CHAPTER IX.Notes on His Work.

LighthouseCHAPTER IX.Notes on His Work."So that I draw the breath of finer airStation is nought, nor footways laurel-strewn,Nor rivals tightly belted for the race.God speed to them! My place is here or there;My pride is that among them I have place:And thus I keep this instrument in tune."George Meredith.In treating of the life-story of Michael Faraday I have let particulars as to his various experiments and discoveries interfere as little as possible with the continuity of the narrative, and have thought it advisable to slightly refer to them in a special chapter. The value of his contributions to our fund of scientific knowledge is made manifest by the fact that whatever book on electricity and allied subjects we may take up now—works even bringing the science down to the very latest date—we always find the name and experiments of Michael Faraday quoted with great respect as a leader and an unquestioned authority. Indeed, our debt to him for his electrical work is incalculable; we are now seeing the electric light carried day by day into more streets, lighting more public places, nay, even being used in illuminating private buildings.This light we owe, primarily, to Michael Faraday. Writing nearly a quarter of a century ago Professor Tyndall answers this question as to "What is the use of it all?" thus explicitly and unhesitatingly—"As far as electricity has been applied for medical purposes, it has been almost exclusively Faraday's electricity. You have noticed those lines of wire which cross the streets of London. It is Faraday's currents that speed from place to place through these wires. Approaching the point of Dungeness the mariner sees an unusually brilliant light, and from the noblepharesof La Hève the same light flashes across the sea. These are Faraday's sparks exalted by suitable machinery to sunlike splendour. At the present moment the Board of Trade and the Brethren of the Trinity House, as well as the Commissioners of Northern Lights, are contemplating the introduction of the Magneto-electric Light at numerous points upon our coasts; and future generations will be able to refer to those guiding stars in answer to the question, What has been the practical use of the labours of Faraday? But I would again emphatically say that his work needs no such justification; and that if he had allowed his vision to be disturbed by considerations regarding the practical use of his discoveries, those discoveries would never have been made by him."In one of his very earliest lectures delivered before the City Philosophical Society on the subject of chlorine,[11]Faraday referred to the question too often and too thoughtlessly put on hearing of a new discovery. "Before leaving this subject," he said, "I will point out the history of this substance, as an answer to those who are in the habit of saying to every new fact, 'What is its use?' Benjamin Franklin says to such, 'What is the use of an infant?' The answer of the experimentalist is, 'endeavour to make it useful.'" Truly the infant Electricity has already grown to goodly proportions. Itis to his researches in connection with electrical science that we must look for the chief result of Faraday's work. His later years were almost exclusively taken up in the investigation of this fascinating subject.The value of his contributions to the sum of knowledge on this new branch of science was testified to in a remarkable manner during the past summer, when the centenary of his birth was celebrated in a fitting manner at that Institution which had been a "home" to him for so many years. It was indeed an unique incident in the history of modern science, when on the 17th of June, 1891, many of the leading living scientists met in the theatre of the Royal Institution to hear a lecture by Lord Rayleigh on the life-work of "one of England's greatest worthies." "A quarter of a century has not elapsed," wrote a contemporary journal,[12]"since his death, and yet we find the highest nobles of the land vieing with the most illustrious professors of our own and of foreign universities in testifying their admiration for this man of the people, who rose to be a leader of scientific men." "When the history of electricity comes to be written," continues the same authority, "a chapter of great extent and first importance must be given to the prolific life-work of Faraday. He will be pointed to as the man who in the middle of the nineteenth century, waged an energetic and relentless warfare against the two fluid theories in electricity and magnetism, and who dealt its death-blow to the theory of action at a distance. And to show the powerful influence his master-mind exercised over contemporary science, the historian may merely refer to Clerk-Maxwell, Sir William Thomson, Rayleigh, Tyndall, and others, all admiring disciples and professed followers of the great Michael Faraday."The meeting that thus did honour to the memory of Faraday, was probably the most fitting method of celebrating the anniversary of his birth that could havebeen devised; it was, we may feel sure, just such a celebration as Faraday would have felt most proud of. Wealth and social rank, as we have seen throughout his life, had no attraction for him; but hedidlike to receive the appreciation of capable men, in whose appreciation he found the highest honour to which it was possible to attain.Some of Faraday's earliest experiments, as was incidentally mentioned in an earlier part of this little book, were in connection with chlorine, etc., and then on the making of glass for optical purposes; and it was not, indeed, until he had been at the Institution for about eighteen years that he really entered with any degree of success into his electrical research. Here it is of interest to note a remark which he once made in this connection to the effect that it requires twenty years of work to make amanin physical science, the whole of the previous period being one ofinfancy. Once, however, he had reached this scientific manhood his work was done with remarkable rapidity; he would, once on the track, so to speak, of a discovery, mature it in a space of time so short as to be nothing less than marvellous; and one after another of his "experimental researches" were carried out, completed, described, and the resultant paper submitted to the Royal Society with a rapidity, and at the same time with an accuracy which has never been equalled. He was asked once what was the secret of his success, and answered that the whole secret might be told in three words, they were these "Work—Finish—Publish." Perhaps the centre word is the one on which Faraday would himself have lain most stress—he was always careful to finish everything before he announced it, which makes his almost unexceptional accuracy, considering the rapidity with which he worked, even more remarkable. It is, however, not inaccurate to say that the results which he definitely announced, were never found to be wrong; further developments have of course taken place, but the resultof a research as announced by him was never found to be untrue, and has never had to be put aside.He had said, in the early part of his scientific career, "the thing that I am proudest of is that I have never been found to be wrong." And after the death of his friend, Professor A. de la Rive wrote, "I do not think that Faraday has once been caught in a mistake; so precise and conscientious was his mode of experimenting and observing." Dr. Gladstone commenting upon this says, "The extreme rarity of his mistakes, notwithstanding the immense amount of his published researches, is one of those marvels which can be appreciated only by those who are in the habit of describing what they have seen in the mist-land that lies beyond the boundaries of previous knowledge."The proper treatment of Faraday's discoveries could of course only be undertaken by one who was himself a scientist; the technicalities of the laboratory and the lecture-theatre would be somewhat out of place in a book such as this, which but aims at presenting in a popular form the facts in connection with the life of one of the greatest of England's scientists—one of the best of her sons. It may, however, here be pointed out that to those who would become acquainted with the details of Faraday's scientific work, with particulars of his numerous experiments, a delightful introduction has been afforded by Professor Tyndall, who in his little work onFaraday as a Discoverer, has summarised much of the great man's work, and explains in a clear and delightful manner much about the experiments which were undertaken and the discoveries which were made by his illustrious predecessor and friend. It is of interest to notice here what discovery of Faraday it is which Tyndall selects as the greatest—it is the discovery of electro-magnetism, of which he says: "The beauty and exactitude of the results of this investigation are extraordinary. I cannot help thinking while I dwell upon them, that this discovery of magneto-electricity is thegreatest experimental result ever obtained by an investigator. It is the Mont Blanc of Faraday's own achievements. He always worked at great elevations, but a higher than this he never subsequently attained."The following impromptu lines with reference to Faraday's great discovery of magneto-electricity were written by Herbert Mayo:—"Around the magnet FaradayWas sure that Volta's lightnings play,But how to draw them from the wire?He drew a lesson from the heart.—'Tis when we meet, 'tis when we part,Breaks forth th' electric fire."Of this same subject Tyndall wrote shortly after Faraday's death:—"Seven and thirty years have passed since the discovery of magneto-electricity; but, if we except theextra current, until quite recently nothing of moment was added to the subject. Faraday entertained the opinion that the discoverer of a great law or principle had a right to the 'spoils'—this was his term—arising from its illustration; and guided by the principle he had discovered, his wonderful mind, aided by his wonderful ten fingers, overran in a single autumn this vast domain, and hardly left behind him the shred of a fact to be gathered by his successors."This indeed is a quality which has been insisted upon by all who have as fellow scientists treated of the work which was done by Michael Faraday,—this quality, that is, of completion, of thoroughness in finishing that which he had commenced; he seemed to become aware almost as though by intuition of the full meaning of a discovery, and of its true bearing with regard to previous knowledge.Great as was Faraday's work in the service of science he not only did not aim at, but he frequently declined to accept what many men would have considered but just reward. He was a chemist, a scientist, a philosopher (to give him the name which he best liked, and of which he felt most proud), and did his work as such from thepurest love for it, as I have tried to show in earlier chapters. He did not seek worldly position—he was above it; he did not seek for wealth, he had no use for it, as his wants were of the simplest; he did not seek for popular applause, for the suffrage of the multitude; but what he did all his life long most earnestly and most faithfully strive for was—Truth. He ever aimed at fulfilling what the Laureate has beautifully expressed in his dedication toIn Memoriamwherein he says—"Let knowledge grow from more to more,And more of reverence in us dwell,That mind and soul according wellMay make one music as before,But vaster."He sought to make knowledge grow from more to more, but it is to be recollected that he never for one more moment swerved from his faithful adherence to his Church. In all his research among physical phenomena he was never led to doubt, as some have done, the truth of that religion in which he always maintained a sincere and beautiful faith; his religion was, indeed, always a something far above his science, a something sacred and of moment to himself, as a single soul. We saw in his reply to his wife on his formally entering the Sandemanian Church shortly after his marriage, what was his attitude on this question. It was, as he had said, a matter between himself and his God; and thus we find in what he has written but very little about his religion, although one or two of his letters to relations, where he has been directly appealed to, breathe the sincere and earnest devotion of the man, and his true Christian spirit. His whole life was, however, a practical expression of his religious faith; as is shown to us by what has been said or written by all who came in contact with him.The following tribute to his memory from Monsieur Dumas is yet one further proof of the universal feeling which his friendship inspired, "I do not know whether there is asavantwho would not feel happy in leavingbehind him such works as those with which Faraday has gladdened his contemporaries, and which he has left as a legacy to posterity; but I am certain that all those who have known him would wish to approach that moral perfection which he attained to without effort. In him it appeared to be a natural grace, which made him a professor, full of ardour for the diffusion of truth, an indefatigable worker, full of enthusiasm and sprightliness in his laboratory, the best and most amiable of men in the bosom of his family, and the most enlightened preacher among the humble flock whose faith he followed."The simplicity of his heart, his candour, his ardent love of the truth, his fellow interest in all the successes, and ingenuous admiration of all the discoveries of others, his natural modesty in regard to what he himself discovered, his noble soul—independent and bold—all these combined gave an incomparable charm to the illustrious physicist."I have never known a man more worthy of being loved,—of being admired,—of being mourned. Fidelity to his religious faith, and the constant observance of the moral law, constitute the ruling characteristics of his life.... There is more than one useful lesson to be learnt from the proper study of this illustrious man, whose youth endured poverty with dignity, whose mature age bore honours with moderation, and whose last years passed gently away surrounded by marks of respect and tender affection."Several stories are told that illustrate the constant habit of experimenting which seemed to be innate in Faraday's mind, and also show how simple were the means which he often adopted to attain a required end. An example of the latter is given us by Sir Frederick Arrow in describing a visit which he, as one of the Committee of the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House, paid, to observe the Dungeness electric light, in June 1862. The committee accompanied Faraday, who hadalways been a most energetic worker in the cause of the Trinity House."We dined," says Sir Frederick Arrow, "I think at Dover, and embarked in the yacht from there, and were out for some hours watching it, to Faraday's great delight—(a very fine night)—and especially we did so from the Varne lightship about equi-distant between it and the French light of Grisnez, using all our best glasses and photometers to ascertain the relative value of the lights; and this brings me to my story. Before we left Dover, Faraday, with his usual bright smile, in great glee showed me a little common paper-box, and said, 'I must take care of this; it's my special photometer,'—and then, opening it, produced a lady's ordinary black shawl pin—jet, or imitation perhaps—and then, holding it a little way off the candle, showed me the image very distinct; and then putting it a little further off, placed another candle near it, and the relative distance was shown by the size of the image. He lent me this afterwards when we were at the Varne lightship, and it acted admirably; ever since I have used one as a very convenient mode of observing, and I never do so but I think of that night and dear good Faraday, and his genial happy way of showing how even common things may be made useful."Such men as had occasion to work in the laboratory with Faraday, were always struck by his lively enthusiasm, and the great activity with which he worked—"his motions were wonderfully rapid; and if he had to cross the laboratory for anything, he did not walk at an ordinary step but ran for it, and when he wanted anything he spoke quickly."In his methods of working he was most exact. Having carefully planned out in his own mind work to be done, he would enter the laboratory, and with his table unencumbered with anything beyond such things as he was using, would set to work in a grave, silent manner. After a time, however, as the experiment proceeded andthe result which he had anticipated began to manifest itself, he would begin humming a tune, and even speak to his attendant of the expected result. On finishing such experimental work for the day, everything had to be put carefully away, all bottles stoppered, open vessels covered over, all instruments and materials returned to their various drawers, all rubbish cleared from the floor, and the laboratory left ready for the Professor to start work again. Faraday would then go upstairs to his study, and think further on the subject on which he happened to be working.In his later years we are told that he invariably carried about with him convenient sized cards on which he could jot down at once—in the street, in the lecture room, at a friend's, indeed anywhere—such thoughts as should flash across his mind.A few words deserve to be said with regard to Sergeant Anderson, who for over thirty years acted as Faraday's laboratory assistant at the Royal Institution. In 1829, when Faraday was working at experiments on the manufacture of glass for optical purposes, a special furnace was erected at the Royal Institution, and Anderson was engaged to assist at it. After the glass experiments were over, however, Anderson, who had demonstrated his usefulness, was retained, and he continued throughout the rest of Faraday's life as his assistant, having won the good opinion not only of the Professor but of all with whom he had anything to do. There is one good story told of Anderson, who had been chosen for his post on account of the habits of strict obedience, which his military training had given him. His duty was to keep the furnaces always at the same heat, and the water in the ashpit always at the same level. In the evening he was released; but one night Faraday forgot to tell Anderson he could go, and early next morning he found his faithful servant still stoking the glowing furnace, as he had been doing all night long.

