The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 13. Index to Volume 13

The course of Sir Humphry Davy to the highest rank as a chemical philosopher, was, after his appointment at the Royal Institution, rapid and brilliant; and if he was previously aided by as few of the advantages of fortune as any man living, he had then at his disposal whatever his industry and talents chose to command. We have given but a hasty outline of his labours; but it is possible that he may have left behind him much, not yet made public, for which, science will be still further indebted to him. His works, papers, and letters are numerous, and the greatest portion of them are contained in the Transactions of the Royal Society. One of the most popular and interesting of his recent papers is that on the Phenomena of Volcanoes. This contains a series of investigations of Vesuvius, made by the author during a residence at Naples in 1819-20, and bearing upon a previous hypothesis, "that metals of the alkalies and earth might exist in the interior of the globe, and on being exposed to the action of air and water, give rise to volcanic fires, and to the production of lavas, by the slow cooling of which basaltic and other crystalline rocks might subsequently be formed." We have not space for the details of these investigations, interesting as they would prove to an unscientific reader; but we give an abstract of the result of Sir Humphry's observations:

"The phenomena observed by the author afforded a sufficient refutation of all the ancient hypotheses, in which volcanic fires were ascribed to such chemical causes as the combustion of mineral coal, or the action of sulphur upon iron; and are perfectly consistent with the supposition of their depending upon the oxidation of the metals of the earths upon an extensive scale, in immense subterranean cavities, to which water or atmospheric air may occasionally have access. The subterranean thunder heard at great distances under Vesuvius, prior to an eruption, indicates the vast extent of these cavities; and the existence of a subterranean communication between the Solfattara and Vesuvius, is established by the fact that whenever the latter is in an active state, the former is comparatively tranquil. In confirmation of these views, the author remarks, that almost all the volcanoes of considerable magnitude in the old world, are in the vicinity of the sea; and in those where the sea is more distant, as in the volcanoes of South America, the water may be supplied from great subterranean lakes; for Humboldt states that some of them throw up quantities of fish. The author acknowledges, however, that the hypothesis of the nucleus of the globe being composed of matter liquefied by heat, offers a still more simple solution of the phenomena of volcanic fires."6

We have hitherto spoken of Sir Humphry Davy as a philosopher. He was, however, in every respect, an accomplished scholar, and was well acquainted with foreign languages. He always retained a strong taste for literary pleasures; and when his continued illness retarded his scientific pursuits, he made literature his recreation. In this manner he wrote Salmonia: or Days of Fly-fishing, in a series of conversations, we gather from the Preface:—"These pages formed the occupation of the Author during several months of severe and dangerous illness, when he was wholly incapable of attending to more useful studies, or of following more serious pursuits. They formed his amusement in many hours, which otherwise would have been unoccupied and tedious." "The conversational and discursive style were chosen as best suited to the state of the health of the author, who was incapable of considerable efforts and long continued exertion." The volume is dedicated to Dr. Babington, "in remembrance of some delightful days passed in his society, and in gratitude for an uninterrupted friendship of quarter of a century:" and the likeness of one of the characters in the conversations to that estimable physician abovenamed, has been considered well drawn, and easily recognisable by those who enjoy his acquaintance.

The philosophical works of Sir Humphry Davy are written in a clear and perspicuous style, by which means he has contributed more to the diffusion of scientific knowledge than any other writer of his time. His three principal works, "Chemical and Philosophical Researches," "Elements of Chemical Philosophy," and "Elements of Agricultural Chemistry," are in a popular and familiar style, and the two last are excellently adapted for elementary study. His numerous pamphlets and contributions to the Transactions of the Royal Society have the same rare merit of conveying experimental knowledge in the most attractive form, and thus reducing abstract theory to the practice and purposes of life and society. The results of his investigations and experiments were not therefore pent up in the laboratory or lecture-room where they were made, but by this valuable mode of communication, they have realized what ought to be the highest aim of science,—the improvement of the condition and comforts of every class of his fellow-creatures. Thus, beautiful theories were illustrated by inventions of immediate utility, as in the safety-lamp for mitigating the dangers to which miners are exposed in their labours, and the application of a newly-discovered principle in preserving the life of the adventurous mariner. Yet splendid as were Sir Humphry's talents, and important as have been their application, he received the honours and homage of the scientific world with that becoming modesty which universally characterizes great genius.

