Whatever forebodings may have been entertained by those behind the scenes, George III was at his succession very popular, and whenever he showed himself in public was heartily greeted by his loyal subjects. "The new reign dates with great propriety and decency, the civilest letter to Princess Emily; the greatest kindness to the Duke; the utmost respect to the dead body," Walpole wrote. "No changes to be made but those absolutely necessary, as the household, etc.--and, what some will think the most unnecessary, in the representative of power. There is great dignity and grace in the King's manner. I don't say this like my dear Madame de Sévigné, because he was civil to _me_, but the part is well acted. The young King has all the appearance of being amiable. There is great grace to temper much dignity and good nature which breaks out on all occasions." Nicholls expressed his opinion that the monarch was "of a good person, sober, temperate, of domestic habits, addicted to no vice, swayed by no passion";[105] while Mary Lepel, Lady Hervey, was outspoken in his favour. "Every one, I think, seems to be pleased with the whole behaviour of our young King; and indeed so much unaffected good nature and propriety appears in all he does or says, that it cannot but endear him to all; but whether anything can long endear a King or an angel in this strange factious country, I can't tell. I have the best opinion imaginable of him, not from anything he does or says just now, but because I have a moral certainty that he was in his nursery the honestest, true, good-natured child that ever lived, and you know my old maxim that qualities never change; what the child was, the man most certainly is, in spite of temporary appearances."[106] Whitehead, of course, salvoed his joy in rhyme. "And who is he, of regal mien, Reclined on Albion's golden fleece, Whose polished brow, and eye serene, Proclaim him elder-born of peace? Another George! ye winds convey Th' auspicious name from pole to pole: Thames, catch the sound and tell the subject sea Beneath whose sway its waters roll, The heavy monarch of the deep Who soothe's its murmurs with a father's care, Doth now eternal Sabbath keep, And leaves his trident to his blooming heir, O, if the Muse, aright divine, Fair Peace shall bless his opening reign, And through the splendid progress shine With every art to grace her train, The wreaths, so late by glory won, Shall weave their foliage round his throne, 'Till Kings abashed shall tremble to be foes, And Albion's dreaded strength secure the world's repose." [105] Nicholls: _Recollections and Reflections_. [106] _Letters of Mary Lepel, Lady Hervey._