us a most interesting memoir of the young
prince. And from this we get charming details of his daily life, his
many illnesses, and his character.

When first he began to walk about and speak plain, he
fancied he must be of all trades; one day a carpenter,
another day a smith, and so on; which the queen observing
sent him a box of ivory tools, said to cost twenty-five
pounds, which he used till he learnt the names of them, and
also the terms of those mechanical arts.[111]

[Illustration: THE OLD DORMITORY AT WESTMINSTER SCHOOL.]

But from his infancy the little duke began to show his passion for
horses, drums, and anything to do with soldiers. In 1693, when he was
only four years old, he threw away childish toys, saying he was a man
and a soldier. And he had up from Kensington village a little company of
twenty-two boys, wearing paper caps and armed with wooden swords, who
enlisted themselves as his guard. The duke was enchanted; and appointed
a very pretty boy, Sir Thomas Lawrence's son, to be lieutenant. This
little army was his constant delight. In a short time the child gained a
real knowledge of military matters; and before long he began to use his
bodyguard to some purpose. In 1694, seeing how active he was, and that
"his stiff-bodied coats were very troublesome to him in his military
amusements," the Prince and Princess put him into breeches on Easter
Day.

His suit was a white camblet, with silver loops, and buttons
of silver thread. He wore stiff stays under his waistcoat,
which hurt him; whereupon, Mr. Hughes, his taylor, was sent
for; when he came the duke bade his boys (whom he stiled his
Horse Guards) put the taylor on the wooden horse, which
stood in the presence-room for the punishment of offenders,
as is usual in martial law: who presently were for hoisting
him on, if they had had strength enough.[112]

It must have been an absurd scene. The little duke, not five years old,
in his first pair of breeches, long waistcoat of white and silver, and
coat with wide skirts and handsome, deep-cuffed sleeves--the bodyguard
of small rogues setting on their victim--and the hapless tailor, who was
so genuinely alarmed at these violent proceedings, that good-natured
Jenkin had to beg him off.

A year or two later we find the duke going down to Kensington Palace,
where he ordered his boys--now two companies numbering ninety in all,
armed with wooden sword