GEORGE III. the second child of Frederick Prince of Wales, son of George II. and of Augusta Princess of Saxe-Gotha, was born in Norfolk House, St. James's-square, the 4th of June, 1738. His constitution was sound and vigorous, though he came into the world at the term of seven months. The education of the young Prince, upon whose principles and abilities so much of the future happiness of these kingdoms was destined to depend, was conducted upon a somewhat narrow system. His acquirements were neither very extensive, nor very important; but the conscious strictness in morals, and the uniform impressions of piety, which he ever so strikingly displayed, are the best proofs that, in the most essential points, the cultivation of his mind had not been neglected. The Princess of Wales, his mother, communicated to a friend the follow ing character of the young Prince, at the age of 17. The passage is in Doddington's Diary. She said, "He was shy and backward; not a wild, dissipated boy, but good-natured and cheerful, with a serious cast upon the whole; that those about him knew him no more than if they had never seen him. That he was not quick; but with those he was acquainted with, applicable and intelligent. His education had given her much pain. His book learning she was no judge of, though supposed it small or useless; but she hoped he might have been instructed in the general understanding of things.' He was brought up in great privacy, as far as regarded a familiar acquaintance with the prevailing manners of the young nobility; and the prejudices which George II. entertained against the Princess Dowager, effectually excluded his grandson from the splendours and allurements of a Court. George III. having completed his 22d year, ascended the Throne on the 25th of October, 1760. The death of George II. was unexpected. The young Sovereign was somewhat embarrassed by the novelty of his situation; but, in his first public act, the good sense and modesty of his character were manifested in the following address to his Council: "The loss that I and the Nation have sustained by the death of the King my grandfather, would have been severely felt at any time; but coming at so critical a juncture, and so unexpected, it is by many circumstances augmented, and the weight now falling on me much increased, I feel my own insufficiency to support it as I wish; but, animated by the tenderest affection for my native country, and depending upon the advice, experience, and abilities of your Lordships, on the support of every honest man, I enter with cheerfulness into this arduous situation, and shall make it the business of my life to promote, in every thing, the glory and happiness of these kingdoms, to preserve and strengthen the Constitution in both Church and State; and as I mount the Throne in the midst of an expensive, but just and necessary war, I shall endeavour to prosecute it in a manner the most likely to bring on an honourable and lasting peace, in concert with my allies." Though the conflicts of party were, within a few years after the acces sion, unusually violent, the King was highly popular at the commencement of his reign. Looking at the National character, it would have been impossible to have been otherwise, when a Sovereign, interesting from his birth and education in England, his youthfulness, and his unimpeached conduct, delivered himself to his people in a Speech from the Throne, containing many passages as notable and patriotic as the following: "Born and educated in this country, I glory in the name of Briton, and the peculiar happiness of my life will ever consist in promoting the welfare of a people whose loyalty and warm affection for me I consider as the greatest and most permanent security of my Throne; and I doubt not but their steadiness in those principles will equal the firmness. of my invariable resolution to adhere to and strengthen this excellent Constitu tion in Church and State; and to maintain the Toleration inviolable. The civil and religious rights of my loving sub jects are equally dear to me with the most valuable prerogatives of my Crown; and as the surest foundation of the whole, and the best means to draw down the Divine favour on my reign, it is my fixed purpose to countenance and encourage the practice of true religion and virtue." His Majesty very soon evinced that his consideration to preserve the wel fare of his people, by constitutional principles and actions, was not con 1820.] Memoir of our late Most Gracious King. fined to professions. Within six months after his accession to the Throne, he recommended the famous alteration of the law by which the Judges were rendered independent of the Crown. Of the importance of this measure, we cannot better speak than in the words of Blackstone: "By the noble improvements of the Law, in the Statute of 1 Geo. III. c. 23, enacted at the earnest recommendation of the King himself from the Throne, the Judges are continued in their offices during their good behaviour, notwithstanding any demise of the Crown (which was formerly held immediately to vacate their seats), and their full salaries are absolutely secured to them during the continuance of their commissions; his Majesty having been pleased to declare that he looked upon the independence and uprightness of the Judges as