History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

554 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
him for this important service. The heavy labors
of the count again brought him into an enfeebled
condition, and he determined to once more revisit
England. The elector acceded to his wishes, and
appointed him as Minister Plenipotentiary to the
Court of St. James. The Englisii government de-
clined to receive him, as, in its views of the matter,
no British-born subject could divest himself of his
perpetual allegiance. Count Rumford solicited an
audience, but his request was unnoticed. He was
greatly chagrined, and did not soon forget this
rebuff. During the administration of Washing-
ton he was publicly solicited to return to the United
States, and a correspondence was opened to bring
about such a result, but it failed of its purpose.
In 1799 Count Rumford suggested the establishment
of a public institution for the diffusion of
knowledge, and the application of the mechanical
arts and the discoveries in natural philosophy to
the common purposes of life. His clear presenta-
tion of the subject, and his enthusiasm in advocat-
ing it, led to its formation. This institution was
the Royal Society of London, which has done so
much in the direction indicated.
Leaving England again in 1803, he went to the
continent, where he resided for the rest of his life.
In 1804 (his first wife never leaving America, and
having been dead some years) he married the widow
of the celebrated French chemist, Lavoisier, and
went to live with her at Auteuil, a suburb of Paris.
Here he pursued witii his usual zeal and penetration
his philosophical studies, and in the companionship
of Cuvier, — the distinguished naturalist, — and a
few other intimate friends, passed tlie remaining
years of his life. He carried his scientific prin-
ciples into his dress and diet, for even in winter
he wore white clothing, and always regulated his
meals by a strict regimen. Believing that broad
wheels to carriages were of easier motion and
draught than those in ordinary use, he had tiiem such an illustrious son.
constructed for his own vehicles, and wlienevor he
rode through the boulevards of Paris attracted
special attention. Count Rumford died at Au-
teuil in August, 1814, after a very short illness.
The career of this man was more remarkable
than that of any other American, uidess we except
Franklin. Like Franklin, his genius was essen-
tially scientific and practical, but in addition he
had intellectual traits which the former did not
possess. As a diplomatist and organizer he was
certainly his equal, as witness his successful management,
amidst much opposition, at Munich.
What he might have accomplished on the field
cannot be known, as circumstances did not give
him the opportunity of demonstrating jhis attribute
of his mind. It is to be regretted that the genius of
so eminent an American should not have displayed
itself more fully on its native soil. If such had
been the case, his claims to the gratitude and es-
teem of his countrymen, if not more certainly due
to him, would have been more surely awarded.
The house in which Benjamin Thompson was
bom is still standing, in the north village of Woburn.
From the period of his leaving the country
his name and reputation were both held in light
esteem among his townsmen, as the old prejudice
against toryism did not easily wear away. Of
late, however, his fame has revived, and a success-
ful effort was made a year or two ago to secure
the Thompson estate to posterity as a memorial of
one of New England's foremost sons. It was pur-
chased by a subscription from collateral descend-
ants and persons interested in the project, and is
held by them under the title of the Rumford His-
torical Association. A few necessary repairs have
been made on the building, which will be carefully
preserved, and within which will be gathered such
memorials of Count Rumford as are to be secured.
Thus after many years of unmerited neglect he
will receive in some measure the honor due to