204 THE PRINCESS OF WALES [1814. 



remains there, she should not have access to such 

 Englishmen as may choose to go over ; and I presume 

 that if she is kept there by constraint, a few lines of 

 remonstrance followed, if necessary, by a direct com- 

 munication to Parliament would speedily discomfit 

 the plot. I fancy most people would take her part in 

 such a contest. Indeed, you will see abundant dispo- 

 sition to do so even now. 



" But upon constitutional grounds, and wholly in- 

 dependent of her personal convenience or feelings 

 upon the matter, it should seem that Parliamentary 

 notice ought to be taken of the singular situation in 

 which this marriage will place her viz., under con- 

 trol of a person not amenable to our laws, and who 

 may carry her out of the realm. Then if she is 

 carried abroad, and the crown devolves on her, as it 

 may any day, can any situation be conceived more 

 absurd than for the Queen of this country to be 

 abroad as a subject of a foreign state ? and a subject, 

 by the laws of that state, incapable of leaving its terri- 

 tory without the consent of her husband ? 



"I mentioned Miss Mercer as having behaved ill 

 on some occasions. Of this there is no doubt. She 

 has been very selfish, and endeavoured to monopolise 

 the Princess. She has gone great lengths in courting 

 the Prince with this view, and kept the Princess from 

 being attentive to some persons whom he dislikes 

 e.g., Lord and Lady Tavistock. But I believe she has 

 no influence of any weight. Yours ever, H. B." 



TO EARL GREY. 



"YORK, March 21, 1814. 



"MY DEAR LORD GREY, The circumstance of 



