ledge, the King instituted a suit of nullity in his own name, in the Arches' Court of Canterbury, to set aside the validity of this marriage, on the ground of an Act of Parliament passed early in the present reign, and which determined that both marriages were null and void.

On the evening of the 3d of February, the Royal Family went to the Little Theatre in the Hay-market, which drew, as usual on such occasions, an immense number of persons. Some of the foremost, in entering the pit, fell down, when the rush behind, like a torrent, not only prevented their rising, but brought down others, over whose bodies the multitude passed into the house, amidst screams and groans that were terrible beyond description. Fifteen persons were thus suffocated or crushed to death, and about twenty more suffered so much from their bruises, as rendered them incurable. Fortunately their Majesties remained in the house; as their departure might only have increased the alarm and confusion; but, to the credit of their feelings, they formed a resolution never to visit the Little Theatre again.

About this time the Duke of York arrived at Whitehall, from the Continent, accompanied by Colonel Hewgill of the Guards, and Captain Crawford, his Royal Highness's Aides-du-Camp. The Duke immediately set off for Oatlands, where his Duchess then

was.

The Parliament was opened on the 21st of January with a speech, strongly urging a vigorous prosecution of the war. Some members of Opposition contended that the war was hopeless, and moved an address for negociation accordingly; but it was negatived by a great majority. Voluntary Associations for the internal defence of the country were promoted. Some French emigrant regiments were taken into our pay on the Continent.

In the early part of this year, several hard-fought battles took place between the French and the Allies, with various success, until the 26th of June, when the French under General Jourdan, gained a great victory

at Fleurus, after which the French rapidly made themselves masters of the whole Austrian Netherlands, and before the close of the year had begun to invade Holland. On the Rhine also, and on the Spanish frontier, the French arms were almost equally successful. At sea, however, they sustained signal reverses, particularly in the great action of the 1st of June, when Lord Howe obtained a splendid victory over the French fleet.

Lord Howe was cruizing off the coast of Bretagne, when he was informed that the republican Admiral, Villaret-Joyeuse, had sailed from Brest. Coming up with the enemy to the westward of Ushant, Admiral Pasley gallantly attacked their rear, and on the following day, June 1, a smart engagement ensued. Having obtained, by superior nautical skill, the weather-gage, the gallant veteran brought the French to a close and general action. His Lordship, in the Queen Charlotte, broke the line, and displayed a happy union of skill and intrepidity. Captain Harvey, in the Brunswick, engaged several ships with great gallantry; after a severe conflict with the Le Vengeur, she struck, but too late to save her from sinking. Captain Berkeley, of the Marlborough, had to contend with two ships at the same time; he disabled one, and the other sheared off. The line was broken in three places; at last British valour was crowned with a brilliant and important victory. Though the humanity of the English saved many of the French on this occasion, yet upwards of 300 were drowned. At the close of this memorable action, Lord Howe found that six ships of the line had been taken, and, that their loss amounted to 690 killed, and 580 wounded; a number far exceeding the official list of sufferers (904) in the whole British fleet. Captains Harvey and Hutt, two gallant and deserving officers, were mortally wounded; Le Vengeur and Le Jacobin, were both sunk; and out of the whole crew of the latter, scarcely one man was saved.

As soon as the account arrived of Lord Howe's great naval victory, his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence immediately went to Covent-Garden theatre, where

he privately communicated the joyful intelligence to the manager, in order to be announced to the house, which was done by Mr. Incledon. The music played "God save the King," and "Rule Britannia," which were, loudly encored.

The illuminations which followed this victory were scarcely equalled at any time before or since.

The Royal Family went to Portsmouth on the 26th of June, to visit the fleet. His Majesty was received by the Governor and Lord Howe, and conducted to the Dock-yard, from whence he proceeded to Spithead with the Royal Family. Lord Howe's flag was shifted to a frigate, and the royal standard hoisted on board the Queen Charlotte, where the Royal Family remained till six o'clock. The Lords of the Admiralty hoisted their flags on board the Queen, Admiral Gardner's flag being removed on the occasion. The whole garrison was under arms, and the concourse of people was immense. The King carried, with his own hand, a valuable diamond-hilted sword from the Commissioner's house to the boat; and presented it to Earl Howe, on board the Queen Charlotte, as a mark of his satisfaction and entire approbation of his conduct. His Majesty also presented a gold chain to Admiral Sir Alexander Hood and Rear-Admiral Gardner; the like honour was conferred on Lord Howe's First Captain, Sir Roger Curtis. The wounded Admirals, Bowyer and Pasley, who could not consequently attend, were distinguished with similar marks of his Majesty's favour. The Royal Family in the evening, on their return from Spithead, rowed up the harbour to view the six French prizes, which were at moorings there.

