so eminently favourable to Napoleon; for about this time the King wrote
to the Duke: "As I am no friend to obstinacy, I will agree to lessen the
demand from other districts" (_i.e._, for an "Army of Reserve" in
Dorset). The visit to Weymouth was also postponed; and Camden, Secretary
at War, countermanded the construction of huge barracks at that town,
which the King had ordered without consulting the Cabinet or the Duke of
York. On 1st August Villiers reported the refusal of the King to see the
Prince of Wales, with whom no complete reconciliation was possible.
George wished Villiers to come and reside near Windsor and manage all
his private affairs, and would take no refusal. But how, asked Villiers,
was he to do this on L330 a year? He therefore requested the advice and
help of Pitt.[684]

At Weymouth, late in the summer, the quarrels between the King and Queen
again became acute, as appears from confidential letters which Lord
Hawkesbury wrote to Pitt. The latter sided with the Queen and Princes on
some points; and indeed through these months the conduct of George seems
to have been so exasperating that the Princesses almost sank under the
ceaseless strain, for Queen Charlotte, too, was "ill and cross." In vain
did Pitt seek to effect a reconciliation between the King and the
Prince of Wales. The only result of his efforts was a formal and
fruitless interview. Last but not least of Pitt's Court worries was the
conduct of the Princess of Wales. Her wayward and extravagant habits
increased the aversion of the Prince, and produced scandals so serious
that Pitt urgently but ineffectually remonstrated with her at her
residence in Blackheath. Such were the diversions of a Minister on whom
almost singly rested the burden of defending his country at this crisis.

The eccentricities of the King seriously hampered British diplomacy. For
how could Russia and Austria bind themselves to an Administration which
might at any time be succeeded by one which was under the domination of
the Prince of Wales, Fox, and Sheridan? True, offers of a defensive
alliance were mooted at St. Petersburg to our ambassador, Admiral
Warren. But it was obvious even to that misplaced sailor, whom Pitt soon
recalled, that Russia merely aimed at securing English subsidies and
help for her garrison at Corfu, now threatened by Soult. The timid
conduct of Francis II, who, as if in imitation of Napoleon, assumed the
title of Hereditary Emperor of the Austr