which last he has made a proficiency that would be creditable to a professor. The vicissitudes to which his house was exposed from French hostility, seein only to have contributed to preserve the purity of his morals; and they have certainly had a most powerful influence in the developement of that rare moderation, that ardent love of justice, and that manly firmness, which are the predominant traits in the character of this Prince. Necessitated at so early an age to attend to a variety of diplomatic business, he acquired partly in this school, and partly in his extensive travels, a thorough knowledge of men in all their relations; and though his experience has not always been of the most agreeable kind, still it has not been able to warp the kindness and benevolence of his nature. In his campaigns, and in the field of battle, where all false greatness disappears, Leopold has given the most undeniable proofs of courage, and that clear intelligence and unshaken fortitude which are so essential in a warrior and a prince. With such qualities of the head and heart, with a character and principles that so completely harmonize with the feelings, the notions, nay even the prejudices of the British nation, this illustrious Prince authorized us to anticipate, from his union with the Heiress to the throne, results equally conducive to the welfare of the people at large, and to the happiness of that distinguished family of which he became a member. Some ridiculous misrepresentations having appeared concerning the extent of territory and pecuniary resources of the House of Cobourg; it is necessary to state, that previously to the treaty of Congress, signed at Vienna in 1815, the possessions of the House of Saxe-Cobourg-Saalfeld comprised 17 German miles, with a population, according to the census taken in 1812, of 57,266 souls. They contain eight towns, and 270 villages and hamlets. The revenues of the Prince amounted, in 1806, to 425,413 florins, or nearly £50,000 sterling. The inhabitants, as well as the reigning family, belong to the Lutheran Church; and are chiefly employed in trade and manufactures. The above mentioned treaty secures to the Duke of Cobourg-Saalfeld an additional territory of such extent, as to comprise 20,000 inhabitants; so that his dominions and resources will be thereby increased about one third. We subjoin the following Abstract from the Pedigree of the House of Saxe-Cobourg-Saalfeld. John-Ernest, seventh son of Ernest the Pious, was the founder of this House, originally called Saxe-Saalfeld, till, upon obtaining the principality of Cobourg, it assumed the above title. Christian-Ernest and Francis-Josias, governed jointly after the death of their father in 1729; till the decease of Christian Ernest, in 1757, left his brother the sole possessor. He died in 1764. Ernest-Frederick, died in 1800. Francis-Frederick-Anthony, married, first, in 1776, Ernestina-Frederica-Sophia, daughter of Duke Ernest-Frederick-Charles, of Saxe-Hildburghausen, who died in the same year; and secondly, in 1777, Augusta-Carolina-Sophia, daughter of Count Henry XXIV. Reuss of Ebersdorf, by whom he had issue: Ernest-Anthony-Charles-Lewis, the reigning Duke, born Jan. 2, 1784, succeeded his father, Dec. 3, ; His brothers and sisters are ; Sophia-Frederica-Carolina-Louisa, born Aug. 18, 1778, and married in 1804 to Count Mensdorf, a Colonel in the Austrian service. Antoinetta-Ernestina-Amelia, born Aug. 19, 1779, married in 1798 to Charles-Alexander-Frederick, brother to the King of Wirtemberg, a General in the Russian service, and Governor of Livonia, Esthonia, and Courland. Juliana-Henrietta-Ulrica, born Sept. 23, 1781, married in 1796 to the Grand-duke Constantine of Russia, when she assumed the name of AnneFeodorowna. Ferdinand-George-Augustus, born March 28, 1785. Maria-Louisa-Victoria, born Aug. 17, 1786, married in 1803 to Prince Emich-Charles, of Leiningen, by whom she has been left a widow. LEOPOLD-GEORGE-CHRISTIAN-FREDERICK, born Dec. 16, 1790, married May 2, 1816, to Her Royal Highness the Princess CHARLOTTE OF WALES. CHAP. V Indisposition of the Princess Charlotte.-Residence at Weymouth.-Anecdotes.-Visits the Isle of Portland and Abbotsbury Castle.-Marine Excursions.-Returns to Cranbourn Lodge.-Appearance at the Queen's Drawing-room.-Visits her Royal Father at Brighton.-Anecdote of the Prince Regent.-Prince Leopold recalled.-Anecdote.-Parliamentary Provision for the Marriage. -Claremont, &c.-Preparations for the Nuptials, Marriage Ceremony, &c.-Residence at Claremont, &c.-Miscarriages and final Pregnancy of the Princess.-Poem, called, The Quarrel of the Months for the Royal Infant. ALTHOUGH the cause of Prince Leopold's abrupt departure from London, could only be conjectured, His Serene Highness having set out for the Continent without acquainting any one with his intentions; the Princess Charlotte soon perceived that her second invitation would not have been thus left unnoticed, unless something unusual had occurred; and hence it was not long before she informed herself of all that had taken place. It has been said that an epistolary correspondence was commenced from the time of the first meeting of the Princess with Prince Leopold at the Pulteney Hotel, and continued every fortnight until their marriage; and some have even asserted, that the Princess of Wales herself was the bearer of a letter from her beloved Daughter to Prince Leopold, who is also said to have had an interview with Her Royal Highness, shortly after she left this country: all this is however irreconcileable with the circumstances attending the departure of the Prince of Cobourg from England, and with subsequent events which we shall shortly have to detail. The improbable report of the Princess of Wales having become the medium of clandestine communication between the Princess Charlotte and Prince Leopold, so immediately after the Prince Regent had signified that he could not sanction the intercourse, is certainly deserving of no credit; and the probability therefore appears to be, that the correspondence alluded to, must have -been that in which the illustrious lovers were afterwards engaged. No doubt, however, now remains, that the unexpected departure of the Prince for the Continent, was the principal cause of that decline in her health which Her Royal Highness soon afterwards experienced. She had also about this time to endure a painful succession of most harassing circumstances. The unhappy dissensions of her august Parents had been the source of continual sorrow to her affectionate heart; and even the apparently amicable arrangement which terminated those dissensions, became a fresh cause of grief to her mind, when she found that her Mother had finally resolved to leave the kingdom. It has likewise been seen, that though the Princess Charlotte was fully sensible of the distinguished merits of the Prince of Orange, she did not feel that decisive preference for His Royal Highness, without which, she justly concluded, connubial happiness cannot for a moment exist. No sooner, therefore, had the Princess obtained information of the true cause of Prince Leopold's hasty return to the Continent, than she nobly determined to dismiss the illustrious suitor, whom she found herself unable to love, notwithstanding his acknowledged high deserts. This necessary opposition to the wishes of her august Father, who was |