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amongst those who have most eminently contributed to spread the bounds of science, nothing was attempted to step beyond the limits of that unostentatious simplicity which Sir Humphry had frequently declared to be his wish, whenever his mortal remains should be conveyed to their last home.

The procession which followed the corporate bodies, and the countrymen of the deceased, was joined by many of the most eminent manufacturers of the city, and a large body of mechanics, who were anxious to pay this tribute of regard and of gratitude for one whom they deservedly looked upon as a great benefactor to the arts, and promoter of the sciences, by the application of which they earned their livelihood.

Sir Humphry having died without issue, his baronetcy has become extinct. The "allusive" arms assigned to him by the heralds, are, Sable, a chevron engrailed Erminois between two annulets in chief Or, and in base a flame Proper, encompassed by a chain Sable, issuant from a civic wreath Or. Crest: out of a civic wreath Or, an elephant's head Sable, ear Or, tusks Argent, the proboscis attached by a line to a ducal coronet around the neck Or. Motto, Igne constricto vita secura.

The following works, of which Sir Humphry Davy is the author, attest the debt which the world owes to his and meritorious exertions:

great mind

Chemical and Philosophical Researches, chiefly concerning Nitrous Oxide and its Respiration. 1800, 8vo.

A Syllabus of a Course of Lectures on Chemistry at the Royal Institution. 1802, 8vo.

A Discourse, introductory to a Course of Lectures on Chemistry. 1802, 8vo.

Electro-Chemical Researches on the Decomposition of the Earths; with Observations on the Metals obtained from the Alkaline Earths, and an Amalgam procured from Ammonia.

Lecture on a Plan for improving the Royal Institution, and making it permanent. 1810, 8vo.

Elements of Chemical Philosophy. 1812, 8vo.

Elements of Agricultural Chemistry, in a Course of Lectures before the Board of Agriculture. 1813, 4to. and 8vo.

Practical Hints on the Application of Wire Gauze to Lamps, for preventing Explosions in Coal Mines. 1816, 8vo.

Six Discourses delivered before the Royal Society, at their Anniversary Meetings, on the Award of the Royal and Copley Medals; preceded by an Address to the Society, delivered in 1800, on the Progress and Prospects of Science. 4to.

The following chronological series will show the number and value of the articles contributed by Sir Humphry to the Philosophical Transactions :

Account of some Galvanic Combinations formed by the Arrangement of single Metallic Plates and Fluids, analagous to the new Galvanic Apparatus of M. Volta. 1801.

Account of some Experiments and Observations on the constituent Parts of certain astringent Vegetables, and on their Operation in Tanning. 1803.

An Account of some analytical Experiments on a Mineral Production from Devonshire, consisting principally of Alumine and Water.

1805.

On a Method of analysing Stones, containing fixed Alkali, by means of the Boracic Acid. Ibid.

The Bakerian Lecture on some Chemical Agencies of Electricity. 1807.

The Bakerian Lecture on some new Phenomena of Chemical Changes produced by Electricity, particularly the Decomposition of the fixed Alkalies, and the Exhibition of the new Substances which constitute their Basis, and on the general Nature of Alkaline Bodies. 1808.

The Bakerian Lecture; an Account of some new analytical Researches on the Nature of certain Bodies, particularly the Alkalies, Phosphorus, Sulphur, Carbonaceous Matter, and the Acids hitherto undecompounded; with some general Observations on Chemical Theory. 1809.

New Analytical Researches on the Nature of certain Bodies; being an Appendix to the Bakerian Lecture for 1808.

The Bakerian Lecture for 1809, on some new Electro-Chemical Researches, on various Objects, particularly the Metallic Bodies from the Alkalies and the Earths, and on some Combinations of Hydrogen. 1810.

Researches on the Oxymuriatic Acid, its Nature and Combinations, and on the Elements of the Muriatic Acid; with some Experiments on Sulphur and Phosphorus, made in the Laboratory of the Royal Institution. Ibid.

The Bakerian Lecture, on some of the Combinations of Oxymuriatic Gas and Oxygen, and on the Chemical Relations of these

No. V.

WILLIAM SHIELD, Esq.

