Faraday to John Millington   12 November 1836

Royal Institution | 12 Nov. 1836

To | Professor Millington | &c &c &c

My dear Sir

I had the great pleasure of receiving your letter¹ though not by the hands of Mr. Bache. That gentleman forwarded it from Manchester & from his note I expect he will be in London in December when I shall be happy to do what I can for him though as you well know there can be little occasion for my assistance to any friend of a man so well known amongst us as yourself[.]

Your accounts of your transits over the world and changes in the position of your family almost startle & shame me for I feel as if I could have shewn none of the energy and perseverance which carries you through all these things. I have been here so long (three & twenty years) attached to the Royal Institution that I feel as if I were a limpet on a rock and that any chance which might knock me from my position would leave me but little hopes of attaching myself any where again[.] So much for habit which is just as strong in matters of feeling as in matters of body[.]

I rejoice to hear that you enjoy good health in all this: and think I know so much of your love for science as to be sure that on your new appointment² you will find a continual source of the highest enjoyment[.] That your work will be hard is only sharing the lot of the greater number now-a-days and on the whole is I think a much happier state (if health holds good) than only half employment. Still you must not undertake too much, for though few men could get through more than you used to do, the spirit will sometimes undertake more than the body can perform.

With regard to the Lathe the whole of it went from here; I think into the hands of Mr. Christie³ of the Mechanics Institute, according to your directions: the wheel & all was together but in double confirmation that such was the case the Porters (though they said it had been sent) have again look<<ed>> every where here in vain. I believe Mr Christie is not at the Mechanics Institute now but will enquire & send him a note mentioning your desire[.]

My own health is not very good just now[.] I have an affliction of the right knee joint which incapacitates me from going about as freely as I wish but I expect that under Sir Benjn Brodie's care it will get well again. The Institution is going on very well - never better. If you have the opportunity remember me to Drs Hare & Silliman. Mrs. Faraday joins me in best remembrances. I am my dear Sir Most | faithfully Yours M. Faraday

Endorsement: recd 28th Jany 1837

Address: Professor Millington | &c &c &c | William & Mary College | Williamsburg | Virginia