Davy (Sir Humphrey),
Until he came of age, was originally a miner in the north of England, where he invented the wonderful lamp, mentioned in the Arabian Nights. Hence each miner, on entering the pit, is required to "take his davy," or he will otherwise be blown up. He was very fond of salmon-fishing, but was never known to catch any. Poverty having depressed his spirits he took to laughing gas, and this, combining with other gases which he was accustomed to swallow in large quantities, produced spontaneous combustion, of which he died, whilst at sea, and was there interred in his own locker. During three days in the week he might be seen in the park, dining with his noble godfather, the Duke Humphrey. Such was the fate of one, of whom we may say, in the words of the poet:—
"Take him for all in all, he cannot fail,
To point a moral, and adorn a tale."
THE ZODIAC—SEPTEMBER.
LIBRA—THE WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
FROM SPENSER'S "FAERIE QUEENE."
And next inspectors came, with boics arounde,
And porters heavie laden with the spoyle
Of "cheapest shoppes," wherein false weights were found,
Which did the chapman's reputation soyle,
As fylching what poor folk did gain by toyle,