8012.
286

Vol

LONDON:

PRINTED BY STEWART AND MURRAY, OLD BAILEY.

OF

THE LIFE OF

SIR HUMPHRY DAVY, BART.

LL.D. F.R.S.

FOREIGN ASSOCIATE OF THE INSTITUTE OF FRANCE, ETC.

BY HIS BROTHER,

JOHN DAVY, M.D. F.R.S.

LONDON:

SMITH, ELDER AND CO. CORNHILL.

87774

"Vita enim mortuorun in memoria vivorum est posita."-Cic. Philip. ix.

"The affections are their own justification. The Light of Love in our hearts, is a satisfactory evidence that there is a body of warmth in the minds of our friends or kindred, whence that Light has proceeded."—WORDSWORTH, Essay upon Epitaphs.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Particulars of his infancy and early youth, of his school education-

Studies after leaving school-Extracts from his earliest note-books-

Portions of his early poetry-The course of his studies further illus-

trated by extracts-Anecdotes of this period of his life, relating to his

habits, feelings, and pursuits-His application to chemistry, first

entered on as a branch of medical studies-Rapid advance-Appointed

Superintendent of the Pneumatic Institution
PAGE 1

CHAPTER II.

Letter to his mother on quitting home-Advantages of his situation at

Clifton-Character of Dr. Beddoes-Of Mr. Poole-Notices of his

researches, in connexion with his philosophical opinions-Extracts

from his note-books, illustrative of the same-First visit home-Lines

on the occasion-Further extracts from note-books, showing his

varied pursuits, and modes of sentiment and thought-Fragments of

a poem-Happy life and aspirations-Letters expressive of these-

Accepts an appointment in the Royal Institution-List of his publi-

cations whilst at Clifton
...PAGE 45

CHAPTER III.

His reception as a Lecturer at the Royal Institution-Circumstances

favouring his success-His manner as a Lecturer-As an Experi-

menter-His Habits at this time, and manner of living-Notice of

his principal Scientific Labours and Discoveries between 1801 and

1807-Dangerous Illness in 1807-Lines written after his Recovery-

Farther Notice of his Labours and Discoveries, from 1807 to 1812-

Circumstances of his Personal History-His Marriage in 1812, and

Relinquishment of the Professorship of Chemistry at the Royal

Institution- Extracts from his Note-Book in Verse and Prose,

whilst at the Institution...

-

PAGE 87

CHAPTER IV.

Habits after his marriage, and devotion to science-His first visit to

the Continent-His researches on Iodine-Brief characters of some of

his Contemporaries-Verses written in travelling- His scientific

labours in Italy-Extracts from his Journal in the Tyrol in 1814 and

1815-Anecdote from Sir Walter Scott-Return to England-

Researches on Fire-damp, and discovery of a Safety Lamp-Public

dinner at Newcastle, and acknowledgments in 1817-Extracts from

his note-books on various subjects, philosophical, political, religious-

His second visit to the Continent-His journal of an excursion into

the Tyrol-Verses written at the Baths of Lucca-Notice of further

scientific labours abroad and at home...
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CHAPTER V.

Death of Sir Joseph Banks in 1820, whom he succeeds as President of

the Royal Society-Particulars of him in connection with this office-

Observations on it-Notices of his continued scientific labours; espe-

cially on magnetism and the liquefaction of the gases-Verses on Lord

Byron-Researches on the corrosion and on the protection of the

copper sheathing of vessels-Journal of an excursion in Norway and

Sweden in 1824-His declining health in 1825-Specimens of his

poetry at that time. His last election as president of the Royal

Society.

-

CHAPTER VI.

PAGE 264

Experiences a paralytic attack-Third visit to Italy through France—

Particulars of him whilst at Ravenna-Verses written there-

Extracts from his note-books and journals relative to his occupations,

feelings, and course of travel-His return to England and visit to

Mr. Poole-Salmonia, or Days of Fly-fishing-Notice of him as an

angler-His last journey into Italy-Extracts from his journals with

letters relative to this time-Paralytic seizure at Rome; account of

this illness-Particulars of his journey to Geneva, and of his death

-Notice of his last work, his "Consolations in Travel" - Particulars

of his person, disposition, and habits-Letters illustrative of his feel-

ings-Portraits of him-Estimates of his character by Mr. Andrew

Knight, Dr. Henry, Mr. Poole, and an American - Concluding

Remarks...

PAGE 324