226' Bioffrapfiical Memoir of Count Runiford. 



to the noble expression of an ancient, to combine leisure with 

 dignity. But his hopes were frustrated. The usage of the 

 English Government does not permit, that a man born its 

 subject should be accredited to it as the representative of another 

 power, and the minister for foreign affairs signified to Count 

 Rumford that it was resolved not to deviate from this usage. 



A still more acute disappointment soon after befel him. He 

 was informed of the death of the Prince, his benefactor, whicli 

 happened in 1799, and he foresaw that he would have no less 

 difficulty in resuming his old than in exercising his new func- 

 tions. In reality, the Elector Joseph Maximilian was neither 

 ignorant of his merit nor of his services, and remembered that he 

 was the first author of his fortune ; but, with a different system 

 of government, and opposite political interests, it was natural 

 that he should have other counsellors than his pi'edecessor, and 

 Count Rumford was not of a character to enter into partner- 

 ship. Besides, the happy changes which he had effected, had 

 rendered him less necessary, and his views, which had been so 

 useful when Bavaria required to be enlightened, were no longer 

 such as suited, precisely because the success of their adoption 

 had already been so rapid. 



He therefore only returned to Munich for a short time, du- 

 ring the peace of Amiens ; and yet even in this short time, he 

 performed a true and great service to science, in contributing, 

 by his advice, to the reorganization of the Bavarian Academy, 

 on a plan vvhich, with utility, in every respect, combined a truly 

 royal magnificence. 



The period at length arrived when a final retreat had become 

 necessary. And it was no mean honour for France, that a man 

 who had enjoyed the consideration of the most civilized a)un- 

 tries of the two worlds, prel'erred it for his last residence. He 

 preferred France, because he quickly perceived it to be the 

 country where merited reputation most surely gains a true dig- 

 nity, independent of the transitory favour of courts, and of all 

 the chances of fortune. 



In fact, we have seen him among us for ten years, honoured 

 by Frenchmen and foreigners, esteemed by the friends of science, 

 participating their labours, aiding with his advice even the 



