1809.] THE ROYAL INSTITUTION. 289 



The whole of the stock possessed by the Institution, 

 amounting to 4,058., was sold ; the managers and 

 visitors were paid their loan of 100. each without inte- 

 rest, and the bills of 1807 and 1808 were paid. 



A communication was made to the Lords Commis- 

 sioners of the Admiralty and other public boards, 

 suggesting the employment of the Royal Institution 

 laboratory for analyses and reports. 



In November the managers decided to publish a 

 statement regarding the Royal Institution. This was 

 probably written by Davy. 



The objects of the Royal Institution in it were said 

 to be fi the advancement and diffusion of useful know- 

 ledge and the application of experimental science to 

 the purposes of life.' 



Regarding the laboratory it said : c In the 

 laboratory, which is under the direction of the 

 Professor of Chemistry, and which is open to any 

 scientific persons who may propose important chemical 

 investigations, series of experiments are continually 

 carried on. Minerals and substances likely to be 

 useful in agriculture, arts, and manufactures are 

 analysed and researches tending to the progress of 

 useful discovery prosecuted. Of the results of these 

 many have been already published, particularly 

 researches upon tanning ; the principles of electrical 

 decomposition ; and the nature of the alkalies, earths, 

 inflammable bodies, and acids. In this laboratory 

 there is constructed, in consequence of the liberal con- 

 tributions of a few individuals, a voltaic apparatus of 

 great power, which will be exhibited in the lectures, 



u 



