Faraday to Benjamin Abbott   27 April 1819

Royal Institution | April 27th. 1819.

Dear Abbott,

I hasten to write to you in return for yours of Yesterday though what I can say to you will be little better than silence or absence as you will see before we arrived at the end of this letter[.] I am sorry to hear of the continued illness and dullness of your house and sympathise deeply with you in the care with which you must consequently be burdend’d - You make me a singularly systematic statement of the reasons which prevent my seeing you here and I am sorry they are of such a nature and so cogent[.] I cannot help fancying that you require a similar one from me to account for my absence from Bermondsey and to satisfy you I will detail to you my employments. You will be aware that Business of the Institution must press hard upon me at this time and during the whole of the Lectures[.] To this is added much private employment which will not admit of neglect[.] With reference to my evenings they are thus arranged. On Monday evening there is a scientific meeting of Members here and every other monday a dinner to both of which my company is requested on Tuesday Evening I have a Pupil who comes at 6 o clk and stops till 9 engaged in private lessons. On Wednesday the Society requires my aid[.] Thursday is my only evening for accidental engagements[.] Friday my pupil returns and stops his three hours and on Saturday I have to arrange my little private business[.] Now you will see that except on Tuesday and Friday after 9 o clk that I have no Evening but Thursday for any thing that may turn up[.] Now for Thursday next I have engaged with a party to see Mathews whom as yet I have not seen¹ but on the Thursday following I shall expect you if you can find it convenient[.]

I must now hasten to my crucibles so for the present adieu

Yours Very Sincerely | M. Faraday

Address: Mr. B. Abbott | Grange Road | Bermondsey