784 Prospectus of the Royal Institution. 



merit of rivers, harbours, and coasts ; the art of war, 

 its engines, materials, and edifices ; and in particular 

 that first object of the civil and military engineer, the 

 estimate of natural powers, or first movers, — namely, 

 animal strength, wind, water, steam, and other elastic 

 and explosive substances. The methods of determin- 

 ing the magnitude of these forces will be shown, with 

 their application to mills and every other engine. The 

 exhibition of working models will particularly display 

 the powers of hydraulic machines, and that strikingly 

 useful apparatus the steam-engine. 



But, above all, we shall find our contemplations urged 

 to the phenomena of light and heat, those great powers 

 which give life and energy to the universe, — powers 

 which, by the wonderful process of combustion, are 

 placed under the command of human beings, who, 

 without their assistance, would not only be incapable 

 of operating with effect on the materials around them, 

 but could scarcely support their own existence. But 

 if it should be proved, as in fact it may, that in the 

 applications of fire, in the management of heat, and 

 in the production of light, we do not derive half the 

 advantage from combustion which might be obtained, 

 it will readily be admitted that these subjects must 

 constitute a very important part of the useful informa- 

 tion to be conveyed in the public lectures of the Royal 

 Institution. 



But, in estimating the probable usefulness of this 

 institution, we must not forget the public advantages 

 that will be derived from the general diffusion of a 

 spirit of experimental investigation and improvement 

 among the higher ranks of society. 



When the rich shall take pleasure in contemplating 



