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This, however, was a regal title which he did not long retain, as a revolution took place in Corsica in 1796, and the title was judiciously laid aside.

On Lord Howe's arrival with the channel fleet and prizes at Spithead, after the glorious victory of the first of June, the King set off for Portsmouth, where he arrived, in company with the Queen and various branches of the royal family; and was received on alighting at the commissioner's house by Lord Howe and the governor, and by them conducted to the dock-yard, where the royal party embarked for Spithead.

On his first arrival the whole garrison was under arms; and the concourse of spectators was immense. The king appeared delighted with the scene, and carried in his own hand a superb diamond-hilted sword, intended for a present to the gallant naval commander.

On arriving near the Queen Charlotte, Lord Howe's flag was shifted to a frigate, and the royal standard hoisted on board the former ship, whither the royal party now repaired, remaining on board until the evening, mixing with and conversing almost with all ranks with the greatest condescension and cheerfulness. During the visit His Majesty presented Lord Howe with the sword, with gold chains and medals to the other flag officers; and the royal family on their return to Portsmouth rowed

up the harbour to inspect the French přizes, a sight which afforded them high satisfaction.

The next day their majesties held a levee, at which all ranks of officers were admitted, and afterwards returned to dine with the commissioner, sailing up the harbour in the evening again to inspect the naval trophies so happily won.

Great rejoicings and illuminations took place on this and the preceding evening; and on the next day, Saturday, the whole of the royal party attended to witness the launching of the Prince of Wales, a fine second-rate. As soon as she was brought to her moorings, the royal party again embarked, in order to go on board the Aquilon frigate, amongst the cheerings of multitudes, who made the air ring, and the joyous sounds of bands of music that played in the dock-yard, and on board of the various ships and yachts in the harbour.

As the royal barges approached Spithead, a general salute was fired, the crews cheering as the barges passed each respective ship; soon after which they went on board the Aquilon, Captain Stopford, who instantly got under weigh; when another salute was fired, the bands of the different ships playing martial symphonies during the greatest part of the day.

The Aquilon, after sailing round the fleet, bore. away towards the Needles; but owing to there being very little wind, soon after getting near to Cowes

Point, in going about she touched the ground, by which accident they were delayed an hour or two: and night coming on, their majesties and all the royal party took to their barges, the ship not being got off till the rising of the tide.

On Monday their majesties, with Prince Ernest and the princesses, went on board the Niger frigate, and sailed for Southampton, where they landed in the afternoon, and immediately proceeded in carriages for Windsor.

In August, at His Majesty's suit, the cause respecting the marriage of the present Duke of Sussex and Lady Augusta Murray, which had been solemnized in Italy, and afterwards at the parish church of St. George, Hanover-square, was finally determined in Doctors' Commons, when Sir William Wynne delivered the judgment of the court, that the marriage was utterly null and void, declaring also that the ceremony performed at Rome was also, by the law of this country, invalid and illegal.

At this time the following anecdote, highly honourable to His Majesty, was in confidential circulation:

During a late administration, it was thought expedient to offer a noble lord, very high in the naval profession, and very deservedly a favorite of his sovereign and his country, the office of general of the marines, held by Admiral Forbes, and spontaneously conferred upon him by His Majesty, as a

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