The Princess did not deny that the seclusion of her son had its drawbacks. "She was highly sensible how necessary it was that the Prince should keep company with men: she well knew that women could not inform him, but if it was in her power absolutely, to whom could she entrust him? What company could she wish him to keep? What friendships desire he should contract? Such was the universal profligacy, such the character and conduct of the young people of distinction, that she was really afraid to have them near her children." However, the Princess Dowager made little or no effort to provide suitable companions for George, and the only youth with whom he was allowed to have even a restricted intercourse was his brother, Edward. [Illustration: _From a painting by H. Kysing_ GEORGE, PRINCE OF WALES] Frederick, Prince of Wales, had not set his wife a good example by showing much interest in his son, though when he was on his deathbed he sent for the child. "Come, George," he said, "let us be good friends while we may." Occasionally, however, he had gone with him to a concert at the Foundling Hospital, or to see various processes of manufactures; and now and then had taken him for a walk in the city at night--which latter proceeding gave rise to a lampoon when in 1749 the little boy was installed a Knight of the Garter,--the Earl of Inchiquin appearing as his proxy. "Now Frederick's a knight and George is a knight, With stalls in Windsor Chapel, We'll hope they'll prowl no more by night, To look at garters black and white, On legs of female rabble."