THE KING'S LADIES ; CHARLES II AND HIS LADIES OF
PLEASURE By Dorothy Ponsonby Senior
Miss Dorothy Ponsonby Senior is walking on well-trodden ground in describing the life of Charles II and his mistresses. But in spite of its tire- somely facetious style her book (Robert Hale, 12s. Od.) is most readable, as it contains little-known details of an amusing period—it is particularly in- teresting to learn of the adventures of the mistresses after the death of Charles II. Miss Senior maintains. that Charles II was a dutiful king ; to support this theme she makes full use of the few acts of economy with which he can be credited, but they are not convincing—that he had a kind heart is easier to believe. James II is treated with undue severity ; he is represented as stupid and devoid of charm. There is an amusing account of the efforts of Mary of Modena to persuade her aunt to take her place as his bride. Of the mistresses Nell Gwyn is por- trayed by Miss Senior as a far pleasanter character than the grasping Duchess of Cleveland, the spying Duchess of Ports- mouth or the wildly immoral Duchess of Mazarin. The neglected Queen, Catherine of Braganca, appears as a kind though pathetic figure.
Previous page
