Faraday to Benjamin Abbott   16 December 1824

R Institution | Decr. 16, 1824

Dear Abbott

I have received yours and was very glad to see any thing to remind me of old & pleasant times[.] Though things have altered with us both & we are thrust much more forward into life than perhaps we expected yet I should be sorry if our younger pleasures & feelings were forgotten amid the cares which I at least am now immersed in (as Cocking¹ would say [)].

I am now lecturing here in the Laboratory² and that does not diminish my labours or increase my spare time - However none of my evenings are fixedly engaged except Wednesdays and Saturdays though the others are frequently picked up as they float about a week before hand - I trust however I shall see you on some of them[.]

I am glad to hear the school prospers. I am a good deal amused at observing how much your hand writing is altered[.] I can guess at the causes but shall get you to explain to me philosophically when I see you[.]

I am Dear Ben | Yours Ever | M. Faraday

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