The second King George, who was also of German birth, was much like
his father, though he had the advantage of being able to speak English
readily, but with a strong German accent. His tastes were far from
being refined and he bluntly declared, "I don't like Boetry, and I
don't like Bainting." His wife, Queen Caroline, was an able woman.
She possessed the happy art of ruling her husband without his
suspecting it, while she, on the other hand, was ruled by Sir Robert
Walpole, whom the King hated, but whom he had to keep as Prime
Minister (SS534, 538). George II was a good soldier, and decidedly
preferred war to peace; but Walpole saw clearly that the peace policy
was best for the nation, and he and the Queen managed to persuaded the
King not to draw the sword.