OF

The Queen of Portugal was attacked early in life by a species of melancholy, which produced an occasional deprivation of her senses; and, about twelve years since, this malady encreased to such an alarming degree, that it was judged necessary to take the reins of government from her immediate guidance, and entrust them to the hands of her son. His Royal Highness was declared upon this occasion Prince Regent, and Portugal has never been more flourishing and happy thau under his dominion. His Royal Highness has been married many years to Charlotte Joaquina, Infanta of Spain, and has issue by her, a son, born October 26th, 1802, and a daughter, born February 2d, 1804. The incapacity of the Queen of Portugal is said to have had its origin in a species of religious melancholy; indeed such is the excess of bigotry and superstition which has always prevailed in this Court, that this kind of insanity is more prevalent

Some years since, when her Majesty's distemper was at the height, the Court of Lisbon sent over to England for a physician of eminent practice in this country. The gentleman who was sent for attended the summons; but we fear that his skill was of no avail. Her Majesty seemed better for a time, but soon relapsed into a more alarming state than ever,—a state, it is said, of alternate idiotry, and an acute and agonising melancholy.

Portugal is almost the only country of Europe that has been exempt from the spreading mischief of the French Revolution; she is likewise the only state, who has remained steadfast in her friendship and alliance with Great Britain. How long she will be permitted to remain so, now that the power of France and the ambition of its ruler have no check from any Continental states, and now that the avowed principle of Napoleon is to drive the commerce of England from every port of Europe, is a subject of general apprehension.-Such is the political situation of Portugal that she can but submit to the rigour of a harsh necessity.