1810.] THE ROYAL INSTITUTION. 293 



ventor ought to discountenance. You would destroy 

 the value of the labour of the industrious ; by laying 

 open his invention you would take away the great 

 stimulus to exertion. Suppose a man, by a great 

 devotion of time and of labour, by skill and ingenuity, 

 has made an important combination in chemistry or 

 mechanics, your object is to publish the details of his 

 labours, to enable every speculator to profit by his 

 knowledge. This, could it happen, would be ruinous 

 to individuals, and would ultimately interfere with 

 the commercial prosperity of Britain ; for your enemies 

 would profit by such disclosure more than your country- 

 men, and it would be absolutely throwing away your 

 superiority. Were I persuaded such a plan of models 

 could be executed, I should be seriously alarmed for 

 the manufacturing interest of the country ; but I am 

 convinced, from the nature of this part of the scheme, 

 that it will be ephemeral and that it will die even in 

 its cradle." I am not sure that these were the very 

 words of this able reasoner, but I am sure that they 

 convey his sentiments, which were expressed in my 

 hearing. 



* The object which at first was only secondary that of 

 teaching the principles of the sciences by courses of 

 public lectures soon became the prime object. The 

 only difficulty resulted from the nature of the 

 audiences. To afford satisfaction to all by one series 

 of subjects was impossible. Numerous courses were 

 consequently established. A great library of reference 

 was added, and a mineral collection has likewise been 

 formed. An object which I hope I shall be pardoned 



