SOCIAL POSITION. 365 



esteem and graciousness in visiting our factories or 

 inviting me to give lectures on electrical subjects. 



One of these lectures, which I had to give in the 

 Imperial palace, had special significance through the 

 Grand Duke of Baden on the day before the delivery 

 of the lecture having sent me a programme, precise 

 both in extent and subject, which the Emperor himself 

 had dictated to him. The theme ran "Nature and 

 cause of electricity and its application in practical 

 life". It was not easy to satisfy the theoretical part 

 of the programme, as our knowledge of the nature 

 of electricity is still very slight, but even the drawing 

 up of such a programme shows how profound was 

 the interest taken by the Emperor in the physical 

 sciences, the great importance of which for the further 

 development of human civilization he fully perceived. 



The Crown Prince and his family have also in- 

 variably displayed the liveliest interest in the gradual 

 development and the scientific achievements of our 

 establishment, and have frequently honoured our fac- 

 tories with their presence. To this gracious and kindly 

 recognition of my efforts I, in fact, owe my place in 

 the list of recipients of honours, which the Emperor 

 Frederick announced on ascending the throne. Without 

 the usual preliminary inquiry I was included in the 

 list, and to my great astonishment first heard through 

 the newspapers of my admission into the ranks of 

 the nobility. 