essential to the impartial administration of justice, as one of the best securities of the rights and liberties of his subjects, and as most conducive to the honour of the Crown'." The same love of constitutional freedom, and the same desire to exercise his prerogative for the benefit of his subjects, were manifested by his Majesty throughout his life. The King," said Lord North frequently, "would live on bread and water, to preserve the constitution of his country; he would sacrifice his life to maintain it inviolate." On the 8th of July, 1761, the King announced to the Privy Council his intention to marry. In thus declaring the object of his choice, he manifested the prudence which uniformly characterized him. The union was completed on the 7th of the following August. The early years of the reign of George III. were distracted by party conflicts of the most virulent nature. These produced changes of Ministry, which demanded from the King the exercise of the strongest forbearance, as well as the greatest address. On the resignation of the first Mr. Pitt in 1761, the King displayed at once the firmness and benevolence of his nature. His Majesty expressed concern at the loss of so able a Minister; and, to show the favourable sense he entertained of his services, made him an unlimited offer of any rewards in the power of the Crown to bestow; at -101 the same time he avowed himself satisfied with the opinion which the majority of the Council had pronounced against that of Mr. Pitt. The great Minister was overpowered by the nobleness of this proceeding. "I confess, Sire," he said, "I had but too much reason to expect your Majesty's displeasure. I did not come pardon me, Sire; it overpowers, it prepared for this exceeding goodness: oppresses me." He burst into tears. About this period of his reign, his Majesty had to bear up against a spirit, not only amongst the populace, but displaying itself very violently in some constituted authorities, which, to the dispassionate observation of the present day, must present more of the character of licentiousness than of a genuine love of freedom. The popular commotions which arose out of the factious violence of Wilkes and his adherents are as disgraceful to the character of the people, as some of the measures which were taken to repress them were inconsistent with our present notions of constitutional justice. The King's conduct, throughout this trying occasion, was manly and consistent. In 1772, George III. lost his excellent mother, the Princess Dowager of Wales. His father, the Prince of Wales, had died 18 years before, in 1754. The American war commenced in 1773. This contest has already been subjected to the impartial scrutiny of History. It is quite clear that the war was originally impolitic, and that it was unnecessarily prolonged. But, although it has been the fashion to ascribe much of the perseverance in this calamitous contest to the personal character of the Sovereign, it will, we think, be conceded, that the abdication of so large a portion of his hereditary dominions was no determination to be lightly or hastily adopted by the King of England. His Majesty's sentiments on this subject were magnanimously evinced on his first interview with Mr. Adams, the Ambassador of the United States. "I was the last man in the kingdom, Sir," he said, "to consent to the independence of America: but now it is granted, I shall be the last man in the world to sanction a violation of it." The The most remarkable events of the American war were the battles of Bunker's-hill in 1775, Long Island, 1776, and the Brandywine, 1777, the surrender of General Burgoyne in the latter year, Rodney's defeat and capture of the Spanish Admiral Langara in 1780, the action off the Dogger Bank in 1781, Rodney's defeat and capture of the French Admiral De Grasse in 1782, and the destruction of the Spanish floating batteries off Gibraltar the same year. Peace was restored in 1783. The riots in London in 1780, which threatened to overturn the very foundations of the Government, called forth, in a most signal manner, the energies of the King's character. It is an undoubted fact, that, when the advisers of the Sovereign were in a state of confusion and alarm, bordering on despair, he at once decided upon those necessary measures of military assistance, which effectually repressed the tremendous dangers of a populace so infuriated. The following is an interesting account of this memorable transaction: "At the Council on the morning of the 7th of June, the King assisted in person. The great question was there discussed on which hinged the protection and preservation of the Capital-a question respecting which the first legal characters were divided, and on which Lord Mansfield himself was with reason Is tary force, without waiting for forms, It has been stated to us as a fact firm conduct of the King, on this reupon which we can rely, that the markable occasion, arose out of a conversation with the late Mr. De Luc, a gentleman of whose sensible. suggestions the King often availed himself. The second William Pitt came into power in 1783. This was, without doubt, the most important æra of the King's life. Never was an English Minister invested with such unbounded power as this great states man; and never did a servant of the Crown better.deserve