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37

Such were the ideas of the Associated Artists, and it was with such views that they considered the probability of an union with the Academy as an event, which, if not desirable, was at least not to be prevented by any illiberality or want of moderation on their part; inasmuch as it was preferable to the establishment of a new and separate institution; an undertaking to which they felt themselves competent, but yet would not be understood as desiring. It was their wish that there should be but one institution: and they held themselves ready to join, heart and hand, in building it up, so soon as it should be placed on such a footing, that they could unite in it with confidence and with well founded hopes of such a management, that the energies of all might be directed to the attainment of the noble ends of an Academy of Fine Arts. Their subsequent proceedings, and those of the Academy, will form the subject of my next letter.

BOYDELL.


LETTER IV.

At a subsequent meeting of the Drawing Association, it was resolved that a copy of the Report submitted by the committee, should be presented to the American Academy. The object of this measure was to remove any suspicions that might exist as to the intentions of the artists in this writing, and to make known to the directors that the artists were in a state of union, and were friendly to that institution, and not only willing, but desirous of giving to it their services, provided something could be done towards removing the disadvantages which, in the existing state of things, would have been attendant upon that proceeding. They also wished the Directors to understand that they were conscious of possessing both the right and the power to found a new academy; but that their respect for one already established by gentlemen of the first character, notwithstanding its deficiencies, prompted them to make some overtures which might

Transcription Notes:
Created a one-line separation between 37 and the first paragraph. Another one-line separation between BOYDELL and the previous paragraph. Two-line separation between BOYDELL and LETTER IV. One-line separation between LETTER IV and the following paragraph.