Apart from the scientific value of Sir Humphry's labours and researches, they are pervaded by a tone and temper, and an enthusiastic love of nature which are as admirably expressed as their influence is excellent. In proof of this feeling we could almost from memory, quote many passages from his works. Thus, speaking of the divine Study of Nature, he has the following reflective truths:—"If we look with wonder upon the great remains of human works, such as the columns of Palmyra, broken in the midst of the desert, the temples of Paestum, beautiful in the decay of twenty centuries, or the mutilated fragments of Greek sculpture in the Acropolis of Athens, or in our own Museum, as proofs of the genius of artists, and power and riches of nations now past away; with how much deeper feeling of admiration must we consider those grand monuments of Nature, which mark the revolutions of the globe; continents broken into islands; one land produced, another destroyed; the bottom of the ocean become a fertile soil; whole races of animals extinct; and the bones and exuviae of one class, covered with the remains of another, and upon the graves of past generations—the marble or rocky tomb, as it were, of a former animated world—new generations rising, and order and harmony established, and a system of life and beauty produced, as it were out of chaos and death; proving the infinite power, wisdom, and goodness, of the GREAT CAUSE OF ALL BEING!" Here we cannot trace any co-mixture of science and scepticism, and in vain shall we look for the spawn of infidel doctrine. The same excellent feeling breathes throughout Salmonia, one of the most delightful labours of leisure we have ever seen. Not a few of the most beautiful phenomena of Nature are here lucidly explained, yet the pages have none of the varnish of philosophical unbelief or finite reasoning. "In my opinion," says one of the characters in the Dialogue, (to be identified as the author,) "profound minds are the most likely to think lightly of the resources of human reason; and it is the pert superficial thinker who is generally strongest in every kind of unbelief. The deep philosopher sees changes of causes and effects, so wonderfully and strangely linked together, that he is usually the last person to decide upon the impossibility of any two series of events being independent of each other; and in science, so many natural miracles, as it were, have been brought to light,—such as the fall of stones from meteors in the atmosphere, the disarming a thundercloud by a metallic point, the production of fire from ice by a metal white as silver, and referring certain laws of motions of the sea to the moon,—that the physical inquirer is seldom disposed to assert, confidently, on any abstruse subjects belonging to the order of natural things, and still less so on those relating to the more mysterious relations of moral events and intellectual natures."7

Many other passages in Salmonia gush forth with great force and beauty, and sometimes soar into sublime truths. Thus says the eloquent author:

"A full and clear river is, in my opinion, the most poetical object in nature. Pliny has, as well as I recollect, compared a river to human life. I have never read the passage in his works, but I have been a hundred times struck with the analogy, particularly amidst mountain scenery. The river, small and clear in its origin, gushes forth from rocks, falls into deep glens, and wantons and meanders through a wild and picturesque country, nourishing only the uncultivated tree or flower by its dew or spray. In this, its state of infancy and youth, it may be compared to the human mind in which fancy and strength of imagination are predominant—it is more beautiful than useful. When the different rills or torrents join, and descend into the plain, it becomes slow and stately in its motions; it is applied to move machinery, to irrigate meadows, and to bear upon its bosom the stately barge;—in this mature state, it is deep, strong, and useful. As it flows on towards the sea, it loses its force and its motion, and at last, as it were, becomes lost and mingled with the mighty abyss of waters."

"I envy no quality of the mind or intellect in others; not genius, power, wit, or fancy: but if I could choose what would be most delightful, and I believe most useful to me, I should prefer a firm religious belief to every other blessing; for it makes life a discipline of goodness—creates new hopes, when all earthly hopes vanish; and throws over the decay, the destruction of existence, the most gorgeous of all lights; awakens life even in death, and from corruption and decay calls up beauty and divinity: makes an instrument of torture and of shame the ladder of ascent to paradise; and, far above all combinations of earthly hopes, calls up the most delightful visions of palms and amaranths, the gardens of the blest, the security of everlasting joys, where the sensualist and the sceptic view only gloom, decay, annihilation, and despair!"

Few of those whose fame and fortune are their own creation, enjoy, as did Sir Humphry Davy, in the meridian of life, the enviable consciousness of general esteem and respect, and the certainty of a distinguished place in history, among the illustrious names of their country. "A great light has gone out,"—short but brilliant has been his career; yet let us hope he has but exchanged his worldly fame for unearthly immortality, to shine amidst the never-dying lights of true glory.

INDEX TO VOL. XIII

Abernetheyana

Actor, The

African

Festivities

Nurse

Widow

Agave Americana

Air Balloon, Lines on

Alderman, Antiquity of

Alehouse Signs

Algiers, Sketch of the battle of

Alnwick Freemen

Altitude of Public Buildings

Alvise Sanuto, a story

Ambition, Lines on

American

Comforts

Law

Sea Serpent

Song Birds

Anecdotes of Canning and Moore

Animal Food

Anne Boleyne, Marriage of

Anne of Geierstein, by Sir Walter Scott

Outline of the Story, &c.

Anticipation, Lines on

April Fools, Lines on

Arab, Lay of the Wandering

Arctic Adventures

Auctioneer's Ode to Mercury

Auctions, Antiquity of

Aurora Borealis

Austin Friars, Church of

Avver Bread

Bachelors, Advice to

Bad Writing

Ball, Lines on

Balloon Ascent, Recent

Bamborough Castle

Banana Tree

Banditti, South American

Bannockburn, a ballad

Baron's Trumpet

Bazaar, Oxford-street

Bears on the Ice

Beauty, On

Bees, Food of

Instinct of

Management of

Beet Root Sugar

Bird of the Tomb, a poem

Birds, Crop of

Birds' Nests

Bishops, Magnificent

Blackheath, Cave at

Blind Girl, The

Boarding, Custom of

Bolivar, Memoir of

Book-machinery

Box-tree, The

Boxes, The

Brazilian Slave Trade

British Artists' Society

Diorama

Broiling Steaks, a Story

Broken Heart, The

Brandon, Charles, of Suffolk

Bruce Castle, Description of

Bubble and Squeak, To make

Buckingham Palace described

Bull Fights at Lima

Bunyan's Syllabub Pot

Byron, Lord, Anecdotes of

Calenture, or Maladie de Pays

Callender, N.B.

Canadian Indians

Capuchin Interment

Carmarthen, Description of

Cat and Fiddle, Origin of

Cedar of Lebanon

Charing Cross, Old

Chart of Swan River Colony

Chatterton, the Poet

Chertsey Abbey, Stanzas on

Chester Terrace, Regent's Park

Chiltern Hundreds

Chimneys

Chinese Cities

Chinese Novels

Chosen One, The

Chromate of Iron

Church Spires

Clapperton, Captain, Death of

Clarendon House, Piccadilly

Classical Corrections

Cliffords of Craven, Legend of

Clouds and Sunshine

Coals, History of

Cochineal Insect, The

Coinage, Ancient British

College Dreams

Collop Monday

Colosseum, Description of the

Common Rights

Companion to the Almanack

Theatres

Content, Lines on

Convict's Dream, The

in New South Wales

Cook and the Cranes

Cookery and Confectionery

Cornwall Terrace, Regent's Park

Cottage Gardens

Cotton Spinning

Covent Garden Market

Country Character

Cowes Regatta described

Creating Wants

Crime in Paris

Crosses, Ancient, in England

Crusades, Epitome of

Crushing to Death, Legal

Cuccu, The, Old Song

Cumberland Landlord, The

Terrace, Regent's Park

Curaçoa, To make

Curious Extracts

Currants, To Preserve

Dancing, Old

Lines on

Daubenton, Death of

Dauphin of France

Davy, Sir Humphry, Death of

Days Departed, a Poem

Dead, Tributes to the

Deathwatch Magnified

Denmark, Education in

Derby and Nottingham

Dinner and Tea Table

Diorama, Regent's Park

Discovery, Expeditions of

Dorchester Church

Douglas, Tragedy of

Dreams, Lines on

Drinking, Hints on

Drunken Frolic

Dutch Language

Tale

Ear, The Human

Eating, Hints on

Eggs, To Preserve

Egyptian MS. discovered

El Borracho, a Spanish Sketch

Electricity on Animals

Elm, the Witch

Elephant

Hunt in India

Skeleton

Public-house, Fenchurch-st.

