having also examined the documents regarding her accusation by Lady Douglas, were of opinion that the intercourse between her Royal Highness and her daughter should continue to be subject to restrictions and regulations. This was but a fresh stab at her reputation, but it was met in a manner little anticipated; the princess bravely appealed to the nation through parliament, protesting her innocence, condemning a system that dared to pronounce her guilty, without letting her know on what evidence their verdict was founded, and finally requesting Parliament to enter into a full and strict investigation of the Douglas charges, which would again prove her blameless. A letter to the same purport was sent to the Lord Chancellor that it might be read in the House of Lords, which Lord Eldon returned to her, advising her for her own safety not to make it public; to which she replied he need have no apprehension for her, as the British constitution, and the laws of England, were her safeguard. Her letter to the Commons was the cause of more than one warm debate. One member, Mr. Whitebread, called attention to the fact, that though the witnesses who bore evidence

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against the princess were 'perjured and blasted,' yet Sir John Douglas was then in the service of one of the royal family. Lord Castlereagh stated that the Government had not prosecuted Sir John and Lady Douglas for perjury, because unwilling to place many indelicate accusations before the world; a statement which was received with sceptical and derisive laughter. Another member, Mr. Wortley, said that he had as high feelings for royalty as any man, but proceedings like this contributed to pull them down. He was sorry that the royal family did not take warning in time from what was thought and said concerning them, and that it seemed they were the only persons in the country who were wholly regardless of their welfare and respectability.' The Princess of Wales was doubtlessly ill-used, and he would not have the regent lay the flattering unction to his soul, and think his conduct would bear him harmless through all these transactions. This speech was received with much applause; but after some wrangling, and much bitterness on both sides, the subject was allowed to drop.

The famous publication known as 'The Book,'

which contained the whole statements of the Douglas investigation, copies of which had been bought up at vast prices, was now republished and sold publicly; this added fresh strength to the popular indignation against the regent and his friends. Every mark of public sympathy continued to be shown to the princess; addresses were poured in on her from numerous public bodies, congratulating her on having escaped a conspiracy against her life and honour,' in which the city of London took the lead, the borough of Southwark, and the city of Westminster, the county of Middlesex, the towns of Bath, Bristol, Rochester, Sheffield, Berwick-onTweed, and Dublin following suit. When the address was carried by the Common Council, one of its members, Sir William Curtis, said publicly that the princess had been grossly, infamously, and abominably treated-her innocence was undoubted, her persecution had been shameful;' not satisfied with this honest assertion, he, after the princess's answer to the address, took that opportunity to state that he believed her Royal Highness had been traduced most wickedly and most abominably.'

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The mob, of course, took up the injured woman's cause, and demonstrated its feelings in its own way. This took the shape of an effigy dressed in white, supposed to represent Lady Douglas, which held in its hand a parasol, on which were written, in letters so large that those who ran might read, the words Conspiracy and Perjury, whilst on her back was the inscription, Diabolical Perjury. This effigy, attended by an indescribably vast concourse of people, was exhibited in front of Carlton House, that His Royal Highness might have the benefit of the sight, and after being carried through the town, preceded by a bell-ringer announcing the execution at the stake of a certain lady at eight o'clock in the evening at Blackheath, the effigy was burnt amidst tumultuous shouts and great signs of rejoicing.

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CHAPTER VI.

The Reign of the Regent-A Levée at Carlton HouseDifficulties of his Ministers-Visit of the Foreign Sovereigns to London-The Princess and the Emperor of Russia-At the Opera-The Prince of Orange and the Princess Charlotte-Anxiety of the Regent to get her out of the Kingdom-The Grand Duchess of Oldenburg's Opinion of the Regent-The Princess becomes Rebellious-She breaks off her Marriage—Wrath of the Regent-The Princess's Flight-A Royal Captive.

HEN time confirmed the opinion of the

WHEN

physicians regarding His Majesty, and his recovery became utterly hopeless, the regent, holding the full powers of state, was now regarded as a king in all but name, whose favour was steadily courted, and whose displeasure was regarded as the greatest misfortune. In order, therefore, that the zealous courtiers might gain the one and avoid the other, they gradually fell off in their attend