COUNT RTTMFORD. 127 



the Austrians withdrew to Munich, but found the gates 

 of the city closed against them. They planted batteries 

 on a height commanding the city. According to arrange- 

 ment with the Elector, Rumford assumed the command 

 of the Bavarian forces, and by his firmness and presence 

 of mind prevented both French and Austrians from 

 entering Munich. A foreigner acting thus was sure to 

 excite jealousy and encounter opposition; but, despite 

 all this, he was eminently successful in realising his 

 aims. The consideration in which he was held by the 

 Elector is illustrated by the fact that he made Miss 

 Thompson a Countess of the Empire, conferring on her 

 a pension of 200Z. a year, with liberty to enjoy it in any 

 country where she might wish to reside. 



The following incident is worth recording. In 

 March, 1796, Rumford's daughter, wishing to celebrate 

 his birthday, chose out of his workhouse a dozen of the 

 most industrious little boys and girls, dressed them up 

 in the uniform of that establishment, and robing herself 

 in white, led them into his room and presented them to 

 him. He was so much touched by the incident, that 

 he made her a present of two thousand dollars (400Z.) 

 on condition that she should, in her will, apply the 

 interest of the sum to the clothing every year for ever, 

 on her own birthday, of twelve meritorious children 

 six girls and six boys in the Munich uniform. The 

 poor children were to be chosen from her native town, 

 Concord. Habit must to some extent have blinded 

 Eumford's eyes to the objection which independent Xew 

 Englanders were likely to make to this fantastic ap- 

 parel. They bluntly stated their objections, but " with 

 grateful hearts " they nevertheless expressed their will- 

 ingness to accept the donation. Nothing further was 

 done during Eumford's lifetime. 



The Xew England girl, brought up in Concord, 



