ORIGINAL WRITERS AND STATE-PAPERS. WITH A LIFE OF THE AUTHOR, A GENERAL INDEX, &c. IN FIVE VOLUMES. PRINTED FOR F. C. AND J. RIVINGTON; T. PAYNE; WILKIE AND THE LIFE OF CHARLES II. KING OF GREAT BRITAIN. CHARLES Stuart, the second of that name, King of Great Britain, son of Charles the First, and Henrietta Maria of France, was born on the twenty-ninth of May, one thousand six hundred and thirty. Some particulars attending his birth, and baptism, will be found below '. 'Some particulars relating to his birth and baptism.] The queen had a son, named Charles, the preceding year, who died very soon after his birth. "This year,” says Perincheif, "Heaven was liberal to his majesty, in giving him a son to inherit his dominions; which was so great a matter of rejoicing to the people of uncorrupted minds, that Heaven seemed also concerned in the exultation, kindling another fire more than ordinary, making a star to be seen the same day at noon (from which most men presaged, that that prince should be of high undertakings, and of no common We know little more of his education, glory among kings: which hath been since confirmed by the miraculous preservation of him; and Heaven seemed to conduct him to the throne). For this great blessing, the king gave public thanks to the author of it, Almighty God, at St. Paul's church; and God was pleased, in return to those thanks, with a numerous issue afterwards to increase this happiness." It is possible, however, his numerous issue might not be a matter of very high consolation to his majesty in his solitude and sufferings!The appearance of the star above-mentioned was expressed beaming from the center of a small birth-piece struck on this occasion, and still to be seen in the cabinets of the curious. This star is taken notice of by Waller, and made matter of compliment to the prince whose birth it attended: His thoughts rise higher, when he does réflect If we may credit lord Baltimore, the birth of young Charles was received with all expressions of joy in Spain. In a letter to lord Wentworth, dated Castleyard, Aug. 12, 1630, he thus expresses himself: "My lord ambassador-will tell you perhaps with what joy the news of our prince's birth was received in the court of Spain; the king, queen, and all the court in bravery; not so much as the young infant of so many months old but had his feather on his cap, all the town full of masks and music: and not only the temporal Life of K. Charles, prefixed to his Works, p. 8. fol. Lond. 1687. |