172 THE ROYAL INSTITUTION. [CHAP. III. 



house of the Institution, and the first disappointment 

 he met with was the opposition to his wishes in this 

 respect. When he gave up his position in Glasgow he 

 fully intended to enter into practice as a physician in 

 London, but from this also he was restrained in great 

 measure by the managers of the Institution. 

 His biographer says : 



The exertions of the winter in some degree injured his 

 health, and the uncertainty he saw in his prospects tended 

 greatly to depress his spirits. He determined, however, to 

 keep his place at the Institution. 



In the summer he rejoined his children in Westmoreland, 

 but his anxiety of mind was not diminished or conse- 

 quently his health improved by the relaxation from active 

 employment. He walked over the same ground and viewed 

 the same prospects that he had formerly enjoyed in the 

 company of his wife. He had not resolution to check the 

 impressions as they arose, and thus, instead of being solaced 

 by the beauties which surrounded him, he gave the reins 

 to his melancholy fancy, which, unchecked by any other 

 remembrance, dwelt only on the affection and virtues of her 

 whose loss he had ever to deplore, the want of whose society 

 he imagined to be the chief source of his misery. 



Dr. Grarnett showed his own position when he 

 answered the application of Webster for his recom- 

 mendation as chemical operator. 



Kirkby-Lonsdale, September 27, 1800. 



DEAR SIR, I have received your letter, and, in answer to 

 it, must observe that such is my opinion of both your 

 industry and abilities that it would give me pleasure to 

 serve you, and I should with the greatest willingness 

 recommend you to any situation for which I knew you 

 qualified. That you could in time qualify yourself for the 

 situation of operator there is not the smallest doubt, but 



