CHAPTER VI
LITERATURE AND GOSSIP IN THE LAST CENTURY
1. Hampton Court in literature: Thomson's rhapsody.—2. The "Rape of the Lock": Pope's fondness for the Thames: his country inspiration limited to its banks: the origin of the poem: its three foundations: the "Rosicrucian doctrine of spirits": Marmontel's Sylphs and Pope's "The Expedition to Hampton Court": the game of ombre: the severed lock: Pope's letters: the life of a Maid of Honour.—3. Lord Hervey's life: Miss Bellenden and Miss Lepel: Queen Caroline: George II. and his family: Prince Frederick: the hasty drive to St. James's: Queen Caroline's death: later visits of George II.: changes since his time: the Royal fondness for Hanover: English character of Hampton Court.
I
Hampton Court was so popular a resort for society under Anne and the Georges, that the difficulty in writing of its literary souvenirs is rather to exclude than to illustrate. Jimmy Thomson brings in the Palace as the climax of his enthusiastic rhapsody on the Thames:—
"In lovely contrast to this glorious view,
There let the feasted eye unwearied stay;
Calmly magnificent,then will we turn
To where the silver Thames first rural grows.
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