5o\ 
 A33CB 
 
 
 Clarke 
 Character of Her late Majesty Caroline
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 THE 
 
 CHARACTER 
 
 O F 
 
 Her late MAJESTY 
 
 Queen Caroline. 
 
 ThcSECOND EDITION. 
 Price One Shilling.
 
 E S S*A Y 
 
 Towards the 
 
 CHARACTER 
 
 O F 
 
 Her late MAJESTY 
 
 CAROLINE, 
 
 Queen-Confort of Great Britain, &q, 
 
 The SECOND EDITION, 
 
 L O N D O N: 
 Printed for J. and P. KNAP TON, at the 
 
 . 1738,
 
 
 SCI 
 
 ESSAY. 
 
 TH E following pages contain only 
 what the Title profefles, an attemft 
 to give the Public ibme Idea of the Virtues 
 and Perfections of the late Qy E E N. 
 
 What is commonly faid of the human 
 Countenance, is alib true of the human Mind; 
 that there are not two throughout the whole 
 compais of life which are exactly alike, and do 
 not differ in one article or other : And there- 
 fore CHARACTERS, like Pidures, fhould be 
 drawn in fuch a manner, that the Peiibns 
 intended to be reprefented by them may be 
 known at fight, by all their acquaintance; 
 which can only be done by ftrongly mark* 
 ing thofe peculiarities of Genius, Pifpofition, 
 
 863^6 "
 
 or Temper, whereby every one is diftinguifh- 
 ed from the reft of the Species. And it may 
 truly be affirmed that Her late MAJESTY, 
 excelled in many particulars, any one of which 
 would have done credit to the times iq wjiich 
 fhe lived. 
 
 THE virtues and great qualities of Princes 
 are generally celebrated in their life-time, with 
 all the advantages that wit and learning can 
 give them. Nothing that is commendable will 
 be loft in fuch hands ; and it is well, if what is 
 really valuable, be not rendred doubtful by 
 flattery or fiction. For Perfbns of indigent 
 fortunes or corrupt minds, feldom lole any 
 opportunities of making their court to thole 
 who have the diftribution of honor, wealth or 
 power. And yet in the prefent inftance it is 
 very remarkable, that many of the Queen's 
 peculiar Excellencies have never been men- 
 tioned, either by thole, who lift every good 
 
 /quality in the fervice of their patron ; or thole 
 who knew her well, and meant only to give 
 
 - all due honor to her Virtues. 
 
 FEW Perfons are Ib uniform in their con- 
 dud, or fo fuperior in their abilities or virtues, 
 
 as
 
 C 3 3 
 
 as to allow of too near a Scrutiny either into 
 the one, or the other ; which is the realbn 
 why every one fhould be viewed at ibme par- 
 ticular diftance* But it appears to the admira-' 
 tion even of thole who law her at all times and 
 leafons, and in every hour when the Mind is 
 moll unguarded, that her Majefty was always 
 in a very eminent manner the fame great and 
 good Perlbn. 
 
 THE Characters of Princes are for many 
 realbns commonly mounted up far above their 
 deierts- and the reports that are made from 
 diftant places fwell their virtues ftill more; 
 which, contrary to the nature of viiible 
 Objects, generally dwindle as we approach to- 
 wards them ; and as often flirink to nothing, 
 when we have an opportunity of coming 
 near enough for an impartial examination*. 
 Whereas here we meet with the reverie 
 for the virtues of this Princels were many 
 of them concealed with as much art, as if 
 they had been her reproach ; and Ibme of 
 thole things which have been imputed to her 
 for failings and blemilhes, are now the con- 
 felfed beauties and ornaments of her Character. 
 B 2 And
 
 [ 4 3 
 
 And it mull alfb be confidered, that fbme 
 of her moft amiable qualities cannot be freely 
 delcribed nor reprefented in their proper light 
 for want of fuch circumftances and facts as 
 belonged to her private life, and are too" nearly 
 intermixed with the concerns of that SACRED 
 PERSON, whofe hiftory we hope is refer ved 
 to a very diftant period of time. 
 
 I am very fenfible that more injury cannot 
 be done to the Memory of this Great Per- 
 fonagc, than by tarnifhing the praifes that 
 are due to her, with any appearance of flat- 
 tery. For which reafbn I mail be careful not 
 to mention- a fingle circumftance, but what can 
 be attefted by a number of Perfons of un- 
 doubted honor and integrity. And as I can 
 only pretend to draw the outlines of a cha- 
 racter ( which Decency would have forbidden, 
 if the fubject of it had been living) I hope 
 it will be a means of encouraging fbme able 
 pen to raife a Monument to her glory, which 
 may eafily vie with all the boafted names of 
 Antiquity j a Monument that will lurvive the 
 injuries of time, and grow ftronger with years, 
 when the infamous libels of the prefent age, 
 
 with
 
 C 5 3 
 
 with all their mean and wicked Authors fhall 
 have perifhed together. 
 
 HER MA j E s t Y was great by Birth and 
 Education as well as natural and acquired 
 abilities ; for fhe was of the Houfe of Bran- 
 denburg, one of the moft ancient and illu- 
 trious Families in Eurofe', and received her 
 education from the late Queen of Truffia^ to 
 whom ihe was indebted for many of thofe 
 advantages, which opened the way to the ho- 
 nors and diftin&ions that were afterwards paid 
 to her fingular Merit. 
 
 SHE had a ready and quick Apprehenlion, 
 a lively and ftrong Imagination, with a large 
 compafs of thought. She excelled in an un- 
 common turn for converfation, affifted by a 
 natural vivacity, and very peculiar talents for 
 mirth and humour ; and by her skill in leveral 
 languages, had an art of compounding words 
 and phrafes, that were more expreflive of her 
 ideas than any other; and a great proof of the 
 power and force of her genius. She loved a 
 repartee* was happy in making one herfelf^ 
 and bearing it from others. And as this talent 
 
 was
 
 C 6 
 
 was rendred not only inoffenfive, but amiable 
 by the greateft good nature and- chearfulnefs 
 of difpofition, which are fbmewhere very pro- 
 perly ftiled the ornaments of virtue ; Ihe 
 was, ( without refped to the dignity of her 
 rank ) the life of every company, and the de- 
 light of all that had the honor to approach her. 
 HER Memory was very good, and of fin- 
 gular uie in her high ftation } for fhe was 
 exact in her knowledge of the Characters and 
 Merits of Perfons; and well skilled in the 
 hiftory and genealogies of the confiderable 
 families, in this, and moft other Countries 
 in Europe. 
 
 SHE had fo penetrating and fearching a 
 genius, and fo true an underftanding of the 
 nature and manners of the world, that ftie fel- 
 dom failed of making a true judgment of the 
 characters of thofe who came within the reach 
 of her obfervation ; which enabled her to 
 make the proper ufe of them, according to 
 their different tempers, difpofitions, or ftudies. 
 
