animate the feelings, there is need of something which deviates from that smoothness and gradual variation which constitute uniform beauty. These were the principles of the picturesque, on which model the Princess Charlotte determined to renovate, if the term may be allowed, the grounds of Claremont; but in all her improvements she adhered closely to nature, and discarded the formal rules of art, which have too long held domi nion over the minds of those who have been conversant with similar occupations. It is a pleasing task to trace the operations of the human mind, and to compare the extent of present powers with that which displayed itself at an earlier period. A true index to an individual character is difficult to be attained; but at times, some slight openings will present themselves, which, like the breaks in the foliage of a tree, give us a glimpse of the distant prospect. The following passages, which were written by her Royal Highness, shortly after her retiring to Claremont, will shew the bias of her mind, and the nature of the subjects with which it was generally occupied. 66 "Biassed by old prejudices, transmitted to us by our great grandfathers, study is looked upon "as criminal in young ladies. Consult the generality of good women, and they will tell you, that a virtuous daughter should only learn how "to govern a house, and superintend her servants; "and every thing that does not appertain to housewifery is both useless and dangerous. I "own I am not for excluding these qualifications; "On the contrary, I deem them very essential."But is it not necessary for a woman to understand history, which will tell her who is the founder of the English monarchy, and acquaint her with the "revolutions of that kingdom; the interests of the "different empires and states; and that such a 66 climate is fit for such a commodity, and such a "one for another? Is it a crime to be able to judge of the beauty of expression, the elegance " of prose, the sublimity of poetry? In polite life all these things are of utility; and so far "from disqualifying a lady for the duties of the house, it will often procure her essential advantages." 66 The following observations are truly excellent; and leave us room to regret the loss of the illustrious individual, who, if she had in future life adhered to the dictates of her mind, would have formed indeed a patriot queen. "Such a form of government pre-supposes a just, wise, and accomplished king, a prince "who knows the good of his subjects, and re solves to make it his study, not contenting 66 himself with theoretical speculation, but actual practice. Matters being circumstanced as they are at present, little grounds present them"selves to expect such a situation. Human "nature smiles at the vanity of such an airy ex 66 pectation, We must, therefore, look out for "another form-a form which British policy can "alone supply us with; wherein the pernicious "effects of a democracy are tempered by an in"fusion of monarchcial influence, and the dangers "which might arise from absolute monarchy, are wisely prevented by aristocratcial authority. If separated, we may soon perceive their respec"tive imperfections; but when blended in the English legislature, a pleasing experience has " evinced, we must here look for the spring of political perfection. My favourite poet, Thomson, says: 66 66 "", Island of bliss, amid the subject seas 66 Baffling, as thy hoar cliffs, the loud sea wave :"O Thou! by whose almighty nod the scale "Of empire rises, or alternate falls, "Send forth the saving virtues round this land "In bright patrol.— The Princess Charlotte is very little indebted to those who have undertaken to delineate the history of her life, for the total neglect which they have shewn to her, by omitting to take notice of her classical acquirements, which were by no means of a secondary rank, as the following extract will testify : "Horace traced the steps "of Virgil in his Carmen Seculare, wherein he "enumerates in one stanza the four attributes of Apollo: 66 66 “Augur, et fulgente decorus arcu "Corporis artus." " "These words are good, but don't, I think, rise up to the beauty and force of Virgil's expres"sion. There is a second instance in the same 66 ode, wherein Horace imitates another celebrated 66 passage of Virgil, and falls equally short of it: "Tu regere imperio populos, Romane, memento "It cannot be doubted, upon the comparison, "whether the first of these be not said with 66 incomparably more dignity and grace than the "other; and this must happen to any person, (even "to Horace himself,) that ventures to say the 66 same thing after Virgil, in a different manner. "Let me add, that the design of Horace, in this passage, to imitate Virgil, decides the dispute "as to the various reading of impetret for imperet, "-for imperet plainly refers to the imperit of Virgil." The following imitation of Ossian, is from the pen of the Princess Charlotte, and bears date September 1816. * "Autumn is dark on the mountain, grey mist rests on the hills. The whirlwind is "heard on the heath; dark rolls the river through "the narrow plain. A tree stands alone on the hill, and marks the grave of Connal. The "leaves whirl round with the wind, and shew "the grave of the dead. At times here are seen "the ghosts of the deceased, when the musing "hunter stalks slowly over the heath. "Who can reach the source of thy race, O Connal? and who recount thy fathers? Thy family grew like an oak on the mountain, which meet"eth the wind with its lofty head. But now it is "torn from the earth-who shall supply the place of Connal? "Here was the din of arms, and here were "the groans of the dying. Mournful are the |