^6 Ohjc[i and Regulations of the Inji'ttul'ion for 



inftrui^ion of artifts would be thp immediate confequcncc, but likewik; becaufe even tTie 

 nioft: powerful imaginations would be wonderfully aHifted by fuch an exhibition. The 

 moral confequcnces are likewifc adduced in favour of an eftablifhment for this purpofe. 

 Such a reputable inftitution would be above the fufpicions of interefted motives in their 

 purfuits. Jealoufy and envy, which never fail to attacic fuch aftive individuals as exert 

 themfcjves in difmterefted projciSls for the public welfare, and in too many inftances deter 

 men from laudable exertions ; — thefe mean energies would have lefs power to attack the 

 managers of a public inftitution, and the managers themfclves, on the other hand, would have 

 the firmnefs, the fpirit, and the power to refift them. The obftaclcs to difcovery are not 

 confined merely to objeds of art. Science alfo fufFers from the different ftation, habits, and mo- 

 tives which give energy to philofophers and praflical artifts. The philofopher feeks fame; the 

 manufaiSlurer, profit. Various inducements tend to prevent a mutual communication between 

 thefe clafTes of men, though both would be highly benefited by a cordial intcrcourfe. The new 

 inftitution has this great object in view. One circumftance more is mentioned by the Count, in 

 addition to the foregoing remarks ; namely, that we are indifferent to improvements, and think 

 them of little value, becaufe our forefathers did very well without them; and on this topic he 

 juftly remarks, that the argument is of no value, fince it may be brought in defence of the 

 moft favage ftate of human exiftcnce ; the only difFerence between this ftate and that of 

 higheft culture and civilization being, that in the latter a proper attention has been paid to 

 mechanical improvements. The introductory part concludes with an hiftorical fketch of the 

 origin of the, plan now fubmittcd to the public, into which, for the fake of brevity, I muft 

 forbear to enter. 



The fame motive induces me confiderably to abridge the propofals, or outlines of the plan. 

 The objedl or purpofe of the inftitution is clearly exprefled in its title. In the execution of 

 the plan, the firft flep of the managers will confift in preparing fpacious and airy rooms, for 

 the reception and public exhibition of all fuch new and mechanical inventions and improve- 

 ments, as {hall be thought worthy of the public notice. The models or machines will, as 

 much as poffible, be of the full fize, and exhibited in action as in their real application. A 

 complete laboratory and philofophical apparatus will be provided for making experiments; and 

 men of the firft eminence, will be engaged as lecturers. 



The funds are to be fupplied according to the following conftitutional regulations: i. By 

 the fubfcriptions which fhall be received from the original founders, and fole proprietors of the 

 inftitution, at 50 guineas each perfon, to be but once paid. a. By the fums contributed by 

 a fecond clafs of fubfcribers, at 10 guineas each perfon, to be but once paid. 3. By annua? 

 fubfcriptions at 2 guineas each. 4. By donations and legacies. And, 5. By fums received 

 at the door from occafional vifitors. 



The fubfcribers at 50 guineas are the proprietors of the inftitution, which is to be vcfted 

 in them, their heirs, and afligns; individually; but no aflignment can be valid till ratified by 

 the managers for the time being. One half of the amount of their fubfcriptions will be per- 

 manently vefted in government ftock, or freehold property, and no part of the money will be 

 demanded of the fubfcribers, nor any fteps taken for carrying the plan into execution, before 

 a charter fhall have been obtained, which will effectually defend the members of the inftitu- 



tioQ 



