In this year, also, a most remarkable occurrence transpired. A very respectable clergyman was induced to marry two persons upon an extreme emergency, without their obtaining a license or the publishing of banns. The clergyman was tried at Leicester for this offence, and sentenced to be transported for fourteen years! Many appeals were made, in a quiet and peaceable manner, to the judge. Expostulations upon the disproportion of the punishment were also made by various classes of society; but, alas! the happiness of the subject was destroyed, while the higher authorities remained not only unimpeached, but defended!

During this session, the House was solicited to supply extra sums for the expenditure of the secret service, to which, however, many voices were raised in opposition. The prince and his former friends and companions were now apparently in a state of disunion, as each one appeared dissatisfied with the other.

Mr. Fox proved the most unremitting member of the House in the discharge of his duties, opposing the increase of the national debt, and the imposition of new taxes. The salary of the speaker of the House of Commons, however, was advanced to six thousand pounds, remonstrance proving of no avail.

About this time, the prince and two of his

[[95]]brothers became so embarrassed by their imprudent conduct, that they found it expedient to resort to some measure for the attainment of means to satisfy the clamorous demands of their creditors. Jews and money-brokers were tried, but to no effect; and their last resource seemed to be by obtaining the amount desired upon their respective or joint bonds. Every likely person was solicited to grant the loan; yet, after a long and mortifying attempt, all their endeavours proved fruitless. A large interest was offered, and had the parties been persons of indubitable integrity, many of their countrymen would have gladly lent their money upon such terms; but former inaccuracies paved the way for future misgivings. At length the sum was furnished, from foreign houses chiefly,—the amount of which was ONE MILLION!!! The princes received nearly half a million immediately, and the other portion was to be paid according to the stipulation,—the interest being fixed at six per cent. This interest, however, was not paid upon its becoming due; consequently there was a suspicion of unfair dealing; but of this subject we must treat anon.

A trifling dispute with Spain this year cost the country THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS!

The year

1791

was a period of continual debate and of harassing vexation, both at home and abroad. In the mean

[[96]]while, the prince was engrossed in his pursuits of pleasure, ever searching after variety in every possible shape. Such also were the pursuits of his royal brothers.