Lighthouse

"So that I draw the breath of finer airStation is nought, nor footways laurel-strewn,Nor rivals tightly belted for the race.God speed to them! My place is here or there;My pride is that among them I have place:And thus I keep this instrument in tune."George Meredith.

"So that I draw the breath of finer air

Station is nought, nor footways laurel-strewn,

Nor rivals tightly belted for the race.

God speed to them! My place is here or there;

My pride is that among them I have place:

And thus I keep this instrument in tune."

George Meredith.

In treating of the life-story of Michael Faraday I have let particulars as to his various experiments and discoveries interfere as little as possible with the continuity of the narrative, and have thought it advisable to slightly refer to them in a special chapter. The value of his contributions to our fund of scientific knowledge is made manifest by the fact that whatever book on electricity and allied subjects we may take up now—works even bringing the science down to the very latest date—we always find the name and experiments of Michael Faraday quoted with great respect as a leader and an unquestioned authority. Indeed, our debt to him for his electrical work is incalculable; we are now seeing the electric light carried day by day into more streets, lighting more public places, nay, even being used in illuminating private buildings.This light we owe, primarily, to Michael Faraday. Writing nearly a quarter of a century ago Professor Tyndall answers this question as to "What is the use of it all?" thus explicitly and unhesitatingly—"As far as electricity has been applied for medical purposes, it has been almost exclusively Faraday's electricity. You have noticed those lines of wire which cross the streets of London. It is Faraday's currents that speed from place to place through these wires. Approaching the point of Dungeness the mariner sees an unusually brilliant light, and from the noblepharesof La Hève the same light flashes across the sea. These are Faraday's sparks exalted by suitable machinery to sunlike splendour. At the present moment the Board of Trade and the Brethren of the Trinity House, as well as the Commissioners of Northern Lights, are contemplating the introduction of the Magneto-electric Light at numerous points upon our coasts; and future generations will be able to refer to those guiding stars in answer to the question, What has been the practical use of the labours of Faraday? But I would again emphatically say that his work needs no such justification; and that if he had allowed his vision to be disturbed by considerations regarding the practical use of his discoveries, those discoveries would never have been made by him."

In one of his very earliest lectures delivered before the City Philosophical Society on the subject of chlorine,[11]Faraday referred to the question too often and too thoughtlessly put on hearing of a new discovery. "Before leaving this subject," he said, "I will point out the history of this substance, as an answer to those who are in the habit of saying to every new fact, 'What is its use?' Benjamin Franklin says to such, 'What is the use of an infant?' The answer of the experimentalist is, 'endeavour to make it useful.'" Truly the infant Electricity has already grown to goodly proportions. Itis to his researches in connection with electrical science that we must look for the chief result of Faraday's work. His later years were almost exclusively taken up in the investigation of this fascinating subject.

