beloved niece. Expresses were also forwarded to all the British Ministers at Foreign Courts, as well as by the different Ambassadors to their respective Sovereigns.

When the death of her Royal Highness was first known, the indications of grief were deep and universal in Town, and measures were instantly adopted in the City for giving public and official solemnity to the internal feelings. The LORD MAYOR summoned an especial meeting of the Court of Aldermen, which took place at Guildhall on Thursday afternoon; when it was unanimously agreed, that the fitting up of the Guildhall for the ensuing Lord Mayor's day should be immediately discontinued, and the preparations already made for the purpose removed. Public notice was also directed to be given for abolishing all show and rejoicings on that day.

In the more immediate vicinage of Claremont, the symptoms of sorrow were still more strongly marked. The houses of Esher, Kingston, and the adjoining villages, where preparations had been made for illuminations, &c. on the safe delivery of the Princess, were closely shut up, as if a death had happened in their own families.

His Majesty's Ministers having arrived in London about five o'clock in the morning; a letter was then sent by Lord SIDMOUTH to the LORD MAYOR, which we have inserted below with the other official documents, &c. The LORD MAYOR in consequence ordered the great bell of St. Paul's to toll, which melancholy ceremony was performed from twelve till one o'clock on the 6th instant. The trades-people of the Royal Family, as if by a spontaneous movement, shut up the windows of their shops; and the example was subsequently followed in most other parts of London. The effect of this sad testimony of respect was indeed oppressive; but it was indicative of the general feeling, and such universal gloom was but too truly in unison with the universal grief. On the river, the flags of every nation were hoisted only half mast high, and the passing knell resounded from every steeple. Lord SIDMOUTH also sent to suspend performances at the different Theatres. The drawing of the Lottery, and the Old Bailey Sessions, were suspended; and indeed, the regret of the public throughout the whole Metropolis was proportionate to the magnitude of our double calamity. It is but little to say, that we never recollect so strong and general an expression and indication of sorrow; we can hardly even fix our historic recollections upon any antecedent period, wherein the Nation would seem at the time to have greater cause to grieve. It certainly does not belong to us to repine at the visitations of Providence, in whose power it is to draw good out of evil : but as the Almighty sometimes, for the most benevolent purposes, deals severe chastisements on mankind, there is nothing impious in grieving for that as a calamity, which appears and is felt to be such, according to the best reasoning which we can apply to the consideration of it. May we so conduct ourselves as to ward off all the ill effects that might hereafter follow!-Let us seek consolation from Him, who alone can heal and alleviate such miseries, and remembering the uncertainty of all human prospects, let us so live that a sudden death may neither appal ourselves, nor the friends who may survive us. Let us endeavour to leave to them the best and surest consolation, that they may have nothing to lament in our

deaths, but their own loss. We are now mourning the bereavement of one, "who ne'er gave cause to weep before," and the whole people of a mighty Empire, united in one sacred bond of sorrow, mingle their tears with the tears of the Husband and the Father, over the tomb of all that was lovely in life, and amiable in virtue,-they share the bitterness of that anguish, with which a Husband has followed his offspring to the grave, and a Parent wept over the untimely fate of those, to whom, in the more usual ordinances of Providence, it belonged to follow, and to weep over Him.-But the subject is too painful for reflection, and we again proceed to our distressful narrative.

The following are copies of the various Medical Bulletins, and other Official notices, of the accouchement and death of our deplored Princess, before referred to. The first of which merely announced the progress of Her Royal Highness's symptoms, and was issued on the Wednesday morning.

"CLAREMONT, Wednesday. 8 o'Clock A. M. "The labour of Her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte is going on very slowly, but we trust favourably.

The next related to the period just preceding the delivery, and was as follows:

"CLAREMONT, Nov. 8, half past 5 P. M. "The labour of Her Royal Highness the Princess CHARLOTTE has within the last three or four hours considerably advanced, and will, it is hoped, within a few hours be happily completed.

At a quarter past nine, the hope thus encouraged was destroyed by the following annunciation:—

"CLAREMONT, Nov. 5, quarter past 9 in the Evening. "At nine o'clock this evening, Her Royal Highness the Princess CHARLOTTE was safely delivered of a still-born male child, and Her Royal Highness is going on favourably.

(Signed)

"M. BAILLIE,
"RICHARD CROFT,
"JOHN SIMS."