 And tho* it generally requires much care 
 and refolution to govern any extraordinary 
 
 degree
 
 degree of life and fpirit, ihe had no pains of 
 that fort to overcome; having been blelfcd 
 with a natural ferenity, and calmnefs of mind 
 that was inexpreffible, and is hardly ever ac- 
 companied with fuch an uncommon ihare of vi- 
 vacity , but in Her had fb much the alcendant> 
 that it was invariably the fame, and remained 
 with her to the laft moment of life. So that 
 ihe had reafbn to exprefs her thankfulnefs to 
 G o D, as ftie often did, that He had given her 
 a temper which enabled her to fupport every 
 difficulty. And it is indeed a difpofition of 
 mind more immediately ufeful to Princes, not 
 only on their own account, but as it contri- 
 butes to the eafe and happinefs of all that have 
 the honor of being in their Service. 
 
 This Gentlenefs of nature fhewed itlelf in 
 every inftance both in publick and private, and 
 inclined her to ftudy all the ways of making 
 herfelf agreeable, and of fuiting her difcourle 
 to the Perfons with whom Ihe converfed. But 
 tho* her general manner of receiving Company 
 in public was very obliging and gracious, fhe 
 knew how to diftinguifh perfons of real merit, 
 and had an effectual way of making thofe, for 
 
 whom
 
 [ 8 3 
 
 whom flie had any particular regard, fully fen* 
 fible of the diftindion fhe made. 
 
 And I am fure I fpeak the fenfe of every 
 one that was admitted to any degree of confi* 
 dence with her, in laying that what appeared 
 to fbme, to be mere art, and the addrefs of a 
 court, flowed from her natural humour ; and 
 that there never was a perfbn of a more undi 
 guifed temper in thefe articles, or that was 
 more of a-piece through all the varieties of 
 life. For the fame fbftnefs of behaviour and 
 the fame command of herfelf, that appeared in 
 the Drawing-room, went along with her into 
 her private apartments, and gladden'd every 
 body that was about her down to the meaneft 
 atendant. It not only accompanied her in the 
 gay and chearful feafbns of life, but was equally 
 ftrong in the moft trying circumftances, and 
 even in the hour of death itfel 
 
 THIS naturally leads us to a view of what 
 may be called her Cardinal virtues ; her com* 
 prehenfive benevolence, and compaflionate re- 
 gard to the wants and diftrefles of human 
 Life ; which are virtues and dignities of 
 
 the
 
 [ 9 
 
 the mind, that (my Lord Bacon obierves) 
 admit no excefs but Error. And if the greateft 
 happinefs any perfbn is capable of, confifts in 
 a confcioufneis of the moil extenfive good- 
 will to mankind, nobody could have a better 
 title to it. For the warmth and goodnefs of 
 her Heart irrefiftibly broke out on every 
 occafion, and on fubjeds of every kind ; and 
 may have carried her on, to endeavour to 
 ierve Others, when it was not always prac- 
 ticable an inconvenience, which is the com- 
 mon effect of fuch excellencies in a Character. 
 
 SHE took infinite pleafure in amufing her* 
 felf with the fportings and innocence of young 
 children and always appeared to be in her 
 proper element, when Ihe was giving any 
 proofs of an humane and tender diipofition, 
 which ihe extended with the fame opennefs of 
 heart to all, whofe circumftances required it. 
 For Her natural feelings for the pains and di- 
 trcfles of others are not to be defcribcd. They 
 were fo ftrong, that fhe became a fellow-fu- 
 ferer with them, and made their cafes fb much 
 her own, that it is altogether unaccountable, 
 how one that was removed Ib far out of the 
 reach of the common wants of life, ihould be 
 G more
 
 more warmly touched with a compaffionate 
 fcnfe of them, than is to be met with amongft 
 perfbns from whofe fituation and circumftances 
 we naturally expeft the deepeft impreffions of 
 this Sort. A Lcflbn of the greateft ufe to 
 mankind, if peribns of the firft diftin&ion 
 would learn from hence ; that when they har* 
 den their hearts, and Ihut their eyes and ears 
 to the complaints of the diftrefTed, they lofe 
 the moft exquifite pleafure human, nature is 
 capable of enjoying, and make their liipe- 
 riority, what we too often find it, a ihare to 
 themfelves, and a grievance to the reft of the 
 world; 
 
 HER Charities, the natural cbnfequence of 
 fuch virtues, were limited only by her Re* 
 Venue. And of all the loads of infamy which 
 the prefs has produced in the prefent age, 
 there is none more worthy of the abhorrence 
 of a good Mihd$ than the infinuations which 
 have been thrown out againft this part of hct 
 chara&er; becaufe they were calculated to 
 deftroy her good name, and leflen that juft 
 influence which thefe virtues naturally gave 
 her, over the wife and reputable part of 
 mankinds 
 
 Met
 
 C ii 
 
 Charities were more numerous, and 
 larger in proportion, than moft of thofe that 
 have been fb extravagantly celebrated through 
 the world. And all her income, over and 
 above the necelTary cxpences of her family, 
 was laid out in employing great numbers 
 of the poorer fort in works of very different 
 kinds ; or in relieving the various diftreffes 
 of life. Her bounty was given in the moft 
 impartial manner to perlbns of different ie&s 
 and parties ; but her principal regards were 
 paid to fiich as were in the greateft di 
 trefs ; to thofc who were under a difability of 
 receiving a maintenance from the public; as 
 well as to the widows and children of clergy- 
 men or officers, whofe families by their deaths, 
 were reduced at once from a ftate of plenty to 
 a want of the common neceflaries of life. 
 
 To thefe and every other kind of indigence, 
 that had the leaft plea of merit joined to it> 
 her hand and her heart were always open. 
 For fhe knew of no value in money, but what 
 arifes from the prefent ufe of it ; and was never 
 more obliged to any one than for a noble occa- 
 fion of exerting her liberality. And when ihe 
 was applied to by perfons nearly concerned 
 C s in
 
 in behalf of their friends, fhe has entered into 
 all their grief with the greateft generofity of 
 mind ; anfwered their requefts with an Air of 
 fatisfa&ion and gladnefs; and always endea- 
 voured to convince them, that they could not 
 recommend themfelves more to her efteem, 
 than by giving fuch proofs of a compaffionate 
 and affectionate nature. 
 
 She avoided all appearance of fhew and 
 oftentation fo much, that many perfons who 
 iubfifted by her Bounty were wholly igno- 
 rant of their Benefactor ; and fhe was ib libe- 
 ral in her charities that her publick and pri- 
 vate lifts with the occafional fums expended 
 on the lame account, amounted to near a ffth 
 part of her whole Income. 
 
