ill-judged interference completed the disgust which his absurd conduct had excited. Before the time of Davy's visit to France, Courtois had discovered iodine, and GayLussac and Thenard were engaged upon its properties. Some of that substance was given to Davy by Ampère, and he immediately began to examine it. On the 11th of December he offered to the Institute a general view of its nature and relations, and transmitted to London an account of its properties, which was read to the Royal Society on the 20th of January 1814. This paper is introduced with the remark that "Gay-Lussac is still engaged in experiments on this subject; and from his activity and great sagacity, a complete chemical history of it may be anticipated." This priority of occupation ought to have prevented Davy from the ungenerous anticipation.' We introduce this circumstance to shew how the greatest of men are not exempt from failings, and how, when intoxicated with approbation, they are apt to throw aside those moral qualities which alone can make them respected.

Before Davy's return to England, he visited Florence, Rome, and Naples, and made some observations on the phenomena of Vesuvius. A few months after his return to his native country, his attention was called to the subject of those terrible explosions of inflammable air, or fire-damp, in coal-mines, which were then of frequent Occurrence. He accordingly, with great alacrity, commenced an investigation into the nature of this gas, and in an incredibly short space of time he had invented no less than four different kinds of lamps, all of which might be used with impunity in the foulest atmosphere. To explain the subject simply, it may be stated, that in the course of his researches upon the subject, he made the

following discovery-that if a lamp or candle be surrounded with wire-gauze, or metallic plates, perforated with numerous small holes, though the gas or fire-damp may explode within, it will not inflame the surrounding atmosphere without. Upon this principle, accordingly, the safety-lamp was formed; and, except in particular cases, it completely answers the purposes for which it was invented. Sir Humphry also discovered, that if a coil of platinum wire be suspended over the wick of the lamp, although the latter should be extinguished, the former will glow with a light sufficiently strong to guide the miner through the darkness of his perilous subterrane, and that, when he reaches a purer atmosphere, the heat will be sometimes sufficient to rekindle his lamp !

In the year 1818, Sir Humphry took his departure for Naples, in order to examine the papyri of Herculaneum, and, if possible, discover some method of separating the leaves from each other. His efforts, however, failed, not from want of zeal or ingenuity on his part, but from the state in which the manuscripts were found. He returned to England, and was elected President of the Royal Society. On the 30th November 1820, he took his seat in the chair of Newton.

The

It will be impossible to enumerate all the objects of inquiry which attracted the attention of this indefatigable philosopher during the remainder of his life. most important was that regarding the corrosive action of sea-water upon copper. He commenced his investigations in 1823, and prosecuted them for a considerable period. The truth of his beautiful theory was established; but, strange to say, the remedy failed. There can be little doubt, however, that, had his health continued, he would ultimately have succeeded. But disease

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began to set its seal upon his frame, and distract his attention from grave studies. In 1828, he took his departure for the continent, in hopes that a milder climate would have some favourable effect upon him; but health was petitioned in vain he was destined

never to return. The lamp of genius, however, burned bright to the last, as was testified by his Consolations in Travel, or Last Days of a Philosopher, a work evincing considerable depth of reflection, but marred by a wild extravagance of fancy. He continued for some time at Rome, and afterwards proceeded to Geneva, where he expired, of an attack of apoplexy, on the 30th of May 1829.

In concluding our memoir of Sir Humphry Davy, we cannot do better than quote the words of his biographer in the Encyclopædia, already adverted to. 'We have sufficiently characterised the various productions of this eminent man in our review of his life. We have alluded to those little infirmities which mix themselves with the aspirations of genius, with no unfriendly intention. They are specks in its bright mirror, which they do not obscure; but as everything connected with such a man belongs to history, they should not be passed over in silence; for while the example of his great qualities is held up to animate the exertions of unfriended talent struggling with obscurity, the consequences of his infirmities may become more valuable lessons to check the presumption of successful genius.'

MICHAEL FARADAY.

AMONG the men who have lately gained distinction in the intelligent pursuit of practical science, none is more noteworthy than MICHAEL FARADAY, whose life offers a fine example to the young of what may be accomplished by earnest perseverance and self-denial under the most trying difficulties.

The Faradays were an old family in humble circumstances in Yorkshire, whence one of them, James Faraday, soon after his marriage, removed to London, to carry on the business of a blacksmith. He had several children, of whom Michael, the third, was born at Newington, in Surrey, September 22, 1791. A few years afterwards, about 1796, James Faraday removed to a small dwelling over a coach-house in Jacob's Well Mews, Charles Street, Manchester Square, his work as a journeyman blacksmith being at a forge in Welbeck Street. Here was a beginning of life for Michael of no great promise. With other children he amused himself in the mews or stable lane where his parents resided, and leading a little sister by the hand might have been seen strolling into Manchester Square. As he grew up, he was sent to a day-school in the neighbourhood, where he learned reading, writing, and arithmetic, and that was his entire school education. Everything else he was left to learn by himself.

It was so far favourable to Michael's chances of success that his father was a man of strenuous religious principle, connected with a body of Sandemanians, of

Scotch Presbyterian origin, and had a good example set to him as regards matters of serious concern. Through this early influence, Michael became a member of this far from numerous religious body, and remained attached to it through life. Brought up with the full knowledge that he required to earn his bread by some course of industry, he was prepared for what might cast up, and considered himself fortunate in being engaged on trial for a year as an errand-boy by Mr George Riebau, stationer and news-agent, 2 Blandford Street. This was in 1804, when he was thirteen years of age. His duties were toilsome, for he had to make long rounds in delivering newspapers which his employer lent out to be read, and as in this species of labour Sunday mornings were not excepted, he felt it to be peculiarly irksome, for sometimes he scarcely completed his wearisome rounds before it was time to go to church. Any youth reared in easy circumstances can realise the unpleasantness of this condition of things.

Pleasant or unpleasant, young Faraday had to make the best of his lot. The preliminary year being tided over, he was, in 1805, bound as an apprentice for seven years, and, in consideration of his faithful service, no premium was exacted. It was a wretched arrangement for the poor lad, but he submitted with a degree of thankfulness, and set to work with an earnest resolution to do his duty. He was taught the business of a bookbinder, at which he worked diligently, and, as he had a good master and mistress, there was little reason to complain. Consolation for shortcomings lay in the pleasures of reading and study. This is a noteworthy circumShort hours of daily labour and outdoor recreation have become a popular clamour, as if lounging idly

stance.