Mr Wilson on National Casting Establishments. 29 



In examining this interesting question, and in devising 

 means by which the arts may be fostered, encouraged, and di- 

 rected, we are bound to study the history of the art in past 

 ages in different countries ; and by a consideration of the means 

 by which it attained excellence in these, and a comparison of 

 the different degrees of perfection observable in the various 

 schools, the works of which are in high repute, we may arrive 

 at some satisfactory conclusion as to the best means of encou- 

 raging the different arts of design amongst ourselves. 



The schools of the Continent which have flourished at diffe- 

 rent periods are so numerous, that a full consideration of the 

 means by which they arrived at distinction would extend our 

 inquiries beyond a reasonable compass. However important such 

 an investigation might be, we must at present confine our obser- 

 vations within as brief a space as possible. We shall therefore 

 be contented with alluding to four well known schools, — the 

 Roman, Florentine, Venetian, and Flemish. 



The history of art proves that the patronage which was af- 

 forded to the principal artists of these distinguished schools, 

 was of the most munificent description. Popes and other so- 

 vereigns, princes, nobles, and the wealthy of every degree, 

 united to encourage art, and to honour and enrich its profes- 

 sors. The effects produced by a liberal and enlightened patro- 

 nage of the arts in different countries, were the full develop- 

 ment of native genius, and the attainment of different degrees 

 of perfection in each of them respectively. As the four schools 

 above mentioned were all powerfully and extensively patro- 

 nised, a comparison between their respective merits, may lead 

 to important conclusions as to the best means of fostering art. 



Fifth, That the establishment in this country may be advantageously 

 placed under the superintendence of the Board of Trustees for Manufactures 

 in Scotland, to whose taste, judgment, and liberality, the public are indebted 

 for the admirable collection of casts in the Gallery of their Academy, and for 

 the free admission of all classes of the community. 



Finally, Your Committee are persuaded that the formation of national 

 establishments for moulding and casting works of art, conjoined with the free 

 admission of the public to many of the museums and collections of the coun- 

 try, which they trust will be still further extended, would materially tend to 

 raise the character, and improve the social qualities and condition of all classes 

 of the people. David Maclagan, Convtner, 



