Page:The Queens of England.djvu/564

512 THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND. count of her mental qualifications than for her personal at- tractions. She was found to be remarkably amiable and cour- teous. At the age of eighteen, Queen Charlotte has been described as small in stature, having auburn hair, light blue eyes, express- ive of sweetness, a nose a little flattened and retrousse, rather a large mouth, and fine teeth. Although it could not be said she had a fine countenance, the expression of her features was most agreeable. • The coronation took place on the 22nd of September, 1761. The dower assigned to Queen Charlotte was the same as that bestowed upon her predecessor, Queen Caroline, being £ 100,000 per annum, with Richmond Old Park and Somerset House. This last was afterward converted into public offices, and in lieu thereof the queen was presented with Buckingham House, by the king, who purchased it of Sir Charles Herbert Sheffield for the sum of £21,000. The queen applied herself with great assiduity to the study of the English language, in which pleasing occupation she passed many hours, assisted by the king, who read with her from the best English authors, in order to perfect her in the language. Queen Charlotte was prudent, well-informed, and very char- itable. She loved domestic pleasures, nor did the splendor of a court at any period alienate her from them ; and we really pardon her, when we learn, as it is said, that "she was fonder of diamonds than the Queen of France, and of snuff than the King of Prussia." She had nine sons and six daughters ; two of them only died in infancy. One of the most admirable points in Queen Charlotte's character was her personal devotion to the education of her young family. A lady of high rank having one day said to her, "My children must be doing well, for they have plenty of servants to attend to them," the queen ex- claimed, "What, do you leave them entirely to attendants? I dare not do so ; for it is impossible that servants however good can have the feelings of a parent !" The lady attempted an ex- cuse, but the queen interrupted her by saying, "There can be no apology for the neglect of our first duties : it is enough that you are a mother and converse with one ; and I should be sorry to suppose you indifferent where your sensibilities ought to be most acute." The death of his beloved daughter, the Princess Amelia, in 1810, so deeply affected the king, that from that time he be-