HER LATE ROYAL HIGHNESS THE

Princess Charlotte.

AND THOU ART DEAD!-AS YOUNG AND FAIR

AS AUGHT OF MORTAL BIRTH;

AND FORM SO SOFT, AND CHARMS SO RARE,
TOO SOON RETURN'D TO EARTH.

AND EARTH RECEIVED THEM IN HER BED,
AND ROUND THE SPOT THE CROWD MAY TREAD,

IN CARELESSNESS OR MIRTH:

THERE IS AN EYE THAT COULD NOT BROOK

ONE MOMENT ON THAT GRAVE TO LOOK.

Lord Byron.

IT.

T was last month our sorrowful task to announce some of the heaviest tidings that ever blotted the page of history, and in continuation of our mournful duty, we have now to add such further particulars, connected with that national calamity, as we were precluded from inserting at an earlier period.

The death of a King forms an epoch in the history of a nation; and scarcely less importance is attached to the mortal dissolution of a youthful Prince or Princess, destined by birth to wield the sceptre of regal authority. In the one instance, however, more than in the other, according as the passions of men are brought into play, the character of the sovereign, when retrospectively examined, is not always justly appreciated; his vices, although not actually great, yet may prove heavy in the balance when weighed against his virtues; and his crimes may arise in freshened colours from his ashes, whilst the memory of the good he has done" is interred with his bones." Hence the feelings of a nation on the death of a Monarch, whatever external demonstrations of mourning may be displayed, are liable to be affected by various circumstances not always obviously perceptible; the look of sorrow is not constantly seen indicating the distress of the heart, when the tomb opens to receive the Father of his people; and the garb of melancholy will not always conceal the glow of exultation, when a tyrant quits this scene of his mortal existence. When a kingdom, therefore, is freed, by the hand of death, from oppressive authority, the circumstances attending the event which set it free are scarcely inquired into, the natural curiosity which attaches an interest to every thing connected with elevated rank, is forgotten in the contentment of the moment; and the fractured

chain is left neglected in the dust, whilst the newly unfettered limbs again try their natural powers. But when Providence issues the mandate to take hence the mighty and the good, the anxiety to pry into the most minute circumstances connected with the event which have awakened the cry of lamentation, becomes insatiable; the living subject can scarcely be persuaded, that death, in his ordinary form, should invade the palace; and that the governors and the governed are equally amenable to the laws of mortality.

Such is the nature of the feelings which have been excited by the melancholy occurrence that has recently spread its gloom over the British Empire; and the particulars of which, while they are necessary to prove that there was no neglect in the chamber of suffering Royalty, also show the awful impression of the hand of a Superior Power, who, in the immutable depths of his own intelligence, for purposes which human reason cannot unveil, hath permitted the arrow of destruction to fall there," that the dead may alarm the living." We have not indeed, fortunately, to lament the loss of a Sovereign; but, in the death of the Princess CHARLOTTE and her infant child, this country may be said to have beheld vanish, in one moment, the hopes of the national happiness of two generations; for, impossible as it is to conjecture what might have been the conduct of the son, had he lived to fill his place in the line of succession; yet, nevertheless, the most favourable anticipations might have been rationally indulged, from the known character of the parents under whose guidance his first steps in life would have been directed. If, however, the regrets for the loss of the infant might have been softened by the impossibility of raising the veil of futurity, the interest which filled every breast for the fate of the mother, was founded on more solid expectations of welfare to the country; the disappointment of which, from the uncertainty of human life, had never been contemplated.

The character of the Princess had developed itself at a very early age. Her understanding expanded at once into masculine strength; and her manner of thinking displayed an originality, which, if it led occasionally to eccentric sallies, and deviations from the beaten tract, as far as concerned the girl under preceptorial controul, was likely to be productive of the most important firmness and decision of conduct in the future Monarch. Every opening feature of her mind was, indeed, characteristic of the country which gave her birth; while many circumstances too well known and too recent to require to be repeated or particularised, raised her in the estimation of its inhabitants, and endeared her to them in a singular and extraordinary degree. The hopes which the realm had thus formed of her, were further strengthened by her conduct since her union with Prince LEOPOLD; scarcely a day having passed since that happy moment, which has not beeu distinguished by some trait marking her superior worth, and genuine excellence. Domestic in her habits, ardent in her affections, benevolent and frank in her disposition, constitutional in her principles, sincere in her religion, and dignified in her mind, she shone not less elevated by her goodness than by her rank.

