our present revered and lamented Sovereign chose a partner for life; and the early days of the Princess Charlotte of Mechlenburg are thus described: "The plan of education was strictly systematic, in an exact distribution of the different branches of knowledge, and a scrupulous economy of time for the seve ral objects of study, work, and amusement. The progress of the young pupil reflected credit on the talents and diligence of the teacher, who enjoyed the best reward in the growing excellence of the character that was forming under her management. The memory of the Princess was not less retentive than her perception was acute. She was naturally of an inquisitive turn of mind, which was properly directed by her enlightened teacher into the means of quickening the judgment and storing the memory. Draw ing, music, and dancing, had their respective teachers, and allotted portions of time. But these requisite embellishments of the female character in elevated life were not suffered to supersede the bril liant, but more substantial qualifications, by which even rank is dignified, and beauty becomes amiable." The project of the matrimonial alliance was declared by the King in Council on the eighth of July 1761, upon which occasion the King thus delivered himself to the President: "Having nothing so much at heart as to procure the welfare and happiness of my people, and to render the same stable and permanent to posterity, I have ever, since my accession to the throne, turned my thoughts towards the choice of a Princess for my consort; and I now with great satisfaction acquaint you, that after the fullest information, and mature deliberation, I am come to a resolution to demand in marriage the Princess Charlotte of Mechlenburg, a Princess distinguished by eminent virtues and amiable endow ments; whose illustrious line has constantly shown the firmest zeal for the Protestant Religion, and a particular attachment to my family. I have judged proper to communicate to you these my intentions, in order that you may be fully apprized of a matter so highly important to me and to my kingdoms, and which I persuade myself will be most acceptable to all my loving subjects." Never, perhaps, was public impatience carried higher than at this period. The people watched the wind every morning with as much anxiety as if they were in eager expectation of the arrival of a near relative; and it being generally supposed that the Royal yacht would enter the Thames, the bustle on the River increased every day after it was known that she had taken her departure from Strelitz. At three in the afternoon, on Monday, September the 16th, the bride elect first set foot on English ground, at Harwich, where she was received by the Mayor and Aldermen of the Corporation, amidst an immense assemblage of persons of all ranks, who hailed her appearance with loud acclamations. Upon the Princess's arrival at St. James's, she was received by the King, who raised her up and saluted her just as she was about to drop on her knee to pay him obeisance. His Majesty then took her by the hand, and, leading her into the palace, introduced her to the Princess Dowager of Wales and the several branches of the Royal family, who were assembled to welcome her arrival. The nuptial ceremony was performed with great splendour in the evening at the palace.-Such are the principal events recorded in the first four chapters. The fifth details the appearance of the British Court, studies of the Queen, royal amusement, public discontent, arrival of the Queen's brothers,birth of the Prince of Wales, addresses, installation at Windsor, visit to Eton college, preliminaries of peace, poetical congratulations. The birth of the Prince of Wales is thus described: "At length, about two o'clock in the morning of Tuesday, the twelfth of August, 1762, her Majesty, who was then at St. James's, found herself unwell, and at three, notice of it being sent to her Royal Highness the Princess Dowager of Wales, she arrived within an hour afterwards, and at five orders were dispatched for all the Ladies of the Bedchamber and the Great Officers of State to attend, but the Archbishop of Canterbury alone was admitted into the bedchamber. So strict, indeed, was the attention paid to delicacy on this oceasion, that although Dr. Wm. Hunter was in waiting, the necessary duties were performed by Mrs. Draper, and exactly at twenty four minutes past seven the heir to the British throne was brought into the world. Information Information of the event being sent to his Majesty, he rewarded the messenger with five hundred pounds. The joyful intelligence was also sent off by expresses in all directions, and announced to the Metropolis by the Tower guus, those in the park remaining necessarily silent. It was considered a remarkable coincident, that the day on which the Prince was born, was, according to the old style, the same with that which placed his family on the throne of these realms; and a circumstance occurred just after the delivery of her Majesty which also tended to add joy to the occasion. This was the entrance of the long train of waggons, laden with the treasure taken on board the Hermione, a Spanish register ship, recently captured by two English frigates. The procession passed under, the windows of the palace, from whence the King and the Nobility, who were assembled there, viewed the spectacle with pleasure, and cheerfully joined in the acclamations of the sailors and the multitude." In the succeeding chapter the principal events of the Queen's life are related in a lively and agreeable man ner. The