his son not to expect 'friendship and favours from people, while you
do all that is necessary to disgust them.' He 'could not in decency'
see Charles's envoy (August 4). On the following day Edgar wrote in
a more friendly style, for this excellent man was of an amazing
loyalty.


From James Edgar.

'August 5, 1750: Rome.

'Your Royal Highness does me the greatest pleasure in mentioning the
desire you have to have the King's head in an intaglio. There is
nobody can serve you as well in that respect as I, so I send you by
the bearers two, one on a stone like a ruby, but it is a fine
Granata, and H.M.'s hair and the first letters of his name are on the
inside of it. The other head is on an emerald, a big one, but not of
a fine colour; it is only set in lead, so you may either set it in a
ring, a seal, or a locket, as you please: they are both cut by
Costanzia, and very well done.'


These intagli would be interesting relics for collectors of such
flotsam and jetsam of a ruined dynasty. On August 25, Charles
answered Edgar. He is 'sorry that His Majesty is prevented against
the most dutiful of sons.' He sends thanks for the engraved stones
and the powers of Regency. This might well have been James's last
news of Charles, for he was on his way to London, a perilous
expedition. {101}