m FARADAY. 



are felly described. Thus these two great discoveries were elaborated, like his 

 isr one, b about three months. 



The dkeoverj of the magnetic rotation of the plane of polarized light, 

 it did not lead to such important practical applications as some of 

 earlier discoveries, has been of the highest value to science, as fur- 

 eomplrt* dynamical evidence that wherever magnetic force exists there 

 fp^ll portions of which are rotating about axes parallel to the 



direction of that force. 



We hare given a few examples of the concentration of his efforts in seeking 

 to identify the apparently different forces of nature, of his far-sightedness in 

 selecting subjects for investigation, of his persistence in- the pursuit of what he 

 set before him, of his energy in working out the results of his discoveries, and 

 of the accuracy and completeness with which he made his final statement of 

 the laws of the phenomenon. 



The characteristics of his scientific spirit lie on the surface of his work, 

 and are manifest to all who read his writings. But there was another side of 

 his fJHHTcH*"'. to the cultivation of which he paid at least as much attention, 

 and which was reserved for his friends, his family, and his church. His letters 

 and his conversation were always full of whatever could awaken a healthy interest, 

 and free from anything that might rouse ill-feeling. When, on rare occasions, he 

 was forced out of the region of science into that of controversy, he stated the 

 facts, and let them make their own way. He was entirely free from pride and 

 undue self assertion. During the growth of his powers he always thankfully 

 a correction, and made use of every expedient, however humble, which 



would make his work more effective in every detail. When at length he found 

 his memory foiling and his mental powers declining, he gave up, without ostenta- 

 tion or complaint, whatever parts of his work he could no longer carry on 

 according to his own standard of efficiency. When he was no longer able to 

 apply his mind to science, he remained content and happy in the exercise of 

 those kindly feelings and warm affections which he had cultivated no less care- 

 fully than his scientific powers. 



The parents of Faraday belonged to the very small and isolated Christian 

 sect which is commonly called after Robert Sandeman. Faraday himself attended 

 the meetings from childhood; at the early age of 30 he made public profession 

 of his faith, and during two different periods he discharged the office of elder. 

 His opinion with respect to the relation between his science and his religion is 



