distressed individuals was no sooner mentioned to the Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold, than they immediately transmitted a donation of fifty pounds. A gentleman well known in the speculating world, for proposing for proposing bridges, canals, and other expensive undertakings; but who, possesses a truly estimable character, presented to the Princess Charlotte, at this time, the outlines of a plan for the improvement of Surrey and the adjoining counties. The high sanction with which the undertaking was honored was mentioned to her Royal Highness, who, observing the work was by Mr. Philipps, the person who had long and ably promoted the cause of finding employment for the poor, and ameliorating their condition, "The poor man's friend, is my friend,' said the Princess, and immediately directed her name and her subscription to be transmitted to the person alluded to. The celebration of the Queen's birth-day was near at hand, and the Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold left Claremont for a short time, to reside at Camelford-House, in order to be present at the ceremony, as it was the first birthday of the Queen which had occurred since their marriage. The Court, in honor of the Queen's birth-day, had been originally fixed for the 6th of February, but her Majesty at that time, being unable from the effects of her late illness to bear the fatigues incident to these occasions, it was postponed until the 20th, when her Majesty was entirely recovered. Every thing which tended, even in a remote degree, to ameliorate the condition of the country, which at this period was in a most distressed and alarming state, was regarded by the Princess Charlotte with peculiar sympathy, she was accustomed to say, that single-handed, she could not alleviate the distresses of the people; but by her co-operating with others, whose influence and means were equal to her own, the laudable work might be achieved. The resolution of her Royal Highness to attend the celebration of the Queen's birth-day, was, in a great measure, connected with her patriotic views; as her august Father, with a view to relieve the distresses of the manufacturing classes by affording them employment, had issued his directions in the Gazette, that all those who attended the Court on the approaching celebration of the Queen's birth-day, should appear in dresses entirely of British manufacture. In further pursuance of this plan, his Royal Highness ordered all his state and household officers to wear costly dresses of home fabrication, and those dresses were directed to be made into three classes of uniforms, according to the respective rank of those officers. Her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte, willing to second the patriotic views of her illustrious Father, determined to appear at Court in a most superb dress of English manufacture; and she was heard to say, that she would have worn the diamonds and pearls which decorated her person with greater pleasure, had they been the produce of her native country. The Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold arrived in town on the 18th, and the contrast between the dullness and confinement of Camelford-House, and the beautiful and exhilarating scenery of Claremont, struck most forcibly upon the feelings of the Princess Charlotte. "I begin to think," said her Royal Highness, as she was standing, on the following morning, close to one of the windows which look upon the street, "that Rousseau was not much in the wrong, when he declared, that man, living in a town, is a degenerated being; his feelings and his habits must be warped according to the objects which surround him, and his ideas contracted by the confined range to which his mental powers must necessarily be restricted.' As for myself, I am certain that had my residence been fixed in the midst of a city, I never should have acquired that knowledge of the power of an almighty Being, with which a view of his works in the country has inspired me." On the day appointed for the celebration of the birth-day, the Princess Charlotte appeared to look forward to the necessary forms of etiquette with great displeasure. "I should feel no satisfaction whatever in this splendid dress," said her Royal Highness, "if the thought did not accompany it, that the manufacture of it has perhaps given relief to some distressed workmen; for I know only one court which can impart a pleasant feeling to my heart, and that is, the court of Nature." The birth-day was announced as usual by the ringing of bells, and the salute of artillery; and the people, reminded by these intimations, flocked in great numbers to the vicinity of the Queen's palace. The Prince Regent arrived in state about half-past three. Most of the Royal Family went in state; the Duke and Duchess of York arrived first; then the Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold; next the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester; and, lastly, the Duke of Sussex, and the Princess Sophia of Gloucester. The Queen entered the drawing-room about two; and the Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold, having offered their congratulations to her Majesty, almost instantly withdrew. The populace greeted the illustrious couple with the loudest acclamations. The dislike which her Royal Highness entertained for even a temporary residence at Camelford-House, was so great, that the object of her journey to town was no sooner accomplished, than not an hour was afterwards lost before preparations were made for her return to Claremont. Accordingly, on the day subsequent to the birthday, her Royal Highness and Prince Leopold set off for Claremont, and arrived to dinner. Her Royal Highness had at this time some valuable exotic plants, which, for several months, she had tended with peculiar care, and which were hourly expected to blow. These were amongst the first objects of her inquiry; and, on being informed that two of them were in flower, in a few minutes, notwithstanding it rained heavily, her Royal Highness tripped down to the gardens; and was so delighted with her flowers, that she ordered them to be immediately taken to the house. The pleasure which the Princess Charlotte enjoyed in the culture of flowers, was greatly increased by a corresponding attachment on the part of her beloved consort to the science of botany, and by the great progress which he had made towards the attainment of it. It was generally one of their favorite occupations, during their morning excursions, to collect the simple flowers which blow on the grounds of Claremont, and the adjoining fields and hedges; and then in the evening, seated in the library, this happy pair would examine their morning collection, arrange the flowers according to their respective classes, and her Royal Highness then added them to her Hortus Siccus, which, had that lamented individual been spared to us, would have been the most complete, not only in regard to indigenous, but exotic flowers, which the most skilful and persevering botanist could desire. It will, however, convey some satisfaction to the admirers of the interesting science of botany, to be informed, |