## Chapter 142: Another New Invention?
Gulburn, wiping the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief he pulled from his coat pocket, listened as Faraday and Arthur explained the working principles of the “Faraday Cage.”
“Excess electric charges on a conductive body only exist on its surface and have no effect on any object enclosed within it?” Gulburn asked, his voice laced with doubt. “So, Mr. Faraday, you weren’t electrocuted because the excess charges were all distributed on the outer surface of the iron cage?”
Faraday nodded slightly. “That’s a correct understanding.”
Gulburn finally calmed down. “Then, does this principle have any practical applications?”
Arthur smiled and replied, “Knowing this, you no longer have to worry about being struck by lightning from God. I assure you, if you go out in the rain with an iron cage like this, neither Thor of the North nor Zeus of Greece can do anything to you.”
Gulburn pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. “It seems to make sense, and this principle does prove the safety of electric current… Alright, Mr. Faraday, your new achievement has won the approval of the Treasury. We will be allocating an additional research grant of around £3,000 for your research in electromagnetism.”
Arthur, upon hearing this, wanted to question if the amount was a bit too low.
But then he thought, the “Rocket” steam locomotive that killed Huskisson only cost £789. Compared to that, £3,000 seemed quite generous.
As expected, Arthur noticed that Faraday’s expression brightened considerably upon hearing about the £3,000 research grant.
Faraday bowed slightly. “Your Excellency, I assure you the Treasury will not regret this investment in the future. When electromagnetic technology matures, the whole of Britain will benefit from it, and it’s only a matter of time before the Treasury recoups its costs.”
Arthur heard these words and looked up to see Henry Gulburn’s expression, which was hesitant but ultimately ended in a smile.
Arthur, of course, understood that the Treasury, under Gulburn, wasn’t aiming for future wins, but for immediate victories. If the Royal Society scientists could publicly support the Tories, it would definitely help maintain Wellington’s cabinet.
Seeing Gulburn’s reluctance to speak, Arthur hinted at Faraday’s side, “Rather than investing in electromagnetism, I think the Treasury is investing in you. This money is entrusted to your project, and that might be more important than anything else.”
Gulburn, hearing this, laughed and agreed, “That’s right, Mr. Faraday. More than the project itself, the Treasury trusts your excellent scientific reputation. Of course, this also includes recognition for the best electromagnetic expert in Britain after you, Mr. Hastings. Investing in your electromagnetic project is more reassuring than investing in Mr. Babbage’s Difference Engine…”
Gulburn stopped abruptly, as if suddenly remembering something. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, who was still in a conversational mood, suddenly turned to Faraday and excused himself. “Well, Mr. Faraday, I have official duties to attend to today, so I won’t stay any longer. Have a pleasant afternoon.”
With that, Gulburn limped away with his cane. Judging from his gait, the fall he took earlier seemed quite serious.
After watching him leave, Arthur turned to Faraday and asked, “What is Babbage’s Difference Engine?”
As the head of the Royal Society lab, Faraday, upon hearing this, also looked puzzled, just like Gulburn.
“It’s a steam-powered computer. I’ve seen Mr. Babbage’s design, and I have to say, its structure is far more complex than a locomotive. If he actually builds it, it’s going to be a behemoth that needs several rooms to house it.
So, Arthur, you understand, the more complex it is, the more money it burns. The Duke of Wellington was very optimistic about it. He believed that if the Difference Engine was built, it would greatly enhance the computational capabilities of battlefield staff officers. So the Treasury previously approved a research grant of as much as £10,000 for the construction of the Difference Engine.
However, judging from Mr. Babbage’s reaction, £10,000 might just be a drop in the bucket. He told me that the Difference Engine he wants to build will require more than 20,000 parts. £10,000 might not even cover the cost of ordering those parts.
So Mr. Babbage has been going to the Treasury whenever he gets the chance to demand additional investment. You can see from Chancellor Gulburn’s expression that for this kind of bottomless investment, unless the Duke of Wellington personally orders it, the Treasury probably won’t give another penny.”
Arthur, after listening to this, found it quite interesting.
He knew about computers, a revolutionary invention, no doubt. But a steam-powered computer…
Arthur imagined it. If Mr. Babbage actually built this thing, would people in the future have to wear towels around their necks, strip to the waist, and go to the boiler room to play games?
What would be a sauna-themed internet cafe?
A combination of steampunk and cyberpunk?
Arthur was just thinking about this when Faraday suddenly asked, “Arthur, did you encounter any difficulties today when you came to see me?”
“Ah… not really. I just wanted to ask if you have some simple, easy-to-understand experiments here, preferably the kind that can be used for science popularization at a banquet.”
“Banquet?” Faraday heard the word and immediately understood. “The Blue Stocking Society invited you?”
Arthur nodded and recounted the whole story of how General Codrington invited him.
After listening, Faraday just shook his head helplessly. “Actually, I don’t have any prejudice against the Blue Stocking Society. If it could live up to its original intention when it was founded, I would certainly be willing to explain some scientific principles to the ladies there.
After all, the Blue Stocking Society was one of the first upper-class groups to embrace us poor scientists.
Speaking of its name, you might not know this, but it’s called the ‘Blue Stocking Society’ because the first scholar, Benjamin Stirling Flint, who was invited to give a lecture, was so poor that he couldn’t afford the black and white silk stockings that were common in upper-class society at banquets, so he had to wear a pair of blue stockings to the event.
But those ladies didn’t care about that. But now… well, Arthur, let me be frank, the Blue Stocking Society is now almost indistinguishable from ordinary social groups.
But that’s normal. Just like chemicals, anything exposed to air will mostly dry out and oxidize.
So, instead of wasting your energy on them, you might as well handle a few more cases, or come and research electromagnetism with me.”
Arthur, hearing this, also understood what was going on.
No wonder General Codrington was apprehensive when he mentioned Faraday’s name. It seems that he had previously invited Faraday for his wife, but something happened at the banquet that disappointed the British science star.
Faraday didn’t want to talk about it anymore, and Arthur didn’t want to force him.
He changed the subject to Charles Wheatstone, whom he had met at the academy gate.
“By the way, Mr. Faraday, could you arrange a meeting between Mr. Wheatstone and me? I’m interested in his Speaking Trumpet.”
Faraday was surprised. “You’re starting to study acoustics again? Even Wheatstone himself is switching to electromagnetism. Why would you choose to jump out of electromagnetism?”
Arthur smiled and replied, “It’s not exactly jumping out, just a personal interest. But from what you said, I’m interested in acoustics, and Mr. Wheatstone wants to switch to electromagnetism. Maybe we’ll have a lot of common ground between us?”
Faraday shook his head with a smile. “Never mind, let’s meet. I remember he told me last time that he wanted to meet you too. But meet you, be careful, don’t let him run away. Otherwise, neither of us will be able to explain this to the Duke of Sussex.”
(End of Chapter)