The people were astonished as Bute had intended they should be when they heard this news. Nor did Bute intend that it should rest there. Like most politicians he had his dependants in the literary world whom he used to further his own cause. Very soon a song was being sung in the streets of London a sneer at the fallen idoclass="underline" Three thousand a year's no contemptible thing, To accept from the hand of a patriot King, (With thanks to the bargain for service and merit), Which the wife and son all three shall inherit. With limited honours to her and her heirs So farewell to old England. Adieu to all cares.
Pitt had no intention of being misrepresented. As a politician who, even his enemies had to admit, had done a great deal for his country, he had not been overpaid with his peerage and 3000 a year pension. But he would not have the people assuming that he had taken this in exchange for leaving his post. He had a letter circulated which told the true story: Finding to my great surprise [he wrote] that the cause and manner of my resigning the Seals is grossly misrepresented in the City, as well as that the most gracious and spontaneous remarks of His Majesty's approbation of my services, which marks followed my resignation, having been infamously traduced as a bargain for my forsaking the public, I am under the necessity of declaring the truth of both these facts, in a manner which I am sure no gentleman will contradict.
A difference of opinion with regard to measures to be taken against Spain, of the highest importance and honour of the Crown, and to the most essential National interests (and this founded on what Spain has already done, not on what that Court may further intend to do) was the cause of my resigning the Seals. Lord Temple and I submitted in writing and signed by us, our most humble sentiments to His Majesty; which being overruled by the united opinion of all the rest of the King's servants, I resigned the Seals on the fifth of this month, in order not to remain responsible for measures which I was no longer able to guide. Most gracious public marks of His Majesty's approbation followed my resignation. They are unmerited and unsolicited and I shall ever be proud to have received them from the best of Sovereigns.
When this was handed round the City and the obvious truth of it realized, Pitt's popularity shot up again; and Lord Bute's attempts to discredit him had entirely failed. All the public had to realize was that though he no longer had a place in the cabinet, he had no intention of forsaking his duty.
The Princess Dowager, unaware of public feeling, was delighted with the turn of events. With Lord Bute she called on her son and embracing him cried: "Thank God. Now, George, you are in truth King of England.”
A visit to a Quaker house
The King and Queen were taking breakfast together. This was a very pleasant part of the day, Charlotte often thought. George was always so courteous and she really believed he was growing fonder of her, which surprised and delighted her, for she was fully aware of her lack of beauty; and there was no doubt that George with his golden hair, blue eyes and fresh complexion was a handsome man. In Court dress he looked truly magnificent; he even looked pleasant in the early morning.
He took only a dish of tea at breakfast.
"I must be on my guard," he told Charlotte, 'against getting fat. It is a characteristic of the family.”
"But a dish of tea! It seems so little. I really think I should persuade you to take a little more.”
He smiled at her rather cautiously. He wanted her to know that although he was determined to be a good husband to her, he was not allowing any interference even in the matter of a dish of tea.
Tactfully he changed the subject.
"You will be interested in this Lord Mayor's Show. I doubt you have ever seen anything like it.”
"I am constantly seeing things which I have never seen before. It makes life very interesting.”
He looked at her covertly. They had been married nearly two months. Was there any sign yet? He had certainly not failed in his conjugal duties. It might even be that already she was with child.
"We shall be the guests of the City, I believe," she was saying. "How I love the City. I find it absorbingly interesting.”
"How are you getting on with your English?”
"Oh ... tolerably well. I am taking my lesson every day.”
"Try speaking it.”
She did, haltingly, and he corrected her. She was laughing with him over her odd pronunciation.
What a blessing, she said, that he could speak German so well. "Even when I speak English proficiently we shall speak in German, shall we not, when we are alone together. We shall make it our intimate language.”
He nodded. "Although you must work hard at your English.”
"Oh, George, I will.”
"I think my grandfather made a great mistake in not speaking it well. Now ... the plans for the ninth.”
She smiled cosily. How he liked making plans. He would go to such trouble to arrange the guests for the most informal ball even when he must have very important state matters on his mind.
There was the affair of Mr. Pitt for one thing.
She ventured: "There is much talk of Mr. Pitt.”
He frowned. "Oh, he is no longer in the cabinet.”
"I did learn that there is a great deal of feeling in the City about his resignation.”
"Who told you this?”
"Oh ... I do not remember. It is often talked of. It seems a pity. He is a great man, they say; and it is sad that his talents should not be used in the service of the nation.”
George was not having this. He must make her understand that he had no intention of talking politics with her. It was not a woman's place to interfere. He had seen too much of women's meddling. He was beginning to think that his mother interfered too much; but she was old and wise and he had always listened to her. But he was not going to have Charlotte becoming another Princess Dowager. Queens and mistresses of kings had often sought to dominate them. It was not going to be said that George III was so dominated ... except by his mother when he was young.
George was beginning to think that one day he might have to tell his mother that he would make up his own mind. So he did not want Charlotte beginning to interfere.
He said shortly: "That matter is settled. It is of no interest to you. I will show you the route the Lord Mayor's Show will take." He spread a map on the table and Charlotte was immediately absorbed. It was like the old days with Madame de Grabow. Now she followed George's finger as it traced the route.
"And where shall we be?" asked Charlotte.
George had turned a faint pink and she wondered why. He stammered as he answered: "There ...
there is a house opposite Bow Church in Cheapside where it is possible to get a fine view of the Lord Mayor's Show. Its owners have invited us to see it from their house.”
"How strange," murmured Charlotte.
"It is not at all strange," replied George, almost too vehemently. "It is a very fine house and it is in fact... most suitable. There are balconies from which we can see everything in ease and comfort.
And these people are Quakers. I ... I think the Quakers are very fine people indeed. I... I have always felt that this was a religion ... had I not been king of this realm ... which I could have followed.”
He was looking at her almost defiantly, and she said: "You must tell me more of this Quaker religion. You have known many Quakers, I suppose.”
George grew a shade pale and, turning, went to the window and looked out. He said in a muffled voice: "My position makes it necessary for me to meet many of my subjects.”