"Bun. This guest of summer, The temple-haunting martlet, does approve, The note of Reynolds is as follows: "This short dialogue between Duncan and Banquo, whilst they are approaching the gates of Macbeth's castle, has always appeared to me a striking instance of what in painting is termed repose. This conversation very naturally turns upon the beauty of its situation and the pleasantness of the air; and Banquo, observing the martlets' nests in every recess of the cornice, remarks, that where those birds most breed and haunt, the air is delicate. The subject of quiet and easy conversation gives that repose so necessary to the mind, after the tumultuous bustle of the preceding scenes, and perfectly contrasts the scene of horror that immediately succeeds. It seems as if Shakspeare asked himself, what is a prince likely to say to his attendants on such an occasion? Whereas the modern writers seem, on the contrary, to be always scenting for new thoughts, such as would never occur to men in the situation which is represented, This also is frequently the practice of Homer, who, from the midst of battles and horrors, relieves and refreshes the mind of the reader, by introducing some quiet rural image, or picture of familiar domestic life." It might have been expected, that when the artists became associated by a royal charter, something like unity and emulation would have prevailed in the new company. But this was not the case, and though Reynolds was a nominal member of the society, he took no other share in its transactions than that of supporting the annual exhibitions, which he justly considered as best calculated to promote the true spirit of the art. He seems from the beginning to have foreseen the dissensions which took place among his brethren, and therefore very wisely resolved to keep aloof, that he might not be embroiled in party disputés, to which he had a natural aversion. At length, to put an end to these conflicts, a scheme was set on foot in 1768, to found a Royal Academy, similar to the establishments in foreign countries. The four persons who first planned the institution were Sir William Chambers, Mr. West, Mr. Cotes, and Mr. Moser; and they carried on the project with such profound secresy, that not one of the Incorporated Society had the least knowledge or idea of it; insomuch that even Mr. Kirby, their president, assured them from the chair, that his Majesty intended to patronise them, and also to visit their exhibition. In the mean time, the four persons already mentioned, with the concurrence of some of their party, proceeded in their plan. They also made out a list of their officers, as well as of members, and inserted the name of Reynolds with the rest. This list was to be delivered to the King for his approbation; but Mr. Reynolds being unwilling to join with either party, communicated that resolution to Sir William Chambers; in consequence of which, attempts were made by Mr. Penny to persuade him to enter into the new association, but in vain. Penny then applied to Mr. West, and begged him to intercede with Reynolds, adding, that he was the only person who could influence him to give his consent. West accordingly called on him the same evening, when the whole party, amounting to about thirty, held a meeting at Mr. Wilton's house, to wait the result, as the King had appointed the following morning to receive their plan and list of officers. Mr. West remained with Reynolds above two hours, and at last prevailed on him so far, that he ordered his carriage, and went with him to Mr. Wilton's, where the assembled artists, immediately on his entrance, saluted him as their president. He was much affected by the compliment, and returned them his thanks for this mark of their approbation, but declined accepting the honour till he had consulted with Dr. Johnson and Mr. Burke. This greatly his disappointed the company, as they were expected to be with the king the next morning by appointment; but West and Cotes avoided going to his Majesty, since they could not present him with a complete list of their directors, for the want of a president. A fortnight elapsed before Mr. Reynolds gave consent, the reason of which delay was, as he told West, that he had been informed from the very best authority, their scheme would come to nothing, and was a mere delusion, having received the information from Mr. Kirby himself, who assured him that the King had declared his intention of countenancing and protecting the Incorporated Society, and also to visit their exhibition. It was about this time that Mr. West had finished his picture of Regulus, which was painted by command of the King, and on the morning appointed by his Majesty he went with it to the palace to show it to his royal patron. Whilst the King was contemplating the picture, with Mr. West in the room, a page came to say that Mr. Kirby was waiting for his Majesty's commands. He was immediately sent for, and on his entrance the King directed his attention to the picture, asking his opinion of it; Mr. Kirby commended it much, and wished to know by whom it was painted; upon which the King pointed to Mr. West as the artist. Kirby then observed that such a work ought to be seen by the public, and hoped his Majesty would permit it to be in the exhibition of the Incorporated Society of Artists. The King answered, that it was his pleasure the picture should be exhibited, but that it would most certainly be at the exhibition of his own Royal Academy. At these words poor Kirby appeared thunder-struck; for it was the first confirmation he had received of the report, which before he considered as unworthy of unbelief. All obstacles were now, of course, removed : Mr. Reynolds was elected to the chair without one dissentient voice, and on waiting upon his Majesty he received the honour of knighthood, a distinction which gave such satisfaction to his friend Johnson, that, though the Doctor had not tasted wine for some years, he, upon this occasion, broke through his rule of abstemiousness. The members of the Royal Academy first met for business on the 10th of December, 1768; but the public opening of it did not take place till New Year's Day, when the president delivered an appropriate discourse from the chair, in which he laid down some general rules for students, and concluded with expressing his hope that the institution would answer the expectation of the Royal Founder; that the present age might vie in arts with that of Leo X.; and that the dignity of the dying art, to use the expression of Pliny, might be revived under the reign of George III. This discourse gave such satisfaction, that, at the request of the hearers, it was printed soon after. It was no part of the official duty of the president |