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