The Shadow of Great Britain

66: Chapter 27: Faraday’s Enthusiastic Advice 66: Chapter 27: Faraday’s Enthusiastic Advice Gresham College, in the laboratory of the Royal Research Institute under the Royal Society.

Faraday manipulated the experimental instruments with one hand while occasionally jotting down some data on paper with the other.

At this moment, he was devoid of the enthusiasm he had exhibited during the lecture.

His brows furrowed from time to time, then suddenly relaxed, and after pondering for a moment, as if he had figured out something crucial, he suddenly clapped his hands and walked toward the door with a smile on his face.

But before he could reach the door, he noticed a familiar face sitting on a chair in the laboratory behind him.

Faraday was initially startled, then exclaimed in surprise, “Mr.

Hastings, when did you arrive?”

Arthur stood up and took off his hat, saying, “I have just arrived.

If you are busy, please continue.”

The experimenting apprentice nearby, upon hearing this, spoke with a smile, “Mr.

Hastings has been here for a while, but he saw that you were conducting an experiment and didn’t want to disturb you.”

Faraday waved his hand with a smile, “That’s unnecessary.

Haven’t I told you before?

If you have any scientific questions, you can always come to the laboratory to find me.”

By the way, I’m almost finished with the draft of that paper on electromagnetic induction—do you want to look it over, help me spot any deficiencies, and if there are no questions, perhaps append your name at the end?”

“Append my name?”

Arthur hurriedly declined, “I only provided some trivial things, at most some experimental methods, nothing significant.”

“Hmm…”

Faraday, upon hearing this, stroked his chin and pondered for a while, “If you are unwilling to append your name…

By the way, have you published any papers on electricity?

If not, you could take this time to compose one, mainly discussing your Lawrence Force, oh no, I mean Hastings Force.

This way, when I publish the paper, I can cite it.”

Arthur, hearing this, was torn between laughter and tears, “Mr.

Faraday, why must you involve me in this?

I’m just an amateur science enthusiast and my understanding of electricity is half-baked at best.

Casual remarks should not be taken seriously.”

Upon hearing this, Faraday’s smile suddenly faded, he took a deep breath, and his tone became more serious.

“Mr.

Hastings, one cannot falsify in science.

I believe your conjecture has some theoretical basis and is not conjured up or fabricated without evidence.

Moreover, what is most important is that if it is your discovery, it should rightly be yours.

I am willing to compromise on any matter, but on this point, I am immovable.

Though I am merely an ordinary scientific researcher, without any significant status or wealth to compel anyone, I have my principles.

I will never steal anyone’s scientific achievements.

Regarding this, I had once sworn by my life to God.”

Please forgive my frankness, but this is not intended as a personal affront.

However, I ask you to seriously consider my proposal, as this is no joke.”

Arthur was about to decline again, but a laboratory apprentice suddenly tugged at his sleeve and whispered.

“Mr.

Hastings, don’t argue with Mr.

Faraday.

He’s a good person, very amicable usually, but extremely firm when it comes to scientific ethics.

Because he has been hurt in this aspect before.

You might not know it, but in his early years, Mr.

Faraday was falsely accused of experiment plagiarism.

If it wasn’t for his integrity and perseverance, his research career and reputation would have almost been destroyed.

So, please don’t continue to refuse.

It would greatly hurt him.”

Although the apprentice said this, Arthur was still unable to proceed boldly.

Faraday thought he was declining, but in fact, Arthur was not.

You ask him to chase down criminals, sure, but to write a paper on electricity?

Aren’t you asking for his life?

“Mr.

Faraday, I truly am not trying to shirk my responsibility, but truth be told, I actually graduated from a history department.

Electrical papers really aren’t my forte.”

Seeing his attitude soften, the smile returned to Faraday’s face.

“That’s alright.

At least you have attended university, whereas I only have an elementary school diploma.

If I can manage it, you, a college graduate, surely can as well.

Being a scientist isn’t as hard as you imagine; you might not know, but there are many in our field who haven’t received a higher education.

My mentor, Sir Humphry Davy, only went to secondary school, but through his diligence and effort, he became Britain’s finest chemist.

If you feel unconfident about writing the paper, I can help you alongside.

As you see, I’m in the laboratory almost every day.

You could start with a draft.

Once you’ve written it, bring it here, and I’ll help you revise it repeatedly.

Diligence compensates for clumsiness; we will certainly have a successful day.”

Upon hearing this, Arthur felt sweat form on his forehead: “Alright, I’ll consider it.”

Seeing this, Agares chuckled nearly uncontrollably: “Arthur, I think Faraday really wants to do you in.

Or how about you get me a soul, and I’ll sort out the paper for you?”

Seeing that Arthur had finally accepted, Faraday also relaxed, smiling as he asked, “What did you come to hear about today?

Electricity or chemistry?”

Arthur hurriedly changed the topic: “Truth be told, I came here today for two reasons, Mr.

Faraday.

The knowledge about chemical gases you gave me last time— I didn’t expect it to come in handy so quickly.”

Surprised, Faraday responded, “Did you use it to solve a case?”

Arthur smiled and nodded: “I can’t go into details right now, but if it ends up yielding results, I believe you’ll read about it in the newspapers.

The knowledge you gave me may have saved many lives.”

“That’s truly wonderful!”

Faraday excitedly clapped Arthur on the shoulder: “Do you know why I love science?

It’s because I believe science can make the world a better place.

Thank you, Mr.

Hastings!

You have helped realize my dreams, knowing this is even more exciting to me than discovering electromagnetic induction!

What would you like to learn today?

Distillation extraction of benzene?

Metallography?

Liquefaction of chlorine and other gases?

Synthesis of hexachloroethane and tetrachloroethylene?

Or the methods and laws of electrolysis?

Whatever you want to learn, if I know it, I am willing to teach you!”

Arthur quickly waved his hands: “Mr.

Faraday, I can learn these things later.

I came to you today to ask if you know any specialists in lung disease.

There’s a critical young life in St Giles Church parish in urgent need of a professional doctor’s help.”

“A lung disease specialist?” Faraday thought for a moment, then suddenly clapped his hands: “You really came to the right person.

Do you still remember me telling you about the matter of nitrous oxide last time?”

“Nitrous oxide?

Laughing gas?” Upon hearing this term, Arthur frowned slightly: “Please, continue.”

Faraday smiled and said, “Actually, the properties of nitrous oxide were discovered by my mentor, Sir Humphry Davy, by a fortunate coincidence.

At that time, Clifton had founded a gas therapy institute.

Their main research topic was whether it’s possible to treat lung diseases by inhaling gases.

My mentor was invited to help with the research, and he prepared a large amount of gases following Joseph Priestley’s ‘Experiments and Observations on Different Kinds of Air,’ one of which was nitrous oxide.

He had prepared a full large bottle of nitrous oxide, but Dr.

Thomas Beddoes, the founder of the institute, accidentally shattered the bottle, causing the gas to spread all over the lab.

They laughed for about ten minutes inside, and when others entered and saw the situation was off, they quickly pulled them out, which fortunately averted an accident.

Later, when I was apprenticing under my mentor, I even visited that gas institute.

Just give me a moment, I’ll copy down the address for you.”