says she, "by the advice of Lord Malden, I consented to meet his royal high ness. He accosted me with every appearance of tender attachment, declaring that he had never for one moment ceased to love me, but that I had many concealed enemies, who were exerting every effort to undermine me. We passed some hours in the most friendly and delightful conversation, and I began to flatter myself that all our differences were adjusted-But what words can express my surprize and chagrin, when, on mecting his royal highness the very next day in HydePark, he turned his head to avoid seeing me, and even affected not to know me. 66 Overwhelmed by this blow, my distress knew no limits. Yet heaven can witness the truth of my assertion, even in this moment of complete despair, when oppression bowed me to the earth, I blamed not the Prince. I did then, and ever shall, consider his mind as nobly and honourably organized; nor could I teach myself to believe, that a heart, the seat of so many virtues, could possibly become inhuman and unjust. I had been taught from my infancy to believe that elevated stations are surrounded by delusive visions, which glitter but to dazzle like an unsubstantial meteor, and flatter to betray." We shall only remark upon this narrative that it bears on the face of it unquestionable marks of sincerity and genuineness. It is written with the freedom of friendship, and the language and sentiments are such a person of a sensible and well-cultivated mind, but of strong feelings, writing on such a topic to a confidential friend, would in all probability use. It has indeed scarcely anything of the air of an apology. Mrs. Robinson. candidly acknowledges that the manners, the accomplishments, the fascination of the heir apparent, completely seized upon her affections, and rendered her totally unable to resist his royal highness's advances. To this we may add, that to the latest period of her life her attachment for the Prince continued unabated. When on her death-bed, she requested that a lock of her hair might be presented to his royal highness, and this mark of her regard is said to have been received on the part of the Prince with strong demonstrations of sensibility. The beautiful poem which was published in the Annual Register, and entitled by Mrs. Robinson "Lincs to him who will understand them," evi- ' dently seems to have been composed at no very distant period from the date of her separation from the Prince. As these lines breathe a pensive spirit of tenderness, affection, and regret, which none but an amiable and accomplished object could have inspired, we shall offer no apology to our readers for presenting them with an extract from them in this place. "THOU art no more my bosom friend; Britain, farewel!* I quit thy shore: In dulcet notes bewails her fate, I'll weep her woes-for they are mine. The howling tempest doom'd to brave,- Thy image shall my steps attend; Mrs. Robinson at this period was about to set out on a four to the Continent, for the recovery of her health. |