Status Updates From The Age of Wonder: How the ...

This chapter on Davy introduced me to several other people: poets, scientists, philosophers. The gas experiments were particularly disturbing! The field of chemistry replaces alchemy as elements are separated, studied, discovered. Really revolutionary. Davy blazes a trail for chemistry; broadens its scope. Man’s search for answers to the universe, meaning, continue to push God aside, yet… can’t get rid of Him!

Never learned about Mungo Park before, but his stalwart and quiet temperament are admirable. Saddening that he does not survive, nor does his son in hopes of finding him.
pg. 219–my favorite quotation from him “Can the Being… who planted, watered, and brought to perfection…a thing which appears of so small importance, look with unconcern [upon man]… surely not!” He gets up, and goes on in assurance.

Deeper understanding of the universe is sought. Appreciated the heavier focus on Caroline Herschel sweeping the stars. Slightly alarmed and saddened by the growing dismissal or questioning of God. Human observers basing all truth and knowledge upon self’s discovery (“I” have searched and “I” have not found…). Fallible.
Economics of a 40ft telescope. Ice cream with Napoleon. Science influencing poetry.

“Beautiful and terrifying” (p. 161). Exactly how I would describe heights.
Touched on the first successful cross-channel crossing of an aerostat. (Whew!) Cloud classification.
Ballooning wasn’t really picked up again until the American Civil War.