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.

CHAPTER VIII.

163

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.
226

CHAPTER X.

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

the Gunpowder Manufactory.-Davy obtains perinission 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.—

The Geological Society of Cornwall receives the patronage and support of Sir Humphry. 297

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

CHAPTER XIII.

The Liquefaction of Chlorine Gas first effected by Mr. Faraday, and witnessed by the Author.

-Sir H. Davy continues the investigation.-His paper on the application of liquefiable Gases as

mechanical agents.-Other probable uses of these bodies. He proposes several methods to pre-

vent the fumes which arise from Smelting Furnaces.-Importance of the subject.-His Letters to

Mr. Vivian. The Government solicit the advice of the Royal Society on the subject of protecting

the Copper Sheathing of Ships from the action of sea water.-Sir H. Davy charges himself with

this enquiry. He proposes a plan of protection founded on Voltaic principles. His numerous

experiments. He embarks on board the Comet steam-vessel bound to Heligoland, in order to try

his plan on a vessel in motion. He arrives at Mandal, lands, and fishes in the lakes.—The Pro-

tectors washed away. He teaches the inhabitants of Christiansand to crimp fish. He remains a

few days at Arendal.-A Norwegian dinner.-The Protectors are examined and weighed.-Re-

sults of the experiment.-The steam vessel proceeds up the Glommen.-He visits the great water-

fall.-Passes into Sweden.-Has an interview with the Crown Prince of Denmark, and afterwards

with Prince Christian at Copenhagen. He visits Professor Oersted.-He proceeds to Bremen to

see Dr. Olbers.-Returns to England. His third paper read before the Royal Society.-Voltaic

influence of patches of rust.-A small quantity of fluid sufficient to complete the circuit.-He re-

ceives from the Royal Society the Royal Medal.-The Progress of Voltaic discovery reviewed.—

The principle is of extensive application.-The Author's researches into the cause of the solution

of Lead in spring water.-An account of the numerous trials of Protectors.-Failure of the plan.

-Report of the French on the state of the protected frigate, La Constance.-Dr. Riviere's new

plan of Protection.
390

CHAPTER XIV.

-

-

The failure of the Ship protectors a source of great vexation to Davy.- His Letters to

Mr. Poole. He becomes unwell.. He publishes his Discourses before the Royal Society. -

Critical Remarks and Quotations. He goes abroad in search of health.-His Letter to Mr.

Poole from Ravenna.-He resigns the Presidency of the Royal Society.-Mr. Gilbert elected

pro tempore.-Davy returns to England, and visits his friend Mr. Poole.-" Salmonia, or Days

of Fly-fishing."-An Analysis of the Work, with various extracts to illustrate its character.

CHAPTER XV.

437

Sir H. Davy's Paper on the Phenomena of Volcanoes.-His experiments on Vesuvius.-Theory

of Volcanic action. His reception abroad.-Anecdotes.-His last Letter to Mr. Poole from Rome.

-His Paper on the electricity of the Torpedo.-" Consolations in Travel, or the Last Days of a

Philosopher."-Analysis of the work.-Reflections suggested by its style and composition.-Davy

and Wollaston compared.-His last illness.-Arrival at Geneva.-HIS DEATH.

473

A GENERAL REVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF CHEMICAL SCIENCE, AND OF THE REVOLUTIONS PRO-

DUCED IN ITS DOCTRINES BY THE DISCOVERIES OF SIR HUMPHRY DAVY.

519

APPENDIX.-Will of Sir Humphry Davy

545

MEMOIRS

OF THE

LIFE OF SIR HUMPHRY DAVY,

BART. &c. &c.

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 illustrated. 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 Penzance, 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.

HUMPHRY DAVY was born at Penzance, in Cornwall, on the 17th of December, 1778.* His ancestors had long possessed a small estate at Varfell, in the parish of Ludgvan, in the Mount's Bay, on which they resided: this appears from tablets in the church, one of which bears a date as far back as 1635. We are, however, unable to ascend higher in the pedigree than to his paternal grandfather, who seems to have been a builder of considerable

* I have been favoured by the Rev. C. Val. Le Grice, of Trereiffe, with the following extract from the Parish Register, kept at Madron:-"Humphry Davy, son of Robert Davy, baptized at Penzance, January 22, 1779.”

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