 THESE moral Perfections were ieated in a 
 clear and undifturbed mind, not ruffled by 
 pailions, nor fbwred by difappointments ; by 
 which means me appeared to enjoy the greater 
 part of her life with a relifli unlcnown to nar- 
 row fpirits; who have no tafte. of rational 
 pleafures; and lofe the enjoyment of what 
 they poflels, in purfuit of what they have 
 
 AND
 
 c 13 3 ,,. ; 
 
 A N 7 D now if we take a view of this excel- 
 lent Peribn in the other parts of her conduft, 
 we fhall find her ftill Greater in herfelf than in 
 the outward diftin&ions of life, 
 
 F o & fhe had a ftrength of underftanding 
 and prefence of mind, which accompanied her 
 in all her aftions ; and fecured her againft being 
 iurprized with fudden events, or behaving un- 
 equally under them ; of both which fhe has 
 given many unexampled proofs. 
 
 The fame dignity of Soul enabled her to 
 overlook injuries, and to bear up with pa- 
 tience and refblution againft undeferved ca- 
 lumny or reproach. But fhe always ct>veted 
 the efteem of worthy perfbns ; and whenever 
 fhe had been mifreprefented by fuch, ufed to 
 " wifh that they had known her better." For 
 fhe frequently exprefTed herfelf not only with 
 regard and kindnefs, but a degree of reverence 
 for characters of diftinguifhed virtue and good- 
 nefs. And as to the ill treatment fhe met with 
 from others of a contrary flamp, fhe received 
 it for the moft part with the greateft indiffe- 
 , and eadured it as the neceflary tax on 
 
 her
 
 C '4 ] 
 
 her ilation and merit, referring herfeif and her 
 caufe with filent and humble confidence to 
 that Being whom ftie made her refuge and 
 firength. 
 
 In matters of the lighted moment flic had 
 fb entire a command of herfelfj that whenever 
 fhe pleafed, fhe feemed to enjoy even trifles, 
 as if flie was quite unbent, and had nothing 
 clfe to attend ; and in every eircumftancc of be- 
 haviour that came under the notice of others, 
 flie gave herfeif up to it ; and appeared in it 
 with the lame readinefs, as if it was the one 
 only thing in which ftie excelled. 
 
 And it were to be wiflied tor our fakes, flie 
 had not carried this power over her own con- 
 duel: fo far in other particulars. For flie fel- 
 dom attended to any warnings of an approach- 
 ing illnefs; but either for fear of alarming 
 HIM whofe happinefs was bound up in hers ; 
 or from too much dependancc on her conftitu- 
 tion ; would appear in public with the fame 
 outward chearfulnefs, when ftie was in excefs 
 of pain and anguifh, as if ftie had been per- 
 fe&ly at her eafe : Which, joined to a peculiar 
 delicacy ftie had in the frame of her mind, too 
 
 frequently
 
 ; c is 3 |JS 
 
 frequently endangered a life of incftimable 
 value to the World. 
 
 THIS Ibvereign command of her thoughts, 
 words and actions, had its foundation in aa 
 heart always devoted to great and noble de- 
 figns. Her Genius tower'd over all. For by 
 many circumftances it is evident that flie had 
 a capacity for executing grand and princely 
 fchemes. And when His Majeity's Commands 
 required an application of thefe high qualities 
 to the government of a Kingdom, flic joined 
 to them a skill and prudence that would have 
 adorned the character of the moft able and ex- 
 perienced ftatefman. 
 
 THE extend ve knowledge (he had in mat- 
 ters of a philofophical nature, the time flie 
 fpent in reading and converfing about them, 
 and the regard fhe manifefted for the memory 
 of thofe eminent writers that had brought new 
 light into thefe fubjeds, have given great cre- 
 dit to thofe ftudies. And flie has been fb 
 juftly celebrated by fome of the moft admired 
 iiames of our country on this account, that it 
 will be in vain to attempt to give the publick 
 any higher impreffions of this part of her cha- 
 racter
 
 c l6 
 
 racier with which they are fo well acquainted, 
 and which will convey her name down to 
 pofterity with glory and honor. 
 
 The ufe file made of thefe advantages was 
 to enable her to difcharge the duties of an 
 high ftation, like One that was to give an ac- 
 count of her actions to God- and flie confl- 
 dered the more envied circumftances of life, 
 with an indifferenee that made it perfectly 
 cafy to her to part with them. Theie things 
 which filled the mouths of the philofbphers, 
 pofleffed the heart of this excellent Princefs. 
 She engrafted them into her life, and con- 
 traded fuch a diflike to all ufelefs reading, 
 that fhe began to be weary even of hiftorical 
 peices from the uncertainty and partiality with 
 which they are commonly written; and could 
 hardly prevail with herfelf of late to Ipend 
 her thoughts on any fubjeds, but fuch as were 
 of the more ferious and religious turn. Fqr 
 having had large experience of all the joys that 
 can be had from the utmoft points of tonor, 
 efteem and power, and whatever elfe is moft 
 valued by'the world, Ihe was capable of deter- 
 mining upon them with great judicioufnefs ; 
 and did accordingly make fuch reflections as 
 
 Efficiently
 
 C 17 ] 
 
 fufficiently (hewed her fenle of what fhe called 
 the mere nothmgnefs of human life. 
 
 THE many virtues and graces of her life 
 prove her Religion to have been what an 
 Apoftle ftiles, pure and undented before God, 
 by wjit'mg the father lefs and widows in their 
 affliftion^ and keefing herself unffotted from the 
 ^orld. And in all her words and aftions, fhe 
 declared herfelf to be on the moft reafonable 
 conviction, a fihcere Chriftian, a zealous Pro- 
 teftant, a real Friend to the Church of England, 
 and a conftant Protector of the rights of man- 
 kind, in oppofltion to tyranny of every fort. 
 
 She was well acquainted with the heft argu- 
 ments to fupport her principles, and gave an 
 early proof of her fteady adherence to the Pro- 
 tcftant caule, by refuting to enter into a 
 treaty of marriage with the prefent Emperor, 
 when he was King of Sfain : A circumftance 
 which is Ib well known amongft us, that I 
 need only remark upon it, She was referved 
 for our happinels to be the ornament of a 
 Country, where religion and government re- 
 ceive their beft fupport from liberty arid trutfo 
 D BUT
 
 i8 
 
 BUT of all the particulars of her Life, there 
 was none more extraordinary than her method 
 of dividing time, which enabled her to go 
 through fuch a variety of affairs, not only 
 without hurry and confufion, but with more 
 eale and readinefs than can eafily be conceived 
 by thofe, who had not the proper opportu- 
 nities of making the obfervation. 
 
