dour of her victories. On the twenty-fifth of October, the king, without having complained of any previous disorder, was found by his domestics, expiring in his chamber. He had arisen at the usual hour, and observed to his attendants, that as the weather was fine, he would take a walk into the gardens of Kensington, where he then resided. In a few minutes after his return, being left alone, he was heard to fall down upon the floor. The noise of this bringing his attendants into the room, they lifted him into bed, where he desired, with a faint voice, that the princess Amelia might be sent for, but before she could reach the apartment he expired. An attempt was made to bleed him, but without effect, and afterwards the surgeons, upon opening him, discovered that the right ventricle of the heart was actually ruptured, and that a great quantity of blood was discharged throughout the aperture. Oct. 25, George the second died in the seventy-seventh year of his age, and the 1760. thirty third of his reign; lamented by his subjects, and in the midst of victory. If any monarch was happy in the peculiar mode of his death, and the precise time of its arrival, it was he. The universal enthusiasm of the people for conquest, was now beginning to subside, and sober reason to take her turn in the administration of affairs. The factions which had been nursing during his long reign, had not yet come to maturity; but threatened with all their virulence, to afflict his successor. He was himself of no shining abilities; and while he was permitted to guide and assist his German dominions, he entrusted the care of Britain to his ministers at home. However, as we stand too near to be impartial judges of his merits or defects, let us us state his character as delivered by two writers of opposite opinions. "On whatever side, (says his panegyrist) we "look upon his character, we shall find ample "matter for just and unsuspected praise. None "of his predecessors on the throne of England "lived to so great an age, or enjoyed longer fe"licity. His subjects were still improving under "him, in commerce and arts; and his own œco"nomy set a prudent example to the nation, "which, however, they did not follow. He was "in his temper sudden and violent; but this, though it influenced his conduct, made no "change in his behaviour, which was generally "guided by reason. He was plain and direct in "his intentions; true to his word, steady in his "favour and protection to his servants, not parting. " even with his ministers till compelled to it by "the violence of faction. In short, through the "whole of his life he appeared rather to live for "the cultivation of useful virtues than splendid "ones; and satisfied with being good, left others "their unenvied greatness." 66 Such is the picture given by his friends, but there are others who reverse the medal. "As to "the extent of his understanding, or the splen"dour of his virtue, we rather wish for oppor "tunities of praise, than undertake to task our"selves. His public character was marked with a predilection for his native country, and to "that he sacrificed all other considerations. He "was not only unlearned himself, but he despised "learning in others; and though genius might "have flourished in his reign, yet he neither "promoted it by his influence or example. His frugality bordered upon avarice, and he "hoarded not for his subjects, but himself. 66 "He "He was remarkable for no one great virtue, test. INDEX. A ADDISON, Mr. made secretary of state, 132. Anne, princess, deserts the interest of her father, 30- secure -secure in her popularity, 107-dissembles her re- Anson, commodore, appointed to the command of a Argyle, Duke of, joins with Monmouth, 6-lands in. John, duke of, opposes the earl of Mar; 145 Ashton, Mr. sent to inform James of a conspiracy Assassination plot, account of, 55. Atterbury, Francis, bishop of Rochester, sent to the Aughrim, |