Letter concerning the Royal and other scientific institutions: respectfully addressed to their managers, proprietors, and subscribers

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ESTE

ON THE

ROYAL & SCIENTIFIC
INSTITUTIONS.

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.IIRARY

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«orictj> ot

PRESENTED BY

LETTER

CONCERNING

THE ROYAL AND OTHER SCIENTIFIC

r
institutions :

RESPECTFULLY ADDRESSED TO THEIR

MANAGERS, PROPRIETORS, AND SUBSCRIBERS.

BY M. L. ESTE, ESQ.

Late Lecturer on Animated Nature, and on the Philosophy of the Animal Economy

at the Royal Institution of Great Britain ; Member of the Royal College

of Surgeons, London; and of several other learned Societies

at Home and Abroad.

CONTAINING

HIS PROSPECTUS

FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF A PARTICULAR BRANCH OF
SCIENCE;

HIS CORRESPONDENCE,

TOGETHER WITH SOME GENERAL REMARKS UPON THE
MANAGEMENT OF SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR

JAMES RIDGWAY, 170, PICCADILLY,

OPPOSITE BOND STREET.

1810.

LONDON :
IBOTSON AND 1'ALVEK, PRINTERS, SAVOY S'i'BEl T, STRAND.

LETTER, &c.

WHILE the following proposals of December
14, 1808, and of January 28, 1809, were sub-
mitted to the consideration of the Board of
Managers of the Royal Institution, and before
the gentlemen of that Board had passed their
resolution of January 30, 1809, for their adop-
tion, I had, besides the following correspon-
dence, some little intercourse with that Board,
through one of its influential members, who did
me the honour of calling upon me several times,
who, with great kindness solicited the attention
of the managers to my papers, and who took
successful pains in recommending them to the
favourable notice of the gentlemen with whom
he was acting. On the 1st of February 1809,
when I accepted an engagement from the
Board, through that gentleman, to deliver a
course of six lectures, to commence from the
middle of March, I was given to understand

A2

413

that those lectures were to be experimental or
probationary lectures, and I was then informed
other lectures might perhaps have been desired
that same year, if the first six were favourably
received : and I was accordingly asked, whether
I should be ready to deliver a second course,
if required, immediately after the first. Pre-
vious to this, I had twice stated in my papers
(on January 8th and 28th) that " unless my
plans were adopted with a view of being ren-
dered PERMANENTLY useful to the Institution,
I could never have any distinct or separate ad-
vantage in an undertaking, which was not to be
executed without great thought and study, and
which would require many drawings, engrav-
ings, and models for the necessary demonstra-
tions." I had for this purpose twice requested
them to compare in their deliberations, the
whole nature and bearings of my statements,
with the objects they had in view; and had
twice represented to them, in writing, the pains
and expense which were necessary to do justice
to the subject.

In consequence of the several written state-
ments submitted to the managers, and of the in-
timations I received, when I made my engage-
ment, I proceeded in my undertaking, fully
persuaded, that if my plans gave satisfaction,
they were to be adopted.

J spared neither pains nor expense to ensure

their success. I publicly noticed in every lec-
ture I delivered, these conditions of my agree-
ment : several of the managers were present. I
never was checked nor contradicted in my state-
ment, and I further announced by advertisement
in the newspapers, the publication of a work
that was to serve as an index or key to my
whole undertaking. These events are too re-
cent to be forgotten.

The many testimonies of approbation with
which this subject was originally received by a
numerous audience, at the Royal Institution,
its successful introduction, since that period, at
the other scientific institutions of this metro-
polis, have fully evinced that this important
study may be illustrated not only with the
strictest decorum,- but that, when properly
treated, may afford no less elegant entertain-
ment, than any other branch of science. We
accordingly see the philosophy of the animal eco-
nomy, assuming that high rank among the
sciences to which it is justly entitled, and be-
coming daily, like botany, a more and more
fashionable general pursuit. Before this trial,
however, several objections were made to my
proposals by the gentlemen entrusted with the
managementof the Royal Institution. The plans
could not be adopted, they imagined, without
trespassing upon the province of some other pro-
fessors. They were " SCRUPULOUSLY" delicate

6

upon that point, and could not divest themselves
of several ideas, which at jirst appeared to them

INSURMOUNTABLE difficulties.

