Cust, Lionel; Colvin, Sidney [Editor]: History of the Society of Dilettanti (London, 1898)

4-6 History of the Society of "Dilettanti

' That a Voluntary Subscription be made by every Member of the
Society not exceeding five guineas nor less than one guinea.'

'That the General Fund be appropriated and made sacred to
the sole use of erecting or procuring Building, etc'

'That an officer be appointed with title of High Steward, etc'
(see page a 8).

' That Mr. Harris be desired and empowered to ask and collect
the voluntary Contribution not under one guinea nor exceeding
five guineas for the erecting or procuring a Building for the more
Honourable and Commodious reception of the Society as he
occasionally sees them.'

On May i, 1743, it was resolved

' That four Commissioners be appointed to look out for a proper
spot to build a Room. The Commissioners Lord Middlesex, S*
James Gray, Mr. Boone, Mr. Very High Steward Harris and a
fifth added Sr Francis Dashwood.'

Active steps towards this scheme do not appear
to have been taken till May 3, 1747, when a com-
mittee of thirteen members (five being a quorum)
was appointed

'To enquire and treat for a proper place and ground for the
Erecting the Building intended for the Reception of the Society,'

and empowered to purchase ground for a sum not
exceeding £300 or the value of that in annual rent.
The thirteen members chosen were Sir Francis Dash-
wood, the Duke of Bedford, Mr. Gray, Mr. Fauquier,
Mr. Boyle, Sir H. Liddell, the Earl of Holdernesse,
the Earl of Middlesex, Mr. Harris, Mr. Howe, Lord
Duncannon, Mr. Boone, and Mr. Brand, and to this
number were subsequently added the Earl of Bles-
sington, Mr. Knapton, Mr. Berkeley, Mr. Shirley,
Sir A. Calthorpe, Mr. Villiers, and Mr. Mackye.
The ca-ven- This committee decided on a site in Cavendish
dtsh Square SqUarej which was purchased by the Society from
the Duke of Chandos at a cost of £400, the in-
creased expenditure being sanctioned by a minute
of December 6, 1747. The ground was situated

site,