SHERIDAN'S SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL' ACT IV, SCENE I Charles S. Walk in, gentlemen, pray walk in ;-here they are, the family of the Surfaces, up to the Conquest. Sir Oliver S. And, in my opinion, a goodly collection. Charles S. Aye, aye, these are done in the true spirit of portrait painting;-no volontière grâce and expression. Not like the works of your modern Raphaels, who give you the strongest resemblance, yet contrive to make your portrait independent of you; so that you may sink the original and not hurt the picture. No, no; the merit of these is the inveterate likeness-all stiff and awkward as the originals, and like nothing in human nature besides. Sir Oliver S. Ah! we shall never see such figures of men again. Charles S. I hope not. Well, you see, master Premium, what a domestic character I am; here I sit of an evening surrounded by my family. But, come, get to your pulpit, Mr. Auctioneer; here's an old gouty chair of my father's will answer the purpose. |