Genre:

Essay, Drollery

Subjects:

Exhibitions, Heroism, Amusement, Invention, Electricity

    Believes that if David Brewster were to produce a new edition of his Martyrs of Science he should include the 'Infant Thalia' of the Adelaide Gallery. Invites readers to reflect on the 'surpassing impudence' of such 'scientific men' as Brewster and Galileo Galilei. Notes that people, on entering the Adelaide Gallery, 'were set up scientific for life' after seeing 'mice gasping in air-pumps' and feeling the shock of the 'electric eel'. Observes that science, a 'star-eyed maid', 'grew flat and dull', and 'went to some poor man's cradle to seek some supplementary wonder'. Believes the 'Infant Thalia' compares to the discoveries of Isaac Newton and Humphry Davy. Notes that John Bull likes to have his 'draught' from the 'stream of science' sweetened with the Thalia 'quack compound'.