Such expressions were frequently repeated to
me, and produced the following correspondence
by which those difficulties were removed.
Knowing that the Board of Managers consists
of noblemen and gentlemen of the highest
rank and respectability in the kingdom, per-
fectly sympathising with them in the pro-
priety and delicacy of their feelings, lest I
should trespass upon the province of some other
professors, (an unnecessary apprehension,) I fre-
quently asserted the implicit reliance I had in
their honour ; and stated in my correspondence
that my sole wish in communicating my sug-
gestions to them, was to put them fully and
UNRESERVEDLY in possession of all my views,
thereby to assist them in forming their judg-
ment upon my proposals — which I requested
them to modify ; as I was only anxious to pro-
ceed with them in the most liberal manner,
and to meet their wishes in every respect ;
(vide the Correspondence, Proposals, No. 2.)
fully confident, that if they approved of my
suggestions, they would not adopt them to my
exclusion, and that they would observe in their
arrangements, with respect to myself, the same
delicacy they felt and had often expressed for
others. As they would not allow me to tres-

pass upon the province of others, I was fully
persuaded that they would not permit others
to interfere with mine, particularly if they ap-
proved of my plans, if they adopted them, and
still more especially if I succeeded in recom-
mending my undertaking to favourable notice,
in the six probationary lectures I was under en-
gagement with them to deliver.

There is another point to which I would re-
quest one moment's attention — I was not a
proprietor, and therefore knew nothing of the
state and management of the concern, but from
report; I nevertheless felt an interest in its
prosperity.

As I had resided from my infancy, in the
course of my education, at almost every univer-
sity of any celebrity in England, France, Italy,
and Germany, I thought it my duty to com-
municate to the managers of the Royal Insti-
tution the result of the observations I had
made in my acquaintance with scientific esta-
blishments. I did this on two accounts ; for the
benefit of the institution over which they pre-
side, and with a view of recommending the
particular department I was endeavouring to
introduce in it. (Vide my Proposals, No. 1.
and No. '3.)

I stated that I felt it incumbent upon me to
repeat my opinion that the branches of science
which admit of demonstration, expeiiment, and

8

illustration, are best calculated, by a mixture
of amusement and instruction, to draw atten-
tion, and thereby to give stability to scientific
institutions.

Such are experimental philosophy, astrono-
my, chemistry, and the science I proposed ; to
these alone I stated many universities are in-
debted for their foundation and celebrity.

That these statements of December 14, 1808,
and January 28, 1809, did meet with the ap-
probation of the managers, will appear by con-
trasting their present with their former arrange-
ments.

25th February, 1809.
ROYAL INSTITUTION.

The following is the Arrangement that has
been made for the Lectures of the present
Season.

Mr. Davy, a course on Chemistry.

on Electro-chemical Science.

Mr. Pond, on Astronomy.

Mr. Wood, on Perspective.

Mr. Samuel Wesley, on Music.

Rev. Mr. Crowe, on History and Poetry.

Mr. Este, on Animated Nature.

Mr. Fletcher, on Natural Philosophy.

Mr. Allen, on Mechanical Philosophy.

Rev. Mr. Dibdin, on English Literature, 5th course.

Dr. Smith, on Botany.

9

27th November, 1809.
ROYAL INSTITUTION.

The proprietors and subscribers are informed,
that the following arrangement is made for the
Lectures of the ensuing season, and that they
will commence on Monday, the 18th Decem-
ber.

Mr. Davy, on Electro- chemical Science.

on general Chemistry, and its applications

to Nature and Art.
Mr. Dalton, on Natural Philosophy.
Mr. Allen, on Practical Mechanics, and Mechanical

Inventions.

Mr. Pond, on Physical Astronomy,"and its Applica-
tions.

on Popular Astronomy.

Dr. Smith, on the Philosophy of Natural History.

(Vide the Morning Chronicle, November 30,
1809, for the advertisement which states, that
lectures will be given on the Philosophy of
Natural History, containing an " exposition
of the economy of Living Beings," by James
Edward Smith, M.D. F.L.S. &c. &c. The
same advertisement appeared in otherjpapers.)

I was not a little surprised when it was put
into my hands; it shows, 1st, That those lec-
tures alone, are continued which admit of illus-
tration and experiment. That a distinguished
gentleman, Mr. Dalton, hitherto unconnected

10

with the establishment^ is by a new arrange-
ment brought from Manchester, in addition to
the professors formerly engaged. That not-
withstanding all the objections to my proposals ;
notwithstanding the severe difficulty the ma-
nagers laboured under of divesting themselves of
the ideas they entertained against them ; not-
withstanding the " scrupulous delicacy" they
felt, lest I should trespass upon the province of
other professors, (a delicacy I firmly expected to
have experienced from them myself;) notwith-
standing the conditions frequently presented
to them in my papers, and the intimations often
repeated to^me by a most respectable member
of their committee ; notwithstanding the publi-
cations I made, under their immediate auspices
and sanction, in my lectures, and by adver-
tisement in the papers : notwithstanding all
these considerations, Dr. Smith, for many years
past their lecturer on botany, is removed from
the very department in which he is particularly
eminent, and is announced for that which I was
engaged to introduce, and which, at no incon-
siderable pains and expense, I had actually
introduced at the Royal Institution.

