I have now finished this imperfect account. It is but an apology for not
having brought the process itself before you. I have done the best I could
under the circumstances; and I know your kindness well, for if I were not
aware that I might trust to it, I would not appear here so often as I have
done. The gradual loss of memory and of my other faculties is making
itself painfully evident to me, and requires, every time I appear before
you, the continued remembrance of your kindness to enable me to get
through my task. If I should happen to go on too long, or should fail in
doing what you might desire, remember it is yourselves who are chargeable,
by wishing me to remain. I have desired to retire, as I think every man
ought to do before his faculties become impaired; but I must confess that
the affection I have for this place, and for those who frequent this
place, is such, that I hardly know when the proper time has arrived.




NOTES.


[Footnote 1: Page 16. The Royal George sunk at Spithead on The 29th of
August, 1782. Colonel Pasley commenced operations for the removal of the
wreck by the explosion of gunpowder, in August, 1839. The candle which
Professor Faraday exhibited must therefore have been exposed to the action
of salt water for upwards of fifty-seven years.]

[Footnote 2: Page 17. The fat or tallow consists of a chemical combination
of fatty acids with glycerine. The lime unites with the palmitic, oleic,
and stearic acids, and separates the glycerine. After washing, the