John Frederic Daniell to Faraday   30 December 1839

King's College | 30th Dec 1839

My dear friend,

Your note, which I have just received, is indeed most welcome to me assuring me as it does that you are improving in health¹. I did not hear of your indisposition till after your departure from town & was most truly grieved that I had not an opportunity of seeing you before you quitted town. There is nothing makes me feel more, how wonderfully we are the slaves of circumstances than that I should see so little of one with whom I would so willingly spend a large portion of my time. I sometimes think that if we lived a hundred miles apart we should know more of one another. I believe that if you were to follow my example & reside a few miles out of town it would be much better for you. The excitement of Albemarle Street is really too much for any one & I am quite sure that my health would not stand it. You would enjoy quite evenings & now & then a holyday, when in the height of the season, & you would always have the means of shaking off troublesome visitors. I shall look out for a cottage for you at Norwood & I am sure that both you & Mrs Faraday would enjoy our pure air & tranquillity. This is really a "Chateau en Espagne" which I have quiet delight in building & I think you might readily convert it into substantial bricks & mortar[.] I know your prudence & therefore am glad to find that you can now & then venture to consider your paper upon contact². I am quite longing for it. You will have no difficulty in convincing me; for I am convinced already by what you have communicated to me. I think that when you have recovered the "mountain knowledge" which hangs about this part of the subject we shall have a fresh start.

I shall hope to see you soon after your return as my lectures do not recommence till the week after next.

Pray give my kindest regards to Mrs Faraday & with all the best wishes of the season for her & you believe me my dear Faraday

Ever affectionately yours | J.F. Daniell

P.S. If the lads and lasses knew of my writing they would, I well know, send a whole packet of Kind wishes[.]