to us standing about half an hour, for wch I was in great pain. Mr. Pinckney then told her he feard we intruded upon her Highness and was going to withdraw, she told us not at all, we should not go yet. She believed we would be glad to see the Prince of Wales, and she would send for him and Prince Edward; these two live in a house just opposite to the Princess; she then sett down in her chair. By this time my poor little girl who had been a good deal flurried and overjoyed at the thought of seeing the Princesses, began to cry tho' she smothered it as well as she could. The Princess said she feared she was uneasy, called her several times her little angel, stooped upon her knee to her, and desired she would tell her what was the matter. I told the Princess she had raisd her spirits to such a height, that she was not able to soport it any longer. The Princess then took her on her lap, and called again for the three youngest Princesses as they came in she told them this was Miss Pinckney from Carolina was come to see them, and to go and kiss her. The little creature Princess Caroline is a most charming little babe, speaks very plain, run to her, kissd her, and said to the Princess, Mamma this is my girl. I then asked her Royal Highness if she would permit me to kiss the little one, she replya, pray do, and ordered Prince Frederick but three years old, to come and ask me if he was not a good pretty little foot boy?

I should observe that as soon as we were introduced the attendance all withdrew, and the Princess shut the door, and when the Princess ordered the little ones in there was none of the attendance, nor when she sent for the Prince of Wales, but the Princess Augusta went out of the room herself on these Messages to some one without, wch was 4 times while we stayd. There was in the room a great deal of China upon two Cabinets; the Princess

Pretty Extraordinary

got up herself and reached one of the figures to please Harriott, and another time desired the Princess Augusta to get one wch was out of her reach, so she got a chair and stood on it to reach it. She then calld for a little chair for one of the little ones, who I fancy was not well, for 'tis not usual for any one to sit in her presence, weh Princess Augusta brought herself.

This, you'll imagine must seem pretty extraordinary to an American.

She then bid H. sit down before her in the chair Princess Emelia had just rose from. I told her I could not suffer her to sit in her presence. Puh-Puh, says the Princess, she knows nothing of all that; and sat her down. . . By this time the little ones were called to dinner, I observed that tho they were quite easy in their behaviour and seemed to be under no restraint, yet young as they were they never spoke but one at a time, nor ever interrupted each other wch children . . . usually do. When the 4 youngest were gone the Princess resumed her inquiries after Carolina.

She asked me many little domestick questions as did Princess Augusta among wch if I suckled my children. I told her I had attempted it but my constitution would not bear it. She said she did not know but 'twas as well let alone, as the anxiety a mother was often in on a child's acct might do hurt.

She then resumed her inquiries after Carolina, as to the Government and Constitution and whether the Laws were made by the Governors and Council, the particulars of wch Mr. Pinckney informed - whether we had Earthquakes, asked us concerning the Hurricane,

con

cerning the Indians their colour, manners etc, how many of them we had in our Interest, of our houses, of what they were built, our wines and from whence we had them, our

manner of eating and dressing turtle, one of weh she was to have for dinner next day she told me, of the french settled among us, of the french corrupting our Indians, of our manifactures and concerning silk; how long the Province had been settled, how far it extended back, and many other questions, to all weh we answered her Royal Highness in the clearest manner we could; and when the Prince would engage Mr P. at a little distance, and she wanted to ask him a question she would call in a familiar obliging manner, Mr Pinckney is such a thing so and so?

We saw all nine children together, and the Princess

in the midst, and a most lovely family it is.

After we had been there two hours, we kissed her Royal Higness's hand and withdrew, and she ordered Prince Edward to see us to the door.

I hope you will pardon my thus intruding on y time. I know there are many Chit-chat, Negligent things wch have a tolerable air in conversation, that make but a poor appearance when one comes to write them down and subscribe to them in a formal manner. But when I begin to write to my friends in Carolina I don't know how to conclude and this desire of conversing with them may make me a very troublesome correspondant, tho' I hope it will at the same time show, how much I am dear madam, Yr affectionate and obdt svt.

E. PINCKNEY

UCH a frolic!

PORTLAND, March 1, 1802

Such a chain of adventures I never

before met with, nay, the page of romance never pre

sented its equal

'Tis now Monday but a little more

Charles Coffin Remonstrates

method, that I may be understood. I have just ended my Assembly's adventure, never got home till this morning. Thursday it snowed violently, indeed for two days before it had been storming so much that the snow drifts were very large; however, as it was the last Assembly I could not resist the temptation of going, as I knew all the world would be there. About 7 I went down-stairs and found young Charles Coffin, the minister, in the parlor. After the usual enquiries were over he stared awhile at my feathers and flowers, asked if I was going out, I told him I was going to the Assembly.

"Think, Miss Southgate," said he, after a long pause, "think you would go out to meeting in such a storm as this?" Then assuming a tone of reproof, he entreated me to examine well my feelings on such an occasion. I heard in silence, unwilling to begin an argument that I was unable to support. The stopping of the carriage roused me; I immediately slipt on my socks and coat, and met Horatio and Mr. Motley in the entry. The snow was deep, but Mr. Motley took me up in his arms and sat me in the carriage without difficulty. I found a full assembly, many married ladies, and every one disposed to end the winter in good spirits. At one we left dancing and went to the card-room to wait for a coach. It stormed dreadfully. The hacks were all employed as soon as they returned, and we could not get one till 3 o'clock, for about two they left the house, determined not to return again for the night. It was the most violent storm I ever knew. There were now 20 in waiting, the gentlemen scolding and fretting, the ladies murmuring and complaining. One hack returned; all flocked to the stairs to engage a seat. So many crowded down that 'twas impossible to get past; luckily I was one of the first. I stept in, found a young lady, almost a stranger in town,

who keeps at Mrs. Jordan's, sitting in the back-seat. She immediately caught hold of me and beg'd if I possibly could accommodate her to take her home with me, as she had attempted to go to Mrs. Jordan's, but the drifts were so high, the horses could not get through; that they were compelled to return to the hall, where she had not a single acquaintance with whom she could go home. I was distres't, for I could not ask her home with me, for sister had so much company that I was obliged to go home with Sally Weeks and give my chamber to Parson Coffin. I told her this, and likwise that she should be provided for if my endeavors could be of any service. None but ladies were permitted to get into the carriage; it presently was stowed in so full that the horses could not move; the door was burst open, for such a clamor as the closing of it occasioned I never before heard. The universal cry was "a gentleman in the coach, let him come out!" We all protested there was none, as it was too dark to distinguish; but the little man soon raised his voice and bid the coachman proceed; a dozen voices gave contrary orders. 'Twas a proper riot, I was really alarmed. My gentleman, with a vast deal of fashionable independence, swore no power on earth should make him quit his seat ; but a gentleman at the door jump't into the carriage, caught hold of him, and would have dragged him out if we had not all entreated them to desist. He squeezed again into his seat, inwardly exulting to think he should get safe home from such rough creatures as the men, should pass for a lady, be secure under their protection, for none would insult him before them, mean creature!! The carriage at length started full of ladies, and not one gentleman to protect us, except our lady man who had crept to us for shelter. When we found ourselves in the street, the first thing was