CHAPTER EARLY LIKE* I79I-ISI3.THE second quarter of the nineteenth century was a period of unprecedented activity in the world of science. The foundations of mechanics had indeed been laid by Newton and much of the building was complete ; the edifice of geometrical optics had been reared, though the companion structure of physical optics was scarce begun. Of the palace of electricity, however, even the site had hardly been surveyed, and the foundation stones were still to be laid. As we contemplate its present grandeur, and consider the comparatively brief space of time in which so much has been accomplished, we pause to pay our tribute to the master builders who have been employed upon it, and exclaim " there were giants in those days ". Many stones have been well and truly laid, and will preserve the names upon them to still distant ages. But there is one name which we read more frequently than all the rest, and upon some of the greatest stones of all -the name of Michael FaradayTable of Contents CONTENTS; CHAP PAQB; 1 Early Lifb 1701-18135; Introduction-Childhood- Apprenticeship-Introduction to the Royal Institution; II Scientific Training, 1813-183115; Foreign tour-Assistant at the Royal Institution-Electromagnetic rotations - Marriage - Technical research - Liquefaction of gases - Faraday's religion - Early honours; III Electrical Researches (First Period) 1831-1845 29; The co6t of research-" Experimental Researches in Electricity"- Faraday as a discoverer - Electromagnetic induction - Identity of electricities from different sources-Laws of electrolysis-Origin of power in a voltaic cell-Electrostatic induction-Lines of electric force-Faraday as a lecturer-Loss of health-Incidents and events; IV Electrical Researches (Sbcond Period) 1845-1855 54; Magnetic rotation of light-Magnetism of ordinary materials - magne- crystal lie action - Laws of electromagnetic induction-Lines of magnetic force-Th