The value of his contributions to the sum of knowledge on this new branch of science was testified to in a remarkable manner during the past summer, when the centenary of his birth was celebrated in a fitting manner at that Institution which had been a "home" to him for so many years. It was indeed an unique incident in the history of modern science, when on the 17th of June, 1891, many of the leading living scientists met in the theatre of the Royal Institution to hear a lecture by Lord Rayleigh on the life-work of "one of England's greatest worthies." "A quarter of a century has not elapsed," wrote a contemporary journal,[12]"since his death, and yet we find the highest nobles of the land vieing with the most illustrious professors of our own and of foreign universities in testifying their admiration for this man of the people, who rose to be a leader of scientific men." "When the history of electricity comes to be written," continues the same authority, "a chapter of great extent and first importance must be given to the prolific life-work of Faraday. He will be pointed to as the man who in the middle of the nineteenth century, waged an energetic and relentless warfare against the two fluid theories in electricity and magnetism, and who dealt its death-blow to the theory of action at a distance. And to show the powerful influence his master-mind exercised over contemporary science, the historian may merely refer to Clerk-Maxwell, Sir William Thomson, Rayleigh, Tyndall, and others, all admiring disciples and professed followers of the great Michael Faraday."

The meeting that thus did honour to the memory of Faraday, was probably the most fitting method of celebrating the anniversary of his birth that could havebeen devised; it was, we may feel sure, just such a celebration as Faraday would have felt most proud of. Wealth and social rank, as we have seen throughout his life, had no attraction for him; but hedidlike to receive the appreciation of capable men, in whose appreciation he found the highest honour to which it was possible to attain.

Some of Faraday's earliest experiments, as was incidentally mentioned in an earlier part of this little book, were in connection with chlorine, etc., and then on the making of glass for optical purposes; and it was not, indeed, until he had been at the Institution for about eighteen years that he really entered with any degree of success into his electrical research. Here it is of interest to note a remark which he once made in this connection to the effect that it requires twenty years of work to make amanin physical science, the whole of the previous period being one ofinfancy. Once, however, he had reached this scientific manhood his work was done with remarkable rapidity; he would, once on the track, so to speak, of a discovery, mature it in a space of time so short as to be nothing less than marvellous; and one after another of his "experimental researches" were carried out, completed, described, and the resultant paper submitted to the Royal Society with a rapidity, and at the same time with an accuracy which has never been equalled. He was asked once what was the secret of his success, and answered that the whole secret might be told in three words, they were these "Work—Finish—Publish." Perhaps the centre word is the one on which Faraday would himself have lain most stress—he was always careful to finish everything before he announced it, which makes his almost unexceptional accuracy, considering the rapidity with which he worked, even more remarkable. It is, however, not inaccurate to say that the results which he definitely announced, were never found to be wrong; further developments have of course taken place, but the resultof a research as announced by him was never found to be untrue, and has never had to be put aside.

He had said, in the early part of his scientific career, "the thing that I am proudest of is that I have never been found to be wrong." And after the death of his friend, Professor A. de la Rive wrote, "I do not think that Faraday has once been caught in a mistake; so precise and conscientious was his mode of experimenting and observing." Dr. Gladstone commenting upon this says, "The extreme rarity of his mistakes, notwithstanding the immense amount of his published researches, is one of those marvels which can be appreciated only by those who are in the habit of describing what they have seen in the mist-land that lies beyond the boundaries of previous knowledge."

The proper treatment of Faraday's discoveries could of course only be undertaken by one who was himself a scientist; the technicalities of the laboratory and the lecture-theatre would be somewhat out of place in a book such as this, which but aims at presenting in a popular form the facts in connection with the life of one of the greatest of England's scientists—one of the best of her sons. It may, however, here be pointed out that to those who would become acquainted with the details of Faraday's scientific work, with particulars of his numerous experiments, a delightful introduction has been afforded by Professor Tyndall, who in his little work onFaraday as a Discoverer, has summarised much of the great man's work, and explains in a clear and delightful manner much about the experiments which were undertaken and the discoveries which were made by his illustrious predecessor and friend. It is of interest to notice here what discovery of Faraday it is which Tyndall selects as the greatest—it is the discovery of electro-magnetism, of which he says: "The beauty and exactitude of the results of this investigation are extraordinary. I cannot help thinking while I dwell upon them, that this discovery of magneto-electricity is thegreatest experimental result ever obtained by an investigator. It is the Mont Blanc of Faraday's own achievements. He always worked at great elevations, but a higher than this he never subsequently attained."

The following impromptu lines with reference to Faraday's great discovery of magneto-electricity were written by Herbert Mayo:—

"Around the magnet FaradayWas sure that Volta's lightnings play,But how to draw them from the wire?He drew a lesson from the heart.—'Tis when we meet, 'tis when we part,Breaks forth th' electric fire."

"Around the magnet Faraday

Was sure that Volta's lightnings play,

But how to draw them from the wire?

He drew a lesson from the heart.—

'Tis when we meet, 'tis when we part,

Breaks forth th' electric fire."

Of this same subject Tyndall wrote shortly after Faraday's death:—"Seven and thirty years have passed since the discovery of magneto-electricity; but, if we except theextra current, until quite recently nothing of moment was added to the subject. Faraday entertained the opinion that the discoverer of a great law or principle had a right to the 'spoils'—this was his term—arising from its illustration; and guided by the principle he had discovered, his wonderful mind, aided by his wonderful ten fingers, overran in a single autumn this vast domain, and hardly left behind him the shred of a fact to be gathered by his successors."

This indeed is a quality which has been insisted upon by all who have as fellow scientists treated of the work which was done by Michael Faraday,—this quality, that is, of completion, of thoroughness in finishing that which he had commenced; he seemed to become aware almost as though by intuition of the full meaning of a discovery, and of its true bearing with regard to previous knowledge.

Great as was Faraday's work in the service of science he not only did not aim at, but he frequently declined to accept what many men would have considered but just reward. He was a chemist, a scientist, a philosopher (to give him the name which he best liked, and of which he felt most proud), and did his work as such from thepurest love for it, as I have tried to show in earlier chapters. He did not seek worldly position—he was above it; he did not seek for wealth, he had no use for it, as his wants were of the simplest; he did not seek for popular applause, for the suffrage of the multitude; but what he did all his life long most earnestly and most faithfully strive for was—Truth. He ever aimed at fulfilling what the Laureate has beautifully expressed in his dedication toIn Memoriamwherein he says—

"Let knowledge grow from more to more,And more of reverence in us dwell,That mind and soul according wellMay make one music as before,But vaster."

"Let knowledge grow from more to more,

And more of reverence in us dwell,

That mind and soul according well

May make one music as before,

But vaster."

He sought to make knowledge grow from more to more, but it is to be recollected that he never for one more moment swerved from his faithful adherence to his Church. In all his research among physical phenomena he was never led to doubt, as some have done, the truth of that religion in which he always maintained a sincere and beautiful faith; his religion was, indeed, always a something far above his science, a something sacred and of moment to himself, as a single soul. We saw in his reply to his wife on his formally entering the Sandemanian Church shortly after his marriage, what was his attitude on this question. It was, as he had said, a matter between himself and his God; and thus we find in what he has written but very little about his religion, although one or two of his letters to relations, where he has been directly appealed to, breathe the sincere and earnest devotion of the man, and his true Christian spirit. His whole life was, however, a practical expression of his religious faith; as is shown to us by what has been said or written by all who came in contact with him.

The following tribute to his memory from Monsieur Dumas is yet one further proof of the universal feeling which his friendship inspired, "I do not know whether there is asavantwho would not feel happy in leavingbehind him such works as those with which Faraday has gladdened his contemporaries, and which he has left as a legacy to posterity; but I am certain that all those who have known him would wish to approach that moral perfection which he attained to without effort. In him it appeared to be a natural grace, which made him a professor, full of ardour for the diffusion of truth, an indefatigable worker, full of enthusiasm and sprightliness in his laboratory, the best and most amiable of men in the bosom of his family, and the most enlightened preacher among the humble flock whose faith he followed.

"The simplicity of his heart, his candour, his ardent love of the truth, his fellow interest in all the successes, and ingenuous admiration of all the discoveries of others, his natural modesty in regard to what he himself discovered, his noble soul—independent and bold—all these combined gave an incomparable charm to the illustrious physicist.

"I have never known a man more worthy of being loved,—of being admired,—of being mourned. Fidelity to his religious faith, and the constant observance of the moral law, constitute the ruling characteristics of his life.... There is more than one useful lesson to be learnt from the proper study of this illustrious man, whose youth endured poverty with dignity, whose mature age bore honours with moderation, and whose last years passed gently away surrounded by marks of respect and tender affection."

Several stories are told that illustrate the constant habit of experimenting which seemed to be innate in Faraday's mind, and also show how simple were the means which he often adopted to attain a required end. An example of the latter is given us by Sir Frederick Arrow in describing a visit which he, as one of the Committee of the Elder Brethren of the Trinity House, paid, to observe the Dungeness electric light, in June 1862. The committee accompanied Faraday, who hadalways been a most energetic worker in the cause of the Trinity House.

