Page:History of the Kings & Queens of England and Scotland.pdf/22

 trial lasted forty_five days; but on the third reading of the bill, ministers having a very small majority, abandoned it. Whilst these proceedings continued, the public mind was greatly agitated, and continued so during the remainder of the life of that unfortunate lady. The coronation of the king took place in August, 1821, when the queen’s claim to participate in that ceremony being rejected, she presented herself at the doors of Westminster Abbey, and was refused admittance; when the ceremony went on without interruption. Her death soon followed this event.

Immediately after his coronation, his majesty visited Dublin, where he met with a most loyal welcome. Shortly after his return, he visited his Hanoverian dominions, and after a short stay returned to England. After the termination of the session of parliament in 1822, he visited Edinburgh, where he was received by all classes of his Scottish subjects, with the greatest enthusiasm. Nothing of sufficient importance occurred abroad to be noticed in this summary. The Duke of York, heir presumptive to the throne, died January fifth, 1827, sincerely lamented by the army, of which he had long been commander-in-chief, and had deservedly acquired the appellation of “the soldiers’ friend.” After this, the domestic event of greatest importance that took place, was the Roman Catholic emancipation act, which removed certain disabilities under which they laboured; the bill having received the royal assent on the thirteenth of April, 1829. George IV. died at Windsor Castle on the twenty-fifth of June, 1830, having reigned ten years; but previous to his father’s death, he held supreme power for about ten years, under the title of Prince Regent.