Palace; but the father passed without vouchsafing by word or sign that he was aware of his son's presence, although the accouchement of the Princess of Wales had only taken place the day before, and Prince George was then lying ill with small-pox. Not long after, the Prince formally declared a new opposition, aud "began it pretty handsomely," says Horace Walpole, "with 143 to 184, which has frightened the Ministry like a bomb." The children learned from their father to set themselves against the King. Baron von Steinberg was sent once by the royal grandfather to examine the progress in learning made by his grandchildren. The second boy, Prince Edward, was well up in Latin, but the Baron told him he would please the King more if he gained greater proficiency in German. "German !" said Edward, contemptuously; "any dull boy can learn that." Notwithstanding the breach that was again reopened between the father and son, the Order of the Garter was conferred on Prince George in 1749. Frederick carried the boy to the door of the King's closet, where the Duke of Dorset received him and led him to his grandfather. Prince George commenced a speech which had been taught him by his tutor Ayscough; but at the first words his father stopped him with a peremptory "No, no!" Perplexed by the interruption, the Prince hesitated, paused, and began a second time, only to be again silenced, and this time effectually.
The estrangement between the King and Prince lasted till the latter's death. This event took place, somewhat unexpectedly, on the 20th of March, 1751. He had for years suffered from a permanent weakness of one lung, brought on by the neglect of an injury caused by the blow of a