The Private Life of a King; Embodying the Suppressed Memoirs of the Prince of Wales, Afterwards George IV of England

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1876. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... PREFACE. L)MERICANS, in the contemplation of royalty, are led into the estimate of kingly character as presented to them through the medium of political history, and generally written by sympathizers of royalty, and often under its direct influence. The sacred precincts of the palace are rarely invaded by the vulgar, and the secret misdoings there are carefully screened by the satellites who cater to the sensual pastimes of a king. We think the time has now arrived when royalty should be exhibited as it is, in all its deformity. The world moves, and the times demonstrate that man and government can do without a king, especially such a one as he whose character is portrayed in these pages; that man is capable of governing himself; that the monarchical system is on its decline. During the late civil war in the United States we heard repeatedly, and in many forms of expression, from monarchical Europe that the experiment of the republican form of government had failed, that the Great Republic had exploded, and it was so exultingly announced on the floor of the English Parliament; and the various Governments of Europe acted upon this belief, and conducted their policy regarding the United States accordingly. But how egregiously they were mis. taken, the haste with which imperial Napoleon left Mexico to save the ignominy of being driven out after the Great Republic hinted he had better leave, and how readily monarchical England paid over the fifteen millions of dollars on account of her spoliation on republican commerce on demand, testify. A common man may have vices or virtues, and these may be hidden, and when he dies all the good and evil of his moral character will find oblivion in the grave; not so with a king, for the effect of his accidental existence live...