promote the search after those subterraneous riches, which are so 

 abundantly distributed in various parts of the British islands. 



An object not perhaps the least in the establishment, or an object 

 which I hope I shall be pardoned for being partial to, is the 

 Laboratory ; which though formed upon a small scale, and supplied 

 with a small apparatus only, may yet by its effects, tend to demon- 

 strate the importance and uses of such a foundation in the 

 metropolis. 



This Laboratory has been always open for carrying on any in- 

 vestigations connected with the progress of chemical science or the 

 arts. It has afforded the means of promoting inquiries of som^ 

 importance to the community. A number of individuals have 

 received aid from it, in ascertaining the nature of various mineral 

 productions, and substances applicable to manufactures. The 

 practices of a very important branch of trade, at an early period of 

 the existence of the Institution, were submitted to chemical investi- 

 gation within its walls : I allude to the art of Tanning and Leather- 

 making ; and I believe there are many respectable and enlightened 

 manufacturers who will cheerfully acknowledge, that they received 

 the first just ideas of the scientific principles of improvement of their 

 art, from these illustrations and experiments. 



I will not dwell longer upon this subject : it would be indelicate 

 for me to be the historian of the whole of the progress of this part 

 of the establishment ; nor should I have entered upon it at all, 

 except in consequence of the circumstance, that though it is gene- 

 rally known that some new philosophical facts have been ascertained 

 here, yet it is not generally known, that the chemical apparatus of 

 the Royal Institution has given aid upon several occasions to the 

 useful arts ; and that assistance has been offered and afforded from 

 the Laboratory to various great public bodies : soils and manures 

 have been analysed here for the Board of Agriculture, and for many 

 of the great agriculturists of the kingdom, and upon several occasions 

 it has been of use to the different National Boards, which watch 

 over the interests of our navy, our army, and our trade. 



There is another object not unconnected with this, upon which I 

 can dwell with more pleasure and more propriety, I mean the Voltaic 

 Apparatus, which has been formed in consequence of a fund raised 

 by subscription. 



This instance alone would demonstrate the benefits to be derived 

 from such a public estabhshment as the Royal Institution. 



The expense connected with such inquiries, is within the compass 

 of few individuals, and those who have the power, unfortunately 

 have seldom the inclination to follow the pursuit. Without a public 

 establishment, this great Hght of new science might have been lost 

 to us ; and it is not the less honourable to the character of the 

 nation, that the efforts of private individuals have effected what in 

 other countries flows only from the government : and as the means 