Emigration to America

Swan River

Encyclopaedias, German

England and her Colonies

Epicures, English and Foreign

Epsom New Race Stand

Erie, Lake, described

Eskdale Anecdote

European Manufactures consumed in South America

Exeter 'Change, Old

Falkirk described

Falling Stones, Phenomena of

Famine in England

Farriery, Ancient, Lines on

Fashions, English

Fashion, Great World of

Field of Forty Steps

Fight in a Church

Figs

Fir Tree, Immense

First and Last Appearance

Crime

First Love, a Sketch

Fitzmaurice, the Magician

Five Nights of St. Albans

Flowers on the Alps

Flute-Playing, Lindsay on

Fontainbleau, Royal Hunt at

Foote, Miss, Lines on

Forget-Me-Not, Lines on

Fortune Playhouse described

Fossil Fish

Remains, Gigantic

Fountain, a Ballad

France, Road-Book of

Fraud, Lines on

Freezing Mixture

French

Authors, Anecdotes of

Carpet

Country Life

English

Pigs

Theatres

Frogs, To tell the Weather by

Frosts, Hard in England

Fruit, Ripening

Fulminating Powder, To make

Funeral Rites of the Greeks

Gaming in S. America

Gardens, Gleanings on

Gay Widow, a Sketch

Geneva, City of

Genii, Light and Dark

Gentlemen's Fashions

Geological Changes

Geology, Conversations on

German Life

Schools

Students

Gibeon, Battle of

Gipsy's Malison

Glancin E'e

Glow-worm, The

Gold Size, To make

Good Deeds, Lines on

Good and Evil Days

Gower, the Poet, his Tomb

Grammatical Learning

Gravitation, Novel Theory of

Great Seal of England

Gresham College

Grove House, Regent's Park

Growth of Trees and Animals

Gude News

Guy's Cliff, Description of

H., Lines on the Letter

Halcyon, The

Handel, Anecdote of

Hanover Lodge, Regent's Park

Haro, or Harol, Power of

Harrow School, Description of

Hatching Birds

Heaven, Lines on

Hebrew Melodies

Hertford, (Marquess) his Villa

Hillah on the Euphrates

Himalaya Mountains

Hirlas Horn, The

Hogarth, Anecdotes of

's Paintings

Holland House, Kensington

Honest Prejudices

Hood's New Songs

Horsham, Description of

Hudson and his Pigs

Hugonots, The

Humboldt's Journey to Siberia

Hundred Pound Note

Hunted Stag, a Sketch

Hyde Park Entrance

Hydrophobia

Hieroglyphics

Idiot Girl, The, a Sketch

Idler, The

I'll come to your Ball

Image Boy, The

Independence, Irish

India, Voyage to

Indian

Claystone

Corn

Mills

Indian Plaster

Insects, Changes of

Instantaneous Lights

Invitations, Various

Iona, Lines on visiting

Irish

Deed of Gift

Names made English

Iron Trade, British

Isabella Colour

Italian Improvisatri

Jack of both Sides

Jerusalem, Lines on

John Bullism, Maxims of

John Dory, The

John of Gaunt

Johnson, Dr.

