also to equip a fleet
for the service of France, and to cede Dutch Brabant, Zealand, and other
territories to this insatiable empire. Yet, after all, Napoleon was not
satisfied with his brother's rule. French troops approached the capital
of Holland, and Louis abdicated in favour of his eldest son, and sought
refuge in Austria. Immediately after Napoleon proclaimed the union of
Holland with France, and the people of that country were compelled to
submit to his lordly will. By the union of the two countries the empire
of France numbered 130 departments, and a population of 42,000,000,
and Napoleon ruled this vast empire with absolute power. All Europe, in
fact, submitted to his yoke in silence: England alone continued the war
both by sea and land. But Russia was beginning to wake as from a dream,
and to arise "against the world-empire, which approached nearer and
nearer to her frontier." The day of retribution was fast approaching, a
day when God and man united to punish this haughty ruler of France and
his people, for all the desolations they had commited over the fair face
of creation. As they had done unto others, so it happened unto them.

{GEORGE III. 1809--1812}

ILLNESS OF HIS MAJESTY--OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, ETC.

By the non-attendance of his majesty at the opening and closing of the
session of parliament for some time, it had been suspected that he was
suffering under his old distressing malady. This was found to be too
true. His illness has been referred to several proximate causes, both of
a public and private nature. The cause, however, most commonly assigned
for his affliction was the illness and death of his favourite daughter,
the Princess Amelia. As her end drew near, she placed a mourning-ring,
with the inscription, "Remember me," on the finger of her doating
parent, and it is said that he never recovered the shock thus given to
his feelings. His mental distress became immediately great, and in a few
days the royal family were alarmed by symptoms of that fearful malady
which ever afterwards afflicted him. This was on the 20th or 21st of
August; and on the 25th, the anniversary of the king's accession to the
throne, it was publicly announced that his majesty was labouring under
his old complaint. Parliament stood prorogued till the 1st of November,
on which day both houses assembled. As the king, however, was not
present, and as no communication could be sent, there was no power
either to prorogue