The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 132: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

CHAPTER Ix THE REVIEW Tue Duke of Maxe-Stolburg-Quotha had signified to Christian through Count Wronki, who signified the same through the Chevalier Gumbinnen, who delivered the message through the Chevalier Kadger, that he might take a holiday on this grand occasion. Our hero accordingly resolved to see the review, and he bent his way toward Hyde Park for the purpose. It is not our intention to enter into descriptive details with regard to the spectacle. Suffice it to say that the large enclosure of the Park was occupied by the troops as well as by a large crowd of spectators. Immense numbers of car- riages thronged in the drive, some containing elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen, but most of them being empty, their owners preferring to enter the enclosure upon foot, in order to obtain a nearer view of the military proceedings. Prince Albert and several English generals, attended by “ a brilliant staff,’’ — to use the invariable newspaper phrase, — were present; but, as a matter of course, the reigning Duke of Maxe-Stolburg-Quotha was the lion of the occasion, and the public journals of the following day spoke of this illus- trious prince as being attended by “a splendid retinue of all the great dignitaries of his household.” It was, however, somewhat difficult to conceive by what possible means the reporters could have become so enamoured of Herr Hum- bogh’s plume, Baron Raggidbak’s pantaloons, or, in short, of any portion of the toilet of the ducal suite. But perhaps, like theatrical properties, it all looked very well at a distance; and we know that the gentlemen of the daily press do not choose to be hypercritical in any matter where royalty or royalty’s adherents are concerned. 115 GOmicodoo Ss (C(O)