“The courtiers talk much of a reconciliation. If there is any design to compass that, surely it was as ill-judged as everything else to publish such a character of the King’s son all over England.”[58] * * * * * From a wall of an alcove in the Prince of Wales’s garden at Cliefden, Bucks. “Say, Frederick, fixed in a retreat like this, Can ought be wanting to complete thy bliss? Here, where the charms of Art with Nature join Each social, each domestic bliss is thine. Despising here the borrowed blaze of state Thou shin’st in thy own virtues truly great, By them exalted, with contempt look down On all earth’s pomps, except Britannia’s crown.” M.L. Nov. 2nd, 1749. FOOTNOTES: [58] She alludes to the correspondence printed and published by Walpole, after the Prince’s expulsion from England. CHAPTER XXIII. A HUSBAND AND A LOVER. It has been said that Frederick possessed artistic tastes and loved to gather round him men of talent and wit. He was also devoted to music, and gave frequent private concerts at Leicester House in which he himself took part. One of Frederick’s favourites, a man devoted to music like himself, was Horace Walpole’s brother, Edward--afterwards Sir Edward--who frequently performed with him at these concerts. The Prince, however, made the mistake of introducing politics at these meetings, and on one occasion while walking about the room with his arm round Edward Walpole’s shoulder, he endeavoured to persuade him to keep from the House of Commons when a certain Army Bill was under discussion, this being a measure the Prince’s party wished to defeat. Walpole, however, declined to give the required promise, and when the Prince pressed him for his motive answered:-- “You will forgive me, sir, if I give you my reasons?” “I will,” replied the Prince with an oath, according to the prevailing fashion. “Sir, you will not,” replied Walpole with another oath, “yet I will tell you. I will not stay away because your father and mine are for the question.” This was just the answer the Prince might have expected from a son of the man who, perhaps, was one of his greatest enemies. Nevertheless, he flung away from Walpole, while one of the Princesses who was at the harpsichord cried out: “Bravo, Mr. Walpole.” This made matters worse, and the Prince was thoroughly incensed. Nevertheless, Mr. Edward Walpole duly appeared at the next concert with his violoncello, but the Prince had not apparently forgiven him. At any rate, no doubt, by way of a joke, he affected to regard him as one of the hired musicians at the concert.