Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1775 Excerpt: ... posed this measure. Great confusion arose in the debates, and much more heat and animosity was expressed, than so fair and disinterested a proceeding could be supposed to excite. The designs of the committee were indeed so obvious, that, upon the question being put, it was carried by a majority in the affirmative. In consequence of this resolution, his Majesty was graciously pleased to grant a charter, January the 16 1765. It is much to be regretted that a reasonable plan was not devised, at this time, for the government of the society that would have been more salutary to the arts in general, than the regulations which had given rise to such abuses , but unfortunately matters were so little sifted on one hand and so artfully managed on the other, that the very men, who had presided in the committee, were, by their own and their friends voices, nominated the first directors of this establishment; by which appellation they shall be hereafter distinguished, as the other members shall be by that of fel- lows. From this change of government, the arts could reap little advantage from the charter. The directors became as despotic as ever. The private academy in S. Martin's Lane, which laboured under many disadvantages, remained in its former languishing state,--the same partiality in the distribution of the pictures, at the exhibitions, took place,--and the same complaints Were renewed. Sensible of the necessity of a public atademy for the advancement of the arts, many of the fellows endeavoured, from time to time, to obtaia such an establishment, but they were always opposed by the directors. There were even amongst the directors, who informed me that they had likewise made several motions of this nature, at their seperate meetings, but which were constantly ov...
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