Far, very far am 1 from wishing to detract
from the merit of any of my contemporaries, out
of office or in it; those who honoured me with
their attendance at my lectures, will do me the
favour to recollect, that it never formed any

11

part of my plan, to refuse a full and heaped
measure of justice to the aids I had received,
and to all who were endeavouring either to im-
prove their age, or to adorn it, whether they
happened to be my colleagues or not. I never
sought to throw a slur upon any one of them,
nor to check any man, for a moment, in his
career, by any jealousy or any policy. It
never has been, it is not, and I hope it never
will be, any part of my plan so to do.

In the year 1792, Dr. Smith gave lectures in
London on botany and zoology, which I attended ;
those lectures were professedly nothing more
nor less than a plain exposition of the system
of Linnaeus, or the simple natural history of
plants and animals, merely as it rests upon the
characters of their external form.

The character of Dr. Smith is too well and
generally established to require any encomium
from me. I have always professed the highest
respect both for his professional talents, and his
private character; for I am sufficiently ac-
quainted with him to know and to admire the
benevolence and excellence of his disposition.
I hope I shall not give him the slightest offence,
nor throw any doubt upon his abilities, by stat-
ing, in support of my own humble pretensions,
my belief, that he is called upon, for the first
time, to explain the philosophy of the animal
economy, to which pursuit he may perhaps re-

12

collect, that the studies of my life have been
particularly devoted.

From the many testimonies of approbation
with which my labours were honoured by the
numerous and enlightened assembly of the sub-
scribers, (and I respectfully appeal to them if
it was not so,) I trust my conduct in fulfilling
my engagements must have given satisfaction
to the managers of the Royal Institution. I
never heard to the contrary, though several op-
portunities of expressing dislike, if they had
had any to express, were offered them in the
course of my correspondence.

It is not my intention to wound the feelings
of the noblemen and gentlemen who govern the
Royal Institution. I cannot suppose they
would wish to injure any one, or still less that
they would intentionally deal unfairly by me.
But small things are great to little men, and re-
putation ought to be the portion of every one
who would live with the elegant part of society.

Though I have not any favour to ask of them,
they must, and I am sure they will, do me the
justice, to recollect my professional character,
together with the circumstances in which I
have been placed by my intercourse with them,
and by their arrangements.

This short letter I hope will explain what
those are ; and by recalling to their mind, and
putting before them, in one point of view, my

13

correspondence, and the whole of my conduct
towards themselves and their subscribers, will
show that it is not by any failing on my part that
I am excluded from their present lists.

In the multiplicity of more important en-
gagements, and in a highly commendable zeal
to serve the establishment, over which they
preside, the managers of the Royal Institution
have probably lost sight of the fair pretensions
of the author of these proposals, which, in
their deliberations, they evidently have thought
proper to adopt.

M. L. ESTE.

PROPOSALS

For a Course of Lectures on the general Physiological
Structure and Organization of Man and other
Animals; submitted by Mr. Esteto the Consideration
of the Board of Managers of the Royal Institution.

IN tracing the different establishments of Europe for
the cultivation and diffusion of science and the arts, at-
tention will generally be found directed, first, to such
branches of science as, requiring demonstration and ex-
periment, cannot be illustrated without the aid of pub-
lic lectures, and practical expositions of the grounds
on which their principles rest. Experimental philoso-
phy accordingly precedes and paves the way to re-
searches of a higher and more intricate order ; to astro-
nomy, to chemistry, and to the most diversified and
combined investigations : natural sciences are thus seen
in their progress advancing together, mutually assisting
each other, and flourishing most successfully in society.
Where the vegetable and mineral kingdoms are explored,
it cannot but be very desirable that the animal kingdom,
a part of nature surely not less interesting than the other
two, should be examined and explained, so far as it can
be done, with the strictest regard to decorum, and the
nicest feelings of an audience composed of both sexes.

Mr. Este, perceiving in the Royal Institution, a de-
ficiency in a branch of science to which the study of
his life has been chiefly devoted, considering that as
zoological lectures were formerly given there, the gene-

15

ral physiological lectures he proposes to deliver, may not
only be compatible with the plan of the establishment,
but likely to contribute to its pros per ity, repecfully
submits his proposals to the consideration of the mana-
gers, trusting, that the circumstances above-mentioned,
together with the peculiarity of his professional educa-
tion, may justify him in venturing to address them.*

The superficial natural history of animals, resting
upon the characters of their external form, is, unques-
tionably, a pleasing pursuit; the study of the struc-
ture and conformation of their internal organs, of the
duties, offices, or functions, those organs are adapted to
perform, may be fairly represented as a source of useful
entertainment, and as a study in which every individual
must feel some share of interest ; for what can be more
interesting to man than to know himself? than to survey
and compare his own organs with the corresponding
organs of the other classes of the animal kingdom?
Quadrupeds, birds, amphibious animals, fishes, and the
lower tribes of insects and worms ? A comparison,
throwing light upon his own human economy, and
showing the fair title he has to his rank in the creation;
as his organization establishes between himself, and all
surrounding nature, a more general connexion and
widely extended intercourse than can be enjoyed by any
other description of being ; and displays infinite good-
ness, consummate wisdom, and the magnificence of the
Creator in the grandeur of the work : contemplating
which, the soul, turned inward on itself, is impressed
with awe, gratitude, and admiration.

