immediately complied with my request to inspect their Journals, and to make such extracts from them, as I might consider necessary for the completion of my memoirs.

To Mr. Davies Gilbert, I am under obligations which it is difficult for me to acknowledge in adequate terms, not only for the value of the materials with which he has furnished me, but for the kindness and urbanity with which they were communicated, and for the ready and powerful assistance which I have so constantly received from him during the progress of the work.

To the other enlightened individuals from whom I have received support, I have acknowledged my obligations in the body of the work; and should I have inadvertently passed over any service without a becoming notice, I trust the extent of the labour and the circumstances under which it has been performed, will plead my apology.

Dover Street, January 1, 1831.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Birth and family of Sir H. Davy.-Davy placed at a preparatory school.-His peculiarities

when a boy.-Anecdotes. He is admitted into the grammar-school at Penzance.-Finishes his

education under Dr. Cardew at Truro.-Death of his father. He is apprenticed by his mother to

Mr. John Bingham Borlase, a surgeon and apothecary.-He enters upon the study of Chemistry,

and devotes more time to Philosophy than to Physic.-The influence of early impressions illus-

trated. His poetical talent.-Specimens of his versification.-An Epic Poem composed by him

at the age of twelve years. His first original experiment in chemistry. He conceives a new

theory of heat and light. His ingenious experiment to demonstrate its truth.-He becomes known

to Mr. Davies Gilbert, the founder of his future fortunes.-Mr. Gregory Watt arrives at Pen-

zance, and lodges in the house of Mrs. Davy.-The visit of Dr. Beddoes and Professor Hailstone

to Cornwall. The correspondence between Dr. Beddoes and Mr. Davies Gilbert, relative to the

Pneumatic Institution at Bristol, and the proposed appointment of Davy.-His final departure

from his native town.

Page 1

CHAPTER II.

-

Cursory thoughts on the advantages of Biography.-Plan and objects of the Pneumatic Insti-

tution.-Davy contracts friendships during his residence at Bristol.-His first visit to London.-

His Letters to Mr. Davies Gilbert.-The publication of the West Country Contributions, by Dr.

Beddoes.-Davy's Essays on Heat, Light, and Respiration. His interesting experiments on

bonnet canes. He commences an enquiry into the nature of nitrous oxyd.-He publishes his

chemical researches.-A critical examination of the work.-Testimony of Tobin, Clayfield, Sou-

they, and others, respecting the powers of nitrous oxyd.-Davy breathes carburetted hydrogen

gas, and nearly perishes from its effects.-His new Galvanic experiments communicated in a

Letter to Mr. Gilbert.
40

CHAPTER III.

Count Rumford negotiates with Mr. Underwood on the subject of Davy's appointment to the

Royal Institution.-Terms of his engagement communicated in a letter to Mr. Gilbert.-Davy

arrives, and takes possession of his apartments. - He receives various mortifications. He is

--

—-

elected a member of the Tepidarian Society.-Is appointed Lecturer instead of assistant.-He

makes a tour in Cornwall with Mr. Underwood.-Anecdotes.-His Poem on Spinosism.—His

letter to Mr. Gilbert, communicating a galvanic discovery. He commences his first grand

course of lectures.-His brilliant success.-A letter from Mr. Purkis.-Davy's style criticised.

-His extraordinary method of experimenting.-Davy and Wollaston compared as experiment-

alists. The style of Davy as a lecturer and a writer contrasted.
76

CHAPTER IV.

Davy makes a tour with Mr. Purkis, through Wales.-Beautiful phenomenon observed from

the summit of Arran Benllyn.-Letter to Mr. Gilbert.-Journal of the Institution.-Davy's papers

on Eudiometry, and other subjects.-His first communication to the Royal Society, on a new gal-

vanic pile. He is proposed as a Fellow, and elected into the Society. His paper on astringent

vegetable substances, and on their operation in tanning leather.-His letter to Mr. Poole. He is

-appointed Chemical Lecturer to the Board of Agriculture. He forms friendships with the Duke

of Bedford, Mr. Coke, and many other celebrated agriculturists.-Attends the sheep-shearing at

Holkham and Woburn.-Composes a Prologue to the "Honey-Moon."
100

CHAPTER V.

