1810.] THE ROYAL INSTITUTION. 291 



no payment was made. It was not until April that 

 the Institution could arrange the payment. In the 

 spring Mr. Easingwood, the Steward and Clerk of 

 Accounts, left the Institution without notice. The 

 sum he misappropriated was said to be 1791. 10s. lOd. ; 

 it was more than 300., and may have been much 

 more. His successor in the office afterwards robbed 

 the Institution of a much greater amount. Temporary 

 relief from some debts was gained by the payment of a 

 fine of 1,500Z. from the tenant of the corner house in 

 Albemarle St. 



The proprietors met early in the year, and agreed 

 to an immediate application to Parliament for an Act 

 for altering and amending the charter^ and for 

 enlarging and more effectually promoting the objects 

 of the Institution. 



Great expectations of the permanent prosperity of the 

 Institution were formed, in consequence of the proposed 

 conversion of the Institution by Act of Parliament 

 from a private into a public body. Sir John Sinclair 

 took charge of the Bill and conducted it through the 

 House of Commons. It received the royal assent, 

 April 23. The visit ors^ in their report, said : ' There 

 is every reason to believe that the establishment on 

 its new foundation will at once contribute to our 

 national prosperity and glory. The conduct of the 

 proprietors upon this occasion has been honourable 

 both to themselves and to their country. A fund has 

 been proposed to be raised on the plan of a loan for 

 three years without interest, and payable by instal- 

 ments of 10 per cent., for carrying the new scheme, 

 u 2 



