Page:The Queens of England.djvu/576

522 THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND. Italy both for and against her ; public and private examinations took place ; but, though many charges were advanced, she was ably defended by Mr. Brougham, Mr. Denman, and Dr. Lush- ington, and while the proceeding was so unpopular out of doors, the Lords only obtained a verdict of nine against her. There- fore the bill was abandoned, and in the eyes of the nation the queen's innocence was vindicated ; nevertheless, while no royal palace was granted, her name not restored to the Liturgy, and her head uncrowned, Caroline could not consider herself a queen in fact. She publicly visited St. Paul's to offer up thanks for her acquittal, the news of which had been received with every demonstration of joy by the people, and a general illumi- nation was kept up for several evenings in the metropolis. Acquitted of crime, the queen naturally expected her royal situation to be acknowledged ; when, therefore, orders were given for the coronation of her husband to take place July 19th, 1821, she demanded as a right to be crowned at the same time. Her request was refused, and also her request to be present on the occasion. At this critical moment the indignation of the queen and woman outstepped the bounds of prudence, and she declared that, in spite of this decision, she would attend at the ceremony. It was not believed that, in earnest, Caroline could contemplate such a step as to force herself into the king's pres- ence at such a moment against his own commands ; yet such was the fact. On the morning appointed for the ceremony she repaired to the Abbey at an early hour in a carriage drawn by six horses, attended by Lord and Lady Hood and Lady Anne Hamilton, who were of her household, and demanded admittance. She was asked for her ticket; she replied, "She had none — and as Queen of England she needed none!" In vain did the first female in the land apply at this and the other several entrances ; she was refused at all, and compelled to retire amid the loud cries and shouts of the populace, which were heard within the walls of the sacred edifice where the monarch was enthroned. What a moment for Caroline! — within, without, what feelings must have stirred on that day! The popular demonstrations on the appearance of the queen had created a fear lest some outrage should be attempted : but this was groundless. The people contented themselves with breaking the windows of some of the ministers, and the cer- emony was concluded without disturbance, amid every pomp and pageantry which the magnificent taste of George the Fourth could devise.