To this he consented, and a large party assembled to witness the experiments, which, I need not say, were perfectly successful.

Whilst he was repeating them a dignitary of the University entered the room, and addressing himself to Professor Daniell, who was standing near Faraday, inquired what was going on.

The Professor explained to him as popularly as possible this striking result of Faraday's great discovery.

The Dean listened with attention and looked earnestly at the brilliant spark, but a moment after he assumed a serious countenance and shook his head; "I am sorry for it," said he, as he walked away; in the middle of the room he stopped for a moment and repeated, "I am sorry for it:" then walking towards the door, when the handle was in his hand he turned round and said, "Indeed I am sorry for it; it is putting new arms into the hands of the incendiary." This occurred a short time after the papers had been filled with the doings of the hayrick burners.

An erroneous statement of what fell from the Dean's mouth was printed at the time in one of the Oxford papers.