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In the preceding number of the Imperial Magazine, we began a Memoir of his late Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, which we have finished in this. His late Majesty having then paid that debt of nature from which no child of mortality can plead an exemption, we announced our intention of introducing into this number, a brief delineation of his history and character, accompanied with a Likeness, which all, who had an opportunity of observing his countenance, must allow to be particularly striking.

To give to the world only a brief delineation of the history and character of such a monarch as George III. especially as we have full in our view, and strongly in our recollection, the bright assemblage of those illustrious virtues, which, clustering round his throne, conferred new dignity on royalty, appears somewhat like a reflection on his memory. To prevent such an impression from being made on the public mind, it may be necessary to assign a reason for the method thus adopted.

Already has the proprietor of the Imperial Magazine begun to publish, in parts and numbers, a Life of our late most gracious Sovereign, in which he hopes to unfold at large, so far as they can be open to inspection, those dignified excellencies, which rendered him venerable in the eyes of contending parties, and those private virtues, which, independently of birth or station, endeared him to the population of an empire as a man. On the present occasion, a general outline is therefore all that we design to place before our readers, referring them to the work itself, for the full development of a character, which cannot be drawn in miniature.

sions like these, the biographer may indulge his own feelings, without wounding those of others, and transmit to posterity, the personal history of a Monarch, rendered imperishable, by being embalmed in a nation's tears.

His late Majesty George III. was born on the 24th of May, 1738, which, by the alteration of the style in 1752, became the 4th of June. His father, Frederick Prince of Wales, was son of George II. and was the presumptive heir to the crown; but dying before his father, the right of inheritance devolved on his son Prince George, our late beloved, but now much lamented Sovereign, he being the first son in the royal line. His mother was the Princess Sophia of Saxe-Gotha. His parents were married in 1736, and, prior to his birth, Princess Augusta was born of this union.

It has been shrewdly observed by Voltaire, that "reasons of state are mysteries to the vulgar." Whether this remark be founded in truth or falsehood, it is an indisputable fact, that we frequently perceive in the abodes and suburbs of royalty, effects detached from their causes and consequences; and in the same proportion in which they appear insulated, they must always be involved in darkness.

For some reasons which have not been developed, the first pregnancy of our late King's mother, if not kept a profound secret, was not publicly announced, until within a month of her delivery, when, without that etiquette of ceremony which such an event seemed to require, she was conducted to St. James's by Prince Frederick, to await her approaching accouchment. The king, who was evidently offended at this circumstance, manifested his displeasure, by insisting on their departure, so soon as prudence and safety would allow. They then removed to Kew, where for a considerable time they lived in retirement. Never perhaps, within the annals of Unhappily these events tended to our country, has a task so mournfully widen a breach between the Royal pleasing been assigned to the biogra- parties, which had already for some pher of royalty. It is mournful to re-time subsisted, and which was not for cord the departure of the best of many years completely repaired. kings; but it is pleasing to have an opportunity of expatiating upon excellencies and virtues, which we have seen embodied in real life, without either resorting to fiction for artificial aid, or risking the danger of incurring the imputation of flattery. On occaNo. 14.-VOL. II.

The early education of the young Prince was entrusted to Dr. Ascough, who was afterwards dean of Bristol. This gentleman, in a letter to Dr. Doddridge, dated Feb. 10, 1744, when his Royal Highness was under six years of age, speaks of his amiable

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disposition in terms favourable to that piety, which in his riper years he was always fond to cherish. Dr. Ascough states, that of his own accord he had learnt several pages of Dr. Doddridge's verses on Christianity.

On another occasion, when the Prince was about ten years old, George II. sent Baron Stainberg to examine the children of Prince Frederick in their learning. This office the Baron discharged with punctual fidelity, by taking them all in regular succession. At the conclusion of his examination, he observed to the young Prince, that he would report to his Majesty the great proficiency he had made in his Latin, but intimated that he should be glad if he would make himself better acquainted with his German Grammar, as an accurate knowledge of this language might be of essential service to him in future life. "German Grammar! German Grammar!" replied the Prince, why any dull boy can learn that." The Baron, on his return, repeated this observation to his Majesty, who thinking that it was an expression which treated the German language with disrespect, was much offended, and, instead of commending the child for the sprightliness of his remark, manifested an indignity which reflects no honour on his natural disposition.

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In the year 1751, after the death of his father, his late Majesty was created Prince of Wales, at which time he had attained the age of thirteen. We learn from the well known diary of Bubb Dodington, Baron of Melcombe Regis, that the Bishops of Norwich and Peterborough were at this time his preceptors, and that a considerable portion of his early life was passed in comparative seclusion, under the care of his mother. The memorials which this gentleman has preserved, are particularly interesting, as they throw much light on the manner in which the young Prince was educated, and show what care was taken to prepare him, through the gradations of his younger years, for the important station, which, at the head of a mighty empire, he was destined to fill. At this time his principal and almost only companion was his brother Edward, afterwards Duke of York. His mother, however, complained much, that the principles which were instilled into his mind, were in a great measure

| concealed from her; and she expressed her fears that his time was not always improved to the best advantage. His natural disposition she represented as amiable; stating that he was very honest in his communications ;-that his warmest affection was for his brother Edward;-that he had a tender regard for the memory of his father;— but that she regretted, he was not more manly and less childish for one of his age, which was then about fifteen.

