200 Memoir of William Roscoe^ Esq. 



The Society for the encouragement of the Arts of Design 

 had soon melted away ; but Mr Roscoe, about the time now 

 alluded to, succeeded in forming a new association for a similar 

 purpose ; and to their exertions Liverpool is indebted for its 

 first exhibitions of works of art, which were continued for seve- 

 ral years with great success. To this Society, which bore the 

 name of '* Liverpool Academy for the Encouragement of the 

 Fine Arts,*" Mr Roscoe delivered a series of lectures on the 

 Progress and Vicissitudes of Taste, which remain in manuscript, 

 and which he appears to have, at one time, contemplated to 

 publish, as I find among them a title-page, thus — " An Histo- 

 rical Inquiry into the Rise, Progress, and Vicissitudes of Taste, 

 as exemplified in Worlis of Literature and of Art. In two vo- 

 lumes. Vol. /." The manuscript, however, does not seem to 

 have received his last corrections; though many of the observa^ 

 tions are original and interesting. 



He had also, for some years, a correspondence with Mr Strutt, 

 the engraver and antiquary, and author of the valuable Dictio- 

 nary of Engravers. The letters of Strutt acknowledge the re- 

 ceipt of various important disquisitions on the history of en- 

 graving from Mr Roscoe, of which, if I mistake not, Mr Strutt 

 availed himself, and incorporated them in the preliminary essays 

 to his Dictionary. 



About the same period, Mr Roscoe commenced his fine col- 

 lection of prints, which was particularly rich in painters'* etch- 

 ings and engravings of the old masters. This collection was 

 chiefly formed between the years 1780 and 1790; but continued 

 for many years to receive valuable additions, by every journey 

 to London, which his professional business often rendered neces- 

 sary. 



At a later period he began to collect drawings by great mas- 

 ters, and of these his collection was remarkably choice ; his taste 

 and judgment in that department being excellent. 



From the time when his professional exertions put it in his 

 power to indulge his elegant propensities, the formation of a 

 library became a prominent article in his expenditure. Simple 

 and refined in his habits, these were his chief expenses. He was 

 not, however, a mere collector. His books, his prints, and other 