A Princess thus endowed with the noblest virtues, could not fail to fill a place in every British heart; while the interest she had excited in all ranks of society deepened, as the moment drew near in which she was to become a mother; and such was the anxiety of every individual, that expectation almost sickened with the natural delay which occurred, from the time that the first symptoms of that event were announced, until the mournful notification of its lamentable issue.

Her Royal Highness was of a full habit of body; and although her diet was extremely light, consisting principally of fish and potatoes, yet she was inclined to obesity.

A few days previous to the commencement of labour, Sir RICHARD CROFT, supposing that the loss of blood would prove beneficial to the Princess, desired the attendance of Mr. NEVILLE, the surgeon, at Esher, to take a few ounces of blood from a vein in her arm. Mr. N. after applying a bandage just above the elbow, made four punctures, but not succeeding in opening a vein so as to occasion a flow of blood, Sir RICHARD advised him to open one on the back of the hand, which was much distended, and of course evident to the eye. How many times the Princess was bled we cannot satisfactorily learn: we are told, however, that this was not the only time by two or three. In cases of plethora, the loss of a few ounces of blood increases the propelling powers of the body, and, by relieving the braio, gives vigour to the whole system; but in corpulent subjects it requires considerable experience and judgment to decide on the propriety of the measure, for its debilitating effects are considerably greater on them than on an emaciated woman, and the labour is in general more tedious. It has been intimated to us, that Sir RICHARD CROFT thought proper to decrease the mass of blood in the case of the Princess, on account of general obesity; but we can scarcely believe that any practitioner would have recourse to bleeding with a view of diminishing it.

The Princess first experienced symptoms of approaching labour on Sunday the 2d of November. She was, however, very well, and took exercise in the Park. On the following day, labour commenced. Ou Tuesday the 4th of November, unfavourable symptoms appeared; and Sir RICHARD CROPT was then first inclined to think that the labour might be tedious, and the event not so favourable as he had anticipated. The presence of Dr. Sims was therefore requested, that in case of any untoward occurrences he might be consulted. Immediately after the Doctor's arrival, Sir RICHARD Úcquainted him with the state of the labour; when, after taking the circumstances into consideration, and the state of her constitution, Dr. Sims gave his decided opinion, that nature was fully equal to the task of accomplishing delivery; in which, Dr. BAILLIE perfectly coincided. The subsequent deplored particulars are so well known, that we shall not now recapitulate

them.

After the delivery was completed, and the Princess safe in bed, Sir RICHARD CROFT left the room; and having communicated the result of the labour, all adjourned to rest. Mrs. GRIFFITHS also went to a small room adjoining that of her Royal Highness's, the door of which was left open,

that she might hear the Princess, in case her assistance might be wanted and the Prince of COBOURG remained. About two hours after leaving her, Mrs. G. was called by the Prince, in consequence of observing by her Royal Highness's articulation and countenance, that she was much indisposed. Mrs. Griffiths, on first sight of the Princess, also discovered that a serious change had taken place, and immediately solicited the attendance of Sir RICHARD CROFT; who, finding her much exhausted, administered a little warm brandy and water. The symptoms becoming more alarming, he then urged the immediate attendance of Dr. BAILLIE and Dr. SIMS. On these gentleman appearing, the Princess, apparently much agitated, inquired if they considered her to be in danger; to which Dr. BAILLIE replied, "We wish your Royal Highness to compose yourself.”—The difficulty of breathing increased, and in a few minutes she expired!

The members of his Majesty's Privy Council, who were in attendance in another part of the house, being informed that the delivery was effected by nature, that the Princess was as well, if not better, than could be expected, after so tedious a labour, but that the child was still-born-expressed their satisfaction that the labour was completed without the use of instru

ments.

