6 Meldrum, Development of the Atomic Theory. 



and Thomson's and Wollaston's memoirs, it became known 

 in Britain and France, in Italy and Sweden. 



Not only in these ways, but by personal exertions, 

 Thomson and Wollaston sought to advance the theory. 

 In his "History of Chemistry," Thomson gives a narrative 

 of the efforts that had to be made to induce Humphry 

 Davy to take it seriously. Long as the narrative is, it is 

 quoted here almost in full, for it illustrates the fact that in 

 science the spread of new ideas depends as much on 

 personal efforts, springing from genuine conviction, as 

 on printed papers. It would seem that Thomson and 

 Wollaston failed themselves to persuade Davy. Wollaston, 

 however, converted Davies Gilbert, and he, in his turn, 

 succeeded in converting Davy. 



" Some of our most eminent chemists," says Thomson, 

 " were very hostile to the atomic theory. The most con- 

 spicuous of these was Sir Humphry Davy. In the 

 autumn of 1807 ^ had a long conversation with him at 

 the Royal Institution, but could not convince him that 

 there was any truth in the hypothesis. A few days after 

 I dined with him at the Royal Society Club, at the Crown 

 and Anchor in the Strand. Dr. Wollaston was present at 

 the dinner. After dinner every member of the club left the 

 tavern, except Dr. Wollaston, Mr. Davy, and myself, who 

 staid behind and had tea. We sat about an hour and a half 

 together, and our whole conversation was about the atomic 

 theory. Dr. Wollaston was a convert as well as myself ; and 

 we tried to convince Davy of the inaccuracy of his 

 opinions, but, so far from being convinced, he went away, 

 if possible, more prejudiced against it than ever. Soon 

 after, Davy met Mr. Davis \sic\ Gilbert, the late dis- 

 tinguished president of the Royal Society, and he amused 

 himself with a caricature description of the atomic theory, 

 which he exhibited in so ridiculous a light, that Mr, Gilbert 



