It was an affecting thing to many to observe, that, notwithstanding all the glories of her reign, which were very remarkable, things came at length to that pass, that, during her last illness, when she seemed at all likely to recover, or grew ever so little better, the public Stocks fell; whereas, in proportion as she grew worse, and her danger increased, they advanced, and rose higher than they were before.

briel in a mortal disguise, (See vol. i. p. 415.) the poet now seems to have discovered Milton's Uriel in the founder of the new dynasty.

""Twas George diffused a vital ray,

And gave the dying nations day:

His influence soothes the Russian bear,
Calms rising wars, and heals the air;

Join'd with the sun, his beams are hurl'd
To scatter blessings round the world,

Fulfil whate'er the muse has spoke,

And crown the work that Anne forsook."

Works, (1800) vii. 252, 253. which not only "soothes the much to be desired, for the

This "influence" of George I. Russian bear," (a process now so repose of Europe,) but also "heals the air," is more classical than Christian, and rather in the manner of Tertullus than of Paul. Thus, Horace, when he would compliment his "Tutela Præsens," enquires what region of nature the Emperor will condescend to govern. Thus, too, some adherents of the Stuarts had inferred their "right divine" from the efficacy of "the royal touch;" for which there remains in the Liturgy a form, now become obselete, entitled "At the Healing."

I have not been able to quote such complimentary, not to say, adulatory strains, which must have escaped, currente calamo,

CHAPTER IX.

1714-1727.

Hints relating both to Public and Private matters, in the Reign of King George I.

QUEEN ANNE died at Kensington, August 1, on the very day that the Schism Act was to have taken place.* By her death, all the schemes of the ene

from a gifted scholar and eminent Christian, like Dr. Watts, without recollecting a line he once adopted

"The Court's a golden, but a fatal circle,"

and suspecting that it may, sometimes, have proved as fatal to the correct taste, as to the strict and manly virtue of those who were living under its influence, or had become partakers of its smiles.-ED.

Such a coincidence could not escape observation in an age more disposed, probably, than the present, to award the divine retributions, as human prejudices or interests might decide. Even, so late as 1758, such a man as Dr. Benson could thus assume, in a sermon preached at Salter's Hall (p. 22).

"On the very day that the Schism Act was to take place, God once more appeared for us, in the most remarkable and distinguishing manner; took away the life of that Princess, who had so far been seduced, as, causelessly, to seek our destruction; and introduced King William's legacy, the amiable and illustrious House of Hanover. O that glorious first of August! that most signal day, which ought never to be forgot!"

This "Act to prevent the growth of Schism," became, at once, (as no court-lawyer would now enforce the penalties,) almost a

mies of the Hanover succession, which were deeply laid, were broken at once. At that instant, the Duke of Shrewsbury (who had changed sides so often, that at length neither Tories nor Whigs were very free to confide in him) was, at once, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Lord High Treasurer of Great

dead letter, till its formal repeal, 5 Geo. I. It had very unjustly prohibited all who should "willingly resort to a conventicle or Jacobite meeting," or who were not practical conformists" to the Liturgy of the Church of England," from teaching the classics or the higher branches of philosophy, under the penalty of being "committed to the common gaol, for three months, without bail."

They were, however, free to "instruct youth in reading, writing, arithmetic, or other mathematical learning, so far as it relates to any mechanical art only, and it be taught in the English tongue."

This Act which, by these restraints on liberal education, would "meanly seek the blessing to confine," (a project which has for ever tarnished the literary reputation of Lord Bolingbroke,) was yet liberality itself, compared to a base attempt of the Long Parliament, while under Presbyterian ascendency. In 1642, they demanded of Charles, his assent to "a bill for the education of the children of Papists by Protestants, in the Protestant religion." Parl. Hist. xi. 132.

Ludlow (Mem. i. 35.) quotes this among nineteen propositions, without the slightest hint of disapprobation. It may, indeed, be fairly questioned, whether Dr. Benson, or, still more, Dr. Calamy, or any of their contemporary Nonconformists, ever thought of censuring such a barbarous project, which violated the first rights, and interfered with the first duties of nature, or of branding it, on behalf" of Papists," their fellow-Christians, though of another sect, as a design, sufficiently obvious, "to seek their destruction."-ED.

Britain, and Lord Chamberlain, three great employments scarce ever known to have been, at once, in the same hand. He was also, by Act of Parliament, till the arrival of the next successor, one of the Lords Justices in a double capacity; as Lord Treasurer, and also as one particularly named in the instruments here deposited by the said successor for the time being.

Another thing at that time much noticed was, the arrival of the Duke of Marlborough, after escaping a dreadful tempest upon the sea for several days. Though some talked but oddly of the views on which he returned, yet his coming to London so very seasonably, August 4, and declaring for the House of Hanover, that discovered a particular regard for him, not a little disheartened the secret enemies of that august family.

King George, after the three instruments which had been deposited in the hands of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, and the Resident of Brunswick, had been publicly produced and opened, and read in Council, was proclaimed in London and Westminster, on the very day in which the Queen died, by the Lords Justices, and the rest of the Privy Counsellors. Lord Bolingbroke was not only among the first that signed the proclamation, but sent an early account of it to the Court of Hanover, with great expressions of joy, and tenders of duty. Orders were also sent to proclaim his Majesty in North Britain and Ireland. It was done

everywhere, with very great rejoicing, for which there was good reason.

It must be said, even for those who were reckoned the worst enemies of the House of Hanover, before, that they bore their disappointment, at first, with a better grace, than, all things considered, could well have been expected from persons so flushed with hopes of carrying all before them. They seemed as well satisfied with his Majesty's peaceable accession, and attended the ceremony of his proclamation with as cheerful looks as any persons. Or, if they were in a sudden fright, they, in a short time so far recovered themselves, as to lay no small claim to his Majesty's favour.

"The King," they gave out, "intended to become an universal father to his people, and not to caress any particular party. His religion,"* they said, " was nearest a kin to the Church of England, and most consonant to those high doctrines in it which they professed; and the form of his Government abroad, could not but countenance their notions of passive obedience, and other exaltations of the royal prerogative." Upon these presumptions, they promised themselves an equal share, if not a superiority, above their fellow-subjects in the King's affections. But they soon found themselves mistaken.

The Parliament, pursuant to the Act of the 5th of Queen Anne, met in the afternoon of the day she died. The Speaker being in Wales, at his country seat, the members present immediately qualified

* "Lutheran."-ED.