"Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast"; but among the other
idiosyncrasies laid to his charge, it was said that rather than soothe,
it irritated him.
Mrs. Hamilton's testimony is that Mr. Druce (assuming him to have been
identical with the Duke) was extremely fond of music, and that she had
played to him for hours at a time.
"Sing me the old songs, Stuart" Druce would say to her father, who not
only sang, but played the violin.
Moreover the workmen at Welbeck were allowed to have a band which
performed at the Abbey on Christmas-eve and the bandsmen were given
refreshments.
What a quaint figure the Duke's was. When away from home he wore a wig,
but not indoors, his tall hat had a broad brim, he wore a white tie and
high collar, his trousers tied round his legs, were of check, with a
frock coat and dark waistcoat.
His habits were fastidious, and he would not handle bronze or silver
coins before they had been washed. Then he forbade persons to touch
their hats to him if they met him.
His manner of dispensing benefactions was characteristic.
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