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Return to Cranbourn.

expressed great surprise at the space and strength

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of the ship, and remarked, Well might such noble structures be called the Wooden Walls of Old England!' She now told Captain Nixon, that she should not be satisfied with an introduction to his state cabin, as she was very anxious to see every part of his ship between decks, and even below: accordingly he accompanied her Royal Highness down, when she inspected every birth, cockpit, powder magazine, store-holds, &c.; and, on her return upon deck, gave her thanks to Captain Nixon and attendant officers in the most gracious terms, assuring them, that they had afforded an exhibition of more interest to her mind than any 'she had hitherto beheld. The Princess having presented a purse to Captain Nixon, desiring him to apply it for the crew, as a token of her respect for them, descended down the ship's side as she went up, under a royal salute, and the more gratifying cheers of the loyal and hearty crew of a British man of war.”

Having, in a great measure, re-established her health at Weymouth, the Princess Charlotte returned to Cranbourn Lodge late in the season, with occasional visits to town, when new prospects began to open for her own happiness and the public welfare.

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The union with the House of Orange, even in the exiled state of that family, had been a matter of pleasing anticipation to the empire, as

Matrimonial Prospects.

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securing the continuance of the Brunswick line with a Protestant connection; its final dissolution, therefore, when that union became of political importance, was productive of much regret, though without any blame being attached to the Princess herself. The public wish was to see her happy. The British nation could desire no satisfaction from any union, however politically appropriate, that should have failed to confer peace and happiness upon her own breast. Yet the wishes of the nation, for a prospect of further issue to the Brunswick line, became a subject of general conversation, and the secret causes of the late disappointment were mihutely canvassed. On this occasion the interference of the Princess of Wales, and of the Dutchess of Oldenburgh, the difficulty of adjusting the residence of the Princess, and her own personal objections, were all adduced as grounds; and it was believed that all these causes com. bined, had broken off an alliance, which seemed to offer a striking combination of public and individual advantages. Regret, however, was unavailing; and the public inquiry was turned to where an appropriate match might be looked for: but this anxiety was relieved early in the year 1816, by a knowledge of the facts connected with her Royal Highness's attachment to Prince Leopold.

The volume of History, in its record of the tide of times, bears not upon its pages the annals of a

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Public Gratification.

race more celebrated for heroism, high birth and connections, and marked devotion to the Protestant cause, than the House of Saxe Coburg in all its branches. The intelligence was received with enthusiasm, as such an union promised a new race of Kings of the ancient Saxon blood, engrafted upon the combination of all our regal races in the Brunswick line. It was remembered that to her Saxon Princes, Britain is indebted for her love of liberty, her spirit of freedom, her best laws, and her wisest civil institutions; and the warmest hopes of the nation were now rekindled. We have already alluded to the fact that, actively employed in the campaigns of 1813 and 1814 in Germany, Prince Leopold entered Paris with the reserve cavalry, and there remained in garrison; after which, he accompanied the Sovereigns to England, and sailed with them in the Impregnable from Boulogne to Dover. He continued here about a month after the Sovereigns, and did not leave England till the end of July; as already noticed.

Though nothing certain relative to the attachment between him and our beloved Princess had been determined on when he departed from England, yet it has been generally understood, that an epistolary correspondence was permitted between the youthful lovers, and with that permission he set off for Germany.

In the beginning of September he repaired to

Leopold's Diplomatic Exertions.

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Vienna, to the Congress, to promote, to the utmost of his power, the independence of his nate land, and the interests of his family.

- Leopold's politics, sound as his understanding and his heart, could not chime in with all the maxims which were broached there. He could not, above all, convince himself that it was just to sacrifice the rights of one to the convenience and the power of another; and though he duly weighed the many clashing political interests, he found it impossible to admit the paramount cogency of those reasons upon which the partition of Saxony was decreed.

The Congress acknowledged the services which the Princes of the House of Coburg had never ceased, during the last ten years, to render to the good cause, as well as the sacrifices that had been made by them; and therefore granted an indemnity, which though afterwards diminished by imperious political considerations, was nevertheless not inconsiderable. This business was exclusively managed by Prince Leopold during the last decisive months, and to him alone is to be ascribed its happy issue.

During the whole of 1815, a watchful eye was kept upon him by the various British diplomatic authorities on the Continent; and all proper means were used to ascertain the real worth of his character. From all these observations and inquiries it was understood, that his moral and intellectual charac

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Princely Character.

ter were very high; that in early youth he had displayed an excellent understanding, and a benevolent heart; a strong attachment do literary and scientific pursuits and also that his whole behaviour was marked with dignified gravity and unusual moderation. His propensity to study was known to be great; he was described as a stranger to dissipation; and his best amusements were found in the study of languages, in mathematics, botany, music, and drawing. In short, he was described as virtuous, accomplished, and amiable: and there was but one sentiment on the Continent of Europe with respect to his merits. Intelligence so flattering fully justified the youthful attachment and acute diseernment of the amiable Princess, and arrangements were accordingly made for the progressive completion of her wishes.

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