LOW-TEMPERATURE RESEARCHES 



nical investigations, with a "professor" in charge, who 

 should also deliver popular lectures on science. Finally, 

 there was to be a scientific library. 



All these aims were put into effect almost from the 

 beginning. The necessary funds were supplied solely 

 by popular subscription and by the sale of lecture 

 tickets (as 4 all funds of the institution have been ever 

 since), and before the close of the year 1800 Rumford's 

 dream had become an actuality as this practical 

 man's dreams nearly always did. The new machine 

 did not move altogether without friction, of course, 

 but on the whole all went well for the first few years. 

 The institution had found a local habitation in a large 

 building in Albemarle Street, the same building which 

 it still occupies, and for a time Rumford lived there 

 and gave the enterprise his undivided attention. He 

 appointed the brilliant young Humphry Davy to the 

 professorship of chemistry, and the even more wonder- 

 ful Thomas Young to that of natural philosophy. He 

 saw the workshops and kitchens and model-rooms in 

 running order the entire enterprise fully launched. 

 Then other affairs, particularly an attachment for a 

 French lady, the widow of the famous chemist La- 

 voisier (whom he subsequently married, to his sor- 

 row), called him away from England never to return. 

 And the first chapter in the history of the Royal 

 Institution was finished. 



METHOD AND RESULT 



Rumford, the humanitarian, gone, a curious change 

 came over the spirit of the enterprise he had founded. 

 The aristocrats who at first were merely ballast for the 

 VOL. v- 3 33 



