56 HEROES OF INVENTION AND DISCO VER V. 



intendence of his new institution, he at once closed with that 

 proposal. 



The young philosopher was now fairly entered on his proper 

 path, and, from this period, we may consider him as having 

 escaped from the disadvantages of his early lot. But it was 

 while yet poor and unknown that he had made those acquire- 

 ments which both obtained for him the notice of his present 

 patrons, and fitted him for the situation in wliich they placed 

 him. His having attracted the attention of Mr. Gilbert, as he 

 stood at his father's gate, may be called a fortunate incident ; 

 but it was one that never would have happened had it not been 

 for the proficiency he had already made in science by his own 

 endeavours. Chance may be said to have offered this oppor- 

 tunity of emerging from obscurity ; but, had he not previously 

 laboured in the cultivation of his mind as he had done, it would 

 to him have been no opportunity at all. 



The experiments conducted by Davy, and under his direction, 

 at the Bristol Institution, were soon rewarded by important 

 results ; and of these, Davy, when he had just completed his 

 twenty-first year, published an account, under the title of 

 " Researches, Chemical and Philosophical, chiefly concerning 

 Nitrous Oxide, and its respiration." In this publication the 

 singularly intoxicating effects produced by the breathing of 

 nitrous oxide were first announced, and it excited a considerable 

 sensation in the scientific world, and at once made Davy generally 

 known as a most ingenious and philosophic experimentalist. 

 He was, in consequence, soon after its appearance, invited to 

 fill the chemical chair of the Royal Institution, then newly 

 established. When he commenced his lectures here, he was 

 scarcely twenty-two years of age ; but never was success in such 

 •ucx attempt more decided and brilliant. He soon saw his 



