the latter ingredient was declared by Mr. Stock | lated as well for a weapon of defence (if opposed) of Ludgate-hill, to be so great that a very small as an instrument for forcing of locks. quantity of it reaching the stomach of any person, might produce the most fatal consequences. A reward of 2001. was immediately offered to any person who would detect the person who actually threw the bag, to which sum his majesty in the most liberal manner added another hundred, saying, “That although Mr. Fox was politically opposed to him, yet he would always show his detestation of any attempt to thwart the measures of political men, by such base and wicked measures." Another most singular circumstance occurred at this time, which was the theft of the great seal, and which was supposed by many to have a reference to the dissolution of parliament. It was on the 23d of May that some thieves broke into the back part of the house, inhabited by the lord chancellor, in Great Ormond-street, having got over the wall, from the fields, into the garden, and from thence into the area, they forced two bars of the kitchen window, and entered the house; having thus gained an entrance, they went up stairs, into a room adjoining the study, broke open several drawers belonging to his lordship's writing-table, and at last came to the drawer in which the great seal of England was deposited; this they took out from the two bags in which it is always kept, carrying away with them the plain seal only, or rather the two parts which constitute the whole; they also took a sum of money, not very considerable, and two silver hilted swords, having first drawn them, and leaving the scabbards behind. Not one of his lordship's servants heard them during their stay, and of course they got off with rather more ease than they got in. These midnight robbers left behind them their implement of industry, a plain tool well tempered, and calcu The great seal being really stolen, it was a doubt with many, whether there was not a virtual end, for a time, to the office of chancellor.The following passage from Blackstone will not be wholly unapplicable to the question." The office of chancellor or lord keeper, is with us, at this day, created by the mere delivery of the king's great seal into his custody; whereby he becomes, without writ or patent, an officer of the greatest weight and power of any now subsisting in the kingdom; and superior in point of precedency, to every temporal lord." The inconvenience attending this extraordinary affair was however soon obviated by a new one, which was finished next day the 25th, and authorized to be used by an order in council and delivered to the chancellor. At the Court at the Queen's House, the 25th of March, 1784. PRESENT-The King's most Excellent Majesty in Council. pared by his majesty's chief engraver of seals, in pur A new great seal of Great Britain having been pre suance of a warrant to him for that purpose, under his STEPHEN COTTRELL. The grand festival in commemoration of Handel, took place in Westminster-Abbey on the 26th of May. His majesty looked forward to this grand spectacle with the most enthusiastic feelings, and scarcely a day elapsed in which he had not a conference with some of the directors, regarding the general arrangement of the songs, chorusses, and other subor ap peared as if transported to another world, in which the harps of " the thousands" were tuning the praises of their Maker. In fine, the performance in point of execution was grand and sublime beyond all conception, and each part of it was so uniformly excellent, that the most discerning ear could scarcely discover where the most praise was due. dinate features of the festival. By seven in | harmony which floated around him, an enthuthe morning of the 26th, the several door-ways siastic devotion shone in his eye, and he of the Abbey were thronged with subscribers of both sexes, who thought no sacrifice of time too great for a priority of situation at a concert so grand and novel, and by half after ten every gallery was full. At the end of the aisle adjoining the organ, a throne was erected in the gothic style, and a centre box fitted up for the reception of the royal family; on one side of which was a box for the bishops and prebends of Westminster, on the other for the foreign ambassadors-immediately below the king's box was another for the directors. Behind the throne were seats for their majesties' attendants. At half-past twelve their majesties and the royal family entered the Abbey at the east door, and accompanied by the bishop of Rochester as dean of Westminster. His majesty first visited the tomb of Handel, after which, preceded by the prebends and other clerical orders of the church, they entered the choir by the altar, walked down it in procession, and ascended to the royal gallery, when the entertainment of the morning immediately commenced with the coronation anthem. When the king entered the royal box, the coup-d'œil was so grand and impressive, that he stood for a short time as if rapt in wonderhe appeared lost in an ecstasy of astonishment, and addressing himself to the queen, said, "This will amply repay me for months of political disquietude." The second performance was on the following day at the Pantheon, which, although fitted up in the most splendid manner for the occasion, was yet deprived of a great portion of its effect, by the comparison with the solemn and impressive grandeur of Westminster-abbey. A spacious projecting gallery, on painted. columns, in imitation of the porphyry ones which support the building, was erected over the great door for the reception of their majesties and the rest of the royal family. A state gallery appeared in the centre thereof, with seats for the king and queen under a lofty canopy, adorned with the crimson and gold decorations from the Abbey, the dome of which was richly gilt, and relieved by the supporters of the royal arms. Elegant compartments of the same box were reserved for the princess royal, and the junior branches of the family. The number of tickets issued