Michael Faraday.

back to his bookbinding . But he was now more anxious than ever to relinquish his trade , and follow scientific pursuits . His term of apprenticeship was completed , so that he was free to look about him with a view to findingwork congenial to his tastes . Whilst an apprentice he had ventured to write to Sir Joseph Banks , then President of the Royal Society . He received no reply . His strong desire to be engaged in some scientific occupation now induced him to write to Sir Humphrey Davy ( whose acquaintance he hacl alread

y made ) , expressing his wishes and asking for some employment . Unlike Sir Joseph Banks , Davy replied , kindly pointing out what a harsh mistress science was , ancl recommending him to stick to his trade . Shortly after this an assistant was required in the laboratory , and Faraday was sent for . He had an interview with Sir Humphrey , and was engaged to help him at a salary of 25 s . per weekto commence from March 1 st 1813 .

, , Now he was happy . He hacl obtained the wish of his heart , and was peering with -wistful eyes into the mysteries of nature . His new master was still busy on the explosives , so that Faraday very early learnt something of the clanger of his post , for by the middle of April he hacl experienced four explosions , one of which stunned him so much as to leave

him unconscious tor a while . I efc m spite or all this , the love ot his work increased upon him , ancl he was soon quite at home as chemist ' s assistant . Ho became more earnest than ever in the pursuit of knowledge , was admitted a member of several societies , and at once took a position as a prominent member . Five or six of the members of the Cit y Philosophical Society met him weekly at his rooms to read papers and discuss the subjects in order to improve each other in style and pronounciatioii . We are told in his own

words : " The discipline was very sturdy , the remarks very plain and open , and the results most valuable . " Towards the end of the year he went on a continental tour with Sir Humphrey Davy . We have only to read his journal to find with what zest he entered upon every strange scene , and how minutely he observed everything that was passing . In 1815 he was advanced to a higher position in the laboratory , and a year later his salary was increased to £ 100 per annum . At this time Davy was prosecuting the study of flame , and it is recorded that he was ; " indebted to Mr . Michael Faraday for much able assistance . "

But Faraday was now to take another great step . He began to lecture and to write . His first lecture was delivered before the City Philosophical Society , and his first paper appeared in the Quarterly Journal of Science . Dr . Gladstone , his biographer , says , " The lecture w as on the general properties of matter ; the paper was an analysis of some native caustic lime from Tuscany . Neither was important in itself , but each resembles those little streams which travellers are taken to look at , because they are the sources of mi ghty rivers ; for Faraday became the prince of experimental lecturers , and bis long series of published researches have won for him the highest niche in tho temple of science . "

On June 12 th , 1821 , Mr . Faraday was married to the daughter of Mr . Barnard , a silversmith . He himself calls this "an event which more than any other contributed to his happiness and healthful state of mind . " Writing from Birmingham , some time afterwards , he says , " After all , there is no p leasure like the tranquil pleasures of home , and here—even here- ' —the moment I leave the table I wish I were with you in epiiet . Oh ! what happiness is ours ! My runs into the world in this way only serve to make me esteem that

happiness the more . " The members of the Royal . Institution became acquainted with Faraday ' s ability as a lecturer quite accidentally . Professor Branch , was giving a course of lectures in . 1824 , Faraday helping him ; but one evening , the Professor being absent , his assistant took his place , ancl " lectured with so much ease as to win the complete approval of his audience . "