226 THE EOYAL INSTITUTION. [CHAP. I\ T . 



anything, and even on the peculiarity of his dress and 

 Quakerism he talked so reasonably that one cannot wish 

 him to alter himself in any one particular. In short, I end 

 as I began, by assuring you that the Duchess and I are 

 quite charmed with him, and shall be happy to renew our 

 acquaintance with him when we return to London. 



Later in the autumn the Duke, who was Master- 

 Greneral of the Ordnance, offered to make him his 

 private secretary. 



In a letter to his mother Young says : 



I have very lately refused the pressing offer of a situation 

 which would have been the most favourable and nattering 

 introduction to political life that a young man in my cir- 

 cumstances could desire. I might have lived at a duke's 

 table, with a salary of 200 1. a year, as his secretary, and 

 with hopes of a more lucrative appointment in a short time. 

 I should have been in an agreeable family, have had time 

 enough for study, a library, a laboratory, and philosophical 

 apparatus at my service ; and I was not ashamed to allege 

 nay regard for our society as a principal reason for my not 

 accepting the proposal. 



In the winter of 1794-5 he went to Edinburgh to 

 study medicine. He learnt Spanish, German, music 

 in theory and by playing the flute, dancing ; and he 

 went as much as he could into society and to the play. 



Soon after he left Edinburgh in June he wrote to 

 his friend and fellow-student Dr. Bostock : 



I have seen Mrs. Siddons in ' Douglas,' the ' Grecian 

 Daughter,' the ' Mourning Bride,' the ' Provoked Husband,' 

 the * Fatal Marriage,' ' Macbeth,' and * Venice Preserved.' 

 She was neither below nor much above my expectation. 

 I can form an idea of something more perfect. My friend 

 Cruikshanks, when I went to take my leave of him, took 



