Life of Count Rumford. 395 



that of the managers, and chosen for the same terms 

 of years, who should annually make a thorough ex- 

 amination of every part of the Institution, audit its 

 accounts, criticise its efficiency, and send in a printed 

 report to the proprietors. No one could be eligible 

 as both manager and visitor. 



The managers were charged to procure models of all 

 inventions and improvements in mechanical arts made 

 in any country. These were to be the permanent prop- 

 erty of the Institution, whose surplus funds were to be 

 used for purchasing them. Special efforts and inqui- 

 ries were to be made to obtain from over the British 

 Empire and from foreign countries all such new and 

 useful improvements; and a room in the Institution, 

 open only to proprietors and subscribers, should be 

 appropriated for the record of all such information. So 

 deliberately and judiciously were all the arrangements 

 and details for the organization and conduct of the 

 Institution devised in the orderly mind of Rumford, 

 that it seemed as if it were already in working order 

 while still it existed only on paper. It would appear 

 that its originator was guided by his own strong con- 

 viction that a well-devised plan, carefully elaborated in 

 its most minute principles, would avert the necessity of 

 that preliminary and incidental discussion which so 

 often checks the enthusiasm needed to secure the first 

 success of such an undertaking. It was well understood 

 from the first that Rumford was the leading and guid- 

 ing spirit of the Institution. There is no trace of any 

 jealousy or disaffection, or even of any personal vari- 

 ance, excited towards him by his somewhat authoritative 

 leadership. The hearty response and co-operation of 

 all the prominent persons whom he sought to engage, 



