When he had examined and applauded all the productions of this minute
artist, they returned to the great church, and were entertained
with the view of that celebrated masterpiece of Rubens, in which
he has introduced the portraits of himself and his whole family.
The doors that conceal this capital performance were no sooner
unfolded, than our enthusiast, debarred the use of speech, by
a previous covenant with his friend Pickle, lifted up his hands
and eyes, and putting himself in the attitude of Hamlet, when his
father's ghost appears, adored in silent ecstasy and awe. He even
made a merit of necessity; and, when they had withdrawn from the
place, protested that his whole faculties were swallowed up in love
and admiration. He now professed himself more than ever enamoured
of the Flemish school, raved in extravagant encomiums, and proposed
that the whole company should pay homage to the memory of the divine
Rubens, by repairing forthwith to the house in which he lived, and
prostrating themselves on the floor of his painting-room.
As there was nothing remarkable in the tenement, which had been
rebuilt more than once since the death of that great man, Peregrine
excused himself from complying with the proposal, on pretence of
being fatigued with the circuit they had already performed.
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