384 Life of Count Rum ford. 



or shamed into action," and that it is very desirable 

 " to make benevolence fashionable." The writer also 

 expresses his interest in his correspondent's "plan with 

 regard to Bridewell. A well-arranged House of In- 

 dustry is much wanted in London." He closes by 

 asking Mr. Bernard "to read once more the Proposals 

 published in my second Essay. I really think that a 

 public establishment like that there described might 

 easily be formed in London, and that it would produce 

 infinite good. I will come to London to assist you in 

 its execution whenever you will in good earnest under- 

 take it." 



Returning to England in September, 1798, the Count 

 says he found Mr. Bernard very solicitous for an at- 

 tempt for the immediate execution of the plan. "After 

 several consultations that were held in Mr. Bernard's 

 apartments in the Foundling Hospital, and at the house 

 of the Lord Bishop of Durham, at which several gentle- 

 men assisted who are well known as zealous promoters 

 of useful improvements, it was agreed that Mr. Ber- 

 nard should report to the Committee of the Society for 

 unjT the Condition of the Poor the general result 

 of these Consultations, and the unanimous desire of the 

 gentlemer; who assisted at them that means might be 

 devised for making an attempt to carry the scheme 

 proposrj into execution." 



As the Count had thus, for convenience' sake, availed 

 himself of the interest which had already drawn together 

 in associated action a body of gentlemen organized into 

 a benevolent society, and as the report on his new 

 project was to be made by a committee of that society, 

 he was at once concerned to secure from the start the 

 independent existence, activity, and membership of the 



