| 208 | A R T | |
are likewise admitted to be honorary
members. At first they had a Treasurer,
but now their money is placed in the
Bank of England, in the names of the Pre-
sident and Vice-presidents, three whereof
are impowered to draw any sum the So-
ciety shall order to be paid. And the
accounts of the receipts and payments are
constantly examined and balanced on the
last day of every month, by a committee
appointed for that purpose. Their pro-
ceedings are regulated by a body of rules
and orders established by the whole Society,
and printed for the use of the members. All
questions and debates are determined by
holding up of hands, or by ballot if re-
quired, and no matter can be confirmed
without the assent of a majority at two
meetings. They invite all the world to
propose subjects for encouragement, and
whatever is deemed deserving attention is
referred to the consideration of a com-
mittee, which after due enquiry and de-
liberation make their report to the whole
Society, where it is approved, rejected or
altered. A list is printed and published
every year, of the matters for which they
propose to give premiums, which pre-
miums are either sums of money, and
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| A R T | 209 |
those sometimes very considerable ones,
or the Society's medal in gold or silver*,
which they consider as the greatest honour
they can bestow. All possible care is
taken to prevent partiality in the distri-
bution of their premiums, by desiring
the claimants names may be concealed,
and by appointing committees, (who
when they find occasion call to their as-
sistance the most skilful artists) for the
strict examination of the real merit of all
matters and things brought before them,
in consequence of their premiums.
The Society's office is opposite to Beau-
fort Buildings in the Strand: their
meetings are every Wednesday evening
at six o'clock, from the second Wednes-
* The weight of the Society's medal in gold is
about six guineas, and proportionably in silver. On
one side Minerva, as Goddess of Wisdom, is repre-
sented introducing Mercury with a purse in his hand,
as the God of commercial arts, to Britannia sitting
on a globe: the inscription in the Circle, arts. and.
commerce. promoted. at the Bottom, society.
inst. london. mdccliiii. on the reverse is only
a wreath of laurel, the rest being left blank, that the
name of the person to whom, and the occasion for
which each medal is given, may be engraved thereon.
The dye was made by Mr. Pingo, and is thought
to be well done.
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