2 



names of individuals, I trust you will ascribe it to the feeling, which 

 I cannot but entertain, that it would display a want of propriety and 

 of decorum ; and that it would even be presumptuous for me to 

 offer praise or criticism. I shall dwell with pleasure upon the efforts 

 that have been made in this building, to direct the public attention 

 to useful and important scientific objects. You are acquainted with 

 the sources from which these efforts have been derived. You know 

 that the different lists that have been published of the active 

 Members of the Body, contain names, venerated at home, and cele- 

 brated abroad ; names distinguished for patriotic views, for active 

 virtues, and for exalted talents. 



The first plan of the Eoyal Institution was that of a School for 

 promulgating the Knowledge and Use of important Mechanical 

 Inventions ; for connecting the Views of Men of Science and 

 Artisans, and for laying open the general Principles, and teaching 

 the Application of all Improvements in the Sciences, in their 

 Connexion with the Arts of Life. 



The great feature of the establishment was intended to be a 

 Collection of Models, of Mechanical Contrivances, and of all Imple- 

 ments employed in the Common Purposes of Life, in their most 

 perfect state ; and it was designed to diffuse the knowledge of these, 

 and point out their applications as connected with the general 

 doctrines of science, by courses of Public Lectures. 



According to these views, the establishment was equally intended 

 for the instruction of manufacturers and workmen, and for the pro- 

 motion of the useful arts. It was hoped that the practical man 

 would profit by being instructed as to the correct scientific theories 

 of his peculiar brancli of labour, and that he would freely communi- 

 cate to the philosophical inquirer, the nature of his methods and his 

 operations, that they might be corrected or confirmed by an examina- 

 tion according to strict scientific principles. 



At first view it would scarcely appear possible, that a design so 

 important and so benevolent, should meet with obstacles to prevent 

 its execution : as it was to produce a common and a general benefit, 

 it might be supposed, that it would meet with public and general 

 encouragement, and that the persons, who it was conceived were to 

 derive most advantage from it, would be the persons most ready to 

 promote its objects. 



As far as patronage from the higher classes of society could assist 

 the scheme, this patronage was bestowed ; and the impracticability 

 of it arose from the condition of the arts and manufactures which 

 it was intended to assist, and from the views of the persons devoted 

 to them, and partly from the nature of our commercial system. 



There are two methods by which ingenious men usually obtain 

 remuneration for any inventions applicable to the common purposes 

 of life. 



The one is by olitaining a temporary monopoly under a patent, 



