MICHAEL FARADAY, son of a smith, was born in London in 1791. He 

 was taught reading, writing, and arithmetic at a day-school, and in all other 

 things educated himself. At thirteen he was apprenticed to a bookbinder, 

 choosing this vocation in order to be among books. He was early fond of ex- 

 periment, and averse to trade ; and being taken to hear some lectures of Sir 

 Humphrey Davy at the Royal Institution, he resolved to pursue science, and 

 wrote to Davy asking his assistance in obtaining a place. Davy favored his 

 application, and in 1813, at the age of twenty, he was appointed assistant hi 

 the laboratory of the Royal Institution. In 1820 he discovered the chloride 

 of carbon, and in 1823 effected the condensation of chlorine and other gases. 

 On this account Davy became jealous of him, and discouraged the idea of 

 recommending him for election to the Royal Society, which, however, took 

 place in 1824. In 1820, Oersted announced his celebrated discovery of 

 electro-magnetism, and Faraday at once entered upon an investigation of the 

 relations of magnetism and electricity. In 1831 he commenced his cele- 

 brated series of Experimental Researches hi Electricity, which extended to 

 three volumes, published in 1839, 1844, and 1855. In 1827 he published 

 his admirable work on "Chemical Manipulations," and, in 1830, a valuable 

 paper on " The Manufacture of Glass for Optical Purposes." In 1833 he 

 became Professor of Chemistry hi the Royal Institution, and he has received 

 numerous honors from the learned societies of Europe. In 1835 he received 

 a pension of 300 a year, and hi 1858 the Queen allotted him a residence in 

 Hampton Court. Dr. Faraday has talents of a high order, both as an orig- 

 inal investigator and as a lecturer. Advanced in years, he has now retired to 

 a considerable extent from active duty, but is still in the vigor of his powers, 

 as is shown by his recent lectures to juvenile audiences in the Royal Insti- 

 tution. 



