1804. ] 
Jong a time, and was acquainted with the 
principles of it, from fuch principles to 
infer fuch abfurd conclufions, muft needs 
argue a want of logic, and an ineapacity 
not only to reafon well, but even to un- 
derftand reafon. And I guefs it was his 
affeCtation of fingularity (as much as any 
thing) which made him engage in atheif- 
tical tenets, that he might feem to bea 
man of greater reach than all the world 
befides. I know not what to add more, 
but if this may contribute any thing to 
your fatisfaction, it is at your fervice. 
Your’s to ferve you, 
Joun WALLIS. 
BISHOPS. 
Dr. Feremy Taylor. 
Ex Mfs R. Thorefby, Efgutre. 
DEARE SIR, 
I know you will either excufe, or ac- 
quit, or.at leaft pardon mee, that I have 
fo long feemingly negleéted to make a 
returne to your fo kind and friendly 
Jetter, when I fhall tell you that I have 
paffed thorough a great cloud, which 
hath wetted mee deeper than the fkin. 
It pleated God to fend the fmall poxe and 
feavers among my children; and I have 
fince I received yz laft, buiried two fweet, 
hopeful boys, and have now but one 
fonne left, whom [I intend (if it pleafes 
PROCEEDINGS OF LEARNED 
oe 
NATIONAL INSTITUTE. 
NOTICE of the LABOURS of the CLASS of 
FINE ARTS; by JOACHIN LE BRETON, 
perpetual SECRETARY of the CLass, 
and MEMBER Of that of HISTORY and 
ANTIENT LITERATURE, read in the 
PUBLIC SITTING of the INSTITUTE, 
of the 8th VINDEMIAIRE, YEAR XII. 
: S foon as the arrét of the 3d Pl- 
wiofe, which changed the organiza- 
tion of the National Inftitute was carried 
into execution, the clafs of Fine Arts en- 
tered with folicitude upon the exercife of 
the functions affignedte it: gratefulto go- 
vernment for the eafy duties impofed upon 
it, it-has fought out for new means where- 
with to dilcharge them. 
The painrers, fculptors, architects, and 
compofers, ulually had it in their power 
to obtain confiderable prizes ; but the art 
of engraving, unjuftly neglected in the 
firft formation of the Inftitute, was not even 
as yet treated upon an equitable footing ; 
for although it was placed in the new 
~/ 
Proceedings of Learned Societies. 
459 
God) to bring up to London before 
Eafter, and then I hope to waite upon 
you, and by your*fweet converfation, and 
other divertifements, if not to alleviate 
my forrowes, yet at leaft to entertaine 
myfelfe, and keepe mee from too intenfe 
and aétual thinkings of my trouble.— 
Dear S* will you doe fo much for mee as 
to beg my pardon of Mr. Phurland that 
I have yet made no returne to him for 
his fo friendly letter and expreffions. 
-S' you fee there is too much matter to 
make excufe; my forrow will at. leaft 
render me an object of every good man’s 
pity and commiferation: but for myfelfe 
I bleis God I have obferved and felt fo 
much mercy in this angry difpenfation of 
-God’s, that I am almoft tranfported, I 
am fure highly pleafed, wath thinking 
how infinitely fweet his mercies are, 
when his judgments are fo gracious.— 
Sr there are many particulars in your let- 
ter to which I would faine have anfwer. 
ed; but. ftill my little fadnefs intervenes 
and will yet fuffer me to write nothing 
elfe: but that I beg your prayers, and 
that you will ftill owne me to be, ; 
Dear and Honoured Sr, 
Your very affectiote freind, 
and hearty fervant, 
Feb. 22, 1652. Jer. TaxLor. 
SOCIETIES. 
organization, it was the only one of the 
fe€tions which compofe the clafs of fine- 
arts, that had neither competitions to 
propofe, nor prizes to adjudge. 
This-fe&tion remained almoft a nul- 
lity in whatever relates to the encourage- 
ment of the arts. It is to all the other 
arts, what typography is to the {ciences 
and letters, and to the progrefs of human 
knowledge; it tranfmits, multiplies and 
renders them durable. It ftands ao lefsia 
need of extraordinary patronage, by rea- 
fon of the facility with which engravers 
may fupport themfelves in eafy circum- 
{tances, by confining their labours to im- 
perfect or licentious works. It is on this 
account, particularly, that fo few are to 
be found that have courage to furmount 
the laft difficulties, wherein, however, 
confifts the true ylory of the artift. Thus 
after having acquired an afcendancy in 
France, next to painting, engraving is 
now declined there very much beneath it ; 
with the exception of one artift (citi- 
zen Bervig, a member of the Inftituie) 
302 whom 
~ 
