1809.] THE ROYAL INSTITUTION. 287 



6 For the present support of the Institution, and for 

 the discharge of their bills up to January 1808, some 

 of the managers and visitors have advanced on loan 

 without interest 2,300. The sale of the stock and 

 the fine for the sublease -will pay the debts of the 

 corporation. The proprietors must decide what it will 

 be prudent and practical to adopt for the support of 

 the Institution. 



k If the support of scientific men is to be obtained, 

 something must be done to give the Institution more 

 the form of a public establishment than of private and 

 hereditary property. The managers have no doubt 

 that the friends of science will come forward when the 

 Institution interests the country at large, and they 

 believe the body of proprietors will make any sacrifice 

 of personal interest and advantage to erect a public, 

 national, and permanent establishment devoted to the 

 cultivation of science and to the promotion of every 

 improvement in agriculture, manufactures, and the 

 useful arts of life that may be conducive to the 

 happiness and prosperity of the British Empire. The 

 important researches which have distinguished the 

 laboratory of the Royal Institution, are not only 

 honourable to the proprietors but to the kingdom at 

 large. 



'The managers trust that an active co-operation of 

 the proprietors in increasing the number of life and 

 annual subscribers, and a moderate annual subscription 

 for the transferable ticket of each proprietor, will be 

 adequate to secure the stability and prosperity of the 

 Institution, and to continue and extend its influence 



