The engraving which adorns the volume is from a painting by Sir Thomas Lawrence, presented to the Royal Society by Lady Davy; and I beg the Council of that learned body to accept my thanks for the permission they so readily granted for its being engraved. It is one of the happiest efforts of the distinguished Artist, and is the only portrait I have seen in which his features are happily animated with the expression of the poet, and whose eye is bent to pursue the flights of his imagination through unexplored regions. I must also embrace this opportunity of publicly expressing my thanks to the Managers of the Royal Institution, who, in the most handsome manner, immediately complied with my request to inspect their Journals, and to make such extracts from them, as I might consider necessary for the completion of my memoirs. To Mr. Davies Gilbert, I am under obligations which it is difficult for me to acknowledge in adequate terms, not only for the value of the materials with which he has furnished me, but for the kindness and urbanity with which they were communicated, and for the ready and powerful assistance which I have so constantly received from him during the progress of the work. To the other enlightened individuals from whom I have received support, I have acknowledged my obligations in the body of the work; and should I have inadvertently passed over any service without a becoming notice, I trust the extent of the labour and the circumstances under which it has been performed, will plead my apology. Dover Street, January 1, 1831. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Birth and family of Sir H. Davy.--Davy placed at a preparatory school.--His peculiarities when a boy.--Anecdotes.--He is admitted into the grammar-school at Penzance.--Finishes his education under Dr. Cardew at Truro.--Death of his father.--He is apprenticed by his mother to Mr. John Bingham Borlase, a surgeon and apothecary.--He enters upon the study of Chemistry, and devotes more time to Philosophy than to Physic.--The influence of early impressions illustrated.--His poetical talent.--Specimens of his versification.--An Epic Poem composed by him at the age of twelve years.--His first original experiment in chemistry.--He conceives a new theory of heat and light.--His ingenious experiment to demonstrate its truth.--He becomes known to Mr. Davies Gilbert, the founder of his future fortunes.--Mr. Gregory Watt arrives at Penzance, and lodges in the house of Mrs. Davy.--The visit of Dr. Beddoes and Professor Hailstone to Cornwall.--The correspondence between Dr. Beddoes and Mr. Davies Gilbert, relative to the Pneumatic Institution at Bristol, and the proposed appointment of Davy.--His final departure from his native town Page 1 CHAPTER II.