The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1820-01-31 00:00:00

past eight as wit have already stated, hie late
MAJENTY expired without a pain or a struggle.
At tins awful crisis the Duke of You, Lords
W1NLF111.564 and HENLEY, Sir HERBERT T•Y-
Loa, the live Physicians. the Pages in attendance,
and the usual assistants. were present.
It may be well imagined that the Duke of You
did not witness this close of his revered Father's
sufferings without the most poignant feelings. On
rPcovering sufficient composure, he wrote the brief
but offecting communication of the tidings, as
published in the Gazette Extraordinary, to his
Royal Brother. The five Physicians also imme-
diately prepared the certificate which accompanied
this dispatch. It wanted a few minutes of nine
o'clock when General C•IITWEIGIIT fell. the Castle
on his melancholy mission.

However prepared for the event, the affliction
with which the PRINCESSES, so ardently attached
to their venerable father, received the intelligence,
may well be conceived. No ideal picture of the
house of mourning can be more striking than the
contemplation of these branches of the Royal fa-
mily, uniting their tears for the loss, in one week,
of ii brother and u father.

The last hours of W 00..., ler circumstances of
such affliction as his INo MAJESTY, have been
often visited by • pas.loog gleams of perfect con-
sciousness. We are wa ',lotted se saying that his
late MAJESTY'S stst• at this Most awful moment
was one of iiiretisibtlii) it itt w bodily feeling and
mental perception.
The decay of hi- late _644ot:wry's constitution
has been most rapid. Over the it trticular circum-
stances of Ins siinatiool. a veil intuit necessarily be
drawn. Without oll'eocr to propriety we may
mention, that the lt.yal *offerer, within a very
short period entirely I.i.t teeth; his regular Ins-
bits of diet being thus interrupted, a diminution of
appetite succeeded ; iie kept his bell during a great
portion of the day ; the vital warmth became gra-
dually diminished.

General CARTWRIGHT reached Carlton House
with the melatchnly intelligence at 25 minutes
after I I o'clock. Ilia Royal Highness bad nut re-
tired to rest, and in a few moments was put in pos-
session of the event, which, although not altoge-
ther unexpected, from the communications which
he had received during the day, was, nevertheless,
a severe additional pang to that which he had so
recently sustained from the death of his Royal
Brother. His Royal Highness seemed almost pa.
ralysed by the contents of the Duke of YORK'S
letter, which, although short, he could scarce read
to a conclusion. After a short interval devoted I.
the first burst of filial anguish, he in some measure
recovered his self-possession, and having conferred
with General CARTWRIGHT, he sent him hack with,
a short letter of condolence to the Duke of YORK at
Windsor, where he arrived at a quarter past three.
An Officer of his Royal Highness's household was at
the same time dispatched to the LORD CHANCEL.
LOR, at his residence in Hamilton-place, to acquaint
him of the deuth of his old and venerable Bove-
reign ; messengers were likewise sent off to the rest
of his Majesty's Milieux's, who were in or nea►
town ; messengers were likewise dispatched to the
several branches of the Royal Family, who had not
yet been apprised of the melancholy occurrence.
Five Physicians were in attendance when the me-
lancholy event occurred, but human mid was un-
availing. MS MAJESTY'S constitution, naturally
powerful, and preserved in native strength by habits
of virtue mud temperance, had gradually yielded
to the slow approach of time, and the vital prin-
ciple being exhausted, he sunk in tranquillity to
rest.

Immediately on the receipt of this communica-
tion ■t Carlton-house, messengers were dispatched
to summon the Members of the Privy Council, and
even at so early en hour as seven o'clock yesterday
morning a Council was holden. It was then
resolved to assemble Parliament immediately,
and in pursuance of this resolution, and of
the provisions of the Act of Parliament, the
Members of both Houses appeared yesterday in
their respective places of meeting, notwithstanding
that it was Sunday, as will be seen by our Parlia-
mentary Report. The meeting, however. was
merely formal, fur the purpose of complying with
the terms of the Act. but both Houses will again
assemble this day, when a Message from his present
must gracious Majesty King GEORGE IV. will Ap-
prise booth Houses officially of the demise of his
Royal Father, our late revered and venerable Sove-
reign. An Address of Condolence will be moved
to the present KING. and likewise ■ recognia
tom of Ills MAJESTY'S title, accompanied with
the solemn tender of the allegiance of the Peers,
Spiritual and Temporal, awl of the whole Com-
mons of England. •No other public business but
such as is connected with the present accession
will take place, or he commenced upon, till after
the Kteo's funeral.

