The Book Of Curiosities Part 68

That is,--Georgius Tertius, Dei Gratia, Magnae Brittanniae, Franciae et Hiberniae Rex, Fidei Defensor, Brunswicii et Lunenburgi Dux, Sacri Romani Imperii Archi-Thesaurarius et Elector.

In English,--George the Third, by the Grace of G.o.d, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburgh, Arch-Treasurer and Elector of the Holy Roman Empire.

CHAP. Lx.x.xII.

CURIOSITIES OF LITERATURE.--(_Concluded._)

_Curious Address to the late Queen Charlotte--Quaint Lines on Queen Elizabeth--Curious Names adopted in the Civil Wars--Curious Extracts from the Will of an Earl of Pembroke--Curious Letter from Pomare, King of Otaheite, to the Missionary Society--Curious Love Letter and Answer--Creeds of the Jews--The Unbeliever's Creed--Explanation of the Terms "Whig" and "Tory."_

CURIOUS ADDRESS TO THE LATE QUEEN CHARLOTTE.

"The Address of the Burgomaster, Magistrates, and Citizens of Strelitz, to her Royal Highness the Most Ill.u.s.trious Princess Sophia Charlotte, d.u.c.h.ess of Mecklenburgh, Princess of Wenden, Schrouin, and Piotzburgh, and Countess of Schwerin, and the countries of Rostock and Slangard, on her leaving the Territories of the said City in her Way to England, as the Royal Bride of his Most Ill.u.s.trious Majesty George the Third, King of Great Britain, &c. &c. Aug. 27, 1761.

"Ill.u.s.trious Dutchess, most gracious Princess and Lady; your Royal Highness is at present leaving that country whose happiness it has. .h.i.therto been to admire you, the model of a perfect Princess; you leave it to share with the greatest monarch in Europe, a throne respected through every part of the universe. The instant is at hand when your Royal Highness will for ever be withdrawn from our eyes: but it affects us the more sensibly, from the apprehension that the many great and brilliant objects, with which you will henceforth be connected, will efface so small a place as ours from your inestimable remembrance. Yet that goodness which we have hitherto with transport admired in your Royal Highness, revives our spirits; it a.s.sures us, that you will ever from the throne condescend graciously to look back on our town; and continue the patroness of those whose happiness it is to be the subjects of your ill.u.s.trious Family. We, therefore, in full confidence, give ourselves up to that lively joy excited in us all, on the glorious union to which the Divine Providence has called your Royal Highness, and beg leave to accompany you with our most cordial wishes for your safe journey and continual welfare and prosperity. May the Eternal Ruler of all things, who has appointed this great event, make your Royal Highness the most perfect instance of felicity, the delight of that Royal Family into which you are now entering, the joy of Britain, and the glory of the ill.u.s.trious Mecklenburg! May our ill.u.s.trious Sovereign, the beloved Adolphus Frederic, long, and in all earthly happiness, together with his faithful and happy subjects, rejoice in these felicities! Your Royal Highness will graciously permit that Twelve of our Daughters, here present in the attire of innocence, may, as a memorial of this fortunate event, second the ardent sentiments of their Fathers, and in artless words, most humbly wish you a safe and pleasant journey:--

_Eleonora Dorothea Maria Bentghoven._

Hail Princess! with each shining virtue bright, All pure within, without all glorious light, Whose form divine, whose goodness we adore; Heaven bless thy parting from the German sh.o.r.e!

_Christiana Juliana Elizabeth Berendsden._

As Consort of a mighty Monarch shine, Restore the honour of an ancient line; For this thy coming, Britain's King invites, For this he calls to Hymen's soft delights.

_Dorothea Elizabeth Tetlington._

Thy soul with each divinest virtue fraught, Thy wisdom perfect, both in word and thought; Each British bosom shall with rapture fire, And faction sleep whilst gazing crowds admire.

