Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Michael Faraday.
Iii 1825 , through a change in the management of the institution , he was g iven a position of much greater influence and responsibility . From this time he figures more or less as a public man . His growdng rejiutation brought him enquiries from all quarters ; amongst the rest one from the illustrious Louis Napoleon in his island prison . Through a period of nineteen years Faraday continued his lectures at the
Royal Institution , delighting his audiences by the extreme simplicity and richness of his style . Ever since his entrance upon the duties of his office , Faraday was diligently ancl patiently engaged in original experiments for the purpose of discovering new facts , ancl he continued his efforts during twenty-seven years . He never worked without taking full notes , and it is to this fact that we are indebted to
him for the inimitable work , "Experimental Researches in Chemistry . " One who is well able to judge describes it as " one of the most marvellous monuments of intellectual work , one of the rarest treasure-houses of newly-discovered knowledge with which the world has ever been enriched . " His growing reputation soon brought him into contact with the philosophers of the clay , aud also caused him to receive many offers of lucrative
employment . But he was so wedded to philosophy that he despised the gain , ancl , in a spirit of the purest and most admirable unselfishness , prosecuted his labours for the good of the world rather than his own . He never hesitated , however , in regard to public bodies to give his opinion on matters referred to him , always after the strictest enquiry ancl careful consideration of the minutest detail , regardless of the possible remuneration . Learned societies from all parts sought him as member , and the universities conferred honorary degrees .
The extent to which the former was carried may be gathered from the fact that the celebrated electrician , P . Reiss , of Berlin , once addressed a letter to him as "Professor Michael Faraday , Member of all Academies of Science , London . " We see in Faraday a man of remarkable simplicity of character , linked with such strength of will as enabled him to continue the pursuit of his object under most unpropitious circumstances . If he had not been firm in
purpose , we should never have heard of him as Professor Faraday . Few men are met with who can joyfully throw away a fortune when they see the road to it open before them , as he did , content to work for the good of the world . It would be an herculean task to enumerate the branches of industry which have been created , or altered , or in various ways benefitted as the result of his discoveries .
In 1835 the Government offered to Faraday a pension of £ 300 per year , which he accepted . In 1858 the Queen offered him a house at Hampton Court , in front of the palace . Here he spent a large portion of his remaining years . Michael Faraday was a truly religious philosopher . He was a member of the body of Christians called Sandemanians . Strictness of rule and discipline is a primary characteristic of these people . We find that on one occasion Faraday had to smart under their severity . He was an elder of the churchancl
, one of their preachers , and in the latter capacity especially he seems to have been much esteemed . His intense earnestness imparted irresistible eloquence to his words , ancl caused all to feel that he was deeply imbued with the power of the Spirit . In all the relations of life there was a sweet and modest tenderness which drew all hearts to him . We cannot do better than conclude this paper with the words of Dr . Gladstone , the author of "Michael Faraday , " a
short but able biography , to which we are indebted for much of our information . He says : — " That he exercised constant self control without becoming hard , ascended the pathway of fame without ever losing his balance , and shed around himself a peculiar halo of love ancl joyousness , must be attributed in no small degree to a heart at peace with God , and to the consciousness of a hi gher life . " On August 25 th , 1867 , he died . There was a philosopher less on earth , and a saint more in heaven .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Michael Faraday.
Iii 1825 , through a change in the management of the institution , he was g iven a position of much greater influence and responsibility . From this time he figures more or less as a public man . His growdng rejiutation brought him enquiries from all quarters ; amongst the rest one from the illustrious Louis Napoleon in his island prison . Through a period of nineteen years Faraday continued his lectures at the
Royal Institution , delighting his audiences by the extreme simplicity and richness of his style . Ever since his entrance upon the duties of his office , Faraday was diligently ancl patiently engaged in original experiments for the purpose of discovering new facts , ancl he continued his efforts during twenty-seven years . He never worked without taking full notes , and it is to this fact that we are indebted to
him for the inimitable work , "Experimental Researches in Chemistry . " One who is well able to judge describes it as " one of the most marvellous monuments of intellectual work , one of the rarest treasure-houses of newly-discovered knowledge with which the world has ever been enriched . " His growing reputation soon brought him into contact with the philosophers of the clay , aud also caused him to receive many offers of lucrative
employment . But he was so wedded to philosophy that he despised the gain , ancl , in a spirit of the purest and most admirable unselfishness , prosecuted his labours for the good of the world rather than his own . He never hesitated , however , in regard to public bodies to give his opinion on matters referred to him , always after the strictest enquiry ancl careful consideration of the minutest detail , regardless of the possible remuneration . Learned societies from all parts sought him as member , and the universities conferred honorary degrees .
The extent to which the former was carried may be gathered from the fact that the celebrated electrician , P . Reiss , of Berlin , once addressed a letter to him as "Professor Michael Faraday , Member of all Academies of Science , London . " We see in Faraday a man of remarkable simplicity of character , linked with such strength of will as enabled him to continue the pursuit of his object under most unpropitious circumstances . If he had not been firm in
purpose , we should never have heard of him as Professor Faraday . Few men are met with who can joyfully throw away a fortune when they see the road to it open before them , as he did , content to work for the good of the world . It would be an herculean task to enumerate the branches of industry which have been created , or altered , or in various ways benefitted as the result of his discoveries .
In 1835 the Government offered to Faraday a pension of £ 300 per year , which he accepted . In 1858 the Queen offered him a house at Hampton Court , in front of the palace . Here he spent a large portion of his remaining years . Michael Faraday was a truly religious philosopher . He was a member of the body of Christians called Sandemanians . Strictness of rule and discipline is a primary characteristic of these people . We find that on one occasion Faraday had to smart under their severity . He was an elder of the churchancl
, one of their preachers , and in the latter capacity especially he seems to have been much esteemed . His intense earnestness imparted irresistible eloquence to his words , ancl caused all to feel that he was deeply imbued with the power of the Spirit . In all the relations of life there was a sweet and modest tenderness which drew all hearts to him . We cannot do better than conclude this paper with the words of Dr . Gladstone , the author of "Michael Faraday , " a
short but able biography , to which we are indebted for much of our information . He says : — " That he exercised constant self control without becoming hard , ascended the pathway of fame without ever losing his balance , and shed around himself a peculiar halo of love ancl joyousness , must be attributed in no small degree to a heart at peace with God , and to the consciousness of a hi gher life . " On August 25 th , 1867 , he died . There was a philosopher less on earth , and a saint more in heaven .