Note 81 — No. XI.
Reading edition
Line 36.—[Of M‘Mahon it is said in T. Raikes’s Journal (November, 1836):—“George IV. never had any private friends: he selected his confidants from his minions. M‘Mahon was an Irishman of low birth and obsequious manners: he was a little man, his face red, covered with pimples; always dressed in the blue and buff uniform, with his hat on one side, copying the air of his master, to whom he was a prodigious foil, and ready to execute any commissions, which in those days were somewhat complicated.” He was private secretary and keeper of the privy purse to King George IV. when Prince Regent, was sworn of the Privy Council, and created a Baronet, 7th August, 1817, with remainder, in default of male issue, to his brother. Sir John died 12th September, 1817, the title devolving on his brother Thomas, a distinguished military officer, who was Adjutant-General of Her Majesty’s forces in India, Lieut.-Gov. of Portsmouth, Commander-in-Chief of the Bombay Army, &c.
Sir John M‘Mahon left a large personal property, amounting to £90,000. One of his bequests is thus worded: “To Thomas Marrable, a dear and esteemed friend, £2000; and with my last prayers for the glory and happiness of the best-hearted man in the world, the Prince Regent, I bequeath him the said Thomas Marrable, an invaluable servant”. The latter was a member of the household of King George IV., and one of his confidential agents. A full-length portrait of him as one of the procession is given in Sir G. Nayler’s history of the coronation of that monarch.
Among Gillray’s Caricatures is an amusing one, engraved but not designed by him, published in 1804, representing the Heir-Apparent, mounted on a tall horse, with the much smaller person of M‘Mahon consequentially riding on a diminutive steed at his side, passing the gates of Carlton House. The quotation from Burns engraved on it suggests that the Prince might still prove a worthy occupant of the throne.—Ed.]