CAPTAIN THOMAS CORAM. 149 



able morning lounge in the reign of George II. The eddt thus 

 excited in favour of the Arts suggested the annual exhibition of 

 the united artists, which institution was the precursor of the Royal 

 Academy. In 1750 Hogarth opened a lottery for a celebrated 

 picture he had then painted, entitled " The March to Finchley," in 

 the time of the rebellion, 1843 tickets were sold, and 157 he 

 presented to the hospital, amongst which the lucky number was 

 found, and the picture duly handed over to the institution. It is 

 curious to note that the foundation of a Public Academy of Arts, 

 which was the very thing Hogarth set his face against in theory, 

 should have been encouraged by the actual course he took more 

 than by any other. 



But it was not from the disciples of the palette and the paint 

 brush alone that the hospital reaped such rich benefits ; the leaders 

 of the sister art of music at that period were none the less generous. 

 Of these Handel, who had so identified himself with English tastes, 

 was the chief. On May 4th, 1749, he attended a committee and 

 offered a performance of vocal and instrumental music, the 

 proceeds of which were to be devoted to the completion of the 

 building. The Gentleman's Magazine refers to this entertainment 

 as follows : " The Prince and Princess of Wales, with a great 

 number of persons of quality and distinction, were at the chapel 

 of the Foundling Hospital to hear several pieces of vocal and 

 instrumental music composed by George Frederick Handel, Esq., 

 for the benefit of the foundation. (1st.) The music on the late 

 fireworks and the anthem on Peace. (2nd.) Select pieces from the 

 Oratorio of Solomon relating to the dedication of the temple. 

 (3rd.) Several pieces composed for the occasion. There was no 

 collection, but the tickets were at half-a-guinea, and the audience 

 above a thousand. For this Handel was immediately enrolled as 

 one of the governors. During every year, until his poweis failed 

 him, Handel superintended personally the performance of his 

 favourite Oratorio, the Messiah, in the chapel, and these perform- 

 ances are said to have produced a sum of not less than 7,000 for 

 the institution. 



