(1810.) THE MOB AND THE SOLDIERS. 229 marched two and two. At Catherine Street they were met by the 12th Light Dragoons on their way to Hyde Park Corner. The music of the former was playing St. Patrick's Day. The Band of the Dragoons immediately struck up God save the King. The 14th Light Dragoons followed the 12th; both regiments mustering very strong. All the Volunteers were under orders; and the Firemen belonging to the several Insurance Offices paraded the streets, with music, acting as constables." 22 CHAPTER XX. Good harvest-Thanksgiving for same-List of poor Livings-Another Jubilee— Illness and death of the Princess Amelia- Effect on the King-Prayers for his estoration to health-Funeral of the Princess-Curious position of the Houses of Parliament-Proposition for a Regency-Close of the first decade of the XIXth Century. T gives great pleasure to record that the Harvest this year was plentiful, so bountiful, indeed, as to stir up feelings of gratitude in the national breast, and induce the manufacture of a "Form of prayer and thanksgiving to Almighty God, for His mercy in having vouchsafed to bestow on this Nation an abundant crop, and favourable harvest." The farmers and laics benefited thereby, but the position of the Clergy at that time was far from being very high, at least with regard to worldly remuneration-vide the following: Account of Livings in England and Wales under Not exceeding £10 a year I 2 "Of these very small livings three are in the diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, three in that of Norwich, two in that of St. David's, one in that of Llandaff, one in that of London, one in that of Peterborough, and one in that of Winchester." This does not show a very flourishing state of things, although money could be spent freely in support of foreign clergy as we see by the accounts for this year: "Emigrant clergy and laity of France, £161,542 2s.” One would think that two Jubilees in one twelvemonth was almost too much of a good thing, but our greatgrandfathers thought differently. There had already been one, to celebrate the fact of the King entering on the fiftieth year of his reign, they must now have one to chronicle its close. But, although there was somewhat of the "poor debtor " element introduced, it was by no means as enthusiastically received as it had been twelve months. previously. This time we hear more of festive meetings: a Jubilee Ball at the Argyle Rooms-then very decorous and proper -another at the New Rooms, Kennington, and a grand dinner at Montpelier House, whilst Camberwell, Vauxhall, Kennington, and Lambeth all furnished materials for festivity. Needless to say, there were new Jubilee medals. But the poor old King was getting ill, and troubled about his daughter, the Princess Amelia, who lay a dying. Poor girl! she knew she had not long to live, and she wished to give the King some personal souvenir. She had a very valuable and choice stone, which she wished to have made into a ring for him. As her great thought and most earnest wish was to give this to her father before her death, a jeweller was sent for express from London, and it was soon made, and she had her desire gratified. On His Majesty going to the bedside of the Princess, as was his daily wont, she put the ring upon his finger without saying a word. The ring told its own tale: it bore as an inscription her name, and "Remember me when I am gone." A lock of her hair was also worked into the ring. The mental anguish caused by this event, and by the knowledge that death was soon to claim the Princess, was too much for the King to bear. Almost blind, and with (1810.) ILLNESS OF THE KING. 233 enfeebled intellect, he had not strength to bear up against the terrible blow. At first the papers said he had a slight cold, but the next day it was found to be of no use concealing his illness. The Morning Post of the 31st of October says: "It is with hearfelt sorrow we announce that His Majesty's indisposition still continues. It commenced with the effect produced upon his tender parental feelings on receiving the ring from the hand of his afflicted, beloved daughter, the affecting inscription upon which caused him, blessed and most amiable of men, to burst into tears, with the most heart-touching lamentations on the present state, and approaching dissolution, of the afflicted, and interesting Princess. His Majesty is attended by Drs. Halford, Heberden, and Baillie, who issue daily bulletins of the state of the virtuous and revered monarch, for whose speedy recovery the prayers of all good men will not fail to be offered up." And there was public prayer made "for the restoration of His Majesty's health." The Princess Amelia died on the 2nd of November, and was buried with due state. In her coffin were "8,000 nails -6,000 small and 2,000 large; eight large plates and handles resembling the Tuscan Order; a crown at the top, of the same description as issued from the Heralds' Office; two palm branches in a cross saltier, under the crown, with P. A. (the initials of her Royal Highness). They are very massy, and have the grandest effect, being executed in the |