Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

Such as are curious upon these points, will find them by a reference to the periodical works of those times; but we are not fond of the labour of transcription, which has little dignity, and occupies much space. The usual congratulatory addresses were presented to their Majesties from both Houses of Parliament, the two universities, and all the counties, cities, and corporations in the kingdom. The grand assembly of the nation prepared likewise a testimony of their duty and munificence. On being formally acquainted with the marriage of the King, they provided for the support of her Majesty, agreeably to the Sovereign's wishes, a jointure of 100,000. per annum, which was settled upon her by an act of the legislature, together with the palaces of Richmond Old Park and Somerset House.

jesty. In respect to her union with our || on the marriage and coronation of her Maaugust Sovereign, it will be deemed suffi-jesty. cient to add, that it was not a matter of mere state policy, but of preference and election. His Majesty had not long filled the throne, before he acquainted his council, in a meeting convened for the express purpose, "that having nothing so much at heart as the welfare and happiness of his people, and that to render the same stable and permanent to posterity, being the first object of his reign, he had, ever since his accession to the throne, turned his thoughts to the choice of a Princess, with whom he might find the solace of matrimony and the comforts of domestic life: he had to announce to them, therefore, with great satisfaction, that, after the most mature reflection and fullest information,|| he had come to a resolution to demand in marriage the Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, a Princess distinguished by every amiable virtue and elegant endowment, whose illustrious line had constantly shewn the firmest zeal in the Protestant religion, and a particular attachment to his Majesty's family."

Such were nearly the precise words in which his Majesty announced his royal intention to his council, on the 8th of July, 1761. The negotiation commenced at Strelitz, and the Earl of Harcourt, his Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, concluded the treaty of marriage on the 15th of August following. Preparations were immediately made for the reception of the Royal Bride in England. She left Mecklenburgh on the 22d of August, and arrived, after a tedious voyage of ten days, at Harwich, on the 6th of the following month. Her Majesty rested one night, that of her arrival, upon her journey, at the house of the Earl of Abercorn, at Witham, in Essex, from whence she set out early the next morning, and arrived at the palace of St. James's, where she was received by his Majesty and the rest of the Royal Family. At nine upon the same evening, the marriage was performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, in the Royal Chapel.

[ocr errors]

But if the joy of the nation was thus universal upon the connection which his Majesty had graciously formed, how much was it increased in the following year by the birth of an heir to his throne. The hope of continuing the Protestant succession in his Majesty's family was now changed to a kind of certainty, and the birth of an heir was of itself sufficient to have established the popularity of a Queen of Eng land, even had she wanted those many vir tues and qualities which her Majesty is so well known to possess.

It has been the pride of her Majesty's life to conduct herself with a mild but dignified impartiality with respect to those political differences with which the kingdom has so frequently been agitated. Her name has never been brought up in the most acrimonious controversies of party; she has never been suspected of being open to any intrigue or influence, in order to sway the royal mind, either to the admission of one or the rejection of another. At the time of the regency, the duties of watching over the bed of our beloved Sovereign were performed by her Majesty, in a manner which exalted her character for domestic tenderness and conjugal love in It would occupy too much room, and the eyes of all Europe. This æra was inconduce little to the pleasure and im-deed a period of great domestic sorrow to provement of our readers, were we to the Queen, and no less of public strife and detail the ceremonies which took place up- || furious party contention. But in this try

[ocr errors]

ing moment, the conduct of the Queen was at once amiable and dignified. The care of the King's health occupied every thought and wish; she scarcely absented herself from the sick chamber of her husband, and was deaf to every overture that was made her, as well from one party as the other. She left to the ministers who then directed the government, to pursue that line of conduct which gratitude, humanity, and the law of the land, pointed out to them, and expressing that her chief concern was the care of the King's person and health, it was provided that she should have been entrusted exclusively with that important charge, had the regency taken place.

and splendid accomplishments of life, her Majesty yields to none: she is a most thorough mistress of music, and has a chaste execution in that delightful science. Her dancing was a theme of admiration upon her first arrival in England; and, indeed, her knowledge of the fine arts collectively, is much superior to what we expect to find in a female of her exalted rank. But she is celebrated for far different and less common merits. Her Majesty is a pattern to her subjects for those sublime virtues which are not to be mentioned in the same sentence with the accomplishments we have alluded to above. Her character for piety, and a strict performance of religious duties, is well known.