 And indeed this will appear incredible to 
 fuch as are unacquainted with the art of ap- 
 plying every minute to its proper ufes; for 
 generally fpeaking, they find leaft leifure for 
 bufinefs, whofe time lies heavy on their hands. 
 The order and method which the diligent and 
 active are obliged to obferve in the conduct of 
 their affairs, bring things into a narrower com- 
 pafs, and do in eifed carry with them the 
 bleflings of a long life, by enabling men to 
 live as much again in the fame fpace of time. 
 And it feems to be one of the curfes of afflu- 
 ence and fortune to make men idle and ufe- 
 lefs ; that they fhould have a greater ftock of 
 time in hand than they know how to employ 
 So that they may be faid to fhorten their lives, 
 and not /% out half their days. A Reflection, 
 
 that
 
 C 19 1 
 
 that is as full of honor to this great Queen, as 
 it is of fhame and reproach to an age that has 
 made but little ufe of Ib glorious an example ! 
 
 She was frequently engaged in reading 
 fuch Books as are rarely attempted but by 
 perfbns of much leifure and retirement, whole 
 thoughts are not taken up with any of the 
 cares or follicitudes of the world. And we are 
 allured, by a great authority, that her know- 
 ledge was very particular and uncommon, even 
 in matters of the niceft^ and moft 'alflraft Spe- 
 culation. She acquainted herfelf with every 
 valuable book that was publifhed ; fhe granted 
 Audiences to all that had any wants to fiipply : 
 At certain hours fhe gave herfelf up to the 
 amufements of a court ; but was fb totally void 
 of all concern for the ornaments of drefs, that 
 it could hardly be faid to take up any portion 
 of her time. 
 
 She converfed in private with perfbns of all 
 the different turns of genius in the whole com- 
 pafs of arts and fciences; and with a few 
 whom fhe honored with a more particular re- 
 gard, fhe entred into all the freedoms of pri- 
 vate and familiar life; and fhewed that fhe 
 could let herfelf down from her dignity, as if 
 Da &Q
 
 [ 20 ] 
 
 ihe had never pofTefled it ; and could refume it 
 again, as if me had never parted with it. And 
 tho' the more publick parts of her chara&er will 
 make the greateft iigure in hiftory ; they who 
 were beft acquainted with her know, that there 
 were more charms in betfrivatt converfation, 
 and more merit in any one of the filent virtues 
 of her domeftic life, than in all thofe that are 
 the common fubjects of admiration. 
 
 She made thefe various employments of im- 
 mediate ule in the education of her children, 
 who were almoft always under her eye; for 
 they lived \vith her, and about her a great 
 part of the day ; and received the benefit of 
 every circumftance that arole in convention 
 or otherwife, which could be appll...- ->ieir 
 improvement and happinefs. For o;-u was 
 their inftru&or, their friend and companion, as 
 well as their moil indulgent parent. 
 
 She directed their behaviour, formed their 
 manners., taught them how to rule their pa 
 fions, and governed them with ib much wit? 
 dom, as to be entirely beloved by them : For 
 their greateft delight was in her company, an4 
 
 they
 
 C 21 ] 
 
 they dreaded nothing Ib much as her difc 
 pleafure. 
 
 Her heart was fb rightly turned to this great 
 duty of nature, that fhe could temper her rer. 
 proofs at one and the fame time with a mix- 
 ture of feverity and fweetnefs, which gave her 
 an abfblute and irrefiftible authority over 
 them. And fhe highly deferved their moil 
 dutiful regards ; becauie fhe fpared no pains 
 for their inftrucT.ion, and gave herfelf up to 
 every thought that could be turned to their 
 advantage. 
 
 What a misfortune is it to our country that 
 fo illuftrious an example, which has been pub- 
 lickly known, and univerlally admired amongft 
 us for above twenty years together, fhould 
 not have had weight enough to bring an em- 
 ployment of the greateft importance into more 
 fafhion and credit; an employment in itfelf 
 the moft honourable, and in its conlequences 
 the moft uleful of any in the world. And it 
 is impoflible not to refleft, with the utmoft de- 
 gree of grief and indignation, on the melan- 
 choly Hate of fuch times, when Parents of 
 rank are grown fo degenerate and have fo little 
 regard to their own honor, or the happinels of 
 
 their
 
 C 22 ] 
 
 their children, as by leaving them in the hands 
 of their Servants, to fuffer them to receive their 
 earlieft imprefiions from thofe, who are com- 
 monly taken from the dregs of the people. 
 
 BUT the tendernefs which the Queen had 
 for her royal offspring, together with all other 
 regards, were fw allowed up in her conjugal vir- 
 tues, and her devotion to the KING. Her 
 foul was entirely poffelfed with her duty^ a- 
 fetion and attachment to him ; and fuch was 
 her whole conduct, that it was hardly poffiblc 
 to diftinguifh at any time, whether fhe 
 was confulting his inclinations or her own. 
 She declared herfelf " under the higheft ob- 
 " ligations to Him for having made her the 
 " happieft woman in the world; and that 
 " though her children were entirely dear, they 
 <c were not as a grain of land to her, in com- 
 " parifon of Him." For all her thoughts were 
 bent on promoting his fatisfa&ions, and eafing 
 the cares of his royal Breaft } all her actions 
 were directed with a view to His honor; 
 and all her hours were given up to his di 
 pofal. 
 
 MOST
 
 C 23 3 
 
 i 
 
 MOST of the diftinguifhed chara&ers in 
 hiftory, owe their ornaments and graces to a 
 thirft rfFamC) which was the probable reafbn 
 of their moil celebrated actions ; but when 
 the virtues of this Princefs come to be feen in 
 their true light, fhe will be found to have 
 been Ib void of this paflion, that on the con- 
 trary, fhe facrificed all her intereft with the 
 Great, and her reputation with the Many, to 
 her duty to the King, her love to her chil- 
 dren, and her regard to the public welfare. 
 
 She neglected appearances fb much, that 
 ftie ufed frequently to fay " that her true cha- 
 " rader would never be known till after her 
 " death." She preferred the inward approba- 
 tion of her own mind to the applaufe of the 
 world ; and valued things as they appeared to 
 her in the eye of reafon, and not according to 
 the rate that was fet upon them by others. 
 
 She was very fond of what one of her fa- 
 vourite Authors fays on this fubjeft, * " that 
 " a thirft after glory is founded in Ambition 
 " and Vanity ; that to difcerning men, Fame it- 
 <c fcif is a mere dream, a ftupid delufion, and 
 
 * WollaflonV Rtliguu of Nature, &c. 
 
 w but
 
 C *4 3 
 
 " but the next remove from nothing that it 
 " is beftowcd on men thro* ignorance, par-* 
 " tiality or felfifh views, on account of fuch 
 a things as would be a difgrace to favages, 
 or fuch as at beft have no real merit in 
 <c them : That this boafted immortality amounts 
 " to no more, than that fbmebody conquered 
 " fbmebody, becaufe the perpetuating of the 
 " bare name can be nothing to the man to 
 u whom it once belonged." 
 