The Royal House of England presents at this
moment an impres►ive awl awful spectacle. A
Father—the Father of his people—and a Prince of
his illustrious (louse, one of the first-belo•ed of
hie run►, claim at the same inomeut the last melon-
choly honours that grief and affection can brawls.
The minis will receive both together. The father,
sutlers!, ha■ bent beneath the weight of years and
of affliction, and under circuinstalices which,
though in themselves calamitous, Set trod to alle-
viate the sense of sorrow which the close of Isis

son has been cut down as it were in the vigour of
strength and manhood, at a lime when a long suc-
cession of happy years seemed opening to his
view—when he wee bet beginning to enjoy the
blessings of that domestic life for which his tastes
and virtues appeared so happily to befit
when the country was looking to him with esteem and
confidence as a benevolent friend—s patriot l'rince.
We bend in sorrow veer the bier of the father, in
memory of what, unfortunately, we hare long' lust
bat when we turn our eyes to the lifeless boily of
his illustrious son, grief is imbittered by the sud-
denness of the calamity. The loss is inure imme-
diate—the suspension of his valuable services more
suiliten. It was but ■s it were yesti•rday that he
filled his place in society with active benevolence,
inspiring rod directing public charity, and promot-
lag the well-being of the people that he loved still
more by his example than by his precept. In the
death of the Duke of KENT we feel the immediate
freshness of the wound—its the demise of out. we-

ue►able KING the affliction of a former day is re-
newed. Ever since the fatal moment iu which a
dark veil wee &aim eve his mental vision, his loss
has been sincerely deplored by ■w affectionate and
loyal people. Since that moment life has been to
him but a gloomy waste, where all was darkiievs,soli-
tude, and suffering. and where no ray of enjoy-
ment or of comfort appeared to alleviate the tiy
of his fate. The hope that was once fondly enter-
tained that his reason might be restored to him,
and that he might once more resume the sceptre,
has long since yielded to the sober certainty that
such a hope was utterly vain, sad there are few, if
any, among those ivho best loved their Sovereign,
and most highly appreciated his many virtues, who
do not regard the cessation of human existence in
him as a happy release from human sufferings.
The death of his MAJESTY having been so long
contemplated, arrangements have been made in
expectation of his demise.

It is • first principle in the law of England that
the Throne is never vacant; that upon the death of
the ruling Sovereign, the crown instantly devolves
upon his successor. His Royal Highness the
PRINCS REGINT, therefore, is now KING
GEORGE THE FOURTH.

This is the tir.t political principle. The next
consequence of the Royal demise was, that all
offices. judicial and executory, itainedistely termi-
nate in their respective possessors. According to
the strictness of the old law, the patent of the
LORD CustscELLoß, and those of the Judges, who
are the mere appointees of the Royal will, would hr
revoked by the. Kitts's death. But in C01111146/11•
fion of the infinite mischief which this would ores-
aim), an Act of Parliament was passed, by which all
_judicial and executory officers are continued in their
appointments, and according to the terms and con-
ditions of their respective patents, for the period of
six months after the death of the Sovereign, unless
they shall be sooner revoked by his successor.
. _

The late Mr. PONSONBY very considerately pro-
posed to bring in • Bill iu the House of Commons,
providing, that in the event of the KING'S death
all naval and military commissions should be re-
newed, paying • nominal fee; but the death of
that lamented Statesman prevented him from car-
rying his benevolent purpose into effect; and the plea-
sure, we regret, was not purvued by any other Mem-
ber. The Parliament also, as convoked by the will
of the late Sovereiga, and therefore ipsofacto termi-
nated by his death, continues a legal and efficient
Parliament even after his death for the term of sir
months, exclusive of the day of the Royal demise.
But after that period it is, by the same Act of Par-
liament. dissolved. Upon this subject there were
two contradictory reports prevalent yesterday.
According to one, it is intended to dissolve Perlis.
meat in the course of a fortnight, but this we do
not think probable, as the financial business of the
country require immediate attention.

