on different subjects, and became timid and reserved; so that the Princess at last herself said, that she wished the Prince was a little more forward, and would enter more freely into conversation with people of a certain knowledge of the world.

However, the natural resolution of the young George's character soon enabled him to overcome this feeling of constraint and shyness, and his affectionate and gentle conduct towards his mother, and the superior qualities of his mind, were not to be surpassed by any one.

To show how highly his character was prized by the English people, I shall quote a few lines of a letter, which was written to him, at the age of fourteen, by a gentleman of great literary attainments, and certainly strong feelings of loyalty :

May it please your Royal Highness,

The unexpected sight of your Royal Highness on Thursday last, crossing the road near Richmond, afforded me an infinite pleasure, easier to be conceived than expressed, when I

saw in your Royal Highness a graceful becoming dignity, with a free, open, and condescending countenance, that bespoke a sedate, humane, and manly disposition, glowing with youthful ardour for the general welfare of mankind, most worthy of your high birth,' etc.

A brilliant court was held on the occasion of the Prince coming of age, and a general illumination took place in the evening. The same day, the new bridge at Kew was opened, when more than three thousand foot passengers went over it: and a hundred workmen dined in a place appointed for that purpose. In the evening, a great bonfire was made on Kew Green, and the health of the Prince was drunk.

At the age of twenty-two, Prince George ascended the throne; and was the idol of his

people throughout a long and virtuous reign.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE FAMILY OF GEORGE III.

'What are trophies gain'd

By power alone

To that meek wealth unstain'd,

Won by the charities that gladden life?'

BARTON.

JOON after George the Third ascended the throne, he married a most ami

able Princess; and in time he was blessed with a very large and promising family. He had as many as nine sons and six daughters.

His eldest son, the Prince of Wales, was named George, and we are told that he made his first appearance in public at the early age of three years; for at that time a society, instituted for charitable purposes, called the Society of Ancient Britons, begged to present

an address to his Royal Highness, to crave his

patronage.

This address was put into such easy language, that the little Prince, who possessed great intelligence, perfectly understood its meaning; he listened with much earnestness and attention to that part of it which said, that his royal parents remembered no period of their lives too early for doing good, and that it was hoped, that when a few short years should call forth his virtues into action, he would remember with pleasure that day.

The royal child had been prepared with a little speech for the occasion, which he repeated in a perfectly clear and distinct tone, without the slightest hesitation.

Gentlemen,' he said, 'I thank you for this mark of duty to the King, and wish prosperity to this charity.'

Shortly after, the Prince of Wales was invested with the Order of the Garter.

I have neither time nor space to give you a separate account of each of the sons of George

L

the Third, but I am sure it will please you to hear, that they were all amiable children, dutiful to their parents, and kind to one another. Truly it was a happy family, that of the King and Queen of England! The whole nation rejoiced in their Sovereign, his Queen, and offspring; and indeed it was a delightful sight to see so much beauty, dignity, and kindness united, as they were, in that royal party.

Their Majesties fondly doted on their children. If either of his little ones were ill, King George would leave his chamber at early dawn, and repair to the invalid's room, to inquire how he had passed the night; and he devoted all the time he could spare from affairs of state, to instruct and amuse their young minds. Queen Charlotte always passed her forenoons with her young family, occupying herself with drawing or needlework, whilst they pursued their tasks.

When the royal party were residing at Kew, the elder children breakfasted with their father and mother at eight o'clock, after which the younger children were brought in to lisp forth