Biographical Memoir of Sir Humphry Davy, 9 



and his lectures had to be transferred to the great amphitheatre 

 of the estabUshment. 



The Royal Institution was at that time supported by all that 

 was most elevated in Great Britain, both in birth and in intel- 

 lect ; ladies of the highest rank attended the lectures, as well as 

 the most distinguished noblemen and youths of the country. 



The youth of a professor who had scarcely advanced be- 

 yond the age of boyhood, his handsome figure, and ingenious 

 manners, contributed not less than his lively eloquence to con- 

 ciliate the affection of such a public. In a short time he be- 

 came so much in fashion, that not an evening party appeared 

 complete when he was not present. This was such an entire 

 revolution in his condition, that he required not less courage to 

 continue his labours in this sudden prosperity, than he needed 

 to commence them in the midst of misfortune. Some even pre- 

 tend that he permitted himself to be more elated by his recep- 

 tion in the great world, than was due to his genius and circum- 

 stances. But what young man of twenty would have better 

 resisted such a temptation ? He did not at least renounce 

 science ; for in the midst of the pleasures which it was so natu- 

 ral for one of his age to wish to enjoy, he ceased not for a mo- 

 ment to multiply the titles which had been the means of obtain- 

 ing them for him. 



But who ought to have experienced greater happiness ? From 

 the time of his first regular course, which was given in May 

 1801, a continued series of lectures, experiments, and discove- 

 ries, which succeeded each other with unparalleled rapidity, and 

 which have elucidated the most important branches of Physics 

 and Chemistry, essentially modified their doctrines, and led to 

 the most beneficial and unexpected applications to the wants 

 of society, secured for their author the admiration of the civilized 

 world, and the gratitude of his country. Nominated a member 

 of the Royal Society in 1803^ and appointed secretary in 1806; 

 commissioned by the Board of Agriculture to teach the appli- 

 cation of Chemistry to that branch of public economy ; united 

 in 1812 to a lady of great wealth, and high intellectual endow- 

 ments ; and honoured, the same year, with knighthood, be- 

 ing the first person so distinguished by the Prince Regent ,• 

 created Baronet in 1818, when this Prince mounted the throne ; 



