We sit down to a painful, a heart-rending task-to record that lamentable event which has diffused sorrow throughout the whole Kingdom. Our beloved Princess is no more! She has been snatched from us at the very moment when we were congratulating ourselves on her preservation from imminent peril. All the hopes of private and public happiness, which rested on her life, have suddenly vanished. The lesson is awful! Youth, and Health, and Innocence, and Cheerfulness, prospect of a Crown, and the still dearer prospect of long years of connubial felicity, have passed away like a shadow; and of her, who but a few days ago was the pride and hope of the first Nation in the world, nothing now remains on earth but a sad remembrance and a bitter regret! The event was thus officially announced in a London Gazette Extraordinary:

the

"Whitehall, Nov. 6. Her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte Augusta, daughter of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and consort of his Serene Highness the Prince Leopold of Saxe-Cobourg, was delivered of a still-born male child, at nine o'clock last night, and about halfpast twelve her Royal Highness was seized with great difficulty of breathing, restlessness, and exhaustion, which alarming symptoms increased till half-past two o'clock this morning, when her Royal Highness expired, to the inexpressible grief of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, of her illustrious consort the Prince Leopold, and of all the Royal Family."

As every circumstance and communication connected with this subject of profound and universal sorrow

"The mournful theme of National regret," must carry to the bosoms of our readers genuine interest, we select a variety of particulars which have transpired.

On Monday in the night, or about three on Tuesday morning, her Royal Highness was taken ill, and expresses were sent off to the great Officers of State, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishop of London, desiring their immediate attendance. Earl Bathurst, Lord Sidmouth, the Lord Chancellor, Mr. Vansittart, together with the Archbishop and Bishop, immediately attended. Dr. Baillie and Sir R. Croft were the medical attendants. During the whole of Tuesday the labour advanced slowly, but without the least appearance of danger. The Princess Char

*Extracted chiefly from the Newspaper called "The Day and New Times."

GENT. MAG. November, 1817.

lotte shewed uncommon firmness and the utmost resignation. Towards evening, as the labour still lingered, it was deemed advisable to send for Dr. Sims, who arrived in the middle of the night. Nothing could be going on better, though too slowly; and the excellent constitution of the Princess gave every assurance that she would not be too much exhausted by the delay. The Prince Leopold was incessant in his attendance, and no countenance could more deeply express the anxiety he felt. Once or twice he exclaimed to the medical attendants," that the unrepining, patient endurance of the Princess, whilst it gave him comfort, communicated also a deep affliction at her sufferings being so lengthened."-About six o'clock on Wednesday the labour advanced more rapidly, no apprehensions were entertained of any fatal result-and the child was ascertained to be still living. At nine o'clock her Royal Highness was delivered of a male child, but still-born. Throughout the whole of this long and painful labour, her Royal Highness evinced the greatest firmness, and received the communication of the child being deadborn with much resignation, expressing her entire submission to the will of Providence. Prince Leopold exclaimed to the medical attendants, as soon as the intelligence was communicated to him"Thank God! thank God;! the Princess is safe." The Princess was composed after her delivery, and, though of course much exhausted, every hope was entertained of her doing well. This pleasing intelligence being communicated to the great Officers of State, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishop of London, they left Claremont about 11 o'clock. The Prince Leopold, Sir Richard Croft, Dr. Baillie, and Dr. Sims, retired, the Prince to the room adjoining that of the Princess; it was then 12 o'clock, and it was considered by the Medical Gentlemen that she wanted no more assistance than Mrs. Griffiths, the nurse, could render, and that during the remainder of the night she should be kept as quiet and composed as possible. A little after 12 the nurse thought it her duty to call the Prince and the Medical Gentlemen, who lost no time in repairing to the Princess's bed-room: a change was observed in her Royal Highness-her quiet left her -she became restless, and uneasy. and the medical attendants felt alarmed. Expresses were sent off to the Officers of State, stating the change that had taken place. From halfpast 12, restlessness and convulsion in

creased,

creased, till nature and life were exhausted. Her Royal Highness continued half an hour, from a little before two till near half-past, from the time of her being taken dangerously ill, without speaking but she appeared perfectly composed, and sensible that her dissolution was approaching. Her resignation was very apparent. About five minutes before her death, she said to the Medical Attendants, "Is there any danger?" They replied, by requesting her Royal Highness to compose herself. She breathed a gentle sigh, and expired. The Prince Leopold remained by the bed-side the whole time, endeavouring, as much as possible, to disguise from his suffering Consort the grief and agony he felt at the unexpected turn that had taken place. Her Royal Highness, it is said, scarcely ever moved her eyes from the face of her beloved Consort (extending her hand frequently to meet his) that face had been her delight in health, and strength, and joy; and it beamed consolation and support on the awful verge of a purer existence !

