THE LINE OF HANOVER.

Principal Events.

Is proclaimed by a Council of Regency, consisting of seven of the great Officers of the Crown, and nineteen Peers named by the King (1st Aug.), in accordance with an Act passed in the late reign. Lord Bolingbroke is removed from office. George I. arrives from Hanover at Greenwich (18th Sept.); and, two days later, makes his public entry into London.

A new Ministry is formed, which is led by Lord Townsend, in conjunction with Sir Robert Walpole, Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Coronation of the King at Westminster (20th Oct.). 1715. A new Parliament is summoned (21st

March).

Impeachment of Lord Bolingbroke, the Duke of Ormond, and the Earl of Oxford.

A committee is appointed by Parliament to enquire into the late negotiations concerning the Treaty of Utrecht.

Bremen and Verden are ceded by Denmark to Hanover on the payment of £150,000. George I. engages to join in the coalition against Charles XII. of Sweden.

The Riot Act is passed (20th July).

The Earl of Mar proclaims the Pretender in Scotland (30th Sept.).

Indecisive battle of Dumblane, or Sheriffmuir, between the Earl of Mar and the Duke of Argyle (13th Nov.).

1714 1727 Observations.

In accordance with the Second Act of Settlement, the Crown, on the death of
Anne, devolved upon George I., already Elector of Hanover. His father was
Ernest Augustus of Brunswick; his mother, the Princess Sophia, fifth daughter
of the Electress Palatine. By the accession of George I. the crowns of Great
Britain and Hanover were united till the death of William IV. (A.D. 1837).

When

Dependent for the security of his crown upon the support of the Whigs,
George entrusted government exclusively to members of that party.
conduct of the late ministry, with regard to the Treaty of Utrecht. Of that
the new Parliament met, a committee was appointed to enquire into the

committee Robert Walpole was the chairman. The Duke of Ormond and Lords
Bolingbroke and Oxford were impeached. Bolingbroke and Ormond fled to the
Tower; but, in consequence of a dispute between the Lords and Commons at
continent, where they joined the Pretender. Oxford was committed to the
his trial, two years later, his life was saved.

already shown on the occasion of the trial of Dr. Sacheverel, had now acquired

EMPERORS OF RUSSIA.
Peter I. (the Great) died A.D. 1725:
Katherine (widow).

Alberoni becomes minister of Spain (1714). Charles XII. of Sweden returns from Turkey to his own dominions (1714). Regency of the Duke of Orleans during the minority of Louis XV. (1715). Frederick William I. of Prussia accedes

(1715).

War is renewed between Venice, Austria, and Turkey.

The popular feeling against the existing Government, which had been greater strength. William III. was burnt in effigy at Smithfield. At Oxford, oak-leaves were worn on the 29th May, in honour of the Restoration. The Earl of Arran, brother of the Jacobite Duke of Ormond, was elected Chancellor of Oxford, in opposition to the Prince of Wales. The Earl of Oxford, on his way to the Tower, was cheered; and so great was the sympathy with the cause of the Stuarts shown by the people, that the Act, known as the "Riot Act," was passed, whereby an assembly of twelve persons might be forcibly dispersed. The death of Louis XIV., after a reign of seventy-two years (1st Sept., 1715), to the Northern League against Sweden altogether changed the relations between England and France. Louis XV. was a minor; and the Regent Duke of Orleans, placing little faith in the renunciation by Philip V. of the French crown, was desirous of establishing friendly relations with England. The Pretender, therefore, was unable to obtain from France that support which he had been led to expect when he issued his manifesto just before the death of Louis (29th August). The Jacobites had, however, already risen in the cause of the Stuarts. The Earl of Mar pronorth of England, Mr. Forster and the Earl of Derwentwater took up arms. claimed James III. at Braemar, and was joined by 10,000 Highlanders. In the Two battles were fought on the same day (13th Nov.); the one between the Earl of Mar and the Duke of Argyle at Sheriffmuir, which was indecisive; the other at Preston, where the adherents of the Pretender were defeated. Notwithstanding these reverses, the Prince landed in Scotland after a few weeks; but he was soon forced to re-embark for France. Few, however rose to support his cause, compared with those who desired its success.

By this time the Whig party had become so unpopular, that, dreading the results of the approaching election, they repealed the Triennial Act, and passed a bill to extend the duration of Parliament to seven years.

