1801.] THE ROYAL INSTITUTION. 187 



The letter states that, as the Institution will cer- 

 tainly become more interesting and more useful in 

 proportion as it is made more complete and more ex- 

 tensive in all its numerous details, it is very desirable 

 that as great a number as possible of respectable indi- 

 viduals should be induced to unite in its support and 

 interest themselves in its prosperity ; and then, after 

 mentioning that its plan has been much praised abroad, 

 it says : 



And if some persons in this country, influenced by mis- 

 representation or by groundless 'apprehensions or other 

 motives, have been withheld from giving to the undertaking 

 their countenance and support, the character, reputation, 

 and distinguished rank of many of those who have been 

 most active in promoting it, and who certainly may be sup- 

 posed to be best acquainted with its nature and tendency, 

 and above all the ostensible patronage of our most gracious 

 Sovereign, who has given so many proofs of his solicitude 

 to encourage useful improvements and to discourage 

 dangerous and doubtful innovations, ought to be sufficient 

 to relieve the doubts of all, and to recommend the Royal 

 Institution of Great Britain to the support of all those who 

 take pleasure in contributing to the diffusion of useful 

 knowledge and the encouragement of industry and in- 

 genuity. 



The postscript says : 



Any one or more gentlemen of your acquaintance whom 

 you shall recommend will be proposed to the managers, and 

 will no doubt be elected. 



Soon after the third number of the Journal was 

 edited by Eumford alone. It contained a paper on 

 the ' Use of Steam as a Vehicle for Conveying Heat 



