The Sun.
London, England, 1858-05-03 00:00:00

Nec einit ease feros."

(Cheers.) We see an illustration of this in the lamb-like
gentleness which now interrupts their lion-like struggles.
(A laugh.) Therefore, believing that the arts spread among
unnunlberef advantages, I heartily rejoice as a
Bishop of the Church of England, to have been honoured
by you with that distinction in virtue of whieh I have
troubled yen with these imperfect remarks. (Cheers )
Toe PeeslDENT—Gentlemen,—During the last session
of Parliament, some important observasions were made
in the Rouyn of Lord,' respeetine the Turner bf quest.
As I hai subsequently the s'ppurtuiiity of offering some
explanations to my Lord Se Leonards it regard to
the Royal Academy as concerned in that beqnest, I need
not re'ur to that part o: the subj,!c,, more especially as
!he arrangements of the Aeadentr in referee ce to it are
nof set completed. But on the part of the friends of
Turner, inclaiing, I need hardly say, every member of
this institution. I beg .to theak his lordehip for his ad-
vocacy of the &aim,' of Turner, in reeommending that a
suitable place should in due tine be provided for the
noble gift which the painter bequeathed to the nation.
I beg to propotee "the health of Lerd St. Leonards."
(Cheers.)
Lord ST. LEONARD% in returning thanks, observed
that the bequest which Turner, after a long life of suc-
ceesful labour, had gathered together and left to his coun-
try would deecend to a grateful and admiring posterity
as an inestimable legacy. He agreed with their excel-
lent president, that the nation owed a debt to the
Royal Academy. If they looked at the Turner col-
lection in the mere light of its pecuniary value, they
must feel that the collection, envied as it was by
foreign nations, and placing this country, as it did, in the
highest rank in Europe for the cultivation of art, was a
treasure the worth of which could hardly be oalculated
in money. Let any man visit Marlon'. u,4h-house and
ZAZ9 on the productions of Turuer's glorious genius
which were now displayed there to the greatest advan-
tage that the capacity of the building would allow, and
he would naturally ask himself whence did the country
derive such a precious legacy! It had been derived
from the splendid talent, the untiring industry, and the
patriotic self-devotion of a member of the Royal Aca-
demy. The country, then, owed it to the institution to
which he belonged to make a Imitable return in patron.
age and in money's worth for the invaluable gift Which
he had bestowed upon it. Tars finest building that
could be found would be but a poor acknowledgment
for the munificence of a Turner, and other nations would
be glad to place his bequest, if they possessed it, in a
fitting receptacle. So greet was Turner's public spirit,
:ehen he bad painted a picture which lee thought worthy
_ _ _ . _

. _
of the nation,. and with which the nation had become
familiar, he misted all a tenpti to buy it. He was
willing, indeed, to produce a different picture, but no-
thing could induce him to part with the first. So rich
was his genius that hie mere drawings and pencillings
were perfect models for the student. Indeed, it had
been wittily remarked of Turner that, although a great
artist, there was one thing, and only one, Which be
could not draw,—via., his own will. (Laughter.)
Turner's Turner's testamentary dispositions have given rpti, !o i
et
little di-pute as to their meaning ; and be(eii',
Leonard.) bad laboured long to construe Turners
_bimeeli
u will,
but his labour had been in vain.
as a lawyer and a man—and
be
would
instrumentwas,
ne
ould state it
boldly anywhere—that, obscure a
was, it was capable of being carried
g s
into execution
according to its legal import, anri• to the testator's own
intentions. (Cheers.)
~,,,,
guests who b"4 o,;(l.—Among the 1
The PRUIDI7NT ti whenith
their presence on this occa-
sion, are some of uthouse distinguished men of letters to
at of the Aster arts have been in-
whom the professor
h t" h t •
times for t e pee to c arac er, sometimes
lebted, some
touching truth of their representations. (Hear,
for
hear.) Pictures illustrative of incidents from the Works
of wa-
' known living writers have of late years formed
au interesting part of our exhibitions, exemplifying the
relation to wh oh I allude. It is therefore with feeling-
of especial acknosledgment, 814 well %in consonance
with the public voice, that I beg to propose "the health
of Mr. Dickens and Mr, Thackeray." (Cheers.)
Mr. DlCKENS—Following the order of your toast, I
have to take the first part in the duet to be performed
iLI aCkUoifildgnerit of tho compliment you hays paid to