COUNT BUM FORD 



45 



View in English Garden. 



He had already published a plan for founding a chartered organi- 

 zation to be known as the Boyal Institution of Great Britain, its 

 object being the promotion and extension of science and of useful 

 knowledge, and the application of the same to the common purposes of 

 life. The movement at once received the support of the learned men 

 of England; the nobility and the king appeared as patrons. 



The charter was granted in January, 1800, and Rumford was ap- 

 pointed the first manager, to serve three years. He had been living at 

 his house in Brompton Bow with his daughter, the countess, who now 

 wished to return to America, and, on her departure, Rumford took up 

 his residence in the rooms of the Royal Institution. It proved to be a 

 perfect scientific Elysium for him, being supplied with every imple- 

 ment for experiment that he could suggest. 



The founding of this institution was his crowning work in Eng- 

 land. It is still a monument to his genius, practical intellectual 

 activity and to his interest in the diffusion of knowledge. He em- 

 ployed Humphry Davy, then little known, as the first lecturer. Fara- 

 day afterwards joined Davy and for thirty-eight years was a lecturer 

 there. These geniuses received small compensation at the begin- 

 ning of the'ir careers. The institution allowed Davy 100 guineas a 

 year and Faraday 25 shillings a week; both were furnished coal, 

 candles and lodging rooms. 



The writer was a visitor at the Royal Institution last } r ear and found 

 it a flourishing organization of great influence. The Duke of North- 

 umberland is president and Sir William Crookes, secretary. Among 

 its professors are Lord Rayleigh, Joseph J. Thomson and Sir James 

 Dewar. The laboratories are splendidly equipped for research work, 



