Note 23 — Chapter V · THE FIRST GLIMMER OF THE SAFETY-LAMP.

The above generous sentiments are taken, almost verbatim, from a letter of Mr. Buddle—“a person,” says the biographer of our hero, “whose extensive practical knowledge justly entitled him to be considered as the highest authority on all subjects connected with the art of mining,” and who was of great service to Davy in carrying out his invention of the safety-lamp. That gentleman, writing to Dr. Paris, says, “Sir Humphry Davy accompanied me into some of our fiery mines, to prove the efficacy of his lamp. Nothing could be more gratifying than the result of the experiments, as they inspired everybody with perfect confidence in the security which his invention had afforded. Sir Humphry was delighted, and I was overpowered with feelings of gratitude to the great genius which had produced it. I felt, however,” continues Mr. Buddle, “that he did not contemplate any pecuniary reward, and in a private conversation I remonstrated with him on the subject. I said, ‘You might as well have secured this invention by a patent, and received your five or ten thousand a-year for it.’ The reply of this great and noble-minded man was, ‘No, my good friend, I never thought of such a thing,’” etc. as above given. “I expostulated,” adds Mr. Buddle, “saying, that his ideas were much too philosophic and refined for the occasion. He replied, ‘I have enough for all my views and purposes; more wealth might be troublesome,’” and so on, the remainder of the speech being nearly word for word with that which young Humphry has been here made to deliver.