304 THE EAELY HISTORY OF [CHAP V. 



owing to the experiments carried on and the lectures 

 delivered at the Koyal Institution. ' And they hope, 

 from the energetic spirit of its members, that it will 

 continue to nourish and tend in its progress to improve 

 arts and manufactures, increase the resources, and 

 exalt the scientific glory of the country.' 



On May 6, at the monthly meeting, a professorship 

 of astronomy was established, but no appointment was 

 made. Three fresh committees of twenty-five members 

 each were formed. The resolution for publishing 

 journals was carried, but no journals were published. 



On June 8 the election of chairmen and secretaries 

 to the committees was reported to the members. 



In 1812 a great change was about to come over the 

 Eoyal Institution. Sir Humphry Davy, by his splendid 

 discoveries, had made the Institution famous, and, by 

 his attractive lectures, had brought it most material 

 support. How little it could afford to lose his help 

 is seen by the balance to December 31, 1811. This was 

 only Zl. 9s. lid. Early in 1812 a committee was 

 formed for the publication of a journal, and in April 

 Mr. Wyatt presented a plan for a proposed new theatre. 

 Davy was married on April 1 1 ; the day previous he gave 

 his last lecture. The new theatre was no longer needed. 



On May 11 Mr. Hatchett reported ' that Sir H. Davy, 

 though he cannot pledge himself to deliver lectures, 

 will be willing to accept the offices of Professor of 

 Chemistry and Director of the Laboratory and Mineral- 

 ogical Collection without salary.' It was immediately 

 resolved ' that the managers hear with great regret 

 the notification which they have just received that Sir 



