four o'clock
After he had remained for some time in the central pavilion , gazing , and gazed at , in a manner which it was extremely interesting to watch , some one well acquainted with the best method of carrying on the business of such a meeting as the present , suggested that it would be advisable that the acolyte should retire till the sale of the goods was pretty well completed ; for if the feeling among the charitable crowd were permitted to exhaust itself in affectionate glances towards Mr. Isaacs , no more money would be collected : and it was also judiciously remarked , that it might be as well to circulate through the company the assurance , that as soon as the stalls were about two-thirds cleared , the banquet would be announced . The effect of these suggestions was speedily visible ; Mr. Isaacs stood in the enjoyment of space and fresh air before the entrance to the portico , engrossing the almost undivided attention of his great patron , while ladies peeped at him from a respectful distance ; and Chivers himself , with a look as reverential as if he were waiting upon an apostle , approached him with Madeira and soda water . The sale , meanwhile , benefited equally by his near presence and his actual absence . Enthusiasm was raised without being disturbed in that great object of all English Christian enthusiasm -- the disbursing of money ; and by four o'clock such a report was made of the general receipts , that the selling ladies were waited upon by as many clergymen as could be collected to hand them from their stands to the banquet , and , when these were all furnished with a fair partner , the most serious gentlemen among the company were requested to take charge of the rest . Mrs. Cartwright herself was led to the great dining-room by Mr. Isaacs , and for this reason , or else because it was the great dining-room , the crowd which followed her became so oppressive that the doors of the room were ordered to be closed and strictly guarded . This measure was equally serviceable to those within and without ; for no sooner was it fully understood that this decisive mode had been resorted to , than the other tables were instantly filled , and nothing could be more satisfactory than the activity with which eating and drinking proceeded in all directions . The champagne flowed freely ; and whether it were that the sacred cause for which the meeting was assembled appeared to justify , or at least excuse , some little excess , -- or that nothing furnished at Mr. Cartwright 's board but must bring a blessing to him who swallowed it , -- or that the fervent season led to thirst , and thirst to copious libations : -- whatever the cause , it is certain that a very large quantity of wine was swallowed that day , and that even the most serious of the party felt their spirits considerably elevated thereby .