Genre:

Review, Serial

Publications reviewed:

Jones 1869

Subjects:

History of Science, Physics, Experiment, Science Communication, Lecturing, Class, Laboratories, Theory, Religion, Electromagnetism, Discovery, Commerce, Heroism, Nationalism

People mentioned:

Auguste A De La Rive

Institutions mentioned:

Royal Institution

    Celebrates Michael Faraday's 'irresistible candour and truth of character' (206), his 'effective methods of scientific exposition', and his intellect which 'united flexibility with [...] strength', but remarks that 'In strong contrast with this intellectual expansiveness is his fixity in religion, but this is a subject which cannot be discussed here'. Also avers that there has never existed 'a manlier, purer, steadier love' than that which Faraday had for his wife: 'Like a burning diamond, it continued to shed, for six-and-forty years, its white and smokeless glow'. (205) Concludes that although Faraday and Humphry Davy had very different characters, in 'one great particular they agreed. Each of them could have turned his science to immense commercial profit, but neither of them did so. The noble excitement of research, and the delight of discovery, constituted their reward. I commend them to the reverence which great gifts greatly exercised ought to inspire. They were both ours; and through the coming centuries England will be able to point with just pride to the possession of such men' (206).

Reprinted:

Tyndall 1871a