The blow has come upon all with an unexpected and astounding force. We cannot easily put our griefs in order, or weigh one cause of affliction against another. We know not with whom most to sympathise, whether with those whose sorrows rest on public or on private grounds: the former we can more fully participate, the latter we can more distantly respect. It is not for us to enter into the afflictions of the Sovereign and the Father. If there be one trait which is more marked than another in the character of the Prince Regent, it is his affection for all the members of his family; and if there was one individual in whom that affection was more intensely centered than another, it was his beloved and only Daughter. Words would be vain to paint the feelings, with which, after having hastened on the wings of anxiety to learn the result of the Princess's pregnancy, and having experienced a first disappointment in the loss of her offspring, his Royal Highness must have received the shock of her death. In this sad picture we must draw a veil over the countenance of the Royal Parent. We are, however, happy to state, that amidst the depth of the most acute sorrow, his Royal Highness was able to maintain a degree of self-command, which was admirably suited to the melancholy duties of his station. He gave a long audience to Viscount Sidmouth on the subject of the arrangements requisite for the sad occasion; and he wrote, with his own hand, a letter of the most consolatory kindness to his afflicted son-in-law, invit

*The Prince Regent had been for several days at Sudbourn-hall, in Suffolk.

ing him to leave the dreadful scene of his distress, and take his abode at Carlton House an act of royal and affecting courtesy, which, however, the Prince Leopold could not be induced to accept. The letter expressed the deepest sense of the manner in which his Serene Highness had invariably conducted himself to the dear departed Princess, and which insured to him the blessings and affection of her Father, and the admiration and respect of the Nation. Doubtless, if the pure spirit of her whom we lament could contemplate such sentiments, uniting those whom she most loved on earth, it must afford her a celestial gratification. They do equal honour to the feelings of him from whom they proceeded, and of him to whom they were addressed. The Regent spoke not only as a Father, but as an Englishman; and the Nation will go heartily along with him in gratitude to the man, whose persevering attentions softened agony, and smoothed even the bed of death, to our amiable and lamented Princess.

1

Of Prince Leopold there is but one voice and one feeling. He had long since obtained general esteem and respect by his domestic conduct; he has now endeared himself to the whole country by the tenderness and warmth of affection which he exhibited throughout the whole of the last agitating and agonising trial. As the illustrious pair, during their too short connubial life, were the very model of domestic harmony, agreeing in tastes and studies, delighting in each other's society, and evidently formed for each other's happiness; so it is a consolation to reflect, that the amiable Princess, even in the extremity of her sufferings, was in some measure animated by the presence and unceasing attentions of her husband.

This subject is too painful for us long to pursue it. We must, however, say a few words of the Princess herself. She was a genuine Englishwoman; and had it pleased Providence that she should mount the throne, she would have brought to it the spirit of an English Queen. Proud of her country, she respected its manners, she admired its Constitution, and she venerated its Religion. Warmth and openness of heart marked her conduct through life; she was beloved by all who knew her, and when she found herself blessed with the husband of her choice, and saw that choice justified by his virtues, she more than once repeated, that she was the happiest woman in the kingdom. Alas! that happiness was too short-lived on earth. Let us firmly trust that it has been exchanged for a blissful futurity!

The Princess was in her 22d year. She was born on the 7th of Jan. 1796, and married May 2, 1816.- Her Royal Highness was about the middle size, inclining

rather

rather to the embonpoint, but not so much so as to impair the symmetry of her form.. Her complexion was beautifully fair-her arms delicately rounded, and her head finely placed. There was a mingled sweetness and dignity in her look, a full, intelligent eye; and when she was engaged in conversation she had much liveliness in the expression of her countenance. The resemblance to her illustrious Father was striking. To these accomplishments of person her Royal Highness added the nore valuable qualities of the mind and heart.

She had read much, and with discrimination, particularly since her marriage. One of her most pleasing occupations was to accompany her illustrious Consort in his study of the English language, in which he was so diligent, that he has been able to read our best writers upon history and jurisprudence. She was of religious habits, and a strict observer of the Sabbath, as well as her husband, who regularly read to her, after the churchservice, one of our best English sermons. She was a most affectionate child; and, as a wife, was a model for her sex. She looked up to her husband with the most perfect affection and respect; and he deserved it all.

