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from a rapid succession of short reigns. A curious calculation has been made on this subject: it is rather amusing, than of any real value. There are fourteen English Princes and Princesses, who stand. in the order we have already given. The following Table is formed on a medium between the Northampton Table of Observations, and the probability of life in London. The females are marked (F.):

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From this Table it appears, that on the common probability of life, as applied to each individual, supposing none of them to have issue, there would be in the next twenty-one years, nine reigns, two of them female ones; and that after the first, there would be no reign longer than twenty-one months, and two as short as five months. This, however, is mere speculation; for admitting the above Table to be correct, and that all the English Princes and Princesses were to die without leaving issue, it is probable, that the British people and Parliament would not permit any of the family of Buonaparte to ascend the Throne of these realms, even if there were no young Princes of the illustrious House of

Brunswick to whom they could look in such an extremity. The apparent ground of our present hope, certainly is the probability of issue upon the approaching marriage of His present Majesty's youngest son, the Duke of Cambridge, with a young Princess of the Protestant House of Hesse· D'Armstadt; to which the attention of the whole nation is now directed, with the ardent and reasonable expectation, that from it may spring the future Heirs of the British Crown.

FAC-SIMILE OF HIS MAJESTY'S SIGNATURE, FEB. 12, 1806.

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APPENDIX.

MEDICAL REPORTS.

Case of the late Princess Charlotte of Wales.

FROM THE LONDON MEDICAL REPOSITORY.

THE Editors, having been sufficiently apprised that the profession expected from them some account of this case, the lamentable termination of which has spread such a settled gloom over the British Empire; immediately, on learning that the Physicians who attended it did not mean to publish any statement, (a resolution, in the propriety of which, under the circumstances, they perfectly coincide,) strenuously endeavoured to obtain every information respecting it, from such sources as could be depended on. Their exertions have been successful, and they are now enabled to present a report to their readers, which may be regarded as strictly authentic.

In prefacing their narrative, in this place, it is not for them to attempt to paint the simultaneous and wholly unprecedented expression of unfeigned sorrow, which the death of this excellent person, not less elevated by her virtues than by her rank, visibly imprinted on the countenance of the inha

bitants of this extended realm. It spoke a language that could not be misconstrued. The profession have participated in this feeling, in common with their fellow subjects; and have borne a part in that extraordinary demonstration of respect for the departed, which, perpetuated in the page of history, will be contemplated by posterity as the most dignified tribute to individual worth, and the sublimest triumph of virtue, which mankind have ever witnessed; a tribute honourable to the object of it, in a degree fitted to excite the envy of the proudest monarchs, and an eternal memorial of the ardent feelings of an honest-hearted, brave, and generous people. But as they are incapable of doing justice to this part of the subject, they shall leave it to abler commentators; and proceed to detail the facts they have collected, as far as regards the case in a medical point of view.

The Princess Charlotte, previously to her confinement, was in good health, and immediately under the eye of her accoucheur, Sir Richard Croft, who resided at Claremont for three weeks, up to the moment in which she was taken ill. Dr. Baillie, also, was in attendance, chiefly, we have been informed, on account of a promise exacted from himn by the Princess, that he would be near her on this occasion. Her spirits were excellent, and she anticipated only the most favourable issue of the event which was hourly expected.

She was first made sensible of her approaching delivery at seven o'clock on Monday evening, the third of November; but the labour pains were so inefficient, although acute, as scarcely to evacuate the water, which had ruptured the membranes at the commencement of the labour; a circumstance, however, which every accoucheur knows, prognosticates nothing either uncommon or untoward. In this manner the labour proceeded, slowly, for twenty-six hours; the Princess being frequently up

and walking about, from finding that the pains almost left her when she was in the recumbent posture. About this time, also, judging from the inefficiency of the pains, and the little progress made in the labour, we understand Sir Richard Croft suspected that there were either twins, or that there existed some irregular action of the uterus; and, as it was probable a consultation might ultimately be required, he wrote to Dr. John Sims, requesting his Immediate attendance. He had, in the mean time, provided whatever could be wanted, should it be found expedient to have recourse to artificial deli

very.

Dr. Sims arrived at Claremont at two o'clock in the morning of Wednesday, but did not then see the Princess; and, as the cause of this has been grossly mis-stated, we think it proper, in justification of an honourable man, and so highly respected a member of the profession as Sir Richard Croft is well known to be, to state, that we have been informed, from a quarter which we must credit, that it was proposed by Sir Richard to Dr. Sims, that he should then be introduced to the Princess; but both Dr. Sims himself and Dr. Baillie thought his presence, at that time, could not be productive of any benefit, but might agitate the patient. Dr. Sims, therefore, declined entering the lying-in room. No consultation was at this period necessary, as the labour was evidently advancing, although slowly: but on hearing the statement of the situation of the Princess from Sir Richard Croft, Dr. Sims concurred in the opinion that every thing should be left to nature.

About noon, on Wednesday, it was first suspected that the child might be dead, or that it might be born in a state of suspended animation; and every known means of recovery were immediately prepared. Still, the labour continued to be scarcely progressive; the pains being such as tend

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