:iSO Briiish I.s'itutlonforprGmoting the Fine Arts. 



ton, and porcelain, and in every other article to which the 

 ■ mdustrv and attention of the British artisan has been ap- 

 plied, superior beauty of form, ancf retined elegance of 

 ornament, have coniributed to make our manufactures 

 coveted throughout the world, and to introduce them into 

 every country, in despite of political warfare and penal 

 prohibition. 



" This preeminence, however, cannot be retained, but 

 bv the assiduous cultivation of the fine arts. From those 

 original sources the taste of the country niust be cherished 

 and renewed J so as at the same time to produce inex- 

 hausted variety, and to preserve classical beauty and chas- 

 tity of design. And it is, in this resi)ect, worthy of ob- 

 3ervation, that if we do not advance, we must recede; and 

 that when wc cease to improve, we shall begin to degene- 

 rate. These considerations are of increased in^portance at 

 the present moment, when it appears to be the object of 

 other powers, to form great establishments for painting and 

 sculpture, and to extend, by the arts of peace, the influence 

 which they have acquired in war. Wc feel, however, no 

 apprehension, but that the spirit of the British artist will 

 be awakened and invigorated, whenever a free and fair scope 

 shall be given to his talents; — whenever he shall be stimu- 

 lated bv "the same patronage as llfat which raised and re- 

 warded the Italian and Grecian masters; — a patronage, 

 without which, if we refer to historical evidence, we shall 

 find that no high excellence in art has ever been obtained, 

 in any age, or in any country. 



" Under these impressions, we beg leave to address you, 

 and the other protectors of the fine arts, on the establish- 

 ment of the British Institution ; the principal object 

 V hereof is to encourage and reward the talents of the artists 

 of ihe nniled kingdom, and to open an exhibition for the 

 ^■Ae of thtir productions. For the attainment of this object 

 we earnestly solicit your assistance and patronage: recjuest- 

 ins: to be favoured with your directions, in which of tht 

 clashes of subscription you v,-ill permit your name to be 

 enrolled. " We have the honour to be, 



your obtdient bumble servants, 



Dahtmouth. Abraham Hume. 



ALKRCor.N'. Francis BAr.iNG. 



LowTiiER. R. P. Knight. 



IMULGRAVE. ThO.MAS Hot'E. 



Isaac Corky. William Smith. 



Chables Long. Thomas Bernard." 



George Beaumont. 



The 



