Sir Humphry Davy, Dart. 169 



were dying. He was got into bed as soon as possible ; the 

 painful sensations quickly subsided, and in a few minutes 

 were entirely gone." No appearance of injury could be 

 detected on the arm. He took an anodyne draught, and 

 about half-past nine expressed a wish to be left alone. At 

 half-past two he was insensible, and at 3, a. m., on the 29th 

 May, 1829, he died. His funeral took place on the 1st 

 June, and was attended by the literary and scientific men 

 of Geneva. His remains were deposited in the burying 

 ground of the city, without the walls, and close to the 

 grave of Professor Pictet. 



The precise cause of the complaint of which he died was 

 never ascertained, as he made his brother promise that he 

 should not open his body ; being of opinion, that it was 

 possible for sensation to remain in the animal fibre after the 

 loss of irritability. He had also a great horror of being 

 buried alive, and desired that his interment should not take 

 place till after ten days ; but it was found impossible to 

 comply with his request, as it was contrary to the law of 

 Geneva, and as signs of decomposition speedily shewed 

 themselves. 



It is remarkable, that the same year deprived England of 

 three of her most distinguished philosophers. Young, Wol- 

 laston and Davy. The first was Foreign Secretary and the 

 latter Secretaries of the Society — and all three foreign 

 associates of the first class of the Institute of France. 



Such is a sketch of the life of one of England's greatest 

 ornaments. He was of middle stature, about five feet seven 

 inches high, but appeared shorter perhaps from his compact 

 and stout make ; his countenance was very expressive — his 

 voice was full toned and melodious — which is rather re- 

 markable as he was destitute of a musical ear. He possessed 

 very strong feelings; of a kind disposition with those whom 

 he formed friendships, but latterly of an extremely irritable 

 temper, and disagreeable bearing. He was always of a 

 jealous disposition, which appears to have been encouraged 

 by the fear that he should be anticipated in any of his dis- 

 coveries ; and, unfortunately, he too often displayed by his 

 actions what were the feelings of his mind. 



To point out the weaknesses in the character ought to be 

 particularly attended to, by the biographer, for, unless this 