The other report states, that it is in contempla.
firm to bring in a Bill, enacting that the dura-
tion of the present Parliament shall not be affect-
ed by ha MAJESTY'S demise. The reasons assigned
fur this rumoured measure are, the early age of the
present Parliament, which was chosen in 1818, aud
the great inconvenience and expen►e of a new elec-
tion. It is also urged, that the civil and political
demise of his MAJESTY took place at the appoint..
meut of the Regency, and that the mere physical
decease of the person who had so loug ceased to
exercise the Royal functions, affords ao just cause of
interrupting the prog►ess of public 'Weirs as at
present constituted. This principle is established
by practice in the precedent of the Septennial Act.
The present Parliament, by thus prolonging its
existence, does only what was effected by that mea-
sure. It is not unlikely that Ministers wealth be
disposed to adopt this arrangement. They have
every reason to be pleased with the present House
of Commons.
Willi respect to all patents of office, as we have
before said, they insist be renewed within six
months ; and every person executing judicial office,
without such renewal. falls within the dangers of •
petrel:sure. It is said, that the fees of office fur the
renewal of patents will exceed sixty thousand
pounds to the present I.OIID CHANCELLOR, and
half that sum to the ATTORNEY•GINSEAL
But every thing, judicial as well ■s executory,
wall proceed as heretofore, f.r the space of six
months, unless sooner revoked by his present

Such

tont consequences of the Royal demise.
As the commotion makes no Tort of the Royal
title, it nosy he pastpoued according to his MA-
Jerry's will. Ili. Majesty King GRORGI the
Fourth will probably take the coronation peels.
before the Privy Council.
Every thiog why's his late MAJESTY held in his
sovereign character. as King of Greet Britain, de.
scrods, together with the crown of these resigns, to
the present Kix° ; hat his &Waste. as is well
understood. mile a will. directing the descent and
distrilustion of h s rent sod perique' property, se-
vend years sign. The LORD Cnancet.t.na, and
other Officers of State. are said to be the executors
of this will. His ADJETlllr'll large persooal pro-
perty has been accumulating for many years, sod
was placed under the management of trustees by
Act of Parliament, upon the Royal indisposition
in ISM It probably amounts to wee million and
a half: We cannot pretend to conjecture, it
would be indecent indeed to du so, how it is to be
distributed.
The Duke of You's office of Castor, and with
it the celery of 10,0001. • year, which has been the
subject ors° much amionadversioe, is of course ter-
n:limited, and he is now heir-apparent to the Crown.
In the case of the demise of King Getman the
Second, on Saturday. the 45th October, 1760, his
Ime MAJESTY was proclaimed on the ensuing (by.
Munday, the e6lll. In that case, however, the
KING died at Kensington early in the morning of
Saturday, sod the Lords of the Privy Council, who
assembled at Carlton House, had time to meet
and give orders for the proclaiming his MAJESTY,
having previously received from him a gracious
declaration, and caused all the Lords and others of
the late Kuser Privy Council to be sworn of his
hlajesty's Privy Cousscil. Upon the present oc-
casion there was not time for this prelithinary pro-
ceeding, so as to have the proclamation mode yes-
terday. Beside., the day, 30th January, being
the asaniversery of the Martyrdom of CHARLES 1..
it was perhaps considered not suited for a pageant
display.

' The ceremony of proclaiming his present Ma-
, jesib GEORGE IV. will take place this day at
twelve o'clock. Orders to that effect were received
yesterday at the Herald's Office. The Proclama-
tion will be made before Carlton House, where the
Officers of Sims, Nobility, and Privy Counsellors
will attend, with the Officers at Arms, all ou foot.
The Officers at Arms. being mounted on horse-
back, will then proceed to Charing-cross, where
they will halt, and proclamation will be made again.
They will then proceed up the Strand, and the
same ceremony will be repeated within Temple-bar.
—Proclamation will be made again at the end of
Wood-street, io Cheapside ; cud lastly, at the
Royal Exchange, with the usual solemnities. The
proacipel Officer, of State. a great number of the
Nobility, and other persons of distinction. are ex-
pected to attend during the whole ceremony.
The mourning ou the death of GitoRGR the
Second commenced on Sunday, the 411 of Novem-
ber. It was, for ladies and gentlemen. precisely
she same as that ordered in lest Tuesday's Gaseite
for the late lauseuted Duke of KENT. Hi. MA-
JESTY was further pleased to permit the Officers of
the Army to appear before him in red, faced with
black. and the Officers of the Fleet in blue, faced
with black. The funeral took place on the 11th of
November, on which day his !Witten's remains
were interred in Westminster Abbey.
Her Royal Highness the Princess of WALES.
now Queen of England, is in France, it is said,
waiting this event to return to England. If a pub.
lic coronation take, place, it is mid her MAJESTY
must he crowned together with the KING ; but on
this subject some doubt is entertained. 111 her
rank and quality of Qualm, she is now vested
with► new and extensive rights awl privileges.—
" The QUEEN" (observes Blackmon") " is parti.
cipant of divers prerogatives above other women.
First she is a public person, exempt and die.
tirict from the KING; and not, like other married
women. so cho.ely connected as to have lost all legal
or separate existence so long as the marriage COD.
!inure. She hatls separate courta arid offices distinct
from the Ktec's, taut only in matters of ceremony,
but even of law. and her ATTORNEY and SOLI-
CITOR GENERAL are entitled to a place within
the bar of his MAJESTY'S Courts, together with the
King's Counsel. Farther, though the QUEEN is
in all respects a subject, yet in the security of her
life arid person she is put on the same footing with
the KING. It is equally treason (by the 25th
EDWARD Ill.) to compass o► imagine the death of
our Lady the Ktsci's companion. as of the Kin()
himself; and to violate or defile the Quints Consort,
amounts to the same high crime, as well in the
imams committing the fact, us u► the QUEEN her-
self, if consenting. If, however, the QUEEN be
accused of sny species of treason, she shall (whether
Cotaso►t orDuwaget)be tried by the Peers of
Parliament. as Quern ANNE BoLETN was in
48 HENRY VIII."