At ten, another bulletin was issued, which at least seemed to remove all apprehension as to the personal danger of Her Royal Highness.

"CLAREMONT, NON. 5, 10 o'clock P.M. "At nine o'clock this evening, Her Royal Highness the Princess CHARLOTTE was delivered of a still-born male child. Her Royal Highness is doing extremely

well.

* - (Signed)

"M. BAILLIE,

"JOHN SIMS,

"RICHARD CROFT."

Lord SIDMOUTH's letter to the LORD MAYOR also contained a similar mixture of disappointment on one hand, and hope on the other. The following is a copy:

"MY LORD,

CLAREMONT, Nov. 5, 1817, half past 9, P.M.

“I have the honor to inform your lordship, that, at 9 o'clock this evening, her Royal Highness the Princess CHARLOTTE was safely delivered of a still-born male child, and that her Royal Highness is going on favourably,

"I have the honor to be, my Lord, your most obedient servant,
"SIDMOUTH."

"To the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor."

(Signed)

But the public disappointment was doomed to be unmixed, or rather to be merged in complete despair; for at half-past 6 on Thursday morning the following mournful letter was despatched by Lord SIDMOUTH to the LORD MAYOR:

"MY LORD,

"WHITEHALL, Nov. 6, 1817, half past 6, A.M. "It is with the deepest sorrow that I inform your lordship, that her Royal Highness the Princess CHARLOTTE expired this morning at half-past 2 o'clock. "I have the honor to be, &c.

"The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor."

(Signed)

"SIDMOUTH."

The tale of grief was ended by the succeeding short, but expressive announcement in the Gazette.

́“LONDON GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY, THURSDAY, Nov. 6, 1817.

"WHITEHALL, Nov. 6, 1817.

"Her Royal Highness the Princess CHARLOTTE AUGUSTA, Daughter of his Royal Highness the PRINCE REGENT, and Consort of his Serene Highness the Prince LEOPOLD of SAXE-COBURG, was delivered of a still born male child at 9 o'clock last night, and about half-past 12 her Royal Highness was seized with great difficulty of breathing, restlessness, and exhaustion, which alarming symptoms increased till half-past 2 o'clock this morning, when her Royal Highness expired, to the inexpressible grief of his Royal Highness the PRINCE REGENT, of her illustrious Consort, the PRINCE LEOPOLD, and of all the ROYAL FAMILY."

The following is the official notice from the Court of Aldermen, relative to the omission of all the usual ceremonial and rejoicings on Lord Mayor's day, for which there were unfortunately two precedents, on occasions of somewhat similar distress.-The decease of the elder Princess AMELIA, just preceding the inauguration of Alderman SAINSBURY, in November, 1786, and the lamented indisposition of his Majesty, and death of his youngest daughter, H.R.H. the Princess Amelia, on the 2d of November, 1810, on the succession of Alderman JOSHUA J. SMITH to the civic chair. When at each time the arrangements were precisely as on occasion of the present mournful calamity.

“WOOD, MAYOR.

"An ESPECIAL COURT of LORD MAYOR and ALDERMEN, holden in the Council Chamber of the Guildhall of the City of London, on Thursday the

6th day of November, 1817, and in the 58th year of the Reign of GEORGE the Third, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King, &c.

"This Court being deeply afflicted with the loss of her Royal Highness the PRINCESS CHARLOTTE AUGUSTA, daughter of his Royal Highness the PRINCE REGENT, and Consort of his Serene Highness the PRINCE LEOPOLD of SAXECOBURG; and considering how unseasonable any public rejoicings would be at a time when his Royal Highness the PRINCE REGENT and the whole nation are, on this mournful occasion, so sensibly afflicted with the greatest sorrow and con. cern, doth thereupon unanimously agree and order, That the Livery Companies shall not walk or stand in the streets, nor pass in their barges on the water on the next LORD MAYOR's day; nor any firing of guns on the land or water, ringing of bells, or any other outward show or rejoicings heretofore accustomed, be permitted or suffered to be made on that day, but that the same be for this time wholly laid aside and forborne, and that public notice be given thereof; and it is further agreed and ordered, That waving all unnecessary pomp and state, the LORD MAYOR elect, in his private coach, accompanied with the present LORD MAYOR, the ALDERMEN, and Mr. RECORDER, and attended only by the SHERIFFS, and the principal officers in coaches, the other officers walking on foot, preceded by the two City Marshals on horseback, shall pass from the Mansion Blouse to Westminster, and directly go up to the Court of Exchequer, there to take his oath, which being done, his Lordship, attended as before, having entered Warrants of Attorney in the Courts of King's Bench and Common Pleas as usual, is desired to return in the same manner to the Mansion House."

