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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1824 Excerpt:...that purpose, and by moreover adding the yearly sum of 10,000 roubles for the payment of those artists whose works shall be judged worthy of adorning public institutionsI" _ In another part of the same communication will be seen the_following passage: " The academy has had the advantage of experiencing a fresh proof of his majesty the emperor's favour, by seeing several of its members recently decorated with various orders of the empire." _ Shall England, then, so wealthy, so exalted, and so renowned for every thing else, be the only country indifferent, in a national point of view, to the advancement of the fine arts? Forbid it heaven! Could but government be induced to come forward in al liberal manner, in support of so interesting a cause, the effects likely to be produced in this country, by the animating powers of national patronage, are beyond calculation; and there is the strongest reason for believing, that if the field of taste were properlyprotected, it would not prove "A soil ungrateful to the tiller's care." _ DRYDEN. For without any adequate assistance, nay, obstructed and oppressed by circumstances peculiarly hostile to their interests, the arts of Eng land have already advanced beyond our hopes, and taken precedence of their age. What mightwe not, therefore, anticipate from their exertions, were they but to experience those inspiring proofs of public estimation, which, in all former instances, have been essential to their existence? " _ It may not, perhaps, be so generally known, especially to those little_ conversant with subjects relating to art, that of those institutions which have been formed in this country (the British Museum excepted) for the cultivation of the arts, the public stand no wa...