Letter concerning the Royal and other scientific institutions : respectfully addressed to their managers, proprietors, and subscribers / by M.L. Este.

  • Este, M. L. (Michael Lambton), 1779-1864.
Date:
1810
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Letter concerning the Royal and other scientific institutions : respectfully addressed to their managers, proprietors, and subscribers / by M.L. Este. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    barrassments that the Directors could scarcely keep it open ; a Sale of the Library and effects had been pro- posed and considered. The Institution must have closed but for the spirited conduct and munificence of some of its illustrious patrons. One nobleman advanced a thousand guineas; other contributions followed, and plans were formed for recruiting the finances. These plans were made the subject of a Lecture, and likewise of a pamphlet by Sir Humphry Davy. Vide “ Plan proposed for improving ihe Royal Institution, March ^rd, 1810.'” Mr. Este’s Propos^ils, Lectures, Remarks upon the Management of Scientific Institutions, were published in 1808, 1809, 1810 ; Sir Humphry Davy’s pamphlet did not appear until March 3rd, 1810. In the autumn of 1812, an intimation was made to Mr. Este, with a view of inducing him to re-submit his proposals and toresume his Lectures, viz. that thefinances of the Institution were improved ; that under such al- tered circumstances, he would meet with that support from the managers, which their former difficulties had precluded them from affording'; that several of the Lectures, subsequent to his own had been delivered gra- tuitously. The intimation came too late : during the summer of 1812, Mr. Este had been invited by the late Earl of Harrington to take the medical charge of his regiment, the 1st Life Guards, then under orders for foreign service ; together with the direction of the medical con- cerns of the Royal Brigade of Household Cavalry, in Portugal, Spain, and in France. He had just received his commission from the Prince Regent, had kissed hands on his appointment, and therefore could not do otherwise than give a negative answer to the intimation. Under other circumstances he would gladly have attended to it, especially asit was made in a very flattering manner, and by a person distinguished almost as much for his talent and attainment, as for his benevolence.