84 Prof. Faraday on some Points of Magnetic Philosophy. 



without feeling ourselves drawn into one or the other of the two 

 hypotheses of the origin of polar powers ; and as mathematical 

 considerations cannot give a decision, we feel as if the subject 

 were in that same doubtful condition which hung over the con- 

 flicting theories of light prior to the researches of modern time ; 

 but as there the use of Wheatstone's reflector, combined with 

 Arago's suggestion of a decisive experiment, and its realization 

 by Leon Foucault, appear to have settled that question, so we 

 may hope by a due exertion of judgement, united with experi- 

 ment, to obtain a resolution of the magnetic difficulty also. 



3305. If we could tell the disposition of the force of a magnet, 

 first at the place of its origin, and next in the space around, we 

 should then have attained to a very important position in the 

 pui-suit of our subject ; and if we could do that, assuming little 

 or nothing, then we should be in the very best condition for 

 carrying the pursuit further. Supposing that we imagine the mag- 

 net a sort of sun (as there is every reason to believe that the sun 

 is a magnet) polarized, with antithetical powers, ever filling all 

 space around it with its curved beams, as either the sun or a 

 caudle fills space with luminous rays ; and supposing that such 

 a view takes equal position with either of the two former views 

 in representing truly the disposition of the forces, and that 

 mathematical considerations cannot at present decide which of 

 the three views is either above or inferior to its co-rivals ; it surely 

 becomes necessary that physical reasoning should be brought to 

 bear upon the subject as largely as possible. For if there be such 

 physical lines of magnetic force as correspond (in having a real 

 existence) to the rays of light, it does not seem so very impos- 

 sible for experiment to touch them ; and it must be very im- 

 portant to obtain an answer to the inquiry respecting their ex- 

 istence, especially as the answer is likely enough to be in the 

 affirmative. I therefore purpose, without asserting anything 

 regarding the physical hypothesis of the magnet more strongly 

 than before (3299.), to call the attention of experimenters, in 

 a somewhat desultory manner, to the subject again, both as 

 respects the deficiency of the present physical views and the pos- 

 sible existence of lines of physical force, concentrating the obser- 

 vations I may have to make about a few points — as polarity, 

 duality, &c, as occasion may best serve ; and I am encouraged to 

 make this endeavour by the following considerations. 1. The 

 confirmation by mathematicians of the truthfulness of the abs- 

 tract lines of force in representing the direction and amount of 

 the magnetic power ; — 2. My own personal advantageous use 

 of the lines on numerous occasions (3174.); — 3. The close ana- 

 logy of the magnetic force and the other dual powers, either in 

 the static or dynamic state, and especially of the magnet with 



