COUNT RUMFORD. 139 



for several interviews, doubtless meant to test the youth, 

 preceded his announcement te Davy, on February 16, 

 1801, of the resolution of the Managers, "That Mr. 

 Humphrey Davy be engaged in the service of the Royal 

 Institution, in the capacity of Assistant Lecturer in 

 Chemistry, Director of the Chemical Laboratory, and 

 Assistant Editor of the Journals of the Institution ; and 

 that he be allowed to occupy a room in the house, and be 

 furnished with coals and candles, and that he be paid a 

 salary of 100 guineas per annum." Eumford, moreover, 

 held out to Davy the prospect, if he devoted himself en- 

 tirely and permanently to the Institution, of becoming, 

 in the course of two or three years, full Professor of 

 Chemistry, with a salary of 300Z. per annum, " pro- 

 vided," he adds, " that within that period you shall have 

 given proofs of your fitness to hold that distinguished 

 situation." This promise of the professorship in two or 

 three years was ominous for Dr. Garnett, between whom 

 and the Managers differences soon arose which led to his 

 withdrawal from the Institution. 



Davy began his duties on Wednesday, March 11, 

 1801. He was allowed the room adjoining that occu- 

 pied by Dr. Garnett, to whom he was to refund the 

 expenses incurred in furnishing the room. The com- 

 mittee of expenditure paid to Dr. Garnett 20?. 2s. 3d. 

 for a new Brussels carpet, and 171. 6s. for twelve chairs, 

 the carpet and chairs being transferred to the room 

 occupied by the Managers. " Count Rumford reported 

 further that he had purchased cheaper a second-hand 

 carpet for Mr. Davy's room, together with such other 

 articles as appeared to him necessary to render the 

 room habitable, and among the rest a new sofa-bed, 

 which, in order that it may serve as a model for imita- 

 tion, has been made complete in all its parts." 



The name of a man who has no superior in its annals 

 10 



