A democrat in his defiance of all authority which unfairly limited his freedom of thought, and still ready to stoop in reverence to all that was really worthy of reverence, in the customs of the world or the characters of men.
And here, as well as elsewhere, may be introduced a letter which bears upon this question of self-control, written long years subsequent to the period at which we have now arrived.

I had been at Glasgow in 1855, at a meeting of the British Association.

On a certain day, I communicated a paper to the physical section, which was followed by a brisk discussion.
Men of great distinction took part in it, the late Dr.Whewell among the number, and it waxed warm on both sides.

I was by no means content with this discussion; and least of all, with my own part in it.

This discontent affected me for some days, during which I wrote to Faraday, giving him no details, but expressing, in a general way, my dissatisfaction.