Prospectus of the Royal Institution. 78 1 



and ideas, every one of which includes a science for 

 the supply and regulation of things in the highest 

 degree important to man, may serve, in the present 

 short outline, to lead the mind to some of those objects 

 which of necessity must constitute the pursuits of an 

 institution established for purposes so great and truly 

 dignified. 



But though the extent and importance of the various 

 departments from which the Institution may derive the 

 means of diffusing the knowledge of valuable improve- 

 ments, and teaching the application of science to the 

 advancement of manufactures, are too great to admit 

 of any comprehensive enumeration ; and though, from 

 the intimate connection of all the several subjects of 

 art, it is at present impossible to give an outline of 

 that arrangement into which the communications of the 

 several lecturers must ultimately be disposed, it seems 

 nevertheless expedient to state the leading topics, with 

 a view to assist the meditations of those who may be 

 disposed to enter more minutely into the plan of oper- 

 ations to be adopted by this institution. 



The machines and models will afford a perpetual 

 source of instruction. The lectures will be more par- 

 ticularly useful to elucidate and apply those general 

 principles which are only in part observable in particu- 

 lar structures. The first principles of mechanics will be 

 exhibited, and explained in the simple engines called 

 the mechanical powers ; and to these will be referred 

 the prodigious variety of tools, implements, and engines 

 in common use, the curiosity and value of which, as 

 well as the. improvements they are capable of receiv- 

 ing, are but too frequently overlooked. Under this 

 head will come the practical operations of various arts, 



