urce of
Power in the Hydro-electric machine, the last two investigations being
untouched in the foregoing memoir; on Electro-magnetic Rotations; on
Regelation; all his more purely Chemical Researches, including his
discovery of Benzol. Besides these he published a multitude of minor
papers, most of which, in some way or other, illustrate his genius. I
have made no allusion to his power and sweetness as a lecturer. Taking
him for all in all, I think it will be conceded that Michael Faraday
was the greatest experimental philosopher the world has ever seen; and
I will add the opinion, that the progress of future research will tend,
not to dim or to diminish, but to enhance and glorify the labours of
this mighty investigator.

Chapter 16.

Illustrations of Character.

Thus far I have confined myself to topics mainly interesting to the man
of science, endeavouring, however, to treat them in a manner unrepellent
to the general reader who might wish to obtain a notion of Faraday as
a worker. On others will fall the duty of presenting to the world
a picture of the man. But I know you will permit me to add to the
foregoing analysis a few personal reminiscences and remarks, tending to
connect Faraday with a wider world than that of science--namely, with
the general human heart.

One word in reference to his married life, in addition to what has been
already said, may find a place here. As in the former case, Faraday
shall be his own spokesman. The following paragraph, though written in
the third person, is from his hand:--'On June 12, 1821, he married, an
event which more than any other contributed to his earthly happiness and
healthful state of mind. The union has continued for twenty-eight years
and has in no wise changed, except in the depth and strength of its
character.'

Faraday's immediate forefathers lived in a little place called Clapham
Wood Hall, in Yorkshire. Here dwelt Robert Faraday and Elizabeth his
wife, who had ten children, one of them, James Faraday, born in 1761,
being father to the philosopher. A family tradition exists that the
Faradays came originally from Ireland. Faraday himself has more than
once expressed to me his belief that his blood was in part Celtic, but
how much of it was so, or when the infusion took place, he was unable to
say. He could imitate the Irish brogue, and his wonderful vivacity may
have been in part due to his extraction. But there were other qualities
which we shoul