CHAPTER VIII.

Davy's Bakerian Lecture of 1808.--Results obtained from the mutual action of Potassium and Ammonia upon each other.--His belief that he had decomposed Nitrogen.--He discovers Telluretted Hydrogen.--Whether Sulphur, Phosphorus, and Carbon may not contain Hydrogen.--He decomposes Boracic acid.--Boron.--His fallacies with regard to the composition of Muriatic acid.--A splendid Voltaic battery is constructed at the Institution by subscription.--Davy ascertains the true nature of the Muriatic and Oxymuriatic Acids.--Important chemical analogies to which the discovery gave origin.--Euchlorine.--Chlorides.--He delivers Lectures before the Dublin Society.--He receives the Honorary Degree of LL.D. from the Provost and Fellows of Trinity College.--He undertakes to ventilate the House of Lords.--The Regent confers upon him the honour of Knighthood.--He delivers his farewell Lecture.--Engages in a Gunpowder manufactory.--His marriage 307