as
very important, the Prince could never be brought into it: it was below
him, he said, to make empty threats, and he would never put such as
those into execution; he would never in cold blood take away lives which
he had saved in heat of action, at the peril of his own. These were not
the only proofs of good nature the Prince gave about this time. Every
day produced something new of this kind. These things softened the
rigour of a military government, which was only imputed to the necessity
of his affairs, and which he endeavoured to make as gentle and easy as
possible.'

It has been said, that the Prince sometimes exacted more state and
ceremonial than seemed to suit his condition; but, on the other hand
some strictness of etiquette was altogether indispensable where he must
otherwise have been exposed to general intrusion. He could also endure,
with a good grace, the retorts which his affectation of ceremony
sometimes exposed him to. It is said, for example, that Grant of
Glenmoriston having made a hasty march to join Charles, at the head
of his clan, rushed into the Prince's presence at Holyrood with
unceremonious haste, without having attended to the duties of the
toilet. The Prince received him kindly, but not without a hint that
a previous interview with the barber might not have been wholly
unnecessary. 'It is not beardless boys,' answered the displeased Chief,
'who are to do your Royal Highness's turn.' The Chevalier took the
rebuke in good part.

On the whole, if Prince Charles had concluded his life soon after his
miraculous escape, his character in history must have stood very high.
As it was, his station is amongst those, a certain brilliant portion of
whose life forms a remarkable contrast to all which precedes, and all
which follows it.

NOTE 32.--THE SKIRMISH AT CLIFTON

The following account of the skirmish at Clifton is extracted from
the manuscript Memoirs of Evan Macpherson of Cluny, chief of the clan
Macpherson who had the merit of supporting the principal brunt of that
spirited affair. The Memoirs appear to have been composed about 1755,
only ten years after the action had taken place. They were written in
France, where that gallant Chief resided in exile, which accounts for
some Gallicisms which occur in the narrative.

'In the Prince's return from Derby back towards Scotland, my Lord George
Murray, Lieutenant-General, cheerfully charg'd himself with the command
of the rear; a post, whic