Viewing page 13 of 37

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

                                13
of a species of fraud ,to which, from their general inexperience in subjects of this nature, they were evidently exposed; and by quotations from distinguished writers on the Arts, in a country having the most experience in the matter, I showed what were the effects of this system upon the encouragement of modern art in England. I made this exposure for the double purpose of preventing the genuine connoisseur from being the dupe of imposture, and of directing his attention to a more patriotic, as well as more effectual method of promoting the growth of native Art. That these are the chief objects manifested throughout that note, I cheerfully leave to the judgment of those who will take the trouble to read it. The Reviewer has misconceived me. He would make his readers believe that Iam an enemy to the introduction into the country of any pictures of the old masters, however excellent. He says, " many quotations are added to show the little chance there is of any genuine old pictures being procured now, and the bad effects of collecting them even if they could be obtained."
As to the first part of this quotation, that there is little chance of any good genuine pictures, by the old masters, being procured in this country, I still maintain in to the true. The Reviewer will grant me the position, that the greatest quantity, and best of any article in demand, for sale, is to be found in the market which gives the highest price for it. England, it is weel known, has for many years been the best market in the world for genuine works in the fine arts. If it can, then, be proved that such works are now rarely to be met with, for sale, even in England, the inference is clear that the difficulty must be greatly increased in this country. The London Quarterly Review,[for 1826, No.67, p.189,] speaking of the formation of a National Gallery, says, "The opportunities of making such acquisitions," (good genuine pictures,) are now but seldom presented, and we believe that those under whose recommendation they are likely to be mode fully sensible of the necessity of proceeding cautiously and slowly in offering their advice" If caution is necessa-