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THE

EUROPEAN MAGAZINE,

AND

LONDON REVIEW,

FOR NOVEMBER, 1817.

ACCOUCHEMENT AND DECEASE OF HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE

Princess Charlotte.

THE

ALL ANGEL NOW!-YET LITTLE LESS THAN ALL,
WHILE YET A PILGRIM IN OUR WORLD BELOW!
WHAT 'VAILS IT US THAT SWEETNESS TO RECALL,
WHICH HID ITS OWN TO SOOTHE ALL OTHER WOE;
WHAT 'VAILS TO TELL, HOW VIRTUE'S PUREST GLOW

SHONE YET MORE LOVELY IN A FORM SO FAIR:

AND LEAST OF ALL,—WHAT 'VAILS THE WORLD SHOULD KNOW,
THAT THIS POOR GARLAND, 'TWINED TO DECK THY HAIR,
IS HUNG UPON THY HEARSE, TO DROOP AND WITHER THERE !

Walter Scott.

HE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE IS NO MORE!" How many sorrows crowd into these few brief words!"-How many dearly-cherished hopes and expectations do they annihilate for ever!-Torn from the world in the bloom of life, of enjoyment, and of prosperity, Her awful bereavement has affected us like the tremendous convulsion of an earthquake, or the sudden visitation of an overwhelming darkness.—It is with feelings of acute sorrow, to which our remembrance furnishes no parallel, that we enter upon the melancholy and unexpected duty of recording its particulars, and of announcing an event, which has absorbed every other solicitude, and rendered light every other grief.-An event which has removed from us a Princess who was truly the "expectancy and rose of our fair state,”—but of whom, alas! nothing now remains but a sad reminiscence, and a bitter regret.—It is our painful task to narrate an occurrence, as afflictive as is recorded in the annals of hereditary Monarchies,—the deaths of the only two presumptive heirs to the Crown in direct succession, the Mother and her child: The circumstances of whose dissolution are as affecting to private feelings, as the event itself may be esteemed publicly calamitous; for if there is an occasion on which the infliction of the universal doom excites peculiar sorrow, it is that

wherein the more tender sex is alone exposed to pain and hazard; and if there is a station to which man might wish to be born, for the purpose of promoting the happiness of his fellow-creatures, it is that of the constitu tional Sovereign of the British Empire. Under these circumstances we have lost a Prince, just before he saw the light, and a Princess in the prime of youth, and at the height of happiness.-A Princess, who was indeed beloved for every estimable virtue which could endear her to the British People, and who, now the grave has closed over her remains, is deplored with grief as unaffected as it is general. The blow has fallen too, at a moment when we were least prepared to meet its vengeance, and when she was about to add a new, and a more endearing claim to our attachment. Her Royal Highness has been snatched from us, at an hour when the fond and eager anticipations of anxious loyalty were hailing her, the Mother of "a line of Kings," were picturing her the future Sovereign of a people who loved, admired, and reverenced her. Those prospects, the inscrutable decrees of Heaven have rendered vain, and the ardency of disappointed hope serves now but to embitter present calamity. It has brought to us one other awful lesson of the insecurity of all human bliss, and the instability of all earthly greatness; it has proclaimed, that in the grave the Sovereign and the subject are alike undistinguished, and that rank, wealth, and happiness, are equally defenceless against the dire advances of Life's last foe. Like a blossom which expands but to give promise of its future loveliness, the lone bud has been severed from its native stem, and while the Parent root yet flourishes in strength and vigour, its opening leaves are withered by the passing blast, and every fond anticipation lies buried in the grave that hides its beauty. We have not only to mourn the loss of Her Royal Highness as our future Queen,-as the depositary of a Nation's hopes, and prayers, and affections,-as the presumptive heiress of a Realm in which she should sustain all the glory of her departed ancestors,but we have also to lament the wreck of all those fondly cherished expectations, with which we were prepared to congratulate her fulfilment of a Nation's dearest wishes, in becoming the living mother of a living child. -How dreadful now is the reverse!

"All things which we ordained festival,
Turn from their office to black funeral;
Our solemn hymns to sullen dirges change,
Our bridal flowers serve for a buried corse,

And all things change them to the contrary!"

