ABSTRACT
A copy of Reynolds's Discourses, heavily annotated by B., is in the British Museum. B. 's earliest comments are in pencil; these he later expanded and amended in ink. It is thus possible to distinguish two main stages of annotation. The Discourses were delivered separately to the students of the Royal Academy by Sir Joshua Reynolds as President from 1769 to 1790. Degrade first the arts if one would mankind degrade, Hire idiots to paint with cold light and hot shade; Give high price for the worst, leave the best in disgrace, And with labours of ignorance fill every place. When France got free, Europe 'twixt fools and knaves Were savage first to France, and after, slaves. When Sir Joshua Reynolds died all nature was degraded; The King dropped a tear into the Queen's eye and all his pictures faded.
