M. BERRY. * * * * * FROM LORD BROUGHAM TO MRS. SOMERVILLE. 1834. MY DEAR MRS. SOMERVILLE, Many thanks for the sheets, which I have read with equal pleasure and instruction as those I formerly had from you. One or two things I could have troubled you with, but they are of little moment. I shall note them. The only one that is at all material relates to the way you mention Dr. Young--not that I object to the word "illustrious," or as applied to him. But as you don't give it to one considerably more so, it looks either as if you overrated him, or underrated Davy, or (which I suppose to be the truth) as if you felt Young had not had his due share of honour, and desired to make it up to his memory. Observe I give him a very high place--but Davy's discoveries are both of more unquestioned originality and more undoubtedly true--perhaps I should say, more brought to a close. The alkalis and the principle of the safety lamp are concluded and fixed, the undulation is in progress, and somewhat uncertain as to how and where it may end. You will please to observe that I reckon both those capital discoveries of Davy the fruit of inquiry, and not at all of chance--for, as to the lamp, it is plain; and as to the metals, if you look at the inquiries that immediately preceded, you will see he was thereby led to the alkalis. Indeed, I well remember saying, when I read them, "He will analyse lime and barytes." I am quite ready to admit his extreme folly in some things, but that is nothing to the present purpose. Yours, H.B. (_Henry Brougham._) * * * * * FROM MRS. MARCET TO MRS. SOMERVILLE. GENEVA, _6th April, 1834_. DEAR MRS. SOMERVILLE,