“But Bellenden we needs must praise Who as down the stairs she jumps; Sings over the hills and far away, Despising doleful dumps.” She did not escape the unwelcome attentions of the Prince of Wales to whom sprightly fresh young English girls were a novelty after the heavy Fraus of Hanover, though his wife Caroline was certainly an exception. It is stated by Coxe in his “Memoirs of Sir Robert Walpole” that he sent his abominable propositions to Mary Bellenden by Mrs. Howard, the before-mentioned “nucleus” of his harem who had accompanied him to England, and that the pure-minded Mary very properly snubbed both him and his messenger--who was nothing more than a procuress if she really carried the message--for their pains. Coxe then states that the Prince being rejected by Miss Bellenden fell in love with Mrs. Howard, but he could not, of course, have been aware that the liaison between the Prince and this lady began in Hanover. This seduction or attempted seduction of the maids of honour appears, as will be seen later, to have been quite a recognised pastime at Court, in which the Prince of Wales of the moment took an active part; but all honour be to sweet Mary Bellenden who preserved her good name, became Duchess of Argyle, and handed a pure record down to posterity. This young lady appears to have possessed a particular charm and fascination, both from her beauty and her sparkling wit and high spirits. Horace Walpole states that the palm was awarded “above all for universal admiration to Miss Bellenden. Her face and person were charming, lively she was even to _étourderie_, and so agreeable that she was never afterwards mentioned by her contemporaries but as the most perfect creature they had ever seen.” Gay, the poet, refers to _la belle Bellenden_ more than once. So well I’m known at Court None asks where Cupid dwells: But readily resort To Bellendens or Lepels. --Gay’s Ballad of “Damon and Cupid.” It has been said that this young lady was the subject of improper advances from the Prince of Wales, which were rejected. Snubbing, however, seemed to have but little effect on the Heir-Apparent; he pressed his attentions upon her in the following elegant and gentlemanly manner. Mary Bellenden, like many others who live in the atmosphere of Courts, suffered almost chronically from what is called “Living in Short Street”; she was always hard up. The refined George being well aware of this, in common, probably, with most of the household, took upon himself one evening to sit beside the beautiful Bellenden, and taking out his purse--one of those long silk net affairs, no doubt--commenced to count out his guineas as a gentle hint that he was prepared to settle Mary’s outstanding bills--which may have been particularly pressing at the time--a _quid pro quo_ being understood. [Illustration: MARY BELLENDEN, 4th Duchess of Argyll.