Life of Count Rumford. 385 



proposed Institution. The committee agreed with him, 

 that the objects of the Institution were too interesting 

 and important to allow of its being made "an appendix 

 to any other existing establishment," and, therefore, 

 that it ought to stand aione, on it's own proper basis. 

 Eight members of the above-named society were ap- 

 pointed to confer with him on his plan.* Meeting 

 with this committee on the jist of January, 1799, the 

 Count presented them with an elaborate and complete 

 working plan for an Institution, which they unani- 

 mously approved. It was thought, however, that 

 the plan entered too much into details for submission 

 to the public in the existing stage of the enterprise, and 

 therefore the Count revised and modified it, sending a 

 corrected copy of it to each member of the committee, 

 accompanied by a letter as follows : 



" GENTLEMEN, Inclosed I have the honour to send you a 

 corrected copy of the Proposals I took the liberty of laying be- 

 fore you on Thursday last, for forming in this capital, by private 

 subscription, a Public Institution for diffusing the knowledge 

 and facilitating the general and speedy introduction of new and 

 useful mechanical inventions and improvements ; and also for 

 teaching, by regular courses of Philosophical Lectures and Ex- 

 periments, the application of the new discoveries in science to 

 the improvement of arts and manufactures, and in facilitating 

 the means of procuring the comforts and conveniences of life. 



" The tendency of the proposed Institution to excite a spirit 

 of inquiry and of improvement amongst all ranks of society, 

 and to afford the most effectual assistance to those who are 

 engaged in the various pursuits of useful industry, did not escape 

 your observation ; and it is, I am persuaded, from a conviction 



* These gentlemen were, the Earl of Winchilsea, Mr. Wilberrbrce, the Rev. Dr. 

 Glasse, Mr. Sulivan, Mr. Richard Sullivan, Mr. Colquhoun, Mr. Parry, and Mr. 

 Bernard. 



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