to justify the medical practitioners, it was determined to ascertain the proximate cause of her sudden demise. The following is an accurate statement of the appearances these gentlemen observed:

"The membranes of the brain presented their natural aspect. The vessels of the pia mater were less distended with blood than was to be expected after so severe a labour. The ventricles of the brain contained very little fluid. The plexus choroides was of a pale colour, and the substance of the brain had its natural texture.

"The pericardium (the region of the heart) contained two ounces of red-coloured fluid. The heart itself and the lungs were in a natural state. The stomach contained nearly three pints of liquid. The colon was distended with air. The kidneys and other abdominal viscera were in a natural state."

The foregoing narrative throws very little light upon the immediate cause of the death of the Princess. The fluid found in the pericardium might have obstructed the due action of the heart; but it is not easy to account for its presence there, nor to conceive how so large a quantity could have been effused during the short space of time that supervened to delivery, before the breathing became impeded. Imagination indeed has been busy, and a phalanx of casual circumstances has been arranged to account for the dissolution; some of which are ungenerously and too unguardedly, not to say maliciously, calculated to attach blame to her at

tendants; but such expositions ought to be deprecated, as unjust to the individuals concerned, and in no degree honorable to the profession.

It is reported, that the whole of the Royal Family are liable to spasms of a violent description; and to this hereditary pre-disposition, and the excitability of the amiable sufferer, owing to the tedious nature of her labour, is that event to be ascribed, which has destroyed the flattering hopes of the nation, and lopped off the fairest branch from the stem of monarchical succession.

The operation of the embalming being completed, the internal parts as usual were deposited in an urn provided for that purpose. The body of the Princess, after it was embalmed, was enclosed in a number of wrappers stiffened with wax, which will keep it in high preservation for a number of years. These wrappers were again covered with an enclosure of rich blue velvet tied with white riband.

The following very appropriate lines were written on the occasion of the embalming of the Princess; and it is to be hoped, that this pagan rite, disgraceful to a civilized nation, will soon be known only by the name.

Hark! that deep bell's sepulchral tone,
Which only speaks of princes dead,
Bids list'ning anxious crowds bemoan

Their hope, their pride, for ever fled.

It tells of youth's untimely blight,
Of virtues form'd a realm to save,
For ever lost in Death's dark night,
With all the patriot hopes they gave.

And was there aught of added woe,
To wound the royal husband's breast,
Who saw Death's shadows veil the brow,
His lip of love so oft had prest?

Yes-Pagan rites in Christian land,

His soul with added anguish mov'd; For strangers, though with licens'd hand, Profane the sacred form he lov'd.

The meanest hind by sorrow bow'd,
Who kneels the humblest bier beside,
At once the form he lov'd may shroud,
And e'en from Pity's glances hide.

And must the royal dead alone,
Distinctions that degrade, possess?
Must England still such customs own,
As Feeling's nicest sense oppress?

No more let heathen customs tear

A Christian husband's heart in twain;

Nor slumb'ring on her honour'd bier,
A Christian Princess' form profane.

Bid funeral robe of costly gold,

Or Hope, and Heaven's own beaming blue, With proud distinction still enfold

Those forms which sovereigns' splendors knew.

But be that robe in future clos'd

O'er limbs which secret rest have known,
To mourning Love alone expos'd,

And touch'd by Love's fond grasp alone.

Princess, most lov'd, when known the most,
With thee our brightest prospects close;

A people's joy, a nation's boast,
Will on thy early grave repose.

Blest was thy life; oh! soothing thought,
Beyond a royal charter blest:

He who thy heart Love's lesson taught,
Became the partner of thy breast.

Blest was thy lot, for wedded bliss,
Earth's sweetest meed, to thee was given ;

And, the sole gift, surpassing this,

We trust is thine, the bliss of Heaven.

The effect which the decease of the Princess Charlotte had upon the feelings of her royal Father cannot be described; the shock came so unexpected, that the impression was the more violent. With just feelings of sympathy in the sufferings of others, his Royal Highness sent Sir William Congreve to Claremont, to express to Prince Leopold the sentiments of his affectionate condolence, and to inquire after the health of his Serene Highness. It was further said, that his Royal Highness had, besides a verbal message, written to Prince Leopold a letter of the most affecting nature, expressing the deepest sense of the manner in which he had invariably conducted

himself to his daughter; a manner which had ensured to him the blessings and affections of the father, and the admiration and respect of the nation. His Royal Highness, while he thus considerately endeavored to console the affliction of the husband, himself stood in need of sympathizing attentions. The effect of his grief made it necessary to take some blood from him by cupping, after which his Royal Highness became more resigned and calm.

In the courtly circle no person was so constantly distinguished and so kindly noticed as Prince Leopold by the Regent, who seemed proud to shew to all the world how much he esteemed and valued his son-in-law. From the same genuine kindness he abstained from all interference with the domestic arrangements of Claremont: and, in particular, it should be known that every thing connected with the pregnancy of the Princess was intrusted entirely to her own direction. It was her choice that fixed on Sir Richard Croft, and it was with her that Sir Richard settled that he should be at liberty to consult with Dr. Sims, if necessary. The Princess, too, chose Claremont for the place of her delivery; and it was thought advisable that she should be freed as much as possible from all unnecessary bustle and disturbance. It was always His Royal Highness's the Regent's intention to hasten to Claremont the moment that his own and the nation's hopes were accomplished by the birth of a child; and indeed