Fuseli was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1788, and early
in 1790 became an Academician--honors won by talent without the
slightest coöperation of intrigue. His election was nevertheless
unpleasant to Reynolds, who desired to introduce Bonomi the architect.
Fuseli, to soothe the President, waited on him beforehand, and said, "I
wish to be elected an academician. I have been disappointed hitherto by
the deceit of pretended friends--shall I offend you if I offer myself
next election?" "Oh, no," said Sir Joshua with a kindly air, "no offence
to me; but you cannot be elected this time--we must have an architect
in." "Well, well," said Fuseli, who could not conceive how an architect
could be a greater acquisition to the Academy than himself--"Well, well,
you say that I shall not offend you by offering myself, so I must make a
trial." The trial was successful.