“Conversations at Courts are not always thought to be the most interesting things in the world; although, doubtless, they must be so to the parties engaged in them. In the midst of crowded levees and drawing-rooms, one is often compelled to become the confidant of strangers around us. {297} The amusement derived from this source predominates over the instruction. I have heard much anxious inquiry as to certain pieces of clerical preferment—who is to have certain military or colonial commands, and what promotions will take place from the consequent vacancies?—many political queries have been proposed, and how ‘the party’ would act in certain contingent cases? I once heard a gentleman receive at a levee the first announcement of a legacy; on another occasion, on my return from the Continent, I was myself informed at a levee of a similarly gratifying, and to me entirely unexpected, event.
“Doctor Dalton having now passed through the formal part of a levee, had a better opportunity of viewing the details. He inquired the names of several of the portraits, and I took the opportunity of pointing out to him many of the living celebrities.
“We then returned to Mr. Wood’s residence, and the whole party were highly gratified at the success of the undertaking.
“I am, my dear Sir, very truly yours,
“C. BABBAGE.
“Dorset Street, Manchester Square,
February 7, 1854.”
CHAPTER XXIV. EXPERIENCE AT COURTS.
The Author invited to a Meeting at Turin of the Philosophers of Italy, 1840 — The King, Charles Albert — Reflections on Shyness — Question of Dress — Electric Telegraph — Theory of Storms — Remark of an Italian Friend in the evening at the Opera — Various Instruments taken to the Palace, and shown to the young Princes — The Queen being absent — The reason why — The young Princes did great credit to their Governor — The General highly gratified — The Philosopher proposes another difficult question — It is referred to the King himself — An audience is granted to ask the King’s permission to present the woven Silk Engraving of Jacquard to Her Majesty — Singular but Comic Scene — The final Capture of the Butterflies — Visit to Raconigi — The Vintage.
ABOUT a quarter of a century ago the Court of Turin had the reputation of being the most formal and punctilious of any in Europe. It was dull to the diplomatic officials, who were doomed like planets to circulate around it, though not without interest to the inquiring traveller, whose orbit, like that of a comet, passed through its atmosphere only at distant intervals.
In 1840 I received a gratifying invitation to meet the élite of the science of Italy at Turin. On my arrival I immediately took measures to pay my respects in the usual manner to the sovereign of the country. Having inquired of a nobleman[44] high in the confidence of the King, when there {299} would occur a levee, in order that I might have the honour of being presented, I was informed that his Majesty was aware of my arrival, and would receive me at a private audience. Two days after I had a formal visit from Count Alessandro Saluzzo to inform me that the King would receive me the next day at two o’clock.