Page:The Queens of England.djvu/558

 506 THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND. some sort she was a protegee of the Duchess of Marlborough — who, with the example of Abigail Hill's insolence and ingrati- tude before her, was ever ready to rail at a low-born adven- turess — for it was through the intercession of her Grace that Mrs. Clayton was appointed bedchamber woman to Caroline, Princess of Wales ! Caroline was far too sagacious and self- sustained a woman to be what is vulgarly understood as gov- erned by a favorite ; and in accounting for the prominent posi- tion Mrs. Clayton speedily assumed, the most rational conclu- sion is, that the princess and she were bound by a tie of friend- ship much more honest and sincere than might be supposed to exist from their relative positions. It is impossible to study the correspondence of Lady Sundon without being struck by her evident congeniality of mind and character with those of her royal mistress ; and assuming by quick degrees the office of confidential secretary to the queen, it is easy to understand how petitioners must have felt aware that to address Mrs. Clayton was the surest means of reaching the royal ear. She must have been a kind-hearted woman, tolerant of persevering petitioners, and willing to help them when she could. Even through the mists of nauseous adulation by which she was as- sailed, it is easy to discover that many honest, disinterested recommendations were given, and that she possessed the rare tact which enabled her to refuse a request graciously. Cer- tainly, from the appointment of the humblest menial, to the pro- motion of a church dignitary, her good word was sought, and her influence had weight — even a bishop submitted his sermons to Mrs. Clayton before he delivered them, and altered them according to her suggestions. George the Second no doubt fancied himself a despot, but the queen and Mrs. Clayton really ruled the court. The deportment of Caroline, however, toward her husband was that of the most marked respect ; and later in life, when afflicted with the gout, she was accustomed to take long walks with him as she had formerly done, although obliged to plunge her foot into cold water previously, as the only means of gaining the power of temporary activity ! Whether one thinks of a man who could for his own gratifica- tion permit such risk and suffering to be incurred by a wife of whom he said, "I never yet saw the woman who was worthy to buckle her shoe," or the resolution with which she concealed the sacrifice she was making, the alternative is equally amazing. Mrs. Howard, afterward Countess of Suffolk, was the daughter of Sir Henrv Hobart, and married earlv in life the