87
Stance be omitted; he was particularly anxious
that the whole design should be kept a pro-
found secret, being apprehensive that it might
be converted into some vehicle of political-
influence.
In the mean time the picture of the Departure
of Regulus was going forward, and it was finish ed
about the time
that
the
code
of
rules
for
the
academy was completed.
artists were also busy, and
The incorporated
had elected as their
president Mr. Kirby, who had been preceptor in
perspective to the King, and who had deservedly
gained great celebrity by his treatise on the
principles of that branch of art. Kirby, having-
free access to the royal presence, and never
hearing from His Majesty any thing respecting
the academy, was so satisfied in his own mind
that the rumours, respecting such an institution
being intended, were untrue, that, in his in-
augural address fi'01n the chair, he assured the-
incorporated artists there was not the slightest
intention entertained of establishing a Royal?
Academy of Art.