Page:History of the Kings and Queens of England.pdf/18

 ANNE This amiable princess was the daughter of James II., and as king William died without issue, she was proclaimed queen on the 8th March, 1702, and was crowned on the 28d of April following. She was a pattern of conjugal and maternal tenderness, a munificent patron, an indulgent mistress, and merciful princess. If not the greatest, she was certainly one of the mostunblemished sovereigns that ever graced the British throne. She died on the 1st of August, 1714, in the 50th year of her age, and the 13th of her reign. She left no children, though she had six by her consort, Prince George of Denmark.

In this reign the kingdoms of England and Scotland were united.

GEORGE I. This prince was the eldest son of Ernest Augustus, elector of Hanover, was born May 28, 1660; succeeded his father in the electorate, in 1698; and on the death of queen Anne, was proclaimed king of England. On the 20th September, 1714, he made his public entry, attended by above 200 coaches of the nobility and gentry. Before he ascended the British throne, he had acquired the character of a circumspect general, a wise politician, and a merciful prince; and if he did not, in every instance, govern his new subjects according to the maxims of their constitution, his deviations must be imputed to the influence of a corrupt ministry. He died June 11, 1727, in the 68th year of his age, and 13th of his reign.