PREFACE. 



One of the most remarkable occurrences in the 

 domestic history of the year 1817 was the double re- 

 newal of the bill for the suspension of the Habeas Cor- 

 pus Act, moved first in the two Houses near the close of 

 February, and afterwards, upon a fresh alarm, in the 

 month of June. The majorities by which these mea- 

 sures were carried sufficiently indicated the affright 

 which was spread through the most opulent, and the 

 most timorous, class of the nation ; at the same time 

 the number was not inconsiderable of those who held 

 firmly to the maintenance of laws which were regard- 

 ed as the palladium of English liberty. The termina- 

 tion of these disputes threw a degree of discredit upon 

 the ministry, who, by the employment of spies, seemed 

 to aggravate the discontents which were already too 

 prevalent among the inferior ranks of the people. 



The preceding year had afforded a happy augury to 

 the nation, in the union of the daughter of the Prince 

 Regent to Prince Leopold of Saxe Cobourg, which 

 promised a lasting source of domestic felicity. The 

 connexion was blest with a hope of progeny, which 

 was brought to maturity early in Novembei" ; but, to 

 the unspeakable disappointment of the general expec_ 

 tation, the Princess sunk under the effort, and after 

 having been the mother of a dead child, became her- 

 self the victim. The public feeling was scarcely ever 



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