Sir Thomas Bernard allots Davy a piece of ground for Agricultural Experiments.-History

of the Origin of the Royal Institution.-Its early labours.-Davy's Letters to Mr. Gilbert and to

Mr. Poole.-Death of Mr. Gregory Watt.-Davy's Passion for Fishing, with Anecdotes.--- He

makes a Tour in Ireland: his Letters on the subject.-His Paper on the Analysis of the Wavel-

-lite. His Memoirs on a new method of analysing Minerals which contain a fixed Alkali.— Re-

flections on the discovery of Galvanic Electricity.
122

CHAPTER VI.

The History of Galvanism divided into six grand Epochs.-Davy extends the experiment of

Nicholson and Carlisle.-His Pile of one metal and two fluids.-Dr. Wollaston advocates the doc-

trine of oxidation being the primary cause of Voltaic Phenomena.-Davy's modification of that

theory. His Bakerian Lecture of 1806.—He discovers the sources of the acid and alkaline mat-

ter eliminated from water by Voltaic action.-On the nature of Electrical decomposition and

transfer. On the relations between the Electrical energies of bodies, and their Chemical affini-

ties.-General developement of the Electro-chemical Laws.-Illustrations, Applications, and Con-

clusions.
140

CHAPTER VII.

The unfair rivalry of Philosophers.-Bonaparte the Patron of Science. He liberates Dolomieu.

-He founds a Prize for the encouragement of Electric researches.-His letter to the Minister of

the Interior.-Proceedings of the Institute.-The Prize is conferred on Davy.-The Bakerian

Lecture of 1807.-The Decomposition of the Fixed Alkalies-Potassium-Sodium.-The Ques-

tions to which the discovery gave rise.-Interesting Extracts from the Manuscript notes of the

Laboratory. Potash decomposed by a chemical process.-Letters to Children, and Pepys.-The

true nature of Potash discovered.-Whether Ammonia contains oxygen.-Davy's severe Illness.

-He recovers and resumes his labours.-His Fishing Costume.-He decomposes the Earths.-

Important views to which the discovery has led.
163

CHAPTER VIII.

Davy's Bakerian Lecture of 1808.-Results obtained from the mutual action of Potassium and

Ammonia upon each other. His belief that he had decomposed Nitrogen. He discovers Tellu-

retted Hydrogen.-Whether Sulphur, Phosphorus, and Carbon, may not contain Hydrogen.-He

decomposes Boracic acid.—Boron.-His fallacies with regard to the composition of Muriatic acid.

-A splendid Voltaic battery is constructed at the Institution by subscription.-Davy ascertains

the true nature of the Muriatic and Oxy-muriatic Acids.-Important chemical analogies to which

the discovery gave origin. Euchlorine.-Chlorides.-He delivers Lectures before the Dublin

Society. He receives the Honorary Degree of LL.D. from the Provost and Fellows of Trinity

College. He undertakes to ventilate the House of Lords.-The Regent confers upon him the

honour of Knighthood.-He delivers his farewell Lecture.-Engages in a Gunpowder manufac-

tory. His marriage.

195

CHAPTER IX.

Davy's "Elements of Chemical Philosophy" examined.-His Memoir on some combinations

of Phosphorus and Sulphur, &c.—He discovers Hydro-phosphoric gas.-Important Illustrations

of the Theory of Definite Proportionals.-Bodies precipitated from water are Hydrats. His letter

to Sir Joseph Banks on a new detonating compound. He is injured in the eye by its explosion.-

His second letter on the subject.-His Paper on the Substances produced in different chemical

processes on Fluor Spar.-His work on Agricultural Chemistry.

CHAPTER X.

