Faraday to André-Marie Ampère   1 July 1823

Royal Institution | July. 1. 1823

Dear Sir

Every letter of mine to you either is or ought to be a letter of thanks for I constantly find myself indebted to you for actual kindness and expressions of your good opinion[.] It is very delightful to enjoy the approbation of those who are themselves worthy of all praise and whether worthy or unworthy myself I certainly have that enjoyment on reading your letters. I am afraid that those around me will become jealous if you continue still to express yourself as you have done; at the same time it shall not be for want of exertion on my part in doing all that I can that you shall have cause to cease to do so.

I have before complained to you of my want of understanding in the high branches of science with which you can delight & instruct yourself and you will I am sure therefore forgive me for not being able at once to follow you in the beautiful train of reasoning & demonstration which you have pursued and given rise to. I am really almost ashamed of the objections I made to the free admission of your theory for it accords so well with all the facts I can see that I ought perhaps to have allowed that what I could not see was invisible to me merely through the imperfection of my own perceptive powers.

I have lately received many presents from you and one not many days ago from Mr. Underwood[.] I prise them very much and again offer my thanks for them[.] I wish I had other papers of equal consequence to return for them but from their scarcity you will be content perhaps to wait a long time for one. Mr. Underwood spoke in warm terms of your kind feelings towards me inasmuch that I could hardly have thought it possible to be as he said for I fell no merit on my part that can claim such good will. I may however well comprehend the cause in your own liberal feelings and I may easily admit that to be the source of your good opinion from the constant liberality of sentiment I have experienced in all the French Philosophers[.] Though comparatively young in science I have still had occasion to experience something of the influence of those around me and I am compelled to say I have not found that kindness [word illegible] and liberality at home which I have now on several occasions uniformly experienced from the Parisian men of Science[.]

I have written you rather a long letter considering there is no scientific news in it but I was anxious to acknowledge justly the favours I owe you and to say how highly I do esteem and shall esteem every mark of your kindness and friendship. Considering the very subordinate situation I hold here and the little encouragement which circumstances hold out to me I have more than once been tempted to resign scientific pursuits altogether but then the remembrance of such letters & expressions as yours cheers me again and I struggle on in hopes of getting results at one time or another that shall by their novelty or interest raise me into a more liberal and active sphere.

I am Dear Sir | your very obliged & faithful Servant | M. Faraday

Address: M. Ampere | &c &c