Note 20 — Chapter XVIII

The immediate object of the club, is the relief of sick or distressed artists of any nation, and in order to effect this purpose, each member pays a trifling annual subscription, whilst on a certain night in the year, there is a sale by auction, in the club-room, of sketches and drawings contributed by members, which are knocked down to the highest bidder. Thus it often happens, that a chance visitor becomes possessed of the productions of the most eminent artists, at a cost totally disproportioned to their real value, and which he might otherwise have been unwilling to purchase. New members pay for the whole of the wine consumed on the evening of their admission, and if it should so occur, that no fresh candidate is on the list, this expense is defrayed by one individual from among the body, who take it in turns. The election of President is a very interesting ceremony, and the same person is eligible more than once. Herr W——r, who is not only an eminent artist, but an accomplished musician, has, I believe, many times been elected President of the Cervaro Fest, and he it was who filled the chair of the Ponte Molle, during my visit to Rome.