I once overheard him--it was Captain Spitfire, R.N., (who had been refused a ship by the Whigs, by the way)--indulging in the following conversation with Mr.Minns after dinner.
Why wasn't the Princess Scragamoffsky at Lady Palmerston's party, Minns?
Because SHE CAN'T SHOW--why can't she show?
Shall I tell you, Minns, why she can't show?
The Princess Scragainoffsky's back is flayed alive, Minns--I tell you it's raw, sir! On Tuesday last, at twelve o'clock, three drummers of the Preobajinski Regiment arrived at Ashburnham House, and at half-past twelve, in the yellow drawing-room at the Russian Embassy, before the ambassadress and four ladies'-maids, the Greek Papa, and the Secretary of Embassy, Madame de Scragamoffsky received thirteen dozen.

She was knouted, sir, knouted in the midst of England--in Berkeley Square, for having said that the Grand Duchess Olga's hair was red.

And now, sir, will you tell me Lord Palmerston ought to continue Minister ?' Minns: 'Good Ged!' Minns follows Spitfire about, and thinks him the greatest and wisest of human beings..