Punch: Punch (76.1879)

216

PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

[Mat 10, 1879.

THE ROYAL ACADEMY'S "HONORARY MEMBERS."

The recurrence of another Exhibition of the Royal Academy,
with its varnishing day, and its Press day, and its private view, and
its stately banquet, and its larsre Catalogue, and its small Catalogue
(for which we can never be sufficiently grateful), and its small Cata-
logue bound in cloth, with pencil, and its umbrellas, parasols, and
(crutch) sticks, with their neat numbers and perfect string adjust-
ments, seems to be a fitting opportunity for satisfying a growing
desire on the part of the Public to be supplied with some account of
the duties, privileges, and prerogatives of the " Honorary Members."
These are five in number ; namely, the Chaplain, Professor of Ancient
History, Professor of Ancient Literature, Antiquary, and Secretary
for Foreign Correspondence. "We shall treat of each of them seriatim
and seriously :—

Chaplain.

Besides saying the Grace at the Annual Dinner, the Chaplain's
presence is indispensable at all christenings and weddings in the
families of the Academicians. He is at all times ready to form a
class for reading the Fathers with any Members of the Academy who
may desire to investigate the patristic literature of the first four
centuries; and he is the acknowledged referee on questions of
casuistry and controversial theology.

Professor of Ancient History.
It is his prerogative, in conjunction with the Professor of Ancient
Literature, to be present when the Paintings and other works of
Art are arranged by the Hanging Committee. The two Professors
have to satisfy themselves that every picture or sculpture which
purports to represent some ancient historical incident or character is
correct both in its conception and details. If any mistakes are
detected, they have absolute power to remedy them on the spot.
The Professor of Ancient History is at home in his dressing-gown
every Monday morning, from half-past ten to twelve, through the
Season, to suggest subjects to artists both in painting and sculpture;
and at all times he may be consulted either by letter or telegram.

Professor of Ancient Literature.

His duties are, in all respects, the same as those of his Brother
Professor, but, in addition, he is willing to read the great Authors
of Antiquity in the original tongues (including Sanchoniathon,
Orosius, and Manetho) with any Members or Students of the Academy
who may wish to profit by his assistance, twice a week, from seven
to eight, a.m., during the months of November, January, and
February.

Antiquary.

The Antiquary must be, at least, sixty years of age. Like his
two colleagues, the Professors, he assists the Hanging Committee by

scrutinising all the details of armour, weapons, costume, furniture,
personal ornaments, and kitchen utensils—Cinque-cento, Renaissance,
Jacobean, &c. His private collection is at the service of any intend-
ing exhibitor, one evening in each week, between Michaelmas and
Lady Day. On these occasions, the Antiquary, who always appears
in a fancy-dress, after tea and coffee have been handed round, and
cigarettes distributed, gives oral explanation of the more remark-
able objects in his museum.

Secretary for Foreign Correspondence.

He prepares all the letters, invitations, diplomas, and compli-
mentary addresses, which the Academy despatches to Foreign
Sovereigns and Ambassadors, and to the Honorary Foreign Acade-
micians. He devotes one morning a week to this duty ; and has a
small table set apart for his use (with dictionaries, &c.) in the
Lecture-room. Privately he renders inestimable service to the
Academicians and Associates by assisting them in their correspond-
ence with foreign purchasers, critics, and connoisseurs, with the
principals of the scholastic establishments at which their sons and
daughters may be receiving their education, and Avith the pro-
prietors of furnished-houses and lodgings when the time arrives
for visiting the various agreeable sea-side resorts with which the
Continent of Europe abounds.

The Honorary Members receive no salary, and there are no great
perquisites attached to their offices, for the beautiful old custom of
presenting them with early dew gathered on May morning by the
two junior Associates and the Secretary has been for some time in
abeyance. They are invited to the Annual Dinner and Evening
Receptions; tickets of admission to the Exhibition, as also to the
Winter Lectures and Winter Exhibition of Old Masters, with copies
of the Catalogues (the Is. 6d. edition), are sent to them by the hands
of the Academy Beadles ; and they have the privilege (by which they
may be readily recognised) of entering the galleries with a stick or
umbrella in their hands,—a privilege which is not extended to their
wives and families.

OUT OF COMPLIMENT TO THE ORGANIST.

In the last Number but one of the Saturday Musical Review
occurs this paragraph :—■

" The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh paid a very high compliment to
Mr. E. J. Hopkins; for, after hearing a performance on the fine organ at
the Temple Church on Saturday"'--

Well, what do you think was the compliment to Mr. Hopkins ?
That their Royal Highnesses expressed themselves, &c, &c, or gave
him something for himself, or stood a drink, or encored the per-
formance P No; this was it-

" They attended divine service on Sunday.''''

And, we suppose, worshipped Hopkins. What was the hymn ?
Was it this, to the old tune—

" Pretty, pretty, pretty Player Hopkins,
How do you do-oo ?
How do you do-oo ? "

Fancy attending divine service " out of compliment" to Popkins
or Hopkins, or any "kins" whatever! Sermon, for the occasion,
by the Right Rev. Dr. Snobb.

Strong Imagination.

Writing on Mr. Henry Irving, the Theatre, says—

"In the words of a scholarly critic, Mr. Irving is the most imaginative
actor of our time."

We quite agree with the scholarly critic. That Mr. Irving must
be the " most imaginative actor," has been sufficiently proved by his
"imagining" he could play Macbeth and Claude Meinotte, and it
will be set beyond all doubt if he only appears as Romeo.

By the way, who is the " scholarly critic " abovementioned ? He
must be rather a satirical rogue.

Infants for Confirmation.

Two of the hundred-ton guns bought by the Government are
announced to have arrived at Woolwich. They are to throw_ pro-
jectiles of 2,000 lbs. each, propelled by a proportionate quantity of
powder, and expected to pierce at least three feet of iron target, on
which they are now awaiting trial. Let us hope they will stand it;
for, otherwise, after all they have cost, they will prove mere two-
penny busters. _

Carrying Coals to Newcastle.—The Government throwing
cold water upon Rivers (Wilson) .

£3t To Cobbespondbkts—The Editor does not hold himself bound to acknowledge, return, or pay for Contributions. In no ease can these be returned unless accompanied by a

stamped and directed envelope. Copies ahould be kept.