On May 7, a fortnight after his return to England, Faraday was engaged at the Royal Institution as assistant in the laboratory and mineralogical collection, and superintendent of the apparatus, with a salary of thirty shillings a week. Apartments were also granted to him; but a month passed before he was put in possession of them. Up to this time the love which Faraday had for knowledge, and his earnest search for it, are to be seen in every letter he wrote and in everything that he did. This is the moving force which led to most of his actions, and occasionally it bursts out in words like these–‘Trade which I hated, and science which I loved;’ ‘I almost wished that I had been insulated and alone, that I might have accepted Sir H. Davy's offer without a regret at leaving home.’ In another letter he wrote, ‘The glorious opportunity I enjoy of improving in the knowledge of chemistry and the sciences with Sir H. Davy:’ and with that innate humility which was increased by his religion, he said, ‘I have learned just enough to perceive my ignorance;’ ‘The little knowledge I have gained makes me wish to know more.’

This was the state of his mind when he returned to the place where he was to be further educated for his great scientific work. Faraday had now full knowledge of his master's genius and power.