first illness of the Queen appears to have manifested itself in January 1818; no alarming symptoms, however, were indicated till the 22d of April, when preparations were making for a Drawing-room to be held on the morrow, being St. George's Day. In the course of the night her Majesty was seized with spasmodic affection, in consequence of which it was deemed advisable that she should forbear the fatigue attendant upon the ceremonies of a Drawing-room, and public notice was given to that effect. Throughout the remainder of this chapter the progress of her Majesty's disorder is feelingly described, and the last scene of all is thus mentioned: "On her Majesty manifesting an increase of perturbation, letters were dispatched to the Prince Regent, who, accompanied by the Duke of York, arrived at the Palace about ten o'clock, and after a short interview with the physicians, their Royal Highnesses with the Princesses went into the sick chamber to see their august parent, who, however, was unconscious of their presence. From that hour till midnight the symptoms of her disorder developed themselves in such alarming succession, that the Regent determined to spend the night at the palace, which design he abandoned on finding that an abatement of suffering had taken place. At half past nine on Tuesday the seventh, a bulletin was forwarded to town in the customary manner; but the bearer had not left the Palace more than three quarters of an hour, when her Majesty became so much worse, that a second messenger was hastened to Carlton House to request the immediate attendance of the Prince and the Archbishop of Canterbury.-The Prince Regent and the Duke of York reached the Palace a little after twelve o'clock, and immediately on their arrival, Sir Henry Halford announced to them and to their illustrious sisters the speedy termination of all their affectionate cares, which operated very powerfully upon their feelings, though for several weeks they had been fully prepared for the catastrophe. Their Royal Highnesses then moved into the chamber of death, and surrounded the bed on which their venerable parent lay reclined, soon after which she became conscious of their presence, held out her hand to the Prince, and while in the act of grasping him, and minutes past one, without a sigh or a smiling upon them all, exactly at twenty struggle, she breathed her last; thus experiencing, after the most arduous trials and perilous conflicts, at the end of her course, A death-like sleep, A gentle wafting to immortal life." Upon the whole, we think that this volume displays considerable talent and industry. The Author has indeed already distinguished himself in this useful and pleasing department of literature by his " Biographical Dictionary," and the "Life of Sheridan;" the latter of which we purpose shortly to examine. 71. Evelyn's Memoirs, &c, (Concluded.) OUR Readers will smile at the following bill of fare for a contested County Election, now rarely less, taking one expence with another, than 101. a vote at least. "My brother Evelyn was now chosen Knt. for the County of Surrey, carrying it against my Lord Longford, and Sir Adam Brown of Betchworth Castle. The country coming in to give him their suffrages, were so many, that I believe they eate and dranke him out nere 20001. by a most abominable costome." P. 476. The following account of East India Stock is another variation from modern times : "I sold my East India adventure of 250l. principal for 750l. after I had been in that Company twenty-five years, being extraordinary advantages by the blessing of God." p. 513. The The origin of extemporaneous preaching in this country is thus given by Mr. Evelyn. "The first Presbyter dissents from our discipline were introduced by the Jesuites order, about the 20 of Queene Eliz. a famous Jesuite among them faining himselfe a Protestant, and who was the first who began to pray extempory, and brought in that which they call'd, and are still so fond of, praying by the spirit." p. 19. With respect to written and oral preaching, nothing is more easy of decision; the impression arising from superior interest of manner, in the latter form, excepted. If the object be simply to enforce matters already known and understood; prepared matter, or rather written speeches, are cold and inanimate, because the view is simply excitation of the feelings. If the subject be unknown, technical and unanticipated, written data are at least necessary; and it is most certain, that reading, unless dramatically exhibited, is unattractive, except where instruction, not amusement, is desired. It has been observed by Barristers, that the use of notes, in the manner of a brief, is the best method, because allowing room for debating extemporarily. But, in oral delivery, sense is sacrificed to the necessity of rounding periods, and it requires able men to animate the matter by felicitous illustration. In truth, whenever high public speeches are made, the matter is not extemporaneous, only the delivery; such flow of matter never occurring, otherwise than in a case of strong feeling, or interest, which goads the ideas; of course the skele ton is ready made; the muscular drapery is added, according to the talents of the speaker. Add to this, that clerical education leans more to writing, than to speaking well. But, taking in view the acquired and elaborate education of the Established Clergy, we think the suggestion of the Barrister to be one which reconciles all serious differences of opinion upon the subject. The view of the Jesuit, conceding the fact, was schism; and be