Royal Society of Literature. 65 
of a Society of Literature, somewhat resembling the French 
Academy of Belles Lettres, having been communicated to Sir 
Benjamin Bloomfield, and by him to The King ; and His Majesty 
having expressed his approbation of the proposal; a general out- 
line of the Institution was by the Royal command submitted to 
His Majesty’s perusal. On the 2d of November, the person 
who in conversation suggested the proposal received His Ma- 
jesty’s commands to attend His Majesty at Carlton House, for 
the purpose of digesting the best mode of giving effect to the | 
undertaking ; and was iutrusted by His Majesty with full liberty 
to arrange the Plan of the Society. The Institution having, in 
its origin, no connexion with politics, or party of any kind, no 
applications were made to His Majesty’s Ministers for their 
countenance or support, though its origin and progress were re- 
spectfully communicated to the Secretary of State for the Home 
Department. : 
Learning is, by principle, comprehensive and liberal in its 
views; and though the higher branches of literature have a na- 
tural connexion with peace, loyalty, and established order; yet, 
as the Founder and Patron of this Society, the King presents him- 
self to his people, singly, as the friend of letters, as an example of 
munificence, and the promoter of what has been long wanting to 
the literary credit of the country. 
His Majesty having been pleased to express, in the most fa- 
vourable terms, his Royal approbation of this Society; and hav- 
ing honoured it with his munificent patronage, by assigning the 
annual sum of one hundred guineas each, for ten Associates, 
payable out of the Privy Purse ; and also an annual Premium of 
one hundred guineas for the best Dissertation on some interesting 
subject, to be chosen by the Council of the Society :— 
The following Regulations have been adopted as the basis of 
its proceedings. 
Oljects of the Society. 
The objects of the Society are, to unite and extend the general 
interests of literature; to reward literary merit by patronage ; 
to excite literary talent by premiums; and to promote literary 
education by bestowing exhibitions at the universities and public 
schools, in cases of distinguished desert. 
Constilution of the Society. 
§ 1. The Fellows constitute the principal body of the Society, 
and contribute to its support by subscriptions and benefactions. 
Every person elected a Fellow of this Society, shall pay annually 
the sum of two guineas, or more, at their option, or a propor- 
tional composition in lieu of the annual payments; and no per- 
Vol. 58. No, 279. July 1821. I son 
