DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1041#0170
i$*o History of the Society of Dilettanti
with their confidence. Those of the Committee who could be
assembled were called together without loss of time, and those
who were too far distant were informed of Mr. Gell's proposal.
They were unanimous in their wish that a person so eminently
qualified for the Undertaking should be without delay enabled to
proceed upon this business; and the Committee having agreed
with Mr. Gell as to the pecuniary arrangements which will be
hereafter specified, proceeded to chuse Draftsmen to accompany
him. Mr. Wilkins whose professional Skill rendered him a most
perfect Judge of the qualifications of the numerous Artists, who
offered themselves, kindly gave his assistance to the other members
of the Committee, and Mr. Francis Bedford was selected as
Draftsman; but Mr. John Gandy, brother to the eminent Drafts-
man & architect, & who himself is a Draftsman of great excellence;
having expressed a great wish to be of the Party, your Committee
thought that it would be for the evident advantage of the Mission
to employ him, and as two artists were sent on the former Voyage,
they had that precedent to guide them on the present occasion.
cThe Committee confided the whole and uncontroul'd command of
the details of the Expedition to Mr. Gell, in whom they can place the
most entire confidence. The whole Expenditure is entrusted to him,
and he is to receive as a Salary over & above his expenses the very
moderate sum of fifty pounds per month. Each of the Artists is to
receive ^zoo per annum—all his expenses being paid. Mr. Gell is
empowered to draw from time to time on the Society for such monies
as he may want, and will keep an account of the whole Expenditure.
eIt is expressly stipulated with the Artists that everything they
do, whether as to Journal notes or Drawings, of every kind, is to
be the sole property of the Society, and they are desired to keep
Journals of all that appears worthy of their notice.
* The Mission besides all instruments and materials requisite for
Drawing and Measuring, are likewise furnished with Instruments
proper for Geographical Observations, and it is hoped that much
valuable Information may be obtained in that line, though it is
not the primary object of their Researches: They will also not be
unmindful of the Natural History of the Countries they visit.
'Mr. Gell also suggested the propriety of carrying out with him an
assortment of such Articles as would be acceptable to the men in
authority in the countries they were about to visit. Bacchish under
different names has a great degree of influence in every country
yet known, but in the East it is indispensable, as it would be an
actual affront to appear before a Superior empty handed. Presents
therefore if not provided beforehand must have been purchased
in the Country at an advanced price, & inferior in quality; a
circumstance, which the Turks now well know how to appreciate.
with their confidence. Those of the Committee who could be
assembled were called together without loss of time, and those
who were too far distant were informed of Mr. Gell's proposal.
They were unanimous in their wish that a person so eminently
qualified for the Undertaking should be without delay enabled to
proceed upon this business; and the Committee having agreed
with Mr. Gell as to the pecuniary arrangements which will be
hereafter specified, proceeded to chuse Draftsmen to accompany
him. Mr. Wilkins whose professional Skill rendered him a most
perfect Judge of the qualifications of the numerous Artists, who
offered themselves, kindly gave his assistance to the other members
of the Committee, and Mr. Francis Bedford was selected as
Draftsman; but Mr. John Gandy, brother to the eminent Drafts-
man & architect, & who himself is a Draftsman of great excellence;
having expressed a great wish to be of the Party, your Committee
thought that it would be for the evident advantage of the Mission
to employ him, and as two artists were sent on the former Voyage,
they had that precedent to guide them on the present occasion.
cThe Committee confided the whole and uncontroul'd command of
the details of the Expedition to Mr. Gell, in whom they can place the
most entire confidence. The whole Expenditure is entrusted to him,
and he is to receive as a Salary over & above his expenses the very
moderate sum of fifty pounds per month. Each of the Artists is to
receive ^zoo per annum—all his expenses being paid. Mr. Gell is
empowered to draw from time to time on the Society for such monies
as he may want, and will keep an account of the whole Expenditure.
eIt is expressly stipulated with the Artists that everything they
do, whether as to Journal notes or Drawings, of every kind, is to
be the sole property of the Society, and they are desired to keep
Journals of all that appears worthy of their notice.
* The Mission besides all instruments and materials requisite for
Drawing and Measuring, are likewise furnished with Instruments
proper for Geographical Observations, and it is hoped that much
valuable Information may be obtained in that line, though it is
not the primary object of their Researches: They will also not be
unmindful of the Natural History of the Countries they visit.
'Mr. Gell also suggested the propriety of carrying out with him an
assortment of such Articles as would be acceptable to the men in
authority in the countries they were about to visit. Bacchish under
different names has a great degree of influence in every country
yet known, but in the East it is indispensable, as it would be an
actual affront to appear before a Superior empty handed. Presents
therefore if not provided beforehand must have been purchased
in the Country at an advanced price, & inferior in quality; a
circumstance, which the Turks now well know how to appreciate.