On one occasion, however, his devotion to Gothic had placed him in an unpleasant situation.

The Government offices in Whitehall were to be rebuilt; Mr.
Scott competed, and his designs were successful.

Naturally, they were in the Gothic style, combining "a certain squareness and horizontality of outline" with pillar-mullions, gables, high-pitched roofs, and dormers; and the drawings, as Mr.Scott himself observed, "were, perhaps, the best ever sent in to a competition, or nearly so." After the usual difficulties and delays the work was at last to be put in hand, when there was a change of Government and Lord Palmerston became Prime Minister.

Lord Palmerston at once sent for Mr.Scott.

"Well, Mr.Scott," he said, in his jaunty way, "I can't have anything to do with this Gothic style.