thing. One incident seems to have occa- | fine ear for music, and a discriminating sioned general surprise; he died with Mrs. taste, which, however, was ultimately spoiled Fitzherbert's locket round his neck: "The darkest night that spans the sky Of beauty hath a share; The blackest heart hath signs to tell and lost. He had a keen sense of humour, and was an excellent mimic. His intellectual abilities had been very imperfectly cultivated, and his classical knowledge was That God still lingers there.' of the most superficial kind. He had con'Certainly nobody was less regretted than siderable skill in music, and great facility the late king,' says Greville, 'and the breath in modern languages; but he knew nothing was hardly out of his body before the press even of the rudiments of the sciences either burst forth in full cry against him, and natural or moral, and was equally ignorant raked up all his vices, follies, and misdeeds, of political principles and the nature of which were numerous and glaring enough.' the British constitution. He was badly The behaviour of the attendants at his trained. His parents disliked and disfuneral showed very strikingly the little trusted him, and the restrictions under regard entertained for the late sovereign, which he was placed in his early years and was indeed consistent with neither by his father no doubt contributed to make propriety nor decency. When they got him, when he became his own master, together in St. George's Hall,' says Gre- plunge into excesses of dissipation and ville, 'a gayer company I never beheld; profligacy. His own habits of unrestrained with the exception of Mountcharles, who self-indulgence, aided by the flatteries of was deeply affected, they were all as worthless companions, made him at last, merry as grigs.' Lord Ellenborough con- says one who knew him well, 'selfish to a firms this account. The day was beauti- degree so extravagant that he appeared ful,' he writes, and all the world made to act upon a practical conviction of all it a holiday. London was quite empty. It mankind being born for his exclusive use.' seemed to be a day of general recreation. He never appeared to think that it was And so King George IV. is gone his duty to make a personal sacrifice, or to to his grave with all the pomp of royalty, submit to any inconvenience to promote and splendid the pageant was; but it was the welfare of his subjects, or even of considered a mere pageant, even by his his personal friends. His dissolute habits household who had lived so intimately with and reckless extravagance involved him in him for years. There was no regret; a enormous and most dishonourable pecuniary coronation could hardly be gayer.' embarrassments, which led directly to the worst and most scandalous acts of his discreditable career. The course of dissipation which he ran in his youth was so unbounded, that when he entered upon public life he was found to have exhausted all the resources of indulgence and vicious enjoyment; and during his later years he sank into the condition of a worn-out miserable debauchee, incapable of receiving farther gratification from his favourite pursuits, which had now become to him 'apples of Sodom and grapes of Gomorrah.' His weak and vacillating character and unsteadiness of purpose made him the torment of his ministers, and oftener than once led George IV. was one of the worst, if not the very worst, of the sovereigns that have reigned over our country; and his conduct in all his domestic and social relations, as a son, a husband, a father, and a friend, was not fitted to redeem his want of all public virtues. His whole life from childhood to its close was most unhappy, in consequence mainly of his own vices and his habitual neglect of all his duties, both public and private. In youth his person was handsome and his manners were graceful, and he could, when he chose, be extremely agreeable and winning. His natural abilities were good; he was gifted with a retentive memory, a to results dangerous not only to the Govern- | all things he desired that the lady should ment, but to the throne. His want of teach his daughter to tell the truth. Lady firmness was aggravated by his habitual Spencer betrayed by the expression of her hypocrisy and falsehood. It was impossible features what was passing in her mind; to place the slightest reliance on his word, on which His Royal Highness observed, or even on his most solemn assertions. You know I don't speak the truth, and When the dowager Lady de Clifford, whose my brothers don't, and I find it a great confidence he had most shamefully betrayed, defect, from which I would have my in consequence threw up her appointment daughter free. We have been always of governess to the Princess Charlotte, she brought up badly, the queen having taught was requested by the Prince Regent to us to equivocate; and I want you to help state her reasons for quitting his service me in the matter.' The Earl of Essex, one in so abrupt a manner. Because,' was the of the king's early associates, pronounced cutting reply, 'your Royal Highness has him dissipated, profligate, and heartless, taught me the distinction between the word and posterity has fully confirmed the of a prince and that of a gentleman.' His verdict. For some years before his death habitual untruthfulness had become so con- he had almost entirely secluded himself firmed and incurable that it was regarded by from the notice of his subjects, and the courtiers and statesmen as a matter which news of his decease was received by them it was idle to discuss, and was the subject with perfect indifference. He had not a of frequent jokes among his attendants and single friend near him to minister to him associates. Numerous anecdotes were in and cheer him on his deathbed. The ruling circulation illustrating the universality of favourite of his later years, indeed, remained the impression. He used to speak of him- in the castle; but (if Greville's account is self as having led in person the famous to be relied on) only for the purpose of charge of the British cavalry at the battle plundering the establishment: waggon loads of Waterloo, and on one occasion he appealed of articles, he says, were sent away every to the Duke of Wellington for the truth night. Unhonoured, unloved, and unreof the story. 