for this occasion was limited to 2,400, the utmost that could be issued from the smallness of the place. The number of the performers and singers His majesty arrived soon after eight, going amounted on this occasion to 482, and, it is privately through the secretary's office, and impossible to describe the effect which the first ascending to the royal box by the stone staircrash of the different instruments had upon the case adjoining the octagon room. The three audience. Every part of the Abbey appeared elder princesses came in company. The printo vibrate with the sound, and his majesty, as cess royal sat on the right hand of their maif involuntarily, lifted up his hands, and his jesties, and the princess Elizabeth and Augusta of Wales did not honour their majesties with | states, "that although the crowd was less than his company. As soon as the royal audience were seated, the concert began with the hautboy concerto of Sorge infausta, from Orlando. at the preceding performances, the exhibition was more splendid. Indeed as a spectacle, it was so magnificent a sight, and as a musical performance so grateful to the ear, that no description can do justice to its merits.” The third performance, at the particular command of his majesty, was held in Westminster- Dr. Burney further states, that there was a abbey on the 30th of May, and was, if possi- great improvement in the manner of executing ble, more sublime than any of the preced- a particular chorus, "Lift up your heads, O ye ing. It was the matchless composition of the gates!" On the preceding days, the alternate Messiah, and never were its heavenly chorusses semi-chorusses were performed by all the voices performed with such unexampled precision. belonging to each part; but on this occasion, When Madame Mara began that inimitable air, in order to heighten the contrast, by only three "I know that my Redeemer liveth," his ma- of the principal singers, till about the thirtyjesty, impelled by the intensity of his feelings, third bar, when the whole chorus from each rose from his seat; but suddenly recollecting side of the orchestra, joined by all the instru himself, on seeing that many others were about ments, burst out, "He is the king of glory!" to follow his example, he immediately resumed which had an effect so impressive, as to bring his seat. His majesty appeared enraptured with tears into the eyes of several of the performers, the whole performance, and on his departure, he and a number of ladies fainted from the overdeclared to one of the directors, that it had powering force of the harmony. Nor was this been one of the highest enjoyments of his life. | effect confined alone to the orchestra. His maThe oratorio ended a little before four, when jesty's feelings were evidently much affected, their majesties took their departure in a very and he made a signal for its repetition, and gracious manner. The royal family retired from also the final chorus in the last part. the audience with every demonstration of politeness; the youngest princess, not accustomed to such meetings, was prompted by the princess royal to make her obeisance; it, however," From harmony, from heavenly harmony, this unfortunately happened, that the front of the state-box was nearly as high as the princess's chin, so that her head was invisible for a time. The princess royal could not restrain the laugh so much provoked, and every lip wore a smile. It was originally intended that there should be only three oratorios, but his majesty was so highly pleased with them, that he expressly ordered a fourth, and her majesty a fifth. In regard to the latter, some very interesting particulars are transmitted by Dr. Burney, who A medal was struck on this occasion, which was worn by the directors on the days of performance, on one side of which was engraved, universal frame began." His majesty not only condescended to accept one of these medals, but actually to wear it in compliment to the dead and the living. The receipts of the several performances, amounted to above 12,000 guineas, 500 of which were generously given by his majesty. His majesty's birth-day was this year celebrated with the usual demonstrations of joy, and the drawing-room was the most superb which had been known for many years. The birth-day ode was in the usual style of White head, with scarcely a scintillation of poetical | of it, proportion his assistance to the difficulties with which such a situation is encompassed. May he conmerit, to render it worthy of insertion. tinue, out of his goodness to this nation, to protect and preserve you; to crown with success your endeavours for obedience of a grateful people. the public service, and requite them with the willing The clergy of this country began now to observe with alarm the steps which were taking in Ireland to procure the emancipation of the Roman Catholics, and at the convocation of the archbishops, bishops and clergy, held at Canterbury, in the month of June, it was resolved to present the following address to his majesty, which was accordingly presented on the 9th of June: Most Gracious Sovereign, We, your majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the archbishop, bishops, and clergy, of the province of Canterbury, in convocation assembled, beg leave to approach your royal presence with those sentiments of veneration and respectful attachment, which are but a just return for your majesty's unwearied exertions for the public welfare. It is with the utmost satisfaction we embrace every opportunity of professing to your majesty and to the world, our deep sense of all the blessings we enjoy under your mild and auspicious government: but we should be unmindful of our character as ministers of the gospel, if we omitted to express our warmest acknowledgements for that firm support of our holy religion, as by law established, which your majesty hath so much at heart, and of which we experience the most convincing proofs in your protection, and from your example. We trust that we prize these blessings as we ought: but we are sensible that no expressions