Historic Retrospect. 261 was more isolated, more within herself, than in our present complicated political system; but if her chances of misfortune were less extended, her resources were less numerous. In looking back through the pages of history, we find that Henry I lost an only son of great promise, by shipwreck, between Barfleur and England, and the father was never seen to smile afterwards: but that son was known to be averse to the English nation, so that his death need not have plunged the inhabitants in any very acute grief. The hopes of a brave nation were cruelly disappointed by the death of the Black Prince, the son of Edward III; but he left a son who might inspire hopes at least in the midst of the national sorrow, if he failed ultimately of realizing them: for it was not till many years after the death of his grandfather, that Richard IId's incapacity to govern was ascertained. The melancholy fate of the two Princes in the Tower was rather calculated to draw tears from their contemporaries, than to blast the prospect of public tranquillity. The times also were turbulent, and men's minds were familiarized to conflicting claims and disputed successions. Prince Arthur, the eldest son of Henry III, was esteemed a youth of merit; but he left behind him a brother of equal talents, had he not been corrupted by power; for it is a most undeniable fact, that all the vices and all the evils of Henry VIII, numerous as they 262 Loss of Heirs Apparent. were, sprung from a servile parliament, and the indulgence of an unrestrained will. The death of Edward VI was, indeed, a severe and lamentable public calamity; it wanted only one bitterness: it came not unforeseen or unexpected: the line of succession was clear ;* and out of the gloom which followed his death, it pleased Providence at no remote period to draw the brightest and most glorious light. But the national calamity which, in all its circumstances, most resembled that under which the British public now groans, was the death of Prince Henry, the eldest son of James I, which happened exactly two hundred and five years ago, not having completed his tenth year when he was removed from this transitory scene. In that case, as in this, the stroke of fate was the more severely felt, from the circumstance of the public having been prepared for scenes of unusual mirth and festivity. Mr. Newton, one of his officers, in a letter to his brother-in-law, Sir T. Puckering, of the 7th of February, 1612-13, observes, that "the late loss of their master came so suddenly and so unexpected, even then when they were preparing for nuptials and jollity, that the blow astonished the * Our succession, under the will of Providence, happily stands secure, for some years at least; in which interval we trust, that the Brunswick line will be still further extended. Remarkable Coincidence. 263 more." The amiable qualities of that young prince make the resemblance between the two cases still more complete; and the words used by Lord Roos, in a letter which he wrote on the 15th of December in that year, to Mr. Newton, will, we doubt not, appear to thousands quite as applicable to the Princess Charlotte, as they could have been to Henry. "It must," said he," be grievous to all men. But it seems, God, for our sins, would not suffer us to enjoy so excellent a creature, who was too good to live upon earth." It is very remarkable, that this prince died on the very day in the same month of the year, which deprived us of our beloved Charlotte. He expired on the 6th of November, 1612; she drew her last breath on the 6th of November, 1817. Peace to her angel Spirit! sad and desolate are the mourners she has left behind, for her life was lovely, and full of hope. In the smile of her benevolence she cherished the poor and forsaken ones— and they shall cherish her name, and venerate her memory, in unpolluted tears fast flowing from the heart. Peace to her angel Spirit! for she was *The Editor felt the force of this observation in the present instance, having, very early after the disastrous event, been occupied in collecting every possible particular from those who knew her best; most of whom he found with tears in their eyes, but surrounded with emblems of anticipated joyous festivity-so little did they expect the sad result. Albion's daughter-glowing with patriotism-but she is gone her beauteous star is set for everand Albion weeps her lovely one. Peace to her angel Spirit! for she was Brunswick's sweetest flower-Beauty sparkled in her eye-Hope hung enraptured on her smile-and Pity and Charity, like twin roses, grew together in her gentle bosom,“ stealing and giving odours." Weep, Albion, for thy fondest hope is blastedweep, Brunswick, for thy brightest gem is fadedweep!-Yet wherefore weep? her life was spotless, and eternal happiness is her reward! Genealogy! 265 APPENDIX. (A.) A list of all the descendants now living of the Electress Sophia, to whose issue, being Protestants, the succession is limited; they are arranged in the legal order of succession; annexed are their respective ages; and the relationship of each to the head of the branch through which they derive their title is marked by letters signifying son, grandson, great grandson, daughter, grandaughter, &c. As some individuals derive by more than one title, they are enumerated as often as their rights occur, a reference being made to their former place: `I. Descendants of George III. Eldest Son of Frederick Prince of Wales, who was Great Grandson of the Electress Sophia. 7 Adolphus Duke of Cambridge, S. Ages. 8 Charlotte of England, Queen Dow. of Wirtemberg D. 51 9 Augusta of England, D. 10 Elizabeth of England, D. 11 Mary of England, Dutchess of Gloucester, D. 12 Sophia of England, D. |