CHAPTER III.
OF ACADEMIES. HOGARTH'S OPINION OF THAT NOW DENOMINATED ROYAL; AND OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF ARTS, MANUFACTURES, AND COMMERCE, GIVING PREMIUMS FOR PICTURES AND DRAWINGS.
Among Hogarth's loose papers I found the rough draft of a letter (addressed but not directed) to a nobleman, declaring his disapprobation of a scheme by which certain projectors were endeavouring to establish a Royal Academy, and stating that he had a plan which would be much more useful. I do not know that he ever sent the epistle, or admitting he did, that it was honoured with an answer. But as I think it probable he had given the subject some consideration, with the hope of bringing his project to bear, and that in the following pages relative to the Royal Academy he has stated what he meant to have said to the Peer, I have inserted it:—
"My Lord,—Mr. Martin has informed me that when some of my thoughts relative to the establishment of a public academy are put into writing, you will peruse them. I have made a rough sketch, but to fit it for inspection will require much time, which it will be needless to take till I have your Lordship's opinion on two or three leading points on which the whole will turn, and which I cannot with propriety commit to paper. A verbal statement of them will not take up more than half an hour; and if, when known, they are not concurred in, I will not take up your Lordship's time by arguing on their propriety. But I am vain enough to think, that though I must say strong, and perhaps startling things, with regard to myself and others, I can prove every position which I shall advance.
"I have reason to believe that another project is in hand: this the author will naturally defend in opposition to mine, but it shall not create controversy; for being now upwards of sixty years of age, and in a very poor state of health, I would rather lose a favourite point than break a night's rest.
"Mr. Ramsey, if I judge right, is no stranger to the plan I allude to, and I know his opinion differs from mine, and am firmly persuaded his interest will induce him to support it.—I am, my Lord, etc.,
"W. H."
"Much has been said about the immense benefit likely to result from the establishment of an academy in this country; but as I do not see it in the same light with many of my contemporaries, I shall take the freedom of making my objections to the plan on which they propose forming it; and as a sort of preliminary to the subject, state some slight particulars concerning the fate of former attempts at similar establishments.
"The first place of this sort was in Queen Street, about sixty years ago; it was begun by some gentlemen-painters of the first rank, who in their general forms imitated the plan of that in France, but conducted their business with far less fuss and solemnity; yet the little that there was, in a very short time became the object of ridicule. Jealousies arose, parties were formed, and the president and all his adherents found themselves comically represented as marching in ridiculous procession round the walls of the room. The first proprietors soon put a padlock on the door; the rest, by their right as subscribers, did the same, and thus ended this academy.