120 DAVY. 



known one solitary instance of an explosion." As for 

 the lamentable accidents which continue to happen, 

 we can scarcely doubt that they originate in the dread- 

 ful carelessness of their own and of other men's lives, 

 which seems to be engendered in those who are habitu- 

 ally exposed to great danger. That they themselves 

 are the first to suffer for it, can only suppress the out- 

 ward expression of the feelings which recklessness like 

 this is fitted to produce. 



It redounds to the credit of the north country mine- 

 owners that in 1817 they invited the inventor of the 

 Lamp to a public entertainment, and presented him 

 with a service of plate of two thousand pounds value. 

 It must be remembered that he had generously given 

 to the public the whole benefit of his invention, and 

 thus sacrificed the ample profit which a patent must 

 have enabled him to acquire for himself. 



Davy had as early as 1806 been chosen a foreign 

 associate of the French Institute. In 1812 he received 

 from the Regent the honour of knighthood. About 

 the same time he married Mrs. Apreece, a lady whose 

 ample fortune was by far the least valuable part of her 

 accomplishments a person of great virtue, admirable 

 talents, and extensive information. Of this marriage 

 there has been no issue. In October, 1813, he pub- 

 lished his 'Elements of Chemical Philosophy,' a hasty 

 and even somewhat crude work, but abounding, as 

 whatever he wrote was sure to abound, in important 

 and ingenious observations. In the following year 

 appeared his ' Elements of Agricultural Chemistry,' of 

 which the same general character may be given. In 

 1816 he was created a baronet. 



Napoleon had, during the war, given him permis- 

 sion to visit the extinguished volcanoes in Dauvergne, 

 and to pass through France towards Naples, Vesuvius 

 being then in a state of eruption. His reception at 

 Paris was very warm, but unfortunately he failed to 

 retain the affection of his colleagues in the Institute. 



