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On the Proprkiy of Forming National Casting Establishments^ 

 with Observations on the Improvements which would result to 

 Science, Literature, and Taste, by the adoption of such a 

 measure* By C. W. Wilson, R. I. A., and A. S. A. + 

 (Communicated by the Society of Arts for Scotland.) 



Amongst the various subjects which occupy the public 

 mind, there is no one more interesting than that of the nature 

 and extent of the encouragement which an enlightened go- 

 vernment should afford to the Fine Arts. 



• Read before the Society of Arts, 28th March 1838. 



+ Report of the Committee of the Society of Arts appointed at the Meet- 

 ing 28th March 1838. 



Wednesday April 4. — Present : — Sir Thomas Dick Lauder, Bart. ; Sir John 

 Robison ; Mr William Fraser ; Dr Maclagan, Convener. 



The Committee to whom was referred the communication by Charles Wil- 

 son, Esq., R. I. A., and A.S.A., " On the Expediency of Forming National 

 Establishments for Moulding and Casting Works of Art," read at last Meet- 

 ing of the Society, having heard Mr Wilson in further explanation of the 

 object proposed, beg leave to repeat, — First, That it appears the formation of 

 such establishments in this country was suggested by Mr Andrew Wilson, 

 the author's father, now residing in Italy, and well known as a distinguished 

 artist and man of taste, in a communication made to the Board of Trustees 

 for Manufactures in Scotland in the summer of 1837. 



Second, That the object proposed in Mr Charles Wilson's communication 

 is deserving of the warmest encouragement and support of the Society, as cal- 

 culated, by the facility it would afford to the diffusion throughout the coun- 

 try of the purest models for emulation and instruction, to raise the taste, and 

 improve the execution not merely of artists, but of artisans and manufactu- 

 rers ; and at the same time to elevate the standard of public feeling, and 

 create a demand for works of a superior class in every department of indus- 

 trial art 



Third, That, impressed with these feelings, and with the conviction that 

 this great national object can be fully attained only by the fostering aid of 

 government, the Committee earnestly recommend that the Society of Arts 

 should co-operate in every means for its advancement. 



Fourth, That in furtherance of its success, the Society should address a 

 Memorial to the Lords of Her Majesty's Treasury, praying their support 

 and encouragement of the measure, with the expression of their confident 

 hope, that in the event of a national establishment being formed in London, 

 its benefits may be extended by the formation of a branch institution in this 

 country, where casts may be obtained by native artists and artisans at a rea- 

 sonable rate, and free of the cost of transport from moulds made in London 

 from the finest casts in the Metropolitan establishment. Fifth, 



