which the elèves are selected, is known; but the children of the meanest mechanics and day laborers find as ready admission, as the children of the nobility. In this academy, which consists of 180 pupils, Sir Benjamin's reform in matters of economy is carried to a great length. By the experience of four years he found, that the expense of each pupil amounted only to fourteen pounds sterling a year, and, considering that professors and masters of every kind are employed, and servants, cloathing, board, lodging, firewood, light, repairs, and every other article, except house rent, are supported by this expense, the economy is indeed wonderful. In 1790 also the celebrated English garden was begun in the environs of Munich. The land, made use of for this purpose, had formerly been a forest, or hunting ground, belonging to the Electors, but then in a state of wildness, and rather a desert, than the suburbs of a city. Sir Benjamin obtained the Elector's permission to convert this useless tract into a beautiful public garden, with a view to promote the agricultural interest of the country. He began by laying out extensive walks, promenades, streets, and races, and round the whole, an extent of several miles, he made a road, on which, at regular intervals, cottages and farm houses were erected. In these the tenants, or servants, who occupied, or superintended any part of the lands, resided. In one place a lake was made, and with the earth, which was taken out, a hill, or mound created, which gave to the whole a pleasant and picturesque aspect. In another a public coffee house was built, where the inhabitants of the city might retire, and partake of the various amusements of the garden. On an eminence a Chinese pagoda appears, which, through the dense foliage of the trees, has a charming effect. Every thing, that could add to the beauty of the place, was employed, nor was the utility of the plan neglected. But what gives to the whole a variety and elegance, and at the same time excites the liveliest sensations in the heart of a spectator, is the marble monument, placed in one of the public squares of the garden. The Bavarians were too sensible of the services, rendered by Sir Benjamin to the state, not to show some public testimony of their gratitude, This mon ument to the memory of Rumford was erected in 1795, four years after the garden was made; but as it has so important an effect upon the scenery, and must always be noticed in a mention of this work, that inserting at this time the following account, which was furnished the writer by one, who has often enjoyed the delightful prospects, cannot be im proper. 66 Description of the monument, erected to Count Rum« ford, by the principal nobility, and other inhabitants of the " city of Munich. "This monument, which is constructed of Bavarian free"stone and marble, stands in a public garden at Munich, "made by Count Rumford, commonly called the English gar❝den. It was erected during Count Rumford's absence "from Bavaria, and without his knowledge, in the autumn " of the year 1795, while he was in England. "The monument is of a quadrangular form, and has two "principal fronts opposite to each other, which are both orna"mented with basso relievos and inscriptions. "The front towards the principal road, that leads from "the town through the garden, is decorated with a basso re"lievo of two figures, representing the genius of plenty lead"ing Bavaria, and strewing her path with flowers. "Under the basso relievo, upon a large block of polished "marble, is an inscription in the German language, of which "the following is a literal translation. "Stay wanderer. "At the creative fiat of Charles Theodore, "Rumford, the friend of mankind, "Into what thou now beholdest." "On the opposite side of the monument there is a bust of "Count Rumford, thought to be very like him, in Bavarian "Alabaster, and under this bust on a block of polished mar"ble an inscription, of which the following is a translation. "To him, Who rooted out the greatest of public evils, "Relieved and instructed the poor, "And strive to equal him "In gratitude." This instance of public esteem, as it has not a parallel in history, would be a rich reward to a man, who sought for splendid honors only; but, to the real philanthropist and a great man, is far inferior to one visit to the house of industry. Sir Benjamin established military gardens in all the garrisons throughout the Elector's circle. In these the officers and soldiers in garrison amused themselves in horticulture, and whatever emoluments they could receive from cultivating a small tract of land were their own, as a reward for their industry. The services, which the sovereign had received from the unwearied application of Sir Benjamin, were partially compensated by the honors, occasionally bestowed upon him. At this time the Elector gave him a regiment of artillery, and conferred on him the rank of Lieutenant General of his armies. In the year 1791 he was created a Count of the holy Rɔman Empire, and honored with the order of the white eagle. After he received the title of Count, he chose to bear the name of Rumford, which Concord in New Hampshire, the place, where he married, and where his estate was situated, formerly bore. Count Rumford made proposals to the Elector for improv ing the breed of horses in Bavaria and the Palatinate. The proposal was accepted with approbation. The object of this improvement was to furnish a sufficient number of the most valuable horses for the army, for the cavalry, artillery, and baggage. But the jealousy of the peasantry, aided by the malicious insinuations of persons, who opposed every plan of improvement, in which Rumford was engaged, prevented this scheme from being carried into the full success, which had been contemplated. His attempts to improve the breed of horned cattle were much more successful, though more confined. In the English garden, which is above six English miles in circumference, he made a farm, and stocked it with thirty of the finest cows, collected from Switzerland, Flanders, Tyrol, and other places upon the continent, famous for the breed of cattle. From this farm all the calves, which are produced, are distributed through the country to persons, who will buy them, “ with a "promise to rear them," at the same low price, at which the ordinary calves are purchased. This establishment has produced a surprising change through the country. Every arrangement is made, that can render a visit to the farm and stables amusing and interesting, and it has become a fashionable resort for amusement. Another alteration in the police was to lessen the evils, atattendant on usury. Many supernumerary clerks, secretaries, counsellers, &c. had been appointed under government for many years, who, serving without pay, or with only small allowance, were obliged to anticipate their salaries to support their expenses; and to pay their debts were obliged to apply to Jews and other usurers, who would lend at an exorbitant interest, requiring the mortgage of their debtor's salaries for many months in advance for security. This distress, notwithstanding the severe laws against usury, had become very alarming. To provide a remedy the military chest was resorted to, in which money to a considerable amount was deposited, and remained unproductive. From this chest any person, in the actual receipt of a salary or pension, in any Vol. II. No. 2. U civil or military department, received his pay in advance, discounting interest at the rate of five per cent. per annum, or one twelfth part of the interest, commonly extorted by the Jews and other usurers upon these occasions. This has produced a salutary change, and furnished a complete remedy for the evil. The labor and study, to which his numerous occupations subjected him, now produced a sensible effect on his health. But loss of health was not the only misfortune, he was obliged to encounter. Although he had zealously devoted his time and services in the most disinterested manner to promote the public good, there were not wanting enemies, who envied him his success and his honest fame. Attempts were made to render his schemes abortive, and frustrate the sanguine expectations of his industry. The anxiety and embarrassment, which this opposition produced, hastened his decline. He however persevered, completed his plans, and silenced those, who opposed him. To recover from the depression thus brought upon him, he procured liberty to visit Italy. Count Rumford travelled over all Italy and part of Switzerland, and returned, after a journey of sixteen months, to Bavaria in August 1794. He had peen attacked by sickness, which prevented his resuming the business of his department upon his return; but he attended to his studies, and prepared his five first essays for publication. In the month of September 1795, after an absence of more than eleven years, he returned to England, principally for the purpose of publishing his essays. He wished also to direct the English nation towards the plans of public and domestic economy, which he had formed and realized in Ger many. Lord Pelham, then secretary of state in Ireland, invited him to Dublin, and in the spring of 1796 the Count complied with his request. He introduced many important improvements into the hospitals, public institutions, and houses of industry, and left many models of mechanical inventions. |