And so The North Briton came into existence. From its first number it was a success. There was nothing the people liked better than to see the great ridiculed, and when it was done with wit and humour it appealed more than ever.
Wilkes saw that it was presented, and people were buying it in their thousands. Fox was represented as Bute's faithful henchman. They had brought about their measures and how? Wilkes was hiding nothing. He had the information at his fingertips. He knew how the peace treaty had been brought safely through the Commons and Lords. Bribery! Bribery and Corruption was something which Wilkes and Churchill in The North Briton were going to expose to public view.
Wilkes and Churchill were for Liberty. Freedom of action; freedom of speech. That was what they stood for; and they were no respecters of persons either. No one was going to be considered if he offended against the laws of decency laid down by Wilkes and Churchill. And Bribery was an offence which made them cry out Shame.
But the chief butt was the Scotsman. Very, very handsome, he was. He had a wife and numerous children. But he still had time and energy to serve the Princess Dowager. Did the people realize they had a boudoir genius in their midst?
Another method of attack was a more serious one. George III was likened to Edward III, the Dowager Princess of Wales to Queen Isabella. And Bute had to have a part in this drama so he was of course Roger Mortimer.
Together Wilkes and Churchill concocted a parody of Mountfort's Fall of Mortimer which they published with a dedication to that brilliant bedchamber performer, Lord Bute. The sales of The North Briton shot up; and Wilkes realized that this was the most amusing, the most exciting and the quickest way to change his financial position. It had been a stroke of genius to start the paper.
All he had to remember was that they must stop at nothing; no one should be safe from their vitriolic pens. The simple fact was that the people loved scurrilous gossip; and the more shocking and the higher placed the people involved, the more the public liked it.
"They shall have what they want," sang out Wilkes; and proceeded to give it to them. Henry Fox, seeing the way trends were going and by allying himself with Bute, he was naturally catching some of the odium which was showered on that nobleman, saw no reason why he should continue in office.
Caroline was urging him to get out. He had promised, had he not, that as soon as he could do so, he would. He had told her that this last little fling was too important to be ignored. Well, he had done what was asked of him; he had shown them how to carry through the terms which Pitt had so violently rejected, so what further purpose could be served by remaining in office?
Walking in the grounds of Holland House, his arm through that of his wife, revelling in the signs of spring all around them, Henry Fox told her that she was right. He agreed with her. Now that that odious man Wilkes had come out with his scandal sheet, no one was spared certainly not those in high places. The Government was going to sway to the attack of ridicule. If he were going to get out in that blaze of glory, then he should do so now, and the price of past services would be a title.
"What do you think of Lord Holland, my dear?" he asked, smiling complacently about the park.
"I think it would be ideal," Caroline told him; 'but only if you leave the Government and come into retirement so that we can spend more time together which would give me great pleasure and enable you to escape from the mudslinging of that hideous Wilkes, the general scorn with which the Government is beginning to be regarded, and the growing unpopularity of my Lord Bute.”
"Wise woman," commented Fox. "Tomorrow I go to see my lord and with him to the King. I doubt not soon that your husband will be a noble lord.”
"The sooner the better since it means your escape from the Government.”
Mr. Fox presented himself to Lord Bute. Poor Bute! He was certainly losing his youthful looks.
Being head of a government most definitely did not suit him. Fox laughed inwardly with grim satisfaction. These ambitious men who saw themselves as they were not! Let Bute go back to cosseting the Princess Dowager; he was very good at that. But countries needed more than cosseting.
"My lord, I have come to tell you that my health is failing, and as I have done that which I gave my word to do, I can see no point in remaining longer in the Government.”
Bute was alarmed. While he had had Fox's support he had felt secure. Crafty as his name, this man was a brilliant politician, who could be called a worthy rival to Pitt. Bute had clung to high office fervently, knowing that this man was supporting him; but now the sly fellow was withdrawing that support. He had had enough.
"This is ill news," began Bute.
"Nay, nay," cried Fox. "A man who is not in the best of health is a poor henchman. You, my lord, with that cleverness which has placed you in your present position, have no need of a poor sick fox. I have made up my mind to retire.”
"This cannot be final.”
"Alas, yes. My health demands it. I have promised my wife that today I would come to you and tell you that I intend to offer my resignation. I can be of no further use to you. Therefore I shall go with the title you promised me, to show the people that I am considered worthy of my reward.”
"Title..." began Bute.
"Baron Holland of Foxley, Wiltshire," said Fox. "And I should hope to retain the post of Paymaster.”
Bute was astounded. How like Fox to ask for his title and a post which was almost a sinecure and brought in a considerable income.
"I think even my enemies would agree," said Fox smiling, 'that the country owes me this' The King was deeply disturbed. He had read Wilkes's sheet. Those terrible accusations against his mother and Lord Bute! Did everyone know of them except himself? What a simpleton he had been! All those years when they had been together he had thought they were just good friends.
And they had been living together as husband and wife; and the whole world knew ... except George, and was doubtless laughing at George for his simplicity.
The King buried his face in his hands. There were times when he felt that the whole world was against him. He could trust no one not even his mother; not even Bute those two on whom he had relied all his life. Oh, yes, he could rely on Charlotte; because Charlotte was only a young girl who knew nothing of state affairs. She should never know. She should remain shut away from the Court which was wicked, anyway. Charlotte should retain her innocence; she should go on bearing his children. In August they would have another. Two already and not married two years.
Yes, Charlotte was all he cared to think about these days. He was beginning to hate politics and mistrust politicians. But if he were going to be a good King he must understand these matters. The manner in which the peace had been passed through Parliament appalled him. Bribes! And that cynical Mr. Fox arranging it all!
What pleasure to escape to Richmond when he could; to walk with Charlotte in the gardens there; to sit beside the baby's cradle and marvel at the fact that he was such a lusty healthy little fellow.
And now Lord Bute was bringing Fox to him to tell him that the minister wished to offer his resignation, and as a reward for his services he would accept a barony and become Baron Holland; he wished to retain the post of Paymaster.
"So you are leaving the Government, Mr. Fox, sir," said the King disapprovingly.
"Your Majesty, my health has deteriorated and I am in no position to do honour to the high post which Your Majesty in your goodness bestowed on me.”
George felt sick with annoyance and disappointment. Mr. Fox was lucky. When he wanted to extricate himself from a difficult situation he only had to resign; and get a title for doing it. There was nothing to be done. They could only let him go.