tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}a">171

SHANNON v. CHESAPEAKE 173

PART OF TRANSPARENCY AT ACKERMANN'S 186

"THE SEA IS OPEN, TRADE REVIVES" 189

THE FROST FAIR 222

VIOLETTES 249

"PEACE AND PLENTY; OR, GOOD NEWS FOR JOHN BULL!!!" 259

BLÜCHER GREETED BY HIS NUMEROUS FRIENDS IN THE PARK, 1814 270

BLÜCHER SURVEYING HIMSELF AS A D.C.L. 283

DOCTOR BLÜCHER 285

RUSSIAN CONDESCENSION; OR, THE BLESSINGS OF UNIVERSAL PEACE 292

MISS ENDEAVOURING TO EXCITE A GLOW WITH HER DUTCH PLAYTHING 310

THE DEVONSHIRE MINUET 313

THE R——T KICKING UP A ROW; OR, WARWICK HOUSE IN AN UPROAR 319

PLEBEIAN SPIRIT; OR, COACHEE AND THE HEIR PRESUMPTIVE 322

THE FORTRESS 335

THE TEMPLE OF CONCORD 348

A WHOLE FAMILY LOST 361

THE FATE OF WASHINGTON; OR, MADDY IN FULL FLIGHT 368

WALTZING A COURTSHIP 379

A.D. 1592.

SOCIAL ENGLAND UNDER THE REGENCY.

CHAPTER I.

The King's Malady — Former preparations for a Regency — King's recovery — The King at home — His love of music — Severe frost — Lucien Buonaparte a prisoner of war — French obstructions to commerce — A gallant merchantman.

Such was the announcement contained in The Times of 2nd of January, 1811, and, for some time, the subjects of George III. were fed with daily news of the King's health. By and by, as his mental disease was confirmed, they grew fewer, until they were furnished just once a month, and then only the very scantiest intelligence of his condition was vouchsafed to his people.

This was not the first time that his mind had given way. In the early part of October, 1788, he had decided symptoms of mental aberration, and was totally incapable of undertaking any of the affairs of State; but his physicians were hopeful of his recovery—and their hopes were gratified. But the Ministry thought differently, and, after suggesting that the Government should be carried on by a Commission, on the 30th of December, 1788, Pitt wrote a letter to the Prince of Wales, stating that his Majesty's Ministers had come to the conclusion to offer him the Regency of the kingdom under certain restrictions.

The Prince of Wales replied at once, expressing his sorrow at the occasion of his proposed elevation, but accepting the trust. Of course, this suggestion of the Government could not be acted upon without mature deliberation, and it was not until the 30th of January, 1789, that the following resolutions of the Lords and Commons were presented to the Prince of Wales—"That his Royal Highness be empowered to exercise the royal authority under the title of Regent." "That the power given, should not extend to the granting of any peerage, except to the Royal issue." "Nor to the grant of any office in reversion, or any office, salary, or pension, than during his Majesty's pleasure; or to the granting his Majesty's real or personal estates." "That the Care of his Majesty be committed to the Queen, who should nominate all persons to the offices in the household."

Needless to say, the Prince made no objections, and by the 12th of February, the Regency Bill had gone through all its stages in the House of Commons, and was ordered to be sent to the Lords. But the proverbial "slip 'twixt cup and lip" occurred. On the 19th of February the Lord Chancellor informed the House of Lords that, according to the report of his physicians, the King's health was steadily mending, and they therefore abstained from further consideration of the Regency Bill.

The physicians' hopes were fully justified; the King got better rapidly, and, on the 27th of February, his perfect recovery was announced, the prayer for the same was discontinued, and a form of prayer of