“. . . Nash or some of his crew waited upon Wellington the other day, stating the King’s pleasure to have a part of the new palace at Pimlico* pulled down and the plan altered; to which the Beau replied it was no business of his; they might pull down as much as they liked. But as this was not the answer that was wanted, he at last said:—‘If you expect me to put my hand to any additional expense, I’ll be damned if I will!’—Prinney is said to be furious about it . . . . Prinney said to the Duke of Leeds the other day:—‘Duke, you are one of the few people I can trust in times like these. Dine with me to-day at six.’ Which he did, and they both got so drunk as to be nearly speechless. . . . Mr. Bankes is to move tomorrow for a committee to enquire into the expense of public buildings, and the Government is to accede to the motion, which will of course bring Windsor and Pimlico palaces to view. Well may Prinney say as he does that ‘he sees distinctly we are going to have Charles 1st’s times again.’ . . . The Beau is rising most rapidly in the market as a practical man of business. All the deputations come away charmed with him. But woe be to them that are too late! He is punctual to a second himself, and waits for no man.”
