CHAPTER II.

Cursory thoughts on the advantages of Biography.--Plan and objects of the Pneumatic Institution.--Davy contracts friendships during his residence at Bristol.--His first visit to London.--His Letters to Mr. Davies Gilbert.--The publication of the West Country Contributions, by Dr. Beddoes.--Davy's Essays on Heat, Light, and Respiration.--His interesting experiments on bonnet canes.--He commences an enquiry into the nature of nitrous oxyd.--He publishes his chemical researches.--A critical examination of the work.--Testimony of Tobin, Clayfield, Southey, and others, respecting the powers of nitrous oxyd.--Davy breathes carburetted hydrogen gas, and nearly perishes from its effects.--His new Galvanic experiments communicated in a Letter to Mr. Gilbert 56