It is exceedingly probable that the Royal Family were getting offended with Mr. Cobbett, in spite of his professions of loyalty to the constitution, and his really affectionate references to the king; and it would surprise no one, at this distance of time, to learn that the Prince of Wales and Mr. Perceval were putting their heads together with a view to silencing him. That which brought Mr. Cobbett into the one great trouble of his life happened soon after the above-mentioned events. FOOTNOTES [1] Mr. H. Redhead Yorke was a barrister with a love for politics and some ability in political disquisition. He had been imprisoned in York Castle, on account of his writings, in 1794; but had now, in maturer years, become more “loyal.” [2] Brougham, in his partial way, thought the business “much against him,” and insinuated that the story might have been made to look worse. _Vide_ “Memoirs,” i. 437. The _British Critic_, doing penance for its former sins, says, “This is merely a report of certain facts, which it has appeared useful to bring forward at this time,” &c. [3] “Diary and Correspondence,” ii. 183. [4] The well-known newsman of Bow Street, Covent Garden. He had been the publisher of the _Register_ since its commencement. [5] Here are reminiscences of Everley, written nearly twenty years after:-- “Not far above Amesbury is a little village called Netheravon, where I once saw _an acre of hares_. We were coursing at Everley, a few miles off, and one of the party happening to say that he had seen _an acre of hares_ at Mr. Hicks-Beach’s at Netheravon, we who wanted to see the same, or to detect our informant, sent a messenger to beg a day’s coursing, which being granted, we went over the next day. Mr. Beach received us very politely. He took us into a wheat stubble close to his paddock; his son took a gallop round, cracking his whip at the same time; the hares (which were very thickly in sight before) started all over the field, ran into a flock like sheep, and we all agreed that the flock did cover an acre of ground.”