12 



collect, that the studies of my life have been 

 particularly devoted. 



From the many testimonies of approbation 

 with which my labours were honoured by the 

 numerous and enlightened assembly of the sub- 

 scribers, (and I respectfully appeal to them if 

 it was not so,) I trust my conduct in fulfilling 

 my engagements must have given satisfaction 

 to the managers of the Royal Institution. I 

 never heard to the contrary, though several op- 

 portunities of expressing dislike, if they had 

 had any to express, were offered them in the 

 course of my correspondence. 



It is not my intention to wound the feelings 

 of the noblemen and gentlemen who govern the 

 Royal Institution. I cannot suppose they 

 would wish to injure any one, or still less that 

 they would intentionally deal unfairly by me. 

 But small things are great to little men, and re- 

 putation ought to be the portion of every one 

 who would live with the elegant part of society. 



Though I have not any favour to ask of them, 

 they must, and I am sure they will, do me the 

 justice, to recollect my professional character, 

 together with the circumstances in which I 

 have been placed by my intercourse with them, 

 and by their arrangements. 



This short letter I hope will explain what 

 those are ; and by recalling to their mind, and 

 putting before them, in one point of view, my 



