a hired packet, or took up her lodging at a private house; it was no fault of her's, it was a consequence of the system of measures adopted by ministers towards that high personage. Why lay to her charge that she overlooked the punctilio of form due to her station? All this she was content to risk; she only recollected that she was in the nature of one accused? Having endeavoured to point out the injustice to which her majesty was exposed, he would conclude by leaving her case with confidence in the hands of the members of that house, convinced, that as gentlemen, and men of honor, they would feel the full force of such an appeal. Sir Francis Burdett said he should endeavour to look at the question with an unprejudiced mind, and abstain from saying a word that could be construed into the expression of want of respect to either party. The honourable mover of the address had, in his opinion, given a very erroneous view of the subject. The house were not in a dilemma. There was no possibility to their consenting that the green bag should be opened, consulting, as they did, the interest of the royal family and the public. As to the question regarding the insertion of the queen's name in the liturgy, whether that was a matter of right or not, was of no importance. The noble lord (Castlereagh) had at one time said, that no insult was intended by the omission; and soon after admitted that there was, by declaring that the measure was adopted in consequence of the charges contained against her in the green bag, which were upon the vilest authority. The noble lord had advised the omission upon those grounds, and then was surprised that her majesty had objected to it. After having used all the circumlocution of which he and his colleagues were masters, to avoid calling her majesty the queen, ministers wondered at her demanding that point of honor, which it would be better for her to yield every thing than for a moment think of giving up. Now he who held a threat in one hand, and a bribe in the other-what was to be thought of him? Her majesty knew nothing of the process which was intended to be instituted against her; but a threat was held out against her, which she naturally con-. sidered a threat against her life. It was, however, conditional. She rejected the condition with She refused the money which mi contempt. nisters were prodigal enough to offer, and came boldly forward to meet the charge. This was indeed a proof of as great magnanimity as that which had distinguished the conduct of the duke of Wellington, and furnished most powerful presumption of innocence, for she appeared in England under an imputation sufficient to break any spirit. The noble lord denied that a bribe had been offered. This was something like one of the characters in a play-Foigard, he believedwho was asked by a girl, whether taking money is not bribe, and said, "If you take money first it is a bribe; but if you take it afterwards, it is only a remuneration." Ministers acted on this principle, but her majesty rejected their remuneration. Then they came down with their green bag. Now, if they had made up their minds to pursue the threatened course-if they had advised the king to pursue it, there could be no means of retracting it-there was no possibility of an alternative: for, if there was the possibility of an alternative, there could be no justification. When he considered [the misfortunes of this high-minded and unhappy lady, placed as she was in a situation which afforded her no defence, such as other women were able to command, without control of any kind, and broken from almost all connection with her family, he could not hesitate to declare, that if she had misconducted herself in the manner attributed to her, there did not exist a person with the feelings of a man who would not shed tears of pity, instead of pursuing her with an arm of vengeance under the mask of friendship. The king he believed to be incapable of conduct so little calculated to keep up the dignity of the crown. For his majesty there was a variety of excuses. Who |