Faraday to Margaret Faraday   13 February 1815

Rome: February 13, 1815

My dear Mother,- ... I wrote lately to B[en]¹, and put the letter in the post: I do not know when he will get it, or whether he will get it at all; but if he does, he will tell you that we are going to Greece and Turkey immediately. I thought we were going there, but at present things seem a little more unsettled. We go shortly to Naples, and, if we can, from Naples to Sicily; afterwards I know not what road we shall take: perhaps we shall go immediately by water to the Archipelago or Grecian Islands, or perhaps we may return, up Italy again, across the Alps, see Germany, and then pass, by Carynthia, Illyria, and Dalmatia, into Turkey. Things being in this state, I can say nothing more particular about the road at present, though I can tell you to a moral certainty that we are to see Constantinople.

The mention of these places calls England to my mind, now farther from me than any of them; and much as I wish to see these places, yet the idea of England fills my mind, and leaves no room for thoughts of other nations: ‘tis still the name which closes the list, and ‘twill ever be the place I am desirous of seeing last and longest. Our travels are amusing and instructive, and give great pleasure; but they would be dull and melancholy indeed if the hope of returning to England did not accompany us in them. But, however, dear Mother, circumstances may divide us for a time, and however immense the distance may be between us, whatever our respective states may be, yet never shall I refrain from using my utmost exertions to remind you of me. At that distance to which we may go, I shall despair of hearing from you; but, if it is possible, my letters shall find you out, and I trust you will never be tired of them.

...

Give my kindest love to <-> and <->, and my remembrances to all who ask you of me. And believe me, dear Mother, ever your most sincere and affectionate son, | M. Faraday