8 August

Gentlemen
Within the last forty
eight hours a heavy sorrow
has come upon me. You will I
am fully convinced treat with in=
dulgence me absence from ^amongst you
this evening for you know, I am
sure, that no light matter would
stand between me and the per=
formance of a duty in your service.
I have asked Mr. Pickersgill to
be so kind as to represent me on
this occasion.
But if I am sure that my
 

absence will not be misinterpreted
by you I do not consider myself
justified in holding myself entirely
aloof from the important discussion
which will take place tonight on
the subject of a motion of Mr. Cope's
- I have therefore put on paper
with the utmost possible brevity
one or two observations which
I am anxious to bring before
you. The Secretary will read
them ^{to you} at the proper time.

Believe me to remain
gentlemen
yours very faithfully
Fred. Leighton
 

Sir F. Leighton

Cause of absence
from Gen. Ass.

Au. 8 1879
 

Gentlemen I would ask you
before going to the vote on M^r Copes’
motion to weigh with care the following
considerations: when a privilege has
remained unchallenged for a long
period of time it can only, in justice,
be withdrawn on one of two grounds
- either it must be shewn that the candi-
dates for the enjoyment of that privilege
have ceased to be deserving of it –
-------------- or it must be shewn
that its’ exercise is fraught with
detriment to the Institution.
The eligibility of women into the
ranks of the Royal Academy has
existed unchallenged for 110 years;
Several women have been members
of the body. – Which of the positions
just defined to you propose to take up
against their sex? _ Will it be said
that women are less qualified than

hitherto to join your ranks? – the
reverse is [notorious?] Or is their
exercise of the privilege of mem:
bership detrimental to the interests
of the body? wherein? It is said:
“ladies cannot be allowed to visit
the life schools” – but they never
will – those who raise this objection
must have overlooked the fact
that visitorships are determined
by elections. – is it feared that
a lady will be elected for these
duties? such an apprehension
does not admit of serious dis
cussion. or are the 69 ^remaining members
and associates not equal to their
work? _ And do not let it
be said that the motion on
-----------------------------------------
the paper would give women the
dignity without the duties-.
Academicianship without the right
to vote, to elect, to legislate is
Academicianship without its’
dignity. I presume, bye the bye,
that the word “Associate” in
the 2^d motion is a mere lapsus
calami, and that “Members” were meant.
What, to me, new arguments
may ^be brought forward in support
of this proposal I do not know
but I earnestly trust that you will
at least carefully consider and weigh
this brief contribution to your de:
liberations

Sir F. Leighton
on motion to elect
women for R.A.
1879