After being a journeyman for six months, under a disagreeable master, I gave up my business, and through the interest of a Sir H.Davy, filled the situation of chemical assistant to the Royal Institution of Great Britain, in which office I now remain; and where I am constantly employed in observing the works of nature, and tracing the manner in which she directs the order and arrangement of the world.

I have lately had proposals made to me by Sir Humphry Davy to accompany him in his travels through Europe and Asia, as philosophical assistant.

If I go at all I expect it will be in October next--about the end; and my absence from home will perhaps be as long as three years.

But as yet all is uncertain.' This account is supplemented by the following letter, written by Faraday to his friend De la Rive,[3] on the occasion of the death of Mrs.
Marcet.

The letter is dated September 2, 1858:-- 'My Dear Friend,--Your subject interested me deeply every way; for Mrs.
Marcet was a good friend to me, as she must have been to many of the human race.