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.
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