274 THE EAELY HISTORY OF [CHAP. V. 



keep out the wet because of the settlement in the 

 foundations, so the roof was new-leaded; and Mr. 

 Soane, the architect, advised that the roof should be 

 examined twice yearly. 



On May 29 Mr. Bernard reported to the managers 

 < that he had been requested by Sir Francis Baring to 

 inform them that a plan similar to that of the Royal 

 Institution was intended to be adopted in London, with 

 a view to the same laudable and beneficial effects as 

 have been produced with such extraordinary success in 

 Westminster under the auspices of the managers of the 

 lioyal Institution ; that the gentlemen who had taken 

 the active part in the proposed establishment had no 

 other object in view but that of promoting, concurrently 

 with the Eoyal Institution, the prevalence of science 

 and literature in the metropolis, and in this they have 

 flattered themselves that they shall receive the appro- 

 bation and assistance of the managers of the Royal 

 Institution.' It was resolved unanimously ' that Sir 

 Francis Baring be informed that the managers view with 

 great satisfaction the exertions of him and the other 

 gentlemen to extend the beneficial effects of science 

 and literature in the metropolis, and that the mana- 

 gers will be ready to give them any aid and assistance 

 which they can with propriety in the execution of their 

 plan, conceiving as they do that the two institutions 

 will not interfere with each other, but will rather 

 increase the public interest in favour of their objects 

 and promote the success of both by the mutual as- 

 sistance and beneficial co-operation which they may be 

 enabled to render to each other.' 