The adherents of the Pretender, under Mr. Forster, are defeated at Preston. The Earl of Derwentwater, Lord Kenmuir, and 200 others, are made prisoners (13th Nov.). The peace of Europe was in 1717 disturbed by the ambitious designs of Dutch auxiliaries of George arrive at Leith (4th Philip V. of Spain, who sought to obtain the Regency of France, during the Dec.). minority of his nephew, Louis XV. The Regent Duke of Orleans joined in the Quadruple Alliance to maintain the European arrangements settled by the Treaty of Utrecht. The only important circumstance which marked this war

The Pretender lands at Peterhead, near Aberdeen,

The Sultan Achmed III. is defeated at Belgrade by Prince Eugene (1717).

The Mississippi Scheme is originated by Law (1716).

The King of Spain invades Sardinia

(1717) and Sicily (1718).

The war between Austria, Venice, and

Turkey is terminated by the Peace of
Passarowitz. Belgrade is ceded to Austria

(1718).

killed at Fredericshall (1718).

Charles XII. invades Norway, and is

The Quadruple Alliance of England, France, Austria, and Holland, against the

ambitious designs of Spain (1718).

Ulrica Eleonora, who cedes Pomenaria to

The States of Sweden elect as Queen

Prussia, and Bremen to Hanover, by the

peace of Stockholm (1719).

The French invade Spain, and are successful at Fuentarabia and St. Sebastian (1719).

Philip V. dismisses Alberoni, and negotiates with the allies (1719).

was the defeat of the Spanish fleet by Sir George Byng off Cape Passaro. In later, a defensive alliance was formed between the courts of Austria and Spain 1720 the terms of the Quadruple Alliance were accepted by Spain. Five years by the first treaty of Vienna. This treaty guaranteed the East India Company already established at Ostend, and contained articles injurious to the commercial interests of England. To counteract this confederacy, the English court concluded the Treaty of Hanover with Denmark and Prussia. A second war with 1717. Dismissal of Lord Townsend. Lord Stan- Spain and the Empire followed. This war was chiefly remarkable for an hope becomes First Minister.

Married, SOPHIA DOROTHEA of Zell. Issue, GEORGE II. SOPHIA DOROTHEA, married FREDERICK of Prussia.

Principal Events.

THE only son of George I. succeeds to the throne at the age of forty-three (11th June), is proclaimed (15th June), and is crowned with Queen Caroline at Westminster (11th Oct.).

1729. A treaty of peace with Spain is concluded at Seville, which, within two years, is confirmed by the Second Treaty of Vienna.

A.D. 1727

Observations.

1760.

SHORTLY after the accession of George II., peace was concluded with Spain by
the Treaty of Seville. This treaty was afterwards acceded to by the Emperor,
who agreed to dissolve the Ostend India Company, on condition of England
guaranteeing the Edict known as the Pragmatic Sanction, by which the suc-
cession to his dominions was settled upon his daughter, Maria Theresa. In six

years a dispute on commercial grounds led to the renewal of war with Spain
(1739), unattended, however, with any important results.

For a period of fourteen years the government was carried on by Sir Robert 1730. Lord Townshend retires. Sir Robert Walpole this minister, like those of his contemporary, Cardinal Fleury, in France, Walpole, to whom the title of Prime Minister was first given. The efforts of becomes sole head of the government.

1731. Frauds in the "Charitable Corporations Company." Expulsion of six members of parlia

ment.

1736. Riots in Edinburgh. Murder of Captain Porteous, who had illegally fired on the people. 1739. War with Spain is renewed. Capture of Portobello by Admiral Vernon.

were directed towards the preservation of the peace of Europe. He succeeded
in carrying several important financial measures. Many of the export and
import duties were abolished. In 1730 a new Charter was granted to the East
India Company. In 1733 Walpole introduced his well-known excise scheme.
By this measure it was proposed to convert the duties of Customs into those
of Excise or to exchange the duties levied upon articles at the Ports, for a tax
upon the same articles, when taken out of bond for home consumption. The
measure was strenuously resisted, and was at length abandoned.

The influence of the minister, lessened by the failure of an expedition to
Carthagena (A.D. 1741), was still further weakened by the death of the queen,
The adherents of the Prince of Wales, who, in 1737, had incurred the displeasure Frederick Augustus II. (1733).
a woman of great talent and beauty, who had afforded him a steady support.
his father, joined in the opposition to Walpole, and his fall followed.

1741. War of the Austrian Succession, in which Great Britain, as guarantee of the Pragmatic Sanc-of tion, supports the cause of Maria Theresa.

1742. Fall of Sir R. Walpole, who is created Earl of Orford, and who is succeeded by Lord Carteret (afterwards Earl Granville).

1743. George, at the head of the allies, defeats

the French at DETTINGEN.

