of the house of Anspach, and brought him no great addition either of money or alliance; but was at that time esteemed a German beauty, and had genius which qualified her for the government of a fool; and made her despicable in the eyes of men of sense; I mean a low cunning, which gave her an inclination to cheat all the people she conversed with, and often cheated herself in the first place, by showing her the wrong side of her interest, not having understanding enough to observe that falsehood in conversation, like red on the face, should be used very seldom, and very sparingly, or they destroy that interest and beauty which they are designed to heighten.

“Her first thought on her marriage was to secure to herself the sole and whole direction of her spouse; and to that purpose she counterfeited the most extravagant fondness for his person; yet, at the same time, so devoted to his pleasures (which she often told him were the rule of all her thoughts and actions), that whenever he thought proper to find them with other women, she even loved whoever was instrumental to his entertainment, and never resented anything but what appeared to her a want of respect for him; and in this light she really could not help taking notice that the presents made to her on her wedding were not worthy of his bride, and at least she ought to have had all his mother’s jewels.  This was enough to make him lose all respect for his indulgent father.  He downright abused his ministers, and talked impertinently to his old grandmother the Princess Sophia, which ended in such a coldness towards all his family as left him entirely under the government of his wife.

“The indolent Elector contented himself with showing his resentment by his silence towards him; and this was the situation the family first appeared in when they came into England.  This behaviour did not, however, hinder schemes being laid by various persons of gratifying their ambition, or making their fortunes, by particular attachments to each of the Royal Family.”

CHAPTER VII

AT HERRENHAUSEN AND ST. JAMES (1714-1716)

The Elector George Lewis not delighted at his accession to the British throne—­A greater man in Hanover than in London—­Lady Mary modifies her first impression of the King—­She is in high favour at Court—­An amusing incident at St. James’s—­The early unpopularity of George I in England generally, and especially in the capital—­The Hanoverians in the Royal Household—­The Duchess of Kendal—­The Countess of Darlington—­Lady Mary’s description of the Hanoverian ladies—­The Duchess of Kendal’s passion for money—­Her influence with the King in political matters—­Count de Broglie—­The scandal about Lady Darlington refuted—­Lady Mary and the Prince of Wales—­The King and the Prince of Wales—­The poets and wits of the day—­Gay’s tribute to Lady Mary—­Pope’s verses on her—­“Court Poems.”