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