 What confirmed her in thefe reflections, was 
 that this very Fame (as poor a bufinefs as it is) 
 is often grounded either on falfe fa&s or mil- 
 taken ones; which in her own cafe fhe pro- 
 fefled to have frequently experienced, by find- 
 ing herfelf " extolled and flattered at fome times 
 " for a&ions, that were either of an indifferent 
 " nature, or difliked by herfelf; and cenfured 
 <c at others for the moft commendable and di- 
 " interefted parts of her conducV' So that when 
 it is confidered that her very neglecl: of Fame 
 arofe from a noblenefs of heart, and a difre- 
 gard to the cenfure of thofe who fee only the 
 outfide of things ; and that fhe was willing to 
 wait for her reward from that Being whofeeth 
 infecret, her chara&er will be the more illu 
 
 trious
 
 trious, on account of thofc very circumftances 
 which feem to have fhaded it ; and She will 
 appear to all Pofterity to have been one of the 
 firft perfbns of the Country, Age, and Station, 
 in which fhe lived* 
 
 IF any additional light can be wanting 
 to give us a clearer idea of this incomparable 
 Princeis, it will be abundantly fupplied from her 
 inimitable behaviour and condud throughout 
 the laft melancholy fcene of her life, every ar- 
 ticle of which deferves to be recorded in inde- 
 lible characters* As the whole pafled under 1 
 the eye and obfervation of many perfbns, it is 
 to be hoped they will not fuffer the leaft cir-> 
 cumftancc of all the wifdom, and piety, and 
 greatnefs of foul, which fhe manifelted in that 
 feafbn, to be forgotten. And it muft be an in- 
 expreflible fatisfadion to thofe who honored 
 her when living, and lament her dead, to have 
 fo many undoubted evidences of the greateft 
 virtue, as are more than enough to frifle the 
 ieeble and ungenerous attacks of party -rage 
 which, like the Inquifition, puts every virtue 
 to the queftion, and racks and tortures the 
 moft amiable qualities of the human Mind. 
 
 E WHERE-
 
 t 26 
 
 WHEREVER there has been room for it, 
 the characters of men have always been formed 
 from their behaviour at the time of their death, 
 when it is juftly prefumed every difguife is laid 
 afide : Upon this bottom, the zealots of many 
 religious profeffions have endeavoured to fe- 
 cure to themfelves the credit of a dying adver- 
 lary, whofe whole life perhaps was one conti- 
 nued warfare againft them. 
 
 And here we have an inftance of an happy 
 combination of all that is great and good 
 without the common mixture of failings and 
 infirmities, uniformly worked up in life and 
 death to a greater pitch of perfection than 
 we have any account of in all the volumes of 
 Antiquity* 
 
 A memorable action or faying, which might 
 "be the work only of one hour's wifdom or 
 fteadinefs, is handed down to all pofterity 
 as worthy of having the whole character deno- 
 minated from it; whereas here we behold a 
 Great Qy E E N racked with the extremity of 
 pain and milery, with very little intermiflion 
 for twelve days and nights ; and endur- 
 ing it not only with patience and fubmiffion, 
 but almoft without a groan ; all along main- 
 taining
 
 taining, thro' a feries of fuffering, her temper ; 
 her virtue ; her real fubmiffion to the ways 
 of Providence ; her dignity and greatneis of 
 Soul 
 
 THROUGH the whole courfe of her ill- 
 nefs fhe gave proofs of her uiual chearfulnefs ; 
 and tried to fupport the fpirits of thofe that 
 were about her, by exerting it to the lair. 
 She did not confider death in any other light, 
 than as if it had been a common occurrence, in 
 which there was nothing that ought to give 
 any difturbance to One that had fixed her 
 hope on another life. 
 
 And from the general turn of her converfa- 
 tion a few months paft ; as well as fbme re- 
 markable expreflions that me ufed j and an 
 uncommon thoughtfulnefs, which, as it were, 
 ftole upon her countenance more frequently of 
 late ; it looked, as if me apprehended that her 
 life would not be of long continuance ; which 
 evidently grew to be her fixed opinion as her 
 Illnefs increafed upon her. She did not mani- 
 feft the leaft defire of life from the beginning 
 of her confinement ; but when fhe oblerved 
 the anxiety of her friends, ftie refolved to do 
 that for their lakes, which Ihe could not 
 E 2 be
 
 be prevailed on to do for her own ; and faid, 
 " fhe thought it was worth while to endea- 
 u vour to prefer ve a life, that fhe found was fb 
 " dear to his Majefty, and his Royal Ifliie." 
 
 N the fecond day of her illnefs fhe was 
 obferved to fhed fbme tears ; occafioned either 
 by lownefs of fpirits, or drawn from her by 
 the tendernefs of thofe that were deareft to 
 her : But fhe fbon recovered her ufual firmnefs, 
 and maintained the dignity of her mind, with- 
 out any emotion, or interruption, to the hour 
 of her death. 
 
 1 believe it may be affirmed, that none of 
 the Phyficians or Surgeons, or other at- 
 tendants upon her, ever beheld fuch an exam- 
 ple of patience, and fortitude of mind, and of 
 entire fubmiffion to the will of God. And in 
 one of the painful operations fhe underwent, 
 being apprehenfive that fhe had expreffed 
 Jier felf with a little uneafinefs, though it 
 was hardly obfervcd, fhe faid with concern 
 that " fhe feared fhe had fhewed more imr 
 ?' patience, than fhe ought to have done." 
 
 In all this melancholy fcene She behaved 
 with the fame civility and courteoufhefs at all 
 imes to every one that was about her} which 
 
 was
 
 C 
 
 was a circumftance of greatnefs, that one of the 
 Phyficians obferved, he had never met with in 
 the whole courfe of his pra&ice. She was con- 
 tinually manifefting the goodnefs of her heart, 
 and expreffing her thankful and confiderate 
 fenfe of the laborious patchings and fatigues 
 of her attendants ; which ftie did with the 
 moft proper and diftinguiftiing regards to each 
 of them. 
 
 And it ought to be remembred, that this 
 obliging manner of behaviour was not of that 
 fort, which mechanically flows from conftitu- 
 tion or habit ; but was fuited fb exactly to 
 the circumftances both of the perfons to whom 
 fhe fpake, and the opportunities Ihe took for 
 the purpofe, as fhewed fhe was abfolute miP 
 trels of herfelf ; and could judge of all pro- 
 prieties as much in her laft hours, as others can 
 when their heads and hearts are moft at eaie. 
 
