had one hundred and twenty-five sitters. Samuel Johnson found in him his
most congenial friend. He moved to Newport Street, and he built himself
a studio--where there is now an auction room--at 47, Lincoln's Inn
Fields. There he remained for life.

In 1760 the artists opened, in a room lent by the Society of Arts, a free
Exhibition for the sale of their works. This was continued the next year
at Spring Gardens, with a charge of a shilling for admission. In 1765
they obtained a charter of incorporation, and in 1768 the King gave his
support to the foundation of a Royal Academy of Arts by seceders from the
preceding "Incorporated Society of Artists," into which personal feelings
had brought much division. It was to consist, like the French Academy,
of forty members, and was to maintain Schools open to all students of
good character who could give evidence that they had fully learnt the
rudiments of Art. The foundation by the King dates from the 10th of
December, 1768. The Schools were opened on the 2nd of January next
following, and on that occasion Joshua Reynolds, who had been elected
President--his age was then between forty-five and forty-six--gave the
Inaugural Address which formed the first of these Seven Discourses. The
other six were given by him, as President, at the next six annual
meetings: and they were all shaped to form, when collected into a volume,
a coherent body of good counsel upon the foundations of the painter's
art.

H. M.




TO THE KING