In both houses of parliament,、at that period, the name of the Queen was alwaysThis, which forms the brightest gem of mentioned with affection and reverence; and whilst the public largely participated in her domestic afflictions, they did the most ample justice to her prudence and resignation.

To be known only by the rare excellence of her domestic virtues, to be conspicuous among the matrons of a kingdom by a superior conjugal fidelity, and a more amiable tenderness; to be at once the most exalted in rank, and no less exalted in goodness, is the greatest pride of her present Majesty. Virtues of this class are seldom expected from high rank and birth; and when found in a Queen, our admiration and reverences are equally excited.

[ocr errors]

female virtue, is most conspicuous in the Queen. It distinguished her early years; it fortified her mind in those days in which she was courted by all the seductive splendour and dissipation of a court; and, as her youth passed off, it has settled into a regular and noble fervour. If her Majesty has ever taken any part in the questions which have often divided this kingdom upon matters of religion (though we know not that she ever took any), we should not hesitate to pronounce that her inclination was strongly in favour of the Established Church. Her Majesty has always expressed an attachment for the Clergy of this kingdom, and many, by the means of her patronage, always exercised moderately and with great discrimination, have ascended to the highest dignities. Several works of a religious nature have likewise been patronised by the Queen, and a work upon the Christian Religion has been recently translated from the German at her

No one has ever placed a more bright, unostentatious example before the eyes of a people. Here, where all eyes are naturally attracted by the power and splendour of royalty, an example is presented of all those amiable and useful virtues, which the gay look down upon with indifference, and the proud with contempt. We there be-express command. hold the partner of our beloved Sovereign bestowing grace, whilst she improves the happiness of his exalted station: we there behold him in his domestic retreat, and in the bosom of his family; and in the uni-kingdoms, has been bestowed by the speversal wish for the happiness of the Father of his People, we feel no envy, however pure and refined it is, above that of our common lot.

Her Majesty's time has been chiefly occupied in the performance of that first of domestic duties, the superintendance of the education of her children. In the graceful

It would be unnecessary to pursue this article further. We shall close, therefore, with expressing a wish, that as this example, both for the high and low of these

cial favour of Providence, so it is to be hoped, that the bounty which gave, will not speedily take away; and that her Majesty may live long, in the enjoyment of health and prosperity, we believe to be one of the most sincere and universal prayers of all her subjects,

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

THE BEAU MONDE;

OR,

A HISTORY OF THE NEW WORLD.

CHAPTER FIRST.

WHEN a reader is introduced to a new subject, he is most frequently honoured with a preface: he has more reason to expect one when he is introduced into a new world. As we are about to do him this last favour, we will not detract from the benefit, by conferring it in an imperfect manner. He shall have, therefore, a description of the New World.

tend by this expression? Not the brick or the stone houses in which these families reside, but the families themselves: it is in the same manner with our term, the Fine World; we do not mean the world itself, but the inhabitants of this world.

Having now settled the name, we might proceed to the situation of the Beau Monde, but locality is a thing that does not belong In the first place, as to the name of this to it. The Beau Monde, like Swift's Island world, it is called the Beau Monde, or of Laputa, is for ever changing its place. Fine World, in contradistinction, and by It is now at London, now at Bath, now at way of marking its superior excellence Bristol, now at Brighton: wherever the above this common and vulgar world which || Emperor is, say the Civilians, there is God has made; and, to confess the truth, Rome: wherever fashion resides, there is the distinction is not without reason. A the Beau Monde. certain witty, but rather blasphemous (we mean to say fashionable) king, used to wish that he had been consulted in the creation, adding that he would have given || the Maker some hints, which might have || improved his plan. The framers of the Beau Monde seem to have profited by the hints of this monarch; and the constitution of THEIR world, the fine one we are

