Faraday to Benjamin Abbott   4 March 1816

Dear Ben

Within these last few days I have been hammering my brains to remember whether ‘twas me or you who wrote last but I dare not as yet affirm it of either one or the other ‘till lately I entertained no doubts but considered myself as out of debt - your long silence has however made me put the query & lest it should be me that is deficient I have ventured to scratch a line or two. I want to see you[.] I want to talk to you[.] I want to hear from you indeed I want to know whether you are among sub-lunary things or whether you have gone to the moon in search of wits - I have been looking over our lanterns several times but I want you to look at them too but I dont know when you will - indeed I dont know when to ask you[.] Friday is my only spare evening this week but it may not be so with you if it is not suppose you come down on Monday but at all events drop me a line soon - When you come I promise to chatter so much as to make up the deficiencies of this letter

Adio Caro Mio | Vostro Amico | M. Faraday <qr>R.I. March 4th. 1816

Lost or mislaid within the last two or three weeks a casket of peculiar workmanship materials and value. This casket is not very large being intended rather to contain valuable things than a heap of heterogeneous useless matters and though a casual observer would pass it by unheeded yet an attentive person would easily perceive it is worthy of and contains more than common things[.] The materials of which it is formed are well suited to the art which has been employed upon it and are fitted to receive & retain the most delicate & nice impressions and accordingly it will be found on inspection that the endeavours of the workmen have been laid out more on the fine embellishments of the piece to render it truly valuable than on the general form to render it gaudy & bold in its appearance[.] The exact nature of the material is understood by few, perhaps by none but its general properties are sufficiently striking[.] It is principally solid opaque matter parts however are transparent & parts is fluid[.] Its specific gravity is rather less than that of water uncrystallizable decomposed by heat and resolvable into combustible gases oxymuriates oil water charcoal & some earths & alkaline salts. In its natural state it is very odorous & it contains seasons exhaling an agreeable atmosphere to a considerable distance enclosing & cheering all who come near it. The contents may be best compared to a well filled & well regulated common place book being a collection of the most curious & valuable things known[.]

Whoever will give any information respecting the above casket to MF shall be thankfully rewarded.

Address: Mr. B Abbott | 4 Long Lane | Bermondsey