COUNT RUMFORD. 69 



CHAPTEE II. 



LIFE OF RUMFORD AFTER THE FOUNDATION OF THE 

 INSTITUTION. 



1799 to 1814. 



THE history of the life of Count Rumford in 1799, 

 1800, 1801 to May 1802 is chiefly the history of the 

 Royal Institution. The foundation of it forms an 

 episode which must be separated from the rest of his 

 career. But some of the letters and events of these 

 years which are more closely related to his future 

 life will be recorded here. 



Before he began the Institution he had almost 

 determined to go to America, and before the building 

 was finished he wrote to his daughter regarding the 

 time ' when I shall be at liberty,' and soon after he 

 spoke of going to Munich, but before his plans for 

 the Institution were carried out he went to Paris, 

 where new attractions put an end to all he intended 

 to do in America and in England, and he never 

 revisited his native or his adopted country. 



On June 9, 1800, Sir C. Blagden wrote to Rumford's 

 daughter in America : 



It will give nie great pleasure to see you again either 

 here or in America. Do not depend upon the Count's 



