An Octave for Mr Ernest Hart at Sir Henry Thompson's house. Oil painting by Solomon Joseph Solomon R.A., ca. 1897.

Octaves were dinner-parties held by Sir Henry Thompson, Bart., Professor of Surgery at University College, London, at his house 35 Wimpole Street, at which eight courses, accompanied by eight wines, were served at eight o'clock to eight guests in addition to the host and the guest of honour. The guest of honour here, seated to the right of the mantelpiece, was Ernest Hart, editor of the British Me…