Among the first of this faction to pay court to the Prince was the polished St. John, Viscount Bolingbroke, a Secretary of State of Queen Anne, and one who, with the Duke of Ormond and the Earl of Oxford, had been impeached at the accession of George the First at the instigation of Sir Robert Walpole for a supposed plot to place Prince James Stuart on the throne. He had fled the country, some say unwisely, at the time, and had remained abroad for nine years. His pardon had been arranged by his devoted French wife Madame de Vilette, whom he had married whilst in exile, and who came to England and secured the services of that rapacious mistress of George the First, Schulemburg--who had been created Duchess of Kendal--at the price of £12,000. Though pardoned, his attainder remained in force, his title was still withheld, and he was precluded from inheriting estates and excluded from the House of Lords. Though deprived of any outward power, yet this brilliant statesman simply ruled the Tory party and moved its principals like so many puppets. It was this talented politician who offered his services to the Prince of Wales, and their first meeting took place at the house of a gentleman acquainted with both. It is said that Bolingbroke came first, and amused himself by reading a book until the Prince’s arrival. This took place somewhat unexpectedly, and before Bolingbroke could replace his book, in the hurry to kneel to the Prince it fell to the floor, and Bolingbroke was within an ace of following it as he slipped in making his obeisance. What followed gives an insight into the amiability and undoubted charm of the Prince’s nature and his excellent tact. He caught Bolingbroke as he fell, and restoring him to his feet said: “My lord, I trust this may be an omen of my succeeding in raising your fortunes.” It is said that the Prince inherited his charm of manner from his mother; doubtless he was like her in this respect, and did receive from her this gift. That he did not receive it from his father is certain, as George the Second was uncouthness itself, and was commonly called the “Gruff Gentleman.” From the day of the meeting of the Prince and Bolingbroke their acquaintance grew, until the statesman became the Prince’s guiding spirit, not always urging him, as may be imagined, under the circumstances, on the road of duty to his parents and his parents’ wishes. There is no doubt that through the Prince Bolingbroke paid back many a wrong and slight received in the years past from Walpole and the Whigs. Of this influence of Bolingbroke--“the all-accomplished St. John, the Muses friend,” as he was styled by the principal poets of the time--upon the young Prince, Coxe makes the following comment: