279 CHAPTER XXV. Three distinct sources of calumny-An union suggested, and dismissed-The paternal virtues of an illustrious character -Allusion to Mr. Barton's letter-Subject deferred—The Duke of Cumberland accused-Mrs. Jordan's return to the stage Her reported profits exaggerated-Mrs. SiddonsTacitus-Miss O'Neill, character of that lovely actressThe year 1814 fatal to Mrs. Jordan-Mr. Alsop's ruin; goes out to India with Lord Moira-His lot there, his conduct, and death-The defeat of all her hopes, as to her eldest daughter, followed by the peril of her sons- -Colonel Quentin's court-martial-The charges-His conviction, and the punishment of the accusers-List of the dismissed unfortunates-George and Henry Fitzclarence-Contrive to visit India-Singular and impertinent interference, on their account, with a King's ship-Mrs. Jordan's letter from Whitehaven-Liable to additional insurance on Alsop's life -Gives up her Sheffield engagement from illness-Mrs. Jordan's letter from Carlisle, 3d December, 1814-Her solemn determination as to her daughter, Mrs. Alsop-Proposes a retirement to Wales-The two sacrifices submitting to exile without a murmur-Impossible then for her to re main in England-Cadogan place after her son's departureWrites to her son as to Fanny-Encloses his answerThinks it will be necessary for herself to go and reside in France-Extract from Captain Fitzclarence's Letter, 5 Dec. THE letters which have been laid before the reader will have given all the information that Mrs. Jordan thought herself at liberty to commit to paper. The sensible and dispassionate woman appears in every line of them. It may be remarked on this occasion, that there were three distinct sources of calumny concurring to swell the tide of persecution which now assailed Mrs. Jordan, and the press was equally disposed to all the three, for they equally purposed mischief. The first was a pretty numerous set of scribblers, who, with the usually wanton ignorance of his conduct and merits, hated the Duke, her illustrious friend-the second, a few writers connected with theatres, who, crediting every rumour with which provincial towns supplied them, attributed to the charming actress every description of sordid or loose attachment; who converted her very virtues into pitch, and, if she exerted herself to benefit any witness of her early progress in life, stated, like Iago, in the instance of Cassio and Desdemona : "That she repeal'd him for her body's lust." A third were perhaps set on by persons of graver consideration, but not less doubtful morals, who do evil that good may come of it; and who, affecting a high sense of public virtue and regard for the family on the Throne, and its members within the probability of succession, spared no pains to excite distrust or disgust in the royal person connected with her trusting to powerful aids in the embarrassments of his circumstances, which, with every disposition to frugality, had accumulated, to the noble Duke's serious annoyance. I have no slight reasons for thinking, that one plan of relief was suggested which looked to an union with Miss Tylney Long; a matter which it was represented, by the friendship of the Regent, might easily be carried through parliament by bill. If this was ever a matter for deliberation in the royal mind, I am quite sure it was rejected upon principle; and every notion of such a thing was soon closed, by the union of that wealthy heiress, in March, 1812, to William Wellesley Pole, Esq., the son of Lord Maryborough. In fact, TWENTY YEARS of sympathy and truth leave always strong impressions upon the mind; and I have no doubt full justice has always been done to the attachment of Mrs. Jordan, by the royal personage to whom it was borne. The demands of high situation are often imperative, and they must be obeyed; but the MAN must be satisfied as well as the prince; and what father has ever more steadily responded to the claims of his children than the Duke of Clarence? Without too much presumption, we may, perhaps, attribute to such a conduct, that as his early day was gladdened by all that could amuse and fascinate, we find his latter period embellished by all the VIRTUES that either lead or console the progress through the remainder of the journey. Of the particular provision made for Mrs. Jordan, and the daughters under her care, I shall content myself here with saying, that it was undoubtedly liberal; and, as she seems herself to think, rather larger than his Royal Highness's very confined circumstances in prudence might warrant. But every satisfaction on this head will be given by Mr. Barton's letter, in the year 1824; when the last scene had been shut upon the inimitable subject of it; and all that could then be done was to shew that, to her illustrious friend, no part of her misfortunes could candidly be imputed. But our astonishment will not at all be lessened by this admission. CAN such things be, And overcome us like a summer cloud, The letter from Mrs. Jordan upon the subject of the disagreement mentions her forbearance, and that it was highly applauded by a great personage: nor is it unlikely that she might have placed some part of her fortune at the temporary disposition of her noble friend. Every thing of a pecuniary nature, however, it will be shewn by adequate proof, was settled, with interest, up to the very hour of adjustment, and Mrs. Jordan's receipt in full taken by the gentleman commissioned to make the arrangement. I had almost forgotten the accusation, to which Mrs. Jordan alludes, of her intriguing with his Royal Highness of Cumberland. That Royal Duke |