attack upon the freedom of speech in that House. Mr. Pitt, indeed, could do no less than _stop the inquiry_; for if it had proceeded to any greater length, the LEGITIMACY of the prince might have been _doubted_!!! The prince again sought advice to shield himself from his various opponents, whose impertinent, yet honest expressions, might prove an alloy to his character, and render void all his pretensions to even _common honesty_! His royal highness _deigned_ to consult some persons of consequence, but he could not receive any advice equal to his wishes. At length, he saw the queen, and partly explained his difficulties and debts, concluding his remarks by these _threatening_ words: "Unless the king suggests _HIS DESIRE_ for the payment of these debts, I will _EXPLAIN_ all this STATE MYSTERY; and I would receive a shot from a musket, in preference to the galling insults which I well know the _kingdoms_ infer _from these shameful arrears_." Again the _state secrets_ operated! Again was TRUTH to be hidden in a napkin! The prince retired from the audience; but the queen was no sooner disengaged than Mr. Pitt was announced and introduced. The interview was short, but decisive, and the minister departed on a mission to the prince at Carlton House. There he promised that his royal highness should immediately receive means to discharge his debts, and accordingly, on the very next day, a message was laid before the House, and an address voted to the king, to request him to grant out of the "civil list" the sum of one hundred and sixty-one thousand pounds, to discharge the debts of George, called Prince of Wales, with an additional sum of twenty thousand pounds to finish the repairs of Carlton Palace. When this infamous proposition was made, distress and wretchedness were at an alarming height! But the king was more an object of pity than of blame. Royalty, to him, was a deceitful bauble. Those who beheld it at a distance saw nothing but greatness, splendour, and delight; but, could they have examined it closely, they would have found toil, perplexity, and care, its constant companions. The king was now fast exchanging the bloom of youth for the languor of age. He knew his duty was to repress calumny and falsehood, and to support innocence and truth; and not only to abstain from doing evil, but to exert himself in every way to do good, by preventing the mischiefs evil counsellors might devise. Yet the _state secrets_ kept him from acting as his heart dictated, and his mind soon lost all its vigour!