two coaches down to the Park at Carlton House, where they were received by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Dinner was soon after served, which consisted of two full courses, and a dessert in the most elegant, but frugal, style. Only the Royal Family sat down to table.

The Princess of Wales was the hostess. At half-past nine, by the King's own appointment, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the State Officers of the King and Queen's household, and the several attendants of their Majesties and the Royal Family, had previously arrived. They were ushered into the great, audience chambers, at the head of which was the young Princess, (who lay in a state cradle,) with the attendants. The ceremony of christening was then performed. The sponsors were the King and Queen, and the Duke and Duchess of York.

A short time subsequent to the birth of the Princess Charlotte, the unfortunate dissensions, to which we have already reluctantly referred, were revived between the royal parents, and a separation took place without either party quitting their joint residence. In this painful and distressing situation matters remained, until April, 1796, when a message was conveyed to the Princess of Wales, through the medium of Lord Cholmondely, suggesting that the intercourse between her and the Prince was in future to be of the most restrictive nature; in short, that a separation as to all conjugal relations was, from that time and for ever, to take place. In this arrangement her Royal Highness acquiesced; but in so doing, she desired it to be understood, that should it be once made, she should insist on its being considered as final; and that his Royal Highness should not retain the right, from time to time, at his pleasure, or under any circumstances, to alter it. Regarding a point of such delicacy, however, as infinitely too important to rest upon a mere verbal communication, she requested that his Royal Highness' pleasure upon it should be communicated to her in writing. In compliance with this request, the Prince addressed her the following letter:

"Windsor Castle, April 30. 1796.

"MADAM,As Lord Cholmondeley informs me that you' wish I would define, in writing, the terms upon which we are to live, I shall endeavour to explain myself upon that head with as much clearness, and with as much propriety, as the nature of the subject will admit. Our inclinations are not in our power, nor should either of us be held answerable to the other, because nature has not made us suitable to each other. Tranquil and comfortable society is, however, in our power: let our intercourse, therefore, be restricted to that, and I will distinctly subscribe to the condition which you required through Lady Cholmondeley, that, even in the event of any accident happening to my daughter, in which I trust Providence, in his mercy, will avert, I should not infringe the terms of the restriction, by proposing at any period a connection of a more particular nature. I shall now finally close this disagreeable correspondence, trusting that, as we have completely explained ourselves to each other, the rest of our lives will be passed in uninterrupted tranquillity. — I am, Madam, with great truth, very sincerely yours,

To this address the Princess replied as follows:

"The avowal of your conversation with Lord Cholmondeley neither surprises nor offends me. It merely confirms what you have tacitly insinuated for this twelvemonth. But, after this, it would be a want of delicacy, or rather an unworthy meanness in me, were I to complain of those conditions which you impose upon yourself.

"I should have returned no answer to your letter if it had not been conceived in terms to make it doubtful whether this arrangement proceeds from you or from me; and you are aware that the credit of it belongs to you alone.

"The letter which you announce to me as the last, obliges me to communicate to the King, as to my sovereign and my father, both your avowal and my answer. You will find

VOL. VI.

enclosed the copy of my letter to the King. I apprise you of it, that I may not incur the slightest reproach of duplicity from you. As I have at this moment no protector but his Majesty, I refer myself solely to him upon this subject, and if my conduct meets his approbation, I shall be in some degree at least consoled. I retain every sentiment of gratitude for the situation in which I find myself, as Princess of Wales, enabled, by your means, to indulge in the free exercise of a virtue dear to my heart, - I mean, charity.

"It will be my duty likewise to act upon another motive, that of giving an example of patience and resignation under every trial.

"Do me the justice to believe, that I shall never cease to pray for your happiness, and to be your much devoted,

(Signed)

"6th of May, 1796.”

"CAROLINE."

It is but justice to the memory of her late Majesty to remark, that at this juncture no crime, not even the shadow of guilt, was imputed to her. The causes in which this extraordinary measure originated, are enveloped in impenetrable mystery.

