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PART II.

LITERARY AND MISCELLANEOUS.

PART II.

LITERARY AND MISCELLANEOUS.

CHAPTER I.

T

BIOGRAPHY-POLITICAL.

The Queen-Mr Hastings.-Lord Ellenborough.-Sir S. Romilly.-Mr Rose.Sir Philip Francis Mr Dempster of Dunnichen.-Bertrand de Mole. ville-Platoff-Barclay de Tolli.-Winzingerode.

THE QUEEN. This illustrious Lady naturally takes the first place among the public characters deceased during the present year. To provide a suitable partner for the Princes of the Royal House of Great Britain, has always been found delicate and difficult. The recollection of long disputed succession and consequent civil war, has elicited a law, now perhaps superfluous, prohibiting all union with subjects. At the same time, the dread of a foreign ruler, and of being involved in the round of continental politics, inspires this proud and insular people with dislike to a close alliance

come the grand depository of matrimonial alliances for the House of Brunswick. Its princes, humorously characterized by our national poet as "sma' German gentles," are in fact decidedly inferior in wealth and importance to many of the ducal houses of England. This, however, is justly

considered as all in our favour; since

a territory not equal to half an English estate, can neither distract the attention of a sovereign from England, nor be worth attempting to involve that country in the wars and politics of the great powers.

with any of the great states. Here Mecklenburg Strelitz ranked as one Among these small houses, that of the difference of religion comes in not of the very smallest. Yet the house unaptly, to place an insuperable bar of Mecklenburg, notwithstanding its against these connexions. Such are present narrow resources, is character the circumstances, in consequence of ized by genealogists, as among the which the north of Germany has be- most ancient and noble in Germany.

It was one of those also which took the most active part in the first establishment of the Reformation. In the course of succession and subdivision, it split into three branches, those of Gustrow, Schwerin, and Strelitz; but the first having become extinct, a law-suit was commenced between the two latter, respecting the division of its possessions. At length a compromise took place, by which the largest amount of revenue fell to the Schwerin branch; while the Duke of Mecklenburg Strelitz received only the limited income of 15,000l. a-year.

Of all the members of the Royal Family, the King himself is placed in the most difficult situation, as to the important point of choosing a wife. Not only is he forbidden to marry a subject, but he is not permitted to go abroad to choose a foreigner for himself. What a situation for a young king, surrounded by all the beauty and fashion of England, amid which he might make his full election, did not this inexorable law interpose. Surely, if the first part of the law be necessary for the repose of the kingdom, the second, in such a special case, might for once be remitted. It was generally believed, that a young lady, of extraordinary beauty, and of one of the first families of England, had made a strong impression on the mind of the youthful monarch. Besides regard for the laws, however, the notions of regal dignity instilled into him by Queen Caroline, debarred him from ever seriously thinking of a subject. A Queen, however, being wanted, all eyes were turned to Germany. Charlotte-Caroline, sister to the reigning Duke of Mecklenburg Strelitz, was then seventeen years of age, having been born on the 16th May, 1744. The utmost care appears to have been bestowed by her mother on her education. Her governess was Madame de Grabau, who possessed a fine taste for poetry, and has distinguished herself

in historical compositions. The young lady's more serious studies were presided over by Dr Genzmer, an orthodox Lutheran divine, distinguished by his knowledge of natural history. She imbibed a taste for reading, became a proficient in the French and Italian languages, excelled in music, and shewed a fine taste in needle-work and embroidery. These accomplishments were not likely to remain long concealed from the Royal Family of Great Britain, to which she was already distantly related, and which has always maintained extensive connections with the German houses. Report, however, speaks variously as to the manner in which the Princess was first introduced to the notice of her future husband. In whatever manner the King's attention was first excited, the transmission of a picture formed of course a natural preliminary. This was a delicate operation for one who, amid all her good qualities, was not "blessed by nature with the charms of face." Doubtless it would have been an illtimed fidelity in the artist, not to throw in a few flattering touches. Altogether, the young monarch was satisfied, and the match was finally deter mined on. It need scarcely be added, that a communication being made to the family, no hesitation was felt in accepting so splendid an alliance. The King, on the 8th July, 1761, made a communication to the Privy Council, in which he described his future bride as" a Princess distinguished by every eminent virtue and amiable accomplishment, whose illustrious line has constantly shewn the firmest zeal for the Protestant religion, and a particular attachment to my family."

Nothing now remained but that the royal bride should be conveyed to England. For this purpose, the Caroline yacht was fitted up, and placed under the command of Lord Anson, whose name was then considered the most illustrious on the list of admirals.

The Duchesses of Ancaster and Hamilton, the Countess of Effingham, and other ladies of rank, went as her attendants. On the 14th August, the mission arrived at Strelitz, and the ceremony of demanding the bride was performed by Lord Harcourt. On the 17th, her Highness took leave of her native place, amid the lamentations and prayers of all ranks, particularly the poor, to whom she had been a liberal benefactress. On the 23d, the splendid retinue embarked at Cuxhaven, but the weather was so unfavourable and tempestuous, that they did not reach Harwich till the 6th of September. Her Highness spent the night at Lord Abercorn's, and next day entered London by Constitution Hill, and through the Park to St James's. She was handed out of the coach by the Duke of York, and received at the gate by all the Royal Family. The King first saw her in the garden; and we have been assured that, on this occasion, the royal countenance displayed evident marks of disappointment, and that he even involuntarily started back. The Princess, conscious of the unfavourable impression, is said to have then made an offer to return. The King, however, immediately recovered, and received his bride in a gallant and affectionate manner. At eight o'clock, the procession went to the chapel-royal, the bride's train being held by ten young ladies of quality, when the ceremony was performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The new Queen was not long of displaying the qualities best calculated to endear her to the English nation. She became completely an English woman. Though bred in the Luthe ran persuasion, she immediately conformed to the church of England, and shewed always a warm zeal for its interests and prosperity. She had brought with her a train of German

ladies, the companions of her youth, and who expected in her elevation to find the road to fortune and splendour. German favourites, however, especially since George I. have been always odious to the English nation. Of this the Queen was soon convinced by her royal husband, who presented her with a sum of money to be distributed by way of indemnification, among these foreign favourites, who were then shipped off forthwith for their native country. In another shape the bounty of England was shewn to her family. The fitting out of the bride for so illustrious a station was an object to which the slender revenues of Mecklenburg Strelitz were very inadequate. Under this consideration, a pension was allowed to the Duke on the Irish establishment, against which the nation murmured a good deal, as they are wont to do, whenever their money is touched, but which yet seems nothing more than due from so great a power under such circumstances.

While the Queen gave such satisfaction to the nation, she did not the less faithfully perform her duty to her illustrious spouse. lf, from causes merely external, any unfavourable impression at first arose, it was soon wiped off by her good sense and agreeable manners; and the connubial fi delity and harmony which reigned between the illustrious pair was such, as might have rendered them a model to the whole nation. Peculiar praise is indeed due to the party which is exposed to the strongest contrary temptations; but a strong presumption also arises, of prudence, good sense, and agreeable manners having been employed to cement this constancy and attachment. On the 12th August, 1762, her Majesty presented the King with an heir to the throne, George, now King of Great Britain. She had, on the whole, fifteen children, of whom twelve survived her. It is remarkable,

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