Life of Count Rum ford. 447 



In a word, I cannot express the facility, the convenience, and 

 the economy which attach to the improvements introduced into 

 the hospital under your directions. The kitchen, the laundry, 

 and the drying-room are so perfectly arranged, that, in my humble 

 opinion, it would be impossible to add to their advantages. 



"The Lord Provost and the magistrates join me in their 

 thanks, &c. 



"JAMES JACKSON. 



" The guardians wished to signify their gratitude by a token 

 more durable than that of a simple letter. They therefore sent 

 to the Count a silver casket bearing an inscription very honora- 

 ble for him, and upon one of its faces is represented in a massive 

 gold relief the principal fagade of the building, to. the improve- 

 ment of which he had so efficiently contributed, and the gift is 

 besides a beautiful architectural fancy. 



" Finally, he has crowned his work by the superb establish- 

 ment of the Royal Institution, of which he was the principal 

 promoter, and which I described to you on my arrival. It is 

 one of the most remarkable monuments of his patriotism and 

 of his ingenious activity. This enterprise advances rapidly to 

 perfection, and he devotes to it his most assiduous pains. 



" Happy, however, as he might be, and usefully employed in 

 England, he is not permanently fixed here. The same sov- 

 ereign who, in 1784, had divined what a blessing such a man as 

 the Count might be to his nation, signified a very emphatic 

 intention of calling him back to him. With difficulty could he 

 withstand the appeal of a Prince who sought the good of his 

 country in attaching to himself a man whom he regarded as best 

 able to aid him in his proposed reforms. I think that the 

 next spring, or a little later, he left his quiet residence to re- 

 sume for some time the high functions in which he had ren- 

 dered such eminent services in Bavaria. 



u Such, my friends, is a resume of my notes. It will but 

 partially satisfy your curiosity, and I am perplexed by my desire 

 to tell you what I think will interest you, and the fear of being 

 indiscreet in my communications." 



