Immediately after his coronation the king paid a visit to Ireland. He landed at Howth on the 13th of August, and made his public entry into Dublin on the 17th. His conduct while in Ireland was eminently judicious and conciliating. Shortly after his return to England he set out for Hanover, where he arrived on the 8th of October. During his absence abroad, which continued until November 11th, the sovereign authority was executed by a regency of lords' justices.

Early in 1822 Mr Peel succeeded Lord Sidmouth as secretary of state for the home department. About the middle of August the king paid a visit to Scotland, where he was received with flattering attention. On the 1st of September he returned to Carlton-house, and immediately afterwards Canning was appointed to the post of secretary of state for foreign affairs, recently held by the marquess of Londonderry.

In 1827 the king was much affected by the loss of his favourite brother, the duke of York; soon after whose decease the earl of Liverpool became totally incapacitated for public life, by a severe paralytie affection, and Mr Canning was appointed premier. Several of the ministers resigned, and a new cabinet was formed, which, however, had existed only three or four months, when its leader expired. Lord Goderich was then placed at the head of the administration; but he retained office only until the following year, when most of the leading tories, with the duke of Wellington at their head, returned to power. The test and corporation acts were now repealed; and, in 1829, Catholic emancipation was brought forward as a ministerial measure, and after much clamour, and a most determined opposition, was triumphantly carried through both houses of parliament. This was the last important occurrence of the reign, and it is well known that the measure was forced upon the king.

During the last years of his life, George IV. was the prey of various maladies, with which a remarkably strong constitution enabled him to struggle until the spring of 1830. His corporeal sufferings may have been one cause of his almost entire seclusion at Windsor castle, where he was like the grand Lama of Thibet, unseeing and unseen, except by a chosen few; but it cannot be doubted that the knowledge of the unpopularity under which he certainly laboured, had some effect in producing the slight communication which took place between him and his subjects. So notorious was his aversion to making an appearance in London, that when he was first announced to be seriously indisposed, it was rumoured for a time that the sickness was fictitious,-a mere pretence to avoid holding a levee which had been fixed for a certain day in that month, and which was in consequence deferred. But before the period bad arrived to which it was postponed, there was no longer a doubt that the angel of death was brandishing a dart, and that there was little chance of averting the fatal stroke. The bulletins which the royal physicians daily promulgated, though couched in equivocal and unsatisfactory terms, shadowed out an impending dissolution. The reason of the ambiguity was currently believed to be the circumstance, that the king insisted upon reading the newspapers in which they were published; whilst the medical attendants were anxious to withhold from him a knowledge of his true situation. Towards the end of May, his disorder, which was of a dropsical nature, was so far alleviated, that he transacted some public business; but a relapse speedily ensued, and he

became incapable of writing his name; an act of parliament was consequently passed, to legalize the sign-manual to public documents by means of a stamp. His medical advisers at length informed him that his case was hopeless; and he is said to have received the awful announcement with firmness and resignation. His breathing daily became more difficult, and the close of his earthly career was evidently fast approaching. On the 20th of June, about three o'clock in the morning, a blood-vessel burst in his stomach, while his attendants were removing him from his bed to a chair; aware that his dissolution was at hand, he exclaimed, "Oh God! this is death!" and almost immediately afterwards expired.

The political character of George IV, has been very ably and justly sketched by the reviewer of Croly's memoir in the 27th number of the Westminster Review.' "George IV.," says the anonymous writer in question, was essentially a lover of personal ease: during the later years of his life, a quiet indulgence of certain sensual enjoyments seemed the sole object of his existence. Although the whole frame of his mind was of a haughty despotic character, and although, in consequence, he loved and sought obedience to his will, still the love of ease predominated over this and most of his other passions, and led him to take that middle course described above. A sort of compromise was made, his love of power was gratified by making those who approached him servile in their bearing and apparently the slaves of his will, while his ease was carefully preserved by attempting no very outrageous opposition to the public will. The mode of life he had pursued up to his regency, had deadened (if we may use the expression) the springs of his existence, his energy both mental and bodily was destroyed, or nearly so, as age crept upon him, the effects of his dissolute career became more and more apparent, by his increasing fear of any disturbance of his quiet,-his life in fact became that of an old man, who had lost all taste for boisterous animal indulgences, and who never had any mental ones. With this morbid love of ease, or fear of disturbance beginning to make its appearance, he came into power. For some years, though a strong, it was not the dominant feeling. In the years of the regency, therefore, he manifested a much stronger disposition to go to dangerous lengths in oppressing the people than in later times. In Lord Londonderry he had an active co-operator in any scheme proposed for maltreating the many; and while this minister lived there were few plans left unattempted to enslave the people throughout the whole of Europe. Though the name of the king of England was not with the Holy Alliance, his spirit, his good wishes were. While the members of that blessed fraternity were sedulously, though vainly, endeavouring to forge chains for the continental nations, the ministers of George IV. were equally busy in the same nefarious practices here. The Six Acts were passed,-the Manchester people were murdered,— plots were hatched to punish and get rid of the troublesome, and those who were not cut down by the swords of the dragoons, were judicially sacrificed: juries were packed to condemn those who exclaimed against these proceedings; spies were employed; terror reigned throughout the land; the confidence even of private life was shaken; and never were there seen in England times of greater misery, dread, and doubt. In a moment, auspicious for the people, Lord Londonderry committed sui

