Early causes of his subsequent elevation. 23 



planetary system, as described in Ferguson's Astronomy. Actuated 

 by a vehement desire of witnessing, with his own eyes, phaenomena 

 so remarkable, whilst the price of a telescope capable of exhibiting 

 them far exceeded his means, he resolved to construct such an in- 

 strument with his own hands. Accordi;!i;ly, after overcoming many 

 difficulties, he completed a reflecting telescope, with which he 

 could observe the satellites of Jupiter and the ring of Saturn. 

 Henceforward his mind was directed to the exploration of the hea- 

 vens ; and in the space of seven years from this period, he had 

 enrolled himself among the greatest of astronomers, by the dis- 

 covery of a new primary planet, the Georgium Sidus.* 



And, to conclude these illustrations with an instance selected 

 from those votaries of science, who still live to benefit mankind, 

 to an incident equally devoid of importance in itself, we owe the 

 discoveries of Sir Himphuy Davy. Whilst preparing for the 

 medical profession, in Cornwall, his native county, he had acquired 

 a strong interest in the pursuits of Geology and Chemistry, 

 •which his peculiar genius for analytical research had gratified in 

 some successful inquiries. He then became acquainted with Mr. 

 Giddy, now Mr. Davies Gilbert, himself a distinguished natural 

 philosopher ; and this gentleman, duly appreciating his talents for 

 Chemistry, warmly seconded his intention of superintending the 

 Pneumatic Institution, founded by Dr. Beddoes, at Bristol. Here 

 were made his " Researches on Nitrous Oxide," published in 

 the year 1800 ; soon afterwards he was appointed Professor of 

 Chemistry at the Royal Institution, and in 1807 he effected 

 his great discovery of the metallic bases of the alkalies, a dis- 

 covery that quickly changed the aspect of chemical science, and 

 ■which was succeeded by the train of brilliant investigations for 

 which their author has been rewarded, by his elevation to the 

 Chair of the Royal Society ; — a station successively distinguished, 

 in a former age of science, by a Wren and a Newton. 



Now it was in the order just described and illustrated, — to 

 return from the digression into which we have been led, by the 

 desire of taking an enlarged view of this subject — it was by means 

 of a train of circumstances analogous to those just related, as con- 



• See Edin. Phil. Jourii. vol. viii. p. 21 i. 



