Faraday to Abraham Follett Osler   4 November 1839¹

Royal Institution | 4 Nov 1839

Sir

I am much honored by your letter and in reply will tell you what my opinion of Honorary Memberships are. I look upon them as marks of approbation bestowed by bodies upon such individuals as they may conceive are worthy of such reward and I think the individuals can hardly be so vain as to balance whether they will accept such praise or not: it is for them thankfully to receive. Under such circumstances you will judge what my feelings would be in the case which you do me the favour to put.

On the other hand I am obliged to tell you that I have nothing I can return for such honors for all my time & attention is devoted in channels already determined, to the pursuit of Science. Nor can I leave them in any degree for a new cause or another body than those I am already engaged with[.]

I am Sir | Your Obedient humble Servant | M. Faraday

A. Follett Osler Esq | &c &c &c

Address: A. Follett Osler Esq | Secretary | &c &c &c | Birmingham Philosophical Institute | Birmingham