Dispatches were sent off at a very early hour on Thursday morning to the Queen and the Princess Elizabeth at Bath, and to every other member of the Royal Family. The fatal intelligence reached the Queen's house, whilst her Majesty was at dinner with the Princess Elizabeth, the Countess Dowager of Ilchester, Gen. Taylor, and others. The dispatch being addressed to Gen. Taylor, he came out; and with a view to communicate the afflicting news to the Queen in the best possible way, requested Lady Ilchester to be called out. When the awful event was disclosed, her Majesty's agony was extreme. She rose from her chair, and, covering her face, uttered a convulsive sob, and left the table. The same mournful impression was made on the Princess Elizabeth, who was exceedingly agitated; and they both retired to their private apartments.

The Mayor and Corporation of Bath, who had presented an Address to Her Ma jesty in the morning, had repaired to the Guildhall to dine together, honoured with the countenance of Noblemen of the first distinction. Before the tables were cleared, one of her Majesty's pages brought a letter to Sir H. Halford; it was instantly handed to his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, who, reading it with peculiar intuitive feelings, rose from his seat, and took his departure. In a faultering tone of voice, the Marquis Camden proposed a suspension of all entertainment, and every individual rose from the table, and retired in silent contemplation.

And now may we be permitted to turn our attention to another illustrious and venerable Personage of the Royal Family, the glory of that Family, the pride of His subjects, who is not dead, and yet who partakes not of the joys or the afflictions of his kindred or his people. Withdrawn. from all eyes but those that watch to supply his necessities in silence and in darkness, to him there is neither sun ner moon, nor kingdom, nor wife, nor children, nor subjects. He is alone in the midst of the living, and almost as far removed from them as from the dead. The little world in which he dwells is a solitude, peopled only by imagination; but the inhabitants of it are not those that haunt the guilty miud, even when reason is not overthrown. It is said that ministering Angels are the companions of his thoughts in the loneliness of that circle, by which he is cut off from rational intercourse either with this world or the next. Yet he is not forsaken in his hoary hairs, nor in his deep humiliation, by Him, whose loving kindness is better than life, and all its pleasures, if all its pleasures could be enjoyed for ever. A creature, an intellectual creature, may be debarred from communion with every thing and every being in the universe, except the Creator. The venerable father of the British people, we have reason to believe, whatever else may have failed him, is happily conscious of that presence, which is the hope of earth, and the joy of hea

ven.

The hand of Mercy may have shut him up from the sight of evils that would have grieved his eyes and wrung his heart, had reason been preserved to him to the end of his lengthened days." The Lord is his keeper."

A communication was made, at an early hour, on Thursday morning, to the Lord Mayor, by Viscount Sidmouth; and a Council was held to give the necessary orders for the funeral, and for a general mourning. The great bell at St. Paul's tolled from twelve till one o'clock. The Theatres and all the places of publis amusement were closed till after the funeral; and the drawing of the Lottery postponed. The Recorder adjourned the proceedings of the Court at the Old Bailey; the fitting up of Guildhall for Lord Mayor's day was discontinued, and public notice was given for preventing all shew and rejoicings on that day.

The sad but requisite operation of investigating the state of the Royal corpse, was executed with the formalities customary in such cases, on Friday the 7th, by Sir Everard Home and Sir David Dundas, Serjeant Surgeons to the King, to whose office that function of right belongs; assisted by Mr. Neville, of Esher, surgeon to the Princess Charlotte and Prince Leo

pold.

pold. Mr. Braud, of Arlington street, apothecary to the King, was also present. A regular report was of course drawn up; and though delicacy must necessarily forbid the making such a document public, yet we are enabled to state what must afford our readers the only satisfaction possible under such an affliction, namely, that all had been done to preserve the valuable lives both of mother and child, which human science could suggest, or human skill effect *; and that the visitation proceeded alone from that Almighty Will, to which we must bow in humble and adoring submission. It appears that in the interior conformation of her Royal Highness, there was a want of muscular energy, which, unhappily, subjected her to pangs beyond what nature could endure; and from the same cause the animation of the Infant was terminated very shortly before it should have seen the light,

The body, after it was embalmed, was inclosed in a number of wrappers, after the manner of the Egyptians; and was then inclosed in rich blue velvet, tied with white satin riband

On Saturday evening, Nov. 8, the preparations for the funeral commenced at Claremont. The mournful task of placing the body in the coffin devolved upon Mr. Neville, the Princess's Surgeon Extraordinary, and Mrs. Griffiths, the Nurse, assisted by Mr. France, the Undertaker. The proceeding was witnessed by some of the principal attendants, and Lord J.Thynne.