cide, and the king, now robbed of the support of this bold bad minister, was still called upon to fight the battle of despotism. But age was now coming upon him, and his love of ease had been rapidly increasing. In the former contests with the people he found he had gained little more than universal dislike. His greatest admirers allow that he was exceedingly unpopular. (Such is the mild expression!) Whatever benefit the aristocracy had derived from these struggles, the consequence to himself, he but too plainly saw, was disagreeable, not to say dangerous. The public indignation grew every moment louder,day by day the people becoming more instructed, grew in their de mands more united, more steady, and more impatient of opposition. To stem this increasing torrent required one firm in purpose, quick in resources, careless of danger, careless of trouble. George IV. decrepit through a premature old age, was totally unequal to the task. He determined, as far as he was concerned, therefore, to pursue a different course, and avoid the dangerous encounter. His ministry in accordance with these wishes adopted milder measures, and as the aristocracy themselves had been alarmed by the fierce resistance of the people, little opposition was manifested towards these more peaceable proceedings. In this obedience to the popular will there is nothing to be admired, while in the previous despotism there is much deserving of the severest reprehension. The principle of the one portion of the king's conduct and of the other was the same; a desire for his own personal convenience led to both, the welfare of the people was considered in neither case."

We dare not claim a better private character for this sovereign than his public one; nay, we are compelled to confess that while in youth he countenanced by his deportment the extravagance and profligacy of all the youth of the kingdom, his old age furnished no more exemplary model for imitation; at the close of his career the man was the same he had been at its commencement. Yet it would be unjust to his memory to represent him as utterly destitute of any amiable qualities. We have already noticed his filial and paternal affection; he retained his private intimacy with not a few of his early friends, although they stood in opposition to his own ministry; to his servants he was ever kind and indulgent, and he is known to have performed several acts of great benevolence towards distressed individuals. It is related of him, that he restored a fatherless stable-boy, who had been discharged for purloining oats, to his employment, on the lad's expressing contrition and promising to amend. "Avoid evil company," said the prince on this occasion; "be diligent, be honest; recover your character, and you shall never be taunted by any person in my service for the offence which I have forgiven." A few years after he had become of age, the prince solicited the loan of £800 from a gentleman, in a manner so remarkably urgent, that the lender resolved, if possible, on ascertaining to what purpose the money was to be applied. With some difficulty he discovered that, having accidentally heard of the distressed situation of an officer, who was on the point of being compelled, by a clamorous creditor, to sell his commission, the prince had determined on saving him from utter ruin, by presenting him with the sum in question; which, in order to prevent any mistake, he himself carried to the officer's lodgings, in some obscure court in Covent Garden.

His literary taste was good; his musical skill and science very considerable, his taste in architecture and the fine arts generally utterly contemptible. Nothing pleased him but glaring and costly ornaments, multitudinous details and gorgeous novelties. His conversational powers were very great, and often appeared to advantage when such men as Sheridan, Fox, Erskine, and Curran graced his board. His personal appearance was in his earlier years remarkably imposing and graceful; towards the latter part of his life he got heavy and unwieldy, but he always retained the look and port of royalty.

The Princess Charlotte.

