i6 
PROFESSOR OWEN 
CH. I. 
also took the opportunity of attending some of 
Faradays at the Royal Institution. In describing 
one of these lectures, which took place in January, 
he says : ‘ The Prince of Wales and Prince Arthur 
there. They seemed much interested, and sat on 
chairs, with a footstool, as their feet did not reach 
the ground. Faraday in great force — on Metals. 
Gold, silver, &c., were rolled into long ribbons. 
The theatre crowded.’ 
At another lecture ‘ Faraday explained the 
magnet and strength of attraction. He made us 
all laugh heartily ; and when he threw a coal- 
scuttle full of coals, a poker, and a pair of tongs 
at the great magnet, and they stuck there, the 
theatre echoed with shouts of laughter.’ 
On January 8 Owen accompanied Sir Joseph 
Paxton to Coventry, where, he says, ‘there was 
a deputation to meet us. Bells ringing, &c. Gave 
lecture on “ Ruminants ” at 8.30 In an old hall to 
a crowded audience, which was largely composed 
of the ribbon-weavers — men and women — watch- 
makers and so on, all very attentive : a good 
many open-mouthed listeners.’ 
On April 13 Owen went to Manchester, 
where he gave a course of four lectures, and then 
to Liverpool, where he also gave a short course. 
‘ At my first lecture at Liverpool,’ he writes to 
his wife, ‘ the managing committee had Haydn’s 
overture to the “Creation” played by a good 
orchestra, whilst the audience was assembling in 
