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the student, and in making the works and
talents of our artists more known amongst
us; yet various circumstances have unfortu¬
nately conspired to hinder it from realizing all
the sanguine hopes of its early friends, and to
interrupt or destroy that unity of action among
our few artists and men of taste, which could
alone give to it that wide and lasting utility of
which it is capable, and thus render it a de¬
serving object of the pride of our city and
state. But let us not look back to the past. In¬
dulging the hope that brighter prospects are
about to open upon us, permit me to invite the
attention of the numerous and respectable au¬
dience who have honoured the celebration of
our annual exhibition with their presence, to
the consideration of the uses and value of the
FINE ARTS—not SO much with reference to the
private studies and pleasures of the artist or
the amateur, but, as they deservedly recommend
themselves to the notice of the patriot and the
philanthropist, as they are fitted to add to the
comforts, aind multiply the innocent enjoy¬
ments of life, to adorn and dignify the aspect
of society, to give impulse and exercise to the
latent talent, and fresh lustre to the glories of
aur nation, and by their moral influence upon