It may be a question whether this Fine World was known to the ancients. It has been the boast of modern times to have discovered one new world, that of America, and it might inflame our vanity to flatter ourselves that we have discovered two. But we are afraid this honour is not exclusively with the moderns. There are strong arguments against our exclusive ac

now describing, has many considerable im- || quaintance with this Beau Monde: we

provements upon the old. But before we proceed, we think it necessary to correct an idea of our readers. In the term we now make use of, the Fine World, they are not to understand what is intended by that word in its general signification: it is not to be understood as according to the strict definition of their geography; it is not a certain portion of dust and water, of light and darkness, of fire and air, blended and kneaded together into a round heavy ball, that constitutes this Fine World: by no means, for this is the composition of the vulgar world we have just now been arraigning. The term and difference are more easily explained by an example: When we speak of a very puissant or Royal Family, we say the House of Brunswick, or the House of Stuart, Now what do we in

would fain get over them, but we must confess the passages are choaking. Let us examine them, and, with as much impartiality as we can, discuss their separate claims to the honour of a first discovery. But we must premise that, as the people of Scotland are called Britons, so those of the Beau Monde are called people of fashion; no matter, in either case, wherefore. Let us now then proceed to the ancients. If we should chance to find any people of fashion amongst them, it is plain they must have been members of the Beau Monde.

Let us first turn over our Grecian history. Here is a strong passage in almost our first page. The temples and statues of the gods, in the city of Athens, were, during one night, all defaced; the streets were | covered with the broken noses of the in

wishes.

sulted deities, and there was no one god in || stance, let us see how the Romans amused Athens that had not suffered some cruel themselves. Here is the answer to our bruise. This outrageous act was generally attributed to Alcibiades, a young nobleman, a confirmed infidel, and a contemner of all religion. It was said that, with a large party of other young noblemen, he had sallied from a tavern, and had committed in a drunken frolic this impious sacrilege.

What shall we say to this? Here is infidelity, insult on religion, tavern sallies, and a drunken frolic. Strong, very strong presumptions indeed, that this young nobleman was a man of fashion? But let us examine further. For this act Alcibiades was banished; and, retiring to Sparta, was received at the court of Agis with every hospitality which the place could afford. His easy manner, his gay wit, and a character so versatile as to take any colour, recommended him to the highest esteem and friendship of the King, and he repaid him by debauching his wife. There is no longer any doubt; Alcibiades was certainly a man of fashion, an infidel, an adulterer, and one betraying the confidence of his friend, and repaying the greatest benefits by the basest ingratitude.

We have done with the Greeks; let us now turn to the Romans. One day, in the presence of Julius Cæsar, a courtier was speaking with some severity against another; but was checked by the Dictator, who desired him to spare him, for he did not deserve such reproaches. "Not deserve them," exclaimed the angry courtier; "why, what think you of the man who was caught with his neighbour's wife?" "What do I think of him?" replied Casar, calmly-" why I think him a very careless fellow." A very fashionable answer, and an argument of a very fashionable opinion! Cæsar, beyond all doubt, was the perfect man of fashion. If we want any further proof of their acquaintance with the Beau Monde, and their frequent exercise of its most valuable privileges, of their modish manners, their modish morals, and the whole system of their fashionable life, let us search the writers of their own time for information. Scarcely a page but presents us with what we seek. Let us take up their Juvenal, and we shall find as many men of fashion as in our own Court Calendar itself; for in

My Lord disdains to throw with meaner vice, Or truck his dastard thousands on the dice; House, lands, and acres, wait his nobler call, Wife, children, mistress-faith he stakes them all.

Such of our readers as are anywise learned, will find the original of this in the following lines of Juvenal:

Non loculis comitantibus itur

Ad casum tabulæ, posita sed luditur arcâ.

