were produced became wasted and the effect of colour lost; and from this circumstance many persons imagine that water colours are not permanent. They are, on the contrary, perfectly durable when properly applied with a liberal supply of the material, and without any previous preparation of gray. Το prove this position, I am able to state that I have many studies which were painted immediately from nature with water colours by my father more than seventy years ago, and that they are now as fresh in colour as if only done yesterday. I must also observe, that the Cartoons by Raphael have existed for a period exceeding three hundred years, although but little care, I believe, was taken at one time to preserve them; and these, as it is well known, are water colour pictures. Ancient illuminated manuscripts also prove the durability of water colours when a sufficient body of colour has been applied. I will conclude with stating, that there can be no doubt as to the stability of those colours which have

stood the test of fire. Yellow Ochre, for example, when burnt, becomes what the colourman terms Light Red, and partaking then of the nature of

a tile is equally durable; and also the T. Sienna and others.

I am, &c.

MY DEAR SIR;

As water colour painting has made such great strides since the establishment of the Society of Painters in Water Colours, perhaps it will be well in this place to give a brief account of its formation, and also the names of the members who proposed and matured it, which are as follows:George Barret, Joshua Cristall, John Glover, William Havell, Robert Hills, J. Holworthy, J. C. Nattes, F. Nicholson, N. Pocock, W. H. Pine, S. Rigaud, S. Shelley, J. Varley, C. Varley, W. F. Wells, W. S. Gilpin.

Our first exhibition took place in the year 1805, at No. 20, Lower Brook Street, Bond Street, with the following address to the public.

"The utility of an exhibition in forwarding the

SOCIETY OF PAINTERS IN WATER COLOURS. 121

fine arts, arises not only from the advantage of public criticism, but also from the opportunity it gives to the artist of comparing his own works with those of his cotemporaries in the same walk. To embrace both these points in their fullest extent is the object of the present exhibition; which, consisting of water colour pictures only, must from that circumstance give to them a better arrangement, and a fairer ground of appreciation, than when mixed with pictures in oil,

"Should the lovers of the art, viewing it in this light, favour it with their patronage, it will become an annual exhibition of pictures in water colours."

The Society exhibited again the next season in the same place, with the following address to the public.

"The very flattering reception, which the exhibition of the Society of Painters in Water Colours met with last year, encourages them to open this their second annual exhibition.

"The Society respectfully announce, that for the

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better accommodation of the public, they have engaged the Old Royal Academy Rooms in Pall Mall, which will be the place for their next and future exhibitions."

The Society also exhibited in Bond Street; at the Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly; and for a long period at the Great Room, Spring Gardens; and now at their Gallery, Pall Mall East.

The 30th of November being the Anniversary of the Institution of the Society, a full meeting is then held for the purpose of electing a President, Deputy President, Secretary, Treasurer, Committee, and Auditors, who enter upon their respective offices on the first day of the following year. The Deputy President is elected from the four Members of the Committee of Arrangement for the time being.

The Society meet again on the Second Monday in February, for the Election of Associate Exhibitors, each of whom must send three or more of his finished drawings, which must be left for one