In March 1813, Davy published his "Elements of Agricultural Chemistry," being the substance of a course of lectures which he had, for ten successive seasons, delivered before the members of the Board of Agriculture, to whom the work is inscribed, as a mark of the author's respect.
This work, which may be considered as the only system of philosophical agriculture ever published in this country, has not only contributed to the advancement of science, but to that for which he has an equal claim upon our gratitude,—the diffusion of a taste amongst the higher classes for its cultivation; for it has been wisely remarked, that not he alone is to be esteemed a benefactor to mankind who makes an useful discovery, but he, also, who can point out an innocent pleasure.
It has been already stated, that Davy became early impressed with the importance of the subject:—that in future life its investigation should have been to him so fertile a source of pleasure, may be readily imagined, when it is remembered with what passionate delight he contemplated the ever varying forms of creation. "I am," said he, "a lover of Nature, with an ungratified imagination, and I shall continue to search for untasted charms—for hidden beauties." In unfolding, then, the secrets of vegetable life, he did but remove the veil from his mistress. From the same poetical feeling sprang his love of angling: it was a pursuit which carried him into the wild and beautiful scenery of Nature, amongst the mountain lakes, and the clear and lovely streams that gush from elevated hills, or make their way through the cavities of calcareous strata.[104] In the early spring, it led him forth upon the fresh turf in the vernal sunshine, to scent the odour of the bank perfumed by the violet, and enamelled with the primrose, while his heart participated in the renovated gladness of Nature.
I had hoped that, amidst the voluminous correspondence of my late friend Mr. Arthur Young, some important letters might have been found from Davy on agricultural subjects; but the communications which took place between them were generally in conversation, and I have therefore only been able to procure two letters, which I shall here insert: the first will show that, during his tours, his attention was alive to the practices of husbandry; and the second will prove that he had once seriously contemplated the labour of writing the agricultural history of his native county.
TO ARTHUR YOUNG, ESQ.
Killarney, June 1806.
DEAR SIR,
You have been of great and durable service to Ireland. I have met with a number of persons who have been enlightened by your labours, and who now follow an enlightened system of Agriculture. One very intelligent gentleman you will recollect,—Mr. Bolton of Waterford: he is zealously pursuing improvements, and is instructing his neighbours by precept and example. I am, &c.
H. Davy.
The above letter contains also some observations on a chemical mixture, but which is unintelligible from our being ignorant of the conversation to which it refers.