Faraday to John Huxtable¹   3 May 1818

London 3 May 1818.

My Dear Sir

I will no longer omit seizing the opportunity of doing what ought to have been done before but which I have neglected - Mr. R. Huxtable² is here and I am determined he shall convey to you from me a long letter - I do not know that I am justified in writing to you at this distance of time for as I have neglected the privilege so long I ought to forfeit it for my folly. Every thing made it necessary that I should thank you for your kindness to me an utter and insignificant stranger and again I was called upon imperiously to return you my acknowledgements for the handsome present I received at your hands these duties I neglected and I have no right to expect that you will allow a letter now that it contains nothing but apologies and excuses - I am emboldened however to do so by the remembrance of your good nature and kindness and I hope it will extend pardon to a repenting transgressor[.]

I never hear of South Moulton or rather Narracott or still more correctly³: both but I am again entertained & delighted by the pleasures I enjoyed there[.] I never hear from them but with some further addition to the obligations I owe there and the presence of Mr. R.H. here has again shewn me in full force the hearty and hospitable spirit which received me amongst you - Now these circumstances place me in an awkward situation. I am flattered and gratified by the civilities and kindness I receive but am pained by the reflection that I have no means of repaying them but however a trace with apologies the more I think of them the more necessary I find them & the farther off am I from putting an end to them[.]

I was endeavoring a short time ago to trace over in my mind the way to and from Narracott and I think I have it so accurately I could draw out a map of the roads to South Moulton George Nambton⁴ &c. I remember the fir plantation, the field on the hill the name of which I forget - The Merry Miller - and I have not yet lost sight of the shearing feasts the revels the fairs and other merry makings of those times which I passed amongst you - I understood you were revelling last Sunday week at Narracott & on that day I dined with Mr. John⁵, Robert & Thomas Huxtable⁶ & Miss Huxtable⁷ in John Street⁸ we did not forget you at 1 oclk we supposed you were at dinner at 5 oclk at tea and so on and in our hearts we kept company with you all the day[.]

Here changes on taking place every day but I suppose every thing remains the same with you except such periodical alterations as the seasons produce[.] I do not suppose that there are any new streets added to the town or any alterations in the hospitable character of the people[.] The changes will consist only in those natural variations from one part of husbandry to another from a fine day to a rainy one[.]

I think I should be somewhat puzzled if I were seriously offered my choice of a town or country life[.] My election at first would be in favour of the town because the diversity of pleasures which it produces and their particular natures are such as by habit have become agreeable to me[.] The sort of bustle, of business, of importance in which each one appears tends to increase our opinion of the ranks around us & then the rapidity of communication the ever changing scene the novelty of the next moment all have attractions for those who have been brought up amongst them - On consideration however it appears that all these things are artificial I may almost say unnatural that most of them are unnecessary that by far the greater number owe their origin to depraved manners & their continuation to a depraved taste so that when viewed by a liberal uninfluenced eye their value disappears & they seem just so many follies.

Whether a correct decision would be in favour of a country or a town life or whether such a decision is possible I don’t know[.] It is sufficient that man has within himself the power of accommodating his views to the sphere around him & of making his own happiness wherever he is placed[.]

It is now time that I close this long letter & I cannot do it better than by recommending myself to my friends[.] Give my grateful respects to Mrs. Huxtable⁹ for all favours received they are very abundant & therefore spare not[.] Do not forget to remember me to George¹⁰ and James¹¹ and to Miss Mary¹². And to those friends in town who would be pleased to hear I am well make my respectful compliments. You see I do not scruple to give you trouble though you have already had so much of me but I trust in your kindness nothing fearing[.] Lastly Accept my Dear & respected Sir as the only return I can make for favours the earnest hopes & wishes for your welfare both in health & happiness

of Your most obliged & | Grateful Servant | M. Faraday

To | Mr. Huxtable

Endorsed: A Letter | to me from Mr. Faraday | dated May 3rd 1818 – | received by Robert - | John Huxtable