started with thirty-six members including two ladies, Angelica Kauffmann and Mary Moser. William Chambers accepted the office of Treasurer, while Goldsmith and Dr Johnson represented Ancient History and Ancient Literature respectively. To the astonishment of many people the Presidency was offered to Joshua Reynolds. His brother artists wanted him, but King George III., who was not remarkable for his artistic perceptions, preferred the work of Benjamin West, and is said to have been unable at first to subscribe to the Academy's choice. The part Reynolds played in the business that led to the collapse of the Incorporated Society and the establishment of the R.A. remain unknown to this hour. To all outward seeming he stood quite aloof from the intrigues, for a part of the time of their occurrence he was travelling on the Continent; yet those who have studied his life history closely and noted the abundant and subtle diplomacy that marked his public as well as his private life, suspect that his influence was behind many of the developments of those stirring years. Be this as it may the fact remains that he did not at once accept the offer of the Presidency; he asked time to consider and to consult his friends, and Benjamin West was sent to persuade him before he would give a favourable answer. What a pity that there was no painter at hand to defeat Benjamin West persuading Joshua Reynolds to become first President of the Royal Academy! Certainly, if the latter was pulling the wires he did the work in fashion quite inimitable. Having held out sufficiently he gave in, and a year later received from King George the honour of Knighthood.