Faraday to Margaret Faraday   19 August 1814

Geneva: Friday, August 19.

Dear Mother, - It is with great pleasure that I embrace every opportunity that offers the best chance of communicating with you. At this time a gentleman, a friend of Sir Humphry Davy’s, leaves this place, I believe, early tomorrow, and expects to be in England in about twelve days; and shortly after the expiration of that time, I hope you will be reading over this sheet of paper. I have written many letters to you from various places, as Paris, Sestri, Genoa, Florence, Rome, &c., and also from here; but I have only received one from England, and it only notices the arrival of one of these. Most of these letters, it is true, were sent by private hands, and may yet gain you; but some have left Geneva by post, and I am much disappointed in not having yet received answers, although I attend daily at the office. The letter I received, and which came a welcome messenger from a distant beloved country, was written by Robert Abbott; nor am I deficient in gratitude for his kindness, not only as it was a proof of his own friendship and remembrance, but as it also quieted my anxieties with respect to you, though in a manner so short that it only excited stronger desires for the letter it mentioned as being written by R[obert Faraday]. I should have written to R[obert] long ago, but I wait for his communication. B[en] has also a long communication, and if it is not on the road, beg of him to despatch it immediately, if you receive this before September 1 or 2, but otherwise he must direct it to the Post Restante, Rome.

Here, dear Mother, all goes on well. I am in perfect health, and almost contented, except with my ignorance, which becomes more visible to me every day, though I endeavour as much as possible to remedy it. The knowledge that you have let your house, and that it has been doing its office to you almost since the day that I left you, was very pleasing; and I hope sincerely that you enjoy health and strength of mind to govern it with your accustomed industry and good order. The general assurance of A[bbott] that all friends were in perfect health was much to know; but I want a more particular detail, for, amongst, so many, it is almost impossible that some varieties and changes must occur. I must beg of you to return my thanks to <->; Mr. Riebau also might not be displeased to hear the name of his former apprentice.

It is needless, dear Mother, to tell you that I wish you well, and happy and prospering - you must know that my wishes cannot be otherwise; and it is the same thing with <->; and yet, though it is needless, I cannot help but say so. I expect that we shall leave this place, where there is very little indeed, except fine weather and a beautiful view of Mont Blanc, to detain us, about the middle of September, when we shall ascend a little northward and see a little of Germany, passing round the Alps to Venice; and having seen that place for a day or two, we shall then take the most convenient road down Italy to Rome. It is Sir Humphry’s intention to be at Florence about the middle of October, and at Rome about the middle of November; but till we arrive there we shall be constantly moving about, and I shall therefore be able to receive no letters, after I leave this place, until I get there: but there I shall expect to find a whole packet. As letters are about a fortnight on the road between here and London, any letters sent after the first or second of September are likely to reach Geneva after I have left it, and will then probably be lost, or very much delayed, and, consequently, you will be so good as to act accordingly. When you write into the country, remember me to all friends there, and also to all who may ask after me at home. There are some persons to whom I should be glad to be remembered, but as it is possible that such remembrances might raise unjust ideas and observations, I will delay them until I return home again. At present, dear Mother, good-bye (for when writing I seem to talk to you, and on leaving my paper it appears to me as a farewell). Farewell then, dear Mother, for a short time, when I hope again to find myself amongst you.

Yours with the firmest affection, | M. Faraday

Endorsed: Received September 12.