Michael Faraday: Third Edition, with PortraitGladstone, J. H. (John Hall)
Science
Michael Faraday: Third Edition, with Portrait
Gladstone, J. H. (John Hall)
Faraday, Michael, 1791-1867
Another scientific friend, Mr. W. F. Barrett, writes:--"My first
interview with Mr. Faraday ten years ago left an impression upon me
I can never forget. Young student as I then was, thinking chiefly of
present work and little of future prospects, and till then unknown to
Mr. Faraday, judge of my feelings when, taking my hand in both of his,
he said, 'I congratulate you upon choosing to be a _philosopher_: it
is an arduous life, but a noble and a glorious one. Work hard, and
work carefully, and you will have success.' The sweet yet serious way
he said this made the earnestness of work become a very vivid reality,
and led me to doubt whether I had not dared to undertake too lofty a
pursuit. After this Mr. Faraday never forgot to remember me in a number
of thoughtful and delicate ways. He would ask me upstairs to his room
to describe or show him the results of any little investigation I might
have made: taking the greatest interest in it all, his pleasure would
seem to equal and thus heighten mine, and then he would add words of
kind suggestion and encouragement. In the same kindly spirit he has
invited me to his house at Hampton Court, or would ask me to join him
at supper after the Friday evening's lecture. His kindness is further
shown by his giving me a volume of his researches on Chemistry and
Physics, writing therein, 'From his friend Michael Faraday.' Those who
live alone in London, unknown and uncared-for by any around them, can
best appreciate these marks of attention which Mr. Faraday invariably
showed, and not only to myself, but equally to my fellow-assistant in
the chemical laboratory."
The following instance among many that might be quoted will illustrate
his readiness to take trouble on behalf of others. When Dr. Noad was
writing his "Manual of Electricity," a doubt crossed his mind as to
whether Sir Snow Harris's unit jar gave a true measure of the quantity
of electricity thrown into a Leyden jar: he asked Faraday, and his
doubt was confirmed. Shortly afterwards he received a letter beginning
thus:--
"MY DEAR SIR,
"Whilst looking over my papers on induction, I was reminded of our
talk about Harris's unit jar, and recollected that I had given you a
result just the _reverse_ of my old conclusions, and, as I believe,
of the truth. I think the jar _is a true measure_, so long as the
circumstances of position, &c., are not altered; for its discharge and
the quantity of electricity thus passed on depends on the constant
relation of the balls connected with the inner and outer surface
coating to each other, and is independent of their joint relation to
the machine, battery, &c.... Perhaps I have not made my view clear,
but next time we meet, remind me of the matter.
"Ever truly yours,
"M. FARADAY."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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