greatest delight that by the side of the works of
those whose names are familiar to all, there are works
of great ability brought hither by men who are still
rising to fame; and, therefore, we have the satisfaction
of feeling that this country will never be wanting
in men distinguished in the practice of the fine arts.
[Cheers.] One great merit of this Exhibition is that
whatever may be the turn of a man’s mind, whatever
his position in life, he may at least during the period
he is within these walls, indulge the most pleasant
illusions applicable to the wants his mind at that
time may feel. A man who comes here shivering
in one of those days which mark the severity of an
English summer, may imagine that he is basking in
an African sun and he may feel an imaginary warmth
from the representation of a tropical climate.
If, on the other hand, he is suffering under those
exceptional miseries which one of the few hot days
of an English summer is apt to create, he may imagine
himself inhaling the fresh breezes of the seaside;
he may suppose himself reclining in the cool shade
of the most luxuriant foliage; he may for a time,
in fancy, feel all the delights which the streets and
pavements of London deny in reality. [Cheers and laughter.]
And if he happens to be a young man, upon what is
conventionally said to be his preferment, that is
to say, looking out for a partner in life, he may here
study all kinds and descriptions of female beauty
[laughter and cheers]; he may satisfy his mind whether
light hair or dark, blue eyes or black, the tender
or the serious, the gay or the sentimental, are most
likely to contribute to the happiness of his future
life. [Cheers.] And without exposing himself to any
of those embarrassing questions as to his intentions
[laughter] which sometimes too inquisitive a scrutiny
may bring [much laughter], without creating disappointment
or breaking any hearts, by being referred to any paternal
authority, which, he may not desire to consult, he
may go and apply to practical selection those principles
of choice which will result from the study within these
walls.
Then those of a more serious turn of mind who direct
their thoughts to State affairs, and who wish to know
of what that august assembly the House of Commons
is composed, may here [pointing to Phillips’s
picture behind the chair], without the trouble of
asking an order, without waiting in Westminster Hall
until a seat be vacant, without passing hours in a
hot gallery listening perhaps to dull discourses in
an uninteresting debate—they may here see
what kind of thing the House of Commons is, and go
back edified by the sight without being bored by dull
speeches. [Cheers and laughter.]
Now, don’t, gentlemen, imagine that I am romancing
when I attribute this virtue to ocular demonstration—don’t
imagine that that which enters the eye does not sometimes
penetrate to the mind and feelings. I will give
you an instance to the contrary. I remember within
these walls seeing two gentlemen who evidently, from
their remarks, were very good judges of horses, looking
with the greatest admiration upon the well-known picture
of Landseer, “The Horseshoeing at the Blacksmith’s;”
and after they had looked at it for some time one
was approaching nearer, when the other in an agony
of enthusiasm said: “For heaven’s
sake, don’t go too near, he will kick you.”
[Cheers and laughter.]