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OF

HER MAJESTY

QUEEN CAROLINE.

CHAPTER I.

Preliminary Observations-The House of Brunswick-Military Education and Gallantry of her Majesty's Father, Prince Charles-His Marriage to Princess Augusta,eldest Sister of George III-His Exploits-Death, &c.-His IssueGallantry of his Brother, Prince Frederick Augustus-Lamented Loss of Prince Leopold, the Duke's youngest Son.

THE biography of a queen, particularly a queen of England, is (like that of her late majesty, queen Charlotte) seldom replete with much interest or variety, being chiefly dull repetitions of court assemblies, fetes, excursions, &c. Far different, however, is the life of her late majesty, queen Caroline; for though auspicious the commencement of the royal nuptials appeared, and though sweet the honeymoon, which was succeeded by a few revolving years of harmony, festivity, and bliss; yet a sudden cloud darkened the prospect, and that sun

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shine of happiness which was fondly anticipated by the anxious people, was totally obscured, without a ray of hope remaining of its return!-She was ex cluded from court assemblies-she was denied a participation in those fetes and entertainments where even her own daughter was present, who frequently heaved an involuntary sigh on account of the absence of her mother. By her departure from England, she was separated from an affectionate child, and prevented from attending the sick bed of her illustrious daughter, and administering that maternal care which her dangerous situation so much required! these, as well as the wandering life she passed in foreign countries, attended with other circumstances not generally known, and which will be here presented to the reader, are events so novel and important, that they cannot fail of exciting the highest interest and warmest sympathies, not only of the present, but of future ages. The daughter of one of the greatest generals in the world-the sister of one who fell nobly in the field -the mother of our lamented, our beloved princess Charlotte-and that individual, the queen of England! cannot but receive from a great and generous people, all that is due to her virtues, her misfor tunes, and her exalted rank.

Caroline Amelia Elizabeth, the subject of these memoirs, was born on the 17th of May, 1768; her late majesty, queen Charlotte, was also born in the

same month; but as the birth-day of her royal consort so soon succeeded, the queen's was publicly kept about the beginning of the year, for the purpose of promoting trade and business: it is evident that her present majesty's is not to be publicly celebrated on any day, as she is omitted in the liturgy, though she had been previously prayed for, as the PRINCESS OF WALES; and we now only see "Vivat Rea” in the play-bills, instead of “ Vivant Rex et Regina."

The illustrious subject of these memoirs derived her birth from the August house of Brunswick, which, in the reign of king James, became con. nected with the royal family of England. Charles, duke of Brunswick, by his princess Phillipina, had issue, Charles William Ferdinand, hereditary prince of Brunswick Wolfenbuttle, who was born October 9, 1735, and married at St. James's Palace, January 16, 1764, to the princess Augusta, eldest sister of his majesty George the Third, king of Great Britain, &c. Such were the parents of her present majesty. Prince Charles, retaining the great qualities of his ancestors, was equally wise in council and brave in the field. Under the auspices of his uncle, the great prince Ferdinand, the hereditary prince (as he was styled during the life-time of his father) acquired his military education, and he commanded the troops of his native country which formed a portion of the allied army

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