"We dined," says Sir Frederick Arrow, "I think at Dover, and embarked in the yacht from there, and were out for some hours watching it, to Faraday's great delight—(a very fine night)—and especially we did so from the Varne lightship about equi-distant between it and the French light of Grisnez, using all our best glasses and photometers to ascertain the relative value of the lights; and this brings me to my story. Before we left Dover, Faraday, with his usual bright smile, in great glee showed me a little common paper-box, and said, 'I must take care of this; it's my special photometer,'—and then, opening it, produced a lady's ordinary black shawl pin—jet, or imitation perhaps—and then, holding it a little way off the candle, showed me the image very distinct; and then putting it a little further off, placed another candle near it, and the relative distance was shown by the size of the image. He lent me this afterwards when we were at the Varne lightship, and it acted admirably; ever since I have used one as a very convenient mode of observing, and I never do so but I think of that night and dear good Faraday, and his genial happy way of showing how even common things may be made useful."

Such men as had occasion to work in the laboratory with Faraday, were always struck by his lively enthusiasm, and the great activity with which he worked—"his motions were wonderfully rapid; and if he had to cross the laboratory for anything, he did not walk at an ordinary step but ran for it, and when he wanted anything he spoke quickly."

In his methods of working he was most exact. Having carefully planned out in his own mind work to be done, he would enter the laboratory, and with his table unencumbered with anything beyond such things as he was using, would set to work in a grave, silent manner. After a time, however, as the experiment proceeded andthe result which he had anticipated began to manifest itself, he would begin humming a tune, and even speak to his attendant of the expected result. On finishing such experimental work for the day, everything had to be put carefully away, all bottles stoppered, open vessels covered over, all instruments and materials returned to their various drawers, all rubbish cleared from the floor, and the laboratory left ready for the Professor to start work again. Faraday would then go upstairs to his study, and think further on the subject on which he happened to be working.

In his later years we are told that he invariably carried about with him convenient sized cards on which he could jot down at once—in the street, in the lecture room, at a friend's, indeed anywhere—such thoughts as should flash across his mind.

A few words deserve to be said with regard to Sergeant Anderson, who for over thirty years acted as Faraday's laboratory assistant at the Royal Institution. In 1829, when Faraday was working at experiments on the manufacture of glass for optical purposes, a special furnace was erected at the Royal Institution, and Anderson was engaged to assist at it. After the glass experiments were over, however, Anderson, who had demonstrated his usefulness, was retained, and he continued throughout the rest of Faraday's life as his assistant, having won the good opinion not only of the Professor but of all with whom he had anything to do. There is one good story told of Anderson, who had been chosen for his post on account of the habits of strict obedience, which his military training had given him. His duty was to keep the furnaces always at the same heat, and the water in the ashpit always at the same level. In the evening he was released; but one night Faraday forgot to tell Anderson he could go, and early next morning he found his faithful servant still stoking the glowing furnace, as he had been doing all night long.