The Masters and Wardens of the several City Companies also issued circulars, dispensing with the usual festivities on the 9th of November; and not only were the meetings of the Royal Society, and all other Public Institutions and Corporate bodies, for awhile postponed, but even the social intercourses of life seemed to be suspended; the sorrow of every countenance expressed the grief which every heart felt, and none but those intimately acquainted with the British character could adequately appreciate the sincerity of that feeling which glistened in every eye, and throbbed in every bosom. The example of the Metropolis was in this instance most promptly followed by the whole kingdom, and the distressful news was received with feelings of grief, commensurate to that enthusiasm of joy, with which more welcome tidings had been so long and so anxiously anticipated.

In the course of Friday, November 7, were published the subsequent official announcements for a Court and Public Mourning for our irreparable public loss; and never did the exterior garb of woe more truly depict the sympathetic sorrow of a loyal and afflicted people.

"LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S OFFICE, Nov. 7, 1817. "Orders for the Court's going into Mourning, on Sunday next, the 9th inst. for her late Royal Highness the Princess GHARLOtte Augusta, Daughter of his Royal Highness the PRINCE REGENT, and Consort of his Serene Highness the Prince LEOPOLD of SAXE COBURG: viz.

"The Ladies to wear black bombazines, plain muslin or long lawn, crape hoods, shamoy shoes and gloves, and crape fans. "Undress-Dark Norwich crape."

"The Gentlemen to wear black cloth, without buttons on the sleeves or pockets, plain muslin or long lawn cravats and weepers, shamoy shoes and gloves, crape hatbands, and black swords and buckles.

"Undress-Dark grey frocks."

"The Deputy Earl Marshal's Order for a General Mourning for her late Royal Highness the Princess CHARLOTTE AUGUSTA, Daughter of his Royal Highness the PRINCE REGENT, and Consort of his Serene Highness the Prince LEOPOLD of SAXE-COBURG.

"In pursuance of the commands of his Royal Highness the PRInce Regent, acting in the name and on the behalf of his MAJESTY, these are to give public notice, that it is expected upon the present most melancholy occasion of the death of her late Royal Highness the Princess CHARLOtte Augusta, Daughter of his Royal Highness the PRINCE REGENT, and Consort of his Serene Highness the Prince LEOPOLD of SAXE-COBURG, all Persons do put themselves into decent Mourning; the said Mourning to begin on Sunday next, the 9th inst.”

"His Royal Highness the PRINCE REGENT, acting in the name and on the behalf of his MAJESTY, does not require that the Officers of the Army should wear any other Mourning on the present melancholy occasion, than a black crape round their left arms with their uniforms.-By command of his Royal Highness the COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF."

(Signed)

" HENRY CALVERT, Adjutant-General."

"ADMIRALTY OFFICE, Nov. 7, 1817. "His Royal Highness the PRINCE REGENT, acting in the name and on the behalf of his MAJESTY, does not require that the Officers of the Fleet or Royal Marines should wear any other Mourning on the present melancholy occasion, than a black crape round their left arms with their uniforms."

On the evening of Friday the seventh, the usual melancholy ceremony of embalming the bodies of the Royal Sufferer, and her lifeless little one, was performed by Sir EVERARD HOME and Sir DAVID DUNDAS, his Majesty's Serjeant Surgeons, assisted by the other Medical Officers; after which the internal parts were deposited in an urn prepared for their reception. The corpse of Her Royal Highness was then enclosed in several linen wrappers, stiffened with wax, and afterwards covered with an envelope of rich blue velvet, tied with white satin. A mode of preservation first adopted by the Egyptians, and anciently in use in England. The remains of the Royal Infant were also preserved in a similar manner.-Late on the Saturday night the interior coffins arrived in an hearse from London, and to avoid every unnecessary excitement to the still inconsolable sorrow of Prince LEOPOLD, were conveyed through a private entrance of the Lodge to the Royal Chamber, where the last mournful duty of consigning the body of the Princess to that narrow home was performed by the Surgeons, &c. and witnessed by the superior attendants of the Household. -Need we add, that the spectators were dissolved in tears, and that not a word was uttered to disturb the death-like silence of the awful scene?