world, and whose laborious lives have been without reproach, or whose sickness has been unprovoked by intemperance or other misconduct.

A special appeal is therefore made on behalf of this truly Samaritan Fund.

Donations and Subscriptions will be thankfully received by Mr. Brownlow, the Honorary Secretary.

Bequests made payable to the Trustees of the Fund would be secured.

THE EARLY ASSOCIATION OF THE
HOSPITAL WITH ARTISTS.

Sir Robert Strange, in his "Enquiry into the Rise and Establishment of the Royal Academy of Arts,” makes the following remark :

"The donations in painting, which several artists presented to the Foundling Hospital, were among the first objects of this nature which had engaged the attention of the public. The artists observing the effect that these paintings produced, came, in the year 1760, to a resolution to try the fate of an Exhibition of their works. This effort had its desired effect: the public were entertained, and the artists were excited to emulation."

And, again, in his "Conduct of the Royal Academicians," he says—

"Accident has often been observed to produce what

the utmost efforts of industry have failed to accomplish; and something of this kind seems to have happened here. As liberty has ever been considered the Friend and parent of the Fine Arts, it is natural for their professors to revere the memory of all those who were the champions and assertors of that invaluable blessing, particularly those of our own country: on this principle it was, that the artists we are now speaking of, had an Annual Meeting at the Foundling Hospital, to commemorate the landing of King William. To this charity, several of their body had made donations in Painting, Sculpture, &c., which, being accessible to the public, made those artists more generally known than others, and this circumstance it was that first suggested an Exhibition—which was no sooner proposed than approved. The Committee, conquently, who were the proposers, received directions to issue proper notices of the intention. The performances of many ingenious men, hitherto unknown, were received, and on the 21st day of April, 1760, an Exhibition was opened in the great room belonging to the Society of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, in the Strand; on which it will be sufficient to observe, that the success was equal to the most sanguine expectations; the public were pleased and the artists applauded; those already known received additional reputation, and such as were not, became the immediate acquaintance of the public."

Edwards, also, in his "Anecdotes of Painters," speaking of the unsuccessful attempts made to form an Academy, says

"Although these endeavours of the artists had not succeeded, they were far from being so discouraged as not to continue their meetings, as well as their studies; and the next effort they made towards acquiring the attention of the public, was connected with the Foundling Hospital.

"This institution, so humane in its primitive intention, whatever may be thought of its effects, was incorporated by charter, dated 1739. A few years after that period, the present building was erected; but as the income of the charity could with no propriety be expended on decorations, many of the principal artists of that day voluntarily exerted their talents for the purpose of ornamenting several of the apartments of the Hospital, which otherwise must have remained without decoration. The pictures thus produced, and generously given, were permitted to be seen by any visitor, upon proper application. The spectacle was so new that it made a considerable impression on the public, and the favorable reception these works experienced, impressed the artists with an idea of forming a public exhibition."

A more recent writer has said, "that it is within the walls of the Foundling the curious may contemplate the state of British Art, previously to the epoch when George the Third first countenanced the historical talent of West."

William Hogarth, the celebrated painter, was foremost amongst those who first cordially co-operated in forwarding the views of the Founder of the Hospital. In the charter for its incorporation, he appears as one