had until now retained a parliament of their own, and much inconvenience had arisen from such an arrangement. In 1707, an act was passed which united the two nations, under the name of Great Britain; and it was settled that the Scotch should send forty-five commoners and sixteen peers to represent them in the English parliament, instead of having one of their own. This measure encountered some opposition at first; but the benefits arising from it have become so evident in the course of time, that all parties have long since agreed in its expediency, and instead of meeting, as in former ages, sword in hand, intent on each other's destruction, the English and Scots have laid aside every shade of hostility, and dwell together, as they ought to do, in peace and cordiality.

In the year following this happy event, prince George, the queen's husband, died from asthma. She nursed him with the most tender attention during his illness, and mourned deeply the loss of one whose amiable and unassuming disposition must have been a great comfort to her in the midst of the many cares and troubles which arose from their exalted station. In 1713, the electress Sophia died, and her son George became heir to the English crown. Soon after, the queen's health began to decline, and her illness was

much increased by the anxiety she endured from the dissensions of her ministers. On the 1st of August, 1714, she died, in the thirteenth year of her reign and the fiftieth of her age. She had not the brilliant qualities of queen Elizabeth; and was better suited to a private life than to the high station she was called to fill; but her kind and indulgent disposition endeared her to her subjects, and she is generally known as "good queen Anne." She gave a large sum annually out of her private fortune for the service of the state, and in particular instituted a fund for the relief of the poorer clergy, which still continues to benefit them, under the name of "Queen Anne's Bounty."

A number of celebrated men lived in this reign; and foremost among them stands the name of sir Isaac Newton, the greatest philosopher who has ever existed; and who was also rich in that knowledge which is "the beginning of wisdom," for he was a good and humble believer in our blessed Lord. His discoveries in science were so wonderful that he might well have become proud, if pride could justly belong to any of the children of Adam, but his humility was deep and unfeigned. A friend one day complimenting him on his great acquirements, "Alas!" he replied, "I am but like a little child wandering by the sea-side. Now

and then I pick up a shining pebble or a lovely shell, but the great ocean of truth lies all undiscovered before me." The mildness and patience of this truly great man were as conspicuous as his humility. He had a little dog named Diamond, which was accidentally shut up one day in his study, on the table of which lay the manuscript of a work which had cost him years of laborious research to complete. The dog, leaping on the table, upset a lighted candle among the papers, and sir Isaac entered the room just in time to see the fruit of his labours entirely consumed; but he only said, "Oh, Diamond, Diamond! thou little knowest the mischief thou hast done!" Sir Isaac Newton was born at Woolstrop, in Lincolnshire, and used to study hard in the fields while keeping his father's sheep, till a gentleman, finding him thus engaged, induced some of his richer relations to give him a good education. He died in 1726.

Among other writers of the reign of queen Anne, were Mr. Addison and sir Richard Steele, who set on foot two magazines, called the "Tatler" and the "Spectator." These, the first periodical works published in England, were devoted to the improvement of society, the encouragement of education, and the inculcation of true religion. They are still to be