The principles of structure may be demonstrated on
drawings, on models, and on engravings ; and it is pre-
sumed the explanations may be delivered with scrupu-
lous caution, so as not to give the slightest cause of
offence to the most delicate and refined audience.

* Vide the annexed statement.

16

Should the managers of the Royal Institution think
favourably of his proposal, Mr. Este will endeavour,
by doing justice to the subject, to promote, as far as he
may be able, the reputation and interests of the esta-
blishment.

62, Great Mary-le-bone-street ,
December 14, 1808.

STATEMENT

Annexed to Proposals^ ( No. /.)

Mr. Este began his professional studies in the year
1792, in London, under Dr. Baillie and Mr. Cruik-
shankj at the end of that winter procured introductions
to the professors of the university of Pavia, in Italy,
where he went, and remained for nearly four years under
Professors Scarpa, Spallanzani, Fontana, and Volta.
In 1 796, he placed himself for six months under Professor
Walt her, at Berlin, likewise for six months under Pro-
chuska and Dr. Frank, at Vienna. Mr. Este in 1798
returned to England, and completed his studies under
Dr. Monro, in Edinburgh, and under Messrs. Cline and
Astley Cooper, in London. In 1800 he held a com-
mission as an assistant-surgeon in the Guards, and ac-
companied them to Egypt. In the peace of 1802 he
visited Paris, and remained there during the whole in-
terval of that peace. In 1804, from possessing a know-
ledge of the French and Italian languages, together
with his professional attainments, he was appointed by
the Right Hon. Lord Hawkesbury, Physician and Private
Secretary to Mr. Charles Lock, his Majesty's Consul
General to Egypt, and to the eastern parts of the
Mediterranean.

He has the honour of being a member of the Royal
College of Surgeons, as well as of several other learned
societies at home and abroad.

17

Mr. Este takes the liberty of presenting to the Mana-
gers of the Royal Institution some statements in expla-
nation of the proposals he had the honor of submitting
to their consideration on December 14, 1808, to assist
their judgment in forming a decision upon the propriety
and advantage of admitting demonstrations on drawings,
models, and on engravings, necessary to illustrate so
much of the structure and organization of man and
other animals, as he conceives may be illustrated with
the strictest decorum, and without giving the slightest
offence, to an audience consisting of both sexes.

Anatomy and physiology are too intimately connected
to be considered separately ; inasmuch as physiology
explains the animal functions, or, in other words, the
uses of the different organs, while anatomy shows their
structure; the uses of the organs can never be rendered
intelligible till their structure is understood ; the de-
monstrations of structure must therefore naturally be
associated with the reasonings upon the uses.

Mr. Este respectfully requests permission to state
his opinion, that nearly the whole of the animal economy
may be comprised in the lectures he proposes to deliver ;
that almost all the organs, and all their functions may
be exhibited, as well as explained ; and trusts that the
following statement may disclose his plan, and furnish
sufficient data to enable the managers to form their
decision.

The drawings, models, and engravings, for their de-
monstrations, will be found to amount to little more than
such as are used for conveying instruction in the fine
arts ; and such as are frequently referred to in polished
society for elegant amusement ; such as Hans Holbein's
Dance of Death — Monumental Sculpture, by Rou-
billiac, &c.

I. As Architects, in raising an edifice, first lay a foun-
dation on which they build its parts, the SKELETON
giving shape and support to animal bodies should form
the first part of the course.

B

18

The demonstrations will require drawings of skeletons
in different attitudes and points of view ; and it is pre-
sumed the whole length skeleton will be the only whole
length jigure required; as all the remaining demonstra-
tions may be made on drawings of detached parts of the
upper divisions of the figure. The skeleton may be
shown collectively, and in parts. The several modes in
which the parts of the skeleton are articulated or joined
together, will follow next in the order of natural succes-
sion.

DEMONSTRATION.

The articulations, or joints — their construction and
motions; — the cartilages and ligaments on draw-
ings and on engravings.

The physiology of the skeleton will conclude the first
part.

II. The prop-work of the fabric being finished, the
next step will be to exhibit collectively and separately
the instruments by which it is put in motion.

DEMONSTRATION.

Simple uncoloured outlines of the muscles of the head,
neck, and of the upper extremities. The mechanism
of the lower extremities bears such resemblance to
the upper, that little need be said concerning them.

Physiology of the muscles, muscular motion will close
the second part.

III. THE BRAIN, — the place of residence of the
mind, with all in its appendages necessary for the union
of spirit or soul and body; the NERVES, her instruments
for governing and acting upon the body, may be next
produced. — Demonstration, — the brain and the whole
nervous system, which may admit of great variety of illus-
tration on drawings and on engravings.

