The Prince is a sprightly, agreeable man, something in person like _Lord Barrington_; and the _Duke_ of _Bourbon_ so like his father, that it was difficult to know the son from the father.
The _Duchess_ of _Bourbon_ is young, handsome, and a most accomplished lady.
During the supper, a good band of music played; but it was all wind instruments. Mr. _Lejeune_, the first bassoon, is a most capital performer indeed.
After the dessert had been served up about ten minutes, the Princess of _Monaco_ rose from the table, as did all the company, and suddenly turning from it, each lady and gentleman's servant held them a water glass, which they used with great delicacy, and then retired.
The Princess of _Monaco_ is separated from the Prince her husband; yet she has beauty enough for any Prince in Europe, and brought fortune enough for two or three.
The Duchess of _Bourbon_ had rather a low head-dress, and without any feather, or, that I could perceive, _rouge_; the Princess of _Monaco's_ head-dress was equally plain; the two other ladies, whose rank I do not recollect, wore black caps, and hats high dressed. There were eight persons sat down to table, and I think, about twenty-five servants, in and out of livery, attended.
The next day, we were admitted to see the Prince's cabinet of natural and artificial curiosities; and as I intimated my design of publishing some account of my journey, the Prince was pleased to allow me as much time as I chose, to examine his very large and valuable collection; among which is a case of gold medallions,(72) of the Kings of France, in succession, a great variety of birds and beasts, ores, minerals, petrifactions, gems, cameos, &c. There is also a curious cabinet, lately presented to the Prince by the King of Denmark; and near it stood a most striking representation, in wax, of a present said to be _served up_ to a late unfortunate Queen; it is the head and right hand of _Count Struensee_, as they were taken off after the execution; the head and hand lie upon a silver dish, with the blood and blood vessels too, well executed; never surely was any thing so _sadly_, yet so finely done. I defy the nicest eye, however near, to distinguish it (suppose the head laid upon a pillow in a bed) from nature; nor must Mrs. _Wright_, or any of the workers in wax I have ever yet seen, pretend to a tythe of the perfection in that art, with the man who made this head.--Sad as the subject is, I could not withstand the temptation of asking permission to take a copy of it; and fortunately, I found the man who made it was then at _Paris_,--nor has he executed his work for me less perfect than that he made for the Prince.--I have been thus particular in mentioning this piece of art, because, of the kind, I will venture to say, it is not only _deadly_ fine, but one of the most perfect deceptions ever seen.