Edited by Tim McLoughlin

home | browse | search | about

Letter from SOCIETY OF ARTS to JAMES BARRY, written post 7 February 1805 , at Adelphi, London

Source: MS AD/MA/104/10/403, Royal Society of Arts, London.

A copy of Taylor's letter to the Scottish antiquarian and art collector David Steuart Erskine, earl of Buchan (1742-1829), dated 7 February, accompanied this letter. This letter was therefore written some days later. Clearly Barry was curious to know what Taylor had said in that letter and had asked for a copy. It is provided in the notes.

Charles Taylor (d. 1816), Secretary to the Society of Arts since 1799, was responsible for organising the fund that the Society had agreed to set up for Barry on the initiative of Lord Buchan; this involved contacting members of the Society and advertising the fund in the newspapers.1

Society of Arts &c. Adelphi Feb^y February 1805

C. Taylors Taylor's Compliments to M^r Barry & begs Leave to observe to him that the Letter which C.Taylor wrote to Lord Buchan & of which M^r Barry has desired a Copy 2 is not a Letter written under the Sanction of the Society of the Arts as a Body, no Directions from them for such purpose having been given to C.Taylor.

They cannot as Lord Buchan justly observes consistently with the Laws of their Institution grant an Annuity as a Society. M^r Barry is not to consider C. Taylors Taylor's Letter to Lord Buchan of which the desired Copy is now sent further than the act of an Individual desirous of serving him & who is willing to cooperate with Lord Buchan & M^r Barrys Barry's other Friends in what C. Taylor conceives the most effectual Means for that purpose.

Copy

Show/Hide other notes [why?]

1 ^
the newspapers] By the summer of 1805 there were 96 subscribers to the fund; the largest donation was from Barry's friend in Cork, Cooper Penrose who gave £100; contributors included Benjamin West and Charles Burney (RSA AD/MA/104/10/403).

2 ^
a Copy] Taylor enclosed the following letter:

Copy
Society of Arts Adelphi
London. Feb^y - 7^th - 1805
My Lord

Your Lordship’s Letter of the 28^th Dec.^r was delivered to me on the 9^th Ult.^o by M.^r Barry, and I am happy to find that your Lordship approves of the measures which have been taken by the Society, to which I have the honor to be Secretary, relative to M.^r Barry’s Portrait.

Inclosed is a proof impression thereof for your Lordship and when opportunity permits another to be forwarded I shall reserve one to be sent you in a more complete state than the present conveyance will allow. I flatter myself that your Lordship will find from the inclosed Copy that part of the Preface to the Society’s Volume which relates to M.^r Barry’s Portrait, that they have met your Lordship’s wishes as far as the limits of a preface would admit; but as your Lordship further observes, this will not be enough, for the Emeritus on whose behalf your Lordship takes so lively an interest, and whom your Lordship wishes to receive a donation of yearly annuity annuity.

It is happy for a Man of M.^r Barry’s Genius and abilities to meet with a Maecenas in your Lordship who will with such pleasure co-operate in rendering the latter part of a life of care and trouble comfortable and serene.

It gives me pleasure to add, that tho’ though the Society, as your Lordship justly observes, cannot as a Body grant M.^r Barry an Annuity, yet that a very considerable Number of the individuals who compose it now only wait for an example from your Lordship on so meritorious and an occasion.

Much in the present case will depend on your Lordship’s immediate and spirited exertions and patronage, and I attend your Lordship’s early answer in order to apply effectually that energy on M.^r Barry’s behalf with which your Letter and M.^r Barry’s merits have inspired me, and to give every assistance in my power towards procuring him that future independence which hangs now suspended in the Balance and where your Lordship’s instant co-operation or delay will turn the scale for or against him.

Your Lordship will I trust excuse my earnestness on this occasion as it arises from a desire to give success to your good intentions; be assured my Lord that in the present moment when many Gentlemen are now warmly disposed to purchase an Annuity for M.^r Barry any delay or punctilio will be dangerous to the grand object in view: Your Lordship may therefore depend that immediately on receiving your Lordship’s Subscription no endeavors on shall be wanting on my part to carry your Lordship’s wishes into full effect

I remain with great Respect
My Lord
Your obed.^t Serv.^t
Charles Taylor
The R.^t Hon.^ble the Earl of Buchan