Between one and two, she departs; and immediately after, the crowd of
ticket-holders for the private view cluster before the closed
gratings. Punctually as the last stroke of the hour strikes, the
portals are flung open, and a cataract of eager amateurs rush up the
staircases, and make their way straight to the inner room, or room of
honour, all in quest of _the_ picture, to which the _pas_ has been
given, by its being hung upon the line in the centre of the eastern
wall of the apartment. The salons fill as by magic; in half an hour,
you can hardly move through a crowd of dignitaries of all
kinds--hereditary, social, literary, scientific, and artistic.
Perhaps, indeed, there is no muster in London which collects a greater
number of personages famous in every point of view. The ladies of the
aristocracy swarm as at a drawing-room. The atmosphere is all one
rustle of laces and silks; and it is anything but easy to make one's
way among the bevies of clustered beauties who flock round their
chaperone, all one flutter of ribbons, feathers, and flowers. And to
the Academy, at all events, come all manner of political notabilities:
you find a secretary of state by your elbow, and catch the muttered
criticism of a prime-minister. Ordinary peers and members of
parliament are thicker than blackberries. Bishops prevail as usual;
and apropos of ecclesiastical costumes, peculiar looped-up beavers and
single-breasted greatcoats, the odds are, that you will be attracted
by the portly figure and not very refined face of the Romish dignitary
whose pretensions, a couple of years ago, set the country in a blaze.
The muster of literary men is large and brilliant. Mr Hallam is most
likely there as Professor of Ancient History to the Academy; and Mr
Macaulay as Professor of Ancient Literature. Sir George Staunton puts
in an appearance as Secretary for Foreign Correspondence; and blooming
Sir Robert Harry Inglis, with the largest of roses at his button-hole,
looks the most genial and good-humoured of 'antiquaries.' The
Academicians--lucky Forty!--muster early. Happy fellows! they have no
qualms of doubt, or sick-agonies of expectation as they mount the
broad flight of steps. They have been giving hints to the Hanging
Committee, or they have been on the Hanging Committee themselves. Well
they know that _their_ works have been at least provided for--all on
the line, or near it; all in the best lights; and all titivated and
polished up and varnish