358 THE EOYAL INSTITUTION. [CHAP. VI. 



was to show that there was oxygen in ammonia, and 

 that potassium was not a compound of the metal and 

 hydrogen. He made further experiments also on 

 the decomposition of boracic, fluoric, and muriatic 

 acids. 



On December 27, 1808, Davy wrote to Coleridge : 



Alas, poor Beddoes is dead! He died on Christmas 

 Eve. He wrote to me two letters on two successive days 

 22nd and 23rd. From the first, which was full of affection 

 and new feeling, I anticipated his state. He is gone at 

 the moment when his mind was purified and exalted for 

 noble affections and great works. 



My heart is heavy. I would talk to you of your own 

 plans, which I shall endeavour in every way to promote ; I 

 would talk to you of my own labours, which have been in- 

 cessant since I saw you and not without result ; but I ani 

 interrupted by very melancholy feelings, which, when you 

 see this, I know you will partake of. Ever, my dear Cole- 

 ridge, very affectionately yours, 



H. DAVY. 



On December 28 he wrote in the Laboratory Book, 

 ' We have tried a number of experiments within the last 

 few days on the muriatic and fluoric acids, heating 

 them with potassium.' 



Early in 1809 Davy sent an appendix to his last 

 Bakerian lecture to the Royal Society. In it he spoke 

 * of the general results being decisive with regard to a 

 decomposition of nitrogen having been effected.' 



In a letter at this time he told his friend Mr. 

 Children ' he hoped to show him nitrogen as a 

 complete wreck, torn to pieces in different ways.' 



On January 18 he wrote, 4 Capital result from the 



