1801. JET. 23.] PROFESSOR DAVY. 317 



In the spring of 1800 Mr. Underwood, a geologist 

 and artist, had become a proprietor of the Royal 

 Institution. He had several conversations with Count 

 Eumford on the subject of Davy's superior talents and 

 the advantages that would accrue to the Institution 

 from engaging him as a lecturer. ' The Count called 

 on me,' Underwood says, ' on January 5, 1801, having 

 received from the managers of the Institution full 

 powers to negotiate upon this subject. On this occa- 

 sion, however, I thought it advisable to introduce the 

 Count to Mr. James Thompson, as being the more 

 eligible person to treat in behalf of Davy, not only on 

 account of his greater intimacy with him, but because, 

 not being a proprietor, he was unconnected with the in- 

 terests of the Institution. Mr. Thompson wrote to Davy. 

 With, his characteristic energy Davy answered in person, 

 and had several conferences with Count Eumford. The 

 following letter from Count Eumford to Davy, written 

 from the Eoyal Institution, is dated February 16, 1801 : 



DEAR SIR, In consequence of the conversations I have 

 had with you, respecting your engaging in the service of 

 the Royal Institution of Great Britain, I this day laid the 

 matter before the managers of the Institution at their 

 meeting, 1 and I have the pleasure to acquaint you that 

 the proposal I made to them was approved, and the follow- 

 ing resolution unanimously taken by them : * Resolved, 

 That Mr. Humphry Davy be engaged in the service of the 

 Royal Institution in the capacity of Assistant Lecturer in 

 Chemistry, Director of the Chemical Laboratory, and As- 



1 Present, Sir Joseph Banks, Earl of Morton, Count Rumford, and 

 Richard Clark, Esq. 



