The unpleasant story of Queen Caroline, the much disliked wife of George IV. is given in detail in this volume. “To speak of her in the words of the romantic and attractive title of this book as ‘a queen of indiscretions’ is to put her case very leniently indeed. Knowing that scandalmongers were constantly busy with her name, she deliberately did whatever a mind remarkably fertile in expedients could devise to make herself talked about the more. Finally she left England and spent six years trailing her little court ... all over Europe and even into Asia. Much of this time she spent in Italy. And it is to the records of her stay in that country that Signor Clerici has especially devoted himself in the preparation of this book.... The illustrations are numerous and interesting.” (N. Y. Times.)
“Caroline’s life was an astounding romance, and though it is a little clouded in the sumptuous volume before us by sentiment and pathos which are not needed, the account is ably given. The numerous illustrations, which are admirably reproduced from contemporary portraits and prints, would alone make the book of interest and value.”
“It cannot be said that any addition of importance has been made to history. The book will doubtless have its public, and is laudably free from errors, unless we count as such the statement that Brougham was ever the ‘leader’ of the Whig party.”
“The index, by the way, is evidently not the work of an expert. There is a lack, too, throughout the narrative, of definite acknowledgment of sources.”
“It has two great merits—really new material and a seriously historical mind. He himself has brought to his task immense pains, lucidity, and an impartiality of mind which does not prevent a definite view from emerging.”
+ + − =Lond. Times.= 6: 10. Ja. 11, ’07. 870w.
“The book has for its chief attractions a series of illustrations, of which several are of interest, and some new, if not very important evidence as to Caroline’s doings in Italy.”
+ − =Nation.= 84: 105. Ja. 31, ’07. 140w.
“Mr. Chapman has produced a very readable version of the original, but he ought not to have allowed ‘Huskisson’ to have been spelt ‘Hutchinson.’ Nor can we speak in warm terms of his introduction, which is largely made up of copious extracts from the Malmesbury diaries and Lady Charlotte Bury, together with much gossip that had better have been omitted. Some of the illustrations are exceedingly curious, and the book altogether is worthy of a better subject.”