A HISTORY OF SCIENCE 



For in the midst of all his political and military tri- 

 umphs, Rumford remained at heart to the very end 

 the scientist and humanitarian. He wielded power for 

 the good of mankind ; he was not merely a ruler but a 

 public educator. He taught the people 'of Bavaria 

 economy and Yankee thrift. He established kitchens 

 for feeding the poor on a plan that was adopted all 

 over Europe ; but, better yet, he created also workshops 

 for their employment and pleasure - gardens for their 

 recreation. He actually banished beggary from the 

 principality. 



It was in the hope of doing in some measure for 

 London what he had done for Munich that this large- 

 brained and large-hearted man was led to the project 

 of the Royal Institution. He first discussed his plans 

 with a committee of the Society for Alleviating the 

 Condition of the Poor, for it was the poor, the lower 

 ranks of society, whom he wished chiefly to benefit. 

 But he knew that to accomplish his object, he must 

 work through the aristocratic channels; hence the 

 name of the establishment and the charter with its 

 list of notables. The word institution was selected by 

 Rumford, after much deliberation, as, on the whole, 

 the least objectionable title for the establishment, as 

 having a general inclusiveness not possessed by such 

 words as school or college. Yet in effect it was a school 

 which Rumford intended to found a school for the 

 general diffusion of useful knowledge. There were to 

 be classes for mechanics, and workshops, kitchens, 

 and mod el -rooms, where the "application of science 

 to the useful purposes of life " might be directly and 

 practically taught; also a laboratory for more tech- 



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