1798-9. JET. 20-1.] PROFESSOR DAVY. 313 



Davy thus wrote to Mr. Davies Gilbert : 



November 12, 1798. 



I have purposely delayed writing until I could communi- 

 cate to you some intelligence of importance concerning 

 the new Pneumatic Institution. The speedy execution of 

 the plan will, I think, interest you both as a subscriber and 

 a friend to science and mankind. The present subscription 

 is, we suppose, nearly adequate to the purpose of investigat- 

 ing the medicinal powers of factitious airs. It still con- 

 tinues to increase, and we may hope for the ability of 

 pursuing the investigation to its fall extent. We are 

 negotiating for a house in Downe Square, the proximity of 

 which to Bristol and its general situation and advantages 

 render it very suitable for the purpose. The funds will, I 

 suppose, enable us to provide for eight or ten patients in 

 the Hospital, and for as many out of it as we can procure. 



We shall try the gases in every possible way. 



"We are printing in Bristol the first volume of the ' West 

 Country Collection,' which will, I suppose, be out the 

 beginning of January. 



Believe me, dear Sir, with affection and respect, truly 

 yours, 



HUMPHRY DAVY. 



The first two hundred pages of this collection, consti- 

 tuting very nearly half the volume, consist of essays of 

 Davy on 4 Heat, Light, and the Combinations of Light,' 

 on 'Phos- Oxygen or Oxygen and its Combinations,' 

 and on the ' Theory of Eespiration.' 



He wrote on February 22, 1799, to Davies Gilbert : 



DEAR FRIEND, (For I love you too well to call you by a 

 more ceremonious name), I have delayed writing to you, 



