or life members. By its constitution "no artist was capable
of being elected on any committee, or of voting as a governor, while he
continued a professional artist." This and the superscilious treatment
which they received in other respects caused great discontent among the
artists who were associate members. In the nature of things such a
disagreeable relationship could not last, and, consequently, in the year
1826, several of the associates, disgusted with the treatment to which
they were subjected, commenced making arrangements to found a Scottish
Academy. A document was handed round containing the proposal to found
this Academy, which, when published, had twenty-four names attached to
it, viz., thirteen academicians, nine associates, and two associate
engravers, the original number of the Academy's members. Mr. Macnee was
not one of the original promoters of the Academy but some of his works
were shown at their first exhibition, which took place in February,
1827. This opening exhibition was not so successful as might have been
expected. The Academy had to compete with the Royal Institution already
alluded to, which had many things in its favour, and was backed by the
influence of a large number of the nobility, from the King downwards.
The second exhibition, however, was more successful, and for the third
exhibition such energetic efforts were put forth that the Royal
Institution was fairly driven from the field. Ultimately, under the
award of Lord Cockburn and Mr. John Hope, afterwards Lord Justice-Clerk,
the two institutions amalgamated under the name of the Royal Scottish
Academy. It is one of the standing rules of the Academy that the members
shall not number more than thirty-nine, and those artists who are
ultimately admitted to membership are obliged to graduate as associates
for some time previously. Mr. Daniel Macnee and his friend Duncan were
exceptions to this rule. They were admitted at once as full members
without any previous association, an honour which was due to the great
promise they exhibited in their earlier career, and which both have
amply fulfilled in their maturer years. There are thirty members and
twenty associates of the Royal Scottish Academy.

Having said so much as to Mr. Macnee's professional career and
abilities, it would be doing him scant justice were we not to allude to
his excellent social qualities. Full of animal spirits and humour, he is
one of the favoured few who have been des