His third great discovery is the Magnetization of Light, which I
should liken to the Weisshorn among mountains--high, beautiful,
and alone.
The dominant result of his fourth group of researches is the
discovery of Diamagnetism, announced in his memoir as the Magnetic
Condition of all Matter, round which are grouped his inquiries on
the Magnetism of Flame and Gases; on Magne-crystallic action, and on
Atmospheric Magnetism, in its relations to the annual and diurnal
variation of the needle, the full significance of which is still to
be shown.
These are Faraday's most massive discoveries, and upon them his fame
must mainly rest. But even without them, sufficient would remain to
secure for him a high and lasting scientific reputation. We should
still have his researches on the Liquefaction of Gases; on
Frictional Electricity; on the Electricity of the Gymnotus; on the
source of Power in the Hydro-electric machine, the last two
investigations being untouched in the foregoing memoir; on
Electro-magnetic Rotations; on Regelation; all his more purely
Chemical Researches, including his discovery of Benzol. Besides
these he published a multitude of minor papers, most of which, in
some way or other, illustrate his genius. I have made no allusion
to his power and sweetness as a lecturer. Taking him for all in
all, I think it will be conceded that Michael Faraday was the
greatest experimental philosopher the world has ever seen; and I
will add the opinion, that the progress of future research will
tend, not to dim or to diminish, but to enhance and glorify the
labours of this mighty investigator.
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