Volume 1

The Farington diary / edited by James Greig.

  • Joseph Farington
Date:
[1922?-1928]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Farington diary / edited by James Greig. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    67/464 (page 27)
    A Balot then took place for a President, when Mr. West was unani¬ mously re-elected. Mr. West stated that he had had an audience of His Majesty, who was graciously disposed to permit a celebration of the twenty-fifth year of the institution, to be observed in such a manner as the Academy thought fit. Barry [R.A.] spoke vehemently against the injudicious reference to the King, observing that such a precedent would tie up the Society in future from passing any vote till His Majestys will should be known, and consequently the independence of the Body would be at an end. It also appeared to him unbecoming in respect for the Academy to solicit His Majesty in such a manner. December 11.—The Duke of Dorset told the Rev. Mr. Humphrey that the Duchesses fortune was £140,000, and Lady Strathavens £120,000. The Duke is now supposed not to live at a greater expence than £4,000 or £5,000 a year, having very much curtailed his expences, though his income is increased. He will be forty-eight years old in March next. December 12.—Sir Joseph Banks* and Lysons called, and I showed them the sketches I had made at Valenciennes. Sir Joseph had his feet inclosed in large stiff shoes, yet stood the whole time of his stay, as he said, to avoid too much indulgence. Accuracy of drawing seems to be a principal recommendation to Sir Joseph. December 13.—He [Banks, R.A.] brought forward the subject of the next Election of Academicians, and strongly recommended Hoppner to be one, as to the other two, if Hoppner was supported, he was open to decide in favour of such as might be proposed to him in preference. I told him I had not yet determined how I should vote, that the list of Associates contained so many names of able artists there could be no fear of improper persons being elected, and that little, I believed, had as yet been said on the subject among the Academicians ; that there were names, however, before which I should certainly give a preference to Hoppner, but at present I was not prepared to bind myself to anything. Marchant [A.R.A.] came and staid the evening. He related the origin how the permission for young British artists, who may have studied in Italy, came to possess the indulgence of bringing their works duty free into this country. The late Lord Camelford was the great mover of this business. Marchant the person who first instigated his Lordship to interest himself in it. December 16.—Hamilton drank tea with me. Martin was the Juryman, who against 11 others, by dint of perseverance, brought them to declare Grey and Perry, Editors of the Morning Chronicle not guilty. [Perry is said to have left about £130,000.] They were prosecuted for * Sir Joseph Banks was a botanist and a munificent patron of science. He accompanied Cook in the Endeavour Expedition to the Pacific, and in 1788 was appointed President of the Royal Society, which office he filled until his death in 1820.