d, and that it should be re-baptised as the daughter
of Robert Wilmot, whose wife had just been confined. The plastic
divine consented to rob the infant temporarily of its birthright but
at the same time required that all the proceedings should be certified
by the king and other persons as witnesses, in order that at a future
time she should be replaced in her proper position. Perhaps, in
ordinary circumstances, it would not have been possible for a country
priest thus to coerce George III.; but Dr. Wilmot was in possession of
a fatal secret. As is well known, King George was publicly married to
Princess Charlotte in 1762; but, according to the showing of the
petitioners, he had been previously married, in 1759, by this very Dr.
Wilmot, to a lady named Hannah Lightfoot. Thus he, as well as the Duke
of Cumberland, had committed bigamy, and the grave question was raised
as to whether George IV., and even her present Majesty, had any right
to the throne. Proof of this extraordinary statement was forthcoming,
for on the back of the certificates intended to prove the marriage of
the Duke of Cumberland and Olive Wilmot, the following certificates
were endorsed:--

"This is to solemnly certify that I married George, Prince
of Wales, to Princess Hannah, his first consort, April 15,
1759; and that two princes and a princess were the issue of
such marriage.
J. WILMOT."

"_London, April_ 2, 176--."

"This is to certify to all it may concern that I lawfully
married George, Prince of Wales, to Hannah Lightfoot, April
17, 1759; and that two sons and a daughter are their issue
by such marriage.
J. WILMOT.
CHATHAM.
J. DUNNING."

The concealed Princess Olive was meanwhile brought up, until 1782, in
the family of Robert Wilmot, to whom it was said that an allowance of
L500 a year was paid for her support by Lord Chatham. On the 17th of
May, 1773, his Majesty created her Duchess of Lancaster by this
instrument,--

"GEORGE R.

"We hereby are pleased to create Olive of Cumberland Duchess
of Lancaster, and to grant our royal authority for Olive,
our said niece, to bear and use the title and arms of
Lancaster, should she be in existence at the period of our