and on Flame. 287 



ROt be found to shrink from the requirement ; — and it would 

 rest hghtlv on me, for the duty will ever please. 



Mr. Holmes says that the sentiment excited in my mind by 

 the bublime discovery, should have been applied to Dr. Reid 

 Clanuy, and not to Sir H. Davy. Mv former opinion, however, 

 remains unchanged. Much as I approve Dr. C's exertions in 

 the good cause, surely it will not be said that his invention is at 

 all comparable with the instrument projected by Sir H. Daw, 

 for the operations of mining. I would not willi/igly offend Dr. C. 

 by hazarding any thing which would detract from its merits — 

 *' valeat quantum valere potest •/' — and yet I must, in deference 

 to Mr. Holmes's opinion, still say, I feel convinced that Dr. 

 Clanny's lam[) and the beautiful and perfect instrument of Sir 

 H. Davy ought not to be associated together, nor ever mentioned 

 at the same time. I cannot otherwise appreciate the former. — 

 Independent and essentiallv distinct, it is unfair to support its 

 pretension by an endeavour to weaken the suffrages so honestly 

 won by its distinguished author Sir HumphryDavy, — a discovery 

 beautifully illustrative of his ingenuity and unwearied persever- 

 ance and assiduity. I heartily accord with Mr. Children, that 

 it is not novelty, a boyish plaything, which has won our ad- 

 miration. That it will be permanent too, I with this excellent 

 chemist firmly believe; and may hazard, without the prophetic 

 eye, to pronounce, that it will live to the honour of its discoverer, 

 when we who now exist shall sleep with our fathers; and, to use 

 Sir H's own language, " it will be illustrated by discussion, and 

 be exalted by time." It is indeed not novelty thai attracts our 

 regard : we are arrested by a discovery as extraordinary as it is 

 important. It points to humanity for its object, and our hopes 

 beat high ; and in the tone of our exultation we will remember 

 the discoverer. It attaches the signet of experience, and we are 

 satisfied. — What would we have more than this? 



We may now fearlessly approach the prison which confines 

 the flame of the fire-damp, wondering at its greatness, and con- 

 fessing our astonishment at the simple means by which its mighty 

 energies are subdued and made obedient to our wants and wishes; 

 a simplicity which recommends and endears it the more. — And, 

 oh! if possible, let no hallowed prejudices prevent its immediate 

 and universal adoption ! Should not legislative enactment here 

 sicp in, and raise the voice of authority ? 



I feel myself highly honoured by the handsome manner in 

 which Mr. Children has been good enough to mention my name 

 in his admirable paper, written as a commentary on Mr. Long- 

 uiuir's remarks. 



The idea suggested, as explanatory of the phaenomena of the 

 wire-gauze, by a writer in the last number of the Annuls of Phi- 

 losophy, 



