The Life of Sir Humphry Davy, Bart. LL.D., Volume 2 (of 2)Paris, John Ayrton
History
The Life of Sir Humphry Davy, Bart. LL.D., Volume 2 (of 2)
Paris, John Ayrton
Chemists -- England -- Biography; Davy, Humphry, Sir, 1778-1829
I wrote to you from Rokeby. I expressed my feelings respecting
the gunpowder. I have been in extreme harass and anxiety from
the idea of the use of my name, without the proper explanation,
and I certainly expected that no use would have been made
of it without my sanction. I never saw the label for the
canister till it came to me upon one of them, and I immediately
expressed that I was not satisfied with it.
I told Mr. Burton expressly, that in all cases in which my name
was used it must be in my own way. He is now at the head of
your firm; but it is to _you_, and not to _him_, that I have
given, and shall give my assistance.
Every feeling of friendship and affection prompts my wishes to
be useful to you; I have not the same relations to Mr. Burton.
I am very sorry to give you any trouble on this business, but I
am sure you cannot wish me to remain in a state of anxiety; and
all the friends with whom I have consulted think it absolutely
necessary for my reputation, that, when my name is used, a
clear statement should be given of the true nature of the
connexion.
I think it will be more useful to you, and increase your
influence and power in the partnership, if my assistance is
stated as given to you, and to you only--in this way: "RAMHURST
GUNPOWDER, manufactured by Messrs. Burton, Children, and
Co. after an improved process, founded upon experiments and
investigations made by Sir H. Davy, and communicated by him to
Mr. J. G. Children, under whose immediate superintendence the
gunpowder is made."
I have fully made up my mind on this matter: and if you approve
of the above form, I will state it to be the only one to which
I will consent.
If the gunpowder is called Sir H. Davy's powder, it must be
stated in all cases where my name is used, that it is so called
in honour of my discoveries in chemistry, and because I have
given my gratuitous assistance in making the experiments and
investigations on which the process is founded.
I have resolved to make no profit of any thing connected with
science. I devote my life to the public in future, and I must
have it clearly understood, that I have no views of profit in
any thing I do. I am, my dear Children,
Very affectionately yours,
H. DAVY.
In subsequent letters, which it is not necessary to publish,
Davy dwells upon the necessity of his engagements as a partner
being legally cancelled, as he cannot endure the idea of his
philosophical repose and usefulness being disturbed by the
cares of business, or the trouble of litigation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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