226

Mr. Faraday's introduction to Sir H. Davy.-A renewed correspondence on the subject of

the Gunpowder Manufactory.-Davy obtains permission from Napoleon to visit the Continent.-

He embarks in a Cartel from Plymouth.-Is arrested at Morlaix.-Arrives at Paris.—Visits the

Louvre. His extraordinary conduct upon that occasion.-Inspects the Colossal Elephant, and is

introduced to M. Alavair, its architect. The discovery of the dungeons of the Bastile.-Davy's

interesting letter to M. Alavair.—He attends a meeting of the Institute.-Is visited by all the prin-

cipal savans of Paris.-The adventure which befell Lady Davy in the Thuilleries' Garden.-An-

niversary dinner of the Philomatic Society.-The junior Chemists of France invite Davy to a

splendid entertainment.-How far Davy is entitled to be considered the discoverer of the true

nature of Iodine.- Napoleon's unlucky experiment with the Voltaic battery.-Davy is presented

to the Empress Josephine.-An account of the Court ceremony at Malmaison. Remarks on the

conduct of Davy during his visit to Paris. He quits the capital of France, and proceeds, by way

of Lyons, to Montpellier.-Is assisted in experiments on sea-weed by M. Berard.-Crosses the

Alps.-Arrives at Genoa.-Institutes experiments on the Torpedo.-Visits Florence, and accom-

plishes the combustion of the diamond, by the great lens in the cabinet of Natural History.-

-Experiments on Iodine. He examines the colours used by the Ancients.-Visits all the cele-

brated Philosophers of Italy and Switzerland, with whom he works in their laboratories.-Re-

turns to England.

262

-

CHAPTER XI.

Collieries of the North of England.-Fire-damp.-The dreadful explosion at Felling Colliery

described.-Letters from the Bishop of Bristol to the Author.-A Society is established at Bishop-

Wearmouth for preventing accidents in coal mines. Various projects for ensuring the miner's

safety. The Reverend Dr. Gray, the present Bishop of Bristol, addresses a letter to Sir H. Davy,

and invites his attention to the subject.-Sir H. Davy's reply.-Farther Correspondence upon the

possibility of devising means of security.-Sir H. Davy proposes four different kinds of lamp for

the purpose. The Safe-lamp-The Blowing-lamp-The Piston-lamp-The Charcoal-lamp.-

His investigation of the properties of fire-damp leads to the discovery of a new principle of safety.

His views developed in a paper read before the Royal Society on the 9th of November 1815.-

The first Safety-lamp.-Safety-tubes superseded by Safety-canals.-Flame Sieves.-Wire-gauze

lamp. The phenomenon of slow combustion, and its curious application. The invention of the

Safety-lamp claimed by a Mr. Stephenson.-A deputation of Coal-owners wait upon Sir H. Davy,

in order to express to him the thanks of the Proprietors for his discovery.-Mr. Buddle announces

to Dr. Gray (now Bishop of Bristol) the intention of the Coal-trade to present him with a service

of plate. The Resolutions are opposed, and the claims of Stephenson urged, by Mr. W. Brand-

ling. A dinner is given to Sir Humphry, at which the plate is presented to him.-The President

and Council of the Royal Society protest against the claims still urged by Mr. Stephenson's

friends. Mr. Buddle's letter in answer to several queries submitted to him by the Author.—

Davy's Researches on Flame.-He receives from the Royal Society the Rumford Medals.—Is

created a Baronet.-Some observations on the apathy of the State in rewarding scientific merit.-

297

The Geological Society of Cornwall receives the patronage and support of Sir Humphry.

CHAPTER XII.

Sir Humphry Davy suggests a chemical method for unrolling the ancient Papyri.-He is en-

couraged by the Government to proceed to Naples for that purpose.-He embarks at Dover.-

His experiments on the Rhine, the Danube, the Raab, the Save, the Ironzo, the Po, and the Tiber, in

order to explain the formation of mists on rivers and lakes.—His arrival and reception at Naples.

He visits the excavations at Herculaneum.-He concludes that it was overwhelmed by sand

and ashes, but had never been exposed to burning matter.-He commences his attempt of un-

rolling the Papyri.-His failure.-He complains of the persons at the head of the department in

the Museum.-He analyses the waters of the Baths of Lucca.-His return to England.—Death

of Sir Joseph Banks.-He is elected President of the Royal Society.-Some remarks on that

event. He visits Penzance. Is honoured by a public dinner. -Electro-magnetic discoveries

of Oersted extended by Davy.—He examines Electrical Phenomena in vacuo.-The results of his

experiments questioned. He enquires into the state of the water, and aëriform matter in the

cavities of crystals.-The interesting results of his enquiry confirm the views of the Plutonists.

360