APPENDIX II. 



THE WORK OF THE FARADAY SOCIETY, 



And a brief relerence to Michael Faraday, 

 BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE FARADAY SOCIETY 



(SIR ROBERT HADFIELD, Bart., D.Sc. D.Met.. F.R.S.) 



As in addition to our own Members, we have a large number of visitors 

 present to-day, I thought it would be of interest to write a short 

 account of the work of our Society, which takes its name from one of 

 the greatest of the Scientific Inunortals — Michael Faraday. I need 

 hardly say how glad we shall be to receive an access to our Membership 

 of those interested in the work we are trying to accomplish, which is 

 not only that of covering certain ground not dealt with by other 

 Scientific Societies, but also of arousing interest in the minds of the 

 younger men in our great Metropolis and elsewhere with regard to 

 Scientific developments. 



I also take this opportunity of saying a few words about Faraday, 

 who devoted his life to Science, with but one single aim — to advance 

 its position in the world, and to benefit Mankind without fear or 

 favour to rich and poor alike. No monetary or selfish considerations 

 ever entered his mind. 



At the time I accepted the invitation of the Council in 1914, 

 conveyed through my friend, Professor A. K. Huntington, to be your 

 President, I was not in good health, and the duties seemed to be 

 far too great for me to undertake. I felt, however, that it was a special 

 honour and privilege to be asked to follow in the footsteps of some 

 of our great Masters of the Past — Kelvin, Swan, and others— so I 

 accepted. 



When delivering my Presidential Address in June, 1914, I little 

 dreamt that our Empire was so soon to pass through a time of un- 

 exampled stress. Notwithstanding the difficulties with which those five 

 troublous years were surrounded, I am glad to say our work never 

 relaxed, and I do not think we suspended a single meeting, 

 Council, Committee, or General. Thanks to the willing help given 

 on all hands, whether by the Council, by the Members, or by our 

 Secretary, Mr. F. S. Spiers, it has given me no little satisfaction to 

 think that the younger men amongst us have bivn aided in their 

 work by our Society and its gatlioiings. 



My work with the Faraday Society has been a labour of love. 

 The time is, however, coming when I am sure you must think it 

 only right that another of your Members should take my place as 

 President. Let me add that I have only been too glad to give any 

 help in my power, and its future will always have the warmest interest 

 of my heart. 



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