392 Foreign Literature and Science. 



exercised in linear drawing; as well as in compositions in 

 the German language. Those who wish to profit by this 

 instruction, are at liberty to choose the course which they 

 will follow, under the condition however that they are to 

 remain at least three months. 



31. Canton of Geneva. Society of the friends of the fine 

 arts. — Of all the tastes which spring from that luxury which 

 is inseparable fiom an advanced state of civilization, there 

 is none which affords a pleasure more pure and more dura- 

 ble, than that which is inspired by those arts which in de- 

 lighting the eye by their brilliant productions, recall places" 

 and facts, the recollection of which interests us, or of per- 

 sons who are dear to us. These mild enjoyments are not 

 the only fruits which we derive from the culture of the 

 fine arts ; they contribute at all times to the prosperity of 

 cities, and the glory of their people. The most direct 

 means of favouring them is to encourage artists and increase 

 the number of amateurs. Such is the design of the Socie- 

 ty, " Des amis des Beaux Arts," which has just been formed 

 at Geneva, in imitation of those which have for some years 

 existed at Zurich, as well as in many of the large cities of 

 France. By means of these establishments, those things 

 become of easy attainment which would be onerous or 

 even impossible to individuals. It is to this noble spirit of 

 union and joint labour that the city of Ge:ieva is indebted 

 for the greater number of its institutions. We may even 

 say that to Ihis it owes its existence as a Republic. The 

 first general meeting of the society of fine arts, took place 

 on the 17th of May last. A committee of ten managers 

 was appointed and bye laws established for its government. 

 The society consists of stockholders, each of whom take 

 what number of shares he thinks proper. Each share 

 costs ^5 annually. The funds of the society will be em- 

 ployed nearly in the following proportion. 1st. Three 

 fourths of the income after the payment of incidental ex- 

 pences are applied to the purchase of pictures, designs, and 

 sculptures, the original work of living Swiss artists. 2d. 

 The other fourth is expended in engravings. The articles 

 thus acquired will be sufficient in number to be divided by 

 lot among the stockholders at the rate of one lot to every 

 ten shares. Every share not favoured by the lot, will have 



