PHYSICS OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 305 



FIG. 149. COUNT RUMFORD. 



At the latter capital the Duke of Bavaria recognized the special apti- 

 tude and ability of the ex-" dry goods " dealer, and invited him to 

 enter his service. George III. accorded his permission, and sent 

 Thompson away with the honour of knighthood. Thompson's career 

 at Munich is perhaps the most singular part of his life, for the story 

 of his administration of public affairs there reads more like the recital 

 in an Arabian tale of a course of beneficent legislation enacted and 

 carried out by some wise grand vizier, than the records of ordinary 

 statesmanship. Not less remarkable also are his proceedings from the 

 fact that in the midst of his labours and enterprises he should have 

 carried on the continuous study of science, philosophy, and economics. 

 During his eleven years' sojourn in Munich Thompson published 

 papers in the "Transactions of the Royal Society " on heat, dephlogis- 

 ticated air, moisture in the atmosphere, photometry, etc., etc., and 

 contributed also to the journals of other scientific bodies. 



The Duke of Bavaria at first appointed Thompson colonel of a 

 cavalry regiment and to be aide-de-camp to himself, and a palatial 



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