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5

Thus we are at issue on all the principal points of the discourse; and with those to whom the subject is of sufficient interest to induce them to examine into the merits of the controversy, must be left the decision. But before proceeding to the discussion of the main points, there are some trifling matters that meet the eye of the reader at the threshold of the review, which may as well be brushed away. The reviewer commences by an attack, on the name of the National Academy of Design. 

"A National Academy," he says, "may be understood to mean a public institution founded and supported by the nation, or a private association for the first artists of a country. This Academy is neither of these kinds."

In this last remark he is mistaken, for according to his own definition it is a National Academy, it is an Association of the first Artists of the country, the catalogue of the 64 members of the Academy will show nearly all the most eminent names of the artists I the united states, not from New York alone, but from Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, and Charleston. 

"It is simply a society of artists," he observes, "in the city of New-York organised for the purposes of hte exhibition and instruction," that is to say, it is an academy of arts. 

Unacquainted with the duties pertaining to the class of academicians, the Reviewer presume to tell them rather unceremoniously that to call themselves, "National Academicians is making a claim to distinction which we must say is our of proportion to their merits. nor do we think it is quite time for them to adopt the initials of their institution as a standing title."

As to the propriety or expediency of putting the initials N.A after their names, signifying as they do, merely a holder of the property, and responsible member of the Academy, the gentlemen of the Academy are doubtless the better judges of their claim to the title. The folly of the practice, however, is thus curiously illustrated by the Reviewer.
 
"What would be thought if Mr. Stuart should choose to call himself National Portrait Painter, or Mr. Allston should take the"

Transcription Notes:
Some names need capitalization.