The Attempt to Divorce the Princess of Wales Impartially Considered...
The Repudiation of Queen Caroline [Caroline, Queen Consort of George IV, King of Great Britain]. The Attempt to Divorce the Princess of Wales Impartially Considered; More Particularly with Reference to the Probability of its Success. London: Printed for J. Ridgway and Sons, 1816. 25, [1] pp. Lacking final advertisement leaf. Octavo (9" x 5-1/2"). Stab-stitched pamphlet bound in early textured cloth, printed label to front board, edges untrimmed. Light toning and foxing to interior. $250. * Third edition, one of four from the same year. The repudiation of Queen Caroline by King George IV was one of the most sensational events in English history. Estranged soon after their marriage, Caroline was eventually banished to Europe after the birth of their daughter, Princess Charlotte Augusta. In 1820 her husband's accession to the throne brought her back to Britain. The King asked his ministers to get rid of her. After she refused a monetary offer to ask for a divorce, the Earl of Liverpool introduced The Pains and Penalties Bill to the House of Lords in July 1820 in order to strip Caroline of her title and dissolve her marriage. (The bill alleged that Caroline had an affair with a servant, Bartolomeo Bergami, while in Italy.) The bill was approved by the House of Lords, but it was not submitted to the House of Commons, where it would have been defeated. Despite the King's best attempts, Caroline remained a popular favorite. Published in 1816, our anonymous work presciently concludes that "there is every reason to believe that the design of dissolving the existing marriage of the Prince Regent will fail" and that "the expectations of the Princess Charlotte will not be defeated." All editions are scarce; OCLC and Library Hub locate 1 copy of the third edition (University of St. Andrews).
Price: $250.00
Book number 75566