[22] Breath and life are synonymous. In the Greek, the most philosophically constructed language with which we are acquainted, this _first_ and _last_ act is expressed by a verb composed of alpha and omega--[Greek: aô]. In the Latin, the connexion between _spiro_ and _spiritus_, breath and life, is evident. By these observations, I am not to be supposed as wishing, for a moment, to uphold the wild hypotheses which I have just related; it must be admitted that the theory of _phos-oxygen_ and _luminated phos-oxygen_ has scarcely a parallel in extravagance and absurdity; and I happen to know that, in after life, Davy bitterly regretted that he had so committed himself; any allusion to the subject became a source of painful irritation. It is to be remarked, that in every course of lectures, although Davy did not refer to these theories, he frequently alluded to the unphilosophic spirit that had given origin to them; as if he had imposed upon himself this penance as an atonement for his early follies. The following note was taken at one of his lectures:--"After what has been said, it will be useless to enter upon an examination of any of those theories, which, assuming for their foundation the connexion of life with respiration, have attempted to prove that oxygen is the principle of life, and that the wonderful and mysterious phenomena of perception arise from the action of common gravitating substances upon each other. Such theories are the dreams of misemployed genius, which the light of experiment and observation has never conducted to truth, and are merely a collection of terms derived from known phenomena, and applied by loose analogies of language to unknown things." The reader, however, will be disposed to treat him with all tenderness when he remembers that the author of these Essays was barely eighteen years of age. If blame is to fall on any one, let it fall on Dr. Beddoes, who never should have sanctioned the publication: had he curbed the ardent and untamed imagination of the young philosopher, he would have acted the part of a wise man and of a kind friend. But the truth is, that much as Davy needed the bridle, Beddoes[23] required it still more; for, notwithstanding his talents, he was as little fitted for a Mentor as a weathercock for a compass; and had it not been for the ascendency which Davy gained over his mind, the ardour of his temperament would have continually urged him beyond the bounds of reason. [23] The only pun Davy is said to have ever made was upon the occasion of Mr. Sadler being appointed by Dr. Beddoes as his successor. "I cannot imagine," said he, "why he has engaged _Sadler_, unless it is that he may be well _bridled_."