APPENDIX

be recollected that the garrison of Malta has been more or less drained, and will require making up, and when the losses in Egypt, and other casualties, are adverted to, the numbers to be brought home, after leaving 8000 effective men in Sicily, cannot be very considerable.

The regiments may be much better completed, and prepared for any service at home, than in Gibraltar; and as the brigade of Guards are not applicable to colonial service, it would be useless to shut them up in Gibraltar, and equally unadvisable to leave so fine a corps for defensive purposes in Sicily.

To THE PRINCE OF WALES

["The King," says Lord Malmesbury, "sent his plan for the Princess in writing to the Prince by the Chancellor. It was not only a very judicious and wise one, but drawn up most admirably, and full of fine and affectionate feelings."]

The Prince of Wales, having through the Earl of Moira, expressed his wish that the education and care of the person of his daughter shall be placed under the immediate inspection of the King, his Majesty is willing to take this charge upon himself, and has prepared a house at Windsor for the reception of the Princess Charlotte. The sum now issued each quarter out of his Majesty's Civil List for the maintenance and education of the young Princess should in future be paid into the hands of the person who shall be named by the King to defray those expenses, and such additional charges as may arise from the change of establishment shall be defrayed by the King.

His Majesty proposes to name a Bishop to superintend Princess Charlotte's education, as it cannot be that alone of a female; but she, being the presumptive heir of the crown, must have one of a more extended nature. His Majesty also thinks it desirable that the Bishop should fix on a proper clergyman to instruct the young Princess in religion and Latin, and daily to read prayers. That there should be another instructor for history, geography, belleslettres, and French, and masters for writing, music, and dancing. That the care and behaviour of the Princess should be entrusted to a governess; and as she must be both day and night under the care of responsible persons, that a sub-governess and assistant subgoverness should be named.

These seem to be necessary outlines to form such a plan as may make so promising a child turn out as it is the common interest of the King and his family-and, indeed, the whole

nation-eagerly wish. It may not be improper to add that the conduct of the Dowager Countess of Elgin has been so exemplary that, though her age and weak state of health may make her retiring necessary, the King will give her a pension equal to her present salary.

The King's last autograph letter was to the Prime Minister Perceval in 1810.

APPENDIX B

HANNAH LIGHTFOOT

THE question of whether Hannah Lightfoot, "the fair Quakeress," was ever the mistress or the wife of George III. has been fully discussed by Mr. Thoms, who a good many years ago printed a brochure on the subject. The conclusion of his investigations was that Hannah was probably a myth, that not only was she not George's wife or mistress, but that she never even existed. I am bound to add that since Mr. Thoms wrote some very pertinent evidence has transpired. I will not say this evidence is convincing, but it is very plausible, and it is certainly very interesting, and as such I present it to the reader.

Some three years ago (in April 1904) Lord Sackville received from a lady in America, Mrs. Aline Shane-Devin, of Washington, D.C., an inquiry concerning Sir Joshua Reynolds's portrait of Hannah Lightfoot (Mrs. Axford) at Knole Park, and the following statement, which by his Lordship's permission I now make public :

"My father's mother was Hannah Lightfoot Rex, daughter of George Rex, son of the third George of the Hanoverian line, and of Hannah Lightfoot, the Quakeress. My great-grandfather, George Rex, came to America during the Revolutionary War, and was from first to last a devoted Royalist. He married in Pennsylvania a woman of German birth, and by her had a large family. His oldest son was called George, his oldest daughter, my grandmother, receiving her grandmother's name. The origin of the family has always been known and accepted by its members, though the circumstances connected with it were felt to be of so discreditable a nature to both sides that it was very seldom mentioned, and then as something to be deplored and concealed.

"We of this generation, however, are far enough removed from the scandal to appreciate the romantic interest that in most minds attaches to the love affairs of a Prince, even when they reach their consummation without benefit of clergy' a conclusion which according to some authorities is in this particular case open to question.

:

"The very little confirmatory evidence obtainable upon this point, however, does not seem to me to be of a convincing character, even though one may heartily wish to be persuaded. Therefore in asking for information concerning the reputed portrait of Hannah Lightfoot, I do so only to gratify a natural interest, which you will I hope appreciate in an ancestress whose charms are said to equal her misfortunes, as well as conduced to them, and the mystery of whose fate must still arouse compassion."

How, one may ask, came this portrait at Knole? Was there any connection between the former proprietor of Knole, Lord George Germain, afterwards Lord Sackville, the friend and confidant of the King, and Mrs. Axford?

There are many points in Mrs. Shane-Devin's narrative which need clearing up: but I must leave the mystery of Hannah Lightfoot-if it may be called a mystery-to others to solve. At the same time I beg to express my warm thanks to Lord Sackville for his further kindness in permitting a reproduction of the Knole portrait to appear in the present volume.

APPENDIX C

BIBLIOGRAPHY

THE chief authorities from whom my narrative is derived may be tabulated as follows:

ADOLPHUS, History of England from the Accession of George III., 8 vols., 1840-45. The major part of these carefully-written annals appeared in the King's lifetime, and earned his commendation for their faithful narration of the events of the early years of his reign, which had been generally distorted by contemporaries. The writer shows a just appreciation of the King, and approves of his American policy.

MASSEY, History of England, 4 vols., 1855-63. Written throughout from the standpoint of a Whig partisan. Many deliberate mis-statements. The narrative closes with 1803.

STANHOPE, History, 7 vols., edition 1853. Whig narrative to 1783. Full of facts, expressed in precise and dreary language.

LECKY, History of England in the Eighteenth Century, 8 vols., 1879-90. A very lofty, fair, and philosophic work, written with much spirit. Occasionally recognises George III.'s abilities, but grudgingly. Deals very impartially with the American war. Narrative to the war with France 1793.

HUNT'S Political History of England, 1905. impartial summary 1760-1801.

and free from Whig bias.

A clear and Written in the modern spirit,

Parliamentary History and CAVENDISH'S Debates. I have availed myself freely of these sources, which are simply invaluable, as also DODSLEY'S Annual Register, much of which, to about 1780, was written by Burke.

WALPOLE'S Memoirs of the Reign of George III., 1760-72, 4 vols., edition 1894. To be received with great caution, Walpole being one of the King's most malevolent foes, and credulous of the most fantastic gossip concerning him and any of his friends. The same caution must be observed towards the Journals of the Reign, 1771-83, 2 vols., edition 1859.

The Grenville Papers, 4 vols., edition 1852. Comprising the