| Citation |
VGW(HU.772.164
3 Dec 1772:13 (1114)
A GENUINE ANECDOTE. It is pretty well known that George I
held a firm opinion that his Queen had proved false to his
bed, and that the object of her affections was Count
Koningsmark. So strongly did this opinion work on the
Monarch's mind, that he confined his Queen in a castle of
his own in Hanover, and was resolved never to own George II
for his son; . . . The reason that he gave for maintaining
an opinion of his Queen's infidelity was, that, having an
occassion to enter her closet very late one night, he found
her asleep on a sopha, and a man's hat, which he knew to
belong to Count Koningsmark, lying beside her; . . . Some
time after this, Doctor Hoadley, reflecting on the above
circumstances, worked up the comedy of the Suspicious
Husband, the principal plot of which is the causeless
jealousy of Mr. Strickland, which the author artfully
confirms by introducing Ranger's hat into Mrs. Strickland's
chamber; which, being found by Mr. Strickland, confirms his
suspicions, and he resolves to part with his lady. This
play the Doctor dedicated to King George II, who was so
highly pleased with it that he ordered a private
gratification of one thousand guineas, and some other
emoluments, to the author; was present at the first
representation, and so charmed with Mr. Garrick's
performance of Ranger that he honoured the house with his
presence for several nights during the run of the play.
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