222 THE PRINCESS OF WALES [1814. 



" It being impossible to bear this unless she means 

 to admit all that any one may choose to impute (for 

 the mysterious reasons will cover any accusation), 

 she has returned a strong answer, which I have not 

 seen, but on the grounds pointed out by me, referring 

 to the reception at Court seven years ago as a symbol 

 of her acquittal, the subsequent proceedings and fur- 

 ther acquittal last year, the reasons alluded to by the 

 Prince, and taking high ground as to anything they 

 may choose to attempt now. 



" I was prevented from going to her to-day with 

 Whitbread, by being kept at the King's Bench till a 

 late hour ; but I saw him last night, and wrote my 

 ideas on the subject fully this morning. And the 

 letter was drawn up by him on these grounds, and 

 sent off before dinner. The Queen's note came last 

 night, but a day or two is to be given them to retract 

 if they please. 



" I suppose no more signal blunder was ever com- 

 mitted. If the Princess had been to wish for a thing, 

 it should have been for this. The Prince must really 

 be mad. Yours ever most truly, H. B." 



TO EARL GEEY. 



" TEMPLE, May 1814. 



" DEAR LORD GREY, The troubles of the worthy 

 Eegent thicken. He has had an intimation that 

 Alexander means to call on the Princess of Wales 

 when he comes ; and this makes him furious. They 

 say Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt is gone to prevent it pro- 

 bably to prevent him from coming at all. Then the 

 Duchess of Oldenburg is angry at the Carlton House 

 newspapers abusing her ; and the Prince, being afraid 



