AND

Without any particular political biaswithout entering into the grand question of legitimate or democratic governments, and firmly impressed with the notion that a royal diadem is a crown of thorns, so vexatious and heavy withal, that we marvel how, in the present times, any person can either be flattered, or hired, or bribed into the annoyance of wearing one -we, nevertheless, are desirous of presenting to our female readers a sketch of the trials of a woman and a princess, their contemporary, who has shone in every duty of feminine life, and who has been proved as a devoted and affectionate wife, a tender mother, and a faithful widow.

It would be superfluous to dwell on the circumstances that Caroline of Bourbon was born in November, 1798; that she was the only daughter of Francis, hereditary Prince of Naples, and Marie Amelie, Archduchess of Austria; that she lost her mother when only three years old; and that she was educated by, and found a second mother in, the emiVOL. II.-No. 1.

SIR WILLIAM DAVENANT.

grant Countess of Latour, a virtuous and high-born lady of Lorraine, who formed the mind and language of the young Caroline rather as an accomplished Frenchwoman than an Italian princess. In March, 1816, she was wedded to the Duke de Berri, presumptive heir to the French crown, and completely won the heart of her somewhat wild husband, by the sweetness and cheerfulness of her temper rather than by her personal appearance, which, even in the bloom of youth, never could be considered more than pleasing. This amiable temper, united with a real benevolence of disposition, has made this royal lady popular with every party in France, however they may be opposed to her family in political sentiments. In July, 1818, she gave birth to a daughter, who lived but two days. In September, 1819, Mademoiselle was born. The Duchess de Berri wept when the infant was shown to her beloved husband, because it was not a boy.

"Console yourself, my Caroline," replied her husband, pressing his child to

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