fHE FIRST COURT OF HIS MAJESTY KING

GEORGE TIIE FOURTH.
Yesterday. at two o'clock, his Majesty King
George the Fourth held his first Court since his
accession to the throne. as a matter of State sweet.
city (all authorities haying ceased on the demise af
King George the Third). at Carlton house, now his
Majesty's palace. The Court cous sled of all the.

mole brioches of the Writ Font,ly
letel, most of the Cabinet Ministers, the g""
cell, of State, the Members of the Privy
of the Isle King, and a numerous asvirsubla
Nubility, Mend). rs of the two Houses
meat, the Lord Mayor of 1.un,100, '
Al Sermesr, &c.

fts premed Mak baths*,
censor to his late father, our highlt
vereign, the oaths of allegiance, /
nistsreul by Viscount Cleethytol.
Council, who afterwards took the
which were administered by Mr. DUI
His Moiresy afterwards commanded
Council to he holden, when all tr.
late Majesty's Council were ro-sar•sen
sellors tut his prevent Nlajesty, King
consisting of—
Their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of
Sussex, Gloucester, and Priest* laupol.l. .
Canterbury, Lord Ehlers, the Doke of Athol, she
Hertford. the Marquis Wellesley, the r
dale, the Earl of Chatham, Eail
Liverpool, E.rl Mulgnore, Viscount Si.lnsossih,
Melville, its. Duke of Aloatro.e, the Mistime •
the Bishop ill Loudon, the Speaker of it
Mss, Sir William Scutt, Sir William Gr•
lace, Mr. Arbuthnot, Mr. N. Vamitisrt,
Mr. F. I. Rubinson, Mr. Robert Pei g. N,
the Hier. Charles Begot, Sir Benj•nrio
Richard., Chief Ehron of the Excli.gorr,
lac, the Lord Chief Justice of the co", .
and she Lord elliefJust ire of she Co. r of I
A form of Froclantainni . .
for proclaiming his prenrot •• use
the Fourth Sovereign of its. U . i KitQ 01
Great Britain and lu . I w.,. ib.
Lord Sidinoutle. The rollout ill.).
the sigisatures:—
Whereas it hash pkased Mmightr C.• I to call to hiss/rein,
our late Sovereign Lord King Ge.ire, the Third, lir bierimill
memory, by whose decease the Imprri.rl Crow.. of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireluird is solely and riga&
fully come to the High and Mighty Prince, George Perusal
of Wales ; we therefore the Lords Spit dual and Tempasod rt
this realm, bring Isere assisted wish these of his late illidevoylv
Privy Council, with numbers of other principal Goadansirai !
of quality, wish the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Cil lane
of Loudon, do sow hereby, with one voice and connewt
of tongue sad heart, publish and proclaim, that the High
and Mighty Prince, George Prince of Wale., is sow, ivy'
the dentin of our late Sovereign of happy mennor", be.
maw oar ugly lawful sad rightful Liege Ford George
die Ruth, by Ilse Grace of God, King of the Visited King-
dom of Great Britain and !reload, Defeeder of the Faith:
To whom we do acknowledge all faith and couture ober.
thence, with all hearty and humble affection ; benewinling
God, by whom Kiiip and Queens 110 reign, so bleat the
Loyal Prince,George the Fourth, wilts long and happy years
le re* Over 11/.
Given at the Court at Carlton House, this Thirtieth
Day of January, One Thousand Eight Hsiird
and Twenty.
GOD SAVE THE KING.
Frederick, William, Augustus Frederick, William Fred&
rick, Leopold, Prince of Saxe Coburg ; H. Womilimirm
T. Tyrrell, W. Boreadaile, jun , Thus. Smith, Herlirrs Tliy-
lor, J. Keppel, H. Hammond, William Ceivorme, Meuse
Knowlya, the Common Serjesat of tondos; Jos.
Whatley, Geo. Bridges, Mayor; George Cleo k, Chan, Rown
son, R. Gifford, J. W. Croke'', Geo. It. Dawson, William
Courtenay, W.Cartis,Jolia Earner, Jobe Perrier, Jos. Now.
Gee. !khaki, Samuel Birds, Mw. WOOd, C. Smith, Glivelid
Andrerees, K. Hodgson, Jolla Ireland, G. Cockburn, Newry
Hawaiians, Beaborou tit, C. Warren, Thu. Per. Courtrai',
J. S. Copt'', H. Rankest, C. Flower, ham Alicia., Julio Sl-
voider, C. Maguey, Robert Mb. Cox, John Thus. Thorp,
Ricll3. Bothwell, John Edged. Der.leswell, R. Chat,:
C. Cantuar, Eldon, C., Montrose, Atbell, Weilisley, Cam-
den, Lauderdale, Chatham, Bathurst, I..verpool, Ilulgrave,
Melville, Melbourne, Sidmouth, Cherwynd, W. 1..w.d0n,
Sarni Carlide, Ellenborough, Chart". Manners gateau., N.
Vaisaittort, Frederick John Robinson, Was. Scosi, T. Wallace,
IV. Groot, John Nichol', R. Richards, Charles Arbuthnot,
Robert Peel, IV. Sturges Bourne, Charles [lngot, Juba
Leach, C. Abbott, R. Dallas. B. Bloomfield, Aitesbory.
All the Cabinet Ministers of his I ute Majesty
now its town yesterday morning resigned their cre-
dentials of office to Viscount Sidinouth, principal
Secretary of State for the Home Departnneot, at
his office at ‘Vhitehall. His Lurrl.hil -fter
presented them to his present I‘l..irsi
when the King was graciously pleased
them its their former situations.

