The minuter details of George IV’s life are not of a kind either to interest or edify young people, but here is an anecdote of his boyhood that will be certain of securing your sympathies.

The manners and appearance of George III and his family were entirely simple and unostentatious, and the early youth of the young princes and princesses was but very slightly different from that of other young people of rank throughout the kingdom. It was the frequent habit of the king to wander about the neighborhood of Windsor, altogether unattended, and accompanied only by the young Prince of Wales, who was his almost inseparable companion.

One morning they were pursuing their walk in their usual manner, when they met a farm servant driving a covered cart towards Windsor; they had passed him[86] only by a few paces, when a sudden stoppage of the vehicle, and the outcries of the driver, caused them to look around, and they then perceived that the cart had got fast into a rut of the road, and the man was vainly urging his horses to drag it out.

The prince sprang back, and with little thought of ceremony, began applying his strength to the wheel, his majesty watching his efforts for a moment in silence, but instantly after stepping forward himself in the same service. Encouraged by this unlooked for help, the carter flogged and bawled to his horses, while the royal shoulders heaved as heartily at the wheel; and Hercules—moved no doubt by their ship-shape mode of invoking his aid—gave them strength enough to accomplish what they desired: the vehicle was extricated, and the driver, grateful to his friends, swore roundly that they must take a draught of ale with him, offering at the same time a seat in front of his cart to the next public house.

This civil offer was not accepted; the King and Pr............