_Second C.V._ Shouldn't wonder--lot o' work in that, all those different colours, and so many dresses. [_Admires, thoughtfully._ _A Well-read Woman_. That's Queen CHARLOTTE, that is. GEORGE THE THIRD's wife, you know--her that was so _domestic_. _Her Companion_. Wasn't that the one that was shut up in the Tower, or something? _The W.W._ In the Tower? Lor, my dear, no, _I_ never 'eard of it. You're thinking of the TUDORS, or some o' that lot, I expect! _Her Comp._ Am I? I daresay. I never _could_ remember 'Istry. Why, if you'll believe me, I always have to stop and think which of the GEORGES came first! _More Critical Visitors_ (_before Portraits_). He's rather pleasant-looking, don't you think? I _don't_ like _her_ face at all. So peculiar. And what a hideous dress--like a tea-gown without any upper part--frightful! _A Sceptical V._ They all seem to have had such thin lips in those days. Somehow, I _can't_ bring myself to believe in such very thin lips--can _you_, dear? _Her Friend_. I always think it's a sign of meanness, myself. _The S.V._ No; but I mean--I can't believe _everyone_ had them in the eighteenth century. _Her Friend_. Oh, I don't know. If it was the fashion! ABOUT THE CASES. _Visitor_ (_admiring an embroidered waistcoat of the time of GEORGE THE SECOND--a highly popular exhibit_). What lovely work! Why, it looks as if it was done yesterday! _Her Companion_ (_who is not in the habit of allowing his enthusiasm to run away with him_). Um--yes, it's not bad. But, of course, they wouldn't send a thing like that here without having it washed and done up first! _An Old Lady_. "Tea-pot used by the Duke of WELLINGTON during his campaigns." So he drank _tea_, did he? Dear me! Do you know, my dear, I think I must have _my_ old tea-pot engraved. It will make it so much more interesting some day! IN THE SOUTH GALLERY. _Mr. Prattler_ (_before a Portrait of Lady HAMILTON, by ROMNEY_). There! Isn't she too charming? I do call her a perfect _duck_.' _Miss Ammerson_. Yes, you mustn't forget her when you bring those biscuits. _An Amurrcan Girl_. Father, see up there; there's BYRON. Did you erver see such a purrfectly beautiful face? _Her Father_ (_solemnly_). He was a beautiful _Man_--a beautiful Poet. _The A.G._ I know--but the _expression_, it's real saint-like! _Father_ (_slowly_). Well, I guess if he'd had any different kind of expression, he wouldn't have written the things he _did_ write, and that's a fact! _A Moralising Old Lady_ (_at Case O_). No. 1260. "Ball of Worsted wound by WILLIAM COWPER, the poet, for Mrs. UNWIN." NO. 1261. "Netting done by WILLIAM COWPER, the poet." How very nice, and what a difference in the habit of literary persons _nowadays_, my dear! IN THE CENTRAL HALL.--_MR. WHITEROSE, A JACOBITE FIN DE SIÈCLE, IS SEATED ON A BENCH BESIDE A SEEDY STRANGER._ _The S.S._ (_half to himself_). Har, well, there's one comfort, these 'ere GUELPHS'll get notice to quit afore we're _much_ older!