On Saturday evening, Nov. 15, the remains of the Princess were lifted into the state coffin, which is of mahogany, covered with the richest crimson velvet, ornamented in the most splendid style. The urn is ornamented in a similar manner. The coffin of the infant is covered with crimson velvet, the ornaments of silver, those of the Princess's coffin and uru highly gilt. The spectators of this mournful performance were, Baron Hardenbrook, Sir Robert Gardiner, Colonel Addenbrooke, Lady John Thynne, Mrs. Camp. bell, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Cohenbourg, &c. It was much wished that this solemn performance should be completed, and every

On Wednesday morning (Nov. 12) Sir B. Bloomfield, by the Prince Regent's command, addressed a letter to Sir Rich. Croft, conveying, in the most unqualified terms, his Royal Highness's entire approbation of the medical skill and ability displayed by that gentleman in the eventful confinement of the Princess, during her arduous and protracted labour; and adding, that His Royal Highness felt that the afflicting result was to be attributed only to the inscrutable will of Divine Providence. A letter to the same purport was also transmitted to Sir R. C. by order of Prince Leopold.

thing in a composed state, before 11 o'clock, at which hour the Prince nightly visited the remains of his beloved Princess since her decease, to weep over her previous to his retiring to his bed. Happily, the whole proceeding was accomplished before the clock struck eleven.

At six o'clock on Tuesday evening (Nov. 18) the remains of the Princess, and of her child, accompanied by the Prince Leopold, and those mourners who formed part of her late happy household, were removed from Claremont. On arriving at Windsor, at a quarter before one, the whole procession moved through Park - street to St. Alban's-street, leading to the Lower Lodge. Here an escort of 20 men of the Royal Horse Guards, ten preceding, and ten following the mourning coach conveying the Urn and body of the Infant, with its attendants accompanied by Mutes and Pages-passed up High-street, to the South entrance of the Lower Ward of the Castle. At the South door of St. George's Chapel, the Urn was delivered to four yeomen of the guard, who bore it into the Chapel, holding it with white napkins. The coffin with the infant was conveyed also by four yeomen, iu a correspondent manner. Col. Addenbrooke, Sir. R. Gardiner, and Mr. Mash, followed. They were joined by Mr. Stevenson, Comptroller of the Windsor Household. The procession was received by the Hon. and Rev. Dean of Windsor, Rev. E. Northey, B. D. and the Hon. and Rev. J. Marsham, D.D. Passing into the choir, the yeomen descended into the entrance of the Royal dormitory; and the mourners deposited these remains in the niche destined to receive her Royal Highness's body.

A part of the procession, as just mentioned, having passed up the High-street, the Hearse, followed by the mourners, turned up St. Alban's-street, to the Lower Lodge. At the entrance of the street, and within the gates of the Lodge, a guard of honour received the illustrious remains. The hearse being driven into the carriageyard of the Lodge, the coffin was carried, by eight yeomen of the guard, into the room fitted up for the reception of the body, and placed under a rich canopy of black velvet. The afflicted Prince Leopold was assisted from the carriage, and afterwards supported, by Baron Hardenbrock and Dr. Stockmar. Quite unable to survey the mournful solemnities, he was ushered to apartments prepared for his reception, by Sir George Nayler, his Majesty's Gentleman Usher in waiting, and by the Officers of the Lord Chamberlain of the Household. During the night Lady John Thynne, Mrs. Griffiths, aud four at tendants, remained with the corpse.

In the early part of Wednesday, the view of the coffin lying in state was confined to the mourners, and persons partieularly

4

cularly connected with the solemnities. Tickets were then issued to the members of the King's and Queen's Household; and subsequently to a portion of the publick, who could procure tickets from the Lord Chamberlain's Office at the Palace.

At a quarter past seven o'clock, the regiment of Royal Horse Guards formed in single files on each side the High-street and Castle-street. The Foot Guards were also stationed by the outer-gate of the Castle, within the walls, and in the interior of St. George's Chapel. At eight o'clock, each fourth man of the Royal Horse Guards lighted a torch. About half-past eight the procession began to move from the Lower Lodge, in the following order: Servants and Grooms of the Princess and Prince Leopold on foot, in deep mourning.

