The London Institution, Moorfields: the interior of the lecture theatre, a demonstration in progress. Engraving by G. Gladwin after B. Dixie.

Signs over the doors behind the demonstration bench read: "Apparatus" and "Laboratory"

The London Institution was founded in 1806. At first meetings were in a house, then a building was erected in Moorfields in 1819 at the behest of a number of charitable subscribers. As well as a fine library, the building housed a lecture room, used for scientific demonstrations. The Institution was demolished in 1936

An electrical demonstration is shown in the print. A youthful assistant turns the crank of a large generating machine, connected to a series of charged spheres, towards which the demonstrator gestures. Another generator is at the other side of the bench, in front is a voltaic cell or leiden jar arrangement

[London]

1 print : etching ; image 15.7 x 10.3 cm

Interior of the theatre of the London Institution. ; B. Dixie delt. ; G. Gladwin sculp.

Not in B. Adams, London illustrated, London, 1983

Wellcome Collection 26257i