XV111 INTRODUCTION. 



complished but for the rigorous habits of order which he carried 

 into all his pursuits. He reorganized the entire military establish- 

 ment of Bavaria, introduced not only a simpler code of tactics, and 

 a new system of order, discipline, and economy among the troops 

 and industrial schools for the soldiers' children, but greatly im- 

 proved the construction and modes of manufacture of arms and 

 ordnance. He suppressed the system of beggary which had grown 

 into a recognized profession in Bavaria, and become an enormous 

 public evil one of the most remarkable social reforms on record. 

 He also devoted himself to various ameliorations, such as improv- 

 ing the construction and arrangement of the dwellings of the work- 

 ing classes, providing for them a better education, organizing houses 

 of industry, introducing superior breeds of horses and cattle, and 

 promoting landscape-gardening, which he did by converting an old 

 abandoned hunting-ground near Munich into a park, where, after 

 his departure, the inhabitants erected a monument to his honor. 

 For these services Sir Benjamin Thompson received many distinc- 

 tions, and among others was made Count of the holy Roman Empire. 

 On receiving this dignity he chose a title in remembrance of the 

 country of his nativity, and was thenceforth known as Count of 

 Rumford. 



His health failing from excessive labor and what he considered 

 the unfavorable climate, he came back to England in 1798, and had 

 serious thoughts of returning to the United States. Having re- 

 ceived from the American government the compliment of a formal 

 invitation to revisit his native land, he wrote to an old friend re- 

 questing him to look out for a "little quiet retreat" for himself 

 and daughter in the vicinity of Boston. This intention, however, 

 failed, as he shortly after became involved in the enterprise of 

 founding the Royal Institution* of England. 



There was in Rumford's character a happy combination of phi- 

 lanthropic impulses, executive power in carrying out great projects, 

 and versatility of talent in physical research. His scientific inves- 

 tigations were largely guided and determined by his philanthropic 



