‘Though the mineral collection has not proceeded with the same rapidity of success as the library of reference, yet a considerable advance has been made. The subscriptions and the minerals presented already amount to the value of about 1,500l. The managers have laudably given up their board and committee rooms in order to prepare suitable apartments for the collection, and have resolved to hold their committees in the library on the days when it is not open to subscribers in general. Notice has been given that the laboratory of assay is ready for that useful and essential part of the plan the analysis of ores and mineral substances.’
The report said that, ‘with a view to the permanent success of the Institution, as the popularity of the lectures was so much increased, the terms of subscription were altered and a supplementary list was made of ladies subscribing three guineas and gentlemen six guineas.’ The ordinary subscription being two guineas and four guineas, the ladies and unmarried daughters of proprietors were required to subscribe only one guinea, ‘as, by relinquishing the transferable right of one of their tickets, they had contributed to the success of the plans which the managers had formed for the improvement of the Institution.’
The visitors ended thus: ‘The great degree of improvement and advancement under the auspices of the present managers is shown by this report relating to the accommodation and convenience of those who attend the Institution, instead of dwelling upon the means by which the members might be increased.’
The number of proprietors at this time was four hundred, and the qualification was raised to one hundred and fifty guineas.
A committee of proprietors, managers, and visitors was appointed to revise the bye-laws.
The Rev. Sydney Smith began his second course of lectures on March 23.
He thus wrote in April to Francis Jefferey, Esq.:
Doughty Street, April 1805.
My lectures are just now at such an absurd pitch of celebrity that I must lose a good deal of reputation before the public settles into a just equilibrium respecting them. I am most heartily ashamed of my own fame, because I am conscious I do not deserve it, and that the moment men of sense are provoked by the clamour to look into my claims it will be at an end.
Mr. Landseer gave three lectures on Engraving. From some personal allusions the managers resolved ‘that it is their earnest wish that no allusion of a personal nature be ever offered on any account at the lectures of the Institution.’ The next year Mr. Landseer was engaged to give six lectures on Engraving, including the substance of those already given, on the same terms as those of the preceding year. In the announcement of the engagement it was said, ‘He will endeavour to add a few lectures of a more general nature on the Philosophy of Art.’ The lectures were given early in 1806, and on March 17, after the fourth lecture, the minutes of the managers state that Mr. Landseer was called in and informed that the managers understood that his two last lectures, particularly the last, were exceptionable from the personal allusions they contained, and, he having admitted that they were intended as personal allusions, although introduced with a view to vindicate and support the art, and it appearing that Mr. Landseer had before introduced personal allusions in his lectures, notwithstanding notice last season from the managers, it was resolved ‘that Mr. Landseer be informed that it is with great regret that the managers feel themselves obliged to direct that his lectures be discontinued.’ The steward was ordered to pay Mr. Landseer 30l., the sum he was to receive for his course of lectures.