1800. ^Ex. 34.] PROFESSOR GARNETT. 173 



still it must have been evident to yon that if you had acted 

 in that capacity last year, imperfect as the lectures were, 

 they must have been much more so ; for though I had an 

 operator capable of preparing any experiments that could 

 be made, still it was with the greatest difficulty that I 

 could get through it. How, then, could I have done had my 

 time been taken up with instructing an operator ? And, 

 having the greatest number of chemical things to prepare, 

 I could not have got through it with any credit to myself 

 or satisfaction to the managers. You are better acquainted 

 with the duty of an operator than you were before the 

 commencement of the lectures, and can therefore form some 

 judgment concerning the knowledge requisite and the 

 labour which it requires. It is unnecessary to say that an 

 operator must give up his whole time to it ; and, as we are 

 to have a good laboratory, it seems to me necessary that 

 he should be a good practical chemist, which he cannot be 

 without working some years in a laboratory. Sadler could 

 do anything in that way, and, were he a little more steady, 

 would be invaluable in the Institution. You say nothing 

 what has become of him. I was in hopes he might have been 

 employed again next year. Indeed, the managers ought, in 

 my opinion, to endeavour to have an operating chemist who 

 would be permanent. 



That you could in time do everything required I am veiy 

 far from doubting, and, should it be the wish of the 

 managers, I shall be far from opposing it ; on the contrary, 

 were you qualified, there is not one person whom I should 

 so much wish to have it. But, before you come to a deter- 

 mination, you must well consider whether you would relish 

 the many dirty jobs to which it will subject you as well as 

 the labour ; and, if it be still your wish and determination, 

 it would certainly be proper to attend an autumnal course 

 of lectures. If it be your intention to remain in the Insti- 

 tution and to continue as operator, which probably might 

 be carried on along with the School of Mechanics (though 



