Page:A Tour Through the Batavian Republic.djvu/206

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194
TOUR THROUGH

seldom been offered on the altars of learning and charity. The revenues of the Teylerian institution amounted before the revolution to the yearly sum of one hundred thousand florins; but what were the mighty advantages to science which resulted from this ample income? The electrical experiments of Van Marum, under the auspices of this institution, are entitled to the most respectful mention[1]; but they are the only fruits which have been raised, by which science has been benefited, from the hot-bed of this rich bequest. The desire of accumulating, which is so prevalent in Holland, is said to have reached the curators of this institution; and instead of employing the vast funds which are at their disposal to the advancement of knowledge, they have been over-solicitous to increase the capital stock of the institution. What amount the accumulations of the Teylerian revenues have reached<references>

  1. The experiments of Van Marum prove that the death of animals coincides instantaneously with the cessation of irritability.