574 



HISTORY OF SCIENCE. 



arithmetic. After a year's trial, his master received him as a regular 

 apprentice to the trade of stationer and bookbinder, and, in con- 

 sideration of the value of his services, required no premium. Faraday 

 remained with Mr. Riebau, the stationer and bookbinder, for seven 

 years, during which he became proficient in the art of bookbinding. 

 Nor did he neglect the opportunity of reading some of the books 

 which passed through his hands. Amongst these he was especially 



FIG. 289. RECEIVING A MESSAGE. 



interested in Mrs. Marcel's " Conversations on Chemistry " and the 

 article on " Electricity" contained in an encyclopaedia he was binding. 

 The first book which roused his thoughts at all was Watts "On the 

 Mind," and his attention was afterwards more particularly attracted 

 to science by the article on " Electricity." He took an opportunity 

 of attending a dozen private lectures on natural philosophy, for which 

 his elder brother provided the fees. Through attending these lectures 

 he became acquainted with some young men of similar tastes, and 

 they established among themselves a Mutual Improvement Society. 