What shall we say now? Is not this an example of the true Beau Monde? Can the Clubs of Bond-street, or St. James's, boast spirits of a higher soul, or a more lofty and all-contemning enterprize? Can my Lord F-, or Sir W- himself, or my Lord C-, play with a more fashionable spirit, a more heroic fortitude and contempt? One more instance, and we have done. Let us see their economy and matrimonial policy.

Some giddy profligate, half fool, half wit,
A gudgeon biting, and a gudgeon bit;
For him some practis'd pimp shall spread the

snare,

And angle with his wife to catch the heir;
But whilst the luckless lover hugs his prize,
The injur'd husband opes his watchful eyes!
His honour lost! Swords! No-what other
fury?

My spark is handed over to a jury.

That our readers may not think we are romancing, we shall give them chapter and verse for this in the Juvenal we have referred to above. Our translation, it will be seen is liberal, but the sense remains.

Cum Leno accipiat mechi bona, si capiendi Jus nullum uxori-doctus spectare lacunar, Doctus et ad calicem vigilanti stertere naso.

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

ancient authors, very much. Cicero, who || and we hope new; it is intended to lead was an orator of great antiquity, a parlia- the reader through the world we have been ment man, impeached Mark Anthony, be- describing, to point out his road, and asfore the Senate, of certain mal-practices and abuses against the commonwealth of|| Rome. Speaking of his contempt of all forms and decencies, of his excesses, debaucheries, gluttonies, &c. he charges him with having come one day into the senate drunk, from the last night's supper, to the annoyance of the reverend bench of greybeards there assembled.

We might, if we were inclined to any scandalous tales, inquire if, in a neighbouring chapel, some things of this sort were not occasionally witnessed. But we shall be satisfied with our present inqui

ries.

It appears then, from this our impartial examination, that the Beau Monde is not the fair boast of later discoveries, but was equally known to the ancients as to the moderns. We are sorry that justice has wrung from us this confession; we should have wished, indeed, that the credit of the discovery might have turned out to have been our own; but truth and history are unfortunately against us.

But to the subject of the following history: Its object is somewhat extensive,

He

sist him in his progress through the Beau
Monde. We shall furnish him with a chart
that will govern his voyage in all the va-
rieties of the course. We shall begin from
the very point of embarkation. He will
see a young country girl, with decent man-
ners, good morals, and a careful education,
enter upon a fashionable course. He will
see her carried through the different scenes
of the Beau Monde, and guided by a gay,
seducing, artful woman of fashion.
will perceive, that the patroness under-
stands her work, and is competent to the
undertaking. She will point out examples
instead of giving precepts; and presenting
scenes and characters, leave her young pu-
pil to draw her own inferences. In one
word, and what includes the whole art of in-
struction, she does not teach her pupil, but
leaves her more wisely to instruct herself.
He sees likewise, in what this career of the
country girl terminates; and such of my
young readers who are desirous of imita
tion, have only to follow the same track,
to arrive at the same goal.

[To be continued in our next.]

A TREATISE ON HATS;

OR,

A VISIT TO POLASLIA:

A FRAGMENT.

we were therefore examined with great curiosity. Among our floating and shipwrecked company was a Speculator. Be

WE embarked, Lord K- and myself, in a vessel bound to India, where, as we were told, we should find frequent opportunities of obtaining a passage to Phila-fore we left Leghorn, calculating on the delphia. Meeting with contrary winds, we were driven out of our course, and after being buffetted by the tempests, we were at length wrecked on an unknown coast. The inhabitants flocked around us; not one of our company understood their language: we could only collect from their gestures and preparations that they intended to send us to Polaslos, the capital of that immense country.

We were the first foreigners that had ever landed in that part of the empire;

vanity that prevails in every country, he had taken on board, as a venture, a quantity of articles, which he hoped to dispose of in the Indies. They consisted of robes, hats, clothing for both sexes, and trinkets of different kinds. The chief of the district in which we were, ordered the chests to be conveyed into a kind of hall, for the purpose of being inspected. Their contents were absolutely useless to a people inhabiting a country favoured by Heaven, and having scarcely any other clothing than

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »