402 THE ROYAL INSTITUTION. [CHAP. VI. 



of nature beyond that entrusted to the generality of 

 men, and the success with which he acted on this 

 impulse increased his confidence. During his last visit 

 to me in November 1827, when in a very weak state of 

 health, he more than once said, " I do not wish to live as 

 far as I am personally concerned ; but I have views 

 which I could develope, if it please Grod to save my life, 

 which would be useful to science and to mankind." 

 Indeed, to be useful to science and to mankind was that 

 in which he gloried, to use a favourite word of his. He 

 was enthusiastically attached to science and to men of 

 science, and his heart yearned to be useful to mankind, 

 and particularly to the humblest of mankind. How 

 often have I heard him express the satisfaction which 

 the discovery of the safety lamp gave him. " I value it," 

 he said, " more than anything I ever did." 



c However his circumstances and situation in society 

 altered, his labours and zeal in the pursuit of science 

 were throughout his life undiminished. 



' What from my earliest knowledge of my admirable 

 friend I considered his most striking characteristic was 

 the quickness and truth of his apprehension. It was a 

 power of reasoning so rapid when applied to any 

 subject, that he could hardly himself be conscious of 

 the process, and it must, I think, have been felt by 

 him as it appeared to me pure intuition. I used to say 

 to him, " You understand me before I half understand 

 myself." 



6 If his mind had been given in that direction he 

 would probably have ranked high among our poets. I 

 recollect hearing perhaps the greatest living poetic 



