rience the mortification of having his Hanoverian dominions wrested from him by the French; but it is impossible to describe the energy and patriotism which at this time distinguished the people of this country. They seemed to feel that the honour of the country was at stake, and that its dearest liberties and privileges were in danger of being destroyed by the relentless tyrant, who at this time ruled the destinies of France*.

His majesty, however, appeared to support this reverse of fortune with the greatest fortitude and philosophy; he seemed to feel him

self stronger in the affections of his people, and on no occasion did he manifest it more strongly than on the 12th of August, when he arrived from Windsor at St. James's, for the purpose of proroguing parliament. He appeared in most excellent spirits-full of confidence and energy, and was received with the most ardent accla mations by the tens of thousands who crowded the park, and all the streets leading from thence to the parliament-house. It was the noble exhibition of a patriot king in the midst of a loyal people.

The 26th was a truly proud day for the

* Lord Whitworth was, during the short peace of Amiens, the British ambassador at the court of the haughty consul; and the following dialogue which took place between them on the subject of war and peace, is strongly indicative of the character of one of the most extraordinary men who ever figured on the theatre of this world.

On the 17th of March, there was a grand circle at the Thuilleries. The ambassadors of the different powers were in the saloon, with a numerous assemblage of strangers and ladies of distinction, generals, senators, tribunes, legislators, &c. &c. Buonaparte entered with an unusual alertness of manner, and, after saluting the company, addressed himself to lord Whitworth, in a tone sufficiently loud to be heard by all who were present.—“ You know, my lord, that a terrible storm has arisen between England and France."

Lord Whitworth," Yes, general consul; but it is to be hoped that this storm will be dissipated without any serious consequences."

Buonaparte." It will be dissipated when England shall have evacuated Malta. If not, the cloud will burst, and the bolt must fall. The king of England has promised by treaty to evacuate that place; and who shall violate the faith of treaties?

Lord Whitworth (surprised at finding himself questioned in this manner, and before so many persons).—" But you know, general consul, the circumstances which have hitherto delayed the evacuation of Malta. The intention of my sovereign is to fulfil the treaty of Amiens; and you also know--”

Buonaparte." You know (with impetuosity) that the French have carried on the war for ten years, and you cannot doubt but that they are in a condition to wage it again. Inform your court, that if, on the receipt of your despatches, orders are not issued for the immediate surrender of Malta, then war is declared. I declare my firm resolution is to see the treaty carried into effect; and I leave it to the ambassadors of the several powers that are present, to say who is in the wrong. You flattered yourselves that France would not dare to shew her resentment whilst her squadrons were at St. Domingo. I am happy thus publicly to undeceive you on that head."

Lord Whitworth." But, general, the negotiation is not yet broken; and there is even reason to believeBuonaparte." Of what negotiation does your lordship speak? Is it necessary to negotiate what is conceded by treaty -to negotiate the fulfilment of engagements, and the duties of good faith?-(Lord W. was about to reply; Buonaparte made a sign with his hand, and continued in a less elevated tone.) My lord, your lady is indisposed. She may probably breathe her native air rather sooner than you or I expected. I wish most ardently for peace; but if my just demand be not instantly complied with, then war must follow, and God will decide. If treaties are not sufficient to bind to peace, then the vanquished must not be left in a condition to offer injury."

Here this unexpected conversation terminated; if that term can be allowed, where the discourse was almost wholly on one side.

But

country. It presented the sublime spectacle of The congratulations on the escape of his maa patriot monarch, who reigned no less distin-jesty from the various dangers to which his guished in the hearts of his people than on his precious life had hitherto been exposed, were throne, meeting the brave citizens of his metro- scenes of gladness, in which the exultation was polis, armed in defence of his crown and of the not restrained by any serious consideration: British constitution; and, with the characteristic it was a general feeling of good-natured joy, virtue of the sons of Albion, resolved to continue in which every disposition that was not actually free, or gloriously to fall with the liberty and savage and inhuman must have indulged. independence of their country. Such a spec- this day's solemnity was of a far different kind. tacle was worthy of such a people; such a The armed citizens of London came to shew people were deserving the superior blessings their sovereign that they were ready to shed the they possessed. last drop of their blood in his defence, in defence As soon as the light appeared, the greater of the constitution, and of their country: the part of the population of London was on the sovereign came to behold their ardour in the glofoot in every quarter, impelled by the most rious cause, and to evince his own. These were ardent and most laudable curiosity, to be pre- the motives and the feelings of his majesty and sent at this grand, interesting, and glorious the volunteers. The motives and the feelings of scene. There was on every countenance not a those whom sex, age, and circumstances rendercommon curiosity, such as was excited by ed mere spectators, were too manifold to deformer military spectacles, when the king re- scribe, or even to imagine; but, though less viewed his soldiers: it was a deeper and more sublime, they were probably not less interesting, lively interest. The ties which connected our nor less commendable. The fathers, children, gracious sovereign with his people, had been mothers, wives, and daughters, whose dearest drawn closer by the common danger with which relations go forth to meet the danger, must be our audacious enemy had dared to threaten agitated with a thousand feelings of tender both. The mutual affections which have ever anxiety, which, though inferior in moral rank united them were enhanced. Instead of those to those that prompt the men in arms to the common testimonies of mutual regard which field, are still much to be admired and esteemed. marked their meetings on former occasions, All shewed a feeling in proportion to their conthere was now an uncommon ardour and earnest-dition: all shewed a feeling equally loyal and ness in the salutations which his majesty re- honourable. The corps evinced their zeal, and ceived from the public; and an extraordinary their strict attention to their orders, by being warmth in the manner in which he returned at the ground appointed for them before the them, excited by the unprecedented circum-time at which their attendance was commanded. stances of the times. It was a strong and so- As early as seven o'clock, several of the corps lemn assurance of the people to stand or fall entered the park at the Grosvenor and Hydewith their king, and of the king to stand or fall park-corner gates. By eight o'clock, all the with his people. This day, therefore, must corps stood assembled in close column of comhave been to his majesty and the people of panies, in and behind the right of its own London, the most grateful of all the solemnities ground. A quarter-master, with the camp

