10 



of constantly bringing them forward to be used, and to be considered 

 as the common property of all cultivated minds. 



Such are some of the most important objects in the scientific 

 part of the New Scheme ; it will not be necessary to dwell upon the 

 subordinate ones. The moderation of our wishes will not be urged 

 against the possibility of their accomplishment. The Royal Insti- 

 tution is not proposed to be what Lord Bacon proposed of the great 

 Philosophical Establishment in the new Atalantis, a kind of city 

 peopled by philosophers : a system destined to change the face of 

 nature ; a scheme, as Cowley has expressed it, " for experiments 

 which cannot be experimented."* It asks only for humble means, 

 which may nevertheless produce important ends : and the words of a 

 celebrated divine, speaking of another kindred body then in its 

 infancy, but which has since become illustrious, will not unaptly 

 apply to this undertaking. 



" The supply," says Bishop Spratt, " that is needful to finish it, 

 will neither impoverish families, nor exhaust a mighty income." 



" If now this enterprize shall chance to fail for want of patronage 

 and revenue, the world will not only be frustrated of their present 

 expectations, but will have just ground to despair of any future 

 labours towards the increase of the practical philosophy. If our 

 posterity shall find, that an institution so vigorously begun, and so 

 strengthened by many signal advantages, could not support itself, 

 they will have reason at all times to conclude, that the long barren- 

 ness of knowledge w^as not caused by the corrupt method which was 

 taken, but by the nature of the thing itself. This will be the last 

 great endeavour that will be made in this way, if this shall prove 

 ineffectual ; and so we shall not only be guilty of our own ignorance, 

 but of the errors of all those that come after us."t 



Having described the philosophical objects of the establishment, 

 it may be necessary to say something of its government, of the pri- 

 vileges of Members, of their election, and of" the manner in which it 

 is conceived the income of the Institution may be made permanent 

 and sufficient. 



In the original plan of the establishment, as the prime object was 

 the founding a Collection of Models : and the diffusing the Know- 

 ledge of useful mechanical Inventions : it was but strict justice, 

 that these Models should be regarded as private property, and belong 

 to the persons by whom they were orginally purchased, or their 

 heirs, and that this property being of the nature of common property, 

 might be also transferred by sale. As the Institution was an experi- 

 ment, it was proper, that the persons who so liberally offered their 

 support to the experiment, should suffer as little as possible in case 

 of its failure ; and as it was intended to recommend the cheapest 



* Cowley's Works, Vol. III. p. 613. 

 t Spratt, Hist. Eoyal Society, p. 437. 



