This great object, however, was not achieved without the loss of one of the most popular and distinguished com manders whom the English army has ever had to boast of; namely, general Wolfe, who was killed in the moment of victory at the siege of Quebec, in 1759. In the meantime the war was carried on in Europe with great animosity. France attacked and took possession of Hanover. The northern European powers, except Prussia, and its king, Frederick the Great, were combined against the king of England. But Frederick's sagacity and military skill finally extricated him from the hazardous situation in which he was placed by the combination of so many enemies. Frederick was assisted both with money and troops from England, where the energy of a very able minister, Mr. Pitt, afterwards earl of Chatham, infused great spirit into the conduct of affairs. In the battle of Minden, which was fought in 1759, the English forces had a considerable share. Lord Clive was very successful in the East Indies; and at sea the English flag was completely triumphant over the French. The king was now become an old man; but he enjoyed a degree of health and bodily vigor very unusual at his advanced age, and which seemed to give the promise of a much longer life. But, October 25, 1760, George II. died suddenly. Political parties ran very high in this reign. Sir Robert Walpole, sir William Pulteney, Mr. Pelham, the duke of Newcastle, and Mr. Pitt, afterwards earl of Chatham, were successively leaders of administration. The names of Anson, Hawke, and Boscawen, are the most distinguished in the naval history of this reign. The sequel of the history of the misguided and unfortu Where was general Wolfe killed? Was the continental warfare of Europe still in operation? When did George II. die? Who were the principal ministers of George II.? Who were the principal naval commanders of the reign of George II.? nate prince Charles, may properly be added in this place. Soon after his return to France, Louis, in consequence of one of the conditions of peace in the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748, withdrew his protection from him. He then retired into the territories of the pope. He for a long time kept up a secret correspondence with the English Jacobites; and once, if not oftener, he caine privately to London. After a time, prince Charles disgusted his friends by his misconduct, and they totally abandoned his cause. This prince, who excited so much sympathy in his youth, and seemed then to possess many hopeful qualities, degenerated afterwards into a vicious character. He assumed the name of count D'Albany, and died in 1784, unpitied and unlamented. Prince Charles had an only brother, the cardinal of York, who, after his brother's death, sometimes assumed the name of Henry IX. He lived to be an old man, and died at Rome in 1807. In him the unfortunate family of Stuart became extinct. CHAP. XXXVIII. GEORGE III. [Years after Christ, 1760-1789.] George III. had completed his twenty-second year, when the death of his grandfather placed him on the throne. He had resided with his mother, the princess dowager of Wales, between whom and George II. there existed no cordiality; and having thus been in a manner excluded from court, and not interfering in any of the political par ties of the day, he had led what might be called a retired life, associating only with the small but select circle which was collected round the princess. What became of prince Charles Edward? Under what circumstances did George III, succeed to the throne of Britain? This was in some respects a disadvantage to him, as it gave him an awkward manner, which an earlier introduction to general society might have remedied. His usual way of speaking was hurried and confused; but when he was called on to speak in public, his delivery was graceful and impressive. The ruling principle of his mind was religion. George III. found his greatest happiness in the tranquillity of domestic life; and it has been said of him that a better father, husband, son, and brother, never existed. His heart was open not only to kindly affections towards his own family, but also to a general good-will towards mankind. His charities were extensive and judicious, and there is not one cruel or unfeeling action recorded of him during the course of his long life. George III. married August 7, 1761, Charlotte, princess of Mecklenburgh Strelitz. The last public service which the veteran admiral lord Anson performed was that of bringing the new queen to England. The war was for some time continued with vigor, though the nation was become weary of the great expense at which it was carried on, particularly of the expenses which were lavished in Germany. Proposals were made for a general peace; but these were overruled, and Spain taking part with France against England, engaged that nation against the Spaniards. Some British forces were sent to the defence of Portugal, and the Spaniards who made an inva. sion of that country were repulsed. Amongst the events of this busy time, it is difficult to select the most important. It must suffice now to say that the British arms were every where successful. Several valuable islands in the West Indies were taken from France. The rich town of the Havanna, in Cuba, Manilla, in the East Indies, and the rest of the Philippine islands, were taken from Spain; and many considerable prizes were made at sea. Was George III. a good man? Who was the queen of George III.? Was the continental war popular in England, and how was it extended to Spain? Were the British successful in the war? France and Spain became at last anxious to put an end to a war which had proved so disastrous to them, particularly to the latter, and a general peace was concluded at Paris on the 10th of February, 1763. By this peace Canada, the island of Minorca, several islands in the West Indies, and Goree, in Africa, were restored to France. The river Senegal was given up to England. In the East Indies all the forts and factories taken from the French were restored. The Havana was restored to Spain, and the Spaniards in return ceded Florida to the English, and agreed also to make peace with Portugal. The history of political parties in Britain cannot be intelligible to young readers; and the history of the war of England with the American colonies belongs to American history, to that we refer the student. The country now called the United States of America, was originally peopled by English and other Europeans, and was governed by the laws of England. The first emigration began in 1607, and in 1764, the country had become populous and wealthy. The English government levied taxes on the Americans, which the latter deemed oppressive and refused to pay. From this dispute arose a war of seven years duration. Hostilities commenced in 1775, and continued till 1781, when lord Cornwallis, the British commander, surrendered to general Washington, the American commander-in-chief. France took part with the colonies during the war. The people of England watched with intense anxiety the progress of this great contest. The debates in parlia When was a general peace concluded? How were colonial possessions apportioned by the peace of 1763? Is the history of political parties intelligible to the young? What was the cause of hostility between Britain and the American colonies? What was the duration of the war of independence, and what part in it was taken by the French nation? How was the American war regarded by the people of England, and who disapproved of the conduct of the war? ment were carried on with extreme warmth, and the conduct of the ministers was much censured for frittering away so many lives, and so much treasure. Their conduct was blamed by no one more vehemently than by lord Chatham, who, venerable from his age and experience, and respected for his wonderful powers of mind, which remained unimpaired amidst bodily disease, was looked up to as the greatest statesman of the time. On the 2d of April, 1778, the duke of Richmond having declared his intention of bringing forward a motion for an address to the king, praying him to withdraw all the troops from America; lord Chatham, though he was suffering from severe illness, roused himself from his sick bed, and was conducted into the house of peers, and there made one of the most animated, and, at the same time, one of the most touching speeches, that had ever been heard in that house. Lord Chatham began in a feeble tone, expressing his thanks to God that he had been enabled once more to perform his duty. "I rejoice," said he, "that the grave has not closed upon me: that I am still alive to lift up my voice against the dismemberment of this ancient and most noble monarchy." His voice getting stronger as he became more animated, he detailed at length, while the attention of every person present was rivetted to his words, all the circumstances of the war, and ended by saying, "Let us at least make one effort, and if we must fall, let us fall like men." The duke of Richmond spoke in answer, and lord Chatham rose again with a countenance animated with disdain, and eager to reply: but while he was attempting to speak, he sank down in a fit, and was carried out of the house apparently lifeless. He, however, revived afterwards; but it was only to linger out a few weeks longer. His death, under these affecting circumstances, was much lamented, and made a great impression throughout the whole country, France, during the American war, had contrived to en Who demanded of parliament to conclude the war, and who made his last speech on that occasion ? What were the circumstances of lord Chatham's death? How did the European powers regard the American war? |