enthusiastic warmth; and to the numerous addresses which were presented to him, his answers were said to be peculiarly apt and spontaneous, and equally distinguished for their promtitude and propriety, their elegance and point.

Although he was a strict disciplinarian, he was idolized by the sailors; and although strict and severe, he displayed all the openness and generosity peculiar to his profession.

It is pleasing to know, that the example of the King of England's son thus devoting himself to a course of arduous service, in order to gain instruction in the duties of an important profession, was not without its influence in other countries. The prince had not long been at sea, before the King of Prussia made use of the circumstance, te illustrate in a very striking manner the excellent sentiments contained in the toilowing answer to a nobleman, who had applied for a commission to his son in the army.

66 MOST ILLUSTRIOUS, DEAR, AND FAITHFUL! "I have seen your petition concerning your son. It is proper to inform you, that some time since, I have given orders that no men of rank should be admitted into my armies, as these gentlemen after a campaign or two, thinking themselves exceedingly clever, generally retire, settling on their own estates, where they enjoy the reputation of having been in the service. If your son chooses to be a soldier, I can assure you that his title will avail him nothing in the way of preferment, unless he endeavours to acquire the knowledge requisite to his profession."

P.S. In the kings own hand "As our young nobility in general never learn any thing, they of

course are exceedingly ignorant. In England, one of the king's sons, wishing to instruct himself, has not scrupled to set out as a common sailor.

"If any one of our men of fashion should chance to distinguish himself, and prove useful to his country, he will have no reason to plume himself upon his quality.

"Titles and birth, are nothing else than vanity and folly. True merit is personal.

"FREDERIC."

PROMOTION.

In 1781, a striking instance occurred of the attention which his majesty paid to the services and rewards of his servants. Lord Amhurst presenting to the king a packet of army commissions for his signature, his majesty, on looking over the list observed an officer appointed captain over an old lieutenant, and enquiring the reason, was answered by his lordship, "He cannot buy." The name struck the king, and before he signed the commissions, he turned to one of those large folios, of which he had a number, in his own hand-writing; and presently finding the name of the lieutenant, and some memorandums of his private life, he immediately ordered him to be promoted to the vacant company.

Mr. FOX.

On the death of the Marquess of Rockingham in 1782, Mr. Fox expected to be called upon by the sovereign, to fill the post of prime minister. Some

time however elapsing without this hope being gratified, he summoned a secret council of the Cavendishes, Lord Keppel, Mr. Burke, the Duke of Richmond, &c. at his house in Grafton Street, when he briefly told them, that the Earl of Shelburne would be appointed minister, unless they all firmly united to oppose such a measure. On this it was unanimously agreed, that the Duke of Portland would be a proper person for the prime minister, under their auspices, and that Mr. Fox should immediately wait on the king, with a strong recommendation of his Grace by this majority of the cabinet. Mr. Fox reached the royal closet only time enough to learn, that Lord Shelburne had just gone out with the appointment of first lord of the treasury. Mr. Fox, expressing great astonishment on hearing this, asked his majesty, "If, under these circumstances, he had any objection to his (Mr. Fox's) naming the new secretary of state?" To this his majesty replied, "That, sir, is already done." On which Mr. Fox rejoined, "Then I trust your majesty can dispense with my services?" The king replied hastily, "That also, sir, is done." Mr. Fox bowed and retired, and next day had a farther audience to deliver up his seals of office.

EARL OF MOUNT EDGECUMBE.

In the change of ministers which took place in 1782, the Earl of Mount Edgecumbe, who was then captain of the band of Gentlemen Pensioners, accompanied the ex-ministers in the turn out. They assembled at the Cocoa Tree, Pall Mall; the day was exceedingly dirty, and it rained incessantly. His

lordship, on alighting from his carriage, hurried into the Cocoa, and was received with a general cry of "What! my lord, are you turned out also?" "Yes," said his lordship, "they have turned me out in such a day, as no Christian would turn out a dog in."

་

"I am,"

INVENTION OF THE STEAM ENGINE. Mr. Boulton, of Birmingham, soon after he was connected with Mr. Watt, who was making such wonderful improvements in the Steam Engine, appeared at St. James's on a levee day, Well, Mr. Boulton," said the king, "I am glad to see you. What new project have you got now?" said Mr. Boulton, "manufacturing a new article that kings are very fond of." 'Aye, aye, Mr. Boulton, It is power, and please your majesty." "Power! Mr. Boulton, we like power, that's true; but what do you mean?" 'Why, sir, I mean the power of steam to move machines." His majesty appeared pleased, and laughing, said, "Very good, go on, go on."

what's that?" 66

THE COALITION MINISTRY.

Of all the administrations of his majesty's reign, the coalition ministry was decidedly the most unpopular, as it neither possessed the confidence of the king, nor that of the people. The India Bill of Mr. Fox, which had passed the House of Commons, and proceeded favourably in its early stages in the upper house, was, however, after a vehement debate, rejected by a majority of 95 to 75. This change is said to

have been occasioned by the following circumstance; On the 11th of December, 1783, Earl Temple had a conference with the king, in the course of which he fully explained to his majesty the nature and tendency of the bill which had been hitherto honoured with the king's entire approbation. The royal indignation was, in consequence of this discovery, excited fin a very high degree. The monarch considered himself as having been duped and deceived. A note was immediately written, stating, "That his majesty allowed Earl Temple to say, that whoever voted for the India Bill, was not only not his friend, but would be considered by him as his enemy. And if these words were not strong enough, Earl Temple might use whatever words he might deem stronger, or more to the purpose." This interposition becoming a matter of public notoriety, occasioned considerable uneasiness to such of the ministers as had supported the bill.

A change of administration was now determined on. Accordingly, on the 18th of December, at midnight, a messenger delivered to the two secretaries of state (Lord North and Mr. Fox) his majesty's orders, "that they should deliver up the seals of their offices, and send them by the under-secretaries, as a personal interview on the occasion would be disagreeble to his majesty."

No measure could have been more popular than the dismissal of the coalition ministry; addresses of thanks and approbation to his majesty, flowed in from all parts of the kingdom, and became at length so universal, that upon no occasion whatever was the sense of the people at large more clearly, strongly, and unequivocally ascertained. In this the City of