Sir Humphry Davy,' Bart, 83 



easy to divine. Dr. Davy, before writing as he has done, 

 would have shewn more prudence by consulting the living 

 evidences of the facts. The memory of his brother can 

 acquire no fame by insinuations against the characters of 

 his contemporaries. His claims to distinction rest on more 

 solid grounds, and it is matter of regret that his biographer 

 should strain his subject, even so far as to attempt to make 

 us believe that the philosopher was perfect. 



But that Davy was not very partial to Dalton's views is 

 obvious from the circumstance of his having published a 

 note in which he claimed the discovery of the atomic 

 theory for Higglns, when that gentleman had shewn him 

 his work upon the Phlogistic Theory. It is generally ad- 

 mitted that Higgins' work was one of great ingenuity, but 

 that he had any idea of the atomic theory of Dalton cannot 

 be admitted. What the consequence would have been had 

 the observation of Davy been allowed to pass unnoticed, is 

 scarcely doubtful. His note bore the marks of an attempt 

 in the opinion of some, to crush the ingenious Dalton by the 

 superior weight of name and situation, and his influence 

 was decided. The just claims of Dalton were supported, 

 however, at the risk of jealousy, in the pages of the Annals 

 of Philosophy, with an earnestness and effect which were 

 irresistible, and at the present day we question if any one 

 will deny that the claims advanced in the note of Davy 

 were unfounded. It is true, that he afterwards did justice 

 to Dalton as evinced in the quotations from his lectures 

 published by his brother, but still his observations are re- 

 gistered against him. 



On the 11th of April, 1812, Mr. Davy was married to 

 Mrs. Apreece, a lady of fortune and daughter of Mr. Kerr. 

 He had previously received the honour of Knighthood. 

 What were the permanent effects of this union uppn his 

 happiness do not appear from his brother's life of him, 

 but his own expressions speak most favourably of his im- 

 proved condition, at a period soon after marriage, *' She is 

 a noble creature," he says, *' and every day adds to my con- 

 tentment by the powers of her understanding, and her 

 amiable and delightful tones of feeling." 



In November, 181 2, while engaged in making experi- 

 ments upon the chloride of azote, he was severely wounded 



g2 



