The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-25

been about as bad man as ever had place in
the governmental affairs of the most powerful of
modern nations. If ever the expression of
dirty dog" can be decently applied to a human
being 1t may be used in regard to this English
king. This in a general way, but the vulgar
details, so far they can be alluded to, are not
much understood at this day. Indeed, some of
them.are so incredible that they are almost ig
nored. There is a curious and interesting letter
from Mr.. Jefferson, when minister abroad
1789), to the American Secretary of State in
which he alludes to the character of the then
Prince of Wales in a manner so pointed and
upon information so evidently reliable that it is
reproduced here. 1t will make it pretty clear
that all the vices of public characters do not be-
long to republic, whatever the newspapers may
say when presidential campaign is marching
over the country like cloud of smut
LAS the character of the Prince of Wales is
becoming interesting, l have endeavored to learn
what it truly is This is less difficult in his case
than 1t is In other persons of his rank, because
he has taken no pains to hide himself from the
world. The information l most rely on is from
q person here, with whom | am intimate, who
divides his time between Paris and London-an
Englishman by birth, of truth, sagacity and
science. He is of circle when in London,
which has had good opportunities of knowing
the Prince but he has also himself had special
occasions of verifying their information by his
own personal observations. He happened, when
last in London, to be invited to dinner of three
persons. The Prince came by chance, and made
lne lourtn he aUe halI a leg OF mutton; ulu
not taste of small dishes. because small; drank
champaign and Burgundy as small beer during
dinner and Bordeaux after dinner, as the rest of
the company. Upon the whole, he ate as much
as the other three, and drank about two bottles
of wine without seeming to feel it.
MY informant sat next him. and being until
then unknown to the Prince personally Though
not by characterl, and lately from France, the
Prince confined his conversation TO him almost
entirely. Observing to the Prince that he spoke
French without the slightest foreign accent, the
Prince told him that, when very young, his
father had put only French servants about him,
and it was to that circumstance he owed his
pronunciation. He led him from this to give an
account of his education, the total of which was
the learning of little Latin He has not a single
element of mathematics, of natural or moral
philosophy, or of any other science on earth, nor
has the society he has kept been such as to sup
ply the void of education. 1t has been
that of the lowest, the most illiterate
and profigate persons of the king
dom, without choice of rank or mind.
and with whom the subjects of conversation are
only horses, drinking matches, bawdy houses
and in terms the most vulgar. The young no
bility who begin by associating with him soon
leave him disguised by the nsupportable prof
legacy of his society: and Mr.. Fox, who has been
supposed his favorite and not over nice in the
choice of company, would never keep his com
pany habtually. In fact, he never associated
with man of sense He has not single idea
of Justice morality, religion or of the rights of
men, or any anxiety for the opinion of the
world. He carries that indifference for fame so
far that he probably would not be hurt if he
were to lose his throne, provided he could be as
sured of having always meat, horses and
women. In the article of women, nevertheless,
he has become more correct since his connection
with Mrs. Fitzherbert. who is an honest and
worthy woman; he is even less crapulous than
he was"