Fountain and Royal InstitutionCHAPTER X.About the Royal Institution."The heights by great men reached and keptWere not attained by sudden flight,But they, while their companions slept,Were toiling upward in the night.Standing on what too long we bore,With shoulders bent and downcast eyes,We may discern—unseen before—A path to higher destinies.Nor deem the irrevocable pastAs wholly wasted, wholly vain,If, rising on its wrecks, at lastTo something nobler we attain."Longfellow.The Royal Institution, which for so many years was "home" to Michael Faraday, must ever remain intimately associated with his name. It is not a hundred years since it was founded, yet its history is the history of Sir Humphry Davy, Michael Faraday, and John Tyndall—or perhaps it would be more correct to say that its history is in a large measure a history of experimental research during the century. Before regarding the Institution as it is especially connected with the life-story of Michael Faraday, it may be well to just glance at its origin.Early in the year 1799 a party of noblemen and gentlemen met at the house of Sir Joseph Banks for the purpose of forming themselves, at the suggestion of Count Rumford, into a "Society for bettering the condition of the poor." Count Rumford and his friends were most anxious for the success of their undertaking; and having once made a start did not remain idle, but in January, 1800, succeeded in having their Society incorporated by Royal Charter. The Society started perhaps on a somewhat narrower basis than that on which it now stands; its original object was that it should be "an institution for diffusing the knowledge, and facilitating the general introduction of useful mechanical inventions and improvements; and for teaching by courses of philosophical lectures and experiments, the application of science to the common purposes of life."In a guide to London published in the early part of the present century, No. 21, Albemarle Street is thus referred to: "Here is also the Society's house for the encouragement of improvements in arts and manufactures, or the Royal Institution. The front of this house is barricaded by double windows, to prevent the entrance of cold in winter and heat in summer. Here is a room for experimental dinners, and a kitchen fitted up on the late Count Rumford's plan. Adjoining this is a large workshop, in which a number of coppersmiths, braziers, etc., are employed, and over this a large room for the reception of such models of machinery as may be presented to the Institution." It has been said that chemistry dates one of its chief epochs from the foundation of the Royal Institution laboratory.The large building in Albemarle Street cannot be mistaken, for there are along the front of it fourteen great fluted Corinthian columns which give a striking appearance to the premises. These columns were built on to the face of the building in 1838, at a cost of five hundred pounds, by Mr. Lewis Vulliamy.ROYAL INSTITUTION, ALBEMARLE STREETFrom photo by] ROYAL INSTITUTION, ALBEMARLE STREET. [H. Dixon & Son.]That the Royal Institution is, indeed, well worth visiting it must be quite unnecessary to say. Even was there not much to be seen which is of itself interesting, the place would have an attraction as being the place where so much has been done for the advancement of science by Faraday, his predecessors, Davy, Rumford, and Brande, and by Tyndall, and other successors.LECTURE-THEATRE, ROYAL INSTITUTIONFrom photo by] LECTURE-THEATRE, ROYAL INSTITUTION. [H. Dixon & Son.On entering the building we find ourselves in a lofty hall; in front of us, at the head of a short flight of stone steps, is a large portrait of Sir Humphry Davy, while to the right we see Foley's fine and strikingstatue of Faraday, which was placed there as being the most fitting memorial of the great man's connection with the Institution. On going up the flight of steps to the right, we find ourselves in the well-appointed library, where we are shown under a glass case a beautiful little statuette of Faraday, and also a large photograph portrait of the philosopher. We next visit the lecture-theatre, our eyes being immediately drawn to the "seat over the clock," where Michael Faraday as a boy first sat, and listened and marvelled at the wonders of chemistry unfolded before him by the great Humphry Davy. This theatre it may be noted is one of the bestfor its acoustic properties in London. Well may we pause here—thinking of the great men who have lectured here, and of the great men who have come here to listen. It may be mentioned that the lectures are not strictly confined to scientific subjects, for it was here, in 1812, that Thomas Campbell gave his course of lectures on poetry, and that another poet—Thomas Moore—was also invited to lecture.From the lecture-theatre we are taken downstairs to see the room where all the numerous instruments and materials are kept. Here we are shown the primitive electrical machine, which Faraday early constructed for himself, and many of the things which he used in his work; here, too, we have pointed out to us a large glass-case running along one side of the room, and divided into sections, each section containing the tools and appliances used by one or other of the great men of the Institution, Davy and Brande and Faraday himself. In several of the smaller rooms through which we are permitted to pass, we notice among the many portraits several of the subjects of this little work. And among other interesting things especially pointed out to us there is a locked glass-case "presented to the Royal Institution by Michael and Sarah Faraday" (it was characteristic of Faraday thus to put his wife in as one of the donors). This case contains several books which Michael had himself bound in those days when, disliking trade, he was seeking to enter the service of science. There are, besides, several books of Davy's and several manuscripts of his also, which his assistant had carefully kept.And not only is the building worthy a visit on account of the many interesting relics it contains of some of our greatest scientists, and on account of the memoirs of its many great men, but even to the unscientific there is much that is attractive in the Friday Evening Lectures, which since that year 1826, when Faraday may be said to have inaugurated them, up to now, have been regularlycarried on. No trouble is spared by the lecturers to make their matter understood, and innumerable experiments are presented on these occasions. The experiments, too, are such as often require a great expenditure of time and trouble in their preparation. As an instance of this I may mention an experiment which was made on the occasion of my latest attendance at a "Friday evening." The lecturer was Professor Harold Dixon; the subject of which he was treating was "The Rate of Explosion of Gases." To show the rapidity with which an explosion of a certain gas travelled, the lecturer had fitted up a leaden piping all round the theatre; the ends of the piping rested upon either end of the table at which Professor Dixon was lecturing. The piping was filled with gas, and the Professor applied a light at one end; a sharp explosion took place as the gas was fired, and was followedalmost instantaneouslyby an explosion at the other end of the pipe—the explosion having in that very short time travelled through a length of two hundred and twenty feet of piping! I quote this instance to show that no trouble is spared in preparing an illustrative experiment, although such experiment may be demonstrated in a minute or less.It may be appropriate, while considering the long connection of Faraday with the scene of his many experimental triumphs, to refer more particularly to that unique meeting which took place last summer (June 8th, 1891) in celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Faraday, and to which slight reference is made in the last chapter. The meeting, appropriately enough, took the form of a gathering in the theatre of the Royal Institution of many of the most able and distinguished chemists of the day; Lord Rayleigh delivering an address on the developments of Faraday's discoveries. The chair was taken by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who referred in his opening remarks to the time when he had sat in that theatre and listened toFaraday himself. The letter from H.R.H., which is quoted on p. 131, was read, as was also the following letter which the Prince wrote to Mrs. Faraday on the occasion of her husband's death."Wiesbaden, September 10, 1867."Dear Mrs. Faraday,—Although I have not the pleasure of knowing you, I cannot resist sending you a few lines to tell you how deeply grieved and distressed I am to hear of the death of your husband, Professor Faraday. Having had the great pleasure of knowing him for some years, and having heard his interesting lectures when quite a boy, I can fully appreciate how great the loss must be, not only to you, but to the whole country at large, where his name was deeply venerated by all classes. His name will not only be remembered as a great and distinguished scientific man, but also as a good man, whose excellent and amiable qualities were so universally known. Pardon my trespassing so soon on your great grief, and believe me, dear Mrs. Faraday, yours very sincerely,"Albert Edward."A very interesting yet pathetic letter was read from Dr. Tyndall, which, coming as it did from a man who had so well known and so thoroughly appreciated Faraday, is of great interest to us. "As Faraday recedes from me in time," wrote Tyndall, "he becomes to me more and more beautiful. Anything, therefore, calculated to do honour to his memory must command my entire sympathy. But the utmost liberty I can now allow myself is to be shifted from my bed to a couch, and wheeled to a position near the window, from which I can see the bloom of the gorse and the brown of the heather. Thus, considerations affecting the body only present an insuperable barrier to my going to London on Wednesday."Not very far from Albemarle Street, is BlandfordStreet, where it will be remembered Michael Faraday began the battle of life as a newsboy. Mr. Riebau's shop (No. 2) is yet standing, and is still a stationer's and bookseller's. Over the shop front is now to be observed a plaque, on which are the simple words, "Michael Faraday, Man of Science, apprentice here, 1791-1867." Professor Tyndall tells us of a pleasing story of a visit which he paid with the ex-bookbinder to this scene of his early labours. "Mr. Faraday and myself quitted the Institution one evening together, to pay a visit in Baker Street. He took my arm at the door, and pressing it to his side in his warm genial way, said, 'Come, Tyndall, I will now show you something that will interest you.' We reached Blandford Street; and after a little looking about, he paused before a stationer's shop, and then went in. On entering the shop, his usual animation seemed doubled; he looked rapidly at everything it contained. To the left on entering was a door, through which he looked down into a little room, with a window in front facing Blandford Street. Drawing me toward him, he said eagerly, 'Look there, Tyndall, that was my working-place. I bound books in that little nook.' A respectable-looking woman stood behind the counter; his conversation with me was too low to be heard by her, and he now turned to the counter to buy some cards as an excuse for our being there. He asked the woman her name—her predecessor's name—his predecessor's name. 'That won't do,' he said, with good-humoured impatience; 'who was his predecessor?' 'Mr. Riebau,' she replied, and immediately added, as if suddenly recollecting herself, 'He, sir, was the master of Sir Charles Faraday!' 'Nonsense!' he responded, 'there is no such person!' Great was her delight when I told her the name of her visitor; but she assured me that as soon as she saw him running about the shop, she felt—though she did not know why—that it must beSir Charles Faraday!"Turning to our right on coming out of No. 2, BlandfordStreet, we shall notice on the opposite side of the way a small turning down under an archway. That turning is the beginning of Jacob's Well Mews, where the Faraday family lived, and of which an illustration has been given on an earlier page of this book. The place is interesting and worthy of a visit, as showing us that however poor and unpromising may be the surroundings of a man's childhood, he may yet win for himself an enduring name, as has Michael Faraday, not only in the annals of his own country, but in those of knowledge—whose annals are concerned not with one, but with all countries.A most interesting and pleasant trip, too, may be taken to Hampton Court Green, where a visit can be paid to the house, the use of which Her Majesty the Queen so kindly gave to the Professor, and where he passed the greater part of the last ten years of his life. Of the very many visitors to the famous palace and gardens of Hampton Court, there are, I fear, not a very large proportion who notice the charming little house facing the Green, and not far from the entrance to the Palace where the Professor lived. "Faraday House," however, appears much the same as it did when he whose name it now bears was living there. With its front all overgrown with ivy and Virginian creeper, with its creeper-bowered archway from the gate to the front door, with its trees and shrubs all along the front, and with its view across the Green to the trees in the Palace grounds beyond, the old-fashioned house has a delightful aspect, and seems indeed an ideal spot to which a man of Faraday's simple, unpretentious, yet nature-loving character, could retire after a long life of arduous and useful work.The following "in memoriam" poem, which appeared in the pages ofPunchshortly after Faraday's death, so beautifully sums up much of the man's life and character, that it may be fittingly quoted as a conclusion to this short account of the life of the illustrious philosopher,a life which must impress all who have studied it as one of the purest and most unselfish of which we have any record."Statesmen and soldiers, authors, artists,—stillThe topmost leaves fall off our English oak:Some in green summer's prime, some in the chillOf autumn-tide, some by late winter's stroke.Another leaf has dropped on that sere heap—One that hung highest; earliest to inviteThe golden kiss of morn, and last to keepThe fire of eve—but still turned to the light.No soldier's, statesman's, poet's, painter's nameWas this, through which is drawn death's last black line;But one of rarer, if not loftier fame—A priest of Truth, who lived within her shrine.A priest of Truth: his office to expoundEarth's mysteries to all who willed to hear—Who in the book of science sought and found,With love, that knew all reverence, but no fear.A priest who prayed as well as ministered:Who grasped the faith he preached, and held it fast:Knowing the light he followed never stirred,Howe'er might drive the clouds through which it past.And if Truth's priest, servant of Science too,Whose work was wrought for love and not for gain:Not one of those who serve but to ensueTheir private profit: lordship to attainOver their lord, and bind him in green withes,For grinding at the mill 'neath rod and cord;Of the large grist that they may take their tithes—So some serve Science that call Science lord.One rule his life was fashioned to fulfil:That he who tends Truth's shrine, and does the hestOf Science, with a humble, faithful will,The God of Truth and Knowledge serveth best.And from his humbleness what heights he won!By slow march of induction, pace on pace,Scaling the peaks that seem to strike the sun,Whence few can look, unblinded, in his face.Until he reached the stand which they that winA bird's-eye glance o'er Nature's realm may throw;Whence the mind's ken by larger sweeps takes inWhat seems confusion, looked at from below.Till out of seeming chaos order grows,In ever-widening orbs of law restrained,And the Creation's mighty music flowsIn perfect harmony, serene, sustained;And from varieties of force and power,A larger unity and larger still,Broadens to view, till in some breathless hourAll force is known, grasped in a central Will,Thunder and light revealed as one same strength—Modes of the force that works at Nature's heart—And through the Universe's veinèd lengthBids, wave on wave, mysterious pulses dart.That cosmic heart-beat it was his to list,To trace those pulses in their ebb and flowTowards the fountain-head, where they subsistIn form as yet not given e'enhimto know.Yet, living face to face with these great laws,Great truths, great myst'ries, all who saw him nearKnew him for childlike, simple, free from flawsOf temper, full of love that casts out fear:Untired in charity, of cheer serene;Not caring world's wealth or good word to earn;Childhood's or manhood's ear content to win;And still as glad to teach as meek to learn.Such lives are precious: not so much for allOf wider insight won where they have striven,As for the still small voice with which they callAlong the beamy way from earth to heaven."THE END.LONDON: KNIGHT, PRINTER, MIDDLE STREET, ALDERSGATE, E.C.

