1804.1 THE ROYAL INSTITUTION. 269 



During this year another proposal was made for the 

 good of science at the Institution. This is to be seen 

 in a letter from Mr. Davy to Mr. Bernard, written on 

 June 2 : 



DEAR SIR, I have reflected on our conversation at 

 Bright helm stone with regard to the utility of some new 

 arrangements that may be made in the chemical depart- 

 ment of the Royal Institution, and I still entertain the 

 same opinions on the subject. 



In all universities and places of public scientific instruc- 

 tion it is, I believe, usual for the professors or teachers to 

 admit into their laboratories a certain number of private 

 or operating pupils, who give their aid in the processes that 

 are carried on, and at the same time gain practical informa- 

 tion and are of use to the experimenter. I have several 

 times been applied to by subscribers to the Royal Institu- 

 tion who wished to assist in the experiments carried on in 

 the laboratory ; but, as I have had no instructions on this 

 point from the managers, I have been unable to give them 

 permission. I do not think any inconvenience could arise 

 from the admission of private pupils in the chemical 

 department of the Institution. Such a plan would gratify 

 many persons, would tend to facilitate the execution of such 

 operations as are carried on, and would coincide with the 

 ends of the establishment without burthening it with any 

 new expense. If you should think that the idea would not 

 be disagreeable to the managers, perhaps you will have the 

 goodness to mention it on Monday. 



I enclose a sketch of some regulations for Mr. Sadler and 

 for myself ; perhaps similar ones or better ones might be 

 framed for the other persons in the service of the Institution. 



I have been thinking upon the lectures of which you 

 furnished the title, and I shall be very glad to give them at 

 the end of the next season. 



I am, dear Sir, with the warmest respect, your obliged and 

 grateful H. DAVY. 



