162 SIR HUMPHREY DAVY. 



arising from protracted hope. He feels no envy 

 nor jealousy ; his mark is too far distant to be seen 

 by short-sighted malevolence, and therefore it is 

 never aimed at. ... To raise a chestnut on the 

 mountain, or a palm in the plain, which may afford 

 shade, shelter, and fruit for generations yet unborn, 

 and which, if they have once fixed their roots, re- 

 quire no culture, is better than to raise annual 

 flowers in a garden, which must be watered daily, 

 and in which a cold wind may chill or too ardent a 

 sunshine may dry. . . . The best faculties of man 

 are employed for futurity : speaking is better than 

 acting, writing is better than speaking." 



In the spring of 1818 he took his second conti- 

 nental journey with his wife, going through Austria, 

 Germany, and Italy. Commissioned by his king, 

 he made some researches on Herculaneuin manu- 

 scripts. 



On his return to England he was made President 

 of the Koyal Society, the position so ably filled by 

 Sir Isaac Newton. Every Saturday evening, poets, 

 artists, and men of science gathered at his recep- 

 tions. This office he held for seven years, till his 

 declining health compelled his resignation. 



In December, 1821, Davy paid a visit to his old 

 home in Penzance, and saw his mother for the last 

 time before her death. A public dinner was given 

 him by his townsmen, which honor he greatly ap- 

 preciated. He was no longer the poor lad among 

 them. " Every heart, tongue, and eye were as one 

 to do honor to him who had not only rendered the 