succeeded, of course, because, where a subject is a hobby, every novelty which feeds the feeling is as acceptable as a new luxury to an epicure. Add to this, that there are matters fit only for reading, or ora. tory, respectively. Thus History is exclusively confined to the former province, if comprehension and reflection are necessary adjuncts, which cannot reasonably be denied. The following extract may illus trate the political effects of diminishing the circulating medium: "3. Aug. [1696] the Bank_lending the 200,000l. to pay the army in Flanders that had done nothing against the Enemy, had so exhausted the treasure of the nation, that one could not have borrowed money under 14 or 15 p. c. on bills, or on Exchr Tallies under 30 per cent." p. 56. A commentary on this passage would require a pamphlet. The obvious inference is, that the use of Paper tends to prevent extravagant rise of interest, and is an inestimable convenience, as adapting the circulation to the actual wants of the Country. This we presume to be true, because all superfluous issues, according to Adam Smith, revert upon the issuers. At this present moment a very unfair feeling pervades the publick concerning the Bank of England, and the inference just made is à propòs. We hold the Bank, in relation to the State, in the same light as we should a physician who can both prevent and cure consumption. The passage quoted also appears to us favourable to a legalized modus of interest, but, also showing that it would be impossible to support such a modus unless there was a paper circulation, because the necessities of the people would require money upon any terms. These are the opinions which occur to us upon a superficial view of the subject; and more we cannot, nor ought to say, without an immense collection of data. We, therefore, only repeat, that a standard of interest and a paper circulation seem inseparable. We must all recollect the clamour of 1816, about the effects of cheap years, and to what causes it was erroneously ascribed. The following paragraph is therefore very instruc tive. alone can occasion cheapness; and there being no corn-bill, and permis sion of warehousing, prices fell, and people economized. It is not recollected that persons who enter into business with capitals, do so not simply to obtain a subsistence, but to retire with a fortune, and therefore will not spend their money, when the returns are not commensurate with their object. Every capitalist of common sense pursues this rule. Expenses of every kind are curtailed. It is not also considered, that excess of the stock produces an unnatural low price. If general distress for money, like individual bankruptcy, produces sales below prime cost, as it did in farmers at war rents, other things must come down also. Government understand this theory perfectly, and they find it imperiously necessary to prevent importation of foreign manufactures, lest our own tradesmen should be undersold. When a Country is advanced to a certain stage of population, the inhabitants leave agriculture, where labour is no longer a desideratum, and apply themselves to manufactures and commerce. Of course, they do not want to barter or exchange, but to vend. England and the other countries of Europe are arrived at this state, and are now a erowd jostling and mobbing to push forward their show-baskets, as at a fair. Manchester discontents, so far as they are unconnected with poli ticks, rest on the same ground. The Weavers, who settled there fifty years ago, married and had families; these they brought up to the same trade. The masters dare not exceed their capitals, or the extent of the market. The workmen nevertheless increase beyond the means of employ. Europe, as its population augments, will more and more cramp the foreign com merce, because it will have less to export, the home consumption increasing, and because it becomes an indispensable duty, that the subjects of each state should have the utmost possible domestic resources. We therefore conceive, that the increase of population naturally multiplies the number of sellers and manufacturers, and produces a competition, which the power of manufacturing in the best form cannot overcome. People cannot spare where there is not superfluity, and the power of exporting is impeded by the efforts at home for subsistence, it continually occasion. ing new improvements and luxuries to be offered to the rich. We have somewhat digressed on the subject, with which we commenced, but we have so done, under the hopes of having given a fair general outline of a natural course of things; and under a persuasion that slanderous writing and party writing are rather intended to create or confirm prejudices than to illuminate or instruct. We must now conclude our extracts, with one important remark concerning family pictures. Through painters not putting the names of the persons represented on their portraits, "many excellent pieces come after a while to be dispersed among brokers and upholsterers." p. 275. We cannot take our farewell of this very instructive and interesting work, without expressing the greatest satisfaction at the manner in which it has been edited by Mr. Bray, the truly venerable Historian of Surrey. 