DAVY 165 



those days was a young science. "The chains with 

 which Stahl and his successors had so long bound the 

 limbs of the young science had been broken by 

 Lavoisier." 



Modern chemistry was developing, and developing at 

 a rapid rate. There were giants in those days whose 

 names are immortal : Berthollet, Proust, Gay-Lussac, 

 Thenard, Dalton, Berzelius, and others. 



In 1797 Davy discovered the anaesthetic properties 

 of nitrous oxide gas a gas used largely by the dentist. 

 About the same time he published his Researches a work 

 " characterized by vigour and novelty of conception." 

 This work attracted the attention of Count Kumford, the 

 founder of the Koyal Institution in London, who required 

 a lecturer for the Institution. Davy was appointed to 

 the post, and about a year later he was elected professor 

 of chemistry. He came to London with the utmost 

 enthusiasm, but " his ungainly appearance was against 

 him," as his lectures were delivered before the elite 

 of London society. Soon, however, "the ability of the 

 young man won the approval of this aristocratic 

 audience, until, in a year or two, he was courted by 

 the highest society in the metropolis, and took that 

 position in the fashionable world which was so well 

 suited to his temperament." 



The words of Dr S. Johnson are appropriate for Davy's 

 career in London : 



