Chapter X

Mr. Faraday's introduction to Sir H. Davy.--A renewed correspondence
on the subject of the Gunpowder Manufactory.--Davy
obtains permission from Napoleon to visit the Continent.--He embarks
in a Cartel from Plymouth.--Is arrested at Morlaix.--Arrives
at Paris.--Visits the Louvre.--His extraordinary conduct
upon that occasion.--Inspects the Colossal Elephant, and is introduced
to M. Alavair, its architect.--The discovery of the dungeons
of the Bastile.--Davy's interesting letter to M. Alavair.--He attends
a meeting of the Institute.--Is visited by all the principal savans
of Paris.--The adventure which befell Lady Davy in the Thuilleries'
Garden.--Anniversary dinner of the Philomatic Society.--The
junior Chemists of France invite Davy to a splendid entertainment.--How
far Davy is entitled to be considered the discoverer
of the true nature of Iodine.--Napoleon's unlucky experiment
with the Voltaic battery.--Davy is presented to the Empress
Josephine.--An account of the Court ceremony at Malmaison.--Remarks
on the conduct of Davy during his visit to Paris.--He quits the
capital of France, and proceeds by way of Lyons, to Montpellier.--Is
assisted in experiments on sea-weed by M. Berard.--Crosses
the Alps.--Arrives at Genoa.--Institutes experiments on
the Torpedo.--Visits Florence, and accomplishes the combustion
of the diamond, by the great lens in the cabinet of Natural
History.--Experiments on Iodine.--He examines the colours used by
the Ancients.--Visits all the celebrated Philosophers of Italy and
Switzerland, with whom he works in their laboratories.--Returns
to England 1