at seven, and one of them belonging to each | uniform of the Teddington association, entered the park at the light-horse-gate, at Kensington. On entering the gate, his majesty alighted from the carriage, and mounted his charger. His majesty then rode forward, preceded by the life guards, and the royal grooms, with four led horses, elegantly caparisoned. His majesty was attended by the princes, and followed by her majesty, with the princess Augusta and princess Elizabeth, in an open landau. The princess Sophia and the princess Mary, with two attendants, came after in another of the royal carriages. The princess of the Glou

corps attended at the different gates to conduct his regiment to its proper point. As the corps proceeded to their different stations, each marched with its right in front, so that when it arrived at the proper point, the right division stood on the ground it was to occupy in the line, and the other divisions were in close column behind it. The advantage of this arrangement was, that all the corps could, without the slightest confusion, deploy into line as soon as the signal was given. Soon after nine o'clock a signal gun, a twelve-pounder, was fired, and the general line was formed by de-cester branch afterwards joined the cavalcade, ploying to the left: the line was formed at close ranks. The ranks were then extended, and the officers advanced in front. The corps that had guns stationed them on their right. The deploying into line, the forming at close ranks, and the subsequent opening of the ranks, were executed with great regularity and order, and did infinite credit to the discipline and attention of each regiment.

Majors general Finch, Burrard, Leslie, and Fitzroy, were on the ground by eight; the earl of Harrington, who commanded the line, about the same time. About nine, the commanderin-chief entered from Hyde-park-corner, with the duke of Cambridge, and their aids-de-camp. They proceeded along Rotten-row towards Kensington-gate. The duke of Cumberland, in the uniform of his regiment of light dragoons, entered shortly after at Hyde-park-corner, and proceeded towards Kensington-gate by the carriage road. A few minutes before ten, a twelve-pounder was fired as the signal of his majesty's approach, and immediately the whole force shouldered arms. It was not quite ten when his majesty, in his private carriage, attended by the duke of Kent in his uniform as general, and the duke of Clarence in the

in a yellow coach. Opposite the entrance of Kensington-gardens, his majesty was met by the duke of York, the earls of Harrington and Chesterfield, generals Calvert, Stewart, Burrard, and Leslie, with lord Petersham, colonel Macquarrie, and the whole of the staff. As the procession advanced, it was joined, near the ring, by Monsieur, dressed in green, with red facings; the prince de Condé, in white, faced with blue; the duke de Bourbon, in white, faced with red; and the duke de Berri, in green. The French princes were on horseback, attended by several of the French noblesse, decorated with the insignia of several military orders. General Dumourier was in their train. The whole cavalcade was closed by a party of the 13th light dragoons; a regi ment which had then frequently the honour to be associated in guarding his majesty. The royal cavalcade passed rapidly along the car. riage-road from Kensington-gate, as far as the rear of the Knightsbridge barracks, where it turned, and crossed to the right of the line by the bottom of the Serpentine river; the piles, which are placed to prevent horses and carriages from passing that way, having been removed for the occasion. As soon as his ma