72. The History and Antiquities of the Parish of Tottenham High Cross, in the County of Middlesex; comprising an Account of the Manors, the Church, and other Miscellaneous Matter: to which is added, an Appendix, containing the late Henry Lord Colraine's History of Tottenham, originally printed from the MS. in the Bodleian Library, Oxford; and the Rev. W. Bedwell's Brief History of Tottenham, first printed in 1631, with the Antient Poem of The Tournament of Tottenham, with a Glossary: Selected from eminent Authors and authentic Documents. By William Robinson, Gent. 8vo. pp. 373. Printed for the Author; and sold by Nichols and Son. WELL knowing the difficulty which would attend the preparing a complete History of Middlesex, we have more than once expressed a wish to see the more considerable Parishes in that opulent County severally undertaken by some competent Antiquary. Such an Historian has here undertaken rich materials for the purpose. Tottenham, a village abounding in "There are certain circumstances attending this Parish which not only invest it with a very peculiar interest in the eyes of its own inhabitants, but also recommend it to general attention. Its most antient records place it in the tenure of Kings and Princes; and passing through a suc a succession of families of the most elevated rank and consequence. At the time of the Norman invasion it was assigned to the Countess Judith, the uiece of the Conqueror himself. It subsequently came into the hands of the Kings of Scotland, who erected a castle upon it, and made it their own residence. It afterwards devolved successively to several distinguished Noblemen, in whose families it continued till a very recent period. "From the high station and great wealth of the different possessors of this Parish it might reasonably be presumed that it must have enjoyed many local distinctions. These are now deservedly become the object of antiquarian research; and though some of them have almost totally diappeared under the ravages of time and the no less destructive hand of modern taste; yet sufficient vestiges may still be traced of the antient magnificence of Tottenham to gratify with no ordinary portion of delight the mind of those who love to ruminate on men and things long since passed away. "In framing the present Work I have given entire Bedwell's History of Tottenham,' first printed in 1651, together with the MS. of the late Henry Lord Coleraine;' and have added extracts from such other Authors, as I found to my purpose, as well as the very antient Poem of the Tournament of Tottenham.' On the more modern points of history I have been enabled to add much new matter, partly from my own knowledge and researches, and partly from the kind communications of friends." The following paragraph appears to be a subject of just regret : "I could have wished," says our Author, "to give further accounts of the Charities; but I was not able to gain access to many documents that would have assisted me. The time perhaps may not be distant, when it shall be found expedient to look into the state of the Charitable Institutions within this Parish." "By the Act of 58 George III, cap. 91, power is given to his Majesty to appoint Commissioners, who are empowered to examine into and investigate the amount, nature, and application of all estates and funds, and the produce thereof destined or intended to be applied to the purpose of educating the poor of England and Wales, and to examine and investigate all breaches of trust, irregularities, frauds and abuses, or supposed abuses or misconduct as to the management, appropriation, non-appropriation, or misappropriation of such estates and funds, &c." But, hoping this does not apply to Tottenham, we turn with pleaGENT. MAG, November, 1819. sure to the more cheering characteristics of the History; which is well digested, and has the advantage of being embellished with XIX beautibinson says, ful plates; respecting which Mr. Ro "It never was my intention to ornament this volume so highly, as it is now done. The Survey, from which the Map of the Parish is engraved, cost alone more money than all this edition will produce. It was taken by Mr. Wyburd about the the year 1798. My friends have favoured me with this and many other drawings; and I have cheerfully sent them to the engraver, pleased with the opportunity of thus embellishing my pages. If my feeble efforts should prove beneficial or even agreeable to the Parish at large, I shall esteem myself amply compensated for my time and trouble. "After deducting the expenses attending the publication of this Work, the remaining Copies will be delivered into the hands of the Rev. T. Roberts who has obligingly offered to dispose of them; and the produce will be appropriated to the support of the Boys' Sunday School in this Parish.'" We had scarcely finished the perusal of this Volume, when we were agreeably surprized by a similar production by the same Author, The History of Edmonton ;" which we shall take an early opportunity of introducing to our Readers; and this, we are informed, is to be followed by a new History of "Stoke Newington," for which an excellent foundation was laid, in 1783, in the "Bibliotheca Topographica Britannica," No. IX. and XIV. by a truly respectable Antiquary, at that time an inhabitant of Newington, but now resident at St. Alban's. It is to be hoped that so good an example will be followed by some competent inhabitant of the neigh bouring large parishes of Hackney, Hornsey, and Stepney, with their respective hamlets. The History of Enfield is also very desirable; and for that parish considerable assistance might be obtained amongst the ample stores bequeathed to the Bodleian Library, by the late worthy and benevolent Ornament of Enfield, Richard Gough, esq. 73. The Tourist's Companion; being a concise Description and History of Ripon, Studley Park, Fountain's Abbey, Hackfall, Brimham Craggs, Newby Hail, Boroughbridge |