the confidence that was placed in him. In 1788, his late Majesty was attacked by that malady which, for the last 10 years, deprived his family and his people of the guidance of his slight attack of a similar indisposition. The national gloom produced by this severe visitation in 1788, and the universal joy manifested on the sudden recovery of the Monarch, are well-known events. The following extraordinary circumstance has lately been made public: once active and benevolent mind. It accused of never having clearly expression to the Throne, the King had a is believed that, soon after his acces ed his opinion up to that time. Doubts existed whether persons riotously collected together, and committing outrages and infractions of the peace, however great, might legally be fired on by the military power, without staying previously to read the Riot Act. Lord Bathurst, President of the Council, and Sir Fletcher Norton, Speaker of the House of Commons, who were both present, on being appealed to for their opinions, declared that a soldier was not less a citizen because he was a soldier, and consequently that he might repel force by force.' But no Minister would sign the Order for the purpose. In this emergency, when every moment was precious, Mr. Wedderburn, since successively raised to the dignity of a Barou, and of an Earl of Great Britain, who was then Attorney General, having been called into the Council table, and ordered by the King to deliver his offi cial opinion on the point, stated in the most precise terms, that any such assemblage might be dispersed by mili On the 22d of February, 1789, Mr. Pitt and Lord Melville were dining with Lord Chesterfield, when a Letter was brought to the former, which he read, and sitting next to Lord Melville, gave it to him under the table, and whispered, that when he had looked at it, it would be better for them to talk it over in Lord Ches terfield's dressing-room. This proved to be a Letter in the King's own hand, announcing his recovery to Mr. Pitt in terms somewhat as follow: "The King renews with great satisfaction his communication with Mr. Pitt, after the long suspension of their intercourse, 1820.J Memoir of our late Most Gracious King. intercourse, owing to his very tedious and painful illness. He is fearful that, during this interval, the public interests have suffered great inconvenience and difficulty. "It is most desirable that immediate measures should be taken for restoring the functions of his Government, and Mr. Pitt will consult with the Lord Chancellor to-morrow morning, upon the most expedient means for that purpose. And the King will receive Mr. Pitt at Kew afterwards, about one o'clock." There could be no hesitation on the part of Mr. Pitt; but, having held the necessary conference with the Chancellor, he waited upon the King at the appointed time, and found him perfectly of sound mind, and in every respect as before his illness, competent to all the affairs of his public station. This was the first notice in any way which Mr. Pitt received of this most important event. The reports of the physicians had indeed been of late more favourable; but Lord Melville verily believed there was not a man, except Dr. Willis, who entertained the smallest hope of the restoration of the King's mind. Mr. Pitt continually declared this opinion to Lord Melville, and they had both determined to return to the Bar, as the dissolution of the Ministry was then on the point of taking place. The Letter in question Lord Melville took from Mr. Pitt, saying he had a trick of losing papers, and furnished him only with a copy, the ori ginal remaining in his Lordship's possession. The King wrote the Letter at a little table of the Queen's, which stood in his apartment, without the knowledge of any person; and, having finished, rang his bell, and gave it to his valet de-chambre, directing it to be carried to Mr. Pitt *. During the excesses which grew out of the spirit of anarchy called into action by the French Revolution, the King was repeatedly exposed to the insults and attacks of a licentious mob. On each of these occasions he manifested the utmost fortitude and calmness: his personal courage astonished his friends, and awed his enemies. * Of the amiable and prepossessing manners of the King, see an interesting account by the late Mr. Justice Hardinge, vol. LXXXIX, j. p. 38. 103 The same qualities were displayed in 1800, when a maniack, at Drurylane Theatre, fired at the Royal perThe dramatic piece, which was about to be represented, commenced in a short space of time, precisely as if no accident had interrupted its performance; and so little were his nerves shaken, or his internal tranquillity disturbed by it, that he took his accustomed doze three or four minutes between the conclusion of the play and the commencement of the farce, as he would have done on any other night. The King manifested a like extraordinary composure after the attempt made to assassinate him by Margaret Nicholson. During the long contest against the military spirit of France, bis late Majesty uniformly sanctioned and warmly supported the struggles of Great Britain, when almost every other country was at the feet of the conqueror. Although most desirous of an honourable peace, he would never listen to any attempt to compromise the honour of