Be That As
It May She Certainly Was No A Woman Of Gallantry, And If She Had An
Attachment For
Him it did not disgrace her heart or understanding,
the king being a notorious debauchee and an idiot into the
Bargain.
As the king's conduct had always been directed by some favourite,
they also endeavoured to govern him, from a principle of self-
preservation as well as a laudable ambition; but, not aware of the
prejudices they had to encounter, the system they adopted displayed
more benevolence of heart than soundness of judgment. As to the
charge, still believed, of their giving the King drugs to injure his
faculties, it is too absurd to be refuted. Their oppressors had
better have accused them of dabbling in the black art, for the
potent spell still keeps his wits in bondage.
I cannot describe to you the effect it had on me to see this puppet
of a monarch moved by the strings which Count Bernstorff holds fast;
sit, with vacant eye, erect, receiving the homage of courtiers who
mock him with a show of respect. He is, in fact, merely a machine
of state, to subscribe the name of a king to the acts of the
Government, which, to avoid danger, have no value unless
countersigned by the Prince Royal; for he is allowed to be
absolutely aim idiot, excepting that now and then an observation or
trick escapes him, which looks more like madness than imbecility.
What a farce is life.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 150 of 189
Words from 39928 to 40178
of 50703
