RISE OF NEW LEARNED SOCIETIES 259 



scientific essay that he brought with him. They speedily 

 became intimate. Thompson became a F.R.S. in the 

 following year (1779), and they had corresponded while 

 the young man was making his fortune and fame at the 

 Bavarian Court. 



Rumford must be always active in something useful, 

 especially in improving the economical and domestic 

 condition of the poorer classes. He was an essentially 

 practical man, a thorough Utilitarian, before that title 

 was acquired by the advocates of utilitarianism who 

 made it famous. The idea now suggested itself to him 

 to popularize Science by lectures and by laboratory work, 

 and to bring such of the Royal Society's activities into 

 practical paths as were likely to be embraced by un- 

 scientific people. He proposed a new Institution with 

 this object in view. At a meeting held at Banks's house 

 in Soho Square, the thing was adopted ; and a large 

 number of gentlemen subscribed fifty guineas for the 

 purpose of founding the Institution. The definite object 

 was, " For diffusing the knowledge, and facilitating the 

 general introduction, of useful mechanical inventions and 

 improvements ; and for teaching, by courses of philo- 

 sophical lectures and experiments, the application of 

 Science to the common purposes of life." The delicate 

 question was raised for a moment, whether its functions 

 would not interfere with existing Societies ; but this 

 did not acquire any weight, and was, perhaps, only 

 tendered as a courteous recognition of the valuable 

 work which the Society of Arts had been doing for nearly 

 half a century, very much on the same lines. 



The first President was the Earl of Winchilsea and 

 Nottingham. Sir Joseph Banks was a Vice-President. 

 Nine managers were chosen, three of whom would retire 

 every year, but were eligible for re-election. Sir Joseph 

 Banks was elected for two years, and again in 1802 for 

 three years. 



