Thank you for the music: The Music of Cannons

Don't panic! There's no artillery involved. Our destination is Cannons, the stately home of the Earl of Caernarfon and first Duke of Chandos, James Brydges (if we should see the gentleman himself, the correct form of address is your Grace. But don't speak unless you're spoken to).
As is fairly common for the time, the house is open to visitors having business with the household, or members of the peerage, so I think if we present ourselves as representatives of a little-known but promising tailoring business, we should stand a good chance of getting in. These aristocratic types are always keen to have the latest fashions, and it wasn't difficult to obtain a collection of fine fabric swatches and a couple of recent pattern-books as we zoomed through France on the way here. Which reminds me, if we ever have occasion to travel by coach, bring a few cushions. As well-padded as this dress is, previous experience taught me that you can't have enough padding beneath you when you go over the bumps. And unless the weather is warm already, wrap up warmly too. There's no practical way to heat a coach.

While we're waiting for his grace's chamberlain, there's so much to take in. This whole place is money personified! I think the painting is Hercules in the palace of Omphale, and the sheer scale of it makes it so much more impressive. Literally Herculean! (The other thing, if you're going to have any dealings with aristocrats; it helps to have to have a bit of background in the classics).
Well, some things we can do, but some things will forever be beyond our control, and it seems that his grace is otherwise occupied today. How do you feel about sauntering down to St.Lawrence's church? The Duke had the church extensively rebuilt a few years ago, and by all accounts it is as sumptuous as the house.

When we arrive at St.Lawrence's, the exterior of the church has been remodelled in the neo-classical style, while the interior is the most astonishing display of opulence, everywhere is marble, gold, and rich dark wood. And the organist is practising a hymn tune: