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homely folk, frequenting the rooms, and following the tranquil amusements of the place. He had thus opportunities of studying the future bride under very favourable conditions, and was more than satisfied with what he saw. She was, however, not by any means a beauty, and the emissary reported only moderately of her looks. An acute observer, Walpole, described her later:-"Her person," he said, "was small and 'very lean,' not well made; her face, pale and homely, her nose somewhat flat, and mouth very large. Her hair, however, was of a fine brown, and her countenance pleasing. She had an unfailing good humour and animation, which supplied for these defects." In the National Portrait Gallery is a flamboyant full length by Gainsborough, done some years later when she was in her prime, and which corresponds with the description, particularly in the large mouth and small face. In dealing with persons of such high degree there is a certain reserve, but an ordinary lady with the same features would be described as "snub-nosed," and perhaps as decidedly plain. Her features, however, were such as would improve with time, and an old Colonel Disbrowe, who was long about her court, once said humorously to Mr. Croker, "I do think that the bloom of her ugliness is going off." And it must be added indeed that Queen Caroline and Queen Adelaide were not the most favourable specimens of German good looks. The Princess Charlotte, the regent's daughter, was certainly handsome her gracious Majesty on her accession was a

beautiful and interesting creature, and her daughter-inlaw, the ever-popular Princess of Wales, is one of the most attractive ladies of our time. All agreed, too, that any defects in the future queen were more than redeemed by her admirable good sense and good nature, and this, as Walpole said, "set off by much grace in her manner recommended all she said." There is, however, a much more favourable account given of the princess by one who knew her very well. "She was certainly not a beauty," writes Mrs. Papendieck, the wife of one of her attendants, "but her countenance was expressive and intelligent. She was not tall, but of a slight, rather pretty figure; her eyes bright and sparkling with goodhumour and vivacity, her mouth large, but filled with white and even teeth, and her hair really beautiful." Of course, the family at Strelitz knew what was the Colonel's errand. We are told he conducted the business "in the most private manner." He came home and duly made his report, which was at once acted upon, but speaking, as we have seen, "only moderately " of her looks.

On July 8th, 1761, the privy councillors were summoned to meet, and were duly mystified by the terms of the message, which spoke of " urgent and important business," marked also as (6 an absolute secret." It was thought that a peace or some other momentous matter was to be discussed. It proved to be the king's marriage. The meeting was a very full one, and this announcement was made public :

"Having nothing so much at heart as to procure the

welfare and happiness of my people, and to render the same stable and permanent to posterity, I have, ever since my accession to the throne, turned my thoughts towards the choice of a princess for my consort; and I now, with great satisfaction, acquaint you, that after the fullest information and mature deliberation, I am come to a resolution to demand in marriage the Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, a princess distinguished by every eminent virtue and amiable endowment, whose illustrious line has constantly shown the firmest zeal for the Protestant religion, and a particular attachment to my family.

"I have judged proper to communicate to you these my intentions, in order that you may be fully apprised of a matter so highly important to me and to my kingdoms, and which, I persuade myself, will be most acceptable to all my loving subjects."

It seems a little strange that at this stage the project should, at the request of the Council, have been at once communicated to the public. The king, it will be seen, openly announced his intention of asking the princess's hand; but of course there had been previous communication and the consent of the family assured.

Among those who had been summoned to the Privy Council to hear the announcement of the intended marriage was Lord Harcourt of Nuneham-a nobleman who had been living somewhat in retirement. After the meeting he was sent for by Lord Bute, and informed that he had been appointed Master of the Horse, and was to

go on a special mission to Strelitz to convey the royal proposals. The king remarked to him that he was one of the few, perhaps the only man of quality, that had not solicited some favour of him upon his accession to the crown, that he had taken notice of it and was pleased. "After what happened to me some years ago," says Lord Harcourt, "it was beneath me to become a solicitor for favours. This honour I expected about as much as I did the Bishoprick of London, then vacant." He presently had an audience of the king and received his formal commission. This was a fortunate choice, for Lord Harcourt and various members of his family were hereafter destined to be the warmest and most valuable friends the king ever had. A later Lady Harcourt was regarded not only by the king and queen, but by all the princesses, as a cherished and valuable friend, and the intimacy was only dissolved by death.

On August 17th, 1761, the envoy wrote an account of his reception at the Mecklenburg Court to his friend Mitchell (later Sir Andrew Mitchell). It gives a pleasing sketch of the young princess :—

"Strelitz, Aug. 17, 1761. "DEAR MITCHELL,-How unfortunate I am to lose the pleasure of introducing you to the most amiable

1 Ellis' original letters. It will be understood that many of the details concerning the court and the Harcourt family are taken from the Harcourt papers, privately printed in many volumes by the late Mr. Edward Harcourt, of Nuneham; no very special references therefore will be made to them.

young princess I ever saw. You may imagine what a reception I have met with at this court, coming upon opportunity of meeting you at Perleberg; but am still more concerned for the accident that has deprived me of such an errand as brought me here, where the great honour the king has done this family is seen in its proper light.

"I reached this place on the 14th; on the 15th the treaty was concluded and despatched away to England. L'affaire, en vérité, n'était pas bien épineuse. This little Court exerted its utmost abilities to make a figure suitable to the occasion, and I can assure you they have acquitted themselves not only with magnificence and splendour, but with a great deal of good taste and propriety. Our queen that is to be has seen very little of the world, but her good sense, vivacity, and cheerfulness, I daresay, will recommend her to the king and make her the darling of the British nation. She is no regular beauty, but she is of a very pretty size, has a charming complexion, very pretty eyes, and finely made; in short, she is a fine girl."

For his services on this conspicuous mission Earl Harcourt was handsomely remunerated. On August 5th, 1761, a warrant was issued directing the payment of £4000 to the envoy, "to allow him the sum for his journey to and from Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and for his trouble and expenses in the execution of his Majesty's commission. Appointing the said Earl to negotiate, conclude, and sign a treaty of marriage between his

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