The "Milton Gallery" was re-opened on the 21st of March 1800; but as it
did not attract the public, and as many of the members of the Royal
Academy lamented deeply the ill success which attended it, and
considered the apathy which was shown towards these grand specimens of
art would in the end be fatal to the progress of history painting in
this country, so they induced the Academy to which they belonged to come
to the resolution of patronizing the undertaking, which caused the
following circular to be issued:--
"Royal Academy, May 2, 1800.
"Messrs. Dance, Banks, and Opie, the Stewards, request the favour
of your company to dine with the President, Council, and the rest
of the Members of the Royal Academy, at the 'Milton Gallery,' on
Saturday, the 17th of May, at five o'clock.
"Tickets, price fifteen shillings, to be had at the 'Milton
Gallery,' and at the 'Freemasons' Tavern,' till Saturday, the 10th
of August. Any Member desirous of introducing a friend, may be
accommodated with a ticket for that purpose.
"The favour of an answer is desired as soon as possible."
This dinner was numerously attended; the seven pictures which had been
added to those of the last exhibition were much admired; but all that
Fuseli got on the occasion, to use his own terms, was "mouth honour."
The following are the subjects of the pictures which were not in the
exhibition of the former year:--
PARADISE LOST.
PICTURE XLI.
SIN receiving the Key of Hell.
----Down they fell,
Driven headlong from the pitch of heav'n, down
Into this deep, and in the general fall
I also: at which time this powerful key
Into my hand was giv'n.
Book II. v. 771.
In the possession of Samuel Cartwright, Esq.
PICTURE XLII.
SATAN'S first Address to EVE.
----Eve separate he spies,
Veil'd in a cloud of fragrance, where she stood,
Half spy'd, so thick the roses blushing round
About her glow'd, oft stooping to support
Each flower of tender stalk, &c.
He bolder now, uncall'd, before her stood,
But as in gaze admiring--
His gentle dumb expression turn'd at length
The eye of Eve----
Book IX. v. 424, 523.
PICTURE XLIII.
ADAM and EVE meeting after her Seduction.
----By the tree
Of knowledge he must pass, there he her met,
Scarce from the tree returning; in her hand
A bough of fairest fruit----
----in her face excuse
Came prologue, and apology too prompt,
Which with bland words at will she thus addressed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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