[P 3, beginning Reynolds' foreword "To The Members of The Royal Academy"]
The Neglect of Fuselis Milton in a Country pretending to the Encouragement of Art is
a Sufficient Apology for My Vigorous Indignation if indeed the Neglect of My own
Powers had not been Ought not the Employers
[Imbecility]
of Fools to be
Execrated in future Ages. They Will & Shall
Foolish Men Your own real Greatness depends on your Encouragement of the Arts &
your Fall will depend on
[your]Neglect
& Depression
What you Fear is your true Interest Leo X was advised not to Encourage the Arts he
was too Wise to take this Advice
![P 4, misnumbered "[iv]", at end of foreword]
The Rich Men of England form themselves into a Society. to Sell& Not to Buy
Pictures The Artist who does not throw his Contempt on such Trading Exhibitions.
does not know either his own Interest or his Duty.
[Are there Artists who live upon
Assasinations of other Men]
And Commerce settles on every Tree
And the Poor & the Old can live upon Gold
For all are Born Poor. Aged Sixty three>
[P 5]
Reynoldss Opinion was that Genius May be Taught & that all Pretence to Inspiration
is a Lie & a Deceit to say the least of it
[If the Inspiration is Great why Call it
Madness]
This Opinion originates
in the Greeks Caling the Muses Daughters of Memory
An Academy, in which the Polite Arts may be regularly cultivated, . . .
he is Passive & Polite & a Virtuous Ass: & obedient to Noblemens Opinions in Art &
Science. Ifhe is; he is a Good Man: If Not he must be Starved>
Begin Page 643
![P 7] There are, at this time, a greater number of excellent artists than were ever known before at
one period in this nation.
. . .
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