It has been said by Dr. Sims, that they were not at liberty to employ instruments in the case of the Princess CHARLOTTE, without the consent of the PRINCE REGENT. If this be really the case, the presence of his Royal Highness was almost as necessary as that of the Doctors; for cases of such emergency do occur, in which the speedy assistance of an instrument may be necesary to save both the inother and the infant, that the lives of both may be lost by the delay even of a few moments,

Sir RICHARD CROFT has been much censured for having left the Princess so soon after delivery. The Princess being placed in bed, we know no reason why he should have continued in the room. It was very desirable she should obtain a little rest, and for this purpose the room should have been kept as quiet as possible; and with this view, the absence of Sir RICHARD was more to be desired than his presence. After a patient is safe in bed, the Accoucheur always leaves the room, and in general does not think of seeing the patient again for perhaps twelve hours; but in this case Sir RICHARD only retired to an adjoining room, from whence he might be summoned in one minute. Had he left the house, which is not unusual after the patient is safe in bed, there might have been some ground for censure, but in this instance there is nonc.

The arrangements made with Mrs. GRIFFITHS to retire to an adjoining room, the door of which opened into the chamber of the Princess, was judicious; and in order that the utmost tranquillity should be kept around her, no person, in our opinion, should have been allowed to remain in the room, particularly one that was likely to interrupt her repose by conversa tion. The nervous system is in a high degree of irritation after a tedious labour, and the slightest occurrences often produce the most serious consequences. It has been said, that the presence of the Prince of COBOURG WAS more likely to tranquillize the mind than otherwise, and on this account the

Europ. Mag. Vol LXXII. Dec. 1817.

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Medical gentlemen allowed it. In confirmation of the truth of this assertion, it has been stated to us, that the Princess observing, shortly after her accouchement, that her consort appeared much distressed, and was leav. ing the room, concluded that it arose from learning that the infant was stillborn. With that lively and amiable solicitude which not even her exhausted state could repress the exertion, the Princess entreated that he might be sent for that she might pour the balm of consolation into his mind, and assist him to bear, without repining, the temporary disappointment of all their hopes. The Prince returned; and her languid countenance, beaming with unutterable affection, tended as much as her words to soothe him for their mutual loss. At this period some nourishment being deemed proper, she took from the Prince's hands a little chicken broth and some gruel.

Shortly after, the Princess was seized with spasms, a coldness of the extremities was observed the sure precursor of death. Blankets properly heated were immediately applied, in the hope of arresting "the grisly monarch's visitation;" but this, and other remedies, proved unavailing. In her last agonies, the Princess grasped those near her, and expired in the arms of her oldest female-attendant, Mrs. LEWIS, who had never been separated from her for the last twelve years. It was Dr. BAILLIE who first discovered the extinction of the vital spark, and pronounced that her pure spirit had fled its earthly mansion. The grief of those present may be conceived-it cannot be adequately described. The female attendants were conveyed out of the room in a state of insensibility.

It has been urged to the prejudice of the illustrious female relatives of the deceased, that none of them were present at the time of parturition, if not to give the benefit of their experience, at least to soothe and sustain the spirits of the fair sufferer. But before we admit the justice of this reproach, we must recollect that the Princess, from motives not difficult to be conjectured, lived with her Consort in so much seclusion, that even in health, mere visitors were rarely admitted at Claremont. As it was known that the Princess herself did not wish for the presence of any females beyond the nurse and the ladies of her own establishment, a request urged at such a time, even in the most affectionate and gentle manner, must have been ungracious, and, to the Princess, would have worn the appearance of constraint. Besides, it should not be forgotten that the Prince and his consort were independent-that the latter was of an inflexible spirit, and that such a request, even if desirable, could not have been enforced. With ordinary female attendants, many of whom were experienced matrons, the Princess was sufficiently provided long before the period of her accouchement Lady JOHN THYNNE, one of the ladies in waiting, was in constant attendance about two months previous to that event taking place. Mrs. CAMPBELL and Mrs. LEWIS, who had been with her Royal Highness from her infancy, were resident at Claremont. Mrs. CONENBOURG, the Princess's dresser, and Mrs. PHILLIPS, the housekeeper, were both confidential domestics; and Mrs. GRIFFITHS had been an inmate at Claremont six weeks before her services were required in the capacity of nurse.