“The Prince of Wales very much affronted the D. of Orleans and his natural Brother, L’Abbe de la Fai, at Newmarket, L’Abbe declaring it possible to charm a Fish out of the Water, which being disputed occasioned a Bett; and the Abbe stooped down over the water to tickle the Fish with a little switch.  Fearing, however, the Prince said play him some Trick, he declared he hoped the Prince would not use him unfairly by throwing him into the water.  The Prince answer’d him that he would not upon his Honor.  The Abbe had no sooner began the operation by leaning over a little Bridge when the Prince took hold of his Heels and threw him into the Water, which was rather deep.  The Abbe, much enraged, the moment he got himself out run at the Prince with great violence, a Horse-whip in his Hand, saying he thought very meanly of a Prince who cou’d not keep his word.  The Prince flew from him, and getting to the Inn locked himself in one of the Rooms.”

“Prince of Wales, Mrs. Fitzherbert, the Duke and Dutchess of Cumberland, and Miss Pigott, Mrs. F.’s companion, went a Party to Windsor during the absence of The Family fm.  Windsor; and going to see a cold Bath, Miss P. expressed a great wish to bathe this hot weather.  The D. of C. very imprudently pushed her in, and the Dut. of C. having the presence of mind to throw out the Rope saved her when in such a disagreeable State from fear and surprise as to be near sinking.  Mrs. F. went into convulsion Fits, and the Dut. fainted away, and the scene proved ridiculous in the extreme, as Report says the Duke called out to Miss P. that he was instantly coming to her in the water, and continued undressing himself.  Poor Miss P.’s clothes entirely laid upon the Water, and made her appear an awkward figure.  They afterwards pushed in one of the Prince’s attendants.”

So much for High Life at the close of the eighteenth century.  It is more difficult to realize that we are separated only by some sixty years from a time when a Cabinet Minister and a brother of the Sovereign conducted a business-like correspondence on the question whether the Minister had or had not turned the Prince out of the house for insulting his wife.  The journals, newspapers, and memoirs of the time throw (especially for those who can read between the lines) a startling light on that hereditary principle which plays so important a part in our political system.  All the ancillary vices flourished with a rank luxuriance.  Hard drinking was the indispensable accomplishment of a fine gentleman, and great estates were constantly changing owners at the gaming-table.