“That Mr. Babbage has devoted, from the commencement of his arduous undertaking, the most assiduous and anxious attention to the work in hand, to the injury of his health, and the neglect and refusal of other profitable occupations. “That a very huge expense still remains to be incurred, to the probable amount of at least 4,000_l._, as far as he can foresee, before the Engine can be completed; but that Mr. Babbage’s private fortune is not such as, in their opinion, to justify the sacrifices he must make in completing it without further and effectual assistance from Government; taking into consideration not only his own interest, but that of his family dependent on him. “Under these circumstances, it is their opinion that a full and speedy representation of the case ought to be made to Government, and that in the most direct manner by a personal application to his Grace the Duke of Wellington. “And that in case of such application proving unsuccessful in procuring effectual and adequate assistance, they must regard Mr. Babbage as no longer called on—considering the pecuniary and personal sacrifices he will then have made; considering the entire and _bonâ fide_ expenditure of all that he will have received from the public purse on the object of its destination, and considering the moral certainty to which it is at length by his exertions reduced—as no longer called on to go on with an undertaking which may prove the destruction of his health, and the great injury, if not the ruin of his fortune. “That it is their opinion that Mr. W. Whitmore and Mr. Herschel should request an interview with the Duke of Wellington for the purpose of making this representation. (Signed,) SOMERSET. ASHLEY. JOHN FRANKLIN. W. W. WHITMORE. WM. HENRY FITTON. FRANCIS BAILY. J. F. W. HERSCHEL.” In consequence of what passed at this interview, which took place as suggested, the Duke of Wellington, accompanied by the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Goulburn) and Lord Ashley, inspected the _model_ of the engine, the drawings, and parts in progress. The Duke recommended that a grant of 3,000_l._ should be made towards the completion of the machine, which was duly paid by the Treasury.