VI 



Life ani writings of Count Rumford. 



I 



/ 



not fail to profit 



the advantages of his situation. At the 



period when it would naturally be supposed, that an emigrant 

 from the interior of America would be feasting his curiosity upon 

 the novelties and splendor of London, he seems to have been 

 occupied with the more substantial projects of laying a founda- 



tion of future eminence in life. He ingratiated himself so far with 



p 



Lord George Germaiue, that he obtained a situation in the colonial 

 department, and in a few years became under secretary of state 



for the northern d 



In the mean time 



ried in his military studies and philosophical pursuits, that his 

 talents in both these departments received honourable distinc- 

 tion. He became a member of the Royal Society in 1779, and 

 in 1782 was appointed a colonel in the British army. In this 



:ame out to America, and having organized his 

 was distinsruished by the strictness of its disci- 



last capacity 



which 



F- 



pline, he headed it in several skirmishes near Charleston, S, C. 

 The conclusion of peace put an end to his military exploits. 

 It is remarkable, that although he was absent from his native 



untry during a great part of 



of independence, yet 



partizan of opposite sides he was present at the shedding of the 



that 



first and last blood, which was spilt in the revolutionary cor 



Having returned to England, he remained some time in 



country, devoting himself to philosophical inquires and military 



improvements. During this period, he introduced a revision of 



the military exercise, and effected 



.1 reformations of 



Itnowlctlged consequence. His passion, however, for 



vice in the field did not lea 



4 



England on his way to Vienn 



h 



d in 1784 be quitted 

 Bw to offer his services 



to Austria, then engaged in a war with the Turks. Previously 



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