this account so few of the English who visited Italy paid their respects to her Royal Highness. Conscious of the unfavourable disposition of the Prince Regent, they were fearful of the dangers, by no means chimerical, which they might incur. by the most simple mark of attention to the Princess.

The Princess saw the motive of this reserve, and was not disposed to resent it; on the contrary, she thought it her duty to receive but a small number of those who presented themselves. She could calculate with confidence upon those who supported the national character; but such was not the case with all the English; and she found herself under the distressing necessity of regarding some of them as hired spies. Her suspicions, unfortunately, were too well realized.

Notwithstanding the departures of the English from the suite of her Royal Highness, even so late as December, 1815, her court, with one exception, namely Captain Hesse, who, however, belonged to the British army, consisted entirely of English persons, and so it remained till the busy emissaries set to watch and malign her conduct, had so far succeeded in their diabolical machinations, as to leave her Royal Highness no other resource than to form a court almost wholly of Italians. Her enemies have, however, never ceased to reproach her with that to which their own conduct and persecutions had absolutely driven her. Her Italian court was, nevertheless, by no

means of a low or a disgraceful nature; and although, whilst resident in the city of Naples, all the persons who generally formed her court and household during her stay in Italy, did not constantly reside at her house, it will be proper, to prevent repetition in future, here to take some notice of those respectable individuals and others, who subsequently proved that they were any thing but respectable, who composed her suite. Besides those already mentioned, we have to notice several who joined her afterwards.

The Countess Oldi, of Cremona, a sister of the Baron Bergami's, and a lady respectable for her qualities and misfortunes, was for a long time lady of honour to her Royal Highness. She is now (1820) in England with the Queen.

Dr. Mochetti, of Como, formerly professor of botany, agriculture, and natural history, the author of many esteemed productions, forming part of the records of various academies, of which he is a member, had the honour to be her physician. This gentleman is well known to the republic of letters, by his skill as a physician; and his name, which is celebrated in Italy, is not unknown to foreigners. He attended her Royal Highness on a part of her travels.

Mr. Robert Hownam, already mentioned, a lieutenant in the navy, came from England at the invitation of her Royal Highness. He attended her as a private secretary; and is a brave man, of

an excellent character, and elevated principles. He is still with her.

The Count Schiavini, of a noble and opulent family of Cremona, was first equerry to her Royal Highness. He is as estimable for his integrity of character and cultivation of mind, as for his noble manners. He is also in England.

The young W. Austin, Knight of Jerusalem, was also her equerry.

Mr. Louis Bergami presided over her household. Mr. Vallotti Bergami, formerly under prefect at Cremona, was comptroller of disbursement, and brother of B. Bergami.

Her Royal Highness honoured with her particular confidence the Chevalier Tomassia, prefect of a department under the late government of Italy. His intimate knowledge of the belles-lettres, of philosophy, of politics, statistics, and public economy, are well known in Italy, by various useful works, which have given him a distinguished place among learned men. He thus merited all the esteem and consideration with which he was honoured by her Royal Highness; as did also the distinguished professors, Count Volta, and M. Configliachi. In the same manner, M. Cavelletti, formerly equerry to the Emperor Napoleon, and the Chevalier Vassali, now in England, and attached to the Queen's interest, persons of consideration, had frequently the honour to attend the court of her Royal Highness.