'I have often heard your gretted, George IV. passed to his account, and Majesty say so,' was the duke's cautious oblivion fell rapidly on the recollections of reply. Greville, remarking on the duel his worthless name and mischievous career. between the duke and Lord Winchelsea, He died in the sixty-eighth year of his says, The king, it seems, was highly age, and the eleventh year of his reign; pleased with the Winchelsea affair, and but as Regent he had previously governed he said to his Grace, "I did not see the the country for ten years. letter (which is probably a lie); if I had I should certainly have thought it my duty to call your attention to it." Somebody added that he would be wanting to fight a duel himself.' Sefton said, 'He will be sure to think he has fought one.' The most extraordinary thing is that the king was himself quite well aware of his habit of lying, and of the universal distrust of his veracity. When Regent he once called on Lady Spencer to ask her to do him a great service. He wished her to choose a person of attainments and accomplishments to be governess to the Princess Charlotte. Above VOL I. During the period of George IV.'s rule many important improvements-physical, intellectual, and moral-had been made in the country; but none of them could in any way be traced directly or indirectly to his influence. The protracted war with France was brought to a close, though the restoration of peace, unfortunately, owing to the misconduct and faithlessness of the sovereigns, did not bring about quiet and order throughout the continent of Europe. A great change took place in the spirit of the legislation of our country in commercial and political affairs, and especially in 49 regard to civil and religious liberty. The Corporation and Test Acts were repealed, the Roman Catholic disabilities were abolished, the sanguinary criminal code was ameliorated, the corn laws and the restrictions on trade and commerce were modified, though still maintained, and the old Tory policy in the government of the country was steadily though silently abandoned. The progress in the arts and sciences, and in the diffusion of literature, was even more remarkable. The railway system was initiated by George Stephenson; gas was brought into operation; the first chain-bridge in Great Britain was erected; Herschel the great astronomer made some of his most important discoveries, and Sir Joseph Banks, president of the Royal Society, his most energetic efforts in the diffusion of a knowledge of natural science. The writings of Ricardo, Malthus, Senior, and M'Culloch had contributed greatly to the diffusion of sound principles of political economy. This epoch was peculiarly brilliant in scientific and literary productions. In science, the researches of Faraday, Leslie, Davy, Dalton, Playfair, Buckland, Lyell, Mrs. Somerville, and other eminent philosophers, had added largely to our knowledge of chemistry and geology. Mitford, Hallam, Lingard, Turner, and James Mill, sustained the historical reputation of the age; Mackintosh and Dugald Stewart its philosophy. As regards its poetical productions, the writings of Crabbe, Byron, Scott, Shelley, Campbell, Rogers, Moore, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Southey, Keats, and Joanna Baillie, have taken a permanent place in the literature of our country. In fiction, the novels of Maria Edgeworth, Jane Austin, and Sir Walter Scott, stand unrivalled. The Edinburgh Review, associated with the names of Jeffrey, Sydney Smith, Horner, Mackintosh, Playfair, Malthus, and Brougham, which exercised a vast influence both on politics and literature, originated at this period, and was followed in 1809 by its rival organ the Quarterly Review, supported by Scott, Canning, Southey, Frere, George Ellis, John Wilson Croker, Rose, and other eminent writers and politicians. Blackwood's Magazine, established in 1816, afforded an opportunity to John Wilson and John Gibson Lockhart to commence their celebrated literary career. In sculpture, this era was adorned by Chantrey and Flaxman, and in painting, by Wilkie, Lawrence, Raeburn, Leslie, and Landseer, and others who did not attain to their full height of fame. until after the third decade of the century. The age could boast in the Duke of Wellington, the greatest general our country has produced since the days of Marlborough, fitly supported by such companions-inarms as Moore, Graham, Hill, Crawford, and Hardinge. Our illustrious naval captain, Nelson, was everyway worthy to rank with the conqueror of Napoleon; and Collingwood and Cochrane were scarcely his inferiors in skill and enterprise. In short, in every department of literature, science, and art, as well as in military and naval achievements, the Georgian era is not surpassed, perhaps scarcely equalled, by any period of the same extent in the history of our country. Accession of William IV.-His Character and Behaviour-Weakness of the Government-Amendment on the Address-Dissolution of Parliament - State of Affairs in France-Death of Louis XVIII.-Accession of Charles X.-Paramount Influence of the Priests and Jesuits-Appointment of the Martignac Ministry-Their Reforms--Coronation of the King-Law of Sacrilege-Attack on the Liberty of the Press-Dissolution of the National Guard-The Result of the New Elections-Banishment of the Jesuits-Reforms in the Diplomatic and Administrative ServicesDismissal of the Martignac Ministry -Polignac made Prime Minister-His Hostility to the Press-Expedition against Algiers-Surrender of the City- Position of the Ministry-Dissolution of the Chambers-Result of the Elections Ordonnances Overthrowing the Constitution-Insurrection in Paris-The Three Days' Fighting '— Abdication of Charles X.