rpool, declaratory of her intention, to be in London within five
days, reiterating also her demand for a palace, and requesting that a
royal yacht might be in readiness at Calais to convey her to England. At
St. Oroers she was met by Mr. Brougham, and Lord Hutchinson, a personal
friend of the king, who was entrusted with a confidential communication.
The fact is, ministers had determined, from the evidence in their
possession, that the queen could not be received in England with the
honours due to royalty, and Lord Hutchinson was sent to intimate this,
and to make a similar proposition to that which had before been made.
Ministers proposed to settle L50,000 per annum on her for life, subject
to such conditions as the king might impose; which conditions Lord
Hutchinson stated he had reason to believe, were, that she was not to
assume the style and title of Queen of Great Britain, or any other title
attached to the royal family of England; and that she was not to reside
in England, or even to visit that country: the consequence of such a
visit would be an immediate message to parliament, and an entire end of
all compromise or negociation. The threatened message to parliament was
understood by the queen and her counsellors to signify that a public
charge of adultery would be exhibited against her; and, indignant at
such treatment, the proposal was rejected as one that could not be
listened to for a moment. Lord Hutchinson still made attempts at
negociation, but they were all vain; nothing could induce her to change
her purpose. Irritated by studied insults abroad; incensed by threats of
ministerial vengeance; brooding over the wrongs she had endured from one
who had promised before the altar of God to love and cherish her through
life; and, above all, assured of the popular support, she pursued her
way; and she reached the shores of England on the 6th of June. Although
government had made no preparation for her reception, the people's
hearts gave her a ready welcome. Multitudes met her on the beach at
Dover, with loud acclamations, banners, and every sign of popular
enthusiasm. Her progress to London resembled a triumphal procession,
and she was met in the metropolis by 200,000 persons, all shouting her
welcome at the top of their voices. They would have conducted her at
once to Carlton House, but she was induced to go to Alderman Wood's
mansion in South Audley Street, there to wait the issue of the matter.

The king was no