2 86 Life of Count Rumford. 



of the utility of the plan, or its tendency to increase the com- 

 forts and enjoyments of individuals, and at the same time to 

 piomote the public prosperity, that you have been induced to 

 take it into your serious consideration. I shall be much flat- 

 tered if it should meet with your approbation and with your 

 support. 



41 Though I am perfectly ready to take any share in the 

 business of carrying the scheme into execution, in case it 

 should be adopted, that can be required, yet there is one' pre- 

 liminary request which I am desirous may be granted me ; and 

 that is, that Government may be previously made acquainted 

 with the scheme before any steps are taken towards carrying it 

 into execution ; and also that his Majesty's ministers may be 

 informed that it is the contemplation of the Founders of the 

 Institution to accept of my services in the arrangement and 

 management of it. 



"The peculiar situation in which I stand in this country, as 

 a subject of his Majesty, and being at the same time, by his 

 Majesty's special permission, granted under his royal sign- 

 manual, engaged in the service of a Foreign Prince, this cir- 

 cumstance renders it improper for me to engage myself in this 

 important business, notwithstanding that it might, perhaps, be 

 considered merely as a private concern, without the knowledge 

 and the approbation of Government. 



" I am quite certain that my engaging in this, or in any other 

 business in which there is any prospect of my being of any pub- 

 lic use in this country, will meet with the most cordial appro- 

 bation of his Most Serene Highness, the Elector Palatine, in 

 whose service I am, for I know his sentiments on that subject ; 

 and although I do not imagine that his Majesty, or his Maj- 

 esty's ministers, would disapprove of my giving my assistance in 

 carrying this scheme into execution, yet I feel it to be necessary 

 that their approbation should be asked and obtained ; and, if I 

 might be allowed to express my sentiments on another matter, 

 which, no doubt, has already occurred to every one of the 

 Gentlemen to whom I now address myself, I should say that, 

 in my opinion, it would not only be proper, but even ne- 