-The Crown conferred on the Duke of Orleans. WILLIAM HENRY, Duke of Clarence, who | Belfast, who got shoved and kicked about now ascended the throne of the British to their great indignation, the king sucempire in the sixty-fourth year of his age, ceeded with some difficulty in reaching the presented a marked contrast in appearance, palace, amid shouting and bawling and character, habits, and demeanour, to his applause. Never mind all this,' said the predecessor. He had no pretensions to good-natured monarch; when I have dignity; but his good-nature, simplicity, walked about a few times, they will get and affability to all about him were very used to it, and will take no notice.' To the striking. When he occupied the post of Lord astonishment of the sticklers for etiquette, High-Admiral, he distinguished himself he continued to sit backwards in his private by making absurd speeches, by a morbid carriage; and when he was accompanied official activity, and by a general eccen- by gentlemen, he made one sit by him and tricity, which led many persons to imagine not opposite him. After reading his first that he was half-crazed. But his familiar speech in the House of Lords, he drove all manners and kindness to old friends, of over the town in an open carriage, with the which many anecdotes were in circulation, queen, the Princess Augusta, and the King made him a general favourite. Instead of of Würtemberg; and coming home, he set shutting himself up in strict seclusion from down the king (dropped him, as he called the sight of the people, as his brother had it) at Grillon's Hotel. The extreme gooddone, he went about courting popularity. nature and simplicity of the new sovereign He walked in the streets of London with were very pleasing, but he not unfrequently an umbrella under his arm; he rode in an forgot the dignity which ought to be mainopen carriage with his queen, and set the tained by the ruler of a great country, and crowd shouting and vociferating, waving in consequence lowered his position in the hats and handkerchiefs, like parish school eyes of the people. Everybody expected, as children at a holiday show.' On one a matter of course, that he would retain his occasion, when he was rambling about the brother's Ministry in office; but not constreets in plain clothes, a great mob col- tented with this, he took every opportunity lected around him, and when he got near of expressing in the strongest terms his White's Club a woman came up and kissed unbounded confidence in the Duke of him. Wellington, and his determination to maintain him in power. The Premier, on his part, was delighted with the new sovereign. If I had been able to deal with my late master,' he said, as I do with my present, I should have got on much better.' The The Earl of Belfast and Lord Clinton, who witnessed this strange scene, thought it high time to interfere, and came out of the club to attend upon him. The mob naturally increased, and taking Watson Taylor's arm, and flanked by Clinton and king, he said, was so reasonable and tract- | June, and on the 29th William IV. sent able that he had done more business with down his first message to Parliament, in him in ten minutes than with his prede- which, after referring to the loss sustained cessor in ten days. by himself and the nation, he declared his opinion that the sooner the new elections rendered necessary by the demise of the late king took place the better, and recommended the Commons to make such temporary provision as was requisite for the public service during the interval between the close of the present session and the opening of another Parliament. It now appears, from Lord Ellenborough's 'Diary,' that Sir Robert Peel with his usual caution and good sense, did not approve of an immediate dissolution, and wished to settle the Regency question before Parliament was dissolved. He urged that, as the session would have lasted two months longer if the late king had lived, why should it not now when the reason for Parliament's sitting was so so much the greater? And what would be the situation of the country, should the king die leaving a minor queen? Peel's judicious advice was, however, overruled, much to his own dissatisfaction and annoyance. His view of the case was adopted by the Opposition, who urged that the Parliament could without inconvenience sit a month longer and make provision for the possible demise of the Crown during the interval which must elapse before a new Parliament could assemble. The dangers to which the country would be exposed in such a case were very great. The next heir to the Crown was a child, only eleven years old. The law does not recognize the minority of a sovereign; and if the king should die before the new Parliament met, all the regal rights and functions would devolve upon this child unless some provision were made for a regency. But though thus freed from the annoyance to which they had been subjected by the vacillation and untrustworthiness of the monarch and the intrigues of the courtiers, the position of the Ministry was not strengthened. There was a general feeling both in Parliament and in the country, that as the throne was no longer occupied by a weak and capricious monarch, the slave of his impulses and passions, and continually liable to change in regard both to his likings and his dislikings, it was not now necessary to maintain in office a premier whose chief qualification for that position was supposed to be his ability to keep his sovereign in order. In the critical state of public affairs, both at home and abroad, there was urgent need of a strong Government to regulate the national feeling and to direct it into a safe channel; and no one could venture to assert that a ministry dependent for its very existence on the forbearance of its opponents was fit for such a task. As soon as the session was opened, it became evident that this forbearance was at an end. There was to be no more courtesy-no more displays of superiority without mischief-no more exhibitions of skill in showing men their weakness without doing them any harm-no more shaking them good-humouredly over the precipice and then setting them down on its edge.' Both the Whigs and the ultraTories now proclaimed that the time for action was come, and that they were resolved to use their utmost efforts to turn out a ministry that had lost the confidence of the nation and of the Parliament, and had kept its position mainly through the divisions of its adversaries; and to replace them with men who could really transact the business of the country and save it from the mischiefs and the dangers of uncertainty and feebleness. On the 30th of June Earl Grey in the Upper House, and Lord Althorp in the Commons, moved as an amendment on the address, that its consideration should be delayed for a day in the hope that the George IV. had died on the 26th of king might be induced to recommend the |