Turks. The patriots, by their bravery and marauding warfare, cut off a great number of the enemy, and compelled the rest to quit the country.

Their victorious career induced the mountain peasantry to join the standard of their countrymen, and the forces of the Greeks being still further augmented by a body of 8,000 Albanians, they were enabled to set the Turkish armies at defiance, and procured themselves time to establish a regular system of laws, formed on the British Constitution. The prudent course pursued by the patriots, and the encouraging aspect which their affairs assumed, enabled them, in 1824, to procure a loan from the British Capitalists of £800,000, and in the following year another of £2,000,000.

The first object which particularly engaged the attention of Parliament in 1825, was a society in Ireland, called the Roman Catholic Association. The inflammatory harangues of the members of this combination, excited great alarm among the well affected of every denomination. Mr. Goulburn introduced into parliament a bill to suppress dangerous associations in that part of the empire, to guard with more efficacy against the evasion of oaths, and to amend the act for putting down secret societies, which had only passed in 1823. This measure brought into action nearly the whole power of the friends of "Catholic emancipation," but the proceedings of the Catholic association, from their violence and threats, admitted of little defence, and the bill was carried in the Commons by a great majority, and in the Lords without a division.

Towards the end of the year our whole commercial interest seemed panic struck; confidence was destroyed, and numerous bankruptcies in England ensued. The number of banks in England alone amounted to 800, of which about eighty stopped payment. Besides extravagant speculation, and high price of food, ministers attributed the panic, and commercial distress, to the country banks in England issuing small notes; and therefore, on the meeting of Parliament in February, 1826, carried a bill prohibiting the circulation of notes under £5. The public looked forward with great anxiety in expectation of something effectual being done by parliament to remove the commercial embarrassment, but in vain. The Bank of England, at the recommendation of the ministry, agreed to advance £3,000,000, on deposits of merchandize, which had a partial effect in the restoration of confidence, and produced some revival of trade.

On the death of John VI. Don Pedro, contented with the

throne he had obtained in Brazil, relinquished his right of succession to the crown of Portugal in favour of his daughter Donna Maria, whom he betrothed to his brother Don Miguel. The latter step was taken with a view to anticipate domestic jealousy. Furthermore, to protect the Portuguese from intestine commotion, he prepared for them a constitution framed upon such just and liberal principles as ought to have satisfied all interests. But Don Miguel was too ambitious to remain contented with this arrangement, and his favourers, ever ready to gratify his wishes, resolved to invest him with uncontrolled power. This design was secretly fomented by the Spanish court, under whose countenance, covertly afforded, the partisans of Miguel assembled forces upon the frontiers. Portugal had been our old ally, and we had bound ourselves by treaties to maintain her interests; and on application being made to us for our assistance, the request was complied with, and an expedition was fitted out, and sent over with the most signal promptitude. In 1827, Don Miguel, on the appointment of his brother, became regent, but in the ensuing year, availing himself of the absence of the British troops, he usurped the throne, to the entire exclusion of his niece; annulled the constitution, and declared his intention of assuming absolute power. His niece, the queen, repaired to the coast of Britain, but not finding her party sufficiently powerful in this country, she proceeded to the court of her father Don Pedro, at Rio de Janeiro.

The illness of Lord Liverpool in February, 1828, paved the way for the admission of Mr. Canning to the chief place in the administration. An intimate friendship, joined with a fellowship of opinion upon most subjects, had existed between these eminent statesmen from an early period of life.

The Earl of Liverpool survived till the close of the ensuing year; but his friend, Mr. Canning, who laboured under a constitution impaired by disease, was but ill able to bear the additional responsibilities of office, or to contend against the violent opposition which assailed him: he expired on the 8th of August, in the 58th year of his age, On the death of this elegant scholar and highly gifted statesman, Lord Goderich, formerly Mr. Robinson, was called upon, as premier, to construct an administration. His cabinet, however, was not of long duration. He resigned in January 1828, and the Duke of Wellington was appointed his successor; Mr. now Sir Robert Peel, being at the same time made secretary of state for the home department.

The war still continued in Greece; and had degenerated into acts of private revenge, and of public atrocities, almost unparalleled in the annals of modern warfare. The sovereigns of Europe could not regard this struggle with apathy; and on the 6th of July 1827, the representatives of England, France, and Russia, signed a treaty for the pacification of Greece.

