When noticing his various tastes and peculiarities, it will not do to omit all mention of his love of music, which was considerable. Though never what could be called a serious musician, he loved good music, and was never tired of listening to his favourite oratorios, operas, and songs. Up to quite a late period of his life he was a constant attendant at certain of the Musical Festivals, especially those at Birmingham and Leeds, and he never failed to be present on at least two days of the Handel Festivals at the Crystal Palace, making up the same party of congenial friends time after time. In very early days he played the cornet, at a period when it possessed a strange attraction as a solo instrument for the amateur in the drawing-room. He had a Hght and pretty tenor voice, and was fond of part-singing, being one of a small number of men who met in Henry- Leslie's rooms in Conduit Street to sing glees under the direction of the man who was from this small beginning to develop later on the famous Henry Leslie Choir, which did so much for choral music.
In 1892 Frederick Stephenson had been appointed Colonel of the Coldstream Guards, a post he considered conferred great honour on him. In his speech to the regiment on the occasion of their inspection at Chelsea Barracks in May 1896 he said: " With regard to my own position here among you, I may say truly that Her Majesty has conferred on me the highest honour that an old soldier can attain, and one especially dear to an old Guardsman."
In 1898 he was made Constable of the Tower of London. This he greatly appreciated. He made himself thoroughly acquainted wdth all the history and traditions of the place, and was in constant touch with all that went on within its walls, continuing his personal visits long after he had given up going anywhere else. He was known and loved by all, high and low, and when on the occasion of his death it transpired that his own expressed wish was that there should be no military honours paid to him, and no show or fuss made, great disappointment was felt by the warders of the Tower at being unable to take any part in the funeral ceremony.
Ultimately it was found impossible to dispense with all display; the King himself commanded all naval and military officers to wear full uniform on the occasion, so the perfectly simple and private service that would have been Sir Frederick's own choice was given up, and warders from the Tower and soldiers from different regiments were there to do honour to the man they loved.
It was a wonderful sight. The church was packed with scarlet coats, and on each side of the coffin, with the Union Jack for its pall, stood three warders of the
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Tower in their quaint full dress. Again by his own request " No flowers " had been inserted in the obituary notice, but it was no use; people would somehow express their feelings, and though not half of the wreaths that were sent could be used, a special choice was made, and all looked very bright and beautiful.
And on March 15, 191 1, his death having taken place on the loth, we stood by the grave of one of the bestloved men the world has ever seen.
Many letters and other expressions of aifection and respect were received on all hands, and in the Regimental Orders of the Scots Guards of March 11, 191 1, when his death was announced, are the words: " To the end his love and enthusiasm for and interest in all ranks of his old regiment were sustained, and no one ever had higher ideals or set a nobler example for all ranks to follow."
Some time before Sir Frederick's death Lord Wolseley had written of him: "A more devoted and gallant soldier, a more perfect gentleman or a better fellow, never breathed."
It is pleasant to realise that any jarring note that may have been struck between these two men was so completely brought into harmony before the end had come. In June 1909 Sir Frederick had written to Lady Wantage: —
" Thank you very much for letting me know the result of your visit to Lord Wolseley, as well as for telling me of the friendly remarks which he made on my behalf, which was very pleasant reading. He has run a very grand and remarkable career, raising himself without the help of any patronage, and exclusively by his own merits, from the humble position of subaltern to the high and honourable one of Commander-in-Chief. If he now suffers at all from the effects of highly strained energy and overwrought brain power, they are the sacrifice which he makes to his country for the discharge of his duty to it. What a pattern and encouragement the study of his life is to any aspirant for military fame."
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