more than the bad--in pointing out to me in
future, or rather, after times, the faults it became me to watch and to
avoid.

'As I never looked over one of my papers a year after it was written
without believing both in philosophy and manner it could have been much
better done, I still hope the collection may be of great use to me.

'M. Faraday.

'Aug. 18, 1832.'

'None more than the bad!' This is a bit of Faraday's innermost nature;
and as I read these words I am almost constrained to retract what I have
said regarding the fire and excitability of his character. But is he not
all the more admirable, through his ability to tone down and subdue that
fire and that excitability, so as to render himself able to write thus
as a little child? I once took the liberty of censuring the conclusion
of a letter of his to the Dean of St. Paul's. He subscribed himself
'humbly yours,' and I objected to the adverb. 'Well, but, Tyndall,' he
said, 'I am humble; and still it would be a great mistake to think that
I am not also proud.' This duality ran through his character. A democrat
in his defiance of all authority which unfairly limited his freedom of
thought, and still ready to stoop in reverence to all that was really
worthy of reverence, in the customs of the world or the characters of
men.

And here, as well as elsewhere, may be introduced a letter which bears
upon this question of self-control, written long years subsequent to the
period at which we have now arrived. I had been at Glasgow in 1855, at
a meeting of the British Association. On a certain day, I communicated a
paper to the physical section, which was followed by a brisk discussion.
Men of great distinction took part in it, the late Dr. Whewell among the
number, and it waxed warm on both sides. I was by no means content
with this discussion; and least of all, with my own part in it. This
discontent affected me for some days, during which I wrote to
Faraday, giving him no details, but expressing, in a general way, my
dissatisfaction. I give the following extract from his reply:--

'Sydenham, Oct. 6, 1855.

'My Dear Tyndall,--These great meetings, of which I think very well
altogether, advance science chiefly by bringing scientific men together
and making them to know and be friends with each other; and I am sorry
when that is not the effect in every part of their course. I know
nothing except from what you tell me, for I have not yet looked at the
reports of the