infected, or who did not sleep upon the same pillow. Without entering at this time into the truth of that report, it must, doubtless, be admitted, that a more suitable place might have been selected for the temporary residence of the Heiress presumptive to the throne, than one, in the heart of which a depôt for diseased invalids was situated. Warwick house, at Worthing, had been for some short time the resi dence of the Princess Charlotte; but, for private reasons, that house was relinquished, and Bognor was fixed upon as the future summer residence of Her Royal Highness. It was, however, in this retreat that she may be said to have enjoyed a posi tive degree of happiness, compared with that which she experienced when subject more particularly to the forms and etiquette of a residence in the metropolis. It was here that the native hilarity of her disposition burst forth; it was here that she felt herself unfettered from the tiresome ceremonies attendant on her elevated rank; and her eye beamed with sparkling lustre as she threw its glances over that ocean on which the bulwarks of her nation rode, bearing the thunder of their vengeance on her country's foes, and triumphantly defending her shores from every invader. The condescension of her manners, the affability of her conversation, the ease and freedom with which she received and returned the visits of the neighbouring gentry, the ready access to her presence on all occasions, when suffering indigence or sudden misfortune had a claim upon her bounty, endeared her to all ranks of people, and laid the basis of that high esteem and veneration for her virtues, which exists in that part of the country to the present hour.

Dressed like a plain lady, without the garnish of exterior ornament, it was highly pleasing to see her tripping down to Richardson's the baker's, about the time when she knew his buns were ready; and, entering the shop, would sit and partake of them,

and talk to the worthy baker about his business, as if she took an active interest in his concerns. Then, accompanied by Lady De Clifford, she would mount her car, drawn by her beautiful grey ponies, and, full of youthful mischief, she would drive into a field belonging to Sir Thomas Troubridge, which happened to be very uneven, and full of knolls and ruts, over which she would drive with uncommon speed, to the great annoyance of her companion, who inade many a wry face at the sudden jolts which she received, and uttered many a shriek at the danger to which she was exposed: to all of which, and to her ardent expostulations, Her Royal Highness exclaimed, "Nothing like exercise, my lady; nothing like exercise."

The Princess took particular pleasure in frequenting the beach, and collecting a species of sea-weed which bears a hard black berry, of which she formed some very beautiful necklaces. In one of her rambles, about two miles eastward of Bognor, her attention was excited by some pieces of wood apparently decayed, on which a kind of metal, bright as gold, was thickly incrusted, and formed into configurations similar to the metallic ores in their crude state. On searching farther, a stratum of this apparently natural phenomenon was discovered in one of the banks, and two labourers were procured, who, in a short time, obtained some beautiful specimens, which Her Royal Highness carried home with her. The heart of the Princess was not of that stamp to allow two labourers to work for her unrewarded, and she ordered that two guineas should be given to them. From some particular circumstances, the mystery of which would not require a Delphic oracle to solve, this bounty never reached the labourers; and so prone is human nature, especially of the lowest class, to attach a stigma to those of an elevated station, that Her Royal Highness was immediately denounced as mean and pitiful, and unworthy of the

name of a Princess. It happened about three weeks afterwards, that the wife of one of these labourers was brought to bed, which, on coming to the knowledge of the Princess Charlotte, she directed that a necessary supply of linen and other articles should be immediately conveyed to the woman. The bearer of this bounty had no sooner delivered the Royal gift, than the good woman exclaimed, Ay, ay! now let people say what they will, I will maintain that she is a Princess; and God bless her for ever.' "And what reason (asked the messenger) have the people to say, that Her Royal Highness is not a Princess?" Why, they say (answered the woman) that it was mean and scandalous in her, when my husband and Tom Farlingham digged those queer things for Her Royal Highness out of the bank by the sea-side, that she did not give them as much as a sup of beer, though they sweated manfully for her.' "The accusation is false, (said the messenger,) for, to my positive knowledge, Her Royal Highness ordered two guineas to be given to your husband and his companion: and were they not given?” 'Not one farthing,' answered the woman. The messenger left the cottage, and the circumstance was fully developed to Her Royal Highness, who set an immediate investigation on foot; the culprit, who had retained the two guineas for his own use, was discovered, and immediately dismissed the Royal service. The vane of public opinion changes with the accidents of the day; and the individual, to whom, in the morning, every opprobrious epithet has been applied, may, before the evening sets in, be extolled as one of the brightest patterns of moral excellence and purity.

Another beautiful trait in the character of this accomplished and truly virtuous female was exhibited in the case of an officer, of long standing in the army, who was arrested at Bognor for a small sum; and being unable, at a distance from his

friends, to procure sufficient bail, was on the point of being taken away from his family to Arundel jail. The circumstance came to the knowledge of the Princess, who, in the moment of a high and generous feeling, exclaimed, "I'll be his bail!" then suddenly recollecting herself, she inquired the amount of the debt; which being told her, "There," said she, "take this to him: it is hard that he who has exposed his life in the field of battle, should ever experience the rigours of a prison."

Of the opinion which the Princess Charlotte entertained of the preceptress which had been selected for her, the following letter will convey a sufficient proof, and it also opens to us a beautiful trait in the character of Her Royal Highness. It was written to the Countess of Ålbemarle, the daughter of Lady De Clifford; and the interest of this letter is particularly enhanced by a lamentable event, the detail of which would be here prematurely introduced.

"MY EVER DEAR LADY A

"I most heartily thank you for your very kind letter, which I hasten to answer. But I must not forget that this letter must be a letter of congratulation, yes, of congratulation the most sincere; I love you, and therefore there is no wish that I do not form for your happiness in this world. May you have as few cares and vexations as may fall to the lot of man; and may you long be spared, and may you long enjoy the blessing of all others the most precious-your dear mother—who is not more precious to you than to me. But there is a trifle which accompanies this, which I hope you will like; and if it sometimes reminds you of me, it will be a great source of pleasure to me. I shall be most happy to see you, for it is long since I have had that pleasure.

"Adieu, my dear Lady A

and believe me ever

"Your affectionate and sincere friend,
(Signed)

"CHARLOTTE."

The following anecdotes, which occurred about this time, are strongly characteristic of Her Royal Highness's high spirit, sensibility, discrimination, and generous disposition.

The Princess conceived a dislike for some particular music, which her dancing master had directed for her; and refused to dance. The master said, he hoped Her Royal Highness would re-consider it, as he had a particular wish she should allow the music to proceed, because it materially regarded her improvement; adding, that unless she did so, he should be obliged to take his leave. Her Royal Highness declined to proceed, and suffered him to leave the room; but, the moment after, ran out, begging him to return, and hear her go through her lesson. He returned, and she went through it very properly. By some means, Her Royal Father heard of the circumstance; and not wishing the presence of any person disagreeable to his daughter, desired the master to be dismissed: but the young Princess, when she understood what had taken place, was much chagrined, and successfully applied to have him replaced; stating expressly, that herself alone had been to blame.

About this time also Her Royal Highness had formed an acquaintance with some respectable young ladies at Worthing. On meeting them one day, she spoke to them very freely, and invited them to visit her the day following. Lady De Clifford, however, said to her," Your Royal Highness condescended too much to those young ladies-you were too familiar with them-you must never forget your station; and I hope to-morrow you will be more careful." On the morrow they came. The Princess was at her piano forte; and there she remained, with Lady De Clifford at her elbow, and only bowed slightly to her visitors, keeping her seat, and continuing to play. Her visitors, of course, thought it was very strange, to see the Princess so kind the day before,