emotions of sorrow were passed, he mounted again into his saddle, and turning towards a crowd of noblemen and gentlemen who were advancing in haste towards him for the purpose of condolence or congratulation, slowly waved his hand, as if repelling this untimely intrusion. He had not proceeded a mile before Lord Bute was seen riding at full speed towards the new monarch, and, throwing himself off his breathless horse, would on his knees have hailed him as George III., if the modest young prince had not shown how strongly such demonstrations pained him, and insisted upon his lordship forbearing. Before they had reached the palace of the Princess Dowager, his mother, the news had spread wide around, and he was greeted with loud and general acclamation, for his boyhood had done him honour, and his gentle bearing had won

all hearts.

In the universal burst of national joy which pervaded all ranks of people, the old monarch was soon forgotten, and the young king looked up to with promise and with hope. He was gentle, docile, and amiable, and gave evident tokens of a sincere love of the people whom he was now called to govern. On Tuesday, the 18th of November, 1760, he went in state to parliament. As he passed along in slow procession his eyes beheld the truest love and admiration lighting up every honest face. The windows were crowded by the youthful beauties of the day, who waved their fair hands in token of their admiration, whilst loud

huzzas arose from hoarse throats, which told that the lower ranks were no less enthusiastic than the upper ones. These demonstrations of affection continued without abatement till the imposing spectacle was over. The king was nearly overcome by those unlooked-for proofs of a people's love, and was several times moved to tears.

The manhood of the king in no way belied the promises of his youth. He was sincerely attached to his country. He made choice of a most exemplary lady for a wife. Propriety and a strict sense of religious obligation formed the basis of his moral conduct, moderation and simplicity accompanied his habits and manners, while charity and benevolence shed a lustre on all his actions. A faithful and affectionate husband, a fond and assiduous parent, a kind, considerate, and affable master, he secured the respect and attachment of all who approached him. But now, alas! comes what more or less comes to all, a drawback upon the felicity which probably would. have followed a life so harmless and so amiable. His majesty had reigned fifty years, a grand jubilee was celebrated in honour and gratitude to Almighty God for this event, and the people were enthusiastic all over the country, in their efforts to do homage to the man and his character; but Providence ordained that, at the brightest hour of earthly felicity, the king's darling and favourite child, the Princess Amelia, should be snatched from him. While she lay languishing in

expectation of her last hour, his Majesty attended her constantly, and administered to her every consolation that could be drawn from religion, though his own heart suffered acutely as he witnessed the pangs she endured; his only consolation was her resigned, cheerful, and pious spirit. No murmur escaped her, her regard for her venerable parent was constantly exhibited, and the following touching scene is recorded. The princess had ordered a ring to be prepared, to be given to her afflicted parent as a memorial of her. On his usual visit, she placed it herself upon his finger, and with a look, such as dying people alone can give, said, "Take this token to remember me." The afflicted father, whose heart was ever a tender one, felt this as if it had been an electric shock; but the king bore her loss, which took place a few days after, with pious resignation; for when Sir Henry Halford was about to communicate the sad intelligence, he interrupted him, and said :— "I see by your manner that my poor girl is no more. I am prepared for the event. She is happy! God's will be done!"

But it was not long before his Majesty experienced the greatest loss that can befall a human being, be he rich or poor-the loss of reason, which, from that hour, although he had several lucid intervals afterwards, never returned in healthy vigour. It is consoling, however, to reflect that, although his Majesty was withdrawn from the public duties of his station,

and from social or family life, he nevertheless preserved good health, was only under nominal restraint, and enjoyed every comfort that could be accorded to him. In 1819 he seems to have caught a severe cold, which led to great prostration of strength; but he was only confined two days to his bed, and expired on the 29th January, 1820, at Windsor, in his eighty-third year.

The decorum of his private conduct gave a higher tone to the public manners, by making the domestic virtues the rule of the household, even in those circles in which, during the previous reigns, they had been treated with most neglect.

His public conduct was regulated by an inflexible adherence to that line of conduct which he believed to be right. He was the friend of education, and upheld Joseph Lancaster against his enemies; and, more than this, he was a good father, a good husband, a sincere friend, and a righteous king, and as such, will retain the loving remembrance of the nation through all time.

A.D. 1789.

NE of the noblest boys of the times of the good

ONE

king we have just mentioned, was the son of a tradesman in the borough of Southwark. To him we owe that great impetus to education which commenced with the present century, and in its rapid progress has produced a great moral revolution in this country. Young boys ought to understand something of this, and they should also know that none are so humbly born but that they may be the instruments of doing a vast amount of good by diligently labouring in the sphere in which they are placed by Providence.

Joseph Lancaster was born in 1771, and brought