As long as beautiful melody has power to charm, so long will the name of William Shield be held in grateful remembrance. For the following memoir of this truly English composer, and most kind and estimable man, we are (with the exception of two or three brief passages from the "Life of Mr. Holcroft," and from other quarters,) indebted to "The Harmonicon."

William Shield was born at Swalwell, in the county of Durham, about the year 1749. He received the first rudiments of music from his father, a singing-master, and at the early age of six began to practise the violin, and afterwards the harpsichord, on both of which instruments, but particularly the former, he soon acquired considerable proficiency. When he had attained his ninth year, he had the misfortune to lose his father, who left a widow and four children, with very scanty means of subsistence. As it now became imperatively necessary that he should think of some business as a future means of subsistence, he had the choice proposed to him of becoming a barber, a sailor, or a boat-builder. He fixed on the last, and was accordingly bound apprentice to Edward Davison of North Shields. He has often been heard to describe his feelings when be packed up his clothes, not forgetting his violin and little stock of music left him by his father, bade adieu to his mother, little brothers and sisters, and proceeded with a heavy heart to the place of his destination. He, however, found a kind and indulgent master, who so far from checking him in his favourite pursuit encouraged

his love for music, and even forwarded his views, by enabling him in several instances to turn his talents on the violin to account, by playing at the musical meetings of North Shields, as well as at the parties of the principal families of the town.

As soon as the term of his apprenticeship was expired, he resolved to quit the trade of boat-building, and devote himself to an art to which his disposition inclined him, and to the pursuit of which the encouragement he had already received operated as an additional stimulus. He had by this time made such progress on the violin, as to be able to lead the Newcastle subscription concerts, where he repeatedly played the solo parts of Geminiani's and Giardini's concertos. His talents attracted the notice of the celebrated Avison, known by his elegant "Essay on Musical Expression," who, with the kindness which characterised him, gave him lessons in thorough bass. He shortly after afforded a striking proof of the manner in which he had profited by this instruction. A new church was to be consecrated at Sunderland: he composed an anthem for the occasion, which was accepted, and performed by the choir of Durham cathedral, to an immense congregation. The best judges pronounced it an excellent specimen of church music; the dignitaries of the church invited him to their tables, and his reputation began to rise from that moment.

He was shortly afterwards invited to undertake the direction of the fashionable concerts at Scarborough, and became the leader in the orchestra of the theatre, for which he composed several songs, written by his friend, the much-admired pastoral poet, Cunningham, who was an actor in the Scarborough company at that period. Here he became acquainted with those wellknown performers Borghi and Fischer, who were so satisfied with his talents and execution, that they strongly advised him to visit London; and afterwards represented his abilities in so favourable a light to the celebrated Giardini, leader of the band at the Opera House, that an engagement was offered him in that orchestra, which he accepted. He took his station among the second violins; but the season following, attracting the notice of Mr. Cramer, who had become leader,

No. V.

WILLIAM SHIELD, Esq.

As long as beautiful melody has power to charm, so long will the name of William Shield be held in grateful remembrance. For the following memoir of this truly English composer, and most kind and estimable man, we are (with the exception of two or three brief passages from the "Life of Mr. Holcroft," and from other quarters,) indebted to "The Harmonicon."

William Shield was born at Swalwell, in the county of Durham, about the year 1749. He received the first rudiments of music from his father, a singing-master, and at the early age of six began to practise the violin, and afterwards the harpsichord, on both of which instruments, but particularly the former, he soon acquired considerable proficiency. When he had attained his ninth year, he had the misfortune to lose his father, who left a widow and four children, with very scanty means of subsistence. As it now became imperatively necessary that he should think of some business as a future means of subsistence, he had the choice proposed to him of becoming a barber, a sailor, or a boat-builder. He fixed on the last, and was accordingly bound apprentice to Edward Davison of North Shields. He has often been heard to describe his feelings when be packed up his clothes, not forgetting his violin and little stock of music left him by his father, bade adieu to his mother, little brothers and sisters, and proceeded with a heavy heart to the place of his destination. He, however, found a kind and indulgent master, who so far from checking him in his favourite pursuit encouraged

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