And rapturous sorrow. Then the world is nothing; Pleasure is nothing; suffering is nothing; Rears its fair arch in heaven flashes Peace sits, and gilds The soul of mind The sweet drops as they fall. 344 No. XXVI. HER MAJESTY CHARLOTTE AUGUSTA MATILDA, PRINCESS-ROYAL OF ENGLAND, AND QUEEN DOWAGER OF WÜRTEMBERG. HER MAJESTY was the eldest daughter of the late King George the Third and Queen Charlotte, and was born at Buckingham House, on the 29th of September, 1766. She was christened on the 27th of the following month, by Archbishop Secker; her godmothers being her aunts the Queen of Denmark, who was represented by the Countess of Effingham, and the Princess Louisa, who attended in person; and her godfather the King of Denmark (then just married to the Princess Caroline), who was represented by the Duke of Portland, Lord Chamberlain. In her early years, the foundation was laid in her mind of the knowledge of modern languages, and of history, by which she was afterwards distinguished; in the acquisition of which she was greatly assisted by an extraordinary memory; and which, in maturer years, excited the admiration of all who had the honour of conversing with her. This love of study was chiefly encouraged by her father, whose inseparable companion the young Princess was, and whom she amused in his leisure hours, by reading to him. To her literary occupations was added a remarkable talent for the arts of design, which was cultivated under the superintendence of the celebrated Benjamin West, and which she subsequently applied, with great taste, in embroidery and other female works, as agreeable presents to her friends, on various occasions, and as ornaments for the apartments of the royal palace at Stuttgard. On the 18th of May, 1797, she was married, at the Chapel Royal, St. James's, to Frederick Charles William, Hereditary Prince, and afterwards King, of Wurtemberg, to whom she was second wife, but by whom she never had any children. When the alliance was announced to the House of Commons, it was triumphantly stated to be with "a Protestant Prince, and a descendant of the Princess Sophia." That the King of Wurtemberg was doubly descended from the mother of George the First, his pedigree sufficiently testified. It is said, that when the proposals were first made for this marriage, the King felt anxious to be satisfied respecting certain suspicions attached to the Prince's character, in regard to his participation in, or criminal knowledge of, the death of his first wife in a Russian prison; where it had been asserted to be probable that she was confined by his express desire, for real or supposed indiscretions; but his Highness removed every suspicion in the clearest manner, by authentic documents, proving his entire innocence of any improper proceedings, if such were resorted to, which, however, is by no means probable. His Majesty inspected the papers in question, and declared his perfect satisfaction with them. It is certain, nevertheless, that he manifested considerable reluctance to the match; which, however, may be easily accounted for by his parental attachment, and by his unwillingness to have his eldest daughter separated from the family. Notwithstanding the political agitation of the time, great public interest was excited by the departure of the royal pair for Germany, which took place on the 2d of June. By this marriage, Wurtemberg, of course, became the second home of the royal subject of this Memoir. Her life was divided between that and her native country; thirty-one years she had passed in England, and thirty-one more she passed in Wurtemberg. From her first arrival at Stuttgard, she acquired the love of all persons by her affability and her extensive charity. She knew no greater pleasure than that of alleviating the distress of others, and in sending no one away without giving consolation and assistance. In her private life, the greatest activity prevailed: she was dressed early in the morning, and ready for various occupations. Her time was wisely appropriated, and employed partly in reading, especially religious and historical books; partly in writing letters, particularly to her family, to which she was tenderly attached; partly in drawing; and partly in various female pursuits. On the 30th of October, 1816, her royal husband, who had been long afflicted with a liver complaint, expired, at Stuttgard. A brief sketch of the history of this Prince may not be inapposite : He was born on the 6th of November, 1754. His first wife was a Princess of Wolfenbuttle, by whom he had the Prince Royal, who succeeded him on the throne. He himself succeeded his brother as Duke of Wurtemberg, on the 23d of December, 1797; and, soon after, made his peace with the French Republic. It is remarkable, that both the commencement and the close of his reign were distinguished by differences between him and his States, who complained of the infringement of their privileges. In consequence of the peace of Luneville, he was, in 1803, raised to the dignity of Elector; and, on the peace of Presburg, his States, which were then aggrandised, were converted into a Monarchy. He was proclaimed King, January 1. 1806; and a colossal crown was subsequently placed on the top of his palace at Stuttgard. This new dignity was, however, dearly purchased, by the enormous contingents of men he was compelled to furnish for the ruinous expeditions of Buonaparte. He was also obliged to give his daughter Catherine in marriage to Jerome Buonaparte, and to marry his eldest son to the Princess Charlotte of Bavaria ; but they never cohabited, and the marriage was dissolved as soon as the author of that forced union was precipitated from his throne. The sister of the King of Wurtemberg was married to Paul the First, and has only recently died. On the 26th of October, 1816, only three days before his death, her brother celebrated the birth-day of this Princess, at Stuttgard. Frederick William experienced many reverses of fortune. During the French Revolution, when the Republican army advanced on the Danube, he was obliged to fly, and abandon his capital to foreign troops. It was, perhaps, from a wish to avoid the repetition of such an occurrence, that he afterwards showed himself one of the most zealous of the Sovereigns of the Rhenish Confederacy; and that he rigorously executed Buonaparte's conscription-laws in his States. This was one of the principal grievances of which the country had to complain. It must be added, however, that he did not appear insensible to the loss of so many subjects, immolated to gratify the ambition of a foreign despot. After the retreat from Moscow, while Buonaparte was passing the winter gaily at the Tuilleries, the King of Wurtemberg prohibited all public amusements. Frederick William was of an impetuous and violent character. He loved justice, and maintained it rigorously in his States; only in some particular cases, his own will was substituted for the law. He was well informed in geography and natural history, and conversed well on the sciences. His palace was decorated with indigenous productions. He was pleased to see foreigners visit the royal edifices; and the servants were particularly instructed to show them all the works of art which had been executed in Wurtemberg. There is one monument which will perpetuate the memory of this Sovereign, namely, Frederick's Haven, a little port which he constructed on the Lake of Constance, and which greatly facilitates the commerce of the Wurtembergers with the other countries situated on the Lake. His son, who succeeded him, in addition to the reputation of a gallant soldier, has enjoyed that of a liberal statesman. He married the Duchess of Oldenburgh, whose enlightened curiosity excited so much respect for her when she visited England. To the King her husband, her Majesty was affectionately devoted; and she most painfully felt his loss. Every year, she celebrated his birth-day by divine service; on which occasion a sermon on his memory was preached; and afterwards visited the vault (which she often did at other times), to pray by the coffin of the deceased. Her health, which was visibly impaired |