Progress of Education.

93

not forgotten. Providence had been indulgent in bestowing on her tastes which are seldom united : for, in addition to her musical talent, she had a fine perception of the picturesque; and a portion of her earliest hours, and subsequently of those happier ones, which she spent in the society of her husband, were given up to sketching improvements at Claremont, and drawing from the scenery in its vicinity.

Those were fine and singular acquirements; in any rank of society, they would have formed an admirable woman, and now she gives a lesson, even from the tomb, to youth and rank, who turn away from exertion through fear of the difficulty, or through the pride that looks upon their station as exempt from the necessity of knowledge. Let them recollect, that this mass of delightful intellectual enjoyment and preparation for the deeper duties of life, was acquired by a girl who died at twenty-two, and that girl heiress to the first throne in the world.

Though all these facts were well known to her intimate friends, yet the native modesty of her mind seems to have prompted rather to their concealment than display; indeed, the private life of the highest rank seldom transpires in its truth: but the comparative seclusion in which our beloved Princess passed those years in which the character is formed, gave unusual opportunities of

94

Queen's Drawing Room.

ascertaining her temperament. The anecdotes of her youth all give the same impression of a judgment fond of deciding for itself-of a temper hasty but generous-of a disregard of personal privation -and of a spirit peculiarly and proudly English. In fine, she already manifested that she was good by nature, and better by reflection; yet possessing a great flow of spirits with much liveliness, without the slightest tincture of volatility or heedlessness; added to which, her tenacity of memory and minute inquisitiveness were most remarkable.

Though still residing in rural seclusion, she was not totally shut out from public observation, and of course her virtues and worth were becoming more generally known, when her Royal Father, anxious to introduce her gradually into the world, resolved to bring her more under his own immediate care at Carlton House. She had not appeared formally at Court since the visit of the Allied Sovereigns; but now, on May the 18th, 1815, she suddenly made her appearance at the Queen's drawing room; the only one that had occurred for ten tedious months, and, of course, unusually crowded. The lovely Princess, who arrived early at Buckingham House, where her Majesty's drawingroom was held, was indulged in dressing there on the occasion; and her unexpected appearance in the splendid dress of the Court, glittering with jewels and with a diamond tiara shaded by the

Fall of the Duke of Brunswick.

95

Prince's plume, above a countenance of ingenuousness, animation, and dignity, attracted the universal eye and admiration. When the Queen, attended by her and the Princesses Elizabeth and Augusta, made her entrance with a numerous suite, the doors were thrown open to as splendid a concentration of royalty and nobility as ever graced the British Court; but every eye was fixed with rapture on the presumptive Heiress of England: and the whole scene was delightful to the public, as marking, in all its details, the cordial intimacy of all the branches of our illustrious Royal Family. This was followed up by the young Royal Housekeeper giving her first evening party to the Queen and Princesses, and a large assemblage of fashion, at Carlton House, on the 29th of May but the expectations of the gay world were soon changed into mourning, for hostilities were now about to commence, on the return of Buonaparte from Elba; and in the century of days fol lowing, amidst the public rejoicings for the glorious battle of Waterloo, not only was almost every family of rank plunged into sorrow, but even the highest became partakers in the awful visitation, by the death of the gallant Duke of Brunswick, who fell nobly at the head of his faithful troops on the 16th of June, at Quatre Bras!

The shock of this fatal incident struck heavily at the affectionate heart of his Royal Niece, who

96

Visit to Weymouth.

soon after found it expedient to seek for health from the air of that element of which we fondly thought she would long reign the triumphant mistress. She accordingly went to Weymouth in the autumn of 1815, where her affability, benevolence, and general conduct, produced an affection amounting almost to idolatry. She was always actively employed, either in country airings; in marine excursions on board the yacht, which was ordered there to attend her; or in rambling on foot through the town and its environs, seeking for worthy objects, to whose distresses she might extend the hand of charity. She also interested herself in the public welfare and improvement of the place; and, on the 7th of October, the corner-stone of the new church was laid by the Bishop of Salisbury, who still attended her, by her special command.

66

Of her admirable conduct whilst at Weymouth, an interesting anecdote has been recorded in the public journals of that time-we give it verbatim. During her residence on the coast, the Princess took occasion to display one of those energetic traits which have so distinguished her conduct. Just before her departure from Weymouth, her Royal Highness being at sea in her yacht, the Leviathan, of 74 guns, sailing near, brought to, and fired a salute to the royal standard flying; and soon after, Captain Nixon, who commanded her, rowed on board the yacht, to pay his respects to

Naval Anecdote.

97

the Princess. She received him on deck, and, after the usual ceremonies, said, Captain Nixon, your's seems a very fine ship of war, I should like much to go on board her.' The Bishop, her aged preceptor, standing by, asked whether she thought her Illustrious Father might not disapprove of her passing in an open boat through a rough sea? The immediate answer to this was, Queen Elizabeth took great delight in her navy, and was not afraid to go on board a man of war in an open boat; then why should I? Pray, Captain Nixon, have the goodness to receive me into your barge, and let me be rowed on board the Leviathan; for I am not only desirous but determined to inspect her.' The necessary preparations were made, and her Royal Highness passed down into Captain Nixon's barge, followed by her two Ladies in attendance, with the Bishop; and coming alongside the Leviathan, the yards were instantly manned, and a chair of state let down. The Princess desired it to be re-hoisted, saying, I prefer going up in the manner that a seaman does; you, Captain Nixon, will kindly follow me, taking care of my clothes; and, when I am on deck, the chair may be let down for the other Ladies and the Bishop.' No sooner said than done; and her Royal Highness ascended with a facility that astonished the whole delighted crew. The royal suite being upon deck, the ship's officers were severally introduced. Her Royal Highness

H