It consisted of Lord Carteret (its real head), Mr. Pelham, and his brother,
The formation of the new ministry was entrusted to Pulteney, Earl of Bath.
the Duke of Newcastle. In 1744, Carteret, now Earl Granville, yielded to
the intrigues of his colleagues. A new ministry, of which Pelham was the
"Broad
head, was formed by a coalition of parties, and was known as the
Bottom Ministry."

Maria Theresa marries Francis Duke of Lorraine (1736).

Coalition of Austria and Prussia against

Turkey (1730)

Francis of Lorraine succeeds Gaston, the last of the Medici, as Grand Duke of Tuscany,

and resigns Lorraine to Stanislaus (1737).

Preliminaries of peace at Vienna are confirmed at Versailles, closing the war of the Polish succession.

Naples and Sicily ceded to Don Carlos, second son of Philip V., who is recognised as King of the two Sicilies.

Nadir Shah invades India and takes Delhi (1789).

Peace of Belgrade between Turkey, Russia

In 1745, a last effort was made by the friends of the Stuarts. PRINCE 1745. The Duke of Cumberland is defeated at CHARLES EDWARD, the son of the "Old Pretender," landed in Scotland. The FONTENOY by Marshal Saxe. Highlanders flocked around him. The city of Edinburgh, with the exception however, was lost, while Charles kept his court at Edinburgh; and an oppor- and Austria. Azof restored (1739). of the castle, was taken. Sir John Cope was defeated at Preston Pans. Time, tunity was afforded of recalling the English troops from the Continent. When at length the Prince entered England, the Jacobites of the north, dreading a repetition of the scenes which followed the rising of 1715, hesitated to join him. At the head of less than 6,000 men he advanced as far as Derby, but at this important moment dissensions arose among his followers, and he was compelled to retire.

Prince Charles Edward Stuart (the grandson of James II.) lands in Scotland (25th July), and is proclaimed at Perth. He defeats Sir J. Cope at Preston Pans, and enters England.

The royal troops are defeated at Falkirk. 1746. BATTLE OF CULLODEN (8th April). Prince Charles Edward is defeated by the Duke of Cumberland. He succeeds in escaping to France (20th Sept.).

Although threatened by two armies, the Prince succeeded in reaching Scotland, and defeated the royal troops at Falkirk. Forced, however, to retreat by the approach of the Duke of Cumberland, who had now returned from Holland, he was pursued as far as Inverness, near which town, on the plain of Culloden, 1747. Naval victories over the French off Cape his troops were totally routed. The rebellion was cruelly punished, and for

Death of the Emperor Charles VI., the last male of the House of Hapsburg (1740). The Elector of Bavaria contests with

Maria Theresa the succession to the empire.

Alliance of Austria, England and Holland,
against Prussia, Bavaria, France and Spain.
Commencement of the Austrian Succession
War (1741).

John V., nephew of Anne, is deposed by

Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Peter the
Great (1741).

Frederick, victorious over the Austrians
at Molwitz, acquires Silesia (1741).
Charles Albert, Elector of Bavaria, is
crowned emperor as Charles VII. (1742).

Finisterre by Admirals Anson and Warren (3rd
May), and by Admiral Hawke (14th Oct.).
1748. PEACE Concluded at AIX-LA-CHAPELLE, and
mutual restitution of conquests.

1751. Death of Frederick, Prince of Wales, leaving his eldest son, George, heir apparent.

1752. The Gregorian Calendar, or new style, introduced-the 3rd of September being counted the 14th. Ministry of the Duke of Newcastle.

1754. Disputes with France on the boundaries of Virginia and Nova Scotia.

1755. Unsuccessful expedition of the British against the French Settlements on the Ohio, in which Washington distinguishes himself.

1756. Great Britain engages in the SEVEN YEARS' WAR, in alliance with Prussia, against France, Austria, and Russia.

Admiral Byng, having failed to relieve Minorca, sentenced to death by court martial (1757).

Calcutta is surprised by Rajah Dowlah. One hundred and twenty-three British subjects lose their lives in the Black Hole."

Peace is concluded between Austria and Prussia at Breslau (1742).

Frederick the Great renews hostilities

Death of the Emperor Charles VII.

five months Charles Edward wandered among the mountains, until he succeeded
in embarking for France, where he landed, Sept. 29th, 1746.
wards GEORGE III.) became heir apparent. As this prince was only in his
By the death of Frederick, Prince of Wales, in 1751, his son George (after-with Austria (1744).
twelfth year, an act was passed, providing that, in the event of the king's
death before the prince should reach the age of eighteen, his mother should be
appointed Regent, subject to the control of a council, composed of the Duke of
Cumberland and several of the principal officers of state.

