Auvergne, solicited permission to travel in France, which was immediately granted. The greatest attention and respect were shown him by the men of science in Paris. 13. On his return to England, in 1815, he resolved to turn his attention to the fire-damp, or explosive gas, found in coal-mines, which had been the cause of many dreadful accidents. After a long series of experiments, he discovered that if the flame of a lamp was protected by a wire gauze, the gases brought into contact with the lamp would not explode, while the light would still be preserved. 14. This great discovery, which enabled miners to work in the midst of danger with perfect safety, was justly appreciated by the coal-owners of the north of England. They invited him to a public dinner at Newcastle, and presented him with a service of plate, valued at two thousand pounds. The Emperor of Russia sent him a splendid silver vase as a testimony of regard, and he was created a baronet by the Prince Regent. But his best reward was the consciousness that the simple implement which he had invented, annually saved hundreds of lives. In 1820, he was elected president of the Royal Society, to whose Transactions he continued to contribute papers on subjects of the greatest interest for several years. The Davy Lamp. 15. He resigned his office in the Royal Society, and went to Italy for the benefit of his health, where he amused himself in writing his Consolations in Travel, or The Last Days of a Philosopher. These last days were fast approaching. He quitted Italy in a very weak state, but had only reached Geneva on his way home, when he died on the 29th of May, 1829. chemical science, the science of chemistry reducing everything to its elements. experimental philosophy, the discovery of truth by experiment and observation. identified, so closely connected as to be like the same thing. oratory, the art of speaking in public. enthusiasm, earnest zeal. relaxations, amusements. aversion to festive society, dislike to gay society. contemplation, thought. gallipots and phials, the vessels used in a surgery. chemical analysis, the practical part of chemistry. investigations, research or careful inquiry. combustion, burning up. absorbed, engaged. vagaries, follies. secreted, hidden. Pneumatic Institution-for the purpose of investigating the laws of atmospheric air. exhalations, effluvia. pectoral muscles, the muscles of the breast and chest. annihilation, nothingness. galvanism, a science first discovered by Galvani, 1790. Bakerian lecture. Henry Baker, an eminent naturalist, born 1703, died 1774. He left £100 to the Royal Society for an annual lecture on anatomy or chemistry. voltaic electricity, so called from Volta, its discoverer, 1792. proffered, offered for acceptance. Auvergne, a province in Central France. quitted, left. Describe Davy's tastes as a child. Give an account of his apprenticeship. What was his first real treasure? Whose theory did he oppose in his first publication? How did his apprenticeship end? How did he obtain access to a good laboratory? Where was he first engaged in a public institution? Describe Davy's dangerous experiment. Give the steps of his future promotions. State what honours were awarded to him. Describe his great discovery and its important results. When and where did he die? LABOUR. 1. Labour is rest-from the sorrows that greet us; 2. Labour is health! Lo the husbandman reaping! 3. Droop not-though shame, sin, and anguish are round thee; Bravely fling off the cold chain that hath bound thee; Look to yon pure heaven smiling beyond thee: Rest not content in thy darkness a clod! Work for some good, be it ever so slowly; Cherish some flower, be it ever so lowly; Labour-all labour is noble and holy; Let thy great deeds be thy prayer to thy God. 4. Pause not to dream of the future before us; Pause not to weep the wild cares that come o'er us; Hark! now Creation's deep musical chorus Unintermitting goes up into Heaven! Never the ocean-wave falters in flowing; Never the little seed stops in its growing; Labour is life!-'Tis the still water faileth; Keep the watch wound, for the dark rust assaileth; Play the sweet keys, would'st thou keep them in tune! syrens, tempters to evil. resolute, firm. stalwart, brave, strong. cocoon, the silken ball in which the silkworm confines itself before its change. -Frances Osgood. anguish, agony. unintermitting, without ceasing. falters, becomes slow and weary. riven, torn. bewaileth, mourns. assaileth, attacks. QUEEN ISABELLA'S RESOLVE. QUEEN ISABELLA OF SPAIN, DON GOMEZ, AND COLUMBUS. Isabella. And so, Don Gomez, it is your conclusion that we ought to dismiss the proposition of this worthy Genoese. Don Gomez. His scheme, your majesty, seems to me fanciful in the extreme; but I am a plain matter-of-fact man, and do not see visions and dreams like some. Isa. And yet Columbus has given us cogent reasons for believing that it is practicable to reach the eastern coast of India by sailing in a westerly direction. Don G. Admitting that his theory is correct, namely, that the earth is a sphere, how would it be possible for him to return, if he once descended that sphere in the direction he proposes? Would not the coming back be all uphill? Could a ship accomplish it with even the most favourable wind? Columbus. Will your majesty allow me to suggest that, if the earth is a sphere, the same laws of adhesion and motion must operate at every point on its surface; and the objection of Don Gomez would be quite as valid against our being able to return from crossing the Strait of Gibraltar. Don G. This gentleman, then, would have us believe the monstrous absurdity, that there are people on the earth who are our antipodes, who walk with their heads down, like flies on the ceiling. Col. But, your majesty, if there is a law of attraction which makes matter gravitate to the earth, and prevents its flying off into space, may not this law operate at every point on the round earth's surface? Isa. Truly, it so seems to me; and I perceive nothing absurd in the notion that this earth is a globe floating or revolving in space. Don G. May it please your majesty, the ladies are privileged to give credence to many wild tales which we plain matter-of-fact men cannot admit. Every step I take confutes this visionary idea of the earth's rotundity. Would not the blood run into my head if I were standing upside down? Were I not fearful of offending your majesty, I would quote what the great Lactantius says. Isa. We are not vain of our science, Don Gomez; so let us have the quotation. Don G. "Is there anyone so foolish," he asks, as to believe that there are antipodes with their feet opposite to ours that there is a part of the world in which all things are topsy-turvy, where the trees grow with their |