(BEING THE FOURTEENTH OF A NEW SERIES.)

PART THE SECOND.

PRODESSE ET DELECTARE.

E PLURIBUS UNUM.

By SYLVANUS URBAN, Gent.

LONDON: Printed by JOHN NICHOLS and SON,
25, Parliament-street, Westminster;

where LETTERS are particularly requested to be sent, POST-PAID ;

AND SOLD BY

JOHN HARRIS and SON (Successors to Mrs. NEWBERY),
at the Corner of St. Paul's Church Yard, Ludgate Street;
and by PERTHES and BESSER, Hamburgh.

1821.

TO SYLVANUS URBAN, Gent.

ON COMPLETING HIS NINETY-FIRST VOLUME.

As choicest flowers of variegated die,

Around the air their fragrant sweets supply,
So the bright lustre of old URBAN's page
Reflects the Arts and Science of the age.
For here the splendid palace, stately dome,
Vie with the structures of majestic Rome.
The hoary Castle frowns in grandeur round,
The ruin'd Abbey crumbling to the ground;
Its falling arches, full of sculpture seen,
While massive columns, prostrate, strew the green.
Antiques, Coins, Vases, and designs of Art;
Gems, Crosses, Statues, Seals, delight the heart;
And Trophies rear'd to valiant Heroes slain,
Who nobly fell in conflicts on the main ;
Or on the crimson field "with peerless might,"
The "Souls illustrious" clos'd their mortal sight.
The Landscape well pourtrays the pendent wood,
The verdant Lawn, the sweet meandering flood:
There Villas shine,-there Towers embattled rise,
With lofty spires, that seem to touch the skies.

But now what Plates superb attract the sight!
What gorgeous Scenes the multitude invite!
The CORONATION Views their State unfold,
More splendid than "the Field of Cloth of Gold!"
Here, GEORGE the Fourth in regal pomp appears,
Crown'd with the diadem amidst his Peers.
The Banquet next is seen in sumptuous state,
Where mighty Lords enjoy the Royal Treat.

Where the wide "world of waters" fiercely roars,
And drives its waves on St. Helena's shores ;
The ruthless Inmate there resign'd his breath;
There lies entomb'd within the vault of Death.
No more his restless soul shall hold the rein,
Nor suffering Nations drag his galling chain.

That memorable hard-contested field,
Which BUONAPARTE was constrain'd to yield,
Intently BRITAIN'S Sovereign round survey'd ;
While WELLINGTON each martial spot display'd;
And pointed out where gallant PICTON bled;
Where BLUCHER conquer'd, whence NAPOLEON fled.
What time, the King, the countries fair beheld,
O'er which fell Slavery's bonds the Tyrant held,
Deliver'd by his glorious arms and power,
What joyful thousands hail'd him on his Tour.

And when arriv'd in HANOVER's domain,
The Lord, the Lady, rural Nymph and Swain,
With loyal acclamations rais'd the tongue,
And shouts of joy through all the welkin rung.
Like as of late in ERIN's sea-girt Isle,
Renown'd for Valour, bless'd with Beauty's smile;
Rejoicing multitudes fill'd all the strand,"
And cheer'd the Monarch as he made the land.
Now safe return'd to ENGLAND's happy State,
On our great GEORGE may bliss for ever wait!
Teversal Rectory.

WILLIAM RAWLINS.

PREFACE.

THE most important feature of the present Volume is the Account of the Coronation of his Majesty George IV. This may be considered an interesting record to the future Historian. Every particular relative to that memorable occasion is circumstantially detailed. To render this document still more valuable, for future reference, several illustrative Embellishments have been introduced. This Volume will, therefore, we flatter ourselves, retain its value, when the Publication has passed the centenary of its existence. Our object has not been to promote temporary gratification alone-a system generally pursued by many ephemerals of the day--but to give perpetuity to the memorable annals of that grand and National Ceremony.

It is a singular coincidence that we should also record, in the same Volume, and even in the same Month, the final dissolution of an Individual who was once the most powerful Ruler in Europe. This is a subject worthy of reflection. It introduces to the consideration of the Historian the conduct and the actions of two of the most potent and determined Rivals that ever appeared on the face of Europe. From the few historical facts we may adduce, some opinion may be formed.

The most prejudiced minds cannot but admit the energy of those Councils, which, under the auspices of our present most gracious Sovereign, brought the desolating struggle of twenty-two years to so glorious a termination. If we only revert to the distance of ten years, what a contrast is presented. Napoleon then stood on the towering summit of his greatness. With the exception of England all Europe crouched at his feet ;Thrones and Empires trembled at his nod. The Russians and Prussians had been degraded by the treaty of Tilsit; the Portuguese Court had emigrated to the Brazils; the Spanish Throne had been abdicated, and the Royal Family being enveigled into France, by the treachery of her Ruler, Joseph Buonaparte usurped the Sovereignty of the Realm. The Trade and Commerce of Great Britain with the Continent, at this period, were almost annihilated, owing to the odious decrees of Berlin and Milan.

The

The Attila of France, and the Scourge of Europe, was in the plenitude of his power. At this alarming crisis, 1811, his present most gracious Majesty was appointed Regent of the United Kingdom. The National hopes revived. The energy of his Councils afforded the most sanguine expectations. From this era may be dated the subversion of the Tyrant's throne. The French were shortly after defeated at Talavera, Albuera, and Barrossa. The victory of Salamanca soon followed. In 1812 the French were expelled from Moscow, and signally routed at Borodino, Bautzen, and Lutzen. The distinguished victories of Vittoria, Saragossa, St. Sebastian, Pampeluna, &c. under the illustrious Wellington, are within the recollection of all. After the important affairs of Leipsic and Dresden the fall of Napoleon was rapid indeed. He became a Captive; effected his escape, and was again subdued by British valour on the ever memorable field of Waterloo. Exiled from Europe, his days were terminated in solitude, with scarcely an individual to regret his miserable dissolution; whilst his powerful and persevering Rival ascended the Throne of his illustrious Ancestors, surrounded by the blessings of universal Peace, and the admiration of the whole World.

We express our grateful acknowledgments for the liberal support we continue to receive; and return our sincerest thanks to the numerous Contributors who honour us with their kind assistance; and by whose talents our pages continue to be enriched.