ESSAYS, political, economical and philosophical
by Benjamin Count of Rumford
Knight of the orders of the white eagle, and St. Atanislaus;Chamberlain, Privy Counsellor of State, and Lieutenant-Generalin the Service of his Most Serene Highness the Elector Palatine,Reigning Duke of Bavaria; Colonel of his Regiment of Artillery,and Commander in Chief of the General Staff of his Army; F.R.S.Acad. R Hiber. Berol. Elec. Boicoe. Palat. et Amer. Soc.
Contents
Dedication
First Essay
An account of an Establishment for the Poor at Munich
Second EssayOn the Fundamental Principles on which General Establishments forthe Relief of the Poor may be formed in all Countries.
Third Essay
Of Food and Particularly of Feeding the Poor.
Fourth Essay
Of Chimney Fire-places with proposals for improving them to save
Fuel; to render dwelling-houses more Comfortable and Salubrious,
and effectually to prevent Chimnies from Smoking.
Fifth Essay
A Short Account of several public institutions lately formed in
Bavaria. together with the Appendix to the First Volume.
Dedication
To his most serene highness THE ELECTOR PALATINE reigning dukeof bavaria. etc. etc. etc.
In requesting permission to dedicate to you most SereneElectoral Highness these Essays, I had several importantobjects in view: I was desirous of showing to the world that Ihad not presumed to publish an account of public measures andinstitutions, planned and executed in your ElectorialHighness's dominions,—by your orders,—and under yourimmediate authority and protection, without your leave andapprobation. I was also desirous of availing myself of theillustrious name of a Sovereign eminently distinguished by hismunificence in promoting useful knowledge, and by his solicitudefor the happiness and prosperity of his subjects, to recommendthe important objects I have undertaken to investigate, to theattention of the Great,—the Wise,—and the Benevolent.And lastly, I was anxious to have an opportunity of testifying,in a public manner, my gratitude to your most Serene ElectoralHighness for all your kindness to me; and more especially forthe distinguished honour you have done me by selecting andemploying me as an instrument in your hands of doing good.
I have the honour to be, with the most profound respect,and with unalterable attachment,
SIR,
Your Most Serene ELECTORIAL HIGHNESS's
Devoted Servant,
London,
July, 1st, 1796.
CONTENTS of ESSAY I.
an ACCOUNT of an ESTABLISHMENT FOR THE POOR AT MUNICH
together with
A Detail of various Public Measures, connected with that
Institution, which have been adopted and carried into effect for
putting an End to Mendicity, and introducing Order, and useful
Industry, among the more Indigent of the Inhabitants of Bavaria.
Introduction