"Genteel is my Damon, engaging his air, His face like the morn is both ruddy and fair, Soft love sits enthroned in the beam of his eyes, He's manly, yet tender, he's fond, and yet wise. "He's ever good-humour'd, he's generous and gay, His presence can always drive sorrow away, No vanity sways him, no folly is seen, But open his temper, and noble his mien. "By virtue illumin'd his actions appear, His passions are calm and his reason is clear, An affable sweetness attends on his speech, He's willing to learn, though he's able to teach. "He has promised to love me--his words I'll believe, For his heart is too honest to let him deceive; Then blame me, ye fair ones, if justly you can, Since the picture I've drawn is exactly the man." [237] _Life and Letters of Lady Sarah Lennox._ After her English lesson, the Queen devoted an hour or two to needlework, and then walked or rode with the King till dinner. In the evening, if there was no company she would sing to her own accompaniment on the spinet, and play cards with her ladies, while the King amused himself at backgammon, a game to which he was devoted. Nothing could be more genteel and more dull. "The recluse life led here at Richmond--which is carried to such an excess of privacy and economy, that the Queen's _friseur_ waits on them at dinner, and four pounds only of beef are allowed for their soup--disgusts all sorts of persons," Walpole wrote to Lord Hertford; but while this is probably an exaggeration, the statement is valuable as showing the spirit in which the Court was regarded. Occasionally, of course, there was a little mild gaiety, which usually took the form of an informal dance, for her Majesty was as fond of dancing as of cards, housekeeping and the theatre. "I prefer plays to all other amusements," declared the Queen, who "really looked almost concerned" to learn that Miss Burney had never seen Mrs. Pope, Miss Betterton, or Mr. Murray.[238] When she was at the Queen's House, she went to a theatre once a week, but was careful always to select the piece to be performed, which, as the choice was made presumably after hearing the plot, must have robbed her of much of her enjoyment. This precaution was taken after a visit to see "The Mysterious Husband," when George was so overcome that he turned to his consort, "Charlotte, don't look, it's too much to bear," and commanded it should not be repeated. He, too, was fond of the theatre, liking comedy better than tragedy, and while the Queen's favourites were John Quick and Mrs. Siddons, he preferred Quin and Elliston to all other actors. Both delighted in music, frequently attended the Opera, and gave concerts at St. James's, when the King's band played, when Stanley was organist, Crosdill 'cellist, and Miss Linley sang, until after her marriage, when her place was taken by Madame Bach (_neé_ Galli), and Miss Cantilo.