Fountain and Royal Institution

"The heights by great men reached and keptWere not attained by sudden flight,But they, while their companions slept,Were toiling upward in the night.Standing on what too long we bore,With shoulders bent and downcast eyes,We may discern—unseen before—A path to higher destinies.Nor deem the irrevocable pastAs wholly wasted, wholly vain,If, rising on its wrecks, at lastTo something nobler we attain."Longfellow.

"The heights by great men reached and keptWere not attained by sudden flight,But they, while their companions slept,Were toiling upward in the night.

"The heights by great men reached and kept

Were not attained by sudden flight,

But they, while their companions slept,

Were toiling upward in the night.

Standing on what too long we bore,With shoulders bent and downcast eyes,We may discern—unseen before—A path to higher destinies.

Standing on what too long we bore,

With shoulders bent and downcast eyes,

We may discern—unseen before—

A path to higher destinies.

Nor deem the irrevocable pastAs wholly wasted, wholly vain,If, rising on its wrecks, at lastTo something nobler we attain."Longfellow.

Nor deem the irrevocable past

As wholly wasted, wholly vain,

If, rising on its wrecks, at last

To something nobler we attain."

Longfellow.

The Royal Institution, which for so many years was "home" to Michael Faraday, must ever remain intimately associated with his name. It is not a hundred years since it was founded, yet its history is the history of Sir Humphry Davy, Michael Faraday, and John Tyndall—or perhaps it would be more correct to say that its history is in a large measure a history of experimental research during the century. Before regarding the Institution as it is especially connected with the life-story of Michael Faraday, it may be well to just glance at its origin.

Early in the year 1799 a party of noblemen and gentlemen met at the house of Sir Joseph Banks for the purpose of forming themselves, at the suggestion of Count Rumford, into a "Society for bettering the condition of the poor." Count Rumford and his friends were most anxious for the success of their undertaking; and having once made a start did not remain idle, but in January, 1800, succeeded in having their Society incorporated by Royal Charter. The Society started perhaps on a somewhat narrower basis than that on which it now stands; its original object was that it should be "an institution for diffusing the knowledge, and facilitating the general introduction of useful mechanical inventions and improvements; and for teaching by courses of philosophical lectures and experiments, the application of science to the common purposes of life."

In a guide to London published in the early part of the present century, No. 21, Albemarle Street is thus referred to: "Here is also the Society's house for the encouragement of improvements in arts and manufactures, or the Royal Institution. The front of this house is barricaded by double windows, to prevent the entrance of cold in winter and heat in summer. Here is a room for experimental dinners, and a kitchen fitted up on the late Count Rumford's plan. Adjoining this is a large workshop, in which a number of coppersmiths, braziers, etc., are employed, and over this a large room for the reception of such models of machinery as may be presented to the Institution." It has been said that chemistry dates one of its chief epochs from the foundation of the Royal Institution laboratory.

The large building in Albemarle Street cannot be mistaken, for there are along the front of it fourteen great fluted Corinthian columns which give a striking appearance to the premises. These columns were built on to the face of the building in 1838, at a cost of five hundred pounds, by Mr. Lewis Vulliamy.

ROYAL INSTITUTION, ALBEMARLE STREETFrom photo by] ROYAL INSTITUTION, ALBEMARLE STREET. [H. Dixon & Son.]

From photo by] ROYAL INSTITUTION, ALBEMARLE STREET. [H. Dixon & Son.]

That the Royal Institution is, indeed, well worth visiting it must be quite unnecessary to say. Even was there not much to be seen which is of itself interesting, the place would have an attraction as being the place where so much has been done for the advancement of science by Faraday, his predecessors, Davy, Rumford, and Brande, and by Tyndall, and other successors.

LECTURE-THEATRE, ROYAL INSTITUTIONFrom photo by] LECTURE-THEATRE, ROYAL INSTITUTION. [H. Dixon & Son.

From photo by] LECTURE-THEATRE, ROYAL INSTITUTION. [H. Dixon & Son.

On entering the building we find ourselves in a lofty hall; in front of us, at the head of a short flight of stone steps, is a large portrait of Sir Humphry Davy, while to the right we see Foley's fine and strikingstatue of Faraday, which was placed there as being the most fitting memorial of the great man's connection with the Institution. On going up the flight of steps to the right, we find ourselves in the well-appointed library, where we are shown under a glass case a beautiful little statuette of Faraday, and also a large photograph portrait of the philosopher. We next visit the lecture-theatre, our eyes being immediately drawn to the "seat over the clock," where Michael Faraday as a boy first sat, and listened and marvelled at the wonders of chemistry unfolded before him by the great Humphry Davy. This theatre it may be noted is one of the bestfor its acoustic properties in London. Well may we pause here—thinking of the great men who have lectured here, and of the great men who have come here to listen. It may be mentioned that the lectures are not strictly confined to scientific subjects, for it was here, in 1812, that Thomas Campbell gave his course of lectures on poetry, and that another poet—Thomas Moore—was also invited to lecture.

From the lecture-theatre we are taken downstairs to see the room where all the numerous instruments and materials are kept. Here we are shown the primitive electrical machine, which Faraday early constructed for himself, and many of the things which he used in his work; here, too, we have pointed out to us a large glass-case running along one side of the room, and divided into sections, each section containing the tools and appliances used by one or other of the great men of the Institution, Davy and Brande and Faraday himself. In several of the smaller rooms through which we are permitted to pass, we notice among the many portraits several of the subjects of this little work. And among other interesting things especially pointed out to us there is a locked glass-case "presented to the Royal Institution by Michael and Sarah Faraday" (it was characteristic of Faraday thus to put his wife in as one of the donors). This case contains several books which Michael had himself bound in those days when, disliking trade, he was seeking to enter the service of science. There are, besides, several books of Davy's and several manuscripts of his also, which his assistant had carefully kept.

And not only is the building worthy a visit on account of the many interesting relics it contains of some of our greatest scientists, and on account of the memoirs of its many great men, but even to the unscientific there is much that is attractive in the Friday Evening Lectures, which since that year 1826, when Faraday may be said to have inaugurated them, up to now, have been regularlycarried on. No trouble is spared by the lecturers to make their matter understood, and innumerable experiments are presented on these occasions. The experiments, too, are such as often require a great expenditure of time and trouble in their preparation. As an instance of this I may mention an experiment which was made on the occasion of my latest attendance at a "Friday evening." The lecturer was Professor Harold Dixon; the subject of which he was treating was "The Rate of Explosion of Gases." To show the rapidity with which an explosion of a certain gas travelled, the lecturer had fitted up a leaden piping all round the theatre; the ends of the piping rested upon either end of the table at which Professor Dixon was lecturing. The piping was filled with gas, and the Professor applied a light at one end; a sharp explosion took place as the gas was fired, and was followedalmost instantaneouslyby an explosion at the other end of the pipe—the explosion having in that very short time travelled through a length of two hundred and twenty feet of piping! I quote this instance to show that no trouble is spared in preparing an illustrative experiment, although such experiment may be demonstrated in a minute or less.

It may be appropriate, while considering the long connection of Faraday with the scene of his many experimental triumphs, to refer more particularly to that unique meeting which took place last summer (June 8th, 1891) in celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Faraday, and to which slight reference is made in the last chapter. The meeting, appropriately enough, took the form of a gathering in the theatre of the Royal Institution of many of the most able and distinguished chemists of the day; Lord Rayleigh delivering an address on the developments of Faraday's discoveries. The chair was taken by His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who referred in his opening remarks to the time when he had sat in that theatre and listened toFaraday himself. The letter from H.R.H., which is quoted on p. 131, was read, as was also the following letter which the Prince wrote to Mrs. Faraday on the occasion of her husband's death.

"Wiesbaden, September 10, 1867."Dear Mrs. Faraday,—Although I have not the pleasure of knowing you, I cannot resist sending you a few lines to tell you how deeply grieved and distressed I am to hear of the death of your husband, Professor Faraday. Having had the great pleasure of knowing him for some years, and having heard his interesting lectures when quite a boy, I can fully appreciate how great the loss must be, not only to you, but to the whole country at large, where his name was deeply venerated by all classes. His name will not only be remembered as a great and distinguished scientific man, but also as a good man, whose excellent and amiable qualities were so universally known. Pardon my trespassing so soon on your great grief, and believe me, dear Mrs. Faraday, yours very sincerely,"Albert Edward."

"Wiesbaden, September 10, 1867.

"Dear Mrs. Faraday,—Although I have not the pleasure of knowing you, I cannot resist sending you a few lines to tell you how deeply grieved and distressed I am to hear of the death of your husband, Professor Faraday. Having had the great pleasure of knowing him for some years, and having heard his interesting lectures when quite a boy, I can fully appreciate how great the loss must be, not only to you, but to the whole country at large, where his name was deeply venerated by all classes. His name will not only be remembered as a great and distinguished scientific man, but also as a good man, whose excellent and amiable qualities were so universally known. Pardon my trespassing so soon on your great grief, and believe me, dear Mrs. Faraday, yours very sincerely,

"Albert Edward."

