After a little consult in their small Cabinet, both Prince and Princess sent answers in writing, drawn up, as was believed, by Legge, and so artfully worded, that the supposition was probable. The Prince described himself as penetrated by the goodness of his Majesty, and receiving with the greatest gratitude what his Majesty in his parental affection was pleased to settle on him; but he entreated his Majesty not to divide him from his mother, which would be a most sensible affliction to both. The answer of the Princess marked, that she had observed with the greatest satisfaction the impression which his Majesty’s _consideration_ of the Prince had made on him; and she expressed much sensibility of all the King’s kindness to her. On the article of the separation she said not a word. What now was the King to do? The Prince had accepted the allowance as _given_; and had refused to leave his mother, which had not been made a _condition_ of the gift. Was the gift to be revoked, because the Prince had natural affection? Was the whole message to be carried into execution, and a young man, of age by Act of Parliament, to be taken by force, and detained a prisoner in the palace? What law would justify such violence? Who would be the agents of such violence? His Majesty himself, and the late Prince of Wales, had furnished the Prince with precedents of mutinying against the Crown with impunity. How little the Ministers, who had planned the first step, knew what to advise for the second, was plain, from their giving no further advice for above a month; and from the advice which they did give then, and from the perplexity in which they remained for two months more, and from the ignominious result of the whole transaction, both to the King and to themselves at last. But we must first proceed to other occurrences. FOOTNOTES: [57] The new Speaker soon came over too, and went to Newmarket: George Selwyn seeing him very busy at the hazard-table, said, “With what expedition the Speaker passes the Money-bills!” [58] A _bon mot_, much repeated at this time, was not more favourable to the King, who, making the nation pay him for this defence of himself, Doddington said, “His Majesty would not for the world lend himself a farthing.” [59] Vide the Debates on the Sheriffs-depute. [60] The threatened invasion had been a blind to disguise the design on Minorca. CHAPTER VII.