"But he possessed qualities which might have atoned for a less attractive exterior. He spoke the principal modern languages with sufficient skill; he was a tasteful musician; his acquaintance with English literature was, in early life, unusually accurate and extensive; Markham's discipline, and Jackson's scholarship, had given him a large portion of classical knowledge; and nature had given him the more important public talent of speaking with fluency, dignity, and vigour. "Admiration was the right of such qualities, and we can feel no surprise if it were lavishly offered by both sexes. But it has been strongly asserted, that the temptations of flattery and pleasure were thrown in his way for other objects than those of the hour; that his wanderings were watched by the eyes of politicians; and that every step which plunged him deeper into pecuniary embarrassment was triumphed in, as separating him more widely from his natural connexions, and compelling him in his helplessness to throw himself into the arms of factions alike hostile to his character and his throne." Our readers may compare the above portrait of his royal highness, with that which Mr. Jefferson draws of him in one of his letters. In 1787, the Prince had involved himself in debt to such an amount, that it was found necessary to solicit Parliament, not only for a sum sufficient to liquidate his obligations, but also for an increase of his income, the salary first granted having proved quite inadequate for his royal propensities. The following account of his debts and expenditure was laid before the House of Commons, and furnishes a teeming commentary on the blessings of hereditary government. In considering this matter, one might be tempted to regard Parliament as a species of eleemosynary institution, for the relief of insolvent royalty. _Debts._ Bonds and debts, £13,000 Purchase of houses, 4,000 Expenses of Carlton House, 53,000 Tradesmen's bills, 90,804 -------- £160,804 _Expenditure from July 1783, to July 1786._ Household, &c., £29,277 Privy purse, 16,050 Payments made by Col. Hotham, particulars delivered in to his majesty, 37,203 Other extraordinaries, 11,406 -------- £93,936 Salaries, 54,734 Stables, 37,919 Mr. Robinson's, 7,059 -------- £193,648