The Shadow of Great Britain

520: Chapter 273 It’s not the best of times, it’s not the worst of times_2 520: Chapter 273 It’s not the best of times, it’s not the worst of times_2 Arthur merely laughed and denied it when he heard this, “On the contrary, Mr.

Faraday, if you had not chosen science but had decided to stage plays when you were young, then all the major theaters in London would surely be showing your new plays now.

But in that scenario, my friends Mr.

Dumas, Mr.

Dickens, and Mr.

Disraeli would be quite pitiable.”

“They’ve toiled for several years, and yet one is wanted by the French Government, another has to work two or three jobs to sustain himself.

As for the last one, his debut work incurred the wrath of the entire British literary community and almost drove him to madness under its burden.

If you had chosen the path of a playwright, your plays would undoubtedly have been the last straw that broke the camel’s back.

I can assert confidently that Bethlem Royal Hospital would have three more mental patients because of it.”

Faraday waved his hand, “Arthur, stop flattering me.

I know Mr.

Dumas; his talent is beyond my reach.

Besides that, he is as studious as you are.

He often visits professors at Gresham College to inquire about scientific issues for his novels, and I am honored to be able to help him.

Compared to you, I was quite ordinary when I was young.

I am not a genius like you guys; I am not particularly clever.

If I am better than others, it’s because I love science, so my former trials turned into blessings.”

Arthur took a teacup from an apprentice’s hand, thanked him, and then asked, “I’ve heard little about your past before.

But you saying you’re not clever, I think you’re being too modest.

Sir David, on his deathbed, personally said that his greatest discovery in life was not potassium, sodium, calcium, strontium, barium, iodine, nor was it writing ‘Principles of Chemical Philosophy’ or being elected president of the Royal Society—but was very fortunate to have discovered you.”

When Faraday heard his mentor’s name, his hand holding the teacup trembled imperceptibly.

His feelings about David were somewhat complicated, making it impossible to summarize them simply as respect or resentment.

For a long time, David had envied the talents of his illustrious disciple.

He chose to stand by and watch, despite knowing that Faraday was falsely accused of academic plagiarism, and even occasionally made insinuating remarks that suggested misconduct by Faraday.

If it had not been for Faraday’s wife continually supporting him through those hardest times, perhaps Faraday himself would have ended up in the asylum.

The complex relationship between the master and his disciple lasted for quite a significant period until David made peace with it in his later years and affirmed Faraday with that statement before he passed away, bringing to a seemingly perfect conclusion a story that had spanned 28 years.

Seeing that Faraday remained silent, Arthur gently probed, “This might be an impolite query, but would you be willing to talk about Lord David?

By the time I started formally engaging in scientific research, he had already passed away in Geneva.

But I genuinely can’t imagine him doing such things as you describe, Lord David’s public image in society has always been positive.”

During the Napoleonic Wars, when there was a shortfall of food, he set aside his work to start an agricultural chemistry course, hoping to use his knowledge to help farmers increase crop yields.

He spent five years improving the tanning process to enhance the filthy conditions of tanneries.

Not to mention his Davy lamp, which saved countless miners’ lives.

How could he…”

Holding his teacup, a breeze ruffled Faraday’s hair, and a reflective look appeared on his face.

He smiled gently, “Arthur, it’s really nothing.

We all know that humans are flawed.

As Lord Byron famously said—’to love for love’s sake is divine, to love for being loved is human.’ Perhaps Lord David did go too far in some aspects, but he has always been a great man in my eyes.

I wouldn’t have reached where I am today without his guidance and instruction.”

Whether it was lectures at the Royal Society or electrochemistry, I was like a shadow following behind Lord David, step by step.

He taught me a great deal, not just in scientific research, but also about why we exist as humans.

I know there are many in Britain who sympathize with me, believing that Lord David was too harsh and too cold toward me.

But they don’t understand, I do not resent Lord David, I respect him greatly, and have done so for the past twenty years, and I still feel the same today.”

You might have heard, my family was poor.

My father was a blacksmith, and his workshop was near Elephant Castle, and it’s still there.

You might consider visiting sometime; it’s nearly a century-old shop now.

It’s not a big storefront, the tools are never neatly arranged, and the bellows of the furnace are not strong enough.

My father and the shop owner complained about it many times, the owner always saying it’ll be replaced next month, but it’s been thirty or forty years, and they are still using that squeaky old antique.”

Speaking of his impoverished background, most would feel distressed, but Faraday’s face bore a smile of contentment.