406 Life of Count Rumford. 



direct the public attention to the arts, by an establish- 

 ment for diffusing the knowledge and facilitating the 

 general introduction of useful mechanical inventions 

 and improvements." 



Count Rumford took a most active part in all the 

 meetings of the managers up to that of September 14, 

 1799, after which he was absent until the jd of Febru- 

 ary, 1800; and as there is a record of the unfortunate 

 illness and long confinement of one of the managers 

 whose zeal had been so conspicuous in the formation 

 and success of the Institution, he was probably ill 

 during that interval. 



On the loth of March, 1800, the Count was residing 

 in the house of the Institution, and he was requested, 

 as long as he did so, to superintend all the works, the 

 servants, and the workmen. In August he was at Har- 

 rowgate, and on October 20 in Scotland. He con- 

 tinued in the house probably until about the 6th of 

 July, 1801, as it was then 



"Resolved, That Count Rumford be requested to con- 

 tinue his general superintendence of the works going on 

 at the house of the Institution, agreeably to the several 

 resolutions of the managers in that respect, in the same 

 manner as if he had continued to reside in the house." 



Count Rumford reported, that, at the recommenda- 

 tion of Sir Joseph Banks, he had had a conversation with 

 Dr. Young respecting his engagement as Professor of 

 Natural Philosophy at the Royal Institution and editor 

 of the journals, together with a general superintendence 

 of the house. And " it appearing from the report of 

 Count Rumford that Dr. Young is a man of abilities 

 equal to these undertakings, it was 



"Resolved, That Count Rumford be authorized to 