of duty on our part will be so acceptable to your majesty, as the assurance of our earnest endeavours, in our respective stations, to advance the glory of God, and the good of mankind, by the promotion of true christian piety and virtue; remembering always, that obedience to civil government must have its root in the fear of God; that it must be propagated, nourished, and preserved by religion. By such means we shall best approve ourselves faithful pastors and good citizens, dutiful subjects of your majesty, and true lovers of our country's interests, which whoever would divide can be a friend to neither. May the Almighty, from whom princes derive not only their authority, but their sufficiency also for the exercise May your majesty's reign over us be long and happy; each succeeding year being marked with the blessings of peace, and public prosperity, and with every additional circumstance of domestic felicity. To which address his majesty was pleased to return the following most gracious answer: I thank you for this very dutiful and affectionate address. I receive, with pleasure, your expressions of zeal for our holy religion, and your assurances of your earnest endeavours to advance the glory of God, and the good of mankind, by the promotion of true christian piety and virtue. I shall ever continue to support, to the utmost of my power, the Church of England, as by law established, as well as the religious and civil rights of my people. This answer of his majesty gave particular umbrage to the advocates for Catholic emancipation in Ireland, and a meeting of the citizens of Dublin took place on the 21st June, for the purpose of addressing his majesty, who, after enumerating a number of political grievances, in language not of the most temperate kind, the petitioners state We farther intreat your majesty's permission to condemn that remnant of the penal code of laws, which still oppresses our Roman Catholic fellow subjectslaws which tend to prohibit education and liberality, restrain certain privileges, and to proscribe industry, love of liberty, and patriotism. And whilst we thus contend, as far as in us lies, for our constitutional rights and privileges, we recommend to your consideration the state of our suffering fellowsubjects, the Roman Catholics of this kingdom; whose emancipation from the restraints under which they still labour, we consider not only as equitable, but essentially conducive to the general union and prosperity of the kingdom. mons: Trusting with the most perfect confidence in your The civil list was again in arrear, and on the concurrence and support, we entertain the strongest 21st July, Mr. Pitt presented the following hopes of freeing our country from that yoke of bondage, message from the king to the house of comwhich domestic enemies have thus imposed on it. The majesty of the people will then re-assume its proper influence in the guidance of the State-and Divine Providence, knowing the justice of our cause, will graciously assist us in obtaining those rights to which.we are entitled by the laws of God and nature. par GEORGE REX. It gives his majesty great concern, that notwith standing the retrenchments which have been already made in the establishment of the civil list, he finds himself under the necessity of acquainting the house of commons, that debts have been incurred by the unavoidable expenses of his civil government, to a considerable amount, an account of which he has ordered to His majesty relies on the zeal and affection of his faithful commons, that they will take the same into consideration, and provide such means as they shall think proper, to enable his majesty to discharge the same. G. R. The same was ordered to be referred to a committee of supply. His majesty, at the dissolution of the liament, had excited in a particular manner the acrimony of a certain portion of the house of commons, who decried in the most intem-be laid before this house. perate language this exercise of the royal prerogative; and in the month of June, Mr. Burke made a specific motion in the house, which had for its aim to circumscribe the king in the exercise of that authority, which is confirmed to him by the constitution of the country; he concluded his speech in the following singular manner. Having produced his motion, which consisted of many sheets of paper folded like a lawyer's brief, and which set the house into a loud and universal fit of laughter, he observed, that he meant his motion as an epitaph on his departed friend, the last parliament: that he always wrote long epitaphs to the memory of those that had been dear to him; and on the present occasion, he chose to follow the corpse to the sepulchre, and go through the ceremony of saying, Ashes to ashes, and dust to dust!" in sure and certain hopes, through the merits of the good works of the last parliament, that it would have a glorious and joyful resurrection, and become immortal. Mr. Wyndham seconded the motion, and Mr. Burke having read a few words of it pro forma, it was handed to the speaker, who was more than an hour before he got through it. The motion was negatived without a division. His majesty's message was taken into consideration on the 23rd July, when Mr. Pitt stated, "that the arrears were occasioned during the late administration, the first quarter being 1,300l., the second 7,000l., the third 8,000l., and the fourth 5,000l., making a sum total of 44,000l.; and as there might arise occasion during the approaching recess of parliament for further aid, he should move a resolution, that the sum of 60,000l. be granted to his majesty, for the discharge of the debts due upon the civil list." This gave rise to rather a warm debate, but it was happily closed by sir Edward Astley, declaring, there was no necessity for making so many words about it, for the fact was, the the money should be paid, quicquid delirant reges, plutuntur et achivi. The motion was carried unanimously. Towards the close of this session of parlaiment, a very popular measure was carried into effect, namely, the restoration of the estates |