IV. The organs establishing intercourse and connec-
tion between the mind and external objects — the eye —
the ear — the organs of smell, of taste, of touch, of speech,
of the voice — may each allow of full and extended de-
monstration, on drawings, models, and on engravings,
physiology of the brain, nerves, and senses.

V. The different organs, when so put together, suf-
fering continual waste and destruction, require the fol-
lowing functions for their restoration, maintenance,
growth, and nourishment : viz. digestion, chylrfication,
sanguification, respiration, circulation, and assimilation.
The mode in which the nutritious part of our food is
selected and separated in the digestive organs, may be
mentioned with caution, and explained by analogy, as the
roots of plants select from the soil in which they thrive
their nutritious fluids, and reject such as are unprofit-
able. But the demonstrations may here extend through
the lacteal and lymphatic systems to the heart, the lungs,
the whole circulating system of arteries and veins in the
head, neck, upper extremities, and by description and
comparison in the lower extremities, with the physio-
logy of the preceding organs and systems.

VI. All that is above stated on human organization

£5

may in like manner be shown and explained in the six
classes of the animal kingdom, in quadrupeds, birds,
amphibious animals, fishes, insects, and worms.

After this summary statement of the various sub-
jects which may furnish ample materials for curious and
useful lectures, it remains for the managers of the Royal
Institution to consider whether the subjects proposed
by Mr. Este are of sufficient importance to deserve their
encouragement and patronage? In stating this observa-
tion, and his remarks upon it, Mr. Este respectfully
trusts the managers will acquit him of every supposition
of presumption ; as his sole wish in communicating his
suggestions is to put them fully and unreservedly in
possession of his views. After the explanation Mr. Este

B 2

20

has given of the very guarded manner in which ,.he
proposes to conduct both his lectures and illustrations,
if a doubt could exist in the minds of the managers of
the possibility of a violation of delicacy or decorum,
he begs leave to reniark, that an honorable and accom-
plished lady of acknowledged taste and excellence in a
laborious art, some years ago applied to a teacher of
anatomy, to be instructed, and was by him instructed
in anatomy, on drawings and models similar to those
Mr. Este proposes to use, and such as are used for con-
veying instruction in the fine arts.

Having thus communicated his plan, Mr. Este takes
the liberty of requesting the managers of the Royal In-
stitution will have the goodness to view it in all its
bearings, and to deliberate maturely on the subject; as
he respectfully conceives, that unless it be adopted, with
a view of being rendered permanently useful to the insti-
tiition, he can never have any distinct or separate advan-
tage in such an undertaking^ which cannot possibly be
executed without great thought and study, and which
will require many drawings, engravings, and m odels
for the necessary demonstrations.

62, Great Mary-bom Street,
January 8, 1809.

" At a Meeting of the Managers of the Royal Institution
of Great Britain, held on the 9th of January, 1809.

" Read the proposal of Mr. Este respecting a course
of lectures on physiology and comparative anatomy."

" Resolved, That Mr. Bernard* be requested to in-
form Mr. Este that, upon full consideration, the mana-

* Now Sir Thomas Bernard, Bart.

21

gers regret that it is not in their power to accept of his
offer, not merely upon the ground that they have lately
declined two very respectable offers of the same kind,
but that they cannot convince themselves that scientific
lectures can be given on physiology, and comparative
anatomy, without offence to a part of their audience."
Extract from the Minutes,

Albemarle Street, M. EASINGWOOD.

9th January, 1809.

LECTURES

On the Comparative Fitness of Animated Nature to
its Situation and Functions.

Mr. Este takes the liberty of stating to the managers
of the Royal Institution, in reply to the resolution
passed upon his proposal at their meeting on January 9,
1809, that he should not have trespassed further on
their time and attention, but have remained satisfied
with their decision, had it not been accompanied with
a suggestion to him that certain lectures, " On the com-
parative fitness of animated nature to its situation and
functions," might be adapted to the plan of their es-
tablishment.

Mr. Este conceives that he may without the impu-
tation of partiality, or without seeming to recommend
too warmly a favourite pursuit, venture to represent the
subject not only as curious and useful, but as likely to
afford, if properly treated, no less elegant entertainment
than any other branch of science ; he therefore, with a
view to meet the wishes of the managers, and in com-
pliance with their suggestion, again respectfully submits
for their consideration a summary statement of such parts
of the subject as he presumes may be explained with
propriety and with,advantage.

STATEMENT OF SUBJECTS. The distinctions be-

22

tween the different classes of animated beings ; and the
analogies or resemblances by which those different classes
approach each other and the vegetable kingdom.

All the varieties of the LOCOMOTIVE power.

