Here every testimony of honor and gratitude was bestowed upon him. He was elected an honorary member of the "Royal academy of Ireland," and of" the society for the encouragement of arts and manufactures," and after he left the country the grand jury of the county of Dublin sent him a letter of thanks. He also received official letters, filled with the most flattering expressions of respect and gratitude, from the lord mayor of the city, and the lord lieutenant of Ireland.

On his return he suggested and directed several alterations in the foundling hospital, and presented several machines to the board of agriculture.

In July 1796 the Count placed in the English funds £1000 sterling, the interest of which was to be appropriated to purchasing medals, as a premium to the author of the most useful essay upon light and heat, the prize to be adjudged by the Royal society of Great Britain. A similar donation was vested in the American funds for the same purpose, and the prize to be adjudged by the American academy of arts and science. The following is the letter, which the president received on this occasion.

"SIR,

"Desirous of contributing efficaciously to the advance❝ment of a science, which has long employed my attention, "and which appears to me to be of the highest importance "to mankind; and wishing at the same time to leave a last"ing testimony of my respect for the American academy of "arts and science, I take the liberty to request, that the acad

emy would do me the honor to accept of five thousand "dollars three per cent. stock in the funds of the United "States of North America, which stock I have actually pur"chased, and which I beg leave to transfer to the fellows of "the academy, to the end, that the interest of the same may "be by them and by their successors received from time to ❝ time forever, and the amount of the same applied and giv"en, once every second year, as a premium to the author of "the most important discovery, or useful improvement, which

"shall be made, and published by printing, or in any way "made known to the public in any part of the continent of "America, or in any of the American islands, during the

preceding two years, on heat, or on light; the preference "always being given to such discoveries, as shall in the opin❝ion of the academy tend most to promote the good of "mankind.

"With regard to the formalities to be observed by the a"cademy in their decisions on the comparative merits of "those discoveries, which, in the opinion of the academy, "may entitle their authors to be considered, as competitors "for this biennial premium, the academy will be pleased "to adopt such regulations, as they in their wisdom may "judge to be proper and necessary. But in regard to the "form, in which this premium is conferred, I take the liberty to request, that it may always be given in two medals, "struck in the same dye, the one of gold and the other of sil"ver, and of such dimensions, that both of them together

may be just equal in intrinsic value to the amount of the "interest of the aforesaid five thousand dollars stock during "two years; that is to say, that they may together be of the "value of three hundred dollars.

"The academy will be pleased to order such device or inscription to be engraved on the dye, they shall cause to "be prepared for striking these medals, as they may judge 66 proper.

"If during any term of two years, reckoning from the "last adjudication, or from the last period for the adjudica❝tion of this premium by the academy, no new discovery "or improvement should be made in any part of America "relative to either of the subjects in question, heat, or light, "which in the opinion of the academy shall be of sufficient "importance to deserve this premium; in that case it is my "desire, that the premium may not be given, but that the "value of it may be reserved, and, being laid out in the pur"chase of additional stock in the American funds, may be "employed to augment the capital of this premium; and that

"the interest of the sums, by which the capital may from "time to time be so augmented, may regularly be given in <s money, with the two medals, and, as an addition to the

66

original premium, at each succeeding adjudication of it. "And it is further my particular request, that those additions ❝ to the value of the premium, arising from its occasional nonadjudications, may be suffered to increase without limitation. "With the highest respect for the American academy of "arts and sciences, and the most earnest wishes for their "success in their labors for the good of mankind,

"I have the honor to be with much esteem and regard,

"Sir,

66 your most obedient,
"humble servant,

"London, July 12, 1796.

"To the Hon. JOHN ADAMS, Esq. "President of the American Acad

emy of Arts and Sciences."

"RUMFORD."

Not content with incessant attention to the interests of science and humanity, Rumford offers every allurement to others, to participate with him the pleasure of doing good.

The first volume of his works consists of five essays. The first, on the "public establishment for the poor in Bavaria," contains a particular account of the situation of the author at the time, he engaged in the service of the Elector; the situation of the poor, and the extent of idleness and mendicity; the preparations and the details of the progress of the house of industry; the manner of employing the poor; together with many important directions and principles to be observed in executing similar reforms. The following extract shows the advantages of that establishment.

"Notwithstanding all the disadvantages, under which it "labored in its infant state, the net profits, arising from it during the six years, it has existed,* amount to above * It must be recollected, that this account was published in 1796.

"100,000 florins,* after the expenses of every kind, sal

aries, wages, repairs, &c, have been deducted; and the bu"siness is so much increased of late in consequence of the "augmentation of the demands of clothing for the troops, "that the amount of the orders, received and executed the "last year, did not fall much short of half a million of flo"rins."

When an institution, originating in the sufferings of the most miserable and burthensome class of people in society, common beggars, produces these results, the perusal of the account of its formation and progress must afford entertainment and instruction to the philosopher, statesman, and philanthropist.

"Yet all shall read, and all that page approve,
"Where public spirit meets with public love.
"Thus late, where poverty with rapine dwelt,
"Rumford's kind genius the Bavarian felt,
"Not by romantic charities beguiled,

"But calm in project, and in mercy mild;
"Where'er his wisdom guided, none withstood,
"Content with peace and practicable good;
"Round him the laborers throng, the nobles wait,
"Friend of the poor, and guardian of the state."

Pursuits of Literature.

The benevolent Howard penetrated the gloomy recesses of the most loathsome prisons, and, like a ministering angel, gave comfort and consolation to their wretched inhabitants; but the philosophic Rumford has prevented their ever entering them, by taking the poor and vicious from the paths of misery, which lead to crimes, and making them useful and happy.

The second essay relates to the " fundamental principles " of establishments for the poor." In this is displayed an admirable knowledge of mankind, and an intimate acquaintance with the various feelings of the human heart. Rumford recommends the mildest and most gentle treatment to the poor, who are to be supported in a public institution; * About 40,000 dollars

the success of a plan depending not so much upon the cloathing, food, and lodging, which is to be allowed them, as upon the manner of dispensing those blessings. No establishment for their relief can prosper by any laws, which a sovereign can impose, but every thing, like compulsion, should be carefully avoided. Charity alone is the source, whence the indigent and distressed can ever find permanent assistance, and all the operations in founding an asylum for their support consist in properly directing this single virtue.

Every thing should be done to place the poor and helpless in comfortable situations, and such treatment shown towards them, as will make them love and respect their benefactors. When this is effected, and the military workhouse in Munich must convince the world, that it may easily be done, they will engage with cheerfulness in any useful employment. Take them from the depths of despair snd misery, and no difficulty will occur in teaching them the delights of industry. This is a leading principle of Rumford's plans.

"The lot of the poor," says the Count, " particularly of "those, who from easy circumstances and a reputable sta❝tion in society are reduced by misfortunes or oppression to " become a burthen on the public, is truly deplorable after all, "that can be done for them; and, were we seriously to con"sider their situation, I am sure we should think, that we could never do too much to alleviate their sufferings, and soothe "the anguish of wounds, which can never be healed.

"For the common misfortunes of life hope is a sovereign"remedy. But what remedy can be applied to evils, which "involve even the loss of hope itself? And what can those "have to hope, who are separated and cut off from society, ❝ and forever excluded from all share in the affairs of men? "To them, honors, distinctions, praise, and even property "itself; all those objects of laudable ambition, which so pow"erfully excite the activity of men in civil society, and con"tribute so essentially to happiness by filling the mind with "pleasing prospects of future enjoyments, are but empty names, or rather they are subjects of never ceasing regret "and discontent.