s often on the point of returning home. They halted
at Geneva. De la Rive, the elder, had known Davy in 1799, and, by his
writings in the 'Bibliotheque Britannique,' had been the first to make
the English chemist's labours known abroad. He welcomed Davy to his
country residence in 1814. Both were sportsmen, and they often went
out shooting together. On these occasions Faraday charged Davy's gun
while De la Rive charged his own. Once the Genevese philosopher found
himself by the side of Faraday, and in his frank and genial way
entered into conversation with the young man. It was evident that a
person possessing such a charm of manner and such high intelligence
could be no mere servant. On enquiry De la Rive was somewhat shocked
to find that the _soi-disant domestique_ was really _preparateur_ in the
laboratory of the Royal Institution; and he immediately proposed that
Faraday thenceforth should join the masters instead of the servants at
their meals. To this Davy, probably out of weak deference to his
wife, objected; but an arrangement was come to that Faraday
thenceforward should have his food in his own room. Rumour states
that a dinner in honour of Faraday was given by De la Rive. This is a
delusion; there was no such banquet; but Faraday never forgot the
kindness of the friend who saw his merit when he was a mere _garcon de
laboratoire_. [Footnote: While confined last autumn at Geneva by the
effects of a fall in the Alps, my friends, with a kindness I can never
forget, did all that friendship could suggest to render my captivity
pleasant to me. M. de la Rive then wrote out for me the full account,
of which the foregoing is a condensed abstract. It was at the desire
of Dr. Bence Jones that I asked him to do so. The rumour of a banquet
at Geneva illustrates the tendency to substitute for the youth of 1814
the Faraday of later years.]

He returned in 1815 to the Royal Institution. Here he helped Davy for
years; he worked also for himself, and lectured frequently at the City
Philosophical Society. He took lessons in elocution, happily without
damage to his natural force, earnestness, and grace of delivery. He
was never pledged to theory, and he changed in opinion as knowledge
advanced. With him life was growth. In those early lectures we hear
him say, 'In knowledge, that man only is to be contemned and despised
who is not in a state of transition.' And again: 'Nothing is more
difficult and requires mo