JET. 36.] AND THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE. 189 



rest. I never saw her so deeply affected and apparently 

 mortified in my life ; and the idea that it is not her 

 Royal Highnesses intention to return to this country, 

 seems to prey continually upon her mind. If you 

 can give me a word of comfort upon the subject, pray 

 do, dear Lady Charlotte, and let me entreat you to 

 use every exertion of your influence for Princess 

 Charlotte's sake, to induce the Princess not to make a 

 long absence, which would be so ruinous, both to the 

 interest of mother and daughter, in this country. 



" I am quite ashamed of myself for having tormented 

 you with this epistle, but really I am so unhappy 

 about Princess Charlotte's situation altogether that I 

 could not help it. God bless you, dear Lady Charlotte. 

 With my best wishes, believe me very lovingly yours, 



" M. MERCER ELPHINSTONE. 



"If you mention this letter to the Princess, pray 

 take care that my name is not committed further, for 

 at this moment it is impossible to be too careful. 

 Excuse this hasty scrawl." 



TO LADY CHARLOTTE LINDSAY. 



" TEMPLE, Friday. 



" DEAR LADY CHARLOTTE, As I am obliged to set 

 out for Hothfield early to-morrow morning, I shall not 

 see you for some days ; and I wish to let you know 

 what observations I have made since I came to town, 

 upon the result of the different communications which 

 I have had with Parliamentary folks respecting the 

 Dutch Expedition. 



" I find that the general impression will be in favour 

 of some Parliamentary discussion. Lord Grey, in 