While vegetables remain fixed, subject to every
thing that moves, animals enjoy the power of volition,
determine, act, and communicate with external objects
by means of rheir senses. Many species protect them-
selves from injury by force, others by swiftness, address,
cunning. While animated beings take their food at
intervals and require time to prepare that food for the
complicated purposes of secretion and nutrition; while
they search for, and select peculiar kinds of food, ve-
getables are perpetually receiving nourishment, and can
receive only such as is conveyed to them by the different
elements.

The structure and organs, the growth and nourish-
ment, perpetuation and decay of nature, in the differ-
ent classes of animated beings.

A short account of the structure and organization of
man, the standard of animal perfection, may be followed
by a similar account of structure in other living crea-
tures. The adaptation of that structure and form to the
elements in which they live and move, to their modes
of existence, as of quadrupeds to the earth, fowls to the
air, fishes to the sea, amphibious animals to land and
water, reptiles to their ways of life, &c. may all be
treated of.

The connexions of form and structure with the ele-
ment, habits, manners and disposition of each class,
their respective ranks in the creation, and the circum-
stances of their economy and life.

The functions necessary to the existence of animated
beings, the action of the brain and nerves. Respiration
and the elaborate preparation and circulation of the
vital fluid with which respiration is intimately con-
nected; the secretion of animal heat, resulting from

23

respiration and circulation, technically termed vital
functions, because if suspended for a few seconds only,
life must be extinguished.

The apparatus of organs for performing these func-
tions, and the variety of the organization in the several
classes, especially as far as concerns the respiratory sys-
tems of fishes, of birds, and of amphibious animals. The
introduction of air into the bodies of INSECTS.

All the motions of animated beings performed by the
mechanism of muscles, tendons and articulations in
obedience to the will,* and the laws of those motions
may be contrasted with the involuntary motions, or such
as are wisely placed beyond the controul of the will, as
respiration, circulation, secretion, &c. technically called
VITAL motions.

The consideration of MOTION as giving birth, growth,
perfection, death and reproduction to animated beings
as the object or cause of all SENSATIONS.

THE SENSES and the variety in the structure of the
organs of sense, as adapted to the habits and elements
in which the creature lives.

The offensive and defensive habits and actions of ani-
mated beings. Their instincts.

Their domestic history, dispositions, social intercourse,
gregarious, migrating, and solitary habits ; sagacity ;
the contrivances and arts in their several operations.

Their relation to each other in the scene of animation
and destruction, perpetually going on in the economy of
nature.

It is presumed these subjects may be elucidated and
enlivened by variety of anecdotes and remarks to the
last scene of animated nature, viz. its DISSOLUTION.

Mr. Este has thus again laid before the managers,
briefly, but he trusts explicitly, such a sketch or out-
line as he hopes may put them in possession of his plan.

* As progressive motion, walking, flying, swimming, creeping.

24

He feels it incumbent on him to repeat his opinion that
the branches of science which admit of demonstration, ex-
periment, and illustration, are best calculated, by a mix-
ture of amusement and instructions, to draw attention,
and thereby give stability to scientific institutions ; such
are chemistry, astronomy, experimental philosophy, and
the science proposed ; to these many universities are in-
debted for their foundation and celebrity.

The science in question requires demonstration ; for
in what manner can the fitness of animated nature to its
situation and functions be judged of without some pre-
vious knowledge of that nature? Can a musical in-
strument, an organ, for instance, be constructed so as to
produce its effects unless the principals of its mechanism
be thoroughly known ? — the organs of animated beings
are nothing more than the instruments adapted to their
situations and functions, subjects not to be understood
without the knowledge of structure. — Such knowledge
Mr. Este respectfully believes may be easily and saefly
communicated by the aid of drawings properly intro-
duced and executed, so as neither to give offence to any
audience, however scrupulous, nor to trespass on the pro-
vince of the teachers of any practical arts. Having com-
municated what he believes necessary to assist the ma-
nagers in forming their judgment, Mr. Este trusts he
may be permitted to renew his request that they will
have the goodness in their deliberations, to compare the
whole nature and bearings of bis statements, with the
objects they have in view ; and to consider whether these
subjects are of sufficient importance to deserve their en-
couragement and support, so as to induce them to assist
him in " permanently " establishing this department of
science in the Royal Institution ; as he respectfully con-
ceives, that unless his plans are adopted with a view to
their being rendered permanent, neither the Institution
nor himself can derive any benefit or advantage from such
an undertaking. Much time and study, and no incorisi-

25

derable expense being necessary to do justice to the
subject.

62, Great Mary-bone Street,
January 28, 1809.

" At a Meeting of the Managers of the Royal Institu-
tion of Great Britain, held at the House of the Insti-
tution, on the 30th day of January, 1809.

" Read a proposal of M. L. Este, Esq. as to a course
of lectures at the Royal Institution.

"Resolved, that Mr. Bernard be desired to engage Mr.
Este to give six lectures on the comparative fitness
of animated nature to its situation and functions, to com-
mence as soon as may be convenient, and to be in the
nature of a general prospectus on the subject, avoiding
as much as may be any technical references to physiology
or anatomy."

