Str Humphry Davy. 229 
at the knowledge of new individual bodies, or insulated facts... How 
widely have the Pythagorean proposition, and that of the similarity 
of equiangular triangles, extended the empire of mathematics! \'The 
discovery of Jupiter’s Satellites and of Saturn’s Ring, was each an 
interesting occurrence in astronomy ; but it was a fact of compara- 
tively small extent ; while Newton’s discovery of the law of gravita- 
tion, was finding the true key which unlocked the system of the 
world. No higher proof could be given. of the estimation in which 
the galvanic discoveries of Davy, were held by the most competent 
judges, than that which was given by the French Institute, in award- 
ing to him the splendid prize offered by them for the greatest discov- 
ery in galvanism. The laws of nature and the powers and proper- 
ties of natural bodies, are the birthright of no nation or tribe, but be- 
long in common.to the whole family of man; and he who develops 
those laws, and.extends the empire of man over matter, becomes -a 
citizen of the world, and a benefactor of the human race. Hence, it 
is reasonable that in relation to discoveries of this kind, national par- 
tialities should give way to a feeling as enlarged as the laws of nature 
are universal. ‘This doctrine is clear; but to see it when the prize 
is to adorn the’ crown, and swell the triumphs of an ancient and hated 
rival,—a rival no Jess in arts than in arms; to see it through schemes 
of conquest designed to humble and destrpy the nation itself,—evin- 
ees a magnanimity of which the records of science afford but few ex- 
amples. The honor which this deed reflects on the memory ¢ ‘the 
late Emperor of France, under whose sanction and approbation the 
prize is understood to have been awarded, plainly shows, how much 
shorter and surer a way ambition may find to distinction and renown, 
by splendid acts of justice and magnanimity, than by deeds of op-~ 
pression and rapine.* Bers ee nik 325 
~ The year 1810 marks another distinct epoch in the life of Sir Hum- 
phry Davy. It was during this year that he brought forward ‘his 
theory respecting the nature of chlorine or oxy-muriatic acid, which 
gave rise to the memorable controversy on this subject, that agitated 
the schools of chemistry during the ten following years. - At the com- 
mencement of this period, our philosopher saw himself standing alone 
with the whole army of chemists arrayed against him; at the close 
"iti i « Artisan,” that Napoleon, at the same time, transmitted to Mr. 
Davy " noe saan spun any wait his empire, accompanied by a presentof 
money to defray the expences of such a journey. 