_Sophia Elizabeth Gradhandlan._

When seated by thy royal Consort's side, New l.u.s.tre he shall gain from such a Bride; Her worth shall grace the sacred nuptial ties, And Britain's throne in dignity shall rise.

_Carolina Henrietta Tangate._

O G.o.d! whose mercies through the world abound, Whose power supports the King thy hand has crown'd, Waft o'er the main the Bride's transcendent charms, In safety to the Bridegroom's longing arms.

_Dorothea Gaven._

May she, with each endearing art possest, To pleasure ever soothe the Monarch's breast!

May all the royal virtues of her heart, To faithful subjects joy sincere impart!

_Anna Maria Elizabeth Christen._

Britons, rejoice, receive with loud acclaim Sophia Charlotte, ever dear to fame; Delight of Mecklenburg! she comes to shower On Britain's isle new blessings every hour.

_Madalen Elizabeth Colterjahn._

Thrice happy Bride! who soon shall cross the main, Whom to behold again we wish in vain; May happiness increasing with thee dwell, To every age may fame thy glory tell!

_Christiana Sophia Sealon._

From Ganges to where Mississippi flows, Diffusing wealth and plenty as it goes; From Senegal, still scorch'd by Phoebus' beams, To where St. Lawrence rolls his silver streams, Proclaim Britannia's bliss the world around, From pole to pole, to earth's remotest bound.

_Christiana Elizabeth Phoelen._

It's wish auspicious Flavel hastes to bring, For fair Charlotta and his Britain's King; On Britain's isle all blessing he implores, And rolls his friendly wave to Albion's sh.o.r.es.

_Dorothea Christiana Elizabeth Rexsehen._

Beneath the Lord's anointed may she thrive, Still may his influence keep the palm alive, Still may it flourish, branches still extend, Afford us shelter, and from heat defend.

_Catharine Sophia Bertrowen._

Nought can our brothers' ardent zeal restrain, Fain would they tempt with thee the roaring main; Permit them, Queen, thy person to be near, That of thy safety tidings we may hear.

_Chorus._

Yet for one favour more we must apply, But little can these barren tracts supply; Permit us, since both gold and pearls you scorn, Your royal brows with myrtle to adorn!"

QUAINT LINES ON QUEEN ELIZABETH.--Queen Elizabeth, who died at Greenwich, was brought thence to Whitehall by water, in a grand procession. On this occasion, as Camden informs us, the following quaint lines were written:--

"The Queen was brought by water to Whitehall; At every stroke the oars did tears let fall; More clung about the barge; fish under water Wept out their eyes of pearl, and swam blind after.

I think the bargemen might, with easier thighs, Have row'd her thither in her people's eyes; For howsoe'er, thus much my thoughts have scann'd, She had come by water, had she come by land."

CURIOUS NAMES ADOPTED IN THE CIVIL WARS.--A curious style of naming individuals was exceedingly common in the time of the civil wars. It was said that the genealogy of our Saviour might be learned from the names in Cromwell's regiments. The muster-master used no other list than the first chapter of Matthew.

A Jury was returned in the county of Suss.e.x of the following names:

_Accepted_ Trevor, of Horsham.

_Redeemed_ Compton, of Battle.

_Faint-not_ Hewet, of Heathfield.

_Make-peace_ Heaton, of Hare.

_G.o.d-reward_ Smart, of Fivehurst.

_Stand-fast-on-high_ Stringer, of Crowhurst.

_Earth_ Adams, of Warbleton.

_Called_ Lower, of Warbleton.

_Kill-sin_ Pimple, of Witham.

_Return_ Spelman, of Watling.

_Be-faithful_ Joiner, of Britling.

_Fly-debate_ Robert, of Britling.

_Fight-the-good-fight-of-faith_ White, of Emer.

_More-fruit_ Fowler, of East Hadley.

_Hope-for_ Bending, of East Hadley.

_Graceful_ Harding, of Lewes.