Extract from the minutes.
WILLIAM SAVAGE, Assistant Secretary.

" At a Meeting of the Managers of the Royal Institution
of Great Britain, held on the 6th of February, 1809.

" Mr. Bernard reported that, in consequence of the
resolution of the managers, he had engaged M. L.
Este, Esq. to read a course of six lectures at two
o'clock, on the comparative fitness of animated na-
ture to its situation and functions, to commence from
the middle of March, for a compliment of thirty guineas."
" Resolved that it be approved."

Extract from the minutes.
WILLIAM SAVAGE, Assistant Secretary.

2G

After delivering his course of lectures, Mr. Este
wrote the two following letters.

62, Great Mary-bone Street,
April 22nd, 1809.

Mr.' Este presents his respectful compliments to
Mr. Bernardt and hopes in fulfilling his engagements
he has given satisfaction to the managers, as he finds
from many testimonies of approbation that his lectures
were well received by the subscribers. •

Zealously as Mr. Este wishes the welfare of the
establishment, and anxious as he is to promote its inte-
rest, he cannot be totally unmindful of his own ; he
therefore takes the liberty of earnestly requesting that
Mr. Bernard will have the goodness to procure him an
answer to the principal part of his proposals submitted
to the board of managers so far back as January 38th ;
he then renewed his request,

" That they would consider whether the subjects he
proposed to them were of sufficient importance to de-
serve their encouragement and support, so as to induce
them to assist him in permanently establishing this
science in the Royal Institution ; as he then slated that
unless the plans were adopted with a view of being
rendered " PERMANENT,*" neither the institution nor
himself could derive any benefit from the undertaking,
on account of the time, study, and expense, necessary
to do justice to so important and interesting a subject.

To these proposals he has not yet been favoured with
any reply, and is therefore compelled to solicit Mr.
Bernard^s friendly assistance, as, if it is intended to adopt
his plan, it is absolutely necessary he should be employed
in immediate preparation.

Mr. Este respectfully begs leave to know when it will
be convenient for him to wait upon the managers of the

27

Royal Institution for the settlement of his little account;
and he asks permission to state, as ht had originally
been given to understand that his lectures, if favourably
received, icere to be continued, that from such intima-
tion and from their very favourable reception, in the full
expectation of their continuance he has incurred an ex-
pense of more than 104 guineas in drawings and other
preparations. As both the Russell and the Surry Insti-
tutions are at present adopting, with every prospect of
success, Mr. Este's plan, though not in the extensive
manner proposed in the introductory lectures at the
Royal Institution, he still trusts, from this circumstance,
as well as from the success he himself experienced, and
from his conduct in fulfilling his engagements, which he
flatters himself has been to the satisfaction of the ma-
nagers, he may be permitted to hope, that the materials
he has formed for the successive development and illus-
tration of animal structure, may be employed with
advantage to the establishment in the course of next
winter.

Should the managers of the Royal Institution be of
this opinion, Mr. Este will 'in every respect endeavour
to meet their wishes, and will have sincere pleasure in
preparing through the summer a course of such lectures
and experiments, as he trusts he may venture to say
shall prove, certainly not less attractive, than the short
introductory course he lately finished, and which if not
followed up by explanatory and demonstrative lectures
will he fears rather disappoint than gratify the general
expectation.

62, Great Mary -bone Street,
May 16, 1809.

28

Royal Institution, 22nd May, 1809-
SIR,

On presenting a receipt according to the form below
at the bank of Messrs. Ransom, Morland and Co. Pall
Mall, you will receive 30 guineas, agreeably to a resolu-
tion of the managers of the 9th January, 1809.

" Received of the Royal Institution of Great Britain
by payment of Scrope Bernard, Esq. treasurer, thirty-
one pounds ten shillings for a course of lectures on ani-
mated nature, delivered in 1809."

£31 10 0.

IN answer to the two last tetters I received an intima-
tion that the funds of the Institution did not permit
the managers to extend their engagements; that they
had declined four offers of lectures ; but that if these lec-
tures were to have been continued, notice was to have
been sent me, as I understood, in the shape of a proposal
from the Institution at the beginning of the present
year 1810. I consequently felt surprised when I learnt
from the advertisement for the year that the lectures
on the philosophy of the animal economy were to be
continued, and that Dr. Smith was appointed to deliver
them. The causes of this arrangement I am not able
to state: what my lectures were, those who did me the
honour to attend them, may perhaps recollect ; what my
conduct towards the* Institution has been in other re-
spects, I think proper thus to disclose.

Before concluding, I shall take the liberty of making
a few general remarks upon scientific institutions,* and
of stating the reasons why certain learned establish-

* Some further observations upon this subject will hereafter
be submitted to the public.

29

ments in Europe have enjoyed greater celebrity than
others, and what, in my humble opinion, is necessary
for their prosperity.