During this reign England was engaged in two important foreign wars. The
first was the War of the Austrian Succession, in which, in accordance with
his engagements, George II. supported the cause of Maria Theresa against the
ambition of two princes, Frederick the Great of Prussia, and Charles Albert
of Bavaria, who had formed an alliance with the court of France. The success
of George at the battle of Dettingen-the last occasion on which a king of
England commanded in person-was counterbalanced by the defeat, two years
to the inactivity of the Dutch auxiliaries. Peace was at length restored by the
later, of the Duke of Cumberland at Fontenoy; a defeat which was to be attributed
Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, by which several former treaties were confirmed, and
it was agreed that the conquests made on each side during the war should be
mutually restored.

The peace, however, concluded by this treaty was, before long, disturbed by the outbreak of the war known as the "Seven Years' War." In this war is England was ranged on the side of her former opponent, Frederick of Prussia; while an event almost unprecedented in history-an alliance was contracted between Austria and France, which was afterwards acceded to by Russia, Saxony and Sweden. Disputes as to the limits of the English and French possessions in AMERICA and HINDOSTAN had already arisen, and, as between England and France, the war became a contest for colonial supremacy. tilities began with the capture, by the Duke de Richelieu, of the island of 1757. Ministry of the elder WILLIAM PITT. Minorca-one of the keys of the Mediterranean-and the retirement of the The Duke of Cumberland, defeated by the French English fleet under Sir G. Byng, for which this officer was sentenced to death. at Hastenburg, signs the Convention of Kloster-In Hanover, the Duke of Cumberland was compelled to retreat by the advance of the French, and was forced to sign the humiliating Convention of KlosterSeven, by which Hanover is surrendered to the Seven, by which the neutrality of Hanover was guaranteed.

French.

Colonel (afterwards Lord) Clive defeats the Rajah Dowlah at Plassy, and conquers Bengal, thus founding the British empire in the East Indies.

Hos

These reverses drove from office the Duke of Newcastle, who had succeeded
to power on the death of his brother in 1754, and afforded an opportunity to
the elder PITT to display the resources of his extraordinary genius. By his

advice, the king was induced to annul the Convention of Kloster-Seven, and to
adopt measures for the vigorous prosecution of the war, which were followed
Clive laid the foundation of our Indian empire, while, in the West, CANADA
was added to the dominions of the British crown.

1759. Colonial conquests in America, and capture by a great extension of our colonial possessions. In the East, the victories of of Quebec by General Wolfe (12th Sept.)

The French are defeated at MINDEN by the allies. The French Fleet is defeated by Admiral Hawke off Quiberon Bay.

The Havannah surrenders to the British under the Earl of Albemarle.

A measure was passed in this reign for the abolition of hereditary jurisdictions in Scotland. By this act, the judicial powers hitherto possessed by the great landowners were transferred to professional judges, called "Sheriff's Depute."

The Primates during this reign were Drs. Wake, Potter, Herring, Hutton, and Secker. The Lord Chancellors were Lords King, Talbot, and Hardwicke.

Accession to the empire of the House of
Lorraine, in the person of Francis I., hus-

band of Maria Theresa (1745).

Peace is concluded between Prussia and Austria at Dresden. Prussia retains Silesia (1745).

The Prince of Orange is appointed hereditary Stadtholder of the United Provinces (1747).

Peace is concluded at Aix-la-Chapelle by England, Holland and Austria, with France and Spain (1748).

Lisbon is partially destroyed by an earthquake (1755).

Aliance of Austria, France and Russia,

against England and Prussia. Commence

ment of the Seven Years' War (1756).

Frederic, victorious at Prague, is defeated at Kolin (1756).

Invasion of Prussia by the Austrians, French and Russians, and victory of the Prussians over the French at Rosbach and

at Lissa (1757).

NAMES OF NOTE.

Congreve, Poet
Steele, Essayist

De Foe

Thornhill, Painter
Prince Eugène, of Savoy,
General

Boerhave, Phys.

R. Bentley, Phil.

R. Savage, Poet
A. l'ope

1734

1736

1737

Pergolesi, Musician

1739

1740

Montfaucon, Antiquarian

1741

Massillon, Eccles.

1742

1742

1744

Swift, Satirist

Sir R. Walpole, Statesman

1745

Married, CAROLINE of Anspach. Issue, Frederick, Prince of Wales, father of GEORGE III. William, Duke of Cumberland. Anne, married Prince of Orange. Louisa, married King of Denmark. Mary, married the Landgrave of Hesse.