Another act passed, introduced to parliament by a speech from the throne, for the declared purpose of giving additional security to the independence of the judges. Although there was a law then in force, passed in the reign of William the Third, for continuing the commissions of judges during their good behaviour, they were legally determined on the death of the reigning sovereign. By this act, however, their continuance in office was made _independent_ of the royal demise. Twelve millions of money were raised by loans this year, and the interest thereon agreed to be paid by an additional duty of three shillings per barrel on all strong beer or ale,--the sinking fund being a collateral security. The imposition of this tax was received by the people as it deserved to be; for every labourer and mechanic severally felt himself insulted by so oppressive an act. The year 1762 was ushered in by the hoarse clarion of war. England declared against Spain, while France and Spain became opposed to Portugal, on account of her alliance with Great Britain. These hostilities, however, were not of long duration; for preliminaries of peace were signed, before the conclusion of the year, by the English and French plenipotentiaries at Fontainbleau. By this treaty, the original cause of the war was removed by the cession of Canada to England. This advantage, if _advantage_ it may be called, cost this country _eighteen millions of money_, besides the loss of _three hundred thousand men_! Every friend of humanity must shudder at so wanton a sacrifice of life, and so prodigious an expenditure of the public money! But this was only the commencement of the reign of imbecility and Germanism. On the 12th of August, her majesty was safely delivered of a prince. Court etiquette requires _numerous witnesses_ of the birth of an heir-apparent to the British throne. On this occasion, however, her majesty's _extraordinary delicacy_ dispensed with a strict adherence to the forms of state; for only the Archbishop of Canterbury was allowed to be in the room. But there were _more powerful_ reasons than _delicacy_ for this unusual privacy, which will hereafter appear. On the 18th of September following, the ceremony of christening the royal infant was performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, in the great council-chamber of his majesty's palace, and the young prince was named George, Augustus, Frederick.