jesty entered the park, a royal salute of twenty- | within the lines; and from the absence of one guns was fired by the guns of the artillery those appendages of wealth and condition it company. A second cannon announced his was difficult to distinguish individuals. All majesty's arrival at the centre of the line. The that could be seen was, that the women within officers immediately saluted, the corps pre- the line were chiefly in white dresses; and the sented arms, and the bands played "God save men, with the exception of a few naval officers, the king." Immediately afterwards a third sharp-shooters, and volunteer cavalry, in red. cannon was fired, and the corps shouldered As far as we had an opportunity of nearer and then supported arms. His majesty now inspection, it was equally difficult to make disproceeded to the right of the line, and passed tinctions. Beauty was prevalent in innualong from right to left, each corps carrying merable parties; and wherever beauty prearms as his majesty arrived near the right of vails, rank is always a subordinate considerathe corps. Whilst his majesty passed along tion. The general coup d'œil was, however, the front, the music played a variety of martial grand beyond description. His majesty, having tunes. The grandest part of the spectacle passed to the extremity of the line, returned was, when his majesty descended the hill, to again by the Serpentine, and took his position repass, at the bottom of the Serpentine, to the in the centre. Then, on the signal of the corps on the left of the line, which were sta- seventh gun, three volleys were fired by battioned along the foot-way to Kensington-gar- talions from the centre to the flanks; and on dens, with their front towards the water. By the firing of the eighth gun, three loud, unithis time the fog, which had dimmed the splen-versal, and unanimous cheers were given, with dour of the scene in the earlier part of the day, hats and hands waving in the air, drums beating, was in some degree dispelled, and the whole and music playing "God save the king.' of the royal procession, as well as the immense the firing of the ninth gun, the whole of the crowd that followed in the train, had become corps wheeled backwards on their left by divitolerably conspicuous. A sight more grand or sions, and, having passed his majesty in the delightful was never witnessed. The whole order prescribed by the general instructions, of the ground in the rear of the royal train was proceeded by the most convenient way to their covered to the summit of the hill with women different quarters. elegantly dressed, interspersed with volunteers and officers in uniform; and, according as they descended, fresh numbers appeared on the summit ready to assume their places, till their progress was stopped at the Serpentine, to prevent the way from being choaked for his majesty's return. There was not the same opportunity of discerning persons of rank in this crowd as on ordinary occasions, from the attention to general accommodation, which so properly marked the general orders; no carriages, horses, or servants, were admitted

On

The review being over at twenty minutes past one, the royal party, with the foreign princes, and the generals, returned again from the position which his majesty had taken in the centre of the park, by the Serpentine, and along by Rotten-row, to Piccadilly-gate, from which they crossed over, and went on to Buckingham-house, followed all the way by the immense crowd. Being no longer restrained by the military employed in keeping the lines, the people ran in all directions, to indulge their affection for their sovereign with a view of his

beloved person. The air resounded with their | royal cavalcade. The bey was in his carriage, shouts; and his majesty shewed the deepest accompanied by his majesty's and his own insense of their loyalty, as well by the expres- terpreter, and his aid-de-camp. His servants sion of his countenance, as by pulling off his were dressed in scarlet and gold, with green hat, and giving other marks of his reciprocal cuffs and collars, gold epaulets, plain cocked feelings. Never was such a concourse known hats, with gold loop and button, and high white with so little inconvenience: no one accident feather. The whole number of spectators, and occurred; indeed, the only thing from which men in arms, could not be less than 200,000; any accident could have been apprehended was, every person who could come from within a the extreme eagerness with which the crowd circle of twenty miles being collected. Many ran wherever his majesty could be seen; their came to town from a distance of above oneimpetuosity was such, on these occasions as to hundred miles, to be present at the sight. The break through the best-fenced enclosures of the trees, the house-tops, every position from which park, and it was with the utmost difficulty that curiosity could satisfy itself, were eagerly taken the troops employed in keeping the ground possession of. If we were to enumerate the could stop them, though the goodness of the minute particulars which were observed with motive produced no relaxation in the enforce- interest in every particular spot, the task would ment of this very necessary duty. On the re- be endless, and the detail fatiguing. It was, turn of the corps, after the review, about half- altogether, a day on which we have to conpast one, all the windows in the streets through gratulate London and the empire at large it which they were to pass, were crowded with was a day which afforded the most glorious ladies. The principal houses in Piccadilly and sight we ever witnessed, without a single cirPark-lane were filled with persons of the first cumstance to excite the smallest regret. distinction, as were those of St. George's-row, leading to Bayswater, and several in Oxfordstreet. The small houses at the gate to Hydepark, and the rails to the very top, had a most singular appearance from the number of persons who had climbed to the top of them. Piccadilly was thronged with carriages of every description, none but those of ambassadors and princes being suffered to enter the park. With a similar laudable vigilance, carriages were excluded from Park-lane, Hereford-street, Green-street, 293; first regiment of Tower hamlets, 350; Grosvenor-street, Mount-street, and Brook-Whitechapel, 445; Mile-end, 333; St. George street. It was owing to this precaution, that such an immense concourse was enabled to view this sublime sight, without a single accident. Among the persons who attracted the most notice in the park, was Elfi Bey, who followed, though, from etiquette, he could not join, the

The volunteer corps reviewed this day were, the loyal London volunteer cavalry, 217 effective men; honourable artillery company, 994; first regiment of royal East-India volunteers, 640; second ditto, 636; third ditto, 585; first regiment of loyal London volunteer infantry, 737; second ditto, 657; third ditto, 804; fourth ditto, 790; fifth ditto, 501; sixth ditto, 647; seventh ditto, 404; eighth ditto, 777; ninth ditto, 651; tenth ditto, 587; eleventh ditto,

in the East, 230; Radcliffe, 183; Shoreditch, 294; Bromley St. Leonard, 175; Bethnalgreen, 166; St. Catharine, 121; and Christchurch volunteers, 184. Total 12,401.

The eclat with which the grand review of the London district of volunteers went off on the