140 COUNT RUMFORD. 



now appears for the first time in connection with the 

 Institution. Here also the sagacity of Rumford was 

 justified by events. At the suggestion of Sir Joseph 

 Banks he had an interview with Dr. Thomas Young, 

 destined to become so illustrious as the decipherer of 

 the Egyptian hieroglyphics, and, by the discovery of 

 Interference, the founder of the undulatory theory of 

 light. It was proposed to him, by Eumford, to accept 

 an engagement as Professor of Natural Philosophy in 

 the Institution, as Editor of its Journals, and as super- 

 intendent of the house, at a salary of 300Z. per annum. 

 Young accepted the appointment, and the Managers 

 confirmed it by resolution on August 3, 1801 : " Re- 

 solved, that the Managers approve of the measures taken 

 by Count Rumford; and that the appointment of Dr. 

 Young be confirmed." 



Rumford's health fluctuated perpetually, and it was 

 said at the time that this was due in some measure to 

 the fanciful notions he entertained, and acted on, with 

 regard to diet and exercise. But Dr. Young affirms 

 that his habits in these respects were guided by his 

 physicians. 



Many years ago, wishing to supplement my knowl- 

 edge of the Turkish bath, I referred to a paper of 

 Rumford's which gave an account of a visit to Harrogate 

 and his experience there. According to the rules of the 

 place he had his bath in the evening, and went to bed 

 immediately afterwards. He found himself restless and 

 feverish ; the bath, indeed, seemed to do him more harm 

 than good. An observant fellow-lodger had made, and 

 had corrected the same experience. Acting on his 

 advice, Rumford took his bath two hours before dinner, 

 engaging afterwards in his usual work, or going out to 

 have a blow on the common. So far from suffering 

 chill from this exposure, he found himself invigorated 



