414 Life of Count Rumford. 



But if it cannot well be arranged to the entire satisfaction and 

 comfort of both, I shall always be perfectly satisfied if I know 

 that they are both pleased and contented. I always was of 

 opinion that people should be left to act freely and make them- 

 selves comfortable and happy in their own way. It is very 

 possible that my Mother may have good reasons for preferring 

 a place of residence and mode of life very different from that 

 which I, at this great distance, might think would please her 

 most. I wish I knew what she wishes. I should then have no 

 doubts how to act and what to propose. Perhaps my Daugh- 

 ter may marry (which she has my leave to do whenever she 

 pleases, and with whom she pleases). This may greatly alter 

 her relative situation with me and with my Mother. She may 

 perhaps wish at some future period to make me another visit in 

 Europe, and even in this scheme I shall not oppose her inclina- 

 tions, if her heart should be set on the gratification of them. I 

 do not mean to be an indulgent father in theory only. 



" Pray let me know what you think on these subjects, and 

 tell me how I must act to make two Persons who are very dear 

 to me as happy as possible. 



" I ought to take shame to myself for giving you so much 

 trouble, when you may think I have paid little attention to your 

 requests. The enclosed account of Mr. Fraser will acquaint 

 you with the particulars of those articles which you will now 

 receive by Mr. Higginson. 



"The Lathe, Mandrel, &c., which are ordered from the very 

 best workman in that line in Great Britain, will be forwarded 

 when finished, as will be also the Lucernal Glasses, which are 

 never found ready made. If you wish to have two equal mer- 

 curial Thermometers of the greatest possible Range of Scale, 

 viz. from freezing to boiling mercury, or from 40 below 

 Nothing to about 600 above Nothing of Fahrenheit's Scale, 

 I will order them for you. They will cost about 2^ Guineas 

 each. Give me your orders. 



" My Daughter will acquaint you with the brilliant Success 

 of our new Institution. The Subscriptions have amounted this 

 year to above 24,000 Sterling. And as little of the Institu- 



