King Charles II. when Prince of Wales enlisted himself into this company, as did his brother James Duke of York, at the same time; who after the restoration took upon himself the command, and named it his own company.
The Artillery company consists of about 300 men. It is governed by a President, Vice-president, Treasurer and Court of Assistants. The Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Sheriffs for the time being, &c. with the Field Officers of the militia or trained bands, are of the honorary court, these with 24 gentlemen annually elected, compose the court of Assistants. His Majesty is Captain-General, and all the other officers are elected annually, and serve by rotation.
The New Artillery Ground is a spacious square walled round. In the center of the north side is the Armoury, a neat building of brick and stone strengthened with rustic quoins at the corners; before it is a flight of steps, and there are a few others at the door, which is in the center, and is large, lofty, and adorned with a porch formed by two Tuscan columns and two pilasters supporting a balcony. The front is ornamented with a pediment supported at the corners by quoins. On the top are placed several large balls, and on the apex of the pediment is a lofty flag staff. On each side the main building, stands at some distance backwards a small edifice, where the provisions are dress’d at the company’s feasts. The hall of the armoury is hung round with breast-plates, helmets and drums; and fronting the entrance is a handsome pair of iron gates which lead to a spacious staircase, painted with military ornaments, and adorned with the statue of a man dressed in a compleat suit of armour. This staircase leads into a very spacious room, which has the King’s arms over one fire place, and those of the company over the other. It has two chandeliers, and is adorned with very fine guns, swords and bayonets, presented by the officers of the company, and handsomely disposed on the walls. There are here also tables hung up, containing the names of the subscribers to the iron gates and other ornaments, among whom is King George I. who gave 500l. Besides the rooms already mentioned, there are two others above, and two below.
Artillery court, Prince’s row, Finsbury, so called from the artillery ground near it.
Artillery lane. 1. Bishopsgate street without, thus named from its being built on the Old Artillery ground. 2. Fair street, Horsley down.
Artillery street, near Bishopsgate without, Spitalfields. It had also its name from its being built on the old artillery ground there.
Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. The public spirit of this age is perhaps in no instance more remarkably shewn than in the flourishing condition of this valuable Society, whose sole object is the improvement of the polite and commercial arts in all their various branches, by exciting industry and emulation amongst all who can be moved either by honorary or pecuniary rewards. It was set on foot by Lord Folkstone, Lord Romney, Dr. Hales, and seven or eight private gentlemen, who were brought together by the unwearied pains of Mr. William Shipley, a person little known, who had long laboured to reduce into practice a scheme he had projected for this purpose. Their first meeting was at Rathmill’s coffee-house, March 22d 1754, when those noble Lords approved and patronized the undertaking. At their next meeting they determined to make a beginning, by proposing rewards for the discovery of cobalt, for the encouragement of boys and girls in the art of drawing, (thereby to improve manufactures in taste and elegance,) and for the planting of madder in this kingdom. And now money being wanted, a voluntary subscription was begun, to which the two noblemen before named, did not only generously contribute much more than they would let appear, but engaged moreover to make good the deficiencies at the end of the year: a promise they most honourably fulfilled. Soon after this, a plan was drawn up by one of the members (Mr. Baker) for forming, regulating and governing the Society, which being printed and dispersed, the great utility of such a society became so well understood, that immediately several noblemen and gentlemen offered themselves as members, and ever since that time its increase has been so extraordinary, that it consists at present of above 1000 members, many of whom are of the greatest quality and fortune: and it can now afford to offer premiums to the amount of near 2000l. per annum.
The officers of this Society are a President, eight Vice-presidents, a Register, and a Secretary; and these are to be chosen by ballot annually on the first Tuesday in March. Every person desiring to be a member of this Society, must be proposed by some member of the same at one of their meetings, by delivering in the name, addition, and place of abode of such person, signed by himself; which must be read by the Secretary, and balloted for at the next meeting, and if two thirds of the members then present are for admitting such person, he shall be deemed a perpetual member on payment of twenty guineas, or a subscribing member on payment of any sum not less than two guineas, and continuing such payment annually: but tho’ two guineas a year is the most common subscription, all the members that are noblemen, and even some gentlemen, subscribe five guineas, and several others four or three. There are also ladies that are subscribers; eminent foreigners are likewise admitted to be honorary members. At first they had a Treasurer, but now their money is placed in the Bank of England, in the names of the President and Vice-presidents, three whereof are impowered to draw any sum the Society shall order to be paid. And the accounts of the receipts and payments are constantly examined and balanced on the last day of every month, by a committee appointed for that purpose. Their proceedings are regulated by a body of rules and orders established by the whole Society, and printed for the use of the members. All questions and debates are determined by holding up of hands, or by ballot if required, and no matter can be confirmed without the assent of a majority at two meetings. They invite all the world to propose subjects for encouragement, and whatever is deemed deserving attention is referred to the consideration of a committee, which after due enquiry and deliberation make their report to the whole Society, where it is approved, rejected or altered. A list is printed and published every year, of the matters for which they propose to give premiums, which premiums are either sums of money, and those sometimes very considerable ones, or the Society’s medal in gold or silver[[1]], which they consider as the greatest honour they can bestow. All possible care is taken to prevent partiality in the distribution of their premiums, by desiring the claimants names may be concealed, and by appointing committees, (who when they find occasion call to their assistance the most skilful artists) for the strict examination of the real merit of all matters and things brought before them, in consequence of their premiums.
[1]. The weight of the Society’s medal in gold is about six guineas, and proportionably in silver. On one side Minerva, as Goddess of Wisdom, is represented introducing Mercury with a purse in his hand, as the God of commercial arts, to Britannia sitting on a globe: the inscription in the Circle, ARTS. AND. COMMERCE. PROMOTED. at the Bottom, SOCIETY. INST. LONDON. MDCCLIIII. on the reverse is only a wreath of laurel, the rest being left blank, that the name of the person to whom, and the occasion for which each medal is given, may be engraved thereon. The dye was made by Mr. Pingo, and is thought to be well done.
The Society’s office is opposite to Beaufort Buildings in the Strand: their meetings are every Wednesday evening at six o’clock, from the second Wednesday in November to the last Wednesday in May, and at other times on the first and third Wednesday of every month. They are exceedingly well attended, and ’tis pleasing to behold with how laudable a zeal every one endeavours to promote the public good, by encouraging whatever may improve the arts and manufactures, or increase the commerce of this kingdom and its colonies. They are not incorporated, nor seem much to want a charter, as their business can be carried on very well without one, and the expence would be too considerable; but it is hoped their generous disinterested intentions, and their extensive views to promote the trade, the riches and honour of their country, will in time recommend them to partake the royal bounty, and that they will long continue to prove themselves to be, what they are at present, as respectable and useful a society as ever was established in any nation.