The National Register. — London, England, 1814-06-12 00:00:00

I THE NATIONAL REGISTER. Oar Mug, Constitution, anti tat o. PUBLISHED AT NO. 11 ) NEWCASTLE-STREET ) STRAND. No. 332. The line of conduct which we have invariably pursued on this subject, we are happy to find has given universal satisfaction to those whose support and approbation we most value l - and when we say we respect ourselves too much to descend to personalities, we but revere the liberty we claim, and the abuse of which, for the want of a gen. tlemanly feeling, must necessarily do mischief instead of good. There is happily a mingled warmth and steadiness in the English character, vt hich, though occasionally be trayed into excesses, soon return to sober and rea sonable feelings—and the certainty of this has pointed out the course most decent to follow in a case of such ex treme delicacy as that between man and wife, and where panegyric or censure would equally injure the cause of justice and of truth. But there are certain unerring principles which cannot be referred to any other tests than those of the mind and the heart, and it is here we deplore the steps taken at this moment ; because the effects likely to be produced and the character that must necessarily attach to the usual relations of parent, husband, and child, have con ferred on the public a right to examine the grounds of complaint between the parties, and to take such side of t`►e question as their conviction and feelings may induce them to adopt. With this impartial view of the case, we shall not find fault with those who advocate his Royal ifighness, the Prince, no more than we expect to have the purity of our own motives questioned in adopting the cause of the Princess. We are equally averse to indulge the vice of slander, as to compromise the duty of reprobation : but we lament with the wise and humane the injuries done to the best institutions and the most honourable feelings of society by these family - quarrels. The character of the Princess certainly stands too high to need our feeble colouring—it glows with the freshness of innocence, and the customs of country and education cannot weaken the native frankness of an upright mind and a conscious carriage; at the same time, there are cir cumstances independent of ourselves that may weigh in the estimate of the affections, without the imputation of crime to any one. But when we so far forget the deference we owe to the moral prdudices of so , iety (for amongst certain people every restraint - that '<ryes to controul the passions is so denominated) we must e\pect to hear our condemnation pronounced, and our actions held up to the scorn and derision of mankind. In a Prince, the keeping company with certain people, or the protection of. indifferent characters should not be CGC.XXXIL k 1 r, `: [., OT En 1C) ROYAL CORRESPONDENCE. 1 '. y~I/ .~i._..r... SUNDAY, JUNE 12 ? 1814. PRICE 9d• always understood as evidences of a corrupt mind and a corrupt court—so long as the conduct of the parties are not 'allowed to interfere with, or influence the manners of the community. But when they assume the right of con t rout ing public opinion, when they presume to fix a standard for the judgment and decision of others, it is high time to expose the fallacy of their pretensions, and to point out to the world all that we know of their character and principles. We forbear to notice the early period of the connubial history of Carlton-house, as well as of the parties chosen to superintend and introduce the Princess to the British public. The best principles might have been seduced, the worst could not be reformed by the character of the associates forced upon her. Besides, the previous habits of the Prince were certainly not favourable to that deli cate and exclusive intercourse that make up the charms of the married state. But the nation was disposed to hope Cie hest from an union founded upon motives of the melt prudc.nt policy, and equally dictated by the voice of the people and the parental solicitude of the king. The hope was, however, too delusile, and in a short time cabal and intrigue destroyed the little remaining prospect of domestic felicity that remained to the Princess and the country. It was then that the public openly expressed their sen timents, and the result was equally fatal to the diplomacy of intrigue, and the abject flatteries of professed friends. Much character was, however, lost on both sides, and the generosity of the nation could scarcely compensate the deficiencies of moral and social obligation. It is not, however, more singular than true, that the most trying period of our history has been met Ni th a degree of firmness and judgment on the part of the people, which no nation but one habituated to examine and decide upon public measures could be expected to exercise. The acquittal of the Princess was confirmed by the public voice, and all feelings were then allowed to subside that could irritate or widen the breach which unhappily sub sisted. Since that period we think no one will be hardy enough to deny the Princess the merit of forbearance, and the most prudent use of the public favour. Indeed, hopes began to be entertained in some quarters of the renewal of a public_intimacy at least, that should set an example to the empire, and reconcile the duty of the sui?ject to the distinguished sacrifices imposed upon the Sieve! eign for the public welfare. But our triumphs are doomed to be cvercast at the moment of grateful fruition ; and when it vas desirable 41 , 4 amidst the feAlrities of the most unexpected SMC. , 4/' • • s a d! • ;V . ck