Maxwell saying that his theory "attributes electric action to tensions and pressures in an all-pervading medium... the medium being identical with that in which

Maxwell saying that his theory "attributes electric action to tensions and pressures in an all-pervading medium... the medium being identical with that in which light is supposed to be propagated" suggests that Maxwell himself did not view his theory to be contradicting the existence of an aether (or was being coy about it). Which is especially interesting because Maxwell based his theory on Faraday's, and Faraday didn't believe in the aether.[1] [1] Michael Faraday's Thoughts on Ray Vibrations, 1846, cited by Maxwell in his paper. Faraday says: "The view which I am so bold to put forth considers, therefore, radiation as a kind of species of vibration in the lines of force which are known to connect particles and also masses of matter together. It endeavors to dismiss the aether, but not the vibration." (https://pwg.gsfc.nasa.gov/Education/wfarad1846.html https://pwg.gsfc.nasa.gov/Education/wfarad1846.html)