1811.] THE KOYAL INSTITUTION. 301 



the Institution, to request him to attend with any 

 gentleman belonging to the Institution who might give 

 advice and assistance to the committee on the subject of 

 warming and ventilating their House. In this round- 

 about way Davy was asked to give his advice. He made 

 a report and his plan was adopted, without success. 



At the monthly meeting of managers in February 1811 

 the following letter from Sir T. Bernard, who, by the 

 death of his brother, had become a baronet, was read : 



It has been for some time my desire and intention to 

 resign my place in the Committee of Managers, but the 

 state of the Institution has made me apprehensive of some 

 inconvenience from withdrawing before the new constitu- 

 tion was formed and the primary difficulties surmounted. 



Nothing more, I conceive, is now wanting except a con- 

 tinuance of that union and friendly co-operation by which 

 it has been established ; and, as I can no longer continue a 

 regular attendant, I resign my situation as a manager of 

 the Royal Institution. At the same time I beg leave to add 

 that if the annual meeting should hereafter elect me a 

 visitor, I will with great pleasure continue my services in 

 that situation. I beg you will communicate the above to 

 the next monthly meeting, and have the honour to be, with 

 the greatest respect, your obedient and very faithful Servant, 



T. BERNAKD. 



The managers resolved ' that they could not avoid on 

 this occasion expressing their deep regret at the 

 prospect of losing the assistance of a gentleman whose 

 zeal, abilities, and indefatigable industry had so 

 eminently contributed to the prosperity of the Insti- 

 tution. They therefore unanimously expressed their 

 wish that Sir Thomas Bernard would consent to defer 

 his resignation till the annual meeting in May/ The 



