Page:History of the Kings & Queens of England and Scotland.pdf/20

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republic, were generally successful by land; the British, on the other hand, being victorious at sea, until peace was concluded at Amiens in 1802. After a rebellion had been suppressed, a legislative union took place between Great Britain and Ireland, which commenced January first, 1800. Before the peace, Napoleon Bonaparte had risen to eminence in France, and was now at the head of the government, by the title of first consul.

The peace was of very short continuance, as war broke out again in 1803. Bonaparte commenced the war with great vigour and soon succeeded in shutting out Britain from the continent, after having assumed the title of emperor. The naval triumphs of Britain were now consummated by the victory of Trafalgar, which was dearly won, as Lord Nelson lost his life. After being victorious over the Austrians at Austerlitz, and the Prussians at Jena, Napoleon had arrived at the highest pinnacle of power; but he was soon destined to meet with great reverses. In 1810 the king was attacked by that malady from which he formerly suffered; and the Prince of Wales was placed at the head of government, with the title of Prince Regent. It was under the regency that Napoleon, after suffering great reverses in Spain and Russia, was compelled to abdicate his throne, and after an attempt to regain it, was finally overcome by the allied army, commanded by the Duke of Wellington, at Waterloo. George III. died at Windsor on the twenty-ninth of January, 1820, in the eighty-second year of his age: his son, the Duke of Kent, died on the twenty-third of the same month.

Eminent men in this reign:—Duke of Bedford: Duke of Nor- folk; William Pitt; Charles Fox; Edmund Burke.