on the subject; but the time was, when the Right Hon. Gentleman was not only willing to give information to every subject in the country, but had a book ready, which was to have gone not only through the Public of this Country, but through all Europe. This book, the Right Hon. Gentleman had since purchased up and suppressed, for what reason he knew not. Undoubtedly, as counsel to her Royal Highness, he was in a situation the most natural to be called upon for information, though it was possible he might now remain mute, when he intended to have had ten thousand tongues before. But the Princess of Wales was not only inferior to the Queen in point of real income, but the Queen had the advantage of being also on the establishment with her Husband. The Princess of Wales, on the contrary, was living in retirement, at Blackheath, for as to separation, though he and others had used the word, the public knew nothing more than that she lived in retirement; and now they knew, that if ever matters came on a better footing, a fresh grant of money would be demanded. It had been said, that they might go into the Inquiry on the Civil List after the grant was made; but making the grant under such circumstances, was parting with an advantage to which he could not consent. He should concur with his Right Hon. Friend (Mr. Ponsonby), in voting against the Resolution."

Being further pressed on the subject by

Mr. Tierney, the Chancellor of the Exchequer said, that

"as to what he was bound to do as far as it affected his own character and conduct, he should always judge for himself. (Hear, hear!) He did not know with what view the Right Hon. Gentleman now came forward, but he had no objection to state, that neither in his character as Counsel to her Royal Highness, in which he had important duties to perform, nor as Minister, nor in any other capacity, did he see any means of bringing a charge against her Royal Highness, nor did he entertain any opinion calculated to throw the slightest reflection upon her, and further than this he should not state. As to the situation of her Royal Highness, he had no instruction to propose any additional grant; but if the Right Hon. Gentleman, who now, for the first time, suggested it, could induce Parliament to think favourably of such a measure, he should be inclined, for one, to give that disposition its full effect."

"Mr. Whitbread thought it extraordinary, that the Right Hon. Gentleman (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) should recommend parliament to send a message to the Prince. He had stated, that he received no instruction to propose a grant to the Princess of Wales, that was, in other words, he had given no advice to that effect. They had heard the Right Hon. Gentleman state, but a few minutes ago, that no imputation could attach to

her Royal Highness, but he should not forget that she did at one time stand stigmatized, that he was once about to publish in her defence, but that she still remained unvindicated.

"The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, what he had stated with respect to the Princess of Wales, was, that neither in his situation as Counsel to her Royal Highness, nor in any other character, was he conscious that there existed a ground of charge. He should always be prepared to make the same statement."

Upon this important debate it was observed at the time, that "Mr. Perceval, the pious Mr. Perceval, had been the Counsellor and friend of this illustrious, and, we believe, deeply injured personage-he had been the champion of her cause, and the Public Accuser of those suspected of having aimed a blow against her reputation and her happiness-he proclaimed her innocence, and defied her enemies to substantiate a single charge derogatory to her honour-yet the moment he had it in his power to serve her, and prove the sincerity of his former professions, the religious, the pious, the moral Mr." Perceval, passes by his Client with marked neglect-he abandons his friend-the illustrious and injured Stranger' is forgotten;

and in the intended arrangements for the comfort and dignity of the Princess of England, the Wife of his Royal Masterthe Princess Regent, the future Queen of the British Empire, is not noticed! not even once alluded to in the message from the Throne, though that message was drawn up and presented to the Legislature under the direction of her late Counsellor and friend! The tear may fall upon the cheek of injured beauty, but the pious Mr. Perceval will not stretch forth his hand to cheer the sufferer, lest he should lose his balance, and totter from the seat of power!! In the course of this debate, the reported Separation, the Delicate Inquiry, and the suppression of The Book, were all touched upon. At last, Mr. Perceval-the pious,-the tolerant Mr. Perceval rose, with, apparently, great reluctance, and coldly declared, he could not recollect any thing which it was possible to bring as a charge against the Princess of Wales. Now, this we conceive the impor tant point; for a total separation has been much spoken of; and it has been roundly and very generally asserted, that the intended measure of separation was closely connected F f

with Mr. Perceval's continuance in office; but as the Minister cannot bring a charge of criminality, THERE CAN BE NO GROUND FOR THE SEPARATION—and this may ultimately preserve England from much distraction and calamity.

This discussion, it was fondly imagined, would have been the means of bringing before the public the whole of that History which the three great Counsellors of her Royal Highness, an illustrious Duke, the present Lord Chancellor, and the late Chancellor of the Exchequer, thought fit at the time: (1806) to print, as the means of her justification. That the materials which Mr. Perceval printed, were considered as sufficient for her justification, were beyond all doubt.

As to her Royal Highness's debts, it was perhaps in this respect rather illiberal to refer to the fetes and the parties at Blackheath to all the Percevals, and all the friends and favourites of the Percevals, including the Wilsons, &c.; her Royal Highness's libe rality in christening presents to the little Percevals, and all their maids, and all their wetnurses, and all their dry nurses. It is admit