"The Mother of the Nation-once her pride!" See p. 87. London: PRINTED FOR W. SIMPKIN AND R. MARSHALL A BRIEF MEMOIR OF HER LATE MAJESTY QUEEN CHARLOTTE. To the faithful Consort of our revered Sovereign -the affectionate Mother of his royal offspring— and the vigilant Guardian of the morals of the Court and of the Nation, for more than half a century, such a token of respect for her character and virtues as is here offered, can never be considered as unsuitable or unmerited. This illustrious Princess was born at Strelitz, May 19, 1744, though from a regard to the interests of trade, when she came to England, her natal day was kept in January, the King's birth-day falling early in June. She was the youngest daughter of Charles Lewis, brother to the third Duke of Mecklenburgh, who died in 1751; and sister of Adolphus Frede B rick IV., Duke of Mecklenburgh Strelitz. Her mother was the Princess Albertine Elizabeth, the daughter of Ernest, Duke of Saxe Hildburghausen, who died a few weeks before our Queen was married. She has borne the character of a prudent and pious Princess, who interested herself in the religious education of her children: but her latter days were much embittered, and her end is thought to have been accelerated by the sufferings of her unhappy country through the German war. In early life, the Princess Charlotte was placed under the care of Mad. de Grabow, as Governess; a lady of high endowments and noble family, who on account of her lyrical compositions had been honoured with the title of the German Sappho. Dr. Genzmer, an eminent Lutheran Divine, distinguished by his knowledge of natural history and philosophy, was appointed her tutor, with other assistants; and under their instructions she is said to have acquired a thorough knowledge of the French and Italian languages, as well as a competent acquaintance with general knowledge and polite literature. We must now bend our attention to England. Upon his present Majesty's accession to the throne in 1760, he immediately turned his thoughts to marriage and to a suitable alliance; for the Royal Family, from weighty reasons of state, have not |