Shadow of great britain

While listening to Faraday and Arthur explaining the working principle of the 'Faraday Cage' to him, Goulburn wiped the sweat from his forehead with the handkerchief he took out of his coat pocket.

Goulburn asked doubtfully: "The excess charge on the charged conductor only exists on its surface and will not affect any objects enclosed inside it? In other words, the reason why Mr. Faraday did not receive an electric shock is Because all the excess charge is distributed on the outer surface of the iron cage?"

Faraday nodded slightly: "There is no problem with your understanding."

Goulburn finally calmed down and asked: "Then does this principle have any use in the application field?"

Arthur smiled and responded: "Knowing this, you no longer have to worry about lightning strikes from God. I guarantee you that if you go out on a rainy day with such an iron cage, whether it is the Nordic God of Thunder Thor or Zeus of Greece, none of them can do anything to you."

Goulburn thought about it and finally nodded slowly: "It sounds reasonable, and this principle does prove the safety of electric current... Well, Mr. Faraday, this new achievement of yours has won the financial support." With the approval of the Ministry of Science and Technology, we will provide you with an additional scientific research fund of about 3,000 pounds for your research in the field of electromagnetics."

When Arthur heard this, he wanted to question whether the money was a little short.

But then he thought about it. The "Rocket" steam locomotive that killed Huskisson cost only 789 pounds. By comparison, 3,000 pounds seemed quite rich.

Sure enough, Arthur noticed that Faraday's expression became much brighter due to the injection of 3,000 pounds of scientific research funds.

Faraday bowed slightly: "Your Excellency, I guarantee that the Ministry of Finance will not regret this investment in the future. When electromagnetic technology matures, the whole of Britain will benefit from it, and it is only a matter of time before the Ministry of Finance recovers the cost. "

When Arthur heard this, he looked up again and saw the expression of Henry Goulburn who hesitated to speak and finally just smiled.

Of course Arthur understood that what Goulburn's Treasury wanted was not to win in the future, but to win in the present. If the scientists of the Royal Society could express their support for the Tories, I believe it would definitely be helpful to the maintenance of Wellington's cabinet.

Arthur saw that Goulburn was not able to speak, so he insinuated Faraday and said, "Rather than investing in electromagnetism, I feel that the Ministry of Finance is investing in you. This money is being paid to your project. This may be more important than investing in electromagnetism." All important.”

When Goulburn heard this, he smiled and agreed: "Yes, Mr. Faraday, the Ministry of Finance trusts your good scientific research reputation more than the project. Of course, this also includes the most important thing in Great Britain after you." The affirmation of the excellent electromagnetics expert Mr. Hastings. Investing in your electromagnetics project is more reassuring than investing in Mr. Babbage’s Difference Engine..."

As soon as Goulburn said this, he quickly stopped talking. Then he seemed to remember something. The finance minister, who was still in the mood to chat just now, suddenly asked Faraday to resign: "Well, Mr. Faraday, I still have official duties today. , I won’t accompany you any longer, I wish you a wonderful afternoon.”

After saying this, Goulburn limped out of the laboratory with his cane. Judging from the way he walked, it seemed that he had suffered a serious fall just now.

After Arthur watched him go away, he asked Faraday: "What is Babbage's difference engine?"

When Faraday, the head of the Royal Society Laboratory, heard this, he actually showed a headache like Goulburn.

"It's a computer driven by steam power. I've seen Mr. Babbage's design, and I have to say that the structure of that thing is far more complicated than a locomotive. If he really made it, it would probably use several It's a huge thing that can only fit in the room.

So, Arthur, you understand, the more this kind of thing is, the more money it will cost. The Duke of Wellington was very optimistic about this thing. He believed that if the difference engine was manufactured, it would greatly improve the computing power of battlefield staff. Therefore, the Ministry of Finance has previously approved a scientific research fund of up to 10,000 pounds for the production of the difference engine.

However, judging from Mr. Babbage's reaction, this ten thousand pounds may be just a drop in the bucket. He told me that the differential engine he was going to build might require more than 20,000 parts. A capital of 10,000 pounds may not even cover the cost for custom-made parts.

So these days, Mr. Babbage goes to the Treasury to ask for additional investment whenever he gets the chance. You can see from Lord Goulburn's expression that for this kind of investment that seems to be a bottomless pit, unless the Duke of Wellington personally orders it, otherwise The Treasury probably won't give even one penny more money. "

After hearing this, Arthur felt a little interested.

He knew that the computer was definitely an epoch-making invention, and he had no objections. But a steam-powered computer…

Arthur imagined for a moment, if Mr. Babbage really invented such a thing, would it be possible that in the future, when playing games, he would have to put a towel around his neck, bare his upper body, and run into the boiler room?

What sauna theme internet cafe?

A combination of steampunk and cyberpunk?

Just when Arthur thought of this, Faraday suddenly asked: "Arthur, did you encounter any problems when you came to me today?"

"Ah... that's not the case. It's just that today I want to ask you if there are some simple and easy-to-understand experiments, preferably the kind that can be used to popularize science at the banquet."

"Banquet?" Faraday heard the word and immediately understood: "Did the Blue Stocking Club invite you?"

Arthur nodded and recounted the ins and outs of Codrington's invitation to him.

After hearing this, Faraday just shook his head helplessly: "Actually, I have no prejudice against the Blue Stocking Club. If it can carry out its original intention when it was founded, of course I am willing to explain some scientific principles to the ladies there.

After all, the Blue Stockings were one of the first upper-class groups to embrace poor scientists like us.

Speaking of its name, you may not know it. The reason why it is called the "Blue Stocking Society" is because the first scholar it invited to give a lecture, Benjamin Stilling Flint, lived in poverty and could not afford to buy a car. The upper class often wear black and white stockings at banquets, but they can only wear a pair of blue stockings to the party.

But those ladies didn't care about that, and now...well...Arthur, with all due respect, the Bluestockings are almost indistinguishable from ordinary social groups now.

But this is normal. Just like chemicals, anything exposed to the air will probably dry out and oxidize.

Therefore, instead of wasting energy on them, you might as well handle a few more cases, or come and study things in the field of electromagnetism with me. "

When Arthur heard this, he probably understood what was going on.

No wonder General Codrington became terrified at the mention of Faraday's name. It seemed that he must have invited Faraday for his wife before, but what happened at the banquet greatly disappointed the British scientific star.

Faraday didn't want to talk more, and Arthur didn't want to force it.

He turned the conversation to Charles Whetstone, whom he had seen before at the gate of the college.

"By the way, Mr. Faraday, can you arrange a meeting between me and Mr. Wheatstone? I'm a little interested in his kaleidophone."

Faraday was surprised when he heard this: "Have you recently started studying acoustics again? Even Wheatstone himself is turning in the direction of electromagnetism. Why did you choose to jump away from electromagnetism?"

Arthur replied with a smile: "This is not a jump, it is just a personal interest. But from your description, I like acoustics, and Mr. Wheatstone wants to turn to electromagnetism. Maybe there will be many things between us. Maybe there’s a common language?”

Faraday smiled and shook his head: "That's all, let's meet you. I remember he told me last time that he also wants to meet you. But when we meet again, you have to be careful and don't let him run away. Otherwise we won’t be able to explain this matter to the Duke of Sussex.”