On Her Royal Highness the hopes of the Nation had for many years fondly rested, and the shock has come upon us like one of those awful convulsions of Nature, where no warning voice is heard, until all around is ruin, and desolation, and death. Even yet, the flatttering thought of its impossibility will sometimes start upon our listless moments, as if it were a dream too horrible for memory,—but again the sad reality returns, in all its distressing certainty of waking truth, and forces our conviction. The Princess was indeed an Englishwoman! and possessed a mind influenced by more than feminine firmness, and an heart which

had abundantly profited by the instructions of her early youth. Had it pleased Providence she should ascend the British Throne, she would have brought to it the true 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; and when she found herself blessed with the husband of her choice,-when she found that choice justified by his virtues, she more than once declared herself the happiest woman in the kingdom!— That happiness is past; but we may confidently trust, that her mortal coronet, lined with thorus, dimmed by infirmity, and dislodged by death, is now exchanged for a diadem which shall know no change for ever and for ever!

Before entering upon the more interesting particulars of our painful task, it will be necessary to preface the melancholy detail by a concise account of the previous circumstances. Every thing indeed connected with the distressing subject, must excite a peculiar interest, and be read with peculiar feeling; for, all that remains of our once lovely Princess is now a breathless corpse.

About midnight between Monday and Tuesday, the 3d and 4th of November, Her Royal Highness feeling herself more seriously indisposed, and Sir RICHARD CROFT having pronounced that there were symptoms of the approaching accouchement, expresses were instantly despatched for the various Privy Councillors who were to be present at the birth. The first who arrived was Earl BATHURST from Putney, who reached Esher at a quarter past five. Viscount SIDMOUTH followed from Richmond Park, at a quarter before six. The Archbishop of CANTERBURY, and the Bishop of LONDON, arrived together from Fulham Palace at six. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER from Downing-street, and the LORD CHANCELLOR from Bedford-square, also reached Claremont before eight; and Dr. BAILLIE from Virginia Waters, arrived about a quarter past seven

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During the whole of Tuesday, the labour advanced slowly, but without the least appearance of danger; and the Princess continued to evince the greatest firmness, and the utmost resignation to her protracted sufferings. Towards evening, as the labour still lingered, it was deemed advisable to send for the celebrated Doctor Sims, who arrived in the middle of the night, but who saw no reason to depart from the course already pursued ; and thought that the labour would speedily have a happy termination. The symptoms were still favourable, though proceeding too slowly; and the excellent constitution of Her Royal Highness gave every assurance that she would not be too much exhausted by the delay. No language, no panegyric, can be too warm for the manner in which Prince LEOPOLD conducted himself. He 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 and patient endurance of the Princess, whilst it gave him comfort, communicated also a deep affliction at her sufferings being so lengthened."

The more early stages of the Princess CHARLOTTE's labour are related in the bulletins announcing that the child was still-born, and the Mother

Europ. Mag. Fol LXXII. Nov. 1817.

3 D

"doing extremely well." The date of those official papers are on Wednesday night, the Princess having then been delivered about an hour. At six, the throes of child-birth had become more decisive; though the child was previously ascertained to be lifeless. At the birth it was found to be a perfect, fine-formed male infant, and the most approved means for restoring animation were instantly resorted to, though almost without a hope of success. There is something extremely affecting in the consideration, that the mother should outlive her offspring but little longer than to receive the painful tidings of its death; and it may be difficult to ascertain, whether a parent's emotions would be more acute ou embracing a living infant which she must so soon leave, or viewing a breathless one as the only recompense of her pains: even in this trying scene, the Princess still maintained her pious fortitude and resignation. Indeed, there is scarcely an instance of any female continuing so well, who had suffered such protracted agony, and exhausting pain. After the birth, her Royal Highness appeared so tranquil and composed, that between twelve and one the medical gentlemen retired to another room, except Sir RICHARD CROFT; who from the first moment of her illness bad never left her. The Cabinet Ministers, also, having full reason to believe that all hazard was removed, had left Claremont soon after eleven o'clock, but were afterwards recalled by an express from Dr. BAILLIE. The first symptom of approaching danger is said to have been on some gruel being presented to the Princess which she found a difficulty in swallowing; difficulty of respiration came on, her chest was observed to heave with violence, and cold and spasms succeeded. The Physicians were called in, but their aid was vain. Her restlessness and convulsions increased until the last half-hour, when the spasms subsided; she then sunk into a calm composure, silent though not insensible; but nature and life were quite exhausted; and at half-past two o'clock Her Royal Highness expired! -A few moments previous, she faintly said,-" Is there any danger?" -The reply was, a request to compose herself; she gently sighed, and breathed her last!-Yet even amidst the agonies of closing life, Her Royal Highness scarcely moved her eyes from the countenance of her beloved Husband. That countenance had been her delight in health, and strength, and joy, and it then beamed consolation and support, upon the verge of a purer existence, where pain and suffering can never enter. Her hand was also frequently extended to meet his,-that hand which one little bour was to render cold, insensible, and lifeless!

