a Ptiblic Institution. 751 



Gentlemen, — Enclosed I have the honour to send you a cor- 

 rected copy of the Proposals I took the liberty of laying before you 

 on Thursday last, for forming in this capital, by private subscription, 

 a public institution for diffusing the knowledge and facilitating 

 the general and speedy introduction of new and useful mechanical 

 inventions and improvements ; and also for teaching, by regular 

 courses of philosophical lectures and experiments, the application 

 of the new discoveries in science to the improvement of arts and 

 manufactures, and in facilitating the means of procuring the com- 

 forts and conveniences of life. 



The tendency of the proposed Institution to excite a spirit of 

 inquiry and of improvement amongst all ranks of society, and to 

 afford the most effectual assistance to those who are engaged in the 

 various pursuits of useful industry, did not escape your observation ; 

 and it is, I am persuaded, from a conviction of the utility of the 

 plan, or its tendency to increase the comforts and enjoyments of 

 individuals, and at the same time to promote the public prosperity, 

 that you have been induced to take it into your serious considera- 

 tion. I shall be much flattered if it should meet with your appro- 

 bation and with your support. 



Though I am perfectly ready to take any share in the business 

 of carrying the scheme into execution, in case it should be adopted, 

 that can be required, yet there is one preliminary request which I am 

 desirous may be granted me ; and that is, that the government may 

 be previously made acquainted with the scheme before any steps 

 are taken towards carrying it into execution ; and also that His 

 Majesty's ministers may be informed that it is in the contemplation 

 of the founders of the Institution to accept of my services in the 

 arrangement and management of it. 



The peculiar situation in which I stand in this country, as a 

 subject of His Majesty, and being at the same time, by His Maj- 

 esty's special permission, granted under his royal sign manual, 

 engaged in the service of a foreign prince, this circumstance ren- 

 ders it improper for me to engage myself in this important business, 

 notwithstanding that it might perhaps be considered merely as a 

 private concern, without the knowledge and the approbation of the 

 government. 



I am quite certain that my engaging in this or in any other 

 business in which there is any prospect of my being of any public 

 use in this country will meet with the most cordial approbation of 