 Her calmnefs and quietnefs of fpirit (the 
 milder beauties of her character) remained the 
 fame thro* all the changes of her diftemper; 
 and enabled her with the greateft conftancy Of 
 mind, and compofure of behaviour to difcharge 
 the duties that were neareft her heart; whilft
 
 - [3 
 
 every one around her was tranfported with 
 agonies of grief and confufion. 
 
 Not one repining word, not one unguarded 
 expreflion came from her ; but on the contrary, 
 She was full of patience and refignation in the 
 midft of her pains, and as full of gratitude for 
 the leaft abatement of them. She confidered 
 herfelf as under more eminent obligations to 
 her maker than the reft of the world ; and was 
 always recounting to herfelf and others, the 
 many providences fhe had received during her 
 whole life. 
 
 She fpent the tedious hours of her ficknefs 
 in confidering what remained for her to do, that 
 might teftify the ftrength of her affedion to 
 the King, or might beft difcharge the laft 
 duties of a Chriftian, a Mother, a Miftrefs, or 
 a Friend : Of all which the * Great Prelate 
 (who aflifted Her in religious offices, and 
 prayed with Her twice a Day for fbme time 
 before fhe died) received the fulleft fatisfadion ; 
 as he had often done before, in many diftincl: 
 converfations with Her on thefe, and other im- 
 portant points. 
 
 * His Grace the Archbiflwp of Canterbury. 
 
 Her
 
 3i 3 
 
 Her thoughts were frequently lifted up to 
 Heaven ; and fhe poured out her foul feveral 
 times in a day, in the moft reafonable, devout, 
 and affe&ing terms. Her Prayers were ge- 
 nerally pronounced in an audible manner, and 
 fliewed fuch clearnefs of underftanding, liich 
 ftrength of mind, and fuch judicioufhefs in 
 her choice of matter, that Ihe feemed to be 
 wholly undifturbed with her pains, as if ihe 
 had been quite at eafe, and delivered from the 
 fetters of the body. So that Ihe made her 
 very fufferings inftru&ive to all about her, 
 who were fb deeply affe&ed with them, that 
 it is probable Time itfelf will not be able to 
 blot out the mournful remembrance of them. 
 She prayed in a diftincl: manner for the King, 
 for All her children, and for the Publick ; and 
 fuited her petitions to their different circum- 
 ftances, and the refpe&ive relations fhe flood 
 in to them. 
 
 She took a feparate and folemn leave of 
 His MAJESTY and her family more fre- 
 cjuently than human nature could well go 
 through with ; which was occafioned by the 
 various turns of hope and fear, that prevailed in 
 their minds at different times. And the dig- 
 nity
 
 E 3 
 
 ty and cafe with which flic behaved ; the in- 
 nocence with which fhe fpoke; the proper 
 and affectionate advice ihe gave to her chil- 
 dren ; the earneft manner in which Ihe recom- 
 mended unanimity, and mutual affetion to 
 them ; the ufeful leflbns ihe delivered to every 
 one about her; and the inexprefiible marks of 
 her duty and tendernels for that Royal Perfon, 
 to whom flie owed the happinefs and honors 
 of her life, were fb affeding and powerful ; 
 that it was no wonder, if Theyj who found 
 themfelves on the point of lofing more ble* 
 lings by her death, than they could hope tor 
 repair, ihould be overwhelmed with Ibrrow 
 and concern; 
 
 And as if She was the Only One in the 
 Royal Palace that had the command of her-* 
 felf, ihe had the refblution to avoid every oc- 
 cafion of repeating the mournful ceremonies of 
 an eternal farewel, by declining to fpeak more 
 than was neceflary for the two laft Days of 
 her life. 
 
 AMIDST all the important concerns that 
 poflefled her Soul, nothing is more worthy of 
 admiration, or a more infallible proof of the 
 humane and beneficent turn of her mind, than 
 
 her
 
 [ 33 
 
 her laft remembrances of every one for whom 
 flie had any regard ; which were fb particular 
 that there are reafbns to think flic did not forget 
 one, but took fome oceafion or other, in the 
 courie of her illnefs, to {peak of them all with, 
 proper kindnefs. She recommended her Ser- 
 vants in the moft affecting and folemn manned 
 to His Majefty's favour and proteftiori ; and 
 extended her concern down to the loweft of 
 them, and was equally warm in her Ibllicitude 
 for tfceir welfare ; recounting to him the 
 fakhfulnefs of their refpe&ive fer vices, and 
 omitting nothing which fhe thought could be 
 bf ule to them. Some of them have had the 
 honor of attending her above twenty years* 
 and it will not be improper in this place to ob- 
 ferve, that as the Queen had all the virtues of 
 private, as well as public life, no one in a great 
 ftation ever enjoyed more of the advantages o 
 it; For no Perfbns in private life ever thought ' 
 themfelves happier than fhe did, in the faith- 
 fulnefs, truth and honor, of fbme that have 
 been admitted to the freedoms of her convcr- 
 iation, as well as others that were in her 
 fervice, 
 
 F' And
 
 [ 34 ] 
 
 And they who had the happincfs of being 
 witneffcg of the inimitable Manner in which 
 fhe clofed her life, will never forget the fre- 
 quent declarations fhe made, when the hopes 
 and fears of this world were at an end with 
 her; namely, " That fhe had made it the 
 tc bufmefs of her life to difcharge her duty to 
 <c God and Man in the bcft manner fhe was 
 " able ; that as fhe had no heavy burden up- 
 " on her Confcience, fhe hoped God would 
 <c pardon her infirmities, and accept of the fin* 
 " cerity of her endeavors, which were always 
 " intended to promote the King's honor, and 
 " the profperity of the Kingdom ; that fhe 
 " was a hearty \vell-wiflier to the Liberties of 
 <c the Nation ; that if fhe had been miftakeri 
 " in any part of her c'onduft, it was from an 
 " error of her judgment , not her will 
 " that fhe could not charge hcriclf with a 
 ic thought of having unjuftly given an hour's 
 " pain to any one perfbn in the world ; and 
 " that fhe had ftudied all the means that were 
 " in her power of contributing to the happi- 
 * nefs of the Royal Family, and ftrengthning 
 
 "the
 
 [ 35 ] 
 
 " the common intereft of all that wifli well to 
 " the King's Government/' 
 
 A little before {he died, fhe laid to JL 
 Pliyfician, Ho'jn long can this lafl ? and on his 
 anfwcring, Tour Majefly will foon be eafed of 
 your fains } fhe replied, the fooner the better. 
 After this fhe repeated a prayer of her own 
 compofjng, in which there was fuch a flow of 
 natural eloquence as amazed the By-ftanders, 
 and demonftrated the power and vigour of a 
 great and good Mind, 
 
