Faraday to Benjamin Abbott   31 December 1816

R.I. Decr. 31st 1816.

Dear Abbott

I have delayed writing for some days that I might when I did do it produce something of importance in size at least and I am in hopes from your last that you will not object to my intentions and reasons the latter are that our mutilated correspondence may be resumed to the advantage of us both[.] The observation contained in yours of the 25th respecting the various causes and influences which have retarded our mutual communication together with my own experience which on this point you are aware has been great make it desirable that our plans should be such as to facilitate the object we have in view in the writing of letters[.] That object is I believe the communication of information between us and the habit of arranging in a proper and orderly manner our ideas on any given or casual subject so that they may be placed with credit and service to ourselves on paper[.] This object strikes me would in part be attained by giving in addition to the general tone of a liberal & friendly letter something of the essayical to our communications. I do not mean that every letter should be an essay but that when a thought or a series of thoughts on any subject particular for the moment enters the mind that the liberty be allowed of throwing them into form on paper though perhaps unconnected with what has gone before or may succeed it. This indeed I believe is the plan we have actually followed but I am not sure that I had so conceived the thing before at least I had not marked out in my own mind that in pursuance of our object I might set down and scribble to you without preface whatever was uppermost in my mind. However at present you perceive what I aim at and what are my intentions and though as I before observed we have both virtually followed this plan yet I have at this time given it something like form or ground or expression or whatever else you please that I might be more con[s]cious of it and make use to a greater extent of the liberty it allows me[.]

I must confess that I have always found myself unable to arrange a subject as I go on as I perceive many others apparently do thus I could not begin a letter to you on the best methods of renovating our correspondence and proceeding regularly with my subject consider each part in order and finish by a proper conclusion my paper and matter together[.] I always find myself obliged if my argument is of the least importance to draw up a plan of it on paper and fill in the parts by recalling them to mind either by association or otherwise and this done I have a series of major & minor heads in order & from which I work out my matter - Now this method unfortunately though it will do very well for the mere purpose of arrangement & so forth yet it introduces a dryness and stiffness into the style of the piece composed by it for the parts come together like bricks one flat on the other and though they may fit yet have the appearance of too much regularity and it is my wish if possible to become acquainted with a method by which I may write my exercise in a more natural and easy progression[.] I would if possible imitate a tree in its progression from roots to a trunk to branches twigs & leaves where every alteration is made with so much ease & yet effect that though the manner is constantly varied the effect is precise and determined[.] Now in this situation I apply to you for assistance[.] I want to know what method or what particular practice or exercise in composition you would recommend to prevent the orderly arrangement of A1 A2 A3. B1. B2 C1. C2 C3. C4 &c or rather to prevent this orderly arrangement from appearing too artificial - I am in want of all those conjunctions of style those corollaries &c by which parts of a subject are put together with so much ease and which produce so advantageous an effect and as you have frequently in your contributions to our portfolios given me cause to admire your success & my own deficiency on this point I beg that you will communicate to me your method of composing or if it is done spontaneously & without effort on your part that you will analyse your mental proceedings whilst writing a letter and give me an account of that part which you conceive conducive to so good an end - With this request I shall refer the subject to you & proceed to notice the contents of your letter[.]

With respect to my remarks on Lectures I perceive that I am but a mere Tyro in the art & therefore you must be satisfyed with what you have or expect at some future time a recapitulation or rather revision of them - but your observations will be very acceptable - All the experiments on the blow pipe I have made - In the No. of the Journal RI published this evening you will see among miscellaneous intelligence a report on the subject signed M.F.¹ - your plan of 2 boxes has been proposed by many persons but in the most perfect state by Children. he adds gages to the boxes by which to regulate the emission of air - You must feel convinced that I regret much the health of Mrs. Abbott mends so slowly but for the fear of being troublesome in a sick house I should have called long since - Remember me to all Friends & Believe me Dear Abbott

Yours as Ever | M. Faraday

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