The Statesman.
London, England, 1813-06-29 00:00:00

it WI I. LIAM ADAM, 844. LATE M. P.

Sta,—lt is one of the greatest misfortunes an-
nexed to the condition of Princes, that they are ge-
nerally the victims of flattery, almost from their
cradle to their grave. Even in this enlightened land
of boasted liberty, where the press is still called
free, the writer nho shall venture to describe the
virtues and the vices of Royal growth, in plain and
appropriate language, may indeed acquire a reputa-
tion for courage, but if he escapes the fats, he cer.
tainly will not the suspicion, of insanity. Every
thing said or song of Princes must harmonize, in
mild and measured strains, with the syren cajolery
of Courts. If one of these illustrious personages
should perform an ant of simple justice, flattery,
al„ ies in waiting, swells it to a deed of noble gene-
rood, Should he stumble on an act, which bears a
slight resemblance to injustice, it is by pensioned
parasites ascribed to that dignity of mind which can-
not, at all times, stoop to vulgar minuteness. Should
his spirits sink under some of the trilling, hut dis-
agreeable, incidents of life, it is no impeachment of
his fortitude—it is only a proof of the exquisite sea.
,ibilities of an excellent heart. Should he bear up,
without lamentation, it is blazoned forth as an in-
stance of unparalleled magnanimity. Is he addicted
to the free enjoyment of the bottle ? that is the chi-.
eacteristic of a manly frankness, which knows no
disguise. Is he the constant Loptive to the blandish.
ments of woman ? gallantry 'entwines every brave
and generous feeling round the human heart. Does
he hoard yheis a perfect pattern-of prudence. Does
be squander he is a Princely example of gene-
rosity.
Thus, Sir, the mind of the writer, dazzled by the
splendour of rank, and awed by the terrors of power,
readily yields to the restraints which these feelings
impose, and in trying to palliate what cannot be
justified, culls with care the most smooth and emol-
lient words to convey censure, and the most pom-
pous epithets for flattering applause. In such un-
dertakings, however, there are often other ingenious
methods resorted to, which, while they require a
much larger stock of courage, display a superior spe-
cies of art. Some have recourse to Tale and **-
logue, and at once gratify and conceal their spleen,
under the various allusions and windings of intricate
fable ; while others, b) pointed ironical praise, con-
vey stinging reproach with still greater effect. In
the best of these modes, truth is at least emascu-
lated of its vigour—in the worst, flattery is employed
to keep folly in countenance, till, at last, virtue, dis-
gusted with such scenes of hypocrisy, leaves vice in
undisturbed possession of the stage.
Thank Heaven ! however, my case requires no as.•
tificial aid, either for explanation or ornament. If
it did, I would venters, without fawning servility on
or.e hand, or presumptuous rudeness on the other,
to address something like the following expostulation
to your Royal Clients. The French Revolution has
read a useful, but awful lesson to the world. It his
taught the governed dell countries the dreadful. evils
resulting from civil feuds and desolating anarchy;
and it ought, to have taught the governors, the den.
ger of goading a suffering people to madness, by ty-
rannical rule, plunder, and oppression. The fate of
the House of Bounms is, indeed, a warning to
all the Royal Houses in Europe, but particularly to
the House of BAUNSWICK. Scattered, as they are,
over different countries, and wandering like aliens
and fugitives, without resources, and without a
home, with only their misfortunes to recommend them
to the compassion of the world, they exhibit in their
persons a melancholy example of the mutability of
all human greatness. How Sae their own mis-
conduct contributed to hurl them from their emi- •
mace, and precipitated their fall, the following
quotation from a writer of the first talents, and who I
had better opportunities of ascertaining the truth
than almost any other Englishman, will satisfacto-
rily decide :—" The whole kingdom (France) con-
vulsed,
because it was every where distressed by the
bankruptcy occasioned by a prodigal Court, who
looked upon public revenue as its patrimony for pri-1
rate expenditure—vented its complaints not iu sighs
and idle lamentations, but in lore murmurs, which
humanity would not have spurned, nor policy hate
disregarded. The grievances were real, not affected;
and if allegiance is a duty on the part of the people,
protection is no less so on the part of Government.
To put all upon Dobbin is rather too much. It was
this error that lost CHARLES 1. his life in the 17th
eentary—it brought Loots XVI. to the scaffold
towards the close of the 18th. When the people first
complained, dragoons were dispatched to answer
thew with the sabre,—bnt complaints well founded
are not to be silenced by the bayonet. They speak to
the senses of mankind, as well as to their passions,
and are irresistible. Public virtue, unarmed, looks
despotism full in the face, and bold in her innocence,
braves all menace. The dagger falls from the guilty
hand of the assassin, palsied by her frown, and her
triumph is complete."
This quotation, I trust, Sir, will furnish some ad-
mirable topics for useful meditation to your Royal
Clients ; and I should hope also, could not fail to
convince them that the payment of just claims, is he
smallest return they can make to a generous people
for the liberal rants, which maintain them in dignity
and splendour. In my last Letter to you, Sir, I stated
the repulses and mortifiaations I uniformly met with
in all my endeavours to obtain, from the three Royal
Brothers, my honest, indisputable right. To this, at
present, I shall add nothing—the anaexed Copy of
the Bond will explain the foundations of my claim.
The history is a short one—the historian is Mr. Cu 4S.
BICKNELL, the PKINCZ REGENT'S Solicitor; but
what is of infinitely more importance to the public,
the instructive subjects treated of are the high pro-
mises, the pledged honour, and the sacred obligations
of your illustrious Clients.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Yon, most obedient Servant.
144 INJURED CREDITOR OF THR PRISONS.