Page:History of the Kings and Queens of England.pdf/19

 GEORGE II. was proclaimed king of Great Britain on the 15th of June, 1727. In his disposition he was brave and humane; and though naturally hasty, he was soon appeased. The circumstances that chiefly marked his public character was a predilection for his native country, and a close attention to the political interests of the Germanicbody.

The close of his reign was distinguished with most glorious events for this kingdom, in the overthrow of its natural foreign enemies in every part of the world, and in the most salutary harmony that prevailed at home amongst all ranks of people. On the 25th of October, 1760, a rupture took place in the right ventricle of his Majesty's heart, which occasioned his sudden death, in the 77th year of his age, and the 34th of his reign.

GEORGE III., king of Great Britain, born 4th June, 1738, was the eldest son of Frederick, Prince of Wales. He ascended the throne on the 25th of October, 1760, being then in his 23d year. No possessor of the English throne ever commenced a career with greater popularity, or with more favourable anticipations: he was young and handsome, had an excellent constitution, was of unspotted reputation, and enjoyed the advantage of being the first sovereign of the line whose birth and education were entirely English.

Notwithstanding the success of his Majesty's arms, in all quarters of the world, England was involved to such an extent, that, at the surrender of Buonaparte, our national debt had increased to the almost insupportable sum of nearly one thousand millions of pounds.