The correspondence was not made public at the time; but the final separation of the parties took place immediately, and from this period her Royal Highness resided in Montague House, Blackheath: still, however, she continued to visit the royal palace as a public personage.

During the term of her residence at Blackheath, the Prin cess of Wales appears to have lived comparatively retired, receiving few visitors, and confining her acquaintance chiefly. to a particular and select circle. In 1804, however, a circumstance occurred which implied a doubt as to the propriety: of her conduct.

On the birth-day of the King, Jonathan Partridge, the porter of Belvidere, belonging to Lord Earldly, was sent for by an honourable nobleman of high rank, (Lord Moira,) and. questioned minutely respecting the behaviour of the Princess.

of Wales, on a visit which she had made a few weeks previous, attended by one gentleman and a party of ladies, to view the grounds and pictures at Belvidere. "His Lordship," it is stated in a deposition afterwards made by the said Jonathan Partridge," told me, in the course of what he said to me, that it was a subject of importance, and might be of consequence. His Lordship, finding I had nothing more to say, told me I might go." This porter was a second time sent for by the same nobleman, (the confidential friend of the Prince,) and asked, "if he was sure of what he had said being all that he could say respecting the Princess ?" He replied it was, and that, if his Lordship thought proper, he was ready But his Lordship did not think proper, again dismissed. It appears that the testimony of this person tended to the removal of any misrepresentation of what had passed on the visit in question.

to attest it on oath.

and Partridge was

In the latter part of the following year, or the beginning of 1806, the Duke of Sussex informed the Prince, that Sir John Douglas, who resided not far from Montague House, the residence of the Princess, had made known to him some circumstances respecting the behaviour of her Royal Highness, which, in the opinion of the Duke, it was of the highest importance the Prince should hear, as they might, if true, not only affect the honour and peace of his Royal Highness, but also the succession to the throne. Sir John and Lady Douglas having made a formal declaration of the charges they thought proper to advance against the Princess of Wales, this document was submitted by the Prince to Lord Thurlow, who decided that his Royal Highness had no alternative but to submit the matter to the King. This advice was accordingly followed, and some further examinations took place, when the declarations of William and Sarah Lambert, servants to Sir John Douglas, William Cole, Robert and Sarah Bidgood, Frances Lloyd, and Sir John and Lady Douglas, were laid before his Majesty, who forthwith issued a warrant, dated May 1806, directing and authorising Lord Erskine, as Lord Chancellor; Lord Grenville, as First Lord of the Treasury; Earl

Spencer, as one of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State; and Lord Ellenborough, as Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench, to inquire into the truth of the said allegations, and to report to him thereupon.

Before we proceed to lay before our readers the nature of the declarations referred to, it may be proper to mention the origin of the Princess's acquaintance with Sir John and Lady Douglas, and the probable motives by which they were actuated in volunteering their evidence at this particular juncture: to do this, we shall find it necessary to go back to the year 1801. When Sir John and Lady Douglas took a house at Blackheath in the month of November the same year, it is stated, that her Royal Highness passing the door of Sir John, happened to pause a few minutes before it, when Lady Douglas came out, introduced herself to the Princess, and pressed her to honour her by entering the house. This invitation was favourably received, and a close intimacy commenced between the parties. If this be true, it only serves to prove, that her Royal Highness, probably from a too great openness, and unsuspiciousness of disposition, showed less circumspection on this occasion than might have been expected from a person of her dignified station in society. To this want of caution may be inferred much of the misery she was subsequently destined to undergo.

The friendly intercourse between the Princess of Wales and Sir John and Lady Douglas continued without interruption until the year 1804, when her Royal Highness appears to have taken offence at some part of Lady D.'s conduct. It has been also reported, that she received an anonymous communication warning her against this lady. However this may have been, the Princess appears to have been desirous of withdrawing herself from Lady Douglas's society altogether ; as, besides denying herself to her several times, she intimated her wish, through Mrs. Vernon, her lady in waiting, that all intercourse should be at an end between them. Lady Douglas seems to have considered herself ill used by the Princess, and her subsequent depositions against her Royal Highness have