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barrassments that the Directors could scarcely keep it 

 open ; a Sale of the Library and effects had been pro- 

 posed and considered. The Institution must have closed 

 but for the spirited conduct and munificence of some of 

 its illustrious patrons. One nobleman advanced a 

 thousand guineas; other contributions followed, and 

 plans were formed for recruiting the finances. These 

 plans were made the subject of a Lecture, and likewise 

 of a pamphlet by Sir Humphry Davy. Vide " Plan 

 proposed for improving the Royal Institution, March 

 3rd, 1810," 



Mr. Este's Proposals, Lectures, Remarks upon the 

 Management of Scientific Institutions, were published in 

 1808, 1809, 1810; Sir Humphry Davy's pamphlet did 

 not appear until March 3rd, 1810. 



In the autumn of 1812, an intimation was made to 

 Mr. Este, with a view of inducing him tore-submit his 

 proposals and to resume his Lectures, viz. that thefinances 

 of the Institution were improved ; that under such al- 

 tered circumstances, he would meet with that support 

 from the managers, which their former difficulties had 

 precluded them from affording'; that several of the 

 Lectures, subsequent to his own had been delivered gra- 

 tuitously. 



The intimation came too late : during the summer of 

 1812, Mr. Este had been invited by the late Earl of 

 Harrington to take the medical charge of his regiment, 

 the 1st Life Guards, then under orders for foreign 

 service ; together with the direction of the medical con- 

 cerns of the Royal Brigade of Household Cavalry, in 

 Portugal, Spain, and in France. He had just received 

 his commission from the Prince Regent, had kissed 

 hands on his appointment, and therefore could not do 

 otherwise than give a negative answer to the intimation. 

 Under other circumstances he would gladly have attended 

 to it, especially asit was made in a very flattering manner, 

 and by a person distinguished almost as much for his 

 talent and attainment, as for his benevolence. 



