Faraday to Benjamin Abbott   c27 June 1815

June ?1 1815

Dear Ben,

I shall now endeavour to recommence on my side our two-penny Post correspondence though without much hopes of success for I have nothing to write about and that being the case it is evident that no end can be obtained though a form of something may be visible however as most important things commence by an exhibition of mere forms and as it is only between you and me still more as I shall get out of debt I am not deterred from proceeding[.]

It strikes me Ben that I have made a bold affirmation in saying that I shall get out of debt i.e. that my letter containing nothing and of course worth nothing is still equivalent to and a sufficient counterpoise for your six but you know we wind up our accounts in a manner somewhat out of the common mode and therefore without any disparagement to your epistles I shall still hold to my words[.]

The Enemy having been completely beaten in the contests that took place notwithstanding the reinforcements which he endeavoured to bring into action his party was obliged to quit the spot contested for & retire and I last night found all hindrances removed and the place ready for my reception as the short time would allow of2[.] Since then I have been arranging my affairs & forming a plan of occupation suited to the best of my powers for the employment of the advantages now presented to me[.] These advantages are as you well know many and not the least of them is that I shall have frequent opportunities of seeing you here and if you would allow me to employ that advantage tomorrow evening I shall be very glad - Tomorrow bye the bye is Lecture night in the city if it is a good lecturecome and take me there - I should like to know more exactly how that Society stands at present & I intend to join it as soon as can be[.]

You perceive Ben that I have held to my words & that my letter is worth nothing nor are my thoughts at present & it is not worth the trouble of putting in more of them[.] Remember me to all at home & believe &c &c &c &c | M. Faraday

1
Endorsed: Suppose 27th
2
This is Faraday’s summary of the problems he had in regaining his accommodation after his reappointment to the Royal Institution. Miss Harris, niece of William Harris, the librarian, who had moved into room 26 subject to it causing no inconvenience in the summer of 1812 (RI MM, 6 July 1812, 5: 315), was reluctant to leave. It required a resolution by the Managers to order her to occupy room 21 so that Faraday could move into rooms 25 and 26 (RI MM, 5 July 1815, 6: 62-3). However, her uncle proposed, presumably as a blocking measure, that room 21 be partitioned; this the Managers rejected (RI MM, 12 July 1815, 6: 65). Finally Harris asked the Managers for permission to live outside the Royal Institution which they gave (RI MM, 3 August 1815, 6: 67).

Please cite as “Faraday0052,” in Ɛpsilon: The Michael Faraday Collection accessed on 2 May 2024, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/faraday/letters/Faraday0052