Journey from the Bank to Barnes

Judy, Lines to

Kenilworth, Romance of

King's Evil, Curing the

Speech in

Stag, The

Kirkstall Abbey

Kiss, Lines on

Kissing, Chapter on

Kitchineriana

Konigstein, Great Tun of

La Perouse, Fate of

Lady-Poets of England

Laleham Park

Lawyer, Epitaph on

Lead Miners of Derby

Ledyard to his Mistress

Legal Pearl Divers

Legends of the Lakes of Ireland

Leicester, Derby, and Nottingham

Lilly, the Astrologer

Lime, Effects of

Linlithgow

Loch Katrine

Lomond

London

Birds

Improvements

Levels

Lines on Leaving

Lyrics

Old

Stone, Ode to

Reply of

Long Stories

Love, Course of

Lover Student, The

Lower Classes, Education of the

Luxuries, Ancient and Modern

Macclesfield Bridge, Regent's Park

Mahogany Tree

Mahomet's Standard

Man, Lines on

Man-Mountain, The

Marcel, the dancer

March, Story on a

Marlborough, Duke of

Marriage, Lines on

Mars, Mlle. and Napoleon

Matrimonial Advertisement

May Day Custom

Mekka, Description of

Melting Subject

Memento Mori

Mercy and Justice, Lines on

Mexico, or New Spain

Microscopic Examination of the Blood

Mines of Hayna, Discovery of

Mexico

Mock Suns

Moliere, Anecdotes of

Monkey, Anecdotes of

Moore, the poet

Morning Star, Lines to

Morse, or Sea-horse

Mount Arafat and Mekka

Mug-house Club, Long Acre

Murder-Hole, a Legend

Murderer's Last Night

Mushrooms, Wholesomeness of

Mutton cold, Eating

Mutton Hams

Mexican Navy

Monumental Alteration

Nancy Dawson

Napoleon, Anecdotes of

young, Anecdotes of

National Debt, Plans to pay

Navarino, Battle of

Neck, Tradition of the

New South Wales, Population of

New Year's Custom

Newton, Sir Isaac

Noses, Chapter of

Nostalagia, or Calenture

Oak, Beauty of the

Ode from the Persian

Ohio, Scenery of the

Old Rose and burn the bellows

Old Mansions

Oratorios

Oratory, British

Ornithology, Mr. Jennings on

O'Sullivan's Punch Bowl

Ossian's Hall

Othello, Performance of

Otway's Plays

Painting, Moral effects of

Palermo, Party at

Paper linen, Manufactory of

Park, Mungo, Fate of

Parliaments, Epitome of

Parr, Dr., Anecdotes of

Peg Tankards

Pendrils, Family of

Persia, Royal life in

Persian Cavalier

Petrifaction Manufactory

Planting, Notes on

Pocket Books, Useful

Poesy, The dream of

Poetical Will

Polishing Stones

Pompeii, Recent visit to

Posture-masters, Ancient

Potato Chestnuts

Growth of

Practice of Cookery

Pre-aux-clercs at Paris

Public Improvements

Punch, Anecdote of

Puns and Conundrums

Pyrometer, New

Pyrothonide

Quarterly Review, Notes from

Quartre Bras, Battle of

Queen of Portugal

Rank and Talent, a novel

Regal Tablet

Residence, Choice of a

Rest, Lines on

Retentive Memory

Riches, Lines on

River Melodies

Roads of England

Robin Hood's Grave

Robinson Crusoe's Island

Roman Altar, Description of

Rome, Effect of, on the traveller

Rooks

Roses, Culture of

Rover, dog, Anecdotes of

Roué's interpretation of death

Royal Academy Exhibition

Rugby School described

Rupert's, Prince, Palace, Barbican

Russian Botanical Garden

Russian Navy, The

Sabbath, The

Sacred Poetry

St. Christopher's, Island of

St. Paul's Cathedral

Sanctuaries, Ancient

Sarcophagus, Lines on

Sawston Hall described

Schinderhannes, the German robber

School and College

Scotch Marriages

Scottish Inns

Scotland, Road-book of

Scott, Sir Walter, Portrait of

Screws and Screw Presses

Seal's Wedding

Sensitive Plant, The

Shakspeare, a fragment

Shaving in Churchyards

Sherwood and Robin Hood

Shrubs, Transplantation of

Sight, Lines on

Silk Trade

Sleeping Girl, The

Slugs, To destroy

Sneezing among the Ancients

Snow magnified

Snow, a long one

Snow-woman's Story

Soliman the Great

Solitariness, Lines on

Somerset House, Old

Song

Songs for children

Sorrows of Rosalie, a poem

South American Manners

Spiders, Gossamer threads of

Spittlefields in former days

Spots on the sun

Spoons, Antiquity of

Springs, Temperature of

Stage, The modern

Stanging custom

Stealing a Sheet

Stroll, near London

Sugar made from Rags

Superstition

Sussex Place, Regent's Park

Swan River Colony, Described

Swearing by proxy

Tailors, On

Talipot Tree

Tanning, New process of

Tea-drinking

Temperance, Lines on

Theatres, ancient and modern

Fire in

Royal visits to

Theatrical bill of 1511

Thorwaldsen, The sculptor

Throwing stones at the devil

Tigers, To catch

Timber Trees, Description of

Tim Marcks and the Walking Scull

Times Newspaper

Travelling, Expeditious

Travelling on the Continent

Trial by Jury

Truth, a fable

Turkish Prophecy

Twenty-eight & Twenty-nine, years

University, in Yorkshire

Valdemaro, Vision of

Valentine's Day

Van Diemen's Land, Aborigines of

Vary weel while it lasts

Vegetables, To make tender

Vicar, the, Lines on

Vidocq, the French policeman

Village Funeral

Villas in the Regent's Park

Vine, The, from the German

Violets, Complaint of

Wanderer, Recollections of

War, Miseries of

Warwick Castle, Description of

Waste lands, Cultivation of

Watch, Mechanism of

Watering-place arrivals

Water bewitched

Waterloo, Battle of described

Waverley Novels

Whigs and Tories

Whitehall, Description of

Whitsun Ale

Windsor as it was

Witnesses on trials

Woman