The next day his Majesty gave audience to the Officers of Lord Howe, and afterwards indiscriminately to all other naval and military officers: some marks of distinction were conferred. On the levee being ended, the Royal Family returned to the Commissioner's house in the dock-yard to dinner, and in the evening proceeded up the river to take another view of the French prizes. The town was brilliantly illuminated in the evening.

On the 28th the Royal Family attended the launching. of the Prince of Wales, a fine second rate, of 98 guns. Four flags were flying on board her during this ceremony; the Royal Standard, the Admiralty flag, Sir Peter Parker's white flag, as Port Admiral, and the Union flag. The bands of music continued playing in the yard, and on board the ships and yachts up the harbour, in honour of the Royal Visitants.

Immediately on the Prince of Wales being brought up to her moorings, their Majesties, Prince Ernest, and the Princesses embarked, in order to go on board the Aquilon frigate, Captain Stopford, at Spithead. As the barges approached the ships at Spithead, two guns from the Queen Charlotte were, as on the former trip, the signal for a general salute: every ship in consequence fired 21 guns, and the crew cheered as the barges passed. On their Majesties going on board the Aquilon, and getting under sail, the like salute was fired; and the bands of the different ships played martial symphonies. The Aquilon, after sailing round the fleet, stood away towards the Needles. Owing to there being very little wind soon after the Aquilon had got to the eastward of Cowes Point, she, in going about, touched the ground, by which accident they were stopped about two hours, and night coming on, their Majesties and all the Royal Family took to their barges. The Aquilon, on the rising of the tide, was got off without receiving damage.

On the 30th their Majesties, Prince Ernest, and the Princesses, went on board the Niger frigate, and sailed for Southampton, where they landed in the afternoon, and immediately proceeded in carriages for Windsor.

During this summer a Declaration on the part of Great Britain was published: it vindicated our interference as essential to the security and repose of other powers, and the necessity of our arming for the establishment of order in France: the Declaration recommended au hereditary monarchy, though not to the exclusion of any other form of government, consistent with the safety and peace of Europe.

A

message from his Majesty, respecting the seditious

practices of democratic societies, and the immediate necessity of vigorous measures for counteracting their dangerous designs, was now presented to the Commons. The papers belonging to these societies were examined by a Committee, and a report presented by Mr. Pitt. It came out, on inquiry, that the Society for Constitu= tional Information, and The London Corresponding Society, under the specious mask of reform, aimed at the subversion of the government; that other associations, in different parts of the kingdom, pursued the same object; that it was their wish to promote a general convention of the people: that they were prepared with arms, more effectually to accomplish their nefarious designs; that a meeting of popular delegates took place at Edinburgh in 1792 and 1793; that their proceedings were regulated on the French model; and that, after the dissolution of this meeting, the two leading societies were very active to promote a similar one in England, which should supersede the authority of the British parliament. Muir and Palmer were tried at Edinburgh in 1793, and sentenced to transportation, for the part they had taken in this business. To counteract these seditious schemes the Minister proposed and carried the motion for suspending the Habeas Corpus.

It was the general opinion, that Mr. Hastings's trial would have closed the last session; but the speeches, both from the managers and from the advocates, and the further examination of witnesses, procrastinated it another session. The Marquis of Cornwallis gave his testimony, in favour of the accused. Replies followed, Mr. Burke descanted with his usual eloquence on the leading features of the impeachment, and argued the claims of eternal justice. Thus closed the process of accusation.

On the day of the prorogation of parliament, Earl Fitzwilliam was appointed President of the Council; the Duke of Portland became one of the Secretaries of State; Earl Spencer was declared Keeper of the Privy Seal, and Mr. Windham Secretary at War.

The want of unanimity in Austria and Prussia, and the jealousy which each had conceived of the other,