ey has excused himself for the trial; he has been
very severely ill indeed, and I doubt much if he will have strength
to rally, though he is gradually, but very slowly, mending. There
are messengers going from and coming to the Cottage hourly almost
for the last two days.

CHAPTER III.

[1820.]

EVIDENCE AGAINST QUEEN CAROLINE. DIVIDED OPINIONS RESPECTING HER IN THE
HOUSE OF LORDS. DECLARATION OF LORD GRENVILLE. THE BILL OF PAINS AND
PENALTIES ABANDONED. THE KING DISSATISFIED WITH HIS MINISTERS.
CONVERSATION OF LORD GRENVILLE WITH THE KING. MINISTERIAL MANAGEMENT
OF THE QUEEN'S CASE. HER CONDUCT AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF PROCEEDINGS
AGAINST HER. REACTION IN THE PUBLIC MIND. THE QUEEN LOSES GROUND IN
POPULAR ESTIMATION. RETURNING POPULARITY OF THE KING.

CHAPTER III.

It is unnecessary to follow minutely the proceedings that took place in
both Houses of the Legislature, then generally looked upon as the trial
of Caroline of Brunswick,--let it suffice to state, that despite the
disclosures which they furnished, the Queen did not lose any of her
popularity. It was enough for the multitude which had so
enthusiastically embraced her cause, that the witnesses against her
were foreigners; and their national prejudices thus enlisted in her
behalf, carried her triumphantly through an ordeal that would have been
destructive to a much better reputation.[44]

[44] Whatever may be thought of the testimony of the Italian
witnesses, that of the English officers examined was above
suspicion. Their evidence, an impartial historian has
acknowledged, proved her guilty of conduct that rendered her
"unfit to be at the head of English society, and amply justified
the measures taken to exclude her from it."--Alison's "Europe,"
vol. ii. p. 466.

DR. PHILLIMORE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Putney Heath, Aug. 12, 1820.

MY DEAR LORD,

In spite of the rumours I hear on every side, I suppose the House
of Lords will meet on the 17th to prove the preamble of the Bill of
Pains and Penalties;--indeed, in the present state of things, I see
not what other course can be adopted. Lord John Russell's plan
really seems to me more pregnant with certain mischief than any
which has yet been suggested; and we are now suffering enough from
fluctuating and oscillating counsels to warn us against any
recurrence to measures which savou