re his fire, and he looked very
earnest as he rubbed his hands and pondered. The following conversation
then passed between us:--

F. You certainly have received a reprimand, Tyndall; but the matter is
over, and if you wish to accept the reproof, you will hear no more about
it.

T. But I do not wish to accept it.

F. Then you know what the consequence of sending that letter will be?

T. I do.

F. They will dismiss you.

T. I know it.

F. Then send the letter!

The letter was firm, but respectful; it acknowledged the justice of the
censure, but expressed neither repentance nor regret. Faraday, in
his gracious way, slightly altered a sentence or two to make it more
respectful still. It was duly sent, and on the following day I entered
the Institution with the conviction that my dismissal was there before
me. Weeks, however, passed. At length the well-known envelope appeared,
and I broke the seal, not doubting the contents. They were very
different from what I expected. 'The Secretary of State for War has
received Professor Tyndall's letter, and deems the explanation therein
given perfectly satisfactory.' I have often wished for an opportunity of
publicly acknowledging this liberal treatment, proving, as it did, that
Lord Panmure could discern and make allowance for a good intention,
though it involved an offence against routine. For many years
subsequently it was my privilege to act under that excellent body, the
Council for Military Education.

On another occasion of this kind, having encouraged me in a somewhat
hardy resolution I had formed, Faraday backed his encouragement by an
illustration drawn from his own life. The subject will interest you, and
it is so sure to be talked about in the world, that no avoidable harm
can rise from its introduction here.

In the year 1835, Sir Robert Peel wished to offer Faraday a pension, but
that great statesman quitted office before he was able to realise his
wish. The Minister who founded these pensions intended them, I believe,
to be marks of honour which even proud men might accept without
compromise of independence. When, however, the intimation first
reached Faraday in an unofficial way, he wrote a letter announcing his
determination to decline the pension; and stating that he was quite
competent to earn his livelihood himself. That letter still exists, but
it was never sent, Faraday's repugnance having been overruled by
his friends. When Lord Melbourne came into