The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-05-28
A skeleton in victoria,s Closet.

We recently noticed the revival of the
claims OF Mrs. Lavinia Ryyes, in the English
courts, to the privileges of a princess of the
blood royal. The case came up in February,
but was postponed until May. Mrs. Ryves, it
will be remembered, asserts that the Duke of
Cumberland, brother of George Ill, married
Olive Wilmot,. daughter of the Rev. James
Wilmot, from which union she is descended.
The marriage was a private one, but in all
respects legal. The Duke afterwards commit
ted bigamy, by marrying Lady Anne Horton
while his first wife was still alive. Mrs. Ryves
has large number of documents which, if
genuine. undoubtedly substantiate her claim.
Her case has already been before Parliament
and the courts more than once, but it was in
judiciously managed, and the influence of the
royal family was used, it is asserted, to pre-
vent full and satisfactory investigation. Her
opponents will OF course attempt to prove
that the papers on which she relies are forg-
cries. If they are such, they are very skilful-
ly executed, tor many prominent persons fully
believe in the justice of her cause. The Lon
don Star, of the 9th of April, adds the follow
ing interesting statement:
Besides the deeply interesting details which
we have briefly noticed, another, and yet more
extraordinary question will, tits gravey affirm
ed, be brought into discussion in connection
with the case. 1t is only vaguely indicated in
toner, and its probable character is, we feel
bound to say, calculated to throw grave suspi-
cion on the whole claim. We shall, therefore
only say that this collateral question raised by
Mrs. Ryyes, touches the legitimacy of all
George IIPs children. Her statements briefly
this That George LIS marriage with Queen
Charlotte was an act of bigamy, his former and
lawful wife, Hannah Lightfoot, being still
alive. Upon this astounding assertion we need
not comment; but from all the circumstances
nj fha hat H. -. Il
prove an interesting and curious addition to
our collection of causes ce5ebres.
This story respecting Hannah Lightfoot has
been often repeated. She was a beautiful
Quakeress, with whom George III fell in love
when quite young, and finding her thoroughly
virtuous, secretly married her. One account
has it that the night before his royal bride
Charlotte of Decklenberg Strelitz, arrived, he
was sent for by Hannah, who had been made
fearfully ill by her agony at his deserUion. A
very affecting scene ensued, and the royal big
amst rushed half-distracted fIom her bedside.
He was married, however, a day or two after,
to Charlotte, and Hannah soon died OF blok-
en- heart.
A lew years ago story was circulated in
the American papers that the descendants of
of Georges first and lawful marriage were
living in this country, their ancestors having
been sent over here. For its truth we do not
pretend 10 Vollch. 1t is pretty well establish
ed, however, that not long after his marriage
to Charlotte, George had a fit OF insanity, not
dissimilar to the more protracted attacks from
which he suffered later in life. The fact was
kept private, though the mystery attached to
his illness excited comment at the time. This
visitation has been attributed by some writers
to his Temorse for his perfidy toward the wo-
man he really loved and of whom he was re-
ally the husband. I'VE do not give these state
mentsas yeritable history, but as the substance
of the gossip which has circulated for hun
bred years past. There is no reason to be-
lieve that Victoria and her family will be de-
clared Legitimate, but it is to be hoped that
these revelations of the approaching trial will
throw much light upon dark and romantic
MISUNDERSTANDING.