1829. JET. 51.] SIR HUMPHRY DAVY. 401 



For the last half-century general opinion has been so 

 charmed by the simple greatness of Faraday, that even 

 the genius of Davy with his love of original research has 

 been partially eclipsed. But, as time lessens the effect 

 of the contrast, the reputation of Davy will recover its 

 former brightness, and the picture drawn of him by Mr. 

 Poole will not be looked on as due to the partiality of 

 his oldest and most attached friend. 



'Although the most friendly intercourse existed 

 between us for thirty years, I fear I have little else to 

 communicate than to bear testimony to his general 

 intellectual elevation and to the warmth, sincerity, 

 and simplicity of his heart. I was first introduced to 

 him at the Medical Pneumatic Institution at Clifton in, 

 I think, 1799, where I inhaled his nitrous oxide with 

 the usual extraordinary and transitory sensations ; but 

 the interesting conversation, manners, and appearance 

 of the youthful operator were not transitory nay, 

 riveted my attention and we soon became friends. 



' From that time to his death no interruption of the 

 most cordial goodwill and affection occurred between 

 us. Neither the importance of his discoveries nor the 

 attentions of the exalted in rank or science, whether as 

 individuals or bodies, nor the honour conferred on him 

 by his sovereign, made the least alteration- in his 

 personal demeanour or in the tone of his correspondence. 

 No man was ever less spoiled by the world. The truth 

 is, though he conformed to the world and paid due 

 deference to those men and things which are deferred to 

 by the world, his delight was in his intellectual being. 

 He felt that he had the power of investigating the laws 



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