The erudition, diligence, and ingenuity, of their pro-
fessors, the attention and support bestowed upon them
by government, the extensive scale of their establish-
ment, the PUBLICITY AND LIBERALITY OF THEIR

PROCEEDINGS, and a concurrence of minor circum-
stances, have rendered several pre-eminently great.
These establishments SHOULD BE "OPEN," not only
to the talents of the particular country in which they
prosper, but should stand as a centre of union for the
talents of all countries, distributing their premiums to all
with the impartiality of justice, and the discernment
of truth ; should thereby assuage in some degree the
animosities which the artificial divisions of mankind into
separate states and societies have produced : the mere
distinctive names of which are alone sources of hatred
and dissension, and should thereby UNITE ONE CLASS
OF MEN, who perhaps never ought under any circum-
stances to be otherwise than united !

In London, we have the Royal, London, Surry, and
Russell Institutions, and several others are either already
established, or in their growth; as the Athenceum, at
Liverpool ; Stonyhurst, in Lancashire, &c. : they all
have met with that support naturally to be expected
in a nation so enlightened and refined as the Bri-
tish. A tribute of respect is due to the public spirit
and munificence of our countrymen, thus liberally be-
stowed upon the encouragement of learning. The list
of subscribers to the Royal Institution fills a thick
octavo volume, and the amount of sums that have been
subscribed to it is very considerable. The subsciiption
to the London Institution filled in a few hours, and
lectures were delivered last year both at the Surry and
Russell rooms,

All these establishments are nevertheless upon a com-

30

paratively contracted scale. For their proper manage-
ment the attention of the proprietors and subscribers
should extend to something beyond the newspaper-
room. They have an important duty to perform; each
should take an interest in preserving them OPEN in all
their proceedings, as from neglect in this particular
many abuses may arise ; for instance, the entire direction
andcontroul of a great establishment " MAY "jail int
the hands of two or three individuals. It then may
prove matter of serious inconvenience to any man of a
profession to take the least step under their advice and
assistance : their opinion may be to him not the best
rule of conduct, on account both of their power and their
uncertainty : for if he should happen to gratify them in
their humour one day, that very gratification may become
the ground of their dissatisfaction on the next. The
proprietors and subscribers, ceasing then to be patrons
of science, may be rendered innocently enough, supporters
of a monopoly ! From such neglect various other abuses
MAY arise, as, for instance, exhaustion of the funds;
when a plea of poverty may serve both as a perpetual
bar to the admission of talent, and as a specious reason
for supporting exclusively in office two or three persons
who MAY thrive upon the very embarrassments of the es-
tablishment ! which cannot well happen when their pro-
ceedings are public ! Besides, according to an old law
maxim, where mystery begins Justice ends. Impediments
may be thrown in the paths of science : power concen-
trated may be "privately" exercised to the injury of
many deserving men ; may imperceptibly influence
public opinion ; may in fact be employed in the suppres-
sion, not the promotion of merit.

The votaries of science have long laboured for the
benefit of mankind, without any adequate reward ; it
should be the business of these institutions to attend to
and meet their reasonable complaints. Patronage should
descend impartially to their assistance and protection ;

31

should, with dignity, but without reserve, " be accessible
to ALL, whom the sciences may lead into her presence.
That such establishments maybe adorned with whatever
can delight the eye, elevate the imagination, or enlarge
the understanding, their gates should stand always open;
INVITING to entrance, all whom the sciences number
in their train. But unless they are so, the precepts of
truth and justice will be trampled upon by the creatures of
jlattery and caprice ; no attention will be paid but to
ceremonies and formalities, in institutions which should
be of the most easy and speedy access.

The establishments for the promotion of learning in
Europe have generally the following classes. Physical
and Mathematical sciences; Literature; History; the
Fine Arts ; Geometry ; Mechanics ; Astronomy ; Geogra-
phy ; General Philosophy; Chemistry; Mineralogy;
Botany; Rural Economy; the Veterinary Art; Ana-
tomy; Physiology; Zoology; Painting; Sculpture;
Architecture; Engineering; Engraving; Musical Com-
position, 8cc. &c.

At the Royal Institution of Great Britain ONE de-
partment of science is particularly attended to, viz. the
Electro-chemical. Mr. DAVY, in whose praise too
much cannot be said, and whose talents are not to be
estimated by any price that can be put upon them, has
the principal, indeed the ONLY, settled professorship
of the Institution. He alone resides at it, and alone
holds permanent appointments under it. A few other
gentlemen of distinguished merit are occasionally either
" PERMITTED" or engaged to deliver lectures there, as
appears by the preceding lists.

M. L. ESTE.

While these Lectures were delivering, notwithstand-
ing the extensive patronage, and the very great number
of attendants, at the Royal Institution, such were the em-

32

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 the Royal Institution, March
3rd, 1810,"

Mr. Este's Proposals, 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 tore-submit his
proposals and to resume 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.

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