142 COUNT RUMFORD. 



ing the bedding and other night-gear, all of which 

 were hidden by a fringed valance. At night the sofa 

 was converted in a few minutes into an excellent bed, 

 while in the morning, with equal rapidity, the bed was 

 transformed into an ornamental piece of furniture. 

 Pictet occupied one-half of the charming dwelling. 

 Perfect freedom was given and enjoyed, and the learned 

 Genevese always tried to arrange his day's work so that 

 he might, if possible, engage his friend on some subject 

 of research common to them both. 



A portion of the motive force of a man of Rumford's 

 temperament may be described as irritability. During 

 the possession of physical vigour and sound health, this 

 force is held firmly by the will and directed by intelli- 

 gence and tact. But when health slackens and physical 

 vigour subsides, irritability often becomes an energy 

 wanting adequate control. Eumford's success in man- 

 aging all manner of men in Bavaria illustrates his 

 pliancy as much as his strength. But before he started 

 the Eoyal Institution his health had given way, and 

 " temper," it is to be feared, had got the upper hand. 

 In point of intellect, moreover, he came then into con- 

 tact with people of larger calibre and more varied accom- 

 plishments than he had previously met. He could 

 hardly count upon the entire sympathy of. Young and 

 Davy, though I believe he remained on friendly terms 

 with them to the end. They were gems of a different 

 water, if I may use the term, from Kumford. The chief 

 object of his fostering care was mechanical invention, 

 as applied to the uses of life. The pleasures of both 

 Young and Davy lay in another sphere. To them 

 science was an end, not a means to an end. The get- 

 ting at the mind of Nature, and the revealing of that 

 mind in great theories, were the objects of their efforts, 

 and formed the occupation of their lives. Had they 