his country, by propitiating the favour of the ambitious Napoleon. The prelimi naries of the Peace of Amiens were concluded without his knowledge or concurrence. On reading the Letter communicating this important intelligence, he said to those about him, "I have received surprising news, but it is no secret. Preliminaries of peace are signed with France. I knew nothing of it whatever; but, since it is made, I sincerely wish it may prove a lasting peace." We are approaching that period when the independence of the European States appear ready to be entirely swallowed up in the military (preponderance of France. The King's heart expanded to witness the glorious rallying-cry of bis whole people on the prospect of invasion; and he saw in the mighty victory of Trafalgar the total destruction of the naval power of our enemy. But, like his great Minister, it was not permitted to him to witness the succession of triumphs, which finally placed this Country in the most commanding attitude of her history, and broke down for generations the once-called invincible power which aimed at universal empire. The glories of Spain had just commenced, when, in November 1810, the King was visited by that malady whose continuance has been so long deplored, and from which be bas only been released by the hand of Death. Over the last nine years of his Majesty's life an awful veil has been drawn. In the periods of the deepest national solicitude his mind has felt no interest; in the hour of the most acute domestic feeling, his eye has been tearless. The present age has not done justice to the King's abilities. His conversation in public was sometimes light and superficial; but he often had a purpose in such dialogue, and as often entered into it to relieve him. self from the weight of superior thoughts. The King taking exercise and amusing himself with those about him, and the King in the Cabinet, were two different men. In the discussion of public affairs, he was astonishingly fluent and acute; and his habits of business enabled him to refer with ease to the bearings of every subject. His successive Ministers have each borne testimony to the dignity of his manners, as well as the readiness of his address, when he put on the character of the Sovereign. Nothing which was submitted to him was passed over with indifference or haste. Every paper which came under his eye contained marks of his observation; and the notes, which he almost invariably inserted in the margin, were remarkable as well for the strong sense as the pithiness of their character. The King was not a great reader. Indeed, he scarcely ever took up a book. He had a particular tact in obtaining information, and employed persons of ability to read books, and convey to him their substance.' The temperance of his late Majesty's life has become almost proverbial. He rose in summer and winter before six o'clock. He would take a slight breakfast at eight, and dine off the plainest joint at one. He retired early to rest, after passing the evening with his family, generally amused with musick, of which he was passionately fond, and in which he manifested a most correct taste. The King's agricultural pursuits (for as Burke has justly said, "even in his amusements he was a patriot") contributed to the strength of his constitution. The habitual piety of his late Majesty was always the most striking part of his character. Those who have been with him at his morning devotions at the private Chapel at Windsor will never forget the fervour of his responses during the service, This constant sense of religion doubtless contributed to the invariable firmness and serenity of his mind. When one of the young Princes was hourly expected to die, the King was sitting on a Sunday, reading a Sermon to his family. An attendant came in with the tidings of the child's death. The King exchanged a look with him, signifying he understood his commis sion, and then proceeded with his reading till it was finished. The reign now terminated has been the longest, the most prosperous, and the most glorious, of any recorded in our annals, perhaps of any in the history of the world; nor do the private and domestic virtues of our lamented King less embalm his memory in our affections, than the splendour and renown of his achievements demand our admiration. The most striking feature in the late King's character was his deeprooted and zealous attachment to the great interests of Religion and Virtue, of which, as he steadily cultivated the principles, so he afforded to his subjects, both in public and private life, a bright and unvarying example. Yet was not his an austere or repulsive piety. His eminent and public respect for the Established Religion of the State did not prevent him from indulging a wise and liberal toleration; and in the course of his reign numerous Statutes attested his desire to enlarge and extend the freedom of conscience, as far as was compatible with public morals, and the Christian Faith. In all respects, lenity, moderation, and paternal mildness, were the characteristicks of his Government at home, as justice and liberality were of his intercourse with Foreign Powers. The Account of His Majesty's Funeral, and other circumstances relative to his lamented death, will be found in our Obituary department, page 176. MISCELLANEOUS |