CLAREMONT, and the surrounding Country, to face the Title. An extra Plate to illustrate the Work is also prepared, beautifully engraved, representing whole length Portraits of her Royal Highness and Prince Leopold in their costume as retiring from the altar after the Marriage Ceremony. Price 23. A BIOGRAPHICAL VIEW, &c. &c. &c. RECOLLECTIONS, ANECDOTES, TRAITS OF CHA RACTER, ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE OF WALES AND OF SAXE COBURG. CHAPTER I. Introductory Remarks-Succession to the Throne-Buonaparte Dynasty-Birth of the Princess - Baptism-Infantine Education. THE Princess Charlotte is no More? In that short sentence are embalmed all the HOPES of a PARENT!-of a HUSBAND!!—of a NATION!!! In one wide fellowship of pleasing anticipation and flattering expectancy were we entranced-the day but waked us to dreams of gladness, on which the loud-mouthed cannon and sprightly bell were to announce to a happy people the confirmation of their wishes, in the birth of a future Sovereign to B 2 National Dejection. these Imperial Realms and in the favourable convalescence of the Royal Mother-herself apparently destined to fill her native Throne, as future hope and glory!" 66 England's But, how awful the dispensations of an overruling Providence! Awful and afflictive—yet, we must believe, founded on Eternal Justice and Almighty Beneficence!! The sounds of gladness were mute; and the deep toll, that struck at solemn intervals upon the ear, carried to each throbbing bosom the sad conviction that the hopes of the country were dashed to the earth, and that we had, indeed, to mourn the loss of a Princess, eminent for her distinguished virtues, most amiable in every relation of life-of a mother, whose expected happy parturition had so long been the enthusiastic theme of every patriotic heart! In truth, the regret and consternation of the public throughout the vast Metropolis was, at that moment, commensurate with the magnitude of the double disaster thus mournfully confirmed; and, we may safely say, that never, within living recollection, was there so strong and general an expression and indication of national feeling. It seemed as if all, in the words of our Avonian Bard, were ready to exclaim, Instructive Lesson. Tre, indeed, is it, that never, even in historic recollection, can we fix upon any antecedent period in which the Nation had greater cause for affliction and lamentation-and deeply was it felt, for it must be justly confessed, that every bosom swelled with sorrow, whilst many, very many, found it impossible to restrain the fulness of the heart from tears. Deep and sombre thought sat upon every brow-and each was anxious to participate with his neighbour, as if saying with our immortal Poet, "If sorrow can admit society— Tell o'er your woes again by viewing mine." With all due submission to the behest of Almighty Power, can we too much lament for her, thus snatched from us at the very moment when actually congratulating ourselves upon her preservation from imminent peril? Can we too much lament, that all the hopes of private and public happiness, which rested on her life, have suddenly vanished? Yet, whilst we lament, let us improve from the awful lesson-when we see youth, health, innocence, and cheerfulness, the prospect of an Imperial Crown, and the more heartfelt prospect of successive years of connubial and parental felicity, thus passing away like a morning shadow! Let us "look on this picture, and on this," seeing that 4 National Hopes. of her who, but a few days ago, was the pride and hope of the Arbitress of Nations, nothing now remains to us but a sad remembrance and a bitter recollection of the fond hopes we had indulged. Most pointedly too must every lover of his country, every friend to the better affections of the heart, lament this sudden, this unexpected dissolution of an union which promised to BRITAIN a lengthened line of the HOUSE OF BRUNSWICK, cemented by the Saxon blood which flowed in the veins of an EGBERT and an ALFRED-the blood of our earliest ancestors! From such an union of hearts, as well as hands-from an union to which there was not a single dissentient voice throughout the whole British Empire-can it be forgotten, how much was hoped for conducive to public happiness, not only from the political consequences connected with it, but also from the public and private conduct of the Illustrious Female, whose virtues were regarded as the Pharos of manners for a mighty people, as well as from the conduct, the associations, and the example of HIM who was united to those destinies, and thus placed in the most honourable situation that man can enjoy amongst a free people, except on the throne itself! Nor were those fond hopes so far disappointed; for, beloved and honoured, the happy pair had learnt to feel the sacred blessedness of blessing others--had with fidelity discharged even the humbler duties of society-and displayed |