48 LIFE OF 



England ; but I do not feel myself sufficiently strong. I must 

 defer it till another, and a better season. The extremely severe 

 course of diet and regimen keeps my spirits very low, and, my 

 physicians tell me, this is absolutely necessary; and whether I 

 live or die, I am resolved to live according to rule, and to give 

 my constitution a fair chance. 



" I have sent a copy of my Agricultural Chemistry to the 

 Horticultural Society, addressed to you. If any thing it con- 

 tains relating to Vegetable Physiology is of value, it is owing 

 to you, and in my dedication I perform at once an act of public 

 duty and of private friendship. Should I recover my health, 

 I have various plans of scientific labour, principally on natural 

 history : and in the wintry state of my mind, I live principally 

 on hope. I beg my kindest remembrances to Mrs. Knight, 

 and all your family ; and I am, my dear Sir, 



" Most sincerely yours, 

 " H. DAVY." 



Sir H. Davy died at Genoa, on the 28th of May, 1829. Of 

 all Mr. Knight's friends, there was not one in whose society he 

 so much delighted, and whom he could so ill at this time have 

 spared : there were many points in which the feelings of both 

 were peculiarly in accordance. They were both impelled by 

 the same ardour in the investigation of truth, and the same 

 desire to render their talents and their labour beneficial to their 

 fellow-creatures . 



The investigation of nature in all the various forms of 

 creation, was a source of delight to both ; and the keen percep- 

 tion of the charm of poetry, which Mr. Knight possessed in no 

 common degree, caused him to derive the highest gratification 

 from the singular combination of poetic imagery with deep 

 philosophic discussion, which often characterized Sir H. Davy's 

 conversation. 



In his will, Sir H. Davy left Mr. Knight a seal ring, bearing 

 the impression of a fish, in remembrance of the days passed 

 together on the banks of the Teme. 



