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    Cavendish | and the consequent knowledge © f the nature of ' Metallic Calces ( now called Oxides ) with that of Acids wt general . M *• But akhoagh the two fixed A&atits called Soda and Potasb 9 were attacked by

    the most eminent Chermsts , with every known Chemical Agent , and by every method which the improved state of the Science could suggest , not the smallest effect could be produced on them ; so that the nature of these two common

    substances remained totally unascertained , and became a grand desideratum of Chemical Science . ** When however Mr . Voka had eomsaumcated to the Royal Society his great discovery of the Galvanic Pile ,, and when thi * had been modified Inta the more convenient form of Troughs * by » iMr » Cr uickshank , of Woolwich , the

    Electro-Galvanic power was found by various philosophers , to produce surprising clfeets when- applied to different substance * ; and ; Mr . Davy in particular distinguished himself in the . se researches , and ,. made a number of valuable experiaaeiits and observations ; dome of the move remarkable of which he

    eotnjn * snica $ ed to the Royal Society , in the Baker Ian Lecture > read in November * * 8 © 6 . ** ' Mr . fJavy cortcei ved , however , / from what he had then accomplished , that naiicii more might be done ; and with equal skill and perseverance , he performed a new series of experiments , in the course of -which , by various means , he

    again tried the effects of the powerful < 5 alvar » ic Batteries belonging to the JLaboratory of the Royal Institution , and particularly directed his attention to the two fixed . , Alkalies , ( Soda and Potash ) with the view of effecting their decomposition and of ascertaining the nature of them , by means of that powerful agent * Galvanism . 4

    «* This great discovery he at length ciFected ; and to the high gratification of all men of Science , he proved that eoda and potash are compound bodies , each consisting of a peculiar metal , which has so great a tendency to combine with oxygen , that no agent but galvanism can separate them . The two metals therefore , of soda and potash , have always hitherto been presented to

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    tis in tru ^ state combination with G * f * gen forming the two alkalies . c Bat some of the primitive ear&s , ( as they are called ) such as M& $ tc $ 9 and Strenlitcs , have , many alkaline propertieswhich induced Mjr . I > ayy to subject them to similar experiments ; and in like manner he discovered that these

    cobststed of metallic bases , united to oxygen , forming compound bodies aostlo * gou& to the two fixed alkalies . *** These may justly be placed amongst the niO 5 t brilliant and valuable discoveries ,, which have ever been made in chemistry ; for a great chasm in the chemical systsra has been filled up ; a

    blaze of light has been diffused over that part which before was utterly dark ; and new views have been opened , 30 numerous and interesting , that the more any man who is versed in chemistry , reflects on thena > the more he finds to admire , and to heighten his expectation of future important results . "' fcC

    * Mr . Davy ' s name , in consequence of these discoveries , "will be always recorded in the annals of science amongst those of the moat illustrious philosophers of his time . Mis country with season will be proud of him ; and it is no small honour to > the Royai Institution , tbat

    these great discoveries have been made within its walls ; in that laboratory , and by those instruments , which , from the zeal of promoting useful knowledge , have with se > much propriety been placed at the disposal , and for the use , of its most excellent professor of chemistry . '

    ** This recital will be sufficient to convince ; those who hear it , of the celebrity which the a-uthor of such a discovery has a right tc * attach to himself ; and yet no one , 1 am confident , has less inclination to challenge it . To us , and to

    every enlightened Englishman , it will be a matter of just congratulation , that the country , which has produced the two Bacons , and Boyjle , has , in these days , shown itself worthy of its former renown , by the labours of' Cavendish and Davy .

    " The illness of the latter * severe as it has been , is now , however beginning to abate , and we may reasonably hope , from present appearances , at least , that the period of convalescence is cot vty'y remote /'

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    ;<> & Intelligence .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1808, page 168, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2390/page/48/