The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 202: what you’re looking at

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

ST. JAMES’S PALACE 177 reason he was considered in the highest circles to be one of the cleverest men in all England. Indeed, a professor of a hundred different languages, half a dozen sciences, and as many arts would not have obtained half the repute for talent and learning that was enjoyed by this wretched humdrum on the strength of the most trumpery, worthless, and debasing kind of knowledge to which a man could possibly degrade his intellect. This great personage it was who received Lady Florimel and Miss Florence Eaton as they alighted from their carriage at St. James’s Palace, and he forthwith conducted them to a magnificent saloon belonging to the suite of apartments occupied by the Princess Sophia. On introducing the ladies into the presence of the princess, Sir Robert Conway with- drew, and her Royal Highness received her visitants with the kindest cordiality. Luncheon was immediately served, and when it was over the princess said, ‘‘ Now, my dear Lady Florimel, I will summon Sir Robert Conway to escort you and your sweet niece to the State Apartments, but as I myself am somewhat indisposed, I hope you will excuse me from accompanying you.” The master of the household was accordingly sent for, and he speedily made his appearance, all bowings and scrap- ings, smiles and willingness, to conduct the ladies whither- soever they chose. Accordingly, Lady Florimel and Florence accompanied him to the State Apartments, which we shall not pause to describe; much less shall we linger to chronicle one single word of all the encomia which Sir Robert Conway lavished upon every feature of those rooms. Suffice it to say that Florence, in the artless simplicity of her character and with that natural good taste which had been fostered by her aunt, was much disappointed at finding far more of gingerbread tinsel than of sterling decorations, and much more gilding and gaudiness than works of art and master- pieces of the limner’s pencil. _ Having finished the inspection of the State Apartments, Sir Robert Conway, who had already received his cue from the Princess Sophia, proposed to introduce the ladies to an apartment well known as the King’s Closet. This room was the one where the British sovereigns were wont to transact private business on the occasion of levees, drawing- rooms, etc., held at St. James’s Palace, and in that apart- connicloooks (C(O)