Briiish Instilutionfur promoiliig the Fine Arts. 279 



institution, and in premiums for young artists ; and after 

 retaining what is necessary for payments due, and for cur- 

 rent expenses, the surplus shall be annually applied in the 

 purchase of pictures, statues, models, and casts, for the 

 gallery, or in addition to the permanent stock of the m- 

 stitution. 



2. No sale, mortgage, incumbrance, or disposition of any 

 freehold or leasehold property of the institution, or of any 

 of its permanent stock shall be made, except with the ap- 

 probation and concurrence of a general court, summoned 

 with eight days previous notice. 



The following circular letter, with an iaclosure of the 

 by-laws, and list of subscribers, has been sent round to 

 such persons as were thought likely to promore the objects 

 of the institution : 



'^ The enclosed is submitted to your consideration by 

 the undersigned, who have been appointed a select com- 

 mittee to manage the concerns of the institution, until a 

 committee of directors is elected. Convinced that the pre- 

 eminence, which the imitative arts attained in certain 

 distinguished periods of antient Greece and modern Italy, 

 was produced, not by fortuitous circumstances, but by 

 great and splendid patronage ; and persuaded that our own 

 countrvmen arc capable of the same excellence in the arts, 

 as they have attained in every branch of science and litera- 

 ture, we solicit that they may be encourxigcd to consider 

 those excellent and immortal examples of the Grecian and 

 Italian schools, as the objects, not merely of imitation, 

 but of competition. In a country where native energy is 

 most abundant, we ask that professional taste and taleiit, 

 and national patronage, be no longer conlin-cd to ini'crior 

 objects; but that our artists mav be encouraged to direct 

 their attention to higher and nobler attainments ; to paint 

 the mind and passions of man, to depicture his sympathies 

 and afiiiictions, and to illustrate the great events which have 

 been recorded in the history of the world. 



" The fine arts are entitled to respect and reward, not 

 simply on account of the ijmoccnt and inteilectual gratifi- 

 cation which thcv afibrd, nor merely because they cultivate 

 and civilize the human mind. In a country like our own, 

 they essentially and abundantly contribute to the nalionul 

 prosperity and resources. It must be obvious that the pre- 

 sent flourishing state of our inanuiacturce and export trade, 

 is greatly ov/ing to the progress of tiie fine arts under hi? 

 majesty's judicious patronaire; and that in hardware, cot- 

 's 4 tui), 



