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which the Princess Charlotte paid to all matters in which economy and the expenditure of her income were concerned, than in the choice of her establishment at Claremont, the extent of which scarcely exceeded that of some of the wives of our nobility, and which fell short, very far short, of what the presumptive heiress to the British throne might, consistently with her station, be entitled to maintain. It consisted only of

Lady Emily Murray, Ladies of the Bedchamber.

Lady John Thynne,

Mrs. Campbell, Privy Purse.

Miss Coates, Maid of Honor.

Hon. Charles Percy,

Colonel Addenbrook,

Chamberlains.

Two Equerries, and a resident Physician.

This establishment is not mentioned in the Red Book at all; and when it is compared with some others which that book contains, the contrast must appear very striking, and may be adduced as another convincing proof of the little importance which her Royal Highness attached to exterior shew and splendor.

The Prince Leopold having been appointed colonel of the 5th, or Princess Charlotte of Wales's, regiment of dragoon guards, and that regiment being stationed at this time at Ipswich, and it being the wish of his Serene Highness to bring his regiment to the highest effective state of discipline, a residence in the vicinity of that town was sought after; and Rendlesham Hall

was fixed upon, which his Serene Highness intended to take for two years.

A strong objection to even a temporary residence from Claremont was, however, raised by the situation of the Princess Charlotte, whose accouchement was now considered by her professional attendant, as likely to take place in October; and it was, therefore, determined to relinquish the idea of removing into Suffolk, until that important event was over *.

The second and last visit which the Queen paid to Claremont, was on the 29th July. Her Majesty was accompanied by the Princesses Augusta and Elizabeth, and a lady in waiting. An early dinner had been prepared for her Majesty, of which having partaken, the royal party returned to Windsor.

An offer was at this time made by an illustrious individual to the Princess Charlotte, to give up Buckingham-House to her Royal Highness during her accouchement, as a residence far less exposed to noise

* Circumstances, even of a trivial nature, if happily seized upon, often give an insight into the national character, which could not be obtained with greater truth and precision by the most elaborate study or the most profound investigation. Whilst the English were phlegmatically awaiting the birth of an heir to the crown, by the Princess Charlotte, the French were in a similar situation, looking for an heir from the Duchess of Berri. The English would ring their bells and fire their cannon on the event taking place, and after nine days, some other subject would supersede it; but, the French, not only intended to fire their cannon, but they had twenty new theatrical pieces in readiness to appear immediately after the accouchement, one of which was entitled-Est-ce une fille? Est-ce un garçon ?

than Camelford-House, as well as nearer to the great officers of state, who must be summoned upon the occasion. This offer was, however, declined on the part of her Royal Highness, as she had already determined that her accouchement should take place at Claremont; and, on one occasion, when she openly declared her intention of continuing at that residence, her Royal Highness was asked, how the attendance of the state officers could be procured at such a distance from town, and, perhaps, at a moment's notice?" Let them manage that as well as they can," answered her Royal Highness, "I cannot go to the state officers, and, therefore, the state officers must come to me."

One of the last occasions when her Royal Highness appeared in public was at a grand fête given by the Countess of Cardigan, in honor of the Prince Regent's birth-day. The grounds about Lady Cardigan's house, besides the natural advantages of a fine situation, are adorned with all the beauties which the skill of the planter or the florist can bestow. These grounds were destined to be the scene of the entertainment; here tents were pitched, tables were arranged, and platforms erected. The unfavorable state of the weather at one time seemed to threaten a complete disappointment to the amusements of the day, but the sun, breaking out suddenly, soon dissipated all apprehensions. As, however, it would have been imprudent to incur any risk, the grand drawing-room was fitted up for the dinner-party of the Queen, the Regent, and the Royal Family.

The company began to arrive soon after two o'clock.

The Royal Family began to arrive at three. The Prince Regent and the Queen came last, and were received with loud huzzas, as also were the Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold, who were in an open carriage. As soon as the Regent and the Queen had reached the drawing-room, the different guests were admitted to pay the customary compliments on the birth-day. The ceremony being over, the Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold retired without stopping to dinner, and immediately returned to Claremont. The situation of her Royal Highness rendered her early secession from a crowded company absolutely necessary.

The retirement at Claremont appeared to be increasingly congenial to the taste and inclinations of the Princess Charlotte; for the happiness of her Royal Highness never appeared so complete as when she was in the midst of her domestic circle. Among the various points of view, in which it is our pride and study to contemplate the Princess Charlotte, and to point her out to the admiration of the people of England, we delight to speak of her character in domestic life. A King or Queen, as such, may diffuse a vast portion of happiness throughout society, by the just and conscientious exercise of power; but upon mankind at large, the sovereign cannot well act as an example, except through the medium of those qualities which are applicable to private life, and useful in humble stations. The dissolute manners of some persons, among the upper classes in this country, require no ordinary antidote to oppose their corrupting

influence. The law, though armed with peculiar terrors, is evaded by artful vice, or defied by audacious infamy. Fashion tolerates and upholds her disciples; and timid virtue withdraws into herself, or ventures on the stream, only to struggle, yield, and perish. Our unspotted Princess, in the lovely purity of her conjugal and maternal character, and in the splendor and preeminence of her constitutional throne, would, with the partner of her virtuous affections, have herself supplied the defect of law, and reclaimed the licentiousness of fashion. Every wife would have gazed upon her as a bright example of those duties, whose performance rewards itself and constitutes the chief blessing of society. The loss of such a model, in such an age, may be a subject of lamentation to our children's children.

In her truly dignified retirement, her Royal Highness amused herself with the arrangement of a number of tokens of fond remembrance; and she directed instructions to be sent to a German artist of celebrity, residing in this country, to execute a snuffbox composed of papier mâchée, on the lid of which her portrait, a bust, was to be introduced; the likeness, a copy of that by Charlotte Jones, was selected by the Princess herself.

The box was sent to Vienna to be finished; and when it returns, in the interior the following lines will appear written on white satin. These lines have been erroneously ascribed to the Princess Charlotte as her own composition; they are, however, a parody from the Seasons of Thomson, with the substitution of

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