498 Life of Count Rumford. 



" It certainly requires some courage, and perhaps no small 

 share of enthusiasm, to stand forth the voluntary champion of 

 the public good. Hut this is a melancholy reflection on which 

 I never suffer my mind to dwell. There is no saying what the 

 consequences might be were we always to sit down before we 

 engage in a laudable undertaking and meditate profoundly upon 

 all the dangers and difficulties that are inseparably connected 

 with it. The most ardent zeal might perhaps be damped, and 

 the warmest benevolence discouraged. But the enterprising 

 seldom regard dangers, and are never dismayed by them ; and 

 they consider difficulties but to see how they are to be over- 

 come. To them activity alone is life, and their glorious reward 

 the consciousness of having done well. Their sleep is sweet 

 when the labours of the day are over, and they await with placid 

 composure that rest which is to put a final end to all their 

 labours and to all their sufferings." 



There is also a fine passage in the beginning of the 

 thirteenth chapter of this Essay. 



" Amongst the great variety of enjoyments which riches put 

 within the reach of persons of fortune and education, there is 

 none more delightful than that which results from doing good 

 to those from whom no return can be expected, or none but 

 gratitude, respect, and attachment. What exquisite pleasure, 

 then, must it afford, to collect the scattered rays of useful science 

 and direct them, united, to objects of general utility ! to throw 

 them in a broad beam on the cold and dreary habitations of the 

 p;H>r, spreading cheerfulness and comfort all around ! 



" Is it not possible to draw off the attention of the rich from 

 trifling and unprofitable amusements and engage them in pur- 

 suits in which their own happiness and reputation and the public 

 prosperity are so intimately connected ? What a wonderful 

 change in the state of society might in a short time be effected 

 by their united efforts ! 



"Ic-.is hardly possible for the condition of the lower classes of 

 society t\Q be essentially improved without that kind and friendly 

 assistance yhich none can afford them but the rich and the 



