136 COUNT EUMFORD. 



obviously the writer) descants on the name and objects 

 of the new project. The word Institution is chosen 

 because it had been least used previously, and because 

 it best indicates the objects of the new society. The 

 influence of the mechanical arts on the progress of 

 civilisation and refinement is pointed out. and illustrated 

 by reference to nations, provinces, towns, and even vil- 

 lages, which thrive in proportion to the activity of their 

 industry. ' Exertion quickens the spirit of invention, 

 makes science flourish, and increases the moral and 

 physical powers of man.' The printing-press, naviga- 

 tion, gunpowder, the steam-engine, are referred to as 

 having changed the whole course of human affairs. 

 The slowness with which improvements make their 

 way among workmen is ascribed to the influence of 

 habit, prejudice, suspicion, jealousy, dislike of change, 

 and the narrowing effect of the subdivision of work 

 into many petty occupations. But slowness is also due 

 to the greed for wealth, the desire for monopoly, the 

 spirit of secret intrigue exhibited among manufacturers. 

 Between these two the philosopher steps in, whose busi- 

 ness it is ' to examine every operation of Nature and 

 art, and to establish general theories for the direction 

 and conducting of future processes.' But philosophers 

 may become dreamers, and they have therefore habitu- 

 ally to be called back to the study of practical questions 

 which bear upon the ordinary pursuits of life. Science 

 and practice are in short to interact, to the advantage 

 of both. This object may be promoted by the offering 

 of premiums, after the manner of the Society of Arts, 1 

 by the granting of patents ; and, finally, by the method 

 of the new Institution the diffusion of the knowledge 

 of useful mechanical inventions, and their introduction 

 into life. 



Founded in 1753. 



