The Life of Sir Humphry Davy, Bart. LL.D., Volume 1 (of 2)Paris, John Ayrton
Science
The Life of Sir Humphry Davy, Bart. LL.D., Volume 1 (of 2)
Paris, John Ayrton
Chemists -- England -- Biography; Davy, Humphry, Sir, 1778-1829
"Resolved--That a Course of Lectures on the Chemical Principles of
the Art of Tanning be given by Mr. Davy. To commence the second of
November next; and that respectable persons of the trade, who shall
be recommended by Proprietors of the Institution, be admitted to
these lectures gratis.
"Resolved further--That Mr. Davy have permission to absent himself
during the months of July, August, and September, for the purpose
of making himself more particularly acquainted with the practical
part of the business of tanning, in order to prepare himself for
giving the above-mentioned course of lectures."
Davy, it would appear, availed himself of the permission granted
to him by the above resolution of the Managers, and during the
interval visited his native country.
He had arranged with his friend Underwood to make a tour through
Cornwall; but as it was his wish to remain at Bristol for a few
days, on his way to the West, it was agreed between them that they
should meet at Penzance.
Davy, however, became impatient, and wrote the following letter to
his friend, a composition of much wildness, and obnoxious to the
suspicion of Spinosism.
MY DEAR UNDERWOOD,
That part of Almighty God which resides in the rocks and woods,
in the blue and tranquil sea, in the clouds and sunbeams of the
sky, is calling upon thee with a loud voice: religiously obey its
commands, and come and worship with me on the ancient altars of
Cornwall.
I shall leave Bristol on Thursday next, possibly before, so that
by this day week I shall probably be at Penzance. Ten days or a
fortnight after, I shall expect to see you, and to rejoice with you.
We will admire together the wonders of God,--rocks and the sea,
dead hills and living hills covered with verdure. Amen.
Write to me immediately, and say when you will come. Direct H.
Davy, Penzance. Farewell, Being of energy!
Your's with unfeigned affection,
H. DAVY.
Mr. Underwood transmitted to me the above letter with the following
extract from his journal.
"On the 25th I went to Bristol, and on the 30th arrived at Mrs.
Davy's at Penzance. On the 1st of August we set off on a pedestrian
excursion, and proceeded along the edge of the cliffs, round the
Land's End, Cape Cornwall, Saint Just, and Saint Ives, to Redruth,
and thence back to Penzance.
"Two days afterwards we again started, and trudged along the
shore to the Lizard. Kynance Cove had from the commencement of
our intimacy been a daily theme of his conversation. No epithets
were sufficiently forcible to express his admiration at the beauty
of the spot: the enthusiastic delight with which he dwelt upon
the description of the Serpentine rocks, polished by the waves,
and reflecting the brightest tints from their surfaces, seemed
inexhaustible, and when we had arrived at the spot he appeared
absolutely entranced.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account