On another occasion the Princess observed, that "in his natural disposition he was shy and backward, neither wild nor dissipated in his manners, but good natured and cheerful, having on the whole a serious air;-that he was not remarkably quick, but appeared, to those who were intimately acquainted with him, affable and intelligent;-that his education had given her much pain;--that of his book-learning she was incompetent to judge; but so far as she could observe, it appeared to be small, if not nearly useless, and that she hoped he would have been made acquainted with men and things."

As the manner in which he was brought up was so particularly secluded from society, it is only from these transient glances on his character, taken from passing events and accidental communications, that we have any opportunity of_beholding him, during his minority. Lord Chesterfield, in a letter to his son, dated in March 1755, observes, "It is to be hoped, and is most probable, that the king, who is now perfectly recovered from his late indisposition, may live to see his grandson of age. He is seriously a most hopeful boy; gentle and good-natured, with good sound

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In a paper dated August 6th, 1755, Lord Melcombe, after passing the day with the Princess at Kew, observes, "The conversation fell on the king's proposal of marrying Prince George to a Princess of the house of Brunswick, of which she much disapproved. She thought the match premature: the Prince ought to mix with the world→→ the marriage would prevent it--he was shy and backward-the match would shut him up for ever, with two or three friends of his, and two or three of hers. That he was much averse to it himself, and that she disliked the alliance extremely." The resistance to these

political intrigues, which the young Prince had the fortitude to make, compelled those who wished to promote his marriage, to relinquish their designs. Even George II. found himself foiled, and he gave up his solicitations, which had been accompanied with offers of a splendid establishment, with this memorable remark: " The boy is good for nothing, and only fit to 'read the Bible to his mother."

On the 25th of October, 1760, George the Second died suddenly in the 77th year of his age, and the 34th of his reign. His death is supposed to have been occasioned by a rupture in his heart. No sooner was this event announced, than the Privy Council, as is customary on similar occasions, was immediately summoned, when they were addressed by the young King, then twenty-two years of age, as follows:

"The loss that I and the nation have sustained by the death of the king my grandfather, would have been severely felt at any time; but coming at so critical a juncture, and so unexpectedly, it is by many circumstances augmented, and the weight falling on me much increased. I feel my own insufficiency to support it as I wish; but animated by the tenderest affection for my native country, and depending upon the advice, experience, and abilities of your Lordships, and on the support and assistance of every honest man, I enter with cheerfulness into this arduous situation, and shall make it the business of my life to promote in every thing, the glory and happiness of these kingdoms, to preserve and strengthen the Constitution both in Church and State; and as I mount the throne in the midst of an expensive but just and necessary war, I shall endeavour to prosecute it in a manner the most likely to bring on an honourable and lasting peace, in concert with my allies."

The graceful and unembarrassed mien with which His Majesty appeared on this occasion, and on others which followed in quick succession; the easy manner in which he pronounced the sentences of his speech, and that peculiar emphasis with which, in his articulation, he distinguished the more important parts, betrayed no symptoms, either of a defective education, or of an unenlightened mind. If the

former had been neglected, the native vigour of his understanding amply supplied that deficiency, and the gracefulness, dignity, and propriety, with which he appeared, displayed such a commanding superiority of talents, industry, and virtuous principles, as no system of education, without a suitable mental soil, could possibly bestow.

The celebrated Horace Walpole, whose intimate acquaintance with men and manners, few will be disposed to question, describes the young King in the following language, in a letter which he wrote to Mr. Montague.

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"The young King has all the appearance of being amiable. There is great grace to temper much dignity, and extreme good nature which breaks out on all occasions. For the King himself, he seems all good nature, and wishing to satisfy every body. All his speeches are obliging. I saw him again yesterday, and was prised to find that the Levee-room had lost so entirely the air of the lion's den. This Sovereign don't stand in one spot with his eyes fixed royally on the ground, and dropping bits of German news; he walks about and speaks to every body. I saw him afterwards on the throne, where he is graceful and genteel, sits with dignity, and

reads his answers well."

Prior to His Majesty's ascending the throne, the occasional emanations of his character, that had escaped his sequestered abode, had impressed upon the public mind, an opinion, that a strong attachment to religion, morality, and virtue, would characterize his approaching reign. Nor was this impression founded upon an erroneous calculation. One of his first acts was, to issue a Proclamation against vice and profaneness, and to enforce the laws against sabbathbreaking, and other prevailing immoralities. This Proclamation was ordered to be read at all assizes and quarter-sessions of the peace, and in all parochial churches and chapels, at least four times in every year, as a standing memorial of his determination to support public morals. It was dated October 31, 1760. In some places this injunction is regularly obeyed; but it is much to be regretted, that in others, it is either neglected or forgotten.

In the month following His Majesty's accession to the throne, the Par

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