It runs encased in wood or porous brick Through copper wires two millimetres thick, And insulated on their dangerous mission By indiarubber, silk, or composition, Here you may put with critical felicity The following question: “What is Electricity?” DIFFICULTY OF DETERMINING NATURE OF ELECTRICITY “Molecular Activity,” say some, Others when asked say nothing, and are dumb. Whatever be its nature: this is clear, The rapid current checked in its career, Baulked in its race and halted in its course[15] Transforms to heat and light its latent force: CONSERVATION OF ENERGY. PROOFS OF THIS: NO EXPERIMENT NEEDED It needs no pedant in the lecturer’s chair To prove that light and heat are present there. The pear-shaped vacuum globe, I understand, Is far too hot to fondle with the hand. While, as is patent to the meanest sight, The carbon filament is very bright. DOUBTS ON THE MUNICIPAL SYSTEM, BUT-- As for the lights they hang about the town, Some praise them highly, others run them down. This system (technically called the arc) Makes some passages too light, others too dark. NONE ON THE DOMESTIC But in the house the soft and constant rays Have always met with universal praise. ITS ADVANTAGES For instance: if you want to read in bed No candle burns beside your curtains’ head, Far from some distant corner of the room The incandescent lamp dispels the gloom, ADVANTAGES OF LARGE PRINT And with the largest print need hardly try The powers of any young and vigorous eye. FIFTH INVOCATION TO THE MUSE Aroint thee, Muse! inspired the poet sings! I cannot help observing future things! THE ONLY HOPE OF HUMANITY IS IN SCIENCE Life is a vale, its paths are dark and rough Only because we do not know enough. When Science has discovered something more We shall be happier than we were before. PERORATION IN THE SPIRIT OF THE REST OF THE POEM Hail! Britain, mistress of the Azure Main, Ten Thousand Fleets sweep over thee in vain! Hail! mighty mother of the brave and free, That beat Napoleon, and gave birth to me! Thou that canst wrap in thine emblazoned robe One quarter of the habitable globe. Thy mountains, wafted by a favouring breeze, Like mighty hills withstand the stormy seas. WARNING TO BRITAIN Thou art a Christian Commonwealth. And yet Be thou not all unthankful--nor forget As thou exultest in Imperial might The benefits of the Electric Light. III. Some Remarks on Lambkin’s Prose Style