MOEE CONVERSATION 548 



that the menial position in which Faraday travelled with Davy, 

 in 1813, was owing to the fact that the French Government 

 w^ould allow only a maid or valet to accompany Sir H. and 

 Lady Davy on their journey.' 



* In the beginning was the atom, and the atom was without 

 form and void, and darkness was on the face of the substance. 

 And the spirit of Frankland moved on the face of the substance, 

 and he said. Let there be an atom : and there was an atom ; 

 and he saw that it was good. And the atom and its shadow 

 were the first edition ; and Frankland said, Let there be a 

 bond, &c., &c.' — Hirst's minute. (See Hooker's recollection of 

 this incident, ii. 359, and also 112.) 



* The conversation turned on Tyndall's discoveries in 

 chemical composition, &c., &c., due to light. On Huxley's 

 new observations on microscopic organic forms and on the 

 possible bearing of these on one another. Also on some 

 arrangement for the publication of English scientific works 

 in America.' 



* It was resolved to add Lubbock's name to the B.A. 

 Committee on Scientific education, in order that he might con- 

 sult that committee on points arising in the public school 

 committee. The subject of State assistance to original experi- 

 mental research was discussed ; an extension of the Government 

 grant through the Royal Society was thought by the majority 

 to be the best means. Huxley reported that the question 

 of Sunday evening lectures had been revived independently 

 by the Sunday League ; and will report further hereafter.' 



* The conversation turned, during the larger part of the 

 evening, on Tyndall's discoveries in the reflecting of blue rays 

 from the molecules of attenuated vapours. We were more 

 than once called to order by Spencer for allowing the conversa- 

 tion to become broken up instead of remaining general.' 



* The conversation was very metaphysical ;. Spencer v. the 

 field. Airy was spoken of as a possible future President of the 

 Royal Society. It was suggested that five years would be a 

 suitable period for the tenure of the presidentship, as well as 

 for member s^hip of council.' 



Later the period of ten years of office of P.R.S. was discussed. 



