DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34827#0317
1829-31.
//<9772^ Zz/A
101
tanti, " with ancient rites and ceremonies due." *\Ve sat down,
a party of sixteen, Mr. Wilkins in the chair, Mr. Hallam, Mr.
Sotheby, Lord Hardwicke, Mr. Dawkins, &c. &c. When dinner
was over the president called out loudly, " Strangers will with-
draw ;" on which Lord Caledon and I (new members) went into
another room, where a table and wine were placed for us.
After a good long interval Lord Caledon was called, and, after
some time, I was summoned. Lord Dudley and Sir G. Staunton
came for me, and I went in leaning on them, preceded by
Colonel Leake with two candles. We were met at the door by
Mr. Morritt (of Rokeby), in a crimson gown and a sort of
Persian cap, with a drawn sword. He marched before us to the
bottom of the table, made some loud communication to the
president, and made a lunge towards him with his sword. He
then walked off, and the president, who was also robed and on
a high throne, with the secretary, Mr. Hamilton, in a black
gown and band, on his left, called out, " Bow." We all three
did so, when the whole party called out, " Lower, lower;" and
we obeyed. This was thrice repeated, and I was conducted with
some further ceremonies to shake hands with the president.
My health was drunk with cheers, and the ceremony was
finished. The room is a fine one, quite hung round with
pictures of the former members, many by Sir Joshua. These
strange ceremonies deserve mention, being so unlike anything
now observed. The conversation was very pleasant. Mr.
Hallam talked a good deal on the authenticity of early Roman
history, and I had a good deal of conversation with Mr. Morritt
on the progress and refinement of idolatry, especially in Egypt;
with Colonel Leake on Wilkinson's discoveries in hieroglyphics ;
with Mr. Wilkins on the origin of the Doric order, which be
traces to Phoenicia, maintaining that he has found in Solomon's
temple the exact proportions and even the exact dimensions of
that at Peestum ; and finally with Mr. Wilkins and Mr. Peering
(Gandy) on the ruins in Ionia, Branchidae, &c. We did not
break up till half-past eleven.'
' 26.—Though this is a period of uncommon excite-
//<9772^ Zz/A
101
tanti, " with ancient rites and ceremonies due." *\Ve sat down,
a party of sixteen, Mr. Wilkins in the chair, Mr. Hallam, Mr.
Sotheby, Lord Hardwicke, Mr. Dawkins, &c. &c. When dinner
was over the president called out loudly, " Strangers will with-
draw ;" on which Lord Caledon and I (new members) went into
another room, where a table and wine were placed for us.
After a good long interval Lord Caledon was called, and, after
some time, I was summoned. Lord Dudley and Sir G. Staunton
came for me, and I went in leaning on them, preceded by
Colonel Leake with two candles. We were met at the door by
Mr. Morritt (of Rokeby), in a crimson gown and a sort of
Persian cap, with a drawn sword. He marched before us to the
bottom of the table, made some loud communication to the
president, and made a lunge towards him with his sword. He
then walked off, and the president, who was also robed and on
a high throne, with the secretary, Mr. Hamilton, in a black
gown and band, on his left, called out, " Bow." We all three
did so, when the whole party called out, " Lower, lower;" and
we obeyed. This was thrice repeated, and I was conducted with
some further ceremonies to shake hands with the president.
My health was drunk with cheers, and the ceremony was
finished. The room is a fine one, quite hung round with
pictures of the former members, many by Sir Joshua. These
strange ceremonies deserve mention, being so unlike anything
now observed. The conversation was very pleasant. Mr.
Hallam talked a good deal on the authenticity of early Roman
history, and I had a good deal of conversation with Mr. Morritt
on the progress and refinement of idolatry, especially in Egypt;
with Colonel Leake on Wilkinson's discoveries in hieroglyphics ;
with Mr. Wilkins on the origin of the Doric order, which be
traces to Phoenicia, maintaining that he has found in Solomon's
temple the exact proportions and even the exact dimensions of
that at Peestum ; and finally with Mr. Wilkins and Mr. Peering
(Gandy) on the ruins in Ionia, Branchidae, &c. We did not
break up till half-past eleven.'
' 26.—Though this is a period of uncommon excite-