The page numbers are from “Lord Peter” published by Harper & Row. The excerpts are copyrighted 1972 by Harper & Row.
410 ~ as Mr. Joseph Surface remarked to Lady Teazle, what is troubling you is the consciousness of your own innocence.
From “A School for Scandal,” Act 4, Sc. III:
Lady Teaz
Well, well, I’m inclined to believe you. But isn’t it provoking, to have the most ill-natured things said of one? And there’s my friend Lady Sneerwell has circulated I don’t know how many scandalous tales of me, and all without any foundation too; that’s what vexes me.Jos. Surf
Ay, madam, to be sure, that is the provoking circumstance without foundation; yes, yes, there’s the mortification, indeed; for when a scandalous story is believed against one, there certainly is no comfort like the consciousness of having deserved it.
412 ~ Pol Roger 1926
A family-owned grande marque Champagne winery in Epernay, France. Grande marque — meaning “great brand” — was once a designation meaning it adheres to exacting standards for champagne-making. The Syndicat de Grandes Marques de Champagne disbanded itself in 1997 when it became difficult to agree on what those standards were. The loss of status didn’t seem to affect Pol Roger, though. The wine is still made, and you can buy a 3-liter bottle for $239 over the Internet.
420 ~ Holborn Empire
A famous music hall in London.
421 ~ Colney Hatch
A large hospital for the mentally disturbed, situated in North London. It has since been renamed Friern Hospital.
428 ~ Van Hoogstraaten
Samuel van Hoogstraaten (1627-1678) was a Dutch painter known for many optical toys, most particularly his perspective boxes, highly realistic scenes that were viewed through a peephole.
Grace and Lambelet
Wimsey was referring not to Grace but to Frederick Crace (1779–1859), the interior decorator who created the chinoiserie interiors of the royal pavilion in Brighton. These Chinese-inspired motifs (which is what chinoiserie means) were executed by decorative artist Henry Lambelet (1781-1860). Information about the pavilion can be found here.
(Thanks to Gordon Grant for his help.)
430 ~ Maskelyn and Devant
Great British magicians: John Nevil Maskelyne (1839-1917) and David Devant (1868-1941).
p.b. policeman
Presumably a “poor bloody” policeman.