EEN CAROLINE in
England. Here was political diet to satisfy the cravings of all parties; a
stepping-stone to popularity in which all ranks participated. The peer,
the lawyer, the church-warden, down to the very skimmings of the parish;
sober rational people; the class so honorably prized in England, the
middle class, also became enthusiasts in the cause of the 'most virtuous
Queen that ever graced these realms.' The independent voters of
Westminster; the illustrious class of donkey-drivers; the retailers of
cats'-meat; all, all felt a noble indignation at the treatment of 'KEVEEN
CAROLINE.' Days that if allotted to labor would have increased the
comforts of their homes and families, were freely sacrificed to
processions in honor of Her Majesty. Addresses poured in from every parish
in the vast metropolis; representatives of virtuous females were hired,
all dressed in white--sweet emblem of their purity! Perhaps England was
never nearer the brink of engulphing ruin. The high Tory aristocracy
almost stood alone at this momentous period. The public sentiment took but
one tone at the theatres; and 'GOD save the QUEEN' was continually called
for. At Covent-Garden and Drury-Lane an occasional struggle was made
against the popular cry, but it was speedily drowned in clamor. The trial
commenced, and an unfortunate witness appeared on behalf of the crown, who
obtained the universal cognomen of '_Non mi Ricordo_.' This added fuel to
the fire; and the irritation of the public mind was roused into phrenzy by
the impression that perjured witnesses were suborned from foreign
countries to immolate the Queen upon the altar of vengeance. If the
Queen's counsel had been satisfied with allowing the evidence for the
prosecution to remain uncontradicted, and suffered the case to stand upon
its own merits, Her Majesty must have been acquitted; but 'by your own
lips I will condemn you' was made too manifest in the defence. The
division left so small a majority, that ministers wisely abandoned any
farther prosecution of the case. I heard most of the speeches of the
defence; and it was curious to observe the different modes of argument
adopted. BROUGHAM was an advocate, pleading eagerly a doubtful cause;
DENMAN was the enthusiastic defender of a Queen conscious of her
innocence, and setting all personal considerations at defiance. The public
feeling, no longer fed by an opposing power, calmly settled down, and men
began to wonder at the cause of