A very interesting yet pathetic letter was read from Dr. Tyndall, which, coming as it did from a man who had so well known and so thoroughly appreciated Faraday, is of great interest to us. "As Faraday recedes from me in time," wrote Tyndall, "he becomes to me more and more beautiful. Anything, therefore, calculated to do honour to his memory must command my entire sympathy. But the utmost liberty I can now allow myself is to be shifted from my bed to a couch, and wheeled to a position near the window, from which I can see the bloom of the gorse and the brown of the heather. Thus, considerations affecting the body only present an insuperable barrier to my going to London on Wednesday."

Not very far from Albemarle Street, is BlandfordStreet, where it will be remembered Michael Faraday began the battle of life as a newsboy. Mr. Riebau's shop (No. 2) is yet standing, and is still a stationer's and bookseller's. Over the shop front is now to be observed a plaque, on which are the simple words, "Michael Faraday, Man of Science, apprentice here, 1791-1867." Professor Tyndall tells us of a pleasing story of a visit which he paid with the ex-bookbinder to this scene of his early labours. "Mr. Faraday and myself quitted the Institution one evening together, to pay a visit in Baker Street. He took my arm at the door, and pressing it to his side in his warm genial way, said, 'Come, Tyndall, I will now show you something that will interest you.' We reached Blandford Street; and after a little looking about, he paused before a stationer's shop, and then went in. On entering the shop, his usual animation seemed doubled; he looked rapidly at everything it contained. To the left on entering was a door, through which he looked down into a little room, with a window in front facing Blandford Street. Drawing me toward him, he said eagerly, 'Look there, Tyndall, that was my working-place. I bound books in that little nook.' A respectable-looking woman stood behind the counter; his conversation with me was too low to be heard by her, and he now turned to the counter to buy some cards as an excuse for our being there. He asked the woman her name—her predecessor's name—his predecessor's name. 'That won't do,' he said, with good-humoured impatience; 'who was his predecessor?' 'Mr. Riebau,' she replied, and immediately added, as if suddenly recollecting herself, 'He, sir, was the master of Sir Charles Faraday!' 'Nonsense!' he responded, 'there is no such person!' Great was her delight when I told her the name of her visitor; but she assured me that as soon as she saw him running about the shop, she felt—though she did not know why—that it must beSir Charles Faraday!"

Turning to our right on coming out of No. 2, BlandfordStreet, we shall notice on the opposite side of the way a small turning down under an archway. That turning is the beginning of Jacob's Well Mews, where the Faraday family lived, and of which an illustration has been given on an earlier page of this book. The place is interesting and worthy of a visit, as showing us that however poor and unpromising may be the surroundings of a man's childhood, he may yet win for himself an enduring name, as has Michael Faraday, not only in the annals of his own country, but in those of knowledge—whose annals are concerned not with one, but with all countries.

A most interesting and pleasant trip, too, may be taken to Hampton Court Green, where a visit can be paid to the house, the use of which Her Majesty the Queen so kindly gave to the Professor, and where he passed the greater part of the last ten years of his life. Of the very many visitors to the famous palace and gardens of Hampton Court, there are, I fear, not a very large proportion who notice the charming little house facing the Green, and not far from the entrance to the Palace where the Professor lived. "Faraday House," however, appears much the same as it did when he whose name it now bears was living there. With its front all overgrown with ivy and Virginian creeper, with its creeper-bowered archway from the gate to the front door, with its trees and shrubs all along the front, and with its view across the Green to the trees in the Palace grounds beyond, the old-fashioned house has a delightful aspect, and seems indeed an ideal spot to which a man of Faraday's simple, unpretentious, yet nature-loving character, could retire after a long life of arduous and useful work.

The following "in memoriam" poem, which appeared in the pages ofPunchshortly after Faraday's death, so beautifully sums up much of the man's life and character, that it may be fittingly quoted as a conclusion to this short account of the life of the illustrious philosopher,a life which must impress all who have studied it as one of the purest and most unselfish of which we have any record.

"Statesmen and soldiers, authors, artists,—stillThe topmost leaves fall off our English oak:Some in green summer's prime, some in the chillOf autumn-tide, some by late winter's stroke.Another leaf has dropped on that sere heap—One that hung highest; earliest to inviteThe golden kiss of morn, and last to keepThe fire of eve—but still turned to the light.No soldier's, statesman's, poet's, painter's nameWas this, through which is drawn death's last black line;But one of rarer, if not loftier fame—A priest of Truth, who lived within her shrine.A priest of Truth: his office to expoundEarth's mysteries to all who willed to hear—Who in the book of science sought and found,With love, that knew all reverence, but no fear.A priest who prayed as well as ministered:Who grasped the faith he preached, and held it fast:Knowing the light he followed never stirred,Howe'er might drive the clouds through which it past.And if Truth's priest, servant of Science too,Whose work was wrought for love and not for gain:Not one of those who serve but to ensueTheir private profit: lordship to attainOver their lord, and bind him in green withes,For grinding at the mill 'neath rod and cord;Of the large grist that they may take their tithes—So some serve Science that call Science lord.One rule his life was fashioned to fulfil:That he who tends Truth's shrine, and does the hestOf Science, with a humble, faithful will,The God of Truth and Knowledge serveth best.And from his humbleness what heights he won!By slow march of induction, pace on pace,Scaling the peaks that seem to strike the sun,Whence few can look, unblinded, in his face.Until he reached the stand which they that winA bird's-eye glance o'er Nature's realm may throw;Whence the mind's ken by larger sweeps takes inWhat seems confusion, looked at from below.Till out of seeming chaos order grows,In ever-widening orbs of law restrained,And the Creation's mighty music flowsIn perfect harmony, serene, sustained;And from varieties of force and power,A larger unity and larger still,Broadens to view, till in some breathless hourAll force is known, grasped in a central Will,Thunder and light revealed as one same strength—Modes of the force that works at Nature's heart—And through the Universe's veinèd lengthBids, wave on wave, mysterious pulses dart.That cosmic heart-beat it was his to list,To trace those pulses in their ebb and flowTowards the fountain-head, where they subsistIn form as yet not given e'enhimto know.Yet, living face to face with these great laws,Great truths, great myst'ries, all who saw him nearKnew him for childlike, simple, free from flawsOf temper, full of love that casts out fear:Untired in charity, of cheer serene;Not caring world's wealth or good word to earn;Childhood's or manhood's ear content to win;And still as glad to teach as meek to learn.Such lives are precious: not so much for allOf wider insight won where they have striven,As for the still small voice with which they callAlong the beamy way from earth to heaven."

"Statesmen and soldiers, authors, artists,—stillThe topmost leaves fall off our English oak:Some in green summer's prime, some in the chillOf autumn-tide, some by late winter's stroke.

"Statesmen and soldiers, authors, artists,—still

The topmost leaves fall off our English oak:

Some in green summer's prime, some in the chill

Of autumn-tide, some by late winter's stroke.

Another leaf has dropped on that sere heap—One that hung highest; earliest to inviteThe golden kiss of morn, and last to keepThe fire of eve—but still turned to the light.

Another leaf has dropped on that sere heap—

One that hung highest; earliest to invite

The golden kiss of morn, and last to keep

The fire of eve—but still turned to the light.

No soldier's, statesman's, poet's, painter's nameWas this, through which is drawn death's last black line;But one of rarer, if not loftier fame—A priest of Truth, who lived within her shrine.

No soldier's, statesman's, poet's, painter's name

Was this, through which is drawn death's last black line;

But one of rarer, if not loftier fame—

A priest of Truth, who lived within her shrine.

A priest of Truth: his office to expoundEarth's mysteries to all who willed to hear—Who in the book of science sought and found,With love, that knew all reverence, but no fear.

A priest of Truth: his office to expound

Earth's mysteries to all who willed to hear—

Who in the book of science sought and found,

With love, that knew all reverence, but no fear.

A priest who prayed as well as ministered:Who grasped the faith he preached, and held it fast:Knowing the light he followed never stirred,Howe'er might drive the clouds through which it past.

A priest who prayed as well as ministered:

Who grasped the faith he preached, and held it fast:

Knowing the light he followed never stirred,

Howe'er might drive the clouds through which it past.

