Life of^ Count Rumford. 107 



partment, would be to make the most and the best of 

 his opportunities in acquainting himself with the British 

 metropolis and in seeking introductions alike to men 

 in public station and to those engaged in scientific pur- 

 suits. Nothing of interest would escape his keen ob- 

 servation, and no means of personal improvement or 

 acquisition, through men or things, would fail to yield 

 him advancement. It was a place for the country youth 

 to indulge his genius, and for the aspirant for thrift and 

 fame to gratify his ambition. He happened, as did 

 Franklin a little earlier, upon a time and stage of de-* 

 velopment when science and philosophy were making a 

 marked transition in their methods, from the specula- 

 tive to the experimental process. Thompson's genius 

 was eminently practical and experimental, and he showed 

 a most cautious painstaking in the most minute processes 

 and conditions with which he applied the tests of experi- 

 ment. After he had given some considerable time to 

 peering round and through the metropolis, as his posi- 

 tion naturally prompted him he turned his attention 

 to certain improvements in economy, utility, and effi- 

 ciency in connection with military details. He was so 

 situated that his suggestions would readily obtain a 

 hearing and attention. He advised and procured the 

 adoption of bayonets for the fusees of the Horse- 

 Guards, to be used in fighting on foot. He continued 

 his experiments on gunpowder, with greater facilities at 

 his command for extending them and making them 

 yield to the severest tests of science. The range and 

 character of his social intimacies formed within the 

 next year or two show how diligently and successfully 

 he cultivated the acquaintance of men of station and 

 distinction. His manners with such were always fasci- 



