OF ARTS AND SCIENCES : JANUARY 9, 1872. 341 



consists fully as much in the skill with which he has overcome the 

 difficulties in the details of the construction of his boiler as in the in- 

 genuity of the original design. The boiler is not an ideal conception, 

 but an accomplished result, of which the industry of the country is 

 enjoying the benefit. By Mr. Harrison's labors, high-pressure steam 

 has been brought more under control, and human life has been rendered 

 more secure. The Rumford Committee believe not only that in award- 

 ing the Rumford medal to Mr. Harrison the Academy are faithfully 

 carrying out the expressed wishes of their benefactor, but also, that 

 Mr. Harrison's invention is one which Count Rumford would have 

 especially delighted to honor. 



Professor Joseph Lovering then received the medal from the 

 Chairman of the Rumford Committee, and presented it to Mr. 

 John A. Coleman, who was delegated by Mr. Harrison to act 

 as his substitute on the occasion, and presented it with these 

 remarks : — 



This full and authoritative statement of the Rumford Committee, 

 which its Chairman has now presented, — covering as it does the whole 

 ground, and clearly indicating the substantial reasons for the award 

 of the Rumford Medal to Mr. Harrison, — renders further remarks 

 from the Chair superfluous. 



Acting by the request of your President, Dr. Asa Gray, who would 

 not be able to speak this evening, even if it were safe for him to be 

 present, I have only, in behalf of the Academy, to receive this medal 

 from the Committee, who have so well done their part in producing 

 it, and in justifying its bestowal, and to deliver it into the hands of the 

 recipient's representative, since Mr. Harrison himself is unable to be 

 with us upon this occasion. 



As the founder of this premium was especially solicitous that it 

 should stimulate those discoveries or inventions which tend to increase 

 the comforts and conveniences of life, we may well conclude that he 

 would regard with highest favor those that conduce to the preservation 

 of life itself. The invention of Mr. Harrison is of this kind, is one 

 which, it is thought, may render certain applications of heat, themselves 

 of immeasurable importance, measurably secure, may render the steam- 

 boiler for general mechanical purposes as safe as any other mode of 

 generating power. 



And now, Mr. Coleman, in the Academy's name, I deliver this gold 



