None of his pleasures savour the least of a child. He is a particular lover of horses and what belongs to them; but is not fond of hunting; and when he goes to it, it is rather for the pleasure of galloping, than that which the dogs give him. He plays willingly enough at Tennis. . . . . but this always with persons elder than himself, as if he despised those of his own age. He studies two hours a day, and employs the rest of his time in tossing the pike, or leaping, or shooting with the bow, or throwing the bar, or vaulting, or some other exercise of that kind; and he is never idle. He shows himself likewise very good natured to his dependants, and supports their interests against any persons whatever; and he pushes what he undertakes for them or others with such zeal as gives success to it. For beside his exerting his whole strength to compass what he desires, he is already feared by those who have the management of affairs, and especially the Earl of Salisbury, who appears to be greatly apprehensive of the Prince's ascendant; as the Prince, on the other hand, shows little esteem for his Lordship.[70] Here we have a fair picture of this twelve-year-old boy who had already seen how to choose the good, and reject the evil. And everything we learn of him as he grew older only serves to confirm the French ambassador's estimate of his character. He was a fine, brave child, regardless of pain and danger; liking an old suit of Welsh freize, better than velvet and satin; obedient and dutiful to his parents, although he often disagreed with their opinions. And this was all the more creditable to him; for his mother openly showed her preference for his younger brother Charles; while his father was jealous and afraid of the noble-minded, truthful boy who would not countenance the scandals and evils of James's corrupt court. FOOTNOTES: [58] Now in the possession of Maurice Kingsley, Esq. [59] Life of Henry, Prince of Wales. By Dr. Thomas Birch. p. 11. [60] Birch. p. 16. [61] Birch. p. 20. The letter is in the Harleian MSS. in the British Museum. [62] Birch. p. 22. [63] Harleian MSS. [64] Edward Howe's Chronicle. p. 826. [65] A pun on _manger_ and _penser_, to eat and to think. [66] Green's Princesses. Vol. 5. p. 172. [67] Birch. p. 68. [68] Birch. p. 385. [69] Ambassades de la Boderie. Birch. p. 70. [70] Birch. p. 75. Ambassades de la Boderie. Vol. I, p. 400. CHAPTER IX. HENRY FREDERICK, PRINCE OF WALES (_continued_).