The admirals of the allied fleet assembled in the Mediterranean, and attempted to bring the combatants to an armistice, but finding that Ibrahim Pacha, the Turkish commander, treated their remonstrances with indifference, they sailed under the command of the British admiral, Sir Edward Codrington, into the harbour of Navarino. An engagement soon commenced, which continued during four hours, and ended in the utter discomfiture of the Turks, whose fleet was almost annihilated. This decisive victory established the independence of Greece; which was additionally strengthened by the aid of France, who had dispatched a small body of troops to the scene of warfare.

In 1828, parliament effected a repeal of the test and corporation acts; the provisions of which had rendered it necessary, as a qualification for office, or for admission into parliament, that the sacrament of the Lord's Supper should be received according to the forms of the Established Church. This most important concession encouraged the hopes of the Roman Catholics; who naturally expected that the disabilities under which they laboured, and which served as a check to their admission into office, or into parliament, would likewise be removed.

The country continued in a state of agitation on this subject of the Catholic claims, during the whole of the session; and such was the excitement produced in Ireland, that a civil war was not unreasonably dreaded. In order to urge the ministry to a compliance, the Catholic Association, and every available influence, were called into action, to procure the election of Mr. O'Connell, who was returned by a considerable majority.

The Duke of Wellington now began to view concession as an act of expediency which it would be no longer prudent to refuse. In this light the matter was represented to the sove reign; who recommended, in his speech from the throne, that Catholic emancipation should be granted. A bill to this effect was ultimately passed by 353 against 180, in the House of Commons, and 217 against 112, in the House of Lords; but not without a stormy and zealous opposition. This Bill received the royal assent on the 13th of April, 1829.

The illness with which the king had been attacked in the early part of 1830, terminated in his death; which took place at Windsor Castle, on the 25th of June following. George the Fourth, at the period of his death, was in the 68th year of his age; he had reigned ten years; and his remains were consigned to the family tomb at Windsor.

EXERCISES.

WHEN was George the Fourth proclaimed king? Under what circumstances did George the Fourth ascend the throne? When was parliament opened? What enquiries had been made in former years relative to the conduct of Queen Caroline? After the year 1814, what were the proceedings of parliament in regard to the Queen? What treatment did she experience? and when did her death take place? What minister for foreign affairs committed suicide? By whom was he succeeded? When did Louis the XVIII assemble an army on the frontiers of Spain? and what was the success of his general, the Duke D'Angouleme, against the constitutional liberty of the Spaniards? What alleviated the distresses of the British farmers in 1824? What was the general state of the kingdom? With what speculations, and from what causes, did the nation now become embarrassed? When did Louis XVIII. expire? and by whom was he succeeded? What race once famous in history did a spirit of independence now arouse ? What was the success of the Greek patriots? What additional forces did they obtain? and what loans did they receive? How did parliament proceed in regard to the Catholic Association in 1825? Describe the memorable panic, as it was called. How was confidence partially restored? On the death of John VI. of Portugal, to whom did Don Pedro relinquish his right of succession? For what was Don Pedro's brother Miguel ambitious? What proceedings occurred in regard to Great Britain? On the departure of the British troops, what was the conduct of Don Miguel? What paved the way for the admission of Mr. Canning to the premiership? When did Mr. Canning die? By whom was he succeeded? When did the representatives of England, France, and Russia, sign a treaty for the pacification of Greece? Describe the battle of Navarino? What were the provisions of the Test and Corporation acts? and when were they repealed? How was the Catholic Emancipation Bill recommended to parliament? With what majority did the bill pass both houses? When and where did George the Fourth die? What was his age? How long did he reign? and where was he interred?

Ascended the throne in 1830 and died in 1837.

HE accession of William IV. to the throne was hailed His career had hitherto been popular. Introduced at an early period of life into the navy, he had risen, step by step, from the station of midshipman, to the highest post in the admiralty. In the discharge of his duties his behaviour had been marked by a frankness, condescension, and affability, which won all hearts, and justly endeared him to every member of the naval profession. The simplicity of his habits and manners, divested of all ostentation, added to his maturity of years and experience in life, all contributed to interest the public in his favour, and incline them to draw a happy omen from his accession.

THE with a general enthusiasm.

While favourable expectations were thus formed in England, the aspect of France foreboded the approach of some great political convulsion.

Inroads had been made in the French constitution, by the restored sovereigns; the liberty of the press had been invaded; the system of representation previously existing, had been cancelled; and a new system of election had been adopted; the effect of which was to restrict the powers of the chamber of deputies, and render it subservient to the royal will.

The agitation of the Parisians on receiving an intimation of the projected new form of government soon became manifest, and although no outward demonstrations of turbulence were