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COXE’s TRAVELS IN RUSSIA. 833°
flatues in bronze and other metals, imitating gems and medals in compofitions, gilding,
and varnifhing.
Prizes are annually diftributed to thofe who excel in any particular art; and from
thofe who have obtained four prizes, twelve are felected, who are fent abroad at the
charge of the emprefs. A certain fum is fent to defray their travelling expences; and
when they are fettled in any town, they receive an annual falary of 601. which is conti-
nued during four years. There is afmall affortment of paintings for the ufe of the
{cholars; and thofe who have made great progrefs are permitted to copy the pictures
in the imperial colleCtion. There are alfo models in plaifter of the beft antique ftatues
in Italy, all executed at Rome, of the fame fize with the originals, which the artifts of
the Academy were employed to caftin bronze. We obferved feveral finifhed pieces of
drawing, painting, and fculpture, which had much merit, and feemed to predi¢t the fu-
ture improvement of the arts in Ruflia.
Though this inftitution is admirably calculated for promoting the liberal arts, and
deferves the higheft encomiums, we mutt not be furprifed on confidering the {mall ef-
feéts which have hitherto flowed from thisendowment. The fcholars for the moft part
make a confiderable progrefs during their continuance in the academy, and many im-
prove themfelves abroad. It is remarkable, however, that the perfons of the greateft
merit often fettle in other countries ; or, if they return, foon fink into an indolence, which
appears almoft national. The caufe of this failure feems to proceed from the little en-
couragement which they receive from the nation in general. The fovereign may rear
artifts, like foreign plants in a hot bed, at a prodigious expence, and by conftant culti-
vation; but unlefs the fame care is continued when they are brought to maturity, they
will ficken by negle&t. And it is impoffible even for a monarch, however inclined to
protect merit, or for a few of the nobility who follow fuch an illuftrious example, to
diffufe love for the works of art among a people who mutt firft imbibe a degree of tafte,
which can only be acquired by experience: and if thofe who excel are not diftinguifhed,
they cannot feel that noble {pirit of emulation which excites to excellence. As the
- mation, however, is gradually drawing towards a higher ftate of civilization and re-
finement; thefe inftitutions mult be productive of more extenfive and permanent
effects.
The free GEconomical Society, or the Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, at
Peterfburgh, owes its origin to the following occafion: The Emprefs one day at table
exprefling herfelf with warmth on the advantages that would refult from fuch a fociety,
firlt fuggefted the idea to Prince Orlof who happened to be prefent. In conformity to
the wifhes of his imperial miftrefs, he and fourteen other perfons, men of rank and
learning, affembled in June 1765, drew up rules, formed themfelves into a regular fo-
ciety, and laid the plan before the emprefs, who fignified her approbation by an anfwer,
written with her own hand.
«¢ The defign which you have juft formed for the improvement of agriculture and
hufbandry, is highly agreeable to us; and your labours will be regarded as effectual
-proofs of a true zeal and love for your country. _Weconfider the plan and the regu-
lations, by which you have bound yourfelves, as deferving our approbation, and we
gracioufly allow you to be called The Free Gconomical Society. You may relt affured,
that we take your fociety under our prote¢tion : we not only confent that you ufe our feal’
and imperial coat of arms; but, as a particular mark of our good will towards you,
we .permit you to bear our device in the center of our imperial coat of arms; namely,
a hive, to which bees are bringing honey, with the motto ¢ Profitably.’
VOL. Vie 50 “We
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