Report of the Milan Commissioners--The Princess’s determination to return to England--Studied neglect of her by Louis XVIII.--Lord Hutchinson’s proposal to her to remain abroad--Her indignant refusal--Bergami’s anger on the refusal of the proposition--Discourtesy of the French authorities to the Princess--Her reception in England--The Regent’s message to Parliament--The green bag--Sympathy with the Queen--Desire for a compromise evinced; meeting for the purpose at Lord Castlereagh’s--The contending parties in Parliament--Mr. Wilberforce as Mr. Harmony--Mr. Brougham the Queen’s especial advocate--The Queen’s name in the Liturgy demanded--Mr. Denman’s argument for it--Address of the House of Commons to the Queen--Her reply, and appeal to the nation--A secret inquiry protested against--The Queen at Waithman’s shop--Violence of party spirit 334 CHAPTER IX. QUEEN, PEERS, AND PEOPLE. The secret committee on the Queen’s conduct--Encounter between the Queen and Princess Sophia--Bill of Pains and Penalties brought into the House of Lords--The Queen demands to know the charges against her--Her demand refused --The Queen again petitions--Lord Liverpool’s speech-- The Queen’s indignant message to the Lords--Money spent to procure witnesses against her--Public feeling against the Italian witnesses--Dr. Parr’s Advice to the Queen --His zealous advocacy of her cause--Lord Erskine’s efforts in her favour--Her hearty protest against legal oppression--Gross attack on her in a provincial paper-- Cruel persecution of her--Her sharp philippic against Ministers--Lord John Russell’s letter to Mr. Wilberforce, and petition to the King--The Queen at Brandenburgh House --Death of the Duchess of York--Her eccentricities--Her character--Addresses to the Queen, and her replies 349 CHAPTER X. THE QUEEN’S TRIAL. The Queen’s reception by the House of Lords--Royal progress to the House--The Queen’s enthusiastic reception by the populace--Their treatment of the King’s party--Marquis of Anglesea--The Duke of Wellington’s reply to them-- The Attorney-General’s opening speech--Examination of Theodore Majocchi--The Queen overcome at the ingratitude of this knowing rogue--Disgusting nature of the evidence --Other witnesses examined--Mr. Brougham’s fearless defence of the Queen--Mr. Denman’s advocacy not less bold --His denunciation of the Duke of Clarence--Question of throwing up the bill entertained by Ministers--Stormy debates--Lords Grey and Grosvenor in favour of the Queen --Duke of Montrose against her--Ministerial majority-- The Queen protests against the proceedings--The Ministers in a minority--The bill surrendered by Lord Liverpool-- Reception of the news by the Queen--Her unspeakable grief 365