From the chief sufferer we turn to those who are most nearly interested in the event. His Serene Highness the Prince of SAXE-COBOURG felt all the anxieties natural to an affectionate husband; and when the death of the child was announced, he consoled himself with the survival of the mother under the loss of both, he will, if he is a wise man, as he has evinced himself an amiable one, look for support and consolation, further than in human sympathies, and perishable relations. On the report that the Princess was "doing well," worn with fatigue and watching, he had retired to rest in an adjoining chamber, but was among the first of those who attended the summons on the fresh appearance of indis

position, and was with her at the last awful moment of dissolution.Of Prince LEOPOLD there is indeed but one voice and one feeling. He had long since obtained general esteem and respect by his amiable domestic conduct; and he has now justly endeared himself to the whole country by the tenderness and warmth of affection which he exhibited throughout the whole of this last agitating and agonising trial. As the illustrious Pair, during their too short connubial life, were the 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 refect, that the amiable Princess, even in the extremity of her sufferings, was in some measure cheered and animated by the presence and unceasing attentions of her beloved Husband.-His Serene Highness's situation is now indeed, the subject of grief and commiseration throughout the country. But a few days since the husband of England's future Queen, and the expectant Sire of her future Sovereigns,-now a lonely stranger, without a relative in the land!-One comfort, however, though a mournful, an agonizing one, he will ever possess,-He alone, of all her numerous family, received her last sigh,—aud those eyes which were closing in death,finally closed on him

The PRINCE REGENT, it is well known, had been for some days on a visit to the Marquis of HERTFORD, at Sudbourn Hall, in Suffolk; but on intelligence that the illness of the Princess CHARLOTTE had commenced, instantly hastened to town on his way to Claremont. During his journey, his Royal Highness stopped two messengers with despatches: these, however, announced only the slow progress of the labour, and the apparent absence of danger: a third, with the account of the delivery of the stillborn child, passed him in the night: so that it was not till after his arrival in town, that his Royal Highness became acquainted with the full extent of his misfortune. He reached Carlton House about half past four on Thursday morning, where the Duke of YORK and Lord BATHURST met him as the official bearers of the melancholy intelligence. The Royal Duke and his Lordship were then, with the most considerate attention, immediately despatched by the PRINCE REGENT to Prince LEOPOLD, to offer his Serene Highness an immediate asylum in Carlton House, out of the way of the afflictive preparations necessary for the funeral of his illustrious Consort; where apartments were prepared for his reception; and the PRINCE REGENT was still on the point of pursuing his journey to Claremont, having already despatched an officer of the household to intimate his intention, when the melancholy tale of death was confirmed by other messengers. This kindly considerate offer of removal to PRINCE LEOPOLD was, however, instantly declined, as his Serene Highness would not consent to leave a spot to which so sacred an interest was attached, until the remains of his beloved Princess were finally removed to their last home.

Despatches were immediately sent off to the QUEEN and the Princess ELIZABETH at Bath, who instantly returned to Windsor, as well as to every other Member of the Royal Family, and it must have much affected their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of KENT and CAMBRIDGE, that they were precluded by distance from attending to pay the last duties of affection to their

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