140 COUNT RUMFORD. 



intendent of the house, at a salary of 300Z. per annum. 

 Young accepted the appointment, and the Managers 

 confirmed it by resolution on August 3, 1801 : 

 ' Kesolved, that the Managers approve of the measures 

 taken by Count Rumford ; and that the appointment of 

 Dr. Young be confirmed.' 



Rumford's health fluctuated perpetually, and it was 

 said at the time that this was due in some measure to 

 the fanciful notions he entertained, and acted on, with 

 regard to diet and exercise. But Dr. Young affirms 

 that his habits in these respects were guided by his 

 physicians. 



Many years ago, wishing to supplement my know- 

 ledge of the Turkish bath, I referred to a paper of 

 Rumford's which gave an account of a visit to Harrogate 

 and his experience there. According to the rules of the 

 place he had his bath in the evening, and went to bed 

 immediately afterwards. He found himself restless and 

 feverish ; the bath, indeed, seemed to do him more harm 

 than good. An observant fellow-lodger had made, and 

 had corrected the same experience. Acting on his 

 advice, Rumford took his bath two hours before dinner, 

 engaging afterwards in his usual work, or going out to 

 have a blow on the common. So far from suffering 

 chill from this exposure, he found himself invigorated 

 by it. My own experience, I may say, corroborates all 

 this. Rumford took the senses of man as he found 

 them, and tried to enhance the gratifications thence 

 derived : * To increase the pleasure of a warm bath 

 he suggests the burning of sweet-scented woods and 

 aromatic gums and resins in small chafing-dishes in the 

 bathing-rooms, by which the air will be perfumed with 

 the most pleasant odours.' He spiritedly defends this 

 counsel : ' Effeminacy is no doubt very despicable, 

 especially in a person who aspires to the character and 



