200 
on the 10th of June, instead of in July, no one but Italian ladies 
being present, the English and Protestants being away or at 
church, the birth was said to have occurred. 
Outside it was quickly perceived that the time did not agree 
with the first announcement, and the child was at once set down 
as false. The pamphleteers had their chance, and many and 
curious are the issues. 
On the announcement of the birth some addresses of course 
came up. Very few they were, but of them, two of the four from 
Somerset are from Bath. 
The humble Gratulatory Address of several Members of the 
Corporation and other Freemen and Inhabitants stated that—no 
sooner did the happy news reach their ears than they returned 
praises to the Almighty for so great a blessing; a gift which the 
whole nation ought to esteem as the reward of Heaven, as 
especially following the declaration for liberty of conscience. 
They promised, upon their allegiance, to choose none to serve in 
Parliament when one should be called, but such as should give 
a full assurance of support, and they prayed for a long and 
prosperous reign, and a numerous offspring to perpetuate the 
royal name and even bafile mortality itself. 
The hearty congratulations of the Mayor, Aldermen and 
Common Council told their Dread Sovereign that they thought 
it a duty to congratulate him, and feeling it unjust to be silent 
they had offered up thanks to the great Jehovah for so great a 
blessing ; that they would be ever assisting his Majesty in his 
pious intentions whenever he should require it of them, and that 
they implored the Almighty to send more such pledges by his 
royal Consort. 
It was in record of the birth of this P.P. that the Earl of 
Melfort erected, as is well known, a memorial cross in the Cross 
Bath, to commemorate, as the inscription told, the great power 
of the spring which had given an heir to three kingdoms; a fit 
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