THE QUEEN.—It’s a most responsible post, for upon your conduct much of the happiness of my other servants depends.
SIR ROBERT.—I am aware of that, your Majesty; but as no one can hope to please everybody, I will only answer that one half shall be perfectly satisfied.
THE QUEEN.—You have recently returned from Tamworth?
SIR ROBERT.—Yes, your Majesty.
THE QUEEN.—We will dispense with forms. At Tamworth, you have been practising as a quack doctor?
SIR ROBERT.—Yes, madam; I was brought up to doctoring, and am a professor of sleight-of-hand.
THE QUEEN.—What have you done in the latter art to entitle you to such a distinction?
SIR ROBERT.—I have performed some very wonderful changes. When I was out of place, I had opinions strongly opposed to Catholic emancipation; but when I got into service I changed them in the course of a few days.
THE QUEEN.—I have heard that you boast of possessing a nostrum for the restoration of the public good. What is it?
SIR ROBERT.—Am I to consider myself “as regularly called in?”