'
The Duke sent immediately for Sir Carte Blanche, the successor, in
England, of Sir Christopher Wren. His Grace communicated at the same
time his misery and his grand views. Sir Carte was astonished with his
Grace's knowledge, and sympathised with his Grace's feelings. He offered
consolation and promised estimates. They came in due time. Hauteville
House, in the drawing of the worthy Knight, might have been mistaken for
the Louvre. Some adjoining mansions were, by some magical process for
which Sir Carte was famous, to be cleared of their present occupiers,
and the whole side of the square was in future to be the site of
Hauteville House. The difficulty was great, but the object was greater.
The expense, though the estimate made a bold assault on the half
million, was a mere trifle, 'considering.' The Duke was delighted. He
condescended to make a slight alteration in Sir Carte's drawing, which
Sir Carte affirmed to be a great improvement. Now it was Sir Carte's
turn to be delighted. The Duke was excited by his architect's
admiration, and gave him a dissertation on Schoenbrunn.
Although Mr.
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