The side turned up to the public view, presented the spectacle of
a gentleman, possessed of considerable reputation as a speaker at
charitable meetings, and endowed with administrative abilities, which
he placed at the disposal of various Benevolent Societies, mostly of
the female sort. The side kept hidden from the general notice, exhibited
this same gentleman in the totally different character of a man of
pleasure, with a villa in the suburbs which was not taken in his own
name, and with a lady in the villa, who was not taken in his own name,
either.
My investigations in the villa have shown me several fine pictures
and statues; furniture tastefully selected, and admirably made; and a
conservatory of the rarest flowers, the match of which it would not be
easy to find in all London. My investigation of the lady has resulted in
the discovery of jewels which are worthy to take rank with the flowers,
and of carriages and horses which have (deservedly) produced a sensation
in the Park, among persons well qualified to judge of the build of the
one, and the breed of the others.
All this is, so far, common enough. The villa and the lady are
such familiar objects in London life, that I ought to apologise for
introducing them to notice.
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