216 JAMES OLEIIK MAXWKU- 



saying : The object of these experiments \viw to tent the 

 fundamental hypotheses of the Faraday-Maxwell theory, uucl 

 the result of the experiments is to confiria the fundamental 

 hy]>othe8es of the theory." 



Since Maxwell's death volumes have leen written 

 on electrical questions, which have all been inspired 

 by his work. The standpoint from which electrical 

 theory is regarded has been entirely changed. The 

 greatest masters of mathematical physics have found, 

 in the development of Maxwell's views, a task that 

 called for all their powers, and the harvest of new 

 truths uhieh has been garnered has proved most rich. 

 But while this is so, the question is still often asked, 

 What is Maxwell's theory f llertx himself concludes 

 the introduction just referred to with his most in- 

 teresting answer to this question. I'rof. Bolumann 

 has made the theory the subject of an important 

 course of lectures. I'oineare, in the introduction to 

 his "Lectures on Maxwell's Theories and the Electro- 

 magnetic Theory of Light," expresses the difficulty, 

 which many feel, in understanding what the theory is. 

 " The first time," he says, " that a French reader opens 

 Maxwell's book a feeling of uneasiness, often even of 

 distrust, is mingled with his admiration. It is only 

 after prolonged study, and at the cost of many etlbrts, 

 that this feeling is dissipated. Some great minds 

 retain it always." And again he writes: "A French 

 Mtivint, one of those who havo most, completely 

 fathomed Maxwell's meaning, said to me once, '1 

 understand everything in the book except what is 

 meant by a body charged with electricity.'" 



In considering this question, Poinearr's own 



