s philosophical pursuits, and the
duties of his extensive practice, which kept him almost constantly
engaged, it may be doubted, whether he could at this time have
sustained the load of sorrow with which he was oppressed.

The circumstances which remain to be mentioned are few. From the
death of his wife, Dr. Garnett may be considered as unfortunate; for
although a fair prospect opened before him, a series of occurrences
took place, which neither his state of mind, nor his constitutional
firmness enabled him to support.

At the time of the formation of the Royal Institution of Great
Britain, in London, Count Rumford wrote to Dr. Garnett, to whom he
was then an entire stranger, inquiring into the nature and economy of
Anderson's Institution, Glasgow; the plan of the lectures given, &c.
&c.; and after hinting at the opportunities of acquiring reputation
in London, he finally proposed that Dr. Garnett should become
lecturer of the new Institution. With this proposal, arduous as was
the task, to deliver a course of lectures on almost every branch of
human attainment, Dr. Garnett complied, relying on his acquirements,
and the tried excellence of his nature; and conscious that no
difficulty could resist the indefatigable exertions which on other
occasions he had so successfully applied. Flattered by the honour and
respect he conceived to be paid to his abilities and qualifications;
pleased with the prospect of more rapidly accumulating an
independence for himself and his children; and animated with the hope
of meeting with more frequent opportunities of gratifying his thirst
after knowledge, his spirits were again roused, and he looked forward
to new objects of interest in the advancement of his favourite
pursuits. In the enthusiasm of the moment, he was known to say, that
he considered his connexion with the Royal Institution, from which
the country had a right to expect so much, as one of the most
fortunate occurrences of his life. On the 15th October 1799, he
informed a special meeting of the Managers of Anderson's Institution,
of his appointment to the Professorship of Philosophy, Chemistry, and
Mechanics, in the Royal Institution of Great Britain, and on that
account requested permission to resign his situation. The resignation
of a man, whom all loved and revered, was reluctantly, though, as
tending to his personal advancement, and the promotion of science,
unanimously accepted by the meeting; he was congratulated on