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Scott, Walter, Sir, 1771-1832

"Waverley"


'There were several instances of good nature and humanity that had made a
great impression on people's minds. I shall confine myself to two or
three.
'Immediately after the battle, as the Prince was riding along the ground
that Cope's army had occupied a few minutes before, one of the officers
came up to congratulate him, and said, pointing to the killed, "Sir,
there are your enemies at your feet." The Prince, far from exulting,
expressed a great deal of compassion for his father's deluded subjects,
whom he declared he was heartily sorry to see in that posture.
'Next day, while the Prince was at Pinkie House, a citizen of Edinburgh
came to make some representation to Secretary Murray about the tents that
city was ordered to furnish against a certain day. Murray happened to be
out of the way, which the Prince hearing of called to have the gentleman
brought to him, saying, he would rather despatch the business, whatever
it was, himself than have the gentleman wait, which he did, by granting
everything that was asked. So much affability in a young prince flushed
with victory drew encomiums even from his enemies.
'But what gave the people the highest idea of him was the negative he
gave to a thing that very nearly concerned his interest, and upon which
the success of his enterprise perhaps depended.


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