for their object the incitement of the people to rebellion, and the murder of Lords Castlereagh and Sidmouth and the rest of the members of the Cabinet. The leader, Arthur Thistlewood, acted largely out of revenge against Lord Sidmouth, to whom he had sent a challenge, a proceeding which led to his imprison It was arranged to assassinate the Ministers at a dinner at Lord Harrowby's on February 23rd, to set fire to London, seize the Bank and the Mansion House, and proclaim a provisional government. The plot, however, was betrayed by one of the conspirators, named Edwards, and the gang were attacked by the police while arming themselves in a stable in Cato Street, near the Edgware Road. During the struggle several criminals escaped, including the leader, Thistlewood, but he was captured next morning. The conspirators were brought to trial, and Thistlewood and four of his companions were executed, five others being transported for life. The Cato Street conspiracy. On the initiative of Alderman Wood, the House of Spies and Commons twice discussed the case of the informer informers. of CHAP. I. Edwards and his employment by the authorities. But The Reign the House negatived the motion for a select committee George IV. to inquire into the conduct of this acknowledged traitor, and Edwards was never punished. The relations of the executive with spies and informers were much commented upon; and shortly before this time Lord Sidmouthwho would not personally have connived at the use of covert incitements to treason-was severely condemned for accepting the services of an infamous spy named Oliver, whose conduct was indignantly denounced in both Houses. The Claims the title of Queen. From the constitutional point of view, the two chief features of the reign of George IV. were the vindictive proceedings against Queen Caroline and the cession of the Catholic claims. The whole story of Queen Caroline and her relations with her faithless and perjured husband is one of the most miserable in our history. The Princess was indiscreet, ill-disciplined, ill-educated, and sadly lacking in judgment; but she has been generally acquitted of the graver charges brought against her by her husband, who was notoriously guilty of the very offences alleged against his wife. She was repudiated in 1796 merely on the ground of the Prince's personal dislike; and in 1806 a "delicate investigation " was ordered into allegations of infidelity brought against her. By a Minute of Council in 1807, she was entirely acquitted of these charges. But she was soon deprived of access to her child, the Princess Charlotte of Wales. The public, under the lead of Canning and Brougham, warmly espoused her cause, for they were touched by her wrongs and disgusted with the conduct and character of her royal consort. In June, 1814, she went abroad, and fell into the hands of the Italian Bergami, which led to other charges being formulated against her. When the Prince ascended the throne, he ordered the Queen's name to be omitted from the Liturgy, and forbade royal honours to be paid to her at foreign courts. The Princess assumed the title of Queen, however, and returned to England, being received with great enthusiasm |