"His table was now elegantly furnished, and round it men of genius were often found. He was a lover of poetry and poets; they sometimes read their productions at his house, and were rewarded by his approbation, and occasionally by their portraits. Johnson was a frequent and a welcome guest: though the sage was not seldom sarcastic and overbearing, he was endured and caressed, because he poured out the riches of his conversation more lavishly than Reynolds did his wines. Percy was there too with his ancient ballads and his old English lore; and Goldsmith with his latent genius, infantine vivacity, and plum-colored coat. Burke and his brothers were constant guests, and Garrick was seldom absent, for he loved to be where greater men were. It was honorable to this distinguished artist that he perceived the worth of such men, and felt the honor which their society shed upon him; but it stopped not here—he often aided them with his purse, nor insisted upon repayment."
THE FOUNDING OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY.
"The Royal Academy," says Cunningham, "was
planned and proposed in 1768 by Chambers, West,
Cotes, and Moser; the caution or timidity of Reynolds
kept him for some time from assisting. A list
of thirty members was made out; and West, a prudent
and amiable man, called on Reynolds, and, in
a conference of two hours' continuance, succeeded
in persuading him to join them. He ordered his
carriage, and, accompanied by West, entered the
