Council refuse the Loan of the Diploma Pictures.
(Copy)
Royal Academy of Arts
Dec.^r ___ 1857

Sir
In consequence of the Meetings of the Council of
the Royal Academy not having been resumed till last
month, some unavoidable delay has take place in
replying to your letter of the 23^rd October last
Having submitted that letter to the Council
I am directed to acquaint you in reply that they
fully appreciate the advantage to be derived from the
exhibition at South Kensington, of selections of
the works of British Artists, and that they consider
the mode in which such works have been exhibited
there, under the superintendence of the authorities
connected with the Department of Science & Art,
to be altogether satisfactory
With reference however, to the proposed loan
of the Diploma pictures of the Members of the Royal
Academy, as an addition to the collection at South
Kensington, the Council regret that they cannot,
consistently with their duty to the Academy,
recommend such a proceeding; since the Diploma
pictures referred to, serving for the purpose of
copying and for occasional study, constitute
part of the means of instruction in the Schools
of the Royal Academy.
The Manchester Exhibition was one of those very rare and
exceptional cases which induced the Council to overlook this
consideration; & they have not objected to the occasional exhibition
at long intervals of one or two pictures at the British Institution:
but, for the reason assigned, it is felt that they cannot extend
this system.
I have &c

Memorandum
Should a future
application from the
same quarter be made
I will suffice with
out entering into
further reason
shall refer to the
above letter.