1829. JET. 51.] SIB HUMPHRY DAVY. 397 



He had stopped his treatment for four months and 

 had lived rather more freely, but in ' every respect I 

 have continued extremely temperate.' 



On January 30, 1829, he was still at Eome. He said, 

 'The palpitation, of the heart has increased almost 

 alarmingly, and I do not think I have gained any 

 strength in the weak limbs.' 



On February 1 he wrote in his journal, 'Finished 

 the dialogues fifth and sixth ' (these ended the ' Con- 

 solations in Travel '). c Si moro, spero che ho fatto il 

 mio dovere, e che la mia vita non e stata vana ed inutile.' 



On February 6 he wrote to his friend Poole from 

 Kome : 



Would I were better, I would then write to you an 

 agreeable letter from this curious city ; but I am here 

 wearing away the winter, a ruin amongst ruins. 



I write and philosophise a good deal, and have nearly 

 finished a work with a higher aim than the little ' Salmonia/ 

 which I shall dedicate to you. It contains the essence of 

 my philosophical opinions and some of my poetical reveries. 

 I sometimes think of the lines of Waller : 



The soul's dark cottage, battered and decayed, 



Lets in new light through chinks that time has made. 



I have, notwithstanding my infirmities, attended to 

 scientific objects whenever it was in my power, and I have 

 sent to the Royal Society a paper, which they will publish, 

 on the ' Peculiar Electricity of the Torpedo,' which I think 

 bears remotely on the functions of life. I attend a good 

 deal to natural history. 



I fight against sickness and fate, believing I have still 

 duties to perform, and that even my illness is connected 

 in some way with my being made useful to my fellow- 

 creatures. I have this conviction full on my mind, that 



