PREFACE.

As the political history of the reign of William IV. has been so fully dealt with by political writers-the Reform Bill having even found a historian of its own-the writer of the following Memoir has not proposed to deal with such matter, save under certain conditions, viz., where the King himself was directly connected with such incidents and figured as a leading performer. Keeping this principle in view, I have shown what part he took in all the fitful changes, and even intrigues, which attended the course of the great Reform Bill, including the various Court, or "backstairs," influences and plots, which were brought to bear on the royal mind. These, though alluded to by various writers of the time, will be new and interesting to most readers.

One particular object also has been kept in view. For many years past there have appeared innumerable volumes of Memoirs and Recollections, in which are given many dramatic scenes and sketches connected with eminent personages. These often make but a small portion of the volumes in question, and, buried in a mass of less interesting matter, are soon forgotten. It is certainly a gain to have such little sketches rescued from oblivion, and it is with this view that the reader will find here most of what is amusing and interesting in the books of Lords Brougham, Campbell, Broughton, of Raikes, Greville, and a vast number of other works of less pretentious writers. This plan, which I have followed in other works, may not be one that comes up to the high standard required by critics, but it at least helps to make a readable, agreeable book. As an instance, I would point to the passages taken from Lord Brougham's "Autobiography" and Lord Campbell's "Life of Lord Brougham," and which illustrate in an odd way the rendetta of these remarkable but acrimonious men.

I have taken particular pains to collect all the royal letters that are available. In various parts of these volumes I have called attention to the curious

changes in manners and social life which were then setting in, and which were the beginning of the "order of things" which has prevailed during the last fifty years.

I may add that these volumes complete the series. of Memoirs of the Royal Family of George III., and which include "The Life of George IV." and "Lives of the Royal Dukes and Princesses."