THE ELECTRIC LIGHT 476 



sentially ideal. Faraday lived in this ideal world. Nearly 

 half a century ago, when he first obtained a spark from 

 the magnet, an Oxford don expressed regret that such a 

 discovery should have been made, as it placed a new and 

 facile implement in the hands of the incendiary. To re- 

 gret, a Comtist hierarchy would have probably added 

 repression, sending Faraday back to his bookbinder's 

 bench as a more dignified and practical sphere of action 

 than peddling with a magnet. And yet it is Faraday's 

 spark which now shines upon our coasts, and promises to 

 illuminate our streets, halls, quays, squares, warehouses, 

 and, perhaps at no distant day, our homes. 



END OF VOL. n. OF " FRAGMENTS OF SCIENCE" 