 BUT the laft period of this melancholy 
 fcene is yet to come : For, when her fpeech 
 began to faulter, and fhe was thought expir- 
 ing, fhe fummoned all her ftrength, and all the 
 powers of her departing fpirit, to affift her for 
 one glorious moment ; that he might make 
 her end to her immortal honor, in a manner 
 worthy of a good chriftian, and worthy of her 
 {H For this purpofc fhe defired to be raifed 
 up in her bed, and fearing that nature would 
 not hold out long enough without artificial 
 fupports, Ihe called to have water thrown on 
 her, and a little after defired it might be re- 
 peated j by which means having gathered up 
 F 2 fome
 
 C 
 
 ibmc fpirit, She, with the greateft compofure 
 and prefence of mind, requefted her weeping 
 Royal Relations to " kneel down and pray for 
 "Her"; which they immediately did. And, 
 whilft they were reading fome Prayers, as 
 well as circumftances of fuch unutterable di- 
 trels would permit ; fhe faid, fray aloud that 
 I may hear ; and after the Lord's Trayer was 
 concluded, in which ihe joined as well as fhe 
 could, fhe faid SO; and (waving her hand) 
 with the utmoft tranquility lay down, and 
 gave up the ghoft. 
 
 TH u s died a Prircefs, who, if we confider 
 all the circumftances of her {ration, abilities, 
 temper and conducl, was undoubtedly the 
 glory of our age, and an ornament to human 
 nature itfelf For if we view her in poffeflion 
 of every worldly honor ; adorned with every 
 amiable quality; placed in the eye of the 
 whole world ; and afterwards behold the fame 
 JPerfbn putting in practice all the philofophy 
 of the fevereft moralifls ; inflruding thofe that 
 were about her in the moft ufeful manner ; ut- 
 tering nothing that was unbecoming a wife 
 and good Chriftian under the iharpeft SufFer- 
 
 ings,
 
 37 
 
 ings, and bearing them with invincible patience 
 and fortitude for many days together; wholly 
 undilmayed at the fight of death; and even 
 meeting it with an air of fatisfadion, tho* ihe 
 was to be parted from thofe whom fhe moil 
 tenderly loved : If all thefe circumftances be 
 confidered, we mould rather be inclined to 
 think that Ihe was the Reprefentative of Ibme 
 charader, drawn for the admiration of man- 
 kind, than that any one could really be what 
 fhe was. 
 
 And it will be no wonder if the whole of 
 this amazing fcene, of which I only pretend to 
 give an impelled sketch, mould appear vifio- 
 nary to thole who were at a diftance from it ; 
 becaule even they who attended her through 
 all the painful ftages of her laft illnefs, and 
 were belt acquainted with her Excellencies; 
 cannot reflect on her continued Sufferings, and 
 all her Behaviour under them, without the 
 greateft degree of aflonilhment. 
 
 If we were to indulge our minds in giving 
 way to fuch melancholy apprehenfions as this 
 fubjed would naturally fuggeft to us, there 
 
 would
 
 would be ho end : For She was All we could 
 wifh for in every relation of life, and was re- 
 moved from our hopes and expectations, when 
 ihe was capable of doing the moft good ; when 
 her faculties were ftrong and vigorous, and by 
 the courfe of nature might have continued ib 
 ibr a long term of years. 
 
 To Her indeed the day of Death, was bet- 
 ter. than the day of one's birth. For it carried 
 Her beyond the ftr'/fe of tongues^ the ma- 
 licious flrokes of envenomed pens. She had 
 made her way through the prefs and crowd of 
 life, and was now arrived at that critical point 
 which pronounced her happy ; and rendred the 
 Evening of her glorious day more illufrrious 
 than the Meridian of moft of the celebrated 
 characters in hiftory. So that fhe has cfFectu- 
 ally fecured herfelf an endlefs meafure of Fame, 
 though me never made it the objecl: of her 
 purfuits. 
 
 HER Houfe was both the honor and the 
 reproach of our Country. The affluence and 
 ftate of great families commonly tend to cool 
 and flacken their affections to each other, and 
 
 make
 
 [ 39 ] 
 
 make them induftrioufly avoid all appearances, 
 which may bring them to know themfelves, 
 of remind them of the miler^ or weaknefs of a 
 mortal condition. For this reafbn they flie 
 from the diftrefs, ficknefs or death, even of 
 their neareft relations. Whereas here we lee 
 a numerous Royal Family, formed by her con- 
 duct, and governed by her example, giving 
 fuch proofs of the true greatnels of their own 
 minds, and of the ftrength of their affection to 
 the beft of Parents, as leemed to exceed the 
 powers of nature. 
 
 They laid afide and forgot every mark of 
 dignity and diftin&ion, when One of the prin- 
 cipal objects of their happinefs called for their 
 beft offices. They watched with her in her 
 whole illnefs ; gave her all the medicines j at- 
 tended her with unwearied diligence ; perform- 
 ed every office for her; obferyred all the turns 
 in her diftemper with the utmoft anxiety ; en- 
 tred into every circumftance, that could enable 
 them to give her a moments eafe and, con- 
 trary to the manner of the world, paid their 
 conftant duty to her very Remains, till they 
 were removed out of their Sight. 
 
 As.
 
 [ 4 ] . 
 
 As this was not the glory of One only, but 
 of All that were with her 5 and All vied 
 with each other in this amiable contention, as 
 iar as they were allowed to do it on account 
 of their health and ability ; it may fafely be 
 affirmed, that no hiftory can produce an in- 
 ftance of more piety in a whole family, or 
 more honor paid to the virtues of a Parent. 
 And the diibrder, confufion and ficknefs, which 
 their grief and the fatigues they endured have 
 brought upon them, attended with circum- 
 flances of danger to Some, muft for ever make 
 them efteemed and honored by all that have 
 any feeling for fuch fmgular diftrefles ; or that 
 can be touched with a due fenle of fuch exqiii- 
 fite merit. 
 
 BUT what fums up her Character, is the 
 royal teftimoriy that is born to it by H i M, who 
 for above thirty years together, admired her 
 Virtues ; lived with her in the ftrifteft tyes of 
 affedion and friendfhip j and now confiders him- 
 felf as deprived of one^ that really divided the 
 cares, and more than doubled the joys of his 
 life. + 
 
 His
 
 C 4< 
 
 His heart fwells with every tender image of 
 her perfections, which are perpetually before 
 his eyes. He takes every opportunity of re* 
 counting her virtues ; and does it in a manner 
 that fhews his whole foul engaged in the con- 
 templation of them. He coniiders how ihe 
 would have afted in every circumftance that 
 was within her Sphere; exprefles a gracious 
 regard for thofe whom fhe valued ; and is di- 
 pofed to every thing that can poflibly do 
 honor to her Memory. 
 
