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Curious Address to the Late Queen Charlotte

"The Address of the Burgomaster, Magistrates, and Citizens of Strelitz, to her Royal Highness the Most Illustrious Princess Sophia Charlotte, Duchess of Mecklenburgh, Princess of Wenden, Schrouin, and Piotzburgh, and Countess of Schwerin, and the countries of Rostock and Slan- Way gard, on her leaving the Territories of the said City in her Way to England, as the Royal Bride of his Most Illustrious Majesty George the Third, King of Great Britain, &c. &c. Aug. 27, 1761. "Illustrious Dutchess, most gracious Princess and Lady; your Royal Highness is at present leaving that country whose happiness it has hitherto 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 The instant is at hand when your Royal Highness will for ever be withdrawn from our eyes: but it affects us the more sensibly, from the apprehension that the many great and brilliant objects, with which you will henceforth be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 assures us, that you will ever from the throne condescend graciously to look back on our town; and 5 E continue the patroness of those whose happiness it is to be the subjects of your illustrious 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 illustrious Mecklenburg! May our illustrious 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 plea sant 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 shore!

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 lustre 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 God! 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. !