the
way you mention Dr. Young--not that I object to the word
"illustrious," or as applied to him. But as you don't give it to one
considerably more so, it looks either as if you overrated him, or
underrated Davy, or (which I suppose to be the truth) as if you
felt Young had not had his due share of honour, and desired to make
it up to his memory. Observe I give him a very high place--but
Davy's discoveries are both of more unquestioned originality and
more undoubtedly true--perhaps I should say, more brought to a
close. The alkalis and the principle of the safety lamp are
concluded and fixed, the undulation is in progress, and somewhat
uncertain as to how and where it may end. You will please to observe
that I reckon both those capital discoveries of Davy the fruit of
inquiry, and not at all of chance--for, as to the lamp, it is plain;
and as to the metals, if you look at the inquiries that immediately
preceded, you will see he was thereby led to the alkalis. Indeed, I
well remember saying, when I read them, "He will analyse lime and
barytes." I am quite ready to admit his extreme folly in some
things, but that is nothing to the present purpose.

Yours,
H.B.
(_Henry Brougham._)

* * * * *

FROM MRS. MARCET TO MRS. SOMERVILLE.

GENEVA, _6th April, 1834_.

DEAR MRS. SOMERVILLE,

I am desired by Professor Prevost to inform you that you were
elected an honorary member of the Societe de Physique et d'Histoire
Naturelle de Geneve on the 3rd April, and that a diploma will be
forwarded to you by the earliest opportunity. After all the honours
you have received, this little feather is hardly worthy of waving in
your plume, but I am glad that Geneva should know how to appreciate
your merit. You receive great honours, my dear friend, but that
which you confer on our sex is still greater, for with talents and
acquirements of masculine magnitude you unite the most sensitive and
retiring modesty of the female sex; indeed, I know not any woman,
perhaps I might say, any human being, who would support so much
applause without feeling the weakness of vanity. Forgive me for
allowing my pen to run away with this undisguised praise, it lo