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 great mind and meritorious exertions:

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

for preventing Explosions in Coal Mines.

Wire Gauze to Lamps,

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

Principles to inflammable Bodies. 1811. Also another paper in the same volume in continuation of the subject.

On some Combinations of Phosphorus and Sulphur, and on some other Subjects of Chemical Inquiry. 1812.

Two papers on a new Detonating Compound. 1813.

Some Experiments and Observations on the Substances produced in different Chemical Processes on Fluor Spar. Ibid.

An Account of some new Experiments on the Fluoric Compounds; with some Observations on other Objects of Chemical Inquiry. 1814.

Some Experiments and Observations on a new Substance, which becomes a violet-coloured Gas by Heat. Ibid.

Further Experiments and Observations on Iodine. Ibid.

Some Experiments on the Combustion of the Diamond, and other carbonaceous Substances. Ibid.

Some Experiments and Observations on the Colours used in Painting by the Ancients. 1815.

Some Experiments on a solid Compound of Iodine and Oxygen, and on its Chemical Agencies. Ibid.

On the Action of Acids on the Salts usually called Hyperoxymuriates, and on the Gases produced from them. Ibid.

On the Fire-damp of Coal-mines, and on Methods of Lighting the Mines so as to prevent Explosion; an Account of an Invention for giving Light in explosive Mixtures of Fire-damp in Coalmines, by consuming the Fire-damp; and further Experiments on the Combustion of explosive Mixtures confined by Wire Gauze; with some Observations on Flame. 1816.

Some Researches on Flame; and some new Experiments and Observations on the Combustion of Gaseous Mixtures; with an Account of a Method of preserving continued Light in Mixtures of inflammable Gases and Air, without Flame. 1817.

On the Fallacy of the Experiments in which Water is said to have been formed by the Decomposition of Chlorine. 1818. New Experiments on some of the Combinations of Phosphorus. Ibid.

Observations on the Formation of Mists in particular Situations. 1819.

On the Magnetic Phenomena produced by Electricity.

Observations and Experiments on the Papyri found in the Ruins of Herculaneum.

Researches on the Magnetic Phenomena produced by Electricity, with some new Experiments on the Properties of Electrified Bodies, in their relation to their conducting Powers and Temperature.

On the Electrical Phenomena exhibited in Vacuo.

On the State of Water and Aëriform Matter in Cavities found

in certain Crystals.

On a new Phenomenon of Electro-magnetism.

On the Condensation of Muriatic Gas into the liquid Form. On the Application of Liquids formed by the Condensation of Gases as Mechanical Agents.

Experiments and Observations on the Application of Electrical Combinations to the Preservation of the Copper Sheathing of Ships.

The Bakerian Lecture on the Relations of Electrical and Chemical Changes. 1826.

On the Phenomenon of Volcanos. 1828.

An Account of some Experiments on the Torpedo.

To Nicholson's Journal he communicated,

An Account of some Experiments made with the Galvanic Apparatus of Signor Volta. 1801.

Note respecting the Absorption of Nitrous Gas, by Solutions of Green Sulphate and Muriate of Iron. 1802.

To the Philosophical Magazine,

A few additional Practical Observations on the Wire-gauze Safety Lamps for Mines. 1816.

Suggestions arising from Inspections of Wire-gauze Lamps in their working State in Mines. Ibid.

For by much the larger and more valuable portion of the materials of which the foregoing memoir has been composed we are indebted to a series of able and interesting papers published in the "Spectator," and we believe justly attributed to a gentleman himself of the highest scientific attainments; and who, we are happy to understand, is at present employed in preparing for the press a detailed and authentic life of his illustrious friend.

86

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."

Swalwell, in the county of
He received the first rudi-

William Shield was born at Durham, about the year 1749. ments 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 he 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