investigation, are actually going on underhand, and that real or pretended proofs of misconduct will be brought forward against her. I understand that she professes herself secure in her innocence, and determined not to give way, or make compromises, should they be offered. How all this will end, Heaven only knows. That it may never begin, I truly wish; and, in any case, must pity her, and that most sincerely, should she be brought into trouble, for certainly she has been hardly used; and, at her first coming into this country, when she had a right to meet with every indulgence and protection, she was vilely betrayed by those about her, who, I am convinced, heaped lies upon lies, for the worst and most sordid purposes of their own. Imprudent she has been, no one can deny; but Justice will find much to put in the opposite scale, should her case come before a tribunal. Of her being turned out of Kensington (for so, as you say, it would be) and ordered to Hampton Court, or worse, to Holyrood House, (but this latter only for hereafter,) still all is uncertain; and I am sometimes inclined to hope, though I confess with no great reason, that this odious business will be put to sleep. The best thing for her, poor soul, would be the immediate death of our wretched King; as the moment that event happens, (supposing nothing previously has taken place to prevent it,) she becomes queen, by the laws of the land :so Perceval has positively decided; and that would be a step and might make a difference in her treatment and be in her favour. Now, it is thought that the accusations are hurrying on to prevent that happening-I mean her being Queen.

It is certainly not the factious, and the mob alone, who espouse the Princess's cause :-the sweet charities of life, the protection of the social rights of families, are connected with her wrongs; and if she is true to her own self duties, there will be an overwhelming force of general opinion in her favour.

The Princess is often besieged with letters, anonymous and otherwise. She showed me one of the letters the other day, from a D.D., signed with name, date and abode. It is curious, but bears rather the appearance of being instigated by private pique, than of the spontaneous

emanation of any genuine sentiment of good will. The letter was addressed to one of the Princess's ladies-the writer unknown personally to the lady.

MADAM,-Lord Eldon and his elder brother, Sir W. Scott's father, were fitters of ships in the coal trade of Newcastle. Money brought them to Oxford and the law, when no great mauvaise honte stood in their way; nor can it be denied that sufficient abilities in them authorized their introduction in the world by friends. Your Ladyship, of whose proper spirit, together with that of your Royal Mistress, I am one amongst myriads of humble applauders, would, as I conceive, not object to receive anecdotes of the origin of the aforementioned celebrated friends. In the letter of your Ladyship's Royal Mistress, I noticed the word "suborn," and am persuaded that many lose much, (and often their lives,) by the perjury of others. An oath, although authorized by the religion of the Church of England, was an invention of the Church of Rome, to increase the power of the powerful; in the Hebrew original of the Old Testament it is not to be found, although it is so in translations.

Christian governments have, unfortunately for society, armed their members one against another with this dangerous instrument, an oath. With those whose belief in religion is small, an oath is a mere instrument against the enemies of the individual, or of those who can suborn him, or her; and such I should esteem Bidgood, &c., to be, and would humbly recommend the defiance of them. Lord De Clifford as well as Lord Liverpool passed the University, during my twenty years' residence there: the Scotts are considerably my seniors. The Bishop of Salisbury, as superintendent of the education of her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte, ought himself to have confirmed her at the age of fourteen. A note to the Bishop of London from her Royal Highness, requesting confirmation, preparation for which should be a knowledge of the Church Catechism, so as to be able to say it by rote, could scarcely fail of being followed by an appointment from that prelate to attend a private confirmation in the Chapel Royal, when her Royal Highness might properly be accompanied by her mother. I request Lord De Clifford, who formerly knew me as fellow of the college in which his

Lordship was educated, to forward this letter to your Ladyship; and have the honour to conclude, with best wishes for the cause and happiness of your Ladyship's Royal Mistress and respect for your Ladyship,

Madam,

Your Ladyship's most obedient servant,

D. D., &c., &c., &c.

Wednesday. I saw the Princess yesterday; I fear she has been goading the sleeping lion. However, I have heard, that when the Regent wanted the ministers to try for a divorce, they said that it was impossible, and that, if they attempted it, they must inevitably lose their places. This intelligence did not come from the Princess or her friends; so that, if it is true, that sounds well for her cause; but everything that is reported concerning her Royal Highness one day, is contradicted the next. Her first letter has certainly produced a disposition in her favour in the breasts of John and Jenny Bull in the country; but here, alas, like all other things, it seems to be a party question-with some few exceptions,―for some fair judging spirits do exist. I wish the Letter to Lord Liverpool had never been sent, but that the imprudence of his avowal of interference and advice on such an occasion, and that of the confidential ministers, had been left to its own punishment. It is, I think, quite clear that nothing criminal can be proved, or most assuredly these nightly and daily councils would not have been able to keep their discoveries so secret, but that something must have transpired. As nothing comes out, I feel secure that there is nothing to come out.

Extract of a Letter.

March 3d, 1813.

Ministers were beat last night by forty; so far I sing Te Deum, but fear all will be again overset in the House of Lords. The letter from the Princess was, I understand, laid last night before the House of Commons by the Speaker,