Faraday to Edward Magrath   23 July 1826

Niton | July. 23, 1826

My dear Edward

Many thanks to you for your instructive letter[.] I cannot for shame longer delay answering it though I have no inclination for letter writing generally and contrive that Sarah shall do all that is possible. You know my occupation and will understand why I avoid writing as often as I can. Poor Sturt! - I thought he could not last long. The Medical men said the hot weather must soon bring his life to a close¹. I am amused and a little offended at Upcots hypocrisy[.] He knows well enough that to the world an hours existence of our Institution is worth a years of the London and that though it were destroyed still the remembrance of it would live for years to come in places where the one he lives at has never been heard off [sic][.] Unless he come with perfect good will & feeling in every part of the way I do not think I at least shall meet him for that nonsense of his though it may amuse once twice or thrice becomes ridiculous if it is to be thrown into every affair of life both common & serious and would probably be in our way. I think it would not be a bad joke to touch him up behind and one cant imagine how it is that he is only assistant librarian at such an Unknown Institution as the London and that one cant help but imagine there must be some cause or other or he would be aiming at a higher character in the house or would endeavour to get into a more public place &c &c &c[.] I think I could make the man wince if I were inclined and yet all in mere chat chat over a cup of tea. But this is all nonsense which however he bring to mind by the corresponding nonsense of his own affectation[.]

Now Hennel² is a plain common sense man without any particular varnish over his conduct & manners and when he speaks one knows what he means. I feel much therefore for his disappointment and think it altogether an unwise thing in some to be so neglectful of his desires & feelings in this case as they have been. Why should not we Philosophers tempt recruits by every honorable means? and when Hennell had so worthily earned the reward of pleasurable feelings why should they not be gratified when it might have been done with so little trouble? It annoys me as much I think as it will Hennel himself for I felt a great anxiety to see a copy of his first paper to the Royal Society[.]³

Will you have the goodness to call or send to Mr Nicol⁴ the printer applying either to Mr. Nicol or Mr Batsford⁵ - I left word that proofs of my paper on vapour should be sent to me here by post⁶, - and also that a hundred copies should be printed off for myself as usual. All I want is to know that this has not been forgotten[.] I do not care much about the proofs but should be sorry if the copies were forgotten. I saw M<<r.>> Batsford <<and>> told him & therefore think things are safe [MS torn] as he [MS torn] & cannot always be there - just look after [MS torn] thing for me.

I am glad to hear all is so well arranged for the Oxford trip - I am writing away here & get on pretty well but it will be a more laborious job than I expected⁷ - I tire of writing day after day but have stuck too [sic] pretty well thus far.

Mrs Faraday desires to be remembered to you - I am dear Magrath | Very Truly Yours | M. Faraday

Address: Edward Magrath | &c &c | Athenaeum | 12 Waterloo Place | London