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PART I.-HISTORICAL.

VOL. XIII. PART I.

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PART I.-HISTORICAL.

CHAPTER I.

DEATH OF THE KING.

Death of George III.-Genera! View of his Age.-His Public and Private Character.-Accession of George IV.-Death of the Duke of Kent.

THE first important event which diversified the present year, was one which, even as occurring to an individual long since dead to himself and to the world, caused a deep emotion in the public mind. For many years, the monthly bulletins had continued regularly to announce, that his Majesty was in good health and spirits, but that his disorder continued unabated. The public having ceased to read these bulletins, it had scarcely been observed that the last one had stated some change to have taken place. It burst, therefore, as a complete surprise upon the nation, when an official bulletin announced the extinction of all that yet survived of this aged and revered Monarch. Small as this event now was, it awakened in every thinking mind a crowd of interesting and solemn recollections. All the ideas of royalty and of kingly power, as originally formed in the mind of almost every Briton now li

ving, had been intimately associated with the name and person of George III. All the revolutions which, during more than half a century, had agitated the world, and changed its aspect; wonderful mutations in the external and internal state of the empire-in its relations with the neighbouring states, and with all the rest of the world;-a new tone infused into human thought, and into the whole frame of society ;-these were the objects which at once presented themselves, on comparing the commencement with the close of this long reign. The train of contemplation into which we are thus drawn, divides itself naturally into two leading branches-the age, and the character, of George III.

It has been said, that every age considers the events which have distinguished it, as more wonderful than any other. Admitting fully this proneness to exaggeration, and that the

powers of change have at all times been at work, still it can scarcely be denied, that, with one exception, no modern age can come in competition, for the greatness of its changes, with the one which has passed over our heads. That one-the age of Charles V., marked by the downfal of feudal power-the Reformation, and the discovery of both Indies, scarcely produced so great an alteration in the aspect and frame of society. Long periods have elapsed, in which only the observant eye of the philosopher can trace any sensible change, or the seeds of future revolution. At other times, the waves of conflict and revolution have rolled back and forward in tumultuous succession, yet have finally subsided into a surface nearly as tranquil as at first. Europe has certainly, in its late agitations, presented a sort of cycle, performing its circuit, and returning into itself; but in the course of this revolution, it has left traces much too deep to be ever effaced. The late changes, more over, differ essentially from those produced by the inhabitants of one part of the globe, conquering, colonizing, and giving their tone and character to another. The movement here was entirely interior-burst forth from its own bosom, and arose therefore from impulses more permanent and more deeply seated.

The most prominent change, and the main source of the troubles which have shaken the world, is one which Britain may view with pride, amid all the alarms to which it has given rise. That supreme representative legislature, which, considered by the other nations as essentially and exclusively British, was viewed by them with admiration and wonder, but without hope, is now possessed, expected, or at least eagerly desired, by all continental Europe. The first effort to attain it, shooting so far beyond the

mark, leading to such frightful convulsions, and, for some time, to an issue so opposite to its original aim, caused, for some time, a strong revulsion of opinion towards any system that was regular and established. The tempest, however, passed by ; and Europe, on regaining its tranquil attitude, was found throughout imbued with the desire and determination of obtaining representative governments. Ancient power, indeed, has mustered all its energies to repress this rising spirit; and, in some instances, with success. But we may confidently predict, that the attempt to maintain the principles of absolute monarchy, is too contrary to the spirit of the age, to be attended with more than temporary success. Without entering deep into questions of European policy, we may content ourselves with holding it certain, that the period in which the principles of simple monarchy were tranquilly acquiesced in by the nations of Europe, is departed, without any possibility of its ever returning.

Another change, closely connected, in every way with the above, is the decline of that aristocratic influence and character, which formed the predominant feature in modern European society. Several centuries, indeed, had elapsed since feudal power and privilege had yielded to the supremacy of the Monarch. Still, a lofty sense of honour, a studied polish of manners, and a paramount importance attached to the distinctions of birth, maintained throughout Europe a privileged order, superior to, and strongly distinguished from, the mass of the people. The importance attached to commerce and the monied interest-the ruin of many great families by reigning profusion-the diffusion of literature, and of a spirit of bold inquiry, shook greatly this ancient veneration for rank, and ren

kind, but no less decisive and important. The ages which preceded had seen America trampled beneath the foot of an invading power, Europe had crushed the western world with a yoke of iron; and she still considered her settlements there only as distant plantations, to be admini

dered more prevalent the habit of considering man as man. But it was the French Revolution which was first seen sweeping away, as with a flood, all the distinctions which had been held sacred in Europe for ages. It is true, the returning tide brought back the fragments, and even the revolutionary dynasty was seen eager-stered for the sole behoof of the mo

ly collecting, and attempting to replace them. In the rest of Europe, the rights and titles of the privileged orders remained untouched, and seemed even to have gained a triumph over the efforts to overthrow them. Still, over all Europe, the foundations of the great aristocratic edifice were permanently loosened. Talents and wealth-the one a higher, the other, perhaps, a meaner distinction, have every where, in the estimation of mankind, supplanted birth and title. Nor does there seem any thing likely to occur, for a long period, which will not tend to confirm and extend the superior sway of these new principles.

If we consider the past aspect of Europe in a moral point of view, it is difficult to appreciate an age which has exhibited itself under such various aspects, and shone so prominent, both in virtue and crime. Few ages have been marked by higher displays of heroism and patriotism, or have witnessed more extensive exertions of universal philanthropy. None, on the other hand, have exhibited more daring guilt, and all the darkest powers of the human soul met in fiercer conflict. All the great landmarks of human thought and conduct have been moved from their places; and every one has been left at liberty to follow the impulse which hurried him into the extremes either of good or of evil.

If we pass beyond the limits of Europe, we shall find the new world undergoing a change of a different

ther state. In the course of this arrangement, the population of America became European; the manners and habits of Europe-all its arts of war and peace, were diffused over the boundless regions of the new continent. Hence, by degrees, the descendants of the early colonists, born and bred in America, and seeing nothing about them that was not American, lost sight of their ties with the old world. A mother, who exercised her rights only to impose the most degrading fetters, and to make them the devoted instruments of her avarice and ambition, appeared to them to have little claim on filial duty. Yet, as too often happens in such cases, the power which had acted on the mildest and most liberal system, was the first to suffer. England had infused her own liberal spirit and institutions into her Trans-atlantic subjects; hence, exercises of authority that were comparatively mild, excited there a spirit of resistance never roused by the cruel and oppressive despotism, which tyrannized over South America. The distant situation of these states, the rude extent of their territory, and the support of European powers, the jealous rivals of Britain enabled them to establish complete independence. Then was first seen in the new world, and on the spot formerly covered by huts of Indian savages, a great, civilized, and independent empire, possessing, resources that will enable her ere long to outrival Europe itself. The emancipation of the Spanish colonies came

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