Life of Count Rumford. 277 



"MUNICH, i6th October, 1796. 



" I thank you, my dear Sir John, for your friendly letter, 

 which I have just received. I am glad your new kitchen [one 

 of which the Count had had the supervision] answers your ex- 

 pectations, and hope it will be imitated. I ought to have begun 

 my letter by acquainting you that immediately on my arrival 

 here from England I delivered to the Elector the diploma you 

 sent him [of membership of an agricultural society], and that I 

 had it in charge from his most Serene Highness to express to you 

 his thanks for your attentions to him. He appeared to me to be 

 much pleased at being chosen a member of your Board, and will, 

 I am confident, have great satisfaction in contributing as much 

 as possible to the success of your laudable undertakings. I have 

 projected several new experiments, from the results of which I 

 hope to get some new light with respect to vegetation and nutri- 

 tion ; but I am at present so much employed with business of a 

 very different kind (the command of the Bavarian army), that I 

 have no leisure to give to my favourite pursuits. But as the 

 alarms which were the occasion of my being called upon to take 

 the command in chief of the Bavarian troops have subsided since 

 the French armies have left our neighbourhood, I hope soon to be 

 able to put up my sword and resume the more pleasing occupa- 

 tions of science and philosophical experiment. 



" Wishing you much s-uccess in your endeavours to promote 

 the prosperity of mankind, by the introduction of useful improve- 

 ments, I am, my dear Sir John, with unfeigned regard and 

 esteem, 



" Your affectionate and most obedient Servant, 



"RUMFORD. 



" P. S. I am very sorry indeed to hear you have withdrawn 

 yourself from the < Great Council of the Nation.' Pray don't 

 let yourself be disgusted or discouraged. The cause is good, 

 and perseverance will in the end command success." 



It is probable that if Count Rumford, remaining in 



* The Correspondence of the Right Hon. Sir John Sinclair, Bart., &c. London. 

 1831. Vol. II. pp. 57-59. 



