that Dr. Oswald was well known to Lord Kinnoul, who had often proposed to make us acquainted.

"We discussed a great many other topics; for the conversation, as before observed, lasted for upwards of an hour, without any intermission. The queen bore a large share in it. Both the king and her majesty showed a great deal of good sense, acuteness, and knowledge, as well as of good-nature and affability. At last, the king took out his watch, (for it was now almost 3 o'clock, his hour of dinner,) which Dr. Majendie and I took as a signal to withdraw. We accordingly bowed to their majesties, and I addressed the king in these words,-'I hope, Sir, your majesty will pardon me, if I take this opportunity to return you my humble and most grateful acknowledgments for the honour you have been pleased to confer upon me.' He immediately answered, I think I could do no less for a man who has done so much service to the cause of Christianity. I shall always be glad of an opportunity to show the good opinion I have of you.' The queen sat all the while, and the king stood, sometimes walking about a little. Her majesty speaks the English language with surprising elegance, and little or

nothing of a foreign accent. There is something wonderfully captivating in her manner, so that if she were only of the rank of a private gentlewoman, one could not help taking notice of her, as one of the most agreeable women in the world. When the doctor and I came out, Pray,' said I, how did I behave? Tell me honestly, for I am not accustomed to conversations of this kind.' 'Why, perfectly well,' answered he,' and just as you ought to do.' ... The doctor after

wards told me, that it was a most uncommon thing for a private man and a commoner to be honoured with so long an audience. I dined with Dr. and Mrs. Majendie, and their family, and returned to town in the evening, very much pleased with the occurrences of the day."

We shall close this section with the mention of two or three circumstances indicative of the king's character and disposition. It is well known that "the Marine Society" originated in the benevolence and patriotism of Mr. Jonas Hanway, and two or three other philanthropic individuals. This society commenced somewhat prior to 1760, when George II. gave 1,000l. and his late majesty,

then Prince of Wales, 4001. ; but it was not incorporated till the year 1772, under the auspices of the latter; and it has since been patronised by the Duke of Clarence, and the principal characters in the royal navy.

It has been said of Queen Elizabeth, that while she protected Protestants abroad, she persecuted them at home: but George III. was the uniform and consistent friend of religious liberty, both abroad and at home. Of the latter we have mentioned several instances, and we may now add, that on November 4, 1766, the British Ambassador, by his orders, presented a memorial to the king of Poland, in favour of the Dissidents, or Polish Protestant Dissenters, who had been deprived of the liberty of worship, and other rights, at the instigation of the Popish clergy; but by the timely and spirited interference of his Britannic Majesty, the rights of conscience were restored to them for the present.

Another circumstance marks his strong interest in the cause of religious and public morals, of which, indeed, many instances occurred throughout his reign. It will hardly be credited that an archbishop of Canterbury should need an admo

nition on this head; but the following letter is said to have been addressed to Dr. Cornwallis in 1772. It was handed about at the time in manuscript, and though we cannot vouch for its correctness, there seems no reasonable doubt of its authenticity :

"My good Lord Primate,

"I could not delay giving you the notification of the grief and concern with which my breast was affected at receiving an authentic information that routs have made their way into your palace. At the same time I must signify to you my sentiments on this subject, which hold these levities and vain dissipations as utterly inexpedient, if not unlawful, to pass in a residence for many centuries devoted to divine studies, religious retirement, and the extensive exercise of charity and benevolence. -I add, in a place where so many of your predecessors have led their lives in such sanctity, as has thrown lustre upon the pure religion they professed and adorned. From the dissatisfaction with which you must perceive I behold these improprieties, not to speak in harsher terms, and from still more pious principles, I trust you will suppress them immediately; so that I may not have

occasion to shew any further marks of my displeasure, or to interpose in a different manner. May God take your grace into his almighty protection* !"

The King's domestic life was an example to all his subjects. In regularity and temperance, in industry and early rising, he was scarcely exceeded by a husbandman or a tradesman in his dominions, while his strict regard to the duties of religion, and the fervour of his devotion, might even reprove many of the clergy, as we shall have further occasion to observe.

* George III, his Court, &c. Vol. I. p. 357, 8.