Lives of the last four princesses of the royal house of Stuart

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CHAPTER VII.
It was in vain for the Princess to hope for quiet. The
friends of her son, were vehement that he should come
into the assembly of the States-general, and formally take
leave of them, previous to his departure for Leyden, and
make and receive professions of affection. The State of
Holland, alone, objected to this proposal, which was scorn-
fully negatived with the remark : " The Prince has neither
character nor quality sufficient to warrant his presenting
himself, in so prominent a position." They might have
said he was too young to come publicly forward, but
Holland was always bitter and discourteous.
The Princess was persuaded that her son was gifted with
superior talents, which would be properly estimated and
brought to perfection at Leyden.* The magistrates of
that town and the heads of the university entered fully
into her sentiments, and offered every facility for his
entrance into that famous seat of learning. They
presented him with a fine mansion, handsomely furnished,
for his residence with his governor.!
Previous to their departure from the Hague, the
Princess, without regarding the uncivil negation of
Holland, announced the desire of explaining the ap-
j>roaching departure of the Prince to Leyden, to pursue his
* . Samson's ' William III.,' vol. I pp. 352, 353. f Ibid.