236 THE PRINCESS OF WALES [1814. 



was with difficulty allowed. So she went, after I had 

 given her all manner of advice and encouragement; 

 and Miss Mercer wrote a note to the new lady-in- 

 waiting to see the Princess by her orders, which was 

 to be sent this morning. I have heard no more. 



" In all this the worst is that Baillie has certified in 

 writing her health to require sea-bathing. The Prince 

 says he is not convinced of it, and will send her to 

 Cranbourne Lodge, to coop her up. Baillie to-day told 

 the old Princess that if her mind is thus agitated he 

 won't answer for it not proving most dangerous to her 

 health ! I doubt if ever there was such base profligacy. 

 I should have added that every scrap of paper in her 

 possession, on an alarm the day before, was carried 

 away to the Duke of Sussex's. 



"Now all this is well enough hitherto, but something 

 must be done. She says she never will marry the Prince 

 of Orange : she vowed it to me in the most solemn way, 

 and gave me authority to say so in her name. Now a 

 conversation on her treatment in the House of Commons 

 will do infinite good, and I am just going to put 

 Tierney on it, and make him find a fit impartial person. 

 But my plan is this, that the Dukes of Kent, Sussex, 

 and Gloucester should remonstrate first with the 

 ministers, they having been consulted, and then in 

 their place in Parliament. It is the only way : they 

 have weight in the country, and it is a public as well 

 as family affair. 



" I grieve that you are absent, and can't help think- 

 ing that, if time is given for it, you should come up, 

 in case matters are pushed to extremities. It is im- 

 possible to deny that the greatest praise is due to the 

 old Princess for her whole behaviour and conduct. 



