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Princess of Wales vindicated.

Royal Highness could be taken by that most honourable body, upon statements which she had no opportunity of answering, explaining, or even seeing. She still trusted that there was no truth in these reports; but, nevertheless, she felt it due to herself to lose no time in protesting against any resolution affecting her, which might possibly have been so adopted: and her Royal Highness concluded, by declaring her willingness to submit to any investigation in which her whole conduct should be inquired into fairly and fully, only demanding to be heard in defence and explanation, and then to be treated as innocent, or proved to be guilty. This was followed by the memorable Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons, on the 1st of March; by the Hon. C. Johnstone's motion on the 5th; and by the debate with closed doors, which was understood as having completely established the Princess of Wales's innocence; the Princess Charlotte dining with her Royal Mother at Blackheath, on the 26th of March, attended by the Dutchess of Leeds and Miss Knight, (who had recently superseded Mrs. Udney as sub-governess,) where a very affecting interview took place. A visit then generally considered as leading to the most auspicious consequences, being under the immediate permission of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent after which the maternal intercourse was restored; her Royal Highness stating, in her

City Address and Answer.

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Answer to the Address of the City of London, on the 12th of April, that she would not lose any opportunity she might be permitted to enjoy, of encouraging the talents and virtues of her dear daughter, the Princess Charlotte; impressing upon her mind, at the same time, a full sense of the obligation then conferred upon herself, by the spontaneous act of justice and generosity on the part of the City of London. Her Royal High ness added, that the Princess Charlotte would therein clearly perceive the value of that free Constitution, which, in the natural course of events, it might be her high destiny to preside over, and her sacred duty to maintain,-a Constitution which permits no one to sink under oppression-assuring the Lord Mayor and Citizens, that she was confident the youthful Heiress presumptive would ever be bound to the City of London in ties proportioned to the strength of that filial attachment which she had uniformly manifested towards her as a parent.

The truth of this latter fact needs no confirmation, as the Public are already well aware of the Princess's affection for every branch of her Mother's family; an attachment which, at the very date alluded to, had received a severe blow by the demise of her grandmother, the Dutchess of Brunswick, on the 23d of March preceding: which venerable sister of our beloved Monarch, when in the full bloom of beauty, and a perfect model of grace

52

Dutchess of Brunswick.

and elegance, had been married, in 1764, to the late Duke, then the Hereditary Prince of Brunswick, a warrior whose heroic actions, under the command of his uncle, Prince Ferdinand, and sometimes whilst entrusted with a separate command, had been the theme of universal applause. How his character was estimated by the people of this country, may by many be still remembered, when they reflect on the general burst of enthusiasm with which the intimation was received, that the Hero of Germany was to be united to the Sister of their youthful compatriot Sovereign!

When the unhappy death of the Duke, from his wounds at the battle of Jena and the subsequently ruffianly conduct of NAPOLEON BUONAPArte, forced the widowed Dutchess to seek an asylum in her native country, a strong attachment took place on the part of the Princess Charlotte-a sentiment which was by no means impaired by the death of her Royal Grandmother, as she always manifested the greatest regard for her memory, and an affection for any thing that belonged to her; and, indeed, whenever an occasion arose, in which she felt that proper respect was not paid to her memory, she failed not to notice it, but always delivered her opinion in a very pointed manner, especially when she thought herself called on to support it.

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Attack on his Majesty.

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Her affection, also, for her Royal Grandfather and revered Sovereign, was most ardent; and though still young when the attempt at assassination by Hatfield took place at the theatre, her emotions, both of alarm and joy, were very strongly manifested. Yet, whilst her indignation was great at the assassin, her goodness of heart evinced itself by tears of pity, when she understood that the unhappy wretch was insane. What would have been the emotions of such a heart, if called on to guide the pen of death!

Residence at Windsor-Religious Education-Dutchess of Oldenburgh-Proposed Union with the Prince of Orange-Restoration of the Bourbons-First Appearance at the Drawingroom-Change of Establishment-Hackney Coach Anecdote -First Acquaintance with Prince Leopold.

In the latter part of 1813, the PRINCESS CHARLOTTE became an occasional resident at Windsor: some months after which, she went through the ceremony of Confirmation, a rite which her venerable Grandfather had directed should not take place until the completion of her eighteenth year. Indeed, had she lived to bless the nation in a future reign, much would that nation have owed to the judicious plans laid down for her education by our pious Sovereign, under whose directions there was no part of her education to which a more exemplary attention had been paid, than to instruct her in the principles of the Christian religion, and to instil into her mind an ardent attachment to the Ecclesiastical Establishment of this country.

During her residence at Windsor, the ornamental parts of her education were not neglected; in music, in particular, she then made a rapid profi