'Yours, very truly,
'M. Faraday.'


Footnote to Chapter 4

[1] Faraday would have been rejoiced to learn that, during its last
meeting at Dundee, the British Association illustrated in a striking
manner the function which he here describes as its principal one.
In my own case, a brotherly welcome was everywhere manifested.
In fact, the differences of really honourable and sane men are never
beyond healing.


Chapter 5.

Identity of electricities; first researches on electro-chemistry.

I have already once used the word 'discomfort' in reference to the
occasional state of Faraday's mind when experimenting. It was to
him a discomfort to reason upon data which admitted of doubt.
He hated what he called 'doubtful knowledge,' and ever tended either
to transfer it into the region of undoubtful knowledge, or of certain
and definite ignorance. Pretence of all kinds, whether in life or in
philosophy, was hateful to him. He wished to know the reality of our
nescience as well as of our science. 'Be one thing or the other,'
he seemed to say to an unproved hypothesis; 'come out as a solid truth,
or disappear as a convicted lie.' After making the great discovery
which I have attempted to describe, a doubt seemed to beset him as