156

Judicious Patriotism.

rary relief, she returned to Esher. On a subsequent visit, her Royal Highness took with her a new Bible, in which she had written both her own name and that of the object of her kindness on the first leaf, expressing at the same time her wish to be remembered in the poor cottager's prayers, and that the donor's name might always be connected with its contents, whenever they became an object of perusal.

The effect of this example, set by those illustrious personages, could not fail of conferring great advantages upon all persons in their immediate vicinity; when, thus religiously and benevolently employed, they saw a young couple, in whom the splendour of rank only served to render their real happiness more conspicuous. It brought the best part of private life into the daylight, without violating the real delicacy of it. To the old, they were like a pleasant remembrance, or a view of the age to come; to the young, they were hope and admiration. To the dullest, they gave a sense of the pleasurable and affectionate, by dint of the rank through which it was conveyed; to those for whom rank had no charms, it was delightful to see that rank had nothing to do with the matter at heart; and to the romantic, the sight had something in it of the high and happy prosperity of a fairy tale.

But the exertions of this admirable pair were

Industry Encouraged.

157

not confined solely to their own vicinity. They took a true patriotic pride in the encouragement of native manufactures, especially those branches in which taste and ingenuity were added to industry. In their patronage of ornamental china-ware, the Princess Charlotte's taste and patriotism were alike displayed-a branch which affords much encouragement to female industry of the higher order and it is also truly honourable to them, that when the distress amongst the silk manufacturers was so pressing in the month of March of the present year (1817), they instantly, in order to afford a solid relief to the suffering poor in Spitalfields, expended one thousand pounds in British silks, which were sent as presents to the various families of their continental connections. They also determined to furnish a suite of apartments entirely with silk of British manufacture; and the Princess, just before her last illness, had completed one apartment in yellow silk. May we not hope, that so laudable an example, now speaking as it were from the tomb, will have its proper effect upon the sons and daughters of fashion and of opulence, and prompt them to give additional strength to her Royal Highness's gracious intention; thus adopting a system of domestic ornament, that will tend materially to relieve a great portion of the most crying distress of the metropolis. Let us add here her humane observation-that whilst

1

158

Continental Connection.

so many of her Grandfather's subjects were wanting employment, it would be highly culpable in her to encourage innovations.

Nor were the manufacturers of the sister island forgotten; for, as late as September last, his Serene Highness presented his Royal Bride with a box of beautiful Irish tabbinets, imported from that country by his special direction; and intended for her own wear, for presents to her friends at home, and also to friends abroad as specimens of British industry and art.

It cannot be doubted, that if the Princess had lived, the system she and her august consort had adopted, of continental presents, would have been attended with the happiest effects to British manufactures; which, thus displayed in the sunshine of foreign Courts, would have become more generally fashionable, and would have, as we still trust they will do, beat down all the political opposition of rancorous French refugees, and the silly misrepresentations of interested individuals.

That system, too, simple as it may appear, could not have failed of good political effects, in uniting our Royal Family more personally with the extended continental family-an union, which was extending in consequence of the annual additions of new members to that family; upon one of which occasions, very recently, the Prince and Princess were amongst the number of twenty-two

National Prospects blighted.

169

sponsors to the son of Prince William of Prussia. But, how changed are now all our prospects of happiness from her who, not one short month since, when she glanced beyond her domestic felicity, saw the respect, the gratitude, and the hopes of a nation rising towards her, the silent but genuine incense of the heart. If she looked deeper through the vale of years, the first throne of the earth awaited her, and she became the successor and the source of a race of mighty monarchs. Such, faintly coloured, were the enjoyments of the present, the prospects of the future. Now all this prospect of continuing happiness-this promise of blessings to the country and to themselves, is blighted, and for ever! But let us not in our grief forget our duty, nor impiously repine at the visitations of Providence, which, for its own wise and benevolent purposes, deals often severe chastisements upon mankind.

160

Political Character.

CHAPTER VIII.

Political Education and Character-Last Birth-day-Anecdotes -Parturient Illness-DEATH!!!—Anecdotes-Observations.

HAVING thus viewed her in personal duties and in domestic ties, we may be permitted to glance at the political character she displayed during her short acquaintance with public life.

Proud of her country, she respected its manners, she admired its constitution, and she venerated its religion, Let us add to this, as already exemplified, that her public and private character were such as to conciliate love and esteem in political life, in exact proportion as it was seen and known. It has been truly said of her, that "her state was not supported by ostentation, her greatness was not asserted by pride, her dignity did not estrange her from the lowly and the poor. Raised above the great portion of society, she deeply felt her alliance with the universal family of the earth; she delighted to partake their sympathies, to assuage their misfortunes, to merit by her benevolence the homage which was paid to her rank."

1

Much of this was owing to natural disposition; but much of it also, to a liberal system of educa