Liberal Conduct of the Princess.

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to the proposed alliance, because she might thence be obliged to reside in aforeign country. No doubt, also, there were personal considerations, though not amounting to absolute objections. She had often seen the Prince of Orange, and did not feel for him the slightest symptom of that species of affection for which her heart and disposition have since shewn themselves to have been so exquisitely formed; to which we might add a thousand little anecdotes, particularly her disgust at her royal lover, for visiting her badly dressed, &c. &c.; but these things are now below the dignity of an historical obituary record. In short, it is now unnecessary to dwell upon the circumstances of her firm and steady refusal; yet doing justice to the character, courage, and amiable qualities of this Prince, though she resolved not to receive him as a husband. Her Royal Highness, however, always expressed herself quite sensible to the merits of his Highness; and when he was wounded at the battle of Waterloo, her feelings and language on that occasion were worthy of her candour. They marked the tenderness of her heart, and the general benevolence of her disposition.

This projected match had repeatedly been alluded to in both Houses of Parliament; but the first public notice of its breach took place on the 20th of June, 1814, when Sir Matthew White Ridley called upon ministers to make some communication, or at least

F

66

Juvenile Originality.

to say, whether they had any to make respecting that event. To this Mr. Vansittart replied, that he could give no other answer than stating the simple fact, that ministers had received no authority to make any communication. communication. Sir Matthew then replied, that he understood the match had been broken off, because it was required on the part of her royal suitor that the Princess should reside in Holland-to this no answer was given, and the conversation was dropped.

'It was indeed very natural that the youthful Heiress should now begin to think for herself, as she was fast advancing towards womanhood; and, though but recently formally introduced at the Drawing-room on state occasions, yet she had been gradually accustomed to mix in general society, going sometimes, though seldom, to the theatres, and visiting the various public exhibitions, where she often displayed great originality of genius, manifesting a delight in things not very apt to attract female attention.

Every reader and lover of Homer remembers the circumstance of the disguised Achilles being discovered among the daughters of Laomedon, by the wily Ulysses, by means of some articles of armour which he contrived to present, along with various materials of female ornament, to the young ladies at Court. A similar taste to that of the Grecian hero had been displayed by her Royal Highness on a visit

Wit and Humour.

67

to Bullock's Museum, in Piccadilly, where the specimens of warlike armour nearly engaged her sole attention; and we have been informed, that although not conversant with the practice of fire-arms, she took great delight in the mechanism of musquet locks, and was well acquainted with their modern improvements.

Her manners, also, at this moment, though not masculine, partook much of that open freedom which prompts to cheerfulness and a facetious turn of conversation, and does not even disdain pleasant turn, or equivoque. On one occasion, the only reply she made to some very warm remonstrances was, that she thought matters were getting very hot, and she would let in a little fresh air to cool them; and when some of the confidential personages about her household remonstrated respecting her refusal of the proposed match, she laughingly replied, that she was afraid her Irish friends would accuse her of keeping an Orange Lodge. These, and a variety of other anecdotes, though apparently of little interest in themselves, are introduced, the more partícularly to mark the bias of her character and mind; trifles often develope character, when greater events are wanting.

For reasons which it is needless here to investigate, her Royal Father now thought proper to break up her establishment at Warwick House, and indeed to make a complete and total change in her

68

Hackney Coach Adventure.

household; for which purpose Cranbourn Lodge was chosen as a summer residence, with a household composed of the Countess Dowager of Rosslyn, the Countess of Ilchester, two Misses Coates, and Mrs. Campbell, formerly her sub-governess. This intention was for some time previously known, but finally announced to her by his Royal Highness on the evening of the 12th of July, at Warwick House, when, it is stated, he informed her of the dismissal, of her former household, and of his determination that she should instantly take up her abode at Carlton House, and afterwards retire to Cranbourn Lodge, whither she would be attended by her new household, then waiting for her in the next apartment. The surprise was so sudden, that for some minutes she was thunderstruck, but soon thought it most important to consult her mother, and with all the romantic ardour of a youthful heart, determined to adopt measures of flight for that purpose. Accordingly she watched for a favourable opportunity, and ran out of the house into the Haymarket, where she jumped, unsuspected, into a hackney coach, for the purpose of proceeding to Connaught Place. Of this romantic adventure many stories were told in the daily prints; but we can now present our readers with the following correct statement from Higgins, the coachman, himself; who expressly states, that she called the coach in the Haymarket, and ordered him to drive

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Political Interference.

69

towards Oxford-street, and she would give him a guinea: when he arrived in Oxford-street, her Royal Highness desired him to drive quicker, and take her to the Princess of Wales's in Connaught Place, and he should not regret it. He then desired to know which was the house; she replied, Drive, and you will soon find it!" The man was all the time ignorant of whom he was driving. On their arrival, she requested to know if her mother was at home; when the servant replied-“ Nó, your Royal Highness:" the coachman was then aware of the honour done him, and the Princess ordered the servant to pay him three guineas; saying, that he deserved it.

Her Royal Highness then alighted: but the Princess of Wales not being in town, a groom was instantly dispatched to Blackheath with a note, requesting her immediate return; and he meeting her on the way, and delivering the note, the Princess first drove to the Parliament House, but could neither find Lord Grey nor Mr. Whitbread, whom she wished to consult, proceeding afterwards to Connaught-place, where her terrified daughter acquainted her with the cause of her alarm. There, also, she found Mr. Brougham, who had been sent for, and who had already explained to her Royal Highness the necessity, as well as the propriety, of submitting to her Father's authority, founded not only upon filial duty, but also