MICHAEL FARADAY. 87 



At the same time that he thus gratified my desires as to scien- 

 tific employment, he still advised me not to give up the prospects I 

 had before me ; telling me that science was a harsh mistress, and 

 in a pecuniary point of view but poorly rewarding those who de- 

 voted themselves to her service. He smiled at my notion of the 

 superior moral feelings of philosophic men, and said he would 

 leave the experience of a few years to set me right on that matter. 



Finally, through his good efforts, I went to the Royal Institu- 

 tion early in March of 1813, as assistant in the laboratory ; and in 

 October of the same year, went with him abroad as his assistant in 

 experiments and in writing. I returned with him in April, 1813, 

 resumed my station in the Royal Institution, and have, as you 

 know, ever since remained there. 



I am, dear sir, very truly yours, 



M. FAKADAY. 



The following is the note of Sir Humphry Davy- 

 alluded to in Faraday's letter : 



To MR. FARADAY. 



SIR, I am far from displeased with the proof you have given 

 me of your confidence, and which displays geat zeal, power of 

 memory, and attention. I am obliged to go out of town, and 

 shall not be settled in town till the end of January. I will then 

 see you at any time you wish. 



It would gratify me to be of any service to you. I wish it may 

 be in my power. I am, sir, your obedient humble servant, 



H. DAVY. 



By apparently a short step, the quondam book- 

 binder's apprentice had now become an apprentice 

 to science, and was favored with the friendship of 

 one of her most distinguished votaries. At this 

 stage, it may be well to glance backwards, and con- 

 template for a moment the true position of chemical 



