6(5 THE KOYAL INSTITUTION. [CHAP. I. 



rally feel at not seeing me arrive in America at the time 

 appointed. 



The undertaking was the Eoyal Institution, and the 

 pamphlet was the ' Proposals ' for its foundation. 



On September 8 Mr. King again wrote to Count 

 Rumford : 



London, September 8, 1799. 



I have more than once expressed to you a wish that 

 you might find leisure, as well as inclination, to revisit 

 your native country, where I have been persuaded you 

 would meet with a friendly and cordial reception, and 

 by your presence and advice might be of great advantage 

 to our public institutions, the establishment of which, 

 upon approved principles, is an object of the highest con- 

 sequence. I am happy that I have it in my power to 

 assure you that I have not been mistaken in these senti- 

 ments, and it affords me peculiar satisfaction to execute 

 the order that I have lately received from my Government 

 to invite you in its name to return and reside among us, 

 and to propose to you to enter into the American service. 1 



Count Rumford answered : 



Brompton, September 12, 1799. 



I am deeply sensible of the honour that has been con- 

 ferred upon me by the Government of the United States, 

 by the kind invitation they have sent me to come and 

 reside in my native country, and also by the other dis- 

 tinguished and most flattering proofs of their confidence 

 and esteem with which that invitation has been accom- 

 panied. 



1 The President wrote to Secretary McHenry : ' I should not scruple 

 to give him any of the appointments you mention, and leave it with you 

 to make such proposals to him through Mr. King within the limits you 

 have drawn in your letter as you should think fit.' 





