CHAPTER V.

Separation of their royal highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales.-Correspondence on the occasion.-Remarks.-His Majesty's sympathy for his Daughter-in-law.-The Princess Charlotte confided to the care of her Mother during the first Eight Years of her Life.-Her royal highness's retirement.

AT a time which promised so much bliss and harmony at a time when the British nation fondly anticipated a numerous progeny from the heir apparent, these hopes were blasted three months after the birth of the princess Charlotte, when lady Cholmondeley suddenly informed the princess of Wales that the prince had resolved upon a separation. Her royal highness immediately observed, that the message was infinitely too important to rest merely upon a verbal communication, and consequently desired that his royal highness's pleasure should be communicated to her in writing. She also observed, that any arrangement once made, with respect to separate dwellings, should be considered as final, and that his royal highness should not, under any plea, retain the right, under any circumstances whatever, of altering it. In conformity to these desires, his royal highness sent the following letter:

myself upon that head with as much clearness, and with as much propriety, as the nature of the subject will admit. Our inclinations are not in our power, nor should either of us be held answerable to the other, because nature has not made us suitable to each other. Tranquil and comfortable society is, however, in our power; let our intercourse, therefore, be restricted to that, and I will distinctly subscribe to the condition which you required through lady Cholmondeley, that, even in the event of any accident happening to my daughter, which, I trust Providence in his mercy will avert, I shall not infringe the terms of the restriction, by proposing, at any period, a connection of a more particular nature. I shall now finally close this disagreeable correspondence, trusting that, as we have completely explained ourselves to each other, the rest of our lives will be passed in unînterrupted tranquillity.

"I am, Madam,

"With great truth,

Very sincerely yours,

(Signed)

"GEORGE P.'

To this her royal highness sent the following

dignified, but respectful answer:

" 'The avowal of your conversation with lord Cholmondeley; neither surprises nor offends me. It merely confirmed what you have tacitly insinuated for this twelvemonth.

But after this, it would be a want of delicacy, or rather an unworthy meanness in me, were I to complain of those conditions which you impose upon yourself.

"I should have returned no answer to your letter, if it had not been conceived in terms to make it doubtful whether this arrangement proceeds from you or from me, and you are aware that the credit of it belongs to you alone.

“ The letter which you announce to me as the last, obliges me to communicate to the king, as to my sovereign and my father, both your avowal, and my answer. You will find enclosed the copy of mg letter to the king. I apprise you of it, that I may not incur the slightest reproach of duplicity from you. As I have at this moment no protector but bis majesty, I refer myself solely to him upon this subject, and if my conduct meet his approbation, I shall be in 'some degree at least consoled. I retain every sentiment of gratitude for the situation in which I find myself as princess of Wales, enabled, by your means, to indulge in the free exercise of a virtue dear to my heart, I mean charity.

“ It will be 'my duty likewise to act upon auother motive, that of giving an example of patiente and resignation under every trial. :

“Do me the justice to believe that I shall never cease to pray for your happiness, and to be

Your much devoted (Signed)

CAROLINE.” May 6, 1796.

The princess of Wales's letter was written in the French language, of which the above is a correct translation. From the communication of her royal consort, it is evident that dissimilarity of dispositions was the only complaint; and we cannot but admire the prudence of the discarded princess, in not accepting of a verbal message on such a delicate point. From her royal highness's spirited, but submissive reply, it appears that all the bliss and harmony attending this royal marriage was confined but to three months at the most. We have before intimated that the princess was surrounded with female spies, whose chief delight was to render every mote a beam, and poison the ears of their employers.

His majesty was deeply concerned for the situation of his daughter-in-law, who was also his niece ; and knowing well from experience, the feelings of a parent, he prevailed upon the prince of Wales to allow the royal child to remain under the care and superintendance of an affectionate mother during the first eight years of her life. It is therefore no wonder that the princess Charlotte became attached to her mother, and acquired the same amiable disposition. The royal infant, however, was not solely under the protection of the princess of Wales, who, from motives of policy, only saw her occasionally. when she was five or six years old. Previously the princess was frequently seen in the carriage with her royal mother, who took great delight in showing her to the populace. They continually passed the turnpike gate at Lambeth Marsh.

Thus banished from Carlton house, her royal highness submitted to an humble' retirement at Charlton. Shrewsbury-house, near Shooter's Hill, was the appointed residence of the princess Charlotte. For the first two or three years her only consolation was the royal infant, for she was particularly fond of children ; and when deprived of her own, she took great delight in the company of others, an attachment which proved unfortunate for her royal highness, as will be hereafter seen.

Her royal highness, on leaving Carlton-house, was given to understand that her apartments therein should undergo a thorough repair, and be reserved for her. She was accompanied by, Miss Garth, Miss Vernon, Mrs. Harcourt, and other ladies, and particularly by Mrs. Sander, a native of Brunswick, who came to England with her royal highness, for the purpose of being her dresser. Such was the happy disposition of this illustrious personage, that she could be as cheerful in the