270 THE EARLY HISTORY OF [CHAP. V. 



It was resolved by the managers ' that Mr. Davy have 

 permission to admit six subscribers as private pupils in 

 the laboratory in the manner proposed in his letter.' 

 The regulations drawn up by Mr. Davy were read, as 

 well as a draft of the duties of the Professor of 

 Chemistry and the experimental operator at the 

 Institution. 



In 1 805 the endeavour of Mr. Bernard to make the 

 Royal Institution fashionable was persevered in with 

 zeal and success. Early in the spring he announced 

 eighteen courses of lectures for the following autumn 

 and spring. The visitors reported that ' the success of 

 the Royal Institution was a matter of public notoriety,' 

 that ' all the debts which were owing from the Institu- 

 tion have been paid, and there is every prospect of 

 future surplus. The investments directed by the 

 bye-laws have been continued ; these amount to 

 1,334^. 4s. The engagement of lecturers of talent and 

 reputation has given increased interest and effect to 

 the Institution, and with little additional expense. 

 Even if otherwise, no contraction of scale ought to be 

 admitted in this most interesting part of the Institution, 

 which furnishes not only an abundant source of 

 amusement, but also the solid materials of instruction 

 and improvement.' 



' Though the mineral collection has not proceeded 

 with the same rapidity of success as the library of 

 reference, yet a considerable advance has been made. 

 The subscriptions and the minerals presented already 

 amount to the value of about 1, 5001. The managers 

 'have laudably given up their board and committee 



