242 Biographical Aecount of [Aprii, 



1779 ; ^^^ ^^ began to distinguish himself as an experimental 

 philosopher in 1781. In 1784 he made a tour on the Continent, 

 and became acquainted with the present King of Bavaria at Stras- 

 burgh, who was at that time Prince of Deux Fonts. He insinuated 

 himself so successfully into the good graces of this Prince, that he 

 recommended him in the most powerful manner to his relation and 

 predecessor the then Elector Palatine, who invited him into his 

 service on the most honourable terms. He accepted the offers 

 that were made him, and was employed by the Elector in new 

 modelling the army, and in introducing various changes and reforms 

 into different departments of government. He received a pension 

 from the King of Bavaria amounting to about 9001. a-year, which 

 constituted, 1 believe, almost the whole of his income. I have 

 been told, though I do not believe the statement, that the Elector 

 Palatine had applied to the British Government for a proper person 

 to organize his army, and that Sir Benjamin Thompson was recom- 

 mended by Ministry for that purpose. Be that as it may, he seems 

 to have enjoyed the full confidence of the Elector Palatine ; and 

 he remained in Bavaria till 179J'j when he ret'rned to Great Bri- 

 tain ; still, however, retaining his Bavarian pension. 



During this long interval he had distinguished himself by various 

 papers published in the Philosophical Transactions, on the Force of 

 Gunpowder and on Heat, all of them written in the most pleasing 

 and fascinating style, and containing much curious and important 

 information. On his return to London in 17^9 lie began to make 

 known those speculations which seem to have occupied a good deal 

 of his attention during his residence in Germany. They regarded 

 chiefly improvements in the construction of our fire-places, and 

 in the mode of prepai'ing food for the poor. His alterations 

 in our fire-places constituting a real improvement ; and Rum- 

 ford grates, as they were called (for by this time Sir Benjamin 

 Thompson had been created a Bavon of the German Empire), very 

 soon became almost universal in Great Britain. These improve- 

 ments gave him a degree of popularity very uncommon among 

 literary men in this country ; so that for some time Count Rumford 

 constituted the general subject of conversation. 



1799 and 1800 were two years of very bad crops, which suc- 

 ceeded one another ; the one from too much rain, the other from 

 too long a continuance of dry weather. It was then that the prices rose 

 to their present pitch; and they have never since faHcn to what was 

 formerly considered a reasonable rate. These high prices-occasioned 

 subscriptions in different parts for the relief of the poor. The 

 Count's popularity enabled him to suggest a plan which he had put 

 in execution in Germany, and to procure its adoption. Large 

 quantities of soup were made, and distributed either by means of 

 tickots, or sold at a very clieap rate. 1 had an opportunity of seeing 

 this practised for two successive winters in Edinburgh upon a very 

 coiislderahle scale. But though the plan a])peared good in an 

 abstract, point of view, it was not found upon trial to answer so well 



