iv Preface. 



The Committee first prepared as complete a list 

 of Rumford's works as possible, arranging them 

 in chronological order. In selecting the papers 

 for publication it was decided to arrange them 

 according to the order of the list, as far as this 

 could be done without unduly separating papers 

 which relate to the same subject. It has been 

 thought best, after mature deliberation, to pub- 

 lish the papers in their original form, without 

 reference to their relations either to the history 

 or to the subsequent progress of the sciences of 

 which they treat. The papers originally written 

 or first printed in French or German have been 

 carefully translated. The writings of Rumford 

 will probably fill four volumes : the life of their 

 author, by Dr. George E. Ellis, will form an 

 additional volume. 



JOSEPH WINLOCK, Chairman. 

 JOSIAH P. COOKE, JR. 

 FRANK H. STORER. 

 JAMES B. FRANCIS. 

 MORRILL WYMAN. 

 EDWARD C. PICKERING. 

 WOLCOTT GIBBS. 



