116 THE EAELY HISTORY OF [CHAP. III. 



gentlemen present were of opinion that the plan entered 

 too much into detail to be submitted to the public in the 

 beginning of the business, I undertook to revise it, 

 and to endeavour to accommodate it to the wishes of the 

 Committee. 



Having made such alterations in it as I thought might 

 satisfy the Committee, I sent a corrected copy of it to them, 

 accompanied by the following letter : 



* GENTLEMEN, Inclosed I have the honour to send you a 

 corrected copy of the Proposals I took the liberty of laying 

 before you on Thursday last, for forming in this capital, by 

 private subscription, a public Institution for diffusing the 

 knowledge and facilitating the general and speedy 

 introduction of new and useful mechanical inventions and 

 improvements ; and also for teaching, by regular courses 

 of philosophical lectures and experiments, the application of 

 the new discoveries in science to the improvement of arts 

 and manufactures, and in facilitating the means of procuring 

 the comforts and conveniences of life. 



* The tendency of the proposed Institution to excite a 

 spirit of inquiry and of improvement amongst all ranks of 

 society, and to afford the most effectual assistance to those 

 who are engaged in the various pursuits of useful industry, 

 did not escape your observation ; and it is, I am persuaded, 

 from a conviction of the utility of the plan, or its tendency 

 to increase the comforts and enjoyments of individuals, and 

 at the same time to promote the public prosperity, that you 

 have been induced to take it into your serious consideration. 

 I shall be much nattered if it should meet with your ap- 

 probation and with your support. 



' Though I am perfectly ready to take any share in the 

 business of carrying the scheme into execution, in case it 

 should be adopted, that can be required, yet there is one 

 preliminary request which I am desirous may be granted 

 me, and that is, that the Government may be previously 