And if Truth's priest, servant of Science too,Whose work was wrought for love and not for gain:Not one of those who serve but to ensueTheir private profit: lordship to attain

And if Truth's priest, servant of Science too,

Whose work was wrought for love and not for gain:

Not one of those who serve but to ensue

Their private profit: lordship to attain

Over their lord, and bind him in green withes,For grinding at the mill 'neath rod and cord;Of the large grist that they may take their tithes—So some serve Science that call Science lord.

Over their lord, and bind him in green withes,

For grinding at the mill 'neath rod and cord;

Of the large grist that they may take their tithes—

So some serve Science that call Science lord.

One rule his life was fashioned to fulfil:That he who tends Truth's shrine, and does the hestOf Science, with a humble, faithful will,The God of Truth and Knowledge serveth best.

One rule his life was fashioned to fulfil:

That he who tends Truth's shrine, and does the hest

Of Science, with a humble, faithful will,

The God of Truth and Knowledge serveth best.

And from his humbleness what heights he won!By slow march of induction, pace on pace,Scaling the peaks that seem to strike the sun,Whence few can look, unblinded, in his face.

And from his humbleness what heights he won!

By slow march of induction, pace on pace,

Scaling the peaks that seem to strike the sun,

Whence few can look, unblinded, in his face.

Until he reached the stand which they that winA bird's-eye glance o'er Nature's realm may throw;Whence the mind's ken by larger sweeps takes inWhat seems confusion, looked at from below.

Until he reached the stand which they that win

A bird's-eye glance o'er Nature's realm may throw;

Whence the mind's ken by larger sweeps takes in

What seems confusion, looked at from below.

Till out of seeming chaos order grows,In ever-widening orbs of law restrained,And the Creation's mighty music flowsIn perfect harmony, serene, sustained;

Till out of seeming chaos order grows,

In ever-widening orbs of law restrained,

And the Creation's mighty music flows

In perfect harmony, serene, sustained;

And from varieties of force and power,A larger unity and larger still,Broadens to view, till in some breathless hourAll force is known, grasped in a central Will,

And from varieties of force and power,

A larger unity and larger still,

Broadens to view, till in some breathless hour

All force is known, grasped in a central Will,

Thunder and light revealed as one same strength—Modes of the force that works at Nature's heart—And through the Universe's veinèd lengthBids, wave on wave, mysterious pulses dart.

Thunder and light revealed as one same strength—

Modes of the force that works at Nature's heart—

And through the Universe's veinèd length

Bids, wave on wave, mysterious pulses dart.

That cosmic heart-beat it was his to list,To trace those pulses in their ebb and flowTowards the fountain-head, where they subsistIn form as yet not given e'enhimto know.

That cosmic heart-beat it was his to list,

To trace those pulses in their ebb and flow

Towards the fountain-head, where they subsist

In form as yet not given e'enhimto know.

Yet, living face to face with these great laws,Great truths, great myst'ries, all who saw him nearKnew him for childlike, simple, free from flawsOf temper, full of love that casts out fear:

Yet, living face to face with these great laws,

Great truths, great myst'ries, all who saw him near

Knew him for childlike, simple, free from flaws

Of temper, full of love that casts out fear:

Untired in charity, of cheer serene;Not caring world's wealth or good word to earn;Childhood's or manhood's ear content to win;And still as glad to teach as meek to learn.

Untired in charity, of cheer serene;

Not caring world's wealth or good word to earn;

Childhood's or manhood's ear content to win;

And still as glad to teach as meek to learn.

Such lives are precious: not so much for allOf wider insight won where they have striven,As for the still small voice with which they callAlong the beamy way from earth to heaven."

Such lives are precious: not so much for all

Of wider insight won where they have striven,

As for the still small voice with which they call

Along the beamy way from earth to heaven."

THE END.

LONDON: KNIGHT, PRINTER, MIDDLE STREET, ALDERSGATE, E.C.

FOOTNOTES:[1]Erasmus Darwin, author ofThe Botanic Garden,Loves of the Plants, etc., and grandfather of the more famous Charles Darwin.[2]It may be noted here that there are several spurious stories told of Faraday's first visit to the Institution and his introduction to Davy. The story as told here is as Faraday himself told it to Davy's biographer.[3]It is interesting to note that Sir Humphry Davy was only thirteen years the senior of Michael Faraday.[4]Some of the books which Faraday bound for the Royal Institution are there now; kept carefully with other relics of the great chemist. See the chapter entitled "About the Royal Institution."[5]Chevreul, many readers will remember, lived to celebrate his hundredth birthday in 1886, and all his life continued experiments in his fascinating science. He died on the 10th of April, 1889.[6]So was Faraday described in the passport issued to him at Paris.[7]The works of art which Faraday refers to are the Laocoön, the Venus de Medici, the Dying Gladiator, and other sculpture brought from Rome to Paris by Napoleon after one of his Italian campaigns. Faraday must have been gratified at their return to Rome the year after his words were written.[8]Founded in 1831, for the purpose of stimulating scientific inquiry.[9]Author ofConversations on Chemistry, a work which had had a considerable influence on Faraday in his early youth.[10]It is interesting here to see what Tyndall says, referring to Faraday as a lecturer: "I doubt his unconcern, but his fearlessness was often manifested. It used to rise within him as a wave, which carried both him and his audience along with it. On rare occasions also, when he felt himself and his subject hopelessly unintelligible, he suddenly evoked a certain recklessness of thought; and without halting to extricate his bewildered followers, he would dash alone through the jungle into which he had unwittingly led them; thus saving them from ennui by the exhibition of a vigour which, for the time being, they could neither share nor comprehend."[11]A non-metallic element first discovered in 1774 by Scheele, and the subject of much research to succeeding chemists.[12]Engineeringfor June 19th, 1891.

[1]Erasmus Darwin, author ofThe Botanic Garden,Loves of the Plants, etc., and grandfather of the more famous Charles Darwin.

[2]It may be noted here that there are several spurious stories told of Faraday's first visit to the Institution and his introduction to Davy. The story as told here is as Faraday himself told it to Davy's biographer.

[3]It is interesting to note that Sir Humphry Davy was only thirteen years the senior of Michael Faraday.

[4]Some of the books which Faraday bound for the Royal Institution are there now; kept carefully with other relics of the great chemist. See the chapter entitled "About the Royal Institution."

[5]Chevreul, many readers will remember, lived to celebrate his hundredth birthday in 1886, and all his life continued experiments in his fascinating science. He died on the 10th of April, 1889.

[6]So was Faraday described in the passport issued to him at Paris.

[7]The works of art which Faraday refers to are the Laocoön, the Venus de Medici, the Dying Gladiator, and other sculpture brought from Rome to Paris by Napoleon after one of his Italian campaigns. Faraday must have been gratified at their return to Rome the year after his words were written.

[8]Founded in 1831, for the purpose of stimulating scientific inquiry.

[9]Author ofConversations on Chemistry, a work which had had a considerable influence on Faraday in his early youth.

[10]It is interesting here to see what Tyndall says, referring to Faraday as a lecturer: "I doubt his unconcern, but his fearlessness was often manifested. It used to rise within him as a wave, which carried both him and his audience along with it. On rare occasions also, when he felt himself and his subject hopelessly unintelligible, he suddenly evoked a certain recklessness of thought; and without halting to extricate his bewildered followers, he would dash alone through the jungle into which he had unwittingly led them; thus saving them from ennui by the exhibition of a vigour which, for the time being, they could neither share nor comprehend."

[11]A non-metallic element first discovered in 1774 by Scheele, and the subject of much research to succeeding chemists.

[12]Engineeringfor June 19th, 1891.

Transcriber's Notes:Footnotes have been moved to the end of the text and renumbered consecutively through the document.Illustrations have been moved to paragraph breaks near where they are discussed. This has sometimes left consecutive page numbers right next to each other.Punctuation has been made consistent.Variations in spelling and hyphenation were retained as they appear in the original publication.Changes have been made as follows:Page 135: "whe" changed to "who" (anyone who claimed his attention)Page 157: "precedessor" changed to "predecessor" (predecessor?' 'Mr. Riebau,)Page 158: "virginian" changed to "Virginian" (with ivy and Virginian creeper)

Footnotes have been moved to the end of the text and renumbered consecutively through the document.

Illustrations have been moved to paragraph breaks near where they are discussed. This has sometimes left consecutive page numbers right next to each other.

Punctuation has been made consistent.

Variations in spelling and hyphenation were retained as they appear in the original publication.

Changes have been made as follows:

Page 135: "whe" changed to "who" (anyone who claimed his attention)

Page 157: "precedessor" changed to "predecessor" (predecessor?' 'Mr. Riebau,)

Page 158: "virginian" changed to "Virginian" (with ivy and Virginian creeper)

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