Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-02-28
George III. and Princess Amelia.

In his " Four Georges" Thackeray
ridicules numerically the stupidity,
obstinancy aud prejudice of George
III; but fails to do justice to his no.
. bier traits, his courage, his domestic
virtues, and his simple piety. If he
speaks Of these, it Is with sneer.
Yet, there was much in the man
that commands our admiration. In
the midst Of appalling profligacy, he
was faithful, tender husband, and
an anxious, affectiOnate father. He
had very little sense to start with,
and most Of his life was more or less
craZy-but whenever his mind was
clear, he displayed conscientious
ness and persistency of purpose.
Queen Charlotte bore him fifteen
children-nine boys and six girls.
The boys under the influence of a
coarse and disSOlute society, grew
up to be rOwdieS, and gave their
rather great deal Of anxiety and
sorrow. The girls, however, were
ladylike and pleasant, and the
youngest child Amelia was especi-
ally a comfort and delight to the
king. Miss Burney, who for some
years, was a member of the royal
household, gives this pleasant ac-
count Of meeting the king and
queen out walking with the girls.
"lt was really a mighty pretty
procession" she says, "The little
princess, just turned Of three years
old, in rohe-cOat, covered with fine
muslin, a dressed ciose-cap, white
gloves and fan, walked on alone and
first, highly delighted with the pa
rade, and turning from side to side
to see everybody as she passed.
Then followed the king and queen,
no less delighted with the joy of the
little darling, and after them the
other princesses, accompanied by la
dies of rank. On sight of Mrs. De-
lany, the king instantly stopped to
speak to her; the queen, Of course,
and the little princess, and the rest
stood still. The little princess then
came behind Mrs. Delany to look at
me. L am afraid said I in a whis-
per, and STOPPING down, your royal
highnesS does not remember me?'
Her answer was an arch little smile,
and nearer approach with her lips
pouted out to kiss me-"
During her girlhood Amelia wrote
verses, of which these lines dre wor-
thy Of preservation. There IL a
plaintive, simplicity and naturalness
about them that is very winning:
Unthinking, idle. wild and young.
| laughed and danced, and talked and
sung;
And proud of health. Of freedom vain,
Dreamed not of sorrow, care or pain:
Concluding, in these hours of glee,
That all the world was made for me.
But when the hour of trial came,
When sickness shook this trembling
frame,
When folsy's idle dreams were DER,
And L could dance and sing no more,
1t then occurred. how sad 'twould be
Were this world only made for me.
When seventeen years old, she
was taken with a severe and painful
sickness. The old king, though
partly deranged. fingered by her
bedside, her affectionate watcher
and nurse. Nothing" says an En-
glish clergyman who witnessed their
interviews, "can be more striking
than the sight of the king, aged
and nearly blind, bending over the
couch on which the princess lies,
and speaking to her of salvation
through Christ as matter far more
interesting than the most significant
pompS of royalty" AS she grew
weaker, the old detection and gloom
began to overcast his mind again,
and when they told him she was
| g.,
no more, except for few moments
at time.
In one of these lucid moments,
the queen, desiring to see him, en-
tered the room, and found him sing
ing hymn and accompanying him
self at the harpsichord. Blind, and
nearly deaf, he did not notice her en-
trance; but, when he had finished,
knelt down and prayed aloud for
her, and then for his family, and
then for the nation, concluding with
a prayer for himself, that it might
please God to avert his heavy ca
lamity from him, but, ii not, to
give him resignation to submit. He
then burst into tears, and reason fled
again.
Shakespeare does not rise to the
beauty and pathos of this incident,
even in King Lear. - North Caro-
Tina Presbyterian.
JOHN SMITH, WITNEss.-The at.
torney thought the witness was g
plumb born idiot and proceeded ac
cordingly.
Did you say your name was Johr
Smith ?" he asked.
Yes, sir" replied the witnes:
politely.
That's an odd name, isn't it ?"
81 don't know as to that. CUES:
it's about as even as most any q
them"
Um-how old are youw
"TWenty-siX, goin' on twenty
seven."
"You are going on twenty.seven
are you ?"
81 guess 40. Leastways, aim
goin' away ,hrum it,"
Where do you live ?"
"At home"
This net.leG the lawyer.
Well, he asked, "do you know
what would do If I were you?"
"Yes, sir" replied the witness 3,
promptly that the lawyer almos
lost his balance.
What would I do?"
P 81 guess you'd make about as bi,
fool on the witness stand IA yo,
= think I am" and the Judge quelle,
, the consequent disturbance.
mud