396 Life of Count Rumford. 



and the pecuniary contributions so readily gathered, are 

 evidences of the confidence reposed in him. 



After the first printing and distribution of these 

 "Proposals," and before the Institution had received 

 its charter-title, a general meeting of the proprietors 

 was held at the house of Sir Joseph Banks, in Soho 

 Square, on March 7, 1799, the host occupying the 

 chair. It was then found that fifty-eight persons had 

 made themselves proprietors by the contribution of fifty 

 guineas each. The list contains many distinguished 

 names of scientific men, gentlemen, members of Parlia- 

 ment and of the nobility, including one bishop, some 

 of whom were more than simply Maecenases. 



It was then decided at once to choose the committee 

 of managers, who should be instructed to apply to his 

 Majesty for a charter for the Institution, to lay an out- 

 line of its plan before the Right Honorable Mr. Pitt 

 and his Grace the Duke of Portland, to send it forth 

 to the public, and to publish the proceedings in the 

 newspapers. The thanks of the meeting were given to 

 the presiding officer. The following information is 

 added to the published record : 



" N. B. Count Rumford's original Proposals for 

 forming the Institution may be had of Messrs. Cadell 

 and Davies in the Strand." 



At the first meeting of the managers before the char- 

 ter was received, held at the house of Sir Joseph Banks, 

 March 9, 1799, " O a m tion made by Count Rumford, 

 it was 



" Resolved, That Sir Joseph Banks be requested to 

 take the chair, and that he do continue to preside at all 

 future meetings of the managers, until a charter shall have 

 been obtained from his Majesty for the Institution." 



