C 21 5 3 
X. Letter from Sir Benjamin Thompson, Knt. Count of Rum* 
ford, F.R. S. to the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. K. R 
P. R. S. announcing a Donation to the Royal Society , for the 
Purpose of instituting a Prize Medal. 
At the Anniversary of the Royal Society, held the 30th of 
November, 1796, the President acquainted the Society, that 
Count Rumford had transferred one thousand pounds three 
per cent, consolidated Bank Annuities to the use of the Society, 
on certain conditions stated in a letter to the President; which 
was read as follows : 
“ SIR, 
“ Desirous of contributing efficaciously to the advancement 
“ of a branch of science which has long employed my atten- 
“ tion, and which appears to me to be of the highest importance 
“ to mankind, and wishing at the same time to leave a lasting 
“ testimony of my respect for the Royal Society of London, I 
“ take the liberty to request that the Royal Society would do 
“ me the honour to accept of one thousand pounds stock, in 
“ the three per cent, consolidated public funds of this country; 
“ which stock I have actually purchased, and which I beg leave 
“ to transfer to the President, Council, and Fellows of the Royal 
“ Society; to the end that the interest of the .same may be by 
“ them, and by their successors, received from time to time 
“ for ever, and the amount of the same applied and given, once 
“ every second year, as a premium to the author of the most 
