1798. JET. 45.] COUNT RUMFOED. 63 



some future period and spend the evening of my life. 

 Perhaps you may be so good as to assist me in carrying 

 this plan into execution. As I am not wealthy, and prefer 

 comfort to splendour, I shall not want anything magnifi- 

 cent. From forty to one hundred acres of good land, with 

 wood and water belonging to it, if possible in a retired 

 situation, from one to four miles from Cambridge, with or 

 without a neat, comfortable house upon it, would satisfy all 

 my wishes. 



Among his friends in England was the Honourable 

 Eufus King, the American minister. 



Mr. King wrote to Colonel Pickering, the Secretary 

 of State in America : 



London, December 8, 1798. 



Count Rumford, late Sir Benjamin Thompson, whose 

 name and history are probably known to you, and whose 

 talents and services have procured the most beneficial 

 establishments and reforms in Bavaria, was lately named 

 by the Elector to be his minister at this Court. On 

 his arrival he has been informed that, being a British 

 subject, it was contrary to usage to receive him, and that 

 therefore he could not be acknowledged. The intrigues 

 and opposition against which he had for some years made 

 head in Bavaria probably made him desire the mission to 

 England. The refusal he has here met with has decided 

 him to return and settle himself in America. He proposes 

 to establish himself at or near Cambridge, to live there in 

 the character of a German count, to renounce all political 

 expectations, and devote himself to literary pursuits. His 

 connexions in this country are strictly literary, and his 

 knowledge, particularly in the military department, may 

 be of great use to us. The Count is well acquainted with 

 and has had much experience in the establishment of 

 cannon foundries ; that which he established in Bavaria 

 is spoken of in very high terms, as well as certain improve- 



