436 Professor Tyndall [May 3, 10, and 17, 



fire-places. The beds, moreover, were disguised as elegant sofas. 

 Under each sofa were two deep drawers containing the bedding and 

 other night gear, all of which were hidden by a fringed valence. At 

 night the sofa was converted in a few minutes into an excellent bed, 

 while in the morning, with equal rapidity, the bed was transformed 

 into an ornamental piece of furniture. Pictet occupied one-half of 

 the charming dwelling. Perfect freedom was given and enjoyed, 

 and the learned Genevese always tried to arrange his day's work so 

 that he might, if possible, engage his friend on some subject of 

 research common to them both. 



A portion of the motive force of a man of Rumford's temperament 

 may be described as irritability. During the possession of physical 

 vigour and sound health, this force is clasped by power of will and 

 directed by intelligence and tact. But when health slackens and 

 physical vigour subsides, what was formerly a firmly ruled power 

 becomes an energy wanting adequate control. Rumford's success 

 in managing all manner of men in Bavaria illustrates his pliancy 

 as much as his strength. But before he started the Royal Insti- 

 tution his healtii had given way, and his irritability, it is to be 

 feared, had got the ui)per hand. In point of intellect, moreover, 

 he came then into contact with people of larger calibre and more 

 varied accomplishments than he had previously met. He could 

 hardly count upon the entire sympathy of Young and Davy, though 

 I believe he remained on friendly terms with them to the end. 

 They were gems of a different water, if I may use the term, from 

 Rumford. The chief object of his fostering care was mechanical 

 invention, as ap2)lied to the uses of life. The pleasures of both 

 Young and Davy lay in another sphere. To them science was an end, 

 not a means to an end. The getting at the mind of nature, and the 

 revealing of that mind in great theories, were the objects of their 

 efforts, and formed the occupation of their lives. Had they been as 

 enthusiastic as Rumford himself in Rumford's own direction, the three 

 united would probably have daunted opposition, and for a somewhat 

 longer time endeavoured to realise Rumford's dream. But differences 

 arose between him and the other managers. " It is very clear to me," 

 writes Dr. Bence Jones to Dr. Ellis, " that Count Rumford fell out 

 with Mr. Bernard and with Sir John Hippesley. The fact was that 

 Rumford's idea of workshops and kitchen, industrial school, mechanics' 

 institution, model exhibition, social club-house, and scientific com- 

 mittees to do everything, was much too big and unworkable for a 

 private body, and was fitted only for an absolute wealthy government." 

 In 1803 Dr. Bence Jones informs us that difficulties were gathering 

 round the Institution, and it was even proposed to sell it off". 

 Rumford had quitted London and gone to Paris. By Davy's aid, 

 Mr. Bernard and Sir John Hippesley carried on the work, but in 

 a fashion diff'erent from that contemplated by liumford — that is 

 to say, "without workshops, or mechanics' institute, or kitchen, or 

 model exhibition." The place of these was taken by experimental 