Servants and Grooms of the Royal Family, the Prince Regent, and their Majesties, on foot, in full State liveries, with crape hat-bands and black gloves, four and four, bearing flambeaux. Band of the Royal Horse Guards Blue. The Hearse,

drawn by Eight of the Prince Regent's Black Horses, fully caparisoned, each Horse attended by a Groom in full state livery.

His Majesty's Body Carriage (drawn by a full set of his Majesty's Horses, each Horse attended by a Groom in full State Livery), conveying Prince Leopold, Chief Mourner; and the Dukes of York and Clarence, Supporters to the Chief Mourner. The Carriages of the Prince Regent, the Royal Family, and the Prince Leopold,

each drawn by six Horses, closed the procession. The whole procession was flanked by the military, every fourth man bearing a ambeau. Upon arrival at St. George's Chapel, the servants, grooms, and band, filed off without the South door.

At the entrance, the Dean and Prebendaries, attended by the Choir, received the body; and the procession (having previously been formed, and being flanked by the military, every fourth man bearing a flambeau) moved down the South aile and up the nave, into the choir, thus:

Poor Knights of Windsor. Pages of the Prince Leopold, of the Royal Family, of the Prince Regent,

and of their Majesties. Solicitor to her late Royal Highness. Comptroller of the Household. Apothecaries, Mr. Walker, Mr. Brande; Surgeons, R. Keate, esq. T. Neville, esq. Curates and Rectors of Esher and Windsor. Physicians, Drs. Baillie, Sims, & Croft. Chaplain to his Serene Highness, Dr. Short. Equerry to the Princess, Hon. H. Percy. Equerries of Royal Family & Pr. Regent. Qu.-mast.-gen. (Maj.-gen.SirJ.W.Gordon.)

Adj.-gen. (Lieut.-gen. Sir H. Calvert.) Officers of Duchy of Cornwall, (W.D. Best, esq. W. Harrison, esq. Earl of Yarmouth.) Chamberlain to the Great Steward of

Scotland, (Lord Keith.) Grooms of Bedchamber to Prince Regent Pursuivants of Arms. Comptroller, Treasurer, and Master of the Prince Regent's Household. Heralds of Arms.

Privy Purse and Privy Secretary to the Prince Regent, (Sir Benj. Bloomfield.) Lords of the Prince Regent's Bedchamber. Norroy King of Arms.

Bishop of Exeter. Bishop of Salisbury.
The Bishop of London.
The Ministers of Hanover and Saxony,
(Count Munster and Baron de Just.)
Deputy Earl Marshal, (Lord H. Howard.)
His Majesty's Ministers: Lord Chancellor,
Earls of Liverpool, Westmoreland, Ba-
thurst, Visc. Sidmouth, Lord Melville,
Earl of Harrowby, Lord Castlereagh,
Right Hon. C. Bathurst, G. Canning,
W. Pole, and N. Vansittart.

The Archbishop of Canterbury.
Choir of Windsor.
Canons of Windsor.

Dean of Windsor.

Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard, (Earl of Macclesfield.) Groom of the Stole, (Marq. Winchester) Lord Steward of his Majesty's House

hold, (Marquis Cholmondeley.) King's Master of Horse, (D. of Montrose,) Clarencieux King of Arms. The Coronet of her late Royal Highness, borne upon a black velvet cushion, by Colonel Addenbrooke. Garter Principal King of Arms, bearing his Sceptre.

The Lord Chamberlain of his Majesty's Household, attended by his Secretary; and the Vice-Chamberlain on his right. THE COFFIN, covered with a black velvet Pall, adorned with eight Escutcheons of her late Royal Highness's Arms, carried by Eight Yeomen of the Guard, under a Canopy of black velvet, borne by Eight Gentlemen Ushers, and supported by Lady Boston, Lady Grenville, Lady Arden, and Lady Ellenborough.

The Chief Mourner, his Serene Highness PRINCE LEOPOLD, his Train borne by Baron de Hardenbrock and Sir R. Gardiner: supported by the Dukes of York and Clarence, their Trains borne by Two Gentlemen of their Households. Princes of the Blood Royal, Trains borne by Two Gentlemen of their Households. Ladies, and Women of the Bed-chamber

to her late Royal Highness. His Majesty's Establishment at Windsor. Her Majesty's Establishment at Windsor. Ladies Attendants on the Princesses. Attendants on her late Royal Highness. Attendants on her Majesty & the Princesses. Imme