tative of the human form. The immense scale of the features of this country, and the abrupt contrast of eternal snow with the vivid green of the lower grounds, are not adapted to a picture, however sublime in themselves. Each particular member of the landscape takes up too huge a portion of the canvas. Besides, there may be an excitement which is favourable to the development of talent, and there may be an overwhelming sense of greatness which is the reverse. Perhaps this is the reason why there are so few artists of any celebrity in this country.

I met several very distinguished men at Lady Davy's; but the same persons are not the same in different places and under different influences; and whenever Sir H. Davy presides in a society, as usual, nothing amalgamates. It is strange, that a person so gifted, and one so justly celebrated, should so misunderstand in what his strength consists. It is very remarkable how much pleasanter all one's British acquaintance are on the Continent than at home, with the exception of a few growlers. Lord Lucan and Lord B[-] were instances of this. I observed, however, a great coldness between Lord Lucan and Lady C. Campbell. I asked her ladyship the reason of it, and she said, "It is perfectly true that he does avoid me ;-but why I know not. I will ascertain the reason, however, and if I find it out, I will tell you." Afterwards she told me, that he had only avoided her, in order not to be drawn into the society of Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, whose arrival here is daily expected. The reason he gave for his determination to have no further intercourse with Her Royal Highness was, that during the reign of his favour, at Kensington, she confided everything to him, and told him all she meant to do; and that, having asked his advice upon the subject of these intentions, he had honestly replied, By heavens, madam, since you do me the honour to ask my advice, it is my duty to tell your Royal Highness

that you will be sent a sort of state prisoner to Holyrood House, if you act in such a manner; and you will not only ruin your own fortunes, but those of every person who may live in intimacy with you." To this she replied, that she had determined so to conduct herself. "Then, madam, I had better withdraw as soon as possible from the honour of your Royal Highness's society. I shall advise every one of my friends to do so likewise; since all those persons who are much at Kensington, must be implicated in the evil you are drawing down upon yourself." "Well," replied Her Royal Highness, laughing, I see how it is—you are afraid. I am never afraid; but at all events, come to me to-morrow morning, to take your eternal adieu." "I obeyed," continued he; "she repeated her determinations-once again I reasoned with her-I told her Lady O[xford was not a person with whom she ought to associate-she denied associating with her, and while in the very act of denying this, Philip, the German footman, came in, and asked whether Lady O[xford was to wait in the drawing-room, or come another time. This detection of a falsehood made me think the sooner je retirais mon épingle du jeu, the better." When Lady Charlotte told me this story, I had not a word to say. Alas! poor Princess, how often she has, as it were, cut her own throat.

Extract of a Letter from SIR WILLIAM GELL.

BRUNSWICK, August 23d, 1814.

Do not expect to have a very long letter from me: all the time I have must be devoted to business. We set out next Monday, and get to Cassel, if we can, next day, thence by Frankfort and Basle, to Geneva. Now you are to desire [-] to get a convenient situation to live in.-The Princess,

* Since 1746 Holyrood House had not been occupied, except, after 1796, by "Monsieur" the Comte d'Artois, brother of the exiled Louis XVIII. of France, who was allowed to reside there.

Willikin and Edwardind, Lady Elizabeth Forbes, Keppel Craven, and myself; Dr. Holland, Hesse Carrington, Hieronymus, the Abbé Sicard, Charles the footman, Crackler, Doctor Holland's servant,-Lodgings for all these, and, perhaps three ladies-don't know-a small party; but do not fail and write to Basle to us, Poste restante. Next, [] is to look out for the best of all possible trust-worthy good maids for the Princess, as Miss Leitzen is taken ill; the maid is to be on trial at first. Also a very good man-cook, &c. &c. Your most sincere and affectionate,

W. GELL.

GENEVA, Oct. 1814.

The Princess only remained here from Monday till Thursday. I felt in that short space of time how very ill it would have agreed with me to have remained longer in her society. As to her mode of proceeding, (as I am really her friend,) it distressed me greatly: she was dressed, or rather undressed, most injudiciously. The natives were, as she would have expressed it, "all over shock." The suite who travel with her declare openly they fear they shall not be able to go on with her; not so much from wrong doings as from ridiculous ones. When the party were at Berne, the ci-devant Empress Marie Louise was there, and invited the whole party to dinner. Accordingly they went, and were received in great state. Gold plate, bearing the imperial arms, and everything de suite, covered the board. To sum up the whole of that extraordinary meeting, the Princess and Marie Louise sang a duet together!! That was an event of the 18th century worthy of being recorded. I wonder what Marie Louise thought of the Princess's singing? She must have been astonished.

The Archduchess Anne has a small chateau near Berne, and she also invited the Princess and her suite, who were

* Willikin, lately in a mad-house, the boy, concerning whom the Princess once said to a person who was giving her good advice, and informing her that evil-minded people persisted in calling him her son-" Prove it and he shall be your King." A noble speech, supposing the accusation to be false, and a clever denial, if it was true. [Original note.]

↑ This maid was Miss Dumont, who made such a conspicuous figure afterwards in the Queen's trial. [Original note.]