presented a most brilliant scene of courtly display; to enter into which is, however, beyond our plan, any further than to observe that the bridegroom received the hand of the royal bride from His Majesty himself, who on that occasion displayed a deep parental feeling, which was also manifested by the Queen, whilst the princesses shed tears of affection and sensibility.

As soon as the ceremony was over, which was performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Chapel Royal at St. James's, the whole royal family left town for Windsor.

When the proposals were first made for the marriage, it is said that the King felt anxious to be satisfied respecting 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 did away every suspicion in the clearest manner, by documents and papers the most authentic, proving that he had neither knowledge of, nor participation in, any improper measures, if such were used; which however is by no means probable. His Majesty made a full inspection of these papers, and expressed himself perfectly convinced that the prince was incontestably innocent of any blame upon that very interesting and important point.

Yet the King did certainly manifest considerable reluctance to the match; which, however, may be easily accounted for through parental attachment, and an unwillingness to have his eldest daughter separated from the family.

Notwithstanding the political clamour of the day, considerable public interest was excited by the departure of the bride for Germany on the second of June, on which morning their highnesses breakfasted at St. James's Palace, and set off from the garden gate. The princess endeavoured to appear cheerful; but the faltering accents with which she bade her attendants, and the surrounding multitude, farewell, bespoke her agitation. The prince appeared several times at the window, and affectionately embraced his amiable consort on their leaving the apartments. The scene was highly affecting, and drew tears from many of the spec

tators.

None of the royal family were present, as they had taken leave the preceding night at twelve o'clock. They were all so deeply affected on her royal highness's parting with them, that it is impossible to do justice to their feelings upon the occasion. Her Majesty and the princesses shed abundant tears, while the princess hung upon her royal father's neck, overwhelmed in grief. The prince at length prevailed on her royal highness to go with him, and supported her to the coach. The

King followed them to bid his daughter an affectionate farewell; but so overpowered were his parental feelings, that he could scarcely give utterance to his words.

It was in the spring of this year that the naval mutiny took place; and at the latter end of May the ships in the river were in a complete state of insubordination.

Measures now became necessary to be taken, on behalf of government. On June the first, His Majesty communicated to parliament the disorders which had taken place in the fleet, and recommended some more effectual provision for the prevention and punishment of all traiterous attempts to excite sedition and mutiny. This communication produced immediately an act of parliament, which was completed on the sixth of June.

It is a well-known fact, that the favourable termination of this unhappy affair was greatly owing to the good sense and resolution of His Majesty, joined to the mild though determined measures recommended by his paternal regard for a well-mean_ ing and meritorious, though, at that moment, misguided class of his subjects.

One of the most whimsical political manœuvres that has happened in the course of a long and turbulent reign now took place, in the secession of the whig members from the House of Commons, wearied," as it was expressed, "with fruitless attempts;

and leaving ministers and their adherents to their fate." Previous to this secession, however, Mr. Fox conceived it a duty to his country to submit to the House of Commons, on the twenty-third of May, a motion for the repeal of the Treason and Sedition Bills, which had been passed into laws near the end of the year 1795.

When the house divided, there appeared for the motion 52; against it 260. This was the last motion Mr. Fox made in that session; but, in a few days afterwards, he supported Mr. Grey's well-known motion, when, on the twenty-sixth of May, a Parliamentary Reform was again agitated in the House of Commons. Mr. Grey prefaced his motion for this purpose with a speech, in the introduction to which he observed, that after recollecting the fate which every proposition from that side of the house had met with, he had not very sanguine hopes of success; but a determination to do his duty prevailed over every other consideration. Mr. Grey, after asserting that the present parliament had not the confidence of the people, then added, that his attempts at several times had been of no avail, and he therefore took the opportunity of informing the house, that after that night he should no more trouble them with his attendance and observations. He concluded with moving " for leave to bring in a bill, to improve and amend the representation of the people in the House of Commons."