158 Life of Coiint Rumford. 



till his death, in February 16, 1799, as the confidential 

 friend and the ardently grateful patron of Thompson, 

 committed himself to the protection of Prussia. He 

 sent his contingent to the army of the empire in the 

 French Revolution, and being a prince whose aims were 

 high, and whose interest in the welfare of his subjects 

 was sincere, as he foresaw the troublous times of that 

 mighty convulsion, .he seems to have desired to set his 

 own dominions in order by removing abuses and intro- 

 ducing various economical improvements. 



The discerning mind of the Elector had detected in 

 his few days' interviews with his mercurial guest the 

 versatility and the ability which were so marked in him, 

 and appreciated the training of his thirty years of life 

 in the workshop, the Cabinet, and the field. Pictet says 

 that he also corresponded with Thompson during his 

 stay at Vienna. The pressing request of the Elector 

 was undoubtedly welcome to Thompson, but he would 

 need to have the permission of the King of England 

 before he could entertain it. He therefore returned to 

 London to seek for that permission. The King not 

 only granted Thompson the favor for which he applied, 

 but also conferred on him the honor of knighthood on 

 February 23, 1784.* I copy here the Grant of Arms 

 to Sir Benjamin, before referred to, as the best token of 

 the position to which he had now attained.*)*- 



"To all and singular to whom these Presents shall come, 

 Isaac Heard, Esquire, Garter Principal King of Arms ; and 

 Thomas Lock, Esquire, Clarenceux King of Arms of the 



* Annual Register for the Year, p. 114. 



f The original parchment, perfect and unsullied, with all its seals, is in the pos- 

 session of Mrs. James F. Baldwin of Boston, widow of the executor of Countess Sarah 

 Rumford. 