 For this purpole He has been pleafed to con- 
 tinue the falaries of all the officers, and menial 
 iervants, who are not taken into his own fa- 
 mily ; and has commanded fuch a lift as can be 
 had, of her numerous Charities, to be laid 
 before him ; it being his Royal Intention that 
 Nobody, as far as poffible, ihould be a fuffe- 
 fer befides Himfelf. 
 
 THESE fhining drctimftances are all 
 crowned with the inexpreflible fondnefs and af- 
 fection of a FATHER, who manifefts the utmoft 
 folicitude for the welfare of his children ; and 
 from the perfuafion he is under of their irrepa- 
 rable lofs, applies himfelf with great tender- 
 G
 
 C 42 ] 
 
 nefs to difchargc the duty of both Parents; 
 recommending the Queen's example to them> 
 and reminding them of all that flic faid, and 
 did, and fuffered for their honor and happinefs. 
 
 AND if I was at liberty to go into more 
 particulars, and defcribe the pains and anxiety 
 of his Royal Breaft, fo vifible in his whole 
 condud, whilft All that He loved, and valued 
 was in danger; the diftradion of thought; the 
 oppreflion of heart; and the deluge of foft and 
 tender paffions, that broke in upon a mind, 
 naturally fortified with the utmoft degree of 
 conftancy and refolution ; while He appeared 
 himfelf to feel all the agonies of death, when 
 the laft glimmering of hope was gone: If it 
 were poflible for all this to be freely and fully 
 defcribed, it would be a ftronger motive than 
 any that has yet been urged, to engage the 
 moft affectionate wifhes and prayers of his fub- 
 je&s, for the prefervation of a PRINCE who 
 has added to his confefled virtues of inflexible 
 Probity, Juftice, Honor and Truth, the moft 
 amiable proofs of his Humanity, Tendernels 
 and Goodnefs of heart* 
 
 THESB
 
 C 43 1 
 
 THESE are virtues which ufed to lie con- 
 cealed in the private corners of the world, and 
 are hardly ever found among thofe who are in 
 the higheft points of light, and command the 
 publick attention of Mankind ; and therefore 
 we muft be loft to all ftiame, if we are want- 
 ing in our proper acknowledgments of thefe 
 uncommon merits in a Royal Family ; which 
 do fo much real credit to our Age and Country. 
 
 But it muft be confeffed to the honor of 
 human nature, that the undiflembled grief 
 which has appeared in all ranks of perfons on 
 this moft affecting occafion, evidently ihews, 
 that true and folid virtue will ever be too hard 
 for all the differing humours, interefts and 
 factions of the world; and that the name and 
 honor of a truly great and good Perfon, may 
 fairly be entrufted to the faithful keeping of 
 pofterity. 
 
 And if the confcioufnefs of her own inno- 
 cence ; the affurance of her being moft be- 
 loved by thofe to whom fhe was moft inti- 
 mately known ; and the universal teftimony 
 that was paid to her merit, could contribute 
 any thing to her happinefs in her laft moments, 
 G a this
 
 C 44 3 
 
 this excellent QUEEN had all the fatisfaftions a 
 dying hour could give : For fhe faw a Great 
 Prince moft tenderly affected for her, and half 
 expiring with her ; attended by a numerous 
 jITae ftanding round her bed, and tranfported 
 with all the excefles of grief and anxie- 
 ty Her friends and fervants lamenting their 
 private lofs, as well as that of the public ; 
 the world abroad moved with general con- 
 cern ; and even her enemies ( whom God 
 forgive) for once aihamed. 
 
 I am perfectly aware of the deficiency of a 
 character, that is made up only of fuch mate- 
 rials as are already very well known but 
 till more can be procured, I periuade my felf 
 it muft be of ufe to place thefe we have, in fuch 
 a light, that they may be feenatone view. And 
 I thought fome public homage was immediate- 
 ly due to the memory of an illuftrious Princefs, 
 who has left behind her an example of ib ma- 
 ny great and uncommon Virtues both in the 
 public and domeftic walk of Life : And that 
 it would alfo be a feafonable Opportunity of 
 convincing All wh6 are in high Stations, that 
 nothing will pafs for great or illuftrious, but 
 
 what
 
 C 45 ] 
 
 what has true merit in it ; and that there is no 
 tfonor in any condud, but what is founded 
 on the laws of Religion and Virtue. 
 
 THE greateft and moft defer ving Characters 
 cannot ordinarily be viewed in their true light, 
 till All that have been personally concerned 
 are dead, and the grounds of their refpedive 
 partialities are buried with them. But as this 
 Character wants no foreign aids, and depends 
 on its own native ftrength, it has nothing to 
 apprehend from the licentioufnefs of the times; 
 though it muft be a real concern to all rea- 
 fbnable minds, to obferve the inhuman at- 
 tempts that are made to blaft the memory of 
 One, whofe NAME will live as long as Honor 
 and Virtue have any being amongft us. 
 
 The general difregard of order and decency, 
 which is the growing Evil of our days, has 
 gradually worn out a due fenfe of all fubordi- 
 nation throughout the Kingdom, and expofed 
 the beft and moft facred Names to the fcorn 
 and infult of the-avowed enemies of our happk 
 nefs. And it were to be wilted, that thefc 
 diforders had not betrayed our countrymen in- 
 to fuch outrageous freedoms of behaviour 
 
 and
 
 C 4* 3 
 
 and fpeech, as mull fbon root out the 
 very foundations of public Liberty, without 
 fbme fpeedy change in their Conduct But 
 it would be a fingular happinefs indeed, 
 if the heavy difpenfation of Providence, we 
 have now felt, fhould be the occafion of put- 
 ting us on our guard ; and by bringing us to 
 a more lively fenfe of our danger, open our 
 eyes to all the means that are nccellary to our 
 common fafety. 
 
 The general lofs we have fuftained Ihould 
 naturally teach us to pay a dutiful and affec- 
 tionate regard towards HIM who has felt 
 Ib great a fhare of it ; and make us endeavour 
 to {often and abate the excefs of His gr.ef 
 by new efforts of our zeal for His Perlbn 
 and Government. For we cannot promile 
 our felves more happinefs, as a People, than 
 that his MAJESTY may reap the bene- 
 fit of his Royal Virtues by a long and peace- 
 able and happy Reign ; and that under the 
 protection of a race of Princes defended 
 from Him, the prefent ineftimable bleffings 
 of our Country may be enjoyed in their 
 full extent by our lateft Pofterity. 
 
 FINIS.
 
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