'rite Lord Chancy Ilur appeared
only, Carrying the purse, confirming
the United Kingdom, which his Lords)
to has present Majesty, when the
clonal), pleased to return them, 1111:1 1
to his former office. Viscount M
Colonel W:aalley were the Lord
Waiting.
The inquirers of condolence to
terduy were very numerous, upon
late Majesty. Among them were—
Coast Lieven, the Russia, Ambassador; the Doke San
Carlos, the Spanish Ambassador; Count Palsarita, the Pore
hawse Ambassador; Baron Fart, the Ambassador from
tha Netherlands; Ceased Souza, the Eirl of .4.lr.buty, Sir
Robert Wasps, Sir William Adams, the Clii v dirr Bospint,)
Viscount Carlton, the Countess of Westmeath, the Countess
Palmetto, Mr. Archer Houblun, the Common Seri, sot,
The Duke of Gloucester came to trawl yesterday
meriting from his seat at Bagshad Park, to he pre.:
sent at the Kiu4's Court, to take the 04th eliding
(fiance, and to be sworn in a member of his Mils
jesty's Must Honourable Privy Council.
Yesterday Mr. Mash, of the Lord Chamberlaita'ar
office, left town fur ‘Vindsor. by command of his
Majesty, in the name of the Lord Chamberlain, to
pay every due respect to the remains ;I the kit
beloved Monarchy, Rod to make arraograneuta for
the funeral. The King has commanded.one of his

' Family new in ifeerg..
listen, the great 01fi•
of the Privy Council
ous assemblage of th
wo Houses of l'arlia-
,oo,lw, the Court a
declara, himself sues
highly *rot retc.l So.
nee, Sze. were ru.s na.
nil. die Clerk •of she
• the sum* -Neva,
11r. Cutler. '
'isiiimsniled • Privy
II those present of ht.
swasirom Privy Conn. '
:y, King George' IV.
Pukes of rnk, Clarence,
orol.l, Ike Ardshiseop rlf
of At liot. Ike Mositoos of S
, Ike Earl of Lowier-
I 11.illsorst. the Earl of
not S,lrwwlh, Viciansit
the Margins of CONIMeNt
pr of Ilse Hoene of Cone
tam /irrwl, Mr. T. WO.
tillart, Sir Jobe
'yr I, Nr. fliersir• floserne.
• Illooosielde &r R.
e. 9.11. r, the Vigo Choracol•
C. 0... .4 hisses Renal, ••
• ,If 0118111011 Pleas
•. ,
..spoo

afterward•
aJc•ty at Court,
ved to reappoint
I in a plain dr-en'
nig the Seals of
0111.11 p reatgiu d
King was gin
I re-appoint ham
huurne and
bud Grooin ib
the King Tes-
the death of