BORN A. D. 1796.-DIED A. D. 1817.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, the Princess Charlotte Caroline Augusta, was born at Carlton-house, on the 7th of January, 1796, and was the only child of the ill-starred marriage of the prince and princess of Wales. Her earliest years were spent under the domestic tuition of her royal mother, who was her principal instructress. It is said that she was very early distinguished for quick parts and an amiable disposition. In the private journal of Dr Beilby Porteous, late bishop of London, is the following entry: "Yesterday (6th August, 1801) I passed a very pleasant day at Shrewsbury-house, Blackheath, the residence of the princess Charlotte of Wales. We saw a good deal of the young princess; she is a most captivating and engaging child, and, considering the high station she may hereafter fill, a most interesting and important one. She repeated to me several of her hymns with great correctness and propriety; and being told, when she went to Southend in Essex she would then be in my diocese, she fell down on her knees and begged my blessing." Her health was for some years unconfirmed, and she spent several seasons on the sea-coast.

She was removed from the immediate guardianship of her mother, about the period when the delicate investigation of the charges made by Sir John and Lady Douglas against the princess of Wales took place, and was placed at Warwick-house, by command of George III., who had claimed the privilege of bringing her up under his own protection, as she was a child of the state. Queen Charlotte, whom the young princess appears to have disliked, exercised, it is said, a secret interference as to her studies, and employed Hannah More to write an elementary work for her use. On passing from the superintendence of her mother, she was placed under the care of the dowager Lady De Clifford, who was succeeded by the dowager duchess of Leeds. Her studies were also superintended by Dr Fisher, bishop of Salisbury, Dr Pott, and Dr Short. In 1814 she was placed under the charge of the dowager countess of Rosslyn, and the countess of Ilchester, at Cranbourne lodge; and in order to prevent her having any intercourse with her mother, it was intimated to her that she should receive neither letters nor visits but by permission of her noble attendants. It is generally believed that this restriction was uncalled for; although at an early period of life she had displayed much waywardness and caprice. The

constraint, however, roused her spirit, and she soon contrived to leave the house unperceived, and made her way to her mother's house at Blackheath, from which she was with difficulty prevailed upon to re

turn.

On the 18th of May, 1815, the princess was presented at court. About the same period, the prince of Orange formally declared his intentions of aspiring to her hand; but the princess appears to have uniformly declined his advances. She had seen the prince Leopold, third brother of the duke of Cobourg, on his visit to this country in 1814, and from that period seems to have honoured him with her especial notice. In 1816, Leopold again visited England, and on the 2d of May in that year, the illustrious lovers were married by the archbishop of Canterbury, at Carlton-house. Parliament shortly after voted £60,000 as an outfit to the royal couple; and £50,000 per annum during the joint lives of the royal pair on the life of the survivor, with £10,000 per annum additional in name of pin-money for the bride. The princess's nuptials afforded general satisfaction to the country, and proved a source of great domestic felicity to herself. But Providence had ordained that the nation's hopes should soon be blasted. On the night of the 5th of November, 1817, her royal highness was delivered of a still-born male child, and at half-past two, on the morning of the 6th, she expired.

Her death, it has been truly said, "diffused throughout Great Britain a more general sorrow than had ever before been known in these kingdoms." All ranks,-all parties,-united in the same expressions of sorrow for the national loss, and of sympathy with her bereaved husband and parents. Her royal highness was of middle stature, inclining rather to en bon point; her complexion was unusually fair; her eyes were blue, large, and animated. Her passions were strong and ardent, but her general disposition was mild and amiable; all authoritics concur in estimating her intellectual powers at a high standard.

Frederick, Duke of York.

BORN A. D. 1763.-DIED A. D. 1827.

FREDERICK AUGUSTUS, the second son and child of George III. and Queen Charlotte, was born on the 16th of August, 1763. He was educated along with his brother, the prince of Wales, but exhibited less talents than the companion of his studies. He entered into scenes of dissipation and intrigue, however, as readily as his elder brother, and promoted the stolen interviews of the prince of Wales and Mrs Robin

son.

In November, 1784, he was created duke of York and Albany in Great Britain, and earl of Ulster in Ireland. In 1788 he delivered his maiden-speech in the house of peers in the debate on the regency question. In the following year he fought a duel with Colonel Lennox, afterwards duke of Richmond. The particulars of this transaction have been thus detailed by the seconds: "In consequence of a previous dispute, the duke of York, attended by Lord Rawdon, and Colonel Lennox, accompanied by the earl of Winchelsea, met at Wim